Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

Yi-Han couldn't help but be amazed by the diligence and cooperation of the Immortal Phoenix Tower students, who had made lots and decided the order in that short moment when he wasn't looking.

If it were the Blue Dragon Tower students, they would still be fighting over who would draw the lots first.

"Sharukal, was it?"

"Yes."

Those who worshipped Agltakwa, the god of the sea and storms, were usually sailors or marine creature mixed-bloods.

In a way, it was natural for Sharukal, a shark mixed-blood, to believe in Agltakwa.

"I think this is fate."

"What?"

"There's no better place to show the teachings of Lord Agltakwa. Look at this sea!"

"It's a lake..."

"When I see this sea, I think of Lord Agltakwa."

"Uh-huh."

Yi-Han decided to listen for now.

Even if the priests were usually taciturn, it was different when it came to talking about faith.

Before, Yi-Han had once said to Priestess Tijiling while feeding her a snack, "But why is Lord Presinga sacrificing himself to support the world?" and had to listen to an explanation for three hours.

At times like this, he had to act as carefully as possible. If he stimulated them carelessly, the conversation could become several times longer.

"So Lord Agltakwa got drunk and spilled his drink, and that became the sea... Ah. Mr. Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family. I heard you are the most interested in magic among the students."

"You can call me comfortably without being stiff and formal. And I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding about that."

"You're humble."

"Misunderstanding..."

Yi-Han tried to explain in detail but gave up.

If Yi-Han were Sharukal, he would have said, "What nonsense is that?" if someone who took all the school lectures said, "I'm not that interested in magic."

"...So why?"

"Ah. I was thinking about how to make you interested in Lord Agltakwa. Wealth? Power? Such things would be meaningless to you."

'No, it's not.'

Yi-Han was dumbfounded by Priest Sharukal's words.

If any religious order declared, "If you believe in our order, we will give you one gold coin every time you pray," Yi-Han was confident that he would become a fervent, hardcore believer of that order from then on.

"That's when I realized it. Ah! The only thing that would interest you, who has no interest in wealth or power, is magic. So I prepared to show you the holy magic of Lord Agltakwa."

"Oh."

Yi-Han suddenly felt intrigued by Sharukal's words.

'But I won't be able to learn holy magic.'

There were words left by excellent mages Yi-Han knew about holy magic.

Principal A.

-I also have little interest in faith. Because I'm too smart to believe in gods.

Head of Family B.

-Learning holy magic is a good idea. If you want to waste your time in vain, that is. Compared to real magic refined with formulas and theories as a background, holy magic is just the act of savages intoxicated by belief and emotion, howling.

Even if he didn't go to that extreme, Yi-Han agreed with the principles of holy magic argued by those two mages.

The magic of the Empire was based on long-accumulated theories and knowledge.

What is the most efficient and accurate magic to embody a certain phenomenon?

And when this magic is repeated, will the same results come out? Does it have reproducibility even when used by other mages?

These histories and principles were the driving force that allowed the mages of the Empire, which was so vast that the end was not in sight, to communicate, interact, and develop together.

Without these, the mages of the Empire would still be playing separately in their own regions with their own rules.

However, even the magic of the Empire, which was like this, could not explain everything in the magical world.

Primitive magic found in places untouched by human feet, ancient magic whose lineage had long been cut off, psychic powers instinctively triggered by people who had not even systematically learned magic, holy magic that ran on belief rather than theory...

Such magic that ran on individual ability and sense rather than theory and knowledge still remained. Some imperial mages even made it their job to analyze and explain such magic.

'holy magic... because belief is essential.'

Among the magic that ran on individual ability and sense, 'belief' was important in holy magic.

Intense belief in God.

That belief made it possible for peculiar phenomena that were different from the magic of the Empire to occur.

However, Yi-Han did not have such belief. In the first place, wasn't he a fake believer who was only interested in benefits?

'Honestly, I think the skull principal's argument is right.'

It's not that God really exists and borrows his power, but the will called belief sent by countless believers is influencing reality, right?

Since mages also change reality with their will, it wouldn't be strange for the will sent collectively by many people to create an intense force that shakes reality.

"So what kind of magic is it?"

Yi-Han couldn't guess what magic Sharukal would use.

Since holy magic had a large difference in individual ability and sense, the magic that appeared was not consistent but varied.

Of course, there were general tendencies depending on the characteristics of the order and the god they served, but...

"Agltakwa, who sees through the deep abyss. Send your limbs to me."

Sharukal chanted the spell in a low and heavy voice.

It was different from concentrating the mind or arranging the flow of mana while waving a staff.

Swish-

There was a sound of something moving under the lake, and fish began to gather near Sharukal's feet.

Yi-Han was amazed by that sight.

"Is it summoning marine creatures?"

"That's right, Mr. Yi-Han."

Seeing the other priests also exclaiming in admiration, Sharukal's holy magic was clearly at a remarkable level.

'Well, it's not an ordinary thing to summon creatures from such a far place when they're still 1st-years.'

Yi-Han was also amazed, forgetting that he was also a 1st-year.

To show such power to reach creatures in such a distant place, and even in the adverse condition of being underwater, with the magic of the Empire, complex processes, theories, and preparations were needed.

However, if there was belief, it could be solved at once in such a way.

Although it was not as diverse and versatile as magic, it was so effective in certain situations that it was unmatched.

"How is it, Mr. Yi-Han?"

Sharukal asked, sweating profusely.

Even though he had succeeded in magic with belief, there was bound to be a consumption of mental power or mana.

To quickly relieve Sharukal's burden, Yi-Han answered.

"It's admirable. To summon creatures from so far away like this. And it's very useful. I'll catch them right aw..."

"Haha. These creatures are like my friends, so if I ask them, they will do their best to listen. I'm always grateful."

"...That friendship truly shines like gold! I'm envious!"

Yi-Han quickly changed the subject.

Sharukal continued speaking, not even suspecting that Yi-Han had thought of his friends as fresh sashimi ingredients.

"When I was young, I once drifted after encountering a storm while riding a small boat out to sea. I prayed and prayed to Lord Agltakwa. Fortunately, Lord Agltakwa must have thought highly of me and gave me this magic. I was barely able to return with the help of my sea friends."

Listening, Yi-Han spoke with a serious face.

"Indeed. Then should I also ride a small boat and encounter a storm?"

"...What!? There's no need for you to do that!"

Sharukal answered in a disgusted voice at Yi-Han's extreme remark.

What kind of absurd asceticism was that?

"Huh? Really? But if there's no set method, following someone else's experience as it is has the highest possibility..."

"That's too dangerous... I just wanted to say to pray with that much sincerity."

"I see."

'That seems too weak.'

Apart from Yi-Han's own faith, he was a bit skeptical of prayers in such a way.

Why would so many priests awaken holy magic in crisis or urgent situations?

People's beliefs naturally become stronger when they fall into extreme situations.

Putting that aside, Yi-Han's own magic skills had also increased dramatically when his life was threatened by Professor Bagrak...

'...Oh my god. I'm thinking like Professor Bagrak!'

Yi-Han was startled by his own madness.

It must have been because of Professor Bagrak.

They say when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you...

"Okay. Then I'll try praying."

Yi-Han was going to do his best to pray to repay Sharukal's sincerity.

Whether he succeeded or not, it wouldn't hurt to leave a good impression on the priests.

Even if he couldn't use holy magic, a diligent believer was usually rewarded with something from the religious order.

'What will the Agltakwa Order reward me with? Sashimi ingredients?'

"Why is that guy not practicing underwater breathing and doing something else?"

"Stupid guy. It's Wardanaz. He must have already mastered something like underwater breathing."

Yi-Han raised his head at the chattering voices of the White Tiger Tower students next to him.

"Sharukal?"

"Yes?"

"Let's practice underwater breathing first."

"Ah, oops!"

30 seconds later.

"I succeeded."

"..."

"..."

The two White Tiger Tower students practicing next to him glared, but Yi-Han didn't notice.

"Sharukal, you don't need to practice?"

"I can originally breathe in water, but?"

"..."

"..."

The two White Tiger Tower students practicing next to him glared even more sharply than before.

"Okay. Then, uh... how do I pray?"

"Try praying with the thoughts you usually have towards the sea. That's how those who believe for the first time usually start."

Sharukal was very excited and grinning from ear to ear at the sight of Yi-Han acting sincerely towards Agltakwa.

In contrast, Yi-Han had a lot on his mind.

'I have no thoughts about the sea.'

If he had to say, he had considered investing when there was a herring craze in the southern part of the Empire last year, thinking it might be good.

"Lord Agltakwa... Hmm..."

Yi-Han tried to somehow draw out faith that he didn't have, but gave up.

It seemed right to try it his own way, whether it worked or not.

Imagining the beliefs of the many people who believed in Agltakwa.

Envisioning that vast ocean of energy.

And...

'I can't just ask for it.'

Yi-Han thought rationally.

Since he didn't have the faith and devotion that other priests offered, Yi-Han decided to think of it as just magic.

I'll offer my mana, so please let me borrow a little from that ocean of energy as compensation.

At that moment, Yi-Han's mana moved and was consumed. The offered mana had disappeared.

'As expected, nothing happens.'

Although nothing happened, Yi-Han was not disappointed.

This was usually normal.

Not every phenomenon occurred as the mage wished just because they consumed mana and wished for something. The order and rules of the world were basically tougher and more solid than the will of mages.

Still, conscious of Sharukal's gaze, Yi-Han offered his mana a few more times.

Anyway, unlike other mages, it didn't matter much even if he wasted mana...

Squirm.

Sharukal's eyes widened.

A heterogeneous mana different from ordinary mana began to be felt from Yi-Han's body.

Mana that any priest could recognize.

It was holy power.

"That's it!! That's it!! Mr. Yi-Han! As expected, you had a genuine faith in Lord Agltakwa deep in your heart! More! Pray more! That's the start... Wait. Why is everyone coming this way?!"

Sharukal shouted urgently, realizing the gazes felt from behind.

The priests of the Immortal Phoenix Tower had gathered at some point and were making very anxious expressions.