Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

At the current situation, there wasn't really anything to plot...

Yi-Han clicked his tongue while pondering.

'Anyway, there's no answer even if I think about it.'

"Alright. Everyone worked hard... What did you eat?"

"So, some cake..."

"I told you to leave some for Wardanaz."

When the White Tiger Tower students whispered, Yi-Han waved his hand as if it was okay.

"It's fine. You can eat first if you're hungry."

"Wardanaz...!"

"Then, since we're full, let's do some more work on the opposite side before going. The priests are on duty this week, so it must be hard for them."

"..."

The White Tiger Tower students followed behind Yi-Han, pouting their lips.

Someone muttered.

"There's no such thing as cake without any price."

"Even if you try to imitate him, you won't become like Wardanaz."

"I, I was just trying it out. Just."

"Ratford. Can you help me a bit?"

"Of course."

Ratford, who was picking the lock of the box his friend brought from the black market, stood up without hesitation.

A Black Tortoise Tower student who recognized Yi-Han's face waved his hand. Yi-Han also lightly greeted him as if thanking him.

'...If someone sees, they'll think he's a Black Tortoise Tower student!'

Salko, who was watching from afar, was dumbfounded.

Usually, when students from other towers came, the Black Tortoise Tower students would nag them, saying, 'Why are you here?' 'What are you looking around for?' 'Are you a thief? If you're going to buy, buy, and if you're not, don't just stand there.'

But when only Wardanaz came, they treated him like a close friend.

Salko wasn't in a position to say anything to anyone, but...

"But what do I need to help with? Is there something you want to steal?"

"I shouldn't ask for such a thing so easily."

"You can easily ask for it, but..."

"Today, it's just checking."

At Yi-Han's words, Ratford was curious.

Checking.

What was he going to check?

"Checking the animals Professor Bungaegor prepared for the lecture. No matter how I think about it, I'm worried."

After the 2nd semester started, Yi-Han became a bit more mature.

He started preparing for lectures in advance.

'No matter how I think about it, if I just trust the professor and stay still, I feel like one of my limbs will break. I'll check first.'

Yi-Han was already realizing a truth that other seniors only realized in their 2nd or 3rd year.

"As expected... You are indeed Wardanaz."

Ratford admired him.

Is that why he's the top student of the year?

"Given Professor Bungaegor's personality, she must have mixed barriers and devices, so I'll take care of the barriers and you take care of the devices."

"Wardanaz, you are actually at a level where you can call yourself a proper thief anywhere..."

At Ratford's praise, Yi-Han was embarrassed for the first time in a while.

"I'm not at that level yet, am I?"

"No. Honestly, that level is enough. Since it's the result of bloody practice, you can be proud of it."

"Hehe. Is that so?"

Yi-Han was happy.

It was worth diligently picking and fiddling with locks according to Ratford's instructions.

The open space a little away from the main building, which was used as the festival venue this time, was a field with two forests on either side.

On one side, there was a summoning magic test site that the 1st year students had worked hard on over the weekend, and on the other side, there was a winding racetrack where Professor Bungaegor's lecture would take place.

"Seeing the racetrack, it might be a riding lecture."

Professor Bungaegor emphasized the importance of taming and riding animals in the 1st semester as well.

If it was about taming and riding a new monster, there was a high possibility of it being relatively safe.

"Or it might be a lecture on running away from monsters."

"..."

It was sad that he couldn't deny Ratford's words. Certainly, the winding racetrack looked good for running away from monsters chasing from behind.

"Ratford. Please check the surroundings."

"Yes. There's no one. Goodness... The security is so lax. It seems a bit careless."

"The professors are usually like that. They lack a sense of crisis because they make the students do it."

Yi-Han approached the cage while amicably cursing the professor.

'<Paragranum's Veil> won't be necessary.'

He was very nervous just in case, but he could approach it more easily than expected. Yi-Han carefully approached.

■■■■■■...

Swish-

When he tried to remove the covering cloth, as expected, it stuck tightly and wouldn't come off. Yi-Han immediately swung his mana like a hammer. With a silent boom, the cloth fell off.

And what awaited was an amazing sight.

"...?!"

There was nothing inside the cage. Ratford was startled, but Yi-Han quickly realized it.

"It's a monster with invisibility."

"Invisibility?"

"It's a Quineae."

"!"

Ratford was startled by the voice coming from behind.

He was momentarily distracted because the inside of the cage was empty. It was a mistake that hurt his pride as a thief.

"Ugh... To make such a mistake..."

"Shh. Ratford. It's okay, so manage your expression. We haven't been caught yet."

The naive mage who didn't know what intentions the two students had presented a permit and said.

"Here's the permit given by Lord Gonadaltes. I came to visit because of the summoning magic festival. I'm sorry for bothering you when you must be busy taking care of the Quineae."

"No. We welcome you to Einroguard."

The mage smiled at Yi-Han's polite hospitality. Just by looking at the intonation and gestures, it was clear that the other person was from a great noble family.

"It's indeed a really good place. I didn't know the mana of nature would be this strong... The mages studying here must feel like they're dreaming every day."

"...Yes. Well."

"The dream might be a bit different depending on what kind of dream it is..."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing."

The two quickly changed the subject because they didn't want to break the outsider's illusion.

"But what is that?"

"Ah. You mean the Quineae? It's a gentle and cute fellow."

Quineae.

It was a monster with invisibility, slightly resembling a small elephant.

"Does it eat people?"

"What? No. I said it's gentle and cute, right?"

"Ah. I'm sorry. Even if it's gentle and cute, it can still eat people."

"Hahaha. That was a funny joke."

The two students were exchanging meaningful glances, but the mage didn't notice.

"When I was young, my teacher brought this fellow. I kept losing the invisible monster, so he wanted to teach me how to find it. I was so scared back then."

"...You said it's gentle and cute?"

"But it likes to play tricks. When it chases loudly from behind, it's so scary! Hahaha!"

"..."

"...Do you also train to ride the Quineae?"

"The Quineae? It doesn't have that kind of personality. I've never heard of it liking to carry someone."

When Ratford's guess among his and Yi-Han's guesses turned out to be correct, their faces darkened.

Do they really have to engage in an escape from an invisible transparent beast?

"The place is well prepared. As expected of Einroguard. Three years ago, during the festival, the preparation was poor due to the uncooperative attitude of the local families, so we had a hard time... Do you see that large pit over there? That's where the mages who will summon creatures will gather."

Ratford inadvertently asked.

"Why is such a large pit necessary?"

"Sometimes, there are always mages who summon strange things... If they summon inside such a pit, it's easy to bury them, right?"

Ratford was flustered and whispered to Yi-Han.

"Is he joking?"

"No. That's serious."

Yi-Han changed the subject to the Quineae because he thought he would only feel depressed if he heard about the terrible festival in advance.

For now, the transparent giant beast that would trample him was more dangerous.

"Do you have any tips for dealing with the Quineae?"

"Magic that leaves traces is good. It's also good to prepare potions with strong colors in advance."

Yi-Han shook his head at the mage's appearance, teaching the orthodox method.

Of course, Yi-Han already knew that much.

"I mean a way to make it run away."

"...Well... that's true, but... Quineae is a gentle beast, so why are you asking for such a method?"

The mage asked, slightly on guard.

Noticing that, Yi-Han answered softly.

"I have to keep taking care of it, so I'm worried that I might make a mistake."

"Aha. I was worried for nothing..."

The mage readily spilled the information. Fortunately, there was a potion to repel the Quineae.

After hearing enough, Yi-Han nodded gratefully.

"Thank you. I will take good care of this fellow."

"Wait, wait a moment."

"??"

The mage called out to the two.

"Do you happen to know a student named Wardanaz? A student whose specialty is golem control?"

"I don't know?"

"I've never heard of him before?"

"Is that so... Is it because the academy is big? Anyway, thank you."

The mage thanked them and walked away.

As soon as the other person disappeared, Yi-Han asked Ratford with a shocked look.

"What is it? How?"

"Could it be because of those White Tiger Tower bastards? Most problems are because of them, right?"

"No... Not this time. How could the White Tiger Tower bastards spread such a rumor? What is it, really? Is it the principal??"

Yi-Han was confused, not knowing that the answer had come out.

"...Wardanaz!"

"Yes?"

Professor Bungaegor called out to Yi-Han when she saw the gathered students all holding potion bottles containing black ink.

"You're the culprit, right?"

"I don't really know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb. Oh my... 1st years are only getting sharper."

Professor Bungaegor looked at the students as if it was absurd. The students avoided her gaze, sneaking away.

Not even worn-out 3rd years, but 1st year students figured out the lecture content in advance.

'It's different when there's a lion among the sheep.'

"I'll praise you. You figured it out well. Preparing in advance like this is also an ability."

The students let out a sigh of relief, but Yi-Han maintained a clueless expression until the end.

"But just because you prepared in advance doesn't mean today's lecture will be easy. This monster is called Quineae..."

Professor Bungaegor explained the appearance of the invisible monster in as much detail as possible.

A student cautiously raised his hand.

"Any questions?"

"Yes. Professor. Do we really have to run away from that invisible monster? Isn't it about figuring out the location of the fellow who's just standing still?"

"Wardanaz figured that out too? It's really amazing."

Professor Bungaegor looked at Yi-Han as if he was amazing.

It wasn't easy to figure out the lecture content of running away from the Quineae in advance, even if he could notice that the Quineae was prepared.

How?

"..."

"...Ah, no... Isn't figuring out the location of the invisible monster the goal of the lecture?"

"That's the purpose of the lecture. Originally, monsters don't stand still, so of course, you have to practice against a moving one. Quineae is relatively easy. From here to there, don't go outside and avoid it inside the racetrack. You just need to endure until this hourglass runs out, so don't worry too much."

Yi-Han took out the potion he had made without being surprised at all. He was already prepared.

"Wa, Wardanaz. Can I buy the potion even now?"

"The price has gone up a bit now."

"I don't care! Sorry for doubting you!"

'...Wardanaz, that guy shouldn't be compared to 3rd years.'

Professor Bungaegor shook her head.

Looking at that appearance, 3rd years were rather innocent in comparison.