Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

‘Believe in yourself!’ Ferkuntra exclaimed, a sentiment it would normally never express, feeling quite embarrassed by its own words.

He was always an annoyingly persistent fellow.

While other mages, lacking ability, would arrogantly say things like, "I think I can do it! Why do you say I can't, spirit? Just watch me! I won't die!" and then fail, Yi-Han, despite his competence, would respond with, "I don't think it's possible," "Why are you so reckless?" or "Are you saying it's not your problem?"

There was humility, and then there was excessive modesty...

‘Confidence in oneself comes from objective analysis of the situation, not just from a few words of encouragement.’

‘Now, concentrate and do as I say!’

Ferkuntra, ignoring Yi-Han's words, continued with its own agenda. It had realized that getting involved would only frustrate itself.

‘Imagine the image of lightning as you have with other elements.’

This was the basic principle of elemental magic.

The process involved vividly imagining the element and manifesting it in one's mind, altering one's mana to match that of the element. This was considered a fundamental practice.

However, the lightning attribute was a bit different.

‘Don't imagine lightning striking down from the sky!’

"!"

The image most mages found easiest to conjure was exactly that – a bolt of lightning flashing down from the sky.

But when transforming one's mana to the lightning attribute, conjuring such a bolt was dangerous.

A mage had to maintain and control a certain amount of mana in one place, but the image of a lightning bolt was inherently contrary to such control.

Flames, still water, or frozen ice could all remain in one place.

But lightning was intrinsically fleeting, destined to scatter in all directions after striking down from the sky.

If a young mage rashly imagined a bolt of lightning while transforming their mana to the lightning attribute, they might lose control, causing lightning to wildly discharge in all directions.

Ferkuntra, having nearly died in the underground punishment room due to carelessly meddling with Yi-Han's fire magic, was particularly cautious about safety.

Given the young mage's mana, even a single mishap could lead to a major disaster.

‘Of course, you might think how can one envision the form of lightning without thinking of a bolt. But numerous mages who have handled the lightning attribute have overcome this limitation and succeeded! You, too, will eventually become accustomed to it. A true mage accepts reality not to settle but to alter it to their will! Now, lend me your arm.’

Ferkuntra was not a foolish spirit spouting reckless ideas without any method, as Yi-Han might have thought.

It acknowledged Yi-Han's exceptional talent, but for a young mage to handle the lightning attribute without any practice was indeed a difficult task.

It had a plan.

Just like in the punishment room, it intended to inhabit Yi-Han's arm and assist in controlling the lightning.

Although it had lost most of its power upon being summoned, it was still capable of that much.

But then...

Crackle!

‘Done. Shall I lend you my arm now?’

‘...’

Ferkuntra was astonished by the sphere of lightning formed over Yi-Han's staff.

Remarkably, this young mage had completed the elemental transformation and succeeded in maintaining the lightning attribute's magic in one place, even before Ferkuntra could intervene.

'How on earth did he do that???'

Contrary to Ferkuntra's astonishment, Yi-Han did not find handling the lightning attribute particularly challenging.

From the start, Yi-Han's way of thinking was different from other mages.

He approached the problem very simply.

The inability to conjure the image of a bolt of lightning was not an issue for him at all.

He just had to imagine a sphere of magic on his staff, treating it like a battery.

To Yi-Han, this was an obvious approach!

Imagining electricity charging up inside the sphere was not a difficult task for him.

Perhaps because this method was well-suited, he succeeded immediately.

In fact, he even felt it was more stable than handling other elements...

'It's easier than I was told. Such a fuss over nothing.'

Yi-Han entertained a rather impolite thought.

Reflecting on it, Ferkuntra had been quite over-the-top since their meeting in the punishment room.

The same was true with his handling of fire...

‘You... seem to have quite a talent for lightning!’

‘Do you think so?’

Yi-Han responded indifferently.

Having heard similar praises about his affinity for various attributes, he had started to become skeptical.

Was it just a polite compliment?

It was common to boost young mages' confidence by saying, 'You have a talent for this attribute!'

And Yi-Han's indifference was not lost on Ferkuntra.

Ferkuntra was flabbergasted.

Praise from a spirit of Ferkuntra's stature was a rare occurrence.

‘Do my words sound false to you?! You truly have talent!’

‘Yes... Well, that could be true.’

Yi-Han thought perhaps his talent for lightning stemmed from frequently cramming for exams, or maybe lightning attribute magic was not as difficult as he had thought.

Most likely the latter...

‘But when will you take over my arm?’

Yi-Han asked, puzzled.

Ferkuntra had asked to use his arm but had since been idly standing by.

Was there some problem?

‘Wait. I'm about to inhabit it!’

Yi-Han wondered if the spirit has forgetfulness along with mood swings.

If a capable spirit like Ferkuntra also suffered from forgetfulness, it would be a concern when summoning it.

While Yi-Han pondered this, Ferkuntra inhabited his arm.

‘Now, concentrate on the spell I'm about to transmit.’

Ferkuntra intended to pass on his magic to Yi-Han.

The magic of spirits was wild and capricious, but with the mighty Ferkuntra controlling his arm, even a fledgling mage could use it.

<Ferkuntra's Lesser Thunderbolt>.

It was a 2nd circle magic spell that Ferkuntra was now about to teach Yi-Han.

The principle was simple.

Convert the mana into lightning and then launch it!

No need to shape it into sharp arrows or spears, or add other complex attributes.

Lightning was sufficient on its own.

‘Is this enough for that large target? Won't it just provoke it?’

‘Just listen to a spirit older than you for once! Stop talking back!’

Ferkuntra half-pleaded, half-shouted.

It was good that he wasn't arrogant, but his extreme humility was almost burning it up inside.

Yi-Han was not easily convinced. Ferkuntra realized that to make this stubborn contractor comply, logical and rational persuasion was the only way.

‘Listen well. Lightning is the most destructive and wild among all elements.’

'Coming from the spirit of lightning, that somehow sounds different.'

‘The other elements are not as straightforward to use for attacks.’

Yi-Han agreed with this.

To use water elemental magic effectively for attack, several additions were necessary.

Not only did the attribute of 'water' require additional elements like 'sphere' or 'spear,' but it also needed the addition of 'control.'

‘But lightning is different. It possesses powerful destructive force on its own.’

‘But what about fire…’

‘There's no need to shape it! No need for complex aiming either! Because as long as it hits, that's all that matters!’

Ferkuntra interrupted Yi-Han's words to continue with its own.

‘That summoned creature was originally a common plant monster, but it became complex in nature due to students fusing it with various other monsters. However, this made it more susceptible to lightning. Think about it. Your current goal is to rescue the students it has captured, not to kill it, right?’

‘That's true.’

‘Then this lesser thunderbolt is enough! The moment it's struck anywhere, the creature will release all the students it's holding. The power of lightning makes the enemy shrink back! It won't want to keep fighting you. Having fed on enough mana, it'll flee when attacked!’

'That's a convincing argument.'

Yi-Han was persuaded by Ferkuntra's logic. The age-old spirit was not to be underestimated.

<Ferkuntra's Lesser Thunderbolt> was similar to <Lesser Paralysis Curse> that Yi-Han knew.

It involved only transforming the mana into the attribute and launching it. It had the power to paralyze the opponent.

The difference was that <Ferkuntra's Lesser Thunderbolt> caused more physical damage and, unlike an easily dodged or blocked curse, it gave no opportunity for escape.

It was highly effective in the current situation.

‘Understood. I'll cast it now!’

‘Finally! That took forever!’

Ignoring Ferkuntra's comment, Yi-Han swung his staff and recited the spell.

"Strike down, Ferkuntra's Thunderbolt!"

"Well done..."

As Ferkuntra watched the successfully launched lightning magic, it was about to praise Yi-Han.

But then it belatedly realized something odd.

The mana of the lightning attribute concentrated in the sphere was far more than it had expected.

'...???????!!!'

During the short time Ferkuntra had been having a needless conversation with Yi-Han, Yi-Han had unconsciously gathered more mana.

'No, this can't be!'

While students from the Blue Dragon and White Tiger chased after the vine monster, students from the Immortal Phoenix and Black Tortoise acted more wisely.

They set off to find Professor Garcia.

"Professor! Over here!!"

Fortunately, the students found Professor Garcia walking by.

The skull principal was also floating by, and Professor Boladi was there too, but the students didn't even speak to them.

"Hurry! It's urgent!"

"Everyone, stay calm."

Professor Garcia swung his staff, and the shouting students instantly calmed down.

The ground trembled, smoothly propelling Professor Garcia forward. Together with the students, they rushed like a whirlwind.

"Is this the right way?"

"Yes! Yes!"

Fortunately, the trail left by the vine monster had not yet disappeared.

Professor Garcia spotted the vine monster fighting in the distance.

Students from the White Tiger were surrounding it, swinging swords, but their efforts seemed ineffective. Instead, more students were being captured.

Professor Garcia raised his staff, planning to immobilize the vine monster with a spell.

At that moment, a thick bolt of lightning shot through the air.

Crackle!

The lightning bolt shot forth and struck the vine monster's body directly. Despite the distance, Professor Garcia could feel the strong mana within the bolt; it was so intense that it made his hair stand on end.

"■■■■■■..."

The vine monster didn't just get electrocuted; it was completely charred black. The students it had captured began to fall one by one.

Professor Garcia quickly swung his staff, ensuring the falling students landed safely.

"Are you alright?!"

"Uhhhh..."

Seeing the students trembling, Professor Garcia worried for a moment that their mana had been absorbed too much beyond their limits.

Since the vine monster was a creature that absorbed mana, it posed a significant risk of internal injuries to the young mages if they were caught by it.

Priestess Tijiling, who had called for Professor Garcia, looked at her friends with a very worried expression.

Would they be alright?

"Thank goodness!"

A relieved voice escaped Professor Garcia's lips, and Tijiling also felt reassured.

Fortunately, they seemed to be okay.

"Is everyone unharmed?"

"Yes. We're all fine. Just a bit electrocuted by the lightning."

"...?"

Tijiling was taken aback.

Was that really okay?