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Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 66
🕑 Added 2024-01-03 13:46:27 +0000 UTCChapter 66
In a state burdened with a mountain of luggage, to continuously cast the <Lesser Control> spell and even levitate boxes was astonishing.
A typical mage in such a situation would have resorted to higher circle magic.
After all, the <Lesser Control> spell wasn't designed for such purposes!
It was a spell intended for lifting mere quills or erasers, or at most a heavy bead, but to use it to such an extent...
It felt not just extraordinary, but bizarrely so.
Was it necessary to go to such lengths with a 1st circle spell?
"No, isn't that a physical enhancement spell? Who taught you that?"
Professor Garcia, who was admiring the boxes levitated by the <Lesser Control> spell, belatedly noticed the mana enveloping Yi-Han's body.
The intricately arranged mana was enveloping and aiding Yi-Han's movements.
There was only one type of magic with such mana.
Physical enhancement spells.
As effective as they were popular, but they came with aftereffects, given that they involved hammering mana into and fixing it within the human body.
Most students, accustomed only to moving a quill at a desk, were too frail for such a spell, deemed unnecessary to teach at this stage...
Where had he learned it?
Who knows?
The skull principal remained expressionless, detaching himself from the situation. A truly Lich-like control of expression.
"Did you learn it from the library? I should have warned earlier..."
“Don't be too harsh, Professor Garcia. If you impose too many restrictions, mages will weaken.”
'Could this person be the culprit?'
Suddenly, Professor Garcia found the skull principal suspicious.
There was no concrete evidence, just a hunch!
—
The <Gonadaltes' Agile Steps> that Yi-Han was forced to learn was a rather unique spell.
Usually, physical enhancement magic had a finely defined part to enhance.
Strength for strength.
Agility for agility.
The lower the circle of the spell, the more this was the case. Being too ambitious with a low circle spell could turn it into an unusable oddity.
But <Gonadaltes' Agile Steps> fell into that category of oddities.
A bizarre 1st circle spell enhancing strength, agility, stamina, and reflexes!
Therefore, its training was inevitably challenging.
If it were a simple strength-enhancing spell, one could envision the image of a mighty champion, or for agility, a swiftly flying bird.
But an image combining all four areas was not easy.
-‘I guess that's why it's named Gonadaltes.’-
Yi-Han complained, grinding his teeth at the black book.
Some spells bore the names of their creators, a mark of the mage's honor and a guidepost to understanding the nature of the spell.
And the name 'Gonadaltes' was indeed a clear guidepost.
Such an infuriatingly crafted spell!
'At least the names of the spells should be somewhat similar, right? Normally, such spells should only deal with agility.'
Trial and error.
Trial and error.
Through numerous failures, Yi-Han found his direction.
Unknown to himself, Yi-Han's breadth and flexibility of thought were rarer advantages than even his mana.
He chose the image of the skull principal in his youth.
Of course, Yi-Han had no idea what the skull principal looked like in his youth.
Yet, Yi-Han employed his imagination to envision the principal's living, younger days.
Eyes ablaze with madness yet sound in appearance, undoubtedly a temperamental and sharp demeanor. He must have enjoyed fighting to create such a spell, hence a lean and well-trained physique…
Once Yi-Han donned a roughly cobbled together outfit of dark, shadowy clothes and grasped a staff in his hand, the image of a sinister mage, fit to play the villain in any story, was complete.
-‘I thought as much, but it really does look formidable.’-
A mage who appeared strong, fast, enduring, and with keen reflexes.
And astonishingly, this image proved effective.
The magic that had been failing continuously finally began to take shape.
-"Feet, grasp the earth!"-
-"Feet, grasp the earth!"-
-"Feet, grasp the earth!"-
The incantations continued in succession.
After persistent attempts, the spell was finally perfected.
Yi-Han felt the mana etching into his body like a pattern, aiding him.
Not only strength and agility, but also lung endurance and reflexes.
Flap-flap!
The black book fluttered as if celebrating Yi-Han's achievement.
Pleased with the result of his hard work, Yi-Han paused, a sudden thought striking him.
-‘Wait. Don't physical enhancement spells have a backlash? If this spell covers so many areas…’-
Before he could finish his question, the black book expelled him from the fantasy realm.
—
Of course, despite his unease, Yi-Han couldn't just abandon using the spell. He was in no position to be choosy about his methods at this point.
His burden was that heavy.
Yi-Han cast <Gonadaltes' Agile Steps> and, following the method taught by Professor Ingurdel, stirred up his mana and circulated it through his body.
...Well, not exactly circulating it, but more like just releasing it. Precise control was still beyond his reach.
However, that alone was enough to enhance and protect his body.
Then he cast <Lesser Control> in succession.
At this point, even Professor Ingurdel would likely say, ‘No, if you try to control mana while casting spell like that, of course it’s too much.’
But the more serious problem was the enormous consumption of mana.
Normally, one would have collapsed after just a few steps...
'It’s no fun when the mana is overflowing like this.'
The skull principal grumbled inwardly.
It seemed that Yi-Han had used <Gonadaltes' Agile Steps>, but it was too perfect, lacking any amusement.
Originally, after mastering the spell, one would casually cast it thinking, 'It's just a 1st circle spell, so the mana consumption won't be that severe,' only to collapse in shock, which was a proper courtesy to the spell's creator.
Indeed, all of the skull principal's other disciples had collapsed in such a manner, much to his delight.
A 1st circle spell, yet a trap with its difficulty, effects, and mana consumption not fitting for the level of the circle...
...And he just breezed through it.
“Welcome back…”
The skull principal's dissatisfied tone pleased Yi-Han.
It meant he had passed all the traps.
"Thank you for the valuable leave pass. I won't forget your kindness, Principal."
"Yi-Han, you don't need to say that much."
Professor Garcia was slightly embarrassed.
It wasn't the principal's kindness that had granted Yi-Han his exceptional achievement.
“Oh, Professor Garcia. Such rare manners these days.”
Professor Garcia ignored the skull principal's comment.
"Yi-Han, once you go in, drink as much restorative potion as you can and get plenty of rest. It's best if you sleep a lot."
"..."
Yi-Han had been prepared, but hearing Professor Garcia's words made him genuinely afraid.
...Should he not have used the spell? Was the spell itself the principal's final trap?
"Understood."
Yi-Han nodded and walked through the open gate.
Professor Garcia, watching his retreating figure with satisfaction, was addressed by the skull principal.
"Wait a minute. So how did he get the money?"
"...!"
—
Before he collapsed, Yi-Han had done as much as he possibly could.
He had organized his belongings, explained and made requests to his friends, and consumed potions...
"?"
Waking up in broad daylight, Yi-Han was bewildered.
His body...
‘Is it too okay?’
It was too okay, indeed.
When one expects pain and finds none, it's human nature to feel even more uneasy. With this anxious thought, Yi-Han cautiously left his room.
"Wardanaz!"
Several students from the Blue Dragon waited in the lounge, their expressions a mix of worry and tension.
"Wardanaz! You're awake!"
"We were worried about you!"
Some even had tears in their eyes. This made Yi-Han even more confused.
'What's going on?'
Had they brought a feast from outside, competing over who could make a bigger fuss?
"I did push myself a bit, but there was no need to worry this much."
“Huh? Really? Gainando said you might die…”
"..."
Instead of responding, Yi-Han flopped down onto a chair in front of the lounge.
In one corner of the lounge, the luggage that Yi-Han had brought was piled up. They were stacked there because many were too bulky to fit in his personal room.
Upon a fresh look...
'I did bring an insane amount of stuff.'
Proud yet feeling a bit mad at the sheer quantity of goods he had brought.
How did he manage to carry it all by himself?
"While you were asleep, I took care of the stable's horse."
"Thanks, Yonaire. ...Wait a minute. Isn't that horse a bit difficult to handle? Were you okay?"
"Huh?"
Yonaire tilted her head in confusion.
"It was fine? Just stood there while I fed and groomed it."
"..."
Yi-Han was furious.
'That little...'
The horse that caused such a ruckus whenever Yi-Han cared for it behaved quietly for someone else?
Perhaps, after being harshly treated by Yi-Han, it felt grateful to be cared for by someone else, but still...
'Just you wait.'
"Here, cocoa."
Yi-Han accepted a cup of warm cocoa. Despite feeling fine, a trace of fatigue lingered, making the sweet cocoa exceptionally delicious.
Yi-Han fumbled in his pocket. Yonaire looked puzzled.
"Looking for something?"
"Silver coins."
"...Just drink it, I gave it to you..."
Yonaire's look of disbelief met Yi-Han's grateful expression.
Regaining some sense, Yi-Han sighed.
"A new week has begun..."
Everyone in the lounge nodded solemnly.
The arrogance and pride they had at the start of the second week were nowhere to be seen.
What trials and tribulations awaited them this week?
"Did everyone finish their assignments?"
"Yeah. ...If you can call it an assignment."
"I completed mine. ...It's a pile of trash."
Yi-Han felt slightly guilty as everyone avoided his gaze.
Did he ask a pointless question?
"I've finished the task from Professor Uregor, but not the White Tiger flag."
"..."
The mention of the White Tiger flag caused the faces of the students from the Blue Dragon to harden.
The <Basic Magic Character Education> assignment from the skull principal.
Though it was still somewhat puzzling why it was considered a character education task, an assignment was an assignment nonetheless.
"Anyone tried it?"
"Nothing works."
"Damn it. I almost had it by bribing a White Tiger guy with candy, but failed. It was so close...!"
"..."
The other friends had not simply left everything to Yi-Han; they had tried too.
Each of them had tried various methods according to their own ingenuity.
These attempts ranged from sneaking in (they were all repelled), to bribery (which failed due to interference from other students of the White Tiger), to forgery, and more.
However, none of these methods proved effective.
It was Gainando who, arriving late to the lounge, made a suggestion.
"Why not just team up with the guys from the White Tiger and exchange flags?"
"What are you talking about? That's so naïve!"
"Have you forgotten how brutally the White Tiger guys attacked Wardanaz?"
"?"
Yi-Han, listening to this, hesitated.
It didn't seem to have been quite that extreme...
"Everyone, calm down. I've thought of a plan."
"!"
The noisy room quieted down at Yi-Han's words. Gainando spoke as if he had an idea.
"An exchange, right? That's the only way?"
"No. we'll raid them at night and take it."
"...That's our Wardanaz!"
Cheers erupted in the Blue Dragon's lounge at Yi-Han's words.
