Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1012

Chapter 1012

"Who else do you mean by other friends?"

"Pardon?"

Not expecting to be asked to specifically name friends, Yi-Han was flustered.

Indeed, a great mage's insight was extraordinarily sharp.

"...Senior Direth, and Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family..."

In his fluster, Yi-Han made a choice he would never normally make.

He included his own name in the list of friends.

The Death Knight accompanying him felt sorry inwardly.

'Successor. Adding your own name as if it were someone else's only makes it seem more pathetic.'

"Also... um... Setlad of the Anog family."

-...-

The knights had to turn their heads away, unable to look at the successor with a clear mind.

The current conversation had the power to make even undead who had lost their physical bodies feel shame.

Erindarbell showed puzzlement at the unfamiliar name.

"Was there such a person? I'll have to ask Yukbeltire."

"That mage has a strongly secretive nature. That's probably why she didn't mention him."

"Strange. Yukbeltire isn't one to respect others' tendencies in her behavior."

'Ugh.'

Yi-Han cursed his absent senior.

How much must she act like a nuisance normally to torment her junior even when not present?

"...Senior has changed a tiny bit."

"If that's true, it would be truly surprising and joyful news. Perhaps thanks to her friend's dedication."

"I think that possibility is quite high too."

Yi-Han quickly agreed.

If not for Senior Direth, that little Verduus might have starved to death or gone missing in Einroguard's depths by now.

"An outstanding mage shouldn't keep causing trouble for their friend."

"I think so too!"

After answering, Yi-Han worried his reaction might have been too intense.

His voice had come out loud without him realizing it.

But it couldn't be helped.

An opportunity to scold little Verduus using the power of a great mage and mother?

However, Erindarbell paid little attention to Yi-Han's reaction. Rather, she raised her silver eyebrows in displeasure at her daughter's behavior.

"It's truly regrettable that she hasn't changed even after receiving the letter."

"What did you say?"

"I sent a letter saying to abandon Yukbeltire since she won't help with the student's magic research, and to do her own work."

"?"

Yi-Han tilted his head at the momentary sense of dissonance.

Then he belatedly realized.

Surprisingly, this great mage had sent the letter to Direth, not Yukbeltire!

"Ah, no. Shouldn't you send it to Senior Yukbeltire?"

"Since Yukbeltire won't listen even if told, there's no reason to send her a separate letter."

"..."

Indeed, not just anyone could be a great mage. Yi-Han had to acknowledge this.

'That's certainly correct. It's much more likely to succeed telling people around her to avoid her than trying to persuade Senior Yukbeltire.'

"Wait. Then Senior Direth received the letter but why such favo... no, why continue such friendship?"

Erindarbell let out a small sigh as if regretful.

"She replied that she would choose her own friends herself."

"Oh my!"

Yi-Han also sighed with the same regret.

Why on earth?

'Maybe the letter content was too direct.'

Even Yi-Han, if someone sent him a letter saying 'Don't be close with Gainando', would probably protect him more while thinking 'Who are you to say that?'

Rather, a letter like 'I heard Gainando secured a month's worth of snacks and is eating them secretly alone' would have been much more effective.

"Since Young Wardanaz also identified yourself as Yukbeltire's friend..."

"Me?! ...Well, I was."

Yi-Han belatedly tried to recover. Then he suffered.

'Damn. I should have put Moradi instead.'

His reaction was slow because the question was too sudden.

"...Be careful not to let Yukbeltire involve you and interfere with your research. From a greater perspective, it's an enormous loss when mages who must take responsibility for the empire's future cannot fully focus on magic."

Great Mage Erindarbell, like most outstanding mages, had firm convictions.

Nurture talented mages, and support them so they can each bloom.

...And occasionally strictly isolate those who try to torment other mages like weeds or poisonous mushrooms...

'Isn't she being too harsh?'

Yi-Han was slightly surprised at his own thought.

It seemed some feeling of wanting to defend his fellow senior still remained.

"How is Adenart?"

"Pardon? Ah..."

Belatedly recalling that the mage before him was also Adenart's mother, Yi-Han gave a good answer.

"Her Highness is very diligent."

Indeed, unlike a certain Y senior, Adenart was among the most diligent even in Blue Dragon Tower.

"Is that so? From the letter contents, it seemed she keeps forcing cooking on Young Wardanaz..."

'Gasp.'

At the sharp observation, Yi-Han unconsciously drew in his breath.

He couldn't count how many times he had tensed up while dealing with this great mage.

"...Blue Dragon Tower students divide tasks among ourselves. So you must have misunderstood. Since I'm in the alchemy school, I often handle cooking."

'You also handle gathering, repairs, crafting, cleaning and so on...'

The Death Knight thought inwardly.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't a lie that he handled cooking because he was in the alchemy school.

Just that other schools were listening too.

"I see. Since Adenart is such a picky eater, I found the letter contents strange, but if all the students eat together, that makes sense."

"Yes... what???"

Yi-Han was startled.

Could there be two Adenarts at Einroguard?

  *

"Good work everyone."

The skull principal who had belatedly shaken off the mages opened the carriage door and came in.

"Check if there are any tracking magic, marking magic, parasitic magical life forms, sub-realm creatures, anything others might have planted."

The skull principal didn't trust the officially recognized tower mages even slightly.

It wouldn't have been strange if they had secretly planted means of contact on his disciple's collar or cloak hem while talking.

-Master Yi-Han already checked and destroyed them with mana.-

"...I-I see."

The principal shuddered inwardly.

Even Professor Garcia hadn't adapted this quickly.

What a frightening fellow!

"Still, it's fortunate you probably won't get kidnapped by a tower. Let's see..."

The skull principal took out his pocket watch and checked the time and date.

"I plan to stay in the capital until next week. Since we finished much earlier than expected, you can do what you want during the remaining time."

Though persuading the creditors was finished, he couldn't just return to Einroguard with a beaming smile.

He had to personally explain what had happened to various figures in the empire including the emperor.

The fact that one of the thought entities periodically descending on the continent had permanently ascended was very important information.

"Ah. Then..."

"Wait. If you're going to see Her Highness Jourin, don't. It would be better to go together after I finish my schedule."

"?"

Yi-Han was puzzled when the skull principal firmly stopped him.

"Are you worried Her Highness might get upset with you if I go alone first?"

"...Haha. You rascal. As clever as giants. That's right. So let's go together later."

Seeing his disciple who had shown such high intelligence when casting magic in front of tower mages now making pathetic guesses, the skull principal looked at him regretfully.

They say prophets can't prophesy their own future, but how could he be like this?

"I did need to buy gifts anyway... Ah. I received this from Lady Erindarbell."

Yi-Han took out a rolled scroll. A scroll still sealed with wax.

"Do you know what this might be?"

"I do. It seems Erindarbell evaluated you highly. Well, there's no reason not to."

At those words, Yi-Han spoke as if understanding.

"She must want me to participate in her magic research."

"What? No!"

The skull principal was dumbfounded at the absurd misunderstanding.

"Erindarbell isn't that kind of... Ah. Could you be thinking that because of Yukbeltire?"

"How could that be?"

"Don't lie."

"Actually it's true."

"..."

The skull principal's heart ached at his disciple's distrust.

But what could he do?

Sometimes parents must bear their children's sins together.

"Though it's your freedom not to open it, if you're curious, take a look. You won't lose anything."

When he said that much, Yi-Han set aside his suspicion and broke the seal binding the scroll.

Inside were a map of the capital, places to go, and explanations written down.

[To the dear mage and future successor, I send this letter.

The magic we discussed is in progress at the following location.

I've left word in advance so there should be no problems with participation.

I look forward to your participation and achievement.

Erindarbell]

"???"

Yi-Han tilted his head at the scroll's contents.

The skull principal saw this and asked.

"A banquet? Or an artifact shop? If you're lucky, it could be a bankrupt noble family's warehouse."

Erindarbell usually invited mages to such places and let them take artifacts they wanted.

It was a generous occasion that even the skull principal wanted to participate in.

"It's none of those? It seems to be underground on the outskirts of the capital."

"Must have discovered a hidden underground warehouse. If possible, try to steal something."

"It says the magic we discussed is in progress, but I don't remember discussing any..."

"Yes, yes. I'm sure. Go and the memory will come back when you talk."

The skull principal didn't listen carefully.

His disciple's record was already too brilliant.

There was a very high possibility he didn't even think of it as magic.

"She calls me successor but isn't something wrong?"

"Perhaps these knight fellows forgot their chivalry and wagged their tongues carelessly."

At the skull principal's words, the Death Knights once again avoided his gaze.

"Let me say one last time, Erindarbell isn't a mage who forces others to participate in research like Yukbeltire. You don't have to go if you don't want to, but don't regret it later when you see the imperial newspaper."

"I'll go right away."

Yi-Han made his decision immediately.

If he saw an article like 'Hidden Ancient Warehouse Discovered Underground on Capital Outskirts' in the imperial newspaper later, he wouldn't be able to bear the agony.

  *

Jinon, considered the next successor of the Malachite Magic Tower, fell into worry, unable to understand the letter received from the great mage.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah. I received a letter from Lady Erindarbell, but I can't understand it."

[To the dear mage and future successor, I send this letter.

At the following location, artifacts befitting Einroguard students are being distributed.

I hope this can be some compensation for the trouble Yukbeltire caused.

Thank you once again.

Erindarbell]

"What could this mean? Artifacts befitting Einroguard students."

"Probably means artifacts that good, doesn't it?"

"What about the trouble Princess Yukbeltire caused?"

"Must be talking about when she forcibly took the reagents our Malachite Magic Tower had purchased first last time."

'Is that so?'