Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 935

Chapter 935

'I still have a lot prepared.'

Yi-Han licked his lips, disappointed by the cold merchant's demeanor.

He had wanted to tell the story of how Setlad Anog had achieved great success by choosing stable investment in mining guilds instead of uncertain magic tower investments after the speculation crisis.

This story would have shown people that Setlad Anog was wise enough not to trust mages.

After all, magic towers and mage guilds weren't basically good places to invest!

"Please wait here for a moment. Another noble will board soon."

"What kind of person are they?"

"Hmm. This person is difficult to deal with. They have arrogant and dogmatic aspects. It might be better to just greet them lightly and talk with others after arriving at the palace."

Amur, who was beside them, asked curiously.

"Why go together with such a person?"

"A merchant can't just associate with people they like, can they? In this case, this person is looking for a patron, and I've taken on the role of helping."

Kaako Trading Company was quite large in the empire, and Arien, who belonged to it, was in charge of various tasks.

This included fulfilling requests like this.

Introducing a young noble seeking a patron to social gatherings and facilitating a smooth atmosphere.

In return, the company could not only build connections with noble families but also earn their gratitude.

"My. They must be a nasty person. It seems difficult to deal with."

"It's enough if we just talk among ourselves without addressing them."

"Thank you, Mr. Amur. As expected, there's no one but you..."

At that moment, the carriage door opened and a penguin mixed-blood mage wearing a cloak embroidered with splendid silver snowflake patterns entered.

It was Alcicle of the Pengerin family.

"..."

"Hello."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Pengerin."

"Yes. I'll be in your care. This person is..."

"Mr. Setlad of the Anog family."

"I see."

Alcicle answered indifferently and plopped down on the long carriage seat.

Then he muttered, clicking his beak.

"I don't want to go..."

"Mr. Pengerin!"

"...S-sorry."

Alcicle straightened his posture at Arien's sharp admonition.

Come to think of it, the gathering was just about to start. Weren't the other people in the carriage also participants in the gathering?

"But... these people aren't patrons, are they?"

"That's right. But you never know when rumors might leak out. Though these people are discreet, you should be careful too, Mr. Pengerin."

"...Why on earth do patrons only gather at play gatherings? Couldn't they gather to watch magic experiments at magic towers?"

Alcicle spoke with a voice full of deep resentment.

There was only one reason why Alcicle, the arrogant and dogmatic penguin mixed-blood mage, was participating in such a play gathering.

Because the patrons were there!

Alcicle, who needed to find patrons for new research, had to forcibly participate even though plays were boring and uninteresting.

'Sob. I really don't want to go.'

Amur whispered beside him, puzzled.

"Aren't magic experiments popular too? I think I saw it in the imperial newspaper?"

Amur clearly remembered seeing articles in the imperial newspaper like <All Patrons Gathered to Watch Magic Experiment at Root Tree Tower Have Hair Turn into Branches!>

Even with such accidents, magic experiments were quite entertaining to watch, enough for people to keep gathering.

"They are popular, but it varies a lot depending on the magic."

"Ah."

For example, schools like dark magic didn't attract many people even if they offered to show experiments.

Occasionally, only undertakers and a few others would come asking if there was work to do.

And in Yi-Han's view, Alcicle's research didn't seem like it would be very popular either.

First of all, it was too cold.

'Rich imperial people wouldn't have a reason to pay money to go to a remote place and shiver in the cold.'

Snowflakes might look pretty when seen large, but one quickly tired of watching them fall from afar.

Seeing the two whispering, Alcicle suddenly became curious and asked Arien.

"Is Mr. Anog perhaps quite wealthy?"

"...Well, Mr. Anog was once captured by pirates in the southern empire but rescued by Ragesa, daughter of Torgerard who leads the privateer fleet. He amassed great wealth by finding a treasure map obtained while captured by pirates. After that, he devoted himself to alchemy, made several potions, and further increased his wealth..."

"!"

Alcicle's eyes widened at Arien's fluent explanation.

He had thought he was just an idle noble going to watch a play together, but to think he was such a wealthy person!

Alcicle checked his attire.

'I should have brought canned sardines.'

Hoping there would be sardines at the palace, Alcicle opened his mouth.

"Mr. Anog. I'm truly impressed by your innate luck and insight. I was even more surprised that you increased your wealth during the Bone Flower Speculation Crisis. Perhaps you're interested in cold magic research..."

"Mr. Alcicle. I'm Wardanaz in disguise."

"...Hey!!!"

Alcicle shouted, upset.

To play with his desperate feelings like that!

  *

"Why on earth are you disguised like that?"

"To help Einroguard theater club students escape."

"...I was wrong to ask."

Alcicle reflected deeply.

Unlike himself, who was twisting his body not wanting to go watch the play, this Wardanaz family boy was doing his best to help his friends.

"Why does Einroguard torment students to that extent?"

"I wonder about that too. More importantly, Mr. Alcicle. Do you know a lot about plays?"

Alcicle's expression immediately darkened at Yi-Han's question.

Alcicle wasn't a person well-versed in culture and arts either.

"I'm not very confident."

"It's alright. I've prepared."

"!"

Alcicle's expression brightened again.

It was quite reassuring that the Wardanaz family boy said that.

He was already from a great noble family, and to say that much...

"I'll tell you about a few simple plays now. Heirs of two opposing families fall in love..."

"They both die and a lich comes out to resurrect them? I know that one."

"..."

Yi-Han looked at Alcicle with an expression full of shock and betrayal.

Why did he pretend not to know when he knew plays well?

'To think a person could be this cowardly?'

"N-no...! This is like basic knowledge! Who hasn't seen this!"

"...Do you perhaps know this one too? A poor girl cried and cried wanting to go to a ball..."

"You mean the one where a lich comes out and gives her a dress and glass sword? She kills a demon disguised as a prince? Later, the real prince identifies the girl by swinging the sword..."

"It seems Mr. Alcicle doesn't need my help."

"F-fine."

Alcicle found it more shocking that a mage like Wardanaz was saying such things.

Even a lumberjack living in the northern mountains would probably have seen that play if he came down to town...

Gradually, their destination began to appear in the distance.

It was a famous attraction in Granden City called the <Old King's Palace>, which was once a palace in the kingdom era but now used as a banquet venue for the city's people.

Several splendid carriages that had arrived earlier were already visible. Alcicle whispered to Yi-Han.

"If you see anyone who might invest in my research, could you let me know?"

"Then will you help my friends escape too?"

The two mages shook hands firmly. Arien and Amur watched contentedly.

"Then have a good time. We'll be waiting here."

Receiving their send-off, the two mages moved their determined steps.

Yi-Han looked around, checking for useful people.

"Mr. Alcicle. That person over there seems to be a mage from Dream Mirage."

"Wardanaz."

"Yes?"

"All mages are penniless beggars, I'm not interested! Find patrons!"

'There are exceptions like Baldurguard though.'

Yi-Han grumbled inwardly but nodded.

Indeed, even in Yi-Han's view, there was no reason to particularly befriend mages here.

It would be hard to get patronage, and they might interfere later when Yi-Han caused trouble...

"Mr. Klvik. How do you match the timing when the play starts?"

"Effort and repetition, my boy! All the mages gathered here have talent, but to bloom that talent, blood-and-sweat effort is needed."

Klvik spoke seriously, looking at the illusion mages.

The reason Klvik had come to this palace today was not only to provide magic needed for the play but also to teach the illusion mages he was currently taking care of.

While some magic towers shared information exclusively among themselves, there were also groups that spread information to raise the capabilities of the entire school while traveling the empire.

Dream Mirage, which Klvik belonged to, was closer to the latter. It was natural since Ogonin himself was a big shot in the illusion magic school.

Currently, Klvik was teaching nearby illusion mages gathered in Granden City without any compensation. Thanks to this, the illusion mages' eyes sparkled with respect.

"Even so, don't worry too much. I, Klvik, will check everything from start to finish. Everyone prepare the magic you're in charge of!"

Yi-Han became interested in the illusion mages' conversation.

From what he heard, it seemed they were preparing magic needed for the play, and if he could participate there, wouldn't it be good for helping the students escape later?

"It seems they're preparing magic needed for the play? I'd like to participate there."

"Ugh. I said there's no money in it..."

Though Alcicle complained, he didn't oppose Yi-Han's assertion.

Certainly, to help Einroguard students escape, participating in such play preparation seemed effective.

Given how thorough the surveillance was, they would need to poke at gaps several times to see any chance of success.

"It would be better if Alcicle of the Pengerin family asked rather than Setlad of the Anog family. By the way, that alias sounds familiar, is it a real family?"

"No. It's the principal's name reversed."

"..."

Alcicle made an expression like he'd seen all kinds of crazy bastards, then approached the mages.

Hearing Alcicle's family and name, Klvik readily accepted.

"It would be an honor! You're welcome to help as much as you like. You can even teach these mages here!"

"Thank you. ...Happy now?"

Alcicle turned back and said to Yi-Han.

However, Yi-Han's expression was tinged with shock and dismay.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"Mage Baldoorn is over there!"

Though most of her face was covered and only her eyes were visible, Yi-Han recognized her immediately.

That was Baldoorn, the great illusion mage from Philonae Town.

"...Huh? Really?!"

Alcicle was startled and raised his head.

Even Alcicle had heard the name of the illusory mage who had taught Wardanaz magic during the break.

-So Miss Baldoorn...

-Come to think of it, Miss Baldoorn...

-Honestly, Miss Baldoorn seems more amazing than Mr. Ogonin, doesn't she?

-You're free to think that, but it's better not to say that in front of illusion magic school people.

"Who is it? That person? No, she looks ordinary though?"

"Isn't extraordinariness hidden in ordinariness?"

Yi-Han spoke with a slightly reverent voice.

Truly strong people hide their claws.

"I was pondering a few things about magic anyway, I should go talk to her."

"Wait. Wait. Mr. Alcicle. Look at Miss Baldoorn now."

Yi-Han pointed at the other party.

The other had her face almost completely covered as if she didn't want to meet someone she knew.

In other words, it meant she had a different purpose.

"She must have a different purpose like us. Let's not interfere unnecessarily."

"Indeed... That's a shame. I wanted to have a conversation with her. By the way, for what purpose is she doing such menial tasks?"