Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 830

Chapter 830

Yi-Han responded curtly to Ferkuntra's statement, which felt worse than an insult.

Ferkuntra asked back in confusion.

[Are you saying the Demon Duke of Pride didn't send a letter?]

"Why would a demon send a letter?"

[Don't pretend you don't know. Lower demons might not, but demons at the level of the Demon Duke of Pride don't attack without saying anything. Especially if it's an opponent they've acknowledged.]

"Oh... If I don't receive the letter, will they not attack continuously?"

[...]

Ferkuntra looked at Yi-Han as if he were pathetic.

As the thunder suddenly subsided and only dark clouds lingered mournfully on the ceiling, the students were confused.

'What's going on? Did Wardanaz say something sad?'

'Did he tell him he's taking all schools? If I were a spirit, I'd cry out of pity.'

[If the Demon Duke of Pride knew you were plotting such schemes, his expression would be quite something to see.]

To think that the mage he had acknowledged as his worthy opponent was asking questions like 'If I keep not receiving the letter, can I continue not fighting in the future?'

If the Demon Duke of Pride found out, he might shudder at the mage's sordidness.

"No. Isn't it strange to receive a proposal in the first place when the other party is a demon duke and I'm just a mage? If I were a magic duke and the other party was just a lower demon, I'd receive proposals."

Of course, from Yi-Han's perspective, it was an absurd notion.

He really didn't care whether the Demon Duke of Pride acknowledged him as a worthy opponent he wanted to get revenge on.

If it's a demon duke, shouldn't he pick fights with other demon dukes or at least imperial dukes? Why pick a fight with an Einroguard student?

'And then to consider it dishonorable if rejected. What a shameless and brazen character, befitting a demon.'

[...Are you saying you don't even know the old tales? Mages who have triumphed in battles against demons have always received rare treasures and powers as rewards... You're not listening now, are you?]

"I'm listening."

[Your eyes show no sign of being moved at all.]

It was obvious since the mage who usually showed intelligent eyes for other matters was listening indifferently.

Ferkuntra couldn't understand.

Becoming the arch-enemy of a powerful demon was an opportunity and honor for mages.

Of course, one didn't know what terrible fate awaited if defeated, but people who made such calculations shouldn't become mages in the first place.

Naturally, he should be grateful for this opportunity and calculate how to win the next battle and gain new power, shouldn't he?

The boy in front of Ferkuntra wasn't even weak...

[Fine. If no letter came, then it didn't. So what business brings you here?]

"I was hoping you could introduce me to a spirit."

The dark clouds lingering mournfully on the ceiling grew even thicker, and a drizzle began to fall.

The White Tiger Tower students were certain Yi-Han had definitely mentioned taking all schools.

He might have even mentioned playing nanny to the tower's bottom-feeders.

Ragesa, also finding it curious, asked from behind.

"What on earth are you talking about that makes the spirit pity you so much?"

[Isn't it about time you gave up?]

[The problem of lower spirits running away when they see you can't be solved with force. You might as well forcibly subdue and capture them. Though it would spread bad rumors among spirits...]

"...I mean spirits other than those."

Yi-Han glared as he explained.

He was trying to make a new staff, planning to use black purplestone, and for materials to withstand this black purplestone, wood would be best, but this wood...

"Ah. Could you perhaps solve this directly, Lord Ferkuntra?"

[I-I command thunder and lightning and rule over fear, I'm not a craftsman who makes staffs.]

"..."

Although he hadn't expected much given Yukbeltire's explanation, hearing it directly was indeed disappointing.

Why did he have to meet the Thunder King instead of the Forest King or Divine Tree King?

If it had been a wood-type spirit king, it would have been much easier to resolve the spirit dwelling here.

[A spirit's authority isn't something with a fixed hierarchy. Just as I wield the destructive power connecting heaven and earth, but wood spirits can't wield this power...]

"I see."

[...]

An awkward silence lingered. Yi-Han quickly changed the subject.

"So, could you perhaps introduce me to someone?"

[Hmm. A spirit that wields the power of wood... The Pine Tree Old Man Duke comes to mind. He was the master of a truly beautiful forest.]

'Duke!'

At least it was duke-level.

Yi-Han asked with a voice full of expectation. Even if not a king, this was good enough.

"What kind of person is he?"

[He's someone who once challenged me and was badly defeated. He fled underground so lightning couldn't invade.]

"...What about other spirits?"

[There's General Longevity. He was a spirit general who commanded mountains, rivers, grass, and trees like minions.]

"Did you fight with him too, by any chance?"

[How did you know?]

"..."

Yi-Han started to feel regret.

He hadn't known Ferkuntra's relationships with spirits were this poor.

'I didn't think it would be this bad. He might be closer to demons at this rate.'

Somehow, he seemed closer to the Demon Duke of Pride than other great spirits.

Perhaps sensing his contractor's irreverent thoughts, Ferkuntra began to squeeze out his memories and abilities.

[Wait a moment.]

The quiet corridor became noisy again. As the students became frightened by the thunder and lightning, Ragesa shouted.

"Stay still, you foolish brats! To think you can't even distinguish between magic meant to attack you and magic that isn't. Look! When will you ever see something like this again?"

"...!"

At those words, the students raised their heads and stared at the situation before them.

'Spirits!'

Cracks connected to the spirit realm appeared and disappeared in various places in the air. Several streaks of lightning were inserted through those cracks. It was Ferkuntra sending messages.

Students who had contracted with spirits and had deep familiarity could hear explanations of what was happening now.

"Wardanaz is using the spirit's power to find a realm he can visit!"

"Uh, is it usually this intense?"

One student from the summoning magic school asked in a bewildered voice.

Usually, the process of finding a new realm and preparing to enter wasn't this noisy.

They would calmly detect realms according to their maps and records, use various magic to connect and enable entry into the detected realm, and quietly visit...

But the cracks appearing in the air now were somehow strange.

When several streaks of lightning were inserted through a crack and disappeared, wooden spears would spring out from inside that crack and attack Ferkuntra.

Ferkuntra cursed.

[Such insolent bastards! If they don't want to answer, they should just ignore it, not respond like this!]

"..."

Yi-Han was about to say 'I think anyone would get angry if you threw lightning into their realm to deliver a letter' but stopped.

After all, Ferkuntra was doing his best for Yi-Han right now.

"...Wardanaz. I'm not doubting or interfering with your magic, but is this really alright?"

Jijel asked cautiously.

She didn't want to be an idiot who disrupted someone's concentration by talking while they were casting magic, but this was somehow strange.

Why fight so fiercely while using a spirit's power to find a realm to visit?

It seemed more like searching for a realm to conquer rather than visit.

"It's because it's a lightning spirit. Lightning spirits are always this intense even when sending simple letters."

"?"

Ragesa looked at Yi-Han as if to say 'What nonsense is that?'

"What kind of non..."

"Oh my! I'm sorry! He's telling me to concentrate!"

Yi-Han quickly avoided Ragesa's gaze, pretending Ferkuntra had called him.

Flash!

A streak of lightning entered a crack, and this time a butterfly returned.

Ferkuntra answered joyfully.

[A reply has come!]

"Is that true?!"

[Yes. Congratulations. The other party is... uh...]

When Ferkuntra, who usually shouted boisterously in a resounding voice, hesitated, Yi-Han was flustered.

"Is it the Demon Duke of Pride?"

[...Didn't I say I was communicating with spirits! What Demon Duke of Pride?]

'You're the one who mentioned it first.'

Yi-Han grumbled inwardly.

[Why this guy of all... Hmm... Ah, forget it. I'll just tell you. Among the high-level wood spirits I know, the one who answered is the Mad Wood King.]

"Cotton cloth (Sounded similar to Mad Wood)?"

The king of cloth made from cotton. It sounded like a warm and cozy spirit somehow.

[No... It's the Mad Wood King.]

"..."

Yi-Han shuddered at the title of king of mad trees.

Ferkuntra, perhaps sensing his contractor's shudder, hurriedly explained.

[I'm not saying you have to go. I don't like that Mad Wood King fellow much either. He's such an eccentric and strange guy. However, he's the only one who invited you to visit. He says he'll keep the crack open for a week from now, so visit if you want.]

"If I visit, won't I get ambushed or attacked or assassinated?"

In the worst case, he might be captured and forced to become a disciple. Yi-Han sent a gaze full of wariness.

[No. Once he's invited you, he can't do that. Visitors are protected by the laws of hospitality.]

'Oh?'

Yi-Han thought this might be good.

As long as he was protected, it would be easy to fulfill Professor Ingurdel's assignment, and if lucky, he might obtain materials for his staff...

"If I'm protected by rules, isn't that unconditionally advantageous for me? Is there any reason not to go?"

[As I said, he's such an eccentric and strange guy.]

"...How is he eccentric and strange?"

Ferkuntra showed a rare reluctance.

[I can't tell you any more about his identity. We've sworn an oath to protect each other's true names.]

Some high-level spirits swore oaths to each other to prevent their information from leaking to beings from other realms.

Ironically, those who knew spirits best were other spirits.

In other words, if a mage ever appeared who knew suspiciously well about oneself, the probability was high that they had either searched through ancient books to find records or met a spirit who knew one well and heard information.

"...I'll discuss it with my friends for a moment."

[Do as you wish. I won't force you either.]

"Is there really no other reply?"

[...]

Feeling Ferkuntra, who was always so haughty, becoming dejected, Yi-Han felt slightly sorry.

There's nothing more rude than repeatedly asking someone without friends if they have friends, is there?

Just like how Yi-Han himself would get angry if someone asked 'Wardanaz, why do spirits run away from you?'...

"It's alright. Isn't it enough to receive such an invitation from a spirit king-level being? I'm grateful enough for that alone."

[You've grown quite a bit too, mage.]

After appeasing Ferkuntra, Yi-Han quickly gathered his friends. Ragesa, though not called, listened intently with great interest.

"Everyone. I have good news and bad news."

"!"

"First, I've been invited to a spirit king's realm."

Brief screams erupted among the students.

Ragesa also admired.

Even though it was an invitation, not a contract, it was still a great achievement. There were many mages who grew old and died without ever meeting a king-level spirit.

Even Einroguard's upper-year students would offer ancient artifacts or their equivalents as sacrifices when contacting such high-level spirits, but this boy had succeeded in making contact with his own power alone.

"Wh-what's the bad news?!"

"Isn't this the bad news?"

"...?"

"???"

Everyone present was bewildered.

Jijel asked as calmly as possible.

"What's the good news?"

"That we don't have to go in."

"..."

Seeing her friend speak so calmly, Jijel felt a chill as if a frost giant's spear had touched her back.

'If Wardanaz is like this, we shouldn't just be happy...'

"What nonsense are you talking about? Isn't just visiting a spirit king's realm good in itself?"

"Make that idiot shut up."

Jijel gave a firm order.

The White Tiger Tower friends quickly covered Anglago's mouth.

"Mmph!"

"Sorry, Anglago."

"He's not wrong. Usually, just being invited is an opportunity."

As Ragesa spoke with a sly smile, Jijel retorted as if in disbelief.

"If Wardanaz is like this, it absolutely can't just be called an opportunity, can it?"

"That brat is usually cautious... How disappointing."

"?"

"As Jicklin's sister, I thought you'd be just as brave. Well. This daughter of Torgerard must have misjudged people."

"...Who says we can't go in? Move aside, Wardanaz!"

"M-Moradi. Why are you acting like this too?"

Yi-Han, rarely flustered, tried to stop Jijel.