Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 2

Chapter 02

The concept of royalty, particularly princes and princesses, was usually associated with noble and dignified power. However, things were slightly different in the Empire. There was an unexpectedly large number of royal family members.

One couldn't help but wonder, "Hasn't the number of the Emperor's children exceeded a hundred?"

Even for the esteemed royal family, having more than a hundred direct children of the Emperor seemed problematic. At this rate, even if Yi-Han entered the Imperial Palace, the Emperor might mistake him as one of his offspring.

Yi-Han, born later than his siblings, seemed to be living a life as if paying a penalty for his late arrival, similar to the Emperor's children. Unless one was born first, there was nothing for them. In some ways, their plight was harsher than Yi-Han’s.

The Wardanaz family, at least, remembered and cared for the names of their children. But the royal family members had to fend for themselves without such attention.

Nevertheless, despite their decayed status, they still held considerable power in front of commoners. However, those nearby were from the Empire’s prominent families, and they felt no need to fawn over a lesser-known prince.

Yonaire Maykin, for instance, was in a better position than most royals present. Yet, why was Yonaire accompanying a prince? Yi-Han thought, "Is she a bit foolish?"

Had Yonaire heard this, she would have been enraged. In fact, it was true that some boys and girls around were mocking Yonaire for serving a prince, a laughable act for nobility whose pride was no less than that of the royals. Indeed, high nobles could not be easily slighted, even by the Emperor.

Nevertheless, Yi-Han accepted Maykin's proposal, thinking, ‘It can't be bad.’

While Maykin was the subject of mockery, Yi-Han, who had accepted the proposal, was not. There was no need to quarrel from the first meeting, especially when getting to know someone could be beneficial later.

"Thank you! I'm relieved!" exclaimed Maykin, smiling like bright sunshine.

Yi-Han was puzzled by her excessive happiness.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because already three people have rejected my proposal," Maykin replied.

Yi-Han slightly regretted accepting it.

…

Prince Gainando was the 97th prince. Although there were rumors that he might actually be the 101st, given the number of siblings born around the same time, he insisted on being the 97th, probably not wanting to breach into three digits. Apart from that, Gainando was quite an immature royal.

At 15, one was treated as an adult, but not everyone matured equally. It was clear he hadn't yet realized that in this academy, royal status didn’t carry much weight.

"Have you heard, Yi-Han? That guy rejected my proposal!" Gainando exclaimed.

"Yes, I've heard," Yi-Han responded.

"How dare he?" Gainando fumed.

"Probably he doesn't know how noble you are," Yi-Han suggested.

"Noble? But I’m not a noble?" Gainando looked puzzled.

Yi-Han stared at him and then nodded with a gentle smile. In that moment, Yi-Han's opinion of Gainando dropped a notch, though Gainando was oblivious.

"Noble means someone of high status and importance," Yi-Han explained.

"Ah, that suits me," Gainando agreed.

"Indeed.”

Anyway, he rejects my proposal and then talks with Adenart! It's an insult...!" Gainando fumed again, referring to Adenart.

The person Gainando pointed to, Adenart, was also a member of the royal family, likely the 43rd or 44th princess.

‘Her aura is entirely different.’

With long, flowing silver hair and vivid blue eyes, her intellectual and elegant face naturally emitted a dignified atmosphere. Just standing silently, the princess could cool the air around her. Her noble presence commanded respect from the noble-born students.

Moreover, Adenart probably...

‘Didn't send someone to call others like Gainando did.’

Even the proudest noble students wouldn't rudely ignore a royal directly addressing them. If Gainando had personally approached and befriended others, he would have gathered a crowd.

"Will you take care of him later?" Gainando asked Yi-Han, looking at him.

Yi-Han was taller and more robust than his peers, a natural result of his continuous swordsmanship training. In a gathering meant for aspiring mages, where most boys and girls hadn’t properly learned magic, physical strength was more dominant. However, Yi-Han had no intention of fighting for Gainando's pride.

"Gainando."

"Hmm?"

"Noble beings don't use others to harass."

"It's not harassment, it's retribution..."

"Anyway. Noble beings don't do that. Think about it."

"Hmm."

Pondering Yi-Han's words, Gainando looked contemplative. His actions did seem somewhat undignified.

"So, Yi-Han. What do you think I should do?"

"Generously forgive them."

"...Anything else?"

"Directly challenging him to a duel is also an option."

"Hmph. I guess I'll have to forgive generously."

Disliking the idea of a direct duel, Gainando quickly decided.

Yi-Han discovered a trait in Gainando: he was simpler than expected.

"Wow. You're amazing. Even bending Gainando's will."

Yonaire, with a surprised expression, addressed Yi-Han, who curiously asked, "Why are you with Gainando?"

"He's a relative. A cousin."

"But that doesn't mean you have to listen to everything he says, right? Especially for someone from the Maykin family..."

Before he could inquire further, a thunderous voice echoed in the hall.

"Enough talking, ironheads! You'll have plenty of time to talk in the coming years."

Startled, they heard the same voice from earlier, and a giant skull materialized in the center of the hall, radiating immense mana and blazing eyes.

‘A Lich!’

Liches were formerly powerful mages that turned themselves into undead to overcome death.

It was Yi-Han’s first time seeing a Lich, despite hearing rumors. The other students also murmured in wonder.

"I'll ask you a question. Why do I call you ironheads?"

Adenart raised her hand, and Gainando looked at her disapprovingly.

"Speak."

"...Because the symbol for us new students is iron."

"Excellent. I'll give 10 points to your dormitory!"

"Is that a thing?"

"Of course not. Learning to detect lies is the first step to becoming a mage."

Realizing she was tricked, Adenart's face turned red, going from elation to embarrassment.

"Right. Your first-year symbol is iron, like the second-year symbol is bronze. iron is hard, varies in quality depending on how it's made, and has many uses. It's indeed a fitting metal for you first-year students."

"Wow..."

"Indeed."

The gathered boys and girls marveled at the skull principal's words.

"Fooled again! You fools. The reason your symbol is iron is because you have nothing in your heads. That's why you're ironheads! If you don't believe me, try knocking on your head. It'll make a lovely sound."

Silence fell upon the assembly, turning the atmosphere instantly chilly. Many among them, of high status, had never experienced such an insult. Yet, no one dared to contest, such was the overwhelming presence of the skull principal.

Yi-Han breathed in and out deeply, impressed by the scene. Since the skull principal's appearance, the density of mana around had skyrocketed, making movement difficult. It felt as though one had plunged into the deep, deep sea.

‘Still... I think I can move. Yes, I can still move.’

As Yi-Han stirred, the skull principal turned its blazing gaze upon him.

"...?"

A look of curiosity.

Yi-Han quickly straightened his posture, standing upright. He had entered the academy to graduate with a diploma and connections, and he couldn’t afford to be marked by the principal from his first year.

"Perhaps I have been too harsh with my words to the future of the Empire who have traveled this far."

The principal's voice softened. While some students were slightly relieved by these words, Yi-Han was not fooled.

‘He must have some screws loose.’

Becoming a Lich, one loses certain things, and the skull principal seemed to have lost quite a bit. Yi-Han was reminded of a professor from his previous life's graduate school who had a similar madness in his eyes...

"No. Maybe this Lich is saner than that professor."

With this thought, Yi-Han felt the skull principal might be manageable after all.

"Behold! For your sake, the finest chefs of this academy have prepared a feast since yesterday. Although it's modest, enjoy this meal and relieve the fatigue of your journey. After the meal, warm blankets and beds await you in the dormitories..."

At these words, a couple of plump boys drooled.

What kind of feast would it be? Perhaps a cuisine from the empire’s west of well-raised chicken, coated in flour, cooked in oil and butter with onions, salt, pepper, and wine, or a gratin generously covered in béchamel sauce. At the moment, even thick cheese and butter served plainly with white bread seemed enough.

Or, a cuisine from the empire’s east, fresh fish coated in spicy sauce and grilled over charcoal would be delightful. Although noodles, a staple of eastern cuisine, were often considered cheap food, the long journey had left them famished enough to enjoy it now.

However, no food appeared on the massive table in the hall.

"???"

"Fooled again! You simpletons! When will you ever learn? What kind of mages are you aiming to be?"

‘Is he insane?’

Several of the more faint-hearted freshmen teared up at the skull principal's tirade.

"Now, let me explain the rules. This academy is the cradle of mages. And the greatest driving force behind nurturing mages is desire!"

As he spoke, shabby cloaks, staffs, and bundles of clothes appeared in the air.

"These are the academy uniforms you will wear."

As soon as he finished, hard black bread and cold rice balls appeared in the air.

"And this will be your food."

"This, this is too much...!"

Someone cried out involuntarily, and the skull principal responded with a delighted tone.

"Yes! That's exactly the reaction I wanted! Does that food look too unappetizing? Learn magic quickly and acquire your own food! Do those clothes and staff look like trash? Master magic and get new ones for yourself! In this academy, if you desire, you can obtain as much as you wish!"

Yi-Han was appalled.

He had only heard rumors about the harshness of Einroguard, but he had not expected it to be this severe. In essence, the academy's policy was: if you're frustrated, quickly improve your magic skills!

'Is this even allowed?'

"Hmph. I’ll Just talk to my servants outside to bring in stuff."

A student, with a cocky attitude, muttered resentfully.

The skull principal became even more animated and exclaimed.

"Yes! I wanted that response too. First-year students are forbidden from going out! Don't even think about asking your seniors to get things for you! You won't be able to meet them for a while!"

"..."

"..."

"Dismissed! Ironheads, I wish you luck! Become great mages!"

Yi-Han thought he heard someone mutter 'bastard' under their breath, but the skull principal didn’t comment on it.

Gainando, after the skull principal disappeared, stomped his foot in frustration.

"Is this even acceptable?? How dare they treat people of our status this way? Yi-Han! Aren't you angry? Do you think a person can live with clothes fit for beggars and food fit for pigs?"

"Uh? What's wrong with that?"

"..."