Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1

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Chapter 01

Yi-Han, having endured the rigors of graduate school, solemnly vowed never to set foot in an academic institution again.

"I will live for myself from now on!"

But fate had other plans. After a tragic accident took Yi-Han's life, he was reborn in a different world, into the Wardanaz family—a prestigious household known for its magic.

15 years had passed since then.

Today marked Yi-Han's entrance into Einroguard, the empire's most esteemed magic academy.

—---

Reborn into the Wardanaz family, Yi-Han initially panicked, then marveled, and finally accepted his new reality. Fortunately, the Wardanaz family was a highly influential family within the Empire. His father, the family patriarch, was so esteemed that he even held ties with the Emperor. Their mansion was the very embodiment of affluence.

It made Yi-Han wonder.

‘Is this some sort of reward for my past life's hardships in graduate school?’

A life of leisure without toil seemed within reach.

But this was a misconception.

The Wardanaz family was not as simple as he had thought.

"Yi-Han Wardanaz."

"Yes, Patriarch?"

"What are your aspirations?"

Yi-Han hesitated for a moment.

‘Can I say a life of leisure?’

That didn't seem like an appropriate response.

"Was it a needless question? The answer is obvious, I suppose."

"Yes?"

"You must be aware of your own talent."

"Yes?"

"You know the family rule. The eldest inherits everything."

"What?????"

This revelation was shockingly unexpected.

‘Inherit everything? So, the younger siblings get nothing?’

"Patriarch, does that mean I get nothing?"

"Not like that, Yi-Han Wardanaz."

‘That's a relief.’

"The family will provide you with every opportunity. If you wish to be a knight, we will find the best for you to learn from. If a bureaucrat, then study under the Empire's minister. If a merchant, then work with the leading merchant group. While in the family, you will have every opportunity you desire!"

‘I wish you could just give me the equivalent in money.’

His father's words, if converted into money, would amount to a considerable fortune. The family's rules seemed incredibly unfair.

‘Damn. If only I had been born earlier, I could have lived a life of ease.’

Yi-Han lamented his birth order as the third child, which meant he would not inherit the family's wealth. Only the eldest had that privilege. Everyone else had to fend for themselves.

This realization forced Yi-Han, even at his young age, to seriously contemplate how to live well. Bureaucrat, merchant, knight, adventurer...

Fortunately, the family's support extended beyond mere inheritance. The children had every opportunity to learn and achieve their desires.

Eventually, Yi-Han chose to become a mage.

"I knew it," said his father, pleased.

"You must have felt your talent."

"??"

‘I chose to be a mage because it seemed the most stable...?’

Indeed, being a mage was a highly secure profession. Respected by all in the empire, it was a noble occupation, not at all demeaning for an aristocrat. With enough skill, a mage could thrive anywhere.

Knights needed mages, as did adventurers' guilds, and even the imperial palace...

"Go to Einroguard. There, amidst numerous aspiring mages, grow and flourish. This experience shall complete you."

Einroguard stood as the pinnacle among the Empire's magic academies, the most traditional and powerful. Its name alone carried immense prestige. Graduating from Einroguard guaranteed a minimum level of fame.

Yet, no one was content with just that.

Achieving remarkable feats at the school, earning a recommendation from a professor, or building a network with other students...

Einroguard, being the Empire's finest magic academy, was also its premier networking hub.

Even Yi-Han, who had sworn off anything resembling graduate school, could not resist its allure.

"Yes, I shall do so."

‘Alright. I'll endure and graduate... just think of it as an investment for the future.’

—---

The aged knight, Arlong, saluted Yi-Han respectfully.

"Young Master Yi-Han."

"Thank you for escorting me this far."

"It was no trouble at all."

Arlong was a knight of the Wardanaz family.

Though not typically required to personally escort someone like Yi-Han, he volunteered to accompany him to Einroguard, driven by their bond.

"I didn't expect you to come all this way just because I learned swordsmanship from you..."

"Young Master Yi-Han, it was not solely for the swordsmanship. I stepped forward to ensure that no one disregards the name of the Wardanaz family."

"Ah, whatever the reason… I am grateful."

Though Arlong spoke sternly, Yi-Han smiled, familiar with his character. Strict and serious, yet deeply caring, Arlong had volunteered out of concern for Yi-Han.

At Yi-Han's smile, Arlong coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem. Honestly, I was pleased when you asked to learn swordsmanship."

Within the Wardanaz family, a lineage of mages, few sought to learn swordsmanship.

But Yi-Han had two reasons.

One was the practical thought that learning anything could be useful later, especially something like swordsmanship for self-defense.

And secondly...

He was incredibly bored.

Surprisingly, the Wardanaz family did not teach magic to those under fifteen.

"Too dangerous to learn magic before you're fifteen!"

In this world, fifteen was the age when one was roughly considered an adult.

Magic, being the most difficult and dangerous of all disciplines to study, was off-limits until adulthood, a rule Yi-Han found somewhat frustrating, given his mature mindset.

"Look, other nobles' children also brought escorts, not wanting to shame their families."

"Isn't that... a bit too much?"

Yi-Han was bemused by the rows of carriages filling the imperial road.

Bringing a procession of ten carriages and scores of horsemen seemed excessive, even by noble standards. Nobility often indulged in ostentatious displays, even for simple outings, but this seemed over the top for escorting just one child to school.

And more importantly...

"Isn't it true that you can't bring guards, servants, slaves... anyone inside?"

"Yes."

Einroguard was an ancient magic academy.

One of its traditions was 'equality'.

Regardless of whether one was royal or a slave, they could enter Einroguard, but only as they were, bringing nothing but themselves.

Naturally, those who arrived with large entourages had to enter alone.

"Perhaps some will wait in nearby villages or towns."

"To that extent?"

Yi-Han asked with a look of distaste. Even after fifteen years since his reincarnation, he still found it difficult to understand the nobles' way of thinking. To think that some would occupy buildings in nearby villages and towns just for the rare occasion when students were allowed out of the immense magic academy.

"I inquired earlier. Some have already purchased buildings. There are even properties in the nearby villages and towns traditionally built for such purposes."

"I don't need to go that far, Sir Knight."

"We've already acquired a modest manor..."

Yi-Han inwardly cursed. If there was money for such extravagance, why not just give it to him?

This was yet another example of the irrationality of his family's laws. Spending lavishly was acceptable, but giving Yi-Han money directly was not.

"The capital is far, Young Master Yi-Han. Nobles must always be prepared for contingencies."

"Indeed, that's reassuring."

Yi-Han mounted his horse.

Some entered on carriages, but Yi-Han preferred to ride on horseback, finding it more convenient.

'Waiting for all those carriages to pass would take until sunset.'

"Then, Sir Knight, thank you once again for escorting me."

"Not at all, Young Master Yi-Han. It was an honor."

Arlong was sincere. Of all the members of the Wardanaz family, Yi-Han was his favorite, a person of seriousness and humility.

"The head of the family also praised your talents, Young Master Yi-Han."

"No need to make things up just to please me. But thanks anyway."

"No, really..."

—---

The magic academy of Einroguard was situated far from the capital, where the Imperial Palace stood. Rumor had it that the academy was located there due to the land being rich in mana.

True to these rumors, the surrounding landscape was dominantly natural. Behind the academy was a vast mountain range, and a long, winding river flowed beside it.

Closing his eyes, Yi-Han could feel the boundless mana of nature as if it were part of the air itself.

"This... this is wrong."

"??"

Yi-Han turned, puzzled, as a boy beside him spoke up. Here, one's attire was enough to indicate their status. The boy's outer garment was richly embroidered with silk and gold threads, and his hands and face were free of callouses — clearly a noble.

'Do I need to call someone?'

The boy's pale, trembling demeanor suggested some kind of problem. Could it be related to magic?

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I... I..."

"Yes, what's the issue?"

"If I don't have servants attending me... I can't sleep..."

Yi-Han almost hit him, but refrained.

'This kid...'

His worry felt wasted on such a trivial concern.

Yet, to the boy, it seemed a grave issue.

"Not being allowed to bring servants is absurd. They're like my hands and feet. It's like asking me to cut off my limbs to enter."

"That's logical," Yi-Han casually remarked, barely listening.

Yet, the boy seemed emboldened by Yi-Han's half-hearted response.

"Right? I should protest."

"What exactly do you plan to protest about?"

"That we should be allowed to bring servants! It's an injustice, and I'll stake my family's name on it!"

"Go ahead, give it your best."

Yi-Han doubted that a tradition upheld for thousands of years would be broken by a single boy, but he offered his support nonetheless. Firstly, because it wasn't his problem, and secondly, he was curious to see how the mages of Einroguard would react.

The boy scurried off, only to return shortly with a dazed expression.

"?"

"I repent, I repent, I repent..."

Yi-Han was shocked.

'Mind-control magic!'

The boy's mumbling indicated he had fallen prey to a magic spell like charm or domination. It wasn't the magic itself that surprised Yi-Han; he was familiar with such spells. What astonished him was the mages of the academy using such magic so casually on a noble's child.

'...They wouldn't really bury someone in the back mountain if they died, would they?'

A rumor he'd heard before coming to Einroguard now unsettled him.

"Welcome to Einroguard, everyone."

A voice echoed, not loud, but as if shot directly into everyone's brains.

Bang!

Simultaneously, the gates of Einroguard opened.

"Come in, ironheads!"

The new students all frowned, not because of the voice's rudeness, but due to the overwhelming magic pressure emanating from Einroguard. It was like trying to stare directly into the sun or attempting to defeat a giant with bare hands.

The sound of a horse neighing echoed.

Apparently, someone who had arrived by carriage attempted to enter with it.

"And as for those who didn't come alone..."

With the voice's remark, a carriage suddenly vanished. A noble girl, who had been sitting inside, screamed as she fell.

Immediately after, more than ten carriages disappeared, followed by the cries of boys and girls.

"Don't worry, ironheads! If you try to break the rules, the academy will enforce them."

Several quick-witted individuals, like Yi-Han, realized that the academy was as formidable as the rumors suggested, their expressions growing stern.

"Move your lazy asses! Enter! Enter!! Enter!!!!"

"..."

"..."

—---

Yi-Han had always been observant, a trait that intensified in this new world. Everything was new and fascinating, making observation a delightful pastime.

Now, in front of him were over a hundred boys and girls from diverse backgrounds: royalty, nobility, knights, officials, merchants, adventurers, beggars, each in their distinct attire.

These youths had already started forming groups, understanding the importance of connections in their long academic journey ahead.

"Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family?"

"That's right. Impressive that you recognized me without a family crest."

In keeping with the tradition of equality, wearing family crests was forbidden. However, there were still ways to recognize each other. Yi-Han himself had recognized several royals and nobles he had seen before.

"I'm Yonaire. Yonaire Maykin."

A girl with slightly curly, shoulder-length, vivid red hair and softly curved eyes stood before him. The Maykin family, also a well-known magic family in the Empire, actively participated in imperial politics, unlike the more reclusive Wardanaz family, whose head often secluded himself for magic research, even ignoring the Emperor's requests.

"Pleased to meet you, Yonaire. What brings you here?"

"His Highness, the prince, wants to see you."

Maykin pointed behind her.

Among those present, the most elaborately dressed boy was waving at Yi-Han.