Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 1077

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 1077

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“…Who are you?”

 

“!?”

 

Lee Han was startled by his senior’s cold attitude.

 

Could it be that Senior Yukveltire was in disguise?

 

‘Ah. No, that’s not it.’

 

Come to think of it, he was the one in disguise right now. From Diret’s perspective, who didn’t know Stedal’s identity, it would naturally be confusing.

 

“I’m Lee Han. Senior. I’m your junior from the dark magic school.”

 

“…”

 

Diret almost said ‘I don’t have such a junior’ for a moment.

 

What on earth was he doing here?

 

“…What are you doing?!”

 

“Well, it’s a bit of a long story.”

 

Lee Han explained what had happened as concisely as possible.

 

So he had created a fake identity to lure away the club’s students…

 

“It turned out to be quite useful, so I came all the way here.”

 

‘This isn’t something that can be brushed off as “quite useful.”‘

 

Despite his confusion, Diret focused his mind like a proper 5th year Einroguard student.

 

It was still hard to accept everything, but he could at least understand the main points.

 

So his junior had created this identity called Stedal Nago, and roughly…

 

1. He had been captured by pirates in the southern Empire and escaped.

 

2. He stole the pirates’ treasure map and amassed great wealth.

 

3. He actually increased his fortune during the bone flower speculation crisis.

 

4. He had participated in subjugating worshippers of evil gods.

 

5. He had also attacked the greedy wealthy people of Granden City.

 

6. He had even plundered Professor Verdus’s belongings…

 

‘Did my junior secretly graduate without me knowing?’

 

Even understanding the main points left him confused.

 

No matter how he thought about it, when could he have done all of that?

 

“Did you… do all of that yourself?”

 

“What? Of course not. Some of it is lies. People were fooled and spread the rumors themselves.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Diret let out a sigh of relief.

 

Then he paused.

 

If some of it was lies, that meant he actually did some of the other things?!

 

“Senior, you can use this alias later if you need it. Should I write down the detailed personal information for you?”

 

“N-no. It’s fine. I’ll just accept the thought. More importantly, why did you come here?”

 

“I received an invitation.”

 

Lee Han explained that he had recently received an invitation from Count Jau by chance, and he couldn’t refuse it, so he had come here.

 

‘What did he get invited for?’

 

Diret was curious about the reason for the invitation, but there were many other questions he needed to ask right now.

 

“Junior. Tell me again about the things you actually did, the people who hold grudges because of them, and the people you’ve met. I’ll organize the parts you need to be careful about and let you know…”

 

What Diret was most worried about right now were the enemies who hated his junior—or more precisely, the fake identity his junior had created.

 

Having recently committed various acts and become a topic of conversation, there must be quite a few people in the Empire who viewed him unfavorably.

 

Enemies weren’t just mortal foes. Those who were jealous, suspicious, and trying to trip you up were also enemies.

 

Since Count Jau had such extensive connections, all sorts of guests would be at the manor, so they needed to be cautious in advance.

 

“Lord Nago!”

 

A noble who had arrived from behind spotted Lee Han and greeted him loudly.

 

“You accepted the invitation. I’m truly delighted! If I could hear the detailed story of today’s Bib… no, Professor Verdus hunting, I would be truly delighted!”

 

“Ha. You can look forward to it.”

 

‘Is he crazy?!’

 

Diret was shocked by his junior’s rude attitude.

 

This wasn’t even Einroguard—how could he take such an attitude toward another noble in front of a manor he was invited to?

 

“Uhahaha! As expected of Lord Nago! I’ll look forward to it!”

 

However, the other noble actually liked such a blunt response and laughed.

 

Wouldn’t this be exactly the kind of rough and fierce mage who could plunder Professor Verdus!

 

“By the way, who are these people…?”

 

“Einroguard dark magic school.”

 

“I see. You were looking for vicious poisons or curses to use on your enemies.”

 

“Kuk kuk. That’s right.”

 

“…”

 

Diret looked bewildered and said, ‘What do you mean that’s right!’

 

Did he think dark mages only talked about evil things when they gathered together!

 

“Then I’ll see you inside!”

 

As soon as the noble moved away, Lee Han immediately apologized.

 

“I’m sorry!”

 

“It’s fine. Just lower your voice since someone might hear.”

 

Diret spoke in a slightly tired voice.

 

There were more than just one or two people who thought about the dark magic school like that, and it wouldn’t change now.

 

More concerning was that his junior’s fake identity was excessively popular.

 

“Lord Nago! You’ve arrived!”

 

“Lord Nago. Please give my nephew some words of encouragement! Tell him to become a mage like Lord Nago!”

 

Why is he really so popular?

 

* * *

 

“Have you heard the rumors? That mage from the Nago family actually defeated Bibble Verdus and plundered his treasures!”

 

“What an amazing mage…! To think there was such a hero in the Empire!”

 

“…”

 

After entering the manor, Diret could immediately understand the reason.

 

‘No wonder their voices got slightly quieter when talking about Professor Verdus.’

 

Anyway, if that was the case, it made sense that he was popular.

 

While there were many who held grudges against Professor Verdus and plotted against him, very few succeeded.

 

To them, his junior must have seemed like an object of admiration.

 

“How on earth could he increase his fortune during the bone flower speculation crisis?”

 

“That’s wisdom right there.”

 

“…”

 

Or not?

 

Diret wondered if he had misjudged.

 

Perhaps other factors were the reason for his popularity…

 

“Kuk. Why did the Count invite such a rude person?”

 

“Listen here. Lord Stedal of the Nago family isn’t rude—he just has strong wariness because he was once captured by southern Empire pirates. It’s actually proof that he’s an excellent combat mage.”

 

“That’s right, that’s right! Are you saying the Count made a mistake in recognizing someone and invited them!”

 

Even when someone occasionally appeared to be jealous of his junior’s popularity and tried to find fault, they had to shut their mouths under the fierce attacks coming from all directions.

 

It was truly rare to find someone who brought this many cultists to a noble gathering.

 

‘What on earth has this junior been doing…?!’

 

“Diret. Diret. Look at me for a moment. I don’t look strange, right? You guys look too.”

 

Unaware of his friend’s complicated feelings, Cohorti approached him.

 

Since he had to visit Count Jau to apologize, not even a speck of dust could be on his clothes.

 

“I’m busy right now, so ask other underclassmen to check for you.”

 

“Why are you busy? What’s going on?”

 

Cohorti couldn’t understand his friend’s words.

 

It was a natural reaction since he didn’t know who Stedal Nago was.

 

“Do you see that mage over there?”

 

“Ah. The mage from the Nago Family who increased their wealth during the Bone Flower speculation wave? I was thinking of asking him to invest in my research later.”

 

Cohorti spoke cheerfully, completely oblivious to the other person’s identity.

 

Then he looked at Diret as if he had just realized something.

 

“You’re trying to get investment too! No wonder! Don’t tell me that conversation earlier was…?!”

 

“…No. Never mind.”

 

“Hey. Diret, compared to you, my research looks terrible.”

 

Cohorti spoke as if he felt wronged.

 

They were already overlapping in the same Black Magic Academy (unlike other magic academies, when Black Magic Academy overlapped, it was hard for both to receive investment), and compared to Diret, Cohorti’s curse specialization research was…

 

“It’s not like that. Just focus on meeting the Count.”

 

“Ah, got it. Nothing strange, right?”

 

Diret nodded that it was fine, but the other underclassmen were harsh.

 

“The cloak looks kind of cheap. It’s something you’d wear at Einroguard.”

 

“How about changing the bracelet? Anyone can tell you’re from Black Magic Academy, so it’s a bit…”

 

“I’m an idiot for asking you guys. Fine. I’m going!”

 

Cohorti got angry at his underclassmen and turned around. He felt like taking back the ice cream he had given them earlier.

 

‘Phew. Don’t be nervous.’

 

Count Jau’s manor located in the Imperial Capital boasted subtle yet refined elegance.

 

The artifacts and furniture decorating the hall where the party was held all looked to be decades old, yet despite this, the fact that they emitted an antique glow without a single scratch revealed even more dignity.

 

Not many people could show off their class in this way without being pretentious.

 

There were quite a few nouveau riche in the Empire who had hastily scraped together wealth, but when they hurriedly hired servants and invited people, it only led to gossip rather than admiration.

 

Knowing this well, Cohorti couldn’t help but be more nervous. He felt like his heart would have been lighter if the other person had been a pretentious nouveau riche.

 

“Co-Count. Good evening.”

 

“Welcome! Are you a mage from Wasteland Star Catcher?”

 

“Yes, yes. I’m Cohorti, an Einroguard graduate and Wasteland Star Catcher mage.”

 

“To think I’d meet such a young talent who dedicates himself to the Empire. It’s an honor.”

 

The kind old count spoke sincerely.

 

If he was an Einroguard graduate working for Wasteland Star Catcher, he had to be someone truly devoted to his mission.

 

Who would choose such hardship for themselves?

 

Feeling the sincerity, Cohorti was deeply moved.

 

“Thank you! It’s an honor for me as well.”

 

“Is there anything this old man can help you with?”

 

Count Jau was as perceptive as he was virtuous. He realized that the mage had come because he had something to say.

 

“We-well, the thing is.”

 

Steadying his nervous voice, Cohorti brought up the main point.

 

While working as a Wasteland Star Catcher, he had made a small mistake due to his sense of mission…

 

“Since it involves your family, Count, I came to apologize.”

 

“Aha.”

 

The old count understood the meaning behind those words and smiled.

 

He said he came to apologize, but he had clearly come to ask for mediation.

 

“I understand. I understand. That’s definitely my nephew’s fault. To not throw away dangerous items when the Star Catchers warned him.”

 

“Count…!”

 

“My nephew happens to be here, so I’ll have him called.”

 

The count rang a small bell and ordered his nephew to be summoned. Cohorti waited peacefully, immersed in emotion and relief.

 

However, the nephew’s reaction when he arrived was the complete opposite of expectations.

 

“I refuse.”

 

“!!”

 

The old count glared at his nephew with an angry face.

 

Though he had always been a troublemaker with his dissolute lifestyle, to be stubborn even in such a situation and damage their reputation.

 

“What did you say? Say that again!”

 

“Uncle, why do you always take other families’ sides! That mage barged into my house and tried to break my things!”

 

“…”

 

Cohorti had nothing to say even with ten mouths.

 

‘Saying that’s how things are done at Einroguard would backfire, right?’

 

The count’s nephew glared at Cohorti while fuming.

 

“When I asked for compensation for even half the money I paid when buying it, he refused that too!”

 

“No, no. The Star Catcher budget isn’t that generous…”

 

“That’s right. Hurry up and apologize! What rudeness is this toward someone who sacrifices himself for the Empire!”

 

“Hmph!”

 

Even at the count’s words, the nephew didn’t bend his stubbornness.

 

Far from solving the problem, it seemed like a new problem would arise within the count’s family, making Cohorti anxious.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Just then, a rough voice came from behind.

 

In this gathering where even mages like Cohorti dressed as neatly as possible, the only mage dressed like a wanderer was Stedal Nago.

 

“Oh, it’s nothing!”

 

The count’s nephew jumped as if he had shown a shameful side to someone he admired.

 

“Let’s go over there! Please tell me more pirate stories from earlier!”

 

“To become a mage strong enough to make Professor Verdus kneel, you must be bold.”

 

Stedal spoke in a fierce voice. Though it was casually said, it felt like it resonated throughout the hall.

 

“If someone smashed evil objects for you, you should boldly express gratitude. Otherwise, who would go with you to catch Professor Verdus?”

 

“…You’re absolutely right…!”

 

The count’s nephew nodded as if entranced.

 

Then he turned his gaze to Cohorti and apologized.

 

“I’m sorry. I was rude because of my greed.”

 

“Oh, no. Not at all. I was also too hasty…”

 

Cohorti looked at Stedal with eyes full of admiration.

 

This mage is really a wonderful person!

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————