Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 295

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 295

If they had shown any hesitation or signs of fatigue while solving the problems, people would have suggested “Let’s stop here for today,” but since those new students were performing so well, everyone was getting excited and kept egging them on.

Thanks to that, only Doin was having a miserable time.

His mana was gradually running out…

“We’re ready.”

Lee Han’s words now sounded terrifying.

Doin wiped the sweat from his forehead and sent Lee Han a desperate look.

‘What’s this?’

There was no way Lee Han could miss that look. Lee Han fell into thought.

Why was the opponent mage acting like that?

“Sir Doin. Are you perhaps feeling unwell? You’re breaking out in cold sweat…”

“N-no, I’m fine. I’m okay.”

Doin gripped his staff and held back a sigh.

He couldn’t even think of what test to give next.

‘What… magic…’

Thud!

Doin, who had been staggering, finally collapsed. It was dizziness from mana depletion.

“Are you alright?!”

Lee Han rushed over immediately.

Since he had been thinking something might be wrong from earlier, his reaction was quick. Lee Han supported Doin while saying,

“You seemed unwell, why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

“Ugh…”

Doin almost choked up and said ‘Isn’t it because you performed too well without reading the room,’ but he couldn’t.

His opponent was from the Wardanaz Family and Dalcard Family, after all.

“Oh my. Sir Doin wasn’t feeling well but pushed himself too hard.”

“It’s unfortunate but can’t be helped. Today was truly enjoyable.”

The guests gave worried farewells and stood up warmly.

Several guests came over to Lee Han’s group separately to shower them with praise.

“That was excellent. Soon we’ll be hearing rumors that a great mage has emerged from the Dalcard Family.”

“Oh, not at all. Thank you.”

“The Wardanaz Family’s reputation truly lives up to its name. I was genuinely moved.”

“Thank you.”

“If you have any thoughts after graduation, I’d personally like to offer sponsorship…”

Among them were people offering personal sponsorship to Ratford.

Seeing this, Lee Han felt slightly wronged.

‘Why only to Ratford?’

Of course, he understood.

Such sponsorship was what wealthy people with plenty of assets offered to talented but poor individuals.

Rich people or nobles could bestow debts or favors in advance on talents who might become outstanding archmages in the future, while the mages could receive gold coins immediately, so it was good for both sides.

But if you offered this to someone from a great noble family, it would become the rude provocation of ‘Your family doesn’t have money, does it?’

It was truly regrettable.

“I-I’m fine.”

“You don’t need to decide right now. If you change your mind later, please come visit once.”

Ratford nodded with a bewildered expression.

Meanwhile, an old man approached Lee Han. Lee Han could immediately tell that this person was no ordinary individual.

‘Two rings. One necklace. One bracelet. All artifacts.’

Someone like Lee Han who could keenly detect mana flow could make such assessments just from appearance.

People who carried artifacts of that caliber were rare even among the Empire’s wealthy.

“Did you recognize the artifacts?”

The other person asked with interest.

“Yes. I apologize if that seemed rude.”

“It’s fine. If you have the ability, it’s natural to recognize them, isn’t it? I’m Alardne of the Greenbell Family.”

“I’m Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.”

The spider beastman Alardne had the impression of a kind grandmother, but every movement was without excess and her posture was unwavering and upright.

“Sir Doin isn’t such a poor mage, but today’s events were surprising.”

“I was just lucky.”

“I’m not a mage myself, but… there’s no word that suits magic less than luck. Only skill exists. It was surprising how easily you dispelled Sir Doin’s magic, but… to completely exhaust his mana too.”

“!”

Lee Han was surprised.

‘Ah, that’s right.’

Come to think of it, Doin’s condition had been somewhat strange.

If he had been unwell from the beginning, signs would have shown earlier, wouldn’t they?

Naturally thinking by his own standards, he hadn’t considered that the opponent mage might run out of mana.

‘I did something regrettable.’

However, Alardne seemed to interpret Lee Han’s surprise in a different direction.

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. I didn’t bring this up to reproach you. Outstanding mages should have strong pride. Especially toward opponents who dared to test their skills. Sir Doin should be grateful that you ended it so gracefully.”

“…No, that’s…”

Lee Han wanted to clarify the misunderstanding, but Alardne had already finished convincing herself.

No matter how much it was for the gathering’s entertainment, a mage without proper skills who challenged him was unforgivable.

He had crushed him with the pride of the Wardanaz Family!

“That’s really not it.”

“If you say so, let’s leave it at that. In any case, I was surprised. It’s nothing new for Einroguard graduates to be outstanding, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a 1st year student this excellent. Even if it is the Wardanaz Family.”

“Thank you.”

“As students, you’ll be staying in Granden City during vacation. If you ever need help, feel free to visit the Greenbell Family anytime. The manor’s doors are always open to capable people.”

“!”

Lee Han was surprised again.

Alardne seemed to think that surprise meant something else.

“Shall I guess? You’re probably thinking about what kind of help you might need right now.”

“No… that’s not it.”

“Sometimes there are matters that are difficult to resolve even with a great noble family’s power, or that one hesitates to resolve using a great noble family’s name. There are definitely such times. Then…”

Alardne bowed and withdrew from the spot.

Asan, who had returned after receiving plenty of praise from his older brother and sister, spoke in an excited voice.

“Wardanaz! Did you hear? I got praised! I got praised!”

“Asan… I don’t think you need to attach such great meaning to a single compliment.”

Lee Han looked at his friend pitifully.

It seemed like it would be easier to just ignore it and live, but he felt endlessly sorry for why his friend acted like that.

“Right. What kind of praise did you get?”

Lee Han asked out of courtesy since his friend was so happy.

Asan spoke with a flushed face.

“They said I did well, that I made good friends, and that I should work hard to be able to follow that friend in the future.”

“?”

“??”

Lee Han and Ratford tilted their heads.

Ratford whispered quietly so Asan couldn’t hear.

“Wardanaz sir. I don’t know much about nobles, but is that considered praise among nobles?”

“No. That’s not praise, Ratford.”

Regardless of their conversation, Asan was happy. Lee Han said sympathetically,

“Asan. If you’re bored during vacation, come to the Wardanaz Family estate. No. Come visit often even if you’re not bored.”

“Thank… you?”

Asan seemed to sense something odd and tilted his head as he answered that he understood.

“More than that, Wardanaz. I can’t just let you go after helping me like this. Is there anything you need? If there is, tell me. I’ll repay you in the name of the Dalcard Family.”

Lee Han, who was about to say it was fine, hesitated.

Come to think of it, there was one thing he needed.

“There was something I needed.”

“Oh. What is it?”

“Pay back the silver coins you borrowed.”

“…Ah, no. That’s a given. Anything else?”

“I haven’t really thought of anything in particular.”

Asan was flustered.

Wasn’t paying back borrowed silver coins a natural thing?

“You didn’t come here just for that, did you?”

“Of course not. I just came to see a friend.”

“Right? That must be it…?”

Asan nodded his head trying to convince himself, but somehow felt uneasy.

* * *

The Meikin Family Estate located in Granden City was reminiscent of a busy and prosperous alchemist workshop rather than an elegant noble manor.

Practical design without unnecessary decorations, workers and alchemists constantly entering and leaving through the estate’s doors, the fragrance of various herbs and potions wafting from inside the estate…

“The herb smell is incredible.”

“Yeah. The smell of money is incredible.”

“Excuse me? The herb smell.”

“Ah. Sorry. I was thinking about something else.”

Lee Han apologized to Ratford.

Seeing countless workers bringing in materials and alchemists going in and out, he could understand why the Meikin Family was wealthy.

Moreover, this wasn’t even the main house but essentially a villa.

“I should get closer to Yoner from now on.”

“Aren’t you already close?”

Lee Han approached the estate’s main gate.

The gatekeepers guarding the main gate were so busy they couldn’t even look at Lee Han properly and shouted.

“Please wait in line! Five carriages just went inside! No matter how much you try to push your way in, you have to wait!”

“Um. Actually, we…”

“I said no! Whatever trading company or workshop you’re from, you have to wait in line! It’s the rules! If you don’t follow the rules, what about all these people waiting here!”

“That’s certainly true.”

Lee Han was persuaded by the gatekeeper.

Carriages and workers waiting in a long line in front of the main gate.

They were people who had come from various places like guilds, trading companies, and workshops and were waiting.

Of course, Lee Han hadn’t come for business but to see a friend, but that wasn’t a reason to cut in line.

“Let’s go wait.”

“Uh… I think we could just pass through separately…”

“Ratford. What would the people waiting behind think? We might cause trouble for Yoner’s family for no reason, so let’s wait.”

Ratford tilted his head and followed behind Lee Han.

Was visiting a noble estate originally like this?

‘I don’t think so…’

“What brings you two here?”

An alchemist who was standing ahead spoke to the two.

His appearance in a long robe with various potions and reagents hanging all over him spoke more clearly about himself than carving the words “I am an alchemist.”

“We came to meet someone from the Meikin Family.”

“That figures. I’m waiting here for the same reason.”

The alchemist smiled warmly upon finding an accomplice with the same purpose.

According to the alchemist who was standing ahead, people who came to visit the Meikin Family estate here were divided into two categories.

One was those who had formal contracts with the Meikin Family and came to deliver promised goods.

And the other was those who wanted to catch the Meikin Family’s eye to receive sponsorship or make contracts.

The Meikin Family was a reliable sponsor. Whether it was a trading company, guild, or workshop, once you caught their eye, you could work while receiving exceptional financial support.

That’s why all those people were waiting with herbs or reagents they had gathered, or alchemy potions they had made themselves.

“I see.”

“But do you two… need to wait here?”

The alchemist looked puzzled seeing Lee Han and Ratford’s attire.

After staying in the city for a long time, one could guess a person’s status just by looking at their clothes.

The two clearly looked like they were from noble families.

“If you need something, you have to wait.”

“That’s true. I said something unnecessary.”

The alchemist nodded.

Even if you’re from a noble family, if you need something, you have to wait.

Of course, he couldn’t help thinking ‘couldn’t someone from a noble family send servants to make an appointment,’ but he figured there must be some circumstances and let it pass.

After someone who brought suspicious eggs in a cage went in, and then an employee from a trading company who had obtained reagents from snow mountains went in, their turn finally came.

“This way! Come this way! What brings you here!”

“We’re alchemists. We came to have our potions evaluated.”

“Understood! Please go to the west wing! Three new alchemists to the west wing! Three alchemists!”

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