Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 299

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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 299

When imperial family members met, it had a different meaning than when siblings from other families met.

Even siblings from the same family had some degree of intimacy, but basically imperial family members rarely had occasions to meet each other.

Naturally, imperial family members had no choice but to view each other as competitors…

Thanks to this, when they met, ruthless competition would unfold.

To be recognized in front of people as the superior imperial family member!

“…At least it’s fortunate that this is Gainando’s manor. Since they came as guests, they can’t say anything too excessive.”

Lee Han spoke consolingly.

Since they were guests invited to another family’s manor, they couldn’t act too arrogantly beyond a certain level.

If they did, they would be branded as rude people who didn’t know manners despite being invited.

“Besides, his mother is here too.”

Although he hadn’t met her yet, from what Yoner said, she was definitely not an ordinary person.

Considering the family’s power, no one would dare say unnecessary things in front of her.

“Mom went out for a bit though?”

“…”

“…Guys. Come gather for a moment.”

Lee Han put down his magazine and called his friends together.

The meeting topic was 【How to make Gainando look decent during the imperial family gathering】.

* * *

Contrary to Lee Han’s worries, the imperial family members actually had no intention of picking a fight with Gainando.

First of all, they were invited to another family’s manor, and the imperial family members weren’t stupid enough to insult a member of that family.

Moreover, considering the family’s power, there was nothing good about making enemies for no reason.

The ones the imperial family members intended to pick fights with were each other.

“Bogajun. It’s been a while. It was truly regrettable that you failed in the Kuldran Village plague incident last time.”

Crack!

“Judrantes… Thanks for worrying about me. I worried about you a lot too. Who would have known your guard knight would be involved in a bribery scandal.”

Creak!

The imperial family members heading toward the manor glared at each other and growled while on horseback.

The imperial family’s followers were the same. They stared fiercely at each other, waiting for any opening.

Imperial family members who had to prove their own worth always tried to make their reputation known throughout the empire.

The best method was to get involved in the empire’s major and minor affairs and solve them.

Of course, such solutions didn’t always work out well. There were many failures, and sometimes accidents were caused by their own followers before they could even try.

Then they had to listen to other imperial family members getting very excited and saying things like ‘Oh my, what should we do’ with fake concern.

‘That bastard.’

‘He should have died last time.’

“It’s truly heartwarming to see you two worrying about each other’s wellbeing.”

“How could the empire’s future not be bright?”

“…Hahaha.”

“Hahahaha.”

The people visiting the manor weren’t just imperial family members and their followers. There were also nobles who associated with them.

These people served as spectators and judges.

If any of the imperial family members caused trouble at the gathering, they would spread rumors in imperial high society saying ‘Imperial family member so-and-so caused trouble,’ and if any imperial family member achieved something outstanding, they would spread those rumors too…

If it weren’t for these people, curses would have already been exchanged.

“Truly disgraceful beyond words.”

“That’s right. A truly beautiful jewel shines even when sunk to the bottom of a swamp. Compared to Lady Adenart, they are worthless.”

Adenart’s followers clicked their tongues while looking at the other imperial family members.

A proper imperial family member should know how to be dignified, but seeing them fight so disgracefully as soon as they met was pathetic beyond words.

“Ha. Are there any other achievements besides enrolling in Einroguard?”

“That doesn’t seem like something someone who couldn’t even enroll in Einroguard should say.”

“He simply has no interest in magic. His Highness is in a position to command mages, not a position where he needs to use magic directly.”

“That’s what you’d like to claim.”

“Now. Everyone please be quiet for a moment. We’ve arrived at the manor.”

Nobles who weren’t part of any imperial faction stepped in to mediate.

Continuing the verbal fight after passing through the main gate would be disrespecting the manor’s owner.

The arguing followers closed their mouths and passed through the manor’s main gate.

A manor so luxurious it was rare to see even in Granden City…

Whoooosh-

“!?”

“!”

The entering people were startled by the dragon illusion that wrapped around the manor and breathed out lanterns of light.

At a glance, they could tell it was done by a fairly skilled mage.

It was the 【Azirmo Summoning Enchantment】 magic that Lee Han had learned (forcibly) from Professor Verdus.

“Gainando. Hurry up and greet them.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I summoned skeletons instead?”

“If you don’t want to get hit with bones, hurry up and greet them.”

“There’s no need to get so angry…”

When Lee Han growled angrily, the frightened Gainando cleared his throat and shouted.

“Welcome. We welcome you to our manor.”

“…!”

The sight of Gainando and his friends standing on the stairs left a strong impression on the guests.

“Come to think of it, I heard Prince Gainando also enrolled in Einroguard…”

“To think he can already use magic of this level.”

“He didn’t cast it alone, did he? He must have cast it with help from his other friends.”

“Even so, it’s sufficiently impressive. Look at that illusion magic.”

The guests raised their evaluation of Gainando, which they hadn’t even been thinking about.

Even if he didn’t cast it himself, the fact that he cast magic of that level together with his friends was impressive enough.

Gainando tilted his head.

“But Lee Han cast this alone…”

“Shh. Shut up and stay quiet.”

“…”

Gainando puffed his cheeks at the sight of his friends making the owner shut up in his own manor.

Lee Han spoke firmly.

“Gainando. You remember, right? You’re only going to say three things. ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ ‘Huhu.’ Got it?”

“Yes…”

“You didn’t need to do it already, but that’s a good proactive attitude. That’s exactly right.”

Lee Han patted Gainando’s shoulder.

He just needed to sit quietly and keep his mouth shut until the gathering ended. Then at least he wouldn’t suffer any losses.

“Nice to meet you. I’m called Bogajun.”

“I’m Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.”

“…!”

“Please treat me well. I’m Judrantes.”

“I’m Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.”

“!!!”

Each time the visiting imperial family members heard Lee Han’s family introduction, they looked at him with greedily shining eyes.

‘They’re looking more greedily than when I look at gold coins.’

Of course, Lee Han knew well why they were acting like that.

Being from the prestigious magic family Wardanaz and even being an Einroguard student, it wouldn’t be strange to judge him as promising mage material who would achieve great things in the future.

And the imperial family members were fundamentally people who liked to gather talented individuals under them.

“I’ve heard much about the Wardanaz family name. We just received a new magic tome at our manor – if you don’t mind, how about coming to take a look?”

“Thank you for the offer. I’ll think about it.”

“We recently acquired an artifact…”

“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

Getting entangled would only make life troublesome. Lee Han deflected their questions smoothly without showing even the slightest opening.

When Lee Han showed no openings, the imperial family members turned their attention to Nilia and Ratford.

The Meikin family was nearly impossible to recruit due to their kinship with Gainando, but they didn’t know about the other two yet.

“If there’s anything you desire…”

“We recently got something new…”

While the imperial family and their followers surrounded and bothered Lee Han, Nilia, and Ratford, one of the guests asked Gainando curiously.

“Lord Gainando. I have one question. Who cast that magic? I have some knowledge of magic. That magic doesn’t seem like something another mage could assist with.”

“Hehe.”

Gainando answered as Lee Han had instructed him.

Then the guest asked again.

“Did His Highness the Prince cast it?”

“No.”

“Then did Lee Han of the Wardanaz family cast it?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Lee Han, who was deflecting questions from the imperial family members a little distance away, lamented inwardly.

‘I should have just sewn his mouth shut.’

“Lord Wardanaz cast it? I’d really love to hear about it! When would be a good time?”

“We can adjust our schedule anytime. If a mage from the Wardanaz family is coming…”

The followers who had been making relatively gentle suggestions until now began charging forward with gleaming eyes.

Their desire to invite Lee Han to their follower gatherings burned fiercely.

Gainando grumbled to Yoner.

“We don’t even have time to hang out together at the manor, so why do they keep trying to invite people?”

“Please just shut up for once…”

* * *

Only after causing quite a commotion in front of the manor were the visiting guests able to enter inside.

Though each sat in the hall calmly sipping their teacups, their gazes were sharp as could be.

The guest who had earlier asked Gainando unnecessary questions and made Lee Han’s life difficult sat in front of Lee Han.

“I was truly amazed, Lord Wardanaz. Oh, I’m called Zolbavden.”

At the sight of the elf extending his hand, Lee Han cursed inwardly.

Why did you have to say something unnecessary…

“I knew Einroguard was an excellent magic school, but for a 1st year student to display magic of that level… I’m truly impressed.”

“I was just lucky.”

“Lucky? How could that be? Look at the expressions of the other imperial family members.”

‘That’s because of you.’

If only Zolbavden hadn’t said “No! This magic was cast alone!” the imperial family members wouldn’t be sending such heated gazes.

Though Lee Han usually preferred befriending wealthy people, the imperial family was a slightly different story.

Weren’t they the type where trying to squeeze out some gold coins would end up costing him much more?

There was no need to drink from a poisoned chalice.

‘I’ll earn money honestly and proudly.’

Lee Han changed the subject.

“So what are the imperial family members gathering to do today?”

“Ah. A riddle should be coming out soon.”

There was only one reason why imperial family members who all disliked each other would gather.

To prove ‘I’m better than that guy’ in front of other nobles.

Naturally, such proof required opportunities.

Therefore, at imperial family gatherings, nobles would take turns bringing small riddles.

Thud!

Inside a transparent glass case was an egg with distinctive patterns.

The noble who brought the glass case smiled meaningfully and said.

“Now then, wise individuals gathered here today. Can you guess what creature this egg belongs to?”

Zolbavden beside Lee Han let out an exclamation of admiration.

“As expected, Lord Brodon overflows with wit! Don’t you think so, Lord Wardanaz?”

Lee Han, who was thinking ‘If you want to do stuff like that, why don’t you just enroll in Einroguard,’ smiled artificially and answered.

“Truly a witty problem.”

“Right? Oh, why don’t you try solving it too, Lord Wardanaz?”

‘Are you insane?’

Lee Han’s fingers twitched.

Of course, Zolbavden was purely trying to elevate the talented boy from the Wardanaz family in imperial social circles with good intentions.

No matter how great a bloodline one was born with, no matter how excellent one’s qualities, if there was no one to spread word about it, no one would know of that person’s existence.

As a noble of imperial social circles, Zolbavden thought it was his mission to widely spread the names of talented individuals.

Of course, from Lee Han’s perspective, it was just a nuisance.

The imperial family members were trembling with eagerness to solve it themselves – why would he butt in there?

“I don’t have any guesses, so it seems difficult.”

Lee Han, who answered thus, hesitated.

That egg looked strangely familiar.

Where had he seen it before?

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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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