Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 384

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

Chapter 384

Lee Han quickly backed away when he noticed the Skeleton Principal’s shocked gaze.

“I was just asking. In an academic sense.”

What kind of bone is it that you’re talking about it like some gemstone?

The Skeleton Principal spoke bluntly.

Unlike weak bones that couldn’t withstand such souls, a bracelet carved directly from the Skeleton Principal’s bones couldn’t be escaped from even if ten thousand demons stirred within.

Naturally, no gemstones were needed either.

‘What a shame.’

‘This bastard is thinking it’s a shame.’

The Skeleton Principal cursed while looking at Lee Han.

Such a shameless bastard…

If it were Professor Mortum, he would have shed tears of gratitude!

“Are there any precautions I should take when using this bracelet? Does it absorb a lot of mana perhaps?”

If it’s a bracelet that would absorb your mana, I don’t even want to imagine what level of curse that would be. It’s not such a dangerous item.

“Tsk.”

…But it’s not such an easy item either. Think about the beings contained within it.

Lee Han pondered after hearing the Skeleton Principal’s words.

According to what the King of Ghouls had said, the beings dwelling in this bracelet were those who had been defeated by the King of Ghouls.

Then…

Do you understand? Strong…

“Weak… Huh. Are they strong?”

Then would I have bothered to confine and put weak ones in there like that?

The Skeleton Principal was dumbfounded by Lee Han’s words.

If they were weak beings, there would have been no need to confine them like that, nor would the Skeleton Principal have crafted them into a bracelet.

They’re quite useful fellows, so I made it like that and gave it to you.

“I thought they were weaker than expected since they lost to the King of Ghouls.”

The Skeleton Principal was originally a dark mage who was ruthless toward the undead, but this time he sympathized with the King of Ghouls.

To think he was being disrespected like this by a young 1st year student.

How hurt his pride must be.

You’d better watch your words. The ones inside might be listening. Right now they’re probably too busy fighting each other to pay attention… but someday one of them might pop out.

The inside of that bracelet was like a miniature version of the underground prison Lee Han had been through.

Fierce and proud beings would never cooperate even if they were defeated and imprisoned together. Rather, they tried to resolve their inescapable frustration by trampling on each other.

Though it wasn’t visible to Lee Han, countless souls were engaged in deadly battles inside the bracelet even now.

But if Lee Han’s skills improved further and he gained the qualifications to draw the interest of the imprisoned souls…

The souls might stop fighting and attempt to converse with Lee Han.

“If they converse… does that mean they’ll obey my commands?”

Well. That’s uncertain. The ones trapped inside are all fierce and stupid fellows.

‘You just told me to watch my words.’

But one thing is certain. You are the owner of the bracelet. They are imprisoned slaves. Make sure they clearly recognize that. Then they might obey your commands.

“I see. Like the Einroguard students…”

The Skeleton Principal pretended not to hear and ignored it.

Meanwhile, Professor Garcia lifted Ogoldos as lightly as a straw.

“Let’s take him out for now.”

Lee Han suddenly felt a surge of respect for the professor at that sight.

It was because of how she cared for the student, definitely not because she lifted Ogoldos so easily.

It would be better to let him rest here for a day rather than moving him immediately. If we force him to move unnecessarily, it might get worse.

“Principal…”

Lee Han was slightly moved.

To think the Skeleton Principal would be so considerate.

After all, like it or not, only fellow Einroguard people mattered.

I’m talking about Ogoldos, not you. You’re perfectly fine.

“…”

* * *

While Ogoldos was sleeping soundly and resting well at the inn, Lee Han asked Professor Garcia about the curriculum he had missed.

The fact that he had fallen behind in his studies for two weeks tormented Lee Han more than the fact that he had been imprisoned for two weeks.

“I’m two whole weeks behind!? I’m finished now!”

“L-Lee Han student. I don’t think that’s the case…”

“How am I supposed to catch up on two weeks!”

‘Couldn’t you catch up easily enough…’

Professor Garcia thought so inwardly, but didn’t dare say it seeing Lee Han’s face distorted with grief.

“Since it’s the start of the new semester, everyone didn’t teach much of anything. All the other professors only taught basic things.”

In Professor Garcia’s view, the curriculum the other school professors were currently covering was already something Lee Han had achieved.

Honestly, he seemed like he could catch up even if he took a break for two months, not two weeks.

“Come to think of it, what are you teaching this semester, Professor Garcia?”

“This semester I’m teaching magic useful in daily life.”

Having introduced other school magics and taught the basics in the first semester, she planned to teach magic in the second semester that didn’t belong to any specific school but would be useful for young mages to know.

Knowing these things would be advantageous for surviving at Einroguard.

“…To think I missed such lectures for two whole weeks!!”

“C-calm down, I’ll teach you now.”

The magic Professor Garcia had taught over the two weeks were 【Component Separation】 and 【Lesser Dark Vision】.

【Component Separation】 was magic essential for mages preparing potions or reagents, using magical power to separate specific mixtures, and 【Lesser Dark Vision】 was magic that allowed vision in darkness, though with unclear sight.

And both were magic Lee Han had already learned beforehand.

“Oh. I know both of these magic spells.”

“…”

Professor Garcia found Lee Han annoying for the first time in a while.

“…I’ll explain the second semester lectures then. Since you couldn’t attend them.”

“Thank you.”

Unlike Professor Garcia who taught 【Basic Practical Magic】, most lectures hadn’t changed much.

Professor Thunderstep still taught 【Advanced Understanding of Basic Alchemy】.

Similarly, 【Advanced Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic】, 【Advanced Basic Imperial Language and Logic】, 【Advanced Basic Mount Training】 and others were all lectures that were extensions of the first semester.

“Fortunately, none of the professors went missing, so everything was maintained as is.”

“…”

Lee Han got goosebumps at Professor Garcia’s smile.

Is it okay to say that so cheerfully right now?

“Wait. Professor. In my case, since I’m late and couldn’t apply, what should I do?”

“But Lee Han student, don’t you skip most of them anyway?”

“…”

Lee Han was speechless.

Professor Garcia felt slightly sorry and quickly changed her words.

“Th-that doesn’t mean you don’t need to apply. It’s just that since Lee Han student wasn’t here, I applied on your behalf.”

Lee Han received the paper Professor Garcia handed him.

It had lectures almost identical to the first semester written on it.

“Professor. Why is something like the Principal’s 【Advanced Basic Magical Character Education】 included?”

“Huh? It’s a required lecture… and you took it in the first semester too?”

Lee Han turned his gaze away as if disappointed that it didn’t work.

“…”

Professor Garcia glared at him, but Lee Han pretended not to see and looked at the paper.

‘Wait.’

Lee Han felt puzzled looking at the list of lectures written under his name.

Basic Practical Magic – Garcia.

Understanding Basic Alchemy Volume 2 Advanced – Thunderstep.

Repetitive Learning of Basic Magical Combat Advanced – Bagrek.

Magical Character Education!

…

“Why are all the handwritings different?”

“Ah. Some professors came in person to write them down.”

“…”

Lee Han’s eyes widened.

Setting aside Garcia writing on his behalf, the professors had come to add their own lectures and left.

Was that even allowed?

“Is such a thing even permitted?!”

“Uh, weren’t you going to take them anyway?”

“That’s true, but I might not have taken them…!”

“Is there anything you want to remove?”

“Well, there isn’t…”

“??”

Professor Garcia tilted her head, not understanding what Lee Han’s problem was.

‘This feels ominous.’

It was fine for now, but the fact that this was possible made Lee Han fearful.

Of course, it was an emergency situation so he had no choice but to act as a substitute, but didn’t Einroguard’s professors tend to consider everything an emergency when they were in a hurry?

Lee Han resolved that in his second year, he would have to avoid the professors during course registration period before submitting.

“…Huh? Wait a moment. Professor. Why is 【Basic Dance and Social Skills Advanced】 here? I never said I’d take this?”

“What? I didn’t write that either?”

“??”

Both Lee Han and Professor Garcia were confused.

An elective lecture that neither had heard of nor written was included in the list.

…I added it.

“No…!”

Lee Han looked at the Skeleton Principal like someone who had suffered the world’s most despicable betrayal.

The Skeleton Principal was dumbfounded by the sense of betrayal, as if someone had stolen his disciple’s soul.

Was adding one more lecture really worth such a reaction?

“Why should I take that?!”

Emperor… no, you focus too much on magic alone. You need to have other hobbies too.

Professor Garcia almost nodded unconsciously.

“But I’m already taking swordsmanship, mount training, geometry, and languages.”

Young people in the Empire generally don’t call those hobbies. Anyway, it’s already decided so it can’t be changed. Just take that much.

“Don’t lie. With the Principal’s magic, you should be able to change it.”

The Skeleton Principal wanted to hit his disciple who was talking back so boldly without knowing his place, but he held back.

Later, when meeting the Emperor, if he said ‘the Principal hit me,’ a message saying ‘come to the capital immediately’ might fly over.

Wait, the knights outside are calling me!

“Principal!! Principal!! I’m seriously considering filing a complaint to the Empire’s capital!”

The Skeleton Principal floated away and snorted.

I’ve heard all kinds of threats, but this is the first time I’ve heard such a ridiculous threat! Go ahead and try your best!

* * *

The knights calling the Skeleton Principal was real.

“Lord Gonadaltes. The adventurers were causing such a commotion that we investigated, and found that some of them were criminals with bounties. What should we do with the others…”

When one party member was a criminal, the treatment of the others became quite ambiguous.

Since there was suspicion but no evidence, it was cleanest for the highest-ranking person present to make the decision.

And the person in charge here was the Skeleton Principal.

The Skeleton Principal resolved it cleanly.

Do you all know each other?

“No!”

“You fool!! Don’t answer the mage’s question…”

A lie. You know each other. Send them to the capital prison!

“No! No!!”

Among the screaming Anti-Magic Extremists, Bakdeggul was horrified.

He couldn’t believe how that Archmage of Einroguard had figured out and arrested them.

Setting aside grudges, that terrifying ability was frightening.

‘How…! How did he do it! Did he foresee it with magic?! That’s impossible!’

While the Skeleton Principal was praising the knights for their clean work, Lee Han came out and spoke to him.

“Principal. My senior has awakened.”

Good. Let’s depart soon.

“But about that dance and social skills…”

Right. There’s one serious problem with you.

Pretending not to hear Lee Han’s words, the Skeleton Principal changed the subject.

“What is it?”

Normally he should have trembled in fear, but Lee Han looked at the Skeleton Principal with distrustful eyes.

The knights nearby were startled.

‘Even so, is it okay to act so arrogantly in front of Lord Gonadaltes?’

‘How much favor must he receive…?!’

Because you stayed in the Undead dimension for too long, your soul reeks of evil energy.

If you spent a long time with spirits, your soul would emanate the fragrance of spirits, but if you spent a long time with undead, your soul would emanate the scent of undead.

There was a reason Dark Mages weren’t popular.

But Lee Han, having heard the explanation, was puzzled.

“Doesn’t that not matter?”

He wasn’t popular with spirits anyway, and if he was going to learn dark magic, it didn’t matter much if he reeked of evil energy.

It was a bit sad though…

Normally that would be true. What problem would there be if the scent of magic you’re learning emanates from your soul? The problem is that your mana is more than expected, that evil energy is stronger than expected, and finally, there are undead who hold grudges against you.

If a mage emanating the fragrance of spirits frequently receives visits from spirits, then a mage emanating the scent of undead frequently receives visits from undead.

Moreover, if like Lee Han, you have abundant mana, reek strongly of evil energy, and even have undead who bear grudges…

There was no telling what dangerous undead might become interested and come visiting.

Lee Han’s face hardened as he realized the seriousness of the situation.

‘Dark magic really has too many drawbacks!’

To think that studying magic diligently would result in visits from undead.

What kind of magic was this?

But don’t worry too much. There’s an easy solution.

“Taking dance and social skills?”

No. Stay at Phoenix Tower. The priests’ energy will drive away the evil energy. This semester should be enough.

The Skeleton Principal spoke as if it was nothing special. And indeed it wasn’t.

Just staying with the priests would rapidly reduce that evil energy.

However, Lee Han spoke in a serious voice.

“Principal.”

What?

“Then wouldn’t my friends starve to death?”

…People don’t starve to death that easily. Probably.

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