Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 408

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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 408

In the current situation, there shouldn’t be much to hide…

Lee Han, who had been pondering, clicked his tongue.

‘It’s a problem with no answer no matter how much I think about it.’

“Got it. Everyone worked hard… what did you eat?”

“We, we had some cake…”

“I told you we should save some for Wardanaz.”

Seeing the White Tiger Tower students whispering, Lee Han waved his hand as if it was fine.

“It’s okay. You could eat first when you’re hungry.”

“Wardanaz…!”

“Then since you’ve filled your stomachs, let’s do some more work on the other side before we go. The priests are on duty this week and it must be tough for them.”

“…”

The White Tiger Tower students pouted and followed behind Lee Han.

Someone muttered.

“There’s no such thing as free cake.”

“Even if you try to copy him, you won’t become like Wardanaz.”

“I, I was just saying. Just saying.”

* * *

“Ratford. Can you help me out?”

“Of course.”

Ratford, who had been picking the lock of a box his friend brought from the black market, stood up without hesitation.

A Black Turtle Tower student who recognized Lee Han’s face waved his hand. Lee Han also greeted him lightly as if grateful.

‘…Anyone would think he’s a Black Turtle Tower student!’

Salko, who was watching from afar, was dumbfounded.

Usually when students from other towers came, the Black Turtle Tower students would grumble ‘Why are you here?’ ‘What are you looking around for?’ ‘Are you a thief? If you’re buying, buy; if not, don’t just stand there.’

But when only Wardanaz came, they treated him like seeing a close friend.

Salko wasn’t in a position to criticize anyone either…

“But what do I need to help you with? Is there something you want to steal?”

“I shouldn’t ask for such things so casually.”

“You could ask casually though…”

“What we’re doing today is just checking.”

At Lee Han’s words, Ratford was curious.

Checking?

What was he checking?

“Checking the animals Professor Lightningstep prepared for his lecture. I’m anxious no matter how I think about it.”

After the second semester began, Lee Han had matured a little.

He had started previewing before lectures.

‘No matter how I think about it, if I just trust the professor and stay still, I’ll probably break at least one limb. I’ll check first.’

Lee Han had already realized a truth that other upperclassmen only understood when they became second or third years.

“Indeed… as expected of Wardanaz.”

Ratford was impressed.

Is this why he’s the top of his year?

“Given Professor Lightningstep’s personality, he must have mixed barriers and devices, so I’ll handle the barriers and you handle the devices.”

“Wardanaz, you could honestly call yourself a proper thief anywhere now…”

At Ratford’s praise, Lee Han felt embarrassed for the first time in a while.

“I’m not quite at that level yet, am I?”

“No, you are. Honestly, that’s more than enough. Since it’s the result of blood and sweat practice, you should be proud.”

“Hehe. Is that so.”

Lee Han was pleased.

It was worth diligently fiddling with and picking locks according to Ratford’s instructions.

The clearing used for this festival, located a bit away from the main building, was a field flanked by two forests.

On one side was the summoning magic test site that first-year students had worked hard on over the weekend, and on the other side was the winding racetrack where Professor Lightningstep’s lecture would take place.

“Seeing there’s a racetrack, it might be a riding lecture.”

Professor Lightningstep had often emphasized the importance of taming and riding animals during the first semester too.

If it was about taming and riding new monsters, there was a high possibility it would be relatively safe.

“Or it might be a lecture about running away from monsters.”

“…”

It was sad that he couldn’t deny Ratford’s words. The winding racetrack certainly looked good for escaping from monsters chasing from behind.

“Ratford. Please check the surroundings.”

“Yes. No one’s around. This is… having no security like this. It seems a bit careless.”

“The professors are all like that. They make students do things so their own sense of crisis is lacking.”

Lee Han approached the cage while amicably badmouthing the professor.

‘I won’t need 【Veil of Paragramum】.’

He had been extremely tense just in case, but he could approach more easily than expected. Lee Han approached carefully.

■■■■■■…

Carefully-

When he tried to pull away the covering cloth, it stuck tight as expected and wouldn’t come off. Lee Han immediately swung his mana like a hammer. With a soundless roar, the cloth fell away.

And what awaited him was an amazing sight.

“…?!”

There was nothing inside the cage. Ratford was flustered, but Lee Han quickly realized.

“It’s a monster with invisibility abilities.”

“Invisibility?”

“It’s a Quinee.”

“!”

At the voice from behind, Ratford was startled.

He had been momentarily distracted because the cage was empty. It was an embarrassing mistake for a thief.

“Ugh… such a mistake…”

“Shh. Ratford. It’s okay, so manage your expression. We haven’t been caught yet.”

The innocent mage, not knowing what scheme the two students had, held out a permit and said.

“Here’s the permit Lord Gonadaltes gave me. I came because of the summoning magic festival. I’m sorry for disturbing you when you students must be busy taking care of the Quinee.”

“Not at all. Welcome to Einroguard.”

At Lee Han’s polite welcome, the mage smiled brightly. Just from the accent and gestures, you could tell the other person was from a great noble family.

“It really is a wonderful place indeed. To think the natural mana would be this strong… The mages studying here must feel like they’re dreaming every day.”

“…Yes. Well.”

“Dreams differ depending on what kind of dream…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

The two quickly changed the subject, not wanting to shatter the outsider’s fantasy.

“But what did you say that was?”

“Ah. The Quinee? It’s a gentle and cute creature.”

Quinee.

It was a monster with invisibility abilities that resembled a slightly smaller elephant.

“Does it eat people?”

“What? No. I said it’s gentle and cute.”

“Ah. I’m sorry. Even if it’s gentle and cute, it could still eat people.”

“Hahaha. That was an amusing joke.”

The two students were exchanging meaningful glances, but the mage didn’t notice.

“When I was young, my master brought this creature once. I kept missing invisible monsters, so he wanted to teach me how to find them. I was so terrified back then.”

“…But you said it was gentle and cute?”

“It does love to play pranks though. When it chases you noisily from behind, it’s so scary! Hahaha!”

“…”

“…Do you also train to ride the Quinee?”

“The Quinee? It’s not that kind of temperament. I’ve never heard of it liking to carry anyone.”

When Ratford’s guess turned out to be correct between Lee Han and Ratford’s speculations, both their faces darkened.

Did they really have to play a chase scene against an invisible transparent beast?

“The venue is well prepared. Very fitting for Einroguard. During the festival three years ago, we had such a hard time because the preparations were poor due to the uncooperative attitude of the local families… Do you see that large pit over there? That’s where the mages who will summon creatures will gather.”

Ratford asked casually.

“Why do they need such a large pit?”

“Sometimes there are always mages who summon strange things… If they summon inside a pit like that, it’s easy to bury them.”

Ratford whispered to Lee Han in panic.

“Are they joking?”

“No. That’s serious.”

Since hearing about the terrible festival in advance would only make him feel depressed, Lee Han changed the subject to the Quinee.

For now, the invisible giant beast that would trample him was more dangerous.

“Do you happen to have any tips for dealing with the Quinee?”

“Magic that leaves traces is good. It’s also good to prepare potions with strong colors in advance.”

Lee Han shook his head at the mage giving standard methods.

Of course, Lee Han already knew that much.

“I mean methods to make it run away.”

“…Uh… That’s true… but the Quinee is a gentle beast, why are you asking about such methods?”

The mage asked with slight wariness.

Noticing this, Lee Han answered smoothly.

“I have to keep taking care of it, so I’m worried I might make a mistake.”

“Ah. I was worrying for nothing…”

The mage immediately fell for it and spilled the information. Fortunately, there was a potion to repel the Quinee.

After hearing enough, Lee Han nodded gratefully.

“Thank you. I’ll take good care of this creature.”

“Wait, wait.”

“??”

The mage called out to them.

“Do you happen to know a student named Wardanaz? A student who specializes in golem control?”

“I’m not sure?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of them?”

“Is that so… Maybe because the school is big? Anyway, thank you.”

The mage thanked them and walked away.

Once the other person disappeared, Lee Han asked Ratford with shocked eyes.

“What? How? What’s going on?”

“Could it be because of the White Tiger Tower students? Most problems are because of them, aren’t they?”

“No… not this time. How would the White Tiger Tower students spread such rumors? What is it, really? Is it the Principal??”

Lee Han was confused, not knowing he had found the answer.

* * *

“…Wardanaz!”

“Yes?”

Professor Lightningstep called Lee Han, seeing that all the gathered students were holding potion bottles filled with black ink.

“You’re the culprit, aren’t you?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb. Good grief… First-year students getting too clever.”

Professor Lightningstep looked around at the students as if incredulous. The students subtly avoided his gaze.

Not even worn-out third years, but first-year students finding out the lecture content in advance.

‘Having one lion among the sheep does make a difference.’

“I’ll give you credit though. You did well to figure it out. Preparing in advance like this is also an ability.”

The students breathed sighs of relief, but Lee Han maintained his expression of knowing nothing until the end.

“But just because you prepared in advance doesn’t mean today’s lecture will be easy. This monster’s name is Quinee…”

Professor Lightningstep explained the invisible monster’s appearance in as much detail as possible.

One student cautiously raised their hand.

“Do you have a question?”

“Yes, Professor. Do we really have to run away from that invisible monster? We’re just finding the location of one standing still, right?”

“Did Wardanaz figure that out too? Really amazing.”

Professor Lightningstep looked at Lee Han as if he were incredible.

Realizing they had prepared for the Quinee was possible, but figuring out the lecture content of running away from the Quinee in advance wasn’t easy.

How?

“…”

“…Ah, no… Isn’t finding the location of an invisible monster the lecture goal?”

“That’s the lecture purpose. Originally monsters don’t stand still, so naturally you have to practice against moving ones. Something like a Quinee is relatively easy. From here to there, don’t go outside and just avoid it within the racing track. You just need to survive until this hourglass runs out, so don’t worry too much.”

Lee Han wasn’t surprised at all and rummaged to pull out the potion he had made. He had already been prepared for this.

“W-Wardanaz. Can I still buy a potion now?”

“The price has gone up a bit now.”

“I don’t care! Sorry for doubting you!”

‘…That Wardanaz kid can’t be compared to third years.’

Professor Lightningstep shook his head.

Seeing that behavior, even third years seemed innocent in comparison.

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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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