Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 495

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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 495

Do you call that speaking? What you have attached there—is it a snout or a mouth?

“Aren’t they both the same thing…”

If you had such an experience, you should think about learning higher magic and preparing to crush your enemies!

The Skeleton Principal sternly scolded Lee Han.

However, Lee Han’s expression was different from what he expected.

Instead of reflecting and accepting it, he was looking at the Skeleton Principal as if he found it absurd.

“How could I possibly do more here…”

…

The Skeleton Principal almost found himself agreeing.

Though the Skeleton Principal, being from the old days, had somewhat more lenient standards for magical education, even by ancient standards, Lee Han’s current training was on the harsh side.

But instead of backing down, the Skeleton Principal shouted.

Instead of reflecting, you’re making excuses!

“No… but still, what more could I possibly train here…”

Lee Han asked in bewilderment, but the Skeleton Principal quickly changed the subject.

And taking Bagrek to suspicious places isn’t a wise move. While problems could be solved if they arise, it would create far more problems.

‘Indeed.’

This time Lee Han was convinced.

After all, taking Professor Boladi to suspicious places might be like entering a gunpowder storage with a torch.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Good. Make sure you do. By the way… that mage criminal’s eyes are quite sharp. To notice your qualities like that. How do you think he figured it out? Your mana capacity? Or did he overhear internal evaluations from Einroguard? Or maybe he heard rumors about what you did during vacation…

The Skeleton Principal trailed off.

Thinking about it as he spoke, the mage criminal’s eyes weren’t particularly sharp.

With so many clues like that, even an idiot could think, ‘Huh? That mage from the Wardanaz Family seems somewhat extraordinary, doesn’t he?’

‘I’ll need to be more careful…’

When Wardanaz saved the knights from the anti-magic extremists’ attack last time, the Skeleton Principal had thought about it too.

That mage criminals might take interest.

But seeing it like this, it seemed that prediction had come true.

Considering Wardanaz’s talent and accomplishments, the interest shown by mage criminals now was actually rather late.

With his innate magical talent, and unlike ordinary mages, knowing how to act strategically for his goals, plus belonging to multiple schools…

If he fell into being a mage criminal, the mage criminals would shed tears of joy and throw a festival for such talent.

“Ah. It’s probably not because of that, but likely because of the Sea Serpent. I used a lot of magic while preparing for the Sea Serpent subjugation.”

Really? Well, with your mana, it would have been a waste to keep you tied up in the back.

The Skeleton Principal immediately understood what he meant.

Didn’t students as well as professors participate in the Sea Serpent subjugation?

While professors directly participated in the front lines and students helped with various preparations in the rear was standard, Wardanaz had long surpassed the level of an ordinary first-year.

Naturally, they would have had him help with preparations at the front.

What you would have done… equipment enhancement? Securing light sources?

“Oh. That’s right.”

Lee Han was slightly impressed.

As if to show he wasn’t principal for nothing, he had accurately guessed what Lee Han had done, as if he had been there.

“Did the professor tell you?”

No. I didn’t ask about such details. No matter how much more sociable Professor Thunderstep is compared to the other two, there’s nothing good about bothering him too much… So the mage criminal approached you after seeing those magics?

“But that probably wasn’t very impressive.”

He had lit up the entire harbor as bright as broad daylight, and it was true that Ianop had received a strong impression because of it, but Lee Han didn’t realize this.

Other reasons felt much more likely.

“I think it was probably more because I hit the Sea Serpent with ice arrows or water orb magic.”

Water orb? Yumidifus’s?

“Not Yumidifus’s water orb, I modified it. The professor gave me permission to put my name on it.”

Well…

The Skeleton Principal showed emotion and joy, which was rare.

Professor Bagrek has been driving you like a hunting dog on the verge of starvation, so this must be quite rewarding!

“…”

Lee Han almost became serious.

Shouldn’t you try to stop it if you know that?

“I was lucky.”

It wasn’t luck, it was skill. No matter how hard you work, modifying magic of that level and adapting it to yourself isn’t easy. Indeed, trials make a mage grow.

“…Maybe it was possible because of the effort I had accumulated before…”

No. Trials are definitely necessary. But it’s quite regrettable to just let such a precious experience pass by… Did Professor Bagrek perhaps tell you to write a book?

Lee Han became truly serious.

From the principal to the professors, they were all complete bastards.

“Yes. He told me to.”

Besides organizing the magic you modified, did he also tell you to write a book contemplating the direction you should move forward?

“Yes.”

Really? Professor Bagrek really cherishes you a lot.

“…”

Lee Han gritted his teeth while imagining putting the Skeleton Principal and Professor Boladi on trial in the Imperial Court.

Anyway, be careful. If that mage criminal has taken interest in you, there’s a high possibility that other mage criminals will take interest too. Originally, fragrant flowers don’t attract just one bee.

“Don’t worry. I will absolutely not take interest in any suspicious proposals or magic.”

Why do you have so little curiosity as a mage!

“…”

The Skeleton Principal was irrationality itself.

To ignore mage criminals’ proposals while having curiosity and persistently exploring any magic or proposal.

But Lee Han wasn’t shaken.

Professors were originally like that.

‘That’s just noise.’

You worked hard carrying out the commission… I hope that experience and reward become good friends to your magical future.

“I think so too.”

Lee Han answered sincerely while thinking of the gold coins he could receive from this commission.

‘Can’t I conduct magical research or experiments as cheaply as possible to save gold coins? I don’t want to waste money earned through blood and sweat on something like magic.’

Wait.

The Skeleton Principal suddenly hesitated.

Lee Han flinched, wondering if his thoughts had been discovered.

“What’s wrong?”

Did you say you hit the Sea Serpent with water orb?

“I hit it with ice arrows too.”

That’s not what’s important… how did you manage to hit it?

“?”

Lee Han tilted his head.

“By aiming well?”

…I asked the wrong question. No matter how much you prepared at the front, you would have fallen back when the monster appeared, so how did you hit it from there?

“Ah… due to a minor misunderstanding, I also fought alongside the professors.”

…

The Skeleton Principal remained quietly silent without saying anything.

Lee Han asked in confusion.

“Principal?”

Send this to Professor Thunderstep.

Instead of answering, the Skeleton Principal wrote a note and sent a Death Knight on an errand.

Lee Han was curious about what was written in the note.

I think there was a phrase at the top that said ‘You are already a dead man’…

From now on, I will never believe you when you say you have no curiosity or interest.

“No, it was a misunderstanding! Really!”

How very convincing.

The Skeleton Principal said with cynicism.

What a mage, pretending to be the most humble in the Empire while being so arrogant.

Right. I almost forgot… tell the students who participated in the commission that they can rest on Friday.

The students who had remained at school were suffering not only from lectures but also from flood recovery work.

However, since the other students had returned after completing their commission outside, they should be given about a day to rest and recover from their journey.

“Really?”

Lee Han was slightly moved.

To think the Skeleton Principal would show such consideration.

‘Maybe he acts like a dog normally to achieve this kind of effect?’

Since he usually acted so terribly, even giving just one day of rest could create the illusion of ‘Does the Principal actually care about us a lot?’

Right. On weekends, they’d still have to do their assigned duties for each tower, but that couldn’t be helped…

“I’m grateful just to rest for one day.”

Lee Han bowed his head and prepared to leave.

Then the Skeleton Principal asked in puzzlement.

Where are you going?

“Huh? You said to rest…”

You should be learning magic at times like this. How many days do you have to rest without lectures? Sit down. Didn’t you say you wanted to learn about Antagondals’ artifacts last time? I’ll teach you as compensation for your hard work on the commission.

“…”

Lee Han felt burning hatred toward the Empire’s mage criminals.

Those barbaric bastards who shake the Empire’s order!

* * *

The Skeleton Principal sat Lee Han down and took out the artifacts seized from the previous battle.

Then he took out the artifacts confiscated from Ianop, and also brought out an artifact he’d never seen before.

The last artifact was painted with blackened, dried blood.

“…”

Oh dear. I told you to clean it properly.

-I apologize.

The Death Knight quickly took the artifact away and brought back a clean one.

The Skeleton Principal said nonchalantly.

Last time, one of those criminal bastards resisted quite violently. Now. Look. These artifacts were all made and used by mage criminals. What common trait do you notice here?

Lee Han immediately tried to speak.

The Skeleton Principal’s mood improved again at his disciple’s intelligent appearance.

Just moments ago, he had been filled with anger because of Professor Thunderstep, but indeed, what made a mage feel good was magic.

“Not only did they all use expensive gems, but they also attached luxurious decorations. This ring-shaped decoration drawn on the side doesn’t really affect the magic, but because of its appearance…”

…Not that.

The Skeleton Principal held back his urge to hit his disciple, who immediately rattled off details about parts he hadn’t cared about at all, as if obsessed with gold coins.

“Not that? Other than the unstable mana, I’m not sure.”

Right. You mentioned the unstable mana. And ordinary mages consider that more important than those useless ornamental decorations.

“Is that so? I think the latter is more important…”

The Skeleton Principal quickly continued his words because he didn’t want to hear Lee Han keep talking nonsense.

Mage criminals use all sorts of methods to amplify their magical power. Many of those methods are forbidden in the Empire…

The Skeleton Principal suddenly transformed into human form and cut off his pinky finger.

The finger fell to the floor with a thud, and along with bizarre patterns, an insane flow of mana burst forth.

“Like human sacrifice?”

Right. Forbidden arts that sacrifice life or flesh have been popular since ancient times. In my view, it’s closer to the desperate struggles of those without skill.

“Professor Bagrek also used blood magic.”

Right. Professor Bagrek is like that because he hasn’t become a lich. It would be much better if he became a lich.

“…”

Lee Han was about to say something but remained silent.

It was because he respected the Principal’s species.

I’ll clarify this beforehand in case you get any useless misunderstandings. The reason I don’t freely teach these forbidden arts without any restrictions is because these forbidden arts are dangerous and unstable enough to kill even the caster.

“Uh… isn’t that obvious?”

Actually, Lee Han had no complaints even if he didn’t teach them freely or at all.

Just because mage criminals used some bizarre methods to increase magical efficiency didn’t mean Lee Han had to do the same.

It’s not like he’d die if he didn’t increase efficiency…

All the guys I taught thought I was hiding things because I was jealous of them, and they threw fits about it.

‘Hmm. Indeed, like master, like disciple.’

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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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