Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 536

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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 536

‘Is he picking a fight because he’s in a bad mood?’

Lee Han, who didn’t understand the Skeleton Principal’s words, thought so.

Well, the Skeleton Principal was someone who had more bad days than good days. How irritated must he be to spend his precious weekend with an annoying bard and an annoying disciple.

“Then let’s go to the next location.”

“Yes.”

Having finished his notes, Ifadur moved his steps toward the next location.

Next were the stonemason guild members who were repairing the castle walls broken by wild wyvern attacks.

-A ten-fingered dwarf swings his hammer, becomes a nine-fingered dwarf, a nine-fingered dwarf swings his hammer, becomes an eight-fingered dwarf…

-Excellent, excellent!

-This is a miracle!

After that was the 【Tvaladalla】 tavern that sold the best beer on the street.

-One day a lost monster attacked the village and I struck it down. People asked for compensation but I just need beer! Bigger monsters burned the territory so I struck them down. People praised me but I just need beer!

-Boo! Get lost!

-You call that singing!

Next was a gambling hall where they were having a big mage card game…

-Betting your life on each card…

-Could you please be a bit quieter?

-Isn’t it because of you that I keep getting trash cards!

And after that was a small club where nearby historians gathered.

-We know there are secrets in books…

-I just got new inspiration.

-This is a miraculous song!

After completing a full round of visits, Lee Han sat in a cafe to take a brief rest and spoke as if he couldn’t understand.

“Primitive magic is truly fickle beyond measure. I can’t figure out what the rules are.”

He received rave reviews from the stonemason guild members and the historians’ club, but got jeered at the tavern and gambling hall.

Lee Han couldn’t understand the difference.

“…”

“…”

Ifadur and the Skeleton Principal exchanged glances.

Unlike Lee Han, the two of them seemed to understand.

The turtle beastman cleared his throat and spoke to Lee Han.

“Student Wardanaz. Do you perhaps not like having fun very much?”

“What???”

Lee Han was shocked.

To say that Lee Han didn’t like having fun very much.

It was as insulting as hearing ‘You don’t actually like money very much, do you?’

“What did I do wrong for you to say such insulting words?”

“Oh, no…”

The old bard was flustered by this exemplary student’s first display of intense emotion.

The Skeleton Principal answered on Ifadur’s behalf.

“You don’t like having fun very much.”

“No!”

“You don’t like it, that’s right. You’re taking courses from all schools.”

“But that’s…!”

He was about to argue that some of those were because of you, but the Skeleton Principal didn’t give him a chance and moved on.

“I didn’t expect it to be this extent, but the tendency really shows up clearly. At this level, rather than calling it uncertain, I’d have to call it regular.”

“That’s correct.”

Ifadur agreed while scanning through the records with his wrinkled fingers.

Originally, primitive magics had such obscure conditions that it was hard to find rules, but in the case of the Wardanaz family boy, it was rather easy to understand.

It was clear that he sang well songs that matched the direction of life he pursued, but couldn’t put emotion into songs that didn’t.

Normally, even matching songs should have low success rates, but the Wardanaz family boy succeeded in all of them with his unique ability, making it possible to confirm this.

“I’m truly grateful. Student Wardanaz.”

“Could there perhaps be a problem with the theory?”

Lee Han tried to find fault, but the two just ignored him.

Ifadur was busy looking at the sheet music he had recorded today.

“Hmm. Looking at how this melody… appears consecutively…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to establish a sheet music system first and then reorganize the sheet music with common standards?”

Lee Han carefully offered his opinion while looking at Ifadur’s scribble-like sheet music.

Since he had written down or received songs from various different people, the methods of recording pitch and rhythm were all mixed up, and some parts were even omitted.

It didn’t matter when Ifadur was singing around alone, but to organize it as music magic, common standards were needed.

“Aha… That’s right.”

The old bard was impressed by Lee Han’s words.

As expected of an Einroguard student, he pointed out methods that Ifadur himself hadn’t thought of.

Ifadur drew a simple sheet music framework and symbols, then handed half of his notes to Lee Han.

“Could you organize this once?”

“…”

Lee Han, who had dug his own grave, began organizing with a gloomy face.

The Skeleton Principal, watching from the side, clicked his tongue.

At that level, it wasn’t just disliking fun but rather detesting it.

* * *

Having neatly finished organizing, Ifadur found several common passages and harmonies and was satisfied.

While 80% of music magic was the caster’s emotion, rules like these were always discovered in such processes.

These rules would serve as excellent guidelines when creating and attempting new music magic in the future.

“But more important than that is casting. Casting.”

“That’s a correct observation.”

Ifadur agreed too.

The biggest weakness of music magic was that it was hard to cast because the magic itself was too weak.

“Could you perhaps give some advice? With Lord Gonadaltes’ wisdom…”

“There are ways.”

Though the Skeleton Principal had constantly grumbled about disliking music magic, he didn’t ignore the request.

“Whether raising the surrounding mana density or imbuing words with mana. Both are methods that are practically difficult to implement immediately. So mages who want to attempt this magic will have to use both methods to somehow produce results.”

“Both methods… I never thought of that!”

When Ifadur was impressed, the Skeleton Principal arrogantly continued.

“That’s right. You should start with having several people sing in chorus. Even if it’s difficult alone, several people together should be able to raise the surrounding mana density to some extent. The same goes for imbuing words with mana. Looking at examples, there were ordinary people who got caught up in emotion momentarily and squeezed out their own mana. It’s a much inferior method compared to imbuing the words themselves, but it will serve as a breakthrough.”

Ifadur diligently noted down the Skeleton Principal’s golden advice.

“Do the students already know the method of raising mana density with several people?”

“Probably unlikely. It’s a rare method and there would have been no occasion for it. Keep showing Wardanaz doing it and make them implement it. There will be trial and error, but it can’t be helped.”

“?”

Lee Han, who had been resting on the side, was confused when an arrow suddenly flew his way.

“As for squeezing out mana…”

“Same thing. Few students would be familiar with such rough methods. Similarly, keep making Wardanaz sing. Just like with incantations, repeatedly seeing and hearing is ultimately the best method. Even if they can’t imbue words with mana, they should be able to squeeze out mana and pour it out as close as possible.”

“I’m truly grateful for the advice!”

“Uh…”

Ifadur, who had become quite pleased, stood in front of the cafe and began to sing.

It was singing skill that made even people passing by without much interest prick up their ears.

People gathered in an instant. All the gathered people applauded with admiration.

Everyone was happy with the music. Except for Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal.

“…”

“See, I told you music magic wouldn’t be much help.”

“…No. I’m delighted…”

Lee Han put on a front because he didn’t want to please the Skeleton Principal.

The Skeleton Principal shook his head at that sight.

“At this rate, you’ll end up picking up and studying all sorts of trash magic too.”

-Master.

A Death Knight, wrapped up completely to avoid frightening the other city people, approached and spoke.

-As you instructed, I have those people on standby.

“I see. Good work. Tell them to wait a bit longer. No one’s complaining?”

-They shut their mouths when they heard your name, Master.

“Good.”

“…?”

Lee Han’s eyes immediately lit up at the conversation between the Skeleton Principal and the Death Knight.

He felt like there was some hidden information in their conversation.

“Who are they?”

“Workers needed for this construction project. Why? You want to work with them too?”

“No. I was just curious.”

The Skeleton Principal answered nonchalantly. Having dealt with countless students, he knew well that there was nothing good to be gained from hiding things unnecessarily or getting angry here.

The best disguise was acting exactly as usual.

However, Lee Han was no pushover either.

He had decided to never trust anything the Skeleton Principal said, no matter what.

‘I’ll check before I go.’

Just then, Ifadur finished one song and was receiving thunderous applause. Lee Han brought him cold water and whispered to Ifadur.

“Lord Ifadur. I have a favor to ask.”

“What might that be…?”

“The school rules are so strict that I haven’t had a chance to go out, but there’s a book I really want to buy. *sob sob*”

Lee Han tried his best to look pitiful as he spoke.

It seemed to work, as Ifadur felt very sorry for him.

He had already wanted to repay him somehow for helping so earnestly with music magic, and now he learned there was such a story behind it!

Since they were students in their prime, no matter how strict the rules were, they couldn’t help but want to go outside.

Ifadur nodded.

“What can I do for you, Student Wardanaz?”

“Could you have a separate conversation with the Principal for a moment to buy some time? Then I’ll go buy the book right away.”

The old tortoise beastman winked as if to leave it to him.

“Now… everyone. Everyone. I am endlessly grateful that you enjoyed this old man’s songs. For the next song, I intend to sing together with someone else.”

“Su-surely not one of us?”

“That’s impossible. If that were possible, it would be an honor even to my grandson’s grandson!”

“This is a great person whose name you all know. Lord Gonadaltes! It would be an honor if you would sing one song with me.”

“????”

The Skeleton Principal, who had been sitting in his seat with his eyes closed and an indifferent expression, looked up.

What did he just say?

“Lo-Lord Gonadaltes?? You mean that Archmage?”

“As far as I know, I heard that everyone who made eye contact with him in the past turned to stone. And he keeps those stone people locked in his dungeon and uses them as decorations…”

“What nonsense! How could someone who teaches Einroguard’s students do such violent things? It must surely be malicious rumors spread by enemies!”

People murmured, and among them, the city’s socialites’ eyes sparkled as they shouted.

Ifadur’s song was already amazing, but on top of that, a song by an Archmage like Gonadaltes!

It would be a story they could tell at parties and banquet halls for the rest of their lives without getting tired of it.

“Lord Gonadaltes. If you would sing just once, I would remember it as a lifelong honor!”

“Please! We beg you!”

‘Should I kill them all…’

The Skeleton Principal thought about the donations these city families contributed.

Then his anger subsided a little.

* * *

“Sharkan. Thank you.”

Lee Han carefully tailed the Death Knight with Sharkan’s help.

The Death Knight gradually moved toward a quiet part of the city. Lee Han cast invisibility magic to avoid being detected.

‘Are they really workers?’

Seeing the Death Knight head toward a dilapidated warehouse, Lee Han wondered if he had been too paranoid.

After all, even though Einroguard looked quiet on the outside, countless people were always coming and going inside.

With that many people, merchants and workers couldn’t help but enter.

Thud!

When the door closed, Lee Han quickly pressed close to the warehouse and listened carefully.

-You’ve all been waiting a long time.

“Damn it, you lock us up here for three whole days and that’s what you have to say?! I was going to let it slide, but this is really…”

Thwack!

-Shut up. You trash.

The Death Knight struck the mercenary who had spoken up.

-Be grateful that we spared the lives of criminals like you. If you complain even once more, I’ll turn you into stone statues and bury you in some deep underground where no one goes.

The mercenaries shut their mouths in terror.

-There’s only one way for you to get out of here. Train and practice. So you can defeat mages even in direct confrontation.

“I don’t know what mage you’re targeting, but bring them here! We can kill them right now!”

-You’re still far from ready. Train more. I’ll only let out those who pass the standards.

“…”

Lee Han let out a deep sigh.

He had a guess about why those mercenaries were brought here.

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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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