Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 626

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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 626

‘That’s what she calls a concern…’

Holding back a sigh that was about to escape, Giselle raised her head.

Still, wasn’t this her sister?

“Just watch my swordsmanship instead. But why do you need to show your swordsmanship to Wardanaz anyway?”

With no one else in the training grounds, Jicklin abandoned her usual strict demeanor and answered her sister’s question more comfortably.

“Because I promised to show him.”

‘Did she?’

Giselle was puzzled.

When did she make such a promise?

“Why did you make such a promise?”

“When I told him about fighting the giant swordsman before, he clapped and said he wanted to see my swordsmanship.”

“…”

Wasn’t that just polite conversation?

Giselle knew well that Wardanaz was someone who could flatter endlessly when needed.

Wasn’t he the ruthless guy who could stand beside the Skeleton Principal and say ‘What an excellent choice, haha’ even when the Prince was sent to the punishment room?

“There will be opportunities.”

“But we don’t meet very often, do we?”

‘Right?’

Giselle hesitated when her sister hit the core issue.

Certainly this winter was an exception – normally there would be no reason for Wardanaz to visit the family territory.

That was fortunate enough.

“That’s great!”

“Giselle.”

‘Oops.’

When Jicklin’s expression became stern, Giselle realized her mistake.

“You should cherish your friends.”

“No…”

“Don’t act tough.”

“It’s not acting tough… Ugh. I was wrong.”

Knowing her sister’s stubbornness well, Giselle just gave up. Fortunately, Jicklin nodded.

“But if you’re showing swordsmanship, you already showed it during the last hunt… weren’t there plenty of opportunities?”

“That wasn’t really a proper demonstration.”

Jicklin tapped her scabbard with her finger as she spoke.

Originally, to properly appreciate swordsmanship, it was best to face that swordsmanship directly.

And to face it directly, it was best to have a duel, even if it was just practice.

“…”

Giselle was horrified.

Knights within the family were one thing, but was it okay for Jicklin to spar with an outsider??

“That’s a bit…”

“Giselle. You should cherish your friends…”

“No, I am cherishing him, that’s why I’m saying this!”

Giselle really didn’t want to step in for Wardanaz like this.

But how could she just stand by when Jicklin was about to break an outsider’s limbs and tear his muscles?

“You must invite me along too. Understood!?”

“Alright. I understand.”

Jicklin looked at her sister’s tantrum with fond eyes. Giselle almost grabbed the back of her neck in disbelief.

As the conversation ended, knights began entering the training grounds one by one. Jicklin composed herself with proper etiquette as if the relaxed attitude she had shown moments before was a lie.

“Giselle. Let me see your swordsmanship once.”

“Yes. …Wait, sister. Why does father keep Wardanaz with him?”

She had been distracted by the swordsmanship talk and missed it, but thinking about it, it was strange that the Family Head was keeping Wardanaz with him.

What could there be to discuss so much with an outside guest that he kept him there like that?

“Giselle. Focus on your swordsmanship.”

‘Seriously.’

* * *

The Family Head’s attendant was startled when he opened the door to the study.

The Family Head, who always sat with a cold expression, was looking at the Wardanaz Family Boy with a satisfied gaze he had never seen before.

For the cold Family Head to show that much meant it was almost at the level of honey dripping from his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Ah, yes! Lady Jicklin says she has something to discuss…”

“If it’s not urgent, tell her to wait. Now. Tell me more, Wardanaz. Can the high wind barrier on the northern cliff also be improved?”

“I haven’t confirmed it, but if it has the same structure as what I’ve solved so far, it should be possible.”

“Truly amazing. I’ve never heard such things from other mages.”

“Actually, it’s a method that reduces reagent costs but greatly increases the burden on individual mages. It’s not conventional.”

‘Didn’t he say he did this often at Einroguard?’

The Family Head wondered internally.

If it was a method that greatly increased the burden on individual mages, shouldn’t it not be used frequently within Einroguard?

“Wardanaz. I can’t just accept such things out of goodwill.”

“Haha. It’s nothing.”

Actually, Lee Han wanted to receive money for it too.

But this wasn’t Einroguard – this was the outside where the Empire’s laws and rules were alive and breathing. He couldn’t just grab anyone and demand payment.

Like with the Skeleton Principal, he was invited and staying as a friend of the family, so he couldn’t receive gold coins under the pretext of repair work.

Naturally, the Family Head knew this well too. Having a guest do more than once or twice was rude on the host’s part.

“How about I ask the Principal to send a formal request to Einroguard?”

“!”

Lee Han was impressed by the Family Head’s words.

As expected of a Family Head ruling a great family like the Moradi family, he was very courteous, kind, friendly, and excellent.

Instead of asking for more for free, he was preparing to pay proper compensation first.

‘Indeed, the Moradi family isn’t called the shield of the north for nothing. What an excellent family.’

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

Lee Han, who had answered, hesitated.

Come to think of it, if he received a request like that, Lee Han would have to come to this northern territory once more.

…Would that be okay?

‘No. I’ll be going out on requests anyway, so a familiar place would be better.’

Lee Han had exceptionally gone outside even during his first year (and fought a Sea Serpent), but from his second year onward, he often went outside taking requests that came to Einroguard.

Being a mage was fundamentally an expensive profession.

“Right. Let’s do that. Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“How could I dare…”

“Arrogance isn’t a virtue favored in the Empire. But I think competent people should be somewhat arrogant. That’s not arrogance, it’s confidence.”

‘He must be close with the Principal.’

Lee Han made a sour expression at the catchphrase he had heard many times before.

The Family Head, unaware that his recent comment had slightly reduced his favorability, continued speaking.

“And how often do guests like this come? I’m just purely curious to hear. Don’t feel burdened and tell me. It doesn’t have to be about magic.”

The Family Head looked at Lee Han with eyes mixed with affection and expectation.

A student who had only finished his first year could improve the magical design of the entire territory.

He had wondered about it since it was the Wardanaz family, but it was really true.

If he was such a genius, he might be able to give fresh advice in directions other than magic too!

“Hmm. Actually, I’ve been thinking about this. There are many apprentice knights from other knight families in the northern region staying in this family’s territory, aren’t there?”

“That’s right.”

There were many children from other knight families in this territory who came to train and exchange knowledge under the Moradi Family’s name.

Of course, it was expensive, but considering the name and power of a family that would grow stronger within the northern region, it was definitely a profitable business.

“From what I can see, the apprentice knights here seem to have way too much free time.”

“Too much free time?”

The Family Head changed his expression at this interesting story and leaned his head forward. It was to listen more intently to Lee Han’s words.

“Yes. In their spare time, they wander around chatting, seek out other guests to talk to…”

“Hmm. But for knights, exchanging with knights from other families is also essential.”

“That’s correct. I also know how important it is to build connections with each other. But the problem is that too much time is being wasted using that as an excuse!”

Lee Han’s voice, having been constantly bothered by knights who came to play out of boredom, contained genuine feeling.

That sincerity was also conveyed to the Family Head.

‘…He’s absolutely right!’

To the Family Head, who always pursued efficiency and rationality, the Wardanaz Family boy’s criticism was piercing and painful.

To think an outsider was pointing out bad habits that he himself should have corrected first.

“Except for designated times, they shouldn’t be allowed to wander around uselessly. Like the Einroguard method.”

“Could you tell me more details?”

Hearing it called the Einroguard method made it feel even more plausible and effective.

Lee Han nodded and pointed to the dormitory area where knights from other families were currently staying on the map.

“Look. This dormitory here is too centrally located in the territory. The structure makes it too easy to just open the door and go play elsewhere. From what I can see, all these towers should be moved over here to the cliff side. Then they won’t dare sneak out…”

“…”

The Family Head looked at Lee Han with eyes like blazing ice.

This was truly the first young man he had ever genuinely wanted to make his chief aide.

If it weren’t for his family and school, he would have made any offer necessary to seat him by his side!

* * *

“What on earth did you talk about so much?”

“Nothing much.”

For several days, it seemed like all he did was eat, sleep, and talk with the Family Head.

Lee Han placed pickled herring and fried onions on rye bread and took a big bite. When dining with the Family Head, he couldn’t eat comfortably since he was naturally tense.

Alsicle, who was beside him, said jokingly.

“Moradi. Don’t be fooled. You can never trust Wardanaz when he says ‘I didn’t do anything.'”

“Oh, Lord Alsicle of the Penguerin Family who left me behind to go repair ice walls! I’m sorry. I didn’t know I appeared to be that kind of person!”

“…Hey… I said I’m sorry…”

When Lee Han openly addressed him with formal courtesy, Alsicle became very flustered.

“Just call me Alsicle casually! Like usual!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Lord Alsicle of the Penguerin Family.”

“I won’t run away again…! I’m really sorry! It wasn’t intentional! Hey, I’ll grant you any favor next time! Really! Even if you ask me to eat a hundred sardines!”

“Haha. Lord Alsicle. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve always addressed you casually, haven’t I?”

Giselle, who was watching their comedy routine, yawned and asked again.

“So what did you talk about?”

“I told you it was nothing much. The territory is pretty, the territory is nice. Oh. The Family Head said he’s commissioning Einroguard. He’ll come during the semester, so want to do it together?”

“What? That can’t be right.”

At Giselle’s words, Lee Han was puzzled.

“Why not? Is there some reason he can’t commission Einroguard?”

“Because it’s expensive.”

“…”

At such a realistic reason, Lee Han momentarily wondered if Giselle was joking.

However, Alsicle nodded as if he understood.

“That’s right. Einroguard is expensive.”

“That much?”

“I sometimes think about calling Einroguard students to help with magic experiments, but when I see the cost, I end up holding back.”

“But even so, is the school short on money?”

“Well, magic experiments are even more expensive.”

‘What exactly are the upperclassmen wasting money on?’

Even bathing in gold coins in a golden bathtub would probably be less financially straining than this…

“Did talking about magic take a long time?”

“Probably. But why is it so noisy outside?”

“The dormitory where the knights from outside are staying has been moved. To the cliff edge.”

At Alsicle’s question, Giselle explained without much thought.

Lee Han flinched.

‘Did I get too enthusiastic?’

“Why?”

“I don’t know. They say it’s to improve the knights’ training level… Wardanaz. Something important happened while you were talking for several days.”

“The banquet tomorrow evening? I know that too. Don’t worry.”

“My sister is going to duel with you tomorrow morning.”

“…How despicable, Moradi. How could you do this to me?”

“…Hey!!”

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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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