Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 830

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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 830

At Perkuntra’s comment, which felt worse than profanity, Lee Han replied curtly.

Perkuntra asked back in confusion.

You mean the Arrogance Duke didn’t send a letter?

“Why would a demon send a letter?”

Don’t talk nonsense. A lesser demon might be one thing, but a demon of the Arrogance Duke’s caliber doesn’t attack without warning. Especially if it’s an opponent he acknowledges.

“Oh… if I don’t receive the letter, will he keep not attacking?”

…

Perkuntra looked at Lee Han as if he were pathetic.

Suddenly the thunder subsided and only dark clouds forlornly circled the ceiling, confusing the students.

‘What? Did Wardanaz tell some sad story?’

‘Didn’t he say he’s taking all schools? If I were a spirit, I’d cry from pity.’

If the Arrogance Duke knew you were scheming like this, his expression would be quite a sight to see.

To think that a mage he acknowledged as his rival would ask questions like ‘If I keep not receiving letters, can we avoid fighting forever?’

If the Arrogance Duke found out, he might shudder at the mage’s sordidness.

“No. The other person is a demon duke and I’m just a mage, so isn’t it strange to receive such a proposal in the first place? I’d accept proposals too if I were a magic duke and the other person was just a lesser demon.”

Of course, from Lee Han’s perspective, it was absurd.

Whether the Arrogance Duke wanted revenge or acknowledged him as a rival, he really didn’t care.

If he’s a demon duke, he should pick fights with other demon dukes or at least with Empire dukes – why pick a fight with an Einroguard student?

‘And then he thinks it’s dishonorable if I refuse. What a shameless and brazen bastard, just like a demon.’

…Don’t you know the old stories? Mages who triumph in duels against demons always receive precious treasures and powers as compensation… you’re not listening now.

“I am listening.”

Your eyes show no sign of interest whatsoever.

The mage who would brighten his eyes intelligently for other matters was listening half-heartedly, so it was naturally obvious.

Perkuntra couldn’t understand.

Becoming the nemesis of a powerful demon was both an opportunity and an honor for a mage.

Of course, if defeated, there was no telling what terrible fate awaited, but anyone who made such calculations shouldn’t be a mage in the first place.

Naturally, he should be grateful for this opportunity and plan to claim new power after victory in the next duel, shouldn’t he?

It wasn’t as if the boy before Perkuntra was weak either…

Fine. If no letter came, then it didn’t come. So what did you come here for?

“I’d like you to introduce me to a spirit.”

The dark clouds that had been forlornly circling the ceiling grew even darker and began to drizzle.

The White Tiger Tower students were convinced Lee Han had definitely mentioned taking all schools.

‘Or maybe he even mentioned playing babysitter to those tower vermin.’

Ragesa also asked curiously from behind.

“What on earth are you talking about that makes the spirit pity you so much?”

Isn’t it about time you gave up? The fact that lesser spirits run away whenever they see you isn’t a problem that can be solved with force. You might as well capture them by forcibly subjugating them. Though bad rumors would spread among the spirits…

“…Not that spirit.”

Lee Han glared and explained.

He was trying to make a new staff, planning to use black magnetite, and the material to withstand such black magnetite would naturally be wood, and this wood…

“Ah. Could you perhaps solve this directly, Lord Perkuntra?”

I, I command thunder and lightning and rule over fear, not craft staffs like an artisan.

“…”

Though he hadn’t expected much based on Yukveltire’s explanation, hearing it directly was still disappointing.

Why did he have to meet the Thunder King instead of the Forest King or Sacred Tree King?

‘If it were a wood-type spirit king, resolving the spirit dwelling here would have been much easier.’

The powers of spirits aren’t ranked in superiority. Just as I wield destructive force that connects heaven and earth, but wood spirits cannot wield this power…

“I see.”

…

An awkward silence lingered. Lee Han quickly changed the subject.

“So could you perhaps introduce me to one?”

Hmm. A spirit that wields the power of wood… Samok Nosong-gong comes to mind. He was truly the master of a beautiful forest.

‘Duke!’

At least it was duke-level.

Lee Han asked with an expectant voice. Even if not a king, this level should be somewhere.

“What kind of person is he?”

A fellow who once challenged me and was soundly defeated. He fled underground so lightning couldn’t reach him.

“…What about other spirits?”

There’s Jangseong Janggun. He was a spirit general who commanded all vegetation like servants.

“Did you perhaps fight him too?”

How did you know?

“…”

Lee Han was beginning to regret this.

He hadn’t known Perkuntra’s relationships with other spirits were so strained.

‘I never thought it would be this bad. Even demons would probably be more friendly.’

He seemed closer to the Arrogance Duke than to other great spirits.

As if reading his contractor’s impious thoughts, Perkuntra began wracking his memory and abilities.

Wait a moment.

The corridor that had quieted down became loudly noisy again. As students feared the thunder and lightning, Ragesa shouted.

“Stay still, you foolish brats! Can’t you distinguish between magic meant to attack you and magic that isn’t? Look! When will you see something like this again!”

“…!”

At those words, the students raised their heads and stared at the situation before them.

‘It’s a spirit!’

Cracks connected to the Spirit Realm appeared and disappeared throughout the air. Lightning bolts shot through those cracks. They were messages Perkuntra was sending.

Students who had contracts with spirits and deep intimacy could hear explanations of what was happening.

“Wardanaz is now using a spirit’s power to find dimensions he can visit!”

“…Uh, is it normally this intense?”

A student from the summoning magic school asked in a confused voice.

Usually, preparing to find and enter new dimensions wasn’t this noisy.

You would calmly detect dimensions according to available maps and records, use various magics to connect so you could enter the detected dimensions, and quietly visit…

But the cracks appearing in the air now were somehow strange.

When lightning bolts shot through the cracks and disappeared, wooden spears burst out from within those cracks to attack Perkuntra.

Perkuntra spat out curses.

Insolent bastards! If you don’t want to answer, just ignore it – why respond like this?

“…”

Lee Han was about to say ‘Anyone would get angry if you threw lightning into their territory to deliver messages’ but stopped.

After all, Perkuntra was doing his best for Lee Han right now.

“…Wardanaz. I’m not doubting your magic or trying to interfere, but is this really okay?”

Giselle asked cautiously.

She didn’t want to become an idiot who disrupted concentration by talking during someone’s spellcasting, but this seemed strange.

What was with all this violent fighting just to find dimensions to visit using a spirit’s power?

It seemed less like finding dimensions to visit and more like finding dimensions to conquer.

“It’s because he’s a lightning spirit. Lightning spirits are naturally this intense even when sending simple messages.”

“?”

Ragesa looked at Lee Han as if asking what nonsense he was spouting.

“What kind of bull…”

“Oh my. Sorry! He’s telling me to concentrate!”

Lee Han pretended Perkuntra had called him and quickly avoided Ragesa’s gaze.

Flash!

A streak of lightning entered the rift, and this time a butterfly returned.

Perkuntra answered with joy, practically bouncing with excitement.

A reply had come back!

“Is that really true?!”

Yes. Congratulations. The other party is… uh…

Lee Han was flustered when Perkuntra, who usually boomed out in a resounding voice, began to hesitate.

“Is it the Arrogance Duke?”

…I told you we were communicating with spirits! What Arrogance Duke?!

‘You’re the one who brought it up in the first place.’

Lee Han grumbled inwardly.

Why does it have to be this guy… hmm… Agh. I’ll just tell you. Among the high-ranking wood spirits I know, the one who answered is the Gwangmok King.

“Gwangmok (, cotton cloth)?”

A king of cloth made from cotton.

It sounded like a spirit that would be warm and cozy.

No… it’s the Gwangmok King .

“…”

Lee Han shuddered at the title meaning King of Mad Trees.

Perhaps sensing his contractor’s shudder, Perkuntra hurriedly explained.

You don’t have to go. I don’t particularly like the Gwangmok King either. He’s an extremely eccentric and strange fellow. However, he’s the only one who invited you to visit. He says he’ll keep the rift open for a week, and if you want, you can come visit.

“Won’t I get ambushed or attacked or assassinated if I visit?”

In the worst case, he might be captured and forced to become a disciple. Lee Han sent a very wary look.

No. Since he invited you, that can’t happen. Visitors are protected by the laws of hospitality.

‘Oh?’

Lee Han thought this might actually be good.

If he was protected, it would be easier to fulfill Professor Ingoldel’s assignment, and if he was lucky, he might even obtain materials for a staff…

“If I’m protected by the rules, wouldn’t that be completely advantageous for me? Is there any reason not to go?”

As I said, he’s extremely eccentric and strange.

“…How exactly is he eccentric and strange?”

Perkuntra showed a rare expression of reluctance.

I can’t tell you more about his identity. He and I made a pact to protect each other’s true names.

Several high-ranking spirits had made pacts with each other to prevent their information from leaking to beings from other dimensions.

Ironically, those who knew the most about spirits were other spirits.

In other words, if a mage appeared who knew suspiciously much about oneself, they had most likely either found records by searching through ancient texts or met a spirit who knew about them and heard the information.

“…Let me discuss this with my friends for a moment.”

Do as you wish. I won’t force you either.

“Are there really no other replies?”

…

When Lee Han felt the usually spirited Perkuntra becoming dejected, he felt slightly sorry.

After all, there was nothing more rude than constantly asking someone who had no friends if they had any friends.

Just like how Lee Han himself would get angry if asked ‘Wardanaz, why do spirits run away from you?’…

“It’s fine. Where else would I receive such an invitation from a Spirit King-level being? That alone is more than enough to be grateful for.”

…You mage, you’ve grown quite a bit too.

After comforting Perkuntra, Lee Han quickly gathered his friends. Ragesa, though not called, listened with keen interest.

“Everyone. I have good news and bad news.”

“!”

“First, I’ve been invited to a Spirit King’s domain.”

Short screams erupted among the students.

Ragesa was also impressed.

Though it was an invitation rather than a contract, this was still a sufficiently great achievement. There were many mages who grew old and died without ever meeting a King-level spirit.

Even upperclassmen at Einroguard would offer ancient artifacts or equivalent sacrifices when contacting such high-ranking spirits, but this boy had succeeded in making contact through his own power alone.

“Wh-what’s the bad news?!”

“This is the bad news?”

“…?”

“???”

Everyone present was bewildered.

Giselle asked as calmly as possible.

“What’s the good news?”

“That I don’t have to go in.”

“…”

At her friend’s calm words, Giselle felt a chill as if a frost giant’s blade had touched her spine.

‘If Wardanaz is acting like this, then this isn’t something to simply celebrate…’

“What kind of nonsense is that? Isn’t just visiting a Spirit King’s domain itself a good thing?”

“Make that idiot shut his mouth.”

Giselle gave a firm order. The White Tiger Tower friends hurriedly covered Angrago’s mouth.

“Mmph!”

“Sorry, Angrago.”

“He’s not wrong though. Usually, being invited itself is an opportunity.”

When Ragesa spoke with a sly smile, Giselle replied incredulously.

“If that Wardanaz is acting like this, it absolutely can’t be just an opportunity, can it?”

“That kid is naturally cautious and… how disappointing.”

“?”

“I thought he’d be equally brave since he’s Jicklin’s brother. Well, I suppose this Torgerd’s Daughter misjudged him.”

“…Who do you think won’t be able to go in? Move aside, Wardanaz!”

“M-Moradi. Why are you acting like this too?”

Lee Han was rarely flustered as he tried to stop Giselle.

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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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