Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 13



Chapter 13

“Wardanaz…”

“No I came to school to learn magic. Don’t you?”

Yi-Han found himself making excuses under the gaze of Asan whose eyes were filled with a sense of betrayal.

“Well… yeah you’re right.”

“And think about it. Do you really think that principal will be persuaded just because we try to persuade him?”

“That’s true I suppose.”

Asan was convinced.

Indeed even to Asan the prospect of persuading the school principal seemed quite daunting.

“In my opinion there’s about a 95% chance of failure.”

“The fact that there’s even a 5% chance of success is more surprising…”

With Asan seemingly convinced Yi-Han concentrated on reading the paper with instructions for the <Lesser Control> magic.

The key to casting magic lay in willpower incantations and gestures.

The suitable incantations for <Lesser Control> are as follows: Move move control…

“Move. Move. Hmm like this?”

Yi-Han chose an incantation that felt right and mimicked the gestures. It was a light clockwise twirling of the wand but each time the mana gathered differently.

‘Magic is really… not ordinarily difficult.’

Yi-Han realized anew just how challenging the discipline of magic was. Even the simplest spells required intense concentration and practice. He had to focus his willpower on casting the spell recite the incantations to amplify the mana and precisely control the gathered mana without the slightest error. It felt like riding a unicycle while spinning plates in each hand.

“But Wardanaz didn’t Professor Kim tell us not to practice magic outside the classroom?”

“But the principal said we should. And he’s higher up.”

“Really…”

Asan was convinced once again.

Of course being convinced didn’t suddenly increase his mana. After about four attempts Asan staggered and collapsed to the side.

“Ugh… Sorry Wardanaz. Suddenly feeling nauseous… Urk.”

“That can happen. Just lie down.”

Regardless Yi-Han immersed himself in the <Lesser Control> spell.

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“Move move move move!”

He felt the mana shooting out from the tip of his wand. The target was a quill. 

The quill hit by the spell twitched and trembled.

‘There seems to be a problem with my gestures.’

Yi-Han’s weapon was his overwhelming mana. While others rested after a few incantations Yi-Han could practice continuously without paying them any heed.

Thump-

Yi-Han brought a mirror in front of him to start practicing his incantations. He wanted to see the difference in his gestures directly.

‘Maybe I should swing less here? Let’s try swinging less. It seems to be working better. What’s next?’

“Wardanaz. Are you alright?” Asan lying down groaned and asked. Yi-Han nodded.

“Typical of the Wardanaz family… Ugh. I’m so dizzy I can’t think straight…”

“Move!”

In an instant Yi-Han felt his mind connecting with the quill. As if a third hand had reached out and grabbed the feather. The feather which had only twitched or trembled before began to rise gently. Now he just needed to focus and control it.

‘Slowly don’t rush…’

Bang! A small sound like a firecracker going off and the quill shot out like a dart. Then it flew out of the open window.

“…”

“What… what did you do?”

“…Did the quill just fly away??”

“That’s… amazing Wardanaz!? Did you succeed with the magic?!”

“No I haven’t succeeded yet.”

<Lesser Control> was a 1st-circle telekinetic spell used for delicately manipulating small and light objects.

…Yi-Han still new to magic realized that launching the quill as he just did was certainly a failure.

‘There are two obstacles to overcome with this spell.’

<Lesser Control> wasn’t just about accurately performing the gesture and successfully reciting the incantation. It also required concentrated control of the object afterward. Yi-Han had succeeded in the first part but had yet to succeed in the second.

‘But it should be okay. Since I succeeded in the incantation controlling it shouldn’t be too hard.’

Bang!

Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

“…”

Asan Dargard stared at Yi-Han with a look of astonishment. A quill had flown and stuck itself in the wall beside him.

“Wow… Wardanaz…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Yi-Han regretted the confidence he had just felt. Surprisingly he found fine control utterly impossible. The moment he tried to move the quill even slightly it would shoot away like an arrow. It was almost like reflex!

‘Could it be… could it be because of my mana?’

Yi-Han recalled what Professor Garcia Kim had said. Because he had much much much more mana than ordinary people there would be some inconveniences in casting spells…

‘Let’s try just one more time.’

Click-

“Have you diligently written today’s portion? Be happy! I’ll write the rest with magic.”

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The door opened and the Lich Principal appeared.

Ping!

And the quill shot by Yi-Han flew straight for the Lich Principal’s forehead.

“Wardanaz…!”

In that moment Yi-Han became a hero to Asan Dargard. A freshman taking a shot at the principal. How incredibly cool!

—

Surprisingly the Lich Principal wasn’t angry.

“You two found it quite quickly. I’ll admit you two were somewhat decent ironheads.”

“Ah. So does this mean we don’t need to continue with this meaningless note-taking?”

“No. If you fail to learn magic you’ll continue to waste time meaninglessly.”

Asan Dargard glared at the principal who smirked as if very pleased.

Yi-Han asked cautiously “Respected Principal!”

“Where does this sweet flattery come from? What is it?”

“May I inquire about the technique of control?”

“Seeing you earlier it seems you’ve succeeded in the incantation. Is control difficult?”

“Yes.”

“Many rookie mages find it so.”

“Ah. Is that so?” 

Yi-Han was relieved. He thought it was because of his great mana but it turned out to be a common issue for beginners in magic.

“Haha! That’s a lie!”

“…”

“Casting is the hardest while control is usually mastered in one or two tries. There’s hardly anyone who sends things flying like arrows like you do. What can you do? You’ll have to figure it out yourself.”

‘The person I’m dealing with is the principal. The person I’m dealing with is the principal…’

Yi-Han struggled to maintain his composure. Seeing he was still able to be civil the Lich Principal seemed quite disappointed.

He found it very amusing when Asan Dargard like a typical young man got annoyed with a little provocation. But this young man from the Wardanaz family was unusually patient as if an old man resided within him.

“Don’t be too scared. Magic improves with use. Now go have some lunch!”

—

Thanks to being held up until lunchtime at the end of the morning classes the other freshmen had all gone to attend or look for other classes.

Asan Dargard still not fully recovered in his mana left to rest in the infirmary.

‘I should grab some lunch too.’

Lunch in this case meant hard black bread and cold rice balls but Yi-Han was in a better situation than most. He had some smoked meat he had caught and prepared earlier.

‘I should look for some vegetables or fruits outside…’

Initially unsure Yi-Han began to suspect that perhaps the Principal had arranged for such a situation.

Wouldn’t the more astute students start searching for food?

“…Wardanaz.” 

“?”

At the sound of his name Yi-Han turned around. There stood Princess Adenart her long silver hair flowing her cold demeanor startling him.

“What is it?”

Instead of answering Adenart pointed to a piece of paper in her hand.

“…Ah!”

Yi-Han realized why the Princess had summoned him. From their previous encounter in the alchemy class Yi-Han had asked the well-connected Princess to help him find useful classes.

‘I asked her to find some good classes.’

At Einroguard freshmen apart from mandatory courses had to find and choose their other subjects. But for freshmen finding such courses was like reaching for the stars. With no opportunity to meet upperclassmen exchanging information among freshmen was essential.

The Princess with her characteristic blunt expression handed him the paper.

“Thank you. …Hmm?”

Yi-Han happily accepting the paper paused as he read it.

-Popular Classes-

<Understanding Basic Alchemy>

<Basic Imperial Linguistics>

<Basic Dance and Social Etiquette>

—

Firstly the inclusion of <Understanding Basic Alchemy> was suspicious and the other classes seemed different from what Yi-Han had in mind.

And ‘popular’ instead of ‘good for grades’?

“Princess?”

“?”

“What exactly does ‘popular classes’ mean?”

“??”

Princess Adenart looked momentarily confused her expression faltering.

Yi-Han felt the need to explain further.

“Princess I asked for classes good for scoring grades not popular ones. In fact unpopular classes might be easier to score in.”

Yi-Han a prepared student was not swayed by popularity or rumors.

Popular classes -> crowded with talented individuals making scoring difficult.

Unpopular classes -> fewer competitors making scoring easier.

Naturally the Princess did not agree with Yi-Han’s unique theory.

“…”

Princess Adenart looked at him incredulously.

Was he really searching for easy-scoring classes?

Why would a member of the Wardanaz family seek such classes?

Disappointed Adenart pulled out another paper.

While organizing she had noted down a list of unpopular classes to avoid.

-Unpopular Lecture List-

<Basic Swordsmanship>

<Basic Physical Training>

<Repetitive Training of Basic Magic Combat>

—

‘Oh!’

Yi-Han marveled at the list.

It reeked of the unpopularity he sought.

Firstly swordsmanship. Who would come to a magic school to learn swordsmanship? With magic already consuming so much time who would choose to learn swordplay? The same went for <Basic Physical Training>. With magic demanding so much time no one desired unnecessary physical exertion. The reputation of mages as frail was not without reason.

The course <Repetitive Training of Basic Magic Combat> was bound to be unpopular. The purpose of learning magic was to uncover grand truths and learn how to change the world not to excel in combat. If that was the goal it would be more appropriate to train under a knight or a swordsman’s guild.

While the students here each had their own dreams and objectives none likely enrolled with the ambition of becoming the greatest fighter through magic. Learning magic was paramount; using it in combat was of lesser importance.

‘But what does it matter?’

Of course Yi-Han paid no mind to such perceptions. Swordsmanship and physical training were areas where he was confident having trained consistently under Arlong before entering the magic school. The same was true for ‘Repetitive Training of Basic Magic Combat.’

Learning to fight with magic was never a bad idea. It was another way to protect oneself after all. And it was a chance to easily score grades in less competitive classes…

“Thank you Princess.”

“…”

Instead of responding Princess Adenart simply nodded with an expressionless face.

Though faint disappointment and contempt flickered in her expression Yi-Han focused on the classes failed to notice.

“Then I’ll see you next time!”

Yi-Han briskly turned and left. The Princess started to say something sighed softly and turned away.

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