Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 18



Chapter 18

Yi-Han had thought the students of the White Tiger were more broad-minded than this.

As soon as class ended and he was about to leave three students suddenly blocked his path.

“Wardanaz. Did you think you could win so despicably and just slip away?”

“We’ll teach you a lesson so you’ll never dare to join the class so shamelessly again.”

Two students a dwarf and an orc whom Yi-Han didn’t know spat out these words.

Yi-Han still trying to grasp the situation asked a probing question “Do you dare to do this knowing I am from the Wardanaz family?”

“How cowardly to threaten us with your family name…!”

“Isn’t it more cowardly to gang up three against one?”

“Shut up!”

They tried to hide it but a fleeting fear crossed their faces at the mention of the Wardanaz family. Apparently they had heard of the Wardanaz family’s reputation. Despite this were they really going to throw punches in a three-on-one fight just to uphold their dormitory’s pride?

‘Besides their obvious lack of brains… do they have some backup they’re relying on?’

Either they were from a major family themselves or they had the backing of one.

‘It doesn’t seem like the former so it must be the latter.’

If that was true their recklessness was even more pronounced.

There was no way another major family would support them in a conflict with a family like the Wardanaz. It was more likely they’d be used and then discarded. There was a saying ‘Don’t get involved in the fights of the great families’…

‘If they were the type to understand reason they wouldn’t have attacked me in the first place.’

If they were rash enough to attack without thinking no amount of logical persuasion from Yi-Han would make a difference. The fist is closer than the family after all.

“Who put you up to this? It must be a family your own families can’t afford to offend right?”

“!!!”

“!!!!!”

The three students were shocked.

How did a student from another dormitory guess so accurately about the internal workings of the White Tiger?

“Shu… Shut up!”

“Let’s attack!”

“Surround him!”

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Realizing that further conversation would only be to their disadvantage the three slowly began to move to attack.

‘Three against one is too much.’

Yi-Han quickly thought of a plan.

Arlong had once firmly advised:

-“You may fight one-on-one. If unavoidable engage two-on-one. But if it’s three-on-one just run away.”-

‘If you ever face three opponents just flee!’

Yi-Han agreed with that.

All three were likely from knightly families and well-trained in swordsmanship; he’d be at a disadvantage in a three-on-one fight. The problem was that they were blocking his way. He needed to shake them off somehow.

‘That’s it!’

A thought flashed through Yi-Han’s mind. His opponents knew he was from the Wardanaz family a family of mages. He needed to use that to his advantage.

“Move!”

As Yi-Han chanted powerfully the three students were startled.

Magic.

They were still struggling with the most basic <Light> spells!

‘I’ll threaten them with <Lesser Control>.’

Yi-Han hadn’t fully mastered the <Lesser Control> spell yet.

He hadn’t succeeded in proper manipulation. But that didn’t matter. His opponents didn’t know he hadn’t perfected it. In their current state with both sides having meager magic abilities Yi-Han’s spell was enough to intimidate them.

Snap!

“…”

Yi-Han’s eyes widened in shock.

All he had intended to do was levitate a stone. If he could just get a stone to float he could use it to threaten his opponents as much as he needed.

But Yi-Han had overestimated his magic control skills. Levitating the stone and keeping it suspended in the air proved more difficult than Yi-Han had anticipated. The moment he cast the spell the stone shot forward like an arrow. It struck the forehead of a student of satyr race with precision.

“Wardanaz you brat!! How dare you!”

The remaining two students were astonished at their first encounter with battle magic.

A spell that flew rock at them like arrows without giving them time to react. Even for the Wardanaz family such a powerful spell already…!

“…If the next one wants to end up like him come closer” Yi-Han said coldly.

Now that it had come to this there was no other choice. He had to bluff as if the spell was intentional.

“Ugh…”

“It’d be wise to step aside. You have swords but I have magic.”

The two wavered between fear and pride. At that moment Yi-Han used his magic again.

“Move!”

“Argh!”

The dwarf student darted to the side but the rock arrow precisely tracked and struck him in the abdomen.

Snap!

“Cough… Ack.”

The dwarf student collapsed unable to breathe. The remaining orc student was petrified with fear. To be hit despite dodging. Yi-Han’s skills were truly exceptional.

‘I didn’t learn the magic wrong did I?’ And seeing the fallen student Yi-Han also felt a rush of internal panic. How did he manage to hit his target so accurately without intending to when he couldn’t even levitate a stone?

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“Stop… I surrender! I’ll move! I’ll move aside! Stop shooting! Don’t kill me!”

‘Who’s planning to kill you idiot!’ Yi-Han thought this but maintained his expression till the end.

“Be careful in the future. Remember the name of the Wardanaz family.”

“Kuh…”

The orc student gritted his teeth but dared not meet his eyes.

Dolgyu who arrived late exchanged a bewildered look with Yi-Han.

“Did you come to fight too?”

“No. No…”

In such a situation even the unflappable Dolgyu had to stammer.

—

“The Gizelle of the Moradi family is behind this?”

“No. Jijel…”

“Ah. Right. Jijel. Such a difficult name. Anyway this Jijel from the Moradi family?”

Yi-Han was slightly surprised at Dolgyu’s confession.

The atmosphere between the Blue Dragon and the White Tiger was quite different. The Blue Dragon being mostly from major families or royalty didn’t have a single dominating influence.

In reality students formed groups based on their family’s relationships. Princess Adenart was the most famous with a few students following her but even that was far from allowing her to command them at will.

But in the White Tiger Jijel Moradi seemed to be pulling the strings.

“What does this person look like?”

“Like this.”

Dolgyu skillfully drew a picture on the ground with a twig describing the appearance. Hearing this Yi-Han was astonished.

‘Him…?!’

Wasn’t this the student who had been overly friendly during swordsmanship class?

“I thought it strange that someone so good-looking was overly friendly… hiding a wicked heart after all.”

“Wardanaz. While I agree Jijel Moradi is evil that doesn’t seem related to Jijel’s appearance. And saying Jijel is good-looking. Are you sure you’re thinking of Jijel as a ma…?”

Yi-Han dismissed Dolgyu’s remarks. Why bother listening to someone defend a pretty-faced man?

‘How ironic.’

Initially Yi-Han had thought of using the somewhat friendly Jijel’s influence to persuade other students. Ironically Yi-Han ended up getting closer to Dolgyu with whom he had initially clashed while Jijel was harboring malevolent schemes.

‘Was he trying to test me?’ Yi-Han pondered over the words he had exchanged with Jijel. He hadn’t said anything particularly important or compromising. Although he had said ‘I’m just taking swordsmanship classes for easy grades!’ or something along that line that wouldn’t have prompted the students to ambush him. Hearing that they would more likely consider him non-threatening rather than a threat.

“I don’t understand. Why would he want to attack me?”

“I think there are a few reasons. First you’re from the Wardanaz family.”

“Is there some bad blood between our families that I’m not aware of?”

Yi-Han was puzzled. Was there a bloody feud between his Wardanaz mage family and the Moradi knight family?

“No not that I know of. But if Jijel can crush you a high-profile member of the renowned Wardanaz family it would greatly strengthen Jijel’s power among our first-year students.”

“…”

Yi-Han immediately understood and his expression darkened.

So he was seen as an expensive trophy marked by the Wardanaz family tag?

‘This is annoyingly offensive.’

No matter how much he tried to dismiss it as juvenile squabbling it was still irritating.

“Not all first-year students follow Jijel but if Jijel shows such charismatic leadership Jijel’s followers will surely increase.”

“Using fists to assert dominance is charismatic? These knight family guys…”

Yi-Han’s comment made Dolgyu lower his head in embarrassment. He too was not free from these dynamics.

“No. I wasn’t talking about you. Don’t be disheartened.”

“Thanks Wardanaz. Let’s continue. Jijel always tries to be the leader anywhere and everywhere. Jijel will do anything to assert power and control. So… if you’re going to continue attending this class be careful.”

Continuing the class would undoubtedly incite jealousy among the White Tiger students. And Jijel would cunningly exploit that jealousy to gain more followers.

Dolgyu cautiously suggested an alternative “You don’t have to attend this class. You can learn swordsmanship separately during breaks.”

“Hmm. Dolgyu.”

“?”

“Just thought of something. I’m also planning to take <Basic Physical Training>… Is that also exclusive to White Tiger students?”

“…Wardanaz. It might sound rude but… isn’t your family known for magic? Why would you…?” Dolgyu couldn’t help but voice his confusion.

—

After parting with Dolgyu and on his way back Yi-Han was lost in thought.

In fact Dolgyu’s advice was the easiest to follow. Avoid classes exclusive to White Tiger Tower students.

By avoiding those classes Jijel would have no reason to pick a quarrel no matter how much he wanted to.

In other classes Yi-Han would be with students from the Blue Dragon; how could Jijel find a reason to provoke him there?

And if Yi-Han disappeared from the class Jijel likely wouldn’t bother chasing after him. There would be nothing to gain. But Yi-Han had no intention of taking that advice.

Firstly unknown to Dolgyu Yi-Han had chosen those classes for easy grades…

‘He dares to play politics with me?’

Secondly it was a matter of pride. To just let it go when someone tries such petty tricks for such petty reasons? Yi-Han had no intention of suffering a loss.

Bang-

He returned to the tower and opened the door to the freshman lounge. Students who had arrived earlier were chatting in small groups. Upon noticing Yi-Han they waved their hands.

“Hey guys!”

“…?”

“??”

“Today I was attacked by students from the White Tiger Tower just because I belong to the Blue Dragon!”

A moment of silence ensued. The students took a beat to process his startling revelation. Then someone flipped a table.

“Have those blockheads from White Tiger lost their minds!?”

“They dare to act so recklessly!”

‘Huh?’ The reaction of his peers was far more intense than Yi-Han had anticipated.

“Everyone spread the word! The White Tiger dares to mess with Wardanaz!”

“To cross Wardanaz? Maybe if it were someone else but Wardanaz? They’ve crossed a line!”

“Is there a way to get weapons? Let’s find a way to arm ourselves! We’ll make them pay!”

As the situation seemed to be getting overheated Yi-Han stepped in to calm them down.

“Wait. Wait. I appreciate everyone’s concern but there’s no need to go that far. I…”

“No Wardanaz! We owe you a debt.”

“That’s right! There’s no one here who hasn’t eaten the meat you brought in!”

Watching his friends express their gratitude unaware of how much they had been overcharged Yi-Han felt a twinge of guilt.

“And this is a matter of pride!”

“Let’s crush those White Tiger guys!”

“Let’s beat those White Tiger guys!!”

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