Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 20



Chapter 20

Living among the Wardanaz family had made him forget how much the imperial nobles loved to boast and show off.

The nobles of the empire valued honor more than life itself and even on the brink of bankruptcy they took pride in lavish meals!

‘Ah what a needless hassle.’

“Wonderful! Two from the Blue Dragon no less.”

“?”

Yi-Han looked to his side. The princess was raising her hand not only that but she was also looking at Yi-Han. And the look in her eyes was not friendly. Cold emotions swirled in her blue irises.

‘What’s this about?’ Yi-Han pondered. Being disliked by the princess a top talent from the Blue Dragon was not beneficial. And Yi-Han couldn’t recall doing anything wrong to her. If anything he had only been kind. He had helped her thwart the pig and then she had shared useful lectures that would benefit the students…

‘I had planned to seek her help with assignments or exams later. Is she upset because I’ve been hanging around with Gainando?’

Thump thump-

“Wardanaz” Asan Dargard whispered.

“The princess seems to believe some strange rumors about you Wardanaz.”

“Strange rumors?”

“Rumors that you’re looking for ways to indulge in laziness instead of focusing on magic. Ridiculous nonsense of course.”

Asan looked visibly upset as if the matter personally affected him.

It was unthinkable for Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family.

But Yi-Han was surprised.

‘No it’s accurate. How did they know?’

It was so accurate it gave him goosebumps! Yet Yi-Han didn’t feel it was particularly dishonorable. It was the truth after all.

But Asan seemed very very angry about such absurd rumors.

“I’m disappointed in the princess over this matter. Of course the one who spread the rumors is the worst but to believe such nonsense…”

“Well I mean… it’s believable isn’t it?”

“…?!”

Asan was shocked.

Wardanaz… How magnanimous could he be!

Though the students of the Blue Dragon hailed from noble families none showed the quintessence of nobility like Wardanaz before Asan.

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Asan realized anew why his family had sent him to this school. Clearly it was to meet a friend like this.

“You’re really something else Wardanaz.”

“??”

Yi-Han was puzzled by Asan’s reaction.

‘Did he eat something bad?’

—

“Light!”

“Shine forth.”

Yi-Han and the princess successfully cast the <Light> spell. A glowing orb of light formed at the end of their wands lingering like a lantern.

The princess’s <Light> spell felt cool and distinct while Yi-Han’s spell burned intensely like the sun.

Professor Garcia clapped her hands in delight.

“Very well done! It’s rare for students to succeed in <Light> spells in their first week. I’m glad to meet such exceptional talents. But don’t worry or feel disappointed if you’re a bit slow. <Light> spell is the most basic among 1st circle spells and it’s meant to introduce what magic is. The path of magic won’t change just because you’re a bit faster or slower.”

‘I’m not convinced’ Yi-Han thought.

Of course as Professor Garcia said this <Light> spell couldn’t assess the students’ talents.

If compared to mathematics being quick to grasp addition didn’t guarantee solving complex calculus problems later.

But to the students brimming with competitiveness such words would not have reached their ears. In fact they were all burning with the thought ‘I must master this before anyone from the other towers!’

Professor Garcia continued with a beaming smile “The reason why I taught you the <Light> spell first is… because the magic we will learn this semester is elemental magic. By learning the <Light> spell you’ve unconsciously picked up the knack for using elemental magic.”

“!”

The students straightened up their faces alight with interest.

Elemental magic!

Elemental magic included both simple elements like fire water earth wind and more complex ones like darkness or plants. This elemental magic served as a solid foundation before moving on to more complex and difficult spells.

Want to summon a spirit?

To summon a fire spirit one needed to have a certain grasp of fire elemental magic. Without it controlling a fire spirit was impossible.

Want to create an artifact?

To handle a gem with fire properties or infuse fire-related spells mastering fire elemental magic to some extent was necessary.

Going on a long journey or working in a remote part of the empire?

Even simple elemental spells could earn mages respect. Just being able to start a fire at a campsite or prepare drinking water was considered a highly skilled task.

In this way elemental magic starting from the easier-to-learn and easily applicable to other spells served as basic training that all fledgling mages needed to pass through.

If one were to make a comparison it was like learning addition and subtraction before moving on to higher studies.

“Today while practicing the <Light> spell I will also test you in various basic elemental spells. Each person has an element they are attuned to and finding that element is important.”

The students murmured among themselves their expressions filled with curiosity.

In fact mages didn’t need to learn all magic. They only needed to learn the areas they were interested in and wanted to pursue.

Therefore it was better to find and diligently study the element that suited oneself rather than trying to master all elemental magic.

This was the reason Professor Garcia didn’t insist the student on mastering the <Light> spell in a short time too much.

“Now then…”

As Professor Garcia tapped the classroom floor with her giant staff candles appeared in front of each student and lit up.

“The technique is the same as the last <Light>. But this time instead of light you will create fire. Be more cautious. Unlike light fire can burn people.”

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Gulp-

Some students looked nervous.

“With the incantation that springs from your heart… Ignite!”

A blazing ball of fire appeared in front of Professor Garcia. It was a mysterious fire that burned without any fuel.

“Now all of you try. There’s no need to be too afraid. I’m here with you.”

“Ignite!”

“Flicker flicker…”

“Sizzle sizzle…”

“Whoosh…”

The students concentrated trying to visualize the image of ‘fire’.

Some quick-witted students realizing Professor Garcia’s intent brought their hands close to the candle or stared intently at the flickering flame.

When concentrating having the actual object nearby made it much easier to form the mental image. With the unique mental strength of a mage they visualized the image of fire. And with a strong will to create that fire they recited the spell!

Yi-Han also concentrated trying to master fire. Unlike with <Light> he planned to learn it at his own pace without being tricked by others.

“Wait. Just a moment.”

“?”

However Professor Garcia stopped Yi-Han.

“Student Yi-Han please do not practice the ignition magic.”

“???”

Yi-Han was puzzled.

Indeed there was no candle in front of Yi-Han only a copper bowl filled with rippling water.

“Why not?”

“It’s dangerous.”

“…”

Yi-Han realized the problem. Even when practicing the <Light> spell he had failed to control it several times causing the light to explode. While the light was just blinding at worst an explosion of light was not much of a concern. But what if the flame exploded?

‘Hmm. That would be deadly.’

Yi-Han nodded in agreement. The reason was undeniable.

“It would be better to wait until your control over mana improves and your sense of elements becomes more refined.”

“I understand.”

“Until then practice the <Water Creation> spell. It’s not as dangerous as fire even if you fail.”

Water. Like fire it was one of the basic elements. While it might be hard to clearly visualize metal or lightning few people couldn’t visualize water. It was an easy and familiar element. And unlike fire it wasn’t dangerous if it failed.

But…

‘Water is a bit tricky.’

The downside of water elemental magic.

It wasn’t that it lacked flair… though that was part of it.

‘It’s also that its utility is a bit subtle.’

Its utility was somewhat lacking.

For offense? Fire or lightning was better.

For defense? Earth or metal was better.

The only real advantage was being able to create drinking water while traveling…

‘Really a subtle advantage.’

For Yi-Han whose goal was to land an easy sweet job as an imperial mage such survival utility was overly lacking. But what could he do? He couldn’t risk practicing fire and burning everything around him.

“Spring forth!”

“Wardanaz. I’m envious. You receive special instruction from the professor!” Asan practicing nearby commented enviously.

To Yi-Han it sounded like nonsense.

‘Does this look like special instruction?’

Yi-Han just wanted to learn fire magic like everyone else. Not some water magic which was lacking in utility…

“Spring forth!”

“Spring forth!”

Swoosh!

On the third attempt a mass of water appeared in the air.

“!?”

Not just a droplet but a fist-sized mass of water! Yi-Han was surprised and so was Professor Garcia. Even if he had become a bit accustomed to magic by succeeding in the <Light> spell succeeding in the <Water Creation> spell on the third try was not common.

Especially since it was a mass of water rather than mere droplets. Such success indicated an exceptional affinity with the element.

‘Amazing!’

“Everyone look here! Student Yi-Han has succeeded in water elemental magic!”

“Wow…!”

“Amazing!”

“Typical Wardanaz!”

Students from the Blue Dragon looked on with joy while those from the White Tiger had furrowed brows and jealous expressions.

Clap clap clap-

Professor Garcia applauded speaking enthusiastically.

“Student Yi-Han is outstanding. It would be good if everyone could emulate him. But everyone there’s no need to be anxious. There’s an element that suits each person’s aptitude. Once you find the element that suits you you’ll quickly pick up the technique. Students who grew up in volcanic areas or blacksmiths are likely to be attuned to fire those from riversides or coasts to water and those from windy barren lands to wind… The elements you’re familiar with are easier to visualize and hence easier to handle.”

Yi-Han who was listening felt puzzled.

‘I’m not particularly from a riverside or a coastal area am I?’

The only water-related memory in his life was getting drenched by the professor in his previous life.

Was it just his innate nature that matched well with water?

It wasn’t necessarily bad but still…

‘It would have been better if I were attuned to a rare element like lightning or ice.’

Having an exceptional affinity with water was an advantage albeit a subtly peculiar one leaving him with mixed feelings.

Suddenly feeling a gaze he turned to see the princess quickly averting her eyes. She seemed to have been staring at him.

‘?’

As his thoughts wandered the mass of water he had conjured lost its shape and spilled onto the floor.

Professor Garcia nodded and said “Your next assignment Student Yi-Han will be to maintain and stabilize the shape of the created water.”

“Understood Professor.”

Now that he had grasped the knack for creating water maintaining concentration to keep it stable seemed a relatively easier task.

Yi-Han had responded without much thought.

Then a question occurred to him.

“Professor how long do I need to maintain and stabilize it?”

“Ah you don’t need to worry about that your mana will run out first… Wait a moment.”

Usually a freshman’s mana would deplete first before the concentration would wane. But this new student was the opposite. His immense mana made that unlikely.

Professor Garcia nodded cheerfully responding “Maintain and stabilize it until the end of the class!”

“…???”

Yi-Han doubted his ears.

Uh…

Isn’t that a bit like punishment?

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