Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 28



Chapter 28

“Ah right. I was supposed to give a gift.”

The talking oak tree gazed directly at Yi-Han. The soil in front of Yi-Han’s feet stirred and branches sprouted intertwining and growing upwards. Before long the branches had transformed into the shape of a staff.

“!”

A mage’s artifact like a magic staff was akin to an extension of the mage’s own limbs. Among them the staff was considered the most crucial artifact. Sometimes it amplified the power of spells. Sometimes it shortened the casting time of spells. And sometimes it enabled the casting of otherwise inaccessible spells… It was no exaggeration to say that a magic staff was a mage’s best friend.

Currently the first-year students at the magic academy were all using cane-shaped magic staff provided by the academy. Though lacking distinctive features or personality the advantage of these staves was their remarkable sturdiness. Long enough to lightly exceed a person’s height Yi-Han had used his as a wooden rod. Without this staff he wouldn’t have been able to catch the mutated pig released by Uregor.

“Ah. Are you perhaps attached to the staff you’re currently using and not thinking of switching?”

“No?”

Without a second’s hesitation Yi-Han grasped the new staff. A tool was just a tool. It was strange to be sentimental about such things.

‘Does anyone hesitate because they’re attached to it like when one replacing old lab equipment?’

Dolgyu looked at Yi-Han with an expression of disbelief.

Thud-

As he pulled the new staff from the ground the first thing Yi-Han felt was its freshness.

It might seem odd to feel freshness from a wooden staff just separated from the earth but Yi-Han distinctly felt it.

“How does it feel?”

“Fresh… I feel freshness.”

The talking oak tree was taken aback.

Yi-Han had adapted to the staff much faster than expected.

‘To feel the staff’s energy as soon as he grabbed it.’

He had thought it would take much longer. What Yi-Han felt was the mana of the tree spirit residing in the staff. This wooden staff was one that harbored a huddled spirit.

Just as a novice mage needed extensive training and trial and error to summon a spirit interacting with and drawing power from a spirit within a staff also required significant effort. Normally it would take months of wielding the staff to feel this and even then it was only possible if one had some affinity with spirits.

‘His ability to sense mana is extraordinarily exceptional. Even for the Wardanaz family this level of talent is remarkable.’

“Excellent. To sense that is impressive.”

“Is that so?”

Yi-Han looked at the talking oak tree with a puzzled expression. He didn’t quite grasp what was so remarkable about feeling this freshness especially since he was unaware of what resided within.

“If you keep using the staff you will come to understand the power within it.”

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

“Can’t you tell me now?”

“No. Don’t rush. With your talent you’ll understand in due time.”

The talking oak tree was beginning to realize that Yi-Han was a very unique freshman. Occasionally such eccentrics emerged among the new students. Fearless and capable eccentrics. Yi-Han’s current demeanor reminded the tree of a madman from the Wardanaz family it had met about a hundred years ago. Though much more polite and composed than that madman…

“Well. I must go back to sleep. And from now on do not use any spells near this forest. Your magic is too powerful and it awakens all the trees around.”

“…”

‘Could it be that he just said something vague to get rid of me because he’s sleepy?’

Yi-Han began to harbor doubts. It felt odd to be praised as ‘excellent’ just for saying he felt a fresh energy from the staff. The fact that the power within the staff wasn’t immediately disclosed also seemed slightly suspicious.

Was it a hasty response because he wanted to sleep quickly? Perhaps he made a suitable staff just to send him away to avoid Yi-Han coming near the forest and causing a nuisance…

Despite Yi-Han’s suspicions the clearing began to close. The trees moved the surroundings blurred and he found himself moving further away from the clearing.

From beyond the blurred vision the voice of the talking oak tree reached Yi-Han’s ears “Remember the riddle I told you. Solve it and you’ll be able to escape from the academy.”

—

Upon returning outside fortunately all the undead had disappeared. Yi-Han’s group cautiously descended the mountain as dawn’s early light slowly dispelled the darkness. They were all exhausted preferring to lie in bed and rest rather than do anything else.

Thump!

As Yi-Han entered the Blue Dragon Tower he threw himself onto the bed. Escape or not his plan was to sleep first and then think about it later.

“…Naz! Wardanaz!”

After a few hours of deep sleep he was awakened by someone knocking on the door of his private room.

“What is it?” Yi-Han opened the door yawning.

There stood Asan a human boy from the Dargard family wearing glasses.

“That sonof no the principal is holding an event outside!”

‘This is the kind of news that jolts you awake in a bad way.’

Upon hearing this Yi-Han was immediately alert. The principal was conducting an event.

‘…Could it be a ploy to identify students who tried to escape?’

He felt particularly uneasy since he had something to hide. Given the principal’s character it wouldn’t be surprising if he was up to something peculiar.

‘But if that’s true not attending would be even riskier.’

Yi-Han knew well. When you’ve caused trouble you should act even more normally than usual. Acting suspicious would only make it easier to get caught.

“Alright. I’ll wake up Yonaire and Gainando and head out.”

“Isn’t everyone sleeping too late?”

As Yi-Han woke the two and they walked out of the tower the sun was already high in the sky. Yawning the three followed the other students of Blue Dragon outside.

“!”

The giant skull floating in front of the main academy building was visible from afar.

“Come come! This opportunity doesn’t come every day! Hurry up! Young iron…err… talents! Welcome!”

“…??”

From the looks of it it didn’t seem to be a manhunt. It was more like a warm gathering or an event. Several tents were set up in the front yard and priests in clerical clothing were giving out food and drinks to the good-natured freshmen with benevolent smiles.

Yi-Han also received a cookie from a priest somewhat bewildered. The cookie was warm and emitted a lovely aroma freshly baked. As he bit into it it crumbled crisply oozing with sweet jam.

‘What’s going on? Is the academy going bankrupt??’

Noticing Yi-Han’s confusion the principal spoke up.

“Today on this happy weekend priests from various religious orders of the empire have visited our academy. Aren’t we all delighted? Now let’s applaud!”

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap-

The freshmen murmured among themselves but clapped nonetheless. The priests bowed their heads in thanks.

“Thank you O great Os Gonadaltes. You always work so hard to teach the empire’s young mages and yet you even permit and assist in organizing such an event.”

“Ha-ha. What are you talking about? It’s all my pleasure. Please convey my regards to His Imperial Majesty. We need a budget for the excavation and research of new ancient magic…”

“I’m not sure how much we can help but we’ll do our best.”

The priests were taken aback by the Skull Principal’s blatant words. Yet Yi-Han felt an inexplicable familiarity in that scene.

‘Is it that in every world professors can never escape the need for funding?’

Even the most arrogant professors who seemed fearless showed weakness before those who provided research funds.

Even the fearless Skull Principal had no choice but to soften in the presence of the emperor who supported his budget.

The priests addressed the gathered students.

“Students who will become outstanding mages in the future it’s an honor to meet you today. We are humble servants representing various religions of the empire. It would truly be a joy to introduce our religions to you today.”

‘Their mana is enormous.’

Yi-Han was astonished by the mana emanating from the priests. It was a sensation of mana incomparable to that of the freshmen rippling throughout their bodies. Moreover the nature of the priests’ mana was unique. Mana that carried a sacred aura.

“How fascinating right?”

Yi-Han felt a chill.

Unnoticed the Skull Principal had silently approached and was now beside him.

“It makes sense. The priests’ mana is so unique it could be called holy power.”

“Yes. I’ve heard a lot about it but it’s my first time seeing it.”

“As expected you had sensed the priests’ mana.”

‘Damn.’

Yi-Han realized his mistake. He had fallen for the Principal’s probing words.

“Why hide it? If you have exceptional talent you should be proud of it. How many among these iron… talents here can detect mana as accurately as you?” The Skull Principal questioned seemingly baffled.

A mage should boast of and showcase their abilities. Only then could they attract investments or rather extort money from wealthy nobles to research stronger and higher magic…

‘Ugh. Saying I don’t want to get involved with you would be a death sentence wouldn’t it?’

Yi-Han swallowed his thoughts. His goal was to achieve good grades and build good connections for graduation not to delve into the truths of magic with the Skull Principal.

But it wasn’t a situation where he could be honest.

“I thought I should be modest since there are many more talented people in this academy.”

“Not at all? From now on boast about your talents to every student you meet. That’s only right.”

‘Is this guy crazy?’

If Yi-Han did as the Principal said he’d be left with only Gainando as a friend within a day. Fortunately the Skull Principal seemingly uninterested in Yi-Han’s social connections changed the topic.

“Perhaps the Wardanaz family having little interest in faith never had the chance to meet these priests.”

“Yes. That was the case.”

In the empire there were numerous gods and religious orders serving them but magic was generally not close to faith. 

Basically mages…

“I too have little interest in faith. I’m too smart to believe in gods.”

‘…That explains it.’

Although not as extreme as the skull principal many mages were non-believers.

In fact Yi-Han’s father the Patriarch of the Wardanaz family once said during a meal

-“Holy power is a type of mana. It’s merely that the collective belief of countless fools has caused a change in its nature. So-called holy magic is after all just another form of magic. Why else would it be called holy ‘magic’?”-

-“Then father what do you think about researching holy magic?”-

-“A good idea if you wish to waste your time in vain. Compared to real magic which is refined on the basis of formulas and theories holy magic is nothing but the barbaric ranting of savages intoxicated with faith and sentiment.”-

‘I must never reveal my Wardanaz lineage in front of the priests.’

Having concluded his reminiscence Yi-Han nodded to himself. Even the most benevolent priests would become enraged upon hearing such words.

“Probably Wardanaz would think similarly. These priests are truly pitiful. To think they are so desperate for people that they would recruit those who can be tempted with mere food. Organizing such an event…”

The Skull Principal seemingly in need of someone to grumble to kept muttering beside Yi-Han.

Yi-Han who had been silently listening finally spoke up “Principal.”

“What?”

“Are there any religious orders you would recommend?”

—

The Skull Principal looked at Yi-Han incredulously as if his question had rendered the earlier conversation meaningless.

“Wait religious orders?”

Not just a religious order but ‘religious orders’?

Hi if you like the story please rate and review this novel on novelupdates. Thanks!