Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 29



Chapter 29

“Why… why multiple religious orders instead of just one?”

The skull principal sensed something unusual and inquired. It was conceivable that one might want to consider the pros and cons of various religious orders before choosing one. But… Strangely enough the words just uttered by the young scion of the Wardanaz family sounded although unlikely like this:

‘I wish to join several religious orders. Please recommend the best ones.’

The skull principal thought he must have misheard.

“Uh… It’s not wrong to believe in multiple gods is it?”

‘What madness!’

The skull principal was astounded seeing a freshman like this after a long time. Indeed in the empire there were those who sincerely believed in multiple gods like simultaneously believing in the gods of love and wisdom. However this boy from the Wardanaz family clearly wasn’t interested in faith. His bold scheme seemed all too apparent: to exploit as much as possible from several religious orders!

His audacity was in fact quite endearing. Of course the various religious orders wouldn’t think so…

“It is and that’s a very good question. It’s not wrong to believe in multiple gods. But sometimes religious orders can be petty about such things.”

“That’s right.”

Yi-Han quickly agreed. His intentions as the principal had surmised were straightforward.

‘Join as many religious orders as possible.’

If joining various religious orders meant receiving assorted items there was no reason not to. Except for religious orders that prohibited multiple memberships joining as many as possible was beneficial.

“First I recommend the Presinga Order. They worship a god who sacrifices himself to support the world. The Order members are kind and will welcome you.”

“Presinga… Order.” Yi-Han noted it down.

“Next might be the Callasso Order fond of chaos and change a playful god. They welcome anyone regardless of their faith in other gods.”

“Callasso… Order.”

“Lastly the Capoleo Order is also recommendable. The god of swordsmanship and warriors they would welcome an unusual person like you.”

“Capoleo Order…” Yi-Han paused while noting this down. Did the principal know he was taking swordsmanship classes?

‘No. This is a bit frightening.’

It was a trivial matter but it seemed like too much interest. There were no fond memories of being the focus of a mad professor’s attention…

“Swordsmanship is good but don’t forget about magic. Ultimately the only truly great discipline is magic.”

“I will remember that.”

Yi-Han bowed respectfully to the skull principal’s words. Inside however he was letting it go in one ear and out the other. For Yi-Han magic was a means to an end not the goal itself.

“Hmm. Yes. Yes.”

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The skull principal nodded in satisfaction to the response. Initially he had been baffled by a Wardanaz family scion talking about joining religious orders but now he found himself unexpectedly looking forward to it.

‘He’s no ordinary fellow.’

The vast amount of mana or the ability to sense mana were just secondary. The perseverance to do anything to achieve his desires was his most commendable trait. It was intriguing that a freshman from the prestigious Wardanaz family showed such perseverance.

‘The future looks promising.’

“Well then I should visit the students I’ve locked up in the punishment room. Do well Wardanaz.”

“Thank you. …Hm?” Yi-Han sensed something amiss.

Locked up whom where?

But the Skull Principal was already flying away into the distance.

—

Though curious about how many students from the White Tiger were locked in the punishment room Yi-Han decided to first visit the religious orders.

Holding a basket in his hand Yonaire returned and asked with curiosity “Where are you headed?” 

“The Presinga Order…”

“Ah. The Presinga Order. I’ve always been interested in…”

“…and the Callasso Order.”

“??”

“And maybe the Capoleo Order? Hmm. It might not be feasible to visit all of them today. It’s too blatant. Maybe I’ll switch to one each week.”

“…”

Rather than questioning the situation Yonaire decided to simply accept it.

‘Ah Yi-Han just wants to try believing in about three gods!’

“Here take this.” Yonaire pulled out a sandwich from the basket. The sandwich filled with ham tomato lettuce and chopped boiled egg between white bread slices was hearty. It was the kind of food that starving freshmen would kill each other over to get.

“I appreciate it. Hmm. How much?”

“…I’m giving it to you…”

“What? Really? Why? What’s your angle?”

“It’s not my place to say… but you’re really unusual you know? I’m thankful for your efforts yesterday. Here eat up quickly.”

Yi-Han nodded at Yonaire’s words and accepted the sandwich. He was indeed hungry. 

As he busily chewed the sandwich Yonaire poured him some cold apple juice.

Gulp-

“But where did you get this?”

“Don’t people usually ask that first? It’s from the Flameng Order. Our family the Maykin has been close with the Flameng Order for a long time.”

The god of alchemy Flameng. 

The priests of this Order were all outstanding alchemists. The Maykin family to which Yonaire belonged had been generously supporting the Flameng Order for a long time. Thanks to this the priests recognized Yonaire and packed various foods in the basket for her.

‘Wait. Hasn’t the Wardanaz family sponsored any other Order?’

Yi-Han was impressed by the Maykin family’s foresight. This kind of support surely brought returns.

“…Is it a bit much?”

“What is?”

Yi-Han looked puzzled as Yonaire hesitated. Was he referring to the combination of sandwich and apple juice?

“That supporting the Flameng Order. I believe in Flameng too…”

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There were arrogant mages who looked down on alchemists just like Gainando had been hit for questioning whether alchemy could be considered as magic or not. Some would scoff at the idea of an imperial noble family supporting or believing in an Order like Flameng. 

Of course Yi-Han didn’t care in the slightest.

“What’s wrong with supporting them?”

“…Right?”

Yonaire’s face brightened. She smiled and poured more apple juice for Yi-Han.

“Drink more.”

“Huh? But there’s still some left…”

She had worried that with her unique personality she might struggle to adapt in the Blue Dragon. But now with this boy before her it seemed it wouldn’t be as difficult as she had thought.

—

“I’ve come to learn about the Presinga Order.”

“!”

As Yi-Han approached the priests lifted their heads and welcomed him with joy.

“Welcome! Brother! You’ve come to hear about Lord Presinga? We’re honored!”

“Yes. I’ve always heard various stories about Lord Presinga and have admired such a wonderful being” Yi-Han spoke hiding his true feelings.

Even if he was internally complaining a postgraduate student had to know how to bow respectfully with a face full of admiration. Yi-Han was unmatched in maintaining such a facade.

Naturally the priests were utterly charmed by Yi-Han’s demeanor. The young boy who appeared to be a nobleman from a prestigious family had come to visit a surprising sight.

“Come in! Tijiling would you help?”

“I… I’m on my way.”

“!”

Yi-Han was surprised. The student called by the priest looked remarkably unfamiliar. Her skin shimmered with a dark red aura and two small horns protruded from her forehead. Her eyes shyly avoiding others’ seemed to flicker with flames before vanishing.

‘A demon mixed-blood!’

Among the mixed-blood races they were the rarest. Yi-Han had only heard of them but seeing one in person was a first. If an ancestor had made a pact with a demon occasionally their descendants would manifest such traits across generations. Understandably most people were uneasy about such a lineage. Consequently the demon mixed-blood girl seemed timid and overly cautious in her every move.

“Tijiling is a fellow freshman belonging to the Tower of the Immortal Phoenix” the priest said proudly.

Although students from the Immortal Phoenix rarely interacted with others they had personally come forward to help when the priests visited.

“It’s truly touching. To think that a friend who believes in Lord Presinga is here also. Truly Lord Presinga is great.”

“Brother!”

The priests were delighted even by Yi-Han’s casually spoken praises.

‘But…’

As Yi-Han entered the tent he looked around.

There were two important considerations when joining an Order: What benefits could one gain by joining? And what would one have to do after joining? It would be inconvenient to join a strange Order only to find oneself self-flagellating at every meeting.

‘The tent is modest as expected of an Order.’

The inside was sparse. A few long benches and an altar with a symbol resembling that of Presinga. It seemed ordinary but Yi-Han felt something was amiss.

‘Aren’t there too many artifacts here?’

There were an unusual number of items radiating mana inside the tent. Even trivial artifacts enchanted items were expensive and rare. Yet they were abundant inside this tent. In contrast the priests didn’t seem overly extravagant…

‘Presinga is said to be a god who sacrifices himself to support the world. Is this a god related to artifact creation?’

Thud thud thud.

A short thin priest approached Yi-Han to explain.

“?”

Surprisingly deep footprints were left on the ground with every step the priest took. Yi-Han’s eyes widened.

“Ah. Are you surprised Brother?”

Realizing Yi-Han’s shock the priest smiled and spoke.

“There’s no need to be alarmed. It’s due to the artifact I’m wearing. It’s a cursed artifact. Brother it increases my weight several times but also enhances my holy power.”

“Ah. Did you accidentally wear it during dungeon exploration or an adventure?”

“No I wear it to honor Lord Presinga.”

“??”

“Lord Presinga sacrifices himself to support the world. Similarly shouldn’t we also make sacrifices Brother? Every time we wear one of the world’s cursed artifacts the world’s curse is lessened.”

The Presinga Order.

To honor their god who bears the eternal curse of supporting the world the priests voluntarily wore cursed artifacts themselves. Their holy magic unlike other holy spells did not dispel the curses contained within the artifacts. Instead it had an extreme effect of enhancing both the performance and the curse.

Gradually realizing the truth the color drained from Yi-Han’s face. He regretted his decision.

‘I must have lost my mind listening to the principal’s words.’

Swept up in the warm conversation with the principal he had momentarily believed him but the madness emanating from the Order was extraordinary. An Order that deliberately wore cursed artifacts as part of their daily life.

“…It seems Brother does not find this to his liking.”

The priest was no ordinary person. Despite Yi-Han’s effort to control his expression the priest astutely noticed his discomfort.

“No not at all. I’m just… overwhelmed with happiness…”

“No Brother. The path of devotion for Lord Presinga is indeed a hard and arduous one. If you have changed your mind now it’s okay not to follow it. I understand” The priest said with a melancholy smile.

Yi-Han felt sorry but discreetly checked the location of the exit. One could never be too sure when the other might suddenly change and hold him back.

“This cursed belt was meant as a welcoming gift for a new brother… but everyone leaves after hearing the details. It’s understandable. A belt cursed to absorb mana. Who would like that?”

“…Wait. What exactly does that effect do?”

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