Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 35



Chapter 35

“By the way what riddle did the talking oak tree pose?” Bungaegor asked with evident curiosity.

.

“Well he came up with some strange and peculiar riddles” Yi-Han replied. The shadow riddle was one thing but the dwarf and candle riddle seemed utterly forced.

“Those talking oak trees do tend to pose nonsensical riddles” Bungaegor nodded in understanding.

The talking oak trees were known for baffling mages with their seemingly plausible yet odd questions. Inexperienced mages mesmerized by the impressive appearance of these robust trees often mistook their riddles for containing some hidden mystery but there was none. These trees were simply dry spirits who enjoyed dry riddles.

“Is that so?”

“That’s how it is. Most things in the world once you know them turn out to be disappointingly trivial” Bungaegor explained leaving Yi-Han in disbelief.

Was the question about goblins at the orc feast just another one of these dry riddles?

‘Now that I think about it there was a hint in the candle riddle.’

“The riddle I heard was…” Yi-Han began sharing the riddles he had heard from the talking oak tree.

Several orc tribes had gathered for a feast and a sneaky goblin managed to eat and drink heartily. How was that possible?

“The answer is simple. The goblin disguised itself as an orc.”

“…Really?”

“Don’t overthink the riddles of the talking oak trees. Just think simply. It wouldn’t have been too difficult for a goblin to disguise itself and deceive the orcs.”

Yi-Han focused containing his astonishment and emptiness. Though ridiculous these riddles weren’t just for amusement. They were hints for escaping the school.

‘So the meaning of the riddle was to disguise oneself?’

It was too obvious yet in a way strikingly insightful.

This magic academy wasn’t a completely closed space. Priests and priestesses from various orders could enter the academy and supplies had to be brought in from outside ranging from food to various reagents and materials. These were usually transported by regular workers who didn’t know magic. There was a way out of this school that didn’t involve magic!

Yi-Han clenched his fist tightly.

In the profound darkness laid by the skull principal it felt like a glimmer of light had flickered.

“…?”

Professor Bungaegor standing nearby looked at Yi-Han’s face in wonder. Clearly the young mage had just had an epiphany.

What was it?

‘How did he gain insight from those dry riddles of the talking oak trees?’

The boy from the Wardanaz family more skilled in farming than even an experienced farmer never ceased to amaze.

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—

After Yi-Han had tended the vegetable garden Professor Bungaegor brought several chickens and eggs sourced from somewhere. The sad look on Uregor’s face suggested their origin was clear.

“Take good care of these animals Wardanaz. Treat them well and they will always reward you.”

“Thank you. I will enjoy them.”

For the first-year students famished enough to chew on rocks freshly laid eggs were a luxurious dizziness. With these eggs one could become the king of the dormitory.

“Take these as well. And this would be good too.”

Professor Bungaegor perhaps wanting to provide for her new student filled a basket with various items.

Starting with eggs the basket contained freshly harvested crisp cabbages tomatoes onions potatoes butter cheese and thick slices of venison. Each time something was added to the basket Uregor’s face grew more wrinkled and his sadness deepened but Yi-Han pretended not to notice.

“Then see you at the next class.”

‘I seem to have lucked into a hearty meal.’

The meal with the two dwarves had been chaotic but Yi-Han had gained much from it – not just the secret of the staff but also hints for escaping the school. And the extra food was a bonus especially since he was running low on supplies.

‘How did other first-year students manage to eat?’

Yi-Han working under a professor had managed to get food but the others probably hadn’t been so lucky. Had they just endured hunger?

“Wardanaz!”

“Wardanaz is here!”

The students of the Blue Dragon looking tired and famished in the first-year lounge brightened up immediately upon seeing Yi-Han. They had been playing chess and cards to pass the time but now looked thrilled at his arrival especially when they saw the basket on his arm.

“Wardanaz! My honorable friend!”

“The most honorable family in the empire!”

‘I shouldn’t be the one to say this but even for noble families they lack dignity.’

But Yi-Han understood. Hunger weakened everyone whether royalty or beggar.

As word of Yi-Han’s arrival spread students from the Blue Dragon flocked from their rooms looking at him with eager eyes like nestlings waiting for food from their mother.

“You all seem hungry. Just wait.”

Yi-Han thought he could make a decent soup with the vegetables and meat from Bungaegor. It should be enough to feed everyone gathered here.

He placed a pot over the fireplace and began by frying the venison and onions until they were golden brown. Next came the vegetables. Yi-Han skillfully added water tomatoes and potatoes seasoning it with salt and pepper. Even the common spices were precious commodities for the first-years.

The soup tinted red from the tomatoes bubbled heartily and the students watched Yi-Han with longing eyes.

They thought ‘Isn’t it time to stop cooking and start eating?’

But Yi-Han firmly decided ‘It’s time to add the cabbage.’

After adding the cabbage and some butter he adjusted the seasoning again. His solemn and focused demeanor while cooking was akin to that of a skilled alchemist.

The students of the Blue Dragon unconsciously straightened their clothes and adjusted their postures more respectfully.

“It’s ready. Bring your bowls.”

“Yes sir!”

‘Why are they using formal language?’

Yi-Han was puzzled but instead of asking he simply filled their bowls generously with the soup.

Yonaire hearing the news came to help inking her quill to write in the ledger.

“Kilenen family eight silver coins… Gainando eleven silver coins…”

“Wardanaz isn’t one silver coin too meager?”

“Couldn’t you charge more? It’s too little for your dedication.”

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The noble boys and girls lacked a sense of money.

Yi-Han and Yonaire sighed at this.

‘How will they manage when they become independent with such attitudes!’

“Um Wardanaz?”

“Yes?”

“Could you perhaps share some with the princess?”

A few students from the Blue Dragon asked tentatively likely followers of Adenart.

Upon hearing those words Yi-Han’s expression slightly clouded.

“But that’s not it Wardanaz. It’s not like we’re forcing you…”

“I know you’re close with Prince Gainando but it doesn’t mean you have to oppose her. We just thought the princess should also have some of the food.”

‘Eh?’

Yi-Han realized his friends had misunderstood something. His reluctance to share food with the princess wasn’t because he supported Gainando. He simply didn’t want to give away food for free.

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. I have no intention of not sharing food with the princess because of Gainando. I wouldn’t do something so childish.”

“Wardanaz…!”

“Indeed!”

Yi-Han’s words brightened the students’ faces.

Feeling good about the turn of events Yi-Han casually asked “But who’s paying for the silver? Is it right for the princess to pay?”

“We’ll pay for her! We’ll each pay double.”

“Thank you Wardanaz!”

“Are you sure… that’s not too much (extravagant)?”

“Compared to what you’re doing for us this is nothing Wardanaz.”

“Really appreciate it. I know it must be tough with the prince around.”

The students were sincerely grateful which surprised Yi-Han. He was astonished that they were willing to pay for the princess increase their contributions despite the need for bargaining and overestimate Gainando.

‘Gainando has almost no political power as a royal to create and manage his faction.’

There seemed to be many misunderstandings but as they viewed Yi-Han favorably he saw no need to correct them.

“I wish all the royals got along well. For the sake of the empire.”

“Wardanaz…!”

“You such a great guy…!”

—

Yi-Han with a bowl of soup in hand knocked on the door of the princess’s private room. After a moment Adenart appeared.

“?”

Adenart raised her eyebrows slightly questioning with her eyes why he was there.

Yi-Han extended the steaming bowl and said “I cooked in the lounge please have some.”

Adenart hesitated before accepting unsure of Yi-Han’s intentions.

Having already heard the misunderstanding about Gainando below Yi-Han decided to clear things up.

“Other students have taken some too. It’s okay for you to have some.”

Technically they had paid with silver but Yi-Han chose not to mention that.

Adenart hesitating as much as she had been reluctant earlier eventually accepted the bowl carefully with both hands.

Hunger seemed to have won over hesitation.

Expressing her gratitude with a slight nod Adenart took a spoonful of the soup and tasted it. After a couple of spoonfuls she started eating more quickly indicating she liked it.

“You can go in to eat if you like.”

At Yi-Han’s words Adenart stopped with the spoon in her hand.

“…”

Then she nodded again and closed the door going inside.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

As Yi-Han returned to the lounge the waiting students expressed their gratitude.

“Wardanaz. Did the princess…”

“Ah. She seemed to like it.”

“That’s amazing! You’re a truly exceptional alchemist!”

‘It seems they’d eat anything when hungry…’

“Can we ask you to continue in the future? We’ll pay in silver if you can keep bringing food to the princess.”

“Dedication to the imperial family is as good as honor for a noble.”

The words flowed smoothly from Yi-Han’s mouth surprising even himself.

‘Royalty is indeed powerful.’

The fact that people flocked to them simply because of their lineage was astounding.

Suddenly the power of lineage was palpably felt.

Of course Prince Gainando was somewhat an exception…

—

In the basement of the main building the <Repetitive Training of Basic Magic Combat> was in progress. Professor Boladi Bagrak a vampire was in a quandary. It wasn’t apparent on his face but he was indeed pondering.

The only remaining student in his class.

How could he ensure that this student continued attending his lectures?

‘Quite a challenge.’

Originally Professor Boladi had little interest in compelling students to attend his lectures. His contract was to teach here not to gather students.

However the current situation was a bit exceptional.

That boy from the Wardanaz family possessing a significant amount of mana.

Could he find another talent like this boy?

If he missed this opportunity who knew how many years he would have to wait to move on to the next content of his lectures?

Moreover there was no guarantee that the next student would have the same qualities as this boy.

After much deliberation Professor Boladi spoke up.

“Do you have any questions?”

“…Pardon?”

Yi-Han who had been focused on making the orbs go in circles looked up in surprise.

Why this sudden question?

Was his dark intent of taking advantage of the situation to get an easy grade somehow exposed?

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