Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 46



Chapter 46

With a weary neigh the white horse conveyed its desire for rest. Yi-Han halted in his tracks pleasantly surprised that the once fiercely combative creature was now seeking communication. “Indeed rest here and drink some water. I’ll also give you some sugar” he offered.

Despite its reluctance the white horse felt an increasing submission to the boy. Its proud lineage echoing with the blood of ancient wild ancestors resisted submission. But Yi-Han observing its struggle murmured thoughtfully “How can I increase the amount of mana absorbed?”

Resigned the horse lowered its head conceding defeat.

—

Despite caring for the horse early in the morning classes awaited Yi-Han. Sleepy or hungry he had to rise and attend the next class. He finished his chores and handed cans of beef and pickled cucumbers to his friends returning to the Black Tortoise.

Nillia accepted the cans with genuine happiness but then frantically searched her pockets in confusion. “I don’t have any money…” she stammered. “It’s a gift” Yi-Han replied feeling a slight pang of guilt. Was he being too harsh?

“Really? Are you sure?” Nillia asked her long ears twitching with uncertainty.

Yi-Han reassured her “Consider the situation seriously. It’s just a gift.”

Ratford however firmly refused. Nillia glanced at him wondering if she should return her gift as well. But when Yi-Han insisted calling it an order Ratford relented and Nillia felt relieved.

After they left Yi-Han asked Yonaire.

“Didn’t expect such a reaction. Yonaire am I being too harsh?”

“No? Why?”

“That’s good to hear.”

Yi-Han briefly thought ‘Should I ask someone other than Yonaire for an objective opinion?’ but decided to let it go.

“Let’s have breakfast. Yonaire the early risers will be in the lounge so let’s share some with them. Can you help me record this in the ledger?”

“Of course.”

The two were happy at the thought of treating their friends to a generous breakfast.

…Of course it wasn’t for free but it was still a joy.

—

Yi-Han meticulously prepared breakfast spreading mustard on finely cut bread. The fireplace in the freshmen’s lounge was always a welcoming spot. He cracked eggs next to sizzling bacon in the frying pan as the other students pondered what lineage compelled him to such lengths.

This meal wasn’t for himself or his friends in the lounge but for the princess in her private chamber. 

“Wardanaz we’ll pay as before. Can you deliver the meal to the princess?” they had asked.

Even though they paid more Yi-Han wondered why such efforts were made for royalty. Power should come from the masses not from obscure ancient lineages. Why care so much for the royal family?

Meanwhile Gainando unaided and resilient managed perfectly on his own always joining them for breakfast. His adaptability was admirable.

Considering this the students’ kindness might actually be more of a poison to the princess than a help.

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Knock knock knock.

“?”

The door opened and Adenart appeared as before. Yi-Han shrugged his shoulders and extended the plate. “I cooked this downstairs.”

Yi-Han thought he saw a faint brightening in Adenart’s expression though it might have been just the morning sunlight streaming through the adjacent window. Adenart cautiously took the plate hesitated with the fork in hand then bowed her head slightly before closing the door and retreating inside.

‘Last time she ate outside. She’s growing’ Yi-Han mused as he descended the stairs. He pondered the existence of followers in towers other than the Blue Dragon’s. Could he negotiate separate payments with these followers?

‘What a devilish thought’ Yi-Han marveled at his own cunning. Perhaps by the time of his graduation he could amass enough funds to open a small workshop.

—

“Huh? Why aren’t we outside today?”

“Don’t be fooled. There might be monsters hidden inside the classroom.”

The class on <Understanding Basic Alchemy> was held not outside or in the main building but in a separate annex the Gaksu Pavilion. Thanks to the greenhouses the inside was warmer than outside.

However the freshmen were now wise to this. Being indoors wasn’t necessarily better!

“Everyone gather around! Be ready for monsters!”

“Princess please come here. We will protect you.”

“…”

Yi-Han was baffled by the behavior of students from other towers. The princess was a student of the Blue Dragon too!

“Don’t worry Wardanaz. We’re no less capable than them” Asan Dargard said confidently his smile brimming with self-assurance.

Yi-Han’s group had also grown in numbers – himself Yonaire Asan and Nillia. In terms of quality they were second to none.

“Everyone take your seats.”

Professor Uregor entered yawning looking unusually tired. “Professor why aren’t we outside today?”

“What? It’s an alchemy class so we’re inside” the dwarf professor responded looking at the inquiring student as if he were a fool.

The student flustered asked again “But last time you said gathering ingredients was important so we did alchemy outside…”

“That’s for gathering ingredients you ironhead! Do you plan to make potions outside too? Such a rigid mind” Professor Uregor chided. He then glanced around the room. “You all must be thinking the same right? But no need to worry. Unlike the outdoor alchemy classes the indoor ones are very safe and comfortable.”

‘He’s lying.’

‘Definitely lying.’

‘Believe that and you’re a fool.’

The students weren’t fooled and Professor Uregor noticing their skeptical looks gave a sly smile.

“Now! Pour water into the cauldrons in front of you. Alchemy is a comprehensive art. From gathering ingredients to extinguishing the fire every step is crucial. But most importantly the process of making this magic potion. Anyone who wastes the carefully gathered ingredients can never become a great alchemist! Open your books! Let’s make a <Lesser Mana Recovery Potion>!”

With a rustling sound books opened quietly everywhere.

‘This is going to be challenging.’

At a glance alchemy might seem easier than other magic.

No need for complex difficult spells just add ingredients in a specific order.

But in practice Yi-Han quickly realized why alchemy was difficult.

It was akin to preparing a complex and challenging recipe without pause within a limited time.

First he had to trim the base of the Garamaldu and cut the remaining part into pieces the size of two child-sized fingers. At the same time he needed to tear the Sulfur Herb by hand quickly before the Garamaldu dried out. The cut Garamaldu was to be blanched in boiling water for three minutes and the Sulfur Herb for two and a half minutes. Meanwhile he prepared the ground powder of red magic stone to add precisely when the water turned green. Once the water turned orange he stirred it three times clockwise three times counterclockwise and five times from north to south…

He had to prepare all sorts of ingredients on the spot (most could not be prepared in advance) remember when and how to add each ingredient (as there was no time to consult the book during the actual process) and perform every minute detail of the operation without missing a single step.

It was almost mind-numbing in its complexity.

Bang! Puff puff bang!

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As expected explosions and various smokes began to rise here and there. Professor Uregor laughed delightfully. There was nothing more satisfying for an alchemist than watching green apprentices coughing in acrid smoke.

It was indeed a time to enjoy!

“…?”

However Professor Uregor’s amusement halted abruptly when he saw Yi-Han’s cauldron.

‘How is that boy doing so well?’

He was astounded. He knew the boy from the Wardanaz family was talented not just in intelligence but also in perseverance dutifully handling various chores. Undoubtedly he had the talent for alchemy.

But even students talented in alchemy usually made several mistakes and underwent trial and error when first learning. It was almost an unspoken rule a courtesy to senior alchemists so they wouldn’t feel embarrassed or bored.

But Yi-Han was working non-stop like an alchemist with over a decade of experience in a workshop. He swiftly and precisely cut herbs turned several hourglasses in succession and poured liquid from a bottle into the cauldron. His movements flowed continuously like a dance.

Professor Uregor had to admit genius truly existed. Otherwise how could a student new to alchemy show such flawless execution?

‘I swear on my ancestors’ beards no one would believe what I’m seeing!’

But this wasn’t sheer genius. It was the sad result of grinding under a professor for a long time!

Yi-Han’s cauldron turned a deep rich blue indicating a perfect potion. But after tasting it Yi-Han slightly tilted his head and discarded the potion.

“???”

Professor Uregor couldn’t understand. Why discard it?

Yi-Han started again displaying the same perfect motions and produced another potion with the same perfect blue color. After tasting he once again tilted his head and discarded it.

“…”

Professor Uregor couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer. He usually let students figure things out themselves but this was too intriguing to ignore.

Professor Uregor approached Yi-Han stealthily and inquired “Why do you keep discarding the potion?”

“It doesn’t seem to restore mana” Yi-Han replied.

“What?”

Uregor was taken aback. He revisited the textbook wondering if there was a mistake in the recipe but found none.

“????”

He pondered perplexed. The potion was made correctly and clearly consumed so why didn’t it restore mana?

“Make it again” Uregor commanded.

“Yes Professor.”

Yi-Han complied and prepared the potion once more. Uregor with a look of anxiety immediately grabbed a ladle and drank the potion. The blue liquid flowed down his throat transforming into mana and filling his body.

Even if Uregor had made it himself it couldn’t have been more perfect.

“It’s fine” he declared.

“Is it?” Yi-Han tasted it and like before tilted his head in puzzlement. “It’s just average?”

“…”

Uregor was astounded. Was this young genius from the Wardanaz family suggesting he could propose a better formula than the one Uregor confidently presented?

‘No! My pride…!’

“Ah it must be because my mana is already full.”

“…”

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