Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 50



Chapter 50

Fortunately Yi-Han was spared the title of ‘Professor Killer.’

Professor Mortum had quickly recovered from the fall.

“…Cough. You all saw it right? That was a <Lesser Paralysis Curse>.”

In truth Professor Mortum’s body was still stiff.

He had rapidly activated his mana to expel the curse the moment he fell but due to the significant amount of it some effects still lingered.

If other students specializing in dark magic under Professor Mortum had witnessed this scene they might have fainted.

Despite his carelessness it was shocking that a first-year student could bring down Professor Mortum with a <Lesser Paralysis Curse>…

“…”

Professor Garcia knowing the truth looked at Professor Mortum with incredulous eyes.

Professor Mortum avoided his gaze pretending not to see.

“It’s a relief Professor.”

Yi-Han spoke with a tone of relief.

Initially he was genuinely startled but it turned out that Professor Mortum had intentionally demonstrated the full effect of the <Lesser Paralysis Curse>.

It did seem odd!

“…You have a talent for curses.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

“…You have a talent for curses.”

“Thank you?”

It wasn’t a good sign when a professor repeated himself.

Yi-Han sharply noticed this omen.

‘What is he trying to do?’

Either he truly had a talent or he had somehow offended the professor.

Considering the twisted nature of professors the latter seemed more likely.

‘Was the curse not as good as I thought? Such a conscienceless professor. Would I be a first-year if my first attempt at a curse was perfect?’

“As you just saw curse magic is so versatile that even those not specializing in dark magic know a spell or two.”

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Professor Garcia interjected to lighten the mood.

“Learning lesser curse spells is not difficult and more importantly once you learn them it becomes easier to counter other curse spells. Just because you don’t learn curse magic doesn’t mean others won’t use it against you.”

Dark magic was known for its quick-to-learn offensive spells. It was easy to understand when compared to fire attribute magic.

To attack someone with fire magic one had to start by creating flames and then maintain control over them to launch at a target.

In contrast dark magic curses required just concentration to cast. Everyone had experienced numb legs or bodily pain at some point.

Given this lower-circle mercenary mages who hadn’t formally studied magic often learned a few dark magic curses.

The best way to counter a spell was to learn it.

Considering the unforeseeable future it was wise to have some understanding of dark magic.

That was why Professor Garcia had invited Professor Mortum.

It wasn’t that they had to learn dark magic but…

“Alright. That’s enough explanation… How about we pair up now?”

—

Contrary to the initial indifferent atmosphere the students showed more interest in curses than expected.

They were still young after all.

Despite hearing many negative stories about dark magic the allure of easy-to-learn offensive spells was too tempting.

Furthermore Professor Garcia’s logic of ‘learning a few curses to protect oneself’ was quite convincing.

“Like this do I swing it this way?”

“It seems right?”

“I heard that curses aren’t just about paralysis. There are curses that blind disrupt breathing or disrupt balance.”

“Wow… Ouch. Are you planning to learn dark magic?”

“No.”

Of course just because they were interested in curses didn’t mean they were naive enough to specialize in dark magic.

That was one thing and this was another.

“Thank you in advance.”

“Thank you in advance.”

Yi-Han’s practice partner was Gainando.

The two exchanged noble greetings and then picked up their staffs.

The rule was simple.

One would attack first.

Then the other would retaliate.

The purpose was not only to use curses but also to experience being on the receiving end.

Gainando’s first strike.

“Hmph!”

Gainando concentrated his mana beginning to convert it into a negative attribute.

‘Oh.’

Yi-Han was surprised.

Gainando was converting his mana more quickly than expected.

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‘Could he have a talent for dark magic?’

It might have been a coincidence but considering Gainando’s performance with other elements he seemed to have a natural aptitude.

He struggled with light fire and water but to convert to the negative attribute so swiftly…

‘Or maybe it’s just that easy for everyone.’

Yi-Han thought so.

After all both he and Gainando had quickly converted their mana…

Perhaps the negative attribute conversion was just unusually easy.

“No. That student…”

Professor Mortum whispered to Professor Garcia with a surprised expression.

He thought he had been sufficiently astonished by the boy from the Wardanaz family but here was another young dark mage with considerable talent.

Though not on the same level as the Wardanaz boy this one was a rare find perhaps once in a decade.

“You mean Gainando. He certainly has a talent for dark magic.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. Actively encourage him.”

Professor Garcia didn’t dissuade him. In fact he encouraged it quite a contrast to his earlier worry about Yi-Han specializing in dark magic.

The reason was simple.

Yi-Han was adept in almost all magic fields. Innate mana exceptional perception flexible and broad thinking diligent attitude…

In Professor Garcia’s view a student like that was bound to succeed in any field.

But Gainando didn’t seem particularly talented in any field.

So if he found a field that suited him it was right for him to pursue it.

In a way finding a fit in dark magic could even be considered a blessing.

“Be paralyzed!”

While they conversed Gainando cast his spell. Although slightly different in its ending the curse was successfully executed. Professor Mortum nodded with satisfaction.

‘He’s got talent.’

Swoosh!

‘Ah. So this is why they said to experience being cursed.’

Yi-Han felt the incoming curse and understood what Professor Garcia meant.

Why was curse magic easy to learn?

And why was it good to learn curse magic to counter it?

‘Curse magic… its structure is simple and flawed.’

Thanks to being relentlessly targeted by Professor Boladi Yi-Han immediately recognized the weaknesses of curse magic.

Casting a curse was akin to throwing a net or a fishing trawl.

One weaves a net of magic the curse and throws it.

If it hits the curse envelops like a net.

It’s quick and simple to cast not needing precise aiming but this simplicity also made the magic inherently weaker.

Shooting another spell at the incoming curse swinging a sword blocking with a shield preparing a defensive spell…

Just from what Yi-Han could think of there were many ways to counter it.

If one knew in advance that a curse was being cast the magic could easily be countered.

This was why they were encouraged to learn curses.

After practicing a few curse spells one could quickly get a feel for other unfamiliar curses.

‘But it’s irritating that I realized this thanks to being targeted by Professor Boladi.’

If curse magic was like casting a net then Professor Boladi’s magic was akin to the thrust of an expert swordsman.

It was not only difficult to block or dodge but even if it was blocked it did not stop and immediately led to the next attack—a deceitful skill.

Having to deal with such attacks directly Yi-Han naturally came to understand this structure quickly.

If he didn’t he would be hit!

Wham!

As he pondered the curse struck Yi-Han’s body. Gainando seeing his curse succeed jumped for joy.

“I did it!”

“Congratulations.”

“…But where did it paralyze you?”

“Right? That’s what I’m wondering also.”

Yi-Han puzzled scanned his body up and down.

He didn’t feel any part of his body paralyzed.

What happened?

“Did it fail?”

“Maybe?”

“Let me try again.”

Thinking it was a failure Gainando raised his wand to prepare the spell again.

“Be paralyzed!”

Wham!

Just like before the curse hit Yi-Han and again there was no noticeable effect.

Yi-Han and Gainando delved into deep thought.

“Was there something wrong with the motion?”

“I don’t know. The magic seemed to be released correctly. Maybe the incantation was odd? ‘Be paralyzed’ sounds too polite. Doesn’t seem quite right for a curse.”

“Is-is that so? Should I try ‘Be paralyzed you little bastard’?”

“…I think just ‘Be paralyzed’ would be sufficient.”

Professor Garcia overhearing their fruitless conversation approached with a sigh.

“The curse didn’t fail; it’s just that Yi-Han’s mana is too strong for it to have any effect. Gainando you did well.”

“!”

Gainando was surprised.

“What? It was that? But still to have no effect at all… Maybe I have no talent for dark magic.”

“Do you need to conclude that already?”

“No. I wasn’t really interested in dark magic anyway. If I don’t have the talent so be it.”

Gainando spoke coolly.

He really wasn’t interested in dark magic.

Why bother with dark magic when more sophisticated and impressive spells appealed to him?

“Then I’ll take the hit.”

“Alright. Get ready.”

Yi-Han recalled the memory of the professor falling earlier.

Though the professor had fallen intentionally it still seemed like a nightmare.

‘I need to control my strength. No need to gather too much mana.’

Yi-Han planned to cast the spell with just the minimum required mana.

“Paralyze!”

“!”

Watching Professor Mortum was startled.

To shorten the incantation so drastically.

In magic the incantation was a more important element than one might think.

The words of a person carried powerful energy and significantly influenced the psyche of a mage.

As such casually shortening or altering an incantation was no easy feat.

Even for an easy curse spell to shorten the incantation so soon.

“Aaagh!”

Gainando screamed and threw himself to the side. Other students nearby startled looked at Gainando.

Yi-Han asked in bewilderment.

“…What are you doing?”

“Ah it was just instinctive…”

“!”

Professor Mortum was startled again.

To sensitively feel the negative attribute mana in the curse and instinctively react. Such perceptive ability.

That was a remarkable talent in dark magic.

…Of course there was no need to dodge so theatrically.

—

The lecture ended rather warmly.

The students had a rare and enjoyable time casting and receiving curses with each other.

Professor Garcia with her kindness of not assigning any homework further brightened the students’ mood.

“So did everyone enjoy today’s lecture?”

“Yes Professor!”

“A round of applause for Professor Mortum!”

Clap clap clap clap clap –

“Now I’m sure you all have developed an interest in dark magic haven’t you?”

“…”

‘I shouldn’t have asked.’

Professor Garcia regretted her question.

She should have just ended with the applause; her additional question had awkwardly shifted the atmosphere.

“Professor Mortum would you like to say a few words?”

“Cough. I believe… you all have learned much about the allure of dark magic today. I can see that a few among you have already developed an interest in it.”

“?”

“?”

The students looked puzzled.

‘Do you have an interest?’

‘No. Do you?’

‘Of course not.’

“Hahaha. Who would seriously want to study dark magic?”

Gainando laughed dismissing the idea as absurd.

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