Life of a Magic Academy Mage – 7



Chapter 07 

Yi-Han upon looking at the herb he needed to find thought to himself ‘It looks like a mix of a reishi mushroom and ginseng.’ This herb known as the ‘Cleansing Grass’ was noted for its use in making antidotes.

“Have you handled it before?” Yi-Han asked.

“Yes” came the reply.

“That’s a relief” Yi-Han felt reassured by Yonaire’s experience. Differentiating among the numerous grasses and herbs scattered across hills fields and forests was a challenging task. Even with illustrations beginners could easily get confused. In this regard an experienced handler was invaluable.

“But… just the two of us moving around seems a bit risky.”

“Do you think it’s too dangerous?”

“Right? It’s better to have at least three people when moving around. Perhaps I shouldn’t have rashly punched Gainando.”

“Even if you hadn’t beat him he might not have followed us anyway” Yi-Han remarked to which Yonaire chuckled.

“Shall we just wander by ourselves then?”

“No. I don’t want to end up on the list of the deceased.”

Einroguard as its reputation suggested was rife with brutal rumors. Given the inherent dangers of magic as a discipline there were numerous cases of students dying while learning it. Before entering Einroguard Yi-Han had thought such occurrences were inevitable. Accidents happen despite the professors’ best efforts.

But now he pondered ‘Isn’t this just a general disregard for safety?’ From the professors to the students everyone in Einroguard seemed to lack concern for their lives which to Yi-Han a modern person seemed almost insane.

“The list of the deceased… Don’t make such chilling jokes with that expression. It doesn’t suit you.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“If it’s not a joke then it’s even scarier right? Yeah it would be better to have someone from the same tower.”

Yonaire looked around intending to find a student from the Blue Dragon to accompany them. But there was no one around.

“Oh… are we in trouble?”

“Can’t we just talk to the princess?”

“You really want to talk to that princess? She seems quite prickly.”

“We’re just trying to find herbs not host a ball” Yi-Han retorted and Yonaire nodded in agreement.

“But it seems we’re too late.”

Near Adenart there were already several students gathered. The princess recognizing the need to move in groups had already formed a party.

“Isn’t that a freshman from the Black Tortoise over there?”

Yi-Han felt slightly aggrieved. If the Wardanaz family was feared and avoided the princess should have been avoided in the same manner. Yet surprisingly several of the students gathered around the princess were from the Black Tortoise.

“Well that princess was famous even before enrolling…”

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Someone that was popular before entering the academy would naturally be popular even after becoming a student. Even among the royal family members Adenart was known for her outstanding intellect and amazing talent. Thus it was no wonder various nobles and commoners gathered around her.

“Is she?”

“…Even though you are from the Wardanaz have you never read the newspapers? 

“I only read ‘The Empire’s New Ventures’ section in the newspaper I have no interest in the ‘Royal News’?”

“Ah that section is interesting. Remember the idea about adventurers not discarding used potion bottles in dungeons but bringing them back for a coin refund? A good idea right?”

“It was a good idea.”

“…This isn’t the time for that discussion.”

Yonaire refocused. Their conversation was drifting off-topic.

“Anyway if you read ‘Royal News’ you would have known that Adenart was famous for various reasons. So it’s natural that she attracts a crowd like that.”

“Was there nothing about Gainando?”

“There wasn’t” came the reply.

“I see so nothing significant about Gainando.”

“Really nothing.”

Gainando who was nursing his wounds in the infirmary and consuming a potion felt unjustly criticized.

“Then let’s give up on the princess and look for someone else.”

“Is that feasible? It seems like only students from the Black Tortoise are left” Yonaire noted causing Yi-Han to frown.

‘Hmm.’

It did appear that only the students from the Black Tortoise Tower were left. While it was possible that some of them might agree to join if asked it was crucial that they did not hinder each other especially considering the task at hand.

More importantly…

‘It would be good if they were capable.’

After all when working in groups each member’s ability is essential.

Yi-Han scanned his surroundings and identified a suitable candidate.

—

Nillia a freshman from Black Tortoise was a Dark Elf from the ‘Shadow Patrol’ of the northern part of the empire. The ‘Shadow Patrol’ was a group of exceptional hunters and scouts who maneuvered through the northern mountain ranges as if it were their own backyard. Born and bred in such an environment Nillia was confident in navigating forests and mountains.

‘This isn’t so hard.’

She had never seen the Cleansing Grass before but knowing its appearance made it easy to find. Her experience in forests and mountains made her far superior to those fresh beginners who had hardly ever stepped outside their study rooms.

Upon entering Einroguard Nillia had felt inferior. There were many outstanding freshmen both in other towers and within the Black Tortoise itself. These included newcomers from emerging noble families famous merchant families of the empire and even those with renowned adventurers as parents. Amidst such individuals Nillia who was invited to the academy after a lifetime in the forests and mountains couldn’t help but feel inferior. The magic classes completely new to her seemed overwhelmingly daunting.

And then she encountered this kind of class. Naturally Nillia’s enthusiasm soared.

‘Hah. Just watch. I’ll find it several times faster than the others.’

Nillia planned to swiftly find the Cleansing Grass on her own. While others unfamiliar with forests and mountains preferred to stick together Nillia was confident enough to venture alone.

“Hmm-hmm.”

“?”

Startled by someone approaching Nillia turned to see a pretty girl with red hair.

“…Who are you?”

“I’m Yonaire of the Maykin family. And this is…”

“Yi-Han. Pleased to meet you.”

From their introductions Nillia surmised that Yonaire was a noble and Yi-Han was not. Typically nobles mention their family name first when introducing themselves.

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‘But isn’t he from the Blue Dragon?’

“Why is she acting like that?”

“Because you didn’t mention your family name…”

Yonaire looked at Yi-Han with a mix of disbelief and amusement. Yi-Han had mentioned his name but not his family an unusual omission for someone of his status.

“Introducing oneself with the family name every time is such a hassle. Maybe later we should start with our family head’s name and then list our family lands during introductions.”

“Don’t they do that at noble parties?”

“…”

Yi-Han genuinely disliked the idea his expression making it clear. Nillia observing their exchange spoke up with a voice tinged with wariness.

“If you two are going to chatter go elsewhere. Why are you doing this here?”

“Would you like to join us?”

Nillia was taken aback by Yi-Han’s proposal something she hadn’t anticipated.

“What’s your angle?”

She regarded Yi-Han with suspicion-filled eyes. Nillia had never held a favorable view of the children of noble families. She had felt the same even during her time in the north.

Occasionally nobles who ventured into the mountains would scrunch up their faces in disdain wondering ‘How can anyone live in such a place?’ Even when the hunters offered them the finest food and the most comfortable bedding the nobles would only grumble about the taste the discomfort and the perceived poor treatment.

Some scouts even joked about leading them to a cliff edge under the guise of guiding them through the mountains and then pushing them off unnoticed.

Given her upbringing in such an environment Nillia had no reason to think well of the students from the Blue Dragon.

“Wandering alone in such a vast area puts you at a disadvantage. If a monster appears it’s best to have at least three people.”

“Hmph. I don’t need it.”

Nillia snorted in derision and refused. Yi-Han undeterred inquired further.

“May I ask why?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Your reasons for refusing could help us understand what kind of person you are. Hmm shall I try to guess?”

Yi-Han pondered for a moment before speaking.

“You don’t think we’d use you as bait or abandon you in danger do you? That would be a grave insult to our honor.”

“…No that’s not it.”

No one no matter how much they disliked the two nobles could affirm such a thing.

“Then perhaps you think you’re sufficient on your own?”

“That’s right…”

“You can’t be serious. No matter how skilled one can never predict what will happen in the mountains and forests. Plus finding the herbs is only part of the task; you have to carefully extract them too. Thinking you can do all that alone would be foolish. I don’t think you’re that kind of person though. Hmm I really can’t guess your reason.”

“…Shut up. I’ll go with you!”

Nillia turned away bristling with frustration.

Yi-Han nodded in satisfaction while Yonaire looked at him with surprise.

‘What do they teach at the Wardanaz family?’

—

Nillia moved with a light and quick step.

Leading the way she walked briskly like an experienced hunter.

Yonaire looking at Yi-Han curiously asked “How did you know to approach her? She moves really well.”

“It was apparent from her developed leg and calf muscles and the calluses and blisters on her hands and fingers. Those are from holding a bow something only an experienced hunter would have.”

Both Yonaire and Nillia who was walking ahead were taken aback upon hearing this.

They hadn’t expected Yi-Han to discern her background from such details.

Despite her initial underestimation of him as a noble Yi-Han with his seemingly uncanny ability to see through others was not someone to be taken lightly.

“Just kidding. She had the token of the ‘Shadow Patrol’ on her waist. Anyone from there would be good at traversing mountains.”

Nillia whirled around to glare at Yi-Han.

Yonaire asked smiling “Were you listening?”

“I wasn’t!”

“Let’s go together. Try to match our pace.”

“Why should I adjust to you?”

Nillia protested to which Yi-Han replied.

“Because Yonaire here is the only one among us who can distinguish the herbs. If she gets exhausted and collapses it’ll be up to us to find them.”

Nillia was speechless again. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to argue further.

“Fine I’ll slow down.”

“Oh wise as expected of the Shadow Patrol…”

“Are you mocking me?? Huh??”

“It’s a compliment.”

Perhaps frustrated from constantly being outwitted by Yi-Han Nillia redirected her irritation.

“You said she can identify herbs and I’m the guide. What about you? What’s your role?”

Yi-Han was about to label himself a freeloader but he hesitated realizing it would only provoke her further.

“I’m responsible for driving off any wild animals or monsters that might appear.”

Nillia was left speechless again. In the mountains the role of warding off monsters was crucial.

Yi-Han seemed to be from a knight family judging by his tall stature and well-toned physique.

‘…Wait aren’t knights belong to the White Tiger?’

“I didn’t catch it earlier. Which family did you say you’re from?”

“Wardanaz. The Wardanaz family.”

Nillia recoiled with a look of disgust causing Yi-Han to feel slightly hurt.

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