Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

What truly unpleasant trust.

Lee Han thought to himself.

Both the Young Prince and the Skull Principal trusted Lee Han, but the nature of that trust was entirely different.

Honestly, the Skull Principal’s trust was unpleasant.

How was this any different from a curse telling him to go and run into worshippers of evil gods?

“I thought you brought this up because there was a possibility they might approach Professor Bagreg.”

“If Professor Voladi approaches them, that would be one thing, but would those people approach him...”

The Skull Principal was skeptical.

Of course, worshippers of evil gods, whose heads were filled with madness and straw instead of brains, were difficult to predict.

Still, if he had to make a prediction, the chances of them approaching Professor Voladi did not seem very high.

The worshippers of evil gods had nothing they wanted from Professor Voladi.

There was bloody resentment between them, but worshippers of evil gods were the sort who would rather spend their time spreading even one more grain of faith than taking revenge.

If anything, Professor Voladi was the one who would want many things from the worshippers of evil gods.

Mainly what’s above their necks.

In truth, Lee Han wanted to lock up both himself and Professor Voladi if possible.

Lee Han himself might be impossible, but he had seriously considered doing so with Professor Voladi.

However, given Professor Voladi’s personality, if locked up, the professor absolutely would not say, “Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll stay quietly in the punishment cells.” Professor Voladi would immediately escape and go on a rampage.

Rather than force it through and have the entire plan fall apart, it was better to at least put a leash on the professor.

If Professor Voladi was paired with the cherished disciple as desired, perhaps the professor would think once—no, half once, or half of half once—before doing something reckless...

The problem was the disciple’s bad luck.

Considering what Wardanaz had experienced recently, it would not be strange at all if worshippers of evil gods approached him.

It was a vague thought, closer to intuition or premonition, but excellent mages never ignored such signs.

“Still, that seems too vague.”

“Do you want a plausible reason? You’re from a great noble house, you have more mana than a dragon, and you made a contract with a dragon. That makes you worthy of attention from worshippers of evil gods. There aren’t many prey like you in the Empire.”

It was better when he spoke vaguely.

Lee Han grumbled inwardly.

When the Skull Principal spoke logically, it made him feel even worse.

“You seem convinced now. Remember it well.”

“Yes. I’ll be suspicious first whenever I see anyone suspicious.”

“Don’t forget to be suspicious when you see the suspicious Professor Voladi too.”

“...Yes...”

“Then take this man and train him. Klzenbereg?”

-Yes!

The Death Knight bowed respectfully.

“This knight here will guard you outside during this semester.”

“Professor Bagreg will be accompanying us, but knights will follow along too?”

“Of course. As I said, Professor Voladi might beat you up and escape.”

“...”

“Choose quick-witted knights and prepare for guard duty.”

-We will do so.

The Skull Principal was meticulous.

Even if he released his two disciples, he would never let his guard down.

If Professor Voladi monitored the worshippers of evil gods, the Death Knights monitored the worshippers of evil gods, and Wardanaz monitored Professor Voladi, there would be no gaps.

-Didn’t you misspeak at the end?

“I spoke correctly.”

-...

The knights were confused by the instruction to watch the professor more carefully than the worshippers of evil gods.

Regardless, the Skull Principal waved a hand dismissively.

“Go on. I have things to discuss with the professors. The accidents your upperclassmen caused won’t hide themselves... wait.”

“?”

Lee Han, who had turned to leave, paused when the Skull Principal called him again.

What was it?

Did he notice me cursing him in my head?

“Never mind. Go on.”

“Yes.”

After Lee Han had completely left, the Skull Principal spoke to the knights who remained.

“Why is that boy wearing Euangelion?”

-Well, perhaps he heard the location from the Projection of Desire for Glory?

***

“If there is ever a need to approach evil mercenaries or thieves, please leave everything to me.”

Ibinta bowed and flattered him.

The pride of being master of an underground fortress had long since shattered and disappeared.

What he wanted now was just one thing.

To avoid displeasing the terrifying mage from House Wardanaz and get through this mission safely.

No matter how eccentric this mage might be, surely he could not be scarier than the eldest.

“There’s no need to approach anyone.”

“Pardon?”

“I said there’s no need to approach anyone.”

Lee Han kindly explained to the confused former thief.

Despite the Skull Principal’s harsh words, Lee Han had no intention of going outside so actively this semester.

He had already secured supplies, and more than anything, since the Skull Principal had spoken like that, Lee Han felt annoyed and did not want to go out.

If I only take requests that can be handled inside, the Skull Principal’s curse won’t mean much.

“Wardanaz.”

Giselle, walking with a sword slung over the shoulder, called Lee Han from behind.

Honestly, Giselle did not particularly want to call out to a friend walking between Death Knights and a thief, but there was something that had to be said.

“Here. A letter from the Family Head.”

“??”

Lee Han tilted his head, unable to understand the letter Giselle held out.

Then Giselle asked, looking even more bewildered.

“Why are you surprised? It’s a request commission letter.”

“What request?”

“...Did you suffer so much over vacation that your memory flew away? You asked me to commission you last year.”

Giselle looked at Lee Han in disbelief.

-How about I ask the Principal to send an official request to Einroguard?

-Yes. I’ll be waiting.

“...”

As the conversation from last winter vacation came back to him, Lee Han’s face hardened.

He had even excitedly told Giselle that they should take the request together and split the money.

Oh no.

At the time, he had thought it was a truly good opportunity and accepted it, but he had never expected it to come back like this.

To the guest of House Wardanaz.

Our beneficial conversation from before gave the family much inspiration. Your advice not to let the apprentice knights visiting the family go free, but to train them harshly—in accordance with that advice, the apprentice knights have become much stronger...

The letter sent by Giselle’s father, the Family Head of House Moradi, showed a rare degree of respect.

There were very few people to whom the always cool-headed and efficiency-focused Family Head showed this much favor.

There were various reasons, but one of them was the advice Lee Han had given before.

Do not let the apprentice knights who came to the family as guests wander around. Impose a curfew on them, just like at Einroguard!

That advice seemed to have been very effective, as the Family Head expressed satisfaction in the letter.

That’s good. It’s gratifying that it helped the knights.

When Lee Han smiled, Giselle looked puzzled.

What kind of content could be in that letter to make him smile so warmly?

“What? Is there something written besides the request details?”

“Ah. It’s nothing much. The Family Head listened to my advice last time, and it seems to have been effective.”

“What advice?”

“I said that, in order to improve the skills of the apprentice knights who came to the territory, they should be treated like Einroguard students.”

“...?!!!”

So you were the culprit!!

Giselle was shocked.

Giselle had been wondering, Did the Skull Principal say something? since they had even changed the location of the tower within the territory to monitor the apprentice knights and prevent them from playing around, but the culprit had been right here.

Thanks to that, the apprentice knights’ skills had improved, but whether those knights would be grateful was uncertain.

Judging by the murderous glint in their eyes, they probably would not be.

“...When we go to the territory, never tell them you gave that advice.”

“No. Why not? Didn’t everyone’s skills improve thanks to my advice?”

This guy. He’s becoming more and more like the Principal.

Giselle cursed the friend inwardly.

It seemed that spending too much time with the faculty during vacation had somewhat corrupted his senses.

Was he really all right?

...As promised last year, I have formally sent a letter to Your Excellency with a request. I look forward to your spirited opinions this year as well.

Jideuph Moradi

“...”

Lee Han fell silent after reading the entire letter.

The Family Head had not forgotten what Lee Han said last year about “just leave it to me,” and thought Lee Han would definitely accept.

I dug my own grave.

Lee Han reflected.

From now on, even if something seemed like a good opportunity, he should think twice before accepting it blindly.

Who could have known the situation would change like this...

I have no choice. I’ll accept this one.

Lee Han spoke with a resolved expression.

“I’ll accept the request, Moradi.”

“You already accepted last year... Why are you really acting like this today?”

Giselle looked at the friend with slight concern.

Giselle rarely gave looks like that, but today Wardanaz had aspects that made people worry.

After Giselle finished the business and left, Lee Han looked at Ibinta again and said,

“If we only visit House Moradi’s territory, there should be almost no need to go outside.”

“Lee Han. Here’s a letter.”

“...”

Lee Han spun around abruptly. This was the first time Yonair’s voice had sounded so frightening.

“...What letter?”

“A letter from my sister. Here.”

When he unfolded the luxurious white letter paper that smelled of alchemical reagents, large, scrawled handwriting caught his eye.

To Yonair’s friend,

I wonder if you remember working in the workshop last time. Actually, I heard rumors that you received a request from the Family Head of House Moradi this semester. I heard that some students avoid going outside to focus on their studies, but I’m glad Mr. Wardanaz isn’t that type. Well, someone who moves around so actively wouldn’t be like that.

Actually, I’m preparing new research and need help from outstanding students. I’d be very happy if you came with Yonair to help. Oh, and don’t take too seriously whatever Yonair says. My younger sibling tends to exaggerate...

Lee Han shuddered.

Noble families should be legally prohibited by imperial law from contacting one another.

When noble families contacted one another, they only plotted evil schemes and nothing helpful to the Empire.

The request from House Moradi had already reached Lady Yoanen’s ears!

“A request?”

Yonair asked as if already knowing without hearing the explanation. Lee Han nodded weakly.

“You shouldn’t accept it. If you go this time, you’ll work without even being able to sleep.”

“Lady Meikin said exactly that while telling me not to believe it.”

“...”

Yonair’s face ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) turned pale.

Yonair had never imagined the sister would predict the behavior this far.

“Wh-what I just said is a secret.”

“Don’t worry. More importantly, she’s asking you to come too.”

“What?!”

Yonair took the letter from the friend’s hand and read it hurriedly.

While doing so, Yonair kept muttering in disbelief.

“Alchemy requests can just be handled inside, but if she specifically calls people outside to assign them work, that means... she’s planning to work people to the bone...”

“...I can hear everything.”

After finishing the letter, Yonair became dejected.

Unlike Lee Han, when the sister told Yonair to come, Yonair had to go.

“I have no choice... I have to go...”

“...Yonair. If you think about it positively, the compensation is good.”

“Right... If I collapse from overwork, I can use that money to buy a coffin...”

“Oh. She said it’s fine to bring other students too. Should we bring Gainando as well?”

Yonair’s dejected face brightened slightly. Seeing this, Lee Han made an even bolder suggestion.

“What about seniors or professors you usually don’t like?”

“That sounds like a crazy idea.”

“Actually, I thought so too.”

Lee Han quickly changed his words. In fact, if they brought seniors or professors, Lee Han might end up suffering instead.

Still, about two places should be fine.

It seemed he could visit House Moradi’s territory, go to Lady Yoanen’s workshop, and then simply not go outside after that.

“Senior. A letter has arrived.”

“Lee Han. Here’s a letter...”

“A letter flew onto the roof?”

“Wardanaz! Paper birds are flying into your room! Check quickly before things fall over!”

“...”

Before his thoughts could even finish, faced with the barrage of letters coming from every direction, Lee Han’s face hardened stiffly.