Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 832

“Oh. A prophecy from a king-class spirit? How interesting.”

I-too-find-it-interesting-Arrogance-Duke-

“A prophecy from a Spirit King truly is fascinating.”

Oblivious to Lee Han’s darkening expression, Ragesa, the Arrogance Duke, and Arsil all offered their own comments.

And because he had spoken last, Arsil ended up receiving the fiercest glare.

“You told him that, didn’t you, brother?”

?!

Arsil frantically waved both hands in denial.

But Lee Han’s suspicion had already solidified halfway.

“Please be honest with me. You ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) told him I looked destined to become an Imperial Mage Marshal, didn’t you?”

Arsil had always possessed the troubling habit of wildly overestimating his much younger brother.

Lee Han knew that better than anyone.

Naturally, he found it impossible to believe Arsil hadn’t brought it up.

Faced with his younger brother’s continued suspicion, Arsil shook his head even harder.

Although Arsil did have high expectations for Lee Han, he never tried to define what his brother would become to beings from other dimensions.

Words held power.

He didn’t want to recklessly interfere with Lee Han’s future.

How-sad-that-you-doubt-us-we-truly-did-no-such-thing-!

Human-mage-you-should-not-suspect-your-own-blood-relative-how-heartbroken-the-Butterfly-Prince-must-feel-

“What exactly are you doing interfering in someone else’s family matters?”

!

The Arrogance Duke looked deeply wounded by the cold response.

How could the human mage say something so cruel?

Fortunately, the Gwangmok King cleared up the misunderstanding.

-Ah. Wait… I must have gone mad for a moment.

“Exactly. So the title you called me earlier was just madness talking, correct?”

-What did I call you? Ah. I see. It seems I fell into madness again and uttered another prophecy. If it was an unpleasant prophecy, then you have my apologies.

“…”

Lee Han never imagined an apology could feel this uncomfortable.

The Gwangmok King, noticing the complicated look on the young mage’s face, spoke reassuringly.

-Human mage. Hearing a prophecy does not mean it will inevitably come true.

“That’s true, right?”

But-Gwangmok-King’s-prophecies-are-famous-for-being-extremely-accurate-

“Be quiet, Garisayma.”

Arsil immediately cut the Arrogance Duke off.

His younger brother already looked irritated enough. There was no reason to make things worse.

Apparently, Lee Han disliked the idea of his future being neatly predetermined by a prophecy about becoming an Imperial Mage Marshal.

-Of course, most of them do come true. Mine especially. In any case, speak quickly before the madness worsens again. You came here because of a staff?

The Gwangmok King spoke rapidly, barely pausing for breath.

It was obvious he intended to finish the conversation before another wave of madness made ordinary communication impossible.

“That’s correct. Naturally, I know it’s shameless to ask something like this from someone with whom I have no prior connection, but if you would grant me a chance to undertake a trial…”

-If you travel north from here, you will find a sacred grove I cultivated myself. The mages who came here today may enter and take whichever branch they desire. I make this promise while sane, so it shall remain valid even after madness returns. I swear it upon this realm.

The words poured out faster and faster until the final sentence came without even a moment’s pause.

Lee Han, who had been listening with absolute concentration, blinked in confusion.

“…Pardon? You’re saying we can simply take them?”

Ragesa, who had been listening just as intently, looked equally bewildered.

“Wait. Just hand them over like that? Won’t that spoil these young mages? Shouldn’t there at least be some kind of proper trial?”

Despite their benevolent appearances, spirits were not beings who handed out gifts for free.

The Empire’s old tales made that abundantly clear.

Even forming a contract with a spirit generally required overcoming some sort of ordeal.

And if contracts were like that, requests for power or treasures were no different. Spirits were beings from other dimensions, each with desires and motives of their own.

They contracted with mages because they needed to borrow mortal power.

They tested mages because they wished to verify those mages’ worth.

Yet the Gwangmok King was casually telling them to walk into a nearby forest and take whatever they wanted, without requiring trials, contracts, or negotiations.

From Lee Han’s perspective, it was baffling.

Ragesa clearly felt the same.

-I suffer from severe madness, so contractors are meaningless to me. Most of the time I forget everything anyway.

“But even so, shouldn’t you at least confirm whether the recipients are worthy before giving away valuable treasures?”

“Lady Ragesa…”

Lee Han stared at her in disbelief, but Ragesa ignored him completely.

The Gwangmok King answered once more.

-I suffer from severe madness, so treasures and possessions hold little meaning for me.

“But what if you need them later to entertain future guests?”

-Outsiders rarely visit me. There is no need to prepare for such things. Since you are here now, simply take what you wish. There is no telling whether we will ever meet again.

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere suddenly turned solemn.

Lee Han found himself feeling guilty.

It almost seemed as though they had come to exploit a lonely, suffering spirit.

Even the White Tiger Tower students—whose skin had grown considerably thicker after surviving their second year at Einroguard—looked awkward as they whispered among themselves.

“Is… is this really okay?”

“I feel kind of bad…”

-My forest flourishes endlessly regardless, so there is no need for concern. Truly, it is fine. Invite all your friends and let them take some as well.

The Spirit King looked exhausted and weary, yet there was still a broad generosity to him worthy of a king.

When the young human mages hesitated, he gently urged them not to.

“Are you absolutely certain?”

At Anglago’s question, the Gwangmok King nodded once… then suddenly paused.

-Why are you in prison after receiving the branches?

“…Pardon?”

-I must have slipped into madness again for a moment. My headache is worsening.

“…”

“…”

Everyone slowly turned to stare at Anglago.

Anglago shouted desperately in self-defense.

“N-No! Even if I did end up imprisoned, it would only be for something minor enough to escape from!”

-Ugh.

Unable to watch any longer, Arsil stepped forward.

Allow me to prepare some tea.

Could-this-Arrogance-Duke-have-a-cup-as-well?

Despite the shamelessly pleading tone, Arsil knowingly brewed tea for both of them anyway.

The Gwangmok King sipped his tea while enduring an obvious headache before speaking again.

-To one afflicted by madness, guests are brief and precious connections. Fleeting encounters among past, present, and future. So take whatever you wish, human mages. You may never have another chance to meet me during your lifetimes.

The students were deeply moved by the Spirit King’s words.

Even Ragesa looked affected.

And Lee Han—despite having just received what amounted to slander disguised as prophecy—couldn’t help feeling emotional too.

They’re both kings, so why is he completely different from Perkuntra?

One side apologized for not being able to give more to visiting mages, while the other side…

“Spirit King…”

“I’ll think of Your Highness the Gwangmok King every time I use my staff!”

-I would advise against that. The madness may spread. Now go.

The dismissal was gentle, but final.

It was clear he had no intention of continuing the conversation.

Arsil and Garisayma also rose to escort the students out for the sake of their friend.

Ah-I-nearly-forgot-!

As they were leaving, the Arrogance Duke suddenly clapped his hands and called out to Lee Han.

Lee Han turned around warily.

Regardless-of-Gwangmok-King’s-business-should-you-not-also-continue-our-own-discussion-this-Garisayma-is-rather-fond-of-revenge-after-all-

“…”

Perkuntra might not have specialized in prophecy, but she certainly knew how to make accurate predictions.

Lee Han felt a chill run down his spine.

Somehow, he had ended up caught by the Arrogance Duke again—and this time, unlike before, the devil already knew exactly who he was.

“I happen to have urgent business at the moment, so perhaps another time…”

Yes-yes-let-me-leave-a-mark-I-shall-send-a-messenger-later-

“…”

As expected of a duke-class devil.

They were not easy to deceive.

While Lee Han desperately tried to think of an escape, the Arrogance Duke suddenly stiffened.

Kugh-!

THUD!

Garisayma collapsed to his knees.

Lee Han and the others stared in alarm, unable to understand what had just happened.

“What’s wrong with him?”

I-poison-in-Butterfly-Prince’s-tea-!

The Arrogance Duke glared at Arsil with eyes filled with betrayal.

Among all mortals, Garisayma had considered Arsil one of the few true pacifists.

To think he would resort to poisoning!

Arsil ignored the accusation completely and quickly shoved his younger brother forward.

The meaning was obvious.

Run while he’s paralyzed.

…Brother!

Lee Han looked at Arsil with genuine emotion.

Even after all the ridiculous suspicion from earlier, his brother was still protecting him.

Family truly was the best.

“Let’s go!”

Human-mage-wait-our-next-meeting-kugh-!

Ignoring the Arrogance Duke’s desperate cries as he frantically detoxified himself, Lee Han fled with his friends as fast as possible.

***

The students walked silently across the clouds.

Far too much had happened inside the manor for anyone to process immediately.

“…This is unbelievable luck.”

“R-Right!”

Everyone tacitly agreed to ignore unpleasant details like the poisoning incident or Anglago’s prison prophecy and focus only on the positive parts.

Even Ragesa nodded seriously.

“You youngsters really stumbled into extraordinary fortune today. Connections like this are not easy to obtain.”

“That’s true!”

The students’ faces shone with excitement at the thought of obtaining branches from the Sacred Grove.

Something feels off.

Lee Han eyed Ragesa suspiciously.

She wasn’t being malicious for once.

Considering how easily the Gwangmok King had agreed to hand over the branches, why was she acting so calm about it?

Before Lee Han could question her, Ragesa spoke first.

“Since he said your close friends could take some as well, you should call other acquaintances too.”

“…Wait. Lady Ragesa!”

“?”

Ragesa flinched slightly at Lee Han’s sudden exclamation.

Had the brat figured it out already?

“Hypothetically speaking… could I sell ‘friend rights’ for money? Maybe to upperclassmen or outside mages…”

“…”

Ragesa immediately regretted being nervous.

To think she had expected insight from this idiot.

“Are those really the first words coming out of your mouth right now???”

“I was asking from an academic perspective…”

Is he really not from a pirate family?

Lee Han briefly considered asking about the exact legal boundaries of contracts and spirit oaths, but quickly gave up.

Apparently, selling friendship access was impossible after all.

“Stop wasting time on nonsense and hurry before the rift closes. Once the Gwangmok King’s madness fully takes over, nobody will be able to enter anymore.”

“Over there!”

One of the White Tiger Tower students running ahead pointed triumphantly toward the distance.

Unlike the countless forests hanging upside down in the sky beyond reach, one particular forest rested directly atop the clouds.

Tap tap tap tap!

The student sprinted forward using enhancement magic, then grabbed the nearest branch and snapped it off.

SWISH!

“…?”

The student stared blankly at his empty hand.

He had definitely grabbed and broken the branch.

Yet nothing remained.

Ahead of him, the tree was perfectly intact.

One more time…

SWISH!

“…”

Only then did the student realize the entire tree had been an illusion.

Ragesa burst into laughter she had clearly been suppressing this whole time.

“Kihihihihi! Did you idiots really think obtaining branches from a Spirit King’s sacred grove would be that easy just because there weren’t any formal trials?”

The White Tiger Tower students immediately started cursing, but Ragesa only laughed harder.

Lee Han suppressed the urge to shove her off the clouds.

“Lady Ragesa. Then how are we supposed to obtain them?”

“You wander until the grove chooses you.”

“…”

Lee Han slowly looked back across the vast Sacred Grove once more.

At the very least, one thing was certain.

There was no visible end to it.