Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 849

Galar did not immediately voice what he was thinking.

Back when he had still been staying at the Northern Snowflake Mage Tower, he might have spoken bluntly without hesitation. But after surviving three failed research projects, five magical accidents, and one incident where a sponsor had mistaken an accident for an assassination attempt, Galar had matured considerably.

No matter how unreasonable the situation, one had to be careful with one’s words in front of an employer.

“That’s surprising. I’ve never heard of a Valdrogard student being close to an Einroguard student.”

“Certainly, while Einroguard students are considered one of the Empire’s twin pillars, some people feel they lack refinement. I can understand why friendships between them and Valdrogard students are rare.”

Crack.

Galar nearly ground his teeth apart.

The Valdrogard student in front of him seemed capable of casting illusion magic using words alone.

To manipulate another person’s emotions this effortlessly—

Endure it.

“But exceptions always exist, don’t they?”

Completely unaware of Galar’s suffering, Zandani cheerfully continued his explanation.

The upperclassman who had developed this improved spatial-expansion backpack alongside an Einroguard student was practically a legend even within Valdrogard.

“He was extraordinary. The moment he graduated, invitations poured in from every direction…”

“…”

The corner of Galar’s mouth twitched again.

There was absolutely no way a Valdrogard student would receive that kind of attention from the Empire’s mage towers or magical guilds.

“So how did you end up inheriting this gift?”

“Ah. There’s actually quite a touching story behind it.”

According to Zandani, the Valdrogard student and the Einroguard student had worked together tirelessly on the backpack’s development.

Then, midway through the research, the Einroguard student had supposedly been forced to leave urgently because of personal circumstances…

…and the Valdrogard student had preserved the backpack left behind by his friend as proof of their friendship before eventually passing it down to younger students.

Good grief. Even Detective Toberiz stories aren’t this suspicious.

Galar was appalled.

The story was riddled with problems.

First of all, the idea that an Einroguard student would suddenly abandon ongoing research because of “personal circumstances” made no sense whatsoever.

Out of all the Empire’s magical academies, wasn’t Einroguard infamous for obsessively evaluating achievement and results?

An Einroguard student would continue participating in research even after getting their head chopped off.

No. They’d probably send their soul back to continue the work.

Still, Zandani was technically his employer.

Instead of pointing out the countless holes in the story, Galar smoothly changed the subject.

“In any case, it’s an excellent backpack.”

There were many spatial-expansion artifacts in the world—items larger inside than out—but the quality difference between them was enormous.

Some merely expanded storage capacity by two or three times.

Others contained enough room to fit an entire tent.

And the issue wasn’t just space alone.

How efficiently was the weight reduced?

How stable was the mana supply?

Expanded spaces naturally destabilized during movement, so how effectively did the artifact preserve internal order and prevent spatial turbulence?

There were too many variables involved. No artifact could perfect every aspect, and many advantages directly conflicted with one another.

A truly exceptional spatial-expansion artifact was simply one polished ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) as close to perfection as possible.

And this backpack unquestionably qualified.

Nothing about it felt lacking.

Above all—

It’s light, and the interior remains perfectly stable while moving. The spatial structure is incredibly steady. Wait… instead of expanding the inside, did they create a completely separate subspace and connect it externally?

Galar’s eyes widened.

Most small bags and backpacks enlarged their internal space directly.

Creating an entirely separate subspace and linking it externally was normally reserved for large-scale structures like tents or pavilions.

After all, stretching existing space required far less mana and dramatically less work.

Building an entirely new subspace from scratch was vastly more difficult.

That method was used for large installations for a reason.

Yet this backpack—

“You linked a separate subspace? Did you know that?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“…Haha. Never mind.”

Galar smoothly backed off after seeing Zandani’s reaction.

Trying to explain advanced spatial-expansion theory to a Valdrogard student would require at least ten times his current pay.

“By any chance, can the interior spaces be switched?”

“Oh! How did you know? It’s even called the 【Six-Directional Backpack】.”

Zandani immediately became excited and began proudly explaining the artifact.

The backpack contained six separate spaces.

By rotating the engraved patterns on the locking mechanism, the user could select which space to access.

Zandani stored fine wine in Space One.

Boxwood chairs and a chess set in Space Two.

Cashmere frock coats, tailcoats, silk vests from the southern regions, hats, and other clothing in Space Three.

Famous Imperial books—including the Detective Toberiz series—in Space Four.

Polo equipment in Space Five.

Not a single magic-related item.

Galar cursed inwardly.

At minimum, shouldn’t a mage carry a cauldron or alchemical flasks?

“…Wait. If there are six spaces, why are you only using five?”

“Space Six has been locked ever since I inherited it.”

“Why?”

“No idea.”

“…You never got curious?”

Any normal mage would have become obsessed with unlocking a sealed compartment inside an artifact.

Zandani slapped his palm as realization dawned on him.

“Now that you mention it, I suppose I am curious.”

Galar forced a smile onto his face.

Getting angry would only damage his own health.

“It was probably left unfinished.”

“That sounds right.”

“Would you mind if I examined it?”

“I’d appreciate it! Please handle it carefully.”

“Of course. I’ll rest a bit first, then take a look.”

Galar rose from his seat, opened the door, and stepped outside.

The 【Visitor Accommodations】 resembled a quiet little village filled with warm brick-and-wood mansions arranged in a circle.

Instead of a sky, countless lights glittered overhead against the immense ceiling of Einroguard’s main building.

Instead of a horizon, thick mist surrounded the village.

Galar slowly inhaled the cold, peaceful air.

Like I thought before… this place doesn’t feel like Einroguard at all. It’s too peaceful.

“Raise your hands.”

“Don’t move. I don’t hold any grudge against you, but if you resist, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“…”

Feeling a cold wand pressed against the back of his neck, Galar experienced immediate regret.

Inside Einroguard, one should never let their guard down merely because a place looked peaceful.

***

After using a spatial overlap route to reach the lodging village, Lee Han used the illusion spells he had just learned to slip past the Death Knights’ security and infiltrate deeper inside.

Finding the mansion occupied by the Valdrogard guests was easy.

It was the one blazing with the brightest lights and blasting the loudest music.

—Wait. What’s all this spilled on the ground?

—Wine.

—Why is there wine all over the floor?

—The Valdrogard idiots brought it, but apparently they didn’t like the taste, so they dumped it out. Wasteful bastards.

—…I’m going to kill them.

—Jin, calm down.

Despite the minor disturbance, Lee Han and Sebius successfully reached the mansion unnoticed.

Just as they were wondering how to infiltrate it, a mage responsible for approximately ninety-eight percent of Valdrogard’s combat strength conveniently walked outside while sighing deeply.

The two exchanged glances.

—Good. Luck’s on our side.

—The heavens themselves must be furious at those Valdrogard bastards.

—…R-right.

Swoosh!

“Hands up.”

“Don’t move. I have no grudge against you, but the moment you resist, your safety is no longer guaranteed.”

“!!!”

An unprepared mage was astonishingly fragile.

Galar had never imagined he would be ambushed in the middle of the visitor lodgings, so he had stepped outside without any defensive magic active whatsoever.

“Take the wand. Confiscate the reagents too.”

“My apologies, Mr. Galar.”

“You! You’re that sixth-year from House Wardanaz!”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

With his face concealed, Lee Han calmly feigned ignorance.

Sebius looked at his junior in confusion.

—What exactly did you do to get mistaken for a sixth-year?

—I didn’t do anything. He’s just misunderstanding because of the magic earlier.

—Ah. In that case, it makes sense.

Sebius immediately accepted the explanation.

At times, Lee Han’s magical talent was enough to make even Sebius uneasy.

It wasn’t surprising that an outsider might mistake him for a sixth-year.

After all, mastering two new spells in moments and still having time to begin learning a third was completely absurd.

Honestly, it feels more believable that he’s a deranged sixth-year pretending to be a second-year than an actual second-year genius.

Sebius briefly entertained the rude thought.

If Lee Han ever found out, he would probably explode in outrage.

Having lost his wand, reagents, and every piece of equipment on him, Galar sighed heavily.

“So why have the Einroguard students come here? Revenge?”

“We don’t waste emotions on pointless things like that.”

“Then what?”

“We came to recover a treasure stolen from our senior through despicable means.”

“The spatial-expansion backpack?”

“!?”

Lee Han visibly startled.

Even Sebius narrowed his eyes.

“How did you know that?”

“One of the Valdrogard students was proudly showing it off earlier. The craftsmanship was exceptional enough to make me suspicious.”

“That alone doesn’t explain it.”

Sebius questioned him sharply.

It sounded petty, but details like this mattered.

It could easily be a trap.

“No matter how impressive the artifact was, how did you conclude it was stolen?”

“He claimed he developed it jointly with an Einroguard student and later inherited it as proof of friendship. That sounded suspicious enough.”

“…”

Both immediately understood.

If that was the story, suspicion was inevitable.

“No, wait. They were seriously calling it a token of friendship? Those shameless parasites!”

Lee Han growled furiously.

Galar flinched slightly.

The memory of the Black Imperial Crown was still painfully vivid.

“I understand your anger toward the Valdrogard students, but could you perhaps show mercy as the stronger side?”

“…Why am I the stronger side!?”

You absolutely are, though.

Sebius quietly thought to himself.

Honestly, it would probably take multiple fourth-years from Einroguard working together to properly handle this junior.

“Fine. We’ll show mercy. We have no interest in fighting Valdrogard students unnecessarily. We only want the backpack.”

“In that case, there’s a very simple solution.”

“What is it?”

“Go inside and take it.”

“…”

Lee Han stared at him like he’d gone insane.

“What kind of advice is that? You’re telling us to beat them unconscious, suppress them, and rob them outright?”

To Lee Han, “showing mercy” apparently meant ending things in a single strike.

But Galar shook his head.

“You misunderstand. I literally mean walk inside and take it. They’re all asleep already.”

“What? They’re sleeping already? How does that make sense?”

“Apparently sleeping early improves magical health… according to those idiots. Ugh—ack, that hurts.”

As Lee Han unconsciously tightened his grip on the wand pressed against him, Galar choked slightly.

“S-sorry. I accidentally used too much force.”