Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

The students of the Blue Dragon Tower scattered like the receding tide. While Lee Han clicked his tongue as he watched their retreating backs, a paper bird flew in through the window.

Come to the principal's office immediately!

-Gonadaltes

"......"

Power was sweet, but dangerous.

Lee Han realized that fact anew.

***

-But why are you taking me with you?

The hamster squeaked inside the cage in puzzlement.

The bastard who had left the hamster abandoned in the basement of the dark magic school tower for quite some time had suddenly gotten some strange impulse and brought the cage out again in one hand.

Lee Han smiled kindly and said,

"No matter how busy I was, I think I went too far. I brought you out so you could at least get a look outside."

-Hmph! What is the point now?

The hamster was pleased inwardly, but squeaked curtly. At the same time, the hamster felt a sense of self-loathing.

...To think a mage would get excited about being taken outside for a walk!

'I need to return to normal as quickly as possible!'

The hamster was even beginning to fear that things might continue like this until it truly became a pet.

-Have you arrived?

The Death Knights greeted Lee Han from afar when they spotted him.

Since Lee Han had something to feel guilty about, he glanced around.

'There are no traps or ambushes prepared, right?'

At present, Uman was once again moving around actively based on the advice Lee Han had given.

That meant it would be difficult for Uman to fly over immediately even if the Skull Principal attacked. Lee Han slightly regretted not finding some way to bring Uman along.

You're here? Sit down.

The skull floating in midair gestured with the chin for Lee Han to sit. Since Lee Han had something to feel guilty about, he obediently sat down.

But...

"?"

Why is that bastard acting like that?

"Ah."

Only then did the hamster realize the truth and glare at Lee Han with hatred and resentment.

He said he was taking the hamster out for a walk, only to bring it into the lair of a great mage?!

The intention was extremely wicked and obvious. Was he not planning to use the hamster as a shield in case something happened?

"It is nothing. I think the hamster is angry because I have not taken it out for walks lately."

Walks, my foot. It should be grateful that its life was spared.

The Skull Principal sneered while looking at the hamster.

Under that chilling gaze, the hamster did not dare raise its head. The hamster knew the other party's cruelty all too well.

The only reason that young mage could complain openly in front of the Skull Principal was because he possessed the privilege of being a disciple.

If an outsider, especially a former magical criminal, acted insolently, there was no telling what miserable fate would follow.

"Principal. Let me make this clear, I merely offered some advice..."

I raided the Sanguros bastards' hideouts you told me about. Most had already been shut down, but we achieved results in a few places.

"...Ah!"

Only then did Lee Han remember what he had reported.

Lee Han had passed the information about the evil-god worshipers that Heavenly Fire General Zbagni had given him directly to the Skull Principal.

'So that is why I was summoned.'

Lee Han relaxed.

Thinking about it, the Skull Principal was a responsible adult and someone who cared for Uman. There was no way the Skull Principal would become angry over a little advice.

Advice?

"It was nothing."

Right. I understand, Batdanaz. Now. As for what we found...

"...Wait, did you just call me Batdanaz?"

No? Wardanaz. What are you talking about?

The Skull Principal blinked the light in the eye sockets and acted as though unaware of anything. Lee Han felt suspicious, but let it pass for the moment.

"What kind of results did you achieve?"

We learned that they are highly motivated. And that they intend to make a move soon.

As soon as the report arrived, the Skull Principal mobilized the Death Knights and the nearby forces in that region to launch a surprise attack on the old holy sites.

There was nothing to be gained by delaying matters like this.

Caught off guard, the evil-god worshipers were unable to mount any proper resistance and had to abandon the old holy sites while shedding tears of blood.

A great deal of information had been destroyed during the fighting, but the experienced mages and knights read many things from the traces that remained.

The regions and cities the Sanguros Order was currently targeting, several plans they were preparing, the people they were taking an interest in...

They will have scrapped the plans by now. Still, the regions and cities they are watching should be fairly useful.

"That is good."

No. It is not good. You were among the people they were taking an interest in.

"...What?!?!!"

Lee Han was greatly shocked.

And at the same time, he thought,

'Do evil-god worshipers actually share information with each other??'

If the Frahgal Order or the Ksaksarigol Order had spread false rumors, it would make sense for the evil-god worshipers of the Sanguros Order to become needlessly wary of Lee Han.

How many times had Lee Han interfered with their work? In the case of the Frahgal Order in particular, it would not have been strange for them to grind their teeth in fury.

But Lee Han had plenty of reason to feel wronged.

'I did not interfere with them intentionally. These bastards.'

What was he supposed to do when they appeared everywhere he went and caused trouble?

He could not exactly stretch out his neck and calmly wait for them.

There is no need to be frightened already. It is not as though they have prepared an assassination plan against you.

The Skull Principal explained calmly.

If the evil-god worshipers had seriously drawn up an assassination plan, the Skull Principal would have been even more surprised.

There were still countless people throughout the Empire against whom those madmen could hold grudges. Why would they target some young brat?

The list on which the evil-god worshipers of the Sanguros Order had placed Wardanaz's name was not an assassination list.

More precisely, it was a list of people considered valuable enough to recruit or brainwash.

"......"

Among the currently enrolled students, you are the only one. Congratulations.

"Wow... Thank you."

Lee Han answered in a reluctant voice.

Even fifth- and sixth-year students had failed to make the list, yet Lee Han's name was on it.

It was more absurd than pleasing.

"What could the reason be?"

Who knows. As I have said several times, it is difficult to understand the thoughts of madmen... It might be because you defeated the Ghoul King.

"I see..."

Or the King of the Frost Giants. Or perhaps because you defeated anti-magic factions or magical criminals.

"I understand."

Lee Han answered because he did not want to hear any more.

He already understood more than enough. There were so many possibilities that it was difficult to guess which one was the reason.

Or perhaps because you are a dragon's contractor. If not that...

"I said I understand?"

Why are you getting irritated when I am explaining it to you?

As though determined to settle an old grudge while the opportunity presented itself, the Skull Principal deliberately went through every conceivable reason one by one.

"...Then what should I do from now on?"

Nothing.

"What?"

Nothing! Trying to do something in a situation like this is more dangerous.

The Skull Principal was not joking.

Those madmen valued Wardanaz quite highly. It was not entirely incomprehensible.

Several rare titles were already hanging from the boy like medals.

The more things were like this, the more Lee Han needed to act as usual. If he tried to lure the enemy or stepped forward boldly in an attempt to do something, it might have the opposite effect.

Act as though you know nothing, and behave as usual. Batdanaz. Actually, I originally intended not to tell you this information either... But knowing your personality, I thought you would cause even more trouble if I did not tell you. So I decided it would be better simply to warn you.

"...You did call me Batdanaz."

This time, Lee Han was certain. He was dumbfounded.

Hamster. You tell him. Did I just say Batdanaz?

-Y-You did not.

See? It says I did not.

'He is truly petty.'

Lee Han wondered how a great mage could be so petty.

Did the evil-god worshipers sharpening their blades while regarding the Skull Principal as their mortal enemy even know that their enemy was this petty?

After cursing the principal inwardly, Lee Han stopped and decided to finish asking the important question first.

"Principal. Does Professor Bagreg know about this?"

No. I have not told Professor Bagreg yet.

"...Then may I tell Professor Bagreg?"

Hmm.

Surprisingly, instead of answering immediately, the Skull Principal fell into deep thought. It did not suit the great mage, who normally answered without hesitation.

Decide for yourself.

"What?"

I am telling you to judge whether you should say it. If you think Professor Voladi will remain calm after hearing it, then tell Professor Voladi. If not, do not.

"What kind of..."

Lee Han was about to protest in disbelief when he realized that the Skull Principal was serious.

Honestly, I am still uncertain about Professor Voladi. Because of that, I even considered excluding Professor Voladi entirely. In the end, I allowed Professor Voladi to participate, but... In any case, it might be better if you tell Professor Voladi rather than me. It sounds absurd, but strangely enough, there are occasionally people who ignore the words of a master they should revere like the heavens, yet listen to their disciple.

"I think you would be better at judging that than I would, Principal."

Lee Han honestly lacked confidence.

How would Professor Voladi react if Lee Han reported, 'Professor! My name has been placed on the evil-god worshipers' recruitment list!'?

Professor Voladi certainly would not feel proud. The response would probably be either a blunt nod or a suggestion to strike first...

But the Skull Principal acted as though the matter were bothersome and allowed no further objections.

I trust you. You should trust yourself as well. With your abilities, Batdanaz, you will be able to judge.

"...If you keep calling me Batdanaz, I will report you to the inspector."

***

'Why is Wardanaz staring so intently?'

Professor Kirmin Ku, who was conducting the third-year second-semester lecture, <Basics of Spirit-Body Clones>, felt puzzled.

Of course, this was not an especially easy lecture.

Many mages could create simple clones, but few could create truly advanced ones.

It was easy to use elemental power or a simple illusion to create a hollow clone resembling a phantom.

However, making that clone behave like a real person or possess physical texture was an entirely different matter.

To accomplish that, a mage first had to recognize the mage's own soul, then become capable of dividing or separating it freely.

...But today's lecture only covered the basic theory of the soul?

'Was Wardanaz not already capable of sensing souls last semester?'

Wondering whether that had been a mistake, Professor Kirmin Ku looked back, only to find Wardanaz still staring intently.

Deep concern flickered in the boy's eyes.

After thinking for a moment, Professor Kirmin Ku called Lee Han.

"Wardanaz."

"Yes?"

"I know what you are thinking."

"Really?!"

Lee Han was surprised.

Had Professor Kirmin Ku perhaps heard about the matter separately from the Skull Principal?

Come to think of it, Professor Voladi did not appear to have many friends. Even that was putting it kindly. Lee Han was not sure Professor Voladi had any friends other than the professor standing before him.

"You are concentrating because you intend to cast a soul clone immediately. Am I right? But I would not recommend it. Recognizing the soul is difficult enough, and dividing or separating it freely is even more difficult."

Professor Kirmin Ku explained kindly.

The illusion magic school was one of the rare schools in Einroguard whose professor was kind. It could not even be compared to the enchantment magic school or the healing magic school.

Professor Verdus would have immediately pushed Lee Han forward and told him to try it, but Professor Kirmin Ku did not.

Casting the spell was not even the goal of this lecture in the first place. As the name suggested, the goal was merely to lay the foundations.

"That is not what I was thinking."

"It was not?"

Professor Kirmin Ku was slightly flustered.

With outstanding skill in illusion magic and a natural racial ability on top of that, Professor Kirmin Ku had rarely failed to read another person's emotions.

But the boy before the professor was an exception. Lee Han's enormous mana acted as anti-magic armor simply through its existence.

"Then why were you thinking so deeply?"

"Professor. By any chance..."

"Yes. Speak freely, Wardanaz."

"Is there any way to find out what Professor Bagreg is thinking?"

"...I think you spoke a little too freely, Wardanaz. Focus on the lecture first!"

Professor Kirmin Ku reprimanded Lee Han in disbelief. The professor felt that the concern had been wasted.