Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

Chapter 652

"Why are you all acting like this?"

Siana was flustered by the lukewarm response.

"Priestess Siana. Did you perhaps not see any knights on your way here?"

"I saw them. They were guarding the western garden, weren't they? They said the golems were causing trouble..."

"Still? Ah. Anyway, that's not important, those are all the people you'll be greeting at the mansion."

"..."

"..."

Siana and Dolgyu fell silent.

"Don't joke around."

"I'm not joking..."

Yi-Han became slightly dejected.

Should he have kept Arsil here?

But he felt it wouldn't have made much difference even if he had. It's not like adding one person would make the place crowded, would it?

"It's not a joke. Those people there are everyone."

"We've been here the whole time too."

"...Wh-what about visiting the towns around the mansion?"

"Udamhwa Town that Priestess Siana stopped by on the way was the last town."

Siana, who belatedly realized the truth, mumbled something while chewing her lips, then clapped her hands.

"There might not be any towns!"

"It would be strange if there weren't any..."

When Gainando spoke from the side, Siana snapped sharply.

"Then Mr. Gainando, you go home."

"Ah, no. That's not what I meant. It's just strange... No. It's not even strange. I have no complaints."

Fearing he might be chased out alone, Gainando hurriedly changed his words.

"But it's not that strange, is it?"

Yi-Han looked around at his friends and asked.

Of course, while there were no towns within the territory and few people in the mansion, Yi-Han had a bit of hope.

Wouldn't there be a few families among the numerous families in the empire that were stranger than the Wardanaz family?

"...That's right! It's not strange!"

"This could happen. The virtue of the empire starts with respecting the traditions of families with different cultures and customs."

Yi-Han felt relieved at his friends' reactions.

Seeing this, it seemed it wasn't that bad after all.

'That's a relief.'

"But leaving right away is a bit much, so let's stay for a few days before going."

Siana suddenly became curious and asked,

"Then what have you all been doing here?"

"Studying magic."

"Gathering herbs."

"Exploring ruins."

"...Shall we just leave tomorrow?"

***

Three days later, Yi-Han and his friends left the territory by carriage under Alcicle's guidance.

In fact, there were a few disagreements in deciding the destination.

-How about Illeinas City? It's a beautiful place where you can see the western sea of the empire. The scenery is beautiful and the climate is warm, so nobles often come too.- ＲＡNՕʙÊȘ

-Uh, Mr. Pengerin. If my memory is correct, isn't that the city next to the magic academy Baldurguard?-

-That's right?-

-Booo! Baldurguard!-

-Is there any reason to go where Baldurguard bastards will be swarming?-

-I don't know about anything else, but Baldurguard students specifically...-

-...-

Alcicle, who had recommended it without much thought, was flustered by the students' intense reactions.

-Why? You wouldn't have had any reason to fight with Baldurguard students yet...-

-We just don't like them!-

-...-

Surprisingly, Einroguard students harbored resentment towards Baldurguard students for no reason.

It was because while they were chewing and swallowing hard bread while being attacked by the skull principal, Baldurguard students were elegantly enjoying course meals and going on outings to the western coast of the empire on weekends.

-How about Granden City?-

-Booo! We don't like anywhere near Einroguard!-

-Yi-Han. I understand that Granden City is good for work, but there seems to be no reason to go to a city close to Einroguard during winter break.-

-I agree too. Yi-Han. There are many larger and more prosperous cities.-

Several options came up, such as Isran City (a southern coastal city visited last year that Yonaire wanted to visit again), Shantma City (a city visited by all kinds of people as it was a transportation hub in the western empire, which Siana wanted to visit), and the imperial capital (Nillia wanted to see the imperial palace, but Yi-Han dissuaded her), but in the end, Flaher City was chosen by drawing lots.

A dazzlingly prosperous commercial city in the central empire and the city where Gainando's family mansion was located!

"Wow! Guys! Look at this road! Unlike other regions, Flaher City's roads use black spirit stone! Thanks to this, carriages can travel comfortably without shaking!"

When Gainando pointed outside the carriage excitedly, his friends were puzzled.

"This Wardanaz family carriage already has shock absorption magic..."

"Unlike other regions, Flaher City's roadside trees have contracts with light spirits. So people can easily come and go even in the evening. Yi-Han. Isn't it amazing?"

"...Y-yeah. It's amazing."

The other friends subtly averted their gazes.

They judged that if they accidentally made eye contact with Gainando here, they might become sacrifices to the excited prince.

"Yi-Han. Look at those people riding horses! That's the minstrel Paparia! The most famous minstrel in Flaher City!"

'Who is that again?'

For Yi-Han, who even confused Ipadour, one of the most renowned minstrels in the empire, a city minstrel was difficult to remember.

"That's ■■ of the ■■■ family, and that's ■■ of the ■■ Guild, and that's ■■..."

Yi-Han felt like his friend was using mental magic, as the words weren't entering his ears.

"What's that?"

As he reached out his hand, pointing at anything to change the subject, there was a flag emblem at the end that looked familiar.

Alcicle, who was reading a book titled from the side, opened his mouth.

"That's the Baldurguard flag."

"..."

"...Uh, why?!"

"What do you mean why? Baldurguard students probably didn't want to stay in Illeinas City until winter break either. What's strange about coming to a big city like Flaher City for vacation?"

"..."

Gainando made an expression as if he had been caught off guard. His friends immediately poured out criticism.

"To bring us to a place swarming with Baldurguard students!"

"I thought it was suspicious, this spy bastard!"

"Mr. Gainando, please get off the carriage and walk!"

"E-everyone. The prince must have had good intentions..."

While his friends were cursing, Yi-Han looked with interest at the carriage with the Baldurguard flag.

'Baldurguard students certainly have a different culture.'

Yi-Han didn't carry an Einroguard flag when spending breaks outside of school.

Apart from being embarrassing, he felt like it might unnecessarily invite trouble.

However, Baldurguard students truly loved their school, as they not only hung flags on their carriages but also engraved emblems on the carriage walls and even wore uniforms and coats with emblems (not Einroguard's rough rag uniforms, but uniforms made of the finest velvet from the southern empire).

Yi-Han didn't particularly hold a grudge against Baldurguard students.

What fault did Baldurguard students have when it was Yi-Han's fault for being unluckily dragged to Einroguard?

However, seeing the Baldurguard students smiling brightly and putting on airs, something boiled up from deep inside his heart for no reason.

'Was I such a narrow-minded person?'

"Professor Tosre said to try conducting research with an external magic tower this time, I was so surprised. The mage from there was of slave origin! No matter what, to tell me to do magic research with someone of slave origin. A proposal that doesn't consider my family's honor and face at all!"

"That's too much! To think Professor Tosre was such a rude person."

"I refused right on the spot."

"Well done. Well done! By the way, did you get tickets for the ball game this time? This game will be really amazing. You absolutely can't miss it! There's a rumor that a rock drake will appear!"

"Don't worry. I've already got them."

"Oh! How did you get them so quickly?"

"I used some of the support funds I received from my family."

"Hahaha! You're something else! Then what are you planning to research this year?"

"Those who say they need gold coins to do research are incompetent mages! I can do research even without gold coins. Above all, if I miss the opportunity to watch a ball game with friends, where would I get inspiration?"

"That's right, that's right! Is magic important? Life is important!"

The Baldurguard mages laughed and left.

Yi-Han quietly turned his gaze inward.

Gainando, feeling wronged for being attacked by his friends, tattled to Yi-Han.

"Yi-Han. Yi-Han! There might be some Baldurguard students in the city, but to make such a fuss over that..."

"Hey. If Baldurguard students pick a fight, hit back immediately. Don't back down at all."

"...?!!"

His friends were surprised to see Yi-Han's blazing eyes.

What on earth had happened?!

***

Gainando's family, the Kraha family, was one of the most prominent families even in the big city of Flaher City.

As such, it was natural for his friends to stay at Gainando's mansion.

"Guys. Listen well. When we wake up tomorrow, first we'll play mage card games in the 3rd Mage Card Room, then watch a play in the 2nd Theater Room, then listen to a performance in the 1st Concert Hall, then have a simple meal, and then go out with me..."

"..."

"...Miss Maykin. Could we perhaps stay at the Maykin family mansion?"

"N-no! No!"

When his friends tried to leave en masse from the start, Gainando threw his whole body to block them.

"What are you unsatisfied with!"

"It's insanely packed..."

Nillia looked at Gainando as if she couldn't believe it.

Even Shadow Patrol hunters probably wouldn't play so harshly.

"Okay. Okay! I'll take out the mage card game. Is that enough?!"

Gainando shouted as if he was really making a concession.

Of course, his friends didn't fall for it.

"Miss Maykin."

"Th-then everyone except Yi-Han can go."

At those words, Yi-Han became serious.

He didn't want to handle that schedule alone without his friends.

"Wait, everyone calm down."

Yonaire calmed her friends.

"Gainando probably won't be able to play as he said."

"I will?! Who are you to say that!"

Gainando bristled.

He had been dreaming of this perfect plan since the punishment room, and now his rude relative was trying to ruin it.

"In the afternoon, an illusion mage will come and we'll play a game of finding hidden treasure!"

'Wouldn't that not work on me?'

While Yi-Han was thinking that, Yonaire shrugged her shoulders.

"It would be better to stop now."

"I won't stop. Even if the principal blocks my way!"

Nillia muttered,

"If only he showed such courage when at school..."

"Then there's no helping it."

Yonaire didn't say any more. Gainando suddenly felt uneasy.

What was it?

As the carriage arrived at the mansion, Gainando's mother, wearing a veil, walked out from inside as if she had been waiting.

It was to avoid sweeping the surroundings with brilliant light like last time.

"I'm really glad to see you all. When Gainando said he was coming to the mansion with friends, I didn't think there would be this many... Are they all friends?"

Gainando's mother whispered to Yonaire.

Yonaire nodded. The parties involved might think a bit differently, but at this point, they all seemed to be friends.

At that answer, Gainando's mother was surprised.

It was surprising enough that he had made friends with the Wardanaz family, but to bring such a diverse group of friends.

She wondered if Gainando had awakened some ability his mother didn't know about.

"By the way, Lady Kraha. Gainando..."

Yonaire reported Gainando's evil plan from earlier exactly as it was.

Gainando's mother stared at Gainando. Feeling the pressure even through the veil, Gainando froze on the spot.

"Wh-what's the matter?"

Snap!

The family servants came out and grabbed Gainando's arms. Sensing his miserable fate, Gainando called for Yi-Han.

"Yi-Han! Yi-Han! There are villains here trying to drag me away!"

"Welcome to the mansion. I hope you all have a good stay."

"Thank you for welcoming us, Lady Kraha."

"Traitors! You traitors!!"

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