Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 9 (Patreon)

Chapter 09

It wasn't just the mages who could manipulate mana. A swordsman, who had spent his life swinging a sword, had learned to condense mana and overlay it upon his blade. This was the realm of aura!

Such an impressive and flamboyant technique attracted many noble scions to learn swordsmanship. Even families that produce mages were no exception. Therefore, when Yi-Han first expressed his desire to learn swordsmanship, Arlong thought to himself, ‘Ah, he wishes to learn the aura. He will be disappointed when he learns the truth.’

Arlong was a strict knight. He didn't voluntarily reveal the truth, thinking Yi-Han would soon give up on his own. However, Yi-Han persevered remarkably well, and a satisfied Arlong decided to tell him the truth himself. But Arlong was quite perplexed when he found out Yi-Han had little interest in aura.

-"I thought it was enough to train oneself and defend one's body,"- Yi-Han had said.

Caught off guard, Arlong couldn't help but admire Yi-Han's words. It was a maturity beyond his years.

Such a sincere attitude towards learning swordsmanship!

-"In truth, Young Master Yi-Han, you too can wield the aura, someday."-

-"No... I'm not interested in aura. I just want to be a mage..."-

-"Aura cannot be realized just by swinging a sword for a year or two. But if you continue as I have taught, you may one day grasp it."-

-"I just want to be able to protect myself. I prefer to live in the office."-

Nevertheless, Yi-Han diligently followed Arlong's instructions. He wasn't aiming to become a swordmaster or awaken the aura; he just thought training couldn't hurt.

—

...and now, the results were showing.

‘Is this what it feels like?’ Yi-Han was surprised at himself.

Predicting and striking the pig's movements accurately with his staff was not surprising. He had learned the technique after getting hit by Arlong countless times.

The staff provided by the magic academy were sturdy enough to be used as clubs. But when he hit the pig, he felt the surrounding mana flicker and gather in his staff. It was a sensation he had never felt while practicing with a sword.

‘Is this because I started learning magic?’

Was this the realization Arlong had spoken of? The natural gathering of mana in a weapon. Of course, it was laughable to call this level of power aura. To form aura, mana must be gathered and condensed. But even that was enough. Attacks imbued with mana were far more destructive than mere swings.

Grunt…

Indeed, the ferocious pig staggered and collapsed with a single blow.

Nillia, who had been watching, looked at Yi-Han in disbelief.

‘Did I miss something? Did he use magic?’

Magic was vast, with spells to enhance strength and agility. But such magic was too advanced for a freshman like Yi-Han.

"Did you take it down!?"

"It seems I did."

Yi-Han lowered his staff and checked the mutant pig's breath. It was certainly dead.

Yonaire, supported by Yi-Han, stood up, bemused.

"Is this really okay for a class?"

"I've been wondering that since we met the principal."

Despite the secrets of alchemy lying deep in nature, it was absurd for freshmen, barely versed in magic, to face such monsters. Though it appeared to be just a pig, its power could have shattered a thick tree without surprise.

Yi-Han seriously contemplated, 'Should I drop Alchemy class?'

Assuming the professors of this magic academy were somewhat insane, he calculated the probability of death. It seemed that attending classes outside the classroom might be safer than inside. He had thought it would be an easy class, but encountering a monster now hinted at more challenging times ahead.

"We might even be sent deeper into the forest to collect troll saliva or something," Yi-Han mused.

"Ugh..."

Yonaire, too, seemed to ponder upon hearing Yi-Han's words, furrowing her brow. He wanted to open an Alchemy workshop, but not at the cost of her life.

"Wait... You're not planning to skip future classes, are you?" Nillia urgently asked.

Her circle of friends was already sparse. Losing the only two friends she had made would mean enduring the loneliness of Alchemy classes alone.

"You're not going to do that, right!? Both of you are members of the Blue Dragon. Don't you have any pride in that?"

"I don't," Yi-Han replied.

"I tend to prioritize practicality over honor," Yonaire added.

Nillia felt utterly dejected at the words of the two nobles.

"Fine, do whatever you want!"

"Why are you getting upset?"

"Yeah, it's not like we've decided to skip classes for sure."

"Really?"

Just as Nillia turned to ask, a familiar cry echoed.

-...!

"...Seems like another one has appeared."

"...Maybe we just won't attend..."

—

What the trio discovered upon rushing over was another mutant pig, similar to the one they had just confronted.

Realizing there was more than one such creature in the area, Yi-Han quickly concluded, "We should stop attending these classes."

"Hey...!"

"This doesn't seem like the right time to argue about that..."

Yonaire pointed downwards. The pig was not alone and was threatening a group of unfortunate students.

'Six of them,' Yi-Han noted.

Princess Adenart was among the six, in a much better situation than Yi-Han's group.

"They'll probably manage on their own, won't they?"

"Uh?"

Yonaire glanced at Yi-Han, then back down, and again at Yi-Han.

"Really?"

"Let those guys handle it," Nillia muttered grudgingly.

She didn't have a favorable view of Adenart's entourage of followers - a proud princess and her sycophants!

"I'll take it on!"

One of the six stepped forward, a noble Yi-Han recognized from the dormitory.

"Who is that?"

Yi-Han had seen his face but didn't immediately recognize him. He knew the noble families of the empire but not their children's faces.

"Asan Dargard."

"Ah, from the Dargard family."

"...You know the family but not the face?"

Yonaire was puzzled.

While the Wardanaz family traditionally served as advisors to the emperor, the Dargard family had historically held positions as the empire's chancellors or treasurers. A family renowned for their excellent and precise work.

"If he's from the Dargard family, he might be reliable."

"Yeah. Unlike Gainando, he seems capable."

"?"

Nillia tilted her head, wondering if they were talking about the prince.

Asan, tall and lean, took a confident stance with his staff, showing he was well-trained in swordsmanship. Great warriors have a way of recognizing each other.

"Asan Dargard has learned swordsmanship," Yi-Han noted.

"Indeed... If that's the case, it should be fine," Yonaire replied, visibly relieved.

He did not wish any harm upon the six below. Asan, gripping his staff, took aim at the pig.

"I have read your movements 100%," he declared.

With a step, he continued, "You cannot escape my prediction, pig!"

Another step, each as precise as if measured by a ruler. Yi-Han was slightly impressed.

'Is he a human calculator?'

The swordsmanship in the empire was as varied as its magic. There were strong, heavy styles; fast, light ones; and complex, intricate ones...

And as Arlong had mentioned, there was also a style like Asan's.

-“A geometrical swordsmanship based on complex mathematical calculations, creating shapes around oneself with each step…”-

-“Oh, that looks interesting. Can I learn it?”-

-“...What!? You find it interesting!? Doesn't it seem like a madman's swordsmanship?”-

Arlong, unfamiliar with such a style, had only taught what he knew, but watching Asan move with his staff reminded him of it. Methodical!

-...!

As Asan provoked the pig with his steps, the pig seemed angered and charged.

Asan, like a matador, sidestepped and viciously jabbed the pig's side with his staff.

"Ha!"

-...!

Bang!

And then Asan was sent flying.

The enraged pig had executed a sudden brake and lunge to the side.

"..."

"..."

The impact, though not a direct hit, was substantial. Asan rolled on the ground.

"Drat. My calculations were off..."

"Just a guy who's worked hard at swordsmanship, it seems..." Yi-Han muttered.

Apparently, Asan had diligently trained in swordsmanship but lacked real combat experience. That explained his decent stance but failure to anticipate the charging pig's attack.

"Let's help them."

"!"

Nillia was surprised at Yi-Han's words. She hadn't expected him to step forward in such a situation.

'Is this the nobility's dignity...?'

Unlike other nobles, who were all talk and no action, Yi-Han was ready to lead by example in a dangerous situation. Nillia was slightly moved.

"After helping, we can ask for favors in other classes. Exams and assignments too. Especially with the princess's connections."

"..."

Nillia's admiration faded.

‘Such a materialist...!’

—

Adenart gestured behind her. Without speaking, her intent was clear. The remaining four students hurriedly took cover behind Adenart. It wasn't exactly a hiding spot, but… Adenart suddenly felt a sense of solitude. She had been the one to tell them to move, but she wasn't pleased with the situation. Nonetheless, this was just another task to be accomplished.

Like all the other tasks she had perfectly executed before, Adenart intended to handle this pig flawlessly.

'Watch its breathing. When it charges...'

Thud!

With a loud noise, the pig rolled to the side.

"?!??!"

And then Yi-Han appeared behind it, exhaling a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, I wasn't noticed."

"Do you see how important it is to approach using the wind, which is moving in the opposite of it?"

"Yes. The wisdom of a hunter is impressive."

"...If we keep attending Alchemy classes, could we deepen that wisdom?"

"No. I don't want that."

"..."

Yi-Han had already made up his mind. No to Alchemy!

'I'll live in the classroom.'

Adenart momentarily froze, then soon recovered her composure and lowered her head.

"Thank you, Wardanaz."

"It's nothing, Princess."

Nillia, listening nearby, whispered in confusion, “Why use formal speech?”

“Indeed. I got swept up in the moment too.”

Although everyone was of the same age and the school's rules dictated informality regardless of status, the princess's manner of speaking had inadvertently led him to respond with formal language.

"Actually, if you think you owe me, may I ask for a favor?" Yi-Han asked.

Adenart nodded.

"Please recommend a class that's easy to score well in."

Yi-Han figured that the princess, with her wider network, would have access to more information.

That's what he thought.

"..."

For Adenart, however, the request was slightly bewildering.

What was this Wardanaz family mage asking for? Surely he wasn't looking for an easy way out of classes, or could there be another reason?

"I know of a class that's easy to get good grades in!"

Suddenly, a familiar dwarven voice chimed in from behind.

Yi-Han felt an ominous chill, reminiscent of meeting a former graduate school professor...

Thump-

As Yi-Han hastily tried to step aside, the dwarven professor, Uregor, grabbed his robe.

Then, in a cheerful voice, he announced, "That would be the Alchemy class, Wardanaz."

"..."