Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1052

Chapter 1052

"But it makes sense, doesn't it?"

The skull principal was dumbfounded at his disciple taking sides, befitting a dragon's contractor.

"You say it makes sense. There must be over a hundred safe places in the empire, so why Einroguard specifically?"

"Because there are many mages, Your Excellency Magic Administrator is there, and it starts with 'E'."

"Then we could send her to Erindarbell's estate."

"But you're not there, Principal."

The skull principal swung his staff to hit his annoying disciple but Yi-Han had already predicted it and created distance.

Teaching an outstanding disciple was a master's joy, but sometimes when they were too outstanding it could turn to anger.

The skull principal controlled his emotions and spoke.

"Fine. It doesn't matter even if you insist."

"?"

"His Majesty won't allow it."

Originally the emperor was quite reluctant to send Jourin to Einroguard. He judged she would interfere with the students' education.

"She doesn't seem to..."

"Quiet."

Indeed Jourin, being both a dragon and imperial family member, could disrupt Einroguard's diligent atmosphere.

Moreover, hadn't Jourin used deception that would go down in imperial history last semester?

"If His Majesty refuses, we'll have to move her somewhere else. The imperial palace would be good. Try persuading her."

"Does she dislike going to the imperial palace?"

Yi-Han wondered.

If Einroguard was rejected, the imperial palace seemed like the best option.

It was close being in the same capital, had powerful allies and support forces, and most importantly had family.

"Of course she dislikes it. She'd only have to study there."

The emperor absolutely did not tolerate arbitrary behavior or tyranny even from his children.

The current capital imperial palace was like the heart of imperial administration where countless officials came and went.

In such a place, randomly opening rooms and saying 'Play with Jourin!' would only earn severe scolding.

With only ancient books and reports to read, and only joyful document analysis with officials to do...

'No wonder she dislikes it.'

"If we send her to such a place she might resent me later. Isn't there somewhere more fun?"

"You speak nonsense. There's nothing good about exposing Her Highness to the empire's ambitious ones."

The skull principal spoke seriously.

If ambitious ones flocked even to children not of the emperor's pure bloodline, it went without saying for Jourin's case.

"And this is advice for you too. If Her Highness becomes widely known, who do you think people will target?"

"The Principal?"

"...Did I make the contract or did you?"

The skull principal explained while enduring the urge to hit his disciple. Yi-Han finally realized.

'Ah. That's certainly true.'

In terms of fame he had thought they would flock to the skull principal since he was so famous, but thinking about it, Yi-Han was the contractor.

If they wanted to draw Jourin into their faction, they were more likely to approach Yi-Han himself rather than the skull principal.

"Hmm. But forcing her to a boring place just because of that is a bit..."

While speaking, a paper bird flew in. It was the reply to the contact sent to the emperor.

The skull principal unfolded the letter to show Jourin.

"Look, Your Highness. His Majesty says it's not allow..."

-?-

"?"

-?-

Everyone present wondered. Jourin blinked and asked.

-It says it's allowed though?-

Surprisingly, the letter had approval written in elegant handwriting. The skull principal's smooth face crumpled like paper.

"...His Majesty must have lost his mind."

"Principal. Your inner thoughts are leaking out."

"Those aren't inner thoughts."

"..."

Though the skull principal usually showed respect toward the emperor since he had brought him in, this time was different.

Why on earth would he allow sending her to Einroguard?

"Could it be because of Yi-Han?"

Professor Garcia carefully suggested.

Recently Jourin had been growing mentally very quickly.

With a contractor too, perhaps she wouldn't interfere with Einroguard students that much?

"No. His Majesty would have surely considered Wardanaz too."

The skull principal expressed denial.

Of course, he himself agreed that Jourin was becoming smarter.

With a contractor too, she wouldn't cause major incidents.

But it would be quite a burden on the contractor who had to take care of her.

The emperor wasn't someone who would sacrifice a student for his child's enjoyment. Even if it was just one person.

"What if he thought that level wouldn't be much burden for Yi-Han's ability?"

"...Professor..."

Yi-Han was dumbfounded.

What kind of nonsensical speculation was that?

"Though plausible, His Majesty doesn't seem like he would. Strange. There must be something I don't know..."

The skull principal pondered with a serious expression. He looked several times more serious than when talking about the evil god order appearing earlier.

'No. Is Jourin going to Einroguard something to ponder so seriously?'

Regardless, Jourin flapped her wings excitedly.

-So exciting! Going to Einroguard!-

"It's not over yet, Your Highness. I'll go check directly with His Majesty."

The skull principal persisted tenaciously.

He wondered if there might be some deception in the letter like last time.

Of course, Jourin didn't care at all.

-Einroguard!! Isn't Yi-Han excited too?!-

"Yes, yes."

-Wow! Einroguard!-

"Your Highness. Please don't pull the chain. Your Highness?"

Jourin excitedly grabbed the chain connected to Yi-Han's still unfastened handcuffs and walked forward.

Seeing that gruesome sight, Professor Garcia inwardly firmly resolved to confiscate them immediately once they were removed.

  *

The bizarre villa in the capital that had recently passed ownership to the Wardanaz boy.

Originally it had been a place where only ghost and evil spirit sounds were heard without any human presence, but now was different.

Lively bustle from various mages' work flowed throughout the entire villa.

"Is the end room on second floor repaired?"

"No water comes out. Seems there's a mistake in the connection."

"Can't we just use magic to summon water when needed?"

"Are you crazy? Has hanging around Wardanaz made you lose your mind? Want to collapse from exhaustion making water?"

"...Just connect it. Just connect it!"

As the White Tiger Tower student grumbled and went down, Salko looked around the villa building from outside with a pleased expression.

The building that was so bizarre at first was gradually regaining a proper appearance.

'After finishing the end room repair on second floor, need to repaint beside the chimney. That looks like magic contamination traces, should I make new potions...'

"Tutanta. Have you heard about the metalworking workshop here? Would it be okay to take commissions?"

"The pay isn't very good there. The nearby carpentry guild would be better."

"Oh dear. If it was good I was planning to handle commissions here during second semester..."

"Granden City would be better. Being closer distance would be advantageous after all."

Commissions coming into Einroguard were largely divided into two types.

One was commissions directly visited and entrusted to students then picked up. Mostly production and analysis types fell into this category.

The other was commissions requiring Einroguard students to go out themselves. Usually search and subjugation types fell into this category.

Naturally the former was much more numerous. Shrewd students were already trying to secure such commissions in advance.

"Indeed. Since Granden City guilds are closer, will they entrust more often?"

"That's right."

"But for Granden City guilds, wouldn't they entrust to Wardanaz?"

"..."

Salko flinched at the unexpected point.

And it started feeling subtly plausible.

'...Could it be?!'

Granden City near Einroguard was already in a state where rumors about Yi-Han had spread extensively.

"What nonsense. Does Wardanaz have a hundred bodies? To take all that."

Asan passing by spoke as if finding it pathetic.

Hearing those words, Salko came to his senses. Thinking carefully, it was nonsense.

'How could I foolishly fall for a White Tiger Tower guy's words!'

"But Wardanaz takes all schools too. Doesn't that mean he can take all commissions..."

"..."

"..."

Salko and Asan couldn't accept the fact that they were speechless before a mere White Tiger Tower student.

How could this be?

"I'm back."

Fortunately Yi-Han saved them.

Having finished his outing, Yi-Han opened the main gate and came inside.

"Wardanaz!"

"Wow. You fixed all this? Amazing."

Yi-Han was greatly surprised at the villa mansion's exterior that had changed again in the meantime.

To think repairs would be this fast.

'...Wait. Should I pay compensation?'

He wondered if he could just pass it by when his friends worked so hard.

'How much should I pay? Surely the standard market rate...'

"...Aah!!!"

When Asan screamed, Yi-Han startled.

Could his shameful inner thoughts of trying to somehow save on compensation have been exposed?

"Th-there...! There! Wardanaz!"

"Ah."

Yi-Han understood why his friend had screamed.

Jourin in human form following with Professor Garcia had revealed herself behind him.

"I understand being surprised. She visited the mansion and wanted to come play."

"Not that! Behind that!"

Asan shouted as if frustrated.

He hadn't screamed in surprise at Jourin.

Though he was surprised, having met her last semester he wasn't that surprised.

The reason Asan was surprised was right behind.

Einroguard's principal, returned to skeleton form, was floating and flying in.

"Ah. The Principal? We met at the mansion so came together."

"...There are other things to come together with...!"

Asan trembled.

Seeing his friend speak so casually as if picking up a roadside stone made him want to grab his collar.

'Even for Wardanaz isn't this crazy?!'

"Aah!"

"Kyaah!"

"Kyaaah!"

Friends belatedly discovering the skeleton burst into screams from all around the villa.

He was the worst opponent one could see in this villa.

I thought there'd be nothing enjoyable today but I was wrong. All the empire's fools are gathered here.

The skull principal sneered while thinking quite many had gathered.

Einroguard students were like grains of sand, so seeing them clumped together like this was very rare.

-Where is Professor Boladi?-

"He stepped out briefly."

-Where to?-

"Uh... I think he said he was going to get more wanted posters since he ran out."

......

The skull principal inwardly sighed at his absent disciple during this time.

What an annoyingly diligent disciple.

-Follow him. Wardanaz.-

"What? Me?"

-...Have you already forgotten what I said earlier? Then who should follow? Should this ironhead follow?-

When the skull principal pointed at himself, Gainando grumbled.

"I'm not iron anymore though."

"Even if it's Professor Bagrak, he'd probably find it suspicious if I suddenly followed now..."

-?-

"?"

The skull principal and Gainando both expressed puzzlement at the same time.

What would be suspicious?

"What would be suspicious about what, Yi-Han?"

"...Well, if I suddenly showed interest in bounty hunting, he'd probably find it suspi..."

The skull principal and Gainando burst into loud laughter at the same time. Yi-Han glared at Gainando with eyes full of betrayal.