Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1109

Chapter 1109

"By the way, Student Yi-Han, don't reveal that Her Highness is a dragon," Professor Garcia whispered in a small voice.

Though imperial members rolled around like somewhat expensive stones in the Empire, adding 'dragon' in front made things quite different.

She was a bit afraid of how the seemingly slightly crazy Day Lily Magic Tower mages might react if they learned that fact.

"Understood. Your Highness. As you just heard, please don't reveal that you're a dragon."

"Alright!"

Jourin nodded vigorously.

Though staying in human form was stifling, she had become quite used to it thanks to practicing hard during the break. It wasn't even very difficult.

"Huhu. I prepared an alias for times like this. I'd like to be called 'Gainando'."

"...I think you could just go by Jourin for that."

Yi-Han suddenly felt embarrassed.

There was no need to imitate him even in things like this...

"Are you from Einroguard? This way please!"

A mage came running from afar and shouted hurriedly.

At the seemingly quite urgent appearance, Yi-Han asked in surprise.

"What's the matter?"

'Did we arrive late?'

If there was something important and they arrived late, this was no time to be leisurely.

Though the magic tower was somewhat responsible too for preparing such a strange act!

"Quickly! Follow me!"

The mage shouted thus then turned and ran ahead first. Yi-Han's group followed behind wondering.

"This way!"

"So what's the situa..."

Though he asked wanting to prepare magic in advance, the other only ran instead of answering. Yi-Han wore a bitter expression.

'Could this be a trap?'

He himself often used this method when deceiving people at Einroguard.

Acting extremely urgent and flustered, that confusion would infect the other party.

Bang!

The mage pushed open large birch doors leading into a hall. Then a splendid meal that had just been prepared appeared appetizingly.

Starting with silver platters piled high with fruits like grapes, pears, peaches, cherries and more, whole seasoned and roasted pigs and oxen, dozens of types of fresh and pickled fish, various syrups and sauces, oils, spices...

Steam was still rising from hot tarts that seemed just baked. A mage slurping pasta loaded with clams and pepper whispered to his colleague.

"No way, could our tower produce such dishes?"

"Shh. I'll tell just you, we called in outside chefs."

When Yi-Han's group just blinked in confusion, the mage who had guided them proudly exclaimed while wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Thank goodness! You weren't late for meal time!"

"......"

"...I-indeed. Fortunate."

Yi-Han grabbed his sanity first and answered.

However, Professor Garcia couldn't hold back and asked.

"If it was for a meal, couldn't we have come a bit more slowly?"

"What are you saying, Professor! You mustn't ignore the joy of eating freshly made food! We of the Day Lily Magic Tower never forget life's small pleasures."

'Such pretense from fellow mages...'

Professor Garcia cried inwardly.

Of course, not being a Day Lily Magic Tower mage herself, she didn't know exactly how they lived.

But one thing she could be certain of. Outstanding mages absolutely did not eat so luxuriously.

They would just throw cheese, prosciutto and figs in a bowl and make do...

"Your Highness. Let's eat slowly."

"Mmmphhh?"

"Perhaps you haven't eaten recently?"

Yi-Han wondered at Jourin eating more enthusiastically than during break.

Being a dragon, Jourin had no reason to be obsessed with food like Gainando.

"Recently I ate meals prepared by Uman..."

"...Eat plenty. Here. This tarte tatin looks delicious."

Yi-Han looked at Jourin as if finding her pitiful.

'Maybe... His Highness Uman shouldn't stay at school too long.'

Though convenient for Yi-Han, seeing Jourin now made him feel somewhat sorry.

To think even Jourin would be this hungry, let alone Gainando.

Yi-Han, who had brought plates with professors' meals too (Professor Garcia smacked the back of his hand and went to get her own), took a bite of meat pie then looked around.

The Day Lily Magic Tower mages were comfortably enjoying the rare feast, forgetting they had to act. In a way this was a positive function of this visit.

"So, what comes after this meal?"

Yi-Han asked the mage who had guided them earlier.

He understood they were welcoming them, but was gradually curious about the request.

"After this meal?"

"Yes."

"Right after... music appreciation."

"...Music magic?"

"No. Music appreciation. We at the Day Lily Magic Tower often enjoy appreciation sessions inviting some of the finest performers in the imperial capital."

'What a truly brazen lie.'

Yi-Han thought inwardly.

No matter what, wasn't this too much!

Who in the Empire would believe such lies...

"Yi-Han! Going to Day Lily Magic Tower would be better than Einroguard!"

Jourin shouted with sparkling eyes.

Though the skull principal might feel a bit hurt, Jourin thought that much couldn't be helped.

Gonadaltes was a wise great mage so he would manage well on his own!

"My, who is this wise and noble person?"

The surrounding mages cast gazes dripping with emotion and admiration at this golden-haired girl.

How could she say exactly what they wanted to hear?

"This is... Her Highness Jourin."

"Ah! An imperial member! Indeed, I thought nobility flowed from her every word and gesture!!"

"I-it's not that much..."

Jourin felt shy.

Though she had often received praise in dragon form, experiences of being praised by others while transformed into human were rare.

Receiving praise from the Day Lily Magic Tower mages, Jourin completely turned around.

"Yi-Han doesn't need to return to Einroguard!"

"Your Highness. Did you perhaps forget our conversation just now?"

Yi-Han felt slightly dumbfounded.

How could she think that while watching this evil act?

However, Jourin was unexpectedly serious.

"Of course I heard this is all prepared acting. But even accounting for that, the fact that Day Lily Magic Tower wants Yi-Han this much means it's worth choosing over Einroguard!"

"...!"

Yi-Han was startled.

To think Jourin would present such a logical argument.

And he was more bewildered because he couldn't refute it.

"What were you talking about? Why... are they all giving looks like they want to enthrone Her Highness Jourin as the new emperor?"

Professor Garcia, who had brought a whole roasted pig on a plate, tilted her head at the strange atmosphere.

Why were the mages revering Her Highness Jourin like this?

"Actually Her Highness was recommending the magic tower."

"What?! Why?!"

Professor Garcia was even more surprised than her disciple.

When Yi-Han briefly explained what happened, Professor Garcia stammered, at a loss for words.

"Th-that's wrong, Your Highness."

"In what way?"

"Well... that..."

Having complacently thought there was no way the Day Lily Magic Tower mages would steal her disciple, Professor Garcia's shock was even greater.

Surely...

Surely not...?!

'N-no. Even if Yi-Han is a dragon's contractor, he won't be persuaded right away, right?'

For now Professor Garcia looked at Professor Boladi and sent a request for help.

'Professor! Please help!'

Of course Professor Boladi didn't notice. He was quietly drinking green tea while studying a grimoire containing magic to teach next.

'Argh!'

Professor Garcia resolved to come with a different professor next time and opened her mouth.

"H-how can you trust Day Lily Magic Tower mages! All mages are liars!"

"Gasp...! I-I didn't know that!"

"......"

The Day Lily Magic Tower mages stared at Professor Garcia.

They had wondered when she rejected their proposal and stayed at Einroguard before, but indeed...

'She really is Lord Gonadaltes's faithful minion!'

'Was the professor's usually virtuous attitude a mask!'

  *

While Professor Garcia's reputation was falling, in another area of the tower, newly visiting knights were conversing.

They were knights of the White Wood Knight Order.

Knights who wandered seeking danger across the Empire with just one horse and set of armor instead of staying at headquarters in a specific region.

No matter how poor relations were between knights and mages, such a knight order had to be an exception. The Day Lily Magic Tower earnestly welcomed guests instead of issuing expulsion orders even for sudden visits.

...Though also asking them to wait a bit!

"Seems something's happening at the magic tower."

"Indeed. I've visited several times but it's never been this noisy..."

The knights spoke with slightly worried voices.

A noisy magic tower was not a good sign. It meant something big enough to fluster even experienced mages.

If they had known the fact that the tower had stopped all work and was putting on a grand act just to recruit one student, even the righteous White Wood Knight Order knights would not have been able to hold back their contempt.

"Lord Barmandam. How is the relic?"

"Quiet. Perhaps its power has drained."

The old knight, Barmandam, lightly brushed the surface of the large chest he was holding.

Though sealed wrapped in over dozens of chains, powerful waves of force could be felt from inside. It was no ordinary relic.

This relic found in the western mines had brought ominous events to the surroundings even though not yet opened.

Tunnel collapses, landslides, water contamination...

Fortunately the frightened miners quickly contacted the knight order, but if left alone it could have led to disaster.

"By the way, it's taking quite a while. Seems the magic tower is facing no simple matter."

"Hm... truly worrying. Let's ask if there's anything we can help with."

  *

-Hey.-

"?"

Yi-Han, participating in the meditation rest session (the event after music appreciation) by the lake, looked around.

It seemed someone had spoken to him.

-...The staff! It's the staff! Idiot!-

"Ah."

Only then did Yi-Han turn his gaze to the staff.

It seemed the spirit in the staff that only came out to grovel when it needed something was speaking.

"Wait. Why did you put aside manners?"

-...Now's not the time to worry about such things. There's a dangerous one nearby!-

Saratan spoke triumphantly.

Believing this rude and arrogant mage would surely change his attitude when told this information.

"A dangerous one?"

Yi-Han heard those words and glanced aside.

Did he mean Professor Boladi?

-...Not that mage! You crazy fool! Spirit! Spirit!!-

"You bastard. You keep being rude? Want to meet my master once?"

-Ah, no. I'm sorry, Sir Mage... that... it's urgent...-

Saratan shrank back again. Then wondered inwardly.

Huh?

'Why am I groveling...? I'm the one with the information...?'