Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy
chapter-538

"Music magic?"

Professor Bagrak asked, looking at Yi-Han.

His face was expressionless, but surprisingly, a subtle shock was felt within it.

It was as if he was saying, 'You're learning such trashy magic, what have I done wrong for you to rebel like this?'

A similar thing had happened in the Blue Dragon Tower.

-Gainando! Th-that’s blood, right? Don't tell me you used some evil secret technique because we banned card games...?-

Of course, what was all over Gainando's clothes was not blood but jam, but anyway, the emotions shown by his friends and Professor Bagrak were similar.

"Professor. I can explain."

Yi-Han spoke as quickly as possible.

Just as he had prevented Gainando from being dragged to the punishment room by explaining that it was jam, not blood, Yi-Han also had to explain as quickly as possible to prevent being attacked by Professor Bagrak.

"Music magic probably won't be of much help."

"...That's actually because it had a weakness!"

Yi-Han spoke about what had happened today in as much detail as possible, and exaggerated it.

The desperation that he might be attacked if he couldn't properly convince him of the advantages of music magic overwhelmed Yi-Han.

At that lengthy explanation, Ipadour looked at Yi-Han with moved eyes.

'He's so interested in music magic...'

The Wardanaz family was known to have little interest in arts like music, but this boy was definitely different.

Ipadour vowed to do his best to help the passion for music that this boy from the Wardanaz family had.

If other famous performers or minstrels in the empire heard that the boy from the Wardanaz family was so passionate about music, they would also be interested and help.

"...So that's how it was!"

"I see."

Professor Bagrak nodded as if he understood.

'Did it work?'

"Then can't you just learn command magic?"

'It didn't work.'

Yi-Han criticized his arrogant self, who thought it was over just now.

There were still remnants of arrogance in his heart that he shouldn't have at Einroguard.

"The principal said it would take this long to learn command magic."

Yi-Han raised one finger. Professor Bagrak spoke without being surprised.

"Of course, if you dig deep into command magic, it can take close to a thousand years."

"..."

Yi-Han was shocked that a 0 had been added.

The skull principal had been trying to deceive Yi-Han slyly.

"But if you can just infuse mana into words, it's a different story. Not proper command magic, but a simplified form specialized for combat..."

"That's why I'm trying to learn music magic!"

Yi-Han felt a sense of crisis and interrupted Professor Bagrak's words.

"I'm trying to overcome the limitations of command magic in my own way through music magic!"

"Hmm."

Professor Bagrak fell silent.

Yi-Han was extremely tense because he couldn't tell what the other person was thinking. The baby basilisk in his sleeve made a hissing sound.

'Endure it. You'll lose.'

Unfortunately, even if the baby basilisk attacked Professor Bagrak, it didn't seem like it would win.

It would be difficult even if it became an adult...

"I still think command magic is a better choice, but I won't stop you from challenging it."

In Professor Bagrak's opinion, a good teacher was someone who supported what the disciple wanted as much as possible.

He was still skeptical about music magic, but if his disciple wanted to challenge it, he had no intention of stopping him.

Who knows, a new magic that the professor himself didn't know might emerge?

"Thank you, Professor. I will do my best to repay your trust."

"I understand. Did you rest well outside?"

"Yes. It was enjoyable."

An ordinary student would have ended it here, but Yi-Han, a pro student, added one more thing.

"But even during that time, the magic I had to practice came to mind, so I felt anxious."

Ipadour admired Yi-Han's inner thoughts without knowing.

There was such a diligent genius in the world!

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

"...?"

When Professor Bagrak checked the time for a moment, Yi-Han felt an ominous feeling.

Come to think of it, Professor Bagrak was not an ordinary professor, but a pro professor.

"There's time left until bedtime, so I'll help you practice."

"..."

Yi-Han, who had underestimated the pro professor, bit his lip.

"But I have dinner plans with Mr. Ipadour..."

"No, no. It's alright. Student Wardanaz. Don't worry about this old man and devote yourself to magic. I was really grateful just for your help today."

'Are all minstrels bastards?'

Yi-Han thought he knew why the Wardanaz family didn't show much interest in music.

***

Although Professor Bagrak was interested in all the magic schools Yi-Han was learning, what he was most immersed in recently was the shape transformation of the lightning element.

The lightning element belonged to a quite unique category among the elements.

Its uncontrollable destructive power and indefinite form.

But conversely, if one could control the lightning element as easily as the water element...

"You gain an advantage in combat."

As Professor Bagrak spun a spear made of lightning, the baby basilisk made a sobbing sound.

It was clear that it had lost confidence in defeating that mage.

"But Professor. Is it necessary to use the lightning element in general one-on-one combat?"

Even the water element, which was evaluated as having relatively low destructive power, could be used destructively if applied well.

Just look at Eumidiphos, who did all sorts of things with water element magic, from steam explosions to body fluid control.

"Good question. Usually, lightning magic using shape transformation is useful when dealing with powerful mages."

Professor Bagrak calmly explained.

Among mages, those skilled in defensive magic could block all the water element magic or other projectile magic that Yi-Han launched.

At such times, this kind of close combat was unexpectedly effective.

Moreover, the lightning element was not a common magic, so it was even more difficult to prepare for.

'...Usually, if they can block all that, they're a mage several levels above me, so should I be the one dealing with them?'

Shouldn't the professors be the ones dealing with them at that point?

Yi-Han had such doubts but quietly endured them.

"Take this."

The professor held out a heavy silver lump.

Surprised by the unexpected gift, Yi-Han exclaimed.

"Thank you!! I will cherish and use it well!"

"...?"

Professor Bagrak looked at Yi-Han as if wondering what he was talking about.

Yi-Han was flustered, thinking he had misunderstood something.

"You need to use it for shape transformation, so there's no need to cherish it."

"Ah."

Yi-Han understood the professor's meaning and felt embarrassed.

Purely grasping the shape of lightning without anything was a truly difficult task.

To tame lightning with just the mage's will.

However, pure silver had a solid form and was a relatively lightning-friendly material.

Once accustomed to transforming the shape of silver imbued with lightning, it also helped in transforming the shape of lightning itself.

"Thank you. But where did you get this silver from?"

"From the principal's room."

"..."

Yi-Han didn't ask whether he borrowed it or stole it. It was content that wouldn't be good to hear.

***

Crackle crackle!

'It's painful!'

Yi-Han thought so as he saw the lightning bouncing off the floor.

It wasn't because the magic had failed.

The magic practice itself was progressing well.

It was just that every time it failed, the silver evaporated a little.

Kwajik!

As the silver transformed into the shape of a spear failed to withstand the power of lightning and twisted, crackling and losing its shape, the lightning bounced in all directions and the silver also crumpled.

Since the power of the condensed lightning was so strong, even solid metal couldn't withstand it and changed arbitrarily if there was even a slight mistake.

In the process, it evaporated...

As Yi-Han noticeably looked distressed, Professor Bagrak spoke to him.

"You're doing well now. You're maintaining the shape transformation."

"Thank you."

With a bitter expression, Yi-Han got up.

Just thinking about how much silver would be consumed until this magic was completed, he already felt like his heart was crumbling.

As it gradually became dark and time to go in, Professor Bagrak checked his pocket watch and said.

"Oh. Can we start the lecture a little early tomorrow?"

"How much earlier?"

"About two hours."

"..."

The lecture was scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, so starting two hours earlier was definitely not "a little".

But Yi-Han was a pro student.

'Think of it as ending two hours early.'

"Haha. Of course it's possible. But for what reason? Is there something I need to prepare?"

"No. We have to meet the giants."

"..."

***

-Human mage! It's a human mage!-

-Welcome, welcome!-

Early morning.

As the end of the 2nd semester approached, each day was getting colder.

To the point where the cold seeped into the bones if magic wasn't cast on the coat.

Yi-Han greeted the giants, exhaling his breath.

"Hello, everyone."

-Want to see magic. Magic!-

"Pardon?"

Yi-Han pondered what magic he should use.

To satisfy the giants, would Professor Bagrak understand if he launched a water bullet at him?

-That thing. That!-

The giant held a thick wooden bowl and tapped it with a spoon.

"...You were talking about cooking."

Pushing aside the giants who had gathered with expectant faces, the smartest giant Ikurusha came out.

-Hello, everyone. Professor Bagrak. How have you been?-

"I've been well. Thank you."

-Since the final exams are coming up, the professors must be busy. Do you have time to come like this?-

"It's alright."

"..."

Yi-Han unconsciously tried to say, "I'm your only disciple, Professor," but he came to his senses and refrained.

Badmouthing a professor in front of others was a crazy thing to do.

"Since the exams are coming up soon, I want to become closer with the giants. I want to help with the work."

-Do as you please. Actually, when I first heard the professor's words, I wondered what he was talking about.-

Ikurusha recalled the first time he heard Professor Bagrak's crazy plan, 'Test the freshmen by borrowing the strength of the giants'.

At that time, no matter how he thought about it, it seemed like a slightly crazy idea, so he argued, "Wouldn't it be better to do it after getting a little closer with the giants, even if you're going to test them?"

There was nothing good about pitting a young mage against a giant.

It was possible that a grand mage with a title like <Giant Slayer> might appear in the future...

It was difficult for an outsider, especially a mage, to become close with the giants in a short period of time, so if the boy couldn't become close, he was going to use that as an excuse to persuade the professor again.

But the boy from the Wardanaz family became close with the giants faster than expected.

He helped take care of the sheep, diligently studied cooking, and succeeded in gaining the favor of the giants.

In fact, the giants had called Ikurusha and asked.

-When is that mage coming?-

-I don't know either.-

-Go down and ask.-

-I asked, but they said they don't know.-

-Then go down again! Go down again!-

It wasn't easy for the giants to show favor in such a short period of time, so it was truly amazing.

Now that things had turned out this way, Ikurusha had no choice but to acknowledge Professor Bagrak's plan.

If they had become that close, he was fully qualified to compete with the giants.

-To become so close...-

"It's only natural."

Ikurusha nodded his head as he watched Yi-Han being cheered by the giants along with Professor Bagrak.

Yi-Han was receiving cheers from the giants without even knowing that he had dug his own grave.

-Hooray for the mage! Hooray for the mage!-

-Our friend!-

"Haha. It's all thanks to you all seeing me in a good light. I'm always grateful."