Academy’s Genius Mage

That evening, Ian, dressed more elegantly than usual, told his friends before leaving the dormitory; “I’m staying out tonight, so don’t wait up and go ahead sleep first.”

“Suddenly?!”

Only then did Milo realize that Ian was wearing different attire than usual.

“What’s up with that? Where are you going dressed like that?”

“What do you mean ‘like that’? Is it strange?”

“It’s like you’re going to a party, which is a place that goes against everything Ian Oracle stands for. It can’t help but be suspicious.”

Ian chuckled at the somewhat logical comment.

“I have an appointment.”

Ian hadn’t told anyone about his dinner with Isera Hebraim, especially not about being invited to her mansion.

He was particularly cautious with Milo.

Telling Milo was more dangerous than putting an ad on the front page of a famous newspaper in the capital.

“It’s a girl, isn’t it?”

“Does the gender matter?”

“That’s all that matters, you jerk! It’s a girl, right?”

“Exams are over. I need some fresh air too.”

“Are you the only one who’s finished exams?”

Milo envied Ian immensely.

Normally, he would have been the first to submit a leave request before Ian, but unfortunately, fate had him sitting in front of experimental equipment dressed in a white gown.

The standard exams were over, but the potion project had just begun in earnest.

There was no leisurely time to stay out for the night.

Moreover, assisting Professor Maxim, who had a reputation for being a strict eccentric, was no easy task.

To Milo, who loved alcohol and women more than anyone else, it was nothing short of hell.

“Really, you’re a guy with no loyalty. Your friend is stuck here doing experiments, and you won’t even stay by his side? Can I trust my back to someone like you? Right, Edel?”

Milo tried to appeal emotionally. However, Edel suddenly lowered his head slightly, startling Milo.

“Sorry. Actually, I’m staying out tonight, too.”

“…”

“I’ll bring back something delicious!”

“It’s not about the food! You traitors! Just get lost! Get out! Aaargh, my magic is going berserk!”

In the end, Ian and Edel had to leave the dormitory as if they were being chased out.

“Do you feel a bit sorry for him? Right?”

“Not really.”

“You’re surprisingly cold-hearted, Ian.”

“This is what you call ‘reaping what you sow’.”

The two moved towards the main gate to catch the reserved carriage.

Many students were walking in the same direction, having finished their standard exams, applying for leave or staying out to catch carriages.

“Did you hear about the verdict? Was it upsetting?”

The rumor that Hamel received a 30-year sentence had spread throughout the academy.

Those familiar with his misdeeds were outraged, calling it an absurd verdict. However, they were few in number.

Most nobles, thinking it didn’t concern them, just felt a sense of pity because the richest man in the kingdom had to rot in an underground prison for 30 years. So Edel asked cautiously, his voice more soothing than inquisitive.

“It’s fine. Considering that a whole company was wiped out over what I suffered, it’s not such a bad result.”

“Still…”

“Of course, when I think about the other nobles who silently suffered until now, it’s an unsatisfactory outcome.”

“Is it completely over now?”

Ian hesitated to answer.

Not because of the extremely slim chance that Hamel might receive a royal pardon but because he wondered if the Empire might somehow be involved behind the scenes.

Naturally, Edel accurately read Ian’s expression. Though he couldn’t guess the Empire, he sensed that Ian’s problem wasn’t entirely resolved.

“You know, Ian.”

Edel paused for a moment, holding his bag with both hands in front of him, and looked at Ian. There was a feeling of affection.

“If something happens, I’d prefer if you didn’t only tell Milo. I’d like to help you too, even if my skills aren’t that great…”

“It’s a kind thing to say, but it’s dangerous. Milo has the experience to help, but you’re a bit different. It’s not that your skills are lacking, but it won’t be too late to ask for help from you once you’ve grown more.”

Ian spoke calmly to avoid any misunderstanding.

Edel appreciated his sentiment.

However, it wasn’t the response he had hoped for.

Suddenly, Edel put down his bag and began to move his hands.

‘A rune?’

Ian was startled.

The rune Edel was forming was one Ian was well acquainted with for casting a spell.

‘Did he learn Mana Bolt?’

Edel hadn’t been able to master attack spells.

At most, he could release mana in a primitive way to create an impact.

That was a skill he developed only after entering the academy.

If he hadn’t obtained the ‘Blue Mushroom’ from Milo before the mana measurement, it would have been difficult for him even to release mana.

Thanks to that, he recorded a figure of 221, which was three times more than Ian’s.

In short, it was a fortuitous event.

But Edel wasn’t satisfied with just that, he continued to study ancient languages and mana manipulation, improving his skills.

‘Once he mastered the ancient languages to some extent, I intended to teach him then… and yet he mastered magic on his own…’

It was a moment that showcased Edel’s passion and resilience.

‘Mana Bolt.’

Once the rune was completed, the results of his training were revealed.

A reasonably convincing Mana Bolt floated above Edel’s palm.

The outcome wasn’t particularly impressive, but Ian smiled brightly as if seeing magic for the first time.

“When did you learn that?”

“I practiced whenever I could. Mana Bolt is the easiest spell to learn.”

“That’s amazing.”

If a professor from the Department of Magic or an elder mage had heard this conversation, they might have clicked their tongues.

They would question what significance such a basic spell held.

Unlike elemental magic, casting a Mana Bolt was simple.

As a non-elemental spell, it didn’t require converting mana into an element.

This made it an easy, basic spell that anyone could use.

But Ian focused on something else.

“You learned it by yourself, didn’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“There are quite a few parts of the sigil that need correction. If someone had taught you, you wouldn’t have made those mistakes.”

Edel’s face reddened.

But seeing Ian’s expression made the embarrassment he felt vanish.

Ian was genuinely pleased.

“Everyone, including Milo and Ian, was always busy. And it felt awkward to ask senior Isera about it…”

“That’s incredible talent.”

“Talent?”

“If you can learn magic on your own, you’ll learn even faster if someone teaches you.”

Magic, especially attack magic, was considerably challenging to Master independently.

You could grasp theories from books, but attack spells required a sigil for completion, which couldn’t be learned merely by observation.

Yet Edel managed to go through that process alone.

“I was planning to teach you some attack spells once you became more familiar with ancient languages, but it seems that’s unnecessary.”

“What? No. I’d love to learn from you…”

“I’m joking. I’ll correct your rune sometime next week. You’re aiming for the Major in Healing Magic, and since your mana is high, learning attack spells could be quite useful.”

“Thank you.”

Comfortably seated in the carriage, Ian suddenly had an amusing thought and smiled.

‘Is everyone’s goal starting to shift a little?’

He, who aimed for the Major in Theoretical Magic, was now becoming closer to the Major in Applied Magic.

Milo too. He originally aimed for the Major in Applied Magic but became deeply involved in the Major in Theoretical Magic while working on the potion project.

Edel, who saw no option but the Major in Healing Magic, opened up possibilities in the Major in Applied Magic by mastering Mana Bolt on his own.

“Is all of this just coincidence? Or…”

The carriage sped energetically along the road painted by the sunset.

* * *

The Hebraim Family’s mansion was located at the center of the royal capital.

Though the family belonged to a vassal territory, the mansion was large and grand, signifying their status as counts.

It was not a soldier but a knight guarding the iron gate.

The knight, upon recognizing the academy’s emblem engraved on the carriage, made a gesture.

“Pass!”

Creak!

The iron gate opened, and the carriage carrying Ian began to cross the garden.

At that moment, the entrance opened, and a very stern and determined-looking elderly butler stepped outside. The luxurious monocle on one eye indicated that he was no ordinary person.

“Master, a guest from the academy.”

“Inform the young lady.”

“Yes, chief Butler.”

The young butler quickly went inside the mansion.

The head butler of the Hebraim Count’s family approached and bowed his head as the carriage door opened.

“Welcome to the Hebraim Family, Baron Ian.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

Ian, who had exited the carriage, looked around in admiration.

It felt as if another world unfolded within the royal capital.

The garden was masive, and the mansion was majestic.

It was difficult to even estimate the number of people working in such a vast estate.

“Is there any issue?”

“No. It’s just that this is the first time I’ve seen such a magnificent mansion.”

“Isn’t it the same with the Oracle Family? If our young lady stays there, it must be splendid even without seeing it.”

His words carried a sting.

Ian realized that the elderly butler before him did not harbor a particularly positive sentiment towards him.

‘Is it because of that overnight stay incident?’

It was a kind of vigilance typical of loyal butlers.

Had Isera been a man, this issue would not have risen.

However, given that she was living almost like a hostage, the fact that she had stayed out overnight at a noble family in Sonokin was a particularly sensitive matter.

Furthermore, with the notorious Helios Prince and the dandy Sebastian also eyeing Isera, the situation was even more delicate.

If the butler had served Isera for a long time, he likely thought of her as his own daughter.

Just like how Wilson treated me, Ian thought.

“I owe a lot to Senior Isera.”

One of the butler’s eyes twitched.

He should have worn a dissatisfied expression, but the young man before him was smiling.

‘Not an ordinary person!’

The butler resolved to raise his vigilance even further.

Moreover, Ian was someone with enough influence that Isera, who usually did not mention others, often spoke of him.

“I am Kiefer, the head butler here. I oversee this branch. I believe we will be seeing each other often. I look forward to working with you, Baron Ian.”

“I’m looking forward to it as well.”

“You’re here?”

At that moment, Isera appeared.

Ian’s eyes widened.

Isera was dressed in a pure white dress, looking completely different from when she wore the academy set.

‘Is this how Senior Isera usually looks?’

Ian found himself struggling to even greet her.

Isera radiated overwhelming beauty.

“Kiefer.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Did you say something impolite to our guest? He looks a bit unwell.”

“Of course not. We were just exchanging greetings.”

Isera tilted her head slightly.

It was then that Ian finally regained his composure and chuckled awkwardly.

“Hahaha. It’s nothing. It’s just that you look so different from usual, senior.”

“If you’re someone aspiring to the Major in Theoretical Magic, you shouldn’t have prejudices, even if it’s about appearances.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Come in.”

Ian followed Isera inside.