Academy’s Genius Mage

“I’m sorry, Milo. Really… I’m sorry…”

Ian let out a sigh.

Ever since Edel returned to the dormitory with Milo until now, when they were ready to go out for dinner, he had been apologizing to him continuously.

There was only one reason.

Because Edel performed better on the exam, Milo got hurt.

Unable to watch any longer, Ian spoke up.

“Why on earth are you apologizing? What mistake did you make?”

“But because of me, Milo got hurt…”

How on earth could anyone come up with such an idea?

After all, exams were a clear competition.

“Am I mistaken in thinking that you’re continually rubbing salt in the wound?”

“No, no! Milo has always been so good to me, how could I?”

“No matter how I think about it, it feels like you’re teasing him.”

“…”

Milo still seemed unable to recover from the shock.

He hung his head and didn’t show any significant reaction.

In fact, the scariest one seemed to be Edel.

Though he wore an innocent face, he might be the toughest person.

As proof, he achieved the 5th rank in this standard exam.

There was a reason for calling a simple written test an ‘achievement’.

Among the freshmen in the Department of Magic, Edel was the only commoner.

For him to achieve 5th place meant there were more than twenty nobles behind him.

Crushing the heirs of noble families, who had been receiving generous support since childhood, was noteworthy in itself.

Until recently, Edel was struggling with deciphering ancient languages.

‘There were actually many students who were discouraged.’

While they didn’t provoke him like the dimwits from the Department of Martial Arts, some peers did look at Edel with odd eyes.

If Edel hadn’t been in Ian’s group, he would have been caught in overt strife.

Now, Ian, who confidently secured the 1st place, was serving as the fence that protected him.

‘Anyway, things have gotten interesting. Only a single point difference with Sebastian.’

Ian thought he should help Edel some more.

For now, he planned to correct the mana bolt runes that Edel had learned. That alone could lead to good performance in the practical final exams.

‘Will he end up entering the Department of Applied Magic instead of the Department of Healing Magic?’

That would be interesting in its own right.

It’s similar to a practical mage emerging from the Oracle Family, renowned for theoretical magic.

“Anyway, Edel, if we’re going by that logic, I would have to keep apologizing to Milo until graduation. So, let’s stop.”

“…”

Was it his imagination, or did Milo’s head droop even lower?

Edel nodded.

“Unless talking more would improve the scores. But that’s not the case, right? We still have the final exam left, so it’s too early to get discouraged. Right, Milo?”

“….”

“You’re not going to file an appeal just to up it by a point, are you?”

“Enough…”

Though technically possible within academic administration, not many students did so due to the perception that it undermined the professor’s authority.

“Then let’s go. Edel’s parents must be waiting.”

“Okay!”

“Ha…”

By the late afternoon, Ian and his friends left the dormitory.

Ian rented a carriage from the rental office, explained the destination, and boarded.

Ian sat with Milo next to him, and Edel sat across from them.

As the carriage started moving, Edel placed his hands on his knees and blushed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing!”

“Do you have a fever?”

Ian reached out to check Edel’s forehead but found no fever.

“It’s just, I’m a bit embarrassed.”

“About what?”

“It’s just… showing you guys my home…”

It must have been a complex feeling.

For a commoner’s home to host nobles, especially two of them, for a meal was probably a once-in-a-lifetime event.

And it wasn’t even a casual stopover to stay for a night due to nightfall, it was a formal invitation.

“It’s just a simple meal and a cup of tea, that’s all.”

“Alright!”

Milo replied.

Ian, noticing that Milo still had his head down, clicked his tongue and gave his back a solid slap.

He infused a bit of magic into the blow, just a little.

Thud!

“Gahhh!!”

Milo finally lifted his head, glaring at Ian with a fearful look in his eyes.

“What are you doing!”

“Now you look more like yourself.”, replied Ian.

“Meow!” chimed in Goyang, adding to the scene.

Milo frowned and sighed as he rubbed his forehead.

“I have something to say before we eat!”

Milo continued.

“Why don’t we start with you taking a hit too?” he proposed, although Ian politely declined by raising his hand.

“Isera said she would help us as well, regarding what we need to do next!”

Ian disclosed.

The revelation startled both Milo and their other roommate, drawing their surprise away from the pain on Milo’s back.

While Edel, being a commoner, wasn’t fully grasping the implications, Milo, a noble, was well aware of Isera’s political standing.

“That’s a generous offer, but won’t the Sonokin Royal Family be unhappy with that?!”

Milo questioned.

“She doesn’t intend to take the lead. She simply wants to help us become stronger!”

Ian clarified.

“How?!”

Milo asked.

“Take a guess. What are the ways a mage becomes stronger?!”

Ian challenged.

“There are several ways; consuming elixirs, acquiring items… or gaining experience!”

Milo speculated.

“What if there was a way to do all three at once?!”

Ian teased, grabbing Milo’s attention even more.

“What is it?!”

Milo asked with curiosity.

“Exploration!”

Ian answered.

“Exploration? You mean dungeons?!”

Milo inquired.

“Both dungeons and ruins could work!”

Ian stated.

“Aren’t ruins a bit tough?!”

Milo expressed his doubt.

“With Isera’s help, it won’t be that hard!”

Ian reassured.

“True enough!”

Milo conceded.

None of them, including Ian and Milo, truly knew the extent of Isera’s capabilities.

One thing was certain though, neither Ian nor Milo had surpassed her level.

“By exploring dungeons or ruins, gathering artifacts, harvesting and consuming elixirs, and gaining experience, we can become stronger quickly!”

Ian proposed confidently.

“But around the capital, aren’t such places scarce? Ruins are far off, and most dungeons have already been cleared!”

Milo pointed out sensibly.

“Good observation, but there isn’t a complete lack of options!”

Ian responded cryptically.

Milo swallowed hard, sensing that an unforeseen answer was about to surface from Ian’s mind.

“If we find unexplored sites, we could solve this in a single stroke!”

Ian declared decisively.

As was typical with Ian, he didn’t disappoint his friends.

“Unexplored sites… Are you suggesting we find undiscovered dungeons or ruins?!”

Milo asked, intrigued.

“Exactly!”

Ian confirmed.

“That’s easier said than done. How do we find them?!”

Milo pressed.

“Isera could manage it. She practically lives with ancient documents!”

Ian explained.

Their plan, as Ian discussed it with Isera over dinner, involved locating exploration points from clues within ancient scripts.

Ian wholeheartedly agreed with the idea, confident that leveraging Isera’s intellect and the power of her glasses would allow them to proceed smoothly. The glasses possessed extraordinary capabilities for interpreting magical ancient scripts accurately.

‘And if we add Goyang’s power to the mix…’

Ian contemplated the possibility that Goyang might be a primordial spirit, the progenitor of all spirits.

If his suspicion proved correct, this endeavor was indeed worthwhile.

“I’ve always wanted to say this. Ian, you have a tendency to oversimplify things!”

Milo remarked.

“I’m not taking it lightly. This is the result of deep thought!”

Ian countered.

“Ah, if only you wouldn’t talk so much and just get on with it!”

Milo sighed.

There was, in truth, no choice in the matter.

Both Milo and Edel had already agreed to collaborate with Ian.

Furthermore, the venture promised personal growth for all involved, leaving them no reason to refuse.

“Alright, let’s do it! So, what do I need to do? You and Isera will be poring over ancient scripts, right?!”

Milo asked.

“First, you need to join the Ancient Literature Reading Club!”

Ian suggested.

“Why there?!”

Milo inquired.

“This plan isn’t about connecting dots with Hamel, Zickhardt, or the Empire. We’re merely engaging in a club activity here at the academy!”

Ian explained, outlining their pretense for secrecy.

“Me and Edel were already members. But you aren’t, so you need to join to avoid suspicion.”

Milo frowned.

Even if he didn’t know much, the official gatherings of the Ancient Text Reading Club were held on Sun Day!

It was the day when getting enough rest was already challenging, yet club activities demanded their time.

However, as Ian anticipated, Milo nodded.

“If you say you need me, I can’t refuse. I’ll join!”

“That’s great to hear.”

Ian and Edel smiled.

Edel, in particular, seemed more pleased.

He had always thought it would be beneficial to have Milo with them.

“Surely, there’s no entrance exam, right?”

“I asked about that too. She said she’ll accept you without an exam, given it’s a special selection.”

“She truly recognizes my worth. Hehe.”

Ian had a good guess about Milo’s ulterior motive behind that cunning laugh.

He probably wanted to win Isera’s favor to get an introduction to her.

“Then let’s all go together next meeting. Senior will be pleased.”

“Okay!’

Milo tightly clenched his fists, showing determination.

Both Ian and Edel felt relieved.

It seemed like Milo had quickly shaken off the stress from the exam results.

The carriage galloped vigorously down the main road to the capital.

* * *

“Oh! Heinz Hospital!”

Milo exclaimed as he saw the signboard.

Ian, who followed him out of the carriage, took in the view of the hospital as well.

While it had a modest construction, the size was more substantial than expected. It was a three-story building.

“Didn’t you say it was a small hospital? At this size, there must be quite a number of patients.”

“My father wishes to expand it further. He says we can’t provide proper care for all the patients with this size.”

“He is quite ambitious. In a good way.”

Ian now understood why their plans had been canceled due to a food poisoning incident.

“You must feel a heavy burden.”

“I aspire to become an excellent healer to help my father.”

“That’s the spirit.”

At that moment, a middle-aged couple came out through the door.

It was evident they were Edel’s parents.

Their appearance and the atmosphere they exuded bore a strong resemblance to each other.

“Father. I brought our guests.”

Ian and Milo slightly bowed their heads.

Edel’s father spread his arms welcomingly towards the two.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Despite your busy schedule, I’m honored you made time to visit. I am Klefio, and this is my wife, Weiss.”

The composed-looking woman gave a nod.

Unlike his upright father, it seemed Edel had inherited his mother’s calm demeanor.

“Our son is indebted to you.”

“Indebted? Not at all. It’s my pleasure. I am Ian.”

“And I’m Milo.”

Ian and Milo shook hands with Klefio.

Klefio keenly observed Milo’s muscles.

“You look quite fit. It’s hard to build such muscles without consistent training.”

“Hahaha. You noticed. I train daily. Physical strength is as vital as the nation’s strength, after all.”

“As it happens, I have a tonic that enhances muscles. If you don’t mind, I’ll prepare some for you.”

“That sounds excellent! Hahaha.”

From the start, the two seemed to get along well.

It appeared Klefio also engaged in regular physical training. He seemed muscular, unlike the more slender Edel.

“Mr. Klefio, please feel free to speak informally when we’re together.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of such impoliteness.”

“We are Edel’s friends. Moreover, you are a decorated hero of the kingdom, are you not? It’s only natural to show respect to someone who has served the country.”

Klefio looked at Ian with an expression of admiration.

He found him to be even more genuine than what he’d heard.

“Having received such praise, I should have put more effort into tonight’s menu.”

“Today isn’t the only day.”

“Dinner will be ready soon. But first, I’d like to do a tour of the hospital to those who will shoulder the kingdom’s future.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“But what is this animal? Looks like a cat.”

The cat, with a jewel embedded in its forehead, was unlike anything he had seen before.

It was obvious at first glance that it was extraordinary.

“It’s a mystical creature. It won’t cause any harm to patients.”

“A mystical creature, you say.”

“Edel, can I leave this one in your care for a moment?”

“Sure!”

Ian and Milo followed Klefio’s guidance and entered the hospital.