Academy’s Genius Mage

“That night with Isera senior? What are you talking about?”

“The night we were attacked. Didn’t you leave saying you were going to talk separately while drinking? I came to my senses and it was morning.”

“Oh, that time?”

Ian Oracle seemed to remember the moment when he had called Isera Hebraim to the office for a private discussion.

Not knowing the specifics, he had explained the situation to her, who had offered her assistance.

As time passed, Ian returned to find Milo Vinettia and Edel slumped over, asleep on the sofa.

“There was nothing going on. We just talked about various things and played with this little guy. It seemed the senior was quite fond of him.”

Ian stroked the cat, Goyang.

The cat yawned and lay down, appearing tired.

“Suspicious.”

“Indeed. Suspicious.”

Now, even Edel began to suspect Ian.

“Is it believable that a young man and woman spent time alone in a room and nothing happened?”

“Exactly. Makes no sense.”

Edel, who seemed to be connecting the dots at just the right times, appeared to Ian as the smartest among them.

“Well, whatever your thoughts, nothing unfolded as you imagine, so rest easy.”

“Are you a herbivore? Or maybe you’ve got issues with your reproductive abilities?”

“I can’t speak for the former, but definitely not the latter.”

With arms crossed, Milo started mimicking Ian’s voice.

“A hypothesis is only accepted as theory after empirical validation. Prove the hypothesis that you’re no eunuch.”

“Hahaha.”

Edel laughed, finding it amusing.

Ian suddenly realized that he might have come across as a bit annoying when he spoke like that.

“Even if you say it like that, there’s nothing I can do. I honestly wanted to reciprocate by inviting her to a meal, but she kept turning me down. Just getting to know her has been problematic.”

“Ah, indeed, only the kingdom’s top beauty won’t meet just any man.”

“Ian isn’t just any man, is he?”

“Why do you keep siding with Ian?”

“I was just stating the truth.”

Milo wasn’t fond of Edel.

It wasn’t because Edel praised Ian, but because he never once praised him.

“Anyway, being in the senior position must play a part too. It’s difficult for a senior to give their heart to a junior, especially in the strict environment of the Department of Magic.”

“But isn’t it better than the Department of Martial Arts? I’ve heard it’s almost like having a superior there rather than a senior.”

“They’re an unredeemable bunch, loving their military games.”

“Were your brothers like that too?”

Milo flinched at Ian’s sharp question.

“Don’t touch on family. Anyway, we should be focusing on how Ian can win Isera Hebraim’s heart. Think of a way! Think!”

“Milo. I’ve been curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you so desperate to pair the senior and me together?”

“Obviously, because if you do well, I’ll get introduced to someone.”

Milo spoke as if it was the most natural thing, and Ian realized that Milo was counting on him for introductions.

Milo’s consistency was something he appreciated.

“People attract those like themselves. If Senior Isera is such a beauty, incredible beauties must surround her!”

“Do you think people are some kind of merchandise that is just available?”

“Anyway! Whether it’s a thesis idea or something else, entice her to come out! In my opinion, it doesn’t seem like she lacks interest in you.”

Going on a date with Isera Hebraim.

It would be a lie to say Ian never thought about it.

He just hadn’t had a moment to seriously consider it, given how busy he had been since enrolling.

Isera was undeniably captivating, a person who couldn’t easily be dismissed from anyone’s mind.

Even Helios, the Prince of Sonokin, and Sebastian of Marquis Kent are smitten with her. Sebastian had even threatened Ian to keep away from her.

Many other noble sons were also captivated by Isera’s beauty.

Of course, Ian also felt an attraction to her.

However, unlike the others, he was drawn to different aspects of her.

Not just her appearance, but her mind—specifically, her knowledge and application of magic, and her dedication to research—were things that he found alluring.

In many ways, she surpassed him.

It wasn’t just about her skill level.

She demonstrated incredible insights in unexpected areas.

‘Like when we discovered the new spell formula for Lightning Spell. I’ll never forget that.’

Isera demonstrated through experimentation that her interpretation of the aphorism wasn’t incorrect.

At the time, Ian had been so flustered that he had deployed shield magic in the library. However, Isera, with her cool judgment, had shown that it was not an illusion.

Such insight could not be obtained through mere effort.

It was an innate ability.

“Edel, you’re somewhat feminine, so you understand women’s hearts, don’t you? Come up with a good idea instead of just being amused by it.”

“Hmm, wouldn’t time solve everything on its own?”

“Time?”

“We’ve only been enrolled for two months. It’s only been that long since Ian met Senior Isera. We’ll be spending at least another three years together, so there’s no need to rush things, right?”

Ian thought the same.

Unnatural measures could cause side effects, much like magic could.

“Well, we’re not in a hurry to get involved in youthful endeavors right now, are we? There’s an upcoming standard exam and mana measurement we need to take care of. We don’t have the leisure to just sit around and chat idly. If you end up failing, all the romantic projects you want to undertake will be a total failure.”

“Tch.”

The standard exam was incredibly important, to the point that it determined the future of academy students. No one was going to accept a date request from someone who failed.

On the other hand, Edel hesitated about something.

His expressions were easy to read, so Ian asked.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Oh, um… if it’s okay this week, how about coming over to my place for dinner?”

“This week?”

Ian thought he understood why Edel was hesitant.

With both of them feeling pressured, it didn’t seem appropriate to extend a dinner invitation.

“It feels like it’s been getting postponed. If it’s just dinner, it shouldn’t be an issue….”

“Sure. Let’s give it a try.”

“Really?”

Edel beamed as Ian easily agreed.

Milo voiced his discontent.

“Wouldn’t going out right before the exam put a lot of pressure on us?”

“I need to go eventually. I have to see Edel’s father about the herb supply matter. Taking care of this side of things will help me prepare for the exam with a more relaxed mind.”

“Well, that’s true too. We also have to participate in the project.”

Milo nodded in understanding.

With the contract fully established with the Bahamut Trading Company, it wasn’t just the standard exam that required the trio’s focus.

The people pivotal in establishing the potion manufacturing patent were obligated to involve themselves in the business.

Especially Milo, who had been building his career at Professor Maxim’s laboratory in the Department of Natural Sciences.

He was making his path.

Ian was interested in a slightly different matter.

He wanted to meet Edel’s father at least once.

“A man dedicated to his craft. Even though the field is somewhat different, there’s always something to learn.”

Regardless, during freshman year, everyone attended the common healing magic courses. Learning healing wasn’t disadvantageous at all, because no one goes through life unscathed.

“When the date is settled, let Milo know. I’ll keep that day free.”

“Sure!”

“I’m looking forward to it. Experiencing life as commoners! That’s something you can’t buy with money, right?”

“Don’t tease too much.”

Ian went back to his desk and opened his book.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, but Ian ignored it and resumed studying.

Milo, however, ran to the door.

“Hey, Ian.”

Ian turned his head.

Milo’s expression looked unusual.

“An incredible visitor has arrived?”

Could it be Professor Frost?

As Milo opened the door completely, the identity of the incredible guest was revealed.

“Ophelia?”

Ian was quite surprised.

She was the epitome of nobility.

She had always disliked this room, shared by the head of a poor family, a commoner, and an irregular member of a swordsmanship family.

Yet, she had come here.

“What brings you here?”

“She says she’d like to talk. With you, Ian.”

Ian closed his book for a moment and stepped outside.

It seemed she had no intention of entering.

Unlike Gaus, she was a woman.

Rumors of her entering a male student’s room would be damaging.

“What’s going on?”

Ophelia did not readily answer.

She merely stared at Ian with slightly complex eyes.

“If you have nothing to say, just go back. I’m a bit busy right now.”

“Why did you hide it?”

“Hide what?”

It was a conversation completely out of context.

Ophelia, biting her lip, continued to speak.

“That you were being threatened by the Hamel Trading Company.”

“Oh, that. Well, should I go around spreading it? It’s not something good.”

“Even though you were having such a hard time, you still thought to help me…”

Ophelia’s head dipped slightly.

Meanwhile, peeking through the slightly open door, Milo and Edel watched the scene with serious expressions.

Even though they couldn’t hear the conversation well from the other side of the corridor, there was a sense of rejection in the atmosphere.

“Finally, all the mysteries are solved.”

“How so?”

“Ian wasn’t a weakling after all. Quite the opposite, in fact. A stamina king! Not even satisfied with just Senior Isera.”

“As expected, Ian is the best!”

“Why does everything end up like that with you?”

“Meow.”

At some point, a cat peeked its head through the crack in the door.

“That story was over already, wasn’t it?”

Unaware of the tremendous stories being exchanged, Ian spoke to Ophelia.

“I told you before, it wasn’t to help you.”

“No matter how I think about it, that doesn’t seem right.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I heard you crushed Rahel from the Department of Martial Arts recently and you also crushed the head of the Hamel Trading Company.”

Ophelia raised her head.

Her eyes, clear under the moonlight, trembled slightly.

“The Ian I understand is a person whose actions are clear. You return what you receive, no, you return it several times over. Terrifying… person.”

“So, it’s strange because I didn’t retaliate but actually helped you?”

“Isn’t it?”

“Well.”

Ian couldn’t hastily refute.

He perceived it wasn’t a simple emotional conversation.

Ian felt as if she had glimpsed a side of himself he didn’t know.

“You didn’t harm me, did you? Everyone talks behind people’s backs. Avenging gossip is a bit excessive.”

“So then…”

“You shouldn’t worry. There are people you dislike without any reason as you go about life.”

Ophelia felt a sense of peace in a corner of her mind.

But it was only temporary.

“Moreover, to hang out with Sebastian’s group, you inevitably have to put me down. I think I know a bit about Sebastian too. As the years progress, conflicts will intensify.”

Ophelia’s expression darkened once more.

She also understood her position within the academy.

Over time, she would inevitably grow distant from Ian, especially if she stayed with Sebastian.

Suddenly, Ian’s advice to choose sides wisely crossed her mind.

“So, don’t act so timidly. That looks awkward on you somehow.”

Ian’s final words struck a blow.

It suggested that criticizing and denouncing suited her.

Ian returned to his room.

She had only come to congratulate him.

Yet, Ophelia couldn’t bring up the topic.

“Sigh.”

A deep lethargy overwhelmed Ophelia.

At that moment, she heard a presence behind her.

Startled, she turned her head.

Someone in a robe was looking her way.

The figure held a staff symbolizing a second-year student, but they had pulled their hood down deeply, hiding their face.

“Senior?”

Apart from being her senior, she could discern nothing else.

The person, who had been staring at her for quite a while, quietly descended the stairs again.

As if they hadn’t been there from the start.