Academy’s Genius Mage

Soon, the memory resurfaced.

Lancelot was one of the knights who made a name for himself in the ‘Sorol War.’ His achievements were recognized, and he was promoted to chief knight of the Royal Knights.

Though his accomplishments were not as grand compared to other heroes, the story of how he rescued a platoon of about fifty soldiers from an enemy encirclement remained a well-known tale.

It was said that the scar on his cheek was because of that event.

Of course, the feats of knights were often embellished or exaggerated, yet it was true he risked his life in a dangerous situation without hesitation.

At the same time, Ian had this thought:
‘To have such a veteran guarding the dungeon… What on earth is happening?’

Since Ian was a mage, he was not privy to all the details concerning knights. However, he understood the prestige of being a chief knight.

“Does this mean the educational dungeon is that important? Or is there another reason?”

Various possibilities flitted through his mind.

Perhaps there was a secret even the authorities were unaware of, as state secrets tend to be. The kingdom of Sonokin also had its secret information agencies.

“Anyway, I should be on my guard.”

Ian wasn’t the only one whose senses were heightened.

Coming from a traditional martial family, Milo’s eyes also glimmered with interest.

However, there was another emotion mixed in the way he looked at Lancelot.

Ian spoke up.

“Sir Lancelot. I am well aware of your heroic deeds. I am just humbled to greet you in such a place.”

“No need for humility. You are students of His Majesty the King, after all.”

At that moment, Milo stepped forward.

“It’s been a long time, Sir Lancelot.”

Milo’s voice was unusually stiff.

Saying it had been a long time implied they were acquainted.

But Lancelot, gazing at Milo, shifted his serious expression to one of blatant displeasure.

“I did not expect your defection, Milo.”

“Why do you consider it defection? My entrance to the academy was sanctioned by my father. I have proven my abilities.”

“Proven?”

Lancelot chuckled and continued.

“I never thought you would disgrace your father’s name for something like this. This is worse than I had imagined.”

Several exchanges of contextless dialogue passed between them.

In the end, Milo bowed his head, biting his lips in frustration.

Ian guessed that there was a past history between the two that he was unaware of.

However, now was not the time to delve into it.

“Sir Lancelot. If it wouldn’t be too intrusive, may I ask a question?”

Ian sought to change the atmosphere. Lancelot’s previously fierce gaze softened slightly as it turned to Ian.

“Speak.”

“I heard the Abyss Dungeon is an artificial one. Has anyone explored it since it was created?”

“You are the first.”

It was an unexpected answer.

If the Royal Knights were guarding this place, it would have been expected that knights had already explored it.

Being the first implied that even students from the department of martial arts had not been here.

“Moreover, I don’t see any mages from the Royal Magic Corps. Why are only knights present?”

At that moment, Lancelot, who had been observing Ian, brightened his eyes.

“It seems you have more questions, Ian Oracle.”

Ian was startled, feeling as though his thoughts had been read.

“No need to look so surprised. Having spent a long time in the battlefield, just by observing a person’s eyes or expressions, it’s obvious what they’re thinking. Whether they’re planning to escape tomorrow, afraid of dying, or crazed with bloodlust… People often question how expressions can reveal so much, but I think there’s nothing as telling as a face.”

“I understand why many praise your name.”

“I just said, there’s nothing as revealing as one’s expressions.”

“Do you think I was being insincere?”

“Were you?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Hmm. That explains it.”

Lancelot muttered something vague.

He had heard about Ian Oracle from two sergeants working at the academy.

As they conversed, the feeling that this was no ordinary situation grew.

For a rookie mage to confidently say, “No, I wasn’t,” was quite something.

It had been a while since such a delightful moment.

“I was dispatched here today. Once your exploration is complete, I will return to the Knights Order. Meanwhile, the royal mages are barred from coming here for some reason. Hence, my presence.”

“My curiosity is completely satisfied. Thank you.”

“What is the expected duration of the exploration?”

“Three days.”

“Arrogance and recklessness are a shortcut to death. I hope you don’t make foolish decisions. Allow me to share some advice I’ve given my subordinates at the battlefield: Train as if it’s the real thing.”

“It was an honor to speak with you, Sir Lancelot.”

Ian and his companions entered the dungeon.

Inside the cave, an ominous energy flowed. It was different in essence from dark magic.

“Mind your step, the path isn’t good.”

“Okay!”

Descending the stairs that led underground, they found an isolated space.

Occasionally, they heard the sound of water dripping from stalactites.

‘It’s so quiet.’

They could hear strange, wind-like noises at times, but there was no way to determine what they were. Every time a sound occurred, Edel was startled.

Had they not been informed of it being an artificial dungeon, they would have assumed it was a natural cave.

“Edel, don’t be nervous. If things go south, Milo will sacrifice himself instead.”

“S-sacrifice?”

“It’s the role of the one leading. If monsters swarm, he’ll signal and you retreat to the back.”

The three of them paused at the starting point to talk for a moment.

Ian couldn’t help but be concerned about Milo. Ever since they met Lancelot, his focus had been wavering.

“T-then isn’t Milo going to die alone?”

“That’s why sacrifice is noble. It’s a perfect chance to become a hero.”

Fortunately, Milo quickly regained his composure.

“I’m not going to die! Stop worrying. Edel, you can’t escape. Even if you do, you need to map the dungeon. Understood?”

“Y-Yes!”

Seeing him coax Edel so skillfully, it seemed he was back in shape.

“Hey, mage! What’s with the dawdling? Do what you’re supposed to, promptly!”

Ian formed a sign with his hands. The blue light dancing in the darkness was truly enchanting.

“‘Light.'”

Whoosh!

A radiant light source soared, nearly reaching the cave ceiling.

It began to cast a mysterious light all around, as if a moon had risen in the sky.

Milo, startled, sharply turned his head and glared at Ian.

“What did you do to the Light Spell?”

“I made some adjustments.”

The orb of light Ian had conjured was extremely vivid, almost blinding.

It wasn’t the kind of magic a novice mage with power level 77 could cast.

Only a 2nd circle mage at the mid-level, carefully maximizing their efficiency, could possibly achieve such a feat.

The Light Spell’s reach extended further, allowing them to see hidden objects far more clearly in the shadows.

“Is modifying spells as easy as slicing meat? This is absurd. How many have you done?”

“The fourth.”

“The fourth? Wait, wasn’t it the third?”

Milo continued, counting on his fingers.

“Lightning, firebolt, and Light… that makes three, right? Three modifications.”

“There’s one more.”

Ian formed the sign once again.

Milo knew it too; it was an elementary spell of the 2nd circle that reduces weight. The familiar process of casting was erratically altered.

“‘Decrease Weight.'”

As the spell materialized, Edel’s eyes widened.

The weight of the backpack he was carrying drastically lightened.

Milo, who belatedly grasped the situation, picked up Edel’s bag.

“You’ve even modified the ‘Decrease Weight’. What a monstrous fellow!”

He was now beyond surprise; he was astounded.

Up until now, Ian had only tinkered with 1-circle basic magic.

However, ‘Decrease Weight’ broke the circle’s limitations.

To Milo, who was unaware of the secret behind Ian’s glasses, Ian could only appear monstrous.

“If it comes to this, can’t you tweak high-level magic too?”

“It’s challenging. The formulas become more complex, and forming runes changes.”

“Finding mistakes in spellbooks so deftly, yet so humble!”

“It’s not that they were wrong. The interpretation was just a little different.”

“You’re actually an elf, right? These ears resembling human ones are fake, aren’t they? Or are you a dragon? Polymorphed?”

Milo reached out to pull Ian’s ear, but Ian lightly avoided his hand.

“My judgment was wrong. I apologize for suggesting earlier that you should go to the Institute of Martial Arts. You should have gone to the Faculty of Natural Sciences and majored in Literature instead. I didn’t realize you had a talent for writing novels.”

“Stop the sarcasm! It’s making me feel miserable…”

Ian patted Milo’s slumped shoulders reassuringly. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.

‘Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I must not reveal that I’ve discovered a new formula.’

People are creatures of jealousy.

No matter how much they trust each other, it had only been about a month since they got acquainted.

By revealing too exceptional a side of himself too quickly, he risked damaging their relationship.

‘Milo doesn’t seem like that kind of person, but I mustn’t distress my friends.’

The word “friend” still didn’t roll off his tongue easily.

Apart from Wilson and Dorothy at the mansion, he hadn’t really gotten close to anyone.

In short, Ian had no friends.

That connection was a chance encounter at the academy.

He didn’t quite understand what a good feeling was, but he sensed something like that with Milo and Edel.

Thus, he didn’t want to lose this relationship.

“Let’s get going. Edel, focus on map-making from now on. There won’t be a need to use healing magic immediately, so we’ll rely on potions for now.”

Ian explained the rough plan, and the three of them set off from the starting point to begin their exploration.

Edel diligently worked on drawing the map with a pen. It was, after all, a means of securing good grades.

The trio tried a shift in perspective.

The Abyss Dungeon was an artificial dungeon.

Because it was man-made, there ought to be a blueprint. Their strategy was to reproduce it as accurately as possible to earn extra points.

Fortunately, Edel had a knack for drawing, so he took on the role of drafting the map.

Swish, swish.

His small, white hands completed the entrance of the dungeon and started drawing the passages.

“Can I ask you something?”

Milo, walking ahead, asked. Ian, observing the surroundings, responded to his back.

“If you let me ask you one question in return, I’ll answer. But you can’t avoid answering.”

“You tedious fellow. Fine. Why did you ask earlier if someone had explored before us?”

“Logically, it seemed right to explore together with the Department of Martial Arts.”

“Well, that’s true.”

A team composed solely of mages was rare. Mixed parties were essential for maximizing combat efficiency.

Moreover, the Institute of Martial Arts needed to gain practical experience as well.

Even so, it was hard to understand why only freshmen from the Department of Magic were deployed.

“You think it’s because of that Helios guy, Ian?”

“For now.”

“No matter how traditional, the recent clash was too serious. Realistically, co-exploration was out of the question.”

Milo had also suspected the same. He assumed the deans of each faculty had likely intervened.

“Helios, that bastard. He’s been too quiet lately; it’s suspicious.”

“Maybe he’s getting scolded by His Majesty the King.”

“If that were the case, he’d probably go even more berserk. Have you ever seen a deviant reflect on their actions? If they did, they wouldn’t be a deviant.”

Ian chuckled slightly. That was a good interpretation.

“Is it my turn to ask a question now?”

“He was my swordsmanship instructor. Sir Lancelot.”

Before Ian could even ask a question, Milo had already provided the answer.