Academy’s Genius Mage

Ian and Milo both wore surprised expressions.

His appearance and voice were somewhat ambiguous.

It was as if he had a voice that hadn’t fully transitioned through puberty yet.

Moreover, the fact that their new roommate’s name was “Edel” also bothered them.

Usually, “Edel” was more common as a girl’s name.

Occasionally, it was given to boys, but it wasn’t common.

As these small details piled up, suspicions naturally arose.

“Well, it’s a long story… but… it’s because of my parents…”

Edel lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers.

“If it’s long, just skip it. My name is Ian. This here is Milo. I come from the Oracle Family, and Milo is from the Vinettia Family.”

Edel’s eyes widened in surprise. Even setting aside the Oracle Family, the Vinettia Family was quite renowned.

“Wow! You both are amazing! It’s truly an honor to share a room with you.”

“There’s no need to call it an honor. Which family do you come from?”

“Me? I’m a commoner. I was admitted through the special program. Please feel free around me.”

Edel bowed hurriedly.

To think they’d see a student admitted through that precious special program for commoners.

Milo looked uncomfortable, but Ian extended his hand casually toward Edel.

“Everyone at the academy is equal. If anything, you’re the ones who should feel comfortable around us, not the other way around. Edel.”

“Ian…”

Edel’s eyes welled up with emotion as he looked up at Ian.

Ian smirked.

“Seems like you didn’t really hear what I said? I said you need to change.”

“Ah.”

A startled Edel bowed his head again.

It would be difficult for him.

A commoner speaking informally to a noble was unimaginable.

For the time being, honorifics would probably still be stuck on his tongue.

Fortunately, Milo, who was standing next to them, intervened.

“The rules say using honorifics with fellow students is a violation, and you’ll get demerits. So, get your head straight. If you want to graduate peacefully, it’s best to follow Ian’s advice. Don’t get us in trouble, too.”

“Eek!”

“What?”

“No, it’s just… Milo… you’re too intimidating…”

“What?!”

“S-sorry!”

Edel covered his face with his hands.

Certainly, Milo’s build and expression were rather fierce.

Even his voice was loud, making it seem like he was angry just by speaking normally.

It was lucky that he was wearing the academy’s mage cloak right now; if he had been in armor, Edel might have foamed at the mouth and fainted.

“No way. Seriously, what’s with the apology?”

“P-please spare me!”

“Who are you asking to spare you from!”

Ian couldn’t help but laugh.

One side was red-faced in apology, while the other was red-faced in anger.

It was quite an amusing combination.

These two might make this dull academy a bit more enjoyable, Ian thought.

“So, do you have a major in mind? Milo, you’re going to Major in Applied Magic, right?”

“Y-yes. I plan to Major in Healing Magic.”

“Major in Healing Magic, huh.”

Majoring in Healing Magic was as niche as Majoring in Theoretical Magic.

It trained specialists who healed wounds and treated curses and poisons.

Graduates often spread across the continent as healers or joined the military as medics.

Some even rose to high ranks by achieving great deeds.

However, it wasn’t a position that garnered much attention due to its inherent limitations.

Only those prepared to devote themselves to others could endure the rigorous discipline.

Everyday, they would face death.

“Ian, you’re obviously going to Major in Theoretical Magic, right?”

“For now.”

“For now? Are you considering to Major in Applied Magic?”

It was a question one could ask only if they knew something about the Oracle Family. Ian simply smiled, offering no definitive answer.

“Let’s wrap up the introductions here. Everyone’s attending the evening induction ceremony, right?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be there!”

When Ian gave him a hint, Edel hurriedly covered his mouth. Then, he let out a mosquito-like sound.

“Can, can I go?”

“Yeah. That’s exactly the vibe.”

“Thank you!”

A sigh escaped from Ian’s lips.

He wished Edel could speak freely before the semester started.

“I have some errands to run, so I need to head out first. See you at the induction ceremony later. Milo, don’t bully Edel too much.”

“What are you talking about? Do I look like someone who would break the academy’s rules? I have my family’s honor to uphold; I wouldn’t bully anyone.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

“It’s just that your very appearance feels like bullying. You should wear a hood too. You wouldn’t want to scare people unintentionally, right?”

“Gahhh! You punk!”

Leaving behind a red-faced Milo, Ian walked out of the dormitory.

Since he had finished unpacking, it was time to meet Professor Frost.

‘I hope he’s a rational person.’

Ian had only encountered Professor Frost through books.

He had a rough idea of his teaching style and interests, but he didn’t really know what kind of person he was.

‘A cold and sensible intellectual. That was the impression.’

But that couldn’t be the final conclusion.

Professors’ personalities varied greatly.

Some even became quite eccentric due to their obsession with magic.

That’s why Ian needed to meet him in person.

If Felix hadn’t visited today, he would have gone to greet him with a lighter heart.

But now, that wasn’t possible.

He needed to earn as much time and money as possible, for his father and family’s honor.

“Ian!”

At that moment, a loud voice called from behind. Ian knew only one person whose voice was this loud.

As he turned around, he saw Milo running toward him. Edel was following behind him.

“Huff! Whew… Just caught you. Why are you walking so fast?”

“What’s the matter?”

“I almost forgot to tell you. Ian, you don’t know what the atmosphere is like at the academy’s induction ceremony, do you?”

Is there even an atmosphere at the induction ceremony? Ian tilted his head in confusion.

“Isn’t it a solemn and quiet occasion where we listen to speeches from His Majesty the King and other notable figures?”

“Ha. You really don’t know, do you? That’s why you should have attended social gatherings and danced a bit.”

Milo, who had come closer, lowered his voice.

He glanced around discreetly before he spoke.

“You know there are three departments at the academy, right?”

“I know.”

“Among them, our department and the Department of Martial Arts have a terrible relationship. They always pick fights, and the entry of first-year students are the prime time for it. It’s the perfect time to show off their strength.”

“So, they engage in faction fights right in front of the freshmen?”

“The seniors don’t get involved. It’s the freshmen who go head-to-head. I heard it from my seniors, so it’s confirmed. They said it’s a tradition of the academy.”

Such things were quite common.

If parents were politicking in the royal palace, their children would do the same at the academy.

But considering Milo’s story, it seemed rougher than he had expected.

“But aren’t fights prohibited within the academy?”

“Dueling is an exception. So, you have to avoid things escalating into a duel.”

“Are you telling me to run away?”

“You’re the head of the Oracle Family, so you can handle them to some extent with magic. But it’s best to avoid trouble. There’s an incredible freshman this time. In the Department of Martial Arts.”

“Who is it?”

“Prince Helios.”

“Hmm.”

It was a name he had heard before.

A prince known for his outstanding mischief. As fiery in temperament as his name suggested.

His only drawback was that he was the second son.

If the crown prince hadn’t been decided yet, things might be different, but now that the heir was set, his chances of inheriting the throne were slim.

The fact that a grown-up prince was enrolling at the academy was unusual in itself.

In a nutshell, it meant to quietly study in a place where one wouldn’t stand out. The crown prince, who was his competitor, must have taken the lead in pushing forward that agenda.

‘The academy is about to get noisy.’

Ian felt a throbbing headache.

Helios would surely vent his anger in the academy.

He heard dangerous rumors that although his skills were good, his personality was not.

‘But it seems Milo doesn’t realize that I can’t properly manifest my magic power.’

Since the Oracle Family had some fame in magic, Milo spoke as if Ian should just endure.

However, the reality was much different and it would soon be exposed.

First-year students in the Department of Magic had to undergo a magic power test.

Even when deciding their major in the second year, it was confirmed.

If enrolled in the Department of Magic, they had to undergo periodic evaluations.

Those who performed well were noticed by the academy and received bonus points when advancing to official positions like the Royal Magic Corps later on.

‘Well, that’s a story for the distant future. I don’t even know if I’ll succeed.’

Ian shook his head and lightly laughed.

“Prince Helios applied for the Department of Martial Arts, so if you stay quiet, there shouldn’t be any issues. The buildings are a bit apart anyway.”

“But it seems you walk around the campus without a care. Don’t you know Prince Helios’s peculiar taste?”

“Peculiar taste?”

“He absolutely hates handsome men. Nearing disgust.”

“Why?”

“People tend to feel intense jealousy towards what they can’t have, right? Possessive people are even more so.”

Ian pointed at Milo with half-open eyes.

“Maybe you too?”

“… Me? No? Not at all? I have no reason to feel jealous! I look perfectly fine, don’t you think, Edel?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Why can’t you say yes! Why!”

“Please, spare me!”

It seemed like he wasn’t completely wrong.

He couldn’t always walk around with his hood up, and rumors about his appearance were bound to spread naturally.

It meant that at some point, he would have to confront it.

“That’s something to think about later. Anyway, thanks for the info. I’ll treat you to lunch tomorrow.”

“No matter what, avoid the Prince! Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Then stop wandering around!”

With his roommates’ worried gazes behind him, Ian entered the building where the professors’ research offices were situated.

* * *

Spotting Professor Frost’s name on the doorplate, Ian stopped. After taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

A dry-sounding voice came from inside.

Ian turned the knob and opened the door.

The office was cozier than he expected.

Wooden bookshelves lined the sides, and a sofa and desk that could seat four people were placed in the center.

Professor Frost was sitting right at that desk.

‘Is this the person?’

Seeing his appearance for the first time, Ian was somewhat surprised.

Frost looked much younger than he had expected.

He had authored dozens of magic theory books, but he appeared to be in his early thirties at most.

This indicated that his skills were exceptionally good.

“Why? Am I different from what you thought?”

“Apologies for my rudeness. It is a pleasure to meet you, Professor Frost.”

“I haven’t seen you before.”

Professor Frost, wearing glasses, narrowed his eyes. He was calm yet overwhelmingly charismatic.

“I am Ian, newly entering the Department of Magic. I come from the Oracle Family.”

“Hmm. The Oracle Family…”

Professor Frost’s expression grew increasingly complicated.

He then nodded, showing a look that said he understood everything.

“I see. That child has grown so much already.”

“Have you seen me before?”

“No. I once interacted with Sir Lefevre, who praised his son a lot.”

“Can I ask what kind of relationship you had with my father?”

“We studied together in the theoretical faction. We exchanged letters a few times since then. It’s nothing special, nothing to be overly curious about.”

Still, Ian felt glad. It was like finding a lost memory of his father.

“But what brings a first-year student here? Isn’t it almost time for the induction ceremony?”