Surviving at the Magic Academy

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The day of the entrance ceremony was approaching. It was a drizzly kind of day.

But I couldn’t be excited.

All because of this damn grimoire.

I glared at its dull, dark cover.

At first, I thought learning magic would be easy. The structure looked really intricate and complex, but the circuits that formed it and the magical power were quite basic.

But that was just a facade.

This ancient tome concealed a tremendous malice, just as old as itself. Every spell was laced with traps. If you attempted to cast magic as it was written, it wouldn’t be long before it fell apart.

Initially, I thought I was just using it wrong, so I kept practicing. But magic kept collapsing, leading me to inspect the entire process.

That’s when I discovered several trap circuits hidden in the grimoire that messed up my spells. Damn it, hiding traps like this! I complained while fixing them. Surely this would work now.

It didn’t.

Removing one trap simply revealed another related trap. From that, new problems arose. The whole spell was like one gigantic trap.

The moment I realized that, I felt an overwhelming sense of despair. Did the mages of noble families go through all this trouble to protect their magic?

They must have prepared for any potential leakage of their magic to the outside world. They understood and could modify these traps, able to teach others.

And those traps worked wonders against me.

The idea that I could master all the spells in this damn book evaporated like smoke. With a month to go, I couldn’t even guarantee I’d properly learn one spell.

So, I just fixated on a few spells. For a month, I dismantled, analyzed, and re-applied the magical circles over and over.

And finally, after all that effort, I managed to learn just two spells.

I decided to test the environment optimization spell. It was the one I wanted to learn the most. The musty, damp air around me was instantly freshened up.

I felt extremely satisfied. This was a spell I built myself after a month of hard work. Even if it lacked the finesse of the book’s spells, it definitely had enough effectiveness.

I quickly integrated the magic I’d learned into my butler, too. I hadn’t completed the professor’s assignment, but I at least needed some evidence of my efforts. Otherwise, I would get hit until I literally died.

And just before I could die, I got hit yesterday.

I swallowed hard, standing in front of the stairs leading to the second floor.

After I had been knocked out cold yesterday, the professor told me to be ready by 8 AM today. So, I had been frantically moving since yesterday. Checking the time, there were only 5 minutes left. The professor would come down soon, no doubt.

The shop was already completely empty. I had tidied everything up so well that not even a speck of dust remained.

All my belongings were tucked away in my spatial pouch. I wouldn’t be coming back here for a long time. I might not even return until I die. There was really no need to leave anything behind.

Lastly, I summoned my magical power. A few insects I had installed earlier received the magic and began drawing an explosion magical circle on their backs. The ones that were sufficiently charged burst apart in an instant.

The explosion shook the underground workshop. The earth trembled slightly. But I had calculated the explosion range beforehand, so nothing on the surface was affected.

That’s when it hit me that I was finally leaving.

There was no avoiding the destruction of the workshop. It held the remnants of my magic and research. What if someone used a memory recovery spell to siphon off my research?

Having heard of such cases before, I realized that dismantling the workshop was not a choice but a necessity.

Just then, the professor came down with a yawn. The butler was nearby, helping with her hair. The environment optimization spell was working flawlessly, keeping the air around her nice and fresh.

The butler’s hands tidied her up smoothly. By the time she reached me at the bottom of the stairs, she was perfectly put together without a wrinkle in sight.

“Have you finished preparing?”

“Yes, the shop is all cleared out.”

She surveyed the surroundings. After confirming the vacant shop, she nodded.

“Well, let’s go then.”

“Yes. I’ve also prepared a ride.”

I opened the door ahead of her and stepped outside. There was a doll that looked like a miniaturized turtle awaiting us, sprawled flat on the ground. It looked like a small wagon.

I guided her onto its shell, where a seat had been specially made just for her. She leaned back against a reclining chair I had envisioned. I stood at attention behind that seat.

The turtle began to move. It moved very quickly yet steadily. There was no sensation of motion on its shell, which made it clear that I had put serious thought into the riding experience.

I glanced back. The shop began to shrink in the distance. Farewell, my ten years. I’ll come back someday. I murmured to myself.

In no time, we reached the center of the slums. People blocking the road saw the turtle and panickedly ran away. No, they were probably running away from the professor. Her reputation was still fresh in their minds.

In the distance, I spotted Evan waving at us. Sure, we had our grievances, but that didn’t erase the bond we shared. I nodded his way, acknowledging him as we passed by.

We moved along the same road I took when I was taking the exam. Soon, a well-maintained road appeared. Beyond that, I could see the city gate.

We headed for the gate. As usual, the gate was firmly shut. I had never been allowed to pass through this gate when it wasn’t exam day. But today was different.

At the guard post in front of the gate, soldiers stepped out to block our turtle’s path.

“Halt! Unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter the city.”

I got off the turtle and stood before them. As I pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it to them, their eyes fixed on it. A smile spread across my face. I had put a lot of time and effort into obtaining this.

The soldiers took the paper and began to examine it. They nodded slightly after scrutinizing it closely. The path opened up. One soldier returned the paper to me and smiled.

“Congratulations on your acceptance, Mage!”

“Haha, thank you. Good luck to you.”

I delicately tucked the paper away. This was it, the university. Those who had never allowed me to approach before were now bowing their heads before me. Is this what it means to be reborn? By passing the entrance, I shed my old self.

Me now? A university student. Just saying that sent shivers down my spine.

The gate began to slowly open with the power of magic. I passed through it.

The city was massive. It held civilizations unlike any I had seen before. The dozens of multi-story buildings built with magic cast enormous shadows over the ground, and people constantly moved between them. Above, mages flew through the sky.

Last time I came, I couldn’t see this up close because I had been blocked by the soldiers. But now, I pushed my way through those crowds. There were so many people it felt like an invasion of ants. I could sense countless gazes passing over me as I glanced at the turtle.

Watching this spectacle, memories from my past life began to surge forth. This vibrant city didn’t pale in comparison to those past recollections. Rather, it might have surpassed them.

Outside the city walls, the atmosphere was entirely different from the dark air of the slums. I pressed deeper into the city.

In the city center, a gigantic gate stood tall. People flowed in and out through it incessantly. Especially, there were many who appeared to be mages. They exited from the teleportation circle and headed smoothly towards a small door next to it.

I directed the turtle towards that door as well. It was a very small, shabby wooden door. The mages placed their hands upon it, and the tightly shut door creaked open, sucking them in within an instant.

I halted the turtle near that door.

“Are we there yet?”

The professor looked up, as if she sensed the turtle was stopping. She nodded slightly and started adjusting the shell to create a staircase that connected down to the ground. Rising slowly, she descended that staircase.

“It’s been a while since I passed through this door.”

The professor crossed her arms and said. The turtle, having finished its duty, tucked its head and legs back into its shell and gave a big shake.

Then the shell began to shrink. Once it had shrunk enough to fit in my palm, the trembling calmed down. I lifted it up. It felt surprisingly heavy.

Did I miscalculate the adjustments?

I injected magical power into the turtle’s circuits to fix it. Only then did it feel a bit lighter. It still felt like I was carrying a boulder, but it was better than before.

Among the many things I had learned while studying that dreadful grimoire was a spell to shrink objects.

The feeling I had when I first used this spell was still vivid in my memory. No one would ever believe that this palm-sized turtle once had a colossal body that spanned dozens of meters.

I cradled it in my arms. Drawn by the magical power, it slipped into the spatial pouch. Simultaneously, the spell released, causing it to expand rapidly. The once spacious pouch suddenly felt cramped.

A sigh involuntarily escaped my lips.

Everything else was fine, but the magical consumption was way too high. The more you compressed something, the exponentially more magical energy it drained. It had already eaten up nearly half of my mana just getting here from the shop, and I was almost empty after that latest compression.

It was my first time using this spell on the turtle, and I didn’t expect it to be such a strain to maintain.

“Alright, shall we go?”

The professor placed her hand on the door. In an instant, she was swallowed within it.

I gulped.

Now it was my turn. Crossing that door would lead to the university. I brought the acceptance letter to the door. Instantly, the paper melted away, and the door began to slowly open.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. Excitement and fear mixed together, creating a sensation that left me speechless.

The university door I had dreamed of for decades was finally unveiling. How long had I waited for this moment? What awaited me beyond this door?

I felt a powerful pull. I squeezed my eyes shut. And in the blink of an eye, I was drawn into the door.

There weren’t any extraordinary changes.

I slowly opened my eyes.

I stood in a different place. A vast open field.

I was in front of a door set against the edge of the field. It looked just like the one I had opened moments ago.

As I started to look around, an odd sensation spread throughout my body.

No, my body wasn’t feeling weird. The surroundings were strange. There was so much magical energy. It was the kind of mana I had never encountered before.

The magic surged endlessly into my body. My depleted mana was rapidly replenished, and my roots seemed to swim joyfully within that river of magic, experiencing a growth spurt. It felt as if I had immersed myself in a pool of raw magical power.

For a moment, I floundered, unable to regain my composure. But suddenly, a sharp jolt struck my head. Someone had slapped me hard on the head. I toppled over.

As my blurred vision restored itself, I spotted the professor’s exasperated face.

“The others recover quickly; why are you a mess?”

“I’m sorry….”

Speaking was an ordeal. But at some moment, a wave of comfort started washing over me. The magic emanating from my head was assisting in my recovery. The professor’s magic poured into my forehead like a blessing. I looked at her with grateful eyes.

She let out a huff and struck my head again. That force drove my head into the ground. At the same time, the professor’s magic seeped in even more, accelerating my recovery.

With the professor’s help, I quickly shook off the dirt. I didn’t utter a word of thanks. Speaking again felt like my head would burst, so I coughed quietly and just bowed my head.

Instead, I took a look around.

There were quite a few others like me. They too were writhing as they struggled to adapt to this powerful mana.

And beyond them, some had already adapted completely. They were gathered around a huge, tall podium placed in the middle of the open field, engaged in conversation.

Looking further away from them, I spotted towering mountains surrounding the field. Dozens of peaks encircled this area like a stronghold.

Once I regained some clarity, the professor started walking ahead. I quickly followed her. Instead of heading toward the podium like everyone else, she veered towards a quiet corner. It seemed she preferred that secluded area, and she beckoned me to follow.

It clicked in my mind what the professor wanted.

I took out some dolls for her from the spatial pouch. As soon as they emerged from the pouch, they wobbled and struggled to find their balance.

The magic in this place was overwhelming for them too. I hastily altered the dolls’ circuit structures to accommodate more magical energy. Only then did they begin to move properly.

I began to set up a space just for her, keeping an eye on the dolls.

First, a large tent was erected by the dolls. This tent, designed to block the view of the surroundings, was decorated with beautiful golden wooden patterns, resembling her hair.

At the center of the tent, I placed a soft cushion chair. This magically crafted cushion formed an optimal shape, adapting to her posture changes, providing perpetual comfort.

In front of it, I arranged a small table. Not too large, the table fit her frame perfectly, creating a soft harmony. I laid out pastries neatly on it, positioning the dolls to always stand by for service.

Meanwhile, the environment optimization spell activated overhead, transforming the internal conditions of the tent. This little area felt like not just a simple resting place, but an independent world uniquely crafted for her amidst the vast open field.

The professor sat in the chair, smiling contentedly. The butler approached and poured tea into her cup. As she savored the aroma, she sank deeply into the chair.

It was perfect.

Admiring my handiwork, I slowly adjusted the magic. I was still a bit inexperienced with the environment optimization spell, so some instabilities lingered. I put my best efforts into stabilizing it.

But at one moment, I suddenly sensed an odd magical energy. It felt as if something impure had infiltrated my meticulously arranged environment.

It emanated from my shadow.

My shadow began to ripple and slowly swell. Then, it belched out a person.

A middle-aged man with a weary face appeared. He gave me a light tap on the shoulder and bowed to the professor.

“Professor Ilian, long time no see.”

The professor glanced at him briefly and waved her hand as if to say hello.

“May I join you? I think I’ll have to wait about two more hours until the entrance ceremony.”

“Sure. Ron, grab another chair.”

The professor ordered. In a flash, I pulled out a chair and handed it to the man. He slumped into it.

“Oh, this feels nice.”

He mumbled as he fiddled with the cushion. The butler approached and placed a cup before him. As the tea was poured, blossoms bloomed in his cup, a sight more enchanting than before. It was a result of the delicate adjustments I had made with the spell.

“That’s what I made. His name’s Ebron; I picked him up outside.”

She gestured toward me. I quietly bowed my head at her signal.

“Oh, is this student the one who just got admitted?”

“Yeah. I taught him a bit over the past year.”

The man looked astonished as he stared at the professor. He looked like he had heard the strangest thing.

“Professor Ilian has taught him?”

“Uh, why?”

“Then this kid would be your first student, right? You’ve never taught anyone before.”

Professor Ilian grimaced. Her magic swiftly shot towards the man.

However, the shadows blooming from his body gently absorbed that magic. His eyes widened. It was the first time I had seen the professor’s magic get blocked.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed, ahaha.”

“Embarrassed? It’s just silly talk, that’s why.”

Professor Ilian grumbled. I stood there, hands clasped, not wanting to intrude on their conversation. I focused instead on improving the spell of the tent and replenishing the pastries on the table. The professor motioned for me to come closer.

It was an invitation. I cautiously approached the table.

“This is Professor Heisen. As you just saw, he has a fondness for shadows.”

“Pleasure to meet you, my name is Ebron.”

I bowed almost at right angles as I politely introduced myself. I felt Professor Heisen’s magic lightly scan over me. I didn’t resist; I let him examine me. After a moment, that magic quickly retreated.

“I was wondering if there was something special about you since you were taken in by Professor Ilian, but it doesn’t seem so, does it?”

I stayed quiet. He was right, after all, so there was no reason to get upset.

I simply held even more gratitude for Professor Ilian. After all, she was the one who had led me to the university despite my inadequacies.

“That’s why I brought him here. Competent youth often get too many ideas.”

“Oh, that’s an interesting thought. I was wondering how to handle the kids downstairs who keep running off. This sounds like a good method.”

“Right? I truly came up with a brilliant idea.”

“I’ll have to try that out next year too.”

They began to chatter on.

I quietly took a step back from the table. But I kept a certain distance. Since they hadn’t asked me to leave yet, I didn’t want to disappear from their view entirely. Just as the professor was about to say something else, she hesitated.

“Ron, you can head out now.”

Professor Ilian said. I gave a deep bow and carefully slipped out of the tent. As soon as I left, shadows enveloped the tent, masking it from anyone’s sight. It seemed like there was some important discussion going on.

Outside was still quiet, with the sun blazing down fiercely.

 

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