Academy’s Genius Mage

“Ian!”

Ian hesitated for a moment before turning around.

When he turned, he saw a little child looking up at him, eyes twinkling. The kind of look that made you feel like offering them candy would have them follow you anywhere.

Yet, this child was no ordinary child but Professor Elena of the Spirit Academy.

In fact, Ian had already noticed that Professor Elena was following him. It was impossible to ignore the powerful spirit energy emanating from her.

He gave a polite bow.

“Thank you for your help today. Thanks to you, I was able to clear up some misunderstandings.”

“Oh, no problem! I was actually quite impressed with how you stood up for your friend, Ian. It’s not easy to testify before the disciplinary committee.”

“I see.”

Elena chuckled and approached closer, her demeanor more disarming than Ian had expected.

He instinctively took a step back.

“Why, why are you backing away?”

“It’s nothing. You were actually watching earlier, weren’t you? I heard a voice in the corridor.”

“N-no!”

“So, you were.”

“N-no, I wasn’t!”

People passing by began to glance at them.

Anyone unaware of who Professor Elena was might think Ian was abducting a child.

Ian finally understood why Dean Jessica had sighed, realizing the sentiment she must have had at that moment.

“Alright, I understand. Professor, do you have any business with me?”

“I’ve grown a bit curious, you see.”

“About me?”

Elena nodded eagerly, her chubby cheeks wiggling each time her head bobbed. Ian was startled, almost pinching her cheeks without realizing it.

In her own way, Professor Elena was a very dangerous person.

“With which spirit have you made a contract, Ian? It seemed like you were concealing your spirit power.”

“I haven’t made a contract yet.”

“Really? You haven’t?”

Impossible! Elena murmured those words. But regardless of being a professor at the Spirit Academy, Ian couldn’t divulge everything he had experienced.

“Actually, it’s not been long since I began feeling spirits. So, I haven’t met a spirit seeking me yet.”

“When did you start feeling them?”

“A few days ago.”

“Wow! Really?”

That was indeed rare.

Typically, people make contracts with spirits in their childhood.
It’s extremely rare for an adult to do so.

There’s a hypothesis that spirits reach out during periods of innocence, but it hasn’t been proven yet.

“You’ll need to choose your spirit wisely then.”

“Can you choose?”

“Yes!”

Professor Elena’s eyes sparkled.

This was the first time Ian showed interest in her words.

“If you want to know how, come to my lab!”

“Oh, okay…”

He had a feeling that visiting her would lead to an invitation to Major in Spirit Magic, but since contracting with a spirit was one of his goals, he couldn’t just ignore her.

“By the way, your report mentioned spirit language earlier. Where did you study that?”

Caught off guard, Ian showed a hint of surprise, a reaction Elena noticed with a smile.

“It seemed like you were deciphering the natural force emitted by Ophelia’s Undine with spirit language… Am I right?”

In reality, not only could Ian read spirit language, but he could also write it.

He had successfully shaped spirit language with mana when he first attempted to communicate with Ophelia’s Undine. At that moment, Ian was far ahead of Professor Elena in terms of spirit language.

“It’s a bit embarrassing. I still have much to learn. It’s not significant enough to mention to a professor like yourself.”

“Hehe~ It seems like it’s a bit awkward to talk about. Well, it could be a family secret, or maybe your unique skill. If it’s difficult, you don’t have to answer!”

“I’ll make sure to greet you with a better thesis next time.”

“Sure. Goodbye then!”

“Soon, Professor.”

Professor Elena smiled brightly and waved, while Ian politely greeted her and headed toward the dormitory.

However, even after entering the room, Ian could not rest easily.

Milo, crossing his arms with a displeased expression, began to interrogate Ian.

“You’re a spirit mage, aren’t you?”

“That’s amazing! I knew there was something unusual about you. What spirit did you make a contract with? Huh?”

Edel chimed in.

Ian let out a deep sigh.

* * *

The Ophelia insubordination incident concluded without noise.

Though she once faced the threat of expulsion, everything returned to normal.

However, the incident itself did not disappear.

Naturally, word of it reached the Marquis of Drias.

The Marquis immediately sent someone to the Department of Magic to express gratitude for their leniency.

Outside the academy, particularly at the royal palace, the majesty of the Drias Marquis was even more substantial.

Thanks to their humble approach, the Department of Magic also graciously accepted the apology, allowing the matter to be resolved amicably.

Meanwhile, the head of the Drias family, Hunka, personally visited the academy to suggest a leave of absence for Ophelia.

But Ophelia dismissed her father’s concerns.

Her reason was firm.

She refused to become the junior of a man who would rest from school to inherit a meandering family.

“The world is truly unfair. There is definitely no god. Suddenly being able to feel spirits? What nonsense!”

Milo grumbled as he opened the door to the salon.

It was not a place he was always in. It was a bit farther away, used as a haven by the Department of Natural Sciences.

Unfamiliar students were spending their time leisurely.

The appearance of an unfamiliar guest caused the students to look over in curiosity, but upon seeing the black robe and staff symbolic of the Department of Magic, they quickly turned their heads.

Following this, Ian and Edel entered.

“If it’s unfair, talk to god, not me.”

“Exactly, I have no idea either.”

“Stop it, will you?”

“Tsk!”

The three of them found seats. It was by the window, where warm sunlight streamed in.

“What will you order?”

“The usual.”

Milo grinned and rang a bell.

Soon, a girl wearing a waitress uniform appeared with a tray in hand.

“… May I take your order?”

Milo glanced at the girl before reclining arrogantly back on the sofa.

“What’s with your attitude? Is this your first day?”

“…”

The girl was none other than Ophelia.

She needed to complete 50 hours of service on campus and had chosen salon work.

She had opted for a salon far away to avoid entanglements with Department of Magic students, yet Milo had shown no mercy.

He insisted on having tea specifically here.

Yet she couldn’t throw the tray; causing another problem during service would surely lead to expulsion.

For Ophelia, her honor was at stake.

“What’s the matter? Thinking of hitting me with the tray? Go ahead if you want; I’ll let you get one hit in.”

Milo obnoxiously pushed out his cheek, tapping it with his fingers.

Ophelia’s eyes smiled, but her mouth twisted slightly at the edges.

Ian realized, for the first time, that such an expression could exist on a person.

“No, I apologize for my mistake, Master.”

“One black tea, two milk teas, please.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Hold on.”

Milo called Ophelia back.

“Were you just about to leave without confirming the order? Showing your inexperience already.”

Ophelia’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Though power throbbed threateningly in her aura, she managed to restrain it without letting it flow outward.

She held her composure.

“One black tea, two milk teas, is that correct?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Milo waved dismissively, signaling her to leave.

Ian turned his head, struggling to contain his laughter.

As Ophelia retreated, Ian said, “I didn’t know you had a knack for wielding power like that.”

Milo replied, “When would someone from a Count family get a chance to handle someone from a Marquis family? Now’s the only opportunity.”

Ian noted, “Still, you should show some restraint. Serving here must be tough for Ophelia, given her personality.”

“That’s why I brought you along.”

“Why?”

“She owes a debt she can never fully repay, doesn’t she? You can at least endure this kind of humiliation.”

Ian gave a bitter smile at the undeniable truth.

“You’re going too far, though.”

“She’ll only truly realize how her actions inconvenience others if she experiences it herself. Think of it as a form of education.”

Milo’s purpose wasn’t simply to spite Ophelia.

It was well-known that Ian’s report and defense had led to leniency for Ophelia. Everyone, at least in the Department of Magic, was aware of it.

Furthermore, this situation allowed Ian to form another rare connection.

He had earned the opportunity to meet the Marquis Hunka in private.

“Did the Marquis Hunka really invite you? That’s amazing. Truly amazing. Just the reputation of Professor Ian!”

“He probably just said it out of courtesy.”

“The Marquis Hunka isn’t that kind of person. He’s fiery and truly manly. He wouldn’t make an invitation just out of politeness.”

The mage had red hair and beard, with a specialty in fire magic. It became clear why Ophelia was so attached to mastering fire magic—she had inherited this trait from her father.

Though there hadn’t been a chance for an in-depth discussion this time, should Ian get an audience with the Marquis, he believed he could gain valuable information.

“I mean, getting an invitation from Sebastian and also the Marquis Hunka… Wouldn’t you say that’s quite a successful social debut?”

“But there’s a place we need to go first.”

“Where?”

“Edel’s.”

Edel wore a look of delight, whereas Milo regarded it with suspicious curiosity.

“There’s something unexpectedly interesting about you.”

“What is it now?”

“You seem to have a hidden sense of loyalty, Ian. Outwardly, you’re a geeky recluse buried in books without a shred of flexibility.”

“Is that an insult or a compliment?”

“Both?”

Their leisurely conversation continued until finally, the long-awaited menu arrived.

Ophelia, taking on the responsibility for their table, personally brought out the dishes.

“Gentlemen, here’s the food you ordered.”

Her hand was awkward in placing down the glasses and plates.

It was clear that she wasn’t used to this type of work. Yet, Ophelia persisted and managed the task.

Milo abruptly reached for his glass and took a sip of tea.

“Ugh! What is this cheap taste? Hey, miss! Why is this black tea so bitter? Did you mix sand into it or something?”

“Huh? Sand? No way…”

“This doesn’t taste like what I had in the salon. What’s going on?”

Ophelia’s face flushed red.

Anyone could see Milo was nit-picking. But as such incidents weren’t entirely unheard of in salons, Ophelia took a deep breath and responded.

“In our salon, we don’t add sand when steeping our black tea.”

“Really? Nevermind then~.”

Milo hummed a tune while enjoying his tea, fully aware of the mockery.

With her hands trembling on the tray, Ophelia barely suppressed them as she turned to leave. But Milo didn’t miss the chance.

“Hey, newcomer. The tea’s bitter. How about some sweet desserts to make up for it?”

“You need to place an order.”

“This is an order.”

“… Understood.”

Realizing she couldn’t win, Ophelia resignedly departed.

Milo finally released all the frustrations he had accumulated, needling Ophelia without crossing an obvious line.

Soon after, just as a sugar-laden cookie was placed on the table, an announcement came through the speakers on the wall.

― Attention please. Ian Oracle, first-year student in the Department of Magic, Ian Oracle, please proceed to the post office immediately. Once again…

Normally, regular mail was delivered to the dormitory unless it was a special situation requiring the recipient’s signature.

‘Could it be the patent office?’

Ian promptly left the salon.