Academy’s Genius Mage

“Puhahahaha! Engaging in club activities on Sun’s Day? And deciphering ancient scripts, no less? It’s not like you’re in remedial classes! Hahaha!”

Milo had wasted no time in laughing, even though the joy of passing the admission test was still fresh.

His target was Edel.

After all, Ian was obviously going to pass, and as friends, congratulating each other felt embarrassing, so Milo chose to mock in jest.

Thanks to this, Edel couldn’t hold his head high even as he exited the academy’s main gates.

Ian and his friends had made plans to drink at a nice place today.

Thus, they acquired outing passes and stepped outside.

“So, after all that groaning and moaning while studying, this is your result? Edel, how about reconsidering, even now?”

“Stop teasing him. He’s going to cry.”

Ian finally intervened, unable to stand it any longer.

However, everyone knew the troublesome ones tend to act contrary to what they’re told, as proven by Dr. Greenfrog’s thesis, so he gave up trying to stop Milo once he set his mind.

“No, Edel! Come join me in the tennis club. There are lots of gorgeous seniors there!”

“No, I’m going to stick with it. As someone who doesn’t know much, I need to study even on weekends.”

“Tut tut tut. You know one thing but not the other. You only need to study just enough ancient languages to graduate. But a rosy campus life? That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Just as Milo passionately argued, a passing carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Ian and his friends.

The curtain drew back, and the window opened.

“Could it be that insolent brat?”

Milo frowned, expecting Ophelia to poke her head out and call them “vulgar peasants” while pointing a finger.

However, the person who appeared was someone entirely different.

“Gasp!”

Milo inhaled sharply, almost falling backward in sheer surprise.

It was Isera who emerged.

Edel smiled warmly and approached the carriage.

“Hello, senior. Are you going out today?”

“Yes, I have an errand at the manor.”

Ian also stepped closer.

Isera’s gaze shifted from Ian to Milo, then settled back on Edel.

“And you guys?”

“We’re going out for drinks. It’s a celebration after exploring a dungeon.”

Ian answered on behalf of the group. Isera murmured “I see” and nodded.

“Senior!”

“Yes?”

Edel, who was usually quite shy, spoke up to Isera with rare assertiveness.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said yesterday. In fact, it seems like something worth considering in matters beyond just ancient languages.”

“You’re doing well.”

“Um… if it’s alright, would you like to join us, senior?”

“Today?”

“Yes!”

It was unexpected.

Milo might have said such a thing, but who would have thought Edel would?

It meant that Edel held Isera in high esteem.

‘Even Edel needs a senior he can trust and follow.’

Edel was a commoner, living a life very different from Milo, who had an extensive network.

When they stood at the same starting point, he might have felt inferior.

Yet, it seemed Edel found his own way without giving up.

It revisited his decision to always help Edel and felt reassured.

But then, an astonishing thing happened.

“Thank you, but I’ll pass this time. I have guests at home.”

Isera smiled.

Ian stepped in.

“I didn’t know our senior could smile like this.”

“There’s no rule against smiling, is there?”

“Just saying.”

It was a breathtakingly beautiful smile, like a wildflower blooming in a meadow.

“Invite me next time, Edel.”

“Of course!”

Soon, the carriage departed, and a deeply moved Edel waved his hand toward the back of the carriage.

“Edel.”

“Yes?”

“Isera Hebraim is known to be difficult, so how can you treat her so comfortably? Especially since you were someone who used to accumulate fees.”

Ian was genuinely curious.

He recalled the first time they met in the dormitory.

Back then, Edel had said it was a real honor to be able to share the same room.

Edel had taken a long time to become aware of himself as an academy student and to realize that everyone was equal.

Though he had improved considerably, it was because he had gotten closer to Ian and Milo. He still found it hard to mingle with his peers.

Nevertheless, he interacted comfortably with the sophomore senior who should have been more challenging.

“There wasn’t any special reason; it was just the first time.”

“What, you mean the senior?”

For some reason, Ian’s heart pounded.

Edel shook his head.

“No, the senior was the first noble who didn’t ask where my family came from. In that sense, it was the first time.”

“I see.”

At that moment, Ian felt relieved.

Why was that?

“I felt like she was seeing me for who I am. That’s why I can treat her a bit more comfortably. Was I too rude?”

“Not at all. You finally seem like an academy student.”

“Really? Hehehe.”

Ian patted Edel’s shoulder.

All his curiosity was resolved. He wasn’t sure why his heart had pounded suddenly, though.

Yet, there was one person whose curiosity wasn’t resolved.

“You scoundrel… was this your plan all along?”

Milo’s hand whipped around Edel’s neck like a snake.

Edel yelped in surprise and struggled.

“Did you join to spend weekends with the continent’s most beautiful woman? Was all the effort of staying up late to enjoy your youth?”

“W-What are you talking about! Aagh! Let go!”

“Speak honestly! That’s the only way to avoid a bloodbath!”

Here they went again.

However, no matter how much they tried, they couldn’t extract the answer they wanted from Edel. So Milo turned his target to Ian.

“About the Ancient Literature Translation Club…”

“It’s not a translation club; it’s a reading club.”

“Whatever! You are still recruiting new members, right? Say it, you rascal! You are an accomplice!”

Ian grinned even as he was grabbed by the collar.

Things were going well. If a strong member joined, high-level ruins exploration would be no problem.

* * *

The three of them arrived at a tavern near the academy.

“Can I… even go in here?”

Looking up at the building, Edel felt intimidated.

It was not a poorly constructed building but a very luxurious one made of stone. There were even sculptures placed on either side.

Milo clicked his tongue and beckoned with his finger.

“There’s no place an academy student can’t enter, kiddo.”

“Really?”

“Were you always this gullible?”

“He probably took all the hits from you.”

Ian added.

But it was no wonder Edel felt that way.

There were two security guards wearing black suits and ties, standing sternly to protect the place. With determined expressions, they seemed ready to admit no one casually.

“Where are you from?”

“As you can see, the Academy.”

Milo waved his staff and robe frivolously. However, the guards were serious.

“We’ll need to confirm your identity. If you’re an academy student, please show your ID.”

“This doesn’t suffice for verification?”

“The magic school costume is popular nowadays. Therefore, we’ve strengthened identity checks. Please show your ID.”

They intended to stick to the rules.

So Milo also followed the rules.

“What sort of crazy person would cosplay with the sacred academy uniform?”

What he took out was not the academy student ID, but a token indicating his family’s status.

“I am Milo of the Viscount Vinettia Family. I vouch for these two people’s identities. Any more questions?”

“My apologies. Right this way, please.”

The gatekeeper led the party inside.

Once inside, the waiting female employee greeted them politely and asked various questions. She seemed to be trying to assign seats based on their preferences.

“Are there more in your party?”

“No, today it’s just the three of us quietly having a drink.”

“Then please follow me this way. Come along.”

Milo grumbled nonstop as they were led to their seats.

“That’s why I say we should only go to places we know. These guys didn’t even recognize big brother’s face. How embarrassing.”

“You can speak louder if you’d like.”

Ian gestured with his chin towards the leading female employee.

Milo playfully mimed as if he was speaking, yet he seemed to be in a good mood.

The hallway ended, revealing a vast space.

Nobles in flamboyant attire sat modestly, engaged in lively conversations.

On one side, a string quartet crafted a sweet melody, and the employees bustling with drinks and snacks were also elegant and charming.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t excessively quiet.

There were tables bubbling with chatter, yet no one pointed fingers at them. Occasionally, people danced or showcased their allure.

In a word, it was a new world.

“Wow, it’s my first time in a place like this!”

“It’s impressive, isn’t it? If you make a good impression on this big brother, you’ll be able to come here often, so work hard. It would be nice if you organized my desk and did some cleaning too.”

“Well, that’s a bit…”

“Is it that you don’t want to make a good impression on me, or you don’t want to come here?”

“Uh… maybe neither?”

“Are you impotent? Huh? Are you?”

Once again caught in a weak spot, Milo began teasing him.

Meanwhile, the group reached their table.

Milo expertly ordered drinks and snacks.

However, Ian felt out of place with them.

‘Spirit Energy?’

Sensing the presence of spirit energy in a bar was indeed unusual.

But it wasn’t impossible.

This is an elite bar accessible only to nobles. Therefore, it wouldn’t be strange if there is a spirit mage.

‘Though usually, they would hide the spirit.’

The spirit’s power felt too blatant.

Ian heightened his sense to draw in the energy.

Yet the distant spirit energy was steadily approaching.

‘Should I try to recognize their face? Could they be a professor from the Major in Spirit Magic?’

It might be Professor Elena.

Despite appearances, she might secretly be a heavy drinker.

‘No, that’s not it. Perhaps if it were candy, but not alcohol.’

It was unimaginable.

Then, Ian turned his head involuntarily and was startled.

Splash!

He felt the sensation of water.

The one emitting the spirit’s energy wasn’t a spirit mage, but a spirit itself, and it was one he had seen before.

“Undine?”

『Ian, it’s good to see you. It’s a pleasure meeting you here.』

Ian was momentarily at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Milo and Edel engrossed themselves in making bomb shots. Edel seemed to have even brought herbs.

He wasn’t sure whether they were intended to enhance flavor after going into the bomb shots or alleviate hangovers in the stomach.

His curiosity was piqued more by why Undine was there.

“How are you here?”

『I sensed Ian’s energy. I see you often at the academy, so that’s fine, but since we met outside, I thought I should say hello.』

She was indeed a very courteous spirit.

But her words sidestepped his question.

“No, that’s not it. Spirits can’t stay far from their contract holders, right? Ophelia should be at the academy by now…”

Ian trailed off, wondering if, perhaps, the improbable might be true.

Someone’s voice emerged quicker than Undine’s reply from behind.

“I heard we had a fresh-off-the-boat smell. What? Who are these country bumpkins?”

The real person had appeared.