Academy’s Genius Mage

Ian couldn’t help but be concerned.

If he hadn’t met Felix when he left the mansion, he would have dismissed it as nothing.

“Business?”

The muscular student who was questioned frowned furiously.

He was large and had bulging muscles, so his frown made him look threatening. Of course, Ian didn’t shrink back at all.

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m here to unpack in the dormitory. Why are you lingering in front of someone else’s dorm?”

“This is your dorm?”

Ian confirmed the room number on the door. It was indeed Room 307.

At that moment, he remembered a fact. Usually, three people shared a dorm room.

There was only one conclusion.

This muscular brute was his roommate.

“What a coincidence.”

Ian showed the key he was holding.

As a result, both of them showed each other their keys. The number A-307 was clearly written on both keys.

“I’m Ian Oracle. It looks like we’ll be sharing the same room, so let’s get along.”

“Oh? Hahaha! I’ve been rude to my roommate. Nice to meet you. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not angry. I just have a naturally loud voice.”

The two men shook hands lightly.

The misunderstanding was resolved, but Ian had to ask one thing. The incident started at the administrative office.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why were you staring so intently at the administrative office earlier?”

Ian asked, and the muscular student surprisingly answered easily.

“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to befriend a handsome guy. You stood out in the administrative office. Handsome guys are popular, so it’s good to get introduced to cool girls. Heh heh heh.”

“……”

Ian already felt a headache coming on.

Indeed, the staff in his hand was definitely for striking. If he was here to study in the Department of Magic, he should think a bit.

It seemed he was more used to using his muscles than his brain.

“So, you approached me to get introduced to girls?”

“It’s just a saying. Haven’t you heard of a metaphor? And why do you have to nitpick everything? Don’t be so petty. What’s good is good.”

The muscular student laughed heartily.

Seeing such an opposite personality in his roommate, Ian sighed.

Could he properly study in this dormitory?

He felt like he would be invited to go drinking all the time.

It would be a relief if he didn’t bring girls into the room.

“Did you come to the academy to play?”

“Is there a law against playing?”

At least he’s honest.

“I’ve never been to a social gathering. If you want to find a nice place, you better look for someone else.”

“What does it matter? There are so many pretentious people in the world relying on their family name. Instead, the Oracle Family is trustworthy. They’re honest, aren’t they?”

“Do you know about our family?”

“I’m not ignorant.”

It didn’t seem like an empty compliment.

Most of all, the answer that he wasn’t ignorant of the family was impressive.

So, the evaluation of his roommate, which had hit rock bottom, rose a little.

“Don’t be so serious! Since we’re roommates, we’ll have to get along for at least a year, right?”

He wasn’t wrong.

Most of all, he couldn’t say this muscular student’s way of thinking was wrong.

It was evident from what he saw when he came out of the administrative office earlier.

In front of the academy headquarters, freshmen were gathered in groups, chattering.

Most noble children already knew each other. They had ties between families, attended social gatherings, or for other reasons.

So, many people saw the academy as an extension of their social stage.

They had accumulated enough wealth and power to play for the rest of their lives. No problem came from playing a little.

People like Ian, who entered the academy with a clear objective, were rather rare.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh? You don’t know me? Come on, this is too much.”

“As you know, I have no interest in social affairs at all.”

This time, Ian had the upper hand. The muscular student sighed deeply and shook his head.

“Ha, really. The rumor that the head of the Oracle Family is a recluse was true. My name is Milo. I’m from the Vinettia Family.”

“The Vinettia Family?”

Ian was slightly surprised.

Vinettia was a family known for producing exceptional knights. Their Vinettia Swordsmanship was one of the most renowned martial techniques on the continent.

Yet, someone from such a family had applied to the Department of Magic?

‘Is that even possible?’

Ian could guess the cause of the dissonance between the staff in his hand and his sturdy figure.

His family was the clue.

Although trained through incredibly rigorous exercises to become a knight, he had eventually applied to the Department of Magic, not the Department of Martial Arts.

“You seem like you’re about to ask a question I’ve heard countless times before. If you’re going to ask why someone from the Vinettia Family didn’t apply to the Department of Martial Arts, save it.”

“It’s essential information for a roommate to know.”

“Ugh!”

Milo sighed and leaned against the wall. The two were still talking in the dormitory hallway.

“As you know, our family is famous for swordsmanship. My brothers are already active in the Royal Knights. Everyone is exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship… except me. I have no talent at all.”

The outline became clearer.

Vinettia Family members were swordsmanship prodigies.

But instead, he was the magical prodigy of a prestigious family known for its swordsmanship.

A mage was a rare existence.

Feeling mana was considered a blessing so much so that it was referred to as ‘God’s Grace’.

While it was unclear how talented Milo was, if the prestigious Vinettia Family allowed him to enroll in the Department of Magic, he must possess considerable talent.

“You look incredibly strong. Wouldn’t it be better to go to the Department of Martial Arts instead?”

“You have no idea. Strength isn’t everything. Agility and stamina are more crucial for swordsmanship. Especially our family’s techniques, which emphasize skill.”

“The thing in your hand is a staff for mana concentration, right?”

“Yes, why?”

“Knowing your background, it looks more like a hammer.”

“Hahaha! Well, I use it to bash things occasionally but don’t worry. I won’t harm you.”

The conversation seemed to have dragged on a bit.

Nevertheless, Ian managed to gather some information about his roommate Milo.

He couldn’t fully understand what kind of person he was yet, but he didn’t seem malevolent.

Above all, there was nothing to lose by getting along with him.

The Oracle Family was a traditional theoretical mage family.

On the other hand, Milo came from a family renowned for martial arts and had close connection with knights.

If Ian ever needed any crucial information or knowledge, Milo could be of significant help.

“We’ve been talking outside for too long. Let’s go in.”

Ian unlocked the door and went inside, with Milo following behind.

The interior was neatly arranged.

White curtains covered a large window, and beds were lined up on either side.

There were exactly three beds, implying that besides Milo, there was another roommate.

To one side, there were experimental tools.

The setup wasn’t grand, but they had facilities for enchanting, herbal studies, and potion making.

“Wow! The Royal Academy is indeed different. I didn’t expect these facilities inside the dorm.”

“I thought you had brothers?”

“Yeah, but they’re all sweaty knights. They don’t understand this kind of stuff.”

Milo seemed satisfied, touching the enchanting tools. He appeared to be interested in that aspect.

This place was not just for living and eating.

Academics, research, and training. It was an all-inclusive facility.

It wasn’t luxurious, but it was furnished with all necessary equipment.

“Do you have an interest in enchanting?”

Milo asked. Ian, standing in front of a desk with his name on it, responded.

“There’s no field in magic that doesn’t interest me. I’m interested in all things related to magic.”

“Wow. That’s some serious confidence.”

“I still plan to focus on potion making for a while.”

“Why? That’s a tough job.”

“There’s a reason for it.”

Potion making requires a lot of effort. To create potions for specific uses, one had to secure the right ingredients and mix them in precise ratios for the best effect. Hence, it wasn’t a highly efficient task.

But for Ian Oracle, it wasn’t an issue at all.

His mind contained extensive knowledge about handling herbs, mixing techniques, and potion making.

Since childhood, Ian had been able to accumulate knowledge about alchemy, thanks to his good parents.

“Are you thinking of selling potions? If you need potions, you might as well leave it to a workshop. Do you want me to introduce you to a good place?”

“No. It’s just a minor thing, so don’t worry about it.”

Ian opened the gift package that was on the desk.

Inside, he found a long staff, a cloak, and a pin to fasten the cloak.

This was the gift set for the new students of the academy. Ian grabbed the staff, channeling his mana into it.

‘It’s more useful than I thought.’

The staff was entirely made of wood, allowing the mana to flow smoothly without interruption.

While it didn’t have a strong cohesion effect, it was perfect for beginners.

At the Royal Academy of Magic, the staff was used to distinguish between grades.

As one advanced, cubic gemstones were embedded in the staff, and for those representing their class, special jewels were added.

Sometimes, it even became a symbol of family honor. Naturally, the higher the grade, the better the performance of the staff provided.

Unless under special circumstances, students in the Department of Magic had to use the staff assigned to them.

Tap, tap.

He heard a sharp sound from the side.

When he turned his head, Milo was hitting his palm with the staff, testing its strength. His expression was not satisfied.

“Damn it. It gives no satisfaction when I hit with this thing.”

“It’s not too late. Why don’t you transfer to the Martial Arts Department?”

“You wouldn’t understand. I’m sick of swordsmanship by now. Ugh, my luck.”

Leaving behind Milo, who fretted over nothing, Ian draped the cloak over himself.

The black cloak with a hood was made of luxurious fabric; its inside was soft, while the outside was rough, making it highly practical.

Finally, Ian fastened the cloak with the pin.

Click.

On the golden pin head, the emblem of the Royal Academy was engraved. Now, he felt like an actual student of the academy.

“Ian!”

His eardrums almost ruptured. Frowning, Ian turned his head. Milo was staring blankly at him.

This didn’t feel right.

“What the heck? Huh? You look so good in the academy set? That’s unfair! I’ve never seen anyone this incredible in my life! If you’d shown up at even one party, girls would have been lining up!”

Ian instinctively pulled the hood up to slightly cover his face.

He thought he might have to keep it covered from now on.

Just as he was wondering how to respond, the door opened slightly.

It was fortunate for Ian, who was trying to change the subject.

Both of them turned their gaze to the door.

“Um… hello?”

A person they hadn’t seen before greeted them with a bow.

She had short brown hair and a delicate appearance.

She was small and slim, and she looked like she would suit the academy’s student cloak well.

“Who are you?”

“Ah! I’m… Edel. I’ve been assigned to this dorm. Are you the ones sharing the room with me?”

“Yes, we are.”

Ian, who had been staring intently at Edel, tilted his head.

“I thought dorms were assigned by gender. Did you come to the wrong place?”

“Oh! I’m a guy!”

“A guy?”

For the first time, Ian and Milo asked in unison.