Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1077

Chapter 1077

"What brings you here?"

"...Who are you?"

"!?"

Yi-Han was startled at his senior's cold attitude.

Could it be Senior Yukbeltire in disguise?

'Ah. No.'

Come to think of it, he was the one in disguise. From Direth's perspective not knowing Setlad's identity, she could only be bewildered.

"It's me Yi-Han, Senior. Your dark magic school junior."

"..."

For a moment Direth almost said 'I have no such junior'.

What on earth was he doing here?

"...What are you doing?!"

"It's a long story."

Yi-Han explained what happened as concisely as possible.

So he created a fake identity to divert club members...

"It turned out quite useful and came this far."

'This is beyond the level of quite useful.'

Even in her confusion, Direth focused her mind befitting an Einroguard 5th year student.

Though still hard to fully accept, she could understand the main points somewhat.

So there was this identity called Setlad Anog her junior created, roughly...

1. Had escaped after being captured by pirates in the empire's south.

2. Amassed great wealth stealing pirates' treasure maps.

3. Rather increased wealth during the Imperial Bone Flower Speculation Crisis.

4. Had participated in subjugating evil god worshippers.

5. Had also attacked greedy rich people in Granden City.

6. Had even plundered Professor Verduus's property...

'Did my junior secretly graduate without me knowing?'

She was confused even understanding the points.

No matter how she thought about it, when did he do all that?

"Did you... do all that yourself?"

"What? Of course not. Some are lies. People believed them and spread rumors."

"Ah."

Direth sighed in relief.

Then paused.

If some are lies, that means he really did the others?!

"Senior can use this alias too when needed later. Should I write down the detailed personal information?"

"Ah, n-no. Thanks for the thought. More importantly why did you come here?"

"I received an invitation."

Yi-Han explained he had recently received an invitation from Count Jau by chance, and unable to refuse, came like this.

'What kind of invitation did he receive?'

Though Direth was curious about the reason for the invitation, there were many other questions she needed to ask now.

"Junior. Tell me again about the things you actually did, people who hold grudges from that, and people you met. I'll organize and tell you points to be careful about..."

What Direth worried about most now was enemies who hated her junior, or more precisely, the fake identity her junior created.

Having recently done various things and risen to fame, quite a few people in the empire must have come to dislike him.

Enemies weren't just mortal foes. Those who envied, doubted and tried to grab ankles were also enemies.

Since Count Jau had wide connections, all kinds of guests would be at his mansion so they needed to be careful in advance.

"Sir Anog!"

A noble who arrived behind discovered Yi-Han and greeted loudly.

"You accepted the invitation! I'm truly delighted! If I could hear in detail today about hunting Bea... no, Professor Verduus, I would be truly delighted!"

"Ha. You may look forward to it."

'Are you crazy?!'

Direth was appalled at her junior's rude attitude.

This wasn't Einroguard, how could he take such an attitude toward another noble in front of a mansion he was invited to?

"Hahaha! Indeed it's Sir Anog! I look forward to it!"

However, the noble rather laughed happily even at such a curt response.

This was fitting for a fierce and wild mage capable of plundering from Professor Verduus!

"By the way, these people are...?"

"Einroguard dark magic school."

"Indeed. You must be seeking terrible poisons and curses to use on enemies."

"Kuku. That's right."

"..."

Direth said 'That's not right!' with bewildered eyes.

Think all dark mages' conversations are evil talk when gathered?

"Then I'll see you inside!"

As soon as the noble moved away, Yi-Han immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry!"

"It's fine. Just lower your voice since others might hear."

Direth spoke in a slightly tired voice.

There were many who thought that way about dark magic school and it wouldn't change now.

Rather, her junior's fake identity being excessively popular worried her more.

"Sir Anog! You've come!"

"Sir Anog. Please give words of blessing to my nephew! Tell him to become a mage like Sir Anog!"

Why was he really this popular?

  *

"Have you heard the rumors? They say that Anog family mage even defeated Beavle Verduus and plundered his treasures!"

"Truly an amazing mage...! To think such a hero existed in the empire!"

"..."

Entering the mansion, Direth could immediately understand why.

'No wonder his voice got slightly quieter when talking about Professor Verduus.'

Well if that was the case, she could understand his popularity.

Though many held grudges and waited for chances against Professor Verduus, those who succeeded were extremely rare.

To them, her junior must look like an object of admiration.

"How could he increase wealth during the Imperial Bone Flower Speculation Crisis?"

"That's wisdom."

"..."

Or not?

Direth wondered if she had judged wrong.

Perhaps other factors were the reason for popularity...

"Kuk. Why did the count invite such a rude person?"

"Listen here. Sir Setlad of the Anog family isn't rude, he just has strong wariness from being captured by southern imperial pirates. Rather it's proof he's an excellent combat mage."

"Right, right! Are you saying the count mistakenly invited the wrong person!"

Even when someone occasionally came out envying her junior's popularity and trying to find fault, they had to close their mouths at fierce attacks from all directions.

It was truly rare for someone to bring such fanatics to a noble gathering.

'Junior what on earth have you been doing...?!'

"Direth. Direth. Look at me. I'm not strange right? You all look too."

Not knowing his friend's complex inner thoughts, Coholti called out.

Since he had to visit Count Jau to apologize, not even a speck of dust could be on his clothes.

"I'm busy now so ask other juniors to look."

"Why busy? What's going on?"

Coholti couldn't understand his friend's words.

It was a natural reaction since he didn't know who Setlad Anog was.

"See that mage there?"

"Ah. The Anog family mage who increased wealth during the Imperial Bone Flower Speculation Crisis? I was planning to ask for investment in my research later."

Coholti spoke brightly without noticing the other's identity at all.

Then looked at Direth as if realizing belatedly.

"You're trying to get investment too! No wonder! Earlier when you were talking could it be...?!"

"...No. Never mind."

"Hey. Compared to you Direth my research looks shabby."

Coholti spoke as if feeling wronged.

Already overlapping in dark magic school (unlike other magic schools, when dark magic school overlapped it was hard for both to receive investment), compared to Direth, Coholti's curse specialization research...

"That's not it I said. Just focus on meeting the count."

"Ah, alright. Nothing strange right?"

Though Direth nodded it was fine, other juniors were cold.

"The cloak looks a bit cheap. Seems like something you'd only wear at Einroguard."

"How about changing the bracelet? It looks too obviously dark magic school graduate..."

"I'm an idiot for asking you all. Fine. I'm going!"

Coholti got angry at the juniors then turned around. He wanted to take back the ice cream he gave out earlier.

'Whew. Don't be nervous.'

Count Jau's mansion located in the imperial capital boasted subtle yet refined elegance.

The artifacts and furniture decorating the party hall all seemed decades old, yet showing dignified antique light without a single scratch revealed even more class.

Not many could show dignity without putting on airs like this.

Though the empire had quite a few nouveau riche who hurriedly scraped together wealth, when they hurriedly hired servants and invited people it only brought gossip not admiration.

Knowing this well, Coholti couldn't help being more nervous. Rather if the other had been a nouveau riche putting on airs his mind might have been lighter.

"C-count. How do you do."

"Welcome! A Wasteland Stargazer mage?"

"Y-yes. I'm Coholti, an Einroguard graduate Wasteland Stargazer mage."

"To meet such a young talent dedicating himself to the empire like this. It's an honor."

The benevolent old count spoke with sincerity.

Being an Einroguard graduate working for the Wasteland Stargazers, he must truly be someone with strong sense of duty.

Who would volunteer for such hardship?

Feeling the sincerity, Coholti was moved to tears.

"Thank you! The honor is mine."

"Perhaps is there something this old man can help with?"

Count Jau's insight matched his character. He noticed the other mage had come with something to say.

"W-well."

While steadying his nervous voice, Coholti brought up the main point.

While working as a Wasteland Stargazer, he made a small mistake due to sense of duty...

"Being your family's mansion, I came like this wanting to apologize."

"Aha."

The old count noticed the meaning contained within and smiled.

Though saying he came to apologize, he clearly came to request mediation.

"I understand. I understand. That was certainly my nephew's fault. Not throwing away dangerous items when Stargazers warned."

"Count...!"

"My nephew happens to be here so I'll call him."

The count rang a small bell ordering his nephew be called. Coholti waited leisurely, soaked in emotion and relief.

However, the nephew's reaction was opposite to expectations.

"I refuse."

"!!"

The old count glared at his nephew with an angry face.

Though he was a fellow who troubled him with dissolute life usually, to think he would be stubborn and scrape away face even at such an occasion.

"What? Say that again!"

"Uncle why do you always take other families' sides! This mage arbitrarily entered my house and tried to destroy property!"

"..."

Coholti had nothing to say even with ten mouths.

'Saying that's how it's done at Einroguard would have opposite effect right?'

The count's nephew glared at Coholti while fuming.

"When I asked to be compensated even half the money I paid, that was refused too!"

"Ah, n-no. The Stargazer budget isn't that generous..."

"That's right. Hurry and apologize! What rudeness to someone sacrificing themselves working for the empire!"

"Hmph!"

Even at the count's words, the nephew didn't bend his stubbornness.

As it seemed new problems would arise within the count's family rather than resolving the issue, Coholti grew anxious.

"What's going on?"

At that moment a rough voice was heard from behind.

It was Setlad Anog, the only mage dressed like a wanderer in this gathering where even mages like Coholti dressed as neatly as possible.

"Ah, n-nothing!"

The count's nephew jumped as if having shown a shameful sight to someone he admired.

"Let's go over there! Please tell me more about the pirate stories!"

"To become a mage strong enough to make Professor Verduus kneel, one must be bold."

Setlad spat out in a fierce voice. Though casually spoken, it felt like it made the hall resound.

"If someone destroyed an evil item for you, you should boldly express gratitude. Otherwise who would go catch Professor Verduus with you?"

"...You speak true words...!"

The count's nephew nodded as if enchanted.

Then turned his gaze to Coholti and apologized.

"I'm sorry. I committed rudeness due to greed."

"Ah, n-no. I was too hasty too..."

Coholti looked at Setlad with eyes full of emotion.

This mage, what a truly cool person!