Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 85

Before Yi-Han could even begin to argue, Professor Treant was already wobbling away. Of course, even if he stayed, Yi-Han would not have protested.

 

After all, a professor who would listen to protests would not have asked for such a thing in the first place!

 

“Yonaire. Sorry about this.”

 

Yi-Han sincerely apologized.

 

He should have bolted when he had the chance after gathering everything he needed earlier, but instead, he tried to impress the professor and ended up paying the price.

 

“Huh? For what?”

 

However, for Yonaire, she was already digging up the dry soil around the plants and fiddling with it to check if she could water them.

 

“…Isn’t it unfair labor? Aren’t you annoyed?”

 

“I like taking care of plants! And you said you like it too, right?”

 

Surprisingly, Yonaire didn’t seem bothered at all.

 

Since she enjoyed caring for plants so much, being able to personally tend to the rare plants she would only see in books prior to this experience was very satisfying.

 

“I quite like my own plants, but other people’s plants, especially the professor’s… I don’t know. As long as you’re happy with it, I guess.”

 

Yi-Han was about to say something but stopped himself.

 

He realized that Yonaire did have a positive mindset.

 

It would be depressing if he thought of it as the professor forcing them, but instead, if he saw it as a chance to see rare plants he could only read about in books…

 

‘Still, the gloom isn’t going anywhere.’

 

Yi-Han was too much of a realist compared to Yonaire’s optimism.

 

But still, Yi-Han made a move.

 

Feelings aside, work is work. – He thought.

 

“Yi-Han. The soil here is dry, should we water it?”

 

“The leaves are firm and… the book said this one doesn’t need that much water, so let’s skip it. This one definitely looks like it needs water though…”

 

“Wait. That plant needs not just any water but rainwater. I’ve read about it.”

 

“Ah, you’re right. I came across that too.”

 

“Was my point too amateurish?”

 

“No. It’s good to cross-check what we know.”

 

The two students left in the greenhouse smiled at each other.

 

Experts recognize each other!

 

If there were other students from the Blue Dragon Tower here, they would not have understood why they were going to such lengths to tend to a single plant!

 

For young masters and ladies of noble families, tending to plants was truly a finicky and labor-intensive task.

 

But it was different for Yi-Han.

 

‘Plants are still better than professors.’

 

Of course, tasks like checking the soil conditions daily, then preparing the right type and temperature of water to give the plants, removing bugs and mold when they appeared, airing out the greenhouse, and preparing nutrients could still feel tedious and bothersome.

 

But plants tended to be quiet and reticent.

 

And that alone made them more lovable than professors in Yi-Han’s eyes.

 

How many hours had passed?

 

“I think we’re done?”

 

“Looks like it.”

 

They wiped their sweat and straightened their backs. Caring for plants was as strenuous as sword combat training. Their muscles were screaming.

 

I have been watching you, young humans.

 

“?!”

 

“!”

 

Yi-Han immediately pulled out his wand and aimed it in the direction of the voice.

 

Surprisingly, the voice came from a nearby pond.

 

With bubbling sounds, a massive blob of water emerged from the pond. One could easily tell it was a powerful spirit.

 

My name is Pharakis. I am the spirit of this pond. So you young humans are the disciples of that dwarf.

 

“Yes… Do you know our professor?”

 

Yes. I have a contract with him to help care for this garden.

 

The spirit seemed very friendly towards them, and the reason became apparent soon.

 

It’s rare to see young humans like you two taking care of plants with such diligence and care…

 

‘Ah, so that was why.’

 

Seeing Pharakis, Yi-Han realized what Professor Treant had in mind when he sent them there.

 

Professor Treant taught botany.

 

He must have been moved by seeing Yi-Han and Yonaire sincerely taking care of the plants.

 

So he sent them to a spirit who highly valued the action of caring for the plants.

 

If the two genuinely cherished the plants, they would gain the spirit’s approval!

 

‘I’m sorry.’

 

Yi-Han quickly apologized.

 

He had thought Professor Treant simply passed his own work to them, but there was actually a much deeper meaning behind it.

 

Pharakis was touched by that thoughtfulness. He did not usually like to show himself to others, but he could not just stay silent after witnessing such sincerity.

 

After Yi-Han finished speaking, he looked at him and said in puzzlement,

 

You seem like the type that spirits would fear. How do you have a tree spirit accompanying you?

 

“……”

 

Yi-Han felt slightly hurt. Yonaire instinctively defended him.

 

“Yi-Han may look like that but he’s actually a really nice friend.”

 

Sorry, young human. Lower-grade spirits don’t have the capability to judge their contractors’ character.

 

The weaker and lower grade a spirit was, the less intelligent it tended to be.

 

At the very least, to understand their contractor’s personality, they would need to spend a long time together getting to know each other, but in Yi-Han’s case, spirits like that rarely get such a chance.

 

Most spirits would flee from the overwhelming magical power he emitted!

 

“I received my wand as a gift from Talking Oak Tree.”

 

Ah, I see. Don’t be too heartbroken. Your wand’s tree spirit was also afraid of you at first and still finds you scary, but it praises you, saying that you’re a good person.

 

“……”

 

Without realizing it, Yi-Han glanced at his wand.

 

You were afraid of me all this time? – Thought Yi-Han.

 

Yonaire asked with a look of pity.

 

“Dear Pharakis. Is there a way for Yi-Han to form contracts with spirits? He’s tried contacting spirits in the spirit realm before but they all avoid him.”

 

Hmm… This is my first time pondering over such a dilemma as well…

 

Pharakis was hopping between thoughts.

 

How about this?

 

“Um, what is it?”

 

Yi-Han had a glimmer of expectation.

 

As a powerful spirit with a name, surely this one must have some wise solution. – He thought.

 

Rather than repeatedly trying and failing to form contracts with spirits, what about contracting with other types of beings? With that level of magical power, most would be afraid of you, but that’s not necessarily all bad. There may be beings who actually like that about you!

 

“I’d still prefer to contract with spirits as well though…”

 

Hmm. If that’s the case, well, entities that like that aspect are usually evil beings. Not a good match for a human with a kind heart like you.

 

“?”

 

Yi-Han was perplexed.

 

…Was that so?

 

However, Yonaire seemed completely unfazed as she nodded in agreement.

 

“It’s true.”

 

“I don’t only want to contract with spirits…”

 

Hmm… If you’re really set on contracting with spirits, then contracting with unruly and ferocious spirits could be one option.

 

Pharakis suggested another method.

 

Not all low-ranking spirits have timid and innocent personalities. There are also nasty and vicious ones that start from the low ranks.

 

Particularly, spirits associated with volatile and destructive elements were more likely to exhibit such tendencies.

 

“That could work…! Wait, but Professor Uregor never mentioned this.”

 

Yi-Han realized something was off.

 

Could he have deliberately not told me about this to mess with me? – Thought Yi-Han

 

It was a plausible theory.

 

Well… No matter how unruly and ferocious a low-ranking spirit is, it wouldn’t be so dumb as to not distinguish front from back… So the chance of it running away is probably higher.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

Yi-Han and Yonaire fell silent again. Yonaire’s pitying gaze uncomfortably pricked Yi-Han’s heart.

 

But the method I suggested isn’t completely wrong either. The stronger and higher grade a spirit is, the less likely it’ll immediately flee at the sight of you. And such spirits also have the capacity to get to know your true personality through conversation.

 

“Thank you for the advice.”

 

Hmm… wait, no, just because a spirit is strong and high-ranking doesn’t mean it’ll work out, and it’d be best to approach the unruly and ferocious ones among them. Though of course, this doesn’t mean that spirits who aren’t like that will necessarily flee… Uh… but they would flee because spirits generally dislike meaningless fights…

 

“……”

 

Listening to Pharakis’ explanation only made Yi-Han feel he should not have asked at all!

 

It only made him feel more confused!

 

Yonaire pleaded,

 

“Could you possibly form a contract with Yi-Han?”

 

“Hey! It’s okay. Let it be.”

 

“No, I really want to help!”

 

Yonaire wanted to return Yi-Han’s past favor.

 

But Yi-Han was starting to feel embarrassed.

 

It was like when a teacher asked the class, ‘Is there anyone willing to be friends with Yi-Han?’ because he could not make spirit friends on his own. That kind of feeling.

 

A young human mage contracting with me would be too much. You might collapse right aw…

 

As Pharakis spoke, he looked at Yi-Han and changed what he was about to say.

 

…You won’t pass out. My apologies. I’m currently contracted with the dwarf. It’d be difficult for me to follow and aid you while tied to him.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Yi-Han felt he should start getting friendly with the undead at this rate.

 

How about this? I know a spirit summoned on this school’s grounds. If I introduce you as my acquaintance, he might at least hear you out.

 

“!”

 

Yi-Han was surprised.

 

It was an unexpectedly good suggestion.

 

“Would that really be okay?? I just feel like it might be causing too much hassle…”

 

After seeing you two young gardeners, I’m determined to help out at least this much. Don’t worry about troubling me. And…

 

Pharakis hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should say this.

 

But he ended up saying it anyway:

 

Don’t be too disappointed if he avoids you as well, you hear me?

 

“…Okay…”

 

Yi-Han started to wonder how powerful a spirit he would need to seek out just to have a conversation.

 

Should I go find a Spirit King or something? – Thought Yi-Han.

 

***

 

Pharakis curled into a ball shape and floated up, emptying out the pond beneath him. A deep underground cave was revealed.

 

Go through here and you’ll arrive straight at my friend’s location.

 

Yi-Han appreciated the spirit’s kindness. But Pharakis’ kindness did not end there.

 

Poof!

 

Ancient symbols resembling the pond were etched onto the back of Yi-Han and Yonaire’s palms.

 

I’ve imbued a bit of my power into them. Those marks will help you young mages out.

 

“Thank you!”

 

“We’re very grateful!”

 

Yi-Han and Yonaire sincerely thanked him.

 

This spirit before their eyes seemed far gentler than most of the school’s professors.

 

You’re welcome. Don’t forget your love for plants.

 

As Yi-Han and Yonaire walked down into the cavern under the pond, Pharakis swiftly returned the surroundings back to the original pond. The path leading underground fell silent in an instant.

 

“Light.”

 

Yi-Han floated an orb of light. And he inadvertently looked at his tree spirit wand again.

 

He still wanted to ask if it was still afraid of him but held back because it felt too naggy.

 

‘But I really wanna ask…’

 

“Yi-Han?”

 

“!”

 

Yi-Han was startled, thinking his thoughts had been discovered.

 

“What’s up?”

 

“Pharakis was in the pond, so where do you think the spirit we’re going to is located?”

 

“…Hmm.”

 

Yonaire’s question was certainly sharp. Pharakis had forgotten to explain what kind of spirit it actually was.

 

“Probably an underground lake or river, I’d think.”

 

Given that Pharakis was a Pond Spirit, their friend was likely a similar type of spirit.

 

Water, river, pond, sea and such.

 

‘Surely it’s not connected all the way to the sea.’

 

The worst-case scenario was that they would end up in an underwater dungeon.

 

Yi-Han knew this academy was fully capable of that.

 

“It’d be nice if it was a River Spirit. I’ve heard most River Spirits tend to be wise and intelligent.”

 

“If we can contract with a River Spirit, we could definitely gain the wisdom needed to survive this prison… I mean, this school life…”

 

Yi-Han paused mid-sentence.

 

‘But haven’t I heard that River Spirits usually have gentle personalities?’

 

…So wouldn’t the one I meet run away again?

 

Clank!

 

Along with a sharp metallic sound, the two exited the passageway and climbed upwards.

 

The dark, silent air greeted them, and a familiar place entered his vision.

 

…This was the school’s punishment room.

 

“……”

 

Yi-Han thought to himself.

 

That friend of his was definitely not a River Spirit!

–
Translator: Kaiser | Editor: Gleru