Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 86

“Are we… Are we in the wrong place? This doesn’t seem like it’s inside the school…”

 

Sadly, Yonaire could not come to terms with the reality they were facing. Yi-Han said with a bitter expression.

 

“It’s part of the school. It’s the punishment room.”

 

“…?!”

 

While there were some new students who had visited it themselves, for most students, the punishment room was a place that existed only in rumors.

 

– I heard that getting F’s in 3 subjects means you get dragged off to the punishment room for the whole vacation.

 

-I heard that the bottom ten in the midterms get taken to the punishment room?

 

-This is just a rumor, but a senior failed an experiment and got taken here.

 

-Trying to escape the school and getting caught means you’re taken to the punishment room, but that’s got to be a lie, right??

 

Most of them seemed like completely made-up rumors, but as expected, rumors usually had a grain of truth in them.

 

Clank!

 

“!”

 

Worriedly grabbing the doorknob of the locked cell, Yi-Han soon found his concerns were unnecessary.

 

Surprisingly, the door of the room they were standing in was already open.

 

“It’s a punishment room, but…”

 

Yi-Han realized this punishment room was currently unused.

 

The corridor outside was filled with nothing but dust and cobwebs, and the individual rooms on either side were all empty and open.

 

“It seems like this place isn’t used anymore.”

 

“It’s not really doing much for comfort to be honest.”

 

Yonaire mumbled in a frightened voice.

 

She was more scared of an abandoned punishment room than one with people inside.

 

It’s better  to have people… – Thought Yonaire.

 

“Finding the way through the punishment room seems quite difficult. This is troublesome.”

 

“How do you kno– Oh.”

 

Yonaire looked at Yi-Han apologetically. She knew Yi-Han had been to the punishment room before.

 

“It wasn’t as bad as you’d think.”

 

“The principal didn’t threaten you right?”

 

“No. If the principal ever threatens me into saying something, I’ll start with ‘I swear’.”

 

“That’s a good idea.”

 

Having confirmed things, the two walked towards the end of the corridor.

 

But there were no stairs there.

 

“…???”

 

“????”

 

All that was there was a solid brick wall.

 

The bewildered Yi-Han looked behind. There were no other passageways back there either. They had to keep going forward from here.

 

‘This is…’

 

Yi-Han’s intuition told him what was going on. Despite only being at this Magic Academy for a few weeks, Yi-Han felt he had completely adapted to it down to his bones.

 

‘A magical passageway.’

 

Similar to when he attempted to escape through the underground warehouse last time, this path was likely hidden by magic.

 

There were two ways to go about it.

 

Find their way through, or force their way through.

 

Yi-Han took out some finely powdered charcoal neatly wrapped in paper from his pocket. Yonaire curiously asked,

 

“What’s that?”

 

“I made it together with Ratford in case it’d be useful for escaping someday.”

 

It worked based on a similar principle as using graphite powder to uncover fingerprints left on objects.

 

Yi-Han’s preparedness left Yonaire speechless.

 

Seeing Yonaire’s strange expression, Yi-Han thought she was feeling envious.

 

‘Okay, I think I should teach her later.’

 

Yonaire would surely love this magic! – He thought.

 

“…It’s not working.”

 

But unlike the underground warehouse last time, this one wouldn’t unravel so easily. He couldn’t discern any traces at all.

 

Yi-Han did not give up.

 

“Yonaire. Step back.”

 

When magic fails, strength prevails.

 

Yi-Han planned to blow away the magic obscuring this passageway, just as he had shattered the dormitory entrance’s defensive spells last time.

 

‘Right, no need to go all out. Just enough. Enough to reveal the path.’

 

Stop it, you fool!

 

“!”

 

A gruff spirit’s voice thundered through the corridor. Just by listening, one could sense their violent temperament.

 

“Who are you?”

 

I do not tell my name to unworthy beings. Why have you come to my sanctuary? Answer quickly, or I shall show no mercy!

 

“I was introduced by Pharakis.”

 

Pharakis?

 

The ferocious spirit’s voice faltered in surprise. It didn’t seem to have expected that.

 

Your magic power seems rather impressive for a school professor, but that alone does not qualify you to form a contract with me. I don’t know what Pharakis was thinking by sending you here, but…

 

“Er, I’m not a professor. I’m a student.” – Said Yi-Han

 

Yonaire then cut in.

 

?

 

“He’s a freshman…”

 

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment. Yi-Han could feel ripples of magic power flowing through the walls and ceiling.

 

The spirit was probably surveying them again.

 

So you’re a young mage… Wait. Are you really a young mage? You’re not just disguising yourself?

 

“If you don’t believe us, you can check.”

 

The ferocious spirit seemed to have decided to stop doubting them.

 

I see. That makes sense why Pharakis sent you. He’s kind to young mages. But I will not form a contract with you. I do not contract with those I barely know.

 

“As expected…”

 

Yonaire said, looking disappointed.

 

“It’s because Yi-Han has a lot of magic power so you’re avoiding him too, right. Like the other spirits.”

 

…What are you saying? No!

 

The spirit was flustered by Yonaire’s words.

 

There’s some misunderstanding. I’m not afraid of and avoiding someone just because they have a lot of magic power.

 

It was an utterly unacceptable misunderstanding.

 

“But you’re not showing yourself. From what Mr. Pharakis said, Yi-Han’s very existence inspires fear in spirits.”

 

“Yonaire… you didn’t have to say that…”

 

I sound like a freak!

 

“So you’re not showing yourself because of that?”

 

I said no! Do I look like the kind of spirit who’d be too scared to appear just because of someone’s magic power?!

 

“Then why aren’t you revealing yourself?”

 

Yi-Han curiously asked this time.

 

The spirit hesitated before answering.

 

It’s because… I dislike meaningless fights, so I was trying to avoid them.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

Yi-Han and Yonaire looked at each other. Then they said in a know-it-all tone,

 

“Is that so.”

 

“It’s possible.”

 

You young human mages! Do you think I can’t read the meaning in your voices?!

 

Perkunthra.

 

That was the name of the spirit who did not reveal itself to the two.

 

A spirit summoned by a mage would usually carry out their contractual duties at a designated place by the mage, or appear when the mage called to fulfill said obligations in the contract.

 

The key here was the contract.

 

The mage could not order the spirit to do more than what was originally agreed upon, and the spirit would similarly not entertain such requests.

 

But conversely, that meant that the spirits would uphold what was first contracted with their honor at stake.

 

If that was the case, why was Perkunthra lingering around here?

 

It would be understandable if he was in a punishment room with people in it, but he was in an empty, sealed-off one.

 

The reason was that there was the lack of a proper contract.

 

– I summon thee, o’ great spirit Perkunthra. Bow down before me. Prostrate yourself before me. I know your true name, so kneel before me this instant!

 

– Stop spewing nonsense, lich, you reek of sewer rat! No matter how much I respect the strong, I’d never kneel before the likes of you!

 

Having learned Perkunthra’s name from an artifact in some ancient ruins, Skelly Principal had tried to summon him using that name.

 

Undoubtedly, he would not obediently bow down just because somebody knew his true name. Above all else, he had no desire to contract with a lich.

 

The two fought fiercely without rest for a week throughout day and night.

 

Unable to make Perkunthra submit no matter the threats, the lich principal eventually put forth a compromise:

 

– If contracting with me is so disagreeable, how about a compromise, o’ arrogant spirit Perkunthra? Do me one favor, and I shall give you no other orders. In return, I will periodically offer tributes to you!

 

-…What do you want me to do?

 

– I am raising a group of young mages. There is a building where these young mages study – I want you to prevent them from escaping that building!

 

-“Just that?”

 

-“Just that!”

 

Perkunthra was swayed by Skelly Principal’s words.

 

Compared to complex, detailed contracts, simply guarding a building and stopping some young mages from running away did not seem too hard.

 

Moreover, since it was just a horse-trade contract, he would not have to get too close with the bastard lich either!

 

– And if I refuse…

 

– Arrogant spirit, this is my final offer. The moment you reject it, I shall tear your body into shreds and seal you away. The books bearing your name shall be locked away to be forgotten in buried tombs. Will you enter eternal oblivion or accept my proposal?

 

– …Fine. Offer accepted!

 

Unable to defeat the lich principal, Perkunthra ultimately accepted the deal.

 

And he wondered just how many times these young mages would attempt to escape.

 

At most they’d just miss being outside, right? – Thought Perkunthra.

 

…However, the young mages turned out to be more capable and attempted escapes more frequently than expected.

 

Perkunthra later came to realize why.

 

That bastard lich had practically encouraged escaping!

 

– If you pull off an escape, that will display your skills. Give it your best shot. – Said the principal.

 

That crazy bastard should be cracking down against students attempting to escape, but instead, he instantly cancels any punishment room sentence for successful escapees – So naturally, intelligent students would keep trying to escape.

 

As a result, the work in the underground dungeon was far more exhausting and arduous than Perkunthra had anticipated.

 

The only time he could get some rest was when he was alone in this sealed punishment room.

 

However, this peace would quickly be shattered if the students attempted an escape…

 

But still, when the students were not around, this closed-off punishment room was truly wonderful.

 

Yet today, two unexpectedly bright young mages had come seeking Perkunthra as he rested.

 

‘Pharakis. You bastard!’

 

He knew Pharakis cared for young mages, but he would not have thought that he would actually send somebody here.

 

Perkunthra grumbled,

 

I don’t show myself as a courtesy to you young mages!

 

“Ah… Is that so.”

 

While Yonaire did not openly infuriate spirits whose personalities were callow like Gainando, the sincere undertone that she carried still aggravated Perkunthra more.

 

A spirit of Perkunthra’s level could discern the true thoughts and feelings behind a novice mage’s words.

 

In Yonaire’s heart, she thought Perkunthra was scared.

 

It was an utterly ridiculous misunderstanding.

 

While the young mage beside Yonaire did possess tremendous magic power, Perkunthra was not the sort of spirit who would flee in fear over something like that.

 

Having grown tired of the conversation, Yi-Han politely made a request,

 

“I understand. You have no intention to contract with us, Mr. Spirit. Could you possibly open the path for us?”

 

Wait!

 

“?”

 

Do you two young mages not realize how insulting it is to doubt my power in your hearts right now?

 

“That’s not…”

 

Yi-Han argued as if he had been wrongfully accused.

 

“We’ve been respectful with our words, have we not? Why would you think we’re harboring such paranoid thoughts?”

 

You believe I cannot read such emotions?!

 

Yi-Han and Yonaire were slightly pierced. But Yi-Han did not back down.

 

“But we can hardly control what stray thoughts arise. Regardless of whatever crossed our minds, we believe we have acted with honor and respect.”

 

At Yi-Han’s words, Yonaire nodded repeatedly in agreement.

 

What Yi-Han said was not wrong at all.

 

Unsurprisingly, Perkunthra accepted none of this.

 

Then I shall show you a fraction of my power.

 

“We could probably see it if you just opened that wall over there…”

 

Quiet, and prepare yourself! You, prepare your magic power!

 

“I haven’t studied magic for even a year yet…”

 

I know. That’s why I’m showing it to you through the simplest method. Harness the magic you’ve gathered to call forth the elements!

 

Perkunthra showed no signs of backing down.

 

Yi-Han gave up and started drawing in magic power. To find a way out, they seemed to need to persuade this spirit first.

 

“What element should I use?”

 

The one with the most destructive power!

 

“……”

 

Don’t doubt my words!!

 

Having read Yi-Han’s inner thoughts again, the spirit grew angry once more. Yi-Han was taken aback.

 

“Ignite!”

 

The most destructive element was naturally fire. Hoping the enlightenment from petting the flaming puppies would aid him here, Yi-Han called forth the flames.

 

At that moment, a massive bolt of lightning pierced down from the punishment room’s ceiling towards the flames.

 

BOOM!!!

 

“!”

 

“!!”

 

Yi-Han and Yonaire were startled by the resounding clap.

 

And they were surprised by what was revealed afterward as well.

 

Yi-Han’s conjured flames remained perfectly untouched.

 

“…What are you trying to do?”

–
Translator: Kaiser | Editor: Gleru