Academy’s Genius Mage

“Dean, may I ask one question before we depart?”

“Permission granted.”

“I understand that in a few days, the entire Department of Magic will conduct a mana measurement. If we don’t return by then, what will happen to us?”

Just as others were curious about Ian’s mana level, Ian was also curious about theirs.

Jessica smiled for the first time in a while.

“The mana measurement ceremony will be postponed indefinitely at my discretion. It will not be conducted until you return. So, go forth with the dungeon expolaration without worry.”

“Thank you for your consideration, dean.”

Jessica wanted to emphasize that the safety of the kingdom of Sonokin was at stake with this matter.

Crown Prince Medeb had requested help through a secret note.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

For now, she could only hope for the safe return of her two students.

“One last piece of advice for you. I’ve worked countless times for the kingdom, including wars.”

At the mention of war, Jessica’s gaze fell on Isera.

“Though it must be a painful memory for you, Isera, I participated as a mage in the past war between the kingdom of Sonokin and Kingdom of Roland.”

Isera, however, remained composed.

She understood that Jessica’s mention of the ‘Sorol War’ wasn’t an attempt to hurt her pride.

Both being mages, they could understand each other.

True mages could transcend nations and races, uniting through the mystical power of ‘magic.’

“At that time, I overcame countless crises to fight. While people call it a victory for the kingdom of Sonokin, there are no winners in war. When I returned to the capital with numerous scars, I realized that my level had risen.”

Ian and Isera were curious about what Jessica would say next.

If it were simply a sharing of experience, it wouldn’t have started so seriously. After all, anyone could recount such stories.

“After gaining valuable experience, your level rises. But if you don’t return alive, it means nothing. So, please return safely.”

Ian felt as though a strengthening spell had been cast upon him, and his whole body warmed.

“I’ll remember your words deeply. Dean, I pledge to return in good health to greet you again.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Ian Oracle.”

With their meeting concluded, Ian stepped outside with Isera.

“Ian!”

Outside the building, Milo and Edel were waiting anxiously.

Upon seeing the luxurious command letter in Ian’s hand, they wore a bitter expression.

“So it came to this in the end. What did the dean say?”

“She expressed her concern.”

“Just concern?”

What else could she offer beyond the words to return safely? Ian did not wish to run to his parents like a child tattling after a scuffle.

“It’s frustrating not to be able to help after agreeing to go together. I heard they usually take volunteers even in a forced draft, so why’s there a designation this time?”

“Keep your voice down.”

“Is it just my voice that’s loud? Other things are big too!”

“Oh, well.”

Milo had formally joined the Ancient Literature Reading Club and planned to coordinate with Ian, Isera, and Edel.

It was all the more frustrating because of this.

He knew their abilities were great, but he still wanted to help in any way he could.

“If waiting is too frustrating, you could help Edel with his spell corrections.”

“I’ve agreed to do just that. By the time you return, he might be able to use new magic.”

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll work hard!”

Edel shouted with energy. His confident demeanor was satisfying to see.

In contrast, Milo scratched his head, grumbling.

“Sigh, at this rate, he might end up better at magic than I am.”

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing? You’d be the teacher of a Grand Mage.”

“Enough! Stop right there. Just the thought is dizzying. Anyway, have a good trip! Don’t get swept up by those Department of Martial Arts guys. You will let us know if you score some loot, right?”

Ian and Isera boarded the carriage that was ready for them.

The newly discovered dungeon was located midway up the mountain, so they used carriages to reach the base camp located at its entrance.

There, they held a brief strategy meeting and, after regrouping, decided to enter the dungeon.

Initially, they should have ridden horses, but Dean Jessica had made a special exception for them to rest a little.

“Senior, please take this.”

Ian, who sat across from her, handed over a crescent moon-shaped necklace.

It was a crude-looking necklace made of lackluster metal.

Perhaps because of this, there was a hint of wariness in Isera’s expression.

“What is this?”

“What else? It’s a necklace.”

“What’s the idea?”

“It’s an artifact. It has the ability to block one attack. The damage is absorbed in proportion to the wearer’s magic, so it should be a good item for you.”

Isera possessed magic beyond the fourth circle.

In that case, even if caught off guard, she should be able to withstand one attack.

“Then wouldn’t it suit you better than me?”

“I’m confident I’ll be able to escape quickly.”

Isera stared intently at Ian before taking the necklace in her hand.

It signified her acceptance.

She gazed intently at the necklace in her palm.

She channeled a bit of mana through it.

As Ian had mentioned, it was an artifact imbued with magic.

“Where did you get this from?”

“I got it from a place other than the equipment rental shop. Don’t worry, I didn’t steal it.”

“……”

However, apart from the fact that it was an artifact, Isera’s mind lingered on something else.

Receiving a gift from someone was quite common.

Before enrolling in the academy, while living at her family home, many young noblemen often sent her gifts.

‘But this is the first time.’

It was her first time receiving a gift from someone who had entered her heart.

Moreover, the necklace Ian wore now was star-shaped. It naturally matched well with the moon-shaped one she received.

“If it blocks one attack, does it break after activating?”

“Probably. If it were a valuable item, it’d have great durability, but it’s not that kind of piece.”

That was why it had been left to rot in the warehouse.

Following Ian’s explanation, Isera hesitated for a moment before pocketing the necklace instead of wearing it.

“Senior?”

Ian was slightly surprised.

Could it be that the necklace appeared too shabby to her liking? He had thought she’d accept it once he explained it was an artifact, but perhaps it looked too cheap.

“Although it might be a bit unfitting for a lady of the Hebraim Family to use, wearing it just this once might be good for you, especially as it’s your first expedition and you never know who you might move with.”

“I’ll handle it my own way.”

“Overconfidence often leads to injuries.”

Ian resolved himself.

Though it might seem somewhat inappropriate, Ian reached into Isera’s pocket and pulled out the necklace again.

Moreover, he put the necklace around her neck himself.

“……”

When Ian’s hand touched the nape of her neck, Isera shivered slightly.

It was a bit different from Ian’s usual calm and polite demeanor.

For a brief moment, the image of him as a junior who needed guidance and mentorship vanished.

The warmth and vitality of Ian’s touch on her neck felt more vivid than ever.

“Well, it suits you well! Indeed, the face perfects fashion. Dorothy, who works at our estate, always says that.”

“…… Right.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, Isera felt embarrassed.

“Uh, you’re not angry, are you?”

Her face had turned slightly red.

Unable to find the right words, Isera stared at Ian for a moment before turning her head to gaze out the window.

The blush on her cheeks lingered for quite some time.

Unable to stand it further, Goyang scolded him.

『You foolish human! That’s why you’ve never even held a woman’s hand! You should polish it more and at least decorate it with jewels!』

“That would break the artifact’s effect. The durability is barely holding as it is.”

『Are you saying that’s my fault?』

“Not exactly.”

『Is durability the most important thing now? Ugh, calling this a partner!』

“Hmm, was it really too unappealing?”

Unaware of Isera’s feelings, Ian Oracle and Goyang collectively fretted for no reason.

* * *

Having reached the mountain’s base, the two began to climb.

They infused mana into their leg muscles to enhance movement efficiency.

Soon they spotted soldiers armed with spears and swords.

The appearance of two mages clad in academy garb put the soldiers on edge.

“Identify yourselves.”

Ian pulled out an order from his coat.

“I am Ian Oracle of the Royal Academy, accompanied by Isera Hebraim.”

Upon verifying the order, the soldier placed a fist over his heart in respect.

“Welcome, cadet. We’ve prepared a tent inside. You can gather the necessary supplies there.”

“Where is the dungeon?”

“It’s that way.”

Following the soldier’s indication, a barricade came into view, beyond which a dark cave was visible.

Soldiers, heavily armed, stood guard around it, creating a tight fortress.

Ian’s eyes, through his glasses, sparkled as he surveyed the surroundings.

Ian had resorted to using glasses for psychological reasons.

Even without the ancient script, he felt that everything was clearer when examined through lenses.

“It’s a cave-type dungeon. The dark energy is considerable. The surrounding area is already affected.”

Every living thing, from flowers to grass, had withered.

The dungeon seemed to be exuding a disturbing magical aura, like a nucleus of darkness itself.

Isera nodded in agreement.

“It won’t be easy.”

“It’ll likely be worse inside?”

“That’s something we’ll only know once we’re in there.”

“I hope it’s not a narrow tunnel setup.”

But the likelihood was high.

Typically, a dungeon’s layout mirrors the surrounding terrain.

A dungeon that descends deep underground posed a significant challenge for mages.

Limited visibility made ambushes easy, and uneven terrain made it difficult to hit targets with projectile magic.

The difference between casting directly and with a curve was enormous.

Ian mentally weighed which spells would be most effective.

Right then.

“To think students of the Royal Academy are already trembling.”

At the sound of a heavy voice, they turned their eyes.

A heavily armored knight stood there.

On the ground, Goyang lowered itself and bristled, hissing.

“Well, you even brought a cat into the dungeon? The instructor’s words about the Department of Magic’s dungeon expeditions being no different from picnics seem accurate.”

“It’s not a cat, it’s a mystical creature.”

Ian replied calmly.

This caused the intense eyes behind the helmet to soften slightly.

“Just joking, just joking! No need to get so serious.”

The young man approached closer.

The armor he wore was the common issue provided to academy students. However, the sword at his waist was slightly different.

‘That sword… fourth year?’

The Royal Academy’s curriculum spans a four-year program across all departments.

Thus, if he was in the fourth year, he was among the most proficient students in the academy.

‘I didn’t expect a graduating student to appear.’

Ian’s vigilance heightened at the arrival of the combat department’s graduating student.