Academy’s Genius Mage

The fourth year of the Department of Martial Arts was special in many ways.

They were individuals who had experienced grueling training for four years.

In terms of skill, there was hardly any difference between them and new knights.

Moreover, students from the Department of Martial Arts were often conscripted even as cadets.

They were given ample opportunities to gain experience through monster subjugations, rebellion suppression, and other tasks.

‘It’s not just about honing martial arts.’

Martial Arts students studied and researched martial arts itself.

Occasionally, they also studied strategies and tactics for leading troops.

The Department served as a cradle for nurturing soldiers who embodied both literacy and martial prowess.

Thus, when the most senior appeared, tension was inevitable.

Graduates from the Department, unless required to continue their family’s legacy, typically took exams to join the Royal Knights.

If they failed the exam, they joined as a knight for a grand lord or a noble family.

If their family’s influence was weak and they couldn’t establish good connections, they often settled for a less prestigious family to plan their future.

However, the young man before them seemed far from someone who would rot in an insignificant house.

‘This person is strong.’

Even Ian Oracle, who wasn’t deeply versed in swordsmanship, could tell that the young man before him was strong.

Mages were sensitive to the presence of energy.

The aura the young man exuded was on a completely different level compared to Rahel, whom Ian had faced earlier.

It was superior in both amount and strength.

‘Subtle arrogance arises from skill. Above all, that sword.’

The ornately decorated sword caught Ian’s attention.

As far as Ian knew, there was only one reason for a Martial Arts student to carry a sword adorned with jewels.

‘It means he accomplished such great deeds. Whether through skill or something else, he made a name for himself.’

The jewel served as a medal.

Noticing Ian’s gaze, the young man grinned.

“Do you recognize this sword? Impressive, freshman! It seems you have the brain befitting the top first-year student.”

He knew the results of the recent standard exams.

It was somewhat unusual for someone from the Department of Martial Arts to remember the name of the first-year top student from another department, and even more so if it was from the Department of Magic. It seemed like he had done his homework beforehand.

“You’re Ian Oracle, right?”

“Nice to meet you. As you guessed, I am Ian Oracle, a first-year in the Magic Faculty.”

“And that’s Isera Hebraim? She’s as beautiful as they say.”

For a moment, lust flickered in the young man’s eyes.

If one didn’t covet Isera’s beauty, they weren’t a young and vigorous person.

However, the young man’s flirtations were very brief.

Ian thought he knew why.

‘He must not want to make Helios his enemy.’

The identity of the young man was unknown.

But given the connection with the Department of Martial Arts, it made sense.

Helios was publicly courting Isera, after all.

“What is your name, senior?”

“Castro Delfio!”

The Delfio Viscount family.

Ian had heard the name Castro before.

It wasn’t by chance but due to the high-quality information Milo constantly provided him.

Milo hailed from a renowned swordsmanship family.

He had many connections in the Department of Martial Arts and occasionally relayed insights to Ian, during which Ian learned the name.

‘The Delfio Viscount family is also famous for swordsmanship. Besides, this person has an excellent reputation even within the Academy.’

For this reason, he was one of the individuals considered as future Royal Knights.

It was said he was exceptionally skilled.

“Are you, senior Castro leading this exploration?”

“Yes, there’s one more person, but they just stepped away for a bit. I’ll introduce them when they return.”

“Understood. Please take care of me, senior.”

“Hmm, this feels too stiff, don’t you think? We’re allies. Even if I’m a senior, our departments are different, so let’s keep it casual. What do you think?”

When there was no response, Castro chuckled and gave Ian a light pat on the shoulder.

“Were you displeased by what I said about the outing earlier?”

“It’s not that. I’ve actually heard remarks like that before.”

Castro’s expression grew peculiar when the individual responded with such boldness instead of evasion.

“Not sure if you have a strong ego or if you just enjoy a good fight.”

“I merely stated the facts.”

“I heard about your incident with Helios. You delivered quite the scathing remark, didn’t you? Do you do that to your peers and professors as well?”

“There’s no need for that.”

Ian replied calmly, without any change in expression.

“We’re in a semi-wartime state right now. Being here on the orders of His Majesty the King, there’s no need to foster camaraderie, is there? Completing the mission swiftly is the most important thing.”

『Well done, human!』

Goyang chimed in with excitement.

Castro appealed with a look of exasperation.

“How frustrating. That outing comment was just a joke.”

“It’s alright, senior.”

Castro sighed and removed his helmet, tucking it into his belt, indicating his non-confrontational style.

“Anyway, no need to add ‘senior’ to my title. Let’s keep it casual. You can even call me ‘hyung.’ We need to watch each other’s backs over the next few days, and distance wouldn’t be helpful. A psychological gap can lead to a physical one, you know.”

“Understood.”

“By the way, I heard you sorted out a freshman in our department earlier?”

He seemed to be referring to a duel from a while ago. It was a question Ian had anticipated.

“If you’re talking about Rahel Thousand, yes.”

“Ah, yeah. That was the name. Anyway, well done! Those without skill need a break, whether in words or bones, to get their act together.”

“That’s surprising. I thought you’d reprimand me.”

“Why would I? It was a fair duel. Sure, it was probably humiliating for the first-year, but still.”

Goyang, glaring at Castro’s laughing face, spoke.

『Such a smug smile. It’s the typical expression of a conman. He seems to be trying to lull you into a false sense of security.』

“I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem quite that simple.”

“What do you mean by that?”

While Castro chatted with Isera, Ian observed every move Castro made and communicated with Goyang.

『To think that such petty tactics could sway a mage is ridiculous. As a fourth-year in the Department of Martial Arts, he should know about mages.』

‘You’re right. Just looking at you, it seems like you’re really out of it!’

When Ian fixed Goyang with a stare, it flinched slightly.

But it felt compelled to continue.

『Still, you never know. Smart folks often make the wrong decisions, don’t they?』

‘Like when I made a contract with you?’

『Well, that’s not exactly what I meant…』

In essence, Castro seemed to be attempting to send someone sociable to put Ian off guard.

It was a plausible theory.

‘I need to find out who the other person is. Let me know immediately if something strange happens.’

『Understood.』

Just then, Castro turned his head towards Ian.

“Hey, Ian! Head to the tent with Isera now and gather the supplies! You have about an hour. Make sure to take a good rest.”

“Understood, senior.”

Ian remained steadfast in maintaining his form of address.

He moved to the tent where the supplies were stored together with Isera. It was a tent meant for both of them, filled with mana potions, parchments, and other magical items.

Being a pure mage, Ian felt like he had stumbled upon a treasure trove.

“Shall we make some magic scrolls?”

“Focus on support magic.”

“I’ll prepare Light and Decrease Weight. It’s better not to do Shield.”

By imbuing special parchments with magic, even those who couldn’t use mana could instantly activate the spells.

Of course, the price of parchment was considerably expensive. It was not something just anyone could use.

However, since it was provided as a supply, there was no need to refuse it.

Even though creating a magic scroll for martial arts students could seem a bit unsettling given the uncertain situation, Ian decided to proceed according to the rules.

“Fwooong!”

The mana extending from Ian’s hand turned the parchment a deep blue.

On its rough surface, the rune was engraved, and as pure mana permeated, the parchment was completed.

“We’ll be trying out a new formula on the scroll for the first time.”

“Exactly. Not us, but the martial arts students.”

“Well, we don’t need scrolls anyway.”

Ian continued his work.

This time, he engraved the rune for Decrease Weight onto the scroll.

Isera watched the scene quietly, secretly impressed.

She couldn’t help but acknowledge that Ian was far ahead of her, at least in magic enchantment.

“Where did you learn magic enchantment?”

“I learned the basics from my father and mother, and the rest I taught myself.”

“I imagine funds to buy parchment were scarce.”

It was implied that it was difficult for Ian to practice due to the Oracle Family’s circumstances.

Ian nodded.

“Even without parchment, magic enchantment is possible. Although not as efficient, it can be done on regular paper.”

“Does it actually activate?”

“It can. The benefit is that if you can get it to activate on regular paper, you can achieve a greater effect on magical parchment. It’s similar to the principle of running with sandbags attached, perhaps?”

Ian quickly completed a magic scroll.

Isera wasn’t just watching Ian’s work, she packed high-quality potions into her bag and carefully organized other items.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside, and someone entered the tent.

Expecting Castro, it turned out to be someone entirely unexpected.

“Ahem!”

“We greet Your Excellency.”

Ian and Isera knelt.

The visitor was none other than Marquis Hunka, the patriarch of the Drias family and also Ophelia’s father, known as a master of flame magic.

In many cases, the trait of a mage aligned with their dominant attribute, as was the case for Marquis Hunka.

Ian visited him once after helping Ophelia and found him to be a straightforward and generous man.

“I’m not too late, am I!”

Marquis Hunka sighed in relief and then spoke to Isera.

“Lady Isera, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?”

“I shall comply.”

Isera obediently exited.

Simultaneously, Marquis Hunka cast a hand rune.

‘Silence Spell?’

A noise-canceling spell that Ian had yet to learn unfolded.

Within this space, no sound would escape outside.

“For a brief moment, no one will hear our conversation.”

“Is something the matter?”

“I came here after leaving the Academy. I heard you had already departed, so I came right away. Ah, my apologies. Please, rise!”

“I have much to discuss with you, but I’ll keep it brief. This situation is regretful. I tried to intervene, but I couldn’t stop the conscription order.”

“That’s quite all right. It’s part of my duty as an academy student.”

“But you are aware there’s an absurd aspect to it?”

“If I can’t avoid it, I might as well enjoy it.”

Marquis Hunka grinned broadly.

The more he saw him, the more he liked this young man.

“Crown Prince Medeb is observing you. You probably have an inkling of why.”

Marquis Hunka glanced back.

Isera was properly standing guard at the entrance.

“This expedition will be difficult. Be wary of your back and make sure to return safely. When you do, we can have a deeper conversation.”