Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 1038

Chapter 1038

"Let's leave quickly. By the way, keep it secret that they left because of me."

"Surely Petroguard guys wouldn't blame Yi-Han?"

His friends asked as if it made no sense.

After being called to remove a suspicious outsider and doing so, instead of being grateful they would hold a grudge?

Even Baldurguard wouldn't do that.

"They probably will."

"Right. The possibility is high. Let's ask the professors to keep it secret and leave quickly. Better to shift blame to the knight."

Yi-Han sent a gaze full of respect at Professor Garcia's scheme.

Indeed, the wisdom of a senior who graduated Einroguard first was no ordinary thing. Her speed at finding the optimal scapegoat in the current situation was five or six times faster than others.

"By the way, anyone want to stay longer at Petroguard?"

About to leave, Yi-Han suddenly thought of his friends and asked.

He had only thought of himself. Come to think of it, some friends might want to spend more time with the students from the second magic school they met.

"Second?"

Professor Garcia wondered and counted on her fingers.

Wasn't it third after Kalaroguard and Baldurguard?

"What are you going to do, Wardanaz? Going straight back to the villa when done?"

"No. I think I need to visit the auction house soon."

Having excellently raised mandrakes last semester, Yi-Han had received permission to participate in the <Imperial Horticulturist Club>'s internal auction through Professor Willow's recommendation.

Getting permission to participate in internal auctions meant getting permission to join too.

As a new club member, it would seem polite to visit and pay respects first.

'If I seem polite, maybe the mandrakes will sell for more too.'

Though he usually didn't like showing off his specialty, this time was an exception.

Yi-Han was seriously considering whether to wear a cloak with the King of Ghouls or King of Frost Giants depicted when visiting the club.

"Capital auction house... at the Hall of Gold?"

"Yeah."

Since auctions basically gathered expensive items and called noble people, they weren't held just anywhere.

Though there were Einroguard-style auctions fighting over potato sacks on dirt ground, generally imperial auctions guaranteed minimum dignity.

In that sense, if an auction was held near the imperial capital, the Hall of Gold had the highest possibility.

A sacred place where blessings of fortune and wealth had been layered since before the empire.

In this hall, not just the horticulturist club but several auctions were held together. The eyes of students who each wanted items sparkled.

Would they interact more with outstanding mages from other imperial magic schools, or mingle with greedy connoisseurs who knew nothing of magic?

"Too bad but can't be helped. We'll respect your schedule, Wardanaz."

"We'll have chances to meet Petroguard friends someday. Or not, that's fine too."

The friends answered immediately.

Honestly, staying longer at Petroguard probably wouldn't be much fun.

The most fun thing since coming here was Gainando spraying poison in the knight's face...

"I want to draw more... mmph."

Siana hurriedly covered Tijiling's mouth. Yi-Han turned his head.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all! Sister Tijiling says she's excited too!"

Other priests quickly supported Siana. Seeing this, Professor Garcia thought inwardly.

'...Is it okay for Immortal Phoenix Tower to be like this?!'

Though it was good the priest background students had become livelier and more active, sometimes she wondered if this was really okay.

  *

"Hmm. Hmmm."

"Mmm."

The students who came out in carriages with the professors carefully drew lines on paper with quills.

They were currently looking for auctions they could participate in.

"Here! We might be able to participate in this auction..."

A White Tiger Tower student held out paper to Jijel.

<Beech Tree Auction>

Arms sale of knights, by knights, for knights.

Only honorable knights may attend.

Without even looking, Yi-Han spoke instead of Jijel.

"Can't participate there. Read below and you'll see only current knight order members can participate."

Those not belonging to imperial knight orders may not attend...

"..."

The disappointed White Tiger Tower student suddenly didn't understand and asked.

"Wardanaz, how do you know this?"

"I wanted to participate before so I looked through the conditions. Couldn't do it."

"..."

You're from a great noble family!

All the White Tiger Tower students were dumbfounded inwardly.

Quite a few imperial auctions restricted guest qualifications.

Just like the <Imperial Horticulturist Club>'s internal auction Yi-Han was participating in didn't allow non-members to participate, qualifications like knight order membership or club membership were quite common.

"It's truly regrettable. I don't understand why they put such restrictions. Don't they think free participation would vitalize auctions more? People who want to enter but can't..."

"S-sorry, Wardanaz. I was wrong."

When Yi-Han suddenly started complaining like a waterfall, the White Tiger Tower student was terrified.

Wardanaz was scariest at times like this.

Just get angry and curse instead!

"Guess only mage auctions are left."

"Should be grateful even that's possible."

The students grumbled while checking the list of auctions they could participate in.

Though being from Einroguard meant they could participate in quite a few mage auctions, it wasn't enough to satisfy the students' greed.

'Need an artifact that will draw star charts during next semester.'

'Thinking about research, should get at least one relic.'

'Are there any artifacts that can cheat during exams?'

The rarer and more expensive relics and artifacts tended to appear secretly in private auctions.

Every time they saw writing saying internal auction of some club, no outsiders allowed, the students felt deep regret.

"Good. Done."

Meanwhile, Gainando neatly put down his quill. Friends beside him checked his paper with puzzlement.

Western Mage Card Auction (Participate)

Eastern Mage Card Auction (Participate)

Southern Mage Card Auction (Participate)

...

'Shouldn't have looked.'

The friends turned their gazes away ignoring him. Yonaire asked worriedly.

"What are you going to do later if you only participate in those?"

"What?"

"What do you mean what. If you spend all your gold coins on cards..."

Yonaire, still his cousin after all, pointed slightly at Yi-Han instead of raising her voice.

If he spent all his saved gold coins on cards, he might seriously have to sleep outside the tower next semester.

"I'm participating to sell cards."

"...What?!"

Not just Yonaire but other friends were startled too. Yi-Han warned looking at the Blue Dragon Tower friends.

"Shh. Everyone's making plans."

"B-but Wardanaz. Gainando's participating in auctions to sell cards."

"What?!?!!?!"

"..."

Gainando became sulky at his friends' reactions.

Yi-Han soothed him and asked.

"Sorry. Without realizing. More importantly, selling cards? Has a magic criminal or evil god worshipper been threatening you recently?"

"...No?! If I want to buy something at the auction house I need gold coins."

Auctions could be participated in not just as buyers but also as sellers.

Of course one could get gold coins by selling items but...

'This is truly surprising!'

If it was Gainando and mage cards, that was different. Even students from other towers were whispering in surprise.

"Should we get more gold coins too?"

"Maybe should have taken more commissions..."

"That really starts in second semester. No time during break."

"I have money earned with Wardanaz before, but not sure if it's enough."

"...How did you earn that??"

As the students whispered, Professor Garcia cleared her throat to give advice as a senior.

"Everyone. It's good that you all show interest in auctions. However, it seems you're forgetting one thing in your greed."

'Is she saying to exercise restraint?'

"Auction houses have more need for mages than you'd think. From appraisal to curse removal, potion making and so on. Being from Einroguard, you can definitely receive commissions."

'Not that!'

The students all sent gazes of respect at Professor Garcia passing down her know-how for getting gold coins during school days.

If there was a true teacher at Einroguard, it would be this professor before them.

"Professor! What kind of commissions..."

"Are there especially good commissions for White Tiger Tower?"

"Should we reveal we're from the dark magic school or not?"

While friends showered questions, Yi-Han who was looking around for auctions worth participating in besides the horticulturist club suddenly remembered and spoke.

"Professor. Professor."

"?"

Professor Boladi who had been sitting quietly turned his gaze at his disciple's call.

"How did you earn gold coins during your school days, Professor?"

"Bounties and duels."

Having answered kindly, Professor Boladi waited for his disciple's follow-up questions.

Like Professor Garcia was receiving all sorts of questions, his disciple before him would obviously probe similarly.

Especially given that curiosity and investigative spirit...

"Ah."

Yi-Han nodded then turned his gaze back to the paper.

He should earn through other methods after all.

"..."

  *

The Hall of Gold, reminiscent of an old-style palace covered in brilliant light, was bustling with countless people.

Yi-Han could feel the strange mana power flowing through the entire hall.

It was strong and ancient power that couldn't be twisted by ordinary strength.

"It's a historic place, Yi-Han. Can you feel it?"

Professor Garcia explained beside him as if understanding why Yi-Han was staring.

This Hall of Gold had been a place where blessings of fortune and wealth had been layered since before the empire.

It wasn't a simple metaphor. It meant large-scale holy magic had actually been consecrated several times.

Thanks to this, several rules were enforced inside like a small world.

Like pickpocketing being impossible, or items being unable to be disguised as other items...

'Gasp. I was calculating gold weight.'

Yi-Han quickly came to his senses and talked about the mana flow.

"These mana seem to be creating separate rules inside."

"That's right. It's an interesting place. Quite a few mages come to see this magic, not just for treasures."

Professor Garcia explained this Hall of Gold probably wasn't created intentionally.

Various priests and mages casting magic had created unexpected effects, and it had flowed in the direction of preserving those effects.

"Yi-Han said you're visiting the horticulturist club first?"

"Yes. What kind of gifts do horticulturist club members like?"

"...It's fine to just go, so just go."

Yi-Han grumbled inwardly.

Professor Garcia was too upright to be of any help in such matters.

"The professor and I will wait here, so everyone look around freely. If you have questions come find... Aack!"

"???!"

Yi-Han was startled.

Professor Garcia screamed as if discovering the young skull principal's painting again.

There must be tremendous danger nearby. Indeed, Professor Boladi was also showing wariness while drawing out mana.

"...Yi-Han. Can you see? Over there?"

"Do you mean the elf wearing a turban with aquamarine embedded? With Zenbaya's magic? The gold decorations seem like they'd rather lower the price..."

"How did you see that? Not that, beside! Beside!"

"??"

"It's Senior."

Yi-Han was dumbfounded to see the Great Artist who had run away first wandering around the hall.