Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: A Cultured Archmage (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, I had no intention of taking a class like "Magic Ecology."
No, correction. Truth be told, I didn't want to take any liberal arts courses at all, not just Magic Ecology.
My life was already busy enough just lying in bed and breathing.
Yet here I was, adding more schedules that forced me out of bed? That went completely against my life's direction.
Still, the reason I decided to endure this hassle and enroll in Magic Ecology was purely because of Vice-Captain Albert's advice.
-If you don't know how to handle it, why not have Lunaris take a shot at raising it properly?
Beyond the screen of the communication magic device, Apple Phone MK2.
It started with that casual remark from Vice-Captain Albert, who looked utterly exhausted.
During the regular report over break, I'd told him everything from receiving my archmage appointment all the way up to that point.
From the ambush on the magic train heading to the Mage Tower.
To the Black Mages infiltrating the Mage Tower auction house, targeting the magic beast egg—Nebula's Egg.
And how I'd snatched it up at auction to keep it out of their hands. I'd reported every detail.
"I shelled out 200 gold coins for that thing—precious blood money!"
-Oh, don't worry about that. Send the purchase certificate to the Imperial Mage Corps, and we'll cover the full expense.
I hadn't meant to, but I'd ended up squeezing some gold out of them anyway.
As expected of the Imperial side—they had money to burn. So generous.
Well, more money was always better. After graduation, I could buy some uninhabited island, build a vacation home there, and spend my days lounging in bed.
"It's not just the expense; please do something about this egg too. It's constantly sucking in my mana—it's no ordinary nuisance."
-Hmm... but what can we do?
The vice-captain continued with a troubled expression.
-We can't destroy it, and we can't just toss it away since it can't fall into Black Mage hands. Plus, it's already absorbed plenty of your mana, Lunaris, so the imprinting's probably done.
"Well, yeah, but..."
-So, you'll just have to take responsibility and manage it yourself.
"Wait, this is a magic beast. Can I even raise it?"
Doesn't this world have... like, a permit for raising wild beasts or something?
What if an unverified person like me raises something this dangerous and an accident happens?
And what hatches from this egg is a Nebula.
The very creature the Black Mages revere like a divine beast.
"It might hatch into something that threatens the entire continent."
No joke—seriously.
-Heh heh, Lunaris. Magic beasts aren't demons or evil creatures by nature. They're just beasts that handle mana.
Even so, Vice-Captain Albert shook his head with a good-natured laugh, unperturbed.
-No magic beast is born evil. What matters is how you raise it, right?
"Still, this one's seriously dangerous... I mean, it feels like it will be..."
I couldn't exactly blurt it out.
Seeing my frustrated look, the vice-captain chuckled and said,
-Did you know? Technically, you're classified as an S-rank threat in the Belhart Empire too, Lunaris.
"...Huh?"
What was that supposed to mean?
"Do I have a bounty on my head or something?"
-Haha, don't misunderstand. It's not like that. It just means you possess such immense power that the Empire needs to keep tabs on you at a national level.
"..."
-The point is, even if the beast hatching from that egg has continent-destroying potential, proper management could turn it into an incredible secret weapon.
In short: I found it, so I deal with it.
"Such a hassle... Can't the Imperial Mage Corps just manage it instead?"
-...Please, for the love of everything, don't pile more work on me.
Vice-Captain Albert's face looked like that of an office worker on the brink of death from overwork.
His dark circles hung all the way down to his chin, somehow reminding me of my past-life self.
"Um... Vice-Captain, you seem really worn out lately?"
-I'd love to say I'm fine, but... honestly, I'm dying here with no time even for that.
A heavy sigh escaped Vice-Captain Albert's lips.
-These past few weeks, it feels like I've toured every territory in the Empire's western regions. It was brutal.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside.
Thank goodness I didn't tag along.
See? I told you—stepping outside the bed means suffering.
"Sorry for your hardship, but you didn't catch them in the end."
-...
"The Black Mage controlling the wyvern wasn't even in the western Empire—he was holed up in the Mage Tower. What 'decisive evidence' led you there anyway?"
My casual fact-bomb made Vice-Captain Albert's facial muscles twitch.
Ouch. I'd scratched a nerve.
-I have nothing to say about that. Who would've thought we'd be chasing fake evidence planted by those Black Mages... Of course, it wasn't a total waste...
Mid-excuse, the vice-captain suddenly bowed his head.
-Well, without your report, Lunaris, we'd still be chasing small fry in the western wastelands. I'm truly grateful for that.
Looking at his fatigue-ridden face, I reaffirmed my resolve once more.
Imperial Mage Corps? Absolutely not joining. For real.
-Anyway, from now on, include the magic beast egg's status in your regular reports.
"Yeees, got it."
-Haha, you don't have to make it sound so annoying.
I was blatantly showing my reluctance, and the vice-captain let out a weary laugh.
-Who knows? That magic beast might turn out super smart and handle all your chores instead.
"...Oh?"
-Like proxy-attending classes or doing your cleaning and laundry.
"Ooooh?!"
What? A shuttle for errands and academy life too?
That was... tempting. Very tempting.
-Early education is key for that. Raise it right from the start, and it'll definitely be useful.
"So, like training a pet?"
-Not sure. Magic beast studies aren't my specialty.
The vice-captain shrugged and continued.
-You're at the academy, aren't you?
"...Huh?"
-Isn't there a class? Something like Understanding Magic Beasts or Ecology?
After ending the call with Vice-Captain Albert, I looked it up separately—and sure enough, there was one.
*
"Somehow... there are twice as many students as last week."
Professor Maxian, standing at the podium, scanned the lecture hall with a bewildered expression.
The large classroom in the Magic Department's main building was packed without a single empty seat.
A sight unimaginable under normal circumstances.
In truth, his "Magic Ecology" course wasn't popular at Elterion Academy.
No—coldly speaking, it was something students avoided.
For starters, Professor Maxian himself wasn't a popular instructor.
He didn't hand out easy grades, nor did he teach in an engaging, coherent style.
He wasn't even handsome enough to make the female students swoon.
But it wasn't just the professor; the subject had issues too.
Studying mana-infused plants and animals? No practical use for it.
Unless you were an ambitious student gunning for a professor position or someone scrambling to fill credits after a botched registration, there was no reason to take it.
But this semester was different.
The rumor that Lunaris Evermoon had chosen it as her liberal arts elective spread like wildfire, drawing in every Magic Department student.
Thanks to that, Professor Maxian had spent the past few days haggling with admins over expanding the class quota, breaking a real sweat.
"Hey, that's her, right?"
"Yeah, the archmage student from the rumors."
"Wonder if she'll show off her nature mana control here too..."
"That staff—supposedly a imperial treasure bestowed by the First Prince himself?"
As expected, the whispers leaking from everywhere were all about Lunaris.
Professor Maxian's gaze naturally drifted to the corner.
At the very back by the window, where the sunlight poured in best, a petite girl was dozing off with her head bobbing.
The silver-white staff floating lightly behind her made her impossible to miss.
Professor Maxian breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
As long as she stayed like that throughout the lecture, teaching would be a breeze.
On the other hand, he thought this might actually be an opportunity.
He, who'd repeatedly failed senior professor promotions due to low lecture evaluations.
But nail this semester, and promotion was basically guaranteed.
And, minor point, but...
As Magic Department Head Raymond Cloud had said, when else would he get to teach a student with an archmage title?
He had no intention of bragging for real clout, but dropping it casually at social gatherings or Mage Tower banquets? That'd be fine.
"Ahem! Settle down, everyone."
Professor Maxian cleared his throat to take control of the room.
He suddenly felt a surge of motivation.
"Lots of new faces today, so let's start over with the orientation. What is Magic Ecology?"
The professor tapped the blackboard and continued.
"Ultimately, it's the study of the creatures living on this continent. Every blade of grass, every insect. In fact, most life forms breathing on this land are born with mana."
The students' attention focused on the professor.
"Using mana in their bodies is a privilege of intelligent races like humans, elves, or ogres. But nature has its exceptions."
Strength built in the professor's voice.
"Very rarely, there are creatures that lack intelligence but instinctively master mana manipulation. We call them magic beasts..."
At that moment, someone in the crowd of students suddenly raised their hand.
Professor Maxian frowned as his good momentum broke.
"Questions at the end of the lecture..."
About to say he'd allot time later, the professor froze the instant his eyes met the raised hand.
Lunaris, now awake, was blinking dazedly with her hand up.
Wait... wasn't she asleep?
She'd definitely been nodding off moments ago. When did she wake up?
More importantly, was she actually listening?
"Uh, Lunaris?"
Professor Maxian broke into a cold sweat without realizing it.
"If you need the bathroom urgently, you can slip out quietly."
"Not the bathroom. I have a question."
At those words, sweat poured down in streams.
Wait... she wasn't supposed to be this enthusiastic.
Darnier, the instructor for Imperial Etiquette and Social Graces, had sworn she slept through every class.
But there was one thing Professor Maxian was mistaken about.
Etiquette was morning class; his was afternoon.
Which made this the perfect time for Lunaris to slyly open her eyes and stir up trouble.
Of course, Professor Maxian knew magic creature ecology but not Lunaris's biological clock, so his mind was just a whirlwind of confusion.
Memories from last semester flashed through the professor's head.
-Who knew she'd disprove my exam question with a full thesis...
He'd watched the Basic Magic Theory professor agonize in the staff room after Lunaris embarrassed him—not quite a scandal, but close.
No way... not me too?
Professor Maxian swallowed hard, tense beyond measure.
"...Go ahead, Lunaris."
The professor nodded, forcing calm into his trembling voice.
"Ask away."