Academy’s Genius Mage

The special leave had concluded.

It was quite unusual for first-year students at the Academy to be granted a special leave of absence.

However, since Ian Oracle had to cooperate with the Kingdom’s court to bring down the Hamel Trading Company and conclude various incidents entangled with it, Dean Jessica gladly issued him a leave permit.

Thus, only after a short but sweet 3-day, 2-night vacation could Ian return to the Academy.

In the meantime, the Academy had been swept up in a tremendous storm.

It was because of the rumor that the once poor and insignificant Oracle Family had become incredibly wealthy from receiving compensation.

The story of the downfall of Hamel, the kingdom’s second-largest trading company, was instead pushed to the background.

Ian began to emerge as a rising star among the nobility.

The students who had inwardly dismissed and avoided Ian could only look at him with expressions full of regret.

“How did that guy!?”

Rahel Thousand, wearing a splint on one side, gritted his teeth. Every follower, including him, looked at Ian disdainfully.

Rahel, who had been the first to confront Ian and had been the first to be destroyed, barely overcame his injuries to stand up again.

However, healing his broken arm required time, leaving him completely unable to use one arm.

It was not a wound of glory.

It was a disgrace for the Department of Martial Arts, having suffered its first defeat at the hands of a Department of Magic freshman.

“Don’t worry. The Prince plans to put him in his place soon.”

“It’s also a great opportunity to legally crush those Department of Magic freshmen punks.”

“Hahaha!”

“They’ll be begging for mercy in tears, pleading for just one chance.”

After making such incoherent remarks, his followers retreated. Ian had been observing them from before.

‘They’re aiming for the exchange matches, it seems.’

The inter-department exchange matches.

It was a long-standing tradition between the Department of Magic and the Department of Martial Arts and one of the core educational processes at the Academy.

A mage didn’t always face other mages.

In the real world, they often clashed more with knights or martial artists.

The same applied to martial artists.

The beings they considered most troublesome were mages.

Especially, knights, the highest class among martial artists, considered magical countermeasures a mandatory part of their training.

Hence, the Department of Magic and the Department of Martial Arts regularly held exchange matches to enhance their respective combat capabilities.

However, due to varying levels of achievement by grade, typically, unless there were special circumstances, they would spar against those of the same grade.

In other words, Ian’s opponents would be the first-year students of the Department of Martial Arts, including Helios.

‘It would be fortunate if they only targeted me, but they probably intend to crush all our department’s freshmen.’

He felt uneasy, worrying that his peers might suffer because of him. But the solution turned out to be surprisingly simple.

‘If I beat them down before they can, that’s that. I already know the skills of the followers.’

A smile appeared on Ian’s lips.

He had already reached the strength equivalent of a 4-circle mage.

He thought that if he fought properly without underestimating them, he could give the freshman martial artists a proper lesson.

Having directly subdued the assassin Dimon, he had gained confidence.

He believed he could do anything.

“Baron Iaaaaaaaan!”

A familiar voice called out.

As he looked over, he saw Milo and Edel waving and running towards him.

However, as soon as Milo got close, he bowed his head.

“Oh, my lord the Baron. Have you returned? This humble servant will escort you to the dormitory!”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“I am the loyal servant of Baron Ian. Hehehe.”

‘If he had a tail, wouldn’t he be wagging it enthusiastically?’

Milo was busy bowing as if he had become a footman.

No, rather than a footman, he resembled a very large puppy. His eyes were a bit sly, though.

“Did you eat something bad today?”

“How could you say such a hurtful thing? I have always respected Baron Ian!”

“What’s wrong with him?”

Ian asked Edel, who sighed and raised both hands, indicating it was hopeless.

It was clear that Milo had come running after hearing the rumor about the 50 billion shillings reward.

Ian chuckled.

‘This is so like Milo.’

He had received a lot of help from Milo.

Without him, Ian wouldn’t have known about Fredrick’s death, and he could have ended up swallowed by the Hamel Trading Company.

He thought he should treat Milo to something nice somewhere someday.

“Okay, Milo. Could you take care of this luggage for me?”

“How could I refuse? My lord.”

Ian handed his handbag to Milo, who hugged it tightly with both hands.

“I need to meet with the Dean, so go to the dorm and wait for me. It might take a while.”

“I will wait with a joyful heart until you return!”

“Do as you please.”

Ian then went straight to the Dean’s office.

Jessica was waiting for him inside.

“I heard you made quite an achievement, didn’t you? I heard the story from Investigator Logos. It seems they’re full of praise over there. The Royal Tax Bureau was also targeting the Hamel Trading Company.”

Thanks to Ian, it looked like the stage was set. The Royal Tax Bureau could take advantage without lifting a finger.

The Oracle Family not only received compensation, but the Hamel Trading Company also had to undergo investigations by the court and the tax bureau.

Small branches and noble families were demanding contract termination, making its downfall just a matter of time.

Even if the Hamel Trading Company managed to rise again by sheer luck, it was commonly agreed in the industry that they would never regain their former glory.

“It’s all thanks to your help, Dean. I couldn’t have done anything alone.”

“Wasn’t it Professor Frost who helped you, then?”

Jessica subtly expressed her jealousy.

She had learned about everything Professor Frost had done to assist Ian from the beginning.

Now there was no story left to hide.

Everything had returned to its place.

“It was a bit difficult to ask for your help, Dean.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, you are the Dean, and I’m just a freshman in the Department of Magic. It’s hard to meet like this unless it’s something special, isn’t it?”

“That’s a bit disappointing, but I can’t argue with the truth.”

Professor Frost, being an academic advisor, could be involved in a student’s personal life, but the Dean was different.

Ian pointed out exactly that.

“Anyway, the rumor of you becoming immensely wealthy has spread throughout the Academy. Not just the Academy, but there’s probably no one in the royal capital who hasn’t heard.”

Jessica spoke seriously.

Ian seemed to understand what she was concerned about.

“It’s because I’m young, and you’re worried, right?”

“Indeed. Even though you’re the head of a noble family, 50 billion shillings is an amount that even most nobles struggle to handle. And you’re holding onto it in cash.”

Ian, now 19 and the head of a baron family, hadn’t even debuted in social circles.

A model student of the Academy who was more familiar with books than people.

These traits would be appetizing to fraudsters, making him an easy target.

“So, I think it’s best to be selective about whom you meet. Nobles are already lining up to meet you, aren’t they?”

“For now, that’s true. But since there’s the potion business, I can’t avoid meeting people entirely.”

“That’s what worries me. Even if things worked out this time, the world is wide, and there are many nasty people out there.”

“Don’t worry.”

“What gives you such confidence?”

Ian explained calmly with a smile.

“Do you know what common trait people who get scammed have? It’s greed. They get into trouble because they want to earn just a little bit more. But I’m not really interested in money. I have no intention of increasing my wealth. Rather, what one should worry about are the people who approach me with ulterior motives. I’d better be careful not to follow in the footsteps of the Hamel Trading Company.”

“Wow, that’s quite some confidence.”

“Because now I don’t need to be embarrassed.”

Jessica nodded.

Ian had reached the level of a 4-circle mage.

With such skills, he was more than qualified even upon graduating from the academy.

“So, what did you purchase? You must have pocketed some advance payment before receiving your compensation. A new mansion? Or an artifact? As a mage, having a nice staff wouldn’t be a bad choice.”

“I installed a communication sphere in the mansion. And I got a set of clothes tailored for each worker.”

“… You mean the mansion didn’t even have a communication sphere?”

Jessica looked at Ian with both surprise and curiosity. She hadn’t imagined that there wouldn’t be a communication sphere.

“It’s fine now that we have one. If my father were here, he might have asked why I bought such a thing.”

“Indeed, if your Father Lefevre were around, he might have said something similar.”

Jessica remembered Lefevre, who stubbornly adhered to principles but occasionally showed incredible creativity. A faint, nostalgic smile appeared on her face.

Observing Jessica’s dramatic change in expression, a thought crossed Ian’s mind.

It had been over ten years since his father disappeared from the world.

Was it easy to make such expressions while reminiscing after all that time?

Ian wanted to confirm something.

“Dean, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to invite you to the mansion next time. I’m thinking of hosting a small party, and if it’s okay, please come with Professor Frost.”

“The Oracle Family hosting a party?”

“Is it not allowed?”

“It was unimaginable. When Senior Lefevre was around. He was someone who didn’t quite understand parties.”

“I am not like that. I am young, after all.”

“Does that mean I’m old?”

“No way.”

For a brief moment, they laughed openly, setting aside their respective statuses.

Ian felt that this incident had brought him closer to Jessica, just as it had brought him closer to Professor Frost by resolving the Mana Concentration Disorder.

“Unfortunately, the Dean of the Department of Magic doesn’t usually associate with an ordinary professor. No matter how much Professor Frost was a senior in my department, he isn’t now, right?”

“Then there’s no helping it. I’ll just have to invite you separately.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Jessica had intended to raise Ian as her protégé, but over time, he seemed to be becoming more and more like Frost, which was frustrating.

“Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Sometimes, I need to listen to the concerns of a low-ranking professor. I’ll try to arrange the timing with Professor Frost. It would be best after the standard exams, don’t you think?”

“That seems best. Even though I was away briefly, there’s a mountain of work piled up. I’ve fallen behind on assignments too.”

“Regular exams aside, there’s something else you need to prepare for.”

Was she referring to the interdepartmental Exchange Battle?

He thought not. It didn’t seem like something Jessica would advise on, as it was a matter to be handled by regular faculty.

“You should visit the Tower of Magic soon. The Magic Society will open shortly, and you’ll receive an invitation too.”

“The Magic Society?”

“This shouldn’t be the first time you’re hearing about it, is it?”

Jessica smirked teasingly. Indeed, he’d heard about it from Professor Frost before.

“Since you published a paper this time, you might attend with Isera. So it would be wise to prepare yourself mentally.”

“Understood. I’ll discuss it well with Professor Frost and prepare accordingly.”

“Why do you need to discuss it with Professor Frost?”

“Well, he’s currently my advisor. As is Senior Isera.”

“Sigh…”

Jessica felt like she had been outdone by Professor Frost once again.

Her position was significantly higher, yet she couldn’t understand why these things kept happening.