Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

"Calm down. Nothing has been decided yet."

Lee Han soothed the baby basilisk.

In truth, Lee Han had not yet decided what he would transform into for this lecture either.

That was why he had gone to consult Senior Karnella from the same school, but...

-Senior. I have something I would like to consult you about regarding the <Practical Self-Transformation> lecture...

-Junior, you are transforming!? Into what!?

-I have not decided that yet, so first...

-Let us go with a unicorn! It will be good to ride during jousting!

-You are not perhaps trying to use me as an emergency mount, are you?

-There is no way I would do that, is there? Haha. Hahaha.

-......

Lee Han had let it go because Karnella had said they would consult Jarun together, but listening to the conversation now, he did feel slightly deceived.

'Is this person really recommending a unicorn because of jousting?'

However, Jarun was also quite favorable toward transforming into a unicorn.

"A unicorn... If you can do it, it would be good. There are benefits in many ways. Most races welcome them."

-What does that little runt know?!

"Ahem."

The baby basilisk cried out as though it were terribly wronged, but reality did not change.

Transforming into a basilisk and transforming into a unicorn were similarly difficult, but if one transformed into the former in a city, people would scream and the guards would come rushing over in a panic.

If one was going to transform anyway, it was advantageous to transform into a beautiful and popular creature.

"But are you certain there is a possibility of transforming into a unicorn? You are not already dreaming empty dreams when the gold does not even exist, are you?"

"Ah. What do you take this Hormasi for, saying something like that... I told you, there is plausible evidence for all of it. This junior rescued a unicorn, did he not? And that unicorn showed him affection as well. With a bond that deep, he would have a great advantage when transforming into a unicorn."

"I see. That certainly is advantageous."

Rescuing a unicorn, and earning a unicorn's affection.

Neither was something that could be done easily. A bond this deep was rare.

-In his sleeve! Every day! I receive! His mana and drink it! While living there!

"I told you to calm down."

The baby basilisk roared, but the two seniors did not listen.

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed as though they had already half-decided on a unicorn.

Lee Han suddenly thought of something and asked.

"What about something like a griffin or Sharkan?"

"Why in the world are you asking about such rare monsters?"

Jarun asked in disbelief. Karnella scolded him in response.

"He is asking because he raises them. You do not even know that because you have no interest in your junior. You did not know he raises them?"

"What!? Why?!"

"Naturally, because of jousting."

"No."

Lee Han denied it firmly. Karnella, who had tried to falsify the record, clicked the tongue in disappointment.

"If either were possible, they would be as good as a basilisk, but..."

The baby basilisk, whose mouth Lee Han had covered, struggled. It was difficult to hear what it was saying, but it was probably swearing.

"...Would a unicorn not be better?"

"A griffin would be good too, but a unicorn would bring more benefits."

It was truly fortunate that Phoneig was not here.

Had Phoneig been present, it would have been emotionally wounded together with the baby basilisk.

"Sharkan is even more so. A griffin would already look threatening if you transformed into one in a city, so imagine a monster like Sharkan."

"Then, Junior, shall we settle on a unicorn?"

The baby basilisk became dejected and lowered its tail.

Patting the basilisk inside his sleeve, Lee Han asked a question.

"But in the end, we cannot know until I try, can we? Even if we settle on a unicorn, perhaps a basilisk will keep appearing..."

"That could happen."

-!

"But the possibility is probably low."

Unless Lee Han had lived only with basilisks since birth, or one of his ancestors had formed a contract with a powerful basilisk, the possibility was slim.

He had bonds with a unicorn and a griffin as well, so why would a basilisk be forced to appear?

-Do I really have to stay close with those mages?

"...They are my seniors..."

While Lee Han soothed the baby basilisk, the seniors prepared a place for practice.

Transformation magic, and especially the mage's own transformation, brought more danger to the surroundings than one might expect.

The impact or explosion caused by a failed transformation was an obvious concern, and even success could be dangerous.

Once someone suddenly obtained the body of a ferocious beast, controlling the surging desire for destruction or fighting spirit was not as easy as one might think.

Once a mage accumulated a certain amount of experience, the mage could observe the mage's own soul and properly control the emotional agitation caused by changes in the body, but...

...It was impossible for a mage attempting it for the first time to control all of that. Naturally, those nearby had to prepare in advance.

"Senior. Cast elastic rubber magic on this wall."

"Do you think I keep that prepared for you! Do you even know how much the reagents cost?!"

"Then let your attic be destroyed."

Jarun cursed the two juniors as he cast the magic.

He should never have revealed this location...

After setting magic that absorbed damage on the surrounding floor and rock walls, and casting protective magic on Jarun's hideout as well, the preparations were roughly complete.

The two seniors gestured to Lee Han.

"Junior, give it a try."

"At first, it would be best to do it naturally, without thinking of anything, and simply follow your instincts."

-I think it would be good to think of a basilisk.

"......"

-...I will be quiet...

Once the baby basilisk's attempt at brainwashing was discovered, it quietly closed its mouth.

Lee Han stood in the center of the space and entered a state of concentration.

Transformation magic involved comparatively fewer elements such as complex magic circles, incantations, or formulas than other magic, but that did not make it easy magic by any means.

In particular, the mage's mental concentration was extremely important. If the mage acted distractedly or even allowed some stray thought to intrude, a strange result could emerge.

"But what did that bastard normally transform into while practicing?"

Jarun, who had been waiting, asked Karnella a question.

No matter how much of a genius someone was, transformation magic was not something one simply mastered.

At minimum, a mage would spend about a year beginning with practice transforming one part of the body and gradually expanding the range of familiarity.

"What was it again? Wait a moment... Ah, right. During Professor Bendozol's lecture, he transformed his arm into a basilisk's head."

Karnella said this after checking the records that had been written down.

"......"

Jarun staggered for a moment.

The example that had appeared from the practice stage itself was far too extraordinary.

Would one not normally transform into something like the forepaw of a familiar and easy animal?

"I-is that so... Then he certainly must be close with a basilisk."

Unfortunately, their conversation was taking place so that Lee Han could not hear it, and therefore did not reach the baby basilisk either.

Had the baby basilisk heard it, it would undoubtedly have pestered Lee Han while whining, 'See, they say a basilisk is the easiest.'

"Hmm. Even so, I think a unicorn would be good..."

"Why?"

"It would be good to have him participate during jousting."

"......"

Jarun looked at the junior with the gaze one would give unbelievable trash. Karnella answered with slight awkwardness.

"It was a joke."

"Who would think something like that was a joke! What insane nonsense!"

"I only recommended it because I genuinely thought transforming into a unicorn would be more useful. And why are you making such a fuss when you do not even care about your junior?"

"......"

Caught off guard, Jarun hesitated, unable to speak. The corners of Karnella's mouth rose at the sight.

"Oh? What is this? When did the two of you become so close? From someone who said there was no intention of becoming close with a junior?"

"We did not become close! What do you mean, close!"

"With your personality, Senior, is this not practically the level of worrying about a younger sibling?"

"...It is because I received something!"

"What did you receive?"

"He stole Professor Verdus's artifact and brought it to me to use for graduation."

"......"

Even Karnella, who had been teasing the senior, froze in shock at those words.

No...

"Could... could he perhaps do that for me next year too?"

"You bastard, seriously... It is a dragon!"

"???"

Karnella was flustered by the senior's sudden statement.

"I appreciate the compliment, but is that not a rather sudden compliment?"

"No, you insane bastard! Look over there! Over there!"

Jarun stammered as he pointed at Wardanaz. Only then did Karnella realize and turn around.

The junior was kneeling on the ground and breathing heavily. Lee Han looked considerably exhausted, but he was not a dragon.

"What is it?"

"He changed back. He was definitely a dragon!"

"......"

Karnella's gaze was lukewarm. Realizing what that gaze meant, Jarun became furious.

"What is it!"

"No... Did you not see it wrong?"

"Hey, you idiot who will never encounter gold for the rest of your life! How could I mistake a dragon! It was only maintained for a short time!"

Having his own eyesight and judgment denied, Jarun jumped up and down in rage.

"You could mistake it. If you briefly see a basilisk incorrectly, it can look like a dragon subspecies. The same is true of a wyvern, and there are even people who occasionally mistake a wyvern for a dragon and report it."

"■■■■■■!"

Bursting with frustration, Jarun unleashed curses in the ancient dwarven language. Karnella had remained indifferent regardless, but suddenly cried out in surprise.

"It is a dragon!"

"......"

"Did you see that just now!? It was definitely a dragon! I am certain!"

"......"

Without saying anything, Jarun glared at the junior with bloodshot eyes.

Perhaps feeling slightly apologetic, Karnella apologized.

"No. We are currently in the process of checking which transformation is best, and you suddenly said a dragon appeared, so naturally I could not believe you. It was only the preparation stage."

Saying that someone had suddenly transformed into a dragon during the stage of checking aptitude for which animal to transform into was about as absurd as awakening a small world of the fire element during a lecture checking aptitude for the fire element.

"Should we not, as mages, distinguish things with a calm and rational perspective? Now. Let us give the junior advice."

"...I remember why I lived alone without associating with despicable bastards like you."

"Ah. Do not be like that. Junior! Do you know you transformed into a dragon just now?"

Lee Han raised one hand with a tired expression.

Separate from his mana, the physical exhaustion was considerable. Even if Lee Han could endure the mana required to transform into a dragon, the mage himself still had to endure all the other fatigue.

The moment he transformed once and returned, his body suddenly became heavy, as though he had exchanged fierce sword strikes without rest.

"Could you test it once while thinking of something else, such as a unicorn, basilisk, or griffin?"

"What?! It is a dragon, you insane bastard! A dragon!"

Jarun cried out in horror.

It was nothing less than a dragon.

Jarun could not even guess how many mages in the Empire who were capable of transformation magic could currently transform into a complete dragon.

And yet Karnella wanted to leave that aside and follow another path?

"Senior. Look at the junior's expression. He is practicing complete self-transformation for the first time right now. Making him practice with a dragon would be far too difficult and dangerous. If something else is possible, let us begin with that. His talent to transform into a dragon is not going anywhere, is it?"

"......"

Jarun felt ashamed.

To think he would hear such an observation from Karnella, whom he had always regarded as either a junior obsessed with jousting or simply an insane junior.

It was certainly correct.

Overwhelmed by the tremendous existence that was a dragon, Jarun had missed such obvious common sense.

"...I am sorry. Hormasi."

"??"

"I always thought of you as nothing more than an insane, rude bastard..."

"...That is quite an original form of revenge for you, Senior."

Karnella was flustered by Jarun acting differently than usual.

To think the stubborn Jarun would take revenge in this way?

"It is a compliment."

"I can give compliments like that too."

Bang!

While the two were talking, Lee Han attempted the transformation again.

Just as he was about to take the form of a unicorn, Lee Han suddenly transformed into a gigantic dragon again, then returned to his original form.

"??"

"What is wrong? I told you there is no need to insist on a dragon right now."

The two seniors gave advice with puzzled expressions.

Lee Han took a breath and shook his head.

"I transformed into a dragon on its own."

"......"

"...Can magic become jealous too?"

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