Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 78

After successfully completing the deal...

"It's late."

By the time I left the building, it was already dusk.

I had taken more time than I expected.

My companions would be worried.

I headed straight for the academy.

'The training must be over by now, right?'

I approached the main gate with that thought in mind.

Then I saw two people.

Both were dressed as mages and guarding the main gate.

As befitting a prestigious academy, Asion Academy is guarded 24/7 with tight security.

These were the mage staff in charge of the night shift today.

Flash!

The staff member who spotted me activated a flash spell and asked,

"What's your business?"

"Ah, I'm a student here."

I said and handed him the student ID I had received earlier, and the staff member's wary gaze softened.

"Ah, I know you. You were admitted on the recommendation of the Dean, right? You must be very skilled."

"Haha... well, it just happened."

"Please come in. I'll guide you."

The floating flash spell moved forward.

It seemed like the guidance was to follow this.

Before I started walking, I asked,

"Ah, have the two mages who visited today left? They're my acquaintances."

"You mean Kayla and Thompson?"

Judging from what he said, it seemed like the admission process was already complete.

As expected of a prestigious academy, the work was processed quickly.

"Um, please wait a moment."

The staff member took something out of his pocket and fiddled with it.

It was a palm-sized tool I had never seen before...

"According to the previous staff, they moved to the academy dormitory a little while ago. You can go there."

The staff member quickly gave me the answer.

Rather than surprised, I was more curious.

"What is that...?"

I pointed at what the staff member was holding with my finger, and he said,

"Ah, this? It's called a magic communicator. With this, you can communicate with people far away. Even if you don't know how to use telepathy magic."

A magic communicator.

It's a tool I've never seen in the game.

It somehow felt out of date.

Perhaps this was how the elderly felt when they first encountered smartphones?

"Is it expensive?"

"If you want to buy it... I think about 4,000 gold coins should be enough."

There was a reason why I hadn't seen it even though I had been in this world for months.

4,000 gold coins.

It's almost the same price as a legend grade artifact.

Unless you're a noble with money to burn, you wouldn't be able to buy it easily.

Of course, it was a tool that was definitely worth the money.

'It's practically like buying telepathy magic with money.'

It allows you to indirectly use magic that you can't learn until at least the 7th Circle.

'I should get a few of those too.'

It's definitely a tool that would be very useful for our party.

It should be prioritized after Barundel's axe.

Of course, the high price is a drawback... but money can be earned.

If it seems a bit difficult, I can borrow it from the headmaster.

If the staff members are each carrying one, they must have a lot in stock.

Anyway.

"Thank you."

Thanks to the kind staff member's guidance, I safely arrived in front of the dormitory.

Flash!

As I bowed my head, the flash spell spun and disappeared.

Leaving that behind, I entered the dormitory, and soon I saw a familiar face.

Kayla was at the entrance of the dormitory, resting her chin on her hand with a sullen expression.

"You're finally here?"

"Ah, yeah. Were you waiting?"

"Well, not really... I was worried."

"Worried?"

"Miste ran out to look for you because you weren't coming back."

"What?"

Oh no.

The thing I was worried about had finally happened.

"When did he leave?"

"Just now."

"Oh dear..."

Since he left just now, it seemed like I had missed Thompson.

But it wasn't too late yet.

I headed back to the main gate and soon found Thompson arguing with the staff member from earlier.

"I'm telling you I need to go out! Why are you stopping me? This isn't a prison!"

"...It's not that, I'm telling you that Yuhan just came in. He should be in the dormitory by now..."

"Huh, I was just at the dormitory, what are you talking about...!"

It looked like a fight was about to break out.

I spoke before it was too late.

"Mister."

"Huh? Mr First Place! You really were here...?"

"I told you several times."

"Hahahaha... I'm sorry."

Thompson apologized politely and approached me, scratching his head with an embarrassed look.

"...When did you get back? Mr First Place."

"Just now. I guess we missed each other."

"Damn it, I didn't even know!"

Thompson, slapping his forehead as if embarrassed, suddenly asked,

"No, but why were you so late?"

"Ah, something suddenly came up."

"Something? What something?"

"I'll explain it to you later. Let's go inside the dormitory for now."

I led Thompson to the dormitory like that, and, as he kept urging me, I told him the story.

As expected, Thompson's reaction was intense.

"...What? You were almost kidnapped?"

"I went in on my own, so it was more like confinement."

"Kidnapping or confinement! It's all the same! Anyway, those inner sector guys commit crimes without hesitation, don't they? I'm going to..."

Thompson rolled up his sleeves with an angry look on his face.

He's such a mysterious man.

It's not easy to make someone feel reassured and worried at the same time.

Of course, the latter feeling was overwhelmingly greater.

I hope he doesn't cause any trouble...

"Calm down. It was resolved well."

"So why did those guys do that?"

Kayla, who had been listening silently, asked.

I cut out the unnecessary parts and answered to the point.

"They said they needed more support. It seems like they're really short on manpower."

"...Huh, that's the reason? That's why they did that?"

Kayla said in disbelief.

I could fully understand why she was reacting this way.

Even I was dumbfounded when I first learned of Barus's intentions.

'...In the carriage, I naturally thought they would try to persuade me.'

Who would have guessed that they would take me hostage and threaten the academic society?

It's absolutely impossible for someone with normal thinking.

At the same time, it meant that Barus didn't see us as human beings.

In a way, should I say it's still the same?

'It's the same as the game.'

Even after 100 years, the actions of the nobles in the inner sectors haven't changed.

Their way of thinking was completely different from ours.

'...Maybe it's a good thing I was reincarnated as a beggar from Sector 7.'

If I had been reincarnated on their side, I might have been corrupted by their ideology and changed into something I don't know.

It was rather fortunate.

Anyway.

"In the end, I agreed to get support from the headmaster."

"Support? Ah, material support?"

"No, the Dean's participation in the war."

"...What?"

Kayla's eyes widened.

Thompson was also surprised.

"...Mr First Place, are you serious? The Dean is going to participate in the war himself? Is that possible?"

It was understandable.

Those in charge of a place, like the Magic Tower Master or the Knight Commander, don't step forward unless it's a serious crisis.

Naturally, Asion Gale is also at that level.

However, there was nothing absolute about this.

Things could change at any time depending on the situation or their own will.

"I'll have to persuade him."

Now it was time to see the results.

***

"Ugh..."

Asion Gale, sitting in the Dean's office of Asion Academy, let out a groan.

A mountain of documents piled up in front of him.

Trying to catch up on the backlog of work was no easy task.

Researching magic and writing related papers was so much fun, but why was this so hard?

Honestly, he wanted to go home right away, but...

"...No, I can't. I can't."

Every time he thought about it, Ziren's coldly sunken face came to mind, sending chills down his spine.

She had said:

- A diligent Dean is essential for the smooth operation of both the academic society and the academy. If you keep putting it off like this... your contract renewal might be postponed as well, Headmaster.

She had said that if he delayed any longer, his contract renewal might be delayed as well.

In other words, if he didn't work quickly, she wouldn't renew his contract.

How bad must it have been for her to say that?

Considering that all the work he had put off had been passed on to Professor Ziren, it was understandable why she was saying that.

"...I should finish it quickly."

He couldn't lose a valuable talent just because he couldn't overcome his laziness.

It was then that Asion Gale was about to speed up his work.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, a knock was heard.

Could it be Professor Ziren, who came to check on his work?

"...Come in."

He gave permission with that fear in mind, but fortunately, it wasn't her.

"Dean."

"Ah, Yuhan. Thank goodness. Thank goodness..."

Asion Gale finally let out a sigh of relief.

"What is all this...?"

"What else could it be but the documents I have to process? The position of being responsible for many people is this heavy."

"You didn't just put it off, did you? I don't think I've ever seen you work before. And you're even wearing glasses."

"...Ahem, what nonsense is that? I've never rested once. Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you came."

When Asion Gale urged him, Yuhan waved his hand dismissively.

"No, it's okay. You seem busy, so let's talk tomorrow."

Yuhan turned around to leave.

Asion Gale hurriedly called out to him.

"Ah, no! You can tell me now!"

"...Yes? But you said you were busy."

"...I was just about to take a break. It's fine for a little while."

"You were putting it off, weren't you?"

"..."

In the awkward silence...

Yuhan settled down and sat down.

"I went to the war command center today."

"The war command center? Why? I thought you said you were going to the checkpoint earlier."

"I didn't go there because I wanted to. Anyway, that's not important."

Slide.

Yuhan pushed something across the table.

It was a document written on good quality paper...

Asion Gale pushed up his glasses and examined the document.

"This is...?"

The contents were surprising.

[According to this contract, the Dean of Asion Academy, hereinafter referred to as Asion Gale, is referred to as 'Party A,' and the commander of the war command center, hereinafter referred to as Barus Garian, is referred to as 'Party B.'

Upon successful conclusion of the contract, 'Party B' shall pay 'Party A' 10,000 gold coins in advance.

Upon successful fulfillment of the contract, after the war through the [Red Moon Prophecy] is over, 'Party B' shall pay 'Party A' 1 'Magic-related Elixir.'

Upon successful fulfillment of the contract, after the war through the [Red Moon Prophecy] is over, 'Party B' shall pay 'Party A' 1 'Undisclosed Magic Book.']

It was a contract to pay him 10,000 gold coins, a magic-related elixir, and an undisclosed magic book.

Moreover, one side was already signed.

In the name of Barus Garian, the commander of the war command center.

Judging from the traces of magic power remaining, it was undoubtedly a contract written with an artifact owned by the royal family.

In other words, it wasn't forged.

Asion Gale stared at Yuhan with a dumbfounded look.

"You... what have you done?"

'This guy had a knack for surprising people no matter how many times you saw him.’

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]