Academy’s Genius Mage

“My apologies. As you know, my family is humble and, due to certain circumstances, rarely participates in external activities. While your name is well-known, I have not become familiar with your face. Please forgive me.”

Ian Oracle bowed as low as possible.

He did not know who the man before him was. However, for a noble to fail to recognize a high-ranking aristocrat of the same kingdom was a significant breach of etiquette.

“Well, there’s no need to apologize. I’m not unaware of your family’s situation. It’s just rare for me to meet someone who doesn’t recognize me, so I couldn’t resist mentioning it. Hmm.”

Ian maintained a dignified expression while carefully observing the man.

The answer he needed had not yet been revealed.

Just then, Professor Frost intervened.

“This is Count Cage of the Hilderant Family, who also serves as an advisor to the academy.”

“My respects to you, Count Cage.”

Ian bowed his head once more.

In that fleeting moment, his mind raced.

“Why is such a significant figure sitting in the student counseling room?”

Something seemed amiss.

He had expected a lead professor to appear to listen to him and issue warnings—but this was unexpected.

Ian was well aware of the renowned Hilderant Family, known for its vast land holdings and its kinship with the Royal Family.

Typically, a noble with such a background is adept in either swordsmanship or magic.

However, Count Cage was a classic administrative official.

He lacked talent in swordsmanship and magic but excelled in analyzing and interpreting situations.

His contributions during the “Sorol War” earned him his current standing.

Yet, his true strength lay elsewhere. He had close connections with influential figures, making him a person of substance.

“Should I try to guess what you’re thinking right now? You’re probably wondering why someone like me is here for something seemingly trivial, right?”

“To be honest, yes.”

“We need to reassess the situation. Ian Oracle, you are not a criminal. I’ve come here because there are a few questions I wanted to ask directly, so no need for any misunderstanding.”

Count Cage softened the atmosphere. However, Ian’s expression remained unchanged.

He feared that if he relaxed, the situation might spiral out of control.

“Well, there’s no harm in being cautious.”

Count Cage got straight to the point.

“I heard there was quite a commotion today. Though it was reported directly, it was postponed because His Majesty was attending an event. That’s why I’ve summoned you here now.”

“I am just sorry to have caused you to attend to this matter during the late hour.”

“No need. It’s part of my duty.”

The atmosphere became peculiar.

Ian had not only humbled himself but had emphasized the “late hour”!

If it was a matter that could be delayed, it would make more sense to discuss it during working hours the next day. Why address it late at night?

Interpreted, it implied, “Though this isn’t more important than His Majesty’s presence, it’s not a trivial matter that can be postponed until tomorrow.”

But why?

For now, Ian could foresee nothing.

Cage served as the head of the Hilderant Family. And as far as Ian knew, the Hilderant Family supported the newly crowned Prince Medivh.

“In such a scenario, it is unlikely they would try to bolster Helios. Unless they’ve lost their minds.”

The advice Ian had given Prince Helios earlier was sound, something anyone would regard as correct.

Those who nitpicked such sound advice would likely be officials siding with Prince Helios.

Yet the person interrogating him in this small room was the last person Ian expected.

What on earth could this mean?

“Ian Oracle, from now on, you must answer my questions truthfully. This is not only an academic regulation but also a command from His Majesty, the King.”

“I shall comply.”

“Why does young Helios from the Department of Martial Arts hold a grudge against you?”

Count Cage referred to the wayward prince in a neutral tone.

Ian raised his tension at that.

“I am not entirely sure of the reason myself. I’ve heard from some classmates, but it’s such an unbelievable matter.”

“What was said?”

“I heard that he despises handsome people. But I just listened and brushed it off. I thought it might be slander.”

Fortunately, the two people opposite him did not laugh or take it as a joke.

Count Cage seemed to be organizing his thoughts for a moment.

“Everyone knows that Helios has a complex about his appearance. However, he has never picked fights with handsome people at royal or official events.”

“Is that so.”

“Is there anything else you can guess?”

There truly wasn’t.

Anyone could testify to this part because Ian had never attended an official noble event.

Not since his parents went missing.

He only faintly remembered being led by his father and mother to a few parties in his childhood.

“There’s nothing. As you know, I am not known in the social circles. I hardly went out, to the point of earning the nickname ‘recluse’. I spent my time reading books, conducting research, or honing magic in the family estate. I think Helios is also seeing me for the first time today.”

“That’s strange.”

Count Cage stroked his beard, his eyes becoming increasingly deep.

‘Is there an underlying story that I don’t know about?’

Come to think of it, Helios’s rampage today was indeed unexpected.

Despising someone because they’re handsome and challenging them to a duel? It didn’t make sense.

‘There’s a missing link in the story. What could it be?’

Silence enveloped the counseling room.

Then Ian subtly suggested.

“Can’t we get the details from Helios himself? If Your Excellency speaks to him, I believe he will give an honest answer.”

“I do not intend to interview young Helios.”

He almost asked why.

The stars of today’s commotion were both Ian and Helios.

According to the academy’s regulations, both should be investigated.

Yet, Count Cage uttered words that surprised Ian.

The situation shifted.

‘So, it wasn’t the incident with Helios that prompted him to summon me!’

Ian came to this conclusion and tightened his focus further.

After contemplating briefly, Count Cage narrowed his eyes.

“What is your relationship with Isera from the second-year Department of Magic?”

“……”

“Why isn’t your answer immediate? Be honest about what you’re contemplating.”

Ian’s tightening of focus had paid off.

He hadn’t anticipated that Isera Hebraim’s name would be mentioned here.

Had he not been prepared, he might have faltered in his words.

Managing not to reply instantly was already a small victory.

“It was an unexpected question, so I was momentarily confused. I apologize. I have no acquaintance with Isera Hebraim. I met her for the first time today. If I must define our relationship, she would be my senior in the Department of Magic.”

“Are you certain it was your first meeting?”

“I swear on my family’s name. It is certain.”

“As you know, it has become a tradition that freshmen from both the Departments of Magic and Martial Arts create a commotion around the induction ceremony. We overlook it because we believe that such battles of pride ultimately serve national interests. It gives pride and responsibility for the path one has chosen. That’s why seniors do not interfere in conflicts between freshmen. It is an unwritten rule.”

Emphasis was placed on the term ‘unwritten rule’.

Count Cage paused for a moment before leaning forward.

From a slightly closer distance, he stared intently at Ian.

“But Lady Isera broke that unwritten rule and intervened. Lady Isera is a prodigy from the Department of Magic. She couldn’t be unaware of the academy’s rules. Do you understand what this means, Ian Oracle?”

It was then that Ian realized why a big figure like Count Cage was personally gathering information on this matter.

‘This isn’t because of Helios. It’s due to senior Isera’s political position.’

Isera’s homeland had been reduced to a tributary state of Sonokin.

In such a context, causing a conflict with the Royal Family could be perceived very sensitively in political terms.

Realizing this, Ian felt both grateful and sorry towards Isera.

With a brain like hers, she surely understood what waves her actions would cause.

After thoroughly considering his response, Ian spoke.

“Your Excellency’s perspectives are entirely correct. Anyone would have found it strange to see Lady Isera intervene and resolve the situation. It is no different from breaking the unwritten rule. However, I cautiously believe this is an exception.”

“If it’s an exception, how so?”

“This issue is not between Helios and me. It’s between Lady Isera and Helios.”

Count Cage furrowed his brow, indicating he did not understand the situation at all.

Ian continued his explanation regardless.

“I’m saying that there is a difference between Lady Isera entering the situation when Helios and I were merely engaging in a battle of wills and intervening just before a duel between Helios and me was established.”

“Hmm… So you’re saying Lady Isera merely picked up the handkerchief Helios threw?”

“Precisely. Since the handkerchief was thrown, it should be viewed as an individual matter, not an academy issue. As far as I know, it’s hard to see Lady Isera as breaking the unwritten rule in this incident.”

“Isn’t it a bit presumptive?”

“It’s just my opinion. The decision is yours, Your Excellency.”

Count Cage once again stroked his beard.

After a long silence passed, he stood up as if to indicate the conversation had concluded.

“Thank you for your earnest cooperation, Ian Oracle.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t of more help.”

“Not at all. It’s late at night, so go and rest.”

With that, Count Cage left the room first.

Finally, Ian could face his mentor alone.

“I’m sorry for causing a disturbance, Professor.”

“It’s just a yearly ruckus; the only thing that changes are its protagonists.”

“I will be more cautious from now on.”

“How is the potion preparation coming along? You mentioned asking your roommates for help.”

“They have both decided to participate. I’ll introduce them to you when you visit next week.”

“That’s good news, Ian Oracle. Do you have any plans afterward?”

“I plan to return to the dormitory to rest. I need to prepare for potion-making starting tomorrow.”

“Then, if you don’t mind, let’s talk for a moment. Follow me.”

What seemed to be over felt like it was just beginning again.

Setting his curiosity aside, Ian followed Professor Frost out of the consultation room.

* * *

Professor Frost halted in front of a secluded laboratory. Located in the corner of a building and being nighttime, the hallways were deserted.

He unlocked an old lock, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Inside, various experimental apparatuses and research papers lay scattered. It was messy enough to suggest that a clean-up was overdue.

‘That is…’

Even in the clutter, one object caught Ian’s eye.

A device with a small orb protruding from a square frame; a Mana Meter, used by institutions like the Royal Academy for measurement purposes.

The principle was simple: place a hand on the transparent orb and measured magic is displayed shortly after. But being rare, it required a lot of time and money to manufacture.

“As I thought, you were interested in that!”

Professor Frost said with a curious smile.

Ian felt as though his thoughts had been laid bare.

“I’ve heard about your incident with Helios. This raised a question—how capable are you, Ian Oracle, to accept a duel against a skilled swordsman?”

Revealing a provocative thought, Professor Frost reached towards the Mana Meter.

“I want to verify my conclusion. Would you mind measuring it just once?”