Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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"What?! Dark magic lecture and they brought a box of sunlight???"

"They're insane. What were they thinking?"

The magic professors who heard about Ian's incident unanimously cursed the perpetrators as terrorists.

They knew just how dangerous it was to provoke a mystery.

"Explain yourself! Why did you bring a sunlight box?"

"Well... it's a precious item my family gave me..."

"Good heavens above. What kind of excuse is that!"

Except for the perpetrator, no one showed even a shred of sympathy.

Though they claimed to have 'accidentally' brought it, the circumstances made it obvious they had deliberately opened the sunlight box.

"I-I'm the son of Count Minerva...!"

"So what?"

"..."

Naturally, noble authority carried no weight here.

This was a magic university, and wizards knew how to handle nobles.

"Thanks for your hard work until now. You can continue your studies back at your estate."

"...!"

In other words - pack up and get out.

And not a single professor opposed this decision.

They couldn't keep teaching someone who would provoke mysteries 'for fun' - who knew what major accident they might cause!

"Ian. Don't summon the mystery of darkness for a while. Though it seems fine on the surface, it must be quite angry."

"I'll keep that in mind."

While consoling Ian, the professors also praised his clean handling of the situation.

One wrong move and an angry mystery could have gone berserk.

But like a skilled dark wizard, Ian had shown the wit to turn light into shadow.

"Your skills were impressive. No wonder Inglan recommended you."

"You're too kind."

"It was terrifying to think about. If that shadow you created had turned hostile toward humans, I don't want to imagine what might have happened."

Ian made an odd expression.

The mystery of darkness hadn't been that angry...?

But the professors dropped comments whenever they ran into Ian.

"Dark wizard! How's the mystery of darkness doing?"

"...? Just fine?"

"Ian! I brought some dark crystals that the mystery of darkness likes! Try calming it down with these!"

"??? No, it's not that angry..."

"Damn it, Professor Ian! I heard the university might close temporarily? Is that true?"

"...Thanks for the useful information?"

Ian was the only dark wizard at the university qualified to teach dark magic.

So the other professors couldn't gauge how angry the mystery of darkness actually was (though they'd long since decided it was definitely angry).

Like all such rumors, this one grew wildly in a negative direction.

The mystery of darkness was so pissed it would devour the sun! (Nope)

Imperial University would fall into eternal darkness for a year! (Nope)

Ian was doing his best to placate the mystery of darkness but would soon hit his limit! (Nope)

And so on...

"Ian! Can you tell when the mystery of darkness might attack?"

"..."

If I order it to, right now, Professor.

Though the mystery of darkness might not be, Ian was starting to feel seriously pissed...!

Really, how could wizards be such cowards?

No matter how many times he said the mystery of darkness was fine, they wouldn't listen.

Before long, Ian discovered the source of these negative rumors.

"Everyone, you saw the shadow Ian summoned! Remember that enormous, terrifying shadow! The mystery of darkness will soon destroy Imperial University!"

"Damn it..."

"Professor Inglan! Isn't there anything we can do!"

Inglan shouted to the professors with a melancholy expression.

"There is. To appease the mystery of darkness, we need to buy lots of dark crystals."

"...!"

"For that, we'll need to redirect some budget..."

Ian watched Inglan's actions in disbelief.

This old man...

Was he using this incident as an excuse to secure more budget!

What an amazingly shrewd professor!

"Inglan."

"Ah! Ian! Perfect timing. About that huge shadow you summoned, if you could just call it again..."

"Not interested in dying peacefully of old age, are you?"

Stop the bullshit if you don't want to die, Inglan.

Getting imprisoned by black wizards and still not learning his lesson.

"...Spare me."

Ian sighed and let Inglan off.

Inglan had pushed quite hard for Ian at the university.

Though Kira's admission had gone smoothly, getting the necromancy apprentice Maria in had been tough.

But Inglan was the one who pushed through her admission.

Ian felt awkward about going too hard on him.

"Just stop spreading rumors and tell people everything's fine."

#

After the noble troublemakers were promptly expelled.

Elia came to find Ian and bowed her head.

"It was my oversight. I had no idea they were planning such a thing..."

"It's fine. Just an accident."

Though he said it was fine.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't wary of Elia.

'An Imperial Princess with many followers.'

Elia was the leader of the noble faction and quite capable of devious schemes.

Ian had already found her constant attempts to close the distance suspicious.

And now Elia's followers caused an 'accident'?

'Was it really an accident?'

Ian thought calmly.

What benefit would Elia get from ruining Ian's lecture?

'Elia herself gains nothing. But... I would lose something.'

If Ian's class had failed, not only would his relationship with the mystery of darkness sour, but his reputation at the university would take a huge hit.

If Elia deliberately attacked Ian, it was to damage his standing at school.

But that contradicted Elia's behavior so far.

There was no need to act friendly toward a man she planned to tear down.

'Too early to be certain.'

Ian decided to remain wary of Elia without becoming hostile.

"So. What brings you here today?"

"..."

A businesslike, stiff tone unlike his usual manner.

'He's guarding against me...'

When Ian's cold voice emerged, Elia's chest grew tight.

She truly had no intention of harming Ian.

"I sincerely want to apologize again. That really was an accident..."

"I already understand completely, and Your Highness doesn't need to apologize again. I'd rather hear your business first."

"..."

Ian's sharp voice stung Elia like a whip.

During the dark magic class.

Seeing the massive dark magic Ian summoned, Elia became even more certain.

That man was talent she absolutely needed.

Young and capable, yet still unattached to any lord - a wandering wizard.

If she could bring Ian under her, he would become an enormous asset to her future.

"I want to... apologize."

Elia felt ashamed.

Despite receiving what amounted to a rejection, she found herself unable to leave this man.

But Elia was sincere.

If she distanced herself from Ian now, she would have no more chances to connect with him until graduation.

...Especially with that woman Kira by his side.

'I can't let him slip away!'

"I already said apologies aren't necessary. It wasn't Your Highness's fault."

"At the Spirit Festival!"

"?"

Spirit Festival?

Ian briefly recalled.

Eredith had definitely mentioned a school festival this week.

"Please... let me treat you..."

"..."

"I beg you."

Elia bowed her head with flushed cheeks.

'Really not involved?'

Seeing Elia take such a humble stance, Ian wondered if it really might have been an accidental incident.

Especially with the Emperor's daughter bowing her head and pleading like this.

'I'll trust her for now.'

Not that Ian completely trusted Elia.

This could be masterful acting, with more schemes waiting in the shadows.

Ian still didn't know what kind of person Elia was.

So getting to know her didn't seem like a bad idea.

'...Being friendly with an Imperial Princess can't hurt.'

"Alright."

"!"

As soon as Ian spoke, Elia broke into a bright smile.

Such a cute smile... hopefully sincere? He hoped it was sincere.

'Fantasy novel special: Imperial families are psychos.'

Ian prayed Elia wouldn't suddenly rip off a mask and shout 'Hahaha~ How was my acting! Ian! Now die!'

Well why not. Almost everyone connected to emperors in fantasy worlds was weird.

Thinking these useless thoughts, Ian extended his hand.

"Sorry for being so cold earlier. I'm still a bit tense."

"I-I see...?"

"Thanks for the festival invitation, Elia."

Elia hesitantly grasped Ian's hand.

With a red face, she enthusiastically shook hands with him.

'There's still hope...!'

Though it hurt that Ian had grown slightly cold.

He hadn't completely turned his back on her!

Elia reviewed her plan once more.

During this Spirit Festival, she would earn Ian's favor no matter what...!

'You can do this! Elia! You can do it!'

As the two earnestly shook hands.

They didn't notice.

The furtive eyes watching them through the window.

#

"Kira! The Spirit Festival is coming!"

"You're right. Time really flies."

After enrolling at university, Kira had learned about the Spirit Festival at Imperial University.

What started as a ceremony honoring saints who ascended to heaven... had just become a school festival (Imperial University was originally a monastery).

"Kira, do you know the legend of the [Trial of Fear]?"

Though the Spirit Festival had many events, the highlight was naturally the [Trial of Fear].

At midnight, walking through pitch-black forest to feel fear of beings in the darkness - that was the main content of the [Trial of Fear].

They said it was about experiencing the courage of ancient saints who boldly faced darkness... but.

Really, it was just a test of courage.

Ian would have found it absurd.

Like, why the fuck is this medieval university doing courage tests...?

"Won't the Trial of Fear be dangerous?"

"Dangerous? It's so thrilling!"

"Yeah! It's super fun!"

"?"

But Ian had overlooked something.

In medieval times, entertainment was naturally scarce!

With dopamine-pumping entertainment nowhere to be found, these primitive-classic games were always popular.

Modern or medieval, people loved thrills the same.

And courage tests were easy to set up and fun to enjoy.

"You know, they say couples who pass the [Trial of Fear] together receive the saints' blessing for eternal love!"

"...Haha. What an interesting legend."

The female students squealed and got heated up with girls' talk, but.

Actually, Kira had little interest in silly love stories.

'I need to study magic...'

Kira had a grand dream of traveling the continent with Ian.

For that, she needed magical skill strong enough to handle black wizard attacks.

After finishing his studies at university, Ian would set off again searching for mysteries.

If she heard him say 'Sorry~ Kira's too weak to bring along~' then, Kira was confident she would burst into genuine tears...

'I have to work hard!'

"Kira, um... are you thinking of going to the festival with Ian?"

"Yeah! You two look so good together!"

Kira's followers' eyes sparkled.

The world's top 3 most entertaining spectacles were watching fire, watching fights, and watching other people's romance.

What? My Love from the Star? Crash Landing on You?[1]

Kira-Ian is my drama!

This is how medieval times should be!

Kira smiled slightly as she answered.

"Ian won't be interested in festivals like that."

"What?! Why not?"

"Because he's such an incredible wizard."

He'll probably spend every spare moment studying.

If Kira thoughtlessly said 'Ian! Let's go play at the festival!', she'd just be disturbing his studies.

Meeting Ian in class was best after all...

"Breaking news! Breaking news! Something huge happened!"

"?"

Just then, a lady came running from afar.

Without even wiping the sweat from her brow, she spoke to Kira.

"Imperial Princess Elia...! The Princess, get this...!"

"Oh no! Was she assassinated?"

"She made a date with Ian!!!"

Kyaaaaaaah~!

The female students were shocked.

That's worse than assassination! (It's not)

"No way!"

Even Kira couldn't hide her dismay.

Date meant... festival date?

Did they agree to go to the Spirit Festival together?!

"Kira! Let's go check right now!"

"Right! Ian... Ian! He couldn't have!"

Kira thought briefly.

What if this was just a false rumor?

If she disturbed Ian while he was studying hard...

Kira shook her head. The thoughts in her mind completely cleared.

"...Let's go."

Study? Who cares about study right now?!

Ian's going on a date with the Imperial Princess!

Time to go hardcore interrupt Ian...!

Kira immediately deployed to intercept Ian.

---

[1. raei: both My Love from the Star and Crash Landing on You are kr tv series.]