Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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"This is ridiculous!"

One of the Princess's followers grumbled.

Though many ears were listening, no one rebuked him.

"How could Her Highness! Taking the side of that lowborn Pals or whatever his name is!"

After their strategy meeting(?), Elia had decided to try a small scheme following Lord Pals' suggestion.

But the Princess's followers were unhappy from the start that she'd adopted such a lightweight, shallow strategy.

Why should someone of Imperial Princess status care what commoners think!

Though wizards were well-treated in the Empire, they were still just tools of the powerful.

Her followers firmly believed that within the small world of Imperial University, nothing would be impossible for Elia if she just pushed hard enough.

Instead of wasting time with reconnaissance...

Why not just openly ostracize wizard Kira? (They really didn't get it)

This was the kind of thinking that would have astounded Elia if she'd heard it.

She wasn't some tyrant, and had zero intention of building her reputation by crushing fellow students.

But some of Elia's followers were just thoughtless twenty-somethings hungry for power games.

Idiots who joined the Princess's faction just wanting to throw their weight around and feel superior!

Elia would have kicked them out immediately if she knew, but they were shrewd enough to hide their true nature from her.

"I heard this Pals guy is from some backwater countryside."

"Ha! Noble in name only - just another commoner!"

Among the nobles gathered around Elia, many despised commoners.

Well, those wizard types were so arrogant!

Though they understood wizards' usefulness and played nice accordingly.

There were quite a few nobles who resented these uppity commoners who dared put on airs just because they were good at studying.

'Rather than bow to wizards, I'll study magic myself!'

Some nobles studied magic precisely because they hated having to defer to wizards.

That described many of the noble wizard students at Imperial University.

"This is all because Her Highness is too conscious of that Ian guy."

"That's true."

The followers couldn't understand the Princess's reaction.

What did it matter to Her Highness if Ian and Kira were dating?

Let those lowborns hook up - Her Highness should be dating young lords from no-ble families!

...This definitely wasn't just them wanting to date the Princess themselves.

They believed Elia was vastly overestimating Ian.

"Is Ian really all that great?"

"They say he's a skilled dark wizard."

"...Speaking of dark magic, I have an idea."

One follower showed a box.

It was a magical item given by their family as a university enrollment gift.

"This is a [Box That Traps Sunlight]."

"W-what?"

"Study harder, idiot. You can store sunlight in here and take it out when needed."

"Oho?"

The followers' eyes lit up.

Wizard Ian was a dark wizard. And darkness was always weak to light.

What would happen if they packed this sunlight box full... then "accidentally" opened it during Ian's lecture!

"He'll definitely fail his magic!"

"The mystery of darkness might go berserk!"

Any proper wizard who heard this would have wanted to crack their skulls.

Are you insane? Deliberately provoking a mystery into going berserk!

But these were 'university students.'

Meaning they knew absolutely nothing.

As they say, fools rush in - they were convinced the berserk mystery would only cause trouble for Ian.

What if the mystery of darkness attacked?

"Then we'll protect Her Highness!"

"Yeah! Everyone gather your magic items!"

A plan to sabotage Ian's class while scoring points with the Princess!

...This sinister group moved secretly, hidden from Elia's eyes.

#

"Then let's have a light class session."

Following Eredith's suggestion, Ian took on two open lectures for students.

Though almost all Imperial University lectures were open, the students attending varied.

First were the basic lectures for students without foundational knowledge.

These were hard to find instructors for, so the university paid to establish them.

The basic math lecture Ian first attended at Imperial University and Eredith's basic magic lecture fell into this category.

The other open lectures were for presenting research and sharing ideas.

Regular students couldn't understand these even if they attended - they were lectures for professor-level students with solid specialized knowledge.

The latter was the type of lecture Ian needed to focus on.

"There was supposed to be a seminar this weekend, but it got pushed back because of the festival."

"Festival?"

"Yes. Young people playing around... who are we to say anything?"

Wow! A university festival!

Ian found it slightly absurd.

Really, a university festival in medieval times?

But young people's love of fun was the same in medieval times as modern times.

"They could be reading even one more letter instead of playing around!"

"..."

Ian suddenly felt his PTSD acting up.

Come to think of it, Eredith's specialty when teaching Ian had been working him to the bone without giving any breaks...

"Don't you agree, Ian? Kids these days study far too little!"

...Maybe Eredith studies too much? He almost said.

Eredith was the kind of genuine study genius who would have collected PhDs if born in modern times.

And geniuses never understand the minds of ordinary people...!

"Anyway. There's an open seminar next weekend. Make sure you attend."

"I understand."

After parting with Eredith, Ian headed off to give his lecture.

'Me, giving lectures.'

Usually, skilled wizards had to request the academic department to create lectures. Since they had to pay lecture fees, the screening process was quite strict.

But Ian skipped all screening and evaluation to go straight to teaching.

Because the person who created Ian's class was Inglan.

"You can totally mess up the class!"

That's what Inglan had said with a loud laugh.

"Really? That's okay?"

"Regular people are attending anyway, so who cares if you half-ass it!"

"..."

Ian finally understood how Inglan had been collecting his salary all this time...

"Is this it?"

Ian arrived in front of a very suspicious-looking building.

It was a square building of moderate height, uniquely having only one door in the front with no other visible entrances.

"House of Darkness."

Though the name sounded like some black wizard's hideout.

This was actually a training facility used by dark wizards to increase their darkness affinity.

Ian carefully entered the House of Darkness.

'Wonder who's here?'

Whether students showed up or not, Ian would teach.

It's not like he got performance bonuses based on student numbers. Since he just had to teach at the scheduled time, fewer students was technically better.

"Oh."

There were more students than expected.

Students sitting separately, holding glowing luminous stones.

Just then, a voice came from the darkness.

"Sorry, but if you're here for class, please introduce yourself!"

'Ah.'

Since the House of Darkness became a perfect dark room when closed, identifying people was difficult.

They checked identities in advance to prevent any incidents.

"I'm Ian Eredith Raven. I'll be lecturing for [Understanding dark magic]."

"!"

Though the students couldn't see Ian, he could see them.

Most visible were Imperial Princess Elia and her followers.

They were easy to spot, huddled together holding luminous stones.

Then there were innocent students who came wanting to study the mystery of darkness...

And Maria, fidgeting with a luminous stone.

'Interested in dark magic?'

Ian was slightly surprised to see Maria but could understand.

Having talent for necromancy didn't mean you couldn't explore other magic.

Since necromancers often worked at night, learning dark magic as a supplement wasn't a bad idea.

"Since I seem to be the last one, let's begin class."

Step, step.

Though students needed luminous stones to move around.

Ian, with his powerful darkness affinity, walked casually through the pitch-black room without a single light.

Though most students couldn't even see Ian's face.

They were certain.

This was definitely not someone impersonating the professor...!

The Princess's followers quickly exchanged glances.

With the luminous stones below, the shadows on their faces looked even more sinister.

'Ready?'

'Of course...!'

When Ian uses dark magic...

They'll immediately release the sunlight and turn the classroom into chaos!

Just thinking about Ian getting flustered and humiliated made them smile!

'We'll show Her Highness your skills are all hot air!'

Ian looked slowly around at the students, thinking:

'Should probably demonstrate some magic?'

Though the nobles might not care, the regular students came genuinely wanting to learn magic.

Ian decided to show them magic for their sake.

Judging by those sparkling eyes of the students sitting near the Princess...

They must be super excited to see Ian's dark magic too!

"Before we begin class, I'll demonstrate some dark magic."

The followers' eyes gleamed.

'Now?!'

'Not yet! Just a bit more!'

They immediately reached for their sunlight boxes!

Fall into the pit of destruction! You damn wizard!

Ian spoke to the students.

"Then everyone, let's go outside."

"...?"

"???"

"O-outside?!"

At Ian's sudden words, the Princess's followers trembled.

Wait, wasn't he going to show dark magic? Then why go outside!

With all this darkness here, surely he should cast magic...

"?"

Ian tilted his head at the followers' reaction.

"Of course we need to go outside?"

"W-why?"

What's this. First day nerves? Or are they just naturally this slow?

Ian looked at the followers with pitying eyes as he said:

"It's pitch black in here so we can't see anything. How would you watch my dark magic?"

"..."

"..."

The Princess's followers were deeply impressed by Ian's wise answer.

Of course!

This is a dark room, so we couldn't see anything!

Holy shit, are you a genius or what?!

They'd been so focused on opening the sunlight box that they hadn't thought of anything else.

'I-it's fine...!'

'We can still open the sunlight box outside!'

"Come on, let's go."

Ian led the dark magic students outside.

Though a dark room was essential for communing with the mystery of darkness, there was no need to call mysteries on day one.

'Still, since I'm teaching'

I should do my best.

Ian smiled as he focused his mind.

Though it was sunset, the light was still strong.

But as a level 5 dark wizard, Ian no longer failed magic just because of brightness.

"[Darkness.]"

Ian casually called the mystery of darkness.

Pitch black darkness writhed and gathered around Ian.

[Hi Ian!]

"Wow... is that dark magic?"

"Amazing!"

The students were captivated by the mystery of darkness Ian had summoned.

This was their chance.

Right now, when the mystery of darkness had shown itself!

The Princess's followers didn't miss their opportunity.

'Now!'

"Oops, my hand slipped...!"

The follower widely opened the hidden sunlight box!

"Ah!"

"What's happening?!"

Blinding radiance poured out.

The students screamed in panic.

[Eek!]

Even the mystery of darkness tried to flee in surprise at the sudden light.

But Ian calmly controlled the darkness.

'Running is more dangerous!'

"[Hide behind me!]"

The mystery of darkness instantly understood Ian's intent.

The darkness clung to Ian's back, stretching out long.

The bright light made the darkness stretch long.

Creating a massive shadow.

"Ah...!"

"Oh my!"

Through the pouring radiance, the students clearly saw.

The enormous shadow Ian had summoned and...

How that shadow moved like a living creature!

So this was dark magic!

"Ahh!"

Just then, the follower screamed and dropped the sunlight box.

Maria had rushed over from behind and shoved them with her body.

Maria immediately stomped and shattered the sunlight box.

Crack!

"W-what are you doing, you crazy bitch! That was expensive!"

"The crazy one is you! Spraying light in front of the mystery of darkness! Are you sane? Do you want to die!"

"You...!"

The follower tried to get angry but fell silent upon meeting Maria's eyes.

Maria's black eyes blazed with hatred and madness.

"Enough. Maria's right."

Ian soothed and sent back the mystery of darkness.

Maria's words were probably? correct.

Though Ian had never seen the mystery of darkness get angry before...

This situation was enough to make it angry.

An angry mystery was every wizard's nightmare.

"Tell me. Why did you bring light to a dark magic class?"

"W-well..."

Not just Ian, but even Elia glared at them.

Only then did they realize this wouldn't be brushed off as 'just a prank'...!

"Ian!"

Inglan came running from afar. He had been lecturing nearby.

"W-what was that!? That doomsday monster shadow! What exactly did you summon during class!"

Elia answered instead.

"That was Ian... Professor's quick thinking."

"Quick thinking?"

"Yes. It was magic to protect us from an accident!"

As she spoke these words, Elia's cheeks were slightly flushed with excitement and passion.

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