Academy’s Genius Mage

“Please speak freely. I am willing to help with anything I can.”

“It’s nothing much, but could you keep the fact that I’ve contracted with the Bahamut Trading Company a secret for a while?”

Woodward blinked a few times before exhaling a sigh of relief and letting out a light laugh.

“I was worried it might be a troublesome request, but it’s not, thankfully. I can certainly do that for you.”

“Then please do so.”

“If it’s only for a while, how long are you thinking?”

“I plan to be done by everything within a week.”

“The enemy is not easy. You’ll need to prepare thoroughly.”

Ian responded with a smile instead of words.

In his possession was an item that he had recently received from Gaus, waiting to make its debut to the world.

‘For this operation to succeed, everything needs to align perfectly.’

Not only skill but a bit of luck might be necessary.

Without meeting Hamel Gestling, the operation would fail.

“Then I’ll take my leave now. I’ll contact you as things progress.”

“We will also reach out to you immediately if we receive any information. Are you headed straight back to the academy?”

“I plan to spend the night at my family’s estate and return to the academy tomorrow. As for him, he will head straight to the academy.”

“What?”

Milo asked as if questioning what that meant.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

“I haven’t been able to visit the estate lately. Since I’m here, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to spend a night, so I applied for leave.”

“Why didn’t you mention it sooner? Then I would have stayed a night at your estate too.”

There’s a difference between a permit for going out and an overnight stay.

Milo had a permit to go out, but Ian had permission for an overnight stay, meaning Milo had to return to the academy by evening.

“It’s not quite ready to welcome guests yet. Visit next time.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“It can’t be helped, even if it’s disappointing.”

“Leaving Edel alone at the dormitory feels a bit wrong, doesn’t it?”

“What does that have to do with me?”

Watching the two bicker, Woodward couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ha ha ha! You two really get along well. I will arrange for a carriage to your destination.”

“I’m indebted to you every time.”

“Please, do not mention it!”

Ian and Milo had already become VIPs of the Bahamut Trading Company.

When they stepped outside, veteran mercenaries were already preparing to escort their carriage.

Being mercenaries directly under the trading company, their discipline was impeccable.

They resembled more of a regular army than typical mercenaries.

Their attire was uniform, and the Bahamut Trading Company’s insignia was emblazoned on both sleeves.

Thanks to this, Ian safely arrived at his estate.

“Hostile energies detected.”

However, goyang sensed something amiss. It had been noticeable since they left the Bahamut Trading Company’s building.

When the carriage arrived at the estate, the scattered hostile energy began to converge.

Goyang heightened its senses.

“They’re targeting this estate. There are more than ten of them. They’re quite dangerous, filled with killing intent!”

Ian smiled contentedly.

Goyang appeared stern.

“Why smile? Your life is in danger.”

“I realized you’re more useful than expected. Honestly, I didn’t sense any hostile energies at all.”

“Of course! You’re not a great spirit.”

Goyang slightly shifted its tone.

It was clear Goyang would start boasting again, so Ian intended to interrupt but suddenly had a good idea and decided to humor it.

“You are indeed a great spirit.”

“Hehe. It seems you’ve finally recognized my true worth!”

“As a great spirit, you can share your sensed feelings with your partner, can’t you?”

“…….”

The cat frowned.

Ian’s request was legitimate. Spirits and their contractors could share each other’s emotions and thoughts.

This is why Ian could converse without including Milo.

However, from the cat’s perspective, it was not a satisfying arrangement. There weren’t many ways to showcase its excellence.

Ian had already guessed that its options were limited, which was why he resorted to this.

“What are you doing, oh great spirit?”

『Tch! I have no choice.』

Soon, their senses opened up.

Ian could immediately feel it. A sinister presence surrounded him, intent on doing harm.

‘With a bit more refinement, this will become a very useful skill.’

Ian stepped down from the carriage.

Milo, holding onto the carriage door, asked.

“Are you sure you don’t need me?”

“You’ll see. It’ll be fine.”

Mercenaries were spread out all around, including at the mansion’s main gate.

Mercenaries were also guarding the interior of the mansion.

Armed with various weapons, they vigilantly kept watch, allowing no room for error or intrusion.

Milo, unlike others, was from a renowned swordsmanship family.

Just by observing their builds and the stances they took on guard, he could gauge their skill levels.

“They all seem competent, but I still feel uneasy. Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed? I could return after getting permission for overnight leave.”

For some reason, Milo was taking a more humble stance.

Normally, he would have been more commanding.

“You’re not being honest. You just can’t wait to jump into action, right?”

“I wouldn’t deny that. Still, I am genuinely concerned.”

“It’s a dangerous matter. It’s also a matter of my family.”

Ian drew a clear line.

If he owed a debt, he could repay it. Milo would gladly help.

However, Ian wanted to handle this particular matter with his own strength.

“So let’s meet again alive.”

“Stop with the ominous remarks!”

“What’s ominous about saying we’ll meet again alive?”

“You know… it’s like a flag.”

Laughing softly, Ian instructed the coachman to head off.

After seeing the carriage away, Ian turned back to the entrance, where Wilson and Dorothy awaited him with bright expressions.

“Seems I really haven’t been back for a while.”

“Oh, Master!”

Fearing Wilson might shed tears again, Ian comforted him by patting his shoulder.

“Nothing much happened, right?”

“Of course, no major issues! If there was any problem, it’d be that you weren’t at the mansion, my lord. I’ve missed you.”

Ian suddenly realized how much Wilson had aged.

He wasn’t this sentimental in the past.

“Sorry. I wanted to come by more often, but I’ve been swamped with work lately.”

“How is your health?”

“As you can see.”

Wilson had watched Ian since his birth up until now. He could tell there was a significant, positive change.

“Seems there has been some achievement.”

“Your glasses, they’re quite handy.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Wilson nodded several times with a deeply moved expression. It was only then that Dorothy found the opportunity to speak.

“Young Master! You must stay for dinner today, alright?”

It seemed the last time Ian visited the mansion for research notes and left without having a meal had left her feeling upset.

Ian readily nodded.

“Not only dinner tonight, but I can also join you for breakfast tomorrow. So, let’s see your skills after such a long time.”

“Really? Are you going to stay overnight?”

“If it’s inconvenient, I could leave again.”

Dorothy was so overjoyed that she covered her mouth with both hands.

“No way! I’m so happy! I’ve felt so empty without being able to prepare your wash basin lately! Yay!”

Dorothy raised her arms high in celebration and spun around once on the spot.

She was still a kid with a good sense of tension.

However, he had not yet uttered the news that would truly make the two of them happy.

“Let’s go inside first. I have something to talk about. Come to my office in a bit. Also, bring the mercenary leader with you.”

“Understood, Master.”

Wilson instructed Dorothy to prepare some refreshments. For the first time in a while, the mansion buzzed with activity.

Before heading to his own office, Ian Oracle moved towards the office his father used.

He opened the door and went inside.

It is still well-maintained.

A portrait of his father and mother hung on one of the walls.

Ian sometimes came here to talk to his parents.

Ian took a thesis out of his bag and placed it in front of the portrait.

“Thanks to meeting a good senior, I could complete this thesis. It’s going to be featured in the special corner of the Magic Society.”

He wanted to boast about it to his parents, even if not to anyone else.

“I wish you could come back soon to read this thesis. By then, I might be able to publish more. I think I’ll also end up going to the Tower of Magic.”

Once his matters with the Hamel Trading Company were settled, he intended to dive into full-fledged research.

The joint research with Isera Hebraim was piling up mountain-high as well.

“Anyway, I’m doing fine. I will continue to be so.”

After gazing at the portrait for a while, Ian realized it was time to leave and head to his office.

Wilson, Dorothy, and a middle-aged mercenary were sitting on the sofa, waiting.

“It’s nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Polo, leading the Bahamut Fourth Mercenary Squad.”

The middle-aged mercenary introduced himself plainly.

Ian extended his hand for a handshake.

“I have heard a lot about you from Mr. Woodward. Thanks to that, I feel quite assured.”

“I have heard much about you as well. It’s an honor.”

To hear the word “honor” from the mouth of an upright mercenary was quite something.

There were clear signs that Woodward had exerted considerable effort.

“I believe there will be an attack today. I feel hostile energies.”

Polo tensed at Ian’s words.

Ian was not just any noble. He was a rising mage making a name for himself at the academy.

The senses of a mage surpassed those of any human.

“Then we should prepare thoroughly.”

“Please ensure the safety of these two. They are like family to me.”

The command to protect them had already been given.

Polo had other curiosities in mind.

“What do you plan to do, my lord?”

“The leader of those men is likely to target me. Capturing him is my goal.”

Wilson and Dorothy didn’t fully grasp the situation and looked at Ian with anxious expressions.

“Very well. I shall step out to make ready the preparations.”

“Please, do.”

Once Polo left, Ian explained the circumstances to the remaining two. However, he deliberately omitted the part about assassins targeting him.

Even so, Wilson’s face turned pale.

“Rogue elements targeting our family… Shouldn’t we report this to the guards? It can’t hurt to be prepared, Master.”

“It’s okay; I have plans in place. Just continue as you always do.”

“Understood! Father, don’t worry too much. Our handsome Young Master will manage everything just fine!”

Dorothy was more spirited than expected.

It was reassuring, and instead, it was Dorothy comforting Wilson, not the other way around.

“And I’ve earned some money recently.”

Ian pulled out five checks of a hundred million shillings each from his pocket. The enormous sum made the two of them nearly faint in surprise.

“S-Master! Where did you get such a large amount of money…?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you more about it over breakfast tomorrow. Rest assured, it’s not money obtained through illicit means.”

Ian handed the checks to Wilson. As Wilson held them, he wondered if he was dreaming.

“Use some of that money to buy yourselves some clothes. Wilson, get a new butler’s uniform, and Dorothy, get a maid’s outfit and a dress. You can ask Mr. Damien at the dress shop for them.”

“I am fine. This outfit can last more than ten years.”

“Me too. I don’t really have occasions for a dress.”

He had expected such a response. Ian shook his head with a smile.

“This isn’t a request; it’s an order from the head of the family. Arrange a meeting with Mr. Damien immediately. But don’t go overboard; make sure the clothes cost more than ten million shillings. I’ll check later.”

Wilson and Dorothy simply blinked at one another.

Still, disobeying a command from the head of the house was not an option.

“And use the remaining money to buy a communication sphere. Mention my name, and you’ll get favorable conditions.”

“Understood, Master.”

The calculations were concluded swiftly. Ian gestured for the two to leave and waited for the night to grow deeper.