I Became a Genius Black Mage at the Holy Academy

“Uh… Well, that is…”

Beanin, who was sweating nervously, saw Roan standing behind the two and brightened up.

“Ah? Roan Darc? You were in our room too. I saw you at the entrance ceremony. Nice to meet you.”

“… Yes.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

When Roan spoke, his intimidating expression darkened further. Beanin flinched and asked.

Of course, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Except for the fact that he had infiltrated the Holy Academy as a spy for the dark mages.

By now, it didn’t even feel like that big of a mistake.

Especially not to Roan.

‘The principal definitely knows Beanin’s identity.’

Putting Roan, Hector, and Demona in the same room as Beanin was no coincidence.

No way.

Their dorm was no longer called the McGodall Dormitory.

The more accurate name was Akerandir’s Recycling Bin.

Suddenly, he remembered Gawed saying, “Looking at the list, it seems the principal took special care.”

Grind─

“Rookie?”

Roan gritted his teeth without realizing it.

Beanin noticed this and cautiously called out to him.

“… Sorry. I suddenly had a bad thought.”

“Haha. It happens. Since we’ve gathered like this, should we sit over there and introduce ourselves?”

As he said, it was a fateful encounter.

‘A encounter that would have been better if it never happened.’

Beanin pointed to a spacious four-person table in the corner of the living room.

Although Hector and Demona were growling, insisting there was no need to greet each other, they followed obediently when the senior and Roan sat down first.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Beanin Atomas, a second-year student. I major in Holy Law and Administration, and I can teach you the basics of the first-year curriculum.”

Actually, if it weren’t for this strange situation, Beanin was an excellent mentor for freshmen.

He had outstanding academic achievements, a kind nature, and good connections.

Except for the trivial fact that he was a spy for dark mages, he was perfect.

‘But if the principal knows, can he still be considered a spy?’

A small doubt arose but it wasn’t important.

Unless the player directly reported him, Beanin’s identity would remain a secret – except to the principal.

After all, even as a spy for the dark mages, he hadn’t awakened dark magic.

The dark mages who raised Beanin were among the kindest of the dark mages.

Their sole aim was to secure a small village where they could live in peace.

That’s why they raised a talented child and sent him to Akerandir to gain some benefits.

They didn’t care if Beanin learned holy magic instead of dark magic. They hoped he wouldn’t live a hard and unfortunate life like them.

And the reason Roan knew so much about Beanin was.

‘Because I was the one who raised him.’

One of the dark mages who raised him was a playable character.

In fact, the character’s concept was about parenting.

The goal was to raise Beanin to become a high-ranking official in the empire to secure their safety.

So, Roan couldn’t help but have mixed feelings as he gazed at Beanin.

‘He’s growing well!’

He felt a sense of pride knowing that Beanin was growing up well even without his own assistance.

‘Glad he didn’t learn dark magic!’

And he felt the jealousy and envy from the fact that, as a spy for the dark mages, he was properly learning holy magic!

“Okay, next… Would you like to start?”

The person Beanin pointed to was Demona.

Perhaps he thought it would be easier to talk to him.

“My name is Demona Wickron, and I’m planning to learn dark magic to understand the pinnacle of holy magic.”

Flinch─!

“Is that so? That’s quite unique. You’re from the Wickron family? That’s impressive.”

Beanin was quite surprised. However, he nodded awkwardly with a smile.

Next was Hector.

“I’m Hector Pabilto. My dream is to become an excellent inquisitor who splits the heads of those who learn dark magic with an axe.”

“Th-there you go! That serves the reputation of the Pabilto Family perfectly! Hahaha!”

Beanin laughed while sweating nervously.

‘Isn’t he being too obvious?’

Roan thought as he watched Beanin.

To anyone who knew, he appeared very suspicious.

It was almost as if he was openly declaring himself a spy.

Of course, Roan couldn’t blame Beanin.

Who would have thought they would encounter such a combination at the Holy Academy of Akerandir?

“F-freshman…?”

Finally, Beanin looked at Roan.

His eyes were pleading for mercy.

“I’m Roan Darc. My goal is to graduate from this academy normally.”

“Normal, huh? Haha. With such talent, you’re quite the humorous one.”

Beanin said with a smile.

No matter how you looked at it, Roan’s actions today were far from normal.

Roan glared at Beanin with the desire to kill him.

“Wh-why?”

“… It’s nothing.”

When Beanin panicked, Roan glanced away.

At least Beanin’s words weren’t out of jealousy or envy.

They were just pure compliments for a talented junior.

“You’re humble. You probably want to cut dark mages as much as I do.”

“No. He’s probably more interested in learning about dark magic.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Meanwhile, Beanin asked curiously about Hector and Demona’s reactions.

“Didn’t you know? The Darc family was annihilated by a cowardly attack from dark mages 15 years ago. Driven by vengeance, Darc has long shed off tears of blood and is determined to wipe out the dark mages…”

‘I didn’t say it with such exaggeration.’

Roan was dumbfounded at how Hector was describing him as someone obsessed with eradicating dark magic.

And as Beanin listened to this, he grew increasingly pale.

“I-I see. Now that I think about it, we studied that in imperial history class. What a tragic event.”

Indeed, from Beanin’s perspective, it must have felt like his blood was drying up.

As a spy for the dark mages, it would be dreadful to spend a year with an inquisitor and the heir of a family annihilated by dark mages.

Roan looked intently at Beanin.

“Wh-why? Roan?”

‘At least you didn’t learn dark magic.’

Beanin was a diligent and kind student at Akerandir.

At least the kindest among those three.

“Thank you for understanding, senior.”

“Uh, huh? Oh… It’s nothing. I also think dark mages are really bad. I’ll help you as much as I can.”

It was a truly tearful display of diplomacy.

As the conversation continued and the atmosphere grew more awkward, Beanin changed the subject.

Thud!

Beanin took out three small pouches from his bag and handed one to each person.

“What’s this?”

“Have you all heard of Dalants? First-year students will find it hard to gather Dalant, so I’m sharing some of mine with you.”

The currency made by Harden was popular as a souvenir outside Akerandir.

Sometimes, events were held to exchange Dalants with holy water to reclaim any that had been circulated outside. It attracted large crowds of dignitaries.

“Thank you, senior.”

“I’ll use it sparingly.”

“No problem. It’s what a mentor should do.”

Hector and Demona bowed to Beanin with grateful faces.

Finally, Beanin smiled brightly, thinking the atmosphere in the room had returned to normal.

Meanwhile, Roan discreetly opened his pouch.

‘50 Dalants?’

It was certainly a useful amount for freshmen.

But Roan had 10,000 Dalants sleeping quietly in his possession.

Swoosh!

“Huh? Roan?”

“Thank you, senior Beanin. But may I just accept the sentiment?”

“Why? It’s not much, but it’s quite a sum for you.”

Of course, it wasn’t because 50 Dalants were too little.

‘I just feel like I’m taking pocket money from my own child….’

It felt awkward to receive such help from Beanin, whom he had anxiously raised.

“Do you feel burdened? It’s okay. I have about 3,000 Dalants. You can consider it a gift.”

Given the circumstances of a second-year student, he couldn’t possibly have more Dalants than him!

But he couldn’t explain this situation honestly.

After thinking for a moment, Roan spoke.

“… I have a duty to revive the Darc family with my own hands. I don’t think I should accept such help already.”

“Darc.”

“Darc.”

Upon hearing Roan’s words, Beanin, as well as Hector and Demona, appeared moved.

“If you put it that way, I understand. But feel free to ask for help whenever you need it.”

“I won’t accept it either, senior!”

“Me too!”

Hector and Demona handed their pouches back to Beanin.

“No. You should keep yours.”

It was Roan, not Beanin, who firmly stopped them.

“Why?”

“I’m also from Wickron. I can’t rely on such help!”

“…….”

Roan was at a loss of words as he faced the two resolute-faced individuals.

‘You guys don’t have 10,000 Dalants….’

He couldn’t reveal this honestly.

* * *

“Let’s all get along for the next year. You must be tired, so sleep early tonight. Classes start tomorrow, and… They’ll be quite tough.”

“Good night, senior!”

“Good night!”

Unlike the initially awkward atmosphere, the McGodall Dorm became quite lively.

After all, boys this age tend to quickly become friends regardless of circumstances.

Hector and Demona held the gifted Dalants carefully and went into their private rooms.

Roan also quietly entered his room and lay on the bed.

“The first class… was that one, huh.”

The first class at Akerandir was always the same.

And more than anything, it was a class that clearly showed how extraordinary this academy was.

‘I’d better gather a bunch of herbs before leaving tomorrow.’

There would be plenty of time if he got up early.

Despite everything, Akerandir was one of the most sacred places in the empire and the domain of the Holy Spirit.

Even common weeds here had medicinal properties.

* * *

The next morning.

Hector had prepared for class and hung around the living room. There, he saw Roan just coming in from outside.

Roan was holding a large pouch with dirt-stained hands.

“… What’s that, Darc?”

“Herbs.”

“Herbs?”

Hector tilted his head.

Gathering herbs early in the morning on the first day of class was puzzling.

“Are you hurt?”

Hector asked with a slightly worried face.

However, if a student got injured on campus, there was a hospital ward, and even an infirmary in the dormitory, so why would someone gather herbs themselves?

Roan replied with a slightly bitter expression.

“… I think I might get hurt.”

“?”

Hector still couldn’t understand.

Squeak!

“Good morning, Darc.”

At that moment, Demona opened the door and greeted them.

Even though he clearly saw Hector first, he went out of his way to greet Roan.

“Morning.”

“Shall we head to class now, Darc?”

Demona appeared fully ready to leave his private room.

Roan nodded, and Hector approached him and said.

“The first class is a healing class, a crucial skill for hunting down dark mages, Darc.”

‘These guys…’

Roan was already feeling anxious about the class, and now they were sticking to him instead of talking to each other.

“… Let’s just get to class.”

Roan frowned, his head aching from the morning’s events.

When the three of them left Saint Panroa Dormitory, they saw students gathered and murmuring near the entrance – a cliff.

─ Do we really have to go down there?

─ It was easier going up, but going down is scarier…

This was a common scene.

Even during gameplay, first-year students would often make a fuss about the cliff at the beginning of the term.

‘Is it just a fuss?’

Considering they had to descend a 30-meter cliff by hand to get to class, a bit of resistance was quite a mild reaction.

─ Guys, you won’t get hurt if you just go down.

─ …You might fall once or twice, but you’ll get used to it.

A few second-year mentors tried to calm the first-years, but it didn’t seem very effective.

Even as a freshman, Roan would have thought it nonsense if someone told him to get used to falling off a cliff.

Hector nodded and said.

“That’s why you brought herbs, knowing we could get hurt climbing down the cliff. You’re quite prepared, Darc.”

“… That’s not it.”

Roan turned his head, looking resigned.

Thanks to the divine blessing, they wouldn’t get seriously injured from falling off the cliff. At most, they’d get scraped by the rocks.

Besides, Akerandir was a holy place.

Most wounds would heal quickly without infection or complications.

Even broken bones would mend perfectly within a week with proper splints.

‘They won’t have time to hesitate.’

Roan calculated the time, considering the distance to Saint Hetron Hall, where the freshmen’s class was held.

If they didn’t climb down the cliff now, they’d be late for class.

“Could you step aside?”

Roan asked a freshman standing at the back to let him pass.

If they couldn’t get through, at least they should clear the way.

A few students turned around, saw Roan’s face, and were startled.

─ Huh, Roan Darc!

─ It’s Demona from Wickron!

─ And Hector is here too!

The freshmen recognized Hector and Demona behind Roan.

Of course, the heir of the Wickron Family was famously known.

Hector, too, had a striking presence.

But the problem was not the fact that they recognized the three of them together.

─ Darc already formed a faction!

─ He truly deserves the Holy Palace and the Holy Spirit’s favor.

─ Maybe those two already knew about Darc…

They perceived the three as a clique.

Roan clenched his fist.

‘Don’t lump me in with them. What a bunch of jerks…!’