How to Survive as a Mage Inside a Game-Chapter 4: Altius (2)

The quest issue was secondary.

With my magic ability basically at zero, if I stuck around here, I’d get exposed in no time.

So I racked my brain for a reasonable way to refuse.

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can accept it."

Seindal looked a little surprised, clearly expecting me to agree right away.

"Hmm, why is that?"

"Because of my master’s final words. For now, I plan to travel across the continent."

A will.

Once I threw that in, it became vague enough that he wouldn’t push further. I mean, who’s going to argue against a dead master’s dying wish?

Fortunately, Seindal seemed to take the hint and nodded with a soft smile.

"Haha, that does sound like Jeron."

"......"

"Magical power, spells, and all the knowledge gained through research—those are all important, but the essence of magic is willpower. Roaming the world and gaining experience will help deepen your understanding of magic. That’s something you can’t get from locking yourself in a room. Once you’re old like me, even wandering becomes hard, so I’d say it’s not a bad choice at all."

I have no idea what he’s going on about.

For now, just nod along.

Seindal looked at me with a satisfied face and continued.

"Then how about this?"

"......?"

"You don’t have to stay here, but what if you at least became affiliated with Altius? No matter where you travel across the continent, it’ll give you a solid identity. It won’t hurt to have that—only help."

My eyes widened.

What he was saying was basically: I could receive all the benefits, without any of the responsibilities of actually being a member.

"Is... is that really okay?"

"It’s no problem. I’ll vouch for you myself."

Well.

If a Council elder steps in personally, who’s going to kick up a fuss over some nominal mage membership?

‘Man, having connections is seriously OP.’

I was honestly impressed.

Anyway, it wasn’t something I had any reason to refuse.

As I nodded obediently, Seindal smiled and got to his feet.

"Well then, let’s leave it at that for today. Since you’re registering without going through the formal process, we’ll need to do a simple evaluation—that can wait until tomorrow. Just spend the rest of the day here. You won’t get bored walking around."

* * *

That’s how I ended up with a spacious, antique-style room to stay in for a bit—and after finishing a decent meal—

I headed straight to where I had planned to go.

The Central Library.

Normally, when you think of a library, you picture a place packed full of books.

But if that library is located inside a magic faction, and that faction just so happens to be Altius—

Then it’s not just a library. It might as well be called a treasure trove of magic.

Especially for me.

Because unlike everyone else, to me, a magic book was a kind of item—specifically, a ‘skillbook’.

Understanding the principles, memorizing the incantation, combining it with mana control—others spend forever tearing their hair out learning spells. But me? I just pay SP and get it instantly.

"Damn, this one’s huge too."

Most of the buildings in the main campus were tower-shaped.

The library was no different.

I walked toward the Central Library up ahead, recalling what Seindal told me.

‘Books are organized by Circle level starting from the first floor.’

First floor: 1st Circle spellbooks.

Second floor: 2nd Circle spellbooks.

And so on. Everything was arranged in a way that made it easy for mages to find things according to their level.

"Please show your identification."

As I approached the first-floor entrance, a guard asked for ID.

I didn’t have a proper ID yet, but Seindal had given me a separate permit.

When I showed it, the guard flinched in surprise and quickly stepped aside.

Destination: 4th floor.

There was a guard on every floor, so I had to repeat that three more times before I finally reached my goal.

"Oh."

Books filled the place from wall to wall.

All of them related to 4th Circle magic.

I had plenty of SP saved up from finishing the Main Quest.

While I was here, I planned to grab as many usable spells as I could.

Sure, this was a public library, so there wouldn’t be any super-secret forbidden spells—but even so, there were more than enough decent ones to pick through.

After all, this was the Altius main library.

I grinned and started walking.

[Reinforcing Pressure (6000SP)]

[Earth Sphere (8000SP)]

[Poison Mist (7000SP)]

[Frozen Boom (7000SP)]

Lost in a blissful dilemma, I browsed through the titles one by one—

"......?"

Suddenly, I felt a gaze.

I turned my head.

Someone was staring at me from across the room.

A woman with long black hair and violet eyes.

She strode toward me and asked:

"Who are you?"

Completely random question.

I didn’t answer.

She just barged in and started interrogating me—I had no idea what her angle was.

"I said, who are you?"

She repeated herself, this time sounding a little annoyed.

Since she was interrupting what I was doing and spouting nonsense, I answered back just as bluntly.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

"I asked first. You answer."

"...If you want to know who someone is, shouldn't you start by saying who you are? What is this, some kind of first-come-first-serve game?"

At that, she frowned.

But then, she nodded like it made sense and said:

"Sharon Rachel. Disciple of Elder Hurst."

"..."

"Now talk. Who are you?"

Disciple of an Elder?

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Karl kept his surprise hidden as he replied.

"Karl."

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

"......"

"...I’m acquainted with Elder Seindal. But I’m not his disciple or anything like you."

Her eyes lit with a flicker of curiosity.

"First time."

"...?"

"First time I’ve seen another 4th Circle my age. Other than me, I mean. I was just curious."

With that, she suddenly turned and walked off in another direction.

Karl stared at her back, completely dumbfounded.

"What the hell was that?"

He shook it off and went right back to browsing spellbooks.

* * *

Council Hall of the Altius Main Branch

"So... why did you call this meeting, Seindal?"

One of the elders seated around the massive round table asked the question with a curious look.

Seindal got straight to the point.

"There’s a talent I’d like to personally recommend for the faction."

Another elder tilted his head slightly.

"Can’t you handle that on your own? As an elder, you can appoint as many apprentice faction members as you like—"

The elder abruptly stopped speaking.

His eyes widened.

"...Wait, are you saying you want to recommend someone as a full faction member?"

Seindal nodded, prompting a few gasps of disbelief from the other elders.

A full faction member.

That was something entirely different from an apprentice.

Even after joining, most mages had to spend years proving their ability and qualifications before receiving that title.

Which meant even the Elder Council couldn’t simply grant it on a whim.

"So, you really mean to induct an outsider directly as a full member?"

"That’s right."

The elders were once again stunned.

It was the first time Seindal had ever used his authority to personally recommend someone.

And not just for any role—for the position of a full member. No wonder everyone was so surprised.

But most importantly...

"Seindal, we all know you’re not the type to speak rashly..."

The Council Chair cast a glance toward a particular elder—Hurst—who had his arms crossed and looked deeply displeased from the moment this topic started.

"...But you also know there’s only one slot left."

"Yes."

"And you know that slot was supposed to go to Hurst’s granddaughter."

"Of course. I’m fully aware."

The Elder Council was permitted to appoint ten full faction members per year.

Nine spots had already been filled.

The last remaining one was, by mutual understanding, meant for Hurst’s granddaughter and disciple, Sharon.

And now, out of nowhere, Seindal had stepped in with a new candidate. Of course they were surprised—of course there was confusion.

"And yet you’re willing to spark conflict over this. Who exactly is this person you want to recommend? You don’t even have a disciple of your own, do you?"

Seindal paused for a moment.

All eyes turned toward him.

Then, calmly, he spoke.

"Jeron has passed away."

"......!!"

"And earlier today, his disciple came to see me. He’s the one I want to recommend."

The elders murmured among themselves.

They were all of the same generation, all old enough to remember.

There was no one at that table who didn’t know the name Jeron.

A genius among geniuses.

And a total eccentric.

He’d refused a position on the Elder Council and abandoned the faction entirely to pursue his personal research.

"So Jeron’s really gone..."

"Just disappeared one day, cut off all contact... not even a final goodbye..."

The name stirred memories. Several elders who had once been close with him let out heavy sighs.

"He seriously raised a disciple?"

"Yes."

"I know you wouldn't make that kind of claim without being sure... but still, with his personality? Though I suppose even someone like him could’ve changed with age..."

"So you want to bring Jeron’s disciple in as a full member. Does he qualify?"

The minimum qualification for a full faction member of Altius was the 3rd Circle.

It was absurdly high compared to other schools.

Seindal smiled faintly.

"He’s actually a step above."

"4th Circle? Hmm. Then I assume he’s not that young?"

"Don’t be shocked—he’s twenty."

"......!!"

The elders’ eyes widened in astonishment.

"Twenty...? Are you telling me he’s only twenty and already 4th Circle?"

"He’s a genius, just like Sharon. So now, do you all agree there’s nothing wrong with my recommendation?"

Jeron’s disciple.

4th Circle at twenty.

Aside from being an outsider, he had no faults compared to Sharon.

And Altius didn’t operate on seniority or bloodlines. Titles and positions were granted solely based on merit and achievement.

"But even so, isn’t this going a bit far? Sharon’s been here as a faction member all this time—"

"...Faction member? Let’s be honest. She’s had the title, but has she ever actually done the work apprentices are expected to do?"

"Still, he’s an outsider—"

"Being Jeron’s disciple means he’s not entirely an outsider. His master’s name hasn’t even been formally removed from the faction’s records."

A minor debate broke out among the elders.

Those closer to Seindal, and those who hadn’t looked favorably upon Sharon’s behavior over the years, began to side with him.

The room’s atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

The Council Chair let out a long sigh.

"Haa... Seindal. There’s no changing your mind, is there?"

"I’m sorry to Hurst, but no. This is the only thing I can still do for a ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) friend who left without a word."

"Then we have no choice but to follow protocol."

The Chair’s voice turned solemn, clearly preparing to settle the matter.

"Jeron’s disciple and Sharon—both meet the qualifications of a full faction member, and their levels are comparable. Therefore, as per the rules, under the observation of the Council, the two will compete in a suitable magic trial to determine..."