Subscriber of the Gods Chapter 227 - Magic Association

“Amazing! Did you say your name was Schudlen Mark? With skills like this, your name will soon spread widely.”

Thanks to the consideration of the knight commander, Schudlen, who set out to subjugate bandits near the Huntar territory, achieved great accomplishments.

He took the vanguard and defeated three bandit groups.

He even managed to capture three leaders alive during the subjugation process.

Not a single member of the subjugation team was injured in the process. This was because the bandits, overwhelmed by Schudlen’s momentum at the vanguard, couldn’t fight properly.

After completely eradicating the bandit groups around the Huntar territory, Schudlen realized why the knight commander had sent him here.

‘Actual combat is completely different.’

If the situation allows, even the weak can kill the strong.

Relative strength never guarantees victory.

‘In a duel, whether you win or lose, you won’t die. But in actual combat, if you win you live, if you lose you die.’

If he had continued to guard Ethan without knowing this, he would have encountered a big problem someday.

‘The bandits already knew this well. If I had made a mistake, I could have been seriously injured.’

Until now, he thought it was right to fight like a proper knight.

But Schudlen was Ethan’s guard before being a knight.

‘In matters of life and death, manners are not important. I should always keep that in mind.’

Having grown significantly, Schudlen returned to the Whiskers territory, mulling over his realizations.

“Schudlen, did you return safely? Young Master Ethan and Young Master Nathan have returned. Go greet them quickly.”

“Ah, yes!”

Hearing that the young masters had returned, Schudlen ran urgently. He wanted to show Ethan how much stronger he had become as soon as possible.

***

Nathan had been educated by famous teachers at Freya Academy.

There were rumors that classes at Freya Academy were difficult, but they weren’t that challenging for Nathan. Thanks to this, Nathan was able to consistently maintain good grades.

As a result, Nathan thought he had a talent for studying. He believed he could understand and follow any teacher’s class without much difficulty.

However, Nathan has now abandoned that thought.

“Nathan, is that what you call drawing a formula?”

“S-Sorry…”

“Sorry?”

“I apologize!”

“Everything can change with a single line. Focus. And be quick!”

Ethan’s teaching method was sharp and cool-headed. Especially, his skill in correcting problems was incredible, observing each of Nathan’s actions and pointing out the issues.

As a result, the flaws in Nathan’s every move began to be exposed.

Nathan’s confidence in reaching the upper ranks of Freya Academy by his own strength, without any notable support, began to shatter.

In contrast, Nathan’s eyes were becoming sharper.

The fierce spirit that had enveloped Nathan’s entire body when he first entered Freya Academy resurfaced.

“Again! Focus on the formula. Even with the same magic, it appears different depending on the caster because the formula differs according to the caster. If you don’t understand this, you can never become a great magician no matter how long you live.”

“Yes!”

Nathan had already forgotten that Ethan was his brother.

What stood before him was the head teacher of Ivecar Academy. (+)TLN: Can somebody remind me when did Ethan get promoted to head teacher? I forgot. On the last chapter, the author also write “head teacher” and I thought it was a mistake, a typo, but apparently not.

A professional proficient not only in swordsmanship but also in magic.

All he had to do was thoroughly follow his teachings as a student.

Ironically, as he set aside personal emotions, everything began to appear clearer.

As he repeated his mistakes, the formula became more precise.

Before he knew it, Nathan was gradually understanding Ethan’s teachings.

“Ah…!”

As he understood one formula, Ethan’s explanations started to make sense. And he also realized how carelessly he had been using formulas until now.

He hadn’t understood and used magic.

He had merely been using pre-made magic as it was.

Realizing this, his cheeks began to redden.

To think he aimed for the top ranks with this level of understanding.

It wasn’t time to blame others. This was entirely his own problem.

Seeing Nathan like this, Ethan smiled.

‘Excellent.’

He had only taught for a few hours. In that time, Nathan had broken through the wall that stood before him. All Ethan had done was provide proper guidance.

‘No matter how proper the education, breaking through a wall isn’t an easy task. It’s possible because he has talent.’

This is why he could occupy the upper ranks of Freya without much difficulty.

‘The talent to accept teachings and make them his own. And one more thing.’

Nathan had hunger.

Thinking he had nothing of his own, he absorbed everything he learned, down to the smallest detail.

‘Because he has nothing, he can fill himself with even more.’

As he absorbed everything he was taught, Ethan continued to teach Nathan various things.

‘When Nathan grows up, he’ll protect the Whiskers territory on his own.’

It could be seen as beneficial in many ways to unleash that potential early.

Knock knock-.

In the midst of this, a cheerful knock was heard from outside.

“Young Master, it’s Schudlen! May I come in?”

“Come in.”

Schudlen, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, had become much more robust than before.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Ethan, Young Master Nathan. I’m Schudlen Mark.”

“Huff… Huff… Schudlen? Is that Schudlen?”

Nathan, who was breathing heavily, looked at Schudlen with a puzzled expression.

Schudlen wasn’t such a muscular knight before. As he remembered, he seemed rather frail and young compared to other knights.

But the Schudlen in front of him now was the very image of a veteran knight. Bulging muscles, intense gaze, and the strength felt in every movement.

“Yes, I’m Schudlen Mark, Young Master Nathan.”

“Wow… Schudlen, could people change this quickly? What on earth happened?”

“I’ve been serving as Young Master Ethan’s guard! Thanks to that, I was able to learn a lot!”

Schudlen smiled bashfully.

Nathan nodded as if he finally understood.

“Even so, that’s… you’ve learned too much, Schudlen.”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

Schudlen tactfully stepped back, intending to leave.

“You can stay and watch, Schudlen.”

At Ethan’s words, Nathan also nodded. Hearing this, Schudlen bowed his head to ask for permission and quietly stepped back.

Schudlen wasn’t too surprised to see Ethan teaching Nathan. Having already experienced Ethan’s teaching style at Ivecar, there wasn’t much to be shocked about.

Rather, what Schudlen carefully observed was Ethan’s health condition.

Seeing Ethan looking much healthier than when he saw him at Ivecar made him feel very good.

However, as much as he had become healthier, the intensity of his lessons had become even more severe.

“Ow…”

Ethan’s lessons were strict enough to surprise even Schudlen. He didn’t let even the smallest mistake that could have been overlooked pass.

“You don’t just draw a formula. You need to understand it. Are you sure you’re using this with understanding right now?”

“I’ll try again.”

Schudlen had directly observed Ethan’s lessons while staying at Ivecar. Even then, it was an incredibly sharp and strict teaching method, but now it seemed even stricter than before.

Wondering why, Schudlen soon realized the reason.

The issue was Nathan Whiskers’ excellent comprehension.

Despite having shortcomings, he quickly understood what was taught and made it his own.

If Nathan hadn’t been able to keep up with Ethan’s teaching, the lesson would have ended long ago.

Having spent time by Ethan’s side, he had forgotten. Nathan Whiskers was also a promising genius who had entered Freya Academy.

Schudlen watched Nathan with admiration. Though he must have been extremely tired, he continued to draw formulas. He seemed to have forgotten that Schudlen was watching.

Although Schudlen had gained quite a bit of confidence after his recent realizations, seeing this made him realize it wasn’t time to have such confidence yet.

As the lesson continued like this, night soon fell.

Even though Schudlen was just watching the lesson from behind, his back was drenched in sweat as if he had been training himself.

“Huff… Huff…”

Ethan patted Nathan, who was breathing heavily.

“Good job.”

“No, I can do more!”

“Excessive enthusiasm rather lowers efficiency. And this is the end of what I’m teaching you, Nathan.”

There was no need to teach any more. It would take at least half a year for Nathan to digest what he was taught today on his own.

Normally, he wouldn’t have taught so much in just one day. But because Nathan’s learning ability was so good, he ended up teaching a bit excessively.

‘It was excessive, but not to the point where he can’t digest it all.’

“I’m looking forward to the academy exchange competition. If you can’t come out as a representative after I’ve taught you this much, there’s a problem. You know that, right?”

Ethan said.

“Let’s make the exchange competition a playground for us Whiskers, Nathan.”

“…Brother.”

Nathan Whiskers grinned.

“I’ll make sure to do that.”

***

“I’m thinking of going to the Imperial Palace.”

“What? The Imperial Palace? Don’t tell me! Are you going to receive an award?”

“Not an award, I’m going to receive some education. Of course, you’re coming with me. How could I, weak as I am, go alone, Schudlen.”

Schudlen looked at Ethan. Ethan had become much healthier than before. Of course, it didn’t seem like his illness had completely healed. His characteristic sickly impression was still there.

Compared to a truly healthy person, Ethan was still in a state where he shouldn’t be traveling long distances.

“I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not planning to go straight to the Imperial Palace. We need to bring Yerica, and I also plan to stop by the Felix family.”

Ethan said this while looking at Schudlen.

“But it seems you’ve prepared quite diligently? Schudlen, you’ve become quite strong.”

At Ethan’s words, Schudlen nodded vigorously.

“I worked hard!”

Excited that his hard work was recognized, Schudlen rambled on about how he had spent his time.

“This should be enough.”

Originally, he had planned to visit the Felix family’s territory before coming to the Whiskers territory.

Having received the golden plaque from Archmage Hansen and saved both Kai Felix and Rohai Felix, Ethan could be considered an important guest of the Felix family.

He would receive not only lavish treatment but also enormous rewards.

Also, since the Prochet and Felix families were close, synergy effects through exchange and cooperation between the three families could be expected.

‘There’s no reason to have a branch only in Prochet.’

The Felix territory is a vast land.

If a branch were to be established in such a vast land, not only would there be promotional effects, but it could also attract an enormous amount of money.

Of course, these two reasons weren’t the only purposes.

‘I need to bring the holy relic before the Apostles do something foolish.’

Those guys don’t give up. Especially when it comes to holy relics, they’ll pounce even more desperately.

If the holy relic falls into their hands, it could become an offering to Moon Mother or a cog in Moon Mother’s revival.

‘I can’t just stand by and watch that happen.’

“For now, I’ll go get Yerica, so wait here.”

Ethan used Wind Cloud to move directly to the Magic Association.

The gatekeeper guarding the association’s door saw Ethan and immediately opened the door with a bright expression.

“We welcome Honorary Association President Ethan of the Magic Association!”

“…?”

Ethan looked at the gatekeeper with a puzzled expression. Honorary Association President? But the gatekeeper quickly stepped back and called for people.

Rustle-.

In an instant, magicians appeared and bowed.

“Association President Yerica instructed us to treat the Honorary Association President with utmost respect when he arrives! Please come inside!”

“It seems… she’s taken control more firmly than I thought.”

Ethan marveled anew at Yerica’s abilities.