Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Since dawn, Ian had been preparing his bath water using a slave (a university-owned slave of pagan origin).

"? Lord Ian. What are you doing?"

"Taking a bath."

"Ah! You're recreating customs from the Golden Empire era? Such dedication to bringing book knowledge to life! As a scholar, I'm impressed!"

"..."

Since there were quite a few educated people around, most didn't react to Ian bathing (though some still did).

But educated or not, this was still a medieval fantasy empire.

The common mindset was that bathing was something only barbarians did!

Male students passing by expressed respect for Ian's scholarly dedication(?).

"What does it feel like being submerged in hot water!"

Just try it yourself and you'll know...

"Be careful, Lord Ian! You could die doing that!"

Thanks SO much for your concern.

"Hmm. I understand your enthusiasm, but your research is lacking. In ancient Golden Empire bathhouses, they didn't actually submerge themselves in hot water?"

"[Water, surge forth!]"

Splash!

"Ow, hot! W-what are you doing..."

"[Water, surge forth again!]"

Splash!

"Cr-crazy wizard!!!"

The male students laughed watching the uptight scholar flee after getting splashed.

Whether modern or medieval times, there were always people obsessing over such meaningless facts.

"Picking a fight with a wizard. Either stupid or brave."

"That stuck-up guy! I knew he'd get what was coming to him!"

The students seemed to have quite a few grievances, each taking turns making comments as the scholar ran.

Though it was noisy all around.

'...'

Ian sat deep in thought, submerged up to his mouth.

He recalled a recent memory.

Maria had whispered:

[I've heard that after the Trial of Fear, many couples are formed.]

That made sense.

The Trial of Fear was a medieval courage test. One with romance rumors attached.

How many couples must naturally form after passing the trial together?

[Then...]

[As it concerns my respected sister Kira, I shouldn't say much. However... hehe. I think Kira asked brother to attend the festival together knowing the rumors.] ř

Ian thought so too.

As the commoner faction's top performer and idol of female students, there's no way Kira wouldn't know such a famous rumor.

'Doesn't seem like bait to provoke Elia.'

Though Elia paid a lot of attention to Kira, Kira didn't care much about Elia.

At least, that's how the Kira Ian knew was.

So it made no sense for Kira to pick a fight with Elia first.

Then... was this really just a date invitation?

Female friend suddenly asks to go out. Is this a green light?

"Hmm."

These sudden developments brought all sorts of thoughts to mind.

If there weren't any women around Ian, he might have seriously considered a relationship with Kira.

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Though Ian was reincarnated from modern times, he was now a resident of this medieval fantasy world regardless of his past life.

That meant he'd need to marry, have kids, and live out his life here until dying of old age.

A girlfriend? No reason not to have one.

Kira was definitely an amazing woman.

Her looks were unreal, she had a good personality, shared his interest in magic, and like Ian came from common origins.

But there was just one problem.

'Lucy.'

Ian already had someone like a girlfriend... no, she was his girlfriend.

Though he hadn't formally confessed, this was the West - a kiss pretty much meant they were dating.

Having a girlfriend but getting involved with another woman.

Especially a travel companion?

'What a fucking playboy... no, that's not it.'

Ian shook his head. Forget playboy - that would just make him trash.

Of course, Ian's relationship with Lucy wasn't at the marriage-premise level.

Bluntly put, even if Ian married someone else and sent Lucy a wedding invitation, all she could do was cry her eyes out.

But Ian naturally had no intention of setting up house with another woman.

Ian was a [Pure Love Fan] who preferred monogamy over harems.

Plus with his modern sensibilities remaining, guys juggling multiple women just seemed... like players.

'How would I explain to Lucy later?'

Well~ I was feeling horny while traveling, so I had some fun with Kira~ Don't be mad since you couldn't come along~

'Hmm. What an asshole.'

Ian finished his bath and changed clothes.

The thorough wash had definitely removed his musty smell.

Though worrying about romance with Kira meant the best option was hiding in his room skipping the festival entirely.

But since he'd already accepted Elia's invitation, and Kira hadn't actually done anything yet, it'd be weird for Ian to overthink this alone.

So did Kira actually confess? Obviously not.

Kira was just a good travel companion.

At least, for now.

"Oh my, Ian! You look extra fresh today! And you smell nice!"

"I'm heading out soon. Where are you going, Master?"

"I have some work left for the seminar. It's such an interesting research topic!"

Running into Eredith by chance, she was still the same magic-obsessed wizard as ever.

Then and now, Eredith was a woman who only knew studying.

Without space-time wizard Gerard's prophecy, she probably wouldn't have even taken on a disciple.

"I'll just say for now that it's related to Maronius!"

"...Maronius?"

That great wizard Maronius?

Maronius was the one who created not just the foundations of magic, but magic itself.

Ian nodded.

As expected of Imperial University - taking on Maronius as a research topic.

"Exciting, right? There's a seminar next week, make sure to attend!"

"Looking forward to it. I'll definitely be there."

Ian walked up the hill, exchanging greetings with people he knew.

Dolls carefully crafted by monks were placed all around the university.

Ivory banners fluttered in the wind, and salt decorations sparkled in the bright morning sun.

"Today is when the saints ascended to heaven!"

"Receive heaven's blessings!"

Monks in robes handed out honey-glazed bread to passersby.

The university was filled with fragrant sweet smells.

"Ian! Over here!"

"This way, Lord Ian!"

Kira and Elia were already waiting.

Simply because the women's dormitory was closer to campus (discriminating against male dorms was universal law)...

"You're here early. Did you wait long?"

"No! 'We' just got here!"

"Yes, 'we' did too."

Kira and Elia smiled simultaneously.

"Let's go, Ian!"

"I'm hungry, let's eat first!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ian strolled through the white-decorated university with the two women.

The Spirit Festival had begun.

#

Ian briefly admired the elaborately decorated streets.

He had two main observations:

Wow~ Imperial University must get a lot of noble patronage~ and.

These monks really have nothing better to do! was his conclusion.

True to this medieval fantasy world's champion laborers, the street decorations and dolls were all painstakingly handcrafted by monks.

They filled this vast university district with manual labor, hoping only that the saints and Heaven above would be pleased with their prettily decorated streets!

With both capital and manpower invested, the streets definitely had a festive atmosphere.

'So many people.'

Not just students but Dranheim residents had all come out, making the streets incredibly crowded.

"Oh my, it's Lady Elia!"

"Wow! Isn't that Kira?"

Though the streets were packed.

People quickly made way when Elia and Kira walked through.

Their recognition at Imperial University was truly remarkable.

"Who's that black-haired guy next to them? A foreigner?"

"That's that guy, the dark magic professor."

"Ian... was it? He's really young."

"But why's he with Lady Elia and Lady Kira?"

"Dunno?"

Students looked at Ian curiously.

His recognition was lower and his bloodline less noble compared to the two women.

"I know him! The Patron Saint of Coffee! Ian!"

"Wow! A patron saint! But what's coffee?"

"Dunno?"

"I heard rumors he's a dragon slayer?"

"No way. Where'd he slay one?"

"Talian region?"

"Where's Talian?"

"Dunno?"

Though rumors about Ian abounded, information spread slowly in medieval times, so his recognition didn't easily increase.

"Here we are. The restaurant I reserved~"

As promised, Elia treated Ian to lunch.

Having Kira tag along was unexpected, but she decided to think of it as showing imperial generosity.

"Chef, explain to Lord Ian."

"This dish is suckling pig roasted slowly overnight, seasoned with pepper..."

Wow! Pepper barbecue!

"Chef, what's this?"

"Roasted chicken seasoned with pepper!"

Pepper chicken!

"And this?"

"Soup seasoned with pepper!"

Pepper soup!

"What about this?"

"Bread seasoned with pepper!"

Pepper bread!

Wow! More pepper, fuck!

Eating all this we'll be shitting pepper instead of shit!

Ian asked incredulously.

"Just how much pepper did you use?"

The chef proudly answered.

"Almost all the restaurant's pepper!"

"Wow...!"

The spectators(...) watching the Princess's meal from outside the restaurant marveled.

"Using so much pepper for one meal...!"

"How extravagant!"

"???"

Ian was dumbfounded again.

Look, eating is about the food, not throwing money around...

What Ian overlooked was that this was a 'reception' restaurant.

Reception restaurants naturally served extravagant dishes.

And the Holy Empire's pathetic cuisine meant...

Roasted meat heavily seasoned with pepper was their most luxurious meal!

"Enjoy, Ian!"

"..."

I can't enjoy this, Your Highness.

Ian couldn't help but smile watching the Princess tear into a pepper-coated chicken leg with her bare hands.

Well. This really was medieval times.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the three barely ate half the food before giving up.

With everything drenched in pepper, this was inevitable.

"Was the meal satisfactory?"

"It was extravagant."

"Very extravagant."

Ian's gaze naturally drifted to the street food.

Just like how people will still make instant ramen after eating an expensive course meal at home.

Noticing Ian's gaze, Elia smiled bitterly and said.

"Ian. Should we try some of those?"

"I'd like that."

"...Looks like lunch wasn't quite enough."

Ian smiled as he answered.

"Since I'm not noble-born. Street food sounds good right now."

"I'll go buy some!"

Kira shouted, meeting Ian's eyes.

What she brought back was fried rice.

Yellow seafood fried rice.

Ian took one bite and immediately marveled.

Damn. This place is legit!

As expected of a university district, it must be full of hidden masters!

"Hey Kira! This is really good!"

"Right? I was just thinking the same!"

Ian and Kira chatted and smiled so naturally.

'...Those two. Travel companions, they said.'

Elia blankly watched them.

"How is it, Elia? Tasty right!"

"Ah... yes."

Elia nodded while nibbling at the fried rice.

Though she'd tasted expensive food at the fancy restaurant she'd reserved...

Frustratingly, this common street food that commoners ate tasted much better.

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