That court mage could at least have pretended to send him back. Less chance for vengeance-morons to return later and more chance of them coming back saying "erm, it didn't work".
Plus if they wanted him dead, what's wrong with a stab in the back or a swim in the moat with a swimsuit of anchors? Especially since he's only level 1.
Other than that, it might be a good variation of Second, let's see where the story goes.