Episode 1061
Episode 1061
"As a professor of Einrogard, I have no intention of acting recklessly."
"Professor!!"
When Professor Voladi made his moving declaration as if driving in the final nail, Professor Garcia, who had been half-doubting him, was completely swayed.
It was clear that even Professor Voladi had finally begun to feel a sense of responsibility as a professor of Einrogard.
People truly need disciples to grow...
But this makes it even more suspicious...
"......"
However, the Skeleton Principal did not easily accept his former disciple's declaration.
Was this statement truly a deception meant to fool him, or was Voladi genuinely feeling responsible as a professor of Einrogard?
'This is exactly why revealing the truth was a bad idea. It just makes everyone miserable.'
'Isn't the fundamental issue simply a lack of trust between them?' Professor Garcia thought to herself.
This wasn't a matter of truth—it was a matter of the bond between the Skeleton Principal and his professors.
If no words could be trusted, wasn't this the inevitable outcome?
"Please try to trust Professor Bagrak a little."
Trust? This is exactly what happens when you trust too much.
The Skeleton Principal trusted Professor Voladi deeply.
He firmly believed that Voladi was exactly the kind of person who would deceive him and secretly join the hunt for the Evil God Cult without hesitation.
"That's not trust!"
This is trust too. Hmph. Do you think blind favoritism is what trust means?
As the two bickered, Professor Voladi, who had been quietly waiting, finally spoke up.
"Honestly, if you hadn't assigned Wardanaz to surveillance in the first place, none of this would have happened."
"!"
Huh?
Was that it?
Professor Garcia was instantly convinced.
If they had just trusted Professor Voladi and not unnecessarily sent a student to spy, the professors wouldn't have grown suspicious...
I told you not to keep falling for the enemy's tricks.
"Enemy... Who exactly is the enemy here?"
Already halfway swayed, huh? How fickle. If not Wardanaz, who else would monitor him? He only has one disciple.
"Two."
"Two, actually."
...
Right. Two. I forgot. But we should act like the new student doesn't exist for this kind of mission. Were you always this cruel? Hm?
"So, the root of the issue is the lack of trust between—"
Enough noise. Anyway, Professor Voladi. I'll be keeping an eye on you from now on.
'Why does the one who got caught act so shamelessly?' Professor Garcia was baffled by the Skeleton Principal's domineering attitude.
If he keeps this up, even someone with no intention of acting recklessly might end up twisted.
Surely he wouldn't go as far as to say, "I was right all along!" afterward, would he?
"Oh? Professor?"
Lee Han and Giselle, who had been searching the fortress with Ibinta, were startled by the sight of their new guests.
They could understand Professor Voladi and Gainando being here, but the Skeleton Principal and Professor Garcia too?
"What brings you here?"
"Well... Perhaps because we received word that a certain student was attempting to raid a bandit's underground fortress alone?"
At the professor's pointed remark, Lee Han glanced at Giselle. It was a silent plea for help.
But Giselle slowly shook her head.
'How am I supposed to help with this? Figure it out yourself.'
'What a sneaky bastard. Typical of the White Tiger Tower.'
While Lee Han nursed an unreasonable grudge, Professor Garcia continued.
"By the way, I heard you also participated in the expedition to hunt the Dimensional Void Monster last time?"
"...!"
At those words, Lee Han turned a horrified gaze toward the Skeleton Principal.
You traitor!
"The Headmaster ordered me to!"
Quick reflexes are admirable, but he already said that.
"No, why would you reveal that?!"
Explaining would take too long. Why did you even bring him along?
"Ah, this is the leader of the bandits. He was cooperating with the search. You know how it is."
Lee Han gestured awkwardly, conscious of Professor Voladi's presence. The Skeleton Principal nodded and spoke.
He had already mentioned the Sanguiros Cult too.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Overwhelmed by the absurdity, Lee Han exploded.
First, he was worried about Professor Voladi, so he secretly assigned him a mission—and now he's blabbing everything?
It's not like I wanted to say anything. This guy just wouldn't stop running his mouth.
"!"
Only then did Lee Han realize the situation.
There was only one person who would notice something strange about Professor Voladi and start blabbering about it.
"...Oh no. It was Gainando...!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
Giselle, standing beside him, asked in confusion. Lee Han explained with a resigned expression.
"Gainando must have found it suspicious too. So he told Professor Bagrak."
"...He figured it out without anyone telling him?!"
Giselle was shocked.
Even she had stumbled blindly, yet this commoner had pieced it together without any explanation.
This was humiliating, regardless of the truth.
"Wait. Lee Han. Did you not tell me??"
Gainando, who had been listening quietly, suddenly flared up.
Even a White Tiger Tower student knew about it! 'How do you plan to fix this?' Giselle suddenly felt intrigued.
Though Wardanaz had been skillfully controlling the Blue Dragon Tower students (and occasionally students from other towers) like limbs, the sense of betrayal this commoner felt seemed particularly severe.
If cracks started appearing in the tower's internal order...
"You're just too honest, Gainando. I thought you'd give it away if I told you."
"Right? Well, that makes sense."
"......"
Giselle stared at Gainando with the look of someone witnessing unbelievable stupidity.
What kind of...? 'He actually buys that excuse?!' Even White Tiger Tower students wouldn't fall for that. It was utterly unbelievable.
But why was that guy so terrified?
"Is there anyone who wouldn't be scared seeing their fortress in this state?"
This was fear beyond that.
The Skeleton Principal looked puzzled.
There had been far too much terror in Ibinta's eyes.
"He's had... experience with Hierdan hyeongnim."
"N-not experience...! Choose your words carefully, please. I just witnessed it. He didn't do anything to me."
Ibinta hastily corrected himself.
He was terrified of being retaliated against for claiming he'd been harmed when he hadn't.
The Skeleton Principal immediately understood.
Seeing him that frightened confirmed he'd indeed met a Wardanaz.
"Isn't Lord Hierdan... not that terrifying?"
At Professor Garcia's question, the Skeleton Principal shook his skull with clear displeasure.
What nonsense was this? That man was utterly sinister and vile. He'd manipulate people at every opportunity.
"......"
"......"
"......"
Professor Garcia, Lee Han, and even Professor Voladi stared pointedly at the Skeleton Principal.
Despite the students' silent protests, the Skeleton Principal remained completely unfazed.
Because he had always acted with integrity.
Professor Garcia, assuming this was another of the Skeleton Principal's usual slanders, spoke up.
"Since we're on the topic, could we request Lord Hierdan's assistance?"
Among the Empire's many archmages, the eldest son of the Wardanaz family would certainly be helpful.
But the Skeleton Principal was skeptical.
Those who hadn't even stirred yet wouldn't respond even if called. He's just like the family head... Better make good use of the ones already here.
The Skeleton Principal's blue eyes glowed as he stared at Ibinta.
This bandit seemed well-connected—he'd make a useful pawn until they rooted out this Evil God Cult.
"I-I'll serve with absolute loyalty."
Good. His obedience is commendable. Let's hope it continues.
"Um... should I follow this mage's orders?"
Ibinta subtly hinted that he'd prefer to work under Lee Han.
The Skeleton Principal found this fascinating.
After being burned by Hierdan, he wanted to serve under another Wardanaz mage?
True, Professor Garcia might seem intimidating, but Professor Voladi was right there.
Wardanaz, what did you do? Did you promise to protect him if Hierdan comes to kill him?
"No. I just listened to him talk about managing this fortress, that's all."
The Skeleton Principal stared at them as if he'd seen everything under the sun.
Honestly, someone like Hierdan who instilled terror was far more normal.
To think that just by listening to him talk, he could thoroughly manipulate a battle-hardened bandit like that...
Just how did the Wardanaz family produce someone like that?
"Professor. Professor."
Lee Han quickly approached Professor Voladi and whispered.
Even though it was the Skeleton Principal's order, he still felt a bit guilty.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
'What kind of "fine" is this?'
Lee Han paused at his teacher's response.
There was the Skeleton Principal's "fine," and then there was Professor Garcia's "fine."
If this was the former, he'd have to think hard about how to appease Professor Voladi's wrath.
No ideas came to mind, but...
'Maybe I should learn two or three more 5th Circle spells just in case...'
"It's only natural for a disciple to keep some things from their teacher."
Professor Voladi continued without hesitation.
A disciple learns from their teacher, breaks that teaching, and then forges their own path.
Of course, they couldn't possibly tell their teacher everything along the way.
Right? So you've finally learned some shame. You've been—
"Please be quiet."
Just as the Skeleton Principal was about to interject smugly, Professor Garcia cut him off in exasperation.
Why did he always have to ruin other people's master-disciple relationships?
"As long as it's not excessively dangerous, I don't mind. I really mean it's fine."
Though his teacher was usually hard to read, Lee Han could sense Professor Voladi's sincerity.
This wasn't some underhanded trap like the Skeleton Principal's "fine," where he'd sharpen the blade of revenge behind your back.
"Professor...!"
Lee Han inwardly cursed the Skeleton Principal again.
To think he'd doubt someone he could actually have a proper conversation with.
"You're really not angry at all?"
"......"
When Professor Voladi fell silent for a moment, the room tensed in shock. The Skeleton Principal, as if he'd expected this, exclaimed:
"Ha! Finally showing your true colors, are you? You were planning to take revenge all along!"
"Y-you can't be serious. Right, Professor? Tell me you're not."
Professor Garcia asked nervously.
"No. If he were planning revenge, he wouldn't have said it outright like this."
"Then... are you, by any chance, angry at me?"
Belatedly, Professor Garcia considered the possibility.
Now that she thought about it, wasn't she the one who'd joined forces with the Skeleton Principal to push her student into danger?
But Professor Voladi shook his head. The Skeleton Principal grumbled.
'He must be mad at me instead. You have no shame.'
"No."
...No?
The Skeleton Principal was slightly taken aback. He'd assumed it was about him.
In his confusion, the Skeleton Principal glanced around the room. Gainando gasped.
'Is it me?!'
"Alsicle Pengerin."
"Ah."
"Ah."
Only then did everyone understand. The Skeleton Principal brushed it off as if he'd worried for nothing.
What a pointless concern.
"W-wait. Doesn't that mean Alsicle is in danger?"
Lee Han worried alone.
Hadn't he been concerned about Professor Voladi's retaliation before? And now it turned out to be real?
He's not here, is he? Maybe he's hiding well on his own.
"......"
"......"
Lee Han and Professor Garcia exchanged glances.
Technically, you could say he was hiding, but...
"Is this really okay?"
"Hmm. Since he hasn't come back immediately, it's probably fine. If he just avoids us until the end of break, he can naturally dodge it once the semester starts, right?"
"I'm back."
"Ah!"
"Eek!"
"...Isn't this a bit much, considering you left me behind?"
At the reactions of Garcia and Lee Han, Alsicle, standing in front of the villa, spoke in a slightly sulky tone.
"A student from Einrogard came to Petrogard, so I met them and came back together."
Whoosh.
—Behind Alsicle, a familiar fifth-year Einrogard student appeared.
With striking silver hair, it was Yukveltire, Adenart's older sister and the successor of Einrogard's Enchantment Magic lineage.
Yukveltire fixed the Skeleton Principal with a venomous glare. It was a truly rare sight to see...
Ah!
The Skeleton Principal belatedly remembered.
'I did whisk away that Wardanaz brat who had an appointment with her!'