Episode 1070
Episode 1070
["You just said he was inside a moment ago..."]
"You could just say you misspoke!"
["Students from Baldrogard might fall for that, but who else would believe such an obvious lie? More importantly, what's this about a bet?"]
"It's nothing major."
Professor Verdus explained the incident involving his direct disciple, Yukveltire.
["That method is absolutely impossible! It's not like we have high-purity adamantite plates lying around, nor did we supplement the missing parts of the magic circle by discovering ancient magic. Honestly, Yukveltire is such an idiot!"
[...]
[...]
Wait, shouldn't you teach your disciple if they don't know something?
["Shh. Talking to a wall would be more productive."]
The Death Knights were at a loss for words regarding Professor Verdus's... innovative teaching methods.
If a disciple has gaps in their knowledge, you're supposed to teach them—not yell, 'You idiot! You can't do it!' and then make a bet out of it.
They had plenty to say, but the knights held back. It wasn't like he'd listen anyway.
["If it's impossible, then there's even less reason not to meet. Especially since it's your own disciple."]
"Well... I suppose that's true."
Professor Verdus hesitated.
Given how many enemies he had, this beaver beastman wizard had developed a keen sense for danger.
Yukveltire might be a bit slow, but she wasn't at the level of a Baldrogard wizard. Would she really bring an incomplete project and try to pass it off with such a flimsy lie?
["Then we'll open it. He's right here!"]
"W-Wait a sec...!"
Before Professor Verdus could protest further, the Death Knights swiftly swung the carriage door open.
Outside, Yukveltire and the other Einrogard students stood waiting with the fierce smiles of rebellious farmers.
"Senior. You're not angry, are you?"
"I'm not the slightest bit angry, so there's no need to worry. Frankly, I don't even know why you'd ask such a pointless question."
['He's definitely angry.']
Lee Han, who had spoken to the senior, thought to himself.
He wasn't quite at Diret's level yet, but he was starting to get a read on what this senior from the same tower was thinking.
When someone started rambling like that, it was a sure sign they were either furious or deeply upset.
To be fair, he could understand why the senior was upset.
The conversation between the Death Knights and Professor Verdus had been audible from outside.
["That method is absolutely impossible! It's not like we have high-purity adamantite plates lying around, nor did we supplement the missing parts of the magic circle by discovering ancient magic. Honestly, Yukveltire is such an idiot!"
[...]
[...]
"Uh, Senior. To be honest, that's Professor Verdus's fault for not explaining it properly. How was she supposed to know that the only way to repair the damaged part of the magic circle was through ancient magic?"
Among the upperclassmen at Einrogard, few lacked pride in their magical abilities.
Especially Yukveltire, who, as the top student of the Blue Dragon Tower, had several times the usual amount of pride.
Naturally, missing something like that would have been humiliating.
"Professor. Come out."
At Lee Han's call, Professor Verdus pressed himself deeper into the carriage seat and replied,
"Can't. Assassination risk."
"The knights are all guarding you right now. That's nonsense. Even Professor Bagrak is here."
"What? Why?!"
["Wait, are they actually here to attack us?"]
The Death Knights exchanged grave whispers.
Lee Han was already considered by many knights as the unofficial successor to the Skeleton Principal. Now, with Professor Voladi here too...
It was hard not to worry this might be a genuine retaliatory strike.
"Why did you bring them?"
"They came along in case we ran into any troublemakers."
"With this many people swarming around, who'd dare cause trouble? They'd run at the sight of you."
"Enough. Just come out already. We have something to show you."
Lee Han climbed into the carriage, pried Professor Verdus from his seat, and dragged him out.
The professor was pulled out with an expression of extreme reluctance.
"Why..."
"Take a look at this plate. It's engraved with Bakwantalana's Dimensional Rod and Ahriman's Refraction."
"Don't lie. That's impossible."
Professor Verdus, who had been denying reality, fell silent upon seeing the plate Yukveltire presented.
"......?"
"There's no way my calculations were wrong. Did someone make this for you?"
-Wow. What kind of bastard is this?
A hot-blooded knight muttered indignantly.
If a disciple had completed something without his teachings, he should be shedding tears of joy, not belittling them like this.
But surprisingly, it was the truth. Lee Han shuddered inwardly. 'As expected of Professor Verdus. I must never let my guard down.' If examined closely, he might have even detected traces of the Young Prince's magic. Lee Han pressed him harshly.
"Stop dodging the question, Professor Verdus. Only a Baldrogard Wizard would do something like this. Are you perhaps a Baldrogard Wizard?"
"But this really makes no sense..."
"Just admit it already!"
-That's right. Just admit it!
Not only Lee Han but even the Death Knights joined in. The students also chorused, urging him to confess.
Alsicle enthusiastically chimed in.
"Admit it! Woo-hoo!"
"This is absurd... Truly absurd... Someone of Yukveltire's level definitely couldn't..."
"Just get down on all fours already."
"This is weird..."
Grumbling, Professor Verdus complied nonetheless.
With such a high-level completed magic right before his eyes, he couldn't deny it.
Seeing Professor Verdus crawling on all fours, the students erupted in cheers. Passersby who witnessed the scene panicked and turned their carriages around.
-They're insane mages! Run!
-Aren't they Einrogard mages?
-And you still say that after seeing this?
Blocking a carriage, dragging someone out, and making them crawl on all fours wasn't exactly a pleasant sight.
And the same went for the Death Knights.
-Ah, no. Why are you making Professor Verdus crawl on all fours?
"We explained earlier, didn't we? It was part of the bet." - ......
The knights pondered.
Their duty was to safely escort Professor Verdus until his business was concluded.
But should they stop him from crawling on all fours now?
-Hmm. Crawling on all fours should be fine. It's the escortee's freedom, after all.
-Truly, you are wise, sir. I look forward to your continued guidance.
-Haha. No need for such flattery!
The Death Knights were remarkably flexible. Respecting Professor Verdus's free will, they ushered him back into the carriage.
"It's cramped, so why don't you stay outside?"
-Understood, Professor.
It was truly bizarre.
Seeing Professor Verdus on all fours on the carriage floor made them far more lenient, even if he acted the same as before!
'It'd be great if he kept crawling on all fours from now on.'
Professor Verdus's outing wasn't just a big deal for his escorts. It was equally significant for those he met.
Puyo, the renowned artifact artisan and staff specialist—a tree spirit half-breed—checked his surroundings repeatedly.
He was worried about being followed.
Thud thud thud.
-Puyo stood before a shabby three-story building at the southern edge of the capital and cautiously knocked.
The cheap green-dyed wooden door creaked as if it might collapse any moment.
"Ah, you've arrived, Master. Please come in."
"It's been a while. Have you been well?"
"I've been fine. There's no tail on you, right?"
"None."
"You didn't tell anyone, did you...?"
"You. Do I look like such a foolish mage to you?"
"My apologies. I beg your pardon."
The middle-aged man inside bowed his head in apology.
This mage was Avalkaigen.
A master artifact artisan who inherited the legacy of Abalkain, an enchanter who had made a name for himself centuries ago.
Despite both being recognized artisans and mages of the Empire, their caution and wariness had a reason...
Today, the person they were meeting was none other than Vible Verdus.
If word got out that they were meeting Professor Verdus...
-"What? You met that mage? Why didn't you tell me? You know exactly how much of my gold coins that bastard has blown away!"
-"Haha. I understand you perfectly. So let me write another letter. If you just manage to catch that professor, I'll give you a thousand gold..."
There were enough people holding grudges against Professor Verdus to form lines stretching from the western to the eastern ends of the Empire.
If the truth leaked out, it was impossible to imagine how much trouble these people would cause.
And that wasn't all.
"Last time I met a Petrogard mage, their face completely stiffened when they saw someone associated with Professor Verdus."
Even among fellow mages, there were plenty who held grudges.
No matter how exceptional these two artisans were, they had no desire to have "Recently Met Professor Verdus" stamped on their backs.
"We must be careful. Extremely careful... But who is that mage over there?"
"He's my apprentice."
The reason the mages had gathered here now was for collaboration.
No matter how exceptional each was as an Enchantment mage, handling everything alone wasn't easy.
If they helped each other in their respective areas of expertise, efficiency would improve significantly.
Puyo was an exceptional staff specialist.
Avalkaigen was an expert in ancient artifact analysis and modification.
Professor Verdus was just... Professor Verdus.
"Will this be alright? Professor Verdus isn't exactly the accommodating type."
"I vouch for my apprentice's abilities."
"If you're vouching, I'm sure he's capable, but that fellow is notoriously picky..."
Puyo, who knew Professor Verdus's temperament well, expressed concern.
Given how demanding his standards were, there was a high chance he'd reject even a reasonably skilled mage.
After all, the mages weren't gathering here for some warm, fuzzy camaraderie.
The very purpose of this meeting was to hide the fact they were meeting, quickly exchange only what was necessary, and then part ways.
Given that, if the apprentice's skills were lacking, even Puyo wouldn't be able to stop Professor Verdus.
"...What if the apprentice attacks Professor Verdus?"
"If it's that bastard Verdus, wouldn't he defend himself just fine?"
"Well, that's true. He'd take care of his own hide, at least."
Thud thud thud.
-As the two sat at the round wooden table boiling water in a kettle, someone knocked on the door.
"Seems they've arrived."
"I'll get it."
Avalkaigen cautiously opened the door. But there was nothing in front of him.
"???"
"Down here."
"?!!"
Avalkaigen was shocked by the voice coming from below.
Professor Verdus was on all fours down there.
"Move aside. You're blocking the way."
"Ah, no. Why are you crawling?"
"Lost a bet."
"Professor! What if you run ahead first?!"
A voice came from the alleyway.
It sounded like an owner desperately chasing after a dog that had slipped its leash.
"Here. Come in, Professor."
"Can't you hurry up already?"
"Haha. I didn't know the Professor could move so fast on all fours."
When Lee Han entered, the mages were startled.
Professor Verdus coming with an apprentice?
No matter how you looked at it, Lee Han was clearly an Einrogard student.
"What brings you here?"
"To monitor whether he's properly crawling on all fours... I mean, as the Professor's apprentice, I wanted to assist with magic and accompany him."
Lee Han shamelessly lied without batting an eye.
"An escort or colleague is one thing, but bringing an inexperienced apprentice is a bit much. This isn't a social gathering."
"Should I tell him to leave then?"
Professor Verdus asked with a voice full of hope.
But Puyo, who recognized Lee Han's face, stopped Avalkaigen.
"That boy's skills are sufficient."
"Is that really true?"
"Yes. I heard he's been handling Professor Verdus's projects since his first year."
"He's been given work since his first year?!"
"......"
Professor Verdus subtly hid behind Lee Han. Just in case someone decided to kick, he wanted to be out of range.