Episode 1083
Episode 1083
Lee Han was dumbfounded.
Was this angel perhaps a bit stupid?
"Does it make any sense to act like that just because you heard a family name?"
"Well... it kind of does?"
Unlike his bewildered junior, Diret had said this with some confidence.
The Wardanaz family was among the most deeply involved in dimensional research among all wizard families.
Given that the family head himself spent most of his time in other dimensions, they were incomparable to other families. No other wizard family neglected imperial affairs to this extent while focusing so intensely on other dimensions.
That's why he'd thought even reclusive celestials might recognize the Wardanaz name—and his calculation had proven correct.
'I don't want to admit this.'
Lee Han grumbled internally.
No matter how brilliant his senior's reasoning was, he couldn't help feeling reluctant to accept this reality.
What kind of angel was this?/We request a face-to-face meeting/"!"
At the additional reply, the students began murmuring again. Dirimpa asked worriedly:
"Isn't this a trap?"
"That... probably isn't the case."
Diret denied it.
The juniors here didn't know he'd revealed the Wardanaz family name, so their concern was understandable.
But would an angel really set a trap after hearing the Wardanaz name? They weren't the type to unnecessarily escalate conflicts.
"We'll have to meet them. After all, we're asking them to hand over the demon they've been chasing."
-Isn't... isn't that dangerous?
Orlach looked worried.
If they made contact with an angel they couldn't communicate with and something happened to the young master of the Wardanaz family...
-Ah! Just send that black mage alone!
Orlach whispered cunningly as a brilliant idea came to him.
If Lee Han stayed here and only that crow beastman went out, it wouldn't matter even if problems arose.
"You utter trash."
Naturally, Lee Han glared at the demon with utter contempt.
What did he take the Einrogard Black Magic School for, making such a cowardly suggestion?-?!!
Orlach couldn't understand what he'd done wrong.
Why?!
* * *
Lee Han moved with Diret to the location specified by the angel.
The northern Spirit Mausoleum district of the capital was filled with beautiful white towers. Travelers from across the empire climbed these towers to take in the capital's scenery.
Among these towers, the largest and most beautiful was Iactus Tower—the designated meeting place with the angel.
"Contrary to its nickname, the prevailing theory is that Iactus himself didn't participate in building this tower."
"......"
"......"
At Yukveltire's explanation, Lee Han and Diret exchanged glances.
"Why on earth did she follow us?"
"...Probably because she was worried about me."
Diret tried to put the kindest possible spin on his friend's actions.
There was really no reason for Yukveltire to come along to meet an angel.
She wasn't a combat mage, and for protection, they already had their junior—no, Stedal Nago—with them.
The only reason she'd followed was probably concern for Diret.
From Yukveltire's perspective, Stedal Nago must have seemed like an utterly wicked and rude mage...
"Diret."
"Yes?"
"You shouldn't trust that mage so much. Every single mannerism of his is rough and discourteous."
"Did you follow us to sow discord rather than out of concern?!"
Diret realized his friend's true intentions and was shocked.
He'd defended her in front of their junior, and now she was pulling this disgraceful act?
The corners of Yukveltire's eyebrows rose slightly—a clear indication she couldn't accept Diret's words.
"Sow discord? That I cannot let slide. There are points you're overlooking, Diret—"
"Enough. Just finish your explanation. We're meeting the angel and going back."
Yukveltire felt pity at her friend's reaction.
Diret was a brilliant mage, but he sometimes made irrational judgments—and this was one of those times.
"To think you'd trust such a rude mage."
"What do you mean he didn't participate in the construction himself?"
"To complete a tower like this requires exceptional magic, but Iactus himself wasn't that great of a mage. I suspect he must have received help from other mages."
"And yet the names of the actual mages who built the tower have vanished, leaving only the celebrity's name behind!"
Lee Han was indignant.
Diret was taken aback by his junior's overly intense reaction to what was meant to be casual conversation to pass the time while ascending the tower.
"W-well, isn't that...common?"
"No. That is absolutely unacceptable. Every artifact's record should rightfully preserve the names of the mages who created it."
'This was a mistake bringing him along.'
When Yukveltire started chiming in as well, Diret sighed inwardly.
"Hey, look outside. Isn't the capital's scenery beautiful?"
The group was currently ascending while standing on a circular disc-shaped platform.
Below them, the sound of flowing water continued incessantly. The tower had been designed to allow easy ascent using the power of water.
"It's astonishing that this magic has been maintained for over hundreds of years, even with inspections and repairs."
"The secret lies in its structural design. Unlike ordinary magic, this tower—"
'Should I just let them fight again?'
Stedal Nago surprisingly got along well with Yukveltire under normal circumstances. Diret contemplated whether to let them argue like last time.
Just then, the disc arriving at the summit came to a stop.
The top of the tower was empty. Only vacant marble walls, relief carvings, pillars, and railings were visible.
"Seems they haven't arrived yet?"
Flap!
With a flutter of wings, a large bird flew onto the tower. It was a unique species none of them had seen before.
Like an exceptional transmutation mage, the bird instantly transformed its appearance—from a bird to a spinning sphere, then from the sphere into a humanoid form.
"......"
"......"
Lee Han and Diret were at a loss for words.
It wasn't because the opponent's magic was astonishing—such magic could be witnessed at a transmutation magic academy.
The reason they were speechless was because the human form the being had created was utterly bizarre.
The nose was where the eyes should be, the eyes where the ears should be, and only the mouth remained roughly in its proper place.
It felt less like a person and more like a monster attempting to mimic human form.
"What's wrong?"
The angel, sensing their odd reactions, asked.
"Your facial features are...misplaced."
"Um, I think your arms and legs are also switched..."
"Ah. This."
Upon hearing their remarks, the angel belatedly took out a mirror to check.
Then, it rearranged its facial features and limbs.
"How about now?"
"Maybe just move the eyes a bit lower."
"Indeed. Thank you. I don't visit the mortal realm often, so mistakes happen."
The angel apologized.
These celestial beings, with their scarce desires beyond their purpose, preferred existing as pure spiritual forms—souls without physical bodies.
As such, even simple tasks like crafting a physical form suitable for interacting with mortals proved difficult for them.
A demon would never struggle with something like this.
"Ah, here you are! Pleased to meet you."
Recognizing Lee Han, the angel greeted him.
It seemed this one was familiar with the Wardanaz bloodline.
"Uh...likewise?"
Caught off guard by the abrupt greeting, Lee Han responded a beat late. The fact that he was disguised as Stedal Nago only added to his hesitation.
"I requested this meeting because I have something to discuss with you."
"Wait. Wait. Let's talk privately."
Afraid the angel might bring up matters related to the Wardanaz family, Lee Han hastily interjected.
At this, Yukveltire pointed at him as if to say, 'See?'
So this fearsome combat mage was finally revealing his greed!
"Diret. Didn't I tell you—"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it."
Knowing exactly why his junior was acting this way, Diret replied in a bored tone.
Yukveltire was even more shocked by his reaction.
"How could this be possible?"
He was taking the side of that battle mage he'd just met, instead of Lee Han himself!
Snap!
In that instant, the scenery changed.
Though the tower's appearance remained the same, all color had vanished. Startled by the nightmare-like vision, Lee Han only belatedly realized what was happening when he sensed the spiritual energy emanating from his counterpart. 'The Soul World?!'
The commonly termed Spirit Realm—a different dimension.
Strictly speaking, this wasn't so much a separate dimension as it was an amplified overlay of the Spirit Realm coexisting with reality.
Instead of conversing through the mortal medium of physical voices, they were communicating directly through their souls.
Indeed, the angel was no longer in that forced human-like form but now faced Lee Han as a blazing soul. 'Impressive. I knew angels excelled at manipulating souls, but to this extent...' He hadn't imagined they could locally open a world exclusive to souls and invite others in.
'...Wait. Isn't this pointless if I can't see souls? What if I couldn't? What was the plan then?' Lee Han suddenly grew suspicious.
The ability to perceive souls wasn't universal even among mages—many never honed the skill. What had given this angel the confidence to invite him in the first place?
'Did it know I could see souls? Is this an angelic ability?'
-"What do you mean?"
The angel seemed puzzled by Lee Han's question.
For a member of the Wardanaz family, shouldn't opening the Spirit Realm be a given?
-"......"
Lee Han regretted asking.
Then again, what use would explanations like "I'm only a second-year at Einrogard" be to an angel that struggled even to maintain a human form?
-"Let's get to the point. Why did you want to meet? Is it about compensation for the demon?"
Slightly uneasy, Lee Han cautiously inquired.
The Black Magic faction was as poor as they came—they couldn't afford to pay much.
Would they have to surrender the reward from Bulserak, the mansion's owner? 'Ugh. I really don't want to give it up. That alone could massively stabilize the Black Magic faction's finances.'
-"Compensation? No."
The angel reacted as if the idea were absurd.
What would an angel do with mortal currency, even if they accepted it?
Such things held no value.
-'Then what?'
Lee Han grew even more confused by the response.
If not for compensation, why request a meeting?
Had they contacted him to gauge the level of a Wardanaz family mage?
-"First, let me introduce myself. I am Apazragon. The precepts and laws I follow are the Path of the Ancient Mage. I seek enlightenment by walking the same path as that individual."
"...???"
This was the most bewildering statement Lee Han had heard all day. 'What does that even mean?' If the angel wanted to walk that path, they could just do it—why involve him?
-"Sorry, but I don't understand... What does that mage's path have to do with me?"
-"Are you not also a mage walking that same path?"
This time, it was the angel who seemed perplexed.
They couldn't comprehend why Lee Han was denying it.
-"What...? Not all mages walk the same path. There seems to be a misunderstanding here."
-"Is that so? A mage from the Wardanaz family currently on the continent, contracted with the Guest Star Arna. Correct? I heard it clearly from the King. He said a disciple walking the Path of the Ancient Mage, who ascended through the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas."
Angel Apazragon had visited the Yaksha King, renowned for his wisdom, to seek guidance on walking the Path of the Ancient Mage's precepts and laws.
Though the King had set seventy-seven menial tasks as conditions, the angel dove in without hesitation. No ordeal mattered as long as he could gain wisdom.
After completing everything flawlessly, the King blessed the angel and offered counsel: 'One of the Wardanaz bloodline walks that path ahead of you. When you meet, as fellow practitioners of the same path, you may gain enlightenment from them.' 'Thank you, O King of Wis—'
-"King of Wisdom, my foot!"
Mid-explanation, an enraged Lee Han cut in.
That lunatic king was selling him out without a second thought!