Episode 1175
Episode 1175
Unaware that Lee Han beside them had responded with ruthless indifference, the black mages continued to grow increasingly heated.
"Young brat sure has a filthy mouth. Is this being built with your money? It's the Family Head's money!"
"That's precisely why the Descendants of Ahrag aren't getting any commissions."
"It's not that we're not getting commissions—we're rejecting all those trivial little requests!"
"Krrrk (If you two are going to fight, should I just finish it myself)?"
"How dare you!"
Half a day later.
The black mages stared at each other with bloodshot eyes. They were utterly exhausted from their magical exertions.
Though to be honest, they seemed more tired from constantly interfering and arguing with each other than from the actual magic work.
But all that fatigue vanished in an instant when they finally saw the results of their labor.
"This is... beautiful."
As the Descendant of Ahrag spoke, the other black mages nodded in agreement.
Sometimes masterpieces emerge by pure chance.
While countless mages collaborating in earnest might produce mediocre work, those same mages bickering with each other can sometimes create masterpieces.
And astonishingly, this was one of those times.
A masterpiece that even the participating black mages found surprising!
None of them could quite explain how such a masterpiece had emerged.
Perhaps it was because the Legion of Oondorgu pointed out flaws in the Descendant of Ahrag's sections with fiery intensity, or because the Obsidian Magic Tower mockingly jeered at the Legion's mistakes, or because the Descendant spat insults at the Obsidian Tower's errors.
Or maybe it was the crisp, fresh northern air that revitalized the black mages who usually spent their time in musty underground tombs...
"How about... we name this 'Ahrack's Inner Castle'?"
"Krrrk (Have you lost your mind)?"
"I knew you were shameless, but this exceeds all expectations. Why do the Descendants of Ahrag always act like this?"
'Bastards. This is too much.'
The black mages criticized each other more harshly than usual.
The suggestion was brazen beyond belief.
To think of putting only their own name on such a masterpiece.
Even the Descendant of Ahrag seemed to recognize this inwardly and didn't press the matter further.
"Krrrrk (What about calling it Oondorgu's Tower)?"
"Let's stop this meaningless squabbling. We all know that's impossible. We should choose a name that satisfies all three parties."
"'The Ahrack's Inner Castle, Oondorgu, and the Obsidian'? Isn't that too long?"
'And of course he puts his own name first again.'
The undead mage glared at his companion with disdain.
The man was stubborn when it came to the most petty matters.
But the black mages' argument came to an entirely unexpected conclusion.
"All done!"
"???"
Lee Han, who had been sitting at the other desk in their quarters, stood up abruptly with that declaration.
The bewildered black mages asked:
"What do you mean 'all done'?"
"My commission is finished."
"...Wh-what are you talking about? Your commission was this right here."
The elderly black mage waved around what was undoubtedly this year's greatest masterpiece.
How could he say "all done" when they'd all put their heads together to create this?
"Ah. Were you talking about this? Kid, you almost gave me the wrong idea! So then, young man, what name do you think would be good? Surely Ahrack should come first, don't you agree?"
"No. When I said 'all done,' I meant this."
Lee Han waved the blueprint he had just completed.
It was completely different from what the senior black mages had made.
A magical architectural design of unbelievable quality for a second-year student, constructed with stable and robust magic.
Professor Taswan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"Magnificent...!"
"What's so magnificent about it?!"
The Descendant of Ahrag shouted angrily. The other black mages nodded in agreement.
"He just connected a bunch of simple spells together! What kind of mage does that?!"
"Ah, no. For magical architecture, you should use spells that suit the purpose, not make the spells themselves the goal..."
Professor Taswan countered logically.
The Moradi Family Head had commissioned this project solely to reinforce and manage the area where external knights would reside—not to create a masterpiece that would go down in black magic history.
The blueprint Lee Han had completed was truly sturdy and efficient.
He had meticulously arranged only the necessary spells and optimized everything possible by using his own mana...
It was no wonder the Empire's bureaucrats adored Einrogard mages like him.
"Enough noise! Look at this!"
The Descendant of Ahrag forcibly shoved his own masterpiece into Lee Han's hands. Lee Han scanned it with clear distaste.
"...!!"
The more he read, the more his eyes widened in shock.
As a mage, he couldn't help but recognize the sheer brilliance of the spells woven into the design.
"What kind of magic is this?"
"<Ahrag's Eye>—a black magic spell that permanently summons surveillance eyes. Illusion magic won't fool them."
"And this spell written next to 'filled with bones'?"
"Krrrk (Oondorgu's ancient black magic, called <Living Wall>)."
"This spell here..."
"That's from the Obsidian Magic Tower. <Boiling Darkness>..."
"Ah. I know this one. Professor Mortum taught it to me."
"Oh? Seems the professor left quite an impression."
'He actually scolded us for using magic like this... Better not mention that part.'
Lee Han kept that thought to himself.
He hadn't realized it back then, but now he saw—this was a spell developed by the Obsidian Magic Tower.
No wonder they had bad blood!
The parade of dazzling, unfamiliar spells continued, each more extravagant than the last.
Even the black mages themselves were baffled by some.
"Krrrk (They had spells like this?!)"
"Of course. Don't underestimate our lineage's wisdom."
"Krrrrk (You refused to help craft a new chimera despite knowing this spell?!)"
"You—you're no better! You lied about not having the spell to summon undead giants!"
The explanations dragged on.
Though he couldn't grasp everything, Lee Han somehow managed to cram the overall structure into his mind.
And just that alone felt like his head was about to explode.
'Are they insane?'
He stared at the senior black mages with newfound disbelief.
Suggesting a second-year student build something with these spells...
Maybe Professor Mortum had valid reasons for disliking them.
"I've finished reading."
"Good, brat! Now you understand, don't you? How vastly superior our designs are compared to yours?"
"Well... I suppose so."
"Then what should you do now? It's obvious, isn't it?"
"I'll still go with my blueprint."
"Why?!"
"It's my commission, so it's my choice."
"......"
It was childish logic, yet oddly hard to refute.
After all, every black mage present had lived their entire lives by that same principle.
"I-I'll tell the Family Head!"
"Krrrk (Pathetic, but effective.)"
"If the Family Head hears this, he might reconsider..."
Unfazed by their threats, Lee Han didn't even blink.
"Do as you please."
"You—you! Just wait! Follow me! We're seeing the Family Head!"
The old black mage stormed out, dignity forgotten.
The others stampeded after him, leaving only Professor Taswan flustered.
"I-Is this really alright? What if the Family Head sides with them...?"
"He won't. And even if he does, it doesn't matter."
"Why not?!"
Professor Taswan couldn't comprehend it.
Wasn't this a valuable opportunity for an Einrogard student?
"I have so many pending commissions right now that even if this one gets canceled, it wouldn't..."
"......"
For a moment, Professor Taswan thought he understood why the other black mages found Professor Mortum's apprentice so insufferable.
"The Family Head is currently busy. He's gone hunting."
"...Then what about tomorrow?"
"He'll be busy tomorrow as well. There's another hunt scheduled."
"...Fine. Fine. What about the day after tomorrow?!"
"Unfortunately, he'll still be busy. Yet another hunt..."
"You wretched knights!! How dare you treat us with such blatant disrespect!!!"
The black mages staggered, unable to regain their composure in the face of the North's harsh treatment.
They had been esteemed guests while the North's problems remained unresolved, but now that the crisis was over, they were just bothersome black mages.
However, with the Family Head having steeled his resolve, mere mages could do nothing.
"Sob. I should've just founded my own magic academy..."
"Grrr (Stop spouting nonsense)."
As the black mages retreated dejectedly, a tall, slender elf knight came into view—someone every resident of the territory would recognize: the swordsman Jiklin.
"Lady Moradi!"
"?"
Jiklin, who had been walking by, turned her head in puzzlement as the black mages swarmed toward her.
"What seems to be the matter, everyone?"
"Sob sob, please hear this old black mage's plea!"
The Descendant of Ahrag hastily spilled out their grievances.
Our senior black mages, out of the kindness of their hearts, worked hard to craft spells to help their junior, but this wretched brat, wielding his pitiful authority, looked down on us and...
"I see. Is that so?"
Jiklin nodded, then turned to continue walking.
The startled black mages cried out in alarm.
"W-wait! Lady Moradi! Where are you going?"
"Today is the day for training the territory's knights, so I'm heading to the training grounds."
"...That's not what I meant! You just heard our story, didn't you?"
"Yes. You asked me to listen, so I did."
"......"
The black mages trembled with frustration at her response, as if they were talking to some malfunctioning golem or chimera.
"...After hearing our story, will you support us?"
"That won't be possible."
"Why not?!"
"Because it's not within my authority. And you all should stop interfering in matters beyond yours as well."
Jiklin cut them off bluntly and walked away.
The black mages seethed with indignation.
This is why knights who don't understand magic are so...!
Thud thud thud thud—
"I should probably change my lodgings."
Lee Han muttered as he opened the door.
No matter how he thought about it, there had been far too many unwelcome visitors lately.
As the door swung open, the now-tiresome faces of the black mages came into view.
"Why have you come again?"
"Just one!"
"???"
"Just one! If you can name even a single reason why your design is better than ours, we'll accept it and leave."
"My design is faster to make, cheaper to produce, and easier to construct, isn't it?"
"...I said just one, you brat!"
The Descendant of Ahrag snapped angrily.
Honestly, every single black mage from Einrogard was insufferable.
"If you're choosing that inferior design just because it's cheaper... Fine. How about this? I'll cover the cost myself. And here's my undead friend, and this fool from the Obsidian Magic Tower too."
"Grrr (What did you just say)?!"
"What kind of insane mage spends their own money to get work done?!"
Naturally, the two protested vehemently. The Descendant of Ahrag, as if pleased, declared:
"Then you two can drop out. We'll name it <Ahrack's Inner Castle>."
"...Grrr (Fine, whatever)."
"...Understood. I have some savings set aside..."
Watching them bicker among themselves, Lee Han said in disbelief:
"No matter how much you offer, I won't do it."
"Why not?!"
"It'll take too long."
"If we all work together, it'll take about the same time!"
"And the magic is difficult too. Do you have any idea how many spells I don't even know?"
"Well..."
The Descendant of Ahrag hesitated. The other black mages stared at him pleadingly, urging him not to concede.
Cornered by logic, the descendant faltered before finally speaking.
"...If you learn from us right here, right now... it'll get easier."
"......"
"......"
"Grrrr (This is the worst persuasion attempt ever)."
What kind of nonsense was this—learning multiple spells of unknown difficulty on the spot?