Episode 1186
Episode 1186
Unfortunately, Professor Verdus's lecture still had a considerable amount of time remaining.
The professors gathered around the bulletin board to check the posted schedule.
Which unfortunate professor would become Wardanaz's next target?
"......"
Professor Yonlamo's expression instantly darkened.
Why does fate torment the virtuous and prosper the wicked?
"...Hang in there, Professor Leji."
"Y-yes. Professor Verdus will get his comeuppance soon too. He'll have to pay for his misdeeds."
Despite their colleagues' comforting words, Professor Yonlamo remained sullen.
"What's the midterm exam for this Transmutation Magic course? The class Lee Han is taking is clearly..."
"<Practical Self-Transformation>."
Broadly speaking, transmutation magic could be divided into two categories: magic that transforms other beings and magic that transforms the mage themselves.
Naturally, the latter was more difficult.
Since it required maintaining the identity of the mage's own soul while only altering the form of their physical body, the difficulty was inherently higher.
Therefore, instead of immediately teaching students full-fledged transformation magic, Professor Yonlamo had them steadily practice transforming parts of their bodies first.
And <Practical Self-Transformation> was the course where they could see tangible results.
Not just transforming parts of the body, but finally transforming the entire body!
The difficulty gap was far greater compared to other schools of magic—if anything, it was larger, not smaller.
"Isn't that a course for second-years?"
"Why bring that up now of all times?"
Professor Thunderstep muttered weakly. Professor Garcia nodded absentmindedly at his words.
Well, it really was too late to be bringing that up now.
"But if it's the <Practical Self-Transformation> course, there might actually be an advantage."
Professor Paselet, being an outstanding divination mage, quickly identified a silver lining in the current situation.
"No matter how much Wardanaz can borrow the Headmaster's wisdom, it's not easy to surpass the professor in a course like that."
"Ah! You're right! See, Professor Leji!"
Unlike Professor Thunderstep's lectures where he simply provided written instructions, this wasn't a course where the Young Headmaster could offer corrections.
At their colleagues' encouragement, Professor Yonlamo's expression brightened slightly.
"Well, now that I think about it, there isn't really anything to criticize about this course..."
"Right?!"
"And Lee Han might actually make a mistake and fail. Maybe we're worrying too much already."
'That doesn't seem likely.'
'Do we have to force ourselves to agree with this too?'
The professors hesitated.
Even if they wanted to agree unconditionally, there were limits.
No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't imagine Wardanaz failing any course. Even Professor Paselet, who could grasp the faintest threads of possibility, shook her head slightly.
'I can't see it. I can't see it.'
"R-right. He might make a mistake and fail. But the important thing is that, like in Professor Thunderstep's case, he won't be able to surpass the course, right?"
"Did you really have to mention my name?"
Professor Thunderstep grumbled from the side, sounding like he was complaining.
It was already bitter enough to have his instructions corrected at this age, and now his colleagues kept using him as an example.
Just then, Professor Verdus, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Wait a minute. I think Wardanaz might actually be able to surpass Professor Leji's course!"
"Stop talking nonsense and stay quiet."
Professor Garcia hissed sharply.
She had no idea what he was trying to say, but it wasn't helpful in the slightest.
However, Professor Verdus was the type who couldn't resist pointing out something he knew that others didn't. With a cute face, he spoke seriously.
"If Wardanaz succeeds in transforming into a dragon, the situation changes. Professor Leji can't transform into a dragon, can he?"
A mage's self-transformation followed certain rules.
The more complex and advanced the creature, the higher the difficulty of the magic.
And when it came to the most perfect creature—a dragon—it wasn't just a matter of magical difficulty.
The dragon race had been protected by powerful ancient magic passed down through the ages.
Surprisingly, this protection even applied to the entirely separate laws governing a mage's transformation.
Without a dragon's acknowledgment or permission, it was practically impossible to even mimic a fraction of their physical form.
"Stop spouting nonsense and stay still. No one can do that anyway."
Professor Garcia's voice vibrated with a low, ominous tone, resembling the infrasound emitted by a beast.
"But Lee Han has previously reconstructed part of a dragon's body through magic. That means there's a possibility he could transform into a complete dragon."
"What do you know about Lee Han to say such things? You usually don't pay him any attention at all!"
Professor Garcia was genuinely indignant.
This guy couldn't even tell whether Lee Han ate bread or rice, whether he was inside or outside, yet he somehow remembered this?
Moreover, that incident was just a fleeting transformation Lee Han had accidentally performed while practicing during last year's lecture—a momentary change that passed by like a passing breeze.
Even Professor Yonlamo, who had mentioned it, had probably forgotten, yet Professor Verdus remembered.
He truly had an annoyingly sharp memory when it came to magic.
Unable to stand it any longer, Professor Paselet intervened.
"It would be a wyrm. Quite a few people can transform into lesser dragonkin with mixed dragon blood."
"But it could be a true dragon. Lee Han is on good terms with dragons, after all."
This time, Professor Thunderstep stepped in. He could have just watched, but for some reason, Verdus was getting on his nerves.
"Just because he's friendly with dragons doesn't mean he can transform into one."
"But Lee Han is a dragon's contractor."
"......"
"......"
The professors were collectively stunned. Unaware of his victory, Professor Verdus blinked blankly before asking,
"Right? The possibility is pretty high, isn't it?"
Professor Garcia's fist clenched coldly. Sensing this, Professor Paselet took a step back.
Whether or not Lee Han could transform into a dragon, today, Professor Verdus might just end up transforming into a corpse.
Zarun of the Steel Shoe Family had originally never intended to graduate.
While other ordinary students naively obsessed over graduation, he had resolved to dig deeper into Einrogard's underground, seeking something far more valuable than a diploma.
But his mindset had shifted slightly.
It absolutely wasn't because some junior from the same school faction had stolen Professor Verdus's artifact to cheer him on—no, this was purely his own decision.
'It's definitely not because of that bastard. Now that I think about it, I can graduate and still search for what I want. That's why I'm preparing my submission.'
Zarun muttered to himself as he prepared his submission in the empty underground.
This small, musty basement room, cool and damp, served as Zarun's hideout and forward base.
A sacred workspace where no other student could intrude upon Zarun's solit...
BANG BANG BANG!
"Senior! Are you there?!"
"......"
Zarun turned his head in shock at the familiar voice of his junior.
He could understand the paper bird harassment, but he never expected them to track him down here.
"...Must be a basement wraith mimicking voices..."
"It's not a wraith! I can prove it by breaking down the door if I have to!"
Zarun trembled with fury.
Just what sin had he committed to be tormented like this by this damn junior?
'I should relocate or something.'
SLAM!
"You should've been satisfied with last time, you mole-rat bastard! Why do you keep coming back?!"
When he opened the door, he saw the familiar junior from the Wardanaz Family, accompanied by Carnella, a junior from the White Tiger Tower and the Hormasi Family.
Flustered, Zarun asked,
"Hormasi, what are you doing here?"
"Well, you could say there's a deep reason for me being here..."
"......"
Zarun glanced behind him. Even if they were a year below him, opponents from the White Tiger Tower were never easy to deal with in a fight.
Now, where had he put that hammer enchanted with offensive magic...?
"Senior! We're not here to fight! Just listen to us for a second!"
"You cursed brat, didn't you bring them here?! Who do you take me for, some fool?!"
Zarun angrily blamed his junior.
No matter how exceptional that Wardanaz kid was, there was no way a mere second-year would come here alone.
He must have been coaxed into coming by Carnella.
"I did bring them, but there's a deep reason for it, okay?"
"You're just trying to dump work on me again, aren't you? You vile bastards! Cut the nonsense!"
Lee Han, who had been silently listening to the heated exchange between the seniors, asked with a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean by 'dump work'?"
"By fourth year, you're usually expected to take on some senior responsibilities within your school. But Senior Steel Shoe here is notoriously hard to reach."
The tall, lanky dark elf senior shrugged as he explained.
Normally, by fourth year, students took on certain duties as seniors in their school and helped their juniors.
Unless they were exceptions like a certain Yu student, even the laziest and most eccentric would lend a hand to some degree.
But Zarun, who fell into the category of 'that crazy senior,' would rather be dragged to the Punishment Room multiple times than take on any school responsibilities.
It was a level of tenacity that Yukveltire would have highly admired.
Upon hearing the explanation, Lee Han looked at him with contempt in his eyes—the same gaze he reserved for that Yu student.
"W-what? What's with that look?"
"It's nothing."
"No one—not even a professor—can order a dwarf around! Remember that!"
"Yes."
"......"
As Lee Han continued silently judging him with his eyes, Zarun grew increasingly uncomfortable.
Though he didn't realize it himself, it was the prick of conscience.
A feeling any decent person would naturally experience when faced with a junior more diligent and hardworking than themselves!
After hesitating, Zarun finally changed the subject.
"...So. You two. What brings you here?"
"This junior here wants to practice Transformation Magic, but I figured they might need some help since it's a bit much to handle alone."
The short dwarf senior's face twisted into a scowl.
How dare they disturb him for such a trivial reason.
"Just practice with a book!"
"We're past that stage—now we're working on full transformations!"
"...!"
Even Zarun was slightly taken aback by that.
A mere second-year was already attempting full transformations?
"Even so, couldn't you teach them yourself, Hormasi?"
"If I could've, I would've already! Who do you think wants to come to this moldy place?! It's because they're likely to transform into some pretty rare creatures!"
"!!"
Zarun was even more shocked.
He would've been surprised if a second-year could manage even basic transformations, but rare creatures?
"If it were just something like a Cerberus, I could handle it alone, but it seems like multiple rare creatures might come up. I need someone to consult."
"...Fine. Come in."
In the end, Zarun relented.
Honestly, he was a little curious about just what rare creatures this second-year junior was aiming for.
As Lee Han and Carnella stepped inside (there were no chairs for them), Zarun asked,
"So, what are you likely to transform into? Don't exaggerate."
"In this Hormasi's opinion... a Basilisk seems quite possible."
Carnella spoke in a serious tone.
While a mage's will was important in Transformation Magic, the subconscious played a significant role too.
Otherwise, why would magical aptitude exist?
It was a fundamental principle of Transformation Magic that one found it easier to transform into something they'd been familiar with since childhood.
And this junior was a reptile enthusiast who carried a Baby Basilisk around every day.
-What a wonderful person!
The Baby Basilisk cheered excitedly.
Who would've thought of such a great idea?
"But if we're talking purely about practicality, a Unicorn might be better."
-How can someone be so fickle?!
The Baby Basilisk immediately flipped its opinion and fumed indignantly.