Episode 1242
Episode 1242
Everyone present let out simultaneous exclamations of admiration. Jowurin and Uman also nodded in agreement.
Indeed, the Empire's Magic Academy lived up to its reputation.
To predict something so accurately through Wizard Card divination!
Of course, not everyone agreed.
"From what I know, an inverted Skeleton Principal can be interpreted through various symbols. It could signify severe injury, disappearance into another dimension, or even a sign of magical failure transforming one into a monster. To dismiss all those possibilities and focus solely on Small World Magic... Frankly, it's disappointing."
"......"
"......"
Lee Han's nitpicking made his friends stare at him in disbelief.
So right now, he'd rather receive a divination about breaking bones or vanishing into another dimension than one about mastering Small World Magic?
Surprisingly, however, Paridim accepted his words with reverence.
"Your point is valid. Divination can never be absolutely accurate. And Wizard Cards contain so many symbols that misinterpretations are common."
"That doesn't seem right."
"Out of all the divinations I've seen, this one seems the most accurate."
"Jowurin also finds it plausible. Try divining what kind of Small World it will be!"
Faced with such fervent reactions, Paridim was instead flustered.
Divination Magic was a discipline that required not enthusiasm but cold skepticism.
Blind trust like this wasn't good for anyone involved!
"W-well, placing that much trust in it isn't beneficial..."
"Hurry up!"
"Do it quickly! Lee Han genuinely needs this divination!"
Under the coercion of the Einrogard students, Paridim had no choice but to prepare another divination.
"Today, this will be the last one."
Mages from Oculogard had far stricter limitations on their magic, as they relied on the power accumulated within their domain.
Paridim was still a student, and someone of such low standing naturally faced even greater restrictions.
'What an unusual system.'
Lee Han thought to himself.
Oculogard's system was indeed very different from Einrogard's.
Thorough and rigid rules.
The higher one's status, the more authority they had to utilize the domain's power.
Perhaps it was because of this peculiar system that such strange divination results had appeared earlier.
'Magic should be honed purely through individual capability, yet they rely on collective strength. No wonder absurd divinations come out.'
While Lee Han inwardly criticized, Paridim, sweating nervously from concentration, spread out the cards.
Tap!
The card depicted a group of yakshas.
"Yaksha race? Does this mean a Small World Magic that summons yakshas?"
At Gainando's question, Paridim carefully pondered before shaking his head.
"No. Considering the position it was drawn, this divination suggests learning from the leader who governs the yaksha race—in other words, the Yaksha King..."
"Nonsense. From what I see, it's a divination saying you should master Small World Magic specialized in annihilating the yaksha race."
Though Lee Han disrupted, his friends were already completely absorbed.
They earnestly began debating what kind of Small World Magic they should learn from the Yaksha King.
"I think a recovery-type would be good."
"No. My sister told me that giving powerful recovery magic to certain mages just makes them push themselves even harder."
"That's totally Lee Han."
"She didn't specifically say Lee Han. Just that such people exist."
"But it's Lee Han, isn't it?"
"If you say so, then I guess it must be? Not that I'm saying it's definitely Lee Han, but you know."
"A Small World focused on divination would be ideal."
When even Professor Voladi offered his opinion, the debate grew even more heated.
Watching this scene, Paridim wore a bewildered expression as he thought to himself,
'Don't these people find it strange that they're learning from the King of Yakshas?'
If it were Paridim, he would have questioned how one could even receive teachings from the King of Yakshas in the first place...
November 1st. Author: Paridim.
Einrogard is truly astonishing. I'd heard rumors of its strict school regulations, but it seems there might have been some misunderstanding in those rumors. The students behave with remarkable freedom—some to the point of seeming outright licentious. They eat and drink at leisure, and instead of studying magic, they indulge in various amusements. At present, it's baffling how Einrogard built its magical reputation. Could such freedom actually enhance magical abilities?
November 3rd. Author: Paridim.
Generally, the Empire's rumors tend to be exaggerated, but when it comes to the Wardanaz family mage, they seem rather understated. There's so much unknown information about this mage.
What's particularly impressive is his thirst for magical knowledge. Currently enrolled in every active magical discipline at Einrogard, this mage studies magic more rigorously than even Oculogard's senior mages. If he joined Oculogard, he might attain a professorship within a year or two.
This Wardanaz mage also displays an admirable trait regarding divination magic—his skepticism. Unlike other students who rely excessively on prophecies, he never fully trusts them, maintaining doubt at every turn...
November 4th. Author: Paridim.
I suspect Einrogard's Punishment Room doesn't actually function as one. It appears to operate quite differently from Oculogard's.
Daily, without fail, various visitors come bearing refreshments and engage in conversations—a far cry from what one expects of a Punishment Room. This strongly suggests Einrogard's Punishment Room might be one in name only.
The Wardanaz mage claims to be a second-year student, but I suspect his actual role might be that of an assistant professor. Does Einrogard, like Oculogard, have a promotion system based on merit? Perhaps "second-year" is merely a nominal status, while his real position is assistant professor.
November 6th. Author: Paridim.
Today, the Wardanaz mage sought instruction on divination magic. He seemed curious about Oculogard's methods.
However, Oculogard's approach isn't something one can easily replicate. The immense willpower required to twist fate isn't something an individual can muster alone. When I explained that many mages must unite and gradually accumulate this power within their domain, the Wardanaz mage appeared quite disappointed. He asked if 'mana could substitute for it,' but I still don't understand what he meant by that question. What could he possibly mean? Could he actually believe accumulated power can be replaced by an individual's mana?
November 7th. Author: Paridim.
I witnessed something utterly unbelievable. I still can't comprehend it.
November 8th. Author: Paridim.
Now I understand why the Wardanaz mage is considered dangerous within Oculogard. Rumors say the madmen of Ksaxarigol are called 'monsters that devour prophecies,' and if I may dare offer my opinion, I don't think that's an exaggeration at all.
Astonishingly, this Wardanaz mage succeeded in substituting pure mana quantity for willpower!
Currently, it's only at the level of interfering with coin toss results, but as his skills improve and experience accumulates, it's impossible to imagine how far he could go. Even an Archmage wouldn't be able to twist the future through such simple equivalent exchange.
At present, the mage from the Wardanaz Family is inquiring not only about magic that bends the future but also about various divination and interpretation techniques used in Oculogard. I fear that if I make a mistake, I might amplify this mage's dangerous potential. If that happens, I'll go down in Oculogard's history as the most foolish mistake ever made.
November 9th. Author: Paridim.
Einrogard's meals are truly delicious. Unlike Oculogard's frugal fare, the menu here is diverse. Who would have thought organ-free lamb could be prepared in such varied ways?
The spicy tomato sauce particularly piqued my curiosity about its recipe. When I asked another Einrogard student, they grumbled that it was a secret exclusively known by the mage from the Wardanaz Family. I suspect this student named Gainando doesn't actually know anything. There's no way it could really be a secret.
November 10th. Author: Paridim.
Surprisingly, it was indeed a secret. This Wardanaz mage is incomprehensible. He doesn't hide anything about the magic he uses, yet refuses to share something as trivial as tomato sauce.
November 11th. Author: Paridim.
Today, a fifth-year student from Einrogard came by. Hearing they were the last disciple of the infamous Professor Verdus made me tense up as well.
True to being Professor Verdus's disciple, this fifth-year made unreasonable demands. They insisted the Wardanaz mage had promised to accompany them on some commission, but when I later asked the Wardanaz mage, they said it was completely one-sided pressure.
In the end, the Wardanaz mage didn't outright refuse the senior's proposal, saying they'd consider it. They mentioned having turned down many requests lately and felt they should at least do this much, but from my perspective, it seemed like they feared the fifth-year's authority.
Seeing this, Einrogard's senior-junior relationships appear quite coercive, with a strong hierarchy. In this aspect, it's similar to Oculogard.
November 13th. Author: Paridim.
When the Wardanaz mage said, "I'm all done," I grew curious and asked. They explained they'd caught up with all the current semester's curriculum for the school they were studying.
While I had some grasp of their magical abilities, this was truly an astonishing feat. To catch up on every school's curriculum without exception while in this Punishment Room...
So impressed, I suggested they should be promoted to professor immediately.
November 14th. Author: Paridim.
The Wardanaz mage was silent again today. They seem angry with me, but I can't figure out what mistake I made. Not understanding Einrogard's culture is just frustrating.
November 15th. Author: Paridim.
Finally, the Wardanaz mage answered me! I was as happy as when I first enrolled at Oculogard. The Wardanaz mage asked several questions about Oculogard. I explained its school rules—that regardless of how many years one spends there, only those who achieve merit can advance to higher grades. The Wardanaz mage seemed very surprised by this. I advised that by Oculogard's standards, they could easily aim for professorship and should seriously consider it.
November 16th. Author: Paridim.
The Wardanaz mage fell silent again. Not being able to understand this mage's thoughts is simply exasperating. The mages of Oculogard should probably be even more cautious when dealing with this one...