Episode 1252
Episode 1252
'Ah. This isn't the time.'
Lee Han, who had been lost in the pleasure of cursing the Skeleton Principal, belatedly came to his senses.
Come to think of it, now wasn't the time for this.
"Your Majesty. I'm grateful for your guidance. But if Professor Garcia came here for another matter, we should return to school as soon as possible..."
Was that really the case?
"!"
Lee Han froze at the Emperor's words.
Could he be missing something?
"What do you mean?"
Would the wizards from other magic academies really accept Professor Kim's proposal so easily?
"...!"
Lee Han's eyes widened.
The Emperor was right.
Just think how difficult the wizards from Petrogard, Oculogard, and Baldrogard had been.
Well, Baldrogard wasn't that bad...
"The other magic academies will be the same! These wicked people will surely oppress our kind professor!"
Though it seemed like he was viewing other magic academies with some prejudice, the Emperor didn't point it out.
It was only natural for people to favor their own magic academy.
And this was also an expression of his affection for his teacher...
'I don't really get why Baldrogard is included in that list though.'
Then who should help?
"I'll step forward."
Lee Han answered immediately. The ancient dragon nodded in satisfaction.
The dragon couldn't openly take sides due to his position. Please help the professor in my stead.
"Don't worry. I'll persuade them even if I have to use force."
As it happened, there was someone with combat prowess who had come to the capital with them.
Watching Lee Han's back as he stormed off, the dragon let out a deep sigh.
Looking at that disciple, he genuinely envied Os.
Unlike himself who had no heir in sight, Os had such a reliable successor...
'Ah! That makes him even more detestable!'
"So what happened? Did they revoke the punishment against the professor?"
"Did they throw the headmaster in prison!?"
"No. It's a long story, but actually, they said they never summoned the professor in the first place."
"????"
Everyone present was thrown into confusion.
Upon hearing further explanation, Paridim turned pale and apologized.
"I'm sorry! I never imagined I might have misheard..."
"Don't worry. The headmaster's tricks aren't easy to see through. Especially for outsiders."
The Einrogard students nodded in agreement.
You had to be fooled a few times before learning to tell the difference. In a way, it was only natural for an outside student like Paridim to be deceived.
"B-but there's no proof that the headmaster deceived anyone, is there?"
Paridim asked in confusion.
There was no concrete evidence that the Skeleton Principal had employed any tricks, so he couldn't understand why they were suspecting him.
"It's obvious without looking."
"Right, right. As a Divination Magic specialist, you should know these things."
When Gainando lectured as if it were obvious, Paridim grew even more confused.
Could there be some method only known to Einrogard's Divination Magic school?
"More importantly, Lee Han. Are you returning right away?"
"No. His Majesty said he'd like me to help Professor Garcia a bit."
Lee Han unfolded a paper.
It was the professor's rough schedule that he'd received from the Emperor when leaving the Deep Palace.
Capital Magic Academy Exchange Plan
-Rent the Hall of Gold
-Invite Baldrogard (easiest!)
-Invite Kallarogard (negotiate using the headmaster's magic tome)
-Invite Petrogard (already resolved)
-Invite Oculogard (apologize for the threats)
-Talk with Terarogard wizards/Discuss with Dekarogard wizards (try negotiating first to see what they want and how much they want)
-Pararogard mages (ask which of the Headmaster's artifacts they want)...
"How did you get this?"
"Dragon magic is mysterious, Nilia."
At Lee Han's answer, Jowurin puffed up with pride. Though she didn't understand why, she inexplicably felt pleased.
But the dragons' magic didn't stop there. As they finished reading the plan, the letters transformed into new shapes.
'Due to the festival season, the auction hall will be crowded, making it difficult to rent the venue...'
"Whose voice is this?"
Gainando also looked puzzled. Uman, who recognized the voice, grew slightly flustered.
Could His Majesty the Emperor have personally annotated each detail like this?!
"Let's go. The Hall of Gold is definitely a tough place to book. With the festival overlapping, it'll be even harder."
Having visited this auction hall before, Lee Han knew well how difficult it was to rent its venue.
Professor Garcia likely didn't realize it was festival season, which would make things even tougher.
"But Lee Han, if Professor Garcia can't secure the venue, won't we be in trouble too?"
"Hmm. What if the professor and I disguise ourselves and threaten..."
Just as Lee Han steeled himself to pull out the 'Stedal Nago' card again—
'Have Duke Belaron deliver this document...'
"......"
Uman resolved to act as if he'd neither seen nor heard anything that day.
He truly never imagined the Emperor, who usually remained secluded in the Deep Palace, would intervene so directly.
"You can't rent the hall?!"
"I-I'm sorry, Professor."
The guild worker at the Hall of Gold couldn't bring himself to meet Professor Garcia's gaze head-on.
Having confidently recommended the venue by letter, he now felt utterly ashamed.
"Due to the sudden festival, far more people have gathered than expected..."
The Evil God Subjugation Festival had drawn crowds to the capital far beyond projections.
Even imperial socialites who normally wouldn't visit had taken interest, flocking like clouds until every inn and mansion in the capital was packed without a single vacancy.
Though currently used as an auction house, the Hall of Gold was a sacred site layered with blessings of fortune and wealth since before the Empire's founding.
Naturally, countless people sought to host gatherings or events within this ancient palace shimmering with golden light.
"Ugh... I chose this place specifically because mages are so picky..."
Professor Garcia already felt a headache coming on.
These mages from various magic academies were the types who'd seize any excuse to refuse, requiring extreme care in selecting a venue.
The Hall of Gold had seemed perfect—steeped in history and suffused with pure magical energy—but now...
"What about Silver Lake or the Stellar Rainbow Corridor? Those are decent gathering spots for mages too."
"Silver Lake is... problematic since our Headmaster once dunked a Kalarogard mage there upside down. And the Stellar Rainbow Corridor is where Terarogard and Dekarogard mages once dueled..."
"......"
The guild worker gazed at Professor Garcia with pity.
He'd never imagined he'd feel sorry for a renowned Einrogard mage.
Did these temperamental spellcasters really need to gather in one place?
"Let me at least try making a request. Is the first hall currently rented by Baron Rount?"
"Yes, but this Baron..."
The worker hesitated.
Baron Rount had quite the reputation for greed and rudeness.
Would making requests to such a man be anything but a waste of time?
Yet Professor Garcia immediately took action.
Sitting around waiting wouldn't change a thing when the odds were already low.
"Baron. Good day. I am Professor Garcia Kim from Einrogard."
"What do you want?"
Baron Rount, with his cunning expression, looked at Professor Garcia with a mix of bewilderment and displeasure.
A mage—and one from the infamous Einrogard at that—why would such a person approach him?
"I was wondering if you might be willing to relinquish the Hall of Gold for us. The Magic Academy mages are planning to gather—"
"What nonsense is this?! You—"
Baron Rount flared up in irritation, clearly offended.
Just as he was about to hurl an insult, his eyes caught sight of Professor Garcia's clenched fist, and he hesitated.
"...This is utterly ridiculous! Just because you're a mage from Einrogard, do you think you can make such absurd demands?!"
"W-we would compensate you, of course. The assistance of Einrogard mages—"
"I don't need it! What use would I, a man who lives without committing a single sin, have for a mage's help?!"
Baron Rount scoffed mockingly.
After all, as someone who could afford to hire mages with his own wealth, the aid of Einrogard mages held little urgency for him.
Had the Skeleton Principal been present, he would have dunked this insolent brat headfirst into the Silver Lake to teach him the difference between an ordinary mage and an Einrogard mage. Unfortunately, Professor Garcia was far too kind-hearted.
With his shoulders slumped dejectedly, Professor Garcia apologized.
"My apologies. It seems I made an unreasonable request."
"Do you even know what this occasion is? I've invited none other than His Grace, Duke Belaron! And you dare ask me to give up this venue?! Even holding a knife to my throat would be less brazen than this!"
Despite the apology, Baron Rount continued to seethe, his anger unquelled.
Duke Belaron was among the most coveted figures in the empire's high society, especially among the capital's elite.
While many of the empire's founding noble families had their own legends, Duke Belaron was rumored to be a close confidant of His Majesty the Emperor himself.
Even the Emperor, who rarely made public appearances, was said to frequently summon Duke Belaron for private audiences—such was the extent of his favor.
Naturally, Baron Rount had to endure significant financial losses just to secure an invitation for Duke Belaron.
He had to distribute gifts to other nobles, bribe the duke's household staff...
Though the expenses were stomach-churning, it didn't matter.
The mere honor of conversing with Duke Belaron at such an event would be worth every penny.
"I... I didn't realize it was such an occasion. My apologies."
"You'd better be sorry!"
As the baron fumed, a figure came rushing from afar in a panic.
The guild member vaguely recognized the approaching man.
His once-neat silver hair was disheveled from running at full speed, his dignified eyes—gleaming between deep wrinkles—were trembling, and his elegant robes and cloak, emblazoned with his family crest, were covered in dust.
...Huh?
'I-Isn't that His Grace the Duke?!'
Before the guild member could fully process his shock, Duke Belaron had already arrived on the scene.
Panting heavily, he exclaimed to Professor Garcia:
"Are—are you here to reserve the Hall of Gold, Professor?!"
"Wh-what?! Ah, well... It's—it's alright. You have your gathering, don't you? The baron told me."
"What—what did he tell you?"
"Huh? Isn't this an event to host Your Grace?"
As Professor Garcia looked confused, Baron Rount stepped in to answer.
"Worry not, Your Grace!"
"What—what do you mean, 'worry not'?!"
"This mage had the audacity to make a request, and I firmly refused!"
SMACK!
In a fit of rage, Duke Belaron immediately slapped Baron Rount across the face.
You fool! Do you have any idea whose family you're trying to ruin?!