Episode 1254
Episode 1254
Unlike the other professors, whose reactions were delayed because they hadn't met Lee Han in person, Professor Marhazin was a step ahead in his response.
He flung himself out of the spire and attempted to escape using flight magic.
Uman, watching from below, was startled.
'What?!'
Just before Lee Han's group had gone up, the Emperor's voice had given these instructions:
Uman, you... stay on standby below... If a fly tries to escape, catch it...
-???
He had wondered what the "fly" comment meant, but seeing the mage flying outside, he suddenly felt certain.
That's it!
As Uman transformed into a smaller-sized dragon and surged upward, Professor Marhazin realized his mistake too late.
Because his divination had been disrupted by the Wardanaz family mage, he hadn't even noticed such a simple trap.
"I've been had. I admit defeat!"
"Defeat? What are you—people will misunderstand if they hear that!"
Uman glanced around nervously to see if anyone had witnessed it. Fortunately, it had happened too quickly and too high up for anyone to notice.
-Wh-what?! A dragon!
-Another trick? Stop drinking already!
-No! There really was a dragon!
...A few drunkards outside the tavern made a fuss, but no one paid them any attention.
"Ah!"
"Oh no!"
As Professor Marhazin was caught by Uman and dragged back through the tower window, the mages of Oculogard groaned in despair.
Their opponent was truly meticulous.
From disguising the carriage to setting up traps blocking escape routes—they clearly knew exactly how to deal with a divination mage.
Just what kind of evil scheme were they planning with this ambush?
"How foolish of me. If there's a monster that devours divination, of course they'd use such methods."
"The fact that this is the capital also made us complacent! We must record this cause to prevent it from happening again."
Knock knock knock—
"Um, hello?"
Lee Han, unaware of the escape drama that had just unfolded above, cautiously knocked on the door of the tower's upper floor.
His group had only just arrived.
The Oculogard mages carefully opened the door to welcome them—while doing their utmost to avoid direct contact with Lee Han.
"......"
Being treated like a contagious patient stung Lee Han a little.
Wasn't this a bit much?
"Apologies. At Oculogard, the higher one's status, the more sensitive they become to the accuracy of divination magic..."
"I understand."
Lee Han didn't let his feelings show.
Besides, wasn't he here to apologize? After sending that somewhat... no, rather rude letter last time, he had to accept this kind of treatment.
"Wardanaz. Our previous agreement was that you would visit Oculogard following proper procedures and protocols. I cannot comprehend what fury drove you to act so recklessly."
As Professor Marhazin spoke on behalf of the group, the other Oculogard professors present nodded desperately in agreement.
Oculogard had prepared meticulous and powerful divination-protection barriers in anticipation of Wardanaz's visit—so why had he suddenly come separately like this?
Had some kind of rage shaken this young mage?
"Uh... well... um... I thought my letter was a bit rude, so I came to apologize in person."
"......"
"......"
A frigid silence filled the room. Yoner and Nilia thought to themselves:
'He's my friend, but I really want to run away.'
No matter how strong the power of friendship was, enduring the cold, piercing gazes of those divination mages wasn't easy.
"All that just to say you'll visit tomorrow?! Don't let him come."
"???"
When one of the Oculogard professors suddenly said something strange, Lee Han was bewildered. Paridim whispered beside him:
"It seems the shock has confused their sense of time. They must be mistaking today for yesterday."
A rebound effect that often occurs among mages who deal with Divination Magic or spacetime magic.
Lee Han, being an outstanding mage, tried to nod with an understanding expression.
"That's perfectly possible—"
"If a monster that devours prophecies visits even once, our magic will—"
"Who are you calling a monster that devours prophecies?!"
Lee Han flared up.
No matter what, how could another magic academy use the malicious slander spread by Evil God Worshippers?!
The Oculogard professors, greatly startled, hurriedly apologized.
"We apologize, Wardanaz!"
"Please calm down! Don't come any closer and take deep breaths!"
"......"
Even after receiving the apology, it was the first time he'd felt inexplicably worse.
Lee Han decided to just return to the original topic.
"...Never mind. I came here to apologize. I'm sure the Oculogard mages were displeased by the letter I sent."
"Indeed. Some faculty members claimed it was an assault."
"......"
Hearing unnecessary details he didn't want to know, Lee Han's expression stiffened.
Professor Voladi, standing behind him, opened his mouth to ask:
"What are the names of those faculty members?"
"Certainly—"
"Stop! Don't tell him!"
Lee Han quickly cut in.
Even if it hadn't actually happened, the mere mention of an 'assault' was unsettling.
Especially since he'd soon have to visit Oculogard.
But digging up their names and informing Professor Voladi would only make things worse.
What if the Imperial Newspaper later ran headlines like <Mysterious Death of Oculogard Professor!?>...
"That's why I came to apologize. Let's clear any lingering resentment and unite as magic academies of the Empire!"
Jowurin, watching from behind, tilted her head in confusion.
"I wonder if such an apology holds any meaning when Lee Han is the one holding the sword hilt."
-I think so too.
"......"
Lee Han pretended not to hear the conversation between the two reptilian beings behind him.
The Baby Basilisk's snacks would probably be banned for about a week.
"Is that all? Your business here?"
"Yes."
"Understood. The apology is accepted."
The Oculogard professors truly were exceptional mages.
Even if they wanted to smack Lee Han internally, their cold rationality led them to the optimal choice.
Yelling, 'You came all this way just for that?!' might have been satisfying and easy, but it would only prolong the mage's stay.
It was better to just accept the apology and send him away.
"Thank you! But may I add a few more things?"
"Understood. Speak."
"Since you've accepted my apology, if you happen to meet Professor Garcia, I'd appreciate it if you didn't show displeasure or anger."
"......"
"......"
Even Lee Han's friends were starting to sense that this didn't sound much like an apology.
This wasn't an apology...
'Isn't this blackmail?'
But the Oculogard mages remained composed.
Once again, they chose the optimal path without acting emotionally.
"We promise."
"Since you've accepted my apology, I'd also appreciate your full cooperation if Professor Garcia makes any requests..."
"We promise."
"If mages from other magic academies criticize her, please scold them harshly."
"We promise."
"Lee Han, stop. Professor Garcia will find it strange."
His friends couldn't take it anymore and stopped him.
Recruiting allies is fine, but turning them into puppets to this extent—what would Professor Garcia think?!
"Lastly, you must never let it slip that I made these requests. Well then, I'll be counting on you."
Lee Han bowed and stepped outside. Uman, who had been observing, quickly joined Lee Han's group.
Magnificent...
The Emperor praised Lee Han's resourcefulness.
Though it was slightly reminiscent of the Skeleton Principal, that was unavoidable—after all, he was his student.
And the same act would have been a despicable affront to imperial law if done by the Skeleton Principal, but when Lee Han did it, it was a praiseworthy deed by a commendable student.
'Next, the Dekarogard mages should be good... Go find Duke Belaron.'
"Ah. We should return the carriage."
Lee Han said as he glanced at the duke's carriage.
Since we've borrowed and used it well, it's time to return it...
What nonsense. You may keep the carriage. Take the duke to the next destination. Tell him that if he fails to resolve the matter, he will be held accountable...
"......"
Lee Han began to feel slightly sorry for Duke Belaron.
"I feel a bit guilty about this."
"Shh! Saying such things could get you in big trouble. The duke is merely a puppet of the Empire."
Uman relayed the exact words he'd just learned from the Emperor. Lee Han's expression turned to one of great surprise.
That same dragon who had been bawling his eyes out over Einrogard students setting a few fires could show such a cold side?
After Uman passed by, Jowurin whispered secretly to Lee Han.
"Lee Han. Unlike Uman, Jowurin would never think that way."
Even if Uman were to be treated as a bad dragon, Jowurin had to survive.
There was no need for there to be two bad dragons, was there?
"...I didn't think he was that bad. More importantly, Your Highness. Why do we need Duke Belaron when dealing with the Dekarogard mages?"
"I don't really know..."
"Ah. I called for His Highness Uman. Your Highness Uman!"
"......"
Jowurin glared at the back of his younger sibling's head when Lee Han wasn't looking.
Just because you know a little more and are a bit more capable, you dare to act all high and mighty.
Perhaps Uman really was a bad dragon after all.
"The Dekarogard mages? I thought you'd know, being Lee Han of the Wardanaz family."
"I know that it's a magic academy for transmutation mages. But beyond that, I'm not too familiar."
If I had to add anything, it's that there are many sociable mages there?
Because of this, the transmutation magic students of Einrogard had always been horrified by outside mages.
Oddly enough, the transmutation magic faction had an unusually high number of sociable mages.
"The Dekarogard mages love gold."
"...!"
Lee Han's eyes widened dramatically. The friends listening from behind were terrified.
Surely he wasn't about to announce he was transferring to Dekarogard, was he?
Duke Belaron's face brightened when the carriage returned.
And then darkened again when the mages demanded his accompaniment.
"Focus, Duke!"
"Y-yes. I'll keep that in mind!"
When Uman sternly reprimanded him, the duke straightened his posture. The Einrogard students tensed slightly at the sight.
"Why is His Highness Uman acting like that?"
"Doesn't he act like that at Einrogard too?"
Honestly, more than tormenting the duke, the worry was that he might bring that same behavior back to Einrogard.
The students still vividly remembered how harsh the rules had been for the inspector who hadn't heeded Lee Han's advice at the start of the semester.
"It wouldn't be strange if he became convinced that Einrogard students no longer deserved kindness."
"Gainando too. That's why you should've shown a more diligent attitude!"
"Did I know this would happen?!"
'Can't argue that I showed a diligent attitude, though.'
Lee Han thought to himself as he turned his gaze outside the carriage.
I heard we could meet the Dekarogard mages here in the grand market district by the canal, right?
"Magician, sir. Are you looking for something?"
"Ah. Do you happen to know where the Dekarogard mages are staying?"
"I do! Please follow me."
At the cheerful merchant's words, Lee Han beamed and stepped out of the carriage.
Surprisingly, the place where the Dekarogard mages were staying was an inn not even ten steps away.
"What? It was right in front of us?"
"Thank you for telling us."
Lee Han still thanked the merchant. To show such kindness amidst his busy schedule.
Then the merchant held out his palm.
"...?"
"One silver coin, please."
"W-what kind of absurd price is that?!"
Gainando exclaimed in shock. The merchant replied with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry. This is a principle of our Dekarogard..."
"......"
"......"