Episode 1259
Episode 1259
'I'm shocked. I never thought there could be a healing mage even more extreme than Professor Lagrinde.'
Lee Han reflected once again.
There was always another sky above the sky.
Even after experiencing this countless times, he still made hasty judgments.
In truth, Professor Alkasis was only extreme toward his disciples—he was surprisingly kind to patients.
Of course, if a patient refused to listen and acted stubborn, he would immediately paralyze their limbs, but even that could be considered a form of kindness.
At least he didn't re-injure fully healed patients just because they couldn't pay, unlike those mages from Terarogard!
Compared to them, Professor Alkasis was quite reasonable when it came to treatment fees...
'...Actually, I don't think he cared about fees at all.'
Come to think of it, it was questionable whether Professor Alkasis even had any interest in treatment fees.
From the outside, he seemed like someone who poured all his attention solely into healing itself.
-If I had the time to chase after patients demanding payment, I'd rather use that time to heal a few more patients!
When Jowurin heard about the differences between Terarogard and Einrogard's healing magic schools, she tilted her head in confusion.
"But completely ignoring treatment fees makes no sense. The school wouldn't be able to operate..."
"Hah. A sharp observation, Your Highness. That's something you can just pass off to the Headmaster."
Lee Han smiled approvingly at Jowurin's keen insight and explained.
Einrogard had a bit of a chicken game dynamic—the more sensible and conscientious people ended up at a disadvantage. Professor Garcia was a prime example.
In contrast, no one dared to mess with someone like Professor Alkasis.
So what if Professor Alkasis didn't personally collect treatment fees from patients?
Would anyone dare step in to heal the flood of patients coming to Einrogard in his place?
"The remarkable thing about the professor isn't just his madness—it's that he's made himself irreplaceable."
Lee Han continued with a voice full of admiration.
If Professor Verdus had acted the same way, he would've been dragged straight to the Punishment Room and sentenced to labor.
Though the artifacts Professor Verdus created were impressive, they weren't strictly essential, and replacements or deadline extensions were always possible.
In contrast, the flood of patients couldn't be made to wait or given slapdash alternative treatments. If Professor Alkasis were ever dragged to the Punishment Room, chaos would undoubtedly ensue.
"Truly remarkable, don't you think?"
"Hmm..."
Jowurin stared at her excited contractor with lukewarm eyes.
Truthfully, she didn't quite understand why this was so impressive.
Was pushing work onto Gonadaltes really that remarkable?
'Doesn't seem all that impressive to me...'
"I hope to one day become someone who can confidently pass work to the Headmaster, just like the professor."
"Hmm... I'll cheer for you, then."
As the conversation took an odd turn, Uman cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Anyway, I assume you've grasped that Uman doesn't approve of Terarogard mages' methods?"
"Yes, Your Highness. And honestly, Terarogard doesn't even seem that strange to me."
Having encountered so many bizarre mages lately, Lee Han's standards had become extremely lenient.
If he were to rank the magic schools he'd encountered so far by how strange they were...
1. Baldrogard
2. Dekarogard
3. Einrogard
4. Oculogard
5. Terarogard
6. Petrogard
7. Kallarogard
...
'At best, fifth place. Honestly, overall, they seem more normal than Einrogard.'
Of course, re-injuring fully healed patients was a bit odd, but that alone couldn't outweigh all of Einrogard's eccentricities.
"......"
"......"
The two dragonkin wore similarly awkward expressions. Being of the same kin, their reactions were identical.
...Honestly, isn't this weird?
Terarogard was still a magic school officially sanctioned by the Empire, so Lee Han had spoken with as much respect as possible. Otherwise, even Uman would've suspected them of being Evil God Worshippers right away.
"What kind of insane mages are these?"
"If a mage has clear desires, they're actually easier to persuade. As long as they don't have any other eccentricities, it's even better. Now then... What about the next magic academy, Pararogard? What kind of place is it?"
"They are outstanding philologists, archaeologists, as well as antiquarians and collectors."
As Uman explained about the Illusion School mages' academy, Lee Han nodded as if he understood.
"I think I get it. Let me take a guess. These mages run a tomb-raiding guild, don't they?"
"...Absolutely not!!!"
Uman shouted in shock at the outrageous speculation.
If the Pararogard mages had been present, such reckless words could have escalated into an inter-school incident.
"Huh? They don't?"
"I thought Lee Han got it right. Then what? A black market? A thieves' guild?"
"......"
Einrogard students fundamentally distrusted other magic academies.
Based on the other magic schools they'd encountered, the probability of them having some form of madness was quite high.
Upon hearing that these Pararogard mages were outstanding philologists, archaeologists, and antiquarians, the only things that came to mind were 'tomb raiders,' 'black markets,' and 'thieves.'
"Pararogard is not that kind of place. They are sincere and diligent mages."
"!"
Not only his friends, but even Lee Han was greatly surprised.
Such a magic academy actually existed?
"Is that really true?"
"...Well. I can't definitively say there isn't a single tomb raider or black market operator among them..."
Uman faltered slightly. But even that was enough.
'So it's actually a decent place.'
If that stubborn dragon said it was fine, then it was highly likely that, on average, it truly was a sane magic academy.
Lee Han felt oddly relieved.
At least one normal magic academy existed!
"That's a relief. Then we should be able to persuade them too."
"How do you plan to do that?"
Yoner asked, sounding puzzled.
According to Professor Garcia's notes...
-For Terarogard mages (First attempt negotiations—find out what they want and how much they want)
-For Pararogard mages (Ask which of the Headmaster's artifacts they desire)
Even knowing that this academy's mages were relatively sane didn't change the fact that persuading them would be difficult.
'How are we going to do this?'
"First, I plan to ask Duke Belaron again to handle the Terarogard mages."
The Emperor, who had been listening quietly, looked pleased.
Of course, for Duke Belaron, who had barely escaped, this would feel like the sky was falling. But as Os's disciple, one needed to make such cold judgments.
If necessary, one had to be ruthless enough to recapture the very duke they'd just released and use him again.
"What about Pararogard? Money won't solve this one."
"For this, I'll just ask what artifact of the Headmaster's they want, then try to steal it with the professor's help."
Lee Han felt absolutely no guilt about temporarily borrowing the Skeleton Principal's belongings.
Hadn't the Skeleton Principal himself declared that if you had the skill, you were free to steal them?
Getting Professor Voladi's help could also be considered a form of skill.
"Brilliant. That's the way!"
"That's a really good idea."
Uman decided to pretend he hadn't heard that last part.
No matter what, as an inspector, he couldn't openly endorse such a bold theft plan.
Learn from this. You should cultivate such boldness.
"......"
Caught off guard by the Emperor's intent, Uman fell into deep contemplation.
Meanwhile, the Emperor summoned Lee Han's group again.
Both plans are good... but unfortunately, they won't work...
"!"
Lee Han was shocked by the Emperor's message.
What part of this plan was flawed?
The Terarogard mages who had been in the capital had already left for the south due to a summoning order...
"A summoning order? Is there some kind of incident? Have the Evil God Worshippers become active again..."
The fact that healing mages were mobilizing en masse was an ominous sign.
Given that the Evil God Subjugation hadn't been too long ago, Lee Han felt his heart sink heavily.
No... It's just that some noble in the south tried to skimp on payments and hid inside a fortress, so they're gathering everyone...
"......"
The Emperor sent his Intent with a look of utter disdain.
These Terarogard mages weren't the type to give up just because their opponent fled or holed up behind fortress walls.
The more arrogant their opponents acted, the more furious and relentless these mages became in their retaliation.
But to gather enough firepower to demolish a fortress just because someone underpaid for healing services...
As the Emperor, he couldn't help but find it pathetic. And Lee Han agreed.
They're pulling out of the capital's gathering for that?
'I should bump them up a rank in the "Strange Magic Schools" list.'
"Even if Terarogard is like that, what's Pararogard's excuse?"
They never even arrived in the capital... No doubt they found some interesting ruins along the way and started excavating...
"......"
Lee Han nearly cursed out loud without realizing it.
Now he understood why the magic schools hadn't held an exchange meeting in such a long time.
They're disgustingly hard to gather even once!
"Still, you did your best, so there's no need to feel disappointed."
Once the magic school matter was settled, Uman comforted Lee Han.
Though he hadn't managed to get all the desired magic schools to participate, this alone was already an impressive achievement.
And Professor Garcia probably hadn't expected to meet every school on the list in a single gathering either.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Lee Han expressed his gratitude for Uman's consolation while pulling out his notebook.
Then he wrote down the names 'Terarogard' and 'Pararogard.'
Unable to contain his curiosity, Paridim asked,
"What does writing that down signify?"
"Ah. I'm noting it down for future revenge. So I don't forget."
"......"
Uman and Paridim pitied the mages of those two magic schools.
They would never imagine...
That the most formidable enemy in history was sharpening his blade of vengeance behind their backs!
After putting away his notebook, Lee Han checked the time. With the two magic schools gone, his schedule was now completely empty.
'It ended much faster than I expected.'
"Does anyone have places they'd like to visit in the capital?"
Lee Han asked this for the sake of his companions who had come all this way with him.
Even if they'd sneaked out, Lee Han wasn't so cold-hearted as to deny them this small convenience.
Yoner, Nilia, and Paridim remained indifferent. The three had nothing they wanted in the capital to begin with.
'I already have all the reagents I need.'
'The capital's too crowded—it's uncomfortable.'
'I wonder if other magic schools would suffer greatly from Lord Wardanaz's visit too.'
But Jowurin and Gainando were different. Their faces brightened with joy.
They never thought such an opportunity would come. The two steadied their breathing, ready to blurt out their desires as quickly as possible.
"The theater—"
"Wizard Car—"
But before they could finish, Uman spoke first.
"If you have time to spare, how about helping out with the festival?"
"......"
"......"
Jowurin and Gainando, beaten to the punch, stared at Uman with eyes filled with a mix of disappointment, desolation, despair, anger, and resentment.
Cutting in line was one thing, but to make the most boring suggestion in the world like that...
'If only Lee Han would refuse...!'
'Refuse, Lee Han!'
Clutching at their last shred of hope, they fixed their gazes on Lee Han.
"What exactly does 'helping with the festival' entail? If we participate, we might just cause unnecessary chaos."
"This festival draws crowds from across the Empire, so there are many impoverished travelers and pilgrims. We'd be helping them. You can hide your identities, so no need to worry."
"I see. That sounds like a good idea. Well? Anyone else have something they'd rather do? If not, we'll follow His Highness's suggestion."
"......"
"......"
In the end, Jowurin and Gainando had no choice but to give up.
How unfair—bringing up such a perfectly reasonable proposal like that!
'If I oppose it, I'll look like the bad one...!'
'If I say no, I'm the only villain here!'