Episode 128
Episode 128
Truth be told, the summoned creatures didn't think the boy from the Wardanaz family seemed particularly selfish...
But when the master was in such a foul mood, saying the wrong thing could get you sent to the 17th basement floor of the magic school's main building, waiting for intruders who never came while doing menial labor for about a hundred years.
The summoned creatures had no choice but to agree.
-Indeed, he is selfish.
-He robbed other students of their chance to learn, Master.
-What a wicked boy.
'I really don't understand why he's acting like this. It's not like I taught him to be this way.'
Despite the summoned creatures' flattery, the Skeleton Principal continued grumbling, his anger still not fully subsided.
The Skeleton Principal simply couldn't comprehend it.
Lee Han's behavior was quite similar to how the Headmaster had been in his youth.
Clever, bold, and capable of hiding his true self to get what he wanted.
So why on earth was he helping students from other towers?
It was truly an incomprehensible habit.
While the Skeleton Principal was making extremely rude comparisons, Lee Han was concentrating with all his might.
The experience of fighting undead charging through pitch-black darkness wasn't something a magic school freshman really needed to go through.
They weren't adventurers or mercenaries—why should they have to experience such things?
"Light!"
But the students on the scene weren't given time for such philosophical musings.
As soon as the light spells cast by his friends faded, Lee Han immediately cast another light spell without hesitation.
Ashan screamed in shock.
"Wardanaz, that's dangerous..."
No matter how much mana Lee Han had, he'd been continuously casting spells since they were in the dormitory, and now he was maintaining the Water Orbs too.
Casting light spells on top of that—even for Lee Han, this was...
"Light, light, light! Heat, distort the air! What's wrong, Ashan?"
"...It's nothing!"
He's my friend, but he's really incredible!
Ashan thought this as he swung his staff.
When Lee Han summoned heat-infused illusions, mirage-like afterimages appeared around them.
The Skeleton Warriors couldn't tell which illusions were real, momentarily disrupting their encirclement.
"This way!"
The Phoenix Tower students felt dizzy watching Lee Han run toward them with spheres of light floating behind him.
His silhouette radiating light in the darkness made him seem almost saint-like.
"Lord Wardanaz!"
"Run!"
"Lord Wardanaz...!"
"I said run!"
"Lord Wardanaz is truly—"
Thwack!
Lee Han swung his staff and smacked one priest student on the back.
"Run, you idiot! Do you want to get hit?"
"S-sorry!"
The priest student, who had been so mesmerized by the halo of light in the darkness that he'd lost his senses, snapped back to reality after being hit.
So it wasn't a saint—just Wardanaz hitting him!
"Run inside! Take shelter behind the barricade!"
Lee Han launched his remaining Water Orbs to trip the pursuing Skeleton Warriors.
'This might work!'
Seeing the disorganized undead, it seemed they could evacuate the priests with plenty of time to spare.
At that moment, Ashan collapsed.
"Gah...!"
"!"
Lee Han sensed the surge of mana passing by him and realized what had happened.
'A curse spell!'
Ashan's left leg seemed paralyzed as he flailed about, trying to grab onto something.
"A c-cramp..."
"Wardanaz, what do we do?!"
"I'll carry Ashan. Get inside!"
Lee Han lifted Ashan onto one shoulder.
Despite suffering from the paralyzing curse on his left leg, Ashan was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
"Wardanaz...!"
Where else could you find a friend who wouldn't abandon you in such a situation?
Wardanaz was truly an honorable friend.
Whoosh!
Another curse spell came flying. Lee Han quickly positioned Ashan in front to block it.
"Gah! Wardanaz! Gahahaha!"
Ashan knew it in his head.
That Lee Han wouldn't be able to react nimbly while carrying him.
But once he became a shield and took the tickling curse head-on, such thoughts became impossible.
"Wh-why are you—ahahahaha!"
"Sorry, Ashan."
Thanks to Ashan's sacrifice, Lee Han managed to spot the enemy.
Amidst the Skeleton Warriors, there was one wielding a bone staff, exuding a thicker, more sinister undead mana—a telltale sign of a necromancer.
It must have thought it was safe, hidden in the darkness and blending in among the Skeleton Warriors, but Lee Han was different.
Using the curse twice was practically shouting, "Come and get me!"
"Flash!"
Lee Han's incantation erupted, and a streak of lightning shot toward the Skeleton Necromancer.
The Skeleton Necromancer creaked in panic, but fortunately for it, it had other warriors for protection.
Thwack!
The Skeleton Warriors sensed danger and threw themselves in the way. Bones scattered as the attack was blocked.
'Damn it.'
So this was what they meant when they said taking down a mage protected by warriors wasn't easy.
Lee Han couldn't find a clear way to land a solid hit on the necromancer past the Skeleton Warriors.
Clatter!
This time, the Skeleton Warriors rushed at Lee Han—not to take him down, but to keep him from dodging while the necromancer cast its spell!
Hiss!
Just like before, a curse spell exploded toward Lee Han, accompanied by a surge of mana.
The Skeleton Warriors seemed thrilled, certain he would collapse.
Thud!
"These annoying bastards..."
-?!
But instead of falling paralyzed, Lee Han briskly finished off the remaining Skeleton Warriors.
Shockingly, despite taking the curse head-on, it had no effect on him.
His overwhelming mana made it impossible for such a weak curse to even touch him.
"Magic Missile!"
"Burn!"
"Wardanaz! We're here to help!"
It wasn't just the skeletons who had allies—Lee Han had friends too.
With the exhausted Phoenix Tower students safely behind the barricade, the remaining comrades surged forward to assist him.
Fist-sized mana orbs shot out, and flames burst atop the skeletons.
Among them, one Phoenix Tower student stood out to Lee Han for their exceptional combat skills.
"Flames, shoot forth!"
The fact that they wielded the 2nd-Circle spell <Flame Shot> clearly indicated their talent in Fire Magic.
'A Spirit Half-blood of flame?'
Perhaps an ancestor had made a contract with a fire spirit—the student's hair and pupils faintly flickered with embers.
"Already a 2nd-Circle Fire Magic user..."
"Ahahaha! Nice shot! Wahahaha!"
"I'm jealous."
"????"
Ashan, still laughing from the curse, froze mid-laugh in confusion at Lee Han's words.
'Why the hell is Wardanaz jealous of that?'
Lee Han, who wielded far more powerful spells, was envious of someone who just shot fire?
Ashan couldn't understand it.
"Lord Wardanaz. Thank you. Thanks to you, all our comrades made it inside."
"I should be thanking you. We took down the necromancer because of you."
Lee Han extended his hand for a handshake. Before the student could pull back, Lee Han grabbed their hand.
"...!"
Only then did Lee Han realize their hand was blazing fiercely.
'Not... dangerous, though.'
Startled at first, Lee Han let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the flames didn't burn his hand.
"Just surface flames—safe fire, huh?"
"...N-no, actually..."
"?!"
Lee Han yanked his hand back in panic. Only then did he feel the heat.
'What the—?'
The flames weren't safe at all.
Unconsciously, Lee Han had been emitting mana from his palm to resist the fire.
Fortunately, it was just like when I had rolled around hugging the Burning Puppy before—my protection had saved me. Otherwise...
"Are you really alright? If you're hurt..."
"Ah, it's fine. My apologies. I acted too hastily."
"There's nothing to apologize for."
The priest introduced himself.
Nigisor, a priest of the Afha Order that worships fire.
As Lee Han had guessed, he was a priest whose bloodline had mixed with a fire spirit contracted by his ancestors.
"Thank you again for your help. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
As the priest finished his thanks and turned to leave, Lee Han held a very high opinion of his retreating figure.
In this world, there were plenty of ungrateful people—no, downright malicious ones who would blame Lee Han even after receiving help. But Priest Nigisor was exceptionally courteous.
'He's a good person.'
"Priest Nigisor, you say?"
"He seemed like a good person."
After meeting Priestess Dijiling inside the barricade, Lee Han brought up Nigisor.
Helping with fire magic earlier, not forgetting kindness—were all priests this good-natured?
"...It might be best not to get too close to him."
"?!"
Lee Han was startled by Priestess Dijiling's words.
Who was Dijiling?
A priest renowned even in the Tower of the Eternally Burning Phoenix for his virtuous character.
For such a priest to say something like that...
"Did Priest Nigisor cause some kind of trouble in the Tower?"
"That's not it, but..."
Just then, Priest Siana, who had been distributing recovery potions to the exhausted priests, spotted Lee Han and approached cheerfully.
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family—the Insightful and Understanding Alchemist!"
"Priest Siana, the dazzling rising star of the Flemeng Order! Every time I see you, I can't help but marvel at your outstanding alchemy skills."
"......"
Dijiling stared at their exchange with a baffled expression.
The way they lavished praise on each other was no less refined than an imperial social gathering.
Growing curious, Lee Han asked:
"But Priest Siana, by any chance, has Priest Nigisor ever caused trouble in the Tower?"
"Not that I know of?"
"I see. Earlier, I received help from Priest Nigisor—he fought well and seemed very reliable."
"That may be so... but it might still be best not to get too close to him."
"?!"
Now that both of them said the same thing, Lee Han was thoroughly confused.
'Priestess Dijiling... probably wouldn't gossip about others.'
Lee Han decided to press Priest Siana for answers.
"Most excellent alchemist, Si—"
"THE UNDEAD ARE FLEEING!!"
"Dawn is breaking! Dawn is breaking!"
In the distance, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Skeleton Warriors were scrambling to escape beyond the barricade.
Regardless of their tower affiliations, the students suddenly felt their eyes stinging.
"...Everyone worked hard."
"You too!"
All around, students hugged, shook hands, and praised one another.
In this ruthless magic school devoid of blood or tears, they had fought as comrades-in-arms.
Gainando, overwhelmed by emotion, rushed out past the barricade, ready to shout—
"WE HAVE WON—"
"Wait."
"?!"
Lee Han grabbed Gainando by the scruff of his neck.
"Sharkan. Go out first."
Sharkan barked once before darting past the barricade.
Immediately, the Skeleton Warriors who had been lying in ambush right outside the barricade cursed and fled.
"......"
"......"
The students trembled with fury at the sight.
To dig such a trap even at the very end...
How utterly despicable!
How utterly despicable indeed.
The Skeleton Principal muttered, his bones clattering.
That student was astonishingly cunning.
Next time, he'd have to separate him and make him dig traps alone...
The sun rose mercilessly.
With a sigh, the Skeleton Principal announced the results.
Perfect score.
"Thank you."
Lee Han bowed at the forefront as the representative. And then he thought:
'Helping the Tower of the Eternally Burning Phoenix students really paid off.'
'That brat—he could've taken the perfect score alone, so why help the others? Is he deliberately provoking me by doing this? What an audacious little...'
Thus, master and student concluded the exam warmly.
...While thinking entirely different thoughts!