Episode 140
Episode 140
Yet even in the face of Professor Garcia's anger, the elderly mage's expression didn't change at all.
"In my day, we often taught magic right inside dungeons. The abundant mana made it easier to cast stronger spells. Plus, with all the phenomena occurring, it was excellent for training one's patience."
"Modern mages don't learn that way."
Truthfully, when considering the magic school's educational policies, it didn't seem they'd strayed that far from old-fashioned methods, but Professor Garcia insisted on making that claim.
At the very least, that was how Professor Garcia intended to teach.
"Still, raising students too weakly won't do them any favors..."
"The Headmaster has already ruined plenty that way."
"Gonadaltes goes too far."
Yumidihus stated firmly.
Even to Yumidihus, who possessed a strict and harsh educational philosophy, Gonadaltes' teaching methods were excessive.
"Maintaining proper boundaries is always important. Voladi Bagrak knows where to draw the line, so there's no need to worry too much."
Though her voice was kind like a grandmother's, Professor Garcia couldn't feel reassured in the slightest.
Though they hadn't known each other long, he could sense that this venerable elder mage was far closer in nature to the Skeleton Principal than to himself.
He couldn't let his guard down!
"Are you acquainted with Professor Bagrak?"
"He once briefly studied under me."
"He was your disciple?!"
"Not a disciple. He merely received some instruction from me for a short time."
'Normally, that would qualify as being a disciple...'
Professor Garcia thought so but didn't voice any further objections.
In truth, there were quite a few mages who had strict definitions for what constituted a disciple.
It would be awkward to claim a master-disciple relationship just because someone taught you a single spell.
-A true disciple must inherit their master's arcane secrets and enlightenment!
Hearing the elder mage's words, Professor Garcia grew curious and asked,
"Was Professor Bagrak not qualified to become your disciple?"
"Our personalities clashed so badly that if we'd spent much more time together, one of us would've ended up dead."
"......"
Though it was an entirely unexpected reason, Professor Garcia found himself genuinely convinced.
Indeed, Professor Voladi truly had a talent for infuriating people.
"Professor!"
Lee Han shouted what could only be described as a uniquely phrased curse as he was sent flying backward.
'Damn it!'
Entering the dimly lit plaza—a perfect spot for an ambush—Lee Han had prepared as thoroughly as possible.
Though he called it 'preparation,' any other mage witnessing it would have no choice but to exclaim, 'Is that kid really a freshman?!'
He had cast <Spatial Perception> and <Gonadaltes' Agile Footsteps>, of course, but also <Pahait's Lesser Illusion>, and as if that weren't enough, he had even wrapped himself in a <Water Shield>.
All so that no matter which direction the Hungry Ghosts ambushed from, he could block them.
And Lee Han's calculations had been almost perfect.
-■■■■■!
-■■! ■■■!
The Hungry Ghosts that emerged from all corners of the plaza indeed couldn't break through his defenses.
Some were fooled by the illusion and rushed toward it, while others collided with the Water Shield and floundered.
In the meantime, Lee Han precisely took down the Hungry Ghosts.
Igniting flames for those at a distance, smashing those nearby with Water Orbs...
Everything seemed flawless.
Until an unexpected enemy appeared.
-■■■■■!!!
"......"
Lee Han was left speechless at the appearance of a Rakshasa Hungry Ghost, several times larger than an ordinary one.
'Just because... I used multi-casting once, I have to deal with this?'
Lee Han suddenly felt deeply wronged.
What was so terrible about splitting Water Orbs that he had to face such a monster during a lesson?
But the Rakshasa Hungry Ghost paid no heed to Lee Han's grievances and charged.
Gritting his teeth, Lee Han unleashed a barrage of spells.
Flames erupted while Water Orbs flew chaotically from all directions, striking the Rakshasa Hungry Ghost with force.
Unlike ordinary Hungry Ghosts that would've fallen, the Rakshasa was protected by a thick, sticky layer of slimy armor proportionate to its massive size.
The blazing flames fizzled out, and the Water Orbs slid off without delivering any impact.
THUD!
"Professor!"
With a dull impact, Lee Han was sent flying backward.
Had he not hastily summoned a Water Shield to block, he might have lost a bone or two.
Lee Han immediately scrambled to his feet.
Swearing or grumbling could wait. Right now, the important thing was dealing with the enemy before him.
"Strike!"
The lightning bolt veered sideways mid-flight—not even grazing the Rakshasa Hungry Ghost.
"...!"
Lee Han quickly grasped the situation.
The green boulder positioned in the plaza was attracting the lightning magic.
'What the hell...?!'
In that brief moment, Lee Han cursed Perkuntra, then cursed Professor Voladi.
Though, to be fair, Perkuntra wasn't really at fault here...
Professors Yumidihus and Garcia soon located where Professor Voladi was.
Deep within the dungeon connected to the underground lecture hall.
"Professor Yumidihus."
"Voladi Bagrak. It's been a while."
Even faced with an unexpected visitor, Professor Voladi showed no change in expression, merely nodding slightly.
Professor Yumidihus, not expecting any exaggerated reaction from Voladi in the first place, immediately shifted his gaze.
Before Voladi lay a field of vision constructed from Illusion Magic. Professor Garcia sighed.
He didn't even need to look to know who it was.
The boy from the Wardanaz family.
'He actually took him to a real dungeon?!'
He'd thought, "Surely not," but here they were—Voladi had really brought the kid into a dungeon.
Professor Garcia was dumbfounded, but Yumidihus and Voladi carried on their conversation with unshaken composure.
"How proficient is that freshman?"
"Elemental control, form manipulation, multi-casting."
"...I was asking which of those he's skilled in, Voladi Bagrak."
Yumidihus sighed.
Just like in the past, Voladi fundamentally lacked any talent for rhetoric.
If it were just poor articulation, that would be one thing—but he also had this unnecessary self-assuredness that only made people more frustrated.
Right now, he was probably thinking, I gave a proper answer—why is he acting like this?
"He is proficient in all of them."
"...What? Truly?"
Yumidihus was genuinely startled.
"Gonadaltes isn't trying to deceive me with this, is he?"
"No, Professor Yumidihus."
Professor Garcia clarified.
Of course, from Yumidihus's perspective, Voladi's words were hard to believe.
Who would've thought a freshman could be that skilled in elemental magic?
But unfortunately, it was the truth.
"Professor Bagrak taught him a bit... strictly and harshly..."
"?"
Professor Voladi tilted his head in confusion, unable to comprehend Professor Garcia's words.
"You must have taught him well."
"Thank you."
"......"
As the two mages conversed, Professor Garcia felt his respect for them gradually slipping away.
Unaware of Garcia's inner turmoil, Yumidihus continued.
"A student's achievements cannot be realized without proper guidance from their teacher. I had doubted whether you had the ability to teach someone... but it seems I underestimated you."
Professor Voladi accepted the praise as if it were only natural. Professor Garcia wished he could just flee the scene.
"Today's objective?"
"Internalizing multi-casting."
"The monster?"
"A Hungry Ghost."
Yumidihus nodded.
Professor Garcia could no longer hold back and spoke up—realizing he was the only one here who would point this out.
"Isn't a Hungry Ghost a bit dangerous for a freshman to face?"
Yumidihus turned to look at Garcia.
Then, slowly, he replied.
"Not all freshmen are the same. If he's truly proficient in elemental control, form manipulation, and multi-casting, then a Hungry Ghost should be manageable."
"......"
Professor Garcia had no rebuttal.
...Because it was undeniably true.
Beside them, Professor Voladi nodded in agreement. Professor Garcia clenched his fists.
Yumidihus turned his gaze back to Lee Han. He was quite an interesting boy.
"Magic...?"
"He has an unusually large amount of mana."
"That should make control difficult, yet he's casting so many spells."
Mages born with abundant mana typically progressed more slowly.
The greater the mana capacity, the more time it took to master control.
Yet despite that, wielding multiple spells like this demonstrated extraordinary talent.
Impossible unless one possessed both vast mana reserves AND the talent to control them.
-Heat, distort the air. Shield, unfold.
"......"
"......"
But even Yumidihus wore a slightly flustered expression when Lee Han cast additional spells before entering the plaza.
"...Is that boy really okay using magic like that?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't asking you, Voladi Bagrak."
True to his experience, Yumidihus knew exactly whom to question for useful answers.
Professor Garcia answered with visible reluctance:
"Yes... he'll be fine at that level."
"So his mana reserves are even greater than expected."
"......"
Having completed his preparations, Lee Han stepped inside.
The Wardanaz scion—overarmed with firepower excessive for a freshman—proceeded to slaughter the Hungry Ghosts lying in ambush within the plaza.
Watching creatures that had hidden quite well fall without even touching him, Yumidihus expressed genuine admiration.
"I never knew you could teach this well."
"Thank you."
Grind—
Professor Garcia gritted his teeth upon hearing this.
Just when it seemed the slaughter was over, another monster emerged in the plaza. A Rakshasa Hungry Ghost.
'...Isn't that going too far?'
Professor Garcia hesitated to point it out. Those two mages would likely just dismiss his concerns again.
"Isn't that excessive?"
Yumidihus voiced the question himself. Stunned, Professor Garcia gaped at the non-mage.
"For mastering multiple spellcasting, such a monster seems unnecessary."
Professor Voladi stated flatly with his characteristic expressionless face:
"Correct. This exceeds expectations."
"...Figures. I'll handle it."
Yumidihus responded as if he'd expected nothing better from Voladi.
Clearly, Voladi lacked the capability to properly train students.
Though to Professor Garcia, the two seemed equally incompetent...
"Control should be properly—"
Yumidihus cut himself off mid-sentence.
The student stuck with incompetent teachers was already defeating the Rakshasa Hungry Ghost.
With lightning proving ineffective, options were limited.
Lee Han swiftly dodged the Rakshasa's attacks.
Though loath to admit it, <Gonadaltes' Agile Footsteps> from the Skeleton Principal made evasion effortless.
Between combat-honed swordsmanship and Enhancement Magic, simple charges were easy to avoid.
'With the most familiar element.'
He chose water.
Better than ineffective lightning or fire magic he still lacked confidence in.
But simply firing water orbs wouldn't work—he'd already realized standard impacts were useless.
'Spin them somehow. Doesn't need to be perfect!'
Lee Han began rotating all floating water orbs simultaneously.
Unlike when defeating the golem, perfect rotation wasn't necessary.
Just enough penetrating force to take down the enemy.
All he needed was calm focus while dodging attacks.
Splatsplatsplatsplat!
'Not enough. Try again.'
Despite the first attempt failing, Lee Han neither panicked nor rushed.
Cold as ice.
Second try. Third.
Gradually, the spinning water orbs delivered sharper impacts, and the Rakshasa began showing fear.
Then—
Splishsplashsploshsplat!
'Got it!'
Though not as perfectly rotated as against the golem, the spinning water orbs hammered powerful blows into the Rakshasa's body.
Seeing his staggering opponent collapse, Lee Han instinctively shouted:
"Go to hell! Vol—"
"Impressive."
"—Hungry Ghost!"
"That's a Rakshasa Hungry Ghost, not a Vol Ghost?"