Episode 145
Episode 145
There were several conditions for highly regarded Enchantment Magic.
For example, neatness.
Neatness meant that when you tore the scroll, the casting speed didn't take too long, no unintended side effects occurred, and the intended effect activated precisely.
This neatness only emerged when a mage structured the spell without adding unnecessary clutter.
Another example was beauty.
It might seem strange to judge magic by its beauty, but it was more important than one might think.
Even among artifacts, a small, lightweight ring was preferable to a large, black lump of iron.
Of course, weaving magic into a small, lightweight ring required several times more delicate and complex work than enchanting a large, black lump of iron.
The mages who pursued beauty in Enchantment Magic were those who refused to compromise on such demanding processes.
And among those conditions, output was also a factor.
In Enchantment Magic, output was a crucial element.
Even if two scrolls contained the same spell, if one produced an 80% effect while the other produced a 100% effect, there was no reason to use the former.
As such, enchanters always strived to maximize output whenever possible.
Of course, like the other conditions, this wasn't something that could be achieved through effort alone.
Some enchanters instinctively knew how to imbue strong output, while others, no matter how hard they tried, couldn't push their output beyond a certain limit.
And now.
The boy standing before Professor Vible—regardless of his other talents—was exceptional in output alone.
"This is amazing?!"
"Is it?"
Lee Han had assumed he had failed.
The light had flashed far more intensely than he had expected.
"No. It's truly incredible!"
"Did I make it that well?"
"Not 'well' exactly. In fact, your craftsmanship is quite shoddy."
Professor Vible was blunt.
A skilled enchanter would have completed the Light Magic Firework in one go without trial and error.
And the resulting light would have been more colorful or shaped into a more decorative form.
...Of course, Lee Han was still a first-year, Professor Vible hadn't properly taught him yet, and his naturally abundant mana put him at a significant disadvantage in those finer aspects of Enchantment Magic...
But those facts had long since vanished from the professor's mind.
"Is that so?"
"But even considering those shortcomings, you have one clear strength! Your output is outstanding."
Professor Vible excitedly rambled on about insights only he understood.
When creating artifacts, there were elements like aesthetics, neatness, delicacy, complexity, and so on—among which output was also an extremely important factor...
'Think happy thoughts.'
Lee Han steadied his drowsy mind and forced himself to think happy thoughts.
That way, even as Professor Vible continued his one-sided lecture, he could endure it with a smile.
Professor Vible was the kind of person who could talk for hours about his favorite topics.
And Lee Han was the kind of person who could endure hours of the professor's esoteric ramblings.
When the two met, the conversation flowed endlessly without pause.
"...And that's why Enchantment Magic is so fun. Isn't it fun?"
"Yes. It was truly fascinating."
"Excellent! I never expected Gonadaltes to send me such a gift!"
Professor Vible was overjoyed by the enthusiastic response of his promising new student.
Enchantment Magic was a truly fascinating field, but sadly, most students never came to appreciate its charm.
Yet this student before him, despite lacking some talent, seemed to understand that joy.
Who would've thought he'd listen so attentively?
That alone was enough.
"As long as it's fun, that's what matters. Right? Who cares if you lack a bit of talent? If it's fun, you still gain something."
'Hmm. Maybe I should pass on Enchantment Magic.'
As Lee Han listened to Professor Vible, he pondered internally.
Enchantment Magic was tempting, but forcing himself into something that didn't suit him could be risky.
As Professor Garcia had warned, trying to learn too many types of magic at once would make life exhausting.
Listening to the professor, it didn't seem like Enchantment Magic was particularly well-suited for him either...
The only real advantage was that the professor was cute, so he had to make a rational decision.
"Then, Professor. I'd like to have fun making fireworks."
Having made up his mind, Lee Han spoke politely.
Now that he had a rough estimate, all that was left was to quickly finish what needed to be done so he could escape the Skeleton Principal's grasp.
'Since the Skeleton Principal probably doesn't expect artistic value from magical fireworks, I just need to apply the bare minimum of magic as quickly as possible.'
"Right? Your fingers must be itching to get started, huh?"
"Yes."
"Let's begin right away!"
"I'll start with the Light Magic Fireworks first."
Lee Han decided to begin with the magical fireworks he had already learned and was familiar with.
This time, the new Light Magic Firework was created with fewer trial-and-error attempts than before.
But then, Professor Vible shook her head.
"No, no."
"Huh? Did I make a mistake in the casting?"
Lee Han held up the firework and examined it.
He didn't feel like he had made any mistakes.
Was there some subtle error that Lee Han couldn't detect but the professor could?
"It's too boring."
"...Professor. To be honest, I actually like boring fireworks."
"No. That's no fun. You just don't know other methods yet. If you try a different approach, it'll definitely be more exciting."
Professor Vible, wanting her student who enjoyed Enchantment Magic to experience even more fun, took his hand and pulled him closer.
Wasn't enjoyment more important than talent?
Besides, this student had the advantage of high output.
If they utilized that strength, Enchantment Magic would become even more enjoyable.
'This feels ominous...'
Of course, Lee Han was gradually starting to feel uneasy.
"Here. Instead of just making the light explode, you transform its shape and then sustain it. See this engraved Enchantment Magic pattern? Can you feel it?"
"It seems like a spell based on light magic... transforming and maintaining its shape... Is it an animal form?"
Only a mage with exceptionally sharp intuition could look at the Enchantment Magic pattern and mana flow on the paper and guess what kind of spell it was.
But Professor Vible was so absorbed in what she wanted to say that she didn't notice this at all.
"Yes! Exactly! A cute and simple animal. Wouldn't it be more fun if that appeared?"
"...Yes. I suppose so."
Lee Han resented his mouth for moving against his instincts.
But what could he do?
She was a professor, after all...
'Well, if it's a cute and simple animal, it shouldn't be too difficult. Thank goodness.'
Lee Han imagined a simple monster like a slime.
That kind of form would probably be easier to sustain with light...
"What kind of animal is it?"
"A dragon."
"...A dragon."
"A dragon. It's cute and simple."
As if to demonstrate, Professor Vible swung her wand dazzlingly while chanting the spell.
Just by watching the intricately twisting and tangled flow of mana, Lee Han could tell how complex and delicate the structure of this magic was.
Growing the light's form, stretching it, pulling it, twisting it, dragging it, intertwining it by contorting...
Lee Han had thought that after risking his life fighting Professor Voladi, he had experienced everything there was to elemental control—but seeing Professor Vible made him realize that wasn't the case.
The world of magic was truly boundless.
'...The problem is that boundless world is being forced upon me.'
Could Lee Han, at his current level, actually pull off this light magic that formed a dragon?
Surprisingly, he could.
"You did it! You did it! Wasn't it fun?"
Professor Vible said with a bright smile. Lee Han felt the urge to smack the beaver professor's snout once.
Professor Vible didn't get angry, didn't swear, and didn't pressure Lee Han.
He just muttered every time Lee Han failed: 'Failed? Why's that? Oh dear... It's not that hard...'
It didn't take long for Lee Han to realize that no compromise or negotiation was possible with this beaver professor.
"Come on! Pull it! Pull it!"
Lee Han was too exhausted to even respond properly. As instructed by the professor, he pulled the completed firework.
Bang!
A dragon composed of light particles flamboyantly revealed itself above the workshop.
Though still crude and rough, anyone could tell it was unmistakably a dragon.
The moment Lee Han pulled the magic firework, Professor Vible immediately took out his pocket watch and measured the time.
"What are you measuring?"
"Duration."
"How long is it supposed to last normally?"
"Normally it should disappear right after exploding."
"...Oh."
At those words, Lee Han felt slightly proud.
While practicing Enchantment Magic, he hadn't particularly felt like he was doing well, but at least the duration turned out fairly decent.
Of course, even considering that, Enchantment Magic was much harder than he'd expected.
To be precise, Professor Vible was the exhausting one, but anyway...
'I need to finish these fireworks quickly and escape.'
I have arrived.
The Skeleton Principal had returned.
Then he blinked at the scene inside the workshop.
A dragon made of light floating in the air.
He'd told Professor Vible to make magic fireworks, so why was he attempting pointless artistry?
'Did I give them too much time?'
How quickly had they made the fireworks? And why was that thing floating there?
"I didn't do it."
What?
"I didn't do it. The kid here did."
......
The Skeleton Principal was so flabbergasted he lost his words. For a seasoned Lich among Liches like the Headmaster, this was truly a rare occurrence.
He didn't even know where to begin criticizing.
He'd told them to make magic fireworks, but this madman was teaching some insane-level illusion enchantment magic, and the student was actually pulling it off...
I told you to make magic fireworks!
"This was made using magic fireworks."
...Wait! Why isn't that thing disappearing?
The Skeleton Principal belatedly realized the light dragon wasn't fading away.
There could only be one reason.
Because of the unique constitution of that boy from the Wardanaz family.
Fine. It was foolish of me to leave these two together.
"You're always like this, aren't you? It's fine."
So are the magic fireworks all finished?
"Uh..."
Professor Vible hesitated.
They'd spent all their time just completing that single firework they'd just launched.
The Skeleton Principal grasped the situation immediately even without the professor saying anything.
...How are you still qualified to be a professor?!
"Sorry... I'll definitely make them next time."
What next time! You always say that... You're doing this on purpose, aren't you!
When the blame shifted to him, Lee Han felt extremely wronged.
Just whose fault was it that he was stuck in an endless loop of Enchantment Magic during the festival period...!
"Headmaster, please think about it. What possible reason would I have to attempt such a high-difficulty masterpiece firework instead of making normal magic fireworks?"
That was undeniably true.
"Why? Isn't it obvious you'd want to try something this fun?"
Both Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal pretended not to hear Professor Vible's words.
The Skeleton Principal clicked his tongue in displeasure and said:
Fine. No helping it. You may leave for today.
"Gonadaltes! You have to send this student back! He loves Enchantment Magic!"
You should be reflecting! When will you finally remember what I say?!
Watching the Headmaster lead him out of the tower, Lee Han felt the Headmaster's reliability for the first time.
"Thank you."
Right. But I'm sending you back tomorrow.
"......"