Episode 159
Episode 159
Realizing the opposing student had gotten the wrong idea, Ogonin urgently shouted:
"...I'm not a professor!"
"?!"
Only after receiving Lee Han's suspicious gaze did Ogonin belatedly realize what he'd just said.
Had he been a professional thief, he would've chosen his words carefully—but Ogonin was an amateur thief.
Though his reputation as a mage was renowned even within the Empire, this was his first time acting as a thief.
This inexperience led to such mistakes.
"No... I mean...!"
"How dare you deceive me!"
"I didn't deceive...?! Ugh!"
Ogonin could no longer attempt persuasion or excuses.
The opposing student's assault had begun.
'What... What in the...?!'
When the student summoned dozens of Water Orbs, Ogonin was startled but didn't think they'd be impossible to block.
Though magical combat wasn't his specialty, given his years as a mage, he'd naturally experienced his share of battles.
He'd faced elemental magic of this caliber before.
While the sheer number was intimidating, he only needed to properly defend against the frontal assault.
If he blocked just this one wave, he could suppress his opponent with Illusion Magic again...
...or so he should have!
Swoooosh!
As the Water Orbs all veered off in erratic, unpredictable trajectories at speeds beyond his expectations, Ogonin found himself panicking once more.
'What kind of—! What kind of—!'
Ogonin flung himself sideways.
At his age, he never imagined he'd be dodging attacks in such a childish manner.
"Earth, aid me!"
The ground suddenly slid beneath Ogonin, pushing him away while simultaneously attempting to swallow the Water Orbs.
Lee Han made no effort to wrest back control with his own manipulation.
If it wanted to swallow them, let it.
Because...
He could just summon more!
"Spring forth!"
"!!!"
The sight of the student immediately preparing another attack without even a moment's rest after the last barrage made Ogonin feel as though he'd been plunged into a nightmare.
An illusionist, trapped in a nightmare?
'Is... Is this a trap prepared by Gonadaltes?!'
The thought was so absurd it spoke volumes about his desperation.
"Elements, return to your original state!"
Ogonin countered the incoming Water Orbs with a dispelling spell, scattering them into the air.
Yet his opponent paid no heed, simply summoning another wave.
Ogonin realized:
'If this turns into a battle of attrition, I can't win!'
Pride as an Imperial mage or not, by this point, Ogonin had grown eerily calm.
A single humiliation might leave one dazed, but suffering several in succession had a way of sharpening the mind.
'Who knows what kind of student this is...!'
Somehow, he had to subdue him and escape!
"Flames, take my form!"
Ogonin abandoned his stubborn insistence on using ineffective Illusion Magic out of wounded pride.
Illusion Magic wasn't limited to spells cast directly on opponents—there were other methods. If one approach failed, he could try another.
Flames erupted, taking on Ogonin's exact likeness—a perfect doppelgänger indistinguishable from the original.
Lee Han stared at Ogonin with wide-eyed shock. Ogonin felt a sliver of his wounded pride recover.
"...Student, listen to me! I apologize for speaking rudely in my panic. But I too have circumstances—"
Sssssk—
"?"
At the sound of a fuse burning behind him, Ogonin turned his head.
The flame doppelgänger had ignited a fuse, which burned down completely before launching a firework.
FWOOOOOOSH—BOOM!!!!!
Both Lee Han and Ogonin were left speechless, simply watching as the pile of fireworks ignited.
Next question! In my lifetime, what was my favorite...
BOOM!
"?"
"What was that?"
Students yawning over the tedious questions turned their heads.
Behind them, beautiful fireworks were painting the sky.
BOOM! BOOM!
"Fireworks!"
"Oh my, is it already time for the show?"
Even the guests rose from their seats in excitement.
Among the most beautiful things magic could create, fireworks surely ranked high.
Rarely did one get the chance to witness Einrogard's own fireworks display up close.
No... no... NO!?
When the Skeleton Principal pretended to be startled with an utterly shameless expression, the imperial guests burst into uproarious laughter.
"What a delightful surprise gift you've prepared!"
"How joyous the students must be to study under such a cheerful master!"
No... just... what kind of... eternally cursed bastard...?
"What did you just say?"
Silence!
The Skeleton Principal dropped all pretense and forced the imperial guest's mouth shut. The guest subjected to the forced silence curse could only whimper in frustration.
What kind of...!
Blue flames blazed violently in his eye sockets, leaving trails behind the flying Skeleton Principal.
Though his tear ducts had dried up long ago, the Skeleton Principal wept with his very soul.
Some vile wretch had ruined his plan to give the students the delightful experience of dodging fireworks!
"...It's over..."
Ogonin collapsed face-down with a despairing expression.
Who could have guessed that was a pile of fireworks?
And now that they'd been set off, there was no escape. People would come swarming soon.
'Should I knock him out?'
Lee Han looked down at the prostrated Ogonin, deep in thought.
To properly subdue him, knocking him unconscious would be best.
Judging by appearances, this wasn't a professor but a thief...
Yet strangely, this thief seemed to be someone of some standing.
If he turned out to be acquainted with any professors and Lee Han had needlessly assaulted him, it would cause considerable trouble.
"Would you mind telling me your circumstances?"
"What?"
"I was wondering if you might explain your situation."
"You... wait. You're definitely a student, right?"
Ogonin, wallowing in despair, suddenly grew curious and asked. Lee Han nodded.
"That's correct."
"Fifth year?"
"No."
"Fourth year?"
"No."
"Sixth year??"
"I'm a first-year."
"......"
Ogonin began looking around frantically.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for a rope strong enough to hang myself with..."
"Please don't."
Though Lee Han tried to console him, Ogonin collapsed back in frustration.
To think he'd been outmaneuvered by a mere freshman's illusion magic, then ended up setting fire to a pile of fireworks!
It felt like his entire life as a mage was being negated.
"I see. Hmm. So..."
Lee Han attempted to comfort the despairing mage and hear his story.
Roughly speaking, this was Ogonin, a specialist in illusion magic research. Some time ago, an ancient artifact related to illusion magic had appeared at auction, only for Gonadaltes to snatch it up with a bid. When Ogonin asked to collaborate on research, he'd received responses like "Why should I? Buy your own with your own money."
In the end, he'd infiltrated to get his hands on that artifact directly.
'What a tragic tale.'
Made even more tragic precisely because it wasn't someone else's story.
Weren't the upperclassmen currently raiding the Skeleton Principal's storeroom for materials right now?
If this continued, they might have to start raiding other magic schools' storerooms.
"Whatever happened... wait, Lord Ogonin!"
Kirmin Ku, fellow illusion mage and professor at the magic school, was the first to arrive—and promptly froze in shock.
Why was Lord Ogonin here?
"If you were coming, you should have called ahead—"
Professor Kirmin looked at the fireworks still exploding with loud bangs behind them, then at Ogonin lying face-down, then back at the fireworks.
Then he grasped the situation.
"Did... did Lord Ogonin set off the fireworks?"
"Yes."
"...Wardanaz. Could I ask you one small favor?"
"Should I pretend to know nothing in front of the Headmaster?"
"You're really..."
Professor Kirmin was at a loss for words. That's how astonished he was.
"Yes. I'm asking. Though of course I'm not demanding it. After all, it's true that Lord Ogonin tried to lay hands on the Headmaster's treasures..."
"No, it's fine."
"!"
"Isn't he your friend, Professor?"
"...Thank you, Wardanaz. I'll repay this kindness without fail."
Professor Kirmin was genuinely moved.
Unlike Bagrak, Bagrak's student was truly a warm-hearted and generous mage.
"How on earth did such a disciple come from under Bagrak...!"
Boom! Crackle! Pop!
With a series of firework explosions, the Skeleton Principal arrived on the scene.
The Skeleton Principal looked at Lee Han, then at Professor Kirmin, then at Ogonin, quickly assessing the situation.
So they dared to set fire to someone else's festival just because their research cooperation was refused!?
"N-no, that's not—"
"Honorable Gonadaltes. We're not sure what happened either. When the three of us arrived, the fireworks were already burning."
......
The Skeleton Principal was stunned by this unexpected betrayal.
Come to think of it, Professor Kirmin Ku was an illusion mage and a close friend of Ogonin's.
It wouldn't be strange for him to take Ogonin's side.
'These damn illusion mages...!'
What kind of ridiculous excuse was this!? So the fireworks set themselves on fire!?
"Honorable Gonadaltes."
Professor Kirmin spoke firmly.
"If Ogonin had intentionally set the fire, he wouldn't have had any reason to remain here, would he?"
......
The Skeleton Principal was caught off guard for the first time in ages. Speechless, he could only roll his hollow eye sockets.
It was an undeniably logical point.
Why on earth would Ogonin stay after setting the fireworks ablaze?
"Headmaster! The fireworks are truly magnificent!"
"To think we'd get to see something like this...!"
Boom! Pop! Crackle!
Fortunately, before the Skeleton Principal could arrive at the correct answer, a crowd of excited guests swarmed in.
Seizing the opportunity, Professor Kirmin urgently whispered:
"Ogonin, you must leave now."
"Th-thank you. And also—"
"This student is Lee Han of the Wardanaz family."
At Professor Kirmin's words, Ogonin nodded with tear-filled eyes.
"Truly grateful. I'll never forget your name. I swear upon the name of magic that I will repay this debt."
"Go quickly!"
Ogonin hastily departed. If caught by the Skeleton Principal, things wouldn't end well.
Meanwhile, the Skeleton Principal—busy entertaining guests—only realized the truth too late.
So it was the Wardanaz kid who exposed everything! That brat! Of course direct illusion magic wouldn't work on a Wardanaz!
"I don't know what you're talking about..."
Where's Ogonin!? Did he already escape!?
The Skeleton Principal gnashed his teeth.
Upon reflection, it was clear Lee Han had been the stumbling block.
The gap between a freshman and a renowned imperial mage was so vast he hadn't considered it initially...
But comparing their magical affinities, it was entirely possible!
Otherwise, there was absolutely no reason for Ogonin to stay after detonating the fireworks.
Just you wait... Ogonin! I will absolutely settle this festival grudge!
"We should flee now."
Professor Kirmin quickly escorted Lee Han away.
Staying longer would only bring trouble.
Friday, after the festival.
All the external guests had left, and the once bustling grounds stood empty, yet students still buzzed about the festival.
"Did you see yesterday's fireworks? They were gorgeous."
"Must've been Enchantment Magic, right? Are we learning that in two weeks?"
But Lee Han felt slightly tense.
He would soon have to face the Skeleton Principal.
With many students having earned Exit Permits this week, they were all to gather for a meeting with the headmaster.
Lee Han held two Exit Permits—one from before, and a new one recently received from Professor Voladi.
'Surely he wouldn't hold a grudge against me over yesterday's incident...?'
Lee Han kept his mouth firmly shut, but...
Given the Skeleton Principal's temperament, even that might provoke him.
"Everyone here?"
"Yes!"
"Enjoy the festival?"
"Yes!"
Yet the arriving Skeleton Principal showed neither burning rage nor flickering madness.
He just seemed sullen and subdued.
'Thank goodness... No. Better stay alert.'
As the Skeleton Principal greeted students, his gaze drilled into Lee Han when he reached him.
"Is something the matter?"
"Are you close with Ogonin?"
"Huh? No, not particularly."
"I see."
Lee Han maintained near-perfect composure. Not a single crack showed.
...Until he heard the Skeleton Principal's next words.
"Then you won't mind joining me on my next outing."
"......"
Lee Han didn't ask where the Skeleton Principal planned to 'go out' to.
He didn't need to—the destination was chillingly obvious.