Episode 199

Kumandas was taken aback but quickly regained his composure.

There were many things he needed to do right now.

He had to cover the Enchantment Magic lectures in place of Professor Verdus who'd been dragged away somewhere, and somehow secretly persuade the new students before him to follow him into the Twisted Dimensional Corridor...

"Senior! Hello!"

"Senior! We were just—"

"Hold it!"

The fourth-year seniors firmly cut off the new students who were chirping like birds.

Having been first-years themselves, they knew exactly what these newcomers were about to say.

"Don't ask any questions about school life! Don't ask where the food storage is, which floor has exam information, where to find useful books in the library, or how to escape—nothing at all! We're only going to talk about Enchantment Magic here!"

"......"

The first-years wilted under the seniors' stern attitude.

But the seniors were desperate too.

A single mistake could land them in the Punishment Room.

'They're wary of the Skeleton Principal.'

Lee Han understood why the seniors were acting this way.

Given the Headmaster's temperament, there was no way he'd just let seniors freely help their juniors.

"Let's not make things too difficult for our seniors. They must have their reasons," Lee Han said while sweeping butter cookies from the table into his coat.

His friends nodded in agreement.

"True, the seniors must be walking on eggshells."

"Do you think they'd even get in trouble just for teaching juniors?"

"You never know."

"......"

Listening to their innocent juniors' conversation, the fourth-years shed silent tears inside.

'They're still so naive!'

'But is no one going to point out that Wardanaz kid hoarding all the cookies?'

Ahem. "Well then, shall we begin with Enchantment Magic?"

The fourth-years cleared their throats and started the lecture.

Enchantment Magic.

This branch of magic involved casting spells on people or objects—strengthening, imprinting, blessings, and more fell under its umbrella.

Successfully enchanting an object permanently turned it into an Artifact, while mastering spells specialized for people earned one the title of Enhancement Mage. The applications of Enchantment Magic were truly vast.

Compared to Black Magic—which had broad academic scope (assuming Professor Mortum's claims were correct) but narrow practical uses—it was no wonder Enchantment Magic remained popular.

"Juniors, don't attempt body-enchanting spells for a while," one senior said firmly.

"Miscasting enchantments on yourself when you're unskilled can cause serious harm."

Failed object enchantments just resulted in broken items, but failed body enchantments could have severe consequences.

"You'll focus solely on object-based enchantments until you've built up your skills."

'I see... Hmm?'

As Lee Han listened to the explanation, he paused.

...Hadn't the Skeleton Principal's book taught him Enhancement Magic first?

"......"

Though it was all in the past now, Lee Han felt strangely wronged.

That damn black book...

"We heard you juniors have already learned a bit of <Lesser Frost Resistance>, but honestly, it's too advanced to master completely at your level. The cold weather makes it somewhat manageable now, but it'll become much harder once it warms up. Don't get greedy—take your time learning other spells first."

At the senior's words, Lee Han's friends all turned to stare at him. He pretended not to notice.

"Alright then... let's begin."

<Paper Hardening>.

This was an easy introductory spell—a stepping stone for beginners to get accustomed to Enchantment Magic.

The principle was simple:

Just make flimsy paper rigid.

Lower-year students often slipped these enchanted papers under their coats as makeshift armor.

"Paper, become hard!"

"Paper, turn to steel!"

"Incantations are tools to focus your will, but don't make them overly specific or restrictive. You'll only be tying your own hands that way."

The seniors were much better at teaching than Professor Vible. By dividing the students among themselves and instructing them in an orderly manner, their efficiency was visibly impressive.

In fact, even if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Lee Han had been the one teaching, he would have been better than the professor.

Kumandas made a request to his friends.

"Mind if I take that one?"

"Go ahead. But why?"

"N-no reason."

Kumandas couldn't tell his friends the truth.

It's because of that accident I caused last time. To clean up that mess, I need the freshman's ability.

I had my suspicions during the last assignment, but you've finally lost it, huh. Tsk tsk.

...That's exactly the kind of reaction he'd get.

"Hmm. Try casting it."

Kumandas stared intently at the students in front of him. More precisely, he focused solely on Lee Han.

"...?"

Lee Han whispered to Yoner beside him.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Hmm? Maybe?"

"Was I too obvious about hoarding the snacks earlier?"

"Even if they were freshmen once, glaring at us over something like that would be too much."

"Right? I don't get it."

Having quickly rationalized it, Lee Han tilted his head in confusion.

If not that, then why?

"Paper, become hard."

Lee Han easily succeeded in casting the spell.

Having forcibly learned spells several times more difficult than this, Paper Hardness Enhancement wasn't particularly challenging for him.

"Not bad at all."

Kumandas offered a half-hearted compliment.

Truthfully, he hadn't even looked at Lee Han's spell. It wasn't a difficult spell, considering the other students were succeeding too.

Something else was more important.

I need to get my message across somehow!

"Huh? You can tell without even touching it?"

Angrago, standing nearby, looked puzzled. Kumandas brushed it off.

"With enough experience, you'll be able to do it too, junior."

"Whoa...!"

Amazed, Angrago tapped Lee ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Han's paper.

Before the spell, it had been a flimsy sheet, but now it made a solid thunk like hard wood.

Angrago had also succeeded in the spell, but his wasn't nearly as sturdy.

Enchantment Magic considered any attempt that met a certain standard a success, but even among successes, there were differences.

"How do I make it this hard?"

"Try channeling more mana."

Kumandas answered without even looking at Angrago. Angrago swung his wand, pouring in more mana ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠than before.

"Whoa...! It really got harder!"

"Yeah. Good job."

Kumandas replied distractedly before subtly whispering to Lee Han.

"...Are you struggling with anything?"

"?!"

Lee Han was startled.

What's with this guy?

Why was he suddenly saying this?

Is it a trap?

Demons are always friendly.

Lee Han wasn't so easily fooled.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Come on, just tell me—"

While Kumandas was whispering, another fourth-year student approached and was astonished by Lee Han's spell.

"Wow, you managed to channel this much mana? Any more, and the paper would've melted."

"Right? Have you studied Enchantment Magic before?"

"No way. It's too early for that."

The seniors exchanged surprised remarks.

With Enchantment Magic, brute force wasn't the answer.

Exceeding a certain limit could destroy the object due to excessive mana.

To push mana to the very edge of that limit required not just talent but experience.

"Kumandas. Kumandas. Did you see this?"

Kumandas, who had been persistently whispering to Lee Han—Are you struggling? I can help you. Trust me—turned his gaze away, annoyed at his friends' interruption.

"What? Why?"

"Did you see this or not?"

"I saw it. I already said he succeeded earlier."

"Not that—look at the mana infused in this. Isn't it harder than wood?"

"What's the big de—gasp?!"

Kumandas checked the mana imbued in the paper and was shocked.

His friends stared at him in disbelief.

You said you saw it...

"Some of the seniors seem a bit... off."

"Yeah? Better watch out."

The students from the Blue Dragon Tower in the lounge were astonished by Lee Han's words.

This magic school was truly a place where even seniors couldn't be trusted.

'To ask such blatantly suspicious questions so openly...'

Had they answered honestly, they might have been sent flying straight to the Skeleton Principal's Punishment Room.

"Are you going out again today?"

"No."

"Then let's play ca—"

"After wandering around at night for days, I should catch up on my studies by reading today."

"......"

Gainando, who had been pulling out a deck of cards, recoiled with a disgusted expression.

If they got caught at the wrong time, they might end up studying together.

"?"

While reading, Lee Han noticed a paper bird flying in through the open window.

'What's this?'

Come to the location on the map as quickly as possible!!!

-Vible Verdus

'Ugh. I really don't want to go.'

Lee Han grimaced as soon as he read the note.

He'd rather receive a note summoning him to the Twisted Dimensional Corridor than this.

He didn't even want to imagine why the professor was suddenly calling him.

'It's pitiful how powerless I am to ignore this...'

When a professor calls, a student has no choice but to answer.

Such is the cursed fate of a student.

'Never seen this place before.'

The map pointed to a forest west of the main building.

Frowning as he stepped into the woods, Lee Han couldn't help but feel wary—after all, he had recently been ambushed by a rogue artifact.

Fortunately, the forest was quiet, but he remained on high alert.

'Pull the branch, then draw three circles on the stump...'

Lee Han followed the instructions on the map.

Suddenly, the illusion obscuring his vision vanished, revealing a building.

"!"

The most complex and massive structure in the school, symbolic of the magic academy.

The workshop towers, each built according to the professors' whims across the vast campus.

Though the school had dozens of other buildings scattered everywhere...

'I've never seen a prison this blatant before.'

Its exterior, made of dark, rusted metal, exuded an even more menacing aura than the Punishment Room.

"Professor?"

"Shh! Quiet!"

With the clanking of iron bars, Professor Vible Verdus poked his head out.

The beaver beastman professor gestured impatiently at Lee Han.

"Hurry! Get over here!"

"What's going on?"

"I don't know! Gonadaltes suddenly showed up, threw a fit, and locked me in here!"

"......"

Lee Han could roughly guess the situation.

The Skeleton Principal wouldn't have personally stored the rampaging artifact in the warehouse—someone else must have...

'So it was him.'

Thanks to that, I almost died!

"Just open the door already."

"Uh... Professor. Aren't there other students who could do this?"

Lee Han didn't understand.

He had seen senior students earlier—why call him?

"They're probably being watched by Gonadaltes. That's just how he is. Anyway, hurry up and open this door! I'm bored to death making nothing but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠useless artifacts in here!"

Lee Han glanced inside the cell.

'Hmm. Living better than a first-year, I see.'

A plush bed, assorted fruits, and tree barks.

At least the Skeleton Principal had maintained some basic decency, even if he was angry.

...Come to think of it, this was ridiculous.

'Shouldn't a freshman get this treatment instead?'

"Wardanaz? What are you doing? Not opening it?"

"Professor. If I open this... won't the Headmaster suspect me as the culprit?"

"Just say I did it!"

"But do you really think he'd believe that?"

"...What's wrong with you!? Are you not going to open it?!"

Professor Verdus tilted his head in confusion.

His student had finally arrived, only to spout nonsense.

"Professor. I do want to open it, but... perhaps some compensation would ensure I don't regret it later if the Headmaster finds out."

Lee Han dropped the hint casually.

Professor Verdus wasn't angered or flustered by his student attempting extortion or bargaining with his imprisoned teacher.

He didn't even register it as such. He just thought, 'What's his deal? What does he want?'

"Fine! I'll compensate you when I get out! Just open it!"

"Don't worry, Professor. I was going to open it anyway. It's not like I'd do it just for compensation—"

"Just open it already!"

Professor Verdus cut him off, uninterested in Lee Han's excuses.