Episode 208
Episode 208
"...Should we break his legs?"
"Wouldn't breaking his arms be better?"
"Gainando. How can you say that? I'm genuinely worried."
"It's not just me! Maykin said it too?!"
Though Lee Han had solved the cold problem and barely made it back to the dorm, the students of the Blue Dragon Tower couldn't simply rejoice.
Their friend was about to be dragged before the wicked Lich at daybreak.
"W-well... It's a one-on-one meeting with the Headmaster, so it might still be a good opportunity."
A few students who still retained some innocence cautiously voiced their opinions.
In most cases, they would've been right.
The headmaster of Einrogard Magic School, Osso Gonadaltes, was counted among the empire's most exceptional and extraordinary mages.
If an outsider unfamiliar with the magic school had heard, they might've reacted with, 'What? You get a one-on-one meeting with Archmage Gonadaltes? To receive even a fraction of that great man's teachings—you're truly fortunate!'
But the freshmen were slowly catching on.
Being personally taught by a renowned and powerful archmage wasn't necessarily a good thing!
And if that archmage happened to be the Skeleton Principal, it was even worse.
"You're calling this 'a good opportunity' when Wardanaz has a 90% chance of being tortured? Are you even his friends?"
"I... I don't think anyone mentioned torture..."
When Ashan flared up in his stead, the other students shrank back.
Neblen of the Kirak family, one of the Princess's followers, whispered to her:
"Your Highness. Though the Headmaster is certainly eccentric and dangerous... isn't there still a chance this one-on-one meeting means he recognizes Wardanaz's talent and wants to impart some teachings?"
Fortunately, the Princess nodded.
Neblen's face brightened.
"Right? It's not all bad..."
The Princess shook her head firmly.
Even accounting for that, it was still plenty bad.
"...It's bad?"
"Exactly. Kirak. Keep this up, and you'll go in his place. Sacrifice yourself instead of Wardanaz."
"N-no... I'm sorry. Everyone. Wardanaz. That was arrogant of me."
Lee Han didn't even bother responding, merely waving his hand as if to say it was fine.
Frankly, he didn't have the energy to reply.
'I should get as much sleep as I can.'
Since he was going out with the Skeleton Principal over the weekend, his friends' voices barely registered.
He was simply steeling his resolve.
"See? You hurt Wardanaz's feelings!"
"Does Wardanaz even have feelings to hurt...?"
Saturday, dawn.
Lee Han walked cautiously toward the main gate. Thankfully, there were no traps.
Not letting his guard down? Impressive.
"Thank you."
Tara.
The Skeleton Principal gestured to a carriage waiting before the main gate.
Aside from the lack of horses, it was a luxurious-looking travel carriage.
Resisting the urge to ask something uncouth like 'Does it work without horses?', Lee Han opened the door and stepped inside.
Inside, he was greeted by the sight of an elegant parlor—an impossibly spacious interior that defied the carriage's exterior.
Depart.
-Yes.
An undead summon's voice echoed from outside before the carriage began moving smoothly.
The massive gates of the magic school opened, sending the carriage off.
"Might I ask where we're headed?"
That much I can answer. Our destination is the Tower of Ogonin.
"...?"
For a moment, Lee Han wondered who Ogonin was.
The Skeleton Principal noticed and was exasperated.
Illusionist Ogonin. You met him during the festival—have you forgotten?
"Ah... There's just been so much going on."
Lee Han made the excuse, but the truth was, no matter how busy he was, he rarely forgot figures who left a strong impression.
But Ogonin...
'That pitiful mage who snuck in, got caught by a first-year, and failed to cast his spell properly.'
That was the impression he had.
If Ogonin had heard, he would've been so ashamed he'd have holed up in his tower for a while!
If he was forgettable despite how much had happened, then he must've been truly unremarkable... Well, Ogonin had done something, so he was about to get payback in kind.
'How truly pitiful.'
Lee Han felt sympathy for Ogonin.
Ogonin didn't seem like such an extraordinary mage, yet he was now facing such vicious retribution from the Skeleton Principal himself.
"Though the mage named Ogonin doesn't seem like someone worthy of the Headmaster personally seeking revenge..."
Naturally, Lee Han's persuasion had no effect whatsoever.
However, the Skeleton Principal's mood improved considerably.
That was exactly the attitude he wanted to see.
"?"
Lee Han was puzzled.
What attitude?
'I thought he'd be angry that I tried to stop him.'
That's how it should have been from the start. That's the right way.
The Skeleton Principal nodded in satisfaction.
The greatest flaw of that boy from the Wardanaz family was precisely that softness of his.
But seeing him look down so arrogantly on a mage of Ogonin's caliber showed signs that even that flaw might be corrected.
As an educator at the Magic School, this was truly a joyous occasion.
After all, illusion mages were all twisted and narrow-minded without exception.
"That's not entirely true."
No need to take Professor Ku's side. He's not even here anyway.
"It's not just Professor Ku—there are mages like Valdororn too..."
Valdororn?
The Skeleton Principal tilted his head in confusion.
Aside from Professor Kirmin Ku who taught illusion magic, there were many illusion mages, but Valdororn was a name he'd never heard before.
Who was that? It's the first time I've heard that name.
"Is that so? I happened to meet him when I was outside last time—he possessed exceptional skills."
I see. A reclusive mage, then.
The Empire's outstanding mages weren't always active in social circles.
Some mages secluded themselves in remote mountains and valleys known only to themselves, pursuing the truth.
The Skeleton Principal often wasn't even aware of such mages' existence.
What a shame. If he's that skilled, we should invite him as a professor. But reclusive mages are so finicky... It'd probably be difficult, wouldn't it?
"Yes. From what I heard during our conversation, he didn't seem interested at all."
Right. That figures. Anyway, enough about insignificant fools like Ogonin... Let's talk about your magic. You're studying well, aren't you?
"Yes. I'm doing my best."
Lee Han looked up at the sky without a trace of shame.
Truly, among the freshmen, no one worked as hard as Lee Han.
What are you studying besides lectures?
"...Headmaster. Just keeping up with lectures is hard enough as it is."
Lee Han was dumbfounded.
The Skeleton Principal had asked so casually, 'What are you studying besides lectures?'
Even the current lectures were overwhelming—what more could he possibly expect from a freshman...?
Promising students seek out and study magic on their own, no matter how difficult. That's always been the case. So you're not studying anything outside of lectures?
"Well, I am, but..."
The Skeleton Principal nodded as if he'd expected as much.
Lee Han felt slightly wronged.
He'd ended up studying extra by chance—it wasn't like he'd deliberately chosen to do so.
"This was purely accidental."
I didn't ask. Just tell me what you're studying.
The Skeleton Principal showed curiosity about which fields interested Lee Han.
Though he often complained about the boy's soft nature, the young Wardanaz before him was currently the talent the Skeleton Principal was most interested in observing.
As a potential candidate who might one day inherit his secrets, it was only natural to be curious.
"First, I'm studying the book you gave me."
Your greatest strength is that discerning eye of yours that knows how to separate jade from stone.
Lee Han flattered him, and the Skeleton Principal was pleased.
And it wasn't even a lie.
Whenever bored, the black book would enter Lee Han's dreams on its own and forcibly teach him magic!
"And Blood Magic..."
Blood Magic? Isn't that too outdated? Besides, it's an unnecessary trivial skill for someone like you.
"...and magic that pairs well with it."
At Lee Han's answer, the Skeleton Principal cast an intrigued glance.
While Blood Magic was finicky to use and had become a niche technique these days, magic that could be combined with it was a different story altogether.
Blood magic is a technique that uses blood as a catalyst to amplify mana.
Magic that could be linked with such blood magic had distinct characteristics.
Massive mana consumption, relatively low control requirements, and so on.
It would indeed suit that Wardanaz family boy quite well.
Clever.
"Thank you."
What books are you studying from? There can't be many decent blood magic books available.
Lee Han pulled a book from his backpack. It was On Basic Blood Magic and Its Applications.
Fwip—
The Skeleton Principal levitated the book and flipped through it. As his eyes scanned the pages, he asked another question.
Aside from blood magic, what else are you studying?
'This should already be more than enough...'
Honestly, between studying the Skeleton Principal's magic and blood magic, he already had more than enough on his plate.
The problem was that Lee Han was genuinely studying other things as well.
As he pulled out another book, Lee Han thought to himself:
'This is so unfair. It's not like I went out of my way to study this.'
Upon seeing On Basic Lightning Elemental Magic and Its Applications, the Skeleton Principal levitated that book as well.
Then, he rapidly read through both books.
It's unexpected, but you're managing to learn under that Professor Baggrek fellow.
'Unexpected is an understatement.'
Lee Han barely stopped himself from nodding reflexively.
No matter how much the rest of the world criticized one's advisor, it was best for their student to keep their mouth shut.
"Not at all. There's always more to learn."
Well, of course there would be plenty to learn if you could endure that nonsense. Just like how surviving a trip into a dragon's lair leaves you with plenty of experience.
"......"
Honestly, I never expected him to actually get students. Who would willingly attend such unreasonable lectures?
Lee Han felt that if he kept talking, he might lose control of his emotions.
'I should change the subject.'
"But why Professor Baggrek all of a sudden?"
Wait, these are books written by Professor Baggrek, aren't they?
"...!"
Lee Han was startled.
These two incredibly detailed magic tomes were written by Professor Baggrek?
It was surprising, but more than that—
'If he can explain things this thoroughly in writing, why can't he just speak like this?!'
Lee Han struggled to keep his anger from showing on his face.
You didn't know?
"They're... written in such detail..."
It's common for those who can't articulate well to ramble endlessly when they pick up a quill. Where did you get these? Did Professor Baggrek give them to you directly?
"He gave me the lightning magic one, and I found the blood magic one."
This seems like something he wrote during his school days. You're lucky to have found it.
"It wasn't me who found it—my friends did."
But now it's in your hands. That's fate.
'I'd rather not be fated with a blood magic tome.'
It seems Professor Baggrek's teachings suit you well, but don't rely solely on one professor's methods.
"...It's not that well-suited."
Out of the three books you're studying separately, two are by Professor Baggrek?
Lee Han resolved to scour the library as soon as he returned to school and add a few more useful magic tomes to his collection.
Though all mages pursue the same truth, the paths to reach it vary. If a student is too influenced by their teacher, it becomes difficult to break free from their shell.
"Understood."
A true disciple must be bold enough to stab their master in the back and inherit everything they have.
"Under... stood?"
Lee Han froze. For a moment, he thought his inner thoughts had been exposed.
But the Skeleton Principal hadn't set any trap with his question.
True to his ancient origins, the Skeleton Principal genuinely believed that 'a mage must have the audacity to stab their master in the back if they are to walk their own path.'
Lee Han stared intently at the Skeleton Principal's smooth, white skull. The Skeleton Principal said sternly:
Not now. We'll talk after you've learned everything.
"You've misunderstood. I wasn't thinking anything at all."
Good. It seems my worries were unfounded after all.
The Skeleton Principal, who had been slightly concerned, was now convinced.
No matter which mage taught him, this boy from the Wardanaz family would never lose sight of his own path.
For a mage, that was truly an essential virtue.