Episode 210
Episode 210
A massive black circle expanded outward with the Skeleton Principal at its center.
The world within that black circle had transformed into a space entirely different from the outside.
A separate realm that defied the natural order—where the sun refused to set after rising, and the moon refused to wane after waxing.
'Unique World!'
Imperial magic was commonly classified by Circles.
Circle Magic, which assigned numbers based on the number of processes required for a mage to cast a spell, was widely used across the vast Empire due to its convenience.
One of the defining characteristics of Circle Magic was that a spell created by one mage could be used by another.
In a way, it was truly remarkable.
Magic was an act of distorting the world's order through a mage's will.
Given that each person's psyche and emotions were unique, the fact that someone else's magic could be used was astounding.
It was only possible because of shared principles and rules.
Yet, there existed magic beyond the rules of Circle Magic.
Magic that only the mage who created it could wield.
Magic that expanded the mage's inner psyche to create a separate world.
In the Empire, this was called the Unique World.
Lee Han couldn't help but shudder at the sight of the Skeleton Principal rewriting reality according to his will instead of bending the world's order.
'Incredible...!'
Of course, his purpose was to pick a fight after intruding on someone else's tower, but the sheer level of this magic was so transcendent that even that goal was momentarily forgotten.
Squelch!
As a bird flew into the world's boundary, it immediately transformed into an undead. Oblivious to its own transformation, it continued flying.
The plants growing in the mountain range below also twisted into grotesque forms.
As every being within the domain abandoned their painful lives and embraced peaceful death, the Skeleton Principal smiled.
It was always a beautiful sight—the scenery of Nirvana.
...Wait. Why are you still the same?
"Huh?"
The Skeleton Principal was startled when he looked at Lee Han inside the carriage.
Every living being within the domain had turned undead—except for Lee Han, who was staring blankly back at him.
"Did you exclude me on purpose, Headmaster?"
As if. What a wasted opportunity to experience becoming undead—such an educational experience.
"......"
Lee Han, who had almost felt grateful for the Headmaster's consideration, immediately stiffened his expression.
Tch, with that disgusting amount of mana...
The Skeleton Principal quickly figured out the reason.
Given that this was a power that altered the world itself, an overwhelming amount of mana could sometimes create unpredictable anomalies—just like the boy from the Wardanaz family right now.
The rules of the world were changing, yet here he was, sitting dumbfounded with a look that said, "Is something happening?" It was absurd.
"Having too much mana isn't my fault..."
Quiet. The illusion mages are coming out.
The Skeleton Principal pointed ahead.
The towering tower's doors swung open, and mages rushed out in panic.
In the Empire, mages who were renowned, skilled, and even sociable often formed groups or clubs to interact with one another.
Magic was an infinite field of study—even geniuses struggled to grasp its depths easily. Having trustworthy comrades was a rare and invaluable asset.
The Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles and Shadows, a club of illusion mages led by Ogonin, was a diverse organization consisting of all kinds of mages—from beginners who had just stepped into illusion magic to seasoned practitioners, and even accomplished illusion mages renowned enough to publish papers in the Imperial Academy.
The one thing they had in common?
Their reverence for Ogonin!
Since his youth, Ogonin had developed various illusion spells for the Empire's illusion mages and paved the way for them.
Any junior illusion mage couldn't help but respect him.
So when Ogonin spoke like this, the illusion mages were stunned.
"I tried to steal Gonadaltes's treasure but failed... I've brought shame upon you all. I've tarnished your reputations as well."
"Not at all! It was Lord Gonadaltes who provoked you wrongly!"
"If he bought it at auction, then it's his! But to insult someone like that—!"
"This isn't Master Ogonin's fault!"
"That's not the point now. Retaliation may come soon, so everyone should avoid visiting this tower or coming near it."
"You're worrying too much. No matter how mischievous and playful Lord Gonadaltes may be, he's an honorable Grand Mage of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor's Imperial Magic Officer, and the Headmaster of Einrogard Magic School. Would he really stoop to such petty revenge?"
"Exactly. He knows he was the one who childishly insulted you first, so he'll surely let it go."
"...You all don't know Gonadaltes very well, do you?"
The illusion mages couldn't understand.
A Grand Mage of Gonadaltes's stature wouldn't retaliate over such trivial disputes, would he?
That would be too...
Petty, wouldn't it?
"Kekekekekekeke!"
"......"
"......"
But such thoughts vanished instantly when they saw a skull floating in midair, bursting into raucous laughter.
The illusion mages, suddenly transformed into undead, were bewildered by the awkward sensations of their new bodies and protested.
"Lord Gonadaltes! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Why here of all places?!"
I merely cast a spell to impart a lesson to you mages.
'Disgustingly shameless.'
Lee Han bowed his head inside the carriage. He didn't want the illusion mages below to recognize him as the Skeleton Principal's disciple.
Regardless, the Skeleton Principal declared boldly.
Well? Isn't it beautiful?
"I-It is beautiful, but..."
"Release the spell at once!"
The illusion mages clattered their bony jaws in protest.
Admittedly, this Unique World magic was breathtakingly beautiful—but that was a different matter when it happened to you.
Who could appreciate it when they'd just turned into undead?
"Bring out Ogonin! He refused to cooperate with my research, so he crashes my festival and sets it on fire? Festival Saboteur, Firework Destroyer, Relic Thief Ogonin! Come out now!"
The Skeleton Principal had a talent for bestowing humiliating titles.
Before long, Ogonin rushed out of the tower in a panic.
"What is this... Lord Gonadaltes. If I'm at fault, why torment the other mages?!"
"Then why did you torment my fireworks, my festival, and my students over my mistake?"
'Strictly speaking, he saved the students.'
If Ogonin hadn't set the fire, the students would've had to dodge flaming fireworks left and right.
But Ogonin was too naive for such arguments.
"I-I apologize. I offer my sincerest apologies."
"Hmph. Will apologies bring back my ruined festival or heal my students' wounded hearts? Take this."
The Skeleton Principal tossed a wrapped book.
Gifting a beginner's book was rude, but Ogonin was too flustered to refuse and accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you for the gift."
......
The Skeleton Principal seemed slightly disappointed by the reaction.
Tch. Come out.
"......"
"Surely you're not pretending not to hear me now?"
"Of course not."
Wearing the expression of someone forced to do the most unpleasant task in the world, Lee Han slowly opened the carriage door.
The gazes of all the gathered illusion mages fixed on him.
"You're..."
Ogonin recognized Lee Han's face.
Wasn't that the first-year student who'd plunged him into despair last time?
"I've brought my young, inexperienced, and untested disciple here. I wanted him to test his skills against your devoted followers."
"Wait... Headmaster."
Lee Han's expression turned serious.
He had thought the Skeleton Principal was sneaking in to set the tower on fire or steal some treasure, but this was a completely different story.
This wasn't just dipping a toe in—it was plunging his entire body into deep waters!
And leaving that aside, this was an extremely dangerous match.
How on earth was Lee Han supposed to defeat those seasoned illusionists?
"I'm not confident in this."
Oh? But I am.
"......"
The Skeleton Principal was already convinced.
That boy from the Wardanaz family was the natural enemy of all illusionists.
Illusion Magic was divided into spells cast directly on the opponent and spells cast on the surroundings.
And the former had far more advanced and powerful techniques.
The higher a mage's skill, the more experienced and perceptive they became at detecting illusions and deceptions, making direct casting almost a necessity.
But what if all those techniques were completely countered by some mage they'd never seen before?
And what if that mage was just a first-year student?
I'm already overjoyed.
The Skeleton Principal broke into a wide grin.
Unaware of such sinister intentions, the innocent illusionists stepped forward with burning enthusiasm.
"Very well! We may not be so shameless or arrogant as to call ourselves Master Ogonin's disciples, but neither are we so generous as to let a challenger who came to Master Ogonin's tower leave untouched. We dare to test our skills against you."
"Wait... hold on..."
Ogonin, flustered, tried to stop the illusionists.
Having already experienced it once at the magic school, he was well aware of Lee Han's peculiar constitution.
"It's fine! Master Ogonin! Please trust us."
"Our skills may not match yours, but we will never lose."
'This Ogonin fellow must be quite well-liked, even if his skills are a bit lacking.'
Lee Han thought to himself.
If the illusionists had heard that, they would have grabbed him by the collar.
Isn't that right, Ogonin? Surely you don't distrust the mages who've gathered here for your sake, do you? Surely?
Ogonin really wanted to punch the Skeleton Principal.
If only he could speak freely...
"...Very well. Everyone, come inside."
Ogonin opened the tower door and stepped inside, his shoulders looking unusually slumped.
Among the tower's illusionists, Kulvik was the first to step forward.
Kulvik.
Though he modestly refused to admit it, if anyone were to name the most passionate and energetic of Ogonin's disciples, they would pick Kulvik.
And so, Kulvik was particularly incensed by the Skeleton Principal's rude and arrogant proposal.
No matter how much they were looked down upon, this was too much!
"Did you hear? A first-year student, they say. A first-year! No matter how much Einrogard is the cradle of the empire's geniuses, this is going too far!"
"I agree."
"Maybe that's exactly why he brought him here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it. A first-year student would naturally lose, right? Then he could mock us for going all out against a first-year."
Unaware of Lee Han's constitution, the illusionists had no choice but to interpret the Skeleton Principal's proposal in a different light.
Otherwise, there was no reason for that cunning archmage to propose it in the first place.
"Indeed... don't worry. It would be shameful to go all out against a first-year. I'll subdue him lightly and be done with it."
"I trust you!"
Kulvik stepped forward.
On one side of the vast hall stood Lee Han.
On the other, the tower's illusionists.
And in the middle were the Skeleton Principal and Ogonin.
The rules were simple. The tower's mages would use only Illusion Magic, while my disciple would use any other magic to subdue his opponent.
Though the rules favored Lee Han, none of the illusionists complained.
Considering he was a first-year student, even tying their limbs and blindfolding them wouldn't have been enough.
Kulvik suddenly felt pity for Lee Han.
Wasn't this first-year student dragged alone into enemy territory, his face stiff with tension?
'I respected Lord Gonadaltes to some extent, but I never thought he could be so ruthless! This is too much for a young talent!'
Begin!
At that moment, Kulvik saw it.
The boy before him moving with insane speed!