Episode 211
Episode 211
'He doesn't care about means or methods.'
Unlike Kulvik, who pitied Lee Han and intended to subdue him moderately, Lee Han was 100% serious.
In fact, if a freshman didn't go all out against a high-ranking illusionist, they'd be the crazy one.
The Enhancement Magic he had cast to its maximum before the duel began.
That Enhancement Magic explosively amplified Lee Han's already well-trained physical abilities even further.
Watching his disciple sprint forward, the Skeleton Principal thought to himself:
'Good grief. Does he really have to go that far?'
It wasn't against the rules to cast magic like that before a duel.
Especially since Lee Han was a freshman, and his opponent was a fairly well-known mage.
No one would criticize him for something like that.
It just looked a bit undignified and desperate, that's all.
To the Skeleton Principal, it seemed rather pathetic.
He could win just by fighting normally, honestly...
'How lacking in dignity.'
Unaware that the Skeleton Principal was thinking such unpleasant thoughts, Lee Han charged forward.
'I have to close the distance!'
Unlike the Skeleton Principal, who was convinced he could 'win even with his eyes closed,' Lee Han naturally had no such confidence.
Fundamentally, he believed that even a single hit from his opponent's magic would mean the end for him.
Though he had shown resistance to magic and poison a few times before, that was no guarantee it would work 100% of the time.
Given his opponent's skill level, unlike before, he could very well take Lee Han down in one blow.
So, what was the most viable method when facing such a mage?
Closing the distance to prevent them from casting spells as much as possible.
Thud!
Lee Han pulled an iron ball from his sleeve and hurled it at Kulvik.
Already startled once by Lee Han's movements, Kulvik was shocked again as the iron ball tore through the air toward him.
He had the skill to easily block simple projectiles, but...
...the iron ball flew faster than Kulvik had anticipated.
"Tch!"
Kulvik halted the incantation he was reciting and lowered his stance. The iron ball whizzed past his head.
It was an extremely brief moment, but that was all Lee Han needed. Having closed the distance, he immediately grabbed Kulvik by the collar and threw him down.
Crash!
Then, he twisted Kulvik's arm behind his back to subdue him. Kulvik's wand flew to the side.
"I... I yield!"
At Kulvik's declaration of defeat, the illusionists were stunned.
That freshman's movements had far exceeded their expectations.
Who would've thought a mere first-year could move so nimbly and swiftly!
"So this was what Baron Gonadaltes was aiming for...!"
"Damn it. He exploited our weakness. Bringing in a student from a knightly family."
"Indeed. Attacks like that aren't easy to counter unless you see them coming. That must've been his plan."
If they had lost to a first-year student using the same magic, the shock would've been immeasurable.
But being defeated by an unexpected weakness like this elicited a slightly different reaction.
—Ah, that boy is quite impressive for his young age!
'No, you fools...!'
The Skeleton Principal was exasperated by the illusionists' murmurs.
There was no way he had come here just to win with some cheap trick like that.
He had come to show how illusion magic would be mercilessly disregarded in front of a first-year, but...
This won't do. Close combat is banned.
"What?!"
Lee Han was horrified.
Banning close combat...?
"Isn't that a bit too much?"
It's not too much. You just don't know better.
"If you want me to lose, you could just say so honestly."
That's not it!?
As his disciple grumbled, the Skeleton Principal grew twice as exasperated.
This foolish disciple still had no confidence in his own abilities.
He could've just blocked with his body!
"Sure. If you say so."
......
Whether the Skeleton Principal glared at him or not, Lee Han sank into thought.
If close combat was banned...
'This is going to be really tough.'
Illusion magic, like curses, was fast to cast and hard to dodge.
Even if he had learned defensive magic, the difficulty of blocking would have drastically decreased, but Lee Han was still a first-year. He hadn't yet mastered such defensive spells.
No matter how quickly Lee Han cast spells and attacked, if he got hit by the opponent's magic even once...
"Your Excellency Gonadaltes. It's alright!"
"There's no need for that. Please allow this first-year student to engage in close combat!"
Ironically, it was the illusionists who came to Lee Han's aid.
The illusionists were incensed by Gonadaltes's behavior of bullying and belittling a first-year student and stepped forward.
Even if they had suffered a sudden defeat, they had no desire to win by imposing such penalties on a first-year student.
"Everyone...!"
Lee Han gave them a slightly moved look.
Just as Ogonin, despite his somewhat lacking skills, had good rapport with others, it was clear that the mages under him also had good personalities.
Of course, from the Skeleton Principal's perspective, this was utterly maddening.
Who was pitying whom here...? Even if close combat was forbidden, you still wouldn't win!
"Even so, there's no need to prohibit it! It would go against our pride."
The Skeleton Principal had to suppress the urge to magically silence the illusionist's mouth.
Lee Han wore a relieved expression. To anyone watching, it was obvious he was about to charge forward and attempt close combat again.
"I am Doibach. Pleasure to meet you. Of course, you're free to attempt close combat!"
"The pleasure is mine."
The newly emerged mage, Doibach, was courteous in demeanor, and his gaze held respect.
It might have been a surprise attack and luck might have played a part, but he had still defeated Kulvik, hadn't he?
The fact that a first-year had accomplished such a feat was remarkable in itself.
Doibach made a resolution.
'As a mage who has trained in illusion magic, and as one who has received Ogonin's teachings, I shall face this first-year student's specialty head-on and achieve an honorable victory!'
This is driving me insane, really...
The Skeleton Principal muttered under his breath, but no one paid him any heed.
"What a shame!"
"Impressive!"
"I never expected this level...!"
After that, Lee Han defeated three more opponents.
Doibach had tried to cast the illusion spell with the shortest casting time, but as Lee Han swiftly closed the distance and disrupted his focus with [Summon Bone Restraints], he was just a fraction too slow.
Zelkenb attempted to block Lee Han's approach by deploying an illusionary labyrinth around him, as one would against a warrior, but he, too, was half a step too late.
Even Bongbon...
Just how little have you illusionists practiced dueling for your casting speed to be this slow!?
The Skeleton Principal, who had assumed at least one of them would manage to cast before Lee Han closed in, exploded with frustration.
Of course, dueling wasn't an essential skill for mages, and there were fewer mages like Professor Voladi or the Skeleton Principal who specialized in magical combat. But even so, this was too much!
"You're absolutely right, Your Excellency Gonadaltes."
"This is embarrassing. I never thought I'd lose to a first-year student like this."
"I respect your skills. Truly outstanding. Don't be disheartened just because you're from a knightly family. Mastering magic has nothing to do with lineage."
"Huh? Wait—"
"At your level, you'll soon make a name for yourself in the Empire's dueling circles. I'll be looking forward to it."
The illusionists readily acknowledged their defeat.
It was a disappointing loss, but they weren't so shameless as to deny it.
After all, their opponent was a first-year student, wasn't he?
Regardless of how they lost, respecting their opponent's skill and offering praise was the honorable thing to do.
"Thank you."
"You'll encounter many mages with faster casting speeds than ours in the future, but if you continue to hone that speed, you'll find few who can match you."
It was a heartwarming scene—acknowledging their own shortcomings while sincerely praising the exceptional talent of a first-year.
This was perhaps the most ideal scenario when mages of different backgrounds met.
Kulvik wondered if perhaps Gonadaltes had brought a first-year student here intentionally for this very purpose.
To make these illusion mages realize their own shortcomings by bringing a first-year with such a specialized skill...
Pathetic fools...
...Or was he wrong?
Whatever. Ogonin. Let's talk separately. You've completely killed the mood.
At the Skeleton Principal's words, Ogonin cautiously nodded while reading the situation.
Even from Ogonin's perspective, that duel had taken an unusually strange turn.
Explain this properly to your incompetent disciple. He won't believe it if I say it.
"Hmm... Well then. Your magic resistance is quite strong."
Quite?
"...Very strong."
Very?
"...Why don't you just say it yourself?"
Is the festival wrecker, firework destroyer, and artifact thief giving me orders now? Honestly. What has the world come to...
Ogonin endured the insult and pettiness. Because he was in the wrong.
"Magic resistance works in various ways... but especially against illusion magic that directly affects the mind with pure mana, the influence of magic resistance is particularly strong."
Thanks to Ogonin's detailed explanation, Lee Han could understand.
"So that time before...?"
"...You could say so. Especially direct-cast illusion magic rarely works unless it's exceptionally powerful."
"Aha. So when the Headmaster said I could just take the hits, that wasn't an exaggeration."
Stand beside me.
"Th... that's correct."
Lee Han grew interested at Ogonin's assurance.
Who would've thought the Skeleton Principal's words were actually true?
'So it wasn't some scheme to torment me.'
Of course, even if he believed the Headmaster, Lee Han would have fought the same way.
Because...
'Why take a hit if you can avoid it?'
Why get hit when you can dodge? Even with a 0.0001% chance, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
"Thank you for telling me."
Take out that book.
"Excuse me?"
The book Ogonin wrote.
"......"
With an awkward expression, Lee Han pulled out the book.
It was one he'd bought at the bookstore—a book Ogonin had written in his youth.
Seeing this, Ogonin shot the Skeleton Principal an exasperated look.
This mage was truly dedicated to tormenting others in every possible way.
What do you think?
"Naturally, since I wrote it in my youth, there are some immature parts—"
"It seems like a good book to me."
Lee Han answered, thinking the question was directed at him.
The misunderstanding was cleared up, but Ogonin still didn't feel like an Archmage.
Frankly, if he were an Archmage, wouldn't he overcome magic resistance and cast spells anyway?
Considering that level of skill, this book was indeed well-written.
Ogonin gave Lee Han a grateful look at his unexpected response.
Of course, the Skeleton Principal was far from convinced.
That?! Compare it to my book. You'll see the difference.
"Well, it's true the Headmaster's books are more outstanding... But books each have their own value—just because one is relatively inferior doesn't make it a bad book, does it?"
The Skeleton Principal hesitated, unsure whether to be pleased by Lee Han's flattery or angry at the interference.
"Thank you!"
Ogonin was genuinely moved.
As an Archmage who had received praise and gratitude from countless mages over the years, being complimented by a young mage wasn't anything new.
But hearing praise from that very disciple in front of the insane Skeleton Principal made even Ogonin's jaded heart skip a beat.
"Since this is fate, if you don't mind, would you let me teach you a few things?"
"!"
Lee Han paused and glanced at the Skeleton Principal.
Misinterpreting his look, the Headmaster grumbled in response.
Let him learn. It's rare to get direct instruction from a mage like Ogonin. A good opportunity.
'He thought I was asking if I had to learn it.'
Lee Han thought to himself.
Inside the magic school, there was Professor Kirmin Ku, and outside, mages like Valdororn—was this really necessary?
'Still, for courtesy's sake, I should learn it to the best of my ability.'
"Thank you."