Episode 247
Episode 247
"...My apologies. I lost control of my emotions."
Ogonin felt ashamed.
While all mages who wielded magic needed to control their emotions well, this was especially true for illusion mages.
How could a mage who couldn't control their own emotions possibly regulate another's?
"Remember this well. It's absolutely not because you're lacking."
"Ah. Yes. I understand."
Lee Han nodded seriously at Ogonin's sincere praise.
But no matter how much the other insisted, he still couldn't quite grasp it.
'So exactly how much am I not lacking?'
Shouldn't Ogonin at least say how he compared to other illusion mage students, or how long it normally took to reach this point? That would give him a better sense.
Ogonin's praise contained frustratingly little useful information.
He understood he wasn't lacking, but...
"Keep practicing the anxiety spell when you return."
While repetitive training to familiarize oneself with magic was important, that wasn't why Ogonin mentioned it.
'The chances of success would be much higher with a different target.'
In Ogonin's view, there was only one reason Lee Han kept failing at casting <Ogonin's Rising Anxiety>:
Because his target was Gonadaltes!
Against other students, his success rate would likely be much higher.
'Of all people to be stuck with that bastard...'
Ogonin grew impatient.
Talented mages sometimes lost confidence due to early mistakes.
It was unacceptable that a promising mage might fall into such a swamp over common mistakes anyone could make.
What kind of loss would that be for the proper lineage of illusion magic?
The problem was Lee Han might now fall into that same distrust.
'This absolutely cannot happen!'
"Ah. By the way, Master Ogonin."
"What is it?"
"If I want to practice this, I'll have to cast it on my friends, right?"
"Naturally."
"But... making my friends anxious while they're diligently working on assignments and studying for exams seems a bit..."
Lee Han spoke with an awkward expression.
An anxiety spell was ultimately magic that made others anxious.
He'd feel bad doing that to friends working hard on their studies.
"There certainly is that aspect."
Ogonin nodded repeatedly as if understanding Lee Han's point, making him feel relieved.
'He must have a solution.'
"So what should I do then?"
"Isn't accounting for it the only way?"
"Excuse me?"
Account for it?
Lee Han thought they must be joking.
But Ogonin and the Skeleton Principal were completely serious.
For the sake of magic, shouldn't his friends make a small sacrifice?
'...These crazy mages...'
Lee Han's expression turned stern as he refused.
"That won't do."
"But... why not?"
It's not like you're stealing their hearts—just making them slightly anxious. If someone would neglect their studies over a little anxiety, they'd neglect them over a passing breeze!
"I said no."
Faced with Lee Han's firm refusal, Ogonin looked flustered while the Skeleton Principal grumbled.
But Lee Han wouldn't budge.
Tch... fine. Practice with <Ogonin's Full Satisfaction> then. How about that?
"But wouldn't the anxiety spell be better for practice..."
"No. I'll practice with the satisfaction spell."
"But wouldn't the anxiety spell be better for practice..."
"......"
Lee Han's evaluation of Ogonin dropped slightly lower.
'Hmm. Just because he doesn't get along with the Skeleton Principal doesn't mean he's a good person.'
He was reminded once again today that veteran mages were fundamentally more likely to be insane.
Evening already. That was a long teaching session.
"Yes... well..."
Lee Han suppressed his bitterness and maintained his composure as he realized his entire weekend had vanished.
What could he do about time already lost?
He'd just have to work harder with what remained.
Then he'd return to the tower and study magic diligently...
"Wait! Wait!"
?
The Skeleton Principal narrowed his eyes at Professor Verdus rushing toward them from afar.
"Why are you running over here so frantically?"
"You extended the duration of your Makeshift Artifact by increasing the mana input, didn't you?"
That was true.
"......"
Lee Han was so flabbergasted he couldn't even form proper words.
Wait, it hasn't even been a few hours yet, has it?!
'More importantly, the Skeleton Principal was with me the whole time...'
"Professor, how did you know about that?"
"The Death Knights told me."
"...!"
A Death Knight had overheard the conversation between the Skeleton Principal and Lee Han, relayed it to another Death Knight, who then passed it on to yet another Death Knight...
As a result, while the Skeleton Principal had remained still, the news somehow reached Professor Verdus's ears.
It was the terrifying rumor-spreading network of Einrogard at work.
'This isn't some hellscape...'
Lee Han's head throbbed at the sight of these gossipy Death Knights.
Should he have learned undead purification magic to exterminate them on sight?!
"I get that you're excited, but is there any reason to come running here to ask about it now?"
"Huh?"
Professor Verdus looked at the Skeleton Principal as if questioning why he'd ask something so obvious.
"Well, I wanted to take him now to test it out... That portable large-scale compressed mana stone over there..."
Who?
"No, I mean the Wardanaz student."
'Did he just call me a portable large-scale compressed mana stone?!'
Lee Han's spine tingled with dread at Professor Verdus treating him like some kind of portable mana battery.
"Professor, it's evening right now."
"That's fine. I'll turn on the lights for you."
"...I have several assignments to complete, and I have lectures tomorrow."
"No problem! We'll finish before tomorrow morning!"
...Normally, I don't interfere with students' opportunities to practice magic unless absolutely necessary, but this is unacceptable. No way!
The Skeleton Principal spoke firmly to Professor Verdus.
Professor Verdus reacted as if he'd just heard the sky was falling.
"Why not?!"
I just told you why! Even if I repeat myself, you won't understand!
Under normal circumstances, the Skeleton Principal might have pushed him along with the usual "Mages grow through hardship," but Professor Verdus was different.
Given his personality, there was a high chance he wouldn't let Lee Han go even if tomorrow's lecture time arrived.
"I'll turn on the lights and send him back before tomorrow's lecture, okay?!"
Right. And I always promise the Emperor that I keep my students happy and smiling, don't I? As if! You, go back. And don't get caught by any strange professors on your way!
"...Yes... Thank you."
Instead of saying, "This is all because you summoned me here," Lee Han decided to obediently return.
He was genuinely afraid of running into any more eccentric professors.
"Why do the Blue Dragon Tower kids look so happy today?"
"Right...?"
"Don't tell me they finished their pre-final assignments over the weekend?"
"Don't be ridiculous! How can you even say that?!"
"But Wardanaz is there. There were rumors he holed up in the dorm all weekend working on assignments..."
"N-no way."
Students from other towers stared at the Blue Dragon Tower students with a mix of fear.
Even so, finishing all their assignments over the weekend?
Is that even humanly possible?
"Lee Han. Lee Han. Cast it on me one more time."
"...No. It doesn't seem like a good idea."
"Come on! Just once more!"
"Me too! Just once more!"
As his friends all raised their hands, begging him to cast <Ogonin's Full Satisfaction> on them again, Lee Han made a firm decision.
"No. That's enough."
"Ugh... Why...?!"
"This happiness... Why...?!"
His friends wanted to get angry but were too content to properly express it.
'The spell worked a little too well.'
Normally, he should have been satisfied with successfully practicing his magic, but seeing them like this made him think he shouldn't practice it any further.
'Illusion magic might be a bit dangerous.'
"Wardanaz. Wardanaz."
Salko from the Black Turtle Tower called out to Lee Han. Lee Han nodded in understanding.
"You want the satisfaction spell, don't you? I'll cast it just once, and that's it. No more after this—it could become addictive."
"What... what are you talking about?"
Salko was flustered.
"Wasn't that it? Then why did you call me?"
"Obviously because I have something to tell you."
Salko first expressed his gratitude.
"As I mentioned last time, thank you again."
"For what? It was a paid favor. Just don't forget the money."
Salko laughed, thinking Lee Han was joking to lighten the mood.
"Hahaha..."
"...Why are you laughing? I told you not to forget the money."
"Ah... no. Of course I'll pay you."
Salko was slightly taken aback by Lee Han's unexpectedly serious obsession with money.
He thought the money was just an excuse to help?
"So what did you want to tell me? If it's another reckless attempt like last time, forget it. I have enough piled-up assignments as it is."
"Don't worry. I barely recovered—do you think I'd attempt something so reckless again?"
Salko had also learned his lesson this time.
Even if you have a friend who's good at fighting among your peers, wandering carelessly in the outer regions could get you killed!
"You've been looking for a way to the upper floors of the main building, right?"
"I have. Doesn't everyone?"
First-year students who enjoyed night strolls were all exploring every nook and cranny of the main building, racing to be the first.
Whether going underground or climbing higher, the various hidden rooms, warehouses, passages, and spaces were of great help to the students.
Not just out of simple curiosity—but for survival!
"I found a shortcut to the upper floors of the main building."
"...Tell me in detail."
During the weekend, while the main building was shaking, shifting, and rearranging itself, a student from the Black Turtle Tower witnessed something strange while looting the <Red Turnip> grocery warehouse.
"Red Turnip grocery warehouse? Where's that?"
"Is that really important right now?"
"Of course it is."
'This guy and his food...'
Salko thought to himself.
Among the four towers, the students of the Blue Dragon Tower lived the most comfortably.
While others were counting their meals, the Blue Dragon Tower students were having obnoxious conversations like, "Ugh, today's dessert was disappointing," or "Even Wardanaz messes up dessert choices sometimes."
And Salko knew very well that all this comfort was thanks to one student risking their life to provide for them.
Personally, he wondered what was the point of feeding those lazy brats so well...
"Here. Satisfied?"
"I see. Thanks."
"Take what you need. We have to stock up too. And from experience, if you loot too much, the warehouse changes location."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Go on."
While looting the grocery warehouse, the Black Turtle Tower student saw the blocked wall at the back open up, transforming into a new passage.
At this astonishing sight, the student tried to step into the passage, but...
Upper Floor Shortcut
This path is protected by a barrier. Those without skill, turn back!
With only these words carved into the wall, the student was flung backward.
A barrier had been placed to prevent intruders.
Lee Han listened intently with an intrigued expression.
'Definitely interesting.'
Given that it was labeled as an "Upper Floor Shortcut," this path could very well be the shortest among the ones he'd recently scouted.
Who knew the rearrangement period would bring such luck?
"I came to tell you because I thought you might have a way to break the barrier. Here, take this map."
"You overestimate me, Salko."
"So that's how it is?"
"But this time is an exception. I had the chance to receive guidance from an exceptional illusion mage."
"I knew it... I had a feeling. That's amazing! Who was it?"
"Lord Valdororn."
"Of course. Valdororn..."
While Salko was marveling, Lee Han added belatedly,
"Oh, right. I also learned separately from Lord Ogonin."
"I see."
People generally don't pay much attention to things tacked on as extras.
Salko was no exception.
He focused only on the name Valdororn and barely registered Ogonin's name.
So by the time he realized who Ogonin was, Wardanaz had already left.
"Wait. Wardanaz. Lord Ogonin... you don't mean... Wardanaz?"
"Wardanaz? He just left."
"......"