Episode 278
Episode 278
Bone fragments rained down incessantly, sweeping through the area like buckshot and turning everything into chaos.
The adventurers, who had been desperately holding out until the mage exhausted his mana, gradually began sensing something amiss.
'Something's wrong!!'
Thwack!
Even with their shields raised, complete defense was impossible.
When one adventurer staggered out from cover after being hit by bone fragments, Lee Han immediately launched a Water Orb.
His sturdy armor meant nothing.
The heavy impact pierced through the gaps in his armor, and the adventurer collapsed on the spot.
-At this rate, we'll all go down! Shouldn't we move?
-You want to charge at a mage mid-cast?!
The remaining adventurers exchanged desperate signals, unable to believe their current situation.
Just moments ago, when they'd glimpsed him through the window, he'd looked like some pampered young noble from an aristocratic family...
'Did he drink some kind of potion before coming?'
Originally, their plan was simple—the moment the mage stepped into the basement, all their prepared traps would activate in sequence, and the adventurers would join the assault in the chaos.
But this mage—how many mana-enhancing potions had he chugged?—was relentlessly bombarding the basement with spells without pause, turning it into a wasteland.
They didn't even know where the traps were anymore—with magic being sprayed everywhere, several had already been destroyed.
Every second felt like an hour of agonizing endurance.
Suddenly, the basement fell silent.
'Is it over?!'
The adventurers felt their hearts race as the bone fragments stopped flying.
Whether he'd run out of bones or mana, it was clear the mage's assault had ended...
Thud, thud-thud, thud-thud-thud-thud—
This time, Water Orbs came flying like mad. Though not as overwhelming in number as the bone fragments, there were still enough to suffocate them.
And unlike the indiscriminate barrage earlier, these curved precisely into the blind spots where the adventurers were holding out.
It was obvious the mage had roughly pinpointed their positions during the first assault.
"GAAAAH! You crazy mage bastard!"
Finally, one adventurer screamed and charged out. His wooden shield, battered by the relentless onslaught of bone fragments and Water Orbs, was now in tatters.
'He's fast!'
Kilbedek felt a flicker of hope seeing his ally move faster than expected—maybe they could break through.
There was an old saying: never charge at a mage mid-cast. But this situation was different.
The mage was distracted, spraying Water Orbs all over the basement, and the adventurer's physical abilities had been dramatically enhanced by various pre-battle potions.
With that whirlwind speed, he had a real chance to catch the mage off-guard.
Wasn't casting speed always a mage's weakness?
"Flash!"
But the mage swung his staff as if he'd been waiting, cutting his incantation short.
The massive floating masses of water in the air continued transforming into Water Orbs and raining down, while lightning shot out from among them, blasting the adventurer's shield away.
"...!"
The shieldless adventurer couldn't even process what had happened—the mage's reaction speed was that fast.
"Wha—"
"Flash! Flash! Flash!"
The adventurer's body, enhanced by various potions, moved with Dynamic Visual Acuity—his eyes locked onto the tip of the staff as he tried to dodge.
But the mage seemed to anticipate it, firing three bolts almost simultaneously. No matter which way he dodged, he couldn't avoid them all.
Zzzzzt!
Electrocuted and paralyzed, he was swarmed by Water Orbs like a pack of wolves.
The remaining adventurers were now more terrified than when facing mad mages.
Mad mages at least just trudged in step by step, dismantling traps one by one before subduing them—but this young monster on the stairs was giving them no room to breathe, relentlessly pushing them back.
"I... I surrender! We surrender!"
Thwack!
When their comrade, hands raised, rushed forward only to be struck down by a Water Orb, Kilbedek was horrified.
"Why are you attacking when we surrendered?!"
'D-does this mean they won't accept our surrender?!'
"Ah. My apologies. I didn't realize you were surrendering. Are you surrendering now?"
"...Yes!! Yes!!! We surrender!"
"Please drop your weapons, raise both hands, and come out slowly."
The young mage's voice was so polite it sent shivers down their spines.
Kilbedek cautiously peeked out. The mage was waiting with an expressionless face before asking:
"You didn't prepare any tricks, did you?"
"We didn't! Nothing like that!"
"Your vehement denial makes you more suspicious... Very well. You may come out slowly."
An adventurer walking ahead of Kilbedek lowered his hands slightly and opened his mouth, trying to gauge the situation.
"Uh, about that—"
Thwack!
"Ah. Oops. My apologies. That was reflexive..."
Seeing his companion collapse after being hit by a water orb, Kilbedek raised his hands even higher.
This mage spoke politely, but his actions were even more terrifying than the mad mage's.
Lee Han could tell Professor Voladi was deeply disappointed.
Fortunately, the professor wasn't disappointed in Lee Han—he was disappointed in the adventurers.
"A failure."
"W-we're sorry, Honored Mage."
"We did our best..."
Professor Voladi seemed too disappointed to even speak. He tossed each adventurer a pouch of silver coins as payment before pointing toward the main gate.
Understanding they were being dismissed, the adventurers began shuffling backward nervously.
They were terrified the mad mage might fire offensive spells if they turned their backs.
"I'll escort you out."
Meanwhile, Lee Han, who had essentially aced his final exam, was in high spirits.
Of course, the adventurers didn't feel reassured just because Lee Han offered to guide them.
"Th... thank you, Honored Mage."
"You can speak comfortably. I'm still just a student with much to learn."
Despite his humble words, the adventurers remained on high alert.
"I-I see. What year are you in?"
"First year."
"......"
"......"
The adventurers fell silent, their expressions indescribable.
"Um... what exactly happened today?"
About halfway there, one adventurer couldn't hold back and asked.
The others shot him looks that screamed 'Do you have a death wish?' and 'Why are you trying to get us all killed?'—but the question was already out.
"Ah. It was a final exam."
"Eh?"
"A final exam. Didn't the professor explain?"
"Ah..."
The adventurers' mouths fell open as they collectively made the same sound: "Ah..."
Then, as if snapping back to reality, they hastily exclaimed:
"No! He explained!"
"It's coming back to me now!"
"What a relief. I was worried he hadn't. This way, please. You can see the main gate now, right?"
As they followed Lee Han, the adventurers—without any prior agreement—simultaneously had the same thought:
If they made it out of Einrogard's main gate alive today, they would retire.
'I'll settle in a quiet village with few people.'
'I'm moving to a mage-free town.'
They sincerely never wanted to deal with madmen again.
'Off to a good start.'
Lee Han happily crossed out "Repetitive Training in Basic Magic Combat" with a satisfied expression.
Repetitive Training in Basic Magic Combat ✔
Basic Magic Character Education ✔
Though many lectures remained, starting his finals like this was an excellent omen.
"Wardanaz! Big trouble!"
"?"
"I heard there won't be any more deadline extensions for the <Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic> assignment! They're saying it has to be submitted today as is!"
"!!"
When Angraku whispered urgently, Lee Han's face stiffened.
This was no ordinary matter.
'That's impossible!'
<Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic>.
The course required submitting blueprints as a pre-final assignment and actual constructions as the final—but...
...the problem was that a phoenix had broken into the storage room and burned all the assignments to ashes.
How could they submit anything by Tuesday as scheduled when their work had been incinerated?
The students had all assumed, 'There'll be an extension, right?' 'Surely they'll grant one for this'—but...
'I was too complacent. This is Einrogard after all!'
Lee Han bitterly regretted his carelessness.
Even if he had known, he wouldn't have had time to catch the phoenix anyway, but the regret still stung.
"Wardanaz. There's a way."
"What way?"
"Join hands with us and protest to the professor! If an outstanding student like you joins us... Hey! Wardanaz! I said let's do it together!!"
Lee Han turned away without even pretending to listen.
That was just nonsensical blabber with no chance of success.
'If I want to submit it, I need to finish before lunch. The method...'
Unlike other amateur students, Lee Han was a prepared professional.
Amateurs give up when assignments aren't ready, but professionals find any way to submit something.
Of course, the quality couldn't be guaranteed, but that wasn't important right now.
With little time left...
Lee Han stared thoughtfully at the long pole that was supposed to form the framework of his magic lantern.
-You're not seriously... planning to scrap all the designs and solve everything with just magic?!
-...What nonsense are you spouting, Yoner? I haven't even drawn it yet.
Suddenly, his past conversation with Yoner surfaced in his mind.
The shameless method of abandoning all designs and production, casting magic instead, then boldly insisting "It'll last long enough anyway."
When he'd discussed it with Yoner, he'd dismissed it as utter nonsense, but...
'...There's no time and no other way.'
Lee Han steeled his resolve.
Sometimes audacious sophistry is more needed than skill.
This is the way!
Though Professor Alpen hadn't arrived yet, the atmosphere in the Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic classroom was chaotic.
"Seriously, no deadline extension?"
"That's what I heard."
"We're screwed...! We're totally screwed!!"
"Well, at least we're all in this together?"
"Are you blind?"
Then Professor Alpen entered. He looked puzzled at the students' disarray.
"What's going on?"
"Professor! It's not our fault the phoenix burned the storage!"
"Well, it is our fault for not posting guards! We'll post them next time, so please just give us one more chance...!"
"Extend the deadline!"
"Understood. I was planning to do that anyway."
Professor Alpen replied breezily. The students froze.
Huh?
"Wait... So there is an extension?"
"How could I not extend it after a phoenix burned the storage? Complete it by this weekend. I can give 2-3 more days, so those who need extra time can come see me."
"......"
"...Who the hell spread that false rumor?"
The students were relieved, but the matter wasn't over yet.
Who the hell spread that rumor??
Thud!
Then Lee Han belatedly entered, carrying his magic lantern. Seeing Professor Alpen had arrived first, he bowed his head.
"Good day, Professor."
"Good to see you, Wardanaz."
"I'm here to submit my assignment."
"Wai—"
Angrago panicked and tried to stop Lee Han.
'No, Wardanaz! The situation's changed! It was a false rumor!'
But Professor Alpen responded first.
"What's this? Forgive me for saying so, but I don't see any separate design."
"Yes, Professor. I did note the amplification magic circle and required materials in my blueprint. But upon reflection, that too seemed inefficient."
"Inefficient?"
"Yes. I realized my magic alone could sustain it for over two days. Forcing unnecessary material usage would contradict this course's purpose."
"So that's why you submitted it like this?"
Professor Alpen's eyes glinted sharply.
Whether it was a good or bad sign remained unclear, but Lee Han stood firm.
"Yes."
"Won't you regret it?"
'?'
Lee Han sensed something odd.
'What? Is there something I don't know?'
But the die was cast. Maintaining his composure, he answered.
"Yes."
"Frankly, I'm impressed."
Professor Alpen smiled broadly.
"Audacity and improvisation are also virtues of a mage. If it truly lasts over two days as you claim, I'll give full marks. Go take your seat. Ah, since you've already submitted your final assignment, you may leave the classroom. The rest of you, start your work again."
"...????"
Lee Han turned his head.
His friends were staring at him with looks of awe and admiration.
Except Angrago.
"You. Outside. Now."
"I-I need to work on mine, Wardanaz."