Episode 28
Episode 28
-Ah right. I was going to give you a gift.
The Talking Oak Tree stared straight at Lee Han.
The soil in front of Lee Han's feet shifted, and branches sprouted, weaving and twisting as they grew upward.
Before he knew it, the branches had transformed into the shape of a long magic staff.
"!"
Artifacts—magical tools—were like extensions of a mage's own limbs.
And among them, the magic staff was arguably the most important artifact.
At times, it amplified the power of spells.
At times, it shortened casting time.
At times, it even allowed the use of otherwise impossible magic...
It was no exaggeration to call it a mage's closest companion.
Currently, all first-year students at the Magic School were using standard-issue long staves provided by the school.
Though they lacked any special features or individuality, the advantage of these staves was their incredible durability.
They were also long enough to easily surpass a person's height, so Lee Han had been using his like a wooden pole.
Without this staff, he wouldn't have been able to take down the Mutant Pig that Thunderstep had unleashed.
-Hmm. Perhaps you've grown attached to your current staff and don't wish to replace it?
"No?"
Without a second thought, Lee Han pulled the new staff from the ground.
A tool was just a tool.
Getting sentimental over something like that would be strange.
'Do people really hesitate when switching to new lab equipment because they've grown attached?'
Beside him, Durgyu gave Lee Han a bewildered look.
Thud—
As soon as he lifted the new staff from the ground, the first thing he felt was a refreshing energy.
It might have been odd to sense such freshness from a wooden staff freshly pulled from the earth, but Lee Han definitely felt it.
-How does it feel?
"It feels... refreshing."
-!
The Talking Oak Tree was startled.
Lee Han had adapted to the staff much faster than expected.
'To sense the staff's energy the moment he grasped it...'
Originally, it should have taken much longer.
What Lee Han was feeling was the energy of the tree spirit dwelling within the staff.
That wooden staff was one where a spirit lay curled up inside.
Just as a novice mage needed endless training and trial-and-error to summon a spirit, drawing out the power of a spirit dwelling within a staff also required considerable effort.
Normally, it would take months of wielding the staff before one could sense it—and even then, only if they had some natural affinity with spirits.
'His ability to detect mana is beyond imagination. Even for a Wardanaz, that level of talent is extraordinary.'
-Impressive. That you could sense it.
"Is it?"
Lee Han looked at the Talking Oak Tree with a puzzled expression.
He didn't quite understand why feeling this refreshing energy was such a big deal.
But of course, he wouldn't know what was hidden inside.
-As you use the staff, you'll come to understand the power dwelling within it.
"Couldn't you just tell me now?"
-No. Even without rushing, your talent alone will be enough.
The Talking Oak Tree was beginning to realize that Lee Han was an exceptionally unique freshman.
Occasionally, freshmen like him—reckless yet capable lunatics—would appear.
Lee Han's demeanor reminded it of a certain madman from the Wardanaz family it had met about a hundred years ago.
Though Lee Han was far more polite and composed...
-Well then. I must return to my slumber. And from now on, don't cast magic near this forest. Your spells are too mana-dense—they'll wake up all the trees around here.
"......"
'He's not just saying that to get rid of me because he's sleepy, is he?'
Lee Han suddenly grew suspicious.
It felt a little odd to be praised as "impressive" just for mentioning the refreshing energy from the staff.
And the fact that the tree wouldn't immediately explain the power within the staff was slightly suspicious too.
"Did you just say that to get rid of me quickly because you're sleepy?"
'Maybe he gave me a decent staff just so I wouldn't bother him by coming back to this forest...'
But regardless of Lee Han's suspicions, the clearing began to close. The trees shifted, the surroundings blurred, and gradually, he found himself moving farther away from the clearing.
Through his fading vision, the voice of the Talking Oak reached Lee Han's ears.
-Remember the riddle I told you. Solve it, and you'll be able to leave.
Fortunately, by the time they returned, all the undead had already disappeared.
As the first light of dawn slowly chased away the darkness, Lee Han and his group cautiously descended the mountain.
Everyone was exhausted beyond measure, wanting nothing more than to collapse onto their beds and rest.
Thud!
As soon as Lee Han entered the Blue Dragon Tower, he flopped onto his bed. Escaping or whatever could wait—he'd think about it after sleeping and waking up.
"...Naz! Wardanaz!"
After what felt like hours of deep sleep, someone knocked on his bedroom door, waking him.
"What is it?"
Yawning, Lee Han opened the door.
Standing before him was Ashan, the bespectacled human boy from the Dalkard Family.
"The Headmaster—no, the teacher—is holding an event outside!"
'That's one way to wake up—in a bad sense.'
Hearing those words, Lee Han's sleepiness vanished instantly.
The Headmaster was holding an event.
'...He's not trying to weed out the students who attempted to escape, is he?'
Frankly, Lee Han felt a bit guilty, which made him even more uneasy.
Sure, his group had returned without getting caught, but given the Headmaster's temperament, it wouldn't be strange if he pulled some eccentric stunt.
'But if that's the case, not attending would be even riskier.'
Lee Han knew this well.
When you've caused trouble, you should act as normally as possible.
Acting suspicious would only get you caught immediately.
"Got it. I'll wake Yoner and Gainando, and we'll head out."
"Don't you guys sleep way too late?"
By the time Lee Han roused the other two and stepped outside the tower, the sun was already high in the sky.
The three of them yawned as they followed the other Blue Dragon Tower students.
"!"
Even from a distance, the massive skeleton floating in front of the school's main building was impossible to miss.
Come, come! This isn't an opportunity that comes every day! Hurry over, you young iron-willed... vessels! Welcome!
"...??"
Judging by the atmosphere, this didn't seem like an operation to root out troublemakers.
If anything, it resembled a cheerful gathering or event.
Several tents had been set up in the front courtyard, where priests in clerical robes smiled benevolently as they handed out food and drinks to the well-behaved freshmen.
Lee Han, too, absentmindedly accepted a cookie from one of the priests. Freshly baked, it was warm and emitted a delightful aroma.
As he took a bite, the crisp, crumbling sound was followed by the sweet ooze of jam.
'What's going on? Is the school collapsing??'
Noticing Lee Han's bewilderment, the Headmaster spoke up.
Today, on this joyous weekend, priests from various imperial orders have graced our school with their presence. Aren't you all delighted? Come now, applause!
Clapclapclapclapclap—
The freshmen murmured among themselves but clapped anyway. The priests bowed their heads in gratitude.
"Thank you, Os Gonadaltes. We know how tirelessly you work to educate the Empire's young mages, so we truly appreciate your permission and assistance for this event."
Haha, think nothing of it. It's my pleasure. Please convey my regards to His Majesty the Emperor. We'll need additional funding to excavate and research new ancient magics...
"W-we're not sure how much help we can be, but we'll do our best."
The priests flustered at the Headmaster's blatant words.
But Lee Han felt an odd sense of familiarity from the scene.
'Is there any world where professors aren't beholden to budgets?'
Even the most arrogant professors, who seemed to fear nothing in the world, inevitably showed weakness before those who controlled their research funds.
Even if the Skeleton Principal had no fear whatsoever, he couldn't help but weaken before the Emperor who provided his budget.
The priests addressed the gathered students.
"Future outstanding mages, it is an honor to meet you all today. We are humble servants representing various religious orders of the Empire. We would be truly delighted if we could introduce our orders to you today."
'The mana is enormous.'
Lee Han was astonished by the mana emanating from the priests.
It felt like an incomparably vast amount of mana, far beyond what the freshmen possessed, was pulsating from their entire bodies.
Moreover, the priests' mana was peculiar.
Mana imbued with a sacred aura—how fascinating.
"!"
Lee Han got goosebumps.
Before he knew it, the Skeleton Principal had stealthily appeared right beside him.
'I understand now. The priests' mana has such unique characteristics that it's called Divine Power.'
"Yes. I've heard much about it, but this is my first time seeing it in person."
'So you were sensing the priests' mana after all.'
'Damn it.'
Lee Han realized his mistake.
He had fallen for the Headmaster's probing question.
'Why try to hide it? If you have outstanding talent, you should flaunt it. How many of these iron-brained... iron-bowled students here do you think could detect mana so precisely?'
The Skeleton Principal asked as if he couldn't comprehend it.
A mage should know how to boast and display their abilities.
Only then could they extort—no, receive investments from wealthy nobles to research stronger and higher-level magic...
'Hmm. If I say it's because I don't want to get involved with you, I'd be dead, wouldn't I?'
Lee Han swallowed his thoughts.
His goal was simply to graduate with good grades and connections, not to explore the truths of magic alongside the Skeleton Principal.
But this wasn't a situation where he could be honest.
"I thought I should remain humble, as there are many more outstanding people in this school."
'That's not it, is it? From now on, I want you to boast about your talent to every student you meet. That's how it should be.'
'Is this guy insane?'
If Lee Han did as the Headmaster said, his social circle would be reduced to just one person—Gainando—within a day.
Fortunately, the Skeleton Principal seemed uninterested in Lee Han's friendships and shifted the topic.
'Given that the Wardanaz family had no interest in faith, they probably never had the chance to meet priests.'
"Yes. That was the case."
The Empire had countless gods and orders serving them, but mages were never close to religion.
Fundamentally, mages were...
'I, too, have little interest in faith. I'm simply too intelligent to believe in gods.'
'...No wonder things are like this.'
Though not as extreme as the Skeleton Principal, many mages were nonbelievers.
In fact, Lee Han's father, the patriarch of the Wardanaz family, had once said during a meal:
"Divine Power is merely a type of mana. The only difference is that the collective belief of countless imbeciles has altered its properties. So-called 'Divine Magic' is still just a type of magic. Why else would it be called Divine 'Magic'?"
"Then, Patriarch, what are your thoughts on researching Divine Magic?"
"An excellent idea—if you wish to waste your time. Compared to real magic, refined through formulas and theories, Divine Magic is nothing more than the howling of savages drunk on faith and emotion."
'I must never reveal my Wardanaz lineage in front of these priests.'
Finishing his recollection, Lee Han nodded.
Even the kindest priests would be enraged upon hearing those words.
'Probably Wardanaz thinks similarly. These orders are truly pathetic. If they're the kind to join just for food, they must be utterly useless. And yet they're holding this event.'
As if needing someone to grumble to, the Skeleton Principal kept muttering beside Lee Han.
After listening silently, Lee Han finally spoke.
"Headmaster."
What?
"Are there any orders you'd recommend?"
......
The Headmaster stared at Lee Han as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard, his reaction practically designed to embarrass the speaker.
'Wait, orders?'
Not 'order' but 'orders'? Plural?