Episode 384
Episode 384
Lee Han quickly stepped back upon noticing the Skeleton Principal's astonished gaze.
"I was just asking. Purely for academic purposes."
What kind of bones are these that you're talking about them like they're some kind of jewels?
The Skeleton Principal replied curtly.
Unless they were weak bones that couldn't withstand those spirits, a bracelet made by carving the Headmaster's own bones wouldn't let even ten thousand demons escape, no matter how they raged.
Of course, it didn't need any jewels either.
'What a shame.'
'This brat actually thinks it's a shame.'
The Skeleton Principal cursed inwardly while looking at Lee Han.
What a shameless bastard...
If it had been Professor Mortum, she would've shed tears of emotion by now!
"Are there any precautions when using this bracelet? Like does it absorb a lot of mana?"
If a bracelet could absorb your mana, just imagine what kind of curse would be needed for that. I don't even want to think about it. It's not that kind of dangerous artifact.
"Tsk."
...But it's not exactly a simple item either. Think about the beings trapped inside.
Lee Han pondered the Headmaster's words carefully.
According to the Ghoul King, the entities sealed within this bracelet were those who had been defeated by him.
So that means...
Do you understand? They're strong...
"Weak... uh. They're strong?"
Then why would I go through the trouble of sealing weaklings like that?
The Skeleton Principal was flabbergasted by Lee Han's question.
If they were weak beings, there would've been no need to seal them like that, nor would the Headmaster have bothered binding them into a bracelet.
They're quite useful, which is why I went through the trouble of making this for you.
"I thought since they lost to the Ghoul King, they'd be weaker than expected."
Though the Skeleton Principal was originally a Black Mage known for his cruelty toward undead, even he felt a pang of sympathy for the Ghoul King this time.
To be disrespected like that by some green first-year student...
How humiliating must that be.
You should watch your tongue. The things inside might be listening. Right now they're too busy fighting each other to notice... but one of them might pop out someday.
The interior of that bracelet was like a miniature version of the underground prison Lee Han had passed through.
Fierce and proud beings, even when imprisoned together after shared defeat, would never cooperate. Instead, they vented their frustration at being trapped by trampling each other.
Though Lee Han couldn't see it, countless spirits were currently engaged in brutal combat inside the bracelet.
But if Lee Han's power grew enough to capture their interest...
The spirits might stop fighting and attempt to communicate with him.
"Communication... you mean they'll obey my commands?"
Hmm. Can't say for sure. The things trapped inside are all vicious and stupid creatures.
'He just told me to watch my tongue and now he's saying this...'
But one thing's certain. You're the bracelet's owner. They're imprisoned slaves. Make sure they understand that clearly. Then they might obey your commands.
"I see. Just like the students of Einrogard..."
The Skeleton Principal pretended not to hear that remark.
Meanwhile, Professor Garcia lifted Ogoldos as lightly as a straw.
"Let's get him out of here first."
Watching this, Lee Han felt a sudden surge of respect for the professor.
It was because of how she cared for her student—definitely not because she lifted Ogoldos so effortlessly.
Rather than moving him immediately, it'd be better to let him rest here for a day. No point risking further injury by forcing movement.
"Headmaster..."
Lee Han was slightly moved.
Who knew the Skeleton Principal could be so considerate?
After all, whether you love them or hate them, only fellow Einrogard people truly understand each other.
I meant Ogoldos, not you. You're perfectly fine.
"......"
While Ogoldos slept soundly at the inn, recovering, Lee Han asked Professor Garcia about the coursework he'd missed.
More than being trapped for two weeks, the fact that he'd fallen two weeks behind in his studies tormented Lee Han.
"Two whole weeks behind!? I'm finished now!"
"L-Lee Han, I don't think it's that bad..."
"How am I supposed to catch up on two weeks of material!?"
'He could easily catch up...'
Professor Garcia thought this privately but didn't dare say it aloud, seeing Lee Han's face twisted in anguish.
"It's the start of the new semester, so none of the professors covered much. Everyone just taught basic fundamentals."
From Professor Garcia's perspective, the current progress of other faculty members was already material Lee Han had mastered.
Frankly, even if he'd taken two months off instead of two weeks, he could probably catch up.
"By the way, Professor Garcia, what have you been teaching this semester?"
"This semester, I'm teaching magic useful for daily life."
Just as he'd introduced various schools of magic and taught fundamentals in the first semester, for the second semester he planned to teach spells that, while not belonging to any specific school, would be useful for young wizards to know.
Knowing these would give them an advantage in surviving Einrogard.
"...And I missed two whole weeks of such lectures!!"
"I-I'll teach you now, so calm down."
The spells Professor Garcia had taught over those two weeks were <Component Separation> and <Lesser Dark Vision>.
<Component Separation> was essential for any wizard preparing potions or reagents—a spell that magically separated specific mixtures. <Lesser Dark Vision> allowed one to see in darkness, albeit with unclear vision.
And Lee Han already knew both.
"Uh. I know both of these."
"......"
For the first time in a while, Professor Garcia found Lee Han irritating.
"...Then I'll explain the second-semester lectures. You must have missed those."
"Thank you."
Unlike Professor Garcia, who taught <Basic Practical Magic>, most courses hadn't changed much.
Professor Thunderstep was still teaching <Advanced Understanding of Basic Alchemy>.
Similarly, <Advanced Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic>, <Advanced Basic Imperial Language and Logic>, and <Advanced Basic Mount Training> were all continuations of first-semester courses.
"Fortunately, none of the professors went missing, so everything remained unchanged."
"......"
Lee Han felt goosebumps at Professor Garcia's cheerful smile.
Was it really okay to say something like that so brightly?
"Wait. Professor. In my case, I was late and couldn't register. What should I do?"
"But Lee Han, weren't you planning to attend most of them anyway?"
"......"
Lee Han was speechless.
Seeming slightly apologetic, Professor Garcia quickly corrected himself.
"T-that doesn't mean you don't need to register! It's just... since you weren't here, I registered on your behalf."
Lee Han took the paper Professor Garcia handed him.
It listed nearly the same courses as the first semester.
"Professor. Why is the Headmaster's <Advanced Basic Magic Character Education> included here?"
"Huh? It's mandatory... and you took it in the first semester too, didn't you?"
Lee Han averted his gaze, as if disappointed it couldn't be avoided.
"......"
Professor Garcia glared, but Lee Han pretended not to notice and kept staring at the paper.
'Wait.'
Lee Han felt puzzled as he looked at the course list written under his name.
Basic Practical Magic - Garcia.
Advanced Understanding of Basic Alchemy Vol. 2 (crossed out) - Thunderstep.
Advanced Repetitive Training in Basic Magic Combat - Bagrak.
Magic Character Education!
...
"Why are all the handwriting styles different?"
"Ah. Some professors came and wrote it themselves before leaving."
"......"
Lee Han's eyes widened.
Forget Professor Garcia writing it for him—professors had actually come to add their own courses and left.
Was that even allowed?
"How is that acceptable?!"
"W-well, weren't you going to take them anyway?"
"That may be true, but I could've chosen not to...!"
"Is there anything you want to remove?"
"No, but..."
"??"
Professor Garcia tilted his head, not understanding what Lee Han's problem was.
'This feels ominously foreboding.'
For now, it was fine, but the mere possibility of this happening unsettled Lee Han.
Of course, this was an emergency measure, but wasn't it typical for Einrogard professors to treat anything urgent as an emergency?
Lee Han resolved that next year, during registration, he'd avoid the professors and submit his choices himself.
"...Huh? Wait. Professor. Why is <Advanced Basic Dance and Etiquette> here? I've never taken this before?"
"Huh? I didn't write that either."
"??"
Both Lee Han and Professor Garcia were baffled.
An elective neither had heard of or written was included in the list.
...I added it.
"No...!"
Lee Han turned to glare at the Skeleton Principal like a man betrayed in the most despicable way possible.
The Headmaster was at a loss—anyone watching would think he'd stolen the soul of his own disciple.
"Adding one more class is hardly something to react like this over!"
"Why on earth do I have to take that?!"
The Empe—... I mean, you're too obsessed with magic. You need to pick up some other hobbies.
Professor Garcia nearly nodded absentmindedly.
"But I'm already taking swordsmanship, mount training, geometry, and languages!"
Most young people in the Empire wouldn't call those hobbies. Anyway, it's already decided and can't be changed. Just take it.
"Don't lie. If it's the Headmaster's magic, you can definitely change it."
The Skeleton Principal felt an urge to smack his disciple for talking back without knowing his place, but he held back.
If Lee Han later met the Emperor and said, "The Headmaster hit me," the Emperor might immediately summon him to the capital.
Wait, the knights outside are calling for me!
"Headmaster!! Headmaster!! I swear I'll seriously file a petition to the Imperial capital!"
The Skeleton Principal floated away, snorting.
"I've heard all kinds of threats, but that's the most ridiculous one yet! Go ahead and try your best!"
The knights had genuinely called for the Skeleton Principal.
"Lord Gonadaltes. We investigated the adventurers causing a disturbance, and some of them were wanted criminals. The others are..."
If one party member was a criminal, the fate of the others became ambiguous.
Since there was suspicion but no concrete evidence, the highest-ranking person present had to make the decision—and here, that was the Skeleton Principal.
The Skeleton Principal resolved it neatly.
"Do you all know each other?"
"No!"
"You idiot!! Never lie in response to a mage's question—"
Lies. You know each other. Send them all to the capital's prison!
"No! No!!"
Amid the screams of the Anti-Magic Zealots, Park Deul-gul was stunned.
He couldn't believe how the archmage of Einrogard had known and arrested them.
Beyond resentment, that terrifying ability was downright frightening.
'How...! How did he know?! Did he foresee it with magic?! That's impossible!'
While the Skeleton Principal praised the knights for their efficient work, Lee Han approached.
"Headmaster. The senior has woken up."
Good. Let's get going soon.
"But about that Dance and Etiquette class..."
Ah. There's a serious issue with you.
Ignoring Lee Han's words, the Skeleton Principal changed the subject.
"What is it?"
Normally, Lee Han should have been trembling in fear, but instead, he stared at the Headmaster with suspicion.
The nearby knights were shocked.
'How can anyone act that brazenly in front of Lord Gonadaltes?!'
'Just how favored is he...?!'
"Because you stayed too long in the Undead Dimension, your soul reeks of miasma."
Spending time with spirits leaves a spiritual fragrance on the soul, but staying with undead leaves an undead stench.
It's no wonder Black Mages are unpopular.
But Lee Han was puzzled.
"Does it really matter?"
It wasn't like he was popular with spirits anyway, and if he was going to learn Black Magic, a little miasma wouldn't hurt.
Though it was a bit sad...
"Normally, no. A little magical scent on the soul isn't a problem when learning magic. The issue is that your mana is higher than expected, the miasma is stronger than expected, and worst of all—you've made enemies among the undead."
Mages with a spiritual scent often receive visits from spirits, while those with an undead stench get visits from undead.
And if, like Lee Han, you had abundant mana, thick miasma, and undead enemies...
There was no telling what dangerous undead might take an interest in him.
Lee Han's face stiffened as he grasped the severity of the situation.
'Black Magic has way too many downsides!'
Who knew studying magic hard would attract undead visitors?
What kind of magic is this?
"Still, no need to worry too much. There's an easy solution."
"Taking Dance and Etiquette?"
No. Stay in the Phoenix Tower. The priests' energy will drive out the miasma. One semester should be enough.
The Skeleton Principal spoke as if it were no big deal—and really, it wasn't.
Just staying with the priests would quickly reduce the miasma.
But Lee Han spoke gravely.
"Headmaster."
What?
"Won't my friends starve to death then?"
"...People don't starve that easily. Probably."