Episode 387
Episode 387
To think they'd made lots and drawn numbers in that short time Lee Han hadn't been watching.
Lee Han couldn't help but admire the diligence and teamwork of the Tower of the Phoenix students.
If they'd been from the Blue Dragon Tower, they'd still be arguing over who should draw first.
"Was it Sharukal?"
"Yes."
Followers of Aglataqua, the God of Seas and Storms, were usually sailors or aquatic beastfolk.
In a way, it made sense that Sharukal, a shark beastman, worshipped Aglataqua.
"In my opinion, this is fate."
"What is?"
"There couldn't be a better place to demonstrate the teachings of Lord Aglataqua. Look at this sea!"
"It's a lake..."
"Whenever I see this sea, I think of Lord Aglataqua."
"Mhm."
Lee Han decided to play along for now.
Even if they were usually reticent priests, once the topic turned to faith, they became entirely different people.
Once, while feeding snacks to Priestess Dijiling, Lee Han had casually remarked, 'But why did Prisinga sacrifice herself to hold up the world?' and ended up listening to a three-hour lecture.
At times like these, it was best to tread carefully. Provoking them unnecessarily could multiply the length of their sermons.
"And so, when Lord Aglataqua spilled his drink while intoxicated, that became the sea... Ah, right. Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. I heard you're the student most interested in magic."
"No need for formalities—just call me casually. And that might be a bit of a misunderstanding."
"How humble of you."
"It's not..."
Lee Han considered explaining in detail but gave up.
Even if he were Sharukal, if someone who attended lectures from every school said, 'I'm not that interested in magic,' he'd think, 'What kind of nonsense is that?'
"...So, why?"
"Ah! I was wondering how to get you interested in Lord Aglataqua. Wealth? Power? Those would mean nothing to you."
'No, they would.'
Lee Han was dumbfounded by Priest Sharukal's words.
If any religious order declared, 'Believe in our faith, and we'll give you a gold coin for every prayer,' Lee Han would become their most fervent devotee on the spot.
"That's when it hit me. Ah! The only thing that would interest Lee Han, who cares nothing for wealth or power, is magic! So I prepared to show you Lord Aglataqua's divine magic."
"Oh."
Lee Han suddenly perked up at Sharukal's words.
'Though I probably can't learn divine magic.'
The greatest mages Lee Han knew had left behind some strong opinions on divine magic.
Headmaster A:
"I, too, have little interest in faith. I am simply too intelligent to believe in gods."
Family Head B:
"Learning divine magic is a fine idea—if you wish to waste four hours of your life. Compared to real magic, refined through equations and theory, divine magic is just the howling of savages drunk on belief and emotion."
Even if not to that extreme, Lee Han sympathized with their views on the principles of divine magic.
Imperial magic was built upon centuries of accumulated theory and knowledge.
What was the most efficient and precise method to manifest a phenomenon?
Would the same result occur if the spell were repeated? Could another mage reproduce it?
This history and these principles were the driving force that allowed the empire's countless mages to communicate, collaborate, and progress together.
Without them, imperial mages would still be isolated in their own regions, each playing by their own rules.
Yet even imperial magic couldn't explain everything in the world of magic.
Primitive magic found in untouched lands, ancient magic long thought extinct, supernatural abilities instinctively activated by those who never studied magic systematically, divine magic running on faith rather than theory...
These types of magic, which operated more on individual ability and intuition rather than theory and knowledge, still remained. Some imperial mages had even made it their life's work to analyze and decipher such magic.
'Divine magic... requires faith, after all.'
Among magics driven by personal ability and intuition, divine magic placed great importance on 'faith.'
An intense belief directed toward a deity.
That faith enabled phenomena that operated on entirely different principles from imperial magic.
But Lee Han lacked such faith. Wasn't he just a fake believer who only cared about free meals anyway?
'Honestly, I think the Skeleton Principal's argument makes sense.'
Rather than gods truly existing and lending their power, wasn't it the collective will of countless believers—their faith—that was influencing reality?
Just as mages altered reality through their own will, it wouldn't be strange for the concentrated will of many people to create a powerful force capable of shaking the world.
"So what kind of magic is this?"
Lee Han couldn't guess what kind of magic Sharukal would use.
Since divine magic varied greatly depending on individual ability and intuition, its manifestations were inconsistent rather than uniform.
Of course, there were general tendencies based on the doctrines and nature of the worshipped deity, but...
"O Aglataqua, who gazes through the depths of the abyss. Send forth your servants unto me."
Sharukal chanted the incantation in a low, solemn voice.
It was different from waving a staff, focusing one's mind, or arranging flows of mana.
Splash—
A sound of movement came from beneath the lake, and fish began gathering near Sharukal's feet.
Lee Han was astonished at the sight.
"You're summoning marine life?"
"That's correct, Lord Lee Han."
Given how even the nearby priests were impressed, Sharukal's divine magic was clearly at an exceptional level.
'Well, summoning creatures from such a distance as a first-year is no ordinary feat.'
Lee Han marveled alongside them, forgetting that he himself was also a first-year.
To demonstrate such power through imperial magic—reaching creatures so far away, and underwater at that—would require complex processes, theories, and preparation.
But with faith, it could be accomplished in a single attempt like this.
Though not as versatile or broadly applicable as conventional magic, in specific situations, it was incomparably effective.
"How is it, Lord Lee Han?"
Sharukal asked while sweating profusely.
Though he had succeeded in casting the magic through faith, it still consumed mental energy and mana.
To quickly relieve Sharukal's burden, Lee Han replied.
"Impressive. Summoning creatures from such a distance. And it's incredibly useful too. We can just catch them right no—"
"Haha. These creatures are like my friends. When I ask, they do their best to help. I'm always grateful to them."
"...Such friendship truly shines like gold! I envy you!"
Lee Han swiftly backtracked.
Sharukal, completely unaware that Lee Han had been eyeing his friends as fresh sashimi, continued speaking.
"When I was young, I once drifted at sea after my small boat was caught in a storm. I prayed and prayed to Aglataqua. Fortunately, the deity took pity on me and granted me this magic. With the help of my sea friends, I barely made it back alive."
Listening intently, Lee Han spoke with a serious expression.
"I see. So I should take a small boat out and get caught in a storm too, then?"
"...W-what!? There's no need for that!"
Sharukal replied in a strained voice at Lee Han's extreme suggestion.
What kind of nonsensical asceticism was that supposed to be?
"Huh? Really? But if there's no set method, wouldn't replicating someone else's experience be the most likely way to—"
"That's far too dangerous... I merely meant to say that you should pray with the same sincerity."
"I see."
'That seems too weak.'
Regardless of his own faith, Lee Han was somewhat skeptical about that kind of prayer.
Why else would so many priests awaken divine magic during crises or emergencies?
People's faith tends to grow stronger only when pushed to extreme situations.
Setting that aside, even Lee Han himself had experienced a sudden surge in magical ability when Professor Voladi threatened his life...
'...What the hell. I'm starting to think like Professor Voladi!'
Lee Han was startled by his own madness.
It was undoubtedly Professor Voladi's influence.
They say if you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you...
"Alright. Then I'll give praying a try."
Still, Lee Han decided to put his best effort into praying, if only to honor Sharukal's sincerity.
Whether it worked or not, leaving a good impression on the priests couldn't hurt.
Even if he couldn't use divine magic, devout followers were usually taken care of by the religious orders in some way.
'What does the Aglataqua Order give out? Fish bait?'
"Why isn't that guy practicing underwater breathing and doing something else instead?"
"Idiot. He's a Wardanaz. He's probably already mastered underwater breathing and such."
Hearing the White Tiger Tower students chattering nearby, Lee Han raised his head.
"Sharukal?"
"Yes?"
"Let's practice underwater breathing first."
"Ah, oops!"
Thirty seconds later.
"Success."
"......"
"......"
The two White Tiger Tower students practicing nearby glared at him, but Lee Han didn't notice.
"Sharukal, don't you need to practice?"
"I can already breathe underwater by nature?"
"......"
"......"
The two White Tiger Tower students practicing nearby glared at him even more sharply than before.
"Right. So... how do we do the prayer?"
"Try praying with the thoughts you usually hold toward the sea. New believers usually start that way."
Sharukal was absolutely delighted, beaming at Lee Han's sincere efforts toward Aglataqua.
In contrast, Lee Han had a lot on his mind.
'I don't have any thoughts about the sea.'
If he had to stretch it, maybe last year when he'd wondered whether investing in the herring boom in the southern empire would be a good idea?
"O Aglataqua... hmm..."
Lee Han gave up trying to force out non-existent piety.
It felt more appropriate to try things his own way, success or failure aside.
He imagined the faith of Aglataqua's countless believers.
The vast ocean of that immense energy.
And then...
'Probably can't just ask for it outright.'
Lee Han thought rationally.
Since he lacked the devotion and faith other priests offered, he decided to treat it like magic.
He would offer his mana in exchange for borrowing just a little from that ocean of energy.
At that moment, his mana stirred and was consumed—the offered mana had vanished.
'As expected, nothing happened.'
Though nothing occurred, Lee Han wasn't disappointed.
This was the norm, after all.
Just because a mage expended mana to wish for something didn't mean phenomena would bend to their will. The world's order and rules were fundamentally tougher and more rigid than a mage's desires.
Still, conscious of Sharukal's gaze, Lee Han offered his mana a few more times.
It wasn't like wasting mana mattered much to him, unlike other mages...
Twitch.
Sharukal's eyes widened.
From Lee Han's body, an energy different from ordinary mana—an alien force—began to manifest.
A power any priest would recognize.
Divine Power.
"That's it!! That's the one!! Lee Han! You truly had sincere faith in Aglataqua buried deep in your heart all along! More! Keep praying! That's the beginning— Wait. Why is everyone coming over?!"
Sharukal, sensing the gazes from behind, shouted urgently.
The priests from Phoenix Tower had unknowingly gathered, their expressions tense with anticipation.