Episode 448
Episode 448
'This is bad.'
Deep wrinkles formed between Lee Han's brows.
The exam questions were harder than he had anticipated.
The part about <Boltzmann's Call> was fine, honestly.
Few students knew as much about this festival as Lee Han did.
Having rushed around preparing more than anyone else, he had a perfect grasp of how everything had unfolded.
The problem was identifying areas for self-improvement.
What magical shortcomings had he felt during the festival?
'Honestly, is there even room for improvement here?'
He had given his absolute best with the Paper Bird, controlled a Golem, and even demonstrated unnecessary Black Magic.
Lee Han genuinely couldn't think of how to refine his magic further at this point.
Wouldn't pushing beyond this require skills at the level of a fourth or fifth-year?
But if he wrote that honestly...
'Hmm. No matter how I think about it, that doesn't seem right.'
Professor Millay had told them to be sincere, but Lee Han wasn't naive enough to take the professor's words at face value.
No professor would tolerate a student writing, "I was so outstanding that there's nothing left for me to improve."
'I have to squeeze something out somehow!'
Lee Han desperately racked his brain.
Even if mastering something at his current level was impossible, he had to find a plausible-sounding goal to dress up.
'Strange. Why is the Wardanaz kid acting like that?'
Salko, sitting behind him, watched Lee Han with puzzlement.
It would make sense if he had prepared for the festival half-heartedly, but Lee Han had taken on more tasks than any other student.
Who would've thought someone like him would struggle so much over a single report?
'Did I miss something?'
Salko carefully skimmed through his own report.
At first glance, there didn't seem to be any issues, but upon rereading, some parts did feel a bit too simplistic.
'This won't do. I should rewrite it.'
Scratch scratch—
Seeing that Lee Han hadn't finished writing, the students around him subtly glanced at him before starting to rewrite their own reports.
Professor Millay raised an eyebrow at the sight.
'The festival report shouldn't be that difficult, should it?'
What's going on?
Once the exam ended and the students left the lecture hall, Professor Millay immediately began reviewing the reports.
Normally, she would have finished other tasks first, but today was different.
The students had been unusually agonizing over their answers, rewriting and revising.
Even the top students, who showed talent in Summoning Magic, had struggled, and even the strict Professor Millay couldn't help but feel curious.
"Hmm..."
Adjusting her monocle slightly, Professor Millay focused on the reports.
During this Boltzmann's Call festival, I realized that even within Summoning Magic, there are countless branches and corresponding possibilities. The magic of senior mages who have walked this path before serves as a guidepost for how I should fill in my own shortcomings...
'Good.'
A faint smile hovered at the corners of Professor Millay's lips.
It seemed the students hadn't just enjoyed the festival but had reflected deeply on it.
...After witnessing Wardanaz's magic, I realized that even Golems can be utilized in such ways. I, too, will attempt to employ Golems in that manner...
'...No...'
Professor Millay muttered unconsciously.
While ambition was commendable, there were challenges that, by common sense, seemed utterly hopeless.
And attempting to use Golems for menial tasks leaned dangerously toward the latter.
She could only hope this student would realize and step back—or perhaps find his own unique epiphany.
...After observing Wardanaz's magic, I came to understand that double majoring in Enchantment Magic and Black Magic strengthens Summoning Magic even further. I plan to take a few courses related to Enchantment and Black Magic in my second year...
'This one's also a no...'
Professor Millay felt a slight headache coming on.
While specializing in multiple schools of magic might seem impressive on the surface, dabbling carelessly could lead a mage's soul to collapse—a perilous path indeed.
The professor earnestly hoped this student would know how to moderate himself appropriately.
Tap—
Setting aside a few unexpected elements, the report's overall quality was quite high.
In fact, it far exceeded Professor Millay's expectations.
'It must be because the outstanding students have been honing each other.'
Professor Millay closed his eyes, savoring the students' achievements.
Comparing different grades wasn't proper conduct for a professor, but it was undeniable that this year's first-years were among the highest-achieving cohorts he had ever taught.
And Lee Han Wardanaz was undoubtedly one of the reasons for that.
Of course, the other students had panicked upon seeing Lee Han's struggles and pointlessly overexerted themselves—though Professor Millay couldn't possibly have noticed such details.
Professor Millay unfolded Lee Han's report. The flawless content made his eyes gleam faintly with satisfaction.
Any scholar well-versed in magic would understand just how gratifying it was to read such a report.
Not only did it meticulously record the incidents during the festival with precise times and locations, but it also neatly organized the festival's introduction, the magic used, the results, and even reflections...
Thus, I have come to realize that I am still lacking in many areas...
'...?'
Therefore, first and foremost, I intend to increase the number of undead I can summon and control. Of course, while focusing on quantity, I cannot neglect quality, so I also plan to maintain each individual's strength. On another front, I will further improve the Paper Bird to enhance its currently lacking durability... (omitted) by fusing it with Transformation Magic... (omitted) and also directly develop Golems...
'????'
Professor Millay's composed expression shattered. He blinked rapidly, rereading the passage multiple times. But no matter how many times he went over it, the content remained the same.
His face grew grave.
'Shouldn't... I stop him?'
While Professor Millay generally respected students' choices, believing they could learn even from failure, this report was... concerning.
No matter how he looked at it, these were not goals a first-year should be tackling.
He debated whether to call Lee Han in for counseling but ultimately made up his mind.
'No.'
For any other student, he would have summoned them without hesitation—but Wardanaz was an exception.
He was certain that if Wardanaz had set such plans, he must have confidence in achieving them.
Professor Millay had no intention of being the obtuse mentor who needlessly hindered a prodigiously talented student.
'I should just inform the other professors.'
Though strict and sparing with emotions, Professor Millay was not without affection for his students.
If the other professors knew Wardanaz's goals, they would surely lend their support in secret.
"Phew."
Lee Han let out a sigh of relief.
In the hallway, Professor Millay had briefly told him he'd received full marks.
'Setting higher goals paid off.'
At first, while writing the report, he had wondered, 'Is it okay to aim this high?' But as he wrote, he realized there was nothing he couldn't do.
After all, just because he wrote it in the report didn't mean he had to accomplish everything.
Professor Millay wasn't the Skeleton Principal—he wouldn't drag Lee Han back in time to deduct points for unmet goals.
"Are you Wardanaz?"
"...?!"
Lee Han was startled.
Not because the other person was walking on water—Professor Millay had done the same earlier.
What surprised him was that the speaker was his senior.
'What? A third-year? Are third-years even allowed to show themselves to first-years? Is this one of the Skeleton Principal's traps?'
"Tall stature. A face sculpted like a masterpiece. An immense mana capacity..."
As he spoke, the senior pulled out a small monocle and peered through it at Lee Han.
Clink!
The monocle immediately shattered. Unfazed, the senior nodded.
"Seems about right. You are Wardanaz, aren't you?"
"That's correct. May I ask why you're looking for me?"
"I'm Angarghon. I'll be overseeing this Enchantment Magic exam in place of Professor Verdus. Let's work well together."
"...Ah-ha!"
With just those brief words, Lee Han demonstrated his knack for quickly grasping situations.
So in other words...
'So the Skeleton Principal finally locked up Professor Verdus!'
Considering all the things Professor Verdus normally did, there was no way the Skeleton Principal would show leniency.
No matter what excuses the professor made, it was highly likely he'd been thrown into the Punishment Room as disciplinary action.
Even if they'd shown consideration because it was midterm exam period, Professor Verdus wouldn't have cared one bit—and by the same logic, neither would the Skeleton Principal.
Thanks to that, now one of Verdus's students had to step in to prepare the exam like this.
"...?"
Having pieced this together, Lee Han tilted his head in confusion.
"But why come to me?"
"Because you need to help prepare it with me."
"...Excuse me?"
Lee Han couldn't believe his ears.
Einrogard had plenty of nonsensical practices, true.
Like raising a basilisk to fight it yourself, or taking exams alongside second-years...
But being told to help prepare an exam was on another level of absurdity.
"Why would I...? Who decided this?"
"The Headmaster and Professor Verdus."
"Then what about my own exam?"
"You already have full marks."
Angarghon took out a letter and handed it to Lee Han.
GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!
-Verdus
"...???"
"Look at the back, not the front."
Lee Han flipped the letter over.
Due to Verdus's circumstances, you'll be preparing the first-year exam, Angarghon. If you half-ass it because it's bothersome, I'll revoke permission for that experiment I approved last time. To prevent you from doing a slapdash job and claiming you did your best, I'm assigning a first-year student to assist you. He already has full marks anyway, so no need to worry about his exam. Of course, knowing you, you won't care any more than Verdus would.
-Os Gonadaltes
"...Ah, no. This is impossible."
"Impossible?"
Angarghon didn't get angry or argue with his junior.
He simply repeated the question as if trying to quickly grasp the situation.
"Yes. No matter how hard I try, I'm not qualified to create an exam that properly assesses my classmates' abilities."
"I'm the one making the exam."
Angarghon looked at Lee Han as if he were speaking nonsense.
"You're just assisting."
"...Ah!"
Lee Han let out an exclamation.
Come to think of it, even Einrogard wouldn't be so deranged as to make a first-year design exam questions.
'If all I have to do is help and still get full marks, that's a fantastic deal.'
Lee Han's expression brightened instantly. The talented first-year looked at Angarghon and declared:
"I'll do my absolute best to assist you."
"Thanks."
Though by now, Angarghon had already pegged Lee Han as a slightly odd junior.
As his thoughts settled, Lee Han realized this situation was actually a better opportunity than he'd thought.
Chances to interact with seniors weren't common at Einrogard.
"Senior, may I ask you a few things?"
"Sure."
"Are you studying under Professor Verdus?"
"Yeah."
"Does he teach you well?"
"No."
Angarghon answered immediately without the slightest hesitation.
Lee Han was faintly impressed.
'Like professor, like student indeed.'
Had one of Verdus's students claimed he "taught well," Lee Han would've been far more surprised.
"Then how are you learning Enchantment Magic, Senior?"
"Books, practice, and experiments. The professor's useless anyway. Magic is something you learn on your own."
By calling his professor useless, Angarghon unwittingly earned Lee Han's favor.
Though he remained unaware of this himself.
"It must be difficult suddenly having to prepare an exam."
"Not difficult. I just want to finish quickly so I can prepare for my own experiments."
"But where exactly is Professor Verdus imprisoned?"
"How should I know? Don't care."
"......"
Lee Han smiled.
Whatever else might be said, the atmosphere among Verdus's students seemed wonderfully agreeable.
'This mutual indifference. Perfect.'