Episode 495
Episode 495
Is that what you call speaking? What you've got hanging there—is it a snout or a mouth?
"They're both the same thi—..."
If you've had such an experience, you should be thinking about learning and preparing higher-tier magic to crush your enemies!
The Skeleton Principal sternly scolded Lee Han.
But Lee Han's expression wasn't what he expected.
Instead of reflecting and accepting the criticism, he was staring at the Skeleton Principal with a look of disbelief.
"How am I supposed to... here of all places..."
......
The Skeleton Principal almost found himself convinced.
As someone from ancient times, he held slightly more lenient standards for magical education, but even by ancient standards, Lee Han's current training was harsh.
Yet instead of backing down, the Skeleton Principal roared.
Instead of reflecting, you're making excuses!
"No... but what more can I even train here...?"
Lee Han asked, bewildered, but the Skeleton Principal swiftly changed the subject.
And taking Bagrak to suspicious places isn't a wise move. Even if problems can be resolved, more will inevitably arise.
'True enough.'
This time, Lee Han conceded.
Now that he thought about it, taking Professor Voladi to suspicious places might be like walking into a gunpowder storehouse with a torch.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Good. Make sure you do. By the way... that magic criminal had rather sharp eyes. To recognize your talent. How do you think he noticed? Your mana capacity? Or did he eavesdrop on internal evaluations at Einrogard? Or perhaps he heard rumors about what you did during the break...
The Skeleton Principal trailed off.
As he spoke, he realized the magic criminal's eyes weren't particularly sharp.
With so many clues lying around, even an idiot could think, 'Huh? That mage from the Wardanaz family seems a bit extraordinary.'
'I should pay closer attention...'
Back when the Wardanaz had rescued the knights from the Anti-Magic Zealots' ambush, the Skeleton Principal had considered it.
That magic criminals might take an interest.
And now, it seemed that prediction had come true.
Then again, considering Wardanaz's talents and accomplishments, the magic criminals' interest was actually late.
With innate magical talent, the ability to act strategically for his goals unlike ordinary mages, and affiliations with multiple schools...
If he ever turned to magic crime, the magic criminals would weep tears of joy and throw a festival for such a recruit.
"Ah. It probably wasn't that—more likely because of the Sea Serpent. I used a lot of magic preparing for the Sea Serpent subjugation."
Oh? Well, with your mana reserves, it would've been a waste to keep you in the back.
The Skeleton Principal immediately understood.
Hadn't both professors and students participated in the Sea Serpent subjugation?
While professors fought on the frontlines and students assisted with rear preparations as standard, Wardanaz had long surpassed the level of an ordinary first-year.
Naturally, he would've been assigned to assist at the front.
Given your tendencies... equipment reinforcement? Light source procurement?
"Oh. You're right."
Lee Han was slightly impressed.
As expected of the Headmaster—it was as if he'd been there himself, accurately guessing what Lee Han had done.
"Did the professor tell you?"
No. I didn't ask for such details. Even if Professor Thunderstep is more sociable than the other two, pestering him too much wouldn't do any good... So the magic criminal approached after seeing those spells?
"But those weren't particularly impressive."
Though he had illuminated the entire harbor as bright as midday, and it was true that Ianov had been deeply impressed by it, Lee Han hadn't realized.
A different reason felt far more plausible.
"My guess is it was probably the Frost Arrows or the Water Prison Bomb I used against the Sea Serpent that stood out."
"The Water Prison Bomb? Yumidihus's?"
"Not Yumidihus's Water Prison Bomb—I modified it. The professor gave me permission to name it after myself."
"Well, well..."
The Skeleton Principal, unusually expressive, looked delighted.
'Professor Bagrak drove you like a starving hunting dog right before it drops dead, and now it's paying off splendidly!'
"......"
Lee Han nearly scowled.
'Shouldn't you stop him if you know that?'
"I was lucky."
'Luck? No, it's skill. No matter how hard you work, modifying a spell of that caliber to suit yourself isn't easy. Truly, trials forge a mage.'
"...It was only possible because of the effort I'd put in before..."
'Nonsense. Trials are necessary. That aside, it's such a shame to let such a valuable experience pass by... Did Professor Bagrak perhaps tell you to write a book?'
Lee Han genuinely scowled this time.
'From the headmaster to the professors, they're all nothing but bastards.'
"Yes. He told me."
'Did he tell you to write not just about the spell you modified, but also a book reflecting on the direction you should take moving forward?'
"Yes."
'Oh? Professor Bagrak must truly cherish you.'
"......"
Lee Han gritted his teeth, imagining dragging the Skeleton Principal and Professor Voladi before the Imperial Court to sue them.
'Anyway, be careful. If that magic criminal took an interest in you, it's likely others will too. Fragrant flowers don't attract just one bee, after all.'
"Don't worry. I won't entertain any suspicious offers or magic."
'Why are you so lacking in curiosity as a mage?!'
"......"
The Skeleton Principal was the epitome of absurdity.
'Ignore the offers of magic criminals, but be relentlessly curious about any magic or proposal?'
But Lee Han remained unshaken.
'Professors have always been like this.'
'That's just noise.'
'You worked hard on the request... I hope the experience and rewards become good companions on your magical path.'
"I think so too."
Lee Han answered sincerely, thinking of the gold coins he'd earn from this request.
'Can I conduct magic research and experiments as cheaply as possible to save gold? I don't want to waste hard-earned money on something like magic.'
Wait.
The Skeleton Principal suddenly paused.
Lee Han flinched, wondering if his thoughts had been overheard.
"What's wrong?"
'You said you hit the Sea Serpent with the Water Prison Bomb?'
"I also hit it with Frost Arrow."
'That's not the point... How did you even land those hits?'
"?"
Lee Han tilted his head in confusion.
"I aimed well?"
'...I phrased that poorly. No matter how prepared you were, if a monster appeared, you should've retreated to the back. How did you manage to hit it from there?'
"Ah... There was a minor misunderstanding, so I fought alongside the professors."
......
The Skeleton Principal fell into complete silence.
Lee Han asked nervously,
"Headmaster?"
'Send this to Professor Thunderstep.'
Instead of answering, the headmaster scribbled a note and handed it to a Death Knight for delivery.
Lee Han was curious about the note's contents.
He thought he glimpsed the words "You are already a dead man" at the top...
'From now on, I will never believe you when you claim to lack curiosity or interest.'
"No, it was a misunderstanding! Really!"
'As if I'd buy that.'
The Skeleton Principal sneered.
'The most falsely humble yet arrogant mage in the Empire.'
'Ah, I almost forgot—tell the students who participated in the request that they can take Friday off.'
The students still at the academy were suffering not just from lectures but also from flood recovery work.
But since the others had returned after completing requests outside, they deserved at least a day of rest to recover.
"Are you serious?"
Lee Han was slightly moved.
Who would have thought the Skeleton Principal would show such consideration?
'Maybe he acts like a complete bastard on purpose to create this exact effect?'
Because he normally treated them so horribly, even a single day off made them think, 'Does the Headmaster actually care about us a lot?' It was a strange illusion.
Well. They'd still have to do weekend duty shifts assigned to each tower, but that was unavoidable...
"Even just one day off is something to be grateful for."
Lee Han bowed his head and prepared to leave.
Then the Skeleton Principal asked, puzzled:
Where are you going?
"Huh? To rest, as you said—"
This is precisely when you should be learning magic. How many more days will you have without lectures? Sit. Last time, you said you wanted to learn about Antagondals' artifacts, didn't you? As a reward for your hard work on the request, I'll teach you.
"......"
Lee Han felt a burning hatred toward the Empire's magic criminals.
Those barbaric bastards who disrupt the Empire's order!
The Skeleton Principal made Lee Han sit and brought out the artifacts seized from the previous battle.
Then he took out the artifact confiscated from Ianov, followed by another artifact Lee Han had never seen before.
The last artifact was coated in blackened, dried blood.
"......"
Tsk. I told you to clean it properly.
-My apologies.
A Death Knight swiftly took the artifact away and returned with a clean one.
The Skeleton Principal continued nonchalantly:
One of the criminals put up quite a violent resistance last time. Now, look. These artifacts were all created and used by magic criminals. Do you notice any commonalities?
Lee Han immediately tried to answer.
The Headmaster's mood improved at his disciple's quick wit.
Just moments ago, he had been seething with rage because of Professor Thunderstep, but as always, magic was what lifted a mage's spirits.
"They all used expensive gemstones and had extravagant decorations. These loop-shaped engravings on the side don't affect the magic at all—they're purely for appearance—"
...Not that.
The Skeleton Principal barely resisted the urge to smack his disciple, who was rattling off details about the most irrelevant, gold-obsessed aspects he hadn't even paid attention to.
"Not that, you say? Other than the unstable mana flow, I'm not sure."
Yes. The unstable mana flow. And most mages wouldn't prioritize those useless ornamental trinkets over that.
"Really? The latter seems more important—"
Annoyed by Lee Han's continued nonsense, the Headmaster quickly pressed on:
Magic criminals employ all sorts of methods to amplify their magical power. Many of those methods are banned in the Empire...
The Skeleton Principal suddenly shifted into human form and severed his own pinky finger.
The finger fell to the floor with a tock, unleashing a surge of frenzied mana alongside grotesque patterns.
"Human sacrifice, then?"
Yes. Forbidden arts that offer life or flesh have been popular since ancient times. Personally, I see them as the flailing of incompetent fools.
"But Professor Bagrak uses Blood Magic too."
Correct. That's because Professor Bagrak isn't a Lich yet. He'd be much better off if he were.
"......"
Lee Han opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself.
It was out of respect for the Headmaster's race.
Let me clarify in case you misunderstand. The reason I don't teach these forbidden arts freely, without restrictions, is because they're dangerous and unstable—they can kill even the caster.
"Uh... isn't that obvious?"
Truthfully, Lee Han wouldn't have complained even if the Headmaster hadn't taught him a single one of these arts.
Just because magic criminals used bizarre methods to boost efficiency didn't mean Lee Han had to follow suit.
It wasn't like he'd die if he didn't optimize efficiency...
The idiots I've taught before all threw tantrums, convinced I was hiding things out of jealousy.
'Hmm. Truly, like teacher, like disciple.'