Episode 50
Episode 50
Fortunately, Lee Han didn't have to bear the title of "Professor Killer."
Professor Mortum had gotten up immediately.
"...cough. You all saw that, right? This is what we call a Lesser Paralysis Curse."
Truth be told, Professor Mortum's body was still stiff.
Though he'd immediately activated his mana upon falling to dispel the curse, the sheer volume of it had been substantial enough that lingering effects remained.
Had the other Black Magic majors studying under Professor Mortum witnessed this scene, they might have fainted.
No matter how careless he'd been, for a first-year to knock down Professor Mortum with a Lesser Paralysis Curse...
"......"
Professor Garcia, who knew the truth, was staring at Professor Mortum with utterly absurd eyes.
Professor Mortum deliberately avoided his gaze.
"That's a relief, Professor."
Lee Han spoke in a voice full of relief.
At first, he'd been genuinely startled, but it seemed Professor Mortum had intentionally let the Lesser Paralysis Curse take full effect to properly demonstrate it.
No wonder it had felt so strange!
"...You have talent for curses."
"Is that so? Thank you."
"...You have talent for curses."
"Thank you...?"
When a professor repeated themselves, it usually wasn't a good sign.
Lee Han sharply picked up on that cue.
'What's he trying to pull now?'
Either he genuinely had talent, or Lee Han had somehow rubbed the professor the wrong way.
Considering how twisted professors' minds usually were, the latter seemed more likely.
'Was the curse not as impressive as he expected? What a shameless professor. If my first attempt at a curse was perfect, would I still be a first-year?'
"As you just witnessed, curse magic is highly versatile—so much so that even those not specializing in Black Magic typically know one or two curses," Professor Garcia interjected, trying to lighten the mood.
"Lesser curse spells aren't difficult to learn, and most importantly, mastering them makes it easier to counter other curse spells. Just because you don't use curse magic yourself doesn't mean others won't use it against you."
Black Magic had many offensive spells that could be learned quickly.
This became obvious when comparing it to fire-attribute magic, for instance.
To attack someone with Fire Magic, you needed to start by generating flames and then develop the ability to control and direct those flames toward a target.
In contrast, casting a Black Magic curse simply required focusing and applying it—that was it. After all, everyone had experienced numb legs or body aches at some point.
Because of this, low-Circle mercenary mages who hadn't formally studied magic often learned one or two Black Magic curses.
The best way to counter any magic was to learn that magic yourself.
Since you never knew what you might face later, having some understanding of Black Magic was beneficial.
This was precisely why Professor Garcia had invited Professor Mortum.
Not to force them to study Black Magic, but...!
"Alright. That's enough explanation for now... Why don't we pair up and practice?"
Contrary to the initial lukewarm atmosphere, the students showed far more interest in curses than expected.
They were all still young, after all.
Though they'd heard plenty of negative things about Black Magic, the idea of an easy-to-learn offensive spell was undeniably tempting.
Moreover, Professor Garcia's reasoning—"You should learn a few curses to protect yourself"—sounded quite convincing.
"Like this? You swing it like this?"
"I think that's right."
"I heard curses aren't just paralysis spells. There are ones that darken vision, disrupt breathing, or throw off balance too."
"Wow... Hey, are you planning to study Black Magic?"
"Nope."
Of course, just because they were interested in curses didn't mean they were naive enough to declare they'd specialize in Black Magic.
That was one thing, and this was another.
"Let's do our best."
"Let's do our best."
Lee Han's practice partner was Gainando.
The two exchanged noble-like greetings before raising their wands.
The rules were simple.
One side would attack first.
Then the other would attack.
The purpose wasn't just to practice casting curses, but also to experience being hit by them.
Gainando's first move.
"Huuup!"
Gainando began concentrating his mana and converting it into the Yin Attribute.
'Oh.'
Lee Han was surprised.
Gainando was converting his mana faster than expected.
'Could he actually have a talent for Black Magic?'
It might have been coincidence, but considering Gainando's performance with other elements, it seemed he did have a knack for it.
He struggled with light, fire, and water attributes, yet his Yin Attribute conversion was that fast?
'Or maybe it's just so easy that anyone could do it.'
That's what Lee Han thought.
Come to think of it, Lee Han had converted it quickly too, and so had Gainando...
Perhaps Yin Attribute conversion was uniquely easy.
"No. That student..."
Professor Mortum whispered to Professor Garcia with a surprised expression.
He thought he'd been sufficiently astonished by the boy from the Wardanaz family, but even if not to that extent, he'd still found a young Black Magic practitioner with considerable talent.
Though not quite on par with the Wardanaz boy, this level of ability was still a once-in-a-decade find.
"You're talking about Gainando, aren't you? He does seem to have a talent for Black Magic."
"So you think so too?"
"Yes. I'd actively encourage him."
Professor Garcia didn't dissuade him. Rather, she encouraged it—a stark contrast to her earlier concern about Lee Han specializing in Black Magic.
The reason was simple.
Lee Han was well-suited to just about any field of magic. Innate mana, exceptional perception, flexible and broad thinking, and a diligent attitude to boot.
In Professor Garcia's eyes, a student like that was bound to excel no matter what field he chose.
But Gainando didn't seem particularly talented in any area.
So if he'd found a field that suited his aptitude, he should pursue it.
In a way, wasn't it a blessing that he'd found something like Black Magic that matched his disposition?
"Be paralyzed!"
While the two were talking, Gainando recited the incantation. Though the ending was slightly different, the curse was successfully cast. Professor Mortum nodded with a satisfied expression.
'He has talent.'
Swoosh!
'Ah. So this is why they wanted us to experience being cursed.'
As Lee Han sensed the incoming curse, he understood what Professor Garcia had meant.
Why are curse spells easy to learn?
And why is it good to learn how to counter them?
'Curse magic... has a simple and flimsy structure.'
Thanks to being thoroughly tormented by Professor Voladi, Lee Han immediately recognized the weaknesses inherent in curse magic.
To use a metaphor, curse magic was like throwing a net or a casting net.
You simply weave a net of mana called a curse and hurl it.
If it hits, the curse envelops the target like a net wrapping around them.
The advantage was that it could be cast quickly and simply without needing precise aim, but conversely, the magic itself was inevitably weak.
Shooting another spell at the incoming curse, swinging a sword, blocking with a shield, preparing a defensive spell...
Just the methods Lee Han could think of on the spot were this many, so there were likely even more ways to counter it.
A type of magic that was easy to block as long as you knew in advance that your opponent was casting a curse.
That's why they'd clearly wanted them to learn curses.
After practicing a few curse spells, they'd quickly get a feel for other unfamiliar curses when they encountered them.
'Well, but the fact that I'm realizing this because of what Professor Voladi put me through is kind of infuriating.'
If curse magic was a net, Professor Voladi's magic was more like a master swordsman's thrust.
Not only was it hard to block or dodge, but even if you blocked it, the attacks would keep coming without pause—utterly broken skills.
Facing such attacks head-on with his own body naturally forced him to quickly grasp their structure.
After all, if he didn't figure it out, he'd get hit!
Whap!
While lost in thought, the curse struck Lee Han's body. Gainando, seeing the curse land successfully, nearly jumped for joy.
"It worked!"
"Congratulations."
"...Huh? But what part of you is paralyzed?"
"Good question."
Lee Han blinked in confusion and checked his body up and down.
He didn't feel any part of him paralyzed at all.
What the—?
"Did it fail?"
"Maybe?"
"I'll try again."
Assuming he had failed, Gainando raised his wand and prepared the spell once more.
"Be paralyzed!"
Whap!
Just like before, the curse flew and struck Lee Han's body.
And just like before, there was absolutely no change.
Lee Han and Gainando huddled together, deep in thought.
"Maybe there was a problem with the execution?"
"Hmm. The mana seemed to flow fine. Did I mess up the incantation? 'Be paralyzed' sounds a bit too polite. Curses probably shouldn't have incantations like that."
"R-Really? Then should I try, 'Get paralyzed, you little bastard'?"
"...I think just 'Be paralyzed' is fine."
Professor Garcia, who had been listening to the two clueless freshmen, sighed and approached.
"The curse didn't fail—Lee Han's mana is just too abundant for it to take effect. Gainando, you did well."
"!"
Gainando was stunned.
"Wait, that's it? But for it to have zero effect... Maybe I just don't have any talent for Black Magic."
"No need to jump to conclusions already."
"Nah, I wasn't that interested in Black Magic anyway. If I don't have talent, so be it."
Gainando shrugged coolly.
He genuinely had little interest in Black Magic.
Why bother with curses when there were more refined and impressive spells?
"Then I'll take a hit."
"Alright. Get ready."
Lee Han recalled the memory of the professor collapsing earlier.
Of course, the professor had faked it, but even now, it felt like a nightmare.
'Gotta control my power. No need to gather too much mana.'
Lee Han planned to gather just the bare minimum before casting.
"Paralyze!"
"!"
Professor Mortum, who had been watching, was startled.
Shortening the incantation like that?
In magic, incantations were far more important than one might think.
Human speech carried immense power, deeply influencing a mage's psyche.
Because of this, arbitrarily shortening or cutting incantations was no easy feat.
Even for a simple curse, to already be trimming the incantation—
"GYAAAH!"
Gainando screamed and flung himself sideways. The nearby students jumped in surprise and stared at him.
Lee Han asked, baffled.
"...What are you doing?"
"Ah, no. Instinct, I guess..."
"!"
Professor Mortum was startled again.
That sensitivity—the ability to keenly sense the Yin-attribute mana within the curse and react instinctively—
That was exceptional talent for Black Magic.
...Though there was no need to dodge so gracelessly.
The lecture ended on a warm, if somewhat awkward, note.
The students had a rare enjoyable time, taking turns casting and enduring curses.
Professor Garcia, in her kindness, refrained from assigning homework, further lifting the students' spirits.
"Well, everyone. Did you enjoy today's lecture?"
"Yes, Professor!"
"Let's give a round of applause for Professor Mortum!"
Clap clap clap clap—
"I trust you've all developed an interest in Black Magic?"
"......"
'Shouldn't have asked.'
Professor Garcia regretted it immediately.
She should've just ended it with the applause. Now the mood had turned weird.
"Professor Mortum, would you like to say a few words?"
"Cough. I believe... you've all come to understand much of Black Magic's appeal. I can already see a few among you who've taken an interest."
"?"
"?"
The students exchanged confused glances.
'You interested?'
'No. You?'
'Obviously not.'
"Hahaha. Who in their right mind would seriously want to learn Black Magic?"
Gainando laughed as if the idea was absurd.