Episode 535
Episode 535
After somehow calming down Ifadur, who was genuinely concerned about the first-year student's health, the Skeleton Principal moved on to a more important topic.
"More importantly, that's not what matters right now. I told you to practice Music Magic, but here you are pointlessly dabbling in the basics of Word Magic. For heaven's sake. It's like using a dragon-slaying sword to kill a chicken..."
"But didn't I succeed with Music Magic?"
The elderly turtle beastman looked puzzled at the Skeleton Principal's words.
Unlike the Headmaster who valued the underlying principles, Ifadur, being more interested in Music Magic, simply cared about the success of the spell.
Whether it succeeded by being casually sung or by utilizing the core aspects of Word Magic didn't really matter... 'This is why those who aren't true wizards are like this,' the Skeleton Principal inwardly cursed the bard.
Those who never stake their lives on magic can never truly understand real wizards.
If you see a boy working in the fields with a golden sword, you should slap him to make him find his true calling, not say, "Well, if you're satisfied with that."
"Wardanaz will understand when he hears it. Wardanaz. Come here for a moment. Hmm... No. Let's talk privately."
The Skeleton Principal, who was about to speak in front of Ifadur, immediately changed his mind.
Upon reflection, that Wardanaz brat might stubbornly resist out of pride because of the earlier insult. 'Narrow-minded fool.' "What's the matter?"
"Do you know what you just did?"
"Music Magic?"
"...Listen carefully."
The Skeleton Principal explained as gently as possible.
What you're doing now isn't even the commonly known Music Magic, stop wasting your mana like that, what you did was the foundational yet core aspect of Word Magic, an advanced form of magic...
"Uh. But it worked, didn't it?" 'Thank goodness I sent that bard away.' The Skeleton Principal thought to himself.
"If you've begun mastering the basics of Word Magic, you should challenge yourself with Word Magic. Why waste time on pointless endeavors like Music Magic?"
"But... Wasn't it you, Headmaster, who supported the seniors in their research on Music Magic..."
Faced with his disciple wielding the sharp truth, the Skeleton Principal pretended not to hear and ignored it.
"And while I don't know much about Word Magic, isn't it considered quite an advanced form of magic?"
"That's correct."
Just as Lee Han didn't challenge the Headmaster's Unique World magic in his first year despite having abundant mana, Word Magic was similarly daunting.
Even if you've taken the first step into its basics, attempting it immediately would be excessively difficult.
"But the basic part you just performed is arguably the most important and fundamental aspect of Word Magic. Most wizards fail at this very step and give up."
At its core, a wizard's incantation is a manifestation of will and a powerful form of self-suggestion.
No matter how small or trivial the change, altering the world through personal will is an act of unparalleled arrogance.
Even trained wizards can have their will shaken and concentration broken by something as simple as a falling leaf, making self-suggestive incantations an essential component.
However, when you begin imbuing this simple tool—the incantation itself—with mana, that marks the entry into the higher realm of Word Magic.
Only after achieving this can one stand at the starting line of Word Magic, and the majority of wizards fail at this very step and are cast aside.
This had nothing to do with talent in other forms of magic.
Even those born with vast mana reserves, exceptional mana sensitivity, or genius-level intellect couldn't do it if it didn't suit them.
Given this, Wardanaz should be grateful for his luck and diligently study Word Magic as well.
He already had a lot on his plate, but what could he do?
"Uh... But won't it take too long no matter what?"
Lee Han was well aware of Word Magic's notorious reputation.
Hadn't he heard that countless wizards spend their entire lives training without ever mastering it?
"Hmm."
The Skeleton Principal, deep in thought, extended one finger.
"Even if I start working hard right now, using all my spare time—"
"Where exactly do I have any spare time?"
"Then abandon your friends. Anyway, if you pour all your remaining time into it..."
"A year?"
"Are you insane?"
"No... If after a year of effort I still see no progress, it would be utterly disheartening. I might just lack the talent. Surely it wouldn't take ten years, would it?"
Lee Han briefly pondered what he would do if it really took ten years.
Should he dedicate his spare time to it?
But if it takes ten years even with his full effort... 'The cost-benefit ratio seems far too unfavorable.'
"A hundred years..."
"......"
Lee Han's expression darkened as he glared.
The Skeleton Principal looked slightly aggrieved as he spoke.
"I gave you an extremely generous estimate precisely because I hold you in high regard!"
"Ah. Yes. Thank you."
Lee Han cleanly abandoned any lingering attachment to Word Magic.
No matter how he looked at it, there was nothing to gain by pursuing it.
"Headmaster. I believe Music Magic might be a better fit for me."
"Are you doing this just because I called you a servant once? What exactly have I ever done so wrong to you? I've cared for you in every possible way since the day you arrived!"
Lee Han ignored the Headmaster's nonsense.
Arguing back would only mean falling into his trap.
"Music Magic has its own advantages."
"What advantages? The advantage of squeezing research funding out of fools?"
Though the Skeleton Principal kept grumbling, Lee Han remained unshaken.
"First, Word Magic is excessively difficult to master. In comparison, Music Magic is far more accessible. Why not think of it as a lower-tier version of Word Magic?"
"Hmm."
At the mention of magic, the Headmaster's expression turned serious.
"Wouldn't it just be better to spend a hundred years mastering Word Magic—"
"I understand it doesn't sit well with you, Headmaster, but isn't lower-difficulty magic still valuable?"
Lower-difficulty magic had its own merits.
Not only for less skilled mages, but even high-level mages didn't exclusively cast high-difficulty spells every time.
Of course, that didn't apply to an archmage like the Skeleton Principal...
"I see your point."
"Right?"
"But why should Einrogard bother with that? Let the fools from other magic schools work hard to develop it. Even if we generously assume Einrogard's fools would handle it, why must it be you?"
'This is maddening.'
Lee Han suppressed his frustration and continued persuading.
Music Magic was far easier than Word Magic, making it more accessible, and it had unique advantages of its own. Its ability to function through hearing, unrestricted by distance, would surely prove useful someday...
As his relentless persuasion continued, the Skeleton Principal finally relented.
"...Fine, very well! The direction you just presented does have merit. I'll permit you to pursue research along those lines."
'Success!'
Lee Han sighed in relief.
The Skeleton Principal let out a long sigh and summoned Ifadur.
The waiting old bard practically leaped for joy at the positive turn of events.
"Truly, I am delighted! Thank you, Gonadaltes! This will bring great progress to the students' research in Music Magic!"
"Haha. I've done nothing. But if you compose a song praising Einrogard, I won't refuse."
While Ifadur, now in high spirits, thanked the choir members, the Skeleton Principal turned back to Lee Han and grumbled again.
"Honestly. I never expected a Wardanaz like you to be so fond of music."
"Me? Why would you think that?"
"If you didn't love music, why defend Music Magic so passionately? Given what just happened, you'll have to be essential to the research."
The new direction for Music Magic Lee Han had proposed had two key aspects:
Increasing ambient mana density and imbuing the caster's words with mana.
Both were tasks only Lee Han could accomplish under the current circumstances.
"...Uh, couldn't we just use an artifact to increase mana density?"
"Should I contact His Majesty the Emperor directly to cover the costs?"
When the Skeleton Principal retorted incredulously, Lee Han desperately searched for an escape route.
"You could always summon a mage capable of casting Word Magic."
"If I asked a mage who knows Word Magic to assist with researching something like Music Magic, they'd probably just tell me to 'get lost' or 'disappear.'"
"......"
"...Don't tell me you—"
"Thank you, Lord Gonadaltes! Shall we proceed to the next location?"
The next destination was a vineyard farm located downstream along the river from the village.
The owner of <Broken Horseshoe>, a farm that also operated a winery, was a burly orc renowned in the area for his singing skills.
It was especially famous that his singing became even more astonishing after a glass of his own winery's wine.
"Hmm. Not bad at all."
The Skeleton Principal gave his evaluation with the slightest twitch of his eyebrow.
Lee Han was shocked by this remark. Coming from the Headmaster, that was practically high praise.
'I should consider investing in this farm if I get the chance later.'
"May we hear a song from you?"
"It would be my honor!"
The orc owner downed a glass of wine and began singing in a booming voice.
"Ah, life is as fleeting as a glass of wine! Let us all drink and..."
Lee Han listened absentmindedly, stifling a yawn.
When the song ended, the orc owner scratched his head awkwardly and made excuses.
"Ah, must be because this year's wine isn't up to par. Last time I sang after drinking, everyone around me definitely got drunk."
"That can happen."
Ifadur nodded understandingly.
Music was subjective to one's emotions, after all.
"By the way, Wardanaz student... Could I trouble you to..."
"Of course."
Having already steeled himself during the journey here, Lee Han cleared his throat and stepped forward.
It was bittersweet that the number of spells he had to learn kept increasing, but what could he do?
Besides, going from one to two felt like a big jump, but going from ninety-nine to a hundred didn't hit as hard.
He wasn't sure if he should consider that fortunate or not...
"Ah, life is as fleeting as a glass of wine! Let us all drink and..."
Just like before, the surrounding mana density increased, and a resonance effect occurred with his voice.
The Skeleton Principal observed intently, watching to see if the workers would get drunk just from hearing the voice.
But nothing happened.
"?"
"...?"
"Uh, let me try again."
Flustered, Lee Han attempted once more. Yet no matter how many times he tried, the musical magic phenomenon refused to manifest.
"I don't understand what's wrong. Did I make a mistake?"
"No..."
The Skeleton Principal and Ifadur exchanged baffled glances at their student's confusion.
"As I said before. Primitive Magic is heavily influenced by emotions. It might not work every time."
"Lord Gonadaltes is right. The fact that you succeeded earlier was remarkable. Failing now isn't strange at all."
Lee Han nodded at their words of comfort.
'If other songs fail too, we're in trouble.'
If Lee Han, their only breakthrough, hit a dead end, they wouldn't even be able to begin.
The plan to produce results while learning and impress Ifadur was already off to a rocky start...
Next was the knight order.
A veteran knight, who had once revived fallen comrades with just a song after an ambush, sang in a rough voice.
"Oh, there goes the knight, struck by an arrow and dies, struck by a mace and dies, stabbed by a sword and dies, pierced by a spear and dies..."
"Oh, there goes the knight, struck by an arrow and dies, struck by a mace and dies, stabbed by a sword and dies, pierced by a spear and dies..."
The knights listening nearby were startled by the sudden surge of vitality.
"A-Astonishing! Lord Gonadaltes!"
"I never imagined music alone could wield such power! Honestly, I thought it was just bragging—"
Fortunately, this time it worked, and Lee Han let out a sigh of relief.
The Skeleton Principal stared intently at Lee Han.
"What is it?"
"Nothing... Just thought it suits your personality quite well."
"???"