Episode 536
Episode 536
'Are You Picking a Fight Because You're in a Bad Mood?'
Lee Han thought that, unable to understand the Skeleton Principal's words.
Well, the Skeleton Principal was someone whose bad moods outnumbered his good ones. Having to spend a golden weekend with both a bothersome minstrel and an annoying student—how infuriating must that be?
"Then let's proceed to the next location."
"Yes."
Having finished his notes, Ifadur moved toward the next destination.
Next were the Stonemason Guild members repairing a wall destroyed by wild wyvern attacks.
-A ten-fingered dwarf swings his hammer, becomes a nine-fingered dwarf, a nine-fingered dwarf swings his hammer, becomes an eight-fingered dwarf...
-Splendid, splendid!
-This is a miracle!
After that was <Tvaladla>, the tavern known for serving the best beer in town.
-One day, a lost monster attacked the village and I struck it down. The people offered rewards, but all I wanted was beer! Then bigger monsters came burning the fief, so I struck them down too. The people sang praises, but all I wanted was beer!
-Boo! Get lost!
-You call that a song!
Next was a gambling den where a large-scale Wizard Card game was underway...
-Betting your life one card at a time...
-Could you please keep it down?
-Aren't you the reason why trash cards keep appearing now?!
Then came a small club where local historians had gathered.
-We know there are secrets hidden in books...
-I just had a new inspiration.
-This is the song of miracles!
After completing the rounds, Lee Han sat down at a café to rest and spoke as if he couldn't comprehend it.
"Primitive Magic truly is utterly capricious. I can't discern any rules at all."
While the Stonemason Guild members and the historians' club praised them, the tavern and gambling den audiences jeered.
Lee Han couldn't understand the difference.
"......"
"......"
Ifadur and the Skeleton Principal exchanged glances.
Unlike Lee Han, the two seemed to have an idea.
The turtle beastman cleared his throat and spoke to Lee Han.
"Wardanaz student. By any chance, do you not particularly enjoy leisure activities?"
"Huh???"
Lee Han was startled.
To say that Lee Han didn't enjoy leisure activities—it felt as insulting as being told, 'You don't actually like money, do you?'
"What did I do wrong to deserve such an insulting remark?"
"Ah, no..."
The old minstrel was flustered by this model student's first display of intense emotion.
The Skeleton Principal answered for Ifadur.
"You don't particularly enjoy leisure activities."
"No!"
"You really don't. You're a former student of my department."
"No, that's...!"
Lee Han wanted to argue that some of it was the Headmaster's fault, but the Skeleton Principal didn't give him the chance to interject.
"I didn't expect it to be this pronounced, but the tendency is remarkably clear. At this point, it's not uncertainty—it's practically a pattern."
"Quite right."
Ifadur agreed as he flipped through the records with his wrinkled fingers.
Normally, the conditions for Primitive Magic were so obscure that finding patterns was difficult, but in the case of this Wardanaz boy, it was surprisingly easy to understand.
He could sing songs that aligned with his life philosophy well, but it was clear he couldn't imbue emotion into those that didn't.
Under normal circumstances, even compatible songs should have a low success rate, but thanks to the Wardanaz boy's unique ability to succeed in all of them, they could now confirm this pattern.
"Truly, thank you, Wardanaz student."
"Could there perhaps be an issue with the theory itself?"
Lee Han tried to nitpick subtly, but the two simply ignored him.
Ifadur was too preoccupied examining the musical scores he had recorded today.
"Hmm. Looking at how these melodies appear consecutively..."
"Wouldn't it be better to first establish a notation system and then reorganize the scores under a unified standard?"
Lee Han cautiously offered his opinion while looking at Ifadur's scribbled scores.
Since they had recorded or received songs from various people, the methods of notating pitch and rhythm were all jumbled, with some parts even omitted.
"It didn't matter when Ifadur was singing alone, but to organize it as Music Magic, a common standard was necessary."
"Aha... You're absolutely right."
The old minstrel marveled at Lee Han's words.
Indeed, as an Einrogard student, Lee Han had pointed out a method Ifadur himself hadn't considered.
Ifadur quickly sketched out a simple musical framework and notation before handing half his notes to Lee Han.
"Would you mind organizing these?"
"......"
Having dug his own grave, Lee Han began sorting with a gloomy expression.
The Skeleton Principal watching nearby clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
At this point, it wasn't just dislike—it bordered on outright aversion to leisure.
* * *
After neatly completing the organization, Ifadur identified several recurring passages and harmonies, looking thoroughly satisfied.
Though 80% of Music Magic depended on the caster's emotions, such patterns inevitably emerged during the process.
These patterns would serve as excellent guidelines when creating and attempting new Music Magic in the future.
"But beyond that, the bigger issue is the casting. The casting."
"A most astute observation."
Ifadur agreed wholeheartedly.
The magic's inherent weakness—its power being too feeble to cast easily—was Music Magic's greatest flaw.
"Might you have any advice to share? With Duke Gonadaltes's wisdom..."
"There is a way."
Though the Skeleton Principal had been grumbling incessantly about hating Music Magic, he didn't ignore the request.
"Either increase the surrounding mana density or imbue your words with mana. Both methods are difficult to implement immediately. Thus, mages attempting this magic must use both approaches to somehow produce results."
"Both methods... I'd never considered that!"
As Ifadur marveled, the Skeleton Principal continued haughtily.
"Indeed. You must begin with group choruses first. Though difficult alone, multiple voices can somewhat raise the ambient mana density. The same applies to imbuing words with mana. Historical records show ordinary people, emotionally overwhelmed, momentarily squeezing out their mana. Though far cruder than true word-imbuing, it can serve as a breakthrough."
Ifadur diligently noted down the Skeleton Principal's golden advice.
"Do the students already know the method for collectively raising mana density?"
"Unlikely. It's a rare technique, and they've had no reason to learn it. Have Wardanaz demonstrate repeatedly until they replicate it. There'll be trial and error, but no helping that."
"?"
Lee Han, resting nearby, flinched as the conversation suddenly targeted him.
"As for squeezing out mana..."
"The same applies. Few students are accustomed to such brute-force methods. Again, keep making Wardanaz sing. Like incantations, repetition through observation and listening remains the best approach. Even if they can't imbue words with mana, they can forcibly expel it to approximate the effect."
"Your counsel is truly invaluable!"
"Ah..."
In high spirits, Ifadur began singing in front of the café.
His skill was such that even disinterested passersby paused to listen.
A crowd gathered instantly, applauding in admiration.
Everyone was happy with the music. Everyone except Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal.
"......"
"Didn't I say Music Magic would be of little help?"
"...No. I'm delighted..."
Lee Han forced bravado, unwilling to please the Skeleton Principal.
The Skeleton Principal shook his head at the display.
"At this rate, you'll end up collecting every worthless magic to study."
-Master.
A Death Knight, wrapped head-to-toe to avoid frightening townsfolk, approached.
-I've stationed them as instructed.
"Good work. Have them wait longer. Any complaints?"
-They fell silent upon hearing your name.
"Good."
"...?"
Lee Han's eyes gleamed at the exchange between the Skeleton Principal and the Death Knight.
Something about the conversation felt like it held hidden information.
"Who are they?"
"Workers needed for the upcoming construction. Why? Want to join them too?"
"No, I was just curious."
The Skeleton Principal answered nonchalantly. Having dealt with countless students, he knew full well that there was no point in hiding things or losing his temper here unnecessarily.
The best disguise was behaving exactly as one always did.
But Lee Han wasn't to be underestimated either.
No matter what the Skeleton Principal said, he had already resolved not to trust it blindly.
'I'll verify it myself.'
Just then, Ifadur was finishing a song and receiving thunderous applause. Lee Han brought him some cold water and whispered,
"Lord Ifadur. I have a request."
"What is it...?"
"The school rules are so strict I haven't had a chance to go out, but there's a book I really want to buy. Sniff."
Lee Han put on his most pitiful expression as he spoke.
It seemed to work, as Ifadur looked genuinely distressed.
He'd already wanted to repay Lee Han for helping so diligently with his Music Magic—who knew the boy had such troubles!
Given they were youths with hot blood running through their veins, it was only natural they'd want to go outside despite strict rules.
Ifadur nodded.
"What can I do for you, Wardanaz student?"
"Could you distract the Headmaster by having a private conversation with him for a while? I'll go buy the book and come right back."
The elderly turtle beastman winked as if to say, "Leave it to me."
"Now... everyone, everyone. I'm endlessly grateful you enjoy this old man's songs. For the next piece, I'd like to sing with someone else."
"D-don't tell me one of us?"
"Impossible! If that were to happen, even my great-grandson would consider it an honor!"
"It's someone whose name you all know—a truly great figure! Lord Gonadaltes! It would be my honor if you'd sing one song with me."
"????"
The Skeleton Principal, who had been sitting with his eyes closed in boredom, suddenly lifted his head.
What did he just say?
"L-Lord Gonadaltes?? You mean the Grand Archmage?"
"W-wait, I heard everyone who ever made eye contact with him turned to stone. That he keeps those petrified people locked in his dungeon as decorations..."
"What nonsense! There's no way a teacher at Einrogard would do something so violent! Clearly, it's just malicious rumors spread by his enemies!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, and among them, the city's socialites' eyes sparkled as they shouted.
Ifadur's singing was already remarkable, but to sing alongside a Grand Archmage like Gonadaltes?
This would be a story they could brag about at parties and banquets for the rest of their lives without ever growing tired of it.
"Lord Gonadaltes! If you sing just once, I'll remember it as the honor of a lifetime!"
"Please! We beg you!"
'Should I just kill them all...'
The Skeleton Principal thought of the donations these city families provided.
His anger subsided slightly.
"Sharkan. Thank you."
With Sharkan's help, Lee Han carefully tailed the Death Knight.
The Death Knight gradually moved toward a secluded part of the city. To avoid detection, Lee Han cast Invisibility Magic.
'Are they really just laborers?'
Watching the Death Knight head toward a shabby warehouse, Lee Han wondered if he was being overly suspicious.
Then again, though Einrogard might seem quiet on the surface, inside, there were always countless people coming and going.
Given the sheer number of personnel, it was impossible for merchants and laborers not to enter.
Thud!
As the door closed, Lee Han quickly pressed close to the warehouse and listened carefully.
-You've all been waiting a long time.
"Damn it, you've kept us locked up here for three whole days—is this some kind of joke?! I was trying to let it slide, but this is just..."
Thwack!
-Shut up, you trash.
The Death Knight struck the mercenary who had spoken.
-You should be grateful your worthless criminal lives were spared. One more complaint, and I'll turn you all into statues and bury you deep underground where no one will ever find you.
The mercenaries, terrified, fell silent.
-There's only one way you're getting out of here. Train. Practice. Until you can take down mages head-on.
"I don't know which mages you're targeting, but bring them here! I'll kill them right now!"
-You're nowhere near ready. Train harder. Only those who meet the standard will be released.
"......"
Lee Han let out a deep sigh.
He now had a pretty good idea why those mercenaries had been brought here.