Episode 740
Episode 740
"Honestly, he seems like a madman. You should be careful."
"Is that so?"
At Lee Han's whisper, Adenart looked puzzled.
From what he'd seen of Einrogard's professors, Professor Zorjik didn't seem particularly insane.
Moreover, as imperial royalty, Adenart had grown up surrounded by countless sycophants since childhood.
Most imperial followers tended to be ambitious people, clinging to the (utterly delusional) expectation that their patron might one day ascend to the Emperor's throne.
"He doesn't seem that unusual to me. Among my own supporters, there are plenty like—"
"Ah."
Lee Han nodded in understanding at Adenart's explanation.
Apparently, the Princess had quite a few supporters similar to Professor Zorjik.
And then Lee Han subtly took a step away from Adenart without him noticing.
"Professor Benmalpa. Why on earth do you want to become Einrogard's headmaster?"
"Professor. Be reasonable—can anyone become headmaster without the current headmaster's approval?"
While the two were talking, curious upperclassmen started bombarding Professor Zorjik with questions.
Killing two birds with one stone—satisfying their curiosity while delaying the lecture.
Though the students' questions might have sounded rude at first glance, Professor Zorjik stroked his mustache, looking thoroughly pleased.
"First, an excellent question! Why do I want to become Einrogard's headmaster? Then let me ask you this—why wouldn't you want to be Einrogard's headmaster?"
"Um...Well, I..."
The upperclassman nearly retorted 'Because I'm sane?' but thought better of it and rephrased.
"As a wizard, I have little interest in the headmaster position. Professor."
"That thinking is flawed! Let me say this boldly—every proper wizard should dream of becoming Einrogard's headmaster!"
The lecture hall fell dead silent.
Undeterred, the professor continued with intoxicated fervor.
"The heart of millennium-old magic! Lord of the Arcane! Doesn't it thrill you to imagine what magic you could wield with that power?"
"But... the magic I research is perfectly achievable without Einrogard's authority."
If you wanted bread, you'd just go buy some—few people would create new land to grow wheat fields from scratch.
"Moreover, the headmaster's role isn't just about magical power! It's the honor of shaping the empire's greatest wizards while becoming their spiritual guide. Doesn't that stir your heart?"
"?"
'Does it?'
Not just the upperclassmen, but even Lee Han and Adenart tilted their heads in contemplation.
Admittedly, when framed that way, it did sound somewhat appealing.
As the empire's premier magical institution, Einrogard produced exceptionally talented wizards. Being the revered teacher of all these talents would indeed grant tremendous influence.
Yet no matter how logical it sounded, their hearts remained unconvinced.
The students' minds were too thoroughly imprinted with the overwhelming image of the Skeleton Principal.
"The headmaster did say he'd turn his students into mortal enemies."
"I'd be different! I'd nurture students with affection and care. They'd respect and support me!"
The students murmured among themselves.
While none were certain Professor Zorjik would become headmaster in their lifetime, his pitch was undeniably tempting.
"I'll root for you in my heart, Professor!"
"We can't actively help, but we'll cheer you on!"
"Thank you, thank you! Now, the second question—can one become headmaster without the current headmaster's approval? The answer is simple—yes, you can!"
"How so?"
"Because I asked the headmaster himself."
"......"
"......"
The students' faces darkened.
That single answer drastically reduced their expectations of Professor Zorjik.
"Where in the world would you find a fool planning a coup who asks the coup target for permission?"
'Wait. This might actually be possible.'
Unlike the other seniors, Lee Han felt intrigued by the professor's answer.
The Skeleton Principal he knew wasn't particularly attached to his position at Einrogard.
His relationship with the Emperor wasn't one of healthy responsibility as the seniors imagined, but more like two figures flailing in the Empire's swamp, each trying to prevent the other from escaping first.
In this situation, if the Skeleton Principal had answered Zorjik's question with "Go ahead if you can," then...
It might truly be possible if Professor Zorjik gained the Emperor's recognition!
"This... seems plausible if the professor gains His Majesty the Emperor's approval."
"...Isn't that the hardest part?"
Adenart stared at Lee Han with a look of utter disbelief, as if he were seeing a Gyanardo. 'Well, he's not wrong.' Passing a dragon's standards might arguably be even harder than defeating the Skeleton Principal directly.
Unfazed by the students' reactions, Professor Zorjik grinned.
"Gentlemen. You're free to think my plans are delusional. That's your right. But don't let your own dreams be dismissed as delusions too. Throughout history, those who changed the Empire were often the ones mocked as dreamers!"
Lee Han was slightly moved.
It was a better speech than he'd expected.
But the seniors, hardened by Einrogard, showed little change in expression.
"Dreamers at Einrogard usually don't graduate."
"I submitted a research proposal, and the Headmaster threw it back in my face, calling it delusional nonsense..."
"Now! Shall we begin the lecture?"
True to his ambitious nature, Professor Zorjik smoothly steered the conversation away from unfavorable topics.
"To your designated areas!"
The <Elemental Magic and Its Applications> lecture resembled Professor Verdus's class in that students practiced autonomously.
But the actual proceedings were worlds apart.
"Professor, I'm trying to transform the fire element to maintain at least four swords, but maintaining the forms is harder than I thought."
"Your main issues are form manipulation and multi-control. Attempting both simultaneously causes reverse combustion. Personally, I'd recommend mastering form manipulation first. Have you studied Bagni's Five Forms?"
"Not yet..."
"Understandable. Bagni was an exceptional fire mage, but he lived centuries ago, and those Five Forms aren't particularly practical. Frankly, few mages bother learning them. But! For those struggling with fire element form manipulation, no practice is more helpful than these Five Forms. Start with them."
"Professor, my research requires the dark element, but even basic attunement is too difficult. Professor Mortum suggested attuning in pitch-black mountain caves or the Undead World, possibly getting lost a few times. Is there really no other way?"
"An excellent method. But! That's suited for geniuses like Professor Mortum. I'd recommend safer approaches. See these summoned dark elements? Place them one by one on your palm to heighten your sensitivity. Slowly! And don't worry if you can't sense them yet—another mage can assist you."
"...!"
Watching this, Lee Han and Adenart were utterly astonished.
Adenart spoke in a trembling voice.
"D-did you see that? How can someone manipulate elements so diversely and flawlessly? It's unbelievable."
Simultaneously, Lee Han muttered in equal disbelief.
"How can a lecture structured like Verdus's be this... kind?"
"?"
"?"
The two looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
"...Isn't elemental magic more amazing?"
"The headmaster can do that too. What's truly amazing is how kind he's being."
Lee Han now understood why some seniors had left evaluations like 'Still better than others' for Professor Zorjik. 'Isn't that a huge understatement!' While Adenart was staring at Lee Han with slightly colder eyes than before, Professor Zorjik approached them.
The professor's eyes were gleaming with interest and ambition.
"My two distinguished students attending my humble lecture!"
"...Nice to meet you, Professor?"
"Let me confirm if what I know about you two is correct. Student Adenart! The 43rd imperial royalty, supported by the Palm Tree Knights, the Raincloud Mage Tower, the Imperial Western Union Chamber of Commerce, the Cross Brothers Swordsmen, and the Olodo Party!"
Adenart startled like a rabbit and nodded quickly.
It was rare for an Einrogard professor to show this level of interest in a student unless they were from outside.
At this acknowledgment, the flames of ambition in Professor Zorjik's eyes burned even brighter.
Even without telepathy magic, Lee Han could practically hear the voice saying, 'Become my disciple and support me!'
"My only hobby in Einrogard is earning the respect of talented students like yourselves."
Intimidated by the professor's blazing enthusiasm, the Princess quickly hid behind Lee Han.
Undeterred, Professor Zorjik declared firmly,
"Whenever you need help or guidance, come find Zorjik of the Benmalpa family!"
"We understand."
"Good! And you—" 'Wait. Me too?' Lee Han had actually let his guard down slightly.
Given how much attention the professor was showing Adenart, he thought he might get off relatively easily.
But the fire in Professor Zorjik's eyes was burning even more intensely than before.
If Adenart had been lightly baited, Lee Han was being pursued with nets and harpoons, fully determined to catch him no matter what. 'Did he cast fire magic in his pupils or something?' Lee Han couldn't believe how someone's eyes could blaze so fiercely with nothing but pure ambition.
"So you're 'that' student!"
"...Have the seniors and professors been forgetting my name lately?"
Being frequently called 'that kid' or 'him' was starting to bother him slightly.
It didn't seem like a good sign.
Professor Zorjik grinned from ear to ear.
"How could we? Student Wardanaz. Taking lectures from every school as a member of the Wardanaz family."
"Yes..."
"And also the headmaster's disciple."
"Excuse me?"
Lee Han tried to deny it, but Professor Zorjik continued unabated.
"Beloved by all Einrogard professors—how could Zorjik of the Benmalpa family not join in?"
"I'm really fine with—"
"What magic are you struggling with? I may not be as specialized as someone like Yumidihus, but I can handle any elemental magic to some degree!"
Though Professor Zorjik spoke modestly, having witnessed his skills earlier, Lee Han knew exactly how impressive that was.
Cases like Yumidihus, who researched a single element like water to its extremes, were unusual. The fact that Professor Zorjik could competently handle multiple elements already made him an expert in the field. 'Right. I came here to learn magic, so focus on that.' Though the professor's attention was overwhelming, this was precisely the time to steer the conversation back to magic.
Besides, unlike a certain other professor, this one was kind and passionate about teaching.
"My goal is overall skill improvement."
"Ah, you're a second-year. Then how about this? List the elements you're confident with and those you're not."
"Well, I'm not confident with fire elements..."
"Hmm."
"Lightning, frost, and darkness are relatively better..."
"......"