Episode 777
Episode 777
'Hmm. This might actually be worth publishing.'
Having finished organizing his thoughts, Professor Zorjik mused to himself.
Such a rare case would certainly be worthy of presentation to the Empire's mages.
Which mage in the Empire would have had the opportunity to observe such an unusual phenomenon?
"Now then, Student Wardanaz! Since you've overcome the problem, let's practice the remaining fire element spells."
"Yes, Professor."
At the instruction to practice the lower-circle fire spells he had learned but rarely used due to their danger, Lee Han nodded.
Even if he had finally grasped the sensation of the fire element, stopping practice immediately could cause that very sensation to deteriorate.
It was better to thoroughly reinforce his understanding by practicing the various spells he had learned in sequence—starting from 3rd Circle Magic like <Low-Grade Flame Barrier> and <Low-Grade Flame Arrow>, all the way to 2nd Circle Magic such as <Low-Grade Flame Shield> and <Low-Grade Flame Hand>.
Watching Lee Han cast spells in rapid succession, Professor Zorjik was immensely satisfied.
"Hmm, hmm!"
Stroking his mustache, the professor cast a sly glance.
Seeing this outstanding student suddenly filled him with renewed ambition.
After all, a teacher's reputation was naturally elevated by exceptional students.
Judging purely by talent, the young boy from the Wardanaz family was undoubtedly one of the brightest gems among Einrogard's students.
However, even this gem had a flaw—he had too many teachers.
If a student had too many teachers, even if their reputation soared, the benefits might not extend all the way to Professor Zorjik.
But watching the boy practice now, a brilliant idea struck him.
'Even the fire element was an absurd last resort, yet he somehow managed it. There's a high chance he could handle even more difficult spells if pushed.'
Professor Zorjik found himself thinking the exact same thoughts as some of Einrogard's other professors had before.
'Moreover, since he succeeded under my guidance, he must respect and trust me now.'
This, however, was something none of those other professors had considered.
'What if I keep pushing him toward even more difficult magic?'
And this, once again, aligned perfectly with what some of Einrogard's professors had previously thought.
A rosy fantasy rapidly unfolded in Professor Zorjik's ambitious mind.
—The reason I became an Archmage at this age was because Professor Benmalpa believed in my abilities and guided me. Had he made me learn circle magic appropriate for my grade like any ordinary mage, I would never have progressed.
—Everyone, I did nothing! I merely recognized this boy's talent and firmly believed in him!
—Benmalpa! Benmalpa! Benmalpa!
—Zorjik of the Benmalpa family for Headmaster of Einrogard! He is the mage most suited to lead Einrogard!
An ideal future where the Wardanaz boy happily learned more powerful magic, and Professor Zorjik himself gained respect and fame from his student.
Convinced of this future, the professor nodded firmly.
"Student Wardanaz!"
"Yes?"
"Now, let's practice the advanced attributes of the fire element!"
"...Yes?"
Lee Han was slightly taken aback.
He had barely gained control over the fire element, and now he was supposed to jump straight into advanced attributes?
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Don't worry! You can do it!"
'Did Professor Bagrak possess him or something??'
Lee Han grew even more bewildered.
Originally, Professor Zorjik's <Elemental Magic and Its Applications> was a peaceful, student-led lecture.
The professor himself preferred a gentle teaching method—rather than actively instructing, he would assist students when they hit obstacles in their elemental magic research.
So when this same professor suddenly approached him and started pushing him to immediately tackle advanced attributes, confusion was inevitable.
"Professor. Um... I might be mistaken, but wasn't this originally the kind of lecture where you'd answer my questions when I asked?"
"Wardanaz. Teaching isn't something with a fixed form. It's more like flowing water."
Professor Zorjik, being the only headmaster aspirant in Einrogard—an institution packed with morally bankrupt individuals—had his own way with words.
When he invoked professorial authority to declare 'This is what teaching should be,' Lee Han found it difficult to argue back.
"But I'd like to take some time to practice basic Fire Element spells..."
"No, no! You're mistaken, my boy. It's clear you want to practice more advanced attributes. You just don't realize it yet!"
When Professor Zorjik winked at him, Lee Han was utterly baffled.
He genuinely couldn't fathom why the professor was acting this way.
"Someday, you'll be grateful to Zorjik of the Benmalpa family! Don't forget to thank me then. Haha."
"......"
Lee Han mentally added Professor Zorjik to his List of Professors to Visit After Graduation.
In the end, Lee Han had to spend the remaining time practicing advanced attributes of the Fire Element.
Just as the seemingly ordinary Water Element could unleash devastating power when combined with rotation techniques, the inherently destructive Fire Element offered a wide range of applications depending on which advanced attribute one pursued.
"I'm sorry, Wardanaz..."
"It's fine now."
Adenart apologized with an unusually subdued demeanor.
It was because of the slip of the tongue she'd made earlier during the lecture.
"Wardanaz. The most representative advanced attributes of the Fire Element are methods like the Blue Flame or the Purple Flame."
Attributes that enhanced or altered the fundamental nature of the Fire Element—burning and incinerating—paired well with it, making them the most commonly used.
While it was easy to misunderstand (and not entirely inaccurately) that mages specializing in the Fire Element could only destroy, mastering these advanced attributes allowed one to surpass the element's limits and perform a variety of feats.
Of course, the path was just as demanding as it was difficult.
Just as forcing rotation upon the Water Element to amplify its power was challenging, deliberately altering the nature of the Fire Element was no easy task either.
"Which advanced attribute interests you, Wardanaz?"
"I'm not sure, Professor. I still want to practice the basics."
"Haha! Enough joking, Wardanaz. I admit these advanced attributes may seem daunting. But I guarantee—if anyone can master them, it's you! And you must master them!"
"Did you... happen to meet Professor Bagrak over the break...?"
"Hm?"
"Never mind."
"I think attempting the Blue Flame first might be best. Even for someone like you, Wardanaz, changing and assigning entirely new properties from scratch could be—"
"That's incorrect, Professor. Wardanaz can already summon the White Flame through Divine Magic."
Adenart, who had been listening nearby, impulsively spoke up, offended by the implication that her friend lacked ability.
The reaction, of course, was far from ideal.
......
......
Well, at least from Lee Han.
When Lee Han shot her a look that screamed Why would you do this to me?, Adenart belatedly realized her mistake.
"Uh, actually, I might have been mistaken—"
"You can already summon the White Flame?! I knew it!"
"It's Divine Magic, Professor."
"Hardly makes a difference, Wardanaz! Didn't I say it? You want to practice the more advanced attributes. See? This proves it!"
"Yes..."
Now thoroughly excited, Professor Zorjik doubled down on pushing Lee Han forward with unwavering determination.
Lee Han had no idea how many additional elements he'd have to study this semester.
'His eyes look downright fanatical.'
"I'm still sorry..."
"I told you, it's fine. Here, have a sandwich."
When Lee Han pulled a sandwich from his bag and offered it, Adenart's expression brightened slightly.
The fact that he was sharing food meant he really wasn't angry.
"Truly befitting of a noble from a prestigious family, so magnanimous..."
"???"
Princess Adenart peeled open the two slices of bread covering the sandwich to check inside.
There was nothing between them.
"......"
After stealing a furtive glance, Adenart obediently took a bite of the Einrogard-style sandwich, her face filled with remorse.
'So this is the punishment for causing a friend distress—an empty sandwich with no filling!'
"Even Gainando makes mistakes, and even Senior Yukveltire slips up sometimes. There's no need to be so hard on yourself."
"Urghh?"
Adenart lifted her head in protest.
Comparing her to Yukveltire was one thing, but to Gainando?
No matter how you looked at it, this was too harsh...
'...'
I must reflect...'
She bowed her head again in repentance.
It was clear that Wardanaz had deliberately brought an empty sandwich and made the Gainando comparison to indirectly reprimand her.
Facing both blows in quick succession made her acutely aware of just how terrible her mistake had been. She deserved to feel ashamed.
"Wardanaz!"
"Hmm?"
From the lecture hall of The Tragic History of Ancient Artifacts and Summoning Magic, Salko came rushing out.
In a grave voice, he shouted:
"I recommend fleeing today's lecture."
"...???"
With those words, Salko dashed away. For a moment, Lee Han wondered if a White Tiger Tower student had disguised themselves as Salko.
"Salko... isn't the type to skip lectures just because he dislikes them, is he?"
Moreover, Professor Milley's The Tragic History of Ancient Artifacts and Summoning Magic was a relatively safe lecture.
For one, it was a second-year course, and the fact that Professor Milley taught it made it even more so.
From what Lee Han remembered of the first week, they had only covered basic historical overviews and a few famous artifacts...
'What's going on? Should I run?'
Lee Han hesitated over whether to heed Salko's warning.
But his hesitation was short-lived—Professor Milley appeared beside them.
"Everyone, into the lecture hall."
At the sight of the elderly professor wearing round spectacles, the students inside and outside the hall startled into motion.
Lee Han inwardly cursed himself.
'I should've reacted immediately. I got complacent.'
The moment Salko bolted, Lee Han should've run too—but his hesitation had allowed the professor to arrive first.
At Einrogard, such mistakes were rarely forgiven.
Whoooosh—
Inside the lecture hall, the dimensional magic circles installed there were causing mana to swirl violently and chaotically.
They were clearly magic circles set up for exploring other dimensions.
'But Salko wouldn't run from something like this, would he?'
Lee Han lifted his gaze to the blackboard, where words were written:
Visit the Most Evil and Dangerous Dimension (Extra Lives Required)
"......"
"......"
Lee Han and his friends instinctively glanced toward the exit. Professor Milley remarked casually:
"It seems the students from the previous lecture forgot to erase it. Let's all take care not to learn such habits."
With a wave of her hand, the words on the blackboard vanished. Only then did the students let out sighs of relief.
"Whew! I thought—"
"That damn Tutanta is too impulsive! He scared the hell out of me."
As they spoke, new text appeared on the blackboard:
Survive in an Unstable Dimension
"...Uh, Professor? I think it's still not erased."
"It's correct as written. That's today's lecture topic."
Professor Milley's voice was stern.
The students squeezed their eyes shut and muttered:
"Tutanta, you quick-footed bastard."
"Sorry for ever doubting you!"
As morale plummeted, Professor Milley calmly began her explanation.
"Everyone, rest assured—it won't be what you're imagining. Stop worrying needlessly."
"Ah... so we're not actually going there?"
The students perked up.
If it was just a theoretical lecture in the classroom, there wasn't much to worry about.
Don't do anything reckless, run if you see a demon...
How hard could learning about such things be?
"No. We are going."
"......"
Then how exactly was this not something to worry about?