Episode 78
Episode 78
Black Rock Hall.
The tower Professor Mortum used as his workshop remained as gloomy as ever.
'If he wants more students to come, he should probably improve the surroundings first.'
When skulls, bones, tombstones, and crates of deadly poison bottles were scattered around, people generally didn't want to visit.
From Lee Han's perspective, among this year's freshmen, the only ones who would come to learn Black Magic would probably be himself and Gainando...
"??"
Lee Han was startled.
There were other freshmen in front of Black Rock Hall.
Two of them, no less.
"Hey... why are those guys here to learn Black Magic?"
"Is there any reason to look so serious?"
Lee Han was puzzled by Gainando's reaction.
Gainando answered as if it were obvious.
"The professor said I was the only one with talent, remember?!"
"......"
Weren't you the one who hated Black Magic?
Lee Han was about to say something but gave up and changed the subject.
"Gainando. Even if they aren't as talented as you, they might still want to learn Black Magic."
"Well, that's true."
Gainando reflected slightly at Lee Han's words.
Thinking about it, maybe he could afford to be a little more generous.
"Hey, everyone—"
"Don't act all friendly with me, you Blue Dragon Tower trash."
"......"
Gainando flared up and raised his staff to strike. Lee Han grabbed his arm to stop him.
"White Tiger Tower scum, huh."
"That's right."
A faint golden light flickered in the other's pupils.
His features had an otherworldly quality, and Lee Han realized he was of mixed blood.
"An angel hybrid?"
"Indeed. I carry the glorious blood of my ancestors."
'For someone so proud, the blood seems pretty diluted.'
Dijiling, the demon hybrid, had such thick demonic blood that her appearance alone made it obvious.
In comparison, this White Tiger Tower student in front of them was much harder to identify.
If not for Lee Han's keen perception, he might not have noticed at all.
"You carry the glorious blood of your ancestors, yet you follow the Moradi family's orders?"
Lee Han immediately tried to sow discord.
The fewer White Tiger Tower students who obeyed Giselle's commands, the more comfortable life would be for Lee Han and Durgyu.
Knights' honor and pride were easy weaknesses to exploit.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Wardanaz. I, Raphael, don't follow Moradi's orders at all."
"Huh? You don't follow Moradi's orders, yet you act so hos... dis... bas..."
Unable to find the right word, Lee Han simply ended the question.
"Why do you act like this?"
"Are you seriously asking because you don't know?"
Raphael stared at Lee Han as if he couldn't believe his audacity.
The feigned ignorance was ridiculous.
Gainando whispered beside him.
"Wasn't it because we sent those White Tiger Tower guys to the Punishment Room last time?"
"Over something that trivial?"
"Or maybe it was when we snuck into their lounge and stole their flag."
"Over something that trivial?"
"...???"
Gainando was baffled.
Wait...
Wasn't that more than enough reason?
Raphael narrowed his brows and spoke to Lee Han.
"Durgyu of the Choi family! Surely you won't pretend not to know even now. That is the name of the honorable friend you've been vilely manipulating."
"......"
For the first time in a while, Lee Han was at a loss for words. Gainando defended him instead.
"No, um, Durgyu is our friend."
"How cowardly to even make excuses... You attacked him with magic, knocked him unconscious, and still have the nerve to call him a friend?!"
"......"
Gainando looked at Lee Han as if pleading for help.
"We treated him the same way because we didn't want Durgyu to be hated by the White Tiger Tower guys."
"And you call that an explanation?"
Raphael reacted as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Lee Han shrugged as if he had expected this.
Some misunderstandings just couldn't be cleared up.
"Wait. You... you're from the Gral family, right?"
Gainando belatedly recalled Raphael's family.
The Gral family, a southern knightly house.
The Gral family, who took pride in their ancestors' angelic blood, were among the most strictly righteous of all knightly families.
Judging by the way he spoke...
"Correct. You wicked bastards."
It seemed their opponent had already classified Lee Han and Gainando as the axis of evil.
Lee Han felt a tiny twinge of remorse.
'But most of it is because of the Wardanaz family's image.'
If not for the Wardanaz family's insane reputation, Lee Han wouldn't have been misunderstood like this.
At least, that's what he believed.
"Wait, why is someone from the Gral Family learning black magic?!"
Gainando protested as if it made no sense.
Why would someone from the Gral Family, which produced so many holy knights, come to study black magic?
Raphael answered proudly.
"Because learning black magic will help me fight black mages better."
"......"
'The professor's going to cry.'
Lee Han was at a loss for words.
Out of just four students, one was a black magic hater...
"I see. Gral. I hope you learn black magic well to fight black mages. I thought you were teaming up with Giselle of the Moradi family to stab me in the back like a coward."
"Don't you dare compare me, Raphael, to that Moradi scum!"
Raphael looked thoroughly offended.
While Lee Han manipulating Durgyu like a puppet was one thing, Giselle commanding other White Tiger Tower students like her own limbs was equally despicable.
"So you're saying you won't team up with Giselle of the Moradi family to target me from behind?"
"Of course not!"
"Not even with her gang?"
"Absolutely not! What kind of question is that?!"
"Good enough."
Having said all he needed to, Lee Han simply walked away.
As long as Raphael wouldn't attack from behind or ally with Giselle, it didn't matter how much he ranted upfront.
Raphael stood dumbfounded, blinking rapidly.
He felt tricked, but what exactly had just happened?
Following Lee Han, Gainando thought to himself:
'He's my friend, but he really does give off the vibe of an evil archmage...'
Having been outplayed once by Raphael, Gainando had grown quite hostile. He addressed another student in a tone devoid of any kindness.
"Why are you here to learn black magic?"
Whoosh—
The student stood up. Only then did Gainando realize the other had been sitting on the floor.
"......"
Though Lee Han was tall, this student was so towering that Lee Han would have to look up. Easily over 2 meters.
'Giant hybrid!'
Overwhelmed, Gainando abruptly became polite.
"Y-you're... welcome to learn. My apologies for the rudeness."
"H-hi. Nice to meet everyone."
The student was from the Black Turtle Tower. He glanced around nervously while greeting them.
"M-my name is Imirg."
"I'm Lee Han. This is Gainando. Mind if I ask why you're looking around like that?"
"My... my friends don't like me hanging out with Blue Dragon Tower students..."
"!"
Lee Han was surprised.
'Well, it's not that strange.'
Excluding the Phoenix Tower, students from each tower naturally stuck together.
It made sense that Black Turtle Tower students—who rarely came from noble or knightly families—would avoid mingling with those from the White Tiger Tower (dominated by knightly families) or the Blue Dragon Tower (dominated by nobility).
Students like Nilia or Ratford were the exceptions...
Still, Lee Han checked just in case.
"You're not avoiding me because you think I'm an evil archmage, right?"
"Huh? Wh-what are you talking about?"
"Never mind. As long as that's not it."
Fortunately, it was just the noble thing. Lee Han sighed in relief.
"I... came because I'm interested in black magic. I want to get along with fellow students learning it."
"Hmph! Not happening!"
Raphael, standing behind them, retorted sharply.
He clearly had no intention of befriending wicked students studying black magic.
Imirg gave Raphael a sad look. Raphael flinched—perhaps slightly intimidated.
"Right. Outside is one thing, but while we're here learning black magic together, let's get along."
Lee Han extended his hand.
Imirg was exactly the type of person who was easy to befriend. After encountering so many bizarre characters at the academy, someone like him was practically a blessing.
Imirg happily grasped Lee Han's hand and shook it vigorously.
In that instant, Lee Han had to desperately channel mana throughout his entire body just to endure.
'Guh!'
He forced himself to maintain a neutral expression so as not to offend Imirg. The sheer strength was overwhelming.
"Nice to meet you too!"
Gainando, oblivious, also reached out his hand. Lee Han tried to stop him, but Gainando had already grabbed Imirg's hand.
Crunch!
Professor Mortum hummed cheerfully as he surveyed the increased number of new students.
Lee Han felt an inexplicable pang of guilt.
'I shouldn't pity the professor.'
Stockholm Syndrome was a dangerously real condition.
"Ahem. Welcome, everyone. I never expected so many students to take an interest in Black Magic. Next year might be even more promising."
"We look forward to learning from you!"
Professor Mortum seemed oblivious to Lafadell's sinister intentions. He turned to Lee Han and asked,
"Any luck finding more Bone Summons?"
"Not yet, sir..."
"Ahem. Try exploring more gloomy and shadowy places."
The professor winked at Lee Han as if offering a gift. It wasn't exactly charming.
'He's telling me to wander around the academy's darkest corners while rogue summons are on the loose... That's practically suicide.'
"Ahem... Since you've all been waiting for today's gathering, we should begin the lesson promptly. Do you remember what we covered last time about curses?"
"Yes. Of course."
Lafadell immediately pulled out paper and a quill, ready to take notes. Professor Mortum looked pleased.
Of course, knowing Lafadell's true motives, Lee Han could only feel pity.
'Are you planning to attack the professor first later?'
"Honestly, curses were way more fun than summoning magic!"
Gainando blurted out.
"Today, we'll take our time to deepen our understanding of curses— Wait a moment."
Professor Mortum paused mid-sentence.
"Did we cover summoning magic this week?"
"Yes."
"Ahem. How did the students react?"
"Everyone loved it! Except for us, they all rushed to the workshops to hear more about it."
Lee Han wanted to smack Gainando's mouth shut, but unfortunately, he couldn't.
Professor Mortum declared firmly,
"...Forget curses. Today, we'll be learning Undead Summoning."
"Woo-hoo!!"
'Is this even allowed?'
Lee Han grew uneasy.
No matter how he looked at it, they seemed to be skipping several steps in the curriculum...
"Ahem. Undead Summoning is the crown jewel of summoning magic. One might even call it the most beautiful, intricate, and refined form of magic..."
"Where do most Black Mages acquire corpses?"
"Excellent question, Lafadell. In the past, graveyards were the primary source, but these days, we purchase legally sanctioned cadavers."
"I see... But illegal Black Mages must still rely on graveyards, right?"
"Wouldn't they?"
"Thank you."
Lafadell scribbled notes enthusiastically. Professor Mortum tilted his head slightly, as if sensing something off.
"However, you lot are still... too inexperienced for complete Undead Summoning. A fully summoned undead could kill its caster if mishandled."
A skeletal warrior stabbing its inexperienced summoner was one of the most common Black Magic accidents.
Gainando, who had nearly died to a magical quill, nodded solemnly.
"We'll start with the simplest, least lethal summon—the Bone Hand."
The students tensed, focusing intently on the professor's words.
Whoosh!
Bone Hands materialized before them.
"First, try befriending the Bone Hands. Initially, they won't obey you, but..."
"...?"
For a moment, Lee Han thought the Bone Summon and Bone Hands had swapped places.
Because the Bone Hand in front of him was bowing its skull in an oddly respectful manner.
'Is this a trap?'