Episode 830
Episode 830
At Perkuntra's words, which were even more unpleasant than greed, Lee Han answered curtly.
Perkuntra asked again in bewilderment.
'Are you saying the Pride Duke didn't send the letter?'
"Why would a demon send a letter?"
"Don't spout nonsense when you don't know anything. Lesser demons might act without warning, but a demon of the Pride Duke's caliber doesn't attack without sending word first. Especially if he's acknowledged you as a worthy opponent."
"Oh... So if I don't accept the letter, does that mean he won't attack me anymore?"
"......"
Perkuntra stared at Lee Han with a look of utter disdain.
Suddenly, the thunder subsided, leaving only gloomy dark clouds swirling ominously across the ceiling, making the students uneasy. 'What's this? Did Wardanaz say something sad?' 'Didn't he just say he was auditing last semester's lectures? If I were a spirit, I'd probably cry out of pity for him.' 'If the Pride Duke knew you were scheming like this, the look on his face would be priceless.'
To think the mage he'd acknowledged as a worthy opponent would ask something like, 'If I keep refusing the letters, does that mean I won't have to fight anymore?'
If the Pride Duke found out, he might shudder in disgust at the mage's vulgarity.
"No. The opponent is a Demon Duke, and I'm just a mere mage. Isn't it strange for me to receive such a proposal in the first place? If I were a Magic Duke and the opponent was just some lesser demon, then sure, I'd accept the proposal."
Of course, from Lee Han's perspective, this was all absurd.
Whether the Pride Duke wanted revenge or acknowledged him as a worthy opponent—that wasn't something he cared about at all.
If it's a Demon Duke, shouldn't he be picking fights with other Demon Dukes or at least Imperial Dukes? Why is he challenging a student from Einrogard? 'And then he gets offended if you refuse? Shameless and brazen—just like a demon should be.'
"...Do you not even know the old tales? Mages who triumph over demons always receive rare treasures and Authorities as rewards... Ah, you're not even listening, are you?"
"I'm listening."
"Your eyes say otherwise."
A mage who usually had sharp, intelligent eyes was now listening with complete disinterest—of course it was obvious.
Perkuntra couldn't understand.
Becoming the nemesis of a powerful demon was both an opportunity and an honor for a mage. Of course, if you lost, there was no telling what horrors awaited you—but anyone who worried about that shouldn't be a mage in the first place.
Shouldn't he be grateful for this opportunity and start planning how to secure new power after his next victory?
It wasn't like the boy standing before Perkuntra was weak either...
"Fine. If the letter didn't come, then it didn't come. So why are you here?"
"I was hoping you could introduce me to a spirit."
The dark clouds swirling gloomily across the ceiling grew even thicker, and soon a light drizzle began to fall.
The White Tiger Tower students were convinced Lee Han must have mentioned auditing last semester's lectures.
Or maybe he'd even admitted to playing babysitter for the other tower's parasites.
Even Lagesa, intrigued, asked from behind,
"What on earth did you say to make the spirit pity you so much?"
"Shouldn't you just give up already?"
"The fact that lesser spirits flee at the sight of you isn't something you can solve with brute force. You might as well forcibly subdue and capture them. Sure, it'll spread bad rumors among the spirits, but..."
"...Not that kind of spirit."
Lee Han glared as he explained.
"I'm trying to make a new staff. I plan to use Black Magnetite, and the best material to withstand it would be wood, but this wood—"
"Ah! Could Lord Perkuntra perhaps handle this personally?"
"I—I command thunder and lightning, ruling over terror. I am not a craftsman who makes staves."
"......"
He hadn't expected much after Yukveltire's explanation, but hearing it directly was still disappointing.
Why did he have to meet the Thunder King instead of the Forest King or the Sacred Tree King?
If it had been a wood-aligned Spirit King, the spirit residing here would've been much easier to deal with.
"The Authority of spirits isn't ranked by superiority. Just as I wield the power to bridge heaven and earth in destruction, tree spirits cannot wield this power—"
"I see."
"......"
An awkward silence lingered. Lee Han quickly changed the subject.
"So, could you perhaps introduce me to one?"
"Hmm. A spirit that wields the power of trees... The Duke of Three-Tree Old Pine comes to mind. Truly, he was once the beautiful master of the forest—'Duke!' meaning he's at least of ducal rank."
Lee Han asked with hopeful anticipation in his voice. Even if not a king, this level would suffice.
"What kind of spirit is he?"
"He's the one who once attacked me and got thoroughly beaten. He fled underground to escape my lightning."
"...Any other spirits?"
"There's the General of Longevity. He was a spirit general who commanded the mountains, rivers, grass, and trees like subordinates."
"Did you... fight him too?"
"How did you know?"
"......"
Lee Han was beginning to regret his decision.
He hadn't expected Perkuntra to have such strained relationships with spirits. 'I didn't think it would be this bad. At this rate, even demons might be friendlier.' Strangely enough, Perkuntra seemed to have better relations with the Pride Duke than with other high-ranking spirits.
As if sensing its contractor's impious thoughts, Perkuntra began straining its memory and abilities.
"Wait a moment."
The hallway, which had quieted down, erupted into chaos again. As students cowered at the thunder and lightning, Lagesa bellowed:
"Stay still, you foolish brats! Can't you even tell the difference between magic meant to attack you and magic that isn't? Look! When else will you see something like this?!"
"......!"
At her words, the students lifted their heads and stared at the spectacle before them. 'Spirits!' Cracks connected to the spirit realm appeared and vanished throughout the air. Bolts of lightning pierced through those cracks—Perkuntra's messengers.
Students who had formed contracts with spirits and deepened their bonds could hear explanations of what was happening.
"Wardanaz is borrowing a spirit's power to search for a dimension he can visit!"
"Uh... is it usually this intense?"
One student, specializing in Summoning Magic, asked in a bewildered tone.
Normally, preparing to locate and enter a new dimension wasn't this tumultuous. One would calmly detect dimensions based on existing maps and records, use various spells to establish connections, and quietly make their visit...
But the cracks appearing in the air now were strange. Whenever a few bolts of lightning pierced through and vanished, wooden spears would shoot out from within the cracks to attack Perkuntra.
Perkuntra spat out curses.
"Insolent bastards! If you don't want to answer, just ignore me! Is this how you reply?!"
"......"
Lee Han almost said, 'I think anyone would be angry if you threw lightning into their domain as a means of correspondence,' but held back. After all, Perkuntra was doing its best for him right now.
"..."
"Wardanaz. I don't mean to doubt or interfere with your magic, but... are you sure this is okay?"
Giselle asked cautiously. She didn't want to be the fool who disrupted someone's concentration during spellcasting, but this was... unusual. Borrowing a spirit's power to find a dimension to visit shouldn't involve such violent fighting. It felt more like searching for a dimension to conquer rather than visit.
"It's because it's a lightning spirit. Even when sending simple messages, lightning spirits are naturally this intense."
"???"
Lagesa stared at Lee Han as if he were spouting nonsense.
"What kind of bull—"
"Ah! My apologies! It seems I need to focus!"
Lee Han quickly dodged Lagesa's gaze, pretending Perkuntra had called him.
Zap!
A bolt of lightning shot into a crack, and this time, a butterfly returned.
Perkuntra answered with triumphant delight.
"The reply has come!"
"Is that really true?!"
"Yes. Congratulations. The one who responded is... uh..."
Perkuntra, who usually boomed with a thunderous voice, hesitated, leaving Lee Han flustered.
"The Pride Duke?"
"...Didn't I say I was communicating with a spirit? What Pride Duke?!" 'You're the one who mentioned him first,' Lee Han grumbled inwardly.
"Why did it have to be this guy... Ugh... Fine. I'll just tell you. Among the high-ranking tree spirits I know, the one who replied is... the Broad-Eyed King."
"Broad-Eyed King."
"...What?"
'A king of trees made of cotton fabric? He sounds like a warm and cozy spirit.'
No—'Broad-Eyed King.'
"......"
Lee Han shuddered at the title 'Broad-Eyed King.'
Perhaps sensing his contractor's unease, Perkuntra hastily explained.
"You don't have to go. I don't particularly like that guy either. He's notoriously eccentric and bizarre. But he's the only one who extended an invitation. He'll keep the dimensional rift open for a week, so visit if you wish."
"Won't I get ambushed, attacked, or assassinated if I visit?"
Worst-case scenario, he might even be captured and forcibly made into a disciple. Lee Han's eyes brimmed with wariness.
"No. Since he's the one inviting you, that won't happen. The laws of hospitality protect visitors."
'Oh?' Lee Han thought this sounded like a good deal.
If he was protected, it'd be easier to complete Professor Ingoldel's assignment, and if he was lucky, he might even find materials for his staff...
"If the rules protect me, isn't this entirely in my favor? Why wouldn't I go?"
"As I said, he's extremely eccentric and bizarre."
"...How so?"
Perkuntra, unusually, looked troubled.
"I can't reveal more about him. We made a pact to protect each other's true names. Some high-ranking spirits swear oaths to prevent their information from leaking to beings of other dimensions."
Ironically, the ones who knew spirits best were other spirits.
If a mage ever appeared who knew suspiciously well about a spirit, chances were they'd either dug through ancient texts or gotten the information from another spirit who knew them.
"...I'll consult my friends first."
"Do as you wish. I won't force you."
"Are there really no other responses?"
"......"
Seeing Perkuntra—usually so boisterous—look sullen, Lee Han felt a twinge of guilt.
There was nothing ruder than repeatedly asking a friendless person if they had no friends.
Just like how he'd get angry if someone asked, 'Wardanaz, why do spirits run from you?'
"It's fine. Being invited by a spirit king is rare enough. That alone is something to be grateful for."
"You've grown quite a bit, mage."
Having placated Perkuntra, Lee Han quickly gathered his friends. Lagesa, though not called, leaned in with keen interest.
"Everyone, I have good news and bad news."
"!"
"First, I've been invited to a spirit king's domain."
A collective gasp rose from the students.
Even Lagesa was impressed.
Though it wasn't a contract, this was still a remarkable feat. Many mages grew old and died without ever meeting a king-class spirit.
Even senior students at Einrogard had to offer ancient artifacts or equivalent sacrifices to contact such high-ranking spirits—yet this boy had succeeded through his own power alone.
"Wh-what's the bad news?!"
"This is the bad news."
"...?"
"???"
Everyone present looked bewildered.
Giselle, keeping her composure, asked,
"And the good news?"
"You don't have to go."
"......"
The calm way her friend said it sent a chill down Giselle's spine, as if the Frost Giant's spear had grazed her back. 'If Wardanaz is acting like this, it's not something to celebrate...'
"What nonsense is that? Just being invited to a spirit king's domain is a good thing, isn't it?"
"Shut that idiot up."
Giselle issued the order firmly.
The White Tiger Tower students swiftly clamped a hand over Angrago's mouth.
"Mmmpf!"
"Sorry, Angrago."
"He's not entirely wrong. Normally, just receiving an invitation is an opportunity."
Lagesa grinned as she spoke, but Giselle retorted incredulously.
"If even Wardanaz is reacting like this, I doubt it's just an opportunity."
"The kid's always been cautious... Though I'm a bit disappointed."
"?"
"I thought you'd be as brave as your sister, Jiklin. Well, Torgerd's daughter must've misjudged you."
"...Who said I wouldn't go? Move, Wardanaz!"
"M-Moradi, why are you like this too?"
Lee Han, unusually flustered, tried to calm Giselle down.
