Episode 879
Episode 879
After much deliberation, Professor Voladi finally spoke.
"You're currently learning many advanced attributes..."
"Ah. I almost forgot. I heard you also made a contract with a star? Professor Bendozol told me."
"......"
Professor Voladi turned his head and stared intently at Lee Han.
His gaze felt like that of a teacher reprimanding a student who'd caused trouble in the interim. 'This is truly unfair.' Even if Lee Han had voluntarily contracted with a star, he didn't deserve such a reproachful look from Professor Voladi.
At the very least, Professor Voladi had no right to speak on this matter.
"With this level, you should be sufficient for the fire element's advanced attribute, shouldn't you? Wardanaz student. Isn't that right?"
"I'm not confident."
"See! Even modest. With outstanding talent coupled with humility, you'll master the fire element's advanced attribute in no time."
"???"
Lee Han wondered if he'd somehow answered with 'Just leave it to me, hehe' instead.
He distinctly remembered saying 'I'm not confident'—but in a way, this was to be expected.
After all, Professor Zorjik was still a professor, meaning the curse of interpreting students' words as they pleased ran deep in his veins.
This was an unavoidable fate that came with attaining the position of professor.
"Perhaps Wardanaz student might already be prepared. Just as you've completed other exams ahead of time, you're aiming to surpass Zorjik's exam in the same way."
"Absolutely not."
Lee Han firmly denied it.
He hadn't even touched the fire element's advanced attribute, let alone anything else. There were simply too many other things demanding his attention.
Yet both professors ignored his words.
Because he was such a humble student, whatever modest words came from his mouth held little meaning.
Professor Voladi fell deep into thought.
Indeed, Wardanaz had often shown instances where he'd humbly claimed something was difficult, only to master it shortly after.
Given that he'd contracted with a star in such a short time, perhaps Professor Voladi had misunderstood Wardanaz's characteristic modesty and worried prematurely.
"That might be the case."
"......"
Feeling a sense of betrayal so profound it transcended disbelief and reached the realm of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas where the Yaksha King resided, Lee Han shuddered. 'What kind of sharp remark is this...!' As expected, professors were fundamentally not to be trusted.
As a student, to surpass the professors, he needed even more power...
He needed power.
Startled by the Crazy Doppelganger's voice, Lee Han nearly dropped his staff.
"Wha... what did you just say?"
I said I need your power. Fool.
The Crazy Doppelganger spoke with clear dissatisfaction at his disciple's sluggish reaction.
Last time, when he'd urged him to awaken the pinnacle of magic and erase the continent's bloodshed and scars, the brat had spouted nonsense like 'Can't I just learn ten 5th Circle spells instead?' That still lingered in his mind.
"Ah. Are you speaking, Master?"
Yes. 'So he wasn't reading my mind.' For a moment, Lee Han had suspected the ancient mad mage was revealing his wicked nature and tempting him with the power to defeat the two professors.
The most frightening part was that if such an offer had been made, Lee Han would have actually considered it for about a second.
"No... Master, you need my power? I doubt I'd be of much help..."
The magical abilities possessed by the Crazy Doppelganger were nothing short of transcendent.
Though the Empire had many so-called Archmages, Lee Han was certain this ancient doppelganger's prowess ranked among the very best.
Yet here he was, claiming he needed Lee Han's power.
He couldn't even begin to guess what this was about. 'More importantly, exams are next week.' Normally, that would be the case. But circumstances had changed. Intruders have entered the domain, and we need more hands to deal with them.
"!?"
Lee Han was even more shocked.
Intruders? '...
Wait. Strictly speaking, you're also an intruder.' Now that he thought about it, it was a bit odd, but Lee Han decided to let that slide for now.
"Who are these intruders? More importantly, I should call the Death Knights."
Those knights are unreliable. Blind creatures shackled by their false loyalty to that worthless master.
'That's a bit too harsh.'
Moreover, the knights wouldn't spare any effort to guard the Royal Workshop, as they'd be too busy protecting the insignificant trainees in the territory. Even if they did intervene, the royal family wouldn't permit it.
"?"
As Lee Han listened, he felt something was off.
Of course, the Death Knights wouldn't guard the Crazy Doppelganger's workshop—they were busy protecting the students. After all, wasn't the Crazy Doppelganger himself an intruder?
If the Death Knights dared say, "Hoho, but since he's the master's doppelganger and resides in the territory, we'll protect him too," the enraged Skeleton Principal might lock them in the Punishment Room forever.
But that wasn't the part that unsettled Lee Han.
The Crazy Doppelganger was speaking as if the intruders were definitely targeting his workshop rather than Einrogard's Main Building.
No matter how vast the territory, breaching the barrier alone would require immense preparation. Why go through all that trouble to target the Crazy Doppelganger's workshop instead of the Main Building?
"Are they not targeting the Main Building? Rather than your workshop, Master?"
Wrong. Their target is the hamster.
"...What?"
Ah, I forgot to mention. I transformed the slave into a hamster. His pitiful state was too revolting to look at.
The Crazy Doppelganger pointed through the illusion at the hamster running on a wheel inside its cage.
It was an adorable sight—hard to believe this was the infamous magic criminal Antagondals, notorious throughout the Empire.
"Uh... So... That hamster is..."
His comrades have come to rescue him.
"Aha!"
Only then did Lee Han fully grasp the situation.
If Antagondals' allies had invaded to rescue this magic criminal, it made sense they wouldn't care about the Main Building.
Naturally, the Death Knights wouldn't intervene either. Why would they interfere when outsiders were fighting other outsiders?
"Master, I..."
Lee Han hesitated mid-sentence as he tried to politely decline.
'...'
Wait, if Antagondals escapes, won't he come after me for revenge too?'
Logically, Antagondals' vengeance should be directed at the Crazy Doppelganger, but magic criminals weren't exactly rational beings.
Especially considering what happened in the workshop, there was a good chance he'd seek revenge on the Crazy Doppelganger's disciple as well.
"...Of course, I should go and assist. Magic criminals should remain locked behind bars—or in hamster wheels—forever."
I knew you'd say that.
The Crazy Doppelganger nodded in satisfaction, as if he'd been certain his disciple would come to his aid.
Just then, Professor Zorjik, who had been listening with interest, spoke up.
"Wardanaz. Would you ask if this Zorjik may accompany you?"
"Huh? Why would you—?"
Lee Han was baffled by the professor's proposal.
Here he was, scrambling for excuses to avoid going, and now the professor wanted to tag along?
Besides, given the Crazy Doppelganger's temperament, he might attack Einrogard professors, seeing them as the Skeleton Principal's lackeys.
'Is it because of the headmaster position?'
Lee Han knew Professor Zorjik was ambitious about becoming Einrogard's headmaster, but he never expected him to risk contacting the Crazy Doppelganger.
Thinking this was a bad idea, Lee Han prepared to refuse firmly.
"Professor, you—"
"Opportunities to converse with an ancient Great Mage are rare. And if it's the headmaster's doppelganger, dialogue is usually impossible."
The Skeleton Principal's doppelgangers weren't living beings but conceptual entities. Once manifested, they operated by their own rules, making conversation or negotiation impossible.
Yet, for some reason, this doppelganger had taken Wardanaz as a disciple, allowing dialogue and negotiation.
In that case, it was only natural for a mage to seek an audience and gain wisdom from him.
"Ah. I see now."
"But what were you trying to say earlier, Wardanaz student?"
"Haha. It's nothing."
Lee Han quickly changed what he was about to say.
Upon reflection, it was only natural that Professor Zorjik, being a mage himself, would have academic ambitions.
"I have a question too."
Professor Voladi, who had been listening, also spoke up.
"Professor, do you also have a magic-related question you'd like to ask?"
"No."
"...Uh, then why do you want to come along?"
"I plan to critique his teaching methods."
"......"
Surprisingly, the Crazy Doppelganger granted permission. He even readily agreed to Jowurin and Eandurde accompanying them.
'...Did I bring them along for nothing?'
Lee Han, who had arrived at the workshop following Intarendals' instructions, suddenly grew worried.
While Professors Zorjik and Voladi were mentally resilient adults, someone like Jowurin could be deeply wounded by the Crazy Doppelganger's harsh words.
"Welcome, descendant of noble lineage. My abode is your abode, and my treasures are your treasures."
Yet, the Crazy Doppelganger treated Jowurin with utmost respect. Lee Han's eyes widened in shock.
"Ah, no. Master... were you acquainted with His Highness?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"You're being too courteous to His Highness..."
"...Fool. This is called etiquette."
The Crazy Doppelganger looked at Lee Han with a gaze mixed with disdain and pity.
To be so surprised by the proper etiquette one must show to a dragon...
'Ah. I see.'
Only then did Lee Han recall that the Skeleton Principal had learned magic from dragons in his youth.
The Crazy Doppelganger had no choice but to respect and observe etiquette toward dragons—they were his master's kin and descendants, after all.
Jowurin beamed at the formal treatment.
The Crazy Doppelganger slowly surveyed the group before pointing at Eandurde.
"And this one?"
"My junior."
"Sturdy, I see."
"You can't just take her as your disciple without her consent. Eandurde has her own will."
"...Fool. Do you think the teachings of royalty are like cheap trinkets handed out in the marketplace? That we'd give them to anyone just because they're sturdy?"
"Uh..."
Lee Han nearly retorted, 'Well, you forced it on me, so I assumed...' but stopped himself just in time.
"Haha. Of course not."
"And this one..."
"Greetings, Great Archmage. I am Zorjik of the Benmalpa family, a professor at Einrogard."
As Professor Zorjik introduced himself, Professor Voladi gave a brief greeting beside him.
The Crazy Doppelganger gave a small nod before speaking.
"Do you know why I allowed you to accompany us?"
"I'm not sure. Please enlighten us."
"I summoned you to teach you as well. Your lax and lazy teaching methods are slowing this fool's growth!"
"......"
Lee Han, who had been quietly listening, was thunderstruck.
"Master, the Magic Criminals' allies have invaded. Isn't that more important right now?"
"Silence, fool. Compared to the matter of teaching disciples, such trifles are utterly insignificant."
Professor Voladi nodded in agreement. Lee Han stared at him in disbelief.
'Who exactly are you agreeing with right now?'
He felt like reporting the professor to the Skeleton Principal for collusion.
"However, Great Archmage, if I may be so bold, Wardanaz's growth is among the Empire's finest."
"It could have been faster."
"It could also have been dangerous."
Professor Voladi calmly pointed out in support of Zorjik. But the Crazy Doppelganger lived up to his name.
"And did anything dangerous happen? You cannot attain truth if you're shackled by society's petty restraints."
As Professor Voladi fell into thought, Lee Han grew genuinely afraid.
What if the Crazy Doppelganger caused Professor Voladi to evolve into... a Crazy Professor Voladi?
'I might seriously have to request a transfer to another magic academy.'
"No. You can't disregard danger just because the outcome was fine."
"I knew I could count on you, Professor!"
Lee Han blurted out, moved to the brink of tears.