Episode 896
Episode 896
'Aren't These People Magic Criminals?'
Even after hearing the explanation, Lee Han couldn't help but think to himself,
'Maybe these knights are even worse than Magic Criminals.'
At the very least, the Magic Criminals weren't actively harming Lee Han, but these knights were directly causing him trouble.
"What kind of absurd suggestion is that?"
"It's not that absurd..."
The knights, feeling slightly offended by Lee Han's attack, retorted.
They genuinely believed it was a good idea.
"It IS absurd! What kind of test involves secretly ganging up on someone in a free-for-all battle?!"
Though Lee Han usually maintained a relatively polite demeanor toward external authority figures, today had been far too shocking.
The knights before him seemed so utterly wicked that putting on a facade felt pointless...
"Hmm. The advantage of this test is that it's hard for you to notice. Neither you nor the other students will realize it, yet you'll naturally undergo a trial befitting your skills. No need to feel burdened or nervous. Isn't that great?"
"It's not great at all. It's the worst test imaginable."
"......"
Lee Han's attitude made the knights slightly indignant.
Truly, as expected of a mage from Einrogard—their arrogance couldn't be hidden.
"We were just trying to help a friend."
"Exactly. And the biggest reason for all this is you, isn't it?"
"......"
"No, how in the world is this underhanded, wicked ambush MY fault?!"
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to design a test suitable for a student who rides dragons and slays monsters? Hmph. Professor Ingoldel did his best."
Lee Han, struck speechless by the truth, could only stare blankly.
The victorious knights nodded with triumphant smiles.
"Now do you understand Professor Ingoldel's kindness? What a great professor he is, right?"
"Riding dragons and slaying monsters isn't the only good test out there, mage. Our ambush is also a fine trial in its own way."
"......"
"Everyone, stop tormenting Wardanaz already."
Unable to bear it any longer, Professor Ingoldel stepped in to restrain his friends.
"......"
"Aren't you going to catch the intruders?"
After some time had passed, Lee Han, having regained his composure, changed the subject.
Only then did the knights realize their oversight.
"Well... Compared to the dragon contract, those intruders are trivial."
"Hmm... Teaching criminals a lesson isn't a bad idea either. If we just catch them, they won't learn anything."
'Are you kidding me?' Lee Han cursed inwardly.
Instead of wasting time watching the dragon contract, shouldn't they be chasing down and capturing the remaining intruders?!
"Oh. Professor Bagrak."
Professor Ingoldel, who had been trying to comfort Lee Han, noticed Professor Voladi walking up from below and greeted him. Beside him was Catten, a student from the Zahan family.
"Even Zahan? What brings you here?"
"Zahan! Long time no see. Have you thought about my proposal?"
"The knight order needs talents like you, you know."
Pushing aside their friend Ingoldel, the knights swarmed around Catten.
Their eyes burned with determination—'No matter what, we WILL recruit him into the knight order.'
Lee Han, watching as if it were someone else's business, remarked casually,
"Senior Catten must have it rough too. Being so popular. Haha."
"......"
Professor Ingoldel was inwardly dumbfounded.
The intensity Catten was facing now would be nothing compared to what the Wardanaz boy would experience later...
'Ah, no. Wardanaz has suffered enough today. No need to point out his difficult future prematurely.'
Despite the knights' fervent courtship, Catten remained unmoved.
"I appreciate the offer, but I wish to walk the path of magic."
"Grrk...! Damn you, Einrogard!"
"Curse this blasted magic school! There are so many other mages out there!"
The knights raged at Einrogard for hoarding all the talent.
The Empire had plenty of geniuses—couldn't they spare just one?!
"...Even if Catten from the Zahan family is an outstanding mage, he'd clearly excel even more as a knight..."
"?"
Listening to the conversation, Lee Han tilted his head in confusion and asked,
"Professor. What do you mean by saying Senior Catten is an outstanding mage?"
Lee Han wondered if they meant implementing magic through swordsmanship. Admittedly, that was a form of magic no one else could replicate.
Professor Ingoldel whispered with a slightly awkward expression.
"...Those fellows don't really know about Zahan's magic."
There was no need to explain Einrogard's education system to outsiders, and it was obvious they'd become even more persistent if they learned about Catten's situation.
Moreover, Catten himself was somewhat shameless when it came to magic.
"Hoho. I've recently achieved quite remarkable results in magic."
"Grrk. Enough, Catten! Don't flaunt being a mage in front of us."
"Since you all sincerely made your offer, I'm sincerely responding as well."
"Sigh... Fine. If you've chosen the path of magic, then we should celebrate your achievements. Though the Empire has lost one great knight, Einrogard has gained one outstanding mage."
'No. That's being a bit too shameless!'
Lee Han was flabbergasted by Catten's words.
What did he mean by achieving remarkable results in magic recently?
What on earth was he talking about?
"Lightning Transformation. I saw it."
While Lee Han was idly observing Catten, danger quietly approached from behind.
Startled by Professor Voladi's voice—who had somehow gotten close without him noticing—Lee Han jumped.
"Huh? What's Lightning Transformation?"
"An advanced application of the Lightning Element."
Even though his student didn't understand, Professor Voladi kindly explained.
Currently, there were quite a few areas where Lee Han was delving into advanced studies without anyone instructing him to.
From improving the Water Prison Bomb to manifesting Blue Flame with Professor Zorjik, Soul Magic with Professor Kirmin, and high-level undead in Black Magic...
And in the Lightning Element, there was Lightning Transformation.
Perhaps because he had long contracted with a powerful lightning spirit, the boy from the Wardanaz family had shown considerable interest in the destructive power inherent in the Lightning Element.
This Lightning Transformation was also an Authority of that spirit.
To be precise, it was a mage's interpretation of that Authority. What the spirit could do as naturally as breathing, the mage had to interpret and implement as magic.
A powerful Combat Magic that temporarily transforms a mage's physical body into lightning by combining Lightning Element magic with Transmutation Magic.
That was Lightning Transformation.
Unlike Perkuntra's Authority, known as Flash Lightning Fire, the magic Lee Han was aiming for was relatively limited and restrictive—but that didn't make it weak or easy by any means.
Just look at how he had already vanquished the summoned demonic creature.
The already formidable concept of the Lightning Element was further enhanced by the mage's existence. This addition transformed mere lightning into an attack imbued with ideology.
The Wardanaz boy had likely felt pressured to defeat the demonic creature as quickly as possible because of Jowurin.
Otherwise, there would have been no reason to hastily cast an incomplete spell to launch an attack.
"That's how it is."
"...W-Wait, are you saying I used Lightning Transformation magic?"
Dazedly listening to Professor Voladi's explanation, Lee Han belatedly snapped back to reality, startled.
I did that!?
'This guy... isn't he trying to scam me?'
Lee Han immediately regarded Professor Voladi with suspicion.
Wasn't he just twisting the chaotic battle situation to his advantage, then saying, "You succeeded once, so you can do it—now try Lightning Transformation again"?
"That's right."
"Your Highness. Your Highness."
Hm?
Jowurin, who had been crouching and watching, tilted her head when Lee Han called her.
"Did I use lightning magic earlier?"
Mm. You did.
"Wasn't that just regular lightning magic? A plain old Perkuntra's Lightning...?"
Uuuum!
Jowurin racked her brain at Lee Han's question.
Though the situation was confusing, the exceptional mind of a dragon meticulously recalled and accurately reconstructed the events.
'It doesn't seem like it was just that! The reasons are as follows. First, if it had been an ordinary lightning spell, Lee Han's incantation should have preceded it. Second! If it had been a normal lightning spell, it should have come from his staff side—there's no reason it would emerge from his empty hand! Lastly, in Jowurin's eyes, the penetration and destructive power of that lightning was different from ordinary lightning magic! There was something extraordinary about it!'
"...If you're so calmly analytical, why did you recklessly breathe fire and attempt close combat?!"
Jowurin, who had been excitedly deducing, suddenly made a sullen face when lightning came flying at him. 'This is bad. I remember now too.' Hearing Jowurin's words, Lee Han also suddenly recalled the events.
Come to think of it, the situation had been so urgent that he'd missed it, but his hand not holding the staff seemed to have transformed into a streak of lightning.
He didn't even remember chanting a spell... 'The destructive power was different from ordinary lightning too. No matter how much mana you pour into a normal lightning bolt, it wouldn't penetrate like that.' It made sense if the mage's very existence had transformed into lightning—the nature of the power itself would be different.
Lee Han resolved to stop showing Jowurin detective novels when they got back.
His intelligence only shone in the most unnecessary areas.
"I apologize, Professor. It took me some time to recall what happened."
"There's no need to be discouraged."
"!"
Lee Han brightened at Professor Voladi's unexpectedly kind words. 'Is he going to say that since there are other matters to attend to, the Lightning Transformation can wait for later?' "It's common for spells successfully cast in urgent situations to not be maintained consistently."
"Ah. So that's what you meant..."
"?"
"It's nothing."
In its own way, that was still a kind remark.
High-level spells weren't truly mastered just because they succeeded once.
Magic was only considered fully mastered when a mage could wield it freely. If it worked once but failed the next time, it wasn't truly mastered.
This was especially true for spells cast in urgent situations like this. Rather than rushing, he needed to slowly attempt it again.
"Admittedly, it was due to luck, coincidence, divine assistance, the dragon's aura enhancing the mage's abilities, and the auspicious day according to Divination magic that the spell succeeded, but I'm not sure if I can replicate it in the future. I'll need to practice steadily and slowly."
Lee Han answered while cramming in as many reasons as possible. Pushing the narrative now would make things easier later.
"What about recreating the urgent situation?" 'Is that even a proper suggestion?' When Professor Voladi seriously proposed fighting the demon monster again, Lee Han cursed inwardly.
What kind of suggestion is that!
"Wouldn't it be difficult to artificially induce that?"
"Not at all. With your permission, we can prepare it so you won't even notice."
The knights behind them chimed in. Lee Han pretended not to hear and ignored them.
"Professor, I think I need more personal practice with this Lightning Transformation. It's at a level too embarrassing to demonstrate anywhere yet."
"?"
"??"
The knights stared, wondering what nonsense he was spouting, but Lee Han ignored them again.
"So please, Professor, pretend you didn't see it and forget about it."
"Hmm."
Professor Voladi pondered his student's words briefly before nodding.
"Yonlamo asked me about it before, but I won't mention it."
"...What kind of request was that?"
"It was related to Lightning Transformation."
Professor Voladi was quite proactive when it came to the lively exchange of information about specific students in the faculty lounge.
It was only natural that Professor Yonlamo, who taught Transmutation Magic, would show interest upon hearing about Lightning Transformation.
-Are you really preparing Lightning Transformation magic?
-Yes.
-If you succeed, please let me know. If you can pull that off, there'd be no need for exams.
-Understood.
"...Can you just tell the professor and then forget about it?"
Lee Han spoke resignedly, already sensing how unrealistic his request was.