Episode 974
Episode 974
Despite not being an elderly dwarf miner, Zarun of the Steel Shoe Family was quite knowledgeable about orichalcum—though there were still a few things he had wrong.
The orichalcum hadn't pushed Zarun away because it was contaminated.
Unfinished orichalcum naturally repelled greedy intruders. Just as some plants moved to protect themselves, the orichalcum behaved similarly.
Once fully matured, this repelling characteristic mostly disappeared.
If left untouched, it would typically become a high-density mana condensation. But if someone interfered or contaminated it, the orichalcum would develop entirely different properties.
"I see."
Lee Han soothed the baby basilisk to stop its hissing (though it wasn't very effective) while intently listening to the Crazy Doppelganger's explanation.
As long as it wasn't something Lee Han had to learn firsthand, the Crazy Doppelganger's teachings were mostly beneficial and substantial.
Where else could one obtain such long-lost ancient knowledge and wisdom?
It was only when magic that Lee Han had to personally master came up that things got troublesome...
"But telling me not to separate it from my body... Is it because it consumes a lot of mana?"
"Correct."
'Normally, something like this would be called a cursed ore.'
Generally, orichalcum formed in places deep underground where the energy was particularly dense.
Ordinary energy couldn't crystallize orichalcum.
That's why, when orichalcum was discovered, the proper practice was to leave it untouched and have miners visit regularly to tend to it.
What was happening now—yanking it out and having a wizard carry it around—was quite unusual...
"Wouldn't it have been better to leave it there and nurture it?"
"I'm sure I told you that treasures must be kept within your grasp. Moreover, considering the taming process, carrying it around is more advantageous."
"Ah. You said it grows according to the owner's will."
Come to think of it, orichalcum was a peculiar ore that developed according to the will of its caretaker.
Considering that, carrying it around might indeed be better...
Sure, it would drain mana like crazy, but...
'It's not like this is the first or second time.'
Lee Han stared pointedly at the baby basilisk. The hissing monster wagged its tail as if asking why its master was looking at it like that.
"How do you nurture it? Do you talk to it?"
If that worked, Lee Han could sing it a lullaby every night, saying, "Become a precious and valuable gem."
"Do you see ears on the orichalcum?"
"...No, I don't."
"There's only one way to nurture orichalcum as you desire: the miner's character."
In ancient times, a group of wicked dwarf miners once wandered in search of unfinished orichalcum to forge the cursed swords they desired.
When they finally found it, they performed a blood-soaked ritual before the orichalcum.
They executed captured prisoners, subjected them to various tortures, and even performed human sacrifices.
In the end, they even swung hammers at each other to complete the orichalcum.
"What happened to that orichalcum... in the end?"
"It became the wicked and vile metal the dwarves desired. In return, it killed the last surviving dwarf."
Though the last surviving wicked dwarf miner had made it that far, his end was meaningless.
Before the cursed sword could even be completed, the corrupted orichalcum transformed into a weapon and slit his throat.
In a way, the dwarf miners' goal had been achieved—just not in the way they'd imagined.
'How is this "raising it as you desire"?'
Lee Han was baffled.
Raising something as you desired was usually something you said about potted plants.
From what he'd heard, this sounded more like a metal that would transform into a sword and stab its owner in the neck if it got annoyed...
By Lee Han's standards, this was in no way "raising it as you desired."
"...So if I want to cultivate the orichalcum as I wish, you're saying I should only show it good and virtuous things?"
"Wrong. Rather than wasting time on such pretenses, it would be better to control it with your own pure willpower."
'...'
Does such a thing even exist?'
Pure willpower, he says.
No matter how much Lee Han thought about it, all that came to mind was the orichalcum demanding "Give me gold!" after just a month.
If the basilisk in one sleeve was whining for food while the orichalcum in the other was nagging for gold...
'That would be horrifying.'
"Um..."
"Enough. You're wasting a royal's precious time. How are your other magics progressing?"
"Just so-so."
The Crazy Doppelganger clicked his tongue openly.
Though his displeasure was evident, Lee Han paid it no mind.
Disappointing one's master was the natural state of being for a disciple.
If you didn't disappoint your master, you could hardly call yourself a proper disciple!
If not for that, what would be the point of studying under a master in the first place?
"Wasting time like this is why..."
The Crazy Doppelganger suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
A message had arrived from another dimension.
"Seems you have time to spare after all."
"?!"
As the master summoned magical runes into the air with a sarcastic tone, Lee Han felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Just how many people could be sending messages to the Crazy Doppelganger right now?
No matter how much he thought, only one name came to mind...
"Is it perhaps the Yaksha King?"
"Indeed. Since you ask, I suppose you wish to learn the Yaksha script."
'Not at all.'
Though he had absolutely no desire to learn it, Lee Han felt frustrated as the Crazy Doppelganger nodded lightly while reading the private script floating in the air.
Should he have learned it in advance?
"I see."
"...What does it say?"
"It says you've begun your initiation into Small World magic."
The Crazy Doppelganger showed no change in expression, which only made Lee Han more nervous.
'That damned yaksha bastard!'
Lee Han gnashed his teeth.
Despite all the underhanded tricks he'd endured so far, Lee Han had generously let them slide.
And yet this was the sneak attack he got in return?
Truly a viciously wicked being.
"I've only heard explanations about it, really. I haven't even grasped the basics yet."
The Crazy Doppelganger didn't respond.
Instead, he gave Lee Han a once-over and fell into thought. The prolonged silence only heightened Lee Han's anxiety.
"Basilius, was it?"
"...Well yes, but I truly only heard explanations—"
"Indeed. Just as I thought."
The Crazy Doppelganger fell into thought again. As the silence stretched longer than before, Lee Han seriously considered escape routes.
"Excellent."
"?!"
The sudden praise startled Lee Han.
"Excuse me?"
"I said excellent. While I understand wanting to hear praise from royalty twice, don't get greedy."
"...That's not it. I'm just confused because you called it excellent when I haven't even grasped the basics yet."
The Crazy Doppelganger fell into thought one last time.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"No. Just keep doing what you're doing. That would be best."
"????"
Lee Han only grew more confused.
Was the other party misunderstanding something?
"When you say 'keep doing what you're doing,' I don't quite understand... Is that really possible?"
"Confusion is understandable. A royal must show mercy for a dull-witted disciple."
"Oh? What sort of mercy?"
Lee Han brightened up.
Could there be something like <Easy and Quick Guide to Small World Magic>?
* * *
'Hehe.'
The start of a new week.
After hanging a balloon made of toad leather at the entrance of the underground second-floor <Poison, Bones, Blood> classroom, Diret smiled triumphantly.
Even by his own standards, it was quite well made.
Yukveltire, who was painting the classroom walls with darkness nearby, asked in a tone of disbelief:
"How does this pointless activity help your magic at all—"
"Shut up."
"But it truly doesn't help—"
"Be quiet."
"Interrupting me illogically doesn't make your argument any more—"
"Hey. Be quiet."
"......"
Yukveltire finished painting the wall with darkness, her expression slightly more pouty than before.
Diret was an outstanding mage, but he often made foolish choices—and this was one such instance.
To think he was using the debt Yukveltire owed him for such trivial preparations.
It was like wielding a sword forged to slay dragons against a mere mouse.
But there was no helping it. Except for a few peculiar students, every student inevitably thought, 'When I become a professor, I'll do things differently.'
Diret was no exception.
Though he had studied under several cold and indifferent professors, including Professor Mortum, Diret had firmly resolved that if he ever got the chance to teach, he would do things differently from them.
He would gift his students with lectures so joyful and delightful that they'd burst into laughter—where everyone was happy!
But reality was cruel.
Once the semester began, Diret found himself struggling just to prepare his lectures. Had it not been for one exceptionally talented junior who handled everything from self-study sessions to securing departmental funds, he might have been several times more exhausted.
Though he had been busy for a while, Diret finally got his opportunity.
Lectures had temporarily halted due to Club Week.
Seizing the moment, Diret busied himself with preparations.
A balloon made of toad skin (to brighten up the usually dim underground classroom), walls painted with darkness (where, if you stared hard enough, you could occasionally see undead poking their faces out and moving), strawberry slushies served in skull-shaped cups (delicious), and so on.
It was almost a shame that only one junior would get to see all this.
"Hmm. Should I summon some undead and have them sit at the empty desks? To make it feel even more festive?"
"......"
Yukveltire pretended not to hear and ignored him. Diret kept poking her until she finally spoke.
"...I genuinely think this is utterly pointless and devoid of any meaningful purpose..."
"Right. I should do it."
"......"
Diret summoned undead and seated them in chairs, completely disregarding whether his friend's fingertips were trembling or not.
As he prepared, it struck him anew that he should have done this in front of the first-year juniors earlier.
If he had, the number of students applying to the Black Magic department might have multiplied. 'Wouldn't the juniors be so shocked they'd fall over if they saw this?' The festive (by Black Magic standards) atmosphere of the classroom filled Diret with confidence.
At this level, they could probably host a Black Mage Festival in the city!
Creak—
With the sound of the door opening, the junior from the Wardanaz family stepped inside.
Lee Han paused at the sight of the classroom, which looked drastically different from usual. 'What's this? A trap?'
"Surprised, aren't you?!"
Diret shouted triumphantly, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. Lee Han answered cautiously.
"Yes. I'm surprised. But... what exactly is...?"
"I decorated the classroom a bit while lectures were on break. So you can learn in a fun and cheerful atmosphere!"
"Ah."
Only then did Lee Han realize the purpose behind the transformed classroom.
It was like a festival! 'So it wasn't a trap.' Once he understood the intent, responding became easier.
"It's absolutely amazing, Senior! This is probably the coolest classroom in all of Einrogard. If others found out I get to study in a place like this, they'd be so jealous."
The junior's polished, practiced response filled Diret with happiness.
"Really? You mean it?"
"Yes. But, Senior... there's something I need to tell you... Would that be alright?"
"Junior, speak freely. We're in the same department, aren't we?"
Too overjoyed, Diret didn't even notice the respectful title that had unconsciously slipped into Lee Han's address.
"Well... I think there's one more person who might want to attend the lecture."
"I don't mind. Who is it?"
Auditing lectures at Einrogard wasn't particularly difficult.
Even if it wasn't a class you were officially enrolled in, you could drop by and listen if the knowledge was relevant to you.
Diret assumed it was one of Lee Han's friends who needed Black Magic knowledge.
"It's this person."
"Mage. Begin the instruction."
Before Diret realized it, the Crazy Doppelganger had quietly entered the classroom and taken a seat while he was chatting with his junior. The sight made him stumble backward in shock.