Episode 495

Chapter 495

Is that what you call an answer? Is what you have a snout, or is it a mouth?

“Aren’t those basically the same…”

If you had that experience, you should be thinking about learning and preparing higher magic to crush your enemies!

The Skull Principal sternly scolded Lee Han.

But Lee Han’s expression was different from what he expected.

Instead of reflecting and accepting the criticism, Lee Han was looking at the Skull Principal as if it was absurd.

“What more could I even do at this point…”

……

The Skull Principal almost found himself agreeing.

As someone old-fashioned, the Skull Principal was somewhat more lenient regarding magical education, but even by ancient standards, Lee Han’s training was harsh.

However, instead of backing down, the Skull Principal raised his voice.

If you can’t even reflect, at least don’t make excuses!

“No, but really, what more training could I even do from here…?”

Lee Han asked, perplexed, but the Skull Principal quickly changed the subject.

And bringing Baegrek to suspicious places is not a wise action. You could handle the trouble if it arises, but even more problems will come from it.

‘Indeed.’

This time, Lee Han was convinced.

Certainly, bringing Professor Voladi to suspicious places might be similar to walking into a powder magazine with a torch.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Good. Remember it. By the way… that magical criminal’s eyes are quite sharp. For him to notice your qualities. How do you think he detected it? Magical energy? Or did he overhear your evaluation inside Einrogard? Or maybe heard rumors about what you did during break…

The Skull Principal trailed off.

As he spoke, he realized the magical criminal’s perception wasn’t all that sharp.

With so many clues, even a fool could think, ‘Huh? That wizard from the Wardanaz family, he seems unusual?’

‘I must be more cautious…’

Back when Wardanaz saved the knights from the anti-magic attackers, the Skull Principal had also thought this.

That magical criminals might take an interest.

Now, it seemed his prediction had come true.

Given Wardanaz’s talent and achievements, in fact, the magical criminals’ interest was actually late.

With innate magical ability and, unlike typical wizards, a strategic mindset for his goals, plus association with several different disciplines…

If he ever fell into crime, the magical criminals would throw a grand festival in tears of joy over such a recruit.

“Ah. I don’t think it’s that. It’s probably because of the Sea Serpent. I used a lot of magic while preparing for the Sea Serpent subjugation.”

Is that so? I guess, with your magical power, it would have been a shame to keep you tied up in the back.

The Skull Principal immediately understood what he meant.

For the Sea Serpent subjugation, not only professors but also students participated.

While the standard course was for professors to enter the front lines and students to help from the rear, Wardanaz had long since surpassed an average first year.

Naturally, he would have been tasked with assisting at the front.

What might you have done… gear enhancement? Providing light sources?

“Oh. That’s correct.”

Lee Han was slightly impressed.

It was as if he was Principal for a reason, as if he had actually been there, he guessed exactly what Lee Han had done.

“Did the Professor tell you?”

No. I didn’t ask about every detail. Even though Professor Thunderstep is more sociable than the other two, pestering him with trivial details is pointless… So the magical criminal approached after seeing those spells?

“I don’t think that left that strong of an impression though.”

While the spell did light up the whole harbor as if it were midday and it was true Ianop was impressed by that, Lee Han himself hadn’t realized it.

Because another reason seemed much more likely.

“I think it’s because I hit the Sea Serpent with my frost arrow and death orb spells.”

Death orb? Yumidihus’s?

“Not Sir Yumidihus’s death orb—I improved it. The Professor gave me permission to put my own name on it.”

Wow…

The Skull Principal expressed rare emotion, delighted.

Professor Baegrek chased you like a hunting dog on the verge of starvation, and it has really paid off!

“……”

Lee Han nearly gave him a deadpan look.

If he knew, shouldn’t he have stopped it?

“It was just good luck.”

It wasn’t luck—it was skill. No matter how hard you try, refining that level of magic to suit yourself isn’t easy. Trials truly do make mages grow.

“…Maybe it was only possible because of all the effort I put in beforehand…”

No. You still need trials. By the way, to have such a valuable experience and just move on would be a pity… Did Professor Baegrek perhaps tell you to write a book?

Lee Han looked genuinely blank.

From the principal to the professors—everyone was a bastard.

“Yes. He told me.”

Did he also tell you to not only compile the magic you’ve improved, but to write a book reflecting on your future direction?

“Yes.”

I see. Professor Baegrek really cares for you.

“……”

Lee Han gritted his teeth, imagining dragging the Skull Principal and Professor Voladi into the imperial court to prosecute them.

Anyway, be careful. If that magical criminal took an interest in you, others may as well. A fragrant flower never attracts just one bee.

“Don’t worry. I’ll never take an interest in suspicious offers or magic.”

Why do you have so little curiosity for a man of magic!

“……”

The Skull Principal was the very embodiment of irrationality.

To ignore offers from magical criminals but also pursue any magic or offer with persistent curiosity?

But Lee Han wasn’t swayed.

Professors were just like that.

‘That’s just noise.’

You worked hard doing the request… I hope that experience and reward become good friends for your magic’s future.

“I feel the same way.”

Lee Han replied sincerely, thinking of the gold coins he’d earn from this commission.

‘Is there no way to make magical research and experiments as cheap as possible so I can keep more gold coins? I don’t want to waste the hard-earned money I sweated for on magic.’

Wait.

The Skull Principal suddenly paused.

Lee Han flinched, worried that his thoughts had been read.

“Is something wrong?”

Did you say you hit the Sea Serpent with your death orb?

“I also hit it with a frost arrow.”

That’s not the point… How did you hit it?

“?”

Lee Han tilted his head.

“By aiming well?”

…I must have asked the wrong question. Even if you were helping at the front, once the monster appeared you should have pulled back—how did you hit it from there?

“Ah… Due to a small misunderstanding, I ended up fighting alongside the professors.”

……

The Skull Principal fell silent.

Lee Han asked, flustered.

“Principal?”

Send this to Professor Thunderstep.

Instead of answering, the Skull Principal quickly wrote out a note and gave it to a Death Knight to deliver.

Lee Han couldn’t help but wonder what it said.

It seemed like the top part read, ‘You are already dead.’

From now on, I’ll never believe you when you say you have no curiosity or interest.

“No, it was a misunderstanding! Really!”

Right, sure it was.

The Skull Principal replied sarcastically.

So arrogant for a supposedly humble wizard—the most in the Empire.

Oh, I almost forgot… Let the students who participated in the commission know that they may take Friday off.

The students remaining at school had been working hard with classes as well as flood repair work.

But those returning from an outside commission deserved at least a day to rest and recover from their journey.

“Really?”

Lee Han was slightly moved.

He didn’t expect the Skull Principal to show such consideration.

‘Maybe he acts like a bastard on purpose just for effects like this?’

Because he always acted like such a jerk, even just giving a day off could make one mistakenly think, ‘Doesn’t the Principal really care for us, after all?’

Right. On the weekend, you’ll still have the usual duties assigned by the towers, but there’s no way around that…

“Even one day off is more than enough.”

Lee Han bowed his head and prepared to leave.

Then the Skull Principal asked in puzzlement.

Where are you going?

“Pardon? I thought I should rest…”

A time like this is exactly when you should be learning magic. Do you know how rare days without classes are? Sit down. Didn’t you say you wanted to learn about Antagondals’s artifact last time? I’ll tell you, as a reward for your efforts on the commission.

“…….”

Lee Han felt a burning hatred for the magical criminals of the Empire.

How barbaric—those who disturb the order of the Empire!

• * *

The Skull Principal sat Lee Han down and took out the artifacts obtained in the recent battle.

He produced the item confiscated from Ianop, as well as another artifact he’d never seen before.

The last artifact had dried, blackened blood smeared on it.

“……”

Tsk. I told them to clean this properly.

-Sorry.

The Death Knight quickly took the artifact away and returned a clean one.

The Skull Principal spoke nonchalantly.

Last time, one of those criminals resisted violently. Here, look. All these artifacts were made and used by magical criminals. Can you detect any common features?

Lee Han immediately started to answer.

Seeing his pupil’s intelligence, the Skull Principal’s mood improved.

Just a moment ago, he’d been full of rage because of Professor Thunderstep, but truly, nothing uplifts a mage’s spirit like magic.

“They all use expensive gems and lavish decorations. This ring-shaped decoration on the side doesn’t affect the magic, but for appearance’s sake…”

…Not that.

The Skull Principal resisted the urge to smack his student, who rattled off useless points nobody cared about, as if obsessed with gold coins.

“Not that? Other than the unstable magic, I’m not sure.”

Right. The unstable magic. And most wizards regard that as far more important than useless jewelry.

“Really? I think the latter is more important…”

Not wanting to hear any more nonsense, the Skull Principal hurriedly moved on.

Magical criminals use all sorts of methods to amplify the power of their magic. Among them, many are banned in the Empire…

The Skull Principal suddenly transformed into human form and cut off his own pinky finger.

With a thud, the finger fell to the floor and, together with bizarre patterns, a violent surge of magical power exploded forth.

“Is that like a human sacrifice?”

Yes. Dark arts that offer up life or flesh have been popular since ancient times. In my eyes, it’s mostly the thrashing of those without skill.

“But Professor Baegrek uses blood magic too.”

True. But that’s because Professor Baegrek hasn’t become a lich. It would be much better if he were a lich.

“……”

Lee Han almost said something, then refrained.

He wanted to respect the Principal’s race.

I’ll clarify so you don’t get the wrong idea. The reason I don’t teach these dark arts without restriction is because they’re dangerous and unstable, and can kill the caster themselves.

“Uh… isn’t that obvious?”

Honestly, Lee Han would’ve had no complaints even if he never learned any of these so-called forbidden arts.

Just because magical criminals increased efficiency in creepy ways didn’t mean Lee Han had to do the same.

It’s not as if not boosting their efficiency meant he’d die…

All my former students thought I was hiding this knowledge out of jealousy and threw tantrums over it.

‘Hm. The students take after their teacher, indeed.’