Episode 735

When Lee Han gave up on escaping, the Death Knight who had planned to deliver the petition also caught the mood and quietly returned.

The skeletal Headmaster snapped and glared pointedly.

So, if I tell you to go, do you really go? Hm?

-Sorry, Master. As a knight, I thought I should at least try…

But you trust a rookie sorcerer over an Imperial Death Captain?

-……

-……

Any time it suited him, the Headmaster would mention Imperial ranks—but the weathered Death Knights were not so easily fooled.

Frankly, if it ever came down to a conflict between the Headmaster and his cursed pupil, most would side with the latter…

Now the skeletal Headmaster turned a dark blue glare on Lee Han and began to speak.

Right. One of my mad clones entered the territory.

“That mad clone almost got me killed!”

What? You mean you met it?

The Headmaster was surprised.

If Lee Han had had direct contact, there was no way the Headmaster wouldn’t have noticed.

At this, Lee Han grumbled and recounted what had happened.

“…If it weren’t for Senior Direte, I’d have been in real danger.”

-But Wardanaz, sir.

One of the Death Knights chimed in.

“Yes?”

-Why didn’t you use the master’s summoning ring?

The other Death Knights nodded in agreement. Wasn’t that the sort of situation where you were supposed to summon the Headmaster?

“Oh. I didn’t think of it.”

-……

-……

Why does everyone look at me like that? That sort of self-reliance is a virtue.

Surprisingly, the Headmaster took Lee Han’s side.

Awkward but relieved, Lee Han asked,

“Really?”

Of course. Ha ha. But you—you summoned me just because the professors fought, didn’t you?

Lee Han cursed the Headmaster internally.

‘You’re the one who told me to use it…’

That was likely a test laid by the clone.

‘Did he mis-speak and call it a trap?’

Lee Han wondered. Maybe the Headmaster had misunderstood the point of the test.

If so, that would explain the infamous difficulty of Einrogard’s trials.

It was probably left for the same purpose as the illusion.

The Headmaster explained nonchalantly. Since the clone was once part of himself, he could guess its operating logic.

It was likely set up so that, when a qualified person encountered the memory echo, they would see the illusion, and after witnessing it, be attacked by a magical mass.

“So the moment a qualified person arrives and sees the illusion, then as soon as they’re done, they get attacked for a trial?”

Exactly.

“Is your clone insane or what??”

Lee Han was astonished.

That wasn’t a trap–that was a test.

He’s a mad clone, sure. But in the old days, that was a normal trial.

“Yes…”

Answering uneasily, Lee Han suddenly had a doubt.

“But Headmaster. You said it was left for a qualified person to see. What qualifications? I didn’t do anything.”

Oh, didn’t you…?

The Headmaster gave a skeptical look.

The Death Knights seemed to agree, laughing.

–No way you did nothing!

–You must have done something!

‘Maybe I should send that petition for real.’

Even if you did nothing, a grand mage has any number of ways to assess a candidate. He must have judged you somehow.

“My magical power, maybe?”

Possible. Could be.

“Taking every magic course?”

Could be that too.

“Or because I contracted with a powerful extra-dimensional being?”

Didn’t you just say you did nothing?

“……”

Having landed a jab, the Headmaster explained at a relaxed pace.

The only reason I leave my clones alone is that the trouble of chasing after them just isn’t worth the effort.

The Headmaster’s clones, having split from his core self, faced many restrictions.

They had trouble remaining in the real world for long, much like otherworldly beings; each was anchored by the desires and emotions it carried off.

Rather than waste time in spectacular magical battles, it was most efficient to just let them fade away on their own.

And there was no reason to provoke such fights right here inside Einrogard’s territory anyway.

“What’s their goal, then?”

I have my guesses, but nothing certain.

“Hm. But isn’t it different this time? A magic criminal even entered with your clone. If that criminal corrupts or exploits your clone…”

Doubtful they could manage it.

The Headmaster’s scorn toward Antagondals was cold and derisive.

Despite his evil fame, it was clear the Headmaster thought little of his abilities.

Didn’t he beg and grovel, just picking up scraps of magic in your vision?

“He wasn’t quite that pathetic, but…”

Leave it be. No one who’s tried to use one of my clones has ever met a happy end.

Lee Han wanted to be done with it, but it was hard to ignore the fact that a magic criminal, and a mad clone even more dangerous, were loose in Einrogard’s domain.

“Wouldn’t it be enough to just deal with the magic criminal?”

If he showed himself it’d be easy, but he’s too cautious. Didn’t I ask you earlier if you’d met him?

Ever since realizing that a mad clone with an attendant had entered Einrogard’s territory, the Headmaster had woven a careful web of surveillance.

The clone and the criminal, knowing this, stayed away from the main hall, always moving on the remote outskirts.

If you’re interested, draw him out. Once he shows himself, I can catch him easily.

“That doesn’t seem like my job, honestly.”

Don’t sell yourself short. You’re always rather… Never mind.

“……”

The Headmaster breaking off mid-sentence was even more terrifying than him finishing.

Lee Han had no idea what had almost been said.

“…Anyway, thank you for explaining, Headmaster. Honestly, I kind of thought you might not tell me, since I’m just a student.”

Why would I not?

The Headmaster sounded genuinely confused.

“Usually this is the sort of thing only professors would know, to keep students from panicking…”

What do professors gain from keeping it secret? Besides, fear is always a good motivator.

“…But you didn’t tell the seniors, did you?”

They didn’t ask.

“……”

From that reply, Lee Han was left speechless.

You look like you want to tell them, but if you do, they probably wouldn’t care anyway. They’ve got more important things.

“Yes… thank you.”

Instead of wasting time worrying about some petty magic criminal, invest yourself in magic. Senior Direte is already manifesting a personal world.

Lee Han could only stare in disbelief as the Headmaster compared him to the Black Turtle Tower’s top fifth-year.

‘I’ll do my best.’

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Ah. I nearly forgot.

“?”

Don’t forget to collect the petition you left somewhere before coming here. Don’t let it get accidentally sent to His Majesty.

‘Seriously. How did he know?’

• * *

Alde of House Marcang was spending his first week in Einrogard in the punishment cells.

At least he wasn’t lonely. Plenty of students were locked up too.

They’d been either caught smuggling or gotten into trouble the very first day.

“Hey. Didn’t see you during the smuggling—how’d you end up here?”

“Palga of House Ukim tried to escape. I was nearby and got caught. Kept a straight face in questioning, still got sent to the punishment room.”

“What about you, in the next cell?”

“Same as him. Palga escaped and I was just nearby.”

“Guess you both just stuck to your story.”

“No. I snitched, but they locked me up anyway. Damn.”

“…And you, at the far right?”

“I’m Palga of House Ukim.”

Their sighs echoed down the hall.

Once introductions were through, the cell students exchanged information.

Even in punishment, you still had to go to classes.

“Hey, what do you think about this class? You think it’ll still be held?”

“Honestly, I think this one won’t get suspended.”

“Hey, guard! Could you pass word to the professor so we can get a head start on homework?”

The Death Knight striding down the hall ignored them coldly.

They all let out a sigh.

Spending a few days in the punishment room wasn’t hard; missing out on classes hurt much more.

They’d just have to make up for it with brutal effort later…

“That’s why I made sure to bring a book when I got caught.”

“Ugh. So jealous.”

“My classes aren’t meeting this week, but even so, I want to get ahead…”

As the students chattered, a voice from another solitary cell called out.

“Anyone want to buy a book?”

“!”

“You’ve got spares?! Got the new -Advanced Flame Element Applications-?”

“I do. I’ve got basic elemental application primers, the new Toberiz Series, the latest Monthly Black Magic Trends, all that.”

“…He’s a library club kid!!”

“He got himself locked up on purpose just to sell books! Maniac!”

The punishment room students were appalled at the library club’s madness.

To get yourself locked up just to do business?

“Haha. Just serving my fellow students. Anyone interested?”

“Damn it… Gimme one -Advanced Flame Element Applications-. How much? Triple the price?”

The experienced Einrogard students were prepared.

If someone brought books all the way to punishment cells to peddle, the price would surely be marked up.

“What are you talking about? Just pay the regular price.”

“What? Are you for real?”

“But you must purchase and read this: -Life and Death of Zundar Dolfram- first.”

“…That’s fine, I guess…”

You had to respect the library club for not gouging them, unlike other clubs.

Putting up with a boring book or two was a small price.

“There you go.”

“Here, take it.”

“Thanks. Now sell me -Advanced Flame Element Applications-.”

“What do you mean? You have to read -Life and Death of Zundar Dolfram- first.”

“Wait, but I bought it?”

“Yes. But you have to read it, too. I’ll be checking.”

‘We let our guard down!’

Now the students realized they’d underestimated the library club’s madness.

They were now forcing kids to read the boring stuff that never got borrowed!

“Do we have to buy a required book for the magazines, too?”

“Yes. First you need to read -A Year in the Frost Giant’s Dimension-.”

“G-give us a break. I’ve seen that one. I almost died of boredom.”

“No exceptions. It’s a good book if you finish it.”

They tried to negotiate, offering to pay more, but the library club member was unmovable.

In the end, the students could only shed tears as they read the neglected books.

“Ugh… I just want to read something else.”

“…But it’s kind of good, reading this one again.”

“Shut up.”

After a while, once the students had started buying books, Alde whispered carefully.

“Hey, listen.”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t have any gold. I mean, I’ve got a big stash waiting outside.”

“No tabs.”

“I’m telling the truth!”

Alde roared in frustration. But nobody believed him.

What kind of smuggler’s stash could a guy who also got busted possibly have?

“Senior? Are you there?”

“???”

“Senior Alde of House Marcang? Are you in this hallway?”

“I’m here! Here!! Over here!!!”