Episode 777

‘Hmm. This might be good for a conference presentation.’

Professor Zorzic, having finished his notes, thought to himself.

A case as rare as this was of real value for a presentation to imperial magicians.

Which imperial magician could have observed something so unusual?

“Well then, Wardanaz! Since you’ve overcome that stumbling block, practice the rest of the fire element spells.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Given instructions to practice all the lower-circle fire spells he’d only learned and rarely used due to danger, Lee Han nodded in agreement.

Even if he’d just grasped a new sense for the fire element, stopping right after could mean quickly losing that sensation.

It was best to firm it up by practicing a variety of spells in succession.

• -Lesser Flame Barrier-, -Lesser Fire Arrow- (3rd circle)
• -Lesser Fire Shield-, -Lesser Hand of Fire- (2nd circle)

Professor Zorzic was very pleased to see Lee Han using one spell after another in succession.

“Hm, hmm!”

Twisting his mustache, Professor Zorzic gave a sly look.

Seeing his outstanding student, he felt a sudden surge of new ambition.

A teacher’s reputation is always raised by outstanding students.

The Wardanaz boy before him, by sheer talent alone, was one of the jewels of Einrogard.

But even those jewels had a flaw: too many teachers.

If there were too many mentors, the student’s renown might not reach back to Professor Zorzic.

Now, watching the boy practice, a clever idea struck him.

‘Fire element was a crazy, desperate measure, but he succeeded. He’d probably manage even harder spells if pressed.’

Professor Zorzic was, once again, echoing the thoughts of several other Einrogard professors.

‘And since he succeeded under my tutelage, he must respect and trust me.’

This was something not all professors at Einrogard convinced themselves of.

‘If I keep pushing him to learn even harder spells…’

Back to echoing those very same Einrogard professors’ thoughts.

Grand ambitions blossomed rapidly in Professor Zorzic’s mind.

• I became an archmage at this age because Professor Benmalfa believed in me and led me! Had he restricted me to “age-appropriate spells,” I would never have broken through.
• Friends, I did nothing but notice and believe in this boy’s genius!
• Benmalfa! Benmalfa! Benmalfa!
• Zorzic of the Benmalfa household, principal of Einrogard! No one more fit for the role!

The Wardanaz boy benefits by learning stronger magic, and Professor Zorzic by gaining the student’s respect and reputation. Perfection.

Certain of this ideal future, Professor Zorzic nodded firmly.

“Wardanaz!”

“Yes?”

“Now, practice the advanced aspects of fire element!”

“…Excuse me?”

Lee Han was a bit taken aback.

He’d just barely managed to control fire magic, and now the professor wanted him to do advanced properties?

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Don’t worry! You can do it!”

‘Did Professor Baegrek possess you or something??’

Lee Han was even more flustered.

Professor Zorzic’s -Elemental Magic and Its Application- was generally a peaceful, student-autonomy-focused class.

He was the type to help students who got stuck in research, not to actively push or take control.

So now, suddenly approaching Lee Han and telling him to dive into advanced fire element, he couldn’t help but be thrown.

“Professor, maybe I’m mistaken, but wasn’t this supposed to be a class where you answer student questions?”

“Wardanaz, there is no fixed form to teaching. It’s like flowing water.”

As the only principal-aspiring professor in Einrogard not considered deranged, Professor Zorzic prided himself on his rhetoric.

Quoting as if “This is what teaching is” by professorial authority, Lee Han couldn’t easily argue.

“But I’d rather spend some time repeating the basic fire element spells…”

“No, no! You’re just mistaken. Deep down you want to try advanced properties—you just don’t realize it yet!”

With a wink, Professor Zorzic left Lee Han dumbfounded.

He had no idea what had gotten into him.

“One day you’ll thank Zorzic of the Benmalfa for this! Don’t forget to express your gratitude then. Ha, ha.”

“……”

Lee Han mentally added Professor Zorzic to the “Professors to Visit After Graduation” list.

• * *

In the end, Lee Han had to spend the rest of the time practicing advanced fire element techniques.

Just as an ordinary-looking water spell creates far more destruction if you add rotation, so too with fire: once you advanced its core properties, the applications multiplied.

“I’m sorry, Wardanaz…”

“It’s fine now.”

Adenart, subdued for once, apologized.

This was because of something he’d blurted out mid-lecture.

-Wardanaz. For advanced fire properties, the main ones are blue flame or violet flame.

Ways of strengthening or transforming the very burning nature of fire were classic advanced properties.

People often misunderstood “specialists in fire” as being all about destruction (and, to be fair, it wasn’t far off), but mastering these techniques let you shatter fire’s limits.

Of course, it was difficult and tricky.

Generating rotation with water element was tough, but changing fire’s nature itself was nothing to dismiss either.

-Which advanced property are you interested in, Wardanaz?

-I’m not sure, Professor. Honestly, I’d like to keep at the basics…

-Haha! Enough joking, Wardanaz. Sure, it might look tough, but I assure you you can do it! And you must!

-Did you maybe meet Professor Baegrek over the holidays…?

-Hmm?

-Nothing.

-I think you should try blue flame first. Channelling a totally new property is hard, even for you…

-You’re wrong, Professor. Wardanaz can already call down White Flame with holy magic.

Adenart, unable to hold back, spoke up to defend his friend’s abilities.

Of course, it didn’t go over well.

-……

-……

Especially with Lee Han, who gave him a “Seriously, why?” look, making Adenart realize his mistake too late.

-In fact, I was mistaken…

-He can already call white flame? Incredible!

-“That’s a holy spell, Professor.”

-Not much difference, Wardanaz! Didn’t I say? You wanted to try even harder advanced properties. See? Proof!

-…Yes, sir…

Excited, Professor Zorzic pressed Lee Han with fresh resolve.

Lee Han had no idea how many more elements he’d have to study this term.

‘That’s the look of a madman in his eyes.’

“Sorry again…”

“It’s really okay. Here, have a sandwich.”

Lee Han’s offer made Adenart brighten.

He must really not be mad—food never lies.

Just as expected from an honorable noble…

“???”

Adenart opened the sandwich and examined the inside.

There was nothing between the slices of bread.

“……”

He glanced at Lee Han, then quietly took a bite of the Einrogard-style sandwich. His face brimmed with remorse.

‘If you make a friend suffer, you eat a sandwich with nothing inside!’

“Gainando makes mistakes too, and even Yukveltire does. Don’t worry so much.”

“Mmhph?”

Adenart looked up in protest.

Maybe the Yukveltire comparison was fair, but putting him next to Gainando—still, that was a bit much…

‘…Reflect. Reflect…’

Adenart hung his head again in deep contrition.

Surely Wardanaz had given him an empty sandwich and made the Gainando comparison to chide him indirectly.

Getting both in one go—I clearly made a huge mistake. I should be ashamed.

“Wardanaz!”

“Hm?”

From the -Ancient Relics and the Tragic History of Summoning Magic- classroom, Salko came running out.

He shouted seriously.

“Best to skip today’s class.”

“…???”

With that, Salko dashed off. Lee Han briefly wondered if he was actually a White Tiger Tower student in disguise.

“Salko’s not one to dodge class, though??”

Besides, Professor Millei’s class was normally one of the safest.

It was for second years, and Millei’s teaching made it even safer.

When Lee Han first attended, it was mostly basic history and major relics…

‘What’s going on? Should I run?’

He was still debating when Professor Millei entered.

“Everyone, into the classroom.”

The monocle-wearing old professor startled the students into action.

Lee Han immediately regretted hesitating.

‘I should have run the moment Salko bolted. I got careless.’

At Einrogard, hesitation was an unforgivable error.

Whoooosh—

Inside the classroom, dimension spells set up for exploration caused magic to swirl chaotically about.

Clearly these spells were for exploring other dimensions.

‘But Salko wouldn’t run from just this…’

Lee Han looked at the blackboard. There, words were written:

Visiting the Most Evil and Dangerous Dimension (Extra Life Required)

“……”

“……”

Lee Han and his friends instinctively glanced toward the exit. Professor Millei said blandly,

“Looks like last time’s students didn’t erase that. Everyone, remember to be more careful about such things.”

He erased the writing and the students all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Whew! I thought…”

“Tutanta is always so jumpy. He scared me.”

After that, new writing appeared on the board:

Survive a visit to an indeterminate dimension

“…Um, Professor. I think that one’s still not erased yet.”

“That one’s correct. That’s the topic for today’s class.”

Professor Millei answered strictly.

The students groaned and closed their eyes.

“Tutanta, you quick-mover.”

“Sorry for doubting you!”

Seeing morale plummet, Professor Millei calmly explained.

“It won’t be as bad as you all think. Stop worrying needlessly.”

“Oh. So we won’t actually have to visit, right?”

The students perked up.

If it was just lecture-theory, they had no reason to worry.

No dangerous stunts, run from any demons…

How hard could learning about such things really be?

“No. We will be visiting.”

“……”

Then what part is not as bad as we think?