Episode 824

Episode 824

The Mad Clone, not knowing his disciple was about to shut off the Echoing Stone, affirmed.

That’s right.

“…Uh, why does a spell like that even exist?”

-Gonadaltes’ Spiritual Stain- was a spell that would transfer the other person’s stains (spiritual stains), that is, curses, pain, wounds, etc., onto oneself.

No matter how he thought about it, Lee Han couldn’t understand why the Mad Clone would use such a spell.

Surely, the Mad Clone didn’t want to absorb all the pain and wounds of the world onto himself…

That means…

“Ah! I understand!”

Lee Han realized it.

On reflection, it was a simple problem.

“In order to transfer curses, pain, or wounds onto someone else, you must first be able to control them. And the easiest stage of control is absorption. This must be a basic spell to learn before transferring spiritual stains to an enemy!”

Why are you spouting nonsense so confidently?

“Ah, was that not it?”

As the Mad Clone shot him a look of contempt, Lee Han grew flustered.

He just couldn’t think of any other reason.

This secret art was researched to gather all the suffering, wounds, and curses scattered through the world into one place. It is, strictly speaking, the beginning of that.

“??”

Lee Han tilted his head.

“Why gather them all? Use them as a weapon?”

…If you gathered them all in one place, wouldn’t all the world’s suffering disappear?

The Mad Clone’s eyes went beyond contempt, now headed for some place words could not describe.

Of all the stories Lee Han had heard today, this one shocked him the most.

“Th-then… Master, did you really research this secret art out of pure good will?”

Peasant, I sense a suspicious intent in your voice.

“No, it’s just so amazing I’m in awe.”

Overcoming his shock and regaining control, Lee Han tried to smooth things over.

‘Astounding. The scale of the magic is impressive, but the intention is even more so.’

To try and erase the world’s suffering by gathering all pain from an entire dimension—this was astonishing both in scale and intent.

To think someone would study such magic to erase the world’s pain.

No matter how much he thought, it just didn’t fit the skull principal.

‘Maybe I mixed up Gonadaltes with some other clone after all?’

While Lee Han was indulging in crazy ideas, the Mad Clone continued explaining in a calm tone.

This research never succeeded in the end. Gathering and sealing away the concepts scattered throughout an entire dimension—such a feat was impossible. The admission still stings to this day…

“You made the right call. There was once a wizard who tried to fly into the sun…”

Silence, peasant. If, seeing the fury of flame, you did not reach for the sun, you couldn’t call yourself a wizard.

Lee Han tried to comfort the ancient being with an old story but was immediately shut down.

The Mad Clone looked into the distance, lost in his memories.

All that remains today are a few secret arts like this.

“Even so, isn’t it still a great achievement?”

Indeed. The warlocks of the Three Kingdoms stole this secret to use it on their enemies. It’s unbelievably vulgar.

“How did they use it against their enemies?”

Peasant, isn’t it time you stop asking such foolish questions? If you can absorb the spiritual stain into yourself, you could also transfer it to an enemy.

“……”

Lee Han was speechless.

In the end, he’d been right all along.

‘It really is a basic spell after all…!’

First, you learn to absorb it into yourself, then you learn to transfer it to an enemy. Surely, at a higher circle, there would be a spell to transfer this spiritual stain.

Probably called -Gonadaltes’ True Nature- or -Gonadaltes’ Hidden Heart-, maybe?

“Sorry, that was a foolish question.”

As long as you understand. Get ready.

“Master. Please, just a minute.”

Having been swept up by the astonishing story, Lee Han realized he hadn’t discussed the truly important point.

What is it?

“If I cast this, I’ll be absorbing the other person’s curse, right?”

Did your intelligence drop?

“…Please, hear me out to the end. Wouldn’t it be painful if I accept the curse into my body?”

So?

“……”

Lee Han decided to imagine the other person as either a three-year-old or Professor Verdus.

‘Don’t waver, just explain it from the top.’

“Haha. So if the curse enters my body, it will hurt, right? And if it’s painful, daily life becomes difficult, and it’ll be hard to study magic, won’t it?”

The Mad Clone, disgusted by Lee Han’s uncharacteristically sickly tone, answered.

Peasant. First, fix that idle attitude of thinking that if the body suffers, you’ll struggle to study magic. You’ll never master magic that way.

“Ah, yes.”

Lee Han was unimpressed.

As a young wizard of the Empire, the ancient wizard’s mentality just wasn’t convincing.

A true magician must be able to control all stains and decline that afflict him, regardless of his own pain. Understand?

“Yes… I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

Pain is not the enemy of a magician.

“So it’s a friend?”

Nor is it a friend. In conclusion—peasant, you don’t even need to worry about that.

“Why is that?”

It won’t affect you.

Lee Han, unsure what that meant, only understood after a moment.

Then, unable to help himself, he replied.

“No, Master. This isn’t some normal curse, it’s from a crazy wizard—”

Silence. It’s nothing but a sloppy stew made by mixing fourteen curses together.

The Mad Clone refused to listen to Lee Han’s explanation and sternly told him to hurry up and learn the spell.

Lee Han grumbled inwardly as he grabbed his staff.

Did he expect Lee Han to just turn into a lich if he couldn’t handle the curse?

• * *

“……”

Having cast -Gonadaltes’ Spiritual Stain-, Lee Han looked over himself head to toe.

The Mad Clone asked with a voice full of boredom.

Well?

“I feel… maybe a little dizzy… and a bit of a fever…”

Wrong. You’re fine.

‘Then why did you even ask?’

Lee Han complained inwardly, but honestly, he had nothing to say.

He really was perfectly fine.

The Water Horse Mountains wizard had withdrawn and opened up his own soul, and when Lee Han exactly absorbed all his curses, the curses bounced weakly, then vanished.

However many times he checked, there truly was no effect. It was enough to leave Lee Han embarrassed.

He felt like something—maybe dizziness or fever—should have emerged so he could show off a little…

“I feel fine. Thank you.”

As should be.

The Mad Clone fell into thought for a moment, then spoke:

If you wish, peasant, you may continue the research.

“Excuse me?”

This secret art, I mean.

“……”

Lee Han almost blurted out, ‘Master, do I look so stupid as to want to take up a research project you yourself failed at?’ but managed to stop himself.

That was because of the Master’s expression.

Surprisingly, the Mad Clone wore an expression full of melancholy and regret.

It was such a shocking change from his usual limited range of feelings—contempt, disdain, irritation, anger, scorn, etc.—that Lee Han was genuinely struck.

‘He must really cherish this line of research.’

Everyone has their beloved failures, regardless of success or not.

Just like Gainando had tried to make good use of the terrible wizard card deck he’d built before falling for curse decks, this research line—starting from this spiritual stain magic—must be that kind of “painful finger” to the Mad Clone.

‘Damn. Now I can’t refuse.’

Normally, refusing would have been cleanest.

But judging by the atmosphere, who knew what might happen if he did.

Lee Han made a quick decision.

“I’ll give it my best shot!”

Good. If so, I’ll share another secret art with you next time. First, get used to this one.

“?”

Lee Han felt puzzled.

It might sound cocky, but as far as he could tell, he’d thoroughly mastered this spiritual stain spell.

And he’d definitely absorbed the other person’s curses perfectly.

“Was there some mistake in my spellcasting?”

No.

“Then what do you mean by ‘get used to it’?”

That’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself, peasant.

The Mad Clone made a dismissive gesture that brooked no further explanation. It was a sign the conversation was over.

Ah.

As if just remembering, the Mad Clone called out to Lee Han.

“Is there anything else, Master?”

From now on, as you did today, pay your respects to me each day. I truly find it gratifying to see you etch a little more respect for your master into your flesh.

“Haha. Yes, I understand.”

The Echoing Stone flickered off.

Infuriated, Lee Han hurled his staff at the wall.

• * *

“No… no way!”

Regaining his senses, Bajun, the Water Horse Mountains mage tower wizard, checked his own condition and cried out in shock.

No matter how he looked, the curse was completely gone.

“What trick did you use? Tell me!”

Bajun screamed out of habit.

The Water Horse Mountains Mage Tower wizards usually yelled things like “That’s impossible! It’s a trick!” whenever they saw really great magic.

But this was Einrogard.

“What?”

Lee Han stared him down in all seriousness.

There was a look of murderous intent in his eyes.

Somehow, he even heard an ominous hissing noise from somewhere.

Bajun suddenly felt a chill run up his heart and snapped to his senses.

“N-no, I mean… I was just so shocked. I couldn’t believe it…”

“Do you know all the Empire’s magic? Hah. I never knew. But if you know so much, why’d you even end up here?”

“No… Sorry.”

Bajun tried to soothe the arrogant, prickly Einrogard student.

He’d spoken out of turn, but more than anything, he was just dying to know how the curse had been cured.

For a wizard who could use such magic, this much arrogance was only natural.

Lee Han, grumbling, soon softened his tone.

Strictly speaking, the man wasn’t truly at fault.

No, on closer inspection, it was his own fault for concocting his own curse and bringing it, but still…

It was Lee Han who had chosen to call the Mad Clone to consult.

‘Right. My own choice. No need to get mad at him.’

“You said you’re Osu? Using Spirit Director as your alias matches your skill as a wizard. Truly amazi—”

“……”

Lee Han almost used telekinesis to throttle him, but barely stopped himself.

“You remember opening your soul, right?”

“I opened up my defenses, wholly exposed. Did you blast it with mana?”

“If I did, you wouldn’t even be able to talk right now. I extracted the curse.”

“…What? How?”

Curses were made to have a strong suction for souls, and pulling off a well-fixed curse wasn’t easy.

Especially if it was stuck deep inside the soul.

If you simply erased or destroyed it, fine—but to extract it?

“If you offer a soul with stronger attraction to the curse, won’t it move on its own?”

“That’s true.”

“That’s what I did.”

“??”

Bajun was horrified. He looked around, and then whispered quietly.

“Where is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“…Did you bring in a convict and pass the curse onto them? Shh. Don’t worry. I won’t say a word anywhere. I’m grateful, actually, if you risked breaking imperial law for me.”

“…I put it into myself.”

“What?”

“I absorbed it.”

“……”

Bajun doubted his ears, then fell into deep thought.

As the man suddenly fell silent, Lee Han grew concerned and asked,

“Are you alright?”

“I understand.”

“…Understand what?”

“You… you must be a saint.”

“You might want to have your head examined. Maybe you’re not fully cured yet…”

“I’m serious!”

“Crazy people always say that. Hold still a minute.”

Lee Han suppressed him with telekinesis and went to look for a senior to help.

Never in his wildest dreams did Bajun expect to be subdued so easily by a second-year student. He blinked in shock.

“…?!!!”