Episode 847

“Professor? Professor?”

Lee Han looked at Professor Kirmin with suspicious eyes.

No matter how he saw it, the professor seemed to be thinking about something else instead of listening to him.

“Oh. What’s up, Wardanaz?”

“Are you listening to what I’m saying?”

“Of course. I’m listening to everything. Why do you ask?”

Professor Kirmin answered without changing his expression.

As expected from a professor of the illusion magic school, he was skilled at maintaining his composure no matter how shocking the situation.

“Sorry. I thought you were thinking about something else.”

“Never, Wardanaz. Anyway, because of those experiences, you say you can perceive your soul now?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s not Professor Baegrek’s fault.”

“Then there’s no reason for you to take this course.”

“…Pardon?”

“The goal for the first semester of this course is soul perception.”

Professor Kirmin explained to Lee Han that -Advanced Illusion Magic and Theory of Spirit Body- aimed in the first semester for students to perceive the souls of others and their own.

Although they learned various illusion spells and practiced them, the ultimate goal was to perceive souls.

“…Then what should I do now?”

“Whatever you want, right? You don’t need to come to class.”

Lee Han was deeply flustered by such a shocking statement from the professor.

“But still, not coming to class at all…”

“Classes are for learning, Wardanaz. If you already know it, why waste time? Why don’t you go to Professor Voladi and practice some more dueling?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I was joking. Sorry.”

Seeing his student’s cold gaze, Professor Kirmin immediately apologized.

No matter how much free time you had, going to practice magic combat with Professor Voladi was not a good decision.

‘Is this really okay?’

Once the shock wore off, Lee Han began to weigh the suggestion he’d just heard.

Not needing to come to class was surprising, but in truth, the more free time he had, the better.

Of course, skipping one class wouldn’t suddenly make his schedule relaxed and happy, but still…

‘Having extra free time can’t hurt.’

“Professor, I’m worried I might miss something if I don’t come to class. There’s also the exam to consider.”

“The exam is just about perceiving souls, so it’s fine. We’ll skip that. As for missing out… hmm.”

Professor Kirmin tapped his finger on the lectern thoughtfully.

He could let the exam go, but there were a few spells in the course Lee Han might miss that were taught to aid soul perception.

“Here, take this book first.”

Professor Kirmin pulled a small book from the pocket of his gray linen vest and unfolded it. The book rapidly expanded and thickened.

“-Advanced Illusion Magic and Soul Applications-?”

“As I said, once you can perceive and handle the soul, the scope and strength of illusion magic increases greatly. It’s a grimoire for illusion magicians just beginning to perceive the soul, so you should read it. There are some useful spells in there.”

“Thank you, professor. Are these the spells covered in this semester?”

“What are you talking about? It’s a grimoire for illusion magicians who can already perceive souls. Why would those be this semester’s spells? This semester, the goal is simply perception.”

“…?”

Lee Han cocked his head, not understanding the professor’s words.

Then why was he being given this book?

“Then why are you giving this to me?”

“I thought you might get bored since you have nothing to learn, Wardanaz.”

“……”

Lee Han was at a loss.

How could anyone even come up with such nonsense?

‘If you have nothing to learn, isn’t that comfortable and happy? What’s to be bored about…’

While his student was silently complaining, Professor Kirmin pulled out a sheet of paper and quickly scribbled on it.

“There, all done. Take this, Wardanaz.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a list of the spells you’ll learn in class this semester. Honestly, you don’t need to memorize them, but they’re not bad spells.”

Comparing the single sheet of paper with the thick grimoire, Lee Han thought:

Wasn’t just the sheet of paper enough?

• * *

Professor Kirmin was cool about letting Lee Han skip his exam and assignments, but that didn’t mean he left him completely alone.

Only Professor Verdus in all of Einrogard would really leave a student to their own devices just because that student was managing on their own.

Instead, Professor Kirmin called in a senior from the Illusion Magic school.

“Sevius, if Wardanaz asks about magic, could you answer him?”

Outside of class, Professor Kirmin could explain things directly, but in class, he had to teach.

Sevius, a year 4 hamster beastkin from Black Turtle Tower, nodded, but asked a question.

“Okay, professor. But I’m curious about something.”

“Yes?”

“…Why is he asking about magic matters outside of class?”

It was a normal question.

A second-year who should be in magic class with third-years was here with the professor, hearing, “Please answer his questions during class.”

“Ah. There’s a complicated story behind that. Want the long version or short version?”

“Short, please.”

At Sevius’s answer, Professor Kirmin promptly replied.

When else could he tease a finicky student like this?

“Wardanaz has already previewed the entire first semester curriculum.”

“…Could you give me the long explanation?”

Only after hearing the full story about “Wardanaz was forced to learn magic from an ancient evil entity of Einrogard” did Sevius understand the situation.

“I see… So that’s what happened.”

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

‘As if anybody could learn magic just because they were forced?’

Sevius thought to himself.

If people could actually learn just by being forced, fourth-years wouldn’t be so miserable over graduating.

To really come back knowing everything…

“Well then, I’ll rely on you.”

“Yes, professor. But the third-years might get a bit demoralized, you know.”

“Of course! I intend to scold them as soon as I get back—seriously, for a second-year to do what they’re still struggling with!”

Sevius pitied the third-years, who were about to get scolded for having such an outstanding junior.

But what could you do?

Einrogard was a place where misfortunes beyond your control struck constantly.

‘Ah.’

Once Professor Kirmin left, leaving just him and Lee Han, Sevius remembered his schedule for today.

“…Junior. Sorry, but could we wrap up for today? I’ll make it up to you next time.”

“Pardon? That’s fine, but… do you have something to do?”

“I have an appointment.”

“Is it something to do with the Teleportation Club?”

“…Actually, yes.”

Sevius was speechless at his junior’s bright, sparkling look.

Why did this Blue Dragon Tower student love thievery so much?

“Don’t tell me you want to come along.”

“Professor Kirmin said to ask you questions and learn from you…”

Lee Han faked disappointment.

Professor Kirmin had meant for Lee Han to practice illusion magic with his senior, not to tag along on Teleportation Club heists, but that didn’t matter.

“Tsk. Fine. Come if you want.”

Sevius grumbled in a picky tone, but let Lee Han come along.

He was in the same club, after all, and a library club junior too—plus the professor had asked him to help, so it felt wrong to just ditch him.

“Thank you, senior.”

“It’s fine. It was the professor’s request anyway.”

“There are seniors who’d kick me out even for that if they didn’t like me.”

“Who? Who would do that?”

Sevius replied bluntly.

“Senior Yukveltire would…”

“……”

‘He’s pretending not to have heard that.’

Sevius pretended not to hear and walked forward.

Then, to change the subject, he spoke.

“Do you know where we’re visiting today?”

“I’m not sure.”

“…Then why did you say you wanted to come?”

“If it’s a place you’re visiting, I’m sure there’s some benefit…”

“……”

Another awkward silence.

Sevius cleared his throat and explained.

“You know about Baldrogard, the imperial magic school, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you know some Baldrogard wizards visited this week?”

“Yes, I know.”

“Did you hear that in the past, Baldrogard wizards stole something from Einrogard?”

“…?!!!!”

Lee Han was even more shocked than when he’d been kidnapped by the mad clone of the skeletal headmaster.

How could Baldrogard wizards have stolen something from Einrogard?

“What did you say? Baldrogard wizards stole something from Einrogard??”

“I guess you didn’t know. Yes, they did, in the past.”

“I can’t believe it. How did they steal it?”

Sevius rounded the corner at the far end of the north hallway and called for a staircase. Climbing the stairs, he continued explaining.

“Einrogard sometimes collaborates with Baldrogard students on research. Baldrogard provides funding, Einrogard students handle ideas, theory, experiments, verification, and writing up the reports.”

‘Isn’t that just patrons, not co-researchers…?’

At that point, they really were just sponsors.

“My senior’s senior did something like that. Sounded like they were short on research funds.”

“I suppose that can happen.”

“The research was conducted off-campus, and as it neared completion, a Baldrogard student, coveting the object, committed a vile betrayal.”

Lee Han swallowed hard.

Just what kind of vile betrayal did the Baldrogard student commit?

“They sent a letter to the Headmaster, accusing the Einrogard student of breaking school rules by going off campus. The Einrogard student got caught.”

“……”

Lee Han fell silent at this betrayal, which was not quite what he’d expected.

It was underhanded, yes, but not as evil as he’d imagined.

“I-I see.”

“Since that senior got caught, the Baldrogard student got the item nearly finished, and made good use of it. Before graduating, he passed it down to his juniors. And now, one of the students who came brought that item.”

The stolen Einrogard item had been passed about in Baldrogard and now had come here again.

Of course, Sevius felt that the item rightfully belonged to them.

‘Isn’t he making a bit much of an old grudge?’

Lee Han hesitated.

He didn’t like Baldrogard students much either, but still, there was not much justification for pickpocketing guests.

The current students probably didn’t even realize they were carrying a stolen Einrogard item.

‘They wouldn’t know anything about it…’

“By the way, what kind of research was it?”

“Improving a space-expansion backpack. It was so well made several seniors coveted it.”

“Senior. Hearing that lowly students from another magic school stole the traditions and legacy of Einrogard fills me with anger and pain. We must recover it at once.”

‘This is when he really seems like he’s from Blue Dragon Tower!’

Seeing his junior evoke school pride and honor made Sevius smile inside.