Episode 1070

-You just said she was inside…

“Just say you made a mistake!”

-We’re not Baldrogard students, who’s going to fall for a lie like that? More importantly, what was the bet about?

“It’s nothing.”

Professor Verdus explained, detailing what had happened with her direct disciple, Yukveltire.

“I told you it’s absolutely impossible that way! It’s not like you have a pure adamantite plate, or filled in the missing array with ancient magic or anything—and Yukveltire is just so stupid!”

-……

-…Aren’t you supposed to teach your disciple if they’re missing something?

-Shh. You’d be better off talking to a wall.

Even the Death Knights were left speechless by Professor Verdus’s novel teaching methods.

If a disciple is missing something, you teach them—what’s with, “Idiot! You can’t do it!” and making a bet?

They bit their tongues; no point in arguing, she wouldn’t listen anyway.

-Even more, if it was impossible, that’s all the more reason to meet. Especially if it’s your own disciple.

“Well… that’s true.”

Verdus hesitated.

She had a sharp nose for danger, as befits someone with a lot of enemies.

Yukveltire might be a ditz, but she’s no Baldrogard mage. Would she really bring an obviously fake thing to her teacher’s face and get caught in such a blatant lie?

-Very well, opening up. She’s right here!

“Wa-wait—!”

Before Verdus could object, the Death Knights quickly opened the carriage door.

Led by Yukveltire, the Einrogard students stood outside, grinning fiercely like rebellious peasants.

“Senior, you’re not angry, right?”

“I’m not the least bit angry, so no need to worry. In fact, I don’t even know why you’d ask such a thing. Completely pointless question.”

‘She’s mad.’

Lee Han thought to himself as he addressed his senior.

He was finally starting to figure out what his same-tower senior was thinking—still not quite at Direte’s level, but if her answers got long, it was either anger or sadness, for sure.

Honestly, he couldn’t blame her.

They could all hear the conversation outside between the Death Knights and Professor Verdus.

-I told you it’s absolutely impossible that way! It’s not like you have a pure adamantite plate, or filled in the missing array with ancient magic or anything—and Yukveltire is just so stupid!

-……

“Senior, that’s honestly Professor Verdus’s fault for not telling you. How would you know the only way to patch a broken array is ancient magic?”

There are few upperclassmen in Einrogard not proud of their magic.

Especially so for Yukveltire, who, as Blue Dragon Tower’s top, had even more pride.

Missing something like that would naturally be humiliating.

“Professor, please step outside.”

Called by Lee Han, Professor Verdus pressed herself back into the carriage seat.

“I can’t, it’s too dangerous—assassins and all that.”

“The knights are here to protect you, what are you talking about? Professor Baegrek is also here.”

“What? Why?!”

-Them coming too—aren’t they here for revenge?

The Death Knights whispered gravely.

Lee Han was already half-taken as the Headmaster’s successor among the knights—and now even Voladi was here? It seemed genuinely like a revenge attack.

“Why did you bring her?”

“She came along to protect us in case we ran into any bad people.”

“Bad people? When you travel in a group like that, you’d scare them off.”

“Enough, come out. We have something to show you.”

Lee Han entered the carriage and practically dragged Verdus out of her seat.

With a deeply reluctant face, Verdus was pulled out.

“Why…”

“Take a look. Baquantalana’s Dimensional Rod and Aximan’s Refraction are engraved here.”

“Don’t lie. That’s impossible.”

Still in denial, Verdus shut her mouth when shown the plate by Yukveltire.

“……”

-?

“My math can’t possibly be wrong. Who made this for you?”

-Wow. What kind of person is this?

One hot-blooded knight muttered in outrage.

If a disciple finished something with no guidance, you should shed tears of joy, not belittle them like this.

But surprisingly, it was actually the truth. Lee Han shivered inside.

‘As expected of Professor Verdus. You can’t drop your guard.’

If she looked closely, she might spot the magic traces of the young prince. Lee Han pressed hard.

“Don’t change the subject, Professor. That’s the kind of thing a Baldrogard mage does. Are you secretly a Baldrogard mage?”

“But this really doesn’t make sense…”

“Just admit it!”

-That’s right, admit it already!

Even the Death Knights joined in with Lee Han. The students all chimed, urging acceptance.

Alsicle even joined in for fun.

“Admit it! Woo woo!”

“This is impossible… this really is impossible… For Yukveltire’s level, it’s obviously…”

“Just get down on all fours already.”

“This is so strange…”

Grumbling, Professor Verdus still obeyed.

With the completed high-level spell in front of her, she couldn’t deny it.

When the professor got down on all fours, the students cheered. Passersby, seeing the spectacle, hurriedly turned their carriages away.

-Those wizards are crazy! Stay away!

-They’re Einrogard wizards!

-Does that really bear mentioning after seeing that?

Dragging someone out of a carriage and making them crawl was, indeed, not a great look.

The same went for the Death Knights.

-Uh… why do you have Professor Verdus crawling like this?

“I told you, it’s the bet.”

-……

The knights deliberated.

Their mission: protect Professor Verdus until her work was done.

Was it their job to stop her from crawling like this?

-Hmm… no, crawling should be fine. It’s the client’s freedom.

-Truly, you are wise, Sir. We look forward to your continued guidance.

-Haha! It’s nothing, really!

The Death Knights were flexible. They respected the professor’s free will and escorted her back to the carriage.

“It’s cramped. You should stay outside.”

-Understood, Professor.

It was a bizarre scene.

Seeing Professor Verdus crawl on the floor made her much more tolerable—even when she acted just the same as before!

‘She should crawl more often, really.’

• * *

Professor Verdus’s outing was not just a big deal for her guards—it was huge for those she met, too.

Honored as a top artifact artisan and staff specialist, the dryad hybrid wizard Puyo checked his surroundings over and over.

He was worried about being tailed.

Thud thud thud—

Outside a shabby three-story building on the capital’s southern edge, Puyo carefully knocked at the door.

The cheap green-dyed wooden door creaked as if it would fall off any minute.

“You’ve arrived, Professor. Please come in.”

“Long time no see. You’ve been well?”

“I’ve been fine. There’s no one following, is there?”

“No.”

“You wouldn’t have…mentioned this to anyone…?”

“What, do you take me for a careless wizard?”

“Sorry. My apologies.”

The middle-aged man inside bowed deeply.

This wizard’s name was Abalkaigen.

An outstanding artifact artisan, he was the inheritor of the school of Abalkain, a storied enchanter from centuries ago.

Both were recognized imperial artisans and wizards—but there was a reason they were so careful.

…They were meeting Bible Verdus today.

If word got out that you were meeting Professor Verdus…

-What? You met her? Why didn’t you tell me?! You know how much she’s cost me in gold!

-Haha. I understand. Write me again. If you catch that professor, I’ll reward you with a fortune…

There were enough people in the empire with a grudge against Professor Verdus to stretch from its west to east border.

If word got out, an endless stream of these pests would come calling.

And not just them.

“I met a Petrogarde wizard recently, and as soon as I mentioned someone connected to Professor Verdus, their face just froze.”

Many peer wizards also resented her.

No matter how great an artisan, nobody wanted the tag “recently saw Professor Verdus.”

“You’ve got to be careful. Really careful… But who’s this wizard?”

“My disciple.”

The reason for the gathering was cooperation.

Even the most skilled enchanters couldn’t do everything alone.

By helping in each of their strengths, their efficiency would soar.

Puyo: top staff specialist.

Abalkaigen: expert in ancient relic analysis and modification.

Professor Verdus… is just Professor Verdus.

“Will it be all right? She’ll be tough.”

“I guarantee my disciple’s skill.”

“I’m sure, since you vouch—but she’s picky…”

Worrying, Puyo considered Verdus’s temperament.

She was picky enough to reject even outstanding wizards.

This group wasn’t gathered for socializing.

The whole point was to keep the meetings secret and just swap what was needed and leave.

If the pupil wasn’t strong enough, even Puyo couldn’t stop Professor Verdus from acting up.

“…What if my disciple attacks Professor Verdus?”

“She can look after herself.”

“True. She’ll be fine.”

Thud thud thud—

As they sat at the round wooden table, heating the kettle, someone knocked on the door.

“Our guest, I presume.”

“I’ll get it.”

Abalkaigen carefully opened the door. No one outside.

“???”

“Down here.”

“?!!”

He was horrified at the voice below.

Professor Verdus was under him, crawling on all fours.

“Move. You’re in the way.”

“W-Why are you crawling?”

“I lost a bet.”

“Professor! Why’d you go on ahead?!”

A voice called from the alley.

It sounded like an owner desperately chasing after their unleashed dog.

“Come on, Professor, let’s go inside.”

“Hurry up. Can’t you walk faster?”

“Haha! I didn’t know you could crawl this fast, Professor.”

Lee Han entered, and the wizards were startled.

Professor Verdus had brought a student?

He was definitely an Einrogard student.

“What are you here for?”

“Wanted to check Professor Verdus’s crawling form… I mean, to assist her as her disciple.”

Lee Han lied shamelessly.

“Bringing a greenhorn disciple is pushing it. This isn’t a social club.”

“Shall I leave?”

Professor Verdus asked, full of hope.

But Puyo recognized Lee Han and stopped Abalkaigen.

“That boy has enough skill.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, rumor is, he’s handled Verdus’s projects since first year.”

“He did? Since first year?!”

“……”

Verdus quickly slipped behind Lee Han, just in case someone tried to kick her.