Episode 1083

Episode 1083

Lee Han was dumbfounded.

Was the angel… perhaps a bit stupid?

“How does it make sense for them to act just because of a single family name?”

“…It does make sense, doesn’t it?”

Unlike his junior, who was flabbergasted, Direte had said it with some confidence.

The Wardanaz family was one of the magician families that delved deepest into dimensional magic.

Starting with its patriarch, who spent most of his time in other dimensions, the family was incomparably focused on extra-dimensional matters—more so than any other in the Empire. There was no other magician family that neglected imperial affairs to this extent for non-physical dimensions.

He figured that even the reclusive celestials might know the name Wardanaz. His calculations were correct.

‘I really hate to admit this.’

Lee Han complained inwardly.

No matter how impressive his senior’s strategy, he just didn’t want this to be the reality.

What kind of angel is this, anyway?

/In that case, I request a direct meeting/

“!”

The additional reply sent the students into a stir again. Dirimpa asked worriedly.

“Is this a trap?”

“That… it won’t be.”

Direte denied it.

The juniors here probably wondered about announcing the name Wardanaz, but…

No way would an angel set a trap after hearing the name of the Wardanaz family. They didn’t like needlessly complicating things.

“We should meet at least once. After all, we’re being handed the demon they were chasing.”

-Mi-might it not be dangerous?

Orlach was anxious.

What if the Wardanaz young master got hurt trying to converse with an unintelligible angel…

-Ah! Just send that black magician alone!

Having a bright idea, Orlach whispered slyly.

As long as Lee Han stayed here and only that crow beastkin went out, it wouldn’t matter if something bad happened.

“You piece of trash.”

Naturally, Lee Han glared at the demon with contempt.

What did he take the Einrogard Black Magic School for, to make such a cowardly proposal?

-?!!

Orlach couldn’t understand what he’d done wrong.

Why?!

• * *

Lee Han headed to the designated meeting point with Direte.

The northern necropolis area of the capital was lined with white, beautiful towers. Travelers from across the Empire climbed them to take in the capital’s sights.

Among the towers, the largest and most beautiful was the Tower of Iactus—the place to meet the angel.

“The Tower of Iactus, contrary to its nickname, is generally believed not to have been built by Iactus himself.”

“……”

“……”

At Yukveltire’s narration, Lee Han and Direte looked at each other.

“Why did that person tag along?”

“…I guess she was worried about me.”

Direte, being a friend, tried to give a generous interpretation.

There wasn’t much reason for Yukveltire to tag along to meet the angel.

After all, Yukveltire wasn’t a combat magician, and for bodyguard purposes, they already had the junior—no, Stedal Nago.

Still, it must have been out of worry for Direte.

To Yukveltire, Stedal Nago must have seemed a terribly wicked and rude magician…

“Direte.”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t think you should trust that magician so much. Everything about the way he acts is rough and rude.”

“So you came not out of worry, but just to badmouth me?!”

Direte realized his friend’s true intent in shock.

He’d tried to defend her in front of the junior, but what a display.

Yukveltire’s eyebrow twitched, showing she couldn’t accept Direte’s words.

“Badmouth? I can’t let that pass. Direte, let me point out some things you’re missing—”

“Forget it. Just finish explaining. We’ll meet the angel and go back.”

Yukveltire felt regret at her friend’s response.

Direte was a brilliant magician, but occasionally made irrational decisions. This was one such time.

To trust such a rude magician.

“What do you mean, he didn’t participate in the construction?”

“To complete a tower like this requires excellent magic, but Iactus himself wasn’t such an amazing magician. He must’ve gotten help from other magicians.”

“So the names of the magicians who actually built the tower disappeared, and only the celebrity’s name remains!”

Lee Han was indignant.

It was just a casual story shared to pass time as they climbed, but Lee Han’s reaction was so over-the-top that Direte was taken aback.

“That… That happens all the time, doesn’t it…?”

“No. That’s absolutely unforgivable. The names of the magicians who created artifacts should always be recorded with them.”

‘Really shouldn’t have brought them.’

Now that Yukveltire joined in whining, Direte sighed inwardly.

“Look outside. Isn’t the city scenery beautiful?”

The group was standing on a circular disc, rising upward.

Below, the sound of flowing water continued. It was designed so the tower could be ascended easily using water power.

“It’s amazing that this magic has lasted for centuries, even with maintenance and repairs.”

“The secret is in the original design. Unlike ordinary magic, this tower—”

‘Should I just let them fight again?’

Stedal Nago actually got along well with Yukveltire when it came to ordinary matters. Direte wondered if he should just let them argue like before.

At that moment, the disc reached the top.

No one was at the top of the tower. All that met them were empty marble walls, bas-reliefs, columns, and railings.

“They’re not here yet?”

Flap!

With the sound of beating wings, a huge bird flew onto the tower roof. It was a unique bird he’d never seen before.

Like a skilled transformation magician, the bird instantly changed form: first into a spinning sphere, then into a human shape.

“……”

“……”

Lee Han and Direte fell speechless.

It wasn’t that their magic was so astonishing. You could see such magic at the School of Transformation.

No, what left them speechless was that the “human” form the newcomer took was so… strange.

The nose was where the eyes should be, the eyes were where the ears belonged—at least the mouth was in the right position.

It felt less like a person and more like a monster imitating the shape of a person.

“What’s wrong?”

The angel noticed something was odd about their reaction and asked.

“Your facial features are… off.”

“Uh, I think your arms and legs are swapped as well…”

“Ah! I see.”

After hearing the corrections, the angel took out a mirror and began fixing his face.

He rearranged his features and limbs.

“How about now?”

“If you could just move the eyes a little lower, that would be good.”

“I see. Thank you. I make mistakes sometimes, since I rarely visit the land of mortals.”

The angel apologized.

The celestials, with their weak desires save for their purpose, enjoyed their existence as pure soul forms—spiritual bodies.

So, even simple physical tasks like creating a body suitable for mingling with mortals could be tricky for them.

A demon would never struggle with something like this.

“You’re the one! Glad to meet you.”

Identifying Lee Han, the angel greeted him.

So Lee Han was, it seemed, the one of Wardanaz lineage.

“Uh… Nice to meet you?”

Thrown off by the unexpected greeting, Lee Han reacted a beat late. The fact he was disguised as Stedal Nago didn’t help.

“I requested a face-to-face because there’s something to discuss with you.”

“Wait, wait. Let’s talk privately, just the two of us.”

Fearing the angel might mention the Wardanaz family, Lee Han hurriedly spoke.

At that, Yukveltire pointed an accusatory finger.

Look at this! That vicious combat magician was finally revealing his greed!

“Direte. Didn’t I tell you—”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

Knowing why his junior was acting like this, Direte replied indifferently.

Yukveltire was further shocked by that reaction.

How could this be? To take the side of this never-before-seen combat magician over her!

Whap!

In that moment, the scenery changed.

The tower’s appearance was unchanged, but all color had vanished. Lee Han, briefly alarmed by the nightmarish scene, realized the spiritual aura coming from his companion.

‘The spirit world!’

The so-called spirit realm—another dimension.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a wholly separate dimension, but rather, the spirit world’s domain overlapping reality at maximum.

It was a conversation not with the voices shaped by mortal flesh, but directly by the soul.

Indeed, the angel was now meeting Lee Han as a blazing spiritual form, rather than the awkward, cobbled-together human look from earlier.

‘Impressive. I knew angels were good at working with souls, but I didn’t think it’d be like this…’

He’d never imagined they could locally open up a world of souls like this and invite someone in.

‘…Wait. Isn’t this pointless if I can’t see spirits? What if I hadn’t been able to see souls?’

Suddenly, Lee Han wondered.

Many magicians had never cultivated the ability to see souls, and yet this angel had just assumed it was fine to hold the meeting here?

-How did you know I could see souls? Is that some angelic power?

-What are you talking about?

The angel was genuinely puzzled by Lee Han’s question.

Wouldn’t a member of the Wardanaz family, of course, be able to open the spirit world?

-……

Lee Han regretted asking.

It was pointless to mention “I’m just a second-year at Einrogard” to an angel who even struggled to put a human form together.

-So, to the main point. Why did you wish to meet? Was it to negotiate for the demon?

Slightly anxious, Lee Han asked carefully.

Since the Black Magic School was broke, they couldn’t afford much payment.

Should they give up part of the reward they’d get from the mansion’s master, Bulsaerek, for this favor?

‘Ugh. I really don’t want to. Just that would vastly improve the Black Magic School’s finances.’

-Payment? No.

The angel responded, as if the idea was outrageous.

Even if he took mortal currency, what would an angel do with it?

It was utterly worthless.

‘Then what is it?’

Lee Han was even more confused.

If there was no payment—why this meeting?

Was this to test what level the Wardanaz wizard was at?

-I should introduce myself first. I am Apazragorn. The law and rules I follow are the way of the ancient magician. I wish to gain enlightenment by following that path.

“…???”

Lee Han had never been more bewildered by anything he’d heard all day.

‘What does he want me to do about that?’

If he wanted to walk it, he could just walk it on his own. Why call Lee Han out here?

-Sorry, but… I’m not sure I understand. What does the way of the magician have to do with me?

-Aren’t you also a magician walking that path?

This time, the angel was the one confused.

He didn’t see why Lee Han was denying it.

-What…? Not all magicians walk the same path. You must be mistaken.

-Is that so? You’re a Wardanaz magician on the continent, contracted with the wandering star Arna, right? I clearly heard from the king. A disciple walking the path of the ancient magician who ascended from Gusanalpae.

The angel Apazragorn had visited the famously wise Yaksha King in his quest to follow his own law and rules as the way of the ancient magician.

The king demanded seventy-seven menial tasks as a condition, but the angel embraced them without hesitation. Any ordeal was nothing, so long as he could receive advice.

After he perfectly finished every task, the king gave his blessing and his counsel.

‘One member of the Wardanaz line walks that path ahead of you. Should you ever meet, as fellow seekers, you will gain knowledge together.’

‘Thank you, King of Wisdom…’

-King of Wisdom, my ass!

Right in the middle of the angel’s story, Lee Han, now thoroughly outraged, burst in.

That crazy king! Who said he could just sell Lee Han out like that?!