Episode 1223

Episode 1223

‘Well, it was only natural.’

Lee Han, who had been shocked, soon regained his composure.

This was on a different level from anything Lee Han had done so far.

Stopping the anti-magic faction or reverse-summoning the King of Ghouls had been remarkable enough, but completely destroying an infamous order that had made a name for itself across the Empire, like Sanguiros, was a whole different story.

He had even directly confronted an evil god and destroyed it…

“Wait. When I think about it like that, it feels a bit unfair. If you think about it, I could only achieve this thanks to myself and the professor, right?”

Lee Han complained about the Skull Headmaster.

If each order was giving high praise and it was being officially announced in the Empire’s newspapers, it was certain the Skull Headmaster would also be receiving due acclaim.

After all, the command of the evil god subjugation had ultimately been conducted under the Skull Headmaster’s name.

And yet, he was sent to the punishment room!

“Uh… Well, that is…”

“??”

When Siana hesitated and looked at her friends, Lee Han paused.

The other clergy could only glance at each other and wouldn’t speak first. In the end, Tijilling stepped forward.

“I, I heard that the Headmaster was summoned to the capital.”

“Of course. After accomplishing something like this.”

“…Um… From what I heard, there’s been some talk… Actually, a lot of talk… about having a second-year student participate in such a dangerous expedition…”

When the story of subjugating the evil god first came out, the bureaucrats and bishops sincerely praised the Skull Headmaster.

-You took gold like a madman! As expected, the protector of the Empire’s magical barrier is you alone! I’ll forget about the incident with you knocking me out and taking the vault’s gold!

-With the disturbances caused by the evil god worshippers, the people of the Empire have truly suffered, yet you have set an example like this. The enemies will be fearful, and other archmages will feel ashamed.

But when the detailed reports of the evil god subjugation came in, the reaction from the bureaucrats and bishops changed a little.

-I see. To seek the cooperation of the Wardanaz family and the Yaksha of the Palace of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas… Only you could have accomplished this. Even the excellent professors of Einrogard collaborated… …A student is here as well? Wasn’t the year written incorrectly?

-Heh. Maybe they added the name of a student who helped with the combat preparations in advance… …Is the magician who participated in the combat someone with the same name?

The bureaucrats and bishops couldn’t decide whether to praise or criticize this.

It was such an unprecedented and absurd occurrence.

Fortunately, there was the wisest being in the Empire at the capital.

-Bring Osu here.

It was the Emperor.

-Don’t allow any excuses or reasons. If so, this Emperor will ask in person.

-Yes!

And so, the matter was settled.

Even the clergy didn’t know what was being discussed as the Skull Headmaster stood before the Emperor.

“Hm!”

With a short sigh, Lee Han fell silent again. After a brief moment, he spoke.

“The Headmaster must have seen countless disobedient students. He’s probably gone through situations like this many times. I’m sure he’ll handle it well.”

“……”

This time, it was the clergy’s turn to fall silent. They thought to themselves.

‘This might be his first time with something like this…’

No matter how long Einrogard’s history or how deep the Skull Headmaster’s school’s roots, it seemed like the first time a second-year student had directly faced an evil god.

“Don’t doubt the Headmaster! At the very least, we should believe in him!”

“We weren’t doubting him.”

“If anything, only Lord Wardanaz was suspected…”

Even at the clergy’s cool-headed response, Lee Han wasn’t shaken.

“Thank you all for letting me know about the newspaper. I’d really like to get a copy when it comes out.”

“Usually you don’t care when you’re in the news, but now you suddenly want one?”

‘Yes. I’ll make sure to get you a copy.’

“S-siana, I think your inner thoughts slipped out.”

Lee Han pretended not to hear his friends’ conversation.

If nothing else, it seemed his shamelessness had grown through this expedition.

---

‘Right. There’s no need to worry too much.’

After the Phoenix Tower students left, Lee Han composed himself.

The bureaucrats and bishops weren’t fools; they wouldn’t print such detailed content in the Empire’s newspaper.

If they did, the magic Lee Han had used would have to be mentioned, but unless a magician personally revealed their magic, it wasn’t disclosed publicly.

It was likely they’d just announce that Lee Han participated in the expedition and contributed greatly.

Of course, even that alone would greatly spread his reputation…

‘If it’s just that, things won’t change much from now. …Probably.’

“Junior!”

“!”

At the sharp voice of a familiar senior, Lee Han was startled.

Direte, Catten, and even Yukveltire were standing in front of the cell door.

Lee Han quickly hid a magic book. Maybe it was just his imagination, but it really could have been Yukveltire’s property.

“……”

“……”

Direte, who had called for his junior, didn’t say anything and simply stared silently.

Catten, standing next to him, seemed to sense the tension and laid his ears back a bit.

Yukveltire, who had also stood quietly, asked.

“Since he’s fine, can we go now…”

“No. And shut up.”

“?!?”

Yukveltire’s blue eyes shook violently in shock at the outrageous words from his friend.

How could Direte say that?

Catten whispered quietly.

“Please, read the mood. I beg you.”

“You too, quiet down.”

Receiving the rebuke, Catten quickly backed away. This skilled swordsman knew how to avoid danger.

“Senior… Um, well…”

“Take this.”

Direte handed over the books he’d brought.

They were magic books required for this semester’s lecture, -Forbidden Dark Magic (Not a Tutorial)-.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll come by when I have time to check up on you, so make sure you’re studying.”

Emitting more coldness than a frost-element specialist, Direte turned around sharply.

Yukveltire, thinking the conversation was over, tried to follow quickly, but another sharp command stopped him.

“Hand over what you brought!”

“Oh. Right.”

A flustered Yukveltire awkwardly pushed the lecture-related magic books he had brought through the bars.

He was so flustered, he tried to shove them in sideways instead of just standing them upright.

Lee Han quickly helped his senior.

“Thank you. Will you also come by when you have time to check?”

“Why would I…”

Yukveltire, who was about to reply coldly as usual, flinched without realizing it.

Catten, still remaining, made a cutting gesture at his own neck. Direte had not turned the corner in the hallway yet.

Yukveltire agonized deeply for a moment.

Should he shamefully submit to his friend’s threat, or keep his dignity as a magician and secure his spare time?

“…I’ll check…”

Yukveltire muttered to himself.

This was not yielding to threats, but looking out for a friend’s reputation.

Direte really had a good friend.

“Oh. Thank you.”

At the unexpected response, Lee Han was surprised.

Direte was one thing, but even Senior Yukveltire would come by to help make up the lecture in his spare time.

Could it be they were cursed before coming here?

‘He’s fine, though?’

“But, junior from the Wardanaz family. That book behind the fireplace over there…”

“Hurry and go after Direte to console him! You’re his friend!”

Lee Han hurriedly sent off Yukveltire. Only when Catten, the last remaining, saw the two disappear down the hallway did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew. Junior. You’ve really been through a lot. Direte was a bit harsh, but please don’t take it too hard. He’s just worried about you.”

“Ah. I know.”

Lee Han nodded.

With other seniors, it might have been unclear, but anyone could see that Direte’s anger was out of concern for his junior.

‘I should apologize properly once his anger cools.’

“After some time, he’ll definitely calm down.”

“I hope so. Professor Garcia is similarly angry, too.”

“Ah… I think Professor Garcia will take a bit longer…”

“……”

Lee Han’s expression darkened noticeably.

For Senior Catten to say so…

Just how angry was Professor Garcia out there?

“So what brings you here, senior? Are you giving any lectures I’m attending?”

“Ah. I just wanted to hear how your fight with the evil god went. Junior.”

Catten grinned brightly with the innocent face of a battle maniac.

In a way, he could be called the most carefree of the fifth-year students.

Of course, from Lee Han’s point of view—being asked to share his experience while imprisoned—it was ridiculous!

“I was going to come by anyway, but as luck would have it, I ran into those two in the hallway.”

‘Has Senior Direte left yet?’

Lee Han wondered whether to call Direte back for a moment.

---

Still, Catten’s visit was not completely pointless.

Among currently enrolled students, Catten had the most experience with the punishment room by far—a true expert.

-During vacation, you’ll be allowed short outings, junior. You have to serve labor duty, after all.

-I-I see. So it’s like that. What kind of work do we usually do?

-I’ve heard they assign according to a magician’s level. A few years ago, when Professor Verdus was imprisoned, I heard they had to repair all the broken magical facilities on campus… Considering your magical skills, junior…

-Considering?

-You might end up hunting monsters that appear in the desert on campus or under the library!

-…Thank you for your kind words.

When his visitors left, Lee Han took a moment to tidy up his cell.

He sorted the newly acquired magic books by school and arranged them alphabetically by title…

Once finished, he brewed coffee for himself and sliced, then toasted some bread.

‘Ah. I should make some for the professor as well.’

Come to think of it, it was obvious the smell of coffee and toasted bread would drift next door; Lee Han decided to serve Professor Voladi first out of courtesy.

“Professor?”

“What is it?”

“Would you care for a cup of coffee? I even sprinkled some sugar on the toast.”

Silence returned from beyond the wall.

Lee Han wondered if sugar had been a mistake.

‘At the Blue Dragon Tower it was popular, though?’

Bread toasted with butter and melted sugar was popular enough that Adenart once stole it from Gainando by force.

But taste varies from person to person, especially among professors, who were even more unreasonable.

If Professor Voladi demanded the sugar be removed, Lee Han was ready to make a new slice.

“How exactly?”

“Sorry? Uh… I just made it with some ingredients my friends gave me.”

“I meant, how are you going to give it to me, Wardanaz.”

“……”

It was only at Professor Voladi’s patient reply that Lee Han came to his senses.

Amazingly, there was no way to hand it over!

“…Jailer!! Jailer!!!”

“The jailer won’t answer, no matter how much you call.”

Professor Voladi kindly explained.

The Skull Headmaster’s minions never listened while working. No matter how many times Lee Han asked to pass food to the next room, it would be useless.

At that moment, something caught Lee Han’s eye.

It was the escape tool the Black Turtle Tower students had left behind.

“……”

Lee Han alternated glances between the escape tool and the wall to the next room.