Episode 210

A massive black circle spread out from the skeleton principal.

The world inside that black circle transformed into a space completely different from the world outside.

A separate space that rejected the order of the world, where the sun rises and sets, and the moon waxes and wanes.

‘Personal World!’

Imperial magic was commonly classified by circles.

Circle magic, which assigned numbers based on the number of steps required for a mage to cast a spell, was widely used throughout the vast Empire due to its convenience.

One feature of circle magic was that a spell created by one mage could be used by another.

In a way, it was truly amazing.

Magic was an act of shaking the order of the world with a mage’s will.

Each person’s mental image and sensibility were different, yet they could use each other’s magic.

It was possible because there were shared principles and rules.

However, there were spells outside the rules of circle magic.

Magic that only the mage who created it could use.

Magic that expanded the mage’s own mental image to create a separate world.

In the Empire, this was called a Personal World.

Lee Han couldn’t help but shudder at the sight of the skeleton principal, who rewrote the world’s order as he wished instead of merely twisting it.

‘Amazing…!’

Of course, the purpose was just to pick a fight at someone else’s tower, but the level of the magic was so far beyond imagination that he forgot even that purpose.

Flap!

A bird flying into the world was immediately turned into an undead. The bird didn’t even realize it had become undead and kept flying.

The plants growing in the mountain range below also transformed into bizarre forms.

As all beings within the domain abandoned their painful lives and accepted peaceful death, the skeleton principal smiled.

It was always a beautiful sight of nirvana.

…Wait. Why are you still the same?

“Pardon?”

The skeleton principal was startled to see Lee Han, who was still sitting in the carriage.

All living things in the domain had become undead, but Lee Han alone was staring blankly at the skeleton principal.

“Didn’t you exclude me on purpose, Principal?”

Why would I? The experience of becoming undead is so instructive.

“……”

Lee Han almost felt grateful for the skeleton principal’s thoughtfulness, but then put on a serious face.

So much damn mana.

The skeleton principal quickly realized the reason.

Because it was a power that changed the world, when the amount of mana increased, it often created unpredictable situations even for mages.

Just like the boy from the Wardanaz Family right now.

The rules of the world were changing, but he was just sitting there with a “Did something happen?” look on his face. It was absurd.

“Having a lot of mana isn’t my fault…”

Quiet. The illusion mages are coming.

The skeleton principal pointed ahead.

The door of the towering tower opened, and mages rushed out with bewildered expressions.

• * *

In the Empire, mages who were renowned, skilled, and sociable often formed groups or clubs to interact with each other.

The study of magic was so vast that even geniuses found it hard to master. Having trustworthy comrades was a rare comfort.

Ogonin’s illusion mage club, Dream Mirage, was a group composed of various mages with Ogonin at the center.

From beginners who had just set foot in illusion magic, to skilled practitioners, and even highly competent and respected illusion mages who published papers in the Imperial Academy—the group was diverse.

Their commonality was their respect for Ogonin!

Ogonin had developed various illusion magics for the Empire’s illusion mages since his youth and paved the way for them.

No junior illusion mage could help but respect him.

When Ogonin said this, the illusion mages were shocked.

—I tried to steal Gonadaltes’s treasure and failed… I’m sorry, everyone. I’ve sullied your reputations as well.

—No! It was Lord Gonadaltes’s provocation that was wrong.

—If you bought it at auction, it’s yours. How could he insult you like that!

—It’s not your fault, Lord Ogonin!

—That’s not the point. Retaliation may come soon, so everyone should avoid visiting this tower or coming nearby.

—You’re worrying too much. No matter how mischievous and playful Lord Gonadaltes is, he’s an honorable Imperial archmage, the Emperor’s Mage Commander, and the headmaster of Einrogard. He wouldn’t take such petty revenge, would he?

—That’s right. He knows he was childish to insult you first, so he’ll just let it go.

—…You don’t know Gonadaltes very well.

The illusion mages couldn’t understand.

Would an archmage like Gonadaltes really take revenge for every little quarrel?

That would be…

Too petty, wouldn’t it?

Guhahahahahahahaha!

“……”

“……”

But those thoughts vanished when they saw the skeleton floating in the air, bursting into laughter.

The illusion mages, suddenly turned into undead, were flustered by the awkward sensation of their bodies and protested.

“Lord Gonadaltes! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Why are you here?!”

I only used magic to teach you mages a lesson.

‘So shameless.’

Lee Han bowed his head in the carriage. He didn’t want the illusion mages below to recognize him as the skeleton principal’s student.

Regardless, the skeleton principal spoke confidently.

How is it? Isn’t it beautiful?

“Ah… It is beautiful, but…”

“Please undo the magic!”

The illusion mages clacked their skulls together in protest.

Of course, this Personal World magic was so beautiful it could make you lose your mind, but it was a different story when it happened to you.

Would you accept it if you yourself had become undead?

Tell Ogonin to come out quickly. He didn’t cooperate with my research, came to my festival and set fires. Festival disruptor, firework destroyer, relic thief Ogonin! Come out now!

The skeleton principal was skilled at giving people humiliating titles.

Before long, Ogonin hurriedly ran out of the tower.

“What is this… Lord Gonadaltes. I was at fault, so why are you tormenting the other mages?!”

Then why did you torment my fireworks, my festival, and my students when I was at fault?

‘Strictly speaking, he actually saved the students.’

If Ogonin hadn’t set the fire, the students would have had to run around dodging the burning fireworks.

But Ogonin was too naive to argue that.

“S-sorry. I apologize.”

Hmph. Will a ruined festival and wounded students’ hearts return just because you apologize? Take this.

The skeleton principal threw the wrapped book.

It was rude to give a book for beginners as a gift, but Ogonin was so flustered he just accepted it gratefully.

“Thank you for the gift.”

……

The skeleton principal seemed a little disappointed by that reaction.

Hey. Come out.

“……”

Are you pretending not to hear me?

“Of course not.”

Lee Han opened the carriage door slowly, with the expression of someone doing the thing they least wanted to do in the world.

All the illusion mages gathered below fixed their eyes on Lee Han.

“You’re…”

Ogonin recognized Lee Han’s face.

Wasn’t he the first-year student who had brought him despair before?

I brought my young, inexperienced, and unskilled student here. I wanted to see how he would fare against your disciples.

“No… Principal.”

Lee Han put on a serious face.

He thought the skeleton principal would sneak in, set a little fire, and maybe steal a treasure, but this was different.

This wasn’t just dipping a toe in; this was plunging in headfirst!

And aside from that, this was a very dangerous match.

How was Lee Han supposed to defeat those veteran illusion mages?

“I’m not confident.”

Really? I am.

“……”

The skeleton principal was already certain.

That boy from the Wardanaz Family was the nemesis of all illusion mages.

Illusion magic was divided into spells cast directly on the opponent and spells cast on the surroundings.

The former had far more advanced and powerful techniques.

The more skilled a mage became, the more adept they became at illusions and deceptions, so direct spells became almost essential.

But what if all those techniques were broken by some unknown mage?

And what if that mage was a first-year student?

I’m already so happy.

The skeleton principal beamed.

The innocent illusion mages, unaware of such evil intentions, stepped forward with high spirits.

“Very well! We may not be so shameless or arrogant as to call ourselves Lord Ogonin’s disciples, but we are not so generous as to let a challenger who came to Ogonin’s tower go untested. We will dare to test our skills.”

“No… wait…”

Ogonin tried to stop the illusion mages in a panic.

Having already experienced Lee Han’s unusual constitution at the magic school, he knew what to expect.

“It’s alright! Lord Ogonin! Trust us.”

“Our skills may be inferior to yours, but we will never lose.”

‘That Ogonin may lack skill, but he sure has a good reputation.’

Lee Han thought to himself.

If the illusion mages had heard, they would have wanted to grab him by the collar.

That’s right! Ogonin! Surely you don’t distrust the mages who gathered for your sake? Surely?

Ogonin really wanted to punch the skeleton principal.

If only he’d keep his mouth shut…

“…Alright. Everyone, come in.”

Ogonin’s shoulders looked especially narrow as he opened the tower door and went inside.

• * *

Among the illusion mages in the tower, Klvik stepped forward first.

Klvik.

He didn’t admit it himself, but if anyone had to pick the most passionate and energetic of Ogonin’s disciples, it would be Klvik.

That’s how indignant Klvik was at the skeleton principal’s rude and arrogant proposal.

No matter how much you look down on us!

“Did you hear? He’s a first-year student. First-year! Even if Einrogard is the cradle of the Empire’s geniuses, isn’t this too much?”

“I agree.”

“Maybe that’s what they’re aiming for?”

“What?”

“Think about it. Of course a first-year would lose. Then they’ll laugh at us for going all out against a first-year.”

Not knowing about Lee Han’s constitution, the illusion mages could only interpret the skeleton principal’s proposal in another way.

Otherwise, there was no reason for that cunning archmage to make the offer first.

“I see… Don’t worry. It would be shameful to go all out against a first-year. I’ll just subdue him lightly and come back.”

“I trust you!”

Klvik stepped forward.

On one side of the wide hall’s corridor stood Lee Han.

On the other, the tower’s illusion mages.

And in the middle stood the skeleton principal and Ogonin.

The rules are simple. The tower’s mages use only illusion magic, while my student can use any other magic to subdue them.

It was a rule favorable to Lee Han, but none of the illusion mages complained.

Considering he was a first-year, it would have been fair to tie their arms and blindfold them.

Klvik suddenly felt sympathy for Lee Han.

A first-year student, dragged alone into enemy territory, his face stiff with tension.

‘I respected Lord Gonadaltes, but to think he’d be so ruthless! This is too much for a young talent!’

Begin!

At that moment, Klvik saw it.

The boy before his eyes moved with insane speed!