Episode 1008

Some of the mages thought as much, but none stopped what was coming.

It was inevitable.

Just as a moth will fly into the fire knowing it will burn, mages are the sort to leap into wisdom even knowing it leads to ruin.

Even if the wicked archmage Gonadaltes had once deceived them with Professor Garcia, that didn’t matter now.

If, out of petty resentment, they missed even a single mage who truly wanted to join Daylily Tower…

‘That would be unforgivable!’

Unlike small grievances, that would be a scar they’d remember for the rest of their lives.

“I heard he’s an outstanding combat mage. He supposedly took down the Ghoul King and a Sea Serpent…”

“Astonishing! …But we’re not a combat mage tower?”

The mages, impressed, were also clearly baffled.

Each tower had its own nature, defined at its founding. Daylily Tower was a haven for research mages, not magical warriors.

So why bring a combat mage as a recruit? His reputation was fine, but it just didn’t add up.

“And apparently just a second-year?”

“That’s really surprising…!”

“…But even at Einrogard, is it really okay to have a second-year subjugate a Ghoul King or Sea Serpent?”

A mage well-versed in imperial law raised the obvious concern.

No one even considered he might’ve done it as a first-year.

“His Excellency always was harsh on his disciples…”

“But this isn’t the savage ancient or dark ages. Is that alright?”

“Even in ancient times, I don’t think there was ever such a brutal assignment.”

As the conversation wandered, Eurangdam waved his pipe, interrupting.

“Such severe instruction at Einrogard is their own business, not ours.”

“My apologies.”

“You don’t think he’ll use force again, do you?”

That suggestion made the air freeze.

Logically, it was a possibility.

“N-no, after last time’s violence, he couldn’t possibly…”

“…He might, though.”

“Gawon. Why are you so quiet?”

Eurangdam questioned Gawon, a member of the tower.

Normally, this confident mage would be outspoken, but today he was unusually silent.

“It’s just… do you remember that Einrogard mage I met at last year’s symposium?”

“Oh, THAT mage?”

The others nodded knowingly.

Gawon’s tale from the symposium had been amazing.

The artificial dimension research was stunning, and the accidental summoning of a demon duke during the presentation was memorable; but the most shocking was the high praise Gawon received for his work.

-Using water element and spheres for mana filtration and amplification?

-Wasn’t that just changing the elements from the five-year-old “Otto’s Gyro Prism”?

Colleagues had found it a bit simple and had low expectations, but to their shock, it drew praise like “several times improved,” “compression and efficiency bordering on art.”

Pressed by his peers, Gawon recounted the story.

-Actually, I met an Einrogard mage by chance who gave me some advice.

-Advice?

-…I’d rather not explain.

-No, no, sorry. Do tell.

Gawon’s story was shocking.

Even if Gawon’s spell wasn’t innovative, it was incredibly complex; only the caster could interpret it.

Yet a mage he’d never seen before reduced its mana costs by a third right on the spot?

Even for an Einrogard student, that was remarkable.

“Why mention that mage?”

“I think his name was Lee Han…”

When the skeleton headmaster announced he was bringing his disciple Lee Han, the memory was triggered for Gawon.

“What? Thought he was a fourth-year? Then this year he should be a fifth-year?”

“The grades don’t line up, though?”

Sensing the contradiction, the colleagues voiced their doubts.

If he was a fourth-year last year, how could he now be in his second year?

“…Strictly speaking, he never said his grade.”

His colleagues stared at him like he was a fool, so Gawon made excuses.

“The symposium is for fourth years and up! Even a genius can only attend as a third year at best! When he said he wasn’t a third year… well, of course I figured he was a fourth!”

“……”

“……”

“I mean, it’s plausible you’d just overlook it. Still, Gawon… try to observe things more carefully.”

At Eurangdam’s words, Gawon nodded.

The other mages thought silently.

Does this mean you have to check if all Einrogard seniors are actually first-years?

Doesn’t seem likely to happen twice…

“So, let’s sum up. Not only is he an amazing battle mage, but last year, as a first-year, he finished Gawon’s spell?”

“Strictly, not finished—improved…”

“That’s as good as finished.”

“Honestly, it was finished.”

Colleagues were merciless. Even Eurangdam agreed.

“Let’s be honest: the Einrogard mage completed it.”

“……”

Gawon deflated. Meanwhile, the others were energized.

“It’s an incredible talent, not just for combat. If he joined the tower, I’d care for him myself.”

“Why are you volunteering? What claim do you have?”

“Don’t you know I have a distant cousin from Einrogard? They’re all eccentric and sensitive. They need someone like me who understands them.”

“Nonsense. You already have enough disciples. I have a vacancy.”

…In short, it became a debate over who’d get him if he joined.

Eurangdam exhaled smoke, staring up at the high ceiling of the tower.

He hadn’t even agreed to join yet, but the mages fought fiercely—he really did feel played by Lord Gonadaltes.

“Phew…”

“Master Eurangdam, what do you think? Who should mentor him?”

“Enough arguing. I’ll mentor him myself.”

“……”

“……”

The mages stared, astonished, but Eurangdam was unshaken.

A true mage pursued wisdom regardless of what others thought.

• * *

“By the way, Headmaster.”

Lee Han spoke carefully to the skeleton headmaster.

Even after resolving two of the three creditor factions, the headmaster was still grumbling.

“Not conquering the continent…”

“……”

Even after leaving the noble mansions and traveling all the way to Daylily Tower, he kept on grumbling, to the awe of even the Death Knights.

-He must really have taken it hard.

-He did show Intarendals great kindness.

“Headmaster?”

“What? Did Intarendals hide more wealth somewhere?”

“You know even if he did, I couldn’t tell you because of his will.”

“……”

So he DID hide something!

Both the headmaster and the Death Knights shivered at the thought.

That Intarendals would hold a grudge for denying his plea to conquer the continent—that pettiness was chilling.

“…Could you at least give me a clue?”

“That’s not important. The thing is, we’re nearly at the tower and you still haven’t decided on an approach.”

Lee Han had his reasons.

The first two creditors were solved by luck, but he had zero plan for the last.

The headmaster had boasted, ‘Don’t worry, anyone fooled by Professor Garcia can be fooled again,’ but from Lee Han’s perspective, that seemed naive.

‘If you’ve been fooled once, aren’t you LESS likely to be fooled again?’

“I told you. All you have to do is introduce yourself calmly, and the mages will be moved to tears…”

“Oh, come on. Be serious.”

Lee Han snapped, annoyed by the nonsense.

“You could at least give me a script.”

“You are truly faithless.”

The headmaster sighed as if heartbroken at the lack of trust.

“Oh, fine. Here’s what you do. When you arrive at the tower doors, knock and say this.”

“‘I’m from Einrogard?’”

“No. Tell them a second-year who has learned a Small World is here.”

“……”

Even the world’s most embarrassing introduction couldn’t be that bad. Lee Han flatly refused.

“No.”

“Then how about saying you contracted with Arna, or the Thunder King?”

“I’ll just say I’m from Einrogard.”

“You’ll have to tell them eventually anyway.”

The headmaster sniped, but Lee Han ignored him.

He’d reveal it later if needed, but he wasn’t introducing himself like that at the door.

‘At least now I know what topics impress these mages.’

Clearly, things like Small World magic or Spirit King contracts would go over well in this tower.

Lee Han resolved to bring those up when meeting the mages.

…He felt a little bad bragging about accomplishments to a tower he didn’t actually intend to join, though..!

“Your Excellency, you’re here?”

Mages from the tower, having spotted the Death Knights’ carriage, hurried over even before the main doors opened.

The headmaster prepared to make a grand declaration.

“Here is a mage who has learned a Small Worl—”

Lee Han, halfway out the carriage, ducked right back in. The Death Knights offered awkward apologies.

-Sorry. We wanted to stop him, but…

“Thank you, anyway.”

But the headmaster never finished his declaration.

As soon as the tower mages saw Lee Han in the carriage, they began to weep openly in delight.

‘I haven’t said a word yet?’

Even the headmaster hadn’t expected that.

He thought the mages would shed tears and faint after he revealed the Small World stuff, not before.

“Did someone tip them off?”

-Why would we do that, master?

“True.”

The headmaster dropped his suspicion.

The Death Knights might betray him sometimes, but not like this.

“We’ve been waiting! You must have suffered so much! Allow me to personally show you the tower.”

“No, I…”

“Won’t you let go first?”

“No, you let go!”

Daylily Tower wasn’t a combat mage house, but that didn’t mean mages didn’t quarrel.

Watching frail mages stumble over each other, grabbing at each other’s collars, the headmaster seemed disgusted at the absurd spectacle.

If they fought with magic, fine—what was this embarrassing display?

“Worse than with Professor Garcia. Settle them down.”

-But, master.

“?”

-If they’re already like this before you even mention the Small World, what will they do if you bring it up…?

“Hm.”

The headmaster hesitated at the knights’ wise counsel.

This was totally unexpected, and he suddenly worried.

“Maybe just talk about fifth circle magic?”

-Even that might be too much.