Episode 1077
by Cristae“What brings you here?”
“…Who are you?”
“!?”
Lee Han was taken aback by the senior’s cold attitude.
Was Senior Yukveltire in disguise?
‘No, that can’t be.’
He realized he was the one in disguise. From Direte’s perspective, not knowing the Stedal identity, her surprise was natural.
“It’s me, Lee Han. Your junior from the Black Magic School.”
“……”
For a moment, Direte almost said, ‘I don’t have such a junior.’
What on earth was he doing here?
“…And what are you doing?!”
“That’s kind of a long story.”
Lee Han condensed what happened as best as he could.
He’d made up a false identity to sneak out club members, and…
“It turned out to be unexpectedly useful, which is how I ended up here.”
‘Calling that “unexpectedly useful” is an understatement…’
Despite her confusion, Direte, as befitted a fifth-year at Einrogard, focused her mind.
Though it was still hard to fully accept, she understood the main points.
Basically, her junior had created the identity Stedal Nago, and…
- He’d escaped being captured by southern pirates.
- He got rich by stealing a treasure map from those pirates.
- He actually increased his fortune during the Boneskin Flower speculation panic.
- He’d participated in evil god cultist purges.
- He’d even attacked greedy rich men in Granden City.
- And he’d robbed Professor Verdus…
‘Did my junior secretly graduate without my knowing?’
Even understanding the summary left her bewildered.
When had he done all that?
“Did you do all that… yourself?”
“Pardon? Of course not. Some are lies. People spread rumors after being tricked.”
“Ah.”
Direte sighed in relief.
And then paused.
If some were lies, that meant others were true?!
“You can use this alias if you need it someday. Want me to write up the details for you?”
“No, never mind. It’s fine. Why are you here, though?”
“I was invited.”
Lee Han explained that recently, by chance, Count Zau had invited him, and he just couldn’t refuse.
‘Why…?’
Direte was curious as to why he got the invitation, but there were too many other questions.
“Junior, tell me exactly what real things you’ve done and who you’ve made enemies with—and the people you’ve met. I’ll help you review what to be careful about…”
What worried Direte most was the enemies her junior—the identity he’d made—was making.
After causing this much stir, there’d be plenty in the Empire sticking out their necks to check him out.
Enemies weren’t always people with deadly grudges. Some would envy or suspect him, or try to trip him up.
Given Count Zau’s wide network, there’d be all sorts of people at this mansion. He needed to be careful.
“Master Nago!”
A noble spotted Lee Han from behind and greeted him with a loud voice.
“You answered the invitation! I am truly delighted! If we could hear, today, the story of bedro… no, Professor Verdus’s defeat and the treasure raid in detail…!”
“Hah. You may look forward to it.”
‘Has he gone mad?!’
Direte was aghast at her junior’s rude attitude.
This wasn’t Einrogard; what was he doing acting that way as a guest at another lord’s house?
“Ahaha! As expected of Master Nago! I look forward to it!”
Yet the noble was only pleased. Only a mage rough and wild enough to have raided Professor Verdus would act like this!
“And these are…?”
“The Einrogard Black Magic School.”
“Ah, looking for a deadly poison or curse for your enemies, I see.”
“Heh heh. Exactly.”
“……”
Direte’s eyes shouted, ‘Not exactly!’
Did he think all black mages talked about was evil stuff?
“We’ll meet inside, then!”
As soon as the noble left, Lee Han apologized.
“Sorry!”
“It’s fine. Just keep your voice down—people might hear.”
Direte sounded tired.
She was used to misperceptions about Black Magic School, and it wasn’t likely to change now.
But her junior’s overly popular fake identity bothered her more.
“Master Nago! You’re here!”
“Please, Master Nago, bless my nephew! Tell him to become a mage like yourself!”
Why is he so damn popular?
- * *
“Did you hear? That Nago family mage defeated Bibble Verdus and stole his treasure!”
“What a remarkable mage! Who knew such a hero existed in the Empire!”
“……”
Inside, Direte quickly understood why.
‘No wonder people drop their voices at the mention of Professor Verdus.’
Considering how many hold grudges but how few succeed, it made sense that her junior would become an object of envy.
“How did he possibly increase his fortune during the Boneskin Flower panic?”
“That’s what true wisdom is.”
“……”
But… was it?
Had she misjudged what was drawing the popularity?
“Tsk. Why did the Count invite such a rude fellow?”
“Come now. Stedal Nago isn’t rude; he just has strong vigilance after being caught by southern pirates. It’s proof that he’s a true battle mage.”
“Right, right! Are you claiming the Count invited the wrong man?!”
If anyone tried to nitpick or show jealousy, the room would immediately attack them.
To attend a social event with this kind of fanatics on one’s side—how rare.
‘Just what has my junior been up to…?!’
“Direte, Direte, take a look at me. Do I look all right? You guys, check too.”
Oblivious to Direte’s inner conflict, Koholt bustled up.
He needed to be spotless to apologize to Count Zau; even a speck of dust wouldn’t do.
“I’m busy. Ask the juniors to look.”
“Why are you busy? What’s going on?”
Koholt wasn’t aware who Stedal Nago was; naturally, he didn’t understand.
“See that mage?”
“Oh, the Nago family mage who increased his fortune during the Boneskin Flower panic? I was planning to ask him to invest in my research later.”
Koholt spoke cheerfully, completely unaware of who Lee Han really was.
Then, belatedly, he looked at Direte.
“You want his investment too, right! No wonder! Was that what you were discussing…?!”
“…No. Just focus on meeting the Count.”
“Yeah, okay. Nothing off about my appearance, right?”
Direte nodded, but the juniors were blunt.
“That cloak looks cheap; you’d only see that at Einrogard.”
“How about changing the bracelet? Anyone would spot you as Black Magic School at a glance…”
“I’m a fool for asking you lot. Forget it, I’ll just go!”
Koholt snapped at the juniors and turned away, wishing he could get his ice cream back.
‘Whew. Don’t be nervous.’
Count Zau’s mansion in the capital exuded quiet but sophisticated elegance.
The artifacts and furnishings in the grand hall looked decades old, but were impeccably maintained, radiating stately charm.
So few people could show such dignity without pretense.
Many nouveau riches in the Empire threw together servants and guests, but it always drew gossip, never admiration.
Koholt, knowing all this, was even more nervous. He might have been more comfortable if his host was one of those pretentious parvenus.
“L-Lord Count, it’s an honor.”
“Welcome! Are you from the Wasteland Star-Catchers?”
“Yes, yes. I’m Koholt, mage of the Wasteland Star-Catchers, graduate of Einrogard.”
“To meet a young talent serving the Empire so selflessly—such an honor.”
The kind old count meant it sincerely.
A graduate of Einrogard and a Wasteland Star-Catcher could only be a committed young man.
Who would choose such hardship?
Koholt was so moved he nearly teared up.
“Thank you! The honor is mine.”
“Is there anything this old man can help with?”
Count Zau’s insight matched his character. He could tell the young mage had something to say.
“Well, the truth is…”
Voice trembling, Koholt shared his story.
He’d made a small slip-up out of duty as a Star-Catcher…
“I wanted to apologize face to face, since it involved your house, my lord.”
“Ahh.”
The old count caught the underlying meaning and smiled.
He’d come professing apology, but the true reason was surely to seek intercession.
“I understand, I understand. Clearly, it’s my nephew’s fault. Even though the Star-Catchers warned it was dangerous, he refused to dispose of it.”
“My lord…!”
“My nephew is here as well. Let me summon him.”
The Count rang a bell for his nephew. Koholt, reassured, waited calmly.
But the nephew’s reaction was the opposite of what he’d expected.
“I refuse.”
“!!”
The old count glared angrily at his nephew.
The lad had long been troublesome, but to act up publicly like this?
“Repeat yourself!”
“Why do you always take other families’ sides, uncle! That mage broke into my house trying to destroy my property!”
“……”
Koholt was speechless.
‘Explaining “that’s just how we do it in Einrogard” probably won’t help…’
The count’s nephew glared at Koholt.
“When I asked for even half what I paid, he wouldn’t pay up!”
“Ah, well… the Star-Catchers’ budget isn’t that generous…”
“That’s true. Now apologize! A self-sacrificing servant of the Empire deserves respect!”
“Hmph!”
Even in the count’s presence, the nephew wouldn’t relent.
As if a new family crisis was about to erupt, Koholt grew anxious.
“What’s all this?”
At that moment, a gruff voice called out from behind.
It was the only mage at the gathering dressed like a wanderer—Stedal Nago.
“No—it’s nothing!”
The count’s nephew, mortified to show such behavior before someone he admired, jumped.
“Let’s talk over there! Please tell those pirate stories again!”
“To become a mage strong enough to bring Verdus to his knees, you must be bold.”
Stedal growled fiercely. The words rang out across the hall.
“If someone smashed an evil item for you, thank them boldly. If you won’t, who’ll catch Verdus with you?”
“…You’re right…!”
Nodding like a man enchanted, the count’s nephew turned to Koholt and apologized.
“Sorry. My own greed made me rude.”
“N-no, my mistake for rushing…”
Koholt gazed at Stedal with eyes full of admiration.
This mage—truly a magnificent person!