Episode 1123

Episode 1123

The Blue Dragon Tower students scattered like an ebbing tide. As Lee Han clucked his tongue while watching their backs, a paper bird flew in from outside the window.

Come to the Headmaster’s office immediately!

-Gonadaltes

“……”

Power was sweet, but it was always dangerous.

Lee Han found himself reminded of that fact.

---

-So why are you taking me along?

The hamster squeaked from within his cage, puzzled.

The boy who had left him unattended in the necromancy tower basement for so long had suddenly picked up the cage in one hand and brought him back out.

Lee Han smiled gently as he answered.

“No matter how busy I was, it feels like I took it too far. So I thought you should at least get some fresh air outside.”

-Hmph! Now you do this.

The hamster, though secretly pleased, squeaked brusquely. And felt a wave of self-disgust at the same time.

…To be a wizard and yet feel happy about going for a walk outside!

‘…I have to get out as soon as possible!’

He was even starting to worry that he’d end up a real pet at this rate.

-Have you arrived?

The death knights greeted Lee Han from a distance.

Feeling somewhat guilty, Lee Han furtively glanced around.

‘Hopefully there aren’t any traps or ambushes waiting.’

Currently, Uman was once again moving about busily, thanks to Lee Han’s advice.

If the skeleton headmaster made a surprise attack, it wouldn’t be easy for him to get here right away. Lee Han slightly regretted not bringing him along.

You’re here? Sit down.

The floating skull gestured for Lee Han to sit. Lee Han meekly obeyed, feeling guilty about his misdeeds.

But then…

“?”

What’s with that thing?

“Ah.”

It was only then that the hamster realized the truth and glared at Lee Han with eyes full of accusation and resentment.

He’d said he would take him out for a walk, only to bring him to the lair of a grand magician?!

The intention was both wicked and obvious. Wasn’t this just using him as a decoy in case of emergency?

“It’s nothing. He’s just mad because he hasn’t gotten a walk lately.”

“Calling that a walk. He should be grateful we saved his life.”

The Headmaster looked at the hamster with a mocking gaze.

Under that chilling look, the hamster couldn’t dare lift his head. He knew all too well how cold-blooded this man was.

That mage boy in front of him could grumble only because he was a disciple. For an outsider, especially a former magical criminal, to behave like that would have unimaginable consequences.

“Headmaster, I assure you, I only offered some advice…”

We raided the Sengiros cult hideouts you gave us. Most were abandoned, but there were a few results.

“…Ah!”

Lee Han finally recalled his earlier report.

He had relayed to the Headmaster the cultist information General Hwacheon had given him.

‘So that’s why I was called.’

Relieved, Lee Han realized that the skeleton head was a responsible adult who cared about Uman. He wouldn’t be angry over a little “advice.”

Advice, you say?

“Nothing.”

Right. Got it, Batdanaz. Anyway, as for the results…

“…Wait, did you just call me Batdanaz?”

No? Wardanaz. What are you talking about?

The Headmaster blinked his eye sockets, acting as if he had no idea. Lee Han felt suspicious but let it go for now.

“What sort of results?”

We discovered they’re highly motivated. They’re about to make a move.

As soon as he got the report, the Headmaster had mobilized the death knights and local forces to raid the old shrines.

That kind of work is best done quickly.

The cultists, caught off guard, were unable to mount a proper defense and were forced to abandon their old shrines in tears.

Though much information was destroyed in the battle, skilled mages and knights were able to glean a lot from the traces left behind.

The areas, cities, and some plans currently targeted by the Sengiros cult, as well as individuals of interest…

They probably destroyed their plans, but the areas and cities they’re paying attention to are still valuable.

“That’s good news.”

No, not really. One of the individuals on their list of interest is you.

“…WHAT?!?!”

Lee Han was truly shocked.

At the same time, he wondered:

‘Do the cultists actually share information with each other??’

If the Phragal or Kshaksarigol cults had spread rumors about him, it would make sense for the Sengiros cultists to be wary of Lee Han.

After all, he’d interfered in their business several times. Especially with the Phragal cult, who definitely had a grudge.

But Lee Han felt it was unfair, too.

‘It’s not like I tried to get in their way on purpose. These bastards.’

What was he supposed to do—everywhere he went, trouble just happened.

Still, he couldn’t just sit quietly and offer them his neck.

Don’t be so scared yet. They aren’t actually planning your assassination or anything.

The Headmaster calmly explained.

If the cultists were seriously planning an assassination, even the Headmaster himself would have been surprised.

There were still plenty of people in the empire those lunatics bore grudges against; why bother targeting a mere fledgling?

The Sengiros cultists’ list with Wardanaz’s name on it was not a list of people to kill.

Strictly, it was a list of people worth trying to recruit or brainwash.

“……”

Of current students, you’re the only one. Congratulations.

“Wow… thank you.”

Lee Han answered in a faintly bitter voice.

Not even the fifth- or sixth-year students made that list, but he did.

It was more baffling than pleasing.

“Any idea why?”

Who knows? As I’ve said, it’s hard to read the mind of a lunatic… Maybe it’s because you defeated the Ghoul King.

“I see…”

Or the King of the Frost Giants. Or maybe you beat anti-magic fanatics or magical criminals.

“Understood.”

Lee Han answered, not wanting to hear more.

He’d understood more than enough already. There were so many reasons, it was hard to guess which it was.

Maybe it’s because you’re contracted to a dragon. Or maybe…

“I said I understand?”

Why are you annoyed when I’m explaining for you?

The Headmaster seemed to be using the opportunity to vent pent-up resentment, purposely listing each and every possible reason for Lee Han.

“…So what should I do from now on?”

Nothing.

“Excuse me?”

Nothing! Trying to act in situations like this is even more dangerous.

The Headmaster wasn’t joking.

Those lunatics placed a very high value on Wardanaz. Not that it was hard to understand.

He already had several rare titles hanging off him like medals.

The more unusual things were, the more they needed to be treated as normal. If you tried to provoke or boldly confront the enemy, it might cause the opposite of what you intended.

Act as if you know nothing, just behave as usual. Batdanaz. I wasn’t even going to tell you this, but… knowing your personality, if I don’t, you’ll get into even more trouble. It’s safer to just warn you.

“…You definitely called me Batdanaz this time.”

This time, Lee Han was sure. He was speechless.

Hamster. You say something. Did I call him Batdanaz just now?

-N… No, you didn’t.

See that? Didn’t do it.

‘How petty can a grand magician get?’

Lee Han marveled at how petty the Headmaster could be.

Did the cultists out for revenge against the Headmaster even know how childish their nemesis truly was?

Cursing the Headmaster inwardly, Lee Han decided to pause and ask the next important question.

“Headmaster. By the way, does Professor Baegrek know about this too?”

No. I haven’t told him yet.

“…Then is it okay if I tell him?”

Hmm.

Amazingly, the Headmaster fell into deep thought instead of answering right away. It was an uncharacteristically hesitant move for the normally brisk magus.

You decide.

“Excuse me?”

I mean, you judge for yourself. If you think Professor Voladi will stay calm after hearing this, tell him; if not, don’t.

“What the…”

Lee Han, flustered, was about to complain when he realized the Headmaster was serious.

To be honest, I’m still on the fence about Professor Voladi. That’s why I considered just leaving him out. In the end, I brought him in, but… Anyway, it might be better coming from you than me. As crazy as it sounds, sometimes people ignore even their mentor but listen to their student.

“I think you’d be better at dealing with Professor Voladi than me, Headmaster.”

Lee Han was honestly not confident.

If he reported, “Professor! I’m on the cultists’ recruitment list!” to Professor Voladi, what would happen?

He certainly wouldn’t be proud. He’d either nod stoically or suggest a pre-emptive strike—one or the other.

But the Headmaster looked exasperated and would allow no further argument.

I trust you. You trust yourself too, Batdanaz. With your wits, you’ll figure it out.

“…If you keep calling me Batdanaz, I’ll file a report to the inspector.”

---

‘Why is Wardanaz staring like that?’

Professor Kirmin Ku, teaching the third-year second-semester course, -Basics of Spiritual Double Usage-, was puzzled.

Of course, this class was not particularly easy.

Many mages could create simple doubles, but few could make truly high-level ones.

Using elemental power or a simple illusion to create a fake copy was easy enough.

But making a double behave authentically and have texture was a different matter.

To do so, the mage first had to recognize his own soul and then learn to separate or split it at will.

…But today’s lecture was only about the basic theory of the soul.

‘Didn’t Wardanaz already sense his soul last semester?’

Wondering if he was mistaken, he glanced back, but found Wardanaz still staring intently.

His eyes brimmed with deep thought.

After pondering, Professor Kirmin called on Lee Han.

“Wardanaz.”

“Yes?”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“Really?!”

Lee Han was surprised.

Had the Headmaster secretly told him?

Come to think of it, Professor Voladi didn’t seem to have many friends. That’s being generous—he might not have any besides this professor right in front of him.

“You must be concentrating to cast a spirit double right away, right? But I wouldn’t recommend it. Even recognizing the soul is hard, and dividing or separating it at will is even harder.”

Professor Kirmin explained kindly.

The illusion magic school was one of the few in Einrogard where the professors were nice. Nothing compared to the schools of enchantment or healing magic.

If it had been Professor Verdus, he would have shoved Lee Han to try it immediately, but Professor Kirmin did not.

After all, the goal of this course was not casting, but laying a foundation.

“No, that’s not it.”

“It’s not?”

Professor Kirmin was a little flustered.

With his outstanding illusion magic skills and innate racial abilities, this professor almost never failed to read people.

But this boy was different. His immense magical power acted like anti-magic armor in and of itself.

“Then what’s weighing on your mind?”

“Professor. By any chance…”

“Go on, speak comfortably, Wardanaz.”

“Is there any way to know what Professor Baegrek is thinking?”

“…That’s maybe a little too comfortable, Wardanaz. Just concentrate on the lecture!”

Professor Kirmin admonished, half-amused. His earlier concern felt entirely unwarranted.