Episode 1203

Are you alright?

The skeletal headmaster asked in puzzlement.

He had expected Professor Garcia to have an intense reaction upon reading the letter, no matter what it contained.

If it said they’d be back soon…

-If you’re coming, just come! Don’t send such an obvious letter!

If it said they’d be late because of unexpected events…

-I knew it! Things could go wrong, and yet you brought Student Lee Han along!

No matter the content, Professor Garcia would burst with anger, and a few pieces of furniture or equipment nearby were sure to get smashed.

However, Professor Garcia’s reaction was unexpected. With wide eyes, he simply reread the letter.

The sight made the skeletal headmaster worry for no reason.

Did Professor Voladi kill an innocent person or something? Let me see.

After snatching the letter, the skeletal headmaster understood why Professor Garcia was so frozen.

An evil god had spoken to them.

That was serious. They’d have to organize a subjugation force to bring the thing down. He ordered a message sent out.

Leaving the stunned Garcia alone, the skeletal headmaster issued orders to the knights.

A corrupted evil god had to be dealt with as quickly as possible. He planned to strike before the thing became any wiser and more mature.

“I’ll join too!”

You? Why bother…

The skeletal headmaster responded with a reluctant tone to Professor Garcia’s words.

Many people in the empire were intimidated by Garcia’s appearance, but the headmaster knew it was a misunderstanding.

Why would a mage so poor at violence want to join the subjugation party?

“Lee Han is going. Why shouldn’t I be able to go too?”

It doesn’t say Wardanaz is joining anywhere here… well, he probably will.

The headmaster was convinced by the logic.

Professor Voladi would definitely join the force, and so Wardanaz and Professor Kirmin would of course go with him.

Now that Wardanaz had polished his basics as a mage, there was no reason to forcibly stop him. He could at least pull his own weight even if he tagged along.

And thinking of the ones who sent the letter, it might actually be advantageous for Wardanaz to come…

‘He’ll probably be more motivated this way.’

Alright. It’s time for you to grow as well.

-No need to grow that far…

One of the knights muttered quietly.

Overcoming aversion to violence completely—no one could quite imagine Professor Garcia actually accomplishing that.

---

“Master.”

When Lee Han visited, the young prince staying in the basement greeted him warmly.

-It’s been a while, my student. Did you leave that rodent behind?

“Haha. I’m letting him get some exercise outside.”

Lee Han defended Hamster.

If he said that Hamster had insisted on coming, this young prince probably wouldn’t let it slide.

He was kind to his disciples, but to outsiders—especially villains—this prince was extremely stern.

-Has something else happened?

“Yes.”

The young prince gestured from inside the painting, inviting Lee Han to speak. Lee Han relayed the shocking events that had transpired.

-A corrupted evil god, huh. Not impossible. Student, do you remember the Black Casket?

Ancient magic that deals with artificial demigods.

The coffin that sealed those demigods was the Black Casket itself.

“Certainly…”

-Depending on how a mage handles it, one can even imbue divinity with ego and will. There’s nothing impossible about a corrupted evil god’s awakening.

Even in facing an evil god, the young prince was not at all overwhelmed.

A divine being, yes, but little more than a dimwit wielding power without even being fully aware.

With a mage’s wisdom, one could annihilate them forever.

-In some ways, you could say you’re lucky. You can now erase it completely.

“Ah. Hamster told me.”

-Did he?

The young prince made a note to someday make Hamster pay for that.

To dare to advise his student first…

“What actually concerns me is something else. Maybe it’s just the evil god putting on airs, but…”

As someone who directly spoke with the evil god, Lee Han remembered even the petty words the entity had spoken.

The evil god had laughed that even the magical criminal, Hamster, and the mage above were afraid of him.

He could understand the criminal or Hamster fearing an evil god.

But Professor Voladi?

-Well, it could be bravado, but honestly I think it’s more likely not.

“Could it be that not Professor Baegrek, but Professor Ku is the one who was scared?”

Had Professor Kirmin been there, he would have glared, calling it ungrateful.

The young prince slowly shook his head.

-If he went out of his way to mention someone who wasn’t there, it’s likely they’ve had bad blood in the past. Most likely Voladi, my student. Student, are you thinking this: if Professor Voladi is afraid, shouldn’t he stay out of the subjugation party?

“Ah. Yes. If we ambushed him with Professor Ku while he’s off guard, couldn’t we lock him in Einrogard somehow?”

If Voladi chose to sit out, there would be little reason for Lee Han or Professor Kirmin to participate.

They could just leave it to the headmaster and wait for the result.

Instead of criticizing his student for showing zero respect for his teacher, the young prince persuaded him gently.

-That’s a clever approach, too. But I’d like you to trust a bit more. Anyone can feel fear. What matters is how you overcome it.

The young prince’s words made Lee Han falter.

It was textbook advice, but he couldn’t really picture Professor Voladi being afraid of something.

“But the opponent is strong and very dangerous. Is it okay to act without having overcome that fear?”

-Just waiting doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll conquer fear. Sometimes you have to move to overcome it. I believe Professor Voladi can, especially with such dependable people beside him.

“I’m not sure about me, but it’s true. Even someone like Professor Ku put off his own work just to come along…”

-I was talking about myself and you, but fine, you can count Professor Ku as well.

The young prince said, pretending to be generous.

The dependable people the prince meant were himself, Lee Han, and people like Professor Garcia.

-By the way, since you’re joining the subjugation force, I can’t just send you empty-handed. Please take this.

Paint seemed to ripple in the picture, rising up and transforming into an energy current that flew toward Lee Han.

Into the empty space in the behemoth bone necklace he always wore.

-With this, I’ll be able to help you from outside as well.

“But Master, you always said that wasn’t possible?”

Lee Han asked, puzzled.

Currently, the young prince existed by borrowing a precarious, unique magical force that was hard to sustain.

In such a sealed room, yes, but using magic freely outside was difficult.

-Student, I think you sometimes forget my status. I’ve inherited the full tradition of ancient magics, and I’ve broken the staves of countless wicked sorcerers across the continent. This is nothing for me.

“Incredible. So what spell did you use?”

-…A spell you don’t know.

“Could you at least tell me the name…?”

-Somebody’s calling you from outside. Seems the subjugation team has arrived.

“Ah. I’ll see you next time, then.”

Once Lee Han left, the young prince let out a faint sigh.

Having a smart student wasn’t always a good thing.

It made even lying so much harder…

---

“Headmaster, you’re here?”

Lee Han ran out to greet them.

The human mind was truly amazing. Struggle a bit outside, and you start missing Einrogard.

He never thought he’d actually feel happy to see the headmaster after battling evil god worshippers…

Glad to see you, disciple of Osu.

“……”

Lee Han immediately put on a deadpan face at the unexpected person.

Waiting outside wasn’t the headmaster, but an imposing, immense yaksha clad in reddish-gold armor and helmet.

It was the Yaksha King himself.

-To mobilize the Yaksha King… Gonadaltes really is… terrifying!

Hamster trembled. Facing such a strong force with his magic sealed and his inferior body built for this was overwhelming.

The golden, wise eyes of the Yaksha King could pierce deep into the soul of all evil beings the moment they met.

“Is the headmaster not coming?”

To Lee Han, the Yaksha King wasn’t a dimensional heavyweight—just a bizarre madman who made life more difficult each time they met.

Looking for your master as soon as we meet? I get it. When you cursed Osu before, it was because you didn’t want to admit how much you admire your teacher.

“……”

Meeting him, Lee Han was vividly reminded why he didn’t like the Yaksha King.

This is why I hate him!

Rather than have his mind churned up by a conversation with the Yaksha King, Lee Han decided to switch conversation partners.

“Professor, isn’t the headmaster coming?”

Disciple of Osu. I know you want to see your master, but the commander of this subjugation force will be me, the Yaksha King.

Perhaps reading the deep anguish on his disciple’s face, Professor Kirmin carefully explained.

“The headmaster doesn’t directly take part in every matter, Wardanaz.”

“…Of course. Now that I think about it, not sure why I thought otherwise.”

Lee Han reflected deeply.

He really should have expected this.

The skeletal headmaster wasn’t one to leave his post easily, and if there was going to be a fight against a dimensional power, a heavyweight like the Yaksha King was the most likely candidate.

-Nice to meet you.

Behind the Yaksha King, another familiar figure appeared.

And just like the Yaksha King, someone else who drove Lee Han up the wall.

“…Apazragon!”

Lee Han gnashed his teeth at the angel.

If that dumb angel hadn’t lost the dimension only to Professor Voladi…

-O King of Wisdom, thank you for giving me the chance.

I, the Yaksha King, am always a ruler who offers advice to those who seek wisdom—no need for thanks.

“……”

Lee Han already felt dizzy.

Watching the Yaksha King and Apazragon compliment each other like that made his chest tighten.

“Apazragon… Why did that angel join the subjugation team?”

-To gain enlightenment by walking the path of ancient mages.

Disciple of Osu. Even if someone else walks the same path, do not let it breed jealousy or hindrance. Emotions like those serve no purpose in the search for truth.

Lee Han immediately regretted his question.

Why did I ask?

You cannot leave a self-aware evil god alone. Disciple of Osu, I expect great things from you this time.

“I’ll go over there to prepare some magic… I don’t know which yet, but anyway, some magic.”

Feeling that if he stayed longer, he’d end up attacking someone, Lee Han quickly withdrew.

At that moment, light flickered in midair, space distorted, and a dimensional rift appeared.

The Death Knights and Professor Garcia arrived.

“Ah, Professor.”

“Student Lee Han! Where’s Professor Ku?”

“…May I ask why you’re asking?”

Lee Han flinched at the faint murderous intent he sensed from Professor Garcia.