Episode 141

A stranger appeared for the first time, but Lee Han reacted immediately. He bowed at the waist with disciplined grace.

It was largely because he had already known that guests from outside would be visiting the school this week.

‘A magician from outside, I suppose.’

“Hello.”

“Do you know who I am?”

The old mage looked puzzled.

Despite the fame carried by the name Yumidihus, very few people recognized the old mage’s face.

Outwardly, she looked like a kind grandmother, so there was no particular reason to show such formal respect.

“I do not. But since you are a guest from outside, shouldn’t I show proper manners?”

“…For a talented magician, you are very polite!”

Yumidihus was surprised.

Usually, a magician’s personality was inversely proportional to their talent.

Unfortunately, the more talented they were, the more arrogant and conceited they became.

With the boy before her, she would not have been surprised if he had spat beside her upon meeting and said, “And who are you?” or something like that.

Besides, wasn’t he from the Wardanaz family, learning from Voladi Bagrek?

Naturally, she expected him to be arrogant and eccentric…

Yumidihus was fascinated by Lee Han’s unbelievably polite demeanor, so different than she expected.

‘How does such a student end up under Voladi Bagrek?’

“To think you defeated a Nachal Maw. Were you not surprised?”

“I was surprised, but I judged that if I made good use of the magic I’ve learned so far, I could handle it.”

Lee Han gave a textbook answer.

Because he didn’t know the other person’s identity, he had to be as careful as possible.

Of course, this was a guest from outside, but he had no way of knowing what kind of relationship they had with the skeleton headmaster or Professor Voladi.

No amount of caution would be enough.

“Were you not angry at Voladi Bagrek for preparing such a trial?”

Yumidihus found it strangest that Lee Han remained so calm and composed.

Nachal Maw was a sudden occurrence even Professor Voladi Bagrek hadn’t predicted.

It was supposed to stay deeper in the dungeon, but somehow made its way up.

A young magician should have been angry.

One as talented and arrogant as this boy should have been even more so.

Yet Lee Han was not reckless.

‘He must be personally acquainted with Professor Voladi!’

He didn’t call him “professor,” so it was clear they knew each other privately. Lee Han exercised patience once more.

“No. Professor prepared this to teach me. There is no reason for me to be angry.”

“Oh my!”

The old mage gasped.

‘How did such an outstanding student end up under Voladi Bagrek?’

Usually, magicians had talent or character, but never both. To her surprise, this boy had them both.

He was even patient enough not to complain about Voladi Bagrek’s personality.

“Truly amazing.”

‘Looks like I passed.’

Seeing the other satisfied, Lee Han nodded.

Professor Voladi and Professor Garcia showed up from downstairs belatedly. Professor Garcia called out in a worried voice.

“Are you all right, Lee Han? Of all things, to run into a Nachal Maw…”

If there hadn’t been others around, she might have joined Lee Han in criticizing Professor Voladi, but there were too many eyes watching.

Lee Han answered with studied formality again.

“I’m all right, Professor. Professor Voladi planned and prepared everything.”

“The Nachal Maw wasn’t prepared in advance. It came up from below, Lee Han.”

“…Ah.”

It was only then that Lee Han realized.

No wonder his magic hadn’t worked on it!

Even though curses were on the tip of his tongue, Lee Han maintained his neutral facial muscles and answered.

“I’m all right, Professor. On the contrary, it became a good opportunity for me.”

“Lee Han…”

Not knowing Lee Han’s true feelings, Professor Garcia sympathized with him.

At times like this, it was okay to be angry, but Lee Han was such a good person that it seemed sad instead.

“By the way, this is Yumidihus. I’m sure you’ve heard the name?”

“!”

Lee Han had heard the name Yumidihus before, too. Wasn’t she a famous water element magician in the empire?

Lee Han bowed once more.

“It is an honor to meet you, Yumidihus.”

“To show such respect for a not-so-great name embarrasses me even more.”

“Not at all, Yumidihus.”

“You made a water orb rotate, didn’t you?”

Lee Han nodded at the old mage’s question.

“It was not perfect.”

“If you’d completed the rotation, the other magicians here would have been so ashamed they’d have snapped their staffs. Even what you did was impressive enough.”

Yumidihus fell into thought for a moment and then spoke.

“I’ll be staying a few more days—are you interested in receiving a little instruction?”

“!”

Neither Professor Voladi nor Yumidihus showed any major change in expression, but Professor Garcia was visibly startled alone.

Yumidihus offering instruction was by no means a light thing.

Most magicians could kneel and beg for several days and still receive no instruction from Yumidihus.

Only magicians with gem-like talent ever caught Yumidihus’s eye enough to get a bit of instruction—Professor Voladi among them.

Even then, it was always when the prospective student sought out instruction first.

Yet here was this old mage volunteering to teach a mere freshman without any accomplishments.

Professor Garcia could hardly believe it. That Professor Voladi stood there with zero reaction only made her more frustrated.

‘Take it, Lee Han! This is a rare opportunity!’

“Thank you, but…”

“?!”

When Lee Han hesitated, Professor Garcia was beside herself with frustration.

“Is there any reason you’d refuse?”

Yumidihus asked, curious. She couldn’t imagine any reason to turn down the offer.

“Since I’m learning from Professor Voladi, it wouldn’t be proper to accept instruction from someone else without permission.”

Lee Han was being cautious.

Professors were more petty than most might think. If he said “Yes, I’ll learn” right in front of him, he could be penalized in grades later.

Though it didn’t seem like Voladi would be that kind, one could never know in this world.

Better safe than sorry.

“Hah!”

Yumidihus gave another exclamation, even longer than before.

“That’s how it is, but… truly, life is unfair…”

People say good fortune follows those who live kindly, but that is a lie.

Otherwise, how could a student of such character end up under the likes of Voladi Bagrek?

Yumidihus sincerely thought so.

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. You are truly a polite child.”

Yumidihus turned and looked at Voladi Bagrek.

“You taught him well.”

“Yes.”

“But it really isn’t to your credit.”

“??”

Professor Voladi seemed unconvinced by the old mage’s words.

Why?

Yumidihus had no intention of explaining to Voladi Bagrek. She got right to the point.

“I suppose I may give him a bit of instruction?”

“Yes.”

“It’s settled then. I look forward to your company these next few days.”

The old mage patted Lee Han on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Sensing something strange in the exchange, Lee Han asked Professor Garcia.

“What’s the relationship between Yumidihus and Professor Bagrek?”

“Professor Bagrek studied under Yumidihus.”

“……”

Lee Han’s face turned paler than the darkness of any dungeon at that answer.

• * *

Just as Lee Han was cursing his choices, Professor Voladi slowly spoke to him.

“Well done.”

“…Thank you.”

Lee Han barely stopped himself from adding “you bastard” after his words.

So you didn’t even notice the Nachal Maw coming up and you call this guidance…

“By the way, Professor. There was an artifact interfering with lightning magic just now.”

“I put it there.”

“…Ah.”

He had set up lightning magic jamming devices to force Lee Han to focus on water magic.

Lee Han trembled at the professor’s “thoughtful consideration.”

“Your multi-attribute work was nearly perfect. After a few more battles, you’ll get used to it.”

“Yes… I understand.”

Now, Lee Han could handle a maw. He was confident he could prepare and fight no matter what.

“Next time, I need to make sure other monsters don’t get in when it’s Nachal Maw time.”

“Thank yo—wait, Professor.”

“?”

“What do you mean ‘next time Nachal Maw’? Not the regular maws?”

“Maws are no threat to you.”

Professor Voladi looked at Lee Han as if asking what on earth he was talking about.

A magician advances fastest when he feels threatened, but regular maws were no longer a threat to Lee Han.

He’d have to send him where Nachal Maws came out.

“…Next time, I’ll fight without any spell support.”

Feeling threatened, Lee Han attempted to resist, but Professor Voladi shook his head.

“Even if you drop the other enhancement magic, it’s the same. The maws won’t help.”

“…I see.”

Professor Voladi hesitated, then spoke.

“I was mistaken.”

“Pardon?”

“Try the rotation attribute.”

He’d thought Lee Han was being too hasty and wanted him to get used to other attributes first.

But after seeing him today, he changed his mind.

A truly gifted magician doesn’t stop venturing into the unknown just because someone says no.

Especially seeing Lee Han try both multi-casting and rotation, he believed it even more.

As a teacher, you should never block your student’s path with your own hand.

Professor Voladi learned a lesson in teaching once more.

As the professor gazed at him silently, nodding in encouragement with a pale face, Lee Han thought:

‘Should I really punch him in the face and go to detention?’

Who do you think made me try rotation in the first place?

• * *

“Professor.”

“What is it?”

After class, as he was about to say “Goodbye,” Lee Han didn’t get to.

He found himself with Professor Voladi, up from the underground, participating at the festival stand in front of the main building.

Standing together at what seemed like a modest space assigned to the professor, Lee Han already felt like he wanted to go back to the dorm.

It was tiresome enough in lectures, and now even during break time?

“What about other students… Um, nothing.”

Lee Han quickly realized, just as he was about to ask, “Can’t we get another student to do this?”

He was the only one taking Professor Voladi’s class, after all.

“Are you running a stall, Professor?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like festivals?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“Gonadaltes.”

“Ah.”

At Professor Voladi’s short answer, Lee Han quickly figured out the situation.

Of course, Professor Voladi wouldn’t be so devoted to festival operation for the students’ joy— it wasn’t like he was one of the priests.

‘Just like the evil headmaster. He must be doing this just to annoy me.’

Actually, it was by order of His Imperial Majesty, but Lee Han didn’t know that.

“So what should we do?”

Lee Han looked to the left.

Priests wearing gloves were baking sweet treats for freshmen.

He looked right.

Other priests, dressed in colorful costumes, were putting on a play.

‘This is way worse for us.’

No sane person would come to Professor Voladi’s stand; they’d all go to the left or right…

But he couldn’t do nothing. He’d at least have to act like he was doing something.

‘At least it isn’t graded.’

Professor Voladi took out a ticket from his pocket. Lee Han’s eyes widened.

Amazingly, it was an exit permit!

“I’ll give this to the winner.”

“Pro… Professor.”

“What is it?”

“Can I win that too?”

“There is only one.”

“What if there’s one left at the end…?”

“Do you want it?”

Professor Voladi looked at Lee Han as if confused why anyone would want to go out.

Lee Han nodded earnestly.

“Yes.”

“All right. I’ll give it to you.”

“……”

Lee Han’s eyes blazed.

No matter what, he couldn’t let that ticket go to a guest.

‘I’ll stake my life to guard it.’

“Professor. What’s the event?”

Professor Voladi pointed upward with his finger. Lee Han looked up.

New words had appeared on the tent above.

• <Water Orb Dodge>