Episode 145

There were several conditions for enchantment magic to be highly rated.
For example, neatness.
When you tore a scroll, if the casting took too long or some other effect occurred instead, it wasn’t neat. Neatness meant the intended effect activated exactly as specified.
This kind of neatness came from not adding unnecessary clutter when the magician constructed the spell formula.
Another example was beauty.
It might seem strange to judge magic by beauty, but it was more important than you’d think.
Even with the same artifact, a small, light ring was better than a big, black lump of iron.
Of course, to weave magic into a small, light ring required a process several times more delicate and complex than enchanting a big, black lump of iron.
Magicians who didn’t give up on such a demanding process were those who pursued beauty in enchantment magic.
And among those conditions, there was also output.
Output was a core element in enchantment magic.
Even if two scrolls contained the same spell, if one produced an effect of 80 and the other 100, there was no reason to use the former.
So enchanters always tried to maximize output whenever possible.
Of course, like the other conditions, this wasn’t something you could achieve just by trying.
Some enchanters could instinctively imbue strong output, while others couldn’t reach a certain level no matter how hard they tried.
And now.
The boy in front of Professor Bivle, whatever other talents he had, was outstanding in output.
“Amazing”
“Is that so?”
Lee Han thought he had failed.
The flash was much brighter than he’d expected.
“No, really amazing”
“Did I make it that well?”
“It’s not well made. Honestly, your technique is terrible.”
Professor Bivle was blunt.
A skilled enchanter would have completed the light magic firework in one go, without trial and error.
And the burst of light would have been more colorful or decorated in other forms.
…Of course, Lee Han was still a first-year, Professor Bivle hadn’t really taught him properly, and his innate magical power actually put him at a disadvantage in this kind of enchantment…
But those facts had long since left the professor’s mind.
“Is that so?”
“But even considering those flaws, you have a definite strength Your output is excellent.”
Professor Bivle excitedly rambled on about things only he understood.
When making artifacts, there’s aesthetics, neatness, delicacy, complexity, and among these, output is also very important…
‘Think happy thoughts.’
Lee Han fought off drowsiness by thinking happy thoughts.
That way, he could keep smiling even as Professor Bivle rambled on for hours about things only he understood.
Professor Bivle was the kind of person who could talk for hours about what he liked.
And Lee Han was the kind of person who could endure hours of a professor talking about things only he understood.
When the two met, the conversation never stopped.

• * *
  “…That’s why enchantment magic is fun. Isn’t it fun?”
  “Yes. It was really fun.”
  “Very good”
  The beaver professor was delighted at the freshman’s reaction.
  Enchantment magic was truly a fascinating world, but unfortunately most students didn’t appreciate its fun.
  But the student before him, though a bit lacking in talent, seemed to understand the fun.
  To listen so earnestly.
  That was enough.
  “If it’s fun, that’s all that matters, right? Who cares if you’re not that talented. If it’s fun, that’s what counts.”
  ‘Hmm. Maybe I’ll pass on enchantment magic.’
  Lee Han thought as he listened to Professor Bivle.
  He was interested in enchantment magic, but if it didn’t suit him, forcing it could be risky.
  As Professor Garcia had warned, trying to learn too many types of magic at once would make life exhausting.
  From what the professor said, it didn’t seem like enchantment magic suited him that well…
  The only real advantage was that the professor was cute, so he had to make a cool-headed decision.
  “Then, Professor, I’d like to make fireworks for fun.”
  Having made his decision, Lee Han replied politely.
  Now that he had a rough idea, he just needed to finish quickly so he could escape the skeleton headmaster’s grasp.
  ‘The skeleton headmaster probably doesn’t care about artistry in magic fireworks, so I’ll just enchant them with the minimum magic as quickly as possible.’
  “Right. Your fingers must be itching to get started, huh?”
  “Yes.”
  “Let’s get started right away”
  “I’ll start with the light magic fireworks.”
  Lee Han began by making the magic firework he’d already learned.
  With fewer mistakes than before, he produced a new light magic firework.
  But Professor Bivle shook his head.
  “No, no.”
  “Did I make a mistake in the casting?”
  Lee Han looked over the firework.
  He didn’t feel like he’d made any mistakes.
  Maybe there was something only the professor could notice?
  “It’s too boring.”
  “…Professor, honestly, I like boring fireworks.”
  “No, that’s no fun. You just don’t know other ways yet. If you try a different way, it’ll definitely be more fun.”
  Professor Bivle took Lee Han by the hand so his student, who liked enchantment magic, could enjoy it even more.
  Fun was more important than talent.
  And the student had the advantage of output.
  If he made use of that, enchantment magic would be even more fun.
  ‘I have a bad feeling about this.’
  Of course, Lee Han was starting to feel uneasy.
  “Now. Instead of just bursting light magic, you change the shape of the light and maintain it. See this engraved enchantment rune? Do you feel anything?”
  “Based on light magic… It seems like a spell to change and maintain the shape… Is it an animal?”
  Sensing the rune and magical flow on the paper and guessing the spell was something only a magician with sharp intuition could do.
  But Professor Bivle was too absorbed in what he wanted to say to notice.
  “Right A cute, simple animal. Wouldn’t it be more fun if that appeared?”
  “…Yes. I suppose so.”
  Lee Han resented his mouth for moving against his instincts.
  But what could he do?
  The other person was a professor…
  ‘Still, if it’s a cute, simple animal, it shouldn’t be too hard. That’s a relief.’
  Lee Han thought of a simple monster like a slime.
  That would be easier to maintain as light…
  “What animal is it?”
  “Dragon.”
  “…Dragon.”
  “Dragon. Cute and simple, right?”
  Professor Bivle, as if to demonstrate, waved his staff in a dazzling display and chanted a spell.
  Just seeing the complex, tangled flow of magic, Lee Han could tell how intricate and delicate the spell structure was.
  Expanding, stretching, pulling, twisting, braiding the shape of light…
  Lee Han thought he’d experienced all sorts of elemental control fighting for his life against Professor Voladi, but seeing Professor Bivle, he realized that wasn’t the case.
  The world of magic was truly infinitely vast.
  ‘…The problem is that vast world is being forced on me.’
  Could Lee Han really pull off this dragon-shaped light magic at his level?
• * *
  Amazingly, he could.
  “Well done Wasn’t it fun?”
  Professor Bivle beamed as he spoke. Lee Han felt an urge to smack the beaver professor’s snout.
  Professor Bivle didn’t get angry, didn’t scold, didn’t pressure Lee Han.
  He just muttered, “Failed? Why? Huh. It’s not that hard…” every time Lee Han failed.
  It didn’t take Lee Han long to realize that compromise or negotiation was impossible with this beaver professor.
  “Go on, pull it”
  Lee Han was so exhausted he could barely reply. He pulled the finished firework as the professor instructed.
  Bang
  A dragon made of light appeared majestically above the workshop.
  It was still rough and crude, but anyone could tell it was a dragon.
  As soon as Lee Han pulled the firework, Professor Bivle took out a pocket watch and timed it.
  “What are you timing?”
  “Duration.”
  “How long does it usually last?”
  “Normally, it disappears as soon as it bursts.”
  “…Oh.”
  Lee Han felt a bit proud at that.
  He hadn’t felt like he was doing well at enchantment magic, but at least the duration was pretty good.
  Even so, enchantment magic was harder than he’d expected.
  To be precise, Professor Bivle was harder than expected, but still…
  ‘I need to finish these fireworks and escape quickly.’
  I’m back.
  The skeleton headmaster had returned.
  He blinked at the scene in the workshop.
  A dragon made of light floating in the air.
  He’d told Professor Bivle to make magic fireworks, so why was he trying out unnecessary artistry?
  ‘Did I give them too much time?’
  How quickly did they make the fireworks? And why is that thing still floating?
  “I didn’t do it.”
  What?
  “I said I didn’t do it. The kid here did.”
  ……
  The skeleton headmaster was so dumbfounded he was speechless. For a seasoned lich among liches, this was rare.
  He didn’t know where to start pointing out the problems.
  He’d told them to make magic fireworks, but the professor taught a ridiculously difficult illusion enchantment, and the student actually pulled it off…
  I told you to make magic fireworks
  “This is a magic firework.”
  …Wait Why isn’t that thing disappearing?
  The skeleton headmaster belatedly realized the dragon of light wasn’t vanishing.
  There was only one reason.
  It was because of the Wardanaz family boy’s unique constitution.
  Fine. I was foolish to leave the two of you alone.
  “You’re always like this. It’s fine.”
  So, are all the magic fireworks finished?
  “Uh…”
  Professor Bivle hesitated.
  He’d spent all his time making just the one magic firework he’d just set off.
  The skeleton headmaster understood the situation immediately, even without Professor Bivle saying anything.
  …And you call yourself a professor?
  “S-sorry. I’ll definitely make them next time.”
  Next time? You always say that… You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you
  As the blame shifted to him, Lee Han felt very wronged.
  Who do you think made me repeat enchantment magic endlessly during the festival…
  “Headmaster. Think about it. Why would I bother making a masterpiece-level, high-difficulty magic firework instead of a regular one?”
  That’s certainly true.
  “Why? It’s fun, so of course you’d want to try”
  Lee Han and the skeleton headmaster both pretended not to hear Professor Bivle.
  The skeleton headmaster clicked his tongue in disapproval.
  Fine. There’s nothing for it. Go home for today.
  “Gonadaltes He loves enchantment magic”
  You just reflect on yourself
  As the skeleton headmaster led him out of the tower, Lee Han, for the first time, felt reassured by the headmaster’s presence.
  “Thank you.”
  Right. But I’ll send you back again tomorrow.
  “……”