Episode 208

“…Should we break his leg or something?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to break his arm than his leg?”

“Gainando, are you serious? Be worried for real.”

“I wasn’t the only one, Meikin did it too!”

Lee Han barely managed to solve the cold problem and return to the dormitory, but the Blue Dragon Tower students couldn’t purely rejoice.

Their friend was about to be dragged away by the evil lich at dawn.

“W-well, since it’s a one-on-one meeting with the principal, it could be a good opportunity.”

A few students, still a bit naive, cautiously offered their opinions.

In fact, this was generally correct.

The principal of this magic school, Einrogard, Osu Gonadaltes, was one of the most outstanding and extraordinary archmages in the Empire.

If an outsider unfamiliar with the situation at the magic school heard, ‘What? You get a chance to meet Archmage Gonadaltes one-on-one? You’re so lucky to receive even a bit of that great person’s teaching!’—they would have reacted like that.

But the freshmen were slowly catching on.

Receiving one-on-one instruction from a famous and skilled archmage wasn’t always a good thing!

And if that archmage was the skeleton principal, even more so.

“Wardanaz is about to be dragged off and tortured with a 90% probability, and you say that? Are you really his friends?”

“I-I don’t think anyone said torture…”

When Ahsan got angry on his behalf, the other students shrank back.

Neblen of the Kirak Family, one of the princess’s followers, whispered to the princess.

“Your Highness. Of course, the principal is eccentric and dangerous, but a one-on-one meeting like this… Isn’t it also a sign that he recognizes Wardanaz’s talent and wants to pass on his teachings?”

Fortunately, the princess nodded.

Neblen’s face brightened.

“Right? It’s not all bad…”

The princess shook her head firmly.

Even considering that, it was still bad enough.

“…Is it bad?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Kirak, if you keep that up, you go instead. Sacrifice yourself in Wardanaz’s place.”

“Ah… no… Sorry, everyone. Wardanaz. I spoke arrogantly.”

Lee Han didn’t respond and just waved his hand as if to say it was fine.

Honestly, he didn’t have the energy to reply.

‘I should get some more sleep.’

He was going out with the skeleton principal over the weekend, so his friends’ voices didn’t even register.

He was just steeling himself.

“See? You hurt Wardanaz’s feelings!”

“I don’t think Wardanaz is like that…”

• * *

Saturday dawn.

Lee Han walked carefully toward the main gate. Fortunately, there were no traps.

Not letting your guard down. Excellent.

“Thank you.”

Get in.

The skeleton principal pointed to the carriage waiting in front of the main gate.

Except for the lack of horses, it was a luxurious-looking travel carriage.

Instead of asking a rustic question like ‘Is it okay that there are no horses?’, Lee Han simply opened the door and got in.

Then, an elegant parlor scene came into view. The space was so wide, it was hard to believe it was inside a carriage.

Depart.

-Yes.

From outside, the voice of an undead summon was heard, and the carriage began to move smoothly.

The huge main gate of the magic school opened to see the carriage off.

“May I ask where we are going?”

That much I can answer. The destination is Ogonin’s Tower.

“…?”

For a moment, Lee Han wondered who Ogonin was.

The skeleton principal noticed and was dumbfounded.

Illusionist Ogonin. You met him at the festival, did you forget?

“Ah… I’ve just had so much going on.”

Lee Han made that excuse, but in truth, if someone had made a deep impression, he wouldn’t forget no matter how much was going on.

But Ogonin…

‘A pitiful mage who snuck in, got caught by a first-year, and failed to cast magic’—that was the impression.

If Ogonin heard that, he’d be so ashamed he’d hole up in his tower for a while!

If he forgot despite everything, it meant he hadn’t thought much of him… Anyway, since Ogonin had done something, Lee Han planned to return the favor.

‘How pitiful.’

Lee Han pitied Ogonin.

Ogonin didn’t seem like such a great mage, yet he was about to suffer the skeleton principal’s harsh revenge.

“A person like Ogonin doesn’t seem like a mage worth the principal personally taking revenge on…”

Of course, Lee Han’s persuasion didn’t work at all.

But the skeleton principal’s mood improved considerably.

That’s exactly the attitude.

“?”

Lee Han was puzzled.

What attitude?

‘I thought he’d get angry for trying to stop him.’

That’s how you should have acted from the start. That’s the way.

The skeleton principal nodded in satisfaction.

The biggest flaw of this boy from the Wardanaz family was his timidity.

But seeing him look down so arrogantly on a mage like Ogonin, it seemed that flaw was being corrected.

As an educator at the magic school, it was truly gratifying.

Illusionists are all twisted and petty anyway.

“That’s not always the case.”

No need to defend Professor Ku. He’s not even here.

“Not just Professor Ku, but there’s also people like Baldororn…”

Baldororn?

The skeleton principal tilted his head.

There were several illusionists besides Professor Kirmin Ku, who taught illusion magic, but Baldororn was a name he’d never heard.

Who’s that? Never heard that name.

“Is that so? I happened to meet him when I went out last time, and he was very skilled.”

I see. A reclusive mage, then.

Not all of the Empire’s outstanding mages were active in social circles.

Some mages secluded themselves in remote places known only to them, seeking truth.

The skeleton principal often didn’t know about such mages.

A pity. If he’s that skilled, I should invite him as a professor. But reclusive mages are so difficult… It’ll probably be hard, right?

“Yes. From what I heard, he didn’t seem interested.”

Right. I figured. Anyway, enough about insignificant people like Ogonin… Let’s talk about your magic. Are you learning well?

“Yes. I’m doing my best.”

Lee Han could look up to the sky with no shame.

There really wasn’t anyone among the freshmen who worked as hard as Lee Han.

What are you studying besides lectures?

“…Principal, just keeping up with the lectures is hard enough.”

Lee Han was dumbfounded.

The skeleton principal had so naturally asked, ‘What are you studying besides the lectures?’

He was barely keeping up with the lectures, so what did the principal expect from a freshman…

Those with potential seek out magic to study on their own, even if it’s hard. Always. So, are you not studying anything besides lectures?

“I am, but…”

The skeleton principal nodded as if he’d expected it.

Lee Han felt a bit wronged.

He’d ended up studying more by accident, not on purpose.

“This was purely by chance.”

Didn’t ask. Just tell me what you’re studying.

The skeleton principal showed curiosity about what field Lee Han was interested in.

He complained a lot about Lee Han’s timid personality, but the boy from the Wardanaz family was the student the skeleton principal was most interested in and watching closely.

Since he might one day inherit his secrets, it was only natural to be curious.

“First, I’m studying the book you gave me, Principal.”

Your greatest strength is your eye for distinguishing the genuine article.

Lee Han flattered him, and the skeleton principal was pleased.

And it wasn’t a lie.

Whenever he was bored, the black book would enter Lee Han’s dreams and forcibly teach him magic!

“And blood magic…”

Blood magic? Isn’t that too old-fashioned? Besides, you don’t even need such a petty skill.

“…And magic that works well in conjunction with it.”

At Lee Han’s answer, the skeleton principal looked interested.

Blood magic was tricky to use and was an unpopular technique these days, but if it was magic that worked in conjunction with blood magic, that was different.

Blood magic was a technique that used blood as a catalyst to amplify mana.

Magic that worked in conjunction with blood magic had certain characteristics.

Huge mana consumption, relatively little control required, etc.

It would certainly suit this boy from the Wardanaz family.

Clever.

“Thank you.”

What book are you studying from? There aren’t many good blood magic books.

Lee Han took out a book from his backpack. It was .

Flip—

The skeleton principal floated the book in the air and flipped through it. As he read the pages, he asked again.

What else are you studying besides blood magic?

‘Isn’t this enough already…’

Honestly, studying the skeleton principal’s magic and blood magic was already more than enough.

The problem was, Lee Han really was studying even more.

As he took out the book, Lee Han thought to himself.

‘This is really unfair. It’s not like I went out of my way to study more.’

When the skeleton principal saw the book , he floated that one too.

Then he quickly read through both books.

It’s impressive you’re learning under someone like Professor Baegrek.

‘It really is impressive.’

Lee Han forced himself not to nod.

No matter how much everyone else cursed their advisor, it was best for the student to keep quiet.

“No, I always learn a lot.”

Well, if you can endure that madness, of course you’ll learn a lot. Like coming out alive from a dragon’s lair.

“……”

Anyway, I never thought I’d have a student. I didn’t think anyone would take such unreasonable lectures.

Lee Han felt that if he kept talking, he’d lose control of his emotions.

‘I should change the subject.’

“By the way, why did you suddenly mention Professor Baegrek?”

That’s a book written by Professor Baegrek, isn’t it?

“…!”

Lee Han was startled.

Those two unusually detailed magic books were written by Professor Baegrek?

He was surprised, but more than that…

‘How can someone who can explain so thoroughly in writing be so…’

Lee Han tried hard not to show his anger.

You didn’t know?

“It’s just… so detailed…”

People who aren’t good at talking tend to ramble when they pick up a quill. Where did you get it? Did Professor Baegrek give it to you himself?

“He gave me the lightning magic one, and I found the blood magic one.”

Looks like this was written during his school days. Lucky you found it.

“My friends found it, not me.”

But it’s in your hands now. That’s fate.

‘I don’t want to be fated to a blood magic book.’

It seems Professor Baegrek’s teaching suits you, but don’t rely too much on just one professor’s teaching.

“…It’s not like it suits me that well.”

Two out of the three books you’re studying on your own are Professor Baegrek’s.

Lee Han resolved to search the library for a few more useful magic books as soon as he returned to school.

They say the truth that mages seek is one, but the paths to get there are all different. If a student is too influenced by their teacher, it’s hard to break out of the shell.

“Yes.”

A student must be able to stab their teacher in the back and inherit everything.

“Y-yes?”

Lee Han hesitated. For a moment, he thought his inner thoughts had been discovered.

But the skeleton principal hadn’t asked a trick question.

True to his ancient origins, the skeleton principal genuinely believed that a mage needed the guts to stab their teacher in the back to find their own path.

Lee Han stared at the skeleton principal’s white, smooth skull. The skeleton principal spoke seriously.

Not now. After you’ve learned everything.

“I think you misunderstood. I wasn’t thinking anything.”

Alright. Anyway, I guess I worried for nothing.

The skeleton principal, who had been a little concerned, was now convinced.

That boy from the Wardanaz family would not lose his way no matter whose teaching he received.

It was truly an important virtue for a mage.