Episode 212

Episode 212

‘Is there no other way.’

Without even noticing Lee Han’s inner thoughts, the Skull Principal thought to himself.

Ogonin was not the kind of wizard who would obediently impart his teachings just because he was threatened or humiliated, but seeing him act like this…

It was clear that Lee Han’s polite behavior had moved him quite a bit.

It was a shame he couldn’t embarrass him further, but if he conceded this much, there was nothing to be done.

After all, it was none other than a great wizard like Ogonin personally teaching.

It was a precious opportunity that even the wizards of this tower could hardly receive.

Tsk. Ogonin. Let’s call this paying off your debt. Teach him well.

“I will… do my best.”

The Skull Principal floated out.

It was rude to stay by the side when another wizard was imparting their teachings.

“Are you alright?”

“Hmm?”

At Lee Han’s question, Ogonin smiled slightly.

It seemed Lee Han was wondering if it was really okay to receive one-on-one instruction from a great wizard like Ogonin without any compensation.

It was a natural reaction for someone so young.

“It’s fine. It’s not because of coercion or threats, but because I want to do it. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not it, I was worried the Principal might bother the people outside…”

“…It’ll, it’ll be fine. Probably.”

Ogonin was slightly flustered by the very objective and realistic attitude of Gonadaltes’s disciple.

…Is he really my disciple?

• * *

After hearing about the illusion magic Lee Han knew, Ogonin nodded and spoke.

“The Pahait’s illusion magic series, huh. That friend Pahait is quite a decent illusion wizard.”

‘That’s a bit rude.’

Not knowing the relationship between Ogonin and Pahait, Lee Han thought to himself.

“It’s an illusion magic based on the fire element, so it’s easy for beginners to learn and easy to apply. If I had to pick a downside, it’s that its effectiveness drops in cold places.”

“Uh… I cast it in a cold place and it worked fine.”

“Hmm? Ah. That must be because you have so much mana.”

Ogonin nodded as if he understood.

However, there was already a slight hint of suspicion in Lee Han’s gaze.

“Pahait’s illusion magic is good, but I’ll teach you a different magic. It’s a bit rough, but it’s quite useful.”

In fact, Ogonin’s words were excessively humble.

The magic Ogonin was about to teach was an arcane magic he had created himself.

Among other illusion wizards, it was respected as ‘Ogonin’s Illusion Magic’!

Many illusion wizards had admired the neat structure, sharp conception, and excellent effects of this magic, but Ogonin had not widely publicized this arcane magic.

This was in contrast to other illusion magics he had developed and published in books.

There was one reason.

Because it was so difficult and tricky, he wasn’t sure it could be properly passed on unless he taught it directly.

‘But this boy is worthy of learning it.’

It wasn’t simply because he had promised the Skull Principal to do his best.

Ogonin wasn’t so lacking in pride as to hand over his arcane magic just to pay off a debt.

Ogonin already knew that Lee Han was a rare, polite, and considerate boy.

What happened at the magic school during the festival, and what happened in today’s duel, proved that.

And if he had enough magical talent to be personally taught by the Skull Principal…

A boy like that was worth teaching.

“What kind of magic is it?”

“Hmm. I haven’t given it a specific name… but other wizards call it Ogonin’s Arcane Illusion Magic, so you can call it that too.”

‘I’ve never heard of it.’

Lee Han wondered inwardly.

Of course, the Empire’s magic system was vast, and there were certainly many unusual magics Lee Han had never heard of.

But it was true that magic he had heard of seemed more trustworthy than magic he hadn’t, no matter how great it was supposed to be.

…It should be fine, right?

‘Phew. I think I’m being too negative.’

Lee Han thought calmly.

Whatever the case, Ogonin didn’t seem to be a completely incompetent wizard.

He ran this tower, was respected by other wizards, had written various books…

…Of course, he had shown many disgraceful sides in front of Lee Han, but that was just how people got rusty after retiring from active duty.

Now that he was retired and some time had passed, his abilities had declined, but he was surely a great wizard in his prime.

Having never retired, Ogonin continued, unaware of Lee Han’s inner thoughts.

“Pahait is not only excellent at illusion magic but also at applying the fire element, so he developed many magics that combine the two fields. As I just said, these magics have clear advantages.”

Imperial magic, like other disciplines, developed over time.

It was natural, as later generations of wizards learned and honed the magic of their predecessors.

And this trend of development was mainly focused on convenience and efficiency.

If there was a magic that required 100 effort to learn, it would be improved to require only 10.

If there was a magic that required 100 mana to cast, it would be improved to require only 10.

When such improved magics appeared, they would replace the old, inefficient magics and start new trends.

The Pahait’s illusion magic that Lee Han had learned was such a magic.

It was made by applying the fire element, so it was easy to learn and easy to apply, but…

“But where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. Pahait’s illusion magic is not suitable for mastering illusion magic itself. Other illusion magics that use different elements are also unsuitable in that regard.”

If you created illusions with fire, cold, or earth, the difficulty of learning the magic might decrease, but you would stray from the core of illusion magic.

Ogonin believed that to truly master illusion magic, one had to take the difficult path from the start, even if it was hard.

Lee Han, who was diligently taking notes, asked,

“Then in what way should illusions be summoned?”

“With pure mana alone. It’s a path that’s hard to imagine and hard to control, but it’s the most direct route.”

With those words, Ogonin pointed to the chair next to him. So naturally that it was hard to notice, a second Ogonin was sitting on the chair.

“Touch it.”

Lee Han touched the second Ogonin.

Surprisingly, Ogonin did not distort or disappear. He endured with a solid sense of mass.

It was an illusion completely different from Pahait’s.

“It’s an illusion that materializes the concept of myself.”

“Amazing.”

Lee Han honestly admired it.

So even after retirement, skill doesn’t just disappear?

“You’ll be able to learn it soon.”

Ogonin looked at him with the pleased eyes of someone looking at a future great wizard.

“By the way, what circle magic is this?”

“…5th circle…”

“……”

At Lee Han’s dumbfounded look, Ogonin belatedly realized his mistake.

Because he had been spending time with the tower’s wizards, he had forgotten that the boy in front of him was a freshman.

“I didn’t mean you should learn this right now. Just keep it in mind as a magic you’ll learn someday.”

“Ah. Yes. I see.”

Ogonin quickly changed his words. But Lee Han’s gaze had grown a bit colder.

“Not all the magics I teach are difficult ones that create doppelgangers of yourself. There are plenty of relatively easy ones.”

“I see. Wait. Then why didn’t you teach those first…”

At Lee Han’s question, Ogonin pretended not to hear and changed the subject.

Creating an illusion doppelganger with a physical presence was truly advanced magic, and there were much easier magics in illusion magic.

1st circle magic. <Ogonin’s Emotion Perception>.

A semi-essential magic for illusion wizards that reads the emotions emitted by nearby living beings.

The illusion magic you use changes depending on the other’s emotions.

2nd circle magic. <Ogonin’s Rising Anxiety>, <Ogonin’s Surging Fear>, <Ogonin’s Approaching Despair>.

Illusion magics of the mental interference type that directly affect the other’s emotions.

To learn more advanced mental interference magics later, you had to get the hang of it with these magics.

3rd circle magic. <Ogonin’s Thin Mist>.

A magic that spreads a mist of illusions around the wizard, dispersing the focus so that external enemies cannot aim properly when attacking.

If cast properly, it could protect a fairly wide area of allies from ranged attacks.

‘…Something’s strange.’

As Lee Han practiced, listening to each explanation, he felt a sense of incongruity.

The magic was too…

Difficult.

Even within the same circle, the difficulty varied greatly depending on the magic, but all the magics Ogonin was teaching were just too difficult.

So much so that Lee Han felt it was odd.

“Hmm. Is it a bit hard?”

Ogonin cautiously asked, noticing Lee Han’s thoughts.

“Yes. Maybe because I’m lacking, it’s not easy.”

“It’s not because you’re lacking. This magic is just very difficult.”

“No, it must be because I’m lacking.”

“No. It’s really difficult magic.”

Ogonin kindly explained, thinking Lee Han misunderstood.

Just as he had pointed out the flaws of Pahait’s illusion magic earlier, Ogonin did not favor the method of adding other elements to illusion magic.

No compromise or improvement—only pure illusion magic!

The difficulty would skyrocket, but in the long run, that was the shortest path.

Naturally, Ogonin’s arcane magics were uncompromising, purist illusion magics with no improvements or compromises.

For example, even <Ogonin’s Emotion Perception>—if it were another illusion magic, it would use the opponent’s pupils, muscle movements, or changes in body temperature.

But <Ogonin’s Emotion Perception> used only one thing.

It judged solely by the opponent’s soul, to an obsessive degree.

No wonder it was difficult.

“……”

After hearing the explanation, Lee Han made a reluctant face.

As expected, the teaching was a bit…

• * *

Did you learn well?

“The teaching was so difficult I feel like I’ve just taken my first step.”

Of course. Ogonin is a purist. But even in the Empire, there aren’t many wizards who stick to pure classical illusion magic like Ogonin. If you learn it well, it will help you in many ways.

“I’ll try my best.”

Though he answered that way, Lee Han wondered if he would really delve deeply into the magics he learned today.

He already had so many magics to learn, and if he added such difficult magics…

Still, you’re lucky.

“?”

It’s clear Ogonin likes you. He said he’d make time to teach you every week. Come visit every weekend. I’ll connect you to Ogonin.

“……”

Lee Han’s expression hardened.

Even if it’s a hassle to learn magic on weekends, endure it. This really is a good opportunity. I’m not being mean.

“I didn’t say anything.”

You cursed with your eyes.

As Lee Han was about to get on the carriage, the illusion wizards ran out from the tower.

Seeing them trying to say goodbye, the Skull Principal frowned.

He felt sick at the sight of such friendship.

“You won’t forget today’s duel. I sincerely wish for your great success.”

“I hope to hear your name in the dueling world someday. By the way, what’s your family and name?”

“I am Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.”

“I see. Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family. As expected of an outstanding knight, your family is also… hmm?”

The illusion wizards paused.

Hmm?

Meanwhile, the Skull Principal closed the carriage door.

“W-wait a moment, Your Excellency.”

Don’t be a bother and get lost. Before I whip you.

“Did you just say Wardanaz Family… Aagh! How could you whip me over something like this!”

A great wizard does not lie. Get lost!