Episode 384

Sensing the Skull Principal’s shocked gaze, Lee Han quickly stepped back.

“I was just asking. For academic reasons.”

What do you mean, talking about gems when you know what kind of bone this is?

The Skull Principal responded curtly.

Unless it was a weak bone that couldn’t withstand such souls, a bracelet carved directly from the Skull Principal’s bone could not be escaped from, even if the Myriad Demons raged within.

Of course, there was no need for a gem.

‘What a shame.’

‘This brat is thinking it’s a shame.’

The Skull Principal cursed inwardly at Lee Han.

Such a shameless brat…

If it were Professor Mortum, he would’ve wept tears of gratitude!

“Are there any precautions I should take when using this bracelet? Like, will it absorb a lot of my mana or something?”

If your bracelet absorbed mana to that extent, I don’t even want to imagine how greatly cursed it would have to be. It’s not that kind of dangerous item.

“Tsk.”

…But it’s not that simple, either. Think about the beings inside.

Lee Han pondered the Skull Principal’s words.

According to what the King of Ghouls said, the beings within this bracelet were those who had been defeated by the King of Ghouls.

In that case…

You understand, right? Powerful…

“Weak… Uh. Are they powerful?”

Would I have bothered sealing weaklings in there like that?

The Skull Principal was dumbfounded by Lee Han’s words.

If they were weak beings, there would’ve been no need to seal them; the Skull Principal wouldn’t have bothered to bind them into a bracelet either.

It was because they were decent enough that he made it and gave it to him.

“I thought they’d be weak since they lost to the King of Ghouls.”

The Skull Principal, usually a merciless necromancer towards the undead, actually felt sympathy for the King of Ghouls this time.

Receiving such disregard from a barely blue freshman…

How wounded his pride must have been.

Watch your words. Those inside might be listening. Right now they’re probably too busy fighting each other to care, but… one day, one or two of them might break out.

The inside of that bracelet was basically a mini version of the underground prison Lee Han had experienced.

Proud and fierce beings, even if trapped together in defeat, never cooperated. Rather, in their fury at being unable to escape, they tried to trample each other.

Lee Han couldn’t see it, but right now countless souls were fiercely battling inside the bracelet.

But if Lee Han’s skills improved enough to interest the souls trapped inside…

The souls might stop fighting and try to converse with Lee Han.

“If we could converse… Does that mean they’d obey my commands?”

Who knows? You can’t know for sure. The ones trapped inside are all probably vicious and foolish.

‘You just told me to watch my words, and now this…’

But one thing is certain. You are the owner of the bracelet. They are imprisoned slaves. Make that clear. Then maybe they’d follow your orders.

“I see. Like Einrogard students…”

The Skull Principal pretended not to hear.

Meanwhile, Professor Garcia easily lifted Ogoldos as if she weighed nothing.

“Let’s take her out for now.”

At that moment, Lee Han suddenly felt a surge of respect for the professor.

It was definitely because she cared for the student, and not because she had lifted Ogoldos so lightly.

It’s better to let her rest here for a day rather than move her immediately. Forcing her to exert herself could make things worse.

“Principal…”

Lee Han was slightly moved.

He never imagined the Skull Principal would look after them like this.

After all, like it or not, only Einrogard people cared for each other.

I’m talking about Ogoldos, not you. You’re perfectly fine.

“……”

• * *

While Ogoldos slept soundly at the inn, Lee Han asked Professor Garcia about the coursework he’d missed.

The fact that he’d fallen behind for two weeks tormented him more than the fact that he’d been trapped for two weeks.

“Do you mean I’m two weeks behind?! I’m finished now!”

“L-Lee Han, I don’t think that’s quite true…”

“How am I supposed to catch up on two weeks?!”

‘He should be able to catch up more than enough…’

Professor Garcia thought so to herself, but couldn’t say it in the face of Lee Han’s anguished expression.

“It’s the start of the new semester, so they haven’t been teaching much. All the other professors have only covered the basics.”

In Professor Garcia’s opinion, the other school professors hadn’t gotten further than what Lee Han already knew.

Frankly, even if he’d missed two months instead of two weeks, he would probably have caught up easily.

“Speaking of which, Professor Garcia, what are you teaching this semester?”

“This semester, I’m teaching magic that’s useful in daily life.”

Since she’d introduced other schools’ magic and basics in the first semester, in the second semester her plan was to teach magic that didn’t belong to a particular school but would be useful for young wizards.

Knowing such things would make survival at Einrogard easier, after all.

“…To think I missed that kind of lecture for two weeks!!”

“I-I’ll teach you now, so calm down.”

The spells Professor Garcia had taught over the two weeks were -Component Separation- and -Lesser Dark Vision-.

-Component Separation- was a spell essential for wizards preparing potions and reagents, as it separated specific mixtures using magic, and -Lesser Dark Vision- gave the ability to see, albeit dimly, in the dark.

And Lee Han had already learned both of them beforehand.

“Oh. I know both of those.”

“……”

Professor Garcia found Lee Han insufferable for the first time in a while.

“…I’ll just explain the second semester lectures, since you probably haven’t heard them.”

“Thank you.”

Unlike Professor Garcia’s -Basic Practical Magic-, most of the lectures hadn’t changed much.

Professor Thunderstep was still teaching -Advanced Understanding of Basic Alchemy-.

Likewise, -Advanced Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic-, -Advanced Imperial Language and Logic-, -Advanced Mount Training-, etc. were all continuations of the first semester’s lectures.

“Fortunately, since none of the professors disappeared, everything stayed the same.”

“……”

Lee Han was creeped out by Professor Garcia’s cheerful smile.

Is it really okay to say that with such a bright face?

“Wait. Professor. Since I was late, I didn’t get to register. What should I do?”

“But Lee Han, don’t you take almost all the courses anyway?”

“……”

Lee Han was speechless.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Professor Garcia quickly continued.

“S-So, it’s not that you don’t need to register. It’s just, since you weren’t around, I did it for you.”

Lee Han took the paper Professor Garcia handed him.

Most of the lectures listed were similar to those from the first semester.

“Professor. Why is the Principal’s -Advanced Basic Magic Character Education- included?”

“Huh? It’s a required class… you took it in the first semester, remember?”

Lee Han looked away as if disappointed by her failure to understand.

“……”

Professor Garcia glared, but Lee Han pretended not to notice and looked at the paper.

‘Wait.’

Lee Han realized something odd from the list of lectures under his name.

Basic Practical Magic – Garcia.

Advanced Understanding of Basic Alchemy (crossed out) – Thunderstep.

Advanced Repetitive Practice of Basic Magic Combat – Baegrek.

Magic Character Education!

…

“Why are all the handwritings different?”

“Ah. Some professors came by in person and wrote them themselves.”

“……”

Lee Han opened his eyes wide.

Even putting aside having Garcia write it for him, the professors had come to add their lectures directly.

Was that really allowed?

“Wait, is that actually allowed?!”

“W-Well, weren’t you going to take them anyway?”

“I mean, I could choose not to…!”

“Is there anything you want to drop?”

“Not really, but…”

“??”

Professor Garcia tilted her head, unsure what the problem was.

‘This seems unlucky.’

It was fine for now, but the fact that it was possible frightened Lee Han.

Of course, since it was an emergency, she’d taken charge, but didn’t Einrogard professors always see their own emergencies as top priority?

Lee Han resolved to avoid professors during registration next year and submit the form by himself.

“…Wait? Hold on, Professor. Why is there -Advanced Dance and Socializing-? I never took that.”

“Huh? I didn’t write that, either.”

“??”

Both Lee Han and Professor Garcia were baffled.

Neither had signed up for this elective, yet it was on the list.

…I put it on there.

“No…!”

Lee Han looked at the Skull Principal with the expression of one who’d suffered the world’s vilest betrayal.

Anyone would think his soul had been stolen by his mentor, seeing his utter betrayal; the Skull Principal was dumbfounded.

Is it such a big deal to add one more lecture?

“Why do I have to take that?!”

The Emperor—um, no, you focus too much on magic. You need some other interests, too.

Professor Garcia almost nodded unconsciously.

“That’s why I take swordsmanship, mount training, geometry, and language, isn’t it.”

Most young people in the Empire wouldn’t call that a hobby. Either way, it’s already decided so you can’t change it. Just take it.

“That’s a lie. If it’s your magic, you could change it.”

The Skull Principal wanted to smack his oblivious, back-talking disciple, but he held back.

If, when meeting the Emperor later, she said ‘The Principal hit me,’ there could be a summons to the capital.

Wait, the knights are calling me outside!

“Principal!! Principal!! If this keeps up, I could seriously send a complaint to the capital!”

The Skull Principal snorted as he floated away.

I’ve heard all sorts of threats, but that’s the first time I’ve heard one that ridiculous! Go ahead and do your best!

• * *

The knights really had called for the Skull Principal.

“Gonadaltes. We checked because the adventurers were causing such a commotion, and some of them turned out to be criminals with bounties. What should we do with the others…”

When a party member was a criminal, the handling of the others was tricky.

If there was no hard evidence but suspicion remained, the highest-ranking person present would decide.

And in this case, that was the Skull Principal.

The Skull Principal made the call efficiently.

Do you know each other?

“No!”

“You fool!! You must answer a wizard’s questions…”

Lies. You know each other. Send them to the capital prison!

“No, don’t!!”

Amid the anti-magic faction’s shrieks, Parkdgul was appalled.

He couldn’t believe how that Einrogard archmage had managed to identify and imprison them.

Regardless of any grudge, he was terrified of those overwhelming abilities.

‘How…! How did he know! Was it prophecy magic?! That’s impossible!’

While the Skull Principal praised the knights’ efficient handling, Lee Han approached and spoke.

“Principal. Senior has awoken.”

Alright. It’s time to head out.

“But about this dance and socializing…”

By the way. You have a very serious problem.

Ignoring Lee Han’s words, the Skull Principal changed the subject.

“What is it?”

Lee Han didn’t shrink as most would, but just looked at the Skull Principal with open distrust.

Even the knights standing by were surprised.

‘Is it okay to be that insolent in front of Gonadaltes?!’

‘How much must he be favored…?!’

You’ve been in the Undead Dimension too long, so your soul is exuding evil energy.

If you spend too much time with spirits, you end up with the scent of spirits on your soul, and if you spend too much time with undead, it’s the scent of the undead.

That’s why necromancers aren’t popular.

But Lee Han, after the explanation, was still confused.

“Does it matter?”

It’s not like spirits liked him anyway, and if he wanted to learn necromancy, what did a little evil energy matter.

It was a little sad, but…

Ordinarily, no. There’s no problem if your soul carries a hint of the magic you wield. The problem is, you have more mana than expected, that evil energy is stronger than expected, and finally, you even have undead who hold a grudge against you.

A wizard who reeked of spirits would be frequently visited by spirits, and a wizard who reeked of undead would often receive visits by undead.

If, in addition, you had as much mana as Lee Han, lots of evil energy, and undead with a grudge…

You never know what dangerous undead might take an interest and come after you.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lee Han’s face stiffened.

‘Necromancy really has too many drawbacks!’

If you work hard at magic, the undead come to visit.

What kind of magic is this?

Still, you don’t have to worry too much. There’s an easy fix.

“Is it to take dance and socializing?”

No. Go live in the Phoenix Tower. The priests’ auras will drive out the evil energy. One semester should be enough.

The Skull Principal spoke as if it were nothing. And, in reality, it was nothing.

Just being with priests would quickly reduce that evil energy.

But Lee Han replied in a serious tone.

“Principal.”

What?

“Wouldn’t my friends starve to death then?”

…Humans can’t starve that easily. Probably.