Episode 740

“He seems like a crazy person, so we’d better be careful.”

“Really?”

Adenart looked puzzled at Lee Han’s murmuring.

Having met Einrogard professors, Professor Jorzik didn’t seem particularly crazy to her.

Besides, as a member of the royal family, Adenart had grown up surrounded by countless followers from a young age.

Royal supporters usually harbored the (absurd) hope that the royal they served would someday inherit the imperial throne, so there were plenty of ambitious types.

“He doesn’t seem all that strange. Among my own supporters, there are people like him…”

“Ah.”

Lee Han nodded at Adenart’s explanation.

It seemed among the princess’s supporters there were quite a few people like Professor Jorzik.

And Lee Han quietly took a step away, hoping Adenart wouldn’t notice.

“Professor Benmalpa, why do you want to be Einrogard’s headmaster?”

“Professor, regardless, is it really possible to be headmaster without the current headmaster’s approval?”

While the two of them whispered, curious upperclassmen threw questions at Professor Jorzik.

It was a win-win: they could settle their curiosity and delay the class.

Even if their questions might sound disrespectful, Professor Jorzik stroked his mustache with satisfaction.

“First, that’s a good question. Why do I want to be headmaster of Einrogard? Then let me ask you: why don’t you want to be headmaster of Einrogard?”

“…Well, I…”

The upperclassman wanted to say, ‘Because I’m sane,’ but decided that was too much and circled around it.

“As a mage, I just don’t have much interest in the headmaster position, professor.”

“That’s the wrong idea! Allow me to say this: everyone, if you’re a mage, you should dream of the headmaster’s position!”

The classroom went dead silent.

Regardless, the professor continued in a self-absorbed voice.

“The headquarters of millennial magic, and lord of the holy land. Doesn’t the thought of what you could do with such power thrill you?”

“Uh, the magic I research is perfectly possible without the power of Einrogard, sir.”

If you wanted bread, you’d just go buy some; few people would recreate farmland from nothing just to get wheat.

“Plus, the headmastership of Einrogard isn’t just about magic! The honor of cultivating the Empire’s best mages and being their spiritual guide. Doesn’t that excite you?”

“?

‘Really?’

Not just the seniors but even Lee Han and Adenart tilted their heads in thought.

Admittedly, it sounded appealing when he put it that way.

Einrogard was the Empire’s premier magic institution, its graduates renowned talents; to be revered as the mentor of such mages would mean amazing influence.

But no matter how much their minds accepted it, their hearts couldn’t.

In the students’ heads, the image of the headmaster was indelibly set as the Skull Headmaster.

“The Headmaster said he’d make his students into his enemies, though.”

“I’m different! I’ll raise my students with love and care. My students will respect me and support me!”

The students murmured.

Whether Professor Jorzik could become headmaster in their lifetimes was doubtful, but it was certainly an intriguing idea.

“We’ll quietly cheer for you, professor!”

“We’re not going to do anything, but we’ll root for you!”

“Thank you, thank you! And now, the second question. Is it possible to become headmaster without the current headmaster’s approval? That one’s simple! The answer is, ‘It’s possible!'”

“Why is that?”

“I asked the headmaster myself.”

“……”

“……”

The students’ faces clouded.

Their expectations for Professor Jorzik plummeted after that answer.

Who tells their coup target about the coup plans?

‘Wait a minute. Isn’t this actually possible?’

But unlike the other seniors, Lee Han was actually intrigued.

The Skull Headmaster Lee Han knew had no particular attachment to being Einrogard’s headmaster.

His relationship with the Emperor wasn’t built on responsible leadership, but more like keeping each other stuck in the Empire’s swamp.

If, under these circumstances, Professor Jorzik asked the Headmaster and got, “If you can do it, go ahead,” for an answer…

If Professor Jorzik gets the Emperor’s approval, he might actually become headmaster!

“I think… as long as you’re recognized by His Majesty, you might have a real chance, sir.”

“…Isn’t that the hardest part?”

Adenart looked at Lee Han as if she were seeing Gainando.

‘Fair point.’

Passing a dragon’s standards might be harder than overthrowing the Skull Headmaster.

Apparently used to these reactions, Professor Jorzik grinned.

“Everyone, you can think my plan is absurd. That’s your right. But don’t give up on your own dreams just because mine sounds crazy. It’s always been the so-called dreamers who changed the Empire!”

Lee Han was slightly moved.

Those were better words than expected.

But the seniors, worn out by Einrogard, didn’t react much.

“Dreamers in Einrogard usually don’t even graduate though.”

“I once handed in a research proposal and the Headmaster called it nonsense and threw it in my face…”

“Alright, let’s begin class!”

With the ambition of a true schemer, Professor Jorzik skillfully dodged any unfavorable topics.

“Everyone, to your sections!”

-Elemental Magic and Its Applications- was similar to Professor Verdus’s classes in that students trained autonomously.

But the atmosphere was completely different.

“Professor, I’m trying to change the form of fire element to maintain at least four swords at once, but it’s harder than I expected to keep the forms stable.”

“Your problem is twofold: shape-shifting and multi-control. Trying both at once leads to backfire. I recommend you start with changing shapes first. Have you learned Bagnee’s Five Forms?”

“Not yet…”

“I see. Bagnee was a great fire-element mage, but lived centuries ago, and you don’t actually need all five forms. In truth, few magi even learn them. But! For magi who hit a wall in fire element transformations, those five forms are unbeatable practice. Try those first.”

“Professor, my current research needs the dark element, but even sensing it is so hard. Professor Mortum said if you get lost several times in a mountain cave or undead realm, you get the hang of it. Is there really no other way?”

“A good solution. But! That’s for geniuses like Professor Mortum. Personally, I’d recommend safer methods. Do you see the dark element essences I’ve summoned here? Try placing each one on your hand to sharpen your senses. Slowly! And if you can’t feel it, don’t worry. You can just ask another mage for help.”

“…!”

Watching all this, Lee Han and Adenart were shocked.

Adenart spoke in a trembling voice.

“D-did you see that? I can’t believe how naturally and flexibly he handles so many elements.”

At the same time, Lee Han’s voice shook.

“How can the method be just like Professor Verdus’s, but be so kind?”

“? “

“? “

The two looked at each other, both puzzled.

“…Isn’t the elemental magic itself more amazing?”

“That level of kindness surprises me more. The Headmaster himself could do all that. But being friendly—now that’s rare.”

Lee Han now understood why seniors said, “He’s better than the others, at least,” about Professor Jorzik.

‘Isn’t that an understatement!’

As Adenart stared at him a little more coldly than before, Professor Jorzik approached the two.

The professor’s gaze blazed with interest and ambition.

“The only two students taking my humble class!”

“…Nice to meet you, Professor?”

“Let me see if what I know about you is right. Adenart, 43rd Imperial Royal, supported by the Palm Tree Knights, Jeokyu Mage Tower, Imperial Western Merchants’ Union, Cross Brothers Swordsmen, and the Olodo Party!”

Adenart’s eyes widened and she nodded like a startled rabbit.

It was rare for an Einrogard professor to take that much interest in a student.

Seeing her reaction, Professor Jorzik’s gaze burned even hotter with ambition.

Though he hadn’t used telepathy magic, Lee Han could almost hear: ‘Become my student and support me!’

“If I have a single hobby at Einrogard, it’s earning the respect of talented students like you.”

Intimidated by the professor’s intensity, the Princess quickly hid behind Lee Han.

Regardless, Professor Jorzik pressed on.

“Anytime you need help or instruction, come see Jorzik of House Benmalpa!”

“I understand, Professor.”

“Good! And now you…”

‘Wait. Me too?’

Lee Han had actually been caught off guard.

Since the professor had focused so much on Adenart, he thought he’d get off relatively easy.

But Professor Jorzik’s gaze burned even more brightly.

If Adenart was a tossed lure, Jorzik was chasing Lee Han with net and harpoon, committed to catching him no matter what.

‘Did he use some sort of fire magic on his eyes?’

Lee Han couldn’t believe someone could make their pupils burn like that just from ambition.

“You’re the ‘one,’ aren’t you!”

“…Did my seniors or professors forget my name?”

He was starting to get self-conscious at being called ‘that guy,’ ‘him,’ and ‘the one’ instead of by name.

It didn’t feel like a good omen.

Professor Jorzik grinned ear to ear.

“Of course not! Wardanaz, student of the Wardanaz family, taking all discipline lectures.”

“Yes…”

“And a disciple of the Headmaster.”

“Huh?”

Lee Han was about to object, but Professor Jorzik kept speaking.

“Beloved of all the Einrogard professors—how could I, Jorzik of House Benmalpa, not join in?”

“I’m really fin…”

“What magic troubles you? I may not be as specialized as someone like Lord Yumidihus, but when it comes to elemental magic, I’m competent at all forms!”

Professor Jorzik sounded humble, but after what they’d just seen, Lee Han knew that was no small feat.

Specialists like Yumidihus, who explored only one element to the limits, were the exception; being proficient with all the elements made Jorzik a true master.

‘Fine. I came for class, so focus on magic.’

As burdensome as the professor’s attention was, Lee Han knew to keep the topic on magic at times like this.

Besides, unlike a certain other professor, this one was kind and passionate about teaching.

“I’m here to improve my overall ability.”

“As expected for a second-year. Then how about this? List your weakest and strongest elements.”

“I’m not so good with fire…”

“Hmm.”

“But I’m a bit more confident in lightning, frost, and shadow…”

“……”