Episode 80

Fortunately, Professor Millay did not send Ihaan away.

Swish!

Two thick tomes appeared in midair. They were so thick one could use them as a weapon.

On the well-bound covers was written, .

“Both of you, please sit.”

Even without brandishing a sword or waving a wand, Professor Millay had an imposing gaze that made people tense.

Gainando sat down with a slightly fearful expression as well.

“Professor, where are the other students?”

“They received instruction and took their assignments, then left.”

“Assi… Assignments?”

Gainando lifted his head.

Getting more assignments in a situation like this was a heavy burden. Gainando tried a timid rebellion.

“Professor, in black magic there weren’t any assi—”

Professor Millay stared fixedly at Gainando. He was subdued just by that gaze.

‘Could that gaze possibly have a petrification effect?’

There were so many strange professors that he grew unnecessarily suspicious.

“Both of you, open your books.”

They obediently opened their books. Confronted with the densely packed text, Gainando staggered as if dizzy.

“Read and copy. Then solve the problems.”

Ihaan stared at the book.

—Summoning inanimate objects, the most basic and fundamental part of summoning magic, must be learned by any sorcerer even if one is only interested in other summoning fields. The great summoner Boltzmann designed educational and efficient magic circles for future generations, and memorization of these circles became standard in the study of summoning magic. So, young summoners, be grateful and diligent. Memorizing and understanding the fundamental circles devised by Boltzmann will assure you astonishing achievement in summoning magic…

(Magic Circle No. 1)

(Magic Circle No. 2)

(Magic Circle No. 3)

(Magic Circle No. 4)

…

…

—Young summoners. Having learned fascinating knowledge, it is now time to put it to fascinating use. Try to answer the following riddles.

Rookie summoner Churrsu, while traveling the cold north, was accidentally separated from the group and left alone. Unfortunately, someone stole his luggage full of thick clothes, and a fierce wind shredded the clothes he was wearing. Which summoning magic circle should Churrsu use, as quickly as possible, to avoid freezing to death?

‘Never mind the summoning circle, shouldn’t you first find the criminal?’

Setting aside the bizarre and far-fetched problems, the textbook itself was excellent.

Ihaan, who had seen more than enough complicated and tedious textbooks, could tell right away how decent this one was.

Not all textbooks were kind.

Some showed considerate guidance tailored for the reader’s level; others, as if saying “I have no intention to teach you, but only want you to waste your time pointlessly,” were designed that way.

And usually, textbooks were the latter.

…That described most of the professors here, too…

But the book from Professor Millay was excellent.

By reading carefully with focus, one could easily memorize and understand the basic magic circle structures commonly used in summoning magic.

Just for that, Ihaan rated Professor Millay highly.

‘She’s actually a good person.’

Out of countless magic books, she picked the one most suitable for education.

A commitment to teaching that could not be compared with other professors.

‘Thank you, Professor.’

Professor Millay was a bit flustered by the emotional look Ihaan sent her.

‘??’

There were two reasons why Professor Millay refrained from teaching summoning magic from the start.

First, because summoning magic could easily cause accidents without abundant knowledge and preparation. Even simple inanimate object summoning could injure the caster.

Second, because she hoped students would not act recklessly.

If you taught summoning magic right away to first-years already full of pride and self-respect, they could cause accidents in their brashness and arrogance.

So she made them study.

Difficult and boring, until they squirmed and twisted out of discomfort.

That was Professor Millay’s philosophy.

If they couldn’t endure and quit, all the better. It was better for such students not to study summoning magic.

‘But…?’

Professor Millay was surprised by Ihaan quietly copying the book and solving the problems without a word of complaint.

She had thought that the most gifted among the students would also be the most arrogant.

Usually, the other students would start yawning, fidgeting, peeking toward the door, and then looking for a chance to escape…

But to her astonishment, Ihaan didn’t move a muscle. He sat like a statue, busily writing with his quill.

“Ihaan.”

“What is it?”

“Bathroom.”

“Are you running away?”

“Wha… What? What? No! No, I’m not!”

Gainando frantically denied it. Ihaan, who’d just asked casually, was now sure of it.

‘He really was trying to bolt.’

At first, Ihaan wondered if Gainando would switch from black magic to summoning.

But now he felt there was no need for such a concern.

“I miss Professor Mortum…”

Returning from the bathroom, Gainando was mumbling like a madman.

• * *

‘Surely if I study this hard, she’ll let me do something practical?’ Gainando’s hopes were utterly shattered.

Professor Millay made them study all the way to the end.

Ihaan nodded with a satisfied look.

‘You need classes like this too.’

Having taken so many wild, eventful classes, good quality theory lessons now felt sweet.

As Gainando got up, he whispered,

“Hey. Do you actually understand this??”

“Isn’t it pretty good? It’s even fun.”

“…?????!!”

Gainando stared at Ihaan with a look more shocked than when Ihaan subdued Rafadiel.

He really has gone crazy!

“That’s all for today. Read and study this material for next week.”

Professor Millay put the books away and handed over a fat sheaf of paper. Gainando received it with an obedient face.

‘He won’t be back.’

‘He won’t be back.’

Ihaan and Professor Millay both predicted Gainando’s future at the same time.

Anyone could tell he wouldn’t show up from next week on!

“See you next week.”

Ihaan politely said goodbye.

It was important to maintain good relations with professors in general, but one should be even closer with truly decent professors.

They might help out if Ihaan ended up in detention one day.

“If I misjudged you, I apologize, Ihaan.”

“Pardon?”

“Then, see you next week.”

Professor Millay gave a faint smile.

But to Ihaan, who had no idea what she meant, there was a limitless array of possible interpretations.

‘What does that mean??’

When the Spirit Hall door closed, Ihaan was bewildered.

Just what had she misjudged??

‘Did she talk with Professor Mortum about my future? Said she’d push me into black magic? Maybe with the skeleton principal…’

In the end, Ihaan agonized over it until he fell asleep that night.

• * *

While the students grew more haggard by the day, the skeleton principal seemed to grow brighter and brighter.

Entering the classroom, the skeleton principal greeted them in a cheerful voice.

Is everyone having a happy week?

“……”

“……”

If it were the first week, a few might have answered for politeness’s sake, but now all students from all four towers remained silent.

The skeleton principal rattled his bones cheerfully. With this, the students’ necks involuntarily bobbed up and down.

Except for Ihaan.

“……”

Looking around, Ihaan hastily nodded as well. The skeleton principal stared at him incredulously.

‘He even copies that…’

Seeing the boy from the Wardanaz family, he was reminded of a lion wearing a lamb’s mask trying hard to fit in with the sheep.

If you could withstand the skeleton principal’s magic alone, you should stand tall and proud—so what was this behavior?

Now. It’s time for your lesson on ethics as young apprentice wizards. You remember the assignment I gave you last week, yes?

The students nodded.

Who could possibly forget?

—Each tower’s students must bring the flag hung in the first-year student lounge of the tower I designate. It’s a banner with an emblem!

The skeleton principal’s assignment.

It was to bring the flag from another tower.

It had nothing to do with ethics, no matter how generously you tried to see it, but the principal was unshaken.

Now, let’s check the Black Tortoise Tower first. Did you get the Phoenix Tower flag?

“Yes. We…”

The Black Tortoise Tower students carefully tried to take out the flag.

It was a flag they had exchanged with the Phoenix Tower students.

Okay, you brought it. Good job.

“……”

“……”

The skeleton principal showed obvious disinterest.

Having already known about the swap, he had little interest.

Phoenix Tower must have taken care of it too, right?

“Yes.”

Good. Now…

The skeleton principal floated across to the White Tiger Tower students with the joy of someone finally receiving a long-awaited meal.

My honorable knight family students! You must have brought the Blue Dragon Tower flag, right? Hmm??

“……”

“……”

The faces of the White Tiger Tower students flushed with humiliation and shame.

Even Ihaan—who normally didn’t care about what others thought—felt a little uncomfortable with the situation.

‘My scalp is burning.’

The White Tiger Tower students glared at Ihaan with eyes full of resentment.

Why aren’t you taking it out?! Hmm?! Why?! Don’t tell me you failed to get it?!

‘Stop it already…’

Ihaan wished the skeleton principal would cut it out. Of course, he didn’t.

After making enough of a fuss, the skeleton principal switched topics.

I remind you again, this class is not so you will fight each other. The purpose is to get to know, befriend, and harmonize.

No one believed him.

It pains me to think you misunderstand me, so I’ll set you an assignment that’s easier to understand this time.

Ihaan grew anxious.

Just what more would he do?

If you go straight west from the main building, there is a lake. Some of you may have seen it already.

“……”

“…That was a lake?”

Some students who’d gone on walks looked confused.

Because…

“I thought it was the sea.”

“Why would there be a sea in the school?!”

“It’s just… for this school, I figured there might be one.”

…That’s how enormous the lake was.

Just as mountain ranges in these magic school grounds were vast and hard to gauge, there was also a lake of incredible size.

On that lake, there is an island. I’ve hidden an exit permit there.

“!”

“!!!”

The students’ eyes flashed hungrily.

All of you, work together to bring it to me.

“Yes, sir!”

It was the most enthusiastic response they’d given yet.

Right. Phoenix Tower students should team up with the Black Tortoise Tower, Blue Dragon Tower with the White Tiger Tower. Like last time, you’re free to ignore me, but…

The skeleton principal grinned slyly.

If you do that, I guarantee you will never succeed.

Blue Dragon and White Tiger students looked at each other and grimaced.

They were all thinking the same thing.

‘With these bastards? They must be thinking the same thing.’