Episode 806

The death knights awkwardly sheathed the swords they were about to draw—though not all the way, as they still didn’t fully trust the situation.

-Is this for real?

-How strange. No pride at all? Even for the master’s clone?

-Could it be it’s a different clone, not the one obsessed with honor? Maybe the “sleepy” one…

-No, it’s the honor one. We checked multiple times.

Depending on their preparations, the death knights’ fighting ability varied greatly.

Depending on which magics stocked in the domain were deployed, and what relics were activated, their combat power could vary immensely.

Of course, when facing the Skeleton Principal’s mad clone, they’d brought out the strongest spells and magic items.

Even with the domain’s support, you couldn’t be complacent facing an archmage.

That was how they’d so easily subdued Intarendals, and if the mad clone ever showed up, they planned to show no mercy…
But the matter ended far more peacefully than expected. Just giving permission?

“Are you sure he gave permission?”

Lee Han was having the same doubt as the death knights.

No matter how he thought about it, this wasn’t someone who’d just give permission for no reason.

‘Could this be a trap?’

“Yes, of course!”

“He didn’t get angry, rage, smash things, or annihilate all life?”

“My master is a royal who knows honor. He’d never do such things.”

Intarendals replied firmly, as if asking what Lee Han was even talking about.

“Look at me—there’s not a scratch on my body.”

-I’ll be… wow…

-Did he hit you, then heal you after?

The death knights whispered among themselves, but had to admit Intarendals really did look perfectly fine for someone relaying such news.

“For that matter, is Antagondals safe?”

“Who is Antagondals?”

“..Um, that criminal in the domain… I mentioned them earlier. The one working as a slave…”

“Ah, I apologize. I don’t remember all the worthless and insignificant people.”

Intarendals apologized with sincere courtesy, but that didn’t make what he just said sound any kinder.

Lee Han felt it was actually lucky Antagondals hadn’t heard this. However evil a magic criminal might be, you ought to let them keep a sliver of pride.

“As for that slave… I believe my master killed him several times… I’m not sure. As I said, I don’t pay attention to or remember worthless and insignificant people.”

“……”

So he DID get pissed off!

At Intarendals’s unbelievable reply, Lee Han was left speechless.

If he’d taken out his anger by killing Antagondals a few times, then he clearly WAS angry, not calm.

“Here. Please accept this.”

“..Is it safe?”

Lee Han eyed the strange small stone that Intarendals offered him suspiciously. If he touched that stone, he might be cursed, burned by hellfire, poisoned and rot away, or, worst of all, sent straight to the mad clone’s location.

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? You’d love nothing more than to learn from my master, but there are too many lousy lessons you must attend here right now, so you just don’t have the time.”

“I don’t think I put it quite that way…”

“Here. Watch.”

Suddenly, the strange little stone flew over and settled at the tip of Lee Han’s staff.

Illusory mirage began to swirl from the staff.

The mad clone of the Skeleton Principal appeared in person.

How impudent, this rabble.

-How did that illusion bypass Einrogard’s defenses!?

-Incredible…!

The death knights were amazed at this magic breaking through Einrogard’s wards, but the clone coldly spat,

Silence, you ignorant trash. Fooled by a hollow clone’s words and meddling in great works, what pests.

-That’s uncalled for.

-Do you know how irate imperial citizens are whenever you pop up like this?

-The “sleepy” clone was better than you last time!

The death knights hurled taunts, but the clone was unshaken.

The vision spun and glared at Lee Han. Lee Han considered tossing his staff aside, but stopped when their eyes met.

Daring to break away and ignore my summons, hmm? You think you can get away with this because of those pitiful skills of yours…

“I had my reasons, Master!”

Lee Han quickly made excuses.

He had classes, assignments, clubs, and more at Einrogard—he just HAD to step away sometimes…

Clinging to such petty concerns. Your pitiful stupidity annoys me so much it makes me dizzy.

If I keep annoying him, maybe he’ll get rid of me?

For the first and last time, this royal will make a concession. You rabble, remember this and pass it on to your descendants.

“Yes, I’ll remember, sir.”

Lee Han resolved to tell any future child he might have, “Watch out for crazy clones.”

Having said his piece, the clone nodded arrogantly and spoke,

Then prepare yourself.

“…For what?”

The clone sighed deeply, radiating contempt, disdain, and insult. Without a word, somehow Lee Han could hear: “I have to teach this trash as my disciple?”

Did you already forget the achievement you completed last time?

“No, Master. I learned a bit of telekinesis magic.”

Lee Han hoped to cloud the clone’s memory, but unfortunately the clone’s recollection was razor-sharp.

Fifth-circle, wasn’t it. Begin your next fifth-circle spell now. You have a long way to go.

-Fifth-circle magic already? So soon?

-I heard it’s a fifth-circle telekinesis spell. Fifth-circle, non-verbal.

-No way! Isn’t that too fast? He’s only a second year!

-I’d say it’s just right for him. Could even say it’s slow.

-Even so, non-verbal telekinesis is a far cry from the easier fifth-circle spells.

“You all seem very interested in Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. If I may, I believe he can do it, as he’s succeeded once before…”

‘Why are they so noisy back there?’

Lee Han frowned, wishing the death knights and Intarendals would go away.

Even if he wasn’t in any danger, just talking with the clone was enough of a mental ordeal.

He was about to begin the next fifth-circle magic, but couldn’t focus with that racket behind him…

“Honestly, I’m not sure what next fifth-circle spell I should attempt.”

From the fifth circle up, magic wasn’t just about mimicry or rote learning—total mastery of even a narrow field was required.

You couldn’t just pick it up; you had to plunge deeply into the discipline itself.

At Lee Han’s stalling, the clone gave cold advice.

Visit the domain. Rabble. Mere garbage teachings have dulled your wits.

“I’ll think about it a bit more.”

Since visiting in person would mean relentless instruction (or at least until he died), Lee Han tried to deflect.

“But except for telekinesis, there’s no type I’m confident in…”

“Lee Han, you’re outstanding overall, but you’ve used lightning, ice, and darkness elements most.”

“……”

Lee Han regretted not just beheading Intarendals when he had the chance. Should’ve just returned him to the dirt!

In such a short time, they’d gathered all this info on Lee Han.

Your taste in elements is at least acceptable. Take pride in not choosing such trash elements.

“Thank you.”

Praise didn’t feel rewarding at all. Lee Han actually wished he’d just focused on ordinary elements.

“Ah, I’m quite adept with water too.”

You claim you’re ready to master water-element fifth-circle? Impressive enthusiasm. I thought you were trying to avoid my lessons, but I guess I was mistaken.

“……”

Trying to evade, but now stuck, Lee Han was despondent.

The death knights interjected from behind.

-Compared to lightning, ice, and darkness, water seems plain, but Lord Wardanaz has delved far deeper into water than most!

-Right! Judging only by conventional use is shallow thinking. And you call yourself an archmage?

Hmph. What do ignorant knights know about magic.

The clone dismissed the knights’ protests but accepted some parts.

Fine then. Let’s see what you can do with elemental fifth-circle water magic. Prove you’ve delved deeper than the rest.

“…Actually, I’m not that good with water. My applications are very conventional.”

Lee Han tried to protest, but the clone didn’t listen. No point wasting time on the useless modesty of a disciple.

Start with lightning.

“Excuse me?”

The mad clone fell silent for a moment, then its image flickered.

Through the mirage, Lee Han heard a magic criminal’s wretched scream. The clone re-materialized, clicking its tongue.

Try lightning magic. It’s fine to use any and all meager lightning spells you’ve learned on those rotten knights.

-Not a bad idea. I’ll be your opponent.

One of the death knights enthusiastically grabbed a shield and stepped forward.

If it would help the heir’s learning, they’d do anything.

As insolent and rude as the crazy clone was, Einrogard was full of such characters anyway.

Just think of him as Bible’s twin and move on.

“Why is everyone so eager—Never mind. Spear of Lightning!”

Lee Han gave up and chanted a spell.

With the lightning spear, he also recited an additional spell, and a cloak of lightning enveloped him.

This kind of physical transformation was the most difficult form of lightning element, and Lee Han looked impressive maintaining stable spears and cloaks, drawing praise from the death knights.

-Impressive!

-There are very few who can control lightning as stably as this!

Quiet, enough. What do fools who know nothing of magic even have to say?

The mad clone was displeased with their praise.

At this level, he was still just crawling. Praising his clumsy disciple like this would only make him arrogant.

Crack!

Lee Han thrust his lightning spear and clashed with the death knight.

The death knight wielded a shield infused with powerful magic, pushing Lee Han back.

Whenever the lightning cloak roared and tried to blast the area, the death knight nimbly hid behind his shield and held firm.

After a brief pause, as Lee Han caught his breath, the clone spoke.

You felt it, didn’t you?

“Yes. Death knights are insanely broken undead opponents.”

Heh.

At his disciple’s flippant answer, the mad clone suppressed his irritation by killing Antagondals once more before saying:

When you use lightning, your attacks are too linear. Like using a supreme sword to butcher chickens. What you must master is the lightning element itself.

-What does “itself” even mean?

A death knight wondered, but Lee Han immediately understood.

“High-level lightning spirits can become lightning itself even when possessing a body. Temporarily manifest that state.”

That was Lightning Transformation, the state Perkuntra had shown before.

If Lee Han could wield such overwhelming power, even briefly, it would be immense.

Correct. You are not unintelligent, at least.

As they observed this dialogue, the death knights thought to themselves—

Maybe, just maybe, Lee Han of Wardanaz bore some responsibility for what was unfolding here as well?