Episode 87

What Perkuntra had attempted was element transformation.

It was a sort of trick used among spirits to show off their powerful strength.

The method was simple.

It was about changing one element into another.

It sounded simple, but it was not simple at all.

Turning fire into ice.

Turning ice into lightning.

Turning lightning into darkness.

A skilled wizard would know how astonishing it was to change an already existing element into another.

It was actually easier to summon a new element than to arbitrarily change an already existing one, which was much more difficult.

Moreover, this was an element summoned by a wizard.

If this was possible, it would mean you could arbitrarily transform a wizard’s fireball into a spear of ice and send it back.

In other words, it was like direct interference with the elemental concept in magic, a demonstration of powerful power…

……

Since he failed, there was no demonstration nor anything. Ihan and Yoner were whispering seriously about what Perkuntra had just done.

“I think he was trying to show us lightning.”

“Lightning…? It certainly was an amazing lightning bolt, but what does that have to do with summoning fire?”

“Maybe he wanted to compare the power of lightning more dramatically? If lightning struck fire, the fire would sputter…”

“Is that it? It doesn’t seem all that effective.”

Did you see? That lightning is the true show of my power.

Perkuntra hurriedly changed his words.

No matter what, he had his pride, and couldn’t admit failure in front of young wizards.

At the spirit’s words, Ihan and Yoner nodded their heads.

“So he really wanted to show us lightning.”

“But I really don’t think summoning fire was very effective.”

“Shh. A spirit’s taste might be a bit different, you know.”

Perkuntra ground his teeth.

The young wizards’ sincere consideration made the powerful spirit feel even more humiliated.

‘Why on earth…?’

Perkuntra stared at the flickering flame.

Normally, Perkuntra had taken control and transformed the elements of wizards much more experienced than the one before him.

Yet he couldn’t take even this young wizard’s fire.

‘!’

Only then did Perkuntra sense that there was something odd about the fire Ihan had summoned.

It appeared to be a normal flame on the outside, but inside, explosive mana was seething and dormant.

It was like a dragon’s flame, which, according to the mage’s will, could change in any way.

Perkuntra felt a chill for the first time in a while.

Young wizards were prone to mistakes and accidents.

Even when casting simple fire spells, they sometimes raised the fire’s heat so much they themselves couldn’t bear it, or failed to keep its form and caused it to burst everywhere, and so on.

The reason young wizards could be relatively safe from such mistakes and accidents was that the amount of mana in their spells was small.

Because the mana was low, even if the spell went out of control, it wasn’t that dangerous.

However, the young wizard in front of him was different.

If this young wizard happened to lose control and let the fire run wild?

This closed punishment room would melt away, and the two wizards could die instantly.

‘Why is he being so reckless…’

Internally cursing, Perkuntra soon realized who was at fault.

…It was himself.

He’d urged the boy to gather mana, and pressed him again to convert it into a destructive element.

Naturally, the young wizard would collect as much mana as possible and create a destructive flame as the spirit instructed.

And then, Perkuntra tried to seize control.

If someone tried to take control, the mage instinctively gripped it tighter.

That must be why the mana unconsciously spiked.

‘I made a mistake…! I should have accounted for how much mana he had!’

Now, Perkuntra’s pride no longer mattered.

What mattered most was to have the young wizard cancel the fire without panicking.

You… you saw my lightning’s might, right?

“Yes. It was really impressive. So could you please open the way for us now…”

Ihan was only halfway sincere.

The other half was just flattery because he wanted to get out quickly.

Perkuntra wanted to curse, but he couldn’t because the ball of fire was still blazing in front of Ihan.

If he cursed -> the young wizard would be emotionally shaken or angered -> the anger would affect the fire -> fire rampage!

Wait! I will open the way. I promise on my honor.

“Really?”

Ihan was puzzled.

The spirit was kinder than he had expected.

He thought it would make more trouble…

‘Well, the spirit isn’t a professor.’

Maybe Ihan had thought too badly of the spirit.

So don’t be startled. Stay calm. Absolutely do not be afraid. Understood? If you understand, say so.

“…??”

“???”

Perkuntra was not talented at talking. Ihan and Yoner immediately sensed something was off.

‘What’s going on?’

“Is there some problem?”

No problem! Absolutely no problem!

Ihan tilted his head, then waved his staff to move the fire aside.

Perkuntra was so startled he could have screamed, but barely managed to hold it in.

D-Don’t wave your staff.

“??”

Ihan was puzzled. Thinking it might be because of the wood spirit in the staff, he picked it up and looked at it.

Don’t wave it…! …I said, don’t…?

Perkuntra stopped himself from yelling. If Ihan got startled, it would be even more dangerous.

“Why?”

Perkuntra was really frustrated. He wanted to tell them just how dangerous that flame was.

But doing so might make the young wizards panic and cause an accident.

I… don’t like it when someone waves their staff in front of me.

“……”

“……”

Ihan and Yoner made awkward faces. Perkuntra could tell what they were thinking.

They thought Perkuntra was a quirky, weird spirit!

But there was no time to argue.

The longer that fire lasted, the greater the risk of a rampage. By any means, he had to make him cancel the fire magic.

‘How?’

No matter how much Perkuntra racked his brain, nothing came up.

If he told him to cancel the fire…

He would ask why -> the boy would be emotionally shaken -> the agitation would affect the fire -> fire rampage!

My… mind has changed.

“???”

I will make a contract with you!

“……”

Ihan gradually began to doubt the spirit’s mental state.

‘Is he bipolar?’

Of course, now wasn’t the time to be picky, but he didn’t want to befriend a mentally unstable spirit.

“Can I ask why?”

Perkuntra really wanted to strike lightning for real.

He should’ve just been grateful…

But there was no time. Somehow, he had to convince the young wizard.

I see infinite potential in you!

“Excuse me? Based on what…?”

Perkuntra’s clumsy compliment seemed only to make Ihan more wary.

Even the red-haired wizard looked skeptical.

“He seems suspicious…”

“Right? It hasn’t even been that long since we started talking.”

Your mana! You have mana so monstrous that no other wizard could follow. You know it too!

“But just now you said you wouldn’t contract because of my mana. With someone you don’t know…”

That’s because I didn’t know! But now I do! Hurry! Make the contract quickly!

Agitated, Perkuntra urged impatiently. The fire could rampage at any second.

‘He really might be bipolar…’

Ihan hesitated.

He was a little suspicious of the spirit’s mental condition, but to be honest, the chance to contract with a spirit was too tempting.

Since Parakis had recommended him, he must be a very capable spirit.

He wasn’t sure why he had refused at first and then suddenly changed his mind…

But maybe this was the opportunity.

Maybe right now was the only time a quirky spirit would ever soften.

“…Alright! I’ll make the contract.”

You made a good decision. Open your soul and accept me!

Perkuntra uttered an incantation at Ihan’s soul.

At that moment, Ihan learned Perkuntra’s true name.

The spirit of lightning, Perkuntra!

That was his name.

‘Ah. So he was a lightning spirit. Is that why he’s unstable?’

-Now that we’re contracted, I can sense your suspicion too! Cut it out!

‘Whoops.’

Their souls became tied together with a mark.

-I acknowledge you as my companion. You have the authority to summon me. But remember this. I am not your servant, and you are not my master.

-I never thought that.

-Good. When you summon me, you’d better be careful. If you summon even a part of me, your mana…

Perkuntra paused. On second thought, the mana didn’t really matter.

-…If you summon me thoughtlessly, you might not be able to summon me when you actually need to.

Just because you contracted didn’t mean you could summon at will.

The two were to be in a relationship of mutual respect.

Especially for a powerful spirit like Perkuntra, pride was even more important. Frequent summons would not be tolerated.

-Don’t worry. I really won’t have much reason to summon you.

Ihan didn’t want to meet a mentally unstable spirit frequently.

Perkuntra tried to curse at the emotion in Ihan’s words but stopped himself.

There was something more urgent.

Now that the contract is done, let me show my power!

“What are you going to do?”

This!

With a shout, Perkuntra entered Ihan’s arm.

Then he devoted all his energy to controlling the fire.

Quickly, release that fire! Cancel it!

“??”

To Perkuntra’s worry, Ihan calmly dispersed his mana and canceled the fire, as if it were nothing.

Only after that could Perkuntra finally sigh in relief.

You… you! Do you even realize how dangerous what you were doing was! You foolish young wizard!

Seething with indignation, Perkuntra left the two young wizards bewildered.

Even amid his embarrassment, Yoner asked a piercing question.

“But… you told us to gather mana and try to convert to the most destructive element?”

……

‘He’s at a loss for words.’

‘He’s at a loss for words.’

Ihan and Yoner could both feel that their counterpart was speechless.

Anyway, never do that again! It’s really dangerous!! This punishment room could have melted down completely!

Perkuntra’s warning was sincere.

Through that sincerity, Ihan realized just how dangerous the situation had just been.

As Professor Garcia had warned, maybe fire magic was still a bit much for Ihan.

‘That was a close trip to the afterlife.’

It wasn’t for nothing that Professor Garcia had warned him. Uncontrolled fire magic could kill its caster.

Ihan resolved never to pour that much mana into a spell again.

Looks like you finally understand. Remember. No matter how great your talent, it’s meaningless if it controls you…

“Wait. There wouldn’t have been any danger if you hadn’t told me to gather so much mana in the first place.”

Ihan pointed out once again.

If Perkuntra hadn’t ordered it, everything would have been safe.

He tried to gloss over it, but that didn’t work on Ihan.

“Since we’re contracted, let me ask one thing. Why did you tell me to gather all that mana and convert the element?”

I’ll open the way. Look! This is the path out. How’s that?

The wall opened and new stairs appeared, but Ihan was not swayed.

He was genuinely curious.

Cornered, Perkuntra threw out whatever words came to him.

You two young wizards! The sun is already rising outside, aren’t you going to go to class?!

“!”

“!!!”

Ihan and Yoner were shocked.

On Friday mornings, there’s the lecture!