Chapter 495

"Is that something to say? Is that a snout or a mouth you're carrying?"

"Aren't they both the same..."

"After having such an experience, you should think about learning and preparing higher magic to crush your enemies!"

The skull principal sternly rebuked Yi-Han.

However, Yi-Han's expression was different from what he expected.

Instead of reflecting and accepting, he was looking at the skull principal as if dumbfounded.

"How can I do more here..."

"..."

The skull principal almost agreed.

Although the skull principal, being an ancient person, had a more lenient standard for magic education, even by ancient standards, Yi-Han's current training was on the harsh side.

However, instead of backing down, the skull principal shouted.

"If you can't reflect, at least make excuses!"

"No... But what more training can I do here..."

Yi-Han asked in bewilderment, but the skull principal quickly changed the subject.

"And taking Bagrak to suspicious places is not a wise action. Although it will be possible to solve problems if they arise, even more problems will occur."

'Indeed.'

This time, Yi-Han agreed.

Indeed, taking Professor Bagrak to a suspicious place might be similar to entering a gunpowder warehouse with a torch.

"I will keep that in mind."

"Yes. Keep that in mind. By the way... That magic criminal's eyes are quite sharp. To recognize your qualities. How do you think he recognized it? Mana quantity? Or did he overhear the evaluation within Einroguard? Or did he hear rumors about what you did during the vacation..."

The skull principal trailed off.

Thinking about it while talking, the magic criminal's eyes weren't particularly sharp.

With so many clues, even an idiot could think, 'Huh? That mage from the Wardanaz family seems somewhat extraordinary.'

'I should pay more attention...'

Last time, when Wardanaz saved the knights from the anti-magic extremists' attack, the skull principal also thought.

That magic criminals might take an interest.

But seeing it like this, that prediction seemed to have come true.

Indeed, considering Wardanaz's talent and the things he had accomplished, the interest shown by the magic criminals now was rather late.

With his innate magic talent, unlike ordinary mages, he knew how to act strategically for his own goals, and he belonged to multiple schools...

If he fell into being a magic criminal, the magic criminals would shed tears of joy and hold a festival.

"Ah. It's not because of that, but probably because of the Sea Serpent. I used a lot of magic while preparing for the Sea Serpent subjugation."

"Is that so? Indeed, with your mana, it would have been a waste to tie you up in the back."

The skull principal immediately understood what he meant.

Didn't both professors and students participate in the Sea Serpent subjugation?

The standard was for professors to directly participate on the front lines and for students to assist with various preparations in the rear, but Wardanaz had long surpassed the level of an ordinary 1st-year student.

Naturally, they would have had him assist with preparations at the front.

"If it was something you did... Equipment enhancement? Securing light sources?"

"Oh. That's right."

Yi-Han was slightly amazed.

As if he wasn't the principal for nothing, he accurately guessed the things Yi-Han had done, as if he had been there.

"Did the professor tell you?"

"No. I didn't ask about such details. No matter how sociable Professor Uregor is compared to the other two, there's nothing good about bothering him too much... Then did the magic criminal approach you after seeing those magics?"

"But I don't think that was very intense."

It was true that he had painted the entire port as bright as broad daylight, and in fact, that was why Ianop had received a strong impression, but Yi-Han didn't realize it.

It was because he felt that another reason was much more likely.

"I think it might have been quite significant that I hit the Sea Serpent with cold arrows or Water Bullet magic."

"Water Bullet? Eumidiphos's?"

"Not Lady Eumidiphos's Water Bullet, I improved it. The professor allowed me to put my name on it."

"Wow..."

The skull principal rarely expressed his emotions and was delighted.

"Professor Bagrak must have driven you like a starving hunting dog, so it must be truly rewarding!"

"..."

Yi-Han almost turned serious.

Shouldn't you stop him if you know that?

"I was lucky."

"It's not luck, it's skill. No matter how hard you try, it's not an easy task to improve a magic to that extent and adapt it to yourself. Indeed, trials make a mage grow."

"...It was possible because of the efforts I had accumulated until then..."

"No. Trials are indeed necessary. But it's a pity to just let go of such a valuable experience... Did Professor Bagrak perhaps tell you to write a book?"

Yi-Han truly turned serious.

From the principal to the professor, they were all bastards.

"Yes. He told me."

"Did he tell you to write a book not only about organizing the magic you improved but also about contemplating the direction you should move forward?"

"Yes."

"Is that so? Professor Bagrak cherishes you a lot."

"..."

Yi-Han gritted his teeth, imagining putting the skull principal and Professor Bagrak on the Imperial court and accusing them.

"Anyway, be careful. If that magic criminal took an interest in you, there's a high possibility that other magic criminals will also take an interest. After all, bees don't swarm to a fragrant flower alone."

"Don't worry. I will never show interest in suspicious proposals or magic."

"Why are you so lacking in curiosity as a mage!"

"..."

The skull principal was the embodiment of irrationality.

Ignoring the proposals of magic criminals while having curiosity and persistently exploring any magic or proposal.

However, Yi-Han did not waver.

The professors were always like that.

'That's just noise.'

"You worked hard on the mission... I hope that experience and reward will be a good friend on your path of magic."

"I think so too."

Yi-Han answered sincerely, thinking about the gold coins he would receive from this mission.

'Can I conduct magic research or experiments as cheaply as possible to save gold coins? I don't want to waste hard-earned money on something like magic.'

"Wait."

The skull principal suddenly hesitated.

Yi-Han flinched, thinking his thoughts had been caught.

"Why are you doing that?"

"Did you say you hit the Sea Serpent with Water Bullets?"

"I also hit it with cold arrows."

"That's not what's important... How did you hit it?"

"?"

Yi-Han tilted his head.

"By aiming well?"

"...I asked the wrong question. Even if you were preparing in the front, you would have retreated to the back when the monster appeared, so how did you hit it from there?"

"Ah... There was a minor misunderstanding, so I fought together with the professors."

"..."

The skull principal remained silent without saying a word.

Yi-Han asked in bewilderment.

"Principal?"

"Send this to Professor Uregor."

Instead of answering, the skull principal wrote a note and sent a Death Knight on an errand.

Yi-Han was curious about what was written on the note.

It seemed like there was a phrase 'You are already a dead man' on the upper part...

"From now on, I will never believe you when you say you have no curiosity or interest."

"No, it was a misunderstanding! Really!"

"As if you would."

The skull principal said with a sneer.

The most humble-pretending yet arrogant mage in the Empire.

"Right. I almost forgot... Tell the students who participated in the mission that they can rest on Friday."

The students currently remaining at the school were suffering not only from lectures but also from flood restoration work.

However, since the other students had finished the mission outside and returned, they needed to be given time to rest and recover for about a day.

"Is that true?"

Yi-Han was slightly moved.

To think the skull principal would show such consideration.

'Perhaps he usually treats us like dogs for this effect?'

Because he usually treated them so badly, even a day of rest made them think, 'Does the principal actually care for us a lot?'

"Yes. On the weekend, you'll have to do the duty assigned to each tower, but that can't be helped..."

"I'm grateful even for a day of rest."

Yi-Han bowed his head and prepared to leave.

Then the skull principal asked in puzzlement.

"Where are you going?"

"Huh? You told me to take a break..."

"This is when you should learn magic. How many more days will you have to rest without lectures? Sit down. You said you wanted to learn about Antagondal's artifact last time, right? I'll tell you as a reward for your hard work on the mission."

"..."

Yi-Han felt a burning hatred towards the Empire's magic criminals.

Those barbaric bastards who shake the order of the Empire!

The skull principal sat Yi-Han down and took out the artifact he had looted from the previous battle.

And he took out the artifact confiscated from Ianop, and also took out an artifact he had never seen before.

The last artifact was stained with dried black blood.

"..."

"Oops. I told you to wipe it clean."

-My apologies.-

The Death Knight quickly took the artifact and brought back a clean one.

The skull principal spoke as if it was nothing.

"Last time, a criminal bastard resisted violently. Now. Look. These artifacts are all items made and used by magic criminals. What commonality do you feel here?"

Yi-Han was about to open his mouth immediately.

The skull principal's mood improved again at the sight of his brilliant disciple.

Until just now, he was filled with anger because of Professor Uregor, but as expected, what made a mage's mood better was magic.

"They all used expensive gems and added luxurious decorations. These ring-shaped decorations drawn on the side have little effect on magic, but because of their appearance..."

"...Not that."

The skull principal held back the urge to hit his disciple, who was immediately reciting the parts he had never paid any attention to, as if he was obsessed with gold coins.

"Other than that? I don't know anything except that the mana is unstable."

"Yes. I'm talking about the unstable mana. And ordinary mages value that more than those useless ornamental decorations."

"Is that so? The latter seems more important..."

The skull principal quickly continued his words because he didn't want to hear Yi-Han's nonsense.

"Magic criminals use all sorts of methods to amplify the power of magic. Many of those methods are forbidden in the Empire..."

The skull principal suddenly transformed into a human form and cut off his little finger.

The finger fell to the floor with a thud, and a crazy flow of mana burst out along with a bizarre pattern.

"Like human sacrifice?"

"Yes. Rituals that offer life or body have been popular since ancient times. In my opinion, it's close to the struggle of incompetent ones."

"Professor Bagrak also uses blood magic."

"That's right. Professor Bagrak is also not a lich, so that's why. If he becomes a lich, it will be much better."

"..."

Yi-Han tried to say something but didn't say anything.

It was because he respected the principal's race.

"I'll clarify in advance so that you don't have any unnecessary misunderstandings. The reason I don't freely teach these rituals without any restrictions is that these rituals are dangerous and unstable, and can even kill the caster."

"Uh... Isn't that obvious?"

In fact, Yi-Han had no complaints even if he didn't teach him freely or anything.

Just because magic criminals increased the efficiency of magic in some bizarre way didn't mean Yi-Han had to do the same.

It's not like he would die if he didn't increase the efficiency...

"The ones I taught all thought I was jealous of them and hiding it."

'Hmm. Indeed, the disciple takes after the teacher.'