Chapter 50

Fortunately, Lee Han did not have to bear the title of 'Professor Killer.'

Professor Mordum immediately got up.

"...Cough. You all saw that, right? This is a low-level paralysis curse."

In fact, Professor Mordum's body was still stiff.

He had quickly activated his mana to dispel the curse as soon as he fell, but since the amount was quite significant, the effects still lingered.

If the other black magic major students under Professor Mordum had seen this situation, they might have fainted.

Even if he was careless, for a first-year to bring down Professor Mordum with a low-level paralysis curse...

"......"

Professor Garcia, who knew the truth, looked at Professor Mordum with a bewildered expression.

Professor Mordum avoided his gaze.

"Thank goodness, Professor."

Lee Han said with a relieved voice.

At first, he was really startled, but it turned out that Professor Mordum had intentionally shown the effects of the low-level paralysis curse.

It did seem a bit strange!

"...You have a talent for curses."

"Is that so? Thank you."

"...You have a talent for curses."

"Thank you?"

The professor repeating himself was not a good sign.

Lee Han keenly noticed this omen.

'What are you trying to do now?'

Either he really had talent, or he had somehow offended the professor.

Considering the professor's twisted mind, the latter was more likely.

'Was the curse not as impressive as expected? What a conscienceless professor. If my first curse was perfect, would I still be a first-year?'

"As you just saw, curse magic is a very common type of magic that everyone knows at least one or two, even if they don't specialize in black magic."

Professor Garcia interjected to lighten the mood.

"Low-level curse magic is not difficult to learn, and more importantly, knowing it makes it easier to deal with other curse magic. Just because you don't learn curse magic doesn't mean others won't use it on you."

Black magic has many offensive spells that can be learned quickly.

It's easy to understand when compared to fire attribute magic.

To attack someone with fire magic, you need to start by creating flames and then control them to send them in another direction.

In contrast, black magic curses end as soon as you focus and cast the curse. Everyone has experienced their legs tingling or their body aching at some point.

For this reason, many low-circle mercenary mages who haven't formally learned magic often know a few black magic curses.

The best way to deal with a spell is to learn it yourself.

Since you never know what might happen, it's good to have some understanding of black magic.

That's why Professor Garcia called Professor Mordum.

It's not that he insisted they learn black magic!

"Alright. Let's stop the explanation here... How about pairing up?"

* * *

Unlike the initial indifferent atmosphere, the students showed more interest in curses than expected.

They were still young.

While they had heard many negative stories about black magic, the idea of an easy-to-learn offensive spell was irresistible.

Moreover, the logic that 'you need to learn a few curses to protect yourself' that Professor Garcia presented was quite convincing.

"Is it like this, like this, to swing it?"

"Seems right?"

"I heard that curses aren't just limited to paralysis. There are curses that darken your vision, interfere with breathing, and disrupt balance."

"Hey... Oh. Are you trying to learn black magic?"

"No."

Of course, just because they were interested in curses didn't mean they were naive enough to decide to specialize in black magic.

That's one thing, and this is another.

"Please take care."

"Please take care."

Lee Han's practice partner was Gaynando.

They exchanged polite greetings and then raised their wands.

The rules were simple.

One side attacks first.

Then the other side attacks.

The purpose was not only to cast curses but also to experience being hit by them.

Gaynando's turn to attack.

"Hmm!"

Gaynando focused his mana and began to convert it into the dark attribute.

'Oh.'

Lee Han was surprised.

Gaynando was converting his mana faster than expected.

'Could he have a talent for black magic?'

It could have been a coincidence, but considering Gaynando's performance with other elements, he did seem to have a talent.

He struggled with light, fire, and water, but his dark attribute conversion was so fast.

'Or maybe it's just that easy to do, like anyone can do it.'

Lee Han thought.

Considering that both he and Gaynando converted quickly...

It might just be that dark attribute conversion was particularly easy.

"No. That student... "

Professor Mordum whispered to Professor Garcia with a surprised expression.

He thought he had been sufficiently surprised by the young man from the Wodanaz family, but he had found a young black magic talent, even if not as remarkable.

Even if not as exceptional as the Wodanaz family's young man, this level of talent was something you might see once every ten years.

"That's Gaynando. He definitely has a talent for black magic."

"Indeed, that's what I think?"

"Yes. Encourage him actively."

Professor Garcia did not discourage but rather recommended it. This was different from his earlier worry about Lee Han learning black magic.

The reason was simple.

Lee Han excelled in almost every magic field. Innate mana, excellent sensing ability, flexible and broad thinking, and a diligent attitude.

From Professor Garcia's perspective, a student like him would undoubtedly succeed in any field.

But Gaynando didn't seem to have any particular talent in any field.

So, it was right for him to find a field that suited him.

In a way, finding a field that suits you, even if it's black magic, is a blessing.

"Paralyze!"

While they were talking, Gaynando cast the spell. Although the ending was a bit different, the curse was successfully cast. Professor Mordum nodded with a satisfied expression.

'He has talent.'

Swoosh!

'Ah. So that's why he wanted us to experience being hit by a curse.'

As the curse flew towards him, Lee Han understood what Professor Garcia had meant.

Why is curse magic easy to learn?

And why is it good to learn it to know how to deal with it?

'Curse magic... has a simple and loose structure.'

Thanks to the many times he had been hit by Professor Voladi, Lee Han immediately recognized the weaknesses of curse magic.

Curse magic is like throwing a net or a fishing net.

You just use mana to weave a net of curses and throw it.

If the target is hit, the net wraps around them, just like a curse.

It has the advantage of being quick and simple to cast without needing to aim, but the magic itself is inevitably weak.

You can counter the flying curse by casting another spell, swinging a sword, blocking with a shield, preparing a defensive spell...

Just from what Lee Han could think of, there were this many ways to counter it, so there must be even more.

If you know in advance that the opponent will cast a curse, it's easy to block.

That's why he wanted them to learn curses.

If you learn a few curses, you'll quickly get a feel for new ones you encounter.

'But, it's a bit frustrating that I noticed this thanks to being hit by Professor Voladi.'

If curse magic is a net, Professor Voladi's magic is like a skilled swordsman's thrust.

It's hard to block or dodge, and even if you block it, it doesn't stop and immediately follows up with the next attack, a skill that defies logic.

Having to face such attacks directly, he naturally became quick at understanding this structure.

If you don't understand it, you get hit!

Pfft!

While he was thinking, the curse hit Lee Han's body. Gaynando was delighted that the curse had been successfully cast.

"It worked!"

"Congratulations."

"...Uh, but where did it paralyze?"

"Is that so?"

Lee Han looked over his body, puzzled.

He couldn't feel any part being paralyzed.

What's going on?

"Did it fail?"

"Is that so?"

"Let me try again."

Thinking it had failed, Gaynando raised his wand and prepared to cast the spell again.

"Paralyze!"

Pfft!

The curse flew and hit Lee Han's body just like before.

Of course, there was no change, just like before.

Lee Han and Gaynando put their heads together and started to ponder.

"Was there a problem with the movement?"

"I don't know. The mana seemed to work properly. Maybe the incantation was wrong? 'Paralyze' sounds a bit polite. It doesn't seem right for casting a curse."

"Is that so? Then should I try 'Paralyze, you brat'?"

"...Just 'Paralyze' should be enough."

Listening to the two freshmen's fruitless conversation, Professor Garcia sighed and approached.

"The curse didn't fail; it's just that Lee Han's mana is too much, so it had no effect. Gaynando, you did well."

"!"

Gaynando was surprised.

"What? That's what it was? But even so, for it to have no effect at all... Maybe I don't have a talent for black magic."

"Do you need to conclude that so quickly?"

"No. I wasn't really interested in black magic anyway. It doesn't matter if I don't have a talent."

Gaynando said coolly.

He really wasn't interested in black magic.

He preferred more sophisticated and cool magic. Why would he choose black magic?

"Then I'll try it on you."

"Alright. Get ready."

Lee Han recalled the memory of the professor falling earlier.

Of course, the professor had fallen on purpose, but it was still a nightmare-like memory.

'I need to control my strength. I don't need to gather too much mana.'

Lee Han planned to gather the minimum amount and cast it immediately.

"Paralyze!"

"!"

Professor Mordum, who was watching, was startled.

Cutting the incantation short like that.

In magic, incantations are a crucial element.

Words carry powerful energy and significantly influence a mage's mind.

Therefore, cutting or shortening incantations at will is not easy.

Even for an easy curse, to already be cutting the incantation short...

"Ah!"

Gaynando shouted and threw his body to the side. The other students nearby were startled and looked at Gaynando.

Lee Han asked, bewildered.

"...What are you doing?"

"No, it was instinct..."

"!"

Professor Mordum was startled again.

The sensitivity to the dark attribute mana in the curse and the instinctive reaction.

This was an excellent talent for black magic.

...Of course, he didn't need to dodge so clumsily.

* * *

The lecture ended on a relatively warm note.

The students had a rare enjoyable time, casting and receiving curses.

Professor Garcia's kindness in not assigning homework made the students even happier.

"Alright. Did everyone enjoy today's lecture?"

"Yes, Professor!"

"Applause for Professor Mordum!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap-

"Does everyone have an interest in black magic now?"

"......"

'I shouldn't have asked.'

Professor Garcia regretted it.

He should have just ended it with the applause, but his unnecessary question made the atmosphere strange.

"Professor Mordum, a word?"

"Cough. I think everyone has learned a lot about the charm of black magic. I can see a few students here who are already interested in black magic."

"?"

"?"

The students tilted their heads.

'Are you interested?'

'No, are you?'

'Of course not.'

"Ha ha ha. Who would seriously learn black magic?"

Gaynando laughed, finding it absurd.