Chapter 66

Chapter 066

Carrying a mountain of luggage, Han used the 'Basic Manipulation' spell repeatedly to levitate the boxes.

A regular wizard would have used a higher-level circle spell in such a situation.

After all, 'Basic Manipulation' wasn't designed for such use!

It was only meant to levitate light objects like quills, erasers, or at most, small beads...

Seeing it used to such an extent felt not just impressive but almost bizarre.

Does a 1st Circle spell really need to be used to this extent??

"No, it's a physical enhancement spell, right? Who taught you this??"

Professor Garcia, who had been marveling at the levitating boxes, finally noticed the magical aura enveloping Han's body.

The aura was intricately arranged, assisting and enhancing his movements.

There was only one type of spell that could produce such an aura.

A physical enhancement spell.

While it was a popular spell due to its clear effects, it also had side effects because it involved embedding and fixing magical energy into the human body.

For seasoned adventurers or mercenaries, it might be fine, but most students, who were weak from spending their days at desks, didn't need to learn such a spell...

Where did you learn this?

Who knows?

The skeleton headmaster maintained his expressionless demeanor, a true display of Rich's composure.

"Did you learn it from the library? I should have warned you earlier..."

Don't be so strict, Professor Garcia. If you keep imposing such restrictions, wizards will become weaker.

'Wasn't this person the culprit?'

Professor Garcia suddenly became suspicious of the skeleton headmaster.

There was no concrete evidence, but just a feeling!

* * *

The 'Gonadates' Nimble Steps' that Han was forced to master was a rather peculiar spell.

Typically, physical enhancement spells had specific areas they enhanced.

Strength for strength.

Agility for agility.

The lower the circle, the more specific the enhancement. Greedily trying to enhance multiple areas in a low-circle spell could result in a bizarre spell that no one could master.

However, 'Gonadates' Nimble Steps' was one such bizarre 1st Circle spell, enhancing strength, agility, stamina, and reflexes!

This made it extremely difficult to practice.

A spell that enhanced strength might evoke the image of a mighty warrior, while one that enhanced agility might evoke the image of a swift bird.

But combining all four areas into one image was no easy task.

- I can see why 'Gonadates' is in the spell's name.

Han gritted his teeth and complained to the black book.

Some spells bore the name of the wizard who created them.

This served as a mark of the wizard's honor and also as a guide to understanding the nature of the spell.

And 'Gonadates' was a clear guide.

The spell was really poorly made!

'At the very least, the name should match the spell, right? Normally, a spell like this would only deal with agility.'

Try and fail.

Try and fail.

Through countless trials and errors, Han found a direction.

Han himself didn't realize it, but his broad and flexible thinking was a rarer and more valuable asset than his magical power.

The image Han chose was the skeleton headmaster in his youth.

Of course, Han didn't know what the headmaster looked like in his youth.

But using his imagination, he pictured a young, wild-eyed man with a hostile and sharp appearance, likely aggressive and well-built due to his love for fighting...

Adding a dark and shadowy outfit and a staff, the image of a villainous wizard was complete.

'This image I thought of really does look strong.'

A wizard who was strong, fast, enduring, and had excellent reflexes.

Surprisingly, this image worked.

The spell, which had failed countless times, finally began to take shape.

- Feet, tread the earth!

- Feet, tread the earth!

- Feet, tread the earth!

Continuous incantations.

After persistent attempts, the spell was finally completed.

Han felt the magical power of the spell engrave itself on his body like a pattern, assisting him.

Not just strength and agility, but also lung endurance and reflexes.

Rustle!

The black book fluttered as if celebrating Han's achievement.

Feeling satisfied with the hard-earned result, Han suddenly paused.

A thought crossed his mind.

- Hold on. Physical enhancement spells have a backlash, right? If this spell covers so many areas...

Before Han could finish his question, the black book ejected him from the illusionary space.

* * *

Of course, even if he was anxious, he couldn't afford not to use it. Han needed every means available.

The luggage was that heavy.

Han cast 'Gonadates' Nimble Steps' and simultaneously circulated magical power through his body as he had learned from Professor Ingeldel.

...Actually, he didn't circulate it through his body but rather released it. He wasn't skilled enough to control it that precisely yet.

But even this was enough to enhance and protect his body.

Adding the continuous casting of 'Basic Manipulation'.

At this point, Professor Ingeldel would likely react with, "No, trying to cast spells while controlling magical power is bound to be too much."

And the more serious issue was the enormous consumption of magical power.

Normally, he should have taken a few steps and collapsed.

'Magical power is overflowing, so it's not fun.'

The skeleton headmaster grumbled to himself.

It seemed Han had used 'Gonadates' Nimble Steps', but he looked too normal, which wasn't fun.

Originally, the spell was meant to be cast with the thought, "It's a 1st Circle spell, so the magical power consumption shouldn't be too high," only to be shocked and collapse, as a sign of respect to the creator of the spell.

In fact, all of the skeleton headmaster's other students had collapsed in this manner, pleasing him.

A 1st Circle spell, but with the difficulty, effects, and magical power consumption of a higher-level spell!

...Yet he just passed through.

Welcome back, I guess...

The headmaster's displeased tone made Han happy.

It meant he had passed all the traps.

"Thank you for the valuable outing. I will never forget your kindness, Headmaster."

"Student Han, you don't need to say so much."

Professor Garcia was slightly flustered.

Han had been sent out due to his outstanding achievements, not because the headmaster was kind.

Oh, Professor Garcia, isn't this a rare display of manners these days?

Professor Garcia ignored the headmaster's words.

"Student Han, after you return, take as many potions to recover from fatigue as possible and get plenty of rest. It's best to sleep for a long time."

"......"

Though he was prepared, Han was genuinely scared by Professor Garcia's words.

...Was it a mistake to use magic? Was the magic itself the headmaster's final trap?

"I understand."

Han bowed and entered the open main gate.

The headmaster, watching his back with a satisfied look, spoke.

Wait. How did you get the money?

"...!"

* * *

Han did as much as he could before collapsing.

He organized his luggage, explained and asked for help from his friends, and took potions...

"?"

When he woke up after a deep sleep, Han was surprised.

His body...

'Too normal?'

It was too normal.

When you're supposed to be in pain but aren't, it can be even more unsettling. With a sense of unease, Han cautiously left his room.

"Wodanaz!"

A few students from the Blue Dragon Tower were waiting in the lounge, looking anxious and restless.

"Wodanaz!! You're awake!"

"We were worried!"

Some even had tears in their eyes. Han was even more flustered.

'What's going on?'

Did they bring a lot of food to see who could make the biggest fuss?

"I did push myself a bit, but I didn't think you'd worry this much?"

"Huh? Really? Gai Nando said you might die..."

"......"

Instead of responding, Han slumped into a chair in front of the lounge.

In one corner of the lounge, the luggage Han had brought was piled up. He had brought so much that it couldn't all fit in his private room.

Looking at it again...

'I really did bring a lot like a madman.'

The amount of supplies felt both satisfying and a bit crazy.

How did I carry all this by myself?

"You took care of the stable horse while I was sleeping."

"Thanks, Yoner. ...Wait. That horse has a terrible temper, right? Was it okay?"

"Huh?"

Yoner tilted his head.

"It was fine. I fed it and brushed it, and it stayed still."

"......"

Han was furious.

'This bastard...?'

The horse, which had caused a commotion when Han took care of it, stayed still when someone else did?

Of course, it might have been because Han was too harsh, and the horse was grateful to be treated by someone else...

'Wait and see.'

"Here, cocoa."

Han took the cup of warm cocoa. Even though his body was fine, he still felt a bit tired, and the sweet cocoa tasted incredibly good.

Han rummaged through his pocket. Yoner was curious.

"What are you looking for?"

"Silver coins."

"......Just drink it, since I gave it to you..."

Han looked at Yoner with a grateful expression. Yoner gave him a look of disbelief.

As he regained his senses, Han sighed.

"A new week has begun..."

Everyone in the lounge nodded with heavy expressions.

The arrogance and pride from the start of the second week were nowhere to be found.

What kind of suffering and trials await us this week?

"Did everyone finish their assignments?"

"Yea. ...If you can call it an assignment."

"I finished. ...A pile of garbage."

Seeing everyone avoid his gaze, Han felt a bit guilty.

Was it a pointless question?

"Professor Uregeul's assignment is the only one left. The white tiger tower flag."

"......"

The mention of the white tiger tower flag made the Blue Dragon Tower students' faces stiffen.

The skeleton headmaster's 'Basic Magic and Character Education' assignment.

While it was still a bit unclear why this was a character education assignment, it was still an assignment.

"Anyone tried?"

"Nothing worked."

"Damn. I tried to bribe a white tiger tower student with candy, but it failed. I was almost there...!"

"......"

While everyone had given up on Han, they had all tried various methods.

From sneaking in (all were repelled), to bribery (other white tiger tower students interfered), to forgery, and so on.

But none of these methods worked.

Gai Nando, who had just arrived at the lounge, said,

"Why don't we just make a deal with the white tiger tower students and exchange flags?"

"What kind of childish talk is that?!"

"Have you forgotten how cruelly the white tiger tower students attacked Wodanaz?!"

"?"

Han, listening, paused.

It wasn't that bad, was it?

"Everyone, calm down. I have a plan."

"!"

The noisy lounge fell silent at Han's words. Gai Nando said, as if he understood,

"An exchange? That's the only option, right?"

"No. I'll sneak in at night and take it."

"......Indeed, Wodanaz!"

Cheers erupted from the Blue Dragon Tower lounge at Han's words.