"Thank you," said Yi-Han with genuine sincerity. He felt truly grateful to Bikelintz, who, despite being in a position to deny defeat, had acknowledged it, taking into consideration the feelings of a young freshman.
Bikelintz then posed a question, "Are you interested in joining the White Wood Knight Order?" Yi-Han hesitated. He understood that being part of the White Wood Knight Order was akin to a demanding job, with honor as the only compensation. The hardships these knights faced, wandering the empire alone for honor and conviction, were beyond imagination.
"I am still lacking, especially as a knight," Yi-Han politely declined. However, to Bikelintz, this seemed to carry a different meaning. "You're not lacking. Of course, you need to learn more, but a few years here could make you a superior mage than any in the White Wood Knight Order. And we don't expect our mages to have knightly skills, so don't worry about that," Bikelintz assured him earnestly.
Yi-Han was taken aback by this serious offer. Bikelintz continued, "Moreover, your skills as a knight aren't lacking either. As a mage, you're more than sufficient. Other knights would be ashamed."
"Please, calm down, Sir Bikelintz," Professor Ingurdel interjected. "He's just a freshman. It's too early to decide his future."
Yi-Han felt relieved by Professor Ingurdel's intervention. He realized that it was Professor Ingurdel who had brought Bikelintz here in the first place. "You're right. I got too excited and greedy," Bikelintz acknowledged.
"It's my pleasure to hear you praise my students," Professor Ingurdel responded, as they engaged in a warm conversation. Meanwhile, other knights from the White Wood Knight Order, having finished their duel, approached.
"Is it over, Sir Bikelintz? How did it go?"
"Weren't you too harsh on the students, Sir Bikelintz?"
"I lost," Bikelintz admitted, surprising the knights. As he explained what had happened, pointing at Yi-Han, the knights looked at him with admiration and awe, making Yi-Han feel uneasy.
Yi-Han discreetly moved behind Jijel, who walked away with an annoyed expression. "Everyone did well," Professor Ingurdel praised, acknowledging not just Yi-Han but all the students who had struggled, constantly restraining Bikelintz's movements with spells during the battle.
"It's a perfect score. This wasn't meant to be a battle for victory, but to win like this is unexpected," the professor added.
Yi-Han suddenly remembered that the objective of this test wasn't necessarily to win. Bikelintz's aggressive approach had made him forget that. "However, seeing my students exceed expectations is the greatest joy for a teacher. Thank you for giving me such pleasure," Professor Ingurdel said.
"No, thank you!" exclaimed Dolgyu, moved by the professor's words, though Yi-Han and Jijel remained somewhat indifferent.
Yi-Han couldn't help but think about the White Wood Knight Order. 'Don't they know moderation?' he wondered. Ever since Professor Ingurdel introduced the White Wood Knight Order, it had always seemed like too much.
"The knights of the White Wood Knight Order were also very satisfied with the duel. They said they would definitely tell their colleagues about today's events," Professor Ingurdel mentioned.
"What do you mean professor?" Yi-Han asked.
"As they have asked to be called upon if such an opportunity arises again, it seems they were truly satisfied, not just being polite," Professor Ingurdel explained.
"Yes, it seems so," Yi-Han agreed, but with a sense of unease. 'Could it be that I'll have to fight the leader of the White Wood Knight Order in the midterm?' he thought apprehensively.
After the lecture, Yi-Han and Dolgyu were walking together when Yi-Han suddenly stopped, causing Dolgyu to look at him puzzled. "What's wrong? Is everything okay?" he asked with concern.
In response, Yi-Han suddenly knelt down, feeling the aftereffects of <Piblicus's Great and Tremendous Magic Missile>, a spell he had used earlier. 'Ugh,' Yi-Han grimaced, wishing he could confront Piblicus for classifying this potent magic as a 1st Circle spell. 'How can this be 1st Circle?' he thought in frustration.
The principle of the spell was simple: gather mana in front of oneself, induce instability, and then detonate it, rather than launching it. However, its destructive power and the inherent danger were far beyond what Yi-Han had expected. It was essentially like throwing a bomb in front of oneself and detonating it. The only safety mechanism was the mage’s ability to push the exploding mana away with all their might. Failure to control it meant being caught in the blast too. 'Such a reckless spell. Blood mages... they should be banned in the empire,' Yi-Han thought.
Although he believed he had managed the spell well enough to avoid the shock, his vision was now shaky and dizzy. He mentally resolved to rename <Piblicus's Great and Tremendous Magic Missile> to <Piblicus's Insane Magic Explosion>.
"Yi-Han! You can't die!" Dolgyu exclaimed, misunderstanding the severity of Yi-Han's condition.
"It's not that bad, stop making a fuss," Yi-Han reassured him, trying to downplay his discomfort.
However, Yi-Han had another concern. "Dolgyu," he said weakly.
"What's wrong?! Tell me if you need anything!"
"Keep your voice down... We can't let the guys from the White Tiger notice my condition," Yi-Han whispered, aware of the importance of not showing weakness.
Dolgyu, struck by the gravity of the situation, which reminded him of a knight returning from battle, was momentarily lost for words. 'You're just a first-year student, Yi-Han...!' he thought, but he understood the need for discretion and quickly agreed.
"Hold on, Yi-Han. I'll take you to the healing room," Dolgyu said, supporting his friend. As they walked, a friend from the White Tiger group noticed them and asked, "What happened?"
"...Just training!" Dolgyu replied hastily.
"Really?" came the skeptical response.
With urgency, Dolgyu hurriedly took Yi-Han to the healing room, away from further inquiries.
As Yi-Han regained consciousness in the healing room, he overheard a conversation. "It’s a symptom of mild mana concussion. What crazy professor let off a magic explosion near a first-year?" said a voice, expressing concern.
"That... I can't say. I'm sorry," Dolgyu replied, clearly hesitant to reveal more.
"Fearing retribution from the professor? Ridiculous. I don't understand why the rest of the empire fears us. They should be more afraid of the mages," the voice continued. This was a discussion between Dolgyu and the person in charge of the healing room.
Yi-Han lay there, thinking to himself, 'This is my first time in the healing room.' Considering the frequent injuries at the magic academy, it was surprising he hadn't been there before. The last time he collapsed after fighting the anti-magic extremists, the skull principal had taken care of him, so a visit to the healing room hadn't been necessary. But today was different.
He observed that the healing room was more ordinary than he had expected. It was a clean, pristine white space with beds neatly arranged. However, what caught his attention was that the one in charge of the healing room was talking to Dolgyu in the form of a book. Yi-Han blinked in disbelief. The book, indeed floating and flapping in the air, was speaking to Dolgyu.
"The symptoms are due to experiencing a magic explosion at close range while already fatigued. He'll be fine now that I've applied healing," the book explained.
"Thank you! He seemed fine for a while even after the explosion, but then he suddenly collapsed... I thought something major related to his mana had happened," Dolgyu expressed his relief.
"He was fine even after the explosion?" the book asked, surprised. It was rare for someone to endure such an experience without immediate effects. Dolgyu, realizing the gravity of the situation, was equally shocked.
Yi-Han, feeling slightly betrayed by Dolgyu's astonishment, thanked the book for the treatment. As he coughed, the book introduced itself, "I am the demon of the healing room."
"...Excuse me?" Yi-Han asked, taken aback.
Yi-Han wasn't surprised to hear the book call itself a demon. Even if he was, he could now respond calmly and composedly. The magic school had indeed contributed to his growth.
"Ah, how dull... Other freshmen usually get startled," the book lamented.
"I'll guess then. Perhaps you were captured by the principal and forced to work here," Yi-Han conjectured.
"!!!"
The speaking book was startled. How did he know!?
"Remarkable! You're exceptionally perceptive."
"It's an overstatement," Yi-Han modestly waved his hand away. Anyone who had met the skeletal principal a few times could make such a deduction. Of course, Dolgyu, who was unaware of these circumstances, was greatly impressed.
"Right. I was summoned by Gonadaltes and trapped in this book form to work here."
Despite the book's voice not betraying any dissatisfaction, Dolgyu inquired, "It seems you are satisfied with working here?"
"Me? Satisfied?"
"Yes? But..."
"You think just because I sound cheerful, I'm not dissatisfied?"
Yi-Han interjected, unable to just stand by.
"Probably if you showed insincerity in your attitude, the principal would punish you," he deduced.
"Remarkable!"
The healing room's demon, also the talking book, was again surprised. Yi-Han understood his situation too well for a freshman.
Considering Gonadaltes' temperamental nature, it was highly likely that any grumbling in the healing room would result in torn pages.
"You're too insightful... Wait. You're not Gonadaltes in disguise, are you...?"
The talking book trailed off suspiciously, then immediately cast a spell.
"...Mana Detection!"
Startled by the immense mana emanating from Yi-Han, the book exclaimed, "Gonadaltes! It's really you!"
"No, it's not."
"Yi-Han just has a lot of mana!"
Thanks to Dolgyu's desperate interjection, the talking book ceased its suspicions. Though it continued to use various confirmation and detection spell several times afterward…
"I've been with him the whole time. He’s definitely not the principal."
"Fine. I believe you. But, freshman, keep in mind that Gonadaltes could switch places with your friend in the blink of an eye when you're not looking."
Dolgyu thought the talking book was joking. However, Yi-Han took the warning seriously.
'I really need to be careful.'
"Indeed, if it were Gonadaltes, he would have revealed his true identity the moment I used magic. He's not one to stay quiet... Freshman, I apologize for suspecting you."
"It's okay."
Yi-Han stood up from his seat. Thanks to the healing magic of the talking book, his body had recovered, and it seemed like the right time to leave.
"Wait. Take this with you."
The talking book handed Yi-Han a small leather pouch as he was about to leave.
"What is this?"
"Just a simple healing potion."
"But... I'm already healed, aren't I?"
Yi-Han was surprised. He felt completely fine, was there something else wrong?
"No. It's just a gift, a reason for you to visit more often."
Yi-Han felt a mix of gratitude and unease.
