Fortunately, Eumidiphos was not a madman like Professor Boladi.
Had it been Professor Boladi, he would have thrust Yi-Han deep under the river and commanded him to evaporate his way out, but Eumidiphos did not do so.
The purpose of today's outing was to open the young mage's eyes to the vast world of water element magic.
There was no need to push him too hard.
It was sufficient for him to experience and learn about the various attributes of water magic.
"The spell is as follows," Eumidiphos began.
She meticulously taught Yi-Han the incantation and gestures for the 1st Circle magic spell, <Water Evaporation>.
Truth be told, <Water Evaporation> was a magic spell so tricky it almost seemed unfit to be classified as 1st Circle.
A quintessential trap magic!
Even within the same circle, the difficulty of spells varied greatly.
Magic that was significantly more challenging than its peers in the same circle was commonly referred to as 'trap magic'.
Although <Water Evaporation> belonged to the 1st Circle, it was a spell that novice mages could hardly learn, such was the complexity of its evaporation attribute.
"Let's give it a try," Eumidiphos declared, having finished her brief lecture, and observed Yi-Han.
Water elemental mages usually practiced evaporation on various liquids placed before them, starting with easily evaporable substances like strong alcohol and gradually moving to liquids with higher boiling points to increase the intensity of the magic.
However, Eumidiphos set nothing before Yi-Han.
She intended for Yi-Han to first practice the movements and incantations to master the spell itself.
She was not so harsh as to demand Yi-Han to evaporate a liquid immediately after learning and without practice.
Yi-Han glanced at Eumidiphos and then once more at the flowing river, pondering.
'Is she expecting me to evaporate the river now?'
Due to Eumidiphos's sparse explanation, Yi-Han couldn't help but misunderstand.
In truth, it wasn't Eumidiphos's fault.
Usually, when asked to try a newly learned spell, one would practice the gestures and incantations, not attempt to dry up a nearby river.
If there was any blame to be cast, it lay with Professor Boladi.
Yi-Han's misunderstanding stemmed from his experiences with Professor Boladi.
'No choice then. I must do my best, even if it's just for show, to avoid falling into the water.'
Yi-Han sensed what might happen if he continually failed the magic.
Likely, he would end up in the river.
"Evaporate!"
"No...?"
Eumidiphos was taken aback by Yi-Han, who, without practicing the gestures or incantations, boldly cast the spell towards the river.
He hadn't even practiced…!
With a hiss, steam rose above the river.
While it wasn't an explosive burst of steam like Eumidiphos could produce, it was still a considerable amount.
Eumidiphos was astounded.
'A true genius...'
Among the Empire's mages, the term 'genius' was often overused.
Nearly everyone claimed to be a genius.
The mages who came to Eumidiphos to learn magic, except for Boladi Bagrak, all declared themselves geniuses.
-"Mage Eumidiphos, for the future of magic in the empire, you must teach me earnestly. I am among the top geniuses of the Empire's mages."-
-"Mage Eumidiphos, it's embarrassing for me to say, but I am a genius in magic. You don't need to teach me every single spell."-
-"Mage Eumidiphos, as someone with a genius aptitude for magic, I don't think this spell is that great. It would be better if it were improved."-
In fact, it wasn't entirely wrong.
The mages who came to Eumidiphos were indeed among the more exceptional in the Empire.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to seek her out in the first place.
However, Eumidiphos, who had been through many battles and challenges, had a strict and harsh eye.
The level of talent they possessed was something any serious mage should naturally have, not something to boast about as a treasure.
But...
The boy before her was certainly different.
He had an aura only a true genius could possess, unlike the self-proclaimed geniuses.
He seemed to possess all the qualities deemed indicative of talent – a natural abundance of mana, delicate control, and deep, rich thought – any one of which would be enough to earn praise.
'Is it the river? Am I going to end up in the river after all?'
While Eumidiphos quietly marveled, Yi-Han was quietly anxious.
To Yi-Han, it seemed like a success, but that wasn't what mattered.
What mattered was how it appeared in Eumidiphos's eyes.
Was it a failure, after all?
'Shouldn't this be considered good for a first attempt?'
Yi-Han wasn't one to be arrogant, but objectively, it seemed like the evaporation magic had gone quite well.
Compared to other magics, evaporation seemed to be more compatible with Yi-Han.
He could accurately and concretely imagine 'evaporation'...
Above all, <Water Evaporation> could be forced through with power.
While mages with less mana than Yi-Han had to meticulously and delicately control their mana to complete a spell, Yi-Han could simply push through with his power.
For Yi-Han, water evaporation was much easier than controlling water beads.
"Well done. That was excellent."
"!"
Yi-Han sighed with relief inwardly.
It seemed he wouldn't have to go into the river after all.
"Actually, I didn't mean for you to evaporate the river. Practicing a new spell on a flowing river isn't a suitable target."
Not only the quantity but the constantly flowing river made casting the spell several times more difficult.
Having achieved this, the boy had every right to be proud.
But instead of pride, Yi-Han's expression hardened.
'...What did she just say?'
He realized he had mistakenly thought Eumidiphos wanted him to test the magic in real conditions, like Professor Boladi.
"But seeing you succeed in one try, I think I understand why you chose the river as your target. It's a justified confidence."
"No... it's a misunderstanding."
"Okay. It must be a misunderstanding."
Eumidiphos nodded with a kindly smile.
"At first, I thought it was Boladi Bagrak forcing you..."
'That's right.'
Yi-Han thought to himself, but it didn't reach Eumidiphos's ears.
"...but now I see that's not the case."
It wasn't Bagrak forcing him; it was clear that the student was simply learning the spells too quickly.
Eumidiphos internally resolved to retract one of her misunderstandings about Bagrak.
"Yes..."
Yi-Han replied with a voice tinged with a faint sadness.
It was the sorrow of not being able to openly criticize Professor Boladi.
Yi-Han thought that when he graduated, he might go to see Professor Boladi before even the skeleton principal.
Eumidiphos didn't ask Yi-Han to perform any more magic.
Having seen him learn it in one try, there was no need.
"You should eat more than me."
Instead, they took a break.
Yi-Han prepared a seat for Eumidiphos, spreading a blanket and arranging food and drink to offer.
Eumidiphos looked at Yi-Han with a gaze mixed with gentle emotion.
"I didn't expect such hospitality."
"Uh... Have your other disciples never done this?"
"Never."
"...?"
Puzzled, Yi-Han thought of Professor Boladi and then understood.
'It makes sense.'
Yi-Han made milk tea with black tea he had stolen from Professor Uregor. The sweet beverage, rich in sugar, rejuvenated his tired mind.
Even with seemingly infinite mana, using magic inevitably led to decreased concentration and mental fatigue.
For a magic academy student, regular rejuvenation was advisable.
Professor Uregor would surely be pleased to see his beverage being used this way.
'Are they third-years?'
Eumidiphos took a bite of her sandwich and looked off into the distance.
They were clearly third-year students of Einroguard, judging by their attire.
They rummaged around the mountain, swinging their staffs at the ground. Dirt erupted, revealing hidden magic ingredients and potions.
They had tried to keep it secret, but their efforts were in vain under the discerning eye of a mage like Eumidiphos.
"Do you see that?"
"What are you referring to?"
"Right. You wouldn't see it."
Eumidiphos thought of the skull principal.
Given his seriousness about separating the new students, it was natural he'd make them unrecognizable by magic.
"Let me lift the veil for a moment. It should be fine."
With a wave of her staff, Eumidiphos revealed the senior students gathering magic ingredients and potions in the distance to Yi-Han.
"Do you see them now?"
"Yes, I see them. Is that...?"
"You'll probably learn about it as you advance, but gathering your own materials and potions is part of being a mage."
Eumidiphos explained matter-of-factly, not surprised.
Their furtive actions suggested they had stolen or seized these items.
'It's sad that I'll have to do the same in my third year.'
Yi-Han shuddered at the fate laid out before him.
Couldn't they just be provided with enough materials and potions?
"Why don't you go and try to snatch them?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I want to see how you fight. I believe you can win."
The problem wasn't whether he could win or lose, but the fact that he had to attack his seniors.
Even if they were thieves, a senior was still a senior.
Yi-Han looked at Eumidiphos in disbelief, but Eumidiphos showed no sign of changing her mind.
"A combat mage grows by confronting their enemy's blood. The sooner and more you experience real combat, the better."
Eumidiphos's grandmotherly appearance contrasted with her brutal words, causing Yi-Han to inwardly cringe.
She's just an older version of Professor Boladi!
"Mage Eumidiphos."
"Don't say you can't do it. I know you can. Too much humility is a poison. You'll soon learn that as a mage, you don't need to spare your seniors."
"It's not that I can't... May I wear a mask?"
"..."
Eumidiphos was genuinely impressed.
Yi-Han didn't recklessly charge in, trusting only Eumidiphos's words.
The third-years of Einroguard must have gone through several times the trials he and his friends had faced.
Rashly provoking them could have easily led to Yi-Han being overpowered instead.
Yi-Han donned a mask and cast an invisibility spell. The mask was essential, in case his opponents managed to dispel the invisibility.
He then cautiously approached from behind and unleashed his magic on the two seniors.
"Ugh!"
"What the...?!"
The seniors, caught off guard, toppled over.
Yi-Han quickly grabbed the box containing the materials and potions. Engraved on the box was a name.
-Os Gonadaltes
Seeing this, Yi-Han was shocked.
'Isn't this insane??'
Do third-years even raid the principal's storeroom?
It was more likely that the principal had led them to it, rather than them stealing it on their own.
Nevertheless, it was hard to believe.
'Ah, this isn't the time for this.'
Yi-Han swiftly left the scene.
"Well done."
Eumidiphos, seeing Yi-Han's return, was thoroughly pleased.
It was almost perfect, confirming that Bagrak hadn't wasted time.
The ambush, first strike, achievement, and escape.
It was the essence of magic combat.
"Was there a name on the items, by any chance?"
"It seems to be from the principal's storeroom."
"Is that so? Then it's better you keep them."
"...?!"
Yi-Han was surprised.
He nodded obediently.
"Yes, I will do that."
Seeing his compliant disciple, Eumidiphos looked at Yi-Han with warm eyes.
