"Aha! Such a misunderstanding!"
Yi-Han, having heard the explanation from Professor Alpen, let out a short exclamation of surprise.
How could such a misunderstanding arise!
"Isn't it ironically amusing?"
"...Indeed it is!"
"But such a misunderstanding has enhanced the students' abilities. It's what you might call a happy mistake, right?"
Yi-Han, who had been focusing his facial muscles to maintain his composure, almost lost his grip on his sanity for a moment when the mage from Baldurguard made a comment.
'Did the opponent use mental magic?'
Otherwise, it was impossible to make such an infuriating remark.
"Hahaha!"
"Ahahaha!"
"...Haha. Haha."
Yi-Han laughed along, not wanting to disrupt the harmonious atmosphere.
A friend from behind asked with curiosity.
"So, we didn't actually have to complete everything but went through all that trouble?"
"Trouble? What do you mean? How can trials and errors in learning magic be considered suffering?"
Yi-Han spoke firmly to silence his friend.
Of course, it was indeed a tough ordeal, but they couldn't admit that in front of the professors.
The mages nodded in admiration.
"That's right."
"Truly commendable, Wardanaz. With such a mindset, it's no wonder you completed it so quickly. But that part you finished separately..."
Yi-Han quickly offered an excuse.
The same outcome can appear different depending on how one speaks.
"Thanks to the professor giving us the opportunity to solve it on our own, we managed to complete it temporarily."
The student's rhetoric skillfully covered the professor's mistake.
However, Professor Alpen wasn't someone who paid much attention to such things.
"Ah... that was a mistake on my part. My apologies."
"..."
"How was it?"
"Remarkable."
Having examined the magic circle, the mages stepped outside the classroom for a brief discussion.
Regardless of Yi-Han's feelings, Professor Alpen couldn't help but admire the work once again.
As it wasn't meant to be completed fully, there were empty parts in the latter half.
And yet, a freshman had solved it with his own wisdom.
Moreover, that sphere of light.
It seemed to be sustained by an enchantment spell, yet it maintained its form minutes after they had entered.
"It's been minutes, and it still maintains its form. The freshman must have spontaneously added magic to connect it to the existing magic circle."
"Truly astonishing."
"It's a pity, really. The Empire's bureaucracy could use such talent..."
At Kendry's words, Professor Alpen cast a stern glance.
"Just kidding. Just kidding. I know. Of course, we should let him devote himself to magic."
"That's our responsibility and duty."
The two mages exchanged meaningful glances, whispering their resolve.
Let's ensure this young genius can devote himself to magic!
"It's not entirely a bad thing. The professor rated it quite highly, didn't he?"
"Right. Wardanaz."
"Yes. Even the guests from other places were extremely impressed, weren't they?"
Unlike Yi-Han, his friends recovered quickly from the shock.
Initially, they were surprised to have done something unnecessary, but the professor's praise and the admiration of the visiting guests felt much more gratifying.
The awe of the people at the completed magic.
Isn't this the true reward of being a mage?
"It's not entirely a bad thing. The professor rated it quite highly, didn't he?"
"???"
"Wardanaz? What's wrong? You agreed, didn't you?"
"It's not entirely a bad thing..."
"Wardanaz! Wardanaz! What's wrong! Are you okay!?"
His friends from the Tower of the Blue Dragon, concerned for Yi-Han, grasped and shook him.
It was then that Yi-Han finally regained his composure and steadied his heart.
'Yes, it's not bad.'
Originally, he had joined Asan in the task solely to impress Professor Alpen, a task Asan could have handled alone. In a way, they had overachieved.
Even the strict and pedantic Professor Alpen would surely remember Yi-Han's name, if only slightly.
'Perhaps, when I apply for an official position later, I might get a recommendation...'
While Yi-Han tried to indulge in his most optimistic thoughts, the students from Baldurguard were busy finding flaws in the magic circle.
"This part seems a bit inelegant, doesn't it? If it were me, I would have merged these three lines into one for efficiency."
"But doing that would cause a magic collision here, preventing the mana supply to this sphere."
"Damn it! How did he create such a magic circle so quickly? It's not like he has infinite mana!"
"Shh! Don't be so undignified!"
"Sorry, sorry. I almost tarnished Baldurguard's honor."
'What are they doing?' Yi-Han wondered, watching the Baldurguard students murmuring.
Their incessant hovering and murmuring around the magic circle seemed strange as the guests had already stepped outside.
'Should I say something? But...'
Yi-Han hesitated to initiate conversation.
Because...
He had beaten the Baldurguard students too severely.
In his focus to not lose the outing pass that Professor Boladi held, he couldn't afford to be lenient.
'In hindsight, I could have been a bit gentler.'
Approaching them could lead to a complicated situation if one of the students he had beaten sought to start a quarrel.
That's when it happened.
Crackling!
"!!"
"What are you doing?!"
One of his friends exclaimed in shock.
A student from Baldurguard had accidentally made the central illusionary statue disappear.
"No... It wasn't on purpose!"
"What do you mean it wasn't?! Such dishonorable behavior... Is this what Baldurguard teaches?!"
"No! It's not! It has nothing to do with Baldurguard! It's my mistake!"
The student from Baldurguard panicked as his mistake escalated into a situation that could tarnish the reputation of his academy.
He looked as if he might burst into tears any moment.
Though they were seniors, they were only a year older than the students from Einroguard, and it was natural for them not to have the skills to smoothly handle such a mistake.
'This is not good.'
Yi-Han realized he had to step in.
The professors and external guests would not be pleased to return and see the current situation.
The students from Baldurguard who made the mistake, and those from Einroguard who had been overly harsh, both could face reprimand.
'Even if the guests made a mistake, they are still guests. Being too aggressive could backfire.'
"You Baldurguard brats who go out as you please!"
"You'll just play in the city on holidays, won't you!"
The students from Baldurguard couldn't comprehend the anger of those from Einroguard.
"What's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong?! What's wrong!?!?"
"Unforgivable...!"
"Everyone, calm down."
Yi-Han intervened, silencing his friends. Even those who were fuming cooled down suddenly as if doused with cold water.
The boy from the Wardanaz family had a natural presence.
Those who were heatedly arguing would suddenly come to their senses when faced with the cold gaze of the boy from the Wardanaz family.
"But, Wardanaz. The statue we painstakingly crafted has been destroyed."
"If the central statue that adorns the middle is gone..."
The spheres of light decorated the sides, and only when the illusionary statue in the center flaunted its form would the magic circle be complete.
'It's impossible to repair the magic circle right now.'
Yi-Han clicked his tongue as he examined the damaged magic circle.
It was crushed and mixed up due to a Baldurguard student accidentally stepping on it.
In that case...
"I shall summon something in its place. Do not worry."
"?!"
Yi-Han recalled a spell he had been forced to learn from Professor Beavle Verduus.
A basic spell of light or flame would have sufficed, but he had been forced to learn a spell involving a dragon made of light with fireworks, all because of Professor Beavle's whims.
It was the <Azirmo Summoning Enchantment>.
Among the empire's dragons, the famous ones often left their names in history.
And one of them was Azirmo.
A famous dragon known in tales and legends, even the Baldurguard students quickly recognized its form.
"It's Azirmo!"
"To summon that...!"
Not only the Baldurguard students, but also the Einroguard students were mesmerized by Yi-Han chanting the spell.
Bang!
'Oh no. It's a failure.'
Indeed, the <Azirmo Summoning Enchantment> was difficult. It was a far cry from the simple <Light Enchantment>, involving transforming and intricately twisting the form of light elements.
"Did he fail...?"
"Fool! If he had failed, he would have been hurt. That's just preparation."
"Really?"
'I did fail, though.'
Hearing the whispers of the Baldurguard students, Yi-Han quickly attempted again.
It was best for both parties to fix the situation before the professors arrived.
After six attempts, Yi-Han successfully enchanted Azirmo into the center of the magic circle.
Whoosh!
Though it bore a completely different appearance from the original statue, the students were rendered speechless by the beautiful and majestic form of the dragon.
The Baldurguard student who made the mistake came up to Yi-Han, tears welling in his eyes.
"I really... truly..."
"There's no need for words."
Yi-Han responded kindly.
Having decided to amicably resolve the situation, there was no need to insult the other party unnecessarily.
Of course, Yi-Han also felt a surge of anger when he heard tales of the Baldurguard students indulging in reckless pleasures on weekends.
But that was a separate matter.
Moreover, since he had his own original sin of creating trouble with water beads, it was better to be kind in this situation...
"Thank you so much."
"?"
"Senior. If we meet outside, please do visit our family's mansion!"
"...???!”
Realizing he was being misunderstood, Yi-Han could not clear up the confusion.
The returning professors were surprised to see the changed magic circle.
The mage of Baldurguard, seeing the damaged magic circle and the students' expressions, understood what had happened.
-"I'm truly sorry!"-
-"No, don't be. If the students hadn't resolved it amicably, their efforts would be meaningless. Rather, thank you."-
-"Thank you."-
The mage of Baldurguard called Yi-Han aside to express his gratitude once more.
-"I've heard much about the Wardanaz family's reputation, but I sincerely thank you."-
-"It's nothing, Professor. However, it seems the Baldurguard students have a misunderstanding about me..."-
-"If there's a student who fears the Wardanaz family based solely on rumors, I'll make sure to firmly tell the nobles of the empire not to be swayed by such gossip."-
-"No, that's not what I meant..."-
-"Ah, I must be going. Once again, I express my gratitude for your generous response."-
-"..."-
"Do you think the Baldurguard folks are a bit annoying?"
Yi-Han's words were met with a vigorous nod from Asan, showing his strong agreement.
"They're incredibly irritating. They go out whenever they want, and they even destroyed the magic circle when they visited."
'Ah, is this why magic academies tend to dislike each other?'
Yi-Han regained his senses at Asan's intense reaction.
Before enrolling, he had thought, 'Why harbor such pointless competitive feelings?' But after suffering at Einroguard, he found himself irrationally annoyed by students from other magic academies.
This was a highly irrational behavior.
'Let's keep a clear head. I must not fall for the tricks of the skull principal.'
"Wardanaz! Did you hear!?"
"What?"
"Gainando found a pass for going out!!"
"!"
Yi-Han's eyes widened. Asan spoke urgently at his side.
"Wardanaz! Before someone else takes it, we should..."
"..."
"...Forget what I just said. It was a dishonorable remark. As a member of the Dargard family, I'm ashamed."
"No, I understand how you feel."
