Chapter 1244

'To make a mistake like this while bearing the name of Oculoguard!'

Paridim was deeply disheartened.

This was a mistake even a first-year student would not make. How could they have let something like that slip?

Surely the Einroguard professor and upper-year student before them would be extremely angry...

"Well, that can happen."

"I understand. I hear that fairly often."

"?!!"

Paridim became even more flustered when the two sympathized far more than necessary with the statement that Paridim wanted to hit a mage from the same magic academy.

"What are you talking about! How can that possibly be something that 'can happen'!"

Paridim, who was from a different magic academy, was actually the one protesting.

Of course, it was true that Paridim had felt the urge to hit the mage from House Wardanaz once.

But that had only been a momentary impulse. The cool reason within Paridim was severely condemning such an impulse.

The mage from House Wardanaz had treated them so well inside the punishment room (though he occasionally ignored what they said), so how could Paridim have such an ungrateful thought!

"Aren't you both from Einroguard? Could it be that you don't get along with Wardanaz..."

"N-no, that's not it."

This time, it was Professor Garcia's turn to become flustered.

It seemed this mage from Oculoguard had grown fairly close to Lee Han in the meantime.

"Of course I care about Lee Han too."

"Come to think of it, I heard you were one of the professors who locked Wardanaz in the punishment room...!"

"What?"

For an instant, Paridim foresaw an ominous and violent future.

Oculoguard's mages were the sort who would not bend their foresight even before a blade, but Paridim shouted before realizing it. It was an instinctive reaction.

"...It's nothing."

"Einroguard is full of false rumors, so be careful. People invited here from outside are often fooled by them. Isn't that right?"

At Professor Garcia's words, the golem upper-year student immediately shouted.

"That's right! Einroguard is full of false rumors. Especially rumors slandering Professor Garcia—you must never believe those!"

Professor Garcia nodded in satisfaction at the student's declaration.

"And Lee Han tends to attract a lot of jealousy, so I'm not surprised."

"Jealousy... you say? What do you mean?"

"What Paridim just did was jealousy."

"That's impossible! For me to harbor such an improper emotion!"

Paridim jumped again.

For someone trained at Oculoguard to possess such an irrational and improper emotion.

"It happens to everyone sometimes. Even students at Einroguard who seemed like they never would have felt that way."

"How could... I... be jealous..."

Paridim's face rapidly darkened.

"...Don't take it too hard. Sometimes I want to hit my junior too. I'm sure Professor Garcia does as well."

"What are you talking about? I've never felt that way."

Professor Garcia answered shamelessly. The golem upper-year student cursed inwardly.

'Trying to be the only one who gets to remain the nice professor!'

But there was nothing to be done. The master and disciple of the foresight magic school had been caught trying to avoid Professor Garcia and pass work off to Wardanaz.

From the golem upper-year student's perspective, they were also a victim who had been deceived, but a magic school was subject to collective responsibility by nature. All they could do was resolve that, after causing some enormous disaster themselves someday, they would pin it on Professor Kraer.

Thanks to the two of them comforting them, Paridim recovered somewhat. Even so, this strict adherent to principle did not easily bend.

"When I return to Oculoguard, I should report this according to the rules and receive punishment."

Professor Garcia's expression turned uncomfortable.

If it was Oculoguard's school rules, then probably...

'An improper emotion and an inappropriate remark... isn't that punishable by a fine and even demotion by a full year?'

"...Think again about making that report later! I heard you talked quite a lot about magic with Lee Han. How was it?"

Professor Garcia skillfully changed the subject. Paridim did not notice and answered.

"He possesses exceptional talent. I think I understand why our professors want to invite him."

"Lee Han is exceptionally talented."

"He also showed interest in Oculoguard's divination. He intended to learn several secret arts himself and use them."

"...Even so, he'll probably use Einroguard's divination more often."

The golem upper-year student answered without thinking.

Unless there were very special circumstances, students of Einroguard's various magic schools fundamentally had affection for their own school.

That affection manifested itself especially often when dealing with outsiders.

Even a student who mocked their own school by saying, 'Our school has no gold coins and our professor is insane,' would immediately prepare for a fight to the death if an outsider said, 'Your school has no gold coins and your professor is insane.'

In that respect, it was only natural for the golem upper-year student to answer immediately.

"Wardanaz showed interest in Oculoguard's divination and said he intended to look into it even during vacation."

"It's only curiosity. There's no way an Einroguard mage would use such an extreme method."

"Wardanaz possesses unusual mana, so he qualifies as an exception."

"Urgh."

For a moment, the golem upper-year student wanted to hit the absent Wardanaz once.

That faithless junior!

How long had it even been, and he had already learned Oculoguard divination, famous for how difficult and demanding it was?

"Both of you, stop. Each method has its own advantages."

Professor Garcia took the role of referee and mediated between them.

Since Professor Garcia knew both Einroguard's and Oculoguard's foresight magic, the professor's words carried weight.

"Understood."

"My apologies, Professor."

"It's fine. You both said those things because you're serious about magic."

Professor Garcia smiled faintly while looking at the future talents who would support the Empire's foresight magic schools.

But there was one thing the professor had misunderstood. Mages were petty and childish creatures by nature.

"Then please decide for us, Professor. Which method would suit Wardanaz better?"

"I think that would be best. For reference, I have attended Professor Garcia's lectures four times. Please also don't forget that I helped with your work last semester!"

"......"

Professor Garcia let out a deep sigh.

These childish mages!

"Stop it. Both of you."

"If you decide, Professor, then this one will also accept—"

"I said stop."

"Yes!"

Like the outstanding foresight mages they were, the two knew when to retreat.

Once both fell silent, Professor Garcia slightly regretted getting angry and spoke again.

"Didn't you talk about anything else? Things other than magic, like school life..."

"Ah. Wardanaz often talked about taking care of Einroguard's students."

Since the thought had come to mind, Paridim decided to ask.

In truth, they still did not quite understand it.

"Why does Wardanaz manage the other second-year students when he's also a second-year?"

"......"

"......"

"Does Einroguard perhaps have something like a year representative?"

"...Didn't you talk about anything else?"

Paridim was puzzled that the professor answered a question with another question, but answered anyway.

"Well... Ah, we talked about the professors. The professors he respects, and..."

Paridim paused after remembering something.

Come to think of it, the mage from House Wardanaz had cursed one of them too.

"Did he curse Professor Verdus?"

"He would've cursed Professor Verdus. What other professor would Wardanaz curse?"

"...!!!"

How did they know?!

Paridim was startled.

"Y-yes. And he also said that he was sorry to Professor Garcia and that he was deeply reflecting on what he'd done."

"!"

Professor Garcia's eyes widened in surprise. Beside the professor, the golem upper-year student inwardly exclaimed in admiration.

'Wardanaz... if you intended this, then you deserve to become the next great mage of the foresight magic school!'

To convey his remorse through the mouth of a highly credible outsider.

Whether intentional or not, it was an astonishingly effective strike. Professor Garcia's expression had visibly softened.

The golem upper-year student suddenly became greedy. If they pushed just a little further here...

"Professor Garcia was among the professors he said he respected, right?"

"Pardon? Yes."

Professor Garcia's expression softened even further. The golem upper-year student felt proud.

But just then, the Skull Principal appeared.

What rank?

"?!"

At the appearance of the great mage whose fame resounded throughout the Empire, Paridim hurriedly rose to offer a greeting.

The Skull Principal created a skeletal hand in midair and waved it, signaling for Paridim to remain seated.

"G-Gonadaltes! It is truly an honor to meet—"

I asked what rank.

"Pardon?"

What rank is Professor Garcia among the professors Wardanaz respects? Above Professor Voladi, or below?

"......"

"......"

When Paridim went blank, the golem upper-year student ground their teeth.

How could anyone be so wicked and vile!

With a single question, he had ruined Professor Garcia's good mood and tried to sow discord...

"You don't need to say. I'm not curious."

Fortunately, Professor Garcia did not fall for the Skull Principal's scheme.

After spending so many years under the Skull Principal, how could Professor Garcia fall for such petty provocation?

I think Professor Voladi would rank higher.

"...They're close. That's hardly surprising."

And Professor Kirmin is probably above you too.

"What!?"

Professor Garcia bristled without realizing it.

Professor Voladi could be accepted considering how much time Lee Han had spent with him, but why Professor Kirmin!?

'Oh no.'

Reacting like this meant dancing in the palm of the Skull Principal's hand.

When you're a student, the professor who causes trouble together with you naturally feels more familiar than the professor who scolds you. Professor Voladi, of course, but Professor Kirmin as well...

The Skull Principal deliberately did not finish the sentence. Some statements were more effective when left unfinished.

But Professor Garcia did not back down easily either and replied firmly.

"As long as I'm above you, Principal, I'm satisfied."

I'd be at the very bottom. Bitter advice is never pleasant to hear, after all.

"Professor Verdus would be at the very bottom. You can't beat Professor Verdus."

......

This time, the Skull Principal had no choice but to admit that Professor Garcia had landed a blow.

When it came to the talent for getting under people's skin, Professor Verdus was truly gifted. It was a talent that effort could never hope to match.

Fine. Let's stop there. I heard you're going outside soon. Are you going to get chewed out by His Majesty too?

"Yes. I'll go get scolded."

Professor Garcia joked lightly.

Both the Skull Principal and Professor Garcia knew very well.

The Emperor might scold the Skull Principal, but there was no chance the Emperor would scold Professor Garcia!

The purpose of Professor Garcia's current outing was to visit another magic academy.

With the professor's student working so diligently even inside the punishment room, Professor Garcia's personality would never allow them to simply sit still.

The reason the Skull Principal was grumbling like this was because he had just returned after taking every imaginable verbal beating from His Majesty the Emperor. Knowing that perfectly well, Professor Garcia responded with understanding.

"!!!"

But Paridim, who still lacked sufficient Einroguard experience, failed to grasp the hidden meaning of the conversation and took it literally.

***

"Professor Garcia is going out to get scolded?!"

Lee Han was so shocked that he dropped the glass bowl he was holding. Jowrin, beside him, hurriedly caught the glass bowl filled with whipped cream.

"Yes..."

"You despicable bastard! You sold out the professor!"

Unable to understand, Paridim tilted their head and asked.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Uh... well... hmm... Jowrin does not know."