Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Chapter 172

"Unnecessarily misunderstood," he mused.

Contrary to his friends' misunderstandings, Yi-Han was not as obsessed with studying as they thought. He only focused on what was necessary, studying just what he needed.

"Nillia, you're not misunderstanding me too, are you?"

"What misunderstanding?"

"I know what you're thinking right now, but... wait a moment."

Yi-Han hesitated mid-sentence.

'Is this it?'

The paper from the treasure chests that the skull principal spread around during the festival. It had magic written on it, but it wasn't easy to just acquire. Even if it was written clearly and in detail, it required trial and error, especially when encrypted with metaphors and codes only a mage would understand, making the process several times longer.

Yi-Han had also spent quite a bit of time on it, but suddenly, he had an epiphany.

He set the paper down and began to furiously scribble with his quill. The various codes he had noted down started to interlock organically, revealing the overall context of the magic.

Silence fell.

To his friends, Yi-Han looked like someone who suddenly started scribbling madly on paper, as if possessed.

Gainando murmured, "Learning magic is important, but Yi-Han seems to be going too far."

In the dark night, only illuminated by moonlight, Yi-Han sat in the lounge, his expression one of dejection.

'No...'

It wasn't because the other students were worse at memorization than he thought. Of course, they were, but that wasn't Yi-Han's concern.

'...It was invisibility magic.'

A 2nd Circle magic, .

It wasn't the skull principal's fault. How could he have known that the student who would take that spell already possessed a belt with invisibility magic?

Yet, for Yi-Han, it was a disappointment.

'Well, it's not bad.'

Someday, if he couldn't use the belt, this spell would come in handy. Although, if such a situation arose, invisibility might not be his primary concern.

Paralalalak!

"What?"

With the faint sound of pages turning, an unfamiliar scene unfolded before him. Yi-Han immediately grasped the situation.

"You again?"

The book given by the skull principal floated in the air, revealing its pages.

'What's the criterion?'

He understood it was summoning him to learn magic, but the standard used by the black book was elusive.

When does it call me?

"Can you tell me when will you call me?"

Instead of answering, the black book just revealed its pages.

It felt like it was telling him to stop asking useless questions and just learn the magic.

'Of course, a book given by the skull principal wouldn't be kind.'

Yi-Han muttered, "Don't tell me you deliberately call me when Im busy or in trouble."

Parak!

"...?"

Yi-Han lifted his head. The black book seemed to have moved slightly.

Could it be?

Ignoring Yi-Han's gaze, the black book fluttered the pages with the magic written on them.

Fortunately, the magic in the black book wasn't as complexly intertwined as the one from the festival.

The 2nd Circle magic, .

A spell that allowed one to maintain sight even in pitch darkness.

'Quite good.'

Yi-Han was pleased. For him, who often had to move around at night, such enhancement magic was useful. He could summon light, but that wasn't always possible...

'But... the skull principal's magic, all of it is somewhat...?'

Recalling the magic he had learned from the black book, Yi-Han felt a sense of incongruity.

, , (though not learned from the black book), and now .

Magic spells named after a mage were typically those developed by the mage themselves, out of necessity.

'What did he do in his youth to create such spells?'

Paralalalak!

"Understood. I'll concentrate."

Yi-Han shook his head in disapproval and remarked, "I can't understand why they're so intent on tearing each other apart."

"..."

Yonaire looked at Yi-Han as if he was unbelievable.

Perhaps a third of those students would want to keep Yi-Han in check...

As excellent as Yi-Han was in other classes, jealousy followed. Many students likely thought, 'In this class, I will beat Wardanaz.'

Beyond that, Yi-Han had his share of grudges, especially with the White Tiger students. More of them had clashed with Yi-Han than not.

Professor Bungaegor warned sharply, "Attacking each other is prohibited. Do not use magic or weapons to attack."

"No!"

Yi-Han was startled.

He had planned to retaliate with water beads against those who would attack as soon as it started.

Yonaire looked astonished.

Pretending otherwise, Yi-Han was actually the most prepared for a fight.

"This is a riding training, not a magic combat training! Collisions between horses will be allowed, but nothing more. Understood?"

"Yes!"

The students responded to Professor Bungaegor's instruction.

But the professor didn't know.

'Right. I can handle it by colliding with the horses.'

Students like Yi-Han would exploit any loophole in the rules if they weren't tightly defined!

Gallop-gallop-gallop

The sound of horse hooves thundered along the designated path.

Not all students had been lazy during the semester. Those who had diligently cared for their horses were now close enough to increase their speed while riding.

Naturally, Yi-Han was among them.

"Yi-Han! Is it okay to keep speeding up like this?"

Yonaire asked, spurring her horse on.

This test wasn't simply about going fast and far. They had to return as well.

Going too far and failing to return within the time limit was problematic.

But slowing down when the leading group was pushing ahead required significant courage.

"Everyone has their plans. Don't worry."

As Yi-Han said, students in the leading group began to slow down, wary of each other. They knew the horses would tire out from continuous sprinting.

That wasn't all.

Students started forming groups with those they were close to.

'This isn't good.'

Even in a race, running together was far more advantageous than running alone. It was easier to deal with any obstacles that might arise, as well as to respond to various collisions.

The problem, however...

Was that the students were casting furtive glances at Yi-Han.

'Wardanaz is the most threatening.'

'We must get revenge on Wardanaz...'

'We have to block Wardanaz from getting ahead.'

Yi-Han tried to appear as harmless as possible to ease his friends' wariness, but it was to no avail. He himself would have been on guard if there had been a student like Yi-Han in the race.

The overwhelming favorite to win!

Niffirg looked at Yi-Han.

"Why so?" - Neigh. Hee-hee-neigh.

"Easy there. Now's not the time to get rowdy."

Niffirg let out a frustrated whinny and glared fiercely ahead.

Bang!

Before Yi-Han could intervene, Niffirg began to race forward with wild speed.

The other students looked on in astonishment.

'Wardanaz...!?'

'What is he thinking? At that pace, it'll collapse in no time!'

'Could it be he has a plan even for this?!'

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