Chapter 1309

'Does this make any sense?'

If there had been another magic lecture and Lee Han had lost students to that, he would have been prepared to accept it.

As a professor, Lee Han was still a novice. There was nothing shameful about losing to more experienced professors.

...But losing to a theater lecture felt a little unfair, didn't it??

'If I lost to another magic lecture, that would be one thing, but this...!'

Gonadaltes: Aren't you exaggerating? Surely they could attend a magic lecture while also taking the theater class.

Ipheldrem: Theater is a profound discipline just like magic. It wouldn't be surprising if they skipped every other class to focus on it.

'Is this really a magic school?'

Lee Han felt a slight surge of irritation.

Why was this person saying something like that so proudly?

Still, this mage from House Kraha had done nothing wrong. More importantly, this was one of the precious few people willing to become Lee Han's student.

'Don't get angry. This isn't their fault.'

Gonadaltes: Actually, I happen to be somewhat acquainted with Wardanaz...

Ipheldrem: Really?! Wait, if you know him, then why were you slandering House Wardanaz?!

Gonadaltes: How many times do I have to tell you it wasn't slander? Anyway, Wardanaz seems quite interested in how many students attend his lectures. Is there any way to increase the number?

Ipheldrem: Even someone like Lord Wardanaz cares about something so trivial?!

Gonadaltes: Trivial? How is that trivi—

Ipheldrem: Ah. I think I understand. Lord Wardanaz must have come because he wants to pass on magic to as many Valdrogard students as possible. But if there aren't enough people attending, he won't be able to accomplish that goal... This is really difficult.

Lee Han did not reply.

The reason was completely different, but the conclusion was close enough.

'I never knew gathering students would be this difficult.'

Lee Han took his eyes off the Watchers club's secret gathering and leaned back against the carriage seat, lost in thought.

Come to think of it, Professor Voladi suddenly seemed truly impressive.

How had Professor Voladi endured having zero disciples so calmly?

'I can barely stand this even when I tell myself it's Valdrogard...'

Lee Han thought of the most popular professor he knew.

Professor Garcia.

'Right. Professor Garcia never used any special tricks. The students gathered around Professor Garcia because of sheer character and integrity.'

Perhaps the answer lay there.

Instead of resorting to petty schemes to gather students, he could move the Valdrogard students through sincerity, just as Professor Garcia did...

Ipheldrem: This is a little embarrassing to admit, but finding students who are willing to devote themselves to magic lectures this semester is harder than I expected.

'A little?'

Ipheldrem: For now, we'll have to persuade as many people as possible during the first lecture. Everyone will come to watch, so that might be our chance.

Gonadaltes: Thank y—wait. What do you mean everyone will come? Didn't you say they were going to the theater class?

Ipheldrem: Ah. Even if they don't attend the lecture, everyone will want to build a friendship with Lord Wardanaz.

Valdrogard professors often shared informal friendships with their students.

That was possible because they interacted not as master and disciple, but as one noble with another.

For that reason, there were many Valdrogard students who wanted to become friends with the recently famous mage even if they had no intention of attending his lectures.

'Are they messing with me?'

Lee Han grumbled inwardly, then paused.

Everyone would come to watch the first lecture.

That meant...

Wasn't this an opportunity?

Just then, replies arrived from Professor Seden of House Nwalka and Amaset, the principal of Valdrogard.

Skipping useless things like, I sincerely believe gathering students and keeping their attention comes from the heart, Lee Han focused on the school rules.

I am merely an insignificant dancer and actor, but perhaps the students attend my lectures because I know how to see the flame-like passion within them. Professor Wardanaz. And no, I have never physically sealed a classroom door. Why do you ask?

Professor Wardanaz. There is no separate school rule regarding a professor physically sealing a classroom door. Nor is there a separate rule regarding a professor pursuing students and forcibly dragging them back into the classroom... I knew you were curious by nature, but this truly is fascinating. I do wonder why you're asking about these things...

“......”

Lee Han carefully read the letters, reread Irendi's advice, and finally reviewed his plan one last time.

'Valdrogard students have never been ambushed like this before, so they're completely unprepared!'

Originally, Lee Han had researched these methods for use if students refused to concentrate or rejected assignments, but it seemed he would be putting them into practice a little earlier than expected.

The Valdrogard students who came to watch the first lecture would be caught completely off guard!

Ipheldrem: Even if we can't persuade many people during the first lecture, students will keep coming to watch, so we'll have to keep trying.

Gonadaltes: I see.

'I'll have to make sure confidentiality is airtight too. I'll make everyone swear an oath.'

Ipheldrem: By the way, there's something I'd like to ask.

Gonadaltes: What is it?

Ipheldrem: Forgive me for asking, but what year is Lord Wardanaz in? Senior Jandanni insists he has just finished his sixth year, but some rumors say he's a second-year... Everyone's opinions are so different.

Irendi was genuinely confused.

Even among the Valdrogard students who had ? NоvеIight ? (Original source) visited Einroguard, opinions differed about Wardanaz's year.

Some said fifth year, some said sixth year, and others claimed he had already graduated.

Then the latest rumors about the evil-god subjugation started saying the absurd thing that he was only a second-year, making everything even more confusing.

Ipheldrem: He's in sixth year, right?

Gonadaltes: Ipheldrem. Let me give you one piece of advice for your own sake. Asking a mage from Einroguard what year they're in can be extremely rude.

Ipheldrem: What?! Is that really true?!

Gonadaltes: Yes. Explaining why would require getting into Einroguard's history and school rules, and I can't reveal too much to an outsider. Just keep that in mind.

Ipheldrem: Thank you for telling me! I almost made a terrible mistake!

Irendi firmly resolved to tell the other students about this as well.

How disappointed would the new Professor Wardanaz be if he arrived only to see the Valdrogard students collectively behaving rudely?

* * *

“You said the lecture preparations were finished?”

At the knight's words, the Skull Principal came back inside the carriage.

Lee Han nodded.

“There are still some points that could be improved, but for now...”

“You said he was done. Does that look done to you?”

The Skull Principal berated the innocent Death Knight instead. The poor knight could say nothing and merely lowered his head.

Lee Han caught the Skull Principal by the sleeve as he tried to return to the driver's seat.

“Principal. I need your advice.”

“My advice is to throw all that trash out the carriage window right now and practice your own magic. What should you do during the lecture? Practice your magic then too. How? Easy. Think of Professor Bivle.”

The Skull Principal was thoroughly irritated, but Lee Han refused to give up.

Out of everyone in the carriage, the Skull Principal knew the most about education.

Lee Han absolutely needed an evaluation of the Valdrogard lecture he had prepared.

“Principal! There's no one else I can ask. Where else in the Empire could I find an educator as wise and benevolent as you?”

“Your greatest virtue is that discerning eye of yours, capable of telling jade from stone. Your second greatest virtue is that loyalty with which you respect your teacher. I thought you'd forgotten your virtues, but it seems they still remain somewhere in your heart. Fine. Ask.”

The Skull Principal's irritation eased slightly at his disciple's flattery.

Instead, the Death Knight beside them gave Lee Han a look as though he were about to vomit. Even without digestive organs, this was the first flattery he had ever heard that made him feel nauseous.

“Please listen to the lecture plan I've prepared and give me a brief evaluation.”

“I shouldn't insult you right now, should I? Fine. Go ahead.”

“Valdrogard offers countless appealing lectures. Theater, polo, poetry composition, chess, mage-card tactical studies, analysis of the puppy beastkin detective Toberiz series...”

“They gathered nothing but trash.”

“But there's no denying that these lectures are extremely tempting to students.”

“That's why Einroguard doesn't offer things like that and only provides boring lectures. You should hurry up and be grateful.”

“...Moreover, Valdrogard students currently have very little passion or interest in magic. If I want to gather students while competing against lectures like those, I need an ingenious strategy.”

“What is it?”

“First, during the opening lecture, I'll seal the classroom door with my telekinetic magic.”

-????

“Remarkable, disciple! You actually managed to make me interested in a Valdrogard lecture plan?”

Unlike the horrified Death Knight, the Skull Principal looked impressed for the first time in quite a while.

He knew his disciple had many talents, but he had never expected Lee Han to capture his interest with a Valdrogard lecture.

That was truly a skill few people could manage.

'Because no one else would go to another magic school and lock the classroom door...'

The Death Knight kept the thought to himself.

Joining a conversation between these two master and disciple was far too difficult.

“You'll seal the classroom door? And then what happens? Hurry up and tell me!”

“After that, I plan to test their magical aptitude. Fortunately, during my first year at Einroguard, I learned how each school teaches the basics. I'll apply those methods exactly.”

-Successor. Um... may I ask just one thing?

The knight finally could not hold back and asked a question. Lee Han nodded readily.

“Advice is always welcome!”

-I-it isn't advice, exactly... Why do you need to lock the door to test magical aptitude?

Both Lee Han and the Skull Principal gave him a look that seemed to say, You're asking something that obvious?

For a moment, the Death Knight became slightly dejected, wondering if he had really asked such a foolish question.

“Think about it. If the door isn't locked, the students might say they're bored and leave halfway through, or say the lecture period is over and leave, or say they're going to the theater lecture next door and leave. But if I lock the door...”

“No one can leave. You...! It makes me proud to know that you didn't waste your time learning at Einroguard!”

The Skull Principal praised Lee Han.

To sweep away all his worries, concerns, and frustrations with a single lecture plan like this was no ordinary talent.

-B-but... Successor. The classroom door will have to open eventually. What if word gets out, or the students refuse to attend the next lecture?

“To prepare for that, I plan to make them swear on their honor before I open the door. I'll have them take an oath of silence.”

“Did you get the inspiration from Einroguard's rules?”

“Exactly.”

“...You!”

The Skull Principal's gaze toward Lee Han had nearly returned to its usual level.

That was how much he liked the contents of the lecture plan.

“And if they run away, I'm also considering tracking them down personally and dragging them back.”

“You're better than Professor Voladi! That's the kind of initiative you need!”

The Skull Principal patted Lee Han on the shoulder encouragingly.

Simply waiting around like Professor Voladi was not the attitude of a good educator.

A good educator needed that sort of bold initiative.

'Am I the only strange one here???'

The Death Knight sank into deep despair.

No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not follow this conversation.

“What do you think?”

“I dare say it's perfect. No matter how much the Valdrogard students scheme or laze around, it won't be easy for them to escape such a thorough lecture.”

“Thank you!”

The master and disciple reconciled once again.

Before the great cause of magic, petty quarrels were as trivial as trying to cut water with a sword.