“What brings you here?”
“...Who are you?”
“!?”
Lee Han was startled by his senior’s frosty reaction.
Could Senior Yukbeltire have disguised herself?
‘Ah. No, that’s not it.’
Now that he thought about it, he was the one in disguise right now. From Diret’s perspective, since Diret had no idea who Stedal was, of course it would be confusing.
“It’s me, Lee Han, Senior. Your junior from the dark magic school.”
“...”
For a moment, Diret nearly said, “I don’t have a junior like that.”
What in the world was he doing here?
“...What are you doing?!”
“Well, it’s a little bit of a long story.”
Lee Han explained what had happened as briefly as possible.
He had created a fake identity to lure the club students away...
“It turned out to be fairly useful, so I ended up coming all the way here.”
‘That is not something you can brush off as “fairly useful.”’
Despite the confusion, Diret gathered his thoughts like a proper fifth-year Einroguard student.
It was still difficult to accept everything, but he could at least understand the main points.
So his junior had created an identity called Stedal Nago, and, roughly speaking...
- He had been captured by pirates in the southern Empire and escaped.
- He had stolen the pirates’ treasure map and amassed a great fortune.
- He had actually grown that fortune during the bone flower speculation crisis.
- He had taken part in subjugating worshippers of evil gods.
- He had also attacked the greedy wealthy people of Granden City.
- He had even plundered Professor Verdus’s possessions...‘Did my junior secretly graduate without my knowing?’
Even after understanding the main points, Diret was still confused.
No matter how he thought about it, when had Lee Han found the time to do all of that?
“Did you... do all of that yourself?”
“What? Of course not. Some of it is lies. People got fooled and spread the rumors on their own.”
“Ah.”
Diret let out a sigh of relief.
Then Diret paused.
If some of it was lies, that meant some of the rest was true, didn’t it?
“Senior, you can use this alias later if you ever need it. Should I write down the detailed personal information for you?”
“N-no. It’s fine. I’ll just accept the thought. More importantly, why did you come here?”
“I received an invitation.”
Lee Han explained that he had recently received an invitation from Count Jau by chance, and since he could not refuse it, he had come here.
‘What did he get invited for?’
Diret was curious about the reason behind the invitation, but there were too many other things to ask first.
“Junior. Tell me again what you actually did, who might hold grudges because of it, and who you’ve met. I’ll organize the things you need to be careful about and let you know...”
What Diret was most worried about right now was the enemies who hated his junior—or more precisely, who hated the fake identity his junior had created.
Since he had recently committed various acts and become the topic of conversation, there had to be quite a few people in the Empire who viewed him unfavorably.
Enemies were not limited to mortal foes. Anyone jealous of you, suspicious of you, or trying to trip you up was also an enemy.
Since Count Jau had such extensive connections, all sorts of guests would be present at the manor. They had to prepare in advance.
“Lord Nago!”
A noble who had come from behind spotted Lee Han and greeted him loudly.
“You accepted the invitation. I’m truly delighted! If I could hear the detailed story of today’s Biv—no, Professor Verdus hunt, I would be even more delighted!”
“Ha. You may look forward to it.”
‘Has he lost his mind?!’
Diret was shocked by the rude attitude of his junior.
This was not Einroguard, and they were standing before the manor of someone who had invited him. How could he act that way toward another noble?
“Uhahaha! As expected of Lord Nago! I’ll look forward to it!”
However, the other noble actually seemed pleased by such a blunt response and laughed.
Of course. A mage capable of plundering Professor Verdus ought to be exactly this rough and fierce.
“By the way, who are these people...?”
“The Einroguard dark magic school.”
“I see. You were looking for vicious poisons or curses to use on your enemies.”
“Kuk kuk. That’s right.”
“...”
Diret looked bewildered, as if to say, “What do you mean, that’s right?”
Did he think dark mages only talked about evil things when they gathered?
“Then I’ll see you inside!”
As soon as the noble walked away, Lee Han immediately apologized.
“I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine. Just lower your voice. Someone might hear.”
Diret spoke in a slightly tired voice.
There were more than one or two people who thought of the dark magic school that way, and that would not change now.
More concerning was the fact that his junior’s fake identity was far too popular.
“Lord Nago! You’ve arrived!”
“Lord Nago. Please say a few words of encouragement to my nephew! Tell him to become a mage like Lord Nago!”
Why was he actually this popular?
***
“Have you heard the rumors? That mage from the Nago family really defeated Professor Verdus and plundered his treasures!”
“What an amazing mage...! To think such a hero existed in the Empire!”
“...”
After entering the manor, Diret immediately understood the reason.
‘No wonder their voices got slightly quieter whenever they talked about Professor Verdus.’
In any case, if that was the reason, it made sense that Lee Han was popular.
There were many people who held grudges against Professor Verdus and plotted against him, but very few ever succeeded.
To them, his junior must have looked like an object of admiration.
“How on earth did he grow his fortune during the bone flower speculation crisis?”
“That is what you call wisdom.”
“...”
Or perhaps not?
Diret wondered whether that judgment had been wrong.
Maybe other factors were behind his popularity...
“Kuk. Why did the Count invite someone so rude?”
“Listen here. Lord Stedal of the Nago family is not rude. He is merely highly wary because he was once captured by pirates from the southern Empire. That is, in fact, proof that he is an outstanding combat mage.”
“That’s right, that’s right! Are you saying the Count failed to recognize a worthy person and invited him by mistake?”
Even when someone occasionally grew jealous of his junior’s popularity and tried to pick a fault, the critic was forced to shut up under the fierce attacks pouring in from all sides.
It was truly rare to find someone who brought this many fanatics to a noble gathering.
‘What in the world has this junior been doing...?!’
“Diret. Diret. Look at me for a moment. I don’t look strange, do I? You all look too.”
Unaware of the complicated feelings inside Diret, Koholti approached.
Since Koholti had come to visit Count Jau and apologize, not even a speck of dust could be allowed on those clothes.
“I’m busy right now, so ask the underclassmen to check you.”
“Why are you busy? What’s going on?”
Koholti could not understand Diret’s words.
It was a natural reaction, since Koholti did not know who Stedal Nago was.
“Do you see that mage over there?”
“Ah. The mage from the Nago family who increased his wealth during the bone flower speculation wave? I was thinking of asking him to invest in my research later.”
Koholti spoke cheerfully, completely unaware of the other person’s identity.
Then Koholti looked at Diret as if realizing something.
“You’re trying to get investment too! No wonder! Don’t tell me that conversation earlier was...?!”
“...No. Never mind.”
“Hey. Diret, compared to yours, my research looks terrible.”
Koholti spoke as if wronged.
Their research already overlapped within the same dark magic school. Unlike other magic schools, when research in the dark magic school overlapped, it was difficult for both sides to receive investment. And compared to Diret, Koholti’s curse-specialization research was...
“It’s not like that. Just focus on meeting the Count.”
“Ah, got it. Nothing looks strange, right?”
Diret nodded that it was fine, but the underclassmen were harsh.
“The cloak looks kind of cheap. Like something you’d wear at Einroguard.”
“How about changing the bracelet? Anyone can tell you’re from the dark magic school, so it’s a bit...”
“I’m the idiot for asking you all. Fine. I’m going!”
Koholti grew angry at the underclassmen and turned around. Koholti felt like taking back the ice cream given to them earlier.
‘Phew. Don’t be nervous.’
Count Jau’s manor, located in the Imperial Capital, boasted a quiet yet refined elegance.
The artifacts and furniture decorating the hall where the party was being held all looked decades old, yet the fact that they gave off an antique glow without a single scratch only revealed the manor’s dignity even more.
Not many people could display such class without seeming pretentious.
There were quite a few nouveau riche in the Empire who had hastily scraped together wealth, but when they hurriedly hired servants and invited people over, the result was gossip rather than admiration.
Knowing that well, Koholti could not help growing even more nervous. It felt as though Koholti’s heart would have been lighter if the other person had been a pretentious nouveau riche.
“Co-Count. Good evening.”
“Welcome! Are you a mage from the Wasteland Star Hunters?”
“Yes, yes. I’m Koholti, an Einroguard graduate and a mage of the Wasteland Star Hunters.”
“To think I would meet such a young talent who dedicates himself to the Empire. It is an honor.”
The kind old count spoke sincerely.
An Einroguard graduate working for the Wasteland Star Hunters had to be someone truly devoted to a mission.
After all, who would choose such hardship willingly?
Feeling that sincerity, Koholti was deeply moved.
“Thank you! The honor is mine as well.”
“Is there anything this old man can help you with?”
Count Jau was as perceptive as he was virtuous. He realized that the mage had come because there was something to say.
“We-well, the thing is.”
Steadying a nervous voice, Koholti brought up the main point.
While working as a Wasteland Star Hunter, Koholti had made a small mistake out of a sense of duty...
“Since it involves your family, Count, I came to apologize.”
“Aha.”
The old count understood the meaning behind those words and smiled.
Koholti said it was an apology, but clearly, this was a request for mediation.
“I understand. I understand. That is certainly my nephew’s fault. To think he failed to throw away dangerous items even after the Star Hunters warned him.”
“Count...!”
“My nephew happens to be here, so I’ll have him called.”
The count rang a small bell and ordered his nephew to be summoned. Koholti waited calmly, immersed in emotion and relief.
However, when the nephew arrived, his reaction was the complete opposite of what Koholti had expected.
“I refuse.”
“!!”
The old count glared at his nephew with an angry expression.
Although the nephew had always been a troublemaker with a dissolute lifestyle, to act stubbornly even in a situation like this and damage the family’s reputation...
“What did you say? Say that again!”
“Uncle, why do you always take other families’ sides? That mage barged into my house and tried to break my things!”
“...”
Koholti had nothing to say, even with ten mouths.
‘Saying that this is how things are done at Einroguard would backfire, right?’
The count’s nephew glared at Koholti, fuming.
“When I asked for compensation for even half the money I paid to buy them, the mage refused that too!”
“No, no. The Star Hunters’ budget isn’t that generous...”
“That is precisely why you should hurry up and apologize! What rudeness toward someone who sacrifices himself for the Empire!”
“Hmph!”
Even at the count’s words, the nephew did not bend.
Far from solving the problem, it seemed like a new one might arise within the count’s family, and Koholti grew anxious.
“What’s going on?”
Just then, a rough voice came from behind.
At this gathering, where even mages like Koholti dressed as neatly as possible, the only mage dressed like a wanderer was Stedal Nago.
“Oh, it’s nothing!”
The count’s nephew flinched as if a shameful side had been shown to someone the nephew admired.
“Let’s go over there! Please tell me more pirate stories from earlier!”
“To become a mage strong enough to make Professor Verdus kneel, you must be bold.”
Stedal spoke in a fierce voice. Though the words were said casually, they seemed to resonate throughout the hall.
“If someone smashed evil objects for you, you should boldly express your gratitude. Otherwise, who would go with you to catch Professor Verdus?”
“...You are absolutely right...!”
The count’s nephew nodded as if entranced.
Then the nephew turned toward Koholti and apologized.
“I’m sorry. My greed made me rude.”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I was too hasty as well...”
Koholti looked at Stedal with eyes full of admiration.
This mage was truly a wonderful person!
