"What a shame."
Lee Han couldn't help but feel disappointed.
His dormitory friends simply couldn't accept his unusual theory.
"Wait… you're deliberately taking unpopular classes? Why? Is taking a class no one else wants somehow noble or something?"
"'Repetitive Practice of Basic Magical Combat?' Uh… sorry. I've already signed up for a class during that time slot. Really. I swear I'm not lying."
"Wardanas, why on earth would you waste your time like that? I don't understand. From what I've learned in the Dalkard family…"
But what could he do?
The path of the righteous was always a lonely one.
Once midterms hit, finals loomed, and assignments started to choke them, his friends would remember Lee Han's foresight.
After all, professors at any school were heartless creatures.
Students had other classes to worry about, but professors expected them to devote their entire soul to their class alone — cold, iron-blooded selfishness!
That was why students had to balance their schedules — load up on easy classes to survive the ones that truly mattered.
Focus and prioritize.
That's how schools worked everywhere.
"Is this the place?"
Lee Han stepped through the front entrance of the main building, looking for the stairs to the basement.
The classroom for Repetitive Practice of Basic Magical Combat was in the first basement level.
"...Spooky."
The words slipped from Lee Han's mouth before he realized it.
The grand staircase that appeared past the front entrance…
It wasn't overly extravagant nor overly bleak — a typical Gothic-style staircase that didn't seem out of the ordinary at all.
And yet, there was something ominous about it.
Perhaps it was because of what Lee Han already knew.
"Never wander around a Wizard's Tower carelessly."
A famous saying known to every imperial citizen — wizard or not.
"Don't go wandering around a Wizard's Tower recklessly, child."
Even if it looked normal on the outside, who knew what kind of magic traps lay in wait?
Climb to the second floor out of curiosity, and you might get trapped in an eternal labyrinth — never to return.
Many of the fairy tales Lee Han read in his family's library were about children barely escaping from evil wizards' towers.
Still somewhat naive back then, Lee Han had asked:
"This is exaggerated… right?"
"It is a bit over the top, Young Master."
"Right? I mean, getting lost forever just by going to the second floor…"
"Yes. If a non-expert enters a Wizard's Tower, they'll never escape. Realistically, those children in the story would've grown old and died, trapped inside."
"..."
Learning that getting lost forever by wandering to the second floor wasn't just a fantasy had shocked young Lee Han to the core.
Such was the terrifying nature of a Wizard's Tower — filled with all sorts of mysteries and dangers.
And this magic academy, Einroguard, was basically a place where countless Wizard's Towers had been merged together.
Its dangers were truly unpredictable.
In fact, among the new students, very few dared to explore the school grounds.
Even though this was the time when their curiosity should've been at its peak!
Everyone had either heard directly from their families or picked up enough rumors to know —
Explore the buildings recklessly, and you might be found as a corpse.
"Well… the first basement level should be fine…"
Lee Han steeled himself, shaking off his fear.
Truth be told, the Wizard's Tower's reputation was a little exaggerated.
Nothing had happened when he wandered around the first floor of the main building or the dorms, after all.
Clatter. Clatter.
Just then, the familiar sound of bones knocking together echoed behind him.
Oh. Great. The basement. What's this? Are you going to be found dead tomorrow?
"..."
The passing comment from the Lich Headmaster left Lee Han speechless.
'Damn it.'
"Honorable Headmaster! It is an honor to meet you!"
Lee Han bowed deeply.
Even if hatred and resentment surged within, a true graduate student could smile outwardly.
His respectful greeting was the picture of noble decorum.
The Lich Headmaster nodded in satisfaction.
Now that's a student who knows what's what.
"Yes. I'm heading to the first basement level. Might you have any advice for me?"
No. If you're found dead tomorrow, I'll leave a flower for you.
'Bastard.'
Despite all the scare tactics, the first basement level turned out to be… surprisingly normal.
Long hallways lined with classrooms stretched on both sides, and there wasn't a single corpse, undead, or monster in sight.
It was a bit dim, eerie, and cold — but Lee Han decided it was probably just because the school grounds weren't exactly built on holy land.
"What a relief."
Swish—
Just then, two students passed by him.
Lee Han was surprised.
Were they here for Repetitive Practice of Basic Magical Combat too?
'So I wasn't the only one who thought of this.'
Of course. With talented students gathered from all over the Empire, it would be strange if no one else thought like him.
Competition didn't bother Lee Han.
'Two more students should be fine. It's a little awkward to take a class completely alone anyway.'
"Ah, this isn't the classroom. Almost went in the wrong one."
"What's this class supposed to be?"
'Repetitive Practice of Basic Magical Combat.'
"What? That was an actual class? There are people crazy enough to take that?"
"Rumor has it the students from the White Tiger Tower tried it and cursed it out before leaving."
"If they couldn't handle it, that's probably a class no one should take."
"..."
The two students left, chatting away toward another classroom.
Suddenly, Lee Han felt a little anxious.
Creaaak—
Still, there were already three students sitting inside the classroom.
But Lee Han could tell right away — these students weren't here with strong resolve like him.
They were wearing expressions filled with anxiety, nervousness, confusion, and worry.
To sum it up: 'Did I pick the wrong class?'
"It's time. Take your seats."
"!"
Lee Han was startled again.
The professor had been sitting quietly in the corner of the classroom — and he hadn't noticed at all.
Sure, the professor had been sitting in the shadows…
But to have this little presence?
'Is he a vampire?'
Pale skin. Long fangs. A gloomy gaze.
Given that there were troll professors here, having a vampire professor wasn't too strange either.
"Aaaah!"
"Gah…!"
"..."
Lee Han looked around in disbelief.
Had the three students who arrived before him also failed to notice the professor sitting there this whole time?
"I am Voladi Bagrek. I will be teaching Repetitive Practice of Basic Magical Combat. I look forward to working with you all."
"We look forward to your guidance!"
The students all replied in unison. Lee Han joined in.
Professor Voladi pointed forward with his finger — not even bothering to take out a staff.
On the classroom table, small orbs the size of a palm were placed for each student.
"These orbs are made from Spiritstone."
Spiritstone.
Lee Han had heard of them.
'A mineral highly sensitive to magical energy, right?'
Roughly speaking, when certain star constellations aligned and radiated holy power, minerals exposed to that energy transformed into Spiritstone.
They were highly sensitive to magic and commonly used in detection devices or protective wards.
"Each of you, hold the orb and focus your magic into it."
The students looked confused, but followed the instructions and grabbed the orbs.
Every student here was a first-year — barely a month into their time at the academy.
They were all talented, but infusing magic wasn't something they could confidently do just yet.
Flash!
"Whoa!"
"Kyah!"
However, regardless of their unease, the orbs began to vibrate slowly and float into the air.
Professor Voladi's expression didn't change as he spoke.
"Those orbs are now connected to your will."
'Artifact!'
Lee Han quickly realized that this bead wasn't just an ordinary spirit stone that had been carved down — it was an artifact, painstakingly crafted by the professor himself.
"I heard well-made artifacts can fetch ridiculous amounts of money…"
Artifacts were always in high demand, no matter the time or place.
A mage who could craft good artifacts could practically sit on a mountain of gold.
Having heard as much, Lee Han naturally had some interest in artifacts too.
...Not that it mattered unless the artifacts were also interested in him.
"Uwaaagh!"
"?!"
The bead next to him suddenly shot up toward the ceiling with terrifying force, as if it might break right through.
Thankfully, it stopped right beneath the lecture hall ceiling.
Even so, Professor Voladi didn't bat an eye — his face might as well have been carved from stone.
"The fact that it's connected to your will means you can control it. Of course, there are restrictions placed on the bead so it can't destroy this classroom."
"Th-thank goodness…"
No sooner had those words left his mouth than the bead smashed straight into a student's stomach.
Thwack!
"Guh...!?"
"The bead can't destroy the classroom — but you aren't protected by that restriction. Be careful not to damage the bead."
"..."
Ordinarily, a professor would say "Be careful not to hurt yourself." But here, they were being told to be careful not to break the bead by hitting people.
Lee Han was now fully convinced.
This vampire professor was insane in his own way.
Still, the students hadn't lost all hope. They waited nervously for the professor's next instruction.
"What should we do now?"
"Keep the bead afloat — and draw a circle."
Carefully, the students focused their minds and lifted their beads into the air.
Lee Han did the same.
Everyone started trying to move their beads in a rough circular motion. Some actually managed to draw something vaguely resembling a circle, though most were horribly misshapen.
"I did it!"
One student shouted out in joy, apparently proud of their handiwork.
Professor Voladi responded with a flat, emotionless voice.
"That is not a circle. Do it again."
"...Ah, yes sir."
And so, the students began drawing circles again.
Then again.
And again...
And again...
Eventually, one student couldn't help but cautiously raise a question.
"Um… how long are we supposed to keep drawing circles?"
"?"
For the first time, Professor Voladi showed the faintest trace of emotion.
That emotion was pure confusion — as if he couldn't understand why anyone would ask such a thing.
"Until you can draw it perfectly, of course."
"..."
"…Professor. May I use the restroom?"
"You need not ask."
One student immediately got up and left.
Another, sensing their chance, quietly stood up and slipped out as well.
The last student — besides Lee Han — hesitated for a moment before suddenly collapsing forward.
"???"
Lee Han was shocked.
Was that supposed to be… an act? Just to get out of class?
'Not bad...' Lee Han thought to himself, a little impressed.
He rushed over to support the student — but their face was deathly pale.
It wasn't an act.
"You okay?"
"M-my mana…"
"Professor! I think he's collapsed from mana exhaustion!"
Lee Han turned toward the professor.
Just like Professor Garcia had taught him, beginners often struggled to manage their mana. They'd recklessly burn through it without realizing, and then suddenly collapse from depletion.
That's clearly what had happened here.
"I see."
"What should we do?"
"Once he recovers his mana, he will resume drawing circles."
"..."
Lee Han could feel the student in his arms trembling with rage.
If nothing else, Lee Han was certain of one thing — this student was never coming back to this lecture.
'Looks like I'll be attending this class alone.'
And sure enough, that's exactly what happened.
Left alone, Lee Han asked for confirmation.
"Professor, how will grades be assigned for this class?"
"By the standard rules. Scores will be given in order from first place down."
"I see…"
Lee Han nodded.
Then, he grabbed his bead again.
"All I have to do is draw circles?"
"Correct."
Lee Han began moving the bead through the air, drawing circles.
The students who had left were probably complaining to each other — "What a waste of time!" — but Lee Han didn't care in the slightest.
'Even better.'
If all he had to do was sit through this class until the end of the semester and secure a high grade…
This was what a true lecture should be.
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