Ogonin, upon realizing that the opposing student harbored a strange misunderstanding, urgently cried out, ...I am not a professor!

Confused, Yi-Han cast a suspicious glance at him, only for Ogonin to belatedly comprehend the implications of his own words.

Though a mage of high repute even in the empire, Ogonin was an amateur in the thievery arts, a stark contrast to a seasoned thief who would have chosen his words more carefully.

Realizing his error too late, Ogonin stammered, No... thats not...!

How dare you trick me! the student accused.

I havent used any tricks...! Ogonin protested, cut off abruptly.

He found himself unable to offer further explanations or excuses as the students attack commenced.

What... what is this... how could it be?! he thought in dismay.

Ogonin, though startled by the students conjuring of dozens of water orbs, did not believe them to be unblockable. As a mage, he was no stranger to magic combat, having faced such elemental magic before. The sheer number of orbs was intimidating, but he knew that successfully defending against the frontal assault was key.

As he prepared to retaliate with his illusion magic, the orbs unexpectedly veered off in erratic trajectories and accelerated, catching Ogonin off guard once more.

How can this be! How can this be! he thought in panic, dodging to the side.

To the earth, lend me your aid! he cast his spell, as the ground beneath him shifted, attempting to swallow the water orbs.

Yi-Han, undeterred, simply summoned more.

Spring forth! he chanted.

Seeing the student immediately prepare another attack without pause, Ogonin felt as if he were trapped in a nightmare.

Could this be a trap set by Gonadaltes? he wondered, considering the possibility.

Return to your elemental form! Ogonin countered, dispersing the incoming orbs with an elemental dispel.

Yet, the student relentlessly conjured more.

I cant win this war of attrition! Ogonin realized, setting aside his pride as a renowned mage in the empire. Repeated humiliations brought clarity.

What kind of student is this... I must subdue and escape!

Flames, take my form! he decided, abandoning his ineffective illusion magic due to pride.

The fire rose, morphing into an identical replica of Ogonin, a perfect doppelganger indistinguishable from himself.

Yi-Han looked on in astonishment. Ogonin felt a slight restoration of his wounded pride.

...Student, listen to me! I apologize for my rude and panicked words. But I have my own circumstances...

But before he could finish, the sound of a fuse burning reached his ears.

?

Turning around, Ogonin saw his fiery doppelganger igniting a fuse, which led to a volley of fireworks erupting skyward.

Both Yi-Han and Ogonin were left speechless, watching the display of fireworks.

Next problem! My most favorite thing in my lifetime is

Boom!

?

Whats that?

The students, yawning over a tedious problem, turned their heads.

Behind them, beautiful fireworks embroidered the sky.

Bang! Bang!

Its fireworks!

Oh, has it started already?

The guests, too, rose from their seats, invigorated.

After all, fireworks were among the most beautiful spectacles achievable with magic.

Such fireworks, specially prepared by Einrogard, were a rare sight to behold up close.

No... No... No!?

As the skull principal feigned surprise, guests from the empire burst into laughter.

You truly enjoy a surprise gift!

Studying under such a delightful mentor must bring great joy to the students!

No... Who could... Which cursed scoundrel...?

What did you say?

Silence!

The skull principal revealed his true colors, silencing the imperial guest with a curse of forced muteness. The cursed guest struggled in vain to speak.

What... Who could...!

Blue flames blazed in his eyes, leaving a trail behind the soaring skull principal.

Though his tears had dried long ago, the principal wept in spirit.

His plan to provide the students with a fun experience of dodging fireworks had been ruined by some wicked individual!

...Its over...

Ogonin, in despair, collapsed face down.

Never had he imagined it was a pile of fireworks.

And now, having triggered them, escape was impossible. People would soon gather.

Could this be considered a defeat?

Yi-Han, observing the prostrate Ogonin, pondered his next move.

The right course of action was to render him unconscious to ensure a complete subjugation.

While Ogonin seemed to be a thief, not a professor, there was something peculiarly dignified about him.

If he were to strike and later discover Ogonin was acquainted with one of the professors, it would place Yi-Han in a precarious situation.

Might you share your circumstances? Yi-Han asked.

What?

Your situation, if you could explain?

You are... Wait. Are you indeed a student?

In his despair, Ogonins curiosity was piqued. Yi-Han nodded affirmatively.

Yes, I am a student.

A fifth-year?

No.

A fourth-year?

No.

A sixth-year?

I am a first-year.

...

Ogonin looked around frantically.

What are you doing?

Looking for a rope to hang myself with...

Please dont.

Yi-Hans attempt to console was futile against Ogonin's overwhelming despair.

Embarrassed by a freshman in illusion magic, he had inadvertently set the fireworks pile ablaze!

Feeling as if his entire career as a mage had been negated, Ogonin lay there defeated.

Is that so. Um. So...

Yi-Han tried to coax the story out of the despondent mage.

It turned out Ogonin was a specialist in illusion magic, who had once lost an ancient artifact related to his field in an auction to Gonadaltes. Despite his requests to collaborate, Gonadaltes had dismissively told him to buy his own artifact.

Driven to such lengths, Ogonin had resorted to infiltrating the place to retrieve the artifact himself.

A tear-jerking tale indeed.

This story was particularly moving as it wasn't about someone else.

In reality, senior students were currently raiding the skull principals storeroom for materials, and soon they might have to target storerooms of other magic academies.

What happened... No, Mr. Ogonin!

Kirmin Ku, a fellow illusion mage and a professor at the magic academy, was the first to arrive and was shocked at the sight.

Why is Ogonin here?

"If you were coming, why didnt you just call...

Professor Kirmin, observing the fireworks exploding in the background and the prone figure of Ogonin, glanced back and forth between the two, quickly grasping the situation.

Did you, Mr. Ogonin, set off these fireworks?

Yes.

...Wardanaz. May I ask a favor of you?

Want me to pretend ignorance in front of the principal?

You really are...

Professor Kirmin was lost for words, astounded by the situation.

Yes, I ask this favor of you. It's not a demand, of course. After all, it's true that Ogonin tried to meddle with the principal's treasure...

No, it's fine.

!

You are a friend of the professor, arent you?

...Thank you. Wardanaz. I will surely repay this kindness.

Professor Kirmin was genuinely moved.

Unlike Bagrak, Bagraks disciple was a warm-hearted and compassionate mage.

How could such a student come from Bagrak's tutelage...!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As the fireworks continued to burst, the skull principal arrived on the scene.

He observed Yi-Han, Professor Kirmin, and Ogonin, and likewise quickly understood the situation.

Daring to set fire at someone else's festival just because of a rejected research collaboration!?

Ah... No...

Principal. We do not know what happened. The fireworks were already ablaze when we arrived.

Stunned by this unexpected betrayal, the skull principal was taken aback.

After all, Professor Kirmin Ku was a fellow illusion mage and friend of Ogonin.

It wasn't surprising for him to take Ogonins side.

These illusion mages...!

Such an unbelievable excuse...! As if the fireworks set themselves alight!?

Principal Gonadaltes.

Professor Kirmin spoke firmly.

If Mr. Ogonin had deliberately set the fire, he wouldnt have reason to stay.

For the first time in a long while, the skull principal was at a loss for words, his eye sockets only moving.

It was a perfectly logical argument.

Why indeed would Ogonin set the fireworks ablaze and remain at the scene?

Principal! The fireworks are truly beautiful!

To witness such a spectacle...!

Bang! Boom! Bang!

Fortunately, before the principal could ponder further, excited guests arrived, creating a diversion.

Seizing the opportunity, Professor Kirmin urgently spoke.

Mr. Ogonin, you must leave quickly.

Th... Thank you. And...

This student is Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family.

Upon hearing Professor Kirmins words, Ogonin nodded, his eyes brimming with tears.

I am truly grateful. I will not forget your name. I swear by the name of magic, I will repay this debt.

Hurry!

Ogonin quickly departed, knowing he would be in a bad situation if caught by the skull principal.

Meanwhile, the skull principal, busy entertaining the guests, realized the truth too late.

He was exposed by Wardanaz! Illusion magic wouldnt work directly on someone from Wardanaz!

What are you talking about...

Where did Ogonin go? Has he already fled?!

The skull principal gritted his teeth.

On reflection, it was clear that Yi-Han had interfered.

The gap between a freshman and a renowned mage of the empire was too great to consider initially...

But comparing their compatibility, it was entirely plausible!

Otherwise, there would be no reason for Ogonin to set off the fireworks and remain at the scene.

Just you wait... Ogonin! I will avenge this festivals grudge!

Let's escape quickly.

Professor Kirmin swiftly left the scene with Yi-Han.

Remaining there any longer would have served no good purpose.

On the Friday after the festival had concluded, the visiting guests had all departed. The once bustling place was now empty, but the students were still abuzz with talk of the festival.

Did you see the fireworks yesterday? They were beautiful.

Were they created with enchantment magic? Maybe well learn that in a couple of weeks?

However, Yi-Han was slightly tense.

He was soon to meet with the skull principal.

Many students had earned the privilege to leave the academy premises this week, so they were all gathered to meet with the skull principal.

Yi-Han had two such leave permits. One from before, and another newly obtained from Professor Boladi this week.

He wouldn't hold a grudge against me for yesterday's incident, would he?

Yi-Han remained silent, but...

Given the skull principals temperament, even silence could be taken amiss.

Has everyone arrived?

Yes!

Did you enjoy the festival?

Yes!

But when the skull principal appeared, he was neither ablaze with rage nor flashing with madness.

He looked sullen and calm.

Thank goodness... No. I cant let my guard down.

As the skull principal greeted the students, he fixed a piercing gaze on Yi-Han as he approached.

Is there a problem?

Are you close with Ogonin?

What? No, I am not.

I see.

Yi-Han managed his expression almost perfectly. There was not a hint of a giveaway.

...Until he heard what the skull principal said next.

"Then you can join me for an outing next time."

...

Yi-Han did not ask where the outing was headed.

He felt he already knew, without having to ask.