Published at 17th of March 2026 8:41 pm

Chapter 762

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Is, is it really okay?

Isnt there another vault somewhere?

The other Dark Magic school friends also seemed to have similar thoughts to Lee Han as they whispered among themselves.

No matter what, how could the vault responsible for one of Einroguards schools be so completely empty?

Cough. Dark magic is originally poor magic.

Now that they were all second years, Professor Mortum spoke the truth without hesitation.

Originally, it was normal for the Dark Magic schools vault to be empty.

Basically, magic school vaults were meant to be filled with donation money that clients paid additionally out of gratitude when affiliated students solved external requests, or additional school support funds received when submitting research plans.

Or they would be filled with various magic-related items that the school proactively sold

but the Dark Magic school was a school that suffered losses in all these methods.

Requests?

The Empires requests were divided into profitable requests and unprofitable requests, and the Dark Magic school mainly received only unprofitable requests.

Profitable requests are usually called by nobles or merchants, but those are hard to get.

Seeking advice on magic-related items, requesting education, or asking for magic needed for banquets.

These were requests that werent difficult now and had generous rewards.

And these kinds of requests rarely came to the Dark Magic school.

The requests that mainly came to the Dark Magic school were from poor village people asking to subjugate undead that appeared in nearby cemeteries, or requests to solve curses rampant in swamplands where corrupted mana had pooled.

They were rewarding but didnt pay much money.

Research support funds?

Research plans submitted by Dark Magic school students were usually disadvantaged when it came to support funds too.

-I want to develop efficient low-circle magic that can be cast on carriage wheels to improve the Empires transportation network.

-Thats a good idea.

-I want to research divination that professionally predicts climate for the farmers in the east who suffer from unpredictable weather.

-It could be dangerous, but its worth trying.

-Through my previous research, I developed poison that instantly kills blade demons. This time, I want to develop poison that can instantly kill bronze demons.

-Do you think the Empires treasurer just hands out money whenever you throw down a research proposal?

Its definitely disadvantageous.

Having met Empire inspectors during winter break with the Skeleton Principal, Lee Han knew well how difficult it was to receive support funds.

Officials basically liked magic that helped with Empire operations, not ultimate magic or legendary poisons.

Even magic item sales werent very popular for Dark Magic-related items

Cough. But dont worry.

At Professor Mortums words, Lee Hans friends faces brightened slightly.

They wondered if there might be some source of income.

Does the Principal perhaps donate to the Dark Magic school?

What are you talking about?

You said not to worry

Good grief. Cough. What nonsense. I meant its okay because Dark Magic doesnt suffer much even when poor.

Professor Mortum was now a second year, so he spoke raw truths without restraint.

All the students were shocked, but only Lee Han remained calm. He had already seen glimpses of this during his first year.

Back then there was also chaos over lack of materials.

Certainly, the Dark Magic school was a school with quite strong ability to endure when lacking things.

Just looking at the Enchantment Magic school, didnt their professor throw materials on the floor when he wasnt satisfied with their quality?

If someone in the Dark Magic school threw materials on the floor because they didnt like them, even a professor might get beaten up by Senior Diret.

Professor. Then where did these gold coins come from?

Lee Han asked out of sudden curiosity. Professor Mortum seemed to have hazy memories as he fell into thought.

Diret brought them was it a request? Support funds? Sales?

I should do something too.

At Professor Mortums words, Lee Han felt sudden guilt.

Whether running requests to receive donations, submitting plans to get support funds in the schools name, or even selling magic items to gather additional funds, he felt he should do something.

Gainando asked anxiously.

Professor. If were this poor, wont juniors not come? Did any juniors enter this year?

At the Princes question, Professor Mortum drew a circle with his finger. Gainando let out a sigh of relief.

Thats a relief. Some did come.

Cough. What are you talking about?

Pardon?

I meant its still 0.

The second year students felt intense pressure that they had to do something as members of the Dark Magic school.

***

Greetings. Professor Taswan. Im Lee Han. These are my friends, Gainando, Ymirg, and Raphadael.

Cough. Nice to meet you all.

Professor Taswan responded favorably to the Einroguard students welcome.

Gainando said sympathetically.

Did your health deteriorate because of Dark Magic research? As expected, curses and poisons

Y-you could say that.

What?

Lee Han felt like the other person was hiding something.

Even though there shouldnt be anything to hide in the current situation.

This is my disciple, Agdung. Hes a fourth year student at Callarogard.

???

The Dark Magic student called Agdung politely greeted them.

As the skeleton mage removed his hat and bowed his head with the sound of rattling bones, Lee Hans friends fell into confusion.

Why is he a skeleton??

Professor Taswan. I have a question.

What is it?

When Lee Han spoke up, his friends nodded. It seemed their friend had also noticed something strange.

Where are the other students?

The poison flared up during travel, so theyre still resting. It looks like Agdung here will have to handle things alone.

I see. Understood.

At the mention that other students were resting, Lee Han nodded.

Certainly, long journeys tended to exhaust frail mages.

Wardanaz!

What. Raphadael. Whats wrong?

Is that all?!

??

At Raphadaels reaction, Lee Han looked at him with eyes that said why is this guy acting like this.

Dont tell me you want me to ask about payment now? That seems like rude behavior. Raphadael.

Thats not it! Look! Isnt it strange that Senior Agdung over there is a skeleton?!

Ah.

Only then did Lee Han realize what his friend was talking about.

Well, that can happen. One Einroguard senior goes around transformed into a golem.

The friends fell into confusion.

hat

Is that so?

Am I being narrow-minded?

Everyone, dont fight because of me. Haha. You must be confused since Im transformed into a skeleton mage, right?

Agdung intervened to calm the Einroguard students.

Its because of the dark magic Im currently researching, so dont think strange thoughts.

What kind of research are you conducting?

Hmm! Im researching how to transform a human body into undead. Since completely abandoning mortal flesh and becoming a lich has many side effects, Im leaving some organs and systems alone while permanently replacing the replaceable parts with undead

I see.

Lee Han and his friends quickly reached a conclusion and backed away.

This person is insane!

They newly realized why dark magic school research wasnt very popular in the Empire.

***

However, Agdung was surprisingly sociable and friendly for a skeleton mage.

He won the favor of the Einroguard students with various pleasant jokes and witty remarks, enough to make them forget he was conducting insane research.

Youre playing mage cards? What kind of deck do you like, Gainando?

Dark dark magic curse deck

Hmm? What deck did you say?

Dark, dark magic curse deck.

Wow, thats a really good deck! Many people at our Callarogard try to build that deck too.

What?! Really!??!

Gainandos eyes widened as he shouted.

Theres such a wonderful school in the world?

Of course! Some ignorant people call it a cowardly deck, but wheres the cowardice in competition? If thats the case, theres no reason to play mage cards. Right. Well have a mage card club exchange match later, want to participate?

Im not a member there

Oh no. What a shame.

Co, could we do it separately?

Thats not possible, Gainando. I cant freely use time for content thats not in the plan.

Gainando cursed himself for checking the club name wrong.

It might have been a chance to make friends who could share the philosophy of mage cards!

Raphadael. Isnt the Grall family a knight family famous for anti-dark magic? Youre learning dark magic despite being from such a family?

Thats right. To be honest, Im not learning dark magic because I like it, but to understand dark magics weaknesses

I respect that attitude, Raphadael! Only a true knight can make such a choice by sacrificing themselves.

Ri, right?

Raphadael brightened up upon receiving praise among dark mages for the first time.

His friends always nagged him saying Youre someone who likes dark magic, slowly admit it!

Ymirg. May I ask what your purpose is for learning dark magic?

In, in the city outskirts, many undead appear, and I want to try stopping them

Excellent, Ymirg. There arent many dark mages with such noble purposes as you.

Ymirg felt shy at that praise.

Since many mages who entered the dark magic school had higher and grander goals, the goal of serving by traveling around the Empires cities and villages seemed a bit trivial.

Lee Han. Come to think of it, I havent asked about your family. Which family are you from?

Im from the Wardanaz family.

Crash clatter clang!

?!

Lee Han was startled when the skeleton mage fell over and some bones flew out in the process.

Are you alright?!

Im, Im fine. I tripped over a stone.

Agdung assembled and fitted his shinbone while inwardly shocked.

Crazy!

When Professor Taswan first said This year, 2nd year students will guide the way, Agdung had thought Doesnt Einroguards dark magic school have people?

But it was the Wardanaz family boy.

Then it made sense. Wasnt he the disciple of the Empires Archmage?

More than that, he was a 2nd year?!

When he heard rumors last winter that Lord Gonadaltes was traveling around with a disciple from the Wardanaz family, he thought they might be a 4th or 5th year, but they were a 2nd year.

To think I would face that Archmages disciple

He was so nervous and afraid that his non-existent heart seemed to pound.

As could be seen from Professor Taswan, getting involved with Lord Gonadaltes wasnt a wise choice.

Naturally, getting involved with his disciple would be the same.

Take my hand and get up.

Yes! Thank you.

?

Lee Han felt something off about Agdungs response.

What did you just say?

I, I said thank you.

Do you perhaps have any bad memories related to the Wardanaz family?

Wha what are you talking about, Lee Han? What bad memories could I have with the Wardanaz family, a pillar of the Empire?

This person is hiding something!

There was no way Lee Han wouldnt notice the other persons reaction.

The other person definitely had bad memories related to the Wardanaz family.

Damn. Did he perhaps visit Udamhwa village and encounter a demon? It wouldnt be the territory.

While the other dark magic school friends were happily getting close to the guest, only Lee Han was being left out because of his family. This was too unfair.

By, by the way, Lee Han. About the mushroom field, I know that location too. Ill go get them myself, so why dont you and your friends rest here? Im sorry its such a trivial matter!

What? Quite some time has passed since then, so itll be difficult with just a map. And I have things I need to get from the mushroom field too. Lets just go together?

Then, how about this?

?

Ill get the mushrooms you need too.

At Lee Hans suspicious gaze, Agdung realized he had made a mistake.

Indeed, it couldnt not be strange for a 4th year student who came as a guest to offer to do errands for a 2nd year student.

I I was joking! Haha.

Yes

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