Professor Alfen double-checked I-han’s calculations, thinking he might have missed something.

The setup was remarkable—efficient, clean, and with no waste—demonstrating the meticulous instruction Professor Verdus had provided. I-han’s arrangement of artifacts was so optimized that even his upperclassmen couldn’t have done much better. Still, Alfen couldn’t fathom how I-han managed to reduce magic consumption to such a degree.

“But how?” he asked.

“Pardon?” I-han responded, confused.

“Well… look here, Wardanas. Even with the artifacts at the southern gate, which handle *Hardening Enchantment*, *Corrosion Resistance*, and *Enemy Detection*, you’d typically need at least three crates of mid-grade mana stones per day.”

“Oh, my apologies. I forgot to note that I’m assuming overcharged mana during artifact creation. For simple artifacts, overcharging them allows them to function for over ten years without additional mana supply,” I-han explained.

“?”

“??”

Professor Alfen and the guild members wore matching expressions of bewilderment. What the first-year student said made little sense to them.

“Is that… a real thing, Professor? We don’t know magic like you do, but we’ve never heard of artifacts like that,” one guild member inquired, astonished.

“Hmm. In theory, it’s possible,” Professor Alfen explained. He went on to elaborate for the baffled guild members.

Artifacts consist of two main components: the magic core and the power source that supplies mana to that core. Typically, magic engravers work tirelessly to refine these structures, aiming to maximize efficiency and reduce the mana required for the artifact to function.

However, theoretically, if the core were filled with mana to its limit and then sealed, it might supply its own mana without needing an external source.

“But no one actually makes artifacts like this, do they?”

And that was precisely the reason for Alfen’s and the guild members’ astonishment—this technique was virtually unheard of.

Structuring an artifact to withstand overcharged mana or adjusting its durability was a minor problem. The biggest issue was that hardly any mage could withstand the dangerous level of mana needed to overcharge artifacts this way. Regular mana infusion was much safer; no mage would risk their life for a one-time overcharge.

“Is there really no one who does it?”

“Not that I know of.”

“......”

I-han felt blindsided.

This method was something he had learned as standard practice under Professor Verdus, and it never occurred to him that it might be unconventional.

- “Professor!”

- “......”

- “Professor, Professor! Professor!!”

- “Argh! Why are you yelling in my ear?”

- “Sorry, but you weren’t listening.”

- “What do you mean? I wasn’t called.”

- “Anyway, Professor, I have a question. The enchanting books I’ve read don’t mention overcharging mana in artifacts. Isn’t that excessive?”

- “It’s fine, it’s fine! Look, it’s more efficient this way, isn’t it?”

- “Well, yeah, but then why don’t the books say that?”

- “They’re outdated.”

- “The book came out last year!”

- “Exactly—ancient. And the author was probably an idiot.”

- “They had a good reputation and published several papers…”

- “And they can still be idiots. Look, it’s safe, right? Efficient, isn’t it?”

- “But is it really safe?”

- “That’s why you have to make sure it doesn’t blow up! So far, it hasn’t, so we’re doing fine.”

- “Professor, are you just saying this to get rid of me?”

- “Why don’t you trust me?”

‘Damn it. I did trust him.’

Remembering Professor Verdus, I-han ground his teeth. He couldn’t believe he’d been tricked again.

Now he realized that it made sense that others wouldn’t use this method.

‘I should have figured it out sooner.’

Looking at the stunned faces around him, I-han wondered if his intelligence had dropped upon entering Einroguard.

After all, this method would drain a mage’s mana excessively, and a single mistake during the process could lead to a catastrophic accident.

“I apologize. I didn’t think twice since I’ve become so accustomed to this method from working with Professor Verdus.”

“Professor Verdus, you say? You learned this from him?” Alfen looked genuinely intrigued.

I-han’s hopes rose slightly. ‘Maybe he’s going to give Professor Verdus a piece of his mind?’

“Remarkable! Professor Verdus truly is a genius!”

“...???”

Completely oblivious to I-han’s horror, Professor Alfen continued.

“Yes, I’ve heard that Professor Verdus’s brilliance can sometimes be a challenge in training students, but this method… this is proof of his visionary approach. He’s passing down his genius to his students!”

“Visionary…?”

I-han was at a loss for words. If all it took to qualify as “visionary” was some secret technique, then even Gainan’s *Hidden Snack Time during Lectures* would count as one.

If you went around calling that a “visionary technique,” people would call you insane.

“Yes, this is undoubtedly visionary, Wardanas! Perhaps you lack the experience to realize it yet, but this is truly an impressive result.”

“But it’s dangerous for mana and could lead to accidents…”

“But didn’t you say you’ve worked with Professor Verdus for years without any issues?”

“…Yes, that’s true…”

Alfen gave I-han a hearty pat on the shoulder.

“Wardanas, I typically advise students to stay humble, but for you, I have different advice: practice a little restrained pride. This is something you can be proud of—both you and Professor Verdus!”

At his wits’ end, I-han tried one last approach.

“But, Professor… isn’t Professor Verdus a bit… eccentric?”

He hoped Professor Alfen, with even a bit of experience with Verdus, would realize that what they had was less of a “brilliant succession” and more of a “reckless mentor risking his student’s safety.”

“Well, yes.”

“Right?”

“But isn’t that how all Einroguard professors are?”

“......”

I-han was speechless for the first time in ages.

---

The guild members, now fully understanding the explanation, were practically moved to tears.

To think that a direct disciple of Einroguard’s renowned genius professor would use a visionary technique to optimize the artifacts for their fortress!

“This… we might be witnessing history here.”

“Y-yes, exactly.”

Though from different guilds, the members shared the same sense of awe.

“It’s almost…”

“Like *The Miracle of the Three Mages*!”

Almost in unison, they murmured in reverence.

The Miracle of the Three Mages was a legendary tale of ingenuity and cooperation, where three mages and local guilds built a fortress with only a fraction of the usual budget.

The story was awe-inspiring for both mages and craftsmen, representing a triumph of skill and unity.

‘Why on earth are they bringing up that story?’

I-han was bewildered by their emotional reverence.

But the guild members continued their conversation, unfazed.

“A building created with such soul is eternal. Who knows? Perhaps this *Pocket Knife Fortress* will be our *Miracle of the Three Mages*.”

“Let’s make our guilds known throughout the Empire!”

“Yes! To fame across the Empire!”

Stoneworkers and woodworkers, who’d been tense rivals a moment ago, shook hands, united by this dream.

Professor Alfen looked at them with a pleased expression, knowing well that collaboration among guilds brought the best results.

Having the chance to put their guilds’ names on the map had transformed them into a united front.

“Are you seeing this, Wardanas? Your magic brought them together.”

“No… I think that’s a bit much…”

“Haha! I told you to have a little pride!”

‘Did I make a mistake accepting this job?’

It was the first time I-han regretted taking a paid job.

‘In the end, I might have Professor Verdus to thank for this mess,’ he thought, resolving to exact revenge on him someday.

---

When I-han finally left Professor Alfen’s office, he felt ten times more exhausted than when he’d gone in.

- “We’ll make sure to spread the renown of the mage’s name across the Empire!”

- “Uh… thanks. But if you could just ensure payment, that’d be enough for me…”

- “Nonsense! Just you wait!”

‘Well, surely the payment won’t be delayed…’

Their enthusiasm was so over-the-top that I-han found it concerning.

It felt strange to worry over their excitement, but he had a reason.

If they spent the Empire’s budget to create a building that exceeded their initial estimates, it could result in delays in payment.

I-han sighed, deciding to bring it up with Professor Alfen later. He’d carefully suggest that the guild members temper their ambition with practicality.

“I-han. I-han!”

“Oh, Professor Garcia.”

Hearing Professor Garcia call his name, I-han felt a rare spark of happiness. There were few professors he genuinely liked, and Garcia was one of them.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Could you step inside for a moment?”

I-han followed Garcia into the lecture hall without suspicion.

In the center of the room, a deep, dark pit gaped ominously.

“…Professor, I trusted you!!”

I-han immediately pulled out his wand and rolled to the side.

Professor Garcia looked at him in shock.

“W-what? What did I do wrong?”

“You…

 you weren’t trying to push me in?”

“Wardanas, has Professor Bagrek thrown you into a pit like this before?”