Episode 293

‘What is this? Is it a trap?’

Lee Han hesitated when someone other than Ahsan came out in his place.

Could it be that Ahsan was using this trick because he didn’t want to pay back the borrowed silver?

‘No. Ahsan isn’t that kind of bad guy.’

But he couldn’t let his guard down.

Even if Ahsan wasn’t like that, the rest of his family might resort to underhanded tactics.

Not all nobles were fair and honest.

There were those who truly revered honor, and there were others, like Lee Han, who considered honor to be merely a social facade.

There were plenty of ways to maintain a noble’s honor while avoiding repayment of a debt.

For example, they could pick on Lee Han’s manners and say, ‘How could a guest behave with such rudeness? Please leave!’ If that happened, Lee Han would be forced out even before he could ask about the money.

That would make things very troublesome.

Being from the Wardanaz Family himself, Lee Han couldn’t exactly stand in front of the mansion with a sign saying, ‘Dalkard Family, repay your silver!’

Among the noble ways, for a large debt, it was proper to act direct and forceful, but for a small debt, as in Lee Han’s case, it usually meant spreading rumors to damage the other’s reputation and honor…

‘It doesn’t matter if the Dalkard Family’s reputation is ruined. The real problem is, I still don’t get a single silver coin back.’

Mutual misery.

That was absolutely unacceptable.

The best thing to do was to avoid giving the other party any reason to use as leverage.

“Greetings. I am Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.”

Lee Han greeted as politely as possible, with not a single flaw in decorum.

Daihal and Haidan’s stern faces softened ever so slightly and then quickly returned to normal.

It was so brief that nobody around them noticed, but Lee Han caught it.

A perceptive genius with insight keen enough to read even the eccentric professors of Einrogard, recognized by the skeleton principal!

‘At least I seem to have passed the first impression.’

The other party seemed satisfied, but Lee Han didn’t let his guard down.

He still didn’t know their true intentions.

“To meet a wizard of the Wardanaz Family is an honor. I am Daihal of the Dalkard Family.”

“I am Haidan of the Dalkard Family.”

Lee Han exchanged handshakes with the twins. Their hands were dry and cold.

“As one from the Wardanaz Family, you must be standing out at Einrogard as well.”

“Not at all. Having noble blood doesn’t guarantee ability, and besides, there are so many excellent students at Einrogard.”

The twins’ faces tightened slightly again.

To speak so modestly when you’re from a prestigious imperial family like the Wardanaz—it made them suspicious that he might be lacking in ability.

“Is that so? Forgive me, but I’m curious—who could be better than a wizard of the Wardanaz Family? What kind of students are they?”

“Uh.”

Lee Han was at a loss for words.

He was, after all, the top student in his year.

Pitfalls of excessive humility!

‘Damn. Did I slip up?’

“?”

As Lee Han failed to answer, light creases appeared between the twins’ brows.

Ahsan whispered quietly from the side.

“Brother. Sister. Wardanaz is the top student in our year.”

“Is that true?”

“You’ve made a fine friend.”

For the first time today, the twins’ expressions softened enough to be called gentle.

Ahsan was startled—he had never seen his strict siblings like this before.

“…Is it such a cause for happiness that Wardanaz is the top student? You’re never like this…”

“What are you talking about? We’re happy that you’ve made a good friend.”

“You’re always screwing up, so there hasn’t been anything to be happy about. Maybe if you did better there would be.”

Listening beside them, Lee Han thought to himself,

‘Hmm. These people are pretty crazy.’

It might be slightly rude, but after seeing how they nagged their younger sibling, they didn’t seem all together normal.

Now he realized why the two had come out as well—they came to assess what kind of person their brother’s friend was.

‘Thank goodness I got here before Gainando.’

Lee Han had the same thought as Ahsan.

“And this is…”

Daihal asked, looking at Ratford.

Ratford was about to speak, slightly intimidated by the atmosphere, but Lee Han jumped in first.

“This is Ratford. The best student in the tower.”

“!”

Once again, Daihal and Haidan’s faces grew gentle.

“You’ve made a fine friend.”

“Learn lots from each other and keep improving.”

“The first drawing room should be empty now—feel free to use it. If you need anything, just ask.”

The twins once again politely greeted Lee Han and Ratford, looking pleased as they withdrew.

Ratford, confused, asked,

“I’m not the top student in the tower, though?”

“I meant the top thief. Let’s go.”

“……”

Ratford and Ahsan looked at Lee Han as if speechless, but he ignored them.

• * *

“…So that’s why they’re like that.”

“I see.”

After hearing Ahsan’s detailed explanation, Lee Han felt sorry for him.

‘Wait. This really isn’t the right moment to ask about the money.’

No matter how much he wanted to get his money and move on to the next mansion quickly, Lee Han wasn’t heartless enough to bring up business to a friend lamenting, “My life is hard because of my extremely competent brother and sister.”

“Sorry, Wardanaz. I bet I’m not the only one with concerns like this. Isn’t it sort of the same for you?”

Not all those from great noble families were happy and comfortable.

With heavy honor and responsibility on their shoulders since birth, they competed fiercely against siblings.

Though, to Lee Han, it still sounded like a first-world problem.

It’s better to contend within your own family than be one of those losers without a family who don’t even compete…

And above all, Lee Han’s situation was different from Ahsan’s.

“No. In my family we’re barely interested in each other.”

“Really? Well, the Wardanaz Family is rather unique.”

Among the great noble houses, it was rare for a family to be as disinterested in imperial politics and society as the Wardanaz Family.

A family solely devoted to magic.

“By the way, Ahsan. The money you borrowed…”

“Ah! What should I do, Wardanaz? I don’t want to disappoint my brother and sister! Help me, Wardanaz. I know you can give foolproof advice.”

“……”

Lee Han was flustered but quickly changed the topic.

“You mentioned a gathering at the mansion’s salon today. Show your abilities there.”

He didn’t know exactly what the average standard of other magic school students was.

But one thing was certain.

They definitely weren’t better than Einrogard students.

‘No matter how I think about it, that’s impossible.’

With Ahsan’s magic skills, he’d surely impress the guests at the gathering.

Then his brother and sister would be satisfied with their little brother’s abilities…

…And Lee Han could get his money and be on his way.

“Yes. At the gathering. Good idea.”

“Honestly, an even better plan is to just act like you don’t exist.”

“Thank you for the joke, Wardanaz. Thanks to you, I have some confidence now.”

‘It wasn’t a joke.’

• * *

Just because famous people of the city were gathering in a salon didn’t mean they did anything extraordinary.

In fact, aside from the refreshments and drinks, it wasn’t much different from the tower’s break room.

Musicians played chamber music (in the tower’s break room, students would sing when they got hungry), well-dressed nobles sat and played chess or cards (just like in the tower), and they talked about recent interesting events in the city…

“This is my newly acquired jeweled staff. Three others tried to get it too, so it was a challenge, but worth it.”

“I’m worried about how much the price of amad has gone up. I placed an order at the workshop, but if someone offers more…”

‘How familiar.’

Bragging about new possessions and discussing current worries—just like the students at the tower.

“Oh! Are you students of Einrogard by any chance?”

When Lee Han, Ahsan, and Ratford appeared, some of the guests turned their gaze toward them.

With the vacation period and rumors about a member of the Dalkard Family entering Einrogard, it was only natural that curiosity was piqued.

“Yes, we are.”

“What an honor! I am Goun, a modest dealer in silk and textiles.”

The elf, Goun, was speaking with humility. There was no way a small-time cloth merchant could be dressed as finely as Goun.

Patterned silk and jewelry on the wrist.

Clearly, he was very wealthy.

‘Rich.’

And Lee Han liked rich people.

“I am Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family. Pleased to meet you.”

Lee Han put on a polite, artificial smile and extended his hand, just as before.

And Lee Han noticed it.

A flash of fear, like a spark, in the other’s eyes.

“Wa… W-Wardanaz Family…! V-very pleased to meet you…”

“……”

Lee Han lamented inwardly.

All he wanted was to make friends, but this was the result from the name “Wardanaz Family” alone!

But Lee Han didn’t give up.

“I may be inexperienced, but if you ever need magical assistance…”

Honestly, this proposal meant little.

Of course, even a first-year Einrogard student had skills far beyond the wandering mages most people encountered locally.

Wizards were extremely rare, and there were plenty of people who called themselves wizards just for making a single spark.

However, anyone wealthy enough to be at this gathering could afford to call on a proper wizard, not just a wanderer.

In other words, Lee Han’s offer was less about actual magical assistance and more about having an excuse to nurture acquaintance.

“Yes… I certainly will. Thank you for your consideration.”

‘Damn. That didn’t work.’

Of course, the other’s reaction wasn’t very positive. Lee Han felt bitter.

“You’re a student of Einrogard?”

Lee Han and his friends turned their heads.

They could tell at a glance that the other was a wizard. The flow of magical energy around him was different from others.

“Yes, we are.”

“I heard you’re freshmen. May I test your skills?”

In another situation, Lee Han would have pushed back with his family name and argued, ‘Who are you to get cocky with me? Have you ever given me gold coins? Are you a professor?’ but today was different.

They had already intended to show off some magic in front of the guests.

‘Thank you.’

You couldn’t just volunteer to do something like this.

If Lee Han had stood up first and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please watch, let us show you what students of Einrogard can do!’ it would have hurt his dignity and the family’s honor.

But if the other party came first and said, ‘I’ve heard your reputation, I’d like to see your skills,’ then Lee Han could reluctantly say, ‘Well, if you insist…’ and go for it. That was the proper way!

“I am inexperienced, but I will do my best.”

“What’s going on?”

“The students of Einrogard are about to show us some magic.”

“Today’s my lucky day. I never thought I’d get to see this.”

Other guests began to pause their games and conversations, turning their attention this way.

Everything was perfectly set up.

‘But who is the opponent?’

“Let me introduce myself formally. I am Doin of the Beller Family. I studied the advancement of magic at Baldrogard.”

“Ah.”

“Hmm.”

A nearby guest let out a murmur of admiration.

“Baldrogard! Isn’t that one of the Empire’s top magic schools?”

‘This must be why school pride exists.’

For a moment, Lee Han felt a flash of irritation and almost argued back.

What kind of magic school lets you go out whenever you want?