Episode 408

In this situation, there shouldn’t be anything to scheme…

Thinking it over, Lee Han clicked his tongue.

‘There’s no point thinking about a question with no answer anyway.’

“Alright. Good job, everyone… Did you eat anything?”

“C-cake… a little…”

“I told you to save some for Wardanaz.”

At the murmuring of the White Tiger Tower students, Lee Han waved his hand as if it was fine.

“It’s alright. When you’re hungry, sometimes you eat first.”

“Wardanaz…!”

“Well, since we’re full, let’s do some extra work on the other side before we go. The priests are on duty this week, and it’ll be tough for them.”

“……”

The White Tiger Tower students followed Lee Han, pouting.

Someone muttered.

“There’s no such thing as a free cake.”

“You can copy him all you want, you’ll never be like Wardanaz.”

“I-I was just trying it out. That’s all.”

• * *

“Ratford. Can you help me?”

“Of course.”

Ratford, who was picking a lock on a box a friend brought from the black market, stood up without hesitation.

A Black Turtle Tower student who recognized Lee Han’s face waved his hand. Lee Han also greeted him with a nod of thanks.

‘…Anyone would think he was a Black Turtle Tower student!’

Salko, watching from a distance, was dumbfounded.

Usually when students from other towers came, Black Turtle Tower students would almost always grumble, “Why are you here?” “What are you looking at?” “Are you a thief? If you want to buy, buy; if not, just go, don’t just stand there.”

But when it was Wardanaz, they treated him like an old friend.

Not that Salko was in a position to judge anyone, but…

“So, what do you need help with? Something to steal?”

“I shouldn’t ask for that so easily, should I?”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did…”

“All I need to do today is check something.”

Ratford was curious at Lee Han’s words.

Checking something.

What exactly did he want to check?

“Lightningstep prepared some animals for lecture use. I just want to check them. Just in case.”

With the second semester, Lee Han had become a little more mature.

He started pre-studying for his classes.

‘No matter how I think about it, if I just trust the professor and do nothing, at least one of my limbs is going to get broken. Better check first.’

The insight most upperclassmen only gained in their second or third year, Lee Han had figured out already.

“As expected… That’s Wardanaz for you.”

Ratford was impressed.

No wonder he was top of the class.

“Knowing Lightningstep’s personality, he probably mixed wards and devices together. I’ll handle the wards, you take care of the devices.”

“To be honest, Wardanaz, I think you could honestly call yourself a proper thief anywhere now…”

Lee Han blushed at Ratford’s praise for the first time in a while.

“I’m not quite there yet, am I?”

“No, honestly, you are. You should be proud; it’s the result of all your hard practice.”

“Heh. You think so?”

Lee Han was pleased.

His efforts breaking locks at Ratford’s instruction had paid off.

The field being used for the festival this time, a ways off from the main building, had two forests flanking it.

On one side was a summoning magic practice area, where first-years had worked all weekend. On the other was a winding racecourse prepared for Professor Lightningstep’s class.

“Seeing the racecourse, maybe it’s a riding lesson.”

Professor Lightningstep had emphasized the importance of riding and taming animals in the first semester as well.

If it was about taming new monsters to ride, it might even be relatively safe.

“Or maybe a class about running away from monsters.”

“……”

It was sad that Lee Han couldn’t refute Ratford’s guess. The winding course really did look like it was perfect for dodging chasing monsters.

“Ratford, check the surroundings for me.”

“Yes. No one’s around. Really… there’s barely any security. They seem quite lax.”

“They’re all like that. Professors leave things to students and get out of practice themselves.”

Lee Han grumbled about professors as he moved in closer.

‘No need for -Paragranum’s Veil-, then.’

He was nervous and on guard, but it was easier than expected to approach. Lee Han cautiously stepped forward.

■■■■■■…

Slip—

When he tried to pull off the covering, just as expected, the cloth stuck fast and wouldn’t come off. Lee Han swung his mana like a hammer, and with a silent boom, the cloth came off.

What awaited them was a surprising sight.

“…?!”

The cage was empty. Ratford was confused, but Lee Han caught on quickly.

“A monster with an invisibility ability.”

“Invisibility?”

“Qinee, huh.”

“!”

Hearing the voice from behind, Ratford jumped.

He’d been so distracted by the empty cage, he hadn’t noticed someone approaching. A mistake shameful for a thief.

“Ugh… How could I make such a mistake…”

“Shh. Ratford. It’s fine, just keep a straight face. We haven’t been caught yet.”

The innocent mage, not knowing what the two students were up to, showed his permit.

“Lord Gonadaltes gave me this permit. I’m here for the summoning festival. Sorry if I disturbed you while you were looking after the Qinee.”

“No, not at all. Welcome to Einrogard.”

At Lee Han’s polite welcome, the mage smiled. From his accent and manner, you could tell at a glance he was from a great noble family.

“It truly is a wonderful place. I never imagined the natural mana here would be so strong… The mages studying here must feel like they’re dreaming every day.”

“…Yeah. Something like that.”

“Depending on the dream, it might be more of a… never—”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

Not wanting to shatter the outsider’s illusions, they quickly changed the subject.

“So what did you say this was again?”

“Ah, the Qinee? It’s a gentle and cute creature.”

Qinee.

A monster with an invisibility ability, resembling a smallish elephant.

“Does it eat people?”

“Sorry? No. I said it’s gentle and cute?”

“Ah, sorry. Sometimes gentle and cute things can still eat people, you know.”

“Hahaha. Funny joke.”

The two students exchanged meaningful glances, but the mage didn’t catch on.

“When I was little, my teacher brought one of these. I always missed invisible monsters, so he brought it to teach me how to find them. I was so scared at the time.”

“…You said it was gentle and cute?”

“But it loves to play pranks. When it comes up behind you with lots of noise, it’s really scary! Hahaha!”

“……”

“…Do you also practice riding Qinee?”

“Ride a Qinee? I doubt it. I’ve never heard of anyone trying to ride one.”

Ratford’s guess turned out to be right, and both he and Lee Han looked depressed.

Did this mean they would have to flee from an invisible giant beast after all?

“The field’s well set up. It’s so like Einrogard. Three years ago, preparations at the festival were hard because the local families refused to cooperate… See that big pit over there? That’s where the mages who summon creatures will gather.”

Ratford asked absently,

“Why such a big pit?”

“Sometimes there’s always someone who summons something weird… If you do it in a pit like that, it’s easy to bury it, you see.”

Ratford whispered with concern to Lee Han.

“Is that a joke?”

“No. That’s completely serious.”

Lee Han decided not to dwell on the horrors of the festival; it would only ruin his mood. Right now, the invisible giant beast trampling him was the bigger problem.

“Do you have any tips for handling Qinee?”

“Magic that leaves a trace works well. Colored potions are good to have prepared.”

Lee Han shook his head at the mage giving textbook advice.

Of course he already knew that much.

“I mean a way to drive the thing away.”

“…Oh… But Qinee are gentle, so why would you need that?”

The mage asked, growing a bit wary.

Sensing it, Lee Han replied gently,

“I have to keep looking after the creature. I just worry I might make a mistake.”

“Ah, I see. I was worried over nothing…”

The mage let his guard down and shared his knowledge. Fortunately, there was a potion for repelling Qinee.

After hearing what he needed, Lee Han thanked him with a nod.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to take good care of it.”

“Wait, wait.”

“??”

The mage called them back.

“Do either of you know a student named Wardanaz? He’s supposed to be a golem specialist.”

“Don’t know?”

“Never heard that name.”

“Hmm… Maybe it’s just because the school is so big. Anyway, thank you.”

Thanking them, the mage moved away.

Once the person disappeared, Lee Han looked at Ratford with shocked eyes.

“What? How? What’s going on?”

“Maybe it’s those White Tiger Tower guys? Most problems are caused by those guys anyway.”

“No… This time, it can’t be. How could they spread rumors like that? What is it, really? The principal??”

Lee Han had no idea he’d just hit the answer, and remained confused.

• * *

“…Wardanaz!”

“Yes?”

Professor Lightningstep called Lee Han upon seeing all the students holding bottles of black ink.

“You’re the culprit, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb. Unbelievable… For a first-year to be so sharp.”

Professor Lightningstep looked at the students in disbelief. The students averted their eyes.

For first-years, not even third-years, to learn the contents of the lesson in advance…

‘It’s different when there’s a lion among the sheep.’

“I’ll at least praise you. You figured it out. Preparing in advance is a kind of skill too.”

The students breathed sighs of relief, but Lee Han kept up a blank expression until the end.

“But just because you prepared doesn’t mean today’s lesson will be easy. The monster is called Qinee…”

Professor Lightningstep described the invisible monster’s appearance in as much detail as possible.

One student cautiously raised a hand.

“Question?”

“Yes, Professor. Do we really have to run away from this invisible monster? Isn’t the point just to locate it?”

“Wardanaz figured that out too? Amazing.”

Professor Lightningstep looked at Lee Han as if amazed.

It was one thing to figure out Qinee would appear, but figuring out they’d have to run from it in class was not easy.

How?

“……”

“…No, I just thought that’s the goal of the class, to locate an invisible monster?”

“That’s correct. Monsters never just stand still, so of course you have to practice with one that moves. Qinee’s actually on the easy side. From here to there, stay inside the course and dodge. Last until this hourglass runs out and you’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

Lee Han, unperturbed, began pulling out potions he’d made. He was already prepared.

“W-Wardanaz. Can I still buy a potion from you?”

“Prices have gone up now.”

“I don’t care! Sorry for doubting you!”

‘…That Wardanaz shouldn’t be compared to the third-years at all.’

Professor Lightningstep shook his head.

Compared to Lee Han, even the third-years seemed innocent.