Episode 466
by CristaeFortunately, unlike the Death Knight’s master, Lee Han didn’t send people to the punishment room for a single remark.
Instead, he answered with a calm expression.
“I do take a lot of classes, that’s true.”
-!
The Death Knight was slightly moved.
To think there was someone who listened to even a minion’s words.
This boy, unlike the Skeleton Principal, had the qualities of a benevolent ruler.
Though, of course, when he got older, he might become like the Skeleton Principal… but at least for now…
“But, you know, some of those lectures were forced on me by the Principal.”
-Did Master really even do that?
The Death Knight was appalled.
He knew the Skeleton Principal was a crazy archmage, but to the point of forcibly adding classes for students?
Truly astonishing.
-Which classes did he add?
“Basic Dance and Socializing class.”
-That’s not so bad…
Compared to the other lectures, dance and socializing were fairly enjoyable and pleasant. Especially since the workload wasn’t even that bad.
-Any other courses?
“…Hm. Now that I think about it, that’s all.”
-…???
The Death Knight was a little flustered.
If the only forced class was just one…
That meant everything else was something he applied for himself?
‘Ah.’
This time, the Death Knight managed to keep his mouth shut.
If you teased the kid and he started getting a nasty temper like the Skeleton Principal, it would only be their loss.
- * *
A gloomy morning arrived when the sun wasn’t even visible, and the students yawned as they made their way to the dock. In their backpacks were the lunchboxes they’d prepared overnight.
“Gainando, so besides the pancake, what did you pack?”
“Only pancakes.”
“…Huh? Only pancakes? Really?”
“Oh, I put other stuff in too.”
“What?”
“Honey, whipped cream, and strawberry jam.”
“…So, in the end, just pancakes, huh?”
Of course, everyone’s lunchbox was different.
Even with the same ingredients, what kind of dishes you made and how you packed them showed the difference in skill.
“Your Highness, as expected!”
“To think, such a variety of well-balanced meats!”
Adenart’s followers praised the various meat dishes packed tightly inside a sturdy wooden box.
To them, a lunchbox full of all types of meat—grilled, steamed, marinated, fried, boiled—was perfect in every way.
But as Lee Han walked by, he was appalled.
‘What kind of insane lunchbox is that?’
A lunchbox packed full of nothing but meat, without any side dishes or other food.
Just putting in different meats—beef, pork, fowl, rabbit—did not make it “balanced.”
“Hey, Rowena.”
“What is it?”
“There’s leftover bread, rice, and fruit inside. Tell Her Highness to take out some of the meat and fill with those.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
Lee Han was once again reminded that Rowena was from the White Tiger Tower, even if she seemed normal.
The White Tiger Tower students’ diets were questionable enough for scurvy…
“Rowena. Do you trust me?”
“Huh? Yes…”
“You know I often have to meet with the Principal, right?”
“Yes. You’re close, aren’t you?”
For a moment, Lee Han wanted to grab Rowena by the collar, but he held it in.
“…Yeah. Whatever, then. What do you think someone like me means by raising this issue?”
“…Ah!”
A look of enlightenment came over Rowena’s face. She nodded quickly.
“I understand now. The Principal doesn’t like meat!”
“No, that’s not—never mind. Just go tell her, quick.”
Rowena dashed off. Though the princess tilted her head, she changed her lunchbox as told.
Shaa!
In the distance, sinister bone boats started approaching in a fleet.
Floating above them was a familiar undead archmage.
Uuuuuuuu…!
Tanjuo, sensing the Skeleton Principal’s presence, shuddered.
The fact Tanjuo took care of every chore rather than attack the Skeleton Principal was proof of true fear.
Everyone has prepared for the picnic, right?
“Yes…”
“Do we really have to picnic on a day like this?”
Pointing to the pouring rain, Gainando asked, and the Skeleton Principal shot him with a water gun in the face.
Picnics were meant to take place when it’s raining, when storms blow, and when the gates of hell open. Get on the boats, I’ll take you.
Muttering about the Skeleton Principal’s unique philosophy of picnics, the students moved along.
Of course, the Principal did not let them on easily.
Wait a moment.
“???”
Open your lunchboxes.
A White Tiger Tower student grinned, pulling out his lunchbox.
“Principal, as if I’d forget after what you said? We’ve got plenty.”
Despite obstacles and harassment from the Skeleton Principal, the students’ food supplies were actually decent.
Of course, to the Skeleton Principal, this was absurd.
Is Wardanaz making everyone eat well now? As if you gathered those yourself, you brat. Just open it already.
“Yes…”
Clack—
The White Tiger Tower student opened the lid. Inside was nothing but grilled bread and pickled meats.
“How about it? Practical, easy to eat…”
The Skeleton Principal pushed the student off into the sea.
Splash!
I said picnic, not war rations! Don’t you know what a picnic is? 20 points.
“……”
“…Huh? I thought you just had to prepare food?”
The other White Tiger Tower students were a little flustered.
Even despite the unfair state of Einrogard food supplies, wasn’t it good if you’d brought anything at all?
That’s why Ironheads… What if you end up BBQing with imperial officials one day and bring a -Fullness Potion- with you because it’s “practical,” ending the mood?
Basically, wizards were not known for their social skills.
And Einrogard wizards tended to develop their social skills in weird ways, which made them even more dangerous.
‘Isn’t that because of the Principal?’
From the back, Lee Han thought to himself.
Maybe the lack of social skills was normal, but the weird evolution was all thanks to the Skeleton Principal…
I said picnic and to prepare a lunchbox; you should prepare an appropriate lunchbox for the Empire’s social customs. What is this? Next!
“Uh… My lunchbox is made with various pickled meats…”
Are you starving for meat or something? 15 points. Next!
“……”
Seeing the White Tiger Tower student with a similar lunchbox to hers being mercilessly defeated, the princess looked around, flustered.
So just being tasty wasn’t enough?
-A bit too much vegetable, but not bad. Well done.
-Using rice is a choice Easterners and others will find novel. Good choice.
-And you? Why’d you fill it with nothing but sugar?
“Wait. Is that allowed?”
The Skeleton Principal pushed Gainando, who’d stuffed his box with only pancakes, into the sea.
Listen. Sure, a picnic is for rest and fun. But this is still the class. Even if you rest and have fun, the basics must be kept.
“…Can’t you just take out the ‘picnic’ part?”
“How is this a picnic…”
Already, students’ faces darkened at the Principal’s harsh etiquette lesson.
They didn’t have high expectations, but this was even below that.
Next…
Lee Han calmly opened his lunchbox.
To save time and keep it picnic-like, the main dish was sandwiches filled with a variety of things: lettuce, sliced ham, chopped eggs, mayonnaise, cheese, etc.
The black tea in the bottle was still warm and gave off a rich aroma…
…Wait, these are the tea leaves from the professors’ lounge!
‘Oops.’
Lee Han blamed his own carelessness.
He’d stolen so many things from here and there, he’d lost track.
- * *
Whooosh!
With a chilling sound, the wind grew stronger.
When he found a patch of ground barely big enough to call an island, the Skeleton Principal nodded in satisfaction.
The wind spirits must be angry. Perfect weather for a picnic.
“……”
“……”
Everybody off! We’ll unpack here.
The students, half-soaked, got off the boats.
Then a gust of wind came and swept several students into the water.
“Hey. Everyone, get out the ropes and tie yourselves together.”
It’s a picnic, and yet…
The Skeleton Principal muttered, but Lee Han ignored him and handed rope to his friends.
With that, the students spread blankets and cloths and sat down on the island. Yoner muttered beside him.
“I’ve never had such a gloomy picnic in my life.”
His friends nodded.
Right now, all they wanted was one thing.
For this picnic to end as soon as possible!
“Let’s at least make a fire.”
“Yeah.”
As the students pulled out kindling and swung their staffs, the Skeleton Principal smiled wryly.
Sure enough, the fierce rain and wind doused the fire quickly.
“Everyone move aside. I’ll do it.”
Lee Han waved his staff, and flames fiercely burned up the firewood. The Skeleton Principal frowned.
‘Ruining a fun picnic.’
Listen while eating lunch. The next item on today’s picnic… hmm. A treasure hunt.
“?”
Gainando, cooking pancakes, tilted his head.
“Where’s the treasure?”
“……”
“…Sigh.”
Having experienced this before, his friends had resigned expressions, pulling out their staffs to prepare for underwater breathing magic.
By the way, this is graded too.
“Can’t you just drop the picnic part?”
- * *
…
The treasures weren’t bad.
The problem was the weather.
Clack clack clack clack clack clack—
“Is, is that undead being summoned?”
“No. That’s just Gainando’s teeth chattering.”
With some help from Tanjuo, the students roamed and now knew the true face of the spirit flood firsthand.
Before nature, even a wizard’s spells were feeble.
Magic like that kept you warm disappeared at once…
“Yoner! Did you see? Did you see?! succeeded! I’m not burned by the fire!”
“…L-Lee Han. I don’t think now is the time to celebrate.”
Yoner tugged on Lee Han’s sleeve to stop him.
The other students watched Lee Han with a baffled expression.
“…Ahem. Sorry. I failed so many times before.”
“No, Wardanaz. It happens.”
“Yeah. It’s only right to be happy when magic works.”
“Right? I’ll try it a few more times.”
Excited for once, Lee Han went around casting . His friends watched with expressions hard to describe.
“Do you guys not get what Wardanaz is thinking? As if he’d get that happy over just one spell.”
Ahsan chided the other friends.
“Then?”
“He’s doing it because you guys are shivering in the cold! How worried must he have been?”
“Ah!”
“Such…!”
Gainando tilted his head.
‘He just seems happy, though?’
Of course, he didn’t say that—he’d get tossed into the sea.
While Lee Han cast warmth spells on his friends, the Skeleton Principal waited patiently.
Of course, it was true he didn’t like watching this, but the picnic was just getting started.
It should be about time…
“…What did you do now?”
“Don’t tell me it’s Sairen again.”
The Black Turtle Tower students groaned in disgust.
At this, the Skeleton Principal cried out in surprise.
Who used Sairen first?!
“……”
“……”