Episode 956

It was obvious that asking Angrago would only lead to pointless nonsense. Instead of wasting time, Giselle asked the head person in charge.

-Wardanaz. Aren’t you supposed to be watching over the others? What the hell is Alpha on about?

-Who’s watching whom?! We’re just moving around together!

Angrago bristled.

Of course, on this outing, Wardanaz had rescued them, defeated enemies, found and gathered students, prepared a secret lodging, and even earned and shared gold, but that was all as a friend, not as a caretaker.

Anyone listening might get the wrong impression.

-Honestly, you DID watch over us. Shameless bastard.

-I also think you watched over us. I can’t believe someone could be this shameless.

-I didn’t go with you, but judging by how things usually go, pretty sure you watched over us…

Unlike in the Watchman Club, the Einrogard 2nd-year students didn’t reveal who was speaking.

People like Lee Han and Giselle could guess by handwriting, but Angrago couldn’t.

-Who, who are you? Dalkard, are you changing your handwriting again to mess with me?

-Ahsan’s not even here. Angrago. More importantly, did you really break out just to watch a baguk match?

Angrago didn’t answer Lee Han’s question. Giselle sighed deeply.

-Should’ve broken your legs to stop you from pulling this nonsense.

-That’s way too harsh, Wardanaz!?

-I’m Moradi, you punk.

-…Isn’t that a bit much, Moradi?

-What do you mean? Didn’t you say you were going to finish the -Amulet of Healing- this term? Planning to complete it in the punishment room?

-Yep.

-…Wardanaz. Could you break his legs for me?

-Like I said, can’t, since he’s on the run. He’s not in front of me.

-Hey, I’m serious!!

Angrago protested in earnest.

Even if he ended up in the punishment room for running away, he figured he could still achieve his goals if he practiced magic hard in there.

Of course, Lee Han and Giselle were skeptical.

-The punishment room isn’t actually a good place for magical study. Especially for you, Angrago.

-You never do anything by yourself in the tower. What do you think you’ll manage in there?

-I also think that’s really absurd…

With other friends joining in the attacks, Angrago eventually gave up and shouted.

-Doesn’t matter! And I’ve already ditched, anyway. I’m watching the match before I go back. No one can stop me.

-Yeah, okay. Just don’t be surprised if someone sets fire to your things and your chest.

-…Ha… That threat doesn’t work on me.

-Moradi, instead of burning, can I have his stuff?

-Sure.

-WARDANAZ! HEY! REALLY?!

-Angrago, just come back now. Besides, baguk won’t even be that interesting. The players are boring today.

-Wardanaz, just because you broke us out this time…

-You also beat the enemies.

-You found students and gathered us together.

-Found us a place to stay and lined up income too.

-…Whatever, those dark rumors won’t sway me! I’ve got to see Einrogard Baguk Club’s might with my own eyes! See you all later! I’m out!

With that message, Angrago disappeared. He must really have covered up his artifact.

-Angrago, I’m actually the one playing in the baguk match. Baguk Club isn’t in the best shape. There’s really no reason to see a total flop… Angrago? Are you gone?

-Seems so. He put the artifact in his pocket already.

-Salko. Did you always like baguk? Didn’t expect you to run off with Angrago.

-I wanted to see the arena myself.

-I see. Well, hope it’s worth a trip to the punishment room. I’ll send you some snacks later.

-Thanks, Wardanaz.

‘Am I the only one who finds it weird that Wardanaz is playing as Baguk Club’s main?’

Giselle was left baffled inside the school.

What the hell happened outside for them all to go along with this?

• * *

Grrrrng!

Woof woof woof!

Screeeeek!

A complex chorus of monster cries, rarely heard in everyday life.

Hearing those sounds from afar, the citizens of Granden City didn’t run or scream, but smiled with delight.

“It’s almost time for the baguk match!”

“Hey, is that a griffon? Could this be a match with a griffon playing?!”

“Can’t be. Must be one of those eagle-type monsters. Griffons aren’t wyverns, you know.”

Before any sizable baguk match, all sorts of roars and cries filled the surrounding area.

If you only heard horse neighs and nothing else, odds were it would just be a mundane, boring baguk game.

“Ugh, again with this. What’s so great about those noisy beasts…”

“Ah! The Empire is corrupt. These folks care for nothing but bread and baguk!”

Some citizens gave off negative takes about the match, but the overall trend was unaffected.

Most people loved baguk.

“Originally, this began as a sport with people literally betting their lives. For more excitement, it evolved into man and monster risking their lives, and now has become what we see today, with people riding monsters into battle.”

“……”

Having his crash course continued, Lee Han listened to the history of baguk with a sour face.

Memorizing this much seemed unnecessary…

“Baguk rules change by region and circumstance. The biggest baguk match was the Great Eastern Baguk, 41 years ago. Cities faced off with goals at either end, hundreds played, and over a hundred broke bones and cracked heads. The match ended in a draw when the ball vanished…”

“Do you have any instant-use tricks?”

“…Should I explain that first?”

Arian sounded doubtful.

Wasn’t Wardanaz from a noble house? Was it right to want foul play and tricks…?

“Yes!”

‘Knew it!’

Arian seriously regretted jumping to conclusions and pulled out a different book. -99 Baguk Tricks-.

“Normally, hitting above the shoulders, magic, and magical weapon techniques are banned, but here are ways not to get caught by the referee…”

“I see. I see.”

Lee Han listened with far more focus than before.

The more he thought about it, the less likely pure skill alone would get him past real professionals—tricks were the answer.

Piiiieeek—

A shrill bird cry sounded in the distance. That was the agreed-upon mustering signal from the Einrogard Baguk Club.

“Oh. Sounds like I have to go.”

“Good luck, Young Master!”

Receiving their send-off, Lee Han hurried off.

Truthfully, he didn’t need any signals. You could always find the Einrogard Baguk Club by locating the loudest, rowdiest group.

Mages adorned with monster fur and feathers, carting magical shrunken cages and gigantic pens packed behind wagons, stood out anywhere.

“It’s the Einrogard baguk players!”

“Do your best! I’m cheering for you! But at least do better this time, seriously!”

“Where’s Kimbeldan? He actually played like a human.”

“Kimbeldan graduated. Einrogard is a magic school, after all.”

“No, man! Without him, there’s nobody left who plays like a person!”

Some cheered, but many voiced anxiety, jeers, and gripes about recent poor performances.

Carving a path through the noisy crowd, Lee Han met up with his club Seniors.

Carnella glared into the stands with burning eyes and muttered.

“These fickle fools, know nothing of real support… Stop cheering because we lost a year or two?”

‘Isn’t that normal?’

Most people would stop cheering after a few losses…

Still, Lee Han soothed his Senior.

“Calm down, Senior. If we do well, they’ll cheer for us again.”

“They should cheer no matter what! Who do they think I am, cheering a family player through a hundred losses because I’m an idiot?!”

‘Baguk fanatics really are the worst.’

Lee Han almost preferred dealing with magic fanatics at this point.

Neither group was easy to talk to, but at least Lee Han cared about magic.

“Junior… I’m counting on you. You have to fill Kimbeldan’s shoes as the new striker. Crush and trample the other players. Your stare alone should make their knees buckle. Your shadow should terrify them into…!”

“By the way, are there no other 2nd-years?”

Looking around, Lee Han realized something odd.

None of the returned students were 2nd-years.

“Huh? Oh.”

“…Why?”

“Most 2nd-years don’t have good mounts, and they’re short on experience… Ah! Junior. Don’t worry about that—you’re different. I had to persuade the others myself.”

“…Why go that far…”

It was rare for 2nd-years to play in a club match—not only because of the mounts, but because Seniors weren’t cold enough to risk injuring inexperienced Juniors.

But Carnella was the sort to swing a baguk mallet even at the skull Headmaster’s skull if it meant winning.

For Carnella, Lee Han wasn’t just another 2nd-year.

From griffons, unicorns, basilisks, and if all else failed, mountain-rending sheep or even a four-legged giant (whether that would be allowed was unknown), he was a top attacking prospect.

“I just… trust your talent.”

‘Zero warm feelings in that.’

With another Senior, Lee Han might have been touched, but Carnella’s eyes were full of nothing but greed.

She probably wouldn’t care if Lee Han got stomped by a wyvern or a behemoth, so long as they won.

“Hormasi. Stop pressuring Wardanaz.”

“Senior Perse, I’ve never pressured Wardanaz. I was merely praising his talent.”

“Still, fielding a 2nd-year is a bit risky, don’t you think…?”

Perse still seemed worried, glancing from Lee Han to Carnella and back, before sighing deeply.

“You wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop you, would you?”

“…Excuse me? You’ve never even TRIED stopping me…”

Lee Han couldn’t hold his tongue anymore.

She’d never discouraged him, but now she acted like she had.

But Perse didn’t listen, continuing her own point.

“Anyway, be careful out there, Wardanaz. No one except Carnella is expecting much from you. Everyone knows how the club’s doing.”

Right now, the Einrogard Baguk Club was weakened by the loss (graduation or disappearance) of top players and the flight of their mounts.

No one wanted to place all hope on a hastily added 2nd-year, save one exception.

“But watch out for Carnella. If we lose, keep your distance from her for a while.”

“……”

Lee Han silently shook his head at this unhelpful advice.

He pulled out -99 Baguk Tricks- and started reading again.

‘Hmm… How to secretly cheat with magic…’

It seemed tricks would be more effective than reviewing what he’d learned in club training this semester.

“Right. Wardanaz. I almost forgot.”

Perse, about to go tend to the mounts, called Lee Han.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing major. Professor Garcia was looking for you. Said you must come see him after the baguk match.”

Lee Han’s face went a bit pale.