Episode 989

-Excessively cruel!

After Lee Han tattled and the mad clone confiscated all the wax tablets, the frost giants grumbled.

Of course, they didn’t say a word to the mad clone—just among themselves.

-In ages past, wise kings oppressed neither subjects nor retainers.

-Well said.

“Quiet.”

The frost giants fell silent. As soon as all mouths were shut, Catten seized the chance to get to the point.

“We have gone through much, but let me make my proposal first. We need your help preparing a trial to test the qualifications of these wizards.”

At this, the White Tiger Tower students flinched.

They delivered a sharp look:

‘Refuse!’

‘Refuse them!’

What prideful, honorable race would help run a magic school’s exam?

It would tarnish their honor and be a disgrace—they ought to refuse.

-…Understood. We’ll help.

“!!!!”

But the White Tiger students’ hopes were dashed.

Turns out, the frost giants feared the mad clone far more than the students expected.

Catten cheered brightly.

“Juniors, we are fortunate indeed! Who would have believed the giants would agree so easily? Professor Ingeldel will be ecstatic!”

“Wow…”

“Phew… This is exciting…”

Lee Han and Giselle replied with fake expressions and voices. Catten tilted her head.

“Aren’t you pleased? Something seems off…”

“No, we’re really happy. Haha.”

“So glad. …Wardanaz, is there any of that poisoned liquor left?”

“Damn. I should’ve saved some.”

Lee Han and Giselle sighed deeply.

If only they’d known they’d have to deal with the frost giants again, they wouldn’t have dumped that poisonous booze!

“They won’t make us fight with only swords, right? Magic will be allowed?”

“I’d say yes, though the mere fact that the giants are part of an exam is already abnormal.”

While they whispered, the mad clone urged in a disapproving tone,

“Hurry up. What are you doing?”

She found it perfectly reasonable to be displeased as her disciple wasted time chatting instead of finding the frost giants’ relic.

What was so impressive about dealing with frost giants anyway?

Her disciple still had a long way to go in terms of dignity.

Lee Han cleared his throat and turned to the frost giants.

“Then let me state my proposal. I…”

He trailed off.

He’d been planning to recover the frost giants’ relic at some point (to be exact, to steal it), but he hadn’t meant to say it so openly.

Was it really okay to be that upfront in front of the frost giants?

-What’s the proposal? Speak quickly.

“Stop dragging it out and get on with it.”

Both the frost giants and the mad clone pressured Lee Han.

Having no better way to hedge or dodge, he came clean.

“…I came to acquire the relic you’re seeking…”

“……”

The White Tiger Tower friends could only be impressed.

They knew Wardanaz was bold, but this was another level.

‘Respect, Wardanaz!’

‘To say that right in front of the giants…!’

To stand before those wild giants and say “I came for your relic”—nobody expected even Wardanaz to go that far.

-……

The frost giants seemed at a loss for words, falling briefly silent.

Fortunately, Lee Han had the mad clone at his side.

“Did you not hear my disciple? Answer!”

-Under—understood. The relic is yours.

The giants, terrified of the mad clone, answered hesitantly.

The White Tiger Tower students were once again surprised.

‘THAT worked?!’

‘So that’s it, Wardanaz. You meant to use the headmaster’s clone from the start! Terrifying…!’

No matter how long Einrogard’s history was, surely no student had ever made such effective use of the headmaster’s clone as Wardanaz.

The White Tiger students trembled at their friend’s cunning plot.

Of course, Lee Han was trembling too.

‘That was… too easy?’

He expected at least some resistance, but the frightened giants gave up so easily.

Couldn’t he get even more out of them?

“Promise you won’t come seeking pointless challenges anymore.”

-All right. We give our word.

“And no grumbling and muttering nearby. Swear it.”

The frost giants were startled.

How did this challenger see right through their inner thoughts?

‘Is it magic?’

-…We swear…

“I told you not to waste time.”

The mad clone’s voice made Lee Han realize he was pushing it, relying too much on his teacher’s authority.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. The royal will sort this out. You want to make these frost giants your subordinates, yes?”

“Wh—what??!”

Lee Han, answering reflexively, suddenly shouted in surprise.

What?

“No, I just—”

He only wanted to avoid being chased around other dimensions by giants demanding duels.

He definitely didn’t want them following him everywhere, calling themselves his subordinates.

But the mad clone, a thoughtful mentor, had accurately read the desire even Lee Han wasn’t fully aware of.

What other reason could there be for such words?

“You frost giants owe a past debt to the royal line. Repay it here and now.”

-Ugh… Understood. We swear…

“……”

The giants swore before Lee Han could say a word.

If he ever met them in another dimension again, they promised to fight for him in the name of honor!

“Wow, Wardanaz. I can see you recovering relics, but making the frost giants into your subordinates—never saw that coming.”

“…Can you not?”

“Why are you mad?!”

A White Tiger student was bewildered when his friend snapped at his words of admiration.

What did I do wrong?!

• * *

Einrogard Library.

Its long history and tradition made this library a gathering place for nearly all the Tower’s second-year students.

Even on weekends, it was rare for students from so many Towers to congregate—the 2nd-years weren’t fazed, though; they noticed other things.

“What… what’s going on there?”

“It’s the headmaster’s clone. Everyone says she follows Wardanaz around like a cursed ghost.”

“I know that. Who are the guys hammering away over there?”

“Oh, those White Tiger Tower guys must’ve found some ore. So they’re forging gear.”

“Are they even allowed to do that in a library?”

No matter how much the other Tower students scowled, the White Tiger Tower students kept hammering and smelting.

Einrogard’s library wasn’t a place of silence and tranquility—otherwise they wouldn’t have needed to build a temporary fortress to survive last time.

No use complaining now!

“Rowena, how’s that sword?”

“It’s pretty good. I could make three more like this today.”

“Haha, all our hard work mining was worth it.”

The White Tiger Tower students nodded, remembering their time mining in another dimension.

After such hardship, the finished equipment felt all the more precious.

“Wardanaz, thank—”

These Tower students stopped mid-thanks to their friend.

Anyone could see Wardanaz was in a foul mood.

Wasn’t he like this after their last dimensional trip…?

“What’s wrong with Wardanaz?”

While everyone wondered, Bartrek offered a likely theory.

“He probably has too much exam prep, and it’s just overwhelming.”

“Probably.”

Everyone had gathered in the library to study for finals.

There was no escaping that burden for an Einrogard student.

With all the classes and difficulty, it’d be impossible to feel good.

“I think it’s because some guys got sent to the punishment room.”

Lapadael, who was normally quiet, spoke up.

That seemed plausible too.

Some kids had gotten in trouble and ended up in the punishment room, and there were some missing faces as a result.

“…But isn’t it weird for Wardanaz to be upset over kids in the punishment room?”

Someone finally mentioned their discomfort.

He wasn’t their White Tiger Tower professor—why would Wardanaz care?

But to the White Tiger Tower students, who had already adapted, there was nothing odd about it.

“What’s weird? He’s always been like that.”

“Exactly. The ones in trouble are the problem, not Wardanaz.”

“…Now that you say it… Moradi, do you think he’s mad because of the guys in the punishment room?”

The White Tiger students called over their reliable friend for matters like this.

Giselle, passing by, replied with a look that said, “Stop chatting and study already!”

“He’s probably upset about getting involved with the frost giants. He really hadn’t wanted to, but basically got dragged into it.”

“Huh? But getting the giants as help in another dimension seems like a real win…”

“It also means there’s a chance he’ll get entangled with non-pledged frost giants. How much of a hassle would that be?”

“But Wardanaz is already on good terms with the mountain giants—does it really matter if frost giants get added?”

“……”

Giselle was briefly at a loss for words.

She hadn’t expected such pointed logic.

“…So just go ask Wardanaz yourself.”

“N-no, that’s a bit…”

No matter how oblivious you were, it was never wise to tell a pissed-off friend, “You’ve always been buddies with giants, so what’s the big deal with some more frost giants?”

Meanwhile, Lee Han gently tapped the small barrel-sized, locket-shaped frost giant relic hanging from his neck with his staff.

‘Still nothing.’

The White Tiger students had made many guesses, but none was correct.

Lee Han’s foul mood was due to the frost giant relic refusing to open.

-Here it is. This is the drink. This is what we came for.

-…Is this poison liquor like before?

-It contains something far more precious—wisdom!

-!!!

At the frost giants’ explanation, Lee Han was startled.

Liquor of wisdom?

Every Einrogard student longed for intellect-boosting potions, and Lee Han was no different.

Not some failed, madness-inducing prophecy mixture, but a genuine potion of wisdom.

If it was a frost giant relic, maybe it would really work.

The problem: it simply wouldn’t open for all the world.

-How do you open it?

-We don’t know. That’s what we’re stuck on.

-……

The tiny barrel, barely the size of a fist, was incredibly sturdy. It sloshed when shaken, but even Lee Han’s utmost magical power diffused harmlessly.

‘Damn. Someone even factored in a magic hammer when making this!’

Whoever crafted the relic—why would they waste so much effort?

“Wardanaz. If it’s because of the frost giants, don’t worry too much.”

“Huh?”

Giselle suddenly spoke to Lee Han.

“The dimension is big and you’re unlikely to meet the frost giants again.”

“…Thanks, I guess. What brought that on?”

“?”

Giselle paused.

So it wasn’t the frost giants?

“Come here. Today we’ll finish -Magical Algebra & Arcane Geometry-.”

When the mad clone suddenly announced that impossible goal, Lee Han’s face twisted.

‘So it wasn’t the frost giants after all.’

In truth, thinking about it, Wardanaz had always gotten along well with giants.

The frost giants were still giants, so it was only natural they’d hit it off quickly.