Episode 1097

“You all look like fools.”

The skeleton headmaster, in human form, muttered nearby. Lee Han made a sour face.

‘Why is he here?’

Normally, he’d be at the checkpoint harassing students together. Clearly, he was here because Uman was at the gate.

“It won’t be long before you all long for my teachings again.”

“Oh, I don’t think it’ll be that bad.”

-……

The Death Knight beside them was impressed.

He found himself in awe of the successor’s talent in many ways, but this kind of courage inspired even greater awe.

How can he say such things right to the master’s face?

“Uman is more like a vampire or a succubus than a dragon. Feeds off joy instead of blood or dreams.”

‘But isn’t there no joy in Einrogard anyway?’

Lee Han thought again. The skeleton headmaster smirked mischievously.

“You’re thinking there’s no joy in Einrogard anyway, aren’t you?”

“!”

“And you’re thinking it’s mind-reading magic.”

‘Is he really using magic?’

“But it’s not magic—it’s observation. Your thoughts are obvious. It doesn’t matter. You’ll learn soon anyway. In fact, Einrogard is a place full of joy.”

-……

“……”

Even the Death Knights stared, baffled, at their master.

That was just far too shameless to say.

“Uman will push you all into magic every hour except break.”

“Uh, but that was always the case.”

“Wizard Cards? Hmph. Uman hates nothing more than grown people playing Wizard Cards.”

“I don’t play them anyway…”

“Same for polo. Uman thinks it’s the biggest waste of time.”

“I agree.”

“……”

The skeleton headmaster shut his mouth.

Come to think of it, this disciple was the least threatened by anything about Uman.

There was no point threatening someone who already lived joylessly by saying he’d take away their joy.

‘Picked the wrong target.’

The skeleton headmaster spun around and marched toward Gainando. Lee Han watched his retreating back, speechless.

Is he for real?

• * *

The inspection was over.

Thanks to the help of the young prince, Lee Han passed through without his basement being found, but the other students weren’t so lucky.

Uman lectured them pityingly.

“O, talents of Einrogard! You are the Empire’s future pillars…”

He went on at length about how the future pillars of the Empire must not eat strange foods or waste time with petty amusements.

Einrogard students’ faces became as clouded as a foggy day. A few clever students were already muttering that they were doomed.

“This is getting long. You must all be exhausted after a long journey—please, rest after your meal. Everyone, to the banquet hall!”

“???”

“Did Einrogard have a banquet hall?”

Those who didn’t go out at night faithfully were puzzled by the mention.

A banquet hall?

As the name suggested, it was a place for banquets. Of course, it was an unfamiliar term for Einrogard students.

“It did exist… Didn’t know it was even usable.”

“Wasn’t it just like a museum? I didn’t know Einrogard even had a place like this.”

Even students who knew it existed found it unfamiliar, murmuring continuously as they moved.

But to their surprise, upon opening the large brass doors, a fully prepared banquet hall awaited them.

A long, large table with enough seats for every Tower’s students to each sit together and still have seats left.

Unlike the usual dark tower common rooms—unless the students themselves lit a fire—this was bright and brilliant.

‘Hmm. The standards around here have really dropped.’

Watching students gasp in awe around him, Lee Han mused.

In fact, compared to other banquet halls outside, this one was neither special nor particularly beautiful.

If anything, it was missing a lot.

But the students were already thinking, ‘For Einrogard’s banquet hall to even look like this is amazing.’

Truth be told, even Lee Han was starting to waver, such was the power of expectations.

“It’s okay to sit, right? We won’t get detention for sitting?”

“When I snuck in here last time, it was just empty, but I guess there was a table and chairs.”

Despite their murmurs, the students all sat down.

Pretending to be calm, yet their faces betrayed a hint of excitement. For everyone, this was the first time starting a new semester in the banquet hall.

As soon as everyone sat, the candlesticks on the table lit up. Cheers rang out from all sides.

“Wow! Candles!”

“…But really, are we supposed to be impressed by stuff like this?”

Someone with their wits still intact muttered, but it didn’t dampen the mood. Expectations were reaching an all-time high.

Clink clink—

As students marveled, Uman rang a bell. Professors and Uman himself stood at the front of the banquet hall.

Each professor greeted the new inspector with their own attitude.

Some, like the skeleton headmaster, were indifferent or uninterested; others, like Professor Garcia, were full of concern; and others, like Professor Bendozol, looked ready to wag their tails at the dragon inspector.

To be honest, that last category only consisted of Professor Bendozol.

“Today, to host the Einrogard magicians myself, Uman has personally prepared the meal. I hope you’ll like it.”

“That alone is wonderful!”

“Long live the next headmaster!”

For a free meal, students began to cheer everywhere. Lee Han would bet imperial gold coins that the skeleton headmaster was memorizing the names right now.

“Ugh. Those are the same students that supported me last time.”

Professor Zorjik muttered with a voice full of betrayal.

For students to turn on him like that after saying they’d back him for the next headmaster…

Professor Garcia patted his back comfortingly.

“Please enjoy the aperitif first. It’s not alcohol, but a better beverage than any liquor.”

Glasses appeared before the students. Inside was a thick, black liquid swirling strangely.

It looked as if tar had been boiled, and then herbs added…?

“I-is this really safe to drink?”

“Isn’t the headmaster just pulling a trick and sending in a decoy to deceive us?”

Lee Han nearly found himself convinced. If he hadn’t known Uman was really royalty, he would’ve fallen for it.

“It seems to be a real beverage… There’s no poison. Doesn’t even give off any magical energy.”

“Really? It tastes like poison.”

Dubious, the students slowly raised their glasses. Some in the alchemy school even tested it for poison.

“Gah!”

“Cough!”

“Argh!”

Students who drank the aperitif grimaced and groaned in pain.

“D-damn. It’s like Gainando’s boiled garbage soup.”

“Worse than that!”

Even Lee Han grimaced. Normally able to eat almost anything, this was too much.

It was as if all flavors were amplified, mixed, and finished with aftertaste of pure bitterness.

What even was this drink?

“This is a herbal cordial made with the seven dragon herbs. Uman brewed it himself. It will purify your souls and dispel any corruption from your bodies.”

Uman sounded proud.

Upon checking, Uman’s words were true. Like a powerful potion, the drink really did restore the body and purify mana.

…But just thinking of the taste, actual potions might’ve been preferable!

“Everyone seems satisfied. Next, appetizers!”

The glasses disappeared and dishes appeared.

Pike soup simmered with ginger and lime. Crackers topped with orange, olive, coconut, pickled young fish, cheese—easy to eat with one hand. Walnut and fruit salad too.

This time, it all looked nearly normal, so students breathed sighs of relief.

“Lee Han, this looks good!”

“Wai—”

Lee Han tried to stop him, but Gainando happily grabbed the soup bowl.

Maybe because of the drink, he was even hungrier now.

“…Gah!”

Gainando dropped his spoon.

Once again, the flavor was so intense and strange he couldn’t even tell what it was.

It was as if every taste bud had been pried open and shaken up!

‘I was trying to warn you about the mana, but…’

Lee Han had noticed the roiling mana in the pike soup first.

Normally, ginger, lime, and pike wouldn’t create such magical turbulence. Uman must have added some secret Dragonkin herbs again.

Looking around, students who ate the crackers or salad were equally suffering.

“Spiced with dragon herbs. The intense flavors will vitalize your metabolism and improve mana circulation.”

“Hmm. Does Your Highness think perhaps that Einrogard students haven’t suffered enough?”

The skeleton headmaster, sampling the food, muttered beside Lee Han.

His personal philosophy was that students needed hardship, but even he’d never wished for anything this extreme.

What did the kids ever do to deserve this?

“Now that appetizers are over, let’s start the real meal.”

“Y-your Highness. May I ask something?”

Professor Garcia raised her hand cautiously.

“Of course! Professor Garcia, please ask anything.”

“This is special just for today, yes?”

“No! I plan to personally prepare meals for students and staff all semester. I’ve stockpiled all the ingredients needed already.”

“……”

“…Get out, outsider!!”

Crash!

Someone threw a plate and, taking it as a signal, students across the hall got up and started smashing things.

It was bad enough being tormented by the skeleton headmaster, but to be tortured like this all semester by an outsider?!

Spells flew in rage, but Uman didn’t even blink. Instead, he let out a mighty roar.

——–!

The spells evaporated against the force of the roar. Lee Han was awed.

So you can use pure magical force like that!

‘Maybe I could implement a dragon’s roar as a spell…’

“Calm down, all of you. What is the meaning of this?”

“The food tastes awful!!”

“For that alone?”

Uman was genuinely shocked, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

How could the students of Einrogard say something so childish?

“Food is about health, not taste. If you chase only flavor, you’ll ruin your body and mind.”

“We don’t care about that! We just want to eat something delicious!”

“I won’t allow it! As Inspector, I’ll make sure you change your ways!”

With a gesture, Uman had the knights escort the shouting student out.

It wasn’t the punishment room, but he’d be taken to a private room to be “converted” through food and lectures.

The skeleton headmaster whispered to Professor Garcia:

“Students still suffer, anyone bound for the punishment room still goes… Did we really need an inspector?”

“Don’t act so pleased…”

While Professor Garcia murmured in despair, Lee Han took out his notebook.

‘Maybe I really do need to increase my outings.’

He never imagined Einrogard could get even harsher.

Not even Lee Han had seen this coming.