Episode 109

Lee Han was flustered.

It was a reaction he hadn’t seen from any of the professors he knew.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

But no matter how much he thought about it, Lee Han hadn’t done anything wrong.

‘Is it because I have too much magic power?’

Lee Han cautiously asked,

“Is it difficult for me to learn illusion magic because I have a lot of magic power?”

“No?”

“Then perhaps because I lack control?”

“No. That’s enough. The… Oh, well. I should tell you.”

After hesitating, Professor Kirmin made up his mind to tell Lee Han.

“Wardanaz. Right now you have…”

Lee Han felt tense.

Usually, when a professor spoke that seriously, it was because a serious problem had come up.

Like when Professor Garcia diagnosed first-year Lee Han with the incurable disease of excess magic power…

“Too many professors eyeing you.”

“……”

Lee Han was dumbfounded.

If excess magic power was one thing, was there such a thing as ‘excess professors’?

‘The latter sounds much more dangerous.’

The former you could kind of live with, but the latter seemed life-threatening.

“Why is that a problem…”

“Think about it. If you keep learning from all those professors, wouldn’t adding illusion magic be way too much?”

‘Aha.’

Lee Han understood what Professor Kirmin meant.

And he was moved.

With that alone, Professor Kirmin could claim a spot in the top 1% of this school’s professors for character.

He deserved a seat next to Professor Garcia.

“No.”

Lee Han spoke firmly.

If he wasn’t taking another magic course, maybe, but there was no way he could skip this professor’s class.

He had to build a connection now!

Who knew what would happen in the future? Refusing now because it was hard could lead to regret later.

No matter how kind a professor was, they’re still a professor.

If you came later saying, ‘Professor, I’d like to join now,’ you might hear, ‘Sorry, there are no more places.’

“I can do it, Professor. I’m ready.”

Lee Han’s eyes shone with passion. Professor Kirmin was surprised at his determined expression.

He hadn’t expected such enthusiasm.

With his chiseled face shining with resolve, he gave an even stronger impression.

“It’s going to be really hard.”

“It’s fine.”

“All right. Then join us from the next gathering.”

Professor Kirmin patted Lee Han’s shoulder.

A passionate disciple always brought a teacher joy.

If they had as much talent as Wardanaz, even better.

“Take care—it’ll be tough.”

“Yes. And don’t worry. I just won’t add any more classes.”

“……”

Professor Kirmin gave Lee Han an odd look.

Like a wizard predicting an unfortunate fate—but Lee Han, unfortunately, didn’t notice.

• * *

When Professor Kirmin finished and left, the students got ready to stand.

Out of the week’s classes, the only one who didn’t torment them with assignments was half-angel—no, half-troll—Professor Garcia.

But Professor Garcia, with an apologetic face, said,

“Everyone, hold on. There’s a quiz this week.”

“……”

“……”

The students stared at her as if wounded and betrayed. But while Garcia looked apologetic, she didn’t back down.

“So I recommend you all prepare.”

“What’s going to be on the test?”

At a student’s question, Professor Garcia nodded and replied,

“We’ve spent the past month learning the basics of magic and exploring various magical fields. I’m going to see how well you’ve learned about that.”

“H… but, Professor! I don’t know much about necromancy…”

“Are you going to ask about summoning magic, too?”

The students muttered among themselves.

Most of the students here had strong opinions.

Those with a preferred field of magic usually had little interest in others.

Professor Garcia soothed them as if to reassure them.

“Everyone relax. I’ll ask questions tailored to each student. There won’t be questions about fields that don’t match your aptitude or interest.”

There was a collective sigh of relief.

Lee Han, relieved along with his friends, froze.

‘Wait.’

Now that he thought about it, he had participated in every kind of magic covered in Professor Garcia’s class.

…Uh?

Could it be that…

‘Do I have to prepare for everything?’

For the first time since entering the school, Lee Han tasted true fear.

• * *

Tuesday.

The class was held on a more distant field than usual.

Professor Lightning Step waited for the students, lighting his pipe.

“L-look at that!”

“So cute!”

Cries of delight came from the students.

Behind Professor Lightning Step were bear cubs.

The round, adorable bear cubs were so cute, it was hard to remember what they’d look like fully grown.

The jaded students, battered by school, showed age-appropriate expressions at the sight of the cubs.

“The professor really cares about us after all.”

“Yeah. We deserve a break like this.”

After weeks of grueling assignments and classes, and now even pop quizzes coming up…

Surely one class on the field, just lounging around, wouldn’t be a crime.

And unlike last time’s fiery puppies, these bear cubs looked completely harmless. It was definitely a break.

“You’re here?”

“Yes!”

The students answered together in much brighter, happier voices than usual.

“Good. Then let’s have a quiz. Go get your horses.”

“?”

“????”

The students were baffled by Professor Lightning Step’s words.

“What about the bear cubs?”

“Bear cubs?”

Professor Lightning Step took his pipe from his mouth and looked behind him, then nodded as if understanding.

“Oh. Those bear cubs aren’t for the class. A friend asked me to watch them for a while.”

“……”

The students were more disappointed than when they’d met the skeleton principal. Professor Lightning Step laughed heartily.

“If you want to play with bear cubs, wait a few decades till I retire. Now go get your horses. Let’s see how well you’ve bonded.”

“But if we’re not ready, can’t we do it next time…”

“Animals never wait for you. Do you think a hungry beast will give you time to prepare when it comes at you? Move!”

The students moved with anxious, apprehensive expressions.

Students who didn’t visit the stables regularly were, of course, anxious, but even those who visited often felt the same way.

-Will it be okay?

-Last time, my horse wouldn’t listen and tried to run away…

The horses in the stable were fierce and ill-tempered.

Even students who thought they’d bonded weren’t sure what the horses would do once set free.

And Lee Han was no different.

‘Hmm.’

Maybe it was just him, but Lee Han felt his white horse had the worst disposition in the stable.

It was the biggest and most robust, and compared to the others, far more volatile.

Sometimes he truly wondered if it was even a horse.

‘Did Professor Uregeom feed it his potion or something?’

But if the white horse had wildness, Lee Han had intellect. He’d come up with a way to handle the white horse.

“Here.”

He fastened the mana-absorbing iron bracelet and belt to the white horse. The horse grunted in displeasure, but Lee Han was firm.

The moment he let it out unrestrained, who knew how it might betray him!

-Frrrt. Frrr.

The white horse was sly and smart.

Realizing it couldn’t win against this crazy freshman with brute force, it shot a sorrowful look with mournful eyes.

But Lee Han was even more ruthless.

“Sorry. No amount of pleading or begging will change my mind.”

-Frrrrr!

The white horse glared at Lee Han. But the artifacts on its body were already draining its magic.

As its strength ebbed, the horse relented and let Lee Han lead it out by the reins.

Just you wait!

“Amazing…!”

“That wild horse!”

The White Tiger Tower students murmured as Lee Han brought out his white horse.

At first, when he was assigned the wildest horse in the stable, everyone laughed, thinking Wardanaz would never tame it.

But now, the white horse meekly followed Lee Han as if all that had been a lie.

With its natural elegance, the white horse looked perfectly suited to the heir of House Wardanaz.

Angrago muttered before realizing it,

“Wardanaz really is impressive.”

“…Angrago, are you crazy? Why all of a sudden?”

“Were you charmed by some magic on the island?”

“Uh, no. I was just talking about his abilities, not that he’s a bad guy!”

His friends looked shocked, so Angrago hurried to explain.

“Angrago, you sound weird. Not even cursing Wardanaz.”

“Maybe something really did happen with Wardanaz…”

“I said no! I still hate Wardanaz! I do!”

Meanwhile, not just Lee Han but other students started cautiously leading their horses outside.

Most were from the Black Turtle Tower, who diligently cared for the horses.

There were also a good number from Phoenix Tower and White Tiger Tower…

The Blue Dragon Tower students were fewest.

Lee Han was a little embarrassed by his friends.

‘Such lazy guys.’

No wonder the Salko of House Twutanta hated nobles.

They deserved all the criticism for their laziness.

Professor Lightning Step set a sundial on a rock and said,

“Once you’ve got your horse, follow the path. You’ll come to a river; water the horse there and come back to pass.”

Gainando, covered in mud, whispered,

“We could just let them drink from the well and say we went to the river, right?”

“By the way, if I find out someone lied about watering the horse at the river, I’ll throw you into it.”

“……”

Gainando quietly brushed mud off his hair.

“All right, then. Begin!”

Professor Lightning Step struck his pipe as he called out.

The students, scattered across the field, began leading their horses down the path one by one.

Elegant students like the princess mounted their horses to ride slowly along the path with their followers.

Other students who had bonded with their horses also rode. Their friends looked on with envy.

Yoner was able to ride, but instead of mounting, he looked at Lee Han.

“Not riding?”

“It might tire it out.”

-Frrt!

Rather than grateful for Lee Han’s consideration, the white horse protested, wanting the bracelet and belt removed.

Lee Han ignored it.

‘Walking is safer.’

Draining its magic was one thing, but it could sap its stamina, too.

If he rode and the white horse collapsed, it’d be bad. He planned to walk alongside it.

Yoner shrugged and grabbed his horse’s reins.

“Yoner, it’s okay for you to ride.”

“I’m worried it’ll get tired if I do, too.”

Yoner’s brown horse rubbed its cheek on Yoner in thanks, making him laugh from the tickling. Lee Han felt suddenly a little sad.

‘Why can’t I even bond with a spirit or a horse…’

“And we’re friends, right?”

“Thanks.”

Lee Han said sincerely.

Bang!

Behind them, Gainando tumbled, thrown out of the stable and rolling across the ground. He’d tried to drag out a horse he barely knew and got launched.

Muddy Gainando shouted,

“Guys! Wait for me! You’ll help, right? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

Lee Han and Yoner started off without mercy.

Friends had to do the morning chores together in the stables.