Episode 134

The meal prepared by the Frisinga Order priests was plentiful. Lee Han could finally indulge himself with food prepared by someone else.

After devouring a sandwich filled with fresh ham and lettuce and washing it down with black tea laced with sugar and milk, Lee Han spoke to Priest Tiziling.

“Now that I think about it, I really don’t look that skinny.”

“……”

If it were any other devil-blood hybrid, he would have already cursed, but Priest Tiziling was a person of deep cultivation from many years of training.

“…I’m glad you’ve come to that realization, at least.”

“Indeed.”

Priest Mehrid sliced up a pound cake and placed it in front of Lee Han, expressing his gratitude.

“Brother, thank you. Thanks to you, Tiziling hasn’t starved.”

“Not at all, Priest. I only did what was proper.”

“And I heard you’ve been feeding other students in your tower as well.”

Priest Mehrid looked at Lee Han with sincere respect in his eyes.

All the priests knew that the new students at the mage school were living a pretty hard life.

And it was no easy thing, in such circumstances, to look after your friends first.

‘…They don’t know I’m taking payments.’

Lee Han thought privately.

Most of the other tower students didn’t know that Lee Han was keeping records of what he cooked for them.

It was thanks to the Blue Dragon Tower students going around saying, ‘Wodanaz always cooked for us.’

It felt a little embarrassing to get such praise, considering he was quietly saving up as a graduation fund…

“Such charity and devotion is just as Frisinga wills it.”

“…I think so too.”

Lee Han missed his chance to tell the truth. It would be awkward to come clean at this point.

After the meal, while Priest Tiziling endured more comments from the others about how skinny he was, Lee Han continued talking with Priest Mehrid.

“How’s your belt doing?”

The priest looked at Lee Han with worried eyes.

The priests of the Frisinga Order vowed to take the world’s curses upon themselves, but that didn’t mean they weren’t concerned for the young ones.

Especially in Lee Han’s case, since he was wearing a belt cursed with magic power absorption.

Since he was being educated as a mage, it was natural to be more concerned.

“I’m fine.”

“Brother…!”

“I rather wish I could take on more, honestly.”

Lee Han spoke seriously.

In Lee Han’s eyes, Priest Mehrid was basically someone who came by regularly to give him gifts.

Of course, it was cursed—but the curse of magic absorption was basically meaningless to Lee Han.

‘Really, they could give me more.’

Priest Mehrid pondered a moment and took an artifact from his bag.

“This one is also an artifact cursed with magic absorption, but…”

“What does it do?”

“The effect?”

Priest Mehrid couldn’t recall for a moment and had to think.

The type of curse mattered, but the effect didn’t seem to.

Lee Han waited anxiously for an answer.

‘Don’t priests usually remember the effect, not just the curse…?’

“Ah! I remember. It’s a ring of underwater breathing. I suppose it’s not very useful for freshmen…”

“!”

Contrary to Mehrid’s assumption, Lee Han’s eyes sparkled at his words.

‘Underwater breathing!’

A student quietly staying in the tower at night wouldn’t need it much, but it was another story for Lee Han.

Since he was constantly looking for ways to sneak out of the school, underwater breathing magic could be extremely useful.

‘You can never let your guard down at the magic school.’

Lee Han had learned that for sure after getting lost in the woods just trying to take a shortcut through the hallway.

Nothing was too strange to come across at this magic school.

If he ran into the sea next time going to the next tower’s stable, Lee Han wouldn’t even be surprised.

“I’ll take it on.”

“Brother…!”

Priest Mehrid was deeply moved to see Lee Han put the ring on without hesitation.

Surely a person feeding other students would have faith beyond imagining.

‘Yup, nothing different.’

Lee Han slipped the ring on and confirmed there was no visible change.

Priest Mehrid asked worriedly,

“But brother, aren’t you wearing too many artifacts?”

Wearing too many artifacts could be dangerous.

Their respective magic could clash or cause unexpected reactions.

If you kept a little space between artifacts, like not wearing multiple rings on the same finger, it was fine, but stacked rings could be problematic.

The fire absorption trinkets all had the same effect, so there was little risk of collision, but the water-breathing ring should still be used with caution.

“I’ll take turns wearing them.”

“In that case, there’s nothing to worry about.”

‘Shouldn’t someone ask why he’s wearing so many rings…?’

Priest Tiziling, listening nearby, thought to himself.

• * *

“So the Frisinga Order will stay for the spring festival too.”

Lee Han said in a bright tone.

The priests, just like the others earlier, misunderstood.

-He’s such a freshman—so happy for the spring festival!

“Yes. We plan to stay at the school for another week to help with the festival.”

The Empire’s spring festival was a time to celebrate the arrival of spring freely and without formality.

All the typical plays, performances, and activities of a festival were happening in one place.

If Principal Skull had simply said, ‘It’s spring festival week,’ without the priests around, Lee Han would have thought, ‘Hmm, what a scam,’ but with the priests involved it felt different.

‘This will help me save groceries next week.’

Lee Han and Yonair were meticulously tracking food supplies each day.

Despite bulk purchases from outside, they went quickly. You had to save whenever you could.

He was planning on making one more attempt to sneak out before the term ended, but if it failed, he had to be prepared.

‘With what’s left, if I trade with the Black Turtle Tower kids, I could stock up a bit more. I might have to seriously consider setting traps. I heard a rumor there’s fish at the lake. At least we have the garden for vegetables.’

As Lee Han calculated, he suddenly felt a little aggrieved.

Why was he doing this at mage school?

Wasn’t there barely enough time just for magic study…?

“Oh, Brother. Would you be able to help with one of the spring festival events?”

“If it’s something I can do, of course. I’ll bring my friends too.”

Lee Han was happy at the thought of a free meal.

“So what kind of events does the Frisinga Order run?”

“Well, first, there’s a play…”

Not bad. Festival plays were always popular.

“Ring toss.”

A simple game, but if you offered up a chocolate bar as a prize, the freshmen would throw themselves at it.

“And a curse experience.”

“…Oh…”

Lee Han started pondering how he’d trick people into the curse experience event.

‘…Maybe I should ask the White Tiger Tower punks.’

• * *

Asan of the Dalkad family heaved sighs of gratitude toward Lee Han.

“Thank you so much, Wodanaz. Just because of me, you’re spending your weekend—”

Because of Professor Alphen Nighten, who taught , Asan was busy through the weekend when other friends could rest.

-Next week, a friend of mine who now works as an imperial administrator is visiting the school. He wants to see the skills of the students I’m teaching, so I’d like you all to make a simple magic circle.

Asan was chosen for his grades, right after Lee Han, but he wasn’t happy at all.

No one would be happy about spending golden weekends preparing, not resting.

If Lee Han hadn’t volunteered, Asan would have had to do it all alone, so he was extremely grateful.

“I’m doing it because I want to, so don’t feel too bad, Asan.”

“Wodanaz…!”

Oblivious to Lee Han’s devilish hidden motives, Asan was trembling with emotion.

You could gather a hundred guys like Gainan and still not match Lee Han.

‘I must make an impression on the administrator.’

It had nothing to do with pop quizzes or midterms, but Lee Han’s eyes burned with motivation.

He would leave a deep impression on the professor’s friend!

“Come to think of it, I heard the professors are doing something for the festival too, right?”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. The principal is doing something too, apparently.”

“……”

Suddenly, Lee Han’s anticipation evaporated and was replaced by dread.

What’s this crazy lich plotting now?

‘No… not yet. And the priests are around. He won’t try anything reckless.’

“But Asan. Where’d you hear that?”

“I saw Professor Garcia looking for students to help at the festival. She started with the top students.”

“Ah, I see. …Wait.”

Lee Han suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

…Surely Principal Skull wasn’t going to call on HIM, was he?

• * *

Summoned by Professor Garcia, Nillia grew curious seeing Lee Han was not there.

“Wodanaz isn’t coming?”

If the top students were called from each tower, Lee Han couldn’t be missing.

“Lee Han is… he just looks so busy and worn out.”

“……”

At Professor Garcia’s words, Nillia closed her mouth and nodded repeatedly.

She really meant it.

“Nillia, be sure to tell him to take care of himself some time.”

“I do try, but… it’s just… Wodanaz is really serious about his magic…”

“He is, isn’t he?”

The two professors and the student continued this conversation—which would have baffled Lee Han.

Preparing so hard… Professor Garcia…

“……”

Principal Skull appeared with a more sullen tone than usual.

Professor Garcia was baffled at the sight of his contorted skull.

A lich really shouldn’t be making facial expressions.

Forcing bare skull bones and muscleless faces to move with magic, for an expression?

‘Should he really be using high-level magic just for that…?’

“Aren’t the students happy about this?”

Why should the students be happy? We’re the ones teaching… shouldn’t they be making us happy…?

Principal Skull continued to gripe. Professor Garcia cast a spell so Nillia couldn’t hear any of it.

I’ll go get ready… If I don’t, the priests will complain to His Majesty and His Majesty will blame me… Idiots are eating away at the Empire…

Professor Garcia was glad she blocked Nillia’s hearing. The principal kept cursing the Empire’s priesthoods.

I’m off… Be well…

“Wait a moment. What are you preparing, Principal?”

Professor Garcia suddenly grew curious and asked.

I guess I’ll ask the students and decide…

“I see. …Wait, wait a moment.”

Why do you keep…?

“No, I’m sorry to keep bothering you, but… which student will you call?”

She didn’t add, ‘You don’t have any students you’re friendly with, Principal,’ since Principal Skull already seemed sad enough.

The Wodanaz boy…

“…Isn’t Lee Han too busy?”

Not my problem…

“……”

Professor Garcia had to hold herself back from blasting him with magic on the spot.

Wait.

“What now?”

Uh, Professor Bagrek… you don’t have any students you’re close with, do you?