Episode 166

“Anyway, thank you?”

Lee Han gave his thanks as he watched the Death Knight trudging away toward the school.

Of course, Perkuntra was not fooled.

A truly grateful person doesn’t start with “anyway” or end their sentence with a question.

–Do you think I can’t feel your suspicion…

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

Lee Han spoke sincerely.

Of course, he was a little disappointed with Perkuntra’s performance this time.

He had wanted to see with his own eyes how he fought and how strong he was, but the opponent was sent away with just conversation and persuasion.

Still, compared to previous records, this time Perkuntra had done plenty. Lee Han raised his evaluation of Perkuntra a bit.

Naturally, Perkuntra was not satisfied with this slight improvement in evaluation.

-…This rude brat… If only I had a little more time…!

Perkuntra gnashed his teeth.

It was a great regret that he was about to be forcibly dismissed and couldn’t properly argue with Lee Han.

-Summon me again next time! If you summon me again, I’ll properly explain just how amazing what I showed today was…

-But according to the contract, I can’t just summon you whenever I want, can I?

And besides, summoning a spirit like Perkuntra just to listen to him brag was a waste of time.

-^$&@!

Perkuntra left behind an unintelligible scream and was forcibly dismissed.

To the students who didn’t know the details, it looked like Lee Han had summoned a spirit, finished his business, and sent him off with a farewell.

“Sir Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family. As Igor said, your affinity with spirits is truly excellent.”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

• * *

Surprisingly, the skeleton principal did not show such a fierce reaction.

He had probably already finished being disappointed after seeing the Death Knight return first.

You should have just guarded the punishment room properly, you clueless ancient spirit…

‘Let’s not make eye contact.’

Lee Han avoided his gaze.

Just because the skeleton principal had prepared himself didn’t mean he wouldn’t act out of spite.

You all returned safely.

“Principal! What was that Death Knight all about?!”

“……”

Lee Han’s heart sank at the White Tiger Tower students’ reaction, who just had to stir things up instead of quietly passing through the main gate.

‘Knights, really…!’

The skeleton principal, who had been sulking because of Lee Han, seemed to regain a bit of spirit thanks to the White Tiger Tower students.

What are you talking about?

“No matter what, how could you station a Death Knight on the way back!”

Angrago pointed out incredulously. The other White Tiger Tower students nodded.

But Lee Han was skeptical.

‘The more you react, the more the other side enjoys it.’

From Lee Han’s perspective, the skeleton principal was happiest when students said, “How could you do this!”

If you didn’t react, he’d just sulk on his own…

Are you saying I need your permission to station my Death Knight wherever I want?

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Are you whining because you can’t overcome such an obstacle? As a student of this magic school?! Ha! I thought only Baldrogard students did that.

“N-no!”

‘Don’t fall for it…’

While Lee Han was feeling sorry, the skeleton principal, having enjoyed himself enough, suddenly changed the subject as if he remembered something.

Ah. I almost forgot.

“?”

The skeleton principal snapped his fingers.

A single outing pass and a purple, blazing flame appeared in the air.

As the outing pass passed through the purple flame, it instantly turned to ashes.

“????”

“!”

Most students didn’t realize what they had just seen, but a few did.

Angrago’s face turned pale.

‘He found out!’

‘He found out.’

Lee Han also watched with a grim expression.

He thought there would be no problem since they passed through when going out, but it seemed the skeleton principal had re-examined the outing pass he received.

‘So that’s how he checks outing passes? I’ll have to find a solution. As expected, if I’m going to use a fake, I should do it when the skeleton principal isn’t around…’

You should be proud.

“Of what?”

No one has ever tried to go out with a forged outing pass before. You’re the first! I mean it. I’m proud of you.

“……”

“…?!”

The students murmured.

“They forged an outing pass?”

“My god… Who’s got the guts to do that?”

“Isn’t it a Black Turtle Tower student? They’re the only ones with the skills.”

It pains me to have to punish such a proud student, but it can’t be helped. Getting caught is your fault. Next time, make sure you don’t get caught.

“Ugh…”

Angrago drooped his shoulders and walked forward. The other students stared at him in shock.

“Angrago was the culprit?!”

“How did that guy manage to forge it?”

At Ahsan’s muttering, the White Tiger Tower students glared at him.

The skeleton principal spoke to Angrago with a benevolent gaze.

If you have any accomplices, tell me. If you do, your punishment will be reduced.

“!”

Lee Han’s heart sank for a moment.

If he were in Angrago’s position, he would definitely…

“There are none!”

Really?

The skeleton principal spoke to Angrago, but his eyes were on Lee Han.

Lee Han remained still, his expression unchanged.

‘There’s no evidence anyway.’

“Yes!”

This is why knights… Fine! To the punishment room. Take him away!

The undead grabbed Angrago by both arms and dragged him away.

Watching, Lee Han made a promise to himself.

‘Angrago. I’ll make sure to send you good food.’

• * *

“I need to study for exams…”

“Let’s just sleep a bit.”

“Good idea.”

“Huh? We have to study for exams?”

Lee Han and his friends went straight to bed as soon as they returned to the tower.

After all the chaos with the Death Knight in the middle of the night, there was no way they weren’t exhausted.

Thanks to that, when they woke up, it was already Sunday afternoon.

“Wardanaz!”

“?”

When he went down to the lounge, an excited Blue Dragon Tower student shouted.

“The principal has gone crazy! You have to come quickly too!”

“Calm down. It’s a trap.”

“Huh?”

“Ah. Sorry. Force of habit.”

He had developed the habit of always being suspicious when it came to the skeleton principal.

“What’s going on?”

“Look at that!”

The student pointed to Gainando coming in.

Gainando was holding a huge cotton candy in one hand and a sloshing beer mug in the other.

“?????”

The festival was over and outings were done, so where did he get those?

“Where did you get that?”

“The principal threw a banquet to celebrate the end of the festival! Maybe he’s not such a bad person after all!”

Lee Han couldn’t believe it, so he decided to check for himself.

But surprisingly, his friends were telling the truth.

The doors to the grand banquet hall on the first floor of the main building, usually closed, were open, and inside, all kinds of food and drink were still piled high.

Layered fresh cream cakes, cheesecakes, butter cakes. The candies, cookies, and chocolates Gainando had brought out earlier.

And not just desserts—whole roasted boars glazed with sauce and all sorts of imperial delicacies filled the tables.

You must have just woken up. Have a drink!

The skeleton principal spotted Lee Han and generously handed him a glass.

Apple wine, made from fermented apples, filled the glass.

Here! Normally, I wouldn’t allow something as precious as alcohol for Ironheads, but today is a special day!

“…I don’t understand. Why is today special?”

It’s the weekend after the festival!

“How is that special?”

Is that so? Then just think of it as me caring for the students!

“…Principal. Don’t tell me, is it because midterms start tomorrow…”

That’s why quick-witted ones are a problem.

The skeleton principal looked at Lee Han with great displeasure.

Lee Han was truly at a loss for words.

‘No, seriously, to this extent?’

Normally, he was so stingy about giving students good food, but now, just because midterms were tomorrow, he was even serving alcohol…

At this point, Lee Han was impressed.

Amazing, really!

It’s too late. Many students are already eating and drinking. Do you think you can stop them?

“?”

Lee Han was puzzled by the skeleton principal’s words.

‘Why would I stop them?’

If other competitors drank beer and apple wine and happily fell asleep on the main building’s lawn, it was a good thing for Lee Han.

“Why would I stop them?”

Don’t play dumb. You’ve always interfered with my plans and enjoyed your petty satisfaction.

“……”

Lee Han realized what he meant.

The skeleton principal still misunderstood Lee Han as someone who devoted himself to his friends.

Of course, I understand. Intellectual competition with a worthy opponent is enjoyable. I won’t completely deny that I’ve also enjoyed myself a bit more thanks to you.

‘This is crazy.’

Lee Han was inwardly frustrated.

All his efforts to avoid the skeleton principal’s nonsense had only inspired the principal further.

“Think whatever you want.”

Nodding roughly, Lee Han decided to leave and bring some food to Angrago.

Tomorrow is the Basic Magic Character Education lecture. You know that, right?

“Yes.”

Tell the students. The Basic Magic Character Education exam will be held in the Beetle Classroom on the 4th floor of the main building.

“Underst…ood?”

He was uneasy about why it had to be the 4th floor, but Lee Han nodded.

The exam starts now and goes until next Friday.

“Is there really that much to do?”

What are you talking about? It’s only one page at most. You can go to the classroom anytime, solve the problem, and submit it. I’m just giving you plenty of time.

“…?”

For a moment, Lee Han had a bad feeling.

There’s no way the skeleton principal would give such a kind exam.

“So we just have to go and solve it and submit it by next Friday?”

Right.

“…Is the path to the Beetle Classroom on the 4th floor easy?”

It might be a little difficult?

“……”

Lee Han jumped up and ran out of the banquet hall.

The fact that the skeleton principal gave them until next Friday meant…

‘Even if I start looking now, it might not be enough!’

Considering other lecture exams during midterms, there was definitely not enough time.

Behind Lee Han, who was running out, the skeleton principal let out a sinister laugh.

• * *

“Gainando. Wake up, you bastard! We have to go take the exam!”

Lee Han slapped Gainando’s cheeks on both sides, but Gainando didn’t wake up.

‘Should I have learned a sobering spell?’

Not only Gainando, but the Blue Dragon Tower students were so happy right now that they couldn’t respond to his call.

Lee Han mercilessly abandoned his friends.

If you drank the night before an exam, there was really no excuse.

‘Foolish guys…’

No matter how hard and painful it was, how could they just gulp down the principal’s alcohol.

Lee Han pulled out a book as he moved. Since midterms weren’t just for one lecture, time was tight.

‘I’ll read the blood magic book later, and the book the principal gave me too. I’ve deciphered almost all the magic in the box the principal gave me… I’ll do that later too.’

On the way, he saw White Tiger Tower students drunkenly singing.

Lee Han thought this was perfect.

“Hey. Tell your friends! The Basic Magic Character Education exam has started! It’s the Beetle Classroom on the 4th floor!”

“What nonsense is that? Wardanaz. Are you trying to trick us…”

Lee Han struck the White Tiger Tower student squarely in the solar plexus with his staff. The student vomited up the alcohol he had just drunk.

“Guhhh!”

It didn’t end there.

Lee Han summoned a lump of water and dumped it on the White Tiger Tower student.

“Sobered up a bit?”

“I’m sober! I’m sober, so stop it, you bastard!”

“Good.”

Lee Han nodded sincerely.

“Now. Remember well. The Basic Magic Character Education exam has started. It’s the Beetle Classroom on the 4th floor. Got it?”

“Go-got it.”

Lee Han left the White Tiger Tower students behind.

The White Tiger Tower student, soaked to the skin, muttered as he watched Lee Han’s back.

“C-crazy bastard…!”

“Shh. What if he comes back!”