Episode 176

“Arrogant bastards.”

Giselle muttered.

At those words, Lee Han looked at Giselle as if asking what she was talking about.

“Arrogant? What do you mean?”

“You can see it in their eyes. Can’t you feel it?”

The sharper White Tiger Tower students could sense it to some extent.

The gazes of the newly arrived apprentice knights were not exactly friendly.

Of course, there was no need to be overly friendly to an opponent you were about to spar with. Being too soft could only make you hesitate during the fight.

But even considering that, the apprentice knights’ gazes crossed the line.

Arrogant pride.

Giselle, who had never lost her place as the leader of any group, noticed the emotions in those gazes more keenly than anyone.

“They’re… looking down on us.”

Deorgyu said in a low voice. Giselle nodded.

“Yeah. They’re looking down on us.”

“Why do you think they’re looking down on you?”

Lee Han asked, as if he didn’t understand.

“Lee Han. Think about it. We’re from knight families, but we came to school to learn magic. What do you think that makes them think?”

‘That guy uses both sword and magic, so he must be twice as strong?’

“……”

Giselle looked at Lee Han in disbelief.

“T-Thanks, but immature young knights often look down on or pick fights with those who go to learn magic. I didn’t expect to see it firsthand, though.”

“Hm. I see.”

Lee Han nodded.

Knight families would know each other’s names to some extent, so it was only natural for the heirs of those families to have pride battles like this.

Since they were all young, even the smallest things could hurt their pride…

‘What a pointless thing to do. They’ll all have to work together later anyway.’

“Wardanaz. Aren’t you frustrated?”

As Lee Han sat there expressionless, another White Tiger Tower student spoke to him in a frustrated voice.

How dare those outsiders pick a fight.

“Me?”

“Yeah! They’re looking down on you too!”

“I’m not from a knight family, so it doesn’t matter to me, does it?”

“……”

“……”

Right?

Only then did the White Tiger Tower students realize that Lee Han wasn’t from a knight family.

He fit in so naturally that they hadn’t noticed…

“Choi.”

One of the apprentice knights, apparently knowing Deorgyu, came over to greet him.

Deorgyu nodded back.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Me neither.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Einrogard. They say the magic training is harsh. Did you have time to train swordsmanship?”

There was a hint of sarcasm, but Deorgyu didn’t care.

Deorgyu looked at Lee Han.

“?”

‘Hmm.’

Looking at Lee Han and then at the apprentice knight before him, Deorgyu realized how childish the apprentice knight’s actions were.

If it were Lee Han, he would have already thrown a curse at his opponent instead of wasting time on such childishness.

“It was tough, so I was actually able to focus more on swordsmanship. I realized that having everything set up for you to focus only on swordsmanship isn’t always a good thing.”

It was a half-sincere statement.

His skills had improved faster at the magic school than when he swung his sword at home with plenty of time, hearty meals, and a comfortable bed.

A harsh environment.

Competition with outstanding friends.

These were the things that made a swordsman stronger.

That seemed to touch a nerve with the apprentice knight. He frowned.

“Adversity perfects swordsmanship. But the hardships you’ve faced can’t even be compared to ours, Choi.”

“Maybe so. But swords don’t decide victory based on who’s had it harder. I think it’s better to let the swords do the talking from here.”

“Hmph! I was going to show you anyway.”

The apprentice knight turned away, frowning even more.

Lee Han, who had been listening to the conversation, asked Giselle curiously.

“Where are those apprentice knights staying?”

“They’re probably staying at the knight order’s building in the city.”

Giselle answered curtly.

“Do they not get meals?”

“Of course they do.”

“Are they forbidden from going out?”

“I said it’s the knight order’s building in the city. Why would they be forbidden?”

“…Then in what way do they have it harder?”

Lee Han’s voice had grown so cold that even Giselle was surprised.

• * *

Professor Ingeldel nodded as he looked at the students burning with competitive spirit.

Since they were all still young, it was natural for them to feel competitive in this situation.

It was much more humiliating to lose to an apprentice knight of similar age than to a full-fledged White Oak Knight.

Even Wardanaz was staring at the apprentice knights with a determined face. It was a good look of resolve.

“Professor.”

“What is it, Wardanaz?”

“We are students learning magic at the magic school. I believe, as in the last match, it’s only right to allow us to use magic.”

Of course, Professor Ingeldel had banned magic use in this match.

There was no need to use magic against opponents who weren’t even full knights. It was better to focus on swordsmanship.

Of course, that meant the magic school students might lose to the apprentice knights…

But Professor Ingeldel didn’t mind.

If their pride was hurt a bit by losing this time, that would only motivate the magic school students to focus more on swordsmanship.

“That won’t do. It’s a swordsmanship test.”

“But Professor, in a swordsmanship match, we don’t only swing swords. If there’s an opening, we use striking or joint techniques, so taking away our magic is too harsh.”

Lee Han’s logic was persuasive.

Only swinging swords in a swordsmanship match was something only a fool would do.

If necessary, you should be able to punch when you see an opening, or trip your opponent to break their balance.

Broadly speaking, all of this was part of swordsmanship.

While the apprentice knights practiced such comprehensive techniques outside, the magic school students practiced magic, so it was only natural they’d want to use it in the match.

‘Was I too harsh?’

Professor Ingeldel reflected a little at Lee Han’s words.

Maybe he’d been too harsh in his desire to make the students strong…

The elf professor looked up at Lee Han.

Then he suddenly snapped back to his senses.

He could immediately imagine what would happen if he allowed the Wardanaz boy in front of him to use magic.

“No.”

‘Tsk.’

Lee Han was disappointed inside.

‘If only I could use magic, I could win easily.’

It wasn’t arrogance, but a cool-headed prediction.

The less the opponent knew about magic, the more effective it was.

The apprentice knights knew nothing about Lee Han’s magic, so if he bound their feet with water orbs, cursed them, and then finished with a lightning combo…

‘It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.’

Lee Han picked up his wooden sword. There was no point dragging out a method that wouldn’t work.

“…Wardanaz? Why are you coming out?”

The opposing apprentice knight looked at Lee Han in confusion.

Lee Han answered with an innocent face.

“I’m taking swordsmanship class for health and culture.”

“Oh… is that so.”

The apprentice knight nodded.

It wasn’t unusual for nobles to learn swordsmanship for culture or interest.

Of course, compared to the real combat swordsmanship of knights, such swordsmanship was mostly for show, just a superficial experience.

Thinking that, the apprentice knight naturally relaxed. His grip on the wooden sword loosened, and it was obvious he was underestimating his opponent.

Lee Han was pleased at the sight.

‘If he’d entered the magic school, he wouldn’t have lasted a week.’

To fall for such a basic trick.

“Don’t the other White Tiger Tower students pick fights with you?”

The apprentice knight even worried about Lee Han.

Since he wasn’t from a knight family, he didn’t see him as a competitor.

“No. Everyone’s been kind and helpful. Thanks to them, I’m lacking, but I can keep up.”

“Right. A knight always respects and helps the weak.”

The apprentice knight pounded his chest as he spoke. Lee Han thought to himself.

‘The White Tiger Tower guys ganged up on me three to one on the first day, though.’

“Shall we begin, then?”

“Sure. Be careful not to get hurt.”

The apprentice knight took his stance with the wooden sword. Lee Han also took his stance.

Professor Ingeldel waved the flag.

Crack!

The apprentice knight felt as if a boulder was charging at him. That was how overwhelming Lee Han’s first strike was.

Before he knew it, the wooden sword in his hand snapped and flew away, and Lee Han’s wooden sword stopped at his throat.

“Do you admit defeat?”

“Wardanaz wins!”

Professor Ingeldel declared firmly, as if there was nothing more to see.

Only then did the apprentice knight snap back to his senses and, blinking rapidly, spoke in a flustered voice.

“W-Wait…!? What is this…?!”

But Lee Han was already turning and walking away.

‘If you use a trick, you have to run away quickly.’

“Where are you going, Wardanaz?”

“Isn’t it over?”

“You have to face the other winners.”

Professor Ingeldel pointed to the other side.

The apprentice knights who had beaten the White Tiger Tower students were walking over one by one.

Lee Han quickly relaxed his body and took a sloppy stance.

But it was too late. The approaching apprentice knights were already whispering as they looked at Lee Han.

-So that Wardanaz family’s Lee Han is the one who beat Bikelinz?

-That’s what they say.

-Does that make any sense??

-Didn’t he use magic or something?

‘A second time won’t work.’

Lee Han realized he wouldn’t be able to get away with it in the next fight.

• * *

“Wardanaz. Let me ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Did you really beat Sir Bikelinz?”

“I didn’t do it alone. Actually, Deorgyu and Moradi contributed more.”

“Sir Bikelinz said otherwise.”

“……”

Lee Han cursed Bikelinz inwardly.

Such a needlessly honest knight.

“There’s a hidden story behind it.”

“What story?”

“That’s…”

“Begin!”

Professor Ingeldel waved the flag again. The two gripped their swords and took their stances.

The opposing apprentice knight had already won once and, knowing Lee Han had won, didn’t let his guard down like before.

Lee Han spoke again.

“Actually, Sir Bikelinz…”

“!”

The apprentice knight instinctively listened as Lee Han spoke. At that moment, Lee Han’s Wall Rock Sword shone.

The Wall Rock Sword, a heavy and powerful greatsword style, was hard to counter once you lost the initiative. The apprentice knight’s stance broke under the heavy attacks.

Whack, whack, whack, whack, whack!

After five attacks, the apprentice knight fell. Lee Han stopped his sword at the opponent’s throat.

“Wardanaz wins!”

Lee Han turned away quickly, just like before.

There was no need to meet the eyes of the apprentice knight glaring at him with a look of betrayal.

‘Phew. That ended cleanly.’

Fortunately, it ended easily.

He’d finished both fights perfectly without allowing a single effective hit, so full marks on the midterm were a given…

“Sorry, Lee Han.”

“?”

“I lost…”

Deorgyu apologized.

He had just lost after a fierce battle with an apprentice knight.

“…Moradi? Did Moradi lose too?”

“Moradi drew. Both he and his opponent broke bones.”

“…No way.”

“Wardanaz. Take a break and prepare for the final match.”

At Professor Ingeldel’s words, Lee Han sighed inwardly.

‘Damn. I have to go to round three.’

He’d thought Deorgyu or Moradi would beat the remaining apprentice knights, but one was left.

Lee Han looked up.

The gathered apprentice knights were whispering and looking at Lee Han. It was obvious what they were talking about.

“I only learned swordsmanship as a cultural pursuit, and I was just lucky to get this far.”

“Don’t play games, Wardanaz!”

“Tsk.”