Episode 276

Episode 276

At the White Tiger Tower student’s words, Iunrade couldn’t argue.

This was indeed something to be ashamed of, as a senior from the Blue Dragon Tower.

“…They’re probably splitting it up and doing it together.”

For now, as a senior, Iunrade covered for the juniors.

The White Tiger Tower student nodded as if they had expected that.

“Right? There’s no way a human wouldn’t help out. I’m sure it’s just exaggerated. They’re probably splitting it up. Or maybe Wardanaz gets some perks. In our White Tiger Tower, we give special treatment to friends who bring in ingredients.”

“……”

How embarrassing, really!

Iunrade changed the subject.

“Since you’re from the White Tiger Tower, I suppose you’re attending the swordsmanship lectures?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Is there a student standing out? Or one who wants to assassinate someone?”

It was natural for an Einrogard student to want to assassinate the skeleton headmaster, but if someone wanted to assassinate any other figure, it would be a serious problem.

A skilled swordsman was already a powerful assassin in their own right, but if they also learned magic, they could create a bloodbath in an entire city.

“I don’t really know if any students want to assassinate someone. If you mean students standing out… Moradi or Deorgyu are exceptional, but still, it’s Wardanaz who stands out.”

“…???”

Iunrade doubted their ears.

Are there two students from the Wardanaz Family?

“Is it the same Wardanaz student you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Are they also taking swordsmanship?”

“That’s right?”

Iunrade couldn’t help but ask in a growling tone.

“…Isn’t something strange?”

Right now, the White Tiger Tower student before them had just said something preposterous, yet acted so nonchalant about it.

“Y-yes, now that you mention it…”

Only then did the White Tiger Tower student seem to sense that something was off.

“Why is that Wardanaz guy even taking swordsmanship? It can’t be for grades.”

“I’m sorry. That’s not really something I should be asking a student.”

“No, it’s fine. Now that you mention it, it is a little strange.”

The White Tiger Tower student nodded.

“Could it be that Wardanaz has some kind of evil plan?”

“What kind of plan?”

“To master swordsmanship in addition to all forms of magic to defeat the headmaster and take over the school or something like that…”

‘That’s not really such an evil plan.’

That’s what Iunrade thought, but the White Tiger Tower student must have found their own words plausible, as they continued with passion.

“They’re getting support not just from the professors but also from students from other towers.”

“Well, if someone brings in food like that, even people from other towers would support them. When I was in school, friends who were good at procuring food were always popular. Professors naturally like hard-working students too.”

“Oh… when you put it that way, I see your point.”

“And no matter how hard you study, toppling the headmaster is just impossible.”

“Wardanaz could probably do it, right? Of course, I don’t mean right now, but in a few years.”

“……”

Usually, no matter how brilliant a friend was, one would not say things like “maybe in a few years they’ll be able to defeat the skeleton headmaster.”

Iunrade suddenly became curious about this boy from the Wardanaz Family.

How has he been acting for this to happen…

• * *

“Are you alright?”

Lee Han nodded at his friends’ question.

It was only natural that the other friends were worried.

While everyone else was resting, Lee Han had dealt with the Phoenix almost single-handedly.

The Phoenix, having played gleefully until it was completely exhausted, left a mark on the back of Lee Han’s hand then returned to its dimension in satisfaction.

On top of the marks left by the other spirits, the Phoenix’s mark radiated a powerful energy, but…

“Let’s ask the professor and find a way to erase it.”

“Yeah. What if that crazy bird gets summoned again?”

“If it gets summoned again, it might burn down your room, Wardanaz!”

The Blue Dragon Tower students had become extremely cold and resolute.

The Phoenix incident had chilled the hearts of the students.

From now on, the students would be suspicious of any potentially dangerous festivals.

“No… It’s alright. I don’t need to erase it.”

“No way! Wardanaz! What if the Phoenix kills you in your dreams!”

“That bird probably doesn’t even remember the concept of gratitude!”

Unlike his friends’ intense reactions, Lee Han didn’t feel particularly threatened by the Phoenix’s mark.

The other professors didn’t say much, nor did Sharkan, and as Lee Han himself didn’t feel any ominous energy from it, it seemed more like another spirit’s mark to him.

He hadn’t yet confirmed what effect it had, but at least it wasn’t harmful.

“Wardanaz, it’s your turn. They’re calling you in.”

“Be right there.”

A student from the Black Turtle Tower who had entered earlier came out and called Lee Han.

As he got up, Lee Han felt puzzled.

‘What’s this?’

The Black Turtle Tower student was staring intently at Lee Han.

“Do you have something to say?”

“…Wardanaz. Did you really provide all the meals for the Blue Dragon Tower… No, forget it. That can’t be.”

“??”

• * *

Unconsciously, Iunrade steadied their breath.

Having graduated from Einrogard and gained some experience as an imperial official, they never imagined they’d be so tense facing just a first-year student.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Einrogard may have gathered the empire’s geniuses, but among those geniuses, there were always rare prodigies.

And such prodigies were monsters, almost impossible to grasp even from a lower vantage.

Iunrade had seen such a prodigy before.

‘They were two grades above, but really a monster.’

Having seen such a prodigy before, Iunrade’s tension grew even greater.

Just what kind of student would it be?

“Hello.”

Lee Han entered the room, bowing politely.

Lee Han basically liked those from imperial official backgrounds very much.

To be exact, he wanted to get his face known early so he could easily join their ranks later.

A great wizard could be called anywhere, but landing a comfortable, stable, and high-status position required extraordinary effort.

‘I must never let my guard down.’

Lee Han was determined to not make even a single mistake.

Though his body was tired from the Phoenix incident, his mind was sharp with tension.

He would definitely get a good evaluation!

“Have a seat.”

Iunrade spoke, hiding their surprise.

He expected someone from the Wardanaz Family, with their talents and achievements, to be a very arrogant wizard.

To be specific, a young version of the skeleton headmaster!

There weren’t many in the empire who could match the headmaster’s magical prowess, but there were quite a few who could match the headmaster’s rotten personality.

Among imperial officials, the saying went that the greater a wizard’s skill, the worse their personality.

However, Lee Han was very polite. Iunrade asked, looking at the seated Lee Han.

“Where should I begin… I heard you’re studying all the available magic disciplines.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“May I ask why?”

Lee Han did not answer, “Because the professors have gone mad.”

With a gentle smile, he gave a model answer.

“I’ve always enjoyed studying magic. As my curiosity about various magics grew, the professors encouraged me to learn. Thanks to outstanding educators like Professor Garcia, I was able to have a role model.”

‘Wasn’t Professor Garcia only able to manage that because he was born with troll blood?’

Iunrade thought as much internally, but decided not to risk offending the prodigy.

Well, if it was Wardanaz blood, comparing it to troll blood made sense.

“Did you experience any inconvenience while attending the lectures?”

‘A classic trap question.’

Lee Han did not fall for it.

Who knew what kind of shady deals this imperial official was making behind the scenes with the skeleton headmaster? Revealing anything would only hurt Lee Han.

Besides, a student who complained about professors could come across as being the problem.

“Not at all. All the professors work passionately to teach us. As a student, it feels like undeserved luxury.”

‘My word!’

A chill ran down Iunrade’s spine, as if doused with cold water.

Even when I first met the skeleton headmaster, when a friend accidentally flooded the magic school, or when a senior went into cardiac arrest during a club activity, I wasn’t this shocked.

What kind of soul do you have to be born with to react like this under Einrogard’s harsh teaching??

‘This student… is not human!’

Iunrade was impressed.

Just as boiling lava seems like a mere pond to the Phoenix, so too did Einrogard’s rigorous instruction appear to the Wardanaz boy as sheer enjoyment.

“Amazing… I’m truly impressed.”

“Is that so? I’m just embarrassed, that’s all.”

Lee Han breathed a sigh of relief inside.

It seemed he’d turned a trap question to his advantage and left a good impression.

“Then, I’ll ask about several things that happened this semester.”

“Yes.”

Iunrade started to ask about stories he’d heard from other students.

Given that these were gathered from others’ perspectives, there could have been exaggerations.

…No, there had to have been exaggerations.

“I heard you encountered a mud golem in the mountains?”

“Yes.”

“I also heard you defeated it.”

“That’s right. I was lucky.”

“…I see…”

Iunrade jotted down notes with a feather pen.

Defeated the mud golem of Einrogard (Checked three times. Confirmed.)

“I also heard that when the headmaster attacked, not a single student was taken and you all resisted?”

“It was thanks to my friends’ cooperation.”

“And you were the one who led them?”

“Yes. As I said, with everyone’s cooperation.”

Iunrade’s feather pen was picking up speed.

The questions continued.

Iunrade asked about the tangle monster, the spirit bull, the Rock Drake, and the White Poplar Knights.

While answering, Lee Han tried to sound cautious, so as not to appear reckless.

“At that time, it couldn’t be helped.”

“For the sake of your friends…”

“The Phoenix burned the assignment.”

Iunrade nodded.

Already so surprised, they couldn’t even react anymore.

“By the way, I heard there was a fight with an intruder.”

“Professor Garcia helped us.”

“…What? I was talking about the adventurers who broke into the school.”

Iunrade paused.

‘Ah. I got mixed up.’

Lee Han realized his mistake.

Given how things had progressed, if he didn’t explain properly now, he’d seem delusional.

“Actually, it was the anti-magic supremacists…”

“……”

Iunrade’s feather pen scribbled at insane speed.

After Lee Han finished talking about the anti-magic supremacists’ assault, Iunrade stared at the ceiling for a moment.

And fell into thought.

‘Will people doubt this report?’

Of course, Iunrade knew they wouldn’t.

The trust he enjoyed was robust, and imperial officials were used to hearing about geniuses emerging from Einrogard.

But this was just…

No matter what, this was just…

It was such a dazzling record that the Emperor himself might call upon him directly.

“Um. Sir Iunrade?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I have always respected the imperial officials who work day and night tirelessly.”

“Is that so? Thank you! I’m honored.”

Too preoccupied with worrying about how his report would shock the imperial officials, Iunrade didn’t notice the boy before him looking disappointed.