Episode 292

Episode 292

“What did you say?”

“No, it was nothing.”

Lee Han quickly changed the subject.

He didn’t want to trouble the good-hearted old knight for no reason.

“What do you plan to do during the vacation, Sir Lee Han? If you need anything, I, Allarlong, will do my best to assist you.”

“Well… I suppose I should study.”

Lee Han said, looking at the pile of books Fongrif was carrying.

Being given a vacation didn’t mean, ‘Ah, it’s time to rest well with peace of mind.’

A vacation meant, ‘You’re free to rest if you want, but study on your own. If you don’t keep up, you’ll be left behind.’

Especially in a harsh school like Einrogard, professors were likely to say, ‘You must have studied up to this point, right? Then I’ll assume you know it and move on.’

It was risky to slack off even with a light course load, and for students like Lee Han who took many lectures, studying wasn’t optional—it was mandatory.

“You are admirable.”

Unaware of Lee Han’s desperate inner thoughts, Allarlong was deeply impressed.

Not everyone from a high-ranking imperial noble family was as diligent and industrious as Lee Han.

In fact, there were more who were frivolous or lazy. With a family environment to back them up, it was only natural.

And yet, Lee Han never once showed any sign of slacking, always dedicating himself sincerely to magic…

‘As expected, Sir Lee Han is truly worthy of the blood of the Wardanaz Family.’

“However, Sir Lee Han, gathering with your young peers to study and encourage each other is not only about studying but also about getting to know each other and socializing. Studying is good, but wouldn’t it be a waste to spend the entire vacation on it?”

“Of course, I have plans.”

Lee Han spoke as if to tell him not to worry. Allarlong’s face lit up once more.

“I’m thinking of saving gold coins. In Granden City, there should be plenty of short-term jobs available.”

“…?”

Allarlong was slightly taken aback by Lee Han’s words.

It was a completely unexpected answer.

‘What is this…?’

Allarlong looked at his subordinate knights.

He thought that, being much younger, they would understand Lee Han’s meaning better.

-We don’t know what he means either.

-Maybe it’s a metaphor only wizards use?

-Doesn’t he really intend to collect gold coins?

-Don’t say nonsense in front of Sir Allarlong. Why would Sir Lee Han do such a thing?

“I… see. Admirable, truly.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Not wanting to appear as a clueless old knight who couldn’t keep up with young wizards’ trends, Allarlong decided to support him for now.

But inwardly, he was still confused.

“Still, don’t you have other plans as well…?”

“Other plans?”

Lee Han tilted his head.

He hadn’t really thought of anything besides studying and gold coins.

“Um, social activities with your close friends…”

“Ah.”

At those words, Lee Han realized belatedly and nodded.

“I should meet my friends too.”

Allarlong let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

“You made a wise decision. If you ever wish to hold a gathering or banquet, please let me know anytime. I will prepare it so as not to disgrace the name of the Wardanaz Family.”

‘I don’t think it needs to go that far.’

Lee Han thought to himself at Allarlong’s words.

The reason Lee Han wanted to meet his friends was to collect the money he had lent them.

• * *

Arriving at his residence in Granden City (as a crowd had gathered at the city gate to see the flashy procession of Blue Dragon Tower students’ carriages, Lee Han slipped out early), Lee Han first took a rest.

After a sound sleep on a soft, fluffy bed, the events at the magic school suddenly felt like a long nightmare.

Of course, it wasn’t a dream.

Lee Han got up and glanced at the amount of silver written in the ledger.

Roughly estimating, it seemed enough for at least twenty imperial gold coins.

It was an impressive sum—enough to make him unjustifiably confident in his business skills.

‘…No. Get a grip.’

For a moment, he considered whether he should aim to become an imperial merchant, not an official, but Lee Han quickly shook it off.

Earning twenty gold coins over a single semester was an incredible income, but this was only possible thanks to the closed environment unique to magic school.

By the second year, it would become difficult to do such business.

‘I must stay humble. If I get cocky, I could lose everything.’

Even so, the sum of twenty imperial gold coins was still enough to make his heart race.

A farmer with a sizable piece of land would have to work hard for a whole year to get just one gold coin…

“I’ll prepare breakfast, Sir Lee Han.”

The servant spoke from outside. Lee Han opened the door and replied.

“A simple meal will do. Has Ratford woken up?”

“Yes. He told me to let him know as soon as you cough, Sir.”

“Sorry. Could you call him? Oh. Wait a moment.”

Lee Han stopped the departing servant and asked.

“We entered Granden City through the White Oak Gate yesterday. Do you know the small general store near the city gate? It looked quite crowded…”

“Yes. Is there something you need there?”

“If I were to buy that store, about how much would it cost?”

The servant thought carefully, then answered cautiously.

“At the very least, I think it would cost about two hundred imperial gold coins.”

Lee Han had to brace himself to avoid staggering.

He didn’t expect it to be cheap given that this was one of the leading big cities, but for a general store of just about that size…

‘I was arrogant.’

After earning just that much, he had been proud enough to think he could make it as a merchant.

He was simply embarrassed.

“Sir Lee Han?”

“…I see. Thank you for the answer.”

Soon after the servant left, Ratford came in.

Perhaps uncomfortable with the mansion’s antique atmosphere, Ratford lit up as soon as he saw Lee Han and hurried over.

“Sir Wardanaz!”

“Did you rest well?”

“My body is comfortable, but a bit uneasy in mind…”

“You’ll get used to it soon. Let’s eat breakfast first.”

Lee Han had asked for a simple spread, but the meal the servants brought was more generous than expected.

After cutting up a slightly spicy seasoned egg and putting it in his mouth, Lee Han let out a deep sigh.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I just thought about maybe buying a small shop one day, but the prices aren’t easy.”

At Lee Han’s words, Ratford, who was drinking cold milk from a bottle, nodded as if he understood.

“I see.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you ask me to secure gold coins?”

“…Ratford. Theft is a crime outside the magic school.”

Honestly, it was a crime inside too, but Lee Han felt that was excusable.

Even among thieves, depending on motive and purpose, one might be called a righteous outlaw.

Stealing from the skeleton principal, in Lee Han’s opinion, was just.

Ratford looked confused at Lee Han’s words.

“So… you mean not to do it? Or just to do it without getting caught?”

“I mean don’t do it. Ratford. If I ever ask you to do anything, I’ll be very explicit and won’t use metaphors, so don’t act rashly.”

“Yes.”

Ratford was a little down.

He had missed a chance to show his thieving skills.

Accompanied by the rattling sound, Lee Han cleared his bowl neatly.

It had been hard to get Eastern-style meals at Einrogard, so perhaps it tasted extra good after so long.

After finishing a slice of buttered toast, Ratford cocked his head slightly.

“Is it not to your taste?”

“Oh, no.”

“It doesn’t seem like it. It’s really okay, so tell me honestly.”

“It’s just… I think what Sir Wardanaz made was tastier…”

Lee Han smiled at Ratford’s words.

He was happy to be complimented by a friend.

“Thank you. But that was only because of the special situation at Einrogard. In those circumstances, anything would taste better.”

Food always tastes better when you’re starving.

Otherwise, there’s no way Lee Han’s cooking could be better than that prepared by the house chefs.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Ratford nodded at Lee Han’s words, but wasn’t fully convinced inside.

‘Objectively, I really did think it tasted better…’

“I’m going out for a while after breakfast. Do you have plans today?”

“Where will you be going?”

“I’m going to collect some silver.”

Ratford asked in a slightly hopeful voice.

“By any chance…”

“I’m not going to steal it, but to get it back.”

“Yes. I’ll go with you anyway.”

Ratford sounded disappointed.

• * *

Ahsan of the Dalkard Family was tense, barely able to breathe.

“I heard the young lord of the family was admitted to Einrogard. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

The Dalkard Family’s mansion in Granden City had a long history, and thus housed many family members and guests.

By coincidence, there was a gathering today, so distinguished guests of Granden City were arriving one by one.

Given the situation, it was inevitable that the family’s student who came from Einrogard would become the talk of the event.

“A graduate of Einrogard. The Dalkard Family’s name will shine even brighter.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m curious which school of magic you’re specializing in. May I ask after today’s performance?”

“Of course.”

‘Save me.’

Ahsan felt like he was suffocating.

If he made even a small mistake in front of the famous figures gathered here in Granden City, it would bring shame to his family’s honor.

“Focus.”

Ahsan’s older brother, Daihal, approached.

Wearing a wrinkle-free suit, Daihal was the type wouldn’t sweat a single drop under the blazing midsummer sun.

“You’re still making mistakes. You were a beat late when greeting earlier. And when you answered…”

Ahsan’s older sister and Daihal’s twin, Haidan, also approached.

Like Daihal, she wouldn’t so much as blink even if a dragon appeared over the city.

“You didn’t notice the dust on your cufflinks. That’s why you make mistakes. Think about the mistake you made seventeen months and four days ago.”

“Because of your miscalculation, you brought us disgrace.”

“It was just a single digit off at the end—”

“Be quiet. It’s that slack attitude that keeps leading to mistakes.”

Ahsan sealed his lips at their scolding.

If either of them even made a mistake, at least he could argue back—but they were so perfect Ahsan couldn’t help but be discouraged.

Daihal had quickly risen as an imperial official, and Haidan had gotten a job at the Eastern Bronze Dwarf Bank, impressing the finicky dwarves…

“That’s why you couldn’t get first or second place at the Tower.”

“It’s not that I failed, it’s just that the first and second were too good…”

“Quiet. Stop making excuses.”

“Ahsan, you have a visitor.”

It was a family servant who rescued Ahsan from the scolding.

Ahsan didn’t know who the guest was, but he was glad anyway. It gave him an excuse to escape.

“Brother! Sister! I think a friend has come to see me!”

“Why do you sound glad?”

“Well, who wouldn’t be glad if a friend came to visit?”

“……”

“……”

Daihal and Haidan stared piercingly at their untrustworthy younger brother.

“A friend of my little brother’s has come, so I must go greet them.”

“I’ll come too.”

“Huh?! I could…”

“Be quiet. It’s my duty to greet guests who visit the house, not yours.”

Ahsan, close to tears, trailed after the two.

‘Anyone but Gainando, please. Anyone but Gainando.’

Given their personalities, if the friend who arrived wasn’t satisfactory, they’d probably pressure Ahsan mercilessly.

Ahsan prayed it wouldn’t be Gainando but some other friend.

“Hello.”

“!!!”

Seeing the familiar face entering, Ahsan let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, the most reliable friend had visited first!