Episode 336

Episode 336

Lee Han felt slightly sorry.

In fact, it was Lee Han’s choice not to take the dance class at school.

But for the skull principal to get misunderstood on his behalf.

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine.”

“I think you were misunderstood because of the things you usually do.”

“If you say something like that after saying you’re sorry, do you think it will sound like an apology?”

The skull principal was dumbfounded.

Whoever taught him, his skill of turning people’s liver upside down with an apology was no joke.

“So, what brings you here?”

“What would I have to do meeting the high nobles?”

The skull principal, with a tired expression, placed an Imperial gold coin on his palm.

Lee Han absentmindedly tried to take the gold coin. The skull principal immediately retrieved the coin and looked at him in disbelief.

“Were you trying to take my gold coin just now?”

“I thought you took it out for me.”

“…Looking at you now, maybe what His Majesty said isn’t entirely wrong… I came to get sponsorship.”

Wizards were inevitably a wasteful kind.

To develop a single reagent, they burned precious jewels and ground rare materials—no way could that be economical.

And then, very casually, they’d say things like, ‘I used up all the diamonds you obtained for me and there were no results. Can you get some better diamonds again?’—making their patrons grab the backs of their necks.

And among such wizards, only those outstanding even in the Empire were gathered at Einrogard, so their wastefulness was also second to none within the Empire.

Even when the Emperor, defying the opposition of Imperial officials, supported Einrogard (the Imperial treasurers would tremble just at the mention of Einrogard), the budget was always tight.

Thus, one of the skull principal’s tasks was to secure additional funding.

“I see. You must have a hard time.”

Lee Han deeply empathized.

A professor’s duties didn’t end at researching their own magic and teaching apprentices.

Securing a budget was one of a professor’s abilities.

In that regard, the skull principal was indeed an impressive person.

‘Wait. He’s not extorting with threats, is he?’

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing. By the way, when will you visit our family?”

“The Wardanaz Family?”

The skull principal looked at Lee Han as if he had just heard the dumbest thing in the world.

“There’s no reason for me to visit the Wardanaz Family. Would a busy wizard, caught up in his own experiments, spare gold coins for another wizard’s experiments?”

Wizards absolutely did not give gold coins to other wizards.

They’d use it themselves, sure, but yielding to another wizard was not their way.

“I-I see. Has Lord Kraha given you sponsorship?”

“Not yet. Receiving someone else’s gold coins isn’t that easy. I’ll have to visit a few more times and persuade them.”

The skull principal’s expression was serious.

It was far more serious than when he used the grand spell called Personal World last time.

In fact, securing a budget was a much harder realm than magic.

“Persuasion seems to be difficult.”

“Of course. Lord Kraha isn’t an easy person.”

“I’m sure you already mentioned Gainando… Is there no other excuse for sponsorship? Like a schedule for the second semester.”

Lee Han subtly probed.

It’s always easier to prepare if you know in advance.

But the skull principal wasn’t easy.

“Even if there was, I wouldn’t tell you. And are you telling me to talk about their own child being dragged to the punishment room?”

The skull principal eyed Lee Han suspiciously.

He wondered if Lee Han was trying to repay past grudges from last semester in this way.

“No, it’s not that… you know, Lord Kraha. Did you know that Gainando has a talent for dark magic?”

“Is that really true?”

Gainando’s mother asked again in surprise.

“Not a magician card?”

“He’s not particularly talented in magician cards, but he excels at dark magic. I take the class with him, and he’s among the top.”

‘There are hardly any freshmen taking it in the first place.’

The skull principal found it ridiculous, but didn’t interrupt.

“Lord Gonadaltes. I never heard such a thing?”

“Lord Kraha. I cannot disclose the students’ secrets.”

“……”

This time, Lee Han looked at the skull principal as if to say ‘how ridiculous.’

‘He’s pulling tricks to avoid mentioning the punishment room story…’

“I’ll consider the sponsorship favorably.”

“Really? I sincerely thank you! I just happened to need new corpses.”

Gainando’s mother nodded magnanimously with a generous smile.

The skull principal now looked at Lee Han with a different face than before.

“I’m proud of you.”

“…Principal. I don’t mean to boast, but I’m top of my grade.”

“Yes, top of your grade. I’m proud of you. Anyway, I have another family to visit.”

“I’ll go learn the dance now.”

Lee Han turned away as if he hadn’t heard.

• * *

The dance wasn’t that difficult.

Gainando’s mother was an experienced dancer, and Lee Han had risked his life to perform moves even several times more difficult than this.

In fact, if Gainando’s mother hadn’t taught so kindly, he might have learned even faster.

‘It’s awkward since there’s no attack coming at me when I miss the rhythm.’

Not knowing what dark thoughts Lee Han had, Gainando’s mother kindly emphasized.

“The most important thing in dance is rhythm. As long as you can feel the rhythm, you can somehow follow the other moves. One, two, three. Again, one, two, three.”

Seeing Lee Han’s moves, Gainando’s mother looked pleased, like a teacher satisfied with a talented student.

This level in such a short time was a splendid achievement.

“With this level of talent, it would be a shame to waste it… Why not try it in the second semester?”

“I actually take a lot of other classes.”

Lee Han quickly made an excuse.

Even Professor Voladi recognized the excuse, ‘I actually attend all magic classes,’ so its power was well known.

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

Gainando’s mother didn’t press further.

A top student would manage well on their own anyway.

‘When I deliver the sponsorship, I’ll have to say at least one more word to Lord Gonadaltes.’

Still, Gainando’s mother thought she should mention it to the skull principal.

It could be that he wasn’t attending because of the principal.

“By the way, is there anything I should be careful about at the ball?”

Lee Han asked for advice.

Other friends were still young and lacked experience attending social gatherings, but Lee Han was the worst in that regard.

He hadn’t been interested in social gatherings in the first place.

Thus, advice from someone like Gainando’s mother was valuable.

“First, it’s best not to get involved with the royals.”

“…Uh…”

Lee Han was slightly flustered.

‘Is she telling me not to play with Gainando?’

“Thank you for playing with Gainando, but the royals who attend the gatherings are likely to feel jealous. They tend to be troublesome in various ways.”

As if reading his mind, Gainando’s mother kindly advised him.

The royals fundamentally aimed to build their achievements and reputation, to let everyone in the Imperial social circle know, ‘See how great I am, please support me as the successor.’

So they were greatly interested in gatherings where new talents from the magic school appeared.

An ambitious student might benefit from joining hands with a royal and taking sides, but if not, it was best to avoid them.

“If you politely refuse to dance or talk, they will understand and respect your wishes. They are very proud as well.”

“???”

Lee Han tilted his head.

‘That’s not how it went?’

Even when he refused, the royals kept pestering him.

They even went as far as to publicly declare, right in front of Gainando, “I’ll steal Wardanaz from you”…

‘Were the royals I met just uniquely shameless?’

“I-I see. I’ll be careful. Besides those who become annoying if you get close, are there any who are good to befriend?”

“The city nobles of Granden are generally not bad to befriend. You’ll be staying here for a few years, so you’ll be able to get help in various ways.”

“Ah. I was helped when chasing the undead chimera last time.”

Gainando’s mother pretended not to hear about the freshman who chased and captured the undead chimera.

As expected, it was the composure of a person seasoned in the Imperial social world.

“Of those, particularly good people to know are…”

‘Oh.’

Lee Han greatly looked forward to Gainando’s mother passing on the core summary of Granden City’s social scene.

“For example, Grime of the Board Family manages all the guild’s materials and reagents, so it’s good for wizards to know them…”

“!”

He felt as if he could hear the sound of gold coins clinking just from the explanation.

“Ah, wait. Never mind.”

“Eh? Why not? Is it because I’m from the Wardanaz Family?”

Lee Han was perplexed.

He’d already imagined making friends, getting exclusive work tasks, and happily working until the end of the vacation.

“It’s not because of the Wardanaz Family. Grime has the blood of a spirit mixed in, so if you get close and talk, he’s likely to get scared.”

“…????”

Lee Han was baffled once more.

What was this about?

“Uh… but… Lord Kraha, aren’t you talking to me right now?”

Lee Han hoped she’d say something like “That’s true” or “Well, since I’m okay, maybe Grime will be fine too.”

Of course, spirits didn’t particularly like Lee Han, but it made no sense for even spirit-mixed people to dislike him…

“I have a pretty strong mind, but Grime is quite timid and the spirit blood is quite thick…”

“……”

Instead of denying it, Gainando’s mother firmly stated it.

Lee Han asked in a dispirited voice.

“Am I that intimidating?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“I’m sorry. But I can’t put it any other way.”

Gainando’s mother said it with genuine regret.

Lee Han became curious and asked.

“Is it that Gainando doesn’t feel intimidated by me because he has a strong mind, too?”

“He just doesn’t feel it because the spirit blood hasn’t manifested.”

“I-I see.”

• * *

The grand hall at the center of Granden City was a source of pride for the city, where city nobles and officials normally gathered for important affairs.

But today, it was being used to welcome new students entering the magic school. The arriving students admired the splendid exterior of the mansion as they arrived one by one.

Upon arrival, Lee Han briefly greeted other tower students who had come earlier. Friends who knew Lee Han greeted him, or avoided his gaze.

“Why are you avoiding eye contact?”

“O-oh, it’s a misunderstanding, Wardanaz.”

If there was a minor misunderstanding, they didn’t forget to clear it up.

“Nillia.”

Lee Han, seeing the dark elf friend looking unwell, spoke knowingly.

“You don’t want to attend the ball. I understand. I don’t really want to, either.”

“That’s not the reason.”

“It isn’t? Then why?”

“I came in first place at the Meikin residence…”

“?”

Nillia sighed deeply and took out a sheet of paper.

There are many idle hunters in the north, so sending them to the southern coast… since they can do ranged attacks, they’ll be able to handle monsters well… if they catch monsters well, the people will be happy, and political instability will decrease… I’m sorry…

“Why did I submit this…”