Episode 400

Lee Han flatly refused.

“I think it’s favoritism if you keep giving me special treatment, Principal.”

…Are you drunk or something?

Ignoring the skull principal’s incredulous criticism, Lee Han asked another question.

“By the way, Principal, do you happen to know much about the Paragranum Guild?”

‘He says he refuses favors, yet…’

Seeing Lee Han so shamelessly ask right after saying that, the skull principal replied in a speechless voice.

Of course I know them. But why should I tell you?

“The Phoenix Tower priests are fighting because of me, aren’t they? Please answer as a reward.”

…What a piece of trash! I give up.

The skull principal was honestly impressed.

That level of shamelessness.

What do you want to know?

“They’re professors’ guests, but I’m worried whether I can pass their test.”

They are indeed troublesome folks.

The skull principal acknowledged it.

The alchemists of the Paragranum Guild were notoriously stubborn, so the standards for the test would assuredly be quite strict.

It would be tough to pass with merely decent work.

However, as I just said, even if magic has no gaps, a wizard always does.

“?”

You don’t get it, do you. I mean, impress those alchemists by other means.

“…Uh, like pushing them in a lake and then saving them?”

The skull principal almost reflected on his teaching principles for a moment.

‘No, that’s probably because of the other professors.’

Finishing his rationalization quickly, the skull principal answered.

Not that kind of crazy method… I mean, gentle and moderate ways. Like how you touched other students.

“…Uh, maybe…”

Not the White Tiger Tower, the Phoenix Tower!

“Aha.”

Before Lee Han could ask if he meant “move them by beating them up with a wooden sword and then saving their lives,” the skull principal intervened rapidly.

“But is that really okay? Shouldn’t I do it fairly with alchemy…”

Don’t spout nonsense. How could a first-year fairly defeat a Paragranum alchemist? Just get their secrets by any means necessary and it’s your victory.

“……”

• * *

‘Should I not have brought them?’

Professor Thunderstep thought to himself as he ate with the alchemists.

Come to think of it, Paragranum wasn’t the only alchemist guild in the empire.

Wouldn’t it have been better to invite a guild that doesn’t have a record of occupying the capital’s buildings and trying to set them on fire?

“Ahem. All very exceptional students.”

“Yes. Indeed, Einrogard’s students are impressive.”

The Paragranum alchemists brought their forks to the ceviche, now topped with sauce, but frowned and pushed their dishes aside.

However, Professor Thunderstep was so focused on evaluating the students’ potions that he failed to notice.

“As expected, right?”

“Yes. There’s no residue, and the color is separated cleanly. A well-made potion.”

“Then do you think there will be students who pass?”

“I don’t think so.”

“……”

‘Seriously, should I not have brought them?’

Professor Thunderstep pulled a bitter face.

In front of the students, he’d sternly said, “Only if you do well will you satisfy those guild alchemists!” but of course, as a professor, he naturally wanted his own students to succeed.

The students should perform to some degree so that, as a professor, he could save face and feel proud. If they all failed, wouldn’t that be frustrating?

But the Paragranum alchemists were even stricter than he expected.

“With potions made this well, shouldn’t you at least acknowledge…”

“No, professor. You are well aware of our guild’s rules. Only those who create an entirely new potion can be accepted.”

‘You crazy people, that’s your guild’s joining condition…!’

Hearing that they were judging first-year students by actual guild entry conditions made him dizzy.

“What about this potion? It’s pretty well improved, isn’t it?”

“It’s an excellent potion, but simply swapping silverleaf for waterdrop flower is too… mundane. It lacks a spark.”

“……”

Knock knock knock—

“Professor?”

“Come in.”

As a student taking the alchemy class knocked, Professor Thunderstep hurriedly put the potions away and responded.

“As you said, I’ve brought the potion… Oh, you were eating?”

“No, it’s fine. Since you’ve brought it, let’s see.”

Professor Thunderstep took the potion the student handed him.

It seemed based on Nightmist Potion, with two components swapped out, but regrettably it was a bit predictable.

Swapping a specific ingredient for something with a similar component was something anyone could do.

Still, it was quite well made…

“It’s lacking.”

“This one will have a hard time passing.”

“No chance.”

“…I’m sorry! I’ll do it again!!”

“W-wait! Wait!”

As the student yelled and turned to bolt, Professor Thunderstep tried to stop them somehow.

But the student was already gone.

“…From now on, please consult me first.”

“Yes, I will.”

The most aggravating thing was that the Paragranum alchemists felt nothing strange about what had just happened.

They just kept having alchemy discussions among themselves, not caring whether the student stormed out or not.

“So, using new ingredients there is…”

“I actually think it’s better to revamp the structure from scratch.”

“It seems inefficient, but still, why…”

“Ahem. Ahem.”

“Oh. Is that advice for us?”

“…No, I meant advice for the student who just left?”

The alchemists paused in thought.

Then, in unison, they said,

“Please make it again and bring it back?”

“…Never mind.”

After that, more students kept coming with their potions, only to be turned away one by one.

At some point the visits stopped. Professor Thunderstep realized word had gotten around.

‘Ugh…’

He could understand why the students were too scared to come.

But if things kept up like this, not only would the students’ pride be deeply wounded, but Professor Thunderstep’s own pride, too…

Knock knock knock—

“Is anyone in?”

“!!!”

At Lee Han’s voice, Professor Thunderstep’s eyes widened.

The most reliable card had arrived.

“Wardanaz?!”

“…Yes? That’s right, but why…”

“Come in! Get in here!”

Professor Thunderstep opened the door himself.

At the sudden warm welcome, Lee Han eyed him warily.

Like how low-flying swallows mean rain, when a professor is acting nice, something bad is about to happen.

“This here is the top student in alchemy class!”

“Oh.”

“Indeed.”

“Impressive.”

“……”

The Paragranum alchemists were very poor at pretending to be interested.

Lee Han thought to himself.

‘Even Gainando listening to the test rules looked more interested than that.’

“…All right. Let’s see the potion you brought.”

“Huh? I didn’t bring any.”

“What?”

Professor Thunderstep was flustered.

“Why not?”

“I didn’t come to submit a potion—I came to help out, professor.”

To be precise, Lee Han came to observe the Paragranum alchemists, but he said it to be considerate to his professor.

Professor Thunderstep was choked up with emotion.

For all his complaints, there was no student like Lee Han.

What other student would take such initiative out of consideration for their professor?

“You rascal…!”

“Were you eating?”

“Eating… I don’t even know if you can call it that. Those alchemists there suck the soul out of you.”

“Then why did you invite them?”

“Don’t annoy me with facts.”

Entering the workshop with Professor Thunderstep, Lee Han glanced around the table where the alchemists sat.

It looked as if they’d barely touched their food and talked alchemy the whole time. Since this was common among professors, Lee Han wasn’t surprised.

“Should I prepare something, then?”

“No. Don’t.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, seriously, don’t. I don’t want to give those guys any more food. If they’re hungry, they can go get something themselves from the kitchen.”

“……”

Lee Han was impressed by Professor Thunderstep’s pettiness.

No matter what, inviting guests and then acting like this—normal people couldn’t do it.

“What’s that you’re holding?”

Professor Thunderstep asked, noticing Lee Han’s bundle.

“Oh. I made a meatloaf without meat with my friends from the Black Turtle Tower. I was going to give it to my Blue Dragon Tower friends on the way…”

If meatloaf is a dish made by mixing meat with various ingredients and baking it into a loaf, Einrogard-style meatloaf was made by leaving out the meat and baking the rest.

Outside, Blue Dragon Tower students might ask, ‘Is this even food?’ but here, they’d say, ‘So this is food,’ and scarf it down.

“If you really want to put something out, put that out.”

“Huh? No, I don’t want to.”

“I’ll let you take whatever ingredients you want on your way back.”

“Help yourself.”

Lee Han handed it over without hesitation.

Professor Thunderstep, amazed at his own words, asked again.

“…You’re okay giving up things like effort or heartfelt intention?”

“Do you think about that every time you make a potion, Professor?”

“Whoever taught you… you learned well.”

Muttering, Professor Thunderstep took out the meatless meatloaf, cut it, and offered it.

“You all seem to have barely eaten. Have some of this while we talk.”

“Thank you.”

‘Are they going to be offended?’

Lee Han worried privately.

If people who were used to delicious food outside ate this, they might react, ‘Is Einrogard looking down on us?’

“!”

Just as Lee Han feared, the alchemists reacted in surprise. In a low voice, Lee Han whispered,

“See, why did you serve something like this?”

“I find it very interesting.”

“…?”

“????”

Surprised at the unexpected reaction, Lee Han and Professor Thunderstep looked at each other.

The alchemists continued, intrigued.

“To think you’d go out of your way to include rarely used ingredients. This is a novel approach.”

“Much more interesting than the earlier dish.”

“…??”

Lee Han tasted the leftover ceviche.

Professor Thunderstep was an excellent alchemist, which naturally made him an outstanding brewer—and a cook, too.

The ceviche made with flawless process and generous ingredients was fresh and crisp. It was on a whole other level from the fake meatloaf.

“…?????”

‘Did my palate break?’

“Is there a reason you chose these ingredients?”

“Uh… Yes. Well, an alchemist should always try new approaches, even when cooking… That’s what my professor taught me.”

The Paragranum alchemists gave soft exclamations, looking between Professor Thunderstep and Lee Han.

Professor Thunderstep also looked at Lee Han in disbelief.

“But is it really tasty?”

“Cooking isn’t for taste—it’s to take in nutrition.”

“It’s not about enjoying the flavor, it’s about enjoying the new attempt itself.”

‘I can’t believe I cooked for people like this.’

Professor Thunderstep lamented.

He even regretted he hadn’t just poured beer in a boot and called it a new dish.

“If you don’t mind, may we ask your name and family?”

“I’m Lee Han of the Wardanaz family.”

“Lee Han!”

The alchemists looked surprised.

Lee Han assumed they were shocked to hear the Wardanaz family name.

‘Do they have some connection to the Wardanaz family?’

“We heard a lot of praise from Yoanen Meikin. Did you by any chance work in his workshop two months ago?”

“…I did, actually…”

“To meet like this is amazing. I heard Yoanen Meikin mention you and wanted to meet you.”

“…What did he say, exactly?”

‘Honestly, I’m curious too.’

Professor Thunderstep, listening from beside them, thought as much.

Just how many things did this kid get up to during break?