Episode 1000
Episode 1000
"Then I'll be going."
Since both his hands were tied up, Lee Han had no choice but to wave the hand holding Hamster's cage as a farewell gesture.
The hamster inside let out an angry squeak.
"W-wait! Wardanaz!"
Giselle, unusually flustered, called out to Lee Han.
"Aren't you going to whip these idiots into shape!?"
'That's too harsh.'
The White Tiger Tower students looked sullen.
Even if their average grades were lower than those of the Blue Dragon Tower students...
"That's way too harsh!"
The Blue Dragon Tower students flared up in anger.
Even if they were lacking, wasn't that too much?
"?"
"??"
The students from both towers exchanged bewildered glances.
Then, belatedly, they realized—
'Oh.'
"I wasn't talking about you guys..."
"Moradi."
Giselle, who had been frowning and about to explain herself to the Blue Dragon Tower idiots, froze at Lee Han's words.
Surprisingly, Wardanaz was smiling serenely.
"I did say there was something more important than exams, didn't I?"
"...Uh... y-yeah."
Giselle was completely overwhelmed by this unfamiliar side of her friend. It was true—when people were too shocked, they couldn't react properly.
"Come to think of it, I might have pushed you all too hard. Forcing you like that wasn't necessarily the answer. You all have your own paths to follow."
"......"
"......"
Not just Giselle, but the other students stiffened one by one.
As if a basilisk had used its Petrifying Evil Eye, no one could move a muscle.
Unconcerned whether his friends were petrified or not, Lee Han spoke kindly.
"Don't push yourselves too hard. Well then, I'll take my leave."
Even after Lee Han disappeared, his friends couldn't snap out of it immediately. It took several minutes before someone finally screamed—
"WARDANAZ HAS LOST IT!!!!!!"
"Thank you, Professor Willow."
"Why thank me for something like this, kiddo? If anything, I should be the grateful one."
Professor Willow chuckled heartily as he handed over a sheet of paper. Decorated with the emblem of the Imperial Gardeners' Club at each corner, the paper was densely packed with the schedule of an upcoming auction hosted by the club.
And among the auction items was none other than the mandragora Lee Han had cultivated.
Originally, this mandragora was supposed to be grown until the final exam—a semester-long assignment for the <Life of a Wizard with Plants> course.
But thanks to some mischievous dragon and basilisk...
—......
The baby basilisk drooped dejectedly.
This wasn't its fault!
In any case, Lee Han's mandragora had already fully matured by midterms.
It had grown so well that Professor Willow had personally recommended submitting it to the Imperial Gardeners' Club auction he was affiliated with.
"If this sells, I'll buy you and His Highness a gift."
—!
The baby basilisk's tail wagged excitedly in delight.
"Here. This is your invitation. Since it's happening during the break, you can attend in person."
The Imperial Gardeners' Club wasn't open to just anyone. Only gardeners with outstanding achievements could join this prestigious club.
In other words, the fact that Lee Han's mandragora had been selected for the club's internal auction—and that he could now attend—meant he had been granted membership to the club as well.
Perhaps this was an even more valuable reward than the gold coins he'd earn from selling the mandragora.
"And, kiddo, don't forget..."
"The Imperial Gardeners' Club Journal. Right?"
"Exactly!"
Professor Willow's bark-covered face shifted as he laughed heartily.
Conversing with an outstanding student brought joy even to an old tree like him.
The professor pulled out a small booklet. On its cover was written: <Imperial Gardeners' Club Journal>.
"Don't forget to receive this. With this alone, you can share information about plants from all across the Empire."
"Yes. I was already planning to secure the <Imperial Gardeners' Club Journal> without fail—it lets members share information on which plants are trending where, what events are causing price fluctuations, and where to obtain rare plants."
"...W-well. It's good that you know so much."
It was startling how well he understood—more than expected.
"Starting next semester, we'll meet as fellow horticulturists in the club. But don't get too obsessed with plants. The other professors would resent me for it."
Most wizards who knew little about plants wouldn't understand, but nothing was as captivating and addictive as plants.
Professor Willow knew many who had fallen deep into the magical allure of collecting and cultivating plants, unable to break free.
If Wardanaz neglected his other classes, lost in the joy of raising mandragoras, just how disappointed would the Einrogard professors be?
"I'll keep that in mind. And even if I do get absorbed in other pursuits, the professors won't blame you, Professor Willow. It won't be because of plants—it'll be because I've changed my way of thinking."
"Changed your thinking?"
Professor Willow was puzzled by the top student's words.
"I've decided not to fixate solely on exams from now on. What does another person's evaluation matter on the path of magic?"
"Hmm. Usually, it's the failing kids who say things like that... but coming from you, I suppose it's fine."
Normally, phrases like 'The path of magic I walk is mine alone to know' were the kind of grumbling Einrogard's failures muttered in the Punishment Room. But when the top student said it, it somehow carried more dignity.
Professor Willow decided to trust the boy before him rather than worry needlessly.
"So, you plan to take it easy on this exam?"
"Yes."
"I see. But what's that?"
Noticing the thick report Lee Han was holding, Professor Willow asked curiously.
"It's the report I submitted for the lecture on 'The Tragic History of Ancient Artifacts and Summoning Magic.'"
Professor Willow focused not on 'to submit' but on 'submitted.'
Tilting his head, he spotted Professor Milley's handwriting—a perfect score.
"...Well. Keep it up!"
Instead of scolding the annoyingly competent brat, the professor quietly praised him.
Truly, an attitude only a professor of such refinement could display.
"What nonsense is this?"
Professor Thunderstep, seated in his cottage chair while slurping chicken noodles, stared at his student as if he were a madman.
Not obsessing over exams anymore?
That was like a dwarf vowing to reflect on his mining career and spend the rest of his life planting trees.
Just as dragons soared and ghouls craved flesh, Wardanaz was meant to be consumed by magic.
"I've reflected and decided to change."
"No... I don't think there's anything to reflect on or change..."
Professor Thunderstep inspected the golden potion Lee Han had submitted with a bemused expression.
Infuriatingly, it was flawless—so perfect it was hard to believe a mere second-year had brewed it.
And this was the kid claiming he wouldn't obsess over exams?
Was he planning to mock Einrogard's students in some new, twisted way?
'What a terrifying brat. To overwhelm other mages in such a manner...'
"By the way, I just realized—you made poison for me, Professor."
"...Cough, hack-hack!"
The dwarf professor, who had been inhaling noodles through his beard, coughed violently.
"Wh-what... If you're talking about Arlkan's Eternal Severance, I had no choice! The Headmaster's projection ordered me to keep it a secret—what was I supposed to do?"
"Hmm."
Lee Han stared pointedly at Professor Thunderstep.
Under that gaze, the professor grew uneasy, wondering if he'd made a mistake by asking his student to prepare his snacks.
Historically, when examining the causes of alchemists' deaths, an alarming number had been poisoned by their own apprentices.
This spicy broth was an excellent medium for hiding poison.
"...Should I take care of the rest?"
"No need. Since I'm here, I might as well finish everything. I have to wrap up the exams quickly and help the Headmaster too."
"Oh, no. You've barely recovered—don't push yourself too hard. We can just have Professor Bendozol handle it, so you rest some more!"
Suddenly transformed into a caring and affectionate professor, Thunderstep stopped Lee Han from getting up.
Once the student sat back down, the professor cautiously asked,
"Aren't you curious about how the potion you just submitted turned out?"
At that question, Lee Han let out a light sigh.
Then, with an exasperated tone, he replied,
"Professor. I already told you. I won't obsess over exams anymore."
'This little brat... coming in early to get full marks and now he's spouting nonsense...'
Professor Thunderstep inwardly cursed his prized student.
Somehow, the kid had managed to become even more insufferable.
* * *
Lee Han breezed through the remaining exams with far more ease than usual.
For lectures like Staff Materials and Magic Amplification (where Verdus had disappeared, leaving Senior Yukveltire to handle the grading) and Divination Spells That Drive You Mad, he didn't need to worry much—he'd already practically finished their exams before the finals.
Of course, he couldn't completely ignore them. Even if the exams were over, the lectures themselves weren't.
"I know. He's gone."
"You knew, Senior?"
Lee Han was slightly surprised that Yukveltire was aware of the Crazy Doppelganger's ascension.
"They even erected a memorial."
"Ah. Senior Diret arranged that, right?"
"What? No—"
"As expected, Senior Diret is truly considerate."
"What are you—"
Yukveltire tried to point out the absurdity of her junior's words, but following the Enchantment Magic school's tradition, Lee Han ignored her and continued speaking.
"More importantly, Senior. I heard you're quite knowledgeable about Small Worlds."
"I'm no expert, but I know a fair amount..."
"Have you ever heard of a Small World Magic shaped like a crown? I happened to use it recently, but the restrictions were trickier than expected. If you know any relevant spellbooks, I'd appreciate recommendations. I plan to read them over the break."
Yukveltire immediately recognized the magic he was referring to.
It was undoubtedly that faint, shimmering crown she'd glimpsed hovering above him when they were exploring the underground mining area last time.
She hadn't said anything then, afraid of interfering and ruining the magic—but apparently, her junior had noticed it himself...
"...You used it?"
"Huh? Yes."
"How?!"
"Ah, well, it was a coincidence, but Senior Diret's words gave me a clue. He mentioned something about kindness and devotion being the conditions—it was something like that."
"You talked to Diret about this?!?!"
Yukveltire was even more shocked. So shocked, in fact, that she completely missed pointing out the fact that her junior had used Small World Magic.
'Even though I was so interested in it?'
Why had the two of them discussed it without her?
Of course, the real answer was that she'd only pondered it privately and never actually spoken to Diret about it—but Yukveltire wasn't likely to realize that.
"Did you not hear about it?"
"...No."
"Well, Seniors must have more important magic to focus on."
Lee Han's attempt at consolation didn't do much for Yukveltire.
"...Did I do something wrong to Diret?"
"Don't you do that every day? Why ask now?"
"Not to that extent."
"Yes, you do."
Her junior was merciless. Mentally cornered, Yukveltire reluctantly accepted his words as truth.
"...Could you at least go tell Diret to stop being irrationally angry at me?"
At the sheer absurdity of the request—one that could create anger where there was none—Lee Han flatly refused.
"No. Do it yourself. Anyway, I've finished Staff Materials and Magic Amplification, so I'll take my leave now."
"Wai—!"
As her junior callously walked away, Yukveltire, without realizing it, slammed her fist down on the table.
For the first time, she felt a deep, burning resentment toward her school's traditions.
What in the world is wrong with the Enchantment Magic school?!