Episode 1096
Episode 1096
"Isn't that true?"
Friends who weren't interested in Wizard Cards casually remarked that it wasn't a big deal.
And honestly, weren't they right?
If it were polo, chess, or even the magical board game Madocheoksamyeon, sure—but why obsess over Wizard Cards to that extent...
"What kind of nonsense is this?!"
"See, this is why ignorant people like you—!"
Students who were enthusiasts of Wizard Cards, including Gainando, naturally flared up in anger.
How dare they react like that just because it wasn't their thing? Truly disgraceful behavior for a wizard of Einrogard.
"You should stop buying Wizard Cards after this."
"But they'll all be convertible to cash later!"
"Yeah, but you aren't selling yours, Your Highness."
"...Well, that's true, but... Hey, wouldn't you react the same way if someone said this about your hobbies?!"
Driven by the conviction that he shouldn't suffer alone, Gainando called out to Uman, who had already walked far ahead.
"Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"What do you think about polo, chess, and other games?!"
"Hmm."
Uman fell into brief contemplation.
"If you're a student of Einrogard, you wouldn't have the leisure to waste time on polo. Just like with Wizard Cards earlier, wouldn't it be better to leave such things to people outside the academy?"
"......"
"......"
The faces of the students (mostly from the White Tiger Tower) turned pale. Giselle almost clapped in admiration before catching herself.
'Whoops. That's something Wardanaz would do.'
"The same goes for other pastimes! As students of Einrogard, you should focus solely on magic."
Only then did the friends who had been teasing Gainando realize the situation.
This dragon—who was both royalty and an inspector—was, in some ways, even more fanatical about ruthless discipline than Wardanaz himself!
Durgyu cautiously spoke up.
"B-But Your Highness. Don't wizards also need physical training? Polo helps with that."
The White Tiger Tower students looked at the orc with eyes full of admiration.
It was an extremely valid point.
"Hmm! You're right. Wizards do need physical training."
"So then polo should be exempt—"
"However, polo isn't particularly efficient for physical conditioning. The injury rate is excessively high, and the reliance on mounts makes it too distracting. Here—take this."
Uman pulled out a handwritten booklet and handed it to the White Tiger Tower students.
On the cover was written: Physical Training Exercises for Wizards.
Slightly embarrassed, Uman continued explaining.
"It's a book I wrote myself. I put a lot of thought into it for the sake of Einrogard's wizards. I believe this book will keep Einrogard's wizards healthy better than polo!"
"......"
The faces of the White Tiger Tower students soured as they flipped through the booklet.
If there were a contest for the most boring sport in the Empire, this would undoubtedly be a top contender.
Watching from the side, Ashan swallowed hard and asked:
"Your Highness, doesn't chess help rest a tired mind and develop strategic thinking?"
"Hmm! I agree."
"So then chess should be an exception...?"
"However, chess can lead to excessive immersion due to competitiveness, and it might even devolve into gambling and other degenerate behaviors."
The Black Turtle Tower students flinched slightly.
After all, they were the ones who had swindled the most silver coins from their peers through underground chess gambling in the black market.
"Here—take this!"
Uman pulled out another booklet—also handwritten.
Ashan and his friends' expressions darkened upon seeing the title: Puzzles for Sharpening a Wizard's Mind.
"If you solve these puzzles during breaks instead of playing chess, the wizards of Einrogard will become much healthier!"
"Wow... Just... wow..."
"Sh-Shouldn't someone call Wardanaz?"
Stunned by the inspector's mercilessness—something they had never experienced before—the students couldn't gather their wits.
They wanted to call Lee Han to discuss countermeasures, but upon reflection...
"Actually, Wardanaz would probably like this."
"..."
"No way. That... might actually be possible, seriously."
"That's why I kept telling you to stop playing Wizard Cards all the time!"
"That's my line! I know all about how you skipped our group study session last time to play polo!"
Though Uman had left, the students began arguing over whose fault it was. As they bickered, their hidden misdeeds started spilling out one by one. 'What a shameful fight,' Giselle thought to herself.
It was such an embarrassing spectacle that if an outsider had entered the mansion, they would've lied and claimed these were Baldrogard students. 'But where did Wardanaz go?' Strangely, Lee Han, who had definitely been among his friends just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
Had the Skeleton Principal summoned him again?
"......"
As Giselle looked around in confusion, she was startled.
Her friend, who had quietly finished taking notes, dispelled his Invisibility Magic and appeared beside her.
"Ah. Moradi. Do you also have something to report?"
"...Alpha and Dulak lied about being sick last time and went to play polo instead."
"Thanks."
Lee Han expressed his gratitude while jotting down additional notes. Giselle gave a slight nod.
Regardless of the shameful fight, those who deserved punishment should be punished, shouldn't they?
In the Empire, dragons were among the rarest species, and most people had only heard their names in legends or folktales, rarely ever seeing one in reality.
Tales like how a single spread of their wings could blot out the sky like a massive cloud, or how a single flap could carry them from one end of the continent to the other...
Lee Han had heard plenty of such stories, but he never quite believed them. No matter how powerful a species was, there had to be limits.
And even after meeting Jowurin, his opinion hadn't changed much. Frankly, Jowurin's demeanor was far from the image of a dragon boasting transcendent power.
But after flying atop Uman's back all the way to Einrogard in an instant, Lee Han found himself reconsidering the might of dragons.
To think such absurd performance was possible purely through innate physical prowess. 'And if Jowurin grows further, she'll be capable of this too.' A sudden chill ran down Lee Han's spine.
Right now, she didn't dwell much on her own strength, limiting herself to digging traps and putting on handcuffs. But if she ever truly realized her power, who knew what she might do?
Was this why the Skeleton Principal was wary of dragonkind? 'Didn't the Headmaster say he learned magic under dragons in his youth? Thinking about it, he must've had a really tough time.' Just two dragons like Jowurin would make learning magic a nightmare.
"What's that?! What's that?!"
"Finally, the Headmaster has angered the dragonkin! I knew this would happen!"
The students gathered at the front gate were stunned by the sight of a massive Black Dragon blotting out the sky.
They'd always wondered when Einrogard's wicked lord would face retribution—and now that day had come!
-Silence! Silence! Do not cause a commotion! That is His Highness Uman, the Empire's newly appointed inspector for this semester.
"An inspector?!"
"Hurrah! Hurrah! We're free!!"
"Die, you vile undead scum!"
As rumors spread rapidly among the gathered students, some began causing a disturbance.
When projectile spells were cast at the Death Knights, the knights deftly dodged and retaliated.
"Guh!"
Hit by several arrows of dark energy, the students collapsed to their knees. Though their bodies had gone limp, their mouths kept running.
"E-everyone... now's our chance. If we strike while the inspector's here, we won't even get sent to the Punishment Room!"
-How inexperienced. Did you really think we wouldn't prepare for that?
The knights shook their heads at the students' amateurish behavior.
They had already fortified their encirclement upon hearing the Skeleton Principal's orders. 'I feel like I've seen this before last semester too,' Lee Han thought as he dismounted from Uman's back.
Every semester began with some kind of chaos at the front gate—it seemed to be an Einrogard tradition.
Seizing what they thought was an opportunity, the students fiercely charged forward despite the encirclement. The Death Knights skillfully conjured magical shields and began herding the students.
"Stop! Stop!"
Uman, tears welling in his eyes at this unbelievable spectacle, unleashed Dragon Fear.
A dragon's roar, commonly referred to as Dragon Fear, was no mere shout. It was a powerful area-of-effect ability unleashed through pure draconic mana.
Except for those like Lee Han, who could withstand it through sheer mana capacity, or professors who habitually maintained defensive spells, everyone staggered and dropped to their knees.
"Why are the honorable students of Einrogard causing such a disturbance?!"
"Wh-who is that?"
"They say he's the new inspector."
"Everyone, wait in an orderly manner! I, Uman, will personally oversee the entrance inspections!"
"!"
The quick-witted students exchanged glances.
This... 'Wait, does this mean we don't have to smuggle anymore?' As Einrogard students, they had to be quick to adapt.
A few seasoned third-years immediately abandoned their smuggling preparations and took out their contraband.
They reasoned that with the inspector here, supplies would simply be allowed in.
"Just let us through?"
"Hurry, take out your stuff! No need to hide—bring in as much as you can!"
The fifth and sixth-years went in first. When Lee Han made eye contact with Diret, he gave a polite, slight bow.
As for Senior Yukveltire, she just stared blankly, indifferent to whether he went in or not.
"......"
Diret whispered to the friend beside him.
"Did you feel something just now?"
"Are you talking about the inspector's mana?"
"...No... The respect from our junior... Never mind. If you didn't notice, forget it."
The fifth and sixth-years finished quickly, just like last time.
Then came the second to fourth-years. 'Ah. Senior Dhumcha.' Lee Han brightened at the familiar face.
This third-year from the Black Turtle Tower had the trustworthy face of a dwarf craftsman but harbored a sleazy mind, having once tried to trick a junior into being smuggling bait.
To be fair, that was the average for an Einrogard senior, but it didn't make it any less despicable. 'Wait... Did he give up on smuggling?' Lee Han was baffled when the senior confidently dragged a massive backpack behind him.
He wasn't new to smuggling—why would he make such a mistake now?
"Here you go!"
—Are you insane?
The knights were dumbfounded.
Was this some kind of protest to get sent to the Punishment Room?
"Hmph. Ask His Excellency the Inspector."
As commotion broke out at the checkpoint, Uman—now in human form—approached and inspected the backpack.
"Sugar, tea leaves, canned goods, wine, gold coins..."
"Supplies to survive in Einrogard. Hehe."
"These cannot be permitted!"
"?!"
When Uman declared this firmly, Dhumcha was stunned.
Wasn't he the inspector?!
"Wh-why not?!"
"If students prepare meals haphazardly, it could lead to nutritional imbalances or, worst case, food poisoning. Don't worry. I, Uman, have prepared a diet plan for Einrogard students."
Uman pulled out another booklet titled Healthy Meals for Mages.
"The gold coins?! Gold coins aren't food ingredients!"
"Excessive monetary inflow into the school could cause disputes. If you need gold coins, submit a written application. I, Uman, will personally review and approve it!"
The expressions of the students behind him darkened.
Those who had sought funding from imperial bureaucrats, external investors, or sponsors knew all too well—
—how finicky they could be!
At least the Skeleton Principal, being a fellow magic academy headmaster, would try his best to approve even the weirdest proposals.
Would an inspector really fund A Study on the Gem Preferences of Metal Spirits?
"P-prepare the smuggling again!"
"I said wait in an orderly manner!"
When the students behind him began to murmur, Uman sternly suppressed them. The faces of those who had lost their smuggling preparations in an instant turned blank with despair.
Lee Han thought to himself:
This semester isn't going to be easy either.