Episode 1097
Episode 1097
"Foolish brats, the lot of them."
The Skeleton Principal, now in human form, muttered beside him. Lee Han wore an awkward expression.
'Why is this person here?'
Normally, this man would be at the checkpoint tormenting students, but it was clear he had come here because Uman was present.
"You'll soon come to miss my teachings."
"Eh. I doubt it'll come to that."
......
The Death Knight beside them let out an admiring sigh.
Though he was always impressed by the heir's talents in various ways, this level of boldness was particularly awe-inspiring.
How could someone say such things right to their master's face?
"Uman is closer to a vampire or an incubus than a dragon. He doesn't suck blood or dreams—he feeds on joy."
'Does Einrogard even have any joy to begin with?' Lee Han thought to himself again. The Skeleton Principal gave him a spiteful look.
"You're thinking Einrogard has no joy to begin with, aren't you?"
"!"
"I see you suspect me of using mind-reading magic."
'Is this person seriously using magic right now?'
"But it's not magic—it's observation. Your thoughts are painfully obvious. Fine. You'll find out soon enough anyway. The truth is, Einrogard was once a place brimming with joy."
......
"......"
Even the Death Knights stared at their master in disbelief.
No matter how you spun it, that was an absurdly shameless claim.
"Uman will hound you with magic every moment outside of break time."
"Uh, but that's already how it is normally."
"Wizard Cards? Hmph. Uman despises nothing more than grown men playing Wizard Cards."
"I don't play them anyway..."
"Same goes for polo. In Uman's eyes, nothing wastes time quite like that."
"I agree with that too."
"......"
The Skeleton Principal fell silent.
Upon reflection, this particular disciple beside him was the least affected by threats regarding Uman.
What was the point of threatening to take away joy from a student who already lived without it?
'I picked the wrong opponent.'
The Skeleton Principal abruptly turned and strode toward Gainando. Lee Han stared at his retreating back in disbelief.
Does this guy have no shame?
The checkpoint inspections were finally over.
Thanks to the Young Prince's help, Lee Han had managed to slip through the basement undetected, but the other students weren't so lucky.
Uman gave them a regretful lecture.
"Students of Einrogard! You are the ones who will bear the future of the Empire..."
A lengthy admonishment followed—about how those responsible for the Empire's future shouldn't waste time eating strange things or indulging in trivial amusements.
The expressions of the Einrogard students grew as dull as a foggy day. Some of the sharper ones were already muttering about how they were doomed.
"My speech has gone on too long. You must all be weary from your journey, so rest after your meal. Everyone, to the banquet hall!"
"???"
"Einrogard has a banquet hall?"
Students who hadn't diligently snuck out at night tilted their heads in confusion at the mention of a "banquet hall."
What was a banquet hall?
Literally, a place where banquets were held. Naturally, it was an unfamiliar term to Einrogard students.
"It... did exist. I just didn't know it was usable."
"Wasn't it just like a museum? I didn't know Einrogard had a place like this."
Even those who knew of its existence found the banquet hall unfamiliar. They whispered among themselves as they moved toward it.
But surprisingly, when the large brass doors swung open, a fully prepared banquet hall greeted them.
A long, massive dining table with enough space for students from each tower to gather and still have seats to spare.
Unlike the usually pitch-black tower lounges that required students to light their own lamps, the hall was bright and radiant.
'Hm. Seems everyone's standards have dropped too low.'
Lee Han observed the awestruck students beside him and thought to himself.
To be honest, if one thought about it objectively, Einrogard's banquet hall wasn't particularly more splendid or beautiful compared to banquet halls outside the academy.
If anything, it lacked many things.
But the students already seemed to think, 'For an Einrogard banquet hall, this is pretty amazing.'
In truth, even Lee Han was slightly swayed by the atmosphere—such was the terrifying power of expectations.
"Can we sit? We won't get sent to the Punishment Room for sitting, right?"
"Last time I snuck in here, it was completely empty. I guess there were tables and chairs after all."
Amidst the murmuring, the students eventually took their seats.
Though they tried to act nonchalant, traces of excitement were visible on everyone's faces. This was the first time any of them had started a new semester in a banquet hall.
Once everyone was seated, the candles on the table lit up. Gasps erupted from all directions.
"Wow! Candles!"
"...Wait, are we really supposed to be impressed by this?"
Someone muttered as if they still had their wits about them, but it didn't make much of a difference. The anticipation in the air was steadily rising.
Ding-ding-ding
While the students were marveling, Uman rang a bell. Before anyone realized, Uman and the faculty had gathered at the front of the banquet hall.
The professors' attitudes toward the new inspector varied greatly.
Some, like the Skeleton Principal, were indifferent or apathetic. Others, like Professor Garcia, were filled with worry and concern. Then there were those like Professor Bendozol, who looked ready to wag their tails at the dragon inspector immediately.
Though, to be fair, the last category only really applied to Professor Bendozol.
"Today, to properly host the mages of Einrogard, Uman has personally prepared the meal. I do hope it meets your expectations."
"This alone is already splendid, Your Highness!"
"Long live the next headmaster!"
Cheers erupted here and there at the prospect of a free meal. Lee Han would have bet an Empire gold coin that the Skeleton Principal had just memorized the names of those who shouted.
"Tch. Those were the students who supported me last time..."
Professor Zorjik muttered in a voice thick with betrayal.
Last time, those same students had pledged to support him as the next headmaster—only to flip sides as easily as turning a palm.
Professor Garcia patted his back sympathetically.
"First, enjoy the aperitif. It's not alcohol, but a drink far superior to it."
Glass goblets materialized before the students. Inside, a black, viscous liquid sloshed around.
It looked like... tar boiled thoroughly and mixed with medicinal herbs...?
"U-um, is this really safe to drink?"
"Did the Headmaster hire a fake inspector to trick us?"
For a moment, Lee Han almost found that convincing. If he hadn't known Uman was a real imperial, he might have believed it.
"It seems like a real drink... No poison, at least. I don't sense any energy from it."
"Really? Looks poisonous to me."
The students lifted their goblets hesitantly. Some from the Alchemy School even began testing for toxins.
"Gah!"
"Ugh!"
"Bleh!"
Those who drank the aperitif all twisted their faces in agony, letting out pained groans.
"Wh-what the hell? Tastes like Gainando's boiled hodgepodge soup."
"Worse than that!"
Lee Han also grimaced. He could usually stomach even the most unpalatable meals, but this was pushing it.
The drink seemed to amplify every possible flavor, mix them together, and finish with an overwhelming bitterness.
What kind of drink was this supposed to be?
"It's an herbal liquor made from the Seven Herbs of the Dragon. Uman brewed it himself. It will purify your souls and cleanse the impurities from your flesh."
Uman spoke with evident pride.
And indeed, his words held truth. Like a powerful potion, this drink restored the body and purified mana...
Though, considering the taste, wouldn't it have been better to just drink a potion?!
"Everyone seems satisfied. Next is the appetizer."
The glasses disappeared and bowls appeared.
Monkfish soup boiled with ginger and lime. Crackers topped with orange, olive, coconut, pickled herring, and cheese. And a walnut and fruit salad.
This time, the dishes looked somewhat normal, making the students sigh in relief.
"Lee Han, this looks okay!"
"Wait a mome—"
Lee Han tried to stop him, but Gainando grabbed the soup bowl with a bright expression.
The drink they'd just consumed had needlessly amplified their hunger.
"...Cough!"
Gainando dropped his spoon.
This time too, the flavor was so intense it was impossible to identify—a taste that seemed to violently shake open every single taste bud!
'I tried to stop him because of the magic...' Lee Han had noticed the undulating magical energy in the monkfish soup first.
Normally, ingredients like ginger, lime, or monkfish wouldn't cause such turbulent magic. It was clear Uman had added another one of the dragonkin's secret herbs.
Looking around, students who had eaten the crackers or salad were similarly suffering.
"Appetizers seasoned with dragon spices. The intense flavor will stimulate your metabolism and invigorate your mana circulation."
"Hmm. Has Your Highness perhaps judged that Einrogard students haven't suffered enough yet?"
The Skeleton Principal, who had sampled the dishes beside them, muttered under his breath.
While it was his usual stance that Einrogard students needed hardship and trials, he hadn't wished for anything this cruel.
What exactly had the students done to deserve this?
"Now that the appetizers are done, we should bring out the main course."
"E-Excuse me, Your Highness. May I ask something?"
Professor Garcia cautiously raised her hand to inquire.
"Please, ask away, Professor Garcia. What is your question?"
"Is this... just a special treat for today?"
"Not at all! For this entire semester, I, Uman, intend to personally prepare meals for both students and faculty. I've already gathered all the necessary ingredients for it."
"......"
"...OUTSIDERS, GET OUT!!"
Crash!
As someone hurled a plate, it became the signal—students rose from their seats everywhere, smashing tableware.
Being tormented by the Skeleton Principal was unfair enough, but to endure this torture from an outsider for an entire semester?
Even as lethal spells flew through the air, Uman didn't bat an eye. Instead, he let out a thunderous roar—!
The spells couldn't withstand the force of the roar and dissipated instantly. Lee Han watched in awe.
So pure mana could be applied like that! 'Maybe even a dragon's roar could be replicated through magic...'
"Everyone, calm down. What is the meaning of this?"
"The food tastes terrible!"
"Just because of that?"
Uman looked genuinely shocked, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
How could Einrogard students say something so childish?
"Food is for health, not taste. Chasing flavor alone disrupts the balance of mind and body."
"We don't care about that! We just want something tasty to eat!"
"I cannot allow this! As an inspector, I, Uman, will correct your way of thinking!"
With a gesture from Uman, knights dragged away the student who had shouted.
Though not the Punishment Room, they would be taken to a chapel and subjected to meals and sermons until they were "convinced."
The Skeleton Principal whispered to Professor Garcia beside him.
"Since the students are suffering anyway, and troublemakers are being sent off, was there really a need for an inspector to come?"
"Don't look so pleased about this situation..."
As Professor Garcia muttered with a devastated expression, Lee Han pulled out his notebook. 'I might need to increase my outings.'
Who would have thought Einrogard could get even worse?
This was something even Lee Han hadn't anticipated.