Episode 1270
Episode 1270
Though it seemed like a reckless and thoughtless method, it was actually the most effective approach in this situation.
If he'd tried to resolve things here by saying something like "Everyone! You must keep this a secret!" he would've just ended up hearing Professor Garcia appear behind him asking, "Student Lee Han? What are you doing here?"
Even if he had to make excuses, he needed to quickly escape the scene first before doing so. That was a lesson he'd learned at Einrogard.
'If you don't get caught, you can always make excuses later. Blame it on mass hallucinations or the wicked magic of Evil God Worshippers...'
Perhaps sensing their friend's desperation, Einrogard students began emerging from all directions.
Seeing them act without a moment's hesitation made Lee Han's chest tighten unexpectedly.
Indeed, when in danger, the only ones you can rely on are your friends!
"What the hell did you do?!"
"Even waving a flag saying 'Wardanaz was here' would've been better than this!!"
"N-now everyone. Please calm down."
Paridim, a student from another magic academy, said in a flustered voice.
The anger of the Einrogard students was more intense than expected.
"From what I can see, it was an unavoidable situation. The circumstances were quite unusual..."
Paridim had roughly guessed what had happened.
Even if he hadn't realized at first, once things had progressed to a certain point, how could anyone not notice the extra-dimensional monsters crawling out through the cracks in the sky?
When dealing with such creatures, a swift resolution was more important than anything else. If you carelessly dragged things out, the scale of the incident could grow dozens of times worse.
"We know that too!?"
"And you're not even an Einrogard student!"
"...M-my apologies."
Under the scolding from Yoner and Gainando, Paridim shrank back.
'Einrogard is truly terrifying...!'
He suddenly missed the quiet and peaceful Oculogard.
"Paridim is right. It really was an unavoidable situation."
"Like how it's 'unavoidable' to take all the exams first?"
"Was it really unavoidable? Like how it's 'unavoidable' to chase after Professor Bagrak?"
His friends were full of suspicion.
This friend from the Wardanaz family had a habit of doing whatever he wanted and then claiming it was "unavoidable."
Take Professor Voladi's incident, for example, or the midterms.
Come to think of it, those probably weren't actually unavoidable, were they?
At their sharp criticism, Professor Voladi, who was driving the carriage outside, flinched.
"I'm telling you, this time it really was unavoidable."
Lee Han explained with complete sincerity.
Of course, Lee Han had indeed used the "it was unavoidable" excuse to justify certain actions before.
Like when he'd shot a water orb at the back of a dozing friend who hadn't done their homework and then claimed "it was unavoidable"...
But this time, it truly was unavoidable.
"Do you think I wanted to show everyone me turning into a Black Dragon?"
"......"
"......"
His friends had no choice but to accept that.
Well, that much was certainly true!
"Uman doesn't quite understand... Isn't the rumor about making a contract with a dragon more important than transforming into one?"
Uman pulled out a thermos of hot tea from midair to recover his exhausted body.
This tea, brewed with leaves infused with powerful magic, was a recovery item prepared for battle.
Dragons like Uman possessed not only racial advantages but also the advantage of vast wealth, making them several times harder to deal with.
Gulp, gulp—
After swallowing the tea to somewhat restore his overworked throat and magic power, Uman looked around at the students.
He couldn't understand why they were so fixated on the dragon transformation.
Of course, transforming into a dragon was impressive enough in itself. Among the Empire's Transmutation Magic practitioners, only a handful could transform into dragons.
"But contrary to rumors, transforming into a dragon doesn't necessarily require recognition from the dragon race. It's just an extremely difficult transformation—the method exists, that's all."
Compared to that, making a contract with a dragon...
"Having a contract with a dragon is practically the same as receiving recognition from the entire dragon race. It holds far greater significance, doesn't it?"
"I'm well aware."
Lee Han replied in a flat tone.
Having already had nightmares about standing before the Court of Dragons multiple times, he couldn't help but sound indifferent to Uman's redundant explanation.
"If that rumor spreads, Lee Han of the Wardanaz family, you'll be in more than just ordinary trouble, won't you?"
Uman looked at Lee Han with concern.
Had this been back when he'd just become an inspector, he might have said something like, 'Making a contract with a dragon is an honorable feat! Congratulations!' But his position had matured Uman as well.
Now, Uman had come to understand something.
The fact that sometimes, additional glory could be far too excessive for certain individuals!
Lee Han was already receiving proposals from multiple magic towers and noble families. If rumors spread that he had recreated the legendary feat of contracting with a dragon—the kind only found in ancient tales...
A chill ran down Uman's spine.
For some inexplicable reason, the Emperor's enigmatic voice suddenly surfaced in his mind.
"I know, Your Highness."
Lee Han replied in an exhausted voice. While transforming into a dragon had physically drained him, the mental fatigue was far worse.
...Because Jowurin had been sitting silently beside him this whole time.
Honestly, it was terrifying!
If Jowurin had gotten angry, burst into tears, or rolled around on the floor (all expected reactions), Lee Han might have felt somewhat reassured. But this eerie, wordless silence was downright frightening.
What on earth was he planning?
"The rumor about contracting with a dragon can be refuted somehow. Since I never actually made a contract with Your Highness, I can deny it as much as needed—whether by invoking the Headmaster's authority or swearing on my family name..."
Since it wasn't the truth, bold denials were possible.
He could freely leverage either the Headmaster's reputation or the Wardanaz family's name to declare, 'Lee Han never contracted with that Black Dragon.'
Of course, some baseless rumors would likely persist, but cultured and sensible people would surely believe him.
"Ah! That's a way to handle it."
"Yes. But the matter of transforming into a dragon... Hmm."
"???"
"His Highness Jowurin..."
"Ah."
Only then did Uman realize what the students were truly worried about.
Lee Han had mentioned it once before.
"I see what you mean. But Lee Han! Let me take this opportunity to say something bold—since we didn't get the chance last time. My elder sister isn't the type of dragon to get jealous over such matters!"
'Is His Highness going to die?'
Gainando whispered to Paridim.
He was completely misreading the situation.
If an enraged Jowurin reverted to his true form and attacked, Gainando planned to flee the carriage with Lee Han.
No matter how sturdy the magic carriage was, it wouldn't survive if those two clashed.
Paridim didn't dare attempt Divination Magic, shaking his head rapidly.
Foreseeing a battle between dragons was far beyond his current magical capabilities.
Thud!
When Jowurin rose from his seat, everyone flinched—even Uman, who had just declared his faith in his elder sister.
Uman was inwardly horrified.
'This... this is absurd! How could I... doubt my elder sister?!'
He deeply regretted the treacherous suspicion that had crossed his mind.
What Uman failed to realize was that it wasn't suspicion—it was the instinctive wariness inherent to dragonkind.
"I, Jowurin, have been thinking."
"...About, about what?"
Gainando asked absentmindedly.
Was she thinking about where to hit Uman to make him scream the loudest?
"About why Lee Han hid the fact that he could transform into a dragon from Jowurin."
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence hung over the room. Lee Han sighed and opened his mouth.
"Your Highness, the truth is..."
"No need to say it. I already know. Lee Han couldn't tell me because Jowurin wasn't trustworthy enough."
"!"
Everyone was startled. This was completely different from what they had expected.
"It's clear Lee Han couldn't tell me because he thought Jowurin would get angry or hurt. Hmm. This is truly... truly... shameful."
Jowurin spoke with deep remorse.
When Lee Han first transformed into a Black Dragon and soared into the sky, Jowurin had almost immediately transformed herself and attacked Uman.
Even though there were monsters creeping out from the sky above!
Realizing this belatedly, Jowurin felt ashamed.
Her younger brother was doing everything for the Empire's people, fighting so fiercely, and here she was, about to throw a tantrum just because her contractor could transform into a dragon similar to him.
No wonder her contractor got along so well with Uman. Both were mature and devoted, so of course they'd get along.
"So, I, Jowurin, have made a decision. I will not be a dragon who makes one-sided demands of my contractor. Instead, I will become a more mature dragon worthy of my contractor."
"Your Highness...!"
Lee Han was deeply moved.
He never imagined Jowurin would show such growth—without smashing the carriage or rolling around on the floor in a tantrum.
He'd been worried all year that she was picking up bad habits from Einrogard, but to see her like this...
"Hmm! I forgive Uman!"
"Magnificent!"
Though Uman hadn't really done anything wrong, Lee Han let it slide.
The others, seemingly moved as well, clapped from the sidelines. The Baby Basilisk sniffled and said:
-How touching...!
"Don't cry! You'll be seeing this side of Jowurin often from now on!"
Thud!
The carriage floor shook. It was the sound of Uman dropping to his knees.
"Sister! I, Uman... never imagined. I thought you would be furious."
Uman reflected deeply.
He could never have imagined that Jowurin, with her magnanimity greater than the ocean, would get angry just because her contractor was a little close to him.
"I am utterly ashamed. I, Uman, have made many mistakes at Einrogard, but to think the greatest one was hidden beneath them all..."
"Hmm. I, Jowurin, forgive Uman. Don't dwell on it too much."
"As for the matter of the Wardanaz Family's contractor transforming into a Black Dragon, please do not concern yourself. It was likely because I, Uman, visited as an inspector and sought advice."
Uman sharply analyzed the situation.
The fact that Lee Han had transformed into a Black Dragon—out of all possible dragons—was probably due to spending time with Uman himself.
"...If we're going by that logic, I think I've spent more time with Jowurin..."
"Perhaps it's because Uman left a stronger impression."
As an inspector, Uman's dedication to the Empire and Einrogard must have left a deep impression on the Wardanaz Family's contractor.
After all, wasn't this contractor also a diligent and devoted person?
In his fervor to analyze the situation, Uman failed to notice Jowurin's face twisting into an increasingly ferocious expression.
"Understood. That's enough—"
"I, Uman, will persuade the contractor somehow. Since Sister is the greater dragon, I will convince him to transform into a Gold Dragon instead! I will keep persuading him until it works!"
"......"
That evening.
A single Paper Bird slipped out of the carriage.
Its destination was the Imperial Palace.
By the Dragon's command: Uman is to be stripped of his inspector position and ordered to return. To think he'd cause such trouble for Einrogard's mages...