Episode 143
Episode 143
As things passed more smoothly than expected, a thought popped into Lee Han's head.
'It must be my good deeds bringing me luck.'
And then another thought followed.
'If I get another chance later, can I step on him again?'
Lee Han shook his head.
Pride comes before a fall.
No matter how enjoyable it was, stepping on the professor's toes twice was dangerous business.
"Professor. Since they're guests from outside, I'll take care of hosting them."
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes."
Lee Han spoke firmly. Professor Voladi didn't try to stop him.
Because he wasn't particularly interested in the outside guests.
'He must be excited about the festival.'
Professor Voladi assumed Lee Han was clearly excited about the festival.
Otherwise, why would he be so eager to host guests from a place like Baldrogard?
"It's an honor to meet you."
At Lee Han's polite greeting, the Baldrogard professor couldn't help but be impressed.
The empire's nobles often proved their lineage through the smallest details.
Accents, habits, behavior—in every fleeting moment, nobles could discern each other's standing.
This was why newly wealthy lower noble families, trying to act like the empire's ancient high noble houses, often became laughingstocks.
They could accumulate grand mansions and wealth, but not the history and traditions of a noble house.
And the demeanor the boy before him displayed was something only someone from a high noble house could pull off.
Even the grumbling Baldrogard students slightly closed their mouths in response.
"Which house are you from?"
"The Wardanaz family."
"Wardanaz! Indeed... You're certainly worthy of Einrogard."
The visiting professor spoke with praise in his voice. But to Lee Han, it didn't sound much like praise.
'Being worthy of Einrogard is clearly a compliment, so why does it sound so depressing?'
Lee Han changed the subject.
"We've heard much about Baldrogard's reputation even here."
At those words, the students' faces brightened slightly.
No compliment could feel sweeter than one coming from an Einrogard student right before their eyes.
Of course, Lee Han had never actually heard of Baldrogard's reputation at school.
Who had time to chat idly about Baldrogard when they were busy just surviving and doing assignments?
"Is that so? That makes me very happy."
But it was clear that Lee Han's well-intentioned lie had pleased them.
Everyone from Baldrogard seemed to have brightened up.
As Lee Han watched the happily smiling students, a sudden question occurred to him.
'But how are Baldrogard students able to visit another school's festival?'
Baldrogard.
All Lee Han knew was that it was located in the western part of the empire and only accepted students from noble families.
But wasn't it still a magic school?
Surely Baldrogard students were also suffering and struggling within their suffocating school walls.
So how...?
"But how... did you manage to visit the festival?"
"?"
The visiting professor didn't immediately understand Lee Han's question.
"What do you mean?"
"Well... students aren't allowed to leave, right?"
"??"
The Baldrogard professor stared at Lee Han as if wondering what he was talking about.
"Ah, do you mean... not being allowed to leave during lectures? Or at night?"
"...After classes... in your free time... aren't you forbidden from leaving the school?"
As he asked, Lee Han felt a creeping dread.
No way.
No way...?
"What a joke!"
The professor burst out laughing. Lee Han's face stiffened.
"That's... not the case?"
"Of course not! Why would anyone forbid students from leaving school in their free time?"
"Oh..."
Unaware of Lee Han's inner turmoil, the Baldrogard professor continued his cheerful explanation.
Baldrogard was located near a large city, and after classes, students would often ride horses into town to enjoy various leisure activities before returning.
Occasionally, some hot-blooded students would get drunk in the evening and cause trouble, but wasn't that just the unavoidable exuberance of youth?
For nobles, such social activities were also an important virtue.
'These imperial nobles are truly insufferable bastards.'
Lee Han thought to himself.
Those damn bastards!
"Then this trip... you just came here without any issues?"
"Yes. When students apply to travel around the empire to gain experience, their requests are usually approved."
"But surely there must be some restrictions, right? Not just anyone can go, correct?"
Lee Han found himself pressing the matter stubbornly without even realizing it.
If he didn't, he would feel too wronged.
"Ah, there are some rules."
"Right...! Like only those who've made significant contributions to the school can go?"
"That would be too harsh. Students who cause disturbances in the city more than four times a month are banned from going out for a week."
"......"
Lee Han now understood why Professor Voladi had treated Baldrogard like trash.
Wasn't it precisely because of such lax rules that the nobles' minds were rotting away?
'Get a grip.'
Lee Han steadied his mind.
He might envy the Baldrogard students, but what would change by dwelling on it now?
The important thing was to make a good impression on the visiting guests.
Connections had to be cultivated in advance—one never knew when or where they might be needed.
After graduation, he might end up working under a mage from Baldrogard.
"What year are the students who came here?"
"Second and third years."
"...So second and third years can travel together...? Ah, is it because first years aren't allowed to join, so that's why?"
"What are you talking about...? First years can join too. They just chose to travel elsewhere, so their route was different."
"!"
Lee Han was shocked once again.
Surprisingly, Baldrogard didn't segregate their first years!
'...Makes sense.'
Now that he thought about it, if they could freely leave the city, there was no reason to separate the first years.
"Why do you ask...? Does Einrogard segregate first years?"
"Yes."
Lee Han answered honestly, but the guests from Baldrogard didn't believe him.
Instead, they burst into laughter, impressed by what they thought was a joke.
"What a joke...!"
"Ahahahaha!"
"If you segregate first years, they can't participate in social events, parties, or club activities—they can't do anything!"
Lee Han stared gloomily at the sky.
'I wish they'd just disappear.'
He had thought making a good impression on outside guests wouldn't be too difficult, but it was proving harder than expected.
Even after the conversation ended, the Baldrogard students didn't leave.
Instead, they showed excessive curiosity toward the Dodging Water Orbs event set up near the tent.
"What's that?"
"It's an event we're running during the festival."
The Baldrogard students were polite but extremely eager to participate.
Of course, Lee Han had no desire to hurl water orbs at the faces of Baldrogard students.
With the White Tiger Tower students, he had no choice—they charged in even after warnings—but the Baldrogard students didn't even need exit permits.
"Can we participate too?"
"You can, but the prize is an exit permit. It'd be useless to you, wouldn't it?"
"That's fine! A greater prize than that is honor itself."
'These damn bastards.'
Lee Han seethed.
While Baldrogard students could go out whenever they pleased, for Einrogard students, a single exit permit was worth almost as much as their lives.
And these idiots were after it just for their own pride?
Did imperial nobles have no conscience?
"...Very well. Go ahead and participate."
"!"
As soon as Lee Han gave permission, the Baldrogard students raised their hands without hesitation, as if competing to go first.
They would prove they were superior to Einrogard students, no matter what!
"Please allow me to go first."
"Considering magical prowess, I should go first. Aren't I the most outstanding in defensive magic?"
"There's no need to even resort to defensive magic. I'll handle it with my Divination Magic."
"With Physical Enhancement Magic..."
Watching the arguing students, Lee Han picked up his staff. Then he exchanged glances with Professor Voladi.
Professor Voladi nodded. Lee Han also nodded.
The master and disciple understood exactly what needed to be done without exchanging words.
Baldrogard?
The floating Skeleton Principal, drifting through the air, looked puzzled at the sight of students from another school leaving with blood streaming from their noses.
Had Baldrogard students come visiting?
"Yes. It seems they heard about the festival during their travels and stopped by."
Tsk tsk... leisurely traveling around. No wonder their magic is lacking.
"......"
Who hit them?
"Well, injuries are inevitable when testing magic..."
The Skeleton Principal enhanced his hearing.
-Don't be too disheartened. Your opponents were upperclassmen who've trained in magic far longer than you.
-But to be so completely overwhelmed...
-Professor. Were they fourth-years? Fifth-years?
-Now, that's unimportant. I'll heal you, so once the bleeding stops, go enjoy the festival elsewhere.
?
The Skeleton Principal couldn't comprehend for a moment.
Some swollen lump of a fourth or fifth-year had ignored the Headmaster's orders and stuck their nose into the freshmen's festival?
'That can't be right.'
Students around fourth or fifth year generally understand how the school operates, at least roughly.
They wouldn't be caught doing something like that. The Skeleton Principal quickly traced the blood trails left by the Baldrogard students.
...Aha!
Seeing Professor Voladi and Lee Han standing together, the Skeleton Principal understood everything.
No wonder!
Well done. You've upheld Einrogard's honor.
Spotting the approaching Headmaster, Lee Han bowed his head.
"Not at all. I'm only ashamed that I failed to control my strength and injured my opponents."
Nonsense. It couldn't be helped.
When the Skeleton Principal unexpectedly offered comfort, Lee Han looked puzzled.
Those Baldrogard fools are just trash playing with magic toys funded by stupid nobles' money—of course you had to use some force.
Surprisingly, someone like Professor Voladi is among the more intact ones.
Unfazed by the Headmaster's harsh words, Lee Han responded without changing expression.
"That's not true. The Baldrogard students were quite exceptional."
Coming from the guy who twisted an upperclassman's wrist like a child's, that's utterly unconvincing! You should show more arrogance.
"......"
Despite the Headmaster's provocation, Lee Han remained unshaken and composed.
After all, in all the old tales, those who listen to the devil's whispers end up with ruined lives.
When Lee Han didn't react, the Skeleton Principal made a bored expression.
How dull... Anyway, let's go.
"Where to, sir?"
Professor Bagrak. Is our time up?
At the Headmaster's question, Professor Voladi nodded.
They'd previously agreed with the Headmaster to share Lee Han's time, and the allotted period had just ended.
"It's over."
Professor Voladi cleared the letters and closed the tent flap.
Only belatedly realizing the situation, Lee Han stared at Professor Voladi with shocked eyes.
"?"
Unfortunately, Professor Voladi didn't understand Lee Han's gaze. Lee Han thought to himself:
'I should've stepped on them one more time earlier.'
Do you know why I have to do this?
Following the Skeleton Principal, Lee Han answered respectfully.
"Because you're a benevolent educator who cherishes your students, Headmaster."
...Don't say such disgusting, creepy things. The Emperor ordered it.
'Ah.'
Lee Han realized belatedly.
He'd thought it was the Headmaster's hobby, but now that he considered it, this was far too enjoyable for the freshmen to be just that.
Of course, Lee Han wasn't enjoying it at all, despite being a freshman...
"How may I assist you?"
Various things. Let's start with magic fireworks.
"Aren't those usually for the festival's opening?"
Lee Han was surprised the Skeleton Principal had such sensibility, though he wondered if it wasn't a bit late.
Were they for the ending?
I'll shoot them at the students.
"......"