Episode 146
Episode 146
Lee Han felt conflicted but not surprised.
He had somewhat expected this.
A professor who would simply let students who hadn't completed their quota rest peacefully wouldn't be much of a professor.
"Understood."
Haha. Don't misunderstand—I'm not tormenting you on purpose.
"Haha. Of course not."
The Skeleton Principal cast a glance at Lee Han, as if expecting him to protest, but Lee Han didn't take the bait.
"By the way... is Professor Verdus always like that?"
Yes. Professor Verdus is... well, that's just how he is.
The two didn't need to elaborate further—they understood each other perfectly.
Tsk tsk. You should've just taken it easy. Why did you have to work so hard and catch Professor Verdus's attention...?
"?"
Lee Han paused.
The Skeleton Principal's words were strangely layered.
"Setting aside the fact that 'taking it easy' wasn't an option, I don't think I particularly caught the professor's attention."
From Lee Han's perspective, Professor Verdus didn't hold him in especially high regard.
Throughout the Enchantment Magic lessons, the professor had done nothing but criticize and complain.
-Failed again? Why is that? Ugh. It's not even that hard...
-Is your talent just that lacking?
-Failing like this... what a shame... I almost feel sorry for you...
-Your passion doesn't match your skill...
If it weren't for the fact that Lee Han had long mastered the art of letting professors' words go in one ear and out the other, any other freshman might've lunged at the professor in frustration.
That just means he really likes you. Verdus isn't the type to bother with students he doesn't care about.
"But all professors are like that—"
Wait, what?
"Never mind."
Lee Han mulled over the Skeleton Principal's words.
Professor Vible was certainly eccentric, but unlike... well, other professors, he didn't seem like the type to drag Lee Han around and force lessons on him.
Besides, he didn't seem to have high expectations for Lee Han's talent either.
'Earlier, he just went along with it because I was cooperative. If I refused, he'd probably understand.'
This festival week was going to be exhausting.
The Skeleton Principal spoke teasingly.
Professor Voladi's tent still needed to stay open for several more days, and the Skeleton Principal's magical fireworks hadn't even been made yet...
'Wait. I haven't even finished Professor Alpen's magic circle either.'
Lee Han counted on his fingers. No matter how he looked at it, this was too much.
Would he even have enough time?
"But... I don't think it's physically possible for me to handle all this."
Quit exaggerating. Besides, wouldn't any student prefer preparing for a festival over sitting through lectures?
"I think I'd rather just attend the lectures—"
Lee Han suddenly stopped mid-sentence, sensing something odd.
"Wait, there are no lectures?"
I already announced that classes would be canceled during the festival. Aren't you grateful?
"I am, but... uh... Professor Voladi still held his lecture?"
Did he?
The Skeleton Principal seemed puzzled.
Then, without missing a beat, he shrugged.
Well, that could happen.
"......"
Lee Han couldn't decide whether, after graduation, he should track down Professor Voladi first or the Skeleton Principal.
The lounge of the Blue Dragon Tower was brimming with spring energy, befitting the Spring Festival.
Friends had hung nameless wildflowers picked from the fields all around the room and scribbled their favorite festival events on the blackboard.
Gainando wore a pointed hat made by a priest and noisily chewed on thin, cream-covered biscuits gifted by a traveling snack vendor.
"Gainando! Catch this!"
"Hmph! As if I'd fall for that!"
When a friend from behind threw a clumsily made straw doll at him, Gainando hastily rolled to the side to dodge.
It was one of the festival's common traditions—a game where people threw dolls believed to carry misfortune.
If someone else caught it, superstition held that their bad luck would transfer to that person for the entire season.
"Too slow! Idiot!"
"Ah, no!"
Another waiting friend quickly threw the doll at Gainando. He caught it and immediately made a face of despair.
"Someone else! Someone else come out!"
But the friends in the lounge had already seen Gainando catch the doll and were fully prepared.
Seeing his friends hiding behind furniture or waiting with their hands clasped behind their backs, Gainando pointed accusingly.
"Cowards! You're all cowards!"
"Any means and methods are allowed during the Spring Festival, Gainando."
Just then, the lounge door opened and someone entered.
Gainando's face brightened as he hid the straw doll behind his back. He planned to catch his target off guard before throwing it.
Creak.
Lee Han entered with the most exhausted face in the world.
The deepening evening glow, intensified by the setting sun, cast heavy shadows across Lee Han's face.
"......"
"......"
The previously lively friends from the Blue Dragon Tower suddenly felt inexplicably guilty.
Some students discreetly pushed aside the toys they had been playing with.
Ashan, who had been doodling on the blackboard, flipped it over without realizing.
The Princess, who had been playing chess with a follower, pulled another student over to sit in front of the chessboard while pretending to read a book.
The weary face of the friend who always prepared their meals had a powerful effect, making all the Blue Dragon Tower students feel ashamed and apologetic.
"Why is everyone acting like this? Is it because of me?"
Lee Han looked puzzled.
"You don't have to mind me—just keep playing as you were. I don't get why you're all being so awkward."
"R-right?"
"Haha. I don't get it either."
The friends quietly retrieved the toys they had put away. Ashan flipped the blackboard back. The Princess put her book aside and picked up the chess pieces again.
Gainando's eyes gleamed as he approached Lee Han. The doll hidden behind his back swayed slightly.
"Lee Han—"
"You cowardly, despicable bastard!"
"How can you call yourself human?!"
Two students from the Blue Dragon Tower rushed over, grabbed Gainando by both arms, and dragged him away.
No decent human being could give a straw doll to an exhausted Wardanaz like that.
"Let go! Let go of me! You said any means and methods were allowed!"
"Shut up!"
Watching Gainando being dragged off, Lee Han flopped onto the sofa.
He was too exhausted to even ask why Gainando had been acting like that.
"Did everyone enjoy the festival?"
"Of course. Wardanaz, what about you?"
"I was running Professor Voladi's tent, and then the Skeleton Principal asked me to make magical fireworks, so I was stuck in the workshop."
"...Hey. Put the toys away. Put them away."
Hearing Lee Han's words, his friends scrambled to stash the festival toys they'd received.
Lee Han waved his hands dismissively.
"It's fine... And everyone, be careful when the Headmaster sets off the fireworks. Don't get too close."
"Why?"
Gainando, who had his straw doll confiscated, asked in confusion.
"Just don't, you idiot."
"What did I even do wrong...?!"
Gainando protested indignantly.
Sure, he had tried to pull a fast one by throwing the straw doll at an exhausted Lee Han, but...!
A red-haired girl handed over a steaming tin cup with a small note attached:
-Free! (If you ask the price, it's Gainando's fault)
"...Thanks, Yoner."
"It's nothing."
"...Was I too fixated on prices?"
Lee Han suddenly felt a little self-conscious and asked Yoner, who feigned ignorance.
"Not really?"
As the hot, sugar-laden coffee went down, he felt somewhat more awake.
Lee Han turned to his friends.
"What did you all do at the festival today?"
"I helped Professor Thunderstep. He had an event where we brewed and sampled potions—even the visiting guests loved it."
"I see... Maybe if I ever go into business, I should consider holding events like this periodically..."
"Lee Han. You might have been born for gold coins."
Even while exhausted and collapsed, Yoner was impressed by Lee Han who kept coming up with fiery business ideas like this.
"I was standing in line earlier to get snacks. Someone from outside came in to make them."
"Is that allowed?"
"I heard they got permission? Maybe the priests invited them."
"As expected of the priests..."
The students murmured among themselves, moved.
In this land even abandoned by professors, the only ones trustworthy were the priests.
"And there were quite a few guests from outside, actually? I saw people from other schools earlier."
"What? Really? Where?"
"I couldn't talk to them so I don't know where exactly... The atmosphere wasn't right for asking. They were walking away with nosebleeds streaming down."
"Ah. Now that you mention it? I also saw the White Tiger Tower guys earlier walking around with nosebleeds. What's up with that?"
Lee Han, still lying down, warned his friends.
"Right. Don't go near Professor Voladi's tent either."
"Why?"
Gainando asked without much thought.
"Just don't, you idiot."
"Why do you keep picking on the Wardanaz kid!"
"N-no! I wasn't!"
Under his friends' scolding, Gainando felt doubly wronged.
It's natural to be curious!
"Speaking of which, since Wardanaz mentioned magic fireworks, didn't the Headmaster say he'd hold a magic fireworks event?"
"I heard he's planning something else besides the fireworks too... Suddenly getting a bad feeling about this."
"But the Headmaster's plans were always shady to begin with."
"True. Should we just avoid all events?"
Lee Han listened to his friends' chatter while lying down.
'I didn't expect this many outside guests would come. What a waste.'
Had he known, he could've used this chance to attempt an escape...
What a truly regrettable missed opportunity.
'But it's not over yet.'
Just as Lee Han's matters with Professor Voladi, the Skeleton Principal, and others weren't concluded yet, the Spring Festival had only just begun today.
In the remaining time, he'd try to make maximum contact with outside guests to find an escape route!
...Of course, he'd have to operate Professor Voladi's tent, make the Skeleton Principal's magic fireworks, complete Professor Alpen's magic circle, and only then find spare time for contact, but still...
"Lee Han."
When Lee Han finished his coffee, Yoner whispered in a low voice, careful not to be overheard by others.
"What is it? Planning to beat up Gainando or something?"
"No. Not that..."
Yoner pulled out a potion bottle. Then with a grave expression, he said:
"Don't be shocked by what I'm about to tell you."
"Alright."
"...That horse might actually be a griffin."
"I see."
"You're not surprised?"
"At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if Gainando turned out to be a kraken. Yoner. Let's go."
Lee Han got up.
Tired or not, this needed to be checked personally.
Hearing Lee Han's words, Yoner half-doubtfully requested help from priests of the Flemeng Order.
The result revealed an astonishing truth.
...The potion Ponlig from the stables had drunk wasn't an animal transformation potion, but a curse-breaking potion.
"But Lee Han... Even so, Professor Lightning Step? That makes no sense."
"Yoner. Don't trust professors. No, don't trust anyone at this school."
Lee Han spoke gravely. Yoner nodded.
If that horse really was a griffin, Yoner didn't think he could trust any professor anymore.
-Woof.
Sharkan, who'd followed Lee Han out, barked beside them. Though Lee Han didn't understand leopard language, he could roughly guess what Sharkan was saying.
'Probably something like "You said you'd do this and that."'
Lee Han patted Sharkan apologetically. He felt especially guilty for neglecting him during the festival.
When they arrived at the stables, the door creaked open.
And Lee Han and Yoner locked eyes with the person emerging from within.
Someone entirely covered in black cloth, face and all.
"...Not Ratford! Yoner! Thief!"
"!!!"