Episode 148
Episode 148
"Well, I suppose that's true."
"?!"
Yoner was taken aback by Lee Han's response.
It was the first time in his life he'd heard someone say the undead needed rest.
Had there been some development in black magic circles that Yoner wasn't aware of?
"How exactly would the guard shifts work?"
Hmm... I suppose we'd select a few students from each tower to patrol at night.
'No matter how I think about it, this doesn't seem like a particularly useful method.'
Lee Han didn't believe that having a few freshmen wandering around at night would actually help catch any intruders.
If anything, it seemed more likely they'd be the ones getting caught.
"Isn't this somewhat dangerous?"
No need to worry. Even if something unexpected happens, the Summons will be able to handle everything.
'But you just said even the undead need rest...'
Though the Skeleton Principal had immediately contradicted his own statement, Lee Han remained unfazed as he replied:
"Is that really so?"
'I'm starting to think the Headmaster might be the more dangerous one here.'
This was the same person who'd been making magical fireworks—no, magical ammunition—to use against students.
His sudden insistence on forcing freshmen to take mandatory nighttime strolls seemed highly suspicious.
"We should be careful."
"Huh?"
When Lee Han muttered this after the Headmaster left, Yoner gave him a puzzled look.
Of course they'd need to be careful while keeping watch for intruders.
"Right? We don't know what kind of people might be among those intruders..."
"No. I meant we should be careful of the Headmaster, not the intruders."
"......"
Nilia adjusted her grip on her bow as she walked, her steps light and cheerful.
Surprisingly, students from other towers had readily accepted the Skeleton Principal's order to patrol at night.
While students like Lee Han operated on the principle of "If I want to go out, any time is curfew time" regardless of permission, most students actually avoided going out after evening.
Rules were rules, and they tended to avoid breaking them.
But now that they'd been given legal permission to roam around, how could they not be excited?
In contrast, Ratford's expression as he followed Nilia was grim.
"What's wrong?"
"You shouldn't underestimate thieves. They could be hiding anywhere, waiting for an opportunity to steal."
True to his professional thief instincts, Ratford had reacted strongly to the Headmaster's warning that thieves might infiltrate the school during the Spring Festival.
After all, thieves were precisely the type to seize any opportunity that presented itself.
"It doesn't seem that serious though...?"
Nilia tilted her head in confusion.
If it were truly dangerous, the Headmaster wouldn't have students doing patrols, would he?
"Maybe he just wants us to walk around as a precaution? And to enjoy the festival atmosphere?"
"Indeed... if that's the case, it would be fortunate."
Ratford nodded.
A festival wasn't just about laughing, chatting and enjoying events.
Preparing for the festival, patrolling, and guarding against thieves were all part of the festival experience too.
It had been the same when Ratford lived in the city.
People often enjoyed preparing for festivals more than the festivals themselves.
"Right? It probably won't be dangerous at all."
"Yes. It brings back memories."
"Wow... you've helped prepare festivals before?"
Nilia looked at Ratford with something like envy.
Though she wasn't ashamed of being born and raised in the mountains, there were times when she envied city kids.
This was one of those times.
While city-born students got to enjoy all sorts of festivals and urban entertainment, Nilia had spent her time chasing prey up and down mountains with her bow!
"Yes."
"Wh-what was it like?"
"It was enjoyable. Checking for vulnerabilities during preparations helped me pull off some big scores."
"......"
Nilia decided to pretend she hadn't heard that.
"Look. There's a light over there. Let's check it out."
"Alright."
Spotting a distant light, Nilia moved to investigate.
'Students from another tower?'
Neither Nilia nor Ratford was particularly concerned about seeing lights in the distance.
The tower wasn't too far away, and whoever was brazenly keeping their lights on like that usually wasn't an intruder. What kind of intruder would act so boldly?
That must be students from another tower...
-■■■■■!
"A... a griffin!!! Ratford! Get back!"
"!!!"
Nilia immediately nocked an arrow and prepared to shoot.
A griffin?!
She couldn't believe it.
Even in the mountain ranges, such monsters were rare—who would've thought one would be here, inside the Magic School grounds?
'I heard all kinds of monsters show up here, but this is too much!'
Nilia restrained herself from firing hastily and observed the griffin. Panicking and shooting recklessly would only provoke it.
If the creature had no intention of attacking, it was better to let it pass...
"Nilia. It's me! Calm down!"
"Wo... Wardanaz?"
Nilia was bewildered when she heard the familiar voice coming from the griffin.
"Yeah."
"Did you transform into a griffin?!"
"...Look behind the griffin!"
Only then did the flustered Nilia realize there were two friends standing behind the griffin.
They had been hidden by the griffin's massive frame.
"Ah...!"
'Did she really think I transformed into a griffin? What does she usually think of me?'
Lee Han thought to himself as he greeted Nilia. Ratford, who had collapsed from shock, hastily scrambled back up.
"Th-that thing...?"
"Calm down. I can explain."
"Did you transform a horse into a griffin?!"
At Ratford's words, Nilia stared at Lee Han in disbelief.
No way...!
Lee Han shook his head firmly.
"No."
"No? I just assumed..."
After the Skeleton Principal left and Lee Han finished checking the surroundings, he brought out Ponlig.
Then, together with Yoner, he carefully fed him a potion.
-You said the curse can't be completely lifted, right?
-Yeah. If he reverts after some time, it means the curse's power is stronger than the potion's, making full removal impossible.
-Why would someone cast such a powerful curse... Never mind. No point asking.
Poof!
-......
As the curse lifted and Ponlig transformed from a horse back into a griffin, he glared at Lee Han and Yoner with resentful eyes.
His gaze practically screamed, 'What did I tell you?'
Seeing this, Yoner whispered worriedly.
-I heard griffins are fierce and violent monsters. Is he going to attack us?
-But Yoner, I heard that once a griffin pledges loyalty, they remain loyal.
-But we kept doubting him.
-Hmm. Fair point. Should we keep our distance?
-■■■■! ■■■■!!
The griffin roared in vehement protest, stomping the ground with his front paws.
-Ponlig. It's a misunderstanding. I do trust you.
-......
The griffin fixed Lee Han with a gaze full of sorrow and indignation.
Lee Han had to work hard to soothe him, diligently brushing his feathers.
Just as the griffin was starting to calm down, their friends appeared.
"So... Professor Wardanaz didn't transform him—the Headmaster did?"
"...I don't even know where to begin correcting that..."
Nilia trailed off, sounding utterly baffled.
Even the Lightning Step Professor, who had seemed relatively sane, was pulling stunts like this.
Who could they even trust anymore?
Ignoring Nilia's muttering, Lee Han addressed the two Black Turtle Tower students.
"If the Headmaster does anything, stay far away. Especially if he tries to set off magic fireworks—run without hesitation."
"What? Got it."
"Yes. We'll avoid him."
Having grown up in dangerous environments, the two friends accepted the warning first and thought about it later.
They could always ask for explanations afterward.
"Are you two on patrol for Black Turtle Tower?"
"Yes. We were told to circle around the tower."
"That's a relief."
"?"
Nilia was startled by Lee Han's words.
"Did that many intruders really get in to the point of being dangerous?"
"No. We only caught one intruder earlier."
"?!"
"Rather, the Headmaster is more dangerous."
"?!!"
"What did you two do during the festival?"
Though she was more curious about why the Headmaster was dangerous, Nilia answered the question first.
"I helped with alchemy and participated in the archery competition..."
"I was asked about good places to hide treasure."
'So everyone except me actually enjoyed the festival.'
Lee Han felt saddened but quickly pulled himself together.
At least his friends had fun—wasn't that something to be grateful for?
"You were asked about good places to hide treasure? Which faculty did that?"
Yoner asked, sounding curious.
"The Headmaster asked me."
"...What?"
"The Headmaster inquired about good places to hide treasure..."
"Did he say anything else?"
"He mentioned doing a treasure hunt."
"......"
Lee Han's expression turned grave.
Given the Skeleton Principal's personality, there was no way it would be an ordinary treasure hunt...
'Just how many traps has he set up?'
The next day.
Before the festival resumed, Lee Han visited Professor Lightning Step early in the morning.
"Professor. I think the horse I'm riding might actually be a griffin."
Professor Lightning Step nodded with a solemn expression.
"You figured it out much faster than I expected."
"...Why would you do such a thing?"
"Wouldn't it be better to learn how to deal with a griffin now—one disguised as a horse—than to face a real one unprepared later?"
"Oh..."
For a moment, Lee Han almost accepted the explanation, but then he snapped out of it.
Come to think of it, was there really a need to learn how to deal with a griffin?
'He's spouting nonsense with such a serious face.'
Lee Han wasn't fooled by that.
"Is that really the case?"
"You don't look very convinced."
"No, I am convinced. But Professor, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"If I try to fly up on the griffin near the main building, wouldn't the magic interfere?"
Being sharp-witted, Lee Han had already guessed part of it.
Why else would the magic school's high spire have stables for flying creatures?
Because even the skies above the magic school had designated paths.
If he recklessly tried to escape by flying an unauthorized route, all sorts of spells would come flying at him.
"Probably."
Professor Lightning Step could see right through Lee Han's thoughts.
The moment he realized it was a griffin, he was already thinking of riding it to escape.
What a troublemaker.
"At my current level, avoiding those spells would be difficult."
"True."
Professor Lightning Step nodded.
There were dozens of spells in place—it was impossible for Lee Han to bypass them all.
Before he could, alarms would sound, and other professors would come flying.
"I suppose I'd have to find a place connected to an external route, like the Spire Stables."
"...!"
Professor Lightning Step felt chills for the first time in a while.
'How in the world?!'
As one of the entry points for outside visitors, the Spire Stables had a sky route free from magical interference.
But even so, for a freshman to have already figured that out...
"Correct. Impressive. You've already found it..."
"Then, Professor, please tell me about another route."
Lee Han boldly demanded.
Professor Lightning Step was flabbergasted.
"What?"
"Since I already know about the Spire Stables, please tell me about another path without interfering magic."
"......"
Professor Lightning Step was at a loss for words.
What kind of audacity was this?
But shamelessness was also one of a mage's talents.
And the boy in front of him had certainly done something worthy of praise.
'Well, he did figure out the griffin's true nature...'
Even though it was his own doing, the professor was still amazed at how Lee Han had caught on.
Before the professor could speak, Lee Han added,
"If you don't tell me, I'll inform the visiting guests about the griffin."
"...Take out some paper. I'll tell you one place."
Professor Lightning Step had no choice but to admit that this student was far from easy to handle.