Episode 166
Episode 166
"Anyway, thank you?"
As the Death Knight trudged back toward the school, Lee Han offered his thanks—though it was more of a question than genuine gratitude.
Of course, Perkuntra wasn't fooled.
Someone truly grateful wouldn't start with "Anyway," nor would they lace their words with doubt.
—You think I can't sense your suspicion...
"It's a misunderstanding."
Lee Han spoke earnestly.
Admittedly, he was slightly disappointed with Perkuntra's performance this time.
He'd wanted to see firsthand how the spirit fought—just how strong it really was—but instead, the battle had ended with mere words and persuasion.
Still, compared to past records, this was a decent showing. Lee Han adjusted his evaluation of Perkuntra slightly upward.
Naturally, Perkuntra wasn't satisfied with just a slight improvement.
—You insolent little...! If only I'd had a bit more time...!
Perkuntra gnashed his teeth in frustration.
The fact that he was about to be forcibly recalled—leaving him no chance to properly reprimand Lee Han—was a bitter regret.
—Summon me again next time! If you do, I'll properly explain just how incredible what I showed you today really was—
"But according to our contract, you can't be summoned so freely, can you?"
Besides, summoning a spirit like Perkuntra just to listen to him brag would be a waste of time.
—^$&@!
With an incomprehensible roar, Perkuntra vanished into reverse-summoning.
To the uninformed students watching, it simply looked like Lee Han had summoned a spirit, finished his business, and politely sent it back.
"Sir Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. As Sir Igor mentioned, your spirit affinity is truly remarkable."
"That's a misunderstanding."
Surprisingly, the Skeleton Principal didn't react as violently as expected.
He'd probably already vented all his disappointment upon the Death Knight's early return.
That ancient spirit bastard can't even guard the Punishment Room properly... No sense of awareness at all.
'Better avoid eye contact.'
Lee Han averted his gaze.
Just because the Headmaster had mentally prepared himself didn't mean he wouldn't act petty.
"Everyone has returned safely."
"Headmaster! What in the world was that Death Knight?!"
"......"
Lee Han's heart sank as he watched the White Tiger Tower students—who could've just quietly passed through the gates—instead choose to fan the flames.
'These knight bastards really...!'
The Skeleton Principal, who had been thoroughly sulking because of Lee Han, seemed to regain a bit of vigor thanks to the White Tiger Tower students.
What nonsense is this?
"Even so, deploying a Death Knight on the return path is too much!"
Angorod pointed out, as if unable to believe what had happened. The other White Tiger Tower students nodded in agreement.
But Lee Han was skeptical.
'The more you react, the more you're just entertaining him.'
In Lee Han's observation, the Headmaster was at his happiest when students cried, "How could you do this?!"
If ignored, he'd just sulk on his own...
Do I need your permission to deploy my own Death Knight?
"That's not what we meant—"
Are you whining because you lack the confidence to overcome such a minor obstacle? As students of this Magic School?! Ha! I'd expect that from Baldrogard students, but—
"N-No, that's not it!"
'Just let it go already...'
While Lee Han watched in exasperation, the Headmaster—having enjoyed himself enough—suddenly changed the topic as if remembering something.
Ah. I nearly forgot.
"?"
The Headmaster snapped his fingers.
A single Outing Pass and a flickering purple flame materialized in midair.
The moment the Outing Pass passed through the purple flame, it instantly turned to ash.
"????"
"!"
Most students didn't grasp what had just happened, but a few did.
Angorod's face paled drastically.
'We've been caught!'
'Caught, huh.'
Lee Han also watched with a grim expression.
He'd assumed passing through the gate earlier meant they were in the clear, but it seemed the Headmaster had re-examined the Outing Pass he'd received.
'So that's how they check the exit permits? I'll have to find a way around it. As expected, fake ones should only be used when the Skeleton Principal isn't around...'
You should be proud.
"What is it?"
Until now, no one has ever attempted to forge an exit permit to leave. You're the first! This is sincere. I'm truly proud of you.
"......"
"...?!"
The students buzzed with murmurs.
"They forged an exit permit?"
"Good heavens... Who would dare?"
"Must be a Black Turtle Tower student, right? The only ones with the skills are there."
It pains me to punish such proud students, but what can I do? Getting caught was your mistake. Next time, make sure you don't get caught.
"Ugh..."
Angoro slumped his shoulders and stepped forward. The other students gasped, staring at him in shock.
"Angoro was the culprit?!"
"How the hell did that guy pull off a forgery like that?"
At Ashan's muttering, the White Tiger Tower students glared at him.
The Skeleton Principal looked at Angoro with benevolent eyes.
If you have accomplices, speak up. If you confess, your punishment will be reduced.
"!"
Lee Han's heart instantly sank.
If he were in Angoro's place, he would definitely...
"There are none!"
Really?
While addressing Angoro, the Skeleton Principal's gaze flicked toward Lee Han.
Lee Han remained perfectly still, his expression unchanging.
'There's no evidence anyway.'
"Yes!"
This is why knights... are admirable! Detention it is. Take him away!
The undead seized Angoro by both arms and dragged him off.
Watching this, Lee Han made a silent vow.
'Angoro. I'll make sure to sneak you some food.'
"We should study for the exams..."
"Let's just sleep a little."
"Good idea."
"Huh? We have to study for the exams?"
Upon returning to the tower, Lee Han and his friends immediately collapsed onto their beds and passed out.
Between the midterms and the chaos of fighting a Death Knight in the dead of night, exhaustion was inevitable.
By the time they woke up, it was already Sunday afternoon.
"Wardanaz!"
"?"
As they descended to the common room, an excited student from the Blue Dragon Tower shouted at them.
"The Headmaster's clearly lost his mind! You should hurry too!"
"Stay calm. It's a trap."
"Huh?"
"Ah. Sorry. Force of habit."
When it came to matters involving the Skeleton Principal, suspicion had become second nature.
"What's going on?"
"Look at that!"
The student pointed toward Gainando, who was entering the room.
In one hand, Gainando held a massive cotton candy, and in the other, a frothy mug of beer.
"?????"
The festival was over, and so was the outing—where the hell did he get those?
"Where did that come from?"
"The Headmaster threw a banquet to celebrate the end of the festival! Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all!"
Lee Han couldn't believe it and decided to check for himself.
Yet, astonishingly, his friends were right.
The doors to the grand banquet hall on the first floor of the main building—usually locked—stood wide open, overflowing with all kinds of food and drinks.
Towering stacks of fresh cream cakes, cheesecakes, butter cakes. The same candies, cookies, and chocolates Gainando had been carrying earlier.
And it wasn't just desserts—whole roasted boars glazed in sauce, along with every delicacy from the empire, covered the tables.
Ah, you've woken up! Have a drink!
Spotting Lee Han, the Skeleton Principal generously handed him a goblet.
Sparkling cider, fermented from apples, filled the cup to the brim.
Now! Normally, I wouldn't allow something as precious as alcohol for you iron-headed brats, but today is special!
"...I don't understand. Why is today special?"
It's the weekend after the festival ended!
"Why is that special?"
Is that so? Then just take it as my kindness toward the students!
"...Headmaster. Don't tell me this is because midterms start tomorrow..."
This is why sharp-witted ones are troublesome.
The Skeleton Principal glared at Lee Han with clear displeasure.
Lee Han was truly at a loss for words.
'Is he seriously going this far?'
The same person who was usually so stingy about feeding students anything tasty was now serving them alcohol just because midterms started tomorrow...
At this point, Lee Han couldn't help but feel impressed.
This is truly remarkable!
It's already too late. Most students are already eating and drinking. Do you think you can stop them now?
"?"
Lee Han was puzzled by the Skeleton Principal's words.
'Why would I stop them?'
If his competitors were happily drinking beer and cider before passing out drunk on the main building's lawn, that would only work in Lee Han's favor.
"Why would I stop them?"
Don't play dumb. You've been interfering with my plans and taking malicious joy in it all this time.
"......"
Lee Han finally understood what he meant.
The Skeleton Principal still mistakenly believed Lee Han was the type to selflessly sacrifice himself for his friends.
Of course, I understand. Intellectual competition with a worthy opponent is always enjoyable. I won't deny that you've made things slightly more entertaining for me too.
'This is insane.'
Lee Han felt utterly defeated inside.
All his efforts to avoid the Skeleton Principal's nonsense had only inspired the man further.
"Think whatever you want."
After giving a dismissive nod and stepping away, Lee Han decided he should just grab some snacks for Angarohan instead.
Tomorrow is the Basic Magic Character Education lecture. You're aware, right?
"Yes."
Tell the other students. The Basic Magic Character Education exam will be held in the Beetle Lecture Hall on the 4th floor of the main building.
"Underst...ood?"
Though uneasy about why it had to be the 4th floor, Lee Han nodded.
The exam period starts now and lasts until next Friday.
"Is the test that long?"
What nonsense? It's just one sheet at most. You can go to the lecture hall anytime, solve the problems, and submit it. I'm giving you plenty of time.
"...?"
A sudden sense of foreboding struck Lee Han.
There was no way the Skeleton Principal would set such a lenient exam.
"So we just have to solve and submit it anytime before next Friday?"
Correct.
"...Is the path to the 4th-floor Beetle Lecture Hall easy to navigate?"
It might be slightly challenging.
"......"
Lee Han bolted out of the banquet hall.
If the Skeleton Principal was giving them until next Friday...
'Even starting now might not be enough time!'
Considering other midterm exams, this was far from a generous timeframe.
Behind him, the Skeleton Principal let out a sinister chuckle.
"Gainando! Wake up, you idiot! We have to take the exam!"
Lee Han slapped Gainando's cheeks repeatedly, but Gainando didn't stir.
'Should I have learned a sobering spell?'
Not just Gainando—the students of the Blue Dragon Tower were all too blissfully intoxicated to respond.
Lee Han abandoned his friends without hesitation.
There was no excuse for drinking the night before an exam.
'Fools...'
No matter how tough things got, how could they just gulp down whatever alcohol the Headmaster served?
As he moved, Lee Han pulled out a book. With multiple midterm exams, time was tight.
'I'll read the Blood Magic book later. The Headmaster's book can wait too. I've mostly deciphered the spells from the box he gave me... That can also wait.'
On his way, he spotted White Tiger Tower students drunkenly singing.
Lee Han saw an opportunity.
"Hey! Tell your friends! The Basic Magic Character Education exam has started! 4th-floor Beetle Lecture Hall!"
"What nonsense is this? Wardanaz, are you trying to trick us—"
Lee Han precisely struck a White Tiger Tower student's solar plexus with his staff. The student immediately vomited up all the alcohol he'd consumed.
"Guh—guh—guh—guh—!"
But Lee Han wasn't done.
He summoned a mass of water and drenched the White Tiger Tower student.
"Are you sober now?"
"S—sober! I'm sober! I said I'm sober, you bastard! Stop!"
"Good."
Lee Han nodded sincerely.
"Now, remember this well. The Basic Magic Character Education exam has started. 4th-floor Beetle Lecture Hall. Got it?"
"Y—yeah."
Lee Han left the White Tiger Tower students behind.
Drenched and shivering, one of them muttered as he watched Lee Han's retreating figure.
"That... that lunatic...!"
"Shh! What if he comes back?!"