Episode 171
Episode 171
"It exists?"
"Yeah."
Lee Han revealed that Professor Voladi's lecture location had been changed from the classroom to the underground dungeon.
It was supposedly for more efficient teaching...
"Don't joke around. ...You're not joking, are you?"
Nilia, who had initially responded with disbelief, grew flustered when she saw the somber look in Lee Han's eyes.
He wasn't joking?
"Why on earth would the lecture be held in an underground dungeon?"
"There's a long story behind it."
Lee Han let out a sigh.
Explaining the reason now wouldn't change anything anyway.
"First, let's plan how to enter the underground dungeon. We need to retrieve Bone-Mending Flowers. Considering trial and error, we'll need about five or six per person."
"What spawns in that dungeon? Slimes? Skeletons?"
"Rakshasa Hungry Ghosts come out."
"......"
Nilia tilted her head, unsure whether Lee Han was messing with her or being serious.
But his expression was completely earnest.
"If Rakshasa Hungry Ghosts appear... shouldn't we just look for another dungeon?"
"Finding another dungeon will take time too."
"That's true, but..."
Just because searching for another dungeon takes time, does that mean they should force their way into a dangerous one?
'Is the Wardanaz kid getting corrupted by the school, or is it just my imagination?'
Nilia was worried seeing Lee Han so determined to push forward with a dungeon infested with Rakshasa Hungry Ghosts, even though the chances of finding another dungeon were slim.
When they first met, he seemed a bit more cautious...
"Once the others regain their senses, we'll take them along. At least the principal's exam is over, so that's a relief."
"Lucky you. I have to go back and retake it."
"Huh?"
Lee Han gave Nilia a puzzled look.
"What's your target score that you have to retake it?"
"...My goal is just to avoid failing."
"Oh? Then you don't really need to retake it, do you?"
"Wardanaz... what score do you think I got right now?"
Nilia's voice turned slightly sharp.
This is why I hate overachievers!
Only after promising to help Nilia with her Basic Magic Character Education studies did Lee Han manage to soothe her temper.
'I don't get it. The questions weren't even that hard.'
"Durgyu."
"Lee Han."
In the distance, he spotted his orc friend looking exhausted. Lee Han asked just in case.
"Did you drink?"
"...A little..."
"Durgyu. You shouldn't gulp down whatever the school gives you just because it tastes good."
"I know. I'm reflecting on it, Lee Han."
It was a strange conversation for first-years, but no one found it odd.
"Are the White Tiger Tower students studying hard?"
"Not really?"
Durgyu answered without a hint of shame.
For the White Tiger Tower students, grades at the Magic School weren't that important.
They were here to learn magic to excel as knights, after all.
What mattered was mastering the spells they needed, not some trivial grades.
'They're terrifying.'
Lee Han shuddered at the fact that the White Tiger Tower students didn't care much about studying.
The noble-born students from the Blue Dragon Tower at least maintained some dignity for the sake of their family's honor and reputation (excluding Gainando), but the White Tiger Tower students were like wild beasts through and through.
Honestly, he was a little envious!
They probably acted so bold because they already had guaranteed jobs waiting for them after graduation.
'Still, it's good to have guys like that covering the lower ranks.'
Lee Han nodded to himself with that thought.
"Studying isn't mandatory, after all."
"Lee Han. It feels weird hearing that from you."
Durgyu felt a sense of dissonance.
Out of all the Magic School students, Lee Han seemed the most dedicated to studying...
"Hah! Haah! Haaah!"
"Hup! Huff! Hah!"
As they walked further, they saw White Tiger Tower students clashing wooden swords, sweat dripping down their faces.
"Are they doing that because they don't want to study?"
"Ah... no. The swordsmanship lecture also has an exam coming soon..."
Durgyu defended his friends.
Of course, it wasn't entirely untrue that the White Tiger Tower students were using swordsmanship as an escape from the headache-inducing exams.
Those from knightly families had a habit of swinging their swords to clear their minds whenever they faced something mentally taxing.
"I suppose that makes sense."
"Durgyu! Come swing your sword with us! Sober up from studying!"
"After groaning over books, swinging a sword really clears your head!"
"......"
At the shouts of his White Tiger Tower friends, Lee Han stared pointedly at Durgyu. Flustered, Durgyu quickly quickened his pace.
"Moradi."
"Wardanaz."
Giselle frowned the moment she saw Lee Han. Lee Han, too, frowned upon seeing Giselle.
Both were thinking, 'I wish that bastard would just disappear.'
"Didn't you drink?"
"Only fools drink that stuff. Speaking of which, why didn't you, Wardanaz?"
"I prefer not to put anything the principal gives me in my mouth."
"......"
Giselle was stunned by the sheer insanity of his reason.
What the hell was that?
"Everyone's training in swordsmanship—aren't you going to join?"
The other White Tiger Tower students were swinging their swords diligently—not to avoid studying, no, but to prepare for their swordsmanship exam.
Yet Giselle sat alone, reading a book.
"Studying is for everyday."
'Wait, Gainen says the same thing?'
Of course, Gainen and Moradi were nothing alike. Comparing them would be an insult to Moradi.
"Still, last-minute preparation is necessary, isn't it?"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
When Giselle snapped impatiently, as if telling him to get to the point, Lee Han obliged.
"You're unusually calm right before midterms. Do you know something?"
With a thud, Giselle closed the book she was holding. Its title became visible: Os Gonadaltes' Devotion to the Magic School.
'So Moradi's preparing for the <Basic Magic Character Education> exam too.'
Lee Han had already finished studying that book two weeks ago.
"I do."
"I knew it."
There was only one reason Lee Han had approached Moradi in the first place.
When it came to swordsmanship lectures, the White Tiger Tower students displayed considerable skill.
Coming from knightly families themselves, they had access to all sorts of rumors and plenty of information.
Hadn't they found out in advance about the White Poplar Knights' visit last time?
If it was Moradi, she might know something about the midterms in advance.
Of course, she wouldn't just hand it over for free.
"What do you want?"
"Hmm."
Giselle crossed her arms arrogantly, her expression making it clear she held the upper hand.
"What can you offer?"
"I've already taken the <Basic Magic Character Education> exam. How about trading questions?"
"!"
Even Giselle, whose expressions rarely changed, couldn't hide her shock.
Of course, the <Basic Magic Character Education> exam questions changed constantly...
But since Giselle hadn't taken it yet, she obviously wouldn't know that.
'This might work.'
Giselle fell into thought.
Honestly, making a deal with Wardanaz wasn't something she particularly wanted to do.
He was far too clever and cunning—letting her guard down around him was impossible.
And part of her just wanted to reject the offer outright to see the look of frustration on Wardanaz's face.
But...
'It's too good an offer to pass up.'
Giselle wasn't ashamed of being from the White Tiger Tower, but objectively speaking, it wasn't the best place for academic focus.
Most students there had attitudes like, Why bother thinking so hard? Let others handle that.
As a result, even students who did care about academics often got swept up in the atmosphere, tossing their books aside with cries of, Yeah, well, we're knights!
For Giselle, who despised stupidity, it was utterly ridiculous.
Not having anyone to study with!
In contrast, that Wardanaz bastard was the top student among the high-achievers of the Blue Dragon Tower.
In terms of ability alone, there was no deficiency. It was just that he might casually teach the wrong answers while studying together.
"...Alright."
"Good. The contract is settled."
Lee Han nodded with satisfaction.
Of course, Giselle might fly into a rage later when she received the exam papers, but what could be done about it?
At the Magic School, the one who got fooled was the one at fault.
"Have you two already talked?"
As soon as their conversation ended, Durgyu approached.
"Moradi. Did you tell Lee Han about the midterm exam?"
"Why should I be the one to tell him?"
Giselle responded as if the question was absurd.
Durgyu looked flustered.
"...Well, because we're in the same group."
"......"
"......"
Only then did Lee Han and Giselle realize that the three of them were in the same group.
Just like last time, the midterm exam would be taken with this same lineup.
'...I went through all that trouble for nothing.'
If they had just stayed quiet, Durgyu would have informed them himself...
"The contract is already done."
"Don't worry, Moradi. I keep my promises."
At Lee Han's words, Giselle shot him a surprised look.
Then she eyed him suspiciously.
What was this about?
"Something's fishy..."
"Moradi, Lee Han is someone who keeps his promises no matter what."
"Stop spouting nonsense, Choi. That's exactly why rumors are going around that you've been brainwashed by Wardanaz."
"...Uh... Did we really have to gather this many people?"
Nilia whispered quietly, making sure only Lee Han could hear.
The composition of students gathered around the large library table was beyond imagination.
Starting with students from the Blue Dragon Tower (surprisingly, Gainando was among them), to students from the Black Turtle Tower like Nilia and Ratford.
...And on top of that, even the Phoenix Tower priests and Giselle and Durgyu from the White Tiger Tower?
"A lot of people wanted me to share, but I have my own studying to do too."
'This looks like it's going to turn into a fight.'
Nilia thought so but didn't press further and kept her mouth shut. She knew Lee Han also needed time to study, so she couldn't take up more of his time.
"Here. These are the problems I've compiled. Memorize them."
"Uh... Just memorize them? Isn't there another way?"
Gainando asked innocently. Lee Han replied sternly.
"No. Memorize them."
"Ugh... Okay."
Since this wasn't some high-difficulty magic application problem but closer to a simple memorization test, the most efficient method was to create likely questions and memorize them.
Lee Han tossed the papers to his friends.
When the headmaster had insisted they learn the <Lesser Manipulation> spell for transcription practice, he had thought, 'Why go to such lengths?' But in this situation, it was definitely convenient.
Not that he felt particularly grateful...
'Speaking of which, the White Poplar Knights are coming again.'
Lee Han opened his study books and began reading while simultaneously mulling over what he had heard today.
It seemed the White Poplar Knights were coming again for the midterm exam in swordsmanship class.
He had expected it to some extent, but...
'Surely they won't pit us against someone even stronger? They wouldn't do something so shameless against first-years, right?'
Honestly, making them fight the knights last time had already been shameless. Lee Han trusted Professor Ingoldel.
After finishing a book, Lee Han closed it and shut his eyes briefly. Then he immediately picked up the paper next to him.
Gainando, who had been muttering while memorizing, asked curiously.
"What lecture is that for?"
"It's not for exam prep. Just something to look at while taking a short break."
At Lee Han's answer, Gainando nodded as if he understood.
Gainando, too, had been doing all sorts of unrelated things while preparing for the midterm.
'Lee Han's just the same!'
"What are you reading? The new Toveiriz series is fun. There's a new card feature in the magazine I bought over the weekend..."
"Hm? A magic spell the headmaster scribbled down."
"......"
"......"
It wasn't just Gainando who was shocked.
All the students who had been diligently memorizing at their seats simultaneously looked up.
And they stared at Lee Han with horrified expressions.
"...It's not that hard. Just something to pass the time..."
Lee Han found himself making excuses. Nilia shook her head vigorously.