Episode 242
Episode 242
"It's good to see you all so competitive with each other."
"...You don't need to comfort me."
'That wasn't comfort.'
Lee Han had meant what he said sincerely.
Wasn't that what it meant to study hard for exams—to compete like that?
The students of the Blue Dragon Tower could learn a thing or two from them.
-Wardanaz. I'm too sleepy. My brain isn't working. Maybe if I eat a sweet cookie, I'll feel like studying again.
-Wardanaz. If I finish all my assignments, will you give me cake?
Even though they were paying him in silver, there were times when watching his friends try to negotiate desserts while doing their own assignments made him want to smack them on the back of their heads.
Just study properly!
"S-should we go in now?"
Durgyu, perhaps finding the silence awkward, spoke up.
Honestly, he wanted to rush in right away and smack his friends on the back of their heads.
"No."
"Really?"
"?!"
In contrast, Lee Han and Giselle had no intention of going in just yet.
If left alone, they'd wear themselves out fighting each other—so why rush in now?
"Shouldn't we stop them??"
"The best time to break up a fight is after they've fought enough to get it out of their system. Durgyu. If they still have emotions running high, forcing them apart won't do any good."
"This time, I have no choice but to agree with Wardanaz. He's right. Choi. There's no point in stopping them mid-fight."
"...You two aren't seriously..."
Durgyu had a bad feeling.
"Durgyu. Don't you trust me?"
"Are you doubting your comrade-in-arms right now? Choi. Is that the kind of guy you are?"
"S-sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you."
Rustle!
"?"
From the path ahead, the sound of someone pushing through the underbrush reached their ears.
The three tensed, holding their breath.
"This is the place, right?"
"Batrek! We know you're in there! Come out! Let's settle this fairly! Hand over the book!"
"......"
Giselle and Durgyu let out deep sighs as three more White Tiger Tower students appeared.
They really were gathering in full force...!
Lee Han muttered under his breath.
"Did the White Tiger Tower students plan to meet here today?"
"Shut up."
"Guess not."
Crash!
With a loud noise, the White Tiger Tower students who had been inside the cave came tumbling out.
The latecomers were startled.
"How did you know—?!"
"What about you?!"
"...Then let's settle this with swords!"
"That's my line!"
"Burn fiercely!"
"Legs, run wild!"
'Oh. They're good.'
Lee Han watched the White Tiger Tower students' fierce battle with admiration.
Since he might have to fight them someday, it wouldn't hurt to observe their tactics in advance.
Though the White Tiger Tower bore the stigma of being "the least interested in academics" among Einrogard's four towers, it was still a gathering of some of the empire's most elite talents.
Moreover, these were students who had survived the hellish first year. If their magical skills hadn't improved, that would've been stranger.
The combat style the White Tiger Tower students displayed now was a perfect hybrid of swordsman and mage.
Even with just simple spells cast on their swords, shields, or bodies, their power multiplied several times over.
Beyond their exceptional swordsmanship, each had been rigorously trained in knightly families, giving them a solid foundation that allowed them to adapt quickly to Enhancement Magic.
Physical Enhancement Magic was trickier to master than one might think.
Few could skillfully control the sudden lightness in their limbs or the surge of newfound strength.
Even veteran mercenaries who had spent their lives on the battlefield struggled with it.
This was something that favored those who had built a steady foundation from childhood.
Watching their fast and dazzling clash, Lee Han saw the White Tiger Tower students in a slightly different light.
'If they can fight this hard, why don't they study just as hard?'
Durgyu, too, was absorbed in watching the fight before snapping back to reality.
"Lee Han. When should we go in... Lee Han? Lee Han??"
Durgyu looked around in shock.
Lee Han, who had been right beside him moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
"M-Moradi. Lee Han is..."
"He just cast an invisibility spell and went into the cave."
"......"
While the White Tiger Tower students were busy fighting fiercely outside, Lee Han, not wanting to just stand around waiting, slipped into the cave.
It was the same book he'd be taking later anyway—so why not grab it now?
A pungent smell stung his nose.
'Alchemy?'
A boiling pot of medicinal brew and, beside it, the book.
Lee Han immediately grasped the situation.
'Thankfully, they weren't planning to fight the giant head-on.'
Come to think of it, no matter how reckless the White Tiger Tower students were, they weren't foolish enough to engage in a direct confrontation with a giant.
Lee Han felt slightly remorseful for doubting the White Tiger Tower students.
Given how many lunatics attended the Magic School, he'd mistakenly assumed even the White Tiger Tower students might be 'that crazy.'
After slipping the book into his pocket, Lee Han peered into the cauldron.
He wanted to check how complete the decoction was.
"!"
He was startled by the unexpectedly high quality of the decoction.
Judging by the recipe written in the book, this was by no means an easy potion to brew. It must have taken multiple trials and errors to reach this stage.
'Better take some just in case.'
Lee Han opened the cap of an empty potion bottle and scooped up some decoction.
BANG!
'What was that?'
Lee Han frowned at the unfamiliar noise coming from outside, different from the previous commotion.
Had more White Tiger Tower students arrived?
If not, why would—
"It's a Curare Lizard!"
Rushing out of the cave, Lee Han finally understood what was happening.
The ruckus caused by the White Tiger Tower students had attracted nearby monsters.
"Get low! If this hits you, you're in trouble!"
"Keep it at bay! Don't let it get close!"
The students who had been fighting earlier were now so startled that they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, forming a defensive line.
A massive lizard monster with the build of a crocodile—the Curare Lizard.
Its sheer bulk alone was a formidable weapon, but the real threat was the paralyzing venom it shot from its glands.
WHOOSH!
Seeing the students clustered together, the Curare Lizard immediately spat its venom. A viscous, sticky glob flew toward them.
With a splattering sound, the venom clung to a raised shield. The White Tiger Tower students' pupils trembled in horror.
"Over here, you damned lizard!"
When Durgyu and Giselle burst onto the scene, the White Tiger Tower students were stunned.
What?
"Durgyu! Why are you—"
"Focus!"
Lee Han shouted sharply from behind as he sprinted forward.
"Even Wardanaz?! What the— Gah!"
Despite the warning, one student couldn't suppress his curiosity and stiffened mid-sentence, toppling forward.
The Curare Lizard swung its foreleg with savage force, clearly intending to drag away the paralyzed student.
"I told you to focus!"
"Could you focus in this situation?!"
With Durgyu, Giselle, and now even Wardanaz suddenly appearing, how many people could possibly stay composed?
But the Curare Lizard was undeniably a threat. The White Tiger Tower students decided to set aside their confusion and deal with the monster first.
"Strike now!"
A lightning spell crackled through the air, exploding amidst the White Tiger Tower students.
But it didn't hit the Curare Lizard—not because the creature was agile, but because Lee Han's aim had been off from the start.
"Lee Han?!"
"Wardanaz!! Did the venom get you?!"
Durgyu and the other White Tiger Tower students whirled around in shock.
Lee Han missing a spell?
It was unthinkable.
Unless he'd been poisoned...
"...People can miss, you idiots. I said focus!"
Lee Han was exasperated.
He was human, and humans made mistakes.
...Not that he usually did, but after pulling an all-nighter crafting a Makeshift Artifact and climbing a mountain, his focus was bound to waver.
'Damn. I didn't think I'd experience this firsthand.'
The professors had always said, "A mage's will is just as crucial as their mana in spellcasting," and now he was feeling it in his bones.
With his concentration lacking, his magic inevitably faltered during weaving.
'If not lightning magic, then something else—'
"Bones, seize the enemy!"
Lee Han flung bone fragments, summoning restraints.
The first spell missed, only snagging the Curare Lizard's tail, but that didn't matter.
"Bones, seize the enemy. Bones, seize the enemy. Bones, seize the enemy. Rise, warriors! Bones. Fire away!"
At first, the White Tiger Tower students had wondered, 'Is this black magic?' But now, faced with the insane barrage of incantations, they were utterly aghast.
It seemed that if proper aim was difficult, sheer numbers would suffice—bone fragments were being fired indiscriminately as if to overwhelm the enemy.
"Durgyu!"
"We got him out!"
As the barrage of bone fragments rained down like a storm, even the Curare Lizard seemed pressured by the onslaught and retreated backward.
Seizing the moment, Durgyu hoisted his fallen comrade onto his back.
Thud! Crash!
"!"
Lee Han turned his head at the sound from behind.
Two more lizards were emerging from the cave entrance they had just escaped from. One of them even had a cauldron stuck on its head, as if it had caused some chaos inside.
"My elixir!!!!"
Batrek screamed. Gatonoe, realizing belatedly, joined in.
"No! My book!"
"Are you insane?!"
Durgyu grabbed Gatonoe's shoulder and shouted fiercely.
"Your greed was unreasonable from the start! Talking about slaying a giant—yes, pursuing honor is a knight's duty, but is it still honor if you pursue it through reckless ambition? Look at yourselves! I don't know what that book is, but letting the monsters take it might be a blessing in disguise!"
At Durgyu's heartfelt outcry, the White Tiger Tower students flushed with shame.
Lee Han also reddened slightly.
'I already took the book...'
"Choi. Save the lecture for later. Retreat first!"
Giselle's sharp voice cut through.
Another Curare Lizard had appeared from a different direction.
At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if more showed up.
"...Sorry. Durgyu! Let's retreat! Everyone!"
"My bad! We're all getting out together!"
"Good thinking, everyone!"
While the White Tiger Tower students passionately reaffirmed their resolve, Lee Han suppressed his awkwardness and shouted.
"Yeah! Let's all get out together!"
"Wardanaz...!"
When one student tried to embrace him, Lee Han subtly pushed them away with his hand.
Retreating while surrounded by monsters was harder than expected.
They had to keep threatening the creatures while backing away—any opening, and they'd be caught by the tail.
"Gonadaltes. Hold them off. Sharkan, block the one on the left!"
"What?! Who?!"
"Focus, damn it!"
Whack!
Lee Han smacked the back of a White Tiger Tower student's head with his staff.
Now was not the time to lose focus.
"Bones, fire away!"
Lee Han made efficient use of the Skeleton Warriors as ammunition.
Though they couldn't move, the summoned Skeleton Warriors were just masses of bones—perfect for mindless volleys when precise control or aim was too exhausting.
Thud!
-■■■!
When another attack was blocked by the floating shield, the lizard let out a threatening hiss.
It seemed thoroughly annoyed.
'Thank goodness they brought floating shields!'
Lee Han was grateful—not for the professors' foresight, but for sheer luck.
Without the floating shields, more White Tiger Tower students would've been down by now.
"Wardanaz."
"?"
"If we lure the ones in front to another path, the lizards will split up too. Wouldn't it be better to circle back quickly and call for reinforcements?"
Giselle whispered softly.
From her perspective, the situation wasn't looking good.
Wardanaz's condition was strangely poor, and the monsters weren't giving up the chase.
A choice had to be made.
If they split up, the Curare Lizards would likely chase the other White Tiger Tower students instead of Giselle or Wardanaz—because they were obviously easier prey.
She didn't care if it sounded ruthless. Giselle judged that swiftly returning for reinforcements was the better option.
'Wait. If it's Wardanaz, he might refuse out of pride...'
Lee Han answered immediately.
"An excellent idea. Then you convince Durgyu."
"...Choi won't listen to me. You should be the one to talk."
"Damn it."
Lee Han couldn't argue.
"Split up! Durgyu! This way! The rest of you, take that path!"
"Split up! Durgyu! Over here! The others, go down that path!"
At the commanding shouts of the two charismatic students, the White Tiger Tower students moved without question.
Durgyu moved too.
...Toward the other White Tiger Tower students.
"Tch! These damn lizards...!"
"Durgyu! I said over here!"
"I can't break formation!"
Durgyu, maintaining formation with his comrades, missed his chance to peel off and ended up moving with them.
Lee Han and Giselle sighed.
"We'll save them later."
"That idiot. We'll rescue him later."
"...Wait. The monsters seem to be coming toward us now."