Episode 256
Episode 256
"Is expressing the number 4 that difficult!? Hey! That's a 1!"
"Gainando. That's not a 1, it's the middle finger... Never mind."
Lee Han stopped himself from giving advice to Gainando.
Becoming friendly with summons was also part of a mage's duties.
Rather than Lee Han unnecessarily offering advice, it would be best for Gainando to realize it on his own.
'And above all, it's a hassle.'
Having submitted his assignment, Lee Han quickly turned away. There were still mountains of other assignments waiting for him.
"Why do you keep making 1s... If you keep acting like this, my terrifyingly powerful archmage friend won't let you off the hook! Lee Han? Lee Han!!"
Lee Han pretended not to hear and ran off.
"...What's going on?"
Lee Han, who had abandoned Gainando and rushed to the alchemy lecture hall, froze at the sight before him.
Led by Priest Siana, students from Phoenix Tower stood in front, while other students taking the alchemy class waited in a long line behind them.
"Here you go."
Sniffle. "Priest. Thank you. You're the only one I can rely on."
"Th-There's no need to be so dramatic."
"No! You're the only one! So, um, if you could just spare a little more..."
"I can't. I'm sorry."
"Please! Just a little more!"
Jeers erupted from the students waiting in line behind them.
"Do you think you're the only one with an assignment?!"
"Can't you just scram already?! Shameless bastard!"
"...????"
Yoner appeared behind Lee Han, who was utterly bewildered.
"It's because of the assignment."
"Because of the assignment?"
"Yeah."
Dark circles and exhaustion were evident under Yoner's eyes. Lee Han looked at his friend with a sympathetic expression.
"The pre-final assignment for alchemy is more troublesome than expected, right?"
"It's just plain troublesome."
The kind Professor Thunderstep had assigned them a potion of "appropriate difficulty" as their pre-final assignment.
-Bring me Aurum's Golden Potion. It's not that difficult, so I'm sure you'll all manage just fine.
Of course, the students weren't fooled.
The difficulty of making Aurum's Golden Potion itself wasn't particularly high.
The brewing process was relatively simple, and there weren't many additional steps required...
But the ingredients needed were horrifyingly complex.
First, you had to mix a Low-Grade Mental Fortification Potion and Setrivi's Dew Potion to create the base. Then, you had to add another mixture of Low-Grade Mental Fortification Potion and Blood Drop of Dobruk Potion. After that, you had to mix in yet another Low-Grade Mental Fortification Potion with Vellezen...
To make just one potion, you needed potions A, B, C, D, E, and so on—making it practically the sworn enemy of alchemists.
Even if the difficulty wasn't that high, it was only natural for first-years to make mistakes a few times. But if they messed up even once, they had to start all over again from scratch.
Remake the Low-Grade Mental Fortification Potion, remake the Setrivi's Dew Potion, remake the Blood Drop of Dobruk Potion...
Professor Thunderstep had said, "If you can make something like Aurum's Golden Potion, you'll make fewer mistakes and brew other potions more skillfully," but the students were already plotting to throw him into a cauldron.
"I heard the priests of Phoenix Tower have a lot of Low-Grade Mental Fortification Potions."
"!"
Most religious orders in the Empire upheld virtues like frugality, thrift, and devotion.
Because of this, Phoenix Tower students adapted to Einrogard faster than anyone else.
Not only that, but they even shared with their friends.
The survival skills of Phoenix Tower students, raised in temples, weren't far behind those of the Black Turtle Tower students.
-Would you like some dessert? We have a piece of black bread from the school and coffee made from dandelion roots.
-...Th-Thanks for the thought, but the Wardanaz family is probably waiting for me with dinner! If I snack now, they'll be disappointed!
And where these survival skills shone brightest was in potion-making.
Having grown up in temples, even if they didn't major in alchemy, they had plenty of experience and knowledge about brewing potions.
While the White Tiger Tower students scoured mountains and forests for prey, and the Black Turtle Tower students gathered all sorts of oddities to run the black market, the Phoenix Tower priests would spend their free time collecting ingredients and brewing potions.
As a result, quite a few <Low-Grade Mind Enhancement Potions> had piled up...
Given the situation, they decided to distribute them to their friends without any conditions.
"Damn it!"
After hearing Yoner's explanation, Lee Han let out a sigh.
"I should've gone to the Phoenix Tower... Ah. Sorry, Yoner. It's not like I have any complaints about the Blue Dragon Tower."
"Honestly, seeing what you do, Lee Han, no one could blame you even if you did complain..."
Yoner thought that if the Blue Dragon Tower students had any conscience, they should keep their mouths shut.
"And I feel pretty regretful too."
"Right?"
Lee Han and Yoner sighed together.
If they had surplus supplies, they should've efficiently bartered them to grow their capital, not just give them away for free.
The vulgar students from other towers were taking advantage of the Phoenix Tower priests' kindness.
'If I were there, I would've taken charge.'
After finishing his lament, Lee Han joined Yoner in line.
As unfortunate as it was, if potions were being handed out, they had to take them.
"How many <Low-Grade Mind Enhancement Potions> would we need to feel comfortable?"
"Twenty bottles... No. Honestly, even twenty feels a bit uncertain."
"The finals will probably be similar, right?"
"Yeah..."
Yoner's face darkened.
If the pre-final assignments were this brutal, how insane—no, how difficult would the final exam potions be? It was a worrying thought.
But Lee Han wasn't despairing yet.
'There's a way.'
Lee Han had plans to go outside this weekend.
If he went out and bought all the useful alchemy ingredients and potions he could find...
No matter what kind of absurd challenge Professor Thunderstep threw at them, they'd already be halfway through solving it.
"Heh heh heh..."
"Lord Lee Han of the Wardanaz family?"
The Phoenix Tower priests tilted their heads in confusion when Lee Han didn't respond to their call.
Yoner, slightly flustered, tapped Lee Han's shoulder and called out.
"What's wrong? Are you in shock over the assignment?"
"Ah, it's not that..."
"Hurry up and take it already!"
A White Tiger Tower student behind Lee Han grumbled. When Lee Han stared back, the student averted his gaze.
"Priest Siana, the radiant rising star of the Flemeng Order. A pleasure."
"Compared to Lord Lee Han of the Wardanaz family, the insightful and understanding master of alchemy, I'm nothing special."
Priest Siana greeted them warmly as she began placing potion bottles one by one into their basket.
In no time, the basket was full...
And then another basket was filled with even more...?
"?"
"??"
Lee Han and Yoner exchanged glances.
'Is she giving us more?'
'She's definitely giving us more.'
"Here. Take them."
"Uh... Thank you."
Lee Han hesitated, wondering if he should point out that she might have given them too much or just accept it quietly.
But before he could decide, a student who had received his share earlier shouted in disbelief.
"Priest! The Wardanaz got at least twice as much as I did!"
'More like three times.'
Honestly, even twice was a generous estimate.
"Well, what you received was from the priest, while what Lord Wardanaz received was from Priest Siana, the radiant rising star of the Flemeng Order. That's why."
"......"
"......"
"Do you have any complaints? Should I take them back—"
"N-No, it's fine."
The student who had just protested quickly regained his composure and backed off.
"Priest Siana, the golden star of the Flemeng Order..."
"Too late now. Next!"
Lee Han thought to himself.
'Tsk tsk. Should've done it earlier.'
As always, he realized there was no downside to buttering people up in advance.
Seeing others try to do it belatedly only reinforced that belief.
"Wardanaz...! Even the priest is under his thumb...!"
"Are your eyes just for decoration?"
Lee Han was baffled by the other tower student's reaction.
Since when was he manipulating Priest Siana?
They just didn't prepare in advance!
Professor Logine, who taught <Basic Imperial Language and Logic>, praised the students as soon as she entered.
"Wow! Student Shyles! Professor Lightning Step mentioned that the horse you've been caring for has improved greatly!"
"Th-Thank you."
"Ashan student! I heard you've brought along a magnificent spirit. Splendid work!"
"I was just lucky. Thank you!"
"Lee Han student! As for Lee Han..."
Professor Logine hesitated briefly when it was Lee Han's turn.
There were simply too many things to praise, leaving her momentarily confused about which one to pick.
"...Anyway, you're doing well!"
"?!"
Lee Han was baffled.
'Did I do something wrong?'
"Uh... Well?"
Professor Logine continued praising the rest of the students before stepping forward.
The students, who rarely received compliments from professors at Einrogard, had their self-esteem sufficiently stroked, their eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
"Professor. Does <Basic Imperial Language and Logic> not have any pre-final assignments?"
The professor answered cheerfully in a bright, bouncy voice.
"Ah! There are no pre-final assignments. Instead, there's a simple test!"
"......"
"Ah, no. I trust Professor Plüwerk."
The students' faces darkened at the sudden pop quiz.
A few still clung to hope, thinking, 'But Professor Logine is different...'
"Come in."
Hello, everyone.
A deep, oppressive voice rumbled as a massive demon entered, instantly hardening the expressions of those who had just thought, 'But the professor is different.'
In the end, Einrogard's professors were...!
"D-Do we have to fight? Is the test fighting?"
"No way... Even so, would the professor really do that?"
"There are professors who do."
"Don't joke, Wardanaz! It's not funny at all!"
"......"
Lee Han slightly regretted not forcibly dragging his friends to Professor Voladi's lectures.
"Here we have Mr. Oripulas, an outstanding demon who served in the Imperial Judiciary for 131 years! What do you think enabled such a powerful demon to work as a judicial officer?"
"A contract?"
"Excellent! Everyone, applause!"
The students' clapping was noticeably weaker and less enthusiastic than before.
"Of course, Mr. Oripulas is a powerful demon. And it's no easy feat for a mage to contract with a being stronger than themselves! So, how should you go about it?"
"Uh... Persuasion?"
"Correct! Everyone, applause!"
Clap clap clap.
"Today, you'll attempt a mock contract negotiation with Mr. Oripulas! He will seriously consider and evaluate the terms you propose, so do your best. With students as exceptional as you, I'm sure you can do it!"
"????"
The students still wore expressions of utter confusion.
At least they weren't fighting, but...
How were they supposed to persuade him?
"How exactly do we persuade him? Offer our hearts and blood or something...?"
"Gold?"
"A friend's life?"
"A friend's card deck?"
"Want to die?"
"Maybe start by asking what he likes and easing into a light conversation..."
Meanwhile, one unfortunate student was the first to sit before Oripulas.
Oripulas asked with a grave expression.
Why should I contract with you, little green mage?
"W-Well... If you contract with me, I can offer gold coins..."
Gold coins? Gold coins?? Are you in your right mind? Do you truly see me as some lowly being who would bind myself to a mage's service for mere gold? What exactly do you take me for?
"I-I'm sorry...!"
The student's eyes welled up under Oripulas's intense pressure.
The remaining students murmured anxiously.
This...
Wasn't normal!
"-H-How about... a card deck?"
Not a bad joke, but such things hold no value.
"I can supply you with mana to strengthen your power, and if needed, potions too..."
That's the kind of offer you make to weaker beings. What demon would accept such terms from someone beneath them? Mana? I can gather it faster and stronger myself. Potions? I can brew better ones than you.
"D-Do you... like hearts or blood?"
You should relearn basic manners first.
'This is bad.'
Watching his friends get swept away like autumn leaves, Lee Han tensed up.
Oripulas's tastes were far pickier than expected.
He had no clue what to propose that might please the demon.
'Only option is to carefully test the waters and gauge his reactions.'
"Greetings."
Hmph!
"First, let's establish the basics. As your contractor, I'll do my utmost to supply you with mana..."
Pass.
"...Huh?"