Episode 276
Episode 276
The White Tiger Tower student's words left Eunrade with no room for rebuttal.
As a senior from the Blue Dragon Tower, this was indeed something he should be ashamed of.
"...They're probably sharing and working together."
At the very least, as a senior, Eunrade covered for his juniors.
The White Tiger Tower student nodded knowingly, as if he had expected this.
"Right? They're human, so there's no way they wouldn't help. It's probably just exaggerated. They must be sharing. Or maybe the Wardanaz kid is getting some special treatment. In our White Tiger Tower, we give special privileges to those who bring back ingredients."
"......"
This was genuinely embarrassing!
Eunrade swiftly changed the subject.
"Since you're from White Tiger Tower, you must be taking swordsmanship classes?"
"Yes, I am."
"Are there any students who stand out? Or perhaps someone who wants to assassinate someone?"
Wanting to assassinate the Skeleton Principal was practically a given for any Einrogard student, but if someone wanted to assassinate anyone else, that would be a serious problem.
A skilled swordsman was already a formidable assassin by nature, and if they also mastered magic, they could easily unleash a bloodbath across an entire city.
"I don't know about anyone wanting to assassinate someone. As for students who stand out... Moradina Durgyu is exceptional, but the Wardanaz kid is still the best."
"...???"
Eunrade doubted his ears.
Were there two students from the Wardanaz family?
"You mean the same Wardanaz student you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes."
"He takes swordsmanship too?"
"Well, yeah?"
Unable to hold back, Eunrade growled out his next question.
"...Doesn't that seem a little strange?"
The White Tiger Tower student in front of him was speaking utter nonsense with an unnervingly calm expression.
"Uh... now that you mention it?"
Only then did the White Tiger Tower student seem to realize something was off.
"Why the hell is that Wardanaz brat even taking swordsmanship? It can't be for grades."
"My apologies. That wasn't something I should've asked a student."
"No, it's fine. Now that I think about it, it is a bit weird."
The White Tiger Tower student nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe the Wardanaz kid has some kind of evil plan?"
"What kind of plan?"
"Like mastering every type of magic along with swordsmanship to overthrow the Headmaster and take control of the school..."
'That doesn't sound particularly evil.'
Eunrade thought so, but the White Tiger Tower student seemed convinced by his own words and continued enthusiastically.
"He's already got the professors and even students from other towers supporting him, right?"
"Well, if you bring back food like that, even rival towers would support you. Back when I was in school, students who could get good ingredients were always popular. And professors naturally favor hardworking students."
"Ah... now that you mention it, that makes sense."
"Besides, no matter how hard he trains, taking down the Headmaster is impossible."
"Wouldn't the Wardanaz kid be able to do it? Not right now, of course, but maybe in a few years."
"......"
Normally, no matter how talented someone was, people didn't casually say things like, "In a few years, they might beat the Skeleton Principal."
Eunrade found himself newly curious about this boy from the Wardanaz family.
Just what kind of actions had he been taking to leave such an impression...?
"Are you okay?"
At his friends' concerned question, Lee Han nodded.
Their worry was understandable.
While everyone else had been resting, Lee Han had been the only one dealing with the Phoenix.
After playing energetically until it was completely exhausted, the Phoenix left a mark on the back of Lee Han's hand before returning to its own dimension, thoroughly satisfied.
The Phoenix's mark, layered over the other spirits' marks, radiated immense power, but...
"Let's ask a professor how to remove it."
"Right. What if that crazy bird spawn gets summoned again?"
"Next time it's summoned, it might burn down the Wardanaz kid's room!"
The students of the Blue Dragon Tower had become extremely cold and resolute.
The phoenix's rampage had frozen the students' hearts with icy fear.
From now on, the students would likely view any festival that seemed even slightly dangerous with immediate suspicion.
"No... it's fine. We don't need to remove it."
"No way! Wardanaz! That phoenix might appear in your dreams and kill you!"
"Right. That damn bird probably doesn't even remember the concept of gratitude!"
Contrary his friends' vehement reactions, Lee Han didn't sense any particular danger from the phoenix's mark.
Since none of the other professors had commented, Sharkan hadn't said anything either, and he himself didn't feel any ominous energy, it seemed closer to just being a spirit's mark.
He hadn't confirmed what effects it might have yet, but at the very least, it didn't seem harmful.
"Wardanaz. It's your turn. They're calling you in."
"I'm going now."
A student from the Black Turtle Tower who'd entered earlier came out and called for Lee Han.
As he rose from his seat, Lee Han felt puzzled.
'What's this about?'
The Black Turtle Tower student had been staring intently at Lee Han.
"Did you have something to say to me?"
"...Wardanaz. Did you really eat all the meals at the Blue Dragon Tower... Never mind. Forget it. That was a pointless thing to say. There's no way."
"??"
Lee Eunrade unconsciously steadied his breathing.
He never imagined that as an Imperial Bureaucrat who'd graduated from Einrogard and gained considerable experience, he'd feel this nervous facing a mere first-year student.
But there was no helping it.
Though Einrogard gathered the Empire's geniuses, among those geniuses, there were always a select few who stood out.
And such geniuses were monsters whose depths couldn't even be grasped by ordinary eyes.
Lee Eunrade had seen such a genius before.
'They were two years above me, but truly a monstrous person.'
Having witnessed such a genius before, Lee Eunrade's tension only grew.
Just what kind of student would this be?
"Good day."
Lee Han entered the room with a respectful bow.
Fundamentally, Lee Han had a very favorable impression of Imperial Bureaucrats.
To be precise, he wanted to leave a good impression now so he could easily enter their ranks later.
Outstanding mages were recruited everywhere, but to secure a comfortable, stable, and prestigious position, extraordinary effort was required.
'I absolutely must not let my guard down.'
Lee Han resolved not to make even a single mistake.
Though his body was exhausted from dealing with the phoenix, his mind was sharply alert from the intense tension.
He would definitely receive a favorable evaluation!
"Please have a seat."
Lee Eunrade spoke while hiding his surprise.
Given that he was from the Wardanaz family, and considering his talents and achievements, Lee Eunrade had expected an extremely arrogant mage.
To be specific—a mage like the young Skeleton Principal!
While few mages in the Empire could match the Skeleton Principal's magical prowess, more than expected could match his foul temperament.
Among Imperial Bureaucrats, it was practically an established theory that the more exceptional a mage's skills, the worse their personality.
Yet Lee Han was exceedingly polite. Watching him sit, Lee Eunrade asked,
"I'm not sure where to begin... I've heard you're currently studying all the magic schools available."
"Yes. That's correct."
"May I ask why?"
Lee Han didn't answer, 'Because the professors went insane.'
Instead, with a calm smile on his lips, he gave a model response.
"I've always enjoyed studying magic. As my curiosity grew across various fields, the professors recommended further study. Fortunately, with outstanding educators like Professor Garcia, I was able to find role models."
'Wasn't Professor Garcia only able to do that because she inherited troll blood?'
Lee Eunrade thought this privately but decided not to provoke the genius's temper needlessly.
After all, with the Wardanaz family's bloodline, it wouldn't be strange even when compared to a troll's.
"Were there any inconveniences you experienced during lectures?"
'That's a classic trap question.'
Lee Han wasn't fooled.
Who knew what sinister deal this imperial bureaucrat might have struck behind the scenes with the Skeleton Principal? Answering naively would only put Lee Han at a disadvantage.
Moreover, a student who badmouths professors might come across as having some personality issues.
"None whatsoever. All the professors strive passionately to impart their knowledge. As a learner, it feels almost too luxurious to receive such dedicated instruction."
'Good heavens!'
Eunrade felt goosebumps erupt all over his body as if doused with icy water.
Not even when he first saw the Skeleton Principal, when a friend accidentally flooded the magic school, or when a senior's heart stopped during club activities had he been this shocked.
What kind of soul must this boy have been born with to react like this while enduring the magic school's brutal teachings??
'This student... is not human!'
Eunrade marveled.
Just as scalding lava would feel like mere pond water to a phoenix, the magic school's teachings seemed like pure enjoyment to this Wardanaz scion.
"Astounding... I'm truly impressed."
"Is that so? I'm just embarrassed."
Lee Han inwardly sighed in relief.
He seemed to have navigated the trap question successfully and left a good impression.
"Then let me ask about a few incidents from this semester."
"Of course."
Eunrade began inquiring about the stories he'd heard from other students.
Naturally, there might be some exaggeration from their perspectives.
...No, there absolutely had to be exaggeration.
"You encountered a mud golem in the mountain range?"
"Yes."
"And I heard you defeated it."
"That's correct. We were fortunate."
"...I see..."
Eunrade jotted notes with his quill.
Einrogard Mud Golem Subdued (Triple-confirmed. Verified.)
"And when the Headmaster attacked, I heard you prevented anyone from being captured?"
"That was thanks to my classmates cooperating."
"But you did lead them, correct?"
"Yes. As I mentioned, it was through everyone's cooperation."
Eunrade's quill gradually picked up speed.
The questions continued relentlessly.
He asked about the vine monster, the spirit bull, the rock drake, and the White Poplar Knights incident.
Lee Han answered as cautiously as possible to avoid appearing reckless.
"There was no other choice at the time."
"For my classmates' sake..."
"The phoenix burned our assignments."
Eunrade nodded numbly.
He'd already been shocked beyond capacity—reacting further was impossible.
"Ah yes. I heard there was an altercation with intruders?"
"Professor Garcia helped us with that."
"...What do you mean? I was referring to the adventurers who infiltrated the school."
Eunrade paused.
'Oh no. Wrong incident.'
Lee Han realized his mistake.
Now he had to explain properly, or he'd seem delusional.
"Actually, it was anti-magic zealots..."
"......"
Eunrade's quill became a frenzied blur.
When the account of the zealots' attack concluded, Eunrade stared blankly at the ceiling.
Then he fell deep into thought.
'People won't doubt this report, will they?'
Of course, Eunrade knew better—his credibility was rock-solid, and imperial bureaucrats were accustomed to geniuses emerging from Einrogard.
But this was really...
No matter how you looked at it, this was really...
These achievements were so dazzling that the Emperor himself might summon Lee Han separately.
"Um... Lord Eunrade?"
"Ah. Please speak."
"I've always deeply admired the imperial bureaucrats who work tirelessly day and night."
"Is that so? Thank you! What an honor."
Preoccupied with imagining how his report would shock the imperial bureaucracy, Eunrade failed to notice the disappointed expression on the boy's face.