Episode 339
Episode 339
"Ah! Master Gonadaltes!"
"Look here! This Wardanaz student is on the verge of mastering <Ogonin's Veil>! And he's only a first-year!"
"......"
The Skeleton Principal summoned every ounce of his patience to keep himself from hurling a Curse at the cheerful faces of the Illusion Mages.
"That is indeed quite remarkable."
"Right? We knew you'd agree!"
"Of course you'd be delighted, as the one responsible for Einrogard! Hahaha!"
The Illusion Mages burst into merry laughter, but Lee Han had a slightly different impression.
'He looks absolutely furious.'
The Skeleton Principal, in his human form, wore an expression so icy it went beyond mere coldness—it looked like he was barely restraining himself from attacking the Illusion Mages on the spot.
However, the Illusion Mages were too overjoyed at the possibility that Lee Han, a mere first-year, might master <Ogonin's Veil> to even notice the Headmaster's expression.
"Master Gonadaltes, perhaps you could offer a few words of advice?"
"That's a wonderful idea!"
Listening to their innocent exchange, Lee Han thought to himself:
Perhaps the rumor that Illusion Mages were skilled at reading others' emotions was just that—a rumor.
"Still, there's one thing I'm curious about..."
"And what would that be?"
"Didn't I make a request of you all?"
The Skeleton Principal asked as kindly and gently as possible.
If his true feelings slipped out, the mages might all flee in terror.
"What was it again?"
"Was it to help him fully master <Ogonin's Veil>?"
As the Illusion Mages murmured among themselves, the Headmaster's anger deepened even further.
"The students... in the ballroom... as targets..."
"Ah! Right, right. I remember now, Master Gonadaltes."
"You wanted us to give them a good scare, didn't you?"
"Not just... a good scare... but to terrify them into fleeing..."
"Huh? Why would we need to terrify them into running away?"
The Skeleton Principal regretted summoning these Illusion Mages.
He thought he had brought some decent ones from Granden City, but he hadn't expected them to be this oblivious.
"...Forget it. Just get ready."
"Ah, wait a moment, Master Gonadaltes."
"What now?"
"We'd like to finish watching Wardanaz here master <Ogonin's Veil> before we prepare."
"......"
The Skeleton Principal wished this were Einrogard.
If it were, he could have thrown all these mages headfirst into the Punishment Chamber without a second thought.
But this was Granden City, and if he acted rashly against the Illusion Mages, reports and complaints would fly straight to the imperial capital.
Einrogard's hard-earned reputation in the city would be tarnished with accusations of brutality and terror.
He had to endure.
"Since... the ball is already past its midpoint, shouldn't you hurry with the preparations...?"
The Headmaster spoke as pleasantly as he possibly could.
But the Illusion Mages were even more oblivious and stubborn than he had anticipated.
"We humbly request your permission, Master Gonadaltes."
"He's almost there! If he doesn't seize this chance to master <Ogonin's Veil>, who knows how much longer it might take!"
"I'm fine with waiting. I can always practice again later..."
Lee Han, sensing the mood, tried to intervene, but the Illusion Mages wouldn't back down.
"Master Gonadaltes! We beg of you!"
"Surely you, Master Gonadaltes, understand how crucial this opportunity is..."
"...Do as you wish."
The Skeleton Principal let out a sigh so deep and dark it felt like it could pierce through the corridor floor and reach the vengeful spirits lurking deep underground.
"Just make it as quick as possible."
"I'll do my absolute best to hurry."
Lee Han, sensing the Headmaster's mood, spoke with genuine sincerity.
But then the Illusion Mages chimed in with their own advice.
"There's no need to rush."
"Indeed. Impatience is the most dangerous enemy when mastering magic."
"......"
The Skeleton Principal glared at the Illusion Mages with murderous intent.
When Lee Han finally mastered <Ogonin's Mist> and returned to the banquet hall, the ball was already nearing its end.
The Skeleton Principal suspected Lee Han might have deliberately taken his time learning it, but he didn't press the issue.
Honestly, even by the Skeleton Principal's standards, Lee Han had learned it relatively quickly, so he couldn't in good conscience complain.
'Thank goodness I wasn't caught.'
Lee Han inwardly sighed in relief.
At the final stage of mastering <Ogonin's Mist>, he had intentionally twisted the flow of mana several times to fake failure.
Judging by the time, the ball was almost over, so he hadn't been particularly eager to return quickly.
"Gainando... did you go swimming or something?"
Lee Han was startled by Gainando's appearance, who looked like he'd bathed in sweat.
Gainando sat slumped in a chair, panting like his heart might stop any moment. His breathing was so ragged he could barely speak.
"Th-the, huff, shoes, huff, crazy professor, gasp..."
"So you're saying never trust shoes from a mad professor. Got it."
Gainando kept nodding repeatedly. Lee Han noticed Gainando was barefoot.
The artifact must have malfunctioned, and he'd barely managed to break free and escape.
'I told you not to wear them.'
As Lee Han inwardly lamented, some city nobles passing by saw Gainando and marveled.
"That was truly an incredible dance."
"A dancer of that caliber is rare even in the capital. If His Highness the Prince makes an appearance in high society, everyone would be amazed."
"!"
Lee Han was shocked.
Who would've thought Professor Verdus's cursed artifact would turn out to be such a blessing?
He didn't know how Gainando had danced, but it must have been spectacular enough to impress even these jaded city nobles who'd seen countless balls and social events.
"However, His Highness does have one major flaw."
"Ah. Now that you mention it... unless he fixes that flaw, he might not be welcomed in high society."
"!?"
Lee Han was shocked for entirely different reasons now.
'What? What mess did Gainando get into?'
Though Gainando could be a bit scatterbrained, he rarely had opportunities to cause trouble.
He'd spent most of this year at the magic school, and before that, he hardly attended social gatherings. How could he—?
'Did he say something wrong? Insult someone?'
"Using Black Magic curses to win at Wizard Card games. Really, how..."
"Who would've thought someone would pull out such vulgar cards in a friendly game meant to honor each other's dignity."
"......"
Lee Han was at a loss for words.
What in the...?
'They're making such a fuss over a few cards? That's too much.'
"Wardanaz."
While Lee Han was still stunned, two friends from the White Tiger Tower approached him.
After hearing so much honorifics from the illusion mages today that his ears were sore, Lee Han instinctively flinched.
"Rowena. Kltran. Good to see you."
Rowena was an eastern knight among the Princess's followers, while Kltran was a knight whose broken ankle during polo Lee Han had treated.
Kltran asked curiously,
"But Wardanaz, where were you during the middle of the ball? I didn't see you."
"I met with some time mages and had a brief discussion."
Lee Han made an excuse. It wasn't entirely a lie, after all.
"Oh... as expected of you."
Kltran interpreted it differently.
Given Wardanaz's reputation, he assumed the time mages had sought him out for a pleasant chat.
It wasn't completely untrue.
Though it certainly wasn't the admiring gaze-worthy story Kltran imagined.
"Lord Wardanaz, this seems rather unfair."
Rowena grumbled with a sullen tone. Lee Han couldn't understand what his elf friend was talking about.
"What do you mean?"
"Though the Princess is also your friend, you only gave those shoes to Lord Gainando."
"......"
Listening to Rowena, it seemed because Gainando had stormed through the ball like a hurricane, Princess Adenart—despite her excellent dancing skills—hadn't gotten a chance to showcase her abilities.
Kltran, who had been listening nearby, spoke up with a puzzled expression.
"But if she got overshadowed by Gainando, doesn't that just mean her dancing skills were lacking—"
"How dare you say that?! That was just a flashy dance designed to grab attention! True dance should embody elegance and meaning in silence—"
"Ah, no. I don't know much about dancing."
Kltran shot Lee Han a pleading look for help.
"Rowena. I didn't give him those shoes. Professor Verdus—"
"When I asked the professor, he said he originally intended to give them to you, Lord Wardanaz, but you refused, so he gave them to Lord Gainando... Was that incorrect?"
"...He didn't give them. Gainando just took them on his own. And besides, that thing's a cursed artifact."
Lee Han explained that Professor Verdus was insane and that the artifact was cursed, but though Rowena seemed to accept it, she still couldn't let go of her lingering regret.
"Then it would've been better if I had worn them..."
Kltran glanced at Rowena, then at Gainando lying sprawled on the floor in the distance, and shook his head vigorously. Then, mouthing silently, he spoke to Lee Han.
—I really don't get why they're so loyal. Everyone seems crazy.
—Aren't they your Tower friends?
—...Don't act like it's someone else's problem. Wardanaz, you're practically the babysitter of your own Tower.
"...What kind of nonsense is that?"
Lee Han, who had also been mouthing silently, blurted out in surprise at Kltran's absurd remark.
Rowena flinched and apologized hastily.
"M-my apologies. Was it too presumptuous of me to suggest wearing them?"
"That's not— More importantly, Rowena. Do the White Tiger Tower guys really call me a babysitter?"
Rowena froze, sensing the threatening edge in Lee Han's voice.
"I... I don't really kn— Ah! Your Highness! Your Highness! Over here!"
Spotting Adenart, Rowena quickly called out to her. Watching this, Lee Han thought to himself:
'Her loyalty seems weaker than I expected.'
Unaware that her knightly devotion was being questioned, Rowena waved at the princess. Adenart, holding a plate of snacks, was dragged over without understanding why.
"I'll carry that for you."
"It's not like you don't have hands or feet. Just let her eat what she—"
Whether Lee Han said anything or not, Rowena hurriedly took the plate and moved.
Beside them, Kltran snatched up a plate like lightning and stood up as well.
He had shrewdly realized that staying put would mean facing Lee Han's wrath alone. Not for nothing was he a knight.
'Hm. Awkward.'
Lee Han briefly considered calling over Gainando, who was still lying on the floor.
Even among friends, there were those he was comfortable with and those he had barely spoken to—making things awkward.
The princess was decidedly the latter.
"Did you have a good break?"
Nod.
The princess gave a slight nod, then opened her mouth.
"This time..."
'Basilisk? The Valor Family? Ghoul King? Undead Chimera? The knights of the Red Lotus Forest?'
Lee Han braced himself for whatever she might ask, only to feel a pang of self-reproach.
"...I heard you had a meal with His Highness Gainando."
"Huh?"
The completely unexpected remark made Lee Han freeze momentarily.
'What? Is she trying to gauge if I'm part of Gainando's faction?'
If that were the case, Lee Han was prepared to say, 'I'm not part of Gainando's faction, haha, feel free to fight him all you want, I won't interfere.'
But instead of speaking, Adenart fixed him with a gaze, her blue eyes filled with a subtle emotion.
Lee Han felt like he'd seen that look somewhere before.
To be precise, it was the same pleading, helpless expression Gainando had given him when buried under a mountain of overdue assignments—
'No. Surely not.'
Lee Han recoiled at his own thought. The princess wasn't the type to beg for help with assignments. Comparing her to Gainando was an insult.
"I've brought it."
Rowena returned with a plate full of snacks.
Lee Han blinked at the sight of the healthy, vibrant green-filled plate.
"Uh... Princess, is this yours?"
"Yes, this plate?"
"......"
Lee Han could clearly see the princess's face fall for a brief moment.