Episode 478
Episode 478
"Ah. My apologies. What did you say?"
Lee Han belatedly noticed Tanjuer calling from behind and turned to address him.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Tanjuer's voice wasn't its usual grumbling tone—it sounded polite and respectful.
Nothing... Never mind...
"More importantly, you've worked hard. Thank you for helping us during the flood."
Lee Han expressed his sincere gratitude.
The fact that students could come and go from Einrogard during the raging storms and torrential rains was largely due to Tanjuer's efforts.
Without Tanjuer, some students would have gone missing.
And since Lee Han was human too, he felt slightly guilty for overworking the spirit.
"I'll release you from the contract now."
Uh... I could work... a little longer... Didn't do much... during the flood...
Tanjuer hesitated as he spoke.
Taken aback by the unexpected response, Lee Han was momentarily flustered.
'What's this? Did he eat something bad?'
Tanjuer, who used to desperately plead, "Send me back!" every day, was suddenly acting like this.
"You've worked plenty. You may return."
Are you... really sure...?
Tanjuer hesitated, gauging Lee Han's reaction.
He already knew Lee Han wasn't an ordinary mage, but to think he could threaten and forcibly recall the spirits involved in this flood...
That wasn't just courage—it required overwhelming power capable of subduing spirits.
Especially when considering how much power those spirits had gained during this flood...
It only reinforced the thought that there was a reason Lee Han was counted among the disciples of this land's ruler.
"Of course it's fine. You may go."
Thank... thank you.
After one last glance at Lee Han, Tanjuer slowly began to dissipate.
"I hope we meet again."
......
Though Lee Han had said it merely out of politeness, to Tanjuer—who was in the process of being forcibly recalled—it was a terrifying statement.
Tanjuer flinched.
'Did he not hear me?'
When the spirit disappeared without responding, Lee Han tilted his head in confusion.
"The school...!"
"It's returning to normal!"
At a visibly rapid pace, the floodwaters that had filled Einrogard began to recede.
Students sat on the library dock, watching as the forests, paths, buildings, and facilities of Einrogard reappeared.
They had never paid much attention before, but seeing it all again now filled them with an inexplicable swell of emotion.
'Most of it survived even that flood.'
Lee Han nodded approvingly at the sight of the paved walkways connecting the buildings remaining intact.
Having followed the Skeleton Principal around during repairs, he knew the school was protected by powerful magic.
Still, seeing it completely unharmed, without so much as a scratch from such a flood, made him marvel despite himself.
'Though I'll have to remake the garden...'
All things considered, they had weathered it fairly well.
The truly important items were stored in his dorm room, and while some food supplies had been lost, he had restocked from outside...
'And I still have the Outing Pass. Next time, I'll have to use it properly to leave.'
Given that the Skeleton Principal was currently eyeing him with deep suspicion about how he had left the school grounds, attempting another unauthorized exit would be amateurish.
As Lee Han lost himself in thought, his eyes caught sight of smoke rising from a pipe in the distance.
Professor Thunderstep was walking toward them, pipe in mouth, with his usual heavy footsteps.
"Professor!"
"Good to see you, sir!"
"Yeah. Good to see you kids too. You all had a rough time with the flood. Though it seems the upperclassmen actually did something this time."
"Huh?"
"Well..."
The first-year students exchanged awkward glances, realizing the professor had misunderstood.
It wasn't the upperclassmen...
But Professor Thunderstep, oblivious to their expressions, continued.
"I have something to say to the students taking Alchemy. Gather around."
"...What now?!"
"......"
Having endured both midterms and the flood, the students had become noticeably rougher and sharper.
The students stared at Professor Thunderstep with suspicion-filled eyes.
"Not another extra exam, is it?"
"Hey. Count me out. Got it? I didn't hear anything about this."
Professor Thunderstep exhaled a deep puff of smoke before speaking.
"Did I really seem like such a harsh professor to you?"
"Professor, you're just an ordinary professor at Einrogard, right?"
"See? Look at Wardanaz here."
Professor Thunderstep stroked his beard and grinned at Lee Han, who had taken his side.
'Huh?'
But come to think of it, something felt slightly off.
Was calling him an ordinary professor at Einrogard really a compliment?
"Anyway, all you hiding ones come out too. I'm busy right now but had no choice but to come here. The flood washed away the cabins... Last flood didn't do this, but now I can't find where the cabins went. Checked everywhere they might be."
"...Couldn't the spirits have destroyed them in anger?"
"Maybe. Anyway, is everyone here?"
"Yes."
As the alchemy students gathered, Professor Thunderstep got to the point.
"Starting tomorrow, students taking alchemy will be going on a 4-day, 3-night field trip. We received a request from the external Maykin Family... You know about the Sangoria Flower, right? If you've studied hard, you should know—there's currently a shortage crisis in the southern coastal regions of the Empire, causing various problems. When such issues arise in the Empire, dedicating ourselves to solving them is part of a mage's duty. Keep that in mind."
After speaking, Professor Thunderstep exhaled a huge puff of smoke. Then he muttered under his breath:
"Damn it, I really don't want to go to that filthy place..."
"......"
"......"
The students pretended not to hear.
"You'll all be coming along too. It's rare to get a chance to observe and learn how to handle such requests firsthand. This kind of joint trip only happens in your first year—normally you'd be expected to handle it alone. Make sure to learn a lot while you're there."
'Isn't that a bit too shameless of him?'
"So..."
"We're going on a field trip?"
"That's right."
The alchemy students burst into cheers.
Even if it was an official work assignment, they were getting to leave the school!
Professor Thunderstep grumbled:
"Don't get too excited. You're only going there to work. Probably won't even have time to play. Persuading local guild members, calming residents, clearing monsters, checking and sorting materials... Are you even listening?"
Of course, the students weren't thinking about any of that. They were just cheering excitedly.
Only the Princess remained thoughtful, carefully considering the situation. She cautiously raised a question:
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"From what I understand, the current Sangoria Flower shortage crisis isn't something that can be resolved by alchemists alone."
The Sangoria Flower shortage in the southern coastal regions wasn't just a simple lack of materials.
With overlapping factors like monster appearances, spirit disturbances, resident complaints, and guild conflicts, even someone as skilled as Professor Thunderstep couldn't handle it alone.
Even if first-year students were going along, their role would only be auxiliary at best.
What exactly was Professor Thunderstep thinking?
"That's an excellent observation amidst all this chaos. The Maykin Family mentioned someone proposed a brilliant idea—skip all the complicated procedures and mobilize the Shadow Patrol from the north to sweep out the monsters first. Probably to show action and placate public sentiment."
"Th-that!"
The Princess was startled.
It was such a radical approach that it could be called ruthless.
Ignoring all procedures and vested interests to eliminate the monsters first.
But upon reflection, no one could deny its effectiveness.
While everyone was cautiously watching to avoid losses, hunting the monsters would greatly impress the local residents, forcing the entangled local factions to take notice.
"Surprised? I get it. It's an extreme but effective method. The high noble families and guilds who prioritize face and procedure would never have thought of it—quite impressive that someone came up with this idea."
As the Thunderstep Professor spoke, his anger seemed to flare up suddenly.
"This isn't the time for praise. Thanks to this, even I have to go down there! They should've just stuck to negotiations like usual—why go and do something they've never done before—"
Hiccup.
Nilia, who had been listening beside them, suddenly started hiccuping. Lee Han and Yoner looked at her sympathetically and handed her a cup of warm black tea.
"We'll depart at first light tomorrow, so everyone should prepare."
"What about the lectures we're attending?"
"The professors will make up for them later."
"......"
Lee Han suddenly frowned.
'Can they really cover everything in make-up lectures?'
"Any more questions?"
"Professor, will travel supplies be provided?"
"What? No, you'll have to prepare your own. Did you think I'd handle it for you?"
The students were deeply moved by the Thunderstep Professor's warm words.
Lee Han sighed.
'I thought only the professors would disappear, but turns out the students are going too.'
He had assumed only the professors would be gone briefly, but now the students were being dragged along as well.
Not that it was a bad thing. Any chance to go outside was precious.
'Even if it's not the Headmaster or Professor Voladi going out, as long as I get to leave, it's all the same.'
Another student nearby raised their hand and asked.
"Professor, are you the only one accompanying us?"
"Lightningfoot Professor is coming too. We'll be flying on mounts."
"Naturally."
"Professor Bagrak will also join. We'll need escorts since we're going outside."
"......"
Lee Han dropped the bottle of black tea he was holding.
Morning.
Gainando clung to the Thunderstep Professor's ankle, wailing, but the professor coldly shook him off.
"You're not an Alchemy student."
"Waaah! I'll attend Alchemy classes diligently from now on! Please take me with you!"
The Alchemy students shook their heads vigorously.
'Thank goodness he's not coming.'
'If he acts like that outside, we'll have to pretend he's from another school.'
Lightningfoot Professor, perched atop the largest and fiercest-looking wyvern in the group, called out.
"Everyone, board the wyverns slowly. They're trained, so they won't be violent—but they won't appreciate rough handling. Wait! Wardanaz, you—make eye contact with the wyvern first. Flash your eyes to show you mean no harm, or it might misunderstand."
"Why just me...?"
Grumbling, Lee Han locked eyes with the wyvern.
The wyvern stared back with wary, distrustful eyes, as if suspecting Lee Han was a predator coming to kill it.
"I'm not your enemy."
-Grrr...
"I'm not your enemy."
-Grrrr...
"...I said I'm not your enemy. Hey."
-Grrrrrr!
Lightningfoot Professor interjected.
"This one's prideful—it only carries those it approves of. But the ones you'll be riding are all tame. You won't have any trouble during the trip."
"Uh, Professor? Why is this one bleeding from its nose?"
"Must've hit it a bit too hard earlier."
"......"
Lee Han wavered slightly, wondering if he could really trust the wyvern.
'It'll be fine.'
Spotting Professor Voladi approaching in the distance, Lee Han suddenly felt reassured.
Though usually intimidating, having him along for the wyvern ride was unexpectedly comforting.
"Professor, I'm glad we'll be riding wyverns together."
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Huh?"
"Wyverns are excessively safe mounts."
Professor Voladi flicked an eyebrow regretfully before climbing onto the wyvern.
"......"
From inside Lee Han's backpack, the basilisk egg let out a wary sound.
