Episode 501
Episode 501
The Skeleton Principal spoke in a meaningful tone.
"Please do your best. Explain the beauty of Einrogard."
'Can I really do this?'
He'd accepted for the sake of the Outing Pass, but now that he'd actually received the task, sudden worries surfaced.
Did Einrogard even have any beauty?
'All that seems to exist here is suffering and sorrow...'
There was no way someone like the Skeleton Principal would give out an Outing Pass without reason.
Of course, this was probably to ensure that when the famous bard went outside, he wouldn't compose songs like "Oh, the students of Einrogard are suffering in hell~"
But no matter how hard Lee Han tried, if all that existed in Einrogard was pain and sorrow, there would be limits.
Could he really do this well?
"What are those students doing over there?"
"The fence was recently broken, so they've come out to fix it."
Lee Han answered Ifadur's question without hesitation.
In the distance, his friends from the Black Turtle Tower were repairing the broken fence while cursing loudly.
True to his reputation as an experienced bard, Ifadur asked a sharp follow-up question.
"But why are they fixing it at this early hour?"
"Because they love the school so much."
The Skeleton Principal beside them looked at Lee Han with admiring eyes.
To blurt out such an embarrassing lie without even a second's hesitation.
'How on earth did such a guy come from the Wardanaz family?'
"When they couldn't finish repairs during the day, they couldn't stop thinking about it even at night, so they came out like this. That's how much they love the school."
"The devotion you mages have for Einrogard is truly remarkable."
"Only natural."
If the Black Turtle Tower students had heard this, they would have thrown their hammers, but Lee Han delivered the lines without batting an eye.
A professional doesn't get swayed by petty emotions.
"Has there been a flood here recently?"
Ifadur asked in a surprised voice as they walked through the forest path.
This wasn't a place that should have water, yet traces remained as if there had been some flood.
"Yes."
"To my knowledge... it's not yet the rainy season, is it?"
Lee Han glanced at the Skeleton Principal, who nodded slightly as if to say it was okay.
'That much can be revealed.'
'Understood.'
"Einrogard is an area with such dense mana that strange phenomena often occur. This recent Spirit Flood was one such phenomenon."
"Truly astonishing. Such capricious natural phenomena are rare even in the Empire."
"I suppose that's true."
The elderly turtle beastman bard leaned on his cane, looking around with fascinated eyes as he began taking notes with his quill. The Skeleton Principal kept sneaking glances at what he was writing.
"In Einrogard, the cradle that nurtures outstanding mages, various phenomena occur. Young mages resolve these phenomena with the help of experienced mages."
The Skeleton Principal looked on with satisfaction.
It seemed this seasoned bard had fallen into the trap of preconceptions and common sense, failing to notice Einrogard's truth.
As if there was any such thing as help from experienced mages!
'Just keep this up, Wardanaz.'
'Don't worry.'
"Wait. When floods occur, how do students get around? Do you use magic for that too?"
"Yes. We either create boats with magic or summon Tanjuer."
"Thank you."
Ifadur paused in his note-taking.
"You summon Tanjuer??"
......
The Skeleton Principal looked at Lee Han as if to say, "What are you doing?"
Lee Han also realized his mistake.
'I messed up.'
Upon reflection, summoning Tanjuer wasn't the standard procedure during floods.
"Who summoned Tanjuer?"
Ifadur, looking extremely intrigued, gripped his quill with an attitude that said he wouldn't let this go.
"I summoned him."
"How fascinating... utterly fascinating."
The Skeleton Principal gave Lee Han a look as if telling him to get a grip.
His student couldn't afford to lose composure already.
"Lord Gonadaltes. Do all students at Einrogard know how to summon Tanjuer?"
Of course not. Only a few exceptional students can summon him.
"Which students—"
Ah! My lord! Look over there! The giants are wrestling!
The Skeleton Principal pointed toward the mountain range, abruptly changing the subject.
Fortunately, the giant wrestling match seemed more interesting than expected, as Ifadur also turned his gaze.
"It's rare to see giants like this—how fascinating. Lord Gonadaltes. Though I must ask, and forgive me if this is impudent... do the giants ever pose a threat to the students?"
Giants weren't as threatening as monsters, but they weren't exactly warm and friendly neighbors either.
If the young mages accidentally clashed with them, the consequences could be severe.
The Skeleton Principal let out a hearty laugh.
Haha. As you can see by the distance, students rarely encounter the giants. They're the guardians of the mountain range.
"I see. That makes sense."
Given that the Wardanaz here mingles with giants, he'd know best. Speak up, Wardanaz. Have you ever seen the giants interact with students?
"......"
Lee Han stared at the Skeleton Principal as if he were insane.
Only then did the Skeleton Principal realize his mistake.
'Damn it.'
Come to think of it, Wardanaz was still a student.
"Wait... Student Wardanaz... has met a giant...?"
Seeing Ifadur's confusion, Lee Han quickly stepped in to clarify.
"Well, there was one giant who actually saved me..."
Lee Han recounted the story of how the giant Ikurusha had rescued him, followed by the chess match where he had won the giant's hair (with some embellishments).
Thanks to that, he had grown close to the giants and even got to see them raising Mountain-Destroying Sheep last time.
The old bard nodded with deep admiration.
"What an incredible tale. Truly incredible! For a young mage to befriend a giant like that..."
Haha. Wardanaz here is quite the social one. You rascal! I told you not to go near the mountains because it's dangerous!
Lee Han shot the Skeleton Principal a frosty glare.
Realizing he had crossed a line, the Skeleton Principal subtly averted his gaze.
From then on, Ifadur continued walking along the forest path, marveling at the mountains, the lake, and the rising moon and stars above.
Seeing the bard singing by the glass-clear lake, Lee Han was reminded once again of Einrogard's merits.
'The scenery here is better than I thought!'
Usually, he was too preoccupied with thoughts like, 'How many fish should I secure from the lake today?' or 'How many baskets of herbs should I gather from the mountains?' to notice. But seeing it like this, it was actually quite nice.
Glancing to the side, he saw the Skeleton Principal yawning.
Other students would have wept with envy if they saw this.
Getting to hear Ifadur's song up close like this...
'Hmm. I don't really get it.'
He could tell the singing was excellent, but since Lee Han had little interest in music, Ifadur's song was just... well, a well-sung song to him.
"By the way, Student Wardanaz, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Yes. I'm all ears."
Worried his distracted thoughts had been noticed, Lee Han replied as humbly as possible.
"Lord Gonadaltes invited me to study the connection between music and magic... Ah, I should have asked this first—my mistake. My memory isn't what it used to be... Which school of magic are you studying under?"
"......"
......
Both Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal's expressions wavered simultaneously.
'Should I tell him?'
'Probably fine.'
"I take an interest in all schools of magic within Einrogard."
"Really?!"
This revelation seemed to intrigue Ifadur as well, as he gasped in surprise and pulled out his quill again.
"Isn't that impossible?"
"Thanks to the professors who spare no effort in showing me their attention, though it's difficult, I'm somehow managing to achieve results."
'Though I ordered it, this kid is truly insane.'
The Skeleton Principal felt something akin to awe at the way flattery poured out of Lee Han's mouth as if he were some coin-operated compliment machine.
Had it been a mistake to keep this student at Einrogard?
With a silver tongue like this, shouldn't he be sent to the imperial political arena instead?
'But he loves magic far too much for that.'
Unaware that the Headmaster had already determined his future career path in that brief moment, Lee Han continued speaking.
"I can truly sense how much you respect the professors of Einrogard, student."
"I consider myself extremely fortunate. Haha."
"That does appear to be the case. Now, returning to the main point... how much interest do you have in music?"
The Headmaster shot Lee Han a look that said, 'Just say you like it somewhat.'
"I quite enjoyed the last song composed by Lord Ifadur. The lively rhythm—"
"Lively rhythm, you say?"
"...creating songs that go against current trends to elicit reactions from imperial citizens—that's something only Lord Ifadur could accomplish."
"Ah-ha."
Lee Han immediately adjusted his words after seeing Ifadur's reaction.
"How fortunate that you're interested. As you know, while Lord Gonadaltes researches the connection between music and magic, I must diligently assist him, though I suspect we'll also need help from students like yourself."
Having spent many years as a minstrel, Ifadur knew better than anyone that nothing was as capricious as music.
The same song could feel entirely different depending on the day it was sung—how much more troublesome must it be for mages?
Inevitably, they would need other mages to assist in various ways during their research.
"Might you be willing to help?"
At Ifadur's question, the Skeleton Principal scowled with extreme displeasure.
'What's this?'
Lee Han was puzzled.
Given the Headmaster's personality, he'd expected him to push Lee Han forward no matter how difficult it might be, as long as it was a chance to learn magic.
"If I help, what exactly would I need to do?"
"Hmm. It might be... somewhat bothersome. Though we would provide compensation..."
"?"
Lee Han was taken aback by Ifadur's mention of compensation.
Wait—
'Not only learning magic but getting paid for it too?'
How does that make sense?
"...You'd likely have to sacrifice a considerable portion of your precious weekends. Accompanying Lord Gonadaltes to meet with imperial orchestras or choirs outside the academy, listening to their music from a magical perspective—"
"I'll help!"
"Are you truly certain?"
Ifadur looked surprised.
No matter how exceptional a mage might be, he'd assumed someone so young would prioritize having personal time on weekends.
Things like going out to enjoy polo matches or playing chess at city cafes, for instance.
"It will take up a great deal of your time."
"Lord Ifadur. I am someone who has devoted my life to magic."
"Well, seeing how you're affiliated with so many schools of magic..."
"......"
Lee Han felt wounded by his own words.
'Some of those were forced upon me.'
"I would be truly delighted if you could assist."
...Shouldn't we also verify whether the Wardanaz possesses any musical talent?
The thought of Lee Han wasting precious weekends on unnecessary outings instead of magical study was agony itself to the Headmaster.
To squander valuable time on music magic that might not even bear fruit—
"It's fine, Lord Gonadaltes. Whether he has talent or not, he'll serve as an important example. Besides, where else would you find such an interesting student? I'd love to hear more."
Damn it all...
The Headmaster muttered under his breath.
While he'd succeeded in diverting attention from Einrogard, Ifadur had grown interested in something else entirely.
Then again, how could this endlessly curious minstrel not be fascinated by someone like a Wardanaz?
"Hmm?"
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah. It just occurred to me. Unlike ordinary floods, an Spirit Flood wouldn't naturally dissipate..."
"......"
......