Episode 555
Episode 555
'Shouldn't all rumor-mongers be sent to the Punishment Room?' Lee Han angrily scribbled his reply.
-"I have no idea where you keep picking up such strange information. As I said last time, you really need to reconsider your sources. Where on earth do you keep finding these baseless rumors...?"
'What an unpleasant personality.' The person on the other side of the mirror raised an eyebrow as they watched the rapidly appearing letters.
This Black Turtle Tower student's abilities were undoubtedly outstanding, but they had the weakness of acting emotionally.
If not for that flaw, they might have rated him more highly.
'But there's no denying he's useful. He must be in contact with first-years.'
Even the rough students who frequently raided the Headmaster's warehouse generally avoided interacting with first-years.
Getting caught by the Skeleton Principal even once could mean rotting properly in the Punishment Room.
Since contacting first-years was treated as a more serious offense than getting caught raiding the Headmaster's warehouse, few students bothered with the unprofitable task of interacting with first-years.
But exceptions always existed.
Students from White Tiger Tower or Black Turtle Tower were particularly likely to be such exceptions.
'Emotional types who can't mind their own business.' If they had acquaintances or family connections among the freshmen, they'd be the type to readily step forward to help.
This was incomprehensible to the person beyond the mirror.
If you came to learn magic, shouldn't you focus on your own magic? Why bother with others'?
Yet this time, such pointless behavior had proven advantageous.
After all, someone directly contacting a first-year would inevitably have an easier time uncovering the truth than relying on rumors.
I see. I'll keep that in mind.
-"Why are you so interested in that first-year? As I said before, he's that weirdo attending multiple schools of magic. He's unsuitable for being taken aside for special tasks."
Though Lee Han usually tried to maintain his good reputation in front of seniors, this time was different.
Even if it meant spreading slightly unfavorable rumors, he intended to persuade his counterpart.
'This junior doesn't seem like the best candidate for tasks'—he wanted to leave that impression!
Otherwise, the moment he became a second-year, he might get dragged around by seniors for extra tasks.
Short-sighted thinking.
-"What did you say?"
Let me give you some advice in return for the information. About how to handle juniors. When a junior says they're busy with other matters, what do you think that means?-...
That they're just busy?
That's where you're wrong. That junior is wasting time on other things. My proposal would benefit them most.
'Definitely a madman.' Lee Han almost asked if he was speaking to Professor Verdus, but restrained himself.
-"How can you be so sure?"
What do you mean? Obviously, since my magic is the most outstanding, it would be most beneficial.
"......"
Lee Han realized his mistake.
You shouldn't argue with crazy people!
-"Understood. I hope your skills match your confidence. But that junior likely won't agree with you. He's already attending multiple schools of magic."
That may be. But I have ways to persuade him.
-"May I ask something?"
Since I've given you information, I'll continue. Eccentric enough to be close with Ilendil and...
-"I said we're not close!"
Yes. Eccentric enough to associate with Ilendil, and given his deep connections with Black Magic school students, this Wardanaz first-year likely has narrow and problematic social circles.
"......"
Lee Han was speechless at this outrageous slander.
-"Isn't that jumping to conclusions?"
No. Coming from the Wardanaz family, it's practically certain.
'This bastard's serious.' Lee Han nearly forgot he was speaking to a senior and almost asked to see his face.
Thus, if invited to my club and provided with proper social connections, he'd be extremely satisfied.
'I should always suspect anyone who invites me to a club first.' Lee Han thought this as he replied.
"Right. Now that I hear it, it does sound plausible. Give it your best shot."
"Thanks. Like last time, your information is the most accurate. Did you confirm the Hydra?"
The person beyond the mirror seemed to rate Lee Han slightly higher now that he had agreed with their opinion.
This one knew when to concede rather than stubbornly clinging to emotional biases.
That was a quality worthy of considerable praise.
"Right."
"As payment for the information, I'll give you one more thing. That Hydra won't respond well to sleep spells. The Headmaster reinforced it."
"Wow. Thanks a lot."
"Good luck with that."
The person beyond the mirror ended the conversation, satisfied.
Lee Han had spoken with many through the Communication Artifact, but he had a feeling this one might last quite a while.
Aside from being hot-tempered and impatient, they were quite capable.
Moreover, they seemed genuinely appreciative of the information he provided...
'Should I just block them soon?' Lee Han cursed the person for giving him utterly useless information.
"Lee Han. Lee Han."
When Gainando crawled through the hole and entered the secret base, calling his name, Lee Han answered irritably.
"Gainando. I already fed you dinner. Find your own snacks. Did you already finish all the cookies I gave you last time?"
"No, that's not—"
"Wanna play Wizard Cards? I already played with you yesterday. We did five rounds and you lost all five, so not today."
"No, that's not—"
"Do your Black Magic homework yourself, Gainando. I told you, bone Elemental Magic depends heavily on the condition of the reagent bones. Check them again and think about whether they can properly serve as the starting point for the spell."
"No, that's not it!!!"
Gainando, who had been enduring the nagging, finally exploded.
He flopped onto the floor, rolling back and forth while shouting.
"Tomorrow! We have to go out!!! The others!!! Are waiting for us!!!!"
"Ah."
Only then did Lee Han remember the promise they had made to attempt an escape with their friends this weekend.
With finals coming up next week, it would be extremely troublesome if they didn't go out this week.
"Sorry, Gainando. I forgot."
"How could you forget? I've been thinking about it every night this whole week."
Gainando, who had been complaining, glanced at the piles of books and crumpled papers stacked in front of Lee Han and nodded.
"Okay, I can see how you forgot."
"No, I shouldn't have forgotten. Thanks for reminding me."
"Then can I have more snacks?"
"No. Finish your homework."
Lee Han led the dejected Gainando to the meeting spot where their friends were waiting.
Entering through a hidden passage on the second floor of the main building led them to a warehouse where the Dimensional Gate Artifact, worked on by generations of seniors before them, lay dormant.
Originally, this artifact had been impossible to activate due to insufficient mana, but thanks to Lee Han's discovery, it had regained its vitality.
A Dimensional Gate to escape the school!...
The fact that its destination happened to be the Skeleton Principal's private villa was deeply unsettling, but for students burning with the desire to get out, this was hardly an issue.
"I told anyone who wanted to join to come. How many more have gathered?"
"Uh. Well..."
"?"
When Gainando hesitated, Lee Han grew puzzled.
"Did no one else show up there?"
"No."
"Then did too many show up?"
"Sort of... uh..."
"How many is 'too many'?"
"Everyone?"
"......"
Lee Han doubted his ears.
"Everyone???"
"From what I heard, everyone's gathered..."
Gainando hesitated, sensing that something felt off even to him.
If he turned out to be wrong later, he'd be the only one getting blamed for it.
"Wait, even the Phoenix Tower acolytes? Even if the other towers make sense, them too?"
"They said since you're going, they wanted to come along and help..."
"......"
For a moment, Lee Han wondered if he had somehow corrupted the innocent Phoenix Tower acolytes.
'No. This isn't my fault. It's the other students' fault.'
It was because of guys like Salkona or Moradi—definitely not Lee Han's doing.
He decided to believe that firmly.
Creak
-As they entered the warehouse, a few students representing each tower were waiting with tense expressions.
"You're here, Wardanaz?"
"Are you really all going out?"
"From what we confirmed, yes."
Priestess Siana and Priestess Dijiling also nodded.
"They all said they'd go out together."
"We warned them they might end up in the Punishment Room, but they said they were curious..."
"......"
Lee Han felt a slight pang of guilt but shook his head slightly and endured it.
"If we all gather, we might get caught, so we decided to meet like this."
"Good job, Salko. The plan..."
Giselle tossed the thick bundle of papers she was holding.
Thanks to the students from each tower continuously passing it around and refining it for a week, the papers were now tattered.
-Tower of the Black Turtle: Prepare clothes in advance (Change immediately after going out. Be absolutely careful not to get caught as students!!!)
-Blue Dragon Tower: Head to the noble mansions of the students to secure funds (As generously as possible)
-White Tiger Tower students/Phoenix Tower students: Request knights and priests to accompany them (Choose tight-lipped individuals)
-Everyone scatters to avoid detection...
Lee Han nodded as he read. Since they had already discussed it several times, it wasn't that surprising.
"There are a few more things to add."
"What?"
"We'll use Exit Permits too."
With this many people going out and returning with necessary items, it was impossible not to raise suspicion.
To avoid such suspicion, Lee Han planned to send out as many as possible to divert attention.
"Wardanaz, are you going out?"
"No. I have to open the Dimensional Gate too, and if I use an Outing Pass, the Headmaster would likely get suspicious. He's already been suspicious of me lately."
Due to several unauthorized outings, the Skeleton Principal's vigilance had heightened considerably.
The moment he used an Outing Pass, the Headmaster might think, 'Is this brat finding another escape route again?' and assign someone to tail him.
"Let's ask the most reliable priests. They'll draw the least suspicion."
Lee Han boldly planned to use Exit Permits to send out the priests.
In the current situation, they were the least likely to be suspected when coming and going.
Priestess Siana responded with a serious expression.
"I'll do my best."
"?"
Lee Han paused, confused, before realizing belatedly and hastily replying.
"Ah! Priestess Siana. I'd prefer if Priestess Siana went through the Dimensional Gate. We need someone reliable on this side too. It's absolutely not that I don't trust Priestess Siana. Got it?"
"Ah. If that's the case, then there's no helping it."
'Easy.'
Priestess Dijiling gave Lee Han a look of disbelief, but Lee Han pretended not to notice.
"Priests with Exit Permits will go out, buy things normally, and return. The rest will go out and come back in turns. Understood?"
"Got it."
The students' eyes burned with determination.
Perhaps the magic they had learned all year was for this very moment.
To strike a blow against that despicable and wicked Archmage!
Crack, crrrrrrackle!!
The Dimensional Gate Artifact, infused with several times more mana than before, tore through space and opened a passage once more.
Adenart, who was present, wore a grave expression.
Not only was the mana several times stronger than last time, but the artifact's durability didn't seem particularly robust either.
Adenart whispered cautiously.
"Are you really sure this is...?"
"If we want it to hold until we return, there's no choice. I calculated it—it should be fine."
"Is that so? Phew. That's a relief."
"...Probably."
"?!"
Adenart startled and quickly looked back at Lee Han, but the students had already started entering.
Lee Han gestured to the Princess's followers.
As she was dragged away by her followers, the Princess glared daggers at Lee Han, but he ignored her.
Lately, he felt like his talent for ignoring stares had improved.
'Theoretically, round trips should be possible.'
As long as the seniors hadn't made any mistakes or misassembled the artifact while creating it, it was possible.
Lee Han trusted the seniors.
That insane skeleton wouldn't even imagine where we're aiming. Haha. Once it's complete, your villa in the city will be ours!
Lee Han closed the journal beside him and pushed it aside.