Episode 571

Though he doubted his own ears, the words he heard didn't change. Come to think of it, hadn't Professor Voladi always been singing? During finals, he'd ask the giants to help prepare the exams. 'I just never thought it'd be a fight...' There were many possibilities for exams involving the giants. Completing tasks assigned by the giants. Riddle contests with the giants. Having tea time with the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠giants, and so on. Out of all those numerous options, it had to be a fight. It was a very simple and straightforward exam method—very much like Professor Voladi.

"Is that really true?" Lee Han asked once out of courtesy, trying to deny reality.

"You mean whether the giants like dancing? Of course they do! Who in the empire doesn't like dancing? Anyone who doesn't is culturally uncultured!"

'I don't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like it...'

Suddenly demoted to a cultural status below that of giants, Lee Han felt a mix of emotions.

"That's not what I meant. Didn't the giants say something strange?"

"Well, saying they'd dance to a humorous tune instead of a traditional one was a bit odd, but not exactly strange—"

"I mean them saying they'd fight me."

"Ah!"

Professor Krinval, who had been chattering about what kind of dances the giants liked and which dances suited them, finally remembered and nodded belatedly.

"That's right! I checked multiple times!"

"Did they also say what weapons they'd use or what strategy they'd employ?"

"W-well, not to that extent..."

Though Professor Krinval usually spoke with a lively, bouncing energy, this time he was flustered. The first-year freshman's question was simply too brutal.

"The giants didn't want to fight, so they gave some advice!"

"What kind of advice...?"

Lee Han felt slightly afraid. Just because it was the professor's advice didn't guarantee it would be good for him. What if it was something like, "Use sharp weapons to minimize the student's pain"...?

"Hide!"

"Excuse me?"

"If you don't want to fight, just hide, right? If you stay hidden just until finals week, everything will work itself out!"

"No. Professor. Do you really think a temporary solution like that would... work?"

Lee Han was baffled by Professor Krinval's words. Strangely enough, it sounded plausible. Or maybe it only sounded plausible because he was currently in a situation where he had to wrestle with giants.

'But it's a good idea.'

If the giants hid -> Professor Voladi couldn't find them -> The finals would be automatically passed -> He'd get full marks.

Everyone could be happy. Of course, Professor Voladi might be a little sad, but Lee Han trusted him. He was sure the professor would overcome it.

"Thank you! Professor. I never expected you to give such advice."

"Ah! It's not over yet!"

"??"

"Take this!"

Even though he was supposed to hide, Professor Krinval handed over a letter personally written by the giants. Apparently, the giants weren't a species accustomed to hiding. Especially not when their opponent was Einrogard's insane murderer.

"Wait, what did you just say?"

"Huh? I said it was from a professor at Einrogard?"

"Th-that's right? Must've misheard!"

Professor Krinval wondered if he had misheard.

'Can I really hide the giants?'

Lee Han fell deep into thought. Tomorrow was the weekend, and once the weekend ended, Einrogard's final week—finals week—would arrive. Naturally, the weekend had to be spent preparing for finals. Would it even be possible to hide the giants while studying for finals?

'Hmm. But now that I think about it, I should be fine with the studying I've already done.'

Lee Han calmly calculated, making a statement that would make other top students resent him. Those who had thoroughly prepared in advance through consistent previewing and reviewing didn't need to cram the night before exams.

'But if I mess up and clash with the giants, I'll be bedridden for a whole week, finals or not...'

"Thank you, Professor. I'll go try to hide the giants now."

"Good luck! Wardanaz student! I'll keep it a secret from the Headmaster!"

Professor Krinval winked and left. Lee Han belatedly tried to say, "It's not the Headmaster's exam," but the professor was already far away.

'Doesn't matter.'

The Skeleton Principal liked being insulted anyway, so this much should be fine.

Even in the slaughterhouse-like halls of Einrogard, Friday afternoons carried a slightly relaxed atmosphere. It was a time when students, having finished their lectures, lazily rested while waiting for the weekend. Some sat on the lawn in front of the main building playing Wizard Cards or chess, while others played bare-handed polo in the nearby clearing. One student had brought a chair to read Toberiz: Unraveling the Schemes of the Evil Black Mage, while another struggled desperately to write a letter despite Einrogard's curse.

But this week was different.

A sense of solemnity hung over the students as finals approached. Even those who usually showed no interest in studying were carrying around stacks of books.

"Let's go."

"Yeah."

Clack, clack, clack.

-When the students from the Blue Dragon Tower approached with solemn expressions, Dijiling, who had been quietly praying, looked up in confusion and asked,
"What brings you here?"

"Priest, could you call Wardanaz for us?"

"Ah, yes. What should I say is the reason?"

"Tell him we need help with studying..."

"...Ah. I see."

The priest's gaze subtly shifted to one of pity. The Blue Dragon Tower students flushed under that look.

'Is he looking down on us?'

'It must just be my imagination. The priests wouldn't do that.'

Of course, the Blue Dragon Tower students had their justifications. They weren't trying to freeload off Wardanaz without having studied at all or made any preparations. They had studied—they just wanted to ask the top student of their year about anything they might have missed or misunderstood.

"So, we have nothing to be ashamed of. Got it?"

"Right. Well said."

"...?"

Adenart, who had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been dragged along by her friends, tilted her head in confusion. They had all coaxed him into coming, but now that he was listening, it didn't seem like the best company to keep. What if people thought he was one of those students who didn't study at all?

"Wait, you guys studied without me? I haven't even started yet??"

"Shh. Shut up, Gainando."

"You have to maintain dignity in front of other tower students, you idiot."

"Even if you didn't study, just say you did. Tell them you're just double-checking."

"......"

"Princess, where are you going?"

"...I left something in my room."

Adenart tried to slip away quietly. He could study on his own just fine and didn't want to be subjected to weird looks from other tower students. Of course, his followers weren't about to let him go so easily.

"Should I go get it for you?"

"No..."

"What did you leave behind?"

"Well..."

"It's snacks, isn't it?" Gainando said, shoving the last cookie into his mouth.

Once studying started, he'd definitely hear, "You little brat, are you here to solve problems or just to stuff your face?" so he had to eat in advance. Gainando was almost moved by his own wisdom.

"No, what are you—!"

"Who do you think you're—!"

"I-It wasn't snacks?" Squeak.

—"What are you guys doing?"

The door opened, and Lee Han stepped out of the tower. His friends were about to greet him cheerfully... but then froze in shock.

"What are you doing??"

Wardanaz was decked out in heavy gear, as if he were about to trek into the mountains.

"Where are you going?"

"Just heading into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mountains for a bit."

"Why??"

"I've got some things to prepare for finals. Did you all come to study together? That's admirable. You did read through the material I told you to review last time, right?"

"Uh..."

"Ugh..."

"Well..."

The students exchanged glances rapidly.

"I... read it. The beginning... at least."

"I-I read it too. 'As I pen this magic tome, I dedicate these words to posterity.'"

'That's just the preface.'

Lee Han quickly assessed their level and clicked his tongue. Adenart, embarrassed, hid behind her followers. He didn't want to be lumped in with them.

"Sorry, but I can't help this time—I've got to go to the mountains. Ah, Princess, could you help them instead?"

Adenart, caught off guard, jerked her head up in surprise. He had no idea how he'd been spotted.

'Was I really hiding?'

Lee Han found the reaction odd. If the followers were gathered, Adenart would naturally be nearby—what was the point of hiding?

"The Princess should be more than capable of helping the others."

"Ah! Y-Yes, I'll try my best..."

"Then, good luck, everyone."

As Lee Han turned to leave, his friends instinctively moved to see him off but then hesitated.

"Wait! Wardanaz!"

"??"

"You can't just leave us behind like this! We'll help!"

"Yeah! We're friends, aren't we?"

As the Blue Dragon Tower students clamored to join, Lee Han didn't look touched—he just stared coldly.

"Go study."

"......"

"Ugh..."

Gainando quietly set down the backpack he'd just shouldered.

'This is troubling.'

As he climbed the mountain, Lee Han fell deep into thought. Hiding the giants was no easy task. It would be great if he could get help, but...

'I don't know if Ikurusha will cooperate.'

Unlike the other giants, Ikurusha was wise and intelligent—and somewhat close to Professor Voladi. Would someone like that betray their agreement with the professor and side with Lee Han? It was hard to say for sure.

"You'll cooperate? 'As expected, it must be difficult for you... Wait, really?'"

"You said you'd cooperate. 'Are you sure that's alright?'"

'Asking if it's alright after bringing it up? Can that even be called a question?' Ikurusha let out a hearty laugh as he looked down at Lee Han.

"Curious about the reason?" "Yes."

"Good. Listen well." Ikurusha lowered his voice as if about to share a secret.

"Normally, if you pit a first-year student against a giant, sensible people would stop you." "......" That much was true. "Still, I thought it wouldn't be possible since you made a promise with Professor Voladi."

"I can't directly intervene, no. But cooperating is entirely possible. And honestly, even if the <Giant Slayer> Archmage were to step in, it wouldn't bode well for the giants..." Though Ikurusha was in a position to help Lee Han befriend the giants and prepare for the exam at Professor Voladi's request, he wasn't particularly fond of the idea of a duel between a giant and a freshman. The only one who'd actually enjoy this was probably that mad wizard, Count Gonadaltes. And Ikurusha was sane. If an injured freshman held a grudge and sought revenge against the giants in the future, how much blood would be spilled? 'What's this about future consequences?' Of course, Lee Han didn't understand.

"Well then, have you thought about how you'll hide them?" "I was planning to first survey the terrain around here. Since the professor will likely search if the giants disappear, I wanted to check the most secretive, hard-to-find spots first."

"What about inside the school?" "...Huh?"

"Inside the school, I mean. Einrogard's main building. To my knowledge, there's no better place." "The main building... certainly has plenty of hiding spots, but..." Lee Han was baffled by Ikurusha's suggestion. Of course, Einrogard's main building had endless space, as vast as its history. So much so that even the Skeleton Principal himself couldn't fully grasp its extent. If searched thoroughly, there would surely be enough places to hide the giants. 'But can we move them?' The real problem was transportation. Though the giants listened well to Lee Han, bringing impulsive giants down the mountain and into the main building? "What if I practice Invisibility Magic from now on—could I cover all the giants?" -...

"That wasn't quite what I meant." Ikurusha made a disgusted face at the freshman's crude attempt to solve everything with magic.