Episode 614
Episode 614
"Th-This can't be... This is impossible...!"
Not many mages have experienced the feeling of the sky falling.
At Einrogard, you could occasionally witness such things, but generally, a collapsing sky was a rare occurrence.
Yet, for the young alhi, today's events felt exactly like the sky crashing down.
How could this happen?
"Th-This is a trick! A deception!"
Their faces flushed red, the alhi suddenly stood up and shouted.
Still young, their attitude was brimming with defiance.
"Th-That senior must be at least a fifth-year student!"
"He was a first-year until this year. Pengerin."
"Th-Then... Then that senior must be the top of his year! There's no way he's just average!"
"!"
'What?'
The Skeleton Principal and Lee Han were startled by the sharp observation from the alhi.
As expected of someone rumored to be outstanding even among his family—his mind was far from ordinary.
"Nope."
But the Skeleton Principal's shamelessness was on another level.
Lee Han, embarrassed, averted his gaze, but the Headmaster continued without batting an eye.
"Top of the year? What nonsense. At Einrogard, students like him are as common as pebbles on the roadside. Right, Wardanaz?"
"......"
"Enough! Alhi, this is shameful!"
Fortunately, the elderly penguin beastman exploded in anger on Lee Han's behalf.
"Blaming others for your own shortcomings? Since when has the bloodline of the Pengerin Family become so disgraceful?"
"Th-That's not it... I just thought that senior couldn't possibly be ordinary..."
"How dare you disregard the words of Lord Gonadaltes! You, who couldn't even reach the heels of the reputation Lord Gonadaltes has built!"
The elderly penguin beastman scolded the alhi, his beak trembling.
The alhi bowed their heads deeply in shame.
'Wait, is this really okay?'
Lee Han shot a glance at the Skeleton Principal, silently urging him to rein it in.
But the Headmaster merely nodded with an expression that suggested his praise was entirely justified.
Keep going!
"......"
"I... I apologize. I was wrong."
"It's not just your fault. Our entire family was mistaken. We overestimated your talent simply because you're kin. Lord Gonadaltes, I humbly request—please take this talentless child to Einrogard and temper him! If you do this, we will consider it the family's greatest honor."
"Haha. That was precisely my intention."
The Skeleton Principal spoke like the kindest archmage in the world.
"Pengerin. Even if you lack talent, don't worry too much. If you study hard after enrolling at Einrogard, you might one day become like your perfectly average senior here."
"Headmaster. Please, enough."
Lee Han whispered to the Headmaster, who was clearly enjoying tormenting the alhi.
No matter what, they were still juniors, and he couldn't help feeling a little sorry for them.
"Se-Senior. I apologize for my rudeness earlier."
Unaware of what the two were discussing, the alhi hesitantly approached.
Now that they'd regained their senses, they realized just how disrespectful their earlier words had been.
"I was wrong."
"...No. I didn't mind at all."
Lee Han quickly tried to console them.
Leaving them like this would have been too much for his conscience.
"And your skills are already impressive. If you enroll at Einrogard, you'll achieve great things."
"No! There's no need to comfort me like that."
The alhi shook their head vigorously.
Today's events had made one thing crystal clear—they had been deceived within their own family!
"I still have much to improve. Until enrollment—no, even after—I'll study harder and definitely reach the level you showed us today!"
"Uh... Well... No..."
Lee Han hesitated, about to say, 'Even among my friends, no one's like that.'
"Please remember me. I swear—I will definitely come to see you again!"
"...Did I ever mention my family name?"
Lee Han briefly considered whether saying "My name is Gainando" would work even now.
But it was already too late.
As Alhi walked away filled with enthusiasm, Lee Han let out a sigh.
"I wonder if they'll come looking for me later."
"Well, if they do, you should be grateful that it motivated them to study hard."
"......" 'I really want to hit you just once.'
* * *
...
Lee Han, what exactly did I do so wrong to deserve this? Sure, I haven't been studying the black magic books! But it's vacation! I'll really study later, so stop doing this, seriously! Got it? You must never do this again! How could you do this! Is not studying a little really such a great sin!?...
"This bastard. Getting angry when he's the one who didn't study."
"?"
Eandurde, who was sitting nearby reading <History of the Imperial Guild>, looked up.
Lee Han waved his hand as if it were nothing.
"Junior. Don't mind me. I have a friend who doesn't study. But he's the one getting angry?"
"A grave crime!"
"Exactly. A very serious crime. You're smart, aren't you? Have a cookie."
The junior happily ate the cookie.
"Execution!"
"Not execution. But have another cookie."
The junior mumbled and went back to reading.
Lee Han shook his head at the audacious letter sent by Gainando.
Not studying his black magic books. What an insolent fellow...
Gainando. When vacation ends and we meet at school, if your studies aren't in order, I'll spoil every single case in the magazines you read... No negotiations or compromises... If you can't answer at least nineteen out of twenty questions I prepare...
After finishing his reply, Lee Han opened the letter from Yoner...
Lee Han. I got your letter. I'm doing well now. Oh. Nilia says hello too. She said the signature forms you prepared really helped. Nilia is preparing a letter too, but her handwriting is terrible, so she wants to practice more.
Yoanne big sis is looking for you, so you should probably avoid the workshop area for a while. When big sis looks for someone like that, it usually means she's about to assign some grueling work. Don't be fooled by the good pay... 'Good pay?' Lee Han felt an immediate urge to drop the Skeleton Principal's work and rush to the workshop.
What if other alchemists take that spot while Lee Han is away...
Oh. That business needs a bit more refinement. Some of the sponsors can get violent if things fail...
Lee Han nodded at his friend's reply. 'He's telling me to secure some force.'...
And this is a bit off-topic, but you didn't copy-paste the same content into the letter just because you had nothing to write, did it? I was talking to Nilia, and some parts seemed identical. If that's the case, you don't need to stick to formalities and paste the same thing...
"!!"
Lee Han was startled...
Yoner. Got your reply. Recommend magic to Nilia. If she masters the <Lesser Manipulation> spell, she can write large volumes of letters without arm fatigue, even with bad handwriting. Or hiring another scribe is a good option too. I do that when I have to write a lot of letters.
Thanks for the business advice. It'd be good to secure more force to prevent sponsors from acting violently.
And the overlapping content is purely coincidental. I was writing formally about recent events, so some parts must have overlapped. Don't misunderstand... 'I should stop sending letters to Nilia from now on.' Lee Han vowed coldly as he opened the next letter...
As the weather grows cold and snow falls, this tale comes to mind... One hundred and twenty years ago, the mage Olroede said... '...
Who sent this?' Lee Han was startled by the densely packed letter, far more cramped than the standard format.
It was so densely written that the spacing was barely noticeable.
"The imperial bloodline, Adenart..."
Lee Han was at a loss for words at this unexpected sender.
He never would have guessed the Princess could be this talkative in her letters...
And thus, from the resolution of all these problems, we can derive many valuable lessons. Speaking of which, I was reminded of the meat pie you once made for me. Truly a splendid dish. Even when I asked the chefs to replicate it, they couldn't capture that flavor. Ah, while writing this letter, I received yours first. I shall read it and then continue writing...
'My eyes hurt.' Lee Han winced as he read and set the letter down.
Given how much pointless content was at the beginning, he assumed the rest would be just as tedious.
He'd finish reading it later!
I have received your letter, Wardanaz. Thank you. However, if I may clarify one thing—the reason I took the White Tiger Tower students' bread was because my friends' bread had been stolen by them first. I was merely returning what was rightfully ours. Do you understand?
Please do not misunderstand me...
* * *
After wrapping up their business in the capital and taking a brief rest, Lee Han's group set off again.
Their goal was to meet students from across the empire (excluding the capital) who required face-to-face interactions.
Inside the flying carriage, Alsicle struggled to explain the history of the Pengerin Family to Lee Han's junior.
"So, the Pengerin Family earned their imperial noble title by suppressing the rebellion of the beaver beastfolk."
"And what did they do after that?"
"After that... Well... They didn't do much, but then again, neither did most other families..."
"The Wardanaz Family, during the Great Drought in the western empire caused by a mana reflux, had the family head transport an entire sea's worth of water, desalinate it, and create a reservoir. Did you know that?"
"......"
Alsicle hadn't expected to be outdone by this greenhorn.
"Th—The Wardanaz Family is just weird!"
"Sir Alsicle..."
"N-No, I didn't mean you were weird..."
The Skeleton Principal, who had been resting his eyes, spoke disdainfully.
"How do you lose an argument to someone who hasn't even enrolled yet?"
"I didn't expect him to know so much...!"
"Tsk tsk. What a pitiful excuse."
Lee Han, who had been watching the rapidly passing scenery below, spotted the distant northern mountain range and asked,
"Wait, is the freshman in the northern mountains?"
"No. He's at the foot of the range."
Whew. Lee Han sighed in relief.
He really didn't want to venture into the mountains and run into the Shadow Patrol.
Aside from the fact that Shadow Patrol members were rather bothersome people, he also had some lies he'd told them...
Thud.
As the carriage landed in the basin and they disembarked, a group approached from the path below.
It was the Shadow Patrol.
"!!!"
"Greetings from the servants of the shadows, Honorable Gonadaltes. Have you come to visit the mountains today?"
"No. We're not here for the mountains today."
The Skeleton Principal accepted the Shadow Patrol's welcome with familiarity.
From his demeanor, Lee Han realized the Headmaster had been here more than once or twice.
Well, even for hunters operating in one of the empire's most treacherous mountain ranges, the power of magic would be indispensable.
And there weren't many imperial mages willing to assist such remote places.
"Then we shall take our leave. Call upon us if you require anything."
"Very well. Thank you."
"Oh, by the way—how is our young hunter faring?"
"Exceptionally well. His future looks promising."
"Thank you! Though we hesitate to boast, he truly is a remarkable lad. He even went to meet a friend to complete the special assignment you gave him, without a hint of complaint."
"Ah! Headmaster, look—knights! Wow, there are knights here too!"
Lee Han smoothly redirected the conversation. Oblivious, the Headmaster replied,
"Those are knights from the northern mountain region. Seems they're also eyeing the freshman."
"Outrageous! Those ungrateful, despicable knights!"
"Knights have always been backstabbing, wretched scoundrels."
"We agree wholeheartedly!"
The Shadow Patrol members nodded vigorously.
They didn't know who this young boy was, but he certainly spoke nothing but the truth.