Episode 659
Episode 659
Andunde nodded excitedly, but his friends who each wanted to recruit the junior into their own factions naturally objected.
"Why not?"
"No way, Lord Wardanaz. We have to show him the joys of alchemy."
"From what I see, Andunde might be more suited to knighthood..."
"This is the Black Turtle Tower—what does knighthood have to do with it? Just knowing how to disarm traps and pick locks would guarantee you a lifetime without financial worries."
"Wait, isn't that Professor Bagrak over there?"
The friends all fell silent at once and looked ahead.
Standing before them was one of Einrogard's No-disciple Professors, whom they occasionally saw around the academy.
Understanding Lee Han's implication immediately, the friends all turned around in unison.
"Let's get out of here, quick!"
"Good heavens, an Einrogard professor roaming the streets in broad daylight. Is this even allowed?"
"Guess the rumors about Plaha City's good public safety were all lies?" Siana tilted her head in confusion.
It's not like the professor was a criminal, so surely walking around the streets should be fine...
The friends, hastily dragging their junior along, only managed to catch their breath after reaching a toy store three blocks away.
"Let's go inside first."
"Why a toy store?"
"Because it's the last place a professor would come."
Lee Han's reasoning earned impressed nods from his friends.
Truly, this was the kind of sharp insight expected from the disciple most beloved by the professors.
Ding-a-ling—
With the chime of the bell on the door, Lee Han's group stepped into the massive toy store. Inside the five-story establishment, well-dressed teenage boys and girls were engaged in serious discussions.
"...so the Gonadaltes Duke card doesn't fit the current meta..."
"You have to exploit its weaknesses..."
"I'd rather use the limited-edition Gonadaltes Duke Festival Commemorative Card..."
"Is that even a real card? I've never been sure if it actually exists."
In one section, Wizard Cards collected from across the Empire were being traded.
"Wow, look at this! It's the new Einrogard Snowglobe."
"It's really beautiful."
In another section, large snowglobes containing miniature snowy landscapes of Einrogard were being sold...
The Einrogard students immediately made disgusted faces and distanced themselves.
"Other toys. Let's look for other toys."
Gainando, scanning the store with eyes sharper than a hunter's—even sharper than Nilia's—whispered to Lee Han.
"Lee Han, can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back as soon as my allowance comes."
"Gainando, didn't you say last summer break that you wouldn't take an allowance and would earn money yourself?"
Yoner suddenly recalled their friend's declaration from last vacation. Inspired by how Lee Han and the others scraped together silver coins, Gainando had definitely said, 'I'll earn my own money too!'
"Lee Han, can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back as soon as my allowance comes."
"......"
Yoner eyed the nearby cast-iron toy cauldron, contemplating whether to whack Gainando over the head for conveniently ignoring inconvenient truths.
"Rather than waiting for your allowance, you'd probably earn it faster by working yourself."
"W-what are you talking about? Mother will definitely give it to me next week." 'She probably won't...' From Lee Han's perspective, the biggest reason Gainando's allowance had been cut off was his friends.
If he had no friends, he'd at least need an allowance to have fun—but with friends around, couldn't he enjoy himself even without money?
Perhaps Lady Kraha had taken that into consideration.
"...You really think she won't give it to me?"
Gainando asked hesitantly.
Even he had enough sense to pick up on his mother's unspoken implications.
"Probably not, I'd say."
"Ugh. Having to earn it myself... Why do people have to work?"
"Like Yoner said, you wanted to earn money yourself last summer break. You were all for it back then—why the change?"
"I got mad because the toys I could buy with my own earnings were so limited."
"......"
"......"
The two friends exchanged a look of pity as they stared at their companion.
Lee Han pulled out a few of the request forms he had and handed them to Gainando.
"You should take these and work on them in your spare time."
"Thanks! Wait, these are alchemy requests?"
"What can I say? Alchemy pays well."
"But... I'm not good at alchemy..."
"It's just basic stuff. Ask Yoner to teach you."
Yoner grinned and waved dismissively at Gainando, who grumbled about having such a heartless relative.
Ding-a-ling—
The door opened, and Professor Voladi stepped inside. The students who had been browsing the toys froze in shock.
"Professor! Welcome!"
"Hmm."
The shopkeeper behind the counter, who seemed quite familiar with Professor Voladi, greeted him with a bright smile.
The professor pulled a few Wizard Cards from his coat pocket and handed them to the owner.
The goblin hybrid examined the cards and gasped in awe.
"Magnificent! Such rare cards... 'Young Vakontrala' and 'Vakontrala's Scream'! Collectors would weep over these!"
Professor Voladi remained silent, waiting patiently.
Beside them, Gainando looked like he was on the verge of fainting.
"What's wrong, Gainando? If it's because of the professor, calm down. That professor only cares about Lee Han anyway."
"...Hey."
Lee Han bristled at his friends' words.
It was true, but did they really have to say it out loud?
"Th-those... those 'Young Vakontrala' and 'Vakontrala's Scream' cards disappeared centuries ago... they're incredibly rare..."
"What are you talking about?"
"Sounds like treasure."
"Those cards are treasure? Are you insane?"
The friends whispered among themselves, but Lee Han understood what Gainando meant.
Wizard Cards had a history even older than the empire, and rare cards could be worth as much as actual treasures.
No wonder Gainando was on the verge of a heart attack.
But... Where did the professor even get those? Given how disinterested he seemed—casually tossing them onto the counter without a second glance—it was clear he wasn't a fan of Wizard Cards.
The goblin hybrid, Tatabatz, crossed his arms and sank into deep thought.
"Hmm... But you see, Professor. Unlike the other items you've brought before, these are... a bit problematic."
"What is it?"
"They're so rare that I might not find a buyer right away."
Sometimes, treasures that were too rare and expensive ended up bankrupting their keepers because no one could afford them.
While ancient Wizard Cards were consistently in demand among excavated relics, these particular cards were on another level of rarity.
Tatabatz needed some resolve and certainty before committing to the purchase.
"Just give me a 20% discount, Professor. That way, I can at least shoulder the risk."
"Very well—"
Professor Voladi, seemingly indifferent to haggling, was about to agree when—
"Wait!"
"?"
"??"
"??!"
The shopkeeper, Professor Voladi, and even Lee Han's friends all stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
What the hell are you doing?!
Professor Voladi's gaze sharpened as he noticed Lee Han's group.
"What are you all doing here?"
"We were... contemplating magical research through toys."
"????"
The other students browsing the toys turned bewildered stares toward Lee Han's group.
Sure, many of the toys here were enchanted, but magical research?
Mages really are a different breed!
"Professor, that's not the point! 'Young Vakontrala' and 'Vakontrala's Scream' are cards that vanished centuries ago. They're far superior even to the 'Gonadaltes Duke' cards. If you sell them at that price, you might as well sell them to a collector right here! Gainando of the Kraha Family wants to buy them!"
"!!!"
Tatabatz was startled.
The name Gainando of the Kraha family was also one Tatabatz knew well.
Among the customers who bought wizard cards in Plaha City, he was one of the biggest spenders!
Whenever the Kraha family's servants visited with their list of cards to purchase, Tatabatz felt more fluttery than when he'd met his first love.
"Y-you were Lord Gainando? You should have said something!"
"Sc-scary. That person."
Gainando subtly hid behind Lee Han.
The bloodshot, blazing eyes of Tatabatz were downright terrifying.
"Lord Gainando! Please allow me to shake your hand!"
"More importantly, isn't that beside the point right now? You should yield the cards."
"!"
Coming to his senses, Tatabatz fell into deep thought. 'If even a customer like Gainando of the Kraha family wants to buy them immediately...' If other customers heard this rumor, they'd want them even more desperately.
At this rate, he could definitely find buyers.
In that case, it was absolutely advantageous for Tatabatz to secure them. Acquiring such rare treasures was also part of a merchant's prestige.
"Is that true? Do you really want to buy them?"
"L-Lee Han, I don't have money... If I buy them without money, my mother will really get angry."
"It's fine. Trust me."
"You're going to buy them for me?!"
"Stop talking nonsense."
Seeing Lee Han and Gainando whispering, Tatabatz became convinced.
They were definitely going to buy them!
Tatabatz hastily stepped forward.
"Lord Gainando. I'll add 5% more to the price! Please show mercy just this once and yield them to me! The honor of securing such cards is truly important to this old man Tatabatz. If you yield them, I swear I'll repay the favor...!"
"O-okay."
Gainando peeked out from behind Lee Han and nodded.
The aura emanating from that owner was truly terrifying.
"Professor. I apologize for this foolish old man failing to recognize the item's value and making a mista—"
"Let's proceed then. Are we done?"
Professor Voladi, having little interest in haggling, quickly concluded the deal.
Tatabatz let out a sigh of relief and handed over a pouch of gold coins.
"Thank you, thank you!"
"Much obliged, everyone."
The professor approached Lee Han's group and expressed his gratitude. From -20% to +5%—Professor Voladi wasn't so dull as to not notice that.
When Professor Voladi placed a hand on his shoulder in thanks, Gainando made a face as if he were being strangled. 'S-save me. Lee Han. Save me.' But Lee Han had already subtly slipped behind his friends. It was a habit that came naturally when talking to Professor Voladi.
Since you never knew when or how he might ambush you, it was best to maintain distance and obstacles!
"Not at all. I'm glad I could help."
"...Lord Wardanaz. Don't tell me you stepped in because the professor was at a disadvantage?"
"Uh..."
"......"
Seeing Lee Han's awkward response, Siana lost all desire to say anything.
What could she even say to this...?
"I should repay you somehow."
"It's fine, Professor. Haha."
"Let me treat you to a meal."
"......"
"......"
A momentary silence hung in the air.
His friends were screaming with their eyes, 'Who dares refuse?!'
"Thank you!"
When no one answered, the junior responded with innocent cheer.
Everyone stared in shock, and Eandurde tilted his head in confusion.
Wasn't it proper to say thank you when someone offered to treat you to a meal?
"This student is...?"
"A freshman this year. The headmaster asked me to teach him temporarily."
"Planning to bring him to your lecture?"
"?"
Lee Han didn't immediately understand what he meant.
Only belatedly did he realize Professor Voladi was talking about 'his' lecture.
"That's up to the junior..."
"What lecture do you teach?"
"It's called 'Repetitive Training in Basic Magic Combat'..."
As the junior's eyes sparkled with interest, Lee Han inwardly groaned.
"Junior, it's not as fun as you think."
"Lee Han, Lee Han. The professor is right in front of us..."