Episode 75
Episode 75
"It's purely academic curiosity."
Lee Han was quite skilled at deceiving professors.
Though Professor Swiftstride was one of the empire's most renowned explorers, he never would have imagined that Lee Han was searching for a flying mount to escape the school.
"Well... I suppose it's possible."
Professor Swiftstride answered cautiously, studying Lee Han's expression to see if he had caught on.
Fortunately, the boy from the Wardanaz family didn't seem to know.
That one of the horses the freshmen were tending to in the stables was actually a griffin!
"This school is vast enough to have just about anything."
"But it doesn't have warm meals, daily necessities, or any consideration for students."
Professor Swiftstride pretended not to hear Lee Han's remark.
"With mountains, lakes, underground dungeons—there's nothing this place doesn't have. If you look hard enough, you'll definitely find something that flies."
"If I do find one, do you think I could tame it?"
"That would be difficult. Taming wild monsters, especially flying ones, is something even professional beastmasters with years of training struggle with."
Professor Swiftstride spoke sincerely.
If taming were that easy, people wouldn't choose to fight monsters they encountered in the wild.
Moreover, most creatures capable of flight were notoriously temperamental and wild.
A freshman's level of patience and knowledge wouldn't be enough to handle them.
"First, you'd need to fully understand the creature's nature. Common knowledge won't cut it. If you grasp its habits, you could gradually get closer and learn its traits... Though it sounds simple, you'd likely fail dozens of times in the process."
"Professor, if possible, could you spare some time to teach me? Of course, I don't plan to attempt anything reckless right now..."
That was a lie.
Lee Han intended to act the moment he felt confident enough.
"...I don't want to miss any future opportunities to tame a monster."
Lee Han's eyes burned with intensity—completely genuine, without a hint of pretense.
Seeing that gaze, Professor Swiftstride suddenly felt motivated.
When a student showed such enthusiasm, what kind of teacher could just stand by?
"Very well! I'll teach you in my spare time. Don't regret it—this won't be an easy study."
It would involve memorizing thick tomes about the monsters likely found in this region, followed by hands-on training—a grueling process. But Professor Swiftstride believed the Wardanaz boy could handle it.
With that level of interest and passion, he had a real chance.
'Seems he's really into flying and exploration, this kid...'
'Find the most viable creature, tame it, and escape.'
Teacher and student nodded in agreement, each lost in their own thoughts.
Once the conversation ended, Professor Swiftstride ambled over to inspect the garden Lee Han had been tending.
And he was stunned.
'What in the...?'
The plot of land Lee Han had received from Professor Thunderstep wasn't excessively large or small—just a modest size.
Professor Thunderstep had probably expected him to plant a few vegetables and call it a day.
But Lee Han's garden was now so meticulously cultivated that not an inch of space remained unused.
Carrots, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbages—all kinds of edible vegetables—were growing, along with medicinal herbs like chamomile, basil, and rosemary, though no one knew where he'd gotten them.
...Was he trying to start a farm?!
Noticing Professor Swiftstride's bewildered gaze, Lee Han answered as if it were no big deal.
"I was worried at first too."
"...About what?"
"Whether it was okay to grow them in such a tight space. But thanks to the Staff of the Tree Spirit, they're thriving without any issues. Isn't that fortunate?"
Professor Swiftstride glanced at the jar of milk placed on the table.
It was the jar he had set aside to give Lee Han when he left.
Looking at the current situation, it seemed that wouldn't be enough.
"...Wait a moment. You should eat something before heading back."
"??"
Lee Han walked back to the dormitory while taking a bite of a roasted potato skewered on a wooden stick.
It was a rather romantic evening—if one forgot they were inside the Magic School.
On one arm hung a basket filled with this harvest's produce, while the other hand held a freshly roasted, salted potato skewer...
He almost felt like a farmer returning home after a bountiful shopping trip.
'If I ever retire, living like this wouldn't be so bad.'
Perhaps because of the atmosphere, the freshly roasted potato tasted truly delicious. Despite being simply roasted with just salt, each bite melted warmly in his mouth like soft, buttery flesh.
Now he understood why Professor Lightning Steps had insisted on roasting it and handing it to him personally.
'Was he reluctant to enjoy something this tasty alone? Or maybe he wanted to show it off...'
What Lee Han didn't realize was that the potato Professor Lightning Steps had roasted for him came from his own garden.
"?"
"Your Highness, the Princess. I've gathered and organized materials from the library. Please accept them."
"I also asked other students and compiled what we need for the assignment! It should be helpful."
"I found this book this time..."
'What's this?'
It was the Princess and her followers.
Freshmen from various towers had gathered, sparing no effort to assist the Princess with her lectures in any way they could.
Lee Han chewed his potato in astonishment.
'So that's how it's done!'
He was so envious that he almost felt like reporting to the professors, "The Princess is exploiting her classmates with unfair authority!"
While he and his friends had to stay up all night scrambling through library books, the Princess just had to breathe, and information came rolling in.
'Is it because of royal blood? But that doesn't explain Gainenad. How does one even get followers like that?'
As Lee Han pondered this, the Princess thanked her followers and began walking up the stairs.
From his spot on the steps, still chewing his potato, Lee Han locked eyes with her friends.
"Good evening."
Lee Han wasn't flustered. The Princess's followers recognized his face and immediately bowed their heads.
Wasn't this the boy from the Wardanaz family, who practically ruled the Blue Dragon Tower?
If they made a bad impression, the Princess's life in the tower could become difficult, so it was only natural to be cautious.
"Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
When one of them shouted this, the others hesitated before glancing at their companion.
Should we follow suit?
"Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
"G-Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
"......"
Lee Han instinctively looked around. Thankfully, no one was watching.
'If anyone saw this, I'd be sent to the Punishment Room for no reason.'
He had no idea why these followers were trying to mess with him, but he responded as calmly as possible.
"Nice to meet you all. I see you've been discussing matters with Her Highness the Princess."
"Yes!"
"We are only grateful for Lord Wardanaz's tireless efforts in wholeheartedly serving Her Highness the Princess."
"We look forward to your continued support!"
'Are they going to attack me if I don't take care of them?'
Fanatic supporters were always terrifying. And the Princess's followers existed outside the Magic School, too.
Considering he'd have to navigate society even after graduation, he had to endure their unreasonable pressure.
"Of course. Don't worry."
Lee Han didn't mention that he received extra silver coins for looking after the Princess.
'Better change the subject.'
If the topic of taking care of the Princess dragged on, his unfair benefits might come under scrutiny. So he shifted the conversation.
"You all must not have had dinner yet. Care for a bite?"
"...?"
Only then did the Princess's followers realize that Lee Han was carrying something bundled up. And that he had taken one out to offer them.
It was a baked potato.
The sight of the cold-faced boy with chiseled features holding out a freshly baked potato on a skewer left the students bewildered.
'Is this... some aristocratic joke?'
'Are we actually allowed to eat this?'
'Is this a test?'
"Not hungry?"
"W-well, we'll have some...?"
One of the students, perhaps genuinely hungry, reached out and accepted the baked potato.
Lee Han personally sprinkled salt over it. The student tensed for a moment, thinking it might be magic powder rather than salt.
'Ah. It's just salt.'
"Does it taste alright?"
"I-it's... delicious!"
It wasn't just to humor the Wardanaz boy—the freshly baked new potato was objectively delicious.
The student who received it munched away eagerly before burning the roof of his mouth and coughing as it got stuck in his throat.
"Here, have some milk too."
"Th-thank you..."
After stuffing the piping hot potato into his stomach, the student suddenly felt Lee Han's cold expression soften slightly.
...Was this a magical potato?
"Can we... maybe...?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
The hesitant followers slowly reached out and picked up the baked potatoes.
Under the warm evening sunlight, the magic school's freshmen grew slightly closer as they shared the roasted potatoes.
"Let's offer some to Her Highness the Princess!"
"What kind of absurd rudeness is this...! What if Her Highness gets angry?!"
One student tried to present a potato to the Princess but lowered his hand after hearing the others' protests.
Lee Han couldn't help but notice the Princess's expression, which had been stoic until now, suddenly seemed to droop slightly.
Almost like a hungry street dog...
'That comparison might be too harsh.'
Lee Han reflected on it.
Come to think of it, the Princess hadn't eaten anything since morning.
Lee Han quietly slipped her a baked potato when no one was looking.
"There's some left if you'd like to at least taste..."
Though the students had their backs turned, Lee Han clearly saw the Princess attempt to stuff an entire freshly baked potato—peeled but uncut—into her mouth in one go.
"Cut it! Cut it first!!"
"......"
The Princess, as if nothing had happened, lowered the potato, cut it properly, and then chewed it slowly.
The students turned their heads at Lee Han's sudden outburst, looking puzzled.
"What are we supposed to cut?"
"The potato. You should cut it before eating."
"Haha, Wardanaz. No matter how hungry we are, we wouldn't just swallow it whole. Of course we'd cut it first."
"......"
Lee Han glanced at the Princess, then at the student, and thought to himself:
'This guy's never going to make it in life...'
The next morning.
After finishing his work in the stables, Lee Han walked in step with his friends to attend Professor Garcia's <Understanding Basic Magic> class.
Lee Han yawned. His unusually tired expression prompted Yoner to ask worriedly:
"You look exhausted. Didn't sleep well?"
"I slept fine, but I had a nightmare..."
"What did you dream about?"
"A professor showed up in it."
For the sake of Lee Han's mental health, Yoner decided not to pry further.
Perhaps because Professor Voladi's class had left a strong impression, it was he who appeared in Lee Han's dream.
In the dream, Professor Voladi ordered Lee Han to mount a rampaging griffin, pass through a ring of fire, and control a Water Orb all at once. It had been a horrifying nightmare.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Professor!"
When Professor Garcia opened the door and entered, Lee Han felt his heart warm.
Before enrolling, he never would have guessed that meeting a troll could feel so comforting.
"Last week, Professor Mortum visited to explain what Black Magic is, correct?"
Gasps could be heard from various corners of the room.
The students reacted with fear, worried that Black Magic might be the topic again.
"This week, another professor has come to explain what Summoning Magic is."
"Whaaaaaaat?!"
Lee Han suddenly felt sorry for Professor Mortum, who wasn't even present.