Episode 803
Episode 803
The people who had been discussing how much imperial gold coins to periodically send were startled by Intarendals' bold proposal.
Originally, such sponsorships weren't just a one-time payment—they required continuous funding throughout the research period, demanding considerable commitment.
Moreover, while risk-taking investors might be prepared for high-risk, high-return scenarios, most visitors to Einrogard during Club Week were pure sponsors who came solely for honor.
Given this, even when someone they'd never met before declared, "I'll handle this alone," they didn't react with anger or competitiveness.
Instead, they paid their respects.
"How astonishing! To think there are still people in the Empire who know how to spend gold coins like this!"
"Indeed, a prestigious magic academy attracts prestigious people."
Clap clap clap clap—
As people began applauding, Intarendals responded with a formal gesture following old customs.
Though slightly different from modern etiquette, people assumed he must be from a region they weren't familiar with and let it pass.
"Then we shall entrust this sponsorship to you."
"We'll sponsor other students instead!"
"Thank you, everyone!"
Falkrius wiped under his nose, unable to hide his joy.
He had thought his junior was an exceptional genius, but he hadn't expected this.
To extract such a large sum of gold coins from a single person!
Thanks to this, the other members of the Kitchen Club would benefit from the trickle-down effect too!
"Wardanaz! Thank you!"
"You remarkable boy!"
"Wait, where did Wardanaz go?"
The seniors of the Kitchen Club, who had been about to lift Wardanaz up in celebration, looked around in confusion.
Wardanaz, who had been right beside them moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
Where had he gone?
"Is something the matter?"
Intarendals approached and asked the question.
Though it wasn't a hostile or suspicious inquiry, Falkrius felt pressured by the noble's refined and dignified demeanor—a natural aristocratic trait.
People like this were typically harder to deceive—no, harder to deal with.
The thought that a single slip of his tongue could cost his junior their sponsorship made even the bold Falkrius break out in a sweat.
"It seems my junior had some urgent business. I'll call him back shortly!"
"Is that really necessary? I'll leave the gold coins here. In the name of the Dalkard Family, I, Intarendals, shall..."
Falkrius nearly teared up at the noble sight of the man proceeding with the sponsorship regardless of whether the recipient was present or not. 'Wardanaz... you rascal. Where on earth did you find a sponsor like this?!' If he had been there, Falkrius would have joyously slapped his back at least ten times.
"...There. It's done. My apologies for the trouble."
"Not at all."
"By the way, what's boiling in that pot? It smells delicious."
"W-Wait! That's our meal! Please, have the guest meal instead!"
Falkrius jumped in alarm, trying to stop Intarendals.
Since they had external guests, the Kitchen Club had naturally prepared proper meals for hospitality.
They had selected only the finest ingredients from the food storage to prepare the dishes.
Soft white bread and pea soup, crayfish soup, whole roasted lamb seasoned with garlic, chili, oil, and spices, apricot pudding, and cheese soufflé.
Of course, they hadn't prepared only guest meals. The Kitchen Club members also needed to eat while waiting, so they had made meals for themselves too.
A stew made by throwing in all the leftover ingredients from preparing the guest meals.
That was it. The members usually made do by pairing it with stale bread or rice.
But now, a guest who was clearly noble-born was approaching their members' meal!
"What a comforting flavor. It's excellent! Truly wonderful. No wonder this is the Kitchen Club!"
However, Intarendals scooped a small portion into a bowl, tasted it, and gave it high praise.
"......"
"...??"
The Kitchen Club members exchanged bewildered looks.
Had some strange alchemical reaction occurred without their knowledge, transforming their tasteless stew into something else entirely?
Because otherwise, there was no way anyone could possibly call that delicious...
* * *
"Huff, huff..."
Lee Han was panting heavily.
Having cast Invisibility Magic, reinforced his body with mana, and sprinted at full speed without rest, he was completely out of breath.
"Welcome, Wardanaz. Here to see the guests?"
Illeg, the leader of the Library Club and a member of the Sisenja Order, greeted Lee Han warmly upon seeing him.
Spotting the bespectacled bear beastman senior, Lee Han realized he'd arrived at the Library Club's territory.
'In my frantic escape, I didn't even check my direction...'
"Good day, Senior Illeg. Is the Library Club also hosting guests?"
"That we are."
'What's going on?' The atmosphere here was completely different from the Kitchen Club earlier.
While it was clear that external guests had visited both places, this mood was...
"<The Complete Guide to Raising Kingdom Thrushes>! This book is mine!"
"Can't you back off immediately? I've been searching for this book for over ten years!"
"Our family has sought this volume since our grandfather's time! You people can just go look in the Dawn Library!"
"Is that supposed to be an argument? You're the one who should go to the Dawn Library!"
"Everyone, please calm down!"
The book-obsessed guests had discovered rare editions and were now engaged in fierce tug-of-wars, each desperate to claim them.
Lee Han asked in bewilderment:
"Is this...allowed?"
"Of course. They're just expressing their love for books."
Here, there was no need to serve meals or make introductions like at the Kitchen Club.
A few rare volumes brought by the members were enough. The patrons were throwing punches and shouting in heated battles.
After some time...
As the commotion subsided, the patrons regained their composure and returned to behaving like normal people.
"Sigh. That was an honorable duel."
"Please lend me <The Complete Guide to Raising Kingdom Thrushes> later."
"Ah. Isn't that Student Sebius? How's that Object-Penetrating Cloak we discussed last time coming along?"
"......"
Lee Han was dumbfounded watching these people carry themselves with perfect dignity as if their earlier vulgar brawl had never happened.
But the Library Club members remained unfazed, as if this were completely normal. They'd witnessed such scenes countless times before.
After all, no matter how cultured one's noble lineage might be, wouldn't any true bibliophile's eyes glaze over at the sight of rare books?
"And who might this young student be?"
"Good day. I'm Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family—"
"Ah! So you're Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family! That second-year who topped all departments and has already gained recognition from external mages! Acknowledged by Yoanen of the Maykin Family and Artisan Puyo, already discussing research with fifth-year seniors! A second-year mastering 5th Circle magic—if it weren't for Einrogard, no one would believe it!"
"...Do the Einrogard guests happen to have Communication Artifacts among them?"
Lee Han was stunned hearing rumors spreading so systematically and accurately.
These were the exact same words the Kitchen Club guests had used earlier.
"With a student like this, we can trust and support you fully. I'll sponsor you."
"I shall sponsor you as well."
"Well... I'm concerned whether a second-year can handle it, what with Rock Drakes appearing in Einrogard's library lately."
"So you're refusing then?"
"Th-that's not what I said! Just expressing concern. Experience shouldn't be ignored, you know."
Lee Han listened to their conversation with a complicated expression.
Sebius quietly whispered beside him:
"Didn't you say you'd hunted a Rock Drake?"
"Where did you hear that rumor?"
"Your friends mentioned it."
"......"
While Lee Han was still lost in thought, a loud bang echoed from behind.
It was a similar sound to the one he'd heard earlier.
Something heavy being lifted, with the jingling sound of gold coins inside...
Lee Han suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
No way...?
"Is this where Lee Han of the Wardanaz family resides?"
"It is, but may I ask who—"
"The sponsorship for Lee Han of the Wardanaz family is something I can handle alone! The rest of you gathered here should go assist other mages."
"...!"
Incredibly, Intarendals had returned.
Even after spending all that gold earlier! 'No way. Just how much gold did that man bring with him?' Lee Han couldn't believe it.
Just how much of the Dalkard family's wealth had he embezzled to pull off something like this?
The earlier visitors, unaware of Intarendals' sinister nature, simply showed respect to his appearance.
"To think such an honorable man exists in the Empire!"
"As expected, rare book collectors are all people of great honor."
"With someone like you here, I can gladly yield <The Perfect Method for Raising Kingdom Songbirds>!"
"That's a common book, my good man."
When imperial gold coins flow in large quantities, it naturally creates a warm atmosphere.
The Library Club members, delighted by the appearance of such a heavyweight, looked around for their junior.
"Wardanaz. Your passion for studying all schools of magic has brought forth such gold... Wardanaz? Wardanaz?"
"Where did Wardanaz go?"
Lee Han had fled in terror.
He knew the Skeleton Principal's Mad Clone was an extremely dangerous being, but he never imagined it would corner him like this.
Indeed, the malevolence displayed by an ancient archmage was beyond anything Lee Han could predict or imagine.
"Junior! I knew you'd come!"
Carnella, who had been brushing the manes of the horses, spotted Lee Han and waved.
True to a junior who raised both a griffin and a basilisk, he had indeed visited the stables on a day like this.
And moreover...
"...Good day, Senior."
"Indeed. How are the animals doing? There are many who wish to see the creatures you raise."
"Uh, isn't that dangerous?"
"That's a risk we must naturally accept. Truly fascinating creatures are always dangerous by nature."
The baby basilisk let out a satisfied hiss at those words.
Lee Han gave his sleeve a dubious glance.
"I understand. Well... how may I assist you?"
Though he'd arrived somewhat unintentionally, Lee Han was still a member of the Polo Club.
Given that he'd already received funding from the Imperial Polo Association for his rare creatures, he was willing to help with Polo Club matters if needed.
However, Carnella shook her head.
"You don't have to help."
"Pardon? I truly don't need to assist?"
"Nope. You really don't have to."
"While the griffin does manage well on its own, requiring little attention..."
The baby basilisk let out a confused hiss.
"...And of course, the basilisk also manages perfectly fine without needing much care."
-That's right!
"Anyway, even setting aside my own creatures, doesn't the Polo Club have many strange—no, rare animals?"
Just take Carnella herself, who raised a Cerberus.
While the creatures Lee Han raised required relatively little attention, many of the seniors' animals needed constant care.
And with multiple visitors from outside currently present, extra caution was needed.
Even normally docile creatures might act up when faced with unfamiliar outsiders.
"Yeah. That's true. It'd be nice if you helped, but you don't have to. You've already done more than enough, junior."
"??"
Lee Han didn't understand what this meant and looked puzzled.
Was this about the basilisk and griffin?
But something felt different. It seemed like they were talking about something else. Almost as if...
"...!"
Feeling chills run down his spine, Lee Han asked:
"Did... did a suspiciously wealthy man come by earlier to offer sponsorship before I arrived?"
"Huh? Yeah. How'd you know? Was he someone you knew?"