Episode 81
Episode 81
"Would you consider putting aside our misunderstandings and cooperating for a better future?"
"I'd rather dream of the school collapsing—that'd happen sooner."
One of the White Tiger Tower students retorted like that.
Lee Han thought that didn't sound too bad either.
"Out of everything, I never expected you, a Wardanaz, to talk about cooperation!"
To some White Tiger Tower students, Lee Han was already a wicked archmage.
"Because you took the flag, we lost our chance to get a good grade in this <Basic Magic Character Education> class!"
"That seems like a misunderstanding. An F isn't confirmed yet, is it?"
Lee Han tried to logically persuade the White Tiger Tower students.
If he could logically convince them why cooperation would benefit both sides, even those stubborn knightly brats might listen.
"Though there's a 95% chance it'll be an F!"
"Haha! Haha! He said F! F!"
"......"
Of course, there was no guarantee that his friends from the Blue Dragon Tower would be any help.
Ashan and Gainando had tried to step in to support Lee Han, but after meeting his murderous glare, they immediately shrank back.
'D-did we do something wrong?'
'We were just trying to help...'
"Think about it carefully. The principal is teaching this <Basic Magic Character Education> class for the sake of our education. Do you really think he'd give us an F just because we messed up one assignment?"
Of course, Lee Han personally believed it was possible, but he didn't let it show as he spoke.
"Wouldn't giving up after one mistake be the real reason to get an F? If we put in the effort now, we can all get an A by the end of the semester. And an Outing Pass? Do you know how amazing the outside world is? I've been there once, so I know. It's like paradise."
'Excluding the principal's traps, of course.'
"No need to wake up early on a stiff bed, and you can eat whatever you want. Just think about it."
Even as the White Tiger Tower students tried to ignore him, they couldn't deny how hypnotically persuasive his words were.
Some were already considering, 'Should we cooperate just this once?'
But things weren't going to be that easy.
Giselle stepped forward and spoke up.
"Hmm. Do you really think so?"
"Moradi. I know you have a grudge against me, but I'm being sincere..."
Lee Han tried to sow discord, but it wasn't easy.
Her influence over the White Tiger Tower students was on a completely different level.
As Giselle spoke with a neutral yet sharp tone, all eyes in the White Tiger Tower turned to her.
"Has anything good ever come from getting involved with a Wardanaz?"
"Moradi, you sent your underlings to ambush me! Don't be fooled, everyone. Moradi is—"
"What about the friends who got sent to the Punishment Room because of Wardanaz?"
"That's a misunderstanding. The principal was the one who caught them."
"And who was it that raided the lounge last time?"
"That was also under the principal's orders..."
Lee Han did his best to defend himself, but the mood had already shifted.
Thud—
Yoner grabbed Lee Han's shoulder and shook his head firmly.
It meant there was no way out now.
'Damn it.'
Pretending to be virtuous had its limits, given Lee Han's past actions. He let out a sigh.
Was there really no other way?
"Durgyu. Come here."
"?"
The honorable orc of the Choy Family, Durgyu, moved to approach when Lee Han called.
"Durgyu. Don't go."
"Yeah. Something's off."
Despite his friends' warnings, Durgyu responded as if asking what they were talking about.
"Lee Han isn't that kind of friend."
"......"
Wasn't he?
Ignoring his friends' protests, Durgyu walked over.
"I'm here. Lee Han. What's up?"
As Durgyu got close, Lee Han grabbed him and roared savagely.
"If you don't cooperate, I can't guarantee Durgyu's life! I'll drag him to the lake, use him as bait, and then toss him to the bottom!"
"...Th-that bastard is serious!!!"
The White Tiger Tower students were horrified.
In the end, that Wardanaz brat had revealed his true colors!
Durgyu wore a bewildered expression, but soon realized what was happening.
'So Lee Han is trying to mediate between the two towers.'
"P-please save me."
"Durgyu!!"
As Durgyu spoke with a miserable and sorrowful expression, some White Tiger Tower students felt as if their hearts were being torn apart.
Raphael rushed forward and shouted.
"Stop it, you Wardanaz bastard! We'll cooperate! We'll cooperate so let Durgyu go!!"
"That's right. We'll cooperate so release Durgyu!!"
The White Tiger Tower students shouted in unison at Lee Han.
"On your honor?"
"On our honor!"
"Fine. I'll let him go. But be more careful from now on."
Lee Han released Durgyu.
Giselle was staring at Lee Han with a horrified expression as if looking at a madman.
"See? If you'd just agreed to cooperate from the start, it would've been easier for everyone."
"You... you're more wicked than I am, Wardanaz. You should be proud. I've never met anyone like you before."
"That's just your opinion."
Lee Han retorted sharply to Giselle's words and turned his head away.
Gainando was nodding along but suddenly froze when he made eye contact with Lee Han.
"Wait... are you—"
"N-no! I was just stretching my neck!"
Though a troublesome assignment had been given in <Basic Magic Character Education>, Lee Han and his friends couldn't focus on it.
Not because of their cooperation with the White Tiger Tower students, but...
"So when are you planning to raid it, Lord Lee Han of the Wardanaz family?"
"I'm still considering."
At Lee Han's words, Yoner whispered curiously beside him.
"But why are you speaking formally to Priest Siana? You didn't before."
"...Did I?"
Only then did Lee Han realize. Unconsciously, he had been overwhelmed by Priest Siana's madness.
To be fair, it wasn't really Lee Han's fault.
Anyone would be somewhat overwhelmed when someone says, 'We need potions, so let's raid the professor's lab.'
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Haha. It's nothing... I mean, nothing at all."
Perhaps having caught a hint of Lee Han's inner thoughts, Yoner defended him.
"The Flemeng Order has been known to disregard means and methods when it comes to alchemy."
'Yoner really isn't cut out for promoting the Order.'
In truth, what mattered now wasn't Priest Siana or the Flemeng Order's madness.
The real question was when to carry out the raid.
If they opened the lab door only to lock eyes with Professor Thunderstep sitting inside, Lee Han would probably have nightmares for a month.
'The time would obviously have to be between evening and night. But the day is the issue. Should we do it on a weekday? Or the weekend?'
Lee Han wasn't entirely sure of Professor Thunderstep's schedule.
He'd seen him at the cabin, but he didn't know exactly what the professor did outside of those times.
But if he casually asked Professor Thunderstep, he'd become a prime suspect later...
"Wardanaz. No need to come to the cabin today."
Professor Lightning Step, who had come down to teach <Basic Mount Training>, spoke to Lee Han.
After finishing chores at the cabin, Lee Han had been learning various training techniques to tame flying mounts.
"Is something the matter?"
"I'm thinking of taking my nephew to the market. There are some things to buy."
"Ah. I see."
Lee Han controlled his expression as much as possible. He strained to keep any awkwardness out of his voice as he spoke.
"When are you going?"
"After today's afternoon lecture. We'll probably return tomorrow. I feel bad leaving with just my nephew."
Professor Lightning Step genuinely sounded apologetic.
Honestly, he felt that among all students, this boy from the Wardanaz family—who worked like an ox—deserved to be taken along.
Literally working like an ox...
"Not at all, Professor. School rules are laws that apply equally to everyone."
"Did Gonaldarth threaten you? Anyway, I get it. I'll bring you some beer candy when I return."
Though dwarves had rather peculiar tastes in snacks, Lee Han chose not to comment.
He'd be grateful for anything.
And most importantly...
'Tonight!'
The opportunity came suddenly. Lee Han gathered his friends and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Tonight."
"...!"
"Tonight...!"
His friends wore expressions of surprise at the abruptly set schedule. Yet none of them backed out.
"Actually, this is good. We can rest properly over the weekend."
"So it's tonight... I've been waiting for this."
Ashan extended his hand with a solemn expression and said:
"For a comfortable semester free of assignments."
"For a comfortable semester free of assignments!"
"...?"
Lee Han looked puzzled.
'Since when did you guys come up with this slogan?'
"Enough chatter. Everyone to your positions. Now. I'm sure you've all been diligently bonding with your horses. Some of you have been feeding and grooming them since dawn, while others rolled out of bed late and just gave their horse a quick pat before coming here."
Gainando flinched.
"I won't comment further. This school takes students to the water's edge, but doesn't force them to drink. You must take responsibility for yourselves."
'Though it feels more like they're throwing us into deep water from the start...'
"Are we riding horses today?"
One student asked nervously.
None of them had built enough rapport with their horses yet to attempt complex riding techniques.
"No. Building that level of trust might take an entire semester of dedication. Today you'll learn how to handle a different kind of monster."
Professor Lightning Step put his fingers to his mouth and blew a sharp whistle.
From behind him bounded out a puppy engulfed in roaring flames.
A collective gasp escaped the students, who'd only encountered terrifying creatures until now.
But Lee Han tensed up.
In this magic school, cute creatures might be even more dangerous.
Not that fearsome-looking ones were any safer...
"All of you cooing over its cuteness are disqualified. Before admiring its cuteness, you should've noticed these flames first. Half of you would die the moment this puppy charged at you."
The Burning Puppy panted as it rolled around. Professor Lightning Step scratched its belly approvingly.
"Mages generally handle elemental magic well, but that's only true for those who've survived various accidents. Why do imperial citizens think mages control elements well? Because the stupid ones die before word gets out. Too many mages have died taming fire-attribute monsters to even list their names."
The students unconsciously stepped back, putting several meters between themselves and where they'd originally stood.
"Today you'll learn to handle fire-attribute monsters. Be grateful it's just a puppy. If it were a horse, you'd have to worry about being trampled before getting burned. Wardanaz."
The star pupil was always first in such situations.
Suppressing a sigh, Lee Han stepped forward.
"You'll demonstrate. Drink this."
Professor Lightning Step tossed him a Resistance Potion. Lee Han felt slight relief.
'At least I'm not doing this barehanded.'
While imagining the professor shouting 'What do you take me for?!' if he'd heard that thought, Lee Han drank the potion.
It felt like swallowing strong liquor, his throat burning. When he breathed, a slightly acrid smell rose.
"Finished? Good. Now try to interact with that puppy for as long as possible."
"How long does the potion last?"
"That's for you to figure out."
"......"
Lee Han froze.
'So he means I need to recognize the dangerous moment and retreat on my own?'
This was training to hone a mage's intuition toward danger, not just relying on elemental resistance spells or potions.
...Though that rationalization didn't make it any easier.
'Damn. The last one definitely has the advantage here.'
Wouldn't it be better to observe the others' potion durations first!
Lee Han focused.
He readied his mana in a defensive stance, prepared to cast spells at any moment.
Then with a gentle smile, he approached the puppy.
The Burning Puppy whimpered fearfully.
"Don't scare it!!"
"What did I even do..."