Episode 85
Episode 85
Before Lee Han could even protest, Professor Willow had already sauntered away. Of course, even if he hadn't left, Lee Han wouldn't have complained.
After all, any professor who'd actually listen to complaints wouldn't have assigned such a task in the first place!
"Yoner. I'm sorry."
Lee Han apologized sincerely.
He should've bolted when he saw all those plants earlier, but in his foolish attempt to impress the professor, he'd ended up paying the price.
"Huh? For what?"
But Yoner was already digging through the dry soil near the plants, fiddling with it. She was checking whether they needed watering.
"...Don't you feel resentful about this unfair labor?"
"But taking care of plants is fun, right? I thought you liked it too?"
Surprisingly, Yoner didn't seem the least bit dissatisfied.
Since she genuinely enjoyed plant care, the opportunity to personally tend to rare plants she'd only read about in books was immensely satisfying.
"I do like my own plants well enough, but other people's plants, especially a professor's... Never mind. As long as you're happy."
Lee Han started to say more but stopped.
Upon reflection, Yoner's mindset was quite positive.
Thinking about it as a professor's assignment was depressing, but considering it as a chance to see rare plants only found in books...
'Still doesn't completely erase the gloom though.'
Lee Han was too much of a pragmatist to be as optimistic as Yoner.
Nevertheless, he got to work.
Feelings were feelings. Work was work.
"Lee Han. The soil's dry here—should we water it?"
"The leaves are firm... The book said this variety doesn't need much water, so let's skip it. But this one definitely needs—"
"Wait. That plant only needs rainwater. I remember reading that."
"Right. I read that too."
"Was my amateur observation unnecessary?"
"No. We should always double-check each other's knowledge."
The two remaining students in the greenhouse smiled and glanced at each other.
Experts recognize experts!
Had any other Blue Dragon Tower students been present, they'd have been baffled—'Why go to such lengths just to care for some plants?!'
For young nobles from great families, tending plants was considered an excessively finicky, labor-intensive chore.
But Lee Han was different.
'Plants are still better than professors.'
Sure, checking soil conditions daily, adjusting water types and temperatures, removing pests and mold, ensuring ventilation, administering potions—all these tasks could feel bothersome and tedious.
But plants were quiet and undemanding by nature.
That alone made them more endearing than professors.
How many hours had passed?
"Think we're done?"
"Yeah."
They wiped their sweat and stretched their backs. Plant care was as grueling as swordsmanship training. Their muscles screamed in protest.
I have been watching you, young humans.
"...?!"
"!"
Lee Han immediately drew his wand, aiming toward the source of the voice.
Astonishingly, the voice came from the nearby pond.
With a bubbling sound, a massive mass of water emerged from the pond. Anyone could tell it was a powerful spirit.
My name is Parakis. The spirit of this pond. You young humans must be the dwarf's disciples.
"...Yes. Do you know our professor?"
Indeed. I have a contract with the dwarf to tend this garden.
The spirit's gaze felt distinctly favorable. The reason soon became clear.
Among young humans, few are as diligent and meticulous in plant care as you two...
'Ah. So that's why.'
Seeing Parakis, Lee Han understood Professor Willow's intentions in sending them here.
Professor Willow taught botany.
He must have been genuinely moved seeing Lee Han and Yoner's sincere dedication to plant care.
That's why he sent them to this spirit—one who highly valued such devoted plant tending.
"If you two truly cherish the plants, then you might be able to gain the spirits' recognition!"
'Sorry, Professor.'
Lee Han quickly apologized.
He had thought Professor Willow was just making them do his work, but there was a much deeper meaning behind it than he'd realized.
Touched by this realization, Lee Han felt moved. Though he usually disliked showing his emotions in front of others, he couldn't remain indifferent to such sincerity.
After finishing his words, the spirit looked at Lee Han and spoke with a puzzled expression.
"But you seem like someone spirits would fear—how do you have a tree spirit with you?"
"......"
Lee Han was slightly hurt. Without realizing it, Yoner stepped in to defend him.
"Lee Han may not look it, but he's a really kind person."
I'm sorry, young human, but lesser spirits don't have the ability to discern the character of their contractors.
The weaker and lower-ranked a spirit, the less intelligent it is.
At best, to understand a contractor's nature, they'd have to spend a long time together, but in Lee Han's case, that opportunity was hard to come by.
After all, the sheer amount of mana radiating from his entire body would make most spirits flee in terror!
"I received this staff as a gift from talking oak trees."
Ah, I see. Don't feel too bad. The tree spirit in your staff was probably scared at first—and still is—but it still praises you as a good person.
"......"
Without realizing it, Lee Han glanced down at his staff.
It was afraid of me?
Yoner asked sympathetically.
"Mr. Parakis, is there any way for Lee Han to form a contract with a spirit? Even when he tries to contact spirits in the Spirit World, they avoid him."
Hmm... This is the first time I've encountered such a dilemma...
Parakis splashed around thoughtfully before sinking into contemplation.
What about this?
"What is it?"
Lee Han perked up slightly.
As a powerful, named spirit, surely he had some wise method...
How about giving up on spirits and forming contracts with other beings? With that much mana, most would fear you, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some beings might even like that about you.
"...But I want to form a contract with a spirit."
Mmm. I figured. Well, if they like that kind of thing, they're usually malevolent beings. Not exactly a good match for a kind-hearted human like you.
"?"
Lee Han was baffled.
...Was that it?
But Yoner didn't seem surprised at all and nodded in agreement.
"That's right."
"I don't necessarily only want to contract with spirits—"
Hmm... If you absolutely must contract with a spirit, one way is to seek out violent and aggressive ones.
Parakis offered another solution.
Not all lesser spirits were timid and innocent. Some were unruly and fierce even from the start.
Especially those aligned with unstable and destructive elements tended to have strong tendencies toward aggression.
"That kind of method...! Wait, but Professor Thunderstep never mentioned anything like that."
Lee Han realized something was off.
Could it be that Professor Thunderstep deliberately withheld this information to mess with him?
It was a highly plausible theory.
Well... Even if a lesser spirit is violent and aggressive, they're not so stupid as to act recklessly... They'd probably still avoid and flee from you.
"......"
"......"
Lee Han and Yoner fell silent again. Yoner's pitying gaze made Lee Han's heart ache.
Still, the method I suggested isn't entirely wrong. The stronger and higher-ranked a spirit, the less likely they are to flee immediately upon seeing you. And if they're that kind of spirit, you might be able to prove your true nature through conversation.
"Thank you for the advice."
Mmm... No, not all strong, high-ranking spirits will work. If possible, it's better to approach the violent and aggressive ones among them. Of course, that doesn't mean other spirits will definitely run away—it's just that spirits generally dislike pointless fights...
"......"
As Parakis spoke almost defensively, Lee Han found himself thinking he should have just not listened.
Hearing it only made things feel more hopeless!
Yoner asked pleadingly.
"By any chance, could you make a contract with Lee Han, Mr. Parakis?"
"Yoner. It's fine. Let it go."
"No! I'll definitely help you!"
Yoner wanted to repay Lee Han for the help he'd received.
But Lee Han was starting to feel embarrassed.
It felt like being the only kid without a spirit friend while the teacher asked, "Won't someone please be friends with Lee Han?"
For a young human mage to contract with me would be impossible. You'd collapse mid...
Parakis, who had been speaking, looked at Lee Han and changed his words.
...Well, you wouldn't collapse, but I'm sorry. I currently have a contract with the dwarves. It would be difficult for me to follow you around and provide assistance.
"It's alright."
Lee Han steeled himself to grow closer to the undead instead.
What if I told you this? There's a spirit I know currently summoned at this school. If I introduce you, they might at least hear you out.
"!"
Lee Han was astonished.
This was an unexpectedly good proposal.
"Would that really be okay?? I feel like I'd be imposing too much..."
Seeing you two young gardeners makes me want to help at least this much. Don't worry about it. And...
Parakis hesitated briefly over whether to say this next part.
But ultimately spoke.
If that friend avoids you, don't be too disappointed. Understood?
"...Yes..."
Lee Han began wondering just how powerful a spirit he'd have to approach to even hold a conversation.
Would he have to seek out the Spirit King himself?
Parakis curled his body and floated up, draining the pond's water. Beneath it, a deep cavern was revealed.
Enter here, and you'll reach where that friend resides directly.
Lee Han felt grateful for the spirit's kindness. But Parakis's generosity wasn't done yet.
Fwat!
Ancient runes resembling the pond marked the backs of Lee Han and Yoner's hands.
I've imbued a fraction of my power. Those marks will aid you young mages.
"Thank you."
"We're grateful!"
Lee Han and Yoner expressed their sincere thanks.
The spirit before them seemed far more benevolent than most professors at the school.
Indeed. Never forget your love for plants.
As Lee Han and Yoner walked down into the cavern, Parakis swiftly returned the pond to normal. The passage underground fell silent in an instant.
"Light."
Lee Han conjured a sphere of light. Without realizing it, his gaze drifted to the Staff of the Tree Spirit.
He wanted to ask if it still feared him, but it felt too pathetic, so he held back.
'But I really do want to ask.'
"Lee Han?"
"!"
Lee Han flinched, worried his inner thoughts had been exposed.
"What's wrong?"
"Mr. Parakis was in the pond. Where do you think the spirit we're meeting now might be?"
"...Hmm."
Yoner's question was sharp. Parakis had forgotten to describe what kind of spirit it actually was.
"Probably... somewhere like underground lakes or beneath rivers, I'd guess."
Given Parakis was a pond spirit, his friend was likely a similar type.
Water, rivers, ponds, seas, and such.
'Surely it doesn't connect all the way to the ocean.'
Worst case scenario, they might arrive at an underwater dungeon beneath the sea.
Lee Han knew this magic school was perfectly capable of such things.
"I hope it's a River Spirit. I've heard most River Spirits are wise and intelligent."
"True, if we could contract with a River Spirit, we might gain the wisdom needed for this prison... I mean, school life."
Lee Han paused mid-sentence.
'But I've heard most River Spirits have gentle dispositions...'
...Wouldn't that mean they'd just run away again?
Clank!
With a sharp metallic sound, they emerged from the passageway upward.
Amidst the dark, silent air, Lee Han recognized the sight before him.
...This was the school's punishment room.
"......"
Lee Han thought to himself.
That friend is definitely NOT a River Spirit!