Episode 895
Episode 895
The moment Jowurin sensed something was wrong, she instinctively hunched her wings.
But she couldn't understand.
She'd defeated the evil monster with a magnificent breath attack and a spectacular strike—so why was she being scolded? 'This is absurd!'
"You could've let the professor handle it—why did you have to breathe fire there?! Because of you, the enemy targeted Your Highness first!"
But we won...
"What did you just say?!"
Ah, no. She hadn't said anything. Jowurin hadn't said anything at all.
Lee Han's voice was unusually stern.
Jowurin, who'd been about to argue that they'd won anyway, quickly shut her mouth after picking up on the mood with a dragon's innate instincts. Her evasive skills were on a completely different level compared to Gainando, who'd get smacked for failing to read the room and saying one word too many.
"Fine, let's say you used your breath attack. Then you should've finished it from a distance—why in the world did you try close combat?!"
Well... it just looked cooler that way...
"......"
...I'm sorry...
Realizing no excuse would work, Jowurin sniffled and reflected on her actions.
But Lee Han, thoroughly angered, wasn't about to let it go. He kept tapping his staff on the ground as he scolded her.
"Now, repeat after me. When you see a strong enemy—!"
When you see a strong enemy...
"Leave it to the Death Knight!"
Leave it to the Death Knight...
"Next!"
When you see a strong enemy, call the professors!
Repeating the phrases over and over, Jowurin reflected deeply.
So this is what happens when you recklessly breathe fire in excitement...!
Reality really was different from fairy tales.
In stories, Azirmo would smash through castle walls and crush enemies beneath them, but the real Azirmo probably spent his time apologizing to city folk for breaking walls after battles.
"How astonishing. I never thought I'd witness such a sight in my lifetime."
A Fire Watcher knight approached, his voice trembling with awe.
'Oh no.'
Lee Han, who'd been loudly scolding Jowurin, belatedly snapped back to his senses.
Upon reflection, now wasn't the time to reprimand Jowurin for her dangerous actions.
'Should I have just covered my face and left immediately?'
Though he doubted that would've fixed anything...
"A student chosen by a dragon! Truly moving. Professor Ingoldel, I'll be honest—I thought you were worrying too much over a single student."
"......"
"......"
Both Lee Han and Professor Ingoldel were dumbfounded by the knight's words.
Though their reasons differed slightly.
"But seeing this, I realize I underestimated things. I knew Einrogard's mages were remarkable, but to be chosen by a dragon... This is the stuff of legends!"
"I agree. Professor, did you call us here to show us this?"
"No. I didn't know either."
"Are you being modest by saying that?"
"Can't you hear me saying no?"
Professor Ingoldel, normally polite, retorted with a stern face.
He was so shocked that all sense of decorum had vanished. The knights coughed awkwardly at their friend's reaction.
"Ah, I see. So even Ingoldel didn't know."
"Then that makes it even more astonishing..."
"Excuse me."
After rapidly considering dozens of thoughts, Lee Han finally made a decision and spoke up.
There were countless things he wanted to ask or say, but he resolved to tackle the most urgent matter first.
"Speak freely, young mage chosen by the dragon."
"What exactly does 'chosen by a dragon' mean?"
"?"
"??"
The knights exchanged glances.
Why was the mage chosen by a dragon asking that?
Shouldn't he know better than anyone...?
But the knights were kind. Explaining this to the dragon and its contractor—who'd just felled a powerful demonic beast in one strike—wasn't particularly difficult.
"The great race does not let just anyone ride upon their backs."
"Wait. I have a question."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Does letting someone ride during a play count as what you just mentioned?"
"Uh..."
The knights were more bewildered by this perplexing question than by facing a demon duke with their swords.
They were worshippers of swords, honor, and tradition—not scholars of folklore.
"D-does it count?"
"Hmm. Probably not... It's more like playacting, isn't it? It's not like just climbing onto a dragon's back makes you a contractor. Throwing a ball onto a dragon's back doesn't make that ball a contractor either..."
"You're quite sharp!"
After organizing their thoughts, the knights answered again.
"That likely wouldn't count."
"I see... Thank you. Please continue your explanation."
Lee Han listened intently, trying his best to find any loopholes.
The Dragon race originally did not let just anyone ride upon their backs.
Allowing someone to ride was, in itself, a sign of acknowledging and supporting them.
Even when an imperial noble family supported a minor prince, it caused quite a stir—so how much more significant would it be if a rare race like Dragons supported someone?
From people's perspective, they couldn't help but expect that such a person must be worthy of a Dragon's support.
'...It's burdensome, but not as bad as I feared.'
Lee Han felt slightly relieved.
Of course, the title "Look! The chosen contractor of a Dragon!" was still burdensome.
If he had truly been formally recognized for his abilities and worth, that would be one thing—but wasn't this just Jowurin forcing him onto his back?
Even Jowurin herself didn't understand the meaning and value of it...
But Lee Han, having attended Einrogard, had undergone a certain mental resignation—no, growth.
Rumors were already spreading that he had faced the Ghoul King, the Basilisk, the Sea Serpent, Anti-Magic Zealots, Magic Criminals, the King of Frost Giants, the Skeleton Principal, and more—so he had become relatively desensitized.
From nothing,
adding the title "chosen contractor of a Dragon" would have been extremely burdensome, but given that he had already acquired the titles above, it now felt like, "Well, this much is fine..."
'Wait. Am I being too optimistic about this situation? Maybe my judgment is impaired from the shock.'
Come to think of it, the Skeleton Principal had somehow made it onto that list too. It was a mistake even Lee Han hadn't noticed.
"Dragons, being few in number, respect their own kind. If one Dragon supports someone, the others will acknowledge it as well."
"That makes a Dragon's support a powerful declaration. If a mage commits a grave crime, the Dragon who supported them will also be punished."
The Dragon race, being small in number, maintained deep and thorough relationships, even if they weren't always close in daily life.
If Lee Han were to become an evil Magic Criminal and stain the continent with blood, the other Dragons would hold Jowurin accountable as well.
Jowurin declared firmly, staking his honor:
"I believe in Lee Han! He would never be that kind of mage!"
Jowurin was not one to waver at such words. As much as he trusted Lee Han, he resolutely made his resolve clear.
If Lee Han committed a crime, Jowurin would take responsibility!
The knights were moved again. This was the kind of true bond one only saw in legends.
Of course, Lee Han, being the cold-hearted mage of Einrogard that he was, didn't get swept up in the mood.
"Wait. I have a question."
"What is it?"
"You said that if I commit a grave crime, His Highness Jowurin would also be punished. Then, if His Highness Jowurin commits a crime, would I also be punished by the Dragons?"
"That would be the case, wouldn't it?"
"......"
Lee Han stared pointedly at Jowurin. Flustered, Jowurin exclaimed:
J-Jowurin doesn't commit crimes!
"You've already used your Breath twice without permission just this week..."
Th-that was an exceptional situation...!
'I'm uneasy.'
Jowurin teared up, appealing emotionally, but Lee Han remained cold.
'His Highness is at that rebellious age. This is serious.'
The stormy period of adolescence wasn't just an expression for nothing. Everyone, while growing up, is prone to impulsive mistakes.
"Considering how much trouble you've caused in just a few months since arriving at Einrogard, it wouldn't be surprising if you burned down an entire castle within a year."
Lee Han envisioned himself standing before the Court of Dragons, being sternly questioned: 'Does the accused, Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family, accept responsibility for the walls Princess Jowurin burned down?'
Upon reflection, this bond seemed entirely one-sided in its disadvantages for Lee Han.
Since Lee Han wouldn't cause trouble, Jowurin effectively had no real burden to bear! 'Could this be why the Headmaster tried to prevent Her Highness's visit?' If he'd foreseen even this, then the Skeleton Principal was truly a sage. Lee Han shuddered with newfound respect for his absent mentor.
Hiiing...
As Lee Han remained deep in thought instead of saying 'Haha, of course I trust Your Highness,' Jowurin teetered on the verge of tears.
She'd trusted him!
"My apologies, Your Highness. I was just worried—if I attack professors later, would you also be punished?"
Wait, he wasn't worried about her committing crimes?
"What are you saying? How could someone like Your Highness ever commit crimes? That's so absurd I can't even comprehend it."
...!
Lee Han! Jowurin is fully prepared for you to attack professors as much as you want!
Jowurin nodded cheerfully with a bright smile, then suddenly tilted her head in confusion.
Wait. But Lee Han had just pressed her about firing two breath attacks earlier?
"That was merely confirming facts, Your Highness. I don't lie."
Hehe.
"......"
"......"
The watching knights looked slightly bewildered.
Huh?
This didn't seem like being chosen by a dragon, but more like tricking a drag... 'Ah, no. Dragons aren't a species that can be deceived. They must be joking around.'
"You there."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Am I the only one who finds it strange that boy mentioned attacking professors later?"
"......"
The knights reflected in shame.
To overlook such an obvious point due to mere surprise!
After finally calming Jowurin down, Lee Han explained to the knights:
"That was just a joke. An Einrogard-style joke. You could call it an expression of determination to surpass one's teachers."
"Indeed!"
Inspired by the young Wardanaz mage's fine joke, the knights burned with enthusiasm to attempt their own.
"Can I try a joke too?"
"I'm all ears."
"Do you know the difference between riding a dragon to slay a hellbeast and facing our combined attacks?"
"Uh... well. Both seem difficult."
"One is the exam you'll be taking, and the other is what you did today!"
The knights roared with laughter at their comrade's excellent joke.
But Lee Han's face turned pale.
"...My midterm exam is facing your combined attacks??"
"Hmm? No. Ah, you didn't get the joke. What makes it funny is that when I said 'the exam you'll be taking,' you immediately assumed it meant 'riding a dragon to slay a hellbeast'! But actually, the exam is the much simpler task of facing our combined attacks. Isn't that hilarious?"
"Not funny at all."
"Hmm? Let me explain again. The humor comes from—"
Professor Ingoldel finally intervened to stop his comrades.
"Wardanaz. Don't worry about it. Slaying the hellbeast is sufficient for your exam."
"Professor!"
Lee Han was moved.
"These fellows' combined attacks were just one of many proposed exam ideas during our discussions. No need for alarm."
"...Professor!"
Lee Han was horrified.
That had actually been a real proposal?!