Chapter 12

Chapter 012

No matter what, I'm glad you ironheads finally came to your senses!

"......"

"......"

Despite Headmaster Rich's praise, no one was happy. Li Han felt as if someone was cursing him.

'The Tower of the Blue Dragon is originally the slowest.'

However, to his surprise, Headmaster Rich had genuinely praised them.

Every year, new students entered the new dormitories, but among them, the Tower of the Blue Dragon was always the slowest to adapt.

The fastest to adapt were the students of the Tower of the Black Tortoise.

Given that students from merchant, commoner, or slum backgrounds also entered, their adaptability was exceptional.

Next were the students of the Tower of the White Tiger.

Since most were from knightly families, they had good physical abilities and could endure tough conditions.

In contrast, the students of the Tower of the Blue Dragon were mostly from high-ranking noble families.

Having never experienced tough conditions, they inevitably adapted more slowly.

But to have figured out how to find and eat food on their own in just a few days...

Honestly, it was impressive.

'Is this guy the culprit?'

Headmaster Rich's blue eyes fixed on Li Han.

A grand mage's intuition is never wrong.

If it's ever wrong, it must be corrected by force.

In this regard, Li Han was fortunate.

His impression of Li Han was exactly the same as when he first met him.

'A good mage's qualities are not determined by magic power alone...'

Headmaster Rich did not highly evaluate Li Han solely based on his magic power.

While that was one factor, he was more impressed by other aspects.

For such a free-spirited person to come from the rigid Wodanaz family...

'Free thinking. That's the companion that opens the path of a mage.'

This was what Headmaster Rich wanted to teach the students.

Feeding them hard bread and cold rice was to foster such free thinking.

Of course, he also enjoyed watching them, but the original purpose was as stated.

'Why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine?'

Li Han suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. It was unusually cold for spring.

* * *

"Headmaster, we understand that we need to prepare our own meals to grow as mages. But why do we need this character education?"

Indeed, the students of the Tower of the Blue Dragon were fearless.

Being from high-ranking noble families, they spoke their minds even in front of Headmaster Rich.

Headmaster Rich rattled his skull and spoke softly.

You said it well. Why do you think you need character education? Tell me.

"...I don't know."

It's because when mages from here cause trouble outside, the damned Emperor will hold me responsible!!!

The resounding voice of Headmaster Rich made all the freshmen cover their ears.

Your seniors! When they went outside! Caused trouble! If they hadn't, this wouldn't have happened! You damned ironheads!!

"......"

"......"

Why do we need this character education?! When high officials from the Emperor come to ask about the reasons for the incidents, I need to at least claim that we are conducting character education to prevent you from being punished collectively! You ironheaded bastards!! Is that a sufficient answer?!

"Yes... Yes!!"

The student who asked the question nodded repeatedly, overwhelmed by Headmaster Rich's momentum.

Mages are fundamentally unpredictable. Don't say you're not. Such lies only anger me. You'll see when you're allowed to go out. How much trouble you mages cause! Open your books! We'll read page 1!!

"I will not threaten civilians with magic!"

Once more!

"I will not threaten civilians with magic!"

Li Han repeated the phrase, thinking to himself.

'Is this really effective?'

It seems like this kind of education might make mages cause more trouble...

* * *

All the students expected the character education lecture to be boring.

Their expectations were wrong.

The character education lecture was even more boring than expected.

"This... This is a mandatory lecture...?"

"My throat is sore from reading so much."

I hope that today's lecture has instilled a kind heart in your empty ironheads.

"Yes..."

"It really seems that way..."

And I need two people to help with the next lecture. Any volunteers?

Headmaster Rich asked in a soft voice, which was even more chilling.

"......"

"......"

The students only rolled their eyes and avoided his gaze. Headmaster Rich smiled contentedly.

Wouldn't it be more painful if no one came forward? Are you really going to stay silent until the end?

"I'll do it."

The one who raised his hand was Li Han. Headmaster Rich looked disappointed, as if he couldn't enjoy the moment.

You're from the Wodanaz family. Do you like working?

"Isn't it an honor to help a respected professor?"

"Wodanaz...!"

"You really are..."

The students of the Tower of the Blue Dragon looked at Li Han with deep admiration.

Yesterday, he filled the students' empty stomachs with a barbecue party at dusk, and today, he stepped forward for the same dormitory students.

The saying that the Wodanaz family is a pillar of the empire is not without reason.

Look at that sense of responsibility!

It's quite annoying to say things you don't mean, but it's good. Opportunities always come to those who are proactive.

Li Han realized that his intentions were seen through by Headmaster Rich.

A fact he learned from Professor Thunderfoot.

It was that helping a professor often had many benefits.

Especially in a closed space like this, it was good to get something from the professor.

Even if the professor was the mad skull, Rich.

"I'll do my best."

'And I can get good grades too.'

"Li Han... Are you crazy?"

Gayanado whispered in shock. Another student said to Gayanado,

"If no one stepped forward, everyone would have suffered. Wodanaz isn't crazy; he's doing this for us."

"R-Right... Then I should..."

Gayanado hesitated and tried to stand up, but his legs wouldn't move.

'Move, legs!'

To become noble, you must be able to stand up in such situations.

Besides, Li Han must be waiting for Gayanado.

'I need to help...'

You're from the Dalkard family. After all, the Dalkard family has always been good at paperwork.

"Thank you for the compliment."

While Gayanado was thinking, a second person stepped forward.

Asan Dalkard.

A student from the Dalkard family, who was thrown by a violent mutant pig during the alchemy class.

"?"

Li Han looked at Asan in surprise. He hadn't expected Asan to step forward.

'Is he after something similar?'

Asan adjusted his glasses with dignity and said,

"Of course, Wodanaz, you should know why I stepped forward."

"Really? I don't know."

Li Han said, puzzled.

How could he know what Asan was thinking?

"What? Why?! Isn't it obvious to repay the favor from last time?!"

Asan looked even more puzzled.

Isn't that the only reason?

"Ah... I see. But you didn't have to go that far."

"What are you talking about? The Dalkard family always pays its debts."

While it was heartwarming to see the two ironheads having a friendly conversation, there was something that needed to be done immediately.

"?"

For the next lecture, copy these safety guidelines for each student so you can distribute them to your friends.

"......"

"......"

Asan seemed to snap to attention at Headmaster Rich's words.

"Headmaster."

Why?

"I don't understand... Wouldn't it be easier for Headmaster to use magic to copy the text onto these papers? Isn't it inefficient for us to copy it by hand?"

I know. That's why I'm telling you to do it.

"......"

Li Han clearly saw it.

The murderous intent in Asan's eyes!

* * *

-Sorry, Li Han.

-I want to help...

Yonerna, Gayanado, and the other students left, feeling sorry.

They wanted to help, but Headmaster Rich had blocked them.

Two is enough! Get out!

As a result, Li Han and Asan Dalkard were left in the empty lecture hall to copy the text.

"This is unacceptable... This is unacceptable... To be given such an inefficient task...!"

'Is this guy going to break down?'

Asan muttered and furiously scribbled. Li Han started to worry.

He had a feeling why the headmaster was doing this.

'If you're annoyed, learn magic to do it.'

The headmaster's seemingly crazy actions were actually easy to understand once you knew the intention.

...The problem was that it was practically impossible.

He couldn't even properly cast the "Light Creation" spell, let alone a writing magic.

'Is there any hint?'

Li Han started rummaging through the empty lecture hall, hoping for a hint of the headmaster's remaining conscience.

"Wodanaz? What are you doing?"

Asan tilted his head, seeing Wodanaz searching the lecture hall.

"Checking if there's anything useful."

"Is that allowed?"

"There's no rule against it."

"But that's like stealing..."

"This is Headmaster Rich's lecture hall."

"...Sometimes, stealing might be okay."

Asan jumped up and ran to help Li Han.

'People can break down really quickly.'

Noble families or not, once you enter this school, you change...

"Find anything?"

"Maybe. There's some paper here. We might need it later. Wait. There's a key."

A key appeared with a jingle.

Li Han kept it, not knowing where it was for. Asan asked curiously.

"Do you know what it's for?"

"No, but it's better to keep it in case we need it later."

"Indeed... Logical."

Asan was impressed. It was definitely logical.

Thud-

When they opened the last drawer, a voice accompanied by magic power suddenly sounded.

Opening this drawer means you've decided to stop writing mindlessly and start thinking. I hope it's as soon as possible! The longer you do this stupid labor, the more pitiful and pathetic you'll be.

"......"

"......"

Here is a 1st Circle spell, "Basic Control." Take it and learn it. It's better to learn it quickly. Otherwise, you'll be writing by hand for the whole semester.

The hidden intention of the headmaster.

The students who understood it were moved...

...but not really.

"Wodanaz, I can't understand. Why is he teaching magic like this? There are much more efficient ways!"

Asan said, looking frustrated.

The magic he imagined was taught kindly by an excellent teacher, not thrown at them to learn for survival.

What kind of method is this?!

Asan continued with a passionate voice.

"Wodanaz, you understand, right? Let's protest to the headmaster. If we protest seriously, he might change his mind. ...Wodanaz??"

"Hm?"

Li Han turned his head.

He was already preparing to learn the magic.