Chapter 27

Chapter 027

"You should be thankful that these bad kids were given sleeping herbs instead of poison!"

Nilia said, fuming.

Having heard what happened to Yi Han and Yoner, she was thoroughly angry at the White Tiger Tower students.

"How dare they pick a fight with Wodanaz, who did nothing wrong!"

"Well, it's not entirely true that he did nothing wrong. I did attend the swordsmanship class that the White Tiger Tower students take."

"Huh? But why is that wrong..."

"But that's not the point."

Nilia looked at Yi Han with wide eyes, clearly bewildered, but he ignored her and continued.

"Anyway, Durrkyu. I understand you're surprised, but you should know that this isn't a cowardly or dishonorable act. It's a strategy."

"Y-Yeah, that's right. The one who got hit is the fool."

Nilia chimed in to support Yi Han.

To Nilia, who was a hunter, this level of retaliation wasn't even considered retaliation.

"I still think it should be done more honorably..."

"Tsk. Durrkyu, you're looking at honor too narrowly. Look at the result. If we had fought here and caused a commotion, we would all have been caught, and everyone's face would have been red. But thanks to the sleeping herbs in the water, we can end this without any red faces. We won't be caught, and those guys won't be hurt for no reason when they return to school. Isn't that honorable?"

"Is... is that so?"

"It is. It's honorable."

Nilia supported Yi Han, and Yoner and Gaynando also chimed in.

"It seems like an honorable action."

"Even the royal palace would consider this honorable, I think."

"Y-Yeah."

Like ink makes one gradually darker, Durrkyu was slowly being influenced by Yi Han's way of thinking without even realizing it.

* * *

Tap, tap, tap, tap—

Yi Han nodded at the sound of undead creatures running from a distance.

-Subjugation complete.

-Subjugation complete.

The Bone Trackers didn't find it strange that the White Tiger Tower students were asleep.

Given their low intelligence, they couldn't distinguish such things.

'Now, I just have to wait.'

Yi Han was confident that the Bone Trackers would soon start to disperse.

They had captured all their targets, the White Tiger Tower students, so there was no reason for them to stay.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to check the surroundings while we wait."

Yi Han cautiously moved towards the side with the wall.

The unexpected commotion had ruined their original plan to escape the school, but he couldn't return empty-handed.

'I need to confirm something.'

How far did the massive wall surrounding the school grounds extend into the mountains?

And was there really no way to escape?

The other students followed Yi Han cautiously.

Although the Bone Trackers had disappeared, the darkness was still pitch-black, and the mountain became steeper and more densely wooded as they climbed.

"It's... so dark."

"This is dangerous. We might trip."

Moreover, the absence of the White Tiger Tower students, who usually carried torches, made the surroundings even darker.

"Wodanaz, we need to light something."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"There are so many obstacles around, so it should be fine."

"Alright. Light!"

With Yi Han's spell, a bright light enveloped the surroundings, as if it were broad daylight.

Seeing this, Nilia suddenly felt uneasy.

Theoretically, with the distance and the dense trees and bushes, the light shouldn't be visible from below, but...

Yi Han's spell seemed too intense.

'Hopefully, we won't be discovered.'

-Light it out, young students. You're keeping me from sleeping.

"!!!"

A low, resonant voice, filled with mana, echoed from the forest.

The students, already on edge from the mad principal, were shocked.

Could there be a trap here too?

"Who are you?"

Yi Han was the first to regain his composure and speak.

'If it were the principal's summon, it would have attacked first.'

-I'll ask the questions first since you students have come to me. If you answer correctly, I'll treat you as guests, but if you're wrong, you'll be treated as intruders. Don't be nervous; it's a very easy question. A dwarf lit five candles in his room late at night. But a strong wind blew from outside, extinguishing one candle. Soon after, a guest dwarf, who was drinking beer in the next room, opened the door forcefully, extinguishing another candle. The dwarf then closed the windows and door to prevent the candles from being extinguished. How many candles were left the next morning?

'This is a trap.'

Yi Han realized the hidden trap in the riddle.

At first glance, it might seem that three candles were left, but the candles would have burned out over time.

So, by morning, there would be 0 candles left.

"Three!"

Gaynando answered without thinking. Yi Han was shocked.

"!"

-Correct.

"...Wait, didn't the candles burn out?"

Yi Han couldn't help but ask. The voice responded as if it were obvious.

-When I pose such a riddle, it's naturally assumed that the candles are magical and won't burn out. Isn't that obvious?

"......"

Yi Han cursed inwardly.

'What a ridiculous magical society.'

It was indeed an easy question, as they had said.

-Since you answered correctly, I'll treat you as guests. However, it's been a while since I've had guests, and I feel a bit disappointed to end it here. How about answering one more question? Even if you're wrong, I'll still treat you as guests, and if you're right, I'll give you a gift.

"I'm ready."

Yi Han answered immediately without hesitation.

Missing such an opportunity would be foolish.

-There is a large figure in the morning. This figure becomes smaller at noon and larger again in the afternoon. It disappears at night. Who is this figure?

The students hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected riddle.

'What is it?'

'I'm not sure.'

Gaynando, who had gained confidence from the correct answer, shouted again.

"It's a monster that is large in the morning and afternoon but small at noon!"

-...Incorrect.

"Why?! Oh, I forgot about it disappearing at night..."

-It's incorrect.

"Is the answer a shadow?"

-Correct!

"!!!"

His friends looked at Yi Han in surprise.

-How did you know?

This was a very famous riddle.

One of the riddles of the Sphinx, wasn't it?

Yi Han, finding it too troublesome to explain his knowledge from his previous life, simply replied.

"I focused my mind and the answer came to me."

Ambiguous answers are always interpreted favorably.

The voice seemed very impressed by Yi Han's answer.

-Excellent. I welcome you, clever young students.

The densely packed trees moved aside, and the surrounding terrain began to change as if shrouded in mist.

A surreal clearing, filled with the thick green mana of the forest, appeared before them.

* * *

The one who greeted Yi Han and his friends was a talking oak tree.

The deep forest was home to various monsters, spirits, and other mysterious beings.

The talking oak tree was one of them.

-You look very tired. Try this.

The talking oak tree moved its branches to offer a wooden cup. Inside was a cold green liquid.

'The smell isn't very good.'

It looked and smelled like green juice.

However, the mana it exuded was abundant. Yi Han cautiously took a sip.

"!"

It felt as if the fatigue in his muscles was instantly relieved.

Like drinking cold water after running and sweating on a hot summer day, the green drink was refreshing as it slid down his throat.

Despite its bitterness, the effect was clear.

-This is a drink made from the sap of the forest's trees. Does it taste good?

"Yes, it's delicious. Could I have a bit more?"

-Feel free to take as much as you want.

Yi Han filled his leather water bag with the sap. Given the harsh environment of the school, it was important to gather such resources when possible.

While Yi Han was collecting the sap, the other students continued to ask questions of the oak trees.

Being in a mysterious clearing known only to the forest spirits, they couldn't help but be curious.

"What is this place?"

"Are there any other trees?"

"Hey, do you have any food? This is too bitter. Can you give us some sweet fruit?"

While his friends chatted, Yi Han also asked the talking oak tree.

He couldn't miss such an opportunity.

"Can I ask a few questions?"

-Feel free. But first, you should introduce yourself.

"I am Yi Han."

The oak tree was surprised by Yi Han's introduction, which began with his name rather than his family name.

It was uncommon for a noble boy to introduce himself this way.

-What is your family?

"Wodanaz family."

Thud—

The oak tree took a step back. Yi Han felt a bit wronged.

-I'm sorry. It's not your fault, but because of the rumors. The Wodanaz family has produced many great mages.

"Is that so?"

-And many mad mages as well.

"......"

-Introducing yourself by your own name rather than your family name is commendable. You will be a good mage. But what are you doing here in the middle of the night?

Yi Han answered without hesitation.

"We were enjoying a night walk."

"......"

Yoner, standing beside him, bit his lip to suppress a laugh.

Of course, the talking oak tree wasn't fooled by such a lie.

-Ah, you're looking for a way out of the school, aren't you? But looking at the moon tonight, it's the first week of the new students. Surely you're not trying to leave in the first week?

"Actually, there are some reasons for that."

Yi Han tried to explain, but the talking oak tree was already impressed.

-Trying to leave in the first week... The new students this time are truly remarkable.

'Damn.'

Yi Han gave up on his explanation.

"Talking oak tree, if many students have tried to leave before, could you give us some advice on how to do it?"

-I have lived in this forest for over a hundred years. I've seen many students try to leave the school. There are ways, but they are impossible for students at your level.

The talking oak tree didn't seem willing to share more.

Yi Han, who hadn't expected much, decided to ask another question.

"Is it possible to climb the mountain and leave if we keep going in this direction?"

-It's unlikely. There's a wall.

"...There's a wall here too??"

-Yes. And the wall is enchanted. If you try to climb it, you'll regret it.

Yi Han was speechless.

To think that even in this steep mountain range, which they had climbed for hours, there was a wall.

It was truly impressive!

'If the wall is continuous, finding a break to escape is practically impossible.'

Climbing or bypassing the wall was also out of the question.

The talking oak tree advised him.

-Don't try to leave in your first year. It's extremely dangerous. The mountain is calm now, but in a few weeks, the dormant monsters will awaken.

"Thank you for the warning."

The talking oak tree looked into Yi Han's eyes.

Despite hearing such a warning, he didn't waver at all.

His eyes showed not fear, but a determination to push forward.

The talking oak tree was impressed by his spirit.

-I'll give you one more riddle. Black Axe Tribe orcs, Red Feather Tribe orcs, White Eagle Tribe orcs, and Green Frog Tribe orcs gathered for a feast. A mischievous goblin joined them and ate and drank a lot. How was the goblin able to do this?

"..."

"???"

The students were taken aback by the talking oak tree's riddle.

Gaynando spoke up.

"Was the goblin very popular?"

The oak tree ignored him as if it hadn't heard.