Chapter 8

Chapter 008

Originally, someone inside a family could not know the family's reputation or image.

When it came to the Wodanaz family, their mansion was larger than most castles, and their land was as vast as a city.

The people living and working there would not speak ill of the Wodanaz family...

"Is there something wrong with the Wodanaz family?"

"Ah... Nothing at all. There's absolutely no problem."

Nilia took another step back.

"I don't know what rumors you've heard, but they're all false."

Despite Lee Han's words, Nilia did not lower her guard. Yoner comforted her.

"Ridiculous rumors tend to stick to the noble families of the empire. You don't need to worry too much."

"Is that so?"

"Of course, the Wodanaz family is a bit more extreme..."

"......"

It didn't really comfort her.

While they were talking, Nilia seemed to have made up her mind and spoke firmly.

"Right. There's no reason for me to be afraid of the Wodanaz family."

"What rumors did you hear?"

"......"

Nilia hesitated, wondering if she should tell them.

It was a bit awkward to say to the person involved...

- The head of the Wodanaz family is actually a dragon. During the undead rampage in the western continent, he flew in and burned all the undead with his breath.

- The descendants of the Wodanaz family received immense magical power in exchange for a contract with a powerful ancient spirit, but they lost their emotions.

- Wodanaz family mages are heartless. During the separatist riots in the empire, a city was destroyed by Wodanaz family mages.

...and so on.

The image of the Wodanaz family was far more terrifying than what Lee Han had imagined.

To the common people of the empire, they seemed like ruthless magic monsters who would suddenly appear and sweep everything away when something happened.

"Of course, when a major incident occurs in the empire, it's only natural for archmages to show up, right?"

"That's true. Don't worry too much."

Lee Han felt wronged, and Yoner tried to reassure her. Nilia thought to herself,

'The rumor about losing emotions does sound like a false rumor...'

* * *

"Hold on."

"?"

"Something's off. Look here."

Nilia pointed to the ground with her finger.

The hill was covered in grass, so it was almost invisible, but Nilia, with her dark elf senses and experience from the <Shadow Patrol>, had detected the traces.

"Can't you see? A pretty large creature walked through here."

"Isn't that a bit shallow for such a large creature?"

"You're right. It's quite smart. It controlled its strength to avoid leaving traces, but it made a mistake here while eating this fruit."

Yoner didn't show much interest.

After all, Yoner's field of interest was alchemy. It was natural for him not to care about the tracking skills of a hunter. Yoner was looking around to see if there were any herbs.

'Pfft.'

Nilia was slightly annoyed.

When she was in the <Shadow Patrol>, everyone got along well.

They were all hunters and rangers, and most of the villagers had family members who were hunters or rangers, so any topic would resonate.

- I almost got in trouble. I tried to catch it because its fur was so beautiful...

- Hahaha! That can happen. I did the same when I was young...

People who had been hunting could talk for an hour just about a single prey.

In contrast, there were too many different people here.

- Excuse me, I have a story from the mountains...

- Mountains?

- Yeah, I was hunting...

- Hunting? Why?

- Well, I'm part of the patrol...

- Can't you just buy it?

- ...Damn, are you really asking for it?

- Eek!

From Nilia's perspective, Yoner's reaction was slightly annoying.

But what could she do?

'Right. Not everyone is a hunter, so I need to adapt.'

"Wow. That's interesting. Is there anything else?"

"...!"

Nilia was surprised by Lee Han's reaction.

He was listening intently with a very interested expression.

Confused, Nilia asked,

"Interesting?"

"Is there something wrong with finding it interesting?"

"Um, it's not that it's wrong to find it interesting, but I didn't say it to be interesting. Of course, if you find it interesting..."

"???"

Lee Han was confused by her rambling.

'Did he drink?'

Realizing she was saying something strange, Nilia quickly got back to the point.

"Alright! Anyway, when you find traces of a large prey, it's best to be careful. See how the grass is cut here? It has quite large claws."

"I see."

Lee Han was naturally curious and enjoyed learning.

If he hadn't been, he wouldn't have gone to graduate school even after being scammed by a professor.

Even if it wasn't just magic, the wisdom of a hunter was quite fascinating.

"Can you tell what it is?"

"Not enough from this."

Nilia crossed her arms, disappointed.

While experienced hunters could identify creatures from footprints, that was a myth.

Hunters could do this because they had lived in the area for a long time and knew all the monsters in the region.

Without knowing what was around here, it was impossible to identify it immediately.

"Besides, I heard that there are all kinds of strange monsters around the magic school."

"Ah, I've heard that too."

Yoner nodded.

Einroard was located in a land rich in mana, so it was natural for many monsters to appear due to the mana's influence.

And apart from that...

"Monsters created by experiments wander around the school. Rare slimes often appear due to discarded magic potions."

"......"

Lee Han was speechless.

'Do these mages not have any safety guidelines for experiments??'

From magic potions to artificial creatures created by magic.

These things should be strictly managed.

But since they were carelessly discarded, it was natural for such problems to arise.

"We need to be more careful."

"Good point! We'll follow this trail to move. The chances of being ambushed will decrease."

"Can I learn how to read tracks?"

Lee Han's question made Nilia blink.

Thinking she might have said something rude, Lee Han added,

"If it's too hard to teach, just ignore it..."

"Absolutely not easy. You'll give up halfway, right? Do you know how difficult this skill is?"

"I'll try my best if you teach me."

"...... Hmph. I'll teach you, so give it a try!"

Yoner asked Nilia in a low voice so she couldn't hear.

"Do you really need to learn that?"

"Why not? It sounds interesting."

"???"

* * *

"I found it. Poison herb."

While Nilia and Lee Han were on guard, Yoner found the herb.

Seeing the herb hidden in the thick undergrowth, Lee Han was impressed.

'Good job finding it.'

"There are only two."

"......"

"......"

"Finding one more will be enough... Why are you both so quiet?"

Yoner turned his head.

Then he realized why they were silent.

-■■...

A massive pig was staring at them intensely.

"Feeling the mana, it seems to have eaten something wrong."

Sensing the mana from the pig, Lee Han said calmly.

Whether it had eaten leaked reagents, potions, or undergone special experiments...

"It's not the time for that! Be careful!"

Nilia whispered urgently.

Pigs were not weak animals.

With a heavy build and agile movements, and equipped with tusks, they were even more dangerous.

Moreover, this one was not a domesticated animal but a wild beast.

Especially since it had gained mana from eating something strange, it was better to consider it a monster.

"Think of it as a wild boar! Don't provoke it! Everyone, slowly back away!"

Nilia told them.

Yoner steadied his trembling legs. Lee Han supported Yoner and slowly moved back.

-■■■!

However, the pig grunted and approached them.

It seemed quite angry, snorting and huffing.

"Backing away further will be dangerous."

Lee Han stopped and raised his staff.

Holding it like a spear with both hands, he stood forward, looking quite impressive.

'Right...! He's from the Wodanaz family, isn't he?'

Only then did Nilia remember Lee Han's family.

A family of archmages, the Wodanaz family.

He might have learned a few spells before coming here.

'He said he would handle any beasts or monsters that appeared, right?'

Nilia asked Lee Han in a low voice.

"Are you confident?"

"Probably, but I can't be sure."

"If you fail, definitely carry the red-haired one and run! I'll lure it away!"

Among the group, Nilia was the fastest at navigating the mountains and hills.

She wasn't doubting Lee Han's magic, but a skilled hunter always prepared for the worst.

If things went wrong, Nilia planned to lure the pig away.

Lee Han was touched by her words. Yoner felt the same.

"To go that far for us..."

"It's not like that! It's just something I can do!"

"Right. Thanks anyway. I'll count on you if something happens."

Lee Han stopped talking and focused.

The pig was getting closer.

'Three. Two. One.'

Lee Han calmly counted the distance between them.

Nilia, watching from behind, swallowed nervously.

What spell was he going to use to handle the pig?

Crack!!!

"......"

A clear sound echoed from the pig's head.

Lee Han's choice was to swing his staff.

* * *

- You are the king of black weapons, but you should not only handle swords. Swordsmanship should prepare you for situations without a sword. Swords, spears, clubs, daggers, and even bare hands.

- I see.

- ...I shouldn't say this, but aren't you complaining?

- Why?

- Ah, never mind.

Alarlong was not someone who would easily teach just because someone was from the main branch of the family.

He taught Lee Han strictly and harshly, just as he had been taught.

And Lee Han learned very well.

If another noble would have said, "Why should I do such hard work?!", Lee Han was the opposite.

'I pay to exercise, so this is manageable, right?'

When he was in graduate school, he couldn't exercise even if he wanted to, so he had no complaints about Alarlong teaching him everything in detail.

Moreover, when his body was tired, servants would immediately bring food, drinks, and magic potions...

- Mr. Lee Han, you might be wondering why I don't teach you how to imbue weapons with aura like other knights.

- I wasn't even thinking about that. Can someone like me reach such a high level?

- ...If it's not for aura, why did you want to learn swordsmanship??

Alarlong stopped teaching and looked at Lee Han in disbelief.