Chapter 81

"Can we forget the misunderstandings between us and think about collaborating for a better future?"

"Rather than that, it would be faster to dream of the school collapsing."

One of the White Tiger Tower students replied like that.

Lee Han thought it wouldn't be too bad.

"What, you talking about cooperation, Wodanaz?!"

To some of the White Tiger Tower students, Lee Han was already a wicked archmage.

"Because you took the flag, we lost the chance to get good grades in this <Basic Magic Character Education> lecture!"

"That seems to be a misunderstanding. It's not final yet, is it?"

Lee Han tried to logically persuade the White Tiger Tower students.

If he could logically convince them why cooperation would be beneficial for everyone, maybe those stubborn knights would listen.

"Of course, the probability of getting an F is 95%, but still!"

"Ha! Ha! F! F!"

"......"

Of course, there was no guarantee that the Blue Dragon Tower friends would help.

Ahsan and Gaynand tried to back Lee Han up but shrank back at his murderous glare.

'U... What did we do wrong?'

'We were trying to help...'

"Think about it. The principal is giving this <Basic Magic Character Education> lecture for the students' education. Do you really think he would give an F just because of one mistake?"

Of course, Lee Han thought he would, but he didn't show it.

"Instead, wouldn't it be a failure to give up just because of one mistake? If you work hard from now on, you can all get A's by the end of the semester. Plus, the outing permit. Do you know how attractive the outside world is? I've been there once, and it's like heaven."

'Except for the principal's trap.'

"You don't need to wake up early on a hard bed, and you can eat whatever you want. Think about it."

The White Tiger Tower students couldn't deny that they were being drawn in, even if they tried to ignore it.

Some students were already considering, "Should we cooperate this time?"

But things didn't go that smoothly.

Giselle stepped forward and spoke.

"Really? Is that so?"

"Moradi, I know you have a grudge against me, but my sincerity..."

Lee Han tried to sow discord, but it wasn't easy.

After all, his influence over the White Tiger Tower students was on a different level.

When Giselle spoke with a neutral and sharp tone, the White Tiger Tower students' attention focused on her.

"Has anything ever gone well when you got involved with Wodanaz?"

"Moradi, you had your subordinates attack me. Don't be fooled. Moradi..."

"Those who got involved with Wodanaz and ended up in the punishment room?"

"Misunderstanding. The principal took them."

"Who attacked the lounge last time?"

"That was also on the principal's orders..."

Lee Han tried his best to defend himself, but the atmosphere had already turned against him.

Thud-

Yoner grabbed Lee Han's shoulder and shook his head.

It meant there was no more hope.

'Damn.'

Lee Han had his limits in pretending to be good because of what he had done. He sighed.

Is there no other way?

"Durgyu, come here."

"?"

Durgyu, the honorable orc friend of the Choi family, tried to approach when Lee Han called him.

"Durgyu, don't go."

"Yeah, something's off."

Despite his friends' warnings, Durgyu replied as if they were talking nonsense.

"Lee Han isn't that kind of friend."

"......"

Is he not that kind of friend?

Despite his friends' pleas, Durgyu walked over.

"I'm here. Lee Han, what's up?"

As Durgyu approached, Lee Han grabbed him and shouted fiercely.

"If you don't cooperate, I can't guarantee Durgyu's life. I'll take him to the lake, use him, and then throw him to the bottom!"

"...That bastard is serious!!!"

The White Tiger Tower students were shocked.

In the end, that Wodanaz guy revealed his true colors!

Durgyu looked confused but soon realized the situation.

'Lee Han is trying to mediate between the two towers.'

"Save me, save me."

"Durgyu!!"

When Durgyu spoke with a miserable and sad expression, some of the White Tiger Tower students felt their hearts breaking.

Raphadele burst out and shouted.

"Stop it, you Wodanaz! We'll cooperate! Let Durgyu go!!"

"Yeah, we'll cooperate, so let Durgyu go!!"

The White Tiger Tower students shouted in unison to Lee Han.

"On your honor?"

"On my honor!"

"Alright. I'll let him go, but be careful from now on."

Lee Han released Durgyu.

Giselle was staring at Lee Han with a look of shock, as if he were a madman.

"If you had agreed to cooperate earlier, it would have been easier for both of us."

"You... You're more evil than I am. Wodanaz. You can be proud. I've never seen someone like you."

"You're the only one who thinks that."

Lee Han replied curtly to Giselle and turned his head.

Gaynand nodded but stopped when he met Lee Han's eyes.

"Are you seriously...?"

"No, no! I was just doing neck exercises!"

* * *

The troublesome assignment in <Basic Magic Character Education> came out, but Lee Han and his friends couldn't focus on it.

It wasn't because of the cooperation with the White Tiger Tower students...

"So, when are you going to do it, Mr. Lee Han of the Wodanaz family?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

Yoner whispered curiously beside Lee Han.

"But why are you using honorifics with Sister Sianna? You didn't before."

"...Did I?"

Lee Han realized he had been unconsciously overwhelmed by Sianna's madness.

It wasn't really his fault.

Anyone would be a bit overwhelmed if someone said, "We need potions, so let's raid the professor's lab."

"Why are you two acting like that?"

"Ha ha. It's nothing... No, it's nothing."

Yoner defended Lee Han, perhaps sensing his inner thoughts.

"The Flemagne Order often doesn't hesitate to use any means for alchemy."

'Yoner isn't very good at promoting the order.'

What was really important now wasn't Sianna's or the Flemagne Order's madness.

It was very important to decide when to raid.

If he opened the lab door and met Professor Uregeum's eyes, he would probably have nightmares for a month.

'The time will be between evening and night. But the day is the problem. Should I raid on a weekday or the weekend?'

Lee Han hadn't accurately figured out Professor Uregeum's schedule.

He knew when they met at the cabin, but not what he did at other times.

If he asked Professor Uregeum, he would be a suspect later...

"Wodanaz, you don't need to come to the cabin today."

Professor Lightning Step, who had come down to give the <Basic Riding Training> lecture, told Lee Han.

Lee Han was learning additional training knowledge to tame flying mounts after finishing his chores at the cabin.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'm planning to take my nephew to the market. I need to buy something."

"Oh, I see."

Lee Han managed his expression and tried to sound natural.

"When are you going?"

"After today's lecture, I'll go and return around tomorrow. I'm sorry to leave you behind."

Professor Lightning Step genuinely felt sorry.

Honestly, he thought he should take a student like Lee Han, who worked like a horse, with him.

"Professor, the rules apply equally to everyone, don't they?"

"Did Gonadaltes threaten you? Anyway, I understand. I'll bring you some beer candy when I return."

Dwarves had a bit of a unique taste in snacks, but Lee Han didn't point it out.

Anything would be appreciated.

And...

'Tonight!'

The opportunity came suddenly. Lee Han called his friends and whispered.

"Tonight."

"!"

"Tonight...!"

The friends were surprised by the sudden plan, but no one backed out.

"Rather, it's good. We can rest well on the weekend."

"Tonight... I've been waiting for this."

Ahsan extended his hand with a solemn expression and said,

"For a comfortable semester without assignments."

"For a comfortable semester without assignments!"

"..."

Lee Han was puzzled.

When did you guys come up with this slogan?

* * *

"Stop talking and go to your positions. Now, I hope you're all getting along well with the horses. Some of you are feeding and grooming them early in the morning, while others are just patting them casually after waking up late."

Gaynand flinched.

"I have nothing to say. This school leads students to the water but doesn't force them to drink. You have to figure it out on your own."

'It feels like they're being thrown into the water and then told to start swimming...'

"Are we riding horses today?"

One of the students asked nervously.

They weren't close enough to show complex riding techniques yet.

"No. It will take a whole semester to get that close. Today, we'll learn how to handle other monsters."

Professor Lightning Step whistled loudly, and a flaming puppy leaped out from behind.

The students, who had seen all sorts of crazy creatures, naturally gasped.

But Lee Han was tense.

In this magic school, cute creatures might be more dangerous.

That doesn't mean scary-looking creatures are safe...

"Those who think it's cute are disqualified. You should have seen the flames first. When this puppy charges, half of you will die."

The flaming puppy rolled around, panting. Professor Lightning Step scratched its belly as if it had done well.

"Magicians are generally good at handling elements, but that's only true for those who survived various accidents. Why do people think magicians are good at handling elements? Because the stupid ones die before they can be known. There are too many magicians who died trying to tame fire monsters to list them all."

The students unconsciously took a few steps back, moving away from their original positions.

"Today, we'll learn how to handle fire monsters. Be grateful it's a puppy. If it were a horse, you'd have to worry about being trampled to death before it even caught fire. Wodanaz."

The apprentice was always the first to step up.

Lee Han walked forward, suppressing a sigh.

"You need to show an example. Drink this."

Professor Lightning Step threw a potion of fire resistance. Lee Han was slightly relieved.

'So I don't have to touch it with bare hands.'

If Professor Lightning Step had heard that, he would have been furious, thinking, 'What do you take me for?'

Lee Han drank the potion of fire resistance.

It felt like he had swallowed a strong drink, and a smoky smell rose when he breathed.

"Did you drink it all? Good. Now, try to get along with the puppy for as long as you can."

"How long does the potion's effect last?"

"You have to figure that out."

"......"

Lee Han hesitated.

'So I have to realize the dangerous moment and get out on my own?'

A training to develop a magician's intuition for danger, not just relying on elemental resistance magic or potions.

...It was hard to convince himself of that.

'Damn. This seems like the last one will be the best.'

If he watched the others' potion times, it would be advantageous!

Lee Han focused.

He raised his mana to a state of readiness, ready to cast a spell at any moment.

Then, with a gentle smile, he approached the puppy.

The flaming puppy made a scared groaning sound.

"Don't scare it!!"

"But I didn't do anything..."