“After finally filling the 120 minutes, the dean concluded his long speech, and the faculty members genuinely applauded as they could finally escape the lecture hall disguised as a meeting.
While the professors were satisfied and dispersing, a group formed where a few individuals gathered to chat.
Since they were from different departments, it was a rare chance to get to know each other’s faces, taking advantage of the situation.
Despite thinking that his life as a loner was already confirmed, Lee Han was fortunate enough to have an acquaintance in Hans, who was quite personable.
“Let me introduce you to Dorothea. She’s an instructor from the Art Department, specializing in religious painting.”
“Call me Cam. I’m just a mere statistics instructor, a fallen noble.”
“I’m Den from the Architecture Department. It seems I’m unreasonably qualified to be a professor, heh.”
“I’m Alain de Wagner, a rather old-fashioned history professor. Feel free to just call me Alain.”
Each was a close associate of Hans, though they modestly referred to themselves as insignificant people; he knew they were heavyweights.
Despite being somewhat out of touch with the news, Lee Han had heard many names from a knight, who was his only friend in the Order, whenever he shared stories about the world.
“It’s an honor to meet an up-and-coming artist. Even if it’s a failed piece, I’d love to purchase a painting later, Dorothea.”
“Oh my?”
She was the most promising young female artist, highly anticipated for the future.
“You can’t just dismiss someone who even declined the royal summons as merely a fallen noble, can you, Cam?”
“Oho.”
A young and talented scholar wanted by the royal family.
“I’ve heard so much about the great master who led the reconstruction of the royal capital, Den. And dismissing the legendary archaeologist who risked his life to excavate artifacts in Britain as boring would just be insane, wouldn’t it, Professor Alain?”
“Heh, how embarrassing.”
“You have quite an impressive knowledge for someone who looks like that.”
These were big names who had already made their mark before he was even born.
They were individuals from whom even a typical noble would struggle to cultivate connections.
Making a name for oneself in any field signified high reputation and nobility.
They must surely be important figures protected at all times in the Guild.
“I’m relieved. It seems introducing you was worth it.”
And the master craftsman Hans was the one who introduced all these people.
‘They say birds of a feather flock together…’
He realized again that old adage was spot on.
This was a genuinely remarkable dream team.
“Everyone here is far too significant for a soldier whose only skill is swinging a sword to engage with.”
“Haha! I wonder who’s being humble; those who refer to a knight from the White Lion as a mere civil servant must be out of their minds, don’t you think?”
“That’s true.”
“As I mentioned, I’ll give you a painting as a gesture of goodwill.”
Even among these learned individuals, being a knight wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
In fact, being a knight affiliated with the White Lion made him seem even more significant.
Though he had been demoted and became an instructor, no one would dismiss him that easily.
Didn’t they witness his overwhelming skills against the Vice Commander of the Pollet Order, renowned for their gladiators?
Still, beyond that, they were quite kind-hearted and generous individuals.
Having found fame merely by hard work in their respective fields without seeking reputation or power.
That’s why they extended such goodwill towards him simply for being introduced by their acquaintance, Hans.
Unless Lee Han struck first, they wouldn’t view him with suspicion.
‘…I owe a huge debt.’
He felt a growing fondness for them, rather than merely acknowledging their status as heavyweights, and realized he owed a significant debt to Hans for introducing him.
Material things can be purchased with money, but friendships and kindness cannot be bought just because one has it.
‘Someday, I’ll have to repay this.’
He could act indifferent towards those of lesser character, seeing them as lacking in virtue, but wouldn’t he need to approach people of integrity with sincerity?
Thus, Lee Han and the faculty members decided to head to a café for a simple introduction and light tea time.
For reference, there’s no place in the kingdom that sells iced coffee.”
Only espresso or herbal and black tea is available.
It’s possible to request ice in coffee, but if you do, disdainful glares will come raining down from every direction, so you hold back.
Just as you’re feeling a bit disappointed,
“-May I take a moment?”
“Oh, Lord Odwal.”
“I take that as permission.”
“Uh….”
The atmosphere, which had been so pleasant, became oddly tense with the arrival of this arrogant fellow, who spoke as if the answer was already decided.
He looked eccentric to begin with, radiating a stubbornness that suggested he wouldn’t listen to anyone else.
The professors couldn’t hide their expressions of having stepped into something wrong, yet he didn’t even glance at their changed faces.
He presented as someone devoid of consideration.
Then he turned to Lee Han.
“Leave that pure genius, Irene Windler, alone and stop your pointless meddling. This isn’t a request or advice, it’s a warning. If you taint even a little of her talent with your impurities…, I can’t predict what I’ll do.”
He made a polite ‘threat’, clearly hiding sinister hostility.
As if speaking to a knight was utterly contemptible to him.
In response to this,
“Hey, old spellcaster.”
“!!?”
“I can’t quite grasp what nonsense you’re spouting; care to repeat that? Speaking gibberish doesn’t help me understand! You just jumped to conclusions.”
Lee Han, not hiding his blunt words and showing a disdain as sharp as the spellcaster’s hostility, spat back.
“And back off a bit, will you? How often do you brush those teeth? It’s downright filthy.”
“!!!”
“What? You want to try something?”
Lee Han provoked again, secretly wishing this guy would whip out his staff.
If that happened,
‘Finally, I’d get to taste something.’
It would be a precious opportunity to smack a magician.
Just thinking about it brought an uncontainable smile to Lee Han’s face.
…Though his opponent certainly wouldn’t find it all that pleasant.
*
*
*
…Unfortunately, the magician simply walked away.
It felt like he could’ve been coaxed into a response with a bit more provocation, but with newly made acquaintances around, Lee Han had no choice but to hold back his tears of frustration.
And currently,
“I shouldn’t have underestimated Lord Odwal like that, hmmm….”
Hans and the others wore worried expressions.
After arriving at the café, they continually glanced at Lee Han with concern.
It didn’t seem like they were worried for their own safety, but for Lee Han’s.
For those they had just met today to cast worried glances… now that was something.
‘How splendid, how splendid.’
He didn’t regret spending on tea and desserts.
Feeling guilty for the tense atmosphere he had caused, Lee Han took a sip of the hot chocolate he bought for himself and asserted:
“I’ll take full responsibility. Whether a dispute arises or the conflict escalates, I assure you won’t suffer any repercussions. So please, don’t worry.”
“No, we didn’t mean it in that way.”
“I understand that you’re worried. But truly, there’s no need. Despite appearances, I’m a pretty sturdy guy.”
“…That old man is someone you can’t brush off as merely sturdy.”
There seemed to be a vast difference between the sturdiness Hans referred to and the sturdiness Lee Han was talking about, but not knowing that sank Hans with a heavy sigh.
“What on earth is Lord Odwal planning now…?”
Odwal Bernard.
The name of the magician who had approached Lee Han moments ago, and one all the faculty felt uneasy about.
Why were they uneasy, you ask?
Because he was a [Magician].
A magician, those who have received the selection of magical power considered a blessing bestowed only by birth.
They manipulate the laws of nature, creating a ‘World of Spells’ that defies common sense.
And because they don’t adhere to logic, simply being a magician is enough to render him a figure of fear.
After all, getting tangled up with him could mean any kind of misfortune.
“Well, it was refreshing to hear the instructor’s remarks earlier.”
However, fear is fear, and those harboring positive feelings about magicians were few and far between.
It’s just that the nature of magicians is fundamentally arrogant.
“He’s such an eccentric old man.”
“We shouldn’t speak ill of others behind their backs, but it’s hard to deny.”
“Eccentric? No, he’s downright fiery.”
Magicians look down on and despise those who cannot wield magic. They constantly want to showcase their uniqueness and demand to be treated like royalty.
They dismiss even nobles and royals, and to make matters worse, they spare no disrespect even towards the gods.
Well, most individuals acting that recklessly tend to disappear without a trace, but…
Odwal, though he might not be as reckless as the aforementioned magicians, certainly displayed the signature arrogance typical of their kind.
One notable incident comes to mind.
“Remember the entrance ceremony six years ago? He caused quite the scene, shooting off fireworks simply because a regular cadet coughed during his introduction.”
“…That was a senior of mine.”
“Now, the Turtle incident is a different case altogether. What he did was sheer violence.”
The chaotic act was on a whole different level compared to what Lee Han had done.
There was no justification, just ruthless violence because he didn’t like something.
Several cadets were injured in that incident, and the auditorium was half burnt down…
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a criminal.
“I don’t mean to say this, but why is someone like him still at the academy? He seems like someone who should be locked away rather than allowed to roam free.”
“…Hmm.”
At this point, the faculty members paused, as they were also subconsciously thinking the same thing.
“Well, magicians are valuable resources, you see. They’re considered irreplaceable personnel. Their character may be lacking, but as long as they don’t commit murder, they usually get a pass.”
It was a somewhat understandable explanation, but Lee Han shook his head.
“That’s just a surface reason. What’s the real deal?”
“…Do you, by any chance, get told often that you have good instincts despite appearances?”
“I do get that sometimes.”
“Ha ha.”
Hans found the straightforwardness of the knight’s words refreshing.
Perhaps it was because he wasn’t a noble himself? His words were devoid of thorns and completely candid.
It felt as if he were interacting with skilled craftsmen from a guild.
‘Looks like I made a good connection.’
Though he too had a wild side, he seemed to know where to draw the line.
“…Many nobles back Lord Odwal. And among those nobles, there are plenty who contribute immense funds to the academy every year. So, it’s not easy to just dismiss him.”
“What a funny old man.”
Here’s a guy who despises people who can’t use magic, yet he needs sponsors?
Even funnier are the nobles who support such a man.
What on earth are they thinking?
“Anyway, Sir Turtle, please be careful. While I know you’re strong, he is dangerous. There’s a chance he could threaten you in some way.”
It was a heartfelt warning towards Lee Han. He wanted to assure them that there was nothing to worry about, but he wasn’t the type to brush off serious advice lightly.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll make sure to remember it. But…”
“What?”
“Um, this is a hidden talent of mine, just so you all know. Very few people are aware of it.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It’s my hidden talent.”
He said it earnestly.
He was confident that he wouldn’t lose to anyone with this talent.
“It’s the talent of making a madman good.”
“??”
“Ha ha, just keep that in mind.”
You wouldn’t believe it, but there’s actually a way to make a madman ‘good’?
And that way is none other than:
‘If they stop breathing, they become good.’
Ah.
Stopping their heart is even better.
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