Lee Han was skilled at deceiving professors.
Even though Professor Lightning Step was one of the most famous explorers in the empire, he never imagined that Lee Han was looking for a flying mount to escape the school.
"Can you find one...? Maybe," Professor Lightning Step replied cautiously, observing Lee Han's expression to see if he had caught on.
Fortunately, the boy from the Wardanaz family didn't seem to notice.
Among the horses cared for by the freshmen, one was a griffin!
"This school is vast enough to have everything."
"But there's no warm meals, daily necessities, or consideration for students," Lee Han remarked.
Professor Lightning Step pretended not to hear Lee Han's words.
"Mountains, lakes, underground dungeons—there's nothing this place doesn't have. If you look around, you'll surely find something that flies."
"If I find one, can I tame it?"
"That would be difficult. Taming wild monsters, especially flying ones, is something even experienced trainers struggle with after years of practice," Professor Lightning Step said sincerely.
If taming were that easy, people wouldn't choose to fight when encountering monsters outside.
Moreover, most flying creatures were temperamental and wild.
A freshman's level of patience and knowledge wouldn't be enough to handle them.
"First, you need to fully understand what kind of creature you're dealing with. Ordinary knowledge won't suffice. If you grasp their habits, you can gradually get closer and understand their traits... It sounds simple, but you'll likely fail dozens of times in the process."
"Professor, if it's possible, could you teach me in your spare time? Of course, I don't plan to attempt anything reckless right now..."
It was a lie.
Lee Han intended to act the moment he felt confident.
"... If I ever get the chance to tame a monster in the future, I don't want to miss it."
Lee Han's eyes burned with sincerity.
Seeing that look, Professor Lightning Step suddenly felt motivated.
When a student showed such interest, how could a teacher remain idle?
"Alright! I'll teach you in my spare time. Don't regret it. This won't be an easy study."
It would involve memorizing thick books about monsters likely to appear in the area, followed by physically challenging training.
But Professor Lightning Step thought the boy from the Wardanaz family could handle it.
With that level of interest and passion, it was entirely possible.
'He must be very interested in flying and exploration...'
'Find the most likely beast, tame it, and escape.'
The teacher and student nodded, each thinking different thoughts.
After the conversation, Professor Lightning Step shuffled over to inspect the garden Lee Han had been working on.
He was shocked.
'What on earth...?'
The garden Lee Han had received from Professor Thunder Step wasn't excessively large or small—it was just the right size.
Professor Thunder Step probably thought Lee Han would plant a few vegetables and call it a day.
But Lee Han's garden was now completely filled, with not a single patch of soil left unused.
Carrots, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbages, and even herbs like chamomile, basil, and rosemary were growing there.
...
Was he planning to start a farm?!
Noticing Professor Lightning Step's gaze, Lee Han replied nonchalantly, "I was worried at first."
"... About what?"
"Whether it was okay to grow things so densely. But thanks to the Wood Spirit's staff, everything seems to be growing well. Isn't that fortunate?"
Professor Lightning Step glanced at the jar of milk on the table, which he had prepared for Lee Han to take back.
Seeing how much work Lee Han had done, it seemed insufficient.
"... Wait a moment. You should eat something before you go."
"??"
Lee Han bit into a roasted potato skewered on a wooden stick as he headed back to the dormitory.
If he forgot he was inside a magic school, it would have been a romantic evening.
One arm carried a basket filled with his harvest, while the other held a freshly roasted, salted potato skewer...
He felt like a farmer returning home after a successful market trip.
'Maybe I could live like this after retiring.'
The atmosphere made the roasted potato taste especially delicious.
Even though it was just roasted with salt, each bite melted in his mouth.
He understood why Professor Lightning Step had gone through the trouble of roasting it for him.
'Was he reluctant to enjoy such a delicious thing alone? Maybe he wanted to show off...'
Lee Han didn't realize that the potato Professor Lightning Step had roasted for him came from his own garden.
"?"
"Your Highness, I've brought the materials I organized from the library. Please accept them."
"I also asked other students and gathered what you need for your assignments! It should be helpful."
"I found this book..."
'What's this?'
It was the princess and her followers.
Freshmen from all over the tower had gathered, dedicating themselves to helping the princess with her studies.
Lee Han chewed his potato in surprise. 'There's a method like this?!'
He was so envious that he felt like reporting to the professors, "The princess is exploiting her classmates with unfair power!"
While Lee Han and his friends struggled to find books in the library all night, the princess just sat there, and information rolled in effortlessly.
'Is it because of her royal blood? But that doesn't explain Gainando.
How does one even get followers like that?'
As Lee Han pondered this, the princess thanked her followers and walked up the stairs with them.
Lee Han, who had been chewing his potato while watching from above, made eye contact with his friends.
"Good evening."
Lee Han wasn't flustered.
The princess's followers recognized his face and quickly bowed their heads.
He was, after all, the boy from the Wardanaz family, who practically ruled the Blue Dragon Tower.
If they made a wrong move, the princess's life in the tower could become difficult.
It was only natural for them to be cautious.
"Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
When one of them shouted, the other students panicked and looked at their friend.
Should we follow suit?
"Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
"Gr... Greetings, Lord Wardanaz!"
"......"
Lee Han instinctively glanced around.
Fortunately, no one was watching.
'If someone sees this, I'll be sent to the punishment room.'
He didn't understand why the followers were trying to mess with him, but he responded as calmly as possible.
"Nice to meet you all. I see you've been talking with Her Highness."
"Yes!"
"We are always grateful for Lord Wardanaz's efforts in serving Her Highness with all your heart."
"We look forward to your continued support!"
'Are they going to attack if I don't take care of them?'
Fanatic supporters were always scary.
Moreover, the princess's followers existed outside the magic school as well.
Thinking about life after graduation, Lee Han had to endure their unreasonable pressure.
"Of course. Don't worry."
Lee Han didn't mention that he received extra silver coins for taking care of the princess. 'It's better to change the subject.'
If the conversation about the princess dragged on, Lee Han's unfair gains might come up.
So, he shifted the topic.
"Have you all had dinner yet? Would you like some?"
"...?"
The princess's followers finally noticed that Lee Han was carrying something.
He pulled out one of the items and offered it.
It was a roasted potato.
The sight of the cold-faced boy with sharp features offering a freshly roasted potato on a skewer left the students bewildered.
'Is this some kind of noble joke?'
'Is it okay to eat?'
'Is this a test?'
"Not eating?"
"W-We'll eat it!"
One of the students, perhaps hungry, reached out and took the roasted potato.
Lee Han sprinkled salt on it himself.
The student tensed, thinking it might be magic powder.
'Oh, it's just salt.'
"Is it okay?"
"It's... delicious!"
It wasn't just because they were wary of the Wardanaz family's boy—the freshly roasted potato was objectively delicious.
The student who received it chewed eagerly but then burned his mouth and choked.
"Here, have some milk."
"Th-Thank you."
After swallowing the hot potato, the student suddenly felt Lee Han's cold demeanor soften.
...
Was it a magical potato?
"Can we...?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
The hesitant followers slowly reached out and took the roasted potatoes.
Under the warm evening sun, the freshmen of the magic school grew a little closer as they ate roasted potatoes together.
"Let's give some to Her Highness too!"
"What kind of rudeness is this... What if Her Highness gets angry?!"
One student tried to offer a potato to the princess but lowered his hand after hearing his friends' words.
Lee Han noticed the princess's expression seemed to darken slightly.
It reminded him of a hungry Gainando...
'That's too harsh of a comparison.'
Lee Han reflected.
Come to think of it, the princess hadn't eaten breakfast that morning either.
Lee Han discreetly handed her a roasted potato when no one was looking.
"There's plenty left, so why not try a little..."
The students had their backs turned, but Lee Han clearly saw the princess peel the freshly roasted potato and try to take a bite without cutting it.
"Cut it! Cut it before eating!"
"......"
The princess, as if nothing had happened, lowered the potato, cut it, and chewed.
The students turned their heads at Lee Han's shout, puzzled.
"What are we supposed to cut?"
"Cut the potato before eating."
"Haha. Lord Wardanaz, no matter how hungry we are, we don't just swallow it whole. Of course, we cut it."
"......"
Lee Han looked at the princess, then at the student, and thought, 'That guy won't go far in life...'
The next morning.
Lee Han finished his work in the stables and walked with his friends to Professor Garcia's "Understanding Basic Magic" class.
Lee Han yawned.
His tired expression worried Yonell.
"You look sleepy. Are you okay? Did you not sleep well?"
"I slept fine, but I had a nightmare..."
"What did you dream about?"
"A professor appeared in it."
Yonell decided not to press further for Lee Han's mental health.
Perhaps Professor Voladi's class had left an impression, as he appeared in Lee Han's dream.
In the dream, Professor Voladi instructed Lee Han to ride a raging griffin through a ring of fire while controlling water orbs.
It was a terrifying nightmare.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Professor!"
When Professor Garcia entered, Lee Han felt at ease.
He hadn't realized before enrolling that meeting a troll could be such a comforting experience.
"Last week, Professor Mortum came to explain what dark magic is, right?"
Gasps echoed around the room.
The students were afraid it might be dark magic again.
"This week, another professor will explain what summoning magic is."
"Wow!"
Lee Han suddenly felt sorry for Professor Mortum, who wasn't even there.