Yi-Han was unaware of the incredible opportunity that lay before him — the affectionate loyalty of a griffin.
"Dammit!" Professor Bungaegor coughed out in frustration. Yi-Han, with a look of concern, handed her the smoking pipe, asking, "Did you swallow something wrong?"
"No, not that!" The professor was exasperated. Who was worrying about whom? Professor Bungaegor calmed herself and then suggested, "Why don't you try being a bit more kind to it?"
"How can I be any kinder here?" Yi-Han replied with a slight hint of confusion in his voice. His sincerity was so evident that even Bungaegor had no retort. Unknown to the students, Bungaegor had been keeping a watchful eye on the stables. It was only natural, considering she had entrusted her beloved horses to the care of the freshmen.
And Yi-Han had been sincerely taking care of the griffin. It was unusual for a boy of noble birth to show such dedication. The griffin's affection was not just because Yi-Han had saved its life; the care he had shown beforehand played a significant part too.
But that was a different matter. Right now, not trusting the griffin was a separate issue.
"Is there a problem with how I feed it or groom it?" Yi-Han inquired.
"No, it's not that... It's about trust and faith," Bungaegor explained.
The white horse nodded as if urging her to continue.
Yi-Han wasn't easily convinced. "Being kind and trusting blindly are two different things, Professor. Isn't the latter irresponsible?"
Silence fell. The boy from the Wardanaz family was making valid points today. Training an animal while overlooking its instincts and blindly trusting it wasn't a good practice. Trust and love were necessary, but so was a degree of skepticism.
But still...!
Heehee!
The white horse snorted in agreement.
"Look at that. It gets angry right away," Yi-Han observed.
"Fine. Handle it yourselves," Bungaegor gave up, turning away as the horse glared at her.
Yonaire, curious, asked, "What's that horse's name? It doesn't respond even when called."
The stable horses understood when they were called by name, but the white horse seemed to refuse to understand.
To be precise, it refused to understand.
-No matter what name you give it, it seems like it doesn't like it.-
-Isn’t it just that it has a bad temper?-
-No. Maybe it's because it's not a name it likes.-
-Isn’t it just that it has a bad temper?-
-It may have originally had a different name, so let's ask the professor later.-
-I think it just has a bad temper.-
Bungaegor was slightly taken aback by the conversation. Thankfully, she has turned away, saving her from revealing her expression to the students.
"Nif... Niffirg," She said.
"Niffirg... That's an unusual name."
"Niffirg," Yi-Han repeated, looking at the white horse. "Is that right, Niffirg?"
The horse shook its head as if in disapproval. Yi-Han, watching this, concluded, "It just has a bad temper."
Thanks to Professor Bungaegor's persuasion of the river spirit, the students who arrived later could easily give water to the animals. The students who had struggled earlier grumbled, "That's not how you're supposed to give them water."
"Do those guys even know how hard it is to water them when the water spirit is angry? That's the real challenge."
Yi-Han approached Professor Bungaegor, who was busy recording scores and fidgeting with her smoking pipe.
"Why? Wardanaz, your score is perfect. No need to worry."
"It's not because of that, but I have something to ask. While reading a book, I came across the name of a monster I haven't heard before."
"Speak," prompted the professor.
"Do you know of a monster named Sharakan?"
"The King of Leopards," Professor Bungaegor replied, tapping her smoking pipe to clean it. "According to the legends of the mountain dwellers, it was born between the rocky mountains and leopards. That's why it's worshipped by leopards."
"Is it a dangerous monster?" Yi-Han was not concerned with whether Sharakan was born between the mountains and leopards or between a spirit king and leopards. His concern was its danger level.
Professor Bungaegor answered with a tone of incredulity, "How could it not be dangerous? Even a regular leopard is perilous."
"...What if I were to make Sharakan into an undead and control it?"
"Why take such a risky step? Turning a monster into an undead doesn't erase its wildness and ferocity. If it finds a gap or grows dissatisfied, it might break free and attack."
"Oh..." Yi-Han contemplated whether to attack Professor Mortum with magic or a sword when they met next.
'Isn't this worse than the principal?' The principal hadn't given such a monster as a gift!
"Why ask that? Are you eager to create an undead monster already?" Professor Bungaegor asked with a sly smile. Rumors of his magic prowess among the professors indicated he was a talent of a different caliber.
"No, that's not it."
"Don't be shy about failing. Setting ambitious goals is something you can only do as a freshman."
'But that's not what I want.'
"Even if you want to create an undead monster, it's better to choose a suitable one in advance. Do you know the third most common cause of death among imperial dark mages last year? It's from summoning undead monsters they couldn't handle."
Yi-Han unconsciously rubbed his neck. 'I must treat it better in the future...'
As time came, Professor Bungaegor concluded her wait.
"Today's test taught many things. Those who were lazy learned how their laziness comes back to haunt them, while the diligent saw their hard work bear fruit."
Yi-Han looked at Niffirg, the white horse, who blinked innocently. 'This guy is up to something.'
The horse snorted in anger, sensing Yi-Han's suspicion. Clearly, diligence was far from its nature.
"If you feel lacking, don't just stop there; work on improving. Taming animals isn't the only challenging task. Magic can't be learned overnight either."
The students nodded thoughtfully, but Yi-Han mused, 'Aren't the lazy ones not here? The ones affected by the professor's words are the diligent ones, while the lazy students haven't even reached the river yet.'
Bungaegor, aware of this, instructed, "Pass this message to the lazy ones. Class dismissed! See you next time!"
"Thank you, Professor!"
As the students prepared to leave, calming their horses, Salko from the Tutanta family approached.
"Wardanaz."
"Tutanta."
"Did the horse enjoy the carrot?"
"Yes, it did. Thanks for that."
"I gave it because our horses like them. Glad to hear it was well received."
Rowena, passing by, looked at Yi-Han with an expression of shock and horror.
What did he just say?
"I came to ask for a favor," said Salko.
"Is it about the carrots?"
"No. The carrots were a thank you for what happened last time. This is a different matter. I need your skills."
Yi-Han was slightly surprised. Salko, with such strong pride, was asking him for a favor. What could it be? 'To rob the principal's storehouse?'
"Tell me."
"I need your cooking skills."
The Immortal Phoenix Tower was a tower where priests from various orders of the empire gathered. It was the quietest and most composed among the towers of the magic academu.
Dwarf Muhaddin was a priest of the Ciseners Order.
The Ciseners Order, devoted to knowledge and scholarship, researched and preserved the empire's various disciplines and was highly respected. The Tutanta family was also a patron of the Ciseners Order.
"The problem is that Priest Muhaddin hardly eats."
Yi-Han was still dumbfounded and took a moment to gather his thoughts.
'Why come to me with this?'
"That's unfortunate. Probably due to the poor conditions of the magic academy. Have you spoken to the principal?"
"No. It's not about the food. He naturally eats little. The problem is, in the Order, other priests took care of him, but here, no one can. Even the priests of the tower try, but there's a limit."
Yi-Han was about to say 'Then why ask me,' but Salko continued, "While worrying, I heard about your cooking skills. I asked other priests in the Immortal Phoenix, and they praised your cooking."
"It's because the priests are kind."
Yi-Han understood what had happened. His excessive flattery towards Priestess Siana had backfired. What kind of praises had she given...
"It must be from Priestess Siana. Being kind-hearted..."
"I asked Priestess Tijiling and others too. Wardanaz, you're too modest."
The students of the Black Tortoise behind Salko nodded as if they had no choice but to agree. The tomato vegetable stew that the boy from the Wardanaz family made at the last black market was remarkable. Even one of the Black Tortoise students glared at Yi-Han resentfully.
"Here, Renjid is from a family of renowned chefs in the empire. But he admitted he can't beat you."
Yi-Han thought for a moment that the other was insane. 'That's not a fair competition...'
After all, Yi-Han could use any ingredient he wanted, while the other was limited.
But still!
"So, you want me to cook?"
Yi-Han asked, regaining his composure. It was ridiculous, but not impossible. It wouldn't hurt to let Salko owe him a favor, and serving a priest from the Ciseners Order wasn't a bad thing. It's always good to befriend those who excel in their studies.
"Yes."
"Alright. Have you prepared the ingredients? Or should I help? I can get them for a good price."
Upon hearing Yi-Han's words, Salko shook his head.
"No. I've already found the necessary ingredients. We just need to go and get them together."
"Oh? Where are they?"
"In the kitchen."
"?"
Yi-Han paused. Was there a kitchen in the dormitory tower?
"Which kitchen?"
"The one in the basement of the main building."
"...I see. I just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
"Wait, Wardanaz! We need your help!"
"Without you, it can't be done! You're the one who infiltrated the White Tiger, aren't you...?"
The students from the Black Tortoise rushed over in a frenzy. To navigate the labyrinth-like backside of the magic academy, they desperately needed the boy from the Wardanaz family, skilled in magic.
"Why are you talking about strange things if you need my cooking skills? Bring out the ingredients, and then I'll cook."
"Wardanaz. Of course, we didn't plan to just ask you a favor! You'll change your mind once you see this."
Yi-Han was puzzled. What could possibly change his mind? 'What is it?'
"It's a forbidden book of dark magic."
A student from the Black Tortoise cautiously took out a steel box. Upon opening the lid, a blood-red covered book emitted a sinister curse.
"Close it!"
Bang!
The students quickly shut the box and then said with a smug expression, "How about it? This should make you reconsider, right, Wardanaz?"
"...No?"
"?!?!"
