Yi-Han was relieved when things went smoother than expected, leading to a contemplative moment.
‘I must be living righteously for fortune to favor me like this,’ he thought to himself. Then, another thought followed, ‘Could I seize such opportunities again in the future?’
Yi-Han shook his head, dismissing these thoughts. Overconfidence could invite danger. Even in joyful moments, it was risky to overstep, especially something as audacious as stepping on the toes of a professor twice.
"Professor, as they are guests from outside, I shall take it upon myself to host them," Yi-Han offered respectfully.
"Do you wish to do that?" the professor inquired.
"Yes," Yi-Han replied firmly. Professor Boladi did not object; he was not particularly interested in the outside guests.
'He must be excited about the festival,' Professor Boladi surmised, observing Yi-Han's enthusiasm. Otherwise, why would he bother entertaining guests from a place like Baldurguard?
"It's an honor to meet you," Yi-Han greeted the Baldurguard professor politely, who was impressed despite himself.
The nobility of the Empire always proved their lineage, even in trivial matters - their accent, habits, and actions were telltale signs recognized among themselves.
The newly affluent, lower-ranking noble families often faced ridicule for trying to emulate the deeply rooted, distinguished noble houses. Opulent mansions and wealth could be amassed, but not the heritage and customs of an ancient lineage.
And the young boy before them exhibited a demeanor only a scion of a prestigious noble family could possess. His manner was so refined that even the typically grumbling Baldurguard students fell silent.
"Which family do you belong to?"
"I am from the Wardanaz family."
"Wardanaz! Indeed... worthy of admission to Einroguard," the Baldurguard professor complimented. However, to Yi-Han, it didn't feel much like a compliment.
'It's definitely a compliment to be deemed worthy of Einroguard, but why does it sound so melancholic?' Yi-Han pondered, changing the subject.
"I've heard much about the renown of Baldurguard here."
This praise visibly brightened the faces of the students. Compliments from an Einroguard student felt particularly sweet to them.
Of course, Yi-Han had never actually heard about Baldurguard's fame in his academy. Who would have the leisure to discuss it amidst the daily struggles of living, studying, and completing assignments?
"Is that so? That's very pleasing to hear."
Yi-Han's well-intentioned lie clearly made the visitors from Baldurguard happy.
Seeing the joyful students, Yi-Han was struck by a sudden curiosity, 'But how can Baldurguard students visit a festival at another academy?'
All he knew about Baldurguard was its location in the western part of the Empire and that it was an exclusive institution for nobility. But, like any other magic academy, its students must also be grappling with their own struggles within its walls.
"How... did you manage to visit this festival?" he inquired.
The Baldurguard professor looked at him, puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Well... aren't students generally not allowed to leave?"
The professor from Baldurguard stared at Yi-Han, not understanding his point.
"Oh, you mean not being allowed to leave during classes? Or at night?"
"...Aren't you not allowed to leave the academy grounds in your free time after classes?"
As he asked, Yi-Han felt a chilling fear creeping over him.
'Could it be?'
The professor laughed heartily at Yi-Han's question, leaving him with a rigid expression.
"Is it not so?" Yi-Han questioned, his face tense with apprehension.
"No, of course not! Why would we prohibit students from leaving the academy in their free time?" the Baldurguard professor explained, oblivious to Yi-Han's inner thoughts.
Baldurguard, not far from a major city, allowed its students to ride to the city after classes to enjoy various leisure activities. Though some spirited students occasionally caused trouble after drinking in the evening, it was considered an inevitable part of youthful exuberance. Such social activities were deemed important for nobility.
'These imperial nobles are insufferably arrogant,' Yi-Han thought bitterly.
"Then, this trip too... Did you come here without any issues?"
"Yes. Students can apply to travel around the empire for experience, and it's usually approved."
"There must be some rules restricting who can go, right?"
Yi-Han pressed on, driven by a sense of injustice.
"Yes, there are some rules."
"Of course...! Only those who have made significant contributions to the academy are allowed to leave?"
"That would be too harsh. The rule is that students who cause disturbances in the city more than four times a month get a week-long ban from leaving."
Yi-Han now understood why Professor Boladi despised Baldurguard. Such lax rules were surely corrupting the minds of the nobility.
'Pull yourself together,' Yi-Han told himself.
Though he envied the Baldurguard students, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. What mattered was making a good impression on the visiting guests. Networking was crucial, and one never knew when it might come in handy, like finding a job after graduation where a Baldurguard alumnus might be in charge.
"What year are the students who have come here?"
"Second and third years."
"...So, second and third years can travel together? Ah, as long as they are not with first years?"
"What are you talking about? First years can join too. They just chose a different destination this time."
Yi-Han was shocked once more. Baldurguard did not separate the first years after all!
'Of course,' he realized. If city outings were allowed, there was no reason to segregate the first years.
"Why such a question? Does Einroguard isolate its first years?"
"Yes."
Yi-Han answered honestly, but the guests from Baldurguard didn't believe him, bursting into laughter and admiring his sense of humor.
"What a joke!"
"Hahaha!"
"If you segregate first years, they can't participate in social activities, parties, clubs, anything!"
Yi-Han gazed up at the sky with a gloomy expression.
'I wish they'd just leave.'
He had thought it wouldn't be too hard to make a good impression on the visitors, but it was proving more challenging than expected.
Even after the conversation ended, the Baldurguard students didn't leave. Instead, they showed excessive curiosity in the <Avoid the Water Beads> event hung in the tent.
"What's that?"
"It's an event we're holding during the festival."
The Baldurguard students were polite but showed eager interest in participating.
Yi-Han, however, was not keen on hurling water beads at the faces of the Baldurguard students. While he had no choice but to deal with the aggressive students from the White Tiger, Baldurguard students didn't need such an outing privilege.
"May we participate as well?" they asked.
"It's fine, but the prize is an outing pass. Our academy's outing pass would be of no use to you," Yi-Han stated.
"It's okay! More valuable than any prize is the honor," the Baldurguard students insisted.
'These despicable people,' Yi-Han seethed inwardly.
For the Baldurguard students, an outing was a trivial matter, but for Einroguard students, it held almost life-saving value. He was incensed that these students were targeting the outing pass merely for their own honor. Did the imperial nobles have no conscience?
"...Very well. You may participate."
At Yi-Han's consent, the Baldurguard students eagerly raised their hands, determined to prove their superiority over the Einroguard students.
"Let me lead."
"Given my magic skills, I should go first. I excel in defensive magic."
"There's no need for defensive magic. I'll solve it with my foresight magic."
"With physical enhancement magic..."
As the students argued, Yi-Han exchanged glances with Professor Boladi, each holding a staff. They nodded to each other, understanding what needed to be done without words.
“Baldurguard?”
The floating, skull principal, looked confusedly at the departing students from another academy who were bleeding from the nose.
“Had students from Baldurguard visited?”
"Yes. They stopped by during their trip upon hearing of the festival."
“Tsk tsk... Leisurely traveling around. That's why they're poor at magic.”
“...”
"Who hit them?"
"Who knows? Injuries are common when testing magic."
The skull principal enhanced his hearing.
-“Don't be too disheartened. The opponent had practiced magic much longer, being senior students.”-
-“But to be defeated so one-sidedly…”-
-“Professor, was he fourth or fifth year?”-
-“That's not important. Let's get you treated, and once the bleeding stops, we'll explore elsewhere.”-
“?”
The skull principal was baffled. Had some bold senior students dared to intrude on a festival for freshmen, disregarding his orders?
'Impossible,' he thought. Senior students understood the workings of the academy well enough not to expose such actions. He quickly followed the trail of blood left by the Baldurguard students.
“Aha!”
Seeing Professor Boladi and Yi-Han at the end, the skull principal understood everything.
So that's it!
“Well done, you have upheld the honor of Einroguard.”
Seeing the approaching skull principal, Yi-Han bowed his head.
"It's not a matter of pride. I'm ashamed for not controlling my power and hurting the opponent."
“No, it was unavoidable.”
Surprised by the skull principal's rare words of comfort, Yi-Han was taken aback.
"The Baldurguard fools are just rubbish who play at childish games, squeezing money out of stupid nobles, so it's unavoidable that some force was necessary."
Compared to this, Professor Boladi’s words were reasonable.
The skull principal's harsh words were met with an unchanged expression from Yi-Han.
"The Baldurguard students were quite skilled too."
“Such words lacked conviction coming from someone who had easily overpowered older students! You should show more arrogance.”
Unswayed by the skull principal's instigation, Yi-Han maintained his composure.
After all, in old tales, succumbing to such devilish whispers only led to a twisted life.
When Yi-Han did not react, the skull principal made a face that conveyed boredom.
“How uninteresting... Anyway, let's go.”
"Where to?"
“Is time up, Professor Bagrak?”
At the skull principal's question, Professor Boladi nodded.
They had agreed to share Yi-Han's time, and the allotted time had just run out.
"It's done."
Professor Boladi cleaned up the letters and closed the tent's door.
Yi-Han, realizing what had happened belatedly, looked at Professor Boladi with a shocked expression.
"?"
Unfortunately, Professor Boladi did not understand the meaning behind Yi-Han's gaze. Yi-Han thought to himself, 'I should have stepped on his foot one more time earlier.'
“Do you know why I have to do this?”
Following the skull principal, Yi-Han answered respectfully.
"It’s because you, as the principal, care deeply for your students."
“Stop with the creepy and goosebump-inducing talk. It's the emperor's order.”
'Ah.'
Yi-Han realized belatedly.
He had thought it was the principal's hobby, but upon reflection, it was too enjoyable for freshmen to be just a hobby. Of course, Yi-Han, a freshman himself, did not find it enjoyable at all...
"What should I help you with?"
“Various things. Let's start with making magic fireworks.”
"Aren't those usually used at the start of a festival?"
Yi-Han was surprised that the skull principal had such a sense, but also wondered if it wasn’t a bit late.
“Are you planning to use them at the end?”
“We're going to shoot them at the students.”
"..."
