Though bewildered, Yi-Han decided to first address the issue at hand.

If left unattended, all three groups of students could end up being sent to the punishment room, getting along famously.

As expected, the students of the White Tiger and the Black Tortoise had already discovered each other and were growling in confrontation.

-"What are you doing here? We arrived first!"-

-"Since when does being first or last matter in situations like this?"-

Yi-Han sighed internally.

'Such unprofessional fools.'

If they had come to steal, shouldn't they be professional about it? Keeping their voices low and their actions calm instead of emotionally quarreling?

"Everyone, calm down."

Yi-Han stepped forward, intending to intervene.

"Yikes!"

"A thief!"

On seeing Yi-Han, the students from both the White Tiger and Black Tortoises reacted violently.

'Do they think they aren't thieves themselves?'

Yi-Han was dumbfounded, yet there was a reason for the other tower students' shock.

Yi-Han and his friends were dressed unmistakably like thieves.

The students of the White Tiger and Black Tortoises, if they wore masks at all, had simply cut pieces of cloth to cover their faces, making it easy to distinguish their identities upon closer inspection.

In contrast, Yi-Han and his friends, armed with the knowledge from several experiences, Ratford's advice, and clothes bought from outside, wore meticulously crafted masks and coats that thoroughly concealed their faces.

...They could easily be mistaken for real thieves from the outside.

"Calm down. We're here for the same reason as you."

"Are... are you Wardanaz?"

'No. How did they know?'

Yi-Han was surprised that the other party recognized him despite his altered voice.

The only person who would steal this thoroughly is Wardanaz...

"You're mistaken. I'm not Wardanaz."

Despite his denial, the other tower students seemed half-convinced already. Yi-Han felt unjustly accused.

"Listen. All of us here have the same goal: to enter this Gaksu Pavilion. Fighting each other will only draw unwanted attention."

Yi-Han's words made the other students nod in agreement.

Indeed, fighting each other before even entering the Gaksu Pavilion would be pointless.

"Let's cooperate then."

"...Alright."

"Fine."

While everyone agreed, the problem was far from resolved.

Their joint venture was just beginning.

"Who will lead the way?"

"...We'll stay at the back."

"Don't be ridiculous! Who said you can stay at the back alone!"

The students from the White Tiger and Black Tortoises immediately clashed.

Entering the professor's workshop last was advantageous, hence the conflict.

"Quiet. I'll decide."

Yi-Han spoke, but the other students were reluctant to accept his authority.

"Who are you to decide, Wardanaz?"

"Why should we follow your orders? We agreed to cooperate, not become your subordinates..."

Yi-Han raised his staff, and a cold silence filled the air.

"I will decide."

"...Fine."

"Remember, Wardanaz. We're agreeing not because of your threats, but because fighting here is pointless."

With the conflict abated, Yi-Han declared.

"We'll lead the way."

"!?"

The other students were naturally shocked.

Why?

"Is... is that okay?"

"Yes. We're the only ones who know the way."

"..."

The students from the other towers looked on in astonishment.

'When did these guys...?!'

"As for the middle and rear positions, you decide," Yi-Han declared.

No sooner had his words fallen than the students of the White Tiger and the Black Tortoise started to quarrel again.

Yi-Han, looking serious, pointed his staff.

"...Let's decide with rock-paper-scissors."

"Rock-paper-scissors, good idea. Fine by me."

The destination that Yi-Han and his friends aimed for was the botanical room on the second floor of the Gaksu Pavilion.

There lay a garden where thistle flowers grew.

'It's a plus that we don't have to go up to the third floor.'

The third floor of the Gaksu Pavilion was like a maze for those who were unqualified.

Confident they could finish quietly on the second floor, Yi-Han had come today.

"Eyes, pierce through the darkness."

The first-floor corridor of the Gaksu Pavilion, shrouded in darkness, turned green, revealing its hidden aspects to Yi-Han.

"..."

The student from the White Tiger did not ask Yi-Han when, where, or how he learned the spell to see in the dark.

After all, Wardanaz could have done that. He was someone who, even before admission, knew every evil secret there was!

"Wait. But where exactly is the potion you guys are looking for?"

Yi-Han stopped and asked.

He realized he needed to consider the movements of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise students.

"Somewhere on the first floor... that's what we heard."

"Probably somewhere on the first floor..."

"..."

Yi-Han and Ratford looked at them with simultaneous disdain.

Coming here with such carefree preparations.

"Well, if your information was lacking, it couldn't be helped."

'Did they just look at us like we're fools?'

"Then search the first floor. We will head to the second floor."

"Alright. We'll do that."

Yi-Han and his friends nodded and distanced themselves from the newly entered students.

Ascending the staircase, they were greeted by a vast botanical garden, familiar in shape.

Without a crazed bull running amok, the nighttime garden was much quieter and more peaceful.

"It's actually more unsettling that nothing is happening..."

"Don't jinx it with such ominous talk," Yi-Han warned Nillia.

This quiet and peaceful ending was, in fact, how things were supposed to be.

"There's the flower bed."

The students rushed towards it, carefully extracting the thistle flowers.

Yi-Han looked around, preparing for any unforeseen situations.

'No Professor Uregor, no Professor Willow. Seems like there won't be any trouble.'

"All done? Let's get out of here!"

Yi-Han and his friends clenched their fists, quietly swallowing their joy.

The perfection of their task was almost complete, a stark contrast to their initial tension.

Ratford nodded as if he knew it all along.

The thrill of a perfect theft was something only those who have experienced it could understand.

From novice thieves to progressively skilled ones, the pride Ratford felt watching his friends was immense.

Bang!

"..."

However, their joy vanished as soon as they descended to the first floor.

With a deafening roar, chaos erupted along the corridor on both sides.

'Have they lost their minds?'

"These... these amateurs!" Ratford stuttered, overwhelmed. Yi-Han quickly moved to assess the situation.

"What are you doing? Snap out of it, everyone!"

Despite Yi-Han's shouts, the students didn't listen.

They staggered around as if heavily drunk, throwing chairs from the lecture rooms.

Crash!

"Did they drink something they shouldn't have??"

"They can't be that foolish!"

Regardless of their amateur status in thievery, it was unlikely that the other tower students would carelessly drink just anything.

Yi-Han sensed a sweet fragrance wafting from inside an open classroom.

It was not an ordinary scent; it carried the essence of magic.

In that moment, a realization struck Yi-Han like lightning.

"Everyone, stop breathing!"

"!"

Upon reflection, it was odd that potions like those that improved dancing or musical skills were conveniently available.

Especially on the first floor of the Gaksu Pavilion!

'Perhaps Professor Uregor had conspired with another professor to set a trap!'

It sounded implausible, but Yi-Han's intuition signaled a high probability.

Such a scheme was entirely possible in this magic academy.

Yonaire, upon hearing the explanation, whispered in confusion.

"But... there was no trap with the thistle flowers, was there?"

"...Maybe Professor Uregor forgot..."

Yi-Han spoke in an unconfident voice.

In truth, even Yi-Han found this most puzzling.

Why set traps for potions needed in other lectures but not for his own?

Could it be that they were meant to be taken?

The real answer was that no one would think of resorting to theft under such time constraints, but Yi-Han was unaware of this.

"Got it, Wardanaz. Let's get out anyway."

Nillia spoke urgently.

Whether it was a trap or a mistake by other tower students, one thing was clear.

Staying here any longer was not a good idea.

If they kept causing such a commotion, anything could happen...

"No, we have to take them with us."

"Why, Wardanaz?" Asan asked in surprise, then slapped his palm, as if understanding.

"I asked a foolish question. Honor..."

"We can't leave them; they'll blame us."

Yi-Han ignored Asan's comment as if he hadn't heard it.

"We need to quiet them down first."

"How are you planning to do that?"

Yonaire was puzzled.

The students were undoubtedly affected by the scent of madness or riot. They were frolicking wildly, as if drunk.

In such a state, no words would reach them...

Thump! Thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump!

"It's done."

"..."

"But... how do you plan to get them out?" Ratford asked, his face filled with worry.

Professional thieves usually abandon their comrades if they fall into a trap.

In a situation like this, even Yi-Han was at risk of getting hurt if he tried to save them.

"We'll have to try our best. Give me a moment."

Yi-Han tied himself with a rope, preparing to hold his breath as long as possible.

"If I seem to be in a bad state, I'll knock myself out. Pull me out by the rope."

"Yi-Han. Here's a potion for dispelling curses. I'm not sure how effective it will be, but..."

Yonaire pulled a potion from his pocket and handed it to Yi-Han, who nodded in gratitude and drank it.

"Alright. Going in."

Yi-Han held his breath and opened the classroom door.

He stepped inside.

"!"

At a glance, he understood what had happened.

Magic-infused smoke continuously flowed from a magic circle set up in the middle of the classroom.

'It was indeed a trap.'

Yi-Han walked slowly towards it, exerting force to disrupt the magic circle. Fortunately, it was easily destroyed.

'The smoke has stopped!'

Now, just to ventilate and get them out...

At that moment, a magic reaction occurred near the wall. A hidden magic circle revealed itself.

Yi-Han cursed Professor Uregor.

'Such madness...!'

Blue smoke enveloped Yi-Han. Even holding his breath, the pernicious smoke seeped through his body.

Yi-Han grasped his staff, ready to knock himself out if he felt anything amiss.

"...?"

But there was no change.

Yi-Han looked around. On a whim, he inhaled some of the remaining original smoke.

Still, there was no change.

Was something supposed to change inside him but ended abruptly?

"..."

With a wry expression, Yi-Han dragged out each student one by one.

It was fortunate, but...

...why did it feel so anticlimactic?

"The antidote potion worked!"

Asan, who had been watching from behind, lit up.

"We should help. Maykin! Please!"

"Wait, it's not yet certain..."

Asan took a sip of the potion and then rushed into the classroom where Yi-Han was.

His eyes soon began to spin wildly.

"...Sorry, Asan."

Yi-Han knocked Asan out.

Thud!

Yi-Han and his friends had just managed to toss the last student into the bushes.

They were all drenched in sweat, but somehow, they felt a sense of accomplishment.

"...Everyone did great."

"Yeah. Really..."

'Would it sound too bad to rummage through the friends' pockets for a reward?'

"These kids made us waste so much time. Can't we rummage through their pockets for some compensation?"

At Yi-Han's words, Ratford looked at him with a gaze of admiration.