Maybe Ive been underestimating these guys.

Although the students of the Blue Dragons did look upon Yi-han favorably and owed him a favor, they wouldnt become hot-headed like this over what happened to him.

The reason they reacted so strongly was because of the animosity that originally existed between students of the Blue Dragons and the students of the White Tigers.

Unlike members of the Blue Dragons, those at the White Tigers were all descendants of knights and had big, bulky frames. Normally, they reigned themselves despite their disdain for the knights students, but they couldnt hold themselves back after being provoked so openly.

Even the students that had never interacted with Yi-han previously were out for blood.

Bring whatever you can use as a weapon! Were heading to the tower of the White Tigers!

Hold on a second!

Asan of the Dargard Family stopped the agitated students from leaving and climbed on top of one of the resting lounges tables.

Calm down everyone!

Whew, finally, someone with common sense.

Yi-han was glad that Asan had spoken up. It seemed not everyone had lost their reason.

What is it, Dargard? Could it be that youre scared?

Theyve spat on our honor!

The other students became even more riled up than before. However, Asan calmly explained his reason for stopping them.

Think about it. Those guys at the White Tigers have been trained to become knights. If we act rashly, theres a 95% chance of us tasting defeat.

So what, were going to let them walk all over us!?

Of course not. Thats why we should form groups and lie in ambush, striking them in groups when they least expect it!

Ohh!

Yi-han let out a deep sigh.

It was stupid of me to expect anything of you.

Hold up, hold up!

Yi-hans shout overshadowed that of Asans, and as the person who started all this, and peoples attention turned to him when they heard his voice.

Let me first make this clear. Im not here to ask you to take revenge for me! This concerns my honor, and Im not so weak that I would need others help in taking my revenge!

The students began whispering among themselves. Honor was something that students of nobility took very seriously as they all represented their family and their familys honor. Now that Yi-han had brought up his honor, they had nothing they could say against it.

But Wardanaz, the bastards over at the White Tigers are sly, crafty, dirty, and shameless. If you play fair with them, it wont be easy to get your revenge.

One of the students started cursing the other party without rest, which was alarming to Yi-han. Nevertheless, he collected himself and responded to the concern.

Still, were dignified individuals born in magnificent households. We shouldnt stoop to their level and dirty ourselves. That would be unbecoming of us!

Yi-hans speech was rather convincing. His daily actions along with his unwavering confidence gave strength to his arguments, and the students who had been upset until now began to sit down while nodding to themselves.

Maybe Wardanaz is right

Those vile creatures. I bet they dont even know how honor is spelt.

Now that they were showing signs of calming down, Yi-han got to his main point, which was also the reason why he brought this up in the first place.

Instead, I suggest we help each other whenever we see someone from this dorm getting targeted. After all, those cowards from the White Tigers might come at us in groups.

Right!

Naturally! Well stand by you, Wardanaz!

His suggestion managed to pacify the students, and they stomped their feet or clapped their hands to show their support.

Perfect.

Inside, Yi-han let out a sigh of relief.

Now, if the students from the Whiter Tigers tried to pick a fight with him, he would be able to rally the students from his own tower.

This would do for now

By the way, were in the same class as them for , right?

Yeah, lets humiliate those ignorant and barbaric brutes there!

As if people like them that always roll in the mud and swing hunks of metal can ever learn magic properly

Ive mastered . That will show them.

You as well? Me too! Lets cast the spell in front of them. Hehe, I wonder how theyll react? I bet none of them have mastered it yet.

Yeah! As nobles, we must use elegant methods to defeat them!

Wait.

Yi-hans heart suddenly became heavy after listening to the conversations of the students who were sitting down.

Am I the only one here that hasnt mastered the spell?

***

The next day.

Yonaire entered the first years resting lounge while stretching her arms, but was surprised to see Yi-han in his seat, with bags under his eyes

Did something happen to you!?

At first, she thought it was because he hadnt eaten properly. Though the academy gave them meals, it only served to further fuel the students hunger. That was why they looked half-dead the day after they moved into their dorms.

However, she remembered how Yi-han had been the only one to adapt perfectly to his new environment. Not to mention, while the others were starving, he had smoke-dried some meat and taken some of Uregors vegetables to give to his fellow classmates (though they came with a price).

He didnt have trouble with food back then, and he certainly wouldnt have trouble with food now.

Gainando, on the other hand

I was practising magic.

Magic? But youre not allowed toAh. Professor Kim gave you permission back then, huh?

Yeah. I heard the others already succeeded in casting , so I had to pull an all-nighter.

?

Yonaire cocked her head. This was her first time hearing about this.

What do you mean?

Uwaaaaam.

That was when Gainando walked in, yawning all the way.

He took out a sausage that he had bought from Yi-han the previous day from the shabby clothes he was wearing, which came with pockets.

He treated the sausage like treasure and looked around to make sure no one would steal from him. Then, he made a skewer out of it and placed it inside the fireplace.

The sausage was slowly getting cooked, accompanied by a melodious sound. The meat from the boar was of high quality, and the smell that permeated the air stimulated his empty stomach.

Heheheh

He didnt realize that Yi-han and Yonaire were watching him like some pitiful creature. He took out a potato from his other pocket. This too had been something he purchased from Yi-han. Carefully, he placed it beneath the fireplace.

Heheheheh

Gainando. Nobodys going to steal from you, so just eat like a normal person, will you?

?!??

Gainando jumped up, realizing for the first time that Yi-han and Yonaire were there.

W-when did you guys come in!?

We were watching as you cautiously skewered the sausage.

D-did not!

Hey, the sausage is going to burn at this rate. You should take it out.

My precious!

Gainando quickly took it out in a panic before staring at them with vigilant eyes.

Gainando, you really think Yonaire and I are going to steal your sausage?

C-course not.

However, he didnt lower his guard. Giving up, Yi-han turned to Yonaire instead.

Its quite serious.

Everyones getting hungry again.

Gainando hadnt turned crazy or anything. Everyone was having trouble getting food.

The only saving grace was that Yi-han brought back some food every once in a while from Uregors hut. Otherwise, they wouldve been in an even worse position.

The meats going to run out by the end of the weekWe might need to hunt again on the weekend.

Will we be okay?

Well have Nilia accompany us.

Yonaire nodded at his words. Nilia, the dark elf, was a veteran huntress. She was indeed a reliable companion to have, though the person in question might scream Why me!? later on when she was notified of this decision

Professor Uregors quite petty, Yi-han complained.

The professor was a rather stingy dwarf.

He had told Yi-han that he could have free access to the hut, but he acted miserly whenever Yi-han tried to bring food back. He was okay with Yi-han cooking and eating right there and there, but he would nag him about bringing anything back.

Stop right there. Thats the bread I baked to have in the evening! And when did you even hide a jar of jam in your pocket? You dont need it!

Sir, Ive tended your farm for you. Its just a jar of jam!

Youve had your fill! Why do you need more!? You ransack the place every time you visit!

Now that he has his guard up, smuggling food out wont be easy.

I wonder if therell be an opportunity to-

Yonaire gasped when she realized what she had been about to say. The academy was starting to influence her in a bad way.

***

Garsia, also known as Professor Troll, gave a wry smile seeing the students enter the classroom.

As someone that cared a lot about the students, he was quick to notice even the most minute changes.

First, the first week at the academy was nearing its end, and the students were all in a hungry state. He didnt fully agree with the principals ideology, but it was true that nothing was as effective at getting students to move as hunger.

The hungry students would do everything in their power to acquire food.

Good luck, everyone.

Second, tension was already beginning to form between students of different towers. Since they all came from different backgrounds, it was natural that they would see each other as competitors.

In particular, and have historically always been at odds against each other.

The reason couldnt be more obvious. On one side, there were students that grew up in powerful families that valued tradition. On the other, there were students that were raised as knights near the Empires borders.

According to the principal, it was apparently to have the students on their toes.

Only competition would lead to growth!

Now, settle down everyone.

Though they werent as shocked as when they first met the professor, the pressure that came from Garsia was still as powerful as ever due to the troll blood running in his veins.

Students of both towers sat down quietly.

Last time, we learned the spell known as . Though none of you were able to successfully cast it, theres no need to feel down. Magic isnt something you can learn quickly, and while you might have some trouble in the beginning, youll improve rapidly once you get the hang of it. Having said that, was anyone able to cast successfully?

Yi-han raised his hand while yawning.

It took all night.

He had felt pressured after seeing everyone from the Blue Dragons say they mastered the spell.

As a true-blue Korean, he refused to be pushed out of the competition without putting up a struggle, and as a result, he spent the entire night practicing .

Though it didnt take a massive amount of mana for each attempt, anyone else wouldve fainted in the middle. Yi-han, on the other hand, was completely fine, only slightly tired.

?

Yi-han quickly felt something was weird. No one around him had their hands raised.

The hells going on!?

Ohhh

Hes a Wardanaz alright.

As expected

The students of the Blue Dragons clapped lightly, feeling both envious and proud.

Take that, White Tigers! We have Wardanaz!

was what passed through their minds.

Hey, you.

Yi-han, still confused about what was going on, asked the student who sat beside him.

He was the guy that claimed he had mastered .

I thought you mastered the spell?

Oh, you heard that? WellI actually wasnt able to pull it off in the end. But I was close, so I thought itd be fine if I said I mastered it.

He had been tricked!

These freaking showoff nobles!!