While Dolgyu was lowering his evaluation of Gainando, Nilia was listing out the things that they would need for their late-night excursion.

Since we dont know for how long wed have to travel, we should prepare as best as we can. A nice pair of boots and some high-quality socks would be ideal, but

Unfortunately, we dont have those.

The atmosphere became heavy with Yi-hans interjection.

The principal had purposefully given them rags to wear, so they naturally didnt have such things lying around. Thankfully, Nilia had come prepared knowing that was the case.

Ive made these boots out of the hides of the beasts we caught last time. And these footwraps were made from the curtains in the resting lounge. Here, give me your foot.

Nilia realized shed done it again after noticing that Yi-han and Yonaire had fallen silent.

Did I say something inappropriate again?

After bringing back the meat, she had become close with some of the students of the Black Tortoise. However, she couldnt help but feel that there was still some distance between her and the others.

As a former member of the Shadow Patrol located in the cold northern mountains, she obviously had trouble speaking to, say, an heir of a massive merchants association active in the central regions.

Wow! See that red flower over there?

Yeah. Theyre sweet and taste good.

Er, I mean, arent they pretty?

Theyre both pretty and tasty. Doesnt that make them twice as good?

She wasnt stupid, so she quickly registered that her view of the world was different from the others. From then on, she tried to keep her mouth shut to avoid making things awkward.

But she had slipped up.

Um, I meanI made these myself because I couldnt think of any other way, and

Youre incredible!

Yeah! Youre amazing!

!?

Yi-han and Yonaires reaction caught her completely off-guard.

You think so?

Of course. You said you made them yourself, right?

Its not something anyone can do. Did you stitch these?

The corners of her mouth and eyes trembled in delight at their praise.

Its nothing worth mentioning.

What do you mean? These are wonderful.

Yeah, I doubt anyone in the academy can do the same.

Nilia, you ought to start a business.

I concur. You should sell these to the others in your tower.

Noticing that the conversation was being steered in the wrong direction, Nilia waved her hands.

I dont want to start a business.

But why?

Yeah, Nilia. Do you dislike money?

She was left gobsmacked as Yi-han and Yonaire seemed like they genuinely couldnt understand her reason.

Isnt it normal for me to not want to sell things to my friends!?

Her prideful behavior made her seem like she was someone from the Blue Dragons.

Whats there to sell anyway? Im not gonna do it!

Yi-han and Yonaire became serious hearing this.

Nonsense. Whether you can sell them or not isnt up to you. Its up to the market!

Well said! Do you understand now, Nilia?

Can I just carry on with my explanation? Please??

Right. Sorry. Do continue, please.

Nilia cleared her throat, having barely wriggled herself out of the conversation. Despite everything, her expression was brighter than before, and her long ears were pointing upward, indicating that she was in a good mood.

Though she was pretending to be calm, she was feeling jovial after being praised by the duo.

But whats so great about these? Gainando asked, not understanding why they were raising a fuss.

Ttak!

Yonaire slapped him in the back, whereas Yi-han kicked him in the shin.

Nilia, you dont have to give any to him. Let him figure out himself how big of a difference the footwraps and boots make.

Yeah, hell learn to appreciate them once he suffers a bit.

A-arent you guys being too mean?! Im still a prince, you know!

Hes a prince?!

Nilia freaked out when she heard this.

Yi-han and Yonaire came from powerful families, so they didnt think much of the hundred-plus members of the royal family. However, the same couldnt be said for Nilia, who felt immense pressure from learning the truth.

A direct descendant of the emperor. Just by having that title alone, Gainando seemed much more majestic

or not.

He seemed much more like a patient now than a prince after being slapped by Yonaire and kicked by Yi-han.

Were going to have to walk for who knows how long. Do you have any idea how valuable those boots and footwraps are? If its you, I bet your feet would be a mess after just one hour.

Should we just leave him here?

N-no! I get it, so dont abandon me!

Eventually, the situation was resolved, and Yi-han apologized to Nilia in his stead.

Sorry about that, Nilia. You must have worked hard to prepare those, yet Gainando was rude to you.

No, its fine. I dont mind what he said.

Seems like you do. How about I hit him one more time?

Im really fine!! Nilia shouted in a panic.

She didnt feel offended in the slightest. She could tell from first glance that Gainando had never experienced walking long distances, and considering his identity as a prince, it wasnt strange that he didnt know about this sort of thing.

Oh, and here are some coats I made. Its spring, but it can be chilly at night. The wind is strong around here as well.

Nilia

Youre really

Can you two please stop reacting to everything I say?

Though she was happy with the praise, it was starting to get annoying.

Leather bags. Well need them once were in town. Leather water bags. Theyre also handmade.

Shes really amazing.

Yi-han found it honestly remarkable. She had made all these out of leather, needles, and strings.

Why does she refuse to start a business when shes so skilled?

If it was him, he wouldve made a killing out of them. Yonaire, who was watching beside him, seemed to think it was a pity as well.

Since were traveling in the dark for a long time, the footwraps will help, and the coats will shield us from the cold. The thing that worries me is that we lack food and water

Nilia became hesitant. She was worried about the lack of food. If it was just for a day, she would have no problem climbing the mountains on an empty stomach. But what about the others?

No need to worry. Ive brought some food with me. Sausages, bread, goat cheese, and dwarven honey candies. Will these do?

!

Nilia was pleasantly surprised. Yi-han had brought enough food for emergencies.

Whered you get these?

Lets just say some things might be found missing from Professor Uregors hut.

Is he really a student of the Blue Dragons?

***

Respected friends, youve all gathered here today, having sworn that you would follow my orders.

A group of students with well-built physiques nodded after hearing Jijels words. These were the students of the White Tigers that had decided to trust her and join her in her escape plan.

The fact that so many had gathered without even knowing the details of the plan spoke volumes about her influence.

There were many students here with better physiques than her, and some of them seemed fiercer as well. Considering she was an elf with a fair and feminine appearance, it wouldnt be weird for her to feel intimidated, but she stood before them with a straight back, speaking arrogantly and with a sharp tone.

Theres no need to pay attention to the cowards and the traitors that didnt join us, for they will soon regret their decisions.

Yeah!

We trust you, Moradi!

Well move out in ten minutes.

There was a reason for her confidence.

As long as I follow the map, it wouldnt take us more than 4 hours.

Surprisingly, she had a map that detailed the escape route, a map she had found in the Moradi estate before she entered the academy!

Introduction to magic for beginners, what is magic, legends of Einroguardare these all?

Apologies, Lady Moradi.

Bring me everything we have. I dont plan on getting looked down upon by other mages.

Students of knights families all shared a common concern before entering Einroguard.

Would they be able to keep up?

Unlike the others, they had spent their entire lives swinging their swords, so their worries were not unfounded.

Jijel, being the prideful person that she was, refused to be looked down upon. Hence, she browsed through countless books in preparation for the academy.

And she had found the map in one of them.

Einroguard escape map? Whats this for?

The map contained details of how students could escape the academy.

When she first saw the map, she thought the person who made it was out of their mind.

Einroguard was a prestigious academy that only a select few were allowed to enter. It was the best magic institute inside the Empire, one which admitted students with talent. Only someone hopeless would throw such an opportunity away and think of escape.

However, it only took her a day in the academy to realize why the map had been made.

Ah, so this is why!

-How to escape Einroguard-

I shall convey the truth to you, for the path indicated on this map is your only hope of escape. Using the path my friends and I discovered through much trial and error, I hope those that follow after us would be able to slip out without getting caught

The map had been created by their seniors to aid them, and it had been meticulously crafted.

With the map in hand, she was confident that she would succeed!

***

Theyre entering the mountains.

As expected.

While lying down on the grass, Yi-han and his group of friends watched as several torches began to move. The White Tigers had commenced their operation.

So its through the mountains after all.

Yi-han had surmised that there were only two ways out of the academy.

First was through the academys tall walls and gates. They had entered the academy that way, and they could reach a town simply by following the road that was outside. The only problem was that it wouldnt be easy to pass through the gates once more.

The other method involved traversing the vast forest and mountain range behind the academy.

The walls surrounding the academy should be cut off deep within the mountains, so they would just have to take a turn after they reached the end of the wall.

Yi-han had predicted that Jijels method would be closer to the latter.

Very few people dared to enter the vast mountain range behind the academy as it was covered with thick vegetation. However, it wouldnt be a problem for someone capable to navigate it with a map.

And his prediction had been spot on.

Lets go. Were chasing after them!

Huh? Why are we entering the mountains??

Gainando followed the group, not understanding what was happening. He had assumed they were leaving through the gates.

Were breaking through the mountains.

What? But why?

Because the escape path is there. Dolgyu, look after Gainando for us.

Got it.

Dolgyu nodded readily.

Nilia had a lot of experience traversing the mountains. Meanwhile, Yi-han and Dolgyu had been trained as knights. Yonaire was used to going around in search of alchemy materials from a young age, so she had no problem walking long distances either.

Gainando, however, was going to be a big problem.

Me? Why do I need looking after??

Ill be behind you. Prince, breathe through your nose and keep your feet moving. Lets go!

Huh? W-wait a sec

Gainando was about to ask some more questions, but soon wasnt in the condition to do so.

Haahaahaahaaa

Dont stop!

Whatisthishaaa..haaa

Continue!

No more!

The moon was out, but it was still dark at night, and going up an unfamiliar mountain used up a lot of stamina. Nilia was in the lead checking the road and clearing the obstacles, but everyone in the group was sweating.

Even so, Yi-han tried his best to note the path they were taking. Having trained under countless crazy professors, he was able to draw a map without even looking at the paper.

???

Yonaire, who was walking next to him, stared at him in disbelief.

Is he using ?

It seemed like an impossible stunt that could only be achieved with the help of a spell that he might have learned during his time at the Wardanaz estate.

Oh, look over here.

What is it?

Its a somniferous plant. Its powder can be mixed in with water, and drinking it would cause you to fall asleep.

Lets collect it. You never know when it will come in handy.

Will we ever need it though?

While tilting her head, she collected the plant.

We must have walked for at least an hour.

Nilia. How long has it been? An hour?

An hour and ten minutes, Nilia replied as she stared at Yi-han.

Hes not a seasoned hunter, yet he hasnt lost his sense of time in the mountains

Just then, Yi-han felt a shiver run down his spine.

Is it a monster!? No, Nilia wouldve told us about it. Did she miss it?

Hahahahahahahaha!

It was the familiar laughter of a certain lich.