-Why are you doing this?-

-What have we done so wrong?-

The Death Knights complained, but they could not resist when the Spirekeeper dismissed them and had to retreat.

"Thank you," Yi-Han expressed his gratitude, now able to enter the Spire's stable with ease.

"Be cautious. The beasts are generally ferocious," warned the Spirekeeper. True to his words, the creatures sleeping inside the stables were astonishing.

'Why do the professors ride such things?' Yi-Han wondered, eyeing the Hippogriffs, Shedus, Bicorns, Human-faced Birds, and Bos (Chinese unicorn) - rare and powerful monsters he had only read about in fairy tales.

Magic users, after all, were known for taming the strange and defining the mystical...

But why tame such dangerous creatures?

'I see why students are forbidden here.'

Fortunately, bringing a Griffin here would not seem out of place.

'The inner part is where the beasts rest...'

The Spire stables boasted a long structure, magically enlarged, making the opposite entrance invisible from the doorway.

Along the elongated corridor, sleeping beasts lay on both sides, leading to an exit that connected to the main building's outer wall. It was essentially an airstrip, designed for direct takeoff into the open sky.

'Didn't they say they check at the entrance?'

Yi-Han recalled the information he had heard. Though there appeared to be no inspection, those entering or leaving were checked at this airstrip.

Then the person in charge of the facility must be waiting...

?

As Yi-Han pondered this, the Spirekeeper walked ahead, and a horse emerged from inside.

?????

While Yi-Han blinked in surprise, the Spirekeeper communicated with the horse using paper and a quill.

-It's not dangerous, you say? I understand.-

'Ah, I've been too narrow-minded.'

If there were centaurs and minotaurs that could speak, a talking horse wasn't too shocking. Although it was still somewhat surprising...

You have permission.

"Excuse me?"

Yi-Han paused.

Permission for what?

You wanted to practice right? Try riding this Bicorn. It will help.

"..."

Yi-Han vowed never again to deceive kind people for his own benefit.

The Spirekeeper hadn't recommended the Bicorn to Yi-Han as a harsh lesson for his wicked thoughts. It was purely out of good intentions, although it turned out to be a lesson.

Riding a Bicorn, similar in build to a horse, meant that one could ride any wild horse.

"...Isn't that too dangerous, though?"

While taming a dragon could theoretically enable one to tame a wolf, no one suggested taming a dragon just to handle a wolf.

It's okay. This Bicorn is the kindest among these animals.

"..."

Yi-Han wore a reluctant expression.

By that logic, he would be the kindest person in the principal's office when with the skull principal and Boladi...

'Just don't fall off.'

Considering he needed to use this stable on weekends, he couldn't disappoint the Spirekeeper.

Resolved, Yi-Han decided to do his best to ride the Bicorn.

Complicated movements or acrobatics were unnecessary. He intended to approach with the most basic and safe movement, just a slight touch and then return.

"I am Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family. I respect your honor, your pride, and the pride flowing in your bloodline," he declared, recalling the words taught by Professor Bungaegor.

Yi-Han carefully stepped forward, aware that the more powerful the monster, the higher its intelligence and pride. This was especially true for fierce and wild creatures like Bicorns.

While Unicorns, with a single horn, were gentle and kind, Bicorns with two horns were the exact opposite. A wrong approach could lead to being impaled on their horns.

Suddenly, the Bicorn approached Yi-Han and rubbed its cheek against his face.

"What?" Yi-Han was utterly baffled and embarrassed by this unexpected, intimate gesture from the beast he had never seen before.

Was this a trap?

Ignoring Yi-Han's confusion, the Bicorn gently knelt down, inviting him to mount.

"...I respect you. Truly. You understand, right?" Yi-Han reiterated, worried that the Bicorn might show its true colors once he mounted.

The Bicorn snorted lightly, as if amused by his words, but did not reveal its true nature even after Yi-Han mounted. It calmly trotted to the airstrip and soared into the air.

!

At that moment, the vast expanse of Einrogaard came into view. The Bicorn seemed to read Yi-Han's emotions, carefully navigating the sky.

"Thank you," Yi-Han whispered, stroking its mane, to which the Bicorn neighed nonchalantly.

The ride was comfortable and soothing. The Bicorn was much kinder and gentler than he had feared.

'Ah. So this is why it was recommended?'

Indeed, the Spirekeeper's suggestion was not without thought. Yi-Han inwardly apologized for doubting him.

Did you get some good practice? the Spirekeeper inquired upon his return.

"Thank you. It was very helpful," Yi-Han replied contentedly.

"I'd like to take it with me if I could."

That's surprising. That creature is known for being notoriously difficult, remarked the Spirekeeper, astonished, as he passed by Yi-Han.

Yi-Han's gaze seemed to say, 'Lucky to have survived.'

"...Didn't you say it was the kindest among the animals here?" Yi-Han questioned the Spirekeeper.

Wasn't that the case?

It's a bit grumpy usually, but very gentle with its master, the Spirekeeper explained.

"No..."

Yi-Han was incredulous at the biased view. Even the nastiest creatures have their good moments.

'I shouldn't ride it again.'

He had thought the Bicorn was gentle, but it turned out to be just luck.

"Who is the owner of this Bicorn?"

The principal.

"..."

Yi-Han stared at the Bicorn, which clung to his sleeve as if begging him not to leave.

Was it kind because he resembled the skull principal!?

Im relieved, but somehow, that's annoying!'

Yi-Han thanked the Spirekeeper and said his goodbyes.

-Please don't tell anyone about today's practice. I'm quite shy-

He didn't forget to ensure discretion.

There was no benefit in letting the skull principal overhear, as it would surely lead to trouble.

"Niffirg, being ordinary is good. Like the other horses, having an ordinary appearance is comforting," said Yi-Han, who had come to take care of Niffirg's lunch, while brushing his mane.

While munching on its meal, Niffirg tilted its head in confusion. It seemed almost like an insult to it. Moreover, was Niffirg's original form different from other horses?

"You're eating well, buddy. Eat more. I've even brought you some candy," Yi-Han encouraged, offering treats that would make Gainando jealous. Niffirg, excited, shook its head vigorously.

Thud-

"What's wrong?" Yi-Han asked as Niffirg frowned and looked at him. Niffirg had sensed the smell of a strange beast on its master.

Hee, neighhee! Neighhhh!

...?!

Niffirg then let out the most sorrowful cry it had ever made, causing Yi-Han to panic.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Yi-Han inquired as Niffirg stomped the ground with its hooves, imitating the gestures of another animal.

Picking up a fallen cone and placing it on his head, Niffirg's expression contorted.

"Ah, Bicorn? I didn't ride it because I wanted to. Trust me, Niffirg."

Neeigh!

Niffirg turned its head away, clearly not wanting to listen. Yi-Han, undeterred, kept trying to soothe Niffirg's hurt feelings.

How much time had passed?

Professor Bungaegor, who came to the stable, was puzzled to see Yi-Han.

"So you're calming down Griff, no, Niffirg...? Good job."

"Can you help me?"

"You're doing well already. It seems halfway soothed. But what did you do to upset it so much?"

Griffin wouldn't get upset over a trivial mistake. A powerful magic beast has its pride.

Yet, the answer Yi-Han gave was even more astonishing.

"I just rode Bicorn..."

"What on earth did you do to end up riding Bicorn!?"

Thump-

"!!!!"

"The shield! The shield!!"

"??"

When the shield fell to the classroom floor, students from the Blue Dragon screamed in alarm.

Other students from different towers, still grasping the situation, asked, "Is there a problem if that shield falls? Is it related to some kind of divination magic? Does danger approach when it falls?"

"We had a bet on that shield."

"I thought it would last three days... Oh, no..."

"..."

"Pathetic fools..."

'It lasted just over two days.'

Regardless of the Blue Dragon students' tears over their lost food, Yi-Han coldly noted the time. It seemed like this could actually be submitted as it was.

Of course, some diligent students might say, "Isn't an assignment supposed to be a learning opportunity for the student? What's the point if we use shortcuts?"

'What do I care? I need to survive first.'

Even the fourth-year students were using shortcuts. It wasn't necessarily wrong. Survival first!

"Is everyone doing well with their assignments?"

"Yes, Professor Garcia!"

The students' voices, calling out to the troll mixed-blood professor, held more affection than usual, begging silently, 'Please, professor, don't assign any more work.'

"Assignments are a lot, aren't they?"

"Yes!!!"

"So, my pre-final assignment will be simple..."

The students' eyes sparkled.

'Skipping?'

'Pass?'

'Deletion?'

"I think I'll give it to you next week."

"..."

"..."

"It won't be too hard. Trust me, everyone. It'll be simple."

That's not comforting.

Yi-Han knew all too well that the simplicity spoken of by the professors was never actually simple.

"Everyone must be feeling the pressure with finals approaching, and I'm sorry, but today I want to introduce another school of magic." With that said, the professor opened the door and a professor entered the room.

Yi-Han was taken aback.

The professor had the look of the most exhausted and weary person in the world.

'Is that even possible?' Yi-Han thought. He considered himself well-versed in fatigue and exhaustion, but this professor seemed to have transcended those levels.

How many hours of relentless work would it take to accumulate such fatigue?

Thud!

In front of the students, a small pot appeared for each. They contained freshly cut saplings.

"Hold the pot."

"Pardon?"

Gainando, who had asked for clarification, suddenly found a stick materializing above his head and then striking him.

"Ouch!"

"Don't make me repeat myself. Hold the pot."

The students complied and held the pots.

"Close your eyes and imagine the severed sapling reconnecting."

Silence.

The students closed their eyes and concentrated.

"Those who see the sapling reconnecting, raise your hand."

Quite a few students raised their hands. Yi-Han was among them.

"Those of you will learn healing magic."

"...???"

"???!??!"