I nearly fell victim to the most terrible misunderstanding in the world, Yi-Han thought, feeling uneasy even after his response.

He was worried that Duke Icaldoren, upon returning to the imperial social circles, might spread false rumors like, "That boy Yi-Han from the Wardanaz family is quite close to Gonadaltes."

What would the skull principal and those bearing grudges against him think of this?

Certainly, there were more than just a few of them.

"How do you find life in Einroguard? Is it satisfactory?" Duke Icaldoren asked, tilting his teacup, inquiring about the life within the magic academy.

Yi-Han felt his nerves tense.

Could this be... a trap?

What if Duke Icaldoren was in close relations with the skull principal?

Was he trying to extract complaints from a student he met by chance?

"Utterly satisfactory," Yi-Han replied.

"Is that so?"

"The principal always assists students to focus on their studies. In the magic academy, students are always in an environment conducive to thinking about magic."

...

Duke Icaldoren was confused.

Although Einroguard was a secretive place difficult for outsiders to understand, no secret in the world was absolute.

Some rumors were bound to leak out.

Naturally, some rumors about Einroguard had reached Duke Icaldoren.

According to them, Einroguard was not as satisfactory as Yi-Han claimed.

'What's the ulterior motive, Wardanaz? Whats your scheme, Gonadaltes?'

Duke Icaldoren's eyes sparkled slightly at the unexpected answer, his mind in turmoil.

But, no matter how much he thought about it, the boy in front of him didn't seem to be lying.

After all, there was no reason for him to lie.

Could it be that Gonadaltes had really changed the rules?

'It's entirely possible. But why? For what reason?'

Gonadaltes, a great mage famous even in front of the emperor, would not change rules without a reason.

Duke Icaldoren's reasoning delved deeper.

'Could it be... to gain favor with other great noble families or the emperor?'

The great mage Gonadaltes was known for his audacity even in front of the emperor.

If such a mage was trying to gain favor for some big event...

What was he planning?

Duke Icaldoren felt a chill down his spine.

'Could it be... Gonadaltes is targeting me? Why?'

"Not only that, all the professors are excellent. They go out of their way to teach us more, providing support in every way," Yi-Han continued.

Mid-sentence, Professor Boladi nodded, nearly causing Yi-Han to cough, but he finished his statement.

This firm attitude convinced Duke Icaldoren even more.

Such emphasis in his words meant it was certainly not a lie. There had definitely been changes within the magic academy.

'One must be more vigilant.'

"Your Grace," a subordinate approached, bowing low and speaking softly.

"I've found what you ordered."

"What is it?"

"A Basilisk."

Professor Boladi put down his teacup. His face was expressionless, but satisfaction emanated from his entire being.

'Duke Icaldoren. I will not forget this,' Yi-Han vowed to himself, holding back a sigh.

"This isn't a Basilisk, is it?"

"Exactly. It's the creature's egg, Mage."

In response, Professor Boladis mood slightly soured.

"When will it hatch?"

Yi-Han, on the other hand, felt a bit pleased.

"It's difficult to say for sure. As you know, rare monsters like Basilisks are quite capricious."

The egg, laid by a rooster and incubated by a viper for an extended period, had transformed into a Basilisk egg.

Although it was indeed a rare treasure, to Professor Boladi, who urgently needed a challenging opponent for his disciple, the egg was of no use.

After all, one couldn't ask to fight an egg.

The atmosphere turned peculiar as Professor Boladi remained silent, even the Duke's subordinates felt slightly offended.

How could a mage not express gratitude upon receiving such a rare treasure as the Basilisk egg without any cost?

Yi-Han, noticing this, quickly stepped in.

"I'm truly grateful. I will not forget Your Grace's kindness. It seems the Professor is too overwhelmed with gratitude to speak."

"Haha. We are pleased to see you so happy," the Duke's subordinates finally relaxed and appeared satisfied.

"It was hard to acquire. You'd be surprised at the extra price we paid."

'Damn, why not just give us gold.

The Duke's subordinate, Yi-Han, and even Professor Boladi, all felt the discomfort of this burdensome transaction.

Yi-Han seriously considered the risk of being targeted by assassins sent by Duke Icaldoren if he was caught secretly selling the Basilisk egg.

After the subordinates left and they were alone, Professor Boladi spoke up.

"This is useless."

"Not at all, Professor. Just take good care of it and hatch it," Yi-Han replied, wanting to wrap up the conversation, fearing Professor Boladi might confront a dragon or something similar.

"Even if it's just an egg, it's still a Basilisk egg. If raised well, it will grow rapidly," Yi-Han persuaded.

...

After contemplating, Professor Boladi finally responded.

"...I see. If it's not too late, it could be used in the next exam."

"No, that's not what I meant," Yi-Han replied seriously.

With the gift exchanged and the Duke assured of their non-affiliation with the principal, Duke Icaldoren prepared to see them off.

"You came to buy materials?"

"Yes."

"Have one of your men accompany him. The merchants often don't readily offer their best goods."

The Duke ordered his subordinate.

Merchants were not clever enough to deceive a mage but not foolish enough to easily give away their best goods.

Accumulating such small favors was Duke Icaldoren's way, especially when dealing with someone from a prominent noble family.

Nobles' honor lay in not easily forgetting a favor received.

Though the fact that the boy was from the Wardanaz family was slightly concerning, he seemed relatively sane compared to the others.

'Is Duke Icaldoren a fool?' Yi-Han wondered.

Just giving away things like that. It wasn't as if Yi-Han would feel obligated to repay later, nor was it just a display of noble generosity.

If that was the case, it was truly astonishing.

Why engage in such meaningless acts

"Please give me as many <Lesser Mental Strengthening Potions> as you have. Do you have Setribi's Dew potions? I also need Dobruk's Blood Drop Potion."

"Wait, just a moment, please."

The alchemists in the guild workshop were startled by the visit of such distinguished guests.

"It will take some time to check the inventory and prepare. But are you really going to buy so much?"

"Yes."

Yi-Han's strategy was straightforward.

Professor Uregor had stated, "Acquiring ingredients is also a part of your skill, so make them yourselves." With this in mind, Yi-Han was determined to demonstrate his abilities.

He set out to buy useful potions.

Starting with potions needed for the pre-final assignment to all the potions that might be used in the final exams!

Originally, he had planned to buy only the essentials due to limited funds, but since Duke Icaldoren was providing the coin, there was no need to be frugal.

The Duke's subordinates, watching from behind, exchanged bewildered glances.

-Isnt he buying too much?-

However, no one dared to intervene. Interfering might be interpreted as disrespecting Duke Icaldoren's reputation.

Though the purchases were more expensive than expected, considering Duke Icaldoren's intention to bestow favor, it might have been for the best.

"Let's go to the snack shop next door."

"What?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Uh... No, nothing."

The Duke's subordinates followed Yi-Han past <Dasig's Sweet Shop>, adorned with colorful, elongated candies.

Wondering why a mage would enter a snack shop, they speculated he might need some unknown ingredient. Perhaps a potion containing crispy creme brulee or a spell requiring sweet eclairs...

...Do such things even exist?

"This giant chocolate cake seems extraordinary."

"You have an eye for quality. Occasionally, adventurers who've toiled for months buy it to celebrate their victories. It takes a week to make."

"Excellent. I'll take this too."

"Good heavens! I knew you were an esteemed guest, but to buy this!"

Yi-Han nodded confidently.

The Duke's subordinates could only respond with increasingly puzzled expressions.

"All done, Professor."

After a frenzied shopping spree, on Sunday evening, Yi-Han met Professor Boladi again at the front of Amur's stable.

Amur was taken aback by the sight of Yi-Han laden with a mountain of goods.

"What in the...?"

Even a porter working in a trading company for over ten years wouldn't handle such a merciless amount of luggage.

"It's fine. Let's set off."

"Wait... just a moment."

Amur was flustered.

More critical than escaping from jail, or rather, the academy, was returning undetected.

Naturally, Yi-Han and Amur were prepared for this, planning to sneak in around midnight on Sunday disguised as Amur and his subordinate.

But the amount of luggage was excessive.

A box or two might go unnoticed, but with that much, even the tower's stablemaster, blind as a bat, would say, "Let's have a look at that."

"Hmm. Maybe I did buy a bit too much."

"Not just a bit..."

"It's fine."

"??"

"Just say it's the Professor's luggage."

"Are... are you sure?"

Amur was even more bewildered.

Was it really alright to use the name of a revered mentor for smuggling?

Professor Boladi nonchalantly nodded in agreement. Yi-Han exchanged a knowing look with him.

"Then let's set off! Oh, and I brought some dessert. Have it if you get hungry."

"No, students usually don't have money... Wait a minute...?"

Amur was baffled by how Yi-Han managed to buy so much.

Unless incredibly reckless or brazen, it wouldn't be easy to exploit one's family name...

"...Alright then. Let's go!"

Yi-Han fed the griffin some snacks (giving it the finest jerky made the griffin very happy) and checked the luggage belonging to Professor Boladi.

While wandering the village with the Duke's subordinates, Professor Boladi had also acquired a few elongated boxes, each large enough to fit a person.

'...Surely not monsters?'

Yi-Han felt a sense of foreboding but steadied himself. Even Professor Boladi couldn't have acquired more monsters in such a short time.

"What's inside these boxes?"

"Adventurers."

"...Pardon?"

"Adventurers. Those who resorted to trickery earlier."

Professor Boladi spoke matter-of-factly.

He was so nonchalant that Yi-Han almost mistook the boxes of snacks for the ones containing the adventurers.

Of course, Yi-Han was not deceived.

"Professor, why would you keep such people?"

"I plan to use them for the final exam. They're scoundrels, but with some training, they might be useful."

"..."