Sensing that his flattery was working, Yi-han began praising her even harder.

He slapped his forehead and said, As expected of Priestess Siana!! Your skills are simply unrivaled!

Did you hit your head somewhere? Yonaire asked in a whisper.

It seemed like he had taken the wrong medicine this morning.

However, other than her, everyone else seemed to agree with his words, and Priestess Siana appeared extremely pleased.

Sir Wardanaz, you have good eyes.

No, even a blind man would recognize how amazing this potion is.

Im flattered.

Priestess Siana had to cover her mouth with her sleeve to hide the smile that had crept up.

Yi-han was happy to see this.

After exchanging several more words, Priestess Siana joined up with the others from her tower, feeling immensely satisfied.

Phew, that was tough, Yi-han let out a deep sigh as he thought so.

Coming up with empty praises was harder than he initially thought.

But it was worth it.

After returning to her group, Priestess Siana began complimenting Yi-han to those around her.

Sir Wardanaz is of such noble disposition. Not only is he polite, but he also has a refined taste as well

Did something happen there?

No, but hes a well-taught gentleman that

Anyway, he didnt have to worry about the Immortal Phoenix turning against him now.

Yonaire, even if you get 1st place in alchemy, I wont spike your drinks with poison.

Seriously, whats wrong with you?

Yonaire stared at him, feeling worried.

***

After providing first aid to those that needed them, the students began their journey back.

Those with broken legs were carried by those in good shape, and they luckily didnt encounter any monsters along the way.

Baetrek, are you sure Wardanaz didnt do anything to you?

Baetrek, he might have brainwashed you without you realizing

Baetrek, perhaps a forbidden curse

Ive been telling you guys! He didnt do anything!

Baetrek was at a loss. No one was willing to believe that Yi-han had saved him.

Were all freshmen. How the hell is he supposed to know a forbidden curse!?

Thats the thing. I thought they were just rumors, but if its him, its not entirely impossible.

Yeah, at first, I didnt believe the rumors surrounding him either. But some of those stories might be true.

The students of the White Tigers nodded in unison.

As absurd as it was, some of them genuinely believed in the rumors.

The Wardanaz Family mustve trained him ever since he was young.

What a terrifying household.

Stories of his powerful telekinesis spell and his performance during the lesson on black magic had made a round around the academy, becoming more exaggerated as time passed.

Students from the other towers didnt have such misunderstandings about him as they had interacted with Yi-han on several occasions, and even if they had, it wasnt that far fetched .

It was only to the extent of Hes overflowing with confidence and charisma! or He rules over the Blue Dragons with an iron fist, showing no mercy to those that go against him.

However, the White Tigers were different, and they were genuinely afraid of him!

As Moradi has previously pointed out, Wardanaz isnt such a scary individual.

Baetrek tried to resolve the misunderstanding. It was the least he could do after being saved.

Baetrek, who was it that took down the earth golem using magic?

Wardanaz.

And would you consider that fire magic normal?

Baetrek became silent. There was nothing he could say against their argument.

To think Id lose to these fools that believe in such absurd rumors!

Hey.

!

Yi-han had crept up to them while they were chatting.

When the White Tigers saw him, they instinctively drew their wooden swords and stared at him with trembling eyes.

are you guys herbivores or what?

W-w-w-whats your business here, Wardanaz?

Nothing seriousHere, take these. You must be tired.

Saying this, he took out some snacks from his bag.

They were among the oldest snacks that he had stored in the cabinet of his pantr private room, but they tasted just as great as the others.

Bread with jam and cookies with sugar sprinkled on top.

Their expiry dates were soon approaching, which was why he had brought them with him as a means of getting rid of them and showing off at the same time.

He had previously picked a fight with the White Tigers after being provoked without cause, but that was just him retaliating. On a fundamental level, he disliked having meaningless fights as well.

Y-you have our thanks, Wardanaz.

The White Tigers were experiencing an inner conflict.

Will it be fine to eat these?

But Im famished.

The latter won out in the end.

They were still at an age where they were growing, and it was difficult to fight off the hunger.

Baetrek Bak, right? I heard youre from the East. Here, have this rice ball.

..!

Baetrek was slightly moved by this gesture.

Yi-han had gone out of his way to give him something he was familiar with.

Since the Empire was so vast, not many students were interested in food from other regions.

It wasnt like Yi-han was from the East, yet he had shown him such kindness.

As I thought, the rumors surrounding Wardanaz are far from the truth.

The others from the White Tigers seemed to agree to this as well, and they began to discuss amongst themselves after Yi-han left, devouring the snacks as they did.

Maybe we were wrong about him

Hey, hear this! I picked up something from the Blue Dragons. Apparently, Wardanaz took down the earth golem in a single blow using a water spell!! They said he summoned a dragon!

..

..

The White Tigers were blown away when they heard this.

W-what a fearsome fellow!

***

Professor Uregor noticed something soon after drinking several glasses of mead.

Huh? Where did all the vegetables go?

He had served the vegetables that his disciple had grown, but they were gone before he knew it.

It couldnt have been Principal Skelly, which left only one suspect.

Is there something wrong? asked Professor Ingurdel, noticing his gaze.

Oh, nothing serious. Youseem to like your veggies.

Uregor, just because Professor Ingurdels an elf, it doesnt mean he has to like vegetables. Thats an old prejudice. As the academys representative, Im sad to hear that one of our professors is so narrow-minded. Would you be happy if people assumed you like beer because youre a dwarf?

And whats wrong with that? I like my beer.

Oh, Im sorry.

Professor Ingurdel apologized when he noticed what this was about.

Im usually not one to obsess over vegetables, but for some reason, I couldnt help myself today.

Is that so?

Whats the big deal? Its not like you enjoy having vegetables.

Thats not true! Im not picky with food.

Heh, you probably eat them with loads of meat. Dont be petty. Why are you putting Professor Ingurdel in a difficult spot over vegetables?

Im really sorry

No, theres no need for apologies!

Uregor swore never to invite the principal ever again.

Principal Skelly couldnt eat or drink, so his greatest joy in life was making others lives miserable.

Hmm, but I wonder how they tasted.

Since he didnt get the chance to try them, he was curious as to how the vegetables tasted. Professor Uregor smacked his lips.

The students are returning. What did I tell you? Theyd be just fine by themselves.

!

Professor Ingurdel rushed out of the hut.

Seeing this, Professor Skelly shook his head.

How soft-hearted

***

The students werent surprised to see Professor Ingurdel and Professor Uregor waiting for them.

After all, Yi-han had already told them what had happened.

They glared at the professors; their eyes filled with hatred.

The first thing Ill do when I become a grand mage is give the professors here a taste of their own medicine.

The first thing Ill do when I become a swordmaster is beat the living daylight out of the professors here.

The first thing Ill do when I become a high-ranking government official is

Professor Uregor let out a boisterous laugh.

Im glad to see you all back!

Yeah, we had a great time there thanks to the professors.

You dont look all that surprised. Good, you mustve figured out the truth by now. Indeed, that was my doing. But the path to becoming an alchemist is wrought with dangers. Never put down your guard. No one knows what fate has in store for us.

..

..

The students were starting to seriously consider an ambush on the professor.

It was their sincere wish to see something unexpected happen to the dwarven professor.

Professor Ingurdel, on the other hand, appeared apologetic.

Im sorry, everyone. I really wished to stay here, but

Yeah, right.

Hmph, theyre all the same.

?!

Even the White Tigers were glaring at him, which made him panic.

But Im telling the truth! The principal suddenly appeared and teleported me away!

You dont have to lie to us, professor.

We arent going to trust anyone anymore. Isnt that what the academy wishes to teach us?

The students had become more mature after experiencing the trial.

None of the students had any faith in the professors. This was true of students from all four towers.

Professor Ingurdel was in despair after learning that the students he had taught and crossed swords with distrusted him.

..

Professor Uregor pretended as if he couldnt see Professor Ingurdel glowering at him.

Its not my fault, Professor Ingurdel. Blame Gonadaltes.

Yi-han wasnt too sure anymore after watching Ingurdels reaction.

Wait, was he actually in the dark about this?

It didnt feel like Professor Ingurdel was acting.

It might be hard to believe that he was suddenly kidnapped by the principal, but

If its that son of a person, its not entirely implausible.

Rattle, rattle, rattle.

The skeletal summon pointed at the direction of the hut.

!

He felt a faint mana fluctuation coming from the hut. It was similar to the fluctuation he felt back in the mountains.

Yi-han recalled whose mana it was.

Without a doubt, it was Principal Skellys.

For real!? Did he actually kidnap a professor in broad daylight?

But then again, Im not all that surprised. After all, its the principal were talking about.

Yi-han was quick to come to a conclusion.

I trust you, sir. So you were kidnapped by the professor.

Wardanaz!

Ingurdel was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

***

Professor Uregor grew curious after seeing everyone present.

How did the students overcome the trial?

What methods did you use?

Wardanaz blew the earth golem away using .

And he burned the other one to crisps.

..?

Professor Uregor became puzzled after hearing a string of unexpected answers.

He didnt know what to say.

Wait, wait, waithold on a second.

???

What earth golems? What about the bulls? Where did the bulls go?

There he goes againSir, enough is enough. Were not that easy to fool.

The Blue Dragons snorted.

They thought the professor was trying to fool them again.

Not a chance!

Im serious! Why are you bringing up earth golems? Those arent what I prepared!.

Riiight. What a coincidence this must be.

Hear that, guys? Professor Uregors saying its all a coincidence!

..

Professor Uregor was slightly regretful of his past behaviors.