CHAPTER 35

"By the way, what kind of riddle did the talking oak tree give you?"

Lightning Step asked curiously.

"Uh… some really strange and weird riddles."

The shadow riddle was one thing, but the dwarf and candle riddle was utterly nonsensical.

"Talking oak trees do tend to ask ridiculous riddles."

Lightning Step nodded as if he understood.

Talking oak trees were known for confusing wizards by presenting absurd-sounding riddles that seemed profound.

Inexperienced wizards often got fooled by the grand appearance of the talking oak trees, thinking their riddles held some kind of hidden meaning. But that wasn't the case.

They were simply dry-humored spirits who just liked corny riddles.

"…Is that so?"

"That's how it is. Most things in life turn out to be disappointing once you figure them out."

After hearing Lightning Step's explanation, I-Han was left dumbfounded.

Then was that riddle about the goblin crashing the orc banquet also just a cheesy joke?

'Now that I think about it, the candle riddle did give off that vibe…'

"The riddle I heard was…"

I-Han started to share the riddles the talking oak tree had told him.

—Many orc tribes gathered for a feast, and a mischievous goblin joined in, eating and drinking to his heart's content. How was that possible?

"That's easy. The answer is: he disguised himself as an orc."

"…What?"

"I told you, don't overthink the talking oak trees' riddles. Keep it simple. If it's a goblin, it wouldn't be too hard for him to fool the orcs with a disguise."

"..."

I-Han held back his frustration and tried to focus.

Sure, the riddle was ridiculous—but it wasn't just any riddle.

It had been given by the talking oak tree as a hint to escape the school.

There had to be some meaning behind it.

'So… the message of that riddle was, to disguise myself?'

It sounded obvious, but when you thought about it, it was actually quite a sharp insight.

This magic school wasn't a completely sealed-off space.

Even priests from other orders had managed to enter the school.

'Plus, there's the matter of supplies.'

From food ingredients used in the magic school to various reagents and materials—these all had to be brought in from outside.

And the people transporting them were probably regular workers with no knowledge of magic.

There was a way to escape the school, even without using magical means!

I-Han clenched his fist.

In the pitch-black darkness set by the skeleton principal—

—it felt like a single beam of light had begun to shine through.

"…?"

Beside him, Professor Lightning Step stared at I-Han's face with curiosity.

The young wizard was clearly wearing the expression of someone who had just had a revelation.

What on earth?

'How did he get enlightenment from one of those dry, ridiculous riddles?'

Just like how he farmed better than seasoned farmers, this boy from the Wardanaz family never ceased to amaze.

After I-Han had finished tending to the garden, Professor Lightning Step brought him a few chickens from somewhere.

Judging from Thunder Step's sad expression, it wasn't hard to guess whose chicken coop they came from.

"Take good care of the animals, Wardanaz. If you treat animals well, they always repay you."

"Thank you. I'll eat well."

To first-year students so hungry they'd consider chewing on rocks, freshly laid eggs were a dizzying luxury.

If he brought those eggs back, he could easily become the king of the dormitory.

"Take this, too. Oh, and this as well."

It seemed Professor Lightning Step wanted to give his new student whatever he could, loading up the basket with all kinds of goods.

Starting with eggs, he added freshly harvested cabbage, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, butter, cheese, and even thick cuts of venison.

With every item added to the basket, the wrinkles on Thunder Step's face deepened, and his sorrow intensified—but I-Han pretended not to notice.

"Well then, see you next lesson."

'I've ended up with a feast.'

The meal with the two dwarves had been chaotic, but he had gained a lot.

Not only the secret of the staff, but even a hint on how to escape the school.

And now bonus food on top of that—especially helpful since they were already running out of supplies.

'How did the other first-years even survive before I got here?'

While I-Han had managed to work for a professor and earn food, the others likely hadn't been so lucky.

Did they just starve and endure it?

"Wardanaz!"

"Wardanaz is back!"

The students of the Blue Dragon Tower were slouched in the first-year lounge, looking tired and hungry.

They had been playing chess and cards to distract themselves from their misery, but upon seeing I-Han, they sprang up with joy.

And when they saw the basket on his arm, their excitement doubled.

"Wardanaz! My noble friend!"

"O most honorable family of the Empire!"

'It's not really something I should be saying, but for nobles from prestigious families, they're all severely lacking in dignity.'

Still, he could understand.

Whether royalty or beggar—hunger weakens all.

When word spread that I-Han had returned, students of the Blue Dragon Tower rushed out of their rooms and gathered around him.

They looked just like baby birds gazing up at their mother bird, waiting to be fed.

"Looks like everyone's starving. Hang tight."

With the vegetables and meat from Lightning Step, I-Han thought he could make a decent soup.

Even if all the students gathered here ate together, it should be enough to go around.

He placed a pot over the hearth fire, chopped venison and onions, and sautéed them until they were nicely browned.

Next came the vegetables. I-Han, with practiced skill, poured in water, added tomatoes and potatoes, and seasoned the soup with salt and pepper.

Even simple seasonings, easily found outside, were incredibly precious to first-years right now.

The tomato-based soup turned a rich red color and began to boil. The students looked at I-Han with longing in their eyes.

—Can we eat now?

But I-Han firmly stopped them.

'Now it's time to add the cabbage.'

He added the cabbage, a bit of butter, then readjusted the seasoning…

With a solemn expression, seriously immersed in the act of cooking, he looked like a seasoned alchemist at work.

The students of the Blue Dragon Tower, without even realizing it, straightened their clothes and corrected their posture with respect.

"It's done. Bring your bowls."

"Yes, sir!"

'Why are they being so formal?'

Ihan was puzzled, but instead of questioning it, he just picked up the ladle and generously served each bowl.

Yoner, who had come upon hearing the news, helped record everything in the ledger, dipping his quill into ink as he went.

"Killenen family, eight silver coins... Gainando, eleven silver coins…"

"Wardanaz, isn't one silver coin a bit too cheap?"

"Shouldn't you charge more? It's hardly enough for your effort."

The boys and girls from noble families had a poor sense of money.

Watching this, Ihan and Yoner sighed in unison.

'How are they supposed to live independently in the future like this?'

"Uh, Wardanaz."

"?"

"Could you also bring some to Her Highness?"

Two or three students cautiously asked, likely followers of Adenart.

Ihan's expression darkened slightly at the mention.

"U-um, Wardanaz. Not that we're pressuring you or anything…"

"We know you're close to Prince Gainando, but that doesn't mean you two have to be rivals. We just want Her Highness to eat something decent too."

'Huh?'

Ihan suddenly realized they were all misunderstanding something.

His hesitation about giving food to the princess wasn't because he supported Gainando.

It was just… he didn't want to give away food for free.

"I think you guys have misunderstood. It's not because of Gainando that I wasn't planning to give Her Highness any food. I'm not that petty."

"Wardanaz…!"

"Knew it!"

Their faces lit up at his words.

Feeling a bit more appreciated, Ihan casually asked:

"So, who's paying for hers? Does the princess cover it?"

"We'll pay for it! We'll each pay double!"

"Thanks, Wardanaz!"

"Wait… can you even afford to throw money around like that?"

"For what you're giving us, this is a bargain, Wardanaz."

"Really, thank you. You must be in a tough spot because of the prince."

The students were sincerely grateful, and Ihan was taken aback.

He was surprised they were willing to spend their own money for the princess, surprised they'd offer to pay more instead of negotiating, and surprised they had such high regard for Gainando.

'Gainando has basically zero political talent to build or run a faction as royalty.'

There were clearly a lot of misunderstandings going around, but since they were all taking his side, Ihan figured there was no need to clear things up.

"I just want the royal family to get along… for the empire's sake."

"Wardanaz…!"

"You're incredible…!"

Ihan carried the soup bowl and knocked on the princess's private chamber door. After a moment, Adenart appeared.

"?"

She raised one eyebrow slightly, silently asking what this was about.

Ihan offered the warm bowl and said,

"I cooked in the lounge. Would you like some?"

Adenart hesitated instead of accepting it right away, probably unsure of Ihan's intentions.

Already having heard of the misunderstanding about Gainando downstairs, Ihan decided to clear the air.

"All the other students received some too. It's okay to eat."

Well, they paid for theirs, but Ihan didn't bother mentioning that part.

Adenart paused just a little longer, then carefully took the bowl with both hands.

Hunger had clearly won over hesitation.

She gave a small nod of gratitude, lifted the spoon, and took a bite.

One spoonful, then another—her pace gradually picked up. She must have liked it.

"You can go inside and eat, you know."

At Ihan's words, Adenart paused mid-bite.

"..."

Then, after another short nod, she closed the door and disappeared inside.

'...Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.'

Back in the lounge, Ihan was greeted by the waiting students who quickly asked,

"Wardanaz! Her Highness, did she…?"

"Oh. She seemed to like it."

"Amazing! You're a truly outstanding alchemist!"

'She probably would've eaten anything if she was hungry enough…'

"Can we keep asking you from now on? We'll cover the silver, but if you ever cook again, it'd be great if you could bring some to Her Highness too."

"...Devotion to the Imperial Family is an honor in itself for a noble."

The words flowed effortlessly from Ihan's mouth. Even he was surprised at himself.

'The royal bloodline really is something.'

To have people so devoted to you just because of your lineage.

He was suddenly reminded of how powerful blood ties could be.

Though… Gainando was kind of an exception.

Basement Level 1 of the Main Building

Professor Voladi Bagrek, the vampire, was deep in thought. Not that his expression ever gave anything away.

There was only one student left now.

How could he keep that one student attending this class?

'Quite the dilemma.'

Normally, Professor Voladi didn't care whether students attended his lectures or not.

His contract was to teach the class, not recruit students.

But this case was a bit different.

That boy from House Wardanaz, with such a considerable amount of mana.

Could he find another student like that again?

If he lost this one, who knew how many years it would take before he could continue to the next part of the lecture?

And there was no guarantee the next student would have the same potential as this boy.

After some thought, Professor Voladi finally spoke.

"Is there anything you're curious about?"

"...Huh?"

Ihan, who had been focused on spinning his mana orb, looked up in surprise.

Why was the professor asking questions out of the blue?

Did he somehow sense Ihan's sneaky intention to get through the class with minimal effort?

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