Chapter 261
Chapter 261
"What are you doing?"
Professor Boladi was puzzled when he saw Yi-Han wobbling on the griffin.
Yi-Han, clenching his teeth, said, "I didn't realize you were beside me, Professor."
"Work on improving your observational skills."
Professor Boladi lightly admonished Yi-Han for his carelessness.
A brilliant combat mage must never let their guard down, maintaining a certain level of concentration at all times, which includes observational skills.
Even while sitting in the spire stable, one should be able to suspect the person next to them might be a professor.
"...I'll keep that in mind."
Yi-Han deeply engraved the professor's advice in his heart.
At the magic academy, one had to identify a person just by their gait.
Those who couldn't do so had no right to survive!
"But since you were there, why didn't you speak to me?"
'Or better yet, never speak at all.'
Yi-Han wondered why the professor had chosen to speak only when he was on the griffin.
Was it an intention to make him fall?
Professor Boladi 's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he spoke slowly, "You must be quiet inside the stable."
"..."
There were a few at the magic academy who were more annoying when they spoke the truth.
One of them was Professor Boladi.
It was absurd for someone who usually does whatever he wants to talk about manners.
'Isn't there an etiquette rule against taking first-year students to dungeons in the empire?'
"That... is true."
Yi-Han took a deep breath and composed himself.
The sudden appearance of Professor Boladi was shocking, but upon reflection, the situation wasn't as dire as it seemed.
Unlike other professors, Boladi didn't pay much attention to Yi-Han's rule-breaking.
"Professor, could you keep it a secret that I went outside?"
"Sure."
Professor Boladi answered without hesitation, deeply moving Yi-Han.
'Even crazy professors have their good points!'
Yi-Han hadn't expected such an easy agreement.
Amur, flying ahead, noticed their conversation and asked cautiously, "Is everything alright?"
"It's fine, Amur. He's a close professor who will keep our secret."
"Is that so? You're lucky to have such a great teacher."
Amur was relieved.
He had feared Yi-Han being caught by another mage, but was glad to find it was a mentor who understood the situation.
Even in the harsh and fearsome Einroguard, there seemed to be a glimmer of kindness. Amur wiped his nose with satisfaction.
"Even if not a mage, finding a great teacher is a stroke of luck for any student."
Amur praised Professor Boladi. The professor nodded calmly.
Yi-Han struggled to keep his eyes from bulging.
'You have no conscience!'
Yi-Han could praise Professor Boladi, but to see him nodding to that praise was almost unbelievable.
It would have been better if it had been the skull principal, but Boladi likely genuinely believed in his actions.
"May I ask what brings you outside, Professor?"
"For the final exam preparation."
"Ah."
"Ah. ...?"
Yi-Han, nodding along, suddenly paused.
Wait?
"Indeed, professors must not only focus on magic but also the mentoring of students. It must be tough."
"Hm."
Professor Boladi nodded again.
Yi-Han fought the urge to scream.
No conscience...!!
"Is there something you need? Since we've met like this, I'd like to offer help if possible."
A wrinkle formed on Professor Boladi 's brow. After a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth.
A creature immune to fire, water, and lightning, possessing strong magic resistance, and capable of speeds over 60 km/h
"Wait, just a moment," Amur interjected, his politeness forgotten in his bewilderment, cutting off Professor Boladi 's explanation.
"Why would you need such a monster?" he asked.
"For training purposes," came the reply.
"But... didn't you say this was for the final exam preparations?" Amur questioned, puzzled.
Professor Boladi nodded in affirmation.
A moment of silence ensued as Amur absorbed this revelation, his face turning pale with horror as he realized the truth.
"You don't mean..." he stammered.
"Your guess is probably correct," whispered Yi-Han.
Amur, in disbelief, asked, "Could it be for the upperclassmen...?"
"No."
...No
Yi-Han could empathize with Amur's shock. In truth, Yi-Han himself should have been the most shocked.
'That explains the unusual luck,' Yi-Han thought, realizing that rejoicing over the professor's canceled class was premature. Boladi was actually preparing to go outside and bring a monster to confront Yi-Han - a situation Yi-Han knew he must prevent at all costs.
Absolutely must prevent it!
He leaned in to whisper to Amur, "May I invite one more guest to your house?"
"Of course," Amur replied, having previously allowed Yi-Han to stay at his place if needed.
With additional permission granted, Yi-Han's eyes sparkled as he addressed the professor, "Professor, where will you stay once we arrive at the town?"
"At an inn," the professor responded.
"If it's alright with you, why not stay at Mr. Amur's house here? It would save you the trouble of going to an inn," Yi-Han suggested.
One of Professor Boladi 's notable traits was his tendency to nod in agreement, which he did once again.
'That settles it,' Yi-Han decided, determined not to let Professor Boladi leave unattended. To an outsider, it might sound sinister, but his intention was merely to keep the professor close.
"We should focus on flying now," Amur interrupted, pointing ahead. Yi-Han looked forward, startled by the sudden appearance of obstacles.
Rings of fire were appearing in the sky.
"What in the world...?" he exclaimed.
"They're traps for uninvited guests. Today, we need to pass through the ring on the far left," Amur explained.
As Yi-Han flew through the fiery rings, a sense of unease lingered.
'Did I dream of this before?'
Amur's house, located near a massive stable, was modest but sturdy and comfortable. The only problem was the shortage of food supplies.
"Hmm. There's enough feed for the animals, but..." Amur pondered.
"That won't do," Yi-Han quickly dismissed the idea of cooking animal feed for the professor, regaining his senses. He wasn't that desperate yet.
"I'll gather the necessary ingredients from nearby. Do you keep chickens?" Yi-Han inquired.
"If we need food, why not just buy it?" Amur asked, puzzled.
"Ah!" Yi-Han realized his lapse. They were in a civilized town of the empire, governed by order and rules, not a lawless wasteland.
'Of course, buying it makes sense.'
The canned beans Amur had for quick meals were hardly suitable for hosting Professor Boladi. While Yi-Han wasn't exactly sure what constituted an appropriate meal for the professor, he knew it definitely wasn't that.
'The goal is to keep him eating and drinking.' A hearty meal and some drinks might just make the professor too comfortable to leave the bed.
And when he awoke, there would be another generous and warm meal with drinks...
"I will go buy them," he offered.
"It might be better if we go together..."
Amur looked at Yi-Han with concern.
Despite his appearance, which resembled someone from a noble family, it seemed likely he had grown up without ever having to lift a finger.
Could he even choose the right things they needed?
One hour later.
Amur was more surprised than when Yi-Han had tamed the griffin.
"Ah, no! This is even more astonishing than when you tamed the griffin!"
'That doesn't seem quite right,' Yi-Han thought to himself as he busily made sherbets, meringues, pies, and biscotti.
No matter what, it wasn't more surprising than taming a griffin...
"You both sit down and start your meal."
"But we couldn't possibly..."
"That would be helping me."
Yi-Han suggested with a wink.
Amur sighed 'Ah!' in realization and nodded.
He understood the heart of a student trying to appease the temper of a mad professor.
'It seems like a misunderstanding, but it should be alright.'
Even if it was a misunderstanding, it wouldn't be a major one.
A professor who brings a powerful monster to fight his students couldn't complain about being misunderstood.
"Professor, considering the effort you've put in, you should eat first."
Professor Boladi nodded in agreement.
On the wide rectangular table were already arrayed an array of freshly prepared hot dishes.
Large, freshly baked white bread, honey and spices to dip the bread in, a variety of vegetables for stew and soup to soothe the stomach before greasy food, a giant piece of brisket smoked over a fire, similarly smoked firm salmon, and fish steamed with flounder and clams in wine.
Even without the various fruits and sweet desserts that Yi-Han was currently making, the table was abundantly set. Amur, who usually ate meals carelessly, unknowingly salivated.
"Professor, here..."
Amur, about to offer wine to Professor Boladi, was startled.
The professor was only picking vegetables, greens, and fruits from the table.
"Do you not care for meat?"
"I don't like it."
Yi-Han was not at all flustered.
He had intended to try various things, not knowing Professor Boladi 's preferences.
'I see.'
Amur couldn't help but admire Yi-Han, who quickly shifted his cooking approach.
Even an alchemist in Philonae Town who had worked for over a decade could not change directions so seamlessly.
With a lively sound, Yi-Han skillfully cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and immediately fried them in oil.
As the pumpkin and eggplant were fried, a sizzling and appetizing sound filled the air. Yi-Han lightly fried the vegetables and placed them on a plate with sauce.
"How is this?"
"Delicious."
As Professor Boladi enjoyed the food, Yi-Han kept moving.
He chopped tomatoes and green onions, beat eggs, and stir-fried them, peeling the asparagus he had bought earlier, blanching it slightly, and then sauting it with butter.
As dish after dish piled up and Professor Boladi ate well, Amur also started to offer wine more confidently. Hearing the sound of the two drinking behind him, Yi-Han gave a meaningful smile.
Thump!
Someone hit their forehead. Yi-Han managed his expression and turned around.
"Would you like some wine salad..."
Yi-Han paused in his speech.
Amur's face was flushed as he slept soundly, and Professor Boladi was tilting his wine glass with an unchanged expression.
"..."
Yi-Han didn't curse at Amur. Amur had done his best.
...It was just because Professor Boladi was a madman.
"The food seems to be enough. Let's start the meal."
"...Ah, yes."
Yi-Han sat down, his mood soured by Professor Boladi 's sober voice.
He carved the meat, which was moist and tender, likely due to its excellent preparation.
'Even now, the meat is delicious...'
"Skipping meals or eating irregularly is a bad habit."
Professor Boladi lightly admonished Yi-Han.
Yi-Han almost threw his fork in response.
"I will be more careful in the future."
"It's late, so it would be best to sleep as soon as we finish eating. We'll leave as soon as we wake up."
"Excuse me? Where are we going?"
"To trade monsters."
Professor Boladi answered, then asked again with a hint of curiosity.
"Wasn't that why you offered this meal, to see that?"
"...I'm embarrassed that you saw through my shallow intentions."
"Ambition and curiosity are virtues of a mage. There's no need to be embarrassed. Just say it outright next time."
Although Professor Boladi accepted the meal out of respect for his student's sincerity, he personally preferred not to beat around the bush.
'I'll be the unreasonable customer no matter what.'
Yi-Han resolved to be a demanding customer, regardless of Professor Boladi's reputation.
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