Chapter 555

'Shouldn't all those who spread false rumors be sent to the punishment room?'

Yi-Han angrily scribbled his answer.

-I don't know where you're picking up such strange information from. Like last time, I think you need to reconsider where you get your information from. Where are you picking up only such false rumors from...-

'He has a foul personality.'

The person on the other side of the mirror raised an eyebrow as he watched the rapidly appearing letters.

The ability of this Black Tortoise Tower student was definitely outstanding, but he had the weakness of acting emotionally.

If it weren't for that weakness, he would have evaluated him a bit higher.

'But it's clear that he's useful. He must be in contact with the 1st-years.'

Even the rough students who frequently broke into the principal's warehouse tended to avoid contact with 1st-years as much as possible.

If they got caught by the skull principal even once, they could properly rot in the punishment room.

Since contacting 1st-years was treated as a more serious crime than getting caught stealing from the principal's warehouse, there weren't many students who would contact 1st-years without much benefit.

But there were always exceptions.

If they were students from the White Tiger Tower or Black Tortoise Tower, the possibility of such exceptions was high.

'They're the type to be emotional and unnecessarily interfere.'

If they had acquaintances or family relatives among the freshmen, they would be willing to help them.

It was something incomprehensible to the person on the other side of the mirror.

If they came to learn magic, they should focus on their own magic, so why were they interested in others' magic?

However, this time, such unnecessary behavior came as a benefit.

After all, someone who had direct contact with a 1st-year would inevitably have an advantage in figuring out the truth compared to relying on rumors.

-I understand. I'll keep that in mind.-

-Why do you keep being interested in a 1st-year? Like I said last time, that guy is a weirdo who takes classes from various departments. He's not suitable for taking separately and assigning work.-

Yi-Han usually tried to maintain his good reputation in front of seniors, but this time was different.

He intended to persuade the other person even if some bad rumors spread about him.

To make them think, 'Ah, this junior isn't really a good guy to assign work to'!

Otherwise, the moment he became a 2nd-year, he might be dragged away by some seniors and have to do additional work.

-Your thinking is short-sighted.-

-What did you say?-

-I'll give you a piece of advice in exchange for the information. It's about how to deal with juniors. What do you think when a junior says they're busy with other things?-

-...Aren't they just busy?-

-That's where you're wrong. That junior is wasting time on other things. My proposal would be the most helpful to that junior.-

'He's definitely a crazy person.'

Yi-Han wanted to ask if the other person was Professor Verduus, but he held back.

-How can you be so sure of that?-

-What do you mean? Of course, since my magic is the most outstanding, it would be the most helpful.-

"..."

Yi-Han realized he had made a mistake.

He shouldn't have argued with a crazy person!

-I understand. I hope your skills are as great as your confidence. But that junior is likely to disagree with your thoughts. He's already taking classes from various departments.-

-That's possible. But there's a way to persuade him.-

-May I ask?-

-Since you provided information, I'll tell you the rest. To the extent of being close to Ilendil and eccentric...-

-I told you they're not close?-

-Right. Eccentric enough to get along with Ilendil, and considering his close relationship with the dark magic department students, there's a very high possibility that this 1st-year from the Wardanaz family has a narrow and unharmonious social circle.-

"..."

Yi-Han was at a loss for words at the absurd verbal abuse.

-Isn't that too much of an assumption?-

-No. It's almost certain since he's from the Wardanaz family.-

'This bastard, really.'

Yi-Han forgot for a moment that the other person was a senior and was about to write, 'Let's see each other's faces.'

-So if I invite him to my club and provide him with appropriate social relationships, he'll be greatly satisfied.-

'I should be suspicious of anyone who invites me to their club first.'

With that thought, Yi-Han replied.

-Yeah. Hearing that, it sounds plausible again. Work hard.-

-Thank you. Like last time, your information is the most accurate. Did you check the hydra?-

The person on the other side of the mirror raised their evaluation of Yi-Han a bit more when he agreed with their opinion.

This guy knew how to acknowledge when he should, rather than stubbornly insisting emotionally.

That was a quality worth evaluating quite highly.

-Yeah.-

-I'll give you one more thing in exchange for the information. The Hydra is likely having difficulty with sleep. The principal must have made some improvements.-

-Wow. Thank you so much.-

-Yeah. Keep up the good work.-

The person on the other side of the mirror ended the conversation with satisfaction.

There had been many people he had communicated with through the communication artifact so far, but he had a feeling that he would go on for quite a while with this guy.

Except for the shortcomings of having a violent and impatient personality, he had quite a bit of ability.

Moreover, this person also seemed very grateful for the information he provided...

'Should I just cut him off soon?'

Yi-Han cursed the other person for providing useless information.

***

"Yi-Han. Yi-Han."

When Gainando, who had crawled through the dog hole into the secret base, called out to Yi-Han, Yi-Han answered with annoyance.

"Gainando. I even prepared dinner for you. Find snacks on your own. Did you already finish the cookies I gave you last time?"

"No, that's not it..."

"You want to play Mage Cards? We did that yesterday. We played five rounds and you lost all five, so not today."

"No, that's not it..."

"You have to do the dark magic assignment on your own. Gainando. Like I said, the condition of the bone reagent is more important than you think for bone element magic. Check it again and think about whether it can properly become the starting point of the magic."

"No, that's not it!!!"

Gainando, who had been scolded, exploded.

He lay down on the floor, rolled from side to side, and shouted.

"Tomorrow! We have to!! Go out!!! The kids!!!! Are waiting!!!!"

"Ah."

Only then did Yi-Han recall that he had promised to attempt an escape with his friends this weekend.

It would be very troublesome if they didn't go out this week since next week was right before the final exams.

"I'm sorry. Gainando. I forgot."

"How could you forget that? I've been thinking about it every time I sleep this week."

Gainando, who was talking, nodded his head when he saw the pile of books and papers stacked in front of Yi-Han.

"I can see how you forgot."

"No. I shouldn't forget. Thanks for coming."

"Then can you give me some more snacks?"

"No, you can't. Finish your assignment."

Yi-Han took the dejected Gainando and headed to the place where his friends were waiting.

If they entered the hidden passage on the 2nd floor of the main building, they would reach the warehouse where the realm gate artifact, worked on by the seniors of the seniors of the seniors, was sleeping.

Originally, this artifact, which was absolutely impossible to operate due to lack of mana, regained its life thanks to Yi-Han's discovery.

A realm gate that could be used to escape outside the school!

...It was very concerning that the destination happened to be the skull principal's villa, but to the students burning with the desire to go outside, this was not much of a problem.

"I told anyone who wanted to participate to come, so how many more gathered?"

"Well. About that."

"?"

When Gainando hesitated, Yi-Han was puzzled.

"Did no one else gather there?"

"No."

"Then did too many gather?"

"Something like that... Uh..."

"How many gathered?"

"Everyone?"

"..."

Yi-Han doubted his ears.

"Everyone???"

"As far as I know, they said everyone gathered..."

Gainando mumbled as if he also felt something was a bit strange.

If he was wrong later, wouldn't he be the only one getting scolded?

"No, even if the other towers are like that, even the priests from the Immortal Phoenix Tower?"

"They said they want to go out with you and help since you're going out..."

"..."

For a moment, Yi-Han wondered if he had tainted the kind-hearted priests of the Immortal Phoenix Tower.

'No. This is not my fault. It's the fault of the other students.'

It was because they were tainted by guys like Salko or Moradi, definitely not Yi-Han's fault.

Yi-Han decided to believe that.

Creak-

As they entered the warehouse, only a few students representing each tower were waiting with tense faces.

"You're here. Wardanaz?"

"Is everyone really going out?"

"For now, that's what I confirmed."

Priestess Siana and Priestess Tijiling also nodded their heads.

"They said they're all going out together."

"I warned them that they might end up in the punishment room, but they said they're curious..."

"..."

Yi-Han felt a slight prick of conscience but endured it by shaking his head slightly.

"If everyone gathers, we might get caught, so we decided to gather like this."

"Well done. Salko. The plan is..."

Jijel threw the thick bundle of papers she was holding.

It was tattered thanks to the students from each tower continuously passing it around and supplementing it for a week.

-The Black Tortoise Tower prepares clothes in advance (change into them as soon as you go out. Be careful not to get caught as students at all costs!!!)-

-Head to the family residences of the Blue Dragon Tower students to secure funds (as much as possible)-

-The White Tiger Tower students/Immortal Phoenix Tower students ask the knights and priests to find companions (people who can keep their mouths shut)-

-Each person disperses so as not to get caught...-

Yi-Han read it and nodded. It wasn't that surprising since they had already discussed it a few times.

"There are a few more things to add."

"What is it?"

"We'll also use leave passes."

If this many people all went out and brought back necessary items, it would be impossible not to arouse suspicion.

To avoid such suspicion, Yi-Han planned to send out as many people as possible to divert attention.

"You're going out, Wardanaz?"

"No. I have to open the realm gate too, and if I use a leave pass, there's a high possibility that the principal will be suspicious. He's already very suspicious these days."

Due to a few unauthorized outings, the skull principal's vigilance was very high.

The moment he used a leave pass, he might think, 'Is this guy trying to find a new escape route again?' and have him followed.

"Let's ask the priests who are trustworthy. They'll be the least suspicious."

Yi-Han planned to boldly use the leave passes to send out the priests.

They were the ones who could go out and come back with the least suspicion in a situation like this.

Priestess Siana answered with a serious face at those words.

"I'll do my best."

"?"

Yi-Han paused for a moment, wondering what she meant, then belatedly realized and hurriedly answered.

"Ah. Priestess Siana. I'd like Priestess Siana to go out through the realm gate. We need a trustworthy person on this side too. It's not that Priestess Siana is untrustworthy at all. Understand?"

"Ah. If that's the case, it can't be helped."

'Easy.'

Priestess Tijiling looked at Yi-Han in disbelief, but Yi-Han ignored her as if he hadn't seen it.

"The priests who received leave passes will normally buy items outside and come back, and the rest of the people will go out and come back in turns. Got it?"

"Got it."

The students' eyes burned with motivation.

Perhaps learning magic this year was for moments like this.

To strike a blow against the abominable and evil grand mage!

***

Crack, crackle crackle crackle!

The realm gate artifact, which received several times more mana than last time, tore through space and opened the passage once again.

Adenart, who was present, had a serious expression.

The mana was several times stronger than last time, and the durability of the artifact didn't look very sturdy.

Adenart whispered cautiously.

"Is it really okay...?"

"It can't be helped if we want to maintain it until we return. I calculated it, and it should be fine."

"Is that so? Phew. That's a relief."

"...Probably."

"?!"

Adenart was startled and hurriedly looked at Yi-Han again, but the students had already started entering.

Yi-Han gestured to the princess's followers.

As she was being dragged away by her followers, the princess stared at Yi-Han, but Yi-Han ignored her.

These days, he felt like his talent for ignoring gazes was increasing.

'In theory, a round trip should definitely be possible.'

It was possible as long as the seniors didn't make a mistake or incorrectly insert something while creating the artifact.

Yi-Han trusted the seniors.

[That crazy skeleton won't even be able to imagine where we're targeting. Haha. If it's completed, your villa in the city will be ours!]

Yi-Han closed the journal placed next to him and pushed it to the side.