Yi-Han hesitated when someone other than Asan came out as the elder of the family.

'What is this? Is it a trap?' he thought.

Could it be that Asan was using this tactic because he didn't want to pay back the silver coins he borrowed?

'No. Asan isn't that wicked.'

However, he couldn't let his guard down.

Even if Asan wasn't like that, other members of the family could use cowardly tactics.

Just because they were nobles didn't mean they were all upright people.

If there were those who sincerely revered honor, there were also those like Yi-Han who considered honor as just a formality to maintain face.

There were quite a few ways to avoid paying back borrowed money while still preserving a noble's honor.

For example, if they found fault with Yi-Han's attitude and declared, "How dare a guest commit such rudeness. Please leave at once!" and issued an order to expel him, Yi-Han would be pushed out before he could even ask for the borrowed money.

If that happened, things would become quite troublesome.

As someone from the Wardanaz family, Yi-Han couldn't protest in front of the mansion, saying, "The Dargard family, pay back the borrowed silver coins!"

The noble way was to be direct and rough when it was a large sum, and for small amounts like Yi-Han's case, to spread rumors that damaged the other party's reputation and honor...

'Whether the Dargard family is disgraced or not, the problem is that not a single silver coin will return to me.'

A mutually unhappy ending.

That absolutely couldn't happen.

The best method was to avoid giving the other party any reason to find fault in the first place.

"Greetings. I am Yi-Han from the Wardanaz family," Yi-Han introduced himself with the utmost courtesy, without a single misstep in formality.

Seeing this, the stern expressions of Daihal and Haidan softened ever so slightly before returning to normal.

It was so brief that no one around them noticed, but Yi-Han was different.

A genius of reading people, acknowledged even by the skull principal, capable of discerning the emotions of Einroguard's eccentric professors!

'It seems I passed the first impression, at least.'

Although the other party seemed satisfied, Yi-Han didn't let his guard down.

He still hadn't figured out their true intentions.

"To meet a mage from the Wardanaz family like this, it's an honor. I am Daihal of the Dargard family," Daihal said.

"I am Haidan of the Dargard family," Haidan introduced herself.

Yi-Han shook hands with the twins. Their hands were dry and cold.

"As someone from the Wardanaz family, you must be making a name for yourself at Einroguard as well," Daihal remarked.

"No, that's not the case. The bloodline of a family doesn't necessarily guarantee ability, and there are so many outstanding students at Einroguard," Yi-Han replied humbly.

The expressions of the twins stiffened slightly again.

For someone from the renowned Wardanaz family of the empire to say such weak words, they suspected his abilities might be lacking.

"Is that so? Pardon me, but I'm curious about which students are more outstanding than a mage from the Wardanaz family. Who are they?" Daihal inquired.

"Uh..." Yi-Han was at a loss for words.

Of course, it was only natural since he was the top student of the year.

The harm of excessive humility!

'Damn. Did I make a mistake?'

"?"

When Yi-Han didn't answer, the twins' brows furrowed slightly.

At that moment, Asan whispered softly beside him, "Brother, Sister. Wardanaz is the top student of the year."

"Is that true?" Daihal asked.

"You've made a very excellent friend," Haidan remarked.

Daihal and Haidan's expressions relaxed to the point where one could say they were 'gentle' for the first time today.

Seeing this side of his strict siblings for the first time, Asan couldn't help but be surprised.

"...It's not something to be so happy about that Wardanaz is the top student, is it? You're not usually like this..." Asan muttered.

"What are you talking about? We're just happy that you've made a good friend," Daihal retorted.

"It's because you make mistakes all the time, so there's nothing to be happy about. If you had done things properly in the first place..." Haidan trailed off.

Listening beside them, Yi-Han thought to himself, 'Hmm. They're quite crazy people.'

It might be a bit rude, but seeing how they nagged their younger brother, they didn't seem to be in their right minds.

Judging by their appearance, he could also guess why the two of them had come out. It was to assess what kind of person their younger brother's friend was.

'It's a good thing I came before Gainando.'

Yi-Han had the same thought as Asan.

"And this person is..." Daihal asked, looking at Ratford.

As Ratford, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, was about to open his mouth nervously, Yi-Han took the lead.

"This is Ratford. The top student in his tower."

"!"

Once again, the expressions of Daihal and Haidan softened.

"You've made excellent friends," Daihal remarked.

"Learn a lot and work hard," Haidan added.

"The first reception room should be empty right now. You can use that. If you need anything, feel free to ask," Daihal offered.

The twins politely bid farewell to Yi-Han and Ratford once more, looking satisfied as they withdrew.

Ratford asked in confusion, "I'm not the top student in the tower, though?"

"It meant the top thief. Let's go," Yi-Han clarified.

"..."

Ratford and Asan looked at Yi-Han in disbelief, but Yi-Han paid no heed.

"...So that's why they're like that," Yi-Han said sympathetically after hearing Asan's detailed explanation.

'Wait. This isn't the right atmosphere to ask about when I'll get the money.'

No matter how much Yi-Han wanted to receive the money quickly and move on to the next mansion, he wasn't the type to bring up his business in front of a friend who was saying, "My life is miserable because of my overly talented brother and sister."

"I'm sorry, Wardanaz. Actually, it's not just me who goes through this kind of worry. You must be similar, right, Wardanaz?" Asan asked.

Not everyone in a great noble family was happy and comfortable.

As the honor and responsibility as heavy as the family's history weighed on their shoulders from birth, the children of the family had no choice but to compete fiercely with each other.

Of course, in Yi-Han's eyes, it sounded quite like a privilege problem.

It was better to compete fiercely within the family than to be among those who didn't even compete fiercely without a family...

And above all, Yi-Han's situation was different from Asan's.

"No. In our family, we don't really care about each other," Yi-Han replied.

"Really? Well, the Wardanaz family is a bit unique."

Among the great noble families, it was rare to find a family as uninterested in the empire's politics or social life as the Wardanaz family.

A stubborn family that poured all their interest solely into magic.

"By the way, Asan. The borrowed..." Yi-Han began.

"Ah! What should I do, Wardanaz? I don't want to disappoint my brother and sister! Help me, Wardanaz. I'm sure you can give me 100% certain advice," Asan pleaded.

"..."

Yi-Han was flustered but calmly changed the subject.

"You mentioned there's a gathering in the mansion's salon today, right? You can showcase your abilities there."

Yi-Han didn't know the level of students from other magic academies.

But one thing was certain.

They definitely couldn't be better than the students of Einroguard.

'No matter how I think about it, that's impossible.'

With Asan's magic skills, it would be enough to impress the guests who came to the gathering.

Then Asan's brother and sister would also be satisfied with their younger brother's abilities...

...and Yi-Han could receive the borrowed money and leave.

"Indeed. At the gathering. That's a good idea," Asan agreed.

"Actually, it would be even better to just pretend you don't exist," Yi-Han muttered.

"Thanks for the joke, Wardanaz. Thanks to you, I've gained confidence," Asan said, not catching the sarcasm.

'It wasn't a joke, though.'

Just because famous figures of the city gathered in the salon didn't mean they did anything extraordinary.

In fact, aside from the refreshments and drinks served, it wasn't much different from the lounge in the tower.

Musicians played chamber music (in the tower's lounge, students sang because they were hungry), well-dressed nobles sat and played chess or card games (the same in the tower's lounge), and they talked about interesting things that had recently happened in the city...

"This is the new jeweled staff I acquired. Three others besides me were after it, so it took quite a bit of effort, but it was worth it," someone boasted.

"I'm a bit worried about the rising price of Amad these days. I've commissioned a workshop, but if they ask for a higher price..." another person shared their concern.

'Familiar.'

Even bragging about obtained items and talking about recent worries were the same as the students in the tower.

"Oh my. Could you be students from Einroguard?" someone asked as Yi-Han, Asan, and Ratford made their appearance.

As it was the vacation period and they had heard that a descendant of the Dargard family had enrolled in Einroguard, they couldn't help but be curious.

"That's right," Yi-Han confirmed.

"What an honor! I am Guun, a humble silk and cloth merchant," an elf named Guun introduced himself.

Guun's words were close to modesty. Someone who ran a small cloth business couldn't possibly dress like Guun.

The patterned silk and the ornaments on his wrists.

One could guess how wealthy he was.

'A rich man.'

And Yi-Han liked rich people.

"I am Yi-Han from the Wardanaz family. Pleased to make your acquaintance," Yi-Han introduced himself, extending his hand with a fake smile to gain favor, just like before.

And Yi-Han could see it.

The fear flickering like a flame in the other person's eyes.

"Wa... Wardanaz family...! Ple- pleased to meet you..." Guun stammered.

"..."

Yi-Han lamented inwardly.

He just wanted to become friendly, but with just the name of the Wardanaz family, this was the result!

Still, Yi-Han didn't give up and said, "Although my skills are still lacking, if you ever need assistance related to magic..."

In fact, this offer didn't hold much meaning.

Of course, even a first-year student at Einroguard was far more skilled than the wandering mages one could most easily encounter outside.

Mages were an extremely rare profession, and thanks to that, there were quite a few who boasted about being mages just by summoning a single flame.

However, someone who could attend a gathering like this would have the ability to call a proper mage, not such a wanderer.

In other words, Yi-Han's offer wasn't really about telling them to let him know if they needed magical assistance, but more like saying, "Let's use this as an excuse to be friendly with each other."

"Yes... I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your consideration," Guun replied.

'Damn. It failed.'

Of course, the other party's reaction wasn't very good. Yi-Han felt bitter.

"You're students from Einroguard?" someone else asked.

Yi-Han and his friends turned their heads.

At a glance, they could tell that the other person was a mage. The flow of mana around them was different from other places.

"That's right," Yi-Han confirmed.

"I heard you're freshmen. Would it be alright to test your skills?" the mage asked.

If it were any other situation, Yi-Han would have crushed them, using his family name or whatever else, saying, "Who are you to presumptuously test me? Have you ever given me gold coins? Are you a professor?"

But now, it was different.

He had already intended to showcase his magic skills in front of the people participating in the gathering.

'Much appreciated.'

Originally, he couldn't have done this directly.

If Yi-Han had said something like, "Ladies and gentlemen, please look this way. The students from Einroguard will show you something," it would have damaged his reputation and honor.

The correct way was for the other party to say, "I've heard about you. I'd like to see your skills," and then reluctantly respond, "Well, just once."

"Although my skills are still lacking, I will do my best," Yi-Han replied.

"What's going on?"

"I heard the students from Einroguard are going to demonstrate magic."

"What great fortune has befallen us today. To think we'd get to see something like this."

The guests who were nearby also stopped their conversations or games and started to show interest.

A perfectly prepared situation.

'But who is the other person?'

"Let me formally introduce myself. I am Doin from the Valer family. I received advanced magic training at Baldurguard," the mage introduced himself.

"Ah."

"Hmm."

One of the guests beside them let out an exclamation of admiration.

"Baldurguard! Isn't it one of the best magic academies in the empire?"

'Is this how academy pride is born?'

For a moment, Yi-Han almost reflexively retorted.

What kind of magic academy allowed free outings?