“Wardanaz.”

Some students from the enchanting class spotted I-han and approached him, carrying large crates in their hands.

“What do you think of this?”

“I already told you last time, that should be enough…”

“No way, Wardanaz! We don’t know what we might end up needing!”

Professor Verdus had already explained the details of the final exam to the students. They had to create the best possible artifact on the spot using only discarded materials.

The issue was that, to most students, this sounded absurd.

—"It’s hard enough making one with decent materials; what’s this nonsense about using scraps? Has he lost it?"

—"Isn’t Professor Verdus just being stingy and unwilling to give us proper materials?”

‘I think it’s possible even with discarded materials, though.’

Actually, I-han disagreed with his friends but chose not to say anything, fearing backlash. Instead, he joined them in grumbling about Verdus.

—"Verdus must be embezzling the materials!"

—"Whoa, Wardanaz, that’s a bit much…”

—"Oh? Is it?”

Students at Einroguard generally believed that if a professor assigned unreasonable tasks, they were justified in retaliating appropriately.

Naturally, they decided to take on this final head-on.

The plan? Stock the storage room for discarded materials with proper supplies in advance!

Their shopping spree outside had allowed them to prepare for the test in this creative way.

But even after filling the storage with ample materials, the students didn’t stop. Their anxiety about the test kept pushing them to bring more.

“I think we’re good now. That’s *Chenghon Stone*, right? We already have three crates of it, so we’re more than set.”

“But… what if it all goes to waste during crafting?”

“How could you possibly waste three crates…? Besides, there’s *Ghost Ink* among the discarded materials; I checked, and it’s fine. Relax.”

“But what if it spoils? Better to bring extra.”

‘Enchanting exams aren’t supposed to be this tense…’

I-han thought to himself.

Compared to other exams, the enchanting final was relatively safe. This wasn’t because Verdus was kind or caring but rather because he simply didn’t care enough to make the test dangerous.

Professors who were more invested in their students often made their exams riskier. Verdus’s indifference, however, meant the test was one of the safer ones.

“All right, all right. Just take it to the storage. You guys know this is a waste, right? If you don’t use it all, it’s going to be for nothing.”

I-han pitied his friends, who were wasting the supplies they’d brought in.

It wasn’t as if they were only studying here for a year. If they wanted these materials again next year, it would take considerable effort to restock.

But his friends paid no attention to I-han’s words and continued to lug the crates along.

‘Those Blue Dragon Tower kids are way too wasteful,’ I-han thought with a sigh.

Students from other towers would likely not act so irrationally, letting their fears drive them like this.

*Clack—*

“......”

“......”

At the storage room entrance, I-han ran into Salco and other Black Turtle Tower students, who, feeling awkward, explained as they piled their crates inside.

“We… we just thought we might be short on materials.”

“With that much, you could build a fortress.”

I-han shook his head, turning to leave.

“......”

“......”

Then, students from the White Tiger Tower appeared, carrying more crates.

“We forgot something last time…”

“Hey, keep it down. Explaining makes it more embarrassing.”

“Quiet and just get inside, you wasteful lot.”

“We’re not wasting anything!”

---

The Skull Principal watched the snow-covered campus with an unusually soft expression.

His Death Knights watched him, pleased.

Their master usually became sharper and fiercer toward the year’s end, as Empire inspectors often came with trivial issues, irritating him to no end.

-“Hold on a second, Lord Gonadaltes. These students received 383 Imperial gold coins, but the records show only 382. Where did the last coin go? Don’t tell me it was used for some magical experiment.”

-“Let’s not fuss over something so trivial! Students can make mistakes, can’t they?”

-“How is 382 out of 383 trivial?!”

But this year was different.

Heartwarming stories from outside the academy had melted the inspector’s icy heart.

The inspector even used his authority to pass this year’s audit, much to the satisfaction of the Skull Principal and the Death Knights’ delight.

If only every year could be like this!

-“Perhaps next year, we should release a wanted criminal in the city and have the students hunt them down?”

-“Hmm. They might take the chance to escape into the city.”

As the Death Knights discussed, the door suddenly flew open.

*Bang!*

What’s the meaning of this?

The Skull Principal glared at the Death Knight who had barged in, irritated by the disturbance to his peaceful moment.

-“There’s… there’s a problem, sir.”

!

The Skull Principal’s gaze turned sharp.

For his Death Knights to call something a “problem,” it was certainly serious.

What now…? Did those Enchanting students blow something up? I told them to work in the desert! Do they have any idea how expensive the old campus building is?!

-“No, sir, it wasn’t the Enchanting students.”

Then what? Did the Outdoor Club break a hole in the wall again? They’ve been banging on it nonstop…

-“The Outdoor Club students are all confined in the detention room.”

Then what’s the issue? Did someone escape detention?

-“It’s… um…”

The Death Knight hesitated, bowing his head as he nervously muttered.

-“Sir Eunrade has returned.”

......

Eunrade, an Einroguard graduate who had recently escorted the inspector back, had come back to the academy.

Eunrade himself wasn’t particularly sinister or dangerous.

But his unexpected return, especially after leaving with the inspector, was ominous.

Why?

-“I… I don’t know. He insisted on speaking with you personally…”

The Skull Principal’s surroundings trembled, objects floating and shaking.

Fearing for the expensive items around him, the Death Knights quickly interjected.

-“Master, it could be about something else!”

-“Yes, maybe it’s just a friendly visit…”

As if.

The Skull Principal forced himself to calm down.

It wasn’t that his anger had faded; he simply realized breaking his own belongings would be a loss.

Fine, let him in. Let’s hear why he’s back.

Moments later, Eunrade entered, looking like a condemned man.

Head lowered almost to the floor, he entered humbly.

Raise your head, Sir Eunrade.

“Could… you call me something less formal, Principal?”

Sensing the danger he was in, Eunrade tried to recall their student-teacher bond.

Nonsense! I can’t disrespect an official representative of the Empire.

“But… I was once your student…”

Silence. Just get to the point. Are we under another audit? Is there a special inspection? Or has our budget been cut?

“It’s none of those, Principal.”

The Skull Principal’s gaze softened slightly.

Then? Did you return out of nostalgia?

“No, it’s… His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet with you privately. At the end of the term.”

Why? What did I do?

The Principal’s anger reignited at the thought of being summoned again so soon.

The Death Knights quickly spoke up, fearing for the Empire official’s safety.

-“It might be a reward, sir!”

-“Yes, a reward!”

‘Ugh.’

Eunrade groaned inwardly, recalling the scolding he’d received last semester for suggesting the same thing.

A reward? Do you know how many times I’ve been rewarded for running Einroguard?

“I… I don’t know.”

Less than the number of times you’ve topped your class.

“Well… I never topped my class…”

Indeed, you know yourself well.

The Skull Principal felt a headache brewing.

What kind of disaster had a student caused this time?

“Um, Principal…”

Is there more? Stop dragging this out, or I’ll throw you in the detention room!

Holding back tears, Eunrade said, “His Majesty also requested that you bring along I-han of the Wardanaz family… And I swear I’m not making this up.”

......

-......

The Skull Principal and Death Knights fell silent at this unexpected request.

Eunrade glanced briefly at the window, considering whether jumping out might be preferable.

Hmm.

Instead of raging, the Skull Principal fell into deep thought.

Sit down.

“Yes, yes.”

What could His Majesty be thinking?

The Skull Principal gestured for his Death Knights and Eunrade to share their thoughts.

-“Perhaps His Majesty just wants to meet Wardanaz. He is, after all, one of the most remarkable students at Einroguard.”

If that’s all, it’s not so bad.

At least it wasn’t news about graduates turning forests into forbidden zones or students accidentally demolishing mercenary groups during side missions.

The Emperor had shown interest in Wardanaz last semester, so perhaps he wanted to meet him personally.

-“Master, I think this could be risky. Right after the Emperor mentioned him last semester, Wardanaz went off to defeat the Ghoul King, remember?”

That was an exception!

The Skull Principal was indignant.

How was he supposed to control a student who, on a whim, teamed up with adventurers to hunt the Ghoul King?

-“And then there was the Sea Serpent incident this semester…”

-“Come to think of it, there is a chance that once His Majesty hears all the details, he may hold you responsible

.”

How unfair. The virtuous always suffer.

The Skull Principal sighed.

But the Death Knights had a point.

Can we find a reason not to bring him? Most students return to their families during winter break. What about that?

Eunrade replied cautiously.

“Meeting His Majesty first would likely take precedence…”

…What if we assign him to help with freshman selection after the term ends?

“In the current circumstances, that might backfire…”

The Skull Principal glared at Eunrade, who lowered his head.

“Principal, there’s one thing I forgot to mention…”

I told you to say everything at once. Now I see why you never topped your class.

“...The Emperor added, ‘No excuses—just bring him along.’ I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!”

With that, Eunrade darted toward the window. The Skull Principal sighed and pulled him back.

Enough. What’s done is done. It’s not your fault.

-“But isn’t it kind of his fault?”

“Please…”

-“The truth should be told…”

Eunrade cursed the Death Knights, who seemed to take joy in his misery.