SMMA 109

Chapter 109

Ihan was taken aback.
Among all the professors’ reactions he knew, one was missing.

What did I do wrong?

But no matter how much he thought about it, he could find no fault of his own.

Is it because I have too much mana?

He asked cautiously,
“Is it difficult to learn illusion magic because I have too much mana?”

“No.”

“Then, is it a lack of control?”

“No. That’s sufficient. Well… eh. Alright, I suppose I should tell you.”

Professor Kirmin Ku hesitated before deciding to open up to Ihan.

“Wardanaz. Right now, you have…”

Ihan tensed, knowing that when the professor spoke so seriously, it meant a grave problem—
Just like when Professor Garcia Kim had diagnosed him with mana overload, an incurable disease.

“You have too many professors interested in you.”

“……”

Ihan was dumbfounded.

Mana overload was one thing, but professor overload?

The latter sounds far more dangerous.

If the former was survivable, the latter threatened his very life.

“Why is that a problem…”

“Think about it. Won’t it be exhausting if you have to study illusion magic on top of all the other professors’ lessons?”

Ah.

Ihan understood Kirmin’s meaning and felt moved.
With those words alone, Kirmin could easily be counted among the top 1% of the academy’s professors in terms of character.
He seemed a worthy rival to Professor Garcia Kim himself.

“No.”

Ihan answered firmly.
He couldn’t skip lectures with professors like those, even if he avoided others.

First, it was essential to build good relations!
He never knew when he might need them. If he ignored them now due to difficulties, he’d suffer regrettable consequences later.

No matter how kind a professor was, a professor was still a professor.
If he tried to join late, the likely answer would be, “Sorry, no seats left.”

“I will attend, Professor. I’m prepared.”

Ihan’s gaze burned with passion, startling Kirmin.
He hadn’t expected such intensity here.
His sculpted features shone with determination, leaving a strong impression.

“It’ll be tough.”

“That’s okay.”

“Alright. Then come to the next meeting.”

Kirmin patted Ihan’s shoulder.
A passionate student always delighted their teacher.
And with talent like Wardanaz, he couldn’t be more pleased.

“Be careful—it’ll be difficult.”

“Yes. And don’t worry too much. I just won’t add any more courses.”

“……”

Kirmin’s eyes held a curious look—as though foreseeing an unhappy fate—but to Ihan, it went unnoticed.

After Kirmin ended the lecture and left, the students prepared to stand.
Of all their professors during the week, only Professor Garcia Kim—the half-angel, half-troll—didn’t torment them with assignments.
Yet Garcia wore a guilty expression as he spoke,
“Everyone, just a moment. There’s a quiz this week.”

“……”
“……”

The students stared at Garcia, wounded and betrayed. Still, Garcia didn’t back down.

“So you should prepare.”

“What kind of questions will be on the exam?”

A student asked. Garcia nodded and answered,
“We’ve spent the past month learning the basics of magic and exploring various fields. The quiz will test how well you’ve absorbed this knowledge.”

“Hah… but Professor, I don’t know much about black magic…”

“Will summoning magic be on the test too?”

Murmurs spread among the students. Most who entered had clear goals—those passionate about certain types of magic generally showed little interest in others.

Garcia reassured them.
“Relax. The questions will be tailored to each student. You won’t be asked about fields you’re not suited for or interested in.”

Relieved sighs echoed around.
Ihan, sharing the comfort with friends, hesitated for a moment.

Wait.

Thinking back, Ihan realized he’d participated in every field Garcia had taught.

…What?

Am I really supposed to prepare for everything?

For the first time since entering the academy, Ihan tasted true fear.

Tuesday.
Basic Mount Training class was held at a field farther away than usual.

Lightningstep Professor was waiting, lighting his pipe.

“Look at that!”

“Too cute!”

Students murmured excitedly.
Behind Lightningstep were baby bears—round and adorable—so unlike their adult forms that were almost unrecognizable.

The students, worn down by weeks of lectures and assignments, showed expressions fitting their age when seeing the cubs.

“The professor does care for us, after all.”

“Yeah. We deserve some rest.”

After surviving assignments and mid-term quizzes, spending time frolicking in the field felt like a well-earned break.

And unlike the raging hellhound last time, these cubs seemed utterly harmless. It was truly a moment of relaxation.

“You all here?”

“Yes!”

The students responded in unison—twice as lively as usual.

“Good. Now, time for the quiz. Each bring your horse.”

“?”

“????”

Confused by this sudden command, the students asked,
“What about the cubs?”
“The cubs?”

Lightningstep took his pipe from his mouth, turned his head, and nodded as if figuring something out.

“Oh, those cubs aren’t for today’s lesson. My friend asked me to watch them for a bit.”

“……”

The students were even more disappointed than when they met the Skeleton Headmaster.
Lightningstep laughed heartily.

“If you want to play with cubs, go do that after several decades when you retire. Now, bring your horses! Let’s see how well you all know each other.”

“I’m not ready yet. Can we do this next time?”

“Beasts don’t wait for you. When a hungry beast attacks, will you ask it to wait? Move!”

Students walked forward, their faces anxious and uneasy.
Those who seldom visited the stables were especially nervous, but even the frequent visitors looked uneasy.

Will it be okay?
Last time it tried to run off ignoring commands…

The horses in the stables were violent and temperamental.
Even those who thought they had built a bond weren’t sure how their horses would react once fully freed.

Ihan felt the same.

Hmm.

Maybe it was just his mood, but Ihan thought the white horse he was responsible for had the worst temperament in the stable.
Large and sturdy, it was far more aggressive than any other horse.
Sometimes Ihan wondered if it was really a horse.

Maybe Thunderstep gave it some potion.

But where the white horse had wildness, Ihan had intellect. He had found his own way to handle the beast.

“Here.”

Ihan fitted a mana-absorbing iron bracelet and belt on the horse.
The horse flared and whinnied in protest, but Ihan remained firm.
If he left those off, who knew what betrayal the white horse might commit?

Puhuh.
The white horse was cunning and sharp.
Realizing strength wouldn’t work on this mad freshman, it gave a mournful look with miserable eyes.

But Ihan was even more relentless.

“Sorry. No amount of threats or pleas will change my mind.”

Puhuhu!
The horse glared at him, but the artifacts absorbed its mana steadily.
Weakened, it obeyed when Ihan pulled the reins.

One day, we’ll see who really wins!

“Amazing…”
“That wild horse!”

White Tiger Tower students whispered as they watched Ihan bring out the white horse.
When Ihan was first given the fiercest horse in the stable, they mocked him, sure he couldn’t tame it.
But now, the horse had turned remarkably docile and followed Ihan obediently.

The proud white horse looked like it had been with the boy of House Wardanaz for a very long time.

Before he knew it, Angrago spoke.

“Wardanaz really is something else.”

“…Angrago, are you crazy?? Why all of a sudden?”

“What kind of spell did the island cast on him?”

“Oh no. I’m just talking about his abilities, separate from how much I hate him!”

Surprised, Angrago hurriedly defended himself.
“Angrago, you’re weird. You’re not even insulting Wardanaz.”
“Maybe he really did something to Wardanaz…”
“No! I hate Wardanaz! I said I hate him!”

Meanwhile, not only Ihan but other students carefully led their horses outside, mostly Black Turtle Tower students who took good care of theirs.
There were also some from Phoenix and White Tiger Towers, but very few from Blue Dragon Tower.

Ihan felt ashamed of his friends.

Such lazy bums.

No wonder Salko of the Tutanta family disliked nobles.
They deserved all the scolding they got.

Lightningstep placed a sundial atop a rock.

“Once you’ve brought out your horses, follow the road. You’ll reach a river—water them there, then return for a passing grade.”

Mud-covered Gainando whispered,
“Wouldn’t it work if we just drank from a well and came back?”

“Right. If anyone lies about watering and doesn’t take them to the river, I’ll throw them in.”

“……”

Gainando quietly brushed mud from his hair.

“Then get started!”

Lightningstep tapped his pipe and shouted.
Students scattered across the field, leading their horses along the path.

Princess Adenart rode elegantly, followed by her attendants, slowly walking the trail.

Other students who had bonded well with their horses also mounted and rode.
Others looked on enviously.

Yoener was able to get on a horse, but instead of riding, he watched Ihan.

Ihan was walking, leading the white horse by the reins.

“Not riding?”

“I might get tired if I do.”

Puhung!

The white horse whinnied, protesting for the removal of its bracelet and belt.

Ihan ignored it.

Walking is safer.

Though submissive thanks to drained mana, walking sapped the horse’s stamina. If it collapsed during the ride, it would be disastrous. Ihan simply planned to walk together with it.

Yoener shrugged and grabbed the reins.

“Yoener, you can ride if you want.”

“I’m worried the horse might get tired too.”

Yoener’s brown horse neighed softly and nuzzled him in thanks.

Yoener laughed, tickled by it. Ihan suddenly felt a bit sad.

Why is it just me, without a spirit or even a horse…

“And you’re my friend.”

“Thanks.”

Ihan said sincerely.

Bang!

From behind, Gainando bounced out of the stable and rolled across the ground. He had tried to forcefully pull a horse he wasn’t familiar with.

Mud-covered Gainando shouted,
“Guys! Wait! You’ll come with me, right? We’re friends!”

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

Ihan and Yoener left coldly.
Friends had to work together at the stable first thing in the morning.