SMMA 81

Chapter 81

“Are you willing to forget our misunderstandings and cooperate for a better future?”
“It’d be easier to dream of the school collapsing instead.”
That was the reply from one of the White Tiger Tower students.
Ihan thought that wasn’t a bad idea either.
“Of all people, for you to be talking about cooperation, Wadanaz!”
To several White Tiger students, Ihan was already the infamous Archmage.
“Because you stole the flag, our chance at a good grade in this <Basic Magic Conduct> class is gone!”
“That sounds like a misunderstanding. It’s not confirmed you’ll get an F—yet.”
Ihan tried to logically persuade them.
If he could logically explain “why cooperation is mutually beneficial,” maybe even these stubborn knights would listen.
“Of course, there is a 95% chance you’ll get an F, but still!”
“Ha ha! Ha ha! He said F! F!”
“……”
Of course, there was no guarantee the Blue Dragon kids would help.
Asan and Gainanado tried to back him up but wilted under Ihan’s murderous glare.
‘Did we do something wrong?’
‘We were just trying to help…’
“Think about it. The headmaster gives these lessons for the sake of our education. Would he really give you an F for a single assignment?”
Ihan thought he absolutely would, but didn’t show it.
“If you give up just because of one mistake, that’s how you really get an F. But if you keep trying, maybe everyone will get an A by the end of the semester. And think about the outing pass. You have no idea how great it is outside. I’ve been—outside is paradise.”
Except for the headmaster’s traps.
“You don’t have to wake up early on that hard bed, and you can eat whatever you want. Just think about that.”
Even as they tried to resist, the idea tempted the White Tiger students.
Some were already wondering, ‘Should we cooperate? Just this once?’
But it wasn’t so simple.
Giselle stepped up.
“Well. Is that really true?”
“Moradi. I know you have a grudge against me, but my intention is—”
Ihan tried to sow discord, but it didn’t work. Giselle’s influence was on another level.
As she spoke with sharp neutrality, the White Tiger students’ attention locked on her.
“When has anything gone well by siding with Wadanaz?”
“You’re the one who sent your underlings to attack me! Everyone, don’t be fooled. Giselle—”
“And the students sent to punishment with Wadanaz?”
“That was a misunderstanding. The headmaster did that.”
“And last time, who raided the lounge?”
“The headmaster made us do it—”
Ihan did his best to defend himself, but the atmosphere had already turned.
Clack—
Yonellia put her hand on Ihan’s shoulder, shaking her head.
It meant there was nothing to be done.
‘Damn.’
Ihan had pushed his luck, but his past actions caught up; there was a limit to how much he could fake being a nice guy. He sighed.
Was there no other way?
“Derregue, come here.”
“?”
The honorable orc from House Choi, Derregue, started to approach.
“Don’t go, Derregue.”
“Yeah, something’s not right.”
But Derregue replied as if it was nonsense.
“Ihan isn’t that kind of friend.”
…Or is he?
Ignoring the protest, Derregue walked to Ihan.
“Here, Ihan. What’s up?”
As Derregue neared, Ihan grabbed him and roared fiercely:
“If you don’t cooperate, I won’t guarantee Derregue’s life. I’ll use him at the lake and toss him to the bottom when we’re done!”
“…That bastard!!”
The White Tiger students were horrified.
So Wadanaz showed his true colors after all!
Derregue looked startled, but figured out the plan.
‘Ihan’s mediating between the towers like this.’
“Save me…”
Seeing Derregue’s miserable, sad face, several White Tiger students felt as if their hearts were tearing.
Rapadel burst out:
“Stop, you Wadanaz fiend! We’ll cooperate, just let go of Derregue!!”
“Right, we’ll cooperate, just let him go!!”
They all shouted to Ihan.
“On your honor?”
“On our honor!”
“Fine. I’ll release him. But be careful from now on.”
Ihan let Derregue go.
Giselle stared at Ihan with an expression of utter disbelief.
“See, if you’d just agreed to cooperate sooner, it would’ve been easier for everyone.”
“You’re even more wicked than I am, Wadanaz. That’s something to be proud of. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“That’s just your opinion.”
Ihan retorted, turning away.
Gainanado nodded, but froze as Ihan caught his eye.
“You’re not thinking—”
“No, no! Just stretching my neck!”

The <Basic Magic Conduct> assignment was tricky, but Ihan and friends couldn’t focus on it.
Not just because they had to cooperate with the White Tigers…
“So, when are you actually going to do it, Lord Ihan Wadanaz?”
“Still thinking.”
Yonellia whispered beside him,
“Why are you being so formal to Priest Siana? That’s not like you.”
“…Was I?”
Only then did Ihan realize he’d been a little overwhelmed by Siana’s madness.
He wasn’t at fault.
Anyone would be intimidated when she said, “Let’s just break into the professor’s lab for potion ingredients.”
“Why are you two acting so weird?”
“Haha, it’s nothing… no, really, nothing.”
Yonellia tried to cover for him.
“The Plemmeng Order sometimes does anything for alchemy.”
‘Yonellia isn’t very good at PR.’
But the important thing wasn’t Priest Siana’s or Plemmeng’s madness—but exactly when to act.
What if they opened the lab and Professor Thunderstep was inside?
That would mean a month of nightmares.
‘It has to be evening or night. But what day? Should we do it during the week? Or the weekend?’
Ihan hadn’t figured out Thunderstep’s schedule.
He saw the professor at the hut sometimes, but never knew his full routine.
And if Ihan asked Thunderstep directly, he’d become a suspect…
“Wadanaz. No need to come to the hut today.”
Lightningstep, having come down to teach <Basic Riding Training>, spoke to Ihan.
Ihan had been learning to tame flying mounts after chores at the hut.
“Is something up?”
“I have to take my nephew to market for some things.”
“I see.”
Ihan did his best to keep his face and voice normal.
“When are you leaving?”
“I’ll go after today’s class, back tomorrow. Sorry to leave without you, especially when you work so hard.”
He truly felt guilty. For a student like Wadanaz, who worked like an ox, a field trip was deserved.
“It’s nothing, professor. The rules apply equally to everyone.”
“Are you being threatened by Gonadaltes or something? Well, I’ll bring you some ‘beer candy’ when I return.”
Dwarven snacks were odd, but Ihan didn’t mind. Any treat was welcome.
And then—
‘Tonight!’
Opportunity had come. Calling his friends, he whispered urgently.
“Tonight.”
“…!”
“Tonight…!”
Everyone was startled, but no one backed out.
“Even better. Then we can rest over the weekend.”
“Tonight, huh… I’d been waiting.”
Asan solemnly extended his hand.
“For a semester free of assignments!”
“For a semester free of assignments!”
“…?”
Ihan blinked.
When did they come up with that slogan?

“Alright, take your assigned places. I’m sure you’re all getting to know your horses. Some get up to feed and brush them at dawn, others roll in late and barely pat their horse once.”
Gainanado flinched.
“I’m not going to scold you. This school leads you to water but won’t force you to drink. It’s all up to you.”
‘Feels like they just throw us into the river to start with…’
“Are we riding today?” a nervous student asked.
They weren’t ready for horse-riding just yet—none had built true bonds.
“No. It takes more than a semester to bond that well. Today you’ll learn to handle other monsters.”
Lightningstep whistled sharply.
A blazing puppy bounded over, drawing awe from the students—by now, no one took ‘cute’ for granted.
Yet Ihan was tense.
In this magic school, cute could be more dangerous than scary.
Not that ugly monsters weren’t dangerous…
“If you’re smiling because it’s cute, you all fail. You should have noticed its flames. Before you know it, half of you will be dead if that puppy attacks.”
The burning puppy panted, rolling on its back. Lightningstep scratched its belly, pleased.
“Most mages manage elemental beasts only because the dumb ones die first. So many have died trying to tame fire beasts you couldn’t list them all.”
The students unconsciously stepped back, gaining several meters of distance.
“Today’s lesson is taming flame monsters. Be glad it’s just a puppy. If it were a horse, you’d die to trampling before burning. Wadanaz.”
Star pupils always went first.
Suppressing a sigh, Ihan stepped forward.
“You’ll demonstrate. Drink this.”
Lightningstep tossed a potion. Ihan was relieved.
‘At least I’m not touching it barehanded.’
Lightningstep would have been indignant to hear that, but Ihan drank the fire-resistance potion.
It burned going down his throat, like a strong liquor; he caught a faint, sharp scent as he exhaled.
“All done? Good. Now see how long you can spend with that puppy.”
“How long does the potion last?”
“That’s for you to find out.”
“……”
Ihan paused.
‘So I have to sense danger and escape on my own?’
A training exercise to develop magical intuition for sensing danger—without relying solely on resistance magic or potions.
…Convincing himself wasn’t easy.
‘Damn. Last out is always the luckiest in these.’
If he watched the others first, he could time his attempt…
Ihan steeled himself, preparing to activate magic at a split second’s notice.
With a pleasant smile, he approached the pup.
The burning puppy whined nervously.
“Don’t scare it!!”
“But I didn’t do anything…”