People within a family typically couldn't know the rumors or reputation surrounding their own lineage.
For a family like Wardanaz, their estate was larger than most castles, and their lands stretched as wide as a decent-sized city.
Naturally, the people living or working there wouldn't dare speak carelessly about the Wardanaz family…
"Is there something wrong with the Wardanaz family?"
"N-No… nothing at all. Totally fine."
Nilia took another step back.
"I don't know what rumors you've heard, but they're all nonsense."
Despite Lee Han's words, Nilia didn't lower her guard. Yoner spoke up in a comforting tone.
"It's common for absurd rumors to circulate about noble families in the Empire. Don't worry about it too much."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, the Wardanaz family's rumors are a bit extreme…"
"…"
That wasn't very comforting.
While the two were talking, Nilia seemed to have gathered her thoughts and spoke in a resolute voice.
"Right. There's no reason for me to be scared just because it's the Wardanaz family."
"What rumors did you hear?"
"…"
Nilia hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should say it or not.
Telling the person in question felt a little…
- The head of the Wardanaz family is actually a dragon. During the undead frenzy in the western part of the continent, they flew in and incinerated all the undead with their breath.
- The Wardanaz bloodline gained immense magical power in exchange for a pact with an ancient, powerful spirit, but they lost their emotions in the process.
- Wizards from the Wardanaz family have neither blood nor tears. During the separatist riots in the Empire, a city vanished because of Wardanaz wizards who showed up.
…And so on and so forth.
The Wardanaz family's image was far more terrifying than Lee Han had ever imagined.
To the common folk of the Empire, they were like "ruthless magical monsters who don't show up normally but suddenly appear to wipe everything out whenever something big happens."
"When a major incident breaks out in the Empire, isn't it only natural for great wizards to step in?"
"Exactly. Don't let it bother you too much."
Lee Han felt wronged, and Yoner tried to console him. Watching their exchange, Nilia thought to herself,
'The rumor about them losing their emotions does seem like nonsense…?'
"Wait."
"?"
"Something's off. Look here."
Nilia pointed at the ground.
It was a hill covered in grass, making it nearly invisible, but with her dark elf senses and experience from the *Shadow Patrol*, Nilia had picked up on a trace.
"See it? Something pretty big stepped through here."
"Isn't it a bit shallow for that?"
"Good catch. It's definitely a smart one. It was controlling its strength to avoid leaving tracks, but it slipped up here while eating this fruit."
Yoner didn't show much interest.
Her focus was on alchemy, after all.
It was only natural that she wouldn't care about a hunter's tracking skills. Yoner was busy scanning the surroundings for herbs.
'Tch.'
Nilia inwardly clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Back with the *Shadow Patrol*, everyone had been on the same wavelength.
They were all hunters and rangers, and most of the villagers had hunters or rangers in their families, so any topic she brought up would spark a conversation.
- I almost got in big trouble. Its fur was so beautiful, I just *had* to catch it somehow…
- Haha! I get it. Back in my younger days…
Just mentioning a prey they'd encountered while hunting could lead to an hour-long chat.
In comparison, this place was full of people who were all too different.
- So, I had this experience in the mountains…
- Mountains?
- Uh, to go hunting…
- Hunting too?? Why?
- Because I'm part of the patrol…
- Can't you just buy it with money?
- …You little sh*t, do you really want to die?
- Eek!
For Nilia, who had experienced conversations like this, Yoner's reaction couldn't help but feel a little irritating.
But what could she do?
'Right. Not everyone's a hunter, so I'll just have to adjust.'
"Oh, interesting. Anything else?"
"…!"
Amidst this, Lee Han's reaction caught Nilia off guard.
He was listening intently with a look of genuine fascination.
Flustered, Nilia asked,
"Interesting?"
"Was that not supposed to be interesting?"
"…No, it's not that it *can't* be interesting, but I didn't exactly say it to be entertaining, though of course…"
"???"
As she started rambling, Lee Han, in turn, grew confused.
'Did she come here drunk?'
Realizing she was making strange remarks, Nilia quickly got back to the point.
"Fine! Anyway, when you find traces of a big prey like this, it's best to be cautious. See how the grass is cut here? It's got pretty big claws."
"I see."
Lee Han was naturally curious and enjoyed learning.
If he weren't, he wouldn't have gone to graduate school, even if he'd been tricked by a professor.
It wasn't just magic—hunters' wisdom like this was genuinely intriguing to him.
"Can you figure out what it is?"
"Not with this alone."
Nilia crossed her arms, sounding a bit disappointed.
There was a saying that seasoned hunters could identify a creature just by its tracks, but that was a fantasy.
Hunters could only do that if they'd lived in an area for a long time and knew all the monsters there by heart.
Without knowing what lived around here, there was no way to guess right away.
"Plus, I've heard there are all sorts of weird monsters around the magic school."
"Oh, I've heard that too."
Yoner nodded.
Einrogard was situated on land so rich with mana that it naturally attracted a lot of monsters due to its influence.
And aside from that…
"They say monsters created from experiments roam around the school. Rare slimes pop up often because of discarded potions too."
"…"
Lee Han was dumbfounded.
'Don't these wizards have any lab safety rules??'
From potions to artificially created magical creatures.
Weren't these things supposed to be strictly managed?
But since they just carelessly tossed them out, it was no wonder problems like this cropped up.
"We'll need to be extra careful."
"Well said! We'll move while keeping an eye on these tracks. It'll reduce the chance of an ambush."
"Can I learn how to read tracks too?"
Nilia blinked at Lee Han's question.
Worried he might have said something rude, Lee Han added,
"If it's hard to teach, feel free to ignore—"
"…It's definitely not easy, and you might give up halfway through. Do you even know how tough this skill is?"
"If you're willing to teach me, I'll do my best not to quit."
"…Hmph. Fine, I'll teach you, so let's see you try!"
Yoner whispered to Lee Han so Nilia wouldn't hear,
"Do you really need to learn something like that?"
"Why not? It looks fun."
"???"
"Found it. *Dok-ocho*."
While Nilia and Lee Han kept watch, Yoner spotted the herb.
Seeing the herb hidden among the thick undergrowth, Lee Han was impressed.
'She found it well.'
"There are only two."
"If we just find one more… Why's everyone so quiet?"
Yoner turned her head.
And then she realized why they'd gone silent.
- ■■…
A massive pig was glaring at them with intense hostility.
"Judging by the mana I can feel, it must've eaten something strange."
Sensing the mana emanating from the pig, Lee Han spoke calmly.
Whether it had consumed spilled reagents, a potion, or undergone some bizarre experiment…
"Now's not the time for that! Be careful!"
Nilia whispered urgently.
Pigs were by no means weak animals.
With their heavy bulk, surprisingly agile movements, and tusks, they were dangerous.
And this one wasn't some docile livestock—it was closer to a fully wild beast.
If it had gained mana from eating something odd, it was better to treat it as a monster.
"Think of it as a wild boar! Don't provoke it! Everyone, back away slowly!"
Nilia instructed the two.
Yoner steadied her trembling legs. Lee Han supported her while subtly stepping back.
- ■■■!
However, the pig let out a grunt and strode toward them.
It seemed quite enraged, snorting and puffing out steam.
"If we just keep retreating, it'll get dangerous."
Lee Han stopped, holding his staff.
Gripping it firmly with both hands like a spear, he stood in a stance that looked rather convincing.
'That's right…! He's from the Wardanaz family, isn't he?'
Only then did Nilia recall which family Lee Han belonged to.
A family of great wizards in the Empire—the Wardanaz family.
Given that, he might have learned a few spells even before coming here.
'Didn't he say earlier that his role was to drive off wild animals or monsters if they showed up?'
Nilia whispered to Lee Han in a low voice.
"Are you confident?"
"Not entirely sure, but probably?"
"If you fail, grab the redhead and run! I'll lure it away!"
Among the group, Nilia was the fastest at navigating mountains and hills.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Lee Han's magic, but as an experienced hunter, she always prepared for the worst-case scenario.
If things went south, Nilia planned to draw the pig's attention and shake it off herself.
Lee Han looked slightly touched by her words. Yoner felt the same.
"To go that far for us…"
"It's not like that!? It's just because I'm the only one who can do it, okay?!"
"Right. Thanks anyway. If it comes to that, I'll count on you."
Lee Han stopped talking and focused.
The pig was getting closer and closer.
'Three. Two. One.'
Lee Han calmly counted down, gauging the distance to his opponent.
Watching from behind, Nilia swallowed hard, her face tense.
What kind of magic was he planning to use against that pig?
**Thwack!!!**
"…"
A clear, resounding sound echoed from the pig's head.
Lee Han's chosen method was swinging his staff.
- You may be the king of black weapons, but you mustn't limit yourself to just the sword. Swordsmanship should prepare you even for situations without a sword. Sword, spear, club, dagger, bare hands—all of it.
- I see.
- …I know it's not my place to say, but aren't you going to complain?
- Why would I?
- Oh, uh, never mind.
Alarlong wasn't the type to go easy on someone just because they were a direct descendant of the family.
He trained Lee Han as strictly and harshly as he himself had been taught.
And Lee Han learned exceptionally well.
While other nobles might have whined, "Why do I have to do something this tough?!" Lee Han was the complete opposite.
'You'd pay to exercise, so isn't this pretty doable?'
Back in graduate school, he'd wanted to work out but couldn't, so he had no complaints about the current situation where Alarlong was teaching him every detail from start to finish.
Plus, whenever he got tired, the servants would rush over with food, drinks, and magic potions…
- Master Lee Han. You're probably wondering by now. Why aren't I teaching you how to infuse your weapon with aura like other knights?
- I wasn't even thinking about that. Could someone like me, a beginner, reach such an advanced level?
- …If it's not for aura, then why in the world did you want to learn swordsmanship??
Alarlong stopped mid-lesson and stared at Lee Han in disbelief.
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