Published at 8th of March 2026 8:15 am

Chapter 689

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

After the small commotion at the mansion ended, Lee Hans group quickly began their preparations.

Thanks to Mrs. Krahas kindness, the time needed to obtain necessary supplies in Plaher City was greatly reduced.

At the same time, some unnecessary items were also added.

-Here, Gainando who put mage cards in the silver pot, come out.

-Why, why me? It could be someone else!

All done? Depart! Lets depart!

After completing the final inspection, Lee Han climbed onto the carriage and gave the signal.

Clatter clatter-

Inside the carriage, his friends were already having a serious discussion about which items among the secured supplies should be prioritized for bringing into Einroguard.

Shouldnt food be the priority?

I think a bit differently. From second year, we can meet upperclassmen. The upperclassmen will have more food than us, so food might not be as scarce as it was in first year. Rather, bringing in luxury items like coffee, tea leaves, or sugar might be more advantageous for trading.

Wont the upperclassmen share some food with us?

That probably wont happen.

If I became an upperclassman, I dont think Id share food with underclassmen.

Food and luxury items are important, but Im worried about second-year lectures. I heard that from second year, lecture difficulty increases and club activities are added too. Plus, we have to conduct our own research and secure research funding, so shouldnt we prepare for that?

Certainly, as Yoner says, it might be good to bring in external grimoires, artifacts, or at least reagents.

But magazines and mage cards would be good trading items for upperclassmen starved for entertainment

These guys. I wish theyd concentrate this hard when preparing for exams.

Lee Han glared slightly at his friends.

Of course, it was right for everyone to think hard together, but how nice it would have been if they had thought this hard during exam time.

Wardanaz. Do you have some concern? Why is your expression

Haha. I suddenly got nervous since the new semester is starting soon.

Lee Han smoothly changed the subject and sat down.

Siana also laughed and said.

Haha. Theres no way Wardanaz would get nervous about something like that. What a joke.

No, I can get nervous too

Lee Han. What do you think?

Hm?

Durgyu, who had been talking with Ratford, called Lee Han. Both had serious expressions.

Its not something useless, is it? Like which mage card is good.

Theres no way hed call for something like that.

The two were exasperated.

At that reaction, Gainando flinched. When arguments broke out with Blue Dragon Tower friends over such things, they usually called Lee Han often.

What we were talking about was the upperclassmen.

While deciding which items to prioritize during smuggling was important, what was more important was deciding which methods to use.

In this regard, Lee Hans friends thought they should borrow the power of upperclassmen.

Since they had tried more methods and knew more magic, their perspective would be broader.

The problem was which upperclassmens power to borrow.

Durgyu wanted to borrow the power of White Tiger Tower upperclassmen who were skilled in transformation and enhancement magic, while Ratford wanted to borrow the power of Black Turtle Tower upperclassmen who would have excellent thieves.

There probably arent any priest upperclassmen who are good at smuggling? *sniffle*

Isnt that a good thing?

Nilia thought to herself while looking at the dejected Siana.

Wait a moment.

Lee Han took out a rolled-up paper from his coat pocket. Yoner asked curiously.

Whats that?

One of the upperclassmen gave it to me as a reference for smuggling.

It doesnt really say reference book endure it, does it? The Shadow Patrol often does that.

That, that could be possible, but hes not that kind of upperclassman.

Lee Han answered, trusting Diret.

Einroguard upperclassmen could do that, but Diret wasnt like that.

Probably.

Precautions When Smuggling (Burn After Reading)

1. Dont trust upperclassmen

2. Dont work with upperclassmen

3. Neither trust nor work with upperclassmen

Lets do it by ourselves

That would be better.

The students deeply regretted their naive thinking.

Come to think of it, there was no way upperclassmen would purely help underclassmen just because they were paid.

If they were Einroguard upperclassmen, they could easily use underclassmen as bait and betray them!

***

Granden City just before the start of Einroguards new year had a different atmosphere than usual.

First of all, professors were waiting above the city gates.

Professor Thunderstep. Good day to you.

Oh yes. Deumcha, did you do well too?

Yes! I gathered quite a bit during winter break.

All that practice will pay off. Go in. Dont cause trouble.

Professor Thunderstep above the gate yawned.

Students who had spent their first and second years at Einroguard usually came much earlier than before the start of the new years first semester.

Anyone could see their intention was to prepare for smuggling, but the professors didnt really care.

Even if students smuggled, only the Skeleton Principal would get annoyed, not the professors.

More important than that was managing the magic in Granden City.

If they let students loose chaotically and neglected accidents, even the tolerant people of Granden City might add Einroguard Student Entry Prohibited to their city laws.

Professor Bagrek. Good day. Did you have a good vacation?

I visited new dueling clubs.

There were still dueling clubs that hadnt banned you?!

Ignoring the professors conversation behind him, Deumcha headed to the meeting place.

There was a place where he had arranged to meet with other Black Turtle Tower students.

Deumcha, over here!

Everyones already here.

Who would be late? Were not idiots.

The Black Turtle Tower students who had finished second year and were now advancing to third year had firm, unwavering eyes.

The meaning of those eyes was as follows:

We cant be the only ones to suffer.

Thats right.

These students had the bitter experience of coming to Granden City early after finishing first year, only to be deceived by upperclassmen and used as bait.

-Are you guys Einroguard first years by any chance?

-Thats right. Are you perhaps an upperclassman

-Right! But do you guys know about smuggling?

-Smuggling?

-Oh my. Theres this tradition at Einroguard

-Gasp! We havent prepared at all.

-Dont worry. You can join our group. How about it?

-Th Thank you!

At first, he was moved by the seniors who kindly informed him and thought Theres still faithand trust left in Einroguard, even in the Skeleton Principals slaughterhouse, but that was a mistake.

In Einroguard, the seniors who speak kindly are the most dangerous.

As they passed through the main gate, Deumcha and his friends pile of luggage suddenly transformed into gargoyles and attacked the principal and his minions.

Taking advantage of that chaos, the seniors quickly smuggled in the necessary items!

Deumcha and his friends gained a very valuable lesson from that incident.

And they planned to pass that lesson on to this years underclassmen too.

You know, right, Deumcha? We need to approach them before others do.

Yeah. I know.

Deumcha nodded.

They werent the only wicked seniors trying to use the new students as bait right now.

There were at least two or three more groups around this area.

To get ahead of them, they had to approach quickly and gain favor.

Fortunately, Deumcha had a weapon.

Being of dwarf origin, Deumcha had the face of a typical dwarven craftsman somewhat stubborn-looking and unlikely to lie.

So much so that one of the seniors once mistook Deumcha for someone from the blacksmith guild and lost money after entrusting him with a commission.

This impression was especially effective when dealing with other races.

Just watch. Ill

Deumcha, over there! Over there!

!

The students eyes widened and sparkled.

Students were walking from far away.

They were clearly Einroguard-origin mages, but their faces looked young and unfamiliar somewhere.

They were definitely first years who would now advance to second year.

Huh?

Deumcha felt puzzled.

The composition of the first years was somewhat strange.

They seemed like Blue Dragon Tower, but also like Phoenix Tower, and also like White Tiger Tower, and also like Black Turtle Tower

He wondered if they were all mixed together, but that couldnt be. What would be so good about students from different towers traveling together?

Deumcha! Hurry!

Got it. Im going now!

Deumcha cleared his throat and rushed out.

Then he shouted.

Wait, are you guys by any chance Einroguard students?

Are you perhaps a senior?

Im not a suspicious person Huh. Wait, how did you know I was a senior?

Deumcha was slightly flustered by what the sculpture-like noble boy in front of him said.

Usually, the typical reaction here was Who are you? or Are you the Skeleton Principals minion! Damn it!

You seem like an Einroguard student, so you must be a senior compared to me.

Oh Amazing. Thats right.

Deumcha introduced himself. Lee Han also introduced himself in return.

Im Lee Han of the Wardanaz Family.

What family?

The Wardanaz Family.

Perhaps because it was noisy around, he couldnt hear well. Since the family name wasnt really important anyway, Deumcha nodded.

A Blue Dragon Tower student, huh. Hell be easier to deceive.

Follow me. I have something important to tell you.

What kind of story

Its a secret hidden in Einroguard!

Deumcha took Lee Han to the All Sorts of Schemes Inn.

Located in a remote and secluded place with windows blocked even during broad daylight, it was a popular spot among Einroguard students.

SosmugglingEinroguards tradition

Gaspwenothinghow could that be what should we do

its not toolate

thankyou

After about an hour of conversation, Deumcha was convinced that the underclassman in front of him had completely fallen for it.

Thank you, Senior Deumcha! Meeting Senior Deumcha is the greatest fortune of my life!

Its nothing special. Its also your luck that you accept advice. There are guys who dont believe even when given counsel.

Deumcha answered while maintaining the dignity of a fake craftsman.

Then Ill see you at the promised location on the day the school gates open!

Lee Han nodded and then stared intently at the pile of luggage stacked in the corner of the inn.

At that gaze, Deumcha flinched.

Part of that luggage pile consisted of bone-catching parrots in disguise, which would return to parrot form at his command and noisily shout Skeleton Principal is an idiot! around the area.

Naturally, they couldnt be put in Deumchas groups luggage pile, but were items to be put in the underclassmens luggage pile.

Since the underclassman was staring intently at it, he couldnt help but flinch.

Why are you doing that?

The seniors have already finished all your preparations. Its admirable.

Th, thats right. You guys will also improve in preparedness as time passes.

Im truly amazed, moved, and impressed!

Whats the big deal about something like this.

Deumcha saw Lee Han off with a proud feeling.

But is this guy really from Blue Dragon Tower?

For that, hes too polite?

***

Whats Lee Han doing now?

I heard hes memorizing and analyzing the magic the seniors showed him.

I see.

Gainando fumbled to put away his mage cards and turned around. Seeing this, Siana asked in disbelief.

N, no. Shouldnt you be a bit surprised?

Siana had been shocked by the fact that Lee Han was memorizing and analyzing the magic he had seen on the spot.

How was that even possible?

However, Gainando looked at Siana in bewilderment.

Huh? Did he fail?

No, he didnt fail but

Then why should I be surprised?

From inside came the sound of Lee Han shouting Im done!

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