It was only after somehow filling up 120 minutes that the Dean finished his speech, and the faculty finally let out heartfelt applause at the realization they could escape the lecture hall under the guise of a meeting.
Leaving behind the self-satisfied face of the Dean, the faculty dispersed, though conversely, a few groups formed, clustering together for conversation.
Since they were from different departments, these were faces they wouldn't easily encounter, so they were likely using this opportunity to familiarize themselves with one another.
And while Yi Han had inwardly resigned himself to a life of being an outcast, fortunately, Hans, whom he had fortuitously become acquainted with, was a good person.
Good enough to introduce his acquaintances to an outsider like him.
"I'm Dorothy. A lecturer in the Art Department, specializing in religious paintings."
"Call me Kam. I'm merely a fallen noble and a lecturer in the Statistics Department."
"Den of the Architecture Department. I'm undeservedly serving as a professor, haha."
"Aleng de Bagner. A pompous professor in the History Department. Please, just call me Aleng."
They were all acquaintances of Hans, and while they introduced themselves as if they were nobodies, Yi Han knew they were big shots.
Though Yi Han was far removed from newspapers, his only friend in the knight order would occasionally tell him about how the world worked, and these were names that came up as regularly as a local eatery.
"It's an honor to meet the rising new artist. Even if it's a failed piece later, please let me purchase a painting from you, Dorothy."
"My?"
The rookie with the most promising future among young female painters.
"I don't think we can simply dismiss as a mere fallen noble someone who even refused the Royal Family's summons, Kam."
"Oh ho."
A young and capable scholar whom even the Royal Family coveted.
"I've heard much about the mastermind who commanded the reconstruction of the royal capital, Den. And only a madman would dismiss as pompous the legendary archaeologist who risked his life to excavate Britannic relics, Professor Aleng."
"Haha, you're making me blush."
"Contrary to your looks, you have quite the refined taste."
Even heavyweights who had made their names before he was born.
They were all people with whom even average nobles couldn't easily build connections.
Being renowned in their respective fields meant they were that much more prestigious and exalted.
They would be important figures protected constantly by the guild as well.
"I'm glad, it was worth introducing you."
And including Hans, the master craftsman who had introduced all these people.
'Birds of a feather flock together...'
He realized anew that old sayings aren't wrong.
It was a dream team that truly made one's tongue wag.
"You're all too big for a soldier who only knows how to swing a sword to deal with."
"Haha! I wonder who's being humble here. Anyone who calls a knight of the White Silver Lion a mere civil servant must be a madman, isn't that right?"
"Exactly."
"As you said, I'll give you a painting. As a token of goodwill."
Of course, even to them, the species known as knights was no less formidable.
More precisely, being a knight of the White Silver Lion made him appear even more of a big shot.
Although he had been demoted to become an instructor, no one looked down on him for that.
Had they not already seen it?
The skill that overwhelmed the vice-captain of the Paulet Knight Order, famous for their swordsmanship.
However, even excluding that, they themselves were quite good and generous-hearted people.
Not coveting fame or power, simply working hard in their fields and becoming famous at some point.
That was why they showed him excessive goodwill simply based on the fact that Hans, their acquaintance, had introduced him.
As long as Yi Han didn't backstab them first, they wouldn't look at him through colored glasses.
'...I owe a big debt.'
More than the fact that they were big shots, he felt more favorable toward them for being sincere good people, and felt he owed a great debt to Hans for introducing them.
Objects can be bought if you have money, but other people's friendships and goodwill cannot be bought even if you have money.
'I'll have to repay it someday.'
Even if he acted like someone whose humanity was perpetually in question toward those worse than Nolbo, shouldn't he also approach people of character as a good person?
Thus, Yi Han and the faculty decided to give brief introductions and head to a cafe, as if having a simple tea time.
For reference, there are no places that sell iced coffee in cafes in the kingdom.
Only espresso, herbal tea, or black tea.
It's possible to ask for ice in your coffee, but if you do that, disdainful glances will pour in from all directions, so he endured it.
Just as he was feeling inwardly disappointed.
"-May I be excused for a moment?"
"Ah, Lord Odwal."
"Consider it permitted."
"Uh..."
With the appearance of a ruffian who spoke forcefully, as if the answer was already decided, the previously soft atmosphere became strangely rigid.
From his appearance, he was eccentric, and he gave off a rigid vibe as if he wouldn't listen to others' opinions at all.
The faculty didn't hide their expressions as if they'd stepped on something wrong, but he didn't even glance at others' facial expressions.
A human figure who seemed entirely devoid of consideration.
And he turned to Yi Han.
"Don't do anything pointless to Irene Windler, that pure genius. This is not a request or advice, but a 'warning.' If you add even the slightest impurity to her talent... I don't know what I'll do then."
He delivered a polite 'threat' and didn't hide his vicious hostility.
As if even conversing with a knight was disgusting.
And to him.
"Hey, spell-slinging old man."
"!!?"
"I couldn't understand what kind of bullshit you were spouting, so can you run that by me one more time? If you cut off the beginning and end like that, how am I supposed to understand? Drawing your own conclusions and falling over yourself like that."
The knight spat out abusive language without hiding 'contempt' equal to the hostility the mage showed.
"And back up a bit when you talk, how long has it been since you brushed your teeth? It's seriously disgusting."
"!!!"
"What? You wanna try?"
Yi Han provoked him again, inwardly hoping.
That this guy would pull out his staff.
If only he did that.
'Finally getting to stretch my hands a bit.'
Wouldn't he be able to obtain the precious opportunity to beat up a mage?
Just thinking about it made him happy, and Yi Han showed an incredibly bright smile.
...Though the other party certainly wouldn't feel it was bright.
*
*
*...Unfortunately, the mage just left.
It seemed like he would snap if provoked a bit more, but since there were new acquaintances around, Yi Han had no choice but to hold back his provocation with tears in his eyes.
And currently.
"You shouldn't have disrespected Lord Odwal like that, hmm..."
Hans and the others showed worried expressions.
Worries constantly thrown at Yi Han since they arrived at the cafe.
It wasn't worry for their own safety, but concern for Yi Han that was plainly evident.
Normal acquaintances who show worried eyes for someone they met for the first time today....
'Impressive, very impressive.'
It wasn't a waste to buy them tea and desserts.
He had bought them as an apology for making the atmosphere tense, and Yi Han, drinking the hot chocolate he bought for himself, supplemented his sugar intake for the day and continued speaking as if declaring so.
"I will take full responsibility. Whether a conflict arises with him, or the discord grows larger. There will absolutely be no harm coming to you, so please don't worry."
"No, that's not what we meant."
"I know you're worrying about me. But you really don't need to worry. I may look like this, but I'm a tough guy."
"...That old man is a terrifying person who can't be dismissed simply as tough."
There was probably a huge gap between what Hans considered tough and what Yi Han meant by tough, but not knowing this, Hans couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
"What on earth is Lord Odwal trying to do this time..."
Odwal Bernard.
That was the name of the mage who had approached Yi Han as if picking a fight earlier, and he was also a faculty member whom all the faculty members found awkward.
Why awkward?
Because he was a [Mage].
Mage.
Those who received the selection of magical power, referred to as blessings that one must be born with innately.
Also, beings beyond common sense who form something called a 'Spell World' through magical power and can even manipulate the laws of nature.
And because they were beyond common sense, mages were sufficient to be called objects of fear simply for being mages.
Since one never knows what disaster might befall them if they get entangled with one.
"Well, still, your words earlier were quite refreshing, Instructor."
But scary is scary, and there were very few people whose feelings toward mages were positive.
The mage species is fundamentally arrogant and above all else.
"He's a crotchety old man."
"Gossiping behind someone's back isn't right, but it's hard to deny."
"Beyond being crotchety, he's a fiery man."
Mages ignore and despise those who cannot use magic, constantly display their specialness, and demand to be treated accordingly.
They ignore nobles and royals alike, and to make matters worse, they don't spare irreverent tones even toward gods.
Well, most of those who are that rough end up being disliked and disappearing without a sound.
Of course, even if Odwal wasn't the type to go completely rogue like the mages mentioned earlier, his uniquely mage-like arrogant attitude was fully evident.
For example, one of the famous incidents was.
"Six years ago at the entrance ceremony, he caused a rampage shooting flames. Just because a regular cadet coughed during his self-introduction."
"...So he was a senior."
"It's a different case from Sir Turtle. What that man did was nothing but violence."
An outrage incomparable to the incident Yi Han had committed.
Violence without justification, shown simply because it didn't suit his fancy.
Several cadets were injured in that accident, and the auditorium was half-burned down...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a criminal.
"It's not my place to say this, but what's the reason such a person is still remaining in the Academy? From the looks of it, he should be locked up, not staying in the Academy."
"......Hmm."
At this point, the faculty members fell silent for a moment.
Because he had pinpointed exactly what they inwardly thought as well.
"Sigh, mages are valuable resources. So-called irreplaceable personnel. Their personalities may be abrasive, but as long as they don't commit murder, we tend to cover for them."
It was a somewhat understandable explanation, but Yi Han shook his head.
"That's probably the superficial reason, but what's the reality?"
"...Do you perhaps get told often that you're sharp, contrary to your appearance?"
"I do."
"Haha."
Hans found the frank knight's words refreshing.
Perhaps because he wasn't a noble-born knight?
There were no thorns in his words, just purely direct.
It felt like dealing with guild craftsmen.
'I think it was a good idea to build a relationship with him.'
He also had a rough side, but he seemed to be someone who knew where to draw the line.
"...There are many nobles who sponsor Lord Odwal. Also, among the nobles who sponsor him, there are countless ones who pay enormous academy support fees every year. That's why they can't easily throw him out."
"What a funny old man."
Despite despising everyone who can't use magic, he still needs sponsors, huh?
Even funnier are the nobles who sponsor such a human being.
What are they thinking, seriously.
"Anyway, Sir Turtle. Please be careful. I know you're strong, but that man is dangerous. There's a concern he might threaten Sir Turtle in some way."
It was a sincere warning directed at Yi Han, and while Yi Han wanted to tell them inwardly there was nothing to worry about, he wasn't someone who would respond half-heartedly to people giving serious advice.
"Thank you for the advice. I'll be sure to remember it. However..."
"?"
"Hmm, this is like a hidden talent of mine, please keep it among yourselves. There are truly very few people who know about this talent."
"What kind of..."
"My hidden talent is."
He said with sincerity.
That with this talent, he was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone.
"It's the talent to make crazy people good."
"??"
"Haha, just keep that in mind."
Did you know?
That no matter how crazy someone is, there's a way to make them 'good'?
Namely.
'They become good if they stop breathing.'
Ah.
If their heart stops beating too, it's even more best.