The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 188

The training ground was in shambles, a testament to the fierce battle that had taken place.

He panted heavily, grasping the cane he had dropped.

“Haa… ha.”

The final match ended in my defeat.

It was an expected result, but Lee Han was undeniably strong.

He was flawless, and his combat skills were so sharp that it was hard to believe he was just a third-year student. In fact, his meticulousness reminded me more of Han Taesu than myself.

That’s why Lee Han defeated Han Taesu in the original story and ultimately brought down the Castica family.

Regardless, it was a great match.

Though the battle was short, it provided invaluable lessons in split-second decision-making, judgment, and mana management.

And, putting all of that aside.

Even just looking at the battle itself, it was an excellent duel.

I managed to hold out against Lee Han for a significant time, pushed him back a few times, and even counterattacked when the momentum shifted. In many ways, it was a match where I managed to defend myself quite well.

I don’t know if Lee Han feels the same way.

Lee Han placed his cane on the ground and walked over to me.

“Get up.”

He spoke in a dry voice, extending his hand.

My body was covered in wounds from being struck repeatedly by Lee Han’s attacks. But I couldn’t just lie there, so I staggered and grabbed his hand to stand up.

“Thanks.”

I responded nonchalantly and glanced around at the audience.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement since the winner was from the third grade. To them, it didn’t really matter who won between us…

A familiar face caught my eye in the stands.

Yoon Haul was jumping up and down, full of excitement.

Solia stood next to him, flinching nervously.

And Seymour, clicking his tongue with a blank expression.

Adela stood silently next to the three, her face unreadable.

As soon as our eyes met, Adela smiled brightly and gave me a thumbs-up.

“Ha….”

There are some battles where winning or losing doesn’t matter.

Even though I knew this was a match I couldn’t win, I gave it my all.

This was actually my first time really getting to know Lee Han.

Experiencing a battle with the protagonist destined to be the absolute ruler of this world was an incredibly valuable experience.

One worth learning from in every little detail.

Of course, aside from all of that…

The reason I feel the best is…

It’s because of the upcoming barbecue.

“Hey!”

Shake, shake—.

I waved my hand at the four people who were staring at me.

“Uh, uh… uh, uh!”

The four of them turned their heads towards me simultaneously.

Coincidentally, the person with the loudest voice always tends to stand out.

“Han Siha! You’re so handsome!”

The loudest voice was unmistakably Yoon Haul.

“Here! Look this way!”

Yoon Haul cheered loudly on behalf of the four.

Adela, embarrassed, pulled Yoon Haul away, while Seymour sighed and buried his face in his knees.

“Gyaaaah! Let’s go eat meat!”

Honestly, this is kind of embarrassing.

“If someone saw me, they’d think I won….”

I really can’t help it.

As I stuck out my tongue and shook my head, my eyes met Lee Han’s.

“Hmm?”

I was so focused on the kids over there that I missed it, but something felt strange.

Lee Han, who had been standing silently behind me, walked past me.

There was something off about his expression.

His face didn’t look particularly bright, despite his victory.

Lee Han whispered to me with a dark look on his face for some reason.

“…You did well.”

“What?”

I was the one who lost, so why did his eyes seem filled with defeat?

* * *

The academy’s competition was like a festival that wrapped up the semester.

Despite this being his first competition appearance this year, Lee Han confidently secured the champion’s spot.

This achievement alone should have been satisfying, but Lee Han felt uneasy for some reason.

Returning to the bench, Lee Han sat down and fell deep into thought.

Since entering Ardel Academy, Lee Han had never been outmatched by anyone, at least within the academy.

He was truly a natural talent. That’s why even the children from other powerful families couldn’t touch him.

In fact, during this competition, he had easily defeated his opponents.

If there was one opponent who posed a challenge, it was Walter Martin, the valedictorian of the sixth grade.

The gap in skill between him and the rest was so wide that it was almost embarrassing to call the others competitors.

Han Siha had seemed like he’d be no different.

But Han Siha shattered Lee Han’s expectations.

More than I thought.

He lasted much longer.

‘What happened?’

Lee Han was confused, realizing he had underestimated him.

Had he taken me for granted simply because we were classmates?

“No.”

It was only last year that I started talking to him, and back then, he couldn’t even properly control his limited mana.

A descendant of the wealthy Castica family, barely hanging on thanks to his innate magical power.

Of course, after getting to know Han Siha better, I’d erased that prejudice.

He was a genius who could learn ten things after mastering one, with thinking so quick that you’d wonder if he was really a classmate.

He contributed the most to the plan to protect the cube, and in its execution.

I acknowledged his skills, but—

I didn’t know it would be this much.

I never expected him to grow this much….

For the first time, Lee Han felt anxious that he might lose the first place he had always held firmly.

A guy who couldn’t even shape a mana bow properly before, who had struggled so much, had grown to the same level as me in just one year.

He probably didn’t even realize how incredible it was that he could display such skill against someone who easily beat the top student of the sixth grade.

The protagonist of Smart Academy.

Lee Han was a character whose competitive spirit only grew stronger the more rivals he met.

Not knowing this, it only fueled my will to try even harder.

“What are you doing?”

More specifically, Han Siha wanted to ask why Lee Han, who had just taken first place, was sitting on the bench looking so miserable, but instead, he opted for words of congratulations.

“Congrats.”

It was a belated greeting, and honestly, it wasn’t something that needed to be said.

Han Siha smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, which Lee Han reflexively accepted as he spoke.

“Your dragon doesn’t seem to think so.”

“Grr… grr….”

Tremble, tremble.

Unfortunately, Basilus, who was just as competitive, was sulking over losing to Lee Han. Just look at those puffed-up cheeks.

“He’s not even cute anymore.”

“Grr!”

“I’ve probably put in more effort training his Polymorph than anyone.”

Though Natalie and Seymour had worked hard too, it was Lee Han who had taken Basilus out for training every time Han Siha was busy with artifact research.

Han Siha, fully aware of Lee Han’s efforts, clicked his tongue.

“Everything Is fleeting.”

“The dragon’s personality….”

“Your personality! Ugly!”

Now it’s devolved into personal attacks.

This is exactly why they say raising kids is pointless.

Lee Han chuckled and changed the topic.

Distracted by Basilus, he hadn’t responded to Han Siha’s congratulations.

With a calm face, Lee Han looked up at Han Siha.

“You probably wanted to be first, but I’m still number one.”

It wasn’t meant to be a provocation.

Just a playful remark to mask a hint of unease.

“Are you disappointed?”

Whether Han Siha understood the meaning behind those words was unclear, but he shrugged his shoulders.

“Not at all. Actually, I’m relieved.”

Lee Han raised his eyebrows at the unexpected response.

“What?”

“Think about it. If I had taken first place and gotten stronger than you….”

Ugh.

Han Siha grimaced as if he didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Then I’d have to work my ass off in your place.”

“…?”

“So, hey, keep it up.”

“Huh?”

“Hang in there!”

“What… what are you talking about?”

It was something Lee Han couldn’t quite comprehend.

* * *

With Lee Han’s victory, the entire third year was rewarded with a barbecue party.

As expected, the academy was in complete chaos the next day.

“Whoa! Are you kidding me? It’s Cardbel Empire beef!”

“Wow… look at those juices….”

“Alright, one at a time! Everybody, line up!”

While a flame user cooked steaks to medium rare, the students waiting in line were practically drooling.

Han Siha stood at the center of the barbecue area, nodding approvingly.

“Pretty good, huh?”

“…It melts in your mouth.”

“Looks like the Dean really went all out this time.”

“I heard steaks from Cardbel are super expensive.”

Although they were all from noble families, they had grown used to eating the academy’s lackluster dorm food, so their standards had dropped.

Students who had suffered under the experimental menus of the academy’s nutritionists were losing their minds over the steak.

Han Siha moved through the crowd, checking in on the students and keeping the atmosphere lively.

“So, who do we have to thank for this?”

“Han Siha!”

“Say it again, louder!”

“Woooooo!”

Adela, watching the scene unfold, was left speechless.

Han Siha, who was basking in the enthusiastic cheers, approached Adela with a satisfied grin and handed her a piece of steak.

“See? Isn’t it delicious, thanks to someone?”

Adela reflexively took the steak and put it in her mouth.

Munch, munch.

As if living up to Dean Ernest’s boastful promise of a top-tier A-grade barbecue, the steak burst with juices the moment she took a bite.

Adela’s face lit up with delight at the rich flavor filling her mouth, but she quickly regained her composure.

“But hold on….”

“Hm? Got a problem?”

“…You didn’t win, so why are you taking all the credit?”

Everyone seemed too distracted by the meat to notice the absurdity of it all. Lee Han didn’t seem to care either.

Was she the only one who found this strange?

“Hey, what’s good is good.”

“Heh….”

Adela couldn’t believe it.

It was so shameless it was almost convincing.

Adela couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and she speared a piece of meat on her fork, handing it to Han Siha.

“Thanks to someone, it’s really tasty.”

“See? Told you so.”

Just as Han Siha leaned forward to take the meat from Adela’s fork—

Swoosh.

A dark shadow suddenly slid between them.

Chomp.

Someone swiftly snatched the piece of meat Adela had offered.

“Huh… huh?”

Munch, munch.

Chewing the meat nonchalantly, the person who had inserted themselves between Han Siha and Adela was none other than—

Solia, who brushed back her long hair with a sheepish smile.

“Sorry, but I’ll be the one grilling the meat.”

“…?”

Then, without a care in the world, she began to grill more meat right between them.