Book 1 Chapter 307

307

Len Hors.

He was a famous magical genius since his student days in Lumerne.

He had not achieved the feat of having his name recorded in the Hero Records due to a lack of successful dungeon raids and external activities, so he was not widely known to the public.

However, in the magical academic world, his reputation and influence were more formidable than that of the wizard heroes whose names were in the Hero Records.

He created countless groundbreaking magical theories and published papers based on them.

Recognizing his genius, he served as a professor at the Lumerne Hero Academy at a young age, and within a few years, he was regarded as the most outstanding professor in the Department of Magic.

Len had no doubt that the second-year students, known as the Golden Generation, would become his best disciples.

Chloe and Avard, students of the Department of Magic.

These two were more promising mages than anyone Len had ever seen.

Chelsea was also a bright and witty girl, enough to captivate Len's heart.

In addition, Leo.

Leo was not just a student who understood ten things after being taught one.

It was as if he evolved.

He absorbed everything and made it his own.

Len had no doubt that Leo would become the greatest mage since Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula.

But… but!

'The most important thing for second-year students! I can't go during the exclusive contract period with Smith!'

It was a shock to Len.

He, who prided himself on knowing more about the second-year students than anyone else!

He, who prided himself on being close to his students by not sparing advice!

He had been pushed aside by a new teacher who had just been appointed this year!

From that day on, Len had the first-year students study independently and eagerly waited for the second-year students for two weeks.

He hoped his beloved disciples would seek his advice regarding magic wand creation.

He wished to hear them say, "Professor Len is indispensable!" But!

"It's a relief Professor Mel is here. She gave me advice on things I hadn't even thought of."

"Even though we're not her assigned students, she understood us perfectly and gave us suitable advice."

"Right, right. Plus, she gives out cookies. The first-year magic students are so lucky. They get to eat such delicious cookies every class."

Chloe, Chelsea, Illiana.

The conversation these three had while walking was enough to give Len a tremendous shock.

"The second-year students didn't need me! Hahahahaha! In the end, Professor Mel is a better professor than me! That's why our students are envious of the first-years! Ahahahahaha! Uheohehehehohoh!"

Professor Len, who had been throwing his head back and laughing madly, then prostrated himself and began to sob.

Anna pressed her temples, watching him.

"Professor Len. How many times do I have to tell you? The female students were only envious of the first-years because Professor Mel's cookies are delicious. The second-year students need you."

"Am I a professor who is worth less than a cookie?!"

"How many times do I have to explain for you to understand?!"

"K-h-h-h-k! Associate Professor Anna! You'll abandon me too and go to Professor Mel, won't you?"

"Why would I abandon Professor Len? I respect Professor Len."

Anna gave a wry smile and soothed Len.

"I want to work under Professor Len forever."

"Associate Professor Anna…"

Len lifted his head and looked at Anna.

"Are you saying you'll live as an old maid your whole life? Well, considering your personality…"

Anna held the liquor bottle upside down with an expressionless face.

Luke, startled by the sight, clung to Anna.

"C-calm down!"

"Let go, I'm going to kill him."

Luke barely managed to stop the ice-cold Anna.

"As you can see, this is the situation."

Anna, who barely regained her composure, put down the liquor bottle and clutched her head.

Seeing this, Leo spoke.

"Professor Len."

"Student Leo…?"

Professor Len looked at Leo.

"What brings you here?"

"I came to consult with Professor Len about something."

"Something you want to consult me about?"

Professor Len gave a self-deprecating smile.

"Wouldn't it be better to consult Professor Mel than me? Professor Mel would be better than me."

"Perhaps so."

Anna looked at Leo with a puzzled expression.

Because Leo's words were clearly going to be a shock to Professor Len, who was already disheartened.

"Professor Mel certainly has a good rapport. And she teaches magic theory well."

"Ohuhuhu! Yes! As an educator, she's a step above me! Huhuhuhuhoot!"

It couldn't be helped.

No matter how much of a genius mage Len was, his opponent was a Dragon Lord.

Their years of life were different.

Seeing Len's self-deprecating reaction, Leo said,

"However, I believe the experience Professor Len has accumulated as a researcher is more necessary for the second-year students."

"…!"

"The role of a professor isn't just to teach, is it? I believe creating a path for students to advance is also a professor's role."

These weren't empty words.

While Mel was superior to Len in the ability to teach students, in the field of creating new magical theories, Len was a man worthy of the epithet 'genius'.

One could see Len's genius just by looking at the 'Introduction to Star Magic' he created using Leo's bible.

'Luna might have loved it if she saw it.'

While Leo muttered to himself.

Len hung his head low and his shoulders trembled.

Whoosh! Crash! Clang!

Then he swept all the liquor bottles off the desk with his hand.

The bottles fell to the floor, and shards flew everywhere.

"Yes! I was foolish!"

The excited Len began to go berserk.

"To waste two weeks on useless thoughts! I still have a long way to go! A long way to go! Ohuhuhuhu! Ohahahahahahaha! Still, Student Leo! Thanks to you, I've gained a new realization! Hahahahahahaha!"

Luke looked terrified, watching Len clutch his face and laugh hysterically.

"A-are you alright?"

"…He doesn't look alright, but at least it's better than drinking and living like a wreck."

Anna, who spoke coolly, smiled softly at Leo.

"Thank you, Student Leo. Thanks to you, Professor Len has recovered his spirits."

"I know a friend who has a similar disposition to Professor Len when it comes to magic."

"Do we have such a crazy… no, insane student in our school?"

"He's not a student at our school."

"I don't think I want to meet him."

Anna shook her head.

Of course, the friend Leo mentioned was none other than Luna.

Meanwhile, Len asked loudly,

"Alright! Student Leo! What is it you wish to consult me about!"

In response to Len's question, Leo brought Luke forward.

"Hmm? A first-year? And from the Knight Department."

Len made an unenthusiastic expression.

"What about this student?"

"He also has talent as a mage."

"Hmm?"

Len stroked his chin.

Meanwhile, Anna began to clean up the messy professor's office using magic.

The liquor bottles returned to their original state.

The contents were also neatly sucked back into the bottles.

Luke looked at the sight with a curious expression.

"Magic is amazing."

"Hoo, for a Knight Department student, you're saying something quite commendable."

Len nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Alright, what's your name?"

"My name is Luke Elda."

"Student Luke. Since you seem to have an open mind for a Knight Department student, I will give you a lecture on magic."

Ahem- Len cleared his throat. He spread his arms and said,

"Magic refers to the act of understanding the laws of all creation in this universe and intervening in those laws! We mages are great explorers who delve into the laws of the world. Do you know why the stars in the night sky shine?"

"Um… because they shine?"

"They shine because they shine. A philosophical answer! Good! I understand your disposition…"

"Yes. Yes. That's enough. If we listen to your introductory speech on magic, it won't end today."

Anna held a magic broom and poked Len, stopping him.

The broom, leaving Anna's hand, began to clean.

Len nodded and crossed his arms.

"Alright, I understand that Student Luke has a magical aptitude. So?"

"I was thinking of teaching him magic."

"Student Leo. I understand your desire to take care of your mentee, but asking a professor for mentee tutoring, not even private tutoring, is a bit…"

Anna looked troubled.

Len also nodded.

"It's true that I care for Student Leo, but I also dedicate a lot of time to researching magic theory."

Seeing Len, Leo patted Luke's head and said,

"I'm not asking you to teach him magic. I want to consult you about an introduction to magic tailored to his mana characteristics."

"Hoo. Hearing Student Leo say that, he must have unusual mana characteristics. What are they?"

"He's a natural mana amplifier."

"What did you say?"

Len's expression changed dramatically.

Anna's eyes also widened.

"This kid can amplify mana according to his emotions."

"Can he show me?"

At Len's question, Luke hesitated, then manifested aura.

A moment later, Luke closed his eyes and concentrated.

Woong-!

Len was impressed by the amplifying aura.

For an instant, Luke's aura seemed to swell immensely.

"Does it get even stronger when emotions are heightened?"

"Yes."

"Amazing! Truly amazing! Does it apply to magical power too?"

"I haven't awakened my magical power yet, so I haven't checked. But it will probably be the same for magical power."

"Excellent!"

Len's eyes sparkled.

This had research value.

Being able to freely amplify mana was one of the abilities every mage yearned for.

"However, even if he has an aptitude for magic, awakening magical power won't be easy, I'm worried. Especially if he has already trained his aura."

As Anna spoke regretfully, Leo chuckled.

"You don't have to worry about that. He awakened his aura through self-study without a proper aura cultivation technique. His mana sensitivity should be sufficient."

"…He entered Lumerne through self-study?"

"I was lucky."

Luke scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.

"Hmm. Right. I understand."

Len nodded.

"Student Luke. From today onwards, you will quit the Knight Department."

"Huh?"

"Come to the Department of Magic."

"W-what do you mean by that…"

"Are you planning to let such immense talent rot by becoming a mere knight?!"

"Hiiieeeek?"

Luke looked terrified, seeing Len with wide, glaring eyes.

"Your ability is what mages yearn for! I cannot let it rot in the sweaty Knight Department! Quit the Knight Department immediately and switch to the Department of Magic! And you and I will research your mana characteristics!"

"T-that's…"

"Ohuhuhu! This is rewarding! To have a new research subject! Hahahaha! Today is a truly good day! Shall we try to awaken his magical power first so he can enter magic right away?"

Seeing Len, who had started to go berserk, Anna said,

"I understand Student Leo's intention. Since Professor Len seems to be captivated by Student Luke's mana characteristics, he will probably research how Student Luke should learn magic to maximize those characteristics."

Anna narrowed her eyes.

"You're cunning, Student Leo."

"I merely trusted Professor Len's passion as a mage."

"Yes. I suppose so. However."

Anna sighed deeply.

"If we stay any longer, Professor Len might try to dissect Student Luke, so it would be best to leave for today."

At those words, Luke smiled brightly.

"Aw, you're joking too much."

But Anna didn't smile.

"He's capable of doing that, and more."

Luke's face turned pale.

***

The next day.

Combined Combat Studies class.

Second-year students gathered in the training ground by dormitory.

The one in charge of today's class was none other than Harland.

Harland spoke with his characteristic indifferent face.

"Today, since Sedgen is busy, I'm here as a substitute. And today, I will announce the midterm exam combat studies format."

The students began to murmur.

"For your information, this midterm combat studies practical exam is also the comprehensive exam for all practical skills."

In other words, the practical exam was only for Combat Studies.

"Is it like the first year, raiding the Hero's World?"

Illiana raised her hand and asked.

Second-year students also did a lot of Hero's World raids for their first-semester midterm exam.

"No. This exam is a mock battle."

"A mock battle?"

"Yes."

Harland looked at the puzzled second-year students and said,

"It's a large-scale mock battle in the format of a dormitory competition."

The second-year students' eyes widened.