Book 1 Chapter 307

307

Ren Horse.

He was a famous magic genius since his days as a student at Rumeln.

He wasn't widely known to the public because he hadn't achieved feats worthy of being listed in the Hero Records, lacking in dungeon conquests and external activities.

However, in the academic magic community, his fame and influence were more powerful than those of the magic heroes listed in the Hero Records.

Numerous groundbreaking magic theories and subsequent thesis presentations.

Recognized for his genius, he served as a professor at Rumeln, the Hero Academy, at a young age and was soon evaluated as the most outstanding professor of magic.

Such Ren had no doubt that the 2nd-year students, known as the Golden Generation, would become his best disciples.

Chloe and Abad, students of magic.

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

Chelsea was also a witty girl, enough to capture Ren's heart.

And then there was Leo.

Leo wasn't someone who learned ten things from one.

It was as if he evolved.

He absorbed everything and made it his own.

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

But… but!

'The most important thing in the second year! I couldn't go during Smith's exclusive contract period!'

It was a shock to Ren.

He, who prided himself on knowing the 2nd-year students better than anyone!

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

He was overtaken by a new teacher who took office this year!

Since that day, Ren had been teaching the 1st-year students self-study for two weeks, eagerly awaiting the 2nd-year students.

He hoped his dear students would seek his advice regarding magic wand crafting.

He hoped they would say, 'Professor Ren is essential!'

"I'm glad Professor Mel was there. She gave me advice on aspects I hadn't even considered."

"Even though she's not our assigned professor, she perfectly understood us and gave us appropriate advice."

"Right, right. And she gives us cookies. The 1st-year magic students are lucky. They get to eat such delicious cookies every class."

Chloe, Chelsea, and Iliana.

The conversation these three were having as they walked was enough to shock Ren immensely.

"The 2nd-year students didn't need me! Hahahaha! In the end, Professor Mel is a better professor than me! That's why our students envy the 1st-year students! Ahahahaha! Ughuhuhuhuhuhuh!"

Professor Ren, who had thrown his head back and burst into mad laughter, then collapsed and began to wail.

Seeing this, Anna pressed her temples.

"Professor Ren. How many times do I have to tell you? The girls only envied the 1st-year students because Professor Mel's cookies were delicious. The 2nd-year students need you."

"Am I less than cookies!"

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

"Sob sob sob! Vice Professor Anna! You're going to abandon me and go to Professor Mel too, aren't you?"

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

Anna, with a wry smile, soothed Ren.

"I want to work under Professor Ren forever."

"Vice Professor Anna…"

Ren lifted his head and looked at Anna.

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

Anna, with a blank expression, gripped the liquor bottle upside down.

Luke, startled by her appearance, clung to Anna.

"P-Please calm down!"

"Let go, I'll kill you."

Luke barely managed to restrain Anna, who was cold as ice.

"As you can see, this is her state."

Anna, barely regaining her composure, let go of the liquor bottle and clutched her head.

Seeing this, Leo spoke.

"Professor Ren."

"Student Leo…?"

Professor Ren looked at Leo.

"What brings you here?"

"I came because I have something to consult with Professor Ren."

"Something to consult with me?"

Professor Ren gave a self-deprecating smile.

"Wouldn't it be better to consult with Professor Mel than me? Professor Mel is superior to me."

"That may be so."

Anna looked at Leo with a bewildered expression.

Leo's words were bound to be a shock to the already dejected Professor Ren.

"Certainly, Professor Mel is good at socializing. She's also good at teaching magic theory."

"Ufufufu! Yes! As an educator, she's a step above me! Fufufufuhuhu!"

It couldn't be helped.

No matter how much of a genius mage Ren was, his opponent was none other than the Dragon Lord.

Their lifespans were different.

Watching Ren's self-deprecating reactions, Leo said,

"However, I believe the experience Ren has accumulated as a researcher is more necessary for the 2nd-year students."

"……!"

"A professor's role isn't just teaching, is it? I believe it's also the professor's role to create a path for students to follow."

It wasn't an empty statement.

While Mel was a better teacher than Ren, when it came to creating new magic theories, Ren was a man who lived up to the title of genius.

Just looking at the 'Introduction to Stellar Magic' created using Leo's bible, Ren's genius was evident.

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

As Leo muttered inwardly.

Ren's head drooped, and his shoulders shook.

Swoosh! Crash! Clang!

And he swept away the liquor bottle on his desk with his hand.

As the liquor bottle fell to the floor, fragments scattered everywhere.

"Yes! I was foolish!"

The excited Ren began to spiral out of control.

"To waste two weeks on useless thoughts! I still have a long way to go! A long way! Ufufufufufu! Uhahahahahahaha! But student Leo! Thanks to you, I've gained a new realization! Fuhahahahahahaha!"

Luke, looking at Ren, who was grabbing his face and laughing wildly, wore a frightened expression.

"A-Are you okay?"

"…You don't look okay, but it's better than drinking and living like a wreck."

Anna said coldly and smiled softly at Leo.

"Thank you, student Leo. Thanks to you, Professor Ren has cheered up."

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

"Do we have such a crazy… no, sane student at our school?"

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

"I don't want to meet him."

Anna shook her head.

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

Meanwhile, Ren loudly asked,

"Yes! Student Leo! What did you want to consult me about!"

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

"Hmm? A 1st-year? And from the Knight Department."

Ren had a bored expression.

"Why this student?"

"He has talent as a mage."

"Hmm?"

Ren stroked his chin.

Meanwhile, Anna began to clean up the professor's office, which Ren had made a mess of, using magic.

The liquor bottle returned to its original form.

The contents were neatly sucked back into the bottle.

Seeing this, Luke looked amazed.

"Magic is amazing."

"Ho, for a knight student, that's a rather commendable thing to say."

Ren nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Yes, what is your name?"

"My name is Luke Elda."

"Student Luke. You seem to have a more open mind than a typical knight student, so I will give you a lecture on magic."

Ahem-clearing his throat, Ren spread his arms and said,

"Magic is the act of understanding the laws of all things in this universe and intervening in those laws! We mages are great explorers who investigate 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. Stop there. If I listen to the professor's introductory speech on magic, it won't end today."

Anna poked Ren with her magic broom, stopping him.

The broom left Anna's hand and began to clean.

Ren nodded and crossed his arms.

"Yes, I understand that student Luke has magical aptitude. So?"

"I want to teach 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 showed a distressed expression.

Ren also nodded.

"I do care about student Leo, but I also spend a lot of time on magic theory research."

Seeing Ren like that, Leo patted Luke's head and said,

"I'm not asking you to teach him magic. I want to consult about magic induction tailored to this kid's mana characteristics."

"Ho. Since student Leo says so, he must have peculiar mana characteristics. What is it?"

"He's a congenital mana amplifier."

"What?"

Ren's expression changed drastically.

Anna's eyes also widened.

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

"Can you show me?"

In response to Ren's question, Luke hesitated, then emitted an aura.

A moment later, Luke closed his eyes and concentrated.

Whoosh-!

Seeing the amplifying aura, Ren was impressed.

For a moment, Luke's aura grew enormously.

"Does it get stronger when emotions get intense?"

"Yes."

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

"His magical power hasn't awakened yet, so I haven't confirmed it, but it should be the same for magical power."

"Excellent!"

Ren's eyes sparkled.

This was worth researching.

The ability to freely amplify mana was one of the abilities all mages yearned for.

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

Anna said regretfully, and Leo chuckled.

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

"…He enrolled in Rumeln through self-study?"

"I was lucky."

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

"Hmm. Yes. I understand."

Ren nodded.

"Student Luke. From today, quit the Knight Department."

"Huh?"

"Come to the Magic Department."

"Th-that's what…"

"Are you going to waste such incredible talent by becoming a mere knight?!"

"Eek?"

Luke wore a terrified expression as he looked at Ren, whose eyes were bulging.

"Your ability is what mages dream of! You can't waste it in the sweat-drenched Knight Department! Quit the Knight Department immediately and change your major to Magic! And then we'll research your mana characteristics and mine!"

"Bu-but…"

"Ufufufu! It's rewarding! To have a new research subject! Fuhahahat! Today is a truly good day! Shall we try to awaken your magical power so you can begin your magic induction immediately?"

Seeing Ren go into a frenzy, Anna said,

"I understand student Leo's intention. Professor Ren also seems to be fixated on student Luke's mana characteristics, so he'll research how student Luke can best utilize those characteristics when learning magic."

Anna opened her eyes slightly.

"You're cunning, student Leo."

"I only believed in Professor Ren's passion as a mage."

"Yes, I suppose so. However."

Anna sighed deeply.

"If we stay any longer, Professor Ren might try to dissect student Luke, so it's best to leave for today."

At that, Luke smiled brightly.

"Hey, you're exaggerating."

But Anna wasn't smiling.

"That guy would do it."

Luke's face turned pale.

***

The next day.

Joint combat class.

The 2nd-year students gathered in the training grounds by their dormitories.

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

Halind said with his usual indifferent expression,

"Since Sedjen is busy today, I'm here as a substitute. And today, I will announce the format of the midterm combat exam."

The students began to murmur.

"By the way, is this midterm combat practical exam also a cumulative exam of all practical exams?"

Iliana raised her hand and asked.

The 2nd-year students had also done a lot of hero world conquest in their first-year midterm exams.

"No. This exam will be a mock battle."

"Mock battle?"

"Yes."

Halind looked at the bewildered 2nd-year students and said,

"It will be a large-scale mock battle in the format of a dormitory vs. dormitory competition."

The 2nd-year students' eyes widened.