Book 1 Chapter 330
The evening the exam ended.
The second-year students were changing clothes in their respective dormitories.
“If you look at it, our school is truly ruthless.”
At the Glory dormitory lounge, Illiana, dressed in an elegant party dress, mumbled as she inspected her hair.
At her words, another male student from the magic department looked puzzled.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Not only did we fight fiercely until just a moment ago, but the winners and losers were already decided. And they're holding an exam celebration party for us tonight?”
“Definitely.”
Other students nodded their heads.
“Crucially…”
One of the Glory students sighed deeply.
“Today's victory… honestly, can we say we won because we did well?”
At those words, the Glory students’ expressions darkened.
It wasn't that they didn't do their best.
No, they fought tooth and nail.
From the Glory students' perspective, with the students from Harmony and Noble forming an alliance to attack, precarious situations were not uncommon.
In such a situation, Glory's victory was due to Leo defeating Chelsea and Kal, the Kings of Harmony and Noble.
It was when the Glory students, having finished preparing for the party, were wearing gloomy expressions in the lounge.
Tap- Tap-
“Why is everyone so down?”
Seeing Chloe appear, the students made surprised expressions.
Chloe, one of the most beautiful girls among the second-years, was always popular.
However, unlike her usual neat attire befitting an honor student, she was now noticeably dressed up for the party.
Her platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and sky-blue dress were impressive.
“Chloe, you're so pretty.”
Chen Xia, dressed in a light, flowing outfit typical of the Eastern continent, appeared behind Chloe and smiled brightly.
“It's nice to see the two most beautiful women in our dormitory all dressed up.”
“How should I put it, there's an exotic charm.”
At the male dormitory students' words, Illiana made a reluctant expression and pointed to herself with her finger.
“I'm also a pretty girl.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“You're a pretty girl too.”
“What are those lukewarm reactions?!”
Illiana glared.
Amidst the commotion, Chen Xia, sitting on the lounge sofa, tilted her head.
“Anyway, what were you all talking about that made your expressions so dark?”
At Chen Xia's words, the Glory students looked at each other with gloomy expressions.
“Come on, tell your unnie here.”
When Chen Xia smiled, Illiana sat on the sofa and spoke.
“No, this inter-dormitory competition. Honestly, it feels like the class president almost single-handedly carried us.”
Leaning back on the sofa, Illiana sighed, ‘Ehyo.’
“I'm wondering if we can truly enjoy the party.”
Other dormitory students also had gloomy expressions.
“Were you all thinking that?”
Chen Xia smiled.
Chloe also crossed her arms.
“It's true that Leo played the biggest role in this competition. But didn't Leo also say? That he couldn't have gone wild with such peace of mind if his dormitory mates weren't there.”
“That's right. Young Master Leo said he was able to perform because he had comrades he could trust to watch his back. So there's no need to feel disheartened.”
At those words, the Glory students looked intrigued.
“Did he really say that?”
“Yes.”
At Chen Xia's words, the Glory students looked embarrassed.
“Anyway, where is Leo?”
When the dormitory students asked with puzzled faces, Chloe said,
“He's probably already gone to the party venue.”
***
The second-year midterm exam after-party was held in the dormitory garden.
Glory, Harmony, Noble.
Although the three dormitories had different buildings, they shared the same garden, allowing them to interact there.
Amidst the gentle music, the ones occupying the seats were none other than the external guests.
Most of them were the parents of the second-year students who had been invited to watch this exam.
“Professor, how is our son doing at school? He never talks about how he's studying at Lumerne in his letters.”
“Student Torren has recently been very interested in researching ways to alleviate drought using water spirits. Although he's a spirit user, he's also diligently taking magic classes as a minor these days. He's showing excellent academic results. Professor Yura. Come here and talk about student Torren.”
Sedjen was actively consulting with the parents.
The departmental professors were constantly called upon by Sedjen, busy telling parents about their students.
“Seeing that, Professor Sedjen certainly seems amazing.”
Ren, who had just finished a short consultation with a parent of a magic department student, exclaimed.
“It's not for nothing that he's considered the most outstanding professor in Lumerne.”
It was when Harland, who spoke indifferently, was sipping wine.
“Oh, Mother?”
“Elder sister… how did you….”
“Father!”
A flustered voice was heard from the garden entrance.
The second-year students who arrived at the party venue had discovered the external guests.
Students everywhere were talking with their families, half joy and half embarrassment.
They also introduced their close friends.
A harmonious atmosphere was created.
In the midst of that, Celia approached Chloe.
“Celia, how are you feeling?”
“I've already received all the healing, haven't I? How about you?”
“Me too. It's a bit disappointing that we couldn't compete.”
Celia and Chloe, who were close friends, exchanged greetings.
Seeing that, Chen Xia smiled.
“I'm also disappointed that I couldn't compete with Young Master Duran in the end.”
“Hmph, if we had kept fighting, I would have won.”
Duran's snickering voice was heard from behind.
Next to Duran was a small girl, about ten years old, with blonde hair and golden eyes.
Seeing the girl, Chen Xia smiled brightly and crouched down.
“Who is this cute young lady?”
“My sister.”
“Nice to meet you. What's your name?”
As Chen Xia spoke warmly, the girl offered a shy smile and greeted her.
“My name is Hellan Moira. It's an honor to meet you. The duel with my brother… it was truly magnificent.”
“It's an honor for me too that you see it so favorably, Princess Hellan.”
If she was Duran's sister, she was a princess of the Moira Kingdom.
At Chen Xia's words, Hellan smiled brightly.
Seeing that, Chloe and Celia looked at Duran with strange eyes.
“What's with that look?”
“No, your sister is just so cute. But she doesn't really suit your image.”
“Yeah, she's too good for you, don't you think? Can't you give her to me? I wanted a little sister.”
Chloe said with a bright smile, and Celia curled up the corners of her lips.
Duran snorted, looking at the two girls teasing him.
“Oh! Everyone's gathered here!”
Just then, a friendly voice was heard.
It was none other than Kal.
“Oh my! Princess was here too.”
Kal, upon spotting Hellan, made a fuss and then bowed respectfully.
It was natural, as Kal was from Moira.
“Princess Hellan, my name is Kal Thomas.”
“Kal Thomas, ah! My brother has spoken of you often. You're from our kingdom, aren't you? My brother once told me you're an outstanding magician.”
Everyone looked surprised, seeing Hellan smiling brightly.
Duran praising Kal to his sister! It was astonishing.
“…Who are you? You're not the prince, are you?”
“Be quiet, Kal Thomas.”
Duran snorted.
“My brother said that although your grades were low, your struggle to somehow survive was impressive.”
At those words, Kal smiled broadly.
“Now that's what a prince should say!”
Seeing Kal make a somewhat relieved expression, Chloe and Celia stifled their laughter.
Duran maintained his usual expressionless face.
Just then.
“Oh my, Celia. Are these your friends?”
Reina approached with a smile.
She looked at Kal, Chloe, Chen Xia, and Duran and said,
“You're students from the Knightry and Magic departments, aren't you? My child usually owes you a lot.”
“No, rather, we receive a lot of help from Celia.”
Chloe smiled and greeted her.
“You're Chloe, aren't you? I've heard a lot about you.”
Reina greeted her warmly.
“And you're Kal, aren't you? I've heard a lot about you since last year too.”
“About me?”
Kal looked at Celia, a little surprised.
If it were Chloe, who was in the same class and a close friend, it would be understandable.
While Celia and Kal were close friends, they were in different classes, so it wasn't to the extent that she would tell her parents about him.
Seeing that, Chen Xia smiled and said,
“Celia, you look just like your mother.”
At those words, Celia let out a forced laugh.
“She's not my mother. She's my aunt.”
“If she's your aunt…”
“Leo's mother.”
“My son owes her a lot.”
When Reina said with a smile, Chloe became flustered.
“Ah, no! That! I, from my first year! So… I should say I received a lot of help from your son.”
Reina smiled brightly, seeing Chloe's eyes spinning.
“Alright, come visit our home sometime during summer vacation.”
Chen Xia adjusted her clothes and greeted respectfully.
“Madam, my name is Chen Xia. I usually receive a lot of help from Young Master Leo.”
Reina laughed at Chen Xia, who greeted her demurely, following the etiquette of the Eastern region.
“I'm glad my son seems to have gained a cute little sister.”
“…I'm older than him.”
“Really? You're truly youthful. Will you come visit during summer vacation too? Hey, Kal. You must come visit too.”
Reina invited Leo's friends to her home.
“Celia. Shall we invite the Rwalin kids too?”
“…Can't we not invite them?”
Celia made a sulky face.
“Anyway, where did this son of mine go?”
Reina grumbled.
***
Step- Step-
-Leo! Quick! Quick!
Kirian whined, perched on Leo's shoulder.
At Kirian's whining, Leo clicked his tongue and stood in front of Tina's office.
Knock- Knock-
Leo knocked.
But there was no response.
‘…Did she go to the party?’
Leo momentarily looked puzzled, but then shook his head.
The Tina Leo knew wasn't the type to attend public events.
“Looks like her office is empty?”
Nevertheless, he turned the doorknob.
Click- Creak-!
The sound of the door opening echoed in the hallway.
Leo subtly poked his face inside.
“Professor Tina, are you not here?”
-If she's not here, let's grab it and bolt!
“Talk sense.”
-Why! It's my wing!
It was when Kirian was getting agitated.
Swish- Swish-
A strange sound came from inside the office.
Leo, with a puzzled expression, headed into the office.
-Leo! No! That psycho elf might have set a trap or something!
Kirian, with a terrified face, tried to stop Leo, but Leo fearlessly went inside the office.
And seeing light leaking from a slightly open door, he opened it.
“Professor Tina, are you in?”
Tina, who was sharpening a scalpel on a small whetstone inside the door, turned her head.
Seeing her eyes wide and frenzied, Kirian screamed, ‘Aaaaaaaagh!’ and tried to run away.
Leo snatched Kirian.
“Hello, student Leo.”
Tina stood up with the scalpel in her hand.
Disheveled hair. Eyes somehow filled with madness.
“I enjoyed watching the competition.”
Tina looked at Kirian like a mad magic researcher.
“What brings you to me?”
“This guy, he broke into this office earlier, didn't he?”
“Oh, yes. So he was your familiar.”
Tina nodded and snapped her fingers.
Then the office lights came on, brightening the room.
Kirian, who had been screaming, was relieved in the brightened office.
“So, student Leo, I have a request.”
Tina smiled.
“Your fairy. Can I dissect him just once?”
-Hiiieeeek!
“Please refrain.”
“Oh, really?”
Tina clicked her tongue, as if disappointed.
“So. What brings you to my office?”
“The fairy wing you have, it actually belongs to this guy.”
Leo showed Kirian, held in his hand, to Tina.
“Hmm? And so?”
“I was wondering if you could return it.”
“Hmm!”
Tina crossed her arms, thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Alright, fine. In return, will you grant me one wish?”
“I am an ordinary human, so if you were to cut open my stomach and look inside, it wouldn't be much different.”
“That's tempting too. But that's not my request.”
Tina smiled.
“Student Leo, how about becoming an exchange student to Seirun?”