Book 1 Chapter 330

The evening after the exams ended.

The second-year students were changing clothes in their dorms.

"Looking at this, our dorm is really something," Iliana muttered, examining her hair in front of the mirror in the Glory dormitory lounge, wearing a magnificent party dress.

A male student from the Magic Department frowned in confusion at her words.

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

"Even though we fought fiercely until just a moment ago, and even decided winners and losers. We're throwing an exam celebration party today?"

"That's true."

The other students nodded.

"Crucially…"

One of the Glory students sighed deeply.

"Today's victory… honestly, can we say we won because we were so good?"

At those words, the faces of the Glory students turned grim.

It wasn't that they hadn't tried their best.

No, they had fought with gritted teeth.

From the perspective of the Glory students, they had faced precarious situations numerous times as students from Harmony and Noble formed an alliance to attack.

In such a situation, Glory's victory was achieved because Leo had defeated Chelsea and Carl, the kings of Harmony and Noble.

It was at this moment that the Glory students, having finished preparations for the party, were looking dejected in the lounge.

Click- clack-

"Why is everyone's mood so down?"

As Chloe appeared, the students looked at her with admiration.

Chloe, one of the most beautiful girls in the second year, was always popular.

However, unlike her usual neat appearance as a top student, she was now strikingly dressed up for the party.

Her platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and sky-blue dress were impressive.

"Chloe, you're so beautiful."

Chen Xia, dressed in the flowing attire characteristic of the eastern continent, appeared behind Chloe and smiled brightly.

"It's nice to see our dorm's two top beauties all dolled up."

"There's an exotic charm to you."

At the words of the male students from the dorm, Iliana pouted and pointed a finger at herself.

"I'm a beautiful girl too."

"Uh, yeah."

"You're a beautiful girl too."

"What's with that lukewarm reaction?!"

Iliana glared.

Amidst the commotion, Chen Xia, sitting on the lounge sofa, tilted her head.

"By the way, what were you all talking about that made your expressions so gloomy?"

At Chen Xia's words, the Glory students looked at each other with sad expressions.

"Come on, tell your older sister," Chen Xia said with a smile.

Iliana sat on the sofa and said, "No, this competition. Honestly, it feels like the class representative almost carried us single-handedly."

Leaning back on the sofa, Iliana sighed, "Ehyo."

"I'm wondering if we can truly enjoy the party."

The students from other dorms also looked dejected.

"Were you all thinking that?" Chen Xia smiled.

Chloe also crossed her arms.

"It's true that Leo was the most active in this competition. But Leo also said, didn't he? That he couldn't have run wild like that if he didn't have the support of his dorm mates."

"That's right. Leo said he was able to be active because he had reliable comrades he could trust with his back. So, don't be too discouraged."

At those words, the Glory students looked intrigued.

"Did he really say that?"

"Yes."

At Chen Xia's words, the Glory students looked embarrassed.

"By the way, where is Leo?"

As the dorm students asked with puzzled faces, Chloe said,

"He probably already went to the party venue."

***

The after-party for the second-year midterm exams was held in the dorm garden.

Glory, Harmony, Noble.

Although the three dormitories had different buildings, they shared the same garden, allowing for interaction within it.

Amidst the soft music, the seats were occupied by distinguished guests.

Most of them were parents of the second-year students invited to observe the exams.

"Professor, how is my son doing at school? He never talks about how he studies at Rumern in his letters."

"Torren is currently very interested in researching methods to resolve drought using water elementals. Although he is an elementalist, he is also diligently taking magic classes as a minor. He is achieving excellent academic results. Professor Yura, come here and tell us about Torren."

Sedgen was actively consulting with the parents.

The professors from various departments were called here and there by Sedgen, busy telling parents about their students.

"Seeing that, Professor Sedgen truly is amazing," Ren exclaimed after a brief consultation with a parent of a magic student.

"He's not called the most outstanding professor at Rumern for nothing," Halind said indifferently, sipping his wine.

"Oh, Mother?"

"Sister… how did you get here…"

"Father!"

Confused voices were heard from the garden entrance.

The second-year students arriving at the party had spotted the distinguished guests.

Students were chatting with their families, a mixture of joy and bewilderment.

They introduced their close friends, creating a cordial atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Celia approached Chloe.

"Celia, how are you feeling?"

"I've already received all the healing. How about you?"

"Me too. It's a little disappointing that we couldn't compete."

Celia and Chloe, who were close friends, exchanged greetings.

Chen Xia smiled wryly, watching them.

"I'm also disappointed that I couldn't compete with Duran."

"Hmph, if we had kept fighting, I would have won," Duran's voice was heard from behind with a scoff.

Beside Duran was a small girl of about ten years old with blonde hair and golden eyes.

Seeing the girl, Chen Xia crouched down with a bright smile.

"Who is this adorable young lady?"

"My sister."

"It's nice to meet you. What is your name?"

As Chen Xia spoke in a friendly manner, the girl greeted her with a shy smile.

"My name is Hellen Moira. It's an honor to meet you. Your battle with my brother… it was truly magnificent."

"I am honored that you see it so favorably, Princess Hellen."

If she was Duran's sister, she was a princess of the Kingdom of Moira.

At Chen Xia's words, Hellen smiled brightly.

Watching them, Chloe and Celia looked at Duran with peculiar eyes.

"What is it? That gaze."

"No, your sister is so cute. But she doesn't seem to suit your image."

"Yeah, she seems too good for you. Can't you give her to me? I've always wanted a younger sister." Chloe said with a smile, and Celia's lips curved upward.

Duran scoffed, watching the two girls tease him.

"Ooh! Everyone's gathered!"

Just then, a friendly voice was heard.

It was Carl, of course.

"Oh my! Even a princess is here." Carl exclaimed dramatically upon seeing Hellen, then bowed politely. It was only natural, as Carl was from Moira.

"Princess Hellen, my name is Carl Thomas."

"Carl Thomas, ah! My brother has told me a lot about you. You're from our kingdom, aren't you? He mentioned you were an excellent mage."

Everyone was surprised to see Hellen smiling brightly.

It was astonishing that Duran had praised his sister to Carl!

"…Who are you, you're not a prince, are you?"

"Be quiet, Carl Thomas," Duran scoffed.

"My brother said that even though your grades are low, your desperate struggle to survive was impressive."

At those words, Carl smiled broadly.

"This is what a prince should be like!"

Chloe and Celia suppressed their laughter, watching Carl, who seemed somewhat relieved.

Duran maintained his usual expressionless face.

Just then.

"Oh my, Celia. Are these your friends?" Reina approached with a smile.

Looking at Carl, Chloe, Chen Xia, and Duran, she said,

"They are from the Knight Department and the Magic Department. My son has been indebted to them."

"No, rather, we have received a lot of help from Celia," Chloe replied with a smile.

"You must be Chloe? I've heard a lot about you," Reina greeted warmly.

"And you must be Carl? I've heard a lot about you since last year."

"About me?" Carl looked at Duran with slight surprise.

Chloe, his classmate and best friend, might tell her parents, but Duran and Carl, though close friends, were in different classes, so it wasn't something parents would necessarily hear about.

Chen Xia smiled and said, "Celia, you really look like your mother."

At those words, Celia let out a dry laugh.

"It's not my mother. It's my aunt."

"Your aunt, then…"

"Leo's mother."

"Our son is indebted to you," Reina said with a smile, and Chloe looked flustered.

"Ah, no! I mean, I've received great help from your son since my first year! So…"

Reina smiled brightly, watching Chloe's eyes spin.

"Yes, why don't you come over to our house during the summer break?"

Chen Xia adjusted her clothes and bowed politely.

"Mother, my name is Chen Xia. I have received much help from Lord Leo."

Reina smiled at Chen Xia, who bowed meekly with the etiquette of the eastern region.

"I'm happy that my son seems to have gained a cute younger sister."

"…I'm the older sister."

"Really? You really look young. Would you like to come over during the summer break too? Hey, Carl, you should come too."

Reina invited Leo's friends to her home.

"Celia, should I invite the kids from Rualin too?"

"…Can't we not invite them?" Celia replied with a gloomy expression.

"By the way, where did my son go?" Reina grumbled.

***

Stomp- stomp-

"Leo! Hurry! Hurry!" Kirian whined, perched on Leo's shoulder.

At Kirian's whining, Leo clicked his tongue and stopped in front of Tina's professor's office.

Knock- knock-

Leo knocked.

But there was no response.

'…Did she go to the party?'

Leo was momentarily puzzled but then shook his head.

The Leo he knew wouldn't go to such public events.

"It seems the professor's office is empty?"

Nevertheless, he turned the doorknob.

Click- screech-!

The sound of the door opening echoed in the hallway.

Leo peeked inside.

"Professor Tina, are you not here?"

'If she's not here, let's grab it and run!'

"Don't say ridiculous things."

'Why! It's my wing!'

It was at that moment that Kirian was being insistent.

Swoosh- swoosh-

A strange sound came from inside the professor's office.

Leo, with a puzzled expression, headed into the professor's office.

'Leo! No! That psycho elf might have set a trap!'

Kirian, with a terrified look, tried to stop Leo, but Leo boldly went further into the office.

And seeing light seeping from the slightly open door, he opened it.

"Professor Tina, are you there?"

Tina, who was sharpening a scalpel on a small whetstone inside, turned her head.

Seeing her eyes flashing wildly, Kirian screamed, 'Aaahhhh!' and tried to escape.

Leo, however, snatched Kirian.

"Hello, student Leo."

Tina stood up, holding the scalpel.

Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes held a hint of madness.

"I watched the competition well."

Tina looked at Kirian, appearing like a mad magic researcher.

"What brings you to me?"

"This guy, he broke into your office earlier, didn't he?"

"Yes, that's right. So you're his sworn partner?"

Tina nodded and snapped her fingers.

Then, the lights in the professor's office turned on, illuminating the room.

Kirian, who had been screaming, felt relieved in the brightened office.

"So, student Leo, I have a favor to ask."

Tina smiled.

"Your fairy. Can I dissect it just once?"

'Heeeeeek!'

"Please endure it."

"Really?"

Tina licked her lips, sounding disappointed.

"So, what brings you to my office?"

"The fairy's wing that Professor has, it actually belongs to this guy."

Leo showed Kirian, held in his hand, to Tina.

"Hmm? So?"

"Could you please return it?"

"Hmm!"

Tina, with her arms crossed, pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, alright. In exchange, would you do me a favor?"

"I'm an ordinary human, so looking inside my stomach won't be much different."

"That's also tempting. But that's not the favor I'm asking."

Tina smiled.

"Student Leo, would you consider going to Seirun as an exchange student?"