Book 1 Chapter 332

332

The day after the midterms ended.

Even though the exams were over, the department schedule didn't leave the Lumern students alone.

Students were, without fail, driven into a tight department schedule.

But even so, it seemed they couldn't help but feel the sense of liberation that came with the end of the exams.

The students wore relieved expressions.

Except for one grade.

"Ughhhhhh."

Iliana, face down on her desk, opened her mouth and let out a groan of pain.

It wasn't just Iliana.

Most students had expressions as if their souls had left their bodies.

"Dad and Mom grilled me…"

"My allowance is going to be cut for a month. I'm going to have to go to Lumeria City on weekends to do a part-time job…!"

"It seems our school professors only think about how to torment us."

Wails and laments could be heard everywhere.

It was true that the sophomores, overall, had become lax about the written exams, as the mentor system meant they wouldn't be advised to withdraw until the end of the first semester.

Of course, they had their own reasons, claiming they had used the time they would have invested in written exams to "hone their practical skills."

To their parents, however, that was nothing more than an excuse.

The magic department students, in particular, suffered heavy losses.

Since parents were sensitive about exam scores, most students couldn't enjoy the party yesterday and were tormented by their parents.

It was unavoidable that the parents of magic department students, who generally showed academic excellence, would be even more sensitive about the written exams.

Looking at his wailing friends, Kale clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"That's why you should've studied hard for the exams."

"Ugh-! You messed up the written exam too!"

"Puhahahaha! In my case, my parents' expectations were at rock bottom from the start! They praise me just for surviving! Hahahahahaha!"

Kale burst into boisterous laughter, then quickly put on a gloomy expression.

"This is also kind of pathetic."

Of course, there were also free spirits amidst this disaster.

These were the top students of the department.

"Chloe and Abbad got perfect scores again, right?"

"I'm really envious."

The envious gazes of their classmates turned towards the two.

Chloe, who hadn't taken her eyes off her grimoire, looked up and tilted her head, while Abbad wore his usual gentle smile.

Just then, Leo entered the classroom.

As Leo walked in, all the students fell silent for a moment.

The shocking image of Leo from yesterday still lingered in the students' minds.

Leo went and sat next to Chloe and Kale, who were in the front row as usual.

As an awkward atmosphere hung in the air.

Chelsea walked into the classroom.

"Oh, Leo oppa! Good morning!"

Chelsea greeted Leo with her usual vibrant face.

"Kale and Chloe, did you sleep well too?"

"Exams are over, so I slept like a baby."

"I slept well. You?"

Kale replied casually, and Chloe, who answered next, gave a faint smile.

Chelsea smiled sweetly in response.

"I slept well too."

Chelsea hadn't attended the party yesterday.

"Leo oppa, how was I yesterday?"

"You were amazing. Now you could easily be called a full-fledged magician, couldn't you?"

At Leo's words, Chelsea giggled.

"See you at lunch later!"

Then she greeted him cheerfully and went over to Abbad.

Chelsea always took magic classes with Abbad.

Seeing that, Kale chuckled.

"It's a relief she's full of energy as usual."

"Chelsea is stronger than you think."

"I know she's strong. Very strong. Annoyingly so. She probably has the tenacity to get back up like a cockroach no matter how much you press her down… Gu-eck!"

"You're comparing me to a cockroach?"

Chelsea, who had suddenly flown over, delivered a dropkick to Kale's side.

With Chelsea's appearance, the classroom atmosphere, which had been stiff because of Leo, loosened up a bit.

Students from other dorms approached Leo and started talking to him.

Some even asked about the Dragon Language magic Leo had used.

In response, Leo briefly answered that it was the effect of his unique magic, 'Bible'.

Chloe also seemed interested and joined the discussion about Dragon Language magic.

It was when they were having such a lively discussion about magic.

Cl clap clap clap!

"Wonderful! Gentlemen! That passion for magic! It's the right attitude! A very right attitude!"

The classroom door opened and Ren appeared.

Ren, clapping enthusiastically and wearing an emotional expression, ascended the classroom podium.

"A magician, above all! Is most beautiful when they have a passion for magic and engage in discussion! Now! In that sense, behold! The beautiful sight of Associate Professor Anna preparing for the magic conference to be held in Seirun!"

Ren pointed at Anna.

Anna glanced at Ren with exhausted eyes.

What filled her eyes was unmistakable killing intent.

"Now! Please give a round of warm applause to Associate Professor Anna, who will soon attend the magic conference in Seirun and elevate Lumern's reputation!"

As Ren clapped, the students reluctantly clapped.

The more they clapped, the more intense the killing intent in Anna's eyes became.

"Shouldn't we go stop them?"

As Leo propped his chin and murmured, Chloe and Chelsea led a few female students to Anna's side.

Ren's 'fits' about magic were already familiar to the sophomores.

They were flustered in their first year, but after experiencing it countless times for about a year, everyone naturally learned how to respond.

When Ren had a 'fit', the male students, led by Leo and Abbad, were in charge.

However, since Anna started having 'fits' because of Ren in their second year, the female students also took on the role of calming Anna down.

Fortunately, Anna's 'fits' had precursory symptoms, so they could be prevented.

Chloe, who had calmed Anna, raised her hand.

"Yes, student Chloe."

"Professor Ren. Can students also accompany as assistants for the magic conference presentation?"

Ren smiled faintly at Chloe's question.

"Of course, it's possible. It is possible, but."

"We are not planning to take students to this conference presentation."

Anna sighed and answered Ren's ambiguous words.

In response, several students, including Chloe, showed disappointed expressions.

Seeing those students, Anna gave a wry smile.

"If it were another conference, I would have accepted your help, but… I don't want to take you to this conference. There's a high probability it will be an unpleasant conference for students to experience."

At Anna's words, the students looked flustered.

"Gentlemen! Let's leave this conference to the experienced Associate Professor Anna! We'll start class now!"

At Ren's words, the students hurriedly returned to their seats.

Seeing those students, Ren said.

"First, I will select the top student for the practical exam in the Department of Magic."

At Ren's words, the students' gazes focused on Leo.

It was clear that Leo, who was called 'Demon Lord' and had shown overwhelming power, would undoubtedly receive the top score in the practical exam for the Department of Magic.

But the student Ren announced was not Leo.

"The student who took first place in the familiar section is none other than Chelsea Rwalyn."

Everyone stared at Chelsea with wide eyes.

Chelsea also pointed at herself with a bewildered expression.

Leo propped his chin, as if he had expected it.

"Professor! I'm curious why Chelsea is the top student and not Leo!"

Iliana raised her hand high and asked.

"I'll explain that part on behalf of Professor Ren."

Just then, the classroom door opened and Tina, with dark circles under her eyes, entered.

Tina, who had climbed onto the podium, looked around at the students and said.

"The assignment for this magic department's practical exam was to create an excellent familiar magic. In that sense, Chelsea Rwalyn completed a familiar magic worthy of a perfect score."

She summoned a familiar with an attribute suitable for her and used the familiar to compensate for her shortcomings.

And its power was also outstanding.

"The highest score was, as expected, for devising a spell that could enhance the magic itself through her unique magic. Excellent. She created a familiar even more wonderful than I expected."

Tina smiled faintly and looked at Chelsea.

"It's true that student Leo showed overwhelming power. But he didn't demonstrate the familiar part, which was the exam assignment."

'Well, it's true he didn't really need one, though.'

Tina glanced at Leo.

For Leo, who already commanded the Three Great Phantasmal Beasts, a familiar was practically meaningless.

Leo also knew that well.

That's why he had been negligent in this magic department's practical exam.

Of course, she didn't bring up such a story explicitly to further discourage the already dispirited other students.

"Perhaps student Chloe made the next most excellent familiar after student Chelsea?"

What Chloe created was an ice slime using magical engineering.

It was a slime specialized in defense, boasting overwhelming defensive power.

It was a familiar that would cover Chloe's weaknesses while she cast powerful spells.

"Student Abbad is 3rd by a small margin. Do you know why?"

"Because I didn't create a familiar, but rather a contract magic."

"Yes. I think it's a truly amazing magic. But it strayed a little from the purpose of this exam, so your score was deducted."

"I created it with that in mind, so it's fine."

When Abbad gave a charming smile, several female students blushed.

Tina nodded.

"These are the students who took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Department of Magic practical exam."

When Tina finished speaking, Ren crossed his arms.

"And we also selected a student who played a significant role in combat."

"Kuh! This must be Leo, right?"

Kale said, placing his interlocked hands behind his head.

"It's a joint award. Student Leo and student Kale."

"Huh? Me?"

Kale made a bewildered expression.

Other students also looked disbelieving, but Abbad smiled faintly as if he had expected it.

"You received high marks for your ability to devise strategies."

Ren grinned at Kale.

"Wow! This is my first time getting a top score."

Kale wore an excited expression.

"Alright! The midterms summary is over, so now it's time for an enjoyable lecture!"

Ren spread his arms wide.

"Today, following last time, we will study star magic!"

***

After class, Ren came to his professor's office with Tina.

"Today was an excellent lecture too, Professor Ren."

"Not at all. All of this is possible thanks to Professor Tina's help."

Ren smiled faintly.

Although she was merely a visiting professor, Tina's passion for magic was genuine.

That's why she actively helped Ren's classes, and Ren also felt that student satisfaction had significantly increased since Tina came as a visiting professor.

'Inviting Tina was indeed not a wrong decision.'

It was when Ren was smiling contentedly and praising his past self.

"Professor Ren, there's something I'd like to discuss."

"What is it? If it's something I can do, I'll help to the best of my ability."

Ren smiled softly.

"It's about student Leo."

"Hmm? Student Leo?"

Ren made a puzzled expression.

"Yes."

Tina nodded and then said.

"I'd like to send student Leo to Seirun as an exchange student."

For a moment, Ren thought to himself.

'Did I lecture too passionately? I'm hearing nonsense.'

Thud-!

Just then, Anna, who was organizing materials with an exhausted face behind them, dropped a pile of papers on the floor.

Anna's face had turned pale.

"Associate Professor Anna. For you to drop papers. You must be very tired. Just bear with it a little longer."

Ren, who encouraged the associate professor with a gentle smile, asked again.

"Professor Tina. I was tired and didn't hear what you said a moment ago, could you please repeat it?"

"I'd like to send student Leo to Seirun as an exchange student."

Seeing Tina repeat her words without a single change from before, Ren's face turned cold.

He hadn't misheard.

"Did I mishear you?"

"I'd like to send student Leo to Seirun as an exchange student."

Seeing Tina repeat the exact same words for the third time without a single change, Ren thought.

'Which idiotic fool dragged this damned elf into the school anyway?'

Ren, his reason paralyzed, heaped all sorts of curses and insults upon his past self.