Book 1 Chapter 340

'There are definitely wizards specialized in dispel spells.'

Laura looked at Leo with surprised eyes.

'But Student Rail didn't use dispel.'

It is not impossible to nullify the opponent's magic without using a dispel spell.

In fact, any skilled wizard can do it.

The problem is time.

Even for the same magic, the structure of the incantation and mana control vary depending on the user.

To interfere with and nullify the opponent's magic, one must perfectly grasp such detailed incantation structures and mana control.

The time it takes to reach that point is immense.

Doing it instantaneously like Leo just did is practically impossible.

As far as Laura knew, there was only one wizard in history who could perfectly interpret and nullify an opponent's magic.

'Luna-nim.'

"Where are you performing such crude sorcery?"

In response to Leo's words, Otren provoked him by generating mana.

Flash-! Kwoogagagag-!

A flash erupted from Otren's hand.

A powerful mana storm raged.

High-output mana blew away all of Leo's clones.

Mirage is literally a magic that creates illusions.

No matter how indistinguishable from reality, an illusion is still an illusion.

It is inherently vulnerable to powerful area-of-effect attacks.

"Do you think you're special just because you're good at mirage magic? What about your star magic?"

Sparks flew from Otren's eyes.

"Pathetic! Your score is zero!"

Hundreds of flashes unleashed from Otren's hands adorned the air.

Leo's red eyes followed the trajectory of the flashes.

'Magic I don't know.'

Luna created star magic 5,000 years ago.

Seirun, the comet wizard, re-established star magic as the inherent magic of the elf race 3,000 years ago.

Over those vast years, countless derivative magics were born based on the magic system left by Luna.

It's only natural that there are as many magics Leo doesn't know as there are stars in the night sky.

Babababa-!

Just before invisible particles of light struck Leo.

The magic evaporated as if it had hit an invisible wall.

"W-what in the world…"

Otren's face was filled with astonishment.

'Well, the outcome doesn't change though.'

Star magic ultimately converges into one.

The original magic incantation system left by Luna.

And besides Luna, only one person.

To Leo, who alone had perfectly mastered that magic incantation system, magics derived from star magic were ineffective.

What elves today call pure star magic was merely 'unfinished' to Leo.

Just as a sturdy building collapses if its foundation crumbles, their magic, based on 'star magic,' could be easily dismantled by Leo.

'If it were fused with other magic systems, it wouldn't be impossible even for me.'

Star magic is compatible with other magic systems.

Leo fully understands only 'star magic.' If incantations from other magic systems were mixed in, even Leo couldn't have deciphered it in such a short time.

'Well, elves don't like such magic, calling it impure.'

In a sense, such development was precisely the progress of magic that Luna had hoped for.

Watching Otren, whose face was filled with astonishment, Leo opened his palm.

'It's fun imitating Luna.'

Interpreting and nullifying others' magic was Luna's specialty.

'The reason that guy was amazing wasn't because he created star magic.'

The reason Luna was great wasn't because she created star magic.

She was truly great because she learned and mastered all the magic available at the time, becoming a great mage.

Considering she created the fatal magic 'Innocent' and passed it to Kyle, who was an Erebos.

It was as if Luna had created a magic that could kill even gods.

Flash-!

A magic circle appeared above Leo's palm.

Otren's eyes widened.

"How… that magic…!"

The magic Otren had just used.

It was Otren's 'unique' magic.

"What in the world is happening…?"

Otren's jaw trembled.

He, too, had dedicated his life to star magic.

Born into an esteemed elf family and graduated from Seirun, he had walked a path of glory.

That's why he knew.

How absurd the human before him was.

For them, the pure-blooded elves, this reality was like a nightmare.

"What… what in the world is this?"

Seeing Otren asking himself, Leo unleashed his magic.

It was a magic that not only replicated Otren's unique magic but also improved its completeness.

"What is it?"

Leo replied with an expressionless face.

"Your way of doing things is wrong."

Flash! Kwoogagagag-!

***

After Leo and Otren's duel ended, the Magic Combat class concluded.

Otren, the homeroom teacher of the first-year advanced class, seemed so shocked that he ended the class as is.

Since the lower classes also couldn't continue the lesson in such an atmosphere, Laura led the students back to the classroom.

'Everyone's atmosphere is gloomy.'

After school.

Leo sighed as he watched the lower-class students leave the classroom with their heads hanging.

It couldn't be helped.

It became clear during the Magic Combat class earlier.

Seirun had no intention of treating the lower-class students as students.

They were merely considered stepping stones for the advanced students.

'It's bound to be despairing.'

At least if they were given equal opportunities and could compete properly, they wouldn't feel resentful.

But even that opportunity was not given.

As the entire lower class was leaving the classroom with a somber mood.

"Excuse me… Rail."

Angre approached Leo.

"Can we talk for a bit?"

As Leo was about to nod at Angre, who asked hesitantly.

"Student Angre, I'm sorry, but I'd like to have a private meeting with Student Rail first."

"Ah, yes."

Angre nodded with a flustered expression and said to Leo,

"Let's talk again later."

With that, Angre left.

Laura entered the counseling room next to the classroom with Leo.

Laura offered Leo a seat and sat in front of him, took a deep breath, and asked.

"I'll ask directly, Student Rail. What is your true identity?"

Laura brought out the student records.

"I looked at the mid-level class student records, and Student Rail's name was not there. The same applied to the advanced class."

Laura looked at the student who had suddenly appeared in the lower class today with a serious expression.

"Furthermore, the magical ability you displayed in your duel with Teacher Otren earlier was not at a first-year level. No. It would be more accurate to say it wasn't at a student's level."

Otren was also not someone with low achievements as a star wizard.

Such Otren was defeated without being able to do anything.

'He was just like Luna-nim from the stories.'

Laura also genuinely respected Luna.

As such, she was well aware of Luna's anecdotes.

It was a well-known story that Luna often showed genius abilities in her childhood according to historical records.

In response to Laura's question, Leo smiled faintly.

"You're not a Seirun student, are you?"

"As expected. Then who are you?"

"My name is Leo Frolov. I am the student council president of Lumern."

"What?"

Laura was surprised by his identity, which she had never imagined.

Laura had expected Leo to be an elf hero who had already made it into the Hero Record.

However, that expectation was completely missed.

'To think he's a Lumern student… and that Leo Frolov at that!'

Laura had also heard Leo's name before.

Leo's influence on elven society had already been immense since his first year.

Laura herself was moved by the magic incantation of the magic that made flowers bloom, which Leo had deciphered.

He obtained Polyum as a reward in Luna's world and played a significant role in the Lucretia battle.

Recently, he even conquered Dweno's world.

When a candidate hero she had desperately wanted to meet in this Seru battle suddenly appeared before her, Laura was at a loss.

"Are you really Leo Frolov? Why are you at Seirun…?"

"I came through the newly established exchange student program this time."

"Ah!"

Laura exclaimed.

And she understood why he had come to the first-year lower class.

"…Seirun has committed an immense rudeness towards Student Rail… no, Student Leo. As a Seirun teacher, I apologize."

Laura bowed her head and apologized to Leo.

"It's not something for a teacher to apologize for."

Leo smiled wryly as he dissuaded Laura.

Laura smiled bitterly as she watched Leo.

"You're only showing me embarrassing aspects. Seirun wasn't originally like this school."

Laura's face grew shadowed.

"The students in my class are also not supposed to be in the lower class… they are all exceptional children…"

Seeing Laura genuinely worrying about the students, Leo said.

"At this rate, they will hardly be able to pass the gate to the intermediate class, let alone the advanced class."

"…Yes."

Laura nodded with difficulty at Leo's words.

"If it's like this… it might be better not to be at Seirun. Seirun's current methods are wrong."

Laura said, looking up.

Just as the lower-class students had tried.

Laura had also struggled, using all means to help the students.

She repeatedly petitioned the Seirun upper management to provide opportunities for the lower-class children.

She asked for help so they could bloom as knights and summoners.

But now she realized it was useless.

'The children will be ruined like this.'

Laura gritted her teeth.

This was not the role of a Seirun teacher she had wanted.

"Teacher."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to try and change Seirun with me?"

Laura's eyes widened.

"If we fail, we might be kicked out of Seirun. But if we succeed. We can change Seirun."

For elves, becoming a Seirun teacher is an infinite honor.

It's second only to having one's name on the Hero Record.

Laura laughed at Leo's words.

"I have no desire to be a teacher at a Seirun like this. Do you have a plan?"

***

The next day.

At Laura's summons, all the lower-class students came to the classroom.

Seeing the students with somewhat vacant eyes, Laura said.

"Everyone."

Laura took a deep breath.

"As you all know, Seirun has abandoned you."

At that, the students' eyes widened.

"Sob!"

"…Damn it!"

Curses erupted from here and there.

Some female students covered their faces and shed tears, and even male students sobbed.

Just a few months ago, they had entered Seirun with big dreams as candidate elf heroes.

But before even taking the midterm exams, they were abandoned by the school.

Of course, everyone had felt it.

They had just been in denial.

Angre also looked dazed.

"If you stay at school as it is, you will only be treated as stepping stones for the intermediate and advanced students."

Laura said with an expressionless face.

"I cannot accept that. Because I know better than anyone that you are all talented."

"Then… what should we do?"

Angre asked with a trembling voice.

Seeing Angre, Laura said.

"You have to make a choice. Student Rail."

At Laura's words, Leo entered the classroom.

Leo held a grimoire in his hand.

"I believe you all saw Student Rail's star magic skills yesterday."

It was true.

Leo's magic skills were outstanding, having defeated the teacher in charge of the advanced class.

That's why one question arose.

'Why is he in the lower class?'

"Don't you wonder why Student Rail is in the lower class?"

The students looked flustered at Laura's question.

"What's the reason?"

Angre asked cautiously, and Leo said.

"Because I read a forbidden book designated by Seirun."

Thud-!

Leo placed the grimoire on the podium.

He propped it up so the lower-class students could see the title.

Angre, sitting in the front row, read the title.

"Introduction to Star Magic…? W-wait! This is a thesis written by a professor from Lumern's Magic Department!"

"What?"

"Why is that here?!"

The first-years hurriedly got up from their seats and retreated to the back of the classroom.

Leo wore a peculiar expression at their reaction, as if they had seen a plague.

Leo, holding the book, approached the students who had fled to the back of the classroom.

"Eek!"

"D-don't come near!"

The students fled from Leo with faces full of fear.

'This is amusing.'

Leo, with a playful smile, caught the fleeing Angre and forcibly placed the grimoire into his hand.

"Read it once."

"Eek!"

As if he had touched something terrifying, Angre screamed and threw the grimoire away, tears welling up.

If Ren had seen it, he might have foamed at the mouth for throwing away the grimoire he had written.

Leo snatched the grimoire floating in the air.

Laura smiled wryly watching the scene.

"That grimoire is a Grade 1 forbidden book designated by Seirun. You all know that merely mentioning it is severely punished, and possessing it results in severe punishment."

The students nodded at Laura's words.

"Student Rail was demoted to the lower class for possessing that grimoire."

"Ah…"

"As expected…"

The students let out sighs of disappointment.

"I also read the contents of the 'Introduction to Star Magic' after hearing the reason from Student Rail."

"Yes?"

"You can't!"

"T-then you might lose your teaching position, Teacher Laura!"

The students looked surprised.

Laura smiled faintly at the students who were worried about her.

"I have no desire to be a teacher at a Seirun like this."

Laura said firmly but gently, and continued.

"After reading the grimoire, I found no problem with its contents. No. Rather, I strongly felt that this grimoire should be widely distributed even among elves."

The 'Introduction to Star Magic' written by Ren and Anna.

Seirun had classified it as heretical and a forbidden book because it could destroy the uniqueness of 'star magic' that only they possessed.

'But the effect is certain.'

Most of the second-year magic students at Lumern who read the grimoire were initiated into star magic.

Soon, Lumern plans to conduct a pilot class for all magic students, which was previously only for second-year students.

Star magic is the inherent magic of elves.

This book, which allows anyone, not just elves, to be initiated into star magic, is a tremendous innovation.

If magic cannot keep up with innovation and progress, it can only lead to one thing.

'Regression.'

Leo clicked his tongue.

'At this rate, star magic will no longer be the magic symbolizing elves.'

Tina must also be worried about that.

No, any elf with a thinking mind would feel a sense of future anxiety.

'Naturally, elves will adapt much better to this magic system created by Ren and Anna.'

Star magic is heavily influenced by mana characteristics.

This is also why wizards who achieve great success in general magic among elves have lower achievements in star magic.

"If you master the contents of this grimoire, your star magic achievements will greatly improve. Then Seirun will realize. That this grimoire should not be forbidden and distanced, but actively embraced. And then, the current Seirun will change."

The students swallowed dryly at Laura's words.

"However, if Seirun does not change, it will be expulsion. In that case, I will also leave Seirun without regret. You will probably be expelled as well."

Laura looked at the students.

"I will not force you. The choice is yours."

To remain in the lower class as it is.

Or to challenge to change Seirun, even at the risk of expulsion.

The lower-class students, faced with a choice between two options, hesitated.

Angre, who had been acting as the class representative in the lower class, said with a trembling voice.

"We…"