Book 1 Chapter 351

351

Magic Academy.

Where the world's best mages gather to discuss magic.

It was literally an academy that led the future of the magic world.

Basically, various groups attend, starting from local magic towers, to magic guilds in various countries, and even hero academies.

Among these diverse groups gathered at the Magic Academy, the magic towers held the strongest voice.

Those publicly famous were the mages from hero academies or royal guilds.

They were active on the front lines of battle, proving their skills and building their reputation, so this was natural.

However, a powerful mage is not necessarily the best mage.

They are merely those who best utilize existing things, while those who create new things, pursue change, and lead trends can only be researchers.

That was also the essence of magic.

And the mages of the magic towers were the ones who best understood and pursued this essence of magic.

This year's Magic Academy was unusually held in Seyrun. Other hero academies like Lumern, Azonia, and Demian, as educational institutions representing their respective races, also had high interest in magic and often hosted academies.

However, the path of magic that Seyrun fundamentally pursues is different from the usual path of magic.

Star Magic.

The magic system left by Luna, the progenitor of the nebula, who is considered the greatest mage and responsible for magic existing on this land.

This was because what Seyrun pursued was precisely this Star Magic.

Elves' unique magic.

Generally, many new magic theories or interpretations presented at the academy were often incompatible with Star Magic.

Added to that was Seyrun's unique insularity.

Various factors combined, making it very rare for a Magic Academy to be held in Seyrun, even though it was the place among the four hero academies that valued magic the most.

As such, with the Magic Academy being held in Seyrun, the attention of the magic world was focused.

***

Two days after the mid-term exams ended.

Lunchtime.

The lower-class students rushed out to eat lunch.

They were lower-class students who had achieved overwhelming results in the exam, but the exam results had not yet been released.

Therefore, the discrimination based on class rankings still continued.

However, no students were intimidated by this outwardly visible discrimination anymore.

They had already proven their skills in the exam.

No longer did the intermediate or advanced class students disregard the lower-class students.

On the contrary, they would even watch their steps when the lower-class students passed by.

Even so, the lower-class students still did not eat lunch in the cafeteria.

As always, the lower-class students prepared lunch in their hideout, the lounge.

As they were making sandwiches for lunch, Eclair came in, smiling brightly.

"Hey guys, hi!"

After becoming close with the lower-class students, Eclair continued to hang out with them.

After the exam, Lea also joined them for lunch.

Of course, Lea's purpose was to meet Leo.

"Today, other kids came with us, besides us. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, no problem."

Anri said with a gentle smile.

"You can come in!"

Eclair gestured behind the door, and famous students entered.

None other than Elric, currently 2nd in first year, and Yoinia, 4th.

The lower-class students' eyes widened at the unexpected appearance of these students.

"They want to eat lunch with us," Eclair said with a beaming smile, and Yoinia spoke in a sullen voice.

"I just came because I have something to ask."

Yoinia, who scoffed with her arms crossed, approached Anri.

"You're Anri, right? The lower-class representative."

"Yes."

"I have something to ask. How were you able to improve your skills so much?"

Anri scratched his cheek.

He couldn't say, "I read forbidden books designated by the school."

"Thanks to Professor Laura and Senior Leo for their excellent guidance."

At Anri's words, Yoinia glanced at Leo.

Then she approached him and greeted him politely.

"Nice to meet you, Leo Flobe. I am Yoinia of the Tella family. I'm well aware of the Lumern student council president's reputation. It's an honor to meet you."

Yoinia, who greeted elegantly like a daughter of a prestigious family, asked seriously.

"Let me ask you directly. How were these students here able to improve their skills so quickly in a short period?"

"I only provided the catalyst. Improving their skills was the result of each of their efforts."

"Then please tell me about that catalyst."

"I don't particularly want to tell you."

Yoinia's eyes twitched.

"Is it because I'm in the advanced class?"

"It just means you don't really need it."

At his words, Yoinia looked puzzled.

"If you had properly demonstrated teamwork back then, the Verus group wouldn't have been able to achieve such an overwhelming victory. If I had to point out a regrettable aspect, it would be that you are overly focused on high-level magic, I suppose?"

"You're saying something similar to the second-year seniors."

Yoinia fell into thought.

After the defeat, rather than denying reality, she was trying to find a breakthrough somehow.

Just then, Lea, who had received a sandwich on a plate, handed it to Leo and said.

"After the exam, quite a few students in the advanced class have questioned the existing teaching methods. Yoinia is one of them."

It was natural, as they had been surpassed in skill by the lower-class students overnight.

As they were enjoying their meal, Eclair tilted her head.

"Something suddenly made me curious."

"What is it?"

"How do Lumern's first-year students compare to us?"

At those words, the movements of the Seyrun first-year students eating lunch completely stopped.

Lumern and Seyrun.

They were rivals who fought in the Luse Wars, and the current Lumern first-years were rivals who would compete with Seyrun students in the future.

As everyone looked tense at Eclair's question, Leo spoke.

"What is there to compare? You guys and our school kids are just chicks who just took their mid-term exams."

At his words, Elric adjusted his glasses.

"I am curious. I heard vaguely before that Lumern now has a 'mentor' system, right? Do you also have a mentee?"

At those words, Lea, who was munching on her sandwich, perked up her ears.

Lea turned her head fiercely and stared at Leo with wide eyes.

"Yes, I do."

"Your mentee must be famous, right? Aina Bayde from the Knight department? Habiden Birsen? Or Shasha Siehne Lodren from the Summoning department? If not, then Juen Torbina from the Magic department?"

"Elric… you know the names of Lumern's first-year students very well."

Eclair said with an amazed expression, and Elric replied.

"They are rivals we will compete against. It's perfectly natural to keep an eye on strong opponents."

Listening to Elric's words, Lea's eyes burned fiercely.

'Who is it! To be directly mentored by Senior Flobe! Such an enviable fellow!'

Anri bit into his sandwich savagely, as if tearing at meat.

"It's a guy named Luke."

"Luke? Elric, do you know anything?"

"…It's a name I've never heard before."

Elric scratched his head.

'Luke! From today on, you are my enemy!'

Lea burned with fighting spirit inwardly.

Luke, who had suddenly made an enemy of Seyrun's top first-year student.

"By the way, the academy starts tomorrow. What kind of magic theories will be presented?"

"Personally, I'm curious about [Introduction to Star Magic]. Seyrun considers it a heretical grimoire, but it's a reinterpreted spell system that allows anyone to use Star Magic. As a mage, I can't help but be curious."

At Yoinia's words, the entire lower class inwardly flinched.

[Introduction to Star Magic].

It was none other than the driving force behind the great turnaround this time.

'The Academy, huh. I'll have to go meet Associate Professor Anna in the evening too.'

***

That evening.

Seyrun was busy preparing to welcome external guests.

It was very rare for so many outsiders, regardless of race, to visit Seyrun when it wasn't for the Luse Wars.

Even if Seyrun was heavily influenced by the Pureblood Council, they were still some of the world's leading mages.

Among them, there were many mages who had made a name for themselves in the Hero Records and risen to the position of heroes, so they couldn't treat the academy attendees poorly.

The entire student body gathered in front of the campus to welcome the mages attending the academy.

"Whew! It's cold! So cold!"

Early evening.

Lunia shivered in the cold wind, then narrowed her eyes as she looked beside her.

"Do you realize how much you stand out dressed like that?"

Lunia said, clicking her tongue.

At her words, Leo chuckled.

"It's the usual uniform, isn't it?"

Leo was wearing none other than Lumern's uniform.

Leo was also attending the Magic Academy this time, helping Associate Professor Anna.

Naturally, he was representing Lumern, and naturally, he wore Lumern's uniform.

But at this time, when no one else had arrived.

Leo, proudly wearing Lumern's uniform amidst the gathered student body, stood out too much.

Lunia clicked her tongue as she watched Leo, who didn't even bat an eye despite all the Seyrun students' gazes on him.

'Sometimes I think he's got a thick skin.'

"The Seyrun uniform also suits you well."

It was when she was muttering slightly.

Just then.

Mages began to arrive at the campus.

"Welcome to Seyrun."

Every time mages appeared, the students collectively offered a welcome greeting.

Amidst this, Leo, who was watching the arriving mages, spotted Associate Professor Anna and approached her.

"Associate Professor Anna."

"Ah! Student Leo!"

Associate Professor Anna found Leo and smiled brightly.

"How's life at Seyrun?"

"Yes. It was fun."

"…It's clear to see you've had a hard time."

Associate Professor Anna looked at her student with a wry smile.

"Anyway, leave this academy to me."

Associate Professor Anna made a resolute expression.

"Because I can't let Student Leo suffer any more."

"Oh, about that."

Leo smiled.

"I caused a bit of trouble in Seyrun."

"…"

Associate Professor Anna felt an ominous premonition watching Leo smile.

"What… do you mean?"

"I'll tell you the details when we get to the dorm."

***

"It's been a long time, Teacher Herdium."

"It has been a long time."

Herdium warmly greeted the elf mage who had greeted him happily.

He was none other than the Master of the Northern Magic Tower.

Algren Beggs.

Despite being an elf, he was a great mage, powerful enough to secure the position of Master of the Northern Magic Tower.

Despite such abilities, he was not a Seyrun graduate.

The reason was simple.

He had not mastered Star Magic.

Some Seyrun teachers narrowed their eyes as they looked at him.

They were from the Pureblood Council.

However, they couldn't treat a mage who was the Master of the Northern Magic Tower carelessly.

"I'm looking forward to this academy as well."

"Yes. But this academy, more than me…"

Algren smiled gently and pulled the girl next to him towards him by the shoulder.

"I hope you look forward to my daughter's performance more."

A beautiful woman, appearing to be in her early 20s, bowed her head towards Herdium.

A half-elf.

Some Pureblood Council teachers' faces openly contorted, but Herdium didn't mind.

"It's regrettable. If Miss Anyas had enrolled in Seyrun, she surely would have achieved great things."

When Herdium spoke with a regretful expression, Algren smiled gently.

"My daughter isn't very interested in being a hero."

"What? Isn't she hero material?"

"No, I won't be a hero."

Anyas shook her head.

Herdium looked at Anyas with a puzzled expression.

It was when the two mother and daughter finished their greetings and moved on.

"Father. Look over there."

Algren looked where his daughter pointed.

"Ohh."

And he saw Leo, wearing clothing that clearly stood out among the Seyrun students, and his eyes lit up.

"Is that the Leo Flobe?"

Algren's eyes sparkled.

'An all-class like the Great Hero of Shadows.'