Book 1 Chapter 649

649.

The central hall of the Clock Tower dormitory.

As expected of a dormitory as grand as the Clock Tower, the central hall was large enough to accommodate the entire student body without issue.

Indeed, at that moment, the entire student body was gathered.

"It feels like we've gone back to our first year."

Chloe, who was reading a magic tome while sitting on a chair in the central hall, murmured softly.

At her murmur, Kal scratched his head and nodded.

"It does."

Currently, the entire student body was divided into three groups.

Knight Department, Magic Department, Summoning Department.

For the third-years, it brought back memories of the departmental rivalries they had when they first entered.

Especially since last year, they had lived in dormitories regardless of department, so this atmosphere was something they hadn't experienced in a year.

For the second-years, this kind of division felt awkward.

From their admission, the mentor system had fostered a stronger sense of individual competition than departmental rivalry.

This tendency remained strong even in the second semester.

On the other hand, the fourth and fifth-years were accustomed to this situation.

The first-years were subtly observing the atmosphere of their seniors.

From the first-years' perspective, just being in the same space as the second-years was overwhelming.

In such a situation, with the entire upperclassmen gathered in one place, they couldn't help but hold their breath.

As this strange atmosphere continued.

Kal clicked his tongue lightly.

"By the way… I thought it was too spacious."

"Hm? Ah."

Chloe, who had shown a momentarily puzzled expression at Kal's murmur, nodded.

When they first saw the dormitory building, students had looked forward to a third-year student alone occupying such a spacious dormitory.

However, upon entering the dormitory, they found it was used by all grades.

It was spacious if only third-years used it, but understandable in scale if all grades used it.

"Still, it's nice that it's spacious."

Iliana chimed in to their conversation.

"There were all sorts of amenities within the dormitory building!"

"Yeah. Right. There was a library too. There were many new magic tomes."

"Huh? There's a library?"

"What on earth did you even look at?"

"Amusement facilities!"

Chloe shook her head, looking at Iliana who gave a thumbs-up.

"But why are you here?"

"Hm?"

At Kal's question, Iliana's eyes widened.

"You're in the Knight Department. Why are you here?"

"What are you talking about! I'm taking all the advanced magic courses!"

"The dormitory is for the Knight Department, isn't it?"

Chloe said, without taking her eyes off her magic tome.

"Are you discriminating against me because I'm a Sword Mage? The blood of a magic student flows through me!"

"Then why did you go into the Knight Department dormitory?"

"This is too much! Are you going to discriminate against the class representative too?! The representative is from three classes!"

"Leo is different."

"Yeah. Leo is different."

Iliana pouted at Kal and Chloe's instant replies.

"This is too unfair!"

"What? Why is it so noisy?"

"Chelsea! The kids are ostracizing me."

Iliana pouted and clung to Chelsea.

Seeing Iliana like that, Chelsea said to the second-years.

"What are you doing? There's a spy from the Knight Department here. Drag them out."

"Do you have no blood or tears?!"

Iliana screamed at Chelsea's ruthless demeanor.

"Senior Iliana. Uh… Senior Celia said it's time, so she's calling you."

Just then, Luke appeared and said cautiously.

Seeing Luke, Kal said.

"Luke, why did you go to the Knight Department? You could have easily come to the Magic Department."

"Yes? Well… magic is too difficult. I was worried if I could do well."

"What a shame. This idiot also takes magic classes just fine."

Chelsea said, crossing her arms and pointing at Iliana.

"I'm not an idiot! And what's with this temperature difference?!"

"Is this the first time you've acted like a spy?"

Chelsea said, narrowing her eyes.

"Spy! I'll say it again! The blood of the Magic Department flows through me…"

"Senior Iliana. Senior Sia said to stop embarrassing the department and to come quickly. She didn't expect anything anyway."

"…"

Aina, who appeared behind Luke, said with a blank expression.

"Hmph! It was almost done!"

"You were trying to spy, weren't you? And it was almost done."

As Kal shook his head, watching Iliana grumble.

*Clack-*!

Chloe, who had been reading her magic tome, closed the book.

*Click- click-*

At the same time, Elena appeared from behind where the magic students were gathered.

For a moment, all eyes turned to Elena.

Chloe's eyes met Elena's as she passed by.

Chloe smiled sweetly, twirled her hair, and stepped forward to the front of the Magic Department.

"Senior Elena is still the same."

Kal replied to Chloe's murmur.

"Where would that presence go?"

Literally, a presence that overwhelmed the audience.

Its impact intensified with the number of people.

Especially if seen without immunity, one would be completely captivated.

While the third-years had become accustomed to it, the second-years reacted with tension to Elena's appearance.

Normally, seniors were like gods to first-years.

As such, first-years tended to stay away from the seniors' active areas.

Among them, Elena had a high position in the school, making her relatively even harder to see.

They had seen her at external events, but she hadn't openly scattered her magic like this.

In a sense, Elena now was her true form.

While the second-years resisted the presence Elena was scattering.

The new students stared blankly at Elena.

"S-so pretty…"

Someone murmured dazedly.

While the new students couldn't take their eyes off Elena.

Elena, who had come to the very front of the Magic Department, said, gently twirling her hair.

"It seems the representatives of each department have gathered."

At Elena's words, Lil, who was at the very front, raised her hand.

"Senior Elena! Senior Runba is still in the back!"

At those words, Elena looked at Lil as if asking what nonsense she was talking about.

"Aren't you the representative of the Summoning Department?"

"Huh? With Senior Runba, the top Summoning Department student of the 5th year, how could I possibly…"

"You represent the Summoning Department. I want to live quietly."

Runba shrugged from behind.

"Huh? That can't be…"

"Yes! Yes! You represent us."

"We trust you, Lil, more than Runba."

The fifth-year students of the Summoning Department pushed Lil's back.

"Go, our monster! Fight on!"

"I am not a monster!"

Lil protested to her seniors with a pout, but of course, the fifth-years didn't listen.

Meanwhile, Takon, who had come out as the representative of the Knight Department, opened his mouth.

"First, let's assess the situation."

Currently, there were only students in the dormitory.

There was no other information.

At Takon's words, Elena said.

"As you can see, all grades and departments are using the same dormitory. And the areas are clearly divided."

Elena's eyes curved slightly.

"It seems this year will be a competition between departments."

"That's right!"

As soon as Elena finished speaking, Sedjen's voice was heard.

As everyone looked around.

*Creak-*

The central hall door opened, and Sedjen and Tina appeared.

"This year is a departmental competition! We must all work together as a department with the goal of winning this competition!"

The entire student body began to murmur at Sedjen's declaration.

Elena smiled faintly at Sedjen's words.

"What is the prize for winning?"

"The prize for winning is countless benefits!"

Sedjen said confidently.

"First! There will be no expulsion until the end of the second semester final exams!"

Everyone looked surprised at the unprecedented condition.

"For the winning department, everyone will advance to the next year and graduate!"

"Ooooh…!"

Cheers erupted from the first and second-years.

"What about the departments that don't win?"

"Expulsion will be decided based on overall grades. However, this year, it has changed from relative evaluation to absolute evaluation."

Upon hearing Sedjen's words, Chloe raised her hand.

"My beloved student! Student Chloe! What do you want to know?"

"Will this dormitory system be maintained next year as well?"

"Elegance! Indeed, my beloved student! Sharp insight!"

Sedjen applauded enthusiastically and approached Chloe.

"Extend your hand!"

At Sedjen's words, Chloe hesitantly extended her palm.

Sedjen took out a stamp from his pocket and stamped Chloe's palm.

[Very Good.]

Chloe looked bewildered at the words written on the stamp.

Soon, the stamped image on her palm disappeared.

"A 'compliment stamp' is given to students who do praiseworthy deeds! The compliment stamp directly translates to bonus points for the dormitory!"

"Why a stamp instead of points?"

Chloe asked with pure curiosity, and Sedjen quickly replied.

"It's my personal preference!"

Saying that, Sedjen returned to his seat.

"How did you know this dormitory system would be maintained next year?"

"The winning department gets to advance without expulsion. I thought there might be an issue with departmental balance next academic year. In that situation, the advancement evaluation changed to absolute evaluation. That means giving as many students as possible the chance to advance to the next year."

Chloe calmly explained her deductions.

"The fact that there are no expulsions until the end of the year is a continuation of last year's mentor system for the departmental system. Therefore, I thought seniors would create a situation where they would lead their juniors in some way."

That was absolute evaluation.

Unlike relative evaluation, which determines expulsions based on ranking, absolute evaluation means that as long as one passes the cutoff line, advancement is decided.

To gain an advantage in departmental competition next year, it was beneficial for many students to advance.

"The primary benefit is related to advancement! There are other benefits as well, but I will let you know about those later!"

Sedjen smiled.

"First, everyone is probably hungry and tired, so let's head to the dormitory cafeteria! The school has prepared a welcome party for the new students!"

As Sedjen headed towards the central hall door with a smile.

*Creak-*! *Thud-*!

"Oof!"

The central door swung open and hit Sedjen in the face.

Leo, who entered at the perfect timing, said.

"Professor Sedjen. Are you alright?"

"Student Leo."

Sedjen stood up.

"You're late. There was a notice for assembly, wasn't there?"

"I didn't receive one."

Leo scratched his head.

Upon hearing that, Tina nodded.

"It seems that notice isn't being delivered to the Clock Tower. There seems to be an error."

Sedjen nodded at the words of Tina, who designed the entire Clock Tower dormitory.

"Hmm! I see! I'll be careful next time! Can I have your hand? Student Leo."

When Leo extended his hand, Sedjen stamped it.

[Try harder.]

"Regardless, being late is being late!"

"…Isn't it unrelated to my dormitory score anyway?"

"Isn't it a matter of mood?"

Sedjen burst into laughter.

Leo, who was staring at Sedjen, took something out of his pocket and stamped his own palm.

Sedjen's face stiffened upon seeing that.

"Why do you have that?"

"Professor Halind gave it to me. It's a privilege as student council president."

Leo smiled and showed the [Very Good.] stamp on his palm.

"Annoying! Halind is annoying, and you are annoying! Leo Flobbbb!"

Sedjen had a fit.

Leo and Tina calmed Sedjen down.

Iliana, watching them, said.

"Chen Sia."

"Yes."

"Is it possible to bribe the class representative? For example, with the charm of beauty?"

"Do you think it's possible?"

"Hmph."