Book 1 Chapter 650

650.

The cafeteria of the Clock Tower dormitory.

As the professors of Lumern gathered, Riina, sitting at the head of the table, spoke as she watched the students entering the cafeteria.

"This time is for welcoming the new students. Everyone, postpone bullying your juniors until tomorrow. Today, just welcome them. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Of course!"

The upperclassmen replied with good-natured smiles.

And they looked at the large tables laden with food.

"Hey. Look at the floor."

At someone's words, the students looked at the floor.

On the floor, there were emblems symbolizing each department.

And luxurious food was laid out in a buffet style on top of them.

"This totally means we should hang out separately by department, doesn't it?"

At Celia's mumble, Nella's face clouded over.

"Yeah. It feels like it's completely dividing us, which makes me feel a bit bad."

"Hmph. You're thinking too comfortably."

Duran snorted.

"Those guys are enemies we must defeat. Don't say weak things. When the moment comes to defeat them, just cut them down mercilessly."

At Duran's words, delivered with his characteristic belligerent smile, Chen Xia smiled brightly.

"You mean we should compete fiercely when we need to, and then forget everything and be friendly when it's time to get along?"

"Why are you interpreting it that way?"

Duran frowned, but he didn't say anything more.

"Doesn't Duran seem to be secretly weak to Chen Xia when you watch him? He's quite rough with other female students, but when he talks to Chen Xia, it feels like he backs down."

Illiana whispered as Nella scratched her cheek.

"Is that so?"

"Now that you mention it, Nella. He's like that with you too."

Illiana, with her arms crossed, tilted her head then nodded.

"Aha! So he's weak to older people! He has a secretly cute side, doesn't he? Uhuhuhut!"

At those words, Celia made a pathetic expression.

"Rather than being weak to older people, he's probably just less naggy towards those who know how to handle themselves well."

"Huh? You always tell me off."

"Because you can't handle yourself."

At Celia's words, Illiana pouted.

"Alright, alright, let's talk while we eat. I moved around so much today, I'm starving."

Chen Xia urged her friends and headed towards the Knight Department's section.

"Student Leo."

Tina approached Leo, who was watching the students divide by department.

"Professor Tina. Congratulations on becoming a full professor."

"Thank you."

Tina, standing beside Leo with her hands in her lab coat pockets as always, asked.

"So, do you like the dormitory?"

"It's amazing."

The Clock Tower dormitory was, quite literally, the essence of colossal magic engineering.

It was a crystallization of high-level magic spells, enough to make even Leo exclaim in admiration.

"You recognize it, huh?"

Tina grinned.

"This Clock Tower dormitory has countless mysteries and secret passages."

Tina, with her hands in her pockets, flapped her gown as if it were wings, and said.

"You can even sneak into other dormitories."

"My room even has a door that can go anywhere randomly, though?"

"Yep. That's the student council president's authority. Ah! You shouldn't use it with mischievous intentions, okay?"

Leo calmly replied, watching Tina speak in a deliberately stern voice.

"I won't."

"How boring. Students should have some fun causing trouble."

Leo shook his head, watching Tina grumble.

Meanwhile, the freshman welcome parties began for each department.

"Even at a place like this, can you focus on a book?"

Karl, from the magic department's table, asked with an incredulous look, and Chloe replied.

"A magic theory to use for a new unique magic just occurred to me. Want to hear it?"

Chloe's eyes sparkled.

Seeing such a Chloe, Karl waved his hand.

"Your magic theory is obviously going to be complicated enough to make my head explode. Even if you explain it to me, I won't understand anyway."

At Karl's words, Betty, who had been toying with her fork nearby, suddenly looked up.

"Senior Chloe! Please tell me!"

"Oh, I'm also very interested."

Juen also showed interest.

Currently, the strongest mage in the magic department at Lumern is, without a doubt, Elena.

Since her third year, she had been referred to as "the strongest" along with Torua.

She was, quite literally, Lumern's top genius mage.

But even Elena, if asked who was the best in magic theory, would name Chloe as the top.

Chloe, who had already published countless magic treatises in the field of magic studies, was known as the "genius girl."

Hearing Chloe's words, those around them also brightened their eyes and focused on what she was saying.

"Heh, indeed, the idol of the magic world. Her juniors' eyes sparkle at her every word. Since I have such reliable juniors, I don't need to listen, do I?"

Karl gave a thumbs-up! And then Karl quickly fled.

Chloe glared at Karl.

This was because she knew that once Chloe started talking about magic theory, there was no end to it.

"Senior. Please tell us. Yes? Yes?"

Betty's eyes sparkled brightly as she sat closely beside Chloe.

Chloe, nodding at her junior who was her mentee, opened her mouth.

"It's a magic theory I came up with because I wanted to utilize ice clones more deeply."

"Ice clones?"

Ice clones were one of Chloe's long-term spells, specializing in ice-elemental magic.

It wasn't just about confusing the enemy's eyes as a mere clone.

It was possible to use magic, as well as deal damage to enemies through self-destruction.

Of course, each clone could only use one spell and was limited to simple combat, but the concept was that each clone added to the chanting.

In other words, multi-casting was possible as many times as there were clones.

Ice clones themselves were high-difficulty magic, but Chloe had enhanced the spell to an almost custom-modded level.

Thanks to this, Chloe's ice clones were at a level where they could be called unique magic in themselves.

The sophomores, as well as the juniors listening nearby, wore expressions of exasperation.

'Just listening makes me dizzy?'

It was enough to understand why Karl had fled in such a hurry.

"Ooh!"

"I wonder what kind of magic formula it will be!"

'This is what Lumern should be like!'

'To be able to hear Senior Chloe's explanation of magic theory!'

Only the freshmen, who hadn't yet grasped the situation, had sparkling eyes.

"Right. First, the basic foundation of my new magic formula is based on the parallel world theory."

"Huh?"

"What did you say?"

The freshmen's faces instantly froze in confusion.

The sophomores and juniors grabbed their heads.

Soon, as Chloe explained her new magic, all the freshmen from the magic department adopted serious expressions.

'What is she talking about?'

'I don't understand anything.'

'She's explaining so enthusiastically, and I can't say I don't understand.'

Chloe, usually known by the nickname "Ice Queen," would have her eyes sparkling brightly when discussing magic theories.

That appearance was so captivating that many people approached Chloe to discuss magic theory with her.

Of course, they would later wear disappointed expressions if they didn't understand anything, causing her immense guilt.

"What are you talking about that's so interesting?"

"Oooh! Chelsea!"

"You came at just the right time!"

The juniors smiled brightly and brought Chelsea to the table where Chloe was sitting.

"What is it? What's going on?"

"Oh. I was talking about the theory applied to a unique magic I newly conceived this time."

Seeing Chloe smile brightly, Chelsea tried to get up from her seat.

"My brother called me, so…"

"I'll call Avard."

"Whoa! Chloe will get even more excited if Chelsea, an honor student like her, is here!"

The magic students pressed down on Chelsea's shoulder as she tried to get up, and some went to get Avard.

Chelsea rolled her eyes and furiously kicked her classmates' shins under the table.

This was because even Chelsea found it overwhelming to converse with Chloe when she seriously started talking about magic theory.

Soon, Chelsea, listening to Chloe's story, adopted a serious expression.

"How is it?"

"I generally understand what you're talking about, but…"

"Oh! She understands!"

"As expected, Chelsea wasn't human either!"

"Hey! What exactly do you mean by 'not human'!"

Chelsea, who had rolled her eyes once, crossed her arms.

"Are there any points that need to be supplemented?"

"I'm already overwhelmed just trying to understand your magic theory. Nothing comes to mind for improvements."

"Really?"

It was when Chloe made a slightly regretful expression.

"What are you talking about that makes the atmosphere so serious for a welcome party?"

"Leo."

"Brother Leo."

Chloe and Chelsea looked at Leo.

Chelsea's eyes sparkled.

"Brother Leo! Chloe has conceived a new magic! Listen to her magic theory."

"Yeah. Leo, I want to hear your opinion."

"What is it? Go on."

At Leo's words, Chloe explained the magic theory again.

Listening to the story, Leo nodded and let out an exclamation of "Hoo?"

"How is it?"

Chloe, having finished her explanation, cautiously asked.

"It's incredible."

'How on earth does she come up with these ideas?'

Even Leo was astounded.

His friend came up with stranger magic theories as time went on.

'It's not for nothing that Luna praised her endlessly.'

"Indeed, when trying to imbue a clone with another self, there are clear limitations to a self created by magic engineering."

Ego weapons with a self could be created through magic engineering, but their limitations were clear.

"So, to truly create another me, calling forth the me in the mirror… that is, the me from a parallel world."

It's uncertain if it's feasible, but it's certainly an interesting idea.

"Are there no further points to strengthen?"

At Chloe's expectant gaze, Leo let out a wry chuckle internally.

'It's not like I'm Luna.'

If it were Luna, she would have excitedly imagined all sorts of things, but unfortunately, Leo was a practical mage.

Leo, who was about to shake his head, suddenly met Chelsea's eyes.

She was looking up at Leo with very sparkling eyes.

'Brother Leo is a great hero! He'll be able to find points for improvement, right?'

Feeling somewhat burdened by the gaze conveying infinite trust, Leo cautiously said.

"How about approaching it with the many-worlds interpretation?"

"Many-worlds interpretation?"

Chloe tilted her head.

"It's one of the theories regarding parallel worlds."

Leo told Chloe the story that Lian had told him previously.

Hearing that story, Chloe's eyes widened, and she suddenly jumped up from her seat.

"I'm going to the library!"

Seeing Chloe, with an extremely excited face, about to rush out of the welcome party immediately, Leo reached out and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

"Let's stop here for today."

"But Leo! That's a truly groundbreaking idea! Before someone else writes and registers a thesis, you should write one under your name…!"

"Shh."

Leo put a finger over Chloe's mouth.

Leo, smiling gently at Chloe whose eyes were wide, said.

"First, calm down. Take a deep breath."

"Hoo. Haa."

Leo said, watching Chloe take a deep breath.

"What does it matter who writes the thesis? If it contributes to the development of magic, then that's good. And it's not like I thought of the concept first either."

"Who thought of such an amazing idea?"

"Someone I know."

'Can't exactly say it was a god, can I?'

Leo shrugged.

And he playfully patted Chloe's back.

"Anyway, focus on the welcome party today. There are plenty of juniors who want to talk with you."

"Huh?"

"No matter what anyone says, you're the idol of the magic world, aren't you?"

"Don't tease me!"

Leo chuckled, watching Chloe hit his shoulder with a flushed face.

"Magic research is good, but take a rest when it's time to rest."

"Lady Luna told me the same thing before."

Chloe nodded, recalling last year.

Seeing her, Leo let out a bitter smile.

'Looks like she already told her.'

***

After the welcome party.

Leo, who returned to his room, tidied his belongings.

Leo, who was organizing his school uniform and casual clothes after opening his bag, finally picked up the jet-black cloak.

The cloak that Lisinas had gifted him a long time ago.

The original had turned to ashes and disappeared long ago, but it was Kyle's cloak, recreated through the Hero Record.

The moment Leo, having lifted the cloak, hung it on the hanger.

Thud-! Clink! Clatter-!

"Huh?"

Something fell from the cloak.

Leo, wearing a puzzled expression, hung the cloak on the hanger and walked towards the object that had fallen from the cloak and rolled away.

"A ring?"

Leo, who was reaching out to pick up a ring he didn't remember putting in his bag, paused.

"This is…?"

Leo, his eyes slightly widened, carefully picked up the ring.

It was a ring from his memories.

"Luna's ring?"