Book 1 Chapter 78

【78】77.

"No matter how much I think about it, it's strange."

"What is?"

Leo looked puzzled at Karl's mumbling.

"Isn't it? That an undead-related incident would be resolved overnight and joint classes would continue."

"It could be."

"Besides, that day, you and those Misses from Seirun were put under house arrest for a day. Something smells fishy here, doesn't it?"

Leo laughed inwardly, watching Karl grin and speak meaningfully.

'He's quick-witted.'

"Student Karl. Would you like to present your thoughts on this magic spell formula?"

"Gasp!"

Then, upon being called out by Herdium, he quickly stood up, looking at his textbook.

It had already been several days of joint classes, so students from both sides had gotten used to the lessons.

"So, I think it's not a bad idea to use a pentagram when activating this magic spell formula."

"Hmm. Not bad."

Herdium nodded.

Several elf students also took notes with serious expressions.

The joint classes certainly brought positive results.

'Though the student who had the biggest impact on our students is that one right there.'

Herdium's gaze, which had been proudly watching the Seirun students, turned to Leo.

Leo's existence was a shock to the Seirun students, who were brimming with pride.

Although no one admitted it due to their pride, all the Seirun students felt it.

The fact that they couldn't match Leo in his understanding of star magic.

'Some students acknowledge Leo and want to learn from him, but others can't because of their pride. But just realizing that the world is vast is valuable enough.'

Nodding, Herdium showed a regretful expression.

'I envy the first-year students of Lumerne.'

It wasn't simply because he was a student with outstanding skills.

'There are plenty of outstanding students. But students who provide stimulus for growth around them are… extremely rare.'

Continuing the class, Herdium clicked his tongue and closed the textbook.

"The class will end here. I hope you all gained something from the joint classes over the past few days."

As Herdium finished speaking, the students stretched and stood up.

As they gathered to discuss class matters, Herdium spoke.

"Student Leo."

"Yes."

"Would you mind talking with me outside for a moment?"

Leo followed Herdium outside, looking puzzled.

"Why did Professor Herdium want to see Leo on the last day of class?"

"He's probably going to talk about star magic. He's always been especially fond of Leo, hasn't he?"

On the first day, the atmosphere was hostile, but after Leo interpreted Luna's magic, Herdium showed great favor towards Leo.

"Well, anyway."

Karl boldly jumped up from his seat.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"I'm thinking of inviting the Seirun kids to the after-party tonight."

Grinning, Karl approached Lunia.

Lunia, who was tidying her writing tools, looked at Karl with a puzzled expression.

"What is it?"

"We're having an after-party at our dorm tonight. Wanna come? We're thinking of inviting any interested Seirun kids."

"After-party?"

"Yeah. It's a celebration that we met and studied together like this. Let's just have fun together on the last day."

"C-Can I go too?"

"Oh! Eiran. Of course."

"I'll notify the others."

"Okay!"

Karl grinned.

When Karl returned to his seat, Chelsea said,

"Anyway, you have to admit he's got a lot of nerve."

"Hmph. That's what makes me different from those stuck-up nobles."

***

"It was a short time, but class with Student Leo was enjoyable. Even before being a teacher, as a wizard studying star magic myself, it was an impressive class."

"That's thanks to your excellent guidance, Professor."

Actually, it wasn't a class that helped Leo much, but it was a great help to the other students.

Herdium, who had smiled gently after hearing Leo's words, put on a serious expression.

Herdium looked around and lowered his voice.

"So I ask, Student Leo."

"Yes."

"Do you have any elves among your ancestors?"

"…"

"Like, if you go back a few generations, an elf. Or if there's any connection to elves in your family history."

"No, but why do you ask?"

"By any chance, are you interested in transferring to Seirun?"

"…"

Leo looked bewildered at the sudden scout offer.

"Professor Herdium. This is difficult."

Harind, who had overheard their conversation, sighed and approached, pulling Herdium away.

As he was being dragged away by Harind, Herdium said,

"Student Leo! Seirun's doors are always open! If you're interested, contact us anytime…! Or even as an exchange student!"

Hearing the hollow echo, Leo burst out laughing.

***

That evening.

While the Lumerne students were busy preparing for the after-party, the Seirun students arrived at the dorm.

Not all students came, but most of them did.

All of them were students who had a great interest in Lumerne's classes.

"More than I expected."

"The more people, the merrier! Chelsea! Go upstairs and bring all the remaining snacks!"

"Okay."

Iliana said cheerfully at Nella's words.

While Chelsea and Iliana went to get the snacks, the Seirun students found their places and sat down.

"Um… I don't see Leo-nim?"

"Leo is cooking in the kitchen."

Nella said with a smile, looking at Eiran who asked cautiously.

"L-Leo-nim's own cooking…!"

Eiran's face turned red, and she flustered, not knowing what to do.

"Can I help with anything, Miss Nella?"

At Lunia's question, Nella smiled lazily.

"We can't have guests helping. Just enjoy yourselves."

At the smile of Nella, the most beautiful girl in Class 5, several Seirun male students blushed.

"Hehe- Men are the same everywhere."

"Nella is an amazing beauty even by elf standards."

Karl grinned slyly, and Teyde shrugged.

A moment later, Iliana and Chelsea brought all the remaining snacks from the room.

The elves showed great interest in the human snacks, which they couldn't see in the elf city.

"Eiran unnie. Eiran unnie. Come here for a moment."

Chelsea, who had quickly become friends thanks to sharing the same hobby, smiled and called Eiran.

"What is it, Miss Chelsea?"

"Look at this."

Chelsea showed Eiran a bread bag.

"What about it?"

"If you tear it open like this and look inside."

Chelsea opened the bread bag and took out a small card from inside.

"Ta-da!"

"Gasp! Why is there a card inside the bread?"

"It's a trend in our area these days. Famous hero cards are included with the bread like this. Let's see… Oh! It's an elf hero?"

"It's Reginia-nim, the wind of Sliana! How amazing!"

"They're included randomly like this. There are cards of great heroes too."

Eiran's eyes sparkled.

It was an item that would stimulate the interest of Eiran, a collector.

Other elves also showed interest in it.

As everyone dreamed of being a hero, they were deeply interested in stories related to heroes.

"This could make some money if played right."

Karl stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.

Meanwhile, Leo came out of the kitchen.

"What, everyone's already here."

Leo magically carried the plates from the kitchen.

And so, the food came out.

"Alright everyone, let's pour drinks into our cups!"

As Iliana shouted cheerfully, the students poured drinks into their cups.

"Alright, then, our proud class representatives. Would you like to say a few words representing the school?"

At that, Lunia stood up from her seat.

"Ahem. It was a short time, but a beneficial one. I hope we can continue to compete and interact like this, moving towards our respective goals."

"Very good words, like a model student! Next class president!"

Iliana, who gave a thumbs up to Lunia, pointed at Leo.

"Don't study too much, everyone, have fun when you play."

"Our class president is surprisingly moderate, isn't he?"

Iliana grinned and raised her glass.

"Alright! Then! To commemorate this meeting! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Raising their glasses, the after-party began.

At first, it was a little awkward, but both Lumerne and Seirun students laughed and talked happily.

"Hahahahaha! Anyone want alcohol?"

Just then, Karl came down from upstairs with bottles of alcohol.

"What if Professor Harind catches you?"

"I already got intel that Professor Harind can't come today due to an appointment with the Grand Council Chairman."

"As expected of Karl! You're the most reliable in times like these!"

Lunia mumbled, watching the Lumerne students committing a deviation.

"It's brave of them to try something like that when such a scary professor is their homeroom teacher."

"Our school kids are idiots."

Chelsea, who shook her head and replied, strode over.

"You guys! What's with students and alcohol! Alcohol! Aren't you ashamed with the Seirun students watching? Put it away right now!"

Boos erupted at Chelsea's words.

"Boo!"

"Teacher's henchman!"

Chelsea smiled gently and pulled out her staff.

"Ugh!"

"Hey! Get out of the way!"

As they panicked and tried to scatter, Karl stepped forward.

"Chelsea. A little deviation like this is okay on a day like this, isn't it?"

"Absolutely not."

"It's okay, I won't force a child like you to drink. Hahahaha."

At the word 'child', which she hated the most, Chelsea's face grew cold.

Chelsea snatched one of the liquor bottles, opened the cap, and shoved the spout directly into Karl's mouth.

"Cough? Cough?"

"Then you, the adult, drink it all."

While Karl was in agony, Leo stepped forward.

"Chelsea. It's okay for today, isn't it? This is a memory too."

Chelsea sighed deeply at Leo's words.

"If Leo oppa says so."

"If anything goes wrong, I'll handle it well."

At Leo's smile, the students who had welcomed the alcohol flinched and thought they should drink in moderation.

And so, several bottles of alcohol appeared at the after-party.

Some of the Seirun students also glanced nervously at Lunia, then soon sipped a few glasses of alcohol.

Leo also sat alone, sipping his drink and letting out a chuckle.

"Um… Leo-nim. Here. Have some snacks with your drink."

Eiran brought some snacks for Leo, who was only drinking alcohol.

"Thanks."

Eiran's face turned red as Leo smiled gently.

Watching Leo, Eiran hesitated, then gathered her courage and spoke.

"I want to express my gratitude to Leo-nim."

"Huh? For what?"

"I think I was able to change, even just a little, after meeting Leo-nim."

Eiran said, her cheeks flushed.

"At the Fairy Forest, you said I was like an ancestor, Leo-nim… Those words gave me courage. I… I want to go back to Seirun."

"Really? That's good."

Leo smiled gently.

Eiran bowed her head, looking at Leo.

Her ears were already red.

In fact, the reason she found the courage to go back to school was because she had a goal.

'I want to witness Leo-nim's heroic tales by his side.'

Leo's willingness to challenge the impossible reminded her of the great heroes she had only read about in fairy tales.

Fascinated by that sight, Eiran thought.

'I want to follow in Leo-nim's footsteps.'

Admiration turned into longing, and longing into a goal.

"I! I will definitely go to Lumerne during the school exchange program or exchange student season! Let's study together again then!"

"Alright, keep up the good work at school until then."

Leo chuckled and patted Eiran's head, seeing her enthusiasm.

Eiran covered her face, flustered.

Just then, Lunia approached.

"Hmph. You two are getting along well."

"How about you?"

"This kind of after-party isn't bad."

For Seirun students, for whom events were always extravagant, this kind of after-party, where students prepared and enjoyed themselves, was refreshing.

"These past few days. It was a beneficial time. I learned how the Lumerne students study and how excellent they are."

A competitive spirit flickered in her reddish-orange eyes, similar to Leo's.

"And I also learned that there's someone like you in Lumerne."

She realized it from what happened in the Fairy Forest.

Though they were peers, Leo was far more skilled than her.

Honestly, Lunia had never thought she was inferior in skill to anyone in the same grade, even from a different school, so Leo's existence was a shock.

But she was not one to be discouraged by it.

"I will never lose. I'll build up my skills and surpass you!"

"I'll be looking forward to it."

"Yeah, you'd better be nervous."

Lunia, who had been smiling beautifully, suddenly put on a serious expression.

"But speaking of which."

"Hm?"

"The ancestor's magic you interpreted on the first day of joint class… What kind of magic is it, exactly?"

"Didn't Professor Herdium tell you?"

"He only said he would announce it in a joint class for all grades when he returns."

Herdium's intention was to announce the precious ancestor's magic in front of everyone.

But Lunia couldn't help but be curious.

So she wanted to ask the person who interpreted the magic herself.

Leo smiled and held out his hand.

Whirr-!

A flower bloomed with a warm light.

"Oh?"

Lunia was flustered, looking at the vibrant fresh flower.

"Ah? Oh, so. This is…"

Lunia, who was flustered by the sudden situation, smiled a little shyly and accepted the flower.

"Why are you suddenly giving me flowers?"

"It's magic that makes flowers bloom."

"Huh?"

"The magic I interpreted is magic that makes flowers bloom."

"…"

"Did you perhaps misunderstand that I gave you a flower? How cute."

Lunia's face turned crimson with anger.

"You bastard! Are you teasing me right now?!"

Sparks flew from Lunia's eyes, which were filled with fury.

Lumerne and Seirun students gasped, watching Lunia grab Leo by the collar and scream.

"F-Fight!"

"Stop them! Stop them!"

The last night in Berchia was drawing to a close.