Book 1 Chapter 78

[78]77.

"No matter how much I think about it, something is strange."

"What is?"

Leo made a puzzled expression at Karl's muttering.

"Isn't it? For the undead-related incidents to be resolved overnight and for the joint classes to continue."

"It could happen."

"Besides," he continued, "on that day, you and the Seirun ladies were confined for a day. Doesn't this smell fishy?"

Leo chuckled inwardly as he watched Karl say meaningfully with a smirk.

'He's quick-witted.'

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

"Huk!"

Then, upon Herodium's prompting, he quickly looked at his textbook and stood up.

As the joint classes had been ongoing for several days, students from both sides were accustomed to the lessons.

"Therefore, I believe it wouldn't be bad to try using a pentagram when activating this magic formula."

"Hmm. That's not bad."

Herodium nodded his head.

Several elf students also listened with serious expressions, taking notes.

The joint classes had definitely yielded positive results.

'The student who has had the biggest impact on our students is this one, though.'

Herodium's gaze, which had been looking at the Seirun students with a proud face, turned to Leo.

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

Though they didn't admit it due to their pride, all the Seirun students felt it.

The fact that no one could match Leo in their understanding of star magic.

'Some students acknowledge student Leo and want to learn from him, while others cannot due to their pride. But it's sufficiently valuable just to realize how vast the world is.'

Herodium nodded, a look of regret on his face.

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

It wasn't just because he was a student with exceptional talent.

'There are plenty of talented students. But students who provide a stimulating environment for growth around them… are very rare.'

Herodium, who continued the class with a wistful expression, closed his textbook.

"We will end the class here. I hope you have gained something from these past few days of joint classes."

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

As they gathered to discuss the class, Herodium said,

"Student Leo."

"Yes."

"Would you mind stepping outside for a moment to talk?"

Leo, with a puzzled expression, followed Herodium outside.

"Why did Teacher Herodium want to see Leo on the last day of class?"

"He probably wants to talk about star magic. He was particularly fond of Leo oppa, wasn't he?"

Although the atmosphere had been hostile on the first day, Herodium had shown great favor to Leo after he interpreted Luna's magic.

"Well, anyway."

Karl jumped up from his seat with gusto.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

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

Karl approached Lunia with a smirk.

Lunia, who was organizing her writing utensils, looked at Karl with a puzzled expression.

"What's up?"

"We're having an after-party at our dorm tonight. Want to come, maybe invite some interested Seirun kids?"

"After-party?"

"Yeah. It's a celebration of meeting and taking classes together like this. Let's just hang out comfortably on the last day."

"C-can I come too?"

"Ooh! Eiran. Of course."

"I'll let the kids know."

"Okay!"

Karl smirked.

When Karl returned to his seat, Chelsea said,

"Anyway, you've got to hand it to him, he's got a lot of nerve."

"Hmph. That's what's different from those prim and proper nobles."

***

"It was a short time, but the classes with student Leo were enjoyable. Even as a mage studying star magic before being a teacher, I found it to be an impressive class."

"It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Professor."

In fact, the class hadn't been of much help to Leo, but it had been very beneficial to the other students.

Herodium smiled faintly at Leo's words, then adopted a serious expression.

Herodium looked around and lowered his voice.

"So I'm asking, student Leo."

"Yes."

"Do you have any elves among your ancestors?"

"……."

"Even going back a few generations, like an elf. Or perhaps your family history is connected to elves."

"No, but why are you asking that?"

"Are you perhaps interested in transferring to Seirun?"

"……."

Leo wore a bewildered expression at the sudden scouting offer.

"Teacher Herodium, this is problematic."

Halind, who had overheard their conversation, approached and pulled Herodium away with a sigh.

While being dragged away by Halind, Herodium said,

"Student Leo! The doors of Seirun are always open! If you're interested, contact me anytime…! Or perhaps as an exchange student!"

Leo burst out laughing as he heard the empty echoes.

***

That evening.

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

Not all the students came, but most of them did.

These were all students who were greatly interested in Rumerun's classes.

"There are more than I expected."

"More people means more fun! Chelsea! Let's go upstairs and bring out all the remaining snacks!"

"Okay."

As Chelsea and Iliana went to get snacks, the Seirun students took their seats.

"Um… I don't see Leo-nim?"

"Leo is cooking in the kitchen."

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

"L-Leo-nim's homemade cooking…!"

Eiran blushed and flustered, not knowing what to do.

"Can I help with anything, Miss Nella?"

Nella gave a languid smile to Lunia's question.

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

Nella, considered the most beautiful girl in Class 5, made several Seirun male students blush with her smile.

"Heh-heh- wherever you go, men are the same."

"Nella is a great beauty even by elf standards."

Karl smirked lewdly, and Tate 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 were rarely seen in elf cities.

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

Chelsea, who had quickly become friends with Eiran due to their shared hobby, called out to Eiran with a smile.

"What is it, Miss Chelsea?"

"Look at this."

Chelsea showed Eiran a bag of chips.

"Why is this?"

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

Chelsea opened the chip bag and took out a small card.

"Ta-da!"

"Huk! Why is there a card inside the chips?"

"It's a trend these days. Cards of famous heroes are included with the chips like this. Let's see… Oh! It's an elf hero?"

"It's Reginea of Syliana's Wind! How amazing!"

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

Eiran's eyes sparkled.

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

The other elves also showed interest.

As everyone dreamed of becoming heroes, they were deeply interested in stories related to heroes.

"This could make some money if it goes well."

Karl rubbed his chin, his eyes gleaming.

Meanwhile, Leo came out of the kitchen.

"What, everyone's already here."

Leo magically levitated the plates from the kitchen.

And then the food was served.

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

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

"Now then, our proud class representatives. Would you like to say a word on behalf of the school?"

At that, Lunia stood up.

"Ahem. It was a short but fruitful time. I hope we can continue to compete and interact in this way, moving towards our individual goals."

"A very exemplary student-like remark! Next, class president!"

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

"Everyone, don't just study all the time. Have fun when it's time to play."

"Our class president is a bit of a pragmatist."

Iliana smirked and raised her glass.

"Well then! To commemorate this meeting! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The after-party began as they raised their glasses.

Although there was a slight awkwardness at first, students from both Rumerun and Seirun happily chatted and laughed.

"Uhahaha! Anyone want some drinks?"

At that moment, Karl came down from upstairs with bottles of alcohol.

"What if Professor Halind catches you?"

"I've already obtained information that Professor Halind has an appointment with the Grand Council President today and won't be here."

"As expected of Karl! You're most reliable when it comes to things like this!"

Lunia muttered as she watched the Rumerun students committing minor transgressions.

"To think they'd try something like this with such a scary professor as their homeroom teacher."

"Our school kids are foolish."

Chelsea replied, shaking her head, and walked forward.

"You guys! What's alcohol for students! Alcohol! Aren't you ashamed in front of the Seirun students? Put it away immediately!"

A chorus of boos erupted at Chelsea's words.

"Boo!"

"Homeroom teacher's lackey!"

Chelsea smiled and took out her wand.

"Aargh!"

"Hey! Dodge!"

As they scattered in panic, Karl stepped in.

"Chelsea. Isn't a little indulgence okay on a day like this?"

"Absolutely not."

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

Chelsea's face turned cold at the mention of "child," which she disliked the most.

She snatched a bottle of alcohol, opened it, and shoved the opening into Karl's mouth.

"Kuk! Kuk!"

"Then you drink it all, as an adult."

As Karl was struggling, Leo stepped in.

"Chelsea. Isn't today okay? This is also a memory."

At Leo's words, Chelsea sighed deeply.

"If Leo oppa says so."

"If something goes wrong, I'll handle it."

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

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

Some of the Seirun students also slyly glanced at Lunia, then took a few sips of alcohol.

Leo also sat alone, sipping his drink and chuckling.

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

Eiran brought something to eat with the snacks for Leo, who was only drinking.

"Thank you."

Eiran blushed as Leo smiled faintly.

Eiran, who had been hesitating while looking at Leo, mustered up her courage and said,

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

"Hmm? What for?"

"I think I've changed a little bit since meeting Leo-nim."

Eiran said, her cheeks flushing.

"You said I was like an ancestor in the Fairy Forest… that remark gave me courage. I… I'm going back to Seirun."

"Is that so? That's a relief."

Leo smiled faintly.

Eiran lowered her head, looking at Leo.

Her ears had turned red by this time.

In fact, the reason she had the courage to return to school was that she had found a goal.

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

Leo's fearless pursuit of the impossible reminded her of the great heroes from fairy tales.

Mesmerized by his appearance, Eiran thought,

'I want to follow Leo-nim.'

Envy turned into admiration, and admiration turned into a goal.

"I'll definitely come to Rumerun during the school exchange program or the exchange student season! Let's study together again then!"

"Yes, do well in school until then."

Leo chuckled at Eiran's enthusiasm and patted her head.

Eiran covered her face, flustered.

Just then, Lunia approached.

"Hmm. You two look good together."

"How about you?"

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

For the students of Seirun, who were accustomed to extravagant events, such an after-party, prepared and enjoyed by the students themselves, was novel.

"These past few days have been very beneficial. I've learned how Rumerun students conduct their classes and how outstanding they are."

Her eyes, a reddish-orange hue, flared with competitive spirit.

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

She realized this from the incident in the Fairy Forest.

Though they were of similar age, Leo was more skilled than she was.

Honestly, Lunia, who had never thought she was behind in skill compared to anyone in the same grade, regardless of school, was shocked by Leo's existence.

However, she was not the type to be discouraged by it.

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

"I'll be looking forward to it."

"Yes, be nervous."

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

"But you know…"

"Hm?"

"The poem you interpreted on the first day of the joint class… what kind of magic is it?"

"Didn't Teacher Herodium tell you?"

"He only said he would present it in a joint class for all grades when we return."

Herodium's story was that he would present the magic of a valuable ancestor in front of everyone.

But Lunia couldn't help but be intensely curious.

So she intended to ask the person who had interpreted it.

Leo smiled and extended his hand.

Woong-!

A single flower bloomed with a warm light.

"Huh?"

Lunia was taken aback by the vibrant fresh flower.

"Ah? Uh, well. This is…"

Lunia, flustered by the sudden situation, smiled shyly and received the flower.

"Why are you suddenly giving me a flower?"

"It's magic that makes flowers bloom."

"Huh?"

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

"……."

"Did you perhaps mistake me for giving you a flower? How cute."

Lunia's face turned red with anger.

"You little…! Are you making fun of me now!"

Sparks flew from Lunia's eyes, which were burning with rage.

The Rumerun and Seirun students were horrified as they watched Lunia grab Leo by the collar and rage.

"A f-fight has broken out!"

"Stop them! Stop them!"

The last night in Berchia was drawing to a close.

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