Book 1 Chapter 85

While the students made bewildered expressions at Alby's sudden appearance, Toura, who had dismounted the magic carpet, bowed politely.

"Hello, Professor Alby."

"What is this?"

"My cute juniors were entertaining me, their sky-like senior."

'You were just ordering us around after paying us for errands!'

The first-years shouted in their minds.

Of course, no student had the courage to voice it aloud.

Alby looked at the messy practice field with a blank expression and waved his hand once.

The magic that spread from his fingertips instantly restored the practice field, which had been messed up by Toura's commands, to its original state.

The students looked on with expressions of awe.

'Object Reversal Magic!'

It was a high-level magic that rewinds the time of objects, containing the concept of time intrusion.

To use it without incantation.

"Everyone, gather."

At Alby's words, the first-years promptly gathered.

Toura sat under the parasol handed over by Cal.

Since she was there to help with the class, she didn't feel the need to be involved.

"My name is Alby Zerron."

The students tensed up at Alby's brief introduction.

'Why is he here? Did he stop by while passing through?'

'Is he perhaps here to test a new magic? Then that would be incredibly lucky.'

Usually, when a professor appears in a lecture hall, students expect a class, but none of the first-years expected Alby to teach a class.

It's no wonder, as Alby was famous for not teaching classes.

Becoming a professor was purely due to the privilege held by Professor Lumern.

He was a professor who rarely stayed at school as he was busy hunting Tartaros.

In fact, despite being Professor Lumern for a long time, he had never given a lecture.

Just as everyone's eyes sparkled with the anticipation of seeing the magic of Alby, renowned as a hero.

"From today, I will be helping with your class at the request of Professor Ren."

"……?"

The students did not understand Alby's words due to the unexpected statement.

At that moment, Toura Yan, who had been under the parasol, ran over.

"Wait a minute. Professor Alby is giving a lecture?"

"Is there a problem? Toura Yan."

"There's no problem, but you didn't do it when myself and my juniors repeatedly requested special lectures!"

Alby was a mage who wielded the magic of fairies with a human body.

He was a rare mage, arguably the only one among humans.

Therefore, every magic student wanted to hear Alby's lecture.

Toura had also consistently requested Alby's lectures as a suggestion since her first year.

Even if it wasn't a regular lecture, she asked for a special lecture.

When that was not accepted, she frequented the magic department every day and was even kicked out.

Even after becoming vice-president of the student council, she had been disciplined for trying to use the student council's power.

Despite all that, he was going to give a lecture to the first-years that she couldn't even attend.

"I was busy."

"……"

Toura clenched her fist at the brief words.

At that moment, Professor Ren and Vice-Professor Anna entered the magic practice field.

"Senior, you're already here."

Ren bowed respectfully to Alby.

Seeing that, the students keenly felt Alby's status.

Despite his youth, Ren was a mage with immense influence not only in Lumern's magic department but also in the entire magic world.

Although he was only interested in magic research and not registered in the Hero Records, his skills were comparable to those of battle mages active on the front lines.

The only professors Ren treated with such respect, besides Alby, were Sedjen of first-year class one and Halind of class five.

"Everyone, pay attention! Professor Alby has been specially invited by me for you first-years! Please welcome him with applause!"

A round of applause erupted from the first-years at Ren's shout.

"Toura, why are you sitting among the first-years clapping? Come forward. You're participating in this class as a helper."

"Wahh. I'm a freshman. I want to listen to Professor Alby's special lecture."

"Vice-Professor Anna, drag her out immediately."

Ren spoke without mercy, as if he had expected it, and Anna approached Toura as if accustomed to it.

"Miss Toura. Please come out."

"I won't! I want to listen! I want to listen to Professor Alby's lecture!"

Toura struggled but was eventually dragged out by Anna.

Ignoring Toura's sullen expression, Ren said.

"The reason I specially invited Senior Alby today is because of magic combat."

At those words, the students looked at each other and murmured.

"The event for the department competition is Battle Royale. In simple terms, it's survival. And mages can be said to be the most disadvantaged class in such fields."

The magic department students nodded at Professor Ren's words.

Except for Battle Mages like Chelsea, it was true that mages were at a disadvantage in one-on-one duels with other classes.

"Senior Alby is someone who has crossed countless battlefronts alone. As far as I know, there is no one superior to him in magic combat. Senior Alby's advice will be of great help to you before the department competition!"

The students clapped in admiration at Ren's words.

"Whatever it is, it's fortunate to be able to hear Professor Alby's lecture."

Cal said with a grin, and Chloe nodded.

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it."

"Toura, as you are a dungeon conqueror currently active on the front lines, you will also not hold back with your advice to them."

The first-years' eyes sparkled.

It was as if a luxurious practice session awaited them from today.

As Ren stepped back, Alby stepped forward.

"What do you think is the most important thing in magic combat?"

In response to Alby's question, the students eagerly raised their hands.

This was an opportunity to make a definite impression on Alby, a hero and a member of the renowned Zerron family.

"You there, try to answer."

"It's Emio Ruchan of class two!"

Emio Ruchan, who had ranked third in the magic department midterm exams, stood up.

"The most important thing for a mage is mana!"

"Incorrect. Next. You there."

"Huh?"

As Emio, who had shouted enthusiastically, was flustered, Chelsea answered this time.

"Incantation speed!"

"Incorrect. Next."

The students presented what they considered important.

However, there seemed to be no correct answer in Alby's mind, as no one got it right.

As any answer was deemed incorrect, eventually, all the first-years hesitated to raise their hands and looked at each other.

Then Toura raised her hand high.

"Me!"

"Put it down!"

Of course, Professor Ren forcibly made her lower her hand.

When everyone was unable to answer, Leo raised his hand.

"Try to answer, Leo Flov."

"Mobility."

"Correct."

"Hmph. I raised my hand first."

"Don't try to compete with the first-years! You're in a teaching position today!"

Toura grumbled, and Professor Ren held his forehead.

Even for the young and charismatic teacher Ren, Toura was a troublesome student.

"Professor. I don't understand! Of course, mobility is important, but I don't think it's the most important factor in magic combat! Besides, the issue of mobility in magic is a problem that has been overcome!"

'Am I going to lose to someone who's not even in the magic department!'

Emio retorted.

"Are you referring to Wing Magic when you say the mobility problem has been overcome?"

"That's right!"

Wing Magic.

It was a levitation magic invented ten years ago.

It was a kind of upper-tier magic that was much easier to learn and allowed for faster movement than the long-used Fly Magic.

Its biggest characteristic was bestowing flight ability upon objects.

Even the versatile Fly Magic could enhance its effect by granting flight ability to objects.

However, its efficiency was lower compared to Wing Magic.

Wing Magic was also evaluated as a magic of the century as it greatly contributed to overcoming the relative weakness of mages, which was mobility.

Alby nodded at Emio's words.

"What's your name?"

"Emio Luce."

"Emio Luce, come forward."

Emio came forward with a puzzled expression.

"Is there any student among you who doesn't have a Wing Magic-specific magic item?"

At that question, the students looked bewildered.

Wing Magic is considered essential for modern mages to learn.

Therefore, a Wing Magic-specific magic item for flying was essential.

While it wasn't a mandatory item for the department, it was a necessary item due to frequent use.

It was illogical for a magic student not to have it.

However, contrary to the students' expectations, two students raised their hands.

Leo and Chloe.

Chloe lowered her head slightly, looking embarrassed, while Leo stood confidently.

"Leo Flov, step forward."

As Leo stepped forward, Emio revealed hostility.

'Did I mess up my school life?'

Seeing that, Leo let out a hollow laugh in his mind.

"You two will now begin aerial combat."

Alby pointed to the top of the Hero Tower visible in the distance.

"The one who reaches the target point first and returns wins. Leo Flov. You will use this."

Alby pulled out a broom from subspace.

"Why a broom?"

"It's a magic item I use often."

Alby answered impassively, seeing Leo ask with disbelief.

The students looked at Leo with envy.

Although it was a humble broom on the outside, it was undoubtedly a great magic item since Alby used it.

The students, who had been looking at Leo with envy, wore expressions of bewilderment.

'But why a sudden match when emphasizing the importance of aerial mobility?'

However, the expressions of a few students changed drastically upon seeing the broom.

"No way. It's too unfair!"

"Why?"

"That's not an aerial-specific magic item! It's just a cleaning broom!"

"What?"

"This will be interesting."

Toura said with a slight smile, and Anna sighed.

"It will be interesting, but I wonder if it will be a competition."

Leo and Emio stood at the starting line.

Anna raised her hand.

"Are both students ready?"

When the two nodded, Anna lowered her hand.

"Go!"

"Be my subordinate, Wing!"

Emio finished his incantation in an instant and accelerated rapidly, riding on a board-like magic item.

'I don't know what magic item Professor Alby gave Leo, but mine is also the best of the best! Plus, I've practiced Wing Magic every day!'

Emio curled the corners of his mouth.

'Leo never came to practice! This match is my victory!'

As Emio was confident of victory, feeling the wind against his face.

Whoosh-!

"……!"

Something followed him at an incredible speed.

"What the?"

It was Leo.

"Sorry, I'm going ahead!"

"You bastard! Do you think I'll let you go!"

Emio, with fire in his eyes, drew his staff.

Crack-!

"Lightning Bolt!"

Leo narrowly dodged the magic flying from behind him by sharply changing direction.

"What? Why are you attacking?"

"This isn't a match right now, it's aerial combat! It's okay to attack your opponent!"

Emio, who had overtaken Leo, sneered.

At those words, Leo curled the corners of his mouth.

"Oh? You'll regret this."