Book 1 Chapter 900

The Lumern students couldn't hide their excitement as the dance party, just two days away, approached.

It wasn't that Lumern never had parties.

There were social gatherings organized by the Lumern students themselves, and parties hosted by the professors.

Sometimes, parties were held on their own after exams ended.

Of course, Lumern parties after exams weren't exactly the most enjoyable events.

This was because grades were often announced unexpectedly.

However, this particular party was literally a celebration of defeating the Erebus fragment.

In other words, it was a grand party purely for enjoyment.

The venue to be used as the banquet hall was already in full preparation, and its scale, glimpsed from afar, was exceptional, as if foreshadowing the grand party it would be.

Of course, the atmosphere wasn't entirely joyous.

"What?"

Abad's face hardened.

Watching Abad, Chelsea sipped the milk she had with her that morning and said,

"Celia is going with Duran. It's unexpected, isn't it, brother?"

"……"

"Were those two something more?"

"Chelsea, is that confirmed?"

"Yes. I heard it from Nella. Duran himself said he was going with Celia?"

"……"

Chelsea, who had been focusing on breakfast, didn't notice that Abad's eyes had become momentarily vacant.

"Come to think of it, they might suit each other?"

Chelsea's mumblings made Abad's mood sink even further.

*Grind-*

"Huh? Brother. Are you finished already?"

"Mm. I don't have much appetite today."

"Are you perhaps sick?"

Seeing Chelsea showing a hint of worry, Abad smiled as if to tell her not to worry.

"It's alright. Don't worry about me and finish your meal."

With those words, Abad walked away wearily.

"Hello, good morning. Abad."

"Good morning, Chloe."

Chloe, looking vibrant, tilted her head as she looked at Abad, then took her tray and sat down in front of Chelsea.

"Why is Abad like that?"

"He says he has no appetite. That's a big problem. I hope he's not sick."

"That's strange. Abad not being able to manage his condition."

Abad was known as a student with meticulous self-management.

Although they were both top students, Chloe tended to show a degraded state when it came to magic.

She would get dark circles under her eyes when facing a difficult problem, or bump into walls while walking and reading books.

She often got absorbed in magic theory and neglected her surroundings.

This was no different this time.

"You seem to have found some answers?"

Chloe, who was humming a tune while eating at Chelsea's question, nodded.

"Yeah."

"What magic theory have you gotten fixated on this time?"

"I had a question about the magical phenomenon you all experienced during this mission?"

The phenomenon of becoming an adult or a child within Silode's illusion.

"I lost a bit of sleep thinking about fairy illusion magic."

"Did you decipher fairy magic?"

"Yeah. I understand the principles."

The fairy magic system is completely different.

Even the greatest wizards cannot use fairy magic.

It's impossible even for Leo and Luna.

There are exceptional cases like Albi Zeron, a magic eye user who received mana from the Fairy King, but that was a special case.

Even so, it wasn't impossible to understand the principles.

"Although I haven't completely understood it, as it is the magic of the Fairy King."

Chloe expressed her regret.

However, with her current abilities, it was impossible to perfectly understand that magical phenomenon.

Just then, first-year students passed behind Chloe.

"Who are you going to the dance party with?"

"Heh. It's a secret."

"You're not going to tell me even though you have to register your partner by tonight?"

Listening to the chattering first-years, Chloe looked like she remembered something.

"Come to think of it, the dance party is the day after tomorrow?"

Seeing Chloe with a look of sudden realization, Chelsea flinched.

"Who are you going with, Chelsea? Abad?"

"Huh? Ah, no."

"Then Leo?"

"Ah, I haven't decided yet."

"I see."

Chloe nodded innocently.

"Then, I wonder if Leo has decided on a partner?"

'Ugh. Is Chloe going to get involved too?'

Chelsea pondered while eating her salad.

'Partner registration is tonight.'

Tomorrow, partners will have to prepare their outfits and prepare for the games at the dance party.

This was natural, given the [Best Couple Competition].

Although the specific field wasn't revealed, it was certain to be a competition testing both literary and martial skills, as it was organized by Lumern.

'Is it right to wait for Leo oppa to ask me first like this?'

Chelsea's eyes darted around.

She had been waiting anxiously for the past few days.

But on the last day, she wondered if following Kal's strategy was the right thing to do.

As Chelsea was contemplating.

"Chelsea! Chloe! Good morning!"

Iliana sat down next to Chloe with a refreshed face.

"Yes, hello."

"Good morning, Iliana."

Chelsea and Chloe greeted each other.

"Iliana, who did you decide to go to the dance party with?"

"Hmm! I was thinking of just not going with anyone, but there's something in the competition prize I like!"

Iliana, with her arms crossed, thought seriously and then smiled brightly.

"I'll just ask Tate or Austin to go! If both have already chosen partners, then it can't be helped!"

Seeing Iliana talking about her close friends Tate and her mentee Austin, Chloe tilted her head.

"Leo?"

"The class president has too much competition. Celia, Shia, Celia, and Kal ganged up on me, so I gave up."

Iliana glared at Chelsea, and Chelsea flinched, turned her head, and whistled.

"What's that? That's too much."

Chloe looked at Chelsea with accusatory eyes.

"It's okay. I'm broad-minded. I've decided to forgive them."

Iliana smiled.

"Speaking of which, Chelsea."

"Uh, yeah?"

Chelsea, uncharacteristically, looked at Iliana.

Seeing Chelsea like that, Iliana smiled brightly.

"Did you and Kal make a plan well?"

"Sorry, Iliana. I'm truly sorry."

Chelsea apologized with all her heart.

Now that Iliana had so cleanly decided to give up, she felt even more sorry.

"It's okay. But you know."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know that Kal is in cahoots with senior Elena?"

"What?"

For a moment, Chelsea wore a dumbfounded expression.

Iliana looked like she knew that would happen.

"I knew it. It's obvious Kal told you not to ask the class president to be your partner first, right?"

"Huh? Yes. That's right. How did you know?"

"If you think about it, it's easy to figure out."

Chloe tilted her head after hearing Iliana's words.

"Iliana, you look smart today."

"Don't be like that. I'm always smart."

"Really? Then how about organizing your notes yourself from now on?"

"Umm? Iliana is a fool, so she's bad at that~"

After acting cute towards Chloe, Iliana said to Chelsea,

"Anyway, Chelsea! You were tricked! You were just used by Kal!"

"……"

Chelsea's mouth moved.

Seeing Chelsea like that, Iliana said,

"By now, he's probably coaxing the class president to go to the dance party with senior Elena!"

Chelsea's shoulders began to tremble.

Her eyes glared intensely.

"Kal, you scoundrel…!"

*Springs up-!*

Chelsea stood up and left the dining hall, quickly clearing her plate.

Looking at Iliana, Chloe asked,

"You're really not going to the dance party with Leo?"

"Yeah. Anyway, since it's the last day, it'll be so competitive that it'll be hard to even approach the class president!"

"Hmm……"

"Instead, I won't let anyone have the class president!"

Seeing Iliana smile wickedly, Chloe marveled.

"I'm sorry, Chloe!"

"It's okay. It's not like I absolutely have to be Leo's partner."

As Chloe smiled, Iliana tilted her head.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Wow~ Chloe has such a big heart."

Impressed, Iliana stared intently at Chloe's chest.

"What are you looking at like that?"

"Hmm……. Are you rich, so your heart is also rich? Ayayaya!"

Chloe narrowed her eyes and pinched Iliana's side.

Iliana, letting out a scream, said,

"It's a compliment. A compliment."

"I don't need that kind of compliment."

Just then, Lil entered the dining hall.

Iliana quickly stood up.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"Sorry! I have to tell senior Lil that Kal is up to something too!"

Watching Iliana leave with those words, Chloe let out a wry smile.

'She really wants revenge, doesn't she.'

Shaking her head, Chloe thought while eating.

'Still, I should at least mention it.'

It wasn't that she particularly minded not being Leo's partner, but she did want to be if possible.

'By the way, Leo's relationships are getting more complicated, aren't they.'

Chewing on bread, Chloe thought of Leo.

'Should I really aim for the vice-student council president position? Then I'd have more time to spend together, and also a lot of time alone after school.'

Chloe paused at that thought.

'Alone after school…….'

A moment later, Chloe's face turned red, and she hastily shook her head.

'Let's not think strange things! The basics of elements…….'

Trying to push away the thoughts that came to mind, Chloe focused on the basics of magic theory.

***

"Leo, senior Elena is graduating, so to make memories, as a partner…"

Kal was enthusiastically promoting Elena next to Leo.

By now, Leo must have noticed that he and Elena were working together, so he felt no hesitation.

Leo smiled as he watched Kal talk enthusiastically like he was promoting a product.

"Kal. By the way, why do you have so many scars?"

"Ah, this? I guess I made enemies, so two juniors were targeting me, and I got scratched avoiding them. More importantly."

Kal's expression turned serious.

"Go with senior Elena. Consider it saving my life."

"Mm……"

As Leo tilted his head, Kal was about to push further when.

"Kal! Youuuuuu…!"

Chelsea's angry voice echoed from afar.

"Hah!"

'She found out!'

Kal flinched and hid behind Leo.

"You tricked me! You! Come here!"

"N-no!"

Watching Chelsea furious as if she could breathe fire, Kal hunched his shoulders.

"Oh my? Why is our cute little junior so angry?"

Elena appeared behind Chelsea and smiled, placing her hands on Chelsea's shoulders.

Along with that, to fit the situation.

Chen Xia and Celia also appeared in the hallway on the opposite side.

They looked at the situation in the hallway with strange expressions.

"So, Eliza, why are you following me all week? It's suspicious."

"I have a lot of questions about spirit summoning."

"Hmm……. I'm truly happy that Eliza has suddenly become a diligent honor student, but still, following me so much… Hmm?! Everyone! Why are you all gathered here?!"

And then the situation overlapped again.

Lil and Eliza appeared.

Seeing them, Elena looked at Kal.

"Did you expect a scene like this?"

"…Not at all."

Elena sighed softly.

Then she glanced at Leo.

"Leo-kun, is this situation amusing?"

"Yes."

"You really have a hidden mean side, you know."

Elena grumbled and crossed her arms.

"In that sense, Leo-kun, as a dance party partner, with me…"

"Brother! Perfect timing! I had something to tell you! If you haven't decided on a dance party partner yet, then with me…"

"Hey, Lil. I was speaking first."

"Leo oppa! Go with me!"

"Go with me, Leo-dohyeong."

Celia sighed deeply, looking at the chaotic hallway.

Kal, who had been pushed away, scratched his head frantically.

"It's all become a mess in the end!"

As he wailed, Kal spotted Eliza quietly trying to leave the scene.

"I'm sorry, but I've already decided on a partner."

Just then, Leo's voice was heard.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

"Huh?! With whom?!"

Kal's bewildered voice was heard.

In response to the question, Leo pointed a finger.

All eyes slowly turned to where the finger was pointing.

There stood Eliza, who was trying to sneak away, glaring at Leo with resentment.

Leo smiled and said,

"With Eliza."

Silence descended.

Everyone stood dumbfounded, at a loss for words.

"Big News! Big News!"

A commotion arose from the far end of the hallway.

"Abad and Duran are going to duel!"

"Really?"

"Where?!"

The students' noisy shouts.

The sudden news of a duel.

"What?"

And Celia, whose reason was guessed, turned slightly pale.