Book 1 Chapter 900

900.

The students of Rumerun couldn't hide their excitement for the dance party scheduled for two days later.

It's not that there are no parties at Rumerun.

There are social gatherings organized by the Rumerun students themselves, and there are also parties hosted by the professors.

Sometimes, after exams, parties are held for them.

Of course, Rumerun parties after exams weren't exactly enjoyable events.

This was because grade announcements were often made by surprise.

However, this party was literally a celebration of the conquest of the Erebos fragments.

In other words, it was a grand party that could be purely enjoyed.

Preparations were in full swing for the venue to be used as a banquet hall, and its scale, even at a glance, was extraordinary, as if foreshadowing a grand party.

Of course, it wasn't just a purely joyful atmosphere.

"What did you say?"

Abard's face hardened.

Watching Abard, Chelsea sipped the milk she had come out with that morning and said,

"Celia is going with Duran. Surprising, isn't it, brother?"

"…"

"Were the two of them… like that?"

"Chelsea, are you sure about that?"

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

"…"

Chelsea, who had been focused on breakfast, didn't realize that Abard's eyes had instantly become hazy.

"Now that I think about it, they might suit each other?"

Chelsea's murmur plunged Abard's mood further into despair.

Scrape-

"Huh? Brother. Are you finished already?"

"Hmm. I don't have much of an appetite today."

"You're not sick, are you?"

Seeing Chelsea show a slight look of concern, Abard smiled as if to tell her not to worry.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me and eat your meal."

Leaving those words, Abard walked away weakly.

"Hello, good morning, Abard."

"Good morning, Chloe."

Chloe, looking energetic, tilted her head at Abard, then picked up a tray and sat down in front of Chelsea.

"What's wrong with Abard?"

"He says he has no appetite. That's a big deal. He's not sick, is he?"

"That's unusual. Abard not being able to manage his condition."

Abard was a student famous for his thorough self-management.

Although she was also an honor student, Chloe tended to show a lot of disheveled appearances when it came to magic.

Like getting dark circles when she encountered a difficult problem, or walking while reading a book and bumping into a wall.

She often got so engrossed in magic theories that she didn't pay attention to her surroundings.

This time was no different.

"It seems you've found some answers?"

Chloe, who was humming and eating her meal, nodded at Chelsea's question.

"Yeah."

"What magic theory were you engrossed in this time?"

"I had some questions about the magic phenomena you experienced in this mission, you know?"

The phenomenon where they turned into adults and then children in Sillode's illusion.

"I stayed up a little thinking about the fae's illusion magic."

"You interpreted fae magic?"

"Yes. I understood the principle."

The fae's magic system is completely different.

No matter how great a wizard, they cannot use fae magic.

It was impossible even for Leo and Luna.

While there were exceptional cases like Albi Zeron, the wizard of the demonic eye who received the Fae King's magic, that was purely a special circumstance.

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

"Though I haven't perfectly understood it, as it's the Fae King's magic."

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?"

"Hehe. It's a secret."

"You have to register your partner by tonight, and you won't tell me?"

Listening to the chattering first-year students' conversation, Chloe made a thoughtful expression.

"Come to think of it, the dance party is the day after tomorrow, isn't it?"

Chelsea flinched, seeing Chloe's expression of sudden realization.

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

"Huh? Oh, no."

"Then Leo?"

"Oh, I haven't decided yet."

"I see."

Chloe nodded innocently.

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

'Ugh. Is Chloe getting involved too?'

Chelsea ate her salad, deep in thought.

'Partner registration is tonight.'

Tomorrow, partners need to prepare their outfits and get ready for the games at the dance party.

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

Of course, the specific field wasn't announced, but since it was a contest prepared by Rumerun, it was certain to be one that tested both martial and academic skills.

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

Chelsea rolled her eyes back and forth.

She had waited anxiously for the past few days.

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

Just as Chelsea was pondering,

"Chelsea! Chloe! Good morning!"

Illiana sat next to Chloe with a fresh face.

"Yeah, hi."

"Good morning, Illiana."

Chelsea and Chloe greeted each other.

"Illiana. Who did you decide to go to the dance party with?"

"Hmm! I was thinking of not going with anyone, but there's a prize in the contest that I really like!"

Illiana, who had her arms crossed, pondered seriously, then smiled brightly.

"I'll just ask Tade or Austin! If they both already have partners, then I can't help it!"

Chloe tilted her head, watching Illiana talk about her best friend Tade and her mentee Austin.

"What about Leo?"

"The class president is too competitive. Chelsea, Shia, Celia, and Kal bullied me collectively, so I gave up."

Illiana glared at Chelsea, who flinched, turned her head, and then whistled.

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

Chloe looked at Chelsea with a reproaching gaze.

"It's okay. I'm generous. I decided to forgive them."

Illiana smiled sweetly.

"Speaking of which, Chelsea."

"Uh, huh?"

Chelsea, uncharacteristically, watched Illiana's reaction.

Illiana smiled brightly, looking at Chelsea.

"Did you and Kal plan your strategy well?"

"I'm sorry. Illiana. I'm really sorry."

Chelsea apologized with all her heart.

Now that Illiana said she would give up so cleanly, she felt even more sorry for no reason.

"It's okay. But really."

"Hmm?"

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

"What?"

Chelsea's face instantly went blank.

Illiana had an 'I knew it' expression.

"I knew it. Kal must have told you not to ask the class president to be your partner first, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. That's right. H-how did you know?"

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

Listening to Illiana's words, Chloe tilted her head.

"Illiana, you seem especially smart today."

"What's wrong with you? I'm always smart."

"Really? Then how about you organize your own notes from now on?"

"Whaaaat? Illiana is too silly to do something like that~"

Illiana, who had shown Chloe some aegyo, then said to Chelsea,

"Anyway, Chelsea! You've been tricked! You've just been used by Kal!"

"…"

Chelsea's mouth opened and closed.

Illiana said, looking at Chelsea.

"By now, he's probably egging on the class president, isn't he? To go to the dance party with Senior Elena."

Chelsea's shoulders began to tremble.

Her eyes blazed.

"Kal, you…!"

Thump-!

Chelsea jumped up, quickly tidied her dishes, and left the dining hall.

Chloe asked, looking at Illiana.

"Are you really not going to the dance party with Leo?"

"Yeah. Anyway, it's the last day, so it'll be super competitive and hard to even get close to the class president."

"Hmm…"

"In that case, I'll make sure no one can have the class president!"

Chloe admired Illiana, who was smiling mischievously.

"I'm sorry, Chloe!"

"It's okay. I don't particularly mind not being Leo's partner."

When Chloe smiled sweetly, Illiana tilted her head.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Wow~ Chloe has such a big heart."

Illiana, impressed, stared intently at Chloe's chest.

"What are you looking at like that?"

"Hmm… Is it because you're 'bu-yu' (ample\/rich) that your heart is also 'bu-ja' (rich)? Ow, ow, ow!"

Chloe narrowed her eyes and pinched Illiana's side.

Illiana, who had screamed, said,

"It's a compliment. A compliment."

"I don't need compliments like that."

Just then, Lil entered the dining hall.

Illiana hastily got up from her seat.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

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

Chloe gave a wry smile, watching Illiana leave after saying those words.

'She must really want revenge.'

Chloe shook her head and thought as she ate her meal.

'Still, I should bring it up.'

It didn't really matter if she wasn't Leo's partner, but even so, if given the chance, she wanted to be.

'By the way, Leo's relationships with women seem to be getting more complicated.'

Chloe chewed her bread, thinking of Leo.

'Should I really aim for the Vice Class President position? Then we'd have more time together. There would be many times we'd be alone after school.'

Chloe paused at that thought.

'Alone after school…'

A moment later, Chloe, her face flushed, hastily shook her head.

'Don't think strange thoughts! The basics of elements are…'

Recalling the fundamentals of magic theory in her head, Chloe tried to push away the thoughts that had popped into her mind.

***

"Leo, Senior Elena is graduating this time, right? So, in the spirit of making memories, as her partner…"

Kal was diligently promoting Elena next to Leo.

By now, Leo must have realized that he and Elena were working together, so Kal had no hesitation.

Leo laughed, watching Kal talk enthusiastically as if he were selling products.

"Kal. But why do you have so many injuries?"

"Oh, this? I must have earned some grudges, two juniors were targeting me relentlessly. I got a little scratched trying to avoid them. More importantly."

Kal made a serious face.

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

"Hmm…"

Just as Leo tilted his head and Kal was about to push harder,

"Kal! Youuuuuuu!"

Chelsea's furious voice echoed from afar.

"Gasp!"

'She figured it out!'

Kal flinched and hid behind Leo's back.

"You tricked me! You! Come here!"

"N-no!"

Kal hunched his shoulders, looking at Chelsea, who was furious enough to breathe fire.

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

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

And along with the situation,

Chen Shia and Celia also appeared from the opposite side of the corridor.

They made strange expressions as they observed the situation in the corridor.

"So, Eliza. Why have you been following me all week? It's suspicious."

"I have many questions about Spirit Magic."

"Hmm… I'm really happy that Eliza has suddenly become a diligent honor student, but following me too much… Hmm?! Everyone! What brings you all together like this?!"

And with that, the situation overlapped again.

Lil and Eliza appeared.

Elena looked at Kal, seeing them.

"Did you anticipate this kind of picture too?"

"…Not at all."

Elena sighed softly.

Then she glanced at Leo.

"Leo. Is this situation amusing to you?"

"Yes."

"I told you your personality is subtly mean, didn't I?"

Elena grumbled and crossed her arms.

"In that sense, Leo. As my dance party partner, with me and…"

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

"Hey, Lil. I was speaking first."

"Leo oppa! Go with me!"

"Go with me, young master Leo."

Celia sighed deeply, looking at the chaotic corridor.

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

"It ended up being a total mess after all!"

Kal, who was wailing, subtly noticed Eliza trying to quietly leave the spot.

"Sorry. I've already decided on a partner."

Just then, Leo's voice was heard.

Everyone was momentarily flustered.

"Huh?! With whom?!"

Kal's bewildered voice was heard.

In response to that question, Leo pointed a finger in one direction.

Everyone's gaze slowly followed where the finger pointed.

There, Eliza, who had been secretly trying to leave, was glaring at Leo with resentment in her eyes.

Leo smiled brightly and said,

"With Eliza."

Silence fell.

As everyone stood speechless,

"Big news! Big news!"

A commotion arose from the end of the corridor.

"Abard and Duran are going to duel!"

"Really?"

"Where?!"

The noisy shouts of the students.

The sudden news of a duel.

"What?"

And Celia's face, who could guess the reason, turned slightly pale.