Chapter 330
The evening after the exams.
The second-year students were getting changed in their dorms.
“Honestly, our school’s pretty hardcore.”
In front of a mirror in Glory Dorm’s lounge, Eliana muttered as she adjusted her elegant party dress.
One of the male students from the Magic Department gave her a puzzled look.
“What’s that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”
“Think about it. We just finished a brutal competition—winners and losers decided—and they’re throwing a party today to celebrate.”
“That’s true.”
Other students nodded.
“And the real problem is…”
One Glory student sighed deeply.
“Can we really say we won because we were better?”
Everyone’s expression darkened.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t done their best.
No, they’d fought with everything they had.
From Glory’s perspective, the joint assault from Harmony and Noble had been enough to put them in crisis more than once.
The truth was, they’d only managed victory because Leo had defeated Chelsea and Carr, the Kings of Harmony and Noble.
While the Glory students prepared for the party, the lounge still carried a gloomy mood.
Tap—tap—
“Why the long faces?”
As Chloe entered, the students turned with awed expressions.
Chloe, one of the top beauties of the second year, was already popular on a normal day. But tonight, she stood out even more.
Her platinum hair, blue eyes, and sky-colored dress made her look radiant.
“Chloe, you look stunning.”
Chen Xia, dressed in a flowing eastern-style gown, appeared behind her with a bright smile.
“With our dorm’s two top beauties all dressed up, it’s quite the sight.”
“She really does have an exotic charm.”
Hearing the male students’ comments, Eliana pointed at herself with an annoyed expression.
“I’m a beauty too.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Sure, you are.”
“What’s with that half-hearted reaction?!”
Eliana glared.
Amid the commotion, Chen Xia tilted her head curiously from the sofa.
“So, what were you all talking about before I came? Why so gloomy?”
The Glory students exchanged glances before lowering their eyes again.
“Come on, tell your big sis.”
As Chen Xia smiled warmly, Eliana plopped down on the sofa with a sigh.
“It’s just… in this competition, the class rep practically carried all of us on his back.”
Leaning against the couch, she exhaled heavily.
“It kinda feels wrong to celebrate too much after that.”
The others nodded quietly.
“You were all thinking the same thing?”
Chen Xia chuckled. Chloe folded her arms.
“It’s true Leo played the biggest role this time. But didn’t he say it himself? That he couldn’t have gone all-out without everyone backing him up.”
“Right. Leo said he could fight freely because he had teammates he could trust. So don’t feel too down.”
The students’ faces brightened slightly.
“He really said that?”
“Yes.”
At Chen Xia’s confirmation, several of them smiled shyly.
“So… where’s Leo anyway?”
When they asked, Chloe replied,
“He probably went to the party already.”
—
The second-year post-exam party was held in the dorm garden.
Glory, Harmony, and Noble—though each had separate buildings, they shared the same garden, allowing easy mingling.
Soft music filled the air, and many of the seats were taken by special guests—the parents of the second-year students who’d been invited to watch the competition.
“Professor, how’s my son doing at school? He never writes much about his studies at Lumene in his letters.”
“Student Toren has shown great interest in researching ways to relieve drought using water spirits. Though a Spirit Arts major, he’s also been diligently taking supplementary magic classes and has shown excellent academic performance. Professor Yura, why don’t you elaborate on Toren’s progress?”
Professor Sedgen was busy engaging warmly with the parents.
The other faculty members, summoned this way and that, were equally busy discussing their students’ progress.
“Watching that, Professor Sedgen really is something else.”
Len, having just finished a brief chat with a parent, remarked in admiration.
“No wonder he’s considered Lumene’s best professor.”
Harrid replied casually, sipping his wine—
When a series of startled voices rang out.
“Mother?”
“Sister…? What are you doing here?”
“Father!”
At the entrance to the garden, the second-years stopped in shock.
Their families had arrived.
The students exchanged greetings—some joyful, some flustered—and introduced their friends to their parents.
The mood quickly became bright and lively.
Amid the chatter, Celia approached Chloe.
“Celia, how’s your body?”
“I’m fully healed. What about you?”
“Same. Though it’s a shame we didn’t get to finish our match.”
The two close friends smiled at each other.
Chen Xia joined in with a grin.
“I feel the same. It’s a pity I couldn’t finish my duel with Duran.”
“Hmph, if we’d kept going, I’d have won,” came a scoffing voice from behind.
Duran had arrived—and beside him stood a small girl, maybe ten years old, with golden hair and eyes.
Seeing her, Chen Xia crouched down with a smile.
“And who’s this adorable young lady?”
“My sister.”
“Nice to meet you. What’s your name?”
The girl smiled shyly and bowed gracefully.
“I’m Helan Moira. It’s an honor to meet you. Your duel with my brother was amazing.”
“I’m honored that you think so, Princess Helan.”
As Duran’s sister, she was naturally a princess of the Moira Kingdom.
Helan smiled brightly.
Celia and Chloe exchanged knowing looks toward Duran.
“What’s with that look?”
“She’s just so cute. Doesn’t really fit your image.”
“Yeah, she seems wasted on you. Can I have her? I’ve always wanted a little sister.”
Chloe grinned, and Celia smirked.
Duran snorted at the teasing.
“Oh! Everyone’s here already!”
A familiar voice called out—it was Carr.
“Oh! Your Highness, you’re here too!”
Spotting Helan, Carr flailed dramatically before bowing deeply.
It made sense—he was from Moira as well.
“Princess Helan, I’m Carr Thomas.”
“Carr Thomas! Oh, my brother talks about you a lot! You’re from our kingdom, right? He said you’re a talented mage!”
Everyone stared, shocked.
Duran? Complimenting someone?
“…Who are you and what did you do with the real prince?”
“Shut it, Carr Thomas.”
Duran glared.
“He said your grades are low, but your tenacity to survive was impressive.”
Carr grinned brightly.
“Now that’s the kind of prince I respect!”
Chloe and Celia burst into quiet laughter while Duran stayed stone-faced.
At that moment—
“Oh my, Celia. Are these your friends?”
A woman approached with a kind smile.
Recognizing her, Celia’s friends blinked.
“Yes, ma’am. These are my classmates.”
“Ah, so you’re from the Knight and Magic Departments. Celia’s always speaking fondly of you.”
“Oh, it’s the other way around—we’ve received a lot of help from Celia.”
Chloe smiled politely.
“You must be Chloe, right? I’ve heard so much about you,” Reina said warmly.
“And you must be Carr, yes? I’ve heard stories about you since last year.”
“Stories? About me?”
Carr blinked and glanced at Celia, surprised.
Sure, they were friends—but he didn’t think she’d ever mention him to her parents.
Chen Xia smiled gently.
“Miss Celia, you really do take after your mother.”
Celia chuckled awkwardly.
“She’s not my mother—she’s my aunt.”
“Your aunt…?”
“Leo’s mother.”
“My son’s been in your care,” Reina said with a laugh.
Chloe froze.
“N-no, not at all! I mean—I’ve been the one helped by him since our first year! He’s always been—uh—very reliable.”
Her words tangled as her face flushed. Reina laughed.
“Then you should come visit us during summer break.”
Chen Xia straightened her clothes and bowed gracefully.
“Madam, I’m Chen Xia. I’ve also received much help from Sir Leo.”
Her formal eastern greeting made Reina smile.
“I see. Then I’m glad my son has such a lovely little sister figure.”
“…I’m actually older than him.”
“Really? You look so young! You should come visit too. You as well, Carr.”
Reina invited them all warmly.
“Celia, shall we invite your friends from Lualin too?”
“…Can we not invite them?” Celia muttered, pouting.
“Anyway, where is that son of mine?” Reina sighed.
—
Step—step—
—“Leo! Hurry up!”
Kiran whined from Leo’s shoulder.
Clicking his tongue, Leo stopped in front of Professor Tina’s office.
Knock, knock.
He rapped on the door, but there was no response.
‘…Did she go to the party?’
He frowned but quickly shook his head.
The Tina he knew wasn’t the type to attend social events.
“Looks like she’s not here.”
Still, he tried the doorknob.
Click—creak—!
The door opened with a soft squeak.
Leo peeked inside.
“Professor Tina, are you here?”
—“If she’s not, let’s just grab it and run!”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
—“Why not?! It’s my wing!”
As Kiran protested, a faint scraping sound came from deeper inside.
Leo’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped in.
—“Leo! Don’t! That psycho elf might’ve set traps!”
Ignoring the trembling fairy, Leo continued forward until he saw a faint light through a half-open door.
“Professor Tina, are you—”
He pushed the door open.
Inside, Tina was hunched over a whetstone, sharpening a scalpel.
Kiran’s eyes went wide. “Aaaaahhh!” he shrieked, trying to flee.
Leo grabbed him by the wing before he could escape.
“Hello, Leo.”
Tina stood, holding the scalpel.
Her hair was messy, her eyes slightly wild—she looked like a mad scientist.
“I watched the dorm competition. You did well.”
Her sharp gaze shifted to Kiran.
“What brings you here?”
“This guy broke into your office earlier.”
“Ah, I see. So he’s your Spirit Beast.”
Tina snapped her fingers.
The lights flickered on, brightening the room.
Kiran sighed in relief, lowering his guard slightly.
“So, Leo,” Tina said with a smile, “mind if I dissect your fairy? Just once?”
—“Eeeeeeek!”
“Please don’t.”
“Pity.”
She clicked her tongue regretfully.
“So then, what brings you to my office?”
“The fairy wing you possess—it actually belongs to him.”
Leo lifted Kiran for her to see.
“Hm? And?”
“I was wondering if you could return it.”
“Hmmm.”
Tina crossed her arms in thought, then nodded.
“Alright. But on one condition.”
“If it’s dissecting me, I’m afraid there’s nothing interesting to see.”
“That is tempting, but no.”
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
“Leo, how about becoming an exchange student to Seiren?”