Chapter 331
“Exchange student?”
“Yeah, it’s more like a short-term study abroad, if that’s easier to think about.”
Leo had heard about exchange students since his first year.
For example, Professor Herdeum from Seiren had shown continuous interest and often sent letters.
Of course, as Seiren’s recent movements began to seem suspicious, those letters had become less frequent.
Still, he hadn’t expected Tina—someone with no real connection to Seiren—to suddenly bring up the idea of an exchange student.
In fact, the Tina Leo knew was an elf who was a bit different from the typical kind.
‘Well, maybe that’s exactly why she’s the one who can suggest something like this.’
From an elf’s perspective, Tina was eccentric enough to be called a weirdo.
That also made her an elf with a flexible mind.
You could tell just from watching a few of her lectures.
Among elves, her lessons could easily be considered heretical.
That’s why her suggestion of sending him as an exchange student to Seiren was even stranger.
“Is there any particular reason you want to send me to Seiren? I doubt they’d welcome me there.”
Tina nodded.
“Of course. Neither Seiren nor the elven magic community sees you in a favorable light.”
After all, the one who made the biggest contribution to Professor Ren’s publication of Introduction to Star Magic this year was none other than Leo’s Original Magic—[Bible].
On top of that, he’d deciphered the long-unsolved [Magic that Blooms Flower], and even obtained the [Polium] as a conquest reward from Luna’s world, the Founder of the Nebula.
Even though Leo wasn’t affiliated with Seiren, he’d accomplished several feats that had been the long-cherished dream of the elf race.
Because of that, many within Seiren saw him as someone challenging their prestige, harboring hostility toward him.
Tina spoke.
“The reason I want you to go as an exchange student isn’t for you to study there. Honestly, maybe at Lumene, but in Seiren? I doubt there’s anything left for you to learn.”
She shrugged.
“What do you mean?”
“Seiren’s ultimate goal is to create a successor to Luna, the Founder of the Nebula—just as our ancestor once did.”
Step, step—
Tina walked over to a movable blackboard in her office.
When she pulled off the cloth covering it, a complex array of magical formulas appeared.
It was the [Magic that Blooms Flower].
“The formula you deciphered is beautiful.”
Tina’s gaze softened as she stared at the spell array with dreamy eyes.
Then she muttered,
“The elven academic world is full of stiff-headed fools.”
Displeasure flickered across her face.
“That’s why there are idiots who deny this magic you’ve interpreted.”
The [Magic that Blooms Flower] Leo had deciphered formed the foundation of Luna’s Star Magic.
Luna had created Star Magic for the sole purpose of completing this spell—so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all Star Magic originated from the [Magic that Blooms Flower].
“Well, it’s not unreasonable for them to think that way. Even I find it absurd sometimes.”
The [Magic that Blooms Flower] was not only more difficult than Star Magic, but among all magic, it was the most complex.
Its effect was simply to “make a flower bloom.”
Yet the domain it touched belonged to that of the “divine.”
To make a flower bloom out of nothing—it was literally a spell that created something from nothing.
Its effect seemed trivial, but the formula behind it was unbelievably intricate.
To magicians who prioritized efficiency, it seemed like a wasteful, pointless spell.
‘Well, that’s what makes it the most Luna-like magic of all.’
The most brilliant magician in history.
And also the most whimsical and eccentric.
A figure nearly impossible for later generations to truly understand.
“Professor Tina, you’re certain this spell was created by Lady Luna?”
“Of course. To think that a perfectly analyzed formula like this could be wrong would be absurd. Besides—after seeing this spell, I liked Lady Luna even more.”
Tina smiled faintly.
“There’s a sense of romance in it, don’t you think? And the fact that she actually tried to make this spell has already been proven through the conquest of Luna’s world. No matter how much those hard-headed idiots insist otherwise, all they’re doing is insulting her.”
Grumbling, Tina went on.
“You’re the one who deciphered this spell, aren’t you? You’ve practically mastered Star Magic already.”
“It was just luck.”
“There’s no such thing as luck in magic. Especially not for something this difficult.”
Tina smiled again.
“You’ve achieved something even our ancestor, Seiren Tingel, couldn’t accomplish.”
She walked over to a pot of darkly brewed coffee, poured herself a cup, and took a sip.
Then she said,
“There’s going to be a ‘Magic Conference’ in Seiren soon. Assistant Professor Anna, Professor Len’s assistant, will be presenting Introduction to Star Magic there.”
Leo recalled Anna.
Recently, she’d looked increasingly exhausted as she prepared for the event.
It was understandable. The conference would be held in Seiren—the very heart of elven magic—where countless elven magicians would be calling Introduction to Star Magic a heretical work.
According to Chloe and Chelsea, who often stopped by Anna’s office to help, she’d been cursing Professor Len dozens of times a day.
“You co-authored that paper, didn’t you? You understand it well. I’d like you to attend the conference and support Assistant Professor Anna.”
“What exactly do you want me to do there?”
“Simple—smash the thick skulls of those hard-headed idiots.”
Hearing that, Kirran’s eyes widened.
-You mean with a thick spellbook?
“It’s tempting, but no, that would cause trouble.”
Tina looked disappointed but continued.
“Leo, you understand Star Magic deeply—probably even better than I do.”
She looked him in the eye.
“I believe the elf society needs change. The world is entering an age of transformation, and whether you like it or not, you’re standing at its center.”
She sighed softly.
“If this continues, Seiren—or rather, the entire elf race—might fall behind. To prevent that, a strong shock is necessary.”
“But can I even go there as an exchange student?”
Leo looked doubtful, and Tina smiled.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Oh, and if you do end up going to Seiren, I have one more favor to ask. You don’t have to accept it.”
“What is it?”
“My niece just enrolled this year. Would you mind teaching her a bit of magic?”
“I’ll consider it when the time comes.”
“Thanks.”
—
After finishing his talk with Tina, Leo headed toward the party hall.
-Leo, you’re going, right? Right? You have to go!
“I said I’m going, so stop whining.”
-Yahoo!
Kirran shouted gleefully and zipped through the air like a maniac.
‘Looks like a moth.’
Shaking his head, Leo sent Kirran away and entered the dorm’s party hall.
“Huh? It’s Leo.”
As soon as someone murmured his name, silence fell over the room.
Then Leo spotted Reina and froze for a moment.
Once he started walking again, the silence lifted—but the stares remained.
Particularly from the parents, whose gazes were unusually intense.
“Mother, you didn’t tell me you were coming. What brings you here?”
“It’s not like I’m unwelcome here, am I?”
Reina smiled.
“I’ve been watching your performance.”
“How was it?”
“Terrifying, honestly. Even if you’re my son.”
Leo chuckled as Reina shook her head in disbelief.
“Leo! Lady Reina!”
Carr came over with a bright grin.
“Carr, who’s that with you?”
“This is my sister, Kyria Thomas. She runs an alchemy shop back in the Moira Kingdom.”
The woman, who looked a lot like Carr, widened her eyes at Leo.
“So you really are friends with Leo Plov? I thought you were just making it up.”
“What do you take me for, huh—”
“‘Auntie’? Did you just call me auntie? You little brat!”
“Gyaaaah!”
With her eyes blazing, Kyria grabbed Carr’s cheeks and yanked hard.
Then she turned to Leo with a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kyria Thomas. Thank you for being friends with my hopeless brother.”
“I’m Leo Plov. Carr’s always been a great help to me.”
“Wow, how mature. Carr, maybe you could learn a thing or two from your friend?”
“I actually wish Leo were a bit more like Carr. My son acts like an old man sometimes.”
Reina laughed.
Just then—
“Leo, Carr.”
Nella approached, accompanied by a refined middle-aged man.
“Father, these are Leo Plov and Carr Thomas—my closest friends since our first year.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Leo Plov.”
“I’m Carr Thomas.”
“I’m Neron Carven. Thank you for looking after my daughter.”
After greeting them courteously, Neron’s eyes met Reina’s.
“It’s been a while, Reina.”
“It has, Senior Neron.”
Nella blinked in surprise.
“Father, you know Leo’s mother?”
“She was my junior.”
“Oh…”
Nella let out a soft exclamation.
“Your daughter takes after you, Senior. She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. And how was my father in his school days? He never talks about them.”
“Want the honest answer?”
“Ahem!”
Reina teased, and Neron coughed awkwardly.
Then he said, “Reina, there’s something I’d like to discuss privately, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Leo, I’ll talk with Senior Neron for a bit.”
Reina stepped away with him.
“Hey, everyone!”
“There you all are!”
Eliana and Tide approached with cheerful smiles.
“Dad, these are Leo Plov, Carr Thomas, and Nella Carven—my closest friends since first year! Everyone, this is my father, Ireiven Laden.”
“Hello, sir.”
“My daughter always speaks highly of you.”
“And these are my friends, Father—this is my father, Tedam Markoa.”
“Pleasure to meet you.”
The fathers of Eliana and Tide exchanged greetings warmly.
The group that had once been the closest in their first year was now together again.
“What about Chelsea?”
“She’s busy greeting the people from Lordren.”
Nella smiled.
Before long, the parents began chatting among themselves.
“I wonder what they’re talking about.”
Tide looked curious, but Eliana smiled meaningfully.
“Grown-ups talk about grown-up things. Oh, by the way, Class Rep—you know everyone’s calling you the ‘Demon King’ now, right?”
“What kind of nickname is that?”
“Your performance during the exam was too terrifying. That’s why.”
“Honestly, it was scary.”
“You should’ve held back a little.”
Tide shook his head, while Nella gave her usual lazy smile.
“‘Demon King Leo.’ Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
Eliana stroked her chin in thought.
Watching them banter, Kyria nudged her brother.
“Wow. The Zerdingers, the Carvens, the Ladens, and the Markoas… You’ve really moved up in the world, huh?”
“Heh! Impressed by your little brother now?”
“No, you’re still unimpressive—but your connections are amazing.”
“You—!”
Carr fumed, and just then, people began to crowd around Leo.
“Mr. Leo, I greatly admired your performance in the exam. I’m from the Derond Kingdom…”
“My son has been in the same dorm as you. Please visit the Western Magic Tower sometime.”
“I am—”
Watching the flood of people, Carr clicked his tongue.
“Well, it’s only natural, I guess.”
“It really hits me that our class rep’s become a big deal.”
Carr and Eliana exchanged impressed looks.
-Your attention, please.
Professor Sedgen took the stage, and everyone turned toward him.
“I’d like to thank all the guests for gracing this event. This gathering is to celebrate the second-year students who’ve just completed their exams.”
Carr muttered,
“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”
“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Eliana looked puzzled.
“And now,” Sedgen continued, “we will be distributing the midterm report cards to parents. Please gather by dormitory.”
At that, most students’ faces turned pale.
“In addition, we will also be distributing your first-year grades to remind parents just how much their children have been slacking off, since the new mentor system has temporarily suspended expulsion warnings for second-years.”
“What kind of system is that?!”
“This cursed academy!”
Eliana clutched her head and screamed while Tide went white as a sheet.
Around Leo, the parents’ eyes gleamed as they rushed toward the stage.
Watching them, Carr sighed.
“I swear, this school gets more sadistic every year.”
(T/N: Turns out that their grades would be their final boss. LOL)