Chapter 78
“No matter how I think about it, something’s weird.”
“What is?”
Leo looked puzzled at Carr’s muttering.
“Think about it. Overnight, the undead incident is all wrapped up and we’re just continuing with joint classes.”
“It happens sometimes.”
“And another thing. You and those Seiren girls just happened to be on probation that day. Doesn’t that seem suspicious?”
Leo laughed to himself as he watched Carr grinning slyly.
‘He’s quick on the uptake.’
“Carr, would you like to share your thoughts on this magic ritual?”
“Gah!”
Called on by Professor Herdeum, Carr shot up and hurriedly looked at his textbook.
Both schools’ students had gotten used to the joint classes over the past few days.
“So, I think trying a pentagram when activating this magic ritual isn’t a bad idea.”
“Hmm. Not bad.”
Professor Herdeum nodded.
Several elf students took notes with serious expressions.
The joint classes had certainly produced positive results.
‘The one who influenced our students most is that student right there.’
Professor Herdeum, looking at the Seiren students with pride, turned his gaze to Leo.
Leo’s presence was a shock to the Seiren students, who were all wrapped up in pride.
None of them admitted it, but they all knew.
When it came to understanding star magic, none of them could compare to Leo.
‘Some have accepted Leo and want to learn from him, but others can’t admit it because of their pride. Still, realizing how wide the world is has value.’
Professor Herdeum nodded, looking a little wistful.
‘Lumene’s first-years are enviable.’
It wasn’t just that he was a talented student.
‘Talented students are everywhere. But a student who inspires growth in those around them… that’s rare.’
Professor Herdeum, still savoring the moment, closed his textbook as the class continued.
“That will be all for today. I hope you’ve gained something from these past days of joint classes.”
At Professor Herdeum’s words, the students stretched and got up.
As they gathered to discuss the lesson, Professor Herdeum called out,
“Leo Plov.”
“Yes.”
“Would you speak with me outside for a moment?”
Leo looked puzzled but followed Professor Herdeum outside.
“Why would Professor Herdeum want to talk to Leo at the end of class?”
“Probably wants to talk about star magic. He’s been especially fond of Leo ever since Leo interpreted Luna’s magic.”
The atmosphere had been tense at first, but since then, Professor Herdeum had shown Leo great favor.
“Well, anyway.”
Carr stood up energetically.
“Huh? Where are you going?”
“I’m thinking of inviting the Seiren kids to our party tonight.”
With a sly smile, Carr approached Lunia.
Lunia, packing her things, looked at him curiously.
“What’s up?”
“We’re having a party at our dorm tonight. Want to invite any Seiren kids who are interested?”
“A party?”
“Yeah. It’s a good way to celebrate having class together. Let’s just relax and have fun on the last day.”
“Uh, can I come too?”
“Oh! Eiran, of course.”
“I’ll let everyone know.”
“Okay!”
Carr grinned.
When Carr returned, Chelsea said,
“You’ve really got a talent for this.”
“Hmph. That’s what sets me apart from those stuck-up nobles.”
—
“It was a short time, but I enjoyed having class with you, Leo. As a mage studying star magic, it was memorable for me even as a teacher.”
“It was only possible thanks to your great instruction, Professor.”
Truthfully, the classes hadn’t been much help to Leo, but they had been a huge benefit to the other students.
Professor Herdeum smiled at Leo’s response, then grew serious.
He glanced around and lowered his voice.
“So, Leo.”
“Yes?”
“Are you sure you don’t have any elves in your ancestry?”
“…….”
“If you go back a few generations, maybe? Or any family connections with elves?”
“No, but why do you ask?”
“Would you consider transferring to Seiren?”
“…….”
Leo looked baffled by the sudden recruitment attempt.
“Professor Herdeum, that’s not appropriate.”
Harrid sighed as he approached, pulling Professor Herdeum away.
Even as he was dragged off, Professor Herdeum called out,
“Leo! The doors of Seiren are always open! Let us know if you’re ever interested… or even as an exchange student!”
Leo burst out laughing at Professor Herdeum’s fading voice.
—
That evening.
While the Lumene students were busy preparing for the party, the Seiren students arrived at the dorm.
Not all came, but most did—especially those most interested in the Lumene classes.
“There are more than I expected.”
“The more the merrier! Chelsea, let’s go get the rest of the snacks!”
“Okay.”
At Nella’s words, Eliana answered cheerfully.
As Chelsea and Eliana went to fetch snacks, the Seiren students found places to sit.
“Um… I don’t see Leo?”
“If you mean Leo, he’s in the kitchen cooking.”
Nella replied with a smile to Eiran’s timid question.
“L-Leo is cooking…!”
Eiran blushed, flustered.
“Is there anything I can help with, Nella?”
Lunia asked.
Nella smiled languidly.
“We can’t make guests help. Just enjoy yourself.”
A few Seiren boys blushed at the smile of Nella, the most beautiful girl in Class 5.
“Heh—boys are the same everywhere.”
“Nella’s a beauty even by elf standards.”
Carr grinned, and Tide shrugged.
Soon Eliana and Chelsea returned with all the snacks left in the room.
The elves showed great interest in the human snacks they’d never seen in their city.
“Eiran, Eiran, come here!”
Having bonded over shared hobbies, Chelsea called Eiran with a smile.
“What is it, Chelsea?”
“Look at this.”
Chelsea showed her a bread bag.
“What about it?”
“If you open it like this, look inside…”
Chelsea opened the bag and pulled out a small card.
“Tada!”
“What? Why is there a card inside the bread?”
“It’s a trend on our side. You get a famous hero’s card with the bread. Let’s see… Oh! It’s an elf hero!”
“That’s Reginia, the Wind of Slyana! Amazing!”
“They’re random. There are Great Hero cards too.”
Eiran’s eyes sparkled.
It was the kind of item a collector like her would love.
Other elves were interested as well.
Since everyone dreamed of being a hero, anything hero-related drew attention.
“This could be worth some money.”
Carr stroked his chin, eyes gleaming.
Just then Leo came out of the kitchen.
“What, everyone’s here already?”
Leo floated the dishes from the kitchen with magic.
The food came out.
“Okay, everyone pour a drink!”
Eliana called out cheerfully, and everyone filled their cups.
“Now, our proud class representatives. Will you say a few words on behalf of the school?”
Lunia stood up.
“Ahem. It was a short time, but it was valuable. I hope we keep competing, learning, and working toward our goals together.”
“Very model-student-like! Next class president!”
Eliana gave Lunia a thumbs up and pointed at Leo.
“Don’t just study—remember to enjoy yourselves too.”
“Our class president is sneakily laid-back.”
Eliana grinned and raised her glass.
“All right! Let’s toast to this meeting!”
“Cheers!”
Glasses clinked and the party began.
At first, things were a little awkward, but soon both Lumene and Seiren students were laughing and chatting together.
“Ha ha! Who wants a drink?”
Carr came down from upstairs with bottles.
“What if Professor Harrid catches you?”
“I already heard he has a meeting with the Grand Council tonight and won’t be here.”
“That’s why Carr is the most dependable at times like this!”
Lunia muttered as she watched the Lumene students misbehaving.
“Hard to believe they’d try something like this with such a scary teacher as homeroom.”
“Our school kids are just dumb.”
Chelsea shook her head and strode over.
“You guys! Drinking at your age? Aren’t you ashamed in front of the Seiren students? Put it away!”
The others booed.
“Boo!”
“Teacher’s pet!”
Chelsea smiled and took out her staff.
“Eek!”
“Run!”
As everyone scattered in alarm, Carr intervened.
“Chelsea. Just a little mischief tonight is fine, right?”
“Absolutely not.”
“It’s fine, I won’t make you drink since you’re just a kid. Wahahaha.”
Being called a kid made Chelsea’s face go cold.
She snatched a bottle, popped the cap, and shoved it in Carr’s mouth.
“Ugh? Ugh?”
“Then you can drink it all, since you’re the adult.”
While Carr struggled, Leo stepped in.
“Chelsea, just for tonight, okay? We’ll make it a good memory.”
At Leo’s words, Chelsea let out a big sigh.
“If Leo says so…”
“If anything happens, I’ll take care of it.”
With Leo’s assurance, even those who’d wanted to drink thought twice and decided to be careful.
So a few bottles of alcohol made their way to the party.
A few Seiren students, glancing at Lunia, quietly sipped a bit as well.
Leo, sitting alone, took a drink and grinned.
“Um… Leo, here. Have this with your drink.”
Eiran brought over some food to go with Leo’s drink.
“Thanks.”
Leo smiled, and Eiran’s face turned red.
After hesitating a moment, Eiran spoke up.
“I wanted to thank you, Leo.”
“Hm? For what?”
“I think I was able to change a little thanks to meeting you.”
Eiran blushed as she spoke.
“When you said I was like our founder back in Fairy Forest… that gave me courage. I’m going back to Seiren.”
“Yeah? That’s good.”
Leo smiled.
Eiran lowered her head, her ears bright red.
The truth was, she had found the courage to return to school because she had a new goal.
‘I want to watch Leo’s heroic tale up close.’
Leo’s fearless attitude reminded Eiran of the Great Heroes she’d read about in fairy tales.
She was captivated.
‘I want to follow in Leo’s footsteps.’
Admiration turned into longing, and longing became her goal.
“I’ll definitely go to Lumene for the exchange event or student exchange season! Let’s study together then!”
“Sure, do your best at school until then.”
Leo patted Eiran’s head as he smiled.
Eiran covered her face, flustered.
Just then, Lunia approached.
“Hmph. You’re getting along well.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t mind this kind of party.”
For Seiren students, who were used to extravagant events, a self-organized party like this felt refreshing.
“These past days have been valuable. I learned how Lumene students study and just how talented they are.”
Her reddish eyes, a bit more orange than Leo’s, sparkled with competitiveness.
“And I learned there’s someone like you in Lumene.”
The events in Fairy Forest had made her realize it.
Even among peers, Leo was more skilled than her.
Lunia had never thought herself outmatched by anyone her age, no matter the school.
But Leo’s presence had shaken her.
Still, she wasn’t someone to be discouraged by that.
“I’ll never lose. I’ll get stronger and surpass you!”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, be ready.”
Lunia, smiling beautifully, suddenly turned serious.
“By the way.”
“Yeah?”
“That founder’s magic you deciphered on the first day of joint class… what kind of magic is it?”
“Professor Herdeum didn’t tell you?”
“He just said he’d announce it at the all-grades joint class when we’re back.”
Because it was such a rare spell, Professor Herdeum wanted to present it before everyone.
But Lunia was too curious to wait.
So she was asking the one who deciphered it.
Leo smiled and held out his hand.
Vwoom-!
A warm light bloomed into a single flower.
“Huh?”
Lunia stared at the vibrant flower in surprise.
“Ah, uh, so… this is…”
Caught off guard, Lunia blushed and took the flower.
“Why are you giving me a flower all of a sudden?”
“It’s a magic that makes flowers bloom.”
“Huh?”
“The magic I deciphered is a spell that makes flowers bloom.”
“…….”
“Did you think I was just giving you a flower? Cute.”
Lunia’s face turned red with anger.
“You brat! Are you making fun of me right now?!”
Sparks flew in Lunia’s eyes as she grabbed Leo by the collar.
The Lumene and Seiren students watched in shock.
“A-a fight!”
“Stop them! Stop them!”
The last night in Velkia was coming to an end.