Chapter 234

The day after the opening and entrance ceremonies.

Second-year Magic Lecture Hall.

The second-year Department of Magic students were gathered, waiting for Ren.

“Well, at least we’re still taking magic classes with the same members from first year, so that’s good.”

Kal said with a cheerful expression.

Though the dormitories have changed, the department hasn’t.

When there are department-integrated classes, they can all gather like this.

At Kal’s words, Leo smirked with his chin resting on his hand.

“Why? Having a hard time with dorm life?”

“Listen, Leo! It’s brutal, I’m telling you!”

Kal complained to Leo.

“It’s not just the dormitory, everyone there has an overbearing sense of pride! It’s like the dorm leaders gathered all the kids with similar arrogant tendencies.”

The Third Dormitory.

The Noble dormitory, which has a meaning of nobility, is mostly inhabited by students from prestigious families.

Even the dorm leaders alone are heirs to famous hero families.

Naturally, students with strong pride gather there.

“Ultimately, Emio’s kid ended up in our dorm too.”

Kal sighed again.

“Still, there are a lot of kids tightly bound by a sense of authority. They belittle you as a commoner at the slightest chance. Tch!”

“I see. That would be tough.”

Kal is neither from a prestigious family nor a noble family—just a commoner.

Additionally, his grades are in the lowest tier.

It’s unavoidable that he’d struggle among the Noble students.

“Well, there are some good things.”

“Like what?”

“They all come from wealthy families, so their pockets are full too.”

Kal laughed while rubbing his chin.

From Kal’s perspective, who is quite interested in commerce, Noble students with good financial standing and purchasing power are truly appreciated.

“How about Glory?”

The name of the First Dormitory means glory.

“Already investigating your classmates?”

Clara asked, keeping her gaze fixed on a thin book she was reading.

“It’s just that I’m curious. By the way, what are you reading?”

It certainly wasn’t a textbook at a glance.

And it wasn’t the ever-present magic book she usually carries around either.

Rarely, she was reading a general book.

Clara showed the title.

“The History of Shadows?”

“Yeah. Suddenly I became interested.”

“Shadows. Well, isn’t it true that the new principal boldly announced they are a Shadow?”

Kal shook his head.

Shadow.

It’s not an accurate title.

Since the Era of Heroes began, those who fight against Tartarus and protect the world’s peace have been called heroes.

But that’s only those who shine in the light.

Where there’s light, there must also be darkness.

And the path of peace isn’t always met with cheers from the public.

There are also those who live in the dark places.

“Having a Shadow as principal is quite an achievement by the board.”

“Yeah, there are Shadows even among the graduates of Lumeran.”

“That’s true, but people generally don’t want to become Shadows.”

Kal smacked his lips, and Clara nodded in agreement.

Shadows are just as necessary as heroes for maintaining world peace.

Particularly in pursuing and punishing traitors who betray the world and join Tartarus, their importance is no less than heroes.

Shadows also hunt hero killers who target heroes in unseen places.

Despite all that, the perception of Shadows is not good.

Living in the dark often leads to dirty work.

Even if they are hunters of heroes killers, they are ultimately seen as those whose sole purpose is to k*ll people.

Therefore, people fear and avoid Shadows.

‘Shadow.’

Leo rested his chin and narrowed his eyes.

In Kyle’s time, Leo also did similar work.

He identified and punished traitors.

No one, including his friends, was aware of this.

The only ones who knew Kyle was doing this were Lissinas and Dwenno.

‘This was a job that someone had to do.’

Lissinas and Dwenno believed Kyle didn’t need to shoulder it alone.

However, Leo has made sure only his own hands stained with bl**d.

‘There was no need for everyone to be tainted with bl**d.’

Leo looked down at his hands.

‘I wish there were no such people in this era…’

He showed a wry smile.

‘Come to think of it, what happened to that person afterward?’

A girl came to Leo’s mind.

Bihar.

Like the elf Verkia, a disciple of the Star Cloud progenitor Luna, who taught Kyle swordsmanship, was the girl who learned from him.

She was saved by the Great Heroes and always followed Kyle when he went to hunt traitors.

‘Ultimately, did Bihar walk a path different from Verkia’s?’

Unlike Verkia, who contributed to the world’s reconstruction as a leader of the elves, Bihar’s name did not appear in the world’s history.

While recalling a disciple whose name didn’t appear in the Hero Record, Leo let out a small sigh.

“So, have you discovered anything about the Shadows?”

Ordinarily, hero candidates do not take much interest in Shadows.

All students aspire to become heroes.

There isn’t much interest, nor any attempt to learn, about Shadows, considered the antithesis of heroes.

“Yeah. The country that possesses the most powerful Shadows is reportedly the hegemonic Shan Empire in the eastern continent.”

“The Shan Empire…?”

Kal rubbed his chin.

Together with the Rodren Empire, the only two empires of the human race.

“I’ve heard the Shan Empire also has some issues though?”

“That’s right. There’s the event 100 years ago where the newly established hero kingdom of Trihan was destroyed by Shadows dispatched from Shan.”

“Trihan Kingdom. Technically, it was indeed betrayal, right?”

“Yeah. However, the problem was that the country was wiped out based on suspicion alone, without any evidence.”

After listening to Clara, Kal clicked his tongue.

“Does a hegemonic empire like that just get to do whatever it wants?”

“Maybe it’s only because it’s the Shan Empire that it’s possible?”

Shan is not just a hegemonic power in the east; it’s also a country with a 4,000-year-old, prestigious history.

“What do you think, Leo?”

“Annihilating a country based solely on suspicion is a bit too much, isn’t it?”

While the three were discussing Shadows, the door to the lecture hall abruptly opened, and Ren appeared.

Following him was Anna with an attendance book.

Thud— Thud— Thud—

As the students’ gazes all turned in their direction, Ren stood at the front desk of the lecture room and scanned the students.

“Nice to meet you all.”

Ren smiled with his characteristic charisma.

“I am Ren, and I will be teaching you magic theory again this year following last year.”

“Professor Ren!”

“Nice to meet you!”

“Please take good care of us this year!”

The students greeted him with enthusiastic applause.

Being a young and highly capable professor, Ren was a very popular faculty member among the Department of Magic students.

Nodding at the students’ reactions, Ren took the attendance book from Anna.

“Let’s start the roll call now. Chloe Mueller.”

“Here!”

“Kal Thomas.”

“Here, Professor!”

“Leo Flove.”

“Here.”

‘Leo Student!’

Ren covered his mouth and let out a look of overwhelming emotion, which, of course, the other students couldn’t see.

‘Just how much effort it took to study with you…’

Anna, who was watching Ren’s expressions in real time, looked up at the ceiling with resignation.

As a matter of fact, selecting professors for the second-year courses was rather fierce.

After all, all the professors at Lumeran wanted to teach this second-year class, acclaimed as a golden generation in the history of Lumeran’s education.

And Anna had witnessed everything Ren had gone through.

In the end, after numerous twists and turns, Ren secured the position as the second-year department head professor.

All of that was because he wanted to guide Leo.

For Ren, it was a situation filled with emotion, but for Anna, who endured the hardship of Ren’s efforts, all she felt was the urge to cry.

‘Should I quit?’

Contemplating the idea of submitting her resignation, Anna was suddenly cut off as Ren finished calling roll and began speaking.

“Before we start class, everyone.”

Ren scanned the room.

“Anyone want to tell me what the strongest spell among existing magic is?”

As he spoke, the students began to murmur.

There are countless powerful magics in this world.

Depending on the mage’s tendencies, primary attributes, and affiliations, a variety of answers could emerge.

“What do you think?”

“Maybe.”

“Hmm, it’s hard.”

The students began discussing with each other.

Then Clara raised her hand.

“Yes, Clara student?”

“The strongest existing magic is, Star Magic: End.”

At this, Ren nodded approvingly.

“Correct.”

Ren declared to the entire lecture hall.

“At first glance, this may seem to be a subjective answer, but there’s no stronger magic on this earth than ‘End’. In terms of power, magical efficiency, and even casting time—decisively short.”

Ren chuckled.

“End is a perfect work of art created by the progenitor of Star Cloud.”

With his arms spread wide, Ren continued,

“During the last Ruse Tournament, I became even more convinced as I watched Her Majesty eliminate the Demon Queen.”

Ren’s statement left the magic department students swallowing hard.

How could anyone forget?

Although the reasons for the legendary hero’s appearance have not been clearly revealed, everyone present witnessed the miracle of that moment.

Here before everyone stood the great magician known only in legends.

The most brilliant genius in the history of magic,

The progenitor of Star Cloud, Luna Rubinessa, who incarnated right here.

And everyone bore witness to her casting ‘End’ with their own eyes.

“But End is a very demanding spell.”

Ren stepped forward to the blackboard and picked up the chalk.

He began writing out End’s complex incantatory formula step by step.

The board was soon filled with complex and arcane formulas.

“A powerful spell with outstanding magical efficiency and a short casting time. If only it could be used—it would be a perfect incantation. But, in order to use it, you need to understand every single one of the complicated formulas devised by the progenitor.”

The students groaned on sight of the formula.

At that moment, one student raised their hand.

“As time passes, activation formulas have developed. Could we simplify the incantation using these formulas someday?”

“Simplifying the formula for End is pretty straightforward.”

“Huh?”

“Here’s the result of that.”

Ren smiled gently.

‘Is this the simplified version?’

‘Impossible!’

‘Even though the formula has been broken down, I can’t make any sense of it!’

The students clutched their heads.

“This is the result of the Elves simplifying it themselves after learning Star Magic. Any attempt to simplify it further will render the spell ineffective. So, simplifying it to the point of using activation formulas is impossible. Decisively speaking, simplifying the formula alone won’t activate the magic. The most important thing is mastering Star Magic.”

The students nodded.

Star Magic.

Only by learning this exclusive magic of the Elves can one even begin to learn ‘End.’

“I suppose we’ll never reach the level to study ‘End’ in our lifetimes.”

“Phew. I’ve tried to learn Star Magic, but it’s not feasible.”

Some students shook their heads.

Star Magic.

The proprietary magic of the Elves.

Of course, other races aren’t entirely unable to learn it.

However, the magic’s wavelength must harmonize with the practitioner’s mana, along with requiring superior magic talent and intuition.

Seeing the students shaking their heads, Ren chuckled.

“Indeed, thus far Star Magic has been a realm of talent and intuition. However, as you all know, last year, Senior Ain disseminated the Breath of the Chosen One to the Department of Knights students in Azonia.”

At this, the students looked perplexed.

And a moment later, understanding the implication, they turned to Ren with expressions of disbelief.

“Could it be…?”

“Did someone succeed in making Star Magic more universal?”

For a long time, efforts to expand Star Magic’s usability had been stalled.

Although the formulas left by the progenitor were adapted to enable the Elves to learn it, no other races had the courage or means to take it on.

Nowadays, the academic community deems it impossible for other races to use, treating it as the exclusive magic of the Elves.

“Over this winter break, a groundbreaking and almost miraculous magic thesis came out at Lumeran.”

“It’s… impossible!”

“Who could have done such a thing?”

“Is it Senior Toruwa who has graduated…?”

“What about Senior Elen?”

“Or did some other professors manage this?”

Excitement coursed through all the students.

They couldn’t help it.

Star Magic?

Being able to use what was traditionally bound by racial barriers is unimaginable!

What magic scholar wouldn’t be thrilled at the prospect?

“Ho ho ho. Aren’t you all curious about the author of this great thesis?”

The students held their breath.

“The co-author of this great thesis is actually in this very room!”

Ren raised a hand.

The students’ gazes followed the tip of that hand.

And the person at the tip of his hand was…?

“Huh? Me?”

Caught completely unawares, Leo could only ask Ren in return.

“Ho ho ho. Leo Student. From the moment I first met you, I was certain. Certain that you would leave a great mark in the field of magic within a short time.”

“So… it’s me?”

“Ho ho ho. Indeed, you truly are the greatest talent in the history of the Lumeran Magic Department.”

“…”

As Leo listened to Ren repeating himself, he could only look dumbfounded.

“When did you write that thesis?”

At Kal’s inquiry, Leo’s expression turned awkward.

“I’ve never written a thesis like that.”