The evening after the exam.
The second-year students were changing clothes in their respective dormitories.
“Our school is really harsh, I tell you.”
In front of the mirror in the Gloire dormitory lounge, Iliana, wearing an elegant party dress, muttered as she examined her hair from side to side.
At her words, one of the male students from the Department of Magic looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t it bad enough that we were battling fiercely just a moment ago? And with the winners and losers already decided, they’re hosting a party to celebrate the exam results already this evening?”
“True enough.”
Other students nodded their heads as well.
“Decisively…”
One of the Gloire students sighed deeply.
“Can we honestly say that we won because we did well today?”
At his words, the Gloire students’ expressions darkened.
It’s not that they didn’t give it their all.
On the contrary, they bit their teeth and fought hard.
From the Gloire students’ perspective, the alliance of Harmony and Noble for mutual attacks placed them in precarious situations more than once.
In such a scenario, Gloire’s victory happened only because Leo took down both Chelsea and Kal, the kings from Harmony and Noble.
Just as the Gloire students preparing for the party sat glumly on the lounge sofas,
Clack-clack.
“Why’s the mood so down?”
Seeing Chloé appear, the students gave an exclamation of “oooh.”
Chloé, one of the top beauties among the sophomores, was usually popular. However, instead of her usual neat appearance, tonight she was dressed up noticeably different for the party.
Her platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and light-blue dress were particularly striking.
“Miss Chloé, you look stunning.”
Yura Chen, dressed in an outfit characteristic of the eastern continent, appeared behind Chloé with a bright smile.
“Our dorm’s two top beauties are dressed up so nicely—it’s a pleasure to look at.”
“Hmm, it’s an exotic charm.”
The male students’ words made Iliana furrow her brow and point at herself with her finger.
“I’m a beauty too.”
“Ah, really?”
“You’re a beauty too.”
“That lukewarm reaction… What the hell!”
Iliana’s eyes widened in exasperation.
Amidst the small commotion, Chen Xia, sitting on the lounge sofa, tilted her head.
“Hmm, but what were you guys talking about to look so gloomy?”
At Chen Xia’s words, the Gloire students exchanged glances and put on somber expressions.
“Come on, tell this older sister.”
When Chen Xia smiled and said this, Iliana sat down on the sofa and responded.
“Not really—it’s just that for this contest, our class leader basically carried us on his own, didn’t he?”
Sighing and leaning back on the sofa, Iliana said,
“I feel like it’s almost wrong to fully enjoy the party.”
Other dorm students also looked glum.
“Is everyone thinking the same thing?”
Chen Xia smiled.
Chloé crossed her arms.
“Admittedly, Leo was the one who did the most in this contest. But didn’t Leo himself say that? He couldn’t have charged around like that if it weren’t for the rest of the dorm members.”
“That’s right. Lord Leo mentioned that he could perform well because there were reliable teammates backing him up. So there’s no need to feel deflated.”
At this, the Gloire students began to look a little sheepish.
“Did he really say that?”
“Yes.”
Chen Xia’s words caused the Gloire students to look a little embarrassed.
“By the way, where’s Leo?”
As the dorm students asked with curious faces, Chloé responded.
“Already at the party site, maybe?”
The second-year midterm after-party was held in the dormitory garden.
Gloire, Harmony, and Noble dorms—though separate buildings—shared the same garden, allowing for interaction.
Against a backdrop of soft music, the honored guests sat in prominent positions.
Most of them were parents of second-years who had been invited to observe the exams.
“Professor, how is our son managing at school? He never mentions anything about his studies in his letters, so we’re curious about how he spends his time in Lumeran.”
“The student Toren is currently very focused on researching ways to alleviate drought by using water spirits. Though he’s mainly a spirit master, he’s also attending magic classes to broaden his knowledge. He’s been showing excellent academic progress. Professor Yura, come here and tell them about Toren please.”
Sedgen was passionately consulting with the parents.
Professors from various departments were continuously called in different directions to provide updates to the parents regarding their children’s activities.
“Seeing this, it seems Professor Sedgen is truly remarkable.”
After a short consultation with a parent of a Department of Magic student, Ren was impressed.
“Sedgen isn’t known as the top professor in Lumeran for no reason.”
Halind casually sipped his wine as Ren said this.
“Um, mother?”
“Sister… What are you doing here?”
“Father!”
A startled voice came from the entrance to the garden.
The arriving second-years had spotted the honored guests.
The students mixed with their families, some joyfully, some awkwardly, exchanging stories and introducing friends they were close to, creating an amicable atmosphere.
Among them, Celia approached Chloé.
“Celia, are you recovering well?”
“I’ve been fully healed already, how about you?”
“Me too. Kind of disappointing we couldn’t face off again, isn’t it?”
The two close friends exchanged greetings.
Seeing them, Chen Xia smiled.
“I am also a little upset that I couldn’t fight Duran to the end.”
“Pfft, if we kept fighting, I would’ve won.”
A mocking laugh from the back revealed Duran’s voice.
Next to Duran stood a small girl, ten years old with blonde hair and golden eyes.
Seeing her, Chen Xia smiled kindly and squatted down.
“Who’s this adorable lady?”
“My sister.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, what’s your name?”
Chen Xia’s friendly tone elicited a shy smile and a greeting from the girl.
“I’m Helan Moira. It’s an honor to meet you. Your duel with my brother… It was very impressive.”
“It’s an honor that you think so, Princess Helan.”
If Duran’s younger sister, then Moira, the princess of the Helan kingdom.
Hearing Chen Xia’s words, Helan smiled.
Seeing it, Chloé and Celia looked intriguingly at Duran.
“What? What is that look?”
“Not much, your sister is so adorable. It just doesn’t seem to fit with you.”
“Yeah, she looks too precious for you. Can’t you give her to me? I’ve always wanted a younger sister.”
Chloé teased lightly and Celia smirked.
Seeing the two girls teasing him, Duran laughed softly.
“Hey! Everyone’s here!”
A familiar voice came through. It was Kal.
“Oh no! Princess is also here.”
Kal noticed Helan, overreacted playfully, and bowed deeply.
Kal, being from Moira, naturally did this.
“Princess Helan, this is Kal Thomas.”
“Kal Thomas, ah! My brother has told me much about you. Aren’t you from our kingdom? My brother once mentioned you as a talented mage.”
Hearing Helan’s cheerful words, everyone looked shocked.
Duran complimenting his sister on someone else? That was surprising.
“…Who are you? Definitely not a prince, right?”
“Be quiet, Kal Thomas.”
Duran laughed dryly.
“Even though he scored low academically, Brother praised the effort with which you fought on,” Helan said.
Hearing this, Kal smiled brightly.
“This is what a prince should look like!”
Kal’s expression suggested a sense of relief, noticing it Chloé and Celia tried to suppress a laugh.
Duran maintained his usual stoic expression.
Just then,
“Ah, Celia, are these your friends?”
Reina approached with a smile.
Looking at Kal, Chloé, Chen Xia, and Duran, she said,
“Knight and Magic department students, right? I hear your daughter helps them out quite a bit.”
“Not at all, rather we benefit greatly from Celia,” Chloé said with a smile while introducing herself.
“Ah, you must be Chloé. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
Reina greeted warmly.
“And you must be Kal. I’ve heard a lot about you since last year.”
“My story?”
Kal looked surprised and glanced at Celia.
Chloé made sense since they were in the same class and close friends,
But although Kal and Celia were friends, they were in different classes, so it was surprising that Celia discussed him with her parents.
Seeing this, Chen Xia smiled and remarked,
“Celia-san, you look just like your mother.”
At this comparison, Celia laughed awkwardly.
“It’s not my mother. That’s my aunt.”
“My aunt, you mean?”
“Reina, Leo’s mother.”
“Our son has been in your debt.”
Reina said this smiling, which made Chloé flustered.
“Ah, no! Actually, I have been receiving a lot of help from your son since my first year. So…”
Watching Chloé’s disoriented state, Reina laughed.
“Well, why don’t you visit us during the summer break?”
Chen Xia adjusted her outfit and greeted respectfully as per the eastern etiquette.
“Mother, I’m Chen Xia. We receive a lot of help from Lord Leo.”
Seeing Chen Xia’s careful manner, Reina smiled.
“It seems my son has gained a cute younger sister. He must be pleased.”
“…But I am older.”
“Really? You look incredibly young. You too, visit during the summer if possible. Kal, you should definitely come as well.”
Reina invited Leo’s friends over.
“Celia, should we invite the LeWalyn kids too?”
“…I’d prefer not to invite them.”
Celia gave an irritated expression.
“In any case, where did that son of mine go?”
Reina muttered.
Thud-thud-thud.
“Leo! Hurry up! Faster!”
Kirin sat on Leo’s shoulders and complained.
Ignoring Kirin’s complaints, Leo reached the front of Teacher Tina’s office.
Knock-knock.
Leo knocked, but there was no answer.
“…Could she have gone to the party?”
Leo momentarily looked puzzled but shook his head.
The Tina Leo knew wouldn’t be the type to attend public gatherings.
“Looks like the professor is out?”
Even so, he turned the doorknob.
Click—Creeeeak!
The sound of the door opening echoed through the hallway.
Leo cautiously peered inside.
“Teacher Tina, are you here?”
“Come on, let’s just grab it and go!”
“That’s not reasonable.”
“Why not! It’s my wings!”
Just as Kirin was making a fuss, an odd sound came from deep inside the office.
Squeak…squeak…
Looking puzzled, Leo moved toward the sound from within.
“Leo! No! What if that psycho elf has set traps or something?”
Terrified, Kirin tried to dissuade Leo, but Leo steadily moved deeper into the office.
He then noticed a light seeping from slightly opened inner doors and pushed them open.
“Teacher Tina, are you here?”
Tina turned her head, her eyes glittering as she was sharpening a scalpel on a small whetstone.
Groggily seeing her eyes, Kirin shrieked and tried to flee.
Leo caught him.
“Good evening, Student Leo.”
Tina stood up, still holding the scalpel in her hand, her hair disheveled, and her gaze wild.
“I watched the competition, well done.”
She stared at Kirin like a crazy magical researcher.
“What brings you here?”
“Did this little fellow break into your office earlier?”
“Yeah, you’re his vow keeper, right?”
Nodding, Tina flicked her finger.
The lights in the office turned on, illuminating the space.
Screaming earlier, Kirin visibly relaxed in the brighter environment.
“So, Student Leo, I have a favor.”
Tina smiled.
“Let me dissect this fairy of yours once?”
“Yyyyyikes!”
“Please restrain yourself.”
“Would you?”
Tina clicked her tongue wistfully before asking,
“So, what brings you here?”
“The fairy wings in your possession actually belong to this fellow.”
Leo held up Kirin, who was in his grasp.
“Hmm? So?”
“Would you consider returning them?”
“Umm…”
Tina crossed her arms, pondered, then nodded.
“Alright. But, would you do me a favor in return?”
“My abdomen won’t hold any significant findings, being human and all.”
“That does intrigue me. But my favor isn’t that.”
Tina smiled again.
“Student Leo, how about you don’t go to Seirun as an exchange student?”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
