Chapter 78

“I find it strange, no matter how I think about it.”

“Strange? About what?”

Leo raised an eyebrow at Kal’s muttering.

“Well, I mean, it’s odd that an incident involving the undead was resolved overnight, and we continue with the joint class.”

“That may be true.”

“And on top of that, you and those Seirun girls were under house arrest for a day. Doesn’t that seem suspicious?”

Leo chuckled inwardly as he saw Kal wink meaningfully.

‘He’s quick to catch on.’

“Mr. Kal, would you please share your thoughts on this magic formula?”

“Whoa!”

Startled, he quickly stood up, flipping through his textbook as Herdium called on him.

As it was already a few days into the joint class, both sides of students were accustomed to the lessons.

“So, I think using the Five-Element Magic when activating this formula wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Hmm. That’s quite good.”

Herdium nodded his head.

A few elven students also took serious notes with earnest expressions.

The joint class was certainly yielding positive results.

‘Although the greatest influence on our students is that student.’

Herdium looked proudly at the Seirun student before his gaze shifted to Leo.

Leo’s presence was shocking to the prideful Seirun students.

None of them would admit it due to their pride, but they all felt it.

The fact that they couldn’t understand the magic of the stars as well as Leo did.

‘Some students acknowledge Leo and want to learn from him, but others are held back by pride. However, just realizing how vast the world is holds great value.’

Herdium nodded, wearing an expression that mingled with regret.

‘I envy the first-year students of Lumeran.’

It wasn’t merely because he was an excellent student.

‘There are many exceptional students. But students who provide the stimulation for growth around them… are exceedingly rare.’

Continuing the lesson while savoring these thoughts, Herdium closed the textbook.

“I will end the class here. I hope you have learned something from the joint classes over the last few days.”

As Herdium finished speaking, the students stretched and began to rise.

As they gathered to discuss the class, Herdium spoke again.

“Leo.”

“Yes.”

“Could you step outside for a moment? I’d like to have a word.”

Leo stepped out with a puzzled expression, following Herdium.

“Why did Professor Herdium want to see Leo on the last day of class?”

“He probably wants to talk about the magic of the stars. He particularly liked you, Leo, right?”

While the first day had a rough atmosphere, after Leo interpreted Luna’s magic, Herdium took a great liking to him.

“Well, anyway.”

Kal stood up proudly.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“I was thinking of inviting Seirun students to our after-party this evening.”

With a sly grin, Kal approached Lunia.

Lunia, organizing her writing tools, looked puzzled at Kal.

“What’s up?”

“We’re having an after-party at our dorm this evening. Should I invite the interested Seirun students too? Want to come over?”

“An after-party?”

“Yeah. Since we got to meet and took classes together, it’s a good reason to celebrate. Let’s have some fun on the last day.”

“C-Can I come too?”

“Oh! Eiran, of course!”

“I’ll let the others know.”

“Okay!”

Kal grinned.

As Kal returned to his seat, Chelsea spoke.

“Anyway, I have to give you credit for being so sociable.”

“Heh. It’s different from those prim and proper nobles.”

That evening.

While Lumeran students were busy preparing for the after-party, Seirun students showed up at their dorm.

Not every student came, but most of them did.

All of these students had a keen interest in the Lumeran classes.

“More than I expected.”

“The more people, the more fun! Chelsea! Go up and bring down all the leftover snacks!”

“Got it.”

Nella’s words prompted Iliana to cheerfully respond.

While Chelsea and Iliana went to retrieve the snacks, the Seirun students each found their seats.

“Umm…… I don’t see Leo anywhere?”

“If it’s Leo, he’s in the kitchen cooking.”

Nella smiled at Eiran, who asked carefully.

“L-Leo is cooking for us…..!”

Eiran turned red and fumbled, unsure of what to do.

“Is there anything I can help with, Nella?”

Hearing Lunia’s question, Nella smiled lazily.

“I can’t ask the guests to help. Just enjoy yourselves.”

Nella, the most beautiful girl in Class 5, caused several Seirun male students to blush.

“Ha-ha! Men are the same wherever you go.”

“Nella is an incredible beauty even by elven standards.”

Kal grinned wickedly while Teid shrugged.

Moments later, Iliana and Chelsea returned with all the leftover snacks from the room.

The human snacks, which couldn’t be found in the elven city, piqued the curiosity of the elves.

“Eiran, come here. Eiran!”

Having quickly become friends due to shared interests, Chelsea happily called for Eiran.

“What’s up, Chelsea?”

“Look at this.”

Chelsea showed Eiran a bag of bread.

“Why is that?”

“Open it and see what’s inside.”

Chelsea tore open the bag and pulled out a small card.

“Ta-da!”

“Whoa! Why is there a card in the bread?”

“It’s a trend on our side. Famous hero cards come inside the bread. Let me see…… Oh! It’s an elven hero!”

“It’s Reginia, the Wind of Slyana! How amazing!”

“It’s randomly inserted like this. There are also cards of great heroes.”

Eiran’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

This was an enticing item for Eiran, who was a collector.

The other elves also showed interest in it.

Everyone dreamed of heroes and thus took a keen interest in stories related to them.

“I could make some money from this.”

Kal rubbed his chin, his eyes sparkling.

Just then, Leo came out from the kitchen.

“Hey, everyone is already here.”

Leo used magic to bring out several plates from the kitchen.

“Alright, everyone, let’s pour some drinks into the cups!”

Iliana cheerfully shouted, prompting the students to pour drinks into their cups.

“Well then, our proud representatives of the year. How about you give a speech on behalf of the school?”

At those words, Lunia stood up.

“Ahem. It was a short time, but it was a beneficial experience. I hope we can continue to compete and interact like this as we move toward our individual goals.”

“Great words from a model student! Next class leader!”

Iliana pointed at Leo with a thumbs up.

“Everyone, don’t just study hard; when it’s time to play, let’s have fun!”

“Our class leader is surprisingly laid-back.”

Iliana giggled as she raised her glass.

“Cheers! Let’s raise a toast to commemorate this gathering!”

“Cheers!”

As they raised their glasses, the after-party commenced.

At first, it was a bit awkward, but Lumeran and Seirun students quickly began to enjoy themselves, sharing laughter and conversation.

“Ha-ha-ha! Who wants to drink?”

At that moment, Kal came down from upstairs carrying bottles of alcohol.

“What if Professor Halind catches you?”

“I already got the intel that Professor Halind can’t make it because he has an appointment with the council chair today.”

“Of course, Kal! I can always count on you in times like this!”

Watching the Lumeran students engaging in this bit of rebellion, Lunia muttered.

“Given how scary that professor is, I’m surprised they dare to do this.”

“Our school kids are a handful.”

Chelsea shook her head as she approached.

“You all! What kind of student drinks? Don’t you feel embarrassed in front of the Seirun students? Clean this up immediately!”

Chelsea’s words were met with jeers.

“Boo!”

“Teacher’s pet!”

Chelsea smiled and pulled out her wand.

“Eek!”

“Run away!”

As everyone panicked and tried to scatter, Kal stepped in.

“Chelsea, isn’t a little deviation from the rules okay on a day like this?”

“Absolutely not.”

“It’s fine; I won’t force you to drink since you’re a kid. Ha-ha-ha!”

Chelsea’s face became cold at being called a ‘child.’

Snatching a bottle, Chelsea opened it and shoved the neck of the bottle toward Kal’s mouth.

“Gack? Gack?”

“Then you, being the adult, drink it all.”

As Kal struggled, Leo intervened.

“Chelsea. Just for today, it should be fine, right? This could be a memory.”

With Leo’s words, Chelsea sighed heavily.

“If you’re saying that, Leo…”

“If anything happens, I’ll take care of it.”

With Leo’s smile, the students who were welcoming the alcohol felt a moment of hesitation and decided to drink more cautiously.

Thus, a few bottles of alcohol appeared at the after-party.

A few Seirun students, noticing Lunia’s demeanor, gradually sipped their drinks as well.

Sitting alone, Leo took a sip and chuckled.

“Um… Leo, here. Have this with some snacks.”

Eiran brought something that could be eaten as a side dish to Leo, who was only drinking.

“Thank you.”

As Leo smiled brightly, Eiran flushed.

Eiran, hesitating while looking at Leo, gathered her courage and spoke.

“I want to express my gratitude to you, Leo.”

“Huh? For what?”

“I feel like I’ve changed even just a little since meeting you.”

Eiran blushed as she spoke.

“Back in Fairy Forest, when you said I seemed like an ancestor… that gave me courage. I want to go back to Seirun.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”

Leo smiled brightly.

As Leo beamed at her, Eiran lowered her head.

She had turned beet red.

The reason she gained the courage to return to school was that she now had a goal.

‘I want to witness Leo’s heroic tales up close.’

Leo’s fearless challenges against the impossible reminded her of the great heroes she had only seen in fairy tales.

Captivated by that image, Eiran thought.

‘I want to follow in Leo’s footsteps.’

Admiration turned into longing, and longing into aspiration.

“I’ll definitely come to Lumeran during the school exchange or the exchange student season! Let’s study together again then!”

“Sure, do well until then.”

Seeing Eiran’s enthusiasm, Leo chuckled and patted her head.

Eiran wrapped her arms around her face, unsure how to react.

At that moment, Lunia approached.

“Heh. You two look good together.”

“What about you?”

“This kind of after-party isn’t bad either.”

From the standpoint of the showy Seirun students, the event where the students prepared and enjoyed themselves was refreshing.

“These past few days have been a beneficial time. I learned how Lumeran students conduct classes and just how outstanding they are.”

A competitive spirit arose in Lunia’s reddish-orange eyes.

“And I learned that there’s someone like you in Lumeran.”

She realized from her time in the Fairy Forest.

Even though they were of the same age group, Leo exceeded her in skill.

Honestly, Lunia’s confidence had never allowed her to feel inferior to anyone in the same grade, but Leo’s existence was shocking.

However, she was not the type to be discouraged by that.

“I’m not going to lose. I’ll work hard and surpass you!”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Yeah, be on your toes.”

Lunia, who had been smiling beautifully, suddenly put on a serious expression.

“By the way.”

“Hmm?”

“About the magic of the great ancestral being that you interpreted on the first day of joint classes… what kind of magic was it?”

“Didn’t Professor Herdium tell you anything?”

“He just said he’d announce it during the joint class for all grades when we return.”

Since it was precious ancestral magic, Herdium intended to present it in a public setting in front of everyone.

But for Lunia, her curiosity was insatiable.

That’s why she wanted to ask the one who interpreted the magic.

Leo smiled and reached out his hand.

Buzzzz—!

With a warm light, a single flower bloomed.

“Eh?”

Seeing the lively fresh flower, Lunia looked surprised.

“Ah? Uh, I mean…. This is…….”

Caught off guard by the sudden scenario, Lunia blushed slightly as she accepted the flower.

“Why are you suddenly giving me a flower?”

“It’s a magic that makes flowers bloom.”

“Eh?”

“The magic I interpreted is the magic that makes flowers bloom.”

“……”

“Did you think I gave you a flower? That’s cute.”

Lunia’s face turned crimson with anger.

“Are you messing with me? Do you think this is funny?!”

Furious sparks flew from Lunia’s eyes.

As she grabbed Leo by the collar, both Lumeran and Seirun students were taken aback.

“It’s a fight!”

“Stop it! Stop it!”

The last night in Berkiya was coming to an end.