Chapter 85

【85】84.

The sudden appearance of Professor Alby caused the students to look perplexed, while Toluah, stepping down from the carpet, greeted him politely.

“Hello, Professor Alby.”

“What are you all doing?”

“Your adorable juniors were entertaining me, someone akin to the sky, their senior.”

‘You were making them work for you in exchange for errand money!’

The first-years inwardly exclaimed.

Of course, no student had the audacity to say that aloud.

Alby, with an expressionless face, surveyed the disarrayed lab and flicked his wrist.

The magical energy spreading from his fingertips, under Toluah’s command, quickly restored the disordered practice room to its original state.

The students marveled.

‘It’s the Temporal Reversal Spell!’

A high-level magic that rewinds the time of objects, incorporating the concept of time reversal.

And he used it without intoning any verbal incantation.

“Everyone, gather.”

At Alby’s words, the first-year students quickly formed a group.

Toluah sat under the parasol handed to her by Kal, feeling no particular need to join given her role as an assistant.

“I’m Alby Zeruon.”

At this short introduction, the students tensed.

‘Why is he here? Did he pass through because of some matter?’

‘Perhaps he came here to try out new magic. If so, we’re really lucky.’

Typically, when a professor appeared in a classroom, students expected a lecture. However, none of the first-years expected Alby to give a lecture since he was famous for never giving any.

He only became a professor to enjoy the privileges that a Lumeran professor held.

Being frequently away on Tartarus-hunting missions, it was rare to find him on school grounds.

In fact, despite being a Lumeran professor for quite some time, Alby had never lectured.

As the students’ eyes sparkled with anticipation, expecting to witness the famed magic of the renowned hero Alby, they were met with an unexpected statement.

“Starting today, I’ll be assisting with your classes at Professor Ren’s request.”

“…?”

Confused by this unexpected announcement, the students failed to comprehend what Alby had said.

At that moment, Toluah Yan, who had been sitting under the parasol, approached.

“Hold on. Are you saying Professor Alby will be lecturing?”

“Is there a problem? Toluah Yan.”

“It’s only problematic because when I and my juniors repeatedly requested special lectures, you always declined!”

Alby is a wizard who handles fairy magic in human form — a rare feat, and arguably the only human capable of such magic.

For that reason, every student in the Department of Magic desired to attend one of Alby’s lectures.

Even during her first year, Toluah had consistently requested Alby’s lectures.

She implored for special lectures if regular ones weren’t an option.

When her requests were ignored, she frequently visited the Magic Department office, only to be chased away several times.

As the deputy president of the student council, she once even attempted to leverage the council’s power, earning herself a disciplinary penalty.

Despite all those efforts, the lecture she couldn’t hear would now be given to the first-years.

“I was busy.”

“…”

With that curt reply, Toluah clenched her fists tightly.

At that moment, Professor Ren and Assistant Professor Anna entered the magic practice ground.

“Professor, you’re here.”

Ren greeted Alby respectfully.

Observing this, the students recognized anew the high regard in which Alby was held.

Despite his youth, Ren wielded immense influence not only within the Department of Magic at Lumeran University but across the entire magical community.

Ren dedicated himself purely to magical research and thus hadn’t registered a Hero Record, but his combat prowess equated to that of front-line battle mages.

Only Alby, Sedgen of Class 1, and Halind of Class 5 had ever received such deference from Ren.

“Everyone, pay attention! This is Professor Alby, whom I’ve specially invited especially for you first-years! Let’s greet him with applause!”

Upon Ren’s announcement, the first-years erupted in applause.

“Toluah, why are you sitting among the first-years clapping? You are supposed to be assisting in this class.”

“Because I’m a first-year too. I want to listen to Professor Alby’s special lecture.”

“Assistant Professor Anna, please remove her immediately.”

Ren said in a tone that suggested he’d anticipated this, and Anna approached Toluah as if it were routine.

“Toluah. Please come forward.”

“No! I want to listen! I want to hear Professor Alby’s lecture!”

Despite her struggle, Toluah was eventually pulled forward by Anna.

Ignoring Toluah’s sulking expression, Ren continued.

“The reason I’ve specially invited Senior Alby today is for magic combat.”

Students murmured with anticipation at his words.

“The Interdepartmental Competition is a battle royale, which is basically a survival challenge. And mages are generally at a disadvantage in such scenarios.”

At Professor Ren’s explanation, the students from the Department of Magic nodded in understanding.

It was true that except exceptional cases like Chelsea, the mage is often at a disadvantage in one-on-one combat against other classes.

“Senior Alby is a seasoned warrior who has crossed numerous battlefields. As far as I know, there is no one better than him in magic combat. Albi’s advice will greatly benefit you as you prepare for the Interdepartmental Competition!”

The students clapped and marveled at Ren’s words.

“Whatever the circumstances, it’s a stroke of luck to hear a lecture from Professor Alby.”

Kal grinned, and Chloe nodded her agreement.

“Yes. I’m excited.”

“Toluah, as someone currently active on the front lines in dungeon exploration, will also not withhold her advice from you.”

At this, the gleam in the first-years’ eyes intensified.

In essence, they were in for a luxurious practical training session starting today.

As Ren stepped back, Alby moved forward.

“What do you think is the most important element in magic combat?”

At Alby’s question, the students quickly raised their hands in response. It was an opportunity not to be missed to leave an impression on Alby, a hero and illustrious member of the renowned Zeruon family.

“You, answer.”

“Emio Luchan from Class 2!”

Emio Luchan, who ranked third in the Department of Magic during the midterm exams, stood up.

“The most important thing for a mage is magical power!”

“That’s incorrect. Next.”

“What?”

Stunned by his failed attempt, Emio sat down while Chelsea took her turn.

“The speed of verbal incantation!”

“That’s incorrect. Next.”

Students kept offering what they deemed as the most important aspects in magic combat.

But seemingly, none matched Alby’s idea of the correct answer, for none of them got it right.

As every possible answer was dismissed as incorrect, eventually, the first-years became hesitant to raise their hands, exchanging glances and looking uneasy.

At this moment, Toluah raised her hand enthusiastically.

“I do!”

“Lower it!”

Of course, she was made to lower her hand by Professor Ren.

As no one could answer, Leo then raised his hand.

“Answer, Leo Flove.”

“Mobility.”

“That’s correct.”

“Che. I raised my hand first.”

“Don’t try to compete with the first-years! You’re here to teach today!”

As Toluah grumbled, Professor Ren held his temples.

Even the charismatic young professor Ren found Toluah a difficult student to handle.

“Professor, I don’t get it! Of course, mobility is important, but it doesn’t seem like the most critical element in magic combat. Besides, isn’t the issue of mobility in magic already resolved?”

‘Am I really going to be outdone by someone not even from the Department of Magic?’

Annoyed, Emio stood up.

“Do you mean the Wing Magic when you talk about overcoming mobility issues?”

“Yes!”

Wing Magic.

A levitation spell invented 10 years ago.

Unlike the long-used Fly magic, it’s much easier to master and enables quicker movement, thus functioning as a superior iteration of the latter.

Its most significant characteristic is the ability to confer flight to objects.

The versatile Fly magic too can enhance its effects by granting flight to objects, but the efficiency pales in comparison to Wing Magic.

Wing Magic significantly contributed to overcoming mages’ traditional weakness—mobility—and is considered a defining spell of the era.

At Emio’s words, Alby nodded.

“What’s your name?”

“Emio Luce.”

“Emio Luce, come forward.”

With a puzzled look, Emio stepped forward.

“Is there anyone among you who doesn’t have a Wing Magic-specific magical artifact?”

Confused expressions spread across the students’ faces at this question.

In today’s world, Wing Magic is considered an indispensable skill for mages, and its dedicated magical artifact, designed for flying, is a must-have.

Though not an official requirement for the course, it’s necessary given its frequent use.

For students of the Department of Magic, not having such an artifact would be absurd.

But contrary to their expectations, two students raised their hands—Leo and Chloe.

While Chloe looked slightly embarrassed and lowered her head, Leo looked confident.

“Leo Flove, come forward.”

As Leo stepped forward, Emio glared at him.

‘Have I been doing something wrong during my school life?’

Seeing that, Leo quietly chuckled inside.

“From now on, you two will begin an aerial battle.”

Alby pointed at the top of the Hero’s Tower, visible from afar.

“The first to reach the target and return will be the winner. Leo Flove, you’ll use this.”

Alby pulled out a broom from a subspace.

“Why a broom of all things?”

“It’s a magical artifact I frequently use.”

With a blank stare, Alby replied to Leo, who seemed incredulous.

Envious glances were cast towards Leo by the other students.

Although the broom appeared unremarkable on the surface, being an artifact used by Alby, it was undoubtedly of extraordinary quality.

The students who envied Leo’s apparent favoritism soon grew curious.

‘What does a competition have to do with emphasizing aerial mobility?’

But upon seeing the broom, a few students grew noticeably pale.

“You’re out of control. That’s completely unfair!”

“Why?”

“That’s not a proper aerial artifact! It’s a cleaning artifact—an ordinary broom!”

“What?”

“Interesting.”

Toluah smiled faintly, while Anna sighed.

“It might be funny, but can this really be considered a fair contest?”

Leo and Emio lined up at the starting point.

Anna raised her hand.

“Are you both ready?”

With a nod from both, Anna dropped her hand.

“Go!”

“My limbs, become mine—Wing!”

In an instant, Emio completed the chant, mounted his board-like magical artifact, and accelerated immediately.

‘I don’t know what kind of magical artifact Professor Alby gave Leo, but mine’s among the best of the best! Moreover, I’ve practiced Wing Magic daily!’

Emio smirked.

‘Leo’s never come to practice! This match is mine!’

As Emio sped forward, confident in his impending victory, something happened suddenly.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, something moved at incredible speed beside Emio.

“What?”

It was none other than Leo.

“Sorry, I’ll go first!”

“This guy! Did he really think he could just go ahead?!”

Furious, Emio pulled out his staff.

Crackle!

“Lightning Bolt!”

The magic hurtled from behind toward Leo, who promptly swerved to avoid it.

“What the? Why are you attacking?”

“Are you unaware? This isn’t a race, it’s an aerial battle! Attacking your opponent is allowed!”

With a smirk, Emio mocked Leo.

Upon hearing this, Leo curled his lips into a smile.

“Hmm? You’ll regret that!”