Editor : Amethyst00



Clocktower Dormitory Central Hall

As expected of the massive Clocktower Dormitory, the central hall was spacious enough to hold the entire student body without issue.

And in fact, all students were currently gathered there.

"It feels like we're back in our 1st year."

Chloe murmured quietly as she read a magic tome while sitting on one of the chairs placed in the central hall.

Carl scratched his head and nodded in agreement at her remark.

"Yeah, it does."

Currently, the entire student body was divided into three groups:

Knight Department, Magic Department, and Summoning Department.

For the 3rd years, it reminded them of the department-based competitions when they 1st entered school.

Especially since they had lived in mixed dormitories last year, this atmosphere felt like a throwback after a year.

The 2nd years found the structure a bit unfamiliar.

Because of the mentor system introduced at their entry, 2nd years had a stronger sense of individual competition rather than departmental rivalry.

Even in they entered the 2nd semester, that tendency still remained strong.

On the other hand, 4th and 5th years were used to this kind of situation.

As for the 1st years, they were cautiously observing their seniors' demeanor.

From the 1st years' perspective, just being in the same space as 2nd years was intimidating enough.

With all upperclassmen gathered, they could only hold their breath and watch quietly.

As this strange atmosphere lingered…

Carl clicked his tongue lightly.

"Still… this place felt too big for a reason."

"Hm? Ah, right."

Chloe nodded, her expression turning thoughtful at Carl's musing.

They had been excited when they 1st saw the dormitory building, thinking it was for 3rd years only.

But upon entering, it turned out the dorm was shared by all grades.

It would've been huge for just 3rd years, but it made sense for everyone combined.

"Still, having a big space is nice."

Eliana cut into the conversation.

"There are so many convenience facilities in the dorm building!"

"Yeah. There's even a library. There were lots of newly published magic tomes too."

"Huh? There's a library?"

"What were you even looking at?"

"The entertainment facility!"

Chloe shook her head at Eliana's proud thumbs-up.

"But what are you doing here anyway?"

"Huh?"

At Carl’s question, Eliana widened her eyes.

"You're in the Knight Department. Why are you here with us?"

"What do you mean? I take all the Magic Department major classes!"

"But you're in the Knight dorm, right?"

Chloe spoke without even lifting her eyes from her tome.

"Are you discriminating against me just because I'm a magic swordswoman? Magic Department blood runs through my veins!"

"And yet you live in the Knight dorm?"

"So mean! Even our class rep is on the verge of discrimination?! And he's in all three classes!"

"Leo is different."

"Yeah. Leo's different."

Carl and Chloe answered in unison, making Eliana pout.

"You guys are so mean!"

"What's all the noise about?"

"Chelsea! They're being mean to me!"

Eliana clung to Chelsea, sulking.

Chelsea glanced at the 2nd years and said,

"What are you doing? We've got a Knight Department spy here. Drag her out."

"Don't you have a heart?!"

Eliana screamed at Chelsea's ruthless words.

"Eliana-sunbae… um… Celia-sunbae says she's ready now and asks you to come."

At that moment, Luke approached and spoke carefully.

Carl looked at him and asked,

"Luke, why'd you join the Knight Department? You could've easily entered the Magic Department."

"Uh… well, magic seemed too difficult. I wasn't sure if I could handle it."

"That's a shame. Even this idiot here takes magic classes just fine."

Chelsea folded her arms and pointed at Eliana.

"I'm not an idiot! And why is there such a double standard?!"

"You've played the spy too many times, haven't you?"

Chelsea narrowed her eyes at her.

"Spy?! I'll say it again! Magic Department blood runs through my veins—"

"Eliana-sunbae, Xia-sunbae says stop embarrassing the department and get over there quickly. She says no one had high hopes for you anyway."

"….."

Aina appeared behind Luke, expressionless.

"Tch! I was almost done!"

"So you were up to something. And no, you weren't almost done."

Carl shook his head as Eliana grumbled in frustration.

Thud!

Chloe closed her magic tome.

Clack, clack—

At the same moment, Elena appeared from the back where the Magic Department students were gathered.

In an instant, all eyes turned to her.

Chloe briefly met Elena's gaze as she passed by.

Giving a bright smile, Chloe twirled her hair and stepped to the front of the Magic Department group.

"Elena-sunbae hasn't changed."

Carl replied to Chloe's murmur.

"You can't hide that kind of presence."

Indeed, her aura overwhelmed the entire room.

The more people around, the greater her influence became.

Especially those who hadn't built up immunity—seeing her now was like being struck by divine light.

The 3rd years were used to it, but the 2nd years tensed up visibly.

To 1st years, upperclassmen were almost divine.

Thus, they rarely dared to enter their seniors' activity zones.

Among those seniors, Elena held a particularly elevated status.

She was seen at public events, but never so openly radiating magical presence.

This, now, was likely her true self.

While 2nd years struggled to resist Elena's overwhelming presence…

The new students gazed at her, entranced.

"So… so pretty…"

Someone muttered in a daze.

While the freshmen remained spellbound, Elena stepped to the front of the Magic Department group, twirling her hair and speaking.

"Looks like all the suitable department representatives are here."

At that, Lyl raised her hand.

"Elena-sunbae! Runeba-sunbae is still at the back!"

Elena looked at her as if wondering what nonsense she was spouting.

"You're the representative for the Summoning Department, aren't you?"

"Huh? But Runeba-sunbae is the top 5th-year summoner! How could I…"

"You do it. I'm going to live quietly."

Runeba shrugged from the back.

"What? No, I can't…"

"Yeah, yeah. You be the rep."

"We trust you more than Runeba."

The 5th-year summoners pushed Lyl forward.

"Our monster! Go get 'em!"

"I'm not a monster!"

Lyl protested with teary eyes, but the seniors paid no mind.

Then Takon, representing the Knight Department, opened his mouth.

"Let's assess the situation 1st."

Currently, only students were in the dormitory.

No other information was available.

In response to Takon, Elena spoke.

"As you can see, all grades and departments are using the same dorm, and the zones are clearly divided."

Her eyes gleamed slightly.

"Looks like this year's going to be a department competition."

"That's exactly right!"

Just then, a voice rang out—Sedgen's.

As everyone turned their heads,

BANG—!

The central hall door burst open, and Sedgen and Tina entered.

"This year is exactly what it sounds like: a Department War! Each department must unite and aim for victory!"

The students began murmuring in excitement.

Elena smiled and asked, "What's the prize for winning?"

"The prize is countless benefits!"

Sedgen answered confidently.

"1st! Until the end of the 2nd semester finals—no one gets expelled!"

Everyone gasped at the unprecedented condition.

"The winning department will see all its students advance or graduate!"

"Wooooahhh!"

Cheers erupted from the 1st and 2nd years.

"What about the losing departments?"

"Expulsion will be based on total grades. But this year, we're switching from relative to absolute grading."

Chloe raised her hand.

"My dear student! Chloe! What are you curious about?"

"Will this dorm system continue next year?"

"Elegance! That's my brilliant student! Such keen insight!"

Sedgen applauded passionately and approached Chloe.

"Hold out your hand!"

Chloe looked startled but extended her palm.

Sedgen pulled out a stamp from his pocket and pressed it onto her hand.

[Well Done!]

Chloe blinked in confusion at the words before the stamp faded away.

"Students who do praiseworthy things will receive praise stamps! Stamps translate to dormitory bonus points!"

"Why stamps and not actual scores?"

Chloe asked curiously, and Sedgen replied immediately.

"It's a personal preference!"

Then he returned to his place.

"How'd you know the dorm system would continue?"

"If an entire department advances without expulsion, there could be balance issues next year. But with absolute evaluation, it suggests they want to give more students the chance to move up."

Chloe explained her reasoning matter-of-factly.

"No expulsions until the end of the year means they're continuing last year's mentor system. I figured seniors would be made responsible for guiding juniors."

That's what absolute evaluation was for.

Unlike relative evaluation, which ranked and expelled students by percentile, absolute evaluation simply required passing a set standard.

To gain an edge in next year's department competition, it was better to have more students advance.

"The biggest reward is advancement. There are other perks too, but those will be revealed gradually!"

Sedgen grinned.

"For now, everyone must be hungry and tired—let's head to the dorm dining hall! The school has prepared a welcome party for new students!"

Sedgen laughed as he walked toward the central hall doors—

SLAM—! THUD!

"Oof!"

The door slammed open and hit Sedgen square in the face.

Leo entered right on cue.

"Professor Sedgen, are you okay?"

"Leo, is it? You're late. There should have been an assembly notice."

"I didn't get one."

Leo scratched his head.

At that, Tina nodded.

"Looks like the Clocktower isn't receiving announcements properly. There might be an error."

Sedgen nodded at the designer of the dorm system.

"I see. Be more careful next time. May I have your hand, Leo?"

Leo held out his hand, and Sedgen stamped it.

[Try Harder.]

"Anyway, Late is still late!"

"…Aren't I not affected by dorm scores anyway?"

"It's about the mood, isn't it?"

Sedgen chuckled.

Leo quietly took something out from his coat and stamped his own hand.

Sedgen's expression froze.

"Where did you get that?"

"Professor Harrid gave it to me. Said it's my right as student council president."

Leo smiled, showing his palm stamped with [Well Done!].

"Annoying! Harrid is annoying, and so are you! Leo Plov!"

Sedgen flailed in dramatic frustration.

Leo and Tina tried to calm him down.

Watching this, Eliana spoke.

"Chen Xia."

"Yes?"

"Is it possible to bribe the class rep? Like, with seduction or something."

"Do you think that would work?"

"Tch."