Editor : Amethyst00



Clocktower Dormitory Cafeteria.

As the professors of Lumene gathered, Rina, seated at the most honored spot, spoke while watching the students enter the cafeteria.

"This moment is for welcoming the new students. Save the hazing for tomorrow. Just give them a warm welcome today. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Of course!"

The senior students responded with friendly smiles.

Then, they looked at the large tables covered with food.

"Hey. Look at the floor."

At someone's comment, the students looked down at the floor.

Emblems symbolizing each department were engraved into the floor.

And above those were luxurious buffet-style meals.

"This totally feels like they want us to mingle separately by department, isn't it?"

At Celia's mutter, Nella's face clouded.

"You're right. It feels like we're being divided into groups. It doesn't feel great."

"Hmph. You're being too soft."

Duran snorted.

"They're enemies we need to defeat. Don't speak so weakly. When the time comes, just cut them down without mercy."

At Duran's characteristically combative remark, Chen Xia smiled brightly.

"You mean we should compete when it's time to compete, and get along when it's time to get along?"

"Why are you interpreting it like that?"

Though Duran frowned, he didn't say more.

"Don't you think Duran's kind of soft when it comes to Chen Xia? He acts rough with other girls, but he backs off when talking to her."

Eliana whispered, scratching her cheek as Nella listened.

"Really?"

"Come to think of it, he's like that with you too, Nella."

Eliana, arms crossed, tilted her head and nodded.

"Aha! So he's weak to older girls! Kinda cute, isn't it? Ufufufu!"

At that, Celia gave her a disapproving look.

"It's not that he's weak to older girls. He just nags less at people who know what they're doing."

"Huh? He's always nagging at me though."

"You don't know what you're doing."

At Celia's words, Eliana pouted.

"Now now, let's chat while we eat. I moved around a lot today, I'm starving."

Chen Xia nudged her friends and headed toward the Knight Department section.

"Leo."

As the students began to split up by department, Tina approached Leo.

"Professor Tina. Congratulations on becoming a full professor."

"Thanks."

With her hands in her lab coat pockets as usual, Tina stood beside Leo and asked, "So, how do you like the dorm?"

"It's amazing."

The Clocktower Dormitory was, quite literally, the pinnacle of magical engineering.

Even Leo, who had seen much, was impressed by the high-level magical techniques used throughout.

"As expected, you noticed, huh?"

Tina grinned.

"This Clocktower dormitory has countless mysteries and secret passages."

With a flap of her coat like wings, she added,

"You can even sneak into other dorms."

"My room has a door that randomly leads anywhere."

"Ah. That's the privilege of the student council president. But! Don't use it for any lewd business, okay?"

Leo replied dryly at her mock-stern warning,

"I won't."

"Boring. Students are supposed to cause a little trouble."

Leo shook his head as Tina grumbled.

Meanwhile, the welcoming ceremonies began within each department.

"You can read even in a place like this?"

Carl looked incredulous at the Magic Department's table as he addressed Chloe.

"I just came up with a theory for a new unique spell. Want to hear it?"

Chloe's eyes sparkled.

Carl waved his hand dismissively.

"Your theories are so complex they make my head spin. I wouldn't get it even if you explained."

At his words, Betty, who was idly poking her food nearby, perked up.

"Chloe-sunbae! Please tell me!"

"Oh, I'm very interested too."

Juen also showed interest.

Currently, the strongest mage in the Magic Department at Lumene was undoubtedly Elena.

Since her third year, she and Torua had been recognized as the top two.

She was Lumene's most brilliant genius mage.

However, when it came to magical theory, even Elena acknowledged Chloe as the best.

Chloe, known as the genius girl in magic academia, had published countless research papers.

As she began to speak, even the third years around her focused their attention.

"Truly the idol of the Magic Department. One word and the juniors are glowing with admiration. With such great juniors, I don't need to stick around, right?"

Carl gave a thumbs up and quickly escaped.

Chloe saw that and rolled her eyes — It was everyone knew once she started explaining magic theory, it could go on forever.

"Sunbae, please! Please?"

Betty sat close to Chloe, eyes sparkling.

Chloe, nodding at her mentee, began, "It's a theory I came up with to utilize the use of Ice Clone in more profound way."

"Ice Clone?"

This was one of Chloe's specialties as an ice mage.

Not only could the clones confuse enemies, but they could self-destruct to cause damage or even use magic.

While each doppelganger could use only one spell and was limited in combat, each added one extra incantation — essentially enabling multi-casting.

Even as a standalone spell, Ice Clone was high-level, but Chloe had customized it to an extreme degree.

So much so that it could be considered a unique spell on its own.

Second-years and even listening third years began to look overwhelmed.

'Just hearing it makes my head spin.'

They now understood why Carl had run off.

"Ooh!"

"I wonder what kind of magic technique it is!"

"Now this is Lumene!"

"We get to hear Chloe-sunbae explain her theory!"

Only the new students, unaware of the situation, still sparkled with anticipation.

"Okay. My new spell's base theory is built on the concept of parallel worlds."

"Huh?"

"What did she said?"

The first years all looked baffled.

The second and third years grabbed their heads.

As Chloe continued, the Magic Department's first years listened seriously.

'What's she saying?'

'I don't understand a thing.'

'She's explaining so passionately… I can't say I don't get it.'

Though Chloe was often called the Ice Queen, her eyes would light up when discussing theory.

Many tried to approach her for theory discussions simply because she looked so charming doing it.

But if they couldn't follow, she'd look disappointed — which left people wracked with guilt.

"What's got you all so serious during the welcome party?"

"Oooh! Chelsea!"

"Great timing!"

The third years grinned and brought Chelsea to sit at Chloe's table.

"What is it?"

"I was talking about a new unique spell I'm working on and the theory behind it."

As Chloe smiled brightly, Chelsea stood up.

"My brother's calling me…"

"I'll go get Abad."

"You and Chloe are both honor students, Chelsea! You have to stay so Chloe gets fired up!"

They pushed Chelsea back into her seat, and some ran to fetch Abad.

Chelsea, annoyed, kicked her classmates under the table.

Even she found it hard to keep up with Chloe once she got going.

After hearing the theory, Chelsea looked serious.

"How is it?"

"I mostly understand it."

"Whoa! She gets it!"

"Knew it. Chelsea's not human either!"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

Chelsea scowled and crossed her arms.

"Any areas that need improvement?"

"Just understanding your theory is hard enough for me. I can't think of anything to fix."

"Really?"

As Chloe looked a bit disappointed—

"What's with the serious mood at a welcome party?"

"Leo."

"Leo-oppa."

Chloe and Chelsea turned to Leo.

Chelsea's eyes lit up.

"Leo-oppa! Chloe has a new magic theory! You should hear it!"

"Yes, I want to hear your thoughts."

"Alright. Let's hear it."

Chloe explained her theory again, and Leo listened, nodding and murmuring in admiration.

"What do you think?"

Chloe asked cautiously when she finished.

"It's amazing."

'How does she even come up with this stuff?'

Leo was floored.

His friend kept coming up with increasingly absurd magic theories.

'No wonder Luna always praised her so much.'

"Indeed, when giving a clone a separate ego through magical engineering has clear limits."

You could create ego-weapons via magical engineering, but they had obvious limitations.

"So to really make another 'me,' you'd call the me from the mirror — in other words, a parallel universe me."

It was uncertain whether it was implementable, but it was definitely an exciting idea.

"Is there any way to reinforce it?"

At Chloe's expectant look, Leo laughed internally.

'I'm not Luna.'

If it were Luna, she'd go wild imagining everything — but Leo was a practical mage.

He was about to shake his head when he locked eyes with Chelsea.

Her eyes sparkled with trust.

'Leo-oppa's a great hero. He'll know how to improve it!'

Feeling the weight of that trust, Leo spoke casually.

"What if you approached it with the many-worlds interpretation?"

"Many-worlds?"

Chloe tilted her head.

"It's one of the theories about parallel universes."

Leo shared something Rian had once told him.

Hearing it, Chloe's eyes widened and she shot to her feet.

"I need to go to the library!"

As Chloe excited and looked ready to dash out of the welcome party, Leo grabbed her by the scruff.

"That's enough for today."

"But Leo! That's a groundbreaking idea! I have to write a paper under your name before someone else does—!"

"Shh."

Leo silenced her with a finger to her lips.

As Chloe blinked up at him, he smiled.

"First, calm down. Deep breaths."

"Phew. Haa."

After Chloe took a deep breath, Leo continued.

"Who writes the paper doesn't matter. If it advances magic, that's good enough. And it wasn't even originally my idea."

"Who thought of something this amazing?"

"Someone I know."

'I can't exactly say it was a god.'

Leo shrugged.

Then he gave her a pat on the back.

"Anyway, focus on the welcome party today. Lots of juniors want to talk to you."

"Huh?"

"You're the idol of the Magic Department, after all."

"Don't tease me!"

As Chloe blushed and hit his shoulder, Leo chuckled.

"Research is great but take breaks too."

"Luna-nim said the same thing once."

Chloe nodded, remembering last year.

Leo gave a wry smile.

'Guess she already told her.'

bl

After the welcome party.

Back in his room, Leo unpacked.

As he arranged his uniforms and casual clothes, he finally lifted a jet-black cloak.

A gift from Lysinas long ago.

The original had turned to ashes years ago, but this version had been recreated through the Hero Record — it was Kyle's cloak.

Just as Leo hung it on a hanger—

Thud! Ting! Clatter…

"Huh?"

Something fell from the cloak.

Leo, puzzled, hung it up and walked over to the object.

"A ring?"

He didn't remember putting a ring in his bag.

As he reached out to pick it up, he froze.

"This is…?"

His eyes widened slightly as he carefully picked up the ring.

He recognized it.

"Luna's ring?"