Editor : Amethyst00



As Carl entered the summoning department's section within the Clocktower dormitory, he absentmindedly muttered while watching the elementals flying through the air.

"This place is always full of character every time I come."

True to the nature of the summoning department, a variety of summoned creatures roamed the area.

While the Lumene Clocktower dormitory wasn't small, it inevitably felt cramped compared to the vastness of nature.

Because of that, a rather unique ecosystem of summoned creatures had formed in the summoning department's area.

It wasn't unusual for lower-tier summons belonging to upperclassmen to hold a higher status than higher-tier summons summoned by underclassmen.

So much so that some students found the hierarchy fascinating enough to study.

As Carl arrived at the entrance of the summoning area, a few students glanced at him with wary eyes.

Such territorial tendencies were common across departments in the dormitory.

This was largely due to the rule that students from other departments were generally not allowed entry.

However, there were many secret passageways within the Clocktower dormitory, and one could use them to move between sections.

Although none of the passageways had been officially discovered, it was highly likely some existed within department zones.

Given the inter-departmental rivalry, a student from another department naturally triggered caution.

Even more so if that student was someone like Carl, known for unexpected tactical maneuvers.

Knowing he might be stopped if he went any deeper, Carl looked around for a familiar face.

"Oh! Tade!"

When Carl waved brightly, Tade, who had been observing spirits, walked over with a puzzled expression.

"What's up, Carl? What brings you to the summoning department?"

"I brought the thing you asked for earlier."

"Oh? Really?"

As Tade's face lit up, Carl took out a container of ointment from his inner pocket.

"A burn ointment effective for fire-type summoned beasts. It came out well."

Carl grinned and handed the ointment to Tade.

Since fire-type summoned beasts were still living creatures, they could suffer burns.

These usually occurred when they pushed themselves beyond their limits or battled stronger fire-type enemies.

The problem was that regular burn ointments weren't effective on them due to their high resistance to burns.

That's why Tade had commissioned Carl to make a special one—and here it was.

"You didn't have to bring it right away."

"I had nothing better to do, so I figured I'd stop by."

Hearing Carl and Tade's conversation, the summoning students slightly lowered their guard.

Though Carl was a potential threat, he also ran a popular general store.

There wasn't a single student in Lumene who didn't use Carl's products.

That was why it wasn't unusual to see him visiting other departments.

While chatting with Tade, Carl pulled out a sample snack meant for summoned beasts.

"I made these as a prototype. Mind giving me some feedback?"

He casually handed out the snacks to some nearby students.

Then, he naturally brought up the real topic.

"Eliza? I'd love to get some feedback from high-tier summons, too."

His relationship with Eliza was a secret.

Calling her directly might raise suspicion, so he opted for a more casual approach.

"Eliza? She's just a bit further down. Oddly enough, she's out in the hallway sunbathing today. I'll take you."

Tade led Carl deeper into the corridor.

Soon after—

Out on a sunbed on the terrace connected to the hallway, Eliza was leisurely basking in the sunlight.

"Thanks, Tade."

"I'm off. Don't go any deeper. The first and second years are on high alert."

"Got it."

Carl chuckled and opened the terrace door.

Eliza, enjoying the approach of autumn while reclining on the sunbed, lowered her sunglasses slightly.

"What's the occasion?"

In response to her question, Carl plopped down on the adjacent sunbed.

"I came to ask a favour."

Eliza scoffed and lifted her sunglasses again.

Despite her indifferent response, she stole glances at Carl, secretly intrigued.

In truth, she had anticipated Carl's visit.

'He's probably going to ask me to be his partner for the dance party.'

Of course, she planned to turn him down.

Among the third-years, Carl was Eliza's closest friend—everyone knew that.

But the dance party was a different matter entirely.

No one currently suspected that Carl and Eliza were dating.

But if they went together as partners, the atmosphere could shift.

Eliza felt a bit disappointed about it.

But she still wanted to keep the relationship a secret.

'It's kind of fun, honestly.'

There was a strange thrill in keeping it hidden.

'Though it's not a complete secret…'

She sighed softly, recalling those who'd gone on a mission with them.

'Still, it's a bit of a shame.'

Just as she was licking her lips—

"Eliza. Can you stop Senior Lyl from approaching Leo for a week?"

Eliza flinched at the unexpected question.

She shot a glance at Carl, lowering her sunglasses again with a frown.

"What are you talking about? And why should I?"

In response to her usual sharp tone, Carl answered seriously.

"Elena-sunbae has figured out there's something between us."

"Huh? So?"

She was a bit surprised but not shocked—it made sense if it was Elena Zeron.

'Did she notice when I barged into the magic department area back then?'

"And she's in a bad mood after being excluded from the recent mission."

"I heard the student council had a tough night."

"Yeah. So help your boyfriend out? Please? She even threatened me—saying if I don't help her become Leo's dance partner, she'll expose us."

Although Carl had brought it up first, he lied for now to gain Eliza's cooperation.

"So you want me to stop Senior Lyl from approaching Leo Plov?"

"Yeah."

Eliza sighed softly as she understood the situation.

"This is annoying. Should I just tell everyone?"

"Oh? Really? I'd love that! I'm dying to tell people someone this pretty is my girlfriend!"

"Don't push your luck."

Eliza snapped, though she was secretly pleased by Carl's genuine words.

"Fine. I'll help."

"Thank you! Eliza!"

Carl grinned and grabbed her hand.

Looking down at their hands for a moment, Eliza said,

"Don't grab me like that."

"Oh, sorry."

Carl let go.

Eliza absentmindedly fiddled with the hand Carl had touched, despite the eye-roll.

"Anyway, take care of it. Please handle Senior Lyl."

Carl smirked and stood up.

Watching him, Eliza tilted her head.

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah. If I stay longer, someone might get suspicious. Oh—right! I almost forgot!"

Carl tapped his forehead.

Then he made a heart shape with his fingers and said, "I love you."

With that, he waved and left the terrace.

'He didn't plan to ask me to the dance at all, did he?'

Annoyance surged within her.

But she soon took a deep breath.

'Carl must know he can't go to the dance with me.'

After all, it was Eliza's idea to keep their relationship hidden.

'He's even being blackmailed because of me. He probably didn't want to make things harder by asking me outright.'

She sighed and stood up.

Still irritated, but choosing to stay optimistic, she walked out into the hallway.

'Yeah. I'll just look on the bright side—'

"Carl-sunbae! Please go to the dance party with me!"

"No, with me!"

"Oh my, what to do when such lovely summoning juniors are being so forward?"

"…"

From down the hall, she saw Carl giggling and chatting with younger female summoners.

Watching this, Eliza silently turned and walked away.

'He's just thinking about me… right?'

The sound of Carl and the girls' laughter echoed down the hall.

'He's thinking about me…'

"Oh! Are you going with Juen?"

"Hm? Now that you mention it, maybe I should go with her?"

"Hey! That's not fair!"

"Go with me! Please!"

Crack—!

An ominous sound escaped Eliza's lips.

'Fine. I'll stop Senior Lyl from getting anywhere near Leo Plov with everything I've got.'

A sinister smile spread across her face.

'But it's not like anyone said I couldn't go with Leo Plov, right?'

With her rationality half gone, Eliza turned back toward where Carl's laughter rang out.

'I'll make that smug face go pale with terror!'

bl

"Everyone's so energetic today."

Leo muttered as he walked through campus with Carl for lunch, noting the cheerful atmosphere.

"It's the dance party. Everyone's excited about who they'll go with."

"Are you going with Eliza?"

"Ugh. That'd basically be a public announcement that something's going on between us."

Carl shook his head.

"By the way, Leo—who are you going with?"

He asked casually.

"Not sure. No one comes to mind."

"Why? You could have your pick."

Carl chuckled.

"By the way, I heard Chelsea's going with Abad?"

"Those two are close as ever, huh."

"Right? Not that I can understand it."

Carl shook his head, thinking of his own sister.

"Hey, Leo."

"What?"

"Can you cheer up Elena-sunbae a bit? The atmosphere is suffocating."

Carl said playfully.

Leo burst into laughter.

"You think she'll go if I invite her?"

"She'll say yes in a heartbeat."

"Really? But her sulking is kinda cute."

"You think that's cute?"

Carl looked dumbfounded.

Just then—

"Ah! Leo oppa!"

"Class—rep!"

Chelsea, Eliana, and Nella approached.

Eliana immediately grabbed Leo and complained.

"Hey! I didn't break any rules, but Celia—!"

"There are a lot of eyes around."

Leo smiled gently, calming her.

"Anyway, I didn't do anything wrong, but the disciplinary committee still investigated me. Do something!"

Chelsea and Nella tilted their heads.

"You must've done something."

"I don't think Celia would drag you in for nothing."

"Isn't anyone on my side?!"

"You probably did something."

Carl chimed in, and Eliana looked even more frustrated.

"Maybe Celia made a mistake. I'll talk to her."

"You're the only one on my side, class rep."

Leo's words made Eliana smile brightly.

"Oh, by the way, class rep. This time—"

"Oh, right. Eliana. I think Professor Len was looking for you."

"Huh?"

Carl interrupted quickly, and Eliana looked puzzled.

"Why?"

"No idea. I just overheard some of our department's kids."

"That's not very reliable. Anyway, class rep—"

"I think I heard that too. Something urgent, wasn't it?"

Chelsea added, and Eliana blinked.

If Chelsea confirmed it, it couldn't be ignored.

Nella looked confused.

"If it's urgent, shouldn't you go?"

"Isn't it something bad?"

"I didn't do anything wrong!"

Eliana panicked.

"Just go check."

"What's going on?"

Grumbling, Eliana ran toward the magic building.

Chelsea and Carl gave each other a discreet thumbs-up.

Just then—

"Oh, Leo."

Celia approached.

"Celia Zerdinger. I had something to ask you."

"Huh? What is it?"

"Come with me. Leo oppa! Nella unnie! Sorry! Let's do lunch next time!"

Chelsea shoved Celia along and left.

"Leo."

Chloe walked over.

"I want to ask your opinion about a magic-related topic."

"Chloe! Perfect timing. I had something I wanted to ask too."

"Huh? I'm always happy to answer questions."

"Thanks! Sorry, Leo. Lunch later!"

Carl left with Chloe.

"Huh. Everyone seems busy today."

Nella tilted her head. Leo grinned in amusement.

"Feels like they're all plotting something."

"Huh?"

Nella glanced at Leo and sighed.

"You're up to something, aren't you?"

Leo just laughed.