Editor : Amethyst00



The students of Lumene couldn't hide their excitement with only two days left until the dance party.

It wasn't that parties didn't exist in Lumene.

There were social gatherings organized by students and parties hosted by professors.

Sometimes, they even threw parties on their own after exams.

Of course, post-exam parties at Lumene weren't exactly enjoyable events.

That's because surprise grade announcements were often made during them.

But this particular party was purely to celebrate the subjugation of the Erebos fragment.

In other words, it was a grand party meant to be enjoyed in earnest.

The venue being prepared was abuzz with activity, and even at a glance, its sheer scale hinted at how extravagant the event would be.

Of course, not everyone was in a festive mood.

"What did you say?"

Abad's face hardened.

Chelsea, sipping the milk she brought out with breakfast, spoke as she watched him.

"Celia said she's going with Duran. Surprising, right, brother?"

"……"

"Were they close like that?"

"Chelsea, are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I heard it from Nella. She said Duran told her himself he's going with Celia."

"……"

Focused on breakfast, Chelsea didn't notice the moment Abad's eyes turned vacant.

"Now that I think about it, they do kind of suit each other?"

With that mumble from Chelsea, Abad's mood sank even further.

Clatter—

"Huh? You're done eating already, brother?"

"Yeah. I just don't have much of an appetite today."

"You're not sick, are you?"

Abad gave a weak smile as if to tell Chelsea not to worry.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. You finish your breakfast."

Leaving those words behind, Abad walked off sluggishly.

"Good morning, Abad."

"Good morning, Chloe."

Chloe, looking bright and energetic, tilted her head at Abad, then took her tray and sat down across from Chelsea.

"What's wrong with Abad?"

"He said he has no appetite. Hope he's not sick."

"That's strange. Abad's usually great at managing himself."

Abad was well known for his strict self-discipline.

Chloe, though also an honor student, often fell apart when it came to magic.

When she hit a difficult problem, she'd get dark circles, or bump into walls while reading and walking.

She'd get so absorbed in magical theory that she'd forget the world around her.

This time seemed to be no different.

"Looks like you found some answers?"

At Chelsea's question, Chloe, who had been happily humming while eating,nodded.

"Yeah."

"What kind of magical theory were you into this time?"

"I started wondering about the magical phenomenon you guys experienced during the last mission."

The phenomenon where in Sylord's illusion they appeared as both adults and children.

"I stayed up a bit thinking about fairy illusion magic."

"You deciphered fairy magic?"

"Yep. I figured out the principle."

Fairy magic operates on a completely different system.

No matter how great a magician you are, you can't use fairy magic.

Not even Leo or Luna.

There were rare exceptions, like Albi Zeron, the Mage of Mystic Eye who received the Fairy King's power, but those were highly unusual.

That didn't mean the principles couldn't be understood.

"It's fairy king-level magic, so I didn't grasp everything perfectly…"

Chloe admitted regretfully.

Still, with her current capabilities, it was impossible to fully comprehend the phenomenon.

Just then, a group of first-years passed behind her.

"Who are you going to the dance party with?"

"Hehe. That's a secret."

"You're not going to tell me? We have to register partners by tonight!"

As the chattering first-years passed, Chloe had a realization.

"Oh right, the dance party's the day after tomorrow."

Seeing her genuine look of realization, Chelsea flinched.

"Who are you going with? Abad?"

"Uh? Oh, no."

"Then Leo?"

"Ah, I haven't decided yet."

"I see."

Chloe nodded innocently.

"Then I wonder if Leo's chosen a partner yet."

'Ugh. Is Chloe going to jump in too?'

Chelsea munched on her salad, deep in thought.

'Partner registration is tonight.'

Tomorrow, registered partners had to prepare outfits and rehearse for party games.

Since there was a [Best Couple Contest], this was only natural.

Though the type of contest hadn't been revealed, being a Lumene event, it was likely a contest of both wits and strength.

'Should I just wait for Leo to ask me first?'

Chelsea's eyes wandered.

She'd spent the past few days nervously waiting.

But now that the final day had come, she was starting to think maybe she should follow Carl's plan after all.

While Chelsea was still lost in thought—

"Chelsea! Chloe! Good morning!"

Eliana sat next to Chloe with a cheerful face.

"Morning."

"Good morning, Eliana."

Chelsea and Chloe greeted her.

"Eliana, who are you going to the dance party with?"

"Hm! I was thinking of going solo, but one of the prizes caught my eye!"

She folded her arms, thought deeply, then smiled brightly.

"I'll just ask Tade or Austin! If they've already picked someone, then oh well!"

Talking about her best friend Tade and her mentee Austin, Eliana made Chloe tilt her head.

"What about Leo?"

"Class rep's too competitive. I gave up because Chelsea, Xia, Celia, and Carl were ganging up on me."

As Eliana glared at Chelsea, she flinched and whistled, looking away.

"What's that? That's so mean."

Chloe looked at Chelsea with disappointed eyes.

"It's fine. I'm generous. I decided to forgive."

Eliana smiled sweetly.

"Anyway, Chelsea."

"Y-Yeah?"

Chelsea looked unusually cautious.

Seeing that, Eliana smiled radiantly.

"So, did you and Carl come up with a good plan?"

"I'm sorry, Eliana. Really sorry."

Chelsea sincerely apologized.

Now that Eliana had let it go so cleanly, she felt even more guilty.

"It's fine. But…"

"Hm?"

"Did you know Carl is working with Elena-sunbae?"

"What?"

Chelsea's expression froze.

Eliana gave her an I-knew-it look.

"Let me guess. Carl told you not to ask the class rep to be your partner first, right?"

"Uh? Yeah. How'd you know?"

"Easy to figure out."

Chloe tilted her head at Eliana's words.

"Eliana, you seem smart today."

"What do you mean? I'm always smart."

"Really? Then maybe try organizing your own notes from now on?"

"Wuuu? Eliana's dumb so she can't do that~"

After giving Chloe a dose of cutesy whining, Eliana turned to Chelsea.

"Anyway, Chelsea! You've been tricked! Carl was just using you!"

"……"

Chelsea gaped silently.

Eliana continued.

"He's probably convincing the class rep to go with Elena-sunbae right about now."

Chelsea's shoulders trembled.

Her eyes burned with fury.

"Carl, you jerk…!"

Bang!

Chelsea leapt up, cleaned up her dishes, and stormed out.

Chloe asked, watching her go.

"You're really not going to the dance with Leo?"

"Nope. It's the last day, and it's way too competitive to get close to him."

"Hmm…"

"So I'm making sure no one gets to go with him!"

As Eliana smiled devilishly, Chloe admired her.

"Sorry, Chloe!"

"It's okay. I don't have to be Leo's partner."

As Chloe smiled gently, Eliana tilted her head.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Wow~ You're so generous."

Admiringly, Eliana stared at Chloe's chest.

"What are you looking at?"

"Hmm… maybe because you're rich, your heart's rich too? Ow ow ow!"

Chloe squinted and pinched Eliana's side.

"It was a compliment!"

"I don't need that kind of compliment."

Just then, Lyl entered the dining hall.

Eliana quickly stood up.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"Sorry! I have to go tell Lyl-sunbae that Carl's plotting something too!"

Watching her go, Chloe gave a wry smile.

'She's really out for revenge.'

Shaking her head, Chloe continued eating.

'Still, I should say something.'

She didn't mind not being Leo's partner.

But still, she wanted to be—if possible.

'But Leo's love life is getting more and more tangled.'

As she chewed on bread, Chloe thought of Leo.

'Maybe I should aim for vice president. Then we'd spend more time together. We'd be alone after school a lot…'

Chloe paused at that thought.

'Alone after school…'

Her face flushed, and she shook her head quickly.

'No weird thoughts! Elemental basics are…'

Trying to recall basic magic theory, she worked to push away the images in her mind.

bl

"Leo, Elena-sunbae's graduating soon, right? So to give her a lasting memory, you should take her as your partner…"

Carl was passionately promoting Elena to Leo.

By now, Leo had probably figured out Carl and Elena were working together, so Carl made no effort to hide it.

As Carl continued his sales pitch like a product marketer, Leo chuckled.

"Carl. What happened to you? Why are you all scratched up?"

"Oh, this? Two underclassmen were out for blood. Got scratched up dodging them. But more importantly…"

Carl grew serious.

"Please go with Elena-sunbae. Think of it as saving my life."

"Hmm…"

As Leo tilted his head, Carl leaned in to press harder.

"Carl! Youuuu!"

Chelsea's furious voice echoed from afar.

"Gasp!"

'She figured it out!'

Carl flinched and hid behind Leo.

"You tricked me, you—! Get over here!"

"No way!"

As Chelsea approached like she'd breathe fire, Carl shrank in fear.

"My, my~ Why is our cute little junior so angry?"

Elena appeared behind Chelsea and gently placed her hands on her shoulders.

And right on cue—

Xia and Celia appeared from the other end of the hall.

They surveyed the scene with curious expressions.

"So, Eliza, why have you been following me all week? Suspicious."

"I have many questions about elemental arts."

"Hm… I'm glad you're finally being a diligent student, but still, following me everywhere is… Huh?! What's everyone doing here?!"

Now Lyl and Eliza entered the scene.

Elena looked at Carl.

"Did you predict this outcome too?"

"…Not at all."

Elena sighed softly.

Then she glanced at Leo.

"Leo, are you enjoying this?"

"Yeah."

"You're really more twisted than you seem."

Grumbling, Elena crossed her arms.

"Anyway, Leo. How about going to the dance with me—"

"Leo! Perfect timing! I have something to tell you! If you don't have a partner yet, then—"

"Hey, Lyl. I was talking first."

"Leo oppa! Go with me!"

"Go with me, Leo-doryeong."

Celia let out a deep sigh as she watched the chaos unfold.

Carl scratched his head furiously.

"This turned into a complete mess!"

As Carl despaired, he noticed Eliza quietly trying to sneak away.

"Sorry, but I already have a partner."

Just then, Leo spoke.

Everyone froze.

"Huh?! With who?!"

Carl asked in shock.

In response, Leo pointed to someone.

Everyone's gaze slowly followed his finger.

There stood Eliza, who had been trying to sneak away, glaring at Leo in betrayal.

Leo smiled.

"Eliza."

Silence.

As everyone stood frozen, speechless—

"Big news! Big news!"

A commotion rose at the end of the hallway.

"Abad and Duran are going to duel!"

"Really?!"

"Where?!"

Excited cries from students.

The sudden news of a duel.

"What?"

And Celia, guessing the reason, turned pale.