Chapter 307
Chapter Title: A Professor's Meltdown and a New Exam
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Ren Horus.
He had been a renowned magical prodigy since his days as a student at Lumerne.
Due to a lack of hero dungeon conquests and external activities, he hadn't achieved the feats necessary to be listed in the Hero Record, so he wasn't widely known to the public.
However, within the magical academic community, his fame and influence were more formidable than those of the mage heroes listed in the Hero Record.
He had created numerous groundbreaking magical theories and published papers accordingly.
Recognized for his genius, he had served as a professor at the hero academy, Lumerne, from a young age and, in just a few years, was lauded as the most outstanding professor in the magic department.
Such a man was Ren, and he had no doubt that the second-years, known as the Golden Generation, would become his greatest disciples.
Chloe and Abad, students of the magic department.
These two were more promising mages than anyone Ren had ever seen.
Chelsea, too, was a witty and vibrant girl, more than enough to capture Ren's heart.
And on top of that, there was Leo.
Leo wasn't just someone who understood ten things when taught one.
It was as if he evolved.
He absorbed everything and made it his own.
Ren had no doubt that Leo would become the greatest mage since Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula.
But... but!
‘To think I couldn't go during the most important time for the second-years! The exclusive contract period with the smith!’
For Ren, it was a shock.
He, who prided himself on knowing the second-years better than anyone!
He, who prided himself on being close to the students because he never held back his advice!
Had been pushed aside by a new teacher who started this year!
Since that day, Ren had put the first-years on self-study and eagerly awaited the second-years for two weeks.
He had hoped his precious disciples would seek his advice regarding the crafting of their magic staves.
He had hoped to hear them say, "We really do need Professor Ren!" But!
"It's a good thing Professor Mel was there. She gave me advice on things I hadn't even thought of."
"She's not even in charge of us, but she understood us perfectly and gave us the right advice."
"Right, right. And she gives out cookies, too. The first-years in the magic department are so lucky. They get to eat those delicious cookies every class."
Chloe, Chelsea, and Iliana.
The conversation these three had while walking by was more than enough to deliver a tremendous shock to Ren.
"The second-year students don't even need me! Hahahaha! In the end, Professor Mel is a better professor than I am! That's why my students are envious of the first-years! Ahahahaha! Uwaaaaaah!"
Professor Ren, who had been throwing his head back and laughing like a madman, collapsed onto his desk and began to sob.
Watching him, Anna pressed her temples.
"Professor Ren. How many times do I have to tell you? The female students were just envious of the first-years because Professor Mel's cookies are delicious. The second-years need you."
"Am I a professor who's not even as good as a cookie?!"
"Just how many times do I have to explain it for you to understand!"
"*Sob*! Associate Professor Anna! Aren't you eventually going to abandon me and go to Professor Mel too?"
"Why would I abandon you, Professor Ren? I respect you."
Anna soothed Ren with a bitter smile.
"I want to work under you forever, Professor Ren."
"Associate Professor Anna..."
Ren lifted his head and looked at Anna.
"Are you saying you plan to live as an old maid forever? Well, considering your personality..."
Anna, with a blank expression, gripped a liquor bottle upside down.
Horrified by the sight, Luke clung to Anna.
"C-Calm down!"
"Let go. I'm going to kill him."
Luke barely managed to hold back the ice-cold Anna.
"As you can see, this is the situation."
Having barely regained her composure, Anna set down the bottle and clutched her head.
Watching this, Leo spoke.
"Professor Ren."
"Student Leo...?"
Professor Ren looked at Leo.
"What brings you here?"
"I came because there's something I'd like to consult you about, Professor Ren."
"Something you want to consult me about?"
Professor Ren gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Wouldn't it be better to consult Professor Mel? She's surely more skilled than I am."
"That might be true."
Anna shot Leo a stunned look.
Leo's words were sure to come as a shock to the already disheartened Professor Ren.
"Professor Mel is certainly friendly. And she teaches magical theory well."
"Ohohoho! Yes! As an educator, she is a cut above me! Hohohohohot!"
It couldn't be helped.
No matter how much of a genius mage Ren was, his opponent was a Dragon Lord.
The years they had lived were on a different scale.
Watching Ren's self-deprecating reaction, Leo spoke.
"However, I believe the experience you've cultivated as a researcher, Professor Ren, is what the second-years need more."
"...!"
"A professor's role isn't just to teach, is it? I believe paving the way for students to advance is also a professor's duty."
These weren't empty words.
While Mel was better than Ren at teaching students, in the field of creating new magical theories, Ren was a man who truly deserved the title of genius.
One only had to look at the 'Introduction to Star Magic' he created using Leo's bible to see Ren's genius.
‘If Luna saw this, she might have been overjoyed.’
While Leo muttered to himself.
Ren's head drooped, and his shoulders trembled.
*Whoosh! Crash! Clang!*
Then, he swept all the liquor bottles off his desk with his hand.
The bottles crashed to the floor, sending shards flying everywhere.
"Yes! I was foolish!"
An excited Ren began to run wild.
"To think I wasted two weeks on such useless thoughts! I still have a long way to go! A long way! Ohohohoho! Uwahahahahahaha! But still, student Leo! Thanks to you, I've had a new epiphany! Fuahahahahahaha!"
Watching Ren clutch his face and laugh like a madman, Luke wore a terrified expression.
"I-Is he okay?"
"...He doesn't look okay, but I suppose it's better than him living like a wreck while drinking."
Anna, after speaking coldly, turned to Leo with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, student Leo. Thanks to you, Professor Ren seems to have regained his spirits."
"When it comes to magic, I know a friend with a similar disposition to Professor Ren."
"Is there such a crazy... I mean, unhinged student at our academy?"
"They're not a student here."
"I have no desire to meet them."
Anna shook her head.
Of course, the friend Leo mentioned was none other than Luna.
Amidst this, Ren asked loudly.
"Yes! Student Leo! What is it you wanted to consult me about?!"
At Ren's question, Leo brought Luke forward.
"Hmm? A first-year? And from the knight department, no less."
Ren looked unimpressed.
"What about this student?"
"He also has talent as a mage."
"Hmm?"
Ren stroked his chin.
Meanwhile, Anna began to clean up the professor's office, which Ren had trashed, using magic.
The liquor bottles returned to their original forms.
Their contents were neatly sucked back into the bottles.
Watching this, Luke wore an expression of wonder.
"Magic is amazing."
"Hoh, for someone from the knight department, that's a very commendable thing to say."
Ren nodded with a satisfied expression.
"So, what's your name?"
"It's Luke Elda."
"Student Luke. For a knight department student, you seem to have an open mind, so I shall give you a lecture on magic."
*Ahem-* Clearing his throat, Ren spread his arms and spoke.
"Magic is the act of understanding the laws of all things in this universe and intervening in those laws! We mages are great explorers who seek to understand the laws of the world. Do you know why the stars in the night sky shine?"
"Uhm... because they shine?"
"Because they shine, they shine. A philosophical answer! Good! I understand your disposition..."
"Yes. Yes. That's enough. If we listen to your introductory speech on magic, we won't be done today."
Anna held a magic broom and poked Ren with it to stop him.
The broom left Anna's hand and began to clean.
Ren nodded and crossed his arms.
"Alright, I see student Luke has a disposition for magic. So?"
"I was thinking of teaching him magic."
"Student Leo. I understand you want to look after your mentee, but asking a professor to tutor your mentee, not even for personal tutoring, is a bit..."
Anna showed a troubled expression.
Ren nodded as well.
"It's true that I'm fond of you, student Leo, but I also devote a lot of time to my magical theory research."
Looking at Ren, Leo patted Luke on the head and said.
"I'm not asking you to teach him magic. I want to consult you about an introduction to magic tailored to this kid's mana trait."
"Hoh. For you to say that, student Leo, he must have a peculiar mana trait. What is it?"
"He's a congenital mana amplifier."
"What?"
Ren's expression changed drastically.
Anna's eyes also widened.
"This kid can amplify his mana based on his emotions."
"Can you show me?"
At Ren's question, Luke hesitated for a moment before summoning his aura.
After a moment, Luke closed his eyes and concentrated.
*Vwoom-!*
Ren marveled at the amplifying aura.
For an instant, Luke's aura could be seen growing immense.
"Does it get even stronger when your emotions intensify?"
"Yes."
"Incredible! Simply incredible! Does it apply to magical power as well?"
"He hasn't awakened his magical power yet, so I haven't confirmed it. But it should be the same for magical power."
"Excellent!"
Ren's eyes sparkled.
This was worth researching.
To be able to amplify mana at will was one of the abilities every mage yearned for.
"But even if he has an aptitude for being a mage, awakening his magical power won't be easy. Especially since he's already trained his aura."
As Anna spoke regretfully, Leo let out a small laugh.
"You don't need to worry about that. This kid awakened his aura through self-study without any proper aura cultivation method. His mana sensitivity should be more than sufficient."
"...He got into Lumerne through self-study?"
"I was lucky."
Luke scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"Hmm. Yes. I see."
Ren nodded.
"Student Luke. As of today, you will quit the knight department."
"What?"
"You will come to the magic department."
"W-What do you mean..."
"Do you intend to let such incredible talent rot away by becoming some knight riffraff?!"
"Hieeek?"
Luke looked terrified as he stared at Ren's wide, glaring eyes.
"Your ability is one that mages yearn for! I can't let it rot in the sweaty knight department! Quit the knight department immediately and switch to the magic department! Then, you and I will research your mana trait!"
"B-But..."
"Ohohoho! How rewarding! To think I've found a new research subject! Fuahahaha! Today is a truly wonderful day! Shall we awaken your magical power right now so you can be initiated into magic?"
Watching the rampaging Ren, Anna spoke.
"I understand your intention, student Leo. Professor Ren seems fixated on student Luke's mana trait, so he'll probably research how Luke should learn magic to maximize that trait."
Anna narrowed her eyes.
"You're quite cunning, student Leo."
"I simply believed in Professor Ren's passion as a mage."
"Yes. I'm sure you did. However."
Anna let out a deep sigh.
"If you stay any longer, Professor Ren might decide to dissect student Luke, so it would be best to leave for today."
At those words, Luke laughed brightly.
"Aw, that's a harsh joke."
But Anna wasn't smiling.
"That man is more than capable of it."
The color drained from Luke's face.
***
The next day.
Combined Combat Studies class.
The second-year students gathered on the training grounds by dormitory.
The one in charge of today's class was none other than Halind.
Halind spoke with his characteristic indifferent expression.
"Sedjen is busy today, so I'm filling in. And today, I will announce the format for the midterm combat exam."
The students began to murmur.
"For your information, this midterm practical combat exam will also serve as the comprehensive practical exam."
In other words, Combat Studies would be the only practical exam.
"Is it a World of Heroes conquest, like in our first year?"
Iliana raised her hand and asked.
The second-years had also done many World of Heroes conquests during their first-semester midterms.
"No. This exam will be a mock battle."
"A mock battle?"
"That's right."
Halind looked at the puzzled second-years and said.
"A large-scale mock battle in the form of an inter-dormitory competition."
The second-years' eyes widened.