Chapter 650
Chapter Title: A Welcoming Party and a Lost Ring
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650.
The dining hall of the Clock Tower dormitory.
Seated at the head of the table where Lumerne’s professors were gathered, Reina looked at the students entering the hall and spoke.
“This time is for welcoming the new students. All of you, postpone bullying your juniors until tomorrow. Today is for welcoming them only. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Of course!”
The upperclassmen replied with good-natured smiles.
Then they looked toward the large tables laden with food.
“Hey. Look at the floor.”
At someone’s words, the students looked down.
On the floor were emblems symbolizing each department.
And on top of them, a luxurious buffet was laid out.
“Isn’t this basically telling us to stick to our own departments?”
At Celia’s murmur, Nella’s expression clouded over.
“You’re right. It feels like they’re completely dividing us, which is a little unsettling.”
“Hmph. What a naive thought.”
Duran scoffed.
“They are enemies you must defeat. Don’t say such weak things. When the time comes to strike them down, you just cut them down without mercy.”
As Duran spoke with his characteristically belligerent smile, Chen Xia beamed.
“You mean we should compete fiercely when we need to compete, and when it’s time to be friends, we forget all that and get along, right?”
“Why would you interpret it that way?”
Duran scowled but didn’t say anything more.
“Don’t you think Duran is surprisingly soft on Chen Xia? He’s usually blunt with other female students, but he seems to back down when talking to her.”
Iliana whispered quietly as Nella scratched her cheek.
“Is that so?”
“Come to think of it, Nella. He’s like that with you too.”
Iliana crossed her arms, tilted her head, then nodded.
“Aha! He’s the type who’s weak to older women! He has a surprisingly cute side, doesn’t he? Ooh-hoo-hoo!”
At those words, Celia gave her a pathetic look.
“Rather than being weak to older women, he probably just nags less at people who can take care of themselves.”
“Huh? He’s always nagging me about something.”
“That’s because you can’t take care of yourself.”
Iliana pouted at Celia’s remark.
“Come on, let’s talk while we eat. I worked really hard today, so I’m starving.”
Chen Xia pushed her friends along, heading for the Knight Department’s section.
“Student Leo.”
Tina approached Leo, who was watching the students divide by department.
“Professor Tina. Congratulations on becoming an official professor.”
“Thank you.”
As always, Tina stood next to Leo with her hands thrust into the pockets of her lab coat and asked.
“So, do you like the dormitory?”
“It was incredible.”
The current Clock Tower dormitory was, quite literally, the pinnacle of massive magitech.
It was a crystallization of high-level magic formulas, enough to make even Leo exclaim in admiration.
“You can tell, can’t you?”
Tina grinned.
“This Clock Tower dormitory holds countless riddles and secret passages.”
Flapping her coat like wings with her hands still in her pockets, Tina said.
“It’s even possible to secretly infiltrate each dormitory room.”
“My room has a door that can randomly lead to anywhere.”
“Yep. That’s the student council president’s privilege. Ah! You’re not allowed to use it for any lecherous purposes, okay?”
Leo replied nonchalantly to Tina, who was speaking in a feignedly stern voice.
“I won’t.”
“How boring. Students should have a bit of a rebellious streak.”
Leo shook his head, looking at the grumbling Tina.
Meanwhile, the welcoming parties for the freshmen began for each department.
“Can you really focus on a book even in a place like this?”
At the Magic Department’s table, Karl asked with a look of disbelief, and Chloe replied.
“I just thought of a magic theory to use for a new unique magic. Want to hear it?”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
Looking at her, Karl waved his hands dismissively.
“Your magic theories are bound to be complex enough to make my head split. Even if you explain it to me, I won’t understand it anyway.”
At Karl’s words, Betty, who was playing with her fork nearby, lifted her head sharply.
“Chloe! Please tell me!”
“Ooh, I’m very interested as well.”
Juen also showed her interest.
In the current Lumerne, the strongest mage in the Magic Department was, without a doubt, Elena.
Ever since her third year, she and Torua had been the topic of debate over who was the strongest.
She was, literally, the greatest genius mage in Lumerne.
But even Elena, if asked who was the best in magic theory, would pick Chloe.
Chloe was already called a genius girl in the magical academic world for publishing numerous magical theses.
Hearing Chloe’s words, others nearby also focused on her with gleaming eyes.
“Tsk, as expected of the idol of the magical academic world. One word from her and the juniors’ eyes light up. With such reliable juniors, I don’t need to listen, right?”
Karl gave a thumbs-up and then quickly scurried away.
Chloe glared at his retreating back.
It was because she knew that once she started talking about magic theory, there was no end to it.
“Please, tell us the story. Please? Please?”
Betty’s eyes sparkled as she sat down right next to Chloe.
Looking at the junior who had been her mentee, Chloe nodded and opened her mouth.
“It’s a magic theory I came up with because I wanted to utilize ice clones in a more profound way.”
“Ice clones?”
Ice clones were one of Chloe’s specialty magics, her expertise being in ice-based magic.
It wasn't just about confusing the enemy as a simple clone.
It was capable of inflicting damage on the enemy through self-destruction, and even using magic.
Of course, each clone could only use one spell and was limited to simple combat, but it was conceptually like having another clone adding to the incantation.
In other words, she could use multi-casting equivalent to the number of clones.
The ice clone itself was a high-difficulty magic, but Chloe had reinforced the formula to an almost ridiculously modified level.
Thanks to that, Chloe’s ice clone was at a level where it could be called a unique magic in its own right.
The second-years, as well as the third-years listening in, wore weary expressions.
‘Just hearing about it makes me dizzy.’
They could understand why Karl had made such a hasty escape.
“Ooh!”
“I’m curious what kind of magic formula it will be!”
‘This is Lumerne for you!’
‘To think I can hear an explanation of Chloe’s magic theory!’
Only the freshmen, who hadn't yet grasped the situation, had sparkling eyes.
“Yes. First, the foundation of my new magic formula is based on the parallel world theory.”
“Huh?”
“What did you say?”
The first-years’ faces momentarily went blank.
The second and third-years clutched their heads.
Soon after, as Chloe began to explain her new magic, all the Magic Department freshmen wore serious expressions.
‘What is she talking about?’
‘I don’t understand a single thing.’
‘She’s explaining it so passionately, but I can’t just say I don’t get it.’
Chloe was usually known by the nickname "Ice Queen," but when she talked about magic theory, her eyes would sparkle.
That appearance was so captivating that many approached her wanting to discuss magic theory.
Of course, if they couldn't understand a thing afterward, she would look disappointed, so the guilt was immense.
“What are you all talking about so interestingly?”
“Ooh! Chelsea!”
“Perfect timing!”
The third-years smiled brightly and brought Chelsea over to the table where Chloe was sitting.
“What? What is it?”
“Well, I was just talking about the theory that applies to the new unique magic I’ve designed.”
Seeing the brightly smiling Chloe, Chelsea tried to get up from her seat.
“My brother is calling for me…”
“I’ll go get Abad.”
“Heck yeah! Chloe gets more excited when a fellow top student like Chelsea is here!”
The Magic Department students pressed down on the shoulders of the rising Chelsea, and a few went to get Abad.
Chelsea glared and kicked her classmates’ shins under the table.
Even she found it overwhelming to have a full-blown conversation with Chloe about magic theory.
After listening to Chloe’s explanation, Chelsea wore a grave expression.
“What do you think?”
“I think I get the gist of what you’re saying.”
“Ooh! I’m starting to understand!”
“As expected, Chelsea isn’t human either!”
“Hey! What do you mean, not human!”
Chelsea glared once before crossing her arms.
“Are there any points that need improvement?”
“I’m struggling just to understand your magic theory. I can’t think of any improvements.”
“Really?”
Just as Chloe was showing a hint of disappointment.
“What are you guys talking about that’s making the atmosphere so serious at a welcoming party?”
“Leo.”
“Leo.”
Chloe and Chelsea looked at Leo.
Chelsea’s eyes sparkled.
“Leo! Chloe came up with a new magic! You should listen to her theory.”
“Yes. Leo, I want to hear your opinion.”
“What is it? Go ahead.”
At Leo’s words, Chloe once again explained her magic theory.
Listening to her, Leo nodded his head and let out exclamations of "Hoh?"
“What do you think?”
Chloe asked cautiously after she finished.
“It’s amazing.”
‘How on earth does she come up with these ideas?’
Even Leo was speechless.
His friend came up with more and more bizarre magic theories as time went on.
‘No wonder Luna praised her so much.’
“It’s true that there’s a clear limit to an ego created with magitech when you try to grant another self to a clone.”
While it was possible to create an ego weapon with a self through magitech, its limitations were clear.
“So, to truly create another ‘me,’ you’d summon the ‘me’ in the mirror… in other words, the ‘me’ from a parallel world.”
Whether it was possible to implement was another question, but it was certainly an interesting idea.
“Is there anything more that could be added?”
At Chloe’s expectant gaze, Leo let out a wry laugh inwardly.
‘It’s not like I’m Luna.’
If it were Luna, she would have been thrilled and let her imagination run wild, but unfortunately, Leo was a practical mage.
Just as he was about to shake his head, his eyes met Chelsea’s.
She was looking up at him with incredibly sparkling eyes.
‘Leo is a Great Hero! He’ll be able to find a point for improvement, right?’
Feeling somewhat burdened by her look of infinite trust, Leo casually said.
“How about approaching it with the many-worlds interpretation?”
“The many-worlds interpretation?”
Chloe tilted her head.
“It’s one of the theories regarding parallel worlds.”
Leo relayed the story that Lian had once told him to Chloe.
Hearing the story, Chloe’s eyes widened, and she shot up from her seat.
“I’m going to the library for a bit!”
Seeing Chloe, who looked extremely excited and ready to bolt from the welcoming party, Leo reached out and grabbed the back of her neck.
“That’s enough for today.”
“But Leo! That’s a truly revolutionary idea! Before someone else writes and registers a thesis on it, you should write one in your name…!”
“Shh.”
Leo placed a finger on Chloe’s lips.
Smiling at the wide-eyed Chloe, Leo said.
“First, calm down. Deep breaths.”
“Hoo. Hah.”
Looking at Chloe who had taken a deep breath, Leo said.
“Who cares who writes the thesis? As long as it contributes to the advancement of magic, that’s what matters. Besides, it’s not like I was the first one to think of the concept.”
“Who thought of something so amazing?”
“Someone I know.”
‘I can’t just say it was a god.’
Leo shrugged.
Then he gave Chloe a firm pat on the back.
“Anyway, focus on the welcoming party today. There are tons of underclassmen who want to talk with you.”
“Huh?”
“You’re the idol of the magical academic world, after all.”
“Don’t tease me!”
As Chloe, her face flushed, hit his shoulder, Leo chuckled.
“Magic research is good, but you should rest when you can.”
“Luna told me the same thing before.”
Chloe nodded, recalling last year.
Watching her, Leo let out a bitter smile.
‘Looks like she already told her.’
***
After the welcoming party ended.
Leo returned to his room and started to unpack.
He opened his bag and organized his uniforms and casual clothes, then finally lifted the jet-black cloak.
The cloak Lisinas had gifted him long ago.
The original had turned to ash long ago, but this was Kyle’s cloak, manifested through the Hero Record.
The moment Leo lifted the cloak and hung it on a hanger.
*Thud-! Ting! Jangle-!*
“Hm?”
Something fell from the cloak.
With a puzzled expression, Leo hung the cloak on the hanger and walked toward the object that had fallen and rolled away.
“A ring?”
Leo paused as he reached out to pick up the ring he didn’t remember putting in his bag.
“This is…?”
His eyes widening slightly, Leo carefully picked up the ring.
It was a ring from his memory.
“Luna’s ring?”