The Rainbow Alchemist and the Student Council President
Arina's first impression of him was that he looked as if he had stepped straight out of a cubist painting.
His clothes and hair were dyed in every color of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Brilliant hues scattered across him from head to toe like a shattered prism, yet none of it felt awkward. The colors blended together so naturally that he resembled a living painting. A mysterious mage who felt like something out of a fantasy even though she had met him in the real world.
He descended slowly on a cubic magitek device toward the spot where Professor Magnus and Arina stood, landing lightly before them.
"Hooh."
His eyes, like his hair, shimmered with five colors. The left eye behind his monocle flickered with an uncanny light as his gaze traveled up and down, observing her.
"A fine student indeed."
Her affinity and sensitivity were quite exceptional. She possessed enough talent to become a truly outstanding mage. That made him all the more pleased—that such a remarkable student had taken an interest in alchemy.
"Nice to meet you. I am Toltem Paracelsus."
Toltem Paracelsus. Benedict Academy's greatest alchemist. He also served as an advisor to the Magic Tower and had left his name throughout the history of artifact development. Before Marily Raymond, he was the first person who came to mind whenever people spoke of genius researchers.
"Ah, h-hello! I'm Arina Grant!"
Students only began learning alchemy in their second year at the academy. She had caught a glimpse of him during the Mana Up incident in the auditorium, but this was the first time they were speaking properly. Caught off guard by his greeting, Arina hurriedly introduced herself.
"Arina Grant, is it?"
Professor Paracelsus repeated her name as if committing it to memory, then slowly circled around her. Just as the flustered Arina was about to speak, he suddenly thrust his face right in front of hers.
"I'm quite familiar with the Grant Trading Company. I often rely on them when I need supplies from the northern regions."
Professor Paracelsus smiled brightly, saying the Grant Trading Company offered the highest quality goods from that area. Arina knew he was trying to build rapport by praising her family business, so she smiled awkwardly and bowed her head.
"Th-thank you."
It was overwhelming. Far too much, in fact. For Arina, who was shy and clumsy at making friends, Professor Paracelsus's closeness felt excessively intimate. Please, just step back a little.
"The student seems uncomfortable, so perhaps you could give her some space."
Professor Magnus came to Arina's rescue in that critical moment.
"Oh, was I making you uncomfortable?"
Startled by Professor Magnus's words, Professor Paracelsus quickly stepped back. As Arina tried to shake her head and say it was fine at his exaggerated gesture, he bowed to her first.
"I'm sorry. I'm rather awkward when it comes to socializing. It seems my eagerness to become friends with you quickly led me to be rude, Arina."
"N-no! It's really okay!"
Arina waved her hands frantically at the sight of a professor bowing to her.
"Thank you for forgiving me."
Seeing her reaction, Professor Paracelsus smiled brightly once more. His personality was a little strange, but he didn't seem like a bad person. Unlike Professor Magnus, who always maintained a stern demeanor and upheld his authority as a professor, he had a quirky charm that made him unpredictable. If she had to compare, he was similar in type to Professor Karlsen.
The difference was that Professor Karlsen's inherent gloominess turned even his jokes into a negative, while Professor Paracelsus's mysterious aura made everything work in his favor. The power of appearance was truly terrifying.
"I heard you wanted to learn the basics of magic circles before competing in the Academy Tournament. Is that correct?"
"Yes!"
Her immediate response to Professor Paracelsus's question brought a satisfied nod from him. He then turned to Professor Magnus.
"Roughly where should I begin?"
"You may consider it starting from the very beginning."
"Hmm. So from the process of converting formless formulas into tangible shapes."
Professor Paracelsus stroked his chin with his right hand, thinking for a moment at Professor Magnus's words.
"That portion was already covered during the first semester, so inserting her into the second-year classes wouldn't work. If teaching her separately after school is acceptable, I'd be happy to help."
At his willing acceptance, a bright smile bloomed on Arina's face.
"Thank you!"
"Not at all."
At the very least, there probably wasn't a single professor at Benedict Academy who would refuse a student asking to be taught something.
"If it's alright with you, shall we begin today?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
Perhaps wanting to respond to her enthusiasm as much as possible, Professor Paracelsus made the suggestion first, and Arina answered with vigor.
"One thank you is plenty."
So saying, he covered his lips with his index finger and flashed a relaxed, eye-crinkling smile full of leisure.
Elemental Magic Cooking Club, Magic Thesis Discussion Society, Potion Crafting Club, Mental Magic Hypnosis NTR Activity Club, and many more. Benedict Academy was home to all kinds of clubs, large and small.
Among them, the one students knew best was undoubtedly the 'Student Council.' Strictly speaking it wasn't a club, but from the students' perspective it managed academy affairs. Because its members worked outside of class hours and the student council room was located on the top floor of the annex, it was treated as a club by the students regardless of the weight of its duties or its necessity.
"This is the first time we've met face to face like this."
In the center of that student council room, a guest sofa had been prepared. Professor Karlsen, who had shown up without any warning, smiled at the boy before him. It was the brightest, kindest smile he could produce. Yet combined with his inherent gloomy aura, it transformed into something entirely different—a pitiful smile like that of a terminally ill patient gazing at the last leaf outside the window.
"Do you prefer coffee or green tea?"
Most people would have been flustered by such a smile, but the boy seemed to already know about him. He brushed off Professor Karlsen's expression with indifference and walked toward the shelf.
"Is there any cola?"
The boy suddenly stopped at what must have been Professor Karlsen's answer. After thinking for a moment, he nodded.
"There should be one can of cola in the fridge."
The vice president had strictly forbidden the other members from touching it because it was hers. But if a visiting professor wanted it, even she wouldn't be able to complain.
"Shall I bring it for you?"
"Yes. Seeing there's only one, it must belong to one of the student council members rather than being for guests. It should taste especially good."
Professor Karlsen wasn't completely oblivious. He simply chose not to read the room. Having instantly grasped the entire situation yet still requesting the cola because it would taste better, the boy opened the small fridge in the corner of the student council room and clicked his tongue softly.
He's even more exhausting than the rumors suggested.
As a graduating senior this year, it was an enormous relief that he would never have the chance to take this professor's classes.
"Here you are."
Placing the can of cola in front of Karlsen, the boy sat down across from him.
"So what brings you to the student council room, Professor?"
Hiss. The pleasant sound of carbonation rose as Professor Karlsen opened the can.
The cool, refreshing sensation was already reaching his ears. Without hesitation, Karlsen took a sip and, just as he had when first entering the student council room, lightly looked the boy up and down once more.
The first thing that caught the eye was the intense red hair. At the center of his black eyes swirled a strange crimson light, as if it held a fierce flame.
So this is the student council president.
Aaron Dice. This boy was Benedict Academy's strongest student and the one chosen to represent the academy in the upcoming Academy Tournament.
In terms of pure talent, he was evaluated as equal to or even surpassing Arina Grant, the first-year valedictorian.
He's truly incredible, just as the rumors said.
No, it felt more like the rumors had actually understated him. He had heard the boy was on the verge of 5-star rank, but seeing him in person, it wasn't that he stood at the threshold—he already had one foot firmly planted beyond it. With just the slightest trigger, he could reach expert level. It was hard to believe someone at such a stage was a boy who had not even reached twenty.
"Dice."
Hiding his inner admiration for the boy's skill, Professor Karlsen quietly called his name.
"I'm not sure if you've heard, but this time several first-year students have obtained individual qualification to participate in the Academy Tournament."
"Yes, I'm aware."
Aaron nodded at his words.
"I was quite surprised when I heard the news."
Benedict Academy's strongest student. Even Professor Karlsen was impressed by his ability, yet even he could not participate in the Academy Tournament with only his first-year status.
Of course, it hasn't been officially decided yet.
Their participation rights would only be granted after they received the commendation from His Majesty the King. While it wasn't officially confirmed, their attendance at the Academy Tournament was already a foregone conclusion. After all, the Magic Sovereign Ern Benedict, chairman of Benedict Academy, had personally issued an official notice.
"Setting aside my position as student council president, as their senior I feel proud. To have such reliable juniors. Thanks to them, it seems I can graduate from the academy with a light heart."
"That's quite an old man's observation."
"The vice president often tells me the same thing. That I seem like an old soul in a young body."
"Anyway, I have one request for the student council president regarding this matter."
At the words that followed from Professor Karlsen, Aaron's eyes—which had remained consistently indifferent—flashed with interest for the first time.
"What do you think?"
"It's certainly an interesting proposal."
It was an intriguing offer. So having two participating teams from the academy made something like this possible?
"Could you spare some time for your juniors as their senior?"
The proposal Karlsen made was, strictly speaking, a purely genuine request that offered no benefit to their side. That was why Professor Karlsen watched Aaron's expression carefully, his face somewhat servile.
"Of course."
But as if his worries had been pointless, Aaron Dice readily accepted the proposal.
It was an opportunity to help his juniors. As Benedict Academy's student council president, there was no reason to refuse.
"I'll need to ask the other students' opinions first, so I can't give a definite answer yet. I'll speak with them and contact you separately afterward."
It was proper. One could clearly see why he earned the respect of every student as student council president—his character and personality were impeccable.
"Thank you, Dice."
Professor Karlsen had no choice but to kneel and bow deeply before him. It was the greatest display of gratitude he could offer in his current state.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Aaron jumped up from his seat in genuine surprise for the first time. He had never imagined a day would come when he received a bow from a professor.
"You are my benefactor."
"I understand! I received the message, so please stand up now!"
"If you wish, I can even give you a passionate kiss!"
"That I must decline no matter what happens!"
It was exhausting. Pushing away with all his strength at Professor Karlsen's forehead as the man hugged him tightly and thrust his face forward as if to deliver a real kiss, student council president Aaron Dice thought once again. It truly was a tremendous relief that he could graduate without ever taking this professor's classes.