NOVPUB“Did you hear? Right after the second test, they’re holding the Magic Festival!”
“Seriously?!”
The news that the prestigious Magic Festival—a long-standing tradition at Seorn—was being moved up spread like wildfire.
The Headmaster’s official notice, marked with her seal, had already been sent to all faculty, and the students, upon hearing it, were overjoyed.
“Yeah. I heard it’s starting especially early this year. Looks like the Headmaster made the call.”
“Wow, I’ve only ever heard of Seorn’s festivals, but this will be my first time actually seeing one. I’m so excited!”
Unlike the thrilled students, the faculty’s reaction was... mixed.
More accurately, the staff had split into two factions—those in favor, and those against.
In the official announcement, the Headmaster had clearly outlined her reasons for moving the Magic Festival up on the calendar.
Many faculty members accepted those reasons.
But many others did not—or rather, even if they understood the logic, they were in no position to support it.
“This is unacceptable!”
In Seorn Academy’s main building, in the staff conference room, Marchioness Hugo Burteg’s round face trembled with fury as he shouted at the Headmaster.
“To change the schedule of Seorn—a place of history and tradition—on your own whim! Even if you are the Headmaster, this is an abuse of power!”
Behind the loudly protesting Hugo stood several teachers who supported his position.
They all had two things in common: they were of noble birth, and they were closely affiliated with Hugo Burteg.
Even as she listened to their collective outcry, Headmaster Elisa didn’t bat an eye.
“So, Professor Hugo, are you saying you refuse to comply?”
“I’m saying it’s unjust! No Headmaster has ever unilaterally adjusted the school calendar like this before!”
“Oh, that can’t be right. Let’s see... there was a schedule change three years ago, and again nine and eleven years ago by the previous and the headmaster before that.”
When Elisa responded as if she could pull up proof right then and there, Hugo flinched.
He’d just been running his mouth—but he hadn’t expected her to have all the details at her fingertips.
“T-that was after thorough discussion with others! It wasn’t decided by the Headmaster alone, was it?!”
“Which is why I’m asking for your input now.”
“You already implemented it and then told us—how is that asking for input? This is tyranny! Tyranny, I say!”
“Ahh... my ears work just fine. Could you please lower your voice?”
Elisa shook her head in exasperation, but Hugo Burteg had no intention of backing down.
He’d been clashing with the Headmaster for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity to gain the upper hand.
The usually unshakable Headmaster had overstepped—and he intended to make the most of it.
“So are you saying you won’t comply, Professor Hugo?”
“Who said anything about refusal? I’m just saying that people who do comply will naturally harbor resentment if you keep making decisions like this unilaterally.”
“As you know, I moved the festival up to shift the mood on campus. And the best time for that is immediately after the second test.”
“And you couldn’t have informed us in advance?”
“Then it would’ve been too late. The second test is just around the corner, and the festival takes time to prepare. If I had to consult with every department, we’d be delaying it for weeks.”
The Headmaster wasn’t wrong. Even if she had called a formal meeting to align opinions, Hugo would have opposed it anyway.
He knew in his head that her logic was sound—but he wouldn’t support her regardless.
Opposition for the sake of opposition.
That alone proved that Hugo Burteg was the type to put personal politics above everything else.
“So you’re saying your impulsive decision was justified?”
“I do apologize for the suddenness. But please understand—it really was the best option.”
“Headmaster. That’s what worries me. Sure, this time might be an exception—but what’s to stop you from doing this again in the future?”
Faced with Hugo’s blatant attempt to paint her as a repeat offender, Elisa couldn’t keep her usual expression from tightening.
“You sound awfully certain that I’ll do this again.”
“You never know with people.”
As the tension in the room started to rise, a third party stepped in to defuse the situation.
It was none other than Professor Marie Ross—Seorn’s longest-serving instructor and one of the most respected voices on staff.
“Alright, that’s enough. What’s done is done, and I understand both the Headmaster’s and Professor Hugo’s positions. But sharpening our tone here isn’t going to solve anything.”
“...Professor Marie Ross. Are you defending her? The one who overstepped in the first place was the Headmaster. We can’t just let this go.”
“Then, Professor Hugo, can you offer a clear solution to the current situation? You’re well aware of what things are like both at Seorn and in nearby Rederbelk. The Headmaster’s reasoning is sound.”
“Even so—!”
He was going to say that this kind of unilateral decision-making was unacceptable.
But Marie Ross’s piercing gaze cut him off faster than words.
“Then please—share your brilliant solution. Since you’re raising your voice, I assume you have something spectacular to propose, yes?”
“Why are you suddenly putting me on the spot like {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} this?”
Her sharp gaze narrowed further.
“Or... have you been rejecting others’ proposals without offering anything of your own this whole time?”
“......”
This was bad.
Marie Ross was widely respected, and her voice carried considerable weight among the other teachers.
If she was siding with the Headmaster, then this situation was quickly turning against Hugo.
He realized he needed to back down. But he didn’t want to.
When would he get another chance to damage the Headmaster’s unshakable reputation?
He’d been waiting for this.
At that moment, one of the teachers standing behind Hugo stepped up quietly beside him.
It was Chris Bennimore.
He leaned in and whispered discreetly.
‘Vice Headmaster Hugo. I believe this is far enough.’
‘Chris, are you telling me to release the fish we’ve already got hooked?’
‘I’m saying that the other side has clearly heard your point. But with Professor Marie Ross stepping in, pressing further will only hurt us.’
Chris’s advice was sound.
Hugo had based his attack on a perceived misstep—but not everyone had condemned the Headmaster’s decision.
In fact, Hugo’s obstinate ranting without offering any alternatives was starting to backfire and tarnish his image instead.
‘So what do you suggest I do? Just retreat with my tail between my legs?’
‘How about this—’
Chris whispered something further. Hugo’s eyes glinted with interest.
Having said his piece, Chris stepped back.
Hugo cleared his throat and gathered attention once again.
“Ahem. Well, if the Headmaster insists, I suppose we can understand her reasoning.”
At Hugo’s sudden shift in tone, Elisa squinted suspiciously.
What is he scheming now? she wondered, watching his forced smile with growing unease.
“Well, the decision’s already been made. No point in fighting it now, right? Fine. It is what it is. But, seeing how things are going, I do have one small request.”
“A request? What now.”
“Surely I’m allowed to make a suggestion, yes? Don’t worry—it’s nothing troublesome.”
“Go on.”
“Ahem. Since the festival’s being moved up anyway, why not add something new to it this year? Something a little different from the usual.”
He sounded like this was the main point all along.
With a natural air, Hugo finally brought out his real intention.
“What kind of addition are we talking about?”
“A new event for the duel tournament. Something fresh. For instance... how about a special exhibition match between the professors?”
The look on Hugo’s face was practically oozing with scheming malice.
* * *
After checking the new notice posted in the faculty office, I lightly tapped my temple with my fingertip.
“So it’s confirmed—the festival’s happening immediately after the second test. The schedule’s tighter than I expected.”
The moment the second test ends, preparations for the festival begin.
It would have to be a large-scale event—just organizing it would take at least a week.
A week might sound like a decent amount of time, but considering the number of staff and mages who live or work inside Seorn...
“Honestly, it’s more surprising that it still takes a whole week even with all those people helping.”
And the second test is right around the corner.
It hadn’t even been that long since the results of the first one were announced, and now the second was already looming.
Then again, there were four tests per semester, so in a way, this pace was to be expected.
“Still, at least I’ve got it easy this time. The second test is set as a practical on magic circles.”
This was Seorn. No one here would half-ass the exam.
At least, I hoped that was the case. Surely no one here would treat it carelessly, right?
“I even released that information as my ace. Would be a waste if no one took it seriously.”
Then again, maybe I was the only one who thought that way.
Magic circles might seem fascinating to people, but asking whether they were some once-in-a-century miracle invention was a different story.
The basic framework for magic circles already existed in this world.
It’s just that the research into them had stagnated for a long time. The discipline itself wasn’t some groundbreaking new branch of magic.
In short, I hadn’t created something from nothing—I’d merely added new logs to a fire that had long since died down to embers.
Bragging about that would only make me feel embarrassed.
“I’ll just hope the reaction is at least halfway decent.”
I began getting ready to leave my seat.
With the second test approaching, I had plans to make a trip—a bit farther than usual.
“The village of Roteng in the Kingdom of Durmang.”
Burned to the ground and reduced to ashes, there was now nothing left of the place. But I planned to visit it—to confirm the identity of the First Order.
That’s why I sent Sedina home early today.
She had insisted on staying longer, but my firm refusal left no room for argument.
“Let’s go.”
I was just reaching for the coat hanging on the rack when—knock knock—someone tapped on the faculty office door.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and I saw a familiar head of deep blue hair.
Striding in with confident steps was one of my students—Flora Lumos. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
I wondered what had brought her here so suddenly, but the reason came to mind quickly.
“Flora Lumos. You’ve come for the framework?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re later than I expected.”
The other four had already come and picked theirs up.
I’d thought she’d be one of the first to come by, so I was surprised to see her show up last.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Something going on?”
“...Nothing you need to worry about, Professor.”
It had only been a polite inquiry, but that was the response I got.
But pressing her on it now would just be overstepping. I had to respect a student’s privacy.
So I let it go and didn’t ask any further—at which point Flora made a slightly sulky face, as if displeased.
“You’re not curious?”
“You just said it’s none of my business.”
“...Hmph. Fine.”
What’s her deal? She looked annoyed.
Her sudden and unpredictable attitude caught me off guard.
Could it be... she was just now entering that stormy adolescent phase?
“In any case, you picked a good time to come for the framework. I was just about to leave. A few minutes later and you’d have knocked on an empty door.”
“...Lucky me, then.”
“Flora Lumos. Congratulations on taking first place, even if it was a bit late.”
I offered her a light word of praise.
She was already brilliant and capable—everyone knew that. But still, she was my student, and as a teacher, it only made sense to congratulate her on ranking first.
Her eyes widened at my unexpected compliment. Then she looked away, her face subtly flushed.
“I-it was nothing. A piece of cake, really. ...Though, honestly, it still bugs me that it was joint first.”
“I understand. Your opponent was an exceptional talent too.”
First-year student Julia Plumehart.
She had performed on par with Flora Lumos and claimed joint first place.
Proving she hadn’t attracted so much attention from the faculty at the start of the semester for nothing. She really was the real deal.
“A-anyway. The framework. Please.”
Confident as ever.
But then, she had earned it fair and square. Flora had every right to ask with that air of pride.
And truthfully, that kind of boldness suited her well.
I calmly extended my hand, palm facing upward.
Just as I was about to circulate my mana and activate the framework transfer spell—
Thmp.
A slender, pale hand landed on top of mine.
It was Flora Lumos’s.
“...”
I stared silently at her hand resting on mine.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t you giving it to me?”
She still had no idea what she’d done wrong. She was even pestering me, wondering why I was hesitating.
I let out a small sigh.
“Flora Lumos.”
“What?”
“The framework spell doesn’t require direct physical contact to be transferred.”
“Huh?”
Flora blinked in confusion.
One second.
Two.
Exactly three seconds later—
“......!!!”
She finally realized what she’d done and yanked her hand away in a panic.
Her face turned bright red—flushed all the way to her earlobes, like a ripe persimmon.
