NOVPUBThe moon had set, and the light of a new dawn rose.
It was the beginning of the second day of the Magic Festival.
“Careful with that! Move it slowly!”
“Is this part all ready to go?”
From early morning, students and staff bustled around, checking banners and inspecting equipment.
Since the real festivities were to begin on the second day, preparations were being carried out even more thoroughly than the day before.
Proving that point, carriages were already lining up from early morning, entering through Seorn’s main gate.
It looked similar to the day before—but with one significant difference: the crests engraved on the carriages.
“L-Look! It’s the Duke of Lumos’s carriage!”
“They really came.”
“Is that... the crest of the de Ville family?”
“Then doesn’t that mean the Duke of Kadatushan is here too?”
The presence of high-ranking nobles, clearly above those seen on the first day, put even the gate guards on edge.
Those who hadn’t even shown their faces on the first day had come to Seorn on the second—because that’s when the main events were concentrated.
Most especially, the magic duels scheduled for today had drawn the most attention.
The duel event, where the top three students of each year were selected, was a major highlight of the festival every year.
But this year, the teachers were also participating in the magic duel.
With word already spreading far and wide, even more attention had been drawn than usual.
Though it was only the first- and second-year instructors participating—far from the full lineup—people were still more than satisfied.
After all, being a teacher at Seorn, even if only for first-years, was not something taken lightly.
Proving that, the spectator seats—where the event was about to take place—were already packed with people.
“Did you hear? About the people in the duel this year?”
“You mean the teachers? That lineup’s no joke.”
“Honestly, I wanted to see the fourth-year and higher instructors fight too, but... I guess that’s asking too much.”
“They say it’s a surprise event this time. Who knows? If it gets a good reaction this year, maybe they’ll do it again next year.”
The nobles who had just arrived at Seorn today were already seated in prime spots, gazing with eager anticipation toward the upcoming event.
And it wasn’t just nobles in the audience.
On one side of the VIP section, the mages from the Mage Towers had drawn everyone’s attention.
“Look over there. That’s the old tower and the new tower.”
“They really came.”
Wanting no involvement with each other, the two mage factions had split the seating down the middle, each group clustering on their own side.
Living up to their reputations, the old tower was filled mostly with elder mages, while the new tower held younger ones.
They stared each other down, as if keeping tabs on a rival.
“They’re here to scout talents early again, right?”
“Probably. I heard ever since three years ago, the two towers have been fiercely competing to recruit the best.”
“Right. And it’s not just the towers who scout talented mages, is it?”
The Imperial Royal Magic Society.
The Empire’s Magic Corps.
Even officially sanctioned associations and schools.
There were plenty of groups paying attention to Seorn.
“Man... I wish someone like that would at least ask for my name just once.”
“Keep dreaming. That kind of stuff’s only for the top 10% at Seorn.”
“The best of the best probably get to choose wherever they want to go, huh?”
“Obviously. Still, even we can go to decent places after graduation, so it’s not like we have to worry that much. Graduating is the real hurdle.”
Being chosen by those groups was a privilege only a select few could enjoy. The rest could only suppress their envy and let go of such idle fantasies.
“More importantly—when are they starting the duel? I’m honestly so excited I can’t wait anymore. A teacher duel, come on. We’ve never seen one before!”
“Should be soon, right? It’s supposed to be a surprise event before the student duels. Won’t be long now.”
“Oh! Look over there. The Headmaster’s here.”
Just then, Seorn’s headmaster, Elisa Willow, appeared at the upper dais of the stadium.
As befitted a formal occasion, Elisa was dressed in even more elaborate attire than usual. She smiled and waved to the audience as she approached.
With her appearance, those who had been waiting for an opening immediately tried to approach her.
“Hoho. Headmaster Elisa, how do you do? Still as beautiful as ever.”
“It’s been a while, Headmaster. Have you been well? Do you remember me?”
“Good morning. I’m Reporter Mithra from Magic Journal. May I ask for a quick interview?”
The Headmaster of Seorn was always at the center of everyone’s attention.
This term’s Headmaster, Elisa, was famous for having reached the 6th-circle level at a young age—an Archmage.
On top of that, she was beautiful, so it was only natural that many would go to great lengths to build a connection with her.
“I’m sorry, but I’m currently too busy to speak with anyone.”
Smile.
Elisa gave a gentle smile.
And the moment her golden eyes shimmered subtly, nearly 90% of the people who had tried to approach her backed off.
Just a single word and one smile—that was all it took to dissuade most of the flies.
From a short distance away, onlookers watching the scene muttered in admiration.
“That’s the famous Mystic Eye? She really bent them all with just a glance.”
“No way I’m getting close with mediocre skills.”
Even those who’d been eyeing an opportunity to approach her gave up for now and backed off.
With a wall that firm, even talking to her looked like a challenge.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Elisa offered a light nod of gratitude and moved to her seat.
The upper dais—seating reserved only for the highest of guests.
When she arrived, a few others had already taken their seats.
“Oh my. Such honored guests arrived before me.”
“Headmaster Elisa! Hoho, it’s been quite some time.”
A dignified old man gripping a cane in both hands greeted her.
He had bright gray hair and a long beard.
Even at a glance, his outfit looked expensive and refined. He radiated a slick, easygoing demeanor.
A ring on his finger bore the carving of a mountain goat.
“It’s a pleasure to see you, Duke Heibach.”
Heibach Kadatushan.
The head of the Kadatushan family—one of the three great ducal houses of the Exilion Empire. Though the oldest of ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the three, he was by far the most lighthearted in both speech and conduct.
“I was getting bored with no one around to have a proper conversation. This gloomy fellow here won’t even give a decent reply no matter what I say.”
“Who are you calling a friend.”
The annoyed voice came from a man with deep navy-blue hair.
His mature voice and sharp expression gave off an intense, prickly impression.
The eagle emblem embroidered on the cloak over his shoulder caught the sunlight and gleamed silver.
“Duke Cayden, it’s been quite a while as well. Did you perhaps come to see your daughter?”
“Hmph.”
Cayden Lumos.
The current head of House Lumos, and father of Flora Lumos. He responded to Elisa’s question with a derisive snort.
At that, Heibach clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Tsk. Honestly, man. Your daughter attends this academy and you don’t even care? Are you really her father?”
“Mind your own damn business.”
Cayden looked like he was in his mid-30s—a sharp-featured, handsome man—but his true age was far older.
Which is why he could speak so harshly to someone as senior as Heibach without hesitation.
“Hoho. Would you look at this, Headmaster Elisa. Sitting next to this guy makes for such a dull day.”
“You two seem to get along as well as ever.”
“That old man’s just assuming things. Getting chummy with that slippery Kadatushan? No sane man would do that.”
“Well, isn’t it still better than being stiff and sour like Lumos?”
“What was that?”
If left alone, the two would surely start arguing again, so Elisa stepped in to mediate.
“By the way, where’s the third member? I thought all three ducal heads were attending today.”
“Ah. You mean David? Doesn’t look like he’s here yet. I actually thought he’d be the first to arrive.”
Contrary to expectations, David Ulburk—the head of House Ulburk—had not come to the stadium, despite the assumption that all three ducal lords would be present.
“Well, well, well. Who do we have here? The very pillars of the Empire gathered in one place. Remarkable.”
Hugo Burteg approached them naturally, acting overly familiar.
The Headmaster glared at him, clearly displeased, as he eagerly rubbed his hands together—but she didn’t stop him.
After all, it was true that Hugo held a position at Seorn.
His shoulders were puffed up higher than ever.
“I’m sure the teacher duel event will meet your expectations. I pulled quite a few strings to make it happen.”
“Ohh, so it was your idea?”
“......”
Heibach responded mildly to Hugo’s proud claim that the duel was thanks to him, while Cayden chose to ignore him entirely.
Hugo, nodding as if humbled, didn't forget to scan the surroundings.
Then, spotting Elisa, a flicker of jealousy crossed his eyes.
While the Headmaster simply sat in place, people crowded around her, trying to get close.
Others made every effort to gain favor with words and flattery, while Elisa needed only to tilt her chin slightly for people to fumble and flinch—no wonder Hugo was bitter.
To him, all the hard work it must’ve taken for her to rise to that position was irrelevant.
And Hugo wasn’t alone in that kind of thinking.
“Tsk. What’s so great about that fox of a woman.”
Altego Dantes, elder of the Old Mage Tower, grumbled as he looked at the crowd gathering around Elisa, unable to hide his irritation.
Whatever else he might say, seeing Elisa held in such esteem by others twisted his insides.
The aides surrounding Altego anxiously glanced at him, worried he might lash out and catch them in the fire.
But Altego eventually shifted his focus away from Elisa and turned his gaze toward the arena.
Because the important thing right now wasn’t Headmaster Elisa.
‘That damn brat’s going to be in the duel?’
Altego had decent ears, and he had picked up on something interesting recently—about how the upcoming teacher duel was really going to unfold.
Outwardly, it was meant as a showcase of Seorn’s prestige, but behind the scenes, it was a political contest for dominance between nobles and commoners.
And Ludger Cherish was set to compete in it.
‘Let’s see how high and mighty he acts here, no matter how talented he is.’
The humiliation Altego suffered at the banquet that day still burned in his chest like fire.
Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could clearly recall the disgrace Ludger had made him feel.
‘He dared to treat me, an elder of the Mage Tower, like that?’
That’s why Altego was looking forward to this duel.
Based on what he’d heard, Ludger Cherish wasn’t going to come out on top.
Just as he was eager to see the man crumble, fireworks sounded, and someone’s voice boomed from a loudspeaker.
[Everyone! Thank you for waiting!]
The crowd fell silent and turned toward the source of the voice.
There stood a female student holding an artifact to amplify her voice.
[The magic duel—the special event of the festival—is about to begin! I’m Jesse Luna, a fourth-year cadet, and I’ll be your commentator for today’s match! And joining me is our co-commentator, fourth-year instructor for practical magic combat, Mr. Carter Roar!]
Beside Jesse Luna sat a man in his early forties, with dark circles under his eyes and a somewhat worn-out expression.
These two were to serve as commentators and hosts for the duel event.
[Now then! The second day of the festival! The magic duel begins right now!] 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
The matchups had already been determined, so the tournament progressed quickly, without delay.
[This time, we have Seorn’s very own instructors participating in the duel! And now—today’s spectacular first match! Oh wow! What a start! The recently rising star of Seorn! The creator of the new magic source code! Ludger Cherish──!!!]
Jesse’s voice, brimming with excitement, echoed throughout the entire arena.
Everyone stared at the field, eyes full of anticipation.
“It’s Professor Ludger.”
“Wow. I can’t believe we’re starting off with him!”
“He’s so cool... even today.”
The students’ voices carried admiration and awe.
Wearing a perfectly tailored black frock coat, Ludger stood still like a model on display.
“Flora, look! It’s Professor Ludger. He’s dressed so sharp again.”
“Whatever. I’m not that interested.”
Unlike the thrilled Sheryl, Flora responded flatly.
But that was only on the surface—inside, even Flora was filled with anticipation. She just couldn’t admit it.
Standing in the center of the arena, Ludger calmly swept his gaze across the crowd.
‘So many people came just to watch a duel, huh.’
He hadn’t expected such a huge audience for something as simple as a mock battle.
Just then, the Headmaster met his eyes, mouthed “Good luck,” and gave him a small wave.
‘Even the Headmaster is rooting for me.’
If she was showing that much support, the expectations must be considerable.
It was unwelcome news for Ludger, who had planned to throw the match if the opportunity came.
[And now, introducing today’s second star! Representing Seorn’s first-year instructors—Matthew Summerit!!!]
Of course, his opponent was a noble-born instructor.
And not just any noble, but one affiliated with Hugo Burteg’s faction.
‘Well, I guess nearly all the noble instructors are aligned with Hugo.’
His opponent was already glaring at him with a hostile expression.
They’d never even met before, and yet the guy looked at him like he was his mortal enemy.
‘They really hate me, huh.’
Ludger thought with a detached ease, gripping the dueling wand.
His opponent, Matthew Summerit, did the same.
[Then! Let the match... begin!!!]
At the commentator’s shout, Matthew raised his wand toward Ludger.
Ludger watched the display with a relaxed air.
Matthew glared at him with trembling eyes.
But he didn’t cast a spell.
Not knowing what his opponent might do, he hesitated to make the first move.
Still, sooner or later, he’d have to use magic.
‘Come on. Do it.’
Ludger silently urged Matthew Summerit to fire an attack spell at him.
He planned to lose, pretending to be overwhelmed by a well-timed strike.
‘Just come at me already.’
Ludger stared at him with that impatient gaze, and Matthew Summerit flinched.
He had been aiming his wand this whole time but hadn’t made a single move to cast.
The tip of his wand trembled.
‘Hurry up and cast! I’ll let you win, I promise!’
Ludger shouted inwardly for him to just shoot, wanting to get it over with.
But Matthew Summerit only stood in position, drenched in cold sweat.
The bizarre standoff dragged on for five whole minutes.
That’s when Ludger started to sense something was off.
‘...Why isn’t he casting?’
