NOVPUB"The exchange between elves and humans is relatively recent. Many elves still remember the conservative times when outside cultures were rejected, and other races were looked down upon. Those times overlap with our generation."
The interaction between elves and humans began over a hundred years ago, when Eltman Elthwin saved the World Tree. For long-lived elves, that wasn’t so long ago.
Unlike humans, who adapt quickly across generations, elves have had to gradually shift from conservative views, a process that many older elves still resist.
"And so, we continuously strive to learn from and respect various cultures through harmonious exchanges with different races."
One of the required joint subjects for Starflower and Stella cadets was history.
They were taught how humans and elves once had strained relations but are now closer than ever.
While such ideological training might be useful for children and could have a positive impact in the distant future, the cadets in this room were among the brightest minds in the world. The message didn’t resonate with them.
Some Stella cadets murmured among themselves.
“When did humans ever become close with elves?”
“I didn’t like those pointy-eared snobs from the start.”
“They act so noble, but their insides are dark as coal.”
The subtle arrogance of the Starflower cadets was visibly stressing them out.
“Such short-lived creatures...”
“What do those short-lived beings think they’re boasting about?”
“Trying to learn magic without the sensitivity to connect with spirits?”
“Ridiculous.”
The elves had their share of contempt as well.
Of course, not every cadet felt this way. Many had formed friendships and exchanged addresses to keep in touch after the exchange program ended.
However, among the few who still harbored prejudice, an incident inevitably erupted.
**Bang!!**
“Ahh! It’s a fight!”
“Someone stop them!”
“What? A fight? I want to see!”
“Idiots!”
A clash broke out between two elf cadets and a human cadet.
Angel happened to pass by and quickly erected an ice wall to separate them, but by then, they were already bruised and battered.
Students from prestigious magic schools are trained so extensively that they could practically be called “human weapons.” So even a thoughtless teenage brawl quickly turned into a dangerous exchange of lethal magic attacks.
Magic powerful enough to destroy a building had been unleashed in the corridor, leaving substantial damage and requiring three students to be rushed to the infirmary.
“Oh no...”
Other students looked on worriedly as the injured were carried away.
At the academy, fights between cadets are strictly prohibited. Magic is also strictly controlled outside of class sessions precisely to avoid incidents like this.
It’s why professors would joke that it would be better to settle disputes with fists than with spells. The fact that they resorted to magic, however, showed just how intense their anger had become.
“What happened to him?”
“He got called back to Stella, I heard.”
“The two elves he fought also received a lot of demerits and penalties...”
Even when members of the same race fight, the punishment is severe. Given that this occurred during an exchange meant to promote harmony between elves and humans, expulsion might even be on the table.
Letting their emotions ruin their future like this...
“Idiots.”
In Hong Biyeon’s view, both elves and humans looked equally foolish.
Normally, there were no assigned seats in the classroom, cafeteria, or library, so humans and elves often sat together. However, the heated tension had led them to sit apart.
“Knew this would happen.”
Burying her face in a textbook twice the size of her head, Flame shook her head. She’d seen incidents like this in the original romance-fantasy novel, so she’d expected it to happen. However, experiencing the atmosphere firsthand was quite unsettling.
*Didn’t Angel charm those Blossom boys and turn things around somehow...?*
**Bang! Bang!**
The sound of someone banging the lectern interrupted her thoughts, and Flame looked up. All eyes turned to the front of the classroom.
“Everyone... As you all know, there was a dispute between Starflower and Stella cadets today. According to the students, it was due to cultural differences between the races.”
Professor Hanari, who specialized in plant, spirit, and divine beast magic and was in charge of the exchange students, spoke with a worried expression.
“While disputes between students should never occur on campus, I understand the emotions that drove the students to act this way.”
At over a hundred years old, Professor Hanari was one of the older professors at Starflower. Having lived through both conservative and progressive eras, she seemed eager to resolve the situation as someone who had accepted the changes.
“There are, of course, differences between races. Elves have pointed ears, while humans have rounder ones. But that’s it.”
She looked between the humans and elves, who were now sitting separately.
“We’re all the same. Are elves smarter? That’s not true. Are elves better at magic? Who decided that? Which race currently has the most 9-Class Grand Mages? Humans.”
Unable to hold back, a third-year Starflower cadet raised his hand.
“Professor, it’s unfair to judge based on statistics alone. Aren’t there far more 8-Class mages among the elves? Elves simply take their time learning magic because we have longer lives.”
Professor Hanari stared at the student and finally spoke.
“Cadet Hasongul, do you learn magic slowly?”
The elf cadet flinched slightly but nodded.
“Do you live twice as long as humans?”
“That’s...”
“How many hours a day do you study?”
“Well...”
“Twelve hours. Eight hours in lectures, followed by four hours of self-study after classes before you return to the dormitory.”
Caught off guard by how well the professor knew his schedule, Hasongul could only nod in confirmation.
“Then, what about a Stella cadet?”
“Yes?”
A startled Stella student flinched as she was suddenly called on.
“How many hours do you study each day?”
“Well... Including lectures, around nine hours...”
“And the cadet next to you?”
“About ten...”
“And your magic level?”
“Class Four.”
“And your rank?”
“137th among the sophomores...”
“Remarkable. Class Four at eighteen.”
Professor Hanari turned back to Hasongul.
“The average study time and magical achievements of humans and elves are nearly identical. There’s no such thing as taking it ‘slowly’ or ‘leisurely.’ That image exists only to hide the elves’ slower magical progress compared to humans.”
“That’s...”
Hasongul opened his mouth to argue but found himself speechless.
What could he say? That his own talent fell short of his fellow elves and that he couldn’t keep up despite his efforts? His pride wouldn’t allow it.
“If I asked other Starflower sophomores, I would get similar answers. And if we had dwarves here, it would be the same.”
“But human magic is inferior. Higher achievement isn’t everything.”
“Human magic? What’s that?”
When Hanari questioned him, Hasongul didn’t answer.
“If that’s too difficult, then what’s elf magic?”
“We can control plants and communicate with spirits.”
With a smile, Professor Hanari called forward another student.
“Cadet Flame? Please come forward.”
“Uh... okay.”
Not sure why she was being called, Flame walked to the front. Professor Hanari handed her a potted plant.
“Could you help it grow?”
“Yes...”
Placing her hand on the plant, Flame chanted briefly, and the plant soon grew into a small flowering tree.
“Now, is there any elf cadet here who can outdo her in plant magic?”
No one responded.
Flame’s skill in plant magic was unmatched, even impressive to the professors.
“Thank you. You may return. Next, Cadet Baek Yuseol?”
“Is Cadet Baek Yuseol not here?” Whispers broke out in the back.
“Wake up! You’re being called!”
“Oh... right...”
After a bit of commotion, Baek Yuseol rose with a sheepish expression.
“Would you come forward and try communicating with the Tree of Life?”
Without any incantation or prayer, Baek Yuseol casually extended his hand toward the tree.
As soon as he did, dozens of spirit lights poured out, leaving even the elves staring in awe.
“Anyone here who feels they can surpass this cadet in spirit communication?”
No one raised their hand.
No elf could summon spirits like Baek Yuseol, not even the professors.
“There is no distinction between human and elf magic. Only preferences. If humans dedicated the same time to plant magic, would they really fall short?”
Some students seemed to be coming to an understanding.
Maybe humans and elves aren’t so different after all...
But there was a hidden truth in Professor Hanari’s example—both Flame and Baek Yuseol were unique cases.
“How naive...”
Hong Biyeon found it absurd, watching the professor use these two anomalies to generalize humans as a whole.
However, the elf cadets seemed to be buying it.
Using Baek Yuseol and Flame as examples had indeed been effective.
“Now that you understand, let’s stop sitting separately. Going forward, I hope you’ll try to get along...”
Suddenly, the ground shook.
“What’s going on?”
Lights flickered, and dust fell from the ceiling, but fortunately, the tremors quickly subsided.
“P-Professor?”
“Stay calm. It’s nothing serious. Please remember to be kind to each other. Humans and elves are more alike than different.”
Professor Hanari quickly wrapped up and left the classroom.
The remaining students buzzed with conversation.
“What was that?”
“Hasn’t there been a lot of earthquakes lately?”
“We’re in the World Tree... how can there be earthquakes here?”
“Yeah, isn’t the World Tree
supposed to protect us?”
The elves exchanged uneasy glances, and even the humans seemed slightly unsettled.
“Hmm...”
Flame looked out the window briefly, then stood up to find Baek Yuseol to ask about the situation.
But he was already gone. Flame wasn’t the only one who missed him; Jellyel, too, looked around with a puzzled expression before they locked eyes.
“Uh... hi?”
Awkwardly meeting her gaze, Flame gave a polite nod. Jellyel smiled back—a bright, beautiful smile, though Flame knew it was carefully calculated.
Satisfied with the greeting, Flame tried to slip past, but Jellyel stepped in front of her.
“Huh?”
Looking up at the taller Jellyel was somewhat humiliating, but Flame kept a neutral expression as Jellyel’s lips hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak.
“What is it? I’m about to go eat, so make it quick.”
“Wait... Are you and Baek Yuseol... involved?”
“...Excuse me?”
Flame’s reaction was one of utter bewilderment.
After all...
“That’s what I wanted to ask you...”
