Chapter 23
My eyes held a complex mix of emotions.
Too dark for joy.
Too bright for regret.
A heavy, wistful gaze.
I barely swallowed the surge of emotions rising within.
Moments later—
Dean Leodimir’s voice resounded through Rosetta Hall.
“I sincerely congratulate all freshmen on your admission.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it mysteriously echoed through the grand hall, resonating in the students’ minds.
I listened to his voice, closely studying his face.
‘You’ve aged. But you seem even stronger.’
My prized disciple, grown splendidly.
A genuine smile spread across my lips as I watched him.
“…I hope you all grow into outstanding mages.”
Thunderous applause filled the hall as Leodimir’s speech concluded.
The next order of business followed.
“Next, we will present awards to the top-performing freshmen.”
The much-anticipated announcement of the top scorers.
The elderly vice dean unfolded a white paper, saying, “Called students, please come to the stage.”
All eyes focused on the names she would announce.
“Top scorer, Marcel Kirhausen. Second place, Eddie Summerson.”
As both Kirhausen freshmen were called, the hall buzzed again.
“Kirhausen took both first and second?”
“Even a Tail got second place?”
“They say his mana is incredible. But to think Kirhausen’s heir beat that Tail for first…”
Hearing the whispers, Marcel and I headed to the stage.
I watched Marcel’s back, guessing his expression.
Then, the vice dean announced the third-place scorer.
“Joy Lixiodor.”
My steps halted at the familiar name.
‘Joy Lixiodor? Could it be that…’
As if confirming my thought—
A red-haired girl strode toward us, cheered by the commoner students.
Our eyes met briefly.
Confirming her hostile red eyes, I continued to the stage.
The three top scorers stood side by side before the dean.
The freshmen below, looking at our backs, busily shared opinions.
Some admired Kirhausen for placing a Tail in second place, others were wary.
Some were curious about Joy, the commoner who took third.
We received our awards under these varied gazes.
Marcel, the top scorer, received his first.
As he exchanged brief greetings with the dean, applause began from one side of the stage.
Clap, clap, clap—
Thunderous applause soon filled Rosetta Hall.
Marcel glanced at the first to clap.
“…”
A high-year student, resembling him but more mature.
It was his cousin, Dalton Kirhausen.
Bow.
Meeting his gaze, Dalton lightly bowed to Marcel, showing respect as a branch family member to the heir.
Marcel returned a brief nod before facing forward.
Dalton, the eldest son of Furas' older brother, Timus Kirhausen, was the nephew Furas most guarded against.
He had recently been elected student council president.
That was why he, a non-freshman, was on stage at the ceremony.
Marcel recalled Furas' instruction not to fall behind Dalton.
His gaze naturally fell to the award in his hand.
‘I won’t… fall behind. From now on.’
He glanced at the word “Top Scorer” on his award and quietly bit his lip.
“…”
I, too, restrained my emotions beside Marcel.
It was because Leodimir approached me.
I deliberately avoided his eyes while receiving my award.
Though overwhelmed with joy, caution for my plan took precedence.
‘He’s already a great mage, titled the Prophet of Mana. If I seem suspicious here, it could make him wary during our private meeting.’
With that thought, I kept my head slightly bowed, waiting for him to pass.
But his voice came from above.
“Summerson.”
I reflexively looked up at Leodimir.
He wore a warm yet cryptic smile.
‘What’s this guy up to?’ I thought, but quickly widened my eyes, feigning innocence.
Leodimir smiled gently and continued.
“Thank you for preventing a tragic accident on exam day. Your actions were impressive.”
“Ah… you flatter me. Haha.”
I gave an awkward laugh, smoothly concluding the sudden exchange.
Leodimir watched me briefly before moving to award Joy.
I glanced at his profile as he congratulated her, pondering his cryptic behavior.
But I couldn’t find an answer and descended the stage.
‘Well… I’ll find out soon enough.’
The next event was the freshman representative’s oath.
As top scorer, Marcel was the representative.
He stepped onto the stage and read the oath in a calm voice.
“…thus, I swear to become an honorable mage of Lieferden Academy. March 2, Bernhard Calendar Year 153. Marcel Kirhausen.”
Thunderous applause filled the hall again.
Dalton was the first to clap for Marcel this time, too.
“…”
He watched Marcel’s back with an unreadable expression.
The ceremony continued with dorm assignments and subject professors’ introductions.
With the student council president and vice president introduced, the ceremony concluded.
“This concludes the entrance ceremony. Freshmen, please proceed to your assigned dorms, unpack, and rest.”
At the call to move to the dorms, the freshmen began bustling.
But Marcel and I waited for the vice dean’s final words.
“The top and second-place scorers, please come forward for your meeting with the dean.”
At her words, both Kirhausen freshmen subtly clenched their fists.
***
Step, step, step.
Three sets of footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor of the academy’s top floor.
Marcel, I, and the vice dean leading us arrived at the entrance to the dean’s office.
But before us was no door.
‘A wall…?’
A massive, ordinary wall with torches. Marcel looked at the vice dean’s back with confusion.
The next moment—
“Hugo Caleb.”
Swish—
With a short incantation, the vice dean lightly swung her wand at the wall.
Whoosh—Rumble…
The torches flared brighter, and the wall slowly slid inward.
A grand space revealed itself.
The vice dean led Marcel and me inside.
‘Ho…’
Leodimir’s space, resembling a vast library, was truly mystical and grand.
Endless bookshelves lined the walls, books flying through the air to their places.
A spiral staircase wound around a massive central pillar.
It was a fitting space for the dean of a magical academy.
‘To think he built such a personal space in the academy. Only a dean serving three terms could manage this.’
I smiled faintly, looking around.
The vice dean, reaching the staircase, turned to Marcel.
“The meeting order is top scorer first, then second. Climb the stairs to the dean’s office.”
Marcel showed a flicker of tension but began ascending.
“Summerson, wait here and go up when it’s your turn.”
“Yes.”
“The dean wishes to discuss the plaza incident, so your meeting may take some time.”
“I understand.”
With brief instructions, the vice dean left.
I wandered the grand space, taking in the sights.
Soon—
Step, step, step.
Marcel descended the stairs with a complex expression.
His eyes first landed on me, standing leisurely with hands behind my back, watching the flying books.
“Oh.”
Feeling his gaze, I released my hands and approached him.
I was about to ask if it was my turn, but—
Step, step.
“…”
Marcel passed me without a word.
I watched his cold retreating figure briefly before climbing the stairs.
With each step, the letter in my pocket rustled faintly.
The letter Furas had given me to deliver to the dean.
When he handed it to me, his expression was devoid of humor, heavier than usual.
‘This letter isn’t just a casual greeting.’
I didn’t open it rashly.
‘A letter from Kirhausen’s head to the academy dean wouldn’t lack security measures.’
I’d learn its contents naturally after revealing my identity to Leodimir.
At the top of the stairs was an ordinary-looking door.
The true entrance to the dean’s office, resembling any classroom door.
I approached without hesitation.
Click.
The doorknob turned with a crisp sound.
Creak—
As the door slowly opened, my eyes met Leodimir’s.
I walked into the office and sat before him.
“…”
Finally face-to-face with my past-life disciple.
I turned my head, briefly surveying the office.
Then I chuckled softly.
Piles of documents and scattered books.
In contrast, a shelf held his grandchildren’s drawings, pristine without a speck of dust.
Mysterious collectibles dotted the room.
It looked less like the office of the greatest dean in history and more like a teenager’s messy room.
‘Still the same.’
A genuine smile spread across my face.
His hobby of collecting curious items, his warm nature prioritizing happiness over honor, and—
‘Still terrible at keeping things tidy.’
I didn’t need to confirm it to know.
Leo hadn’t changed.
So, I decided to get straight to the point without delay.
“Greetings, Dean.”