ALL NOVEL Chapter 307: The Exchange Student (5)
As soon as Elthman Elwin returned to Stella Academy, the previously chaotic systems were quickly restored. However, having returned without successfully completing the most important task, Elthman’s mind was still in turmoil.
"Archie Hayden."
"Yes, sir."
"So you allowed Scarlet to join as a professor."
"As you know, there’s no other mage here who could stand against her except yourself."
"Are you proudly admitting that you cowered in submission to her threats?"
"If I had tried to fight her, perhaps it would have been possible. But the defenses of Stella were easily breached. A battle within the academy would have resulted in countless casualties, and ultimately, our defeat."
It was a fair point.
As the vice-principal responsible for the academy’s safety, yet not a magic warrior himself, Archie Hayden made the wisest decision.
"This time, I’ll let it pass as unavoidable.""Thank you."
"However..."
Elthman looked at Archie Hayden with a chilling gaze, as if seeing right through him.
"Until now, I have quietly overlooked your little games. It was all part of my own plan. But if you cross my path again, I’ll take your head first. Remember that."
Archie Hayden’s pupils shook with fear, as if a fist had clenched around his heart.
'What... Does he mean...?'
Could it be that Elthman had discovered he was a Dark Mage? No, impossible.
Their cult leader’s concealment spells were perfect. Even fellow Dark Mages found it nearly impossible to distinguish him unless he deliberately revealed his dark magic.
As powerful as Elthman was, how could he possibly sense a non-existent dark magic?
Elthman knew nothing. This warning had to be about something else.
… At least, that’s what Archie Hayden tried to convince himself.
But meeting the piercing gaze of this great mage—a gaze that seemed to see through all truths—he found himself unconsciously lowering his head.
What secrets were hidden in those dark, fathomless eyes?
Gulping hard, Archie Hayden stood stiffly, unable to move. Then, unexpectedly, Elthman gave a sly smile.
"Well, as long as we don’t cross any lines, it’s fine. I’m the principal, and you’re the vice-principal. We both have our roles, and we’ll stick to them. You understand, don’t you?"
"Haha, yes... Of course."
"That’s all there is to it."
Elthman stood up, patted Archie Hayden’s shoulder as he passed by. Then Archie Hayden hurriedly called out to him.
"One more thing, if I may."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"This... It’s the staff that the witch left behind."
"A staff? Witches don’t use those."
"Yes. I thought it might have been used as a teaching aid, but it’s not like her to be so meticulous. I brought it just in case… Would you like to examine it?"
When Elthman nodded, Archie Hayden carefully placed the staff, wrapped in cloth, on the table.
He untied the string and removed the cloth, revealing an old, rough-hewn wooden staff that looked like something from centuries past. Perhaps from a sage.
"A very old-fashioned staff."
Nowadays, staffs were typically crafted with mana stones or crystals at their ends. This purely wooden staff looked like it belonged in an antique shop.
"When I was young, getting just one staff like this was a challenge…"
Elthman gently stroked the staff and noticed something peculiar.
"Hmm. Did you say the witch left this behind?"
"Yes. That’s correct."
"It seems she meant to give it to someone but forgot. Go ahead and deliver it."
"... Who should I give it to?"
Turning back as he left the principal’s office, Elthman replied, "Baek Yu-Seol. Bring it to that boy."
——
It hadn’t been long since the exchange program between Stella Academy and Astral Flower Magic Academy began.
In ancient times, the elves who owed Elthman a great debt gradually started to open their hearts to humans. Embracing human culture and eventually advancing to inter-school exchanges could be considered one of the great historical achievements of Elthman Elwin.
For nearly a thousand years, elves, dwarves, and humans had coexisted without hostility, each remaining in their own territories like dogs and monkeys.
Elthman Elwin was the one who finally broke down those barriers.
This year, the exchange program was set to continue.
Last year, the elves from Astral Flower visited Stella for their studies, so this year, Stella’s students were to go to Astral Flower for their education.
"Student Jeliel, isn’t this a bit much?"
At the Astral Flower Magic Academy, in a new pavilion built exclusively for human exchange students, the department head clicked his tongue at the opulent, palace-like structure.
Jeliel responded nonchalantly, "Last year, when we were exchange students at Stella, they greeted us with an impressive pavilion as well. They used eco-friendly wood that elves like. We should reciprocate appropriately."
"But the previous pavilion wasn’t even built ten years ago..."
"That one was made of wood. Humans don’t prefer that kind of material."
It was well-known that elves rarely worried about their homes.
When they sincerely wished for something, the Elf King communicated their wish to the World Tree, which granted it.
However, since the World Tree only worked with wood, there were limitations to the materials available.
Most elves were content with their eco-friendly wooden buildings, but Jeliel thought differently.
She didn’t want to welcome humans with something only elves would appreciate.
Thus, she mobilized a tremendous amount of funds to construct a new pavilion at Astral Flower and even resolved all land-related issues today.
"It could be a good opportunity to showcase Elven culture..."
The department head spoke quietly, but Jeliel didn’t even pretend to listen as she handed him a document.
The paperwork was filled with complex language. It essentially confirmed that the Starcloud Trading Company was donating the pavilion and land.
Jeliel had outright purchased a plot of land near Astral Flower Magic Academy, deciding on her own to build the pavilion.
Watching her casually donate such a structure, the department head signed with a resigned expression.
"Jeliel, just out of personal curiosity..."
"Don’t ask questions."
"... Understood."
Jeliel responded coldly, her hair swaying as she swiftly boarded her carriage and vanished.
Left alone, the department head shook his head as he looked back at the new pavilion.
Built extravagantly enough that even an elf might wish to live there, it would only be used for a month or two each year.
Since Jeliel was in her second year, she wouldn’t even see the pavilion again after this term.
In other words, she had spent a huge amount of money for just a single month’s use…
‘Who on earth is coming from Stella that she’d go to such lengths to welcome them?’
Jeliel, who typically resided in the Waning Moon Plains, frequently interacted with humans and other races. Yet, due to her naturally cold disposition, she’d never been influenced by anyone before.
Could there be someone from Stella who’d managed to change her outlook?
‘Well, I guess I’ll never know.’
Knowing that Jeliel didn’t tolerate any personal questions, the department head refrained from prying. Delving into her personal affairs was out of the question.
Although the World Tree provided buildings, it couldn’t supply the countless magical tools and educational materials needed for teaching, which Starcloud generously supported each year. Thus, the department head had no choice but to respect Jeliel.
In short, within Astral Flower, Jeliel wielded absolute power, and her influence was significant enough to impact even Stella.
‘Hopefully, no student crosses paths with Jeliel the wrong way.’
Anyone who did would find it difficult to enjoy a normal school life, whether they’re from Astral Flower or Stella.
"Um... Excuse me..."
"Hmm?"
As he observed the new pavilion, a young girl’s voice caught his attention. She had such an adorable appearance and a clear aura that, at first, he mistook her for an elf.
But upon seeing her rounded ears, he realized she was human.
"And who might you be?"
"Oh, I’m Anella… But have you seen Miss Jeliel around?"
"If you mean Jeliel, she just left in her carriage."
"What?! She asked me to bring her coffee…"
"... It seems she doesn’t remember that."
"That can’t be!"
Anella was on the brink of tears. She quickly ran over to where Jeliel had departed, her short legs scurrying as fast as they could.
But, of course, the carriage was already far away, out of sight.
With a small sigh, she sank to the ground, looking so forlorn that it tugged at the heart.
Though the department head simply clicked his tongue and moved on, knowing it wasn’t his problem.
"How am I supposed to get home now…?"
She murmured, feeling pitiful. Indeed, a day with Jeliel often ended on a sad note for Anella.
Meanwhile, the exchange students heading to Astral Flower would stay there for about a month, meaning they'd spend the entire autumn term there.
Since it was quite a lengthy stay, Baek Yu-Seol packed carefully. He planned to go out frequently once he arrived, but it might be challenging to find items that humans were accustomed to in the secluded elven Astral Flower grounds.
“Such a hassle.”
Eventually, tired of picking out items one by one, Baek Yu-Seol shoved everything casually into his subspace.
Though the pocket had a limited capacity, it was more than enough for a month’s worth of uniforms and magical tools.
He also packed plenty of dungeon exploration gear, most of it advanced items from the Altherisha school.
These were high-value items not yet mass-produced and were still just prototypes, but since Altherisha had insisted on gifting them to him, he accepted them.
‘To think I'd get this from Archie Hayden though.’
While packing, he glanced at the wooden staff lying on his bed. It was the old wooden staff Scarlet had occasionally carried around, using it to playfully tap students on the head.
After analyzing it with his sentient spec, he understood its importance.
[Root of Life]
Though it looked like a staff, it wasn’t one. Even ancient staves weren’t built like this.
‘But why give this to me?’
At present, no one appeared to know how to use this staff or even what it truly was.
And for good reason.
[The item has a strong response to the Twelve Divine Moon: Soft Green Spring Moon]
This was a divine artifact of the Twelve Divine Moons.
Most likely, even Scarlet and Elthman only had a vague idea that it was somehow connected to the Twelve Divine Moons, with no clue as to its purpose or structure.
In reality, though this item belonged to Soft Green Spring Moon, it was even more closely linked to the subplot [Awakening of the Dusk Soil Moon] in the story. He had never paid it much attention since obtaining it was thought impossible.
“To think I’d get it so easily…”
Though it was suspicious that Scarlet had left it behind and Archie Hayden had passed it along, Baek Yu-Seol didn’t dwell on it too much. It was a good turn of events for now.
Scarlet, the Witch King… For some reason, she seemed to be helping him.
‘... Should I trust her?’
Even though it was unwise to trust someone fully just for a few favors, Baek Yu-Seol decided to give Scarlet the benefit of the doubt. Even if only for a fleeting moment.
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