On a dark night.

"I can help you."

Evan remembered what Jefrin had said.

"How exactly do you intend to help me..."

He was sitting in the dormitory, clutching his head in frustration.

Studying just didn't seem to click.

Even when he tried to train, a flood of distracting thoughts hindered him.

Evan had grown stronger.

He was now as strong as any student at the academy.

Yet, he was far from satisfied.

In fact, he found himself longing for his first year.

A time when he didn't compare himself to others, focusing solely on his own growth, on his pure efforts...

"How did it all come to this..."

Evan let out a deep sigh.

The next day.

"Ah..."

A woman stretched with a bright expression.

She was loosening up her body, moving around.

Although her demeanor seemed cold, her eyes held warmth as she gazed at the academy.

"Don't engage in intense exercise. Your wounds might get worse."

"Understood."

Responding to Cromwell's advice, the woman nodded.

The woman, Yeniel, with her silver hair fluttering, replied.

Cromwell, watching her, smiled and then spoke.

"Ah, and Principal McDowell wanted me to pass on a message."

"Yes?"

"He said to come and boast to him once you get good grades."

Hearing this, Yeniel fell silent.

McDowell had protected her, even when she was acting as a spy.

He had helped her, even to the point of losing his arm.

"…Please tell him I'll give it my best."

Determination was etched on Yeniel's face.

"Right, here's your dorm key. I've already unpacked your things, so you can use that room."

"Thank you."

After expressing her gratitude to Cromwell, Yeniel moved on.

In front of the dormitory, workers were busily moving around.

They carried furniture and various documents into the dorm.

Yeniel looked on, puzzled.

"Does someone actually bring such personal belongings to the dormitory?"

The dorm was already filled with fine furniture.

It was rare for someone to bring in their own personal furniture.

"Oh, that needs to go to the research lab."

As Yeniel observed the furniture, she noticed a girl organizing the area.

It was Yuni Von Ristonia.

Yeniel tilted her head at the unfamiliar face.

When Yeniel had left the academy, it was during her first year's second semester.

She didn't recognize the faces of her juniors.

Yeniel approached Yuni.

"Excuse me, what's all this?"

"Who are you?"

Yuni looked at Yeniel, confused.

"Bringing furniture… to the dormitory?"

"Yes, but why?"

"All of it?"

"No, some is going elsewhere. How could we possibly fit all this in the dorm?"

"Where's the rest going?"

"…To the second-year top student's research lab."

There were two types of cargo.

One was Yuni's belongings from the royal family, and the other was Rudy's for the research lab.

Yeniel's eyes widened at this information.

"The top student of the second year changed?"

"Yes, it changed last semester. But... who are you?"

Yuni eyed Yeniel suspiciously.

The change in the second year's top student was a well-known rumor throughout the academy.

It was suspicious that someone within the academy didn't know.

"Who's the new top student of the second year?"

"…It's a secret."

Yuni looked at Yeniel with suspicion.

Upon seeing the situation, Yeniel clenched her teeth.

Who was this child, and what had happened at the academy in her absence?

Until the second semester of the first year, Evan had been the top student.

'Could it be Rudy Astria?'

However, after observing the luggage nearby, she shook her head in doubt.

Yeniel was well aware of Rudy Astria's character.

'Rudy Astria suddenly bringing so much luggage to his own dormitory? And having this kid do it?'

Yeniel was under a misconception.

Most of the luggage actually belonged to Yuni.

Yuni had brought her own belongings because she wasn't satisfied with the dormitory's furniture.

In reality, Rudy's luggage consisted of only a few documents.

More precisely, these documents belonged to Professor Gracie's research lab.

Professor Gracie's lab was small, so it shared space with Rudy's top student research lab, and Yuni, a member of Gracie's lab, was merely moving them.

Yeniel had no way of knowing this.

'Who is this...! Some strange person has appeared while I was away...'

Yeniel's mind was racing.

She feared that something major had happened at the academy in her absence.

'I need to meet the others... What on earth has happened at the academy...!'

Yeniel frowned as she looked at Yuni.

Yuni, noticing Yeniel's stern gaze, frowned back, clearly displeased.

In Yeniel's mind, an image formed of an unknown character seizing control of the academy.

A scene with Rudy and Evan both defeated and fallen.

'Let's wait for a better opportunity... Now is not the time!'

Yeniel didn't say anything to Yuni.

She simply turned her head and walked toward the dormitory.

Yuni watched Yeniel's retreating figure.

"What kind of person is she?"

"Ah..."

Professor Gracie stretched leisurely in her chair.

"Nothing beats the life of a professor."

Recently, Gracie was enjoying a period of bliss.

Professor Robert was on vacation, Professor Mcguire had gone to the capital for a conference, and Professor Cromwell was preoccupied with his own tasks.

There was no one to bother Gracie.

Her only task was overseeing the staff research spearheaded by Rudy Astria.

This research was drawing to a close, so there wasn’t much left for her to do.

Rudy had set everything up so well, and with so many talents around, Gracie's role was just to provide guidance.

Although Gracie had found the semester quite challenging, now she was more content than anyone.

With the vacation period, no students or professors around, her days were relaxed, spent enjoying coffee at the academy.

"Maybe I'll pick up some bread on my way home today."

Knock, knock─

As Gracie was savoring her happiness, there was a knock on her office door.

"Yes~,"

she said, smiling towards the door.

Rudy stood there.

"Hello."

"Rudy, you're here! Would you like some coffee?"

It had been a week since Rudy returned from the Railer territory.

Since then, they hadn’t seen much of each other due to his responsibilities with the handover of his top student role and student council work.

However, he had been diligently attending to his duties in the lab, so there was no reason for concern or complaint.

From Gracie's perspective, Rudy was like a goose that laid golden eggs.

Since Rudy became the top student, her lab had become a focal point for students.

Rudy had always been famous, but his association with Gracie's lab wasn’t widely known until he took up the top student role.

Rudy's research, especially in the challenging field of black magic and magical tools, had generated significant academic interest.

As a result, Gracie inadvertently received attention in the academic community and favorable reviews within the academy.

This only elevated Gracie's reputation.

More students expressed interest in becoming her teaching assistants, and the number of students interested in her classes increased.

Gracie couldn’t possibly dislike Rudy, the student who had boosted her reputation.

Rudy closed the door and entered the lab.

"No coffee, thank you. I've already had some. It's been a while, Professor. I should have visited the lab sooner."

Waving off his comment, Gracie said,

"Oh, I know you're busy. No problem at all. Did you just come to say hello?"

"No, Professor, I actually have something important to discuss with you."

"Is it something serious?"

"If you consider it serious, then yes, it is."

Gracie shrugged nonchalantly.

"Sure! Tell me anything! I'll do whatever I can to help!"

Professor Gracie, for the first time in a while, decided to demonstrate the generosity of a professor.

She confidently squared her shoulders, signaling her readiness to take on any task.

Rudy, watching her posture, gave an awkward smile and then carefully began to speak.

"That research we're currently working on..."

"Oh, the one about the staff? It's going well, isn't it? It seems like it will be completed soon?"

"...Yes, that one."

Rudy hesitated briefly, then spoke with a slight smile.

"I think we need to start it all over again."

"...What?"

Gracie's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Start over? But, we're almost done, aren't we? The magic circles are well-crafted, and they seem to be functioning. You want to redo all that?"

"...Yes, I believe we need to start over."

"Why? Why would we need to redo it? Haha..."

Gracie's eyes flickered nervously.

This research was eagerly awaited by the academic community.

It had been progressing for a semester and was showing promising results.

A presentation about this research was even scheduled for the end of the summer break.

"But we're not starting from scratch. We'll keep the magic circles we've already put in place."

"Then, what exactly are you changing?"

"We're planning to modify the exterior and add some functionalities."

The confidence in Gracie's eyes, who had initially declared she'd do anything, visibly diminished.

"Can't we just finish this research first and then conduct additional studies?"

"That's not possible. We need to use it for the joint practical in the second semester, so it must be prepared beforehand."

"But... the cost... and we hardly have any time left..."

"Oh, I heard there's an academic presentation scheduled for the end of the summer break. Is that correct?"

"Yes, there's an academic presentation..."

"Hmm..."

Rudy rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then lifted his head.

"It should fit perfectly with that timing."

"...Perfectly?"

"Yes, I've brought a research plan I developed with Luna."

"You made a research plan?"

Gracie hastily took the plan and her eyes widened in shock as she read it.

"You plan to complete this schedule? What about sleep? Aren't you going to rest?"

"Where's the time for rest? I'm considering cutting down on sleep to make time for studying and training."

"Ah..."

"Ah, and about the cost, I have research funds from becoming the top student, so I'll use that to cover it."

Gracie's expression turned gloomy.

If Rudy were doing this alone, she might not have been so concerned.

But her name was clearly listed in the plan.

If they were to proceed with this research, not only Rudy but also Gracie would have to spend all day at the academy.

"We'll have to pull all-nighters and live in a state of exhaustion, just like during the semester."

"Hey... it's vacation time... It's summer... I should be going to the beach with friends... having fun..."

"I've already had plenty of fun at Luna's estate."

"..."

"Then, we'll proceed as planned."

"Oh, no..."

When Gracie hesitated to hand over the research plan, Rudy looked at her with cold eyes.

Then he reached out and took the research plan.

"It's decided."

"Ah..."

Rudy then took the research plan from Gracie and walked out of the research lab.

"I'm counting on you."

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