"You are a research scholar?!"
Professor Esther was stunned after finding it out.
'Why did she have to scream?'
Leon wondered.
"What did she say? Research scholar?"
"Is she serious?"
"He's a research scholar?"
Murmurs filled the lecture hall. Every gaze turned to Leon.
A research scholar was someone who got a direct recommendation from a professor to assist in their research.
These scholars received several beneficial perks from the institute, such as more holidays than usual, and an easy pass if they ever missed any lessons. But in exchange, they had to provide the institute with something outstanding in return.
There had never been any research scholars from the first year before, which made Leon quite the special.
"So that means he's not an idiot?"
"Imagine skipping classes, and not getting punished, man I'm jealous."
"On closer look, his face looks decent."
Several opinions passed around, but Leon's main focus was on Prof. Esther.
"Silence," Esther commanded, banging her register on the desk. Then looking at Leon,
"Mr. Valentine, a very incredible theory you had, but too bad it didn't impress me."
Leon's eye twitched as he examined Prof. Esther's expression.
Her eyes had gotten big, and there was this curious look that would make anyone say…
'She's clearly lying.'
Meeting someone who shared the same stupidity or hobby was something that rarely happened.
But it looked like Esther had found someone.
She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to suppress the rising excitement.
Leon knew she was stubborn and loved keeping her true feelings inside.
'Perfect, she took the bait.'
Before Leon could speak, Esther beat him to it.
"By the way, Mr. Valentine, you just stated that we're thinking about the same thing…"
Raising his eyebrow, she asked.
"Could you tell me what it is?"
Indeed, when Leon said: praising the Affinities in the first line of the incantation would increase the effectiveness of the spell, Prof.
Esther got a brilliant idea.
If Leon's theory was correct, then—
'Instead of a two-line incantation, one could elevate the performance of a spell by using not two, but a three-line incantation instead.'
Surely, increasing the incantation's size would mess up the spell-casting delay.
But the effect of the spell would increase by several folds.
Leon actually knew about it, and there did exist three-line incantations in the game, but it was something only a person with an Orange mana core or above could perform.
Someone on the same rank as Eula.
"Ah, about that professor…" Leon scratched his cheeks.
The incantations were not random, and would only work if proper syllables were used.
And the person who originally came up with this idea was also 'Esther Halls'.
Leon didn't want to take this from her.
'Research on spell incantations was something that taught Prof. Esther what a true spell is capable of. And I think it would be great for her character development if it stays the way it is.'
"...I still have a lot to learn about mana and spells—"
"I don't care," Esther interrupted, her voice sounding low as she became serious.
"You can open your mind to me. Sharing knowledge is still a part of creating something new."
"..."
'She's stubborn.' he thought, staring at her face.
Leon looked around.
The classroom was silent, and every eye was already on him.
He couldn't just reveal the three-line incantation in front of everyone. Otherwise, they would think it was originally Leon's proposal.
Which he didn't want.
"Professor Esther," he said, looking around, "are you sure you want me to share this information here?"
Murmur filled the room again.
"What are they talking about?"
"Hey, do you understand?"
"Now, I feel like an idiot."
No one really understood.
Professor Esther looked around and saw several gazes shifting back and forth between her and Leon.
"Haah…" she ruffled her hair and said, "Then let's have this discussion later."
This wasn't something that could be discussed here.
Leon was a research scholar, and if mana and spells were his interest, then he would naturally have to work under Esther.
And if he disagreed, then Esther would ask the Headmaster to let her have him.
.
.
.
The first practical lecture had ended after Professor Esther taught them the very basics of spellcrafting across all affinities, excluding the special ones.
Leon sat in the same seat, avoiding the glances that now came not only from Rinna, but from Alice as well.
He didn't mind the stares. Back when he was a CEO, he had always been the center of attention, no matter where he went.
Leon loved it.
And the truth was… he wanted that attention.
Thinking back on it, Leon wondered if he had actually achieved what he wanted in his past life.
He had everything.
From luxury cars to sky-high penthouses.
He did enjoy his life, but…
He wasn't sure if it was the luxury that made him happy.
Was gaining attention all he ever cared about?
There was this one time when Leon went to the mall without wearing a mask, right after his name had been announced as the youngest billionaire in all the news.
People went crazy. They surrounded him, asked for selfies, praised him, and he even got the numbers of so many girls he hadn't even met before.
Without putting in much effort, he could ask anyone to do anything in his past life.
Even the president had come to him, asking him to expand his business to other states.
He felt like a king.
And without realizing it, he became addicted to it all.
But in this world, it was a whole different story.
Life here was not that easy.
Leon had nothing, except for his house title and a personal maid who was originally loyal to his big sister.
He needed to earn back his prime.
'Patience is the key.'
With that in mind, he thought back on today's events.
'Did I overdo it? I mean, I could've just given Professor Esther a hint,' he thought at first.
But gaining Ethan's attention was important right now.
"I didn't know you were this talented."
Ethan spoke without looking at him.
Leon replied, turning his head.
"This is not talent, but my interest."
"Hm? But isn't talent born from interest?"
"Not quite," Leon replied. "Interest is just a spark that evolves into curiosity. Talent is what grows when that spark is fed."
"Heh," Ethan chuckled. "Does that mean anyone can be talented?"
"Given time, yes," Leon said, lifting a finger and offering a polite smile.
As they were chatting, someone burst in, slamming the door open.
A blonde-haired boy wearing the Eclipse uniform rushed inside.
He quavered, eyes wide with panic.
"Hey guys, d-did you hear?!"
He held a scroll in one hand.
"What? Who are you?"
One of the girls seated at the front asked.
But the boy ignored her. He unrolled the scroll and held it up for everyone to see.
Leon's eyes lit up the moment he saw it.
Clenching his jaw, he struggled to hold back a grin.
On the scroll was written a single line:
[Tonight at exactly 10:00 PM, we'll dispose of the demon hiding inside Eclipse]
[Twilight Order]
But no matter how hard he tried, Leon just couldn't control the grin that appeared on his face.
Hiding his mouth with his palm, he allowed himself a moment.
'She finally made her move,' he thought.
Then, he turned his head to the left, toward Ethan.
Ethan's eyes widened as he read the lines.
'Now, it's your turn to fulfill your role.'