Startled by Albi's sudden appearance, the students looked perplexed as Toula, who had just stepped off the carpet, greeted him politely.
"Hello, Professor Albi."
"What are you doing?"
"The adorable juniors were entertaining me, their sky-like senior."
'You were using us to run errands!'
The first-year students cried out in their minds.
Of course, no one had the courage to say it out loud.
Albi, with his expressionless face, glanced at the messy practice area and waved his hand once.
The magic that spread from his fingertips, under Toula's command, instantly restored the practice area to its original state.
The students looked amazed.
'Time Reversal Magic!'
It's a high-level magic that reverses the time of objects, a concept that involves temporal infringement.
To use it without even a verbal incantation.
"Everyone, gather."
At Albi's words, the first-year students quickly gathered.
Toula, who had been sitting under the parasol that Karl handed her, ran over.
"Just a moment. Professor Albi, you're going to give a lecture?"
"Is there a problem? Toula Yan."
"There isn't, but you never gave us a special lecture even when we, including me, requested it many times!"
Albi is a wizard who can handle fairy magic in a human body.
He is a rare wizard, almost unique among humans.
That's why every student in the magic department wanted to hear Albi's lectures.
Toula had been consistently suggesting Albi's lectures since her first year, even requesting special lectures.
When he refused, she would often visit the magic department office and was sometimes chased away.
After becoming the vice president of the student council, she even tried to use her power but ended up being disciplined.
Now, he was going to give a lecture to the first-year students.
"I was busy."
With those short words, Toula clenched her fists.
At that moment, Professor Ren and Assistant Professor Anna entered the magic practice area.
"Senior, you're here."
Ren greeted Albi respectfully.
Seeing this, the students felt anew the status of Albi.
Despite his youth, Ren was a wizard with tremendous influence not only in the Lumern Magic Department but also in the entire magic community.
Though he was only interested in magic research and not registered in the Hero Record, he was a formidable wizard, on par with frontline combat mages.
"Everyone, pay attention! Professor Albi is someone I've specially invited for you first-year students! Please give him a warm welcome!"
At Ren's call, the first-year students burst into applause.
"Toula, why are you sitting among the first-year students and clapping? Come forward. You're here to assist in this class."
"Hey, I'm a first-year student too. I want to hear Professor Albi's special lecture."
"Anna, Assistant Professor, take her out immediately."
Ren said this as if he had expected it, and Anna approached Toula as if it were routine.
"Toula, come on."
"No! I want to listen! I want to hear Professor Albi's lecture!"
Despite her struggles, Toula was eventually pulled forward by Anna.
Ignoring Toula's pouting face, Ren continued.
"The reason I've specially invited Senior Albi today is for magic combat."
At this, the students looked at each other and murmured.
"The event in the departmental competition is a battle royale. In simple terms, it's a survival battle. And mages are the most disadvantaged class in such a field."
The students in the magic department nodded in agreement with Professor Ren.
Indeed, unless they were battle mages like Chelsea, mages were at a disadvantage in one-on-one battles with other classes.
"Senior Albi has crossed countless battle lines alone. In my knowledge, no one is better than him in magic combat. His advice will be a great help to you as you prepare for the departmental competition!"
The students clapped in admiration at Ren's words.
"Being able to hear Professor Albi's lecture is a stroke of luck, no matter what."
Karl chuckled, and Chloe nodded.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."
"Toula, as a dungeon raider who is active on the front lines, will not hold back in giving you advice."
The first-year students' eyes sparkled.
In a sense, from today, they were in for a luxurious practical session.
As Ren stepped back, Albi moved forward.
"What do you think is the most important thing in magic combat?"
At Albi's question, the students raised their hands one after another.
They wanted to make a good impression on Albi, a hero and a member of the renowned Jeron family.
"Over there, answer."
"Emio Rucan from Class 2!"
Emio Rucan, who had ranked third in the magic department's midterm exams, stood up.
"The most important thing for a mage is magic power!"
"Wrong. Next. Over there."
"Uh?"
Emio, who had enthusiastically shouted, was taken aback as Chelsea answered this time.
"Speed of incantation!"
"Wrong. Next."
The students announced what they considered important.
But it seemed none of them matched Albi's answer, as no one got it right.
As all answers were marked wrong, the first-year students eventually stopped raising their hands and looked at each other nervously.
Then, Toula raised her hand abruptly.
"Me!"
"Sit down!"
Of course, she was forced to lower her hand by Professor Ren.
When no one could answer, Leo raised his hand.
"Answer, Leo Flaubert."
"Mobility."
"Correct."
"Tch. I raised my hand first."
"Don't compete with the first-year students! You're here to teach today!"
As Toula grumbled, Ren rubbed his forehead.
To the charismatic young teacher Ren, Toula was a troublesome student.
"Professor, I don't understand! Of course, mobility is important, but I don't think it's the most crucial element in magic combat! Besides, hasn't the issue of mobility in magic been overcome?"
'Am I going to be outdone by someone not even in the magic department?'
Emio stepped forward, indignant.
"Are you talking about Wing Magic?"
"Yes!"
Wing Magic.
A levitation magic invented ten years ago.
Compared to the long-used Fly Magic, it is much easier to learn and allows for faster movement, making it a superior version of the magic.
Its biggest feature is the ability to grant flight to objects.
While the versatile Fly Magic can also grant flight to objects to enhance its effects, it is less efficient compared to Wing Magic.
Wing Magic has been highly regarded as a magic that significantly overcame the relative weakness of mages in terms of mobility.
Albi nodded at Emio's words.
"What's your name?"
"Emio Ruce."
"Emio Ruce, come forward."
Emio stepped forward, looking puzzled.
"Is there anyone among you who doesn't have a Wing Magic-specific magical tool?"
At this question, the students looked bewildered.
Wing Magic is considered essential for modern mages.
Thus, a Wing Magic-specific magical tool for flying is a must-have.
While it's not a required item for the department, it is a necessary tool due to its frequent use.
It would be absurd for a magic department student not to have one.
However, contrary to the students' expectations, two students raised their hands.
Leo and Chloe.
Chloe looked slightly embarrassed, while Leo was confident.
"Leo Flaubert, come forward."
As Leo stepped forward, Emio showed hostility.
'Did I do something wrong in my school life?'
Seeing this, Leo inwardly laughed.
"You two will start an aerial battle now."
Albi pointed to the top of the Hero's Tower, which was visible in the distance.
"The one who reaches the target point first and returns wins. Leo Flaubert, use this."
Albi took out a broom from a subspace.
"Why a broom?"
"It's a magical tool I often use."
Albi answered calmly, looking at Leo, who asked in disbelief.
The students looked at Leo enviously.
Though it looked ordinary, it must be a remarkable magical tool since Albi used it.
The students, who had been looking at Leo enviously, now looked puzzled.
'But why a competition to emphasize the importance of aerial mobility?'
However, a few students' expressions changed when they saw the broom.
"That's ridiculous. It's too unfair!"
"Why?"
"That's not an aerial magical tool! It's just a broom for cleaning!"
"What?"
"How interesting."
Toula smiled, and Anna sighed.
"It's interesting, but will it be a fair competition?"
Leo and Emio stood at the starting line.
Anna raised her hand.
"Are both students ready?"
They nodded, and Anna lowered her hand.
"Go!"
"Wing, become my limbs!"
Emio, who had quickly completed his incantation, mounted a board-like magical tool and accelerated instantly.
'I don't know what magical tool Professor Albi gave Leo, but I have the best of the best! Plus, I practice Wing Magic every day!'
Emio curled his lips.
'Leo has never come to practice! This match is mine!'
As Emio rode the wind, confident of his victory, something happened.
Whoosh!
"โฆ!"
Suddenly, something caught up to him at an incredible speed.
"What?"
It was none other than Leo.
"Sorry, I'm going first!"
"You brat! Do you think I'll let you go ahead?"
Emio's eyes flared, and he took out his wand.
Crack!
"Lightning Bolt!"
Leo quickly changed direction to avoid the magic coming from behind.
"What? Why are you attacking?"
"This isn't a race; it's an aerial battle! Attacking the opponent is allowed!"