Chapter 6: “An Unexpected Apology and a Strange New Connection”

“Eat Well… And Here’s My Contact”

“…Eat a lot, okay? Hehe.”

“Yes, you too, Professor…”

A few hours later, Sion and Professor Lunia found themselves at an upscale restaurant near the academy. It was a quiet place where few students ever ventured—naturally, it was Lunia who had suggested it.

“Thank you so much for today… No one has ever taken the time to explain things to me like you did…”

“That’s not surprising. Students don’t usually speak openly to professors.”

Lunia blinked, her expression as if question marks were floating above her head. Sion had seen that look so many times today, it no longer fazed him.

“What? But students can leave evaluations after class…”

“No one takes those seriously. Most students think they’re a waste of time or that nothing will change even if they write honest feedback. Some are even scared of retaliation.”

“I… see…”

Lunia began stabbing her spaghetti with her fork, a forlorn expression on her face. For her, this must have felt like her entire worldview was being upended. Of course, Sion doubted his words would create any dramatic change. A person doesn’t unlearn a lifetime of habits overnight.

“So… Professor, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

“…You know it’s rude to ask a lady her age, right?”

“Oh, my apologies.”

“No, no, it’s fine… I’m just joking. Let’s see… I turned 190 this year.”

“…Wait, what?”

“Did you… not find my joke funny?”

Sion was momentarily speechless. He ended up having a serious discussion with Lunia about “how to tell jokes effectively as a professor.” By the time they were done, he couldn’t remember if he’d eaten his meal or just inhaled it.

Another hour passed.

“It’s already nighttime… I’m so sorry! You mentioned you had urgent plans…”

“Well, it’s fine. If this was helpful for you, Professor, then that’s what matters.”

“Thank you, Sion…”

Lunia’s eyes began to shimmer with tears.

For a 190-year-old elf, her childlike vulnerability was almost unsettling. Sion couldn’t help but wonder how she had managed to live this long.

“I’ll see you in class next week. I’d better get going now.”

“Ah, wait…”

Just as Sion turned to leave, Lunia grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. She hesitated for a moment before pulling something out of her pocket.

“Here… take this.”

“…What’s this?”

“Whaaat? You don’t know? All academy students should have one…”

What she handed him was a professor’s ID card. It bore Lunia’s name, department, and photo.

But why was she handing it to him?

Before he could ask, the ID card began to transform.

“Wait, is this…?”

“A smartphone…?” Sion asked, bewildered.

“No, no… It’s an original spell… called ‘Phone Magic.’ The former headmaster created it…”

“…Phone Magic?”

The card morphed into a bulky, smartphone-like device. One side displayed a digital screen, complete with the academy’s logo. Sion stared at it, dumbfounded.

“Could I… see your student ID for a moment?”

“Sure.”

Sion handed over his ID, which he had kept in his wallet. Lunia inspected it closely.

“Hmm, it’s not registered yet. Try infusing some mana into it.”

“Mana, huh…”

Sion examined his ID, unsure of how to proceed. How exactly does one “infuse mana”?

‘Focus… think about the feeling from before.’

Recalling his previous success with the Fire spell, Sion focused. He remembered the sensation of mana coursing through his body, like blood in his veins. He visualized it traveling from his chest, through his arm, and into his hand.

Fwoosh!

‘It worked!’

Fire ignited in his hand. For the first time, Sion had successfully cast a spell without an incantation. The thrill of success brought a grin to his face.

“…Why are you setting things on fire?”

“Oh! Right!”

Sion realized too late that his student ID was on fire. Panicking, he quickly waved his hand to extinguish the flames.

Fortunately, the ID seemed undamaged.

“Don’t worry… unless it’s 3rd-circle magic or higher, these won’t even get a scratch.”

“…Isn’t that a bit overkill?”

“Well, the former headmaster was amazing. I’ve never met them myself, but… oh, it’s done.”

A soft hum signaled the transformation of Sion’s student ID. It now resembled Lunia’s device, complete with a sleek display and solid weight.

‘Whoever this headmaster was… they must’ve been someone like me. No way they weren’t.’

Not only had this person founded the academy, but they had also created something as blatantly modern as “Phone Magic.” Sion didn’t have proof, but he was convinced.

“Now, let me show you how to set it up…”

“Thank you.”

With Lunia’s guidance, Sion quickly familiarized himself with the device.

This “phone,” or “student ID,” resembled a smartphone but had its own quirks. It worked only within the academy’s vicinity and functioned more like an intranet than a public internet.

Its main features included contacts, calls, messaging, a community forum, and a calendar. The community feature was particularly popular among students and professors, allowing them to share information and discussions—much like Ex**Time from his previous life.

“All set now…”

“Thanks, Professor.”

Lunia handed the device back to him. Sion glanced at the screen and froze.

[Contacts]
[Total: 1]
[Lunia Yggdrasil]
[Details]
Name: Lunia Yggdrasil
Contact: xxx-xxxx-xxxx

“…What’s this?”

“Oh! I added my contact info to your phone! Don’t worry—I saved yours in mine too, hehe.”

“Unexpected Encounters”

“…Ah… I see.”

Sion felt a chill run down his spine.

Not only had Lunia entered her contact information into Sion’s phone, but she had also taken his contact information for herself.

This meant that even if Sion didn’t initiate contact, Lunia could easily reach out to him first.

While Sion grappled with this unsettling realization, Lunia cheerfully saw him off with a bright smile.

“Make sure you get back safely, S-Sion! Hehe.”

“Ah, I’ll be heading off now. Take care on your way back, Professor.”

“Don’t worry about me… I’m more concerned about you, Sion. Should I escort you back to your dorm?”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary! Thank you for your concern!”

Sion quickly bowed his head and hurried off toward the dormitory.

Thankfully, the restaurant was a place frequented more by nobles than students, so the chances of someone recognizing him were slim. However, being escorted to the dormitory by a professor could spread some truly strange rumors across the academy.

‘It’s really dark out… Good thing there are streetlights.’

The academy was dotted with lampposts that emitted a permanent glow using light-based magic. Using them as his guideposts, Sion made his way slowly back to the dorm.

“…Sion…”

Back at the restaurant, Professor Lunia stood by the entrance, gazing intently at Sion’s retreating figure.

She continued watching until his silhouette had faded into a tiny dot on the horizon.

The next morning.

Wednesday meant more classes, so Sion and Patrick bustled around preparing to leave.

Fortunately, today’s schedule didn’t involve another trek into the mountains.

“So, what happened yesterday?”

“I told you, it was nothing. Stop being so persistent…”

“The more evasive you are, the more suspicious you seem.”

“Ugh…”

Patrick kept peppering Sion with playful questions, his grin as sly as ever.

Sion decided to keep everything that had happened yesterday a secret. He gave a vague explanation, saying, “We just talked a bit about spirit contracts.”

But Patrick didn’t look convinced.

It didn’t help that Sion had returned to the dorm much later than usual the night before.

Sion stubbornly ignored Patrick’s inquisitive gaze.

“You’re not sitting in the front row again today, are you?”

“Why not? It’s the best spot.”

“…Fine, do whatever you want.”

And so, just like during Professor Rhonda Magrette’s class, Sion and Patrick took seats in the front row.

Looking around, Sion noticed that many students had already taken their seats.

‘…It feels like we’re kind of out of place here.’

It dawned on him that there weren’t many students seated near them.

With only about 20 first-year students in the magic department, it was easy to spot small cliques already forming just four days into the academy’s semester.

‘Especially Estroza. She’s insanely popular.’

Toward the center back of the classroom, a tightly knit group of nearly ten students surrounded Estroza Farewell.

“Yesterday’s class was horrible, wasn’t it? Don’t you think so, Estroza?”

“I wouldn’t call it horrible. I’m sure the professor had her reasons.”

“Ah, my apologies!”

“As expected of Estroza! You’re so kind!”

There was no doubt—Estroza was the heart of the group.

Whenever she spoke, the others reacted with admiration and excitement.

‘With that kind of charisma, she could easily become the class representative or even the student council president.’

“What are you looking around for?”

“Nothing, just… doesn’t it feel like we’re kind of isolated?”

“Why bring it up now? And honestly, between us, here’s the deal…”

“Hm?”

Patrick leaned in to whisper.

“Barons and commoners don’t mix with that crowd. It’s all about status. Don’t take it personally.”

“…Right.”

“If you’re really set on it, there’s the department’s welcome party on Friday. You might get a chance to mingle, but…”

Patrick shrugged, leaving the thought unfinished.

Sure, they could flatter the nobles and try to squeeze into their circle, but would it really be worth the effort?

‘At least Patrick’s around. I should be grateful for that.’

Unlike in his previous life, where he had no one to rely on in university, Sion felt fortunate to have someone like Patrick by his side.

With the Magic Compendium and his unique abilities, Sion had developed a genuine interest in magic. For now, he focused on learning and honing his skills as his primary goal.

As Sion strengthened his resolve, someone interrupted his thoughts.

“Excuse me, you’re Sion, right?”

“…You’re from yesterday…”

Standing in front of him was a golden-haired boy with a bright, handsome face.

It was Geivolg Rodenburg, the second-ranked freshman in the magic department.

‘So, this guy’s here to mess with me again, huh…?’

Sion’s expression immediately stiffened.

He remembered yesterday’s debacle all too well. If it weren’t for the spirit contract, he would have been thoroughly humiliated in front of the class.

‘Not this time.’

Crossing his arms, Sion decided to wait and see what Geivolg was up to this time.

Whatever it was, Sion wasn’t interested in getting along with someone who had already embarrassed him once.

If push came to shove, he was ready to unleash a Fire spell—or perhaps call on the spirit resting in his pocket.

Just as Sion braced himself for whatever was to come, Geivolg surprised him.

“My apologies for yesterday, Sion.”

Geivolg bowed deeply, his back forming a perfect 90-degree angle.

It was a textbook apology.

“…What?”

“After thinking it over in my dorm last night, I realized I was the one disrupting class. You must’ve been focused on forming your spirit contract, right?”

Before Sion could fully process what was happening, Geivolg extended his hand.

“I was out of line yesterday. Please accept my apology.”

“…?”

With a cheerful smile, Geivolg offered his hand for a handshake.

As Sion stared into his earnest eyes and took in the perfectly respectful bow, only one thought ran through his mind:

‘What is with this guy?’