For the research and assistant scholars of the Eclipse Institute, it was mandatory to complete at least one research paper every year.

They don't usually force it upon students, but it was an unwritten rule. If they wanted to earn credit points, they had to complete at least one research per semester and not every year.

That was how tough the competition was in Eclipse. Basically, alongside students, it was a competition ground for both professors as well as students.

Each professor selected excellent talent either during the ongoing academy session or before the session began to give a referral for admission under their name.

And that was how Leon got into Eclipse under Headmaster Raizen.

Now, sitting on her chair behind her desk, Professor Esther pushed a paper toward the boy sitting in front of her as she smiled politely in hope for a response.

Just by looking at her smiling face, Leon already guessed what she wanted. He adjusted his glasses and held the paper to check its content.

[Scholar Transfer Recommendation]

[Signed by Raizen Nightson (Headmaster)]

Leon inwardly sighed before acting as if he didn't understand.

"What's this?"

Esther rested her arm on the table and leaned her chin on her hand before answering.

"You will be working under me for the first semester. I already got the headmaster's permission."

According to her, the headmaster had some sudden urgent business to attend to, so he wouldn't be able to give Leon guidance for the entire semester.

Esther glanced at Leon and added,

"You have any questions?"

But Leon was already thinking of something else.

'For an entire semester?'

That wasn't something he liked to hear.

If the headmaster was busy enough to temporarily hand over his scholar for an entire semester, then there must be something really urgent.

Leon racked his brain and thought back on the events that had occurred so far.

'Is he busy because of Eclipse or something else…?'

Leon knew that Raizen still made occasional contacts with the [Authorities], and that he was close friends with some of the top members there.

'Are they still after the Twilight Order?'

Leon recalled that the Twilight Order's downfall was still far away, and nothing had been done wrong from their end either.

'Or… maybe it's Ethan—'

"Mr. Valentine."

Esther raised her voice slightly.

"Yes, professor. I understand."

"You do, huh?"

Leon didn't say much. Holding the paper in one hand, he simply took note of the matter.

Esther pulled out a few sheets from the stack of papers and handed them to him.

"After your brief theory related to three-line incantation, I came up with my own theory," she said. Looking at him seriously, she added, "I have arranged a small group of scholars, and I want you to be a part of it. Understood?"

Raising his head away, Leon lowered the paper and leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing at her.

"Why me?"

Esther raised an eyebrow. "Because you're the one who started this."

Leon gave a short laugh without humor. "Started what?"

He wanted her to spell it out.

"The theory," Esther finally said. Her voice was calm but sharp underneath.

"You dropped this theory in my class like bait. You didn't just say it because you felt like sharing knowledge. You knew someone would bite. And you were right… I did. Because you still lack something to make it real research, and for this, you thought I could turn it into something big."

At her words, Leon didn't chuckle, nor did he grin. He just felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Esther was right. She absolutely nailed it.

Leon, or Haru, as the creator of the game, did know about three-line incantation, but he only had code-level knowledge, not actual magical or fantasy-style knowledge.

It was Esther who originally came up with this theory, and she was the one who crafted each syllable of every three-line spell.

Leon couldn't do it on his own now. He only remembered the spells used in the game, not how to create something new. If he wanted to learn that, he needed Esther's help to fully understand her concept and way of thinking.

That's what he thought that day when he proposed a three-line incantation theory in front of the whole first year.

By doing this, he achieved two things. First, recognition as the original proposer. And second, he would gain the attention of Esther Hall, the genius mage and researcher of the century, to make her go to the end of the world to get her hands on Leon.

And sitting in front of her, with the stack of contracts she gave him, he saw all his work paying off.

Esther rested her chin on her hand.

"You're clever, Leon…. But so am I. You want someone else to move the research while you keep your hands clean. But let's not pretend this isn't exactly what you wanted."

This time, Leon can't help but chuckle.

"Haha…" He snorted, "You sound confident. Exactly what made you think that's my original purpose?"

Leon knows her character too well; after all, he designed her based on a highly capable being who doesn't fear taking bold decisions.

One can say that he was designed based on Haru's personality.

She's stubborn as hell.

And from Esther's eyes, Leon was extraordinary. It was her first time meeting someone like him. Whose thought rivals even the top achievers.

Leon's mouth curved slightly.

"So what's in it for me?"

Esther didn't flinch, she was expecting this question.

"What do you want?"

Leon tilted his head and said slowly, "Credit, freedom, and I don't want to be treated like some assistant scribbling numbers in the background."

Esther's smile grew a little sharper.

"That's ambitious."

Leon didn't flinch.

"No, it's fair."

Then she leaned forward and said quietly, "Alright then, let me state mine too; you'll get your freedom. But you'll meet my deadlines. If this succeeds, your name goes beside mine."

'Fair deal.' Leon thought.

"Then we have a deal." He said.

After saying that, Leon signed the papers and made a semester-long deal with Esther.

Esther watched him sign the paper.

"I like students who understand what they're worth."

Leon placed the pen down.

"And I like professors who don't pretend they're doing me a favor."

Esther leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.

"I'll let you meet your peers after today's dinner in the club room. So, be prepared."

Leon raised an eyebrow.

"Peers?"

"Yes," Esther said casually. "The other scholars who'll be working on this project with you."

Leon tilted his head. "Who are they?"

Esther didn't answer immediately.

"Just like I handpicked you," she finally said. "There are three more. That's all you need to know for now."

Leon stared at her for a second.

She clearly had no intention of revealing anything more.

"Professor, you love keeping people in the dark, don't you?" Leon said flatly.

Esther lifted her chin slightly. "It keeps things interesting."

Leon exhaled through his nose, then stood up. "Fine. Then, I'll meet you after class, have a good day, professor."

Esther said, already turning her attention to the stack of documents on her desk. "Go back to your classes… And Leon..."

He stopped at the door and looked back at her.

"Don't disappoint me."

Leon adjusted his glasses, watching her for a moment.

"I wasn't planning to."

Then he walked out of the room.

— — —

Leon walked down the corridor toward Year-1 Class S, but his mind was focused on something else.

The Authorities must have approached the headmaster. And if even the headmaster is moving, then something's up…'

There's no doubt.

'..they have found some clue.'

Which was not at all problematic. Because the Twilight order knows how to handle it.

But even so, he has to inform Eula about this.

He thought. 'Now… how do I contact Yoru…'

"Leon Valentine. Skipping class, are we?"

A lively voice called out from behind him.

Leon stopped and turned.

Red hair, red eyes. There's no doubt who she was.

Seena, the president of the Disciplinary Committee, was walking toward him with another girl at her side.

And beside her, Yoru. Short, chestnut hair, flat expression.

She was one of the shadows of the Twilight Order working for Eula.

'Perfect!'

"Good to see you, Madam Seena," Leon greeted her.

His gaze shifted to the other girl. "And…you too, Miss."

"Lilly," Yoru said flatly, like a programmed robot.

Leon's eye twitched.

'At least pretend to be human.'

Seena stopped in front of him, hands behind her back, wearing that bright smile that somehow felt like both a greeting and a warning.

"I was planning to talk to you later," she said. "But lucky me. I found you here."

'No, lucky me.' Leon thought.

"Do you have a moment to spare?" Seena asked. Her tone sounded polite, but her eyes said otherwise.

Leon clicked his tongue lightly. He knows she's going to ask him to join the disciplinary committee.

"You're not really asking, are you?" Leon said.

"Of course not," she said with a grin.

Yoru stayed quiet, her eyes watching everything around them without blinking.

Leon adjusted his glasses.

"Fine," Leon said. "But please, make it quick."

Seena's grin didn't fade.

"Good. Come with me."

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