Summer vacation was gradually drawing to a close.

In a few days, school would reopen, and the research project was finally coming to an end.

Gracie left to prepare for an academic presentation, while Rudy and Kuhn remained in the lab to finish up.

"How did you manage to do all this?"

Kuhn exclaimed in astonishment.

Despite joining the research in its final stages, Kuhn's face was marked with fatigue.

He had stepped in on the day Luna had to leave the project.

Yet, there wasn't much left for him to do.

He had planned to take over Luna's tasks, but she had already completed everything, leaving nothing for him to do.

His role was limited to assisting Rudy and Gracie.

However, even this assistant role was not easy.

There was much to learn, and as a first-year student, he felt he was not up to par.

Nonetheless, he did his best to help Rudy.

As the research progressed, Kuhn couldn't help but be impressed.

There were nights they had to work through and times they barely had time to eat.

Yet, the hardships he endured seemed trivial.

Gracie and Rudy had put in far more effort than he had.

Kuhn was taken aback by their dedication.

It was almost unbelievable.

"Isn't it kind of fun? It's exhausting, but there's a sense of achievement too,"

"It seems to be more than just a bit tiring, though."

In truth, the research was largely completed by Gracie and Rudy.

Of course, Luna's contribution was significant as well.

Still, the success of the project was mainly due to the efforts of Rudy and Gracie.

Kuhn could only express his admiration for Rudy.

This was a different kind of respect than he had for Rudy as the student council president.

What level of ability did Rudy possess?

It was not just about talent.

Often, when faced with such hard work, one might desire to play or take a break.

But Rudy didn't.

He faced the hardships head-on.

If there was a deadlock or a challenge, he confronted it directly without compromise.

This was no easy task.

There were times he wanted to give up or avoid the situation.

Facing tasks head-on is painful.

Continuing to lead the work could be time-consuming and require an unknown amount of effort.

Yet, Rudy pressed forward.

All Kuhn could do was admire him.

He began to understand why the professors and seniors were interested in Rudy.

Rudy came over to Kuhn and patted him on the back.

"Well, it's all over now. You've worked hard too, Kuhn."

"Oh, no. It was all you and Professor Gracie."

"What do you mean? It's thanks to you, Yuni, Luna, and everyone else involved that we made it to the end."

Rudy said with a warm smile.

Talent, effort, character.

What does Rudy lack?

As Kuhn was deeply moved by Rudy's image...

'I should maintain a good image, so I can continue to make use of him...'

Rudy sighed internally.

Bringing in Kuhn was a good move, but honestly, he wasn't very useful.

What help could he expect from a first-year student?

Especially one who joined in the middle of the research, his usefulness was even less.

In fact, Rudy had more trouble teaching Kuhn various things.

Yet, Rudy managed a smile.

Having taught him this much, he planned to make use of Kuhn later.

"Let's just tidy up and then go rest."

"Understood."

Kuhn, touched, began to diligently clean up the lab.

As they were about to finish...

"Oh, you're still here."

Yuni had arrived at the lab.

"Yuni, did the presentation go well?"

"Yes, Professor Gracie was surprisingly good at presenting."

Yuni had gone to the academic presentation with Professor Gracie, having been part of the research since its early days.

"Uh... Ah..."

A strange noise came from behind Yuni.

It was Gracie, looking almost like an undead.

How she managed to present in that state was a mystery...

It was fortunate that the academic presentation was held at the academy.

Had it been in the capital or another city, Gracie might have collapsed.

Gracie entered the lab, looking exhausted but smiling with relief that it was over.

Yuni, after watching Gracie for a moment, clapped her hands as if struck by an idea.

"Ah, now that the presentation is over and school is about to start again..."

She smiled.

"Shall we have a party?"

"Professor Cromwell, won't you come along?"

"I'm buried in work... It's impossible to find even a moment."

"In that case"

Astina, having heard from Rudy about the party in Gracie's lab, asked Professor Cromwell to at least make a brief appearance.

However, Cromwell shook his head, too busy with preparations for the upcoming joint assessment.

"Well, then I'll head off."

"Thanks for your help."

After receiving Cromwell's gratitude, Astina made her way to Gracie's lab.

"Do you have any idea how tough it was!"

"Riku! Slow down with your eating!"

"Mmmph!"

Even before she reached Gracie's lab, Astina could hear the bustling noise from inside.

She entered with a smirk.

Inside, many people were enjoying themselves.

Riku, Ena, and Luna were playfully eating, while Gracie, beside them, was drinking and causing mischief.

Kuhn and Emily were quietly enjoying snacks, and other students were present too.

"Oh, Astina, you're here?"

Rudy approached Astina with a greeting.

"Everyone seems to be having fun."

"Yes, with the start of the term right around the corner, we're making the most of the last days of the holiday."

As Rudy approached Astina, Rie also came closer, causing Astina to give her a sharp look.

"Sticking to him like glue, aren't you?"

Rie retorted to Astina's comment.

"What's it to you! It's natural after not seeing each other for a while!!"

"Ahaha"

Rudy chuckled awkwardly at the exchange between Rie and Astina.

"Professor Cromwell isn't coming?"

"He's busy with the joint assessment preparations."

"By the way, I heard you've been helping with the preparations too, Astina"

"It's not exactly helping. More like learning magic and just lending a hand."

As Rudy and Astina talked, Rie's eyes narrowed.

She then pulled Rudy's arm towards her.

"Come here."

"Eh?"

As Rie led Rudy away, Astina laughed.

"So, you think you're at a disadvantage when playing fair?"

"What... What?"

Stunned by Astina's provocative tone, Rie's eyes widened.

"If not that, then why are you taking Rudy away?"

"Eek"

Rie, stopping in her tracks, stepped forward to confront Astina, their eyes meeting in a charged standoff.

In the midst of Astina and Rie's tense exchange...

"Rudy~"

"Huh?"

Someone quickly ran up and clung to Rudy's back.

"Hehe... nice..."

Luna's speech was slurred.

Startled, Rudy turned around to find Luna hugging his back and nuzzling her face against him.

Her face was adorably flushed.

"Luna?"

"What, what!"

"Hmm?"

The trio was surprised by Luna's behavior.

It was unusual for Luna to embrace Rudy in such a crowded place.

She wasn't one for such spontaneous actions.

Sensing something wrong, Rudy gently pushed Luna's shoulders back, creating some space between them.

"Uh... Rudy..."

Luna, with half-lidded eyes, reached out, trying to embrace Rudy again.

When Rudy leaned down to her level, he could slightly smell alcohol.

"Luna, have you been drinking?"

"Hehe... just a bit?"

Luna replied with a goofy smile.

Rudy quickly turned to look at Gracie, the only one drinking there.

Gracie was in a mess, encouraging the students to drink in her slurred speech.

"Drink, drink! It's not like you can drink outside of here!"

But it seemed Luna was the only one affected.

"Ahaha... Professor, maybe you should go in..."

Ena was doing her best to restrain Professor Gracie, probably to prevent further incidents after seeing Luna's drunken state.

As Rudy moved to intervene,

"Rudy~"

Luna attempted to hug Rudy again.

"Luna!"

"Stop her..."

Rie and Astina quickly grabbed Luna.

Rudy sighed, watching the scene unfold.

Some time passed, and the party came to an end.

Astina, due to the overly noisy and chaotic scene, decided not to clean up immediately and sent everyone to their rooms.

Luna was taken to her room by Ena and Riku, while Astina herself took care of Gracie, putting her in her room.

Astina briefly left Gracie in the professor's dormitory and returned to the lab.

"Ended up taking care of everyone instead of enjoying the food."

Astina sighed, regretting not being able to enjoy the party from the start.

"It's my fault for arriving late..."

She smacked her lips in disappointment and headed back to the lab.

"Better clean up now to spare the kids the trouble tomorrow."

Although Astina hadn't stayed long at the party, she intended to tidy up Gracie's lab for the sake of the others, knowing how hard Rudy, Rie, and Luna had been working lately.

Astina was reminded of her own second year, when she had worked tirelessly.

Even after meeting Rudy, she had devoted herself to her studies in magic, academics, and student council duties.

She was aware of their pain and effort, more than anyone else.

With a faint smile, Astina opened the door to the lab.

"Hmm?"

Upon entering, she saw Rudy sitting in a chair, actually dozing off.

Astina had told him to go back to his room.

"Haah... I told you to just go back."

Despite sighing, a smile formed on her lips, noticing a broom and towels next to him.

It seemed he had tried to clean but was too exhausted and fell asleep.

Astina could easily guess what had happened.

"You must be tired from all the research. And to think you even tried to clean up."

She quietly approached Rudy, crouching down to his level.

He looked peacefully asleep, like a child.

"Pfft."

Amused by this unusual sight of Rudy, Astina chuckled softly.

he playfully poked his cheek with her finger.

"I hope everything works out well."

Her words were for herself as much as for Rudy's future.

"I'll do my best, so you do your best too."

Astina said, smiling.

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