Book 1 Chapter 105

【105】104.

The day after the final exams ended.

Rumerne immediately entered summer vacation.

Of course, not all students gathered.

The vacation ceremony was held under the guidance of each student's assigned professor.

And the students of Class 5 were all looking at Hallinde, who stood in front of the classroom, with tense faces.

This was because the grades were announced during the vacation ceremony.

Professor Hallinde looked at the students and said in his characteristic dry voice.

"Alright, then, I will now announce the grades you've been waiting for."

At that, the atmosphere in the class became gloomy.

Grade announcement.

Everyone had survived the mid-term exams, but there was no guarantee they would survive the final exams.

"Before that, those in our class recommended to withdraw are…"

Hallinde, who had swept his gaze across the nervous students, curled the corners of his lips and said.

"None."

"Yes!"

"Oooohhhhhhhhh!"

"We surviveddddd!"

The lower-ranked students, who had been anxiously waiting for the announcement, sprang to their feet and cheered.

Seeing that, Hallinde said.

"You lot who just screamed. Go to the back immediately, put your heads down, and stay down."

The faces of the screaming students turned pale.

The students put their heads down and whined.

"Sena, hand out the report cards to the students."

"Yes."

Sena smiled and distributed the printouts to the students.

The students nervously checked their individual grades.

"Well, this time the magic department rank slipped to 3rd. Is that to be expected?"

Chelsea said, scratching her head.

As the inter-department competition, which was to replace the final practical exam, was suspended due to an accident, the written exam carried more weight in this final exam, unlike the mid-term.

As a result, Chloe and Abad were overwhelmingly advantaged in the written exam.

"Leo Oppa, what's your rank in the magic department?"

"8th."

"That's high."

Leo was not yet familiar with modern magic theory, so his written scores were not high.

Of course, 8th place was still an excellent result.

Leo also ranked within the top 10 in all other written exams.

Of course, his practical exam score was 1st.

"Overall score is 1st. Still the grade representative in the second semester."

"Congratulations! Leo Oppa!"

"The class representative is also the grade representative again? Well, considering his performance back then, it's only natural."

It was while the Class 5 students were discussing their grades.

Thud!

The classroom front door opened, and Professor Sedgen entered.

"Hahahaha! Hallinde! You saw the class rankings, didn't you! Our elegant Class 1 is first again this time! Class 5 is second! Hahahahahaha! In the end, Class 1 won the first semester! Hahahaha!"

Sedgen, who harbored a strong sense of rivalry with Hallinde, had rushed over after seeing the class rankings.

Of course, all of Class 5 just let it be.

This was because Professor Sedgen acting like this was nothing new.

Hallinde, as usual, simply ignored him cleanly and continued to deliver announcements to the students.

'At first, I was annoyed, but now he just looks pathetic.'

'Poor Professor Sedgen.'

Amidst the sympathetic glances from Class 5, Leo raised his hand.

"Professor Sedgen. Then please buy us something delicious."

At that, Sedgen frowned.

"I won, so why should I buy food?"

"Isn't it customary for the winner to show generosity to the loser?"

"Hmm! That's not wrong! Alright! I will show my generosity and get drinks for the students of Class 5…"

"I heard earlier that Class 1 is going to the most luxurious restaurant in Rumeria City for their after-party, so please take our class too."

"Oh! As expected of Professor Sedgen. He's so generous."

"Truly worthy of the homeroom professor of the best class in first year!"

The Class 5 students quickly caught on and began their operation to fleece Sedgen.

'Hmph, contemptible lot. Do you think I'd fall for such a petty trick?'

Of course, Sedgen wore a scornful expression.

At that moment, Sena poked Hallinde's side.

Hallinde looked annoyed, but when the earnest gazes of his students gathered, he sighed and said.

"Sedgen. Your leadership skills seem excellent."

"What did you say, Hallinde?"

"I said your leadership skills are excellent?"

"Hahahaha!"

Sedgen, whose mood was at its peak, burst into hearty laughter.

He knew well that his old colleague was not one to say such things idly.

Of course, Hallinde's words were empty flattery.

"What the heck! Alright! I'll take Class 5 to the after-party too!"

"Waaahhh!"

Class 5 cheered loudly.

Sedgen, in a good mood, chuckled and returned to Class 1.

"When will that guy ever grow up?"

"Doesn't that just mean he acknowledges Professor Hallinde that much?"

As Sena said with a laugh, Hallinde looked at his students with icy eyes.

"Are you using me to fill your own bellies?"

At that, all of Class 5 flinched.

Hallinde, who had been glaring at Class 5 with narrowed eyes, let out a snort.

"Eat with the determination to bankrupt that guy."

"Yes, sir!"

"Don't worry! Professor Hallinde!"

The entire class's atmosphere brightened.

Watching the students, Hallinde continued with the announcements.

"As you can see from the home guidance notice on your report card, your assigned professors will be making home visits during the semester. The schedule is written in the notice. So, please be at home accordingly. If something comes up, please notify the school in advance via communication magic."

"Yes, sir."

"And I don't think there are any idiots in our class who would cause trouble or bring shame to the school's name during the vacation period… but for anyone who does cause trouble, look forward to the first day of the second semester. Lastly."

Hallinde lightly snapped his fingers.

Thud-!

Several heavy books fell onto the desks of all Class 5 students.

The faces of all the students stiffened.

"That's your vacation homework."

"A-all of this?"

Illiana asked with a disgusted look.

"You don't have to do it. That is, if you're confident in handling the consequences."

The students made tearful faces, looking at Hallinde, who wore a dry smile.

"This concludes the vacation ceremony. Everyone worked hard during the first semester."

Rumerne's brief vacation ceremony came to an end.

***

After a pleasant after-party, as evening approached.

"It's almost time for the Warp Gate."

Kal expressed regret in front of the Warp Gate.

The Warp Gate had different entrances for each region.

"Phew! It really was a semester full of talk and trouble!"

Tade said, stretching widely.

"Still, it's something that everyone survived, isn't it? I thought Kal was definitely in danger this time."

Illiana giggled.

"Anyway, everyone, have a fun vacation. Don't forget your homework."

Nella said with a smile, admonishing them.

"See you in the second semester then! And write letters!"

Chelsea waved to Nella.

After seeing off his friends, Leo looked at the scenery of Lake Rumeria with the sun setting through the Warp Gate.

"It was a hectic semester."

"Yeah. But it was fun!"

Chelsea, who was from the same region and walking with Leo, giggled and said.

"You'll be at home during the vacation, right, Leo Oppa?"

"Yes."

"Can I come over and visit?"

"Visiting is fine, but I don't know how my mother will react?"

"Huh? Leo Oppa's mother… Ah!"

Chelsea exclaimed.

She remembered that Leo's maternal family was the Zerdinger family.

"But won't she dote on me? I'm cute, after all."

"Aren't you embarrassed to say that with your own mouth?"

"It's the truth, so what!"

Leo chuckled at Chelsea, who spoke confidently, and headed towards the Warp Gate.

Celia and Abad were waiting in front of it.

"You're finally here."

Celia swept back her hair.

"All the Imperial students are waiting. You're the last one, Chelsea."

"Oh. Sorry."

Chelsea ran over to Abad's side.

Celia looked at Leo and said.

"I think you could stop by our house first."

"Still, I should go to my house first."

"True."

Celia, with a look of disappointment, smiled.

"Then I'll visit you in a few days."

"Alright."

As cousins, Celia could come to the Flobe family anytime she wished.

Abad smiled at Leo.

"Have a good vacation."

"You too, Abad."

The three exchanged greetings and headed to the Rodlen Empire's Warp Gate.

Leo boarded the Warp Gate bound for the Delard Kingdom alone.

'It's been a long time since I went home.'

After parting with his friends, the reality of vacation finally set in.

-Announcement. To all guests heading to the Delard Kingdom. Please board the Warp Gate immediately.

'I'll probably be able to encounter Hero Records more in the second semester.'

While anticipating the second semester, the Warp Gate activated.

Flash-!

Leo, who arrived in Delan, the capital of the Delard Kingdom, immediately exited the Warp Gate.

And in front of the Warp Gate, a large crowd was waiting.

"Woohoo!"

"It's Lord Leo Flobe!"

"Rumerne's first-year representative!"

"The future of the Delard Kingdom!"

Leo wore a grim expression, looking at those cheering in front of the Warp Gate.

'No, I expected it, but… this is too much, isn't it?'

The Delard Kingdom was a small, frontier nation.

It was a country where it was a great feat for even one talented person to be admitted to Rumerne.

But Leo was an unprecedented all-class, and he even claimed the title of Rumerne's grade representative.

Furthermore, he gained fame from the inter-department competition incident.

Considering that there had never been a single hero in the history of the Delard Kingdom, it was truly an inspiring event for the kingdom.

Leo sighed, found the Flobe family carriage, and headed towards it.

Then, people from other families crowded around, handing him party invitations.

"Young Master Leo! Marquis Zelma invites Young Master Leo to a dinner banquet…!"

"I'm from the House of Duke Dorben! The Duchess absolutely wants to invite Young Master Leo!"

"I'm sorry. I want to go home and rest."

Leo refused the invitations and barely managed to get into the carriage.

'Should I be thankful that no invitation came from the royal family?'

Because a royal invitation would be difficult to refuse.

As Leo got into the carriage and sighed, he heard a chuckle.

"You're thinking it's a good thing no one from the royal family came, aren't you?"

"How have you been, Mother?"

"Oh, you! To speak so stiffly to your mother whom you haven't seen in a long time!"

Reina, who was already in the carriage, gently pinched Leo's nose.

Leo burst out laughing and rubbed his nose.

"By the way, I thought someone from the royal family would have come, but they didn't?"

"This mother asked Jiss to send a letter to the King."

"I'll have to thank Uncle Jiss then."

"Yes. Be sure to tell him next time."

Reina smiled sweetly and hugged Leo tightly.

"Anyway, welcome home, Leo."

Leo chuckled wryly, looking at Reina, who was hugging him and smiling happily.

Come to think of it, this was the first time in this life he had been separated from his parents like this.

"I'm home, Mom."

The carriage departed for the Flobe family estate.

Leo's vacation officially began.