Book 1 Chapter 129
129.
‘Hero magic already?’
The students looked surprised.
Looking at the students, Ren said.
“Is there a student who can explain hero magic?”
At his words, the students raised their hands.
Ren pointed to Chloe, who was the first to raise her hand.
“Student Chloe.”
“Yes. Hero magic refers to the unique magic used by heroes. Usually, unique magic cannot be learned by others. Although there are exceptional cases, such as inheritance through bloodline or secret techniques passed down through schools of thought, it is still difficult to learn.”
Chloe’s words were accurate.
Unique magic is like a symbol representing each individual mage.
Because of this, the individuality of the magic was too powerful.
“However, unique magic can be inherited through [Hero Skill], which is a reward from Hero Record. Hero magic is a reinterpretation of unique magic learned this way, with an emphasis on increasing its versatility.”
“Correct. I will give student Chloe 5 points for her presentation.”
“Thank you.”
“Simply put, hero magic can be said to be the unique magic used by heroes, transformed into a ‘mass-market’ version. But reinterpreting it so that anyone can learn it certainly doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
Ren grinned.
Even if it was transformed into a mass-market version, it was still magic that symbolized heroes.
Even if its power wasn't on par with the original, it was still formidable, and the difficulty of understanding the spell formula was also very high.
Furthermore, if one's magical affinity didn't match, they couldn't activate the spell even if they perfectly understood the spell formula.
“And not just anyone can learn it.”
The value of a grimoire containing hero magic is astronomical.
Most mages will never even see a [Hero Magic Grimoire] in their lifetime.
This showed how remarkable the Hero Academy was, teaching hero magic to everyone.
The students of the magic department, having heard Ren's explanation, were excited.
Hero magic is learned theoretically at the end of the first year's second semester and seriously from the second year's first semester.
Yet, they were learning this magic a whole semester in advance.
This indicated how much the Lumen Magic Department expected from the current first-year students.
While everyone wore proud expressions, Leo spoke as if finding it curious.
“By the way, seniors in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade, you always lost to Seirun in the Lucer Tournament.”
The Lucer Tournament.
It was an annual inter-school competition between Lumen and Seirun.
It gathered people's attention every year as it was a competition not just between schools, but also involved the pride of the races.
However, Lumen had been at a disadvantage against Seirun for the past few years.
Among them, the magic department's disadvantage seemed particularly pronounced.
At Leo's words, Chelsea made an indignant expression.
“Yeah. The 5th graders, led by Senior Torua, were very active for five years, but the current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders are significantly behind Seirun’s mages.”
“Isn’t Senior Elena in 3rd grade?”
‘Among the Lumen Magic Department students I’ve seen, she was one of the top three talents.’
Even with such a monster holding out, the 3rd graders were being pushed back by Seirun.
It was nothing short of astonishing.
Carl clasped his hands behind his head and said.
“Among the 3rd-grade seniors, Senior Elena is the only outstanding talent. Simply put, the lineup supporting Senior Elena is weak.”
“What about the 2nd graders?”
“The 2nd-grade seniors have high averages, but no exceptional students. So, it's regrettable in many ways.”
Watching Carl click his tongue, Chelsea smiled confidently.
“But this year marks the end of 1st graders losing to Seirun’s mages! Because we’re here!”
“That’s right! We’ll show them Lumen’s power!”
As Carl shouted enthusiastically, Chelsea gave him a pitying look.
“Carl, do you think you can survive in Lumen until then?”
“That’s too harsh!”
Carl slumped his shoulders.
Illiana, who had been listening to the conversation, interjected.
“But Seirun’s 1st-year lineup isn’t to be trifled with either.”
Chelsea folded her arms and fell into thought.
“Hmm! Indeed.”
Other magic department students from surrounding classes who heard the conversation asked.
“Hey, Class 5. You had classes with the Seirun 1st-year advanced Class 1 students during your field trip, right? How was it?”
At the question from another magic department student, Carl clicked his tongue.
“They were tough. Especially Lunia El Rundia. She was a monster.”
“A monster?”
“Her magic power was immense, and the power of her spells was no joke. Her understanding of magic was also extraordinary.”
“The Rundia family is famous for their summoning magic, aren’t they?”
“I heard their magic is considerable, but isn't it inferior compared to their summoning magic?”
As the first-years showed curiosity, Illiana shook her head.
“Her magic is also overwhelming. At the very least, she's on Abad's or Chloe's level.”
Hearing Illiana’s words, the faces of the magic students became serious.
“In that case, Chloe would be at a disadvantage due to elemental affinity, wouldn’t she?”
Fire and ice.
Certainly, Chloe was at a disadvantage due to elemental affinity.
“Then should we leave Lunia El Rundia to Abad?”
Thanks to the mention of the Lucer Tournament, the first-years' topic of conversation temporarily shifted in that direction.
“We'll talk about the Lucer Tournament later. For now, focus on the class.”
“Yes, sir!”
The students answered with precision.
“As a side note, the reason you all are learning hero magic from your first year is also due to your seniors' influence.”
“Seniors?”
“Yes. Torua praised you all a lot.”
‘The current first-years will probably surpass our generation. They are all very talented juniors. So, even if they start hero magic a little early, they will be able to keep up with the progress.’
Even with his eccentric side, Torua's remarks, who was called a genius in magic theory, carried considerable weight among the professors.
The first-year students who heard Ren's words looked moved.
“Senior Torua…”
“He wasn’t just a mean-spirited senior!”
“I respect you! Senior!”
“Torua! Torua!”
The first-year students, who had suffered under Torua during the department competition preparations, chanted Torua’s name.
Torua was blunt with his words in front, but he was the type to diligently look after his juniors behind their backs.
“Therefore. Starting today, you will be learning hero magic.”
“Oh!”
“I will work hard!”
Ren nodded, looking at the students shouting enthusiastically.
“Alright, then. Before we begin the lesson, I will check your magical dueling abilities.”
This was why Ren had held the class in the practice arena from the very first day.
Hero magic, unlike common magic, cannot be learned by mastering a multitude of spells.
It's not simply because it's difficult to learn.
‘The average number of hero magic spells a single mage can learn is three.’
This is also Lumen's average.
Ordinary mages struggled to learn even one.
Whether or not one can use hero magic is determined by innate talent.
Hero magic passed down through bloodlines or schools of thought can be learned in multiple forms because they inherently share similar properties.
However, learning multiple hero magic spells of entirely different affinities is rejected by the body.
The mage Ren knows who can wield the most hero magic is none other than Elena Zeron.
‘She can wield a total of twelve hero magic spells.’
It is, quite literally, a realm impossible without overwhelming talent.
Therefore, one should not simply learn a spell just because it matches their affinity.
‘First, it's essential to clearly understand one's strengths and weaknesses.’
Learning one hero magic can even compensate for a weakness that is considered fatal.
That's how important hero magic was.
The students were excited at the mention of a magic duel.
“I guess I’ll have to show the results of my hard work during the break.”
“Heh heh. I’ll show you my changed self!”
All the students displayed confidence.
Amidst this, Ren said.
“Who wants to go first?”
“Me!”
“I will, Professor!”
Students actively raised their hands.
Ren pointed to Illiana, a female student who was waving her hand most enthusiastically.
“Student Illiana, step forward.”
“Yes!”
As Illiana stepped forward, jeers erupted from all directions.
“Boo! The traitor who practiced with the Knight Department during the department competition!”
“Bat-girl!”
They were jeers mixed with jokes.
Illiana was sociable and had many friends in the magic department.
“Oh ho ho ho! I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you! And no matter what you guys say, I have my classmates with me, so there!”
“Who are you?”
“Don’t pretend to know me.”
Of course, Class 5's reaction was cold.
“Class rep! The kids are making fun of me again!”
“There, there.”
Leo said, comforting Illiana who was complaining with a tearful face.
“Professor Ren is waiting, so hurry up.”
“Okay.”
Comforted, Illiana went up to the dueling arena.
“So! Who will I be dueling with?”
“Me.”
“Huh!”
Illiana, who had turned her head at the voice from the practice arena entrance, was startled.
The other students also showed expressions of dismay.
The one who appeared was none other than Professor Albi.
“I called in the best visiting lecturer.”
Ren said, curling up the corners of his mouth.
Albi, standing in the middle of the dueling arena, looked at the rigid Illiana and said.
“Don’t be so nervous. Do you think I’d do my best against you first-years?”
“Ahaha! Well, well! Right?”
Illiana laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.
Watching Illiana, Albi said.
“Do your best and attack.”
“Yes, sir!”
Illiana replied with precision and lowered her stance.
Seeing her, the first-years looked tense.
Among the Lumen Magic Department professors, Albi was considered the strongest in magic dueling.
No student wanted to miss even a moment of him.
Illiana, uncharacteristically, was cautious…
“First strike wins! Shining Blade!”
*Pabababababat!*
Blades of light were created in the air.
Seeing that, the magic department students wore expressions that said, "Of course."
There was no way the aggressive Illiana would approach a duel cautiously.
Light magic poured down on Albi.
Seeing it, Albi lightly chanted a spell.
*Flash!*
A bright light spread around Albi, utterly destroying all of Illiana's magic.
Shards of light magic scattered everywhere.
“Yaaah!”
But Illiana didn’t stop and continued to pour out magic.
Watching her, Chelsea shook her head.
“She hasn’t changed from the first semester.”
While her capabilities as a magic swordsman had greatly improved, when viewed purely as a mage, Illiana's overly aggressive nature prevented her from demonstrating high-level dueling skills.
The same was true for her as a knight.
Everyone predicted how Illiana would lose.
Her losing formula was to continuously unleash attacks like that until she exhausted herself first.
Therefore, magic department students usually adopted a defensive strategy when dueling Illiana.
But Leo’s eyes sparkled as he watched Illiana.
“It doesn’t seem that simple.”
“What?”
“Look around.”
Fragments of destroyed magic were scattered everywhere.
Normally, they should have dissipated by returning to magical power, but the magic spell formula remained intact even in its destroyed state.
Albi let out an impressed, "Oh?"
“Don’t be surprised! Illiana Raden’s trump card!”
Illiana grinned and unleashed her magic power.
“Shining Rain!”
*Pabababababababat-*
The densely scattered fragments of light simultaneously poured down on Albi.
Ren let out an exclamation of admiration at that combined attack.
‘Up until the first semester, her extremely aggressive nature in magic duels was a drawback, but she’s compensated for that weakness with an even stronger aggressive nature.’
Honestly, he was surprised.
Illiana was accustomed to losing due to her excessive aggressive tendencies.
But now, at least against opponents of similar skill, they wouldn't be able to adopt a defensive strategy against Illiana.
No, even more skilled opponents could be caught off guard if they got caught in Illiana’s pace.
‘Excellent. Still, her aggressive nature is a demerit.’
It was when Ren was about to finish Illiana's evaluation.
“Excellent.”
Albi’s dry praise was accompanied by the glow of his magical eye.
*Flash!*
A bright light concealed his figure.
With that, Illiana’s magic was blocked.
“Ugh!”
As her trump card was blocked, Illiana prepared for an attack.
When the light faded, a girl stood before Albi.
Illiana wore a blank expression.
“Uh… me?”
The magic students were bewildered.
Among the students, only Leo accurately grasped the situation.
‘To think he could use that magic with a human body.’
Leo knew the true nature of the magic Albi had used.
‘Mirror Force.’
It was none other than the Fairy King’s magic.