Book 1 Chapter 129
“Hero magic already?”
The students made surprised faces.
Seeing the students, Ren said,
“Is there anyone who can explain Hero magic?”
At that, students raised their hands.
Ren pointed to Chloe, who raised her hand first.
“Student Chloe.”
“Yes. Hero magic refers to the unique magic used by heroes. Usually, unique magic cannot be learned by others. Although there are exceptions like inheritance through bloodline or secret teachings passed down through schools, it is still difficult to learn.”
Chloe was right.
Unique magic is like a symbol that represents each individual mage.
Therefore, the individuality of the magic was extremely strong.
“However, through the reward of the Hero Record, [Hero Skill], unique magic can be inherited. Hero magic is a reinterpretation of unique magic learned in this way, aimed at increasing versatility.”
“Correct. I will give student Chloe 5 points for her presentation.”
“Thank you.”
“Simply put, Hero magic can be considered a ‘budget version’ of the unique magic used by heroes. However, reinterpreting it so that anyone can learn it certainly does not mean it is easy.”
Ren smiled.
Even though it was changed to a budget version, it was still magic that symbolized heroes.
Even if it wasn’t as powerful as the original, it was strong, and the difficulty of understanding the incantations was also very high.
Furthermore, if the magical affinity didn’t match, one could not activate the spell even if they understood it perfectly.
“Moreover, not just anyone can learn it.”
The value of grimoires containing Hero magic is astronomical.
Ordinary mages would never even see a [Hero Magic Grimoire] in their lifetime.
This shows how remarkable the Hero Officer Academy is, where Hero magic is taught to everyone.
The magic department students, upon hearing Ren’s explanation, became excited.
Hero magic is taught theoretically at the end of the second semester of the first year, and practically from the first semester of the second year.
They were to learn such magic a whole semester in advance.
This showed how much expectation Lumene’s magic department had for the current first-year students.
As everyone wore proud expressions, Leo said with a look of wonder,
“By the way, seniors in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, you always lost to Seirun in the Ruse Battle.”
Ruse Battle.
It was an inter-school competition between Lumene and Seirun held every year.
More than just a school competition, it was a battle for racial pride that attracted public attention every year.
However, Lumene had been at a disadvantage against Seirun in recent years.
The disadvantage in the magic department seemed particularly noticeable.
Chelsea made an indignant face at Leo’s words.
“Yeah. The 5th years, led by Torua-senpai, performed exceptionally well for five years, but the current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years are significantly behind Seirun’s mages.”
“But you have Elena-senpai in the 3rd year?”
‘She was one of the top three strongest students in Lumene’s magic department that I saw.’
To be losing to Seirun even with such a monster holding the fort was astonishing.
Kal clasped his hands behind his head and said,
“Among the 3rd-year seniors, Elena-senpai is the only one with exceptional skill. In simple terms, the lineup supporting Elena-senpai is weak.”
“What about the 2nd years?”
“The 2nd-year seniors have high average scores, but no outstanding students. So, it’s disappointing in many ways.”
Chelsea smiled confidently, watching Kal lick his lips.
“But the first-years losing to Seirun’s mages ends this year! Because we are here!”
“That’s right! We’ll show them Lumene’s strength!”
As Kal shouted enthusiastically, Chelsea gave him a sympathetic look.
“Kal, will you be able to survive in Lumene until then?”
“That’s so mean!”
Kal’s shoulders slumped.
Iliana, who had been listening to the conversation, interjected.
“But Seirun’s first-year lineup isn’t easy either.”
Chelsea crossed her arms and fell into thought.
“Hmm! Indeed.”
Other magic department students from different classes, overhearing their conversation, asked,
“Hey, Class 5. You had classes with Seirun’s 1st-year Advanced Class 1 students during your school trip, right? How were they?”
In response to the question from students from other classes, Kal clicked his tongue.
“They weren’t easy. Especially Lunia El Lundua. That girl was a monster.”
“A monster?”
“Her magical power was immense, and the power of her spells was no joke. Her understanding of magic was also exceptional.”
“The Lundua family is famous for summoning magic, aren’t they?”
“I heard their magic is considerable, but isn’t it lacking compared to summoning?”
As the first-year students showed curiosity, Iliana shook her head.
“Their magic is overwhelming too. She’s at least on par with Abad or Chloe.”
Hearing Iliana’s words, the magic department students’ faces turned serious.
“Then, in terms of elemental advantage, Chloe would be at a disadvantage?”
Fire and ice.
Indeed, Chloe was at a disadvantage due to the elemental matchup.
“Then should we leave Lunia El Lundua to Abad?”
Thanks to the mention of the Ruse Battle, the first-year students’ conversation briefly shifted there.
“Let’s talk about the Ruse Battle later. For now, concentrate on the lesson.”
“Yes, sir!”
The students responded with disciplined answers.
“For your information, the reason you are learning Hero magic from the first year is also thanks to the influence of your seniors.”
“Seniors?”
“Yes. Torua praised you all a lot.”
‘I believe the current first-year students will surpass our generation. They are all exceptionally talented juniors. So, even if they are introduced to Hero magic a little earlier, they will be able to keep up.’
Torua’s statement, despite his eccentricities, who was called a genius in magic theory, carried considerable weight among the professors.
The first-year students, hearing Ren’s words, had touched expressions.
“Torua-senpai……”
“He’s not just a mean-spirited senior!”
“We respect you! Senpai!”
“Torua! Torua!”
The first-year students, who had suffered under Torua during the department competition preparations, chanted Torua’s name.
Torua was the type who spoke harshly to your face but took good care of his juniors behind their backs.
“Therefore. From today, you will learn Hero magic.”
“Ooh!”
“We will do our best!”
Seeing the students shouting with enthusiasm, Ren nodded.
“Now, before we begin the lesson, I will assess your magical duel abilities.”
This was the reason Ren conducted the class in the practice hall from the first day.
Hero magic is impossible to learn in large numbers like common spells.
It’s not simply because it’s difficult to learn.
‘The number of Hero magic a mage can learn on average is three.’
This is also the average for Lumene.
Ordinary mages struggled to learn even one.
Whether one can use Hero magic is determined by innate talent.
Hero magic passed down through bloodline or school has similar properties, so multiple can be learned.
However, the body rejects learning multiple Hero magic with completely different affinities.
The mage Ren knows who can use the most Hero magic is none other than Elena Zerone.
‘She can wield a total of twelve Hero magics.’
It is an area impossible to reach without overwhelming talent.
As such, you shouldn’t just learn it because it matches your affinity.
‘First, it is paramount to clearly understand your strengths and weaknesses.’
By learning one Hero magic, one can compensate for a critically weak point.
That’s how important Hero magic is.
The students became excited at the mention of magical duels.
“I’ll have to show the results of my hard work during the break.”
“Heh heh. I’ll show you my improved self!”
All the students showed confidence.
Amidst this, Ren said,
“Who wants to go first?”
“Me!”
“I will, Professor!”
The students enthusiastically raised their hands.
Ren pointed to Iliana, a female student who was waving her hand most enthusiastically.
“Student Iliana, come forward.”
“Yes!”
As Iliana stepped forward, jeers erupted from various places.
“Boo~ Traitor who practiced with the Knight Department during the departmental competition!”
“Batwoman!”
The jeers were mixed with jokes.
Iliana was sociable and had many friends in the magic department.
“Hohoho! I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you! And no matter what you say, I have my classmates!”
“Who are you?”
“Don’t pretend to know me.”
Of course, Class 5’s reaction was cold.
“Class representative! The kids are teasing me again!”
“Yes, yes.”
Leo, comforting Iliana who was complaining with a teary face, said,
“Professor Ren is waiting, so hurry and go.”
“Okay.”
Iliana, receiving comfort, stepped onto the duel arena.
“So! Who will I have a magical duel with?”
“It’s me.”
“Hah!”
Iliana, turning her head at the voice from the practice hall entrance, was surprised.
The other students also looked shocked.
It was none other than Professor Alby who appeared.
“I’ve invited the best guest lecturer.”
Ren said, curling the corners of his mouth.
Alby, standing in the center of the duel arena, looked at the stiff Iliana and said,
“Don’t be so nervous. Do you think I’ll give my all against first-year students like you?”
“Ahaha! R-right! Isn’t that so?”
Iliana laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.
Seeing Iliana like that, Alby said,
“Try your best to attack.”
“Yes, sir!”
Iliana, who replied with disciplined tone, lowered her stance.
Seeing that, the first-year students wore tense expressions.
Alby was known as the strongest in magical duels among the professors of Lumene’s magic department.
There was no student who wanted to miss even a bit of his performance.
Iliana, too, was uncharacteristically cautious…
“First strike wins! Shining Blade!”
Fawaba-ba-bat!
Blades of light appeared in the air.
Seeing that, the magic department students looked as if to say, ‘As expected.’
The combative Iliana wouldn’t engage in a duel cautiously.
The light magic poured towards Alby.
Seeing that, Alby cast a spell lightly.
Flash-!
Bright light spread around Alby, completely shattering Iliana’s magic.
Fragments of light magic scattered in all directions.
“Yaaah!”
But Iliana didn’t stop and continued to pour out magic.
Watching her, Chelsea shook her head.
“She hasn’t changed at all since the first semester.”
While her abilities as a swordmage had greatly grown, as a pure mage, Iliana’s excessively aggressive tendency prevented her from displaying high-level dueling skills.
This was also true as a knight.
Everyone expected Iliana to lose in a predictable way.
Iliana’s pattern of defeat was to attack relentlessly and get exhausted first.
That’s why the magic department students would usually adopt a defensive strategy when dueling Iliana.
However, Leo’s eyes lit up as he watched Iliana.
“It doesn’t seem that simple.”
“What?”
“Look around.”
Fragments of destroyed magic were scattered everywhere.
Normally, they should have disappeared into mana, but the magical incantations were maintained even in their destroyed state.
Alby let out an exclamation of surprise.
“Don’t be surprised! Iliana Laden’s trump card!”
With a sly grin, Iliana unleashed her mana.
“Shining Rain!”
Fawaba-ba-ba-ba-bat-
The light fragments, densely spread in all directions, poured towards Alby simultaneously.
Ren let out an exclamation of admiration at the connected attack.
‘Even in the first semester, her extreme offensive tendency was a demerit in magical duels, but she has compensated for that weakness with an even stronger offensive tendency.’
Honestly, he was surprised.
Iliana, who used to lose due to her excessive offensive tendency.
However, now, at least those of similar skill would not be able to adopt a defensive strategy against Iliana.
No, even those with higher skills could be caught in Iliana’s pace.
‘Excellent. Still, it’s a demerit due to the offensive tendency.’
It was when Ren was finishing his assessment of Iliana.
“Well done.”
Along with Alby’s dry compliment, his magic eyes glowed.
Flash-!
Bright light obscured his form.
Along with it, Iliana’s magic was blocked.
“Ugh!”
As her trump card was blocked, Iliana prepared for an attack.
When the light subsided, a girl stood before Alby.
Iliana looked stunned.
“Huh… me?”
The magic department students looked confused.
Among the students, only Leo grasped the situation accurately.
‘To think she could use that magic with a human body.’
Leo knew the nature of the magic Alby used.
‘Mirror Force.’
It was none other than the magic of the Fairy King.