Book 1 Chapter 153

After the morning assembly, it was time to prepare for classes.

The first class was a major in Knightology.

Leo headed to the training grounds for the Knightology class with the students of Class 5.

"A joint class all of a sudden. That's so abrupt," Iliana tilted her head.

Seeing her, Nella said, "They say joint classes with the top three prestigious academies are common."

"That's true. But in those cases, the students from Lumere went to each academy to take classes."

"Indeed. This time, students from the three academies are coming to Lumere for classes, right?"

The top three prestigious academies.

Even if they were treated as a second choice, it was because Lumere was that great. Their level was by no means to be underestimated.

Knight Academy Ikots was the Knight Federation, Magic Academy Emerald was the Tower of Magi, and Summoning Academy S'coun was the Summoners' Guild.

As academies established and operated by groups representing each class, they were places where one could receive the highest human education in specific fields.

Not only Lumere but also the top three prestigious academies had produced many heroes.

However, despite all that, Lumere's reputation could never be surpassed.

"Isn't the reason the top three prestigious academies were created in the first place to prevent Lumere's monopoly?"

Lumere Academy and Lumere City were neutral, not affiliated with any faction.

However, even though they were neutral, Lumere alone was a powerful force that could influence the continent.

As they monopolized the Hero Record, each country had no choice but to increase their dependence on Lumere.

Naturally, excellent talents from each country flowed into Lumere.

Of course, they would return to their home countries after graduation, but the sense of belonging to 'Lumere' that was formed once did not easily disappear.

Not a few students went to other countries through Lumere or joined the 'Hero Alliance' founded by Lumere.

The top three prestigious academies were established by the powerful figures of each country who were dissatisfied with Lumere and joined forces to challenge Lumere's might.

In fact, in the early days of their establishment, they had the effect of preventing talent outflow as intended.

"But as time passed, they naturally became treated as a second choice for Lumere students," Iliana mumbled, resting her clasped hands on the back of her head.

It was a humiliating treatment for the top three prestigious academies, but it was an unavoidable reality.

They simply could not overcome Lumere's might in any aspect.

However, Lumere wanted to actively interact with the top three prestigious academies.

Lumere's founding purpose was, after all, hero cultivation.

But Lumere could not train all students into heroes.

As such, the existence of the top three academies with the same goals was a good educational place for nurturing students that Lumere could not embrace.

Therefore, Lumere actively sought exchange with the top three prestigious academies.

Joint classes were held frequently, and student exchange was also considered important.

However, students from the top three prestigious academies had never been invited to Lumere in large numbers.

Although excellent students came to Lumere as exchange students in the second semester, that was a minority case.

It was unavoidable.

The level of classes at Lumere was much higher than the average class level of students from the top three prestigious academies.

It would be a great loss for Lumere students to adjust the pace of their classes for them.

Crucially, Lumere also had the 'Hero Record', so it was extremely rare to bring in large numbers of outsiders due to security concerns.

Yet, unusually, this time, students from the top three prestigious academies were reportedly visiting Lumere in large numbers.

The students found it bewildering.

Seeing Nella and Iliana with confused expressions, Leo said, "It must be for political reasons."

"Hmm. As the class representative said, that could be it."

Lumere had experienced several incidents in the first semester.

During the midterm exams, the Hero Record went berserk.

In the inter-departmental competition, Tartarus launched a large-scale attack targeting the lives of all first-year students.

Of course, they overcame all of them, but for those who did not view Lumere favorably, it became a good opportunity.

Therefore, the school was opened to those from the top three prestigious academies.

The main purpose of this exchange event was to show Lumere's continued strength.

Upon arriving at the training grounds, students from other classes were also buzzing about the joint class.

Amidst this, as Leo arrived, all eyes turned to him.

Joint classes aside, Leo, who had conquered Luna's world, was still a hot topic.

Just as the students were looking at him with curious eyes, Celia approached.

Celia, impeccably dressed in her uniform as always, brushed her hair back and said, "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Seriously, you're something else. How did you end up conquering Luna's world when you went to take down bandits?"

Celia, looking surprised, soon her eyes sparkled.

"So? How was Luna's world? Did you meet Luna herself?"

At Celia's question, the students stopped talking and focused on Leo.

Everyone was very interested in the world of a great hero.

Duran, who had come to their class earlier, was also staring intently at Leo.

"You were here, Leo-kun."

Suddenly, someone barged through the first-year students.

As the first-year students turned their heads, they saw a famous student standing there.

It was none other than the vice president of the student council and a fifth-year student in the magic department, Torua.

Seeing her suddenly appear in the first-year Knightology class, the first-year students looked flustered.

Amidst this, Torua approached Leo.

And said, "Leo-kun, what are you doing here? You have to go to magic class."

"It's not magic class time right now?" Leo said with an incredulous expression, and Torua nodded.

"Yes. But it was suddenly arranged. So Professor Ren told me to bring you."

"Why me?"

"I heard from Elena. The magic that the Ancestor wanted to create is the magic you interpreted during the first-year field trip, right? Professor Ren said he's planning to hold a special lecture on that magic, and the person who interpreted the magic must be there."

It was true.

Just moments ago.

Ren, after receiving Elena's conquest report, was filled with excitement.

The Ancestor of the Constellation was an object of admiration not only for elves but for all mages.

The magic related to Luna, such as that, was the magic Leo had interpreted this time.

Ren couldn't help but be excited.

Unable to contain his joy, he had arranged a special lecture.

After hearing Torua's explanation, Celia looked bewildered.

"Wait a minute. That's a special lecture held without any prior notice. So why does Leo have to participate in that class, skipping his Knightology class?"

"Because Leo is in the magic department."

"No! Leo is in the Knightology department?!" Celia retorted, grabbing Leo's hand and pulling him towards her.

Seeing this, Torua grabbed Leo's hand.

"Why are you being so petty? Missing one Knightology class won't cause any problems."

"It will cause problems with Leo's Knightology grades!"

"It's fine. Because Leo is in the magic department."

'This person is not making any sense!'

Thinking this, Celia pulled Leo as if in a tug-of-war.

Leo let out a deep sigh.

"You're strong."

Even though one was a first-year and the other a fifth-year, Torua, a pure mage, had no way of winning against Celia, a knight, in terms of physical strength.

As Celia was dragged along with Leo's arm, Torua, pouting, spotted something and quickly let go of Leo's hand.

"Kyaak?"

Then, unable to resist the force, Celia stumbled backward.

Celia, who almost fell on her rear, nimbly regained her balance.

Leo also maintained his balance with little difficulty.

"Torua Yan. What are you doing in a first-year Knightology class?"

A cold voice was heard.

Everyone swallowed dryly.

Standing there was none other than Ain.

Upon seeing Ain, Torua politely bowed.

"Hello, Professor Ain. I came to pick up Leo-kun for a special magic class."

"What is this nonsense?"

To that question, Torua took out Ren's letter and handed it to Ain.

Ain, who received the letter, said calmly, "Tell Ren to stop talking nonsense."

Ain was also known as a principled professor.

Ren's demand to send a student for an impromptu special lecture was unlikely to work on him.

At that, Torua took out another letter from her pocket and handed it to Ain.

Ain took it and unfolded it.

A moment later, he smiled coldly.

"Assistant Professor Claria."

"Yes."

"Proceed with the class. I will go see Ren for a moment."

"…Understood."

"Torua Yan. You too, come with me."

"Yes. Take care, first-years."

Torua waved casually and left the training grounds.

Looking at his murderous expression, anyone could tell he was going to smash Ren.

"Quiet down. I'll start with attendance," Claria said, proceeding with the class as if it were routine.

'Anna will come to complain again today.' Claria gave a wry smile, thinking of Anna, Ren's assistant professor.

Watching this, Nella said to Iliana, "Iliana, you're a magic swordswoman. How would you feel if professors wanted you like that?"

"As I've said before, I don't want that kind of popularity," Iliana shook her head.

***

Returning to his daily life, Leo quickly adapted to academy life.

The curious glances from classmates and seniors continued, but that attention gradually faded with time.

Meanwhile, specific plans for the joint classes were mentioned at Lumere.

"Hey! Awesome! They're sending 200 people from each academy!"

About three days after Leo was discharged, Kal, who was well-informed, heard about the joint classes and came to Class 5.

At his words, the students of Class 5 looked surprised.

200 people per academy.

A total of 600 outsiders would come to Lumere.

It was literally an unprecedented event.

"How long will the joint classes last?"

"They're staying for a total of two weeks."

"Then, will classes be okay for two weeks?"

"The midterm exams are coming up soon."

Worried voices emerged from among the Class 5 students.

If the joint classes were held for two weeks, it would affect the class progress.

Even though Class 5 had all survived, students were beginning to struggle just to keep up with the pace.

Amidst the worried voices, the classroom door opened, and Chelsea appeared.

"Leo-oppa."

"What?"

"Professor Halind is calling for you."

At her words, Leo got up with a bewildered expression.

He then headed to the faculty room in the classroom building.

Upon arriving at the faculty room, other students were also visible in front of the corridor.

All the students who ranked in the top 3 of their respective departments in the first year, including Chelsea, were gathered there.

They also wore expressions of bewilderment, as if this was a sudden summons.

Leo stood with them, looking confused.

Amidst this, Halind came out of the faculty room.

*Creak-*

*Thump- thump-*

The students looked at Halind with tense expressions.

Whatever the reason, the students were tense at Halind's summons.

"Everyone's here," Halind said calmly.

"You have a task related to this joint class."

"What is it?" Celia asked with a puzzled expression, and Halind said, "I'm going to grant you the authority to control the students from each academy."

At those words, the students looked confused.

"Control authority?"

"What exactly does that mean?"

To their words, Halind smirked.

"Simply put, you'll be instructors."