Book 1 Chapter 153

153

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

The first class was a major in Knight Studies.

Leo headed to the training grounds where the Knight Studies class was held, along with the Knight Studies students of Class 5.

“Joint class so suddenly. Isn't that too abrupt?”

Amidst this, Iliana tilted her head.

Nellie saw her expression and said.

“They say joint classes with the three major prestigious academies often happen.”

“That's right. But that's when Lumerne students go directly to each academy to receive classes, isn't it?”

“You're right. This time, students from the three academies are coming to Lumerne to take classes, right?”

The three major prestigious academies.

Although they were treated as second choices, that was because Lumerne was so exceptional. Their level was by no means to be underestimated.

Icot Knight Academy was of the Knight Federation, Emerald Magic Academy was of the Magic Tower, and Scawn Summoning Academy was of the Summoner's Guild.

As academies established and operated by organizations representing each class, they offered the best education for humanity in specific fields.

Not only Lumerne, but the three major prestigious academies also produced many heroes.

However, despite this, Lumerne's reputation could never be surpassed.

“Didn't the three major prestigious academies come into existence in the first place to stop Lumerne's monopoly?”

Lumerne Academy and Lumeria City are neutral, not affiliated with any faction.

However, even as a neutral entity, Lumerne itself is a powerful force capable of influencing the continent.

As it monopolizes the Hero Record, each country inevitably increases its dependence on Lumerne.

Naturally, outstanding talents from various countries are drawn to Lumerne.

Of course, they return to their home countries after graduation, but the sense of belonging to ‘Lumerne’ once formed does not easily fade.

Many students also go to other countries through Lumerne or join the ‘Hero Alliance’ established by Lumerne.

It was to challenge Lumerne’s stronghold that the power elites of various countries, dissatisfied with Lumerne, joined forces to establish the three major class academies.

In fact, in its early days, it was effective in preventing the outflow of talent, as intended.

“But as time passed, it naturally came to be treated as a second choice for Lumerne students.”

Iliana muttered, clasping her hands behind her head.

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

In all aspects, they simply could not overcome Lumerne's stronghold.

However, Lumerne actively sought to engage with the three major prestigious academies.

Lumerne’s founding purpose was, after all, to nurture heroes.

But Lumerne cannot raise all students to be heroes.

Therefore, the existence of the three major class academies, with their similar goals, was an excellent educational place that could nurture students Lumerne could not accommodate.

So Lumerne actively sought exchange with the three major class academies.

They frequently held joint classes and valued exchanges between students.

However, they had never invited a large number of students from the three major class academies to Lumerne.

In the second semester, excellent students do come to Lumerne as exchange students, but that is a minority case.

It couldn't be helped.

Lumerne's class standards are much higher than the average class standards of the three major class academies.

Because it would be a great loss for Lumerne students to adjust the class pace for them.

Crucially, as Lumerne also had the ‘Hero Record,’ it was extremely rare to bring in a large number of outsiders due to security concerns.

However, it was said that this time, students from the three major class academies would visit Lumerne in large numbers, which was an unusual occurrence.

For the students, this point was perplexing.

Leo looked at Nellie and Iliana, who wore puzzled expressions, and said.

“It must be for political reasons.”

“Hmm. The class president might be right about that.”

During the first semester, Lumerne experienced several incidents.

During the midterms, the Hero Record went berserk.

In the inter-departmental competition, Tartarus launched a massive attack, aiming for the lives of all first-year students.

Of course, they overcame all of them, but for those who disliked Lumerne, it became a good target.

That's why they opened the school to the three major class academies.

The biggest purpose of this exchange meeting was to announce Lumerne's continued strength.

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

Amidst this, when Leo arrived, everyone's gaze turned to him.

The joint class was one thing, but Leo, who had conquered Luna's world, was still a hot topic.

It was when the students were looking at him with curious eyes.

“Leo.”

Celia approached.

Celia, always neatly dressed in her uniform, brushed her hair back and said.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously. You really are something. How did you end up conquering Luna’s world after going to subdue bandits?”

Celia, who had been looking curious, soon her eyes sparkled.

“So? How was Luna's world? You met Luna in person, didn't you?”

At Celia's question, students stopped their conversations and began to focus on Leo.

Everyone had a great interest in the world of the Great Hero.

It was also when Duran, who had visited the class directly earlier, was staring intently at Leo.

“Here you are, Leo.”

Suddenly, someone burst in among the first-year students.

When the first-year students turned their heads, a famous student stood there.

None other than the Vice Student Council President and a fifth-year Magic Studies student.

It was Torua.

Seeing her suddenly appear in a first-year Knight Studies class, all the first-year students looked bewildered.

Amidst this, Torua approached Leo.

And said.

“Leo. What are you doing here? You should be going to magic class.”

“It's not magic class time now?”

When Leo said this with a bewildered expression, Torua nodded.

“Yeah. But one suddenly came up. So Professor Len told me to bring you.”

“Why me?”

“I heard from Elena. The magic that the Ancestor wanted to create was the one you interpreted during the first-semester school trip, wasn't it? Professor Len said he's planning a special lecture on that magic, and the person who interpreted the magic must be there.”

It was true.

Just now.

Len was filled with excitement after receiving Elena's strategy report.

The Ancestor of the Nebula is an object of admiration not only for elves but for all mages.

And the magic related to such a Luna was the magic Leo interpreted this time.

Len couldn't help but be excited.

Unable to contain his joy, he opened a special lecture.

Listening to Torua's explanation, Celia made a dumbfounded expression.

“Wait a minute. That's a special lecture that was opened without prior notice. But why should Leo have to miss Knight Studies to participate in that class?”

“Because Leo is in the Magic Studies department.”

“No, he's not! Leo is in the Knight Studies department?!”

Celia flared up, grabbing Leo's hand and pulling him towards her.

Torua, seeing this, grabbed Leo's hand.

“Why are you being so petty? It's not like there'll be a problem if he misses one Knight Studies class.”

“It will cause problems with his Knight Studies credits!”

“It’s fine. Leo is in the Magic Studies department anyway.”

‘This person, she's impossible to talk to!’

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

Leo sighed deeply.

“You're strong.”

Even though it was a first-year and a fifth-year, a pure mage like Torua could hardly win against Celia, a Knight Studies student, in terms of sheer strength.

As she was pulled towards Celia while holding Leo’s arm, Torua, who had been pouting, noticed something and hurriedly let go of Leo’s hand.

“Kya?”

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

Celia, who was about to fall on her backside, swiftly regained her balance.

Leo also regained his balance without much difficulty.

“Torua Yan. What are you doing in a first-year Knight Studies class?”

A cold voice was heard.

Everyone swallowed dryly.

Standing there was none other than Ain.

Torua, spotting Ain, greeted him politely.

“Hello, Professor Ain. I came to pick up Leo for a special Magic Studies class.”

“What is that nonsense?”

At the question, Torua took out Len's letter from her pocket and handed it to Ain.

Ain received the letter and said calmly.

“Tell Len not to talk nonsense.”

Ain was known as a professor who stuck to principles.

There was no way Len's request, asking him to send a student because a special class would be held suddenly, would work on him.

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

Ain took it and unfolded it.

A moment later, he gave a cold smile.

“Associate Professor Claria.”

“Yes.”

“Continue the class. I'll go to Len for a moment.”

“…Understood.”

“Torua Yan. You come along too.”

“Yes. Good luck, first-years.”

Torua waved her hand casually and left the training grounds.

Anyone could see from her murderous aura that she was going to crush Len.

“Be quiet. I'll call roll first.”

Claria proceeded with the class as if accustomed to it.

‘Anna, Len's associate professor, will come to complain again today.’

Claria gave a wry smile, thinking of Anna.

Nellie, watching her, said to Iliana.

“Iliana, you're a magic swordsman. How would you feel if professors wanted you that much?”

“As I said before, I decline that kind of popularity.”

Iliana shook her head vehemently.

***

Leo, who had returned to his daily life, quickly adapted to academy life.

His classmates and seniors still looked at him with curious eyes, but that attention gradually faded over time.

Meanwhile, Lumerne announced specific plans for the joint class.

“Hey! Awesome! 200 students are coming from each academy!”

About three days after Leo was discharged from the infirmary.

Kyle, the informant, came to Class 5 after hearing about the joint class.

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

200 students from each academy.

A whopping 600 outsiders were coming to Lumerne.

It was literally an unprecedented event.

“How long will the joint class run?”

“They say they'll be staying for a total of two weeks?”

“Then the classes will be okay for two weeks?”

“Midterms are soon.”

Worried voices flowed among the students of Class 5.

If the joint class ran for two weeks, it would affect the class progress.

Although all of Class 5 had survived, students who were struggling just to keep up with the pace were beginning to appear.

Amidst the worried voices.

The classroom door opened and Chelsea appeared.

“Leo oppa.”

“Why?”

“Professor Harlind is calling you.”

At her words, Leo stood up with a puzzled expression.

And headed to the faculty office in the classroom building.

Upon arriving at the faculty office, other students were also seen in the corridor.

All the top 3 students from each department in the first year, including Chelsea, were gathered.

They also had confused expressions, as if it was a sudden summons.

Leo stood with them, looking puzzled.

Meanwhile, Harlind came out of the faculty office.

Creak-

Thump- Thump-

The students watched Harlind with tense expressions.

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

“Everyone's here.”

Harlind said calmly.

“You have something to do regarding this joint class.”

“What is it?”

When Celia asked with a puzzled face, Harlind said.

“We intend to grant you control over the students from each academy.”

At his words, the students looked bewildered.

“Control?”

“What exactly do you mean?”

At their words, Harlind curved the corners of his mouth.

“Simply put, instructors.”