Book 1 Chapter 154

154

At the word "instructor," the students made puzzled expressions.

"Are we teaching students from other academies?"

Celia tilted her head, her arms crossed.

Her black hair swayed.

"Yes."

At that reply, Eliza, who had been filing her nails, spoke.

"Instructor. It's not bad. But even if there's a difference in level between Lumerne and the three major class academies, we're all still students… will they accept being taught by us?"

Eliza's half-closed-eyed opinion was very reasonable.

They, too, would have their pride.

Even if it was Lumerne, being controlled by fellow students would clearly not be welcome.

It was then that the other students also nodded at Eliza's words.

"It's fine. The students you will be teaching are Lumerne entrance candidates."

At those words, the other students paused.

Lumerne entrance candidates.

In other words, they were students who would take the entrance exam next year.

The three major class academies also teach students who are studying to prepare for Lumerne's entrance.

Quite a few actual Lumerne students came after studying for admission at the three major class academies.

"Of course, if you don't want to, you can refuse. You'll be busy during the joint class period. You might not be able to focus on personal studies or training. There are no extra credits for this task either."

At Harland's words, Chloe smiled faintly.

"Even so, isn't the reason you told us because it's something we have to do?"

The figureheads representing each grade are the grade representatives, but the influence of top students in the department is also considerable.

As such, they frequently participated in external events.

Harland called them for that reason.

Furthermore, as their recognition was skyrocketing due to the Gigantes incident, the role of the top 3 students in the department was crucial for this event.

"That's right. As the top student of the Knight Department, I can't miss an opportunity like this."

Celia also swept back her hair and puffed out her chest.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

"Elegance! Elegance! As expected of student Chloe and student Celia! So like my proud disciples! I can feel the dignity of a Lumerne student!"

Sedgen appeared, clapping his hands.

And he stood beside Harland with a *chak*!

"Alright. Is there any student who would refuse the instructor position?"

No student shook their head at that question.

This was a position that represented the school in a way.

Although there were no direct benefits, participating in such an event was a great honor.

Seeing that no one was refusing, Sedgen nodded with satisfaction.

"Excellent! I, Sedgen! Have become the professor in charge of the entrance candidates!"

"Not Professor Harland?"

Leo made a puzzled expression.

At Leo's question, Sedgen's eyes twitched.

"Why did you think Harland would take on such an important task, student Leo?"

Sedgen, who felt a rivalry with Harland, was a person who only felt satisfied after beating Harland in every single matter.

In such a situation, Leo, who could be called Harland's student, questioned why Sedgen himself, not Harland, was in the position to pre-evaluate the entrance candidates.

From Sedgen's perspective, Leo's questioning was enough to provoke him.

'Well, it's commendable to think your professor-in-charge is excellent.'

"Student Leo. Do you think Harland is more suitable than I am for managing the entrance candidates?"

"Both professors are excellent, so it's impossible to distinguish superiority."

"Then why did you question why Harland wasn't doing it?"

"Professor Harland is the most famous professor in our school, you know."

Harland is someone who makes all Lumerne students tremble with fear just by making eye contact.

He is equally famous outside the school.

"I thought Professor Harland would be able to seize the initiative."

Among the Lumerne entrance candidates, there will surely be those who are already arrogant, thinking they are Lumerne students.

To prevent such candidates from causing trouble, there was no professor as optimized as Harland.

"Certainly."

"When they see Professor Harland, everyone will probably be scared and tremble."

"But Professor Sedgen is the one who can embrace the students, isn't he?"

"Hoo? Are you saying I can't embrace students?"

"Huh? Th-that's not what I meant…"

It was then that Celia's face turned pale, having made a slip of the tongue.

"I, too…"

Sedgen clenched his fist tightly.

"I can be as scary a professor as Harland! Good! I'll show you the image of Sedgen, the tiger professor! From now on, the scariest professor in Lumerne is me! Sedg…"

"Quiet."

Harland, who had once again shut up his old friend who was ranting, let out a deep sigh.

"I have to be with the instructors of the three major class academies. And as Celia Gerdinger said. Sedgen is a better fit than me to be in charge of the new candidates. He'll embrace the students well."

At those words, Sedgen, who had been ranting, paused and then showed a touched expression.

"Harland… You. Were you acknowledging me that much?"

"Of course. Aren't you my close friend and rival?"

"Indeed! Harland! You truly are the best rival of my life! Hahahaha!"

A cheerful Sedgen placed his hand on his face and burst into a happy laugh.

The ten students watched him with peculiar expressions.

'No. Why is he giving such lip service all of a sudden?'

While everyone was thinking that, Harland spoke to Leo.

"In front of Sedgen, be careful with such words from now on, Leo Flobe. It won't be good if he tries to imitate me awkwardly."

"Did something happen?"

As Leo made a puzzled expression, Harland said with an unexpressive face.

"You will see hell."

Indifferent words, devoid of emotion.

But at those words, all the students felt a chill.

'No, if Professor Harland says something like this, what on earth is going to happen?!'

"I am curious, though."

'Don't be curious!'

Everyone glared at Leo, who was calmly mumbling.

"Anyway, I'll take it that all of you accept the instructor duty. Sedgen will call you frequently from now on, so be prepared. You are dismissed."

Simultaneously with Harland's words, the ten students exited the faculty office hallway.

"An instructor for entrance candidates, huh. We're doing something like this too."

"It feels like it might be fun."

"You think so too, big brother? Me too! Me too!"

Chelsea's eyes sparkled as she agreed with Avard's words.

Watching them, Celia, sweeping back her hair, spoke.

"I was curious about the skill level of students from Icot Academy, so this is great. I'll get to experience their swordsmanship with this opportunity."

"Celia, I always feel this, but you're so enthusiastic about everything."

"It's a family motto. 'Do your best in everything.'"

At Chloe's words, Celia smiled faintly.

Chloe then looked at Duran.

"Duran, I thought you'd refuse, saying you weren't interested in juniors."

At those words, Duran let out a "Hmph" and laughed.

"I'm curious to see how skilled the entrance candidates are."

As he made his characteristic arrogant expression, Eliza sneered.

"Are you in a position to evaluate others' skills?"

"Are you picking a fight now? Eliza Hergin."

"Yes."

"Hmph. No need to wait until the sparring evaluation next week. I'll show you the difference right now."

"Our minds are well-aligned. I was also feeling uneasy because we couldn't settle our match on the opening ceremony day."

The two, who had targeted Leo on the opening day but ended up fighting each other by chance, ultimately couldn't settle their match that day.

As the two, notorious for their bad tempers, glared at each other and engaged in a war of nerves, Chen Xia smiled faintly and stepped between them.

"Alright, alright. That's enough. You might fall for each other. Hmm… or not. If your relationship improves, is that a good thing?"

"What are you talking about, Chen Xia?"

"Exactly. Do you think I'd get along well with this person?"

Duran and Eliza flared up simultaneously.

Watching them, Chen Xia burst into laughter.

In the midst of that, Leo spoke.

"Magic class is soon. Let's go."

"Yeah! Big brother Leo!"

"Didn't you say there's a special lecture today related to star magic? I'll be looking forward to it, Leo."

Chelsea and Chloe followed behind Leo.

Avard, who was about to follow, paused and looked at Warreden.

"What have you been doing since earlier? Warreden."

Warreden had been standing still since earlier, staring intently at Leo's back.

"I'm assessing."

"Assessing?"

"The difference between me and Leo Flobe."

At those words, Avard narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm? Is it because of the sparring evaluation starting next week?"

"Yes. I'm confident I can win against anyone here."

Warreden curled up the corners of his mouth.

At those words, the atmosphere among those around him changed abruptly.

"Hey, hey. Warreden. That's too provocative."

Jureden, the 3rd ranked in the Summoning Department, made an awkward expression.

Although he was 3rd in the Summoning Department, there was a gap between him and the other students who had participated in the Gigantes raid.

Of course, Jureden also knew that fact, so he wasn't provoked by Warreden's words.

But the other students were different.

Knowing that everyone was very proud of their skills, Jureden couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.

"Hmph. It doesn't matter anyway, since everyone here thinks that way."

Warreden sneered coldly.

At those words, Jureden clutched his head.

'No matter what, if you provoke them like that, everyone will get annoyed!'

Regardless, Jureden continued calmly.

"But for Leo Flobe, I can't guarantee it."

Jureden made a surprised expression.

In his eyes, Warreden was truly worthy of being called a monster.

'To be honest, I can't imagine him losing to anyone.'

It wasn't because they were from the same Summoning Department.

Objectively speaking, Warreden was a monster.

It was the same even when listening to people from the south.

For Warreden to mention that he couldn't guarantee victory…

"That's why my goal is to defeat him."

Watching Warreden's chilling smile, Duran crossed his arms.

"He talks as if I'm not even in consideration."

At those words, Warreden made an indifferent expression.

"Isn't it the same for you too? Duran Moira."

Warreden scanned his classmates.

"It's the same for all of you. You don't consider each other. Because you saw it."

Warreden watched Leo's back as he walked away in the distance.

"The back of the guy in front, as if it's natural for him to be impudently above us."

Warreden spoke with an unexpressive face, his arms crossed.

"The image of the guy who led us as if he were a leader."

Aggression became apparent on Warreden's face.

"And we realized that we had accepted that fact ourselves."

Warreden walked, *thump-thump*.

"Haven't we all lived unable to acknowledge someone else being above us? If so, our goal must be the same."

Defeat Leo Flobe.

The goal of their future school life.

No, perhaps it was the moment their life's goal was set.

"Of course, I'll be the one to defeat him."

"Sorry, but that won't happen, Warreden."

Avard laughed.

"Because I'm first."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm first."

Watching the three male students speak competitively, Eliza filed her nails with a pitiful expression.

"Men are like children, really. What does it matter who defeats him first? Just defeat him."

"Isn't that part of it cute?"

Chen Xia smiled faintly, watching the three bickering male students.

"Miss Celia, don't you find that side of them cute too?"

"Hmph. Cute, really. It's disgusting. And you all!"

Celia, her arms crossed, scoffed.

"Because I'll be the one to defeat Leo!"

Watching Celia declare confidently and bicker with the male students, Eliza sighed.

"Celia surprisingly has a tomboyish side to her."

At Eliza's words, Chen Xia covered her mouth and chuckled.

***

On the day the joint class exchange was announced.

Lumerne was bustling with preparations to receive guests.

As much as welcoming a large number of students, they had to create an environment where everyone could focus on their studies without discomfort.

Attendants hurried about.

Students also prepared a welcoming ceremony before the classes.

After all, it was a visit from external guests, so the overall atmosphere was excited.

Amidst that.

There were also students heading out to Lumeria City.

"To come out to Lumeria City like this on a weekday. It feels somewhat novel."

Chelsea said with a slightly excited voice from the ship.

"Don't get too excited, we're not going for fun."

Celia glared at her.

"Hmph! I know! Bet!"

"You!"

Watching the two bickering as always, Leo chuckled.

The students designated as instructors were heading to Lumeria City to greet the three major class academies.

'Junior candidates… I'm a little excited to see what kind of kids there will be.'

As his eyes sparkled, the ship arrived at the dock.

Leo disembarked from the ship.

"Well, it's not time to gather yet. Since we have free time until then, shall we look around?"

"Shall we?"

It was when Leo nodded at Celia's words.

"Leo Flobe."

Someone called Leo from the dock.

Leo looked forward.

And seeing the person standing there, he made a puzzled expression.

Celia hastily bowed her head.

"Hello, Vice Principal."

The one standing there was none other than Lumerne's Vice Principal, Reuben.

His appearance, having not shown himself since the opening ceremony.

It was then that all the other students were also flustered.

"Leo Flobe. Shall we talk for a moment?"