Book 1 Chapter 162

Shasha made a face of momentary incomprehension at Leo’s words.

Not just Shasha, but everyone around her felt the same.

"What did you just say…?"

Seeing Shasha ask with a bewildered expression, Leo said,

"I said you were an arrogant brat."

Shasha’s face went blank.

"You… how dare you to Her Highness the Crown Princess!"

Barden tried to shout, his face flushed with anger, but Shasha raised her hand and stopped him.

Then, with her golden eyes, she stared intently at Leo and asked,

"Is there something about me as your lord that you dislike?"

"Like or dislike, why would I be your subordinate? We're not even from the same country."

"That's because your maternal family is 'Zerdinger'. You are from the Kingdom of Delad, but also from the Empire of Lodren."

At Shasha’s words, the students in the grand library widened their eyes.

"Leo Flov's maternal family is Zerdinger?"

"Wait. Then he's related to Celia Zerdinger?"

"No wonder… they were always together. They weren't dating, they were relatives."

The students from the Empire of Lodren also reacted with surprise.

"Scoop! Scoop!"

At that moment, a student who looked like they were from the newspaper club rushed out of the grand library with an excited expression.

'The rumors will be all over by tomorrow.'

It was a fact that Zerdinger would announce soon anyway, so there was no particular problem.

'Still, it doesn't feel good to have your story broadcast like this. And so what if my maternal family is Zerdinger? What of it?'

Leo continued to look at the princess before him with a bored expression.

The princess, who had lived at the apex of the vast power structure of the empire, took for granted that she was Leo's lord.

*Fara-*!

Shasha unfolded a red fan she took from her pocket and narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm, I see."

"What now?"

"I haven't shown you, senior Leo, my value as your lord yet."

Nodding as if she understood, Shasha gave a playful smile.

"You mean I have to prove it? That I have value as your lord."

*Tak*!

Shasha folded her fan and curled the corners of her mouth upwards.

"Wonderful. To accept an unprecedented all-class subordinate, I indeed need to show my value first."

Shasha nodded, firmly misunderstanding.

"Okay. I will prove my value to you during this joint class. Hohohoho!"

Saying so, Shasha left the grand library.

The students from the Empire of Lodren also hurriedly followed her.

As soon as Shasha left, the entire grand library began to buzz.

"What? So if she's worthy of being served, can Leo Flov be brought into her faction later?"

"Hmm. She's arrogant, but if it's that guy…"

The surrounding area became noisy due to the complete misunderstanding of the people.

Seeing that, Chen Xia smiled faintly.

"Young Master Leo will become even more popular."

"I don't want this kind of popularity."

***

Near the end of lunchtime.

Rumors about Leo and Shasha had spread throughout the school.

Students gathered in the open field for the Summoning Arts class were engrossed in conversations about it.

Among them, the most chaotic topic was about Leo's family.

"Hey! Leo! Is your maternal family really Zerdinger?"

"Yes."

"Wow. Why didn't you say anything?"

"There was no reason to go around mentioning it, was there?"

Leo shrugged at the question from his classmate Teid.

Teid clicked his tongue, looking at Leo.

'Usually, people can't wait to brag. Well, it's Leo.'

Then Teid looked around.

The ones showing a particularly fervent reaction were the female students.

Leo was popular as the class representative and was even called a handsome boy.

However, despite his popularity, the female students surprisingly didn't show much interest in Leo.

It was because of Celia.

Since the beginning of the semester, seeing the two of them always together had led to widespread rumors of them dating.

If the competitor is Celia Zerdinger, there's no hope.

Furthermore, since all the other female students with deep friendships were outstanding, they didn't even look his way.

Now that the fact that Leo and Celia were relatives had been revealed, the female students' interest was bound to skyrocket.

"Teid! You're close with your class president, right?"

"Yes."

"Do you happen to know what your class president likes?"

A female student from the Summoning Arts department asked in a sweet voice.

'Gah! Don't ask me that!'

Teid shed tears of blood internally and answered the girl's question.

Meanwhile, Yura appeared with Vice Professor Carlo and the professors from Scawn.

The first-year students who were chattering amongst themselves quieted down upon seeing them.

"Ahem. Is everyone here?"

Seeing her revealing her displeasure, the first-year students whispered.

"Why is the professor like that?"

"Is it because Leo's maternal family being Zerdinger has been revealed?"

"Well, if so, the probability of him choosing the Summoning Arts department would decrease."

"Indeed, while the class president of class 5 is truly skilled as a summoner, it's true that their impact is less compared to their performance as a knight or a mage."

At those words, Yura's eyes twitched.

'Less impact, what less impact! That guy contracted with a phoenix on his first day of admission! Huh! If you compare impact, even a knight or mage grandfather would be less impactful than summoning!'

Suppressing the urge to shout, she said,

"Before the class, there's an announcement regarding the sparring evaluation."

Yura crossed her arms.

"The sparring evaluation will start next week. The sparring partners will be determined by drawing lots for sparring, as previously announced."

At those words, tense expressions appeared here and there.

Most students prayed not to be matched with top-ranked students.

"Well, that's all for the announcements for Lumeren students. Shall we start the class now?"

At Yura's words, the Scawn students showed tense expressions.

Lumeren's Summoning Arts class.

How much had they looked forward to it?

As everyone had a tense expression, Yura crossed her arms and said,

"The class that will be conducted during the joint class period from today will be very helpful not only to Scawn but also to the current Lumeren students."

At those words, everyone looked puzzled.

"I've called someone to help with today's class."

"Welcome, students of Scawn."

As soon as Yura finished speaking, a magnificent voice echoed.

Everyone looked around in surprise.

Meanwhile, only Leo and Yura accurately pinpointed the source of the voice and looked up at the sky.

*Fizzle! Rumble*!

Suddenly, thunder and lightning raged.

Through the storm, a man riding a Pegasus descended to the ground, exuding a powerful presence.

*Thud*!

Seeing Ultar, who appeared riding his Pegasus, both Scawn and Lumeren students looked astonished.

Pegasus.

The dreamlike top three spirit beasts for spirit summoners.

There's a saying that it's hard to see one of the top three spirit beasts in a lifetime.

In such a situation, seeing a Pegasus firsthand, the Lumeren students could only be moved.

"That's the Pegasus of Ultar senior, spoken of only in legends!"

"What incredible luck!"

While most students were admiring, Yura asked with an annoyed expression,

"Why did you make such a flamboyant entrance?"

"To emphasize the important aspect of a summoner. That is, love."

At Ultar's words as he dismounted from his Pegasus, Yura let out a deep sigh.

Yura said in a somewhat resigned voice,

"This fellow's name is Ultar Legression. He's an amazing individual who contracted with a Pegasus while still a student."

At those words, everyone began to murmur.

"From today, you will learn one thing. That is how to summon and contract with a 'powerful summon beast'."

At Yura's words, the Scawn students looked puzzled.

Summoning and contracting with a powerful summon beast.

That is the ultimate goal that a summoner pursues.

It was natural for the Scawn students to not understand why it was being presented as a special class when they were already learning it at Scawn.

At that moment, a girl raised her hand.

"Professor. I have a question."

A female student from Scawn.

Seeing her face, Yura's eyes sparkled.

'Shasha. She was originally a candidate for next year's Lumeren admission, with enough skill to enter Lumeren immediately, but she went to Scawn because she wanted to experience Scawn's classes, a rather peculiar princess.'

She was a girl with absolute confidence in her abilities.

As such, she was a promising prospect that Lumeren was also paying attention to.

'If that girl joins next year, the Summoning Arts department will have nothing more to wish for.'

"Yes, what is it?"

"Isn't it natural to command powerful summon beasts?"

Seeing Shasha speak in a somewhat dismissive tone, Yura chuckled.

"Yes, it is natural. But what I will teach today is not simply how to command powerful summon beasts."

Yura crossed her arms and wore a meaningful expression.

"It's how to contract with and control summon beasts that exceed your capabilities."

At those words, all the students looked surprised.

"Among you, there are those who particularly need such a class, right?"

Yura smiled, looking at Shasha.

"For example, like the Pegasus of the Lodren royal family."

The Lodren royal family had a tradition of possessing a Pegasus that had a pact with their family for generations.

At Yura's words, Shasha smiled brightly.

"That sounds interesting."

***

Yura's class was attended by almost all students with immense concentration.

Assisting Yura in her class was Ultar.

Ultar, who had contracted with a Pegasus in his third year, was a prime example of a summoner who had contracted with a summon beast beyond their capabilities.

Of course, Ultar's unique and difficult explanations were interpreted by Yura on the side as the class proceeded.

Naturally, not everyone showed fervent interest in the class.

Leo, Worredon, and Eliza, while concentrating, didn't listen with bated breath.

Leo was a contractor of a Phoenix, and Worredon and Eliza, though not of that caliber, had contracted with powerful summon beasts that surpassed their capabilities since childhood.

Having experienced it firsthand, the current class was not of particular interest to them.

"In conclusion, it means that love alone is not enough."

"…It means there's a part where you have to stake your life."

Interpreting Ultar's words, Yura held her head as if it ached.

"Alright, now that you've all heard the lecture, let's move on to practical training."

"Practical training?"

"It's about contracting with Ultar's Pegasus."

At those words, everyone's eyes widened.

"I-is that really okay?"

A Scawn student asked with an excited voice.

Ultar smiled, looking at him.

"Of course."

"And if you succeed in contracting…?"

"Then you will become a covenantor of Aeria."

Ultar gently stroked the Pegasus's nose and smiled.

"Of course, if that's possible."

To re-write the pact of a summoned beast that already has a covenantor means being a superior summoner to the existing covenantor.

Furthermore, it requires skill that can easily overwhelm the existing summoner.

To re-write the pact of the Pegasus, surpassing the existing covenantor, is an almost impossible feat not only for students but even for accomplished individuals who have risen to the status of heroes through summoning arts.

Thus, students gathered around Ultar.

"Leo, come here for a moment."

"Yes?"

"This class would be meaningless for you, right?"

"It is."

For Leo, the covenantor of the Phoenix, it was a class of little significance.

"Then, you take care of that guy."

Leo, looking indifferent to the Pegasus, pointed at Shasha, who was unfolding a fan.

"As you know, the Lodren royal family are covenantors of the Pegasus. At first glance, they seem similar to the Lundua family, but in reality, they are different. While Lundua's contracted Phoenix arranged contracts with other Phoenixes, the Lodren royal family has contracted with a single Pegasus for generations."

All emperors of Lodren throughout history were covenantors of the Pegasus.

It was a blood pact formed through lineage.

However, not all emperors of Lodren throughout history were able to summon the Pegasus.

Even with a contract, if their capacity to summon the Pegasus was insufficient, they could not summon it.

"It's a kind of preliminary contract. So, your know-how will be needed."

"Understood."

Leo nodded and approached Shasha.

Seeing Leo, Shasha smiled.

"Hello, senior Leo. What can I do for you?"

"Professor Yura asked me to help you a bit."

"Me?"

"Yes. You're already a covenantor of the Pegasus, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"She asked me to help you summon that Pegasus."

"Oh my. I am overwhelmed by the professor's consideration. But how can senior Leo help in summoning a Pegasus?"

The fact that Leo is the covenantor of the Phoenix is a secret.

Therefore, Shasha looked at Leo as if he were condescending.

'He's always so arrogant.'

"It will be helpful. It's not a Pegasus, but I've contracted with a powerful summon beast."

"Hmm. So it's a one-on-one lesson. It certainly feels like they're paying attention to me, the candidate for class representative next year, in Lumeren's Summoning Arts department."

Shasha, smiling confidently, curled the corners of her mouth upwards.

"However, I don't want to be a spectacle in front of everyone."

"Then I'll tell the professor that you don't need my help."

"Senior Leo, you really are a proud man."

Shasha frowned.

"Alright. Considering your sincerity, I'll accept your help."

"It's not my sincerity, it's the professor's sincerity."

"You're curious too, aren't you? Whether I'm a person of value."

"Not at all."

"But I don't want to be a spectacle here, so please give me special tutoring at night. I'll tell the professor."

Watching Shasha, who decided and acted as she pleased, Leo let out a small sigh.

'She's still acting as she pleases.'

It seemed this princess would only be satisfied if she were called lord by him.

Unfortunately, Leo knew only one way to make this type of person listen.

'I guess I need to educate her.'