Book 1 Chapter 190

190

Leo carefully ran his hand over the surface of the longsword.

Dragon Bone was one of the materials considered the best for crafting weapons.

It was an incredible material that made alchemists and blacksmiths excited just by hearing about it.

"T-this is Dragon Bone…!"

Indeed, Kal was actually wiping the drool from his mouth next to him.

"What is it?"

"What's going on?"

"Leo received a sword made of Dragon Bone!"

"What?"

"Is that even possible? Who would give such a precious thing as a gift?"

"Didn't Leo's family send it?"

"He's from a noble family in a frontier kingdom, isn't he?"

"His maternal family is the Zerdingers."

"Nah, even if it's the Zerdingers, a sword made of Dragon Bone would be too difficult."

Whispers spread among the first-year students.

As the first-years' murmurs grew louder, the upperclassmen also looked on with puzzled faces.

"What's happening?"

Harleen approached.

At that, the first-year students who had been chattering among themselves instantly fell silent.

It was the formidable Harleen effect.

In the midst of it, Chelsea raised her hand.

"Professor Harleen! Leo oppa reportedly received a sword made of Dragon Bone as a gift!"

"Dragon Bone?"

Harleen furrowed her brow.

The professors had also expected Leo to receive many gifts at this banquet.

'But Dragon Bone is too extravagant an item.'

Weapons made of Dragon Bone were not only powerful, but their rarity gave them an extremely high value.

Literally, it was an item that dragons only gave to those they acknowledged.

It was an item infused with the dragon's magic, truly worth whatever price was named.

It was certainly not an item one would send just to make a good impression.

"Who sent it?"

At Harleen's question, Leo looked at the letter and said,

"The letter only said it was a congratulatory gift for becoming the student council president, and the sender wasn't written."

"Hmm."

Harleen furrowed her brow.

"Among the people you know, who would send something like this?"

At that question, Leo naturally thought of the Dragon Lord Melina.

Among the people Leo knew, she was the only one who could send such an item.

'But it's not Melina.'

Leo glanced at the longsword.

If it were Melina, she would have let him know in a way he would recognize that she had sent it.

"No one."

Listening to Leo, Harleen fell into thought.

'An extravagant gift from an unknown source.'

Although it must have gone through inspection when it entered Lumerne, one never knew.

'Because we didn't know Tartaros's spies were hidden in Lumerne until just last year.'

In that case, there was no harm in being cautious.

"Leo. Just in case, I'll hold onto the sword for a while."

As his reputation grew and he attracted attention, there could be those who would secretly try to harm him.

At Harleen's words, Leo nodded.

"Yes."

Leo put the sword back in its box and handed it to Harleen.

While the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement from the gift deliveries.

Sedgen, who was seated at the head table among the professors, tapped his wine glass—*tap-tap*.

*Clink-clink-clink—*

The soft sound of glass resonated throughout the grand hall.

Students, who had been chatting and enjoying themselves, stopped their conversations and looked at Sedgen.

"Gentlemen. Now, the Headmaster will speak. Everyone, pay attention."

At his words, students put down their food and straightened their posture.

As Sedgen sat down, Kalian stood up.

"Everyone has worked hard taking exams. This year, autumn has returned again, and now only a quarter of the semester remains."

Kalian smiled gently as he looked at the students.

"I hope the graduating fifth-year students will have a meaningful school life until the very end, and I hope it will be a time for the younger students to give a good send-off to their graduating seniors."

At Kalian's words, the fifth-year students smiled a somewhat bitter smile.

"And starting next week, 'guests' will be arriving from outside."

At that, the students began to murmur.

"Guests?"

"It hasn't been long since we had joint classes with the three major class academies…"

"Ruseon is coming up soon, is it okay for guests to come?"

As the students showed bewildered reactions, Kalian continued.

"I know what concerns you have. But you don't need to worry about that. In some sense, it might even be a great help for Ruseon."

Kalian, smiling broadly, raised his wine glass.

"Finally, I propose a toast in wish for victory in Ruseon, which will be held a month from now."

At his words, the students raised their glasses.

"May we surely win this year!"

"Cheers!"

*Clap, clap, clap—!*

When Kalian's banquet speech ended, applause erupted.

The banquet officially began, and students enjoyed themselves, relieving their exam fatigue.

Since the next day was a holiday, they could also go out for an overnight stay in Lumeria City.

As everyone was chatting happily, Harleen, who had left the banquet, called together the professors of the magic department.

"This is the sword that an unidentified person sent to Leo, then."

Ren stood with his arms crossed, looking at the ordinary-looking longsword.

"Yes. I wanted to ask your opinions, whether there might be a curse or something similar on it."

At Harleen's question, Ren reached out and carefully ran his hand over the surface of the longsword.

"It's definitely Dragon Bone. Though I can't precisely tell the content percentage."

Ren murmured softly and spoke to the professor beside him.

"Professor Roo. Can you perhaps tell?"

The middle-aged female professor, called Professor Roo, nodded and took out a monocle from her pocket.

Professor Roo, specializing in alchemy, boasted the foremost knowledge in Lumerne regarding precious materials.

"Let's see."

Professor Roo, observing the surface closely, exclaimed in admiration.

"It's 100% pure Dragon Bone. It's truly been a long time since I've seen such an item."

Professor Roo, removing her monocle, wore a puzzled expression.

"It is certainly an excessive item to send as a gift."

"Hmph. It must be proof that the sender recognized Leo's worth."

Professor Ren put on an arrogant expression.

Just as the magic department professors were about to examine the sword more closely, completely ignoring Ren.

"Let me see."

Everyone's gaze turned to one side.

Albi was approaching.

"Oh, if it's Professor Albi, he can easily investigate this sword."

Albi, known as the Sorcerer of the Demonic Eye, had the power to see through all kinds of magic.

This included Tartaros's curses and dark magic.

As Roo made way, Albi stood before the sword and activated his Demonic Eye.

*Kiiing—!*

Golden light and fairy magic formulas emerged in Albi's eyes.

A moment later.

Albi, retracting his Demonic Eye, spoke to Harleen.

"There are no traces of Tartaros. Nor is there any magic that specifically harms the user."

"Is that so?"

"However."

"However?"

"The sword itself is an item difficult for an ordinary knight to wield."

"What does that mean?"

"This sword is a magic sword."

"A magic sword?"

"Yes, if you look at the spell structure engraved inside, it contains magic such as spell power boost, user magic power increase, and casting assist."

"Not only is the material of the sword impressive, but the spell formulas are also magnificent. They're at a level that would be believable even for a formidable magic staff."

Ren exclaimed in admiration, then chuckled—*hooh!*

"To gift such an amazing item to Leo! I don't know what kind of discerning person it is, but they have the insight to accurately perceive Leo's worth!"

"That must be it. It seems this item was sent from Seirune, after all."

*Crack—!*

Ren's face hardened.

"Seirune?"

Harleen wore a puzzled expression.

"Yes. The spell formulas are engraved with 'Star Magic'. Therefore, these formulas here do not provide much help to human mages. They are for 'Star Magic' users, in simple terms, an elf-exclusive weapon."

Albi let out a light breath.

"However, with Leo Flobe's skill, it's an item he can certainly handle."

Leo uses Star Magic, which can be called the magic of elves, as if it were natural.

It is natural, if anything, because the one who taught Leo Star Magic was none other than its founder, Luna.

Currently, no one in this world understands Star Magic as well as Leo.

"Among the elves, only Seirune can create such an item, so the conclusion is that a high-ranking person from Seirune sent a gift to Leo Flobe."

"Indeed."

Harleen nodded.

"Hahahaha… hahahaha. Hahahaha. Ehehehe."

Then Ren burst into laughter.

Seeing that, the surrounding professors flinched.

*Thud—* Ren stopped laughing and spoke as usual.

"Let's throw it away."

"Do you think it's reasonable to arbitrarily dispose of a student's gift?"

"Senior Albi. This is a cowardly trick by those insidious pointy-eared bastards. It's a utterly filthy conspiracy to curry favor with Leo by sending such a petty gift."

Ren crossed his arms.

"Therefore, this is a dirty object. An object to bewitch Leo's eyes! So we must throw it away!"

"Drag him out."

When Harleen spoke without mercy, the surrounding professors grabbed Ren and dragged him away.

"Professor Harleen! Please listen to me! We must throw that sword away at once…! Mph! Mph!"

Harleen ignored Ren, who was being dragged away with his mouth covered, and said,

"If there's no major problem, we can return it to Leo."

"Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"Even though Ren was spouting nonsense, he wasn't entirely wrong. This seems like Seirune testing Leo Flobe."

Albi's words were true.

Lumerne, which evaluates potential in the world of heroes.

Azzonia, which proves its skill through a desert crossing marathon.

Each hero academy had its own unique entrance examination system.

And Seirune's entrance exam was how well one could wield 'Star Magic'.

This magic sword delivered greater power the more proficient the user was in Star Magic.

In evaluating proficiency in Star Magic, it was very similar to Seirune's entrance exam.

Seirune's intentions were overtly transparent.

Harleen chuckled at Albi's words.

"Unexpected. Albi, that you're taking such an interest in school matters."

"Well, I am a professor at Lumerne, after all."

Starting this year, Albi had begun giving lectures and frequently participated in school affairs.

Originally, he wouldn't have even attended such a banquet.

Harleen, who knew what change of heart he had experienced, considered it a positive change.

"Whatever their intentions, there's nothing we can do. And let them try if they dare."

Harleen curled up the corners of her mouth.

"No matter how hard Seirune tries, Lumerne will not lose a student."

Harleen spoke confidently.

"Because Lumerne is the best school."

***

Evening, after the banquet ended.

The first-year boys' dormitory was bustling.

"Freedom!"

"Let's leave Lumerne for the weekend and have some wild fun!"

Immediately after the exams, everyone had been exhausted, but after the banquet and as evening fell, they regained their vitality with the unique energy of boys.

Not only the first-year boys' dormitory but all dormitories were the same.

It was chaotic with applications for overnight passes.

"Leo! Aren't you going to Lumeria City?!"

"Well. I was planning to relax at school."

"Don't you ever get tired of school?"

Kal asked with a bewildered look.

"Wait. Now that I think about it, wouldn't the others ask you to go out and play anyway? No date invitations?"

"No."

It was as Leo chuckled and answered Kal's question.

"Hey, Leo. You have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

Another male student from a different class came to call Leo.

"Oh~ Popular guy, as expected."

Kal playfully poked Leo in the side.

"Who is it?"

"It's Senior Lil, the second-year representative."

At that, Leo rose with a puzzled look.

Kal, curious, also followed behind Leo.

When they went outside the dormitory, Lil was indeed waiting.

"Hello, Leo. Congratulations on becoming student council president. And your friend next to you?"

"I'm Kal Thomas, Senior Lil!"

"Ah. The one who makes the fatigue recovery potion? I'm using it well."

Lil bowed politely.

Kal was slightly flustered by Lil's attitude.

Upperclassmen at Lumerne often tended to be quite overbearing towards juniors.

However, Lil, despite being the second-year representative, showed impeccable courtesy to Kal, a first-year.

"Thank you, Senior Lil. But what brings you to the first-year boys' dormitory?"

At Leo's question, Lil hesitated.

"Um… I know this might be a bit rude to ask, but Leo. If you don't have plans this weekend, could you go with me to Lumeria for an overnight stay?"

"Hmm. I don't particularly have plans, so it's fine."

At Leo's words, Lil brightened and smiled.

"Yes. Then I'll come to pick you up at 6 AM tomorrow."

"Okay."

Leo readily nodded.

Lil left as she came.

Kal watched her go, his mouth agape.

"A, an overnight date with a second-year female senior?"

"I think it's more like a consultation."

"What kind of consultation takes an overnight stay?!"

"It could. Anyway, I need to wake up early tomorrow, so I'm going to bed early."

Leo went straight back to the dormitory.

"Huh? Kal! What are you doing standing there blankly?"

Just then, Illiana, who was walking in the garden, spotted Kal and approached.

"Hey, want me to tell you some amazing news?"

"What is it?"

"Leo is going out with Senior Lil for an overnight stay this weekend."

"What?"

Illiana's eyes widened.

"Awesome! Awesome! Totally awesome! An overnight date?"

"He said it wasn't a date."

"Oh come on! If a boy and a girl are together for an overnight stay, it's a date!"

"Right?"

The two, with the overflowing imagination characteristic of adolescent boys and girls, began to get excited.

Thanks to them, the rumor spread throughout the first-year dormitory in an instant.