Book 1 Chapter 190

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

Dragonbone was said to be one of the finest materials for weapon crafting.

It was an incredible material that alchemists and blacksmiths would get excited just hearing about.

"Th-this is Dragonbone…!"

Indeed, Kal was wiping away drool from the corner of his mouth next to me.

"What is it?"

"What's going on?"

"Leo received a sword made of Dragonbone!"

"What?"

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

"Wasn't it sent by Leo's family?"

"Aren't they nobility from a border kingdom?"

"His maternal relatives are from Zerdigner."

"Nah, even for Zerdigner, a sword made of Dragonbone would be difficult."

A murmur spread among the first-years.

As the murmuring of the first-years grew louder, the upperclassmen also turned their attention with puzzled expressions.

"What's happening?"

Harrind approached.

At that, the first-years who had been whispering amongst themselves instantly fell silent.

It was the formidable Harrind Effect.

Amidst the silence, Chelsea raised her hand high.

"Professor Harrind! Leo-oppa apparently received a sword made of Dragonbone as a gift!"

"Dragonbone?"

Harrind narrowed his brows.

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

'But Dragonbone is far too excessive.'

Weapons made of Dragonbone were not only high in performance but also extremely valuable due to their rarity.

It was literally something dragons bestowed only upon those they recognized.

A treasure imbued with a dragon's magic, its price was truly whatever the buyer was willing to pay.

It was not something one would send just to look good.

"Who sent it?"

In response to Harrind's question, Leo looked at the letter and said,

"The letter only says it's a congratulatory gift for becoming student council president, and there's no sender listed."

"Hmm."

Harrind narrowed his brows.

"Is there anyone you know who might send something like this?"

To this question, Leo naturally thought of Dragon Lord Melina.

Among the people he knew, she was the only one capable of sending such a treasure.

'But it's not Melina.'

Leo glanced at the longsword.

If it were Melina, she would have indicated that she sent it in a way Leo would recognize.

"There's no one."

Hearing Leo's words, Harrind fell into thought.

'An excessive gift with an unknown origin.'

It had likely undergone inspection upon entering Lumern, but one could never be too sure.

'After all, we didn't know that a spy from Tartarus was hiding in Lumern until last year.'

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

"Leo. Just in case, I will hold onto the sword for now."

As his reputation grew and he gained more attention, there could arise those who wished to harm him discreetly.

Leo nodded at Harrind's words.

"Yes."

Leo placed the sword back in its box and handed it over to Harrind.

As the atmosphere was filled with excitement from the gift delivery.

Sedgen, seated in the place of honor among the professors, tapped his wine glass.

*Clink-* *Clink-* *Clink-*

The gentle sound of glass echoed throughout the great hall.

The students, who had been happily chatting amongst themselves, stopped their conversations and looked at Sedgen.

"Everyone. The Headmaster will now speak. Please pay attention."

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

As Sedgen sat down, Calian stood up.

"You all worked hard on your exams. This year, autumn has returned, and we are only left with a quarter of the semester."

Calian looked at the students with a gentle smile.

"I hope the fifth-years, who are graduating, have a meaningful school life until the end, and I hope the underclassmen will have a time to send off their graduating seniors well."

At Calian's words, the fifth-years offered somewhat bitter smiles.

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

At these words, the students began to murmur.

"'Guests'?"

"It was only recently that we had joint classes with the three major academy classes…"

"With the Ruse War approaching, is it okay for guests to come?"

As the students showed bewildered reactions, Calian continued.

"I understand your concerns. However, you do not need to worry about that. In a sense, it might even be a great help for the Ruse War."

Calian smiled faintly and raised his wine glass.

"Finally, I propose a toast in honor of our victory in the Ruse War, which will take place in a month."

At his words, the students raised their glasses.

"Let's make sure we win this year!"

"Cheers!"

*Clap, clap, clap-*

As Calian's banquet speech ended, applause erupted.

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

Since tomorrow was a holiday, they could even go out for a leave of absence to Lumeria City.

While everyone was talking and having fun, Harrind, who had left the banquet, summoned the magic department professors.

"So this is the sword that an unknown person sent to student Leo."

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

"Yes. I would like to hear your opinions on whether there might be any curses attached."

In response to Harrind's question, Ren extended his hand and carefully brushed the surface of the longsword.

"It is indeed Dragonbone. Although I cannot know the exact composition."

Ren murmured softly and spoke to the professor next to him.

"Professor Lu. Do you think you can tell?"

The middle-aged female professor, referred to as Professor Lu, nodded and took out a monocular from her pocket.

Professor Lu, a specialist in alchemy, boasted the most knowledge in Lumern regarding rare materials.

"Let's see."

Professor Lu, who was observing the surface closely, exclaimed.

"It's 100% pure Dragonbone. It's been a very long time since I've seen something like this."

Professor Lu took off the monocular and looked puzzled.

"It is certainly too extravagant a gift to be given."

"Heh. This is proof that the sender recognized Leo's value."

Professor Ren said with a smug expression.

Just as the magic department professors were about to thoroughly examine the sword, ignoring Ren,

"I will take a look."

All eyes turned in one direction.

Alby was approaching.

"Oh, if it's Professor Alby, you should be able to investigate this sword easily."

Alby, known as the Mage of the Mystic Eyes, had the power to see through all sorts of magic.

This included curses from Tartarus and dark magic.

Lu moved aside, and Alby, standing before the sword, activated his mystic eyes.

*Kiying-*

Golden light and elven magic arrays appeared in Alby's eyes.

A moment later.

Alby, having withdrawn his mystic eyes, spoke to Harrind.

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

"Is that so?"

"However."

"However?"

"The sword itself is difficult for a common knight to wield."

"What does that mean?"

"This sword is a magic sword."

"A magic sword?"

"Yes, looking at the inscribed magic array structure inside, it possesses magic such as spell power boost, user mana increase, and casting assistance."

"Not only the material of the sword but also the magic arrays are amazing. The magic arrays are at a level that would be believable even for a high-level magic staff."

Ren admired it, then let out a proud laugh.

"To gift such a magnificent item to student Leo! Whoever the person with such foresight is, they have an eye that accurately perceives Leo's value!"

"That would be the case. It seems like it was sent by Seirun."

*Crack-*

Ren's face hardened.

"Seirun?"

Harrind looked puzzled.

"Yes. The magic arrays are inscribed with 'Star Magic'. Therefore, these magic arrays do not provide much help to human mages. It is essentially an elf-exclusive weapon for users of 'Star Magic'."

Alby exhaled lightly.

"However, with Leo Flob's skill, it is an item he can handle."

Leo, as if it were natural, uses Star Magic, which can be considered elven magic.

It was natural because the one who taught Leo Star Magic was none other than its creator, Luna.

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

"Since only Seirun can create such an item among elves, it leads to the conclusion that someone high up in Seirun sent a gift to Leo Flob."

"Indeed."

Harrind nodded.

"Hoo hoo hoo… Hoo hoo ho ho. Hoo ho ho ho ho. Uh ho ho ho ho."

At that moment, Ren burst into laughter.

Seeing that, the surrounding professors shivered.

Ren stopped laughing abruptly and said in his usual manner,

"Let's discard it."

"Do you think it's right to carelessly dispose of a student's gift?"

"Senior Alby, this is a cowardly scheme by those insidious pointy-eared bastards. They're sending this pathetic gift in a despicable plot to win Leo's favor."

Ren crossed his arms.

"Therefore, it is a dirty object. An item to deceive Leo's eyes! Therefore, it must be discarded!"

"Escort him out."

Harrind said ruthlessly, and the surrounding professors grabbed Ren and dragged him away.

"Professor Harrind! Please listen to me! You must discard that sword immediately…!"

Ignoring Ren, who was dragged away with his mouth covered, Harrind said,

"If there are no major issues, it should be returned to Leo."

"Will that be alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"Although Ren was talking nonsense, he wasn't entirely wrong. This seems like Seirun testing Leo Flob."

It was as Alby said.

Lumern is evaluated for its potential in the world of heroes.

Azonya proves its strength through a desert crossing marathon.

Each hero academy has its own unique entrance examination system.

And Seirun's entrance exam is how well one can handle 'Star Magic'.

This magic sword becomes more powerful the more proficient the user is with Star Magic.

In terms of evaluating proficiency in Star Magic, it is very similar to Seirun's entrance exam.

Seirun's intentions are too blatant.

Harrind chuckled at Alby's words.

"Unexpected. Alby, I didn't think you'd be so interested in school matters."

"I am a professor at Lumern, after all."

Starting this year, Alby began teaching and was frequently involved in school affairs.

He wouldn't have attended this banquet under normal circumstances.

Harrind, knowing what change of heart he had undergone, considered it a positive change.

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

Harrind's lips curled up.

"No matter how much Seirun tries, Lumern will not lose a student."

Harrind said confidently.

"Because Lumern is the best school."

***

After the banquet ended in the evening.

The first-year boys' dormitory was bustling.

"Freedom!"

"Let's leave Lumern for the weekend and have fun!"

Everyone was exhausted right after the exams, but after the banquet and into the evening, they regained their vitality with their youthful energy.

This was true not only for the first-year boys' dormitory but for all dormitories.

It was a frenzy of leave of absence applications.

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

"Hmm. I think I'll just relax at school."

"Don't you get tired of school?"

Kal asked with a look of disbelief.

"Wait. Come to think of it, you're going to have kids asking you to hang out anyway, right? Aren't you going on a date?"

"No."

Leo chuckled and replied to Kal's question.

"Hey, Leo. You have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

A male student from another class came to call Leo.

"Oh~ As expected, popular guy."

Kal playfully poked Leo in the side.

"Who is it?"

"It's second-year representative Lil-senpai."

At these words, Leo got up with a puzzled expression.

Kal also seemed curious and followed behind Leo.

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

"Hello, Leo. Congratulations on becoming student council president. And who is your friend?"

"I'm Kal Thomas, Lil-senpai!"

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

Lil gave a crisp nod.

Kal was slightly taken aback by Lil's demeanor.

High-ranking students at Lumern were usually quite overbearing towards their juniors.

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

"Thank you, Lil-senpai. But why are you all the way to the first-year boys' dormitory?"

In response to Leo's question, Lil hesitated.

"Um… I know this might be a bit rude to say, but Leo, if you don't have any plans this weekend, could you go to Lumeria with me for one night and two days?"

"Um. I don't have any specific plans, so it's fine."

At Leo's words, Lil smiled brightly and then chuckled.

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

"Okay."

Leo readily nodded.

Lil left immediately.

Kal watched him go, his mouth agape.

"Are you… are you going on a one-night, two-day date with a second-year female senior?"

"She said it's not a date, but rather a consultation."

"What kind of consultation takes one night and two days!"

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

Leo returned to the dormitory.

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

At that moment, Iliana, who was walking in the garden, spotted Kal and approached him.

"Hey, want to hear about a huge incident?"

"What is it?"

"This weekend, Leo is going out for one night and two days with Lil-senpai."

"What?"

Iliana's eyes widened.

"Amazing! Amazing! Absolutely amazing! A one-night, two-day date?"

"She said it wasn't a date."

"Ah! If a man and a woman spend one night and two days together, it's a date!"

"Right?"

The two, with their adolescent imagination running wild, began to get excited.

As a result, the rumor spread rapidly throughout the entire first-year dormitory.