Book 1 Chapter 196

196

The Seyrun students gathered in front of the Seyrun Warp Gate, where the blizzard had stopped, had a considerable air of intimidation.

Lienia, the student council president of Seyrun, looked at the scene with a satisfied expression and said.

"Let's go to the Grand Parade Ground. The teachers are waiting for our guests."

At her words, Rhys nodded.

"Everyone, move out!"

The Lumern students, with tense faces, began to move in a line, following Rhys.

Clack! Swish-!

Then the Seyrun students made way as if they were soldiers well-trained in close-order drill.

"Ugh- how intimidating~"

Karl shook his head at their disciplined appearance and grumbled with a chuckle.

"Hmph! Hmph! Who would be intimidated by something like this?"

Illiana muttered as if rebutting.

But she made a flinching expression as she saw the Seyrun students glaring at them every time they passed.

The Seyrun students carefully observed the face of each Lumern student, as if trying to engrave their competitors into their minds.

Among them, the one who received the most focused attention was, of course, Leo.

Every time Leo passed, the intense gazes of the Seyrun students were fixed on him.

During the first semester's school trip.

There was no one in Seyrun who didn't know that Leo had deciphered Luna's magic, 'Flower Blooming Magic'.

Although it hadn't been announced to the whole world yet, it was a well-known fact in Seyrun.

When the Flower Blooming Magic was first revealed, most elves reacted by saying it was merely one of the countless spells created by the progenitor.

From Seyrun's perspective, their pride was hurt.

The fact that the progenitor's magic, which had been lost for thousands of years in Seyrun's history, was restored and deciphered by a Seyrun student—and not even an elf, but a human—was the reason.

However, during the semester's mission practical, Luna herself mentioned the Flower Blooming Magic.

The importance of the Flower Blooming Magic increased even further due to the reports from Lunia and Hardin.

Naturally, stories about Leo once again became a hot topic within Seyrun.

In this situation, it wasn't long before rumors spread that Leo had been elected as Lumern's student council president.

From Seyrun's perspective, Leo was one of the top targets of vigilance for this Luse War.

Even with all the Seyrun students staring intently at Leo, Leo merely walked calmly.

"Hey, Leo. The Seyrun students are glaring at you fiercely, are you okay?"

"What?"

"Isn't it a burden?"

"Not at all."

"I sometimes envy your boldness."

Karl said admiringly at Leo's calm reaction.

It was then that Leo chuckled, looking at Karl.

He spotted a familiar girl among the Seyrun students.

Eiran saw Leo, smiled brightly, and waved her hand.

When Leo smiled gently and waved back at Eiran, she smiled shyly.

At her reaction, other students from different classes nearby rushed around Leo.

"Hey! Who was that just now, Leo?"

"Do you know her?"

"She was a total beauty! Everyone else was glaring fiercely, but she was the only one who smiled at him!"

Unlike other Seyrun students, Eiran gave Lumern students a kind smile.

Given her personality, even if she were told to threaten students from another school, it was impossible for her to be threatening.

Karl let out a "Hmph-!" and laughed at the reactions of the other class students.

"Want to know about Eiran?"

"Oh! Karl, you know her too!"

"Did you get close during the school trip?"

The other class students exclaimed, "That's right!" and crowded around Karl.

"Curious?"

"Yes, curious!"

"It's good to relax, but the seniors are glaring."

When Leo spoke, looking at the boisterous male students, "Kuh-hok!" the male students scattered in all directions.

That's how the Lumern students arrived at Seyrun's Grand Parade Ground.

The Seyrun students, who had first made way and then followed, lined up in their designated places.

The Lumern students also aligned by grade, with their grade representatives at the front.

Amidst this, an elf appeared on the platform standing at the front of the Grand Parade Ground.

He, exuding a sense of experience, looked at the Lumern students with serious eyes and then spoke.

-Welcome, sprouts who will lead the future of humanity. My name is Bennett. Though I am lacking, I hold the position of Seyrun's headmaster.

As Bennett introduced himself, the Lumern students burst into exclamations of admiration.

Bennett.

He was a powerful wizard hero known as [The Progenitor's First Star], capable of wielding all the progenitor's magic known to date.

He was also the man who actually conquered Luna's world and inherited its power.

They knew he held the position of Seyrun's headmaster, but seeing such a great hero in person, the Lumern students couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

-I hope you all achieve satisfactory results in this Seru War. The official start of the Seru War is the day after tomorrow. Until then, I hope you maintain your best condition. That is all.

It was a bland welcome.

But it was also the best thing one could say to students from a rival school.

Clap- Clap- Clap-

The Lumern students clapped.

Bennett, having descended from the platform, returned straight to the school.

"Alright, alright. Now, I'll guide you to your accommodations."

Lienia stood in front of the Lumern students and smiled gently.

"As the headmaster said, the official start of the Seru War is the day after tomorrow. So, please rest well in the prepared accommodation. Oh, you can use the school's facilities freely. And there will be a welcome party for you in the evening, so please attend if you wish."

With Lienia leading the way, the Seyrun student council executives guided them to Lumern's accommodation.

The accommodation Seyrun guided them to was a co-ed, co-grade dormitory.

Of course, even though it was co-ed, the sleeping and washing areas were separate.

What was shared was the common room.

It seemed that strategies for the next day's matches could be planned here.

The students unpacked their belongings in their assigned rooms and gathered in the common room.

"Our school is incredibly grand, but Seyrun is even more impressive."

Illiana admired, looking at the common room of the accommodation.

"It's the wealthiest among the hero academies, isn't it?"

Nella smiled gently.

"By the way, a welcome party. Sounds like there will be an intense battle of wills, doesn't it?"

"Probably, right? Didn't you see the Seyrun kids glaring earlier? Ugh, just…"

Karl shook his head repeatedly at Teide's mumble.

"They must be planning to properly assert dominance through the welcome party. But we can't just not go."

Chelsea, with her arms crossed, spoke firmly.

"We should go and assert dominance ourselves!"

The students of Class 5 nodded at her assertion.

"Class rep! You're good at that kind of thing. Go and assert dominance in one go! We already feel like we're losing from the first encounter~"

"That's right! Leo oppa! Show them a lesson!"

Chelsea and Illiana said to Leo, who was sitting relaxed beside them.

"Assert dominance?"

Chelsea and Illiana nodded, watching Leo chuckle.

"Then, shall we give it a proper try?"

"Oh! As expected of our class rep!"

"Go, Leo oppa!"

The two girls enthusiastically cheered for Leo.

Seeing that, Teide said with an uneasy expression.

"Will it be alright? I feel like he's going to hit them with something too big."

"That's true, but at this point, Leo's bravado is what's needed."

Nella replied to Teide's words with her characteristic languid smile.

"I'm a little uneasy."

Karl looked at Leo, who was sitting as usual, with worried eyes.

***

In response to Seyrun's attempt to assert dominance from the start, all Lumern students participated in the welcome party.

Not only students but also Lumern's professors and teachers were present at the welcome party.

Leo was leisurely enjoying the party in one corner of the venue.

His other friends had all rushed to the buffet, saying they wanted to try traditional elf cuisine.

Leo was standing in a corner of the party hall, observing the Seyrun students.

"Leo, you were here!"

A welcome voice was heard.

Turning his head, he saw Herdium, the homeroom teacher of Seyrun's first-year Advanced Class 1, whom he had met during the school trip, approaching.

"It's been a while, Teacher Herdium."

Leo greeted him.

Even after the school trip ended, Herdium had consistently shown interest in Leo.

From encouraging Leo to transfer to Seyrun to attempts at an exchange student program, and so on.

It was no exaggeration to say that all of this was done under Herdium's initiative.

It was a natural consequence, but Herdium coveted Leo's talent, who had deciphered the progenitor's magic.

'If only Leo were an elf.'

Herdium didn't show his regretful expression.

Leo was now a first-year.

There would be many more days of interaction with Seyrun in the future.

And there was no law saying that over time, Leo wouldn't feel the desire to study at Seyrun.

'Even in preparation for such a time, it would be necessary to maintain a more intimate relationship with Leo.'

While Herdium was thinking such thoughts to himself.

"Teacher Herdium. Would you introduce that boy to me?"

A man approached with a smile.

He was a man with fiery red hair and eyes.

But unlike his flamboyant appearance, his eyes were full of composure.

Leo realized that his appearance resembled Lunia's and nodded.

'Elan Lundaa. Lunia's father and my mother's friend.'

And he was also the sworn ally of Pirina, Fiora's mother.

"Ah! Teacher Elan."

Herdium welcomed Elan with a bright expression.

In fact, most of Seyrun's teachers disapproved of Leo.

The only teachers who viewed Leo positively were Herdium, who had met Leo directly, and Elan, who had heard about Leo through his daughter and his sworn ally.

"This is Leo Flove. Leo, this is Teacher Elan Lundaa."

"My name is Leo Flove."

"My name is Elan Lundaa."

Elan smiled gently and extended his hand to Leo.

Leo took his hand and shook it.

Elan, with a pleased expression, said to Herdium, who was watching them.

"Teacher Herdium, may I speak with Leo for a moment?"

"Understood. Then, Leo. I hope you have a pleasant time."

Herdium smiled and left.

He thought there must be something that Phoenix sworn allies understood among themselves.

After Herdium left, Elan said.

"It seems my daughter has been indebted to you several times."

"No, not at all, I received a lot of help as well."

Leo replied with a gentle smile.

Elan chuckled, looking at Leo, and said.

"I don't know if your mother told you about me, but I owe your mother a debt."

"I know, I heard from Lady Pirina."

"Oh, really?"

Elan smiled gently.

Then he patted Leo on the shoulder.

"I won't say I'll repay her debt through you. The debt I owe her will last a lifetime. However, if you ever need anything, contact me anytime. I will help you as much as I can."

"Thank you."

In elf society, the words of the head of the Lundaa family, the most prestigious clan, were never taken lightly.

If compared to human society, Elan was an equivalent to the head of the Zerdinger family.

And the promise he had just made to help was by no means an empty one.

'He must know that fact, yet he accepts it so calmly.'

Elan looked at Leo with admiration.

He knew that his daughter was repeatedly striving to overcome this boy.

'It wouldn't be bad to have a goal to pursue for a lifetime.'

It was then that Elan chuckled softly.

"Dad… no, Teacher Elan."

Lunia, who had noticed Leo and Elan talking, rushed over.

Elan chuckled, looking at his daughter, and then left, telling Leo, "You two can talk."

Lunia glanced at Elan as he left and asked.

"What were you talking about with Dad?"

"Nothing much. Anyway, what's up?"

"Dance time is about to start. Dancing with you was fun. So I came to ask you for a dance."

Lunia said with a smile.

*Whoosh*!

At that moment, the lights in the party hall went out.

The students were flustered.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Are you enjoying the welcome party?"

A Seyrun male student holding a microphone climbed onto the platform at one side of the party hall.

He smiled mischievously and said.

"My name is Edin, and I'll be hosting today's party."

A spotlight focused solely on him.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Edin.

"Before the main party begins, I thought it would be good to hear a word from the students regarding your determination for the Seru War."

Edin scanned the students and smiled gently.

Along with him, spirits appeared on the platform, carrying a giant trophy.

It was the Luse War championship trophy.

"This trophy has belonged to our Seyrun for many years! And of course, it will continue to belong to Seyrun in the future."

Seeing Edin smile meaningfully, some Lumern students booed.

"Oh! If you're not happy about it, take it by skill."

Edin said to Lienia with a provocative smile.

"Isn't that right, President?"

"Of course! Of course!"

Lienia nodded confidently.

"Alright! Then, before the Seru War, I'd like to hear from the student council presidents of Seyrun and Lumern. Shall we start with Seyrun's student council president?"

Edin approached Lienia and held out the microphone.

"A word of determination, please, President."

"I will do my best, as always. And I will win to continue the tradition that Seyrun wins the Seru War."

Edin nodded, watching Lienia smile wryly.

"Alright, then, Lumern's student council president."

"I'll yield the floor to my successor, the student council president."

At Rhys's words, Edin's eyes widened, then he smiled and approached Leo.

"Wow. A successor as student council president. Even if he's the student council president, I'm not sure if a first-year can represent the Lumern students."

Laughter erupted from various parts of Seyrun at the playful teasing.

Edin approached Leo.

"Then, Lumern's next student council president. May we hear a word of determination from you before your first Seru War?"

Edin handed the microphone to Leo and said.

Leo, receiving it, felt the gazes of the vast party hall fixed on him.

Leo took the microphone and spoke calmly.

"To the students of Seyrun, thank you for safeguarding the trophy until now."

At Leo's words, Edin's eyes widened.

The Seyrun students also frowned.

"Go ahead and get a good look at the trophy now."

"May I ask why?"

When Edin asked at Leo's words, Leo replied as if he was asking the obvious.

"Because it'll be hard to see that trophy for the next five years."