Book 1 Chapter 196

The aura of the Seirun students gathered before the blizzard-cleared Seirun Warp Gate was formidable.

Rienia, the student council president of Seirun, smiled with satisfaction at the sight and said, "Let's go to the Grand Training Ground. The teachers are waiting for our guests."

At her words, Lise nodded. "Everyone, move out!"

The Lumeren students, with tense faces, began to move in formation, following Lise.

*Chak! Jwaak-!*

Then, the Seirun students parted the way as if they were soldiers well-trained in drills.

"Ugh, it's intimidating~"

Kal muttered, shaking his head with a chuckle at their disciplined demeanor.

"Hmph! Hmph! Who do you think would be intimidated by this?"

Iliana muttered defiantly.

However, as they passed, she showed a slightly intimidated expression seeing the Seirun students glaring at them.

The Seirun students meticulously examined the faces of each Lumeren student, as if to burn their rivals into their memories.

Among them, Leo naturally received the most attention.

Every time Leo passed, the intense gazes of the Seirun students focused on him.

During the first semester's field trip.

It was already common knowledge in Seirun that Leo had deciphered Luna's magic, 'Flower Blooming Magic'.

Although it hadn't been officially announced to the world yet, it was a well-known fact within Seirun.

When the Flower Blooming Magic was first revealed, most elves reacted by saying it was just one of many magics created by the Ancestor.

This was because, from Seirun's perspective, it was a blow to their pride.

The fact that a student of Seirun, and furthermore, a human, not even an elf, had restored and deciphered a magic of the Ancestor that had been lost in Seirun's thousands of years of history.

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

With the reports from Lunia and Hardin, the importance of the Flower Blooming Magic further increased.

Naturally, the topic of Leo became a hot issue within Seirun once again.

Shortly after, rumors spread that Leo had been elected as the student council president of Lumeren.

From Seirun's point of view, Leo was one of the highest-priority targets to watch in this Lucerne Battle.

As all the Seirun students stared intently at Leo, Leo walked on calmly.

"Hey, Leo. The Seirun students are glaring at you intimidatingly, are you okay?"

"What?"

"Aren't you burdened by it?"

"Not at all."

"Sometimes I envy your boldness."

Kal said with admiration, watching Leo's composed reaction.

It was then that Leo chuckled, looking at Kal.

He spotted a familiar girl among the Seirun students.

Aeran spotted Leo and smiled brightly, waving her hand.

Leo smiled back at Aeran and waved, and Aeran shyly smiled.

At that reaction, other students from different classes nearby rushed towards Leo.

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

"Are you two acquainted?"

"She was so beautiful! Everyone else was looking at you menacingly, but she smiled at you!"

Unlike the other Seirun students, Aeran gave a friendly smile to the Lumeren students.

Given her personality, she would never be able to intimidate students from other schools, even if she tried.

Kal chuckled at the reaction of the other students.

"Do you want to know about Aeran?"

"Oh! Kal, you know her too!"

"Did you get friendly during the field trip?"

The students from other classes, seizing the opportunity, flocked around Kal.

"Are you curious?"

"We are!"

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

Leo said, looking at the students who were becoming rowdy, and a male student exclaimed, "Kuhuk!" and scattered in all directions.

Thus, the Lumeren students arrived at Seirun's Grand Training Ground.

The Seirun students, who had initially cleared the way, lined up in their designated spots.

The Lumeren students also lined up by grade, with the grade representatives in front.

Meanwhile, an elf appeared on a platform set up in the center of the Grand Training Ground.

He, exuding an aura of wisdom, looked at the Lumeren students with a serious gaze and said, "Welcome, sprouts who will lead the future of humanity. My name is Bennet. I am the principal of Seirun, though I am lacking."

As Bennet introduced himself, the Lumeren students gasped in admiration.

Bennet.

He was a mage hero known as the "[First Star of the Ancestor]," a powerful mage who could use all known magics of the Ancestor.

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

They knew he was the principal of Seirun, but seeing such a great hero in person, the Lumeren students couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

"I hope you all achieve satisfactory results in this Seru Battle. The main event of the Seru Battle will begin the day after tomorrow. Until then, please maintain your best condition. That is all."

It was a dry welcome speech.

However, it was also the best that could be said to rival school students.

*Clap- clap- clap-*

The Lumeren students applauded.

Bennet descended from the platform and returned to the school.

"Alright, alright. We will now guide you to your accommodations."

Rienia stood before the Lumeren students and smiled.

"As the principal said, the Seru Battle officially begins the day after tomorrow. So, please rest well in your prepared accommodations. Oh, you can use the school's facilities freely. Also, there will be a welcome party for you tonight, so please attend if you wish."

Led by Rienia, the Seirun student council executives guided the Lumeren students to their accommodations.

The accommodations provided by Seirun were communal for both male and female students and all grades.

Of course, even though it was communal, the sleeping and bathing areas were separate.

What they shared was the lounge.

It seemed to be a place where they could plan strategies for the next day's matches.

After unpacking in their assigned rooms, the students gathered in the lounge.

"Our school is very grand, but Seirun is even more amazing."

Iliana admired the lounge of the accommodations.

"It's the richest school among the hero academies," Nella said with a smile.

"By the way, a welcome party? It feels like there will be a lot of power struggles!"

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

Kal shook his head at Tede's muttering.

"They will try to gain the upper hand through the welcome party. But we can't just not go."

Chelsea said resolutely, crossing her arms.

"We have to go and gain the upper hand instead!"

The students of Class 5 nodded in agreement.

"Class president! You're good at things like that. Go and gain the upper hand in one go! We already feel like we've lost from the first encounter~"

"That's right! Leo-oppa! Show them what for!"

Chelsea and Iliana spoke to Leo, who was sitting leisurely.

"Gain the upper hand?"

Seeing Leo chuckle, Chelsea and Iliana nodded.

"Then shall we give it a proper try?"

"Oh! That's our class president!"

"Leo-oppa, fighting!"

The two girls cheered for Leo enthusiastically.

Watching them, Tede said with a worried expression, "Will it be okay? It feels like he might strike too hard."

"That might be true, but in this situation, Leo's fighting spirit is needed," Nella replied with her usual languid smile at Tede's words.

"I'm a little worried," Kal said, looking at Leo, who sat as usual, with a worried expression.

***

In response to Seirun's attempt to gain the upper hand from the outset, all Lumeren students participated in the welcome party.

Not only students but also professors and teachers from Lumeren were in attendance.

Leo was leisurely enjoying the party in a corner.

His friends had all rushed to the buffet, eager to try the traditional elven cuisine.

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

"Student Leo, you were here!"

A friendly voice called out.

Turning his head, he saw Herdium, the homeroom teacher of Seirun's first-year advanced class 1, whom he had met during the field trip, approaching.

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

Leo greeted him.

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

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Leo's transfer recommendation to Seirun and his exchange student attempts were all initiated by Herdium.

Naturally, Herdium was eager for Leo's talent in deciphering the Ancestor's magic.

'If only Leo were an elf.'

Herdium hid his disappointed expression.

Leo was still in his first year.

There would be many more opportunities for interaction with Seirun in the future.

And there was no guarantee that Leo wouldn't want to study at Seirun as time went on.

'To prepare for such times, it would be necessary to maintain a closer relationship with Student Leo.'

While Herdium was thinking this to himself.

"Teacher Herdium, would you introduce that boy to me?"

A man with fiery red hair and eyes approached with a smile.

Despite his flamboyant appearance, his eyes were filled with calmness.

Leo realized his resemblance to Lunia and nodded.

'Ellen Lundia. Lunia's father and a friend of her mother.'

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

"Ah! Teacher Ellen."

Herdium greeted Ellen warmly with a bright smile.

In fact, most of Seirun's teachers did not look favorably upon Leo.

The only teachers who evaluated Leo positively were Herdium, who had met Leo directly, and Ellen, who had heard about Leo through his daughter and her sworn protector.

"This is Leo Flove. Student Leo, this is Teacher Ellen Lundia."

"My name is Leo Flove."

"I am Ellen Lundia."

Ellen smiled gently and extended his hand to Leo.

Leo shook his hand.

Ellen said to Herdium, who was watching with a pleased expression, "Teacher Herdium, would it be alright to talk with Student Leo for a moment?"

"Of course. Then, Student Leo, I hope you have a pleasant time."

Herdium smiled and left.

He thought there might be a connection between the sworn protectors of the Phoenix.

As Herdium left, Ellen said, "It seems my daughter has relied on you many times."

"No, I have also received a lot of help," Leo replied with a smile.

Ellen 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 Pirina-nim."

"Really?"

Ellen smiled wryly.

Then he patted Leo on the shoulder.

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

"Thank you."

The words of the head of the Lundia family, the most prestigious family in elven society, were never taken lightly.

In human society, Ellen would be comparable to the head of the Zerdinger family.

And the offer of help just now was not mere empty words.

'He doesn't seem to realize that, yet he accepts it so calmly.'

Ellen admired Leo and looked at him.

He knew that his daughter was working hard, determined to defeat this boy.

'Having a goal to strive for a lifetime is not necessarily bad.'

It was then that Ellen chuckled.

"Dad… no, Teacher Ellen."

Lunia, who had discovered Leo and Ellen talking, rushed over.

Ellen chuckled at his daughter and said to Leo, "Talk amongst yourselves," before leaving.

Glinting at Ellen's retreating figure, Lunia asked, "What did you talk about with Dad?"

"We didn't talk about much. By the way, what's wrong?"

"The dance time is about to start. It was fun dancing with you, so I came to ask you to dance."

Lunia said with a smile.

*Faaat-!*

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

The students were bewildered.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Are you enjoying the reception?"

A Seirun male student holding a microphone went onto a stage in one part of the party hall.

He said with a mischievous smile, "My name is Iden, and I will be the MC for tonight's party."

The spotlight focused solely on him.

All eyes were fixed on Iden.

"Before the main party, I thought it would be good to hear a few words of determination for the Seru Battle from you students."

Iden scanned the students and smiled.

Along with him, spirits appeared on the stage, carrying a large trophy.

It was the Lucerne Battle championship trophy.

"This trophy has been ours, Seirun's, for the past several years! Of course, it will continue to be Seirun's in the future!"

Some Lumeren students booed at Iden's meaningful smile.

"Oh! If you're not happy, then take it with your skill."

Iden said to Rienia with a provocative smile.

"Right? President."

"Of course! Of course!"

Rienia nodded confidently.

"Now! Then, we would like to hear from the student council presidents of Seirun and Lumeren before the Seru Battle. First, shall we hear from Seirun's student council president?"

Iden approached Rienia and held out the microphone.

"A word of determination, President."

"I will do my best as always. And I will continue the tradition of Seirun winning the Seru Battle by winning."

Seeing Rienia smile, Iden nodded.

"Now, the Lumeren student council president."

"I'll yield the floor to my successor."

At Lise's words, Iden's eyes widened, and he approached Leo with a smile.

"Wow, a successor student council president. I don't know if even a student council president can represent Lumeren students as a first-year."

Laughter erupted from various parts of Seirun at the playful taunt.

Iden approached Leo.

"Then, Lumeren's next student council president. May I hear a word of determination before your first Seru Battle?"

Iden said, handing the microphone to Leo.

As he took it, Leo felt all eyes in the vast party hall fixed on him.

Leo held the microphone and said calmly, "Seirun students, thank you for keeping the trophy for us until now."

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

The Seirun students also frowned.

"So, take a good look at the trophy now."

"May I ask why?"

Iden asked Leo about his words, and Leo replied as if it were obvious.

"Because you won't be able to see that trophy for the next five years."