Book 1 Chapter 198

197

The Luse War, a school rivalry match where the honor and pride of Lumerne and Seiyrun were at stake.

As it was not just a matter of school pride but also a battle between representatives of their respective races, the Luse War was an event that garnered attention from countless people every year.

Even other hero academies like Azonia and Damian paid close attention to the Luse War, their senses heightened.

Although not rivals like Lumerne and Seiyrun, as educational institutions training hero cadets, they couldn't help but feel competitive.

As an academic event that the world paid attention to, its scale was immense.

And for the Luse War, many external guests were invited, whether from Lumerne or Seiyrun.

From powerful figures who could control the world to renowned heroes.

External dignitaries who received invitations arrived in Seiyrun one by one.

Besides them, many crowds gathered from all corners of the world to watch the Luse War.

It was literally one gigantic festival.

In the innermost core of the Elven domain.

Numerous races from all over the world gathered in Seiyrun, a place known for its harsh cold.

On the first day, signaling the opening of the Luse War.

The Lumerne first-years gathered in the grand parade ground had to face the crowd filling the stands.

"I-I'm nervous."

"Phew… I heard stories, but this is no joke, is it?"

The first-years showed nervous expressions at the fact that tens of thousands of spectators were focused on them.

It was then.

[Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Seiyrun! My name is Idin Claypo! I am a student of Seiyrun, hosting this Luse War!]

Idin, who had hosted the welcome party two days ago, shouted into a microphone enchanted with amplification magic.

[And here is Miss Cheira Sikun from Lumerne, also hosting!]

[It's good to meet you all!]

Cheira and Idin, sitting at the hosting table, introduced themselves.

[Today's first match is none other than the first-years' obstacle race! Wow~ It's truly a charming and fresh match, isn't it, fitting for first-years?]

Cheira said, smiling brightly.

Then, laughter erupted from various parts of the audience.

Although they were students of a hero academy, praised as the world's best talents and called hero cadets, outwardly they were merely boys and girls in their mid-teens.

Since they didn't yet possess the experience or gravitas of upperclassmen, Cheira's description of them as "charming and fresh" somehow resonated.

Furthermore, the mention of an "obstacle race" also elicited a peculiar laugh.

An obstacle race was familiar, as it was a common event even at sports days in ordinary schools, not just grand places like a hero academy.

[Of course, it's not an ordinary obstacle race! In this obstacle race, each school has three 'riders'! These riders must cross the finish line to be recognized for points! The other students are responsible for attacking and eliminating enemy riders or protecting allied riders! Of course, it wouldn't be fun if that were all, right? Students who are not riders can eliminate each other to earn points. If you acquire points in that way and safely cross the finish line, that also counts as points!]

Idin explained the obstacle race.

In other words, it was a game where the side with more riders crossing the finish line won.

Conversely, if all allied riders were eliminated early, one could swiftly eliminate the opponent's riders, or, conversely, defeat all non-rider students to earn points and achieve a comeback.

"Oho. This should be interesting."

"Are they trying to instigate a fight? It really wasn't an ordinary obstacle race after all."

Exclamations burst forth from the stands.

Meanwhile, students from Lumerne's commercial club were selling food in the stands.

Lumerne's commercial club was also famous for never missing an opportunity where money was involved.

Of course, it was also the club viewed with the least favor in Seiyrun.

Juna Naia, the head of Lumerne's commercial club, as usual, conducted a 'betting gamble' and slyly asked the elf spectators.

"Elf gentlemen. Aren't you 'betting'?"

"Do you think we would do such a vulgar thing?"

When a student in Lumerne's uniform approached and asked about the betting gamble, the elf man frowned and looked at Juna.

As if agreeing with the elf man, his companions scoffed, looking at Juna.

Juna smiled faintly, looking at the elves.

"I see. So, you elves aren't confident that Seiyrun will win. Understood."

"Wait. Why does not participating in such a vulgar game imply that we lack confidence in Seiyrun winning?"

As the elf man asked with a serious expression, Juna, who was about to leave, shrugged her shoulders.

"You need confidence to win for betting. All humans have bet on Lumerne students winning. Because they are confident that Lumerne will win."

"Ugh!"

Provoked by Juna's nonchalant words, the elf man's face hardened, and he pulled out a money pouch from his pocket, saying,

"I'll bet on Seiyrun winning."

"You don't have to push yourself."

"It's not pushing myself! Seiyrun has always won the Luse War! Naturally, we must win this bet too!"

The agitated elf man and his companions bet all the money they had on Seiyrun winning.

As they left the spot, one of the club members asked.

"Club leader. There are many humans who bet on Seiyrun winning, aren't there?"

It was true that most humans had bet on Lumerne, as this year's Lumerne first-year generation was exceptionally strong.

However, there are always gamblers with a beast's heart, looking for underdog bets.

"Yeah. But then those people wouldn't bet, would they?"

Juna said nonchalantly, then grinned.

"Hehehe. The Luse War is great! It's perfect for making a quick buck!"

"But last year, when you did this, you saw what happened when our former club leader, Senior Tet, got caught by Professor Hallind, didn't you?"

"……"

At her junior's words, Juna's face hardened.

And then she said in a solemn voice.

"It's fine. I didn't get caught the year before last. High risk! High return! A beast's heart is a merchant's virtue!"

'If that's considered a virtue, it's not a beast's heart, it's just a beast.'

It was the junior who sighed deeply to herself.

Meanwhile, the families and acquaintances of the students who visited the stadium were talking directly with the students to cheer them on.

"I'm proud of you."

"To participate in the Luse War… you are the glory of our family!"

Voices filled with emotion were heard from everywhere.

Just then, someone who drew everyone's attention appeared.

Tall, probably around 180cm, with broad shoulders.

A solid upper body.

He was a man with such a sharp aura that one would believe him to be a seasoned warrior.

However, the man with light blue hair and eyes was dressed as a mage, not a knight.

People who seemed to be attendants followed him.

Everyone held their breath, watching him.

They couldn't help but do so.

The hegemonic power of the western continent.

The head of the Rwalin family, one of the two great pillars of the Rodren Empire.

Chaide Rwalin.

At the appearance of the great mage whose name was listed in the Hero Record, people showed tense expressions.

"Abbad, Chelsea."

"Father?"

"Dad! You said you couldn't come!"

The Rwalin siblings looked at their father with surprised expressions.

Celia and Chloe, who had been talking together, were also surprised.

'This is Chaide Rwalin. Is he the hero dividing Rodren?'

Leo's eyes shone as he gazed at Chaide Rwalin.

'He's strong.'

He was an incredibly skilled mage, easily among the top three mages Leo had seen in his current life.

'Is he a Battle Mage?'

Feeling Chaide's sharply honed aura, Leo muttered to himself.

It seemed Chelsea's aspiration to become a Battle Mage was not unrelated to her father's influence.

Chaide, who had been laughing and talking with his son and daughter, looked at the three people who had stepped back.

"Celia. I've been hearing a lot about your accomplishments lately. Seld was proud, saying you're also showing great potential, following in Rhys's footsteps. Impressive."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Celia politely bowed her head.

Chaide, who smiled faintly and patted Celia's shoulder, then looked at Chloe.

"So you're Chloe Mueller."

"Greetings, Lord of the West Wind."

Chloe greeted him politely.

Lord of the West Wind.

It was a name people gave him, implying that he controlled the winds of the western continent.

Chaide was indeed a mage with formidable magical power and skill, capable of manipulating the atmosphere in the surrounding area.

He was, literally, a great mage capable of shaking heaven and earth.

"No need for such stiff greetings. I've heard a lot about you."

Chaide smiled gently, looking at Chloe.

"I hope you'll visit the Rwalin family sometime. It would be a great fortune for our family if the outstanding mages of the magic tower and our family's mages could interact."

"It would be an honor if you invite me! I'll gladly visit."

Chaide nodded, looking at the brightly smiling Chloe, and then finally looked at Leo.

"So you're Leo Flobe."

"Hello."

"I've heard a lot about you from Chelsea. It seems my daughter is always indebted to you."

"Thanks to Chelsea, I'm also enjoying my school life."

At Leo's words, Chelsea giggled shyly.

"Right. How is your mother?"

"She's too vigorous for her own good, really."

"Hehehe. It seems her personality hasn't changed."

Chaide, seemingly acquainted with Raina, burst into laughter and shook his head.

"I hope you'll visit Rwalin sometime too."

Chaide said, patting Chelsea's head with his large hand.

"My daughter seems to want you to visit as well."

"Yeah, that's right. Leo oppa. Let's hang out at my house during the holidays."

"Gulp?"

Instantly, Chaide's eyes widened.

It was the first time Chaide had seen his daughter acting affectionately towards a boy her age.

Even the head of the great Rwalin family, a hero whose name was on the Hero Record, couldn't help but lose his composure for a moment.

"Hehehe… yes, I certainly hope you will. I'm curious to see what kind of mage you are."

Leo nodded, watching Chaide maintain his composure and force a smile.

"Yes. I will visit once during the winter break."

"Should I come then too?"

"That would be fine too."

Chaide, seeing Leo and Chloe talking affably, regained a little of his composure.

"I look forward to your performance in the Luse War."

Watching Chaide leave with a smile, Chelsea wore an excited expression.

"Dad came to see us, so we have to do our best! Let's do our best!"

Abbad smiled and nodded, looking at the cheerfully laughing Chelsea.

Leo chuckled at the sight.

"Please take care of me."

"Don't worry, the Seiyrun kids won't be able to touch a single hair on your head."

Celia said with a grin.

Leo was one of the riders in this obstacle race.

***

[Alright! The start is just around the corner! All first-year students, please stand at the starting line!]

Cheira, hosting the event, shouted in a cheerful voice.

At that, the students stood at the starting line.

Lumerne's three riders were chosen from the three fastest students.

Duran, who wielded lightning aura and was reputed to have the fastest legs among all first-years.

Eliza, who freely controlled a fast flying spirit beast and was hard to distinguish from Duran in terms of pure speed.

And Leo, who was slower than the two but definitely the third fastest among the first-years.

It was, literally, a perfect lineup.

The eyes of Seiyrun's first-years were fixed on the three people who wore headbands indicating they were riders.

"By the way, only one of Seiyrun's grade representatives came out as a rider."

Celia narrowed her eyes.

Seiyrun's grade representatives were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students by academic performance.

Among them, only Eiran, the second-ranked, was a rider. The other two were not.

"The 1st and 3rd place likely aren't suited for a speed race."

Abbad said nonchalantly.

"That's strange. Sister Eiran isn't particularly specialized in speed, is she?"

Chelsea tilted her head.

"There must be a reason."

It was then that Abbad smiled faintly.

[Everyone seems ready! Then, get ready!]

Cheira, the commentator, raised a signal flare near the starting line.

Seeing that, the first-years lowered their stances.

[Start!]

*Bang!*

At the same time the signal flare exploded.

*Whoosh-!*

"Leo! You provoked me, didn't you! You're dead!"

*Kwagagagagang-!*

Along with the enraged shout, a massive explosion raged.

"H-eek?"

"W-what?! An indiscriminate attack without distinguishing between friend and foe?!"

At the sudden attack, the Lumerne students showed expressions of horror.

*Whoosh-!*

But Leo, who burst through the flames, landed calmly and began to run at the forefront.

"Stop right there!"

With flashing red eyes, Lunia fired her next magic spell at Leo's back.

Instantly-!

*Whoosh! Rumble!*

Flames extending from the side blocked Lunia's flames.

At that, Lunia flinched.

"Aiming for a rider out of the blue, that won't do."

Celia, enveloped in a flame aura, smiled faintly and blocked Lunia's path.

"I've always wanted to fight you, Lunia El Rundia."

"Celia Zerdinger?"

"As users of the same Phoenix flame, let's see…"

"Hey! Leo! Don't run away! Sorry! I really want to fight you, but for now, taking *that guy* down is the priority… Let's fight a little later!"

Lunia apologized as she brushed past Celia, then chased after Leo with a terrifying expression.

*Whoosh-!*

Celia, left alone, wore a blank expression.

The wind blew, scattering her black hair.

"Ce-Celia?"

Chloe called her name with an awkward expression.

"It's Celia Zerdinger and Chloe Mueller!"

"They're not riders, but they're targets to watch out for!"

"Everyone, form up!"

Just then, Seiyrun's first-years surrounded Celia.

Even if they weren't riders, dangerous individuals needed to be eliminated quickly.

"Hehehe."

Celia, with her head bowed, laughed eerily.

*Flash!*

Celia's red eyes flashed.

"H-eek?"

Instantly, the Seiyrun students showed frightened expressions.

They knew those eyes.

They were very familiar eyes.

And for good reason, they were so similar to Lunia's eyes, which they had been tormented by for so long.

"R-run!"

"Escape!"

The Seiyrun students, instinctively sensing danger, scattered in all directions.

*Kwagagagagang-!*

And Celia's flame aura laid waste to everything around.

Celia, veins bulging on her forehead, stared with a fierce smile at Lunia's retreating figure running far away.

Celia, elegantly sweeping her hair back, took a deep breath.

'Calm down. As a daughter of the Zerdinger family, I can't show such an embarrassing display of excitement in front of everyone…'

*'For now, taking that guy down is the priority. For now, taking that guy down is the priority. For now, taking that guy down is the priority.'*

Celia's eyelids trembled.

Lunia's words kept replaying in her mind.

'Calm down, calm down. Celia Zerdinger. Don't get excited. Calm down… calm down…'

"…like hell I can! You ignored me? Lunia El Rundia! I'm going to smash you!"

Ultimately, unable to control her excitement, Celia began to furiously chase after Lunia.

Chloe let out a small sigh, watching the scene.

"At this rate, there's no plan or anything."