Book 1 Chapter 201
201
[Leo Plov! He's passed in first place!]
Watching Leo cross the finish line in first place, Cheira, who was in charge of the commentary, shouted in an excited tone.
Afterwards, Duran and Eliza also passed, so Lumern's riders finished in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
As for Seirun's riders, Airan was eliminated by Leo, and other riders were eliminated by Chloe and Chen Sia.
Overall, they were ahead in elimination points as well, and the first-year team competition was adorned with Lumern's overwhelming victory.
This was the first time they had won the first-year team competition since the current fifth-year students.
As a result, enthusiastic cheers poured out from the Lumern stands.
“Leo! Duran! Eliza!”
The first-years praised the three.
It was at this time that the Lumern side was in a festive mood.
“Huh! Lunia El Lundada!”
“Get away!”
As Lunia approached, the Lumern first-years gasped and scattered.
This was because they had seen Lunia attacking Leo with a fierce momentum during the obstacle race.
While everyone swallowed dry, Lunia gave the Lumern first-years a soft smile.
The Lumern first-year students, who had been scared seeing Lunia determinedly attack Leo, flinched.
Thinking about it, it was a race where the pride of rival schools was at stake, so such fierce attacks were unavoidable.
Watching Lunia act like a perfect honor student, the Lumern first-years whispered to each other.
“She's not scary at all?”
“Rather, she's incredibly pretty.”
“What should I say, she's a perfect honor student.”
The Lumern first-years, who didn't know the full story, were completely taken in.
In fact, even at Seirun, not many students knew Lunia's true nature, except for those in her class or a few seniors.
In the midst of this, Lunia, who arrived in front of Leo, spoke.
“Leo, talk to me for a bit.”
“Shall we?”
Leo, who had been sitting and resting, grunted and stood up.
And they came to a place where they could talk alone, and he asked.
“What's up?”
“Please comfort Airan a bit. She's so disheartened right now because of you.”
Lunia sighed and pointed to Airan, who was sitting on the Seirun side.
Having become a rider representing her year, and having been naively defeated by Leo, she was currently very disheartened.
At her words, Leo scratched his cheek and approached Airan.
Other students were comforting Airan, who had her shoulders slumped.
Airan hadn't properly adapted to school until the first semester, but now it was different.
After meeting Leo, she composed herself and proceeded with her academic life.
As the students in Advanced Class 1 had also changed considerably since then, she adapted well to the new environment.
As such, she was now clearly recognized as Seirun's first-year second-in-command.
As Leo approached, some Seirun students glared at him.
‘What? Why is this guy here?’
Especially some male students' gazes were not friendly.
Airan, who was timid but kind-hearted and took good care of others, had somehow become quite popular within Seirun.
“Airan.”
“Lord Leo?”
At Leo's call, Airan flinched, lifted her head, and then let her ears droop.
At Airan's even more disheartened appearance than a moment ago, the Seirun students' hostility grew stronger.
“You've grown a lot, haven't you?”
“Huh?”
“They said you dodged Duran's and Eliza's attacks? That's truly amazing.”
Leo smiled and praised Airan.
At his words, Airan's ears perked up.
Airan's cheeks, as she looked up at Leo with wide eyes, flushed slightly.
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
Watching Leo smile, Airan beamed.
“Lord Leo was cool too!”
Having regained her spirits, Airan got up and started chattering.
Watching her, the Seirun students made subtle expressions.
The male students' expressions, in particular, were contorted.
Watching that scene, Lunia let out a small sigh.
‘Airan is just too weak when it comes to Leo.’
Lunia was already worried about the upcoming Luse battle.
***
After the first-year team competition, which could be called the opening match of the Luse Battle, ended.
Afterwards, various other matches unfolded.
Showcasing their respective fields and talents, the students of Lumern and Seirun appealed their presence to the public.
It was an event involving inter-species harmony and school pride, but even before that, it was a platform to inform the public of the excellence of the hero candidates.
For the hero candidates themselves were the very symbol of future peace.
The first day's schedule concluded.
Later, in the late evening after the third day's schedule ended.
Most of the students were asleep due to the fatigue from the Luse Battle.
Leo was also about to lie down in bed to get some sleep.
Knock- knock-
A knocking sound was heard from outside the window.
Leo sat up and approached the window.
And he made a puzzled expression upon seeing the bird standing outside the window.
‘A Snow Bird?’
It was a low-grade phantom beast that lived in cold regions.
When Leo opened the window, the Snow Bird flew into the room, dropped the rolled-up envelope it was holding in its foot, and then fluttered away.
It was typical of a phantom beast to be unaffected by the strong wind that was blowing.
Leo opened the envelope with a puzzled expression.
“An invitation?”
The sender of the letter was none other than Seirun's vice-principal.
‘Seirun Main Campus, in the Star Archives?’
During the Luse Battle period, Seirun opens its school facilities to Lumern students as well.
The Star Archives are no different, but there are restricted hours of use.
The Star Archives.
A place like the heart of Seirun, where all sorts of data about star magic accumulated by elves over the past 5000 years lay dormant.
As he was invited to such a place outside of its operating hours, Leo couldn't help but feel curious.
‘I can't ignore it, can I?’
Leo scratched his head, then immediately changed his clothes and headed for the Star Archives.
Normally, he would have been sanctioned by the manager, but perhaps it had been arranged in advance, as Leo was able to reach the front of the Star Archives without any particular restrictions.
Creak-
Leo opened the massive door of the Star Archives and entered.
Faint magic lamps illuminated the interior, making it dim.
But Leo walked through the Star Archives without much difficulty.
“Welcome, Leo Plov.”
A clear voice was heard a moment later.
Flash-!
The interior of the Star Archives was brightly lit.
And he could see an elf woman with silver hair and golden eyes sitting in the center of the Star Archives.
Beside her stood a tall elf man.
Leo could easily tell that the one who spoke to him was a dragon.
“Hello.”
As Leo bowed his head slightly in greeting, the elf man's eyes twitched.
“Show more respect, Leo Plov. Do you know who this person is?”
“She's Seirun's Vice-Principal Nerzia, isn't she?”
“Are you taking such an irreverent attitude even knowing that fact?”
“Bilius. I don't think there's a need to be so strict, do you?”
As Nerzia narrowed her eyes, the man called Bilius said without hiding his displeasure.
“Lady Nerzia. I still don't understand. Why we must accept a human into Seirun.”
Bilius looked at Leo.
“He is merely human, to be accepted as a member of Seirun simply because he was lucky enough to decipher the magic of the Progenitor.”
Bilius Jerkin.
He was an elf who graduated from Seirun five years ago and was now at the forefront of conquering hero dungeons.
Leo narrowed his eyes, seeing the look in Bilius's eyes as he stared at him.
‘I've seen those eyes before.’
A similar gaze to what he had seen from some Seirun students when he saw them in the first semester.
It was somewhat similar to the Seirun students of that time, who were convinced they were superior to Lumern students.
‘No, they're fundamentally different from them.’
Bilius's gaze was even more blatant.
Leo knew a gaze exactly like this.
Eyes intoxicated with a sense of racial superiority.
‘Those are the same eyes as the High Elves.’
“Bilius, I believe I allowed your attendance on the condition that you wouldn't bring up such matters?”
Nerzia pressed her temples as if she had a headache.
“I apologize, Lady Nerzia.”
“I don't want to hear any excuses. Get out.”
Bilius, who bowed his head to Nerzia, who was expressing displeasure, exited the Star Archives.
Even so, he didn't stop glaring at Leo until the very end.
‘To think there would be such an elf in this life too.’
The Seirun students, with their overly strong pride in their school, seemed almost cute in comparison.
“Ugh- the problem with him is that his mind is excessively rigid in that area.”
Nerzia groaned, covering her face with her hands, then took a deep breath and smiled brightly.
“Anyway, welcome, Leo Plov.”
“What's the reason you wanted to see me?”
“Aren't you upset?”
As Leo remained composed, Nerzia asked with a slightly surprised expression.
“I'm used to things like that. I just think of it as a dog barking.”
Watching Leo chuckle, Nerzia exclaimed, "Oh-ho!" in admiration.
‘His caliber truly is extraordinary, isn't it?’
Nerzia said, resting her chin on her hand.
“The reason I called you is simple. The longsword made of dragon bone that you received. I sent that.”
“I'm using it well.”
“Right. Then why would I send such a gift?”
Nerzia crossed her arms and made a meaningful expression.
“Because I want you to come to Seirun!”
“Are you saying I should transfer?”
“Yes.”
Nerzia grinned.
“I'll be frank. Leo Plov, I covet your talent. You will undoubtedly become the most prominent figure among the next generation of heroes who will lead this era.”
Nerzia stood up from her seat and approached Leo.
“I deeply respect the Great King of Wisdom, Lord Lysinas. I want to create a great hero who will subdue the Flames of Calamity and Tartarus, just like Lord Lysinas.”
Nerzia's golden eyes sparkled.
“What do you think is the reason Lumern has fallen behind Seirun recently?”
“It's probably because the Seirun kids study better.”
“It's because of me.”
Nerzia shrugged her shoulders.
“As Seirun's vice-principal, I actively supported Seirun students. Now, Seirun isn't just ahead in the competition with Lumern. Even compared to Azonia and Demian, Seirun is overwhelmingly superior. In other words! It's a prestigious school among prestigious schools!”
Nerzia, smiling meaningfully, extended her hand.
“If you study here, you can rise to greater heights, Leo Plov. To become the best, you must study in the best place. I, Seirun, will make you a hero whose name will be etched in history.”
Watching Nerzia display her confidence, Leo said.
“I like my school, though.”
“Hmph. I knew you'd say that. Then I'll tell you this fact specially, just for you.”
Nerzia grinned.
“I'm a dragon.”
“……”
“Not just me, but all the vice-principals of the Hero Academies are dragons. And Senior Liven, the current vice-principal of Lumern, isn't very interested in supporting students. That old man, he's an old dragon, it's time for him to retire. Of course, he's experienced, but he's different from me, with my youthful vigor. You've been chosen by a dragon. How about it? Don't you want to come to Seirun even more?”
“Lady Mellina said that the fact that the vice-principals of each Hero Academy are dragons is an absolute top secret. Wouldn't it be a big problem if you just revealed it like that?”
“Ah, of course, if Lord finds out, it'll be a big problem… What did you say?”
Nerzia's eyes widened.
“You know Lord?”
“Yes. I've met him a few times in person.”
Leo said, watching Nerzia mouth silently.
“If you're done speaking, may I go to bed now?”
As Leo had no intention of transferring, there was no reason to prolong the conversation any further.
“Wait! Wait! Hold on!”
Nerzia urgently called out to Leo.
“Do you think I'd tell you to transfer to Seirun empty-handed?”
Nerzia, with a triumphant look, pulled out a small case from her pocket.
And she handed it to Leo.
Leo, upon receiving it, made a puzzled expression.
“Open it.”
When Leo opened the case, there was a small, old piece of paper inside.
“It's a fragment of the Hero Record of the Progenitor of the Nebula. A fragment that can manifest a hero's world.”
At her words, Leo made a surprised expression.
“Is there a relic left by Lady Luna?”
“Yes. Well, not in a material sense, to be precise.”
Nerzia grinned.
“It's a very recently known fact. One who has mastered a 'specific' star magic can manifest the hero's world of this Hero Record.”
At her words, Nerzia approached Leo, put her arm around his shoulder, and spoke in a subtle voice.
“If you come to Seirun, I'll give you the chance to conquer the Hero's World of a Great Hero.”
Nerzia took the Hero Record fragment out of the case and placed it in Leo's hand.
At that, Leo hurriedly backed away.
This was because, given previous instances, a hero's world could suddenly open again.
“What is it? Why are you so surprised?”
Nerzia made a flustered expression at Leo's reaction.
“No.”
Leo made a flustered expression.
And he regained his composure and asked.
“What is the star magic that activates it?”
“That's a secret.”
Nerzia smiled confidently.
“How about it? Isn't it tempting?”
At the question, Leo made an indifferent expression.
“No.”
“Wh-why not?”
“Because I think school life would be difficult if I came. Look at that elf from earlier.”
At Leo's words, Nerzia made a flustered expression.
Indeed, at Seirun, there are quite a few students with a racial supremacist mindset.
“If you're done speaking, I'll be going now.”
Leo bowed his head.
And he exited the Star Archives.
‘My hand touched it earlier, but why didn't Luna's world activate? It's a relief, but perhaps it's not Luna's world? But she clearly said it was Luna's Hero Record?’
As he left the Star Archives, Leo fell into thought.
Watching him, Nerzia returned the Hero Record to the deepest part of the Star Archives, wearing a disappointed expression.
‘That little one is stubborn. Is his affection for his school extraordinary? Well! He needs that much integrity for it to be worthwhile to persuade him!’
Nerzia burned with more enthusiasm and closed the door to the innermost part of the Star Archives.
Screech-! Thud-!
Darkness fell upon the innermost part of the Star Archives, where the Hero Record was kept.
Crackle-
At that moment, gray sparks flew from Luna's Hero Record.