Book 1 Chapter 201

201

[Leo Flob! First place!]

"Leo Flob! First place!" Cheerleader Cheira shouted excitedly as she watched Leo cross the finish line first.

Following him, Duran and Eliza also crossed, meaning Lumern's riders took first, second, and third place.

Seirun's rider, Chloe, and Chen Xia were eliminated after Leo's opponent, Eiran, was eliminated.

With an overall lead in elimination points as well, the first-year team event was a resounding victory for Lumern.

This was the first victory in the first-year team event since their fifth year.

The Lumern crowd erupted in cheers.

"Leo! Duran! Eliza!"

The first-years praised the three of them.

Just as the Lumern side was in a festive mood,

"Haaak! Lunia El Lundada!"

"Get out of the way!"

As Lunia approached, the Lumern first-years scattered in fright.

They had seen Lunia aggressively attack Leo during the obstacle race.

As everyone swallowed nervously, Lunia offered a soft smile to the Lumern first-years.

The Lumern first-years, who had been intimidated by Lunia's determined attack on Leo, paused.

When they thought about it, it was a race where the pride of rival schools was on the line, so a fierce attack was inevitable.

Watching Lunia, who was acting like a perfect honor student, the Lumern first-years whispered to each other.

"She's not scary at all."

"She's incredibly beautiful, actually."

"She's like, a perfect honor student."

The Lumern first-years, unaware of the full story, were completely charmed.

In fact, at Seirun, not many students, except for those in her class or a few seniors, knew Lunia's true nature.

Meanwhile, Lunia arrived in front of Leo and said,

"Leo, I need to talk to you."

"Sure?"

Leo, who had been resting, pushed himself up with a grunt.

They went to a place where they could talk privately, and Leo asked,

"What's wrong?"

"Cheer Eiran up. She's really down because of you."

Lunia sighed and pointed to Eiran, who was sitting on the Seirun side.

Eiran, who had been chosen as a rider to represent her grade, was utterly dejected after being outsmarted by Leo.

At his words, Leo scratched his cheek and approached Eiran.

Other students were trying to console Eiran, who was slumping her shoulders.

Eiran hadn't fully adapted to school until the first semester, but that was no longer the case.

After meeting Leo, she had found her resolve and continued her academic life.

The students in the advanced first-year class had also changed significantly, and she had adapted well to the new environment.

As a result, she was now firmly recognized as the second-highest student in Seirun's first year.

As Leo approached, some Seirun students glared at him.

'What? Why is this guy here?'

Several male students, in particular, gave him unfriendly looks.

Eiran, with her timid but kind personality, had become quite popular within Seirun.

"Eiran."

"Leo-nim?"

At Leo's call, Eiran flinched, lifted her head, and her ears drooped further.

Seeing Eiran even more dejected than before, the Seirun students' animosity intensified.

"You've grown a lot."

"Huh?"

"They say you dodged Duran and Eliza's attacks. That's amazing."

Leo said, praising Eiran with a smile.

At his words, Eiran's ears perked up.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at Leo, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

"R-really?"

"Yes."

Seeing Leo smile, Eiran beamed.

"You were amazing too, Leo-nim!"

Eiran, regaining her spirits, stood up and started chattering away.

The Seirun students watched her with subtle expressions.

The male students' expressions, in particular, were contorted.

Watching them, Lunia let out a small sigh.

'Eiran is too weak for Leo.'

Lunia worried about the upcoming Ruse Battle.

***

After the first-year team battle, which could be considered the opening match of the Ruse Battle, concluded.

Various other matches followed.

Lumern and Seirun students showcased their talents and impressed the public in their respective fields.

While it was an event for racial harmony and school pride, it was also an opportunity to highlight the excellence of the hero candidates to the public.

After all, the hero candidates were symbols of future peace.

The first day's schedule ended.

Later that evening, after the third day's schedule concluded.

Most of the students were asleep due to the fatigue from the Ruse Battle.

Leo was about to lie down in bed when he heard.

Knock-knock-

A knocking sound came from outside his window.

Leo sat up and approached the window.

He saw a bird outside and looked puzzled.

'Snow Bird?'

It was a low-level mythical beast that lived in cold regions.

When Leo opened the door, the Snow Bird flew in, dropped a rolled-up letter at his feet, and flew away.

Despite the strong wind, it was unfazed, befitting a mythical beast.

Leo opened the letter with a puzzled expression.

"An invitation?"

The sender was none other than the Headmaster of Seirun.

'Seirun Main Campus, in the Star Archives?'

During the Ruse Battle, Seirun opened its facilities to Lumern students.

The Star Archives were included, but with limited visiting hours.

The Star Archives.

A place at the heart of Seirun, where all the knowledge of star magic accumulated by elves over the past 5,000 years was stored.

Being invited to such a place outside of its operating hours, Leo couldn't help but feel suspicious.

'I can't ignore it, can I?'

Leo scratched his head, changed his clothes, and headed to the Star Archives.

Normally, he would have been stopped by a guard, but as arrangements had been made beforehand, Leo was able to reach the entrance of the Star Archives without any significant obstruction.

Creeeak-

Leo opened the massive doors of the Star Archives and entered.

Dim magical lights illuminated the interior, making it quite dark.

However, Leo navigated the Star Archives with ease.

"Welcome, Leo Flob."

A clear voice was heard a moment later.

Flash-!

The interior of the Star Archives lit up brightly.

And he saw a silver-haired, golden-eyed elf woman sitting in the center of the Star Archives.

A tall elf male stood beside her.

Leo easily realized that the person who spoke to him was a dragon.

"Hello."

As Leo bowed slightly, the elf male's eyes twitched.

"Show more respect, Leo Flob. Do you know who this is?"

"You are Nerzia, the Headmaster of Seirun, aren't you?"

"Knowing that, you still behave so disrespectfully?"

"Virius. I don't think you need to be so strict?"

Nerzia narrowed her eyes, and the man called Virius spoke with unconcealed displeasure.

"Headmaster Nerzia. I still don't understand. Why do we have to accept a human into Seirun?"

Virius looked at Leo.

"He merely got lucky and interpreted the Founder's magic, but he's just a human to be accepted as a member of Seirun."

Virius Zerkin.

He was an elf who had graduated from Seirun five years ago and was now at the forefront of conquering hero dungeons.

Leo narrowed his eyes as he met Virius's gaze.

'These eyes, I've seen them before.'

It was a similar gaze to some of the Seirun students he had seen during the first semester.

They resembled the Seirun students who, at that time, were convinced they were superior to Lumern students.

'No, he's fundamentally different from them.'

Virius's gaze was even more overt.

Leo knew this exact look.

A look of racial superiority.

'These are the same eyes as the High Elves.'

"Virius, I thought I allowed your accompanying for the condition that you wouldn't bring that up?"

Nerzia pressed her temples as if she had a headache.

"I apologize, Headmaster Nerzia."

"I don't want to hear any excuses. Get out."

Virius, who bowed his head to Nerzia, who was showing her displeasure, left the Star Archives.

However, he didn't stop glaring at Leo until the very end.

'I can't believe there are elves like that in this life too.'

He found the Seirun students, who had excessive pride in their school, almost endearing.

"Ugh- The problem is that his head is too rigid when it comes to these things."

Nerzia covered her face with her hands and groaned, then took a deep breath and smiled brightly.

"In any case, welcome, Leo Flob."

"Why did you want to see me?"

"Are you not upset?"

Seeing Leo's calm demeanor, Nerzia asked with a slightly surprised expression.

"I'm used to things like that. I just consider it like a dog barking."

Seeing Leo chuckle, Nerzia exclaimed in admiration.

'As expected, his potential is extraordinary.'

Nerzia, resting her chin on her hand, said.

"The reason I wanted to see you is simple. The longsword made with the dragon bone you received. I sent that."

"I'm using it well."

"Yes. Then why did I send such a gift?"

Nerzia crossed her arms with a meaningful expression.

"It's because I want you to come to Seirun!"

"Are you asking me to transfer?"

"Yes."

Nerzia smiled widely.

"To be honest, Leo Flob, I covet your talent. You will undoubtedly become the most outstanding among the next generation of heroes who will lead this era."

Nerzia stood up and approached Leo.

"I deeply respect the great King of Wisdom, Lisinas. I want to create a great hero who will defeat the flames of disaster and Tartarus, just like Lisinas."

Nerzia's golden eyes gleamed.

"What do you think is the reason Lumern has fallen behind Seirun recently?"

"It's probably because Seirun students study harder."

"It's because of me."

Nerzia shrugged.

"As Headmaster of Seirun, I actively supported Seirun students. Seirun is now not just ahead in competition with Lumern. Compared to Azonia and Demian, Seirun is far superior. In other words, it is a prestigious institution among prestigious institutions!"

Nerzia, with a meaningful smile, extended her hand.

"By studying here, you can reach greater heights, Leo Flob. To become the best, you must study in the best place. I, Seirun, will make you a hero who will go down in history."

Seeing Nerzia's confidence, Leo said,

"I like our school."

"Hmph. I knew you'd say that. Then, I'll tell you this special secret."

Nerzia smiled widely.

"I am a dragon."

"……"

"Not just me, but all the Headmasters of Hero Officer Academies are dragons. And Lumern's current Headmaster, Senior Riven, isn't very interested in supporting students. He's an old dragon, nearing retirement. Although experienced, he's different from my youthful vigor. You have been chosen by a dragon. What do you say? Don't you want to come to Seirun even more?"

"Melina told me that the fact that the Headmasters of each Hero Officer Academy are dragons is absolutely top secret. Won't it cause big trouble if you reveal that?"

"Ah, of course, if you get caught by the Lord, it's a big problem… What did you say?"

Nerzia's eyes widened.

"You know the Lord?"

"Yes. I've met him a few times."

As Nerzia's mouth moved, Leo said,

"If you're done talking, may I go to sleep now?"

As Leo had no intention of transferring, he saw no reason to prolong the conversation.

"Wait! Wait! Hold on!"

Nerzia urgently called out to Leo.

"Do you think I'd ask you to transfer to Seirun just by talking?"

Nerzia took out a small case from her pocket with a triumphant expression.

She handed it to Leo.

Leo received it with a puzzled expression.

"Open it."

When Leo opened the case, he found a small, old piece of paper.

"It's a fragment of the Hero Record of the Nebula's Founder. It's a fragment that can materialize the hero's world."

At those words, Leo's expression turned surprised.

"Is it a relic left by Luna?"

"Yes. Well, technically, it's not something tangible."

Nerzia smiled widely.

"It's a very recent discovery. Those who have mastered 'specific' star magic can materialize the hero's world from this Hero Record."

At his words, Nerzia approached Leo, put her arm around his shoulder, and said in a suggestive tone.

"If you come to Seirun, I'll give you the opportunity to conquer the world of a great hero."

Nerzia took the Hero Record fragment from the case and placed it in Leo's hand.

Leo hastily stepped back.

Based on past experiences, the hero's world could suddenly open.

"What? Why are you so surprised?"

Nerzia looked taken aback by Leo's reaction.

"No."

Leo looked surprised.

He then regained his composure and asked,

"What is the star magic that acts as the activation condition?"

"That's a secret."

Nerzia smiled confidently.

"What do you think? Isn't it enticing?"

To that question, Leo replied with a nonchalant expression.

"No."

"Wh-why?"

"Because I think school life will be tough if I come. Look at that elf earlier."

At Leo's words, Nerzia looked flustered.

Indeed, Seirun had quite a few students with a superiority complex regarding their race.

"If you're done talking, I'll be going now."

Leo bowed his head.

And left the Star Archives.

'My hand touched it earlier, so why didn't Luna's world activate? It's fortunate, but perhaps it's not Luna's world? But it was clearly Luna's Hero Record though?'

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 with a disappointed expression.

'The little one is quite stubborn. Perhaps she has strong affection for her school? Indeed! One needs that much conviction to be worth persuading!'

Nerzia's determination intensified as she closed the door to the innermost part of the Star Archives.

Creeeak-! Thump-!

Darkness descended upon the innermost part of the Star Archives where the Hero Record was stored.

Crack-

At that moment, a gray spark flashed from Luna's Hero Record.