Book 1 Chapter 229

The winter has passed and spring has begun to arrive.

It is still chilly, but the weather is noticeably warmer compared to winter.

When spring begins, the streets of Lumina City become more vibrant than ever.

The long winter break is over, and school starts tomorrow.

To mark the start of the school year, hero candidates who had scattered across the world were returning to Lumina City.

Street vendors welcomed students dressed in Lumena uniforms.

The Lumena students who returned to Lumina City for the new school year were abuzz with one topic.

"Who will end up being the principal?"

"Hasn't Lumena made an announcement yet?"

"I've heard a lot about the candidates, though."

The entire student body was in a frenzy discussing Lumena's new principal.

The lack of news about the principal, who hadn't even been mentioned, was enough to pique the students' curiosity.

"Perhaps there won't be a principal this semester? The school can't keep the principal's position vacant forever, but even so, whoever it is, they'll be compared, right?"

"That's definitely possible."

Leo nodded at Celia's words.

It wasn't just any position; it was the principalship of Lumena.

It was not a position that just anyone could hold.

Moreover, the previous principal was Kaelian, the Sword Saint.

It was clear he wouldn't want to take on the principal role without proper preparation.

"By the way."

Celia's eyes fluttered open.

"What exactly did you talk about with the Azonia representative then?"

No one had witnessed the sparring match between Leo and Ar earlier.

By the time Celia arrived, the fight was already over, and Ar was lost in deep thought.

'The transfer recommendation was a joke, but from his perspective, it's understandable that he has many concerns.'

Ar himself must have thought he was properly controlling his telekinesis.

However, Ar's telekinesis was close to going berserk.

He didn't lose consciousness or get swept away by his power, but he couldn't properly control it.

It was clearly different from his telekinesis during the full moon.

'Black Rabbit! You really need to come to Azonia!'

Reaching that conclusion, Ar once again recommended Leo transfer, and Leo naturally refused.

From Celia's perspective, having witnessed the situation, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened between Leo and Ar.

"That's a secret."

Information about Ar's telekinetic abilities was kept secret even in Azonia.

Leo couldn't reveal it without permission.

"That's unfair."

Celia grumbled but didn't pry further.

Whoosh-

A breeze blew.

Celia, sitting on the deck railing, mumbled as she looked at the entrance to Lumena Academy in the distance.

"A kraken suddenly attacked during the entrance ceremony, and the second semester's opening ceremony was chaotic… nothing out of the ordinary on the first day of the second year."

On the regular ferry heading to Lumena.

The entire second year was heading to school without incident.

"Don't let your guard down."

"I know. What kind of school is ours?"

Lumena has a way of pushing students into crisis situations if they let their guard down.

"Leo, oppa! Leo, oppa!"

Chelsea, who had been talking with friends on deck, ran over.

"I hope we're in the same class again this year!"

Leo chuckled at Chelsea's bright smile and gently patted her head.

"Heh, I'll try to get the class assignment information as quickly as possible."

Kai approached with a smirk.

Seeing Kai like that, Chelsea teased him.

"What now? If we're in different classes, you won't show me your homework, will you?"

"Are you saying our friendship is so cheap that it would change just because we're in different classes?!"

"Yes."

"You're too much, really."

Kai, who had been grumbling at Chelsea's words, grinned playfully.

"But if you two were in the same class, that would be interesting in its own way, wouldn't it?"

He chuckled, looking back and forth between Celia and Chelsea, and both of them kicked him simultaneously.

The two, snorting, turned and left.

"Knowing this would happen, why do you keep teasing us?"

"It's fun, isn't it? Cheer up-"

Kai said, dusting himself off and standing up with a chuckle.

"But hey, Leo, do you know something?"

"What?"

"Chen Xia. She's not on this ship."

"Aren't you just not seeing her? The entire second year is on this ship, right?"

"I thought so too, but that's not the case. I asked all the students who were close with Chen Xia, and none of them have seen her."

Kai's information network is reliable.

Having made friends with students from various classes since the beginning of the first year, he was the fastest to grasp the trends among his peers.

"She was absent for the entrance exam due to family reasons, and now she's absent for the opening ceremony… Doesn't that seem suspicious?"

Kai said seriously.

"Besides, there's almost nothing known about Chen Xia's family. She's definitely from a noble family, though."

If you were to pick the most mysterious student in the first year, it would be Chen Xia.

In fact, apart from Leo, Chen Xia was also a powerhouse who appeared out of nowhere.

The students who took first and second place in the regional entrance exams were all students with high reputations from a young age.

However, Chen Xia, like Leo, was an unheralded entrant.

Not only did such a student take first place in the Eastern entrance exam, but she also achieved impressive results throughout the first year.

If not for Leo, Chen Xia would undoubtedly have been the most talked-about figure.

"Leo, do you know anything? You're close with Chen Xia."

"I know almost nothing about Chen Xia's family situation either."

"Indeed."

Kai scratched his head.

While they were talking, the regular ferry had arrived at Lumena.

"Wow, in the end, nothing happened."

Kai stroked his chin as he disembarked.

"Indeed. We've been through so much now that trivial schemes won't work. We'll be seniors in a week, too."

Many agreed with Kai's opinion.

It was then, as everyone was chattering away.

"Congratulations on becoming second-years, everyone!"

With a bright voice, the beautiful professor, Artian, appeared.

Her appearance caused the buzzing atmosphere to freeze coldly.

*Clack! Clack!*

Artian was taken aback by the students standing in perfect formation.

"What's wrong? It's the start of the school year! You're seeing friends you haven't seen in a while! You should be talking more cheerfully!"

"No, Professor Artian!"

"We apologize for being noisy!"

The second-years responded with disciplined answers.

Artian pouted at their reaction.

She was currently a professor feared by the second-years.

While she wanted to be a friendly professor, her contracted spirits, as a spirit conjurer, were not.

Artian, who had unintentionally become a charismatic professor who overwhelmed students with her mere presence, slumped her shoulders.

"It seems you've matured a bit now that you're second-years."

A professor far more terrifying than Artian appeared.

Halind's appearance made the second-years tense up.

Halind smirked at the nervous second-years.

"There's no need to be so tense."

He said in an unusually relaxed voice.

"This year, both Professor Artian and I will be teaching the first-years."

"It's such a shame, we've become so close with you all."

Halind's words caused Artian to droop her shoulders.

"Is that true?"

"What a shame!"

"Ah! I wanted to take your classes…!"

Sighs erupted from everywhere.

However, despite their words, their lips twitched uncontrollably at the thought of being freed from the terrifying professors.

'No, I can't smile now.'

'It's death if I show that I like it.'

All the students kept their lips shut, concealing their joy.

"I also find it regrettable."

Halind said nonchalantly.

"Therefore, we've decided to concurrently teach the second-years, so don't worry."

"Yes! Though not often, we'll be able to see you."

At those words, the second-years looked like they were about to cry.

"Professor Halind, the students look sad."

"They're holding back tears of joy."

"I see!"

Halind said with a straight face to the innocent Artian.

"Everyone, move along."

At his words, the second-years moved to attend the opening ceremony with gloomy faces.

The opening ceremony was very brief.

The principal, who was the subject of many rumors, did not show up.

After the brief announcements, they headed to the second-year classroom building.

"I don't feel like I'm a second-year at all. The opening ceremony also ended anticlimactically."

Iliana grumbled, slumping as she entered the second-year auditorium, and Nella replied with her usual languid smile.

"Maybe it's because you haven't seen the juniors yet?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And there's still class assignments to do."

"Class assignments."

Iliana's face fell.

"I wish I could be in the same class as as many students from class 5 as possible."

"That might be difficult. Class assignments are random."

Nella said with a wry smile.

*Creeeak!*

"Welcome, everyone!"

The auditorium door opened, and Sedgen walked in briskly with the professors.

All the students' eyes widened as Sedgen spoke.

"I am Sedgen, and I will be in charge of the second-year students this year! From now on, you will spend an elegant year under my guidance!"

"Wow! Professor Sedgen!"

"Professor Sedgen is the overall professor for the year!"

Cheers erupted from students who had been in class 1 during their first year.

Other students also wore bright expressions.

Sedgen was a highly trusted professor, known for being an excellent instructor.

"Now, before class assignments…"

Sedgen scanned the crowd and said.

At his words, the entire student body tensed.

Indeed, the opening ceremony had ended too anticlimactically compared to the first year.

The second-years of Lumena, prepared to handle any unexpected situations, were confident they wouldn't be flustered even if a test started right now.

Everyone swallowed nervously and focused on Sedgen.

"I will explain how I, Sedgen, was chosen to lead you excellent students, surpassing Halind!"

Sedgen shouted, lifting his chin and spreading his arms wide.

The second-year department professors looked flustered by Sedgen's outburst.

"Professor Sedgen, we should do class assignments first."

Yura hastily intervened, but Sedgen didn't listen.

"Class assignments are important, but students absolutely need to hear about how I beat Halind in the competition!"

"He's spouting nonsense again."

Halind appeared from the back of the auditorium.

Seeing Halind sigh briefly, Sedgen said.

"Oh! Who do we have here? Isn't it my rival, Halind, who lost to me in the competition? Hehehe. Have you come back, unable to let go of the second year?"

"It's just that the faculty vote resulted in the conclusion that I am more suitable to guide the first-years."

"Hehehe! No! It's because I was judged to be the professor who will lead Lumena's golden generation that this result came out…"

"Take him away."

Seeing Sedgen's unnecessarily long speech, Halind said without hesitation.

At his words, Ain and Ren, who became the second-year department professors, grabbed Sedgen by the arms and started dragging him away.

"What is this! I am the overall professor for the second-year students! Why are you obeying his orders when he is the overall professor for the first-years!? I chose you as second-year department professors, yet you betray me like this…! I hear! Let go! You pawns of Halind! Let go!"

Sedgen was dragged away, screaming desperately.

Watching him, Kai muttered.

"…Now it feels like I'm really back at Lumena."

As students around him nodded in agreement.

*Thump- thump-*

Halind, who had gone up to the stage, said.

"Then, we will now begin class assignments."

At his words, the students looked tense.

Halind snapped his fingers, and assistant professors brought out a large bulletin board.

"First, I have something to say. From the second year, the concept of classes will change slightly."

At his words, the students began to murmur.

"To be precise, it would be more accurate to say dormitories rather than classes."

At those words, Chelsea raised her hand.

"What exactly does 'dormitory' mean?"

"Exactly as you say. Originally, second-years would also be assigned to classes like first-years, and male and female students would live in dormitories."

Halind shook his head.

"Originally, from the second year, the focus was supposed to be more on departmental classes rather than traditional classes. However, starting this year, due to the newly appointed principal, that concept will be slightly altered."

"Principal?"

"A new principal has been appointed?"

"But at the opening ceremony earlier…"

Some students calmed the murmuring students.

When the students quieted down again, Halind continued.

"From now on, men and women will live in dormitories in the same space."

"Huh? Really?"

"In the same space as the boys?"

"Of course, bathing and sleeping are separate. You remember what happens if you get caught doing anything foolish, right?"

At those words, some students shivered.

"Competition will also be conducted by dormitory, not by department. While departmental classes will have joint sessions, there will also be individual dormitory classes."

Abad smiled at Halind's words.

"The purpose is to strengthen cooperation within departments."

"That's right."

"So, have the dormitory assignments been completed?"

"Only nine people have been assigned."

At Halind's words, everyone looked puzzled.

Seeing the students' confusion, Halind approached the bulletin board and removed the cloth.

*Whoosh!*

The large bulletin board had three sections.

And at the top of each section, three names were written.

Dormitory 1 - Leo Flob, Chloe Mueller, Chen Xia.

Dormitory 2 - Celia Zerdiger, Chelsea Lewallyn, Warden Tiden.

Dormitory 3 - Abad Lewallyn, Duran Moira, Eliza Hergin.

"I have a task for the second-years until the first-years arrive."

Halind calmly informed the stunned students.

"The students listed here are the heads of each dormitory. And the dormitory students will be chosen by the dormitory heads. If you want to join a dormitory, negotiate with the dormitory heads. The professors will not be involved in how the dormitory students are chosen. That is all."

With those words, Halind led the professors out of the auditorium.

The stunned students looked at the dormitory heads.

Leo covered his face.

'He dropped a bomb on the first day of school.'

As he thought that.

"Aargh?! Why do I have to be in the same dormitory as Celia Zerdiger!"

"That's what I should be saying!"

A chemical reaction immediately occurred between Celia and Chelsea.

"Duran Moira! You want me to work together with you for my second-year life?! I can't accept it! I'd rather form a dormitory with Leo Flob!"

"How strange. I was just thinking the same thing."

Eliza's annoyed words were met with Duran's cynical response.

Celia and Chelsea, known for being enemies.

And Duran and Eliza were paired together.

In the first year, their departments and classes were different, so there were few opportunities for them to clash.

Even if they did clash, there were students who acted as shock absorbers.

For Celia and Chelsea, it was Leo, and for Duran and Eliza, it was Chen Xia.

But now, they were being told to live in dormitories without those students.

Leo scratched his head.

"Excuse me, Leo."

"President!"

"Chloe! Please!"

The second-year classmates gathered around Leo and Chloe.

"Please let us into your dormitory!"

The second-years also realized.

The fact that they had to avoid Dormitory 2 and Dormitory 3.