Book 1 Chapter 229
229
Winter passed, and spring began to arrive.
It was still cool, but compared to winter, the weather had become distinctly warmer.
When spring began, the streets of Lumeria City became more vibrant than ever.
The long winter break was over, and finally, tomorrow was the start of the new semester.
To mark the start of the new semester, hero candidates who had dispersed across the world were returning to Lumeria City.
Street vendors warmly welcomed students wearing Rumerin uniforms.
The Rumerin students who had returned to Lumeria City for the new semester were preoccupied with one topic.
“Who will end up becoming the principal?”
“Rumerin hasn't made an announcement yet, have they?”
“I've heard a lot of talk about candidates, though.”
The entire student body was abuzz with talk about Rumerin's new principal.
The news about the principal, which hadn't even been mentioned yet, was enough to make the students curious.
“Maybe there won't be a principal this semester? The school can't keep the principal's position vacant indefinitely, but even so, whoever takes it will be compared, won't they?”
“That could certainly be the case.”
Leo nodded at Celia's words.
It wasn't just any position; it was the principalship of Rumerin.
No mediocrity could ever take it on.
Moreover, the former principal was Kallian, the Sword Saint.
It was clear that no one would want to take on the principalship without any preparation.
“By the way.”
Celia's eyes narrowed.
“What exactly did you talk about with the Azonia representative back then?”
No one had witnessed the sparring match between Leo and Ar that had taken place previously.
When Celia arrived, the fight was already over, and Ar was deep in thought.
‘The transfer offer was a joke, but from his perspective, he couldn't help but have a lot to think about.’
Ar himself must have thought he was handling his water-control ability properly.
However, Ar's water-control was almost half-rampage.
He didn't lose consciousness or get swept away by the power, but he couldn't properly control it either.
It was distinctly different from his water-control when the full moon was out.
‘Black Rabbit! You really must come to Azonia!’
Having reached that conclusion, Ar once again urged Leo to transfer, and Leo, naturally, refused.
From Celia's perspective, having seen that situation, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened between Leo and Ar.
“That's a secret.”
Ar's water-control ability was a secret even in Azonia.
Leo couldn't talk about it without permission.
“How unfair.”
Celia grumbled but didn't delve deeper.
Shhhwwish-
The wind blew.
Celia, sitting on the deck railing, murmured as she looked at the distant entrance of Rumerin Academy.
“During the entrance ceremony, a kraken suddenly attacked, and the start of the second semester was also chaotic… but on the first day of the second year, first semester, nothing special is happening.”
Inside the regular ferry heading to Rumerin.
All the second-year students were heading to school without incident.
“Don't let your guard down.”
“I know. You know what kind of school ours is.”
If you're not careful, Rumerin will push students into crisis situations.
“Brother Leo! Brother Leo!”
Chelsea, who had been talking with her friends on the deck, ran over.
“I hope we're in the same class again this year!”
Leo chuckled softly, seeing Chelsea's bright smile, and patted her head.
“Heh, I'll try my best to get information about class assignments as quickly as possible.”
Karl approached with a "Heh" laugh.
Chelsea sneered at Karl.
“What will you do now? If we're in different classes, I won't show you my homework.”
“So our friendship was such a cheap thing that it would change so easily just because we're in different classes?!”
“Yeah.”
“That's too much, really.”
At Chelsea's words, Karl grumbled and then grinned mischievously.
“But if you two end up in the same class, that could be interesting in its own way, couldn't it?”
As he snickered, looking alternately at Celia and Chelsea, the two of them kicked Karl simultaneously.
The two, who had snorted, quickly left their spots.
“You knew this would happen, so why do you keep teasing us?”
“It's fun, isn't it? Whoosh-”
Karl, who had brushed himself off and stood up, said.
“By the way, Leo. Do you know something?”
“What?”
“Chen Xia. She's not on this ship.”
“Didn't you just miss her? All the second-year students should be on this ship, shouldn't they?”
“I thought so too, but it turns out she's not. I asked all the kids who were close to Chen Xia, and no one saw her.”
Karl's intelligence was reliable.
Having befriended students from various classes since the beginning of first year, he was also the quickest student to catch up on the movements of his peers.
“She missed the entrance exam due to family circumstances, and now she's absent even from the start of the semester… Doesn't this smell fishy?”
Karl said seriously.
“And isn't there almost nothing known about Chen Xia's family in the first place? She's clearly a young lady from a noble family, though.”
If you had to pick the most mysterious student in first year, it was Chen Xia.
In truth, overshadowed by Leo, Chen Xia was also a talented individual who had suddenly appeared.
The students who took first and second place in the regional entrance exam were all students who had been highly renowned since childhood.
But Chen Xia was an unknown freshman, just like Leo.
Not only did such a student achieve the top score in the Eastern entrance exam, but she also earned impressive grades throughout her first year.
If it weren't for Leo, the most talked-about person would undoubtedly have been Chen Xia.
“Leo, do you happen to know anything? You're close with Chen Xia, aren't you?”
“I also know almost nothing about Chen Xia's family circumstances.”
“Right.”
Karl scratched his head.
While they were talking, the regular ferry had already arrived at Rumerin.
“Wow, so nothing happened until the very end after all.”
Karl stroked his chin as he disembarked the ship.
“Indeed. We've been through all sorts of trials and tribulations now, so petty tricks won't work on us. Besides, in a week, we'll be seniors.”
People here and there agreed with Karl's opinion.
Just as everyone was chatting noisily.
“Everyone! Congratulations on becoming second-year students!”
With a bright voice, the beautiful professor Artian appeared.
With her appearance, the boisterous atmosphere froze chillingly.
Thud-! Thud!
Artian looked flustered, seeing the students standing in orderly rows.
“What's wrong? It's the start of the semester, isn't it? You're meeting friends you haven't seen in a long time, aren't you? You should be chatting more happily!”
“No, Professor Artian!”
“We apologize for being noisy!”
The second-year students answered in a disciplined manner.
Artian made a tearful face at the students' reaction.
She was a professor who had become an object of fear for the second-year students.
She herself wanted to be a friendly professor, but the spirits she had contracted with as a spirit medium were not.
It was then that Artian, who had become a charismatic professor who overwhelmed students just by her presence, regardless of her own will, drooped her shoulders.
“It seems you've become somewhat more sensible now that you're second-year students.”
A professor incomparably more terrifying than Artian appeared.
The second-year students tensed up at Halind's appearance.
Halind chuckled softly, looking at the second-year students.
“You don't need to be so tense.”
He said in an uncharacteristically relaxed voice.
“This year too, Professor Artian and I will be in charge of the first-year students.”
“It's such a pity, I had gotten quite close with all of you.”
At Halind's words, Artian drooped her shoulders.
“Really?”
“What a shame!”
“Ah! I wanted to take both of your classes…!”
Sighs erupted from everywhere.
However, contrary to their words, their mouths twitched involuntarily at the thought of being freed from the terrifying professors.
‘No, I mustn't laugh now.’
‘If I show I'm happy, it's death.’
It was then that all the students bit their lips, suppressing their joy.
“I also feel regretful about it.”
Halind said impassively.
“Therefore, I've decided to teach second-year classes concurrently, so don't worry, everyone.”
“Yes! Not often, but I can meet you all.”
At those words, the second-year students looked like they were about to cry.
“Professor Halind. The students look sad, don't they?”
“They're holding back tears of joy.”
“Oh, I see!”
Halind, who had spoken impassively to the naive Artian, said.
“Everyone, move.”
At his words, the second-year students moved with gloomy faces to attend the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony was very brief.
The much-rumored principal did not appear.
After the brief announcement, they headed to the second-year classroom building.
“I'm a second-year student now, but it doesn't feel real at all. The opening ceremony also ended rather blandly.”
As Illiana mumbled, slumped over in the second-year classroom building auditorium, Nella said with her characteristic languid smile.
“Maybe it's because you haven't seen the juniors yet?”
“Is that it?”
“Yeah. And class assignments are still left, you know.”
“Class assignments, huh.”
Illiana made a gloomy face.
“Since it's happening anyway, I hope as many of the kids from Class 5 as possible end up in the same class as me.”
“Wouldn't that be difficult? Class assignments are random, after all.”
It was then that Nella gave a wry smile.
Bang-!
“Welcome! My cadets!”
The auditorium door burst open, and Sedgen walked in with the professors, *thud-! thud-!*
With all eyes wide, Sedgen said.
“I am Sedgen, and I will be taking overall 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 head professor for the entire year!”
Cheers erupted from students who had been in Class 1 during their first year.
Other students also had bright expressions.
Sedgen was a very trustworthy professor, renowned as an excellent instructor.
“Alright! So, before class assignments…”
Sedgen scanned the audience and spoke.
At his words, the entire student body looked tense.
Indeed, the opening ceremony had ended too blandly compared to their first year.
The Rumerin second-year students, who were ready to respond to any unforeseen situation, were confident they wouldn't be flustered even if an exam started right then.
Everyone swallowed hard and focused on Sedgen.
“I! will explain how *I* outsmarted Halind and became the second-year professor in charge of guiding you outstanding students!”
Sedgen, chin held high and arms wide open, shouted.
The second-year department professors looked flustered by Sedgen's outburst.
“Professor Sedgen. We should do the class assignments first.”
Yura urgently tried to dissuade him, but Sedgen didn't listen.
“Class assignments are important, but the story of how I defeated Halind in the competition is something students absolutely need to hear!”
“He's talking nonsense again.”
Halind appeared from the back of the auditorium.
Sedgen spoke, watching Halind let out a short sigh.
“Oh! Look who it is? Isn't this my rival, Halind, who lost to me in the competition? Hahaha. Have you come because you can't let go of the second-year students?”
“It was simply the result of a staff vote that determined I was more suited to instruct the first-year students, wasn't it?”
“Hahaha! No! This result came about because *I* was judged to be the professor who would lead Rumerin's golden generation…”
“Drag him out.”
Seeing Sedgen's unnecessarily long speech, Halind spoke mercilessly.
At his words, Ain and Ren, who had become the second-year department professors, grabbed Sedgen by both arms and began to drag him away.
“What are you doing?! I'm the head professor for the second-year students! Halind is the head professor for the first-year students, so why are you following his orders?! I'm the one who chose you as second-year professors, and you betray me like this…! Ugh! Let go! You Halind's lackeys! Let go!”
Sedgen was dragged out, screaming desperately.
Karl mumbled, watching the scene.
“…Now it really feels like we're back at Rumerin.”
It was then that the surrounding students nodded at his words.
Thump- thump-
Halind, who had gone up onto the auditorium stage, said.
“Then, I will now begin the class assignments.”
At his words, the students wore tense expressions.
Halind snapped his fingers, and the associate professors brought in a large bulletin board.
“First, I have something to say. From the second year onwards, the concept of a 'class' will change slightly.”
At his words, the students began to murmur.
“More precisely, 'dormitory' would be a more fitting term than 'class.'”
At those words, Chelsea raised her hand.
“What exactly does 'dormitory' mean?”
“It means exactly that. Originally, second-year students also had classes assigned, just like first-year students, and boys and girls lived in separate dorms.”
Halind shook his head.
“Originally, from the second year onwards, departmental classes were supposed to become more dominant than regular classes. However, starting this year, the newly appointed principal decided to slightly change that concept.”
“The principal?”
“Has a new principal been appointed?”
“But earlier at the opening ceremony…”
A few students calmed down the murmuring students.
Once the students quieted down again, Halind continued.
“From now on, male and female students will live in dormitories in the same space.”
“Huh? Really?”
“In the same place as the boys?”
“Of course, showering and sleeping will be separate. You all remember what happens if you're caught doing anything foolish, don't you?”
At his words, a few students shivered.
“Competitions will also be held by dormitory, not by department. Departmental classes will include joint lessons, but there will also be many individual dormitory lessons.”
Listening to Halind's words, Abad smiled faintly.
“So the purpose is to strengthen teamwork by department, I see.”
“That's right.”
“So, have the dormitory assignments been finalized?”
“Only nine people are done.”
Everyone looked puzzled at Halind's words.
Looking at the students, Halind approached the bulletin board and pulled back the cloth.
Whoosh-!
On the large bulletin board, there were three sections.
And at the top of each section, three names were written.
Dormitory 1 - Leo Flobe, Chloe Müller, Chen Xia.
Dormitory 2 - Celia Zerdinger, Chelsea Rwallin, Woreden Tyden
Dormitory 3 - Abad Rwallin, Duran Moira, Eliza Hergin.
“I will give the second-year students one assignment until the first-year students arrive.”
Halind impassively informed the frozen students.
“The students listed here are the leaders of each dormitory. And the dormitory students will be decided by the dormitory leaders themselves. If there's a dormitory you wish to enter, negotiate with the dormitory leaders. The professors will have no involvement whatsoever in how the dormitory students are decided. That is all.”
After saying that, Halind led the professors out of the auditorium.
The frozen students looked at the dormitory leaders.
Leo covered his face.
‘They dropped a bomb on the first day of the semester.’
At the same time as that thought.
“Aargh?! Why do I have to be in the same dormitory as Celia Zerdinger?!”
“That's what *I* should be saying!”
A chemical reaction immediately occurred between Celia and Chelsea.
“Duran Moira! You expect me to team up with you for my second year?! I can't accept this! It would be better to form a dormitory with Leo Flobe!”
“How peculiar. I was just thinking the same thing, actually.”
At Eliza's annoyed words, Duran also reacted cynically.
Celia and Chelsea, famous rivals.
And Duran and Eliza were put together.
In their first year, they had fewer chances to clash since their departments and classes were different.
Even if they did clash, there were students who acted as shock absorbers.
In Celia and Chelsea's case, it was Leo, and for Duran and Eliza, it was Chen Xia.
But now they had to live in dorms without those students.
It was then that Leo scratched his head.
“Hey, Leo.”
“President!”
“Chloe! Please!”
Second-year classmates flocked around Leo and Chloe.
“Please let us into your dormitory!”
The second-year students also realized.
That Dormitory 2 and Dormitory 3 were to be avoided.