Book 1 Chapter 231
231
Abad, sitting by the window in the lounge of Dorm 3, was lost in thought.
‘What could be the professors’ intentions?’
He glanced over, turning his head to look at his peers who would have to lead the dorm for the next year.
Duran Moira.
Eliza Hergin.
The top honor students in the Knightry Department and the Summoning Department.
The problem was that they didn't get along.
‘It's the same for Dorm 2.’
Celia and Chelsea are the dorm leaders.
‘Worreden tends to be uninterested in others, so there won't be trouble, but conversely, he won't mediate their disputes either.’
Abad narrowed his eyes.
It was the same now.
Duran, sitting with his arms crossed, had his eyes closed without moving, and Eliza was filing her nails as usual.
At first glance, both seemed indifferent to each other, but a fierce battle of wills was unfolding between them.
“First, shall we talk about selecting dorm members?”
At his words, Duran opened one eye, and Eliza glanced at Abad.
“Before that.”
Duran said.
“Even with three dorm leaders, I think it's necessary to choose a practical leader.”
“Oh, well said. Were you going to ask me to take on that role? Don't worry. As the successor to the Hergin family, I will lead the dorm excellently.”
Eliza, crossing her legs, stretched out a hand and gazed at her neatly filed nails.
And she nodded as if satisfied.
Watching Eliza, Duran curled the corners of his lips.
“Do you really think a leader's position suits someone as self-righteous as you?”
“I'll return those words right back to you.” Abad burst out laughing, watching the two glare fiercely at each other.
‘How am I supposed to resolve this? I have no clue.’
Even while thinking that, Abad had no intention of yielding the leader's position either.
If the two agreed, he intended to claim the position by skill if necessary.
‘The three of us have nothing in common. How can we lead the dorm well like this in the future…’
Abad paused, having thought that far.
‘Common ground?’
Abad's eyes lit up.
And he conjured magic between the two, who seemed ready to wield a sword and a whip.
Whosh-!
Taken aback by the sudden gust of wind, both frowned and looked at Abad.
“What is it, Abad Lwelyn?”
“I see. So you, too, cannot yield the leader's position?”
“That's right, Eliza. I can't just hand over the leader's position. But before that, I'd like to talk about what's ahead.”
“What's ahead?”
“Yes.”
Abad trudged over and sat on the sofa.
And he put on a serious expression.
“The three of us have one thing in common.”
“I don't think so.”
“I agree with Duran Moira.”
Abad smiled faintly, watching the cynically grinning Duran and the prim Eliza.
“Right now, just the two of you already share the common trait of having bad personalities, don't you?”
“Are you trying to pick a fight right now?”
Duran frowned, and Eliza glared fiercely at Abad.
Abad, with a gentle smile, said,
“Just kidding. Our common ground is this: we all want to defeat Leo Flobe.”
Duran's and Eliza's eyes twitched.
“And yet, on the other hand, we also acknowledge that we can never truly win, wouldn't you say?”
Until a year ago, it was absurd when some unheard-of, unknown student became the class representative.
Indeed, Leo seemed to have insufficient skill as a class representative.
However, at some point, he caught up to them, then overtook them in the blink of an eye, and began to pull a step ahead.
And now he stands far ahead.
“Who said they acknowledged that?”
Duran said in a displeased voice.
But Eliza listened in silence.
“Duran, let's admit what needs to be admitted.”
The emotion vanished from Abad's eyes.
Duran clicked his tongue.
“But I have no intention of giving up.”
Eliza stated flatly.
“Me too. That's why I said we have something in common.”
Abad smiled.
“Our goal is the same. In that case, I don't think cooperation would be a bad idea.”
“Cooperation?”
“Yes. After all, competition among dorms has become a given. In that case.”
Abad's eyes narrowed.
“Let's aim to win the dorm competition.”
Duran and Eliza fell into thought, then after a moment, sighed deeply.
“I don't particularly like the feeling of being swayed by your words. But I'll play along.”
“Then the dorm members will be important, first and foremost.”
As their interests aligned, the three quickly consolidated their opinions.
“Howl from the Knightry Department is an excellent fellow. He's absolutely necessary.”
“Jureden from the Summoning Department is also needed.”
“I don't think it's good to just recruit students based on good grades. They also need to fit the dorm atmosphere, right? Our goal is to overthrow Leo Flobe. I think it's best to prioritize students who can achieve that goal.”
“Do you have any students in mind?”
Abad chuckled at Eliza's question and pulled out a stack of cards.
They were cards with the names and pictures of dorm students written on them.
“When did you prepare these?”
“Since freshman year. I made them with the intention of scouting talent worthy of being recruited into the family.”
Abad, smiling faintly, pulled out a single card.
“The student we need to recruit first is this guy.”
Eliza's eyes twitched.
“Kal Thomas? He's the lowest-ranked student in the Magic Department, isn't he? Why is he the top priority for recruitment?”
“You know Kal's usefulness well, don't you?”
“Hmph. Usefulness and excellence are different. We need to win against Leo Flobe's dorm. Surely you're not planning to use his acquaintance with Leo Flobe to make him a spy, are you?”
“No way.”
Abad let out a small laugh.
“Although Kal's grades are the lowest, he has the unique characteristic of aspiring to be a supporter. He's a student with strengths that clearly differentiate him from others. Furthermore, he's excellent outside of academics. Crucially, he's a student with flexible thinking, capable of performing his role without being swayed by the dorm atmosphere, no matter which dorm he goes to.”
“Hmm!”
“Duran, what's your opinion?”
“He is useful.”
At their opinions, Eliza made a surly expression.
“Alright. Then we'll take Kal Thomas into our dorm. But will Kal Thomas want to come?”
“We'll find that out when we go.”
***
“Ha-ha-ha. Aren't you overestimating me?”
“Don't be disheartened. We're transferring you because we need you.”
Abad said with a faint smile.
Then he stood before Leo and Chloe and said,
“Our dorm's goal is to defeat Dorm 1. To achieve that, the dorm leaders have decided to unite.”
In front of the cafeteria, Abad spread his arms and spoke to his classmates.
“There won't be any squabbles among the dorm leaders that you're worried about.”
Abad, who had spoken confidently, smiled faintly and returned to where Duran and Eliza were.
At his words, the students began to murmur.
“Though I'm worried about Duran and Eliza's relationship.”
“If the goal is truly to defeat Leo, it seems like those two might join forces…”
“Then it feels reliable.”
The students showed interest in Dorm 3.
“Isn't being able to dorm with Eliza actually an advantage?”
“Are you in Eliza's fan club? What's so good about that haughty queen?”
“Sh-shut up! That's precisely what makes her cool!”
“First of all, Abad and Duran are in the same space, aren't they?”
“That alone is a pleasure to behold.”
There were also students revealing personal ulterior motives.
“But talking directly to those three feels a bit daunting.”
“Should we ask Kal?”
“Oh, Kal is also in Dorm 3.”
“Right. Let's just ask Kal casually.”
Interest in Dorm 3 surged.
Kal scratched his head, watching the students approach him.
‘Did he even think of this kind of effect?’
Leo let out a small laugh, watching that scene.
“He landed a brilliant hit, didn't he?”
Not only had Kal been taken from them and a declaration of war made, but he was also being used as a propaganda tool.
“Indeed.”
Chloe tucked her grimoire under her arm.
She seemed calm, but the flames of combativeness were lit in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Worreden, who had been watching the scene, spoke.
“Celia Zerdinger, Chelsea Lwelyn.”
“Why are you calling us, Worreden?”
“How long are you going to childishly prioritize your personal feelings?”
“What?”
“They've decided on their path.”
Worreden, who had been observing the situation as if uninterested until now, gestured with his chin towards Dorm 3 with an expressionless face.
“If we stay like this, all the good ones will be taken, and we'll have to run the dorm with a bunch of nobodies. Do you think we can beat those guys with such members?”
Celia swept back her hair.
“I understand what you're saying, Worreden. Dorm 3 has decided to run their dorm with the goal of overthrowing Leo. Then we need a goal too.”
At her words, Chelsea crossed her arms.
“I don't particularly want to make defeating big brother Leo my goal.”
“Of course. Chelsea Lwelyn. You've never once aimed for the top throughout your first year, have you?”
“Ugh.”
Chelsea glared at Worreden with an annoyed face.
But she couldn't refute him.
In the Magic Department, there's her blood relative, Abad, if she aimed for the top.
In class, there's Leo if she aimed for the top.
Although she had a competitive spirit towards Celia, it was closer to a rebellious feeling as a family member.
“Celia Zerdinger. What kind of dorm do you want to create?”
“I'd like to create a dorm focused on the Knightry Department.”
“No, you can't. I want to create a dorm focused on mages.”
“Oh? Then our dorm's direction is set.”
“What?”
Celia swept back her hair.
“The three of us also have one thing in common.”
At Celia's words, Worreden made an amused expression.
“What is it?”
In response to that question, Celia said,
“I think swordsmanship is superior to magic and summoning.”
Celia pointed at Chelsea.
“She thinks magic is superior to swordsmanship and summoning, and Worreden, you think summoning is the strongest special ability. Am I wrong?”
Worreden, while not majoring in it, is taking Knightry and Magic classes as electives.
Of course, he has no talent for Aura or Mana.
However, he uses those abilities to strengthen his spirit summoning.
In other words, for Worreden, martial arts and magic were tools to make his summoning stronger.
That inherently implied a mindset that summoning was superior to the other two special abilities.
At Celia's words, Worreden curled the corners of his lips.
“I see. So you're suggesting we determine the best department within the dorm?”
“That's right. There must be students who agree with our opinion, don't you think?”
Celia wore a warlike smile.
“We can't lose to that greasy butter-like guy or Leo.”
“Why is my brother 'butter'!”
Chelsea flared up and tried to pounce, but Worreden grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his large hand.
Chelsea, with her feet off the ground, shouted at Worreden with a red face.
“What are you doing! Let me go!”
“Fight when other students aren't watching. For now, at least outwardly, show cooperation.”
“Ugh-!”
Chelsea pouted but didn't resist.
Leo let out a small laugh, watching that scene.
‘They set their direction faster than I expected.’
Leo's eyes sparkled.
‘Second year is going to be interesting.’
***
“Already? They're called the Golden Generation; they certainly are excellent.”
Liina, who received the report in the principal's office, wore an amused expression.
“I thought they'd struggle a bit more.”
“The current second-year students are more excellent than you think.”
“Halind, your words make me look forward to it.”
Liina put down the documents.
“By the way, I'm concerned. The number of freshmen this year is insufficient. Aren't there only about 300?”
An auditor from the board of directors showed discomfort.
This person was sent by the board of directors because they distrusted Lumern's new principal, who had no achievements or reputation.
‘Are they planning to oust me if things go wrong? It doesn't seem to be the chairman's will.’
Liina curled the corners of her lips inwardly.
“You don't need to worry about that. We've already conducted additional exams.”
“Excuse me?”
It was at this moment that another auditor from the board was flustered.
Someone entered the principal's office.
“Welcome, Albi. How was the exam?”
Albi, under Liina's command, had gathered the failed applicants who had barely missed the cut-off in the previous entrance exam and conducted an additional test.
The additional exam was not publicized worldwide, as Liina had deemed unnecessary show-off events to be unneeded.
“Approximately 100 more people have passed.”
“Now there's nothing to worry about, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
The board auditor replied uncomfortably.
After he left, Albi spoke.
“Lady Liina.”
“I'm the principal now. Professor Albi.”
“Principal.”
“Why?”
“Some of the freshmen recommended by the principal seemed strange.”
“Did you notice?”
“Did Professor Halind and Professor Sedjen also know?”
“They agreed.”
“I know they are excellent.”
Albi narrowed his eyes.
“But I believe you three know best that 'shadow candidates' fundamentally cannot mix with 'hero candidates'?”
“Giving 'shadow candidates' the opportunity to become heroes as well.”
Liina rested her chin on her hand and said,
“That was my condition for accepting the principal's position.”