Book 1 Chapter 25

【25】24

Professors who were in charge of this year's first-year classes gathered in the professors' lounge of the Hall of Beginnings.

It was a get-together for the professors to socialize before the official start of the semester.

"Overall, this year's new students seem to be excellent."

"Ah, yes. Now that you mention it, weren't there three top students in the Knighthood Department?"

Professor Len smiled at Professor Ain's words.

"I'm envious, the Magic Department only has two top students."

"Are you making fun of the Summoning Department now, Len?"

Professor Yura frowned.

"Haha, of course not!"

"Which department will be superior is something we'll only know once the semester begins. Just because they're top students at admission doesn't mean they'll remain the best students, does it? And…"

Professor Ain stopped speaking and gently swirled his wine glass.

"Among this cohort's top students, isn't there no class representative?"

The professors nodded, as if agreeing with his words.

Professor Ain gulped down his wine.

"Well, the class representative also aspires to the Knighthood Department, though."

'This cohort, the Knighthood Department is definitely the best.'

Professor Ain looked at the two professors with a condescending gaze.

"Oh dear. You said you never know how things will turn out, but you're so full of confidence, Senior."

'What a delusion. Senior Ain. That student Leo is going to come to our Magic Department.'

Professor Len burst into hearty laughter on the outside, while a meaningful smile played on his lips inwardly.

"Right, exactly. He's starting to get a little obnoxious."

'How ridiculous. Leo Floff is for the Summoning Department, you know? It'll be a sight to behold his expression after he sees the department application form.'

Professor Yura scoffed outwardly, while inwardly sneering.

Just then, the assistants brought in the department application forms.

"Professors, I've brought the department application forms. The assistants will classify them over the weekend."

"Good work. Have some of this, at least."

The professors offered food and drinks to the assistants.

Meanwhile, Professor Ain, Professor Yura, and Professor Len headed towards the applications for Class 5.

'Why are they following me towards the Class 5 applications?'

'Is there a student they're interested in?'

'Why are these people acting this way?'

The three professors, looking at each other with puzzled expressions, discovered Leo's photo at the very top of the Class 5 application forms.

And they couldn't believe their eyes.

Name: Leo Floff.

Class: 5.

Requested Majors: Knighthood, Magic, Summoning.

All three professors thought at the same time.

'What in the world is this situation?'

***

"You're crazy! Crazy! Crazy!"

Slap- Slap- Slap-

"Why are you hitting me?"

In the park in front of the dormitory, Celia grabbed Leo and hit him on the back.

"The whole girls' dormitory is talking about you! 'All-class' and all that nonsense you supposedly said?"

"Why is it nonsense? I bought all the major textbooks and attended all the major classes during the temporary lessons."

"You didn't buy those as reference books, but to use them as major textbooks?"

"Of course."

"Argh-! You systematic madman!"

Celia pulled at her hair and bounced up and down.

"Is 'all-class' even a sensible thing to say? If you joke around with department applications like that, what professor will think well of you!"

The authority of professors at Lumerne was immense.

Even just falling out of favor with a professor from another major could definitely complicate one's school life.

The moment one was marked by a major professor, expulsion was practically a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, major professors had strong pride in their own fields.

To joke around during the sacred department selection, when one should be trying to make a good impression?

One would have no one to blame even if marked by all major professors.

Having finally entered Lumerne and even become the class representative, only to cause such a huge incident within a week, Celia was burning with anxiety.

But the person involved was acting as if there was no problem, so she couldn't help but get furious.

"You! Go to the faculty office right now and apologize to the professors!"

"No. I'm going to take all the majors."

"What is wrong with him, seriously? Is 'all-class' even possible!"

Leo spread out his left palm to an agitated Celia.

It seemed as if aura flowed over his palm, and then magic power burst forth above it as if ablaze.

Celia's eyes widened at the sight.

But it didn't end there.

Finally, spiritual power wrapped around Leo's hand.

"You, you, you?"

"Even Mom and Dad don't know yet."

Leo shrugged, withdrawing his power.

Celia gaped, an incredulous expression on her face.

"The professors have all confirmed my abilities. They'll know it's absolutely not a joke."

"What exactly are you?"

"What do you mean, what am I?"

Leo grinned.

"Your cousin."

***

"Unprecedented. Since the founding of Lumerne, no, including other hero academies, this must be the first."

All-class.

It wasn't that there were no such heroes in the long history of the world.

But such heroes were treated as fictional heroes in the current world, which had the hero history book called the Hero Record.

'The Fifth Great Hero, Kyle.'

But an all-class hero, like those only found in fiction, had appeared.

Professor Ain, Professor Yura, and Professor Len had already met with Callian.

The content of the meeting was that Leo needed to have a definite primary major.

The three professors passionately explained how extraordinary Leo's talent was.

"What should we do, Principal?"

"In this case, it would be right to let the student do as he wishes."

Callian smiled at Secretary Elena's question.

"Isn't it the school's job to provide the education the student desires?"

***

Weekends at Lumerne were relatively peaceful.

As the weekday academic schedule was packed, thorough rest was guaranteed on weekends.

Being free time, one could go sightseeing in Lumeria, and if desired, apply for an overnight stay outside.

"Is it really sensible to come to the training ground on such a clear weekend?"

Chelsea said as Cal grumbled.

"I'm scheduled to receive sword fighting lessons from Leo oppa today."

Chelsea was wearing comfortable athletic clothes.

Battle Mage.

Literally, it refers to a mage who can fight even on the front lines.

It was different from a dual-class Spellblade.

While a Spellblade used both aura and magic power, a Battle Mage only used magic power.

They enhance physical abilities with support magic and primarily master person-to-person magic focused on high-speed and multi-cast incantations.

If a general mage was responsible for firepower from the rear, a Battle Mage's role was to infiltrate the heart of the enemy lines in an emergency and disrupt their formation.

A skilled Battle Mage would fearlessly dive into melees, creating countless variables.

Chelsea was deeply impressed by Leo, who had stopped Talatunia during the entrance exam without even using aura.

Moreover, Chelsea was looking forward to Leo's teachings even more.

'Leo oppa was a mage too.'

As Spellblades and Battle Mages had many similarities, it was thought that receiving guidance from a Spellblade would be more helpful than from a pure knight.

Celia, who had followed along at the mention of training Chelsea, wore a disinterested expression.

"If you came with a lighthearted thought, I recommend quitting."

"I'm serious, though?"

"Oh? Really? Leo's training won't be easy, you know."

Just thinking about Chelsea, who had been a rival since childhood, struggling made her happy.

"By the way, Celia. What's your relationship with Leo that you're so close?"

Cal asked with a curious face.

Chelsea, who still didn't know their relationship, also perked up her ears.

"Don't spread rumors anywhere. Leo and I are cousins."

"What?"

"Huh? Leo oppa was from Gerdinger?"

"To be precise, not Gerdinger. Please don't ask for details, as it's a family matter."

Celia said with a smile.

Knowing that noble families had complex family affairs, Chelsea and Cal decided not to pry further.

Leo spoke to Cal.

"Cal. Want to join us?"

"I'm interested, but unfortunately! I have to go to Lumeria in a bit!"

"Going to play?"

"No! I'm going to buy potion ingredients! Recovery potions are selling better than I expected! Hahahaha!"

At that, Celia tilted her head.

"You said you were from an alchemist family, but you're a complete merchant."

"Alchemy requires a lot of money, you see!"

Cal made a circle with his fingers and grinned.

"How about it? I could make you a magnificent magic sword or magic staff."

"Can you make something more magnificent than our family heirloom?"

"My apologies, I didn't recognize you."

To discuss swords and staffs in front of a renowned hero family.

He had gotten the wrong address by a long shot.

Celia stifled a chuckle.

"Leo oppa, what should we do first?"

"Are you used to moving your body?"

"Of course. I have good stamina! My body is this flexible, too!"

Chelsea lifted her leg straight up into an 'I' shape like a ballerina.

It was a move impossible without flexibility and balance.

Besides that, Chelsea hopped and skipped, showing Leo her agile movements.

With such solid fundamentals, if she only became proficient as a Battle Mage, it was clear that most Knighthood Department students would not be her match in close combat.

'She definitely has a reason for aspiring to be a Battle Mage.'

"I know someone who was a Battle Mage."

"Really?"

Chelsea's eyes sparkled.

'To be precise, not exactly a Battle Mage. But there wasn't such a concept back then.'

Luna, who moved at high speed and cast multiple incantations even in the chaos of battle, could in some ways be called the progenitor of Battle Mages.

'Well, not just Battle Mages, but perhaps the origin of all modern mages.'

Leo crossed his arms.

"Chelsea, what do you think is most important for a Battle Mage?"

"Huh? Hmm… let's see… high-speed incantation ability, multi-cast incantation ability, and martial arts ability?"

Leo spoke, watching Chelsea list things that distinguished them from ordinary mages.

"No. The most important thing for a Battle Mage is…"

"The most important thing?"

"Stamina."

Celia, who had been sitting on a bench watching, slowly got up.

"Cal, let's go."

"Huh? Where?"

"You said you were going to Lumeria."

"There's still time. And weren't you not going?"

"I also have an urgent errand, so I should go…"

"Celia. You'll also be training your stamina with me every weekend from now on."

"No!"

"I already wrote a letter to Uncle Ziss. He told me to definitely do it that way."

"Why did you do such a useless thing!"

Celia rushed at Leo, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him violently.

"Listen carefully, Chelsea."

"Yes."

"A Battle Mage must be able to move endlessly. To do that, you need steel-like stamina that never tires. Buff magic only has its limits, so it won't do."

'He's saying the exact same thing as the Battle Mages in our family.'

Stamina training was a daily routine for the Battle Mages of the Rwelyn family.

"Anyway, Celia is destined to train with me."

"I hate that kind of destiny!"

Celia wailed, but Leo paid no mind.

"The moment you said you'd train with me, I will make you a hero, no matter what it takes."

"Yes! Leo oppa! Let's work hard together towards becoming heroes!"

Chelsea, who simply took Leo's words as an intention for them to encourage each other, clenched her fist and replied.

"So, you're training with me from now on, right?"

"Yes!"

Later, Chelsea thought.

She should have run away then.

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