Book 1 Chapter 250
“Since we're here anyway, I wanted to do some sightseeing.”
Leo muttered as he walked through the exotic streetscape.
“Because it's not good to miss classes for a long time at the beginning of the semester.”
“How about visiting our country again during this summer vacation? I'll guide you to the tourist attractions.”
“If nothing comes up, visiting wouldn't be a bad idea.”
At Chen Xia's words, Leo chuckled and said.
Following the two, Fritz adjusted his glasses.
“Indeed, this exotic scenery is worth appreciating. If I get the chance, I should come again…”
“Don't ever come again. Hiss- hiss-”
At Fritz's mumble, Jane waved her hand back and forth and said.
“Jane.”
“Yes, sir!”
“You should get along with your classmates.”
“This guy is a friend…!”
“Hm?”
“…I'll get along with him…”
Jane, who had been flared up, shrank her neck before Chen Xia's gentle smile.
Seeing Jane like that, Fritz gave an annoying smile.
Seeing Fritz like that, sparks flew from Jane's eyes.
‘When we get back, I'll turn him into a pulp!’
He clenched his fists tightly and trembled.
Meanwhile, people's gazes were fixed on Leo and his companions.
Since all four of them were wearing Lumen's school uniform, they couldn't help but stand out.
“By the way, which class was I assigned to?”
“Ah, you wouldn't know.”
Having been absent from school, Chen Xia wasn't well-informed about the current situation of the second-year students.
“Currently, second-year students don't have a class system.”
“What?”
“The second-year students are divided into three dormitories. It's a structure where dormitories compete with each other.”
Hearing Leo's words, Chen Xia's eyes sparkled.
“That sounds interesting.”
“You, Chloe, and I are the dormitory leaders.”
“Young Master Leo and I are in the same dormitory?”
Chen Xia, who had been laughing happily, paused.
The moment she heard that she, Chloe, and Leo were leaders of the same dormitory, she understood.
“What about the other dormitory leaders?”
“Celia, Chelsea, and Warreden are dormitory leaders, and Abbad, Eliza, and Duran are grouped together.”
“…Are those dormitories okay?”
At first glance, it seemed like a questionable combination.
Seeing Chen Xia ask with genuine concern, Leo chuckled.
“Surprisingly, they seem to get along well.”
“I see.”
Chen Xia nodded.
Meanwhile, it was time for the warp gate to Lumen to activate.
As the four people stepped onto the warp gate, the gate activated.
***
Lumen's principal's office.
Reena was working at her desk.
“How unexpected.”
Sedgen admired Reena's appearance.
“What is?”
“I did recommend you as Lumen's principal, but truthfully, I didn't think you would be so diligently dedicated to the principal's duties.”
“You bastard! So that's what you were thinking!”
Reena's eyes flashed as she picked up a liquor bottle from one side of the desk and threw it at Sedgen.
*Snatch!*
Sedgen easily caught the bottle and placed it on the guest table.
“By the way, I'm worried.”
“Chen Xia?”
“Yes. Student Xia not only has top-tier skills among the second-year students, but she is also an elegant student with leadership that can embrace her classmates.”
Sedgen sighed.
“If it's innate leadership, other kids have it too.”
“That's true, but they're still immature, I'd say.”
“Hmm. So, arranging the dormitory leaders in that way was to foster their leadership through competition, wasn't it?”
“Exactly.”
Sedgen had the biggest influence in selecting each dormitory leader.
“If students Chloe, Xia, and Leo Flove had been placed separately, it would have been an ideal setup. But that might hinder the growth potential of other students.”
Although not disclosed to the students and not reflected in their evaluation scores, there was an item where second-year students, when they were first-years, were scored based on their class presidency.
Among them, Leo took first place, and Chloe and Chen Xia tied for second place.
Among the ten classes, Class 1 was considered the most challenging to be a class president for.
Class 1 happened to have students with the highest grades.
Furthermore, there were Celia and Duran, who came from heroic noble families and possessed strong skills and pride.
Students who could take on the role of class president no matter where they went.
Class 1, if handled incorrectly, could have potentially collapsed due to the psychological warfare between Celia and Duran.
However, Chloe perfectly played the role of a mediator among them.
And so, she was naturally recognized as the leader of Class 1.
Chen Xia was no less impressive.
If Class 1 was the most challenging class, Class 10 was the most difficult.
Class 10 had many students with rough and hot-tempered personalities.
Students who, as they say, would throw a punch when provoked.
It was a class full of so-called problem children.
It was Chen Xia who pacified the wild Class 10 in just one week.
And the class's average score was 3rd place.
Naturally, it was the class with the highest promotion rate to second year, excluding Class 1 and Class 5.
All of that was possible because Chen Xia was there.
“So-called 'elder sister' leadership… is that it?”
“That's about it.”
Although she looks young, Chen Xia is the oldest among the first-year students, and her personality is mature and precocious.
As a result, even surprisingly ill-tempered students sometimes couldn't move in front of Chen Xia.
In fact, some students in Class 10 even called Chen Xia "Big Sister" or "Elder Sister."
“She also mediated between Celia and Duran, and Warreden and Eliza in knightry and summoning classes.”
Sedgen chuckled.
“Indeed. Even if they're first-year students, if they possess that level of leadership, they'll naturally lead the others.”
Celia, Chelsea, Warreden, Abbad, Eliza, Duran.
These six students are regarded as special at Lumen.
Sedgen wanted these six to also actively demonstrate their leadership.
“They are clearly rivals, but when placed together, they sometimes create a synergistic effect.”
“I see. But you're reluctant to mention Leo Flove?”
Reena tilted her head.
At that, Sedgen's face turned grim.
“Leo Flove… Student Leo is in a different league.”
He proudly raised Class 5, which was the lowest-ranked class, to the final 2nd place among first-year classes.
And not a single student was forced to withdraw.
Most believe that Halind's strict educational policy bore fruit, but Leo's influence was greater.
“I know he's in a different league. But how exactly is he different?”
“Yes. Student Leo stimulates the students around him.”
“Stimulates?”
Sedgen narrowed his eyes.
“He always stands ahead of others. One step ahead. And just when you think you've caught up, he takes another step.”
He sighed deeply.
“From the perspective of those chasing him, it's not strange to feel a despair that can never be bridged.”
“Indeed.”
“But Student Leo's overwhelming skill makes other students envy him.”
“Envy?”
“Yes. His back stimulates students, but also reassures them. There are times when it feels like he's saying, 'You can do it too.'”
“Why is that?”
“Probably because he always challenges what seems impossible.”
“Hoo.”
Reena was impressed.
“Student Leo always challenges his limits. And as if it's natural, he achieves beyond them.”
“Indeed.”
Reena nodded.
Such a person would naturally be envied.
To see such a person in the same generation is a tremendous blessing.
“But why do you dislike Leo?”
“Do you know how annoying he is during class? He's elegant, which makes him even more annoying!”
It was then that Sedgen vented his indignation.
*Knock-knock-*
“Come in.”
The principal's office door opened, and a professor entered.
“What's the matter?”
“Student Leo from the second year, along with first-year students Fritz and Jane, who went to assist him, have returned.”
“Already?”
Hearing the news that they had completed the mission and returned in just one day, Reena's eyes widened.
“So? What about Chen Xia?”
“Student Chen Xia has also returned.”
“To actually persuade that stubborn person.”
Reena let out a hollow laugh.
Hearing the news, Sedgen crossed his arms.
Then he made a sullen face and muttered.
“Elegant as expected.”
***
“Xia! Welcome back! I was so worried!”
Chloe, with a bright expression, tightly held Chen Xia's hand as she returned to the dormitory.
It wasn't just Chloe.
All the students came out to the dormitory lounge and welcomed Chen Xia's return.
“When I suddenly heard that you received a mission, I was surprised.”
“Ohh- ohh-” Illiana exclaimed.
“What kind of mission was it? To even take first-year students with you?”
“It's Chen Xia's family matter, so it's a secret.”
“Hey! Don't be stingy, tell us!”
Despite Illiana's whining, Leo remained silent, seated on the sofa.
Seeing Leo, Illiana, who had been making a sullen face, approached Chen Xia.
“Xia! Why did you come back so long after the vacation ended?”
Everyone looked at Illiana.
Knowing it was a family matter, it was usually a question not asked.
On the other hand, since it was something everyone was curious about, they also paid attention to Chen Xia's words.
At Illiana's question, Chen Xia smiled gently.
“My family told me to withdraw from Lumen.”
“Whaaat?”
“What kind of nonsense is that!”
Everyone looked aghast at the unexpected words.
“That was the original condition, you see. To withdraw if I didn't become the top of the year during my first year.”
At those words, everyone looked back and forth between Leo and Chen Xia.
Everyone was well aware of Chen Xia's skill.
Because if there was a student she couldn't defeat with her skill, Leo was the only one.
“Even so! How hard is it to get into Lumen, and then to be told to withdraw if you're not the best! What kind of family tells our Big Sister to withdraw?!”
A large male student got angry.
He was a spirit knight student from Class 10.
“The imperial family of Shan.”
“No matter how much the imperial family of Shan, such nonse… Ugh?”
“The… the imperial family of Shan?”
Everyone looked aghast.
Chen Xia smiled sweetly and nodded.
Chloe, surprised, asked urgently.
“Xia, you… you were royalty of Shan.”
“Yes. For now, I am the successor of Shan.”
Everyone's mouths dropped open at the unimaginable status.
They wondered if she was joking.
Everyone looked at Leo.
At the gaze of his dormitory classmates, Leo nodded indifferently.
“Wow… so she was a shadow.”
“If you're a Lumen student, you're a hero candidate.”
“Shh. Don't say things like 'shadow' or 'hero'.”
Confusion arose among the students.
It couldn't be helped.
For thousands of years, the Shan imperial family had been shadows.
If she was the next emperor of Shan, then being urged to withdraw was understandable.
It was naturally a sensitive issue for Chen Xia, so everyone watched her closely.
Then Chloe stepped forward.
“Your family matters are resolved, right?”
“Yes.”
“That's a relief.”
Chloe smiled gently.
Seeing Chloe like that, Chen Xia wore a bright expression.
“Thank you for worrying about me, Miss Chloe.”
Chen Xia, having said that, continued.
“As you all thought, I was a shadow. But I enrolled in Lumen because I want to become a hero. So, although it might be difficult, I hope you'll treat me as Chen Xia, the Lumen student you've known until now.”
At her words, the students, looking into each other's eyes, said.
“Yeah. Chen Xia is Chen Xia, after all.”
“What if she's a shadow? We've received so much help from Xia.”
“More importantly, if Xia isn't here, we'll fall behind in the competition with the other dorms!”
“We don't care about your status!”
“Thank you.”
Chen Xia smiled brightly.
‘She decided to confront it head-on.’
Seeing that, Leo chuckled inwardly.
It seemed she had already completely shaken off her worries about her identity.
Just then, Leo and Chen Xia made eye contact.
‘Yes, that's all that matters.’
As Leo nodded, Chen Xia smiled even more brightly.
“Oh, by the way, Miss Chloe. Is there a private workshop in the dormitory suitable for alchemy?”
“Huh? Of course there is.”
“There's nothing the dorm doesn't have! It's in the basement! I'll show you!”
Illiana gave a thumbs-up.
Then she tilted her head.
“But Xia. Can you use magic too?”
“No.”
“Then why an alchemy workshop?”
“I plan to manufacture poisons, and it's better to make them with safety-verified equipment.”
“Certainly, an alchemy workshop is safe for making poisons… You're making what?”
Illiana stared at Chen Xia with an astonished face.
Seeing her expression, Chen Xia smiled gently.
“I didn't use them when I was hiding my identity, but now it's revealed. Like aura skills using poison.”
Everyone gulped dryly.
“And poison is also used for various other shadow techniques.”
Everyone slowly backed away from Chen Xia.
‘Let's never cross Chen Xia again.’
Everyone thought that.
Leo covered his face with his hand.
‘Even so, that's too honest.’
***
“Hey, Jane. You've already been to your mission practice?”
“And you went with the student council president!”
“Fritz! Tell me! What kind of mission was it?”
First-year classroom building, grand lecture hall.
In the midst of the ten classes gathered, there were those who were the center of attention.
They were Fritz and Jane.
The fact that they had gone on a mission practice with Leo, the student council president, so soon after entering school was enough to draw the attention of all the first-year students.
“It's not that big of a deal.”
Jane smiled gently at her classmates.
“It's nothing special, so just focus on your studies.”
Fritz also answered with his characteristic expressionless face.
“Hmph. It's probably because it's nothing special that they can't talk about it.”
Several students sent envious remarks.
This was the time when first-year students had the most intense competitive spirit toward each other.
Just then, Jane and Fritz, who were sitting far apart, made eye contact.
Both of them simultaneously scoffed with a "Hmph!"
“Wow… I'm envious.”
As Luke mumbled, watching Fritz and Jane from afar, Juen crossed her arms.
“I'm not envious, not at all!”
Just as the entire auditorium was in a commotion over Fritz and Jane's matter.
*Thump-*
Someone appeared on the platform.
Until then, the first-year students were busy chattering.
“If you're not silent within 10 seconds, I will expel everyone.”
The first-year students flinched at the ominous voice.
And then, realizing that Halind was standing on the platform, they turned pale.
“Hey! Be quiet!”
“Professor Halind is here!”
“Shut up!”
The freshmen who were still chattering, not grasping the atmosphere, were forcibly silenced by others.
“Last year's second-year students were perceptive, so they quieted down just by my appearance.”
Halind mumbled in a bored voice.
At his words, the first-year students flinched and trembled.
Halind clucked his tongue, seeing the first-year students with drooping shoulders.
“Pathetic. Are you getting discouraged just because you were compared once?”
“B-but Professor Halind. They say the second-year seniors are the Golden Generation.”
“It seems you have too much fear of the second-year students.”
It couldn't be helped.
They were unilaterally hunted during the entrance exam, so it was natural for them to be intimidated.
“They boast about being the Golden Generation, but in my eyes, they're just yellow chicks, just like you.”
‘Though there are some monsters too.’
Remembering Leo, whom he was in charge of last year, Halind said.
“Perfect timing. In that case, I'll provide you with an opportunity to get acquainted with the second-year students, whom you endlessly admire as the Golden Generation.”
At Halind's words, the first-year students wore puzzled expressions.
“I will announce the first semester's final exam assignment.”
Everyone looked aghast at the sudden announcement of the final exam topic so early in the semester.
“Of course, this isn't your exam assignment, but the second-year students' exam assignment.”
“What?”
Why would they announce the second-year students' exam assignment here?
“Starting tomorrow, the second-year students will be your mentors.”
“Mentors?”
“What's that?”
“Are the second-year seniors going to teach us?”
“You will not receive any recommendations to withdraw due to low test scores until the end of the first semester.”
Everyone's eyes widened.
“Instead.”
Halind smiled coldly.
“After the first semester's final exam, those below the cut-off line in the comprehensive evaluation will fail. In addition to that…”
***
At the same time.
Second-year classroom building.
“If the first-year student you are in charge of receives a withdrawal recommendation, you will also be withdrawn.”
“Whaaaaaat?”
The entire second-year class fell into a panic at Sedgen's sudden bombshell announcement.