Book 1 Chapter 259

And so the weekend passed.

All of the second-year students gathered in front of the warp gate.

"Everyone seems so excited."

"How could they not be? It's an event we've been looking forward to."

Chen Xia smiled faintly at Leo's words.

Unless it's a special case, weapons are bound to be consumables.

No matter how carefully you maintain them, they will eventually break.

The longsword Leo received as a gift from the principal of Seirun last year was rendered unusable in the battle of Silatuna.

Of course, it wasn't the sword's performance that was the problem, but rather how bad the opponent was.

"Well, Lord Leo might not be that interested, as he'll be receiving one of Gerdinger's heirlooms. Still, all the students at Demian are brilliant artisans, so having a dedicated smith would be a great help. The students at Demian are also very interested in Lord Leo."

The students of Rumel had become somewhat accustomed to Leo, an unprecedented all-class hero.

He was still amazing, but not to the point of surprise anymore.

However, this was not the case for other hero academies.

Especially for Demian, where the students are artisans who craft weapons before they are hero candidates.

They would naturally be even more interested in an all-class hero.

"Speaking of which, Lord Leo. What about the weapons you'll receive from Gerdinger?"

"I decided to choose them at my own pace."

"They say knights get excited when they see good weapons. Don't you feel that? Of course, you're not a pure knight. Still, if it were me, I'd be so thrilled and want to choose a weapon right away, wouldn't you?"

Gerdinger's heirlooms were undoubtedly magnificent items.

Anyone else would have been excited and chosen quickly, but Leo had no reason to rush.

It wasn't that Leo lacked desire for weapons.

'It's because I've become too accustomed to the weapons made by Dwenno.'

During the journey of the subjugation corps in the past, Leo had naturally used Dwenno's weapons.

'He was a quirky pervert who boasted of being an artist, but no one, including myself, could deny that he was the greatest blacksmith in history.'

With his standards set by Dwenno's weaponry, he didn't feel a strong desire to possess even magnificent items when he saw them.

"You seem quite excited?"

Chloe nodded at Leo's question.

"Of course! The performance of magic staves made by dwarven artisans is incredible!"

Chloe's eyes sparkled.

Instead of her usual spellbook, a stack of papers was organized beside her hip.

'These must be the magic formations to be engraved on the staff.'

Of course, she couldn't fit all of them.

Magic staves also have a 'capacity'.

A dwarf who makes a magic staff must also have profound knowledge of magic, so they have to choose magic formations through discussion.

For a mage, creating their own magic staff in this way is a very exciting prospect.

Chen Xia covered her mouth and laughed as she looked at Chloe, who was holding her hands together with sparkling eyes.

"Miss Chloe, do you know how cute you are right now?"

It was at this moment, as the students were buzzing with their own expectations, that…

"Gentlemen! An elegant morning!"

"Hello! Good morning! Professor Sedgen!"

"Mmm! Indeed!"

Sedgen nodded, his arms crossed, in response to the bright greetings of the students.

Behind Sedgen stood the professors who were in charge of this external event.

Starting with the guardian professors of each dormitory, they were the heads of the second-year curriculum.

To the second-year students, they were all familiar faces.

Except for one professor.

"Huh? Huh?"

"Professor Ren…?"

Flustered voices erupted among the magic department students.

Students from other departments also looked with confusion at the professor standing between Ain and Yura.

It was Mel, who was in charge of the special hero studies class for all years.

It was when everyone was feeling bewildered.

"I cannot accept this!"

Ren's voice echoed.

"Principal! Please reconsider! How can I be absent from such an important departmental schedule!"

The students were utterly dumbfounded by the scene unfolding before them.

Principal Riina was walking, and Ren was being dragged along, clinging to the hem of her pants.

Riina, who had become a spectacle due to the bizarre scene, pressed her temples and said,

"Professor Ren, I'm sorry. This is a decision made by the board, so I cannot change it on my own."

"I understand that! But can't you add me to the list with your authority as principal!"

"Then who will conduct the first-year magic theory class for two weeks?"

"Assistant Professor Anna can do it!"

Ren pointed to Anna, who had followed him, and said.

"They are my disciples whom I have taught for a year! I know the second-year students better than anyone! My advice will be essential for the smith contract!"

"Principal, Professor Ren certainly understands the second-year magic students very well."

"Assistant Professor Anna!"

Ren's face brightened at Anna's words.

"However, I also understand the second-year students well, so I can provide the advice that Professor Ren would give."

"Assistant Professor Anna! Are you betraying me!"

Anna, Professor Ren's assistant, attended the departmental schedule this time.

Despite Ren's anger, Anna did not flinch.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Riina said,

"What are you all watching? Hurry up and drag this leech away!"

At her words, Ain and Yura grabbed Ren and dragged him away.

Ren's desperate cries could be heard but soon disappeared.

"Serves him right,"

Anna muttered softly, and Mel scratched his cheek.

"It's a shame for Professor Ren."

"It's a board decision, so Professor Mel, you don't need to worry about it."

In fact, no professor understood why Mel, a first-year magic professor, was suddenly replacing Ren.

However, it was a board decision, so they had no choice but to comply.

The commotion thus subsided, and Riina stood before the second-year students.

"Did you sleep well? You brats of the second year."

At Riina's words, the students wore tense expressions.

As she had revealed she was from the Shadows, the second-year students found the new principal daunting.

At that moment, Duran raised his hand.

"What is it you want to know, Duran Moira?"

"Are you the overall in charge of this escort, Principal?"

"Professor Sedgen is the overall in charge of the escort. There's a meeting of hero academy principals at Demian, and I'm just attending that."

"The principals' meeting is being held at Demian."

"All the principals of the hero academies are gathering. That's unusual."

The students murmured.

Seeing the students like that, Riina said,

"It's not just the principals who are gathering."

"Excuse me?"

"Demian sent an official notice asking us not to reveal it until departure, so I'm telling you now."

Riina crossed her arms.

"It's not just Rumel that's going to Demian this time."

At those words, the second-year students looked as if they had a premonition.

"Seirun and Azonia are also heading to Demian."

"Why?"

"Don't they usually coordinate the dedicated smith contract periods between schools to avoid overlap?"

"Usually, they do."

The students of Demian had been crafting weapons for the students of Rumel, Seirun, and Azonia for a long time.

In a way, it might have seemed like a service.

However, for Demian, it was never a loss.

The students of Demian are artisans before they are hero candidates.

For dwarven artisans, the greatest honor is for the weapons they craft to be etched into the pages of history.

To achieve that, it is necessary for the person who is likely to become the greatest hero to use their creation.

This is also why they enter into dedicated smith contracts with the candidates of other hero academies.

In that sense, a dedicated smith contract was never a loss for Demian.

It was an opportunity to connect with future heroes.

Therefore, contracts are made on an equal footing.

As such, it was customary to treat the students of Rumel, Seirun, and Azonia separately.

The relationship between Demian and other hero academies was strictly an equal one.

It was never an occasion for artisans to appraise the hero candidates of other schools.

However, that custom was broken.

The faces of the second-year students hardened.

It was natural to feel unpleasant when they were being openly compared to students from other hero academies.

"Well, even though I don't like it, I can understand why Demian thought of it."

Riina clicked her tongue.

"Why do you understand?"

Emio of the Noble dormitory expressed his blatant displeasure.

"Our year is evaluated as clearly ahead of the second-year students of other hero academies. Surely, as our principal, you are aware of this fact?"

'Wow, that attitude.'

'Are they openly disrespecting me because I'm from the Shadows?'

'How can they speak to the principal like that so openly?'

'If Professor Halind were here, I don't think he would have let this slide.'

The second-year students inwardly shook their heads.

However, at the same time, they agreed with the sentiment.

"Of course, you are evaluated as being ahead of students from other schools."

Riina's lips curled upwards at Emio's words.

"But the reason you're evaluated as being ahead is solely because of that anomalous monster."

As Riina said this, pointing at Leo, the Rumel students' faces changed color.

"Gentlemen, it is true that you are evaluated as an exceptionally elegant golden generation in Rumel's history."

Sedgen took a step forward.

"But you are not the only ones who are elegant. Coincidentally, the second-year students of other schools are also called a golden generation."

"Take Seirun, for example. Weren't they evenly matched in the Lucer Battle last year? Especially, Seirun's top second-year student is already being discussed as a candidate for student council president in that strict Seirun. The runner-up is the top student's rival. And the third place is not to be underestimated either."

Riina said in a strong tone.

"The five warriors led by Ar Tune of Azonia are also not to be underestimated. Demian, well, they're so reclusive that there are no metrics to evaluate them, but they don't make empty boasts. The moment they arrogantly spoke of appraising three schools, it means they have confidence."

Riina said decisively.

"Surely, Seirun and Azonia believe that Rumel is the best among the second-year students of hero academies right now. But that is only because of Leo Frove. If there were no Leo Frove, they would think they are superior to you."

The faces of the second-year students contorted.

"Of course, I…"

Riina smiled faintly.

"Believe you are the best."

The students paid attention to Riina.

"Isn't it arrogant? Who are they to think that without Leo Frove, you are all just corpses?"

Veins bulged on Riina's forehead.

"This is an opportunity to firmly engrave in the heads of those long-ears, beasts, and dwarfs who is truly the best! Do you understand?!"

"Yes! Principal!"

The second-year students answered in unison.

Watching them, Yura muttered,

"Wow, your skill in controlling the students is incredible."

"She is evaluated as a legend in the Shadows."

In the world of Shadows, Riina was evaluated as being on par with the Emperor of the Shan Empire, who was called the King of Shadows.

"It's no wonder Professors Halind and Sedgen recommended her as principal."

"Well then! Let's depart for Demian!"

"Yes!"

***

The bitter cold of the continent's northernmost reaches does not care for seasons.

Despite it being spring, the weather in Seirun was unbearably cold.

Amidst a blizzard, a student who had gathered the second-year students in front of the warp gate spoke coldly.

"Hear me, descendants of the founding ancestor."

His voice, colder than Seirun's harsh winter, was filled with the haughtiness of elves.

"Other races foolishly debate who is the best, leaving us Seirun aside. It is a lamentable reality, but what can be done about their ignorance?"

More than half of the second-year students of Seirun nodded at his speech.

Heridium sighed deeply upon seeing this.

'It seems that Lord Rehagen has become the acting principal in place of Lord Benit.'

A few months ago.

After Seirun was subjected to a large-scale invasion by the Monster Queen.

There were many personnel changes within Seirun.

The most significant was Principal Benit stepping down from the front lines.

Already advanced in age, Benit's health had deteriorated due to overexertion during the Monster Queen's invasion.

He then nominated Rune Ersar as his successor.

However, there had been major changes in elven society since last year.

'I never expected the Advent of the Founding Ancestor to bring about such a change.'

Heridium looked worried.

"However, there is one thing that cannot be tolerated."

Rehagen's eyes sparkled.

"That is the existence of foolish individuals who trumpet Leo Frove as the successor to the Founding Ancestor."

It was already well-known in the magic community that Leo had restored the magic that Luna ultimately pursued, [Magic to make flowers bloom].

In jest, the academic world began to say that Leo was the true successor to Luna.

Of course, these were remarks made by humans, beastmen, and dwarves, not elves.

For elves, who have strong racialist tendencies, they could never tolerate such words.

Furthermore, recently, Rumel announced in academia that the magic of the stars could be learned by other races as a basic spell.

As a result, some elven mages were enraged.

"The magic of the stars is the legacy of the Founding Ancestor. And the legacy of the Founding Ancestor is the legacy of the elves. It is not a realm that other races dare to encroach upon."

"That's right!"

"So go and prove it. Prove that other races cannot encroach upon our great legacy!"

"Yes!"

Eiran looked bewildered as he watched his classmates shout resolutely.

'Lord Leo.'

Eiran recalled the boy he admired with a worried expression.

Meanwhile, Lunia sighed deeply.

'I just hope they don't end up being humiliated.'

***

In the middle of a scorching desert.

A tiger beastman swished his tail.

"Leo Frove, you know, he's incredibly famous, right? Yes, I admit it. He's an unprecedented all-class hero and the first-year student council president. He must be incredibly strong. But…"

Zefia, the principal of Azonia,'s eyes gleamed.

"Have we ever lost a fight to students from other schools?!"

"No!"

"But the world says he fights better than us! Is that something you can tolerate?!"

"No!"

"I don't know what this 'all-class' is or whatever! Pure hand-to-hand combat is what we beastmen are best at! Go and prove it!!"

"Woooooahhhhh!"

The second-year students of Azonia roared.

Normally, the goal would be to sign a contract with a skilled smith, but the simple-minded students of Azonia had a different goal this time.

That was to defeat Leo Frove through martial arts sparring!

Ar, who would normally have shouted along, was different this time.

Ar knew well what a monstrous human Leo was.

Ar's white tail swished.

'I guess several people will end up in the hospital this time.'