Book 1 Chapter 266

"There's a request from Seirun as well."

At Ain's words, Berga scoffed.

"He's from the Department of Knights, isn't he? In that case, it would be better to send him to our Azonia than Seirun."

"That's true." "Excuse me. Sorry, but Leo Flov is from the Department of Summoning?"

Yura quickly interjected into their conversation.

If Ren were here, it would have been a mess, but thankfully, Mel had come instead of Ren this time.

'Did the principal anticipate this and exclude Ren from this semester's schedule?'

While Yura was thinking that, the welcoming ceremony became even more lively.

Before long, the awkward atmosphere between the schools had disappeared.

At that moment, Dignes stepped into the center of the hall and cleared his throat.

"Ahem!"

The party atmosphere subsided, and everyone turned their attention to Dignes.

"I wanted to proceed with the discussion with Seirun present, but there's been no word."

Dignes smiled.

"This time, during Smith's exclusive contract period, I wanted the second-year students of our Demian to meet students from three schools: Rumern, Azonia, and Seirun, all in one place."

Dignes said, looking at the students from Rumern and Azonia.

"I'll get straight to the point. We want to contract with the best hero candidates. Of course, from your perspective, it might feel bad that we're evaluating you."

At his words, annoyed voices emerged from the Rumern and Azonia sides.

"But I hope you understand our position as well. Our Demian's second-year students are being evaluated as the best blacksmiths of the past few decades."

Dignes put on a serious expression.

"We are Smiths before we are hero candidates. There is no greater honor than having our creations wielded by the most skilled individuals."

Dignes clenched his fist tightly.

"Therefore, we wanted to create the best weapons for the best hero candidates. Rumern, Azonia, and Seirun. As all of them are called the best generation, I wanted to meet all of you and discuss blacksmithing."

At his words, the Rumern and Azonia students looked at each other.

"Over the next two weeks, you will be paired up. However, I promise you this! Just as we have chosen you! We will craft weapons that you can trust and rely on in battle! Since we have chosen the best, we must repay you with the best work!"

As Dignes's speech ended, thunderous applause erupted from the Rumern and Azonia students.

Seeing that, Chen Xia narrowed her eyes.

"They're a fox."

"Huh? What?"

Iliana tilted her head and asked.

"The representative of Demian's second-year students has, with that speech, subdued the animosity of Rumern and Azonia while naturally creating competition."

Emphasizing that they were Smiths, not hero candidates, was also for that reason.

"Hoho, their cunning is as sharp as a blade."

Iliana exclaimed in admiration.

Meanwhile, Dignes said,

"Well then! Shall we toast with the class representatives to celebrate our time together for the next two weeks?"

At his words, Leo and Arg stood up.

Then, they picked up their glasses and headed towards Dignes.

As they walked towards Dignes, Arg stared intently at Leo.

'How did the black rabbit use Howling? Howling is a beastman's ability. No matter how versatile the black rabbit is, is it possible to overcome the wall of species?'

His mind was in turmoil.

'Did I make a mistake?'

Arg, who was lost in thought, suddenly met Leo's gaze.

Leo smirked at Arg.

With a smile that seemed to understand why, Arg was convinced.

'The black rabbit definitely used Howling.'

Arg's eyes filled with curiosity.

'How on earth?'

Meanwhile, Dignes raised his glass.

"Well, cheers…"

CRASH-!

At that moment, the hall doors burst open.

And the Seirun students appeared.

The Seirun teacher at the forefront scanned the hall and muttered softly.

"Vulgar."

A very quiet murmur.

However, there was no one present who couldn't hear it.

Some Seirun students flinched and looked at him.

Especially Lunia, who was standing to his right, looked up at the man with a surprised expression.

Eiran, standing behind Lunia, turned pale.

Herdirium, the Seirun teacher standing to his left, let out a small sigh while looking at the ceiling.

The man's name was Reber, the overall teacher for Seirun's second-year students.

"Don't make that face, Lunia Rune Eldia."

Reber glanced at Lunia and said.

"As the class representative of Seirun, do not lose your elegant composure."

"What exactly is 'elegant composure'? Is it elegant to use such words to refer to the welcoming party Demian prepared for us?"

"Teacher Herdirium."

"Yes, Head Teacher Reber."

"I believe you have been in charge of student Lunia for a year?"

"Yes."

"It seems your education has been lacking. How dare you utter such disrespectful words to the head professor."

"I apologize."

"Hmph. I heard you were an excellent teacher. How disappointing."

Lunia clenched her fist as she watched Reber scoff.

Veins bulged on the back of her hand.

'That damn parachute from the Supreme Council!'

Originally, Herdirium was supposed to be the overall second-year teacher.

However, when the former principal, Benit, stepped down, and Rhagen took over as interim principal, that did not happen.

'Should I just smack him?'

Since the semester began, Reber had been praising the superiority of elves.

Lunia was also proud of being a noble elf.

She also respected the progenitor of the great nebula.

However, she detested excessive racial purists.

They detested even their own kin who did not agree with them.

Their attitude of looking down on other races was even worse.

'He doesn't even know about Leo.'

He had been openly disparaging Leo since the start of the semester.

Lunia's reason was slowly eroding due to his attitude.

Lunia's red eyes gleamed dangerously.

GRAB-!

From behind, a small hand grasped Lunia's.

Lunia turned her head and met Eiran's eyes.

Eiran shook her head slightly with a frightened expression.

Seeing Eiran like that, Lunia smiled wryly and nodded.

"Cough! It's a shame that corporal punishment has been abolished in Seirun. Normally, I would have corrected discipline by setting an example even for the class representative."

'Crazy bastard. Why is he bringing up corporal punishment that disappeared 500 years ago!'

Lunia took a deep breath, thinking something that Herdirium or Eiran would have been horrified to hear.

"Teacher Reber. This is a welcoming party that our students have prepared for the Seirun students. We would be grateful if you would attend?"

Depeto, who had guided the Seirun students, said with a smile.

However, his eyes were as cold as ice.

"If you disregard our sincerity, it cannot be called Seirun."

Reber smirked and headed to the front seats reserved for the faculty with the Seirun teachers.

As he did, he made eye contact with Leo, who was at the front.

"Hmph, you fraud who defiles the name of the progenitor."

He muttered softly as if to be heard as he passed Leo.

"What? What did he say?" Arg growled.

"Leave him."

Leo said calmly.

'These guys are way worse than I thought!'

It reminded him of the high elves he met when conquering Luna's world.

Dignes, with his characteristic cheerfulness, approached Lunia.

"You're Lunia El Lundia, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"We were planning to toast to the significance of our four schools gathering. Would you mind attending as the class representative?"

"Sure, it's good…"

"As the class representative of Seirun, I cannot condone you partaking in such low-class alcohol."

Once again, the entire hall turned cold.

Everyone's gaze turned to Reber.

"Sorry, I want to ignore that guy, but… I think it will ruin the mood further."

Lunia said with an apologetic expression, and Dignes shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. You're going through a lot."

"Sorry for ruining the mood."

Lunia looked genuinely apologetic.

An awkward atmosphere hung in the air.

"Hmph!"

Arg downed the beer in his glass in one gulp.

"It tastes great, though."

Then he scoffed, as if to be heard.

"Hey, you can't drink it all by yourself."

"Oops!"

Arg grabbed his head and made a flustered expression.

At that sight, laughter erupted from the Rumern, Azonia, and Demian sides.

Leo glanced at Reber, then clinked glasses and returned to his seat.

However, the cooled atmosphere showed no signs of thawing.

A little while later, the Seirun teachers and students left the banquet hall.

There were students who showed signs of apology, but there were also students who reacted with disdain, as Reber had.

"This is bad. I'm worried about these next two weeks."

Kal shook his head.

The banquet continued despite the awkward atmosphere.

However, the boisterous atmosphere from before did not return.

Just then.

"Student Leo."

Someone spoke to Leo.

It was Mel.

"Professor Mel."

"Here you go."

Mel pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Leo.

Then he winked and left.

"Oh? What is it?"

Kal showed interest.

"It's nothing. I asked for something before. This must be it."

Leo calmly lied and tucked the letter into his pocket.

"Hehehe, are you sure it's not a love letter and you're just making an excuse?"

"Pffft!"

"Cough-! Cough-!"

As Kal poked Leo in the ribs and spoke, Chelsea and Chloe, who were eating, started coughing as if they had choked.

"Cough~ A romance with an older professor!"

"It's not like that."

Leo said with a calm smile, and Kal grumbled.

"That's boring. You're so popular, why haven't you ever dated?"

"Leo oppa is a top student, where would he have time to date?"

"That's right. Don't put any weird ideas in his head."

Chelsea and Chloe chided Kal.

At their reactions, Kal put on a sly expression.

'They're having fun, aren't they?'

Leo muttered to himself, watching them.

***

After the banquet, the Demian students guided the Rumern and Azonia students to their respective accommodations.

"Cough- Two per room."

Kal exclaimed as he organized his luggage.

"What do you think? Isn't it exciting, like dormitory life?"

"Isn't what we do dormitory life?"

"That's true. But you have separate rooms."

Kal chuckled.

"Isn't it more like dormitory life when you have roommates? Well, there are many noble students in our school, so there might not be many who find two per room inconvenient. Phew!"

Kal lay down on the bed with a smile.

Meanwhile, Leo took out the letter from his pocket.

The letter was in Draconic.

"Hmm. Kal."

"Why?"

"I guess I have to go out."

At his words, Kal jumped up.

"Hey! Are you really meeting Professor Mel in secret?!"

"It's not like that."

"What else could it be but a date, breaking curfew this late at night?!"

Demian had a curfew.

Therefore, they couldn't go out late at night.

Leo opened the window.

"It won't take long, so please cover for me."

"Okay!"

Kal winked one eye.

After Leo left, a moment later.

Knock- knock-

Someone knocked on the door.

CREAK-!

"Who is it?"

"Kal, is Leo in there? I want to ask Leo for advice about a magic staff I want to commission."

"I'm just here to hang out."

Chloe and Chen Xia, who shared a room, were at the door.

"Um, come in for now."

Kal scratched his cheek and invited the two girls into the room.

Seeing that Leo wasn't in the room, the two girls looked surprised.

"Where is Leo-doryong?"

"Um."

'Should I make up a plausible excuse?'

Kal pondered, but if he said he would wait, that would be troublesome.

It would only be more troublesome if his lie were discovered later.

'Well, Chloe and Xia aren't the type to spread rumors.'

If it were someone else, he would have made up an excuse, but he figured it was okay to tell these two who were good at keeping secrets.

'And I'm curious about their reactions.'

With a wicked smile in his heart, Kal said,

"He snuck out to meet Professor Mel."

"This late at night?"

Chen Xia furrowed her brows.

"Yeah. Wouldn't it be a hot night?"

Kal said playfully, glancing at Chloe.

Chloe looked at Kal with her usual expression.

At her indifferent reaction, Kal looked puzzled.

THWACK-!

"GULP!"

Chloe dropped the book she was holding.

Kal jumped up, yelling in pain, as the heavy book landed on his foot, and rolled on the floor.

***

"What's going on this late at night?"

Leo, who had arrived at the meeting spot, looked puzzled.

Mel, sitting on the bench, dangled his legs and smiled.

"I thought we could have a late-night date, Leo-nim."

"You said I was like a grandfather before."

"Did I say that?"

Despite Leo's words, Mel smiled serenely and stood up.

"Well, actually, there's something I want to show you, Leo-nim."

Mel approached Leo.

"Actually, this is a place that outsiders absolutely cannot go to."

"Then how are we going?"

"Heh heh. Shall we call it a Headmaster's privilege? I received a key from Demian's vice-headmaster."

'Judging by the atmosphere, it looks like he forcibly took it?'

Leo sighed.

Mel smiled charmingly and pointed to the top of Demian Castle with his hand.

"What's up there is, in a sense, something that can be considered yours, Leo-nim."

Saying so, Mel took out a key from his pocket and inserted it into the air.

Then a door appeared.

'Is it a warp gate that can move anywhere within Demian?'

As Leo looked puzzled, Mel opened the door and beckoned.

"Come on in, Leo-nim."

Leo stepped inside.

The space beyond the door was an armory filled with various weapons.

And all the weapons stored there were old and rusty.

Among them, Leo's gaze was drawn to one spot.

A weapon hanging on the wall.

More than half of the blade had melted away.

It was a remnant of a sword, barely deserving to be called a sword anymore.

But to Leo, it was an unforgettable sword.

"My sword…"

The sword that Dwenough had left to Kyle as his last memento.

Apart from that, everything else in this place was an item made by Dwenough.

"All the weapons here are the legacy of Lord Dwenough, collected by the dwarves over the past 5,000 years."