Book 1 Chapter 271

271

Seirun's year representative.

The rumor that Lunia El Lundia had assaulted a fellow student spread rapidly among all the students in the school.

"That's strange. She should be a typical Seirun honor student."

Rueven, a fox beastkin and the third-ranked student in Azonia's second year, tilted her head as she groomed her fluffy, lustrous tail fur.

Typical Seirun honor student.

Among students from other Hero Officer Academies, this was not a term used in a particularly good sense.

Elves are fundamentally a race with strong pride in their own race.

And Seirun students often took that to an extreme.

"Typical Seirun honor student" was a term used to refer to Seirun's top-class students who had that tendency.

Borrman tilted his head at Rueven's words.

"What does 'typical Seirun honor student' mean? Does it mean they're fun to fight?"

At that, Rueven let out a deep sigh.

"It's my fault for asking a fool whose head is only filled with fighting."

"What did you say! You stinky woman!"

Borrman, with a fierce expression, lunged at Rueven.

"Calm down, Borrman. Rueven's rank is above yours and mine."

At the words of Tabon, a bear beastkin and the fourth-ranked student, Borrman scoffed.

"A sneaky woman who wins by fiddling around with magic! I can't accept that!"

"Oh my, where does the fool who's never won against that sneaky woman live?"

"Hey! Come at me! I'll take you down today!"

An agitated Borrman wildly swung his fists.

"Be quiet."

At Dion's words, Borrman, with his arms crossed, slumped down onto the grass.

The Azonia students were currently gathered in the backyard of the main hall.

"Rueven, you didn't gather us just because of Lunia El Lundia, did you? Why mention her story?"

At the question from Dion, the second-ranked student, Rueven smiled slyly.

"That's right. I mentioned her story only because…"

Rueven wagged her fox tail and smiled.

"Her actions were very different from the information. She's one of our biggest rivals. So, I thought it was necessary to understand her well."

At Rueven's words, Dion glanced behind him.

"Ar, didn't you meet Lunia El Lundia in the Rodren Empire during last winter break? How was she then?"

Ar, who had been sitting cross-legged on a rock, answered the question.

"We didn't talk for long, but she was a bit different from the image Rueven described. Whoa!"

Ar, with light movements, descended from the rock and asked,

"When I asked the black rabbit, she said she was like a thug, but looking at her now, it might not be wrong."

'Seirun's second-year representative is a thug?'

It was when Rueven wore a strange expression.

"Anyway, Rueven, why did you call the faction leaders?"

As Ar asked to get to the point, Rueven said,

"I am requesting cooperation between factions for this Smith exclusive contract."

"You?"

Borrman narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Tabon also wore a wary expression, finding it hard to believe.

Rueven, the fox beastkin.

She was quite an unusual student among the Azonia students.

Factional duels and conflicts were commonplace in Azonia.

As a result, there was a strong tendency to solve everything with strength.

In Azonia, where physical strength was the only truth, Rueven was notorious as a strategist.

She tricked students from other factions and made them fight each other to gain benefits.

Because of this, students from other factions did not acknowledge Rueven.

This was true even though she possessed the strength of the third-ranked student.

'In the first place, as a mage in Azonia, I'm an anomaly.'

Rueven said with a sneer.

"Yes. It's hard to believe, but I'm serious this time."

"Let's hear it."

At Dion's words, Rueven smiled.

"This Smith exclusive contract has more meaning than simply signing a contract with excellent Demian students."

Rueven snapped her fingers.

Then, dolls made of magic in the forms of humans, elves, beastkin, and dwarves floated in the air.

"Hero candidates of our generation have gathered in one place. Such an opportunity will likely not come again during our school life. This is a major event!"

Indeed, it was.

It was as Rueven said.

It wasn't that there was no exchange between Hero Officer Academies.

However, it was no exaggeration to say that it was rare for an entire year from all Hero Officer Academies to gather until graduation.

"And the reputation of Lumeren and Seirun's second years surpasses ours at Azonia."

At Rueven's words, Borrman grumbled.

"I find that hard to agree with."

"It doesn't matter if you find it hard to agree. Lumeren's second years gained fame by defeating the Gigantes as first years. And Lumeren and Seirun were at the place where the Monster Queen was defeated last year."

The subjugation of the Monster Queen Silathuna.

The ones who accomplished this feat were the Hero of Beginning and the Patriarch of the Nebula, who miraculously descended upon this land.

However, simply participating in a legendary battlefield naturally increased one's reputation in the public eye.

"Since we lack achievements comparable to that, the public thinks that our Azonia second years are inferior to Lumeren and Seirun's second years."

Seeing Rueven shrug her shoulders, Borrman's expression turned indignant.

Tabon, while not showing his emotions, also displayed discomfort.

Ar and Dion nodded at Rueven's words.

Seeing that, Borrman bristled.

"Hey! Ar! Dion! Don't you feel indignant hearing words like that?!"

"It's true that we lack achievements compared to Lumeren and Seirun."

Ar said as he stretched like a cat, and Dion nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it's because we were aware of that that the principal also ordered us to defeat Leo Flob."

Dion said with a belligerent smile, clenching and unclenching his fists.

If Leo, a symbol of Lumeren, were defeated in a martial arts spar, Azonia's reputation would naturally rise.

"That's right. That's why we're asking you to stop the factional disputes while at Demian. We need to focus more on external enemies."

Rueven smiled.

"Beastkin and dwarves have always had good relations."

Beastkin, who purely worshipped strength, showed a more serious attitude towards weapons than any other race.

Naturally, they would have a good relationship with dwarves who created excellent weapons.

"In this Smith exclusive contract, which is practically a competition between schools, if we secure excellent Demian students first, our reputation will naturally increase."

Rueven covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Coincidentally, our strongest competitor, Leo Flob, has fallen out of favor with the Demian students in such a way, so it's a much more advantageous situation. If we needlessly clash head-on with Leo Flob, he'll just become a stepping stone for him to build his reputation."

"Hmph! Don't make me laugh! Are you saying we should avoid fighting Leo Flob now? An Azonia student should face them head-on!"

"Yes, I can't agree with that statement, Rueven."

Borrman retorted, and Tabon, who had been listening, shook his head.

"We can't win anyway?"

"You won't know until you try!"

"Then, go ahead and be a sacrifice for Leo Flob to build his reputation, you foolish tiger."

"Who are you calling foolish!"

Ignoring Borrman, Rueven looked at Ar.

"What do you think, Ar?"

"It's not a bad idea. However, I oppose avoiding sparring with the black rabbit."

Ar wagged his tail.

"There's a lot to learn from the black rabbit."

"I didn't expect you to consider the last proposal."

Rueven shook her head and said,

"In any case, I believe you'll agree to temporarily suspend factional fights and secure as many excellent Demian students as possible. So…"

Rueven grinned.

"Everyone, finish your lunch and go all out. Showcasing your strength is your specialty, isn't it?"

At that, the faction leaders who nodded returned to their respective faction students.

However, Ar narrowed his eyes and approached Rueven.

"What's your ulterior motive?"

"Who knows?"

Rueven chuckled.

"Isn't the basic of hunting to wear down the prey?"

Her fox tail swayed.

Seeing Rueven like that, Ar stuck out his tongue.

"I understand your ulterior motive now."

"Oh my, the foolish leader cat has become quick-witted. Well, it was a rather simple plan."

"Don't call me a foolish cat!"

Ar bristled, his tail and ears perked up.

Then, he soon smiled sinisterly.

"What's with that unpleasant smile?"

"I was just imitating your usual smile."

Ar chuckled and said,

"I understand your plan to defeat the tired black rabbit at the end, but he's more of a monster than you think. No matter what scheme you concoct, he'll simply break through."

"Thanks for the advice. However, even the wildest beast becomes docile when exhausted."

Rueven smiled and left, and Ar stuck out his tongue.

'If you try to scheme, you'll get seriously hurt.'

***

After lunch.

The students from the three Hero Officer Academies who arrived at the main hall were dumbfounded by the scene before them.

The chairs that had been there moments before had all disappeared.

And a scene like a marketplace unfolded.

The second-year students of Demian were waiting for students from other Hero Officer Academies, exhibiting the weapons they had made.

"Wow, how could the inside of the auditorium change so much in just an hour?"

Cal exclaimed in disbelief.

"It's dwarves."

"Is it possible because they're dwarves?"

"Because they're dwarves."

Hearing Leo's answer, Cal's expression turned flabbergasted.

"Lunia El Lundia!"

A hysterical voice was heard from the back of the auditorium.

All eyes turned to that direction.

There stood Reber, the overall teacher for Seirun's second year, his face flushed.

All eyes turned to Lunia at the front of the Seirun students.

Lunia wore a defiant expression and then scratched her ear a few times with her pinky.

Stomp- stomp- stomp-

"I have been informed of your reckless behavior! How could you do such a thing…! You, who should be a model for Seirun in front of many people, show such disgrace!"

The students were at a loss as they watched Reber tremble and shout.

There were no faculty members present at the moment.

Smith Defeto, Demian's second-year 담당, had not yet arrived.

Therefore, there was no one to stop Reber.

No, students from other schools didn't want to get involved with him, an elf supremacist.

Seirun students dared not challenge the teacher's authority.

Lunia looked at Reber, who had come before her, and said,

"It just happened that way."

"Do you think 'it just happened that way' makes sense! Do you have any awareness of being Seirun's year representative at all?!"

Reber, standing before Lunia, looked down at her with an authoritative gaze and said,

"Lunia, it seems you need strong discipline. Return to Seirun immediately!"

At those words, Lunia scowled.

"It's an important academic schedule right now?"

"What you need now is the etiquette and dignity befitting a student of Seirun."

Reber curled the corners of his mouth.

"If you cannot possess that, your privilege to learn the Ancestor's magic will also be lost."

"That's not something Teacher Reber can decide arbitrarily!"

Lunia's face contorted.

Lunia was the heir of the Lundia family.

She held a very high status even in elven society.

Although Reber, as the overall teacher for Seirun's second year, held a nominal high position, Lunia's influence in elven society was overwhelmingly stronger.

Setting aside her student status, Reber was not someone she could trifled with.

"Hmph, my will is also the Principal's will. If you wish to view the [Comet Grimoire], you should follow my will."

It was when Lunia's red eyes blazed.

"Excuse me. Can you please leave? You're bothering others."

An irritated voice was heard.

"How dare you…!"

Reber's eyes flashed as he turned towards the source of the voice.

Leo stood there.

"Hmph, you insolent fellow. How dare you, a student, order me, the overall teacher of Seirun's second year, around?"

"I ask this as the student council president of Lumeren."

Leo curled the corners of his mouth.

"The student council president of a Hero Officer Academy also holds the status of a proxy for the academy's principal. You don't mean you didn't know that, do you?"

"You…!"

Seeing Leo speaking of his student council president status, fire flashed in Reber's eyes.

"And Lunia doesn't need to learn the magic of the Ancestor recorded in the [Comet Grimoire]."

"Hmph! You clearly don't understand the magic of the stars and the greatness of the Ancestor. How great the [Comet Grimoire] is…"

"Teacher Reber, have you met Luna?"

"What?"

"I have."

Leo said with a sinister smile, and summoned the Polium he had obtained by conquering Luna's world, shaking it in front of Reber's eyes.

Although it was merely an empty shell and contained no divine power, its symbolism was undeniable.

"Teacher Reber, you don't have anything like this, do you?"

"Kch!"

Reber's face turned red.

Seeing Reber like that, Leo said,

"And the reason Lunia doesn't need to learn the magic recorded in the [Comet Grimoire] is because she already knows the Ancestor's magic."

Leo smiled meaningfully.

Reber's eyes widened as he looked at Lunia.

Seirun students were also surprised and looked at Lunia.

And Lunia's mouth gaped open as she looked at Leo.

'What is he talking about?'

The magic recorded in the Comet Grimoire was none other than 'End.'

It was the ultimate magic that only chosen elves could learn.

And Lunia had never learned that magic before.

"I received it as a conquest reward when I conquered Luna's world before."

At Leo's words, Lunia's eyes widened.

At that time, only Leo received conquest rewards.

And Leo officially stated that he only received 'Polium' as a conquest reward.

That in itself was surprising enough.

However…

'Could it be that he received the Ancestor's magic as a conquest reward?'

There was a high possibility of that.

'Is he going to teach it to me?'