Book 1 Chapter 273

After a commotion.

Leo and Lunia returned to the grand hall.

Karl approached Lunia, who had returned to where the Seirun students were gathered, and poked her in the side.

"Hey, Leo. What did you talk about with Lunia?"

"It was about the clear rewards we got then."

"Oh, that must have been a high-level conversation?"

'It wasn't that high-level.'

It was childish, rather.

Leo shook his head, recalling Lunia's image, who had been yelling at him to apologize for insulting Luna while grabbing his collar.

"Well, among us, only you, Leo, have cleared a Great Hero's world, right?"

Luna's world clear during last year's mission practice.

In the process, it was revealed that the Hero of Beginning, Kyle, was a real person.

"Thinking about it, you're always ahead of the curve."

"Does it seem that way?"

"Yeah."

"Anyway, it felt satisfying to shut that annoying elf teacher up, right?"

Karl chuckled.

Needless to say, among the students from schools other than Seirun, no one looked upon Lebet with favor.

Meanwhile, the students from the Hero Academy entered the grand hall.

Depeto, having heard about Lebet, was sighing deeply.

'I should probably give Seirun a warning. This is going too far, no matter what.'

Depeto knew well what Seirun's current situation was.

There had been many personnel changes within Seirun, and who had taken important positions.

Especially Lehagan, who had taken the position of interim principal this time, was a very famous elf among other races.

When he heard that news, Depeto, the second-year supervisor at Demian, had even suggested canceling Seirun's invitation.

But it was Demian's principal, Gerwin, who persuaded such Depeto.

'We are blacksmiths who forge the weapons of heroes. Therefore, we must treat hero candidates with equal respect.'

Gerwin stroked his beard with a bitter smile.

'And now that the Demon Queen has been vanquished and the Sword Saint has passed away, the world may soon be swept by a storm. The harmony of your Hero Academy is more important than ever.'

In accordance with Gerwin's wishes, Depeto ignored Lebet.

The schedule coordination was also done with Herdium, who was responsible for the practical overall tasks of the second-year students.

'It would have been truly wonderful if a great elf like Teacher Herdium was in charge of Seirun's second-year supervision.'

Depeto sighed deeply.

Lumern had Sedgen, who had guided students for many years.

Azonia had the young but capable instructor, Verga.

They were all individuals perfectly suited to lead the golden generation of each school.

'I'm even worried that this might ruin Seirun's students.'

Sighing, Depeto walked up to the podium.

"To the students of Lumern, Seirun, and Azonia. This morning, our Demian students evaluated you, and from now on, it is your turn to evaluate our Demian students."

The students from the three Hero Academies scanned the grand hall, where weapons were lined up like a weapon exhibition.

Made in Dwarf, which any knight, wizard, or summoner would drool over.

The highest quality of high quality.

It was time to evaluate them.

Literally a privilege that only hero candidates could possess.

"Wow… this is a bit nerve-wracking."

"I know."

Iliana nodded at Karl's mumbling.

Although Iliana was from a prestigious family, it was not a family that could freely use dwarf-made weapons.

Not only Karl and Iliana but also most Lumern students had the same reaction.

This was also the case for Seirun and Azonia.

Of course, there were those who were unbothered by such things.

"Hmph. I will make them pay dearly for daring to appraise the heir of the Hergen family."

Eliza, who was sitting on a chair brought by a follower and grooming her nails as usual, smirked.

"I hope at least some of them are better than the swords in my collection."

"Shall I get a new magic staff this time?"

Durran and Abad also showed interest.

Seeing that, Karl clenched his fist with a groan.

"Damn bourgeois bastards."

"Don't listen to what they're saying. They live in a different world. A different world."

Iliana shook her head.

"Well then."

Depeto looked around and said.

"Please begin."

As he spoke, and the students of Lumern, Seirun, and Azonia were about to move to look at the displayed weapons.

"Hey! You! There! Skinny!" Roar-!

A Demian student shouted and ran.

"Skinny? Who are you talking about?"

Iliana tilted her head.

"Who knows?"

Karl shrugged.

But that was just the beginning.

Starting with that Demian student, other students also rushed forward.

"You! You! There! What was your name again?"

"Anyway, the one who made the unusual presentation!"

"Wow, as expected, the outstanding students are being scouted by Demian students too."

"Well, it's only natural."

The students marveled.

In response, Karl and Iliana nodded.

"It's only natural."

"By the way, aren't they coming this way?"

Karl tilted his head.

"Hmph. As expected of talented artisans, they have good taste."

At that moment, a snort came from behind.

Iliana showed an openly displeased expression, and Karl stepped aside as if he didn't want to get involved.

Emio, with his arms crossed, walked forward.

Coincidentally, the five dwarves were running towards where Emio was standing.

And Emio was the highest-achieving student in this area.

Emio walked forward with a swagger and spoke to the leading dwarf.

"What business do you have with me…"

Roar-!

"…"

Emio's face hardened as he watched the dwarves pass him by.

"Serves you right!"

Iliana giggled at his expression.

Then, with a triumphant face, she lifted her chin.

"It seems the dwarves are very interested in me, the outstanding Sword Master."

Taking a step forward, Iliana cleared her throat.

"Alright! I'll listen to your story…"

"You! Come with me! Let's talk!"

"Don't listen to this pathetic guy! Listen to my blueprints."

"Pathetic? Are you done talking?"

"No! I'm not done!"

The Demian male student pulled Karl's other hand.

Karl looked at Iliana and said mockingly.

"What do you say? They seem to be here to see me."

"A mere Karl…! A mere Karl…!"

"It seems the dwarves are very interested in me, the outstanding Sword Master."

Karl teased Iliana, mimicking her tone and voice.

Iliana's face turned bright red at Karl's taunting.

Karl chuckled, watching her.

But his laughter didn't last long.

"This one is going with me!"

"No! This one is going with me!"

"Does it hurt? Ah, it hurts! My arm will break!"

Although the dwarves were small, they had immense innate strength.

As these dwarves pulled from both sides like a tug-of-war, Karl could only scream.

Iliana, watching the scene, knelt beside the hesitating dwarves and said.

"I guarantee it. Karl Thomas is also an alchemist with excellent ideas. The items he makes are very popular among our school's students."

"Indeed. So that's the idea you came up with."

"I don't want to lose them."

"Hmm!"

The remaining three dwarves wriggled, wanting to join the battle.

But Karl's arms were already occupied by other competitors, so they couldn't join in.

"Are you going to let them take him away like that? You still have your legs and head left!"

At those words, the dwarves rushed forward.

"Aaaaah!"

Karl's desperate scream could be heard.

Iliana approached Karl, who looked like that, and smiled sweetly.

"Karl, have you heard of dismemberment?"

"Yaaaaah! Iliana! You!"

Iliana burst into laughter at Karl's screams.

Such disturbances were occurring throughout the grand hall.

The Demian students had begun a fierce battle over the students they liked.

"Eeeek?!"

Eiran screamed in fear and ran away.

"Stop there!"

"Catch them! Catch that elf!"

"You, why are you trying to catch me?"

"Show me the Animus Armor, which boasts absolute defense!"

The targets were not only students who had made excellent or interesting presentations.

Students with special skills were also targeted.

Eiran, fleeing in fear, was cornered.

"Show us the unique magic passed down in the Ersar family!"

"Then there will be no bloodshed!"

"Okay, okay, so please don't chase me with such a scary face! Hooo…"

Shrinking her shoulders, Eiran asked, shivering.

"Then can I show it to you here?"

At those words, the ten dwarves chasing Eiran's eyes gleamed.

The unique magic passed down in the Ersar family.

The reason they wanted to see the Animus Armor was to gain powerful inspiration.

For the Demian students, they were strong rivals.

This was quite different from the competition in a typical Hero Academy.

In Demian, the value of special and ingenious ideas was immense.

Therefore, the Demian students chasing Eiran all thought at the same time.

'I'll monopolize it!'

At the same moment, they started punching each other.

"Give up! You're not even an armor specialist!"

"Don't make me laugh! It's magic, so does it have to be inspired by armor? Your level is clear from such a thought!"

"What did you say!"

Eiran became even more terrified as she watched the dwarves suddenly start fighting fiercely among themselves.

"What's going on?"

At that moment, Depeto approached with a puzzled expression.

"D-Depeto-smith-nim! It's a disaster! The Demian students are fighting right now…"

"Hmm."

Depeto looked at his students with a serious gaze and then smiled faintly.

"What excellent passion."

"Yes?"

With those words, Depeto left.

Eiran stood blankly, watching the Demian students sincerely throwing punches at each other.

To call that excellent passion and then stand by and watch…

'Scary! Demian students are so scary!'

In the end, Eiran, shivering, didn't think of running away.

***

"Catch them!"

"Catch that mosquito-like fellow!"

"That staff you have! It's [Legend] grade! Show us the Rwalyn heirloom!"

"Mosquito? Call me a butterfly at least!"

Chelsea, who had been flying freely in the sky and avoiding the Demian students, paused and said to Leo, who was walking leisurely below.

"Leo oppa is so relaxed! I'm jealous!"

At those words, Leo smiled and said.

"It seems I've earned quite a bit of hatred."

"Hmph! They have no taste!"

It was when Chelsea pouted.

"Stop right there!"

A dwarf chasing Chelsea had somehow made a butterfly net.

"Wow… they're really persistent. Leo oppa! See you in a bit!"

Chelsea, with a look of annoyance, waved and ran away.

Leo, who waved back at the sight, noticed a large gathering of Azonia students in one corner of the grand hall.

"Ooh! Black Rabbit!"

Arga looked pleased.

"Why are so many Azonia students gathered here?"

"There's a Demian student here who specializes in making ultra-heavy weapons!"

"But you don't use such weapons?"

Leo asked incredulously, and Arga crossed his arms.

"That's right! But that dwarf told an interesting story."

"An interesting story?"

"Yeah. He said only those who are recognized in an arm-wrestling match can use his weapons."

Arga explained that all the Azonia students who were confident in their strength had gathered because of that.

"You too?"

"Of course!"

Arga snorted.

"Did you pass?"

"Naturally!"

Arga crossed his arms and lifted his chin.

At that moment, a dwarf of considerable size approached.

"Ar Tune. Are you really not going to let me make your weapon?"

At those words, Ar Tune nodded.

"Of course! I'm not incapable of fighting with weight, but my specialty is speed-based combat!"

"Hmm. A shame. With that much strength in those slender arms, you could be even more formidable if you trained your muscles."

"Hmph - I refuse because becoming unnecessarily muscular will make my beautiful body unsightly."

"Beautiful body? Not unsightly?"

"Don't call me unsightly!"

Leo, holding Ar's hands, which were fumbling and extending their nails, said with a bored expression.

"Hmph, Leo Froh."

The dwarf snorted upon seeing Leo.

"You boasted earlier that you could handle all weapons. Why don't you try handling my weapon too?"

At those words, Leo smirked.

"Shall I?"

"Yes, before that."

The dwarf pushed aside the Azonia students and stood before a steel table.

"You can only get it if you acknowledge me in an arm-wrestling match using pure strength, but…"

The Demian student smiled provocatively at Leo.

"For your information, only five people have succeeded in defeating me so far."

Among all races, the most physically capable are the beastmen.

However, in terms of pure strength, dwarves are the most superior.

Especially this dwarf was about 1.5 times larger than other dwarves.

His arms were also armed with immense muscles, matching his size.

He was literally a possessor of immense strength.

Leo looked at him, nodded, and stood in front of him.

"Oh."

"Aren't you the student council president of Lumern?"

"I wonder how strong he is?"

The Azonia students showed interest.

"Hmph. You better do your best. You might break your arm if you're not careful."

The Demian student pointed to some Azonia students.

Indeed, they had bandages on their arms.

*Clench-*!

They clasped hands.

*Thump-*!

And they applied force to their arms and looked at each other.

'It's impossible to handle all weapons in the first place. Especially such ultra-heavy weapons are even more difficult to handle.'

The Demian student, Egert, muttered inwardly, glaring at Leo.

'Even if you borrow the power of aura to increase your strength, what you ultimately need is the power of pure strength! My weapons absolutely cannot be handled without such strength.'

"Ready."

Egert said and exerted force on his arm.

'You're definitely a great guy, but you were too arrogant!'

"St…art!"

'Leo Froh! I'll show you a painful lesson!'

"…art!"

*Boom-!*

Egert blinked.

He was suddenly looking at the ceiling.

The Azonia students stared, seeing Leo end the match as soon as it began.

"Ooh, did you use aura?"

"There was no sign of that."

Leo smiled and said to the fallen Egert.

"I'll try using the weapon you made."