Book 1 Chapter 280

280

Lunch break.

Following yesterday, most of the students at the hero academies had tired expressions today as well.

"No, don't these guys ever get tired?"

Arru made a fed-up expression.

Even the students of Azonia, with their immense stamina, were exhausted by the aggressive dwarves.

Especially Arru, being the class representative of Azonia, had many dwarves targeting her from all over.

"You're lucky, musclehead. You've already chosen a smith for your exclusive contract."

Arru pouted her lips and glanced sideways.

There stood Dion, Arru's childhood friend and the second-ranked student in Azonia's second year.

Dion had chosen his smith early on.

Dion's exclusive smith was none other than Digness, Demian's second-year representative.

"Didn't Digness offer to make weapons for you too?"

"He did, yeah."

Arru crossed her arms.

Her white tail swayed gently.

"But the weapons he made weren't to my taste."

The weapons crafted by Digness had an overall refined feel.

Another advantage was that they didn't discriminate between weapon types and classes.

Arru's specialty was martial arts.

But that didn't mean she couldn't use weapons.

On the contrary, she had been trained since childhood to skillfully handle all kinds of weapons.

'Because she respected Arreon-nim!'

The hero Arreon.

According to historical records, he was a person close to a god of war, capable of wielding any weapon.

Arru strived to become like Arreon since she was young.

The weapons Digness made were certainly excellent, but Arru felt they lacked flexibility.

"How do I put it? Something that can be a sword at times! A spear at others! And an axe at still others! Something that's easy to carry around, that kind of weapon would be great!"

"You're quite greedy."

Dion, clicking his tongue, stopped walking.

And he spotted Leo talking to someone on one side.

"Leo Plov is over there."

"Black Rabbit?!"

Arru's white tail stood stiffly like an exclamation mark.

'I need to ask Black Rabbit how he used Howling!'

Thinking it was a chance to ask something she'd been curious about for days, Arru approached Leo.

Dion followed behind Arru.

"Black Rabbit, I have something to ask you…"

"I wanted to talk to you. Leo Plov."

Dion, who grabbed Arru's head blocking his path and pushed her aside, stepped forward.

Arru glared and kicked Dion's butt.

Dion, as if used to it, ignored Arru.

"Long time no see."

"Yeah. Is this the first time we've talked like this since the eve of the entrance exam in Azrek?"

Last summer vacation.

Remembering going to Azrek for Azonia's entrance exam, Leo let out a small laugh.

"I've always heard about your activities. It's a pity; it would have been great if you had come to Azonia."

Dion, smacking his lips regretfully, grinned.

"In that sense, Leo Plov, I'd like to request a spar with you…"

*Smack-!*

Arru slapped Dion on the back of his head.

In response, Dion grabbed Arru by the collar.

"What was that for?"

"You picked a fight first."

Arru said nonchalantly.

"And Dad warned us not to fight while we're in Demian."

"Uncle Berga definitely said something like that."

'That belligerent-looking uncle?'

Leo recalled Berga, Arru's father, Reina's close friend and colleague, an instructor at Azonia, and a beast-human hero.

It was then that he made a curious expression.

"Fighting is originally something you do in secret."

"Oh, really? If you're sparring, I'm sure you can fight in secret just fine."

It seemed Dion's fighting style was quite flashy.

Dion looked at Arru, who was snorting, and said,

"Arru, you know the feeling. The excitement of challenging a strong opponent."

Dion revealed his fighting spirit and looked at Leo.

"I want to test how effective my power will be against Leo Plov, who is considered the strongest of our generation."

'I thought he was quite calm, but he has a tough personality.'

It was then that Leo smiled faintly and looked at Dion.

"Everyone gather! All students of each hero academy, gather!"

Berga, the instructor from Azonia, shouted in a booming voice.

His words were loud enough to be heard by all second-year students present.

Everyone was surprised and hastily gathered.

Starting with Ain of Rumerun, Heardium of Seirun, Berga of Azonia. And even Retana, Demian's second-year smith in charge.

Students from each hero academy gathered together.

"Professor Ain, what's going on?"

During the exclusive smith contract period, Rumerun had guaranteed students autonomous action in Demian.

The same was true for students from other hero academies, not just Rumerun.

To Duran's question, Ain replied,

"Currently, not only the principal but also Professor Sedgen, who is in charge of the second year, are in a meeting, so I've come to inform you of the situation."

The Rumerun students made puzzled expressions.

Amidst that, Ain spoke.

"You all know about the city called Tarkam in the eastern part of the continent."

On the edge of the dwarven territory.

Being a large dwarven metropolis and a production site for numerous magic stones and rare minerals, most people knew about Tarkam.

"Reports have come in that an unusual situation has occurred in Tarkam. There was a report of a giant monster, half the size of Mount Erdien, appearing. Because of this, Tarkam's guards are said to be in a panic."

At those words, the students began to murmur.

"Mount Erdien… isn't that where we went for the first-year entrance exam?"

"A monster big enough to cover that mountain?"

"There's a monster like that?"

Most second-years, last year.

Had seen Mount Erdien with their own eyes.

For the second-years who had seen that towering, massive mountain firsthand, it was hard to believe that a monster half its size existed.

Chloe, who had been tilting her head at the words, suddenly looked to her side.

"Leo?"

Leo stood with a stiff expression.

"Leo, is something wrong?"

When Chloe asked carefully, Leo shook his head.

"It's nothing."

Leo, who replied with a faint smile, relaxed his face.

'A monster half the size of Mount Erdien?'

Logically, it was an impossible story.

Because the very existence of such a giant creature was preposterous.

But Leo knew.

Of such a giant monster.

'The Giant King, Gias.'

After the Age of Calamity.

A legion commander who had never appeared even once.

A monster whose entire being was shrouded in mystery, now even forgotten by actual people, let alone in records.

'He's a cautious character. Even if the Monster Queen was subjugated, he's not one to act rashly.'

In contrast to his massive size, the Giant King was a very secretive legion commander.

'If he moved, there must be a reason.'

Leo made a serious expression.

"Tarkam has requested Demian to investigate this matter. And in the principals' meeting, the suggestion was made to entrust this mission to you all."

"To us?"

"Yes. More specifically, they suggested forming mixed parties by school for the investigation."

Upon hearing that, the Rumerun students began to murmur.

"As you know, forming parties with students from other hero academies is part of the third-year curriculum. You're getting an opportunity to experience that a year early. The principal would have wanted that."

"Have other hero academies accepted as well?"

"Yes."

At Ain's reply, the Rumerun students made excited expressions.

"This sounds interesting?"

"Though the Seirun kids are a bit of a concern…"

"Ah, well. It's not like all of them are ill-mannered."

"Professor! What's the party size?"

"That's been left to the students' discretion."

Ain crossed his arms.

"Although it's a sudden mission practical, the professors have also agreed to reflect this in your performance evaluations."

At Ain's words, voices mixed with dissatisfaction erupted from here and there.

But they didn't actively rebel.

These were Rumerun students who were already well-accustomed to dealing with unexpected situations.

"What about the exclusive smith contract?"

"This mission practical will last until next week. After that, the exclusive smith contracts will continue for the remaining week. For Demian students, it's an opportunity to get to know us better, so there's no harm in it."

Ain scanned the second-year students.

"First, form your parties. As you're heading to Mount Erdien, it would be wise to form your parties carefully. You may also cooperate with other parties. Since this mission practical takes place in a monster-infested area, combat will be essential."

At Ain's words, the Rumerun students made tense expressions.

They had experienced many hardships over the past year, but even so, the mention of "real combat" was enough to make them feel tense.

"This mission practical will be a time for you to mobilize everything you've learned so far. And it's an opportunity to compete with hero candidates of your generation. I expect good results."

"Yes, sir!"

***

"Leo, what are you going to do?"

Cal asked, scratching his head vigorously.

Party formation.

For Cal, it was the biggest challenge.

Cal aspired to be a professional supporter.

However, it was a path he was forced to choose due to his lack of skill.

While Rumerun positively evaluated Cal's choice, it was unknown how other hero academy students would view it.

To Cal's question, Leo said,

"Cal, why don't you party with me this time?"

"I'd be happy if you did."

Cal grinned.

"So, how are you going to form the party? Do you have anyone in mind?"

To Cal's question, Leo nodded.

"Yeah. I'll gather them, so you wait here."

Leaving those words, Leo headed towards Seirun.

Students from Rumerun, Azonia, and Demian were actively discussing forming parties with each other.

However, no one dared to approach the Seirun students rashly.

The actions displayed by the Seirun students this time made it impossible for other hero academy students to approach them carelessly.

This mission practical brought together hero candidates of various races in one place.

Race, culture, values.

As people with different backgrounds had to work together, teamwork was more important than anything else.

And Seirun's racialistic tendencies had a very high chance of breaking down such teamwork.

Therefore, the plan was for Rumerun, Azonia, and Demian students to first discuss thoroughly and form teams among themselves, then cautiously accept a Seirun student.

Amidst this, only Leo headed towards Seirun first, to attract a Seirun student into his party.

Of course, the students Leo would invite to his party were obvious.

"Runia, Eiran."

Leo smiled faintly as he looked at the two students standing at the front of the Seirun students.

"Would you like to party with me?"

At Leo's invitation, Runia, who had been staring intently at Leo, smiled faintly and nodded.

"If it's your request, I'll grant it."

"Of course! Leo!"

Eiran also smiled brightly and nodded.

After that, Leo went to the Azonia side and recruited Arru.

"Black Rabbit. I think it'll be fun to party with you!"

Arru also readily joined the party.

Lastly, the Demian student Leo chose was Dryana.

"I don't want to talk to you, who crushed my work of art!"

Dryana, who had somehow reverted to her original strange way of speaking, harshly rejected Leo's offer.

It seemed she was holding a grudge about Leo breaking her sculpture earlier.

Seeing such a Dryana, Leo said,

"I've gathered some kids who could be good models."

At those words, Dryana flinched.

"Models? Are they pretty?"

"Yes. I guarantee their looks."

"That piques my interest."

Dryana, who had been contemplating, also readily accepted Leo's offer.

He took Dryana and went towards where the party was.

Meanwhile. Seeing Runia, Eiran, and Arru in front of him, Cal looked up at the sky and lamented.

'What is that guy planning to do, gathering such a luxurious lineup of members?'

Excluding himself, who was practically failing grade, everyone else was a top honors student, class representative level.

Some of the surrounding students looked at Cal enviously.

And some of them pointed at Cal and whispered.

'They must be saying I'm freeloading again.'

But Cal felt genuinely wronged this time.

"Cal's freeloading again?"

Illiana, who was passing by, said mockingly.

"No. Hey! Think about it! Do you really think I'm freeloading?"

"Yeah. You're in a party with the class president, the Seirun class representative, and the Azonia class representative. If that's not freeloading, what is it?"

"Think about Leo's personality! Why do you think he gathered these guys?"

Cal made a tearful face.

"It's obvious we're going to do something extremely tough!"

At Cal's complaint, Illiana paused.

Cal was definitely right.

Leo wasn't someone who would simply gather excellent personnel just to make things easier.

Illiana, having thought that far, sympathetically patted Cal on the shoulder.

"Good luck."

"What? Illiana, are you joining my party too?"

At the voice from behind, Illiana flinched.

Then, looking at Leo's face with a terrified expression, she quickly ran away.

Cal clutched his head.

Dryana, who came with Leo, looked at Cal and said,

"Hmm. As a model, your face is a bit lacking."

"Who are you?"

"However, your despairing face is a masterpiece. Sir. Would you consider becoming my model?"

"Model?"

"Yes, a nude model."

When the cute-looking dwarf girl seriously offered a nude model position, Cal made an absurd expression.

'Now that I think about it, she's also a Demian class representative, right?'

Cal glanced over at Runia and Arru.

"What? What's with that unpleasant gaze?"

As Runia showed a slightly defiant reaction, Cal mumbled to himself.

'A thug, an idiot, a pervert. The representatives of the other hero academies aren't normal either.'

Cal looked at Leo.

Leo smiled gently at Cal.

It was a mature smile.

Cal knew very well.

That when Leo smiled like that, things were about to get very difficult.

As his best friend, sitting next to him for a year, he had learned this lesson painfully.

'I'm screwed.'

Cal forced a bitter smile.