Book 1 Chapter 305

The Lumern students entered the banquet hall, all impeccably dressed.

Inside, the Demian second-years were already waiting, as sharp in their uniforms as they were on the first day.

"Is that him?"

"He said he received Dweno's grimoire as a quest reward, right?"

The Demian students' eyes glittered as they looked at Kal.

Kal wore an expression of exasperation.

"They're not going to suddenly attack me, are they?"

Chloe, walking beside him, responded to Kal's mumbling with a serious face.

"They might even try to capture and dissect you."

"Chloe. You know how to make jokes too?"

Seeing Chloe speak with genuine concern, Kal let out a hollow laugh.

Chloe blinked at the laughing Kal.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"What?"

"You might not have experienced it because you were in the infirmary."

Chloe looked at the Demian students with a somber expression.

"I think they're the type who would do just that."

Kal swallowed hard.

Chen Xia smiled at the gulping Kal.

"Don't be too scared, Kal."

"R-right? No matter what, they wouldn't actually dissect me…"

"There will be a technician among the Demian students who can neatly open Kal's abdomen, see what's inside, and stitch him up beautifully. There are even interrogation techniques that involve dissection without ending a life…"

"Kkkkkkkkkkkkkk!"

At Chen Xia's words, Kal covered his ears and screamed.

"Unlike Chloe, I was just trying to lighten the mood with a joke, but he's too scared."

"When you say it, it doesn't sound like a joke."

Chloe shook her head, watching Chen Xia shrug.

A short while after the Lumern students arrived, the Azonia students appeared.

The fierce gazes of the Azonia students were directed at Leo.

Chelsea narrowed her eyes at them.

"Why are they looking at Leo oppa like that again?"

"During the last Smith exclusive contract period, they wanted to fight Leo but couldn't because he was in the infirmary. Maybe that's why?"

"Hmph, they'll only learn when they've seen some tough times."

Chelsea scoffed.

Amidst the strange atmosphere in the banquet hall, Leo, who had taken his seat, looked down at his hands, lost in thought.

'Dweno's legacy.'

Through this quest reward, Leo had obtained ownership of Dweno's armament that had survived to this era.

He could now summon them simply by recalling their forms.

Leo recalled Melina, who had gone to receive Dweno's legacy from Principal Demian, and let out a hollow laugh.

'From Principal Demian's perspective, it must feel like outright theft.'

Leo shook his head, recalling the beaming Melina, and then looked at Driana among the Demian students.

'I'll need to repair them to use them.'

All Leo could do was temporarily restore them to their past forms.

The fact that most of the armaments were damaged remained unchanged.

Even Dweno's armaments would undoubtedly break down soon if used without proper maintenance, no matter who made them.

'If Driana improves her skills, it might be possible.'

It was a talent recognized by Dweno.

Leo trusted his friend's judgment.

'And Dweno's Flame.'

Leo had received two quests this time.

One of them was Dweno's Flame.

It was a small ember left by Fiboa from conquering Luna's world.

If that was like a small dying ember, the reward from this quest was the blazing fire itself.

'Unlike my past life, my body in this life is more suited for the flame.'

Dweno's Flame could be considered the strongest shield against Erebus's attacks.

And during the final battle with Erebus.

Kyle could not fully wield Dweno's Flame.

'That's why he couldn't finish it.'

His friends, one by one.

As they passed away, they entrusted their power to Kyle.

Aron's Aura.

Dweno's Flame.

Luna's Magic Power.

Risinath's Dragon Heart.

He wove those powers together to push Erebus to the brink of destruction.

But the reason he couldn't finally extinguish Erebus was…

Kyle's body couldn't withstand Erebus's flame.

If Leo had been able to wield Dweno's Flame better at that time.

Erebus would have completely disappeared.

'I can withstand it this time.'

Looking down at his hands, Leo clenched his fist.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Celia, wearing a beautiful red dress, asked with a puzzled look.

"Just reminiscing a little."

"That sounds like an old man."

Celia, wearing white gloves, rested her chin on her hand.

Seeing her beauty, the male students from the same dormitory as Celia approached.

"Celia, will you dance with me later?"

"No, with me!"

Celia, as if used to such reactions, straightened her posture and smiled.

"Sorry, I'm not in the mood to dance today."

The male students dispersed, disappointed.

It was then.

The banquet hall doors opened, and the Seirun students appeared.

Though only half of them, led by Heridium, Seirun attended the banquet on the final day.

The Seirun students present at the banquet chatted happily with students from other schools they knew.

While the Leo party was conquering Dweno's world.

There was a large-scale attack by the Gigantes, belonging to Gias's legion.

Celia explained that many had become close friends by joining forces to resist that attack.

"Well, there were many parties that almost self-destructed and fell into crisis."

It was when Celia let out a small sigh.

Beastmen students approached Leo.

Celia's eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong, Dion?"

"I have something I want to ask Leo Flov, Celia."

Celia was in the same party as Dion in this incident.

Dion, who answered in a serious voice, blushed slightly upon seeing Celia and cleared his throat.

"You are beautiful, Celia."

"Thank you."

Celia replied with a smile.

"What is it you want to ask me?"

The Azonia students who came to see Leo were the leaders of the second-year faction, including Dion.

In other words, they were among the top five in Azonia's second-year class.

They were all students who wanted to spar with Leo.

"Leo Flov."

Dion distorted his face.

"What kind of person was Aron-nim?"

"You can ask Aron about that."

"That foolish cat only talks about Aron-nim's achievements."

Rwen, a fox beastman, replied with a slight frown.

"We all know Aron-nim is great. What we want to know is what his personality was like in reality. What he liked. How he lived his daily life!"

Rwen, who had a cunning side but was genuinely respectful of Aron, continued with a shiver.

"But that foolish cat… for a cat, he puts on airs and says things like, 'You're not ready yet.' Nonsense. Moreover, I came to you because I hate seeing him put on airs while drinking milk from a wine glass."

Leo looked at the Azonia group.

Ar was surrounded by people.

Looking at them, Leo rested his chin on his hand.

"Aron."

Leo let out a snort.

"I spent quite a long time with Ar."

"Crrk! That Ar! Jealous!"

Bormann clenched his fist.

The others also looked at Ar with envious eyes.

"Did Aron-nim really treat Ar like a disciple?"

In response to Rwen's question, Leo shook his head.

"No."

"Hmph, I knew it was a lie."

'He treated him like a younger brother.'

Aron basically liked children.

His dream was a world where children could smile peacefully.

"Aron was too afraid of Ar to treat him as a disciple."

"Don't lie. Why would Aron be afraid of Ar?"

"Ar is right. You're not ready."

Leo burst into laughter.

The Azonia students asked Leo more about Aron afterward, but Leo never revealed that his friend was a coward.

'It would be pathetic to shatter their illusions. Besides, they wouldn't believe it.'

For similar reasons, he protected Dweno's honor as well.

'You guys have really good friends.'

Thinking of his friends, Leo burst into laughter.

The banquet reached its peak.

Students from all schools laughed and talked freely, singing and dancing.

They were spending a joyful time together, comrades who had overcome difficult moments and joined forces.

For most students, it was a somewhat awkward time.

But Leo felt a familiar sense of longing.

'I'll leave the future to you.'

Leo smiled, recalling Dweno's words.

'Don't worry.'

***

"We're back!"

"Ah! Home is the best!"

"Strictly speaking, it's not home."

"Ah, it's practically the same as home."

The students who returned to Lumern let out joyful screams.

Sena, the dormitory matron professor, greeted them with a smile.

"Did you all have a good trip? I heard there was a big incident, so I'm relieved you're all safe!"

"Professor Sena! Have you been well?"

"We brought you souvenirs!"

The students greeted their matron Sena warmly.

"Oh, thank you."

Sena smiled and accepted the students' gifts.

"I have good news and bad news for those of you who have just returned."

At her words, the students' faces hardened.

Good news and bad news?

They didn't have high expectations for the good news.

However, the bad news was enough to instill immense anxiety in the students.

"What happened?"

As Iliana swallowed hard, Sena smiled.

"Which news do you want to hear first?"

At her words, everyone looked at Leo, Chloe, and Chen Xia, the dormitory leaders.

"Tell us the bad news first."

At Leo's words, Sena nodded.

"Yes, alright. The bad news is that the dormitory's magical water purification system is broken."

"You'll have to use the first-year dormitory to wash."

At her words, sighs of relief erupted from various places.

'What? That's the bad news?'

'It's a bit inconvenient, but if that's all…'

Everyone's mood lifted.

"Then what's the good news?"

Iliana asked in a light voice, and Sena smiled.

"The midterm exam schedule has been set."

At her words, the entire student body's faces stiffened.

"Is that good news?"

Iliana asked with a pout, and Sena nodded.

"Of course it's good news! The midterm exam schedule has been set earlier than usual. That means we'll have more time to prepare for the final exams!"

Sena said with a positive smile.

"We'll have more time to prepare for the final exams!"

This semester, neither the first-years nor the second-years will be recommended to withdraw until the end of the semester.

And the biggest factor in whether one stays at the school or leaves is the final exam.

Therefore, the longer the preparation period for the final exam, the better.

Although Sena was excessively positive, exams were not good for the students, so everyone could only wear a sad face.

***

"Ughhhh! Midterm exams!"

Iliana scratched her head frantically.

Leo said, watching Iliana.

"Since we have to take them anyway, it's better to get them over with quickly."

"There it is! The smugness of an excellent student!"

Iliana pouted.

"Are exams that painful?"

"Yes! Chloe, the textbook example of an excellent student, probably doesn't have much to worry about, right?"

"By the way, I'm curious about the content of the practical midterm exam."

Chen Xia tilted her head.

"Ah! It's Leo-senpai!"

"Where? Where?"

The first-years reacted with surprise.

Leo was currently heading to the first-year dormitory to wash.

"The class representative is popular with the juniors too."

Iliana playfully nudged Leo's side and grinned.

A crowd of first-years rushed over and surrounded Leo.

"Senpai! Is it true that you conquered Dweno-nim's Heroic World this time?"

"I heard you met Aron-nim besides Dweno-nim!"

"How was it!"

"Tell us!"

The excited first-years surrounded Leo, eager to hear about their conquest of the Heroic World.

Leo scratched his head, looking troubled.

"Move aside."

A cold voice was heard.

"Tsk! Line up!"

A male student from the back reacted roughly and turned his head.

Then, upon seeing the other person's face, he turned pale.

"V-v-v-v-vice-student council president!"

"Move aside."

At Hark's cold voice, the first-years parted like the Red Sea.

Leo smiled, seeing Hark.

"It's been a while, Hark-senpai."

"…A while?"

"Hey, Leo. Wait a minute. Did you just say 'a while'?"

Chloe and Iliana's faces turned pale.

Hark approached Leo with a chilling smile.

"It's been a while, Hark-senpai? Is that something you should say?"

Hark, with veins bulging on his forehead, said.

"Do you think it's okay for the student council president to leave all the work to the vice-president and then not show his face at the student council at all?"

Leo replied to Hark's enraged shout.

"There's nothing for me to do at the student council anyway."

"Gasp?"

Hark clutched the back of his neck, his eyes bloodshot.

"Hey, fight me."

Hark said, glaring.

"I'll beat you up and take over the student council presidency! And…!"

Hark said, spitting out the words with a chilling smile.

"I'll make you the vice-president so you can suffer the same pain I did!"

Everyone swallowed hard, sensing the menacing aura emanating from Hark.

The strongest of the fifth-years.

That was the ultimate peak among Lumern students.

"I told you that if you have a complaint, you can fight and win, right?"

Hark's eyes glittered.

"I have many complaints about you. So let's fight."

Hark's gritted teeth and menacing aura were terrifying.

Everyone watched the student council president and vice-president with tense expressions.

"I never said I would definitely fight you."

Hark's eyes widened as he saw Leo speak with a smile.

"I refuse your sparring request."

Hark, who had simply ended the situation, slumped his head.

A moment later.

"Kuaaaaaa!

As the enraged Hark tried to go on a rampage, the second-years, terrified, clung to Hark's limbs.

"S-senpai! Stay still!"

"If you make a scene here, the first-years will get hurt!"