Book 1 Chapter 306

306

First-year dormitory's large communal bath.

The large communal bath in the center of the bathing area was always the most used spot by students.

However, currently, only two people were in that bath.

It was none other than the student council president and vice president, who held the highest power among Lumerne students.

For the first-years, it was a living hell.

Lumerne's student council.

At other schools, it might be regarded as mere school authority, but at the Hero Academy, the student council's power was immense.

They were, quite literally, the leaders of hero candidates who would grow to lead the future of the world.

For first-years who had just entered, it was an intimidating combination.

"Really?"

"I told you! The professor told me… Huh? Why is the atmosphere like this? What's… *cough*?"

"What's wrong? What… *gag*?!"

Students entering the bath recoiled in shock upon seeing Leo and Harc.

"Don't mind us, just wash up."

When Leo smiled faintly and spoke, the male students, hunching their shoulders, moved to the side and began to wash, conscious of their presence.

Watching them, Leo said,

"Do we really need to make the first-years self-conscious?"

"I never made them self-conscious."

Harc looked at Leo with a cynical gaze.

"They're the ones who got scared."

Harc snorted, then leaned his head back, yawned lazily, and asked,

"I heard something interesting happened in Demian this time?"

The story of Leo's party conquering Dweno's Hero Record had already spread throughout Lumerne.

At Harc's words, the first-years who had been wary suddenly opened their eyes wide and focused on Leo.

"How was it? The Great Heroes."

"Just as Senior Harc imagines."

"Just as I imagine, huh."

As a conqueror of hero dungeons in Lumerne, Harc had conquered many hero worlds.

But even he had never experienced the world of Great Heroes.

"Enviable."

Harc, who had spoken softly with genuine sincerity, stood up.

*Splash!*

"I'll be going now. I don't really like the first-years being so conscious of me either."

Harc, who had snorted, glared at Leo.

"You, if you're the student council president, act like one and come to the student council meetings sometimes. Don't dump all your presidential duties on me."

Leaving a faintly smiling Leo behind, Harc departed.

'I guess I should pay a little attention to school matters while preparing for the midterms.'

"Young Master!"

"Congratulations on conquering Dweno's Hero's World!"

"As expected of Young Master Leo!"

When no first-year dared to approach Leo.

Three people came forward.

They were Leo's Slayer Knights: Austin, Valerie, and Julian.

The three, who had been trained by Leo since the Zerdinger family era, were first-years who could speak to Leo without much burden.

"Ooh-ooh-ooh! Senior Leo!"

Just then, someone quickly approached Leo.

"Congratulations! Senior Leo! Indeed! Who else but someone like Senior Leo could conquer Dweno's Hero Record?!"

A first-year from the Department of Magic.

Fritz, originally from the Shadows, also appeared out of nowhere, busy praising Leo.

This type was fanatically devoted to Leo and approached him without hesitation.

"Welcome, Senior Leo."

The next to greet Leo was Habiden.

Leo, who was receiving polite greetings from his juniors, looked puzzled.

"Luke isn't here."

At Leo's words, Fritz said,

"If it's Luke Elda, he's probably training in the training ground right now."

"Until this late?"

"Yes, he's very diligent."

***

After finishing his bath, Leo headed to the training ground behind the first-year male dormitory.

It was late, so there was only one person in the training ground.

Luke was silently running laps around the training ground.

Sweat was pouring all over his body, and his limbs were trembling uncontrollably.

*Thump-!*

"Ugh!"

Luke, who had been running for a while, collapsed to the ground, covered his mouth, and dry-heaved.

"Huff! Haa! Hek!"

Leo approached Luke, who was breathing heavily as if he had already far surpassed his physical limits.

"You're working hard."

At Leo's words, Luke looked up in surprise.

"Senior Leo! You're back!"

Luke, who was trying to stand up, stumbled and sank back down.

His legs were shaking.

Luke's arms and legs, already pushed past their limits, were not obeying their owner.

On Luke's wrists and ankles were bracelets made of magic.

They were artifacts Leo had personally created.

'To be precise, Luna designed them.'

Kyle had requested them from Luna for Berkhia and Vihar's training.

After entering Lumerne, Leo had used these artifacts not only for himself but also for Celia, Chelsea, and his own knights during their training.

Their effect was a type of sealing device that reduced the user's physical abilities.

This included not only physical aspects but also mana abilities.

They had the effect of constantly pushing the wearer to their limits, thus expanding their 'vessel.'

'Luna and Arion were terrible at expanding their students' vessels.'

Luna and Arion were naturally born with immense magical power and overwhelming physical abilities.

Therefore, while they were excellent at teaching magic and martial arts, they were clumsy when it came to expanding their students' vessels.

"Haven't you ever unsealed it?"

"No. Senior Leo told me. It's fine to unseal it, but the effect would diminish the moment I did, even once."

When Luna's sealing device was worn properly, the body would feel heavy, as if submerged in a deep sea, and mana movement would slow down.

One would always live in a state of being pushed to their limits.

It was the best training for completing one's vessel.

And this method could yield maximum effect precisely because it was Luke.

Luke had learned everything by himself.

Therefore, he couldn't properly grasp his own abilities.

If other incoming students were strengthening an already filled vessel at Lumerne.

Luke was filling an empty vessel at Lumerne.

'That's why he's ignorant about himself.'

An empty vessel.

He couldn't perceive how much or what was filling his vessel.

Because his abilities were sealed before they could be filled, he didn't know how strong he had become.

He had no idea what his current limits were.

He was clearly growing, but Luke himself couldn't feel it.

What if he were to unseal the device in such a situation?

He would realize how strong he had become and naturally become aware of his limits.

If he were to reseal it after that, his body, having already recognized its limits, would hinder further growth.

The moment the unnatural state of sealing was recognized, the effect of the sealing device would be halved.

'Because he would perceive the seal as a restriction.'

"Isn't it hard?"

"It's something I was already prepared for."

"But you must feel like you're standing still, while others move forward?"

The early period of enrollment was when new students grew the strongest.

Many academic standings also changed during this time.

Failing students would soar to the top ranks, while top students would sometimes fall.

However, Luke remained at the bottom, regardless.

In the eyes of others, he clearly appeared to have made no progress whatsoever.

Moreover, Luke was also Leo's mentee.

Leo Plov, an unprecedented student in Lumerne's history.

Being Leo's mentee was also a factor that made many people pay attention to Luke.

Luke was also evaluated as an unprecedented student.

Of course, this was mockery.

A Lumerne student who showed no growth.

The greatest dullard in Lumerne's history, who was lucky enough to avoid dropping out.

This was how his classmates viewed Luke.

From Luke's perspective, it was an extremely painful situation.

At Leo's words, Luke clenched his fists.

And taking a deep breath, he said,

"It's painful."

Luke's eyes sank.

"Everyone else is moving forward, but I'm just standing still."

A failing student who was already behind couldn't make any progress.

Moreover, midterms were just around the corner.

He would feel the even wider gap then.

Of course, if he released the seal, the story might be different.

But…

"Senior Leo told me, didn't you?"

Luke said in a voice filled with determination.

"That the goal is to be the year representative."

The top students of the year, whom one had to look up to from afar.

A goal that seemed impossible.

Honestly, he lacked confidence.

But…

"Senior Leo said I could do it. So I will."

It was none other than Leo Plov's guarantee.

Luke showed absolute faith in those words.

Watching Luke, Leo nodded.

"Alright. Then come to the second-year classroom after classes tomorrow."

"Yes?"

"I told you I'd teach you magic when I got back from Demian."

Luke's eyes widened.

"I know someone who can teach you magic."

"R-really?"

"Yes. But."

Leo smiled meaningfully.

"Keep it a secret that you're learning magic."

"Huh? W-why?"

"There's nothing better than a trump card for blindsiding an opponent."

***

The next day.

After his first-year class ended, Luke hurriedly packed his backpack.

"He's probably off to train by himself again."

"Wow, how did a kid like that become the student council president's mentee? No! How did he even get into Lumerne?"

"What's going to happen to Senior Leo? Aren't they going to drop out together?"

Luke heard the whispering voices of his classmates.

He sighed.

He had heard such things for the past two weeks, to the point of being sick of it.

But he just couldn't get used to it.

'Maybe I'll hear it for half a year.'

It was then that Luke's shoulders drooped.

"Do you know something?"

A dignified voice was heard.

"There's nothing as base as badmouthing someone behind their back, is there? And are you laughing at Senior Leo right now?"

"Ugh? Sasha?"

"No, th-that is, we didn't mean it like that!"

The class representative of Class 1, where Luke belonged.

Sasha glared with cold eyes at the classmates who had been ridiculing Luke.

At the fierce aura of Sasha, the top first-year student and none other than a princess of the Lodren Empire, the classmates' faces turned pale.

"Hmph."

Sasha snorted and approached Luke.

"Luke. Where are you rushing off to?"

"I'm going to meet Senior Leo."

"Senior Leo? May I come with you?"

Sasha asked, gracefully unfolding her folding fan.

Sasha was fundamentally a kind class representative to all her classmates.

Luke thought that although she was still young, she had charisma befitting a future empress.

As someone who always received help, Luke momentarily wanted to say yes to going together.

"Keep it a secret that you're learning magic."

But remembering Leo's words, he scratched his head.

"I'm sorry. I think I have to go alone."

"That's a shame. I wanted to hear about the Hero's World from Senior Leo."

Sasha, who had wistfully licked her lips while fanning herself, packed her backpack.

Luke, who had left the classroom, hurried towards the second-year classroom building.

In front of the second-year classroom building, Luke had a tense expression.

A moment later.

The second-years, whose classes had ended, poured out.

"Let's eat! Food!"

"I heard there's a new menu at the Hero's Tower Restaurant!"

"Let's go quickly before it gets crowded!"

A group of second-year female students rushed out.

Then they spotted Luke and paused.

"What's a first-year doing here?"

"He's brave. And kind of cute."

"Isn't he Leo's mentee?"

As the second-years paid attention, Luke hunched his neck even further.

"Are you Luke Elda?"

"Y-yes? Yes!"

Luke answered with a taut, nervous expression at the cold voice.

Then he checked the speaker's face and was startled.

'Du-Senior Duran!'

Duran, with his characteristic arrogant expression, was looking down at Luke with cold eyes.

Seeing Luke's even more terrified expression, Duran curled up the corner of his mouth.

"Hmph, Habiden is more outstanding."

Luke cautiously spoke, looking at Duran, who wore a somehow satisfied expression.

"W-well. Habiden is one of the best in the first-year Knight Department, after all, isn't he?"

"You acknowledge that too? You have good judgment."

At Luke's words, Duran showed an even more satisfied reaction.

It was then.

"That's ridiculous. What are you so proud of, having been chosen by Habiden as Leo Plov's second-best?"

A sharp voice was heard.

'E-Senior Eliza!'

Duran and Eliza, famous among the first-years as the most terrifying.

At the combination of those two, Luke became even more scared.

"You talk a lot for someone who wasn't even chosen by a first-year."

Duran scoffed, mocking Eliza.

"Hmph. A mentee? They're just a bother. I had no intention of accepting anyone, no matter who it was."

Eliza snorted.

Next to Eliza, Kail said as if passing by,

"The person who threw a fit on the day Sasha abandoned them lives somewhere… *cough*?"

"Why are you bringing that up now?"

Eliza furiously throttled Kail's neck with a whip.

It was then, at her terrifying appearance, that Luke became even more terrified.

"What are you doing over there? Come here."

Leo called Luke.

"Yes, seniors! I'll be going now!"

Luke politely bowed and followed Leo.

Watching them, Duran said,

"I, too, should talk to Habiden as a mentor today."

"Juen was also clamoring for me to tell her some stories."

Kail, who had barely been released, scratched his head vigorously.

The other second-years also seemed to be in the mood to go see their mentees.

Eliza, left alone, snorted and headed towards the dormitory by herself.

Watching Eliza, Kail said,

"Eliza, want to come with?"

"Why should I, from the Department of Magic, go when you, from the Summoning Department, are talking with your mentee?"

Kail smiled faintly, looking at Eliza, who replied sharply.

"Juen asked me to tell her stories about the Phoenix King, so I was thinking of doing that."

"Hmph, that might be worth listening to."

Eliza crossed her arms and approached Kail.

***

"Is Senior Leo going to teach me magic?"

"My foundation in magic is too old-fashioned, you see. I plan to ask someone who is familiar with the latest magic trends. They'll probably be interested in you too."

Leo answered calmly to Luke's question, whose eyes sparkled.

The place they headed to was the second-year Department of Magic building.

Entering the building, Leo made his way to Len's office.

*Knock-knock-*

"Professor Len. It's Leo Plov. May I come in?"

Len, who would normally have come out with open arms, was silent.

Leo, wearing a puzzled expression, was about to knock again.

"Student Leo, you're here."

Anna approached, her voice sounding strangely hollow.

"Associate Professor Anna. Is Professor Len absent?"

At Leo's question, Anna looked up at the ceiling and let out a sigh.

Her eyes had dark circles, as if she hadn't slept a wink, and her face was worn out with fatigue.

"See for yourself."

Anna opened the door.

At the sight within, Leo made a wry face.

On the desk, always filled with magic theories, liquor bottles lay scattered.

Len was slumped over the desk.

He, who was always so neat, looked almost like a wreck.

"Why is he like this again?"

"…Just listen to his drunken ramblings."

Anna, with her arms crossed and a look on her face as if she wanted to smack Len on the back of the head right then and there, replied coldly.

Leo approached Len.

"I'm finished… I'm going to lose my students to the new first-year professor… *Sob, sob, sob*."

"…"

"He's been like that ever since Professor Mel led the second-years to Demian."

At Anna's words, Leo let out a deep sigh.

'Professor Len's mental strength is sometimes monstrously strong, but at other times he's like glass.'