Book 1 Chapter 35

【35】34

After school, when classes were over.

Leo headed to the Hero's Tower, located in the center of the academy where the student council was.

Arriving in front of the Hero's Tower, Leo looked up at the towering building.

"It's ridiculously tall."

Leo exclaimed.

"He's a first-year."

"What brings him here?"

"Oh, he's cute."

Passing upperclassmen spotted Leo and murmured in surprise.

The Hero's Tower was a place frequently visited by upperclassmen.

First-years had an instinctive fear, typical of lowerclassmen, towards their seniors who had experienced everything.

Therefore, they tended to avoid areas where upperclassmen often appeared.

"Oh? Leo?"

He turned his head when someone called his name.

There stood Toura, a fifth-year student from the Department of Magic.

"What brings you here?"

"I have something to discuss with the student council president."

"To Lise?"

Toura, who had been tilting her head, nodded.

"Want to come along?"

Toura took Leo and entered the Hero's Tower.

"So, Leo. When are you planning to drop your other majors?"

"I have no intention of quitting my other majors."

"Leo. As I said before, time is limited. I know you excel in other majors, but in my opinion, you are best specialized in magic."

Toura grumbled discontentedly but said no more.

This was because she had been called in by the professors and scolded previously.

Leo burst out in admiration as he looked at the interior of the Hero's Tower.

Numerous portraits of heroes hung at the building's entrance.

All of them were graduates of Lumerne.

The facilities were also incomparably better than those of the first-year building.

It wasn't that the first-year building lacked facilities, but the Hero's Tower was, quite literally, overwhelming.

Standing with Toura in an elevator that moved by levitation magic, they quickly ascended to the upper floor.

They arrived at the floor used by the student council.

"Hello, Vice President. Who is that first-year?"

"This is Leo."

"Leo? That famous first-year representative?"

A third-year student council executive's eyes sparkled.

"Yes. He says he came to see the student council president."

"He's interested in the student council from his first year? How commendable."

Smiling, he picked up some documents and left.

Overall, the student council had a very busy atmosphere.

"Speaking of which, the first-year midterm assignment was to develop a unique magic, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"Do you have an idea in mind?"

"A magical spell system based on non-elemental magical power."

"Non-elemental magical power based? That's a concept I haven't heard before. Can you explain?"

"Wizards have a primary magical affinity, right?"

"Right. That's why counter-elements exist. Even if you can handle all elements, you can't use opposing elements simultaneously."

"Yes. I want to freely manipulate magic of all elements using non-elemental magical power to increase versatility."

"That's an interesting idea. But it's absurd."

Toura chuckled.

"There's a reason people don't try it."

"I know."

Leo smiled and nodded.

"Still, if you're going to do it, isn't it better to do something special?"

Toura, with her arms crossed, chuckled.

It seemed the junior in front of her wasn't merely proficient in magical formulas.

'New attempts are always important for a wizard. What a real shame.'

A junior who was more wizard-like than anyone else was an all-rounder.

'Talented kids should set their path clearly from the start. I should have a serious discussion with Professor Len.'

Vowing to somehow make him choose the Department of Magic, Toura stood in front of the student council president's office.

Knock knock-

"Come in."

*Swish-*

"Hello, Lise. I brought Leo because he wanted to see you."

"Leo?"

Lise, who had been sitting in his office moving a quill, stood up with a welcoming expression.

"Yes, Leo. What do you need me for?"

"Student Council President."

"When we're in private, you can call me 'hyung' (older brother)."

As Lise said with a faint smile, Leo nodded.

"Then, Lise Hyungnim. I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"I want to enter the Restricted Section."

"I don't know why you want to enter the Restricted Section, but students cannot enter it freely."

Toura said, reaching for a snack on one side of the student council president's office.

"Even the student council president can't enter freely?"

"Unfortunately, it's beyond my authority as well."

Lise smiled, resting his chin on his interlocked hands.

"Of course, it's not like there's absolutely no way for a student to enter."

"What is it?"

"It's to clear a Hero Dungeon."

"A Hero Dungeon?"

"Yes. It's customary for the one who clears a Hero Dungeon and retrieves pages to personally return them to the Hero Records."

"Of course, even then, you can't freely read the books within the Restricted Section. So, give up."

Toura grumbled.

In summary, there was no reason to enter during the first year, and even if one did, it would be difficult to obtain the desired information.

'Then I'll just sneak in.'

It's human nature to do something when told not to.

Lise and Toura, unaware that Leo had reached such a conclusion, looked at him and smiled meaningfully.

"How's your exam preparation? Aren't you nervous since it's your first exam?"

"I'm doing reasonably well."

Leo answered Lise's question calmly.

"Will that be enough? You know that the class representative changes every exam at Lumerne, right?"

"Yes."

"There must be many kids aiming for your position."

Toura said, crunching on a cookie.

Since it was early in the semester, it wasn't yet prominent, but the class representative position at Lumerne offered many advantages.

The class representative literally meant being the best even among Lumerne's elite, where only the best gathered.

Not only did they represent the class at various internal and external events, but the benefits that came with it were also considerable.

They were, quite literally, the face of their cohort.

Crucially, the class representative position was also the closest to that of the next student council president.

"You know your cohort is highly anticipated by Lumerne's higher-ups, right? Can you defend your class representative position against such formidable kids?"

"I'm not particularly interested in the class representative position. But."

Leo grinned.

"I also have no intention of giving up the top spot."

"That's a lot of confidence! I'll be looking forward to it."

Lise smiled with satisfaction.

***

The first class-wide exam after admission was enough to make the students nervous.

However, at the same time, all the first-years were quite looking forward to this exam.

Chelsea, sitting in the stands of the first-year classroom building's parade ground, tapped her leg and spoke.

"Professor Hallind was right. I've changed so much in just a few months."

She twirled her staff in the air and murmured softly.

Runes imbued with magic unfolded in the air, and a spell was instantly completed.

Teide, her classmate, watched her and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"You're always fast."

"Fast casting is my specialty. Of course, it's gotten incredibly fast."

As Hallind had predicted, the first-years' skills rapidly improved.

Even Chelsea, who had received excellent education from a young age as a member of a renowned hero family, had grown remarkably.

To what extent her changed self was now positioned.

The freshmen were feeling a strange sense of confidence and excitement.

"Anyway, I'm worried about Leo Oppa."

As Chelsea spoke, looking at the parade ground, Teide sighed.

"Indeed, there are quite a few guys targeting Leo."

As it was early in the semester, most major classes were based more on theory than practical application.

And in class, it was none other than Leo who shone brightest.

An honor student recognized by all professors.

But even Leo had areas that could be considered weaknesses.

"Lumerne's exams have a high practical component; will he be okay?"

Aura, magic power, spiritual power.

Leo was weak in the fundamental powers of supernatural abilities.

In particular, Leo was taking three major subjects simultaneously.

Normally, this would inevitably lead to an even greater difference compared to students who focused deeply on just one area.

Therefore, quite a few students assessed Leo as being merely proficient in theory but weak in practical application.

"Of course, mid-to-high-ranking kids wouldn't be a match for Leo Oppa, but the top-ranking kids might be tough."

"Perhaps it would be better for him to choose just one major at this point."

While Teide was mumbling.

Professor Ain, who was in the middle of the parade ground, spoke.

"Starting now, the first-year Knight Studies practical exam will begin."

His voice, imbued with aura, echoed throughout the vast parade ground.

Then whistles and applause erupted from all directions.

Although there were still two weeks until the exam period, the practical exam for the Department of Knight Studies began today.

The first-year classroom building's parade ground was filled with students who had gathered to watch the Knight Studies practical exam.

Among them were not only first-years but also upperclassmen.

"Is Karl really planning to do business?"

"Money gathers where crowds gather. That's his philosophy."

As Chelsea spoke in disbelief, Teide chuckled.

True to her words, Karl had gone out to sell snacks.

"Professor Cedzen."

Karl, who had snack stalls floating around him with levitation magic, approached Cedzen, the homeroom professor of Class 1.

"What is it, Karl?"

Professor Cedzen looked at Karl with an indifferent expression.

His reaction was quite unenthusiastic when a student from Hallind, whom he considered a rival, spoke to him.

"How about some popcorn and drinks?"

"Hmph, do you think I would buy that? Go sell it to Hallind, your homeroom teacher, and your classmates."

As Cedzen sneered, Karl made a dejected face.

"I thought Professor Cedzen was someone with leadership and who knew how to boost class morale, so I assumed you'd buy them, but it seems I was mistaken and committed an impropriety."

"Hmph. If you think I'd fall for such an obvious trick, you're greatly mistaken, Karl."

It was just then, as Cedzen put on an expression that meant 'no way'.

"Professor! Are you buying us popcorn?"

"Wow! That looks delicious!"

Students from Class 1 cheered.

At that reaction, Cedzen's ears perked up.

"As expected, Professor, you're someone with leadership who knows how to boost class morale!"

Currently, under Cedzen's guidance, all members of Class 1 had come out to cheer.

At the cheers of his assigned students, Cedzen's mouth curved up to his ears.

"Well, if the students want it, I suppose there's no helping it. Distribute them."

"Yes, sir!"

"With caramel, please."

"Thank you!"

Having finished the transaction, Karl, with a friendly smile, handed popcorn and drinks to the students of Class 1.

To some of the students who had responded favorably just moments ago, he stealthily slipped some dried squid.

"Alright, everyone! Let's cheer elegantly! Class 1, fighting!"

"Class 1, fighting!"

Anyway, the students of Class 1, whose spirits were high, cheered energetically.

Meanwhile, Karl sighed as he watched Chloe, who was sitting alone in a corner, looking at a black grimoire.

"Chloe."

"……."

"Hey, Chloe!"

"Hm?"

Chloe lifted her head.

Karl sighed, looking at his friend whose face was etched with fatigue.

"Take a break while you're at it. You'll collapse. You should know how to enjoy yourself sometimes."

"I don't have time for that."

Chloe said, frowning.

Karl, scratching his head as he looked at Chloe, offered her a fatigue recovery potion from his pocket.

"I didn't bring any money?"

"It's fine. I'm giving it to you because I'm worried about you as a friend."

"Here! Popcorn and drinks!"

"Yes! Yes! Coming right up! Hey, take breaks as you go! Got it?"

After waving, Karl quickly ran off to the senior who had placed an order.

Chloe, smiling slightly at his retreating figure, sipped the potion.

It was then.

"First sparring match. Class 1's Howl Neiph, Class 5's Leo Flobe. Come forward!"

'Leo.'

Chloe looked at Leo and clenched her fist tightly.

'I will never lose.'