Book 1 Chapter 367

After the mission training announcement.

First and second-year students busied themselves preparing for the mission training.

Students from the magic department gathered in the second-year lecture hall to discuss the mission training.

"I thought it was supposed to be some kind of secret mission, but they're openly entering Lumern without hiding their identities as Lumern students."

Kal, sitting cross-legged on a chair, rested his clasped hands behind his head and pouted.

A pen was perched on his upper lip.

"I was thinking more along the lines of covert information gathering."

Jewen nodded in agreement with Kal's grumbling.

"I know, right? That would have been much more fun."

Hearing their conversation, Chloe clicked her tongue.

"The entire first and second year are going to Aleham, there's no way to hide that."

That was true.

No matter how much they tried to hide their identities, it would be impossible to conceal the fact that hundreds of people were entering Aleham through the warp gate at once.

Especially if it was a group of teenagers.

"Besides, revealing that we are Lumern students will help us put pressure on Aleham."

Abad, sitting in front with his legs crossed, said with a smile.

At his words, a small scream erupted from the first-year female students.

As one of the most popular second-year students, Abad's every action drew a maximal reaction from his juniors.

A first-year male student raised his hand and asked,

"Why are we revealing our identities to put pressure on Aleham? Wouldn't it be easier for them to hide their secrets if they were officially investigated?"

"If Aleham truly wants to hide the Hero Dungeon, they wouldn't welcome those digging into their country's secrets."

The first-year students nodded.

"Then wouldn't they want to stop those digging into their secrets, even if it means 'killing' them?"

His face remained smiling, but his words were chilling.

The first-year students shivered.

"Even so, they're Lumern students, would they really go that far?"

The male student who asked the question spoke with a tone of disbelief, and Abad replied.

"That's why I'm saying this. If you go in secretly, you're not officially Lumern students, are you?"

Abad rested his chin on his hand.

"Concealing the existence of a Hero Dungeon is a very serious matter. Depending on which hero's Hero Record it is, the world could be threatened. Especially recently, the threat of Hero Record rampages has become more apparent. Last year and this year. You all know well what happened in Seirun as a result of a Hero Record rampage."

At Abad's words, the first-year students swallowed dryly.

During last year's battle in Ruse.

No one was unaware that a legion commander from a distant past era had crossed over to Seirun through the world of heroes.

In addition, the invasion of the monster queen.

"If it hadn't been for the miraculous appearance of the Hero of Beginning, Kyle, and the Progenitor of Constellations, Luna, we probably wouldn't be here."

At Abad's words, the first-year students wore tense expressions.

"Because of a rampaging Hero Dungeon, the nation's very existence could be at risk, yet they are concealing it."

Abad said calmly.

"Would people like that care that we are Lumern students?"

At Abad's words, the first-year students broke out in a cold sweat.

"If you have the title of Lumern student, they can't touch you carelessly. The moment they do, Lumern will step in directly. The same goes for the student's home country."

Abad narrowed his eyes.

"Whether it's you or us, the professors have determined that most students need to be protected by the name Lumern for now. Keep that in mind."

The first-year students, who had been excited, lowered their heads.

The first-year students going on their first mission training inwardly felt they were representing Lumern through this mission.

Getting too excited and overconfident leads to mistakes.

Abad was setting the mood to instill a sense of urgency in his juniors.

"When you see him like that, Abad is definitely not to be trifled with."

Kal let out a small exclamation of admiration, and Chelsea next to him crossed her arms with a smug expression.

"Of course, he's the next master of Rwalyn. By the way, where's Leo oppa? He said he was preparing for the mission training with the magic department today."

Mission training preparations were being done by department.

Kal replied to Chelsea's question.

"He said he was going to see Professor Tina for a moment?"

***

Whoosh- Whoosh-

"My wings!"

In Tina's professor's office, Kirian was flying around in an excited ∞ shape.

Fiora, in polymorphed form, watched him and said dismissively,

"You're just like a moth."

"Ah! A moth! Fiora-yang! Please scold me too!"

"Elsie said not to play with Ati. She said you'll learn harmful things."

As Fiora drew a line with Ati, Ati covered his face with his arm and clutched his heart with his other hand.

"Ah, harmful. How can you say such harsh words with such a cute appearance?"

The still young Fiora couldn't understand why this Pegasus liked what she said.

The only thing she could understand was that he wasn't right in the head.

'Ati isn't right in the head.'

Fiora rolled her large red eyes and watched Kirian fly around frantically.

'And that fairy is a moth.'

Fiora, with her arms crossed, nodded vigorously.

'Yeah, only I am truly helpful to Leo.'

With her characteristic childish imitation of an adult, Fiora elegantly walked away.

Kirian flew above Fiora and flapped his now two pairs of wings wildly.

Then, sparkling light poured down on the bridge of Fiora's nose.

"Achoo!"

Fiora sneezed.

"Hmph! What is this!"

"Aren't my wings cool?"

To Fiora's honest impression, Kirian flapped his wings even more wildly.

Fiora, annoyed by the distracting scattering light powder, picked up a thin book and tried to catch Kirian like an insect.

"Hahaha! Chick! Do you think such a pathetic attack will work on me, who has regained my wings?"

"Stop right there! You wicked moth!"

Crash!

Tina's laboratory became chaotic.

Just then.

Swish! Snap-!

With a sharp sound cutting through the air, a sharp scalpel flew and embedded itself exactly between Fiora and Kirian.

Tina, who threw the scalpel, said to the two frozen mythical beasts,

"If you keep being noisy, I'll dissect you?"

She said it in her usual languid tone.

But her eyes were filled with madness, so it was quite effective.

The two mythical beasts were terrified and hid behind Ati.

Ati said with a look of disdain,

"Scared of such a threat? Have you no shame? As one of the Three Great Mythical Beasts, you should be ashamed."

Fiora and Kirian retorted, "We don't want to hear that from you!"

Meanwhile, Tina observed Comet with an intrigued expression.

"It's really strange. Comet is reacting to someone other than a member of the Tingel family."

Leo, who had come to retrieve Kirian's wings as a reward for being an exchange student in Seirun, was showing Comet to Tina.

Although it was originally a treasure of the Seirun Academy, since Seirun had directly handed it over to Leo, the ownership clearly belonged to Leo.

"You really seem to be a research subject, Leo-student."

Tina sipped her strong coffee and smiled.

"Would you like to play doctor with this professor?"

Tina, with a somewhat dangerous expression, licked her lips.

"You don't have to be scared. I won't eat you."

"I refuse. Please be patient with the Comet research."

"That's a shame."

Leo's words made Tina lick her lips, but she didn't show much regret.

"The Pure Blood Society has been dealt with, and Seirun seems to be undergoing a transformation. Can't I be appointed as a teacher in Seirun now?"

"That might not be a bad idea. There's a student in Seirun I'd like to dissect."

'……Lunia, perhaps.'

The only student who could pique Tina's curiosity was Lunia, who wielded the flames of the 염제 (Yeomje - Fiery Emperor).

"Well, for now, I want to research the magic power contained in Comet further."

Tina's current interest was researching why Comet, which had only reacted to the Tingel bloodline for thousands of years, was reacting to Leo.

Although she had received recognition from Seirun, who could be considered the owner of Comet, the magical fluctuations of Comet were enough to pique Tina's interest.

Humming a tune while looking at Comet, Tina said,

"Come to think of it, you said you were going to Aleham, right?"

"Yes."

"If you're going to Aleham."

Tina wrote something small on a piece of paper.

"Go to this place in Uarugella."

"Uarugella? Isn't that Aleham's largest oasis city?"

"That's right."

Leo received the paper Tina handed him.

"The City of Merriment."

"It's a bar run by someone who is one of the pillars of Aleham's underworld."

Tina had her characteristic languid expression.

"Showing this will be a great help for this mission training."

"Thank you."

Leo tucked the note into his pocket.

***

The weekday of the following week, after the mission training preparation period ended.

First and second-year students gathered in front of the warp gate.

"Where are you going?"

"I plan to focus on investigating the capital first."

"I'm going around the monster forest. Since it's where mercenaries gather, it should be easy to collect information."

The students seemed to have decided on their respective investigation areas.

They were actively discussing.

Of course, the investigation was not limited to those locations.

Since the entire Aleham was the subject of investigation, they would actively use the warp gate.

In addition, collaboration with other teams was possible.

Basically, this mission training was focused on cooperation rather than competition.

Information exchange was crucial, and it was necessary to understand the movements of the students.

The first-year students listened intently to their mentors with tense expressions.

They thought that next year, they might be the ones mentoring their juniors.

While they were actively discussing before departing.

"Gentlemen! Are the preparations complete!"

Sedgen appeared.

Sedgen, installed in front of the warp gate, spread his arms wide.

"This mission training is not just a simple mission training! It's investigating Aleham on behalf of Lumern! The international situation could change depending on your achievements, and neighboring countries around Aleham could be reassured! So, do not forget the weight of this task and carry out your mission!"

"Yes!"

The students replied with spirit.

"And Aleham itself might be a 'stimulating' country for you all! Please do not lose your way or have your vision clouded by excessive stimulation!"

At Sedgen's words, Kal raised his hand.

"Professor Sedgen! What punishment will be given if we do something unbefitting of a student or use facilities?"

Halind, standing below the stage, answered Kal's question.

"There is no punishment."

The entire student body looked surprised at the unexpected words from Halind, who was stricter than anyone about school rules.

Seeing their surprise, Halind said,

"Before you are students, you are hero candidates. You must be responsible for your actions."

Halind wore his characteristic cold smile.

"There's no harm in gaining various experiences. However, if you get too caught up in it and your lives are ruined, the school has nothing to do with it."

At Halind's words, the students swallowed dryly.

Halind scanned the students and said,

"This mission training period is two weeks."

"What?"

"Two weeks?"

Everyone was surprised at the unexpected mission training period.

"Yes. Since it's a long mission, I will now distribute the necessary expenses. This is also part of the class, so borrowing from your families or using personal funds is prohibited. And be aware that there will be no additional support for the next two weeks."

With that, Halind handed the students money pouches.

Kal's eyes widened as he checked his pouch.

"Wow! What happens to the remaining mission training expenses?"

Seeing the enormous sum of money, Kal asked in surprise.

"You're responsible for the remaining expenses. That's all."

The money given for the mission training was an exorbitant amount that even students from noble families were surprised by.

Once all preparations were complete, Sedgen said,

"Then! I wish you good luck! Gentlemen!"

The first semester's joint mission training for first and second-year students began.