Book 1 Chapter 372

The middle-aged man, his hair streaked with gray, seated on the throne, spoke in a subdued voice.

"So, students from Lumern have entered the country after all?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"How utterly disrespectful!"

*Bang-!*

Vihir III, the King of Elehem, slammed his hand roughly on the armrest of his throne and shouted.

"On what grounds do they dare to suspect me and conduct an investigation on my land without permission!"

Witnessing Vihir III’s raging fury, his subordinates dared not meet his gaze and bowed their heads.

Everyone swallowed dryly.

Elehem.

A country with the stigma of being the poorest nation, where all sorts of acts illegal elsewhere were legal.

It was pointed out as a living hell where countless citizens were abandoned and starved to death, and because of that, the king was looked down upon by other nations.

However, in Elehem, he was a ruler with absolute authority.

The wealth and power he gained by pushing the entire nation into misery.

And the nobles who were drawn to that wealth and power.

In Elehem, the king's word was law and truth.

However, the power of the King of Elehem did not extend to Lumern.

Unlike the King of Elehem, who was not even properly recognized as a state by other countries, Lumern was a supra-national organization.

It was a place that nurtured candidates for heroes who would lead the world, and its students were called the future of each nation.

Talented students from countless countries gathered there.

Among them were many children of families who possessed the power to erase Elehem from the map.

Vihir III felt immense irritation just from the fact that hundreds of people, whose power he could not control, were in his land.

One of the nobles, cautiously observing the king, spoke.

"Today, Lumern students visited the royal palace to speak with the royal mages…"

*Crash! Clatter!*

"Gah! Those utterly disrespectful brats not only set foot on my land without permission, but now they've invaded my castle with their dirty feet!"

Throwing the golden goblet filled with wine, Vihir III unleashed even greater anger.

"What are you people doing! Nobles of this country! My subordinates, letting those insolent, milk-drinking brats run wild!"

At Vihir III's outburst, the nobles merely lowered their heads.

Even if they wanted to stop them, they couldn't.

The reason Lumern dispatched students this time was purely for 'Hero Dungeon Exploration'.

Hero Records belonged to the Hero Academies.

And the neglect of Hero Dungeons was an act that could threaten the world and endanger world peace.

Hero Academies never used the recovered Hero Dungeons for private purposes.

Therefore, no country had the right to prevent Lumern from exploring Hero Dungeons.

This was not some unspoken rule.

3,000 years ago.

It was the 'Law of the World' stipulated by Rodia, known as the Dragon of Creation, after gathering all the heroes and kings of the world.

However, there was no noble present who could voice this fact.

To do so would be to risk having their heads cut off.

It was at this moment, as all the nobles were watching each other warily, that…

"Please calm down, Your Majesty."

"Ahem! Duke Evern."

Vihir III's anger subsided at the words of the young man who entered the conference room.

At his appearance, the nobles' faces lit up with joy.

Deleon Evern.

A man who settled in Elehem five years ago and quickly rose to the position of Vihir III's closest confidant.

And Deleon was the only one Vihir III truly respected amongst his arrogant demeanor.

Deleon was a graduate of Lumern ten years ago.

Elehem, which had not produced a single enrollee, let alone a graduate, for hundreds of years, had managed to nurture such a talent as a Lumern graduate.

Deleon's existence was not publicly known.

However, everyone gathered here knew that he was deeply involved in Elehem's state affairs.

The appearance of the one person who could calm Vihir III was welcomed by the nobles.

"I am well aware of Lumern's disrespect, as I am a Lumern graduate."

Deleon shook his head as if disgusted and continued.

"However, there is no way to stop Lumern. They are people who consider themselves the law."

Vihir III's clenched fist trembled at Deleon's words.

"But do not worry, Your Majesty."

Deleon bowed respectfully.

"They are merely freshmen and sophomores. They will never reach Your Majesty's treasure."

At those words, Vihir III's face softened.

It was none other than Deleon who was leading the efforts to uncover the Hero Dungeon Elehem was hiding.

Even if hundreds of people came to Elehem for investigation, they were at most first and second-year students.

And the one who hid the Hero Dungeon was a graduate of Lumern.

The gap in skill was evident to anyone who looked.

"However, among Lumern's second-year students, isn't there the student council president, Leo Flove?"

An uncomfortable expression reappeared on Vihir III's face.

"Leo Flove. I've heard he's a monstrous junior."

Deleon smiled faintly.

"But he's only a second-year student with insufficient experience. No matter how great he is."

"Hmm. Deleon, I'll trust only you."

Seeing Vihir III’s face relax with relief, Deleon smiled faintly.

"I will help Elehem regain its past glory."

***

Leaving the pleasure district, Leo headed straight for his lodgings.

Laruel, hiding her identity as a Great Spirit of Light, had been operating as the owner of the Pleasure Castle, a pillar of the underworld in this country.

'I haven't taken an interest in Hero Dungeons. However, I do know that this country has shown suspicious movements for at least the past five years.'

As the owner of the Pleasure Castle, she couldn't ignore the naturally overheard conversations.

And so, Leo arrived at the Main Street.

"Leo-oppa. Where did you get lodging, Leo-oppa? I haven't found a place yet."

Chelsi asked with sparkling eyes.

Seeing Chelsi, Iliana exclaimed, "Ah!"

"Chelsi! You're trying to get by with the assignment by forming a party with the class representative, aren't you?! Don't jump ahead! I'm going to form a party with the class representative!"

"Am I you?"

"You were thinking of such a trick?"

Iliana's outcry left Chelsi looking dumbfounded, and Chloe opened her eyes drowsily.

Iliana gasped and covered her mouth.

"The students of Class 5 have a very strong dependence on Leo."

Chloe said with a faint smile, crossing her arms.

"Our Class 1 doesn't."

Class 1 and Class 5, rivals since their first year, often competed.

As Sedjen, the homeroom teacher of Class 1, preached about defeating Halind, Class 1 naturally didn't want to lose to Class 5.

Class 5 initially accepted it, but eventually, a rivalry developed.

The influence of Celia in Class 1 also played a significant role, urging Chelsi and her friends not to lose.

Even now, with competition between dormitories, a subtle sense of rivalry remained between those from Class 1 and Class 5.

At Chloe's words, Chelsi scoffed.

"Don't compare me to that idiot."

"That's right. We're not all like Iliana."

"Hey! Cal! You shouldn't say that! Aren't you also trying to piggyback on the class representative by forming a party?"

Iliana retorted at Cal's words.

But this time, Cal was confident.

"Oh, no, no. Do you think I would do such a cowardly thing?"

He shook his head with a proud expression.

"What's the most important thing in this mission practice? It's information gathering, right? That's my specialty."

Cal rested his chin on his finger and smiled.

"I received many requests for cooperation during the mission practice. So, I've already formed a party with Chloe, unlike some people."

"Grrr!"

Iliana glared with frustration at the irrefutable words.

"Then, since we're all gathered here, how about sharing information?"

"Did you get information from the pleasure district?"

"Yes. It will be very useful."

"Great, then let's gather at Leo's lodging and have a meeting."

At Cal's words, Chelsi said.

"I'll guide you to Leo-oppa's lodging with a familiar. Everyone, bring your mentees."

Chelsi used magic to give familiars to Cal and Chloe.

As they were about to disperse.

"Hehehehe, Miss Chelsi."

Iliana rubbed her hands together and stood before Chelsi.

"You didn't give me a familiar, though."

Seeing Iliana's fawning smile and cute grin, Chelsi said.

"You're useless."

"We were in the same Class 5. Can't you show a little consideration for your best friend?"

"No."

"Class Representative! The kids are ostracizing me!"

At Chelsi's cold attitude, Iliana grabbed Leo and complained.

Chelsi, sighing at the sight, handed Iliana a familiar as well.

***

"Leo-senpai! Welcome! Chelsi-senpai, you're here too."

Luke, who was waiting at the lodging, greeted Leo and Chelsi warmly.

Seeing Luke, Chelsi's expression turned sour.

"You got lodging in a place like this?"

At Chelsi's reaction, Luke's expression turned serious.

"Is it too extravagant for each room to have a private shower?"

Luke had booked a clean and comfortable hotel.

And that was the extent of its advantages.

In a street filled with all sorts of luxurious accommodations, this lodging seemed almost embarrassingly shabby.

However, for Luke, who came from the countryside, this was already excessive luxury.

"Here, drinks are free as a service!"

Luke poured and handed them drinks.

As Chelsi looked at Luke with a slightly pitying gaze.

"Luke, wait in the lounge, and when Chloe, Cal, and Iliana arrive, come to my room together. Chelsi, you too, after you wash up."

"Okay."

"Yes."

With that, Leo went up to his room.

Entering the bathroom and showering, he said.

"Laruel, what do you mean this country has been showing suspicious movements for the past five years?"

-Exactly as it sounds. The royal palace has been secretly investigating a specific area.

"Where?"

-Underground here in Uargella, and the Monster Forest. The Hero Dungeon is likely in the Monster Forest.

*Swoosh-!*

At Laruel's words, Leo, while washing his hair, asked with a puzzled look.

"How can you be sure the Hero Dungeon is in the Monster Forest?"

-Because I know what's in the underground of Uargella.

"What is there?"

-Rodia's treasure trove exists.

At those words, Leo paused.

Leo, emerging from the shower, dried himself with a towel, put on his bottoms, and donned a bathrobe.

"Rodia's treasure trove?"

-Yes. It's a treasure trove left by Rodia for the one who will become my sworn ally.

"Hmm."

As Leo stroked his chin.

*Knock-knock-*

"Leo-oppa, I'm here."

Chelsi's voice was heard.

"Come in."

*Creeaak-!*

"Leo-oppa, I don't really like this hotel bathroom. The hot water isn't working, so I magically bothered…"

Chelsi, grumbling as she entered the room and closed the door, stopped.

The room was dim, with faint moonlight filtering in.

Leo, with the moonlight behind him, was shaking his hair dry with a towel.

His firm muscles were visible through the bathrobe.

Although he looked like a delicate beauty, Leo's body, honed by combat and training, had a masculine charm.

"He's definitely different from my brother."

Chelsi exclaimed in admiration.

As siblings, Chelsi often saw Abad in his relaxed state, unseen by others.

The aura Leo exuded was distinctly different from Abad's.

"Ho, ho," Chloe exclaimed, admiring Chelsi. Leo chuckled.

"What's so surprising?"

"No, we always study magic together, so I forget, but when I see you like this, I feel like Leo-oppa has undergone rigorous training as a knight."

Chelsi approached Leo and said.

"Can I touch your muscles?"

Leo let out a hollow laugh at the purely curious question, but nodded.

*Poke, poke-*

"Wow, they're firm and elastic. So this is what a man feels like."

As Chelsi marveled, touching Leo's arm all over, her gaze shifted to Leo's chest.

For some reason, she felt an intense desire to touch it.

'He said I could touch his muscles, so it should be okay to touch them a little, right?'

Swallowing dryly, Chelsi placed her hand on Leo's chest muscles.

Chelsi, marveling at the different sensation from his arm, suddenly thought that this situation might be quite embarrassing if someone else saw it.

'If I make a fuss, it'll just make things awkward.'

As Chelsi was about to remove her hand from Leo, trying to hide her blushing face and act natural.

"Leo! I'm here!"

*Creeaak-!*

Cal, who suddenly opened the door and entered, froze at the sight in the room.

The atmosphere in the room was strange.

A friend with wet hair wearing a bathrobe.

And another friend touching that friend's arms and chest.

Cal bowed his head at the sight that surpassed his imagination.

"Sorry for intruding."

*Creek-!*

As Cal was about to close the door.

*Whoosh-!*

A gust of wind swept through.

Cal, who was about to leave, was forcibly pulled back into the room by Chelsi's magic.

"It's not like that."

"I'm sorry. I didn't see anything. Please continue what you were doing…"

"It's not like that. I was just curious and wanted to touch."

Chelsi, maintaining her composure, explained the situation to clear up the misunderstanding.

"You don't have to make excuses. I'll keep it a secret. I'll die before I tell anyone that we were in a dark room together."

"That's why you misunderstood."

"What misunderstanding? I saw with my own eyes you touching Leo's wet body. I'm starting to feel a bit hurt. We're best friends, aren't we? You don't have to keep secrets from me."

"Do you think it's the first time Leo-oppa and I have seen each other sweaty?

"Gasp! When did you two…?"

"I'm talking about training! Don't think dirty thoughts!"

Chelsi, who had been trying hard to remain calm, finally exploded.

"Kids these days are precocious."

Leo muttered as he finished drying his hair, and Elsi sighed.

-Leo is too defenseless.