Book 1 Chapter 403

403.

"What? Ar is training with the student council president of Lumern?!"

Borrman, a tiger beastman, exclaimed excitedly.

"He's training alone while letting us all play around?! That's so unfair…!"

Watching Borrman clench his fists in frustration, Rewen, who was grooming his fur while sitting on his tail, said.

"Well, it looked more like he was being tortured than training."

"Tortured? Does that mean he's undergoing such grueling training that it looks like torture? Ar… he's amazing."

Rewen shook his head, watching Borrman interpret things to his own liking.

He couldn't communicate with him.

Meanwhile, Rewen approached the Azonian female students who were gathered together, gazing at the Lumern students.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

"Rewen, Rewen. Look over there."

The wolf beastman girl pointed to Avad and Duran, who were lounging on sunbeds under parasols.

Avad was leisurely reading a grimoire with his usual relaxed expression, and Duran was also reading.

"What is it? Do you suddenly want to fight those two? Unfortunately, you'll have to hold back."

Azonian students fundamentally possess a fighting spirit and a desire to challenge the strong.

Therefore, Rewen assumed his peers were looking at Avad and Duran, who were among the strongest in Lumern's Knight and Magic departments, because they wanted to spar with them.

"No. Not at all."

"We just want to hang out with them."

"They have a different charm than our muscle-brained guys."

At that, Rewen glanced at Avad and Duran.

They were indeed a different type of student than those found in Azonia.

A short while later, several Azonian girls approached and started talking to Avad and Duran.

In addition, many Lumern and Azonian students were mingling and having fun.

Among them were Lumern first-year students who were asking the Azonian students various questions.

'As expected, Lumern students have a strong thirst for knowledge.'

Rewen nodded, then blinked his eyes lazily.

'On the other hand, these fools…'

"Are they doing underwater combat training with those toys?"

"Hmm. It doesn't look like training."

Rewen shook his head, watching the Azonian students mistake the Lumern students playing with toy shovels for combat training.

*POW-!*

At that moment, a geyser of water erupted in the distance.

All eyes turned to the spot.

"Why are you attacking us all of a sudden?!"

"Yeah! And that's cheating!"

Celia and Chelsea, who had been snarling at each other and chasing each other moments before, protested to Eliza, who was relentlessly pursuing them with a special water cannon.

"Shut up. I'm going to drown both of you today!"

Eliza growled low and fired the water cannon wildly at the two.

"Aargh!"

"Dodge!"

"Gurgle gurgle gurgle!"

Those caught in the chase of the three suffered a terrible fate.

Seeing this, Borrman clenched his fists.

"As expected, even Lumern's strong fighters train like it's a real battle when they play!"

Seeing this, Borrman shouted with great excitement.

"I'm joining too!"

Watching Borrman, who was thinking whatever he pleased and chasing after the three, Rewen clicked his tongue.

'This is a mess.'

***

"The second-year students are doing a better job as mentors than I expected."

One of the professors who came to Ellehem to guide the first-year students.

Mel said while organizing the reports submitted by the second-year students.

Halind, the head professor for the first-year students, replied.

"If they couldn't do this much, I wouldn't have made them mentors."

He answered indifferently, as if it were nothing, but his voice carried a trust in the second-year students.

Knowing this, Mel simply smiled.

"Professor Halind, who was the student you paid most attention to when the second-year students were in their first year?"

Mel asked as if it were a passing remark.

Halind gave an unexpected answer to the question.

"Cal Thomas. In both good and bad ways."

Mel's eyes widened at Halind's answer.

"Is it surprising?"

"Yes. I thought it would be Leo."

"In most cases, it would be."

Halind glanced at the documents and replied indifferently.

"However, personally, I have some doubt as to whether Leo Flov should be categorized as a student. No matter how great and talented he is, it's usually impossible to grow like Leo Flov."

Halind narrowed his eyes.

"One of the conclusions I reached after being his homeroom teacher for a year is that he isn't growing, but regaining his strength."

'He's sharp.'

Mel smiled inwardly.

"Still, Cal is surprising. Even in the same class, there's Chelsea, isn't there? For Cal, who is close to failing among the second-year students, called the greatest golden generation, to be the most noteworthy is strange."

"Didn't I tell you? It includes both good and bad meanings."

Halind sighed.

"In a bad way, Cal has clear limitations. He can never stand on the same stage as a hero. Cal himself doesn't think he'll be a hero even in the slightest. In that sense, he's disqualified as a hero candidate."

"That's true."

"However, he survived. While those superior to him were expelled. And in his second year, he even tackled the world of the divine blacksmith."

Halind narrowed his eyes.

"He's certainly a different type of student than the usual Lumern students. There are almost no students who aim to be supporters from the moment they enter Lumern."

"Objectively, I think he's a student who assesses himself very well."

"Yes. Once you enter Lumern, you can't say you have no talent, but compared to the Lumern average, Cal's talent is practically non-existent. Yet, many students rely on Cal Thomas in some form. This time is no exception."

Not only did he support the first-year students, but this time Cal took command against an enemy using unknown dragon magic.

It was the same during the midterms.

"On the battlefield, he supports the others, helping them draw out their power beyond their limits. That's a very special ability."

"Is he a leader?"

"He can't be a leader. But."

Halind's lips curled upward.

"He can be the pillar for leaders."

At Halind's words, Mel recalled Leo's words.

'No matter how great a hero, they can't do anything alone. You know this, but even heroes have difficult and painful times. Cal is the one who will give them strength when they are going through difficult and painful times.'

Recalling Leo's words, Mel nodded and asked.

"Who is the student you are most paying attention to among the first-year students right now?"

"There are two. In both good and bad ways."

"One is naturally Aina Veyd'na, right?"

Halind nodded.

Although they are not comparable to the second-year students, who are considered one of the greatest golden generations in Lumern's history, the current first-year students are also formidable.

It's no exaggeration to call it a bumper crop.

Led by Aina, there's Harvey from the Knight Department.

Jewen from the Magic Department.

And Sasha from the Summoning Department.

It's rare for such a strong group of talents to gather in one year.

It's a solid cohort comparable to the graduating class of last year, including Lis, Torua, Ulta, and Jamua.

Among them, Aina, as the great-granddaughter of the Sword Saint, shows incredible talent and growth speed.

'She's on a different level from her peers.'

Halind narrowed his eyes.

However, there is a major problem.

"Aina's goal is not to be a hero, but revenge."

Sword Saint Calian Veyd'an.

Mel also knew Calian well.

If Mel had challenged the Hero Record of Creation again, he would have recruited him as his top party member. A mighty hero capable of carrying an entire generation.

However, his family life was not happy.

Following Calian, who had fought against Tartarus his entire life, his family members all fought against Tartarus.

Calian's son, great-grandson, and granddaughter-in-law.

All of them were Lumern graduates and lived lives worthy of the name Sword Saint.

But sadly, it was a terrible fate for Calian.

They all died fighting Tartarus.

And Calian himself eventually met his end in a battle against Tartarus.

From Aina's perspective, she lost all her blood relatives to Tartarus.

Of course, in the long history of the struggle against Tartarus, cases like hers were common.

The problem is her talent.

Her overwhelming sword talent, hailed as the reincarnation of the Sword Saint, gave Aina the strength to fight against Tartarus.

And so, she sharpened her blade of revenge.

"From what I can see, her obsession with Leo seems to be related to revenge."

The secret that she needs Leo's recognition to inherit all of the Sword Saint's legacy is something no one knows yet.

Halind said in response to Mel's words.

"With just revenge as her motive, she will soon hit a wall at this school."

"Indeed. Then, who is the other one?"

"Luke Elda."

"Luke, huh? He's certainly a diligent model student. Kind and has a high thirst for knowledge. Although his grades don't reflect that."

Mel smiled.

"Yes. But there's another reason."

Halind knew why Luke wasn't growing.

And he also had a vague idea of Luke's potential.

Mel felt the same way.

'Still, it's truly remarkable that even when everyone else is moving forward, he doesn't lose heart while standing still.'

His mental fortitude is extraordinary.

"Excluding grades, is there anything about Luke that's noteworthy in a bad way?"

"He's a dangerous type of person in many ways."

Halind clicked his tongue.

"He's the type to throw himself to the limit without hesitation for his beliefs. Listening to Chloe, he did something crazy again. Of course, that's the driving force for his growth, and in a way, it's a hero's virtue…"

Halind didn't finish his sentence.

One of the virtues of a hero.

It's something that can easily lead to death.

He was also the type of student Halind disliked the most.

"But no matter what, he will grow significantly. This final exam will be interesting."

Mel nodded at Halind's words.

"Indeed. It will be a good stimulus for Aina."

At Mel's words, Halind's lips curled upward.

"Luke Elda's existence has always been a 'stimulant' for Aina Veyd'na."

'Ever since Leo accepted Luke as a mentor, no. Perhaps it was from the entrance exam.'

"She tries to ignore it, but with this incident, Luke will become an even greater stimulant for Aina."

***

That evening.

A party was held at the dormitory where Lumern students were staying.

It was a celebratory party for successfully completing this mission practice before returning to school.

Azonian students were also invited and joined the party.

A little distance away from the party, Leo stood with his arms crossed, watching the students chatting happily.

"What are you doing alone in a place like this?"

Mel approached Leo and asked.

"Just thinking about the past a little."

Leo replied with a chuckle.

"This is the first time I've seen you reminiscing, Leo-sama."

"It couldn't be helped. I met Lisinas this time."

Mel, who had been busy with professor duties, had never heard this before.

"Lisinas-sama?"

"I met Rodia too."

"What on earth happened?"

To the astonished Mel, Leo recounted what had happened.

"To enter another world of heroes within the world of heroes."

Leo chuckled as he looked at Mel, who had a dazed expression.

Then he looked back at the party.

"Back then, after a big event, we always had a banquet to signify moving on."

"Whose idea was that?"

"Lisinas's idea."

Mel nodded at Leo's words.

Then, his expression turned curious.

"What was it like the day you and Lisinas met?"

"What was it like?"

Leo smiled bitterly as he recalled the past.

"We had a banquet, not a banquet, back then too. It was also a new beginning."

***

After the Great Assault of Tartarus.

At the tavern run by the elf Tila.

Kyle and Lisinas took their seats there.

Lisinas, who had been writing memoirs on the second floor, closed the book and stood up.

Then, he took a deep breath and tidied himself in front of the mirror.

'Now it begins.'

His first companion.

Although a very crooked fellow, he was the beginning of everything.

Leaving the room, Lisinas went downstairs.

The tavern was empty.

Lisinas approached a table with two rough beer mugs on it and sat down, saying.

"Sorry, sorry. I was doing something for a moment."

Kyle merely gave a indifferent expression in response.

"Today is a historic day when we founded the Extermination Squad, so drink to your heart's content. If I could, I'd buy drinks for all the customers. But with you and the person with you, no customers are coming to this tavern."

"Heroes who survive are symbols of misfortune, and fools are shunned for spreading useless hope."

"Not now. But soon, people's views of us will change. This city will change too."

Lisinas raised his glass, speaking words filled with strong resolve.

"Well then, before we have a serious conversation. It's time. Cheers to bless our future and the hope of the world."

Kyle sighed and reluctantly clinked his beer mug, taking a drink.

Even as he did so, Lisinas stared intently at Kyle's face.

Kyle felt uncomfortable looking at the dragon in front of him staring at him so intently.

He found himself absurd for participating in this unbelievable journey, and sighs escaped him at the daunting prospect of what lay ahead.

But what was most burdensome, as always, was Lisinas, who wouldn't take his eyes off him.

"What is it?"

"What's what?"

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

To Kyle's curt question, Lisinas shook his head, taking a sip of his drink.

"Nothing."

Kyle expected the slightly burdensome gaze to lessen with that answer.

However, Lisinas still didn't take his eyes off Kyle.

"Seriously, why are you looking at me like that?"

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Kyle asked again, and Lisinas rested his chin on his hand.

"Just because."

Then, he gave a slight smile, barely visible.

"I like you."