Book 1 Chapter 45

【45】44

The next day, Leo arrived at the grand parade ground where the final exam was to be held and easily spotted Chloe.

As always, five students were gathered around Chloe, who had a magic book tucked under her arm.

"Chloe! Your unique magic! Can you explain it to us in detail?"

"Yes! Yes! So we can refer to it for our magic!"

"Please, Chloe. You've always looked out for us, haven't you?"

"What are friends for?"

They were asking Chloe, their eyes shining and urging her on.

'Are those the kids who hang out with Chloe?'

"Are you asking this after understanding all the magic formulas I taught you last time?"

"Of course!"

"You taught us well, didn't you?"

The female students smiled brightly.

But Chloe's reaction was cold.

"If you understand so well, why are your written exam scores for the magic department so terrible?"

"What?"

"Do you think I wouldn't know you approached me to use me?"

"Wha- what!"

"No! We just wanted to study with you…!"

"You just copied your homework. You expect to understand the magic formulas I created with exam scores like that? You're dreaming."

"What did you say?"

"Are you done talking?"

"Even so, that's too harsh!"

The group bristled, but Chloe merely scoffed without batting an eyelid.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation."

"Gah? Leo?"

"Oh, did you… hear our conversation?"

They secretly glanced at Leo.

It was true that they had copied Chloe's homework.

It would be a big problem if Leo were to subtly mention this to Professor Len.

Moreover, they had been secretly badmouthing Leo behind his back, so they felt guilty.

"I want to talk to Chloe for a moment."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Yeah! Do it here! Chloe is our friend!"

They spoke assertively.

Seeing this, Chloe let out a cold laugh.

"Friends, my foot."

"What?"

"Instead of forming cliques using me, study more. You struggle just to properly finish one assignment. If I were you, I'd be too embarrassed to call myself a Lumern Magic Department student."

Leo furrowed his brows and looked at Chloe.

It was a tone utterly unlike Chloe.

"Ha! Fine! You smart overachievers can have your little chat!"

"We hung out with her because we felt sorry for her being alone!"

"Always pretending to be the only one working hard! I've disliked her since I first saw her."

"You country bumpkins can stick together!"

Chloe snorted as she watched them walk away, booing.

"That's not like you."

"What isn't?"

"You're always kind to the people around you."

"I've decided to change from now on. I won't do foolish things like sticking my nose into others' business and helping them."

Chloe said coldly, crossing her arms.

"Celia told me. She said she came to see me last night because she had something to talk about? Is it about my magic?"

"Yes, I had something to ask."

"That works out well. I also had something I wanted to ask you."

Chloe smiled brightly.

"If you compare your unique magic formula system with my unique magic, who do you think is superior?"

"My Bible is magic that allows me to use all existing magic. In terms of sheer power, yours is more incredible."

"I knew you'd think so!"

Chloe beamed.

"It seems my hard work to surpass you has paid off. If I can't be the best in magic theory, then I'm utterly useless, aren't I?"

"Utterly useless? What kind of talk is that?"

"Yes. With this, the Müller family will no longer be looked down upon in the magic tower. And I won't be disrespected because of my family…"

"Chloe? Is something wrong?"

Chloe was slightly flustered at the sight of Leo's hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, it's nothing. Anyway, what are you curious about regarding my magic?"

Slightly flustered, Chloe removed Leo's hand from her shoulder.

"Your magic… did you really create it?"

"Huh?"

"Were you influenced by something, or not?"

"Why are you asking that? Are you perhaps jealous that my magic is more incredible?"

"What?"

"I thought you weren't that kind of person; I'm disappointed. I surpassed you in this practical exam. Admit it."

'Something's definitely off.'

It was true that Chloe was highly competitive and proud of her magic.

However, she was absolutely not the type to excessively praise herself or disparage others to shame them.

In Leo's bewildered eyes, he saw the black magic book Chloe was holding.

'Since when? Had Chloe been carrying only that magic book?'

Chloe was an honor student who read magic books anywhere and everywhere.

Once she finished a magic book, she would always carry a new one.

But she had been carrying that particular magic book for a very long time.

"Chloe, where did you get that magic book?"

"I bought it in Lumeria City."

"Could I possibly take a look?"

"Don't touch my magic book!"

"Calm down, why are you reacting so sharply?"

"You've been acting strangely!"

Chloe glared at Leo with all her might, gritting her teeth.

"If you're done, I'm leaving!"

Chloe turned sharply—! And left.

Thump—!

"Oops?"

Then she bumped into Chelsea, who was approaching.

"Watch out."

"You watch out! Do you think everyone has to pay attention to you just because you were born into a good family?!"

"What?"

Chelsea was flustered, watching Chloe emotionally lash out.

"What happened with Chloe Müller? She wasn't like that, was she?"

Leo's expression turned serious at Chelsea's question.

"It's nothing. Anyway, what's up?"

"Professor Harland wants everyone to gather."

At that, Leo headed towards where Class 5 was assembled.

As he did, he glanced in the direction Chloe had gone.

'There's something about that magic book. Is it some kind of curse?'

As Leo went with Chelsea to Class 5, he squinted his eyes, looking towards Class 1.

Upon arriving at Class 5's gathering spot, Harland spoke.

"Now that everyone is gathered, I will explain the rules of the exam."

Harland spoke with an expressionless face.

"As previously announced, the joint exam for Hero Studies and Combat Studies is to clear a Hero's World. The world to be cleared is [The Chedmothers Incident]."

Tension rose on the students' faces.

The Chedmothers Incident.

It was a major incident that happened in Lumern 30 years ago.

It was an incident where first-year students on a mission in the Central Chedmothers Forest were attacked by Tartaros.

At the time, Professor Albi, the 'Magician of the Evil Eye,' who was a second-year student, was dispatched as a rescue team and narrowly prevented total annihilation.

"The objectives are to rescue the injured, subdue the magical beasts, and assist Professor Albi. Team formations will not be by class but will be randomly mixed between different classes. Since you never know who you'll be teamed with, this also serves as an assessment of your adaptability."

Professor Harland's face darkened.

"This exam is not just a simple midterm assignment. It also contains the meaning of fostering vigilance, so do not forget that meaning."

"Yes."

"And through this exam, anyone judged to have no potential will immediately receive a recommendation for withdrawal. So be prepared."

The atmosphere became somber at Harland's words.

In that frozen atmosphere, Harland opened his mouth.

"Believe in yourselves. You have grown enough."

"…!"

"…!"

Harland curled the corners of his lips slightly.

At first glance, it looked like a cold sneer.

But all of Class 5, who had never seen Harland smile before, were shocked.

'Did he just encourage us?'

'Professor Harland?'

'No, but was it actually encouragement in the first place?'

While they were looking at their homeroom teacher with eyes filled with distrust in various ways, Kyle clenched his fist.

"Yes! Guys! We worked hard! We can't be forced to withdraw like this!"

"Kyle Thomas. While I'm not sure about the others, you are truly in danger. If you alone receive a recommendation and stain the name of the class, I will not stand for it."

"Ugh!"

Kyle clutched his chest and collapsed.

At his sight, the Class 5 students burst into laughter.

In the midst of this, Harland pulled a watch from his pocket.

"Time's up, Sera, begin the team assignments."

"Yes, Professor."

Sera held a box in her arms.

"Everyone, there are marbles here. Please each pick one."

Tension rose on the students' faces.

One by one, in order, they put their hands into the box and drew their teams.

Leo checked his marble.

'Team 11.'

"I'm in Team 1."

Chelsea murmured, looking down at her marble.

"The exam will now begin. Team 1, please come forward."

"Chelsea Llewellyn in Team 1, this will be worth watching."

"Huh? Celia Zerdinger is also in Team 1?"

Team 1 included Celia and Chelsea.

In terms of strength, they were undoubtedly top-tier.

Once the Team 1 students were ready, the Hero's World opened.

Albi opened the Hero Record.

A video magic appeared in the air, allowing them to see inside the Hero's World, just like during the entrance exam.

As the team included Celia and Chelsea, the top two students in the first year, Team 1 cleared the Hero's World at a remarkably fast pace.

"They usually snarl at each other, but they work well together."

"They're from the same empire, so how could they not have good synergy?"

Leo chuckled and said.

"Haa. They'll definitely be in the top ranks. The speed of clearing is important too."

As it was a mission involving hostage rescue, speed also affected the score.

Behind Albi, who was seated in the exam supervisor's seat checking the Hero Record, a laugh was heard.

"The first team completed the mission with 100% completion rate. They truly are the promising students of the first year."

The sudden appearance of the Headmaster startled the professors in the supervisor's seats, and they stood up.

"Headmaster! You've arrived!"

"What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to see how much the first-year students have grown."

Kallian smiled and sat down next to Albi.

"My apologies, Professor Albi. Every year, we force you to relive unpleasant memories."

"Not at all. I am grateful for it. I vowed never to forget this incident."

Kallian gave a bitter smile in response.

Meanwhile, the exam continued.

"Kyaaa! Duran! You're so cool!"

"Look at that! He's incredibly fast!"

First-year female students screamed as Duran, belonging to Team 3, exuded lightning aura and performed spectacularly.

Watching him, Kyle grumbled.

"Handsome, skilled, and a royal, too. The world is unfair."

"But his personality is terrible."

"If his personality was good too, it'd be a scam."

Kyle nodded at Chelsea's remark.

The professors also carefully evaluated the students.

"Nella of Class 5 is certainly special. It would be good to support her in relation to healing aura."

As Nella of Team 4 used her aura to heal the injured, exclamations flowed among the professors.

Nella's aura specialty clearly shone in such a mission.

Iliana of Team 8 also received good evaluations.

As a magic swordsman, she was mediocre in the Knight Studies and Magic Studies exams, but in this exam, where she could use both abilities simultaneously, she showed her prowess as a top-tier practitioner.

"Team 11, step forward."

When it was their turn, Leo stepped forward.

Leo paused as he confirmed his teammates.

Chloe was also included in Team 11.

Their eyes met, and Chloe was flustered.

"Nice to work with you, Chloe."

When Leo said with a smile, Chloe hesitated and then spoke.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I think I was just overly sensitive."

Chloe fiddled with the black magic book.

"It's alright. It happens."

Leo chuckled.

"If you're ready, I will activate the Hero's World."

Albi said, holding up the old book, the Hero Record.

Suddenly, Albi's gaze met Leo's and then fell.

[Hero Record Open.]

The first-year students made tense expressions at the message that appeared before their eyes.

[Albi's World. Chapter: Prologue - The Chedmothers Incident]

'Wait. Something's wrong.'

Whoosh—!

Light burst forth, obscuring their vision.

When his vision returned, Leo surveyed his surroundings.

Before his eyes was a dense forest.

Leo, left alone with only one other person, looked around.

Something felt strange.

It was distinctly different from the previous teams.

Originally, a team of 10 members would tackle the Hero's World.

But only two people had entered the Hero's World: Leo and Chloe.

They looked at each other's faces, wearing bewildered expressions.

"What happened?"

"I, I don't know."

***

"What?"

"Professor, why aren't they going in?"

The Team 11 members asked with bewildered faces.

"What's going on?"

"Only students Chloe and Leo have entered the Hero's World?"

"The video transmission inside the Hero's World has cut out?"

"Professor Albi, what's happening!"

The professors, realizing the unusual situation, urgently questioned Albi.

Albi, with a grim face, spoke to Kallian.

"Headmaster, I think the exam needs to be stopped."

"What do you mean?"

Albi showed Kallian his Hero Record.

The page of the Chedmothers Incident slowly began to turn black.

It was exactly like a phenomenon Kallian knew all too well.

'Could it be… a Hero Dungeon transformation?'