Book 1 Chapter 52

【52】51

The day after the exams ended, the students of Class 5 happily chattered and stood up after school.

"Hey! Let's have a party to celebrate the end of our exams! Party!"

"Kal! You know something? I'm all for it!"

Kal and Iliana were planning a celebratory party when.

Creak-!

The classroom door opened, and Harlind entered.

"Everyone, sit down. I'll give you 5 seconds."

"Huff!"

"Hey! Move! Move!"

At Harlind's declaration, the students of Class 5, who were leaving the classroom, scrambled back to their seats in a panic.

Snap-!

Seeing the students instantly seated, Harlind nodded with satisfaction.

"The exam grading results are out."

Tension appeared on the students' faces.

"Ugh! I forgot about that."

Kal clutched his head and slumped onto his desk.

Seeing that, Harlind said,

"The students who received a recommendation for withdrawal from our class are…"

Gulp-

At the ruthless announcement, everyone swallowed hard and focused on Harlind's lips.

"None."

"Oooooooh!"

"Hooray! We're saved!"

"We can last until the first semester with this!"

The students let out cheers.

Students whose grades were borderline shed tears.

Cheers could be heard not only from Class 5 but also from other classes.

"To think you'd scream while I was speaking. You've got some nerve."

At Harlind's words, silence immediately fell.

"Don't get too excited. While there are no students who received a recommendation for withdrawal, there are many who were on the verge. For them, I have personally prepared an after-school remedial class schedule."

Afterward, Harlind called out the names of the students who needed remedial classes.

The faces of those eligible for remedial classes turned pale.

"You don't look happy."

"We are happy."

"I'm tearfully happy! Haha. Hahaha."

"I have one last announcement."

All eyes turned to Sena.

"Tonight, there will be a party to celebrate the end of the midterm exams."

At those words, the atmosphere of Class 5 livened up considerably.

"And at the party, we will decide the schedule for the school trip that will take place in a week."

Class 5 didn't understand those words and looked blank for a moment.

A moment later.

Cheers erupted from various places.

"Ooooh!"

Lumerne has a school trip for each grade once a year.

Sometimes it's by class, and sometimes by department.

This time, Harlind explained, it would be by class.

"Our school has a surprisingly spontaneous side."

"The school trip was scheduled for the first-year department, wasn't it?"

"It was scheduled, but there was no exact date, was there? And now it's suddenly in a week."

As Chelsea shook her head, Nella gave her characteristic languid smile.

"Hmph. Is it finally my turn to step up?"

Kal put his hand on his chin with a smug expression.

"What do you mean, it's your turn to step up?"

"I know a lot of people, you know? I've made enough connections with seniors in the second and third years. I'll go find out what the first-year school trip is all about!"

"Heh heh. Then, please do."

Kal quickly left the classroom.

'A school trip.'

Leo rested his chin and looked out the window.

'Come to think of it, I haven't really looked around since I was reborn.'

The only places Leo had been were the Flov family's territory and the family mansion in the capital of the Delad Kingdom.

And Lumeria Academy and Lumeria City, that was all.

In his past life, at this age, he had been wandering the world, which was a stark contrast.

Feeling a strange anticipation for travel, Leo smiled.

***

"Where should we go for the school trip?"

"Whatever it is, I hope it's a bit healing."

"Still, we can have fun, right?"

That evening.

A party was held in the dormitory auditorium.

It was a party to celebrate the end of the first midterm exams.

Moreover, with a new departmental event announced, the overall atmosphere was lively.

Of course, the mood wasn't entirely good.

This exam was also a farewell party for the students who received recommendations for withdrawal.

"Our school has a surprisingly cruel side."

Kal, dressed in a tuxedo fitting for the party, grumbled.

"I agree."

Tade nodded in agreement.

This party required the attendance of all first-year students.

This meant that students who received recommendations for withdrawal also had to attend.

"It's not quite a dog-eat-dog world, but the atmosphere is one of constant urging to look upwards."

"Well, it's a school that nurtures great heroes, so there's nothing to be done about it."

At Tade's mumbling, Kal sighed and scratched his head.

While the two were talking, students were entering the dormitory auditorium one after another.

Class 5 students also entered one by one and headed for the Class 5 seating area.

Sometimes, male and female students entered together.

When that happened, the students would let out jokes mixed with jeers.

Joining the atmosphere, Kal spotted two female students entering the auditorium and exclaimed in admiration.

"Nella and Iliana."

"Where! Where!"

Other male students in Class 5 nearby also showed intense interest.

"Ooh! As expected of Nella!"

"Iliana may sound gruff normally, but when she dresses up, she's a beauty!"

The male students let out exclamations at the appearance of the two girls representing their class.

Then, seeing other male students from other classes approaching, they quickly moved.

"Hey, hey! The bugs are coming!"

"Go get them!"

The male students of Class 5 rushed over.

"When will the class president arrive?"

"I want to see the class president in a tuxedo quickly!"

"Nella~ Iliana~ Welcome."

The female students also greeted the two with bright smiles.

When the auditorium was somewhat filled, two males and females entered together.

Of course, the atmosphere was different from the previous jeering.

A boy and a girl with light blue hair and eyes.

It was none other than Abad and Chelsea.

Since they entered as siblings, there was no reason to jeer.

Besides, even if they entered separately, the other party was too formidable.

As the Rwalyn siblings appeared, some students from the Rodren Empire approached them.

"Seeing them like this again, they really are from a formidable family."

Kal clicked his tongue.

Lumerne has many students from prestigious hero families.

However, the Rwalyn family possessed an influence that dwarfed ordinary hero families.

"There's another formidable presence there that's not inferior to them."

As soon as Iliana finished speaking, another male and female appeared.

This time, there were no jeers.

Contrasting appearances of black hair and white hair.

It was Leo and Celia.

"It's the class president!"

"As expected, they look cool!"

The female students of Class 5 cheered.

"Normally, they're so dignified, but dressed like this, they're definitely beautiful."

"Celia! You're beautiful!"

From Class 1, cheers erupted from both male and female students.

Celia, who was usually dignified and confident, was popular with everyone, regardless of gender.

With her beautifully adorned in a red dress, the atmosphere was bound to be fervent.

"But why is it the vice president of Class 1!"

"And why is it that guy, the president of Class 5!"

The two classes, who simultaneously uttered the same complaint, glared at each other.

Harlind and Sedgen.

The rivalry between the two professors, who held high reputations at Lumerne, was already famous.

Of course, it was Sedgen's one-sided declaration of rivalry, but thanks to that, Class 5 and Class 1 unintentionally developed a rivalry.

As Celia appeared, the students of the Rodren Empire flocked to her.

As the students of the Rodren Empire gathered, Leo naturally separated himself and came to where Class 5 was.

"Why are you here already? Chelsea is talking over there."

Kal asked with a puzzled look, and Leo shrugged.

"It's not a place for me to be."

"It's not a place for you? Aren't they all from the Western exams?"

Iliana asked, biting on a fork, and Leo chuckled.

"Even if they're from the west, they're all from the Rodren Empire. It's a different country from mine."

"Aha!"

Most of the Western entrance exams were for students from the Rodren Empire.

This was unavoidable, as the Rodren Empire itself was a vast empire encompassing the entire western region.

"Class president! Will you dance with me during the dance time later?"

"You have to dance with me too~"

"You bastard, Leo!"

"You have good grades and you're popular too!"

The female students of Class 5 said to Leo with smiles, and the male students grabbed Leo and shook him violently.

"Heh heh. Everyone is having a lively time."

"Oh! Assistant Professor Sena!"

Assistant Professor Sena approached with a smile while in Class 5.

"I'm so happy that no one in our class received a recommendation for withdrawal. Let's continue to study hard!"

Seeing Sena smiling brightly, the students had a touching expression.

To the students of Class 5, who were always educated by the stern Harlind, Sena was like an oasis in the desert.

As the boisterous atmosphere continued, the lights in the auditorium dimmed.

At the same time, two males and females appeared on the stage.

"Hello, everyone!"

At the appearance of Harlind and Artian, the homeroom teachers of Class 5 and Class 8, known as the terror of the first year, the boisterous party hall fell into silence.

"Why, why are you acting like this? Parties are supposed to be fun, so you don't have to be quiet."

Even at those words, the students couldn't easily speak.

As Artian's face crumpled, Harlind said into the microphone.

"Be happy, when I say so."

"Waaaaaaaah."

"We're so happy."

"Haha."

As if nothing had happened, the students began to chatter.

Seeing the students becoming noisy again, Artian said,

"Please enjoy listening. The grades will be announced now."

'No! You told us to enjoy ourselves!'

'Why are you announcing grades in public!'

"First, we will announce the top three students in each department's major scores. Then, we will announce the year representative."

Professor Artian smiled.

"Also, the overall rankings will be posted in various places around the party venue, so please check."

The assistant professors were seen carrying covered bulletin boards.

Finally, Harlind added,

"And this party is a time to console the students who are leaving. Remember that fact."

The atmosphere in the party hall turned cold.

"Cruel. So cruel. Anyway, this school really knows how to stimulate students."

Kal clicked his tongue.

Announcing the top students while claiming it's a time to console students who received recommendations for withdrawal.

This was a message to the middle-ranked students.

Two messages: work hard and move up, and you could end up like them at any time.

"Then, we will announce the top students by department. First, the Knight Department. The first place in the Knight Department is."

The sound of drums echoed, and the spotlights in the party hall began to move around.

"Celie Zerdinger of Class 1! Congratulations!"

The spotlight poured entirely onto Celie.

"Now, everyone, clap!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap-

Applause erupted.

Celie pushed her hair back and smiled sweetly.

Her confident demeanor was typical of Celie.

"Next, second place is Duran Moira of Class 1!"

The spotlight shone on Duran, who was crossing his arms, but he scowled as if displeased.

"Elegant! So elegant! Celie! Duran! I am proud of you both! The first and second places were decided by a hair's breadth!"

Professor Sedgen under the stage clapped, tears streaming down his face.

"Third place is Chen Xia of Class 10!"

Chen Xia, dressed in a traditional eastern outfit with a broad and elegant atmosphere, stood with her hands in her sleeves and smiled as the spotlight shone on her.

"No! Leo brother didn't make it into the top three!"

"It can't be helped. They're calling them the monster trio in the Knight Department."

Chelsea clenched her fist as if frustrated, and Iliana shook her head.

"Next is the Magic Department. The first place in the Magic Department is… Abad Rwalyn of Class 8! Abad! Congratulations!"

As the assigned student took first place, Artian smiled brightly and waved.

"Isn't that obvious!"

Chelsea snorted and crossed her arms with a triumphant expression.

"Second place is Chelsea Rwalyn of Class 5!"

Then, as the spotlight shone on her, she looked a little flustered.

"Huh? Me?"

"Third place is Emio Ruzan of Class 2. Congratulations."

After the Magic Department announcement, a strange atmosphere permeated the entire party hall.

Everyone's attention was focused on one student.

"Chloe's zero score for the practical exam really hurt her."

Kal muttered bitterly.

"Sob! Chloe! You should have been first! You should have been first…! Sob! Never despair or be discouraged!"

"You're being loud and disturbing the announcement. Take him away."

Seeing Sedgen weeping sorrowfully, Harlind coldly gestured with his chin.

Several assistant professors quickly helped Sedgen and led him away.

The students of Class 1 were also not in a good mood.

As Chloe gave a wry smile, Duran approached with a sneer.

"Chloe Muller. You're a disgrace to the entire class."

"I'm sorry, Duran."

"You beat me and became class president. Therefore, I will not tolerate any further disgrace. If you disappoint me further, I will take away your class president position."

With that said, Duran left.

Kal, watching him, muttered.

"The moment that arrogant guy said that, the acceptance necklace in Chloe's hand…"

In reality, all the students of Class 1, except for Duran, comforted Chloe.

It was a testament to Chloe's popularity as class president.

"Next is the Summoning Department! The first place in the Summoning Department is Wardern Tiden of Class 2!"

The spotlight shone on him, but Wardern's expression remained blank.

"Following that is second place, Eliza Hergin of Class 6! It was also a very close call."

Eliza, sitting on an elegant and fluffy chair that appeared from somewhere, was filing her nails.

However, unlike her usual relaxed expression, she glared at Wardern with a hint of annoyance.

Third place was taken by Jureden Lessen of Class 8.

"I thought Leo would definitely be in the top three in at least one of the three subjects."

Iliana said in surprise, and Leo shrugged.

"It could happen."

"Aren't you too relaxed? If you don't make it into the top three in your departmental subjects, then the year representative is out of the question!"

"Then, next, we will announce the midterm top scorer. The year representative."

At those words, tension filled the air.

As everyone focused their attention on the nine students, Artian opened his mouth.

"First place in the midterm exams! Leo Flov!"

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