Book 1 Chapter 56

[56]55.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the school trip dawned.

The first-year students were gathered by their respective classes in front of the Lumern Teleport Gate.

"It's quite hot today."

"Going to a cold region in this heat, isn't this technically a summer retreat?"

Today was the start of the summer uniform season, so all students were wearing their summer uniforms.

Even though they had shed their spring and autumn uniforms for summer ones, Nella mumbled while fanning herself due to the unusually hot weather, and Iliana replied cheerfully.

As class 5 was chattering away, Celia approached from class 1.

"Leo. Why is your class going to Elsalvechia? It's the coldest country."

Celia, wearing a white short-sleeved blouse, a red ribbon tie, a uniform in a harmonious blend of red and black plaid, and knee-high socks, was impeccably dressed despite the hot weather.

Lumern was a school that didn't pay much attention to how students decorated their uniforms as long as they met the basic requirements.

Given that they were teenagers who loved to express themselves, students often customized their uniforms to reflect their individuality.

There were male students who adorned their uniforms with numerous gems, or students who modified their uniforms to store weapons.

Some students dressed with meticulous, military-like precision.

There were even students who reformed their uniforms into something resembling a mage's robe.

Because of this, students who wore their uniforms as neatly as Celia were surprisingly rare.

As the scion of a heroic family, Celia's motto was "A neat appearance."

"Your class is going to the warmest place among the available destinations."

"Of course. I despise cold weather."

Celia stated flatly in response to Leo's question.

"Well, it would have been different if we could have gone to Seirun."

As Leo watched Celia laugh merrily, Kal asked,

"By the way, Celia, you seem to be in a great mood?"

"Durran wanted to go to a cold place. So, I had a competition with him over where we would go."

Celia swept her hair back with a smug expression.

"As you can see, I won."

"A showdown between the 1st and 2nd place students of the Knight Department… That's an incredible match! Why didn't I know? What event did you compete in?"

"Rock, paper, scissors."

"……."

"The look on his face when he threw a fist! Hohohoho!"

"Celia, it's not something to be proud of that you decided your class's travel destination with rock, paper, scissors. Can you please be quiet?"

Chloe, looking embarrassed, tried to calm her down.

"If it's a warm place, you'll likely encounter more humans. Be careful."

"On the contrary, I want to meet those kinds of people?"

Leo said, and Celia grinned.

Humans were not allowed to enter elf territories.

Most humans found in elf territories were those who had illegally crossed the border.

In reality, most humans who trespassed into elf territories were bandits.

"We must teach a lesson to those who disgrace the honor of our race by doing evil deeds."

"Monsters and humans are different."

"I know. Do I look like someone who would let their guard down?"

Celia smiled, and Leo shook his head.

"That's not what I mean. Don't underestimate human malice."

Celia's eyes widened.

"I'm saying this because I'm worried about you, big brother."

"Y-You don't need to worry! And why are you calling yourself big brother! I'm the older sister!"

Celia, flustered, put on a sulky expression.

"You be careful too! The Fairy Forest is a monster-infested area!"

Leo nodded at Celia's words and said to Chloe,

"Chloe, you be careful too."

"Yes. See you in ten days, Leo. Kal."

Chloe waved goodbye.

After parting ways with them, Chen Xia came to say hello.

"Young Master Leo, see you in ten days."

"You have a safe trip too."

"Yes."

As they were having a brief chat, the homeroom teachers appeared.

"Leo, Nella. Let's do a headcount."

"Everyone, assemble."

At Halind's command, Leo led class 5.

Since Halind was their homeroom teacher, the students of class 5 quickly formed neat lines on both sides.

"All students have assembled."

"Good."

Standing before class 5, Halind spoke in his characteristic cool voice.

"The school trip is also part of the curriculum. I hope none of you are going with a light heart."

"Yes!"

Watching class 5 respond with disciplined salutes, Halind nodded.

Then, from class 1 onwards, they boarded the warp gate one by one.

"Destination, gate connected to Elsalvechia."

"Magic will be activated in 5 seconds."

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Teleport."

Woosh-!

With a bright flash, their vision changed.

Woosh-!

As their vision shifted, what appeared was a snowstorm.

"Kyaaaah!"

"What is this!"

"It's so cold!"

The students of class 5 shrieked and hastily began to take out and put on their winter coats.

"I thought it would at least be indoors!"

Kal exclaimed in shock.

The teleport gate class 5 had arrived at was outdoors.

"Why are you all making such a fuss?"

Chelsea asked, sniffling, as she looked at Leo, who stood unfazed, facing the snowstorm head-on.

"Oppa Leo, aren't you cold?"

"I am."

"Then why are you standing there as if nothing is wrong?"

"It's embarrassing to make a fuss."

"Wow, so charismatic."

Chelsea marveled.

"I feel it sometimes. Our class president has a truly manly side, despite his incredibly handsome looks."

"That's right! Especially when his eyes sharpen, he looks truly fearsome."

"But isn't that when he looks the most dangerous and coolest?"

The female students whispered amongst themselves.

"Should we have tried to act as stoic as Leo?"

"Even if we did, the answer we'd get would be the same."

"Yeah, they'd say we're just putting on a show."

The male students looked dejected.

"If you're done chattering, form ranks."

At Halind's words, class 5 fell into formation.

Leo also slowly put on his winter coat.

"As announced, we have arrived at Berqia, the capital of Elsalvechia. Now, can anyone tell me about the history of Berqia?"

In response to the impromptu question, a few students raised their hands.

Halind gestured to Chelsea, who was the first to raise her hand.

"Berqia is a city named after Fairy Knight Bersia Ersar, one of the disciples of Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula! And the Ersar family, descendants of Bersia, holds the position of head of the Elsalvechia Council!"

"Well done. I'll give you 5 points."

Chelsea clenched her fist.

"As Chelsea Lewallen explained, Elven nations, unlike ours, are republics without a monarch. And the families that make up that republic are all prestigious families."

As Halind gave a brief lecture, Leo thought.

'That arrogant, pretentious brat is now called by the grand name of Fairy Knight.'

Before the Age of Calamity, elves were ruled by a single king.

Fairy Knights were guardian knights who assisted the elf king from his closest side.

They had since disappeared into history.

And the last Fairy Knight in history was Bersia.

Bersia.

He was one of the great figures who led the elves to prosperity after the great heroes ended the Age of Calamity.

While publicly known only as a disciple of Luna, he was in fact a joint disciple of Luna, Arion, and Kyle.

'He was all sweet and proper with Luna and Arion, but he was always so cocky with me.'

It was then that he recalled the disciple who was far from cute.

Thump-thump-

Footsteps could be heard through the snowstorm.

"I was expecting you, Professor Halind."

And then an elf with light silver hair appeared.

"Who is that gentleman? He's incredibly handsome."

Iliana muttered in a girlish voice, and Tate next to her pretended to gag.

Of course, he then got punched in the side by Iliana and rolled on the ground.

Watching the scene, Leo said,

"Age doesn't matter? He looks at least 70 years old."

Iliana chuckled.

"Oh? Is the class president jealous? How can he possibly look 70 with that face?"

The other students looked as if they agreed.

"Why would I be jealous? And you know elves live long lives and don't age much, right?"

While elves' childhoods are similar to humans', their adolescence and adulthood are very long.

Their overall lifespan is 50 to 100 years longer than the average human lifespan, and even when they age, they tend to maintain a middle-aged appearance.

Therefore, it wasn't strange that the man's age was over 70.

However, it was difficult for humans to guess an elf's age based on their appearance.

"Be respectful! Do you know who this is that you're speaking so carelessly!"

The elves who came with him shouted angrily towards Leo's group.

Upon hearing this, the silver-haired elf smiled faintly.

"Lively students. The students brought by Professor Halind always seemed so disciplined."

"They are still first-years and immature."

"Hahaha. It's good to see lively first-years everywhere. You too, don't be rude to our guests."

"We apologize!"

The elves apologized in unison.

Halind introduced the silver-haired elf to the students.

"This gentleman's name is Rune Ersar, the chairman of the Elsalvechia Council."

"H-Huh!"

"C-Chairman?"

The students of class 5 were startled by the appearance of the highest-ranking person in Elsalvechia.

"Everyone, attention."

At Nella's command, the students quickly stood at attention.

"Greet Chairman Rune."

"Hello, Chairman."

"You are well-mannered children. Welcome. It makes me happy to see aspiring heroes like yourselves. So, do you have any questions?"

Seeing Rune laughing heartily, Iliana hesitantly raised her hand.

"Yes. Student there."

"Um… are you… by any chance… how old are you…?"

"I am 97 years old this year."

Screeeech!

"That face is 97? You've taken good care of yourself."

Leo exclaimed.

However, Iliana was in a daze, shocked by the cultural difference.

Just then, Halind's cold gaze fell upon her.

Leo nudged Iliana's foot with his toe, and she snapped back to attention, quickly assuming a proper posture.

Rune, who had been smiling at the sight, said,

"I will guide you to your accommodations starting today. Everyone, follow me."

Rune led the way.

After walking for a short while, the snowstorm subsided, and the city landscape came into view.

The students of class 5 gasped in admiration.

Passing elf pedestrians also looked at class 5 with curiosity.

"Professor Halind, what is the schedule for the first day?"

"We plan to give them free time."

"What? Free time? You?"

Rune exclaimed in surprise.

"It seems you're giving your dear first-year students a little leeway."

Rune said with understanding, and Halind shook his head.

"Not exactly. It's just that this student planned the schedule."

Halind glanced back at Leo.

Following Halind's gaze, Rune looked at Leo and appeared puzzled.

"Hmm. Indeed. You always respected your students' wishes. It's fortunate for the other students that this student planned the schedule."

"Perhaps."

Halind wore a peculiar expression.

"Perhaps it would have been happier if I had planned the schedule myself."

Halind shook his head as he looked at the schedule Leo had prepared over the past week.

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