Book 1 Chapter 593
593.
“No sooner had Professor Hallind requested special consideration than, coincidentally, Karl Thomas, a second-year student in the Department of Magic, was named to the Hero Record.”
Altech Zerron, the chairman of Lumern, reviewed the documents submitted by Hallind with an expressionless face.
Known as the Infinity Speller, he was one of the ten most powerful wizard heroes currently active.
Although he was the chairman of Lumern, he usually operated in the border area with Tartarus.
The area he was responsible for saw a decrease in demon activity.
He was, quite literally, a hero whose name alone exerted a powerful deterrent.
Conversely, it also meant that if he were to be absent for a long time, the region could become a target for concentrated attacks from Tartarus.
Indeed, the area he oversaw was one of the most strategically important battlegrounds in the conflict with Tartarus.
For this reason, he usually left the position of acting chairman to his daughter and was often absent.
Given that Elana, as well as Albi, the Wizard of the Demon Eye, served as a professor at Lumern, and Zerron's capable personnel led the board of directors,
His appearance at Lumern was extremely rare.
Altech's reason for coming to Lumern this time was singular.
It was because of the Calamity's Flame that had appeared in Lumern.
No matter how important the front lines were, with Erebus's Flame, which could be called a world calamity, appearing in the rear, he couldn't simply remain at the front.
Even if it was eventually contained without significant damage, the chairman needed to return to Lumern to properly handle the aftermath.
It was amidst this situation that he heard Karl's story.
‘Professor Hallind’s report is certainly intriguing.’
A student who, based on talent, should have reached their limit in the first semester of the first year, endured until the second semester of the second year.
This alone was quite exceptional.
‘His quick thinking is good.’
Lumern's academic schedule is structured to select only talented students.
Just as there are things in the world that cannot be overcome by effort alone, if one lacks the talent required by Lumern, they are naturally eliminated from the competition.
‘Even if he survived the first semester of the second year thanks to the mentor system…’
It was also fortunate that Juen, whom Karl took as a mentee, was the top student in the first-year magic department.
‘Luck can also be considered a skill, but in this case, it’s a bit different. The growth of the student named Juen was remarkable.’
Among this year’s first-year students, the most dazzling growth rate was shown by Luke, the current first-year representative.
However, in Luke's case, he started from scratch.
Of course, even so, going from the bottom of his class to the top is astonishing.
‘But if one has overwhelming talent, the time to cultivate that talent, and an assistant to accelerate their growth, it’s not impossible.’
Rather, starting from zero might have provided a faster foundation for growth.
With a good mentor, one learns only what is necessary for growth, avoiding unnecessary things.
However, it is difficult for someone who already possesses excellent skills to achieve rapid growth.
‘Even at admission, he was considered a step below Aina and Baidan.’
But by the end of the first semester, he showed skill comparable to Aina.
If it hadn't been for the compatibility between a knight and a wizard, who knows what would have happened.
His growth rate was even more remarkable than Habiden from the Knight Department and Sasha from the Summoning Department, who were also rated as having comparable skill to her.
Considering that Habiden and Sasha's growth rates couldn't be called lacking.
‘Rather, it can be said that the student Juen, who chose the mentor, had excellent discernment.’
Karl was faithful to his role.
Afterward, he passed the midterm exam and reached this point.
Just based on becoming a hero, Altech wanted to rate Karl highly.
“A supporter.”
He was a type of student Lumern had never seen before.
He barely passed the written exam.
But he would 100% fail the practical exam.
Then he would fail the promotion exam.
It was very disappointing.
He wanted to see how he could grow within Lumern.
But special consideration was a different matter.
Even if he was an interesting student.
Even if it was a request from Hallind, who had served Lumern for a long time, it was impossible to keep a student with inadequate grades in Lumern.
That alone would be discrimination against other students.
‘But if he has put his name on the Hero Record, the story is different.’
In Lumern's history, it was extremely rare for a student to become a hero while still enrolled.
‘Furthermore, the only one who became a hero in their second year was Leo Flobe.’
And Leo was a monster beyond compare.
‘No, Karl Thomas is also not a typical hero.’
He wasn’t a monster like Leo.
But he followed a different path from the countless heroes who had their names recorded in the Hero Record and became heroes.
“I think it wouldn’t be strange to grant special consideration if he has attained the position of a hero. What do the board members think?”
“That’s impossible.”
“That’s right. No matter if he became a hero, special consideration cannot be given.”
Several members of the board cast dissenting votes.
Altech watched them, then looked at his younger brother.
“Albi, what do you think?”
“Karl Thomas is certainly a unique student. I personally highly rate his potential.”
As a professor in Lumern’s Department of Magic, he didn’t have assigned classes, but that didn’t mean he didn’t observe the students.
In special classes related to magic combat, Albi observed all students in Lumern’s magic department.
As he was known as the Wizard of the Demon Eye, he certainly paid close attention to the students’ talents.
“However, I believe that according to principle, special consideration is out of the question.”
“Hmm.”
“However.”
“However?”
Albi held up a report and said.
“Lumern is a hero academy. This school’s ultimate goal is to make students into heroes, and for thousands of years, it has continuously reformed its curriculum to achieve that.”
“That’s right.”
“In such a situation, a new type of hero has been born. A hero who breaks the existing mold. The meaning of this is simple: new possibilities have opened up.”
Albi looked at the board of directors.
“In a sense, it wouldn't be strange to say that Karl Thomas has already met the graduation requirements. It would be funny for a student who has already become a hero to learn something at a school designed to make heroes.”
“Ahem.”
“Ehm.”
Several directors showed discomfort.
They were fundamentalists.
Those who had set the framework for heroes.
For that reason, they could not accept a type of hero like Karl Thomas.
“The world is changing. If we don’t move quickly to adapt, we will only be left behind.”
“What does that mean?”
“Lumern needs to know what qualities Karl Thomas was recognized for to achieve the position of a hero. The fact that the gods recognized him means that an era requiring heroes like Karl Thomas is coming. If we expel Karl Thomas based on outdated standards at a time like this, Lumern alone will suffer a loss.”
Albi said calmly.
“In the first place, the moment Karl Thomas is expelled, other hero academies might take him.”
“Are you saying there’s a school that would accept this child, a human?”
One of the board members narrowed his brows, and Albi let out a slight chuckle.
“No hero academy has a law that only accepts members of the same race as its founder. You haven’t forgotten that there’s a movement to transfer Leo Flobe, have you?”
No board member responded to that statement.
“Whether intended or not, he is a hero we nurtured. There’s no need to needlessly benefit others.”
Altech nodded at Albi’s words.
“In that case, we will proceed with a vote on Karl Thomas’s special promotion.”
***
“Hehe!”
Ar stretched out his chest wide.
“The one who carries on the will of the hero.”
At Leo's murmur, Ar wore a proud expression.
“Isn’t that an epithet that suits me perfectly?”
Lunia crossed her arms, watching Ar lightly turn in place as if showing off.
“An undeserved epithet.”
“Your epithet is just as undeserved, isn’t it?”
“What? I received a staff from Lady Luna!”
“I also received a sword from Lord Arion?!”
Driana spoke, watching the elf and beastman snarl at each other, foreheads pressed together.
“Don't fight childishly; everyone should be proud of the great deeds they've accomplished.”
Driana said, forcibly separating the two.
“Both of you are amazing, truly.”
“Hmph.”
“Hehe.”
Lunia lightly snorted, seemingly embarrassed, but she didn’t dislike the praise.
Ar scratched his head, grinning broadly.
“In that sense, my friend, I will pass on your beauty to future generations.”
“Don’t make me laugh, pervert.”
Lunia and Ar simultaneously scrunched up their faces.
“Anyway! Black Rabbit! I’ve finally become your equal!”
Ar pointed his finger at Leo with a snap and said.
Leo nodded, looking at Ar.
“Yes, yes. Well done.”
“Don’t treat me like a child!”
Lunia sighed softly and murmured, watching Ar hiss with his tail and fur bristling.
“Equal, my foot.”
Becoming a hero was, of course, a tremendous achievement.
But compared to the great hero Leo, he was like a firefly under the moon.
‘But I must reach him someday.’
Lunia clenched her fist, looking at Leo.
“Anyway, why are you so out of it?”
Lunia looked at Karl, who sat with an expression as if his soul had left his body, with a look of disdain.
“I’m a hero… Hahaha. A hero I only dreamed of… Acting student council president of Lumern next year too… Yahoo. How exciting… Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.”
Driana smacked Karl’s back—*whack! whack!*—as he mumbled blankly like a broken doll.
“If you’ve become a hero, you should be proud! Why are you so gloomy?!”
“Cough! Choke?!”
Karl fell flat to the floor from Driana’s small but firm palm.
Karl, who had been slumped, dusted himself off and stood up.
“Right. It’s something to be happy about.”
*Slap—*
Karl slapped both his cheeks with both hands, adopting a serious expression.
“From now on, I need to stay focused.”
“Oh. That’s quite a plausible expression you’ve made.”
Driana grinned.
Looking at Driana, Karl said.
“I will absolutely not pose nude.”
“Tsk.”
It was then that Leo clicked his tongue, looking at Driana.
“Karl! Yo! Our Lord Hero!”
Illiana ran over.
Chelsea, Nella, and Teide followed behind Illiana.
“Where have you been all this time?”
Karl had a puzzled expression.
That’s because as soon as they heard the news about Karl, his friends disappeared.
Illiana gave a thumbs-up, looking at them.
“We were preparing a party!”
“A party?”
“Yeah!”
Illiana grinned.
“We decided to throw a party to celebrate your promotion to third year. Everyone’s amazed, calling it a miracle.”
Chelsea added.
Karl looked touched, seeing the two of them.
“I really did well in school, seeing as I have such good friends.”
Karl, who had a heartfelt expression, tilted his head.
“But why aren’t you congratulating me on becoming a hero?”
At that, Chelsea and Illiana looked at each other and said,
“Because your promotion is an even more miraculous situation?”
“Right, right.”
Karl scrunched up his face, seeing the two who were oddly in sync for once.
“I’ve lived my life in vain.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Right!”
“No! It's not just anything, I became a hero! A HERO! Isn't that more worth celebrating?! Ah! Is it perhaps that?”
Karl smirked annoyingly.
“You’re jealous because I became a hero, aren’t you? Isn’t that it?”
At that, Illiana flinched her shoulder and Chelsea scowled.
Karl smiled triumphantly, seeing their expressions.
“Ah~ To be envied even by my friends now. The burden of being a hero is heavy.”
“You’re obnoxious!”
Illiana frowned, then went behind Karl and grabbed him.
“Chelsea, solar plexus. Hit the solar plexus.”
“Okay, hold him tight.”
“S-save me!”
Karl cried out, turning pale as he saw Chelsea clench her fist.
“Why is it that everyone hasn't changed since first year, even though we're becoming third years now?”
Teide sighed and mumbled, and Nella covered her mouth with her hand, laughing.
“That’s the charm of Class 5, isn’t it? Right, Leo?”
Leo chuckled and nodded at the boisterous atmosphere.
“Ah, speaking of which.”
Leo said with a look of realization.
“Karl, what’s your epithet?”
Karl, who had barely escaped Illiana’s grasp, answered Leo’s question.
“Oh, that?”
Karl scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
“The one who prepares for the beginning.”