Book 1 Chapter 593

"As soon as Professor Halind requested a special exception, coincidentally, second-year magic student Karl Thomas's name appeared on the Hero Record."

The Chairman of Rumen.

Altech Jerron reviewed the documents submitted by Halind with an expressionless face.

Known as the 'Infinity Speller,' he was one of the top ten strongest active mage heroes.

Although he was the Chairman of Rumen, he usually operated in the border areas with Tartarus.

The demonic activity in the areas he was responsible for had decreased.

A hero whose name alone exerted a powerful deterrent force.

In other words, if he were to be absent for a long time, the area could be subjected to concentrated attacks from Tartarus.

In reality, the area he was responsible for was one of the most crucial strongholds in the fierce battleground against Tartarus.

Therefore, he often left his daughter in charge as acting chairman and was absent for extended periods.

Besides Elena, the mage with the 'Magic Eye,' Albi, also served as a professor at Rumen, and Rumen's board was led by competent individuals like Jerron.

His appearance at Rumen was thus an extremely rare sight.

Altech's reason for coming to Rumen this time was singular.

It was due to the 'Flame of Catastrophe' that had appeared at Rumen.

No matter how important the front lines were, with the 'Flame of Erebus,' a disaster for the world, appearing in the rear, he couldn't just defend the front.

Even if it was ultimately repelled without significant damage, the Chairman himself needed to return to Rumen for proper cleanup.

It was during this time that he heard Karl's story.

'Professor Halind's report is certainly intriguing.'

A student who, based on talent alone, should have reached his limit by the first semester of his first year, managed to endure until the second semester of his second year.

This alone could be considered quite unusual.

'Good improvisational skills.'

Rumen's academic curriculum was structured to select only exceptionally talented students.

As some things in the world cannot be overcome by effort alone, those who lacked the necessary talent for Rumen would naturally fall behind in the competition.

'Even if he managed to endure the first semester of his second year with a mentorship system…'

It was also fortunate that Juien, whom Karl chose as his mentee, was a top-tier student in the first-year magic department.

'Luck can be considered a form of skill, but this case is a bit different. The growth of the student named Juien was remarkable.'

The one who showed the most dazzling growth rate among the first-year students this year was Luke, the current representative of the first-year class.

However, Luke started from scratch, with nothing.

Of course, even so, becoming the best from the bottom of the class was an astonishing level.

'But with overwhelming talent, time to blossom that talent, and a helper to accelerate growth, nothing is impossible.'

Perhaps starting from zero became a stepping stone for even faster growth.

With a good mentor, one could learn only what is necessary for growth, without learning useless things.

However, it is difficult for someone who already possesses excellent skills to grow rapidly.

'Up until admission, he was considered a step below Aina and Veidna.'

However, by the end of the first semester's evaluation, he showed a skill level comparable to Aina.

Had it not been for the elemental advantage between a knight and a mage, it was unclear what would have happened.

His growth rate was more remarkable than that of Haviden from the knight department or Sasha from the summon department, who were considered to have skills comparable to hers.

Considering that Haviden and Sasha's growth rates were not lacking either.

'Rather, it can be said that the student Juien, who chose him as a mentor, had excellent judgment.'

Karl fulfilled his role diligently.

He has since progressed beyond the midterm exams to reach this point.

Even judging solely by him becoming a hero, Altech wanted to highly evaluate Karl.

"A supporter."

He was a type of student that Rumen had never had before.

He barely passed the written exam.

However, he would fail the practical exam 100%.

Therefore, he would fail the advancement exam.

It was very regrettable.

He wanted to observe further how he could grow within Rumen.

However, an exception was a different matter.

Even if he were an interesting student.

Even if it were a request from Halind, who had worked at Rumen for a long time, it was impossible to keep a student who did not meet the academic requirements at Rumen.

That would be discrimination against other students in itself.

'But if his name is on the Hero Record, the story is different.'

In Rumen's history, there were very few students who became heroes while still students.

'Even among those who became heroes in their second year, there's only Leo Flov.'

And Leo was an anomaly, a monster.

'No, Karl Thomas is also not a typical hero.'

He is not a monster like Leo.

However, he deviated from the path of the countless heroes whose names had appeared on the Hero Record and who had become heroes.

"If one has reached the position of a hero, I do not think it would be strange to grant a special exception. What do the members of the board think?"

"It is unacceptable."

"Indeed. Even if he became a hero, an exception is out of the question."

Several members of the board cast dissenting votes.

Watching them, Altech looked at his younger brother.

"Albi, what do you think?"

"Certainly, Karl Thomas is a peculiar student. I personally think highly of his potential."

Although he was a professor in Rumen's magic department, 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 the magic students at Rumen.

As the 'Mage with the Magic Eye,' he keenly observed the students' talents.

"However, I believe that, according to principle, an exception is impossible."

"Hmm."

"However."

"However?"

Albi said, lifting the report.

"Rumen is a Hero Academy. This academy's ultimate goal is to make students into heroes, and for thousands of years, we have continuously reformed our educational curriculum for that purpose."

"That's right."

"In such a situation, a new type of hero has emerged. A hero who breaks the existing mold. This means one simple thing: a new possibility has opened up."

Albi looked at the board.

"In a sense, it would be strange if Karl Thomas didn't already meet the graduation requirements. In a school for making heroes, it's a ridiculous notion for a student who has already become a hero to learn anything further."

"Clears throat."

"Mmm."

Some board members showed discomfort.

They were dogmatists.

Those who had defined the mold of a hero.

Therefore, they could not accept a hero like Karl Thomas.

"The world is changing. If we cannot move swiftly to adapt, we will be left behind."

"What does that mean?"

"Rumen needs to know what qualities Karl Thomas was recognized for to attain the status of a hero. The fact that the gods recognized him means that an era requiring heroes like Karl Thomas has arrived. In such a time, expelling Karl Thomas based on outdated criteria would only be a loss for Rumen."

Albi said calmly.

"Frankly, the moment Karl Thomas is expelled, other Hero Academies might try to recruit him."

"Are you saying there's a school that would accept this human child?"

As one of the board members narrowed his brows, Albi chuckled.

"There is no rule that a Hero Academy only accepts individuals of the founder's race. Don't you remember the movements to transfer Leo Flov?"

No board member replied to that.

"Whether it was intentional or not, he is a hero we have nurtured. There is no need to benefit others unnecessarily."

Altech nodded at Albi's words.

"Then, I shall put Karl Thomas's special advancement to a vote."

***

"Hee hee!"

Arga puffed out his chest.

"The one who inherits the will of the brave."

At Leo's mumbling, Arga wore a proud expression.

"Isn't that a fitting epithet for me?"

Watching Arga do a light turn in place as if showing off, Lunia crossed her arms.

"It's an undeserved epithet."

"Your epithet is equally undeserved!"

"What do you mean? I also received a staff from Luna-nim!"

"I received a sword from Arion-nim too?!"

As the elf and the beastkin glared at each other, Drianna said.

"Stop arguing childishly and be proud of your own accomplishments."

Drianna separated the two forcibly and said.

"You are both remarkable, indeed."

"Hmph."

"Heh heh."

Lunia gave a light snort as if embarrassed, but she didn't seem to dislike the praise.

Arga scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

"In that sense, let me take off my clothes. I will convey your beauty to posterity."

"Don't make me laugh, pervert."

Lunia and Arga's faces contorted simultaneously.

"Anyway! Black Rabbit! Now I'm finally your equal!"

Arga pointed at Leo with his finger and said.

Seeing Arga like that, Leo nodded.

"Yes, yes, well done."

"Stop treating me like a child!"

Seeing Arga bare his teeth and raise his tail and ears, Lunia sighed softly and murmured.

"Equal, my foot."

Becoming a hero was, of course, an incredible achievement.

But compared to the great hero Leo, it was like a firefly under the moon.

'But someday, I must reach him.'

Looking at Leo, Lunia clenched her fist tightly.

"By the way, what are you staring blankly at?"

Lunia looked at Karl, who was sitting with a dazed expression, with a look of pity.

"I am a hero… Hahaha. A hero I only dreamed of… Next year, acting student council president of Rumen… Wow. So exciting… Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha."

Seeing Karl mumbling blankly like a broken doll, Drianna patted Karl on the back.

"If you've become a hero, you should be proud! Why are you so dejected!"

"Gasp! Cough?!"

With Drianna's small but solid palm strike, Karl fell flat on the floor.

Karl, who had been slumped over, brushed off the dust and stood up.

"Right. It's something to be happy about."

*Clap*

Karl slapped both his cheeks with his hands and put on a serious expression.

"From now on, I need to be more alert."

"Oh ho. That's a rather plausible expression."

Drianna grinned.

Seeing Drianna like that, Karl said.

"I will absolutely not be a nude model."

"Tch."

It was when Leo clicked his tongue looking at Drianna.

"Karl! Yo! Our hero!"

Ilyana rushed over.

Behind Ilyana, Chelsea, Nella, and Teid followed.

"Where have you guys been all this time?"

Karl asked with a confused expression.

As soon as Karl's news reached them, his friends had disappeared.

Seeing them like that, Ilyana gave a thumbs-up.

"We were preparing a party!"

"A party?"

"Yes!"

Ilyana grinned.

"We decided to throw a party to celebrate your promotion to third year. Everyone is amazed, calling it a miracle."

Chelsea added.

Seeing the two of them, Karl's face softened with emotion.

"I guess I did well in school life. Seeing that I have such good friends."

Karl, with a heartwarming expression, tilted his head.

"But why aren't you congratulating me on becoming a hero?"

At that remark, Chelsea and Ilyana looked at each other and said.

"Because your promotion is a more miraculous situation?"

"Right, right."

Seeing the two of them unusually in sync, Karl's face crumpled.

"I've lived a wasted life."

"What are you saying!"

"Right!"

"No! It's not just any promotion, you became a hero! A hero! Isn't that more worthy of celebration? Ah! Could it be?"

Karl smirked slyly.

"You're jealous because I became a hero, aren't you? Is that it?"

At that, Ilyana flinched and Chelsea scowled.

Seeing their reactions, Karl laughed triumphantly.

"Ah, to be envied by my friends now. The burden of being a hero is heavy."

"You're so annoying!"

Ilyana scowled and moved behind Karl, grabbing him.

"Chelsea, hit him in the solar plexus. The solar plexus."

"Yeah, hold him tight."

"S-save me!"

Seeing Chelsea clench her fist, Karl yelled in a pale face.

"It's strange that after becoming third-years, you guys haven't changed at all from when you were first-years."

Teid muttered with a sigh, and Nella covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.

"Isn't that the charm of our Class 5? Right, Leo?"

At the boisterous atmosphere, Leo chuckled and nodded.

"Ah, come to think of it."

Leo said with a reminiscent look.

"Karl, what's your epithet?"

At Leo's question, Karl, who had barely escaped Ilyana's grasp, replied.

"Ah, that?"

Karl scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

"The One Who Prepares for the Beginning."