Book 1 Chapter 633

633.

As the cold winter passed, a warm spring breeze filled the streets.

Courage Street, on the eve of Lumern's entrance ceremony, was also bustling with life.

"Look at this~ It's a uniform from Bless Liger!"

"Huh? Really?"

Two female students, who seemed to be from the west, were chatting in front of Bless Liger.

Bless Liger was one of the tailor shops specializing in Lumern uniforms.

It was considered the best luxury brand among Lumern students.

"Wow! That's so nice!"

"My dad bought it for me as an entrance gift, he really made a big decision!"

"Wow! I'm so jealous! He said he'd buy me one when I start in the second semester!"

"Oh my? But your uniform is already pretty good, isn't it?"

"Not as good as Bless Liger."

While the two female students were excitedly chatting.

"Really? Are you giving me your uniform?"

"Yes. As you know, Lumern uniforms are unnecessarily expensive, right? It's a strain on the back for commoners like us. I have to get a new one anyway, so I'll give it to you. It's not a great brand, though."

"No, it's perfectly fine! Thank you so much, senior! I look forward to a good year with you!"

As Lumern freshmen, the two girls with sensitive hearing overheard the conversation from across the street.

A slight smirk flickered across the lips of the two girls who heard their conversation.

"I don't know who they are, but they seem like seniors, right?"

"Yeah. But they seem like commoner seniors. Giving away uniforms and wearing them again. They don't even feel ashamed and are talking so loudly. Sigh! Don't you think those seniors are embarrassing the school?"

It was when the two girls were whispering and giggling.

"You've lost your fear."

A cold, mocking voice came from behind them.

At the sound of the voice, the two freshmen froze stiffly.

Turning around in surprise, they saw a girl with long, curly silver hair standing there.

The faces of the two freshmen turned pale.

'Eliza Hergin!'

'Third year!'

Even within Lumern, it was a year that the two, who were merely freshmen, couldn't dare to look at.

And it just had to be Eliza Hergin, of all people.

A hero candidate, renowned worldwide as part of the Golden Generation!

Someone who would make you feel intimidated just by passing them on the street, and they had been caught gossiping about a senior.

"Freshmen mocking a senior?"

"Hieeek?!"

"The acting student council president and the second-year representative?"

Eliza's chilling voice made the two girls' faces turn not just pale but blue.

The two girls also knew who the acting student council president and the second-year representative were.

Kal Thomas and Luke Elda.

Kal Thomas, already a hero, was someone a freshman could barely look at.

But an even bigger problem was that Kal was close friends with Leo, Chelsea, Abad, and Celia.

Luke was no different.

He was close friends with Princess Sasha, the future empress of the Rodren Empire in the west.

If things went wrong, it could not only mess up their school life but also block their family's future.

"P-please forgive us!"

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

"What is it? What are you bothering the freshmen with again right from the start of the school year?"

Kal suddenly poked his face next to Eliza.

"Get lost!"

Eliza scowled and pushed Kal's face away.

Kal, chuckling, took a step back and tilted his head.

"So? Why are you scaring the new juniors again?"

"Hmph, who said I was scaring them? I was just trying to educate juniors who carelessly mock their seniors."

"What?"

Kal's face hardened.

"Are you guys out of your minds? You've decided to mess up your school life right from the start!"

"S-sorry…"

"Even with Eliza's infamous reputation, how could you even think of gossiping about Eliza…"

"It was you! You! You were gossiping about me! And Luke Elda! You! And what kind of infamous reputation do I have!"

"Choke! Cough, cough!"

Eliza growled savagely, choking Kal's neck with a whip.

Kal, barely escaping Eliza, chuckled.

"Ah, was that it?"

"I-I've committed a mortal sin!"

"Please forgive us!"

Seeing the two girls trembling violently as they bowed their waists, Kal pondered for a moment and then said.

"Alright. I'll forgive you. But there's a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yes."

Kal took out two pieces of paper from his pocket.

"For the first semester, will you sell my self-made recovery potions to your classmates in my stead?"

"What?"

"First, you have to buy a certain quantity with your own money in advance. Then, I get a portion of the profit when you sell them. If your sales performance is good, you get points…"

The two first-years looked at Kal, confused, as if asking "What is he talking about?"

"If you become my sales agents, I'll forget about you gossiping about me. I won't breathe a word to anyone else. How about it?"

"R-really?"

"Of course. I'm a trustworthy person. You just need to sign here."

Kal pointed to the end of the contract in a subtle voice.

Without hesitation, the two girls signed.

"Be careful from now on. Lumern is a place where rash actions can lead to big trouble. I hope you learned a lot from this incident."

"Yes! I won't do it again!"

"Thank you! Senior Kal Thomas!"

Hurriedly bowing, the two girls quickly left the spot.

Watching them, Eliza narrowed her brows.

"Hmph. Pretending to be a good senior, are we?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? Their school life is going to be hell from now on."

"What?"

"What kind of contract was that?"

Luke asked with a curious face, and Kal smiled wickedly.

"A pyramid scheme contract."

Eliza narrowed her brows.

"It becomes hell with that?"

"Of course, it's hell. If you attend Lumern, it costs a lot of money unless you get academic scholarships."

Kal chuckled.

"I'm sure they'll have a hard time getting rid of the quantity I give them. This is to teach them the important life lessons that you shouldn't carelessly gossip about seniors, and you shouldn't carelessly sign things. Most importantly."

He put the contract in his pocket and shrugged his shoulders.

"I only said I'd let my part slide, I never said I'd let Luke's part slide."

"Ah, it doesn't matter to me…"

"Hey! No! Luke. It's good to be a kind person, but in cases like this, you have to make them pay the price thoroughly. If you're not caught, it's not a crime, but once you're caught, it's a crime. Think about what price they should pay."

"Yes."

Luke scratched his cheek and nodded.

"By the way, Eliza, did you have a good vacation?"

"Hmph. You're asking a bit late."

Eliza said with a bored expression while grooming her nails.

"It was boring."

"That means you had a peaceful vacation. I was pestered by Duran to death."

Kal grumbled and then said as if he remembered something.

"Speaking of which, you said before that you'd do anything I ask?"

"I did."

"I have something to talk to you about regarding that, can you spare some time?"

"Hmph. I'm busy right now. I have to go shopping. I'll listen to you later when I'm free."

"Come on~ Don't dodge me, just spare some time. I won't ask for anything strange."

"Considering you're taking up the time of the successor of the Hergin family, you're not very earnest."

At that remark, Kal grinned slyly and extended his hand with exaggerated politeness.

"Miss, would you be so kind as to grant me your precious time?"

"Hmph. 10 points."

"Out of 10 points?"

"No. Out of 100 points."

Eliza snorted and took Kal's hand.

"Alright. Let's hear what you have to ask."

Kal walked with Eliza towards Courage Street.

"Luke, see you at school later."

"Senior Kal, I'll wear the uniform well! Goodbye, seniors!"

Luke, holding the uniform tightly with both arms, bowed his head.

***

"Suspicious."

Celia said, squinting her eyes at the Lumaria Lake pier.

Leo, sitting on a bench at the pier, replied.

"What is?"

"Isn't it obvious? Why are students of all grades gathered at the pier?"

It was as Celia said.

Currently, all Lumern students were gathered at the Lumaria pier.

From the 5th year, the highest grade, to the freshmen who were about to enter this year.

Normally, students from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years, excluding the freshmen, would have already entered Lumern and be preparing for the entrance ceremony.

However, this time, they received a school newsletter stating that they would all travel to Lumern from the Lumaria pier.

Thanks to that, a scene unfolded where all students were gathered at the Lumaria City pier.

The freshmen, intimidated by the presence of so many seniors, stood in line at the corner.

In the meantime, they stole glances at Leo with admiring eyes.

Then, their eyes met Celia's, and they startled and turned their heads away.

Of course, not only Leo, but also some were looking at Celia with admiration.

The second-year students were also gathered in one area of the pier.

They were talking amongst themselves in a relaxed manner, but they would flinch nervously whenever they made eye contact with their seniors.

The third-year students were freely talking with their close seniors.

"Don't you know anything?"

As Celia's eyes drooped, Leo shrugged his shoulders.

"Just because I'm the student council president doesn't mean I know all the professors' schemes."

"That's true."

Celia nodded in understanding.

"Oh! Leo! Celia! I heard you guys were amazing during the break! Where are Chelsea and Abad?"

A cheerful voice was heard.

When Leo and Celia turned their heads, Kal was approaching with his characteristic friendly smile.

"Chelsea and Abad haven't arrived at the pier yet. More importantly, what's wrong with your eye? Did someone hit you?"

Leo asked with a puzzled look.

One of Kal's eyes was bruised.

"There was a bit of an incident."

Kal said with a nonchalant expression.

"You probably got hit by someone for messing around again."

Celia said dismissively, and Kal grinned slyly.

"Vice-presiden—!"

At that moment, Iliana, who had spotted Leo, ran over and jumped to sit next to Leo, asking.

"Class representative! Why are all grades gathered at the pier? Is something else going to happen? Huh? Huh? What are the professors planning?"

Leo just smiled faintly at Iliana, who was chattering away, asking all sorts of questions.

"It seems the class representative doesn't know either."

Iliana, with her arms crossed, tilted her head.

She then waved to Celia and Kal.

"Hi?! Both of you, did you have a good break? Speaking of which, Class Representative! You're becoming the King of Tungsten this time, right? Wow~ The fastest promotion! Don't ignore me now that you've become king, okay?"

Flash-!

At that moment, a large rectangular screen made of magic appeared in the sky above the lake.

[Greetings, everyone! It is I! Your elegant professor, Sedgen!]

Sedgen, one of Lumern's renowned professors, greeted them warmly.

[Did the current students have a good break! To the freshmen, I extend a welcome greeting! Current students, you must be feeling something strange about the current situation! And your suspicions are correct! Unexpected situations are the true spirit of Lumern!]

At Sedgen's words, students from the 2nd to the 5th years had expressions of "as expected."

The freshmen looked bewildered and confused.

[From now on, we will conduct a combat studies practical evaluation by grade level! The rules are simple! From now on, each grade level must snatch the school entrance gate key from a specific person! Through this evaluation, the professors will identify your weaknesses and plan the curriculum for the next year accordingly!]

At that moment, Chloe raised her hand.

[What is your question, Chloe student!]

"What if we can't snatch the key?"

[You cannot enter the school until you snatch it.]

At those words, the students' eyes widened.

[Now, I will announce the opponents for the 4th and 5th years!]

As Sedgen spoke, the 4th and 5th years had tense expressions.

And upon seeing the faces of the individuals appearing on the screen, gasps erupted from here and there.

[The enemy that the 4th and 5th year students must defeat! It is Leo Flov! Your task is to humiliate the big nose of this perfect and annoyingly good Leo Flov! Risk your lives, everyone! How long will you be intimidated by your juniors…]

[Drag him away.]

Sedgen, who was ranting, was dragged away by Ain and Ren under Harlind's chilling words.

[I will continue.]

Harlind continued in a chilling voice.

[These two people hold the keys for the 3rd years.]

Appearing on the screen were none other than the representatives of the 4th and 5th years, Lil and Elena.

[The student holding the key for the 2nd years.]

The target for the 2nd years was none other than.

"Oh my?"

Chen Xia, who had become the target, smiled gently.

The 2nd years breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if Chen Xia was strong, they thought that if all the 2nd years concerted their efforts, they could easily win.

However, the faces of some students were hardened.

These were the 2nd-year students who were shadow candidates, like El Jain and Fritz.

[Lastly.]

Seeing the person who appeared on the screen, Kal's jaw dropped.

The gazes of all the first-years turned to Kal.

"Why me! Are you insane! Lumern!"

Kal screamed, clutching his head.

[Oh? Do you have a complaint about my choice, Kal Thomas?]

"No, of course not."

At Harlind's words, Kal immediately hunched his neck.

Whirr-!

A giant warp magic circle was created throughout the pier.

[Then do your best.]

The moment Harlind's brief response came, a bright light burst forth.

When Leo opened and closed his eyes, he found himself on one of the countless uninhabited islands in Lumaria Lake.

"Hmm."

Leo stroked his chin and chuckled.

"Is this to precisely check the areas students need to improve before conducting the class on the world of legions?"

Leo nodded, thinking of the people holding the keys for each grade level.

Leo walked to a rock in the middle of the forest and plopped down.

"Well then, shall I wait for my seniors?"