Book 1 Chapter 635

635.

[Khuheoeoeong!]

[He's coming! Retreat! Retreat!]

[Waaaah! Don't come this way! Go over there!]

[Hey! That's unfair!]

[Uwaaaaah!]

The frontline vanguards who stepped forward to stop Leo were suffering a miserable fate.

The professors watching the tragic scene of devastation unfolding before their eyes unconsciously covered their faces.

Especially the faces of the Knightry Department professors in charge of the 4th and 5th-year students were even more devastated.

Howling incessantly, Leo, who robbed the seniors of their will to fight, pushed them back like a typhoon.

The 4th and 5th-year students were overwhelmed by Leo's terrifying appearance and were being helplessly swayed.

Even amidst all that, as expected of those who had advanced to the 4th and 5th years at Lumerne, they were definitely holding Leo back.

Their teamwork, which was considered the 4th and 5th-year students' weakness, hadn't been a big problem yet.

'For now.'

Halind looked at Leo on the screen.

Leo's combat method now was clearly different from the Leo of before.

'He never loses his cool in any situation and finds and exploits the opponent's weaknesses.'

Such a Leo was now pushing his opponents so hard that it looked brutish.

'He's openly exposing his strategy.'

The way to deal with an enemy that rushes forward as if to crush everything in its path is surprisingly simple.

Barely avoid the charging enemy and simply land a fatal blow on the exposed flank.

The 4th and 5th-year students would aim for that and formulate their strategy.

But what if that strategy fails?

'From then on, it will be decided by how good their teamwork is.'

If they fail to strategize against an enemy whose strategy is clearly evident, two situations will arise.

'Either they pull themselves together and challenge again. Or they waver.'

When there is a clear leader, they can re-strategize.

But what if there is no such leader?

'The moment conflicting opinions arise. Cracks will start to form.'

That is exactly what Leo is aiming for.

'All the 4th and 5th-year students still have composure.'

Except for when they were first ambushed, even while being thoroughly overwhelmed by Leo, no student has been rendered helplessly incapacitated or "killed".

Although they are whining and telling him not to come near them, if it were truly serious, they wouldn't even be able to make such sounds.

'It will be soon. When they hit a real wall.'

Having thought that far, Halind turned his head.

On that screen, the freshmen were seen searching for Kal.

***

"Wow~ I've really made it big, haven't I?"

Kal, standing amidst the countless uninhabited islands in Lake Lumeria, looked up at the blue sky and burst out laughing.

"Hundreds of Lumerne 1st-year students are conducting a large-scale raid to catch just me. Hmph. It's me, after all. I deserve to be called a hero."

Kal, who was twirling the key in his hand like a pencil, suddenly knelt down and placed his hands on the ground.

"Hero, my foot! This is just getting ganged up on!"

Even if they are freshmen, the opponents are Lumerne freshmen, none of whom are not geniuses!

And not just one, but a whopping 500!

During the entrance exam of the current 2nd-year students, who could be called his direct juniors.

Kal had dealt with juniors targeting him before, but it wasn't hundreds like now.

'Furthermore, strictly speaking, those guys back then weren't admitted students but exam candidates!'

The difference between a student who passed the Lumerne entrance exam and one who didn't is very significant.

'The professors said they would make the students realize their shortcomings, but honestly, the freshmen's biggest shortcoming is obvious.'

Kal, who was despairing, let out a deep sigh.

'Overconfidence in their abilities. And an absolute blind faith in their specs.'

No matter how talented and extraordinary they may be, they are ultimately inexperienced youngsters.

As such, all 1st-year students have a narrow view of the world.

'Leo wasn't like that, though. Well, he's an irregular who's literally a cheat, so he's an exception.'

Thud- Kal, who sat down cross-legged, rested his chin on his hand and began to assess the current situation.

'Professor Halind chose me, of all people, for only one reason. It's probably because, if they actually fight me, I'll seem like an easy opponent to the 1st-year students.'

Although he had earned the title of hero, Kal's actual combat power wasn't that high.

There were probably some among the 1st-year students who, if they fought him, would think it was definitely worth a try.

Kal looked around.

'What's advantageous to me is the terrain. Since it's not an open field, there's a lot I can prepare. Even so…'

Kal let out a hollow laugh.

'I might be able to handle up to about 100 people, but 500… Isn't that too harsh, no matter what?'

Kal, who had been grumbling to himself for a moment, threw the key in his hand with all his might.

The key, flying far away, suddenly flashed brightly and fell onto Kal's palm.

"Hmm. It seems impossible to hide or detach the key somewhere."

Kal nodded, then 'Ootcha-' stood up.

"Well, strictly speaking, it's not about defeating 500 people, but ultimately a game of tag, isn't it? I just have to avoid being caught as much as possible, right? Plus, this uninhabited island. It's Island No. 1, isn't it?"

The islands in Lake Lumeria, excluding the Phantom Beast Island, are referred to by numbers by the students.

Island No. 1 meant the largest island.

"That means there's enough time to prepare."

Kal twirled the key with his finger, and grinned.

"Alright, then, shall I show our juniors what Lumerne is like? Uahahahaha!"

Kal laughed wickedly and entered the forest.

***

"First, let's find Senior Shia."

On the beautiful sandy beach.

Luke, who was admiring Lake Lumeria, looked back at the 2nd-year students and said.

At his words, Aina, who had been staring intently at the dense forest, nodded.

Currently, all 2nd-year students were on the sandy beach of the uninhabited island.

Despite being a lake, this island had a sandy beach.

"Hya~ The seniors were right. That Island No. 6 is perfect for a swim?"

Juen admired it and looked around.

Looking at Juen, Harviden narrowed his eyes.

"It seems you're saying something carefree. The one we have to face is Senior Chen Shia."

"I know. I know. I was just saying it!"

Juen half-closed his eyes.

Sasha, standing next to Juen, stared intently into the forest and said.

"By the way. It's completely like night in there."

Even though the sun was high in the sky, the forest within the uninhabited island was dark as night.

This was because the densely grown forest blocked the sunlight.

"This is troublesome."

As El Jane muttered in a serious voice, Aina made a puzzled expression.

"Is there some kind of problem?"

The one who answered that question was Fritz, from the Magic Department, a shadow user.

"There is a problem. And a very big one."

"Huh?"

"The problem is that the one we have to face is Senior Chen Shia."

"Ah."

Aina's eyes, understanding Fritz's words, widened.

Luke, who didn't understand those words, made a puzzled expression.

"Aina, what does Fritz mean?"

"Darkness is the shadow's battlefield."

"Ah…"

At Aina's answer, Luke's face also turned serious.

At that reaction, the other 2nd-year students made puzzled expressions.

"Senior Shia is the princess of Shan, but… Is it really that serious?"

"If it's Senior Shia and not Senior Celia or Senior Duran, it should be relatively easier."

Despite being from the Knightry Department, Celia and Duran launch wider-range attacks than most Magic Department students.

Compared to those two, Chen Shia was definitely less burdensome.

It wasn't that Chen Shia was weaker than Celia and Duran, but a difference in aura affinity.

In any case, the water aura that Chen Shia wielded was an aura with a strong defensive tendency.

At her classmates' words, El Jane snorted.

"You don't know how terrifying shadows are in the dark, that's why you're saying such things."

It was highly unlikely that they, who had just become 2nd-year students, would have seen a shadow fight.

"I see. What the professors meant by our shortcomings that need to be addressed."

Harviden narrowed his eyes.

At his words, Juen nodded.

"Combat against Hero Hunters."

In truth, ordinarily, Lumerne 2nd-year students would have no reason to confront Hero Hunters.

Yet, to give them such an experience from the first day of school…

"For some reason, it feels like our second year will also be tough."

Tap-! Sasha, who closed her folding fan, let out a small sigh.

At her words, Aina said.

"It's no use just standing here. For now, let's go find Senior Shia."

At her words, the 2nd-year students nodded.

"Form up. So you can respond to ambushes anytime, anywhere!"

"El! Fritz! Form a scouting party!"

The 2nd-year students quickly began to prepare.

Meanwhile, Luke, looking into the dark forest, shivered.

"For some reason, I feel a chill."

***

"As expected, our 3rd-year students are very competent. To find us so quickly."

Elena smiled and clapped her hands.

Elena, sitting cross-legged on her staff, looked at the 3rd-year students who had surrounded them with a relaxed expression.

"This is unexpected."

At that moment, Celia stepped forward and said.

"I didn't expect you to be waiting so openly. I thought you would employ guerrilla tactics… Is this perhaps a trap?"

Looking at Celia, who was cautiously scanning around, Elena, who had been clapping, widened her eyes.

Then, Elena, who rested her elbows on her knees and propped her chin on her hands, made a grumpy expression.

"I was wondering what the shortcomings of our 3rd-year juniors, whom I thought were perfect, might be… Indeed, they had this side to them. Well, the target does shine a bit too brightly."

Elena grumbled, scanning the 3rd-year students with a displeased look.

"Enough to blind them."

At those enigmatic words, the 3rd-year students made puzzled expressions.

"Alright, this is what our juniors want, right?"

Elena took out a key from her pocket.

"Why don't you try to take it?"

Flash-!

"Oh my?"

A powerful thunderbolt struck.

"Aren't you being too reckless?"

In an instant, Duran, who had arrived right in front of Elena, was reaching out his hand towards the key.

Duran snorted and just as he was about to snatch the key held in Elena's hand.

Hwaak-!

'Already!'

At the giant mass of iron that completely covered his vision, Duran's face slightly stiffened.

Kwagagagagang-! Woojikkeun! Kwadeuk! Woojijik! Kwang!

The battle hammer, swung with terrifying momentum, struck Duran's face.

Duran, who was sent flying back, only managed to stop after breaking several trees.

Pajijik- Pajijijik-

Duran, who had protected his body with aura armor, got up.

But soon, his legs gave way, and he stumbled.

Kung-!

Everyone's gaze turned to the one who slammed the battle hammer onto the ground.

"Without my permission, you cannot lay a hand on Senior Elena or the key."

At the emotionless voice of Lil, who was usually kind and good-natured, the 3rd-year students unconsciously swallowed dry.

Literally, an overwhelming charisma was felt.

It was when Lil, with just her momentum, overwhelmed the 3rd-year students.

"Our Lil is so reliable, isn't she?"

Deopseok-!

"Neuheoheoeop?!"

Elena, who hugged Lil from behind, had both hands placed on Lil's chest.

"Um… Senior Elena. This is a rare and important moment where I'm showing the juniors a senior's dignity… Hiiik?!"

"Oh my? I find a flustered Lil cuter than a dignified Lil as a senior, you know?"

Lil, at Elena's touch, made a tearful face.

The male 3rd-year students coughed awkwardly and averted their gazes.

Elena, who had been giggling with her chin on Lil's shoulder, saw that sight and widened her eyes, then quickly glanced downwards and mumbled.

"A safe place to keep the key safely was here after all?"

"A safe place?"

As Lil tilted her head, Elena looked at the 3rd-year students and laughed wickedly.

"You know what? Lil is the type who looks thin when dressed, right? She's actually incredibly amazing."

Elena, wearing a witch-like smile, suddenly slipped the hand holding the key into Lil's uniform top.

"Eughok?! S-Senior!"

As Elena withdrew her hand, Lil was startled, covered her chest, and stepped back.

Looking at such a Lil, Elena smiled brightly.

"With this, the male students will absolutely not be able to touch the key."

"Huh? Will such a method work?"

Lil tilted her head.

The male students opened and closed their mouths.

"Of course it will work."

Elena, who giggled, climbed onto her staff.

"Alright, then, Lil. Can I ask you to be the vanguard?"

"I'm not confident, but I will do my best."

"How reliable."

Elena, riding her staff, soared high into the sky.

Gooooooh-!

From Lil's body, spiritual power began to ripple.

"All 3rd-year students."

Tak-!

Lil, holding the battle hammer with both hands, said in a low voice.

"I will show you the terror of a senior."