Book 1 Chapter 64
“Death Knight?”
“A Death Knight in a holy sanctuary.”
Halind and Rune wore grave expressions after receiving Leo’s report.
“I can’t believe it.”
However, an elf wearing glasses, sitting in Rune’s office, raised an objection.
“It is true that monsters have tragically begun appearing in the Fairy Forest a long time ago. But a Death Knight? Hasn’t there been no precedent for that?”
The elf, who shook his head, asked Leo,
“Are you absolutely sure you saw a Death Knight?”
“Is there any reason to claim I saw something I didn’t?”
“I’m not saying you’re lying. Student Lumern. We received reports of skeletons appearing from our students. That’s why I came to inform the Grand Chairman. However, we haven’t received any reports regarding a Death Knight.”
‘He must be a professor from Seirun.’
The Seirun teacher adjusted his glasses and asked,
“Student Lumern. Have you ever seen an undead in your life?”
“Not in this life.”
“In that case, you might have mistaken a Skeleton Knight for a Death Knight. It’s a relatively common mistake.”
‘I’ve defeated enough Death Knights in my past life to fill multiple platoons. Is there any way I could mistake one?’
Leo chuckled and said,
“It seems Seirun students often make mistakes?”
At that remark, the Seirun teacher paused and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. It is a mistake our students sometimes make.”
Having said that, the Seirun teacher changed the subject.
“Regardless, Student Lumern, if you encountered a Death Knight, it would be difficult to escape unharmed, wouldn’t it? Even our first-year students at Seirun find it hard to handle such a monster alone. And you escaped by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“You seem quite confident in your abilities.”
He curled his lips and said to Halind,
“Professor Halind, what do you think?”
“I believe my school’s student. Professor Heridium.”
Heridium frowned at Halind’s blunt statement and then looked at Rune.
“Grand Chairman, what do you think?”
“He’s not the type of friend to lie.”
Rune also said with a smile, and Heridium adopted a resigned expression.
“We’ll discuss the matter of the Death Knight later.”
Halind and Heridium nodded at Rune’s words.
“Professor Halind, Leo, you two go ahead. I have something to discuss with Professor Heridium separately.”
“Understood.”
Halind bowed and left the office with Leo.
“It looks like the schedule will change.”
As they left the office, Halind muttered.
Leo looked confused at his words.
“The schedule will change?”
“Professor Heridium is the homeroom teacher for Seirun’s First-Year Advanced Class 1. It turns out the entire class is here for a mission training.”
Halind chuckled.
“He requested a joint class, knowing we are also here for a field trip.”
“A joint class?”
“We will experience Seirun’s teaching methods, and Seirun will experience Lumern’s.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“Of course, it will be interesting. But it shouldn’t just be for fun. This is a great opportunity to broaden our horizons. It’s not something we can just experience on demand. In that sense, our class is lucky.”
“That’s right.”
“Advanced Class 1 is comprised of Seirun’s most outstanding first-year students. It will be of great help to us.”
“Oh ho.”
“Professor Heridium has invited us for dinner tonight. Make sure to announce it to the class.”
“Yes.”
***
“Kuh! To meet Seirun students!”
“Hey! How is it? Is my hair styled well?”
“Does this necklace suit me?”
The students of Class 5 were in an overall excited mood before the evening banquet.
“Cal, what are you doing?”
Leo looked at Cal, who was sitting on the first floor and making a booklet, with a perplexed expression.
“Making a catalog. Wouldn’t the items I handle be useful to Seirun students as well?”
Chelsea, seeing Cal’s smirk, crossed her arms in disbelief.
“Are you going to do business on the spot?”
“It’s promotion, promotion. Well, I don’t plan to do it at this party. I’m preparing to do business during the joint classes starting tomorrow.”
Chelsea nodded at his words.
“Time’s up. Let’s go.”
Leo said after checking his watch, and the Class 5 students stood up.
And as soon as they went out.
“It’s cold!”
“This is pointless if my hair is ruined!”
They screamed as they were hit by a swirling blizzard.
Cal chuckled, watching their reactions.
“Are you guys idiots?”
Of course, he was showered with snowballs for taking them out unnecessarily.
“It’s fortunate that it’s close.”
Nella said with a smile.
Seirun’s accommodation was a luxury hotel right in front of Lumern’s dormitory.
“So Seirun rented out this whole place. Hmph! I guess they have deep pockets.”
Cal said with a snort, and Chelsea shrugged.
“Seirun is famous for being the wealthiest school among the hero academies.”
The status of hero academies in each race differs.
Even in Lumern’s case, there are many factions dissatisfied with the current system.
Due to the Hero Records, they have no choice but to send their country’s best talents to Lumern.
While many of them attain good positions in their home countries after graduation, a considerable number also join the hero guilds operated by Lumern.
Naturally, there is dissatisfaction with the outflow of national talent.
However, Seirun was different.
Seirun itself played a pivotal role in the Elf Nation Alliance, meaning it was a single, large force encompassing all elves.
“Right, the conveniences Lumern provides to students are insignificant compared to Seirun, right?”
“Yeah. Especially elves, they value ‘bloodline’ more than humans do. That’s why there are almost no students from obscure noble families or commoners, unlike our school.”
“Their sense of authority must be immense.”
As Cal clicked his tongue.
Class 5 arrived at the hotel.
A concierge waiting at the hotel entrance politely opened the door.
“Welcome, everyone.”
“We will take your coats.”
“Give them to me.”
In the lobby, concierges politely took their coats.
Some students, like Chelsea, handed them over casually, while others, like Cal, fumbled.
“This way, please.”
Guided by the concierges, the students entered the hotel’s grand ballroom.
“What is all this?”
Cal muttered in astonishment.
The grand ballroom was the epitome of luxury.
“This is comparable to the parties hosted by our Empire’s Emperor!”
Even Chelsea, who belonged to the prestigious Rwalin family, thought it was excessively extravagant.
While everyone was surprised.
Heridium approached.
“Welcome, students of Lumern’s First-Year Class 5. I am Heridium Wintel, a teacher at Seirun. I would appreciate it if you called me Professor Heridium.”
“Thank you for inviting us to the party, Professor Heridium.”
The students of Class 5 bowed politely.
“As the first-year students who will lead Seirun and Lumern in the future, I hope this will be an occasion to deepen our friendship.”
After finishing his speech, Heridium smiled once and returned to his seat.
Halind and Sena had already arrived and were eating.
“Since I’m hungry, should I eat first?”
Cal said, rubbing his hands, and Chelsea glared at Cal.
“Don’t be as boisterous and ill-mannered as usual. Seirun students are watching.”
“I know. I don’t intend to embarrass the school.”
Although he was curious about Seirun Academy, Lumern and Seirun had been rival hero schools for a long time.
Especially in recent years, Seirun had surpassed Lumern in various exchange events.
Lumern was looking for opportunities to overtake Seirun, while Seirun was trying to maintain its current advantage.
From a broader perspective, this gathering was also an opportunity to meet rivals from other schools they would encounter throughout their school years.
The reason they paid extra attention to their appearance was precisely that. They didn’t want to be outdone.
And so, the party began.
Lumern and Seirun students explored each other with curiosity.
At first, they were awkward, but due to their common age and shared goal of becoming heroes, they soon started talking.
Several Seirun students approached Leo with curiosity.
“I’m studying spirit magic at Seirun. And you?”
“I’m also taking summoning.”
“Oh. How are the spirit magic classes at Lumern?”
The first student introduced himself as a spirit magician.
“I am training in spear arts.”
“I’m also in the knight major.”
“Oh, I’d like to broaden my horizons by learning about Lumern’s knights. Would you be willing to spar tomorrow?”
“Anytime.”
The second student introduced himself as a knight.
After that, various students came and went.
Meanwhile, Leo felt a sense of doubt.
‘Why aren’t there any students studying magic?’
In the meantime, the music in the party hall kept changing.
There were times for quiet conversation, and then suddenly exciting music would play.
To the rhythm of the music, the elves would dance frequently.
Class 5 seemed unaccustomed to the atmosphere.
Human social parties usually had separate dance times.
However, for Leo, it was a familiar sight.
‘Elves have always loved dancing, whether in the past or now.’
Historically, elves were a race that loved dancing and singing.
It was common to court someone through dance and song.
Luna also used to sing and dance often during their camp.
The dance the Seirun students were performing now was the same dance Luna had performed long ago.
‘Dwayno used to praise that sight as a form of art.’
‘It’s truly a wonder how someone with such a eccentric personality can sing and dance so beautifully!’
‘…Their main repertoire was fighting over such absurdities.’
While reminiscing about the past, someone approached him.
“You?”
“Hello, we meet again.”
Luna smiled.
Just then, dance music began to play.
Hearing it, Luna asked,
“Would you like to dance a song?”
“Shall we?”
As Leo extended his hand, Luna took it.
And they began to dance lightly.
“You know Elven dances?”
“I learned them a long time ago.”
Luna asked in surprise, and Leo replied casually.
“Are you enjoying the party?”
“Yes. But I have a question. Does Seirun not have a separate magic department?”
“We don’t divide departments like Lumern. We focus on learning what we specialize in.”
“Hmm. It felt that way.”
He recalled the previous students who introduced themselves as spirit magicians, summoners, spear knights, and sword knights.
“Still, there were no students studying magic?”
“It seems you don’t know Seirun well. Magic is essential at Seirun.”
“Essential?”
“Yes. Because we are a magical race.”
“Even if you are a magical race, there must be students who don’t have an aptitude for magic?”
“Such people cannot be admitted to Seirun.”
‘So basically, it’s a dual-class system.’
As she answered, Luna stepped to the rhythm with cheerful steps.
Leo easily supported Luna.
Luna found dancing with Leo quite enjoyable.
‘He dances so skillfully!’
Because his skills were good, it was more fun than usual.
When the dance time finally ended, Luna, with a slightly regretful expression, stepped back and asked,
“By the way, I haven’t asked your name yet. What is your name?”
“Me? Leo Flob.”
“……?”
Luna’s face, which was about to let go of Leo’s hand, stiffened with a crackling sound.
Leo looked perplexed at her reaction.
“What’s wrong?”
“It was you?”
“What?”
The friendly, honor student aura she had moments ago completely disappeared.
Luna glared at him, exuding a ferocious aura that could be described as gangster-like.
“Was it you who stole my contractor’s person?”
“Ah.”
Leo nodded as if he understood and grinned.
“I’m using it well.”
“Are you saying that now!”
Luna, agitated, grabbed Leo by the collar.
“F-Fight! A fight has broken out!”
The party atmosphere turned into chaos.
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