Book 1 Chapter 65
【65】64.
“What is going on! A fight, you say!”
Herdium chastised the two with a pale face.
Currently, the two had left the chaotic party venue.
Lunia had abruptly turned her head away, and Leo was calmly tidying his clothes with an indifferent expression.
Harlind, who was watching them, asked.
“What was the cause? Who made the mistake first?”
At Harlind’s cold voice, Lunia flinched for a moment.
There was no teacher like Harlind at Seirun.
Herdium frowned.
“Are you interrogating our student right now?”
“We need to know what the problem is to solve it.”
“What! Fine! Lunia is the first-year class representative of our school! She is not a student who would make a mistake!”
Herdium, speaking proudly, said to Leo.
“Leo Flobe. What was the cause of the fight?”
Seeing Herdium ask in a tone that clearly implied he was at fault, Leo said indifferently.
“It seems I made a small mistake.”
“Aha! I knew it! There’s no way Lunia would make a mistake…!”
“Teacher Herdium. Don’t you think it’s unfair to push it so one-sidedly?”
“What are you talking about! Student Leo Flobe didn’t admit his mistake just now…!”
“If Lunia El Rundia is Seirun’s first-year representative, then Leo Flobe is also our Lumerun’s first-year representative.”
Herdium was surprised to see Harlind speak so sharply.
He hadn’t even considered that Leo might be a first-year representative.
Basically, Seirun wasn’t very interested in other schools’ affairs.
“Crucially.”
Herdium flinched as Harlind’s chilling gaze met him.
“Just as Teacher Herdium trusts his assigned student, I also trust my assigned student.”
At those words, Leo unconsciously smiled.
Though an object of fear among students, Harlind’s affection for his students was genuine.
‘Perhaps his strictness is also for the students’ sake.’
Hearing Harlind’s words, Herdium cleared his throat.
“Well, fine! Lunia, what did you hear from Leo Flobe?”
‘I can’t tell this story to anyone else!’
As the successor of the Rundia family, having a Phoenix taken away was a deeply humiliating matter.
If this fact became known at Seirun, she would surely be ridiculed.
Seeing Lunia falter, unsure what to say, Leo spoke.
“I made a contract…”
“Ahahahahaha! It was just a minor misunderstanding.”
Lunia quickly covered Leo’s mouth.
And then, with burning eyes, she glared at Leo.
It was as if she was saying, ‘If you say one more word, I won’t let you off easy!’
As Leo shrugged and nodded, Lunia, removing her hand, bowed her head.
“I apologize. Teacher Herdium, Professor Harlind. For causing a disturbance at a place of harmony, and…”
Lunia forced a smile and bowed.
“I’m sorry, Leo Flobe. I apologize for my rude behavior.”
Watching Lunia’s lips quiver, Leo wore an amused expression.
Seeing that, Herdium clutched his head, muttering, ‘Oh! How could this be.’
“It seems the misunderstanding has been resolved, so let’s continue the party. Let’s not discuss this matter further.”
At Harlind’s words, Herdium glanced nervously and nodded.
“Professor Harlind and student Leo, please go inside first. I will caution student Lunia separately.”
At that, Harlind and Leo entered the party venue.
When they were left alone outside, Lunia bowed her head.
“I apologize, Teacher.”
“No, it’s an incident that has already occurred, so it can’t be helped. Was that student also involved in the fight with student Tyrin during the day?”
“Yes.”
“Leo Flobe. I see. I remember him. He was the representative student when Lumerun’s first-year class was admitted.”
Herdium nodded and crossed his arms.
“Make sure you never make the same mistake again, student Lunia. You are Seirun’s first-year representative, an excellent talent who will lead our school in the future.”
“I understand.”
“And in the joint classes starting tomorrow, you must absolutely not fall behind that student Leo Flobe! Our Seirun has long surpassed Lumerun!”
Herdium clenched his fist, showing his competitive spirit.
“We must continue to prove it! That our Seirun is superior to Lumerun! No! That it is the most outstanding school among all hero academies!”
“I will absolutely not lose to that jerk! I’ll utterly crush him, so don’t worry! I swear on Seirun’s honor!”
“Luniaaaaa! How many times have I told you to fix that harsh way of speaking!”
Ignoring Herdium, who was pleading while clutching his head, Lunia glared at the party venue with burning eyes.
‘Be prepared! Leo Flobe!’
***
The party ended.
But the atmosphere between the two schools was extremely awkward.
It couldn't be helped.
There had been a dispute between none other than the class representatives of each school.
A different kind of awkwardness lingered between the two schools than before.
Returning to his dormitory, Leo changed into comfortable casual clothes.
Sitting on a chair at the table in his room, Leo crossed his arms and waited for someone.
Whoosh-!
A shadow swiftly passed through the window.
The blizzard had stopped without him realizing it.
Looking out the window, Lunia was there.
Meeting Leo’s eyes, Lunia quietly cast a spell.
Click-!
The window opened, and Lunia entered.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Judging by your personality, I thought you’d come at moonlit night.”
“Then, would you care to explain? How you came to steal my contractor!”
“It seems there’s a contradiction in saying ‘stole’? I merely made a contract with Fiona at Pirina-nim’s suggestion.”
“Nonsense! I was chosen as Fiona’s contractor by Pirina-nim since I was five! How much I cherished Fiona since I was little! Always together when playing! We bathed together every day! I even dressed her!”
“Fiona hatched three months ago, didn’t she?”
“I can take good care of her even when she’s an egg!”
“Look for another sworn partner. Pirina-nim feels bad for you and is diligently searching for another Phoenix.”
To ordinary people, a Phoenix is a rare mythical beast only found in legends, but with the Rundia family’s influence, they could find as many Phoenixes suitable for a contract as they wished.
“It has to be that one!”
Seeing Lunia shout, tears welling up in her eyes, Leo sighed.
‘I certainly do feel bad.’
Snatching a mythical beast whose contractor has already been decided is a very rude act.
In severe cases, it can even lead to loss of life.
Although Pirina arranged the contract between Leo and Fiona, it was because she had expected the contract to be impossible.
It’s not unreasonable.
No matter how talented one is, how can someone who hasn’t learned summoning magic contract with a Phoenix?
However, Leo succeeded in contracting with Fiona, and this situation occurred.
It was literally a situation where no one was at fault, but Lunia had certainly had her contractor taken away.
‘Besides, Phoenixes only have one contractor.’
Pirina’s offer of a contract to Leo before was merely an exception because he was her benefactor’s son.
The noble Phoenix was famous for not having two sworn partners.
“How carefully I took care of Fiona! *Sob, sob!* We were always together! *Waaah!* But now she’s not my contractor! Fionaaaaaa! *Waaah, waaaah!*”
Seeing Lunia now sprawled on the floor, sobbing mournfully, Leo asked.
“What can I do for you?”
Lunia abruptly stopped crying.
Then, she glanced at Leo.
“Then, will you grant me one wish?”
“If it’s something I can do.”
“Duel me.”
“What?”
“I’ll prove it! That I am a more suitable sworn partner for a Phoenix than you!”
Seeing her burning red eyes, Leo chuckled.
“Shall we go out?”
***
Leo and Lunia left the dormitory and headed for a secluded, wide open field.
Leaving footprints in the deep snow, they took positions far apart from each other.
“Just a warning.”
“Hm?”
“If it seems like you can’t do it, surrender quickly. Don’t get hurt just by being stubborn.”
Leo chuckled at Lunia’s words.
“Are you worried about me?”
“Worried, my foot.”
Lunia snorted and crossed her arms.
“I’m only telling you this because you’re the son of Lady Raina, my father’s benefactor!”
With that, Lunia pulled a coin from her pocket.
“The moment this coin drops, the duel begins.”
“Alright.”
“Then.”
Clink-! Whirrrrrrr!
A gold coin soared high into the air, glittering in the moonlight as it fell.
Thud-!
Fwoosh-!
Fwoosh-!
Aura of flames and magical power of flames flickered simultaneously.
Seeing Leo’s flames, Lunia narrowed her eyes.
‘Zeldinger’s flames. A family blessed by a Phoenix, just like ours.’
As one of the few families in the world capable of wielding the Phoenix’s power, Lunia felt a surge of competitive spirit.
‘I will absolutely not lose!’
“By the name of the contractor, I summon thee.”
Five summoning circles appeared around Lunia.
Along with them, five intermediate fire mythical beasts, Salamanders, revealed themselves.
The bipedal mythical beast Salamander could breathe fire from its mouth and freely use both hands.
“Five intermediate mythical beasts?”
Leo exclaimed in admiration, but that wasn’t the end.
As Lunia chanted a spell, spears and shields of flame were created in the Salamanders’ hands.
Watching Lunia rapidly enhance the Salamanders using magic, Leo smiled.
“Indeed worthy of Seirun’s class representative.”
“You’re too relaxed? But I haven’t even started yet? Everyone, please!”
Lunia entrusted the front line to the Salamanders, swiftly widened the distance from Leo, and began chanting a spell.
Facing the five Salamanders pressing down on him, Leo mumbled.
“Delegating combat to mythical beasts and casting powerful spells oneself… how traditional.”
“It’s the traditional combat method of the elves! Lady Luna also fought like this!”
By current standards, Luna was regarded as a traditional mage who could turn the tide of battle with powerful spells.
“Indeed, in modern times, Luna is known as a traditional mage.”
Leo chuckled.
“But you’re wrong.”
“What?”
“By modern standards, Luna is a combat mage.”
A mage who constantly roams the battlefield, unleashing spells without pause.
The battlefields that Kyle and his companions navigated often meant instant death the moment one stopped moving to cast a spell.
It was only in battlefields with a certain amount of leeway that Luna would stop moving to cast a spell.
Yet, the reason Luna was known as a traditional type in this era was simple.
‘Even while moving so frantically, each of her attacks was a powerful magic capable of overturning the battlefield.’
A flawless mage.
That was Luna, the progenitor of the nebula.
“Hmm~ So humans think that way. But regarding the progenitor, aren’t the elves’ records closer to the truth than humans’?”
She squinted her eyes.
While they were talking, Leo unsummoned the five Salamanders.
If Lunia had supported the Salamanders more, he wouldn't have been able to subdue them so quickly.
But now, Lunia was fully concentrating on her magic.
‘Now, if I just defeat Lunia.’
Leo quickly closed the distance with Lunia.
Then, as soon as his eyes met Lunia, who was smiling sweetly, he hastily widened the distance again.
“You have good instincts, don’t you?”
Lunia, smiling broadly, spread her right hand open and raised it.
A sphere of flame the size of a house was created.
Fwoosh-!
The intense heat melted all the surrounding snow.
“Blazing Heat (灼熱). It’s our family’s ultimate magic.”
It was magic that utilized the power of the Phoenix, much like the Zeldinger family’s Phoenix Breath.
But no one would be foolish enough to directly face such powerful magic.
‘Of course, a magic of that scale would have considerable power even from its fragments, but…’
“Are you sure about this? Magic that uses the Phoenix’s power will have its potency halved against me.”
That was true.
Leo’s flames and Lunia’s flames were fundamentally powers of the same attribute.
As such, Lunia’s magic could not inflict full damage on Leo.
“That’s right. But I’m going to defeat you with this magic.”
“Why?”
“This isn’t just a simple duel. This is a fight to prove that I am a more suitable sworn partner for Fiona than you. So, simply winning isn’t enough.”
Lunia wore a serious expression.
“This is my pride as a Phoenix’s sworn partner.”
“Is that so? Then I accept that challenge.”
“What?”
For a moment, Lunia paused, not understanding Leo’s meaning.
But without thinking deeply, she unleashed the magic at Leo.
“Be prepared!”
Flames, like a small sun, engulfed Leo.
Fwoosh-!
Flames flickered around Leo’s body.
Taking a deep breath, Leo swung his sword towards the Blazing Heat.
Boom, boom, boom!
Lunia’s eyes were filled with horror at the sight.
“Are you out of your mind! You could die if you’re not careful!”
“You said you wanted to prove you’re a suitable sworn partner for Fiona? Then I’ll prove it too!”
Lunia, who had hastily tried to cancel the magic, paused.
“Why Fiona chose me!”
Lunia’s jaw dropped.
‘Is that so? Then I accept that challenge.’
‘This is what he meant? This guy is absolutely crazy!’
If she attacked Leo now, she could easily win.
But now, the duel was no longer just a test of skill.
It had become a battle of pride, summoner versus summoner.
And as wielders of the Phoenix’s power.
*Crunch-* *Crunch-*
Blocking the Blazing Heat, Leo kept stepping backward.
But even as he did, Leo’s flames continuously gnawed away at Lunia’s flames.
‘Stronger! More furious!’
Fwoosh-! Crash!
Leo’s flames greedily swallowed the fragments of flame that broke off from Lunia’s magic.
‘He’s making his firepower stronger, even at the cost of injuring himself?’
It wasn't a conventional method.
It was an unimaginable approach.
To unleash more firepower than allowed, even while getting hurt!
Nevertheless, Leo endlessly swallowed Lunia’s flames.
And then…
Fwoosh-!
Leo’s flames completely swallowed the enormous Blazing Heat.
Thud-
Lunia was so surprised that her legs gave out, and she unknowingly sank to the ground.
*Thump- thump-*
Leo, who had roughly torn off his ruined, ash-covered upper garment, walked towards Lunia.
Lunia dazedly looked up at him.
“If you want a proper duel, I’ll face you on those terms. What do you say?”
“Hahaha! Ahahahahahahaha!”
Lunia burst into unconscious laughter.
“No. I lost.”
How could she continue to be angry at an opponent who had faced her fury head-on like this?
*Grunt,* Lunia got up and said with a bitter smile.
“Whether I admit it or not. I’m sorry for speaking presumptuously. I sincerely apologize.”
“It’s fine. I would have been angry too.”
‘…To think there’s such a difference, even though we’re both first-year class representatives. It’s embarrassing.’
She felt ashamed of the opponent’s magnanimity.
“Even though I acknowledge you, I haven’t given up.”
Lunia said, crossing her arms.
“I’ll also prove that I’m a suitable sworn partner for Fiona! So that Fiona can choose me later!”
Fiona pointed a hand at Leo Flobe.
“So, Leo Flobe! From now on, you’re my rival!”
“Think whatever you like.”
“I’ll be looking forward to the joint class tomorrow.”
Watching Lunia turn sharply, her red hair swaying, Leo chuckled.
“I’ll live up to your expectations.”
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