Book 1 Chapter 658
658.
“What? So you guys are also going to Demian tomorrow?”
Early in the morning.
Carl, who was eating breakfast with tired eyes, asked, his eyes wide open.
“You guys too? You’re also going to Demian?”
Chelsea, who was dipping bread in soup, asked with a puzzled look.
Carl scratched his head and said,
“Yeah. I’m leaving tomorrow too.”
“What are you going to Demian for?”
“Escorting 2nd years.”
“Huh? Escorting 2nd years? What escort?”
Illiana, who was eating next to Chelsea, looked puzzled.
“All 2nd years are going to Demian tomorrow.”
“Suddenly? The 2nd years didn’t seem to know anything?”
“Of course, they don’t know. It was decided yesterday.”
“Ah, so that’s why you came late from the student council office yesterday.”
Chelsea nodded.
“By the way, why are the 2nd years going to Demian? Class rep, do you know anything?”
“They’re going because of the exclusive Smith contract.”
“Ah!”
Illiana nodded at Leo’s answer.
“In our time, it was a massive event, right? Even the principal went. But Carl is escorting them all by himself?”
“There’s no way I’d escort them alone, is there? Professor Artian is going as the escort teacher.”
“Still, it’s small?”
“It was huge in our time because all the 2nd years from every Hero Academy gathered. Usually, it’s not like that.”
“Oh ho. So this time, only our school is going?”
“Yes. Seirun and Azonia will come after coordinating their schedule.”
In that case, it makes sense if one escort teacher and one student assisting that teacher are going.
“Still, it’s a position for a figurehead, isn’t it? For Carl to go to that position. He’s really moved up.”
“Originally, Elena senior was supposed to go!”
“You’re really a slave.”
Illiana made a sympathetic face.
***
The next day.
In front of the warp gate leading to Demian, the 2nd years were gathered, talking.
The 2nd years had been flustered by the sudden news yesterday that they would be departing for Demian today for the exclusive Smith contract schedule, but that confusion didn’t last long.
Rather, it was the 1st years who were flustered.
“What? The whole grade is going to Demian?”
“Isn’t it too sudden?”
Originally, Lumerne had a very strict hierarchy between grades.
Especially in their first year, even a one-year difference meant they wouldn’t dare to even look at seniors.
However, starting with last year’s mentor system and this year with the entire grades living together in the same space, the 1st and 2nd years had become familiar with each other within a few days.
The 1st years found it difficult to speak to students above 3rd year, so they naturally asked many things to the 2nd years, and the 2nd years, having mentor experience, treated the approaching 1st years with a sense of responsibility, calling them juniors.
The 2nd years chuckled at the 1st years’ reactions.
“Lumerne is originally like this.”
And so, the 2nd years talked to the Demian students here and there.
“Juen. Who do you want to make a contract with?”
“Hmph. It’s a secret.”
Juen made a significant expression at the question from a fellow magic department student.
‘I received a list of 2nd year students who professionally make magic staves from Carl senior.’
Juen, who was Carl’s mentee, was always ahead of other grades when it came to important information.
“Luke. Who would you like to make a contract with?”
In the area where knight department students were gathered, Aina asked with a puzzled face.
“Well, I think any dwarven weapon would be good?”
Luke said, scratching his cheek.
As Luke, who was from a rural village, just the thought of dwarven armaments made his hands tremble.
And so, the 2nd years were engrossed in talking about the Demian students with whom they would sign exclusive contracts.
The exclusive Smith contract was the most important event in the 2nd year curriculum, so everyone had thoroughly researched Demian students during the winter break.
“Ah. Everyone’s here, right?”
Just then, Carl, who had entered the warp gate entrance, spoke into a megaphone.
“We have to leave soon, so everyone stop chatting and please line up by department!”
“Yes~”
The 2nd years replied with light voices and began to line up.
“Really?”
“Awesome!”
“Ahahaha!”
However, the atmosphere was very excited, so sounds of laughter and chatter continued to be heard.
And the speed of lining up was a bit slow.
The 2nd years knew that Carl had become a hero and was a great person.
But because Carl had approached the 2nd years kindly since their admission, he was also a very familiar senior.
‘Well, I’m not the type to control kids with charisma.’
In short, he wasn't a scary senior.
Because of that, the boisterous atmosphere didn't disappear.
Carl didn't care, as he had no intention of changing his style anyway.
‘After all, there’s someone else to control them.’
“Professor Artian. The kids keep chatting.”
“Huh?!”
Artian’s eyes, who was behind Carl, snapped open and he made a fierce expression.
Artian, possessed by the spirit of a knight hero, snatched the megaphone from Carl’s hand, put it to his mouth, and shouted,
“Are you saying your senior’s words don’t matter right now! What is it!?”
At Artian’s appearance, the 2nd years flinched and quickly lined up.
Once the 2nd years finished lining up, Carl and Artian headed to the front.
“Everyone. As you all know, today is the day we go to sign exclusive contracts with the Smiths who will be in charge of your armaments from now on!”
Artian said with a bright smile like a spring breeze.
“This might become a lifelong connection, so I hope everyone carefully contracts with a Smith who suits them well!”
“Yes! Understood!”
The 2nd years answered with discipline.
“Professor. So, are we leaving right away now?”
“No. There are 3rd year students who have business in Demian, so we’ll be going together. Ah, they just arrived.”
At Artian’s words, the 2nd years’ gaze turned towards the entrance of the warp gate building.
Exclamations erupted among the 2nd years at the appearance of five people.
They were dressed in their uniforms as a base, each equipped with gear necessary for combat.
“Wow, look at the amulet Eliza senior is wearing.”
“I think I’ve seen it somewhere?”
“Ah! I saw it in a book!”
“Ah! That’s right! The Mark of Thunder and Lightning! It’s an artifact passed down in the Hergin family. They said only those who are qualified can use it!”
What Eliza was wearing was a treasure of the Hergin family that could only be used with the permission of the family head.
It was an amulet imbued with the power of Pegasus, containing the essence of the spiritual power of Hergin family summoners who had contracted with Pegasus for generations.
Only those with the Hergin family bloodline could use it, and it contained the power to amplify the power of a phantasm beast that wields thunder and lightning.
Similar exclamations poured out among the knight department students as well.
“The greatsword Duran senior is wearing. It looks extraordinary at a glance?”
“Isn’t that the sword used by Moira, the founding king?”
“Ah! Lightning Storm?”
“That’s right!”
Unlike usual, Duran, armed with a longsword and a greatsword, clearly stood out.
It wasn't just Duran.
Illiana also had her main weapon, a longsword, at her waist and was holding a spear in her hand.
“Illiana senior’s longsword is also different from the one she usually carries? It looks like an unusual item.”
“The Raden family is also a prestigious family, right? Could it be a family heirloom?”
“Chelsea senior with a long staff?”
“Wait. That staff. Isn’t that Wind Memory?!”
“Wow!”
Chelsea also appeared holding the Rwalin family heirloom given to her, attracting attention.
Lastly, Leo was wearing a black cloak.
Compared to the other party members, he looked plain, but Leo’s presence, cloaked, was somehow overwhelming.
The sight of the 3rd years, fully armed unlike usual, was enough to make the 2nd years think one thing.
‘They look strong.’
They knew their seniors were strong.
But seeing them fully armed like that gave a completely different impression than before.
“Professor, I apologize for being late.”
“Not at all. You arrived just in time. By the way, everyone. You look truly magnificent!”
Artian clapped his hands in admiration.
Carl also looked surprised.
“Wow. You really came dressed up flashy, whose idea was this? Illiana’s idea?”
“What about me!”
“Who else here would like something this flamboyant besides you?”
“No, it’s not! It’s the class rep’s idea!”
At Illiana’s words, Carl looked at Leo with a slightly surprised expression.
Eliza spoke, receiving the admiring gazes of the 2nd years.
“I did it because I was told to, but what’s the meaning behind this?”
“There is.”
“What’s the meaning?”
As Duran asked, crossing his arms, Leo shrugged.
“It looks good to others.”
“What?”
Duran made a dumbfounded expression at the completely unexpected answer.
Chelsea also looked slightly flustered.
“Is that really the reason? It’s not like you, Leo oppa?”
“Why! It’s a good reason, isn’t it?”
Illiana’s eyes sparkled as she gave a thumbs-up!
Carl, who pondered for a moment after hearing Leo’s words, tilted his head.
“Is it like a symbol?”
“Huh? A symbol?”
Chelsea made a puzzled expression.
“Leo wouldn’t just do this simply to look cool.”
“Uh-huh. That’s right.”
Chelsea nodded, agreeing with Carl’s words.
“Then isn’t he trying to become some kind of symbol?”
“That’s right.”
Leo nodded.
“The world is chaotic right now. This seemingly peaceful era might end soon. If so, people will be anxious.”
Leo looked down at his hands.
“Anxiety is highly contagious. If people are anxious, they are easily swayed. Swaying people easily begin to distrust others.”
Distrust internally breaks down unity.
“So there’s something I want to tell people.”
“What’s that?”
“That if the party I lead decides to fight, we will absolutely win.”
Duran’s eyes twitched at Leo’s words.
“Absolutely win?”
“Yes.”
Leo smiled faintly.
“The battlefield where I appear will never suffer defeat. I will give them that belief.”
“Arrogant. Do you think it’s possible to win every fight?”
“It’s impossible. Because that’s a lie. But.”
Leo looked at Duran and grinned.
“But at the moment when an impossible feat is achieved, a lie will become the truth.”
In moments of miraculous victory, people forget any previous despairing memories.
“To be strongly imprinted in people’s minds, it’s good to advertise that you’re going to fight, different from usual, for anyone to see.”
“Is that your idea?”
“No, some pervert told me a long time ago.”
Leo shrugged.
‘Lysinas. Aren't all the words you speak lies anyway? Everyone here knows. That you are deceiving people with absurd lies!’
If you fight hard, the world can be saved.
At the time, when Archy was formed, those words were clearly lies.
‘So, if you're going to act like a fraud anyway, your appearance should be plausible! Isn't that the basic principle of fraud! The basic!’
After hearing Dwenno’s advice, Lysinas would always put on flashy gear in a showy manner whenever he went to battle.
“A symbol of absolute victory.”
Duran murmured softly.
“I like it.”
Eliza curled the corners of her lips.
“So that was the reason. As expected of Leo oppa.”
Chelsea also nodded in admiration.
“Hehehe.”
“Why are you smiling so obnoxiously?”
“I knew the class rep’s great intention. To find that out so late. I’m a little disappointed in you guys?”
“You just like flashy things. Idiot.”
“Stop spouting nonsense, Illiana Raden.”
“Class reep! They’re ignoring me! I really knew the class rep came out dressed like this with that intention!”
Illiana made a tearful face and complained to Leo at Chelsea’s and Duran’s harsh words.
“Yes, yes.”
Leo sighed and patted Illiana’s head.
“Alright, everyone. Stop chatting, it’s time to go now.”
At Artian’s words, Leo and his party also lined up in front of the warp gate.
When the warp gate opened, Leo and his party crossed the gate first.
Leo glanced back at his friends following him and smiled.
‘They wouldn’t know.’
That this first step was the beginning of a legend that would one day adorn a page of history.
Of course, the future cannot be certain.
But.
‘Because I will make it so.’
Just like Lysinas, who turned the lie that the world could be saved into truth.
He would tell the same lie to the new comrades who would follow him.
‘You will become a new legend.’