Book 1 Chapter 658

"What? So you guys are going to Demian tomorrow too?"

Early in the morning.

Kal, who was eating breakfast with hollow eyes, asked with wide eyes.

"You too? You're going to Demian?"

Chelsea, dipping her bread in soup, asked with a puzzled expression.

Kal scratched his head and said.

"Yeah. I'm leaving tomorrow too."

"What are you going to Demian for?"

"Second-year escort."

"Huh? Second-year escort? What escort?"

Iliana, who was eating next to Chelsea, made a puzzled face.

"All the second-years are going to Demian tomorrow."

"Suddenly? The second-years didn't seem to know anything about it?"

"Of course they didn't know. It was decided yesterday."

"Ah, no wonder you came back late from the student council room yesterday."

Chelsea nodded.

"By the way, why are the second-years going to Demian? President, do you know anything?"

"It's for the exclusive contract with Smith."

"Ah!"

Iliana nodded at Leo's answer.

"It was a huge event in our time, wasn't it? Even the principal went. But you're escorting it alone, Kal?"

"There's no way I'd escort them alone. Professor Artian will be going as the escort teacher."

"Still, it's small."

"In our time, all the second-year students from every Hero Academy gathered. That's not usually the case."

"Oh. So this time, our school is the only one going?"

"Yes. Sayrun and Azonia will come after coordinating their schedules."

Then it makes sense if one escort teacher and one student assisting that teacher are going.

"Still, it's a position for the figurehead. You're going there, Kal. You've come a long way."

"Elena-senpai was supposed to go originally!"

"You really are a slave."

Iliana made a sympathetic expression.

***

The next day.

The second-year students were gathered in front of the warp gate leading to Demian, talking.

Although the second-year students were bewildered by the sudden news of departing for Demian today for the exclusive Smith contract schedule, the confusion didn't last long.

Rather, the first-year students were the ones who were bewildered.

"What? The entire year is going to Demian?"

"Isn't it too sudden?"

In Rumerun, the hierarchy between grades was very strict.

Especially in the first year, even a one-year difference meant one couldn't dare to look at them.

However, starting with the mentor system last year, and now living in the same space with all grades together this year, the first and second-year students became familiar with each other within a few days.

Since the first-year students found it difficult to speak to students of the third-year level or higher, they naturally asked the second-year students many questions, and the second-year students who had mentor experience treated the first-year students who approached them as juniors with a sense of responsibility.

The second-year students chuckled at the first-year students' reactions.

"Rumerun is like this."

Then the second-year students talked to the Demian students from various places.

"Juwen. Who do you want to sign a contract with?"

"Hmph. It's a secret."

Juwen gave a meaningful expression to the question from a student from the same year's magic department.

'I received the list of second-year students who specialize in making magic staffs from Kal-senpai.'

Juwen, who was Kal's mentee, always stayed ahead of other grades in terms of important information.

"Luke. Who do you want to contract with?"

In the place where the knight department students were gathered, Aina asked with a puzzled expression.

"Well. I think any dwarf-made weapon would be good?"

Luke scratched his cheek and said.

As someone from a rural village, Luke couldn't help but tremble at the mere mention of dwarf weapons.

Thus, the second-year students were busy talking about the Demian students they would sign exclusive contracts with.

The exclusive smith contract was the most important schedule in the second-year curriculum, so they had all thoroughly researched the Demian students during their winter break.

"Ah. Everyone is here?"

At that moment, Kal, who entered through the warp gate entrance, put a megaphone to his mouth and said.

"We have to leave soon, so please stop chatting and line up by department."

"Yes~"

The second-year students replied in light voices and began to line up.

"Really?"

"Awesome!"

"Hahahaha!"

However, the atmosphere was very excited, so the sounds of laughter and chatter continued.

And the speed of lining up was also a bit slow.

The second-year students knew that Kal was a great person who had risen to the position of hero.

However, since Kal had approached the second-year students in a friendly manner since their admission, he was also a very familiar senior.

'Well, I'm not the type to control them with charisma.'

Simply put, he was not a scary senior.

Therefore, the scattered atmosphere did not disappear.

Kal, who had no intention of changing his style, didn't care.

'There's someone else to catch anyway.'

"Professor Artian. The kids are still making noise."

"Huh?!"

Artian, who was behind Kal,'s eyes flashed open, and he made a fierce expression.

Artian, possessed by the spirit of a knight hero, snatched the megaphone from Kal's hand and shouted into it.

"Are you saying you don't consider what your senior is saying to be important! What is this!?"

At Artian's appearance, the second-year students were startled and quickly lined up.

After the second-year students finished lining up, Kal 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 weapons from now on!"

Artian said with a bright smile like a spring breeze.

"Since it might be a bond that lasts a lifetime, I hope everyone carefully signs a contract with a smith that suits them!"

"Yes! We understand!"

The second-year students replied with discipline.

"Professor, are we leaving right away then?"

"No. There are third-year students who have business in Demian, so we are going together. Ah, they're here."

At Artian's words, the second-year students' gazes turned towards the entrance of the warp gate building.

Gasps erupted from the second-year students at the appearance of five people.

They were wearing uniforms as a base and equipped with gear needed for combat.

"Wow, look at the amulet Eliza-senpai is wearing."

"It looks familiar."

"Ah! I saw it in a book!"

"Ah! That's right! It's the Mark of Thunder! It's an artifact passed down in the Hergin family. It's said to be an artifact that only the qualified can use!"

What Eliza was wearing was a treasure of the Hergin family that could only be used with the permission of the head of the family.

It was an amulet imbued with the power of Pegasus, an item containing the essence of the heroic spirit of the Hergin family summoners who had contracted with Pegasus for generations.

It could only be used by those with the Hergin family bloodline, and it was an item that amplified the power of the phantom beast that wielded the power of thunder.

Similar sentiments were pouring out among the knight department students.

"The greatsword Duran-senpai is wearing looks unusual at first glance."

"Could that be the sword used by the founding king of Moira?"

"Ah! Lightning Storm?"

"That's right!"

Duran's appearance, armed with a longsword and a greatsword unlike his usual self, was clearly noticeable.

Not only Duran.

Iliana also had her main weapon, a longsword, at her waist and a spear in her hand.

"Iliana-senpai'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, isn't it? It might be a family heirloom."

"Chelsea-senpai with a long staff?"

"Wait. That staff. Isn't it Wind Memory?!"

"Wow!"

Chelsea also appeared with the family heirloom of the Rwalin family, attracting attention.

Lastly, Leo was wearing a black cloak.

Compared to his other party members, he looked simple, but Leo's presence, wrapped in the cloak, was inexplicably overwhelming.

The fully armed third-year students, unlike usual, were enough to make the second-year students have one thought.

'They look strong.'

They knew their seniors were strong.

But seeing them fully armed gave them a completely different feeling than before.

"Professor, sorry for being late."

"No, you're right on time. By the way, everyone, you look amazing!"

Artian clapped his hands and exclaimed.

Kal also looked surprised.

"Wow. You really came out in such a flashy way. Whose idea was it? Iliana's?"

"What do you mean!"

"Who else here likes such ostentatious things?"

"No! It's the President's idea!"

At Iliana's words, Kal looked at Leo with a slightly surprised expression.

Eliza, receiving envious gazes from the second-year students, said.

"I did it because you told me to, but what's the meaning behind this?"

"There is."

"What meaning is there?"

Duran asked, crossing his arms, and Leo shrugged.

"It looks impressive to others."

"What?"

Duran looked bewildered at the unexpected answer.

Chelsea also looked slightly taken aback.

"Is that really the reason? It's not like you, Leo-oppa."

"Why! It's a good reason!"

Iliana's eyes sparkled as she gave a thumbs-up.

Kal, who had been contemplating after hearing Leo's words, tilted his head.

"Is it perhaps a symbol?"

"Huh? A symbol?"

Chelsea asked with a puzzled expression.

"It's natural that Leo wouldn't have done this just to look cool."

"Yes, yes. That's right."

Chelsea nodded in agreement with Kal's words.

"Then isn't it trying to become some kind of symbol?"

"Right."

Leo nodded.

"The world is chaotic right now. This peaceful era might end soon. Then people will be anxious."

Leo looked down at his hands.

"Anxiety is highly contagious. When people are anxious, they are easily swayed. Swayed people easily start to doubt others."

Distrust erodes unity from within.

"So there's something I want to let people know."

"What is it?"

"That my party will always win if we decide to fight."

At Leo's words, Duran's eyes twitched.

"Always win?"

"Yes."

Leo smiled.

"The battlefield where I appear never ends in defeat. I will give them that kind of 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 in the moments of achieving the impossible, the lie will become the truth."

The moment of miraculous victory makes one forget the desperate memories of the past.

"To make a strong impression in people's minds, it's good to advertise that we're going to fight in a way that anyone can see."

"Is that your idea?"

"No, a certain pervert told me a long time ago."

Leo shrugged.

'Lisinas. Aren't all your words lies anyway? Everyone here knows that. They know you're selling a ridiculous scam to people!'

Fighting hard can save the world.

When Archi was formed, that was clearly a lie.

'So if you're going to be a swindler, you should look the part from the outside! That's the basic of a scam! The basic!'

Ever since hearing Dweno's advice, Lisinas had been wearing flashy armor to show off to people when he went into battle.

"A symbol of absolute victory."

Duran murmured softly.

"I like it."

Eliza's lips curled upwards.

"So that's why. As expected of Leo-oppa."

Chelsea also nodded in admiration.

"Hehehe."

"Why are you laughing so annoyingly?"

"I knew about the President's grand intention. To realize it so late. I'm a little disappointed in you guys?"

"You just like flashy things. Idiot."

"Stop spouting nonsense, Iliana Raden."

"President! They're ignoring me! I really knew the President intended to wear this! I knew it!"

At Chelsea and Duran's harsh words, Iliana pouted and complained to Leo.

"Yes, yes."

Leo sighed and patted Iliana's head.

"Alright, everyone. Stop chatting, it's time to go."

At Artian's words, Leo and his party lined up in front of the warp gate.

As the warp gate opened, Leo and his party passed through the gate first.

Leo glanced back at his friends following him and smiled.

'They don't know.'

That this first step is the beginning of a legend that will later adorn a page in history.

Of course, the future cannot be guaranteed.

But.

'Because I'll make it so.'

Just like Lisinas, who turned the lie that the world can be saved into truth.

He will tell the same lie to his new companions who will follow him.

'You will become a new legend.'