Book 1 Chapter 66
【66】65.
The next morning.
As the Lumerne students had been invited to Seirun the previous night, classes were held at Lumerne's dormitory.
The reaction of the Seirun students who came to the dormitory was not much different from Lumerne's when they first arrived.
“Oh my? You're sleeping here?”
“Is Lumerne perhaps facing financial difficulties?”
“Can you even sleep here?”
Seeing them express their reluctance, Illiana, who had her arms crossed, shook her head.
“What a bunch of naive young masters and ladies.”
“You're not one to talk, considering you had a similar reaction just two days ago… *cough*?”
Karl, who was interrupting, was hit in the side by Illiana and stumbled.
Thus, the Lumerne and Seirun students each took their seats and took out their writing instruments.
“I have a question.”
At that moment, a female student raised her hand.
“Hmm? What are you curious about?”
When the sociable Karl asked with a smile, the Seirun female student asked with a puzzled expression.
“What level are you Lumerne first-years at?”
“As for what level.”
“Well, it varies greatly from student to student.”
The students of Class 5 shrugged their shoulders, looking at each other.
A Seirun male student asked, crossing his arms.
“Varies greatly? Haven't you separated into advanced, intermediate, and basic classes?”
“No. Unlike Seirun, which divides classes by academic performance, Lumerne ensures all students receive equal education.”
“So Lumerne has such a system. That's a little disappointing then.”
At Chelsea's explanation, the Seirun male student sighed and mumbled.
Hearing those words, Chelsea's eyes twitched.
“What's so disappointing?”
“I seem to have misspoke. I apologize if I offended you, Lady. But we are Seirun's Advanced Class 1. We conduct classes befitting that. While Lumerne's ideology of providing equal educational opportunities to all students is not wrong… I question whether this class is truly worth our time.”
A few Seirun students glared at the male student.
However, most Seirun students seemed to agree with his words.
“Wow, he's really unpleasant to talk to.”
“I merely spoke the truth, Lady.”
At that, Illiana bristled and jumped to her feet.
“Ha! If you're so great, want to have a go!? Seirun has duel evaluations starting from the first year, right?”
“Sit down, Illiana.”
“Understood, class president.”
Of course, she immediately sat down at Leo's words.
However, the overall atmosphere in Class 5 was chilling.
The Seirun students, seeing Class 5 like that, wore arrogant expressions.
“I don't know how amazing the classes you usually attend are.”
Leo stepped forward.
“But I don't know how amazing you guys from Advanced Class 1 are?”
“Isn't that remark too reckless, even for Lumerne's year representative?”
The Seirun students bristled.
Leo wore an indifferent expression.
“I merely spoke the truth. After fighting with that guy yesterday, I didn't think he was all that great.”
At Leo's words, the face of the Seirun male student who had spoken carelessly was tinged with shame.
He was the male student who had been unilaterally beaten by Leo yesterday.
“And wasn't it you who made reckless remarks first?”
When Leo looked at the Seirun students with a chilling expression, they flinched.
It was then that a strange tension filled the air.
“Hwuaaah! It's cold. Huh? What's going on?”
Lunia appeared, opening the door.
Seeing Lunia's puzzled expression, Luca approached with a wry smile.
“There was a bit of an argument.”
“Lu, Luca! An argument?!”
“It's just a difference of opinion.”
A few students frantically tried to stop Luca.
But it was already too late.
“Would you like to tell me, Luca?”
Seeing Lunia ask in a gentle voice, Luca recounted what had just happened.
“Hmm~”
Lunia, with her eyes half-closed, wore an apologetic expression.
“Lumerne students. It seems we made a mistake with our words. I'll speak to them later, so could you please be understanding?”
Seeing Lunia speak in a demure voice, the male students of Class 5 grinned broadly.
“No! It can happen!”
“If Miss Lunia says so!”
“Hahaha! We're not upset at all!”
A few female students from Class 5 glared sharply at them.
Karl clicked his tongue.
“He exuded such a fierce aura yesterday, is he even the same person?”
“Indeed.”
Leo let out a hollow laugh, watching Lunia effortlessly play the part of a quiet yet sharp top student.
Lunia smiled gently at the students of Advanced Class 1.
“Everyone! It's good to have pride in your school, but shouldn't the school's greatness be proven by skill?”
“She's beautiful, and her personality is kind too!”
“Wow! That's the ideal elf!”
“Why aren't there such beauties among our school's first-years?”
Illiana shook her head at her classmates, who were completely smitten and murmuring as they watched Lunia's back.
“Ugh, idiots. They're utterly helpless when it comes to pretty girls.”
“Illiana, if only you'd keep your mouth shut…”
“Huh? My mouth what?”
“Save me! Sis! I won't tease you anymore!”
While Karl was playfully provoking Illiana and got grabbed by the collar.
The faces of the Seirun Advanced Class 1 students who saw Lunia's face were turning pale.
Although it wasn't visible from the Lumerne side, Lunia's face was sheer ferocity itself.
With the situation thus resolved.
Leo quietly spoke to Lunia as she passed by him.
“Quite the act you've got there?”
“Quiet.”
Lunia, giving him a glare, sat down in the Seirun students' section.
A moment later, Halinde and Herdium entered the dormitory.
While Herdium stood to the side observing, Halinde began the class.
“This morning, I will lecture on Lumerne's major subjects. Knights, Magic, Summoning. Please gather according to your major.”
At his words, the Lumerne students dispersed according to their majors.
However, the Seirun students hesitated, unsure of what to do.
“Professor.”
“There is no title of 'teacher' in Lumerne, address me as 'professor'.”
Luca, who had raised his hand at Halinde's words, paused, then spoke.
“Professor. Seirun students don't have majors.”
“I know. Seirun students can choose the ability they primarily focus on.”
Only then did the Seirun students move.
As a result, Seirun was also divided in a similar way.
Knights and mages were the most numerous, and summoners the fewest.
‘Is Professor Halinde going to conduct the class alone?’
‘Even for Professor Halinde, it would be impossible to conduct major-specific classes alone.’
“Chelsea, Nella, Teide.”
At Halinde's call, the three students stood up.
“You will conduct the classes.”
“Pardon?”
“W-we are?”
“Even so, Professor, for us to teach the class…”
“Think of it as reviewing what you've learned. You are excellent students in your respective departments. I believe you can at least explain what you learn at Lumerne, no?”
Despite his words, Nella and Teide hesitated.
But Chelsea stepped forward without hesitation.
The distinct confidence of a heroic noble family was at play.
‘A class taught by students. Interesting.’
Herdium's eyes gleamed.
‘It's a bit surprising that the student who is the year representative didn't come forward… but shall we see the level of Lumerne's top students in each department?’
With Herdium showing interest, the exchange class began.
And as the class progressed, the Seirun students were shocked.
“Hmm! That, that kind of approach is possible!”
A male student listening to Chelsea's class exclaimed in surprise and took notes.
“Ugh! Th-this kind of thing, even in Seirun… no! It might even be more in-depth…”
A female student listening to Nella's class also didn't know how to react.
“Aha! So Lumerne interprets summoning circles like this? Then, could they also be used in this manner?”
“Yes, ah. Th-that's right.”
Exclamations of admiration also erupted from the summoning studies side.
Lunia also absorbed Lumerne's new knowledge like a sponge.
Seeing that, Halinde chuckled.
‘Approaching from the perspective of another race opens one's eyes to new methods.’
It wasn't just Seirun; Lumerne was the same.
‘As the pride of each school is at stake, there will be friction… but it will also be a stepping stone for further growth. In that sense, our class could be considered lucky.’
Herdium's eyes also gleamed.
‘Indeed. All three students are excellent. Their level is such that there would be no regret even if they were in an advanced class. Especially the female student in magic, she is outstanding. Is she truly a direct descendant of Lwalin? This generation of Lumerne. They won't be easy to deal with.’
Among the Seirun students, there were some who tried to deny it out of pride, but Herdium was different from the younger students.
The very fact that he was in charge of Advanced Class 1 meant that he was a highly capable teacher among Seirun's instructors.
If he were someone who would simply let pride get in the way and belittle the abilities of students from other schools, he wouldn't have been in this position.
‘Heh, if your rivals are excellent, the reward of victory is all the greater. I believe in our students!’
While he was stroking his chin and patting himself on the back, the class ended.
“After lunch, we'll attend Seirun's class this time.”
Lunch was held at Seirun's dormitory.
The Seirun students ate with serious expressions.
They had thought they were superior in class content, but after actually attending Lumerne's class, there was a considerable amount they didn't understand.
A few students actively talked with Lumerne students to understand what they had learned, but most Seirun students just watched.
Thus, Seirun's afternoon class began.
“Lumerne students! This morning's class was truly fascinating! In that spirit! I will now present Seirun's class to you all!”
If Lumerne's teaching method was selection and focus, Seirun's teaching method was balance.
Aura, Magic, Summoning.
These three disciplines were conducted in a single class.
It could have easily turned into a class that was neither here nor there, but Herdium's capabilities as a teacher were overwhelming.
Knightology students were able to increase their understanding of magic and summoning, making it much easier to grasp countermeasures.
Students from other departments also found the same.
Seeing the Lumerne students constantly exclaiming in surprise, Herdium was also excited.
‘It feels like teaching our students at the start of a new semester!’
When the learners were passionate, the teachers also felt good.
‘Flexibly accepting new knowledge is a strength of Lumerne students. This is something our Seirun students should emulate.’
Even while conducting the class, Herdium pondered how to guide his disciples in a better direction.
It was impressive that even though it was right after lunch and they might have lost focus and felt sleepy, the Lumerne students listened attentively, their eyes sparkling.
Of course, there was an exception.
“Hwuaaahm— *gasp*.”
Leo, who had inadvertently yawned, hurriedly covered his mouth.
However, for Leo, being an all-class student, the class being boring was unavoidable.
It was content he already knew; no, in some ways, he might have been able to conduct the class better than Herdium.
‘Th-th-th-th-that! That rascal! How dare heeeee!’
If only one person showed boredom while everyone else was focused, it was bound to stand out immediately.
Herdium, who had secretly harbored expectations for Lumerne's year representative, couldn't help but feel considerable anger.
‘Why is *that* kind of student the year representative of Lumerne! When there are other passionate students!’
“Now, let's move on to Star Magic.”
‘Good! Let's see if you still look bored even while learning about Star Magic!’
It was a lecture that could never be heard in Lumerne.
Indeed, not only magic students but also students from other departments had their eyes opened wide.
Seeing their passionate expressions, Herdium felt invigorated and began to draw a giant magic circle on the blackboard.
“This is the entire curriculum that Seirun's first-years learn.”
*Clack*! *Thump*! *Scribble*!
The sound of chalk echoed calmly.
Leo, seeing the magic circle made of Star Magic incantations, narrowed his brows.
‘What? Why did he draw the magic circle with a wrong interpretation? There's no way that magic would activate like that?’
Since it was magic that Luna particularly enjoyed using, the interpretation method drawn on the blackboard bothered Leo.
As Herdium, who had finished drawing the magic circle, turned around, Leo raised his hand.
Seeing that, Herdium inwardly chuckled, ‘Hmph!’
‘Of course. As expected, he couldn't help but be interested in Star Magic…’
“Professor. The interpretation is wrong.”
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