Book 1 Chapter 81
【81】80.
Three professors were walking down the corridor of the Tower of Heroes.
They were Professors Ain, Len, and Yura, who were the department heads for the first-year students.
The three professors, known even in Lumern for their strong "my pace" attitude, wore unusually tense expressions.
They had summoned all first-year students to make an announcement regarding the Inter-Departmental Competition.
If it had been students from other years, there would have been no need to be so nervous.
But this year's first-year class was different.
It was because there was someone who would upset the balance of power in any department they chose.
'Leo Flobe,'
An unprecedented all-class student whose abilities in each class were top-tier, the biggest variable in the Inter-Departmental Competition.
Literally, it was no exaggeration to say that the outcome of this Inter-Departmental Competition would be completely overturned depending on which department Leo chose.
However, the three professors were confident that Leo would choose their department.
'Leo Flobe is deeply connected to the Gerdinger family. Of course, he'll choose the Knight Department.'
Ain, who had noticed Leo's flame aura long ago, was certain.
'Student Leo is a student with overwhelming magical talent. He even deciphered the magic left by the progenitor of the nebula during the school trip. Of course, the only place for Student Leo is the Magic Department.'
Len, who knew well of Leo's magical aptitude, had no doubt that Leo would choose the Magic Department.
'He contracted with a Phoenix, where would he go?'
Yura looked at the two professors with a scornful expression.
It was a rare moment when the three professors, known for not getting along, were in complete agreement.
But the three professors' faces contorted as soon as they arrived at the auditorium.
"Why is Student Leo sitting alone?"
"They say he's ostracizing the entire year group by himself."
It was Torua who answered Len's question.
"Everyone heard the announcement, right? We've called you here today for the Inter-Departmental Competition."
At his words, the concentration of the entire first-year class instantly soared.
"Before that, I'll explain why your seniors are here. First, Zamua."
At Ain's words, Zamua stepped forward confidently.
"Nice to meet you! Juniors! My name is Lee Zamua!"
Lee Zamua, who shouted loudly, grinned.
"I know some of you are dual-class! But the moment you sit here, you are…."
An oppressive aura emanated from Zamua's massive physique.
"Knights! I believe that dual-class students are sitting here because they chose Knight as their primary class!"
Several students nodded.
"A Knight means someone who overcomes all kinds of hardships and crises purely with their own body! Training oneself is the fundamental essence of a Knight! One who neglects training cannot be called a Knight! Therefore, I will train with you for the next month! Please take care of me!"
Listening to his words, the students from the Knight Department murmured.
"We get to train with Senior Zamua? That's awesome, isn't it?"
The Knight Department students showed an excited reaction.
They couldn't help but be happy to train for a month with one of their respected seniors.
After Zamua's introduction, Torua stepped forward.
"Hello, first-year students. I'm Torua Yan. I hate lies, so I'll be frank."
Torua stuck out her tongue with her characteristic expressionless face and said,
"I think you are terrible as mages."
At the sudden remark, the students looked offended.
"I read all the magic theses you submitted by the midterm exam period. Some of them contained interesting content, but most were boilerplate."
At Torua's question, a student raised a hand.
"You said you read all the theses we submitted, so do you remember the thesis titled 'A Study on an Efficient Method for Converting Flame Mana to Light Mana'?"
"Yes. That thesis that consisted of 17 pages, right? It was a common topic about increasing output using thermal energy."
"…"
As a quick answer came out, the student fell silent.
Even after a few more questions were exchanged, Torua calmly provided perfect answers about the theses.
While the students of the Magic Department were astonished that she had understood so many theses, Torua spoke.
"Magic is a discipline that requires inquiry and creativity. You can only grow if you have a clear individuality, but that's difficult in this day and age. You just need to inherit the powerful magic accumulated by previous Mage Heroes. But that alone has clear limitations. Only when you completely reinterpret the Mage Heroes' magic in your own way can it truly be called your own."
Torua smiled faintly.
"For the next month, as your mentor, I will broaden your magical values."
"Does that mean we can learn magic from Senior Torua?"
"I don't teach. I just change your perspective."
The Magic Department students showed surprised reactions.
In any case, after witnessing Torua's abilities, the atmosphere had become very upbeat.
After Torua, Ulta stepped forward.
"Juniors. What do you think is the most essential ability for a Summoner? Would the two people in front like to speak?"
At Ulta's question, Eliza raised her chin.
"I think it's charisma, to command mythical beasts."
"Incorrect."
Eliza's proud eyes twitched.
"I believe it's overwhelming power."
Wareden said with an expressionless face.
"Incorrect."
This time, shaking his head and refuting both of their answers, Ulta spread his arms.
"The most essential ability for a Summoner… that is love."
"…"
"…"
At the utterly unexpected words, Eliza and Wareden made dumbfounded expressions.
"A Summoner must be able to embrace spirits and mythical beasts! Love is the emotion where embrace is maximized! Ah! What a beautiful resonance!"
Torua, who was watching Ulta deliver a lengthy speech about love with exaggerated gestures, as if he were an actor, said,
"I always feel it, but he's too eccentric."
"You're the second most eccentric person in our year, which makes you look normal."
"Muscle brain."
"Magic idiot."
While Zamua and Torua childishly dissed each other, Yura sighed and stepped forward.
"To interpret what this guy is saying, it means you need to be able to accept the true nature of spirits and mythical beasts."
"Ah~"
The students of the Summoning Department finally understood.
"Yes! Juniors! For one month, I will teach you about love!"
It was at this time that the Summoning Department students made strange expressions at Ulta's shout.
"Then, here's a question."
Professor Yura grinned, drawing the students' attention.
"Why are your seniors helping with your classes as mentors for a month? I'll give points to the department that gets the correct answer."
At the sudden start of the inter-departmental competition, students began to raise their hands.
"You there, Magic Department student."
"For the inter-departmental competition!"
"Wrong. Next!"
"It's for the improvement of juniors' abilities!"
"Incorrect!"
Countless answers poured out.
Among them were careful answers from the department tops, but there was no correct answer.
When there were no more students raising their hands, Leo raised his hand.
"Leo. Answer."
Most students showed an unexpecting reaction.
This was because almost all plausible answers had been given, and they felt Leo wouldn't have anything better.
"It's because of the World of Heroes."
The eyes of the professors and fifth-year students changed.
"More specifically."
"The Knight's training, the Mage's inquiry and creativity, and the Summoner's embrace that the seniors emphasized. These three are all fundamental to each class."
Leo began to explain calmly.
"I understand that starting from the second semester, Lumern students will officially inherit the powers of past heroes through the Hero Record."
All first-year students focused on Leo's words.
"I believe the seniors are helping with classes to impart their know-how so that when we inherit power, we are not swayed by it."
"That's the correct answer."
Yura smiled contentedly and nodded her head.
Len, who was watching her, asked,
"Senior Ain, have you ever seen a first-year student give such a perfect answer?"
"No."
Ain let out a wry laugh.
'It's the answer of someone who deeply understands the power of heroes.'
"Leo Flobe is right. These three are at the forefront of dungeon conquering. They have conquered various World of Heroes, and the rewards they obtained are considerable."
The students' eyes sparkled.
Inheriting power through the Hero Record!
It was something most students had dreamed of for a long time.
It was no exaggeration to say that Lumern's incoming students enrolled in Lumern for this very reason.
"The know-how to wield a hero's power is essential for you. They will impart various know-how to you for the next month."
The students' eyes shone brightly at those words.
"Professor. How will the inter-departmental competition be conducted?"
The events of the inter-departmental competition varied each year.
Sometimes it was in the format of a sports festival, evaluating how abilities were utilized in various events, and sometimes it involved sieges and defense battles, or even conquering a World of Heroes was set as an event.
"It hasn't been decided yet. To be precise, we haven't been informed either."
When Ain answered with a sigh, the students looked bewildered.
Not only the first-year students but also the fifth-year students looked surprised.
"It hasn't been decided yet?"
"There's a lack of love."
"Stop with the love talk, you pervert."
At Zamua's question, Ulta made a sorrowful expression, and Torua ruthlessly cut him off.
"The principal said he would announce it today. He'll be here soon."
As soon as Ain finished speaking, the grand auditorium doors opened, and the principal, Kallian, appeared.
Seeing Kallian, who exuded a powerful aura unbefitting his old age, the first-year students looked tense.
"Greetings, first-year youngsters."
Kallian, standing on the dais, spoke in a solemn voice.
Seeing this, the first-year students gulped nervously.
"The principal always makes me nervous."
At Khal's murmur, Chloe recalled Kallian, with whom she had an interview earlier.
'Back then, he felt like a kind old man from next door.'
"I deliberated quite a bit over the selection of your inter-departmental competition event."
Kallian chuckled and swept his gaze across the first-year students.
His gaze finally landed on Leo, who was sitting alone.
Kallian gave Leo a meaningful look.
"To be honest, this year's first-year inter-departmental competition will be conducted a little differently from other years. In a sense, it might not be an inter-departmental competition but an individual competition."
The first-year students murmured.
While the professors waiting behind also looked bewildered, Kallian slammed his hand on the dais with a bang—!
"This year's first-year inter-departmental competition event is… Battle Royale!"
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