Book 1 Chapter 81
[81]80.
Three professors were walking down the corridor of the Tower of Heroes.
They were Professors Ain, Ren, and Yura, the faculty advisors for the first-year students.
The three professors, renowned in Lumern for their strong individuality, wore unusually tense expressions.
They had summoned all first-year students to make an announcement related to the departmental competition.
If it were students from other years, there would have been no reason for such tension.
However, this year's first-year students were different.
This was because there was someone who would disrupt the power balance of any department, regardless of which one they chose.
'Leo Flov,'
An unprecedented all-class student with top-tier stats in each class, he was the biggest variable in the departmental competition.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the entire landscape of this year's departmental competition could be overturned depending on which department Leo chose.
However, the three professors were confident that Leo would choose their respective departments.
'Leo Flov is deeply connected with the Zerdinger family. Naturally, he'll choose the Knight Department.'
Ain, who had long noticed the flame aura Leo used, was certain.
'Leo is a student with overwhelming magical talent. During the field trip this time, he even deciphered magic left by the progenitor of the constellations. Naturally, Leo belongs in the Magic Department.'
Ren, well aware of Leo's magical aptitude, had no doubt that Leo would choose the Magic Department.
'He's contracted with Phoenix, so where else would he go?'
Yura looked at the other two professors with a condescending gaze.
It was a rare moment where the three professors, known for their clashing personalities, were in agreement.
However, the expressions of the three professors contorted the moment they arrived at the auditorium.
"Why is Leo sitting alone?"
"He's isolating himself from the entire year."
It was Torua who answered Ren's question.
"Everyone has heard the announcement, right? We've gathered you all here today for the departmental competition."
At his words, the concentration of all first-year students instantly heightened.
"Before that, I'll explain why your seniors are here. First, Jamua."
At Ain's words, Jamua stepped forward with a stride.
"It's nice to meet you, juniors! I am Lee Jamua!"
Lee Jamua, who shouted with a booming voice, smiled broadly.
"I know there are dual-class students among you! But the moment you sit here…"
An aura of intimidation emanated from Jamua's massive frame.
"You are knights! Even dual-class students have chosen knights as their primary class, so I believe you are sitting here because of that!"
Several students nodded.
"A knight is someone who overcomes all hardships and crises purely with their own body! Self-discipline is the foundation of a knight! Those who neglect training cannot be called knights! Therefore, I will train with you for the next month! I look forward to working with you!"
Hearing this, the students of the Knight Department murmured.
"We can train with Senior Jamua? That's amazing!"
The students of the Knight Department showed excited reactions.
It was only natural for them to be happy to train with one of their respected seniors for a month.
After Jamua's introduction, Torua stepped forward.
"Hello, first-years. I'm Torua Yan. I dislike lies, so I'll be frank."
Torua spoke with his characteristic expressionless face, sticking out his tongue.
"I think you are all pathetic as mages."
At the sudden remark, the students' faces turned defiant.
"I've read all the magic theses you submitted up until the midterm exams. While there were some interesting points, most were cliché."
A student raised their hand in response to Torua's statement.
"You said you read all the theses we submitted, so do you remember the thesis titled 'A Study on an Efficient Method to Convert Fire-Attribute Mana to Light-Attribute Mana'?"
"Yes. A 17-page thesis, wasn't it? It was the common idea of using thermal energy to increase output."
"……"
As an immediate answer came, the student fell silent.
Several more questions followed, but Torua calmly and perfectly answered every query about the theses.
While the Magic Department students were astonished by his ability to grasp so many theses, Torua spoke.
"Magic is a field that requires research and creativity. You can only grow if you have your own distinct individuality, but that's difficult in this era. You just need to inherit the powerful magic built up by past mage heroes. But that alone has clear limitations. Only when you completely reinterpret the works of the mage heroes in your own way can it truly be called your own."
Torua smiled faintly.
"For the next month, I will expand your magical values as your mentor."
"Does this mean I can learn magic from Senior Torua?"
"I don't teach. I just change your perspective."
The Magic Department students reacted with surprise.
In any case, after witnessing Torua's abilities, the atmosphere was very charged.
After Torua, Ulta stepped forward.
"Juniors. What do you think is the most important ability for a summoner? Two people in front of me, please speak."
In response to Ulta's question, Eliza lifted her chin.
"I believe it is charisma to control familiars."
"Incorrect."
Eliza's proud eyes twitched.
"I believe it is overwhelming power."
Woreden said with an expressionless face.
"Incorrect."
Ulta, again shaking his head and negating their words, spread his arms.
"The most important ability for a summoner… is love."
"……"
"……"
Eliza and Woreden were stunned by the unexpected words.
"Summoners must be able to embrace spirits and familiars! Love is the emotion that maximizes embrace! Ah! What a beautiful resonance!"
Torua, watching Ulta deliver an exaggerated speech about love like a stage actor, commented.
"As always, he seems too eccentric."
"You, the second most eccentric person in our year, look normal."
"Muscle brain."
"Magic idiot."
While Jamua and Torua engaged in childish banter, Yura sighed and stepped forward.
"To interpret what this guy is saying, it means you need to be able to accept the true form of spirits and familiars."
"Ah~"
The Summoner Department students barely understood.
"That's right! Juniors! I will teach you about love for a month!"
As Ulta shouted, the Summoner Department students made strange expressions.
"Then, a question."
Professor Yura grinned and captured the students' attention.
"Why are your seniors helping with your classes as mentors for a month? I will give points to the department that answers correctly."
The students began raising their hands for the impromptu departmental competition.
"You there, Magic Department guy."
"For the departmental competition!"
"Wrong. Next!"
"For the improvement of the juniors' abilities!"
"Incorrect!"
Countless answers poured out.
Among them were thoughtful answers from the department heads, but none were correct.
When no more students raised their hands, Leo raised his hand.
"Leo. Answer me."
Most students showed little expectation.
They felt that even Leo couldn't do any better, as most reasonable answers had already been given.
"It is for the world of heroes."
The eyes of the professors and the fifth-year students changed.
"Be more specific."
"The knight's training, the mage's research and creativity, the summoner's embrace— these three emphases by the seniors are all the foundation of each department."
Leo began explaining calmly.
"From the second semester, Lumern students will begin inheriting the powers of past heroes through Hero Records."
All the first-year students focused on Leo's words.
"I believe the seniors are helping with the classes to pass down their know-how so that we are not overwhelmed when we inherit that power."
"That is correct."
Yura nodded with a satisfied smile.
Watching this, Ren asked.
"Senior Ain, have you ever seen a first-year student give such a perfect answer?"
"No."
Ain let out a dry laugh.
'That's an answer from someone who truly understands the power of heroes.'
"It is as Leo Flov said. These three individuals are at the forefront of dungeon conquest. They have conquered diverse hero worlds and obtained significant rewards."
The students' eyes sparkled.
Inheriting power through Hero Records!
It was what most students had dreamed of for a long time.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Lumern's new students enrolled for this very reason.
"The know-how to handle the power of heroes is essential for you. These individuals will impart various know-how to you for the next month."
Hearing this, the students' eyes shone brightly.
"Professor, what is the format of the departmental competition?"
The departmental competition's events changed every year.
Sometimes it was like a sports day, evaluating how abilities were utilized in various events, other times it involved siege and defense battles, and sometimes conquering hero worlds was the chosen event.
"It has not been decided yet. To be precise, we haven't heard anything yet."
The students looked flustered as Ain answered with a sigh.
Not only the first-year students but also the fifth-year students looked surprised.
"It hasn't been decided yet?"
"There is a lack of love."
"Stop talking about love, you pervert."
As Jamua asked the question, Ulta looked regretful, and Torua ruthlessly interjected.
"The principal said it would be announced today. He will be here soon."
As soon as Ain finished speaking, the doors of the great hall opened, and the principal, Kalian, appeared.
The first-year students looked tense, seeing Kalian emitting a powerful aura unbefitting his age.
"Welcome, you first-year whelps."
Kalian spoke in a stern voice from atop the podium.
Seeing this, the first-year students swallowed hard.
"I always get nervous seeing the principal."
At Kal's mutter, Chloe recalled her previous interview with Kalian.
'He felt like a next-door grandpa then.'
"I've been agonizing over the selection of events for this year's first-year departmental competition."
Kalian chuckled and scanned the first-year students.
His gaze finally landed on Leo, sitting all alone.
Kalian gave Leo a meaningful look.
"To be honest, this year's first-year departmental competition will proceed in a slightly different way than previous years. In a sense, it might not be a departmental competition but an individual one."
The first-year students began to murmur.
The professors waiting behind also looked flustered as Kalian slammed the podium.
"This year's first-year departmental competition event is… Battle Royale!"
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