Book 1 Chapter 828

828.

Lumern Academy, where all exams had ended.

What awaited the students who had finished their post-exam celebrations on the day the final exams ended and throughout the weekend was the classes of the following week.

Only by attending all classes this week could they truly greet the freedom of vacation.

Of course, even though they were called classes, most of them were self-study, so the students' faces were noticeably more relaxed.

Practical Studies Classroom for 3rd-year Magic Department.

"What are you going to do this summer vacation?"

"I'm planning to go to a villa this vacation. Want to come with me?"

"Oh? Where is it?"

"The southern coast of the continent."

"That's a famous resort?!"

The students were happily chatting about what they would do during the vacation.

"I'm just planning to get some good rest at home."

"Didn't you say your home was a normal rural estate?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking of going there and helping out with some of the village farm work."

"Oho. Volunteer work, huh… It is indeed a hero's headquarters."

Both noble and commoner students planned their vacation schedules in their own ways.

There were noble students inviting commoner students, and conversely, noble students who showed interest in the daily lives of commoner students.

Students socializing regardless of status.

Creating an environment where one could view the world from such diverse perspectives was one of Lumern's long-standing traditions.

However, even as they happily discussed their vacation plans, there was something they absolutely never mentioned.

That was their grades and vacation homework.

And so, the students were thoroughly ignoring the situation that would soon be upon them, escaping reality.

"By the way, about Senior Elena this morning."

"Huh? What about Senior Elena?"

"The second-years say she seems to have gone out to Lumeria City."

"Now that you mention it, Senior Elena barely got any rest even after the exams, busy finishing up departmental schedules, right?"

"Originally, the student council was supposed to be busy all week, but Senior Elena apparently finished all the document sorting by herself."

"Wow… she really is capable."

The third-years clicked their tongues in amazement.

"When we first entered, she was far from being an honor student, though."

"Rather, she was a ruffian, an object of fear."

"When I see the first-years smiling and greeting Senior Elena, sometimes I just can't get used to it."

If there was any senior whose image had changed the most since the current third-years entered, it was definitely Elena.

Lumern's tyrant, who ignored even the words of professors, let alone the 4th and 5th years, and acted as she pleased.

A student with overwhelming skill, but far from being described as an honor student.

But from a certain point, she changed into a diligent honor student.

Of course, her wayward personality and fickle temperament remained, occasionally teasing her juniors, but compared to the past, she seemed almost like an angel.

"But they say she went with Leo?"

"With Leo? What? Are they on a date?"

As the students of the Magic Department chattered about Leo and Elena's relationship.

In the distance, a group of students could be seen approaching.

"Oh? Aren't those the Knight Department kids?"

"Indeed, what's the Knight Department doing here?"

As the Magic Department students looked on, confused.

The Knight Department students, upon arriving at the Magic Department's practical studies classroom, lined up.

As expected of the Knight Department, their formation was perfect.

"Durand! What brings you here?"

One of the Magic Department students asked Durand, who was at the front.

In response, Durand said.

"Professor Ain said today's class would be held here."

"Huh? Here?"

As the students looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

"Has everyone gathered! My disciples!"

Professor Len appeared from the sky.

Next to Professor Len, as always, Associate Professor Anna was pressing her temples.

Professor Len, standing before the Magic Department students, clenched his fist.

"Rejoice! My disciples! Today! I have created an opportunity to defeat those muscle-brained ruffians from the Knight Department!"

"Professor Len. Disparaging remarks about students from other departments are not appropriate."

"This is not disparagement! It's a fair assessment!"

Professor Len said, his eyes gleaming.

The Knight Department students, seeing this, wore expressions that indicated they were used to it.

Professor Len's remarks like that were now familiar.

After all, Professor Ain and his colleagues also often called the Magic Department students "weaklings who would break if you just poked them."

Regardless, it was then that Anna clutched her staff with an expression that asked, "How do I calm down this rampaging Professor Len?"

Professor Ain entered the campus.

"It seems everyone has gathered."

Seeing Ain, Len approached with a sarcastic smile.

"Haha! Senior Ain! To accept my challenge without avoiding it! Your courage is commendable!"

"Don't worry, as a strong man, I always welcome the challenges of the weak."

Ain retorted, not backing down from Len's words.

Ain's associate professor, Claria, who was listening to the conversation, made eye contact with Anna.

The two associate professors exchanged slightly sympathetic glances.

At that moment, Illiana, who had been watching the situation, raised her hand.

"Professors, what did you bet?"

In response to Illiana's question, Len put a hand to his forehead.

"Oh, my, my. Who do we have here? Isn't this student Illiana, who sold her brain for muscles and betrayed the Magic Department?"

Professor Len sneered.

If it had been during her first or second year, she might have been intimidated by such words from a professor, but Illiana was already a seasoned student at Lumern.

"So, what did you bet?"

"We bet the quarterly research fund."

At those words, the students fell silent.

Professors at Lumern are given research funds four times a year, on a quarterly basis.

And the amount is quite substantial.

'But they're spending research funds on just a bet like this?'

It was then that not only Illiana but also the students' eyes twinkled.

"Wait a minute! Professor! The quarterly research fund, you say?!"

Anna wore a bewildered expression.

"Professor Ain?"

Claria also looked at Ain with a sharp expression, as if she hadn't heard of such a thing.

However, neither Professor Len nor Professor Ain were the type to bat an eye at their associate professors' questioning.

"Hoo-hoo, don't worry, Associate Professor Anna. I'll bring it back doubled."

"Hey! You human!"

"The use of research funds is at my discretion, is there a problem?"

"……"

Associate Professor Anna grabbed Len by the collar, and Associate Professor Claria pressed her temples firmly.

"Oooh! If we win, we get something too, right?"

"I'll consider a team dinner."

"Oooh!"

"What's the event?"

The students' resolve burned brightly.

"It's Bastera."

Bastera, one of the sports often played in Lumern's combat studies classes.

Len, with his arms crossed, said.

"Then I will announce the roster. Karl Thomas."

Although not a powerhouse, Karl's quick judgment and excellent strategy planning skills would clearly enhance the abilities of other students in terms of tactics and strategy.

However, despite Len's call, there was no answer.

"Student Karl? Is Student Karl not here?"

Len's eye twitched.

A male student cautiously raised his hand.

"Professor Len. Karl didn't come to class today!"

"Ha! How dare he not come to this sacred class!"

Len's eyes flashed.

"Hmph. No choice, then. Student Abad."

"Yes."

Abad stepped forward.

"Next, student Chelsea. Though friends, Karl and Chelsea are quite different."

Len shook his head as he called out Chelsea's name.

But there was no answer.

"Student Chelsea?"

"Professor, Chelsea seems to have skipped class today too."

"……"

Len's face stiffened.

"Alright! Student Chloe! If it's student Chloe, the most diligent honor student among my disciples…"

"Professor! Chloe also skipped class today!"

"……"

At the bewildered Magic Department student's words, Len's body began to tremble.

From the Knight Department, the "Monster Trio"—Chen Xia, Celia, and Durand—were all present.

The students who saw this muttered inwardly.

'Oh. This is bad.'

***

"Hey! This isn't going to end with just a simple disciplinary action!"

"Quiet down. You break school rules like it's a daily meal, so why are you whining now as if it's something new?"

Chelsea said nonchalantly, watching Karl scratch his head.

"Those are just minor infractions! I don't cause major incidents like this!"

In response to Karl's words, Chelsea said.

"Anyway, your motto is that you'll do anything if you're paid, isn't it?"

Karl let out a hollow laugh, watching Chelsea, who stood with her arms crossed, not batting an eye.

It was just as she said.

Currently, Chelsea, Chloe, and Karl were on Lumeria Lake.

More precisely, they were on a boat traveling between Lumern and Lumeria City.

Boats for students traveling back and forth do not operate on weekdays.

The boat Karl's group was on was a distributor merchant's boat, supplying foodstuffs to Lumern.

The usually good-natured Karl had secretly established a route to go back and forth between the merchant and the outside.

Of course, if caught, Karl was to take all the blame.

Karl, too, had thought he would likely never have a reason to use this travel route until graduation, but the reason for using it now was simple.

It was due to Chloe and Chelsea's badgering.

Last night, after Karl told them that Leo and Elena were heading to Lumeria City this morning, the two girls badgered Karl into secretly going to Lumeria City.

Moreover, around the necks of the three, there hung a presence-blocking artifact made with Dwenno's alchemy.

'It's an item that can somewhat evade Leo's senses under normal circumstances.'

As an item made with Dwenno's recipe, its performance was reliable.

"No. It's not like they're heading to a deserted island today, so why are we going to such lengths?"

"We don't know if they're going to some deserted island, do we? If we observe them today, we might find out their destination."

Karl, speechless at the reasonable remark, sighed.

Then he glanced at Chloe.

She looked no different than usual, but her eyes seemed somewhat hollow.

It seemed the news of Leo traveling alone with Elena bothered her greatly.

"Karl."

"What."

"They're just going for fun, right…?"

"Probably."

"Yeah. Leo isn't the type to do anything foolish, is he? Besides, we haven't even had our coming-of-age ceremony yet."

"……"

"Or maybe not? Since it's puberty… Hmm…!"

Karl scratched his head, watching the confused Chloe.

'He's only the same age as us on the outside.'

Leo was an adult.

Chelsea, listening to their conversation, pouted her lips.

As Chelsea, who knew Leo's true identity, she was anxious in many ways.

It hadn't been long since the incidents with Licinas and Luna.

'The separation from those two must have been a definite wound for Brother Leo.'

In such a situation, what if a woman like Elena were to tempt him?

'They say you never know about matters between a man and a woman, right?'

Even Chelsea, as another woman, thought Elena was breathtakingly beautiful.

Plus her unique captivating charm.

Elena possessed a violent, captivating charm that could turn any ordinary man into a captive without him even being able to resist.

'Senior Elena also knows Brother Leo's true identity. And crucially…'

Elena also had feelings for Leo.

Chelsea had seen Elena openly express her affection for Leo multiple times in private, even if it wasn't openly declared.

Normally, Leo treated Elena like a child, so she didn't pay it much mind.

Still, the fact that they were traveling alone to a secluded place bothered her.

Besides, isn't Elena graduating soon?

She would no longer be a student.

'When I grow up, will Brother Leo see me as a woman, even a little bit?'

Chelsea, having thought that far, crossed her arms and fell into contemplation.

And so, the three, each carrying their complex feelings, arrived in Lumeria City.