Book 1 Chapter 831

830.

Emio Luchan.

A wizard from a renowned military family, he was a student who showed outstanding talent in combat magic.

His academic performance upon admission was at the very top, and he was indeed one of the top five students in the Department of Magic, including Leo, throughout his first year.

However, Emio began to show his limitations after advancing to his second year.

More precisely, he started showing limitations from the end of the first semester of his first year.

His growth rate had significantly slowed down.

While he excelled when facing a large number of opponents weaker than him, he was unable to exert his abilities against those of equal or superior skill.

This was also one of the characteristics observed in military combat mages.

Emio himself tried to overcome this fact in some way.

But as he began to fall behind even in the very important theoretical classes in the Department of Magic…

Ultimately, by the first semester of his second year, his growth had completely stagnated.

Ren, who judged that Emio would not be able to keep up with classes from the second semester, gave him a failing grade, and Emio eventually underwent the expulsion process.

Afterward, he had a record of causing a disturbance on the first day of school after last year's summer vacation ended.

He was originally known for having a bad personality, regardless of his grades.

In fact, there was never a time when he didn't have conflicts with students from the Department of Magic, so despite being a classmate they hadn't seen in a long time, no one welcomed Emio.

Chelsea frowned sharply, openly showing her dislike, and Chloe wore a chilly expression.

“Ugh.”

Karl excessively cringed and quickly hid behind Chelsea.

"What is it?"

"Look at him glaring at me. It's terrifying, isn't it?"

"Hey! You're a hero now! You don't need to be scared of a guy like that!"

"Your way of speaking is still crude, Chelsea Rualin."

"Huh? Do you have a problem with my tone? If you do, should I smash your head in?"

As Chelsea snarled fiercely, Karl admired her.

"Chelsea. You really sound like a thug."

"Whose side are you on right now!"

Chelsea, with fire in her eyes, kicked Karl.

Karl dodged it, feigning pain.

"Still pathetic."

As Emio watched them, he spat out coldly, and Chloe said,

"Emio. If you're thinking of causing trouble again, it's best to stop."

A calm warning, devoid of any magical power or imposing aura.

But her voice had the power to make people freeze.

For a moment, Emio involuntarily trembled.

But as if being overpowered by Chloe was unacceptable, he contorted his face.

"Who said I'm causing trouble? I only came to Rumeria City as a representative of the kingdom."

"Kingdom representative?"

Chloe narrowed her brows.

At that moment, Karl, who had been chased by Chelsea, paused and said,

"Is it because of Leo… *cough*?!"

Karl, who was drop-kicked by Chelsea, miserably rolled on the floor.

*Thud-!* Chelsea landed neatly behind Karl's back and tilted her head.

"Why did Leo oppa's story suddenly come up?"

"Just move aside for a bit~!"

As Karl groaned, Chelsea hopped down from on top of him.

Karl, rubbing his back as he got up, said,

"Leo became the King of the World this time. I think he came because of that?"

"Huh? Oh, right."

Hearing that, Chelsea soon made an understanding expression.

'Now that they said there'd be a coronation during the break.'

The founding of a new Hero Kingdom.

Becoming the monarch of a country is certainly a grand feat.

But it was, after all, a small kingdom at the western end of the continent.

Normally, it wouldn't be an issue worthy of global attention.

However, by inheriting the title of King of the World from Lisinas, this coronation had transformed into a global issue.

Even in the Lodren Empire, the gravitas of the individuals attending this coronation delegation had changed.

'While the Archi Kingdom may not have significant real power, its influence must be immense.'

Although not an heir, Chelsea, being a direct descendant of a distinguished heroic family, could easily guess how great Leo's current status was.

'Countless famous people might gather under Leo oppa.'

Nations or Hero Guilds.

People who live their lives solely according to their own justice, without belonging to any faction.

From heroes who achieved great deeds to those highly likely to accomplish heroic deeds someday.

If they were to gather under Leo, who had ascended to the position of King of the World…

That alone would instantly create a force capable of exerting immense influence on the continent.

'In the first place, the Shadows are already following Leo oppa, though.'

Shadows from various parts of the world, led by the Shan Empire, had long sworn allegiance to Leo.

And even Dragonia.

For Chelsea, it was nothing new.

But it was clear that Leo was currently a figure whom powerful individuals from all over the world wanted to forge ties with.

After the Deviant incident, the number of letters pouring in to Leo from various parts of the world had dramatically increased.

Besides letters, the number of factions wanting to contact Leo in any way possible had also grown.

There was nothing strange if Emio had also come to fulfill that role as a representative of his country.

"Still unnecessarily quick-witted."

Emio scoffed and crossed his arms.

"I have come to assist His Royal Highness Prince Jephard Filon Gedwan, Crown Prince of the Gedwan Kingdom, as his advisory mage, to meet Leo Flove, the student council president of Rumern."

"Crown Prince's advisory mage? You've risen quite high, haven't you?"

Karl exclaimed in admiration.

The Gedwan Kingdom.

A kingdom with formidable military power located in the north-central part of the continent, playing a role in restraining the Tartaros forces in the central continent.

As Rumern is established in the central continent, no single nation dominates the regional hegemony.

However, the Gedwan Kingdom possessed the largest territory and national power among the majority of kingdoms founded by heroes in the central continent.

While it was true that Emio was an elite from Rumern, becoming an advisory mage to such a Crown Prince of Gedwan was indeed a significant advancement.

At Karl's admiration, Emio glared at Karl.

Emio had been annoyed by Karl since admission.

Unlike Emio, who was always at the top of his class, Karl was always at the bottom.

But now, the opposite was true.

Emio was expelled a year ago, and Karl not only remained at Rumern but also rose to the position of a hero.

Emio still couldn't accept this outcome.

Because for Emio, who came from a strong military nation, only 'strength' was the most important.

As Emio glared menacingly, Karl once again played the fool and hid behind Chloe.

Watching that scene, Emio curled up the corners of his mouth.

"Still hiding behind women, I see. Well, that suits a cunning guy like you."

Karl shrugged at Emio's taunt.

"In the end, even the position of a hero must be an achievement you gained by clinging to Leo Flove."

"Hey. If you're looking for a fight, get lost."

Chelsea said in a chilly voice.

"If you're confident, shall we have a go? Chelsea Rualin."

At Emio's words, Chelsea curled up the corners of her mouth.

Seeing Chelsea make a fierce expression as if she was about to pounce at any moment, Karl said,

"Alright, alright. That's enough. Don't let yourselves be provoked into causing trouble."

At his words, just as Chelsea was about to make a disgruntled expression.

"Emio, what are you doing there?"

An arrogant voice was heard.

Along with it, a man accompanied by numerous attendants appeared from across the street.

Was he in his mid-twenties?

The man, whose face was full of arrogance, walked leisurely.

"Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."

Emio politely bowed to the man.

"And these are?"

"They are Chloe Mueller and Chelsea Rualin, third-year students in Rumern's Department of Magic. And Karl Thomas."

"Ohh? The famous ones?"

A flicker of interest appeared on Crown Prince Jephard's face.

Karl clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Crown Prince Jephard.

'So this is Crown Prince Jephard, famous for being a complete scoundrel.'

At the appearance of a royal who didn't have a very good reputation, Karl stepped forward.

"It's an honor to meet you. I am Karl Thomas, currently enrolled in Rumern Academy."

"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you."

Crown Prince Jephard replied dismissively, walked past Karl, and stood in front of Chelsea and Chloe.

Then he lightly whistled.

At his attitude, Chloe let out a small sigh, and Chelsea's head tilted slightly.

"I've heard much about your reputations. You've achieved great accomplishments at a young age, haven't you?"

"You flatter us."

Chloe replied calmly, and Chelsea openly showed an annoyed expression.

At Chelsea's reaction, Crown Prince Jephard frowned.

Emio and his immediate entourage also looked displeased, but Chelsea didn't bat an eye.

Instead, she simply raised her eyebrows with an expression that said, 'What? What are you going to do?'

While it was true that the opponent was a Crown Prince of a nation, the Rualin family was also not one to be looked down upon.

Karl, who was observing the situation, poked Chelsea's back.

When Chelsea turned around, Karl slightly shook his head.

'Let's not get involved unnecessarily.'

Chelsea, reading Karl's thoughts, clicked her tongue.

Currently, the three of them were outside school, breaking school rules.

If a quarrel broke out, the school would surely find out.

If that happened, it was obvious they would be punished by Harlind.

Crucially, ignoring these kinds of people was the answer.

Crown Prince Jephard lightly scoffed, looking at Chelsea and Karl, then turned his gaze to Chloe.

Then he looked her up and down, as if appraising her.

He had no interest in Karl, a commoner, and Chelsea had too powerful a background to try anything with her.

But Chloe was different.

Thinking so, Jephard smiled and said,

"You are indeed as beautiful as I've heard."

"You flatter me."

Even with her ice sculpture-like demeanor, Jephard didn't lose his smile.

"You belong to the Northern Magic Tower, don't you?"

"Yes."

"The world is changing. In response, I wish for diverse talents to be employed in our kingdom."

"I see."

"Why don't you come to our kingdom?"

"I apologize, but I prefer to conduct research at the Northern Magic Tower."

"Haha. I expected you'd say that. I hear you're a strong candidate for the next Northern Magic Tower Master. No matter what conditions I offer, it wouldn't be attractive to you, I suppose."

Jephard smiled faintly.

"Then how about this? I'll give you the chance to become the wife of the King of Gedwan."

"What?"

For a moment, Chloe's face showed a bewildered expression.

It wasn't just Chloe.

Chelsea also gasped.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm giving you the opportunity to become my consort. It wouldn't be a bad offer for you either. No, rather, it would be a very happy thing for a woman. Your nights will be enjoyable for life, you see."

She never imagined he would make such a blatantly rude remark.

It was clear he didn't even realize his words were rude.

Chloe's face turned icy.

'How should I crush him?'

Chloe's blue eyes glittered like ice.

Chelsea's face also contorted with rage as she watched the opponent spew rude remarks at her friend.

"Hey, Karl! Don't stop me! I can't stand this…!"

"Wow, in this day and age, there are places that let loose a horny dog without even a muzzle, let alone a leash."

Chelsea, who was about to charge forward, her eyes widened at the quiet but harsh words from behind her.

Chloe, too, forgot her anger and turned her head with a bewildered expression.

Jephard looked at Karl with a blank stare.

Karl spoke softly towards Jephard.

"What are you looking at, you son of a bitch? Is this the first time you've seen a commoner curse?"