Book 1 Chapter 892

892.

The Tower of Heroes, located right in the center of Lumern.

This was a place that could be called the heart of Lumern.

Firstly, there was the principal's office, where the principal, who held the highest status in Lumern, resided.

There was also the student council president's office.

In other words, it was where the top leaders of both faculty and students were located.

Lumern's principal, Riina, was drinking alcohol in her usual laid-back posture.

"Now that I think about it, Principal, there was a lot of external opposition when you first took office, but now all those rumors have disappeared?"

Kal tilted his head as he walked down the corridor of the Tower of Heroes.

As Kal said, when Riina first took office, there was constant discord.

First, the board of directors expressed their discomfort with her background as a Shadow.

There was also strong opposition from the majority of alumni.

However, there were no major internal problems.

With the approval of Alteq Zerion, the chairman of Lumern, the board's complaints temporarily vanished.

The alumni's opposition quieted down when it became known that Riina was recommended by Halind and Sedzen.

Halind and Sedzen were precisely the strongest candidates for principal of Lumern after the death of the former principal, Kallian.

With the support of those two, public opinion formed to "wait and see" for now.

"Because she has ability."

Kal nodded at Leo's words.

Considering the commotion at the beginning of her term, one would expect her to have a strong presence, whether good or bad, but Riina's presence quickly diminished after becoming principal.

In other words, it meant that Lumern was being managed very stably.

Yet, the changes in Lumern were extraordinary.

Last year's mentor system.

This year, even a commuter dormitory for all grades.

"Crucially."

"Huh?"

"Since Principal Riina took office, Lumern has become safe from hero hunters and the demonic beasts of Tartarus."

"Really?"

"Yes. Think back to your first year."

During the midterm exams of the first semester of the first year, there were two students Tartarus had reached out to.

Chloe from the Department of Magic, and Sen Ryu from the Department of Summoning, who is no longer at the school.

In addition, in the second semester, within the school, King Kigor, the King of Curses, who had been subdued by Kallian long ago, almost resurrected, and an avatar of the demon queen Silatuna had infiltrated.

It wasn't that there was a problem with Kallian's ability, but rather that these incidents occurred because they shook Lumern in ways that heroes were vulnerable to.

However, from the second year onwards, such incidents completely disappeared.

"Now that you mention it, you're right?"

As Kal exclaimed, Leo said calmly.

"It means Principal Riina is active."

Protecting heroes in the dark.

That could be said to be the specialty of the Shadows.

And Riina, as a Shadow, is such an impressive figure that her status is no less than that of the Emperor of the Shan Empire.

"Should I have prepared a bigger gift?"

Kal looked with a serious face at the prettily wrapped box of sweets in his hand.

Currently, the three top student council executives – Leo, Kal, and Elena – were on their way to the principal's office after being summoned by Riina.

"Why are you carrying that?"

"A bribe. After the second semester, I might have to get a special promotion again, you know. To ask her to look favorably on me then."

"…That's too far from Principal Riina's taste, isn't it?"

At first glance, the wrapping paper had a very girlish feel.

"Surprise is important when it comes to gifts, you know."

It was when Kal winked one eye.

"Kal."

"Yes, Senior Elena."

"After you come back from the principal's office, organize the midterm and final exam score changes for all students in the first semester."

"Suddenly?"

"It's not sudden. The semester has started, so shouldn't you, as the acting student council president, keep track?"

"That's… right?"

"Do it by today. I have to report it to the president today."

Elena, emanating a chilly aura, twirled a strand of her hair with her finger and spoke.

Watching her, Kal smiled faintly and muttered to himself.

'She's being petty.'

She was creating work to be spiteful towards Leo.

The problem was that because of her spite, not only he but the entire student council suffered.

Even Elena herself.

Seeing Elena trying to be spiteful towards Leo by dragging in herself and those around her, Kal glanced sideways.

As Leo shrugged, Kal nudged Leo's side with his elbow.

It was a sign to appease her.

In response, Leo glanced at Elena and said,

"Are you a child?"

At his ungracious attitude, Kal covered his face, and Elena's face grew even colder.

Leo pulled out a candy from his pocket and offered it to Elena.

"Want some?"

Of course, Elena didn't even look at the candy.

"Is Senior Elena Chelsea? To be appeased by something like that?"

At Kal's words, Leo shrugged.

"I did my best."

At that brazen reply, Kal let out a hollow laugh.

Just then.

"I wanted to see the president as a child and as an adult too."

"…"

At the mutter, seemingly meant to be overheard, Kal turned his head towards Elena.

Elena was glaring at Kal with a spiteful face.

"Leo."

"Why?"

"Turn into your five-year-old self."

"Leave her alone. She'll calm down on her own."

"…"

At that reply, Kal gave a mournful smile.

A moment later.

The three arrived in front of the principal's office at the top of the Tower of Heroes.

Knock knock-

"Come in."

At the sound from inside, Leo opened the door and entered.

Inside, Riina was waiting with Sedzen at her desk.

Riina chugged the contents of her mug, let out a burp, and wiped her mouth.

Judging by the stimulating aroma, it was clearly alcohol.

Watching her, Kal smiled awkwardly.

"Principal. Wouldn't it be better to refrain from drinking during work hours?"

"This isn't alcohol. It's water. Water."

Riina waved her hand nonchalantly and said.

Kal looked at Sedzen, seeing Riina like that.

Sedzen let out a deep sigh as if she had given up.

When he looked at Leo and Elena, the two seemed to be reacting as if it was none of their business.

'Right. Let's not think too deeply. Our school is a place where you lose if you think normally.'

That's why Sedzen was also making a resigned expression.

Thinking that, Kal took the gift box to Riina.

"Principal. This is a gift."

"A gift?"

Riina wore an indifferent expression as she untied the prettily ribboned box and checked its contents.

And seeing the luxurious sweets inside, she clicked her tongue.

"Okay, first of all, thank you…"

As she took out the sweets, she found a bottle inside, and Riina's eyes lit up.

"…wow. Student Kal. You truly are one of our school's top honors students."

"Student Kal is far from an honors student, Riina."

"Oh, come on. Why speak so bluntly? If they're kind, they're all honors students. If they're kind."

"Hehe. Thank you for seeing me in a good light."

As Riina patted Kal's head, Kal rubbed his hands together with a cunning smile.

Riina chuckled gleefully and placed the box of sweets on the 'liquor bottle' display shelf.

Sedzen covered her face at the sight.

"Alright! Then."

Riina straightened her posture and spoke.

"I will explain why I called the three of you."

Riina pushed a document on her desk towards Leo.

"I plan to conduct a practical assessment for the first-year students in the second semester."

At her words, Leo checked the document.

And then he made a surprised expression.

"Is it a joint assessment by all hero schools?"

"That's right."

Riina nodded.

"The venue is Azonia. The schools have already concluded all discussions."

"Then don't we just need to make an announcement?"

As Elena lightly twirled her hair, Riina shrugged.

"But not everything has been decided yet. An important assessment task has not been determined."

"Since it's a large and important event, only a very small number of people in each school know about it."

It would be a big problem if the secret were to leak out within the grades.

"As a result of the principals' meeting, an opinion came up: 'How about entrusting the submission of assessment tasks to the student council presidents of each school?'"

"Student council presidents?"

"Yes. 'Overcome your limits, believe in yourself, move forward, pursue possibilities.' Those who best embody the mottos of each school must be the student council presidents. We judged that submitting tasks from the perspective of the top students would be a great help to the first-year students."

"…"

At those words, Leo looked at Riina.

"You didn't just pass it on because it was troublesome, did you?"

"Anyway, then!"

Clap-!

Riina clapped her hands, changing the atmosphere.

"The student council presidents' meeting will be held in Seyroon. I hope you will fully utilize your creativity to create challenges that will help first-year students of all races develop further. It goes without saying, but don't leak this information anywhere."

Riina smiled sweetly.

"But while Senior Leo and Senior Elena might need to know, wouldn't I not need to?"

"What are you talking about, Student Kal? You're as important a figure in our student council as Student Leo or Student Elena, aren't you?"

Riina's eyes widened.

"Me?"

"Yes! The most diligent slave of the student council! That's you!"

As Riina said with a bright smile, Kal looked out the window with a gloomy face.

"Alright. That's all for the announcements. Oh! And please also announce to the students the details regarding the dance party hosted by the school."

Riina smiled faintly and handed another document to Leo.

The three, having received the information, left the principal's office.

In front of the principal's office, Leo silently read the details about the dance party.

Kal had a gloomy expression, and Elena was radiating a chilling aura.

"Kal, here."

After Leo finished reading the announcement, he handed the paper to Kal, who took it.

"Let's go to the student council office. You'll be busy if you have to do what the vice student council president told you to do, won't you?"

"…Leo. You go first. I have something to take care of."

"Really? Alright. See you in the student council office."

Leo waved to Kal and Elena.

Elena lightly snorted, watching Leo.

After Leo left, and Elena was about to follow suit,

"Just a moment, Senior Elena."

"What is it?"

Elena looked at Kal with cold eyes.

Kal pointed to a phrase in the dance party announcement and said, seeing Elena like that.

[Best Couple Contest.]

"I will do my best to ensure you can participate in this contest with Leo."

"…"

Elena stared intently at the phrase in silence, then curled up the corners of her mouth.

"I can win Leo's partner spot on my own, can't I?"

"No. It will be difficult for Senior Elena to win."

"What?"

Elena's eyes twitched.

As her mood soured, her tyrannical nature began to subtly emerge.

"I can also explain why."

At Kal's confident words, Elena glared fixedly at Kal.

He felt intimidated by her look, but Kal decided to push through.

"Senior, you must trust me completely."