Book 1 Chapter 95

【95】94.

As the start time for the inter-department competition drew near, outside guests began to take their seats one by one.

Amidst this, a commotion arose in one place.

"Surely… Albi Zeron, the Sorcerer of the Evil Eye?"

"It's surprising that he's participating in a departmental event."

External figures murmured as they watched Albi, who had taken a seat in one of the spectator stands.

However, no one approached Albi.

This was because many feared him as much as they admired his reputation as a hero.

"It's unexpected to see Uncle watching an event like this."

A female student, laden with snacks in her arms, approached with a calm expression and sat next to Albi.

At that sight, the external figures murmured.

It was Elena Zeron, the currently acting head of the Zeron family and renowned as a genius of magic.

'Is that… the arrogant genius Elena?'

It was then that the external figures sent gazes filled with interest.

A handsome young man in his prime confidently approached Elena.

"Greetings, Lady Elena."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Allak Turka. I am the prince of the Turka Kingdom."

The Turka Kingdom.

It was a center of trade located on the border between the Western and Central regions.

Allak was the Crown Prince of that kingdom.

'She is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say.'

Allak, who saw Elena up close, swallowed dry.

Up close, Elena was so beautiful it took his breath away.

Even Allak, who as royalty had met all kinds of beauties, had never seen a woman with such looks.

Furthermore, Elena was a strong candidate for hero, and her background was also formidable.

For Allak, who was of marriageable age, she was a coveted match.

'It would be best to first establish a rapport. With my status, she won't be able to ignore me.'

Glancing repeatedly at Elena's school uniform skirt, Allak offered a soft smile.

"It is a great honor to meet the renowned Lady Elena. Please grant me the opportunity to escort Lady Elena."

He bowed, knelt down, and unhesitatingly reached for Elena's hand.

Elena smiled faintly.

It was then, as Allak, taking her smile as a positive sign, inwardly cheered with delight.

Pink magical energy shimmered from Allak's body.

"Huh?"

Elena didn't even glance at him, just wiggled her finger.

Whiz! Crack!

"Cough!"

Allak was sent flying and slammed into the spectator stands.

"How dare you!"

Enraged, Allak jumped to his feet.

"Do you know who I am!"

"Are you angry?"

Elena asked, her eyes wide.

Allak's eyes, which had been flaring, instantly became hazy.

"Ah, no!"

"Right? You're not angry, are you?"

"Of course not! To be angry over something like this! Hahahahaha!"

"If that's the case, since it's unpleasant, would you please get out of my sight?"

"Understood!"

Extremely rude words to say to the crown prince of a nation.

But Allak, not minding at all, disappeared from Elena's sight like a dog.

Elena took out perfume from her pocket and sprayed it into the air.

The surrounding external figures looked at Elena with disgusted eyes.

'Indeed, Elena Zeron…!'

'To cause such a diplomatic offense without a care!'

'The Witch of Rumerne!'

Before being called the Queen, Elena was also a woman called the Witch.

"Didn't I tell you not to use that power recklessly?"

As Albi spoke in a cold voice, Elena said dismissively.

"Uncle, you saw it too, didn't you? He was the one who looked at me with dirty eyes first."

Elena snorted.

Elena, who had a powerful background and beautiful appearance since childhood, was accustomed to the lustful gazes of people.

No matter how well they hid their true intentions, she easily sensed such signs.

"And it's not like I even used magic; isn't it more that he's incompetent if he can't resist even this much power?"

Elena smiled brightly.

The innate power she possessed was the ability to captivate people's hearts with her natural beauty and charisma.

The ability that merely made people around her follow her easily in childhood had now evolved into a demonic charm that could bewitch people with just a glance.

"By the way, Uncle, what brings you here, really?"

"I came to see a student I'm interested in."

"A student you're interested in?"

"A student befitting a hero."

Elena, who was tearing open a snack bag, paused.

'A student befitting a hero? He never said anything like that to me before?'

"Are you talking about Leo Flobe?"

"Yes."

Elena's lips curved upwards.

As the heir to the Zeron family, Elena had met countless heroes and hero candidates since childhood.

In Elena's eyes, no one was as befitting the name of hero as Albi.

'Not even Father.'

Because of this, Elena subtly strove to gain Albi's recognition.

But Elena had never been recognized by Albi.

'A student acknowledged by Uncle, of all people?'

Elena's cool gaze turned towards Leo in the distance.

'This should be interesting.'

***

[Distinguished guests who have graced us with your presence, welcome. I am Sedjen, and I will be hosting today's inter-department competition.]

Sedjen's voice echoed throughout the entire Erec parade ground.

The murmuring spectators stopped talking and began to focus on Sedjen.

[Fellow students! As previously announced, this inter-department competition is a battle royale! You will compete your skills, strategies, and survival abilities, and when one glorious final survivor remains, this inter-department competition will conclude! And the department to which that final survivor belongs will be the winning department!]

"A battle royale, huh."

"It's a method I've never seen before."

"It feels more like an individual competition than an inter-department one."

The external figures' eyes lit up.

It was quite an unusual method, which piqued their interest.

'Especially this year, they said there are many excellent students.'

'We need to sponsor promising students and draw them to our side in the future.'

Sedjen's explanation continued.

[You will be provided with an artifact that checks your physical condition! This artifact is set to instantly teleport you back here if it determines your life is in danger!]

Sedjen took out a magic bracelet and showed it to the students.

[In other words… it's possible to torment opponents to a non-lethal degree. This is just a word of caution, but make sure no students abuse this.]

Sedjen, uncharacteristically, directed a cold gaze at the students.

The first-year students flinched.

[Furthermore, I would like to inform all distinguished guests.]

Sedjen looked at the stands and spoke in a serious voice.

Everyone wore tense expressions at the words of Professor Sedjen, who was highly renowned even in Rumerne.

[The main viewing point of this inter-department competition is the splendid performance of the elegant first-year Class 1 students! Everyone, when the Class 1 students come out, please pay close attention to…]

"Drag him off."

Halind said mercilessly, seeing Sedjen suddenly begin to show favoritism.

At his words, Ain and Len, who were on standby, went up to the stage and dragged Sedjen off.

"W-what is this! How could you do this to me! I was so good to you during your school days! Ugh! Let go! Let go! You Halind's stooges!"

The spectators wore dumbfounded expressions as they watched Professor Sedjen being miserably dragged off the stage.

"Class 1! I'm looking forward to your elegant performance!"

Starting with Khal, who playfully shouted, laughter erupted from various places among the first-year students.

Thump- Thump-

But the relaxed atmosphere stiffened again because of the one man who stepped onto the stage.

It was Professor Halind, the professor most feared by the students.

[Before the inter-department competition, I have an announcement. This inter-department competition also serves as the final practical exam.]

"Whatttt?"

"This is the final practical exam?!"

[While the inter-department competition is purely about survival, the final exam is not. Every one of your actions will be faithfully recorded on the bracelet you are given. A student eliminated early can very well receive a higher score than a student eliminated later. So, be cautious in every action. That is all.]

Leo chuckled, hearing Halind's words.

'Smart move.'

For the victory of the inter-department competition, students from the same department could team up and defeat opponents.

Furthermore, for the sake of their department, individual sacrifices could be made to any extent.

But if it's a final practical exam, the story changes.

'If I act solely for the department, I might accidentally mess up the exam. This means how I devise my strategy will become even more important.'

While Leo's eyes gleamed, Halind spoke.

"The inter-department competition will begin in 10 minutes from now. Prepare yourselves."

The teaching assistants came and handed out bracelets.

"Whew! This is nerve-wracking, isn't it?"

When Khal spoke with a tense face, Leo chuckled.

"You'll do great, Khal."

"Of course. You be careful too, Leo. There are many guys targeting you, you know."

"Don't worry."

Leo and Khal bumped fists.

"Oh! Me too! Class president, share some of that good energy!"

Illiana came and bumped fists in the same way.

Starting with that, Class 5 students came up to Leo one after another.

"Go, Leo oppa!"

"You too, hang in there."

After bumping fists with Chelsea for the last time, Halind spoke.

[Preparation time is over. The inter-department competition will now begin.]

Vwooom-!

Simultaneously with those words, a giant magic circle appeared on the floor.

As announced by the school, they were going to teleport to Naigrang all at once.

Whoosh-!

Thus, a bright light covered their vision.

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-!

And when they opened their eyes…

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"W-what is thiiiiis!"

"We can't use magic?"

All the first-year students were screaming and falling.

Before falling, Leo took in the entire ruined city of Naigrang.

'The entire city is covered in all sorts of curses!'

He could understand why this place was a forsaken land.

'The curses are repeatedly activating and deactivating.'

There was only one area where they could safely operate.

'The only area without curses is…'

A massive castle in the center caught Leo's eye.

'The castle ruins!'

Whoosh-!

Leo adjusted his posture, minimizing air resistance as he fell towards the ground.

'First, getting to the castle will be important!'

By the time he reached the ground.

The levitation magic built into the artifact safely landed Leo on the ground.

Thud-!

Leo took a stance.

The ruined city was literally overgrown with thick bushes.

Unmanaged human civilization had been futilely crumbled by nature.

'This area hasn't activated its curse yet. Then quickly to the castle…'

"H-huh! Leo Flobe!"

A male student from the magic department, who had landed belatedly, flinched upon seeing Leo.

"Huh? You?"

"W-what, what! Are you going to fight me now?!"

Leo was also familiar with the male student who had a very tense expression.

'Was his name Zevin?'

He was a student from the magic department who had been clinging to Chloe right before the midterm exams.

"I don't particularly intend to fight right now?"

As Leo ignored him, the tense Zevin grinned.

"Oh really? But what to do? I'm going to get you!"

"What?"

Zevin raised his staff and cast a spell into the air.

Kiiing! Bang-!

Leo narrowed his brows and turned his head.

"It seems there are quite a few kids who don't particularly like you, not just in our department, you know?"

Zevin, with a smug smile, aimed his staff at Leo.

"So, those of us who felt the same way got together and came up with an idea: if we meet you, we'll team up and take you down first."

He felt presences rapidly approaching from all directions.

"Don't feel too wronged! Cooperation is also a strategy!"

"No, I don't particularly feel wronged."

Leo chuckled.

"Do you have the confidence to handle the aftermath?"

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