Book 1 Chapter 969
969.
The first-year students and the second and third-year students who were in charge of leading them returned to school.
Since the students' exploits were already a known fact at school, the students who arrived at each dormitory received immense attention from their classmates and seniors.
“Is it true you saw Lady Ajonia and Sir Damian?”
“They say you also saw the Great Heroes!”
Among the students of the Summoning Department, attention poured onto the students who had experienced Arion's world this time.
As Ferena was making her way out and heading to her dorm room, she spotted someone approaching her.
“Welcome back?”
“Yes!”
Ferena smiled brightly, looking at Eliza.
Eliza smiled faintly, seeing her sister's expression, which had become much brighter.
“How was it? The world of heroes?”
“It was amazing.”
She recalled the despairing scenes from the world of heroes.
And also the people who created hope even amidst that despair.
Ferena, who had been deep in various thoughts, suddenly spoke.
“Sister.”
“Why?”
“You know Kal sunbae.”
“What about him?”
“I saw him this time, and he was incredibly cool.”
“Cool, my foot.”
At Ferena's words, Eliza scoffed.
But Ferena noticed Eliza's lips subtly twitching.
***
Leo, who had reported on the first-year exam to Professor Halind and Professor Sedjen, was only able to return to the Clock Tower Dormitory when the sun was setting.
“The autumn leaves are pretty.”
Elena murmured, looking at Rumerun's garden, which had begun to be dyed in various colors.
“Hmm~ It's a bit disappointing to think that these are the last autumn leaves I'll see in Rumerun.”
Elena caught a fallen leaf fluttering in the wind with her finger and smacked her lips, then Leo said,
“You're the acting chairman, so you can come to school anytime.”
“Oh my, look at this old man's dry sentimentality? I meant it's the last autumn leaves as a student. I'm feeling a rare moment of a maiden's sensibility, are you going to spoil it?”
“You'll get old too. Besides, you're not a maiden anymore to begin with.”
At his words, Elena, with a sullen expression, poked Leo's side with her finger.
Elena, who had been showing such a displeased reaction, asked,
“Leo. Is something bothering you?”
Leo thought for a moment at her words, then told Elena about the scene he had witnessed in the world of the Great Opening.
“Even though there was enough of a passage, it didn't come out…”
Elena, with a serious expression, tilted her head.
“Was it because Leo was scared that it didn't come out?”
“That's not it. The passage was there from the beginning anyway. Besides…”
Leo clicked his tongue.
“Unlike the fragments I've dealt with until now, the fragment trapped in the world of the Great Opening has been resurrected for a long time.”
The world of the Great Opening is repeatedly resetting itself.
But Erebus was escaping that influence and growing stronger and stronger.
Its power itself is different from the fragments that have just been resurrected.
“Even so, Leo defeated Erebus with one magic spell this time.”
Elena said, recalling what happened in Arion's world, but Leo shook his head.
“That was only possible because Luna was there. Furthermore, the one we faced in Arion's world was, strictly speaking, nothing more than a mass of Erebus's power.”
Of course, that alone was indeed a catastrophic disaster.
But on their side, there were Leo and Arion, who had experience fighting the complete Erebus.
Although the physical vessels of both were not yet complete, their spirits were.
Moreover, there were two heroes of the Great Opening, not to mention other Great Heroes.
“In contrast, that guy had no authority, let alone consciousness. That's why it was a manageable fight.”
If only consciousness had existed instead of authority, it would not have so easily allowed Leo's and Luna's magic.
Conversely, the fragment sealed in the world of the Great Opening was practically a complete entity with authority.
Leo also possessed divine power, but he could not guarantee victory.
‘It was a stark contrast to how it was struggling to come out just a while ago.’
“Is it gathering strength?”
As Elena muttered with a serious face, Leo said,
“It must be aiming for something else too.”
“Hmm.”
Elena let out a light breath.
“Well, there's no point in thinking deeply about it right now, is there? Let's just rest today. You haven't rested at all, have you, Leo?”
Smiling brightly, Elena linked her arm through Leo's.
“Let go, you're heavy.”
“Someone so strong, yet complaining.”
Elena grumbled and let go of his arm.
“By the way, it's a shame that this Ruseon tournament seems like it will pass quietly.”
Elena smacked her lips.
They were both people who had heard stories about the Ruseon tournament from the professors while reporting on the recent events.
At Elena's murmuring, Leo said,
“I hope it does pass quietly.”
“Hmm… Hearing you say that, it feels like it won't be quiet.”
***
The next day, 3rd-year magic class.
“Ah! Leo oppa!”
Chelsea, who was entering the magic lecture hall, spotted Leo and ran towards him with a bright smile.
“Welcome back?”
“I'm back.”
Leo chuckled and replied.
Looking at Leo, Chelsea told him about the various big and small things that had happened while Leo was away from school.
“So, while studying magic, I even got inspiration for a new spell? It’s a basic magic formula.”
“Oh? That’s impressive?”
“Ahem!”
Chelsea puffed out her chest, raised her chin, and put on a slightly smug expression.
The new magical inspiration Chelsea claimed to have gained was certainly unique, which piqued Leo's interest.
Leo stroked Chelsea's head as she chattered away to him.
It was because he felt Chelsea was thinking of him.
She treated him more brightly than usual, thinking that Leo, who had met Arion and his old friends, must be emotionally exhausted.
As Leo was stroking Chelsea's head, Iliana, who had entered the lecture hall, ran towards Leo.
“Class president!”
Iliana, who had run over with her usual wronged expression, grabbed Leo and complained.
“The kids are teasing me again!”
“What are they saying?”
“Elena sunbae said she created a new position, student council president's secretary, so I said I'd apply! And the kids told me to quit because a dummy like me couldn't do it!”
“A dummy like you can't do it, so give up.”
“See that!”
Chelsea, who was listening nearby, spoke coldly, and Iliana's face became even more tearful.
Leo patted Iliana on the back.
Just then, Kal entered the lecture hall and approached them.
“Why is Iliana crying again? Did the kids tease you, saying a dummy like you could never be the student council president's secretary?”
“Exactly.”
Chelsea replied with a faint smile to Kal's question.
“It is impossible, though.”
Iliana glared at Kal, who was chuckling.
At her reaction, Kal shrugged, and Iliana said,
“Class president. Do you also not trust me as a secretary? I'm confident I can do well.”
Leo looked at Iliana, who spoke eagerly with her fists clenched, and said,
“I think you'll do well.”
“Then pick me.”
Having said that, Iliana pulled something out from her pocket.
“These are autumn-limited cookies sold at the Abundance Rest Stop Cafe, which is located in Rumerun.”
Iliana pushed the cookie bag into Leo's inner pocket.
“This is an improper solicitation.”
“Hey, just take it. Just take it.”
At Leo's words, Iliana forcefully put the cookies into Leo's inner pocket.
Then Chelsea took the cookies out of Leo's inner pocket and poured them directly into her mouth.
“Ah! Those are the class president's!”
“Leo oppa doesn't like sweets.”
*Crunch- crunch-* Chelsea said as she ate the cookies.
“And Leo oppa doesn't have the authority to pick the secretary. Elena sunbae does.”
“That's right. You have to make a good impression on Elena sunbae.”
Kal nodded at Chelsea's words, and Iliana fell into thought.
“How do I win over Elena sunbae?”
“You'll probably get burned trying to win her over.”
Kal warned her from the side.
Leo rested his chin on his hand and watched them.
Seeing his friends laughing and chatting as usual, he finally felt like he had returned to school.
One by one, students entered the lecture hall.
Soon, the class bell rang.
*Bang-!*
“My pupils! Welcome! Let's cheerfully explore the infinite world of magic with me again today!”
Professor Ren, who had kicked open the door, spoke vigorously.
“Before that! First, I heard you returned after achieving great exploits! My beloved disciples! Let's all welcome them with applause!”
He spread his arms wide and warmly congratulated the students who had returned from their dispatch.
After a round of applause and whistles, Ren said,
“Next! I will make an announcement about the Ruseon tournament!”
As soon as he finished speaking, all the students' eyes simultaneously focused on one person.
“Why?”
Leo asked in a bored voice.
Last year.
Leo had a track record of not only hosting the Ruseon tournament in Rumerun, which was originally supposed to be held in Seirun, but also expanding its scale to a grand event called the Hero's Festival.
Recalling how much they struggled last year, the students sent anxious glances, wondering what major incident Leo would bring about this time.
Especially…
“Hey. Leo. Please, just let it slide? Huh? Please.”
Kal said in a desperate voice.
No matter what anyone said, the person who suffered the most last year was none other than Kal, who was exploited like a slave by Elena.
Leo laughed at Kal's pathetic voice.
“Why are you laughing like that? It's unsettling.”
Kal's voice trembled.
Just then, Ren's associate professor, Anna, spoke.
“Everyone, rest assured. This Ruseon tournament will be held in Seirun.”
“Ohhh.”
At her words, everyone gasped.
“This time, the professors from each Hero Academy gathered and held a meeting. First, they stated that last year's Hero's Festival was successfully held and had a good influence on all Hero Academy students. So, it was officially adopted, and it was decided to hold the Hero's Festival periodically.”
Students gasped at Associate Professor Anna's words.
“Periodically, like the Ruseon tournament, once a year?”
“It was judged that holding it annually would be difficult as all Hero Academies participate. So, for now, it has been decided to hold it every two years. The next Hero's Festival will be held in Azonia next year.”
At her words, the students nodded.
‘At least our school won't have to prepare for it until after we graduate.’
While everyone was relieved.
Associate Professor Anna said,
“As a result of that meeting, Seirun has made a proposal regarding this Ruseon tournament.”
At her words, the students looked puzzled.
“Seirun said that since the Hero's Festival was officially adopted, the meaning of competition in the Ruseon tournament has diminished.”
At her words, the students nodded in understanding.
“So, they proposed holding a cultural exchange event instead of a competition for this Ruseon tournament.”
At the sudden announcement, all the students looked puzzled.
“A cultural exchange event?”
“Yes. They suggested holding a cultural exchange festival.”
At her words, the students began to murmur.
“That sounds fun?”
“Clubs already did things like arts festivals. Will that be enhanced?”
“If it's a festival, at least it won't be difficult, right?”
Rumerun students showed a positive reaction.
Meanwhile.
Kal stroked his chin.
“Oh? This smells like money?”
Leo chuckled, looking at the students who were generally enjoying themselves.
‘Well, it wouldn't be bad to enjoy it like this.’