Book 1 Chapter 969

969.

The first-year students, along with the second and third-year students who acted as escorts, returned to school.

The students' exploits had already become known throughout the school, so upon arriving at their respective dormitories, the students received immense attention from their peers and seniors.

"Is it true you saw Lord Azonia and Lord Demian?"

"They say you even met the Great Heroes!"

Among the students of the Summoning Department, there was great interest in those who had experienced Arion's world.

As Ferena made her way out of the place and towards her dormitory room, she spotted someone approaching her.

"Welcome back?"

"Yes!"

Ferena smiled brightly at Eliza.

Seeing her younger sister's improved expression, Eliza smiled faintly.

"How was it? The world of heroes?"

"It was amazing."

She recalled the despairing sights within the world of heroes.

And also the people who created hope even amidst that despair.

Lost in various thoughts, Ferena suddenly spoke.

"Unnie."

"Why?"

"About Senior Cal."

"What about him?"

"I thought he was incredibly cool when I saw him this time."

"Cool, indeed."

At Ferena's words, Eliza let out a snort.

However, Ferena could detect a subtle twitch at the corners of Eliza's mouth.

***

After reporting the first-year exam to Professor Halind and Professor Sedgen, Leo was finally able to return to the Clock Tower dormitory as dusk approached.

"The autumn leaves are pretty."

Elena murmured, gazing at the gardens of Lumen, which were beginning to turn into vibrant colors.

"Hmm~ I'm a little sad thinking this is the last autumn foliage I'll see in Lumen."

As Elena, who had caught a falling leaf fluttering in the wind with her finger, smacked her lips, Leo said,

"As the acting chairman, you can come to the school anytime."

"Oh, look at this man, so devoid of emotion! I meant it as the last autumn foliage as a student. You're going to ruin my rare moment of feminine sensitivity?"

"Wait until you're older. Besides, you're not a girl anymore."

At that, Elena, with a sulky expression, poked Leo's side with her finger.

After showing such a displeased reaction, Elena asked,

"Leo-gun, is something bothering you?"

At that, Leo, after a moment of thought, recounted to Elena the scenes he had witnessed in the world of Kaebyeok.

"Even though there were enough passages, they didn't come out…"

Elena, with a serious expression, tilted her head.

"Wasn't it because Leo-gun scared them away?"

"That's not it. The passages were there from the start. And…"

Leo clicked his tongue.

"Unlike the fragments I've dealt with so far, the fragment trapped in the world of Kaebyeok has been revived for a long time."

The world of Kaebyeok is constantly repeating resets.

However, Erebus was escaping its influence and growing stronger.

The power itself is different from fragments that have just been revived.

"Even so, Leo-gun defeated Erebus with a single magic spell this time."

Elena said, recalling what had happened in Arion's world, but Leo shook his head.

"That was possible because Luna was there. Moreover, the one I faced in Arion's world was strictly speaking, just a mass of Erebus's power."

Of course, even that alone was a catastrophic disaster.

However, on the allied side were the complete Erebus and Leo and Arion, who had combat experience.

Even if the physical vessels of both were not complete, their minds were complete.

Furthermore, there were two Great Heroes, not to mention the Heroes of Kaebyeok.

"In contrast, that guy had no divine authority, nor consciousness. So it was a winnable fight."

If only consciousness existed, without divine authority, he would not have allowed Leo and Luna's magic so easily.

Conversely, the fragment sealed in the world of Kaebyeok was a virtually complete entity with divine authority.

Leo also has divine power, but victory is not guaranteed.

'It was a stark contrast to how desperately it was struggling to break out just a while ago.'

"Is it gathering strength?"

Elena murmured with a serious expression, and Leo said,

"It's likely aiming for something more than that."

"Hmm."

Elena let out a light breath.

"Well, there's no use worrying too much about it right now, is there? Let's rest for today. Leo-gun hasn't rested at all, has he?"

Smiling brightly, Elena linked arms with Leo.

"Let go, you're heavy."

"You're strong, so stop complaining."

Elena grumbled and released his arm.

"By the way, I'm a little disappointed that this year's Ruse Battle seems to be passing by quietly."

Elena smacked her lips.

The two had heard about the Ruse Battle from the professors while reporting on what had happened.

At Elena's mumbling, Leo said,

"I hope it passes by quietly."

"Hmm… Hearing that, it doesn't seem like it will be quiet."

***

The next day, during the third-year magic class.

"Ah! Leo oppa!"

Chelsea, entering the magic classroom, spotted Leo and ran towards him with a bright smile.

"Welcome back?"

"I'm back."

Leo replied with a slight smirk.

Watching Leo, Chelsea recounted the various events that had occurred while Leo was away.

"So, while studying magic, you even gained inspiration for new magic? It's a basic magic formula."

"Ho? That's amazing!"

"Ahem!"

Chelsea puffed out her chest, lifted her chin, and wore a slightly smug expression.

The new magical inspiration Chelsea had gained was indeed unique, so Leo became interested.

As he watched Chelsea chatter away, Leo stroked her head.

He could feel Chelsea's consideration for him.

He thought Leo must be emotionally struggling after meeting Arion and his old friends, so he treated her more kindly than usual.

As Leo was stroking Chelsea's head, Iliana, who had just entered the classroom, rushed towards Leo.

"Banjang!"

Iliana, with her usual aggrieved expression, ran up and grabbed Leo, complaining.

"The kids are teasing me again!"

"What are they saying?"

"I said I'd apply for the position of Student Council President's secretary that Senior Elena just created! They told me to quit because someone like me, a fool, couldn't do it!"

"Give up because you're too foolish for it."

"See!"

Chelsea, who had been listening from the side, spoke coldly, making Iliana's face crumple even more.

Leo patted Iliana to comfort her.

Just then, Cal, who had entered the classroom, approached.

"Why is Iliana crying again? Did the kids tease you, saying a fool like you could never be the Student Council President's secretary?"

"Exactly."

Chelsea replied to Cal's question with a smirk.

"It is indeed impossible."

At Cal's chuckle, Iliana glared at him.

In response, Cal shrugged his shoulders, and Iliana said,

"Banjang. Do you not trust me as a secretary either? I'm confident I can do a good job."

Seeing Iliana speak with determination, her fists clenched, Leo said,

"I think you'll do well."

"Then pick me."

Saying that, Iliana took something out of her pocket.

"These are limited autumn cookies sold at the 'Haven of Abundance,' a cafe in Lumen."

Iliana pushed the cookie bag into Leo's inner pocket.

"This is an illegal bribe."

"Hey, hey. Put it in, put it in."

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 ate them all in one go.

"Ah! Those are Banjang's!"

"Leo oppa doesn't like sweets."

Crunch- Crunch- Chelsea said as she ate the cookies.

"Besides, Leo oppa doesn't have the authority to select the secretary. Senior Elena does."

"That's right. I need to get on Senior Elena's good side."

Cal nodded at Chelsea's words, and Iliana fell into thought.

"How do I butter up Senior Elena?"

"If you try to butter her up, you'll get roasted yourself?"

Cal warned her from the side.

Leo rested his chin on his hand and watched the scene.

Seeing his friends laughing and chatting as usual, he finally felt like he had returned to school.

One by one, students entered the classroom.

Soon, the class bell rang.

Bang-!

"Gentlemen! Welcome! Today, let's explore the boundless world of magic together!"

Professor Ren burst through the door, speaking energetically.

"Before that! I heard you've returned after a great performance! My beloved disciples! Let's all welcome them with applause!"

He spread his arms wide and warmly praised the students returning from their mission.

After a round of applause and whistles, Ren said,

"Next! I will make an announcement regarding the Ruse Battle!"

As soon as those words were uttered, all eyes in the classroom turned to one person.

"Why?"

Leo asked in a bored tone.

Last year.

Leo, who had hosted the Ruse Battle, which was originally supposed to be held in Seirun, at Lumen and even expanded its scale to that of a grand Hero's Festival.

Recalling how hard they had worked last year, the students looked at him with anxious eyes, wondering what major incident Leo would cause this time.

Especially…

"Hey, Leo. Please, just give it a break, okay? Please."

Cal said with desperate urgency.

No matter what anyone said, the person who suffered the most last year was Cal, who had been exploited like a slave by Elena.

At Cal's pleading voice, Leo laughed.

"Why are you laughing like that? It's unsettling."

Cal's voice trembled.

Just then, Professor Anna, Ren's assistant professor, said,

"Everyone, please rest assured. This year's Ruse Battle will be held in Seirun."

"Oh!"

Everyone exclaimed at the news.

"The professors of each Hero Academy met and discussed. They concluded that last year's Hero's Festival was successfully held and had a positive impact on all Hero Academy students. Therefore, it has been officially adopted as a periodic event."

At Vice Professor Anna's words, the students exclaimed.

"Does 'periodic' mean once a year like the Ruse Battle?"

"Given that all Hero Academy schools participate, holding it every year was deemed difficult. Therefore, it has been decided to hold it every two years. The next Hero's Festival will be held in Azonia next year."

At that, the students nodded.

'At least we won't have to prepare for it at our school before we graduate.'

While everyone breathed a sigh of relief, Vice Professor Anna said,

"As a result of that meeting, Seirun has made a proposal regarding this year's Ruse Battle."

At that, the students looked puzzled.

"Seirun stated that since the Hero's Festival has been officially adopted, the competitiveness of the Ruse Battle has diminished."

At that, the students nodded in understanding.

"Therefore, they proposed that this year's Ruse Battle be a cultural exchange instead of a competition."

The students all looked puzzled at the sudden announcement.

"A cultural exchange?"

"Yes. They proposed holding a cultural exchange festival."

At that, the students began to murmur.

"It sounds like it could be fun."

"We even had school festivals for clubs, right? Maybe it'll be like an enhanced version of that?"

"If it's a festival, it won't be too difficult, will it?"

The Lumen students showed a positive reaction.

Meanwhile.

Cal stroked his chin.

"Ho? This smells like money."

Leo smirked, watching the students enjoying themselves overall.

'Well, enjoying themselves like this isn't so bad.'