Book 1 Chapter 990

Around the time the meeting of the Great Families concluded.

Rumors about the newly established Heroes' Alliance were already rampant within Lumern.

The leader, nominated by the families considered to have the noblest heroic bloodlines.

News of Leo ascending to a position that could shake the world's hegemony caused various disturbances across the globe.

Journalists from media outlets, who needed to deliver the news faster than anyone else, flocked to Lumeria City.

"It would be a jackpot if we could get a direct interview with Leo Flob."

"That's impossible, isn't it? Just interviewing students close to Leo Flob would be a huge achievement."

Thinking this, the journalists approached students who came to Lumeria City on the weekend to ask for interviews.

"What do you think about the King of Beginning, Leo Flob, ascending to the position of leader of the Heroes' Alliance?"

"Well, it's only natural."

"Oh? Aren't you surprised?"

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"He's the president, so is there anything to be surprised about?"

"……?"

The fifth-year student, a graduating class of Lumern, wore a puzzled expression at the reporter's question.

This wasn't just the fifth-years.

All the students of Lumern accepted the fact that Leo Flob, the student council president of Lumern, had risen to the unprecedented position of leader of the Heroes' Alliance as a matter of course.

Despite the momentous event shaking the world, the students of Lumern showed uniformly indifferent reactions.

"No. But setting aside the reaction, we can't even conduct long interviews."

One reporter looked flustered, seeing the Lumern students who weren't readily agreeing to interviews.

They could talk, but no one spoke for long.

"Ahem."

Just then, someone cleared their throat.

When the reporter turned their head, they saw a female student who appeared to be a third-year at Lumern.

"Who…?"

"Have you ever heard of the Speed of Light Sword?"

"Are you referring to Illiana Raden, a student at Lumern?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Ah!"

"She's the best friend and right-hand person who's been together with the Lumern student council president since their first year! And!"

"And?!"

"A beautiful girl!"

"……."

The reporter fell silent, looking at Illiana, who had a smug expression.

'Well, she is a beautiful girl… but does someone usually say that about themselves?'

He decided to put it aside for now.

It was undeniable that she was Illiana Raden, ranked among the top of Lumern's third-year students, known as the Golden Generation.

'Well, her liking to brag is already famous.'

And it was also true that she was Leo Flob's best friend.

"What do you think about the King of Beginning, Leo Flob, ascending to the position of leader of the Heroes' Alliance?"

"Hmm! Well! Since he's the class president… no, the student council president, should I say it's only natural?"

Unlike her earlier boisterous self-introduction, Illiana conducted the interview quite seriously.

'She's the most satisfying student to interview today.'

"Lastly, you mentioned being the King of Beginning Leo Flob's right-hand person. Does that mean the King of Beginning relies on you, student Illiana?"

"Yes. You could say my president and I are like soulmates?"

"Hah! Could it be that the King of Beginning and you are in a romantic relationship…?"

"Heh heh! No comment… Ayayay!"

"What do you mean no comment?"

"It's wrong to lie."

Chloe and Chen Xia, who appeared from behind Illiana, each grabbed one of her ears.

"Wh-what lies! I only told the truth… Ayayay!"

"Isn't an ambiguous word like 'no comment' the perfect word to cause misunderstanding?"

Chen Xia, smiling sweetly, dragged Illiana away.

"Hah! Student Chloe Muller of the Northern Tower… and Ms. Chen Xia of Shan?!"

The reporter's eyes widened.

An interview with Chloe, who was considered a candidate for archmage due to her high reputation in the magic world, and Chen Xia, the future empress of Shan, would be a scoop.

Moreover, weren't those two also close to Leo Flob?

"Student Chloe! What do you think of the Heroes' Alliance? And Ms. Chen Xia, as the future empress of Shan, do you have any influence on this alliance…!"

"I'm sorry, but I've been instructed by the Academy not to give detailed interviews related to this matter, so it's difficult to comply."

At Chloe's words, the reporter understood why the students were not actively cooperating with interviews.

'Was it luck that I could interview Illiana Raden?'

It seemed he wouldn't be able to get anything from Chloe and Chen Xia.

"Student Illiana! Just one more thing!"

"What… Mmph!"

"You'll get in trouble with the professors, Illiana."

Chen Xia covered Illiana's mouth, and Chloe blocked the reporter's view and gave a slight smile.

At that moment, the reporter flinched and stepped back at Chloe's icy smile.

A moment later.

When they reached a secluded spot, Chloe crossed her arms and sighed.

"The professors specifically warned you."

"I just wanted to let the world know more about President's story!"

Illiana protested as if wronged.

"He's more serious about defeating Tartarus than anyone else, so why should he be criticized by people driven by selfish desires?"

Seeing Illiana genuinely angry because of Leo, Chloe sighed softly.

"I'm angry about that part too, but."

"It's okay. I've memorized the names of those families."

Chen Xia said with a smile, and Chloe rolled her eyes while Illiana looked flustered.

"Xia."

"D-don't do that."

"It's a joke."

Although she smiled brightly, it didn't sound like a joke.

"Anyway. I interviewed because I wanted President's image to improve even a little."

"You introduced yourself as Leo's right-hand person?"

"A bit of personal gain?"

Seeing Illiana stick out her tongue and wink with one eye, Chen Xia stroked her head.

"Since it's your thought for Master Leo, I won't say anything more."

"Okay."

"Still, it's demerit points."

Chloe calmly took out a notebook from her pocket and checked it.

Illiana pleaded with Chloe with a tearful face, but academy rules were absolute.

***

After the meeting of the Great Families, the suspended classes at Lumern resumed.

The issue of the Great Families' meeting and the Heroes' Alliance was still causing a stir, but there was no time to pay attention to it.

Final exams were approaching in no time.

The second semester was nearing its end.

"In the first and second years, I was busy at the end of the semester, but in the third year, it's leisurely."

As Tate muttered, Carl, sitting next to him, let out an ominous laugh.

"Leisurely? Do you look leisurely?"

Carl stared at Tate with hollow eyes, dark circles prominent.

Seeing Carl like that, Tate shrugged his shoulders.

"Normal students are leisurely."

"Heh heh. You said it well. Then how about helping out with student council work?"

"Go away."

Tate pushed Carl away with a serious expression.

The student council was busy.

All the fifth-year students had stepped down from the front lines.

As such, they had taken over the tasks previously handled by the core students.

On top of that, preparations for the graduation ceremony and the Ruse Festival overlapped, making it a whirlwind of days.

Consequently, Carl, a crucial figure in the student council, was inevitably overwhelmed with work.

"Good morning."

Amidst this, Leo sat down in front of Carl and Tate.

Looking at Leo sipping his coffee, Tate said.

"Leo, you look leisurely?"

"It's thanks to Chloe and Carl working hard."

"So Chloe became the vice president. Senior Lil must be very disappointed?"

"Senior Lil became the acting student council president."

"Acting? Then Carl?"

"I'm the acting vice president… of course, the work I do hasn't changed."

It would be strange for Lil, the highest-ranking student and arguably the strongest in Lumern excluding Leo, to do nothing in the student council.

Leo smiled wryly, remembering Lil, who was delighted to become the acting student council president.

"By the way, what should I say… we're almost fourth-years. Time flies."

Tate exclaimed.

It felt like just yesterday they were mere fledglings, and now fourth year was just around the corner.

"By the way, have you finalized the schedule for the Ruse Festival, or rather, the Cultural Exchange?"

"Yeah. We just need to prepare for the festival."

At Seirun's suggestion, this Ruse Festival was changed into a cultural festival.

"Carl, please hang in there a little longer. After the final exams are over, things will be more relaxed."

"Yeah. I really need to rest during the winter break."

Carl blinked his hollow eyes and got up.

"Shouldn't you study for your exams too? If you get remedial classes again this time, your rest will be gone."

Tate chuckled, and Carl made a tearful face.

"Thank you so much for your concern, it brings tears to my eyes."

***

Whoooooosh-

The northern continent, the homeland of the elves.

The reason elves can live in this place called the land of harsh winter is only one.

It is because elves are called the race of magic.

And in the northern continent, called the land of harsh winter, to the west.

In midwinter, the sea freezes here, leading to extreme weather.

Students in Seirun uniforms were walking on the frozen sea.

"Is it true that a human was discovered here?"

Leah Tingel, a second-year at Seirun, asked with a puzzled expression.

Aeran, who was leading this mission and had come with the second-years, nodded.

"That's what we're here to confirm."

For a human to be discovered in this land of harsh winter means one of two things.

First.

Entering elven territory illegally.

Recently, elven society is full of curiosity and goodwill towards human society.

Originally, elves looked down on human culture, but with the appearance of Luna and Seirun in the current world, the perspective of the entire race towards humans changed.

A rapid change.

If it were any other race, even the words of a great hero or a hero of the new era would have made it difficult for their inherent racial values to change instantly.

But for elves, who have extreme and blind tendencies, the words of that great hero were like divine revelation.

Especially Luna's confession to Kyle, the Hero of Beginning, was enough to cause a great change among the elves.

As a result, elves developed great curiosity towards the human race.

And naturally, they quickly accepted human culture.

For elven society, which has pursued tranquility, some human cultures were a great stimulus.

However, even so, the treaty that humans should not carelessly set foot on elven land for many years had not disappeared.

A human entering deep into elven territory is clearly illegal.

And coming to a place even elves rarely visit suggests they are likely criminals.

The second is…

'Heroic Dungeon rampage.'

Whatever it was, it was something Seirun had to resolve, so Aeran became the leader of the party and came with the students.

However, after looking around for several hours, they saw no humans, let alone elves.

The Seirun students, who had come out of the frozen sea and returned to the snow-covered sandy beach, lit a fire with magic.

In front of the campfire, Aeran fell into thought.

'Should I broaden the search area?'

As Aeran pondered, her ears suddenly perked up.

And she glanced at the forest bordering the sandy beach in the distance.

'Did I just see a gaze?'

"Senior Aeran?"

Leah asked with a puzzled expression, and Aeran got up from her seat.

"There was a suspicious presence. I'll be back briefly."

"Let's go together."

"It will be very tiring, so you should rest."

Aeran showed consideration for her exhausted juniors.

While solo action can lead to danger, Aeran ordered her tired juniors to rest.

The juniors, who had strongly insisted on following, eventually had no choice but to stay behind.

'Based on my heightened senses, it doesn't feel particularly dangerous.'

Aeran tracked the presence.

A moment later.

A faint figure was visible in the distance.

Judging by the silhouette, it was a woman with snow-white hair.

"Ah! Hello there?!"

Aeran called out urgently.

Instantly.

The woman turned around.

Due to the strong blizzard, her face couldn't be seen clearly.

However, through the swirling snow, a clear red eye could be seen.

The moment their eyes met.

Whoooosh-!

The girl vanished into the blizzard in an instant.

"Ah…"

Aeran, sensing she had missed her, wore a serious expression.

'Judging by the presence, it was definitely a human.'

***

As Aeran left, Leah said to the remaining second-year students of Seirun.

"Since it's Senior Aeran, I'm sure nothing will happen, but let's stay prepared so we can move immediately if something does."

As the Seirun students prepared for any eventuality.

Crackling-

"Huh?"

Suddenly, the frozen sea, where no waves were breaking, began to crack.

As the Seirun students took combat stances in response to the sudden situation.

Crackling! Thump-!

A massive chunk of ice erupted from beneath the frozen surface.

Leah, with a tense expression, realized someone was inside the human-sized ice chunk and cautiously approached.

Inside the ice were two elves.

The elven girl, who appeared to be around Leah's age, was held protectively in the arms of another elf, so her face was not visible.

However, seeing the beautiful elven woman holding the elf protectively in her arms…

"Huh?"

Leah couldn't help but be shocked.

"Ancestor?"

Trapped in the ice was Seirun Tingel, the Sorceress of the Comet.