“Ah! How splendid it would be if heroes hailing from esteemed lineages were to grace our humble abode.”
“We have already completed the preparations for a soirée in their honor at our residence!”
After their classes, the students of Delan were brimming with anticipation.
Commencing today, prospective students for Lumeren Academy would embark on their visits to Delan.
The nobility of the Delard Kingdom eagerly anticipated the arrival of these scions from illustrious hero families.
Heroic Noble Families.
A prestigious designation bestowed upon the most distinguished lineages that have consistently produced heroes for generations.
Naturally, they held a significantly higher likelihood of gaining admission to Lumeren.
“Gulliver, amongst the noble families of heroic lineage visiting our country, who do you believe holds the most esteemed reputation?”
“Heh, unquestionably, it’s Zerdingher.”
Upon hearing Gulliver’s words, his friends began to converse excitedly.
“Do you think Zerdingher will pay a visit to the Tradden family?”
“Absolutely! Gulliver is the only talent in our country capable of passing the Lumeren entrance exam, isn’t he?”
Gulliver let out a sigh as he observed his exuberant friends.
“Oh, I’m already eager to discuss heroes with the Zerdingher folks.”
“Heh! Man, I’m envious!”
“Gulliver! Can I come over to your house later?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
“Gulliver! Count me in too!”
Gulliver Tradden.
As the heir to the Tradden Count, he was hailed as Delard’s foremost magical prodigy.
At the age of fifteen, he had already reached the 2nd circle in magic.
He was the center of attention as a talent destined for admission to Lumeren.
Delard had not sent a student to Lumeren in the past two decades, making Gulliver a national focal point.
Amidst the excitement that enveloped everyone,
A student by the window suddenly let out a scream.
“Hey, guys! Isn’t that the Zerdingher family crest?”
“What? Where? Show us!”
“They’ve already arrived?”
Students rushed to the windows.
In the midst of this commotion, Leo quietly exited the classroom without showing much interest.
Then, he made eye contact with Gulliver and his group, who were about to leave as well.
“Heh! Are you going to take attendance? Zerdingher people wouldn’t be interested in the likes of you,” Gulliver taunted Leo.
Gulliver excelled in all aspects as a top student.
Yet, he couldn’t help but envy Leo.
There was one class where he could never surpass Leo.
Combat class.
The professors openly favored Gulliver, avoiding pitting him against Leo in practical exams, but the outcome was clear.
Leo replied casually, “I’m just heading home.”
“Heh, at least you know your place.”
“Yeah. Go on and fawn over Zerdingher.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly. I’m just going to assess Selia Zerdingher as a competitor.”
Sparks of tension ignited in Gulliver’s eyes.
An air of rivalry hung between the two.
[Announcement from the staff room: All students must immediately gather in the banquet hall. No exceptions.]
The magical broadcast resounded throughout the campus.
The purpose of the gathering was evident.
To welcome the Zerdingher family.
“I wanted to leave early,” Leo muttered to himself.
Gulliver smirked and exited the classroom.
Other students also rushed to the banquet hall.
Leo, scratching his head, grumbled.
“Oh, forget it. Let’s go.”
“Huh? Leo, you’re not going?”
“I’m going home.”
“What? This is a rare opportunity to meet the Zerdingher family.”
“I’m just not interested.”
Watching Leo walk toward the opposite end of the banquet hall, his classmates exchanged puzzled glances.
***
“It’s a great honor to have you visit, Lord Zis Zerding!” Professor Jaden exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.
The other students in the room cast envious glances at Zis.
“It’s quite overwhelming to receive such a warm welcome,” Zis responded humbly.
“This student here is Gulliver Tradden. He’s taking the entrance exam for Lumeren Academy this time!” Professor Jaden introduced.
“Is that so? Interestingly, my niece is also attempting the entrance exam this time,” Zis replied.
The students’ attention naturally shifted to a specific figure in the room, a girl standing among Zerdingher’s knights.
Selia Zerdingher.
The daughter of the renowned Zerdingher family.
She was a sword prodigy, celebrated not only within the empire but across the entire continent.
Selia nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders under the students’ curious gazes.
Gulliver, on the other hand, couldn’t help but stare in awe.
‘Oh, she’s stunning!’
With her jet-black hair, eyes resembling large rubies, a prominent nose, and crimson lips, Selia outshone any noblewoman he had ever seen.
“Selia, come over here,” Zis called to her.
Selia walked briskly toward them, offering Gulliver a warm smile.
“Are you also here for the entrance exam? Let’s give it our best together.”
“Absolutely! Let’s have a friendly competition. Hahaha!” Gulliver said confidently, extending his hand.
Selia glanced at his hand for a moment, hesitating, until Zis nudged her gently, prompting her to shake Gulliver’s hand.
Gulliver beamed with a goofy smile.
“I’ll give you a tour of the school at a leisurely pace. It would also be wonderful if you could share some encouraging words with our students,” Jaden suggested.
“Hehe, I’m not sure how much my words can help,” Zis replied modestly.
“If they’re words from Lord Zis Zerdingher, they would mean a great deal!”
Known as the Flame Blade, Zis was one of the empire’s top knights, renowned not only within the empire but also worldwide for his valor.
“As for accommodations…”
“I’ve already made arrangements,” Zis interrupted.
“I see,” Professor Jaden muttered, his expression darkening.
“I wanted to discuss…”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to meet a student named Leo Plov.”
“What?”
Professor Jaden appeared bewildered, and Gulliver’s eyes widened in surprise.
He briefly questioned whether he had heard correctly.
“How do you know Leo Plov?”
“I heard about him from someone I trust. They mentioned he’s a promising talent.”
“You must be mistaken, Lord Zis Zerdingher,” Gulliver responded with a hint of irritation.
“Is that so?”
“Leo Plov is a student in my class. While he is indeed talented, he struggles with even basic aura manipulation.”
Zis raised an eyebrow in contemplation.
Even in the presence of Lord Zis Zerdingher, Gulliver received praise from the staff of Delan Royal Academy for his lack of timidity. Gulliver himself was elated.
‘Lord Zis Zerdingher is actually considering my opinion!’
However, members of the Zerdingher family couldn’t help but laugh at him. Zis was responsible for overseeing his family’s affairs, and even the family head respected Zis’s judgments when it came to evaluating the children’s abilities. It seemed absurd to them that this young, inexperienced lad would make dismissive remarks.
“So, where can I find Leo Plov?” Zis inquired once more, ignoring Gulliver’s flustered state.
Gulliver was caught off guard, and Professor Jaden hurriedly responded, “Student Leo Plov, please step forward!”
“…”
“Student Leo?”
A hesitant student timidly raised his hand.
“Professor, Leo left in a carriage earlier.”
“What? What are you saying?”
“……”
“I instructed all the students to assemble.”
“He… mentioned he had no interest in the Zerdinghers…” The students whispered among themselves.
Selia wore a puzzled expression, while Zis simply grinned, silently acknowledging his nephew’s character.
***
After completing their schedule at Delan Royal Academy, Zis and Selia boarded a carriage.
Those who witnessed them getting into the carriage were taken aback when they noticed the mythical creature leading it.
“A griffin?”
A carriage drawn by a legendary creature!
As onlookers marveled at the sight, the carriage set off.
“I wonder which noble family they’re staying with?”
“I’m envious.”
The students whispered among themselves.
Gulliver clenched his fist as he watched the departing Zerdingher family members.
‘When I enter Lumeren, I’ll be studying alongside girls like her!’
He was convinced that such a prestigious institution was suitable for someone of his talents.
‘I’ll undoubtedly pass the entrance exam taking place next week!’
Inside the griffin-drawn carriage, Zis inquired, “How were the students at Delan Royal Academy?”
“They were a bit disorganized,” Selia replied with a hint of disappointment.
They had briefly listened to the content of heroism studies taught at Delan Royal Academy and found it lacking. Heroism studies, which delve into the deeds of past heroes, is an essential subject for those aspiring to be heroes, regardless of their origin. However, the curriculum at Delan Royal Academy left much to be desired.
“And that Gulliver? He barely grasps the subject matter and yet dares to argue with my uncle.”
“The family we’re visiting next will be different.”
“Ah, you mean the Plov family?” Selia recalled the earlier conversation.
There was certainly a student who had openly declared his lack of interest in the Zerdingher family.
‘Hmm, quite the audacious one.’
Selia, who took immense pride in her family’s name, was not fond of his attitude.
‘And he aspires to become a knight but struggles with Aura at his age?’
Selia held no curiosity about Leo.
Little did she know that their destination was the home of her cousin.
Meanwhile, Zis retrieved a letter from his pocket.
‘If only my sister hadn’t left the family.’
The present head of the Zerdingher family was Zeld Zerdingher, brother of Zis and Reina.
The three siblings were considered the future of the family.
Even though Reina had left the family due to an unfortunate accident, Zis knew her skills well.
And that sister had called his nephew a “genius.”
Furthermore…
‘He has trouble handling Aura?’
For noble children with dreams of becoming knights, mastering Aura was imperative. They began learning how to control Aura from a young age.
But the rumor persisted that Leo struggled with Aura.
‘I’m quite intrigued by what kind of young man he might be.’
***
As evening descended, Leo found himself alone in the training grounds, deep in concentration with his eyes closed.
He had just completed a grueling training session, and his body was drenched in sweat.
“Hoo.”
He released a deep breath.
‘The vessel is finally ready.’
The reason he had refrained from mastering Aura until now was twofold.
Part of it was to align with his mother’s teachings.
However, the primary reason was to craft a vessel.
Although, when considering the attributes of a warrior, his current body was superior to his past life as Kyle, his aptitude for other talents like being a mage or summoner was nearly non-existent.
This was why he hadn’t recklessly delved into mastering Aura.
In his previous life, Kyle was a versatile warrior, skilled in both battle and formidable magic, and a pact-maker with spirits and mythical beings.
One person with two distinct roles.
The reason the expedition team persevered even as friends met their end was that Kyle, who had mastered all these abilities, was among them.
Their willpower and hopes were entrusted to him.
‘I couldn’t manage it well in my previous life, but in this one, I’ll master it flawlessly.’
The moment Aura enters the body, it naturally becomes specialized in Aura manipulation. This also effectively eliminates the opportunity to accumulate magical and spiritual energy.
That’s why Leo had spent this time laying the foundation.
To honor the legacy and carry forward the wishes of his comrades.
Leo clenched his fist with determination.
‘First, mastering Aura is my top priority!’
Cliche Novel 