Lumeria City
Situated at the heart of the continent, this bustling metropolis earns its reputation as the world’s epicenter, not only due to its geographic centrality but also for its profound symbolic significance.
Within Lumeria City, one of the warp gates emitted a radiant light.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at Lumeria City. Kindly ensure you have all your belongings and proceed to disembark through the gate.”
Accompanied by this announcement, Leo stepped out through the gate.
The warp gate had been strategically placed on the outskirts of Lumeria City, atop a highland terrain.
The moment he emerged from the gate, the magnificent cityscape of Lumeria City unfolded before his eyes.
Whoosh!
Leo’s snowy-white hair billowed in the breeze.
The awe-inspiring panorama of the sprawling, advanced metropolis stretched out before him. In the distance, a lakeside area, resembling an expansive ocean, came into view.
Normally concealed by a dense mist, the lake was unusually clear that day, allowing Leo to discern the imposing edifice of Lumeren Academy, the grand castle situated at the lake’s far end.
“I’ll be heading there in two days.”
A month had passed since he had undertaken the entrance examination.
As was customary, the entrance exams had generated significant buzz, with the western regional exam, which Leo had participated in, being the most talked-about due to the record-low 40 students passing.
‘It’s not my concern.’
Leo had been preoccupied with his preparations for school.
Today marked the culmination of a month-long endeavor, as he arrived in Lumeria. No members of the Plov family had accompanied him since Lumeren’s entrance ceremony did not permit outsiders to attend.
“Go and learn as much as you can before returning.”
Recalling the faces of his parents, Dade and Reina, who had bid him farewell, Leo wore a contented smile.
Despite being nobles, his parents had simple tastes, believing in allocating resources for the welfare of their territory rather than squandering them on the warp gate.
Naturally, Leo shared his parents’ viewpoint.
After exiting the warp gate, Leo made his way to what could be deemed the heart of Lumeria City, Kuraju Street.
“Where should I wait as she instructed?”
“Leo! Over here, Leo!”
Approaching with her lustrous black hair tied in a waist-length ponytail and donning practical yet elegant outdoor attire, Selia caught the attention of onlookers as she waved and approached Leo.
She greeted him with a radiant smile. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. Congratulations on becoming the valedictorian, by the way.”
“I share the title with Butter Boy, so I can’t say I’m entirely thrilled. Still, being a valedictorian is quite an achievement.”
She remarked, gracefully sweeping her hair aside.
“Now, give me a bit more respect, won’t you?”
“It’s hard to respect someone I’ve seen throwing a tantrum.”
“Hey!”
Selia exclaimed, her face turning crimson.
“Ugh! Seriously, you never let me win!”
Selia, who had been glaring at Leo, let out a deep sigh.
“Where’s Uncle Zis?”
“He mentioned he’d arrive in the evening. I planned to do some shopping on Kuraju Street in the meantime.”
Kuraju Street offered an array of goods essential for life in Lumeren, from uniforms and textbooks to department-specific items like weaponry, staffs, and summoning catalysts.
“Have you already purchased your uniform and textbooks?”
“Not yet.”
“Then let’s take care of that today. Come along; I’ll personally guide you.”
***
The first stop on Selia’s agenda for Leo was a spacious clothing emporium situated along the main thoroughfare.
Within the glass-fronted display cases, the uniforms of Lumeren were elegantly showcased.
Prominently etched on one of the labels was the brand name, “Blessriger.”
“It appears quite upscale.”
“Indeed. This establishment has been crafting Lumeren uniforms for a millennium.”
In Lumeren, there were three distinct categories of attire deemed essential:
Formal attire for special occasions.
School uniforms for daily classes.
Practical outfits for hands-on tasks.
All these garments were required to meet specific standards.
To meet these standards, they employed a magical fabric called “Mana Cloth,” which was infused with mana. The quality of the uniforms hinged on the type of Mana Cloth used, as Selia explained.
“Furthermore, Blessriger is considered a top-tier brand. I procured my uniform from here as well.”
After her elucidation, Selia led the way into the store.
Ding-ding.
“Welcome to Blessriger.”
The attendant stationed near the entrance greeted them warmly and held the door open.
As they stepped inside, a few customers were visible, including youngsters who seemed to be new Lumeren students.
While perusing the various displays, a middle-aged woman made her entrance.
“Hello, Miss Selia. It’s truly an honor to have you grace our establishment once again.”
The woman who extended her courteous greetings was elegantly attired.
“However, may I inquire… were you not satisfied with the uniform we tailored for you?”
“Oh no, I’m here to arrange for a men’s uniform today.”
Selia flashed a smile and gestured toward Leo.
“He’ll be joining me in school this year.”
“Ah, I see. I had thought you were the sole representative from Zerdingher this year. So there’s another young master.”
The tailor, filled with admiration, greeted Leo with utmost politeness.
“Allow me to introduce myself; I’m Nera, one of the tailors here at Blessriger.”
Leo soon surmised that she was a mage.
‘Well, one needs to possess magical abilities to handle mana-infused fabric. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to see a mage serving as a tailor… times have certainly changed.’
“Sir, if you don’t mind, I’ll take your measurements.”
Nera produced a tape measure from her pocket and proceeded to measure Leo’s dimensions.
“Your intended department is the Knight Department, correct?”
“Yes.”
“What is the attribute of your Aura?”
The attribute of Aura was contingent on the individual’s Aura technique, and the composition of the Mana Cloth varied in accordance with this attribute. It could either bolster resistance to opposing attributes or enhance the potency of the same attribute. While Mana Cloth didn’t produce dramatic effects, even a modest enhancement could prove advantageous in the fiercely competitive environment of Lumeren.
“Please fashion it using non-attribute Mana Cloth.”
“Pardon me?”
Nera appeared slightly perplexed, and Selia, who observed the proceedings with a bright smile, furrowed her brow.
Leo couldn’t help but grin as he clarified.
“I’d like it made with non-attribute cloth, please.”
Non-attribute Mana Cloth, in essence, referred to fabric devoid of any specific attribute. Naturally, no customer typically desired this.
“Understood.”
However, when the customer requested it, the request had to be accommodated.
After gathering the necessary measurements and information, Nera disappeared into the tailoring room.
“Why the sudden change to non-attribute? Wouldn’t it be more fitting to use Fire attribute Mana Cloth to match our family’s Aura?”
Leo contemplated for a moment before responding, “Well, I’ve been giving it some thought.”
‘Non-attribute means it can adapt to anything.’
Of course, he planned to master Zerdingher’s Aura technique, but that wouldn’t be his sole focus.
“By the way, I don’t have any money.”
“Do you think I’d ask you to pay? My father has decided to cover all your school expenses from the Zerdingher family’s funds.”
Leo remembered the assurance Reina had given him.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. My brother may be a bit tight with his purse, but he’s wealthy. And if he ever acts too frugal, I won’t just stand by.”
Those were Reina’s words when Dade expressed concern about Leo’s enrollment fees, uniform costs, and textbooks.
According to his mother, all the personal assets she had when she was part of the Zerdingher family were left behind. Even though she had left the family, she retained the right to her separate accumulated property.
‘Knowing Mom’s personality, she’d probably storm into Zerdingher and turn everything upside down.’
The family head must have been aware of this, which explained the support.
A short while later, Nera, displaying her exceptional tailoring skills, swiftly produced the perfectly tailored uniform.
After a fitting and some minor adjustments, they were done.
About an hour later, Nera, the accomplished tailor, gave a courteous bow.
“We’ll have the uniform delivered to your dormitory.”
Following the staff’s guidance, they settled the payment and exited Blessriger.
“So, shall we proceed to purchase textbooks?”
Selia led Leo to a spacious bookstore.
Their shopping list included essential textbooks mandatory for all students, as well as subject-specific texts relevant to their majors.
Leo perused not only volumes on chivalry but also those pertaining to magic and summoning studies.
“Are you getting ready for the duel already? Quite thorough, aren’t you?”
Selia observed Leo, nodding in admiration. She chuckled as he muttered to himself.
“I have a lot to learn, after all.”
Of course, he didn’t voice this aloud, as it would likely earn him a bewildered look from Selia.
Finally, they secured all the required textbooks.
Afterward, they embarked on a tour of Lumeria.
Lumeria was a sprawling city with plenty to see and explore. Sightseeing proved enjoyable, and indulging in street food added to the fun.
Watching Selia savor her ice cream with unbridled delight, Leo couldn’t help but smile.
‘She’s still a kid at heart.’
While Selia had always been mindful of her image as a Zerdingher family member, she exhibited a more carefree and girlish side when in Leo’s company, her peer.
As the day drew to a close and dinner time approached, Leo and Selia returned to their lodging.
“You’re back?”
“Uncle!”
Zis was patiently awaiting their return.
“What’s going on?”
With a worried expression, Selia approached, and Zis affectionately tousled her hair before turning his attention to Leo.
“Leo, have you been doing well these past few weeks?”
“Yes.”
“The results of the family council have been announced.”
Following the entrance exam, Zis had proposed to the family that Leo should be allowed to learn [Phoenix Breath].
It was a delicate matter whether an outsider like Leo could acquire the arcane technique reserved for recognized family members only.
The ensuing discussions had stretched over a month, and today, the results had finally been disclosed.
“You’ve been granted permission to inherit [Phoenix Breath].”
Upon hearing those words, Selia’s face lit up as she exclaimed to Leo,
“Congratulations, Leo!”
Selia, who had trained and undergone the testing alongside Leo, believed that he was a natural fit for the Zerdingher family. However, the sentiments of the family’s higher-ups might have diverged from her own.
She had been anxious throughout this period, but now the authorization had been granted.
“Even though my sister left the family, you’re still my sister’s son, and besides…”
Zis grinned.
“The elders held your success in the Western Exam in high regard.”
The notoriously challenging Western Exam, which only 40 individuals had managed to pass, had already gained international recognition.
Zis handed Leo a crimson key.
It was a spatial key.
“Go ahead and unlock it.”
At Zis’s instructions, Leo inserted the key into thin air and gave it a twist. A rift in space opened, and a book materialized.
He opened the book, only to find its pages blank.
“It’s sealed.”
The sealing mechanism was easy for him to discern.
“Prick your finger and let a drop of blood touch the pages.”
Leo bit his finger, drew blood, and then allowed it to fall onto the book’s surface. As he did so, text materialized on the once-empty pages.
“From now on, this book can only be accessed by you.”
“Understood.”
“Although you haven’t officially been admitted yet… how about acquainting yourself with it in advance?”
“Is that permissible?”
“Absolutely. If you can awaken your aura before admission, it’s to your advantage.”
Zis offered a knowing smile.
“However, it won’t be a walk in the park.”
***
Having been granted access to [Phoenix Breath], Leo retreated to his room.
“Why are you here?”
“Starting now, you’ll be practicing with your aura, right? If you encounter any difficulties, I’ll assist you.”
“Willingly?”
“Of course, but you’ll have to say, ‘Please help me, miss.'”
“The one who lost to me and called me ‘sir.'”
“Hey!”
Selia playfully hurled a cushion at her cousin, who had brought up her embarrassing past. Naturally, Leo skillfully dodged it, eliciting an annoyed expression from Selia.
Observing Leo seated on the bed and engrossed in the book, Selia’s irritation grew.
“Goodness! I won’t assist you until you ask politely!”
Leo cast a brief glance at Selia, who had turned her head away, and let out a chuckle before returning to peruse the book’s contents.
‘Just as I expected.’
The book contained the aura technique of a renowned family, a method known for its complexity and power.
As Leo delved into the intricacies of the mana manipulation for [Phoenix Breath], Selia couldn’t help but grin.
‘This won’t be a walk in the park.’
With Leo’s current proficiency, he might easily master the fundamental aura techniques.
‘Aunt mentioned that Leo has reached the mana resonance stage.’
Achieving mana resonance was a significant milestone, and it meant that mastering the aura technique was more than halfway accomplished.
However, [Phoenix Breath] was no ordinary method. It demanded not only mana resonance but also proficient mana manipulation. Through this manipulation, one needed to create ‘flames’ to surmount the initial hurdle.
Even Selia, often hailed as a genius, had taken a full week to manifest those flames when she first attempted it.
Before long, Leo would encounter the intricate challenges of mana manipulation.
Selia couldn’t help but grin inwardly.
‘I’ll settle the score for making me play the servant. For the next two days, you’ll have to address me as ‘miss’~’
It was time to return the favor for the humiliation she had endured previously.
Whoosh-
Flames erupted from Leo’s form, swiftly enveloping him. They took on a wing-like appearance behind his back but soon dissipated.
“It’s certainly no cakewalk.”
The initial step in mastering [Phoenix Breath] involved employing one’s aura to forge wings of flames, a feat Selia had taken a full week to achieve.
‘But this guy…’
“Miss, I’m stuck here. Is there an easier method?”
Leo inquired, pointing to a passage in the book with a complete lack of politeness, prompting Selia to…
“Hey, you lunatic! There are limits to what’s reasonable! Who on earth expects to grasp it with just one glance!”
…respond with an exasperated outburst.
Cliche Novel 