The following day.
After having breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria, Leo immediately made his way to the ‘Start Building,’ where the first-year classes were held.
Today’s primary class was a lesson in Knight Studies.
As it was an interim class, not only students from Knight Studies but also many from other departments were in attendance.
Due to the large number of students, the class was divided into sections.
In the section Leo attended, Chelsea and Karl were also present.
Karl took an active interest in this interim class to get to know the students from the Knight department better.
Chelsea mentioned her intention to minor in Knight Studies as she aspired to become a battle mage.
All the students gathered at the practice grounds, waiting in anticipation.
Soon, Professor Ain made his appearance.
“I’ve already introduced myself, so I won’t do it again. This is my assistant professor, Claria Ribache.”
Claria nodded slightly.
Assistant professors were selected by professors from among Lumeren graduates, which made them elite in their field. They assisted in teaching and sometimes even substituted for the professors.
Professor Ain scanned the students.
‘Leo Plov, Selia Zerdingher, Duran Moira.’
A satisfied expression crossed Professor Ain’s face.
Both the student representative and the top student had come to attend the class, which was undoubtedly pleasing.
“Those from the Department of Magic and Summoning department, please raise your hands.”
More than half of the students raised their hands.
Professor Ain nodded and pointed at Claria.
“You will go to the assistant professor. She will teach you how to apply magical and spiritual power in martial arts.”
After separating the knight students, Professor Ain began to speak.
“Today marks our first lesson. Let’s discuss Aura, the most fundamental concept in Knight Studies.”
The students’ eyes sparkled with interest.
“There are three powers derived from Mana: Aura, Magic Power, and Spiritual Power. Among these, Aura is the most challenging to manipulate. Does anyone know why?”
Right from the first question, the first-year students were puzzled.
The nature of Aura?
Almost none of them were interested in such matters.
What knights typically concerned themselves with was how to better sense Mana and manifest a more potent Aura.
However, not all students were clueless about the answer.
Selia raised her hand.
“I’m Selia Zerdingher.”
“Very well, Selia. Please go ahead.”
“Aura loses the properties of Mana during its transformation.”
“That’s correct.”
Magic Power amplifies Mana, and Spiritual Power resonates with the user’s will within Mana. Consequently, they retain the innate qualities of Mana.
However, Aura is a force forged by absorbing and adapting Mana to the body’s needs. During this process, it loses its natural fluidity and solidifies, making it more challenging to control.
“So, can anyone elucidate how we employ the accumulated Aura within our bodies?”
This time, even Selia found herself at a loss.
“How do we utilize it?”
“How do we articulate its application?”
“Isn’t it simply… using it when needed?”
They relied on their instincts, following the patterns of Aura techniques they had learned. None of them possessed a concrete way to describe its utilization.
Naturally, Ain didn’t anticipate an immediate response. He was delving into the foundational theories of Aura Studies, a subject introduced to Lumeren only last year. Previously, this content was exclusive to the Azonia Hero Academy. Thus, it was unsurprising that first-year students were unfamiliar with it.
As Ain was about to elucidate further, a student raised their hand.
Observing this confident student, a satisfied expression crossed Professor Ain’s face.
No professor disliked a student who boldly presented their ideas, even if they might be mistaken.
“I am Leo Plov.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“We harness Aura’s power by channeling Mana and burning it.”
Professor Ain appeared surprised.
“That’s correct. Do you also understand what’s most crucial when channeling Aura in this manner?”
“Endurance.”
“Incredible, Leo. Have you previously studied Aura Science?”
“No.”
“Then, how did you come to know this?”
“Because it encapsulates the very essence of Aura.”
Occasionally, people tend to overlook the true nature of the power they wield. While you can certainly use Aura without comprehending its essence or principles, there exists a significant disparity between those who do and those who don’t. This distinction is particularly pronounced with Aura, as it is heavily influenced by the user’s will compared to Magic Power and Spiritual Power. A vivid mental image is an invaluable tool for harnessing this force.
“Excellent. Five bonus points for Selia and ten bonus points for Leo.”
Envious gazes from their peers were directed towards the two.
“As Leo pointed out, we employ the power generated by burning Mana.”
Professor Ain spoke earnestly.
“Starting this year, I intend to incorporate Aura Science into the curriculum for our first-year students.”
“Professor! What exactly is Aura Science?”
“It is a field of study dedicated to understanding Aura. It serves as one of the core subjects at the Azonia Academy.”
Upon hearing about a subject entirely new to them, the first-year students’ eyes lit up.
“As today marks our inaugural lesson, we will delve into the practical application of Aura. Our topic for today is ‘Aura Step.'”
‘Aura Step’ is a technique that concentrates Aura’s power into the legs, enhancing leaping ability to the maximum extent.
‘Aura Step.’
Leo’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
This technique was a concept that didn’t exist during Kyle’s time.
“Anyone with Aura can learn the Aura Step, but its effectiveness varies based on proficiency,” Professor Ain explained.
Raising his foot, Professor Ain enveloped his toes in a shimmering silvery Aura, suspending himself mid-air. The students gasped in astonishment.
With grace, Professor Ain walked through the air and began, “Now, I’ll elucidate the principles of the Aura Step.”
The lecture on the Aura Step commenced.
‘The fundamentals of using Aura aren’t vastly different.’
When Aura empowers the body, strength naturally increases. The Aura Step could be thought of as channeling this enhanced body ability into the legs.
While Professor Ain was instructing the students, a messenger entered the training ground.
“Professor Ain, Professor Betes is looking for you and Assistant Professor Claria.”
“Professor Betes? Understood.”
Professor Ain nodded and addressed the students, “While I’m away, practice the Aura Step.”
With those words, he departed.
“Leo, would you like me to teach you the Aura Step?” Selia asked, approaching with a sly grin.
Leo wore a grouchy expression as he retorted, “You expect me to address you as ‘Miss’?”
“Am I really that petty?”
Selia crossed her arms and smirked.
“I’m older than you, so how about calling me ‘sister’ once, and I’ll help you.”
“I won’t learn from someone as conniving as you.”
“Is that so? The student representative doesn’t even know how to use the Aura Step? That’s rather pitiful.”
At that moment, their conversation was interrupted by someone else.
Turning around, they saw Duran Moira, the top student of the central exams.
Duran clicked his tongue and looked disapprovingly at Leo.
“To think someone like you is the representative of our grade. I can’t fathom Lumeren’s standards.”
“Do you have a problem with me being the representative?”
Stepping forward, Leo challenged Duran, who merely curled his lip in response.
“It’s not a problem. It’s just disheartening that the representative of our grade can’t even utilize the Aura Step.”
Speaking mockingly to the other students, Duran continued, “And it’s not just you, Leo. There are quite a few who don’t know how to use the Aura Step. I’m concerned about our grade’s reputation.”
Duran’s words riled up several students, but they hesitated to retaliate. After all, he was the top student in a grade of nearly 500 students, clearly one of the best.
In response to Duran’s remarks, Leo retorted, “If you aspire to be a hero, perhaps you should maintain a bit of dignity?”
“Dignity? Are you discussing the dignity of a hero with me, someone from a heroic lineage?”
Duran belonged to the Knight Kingdom of Moira, a nation founded 50 years ago by the knight hero Diol Moira, renowned as the ‘Golden Sword.’
From a young age, Duran, who pursued the path of a hero, had unwavering confidence in his heroism, believing it surpassed anyone else’s.
“What does lineage have to do with being a hero?” Leo questioned.
“It matters. A hero is someone chosen,” Duran replied firmly.
“I see it differently. To me, a hero is someone who never gives up.”
“It’s pitiful for someone who’s the representative of the freshmen to speak of such idealistic notions.”
“Aren’t you placing too much emphasis on your lineage?”
“For me, lineage is merely an added bonus. What I believe in is something more.”
“And what might that be?”
“Skill, Leo Plov.”
In the blink of an eye, Duran swiftly closed the gap between himself and Leo.
The other students gasped in awe at his incredible speed, a level most wouldn’t even attempt to match.
However, Leo remained unperturbed. “You’re not as fast as you think.”
“It appears I need to demonstrate what ‘level’ means,” Duran replied with a menacing smirk. “If you’re so confident, how about a test of speed?”
“Don’t be absurd, Duran Moira. Do you think it’s logical to compete with someone who hasn’t even learned the Aura Step?” Selia interjected with a furrowed brow.
Duran seized the opportunity he had been waiting for. “Selia Zerdingher, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Why did Leo Plov become the Grade representative?”
“How would I know?”
“Could it be because the top students from the west are so lackluster that he stood out?”
Chelsea, among the students from other departments who had gathered due to the commotion, stepped forward.
“Did you just call my elder brother lackluster?”
“I’m just stating facts, Chelsea Lewalin. You belong to one of the two legendary hero families of the Roden Empire. I expected more, but you allowed someone like him to become the class representative. Frankly, it was disappointing.”
Selia smirked with a cold demeanor. “You seem quite bitter about not becoming the representative. But did it ever occur to you that you didn’t earn the position simply because you weren’t deserving of it?”
“If I were in his place, he would never have become the representative,” Duran stated confidently with an arrogant expression.
“It’s merely luck that he holds that position,” he added.
“Let’s go, Leo. There’s no need to entertain such nonsense,” Selia urged.
“Agreed,” Agreeing with Selia’s comment, which could be considered hostile, Chelsea mockingly pulled down the skin below her eye and stuck her tongue out.
“To be protected by girls.”
The students from the central region, aligned with Duran, jeered at Leo.
Leo, however, chuckled. “I’ll accept that challenge.”
“Leo!” Selia scolded.
“He’s provoking us, and it’s hard to ignore, isn’t it? Besides…”
Leo grinned, displaying his teeth. “People like him need to be reminded of their place.”
Cliche Novel 
We’re on a good pase
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