“It appears to be a simple illusion spell, yet Chloe Muller can’t handle it?”
“Simple? Did you just describe it as simple, Senior Ain?” Ren inquired with a quivering voice.
“Isn’t it?”
“It is simple! The spell Leo used isn’t complicated in its structure! But that’s not human magic, it’s elf magic!” Ren embraced himself and exclaimed.
“The magical systems of other races are fundamentally distinct from those of humans! Comprehending the structure doesn’t equate to the ability to wield it! It’s a realm of innate talent and intuition that can’t be attained through effort alone! Leo possesses that! It’s evident that the gods have sent Leo to our department of magic!”
“I don’t comprehend your discussion, Ren Hors. Isn’t Leo Plov aspiring to join the knight department?”
“Since you, with your limited intellect, appear to be struggling to grasp this, allow me to elucidate once more.”
“I comprehend perfectly. You’re implying that you desire death.”
Ain smiled coldly and seized Ren by the collar, but Ren paid it no mind and commenced expounding on Leo’s magical aptitude.
***
The students of Class 5 rejoiced, joining hands in celebration.
Objectively, Class 1 possessed an overwhelming advantage, and the game itself unfolded as a one-sided affair.
However, the ultimate outcome favored Class 5.
Selia gritted her teeth, while Duran’s face contorted in frustration.
Chloe remained seated, too stunned to even consider standing up.
“Time to rise, Chloe.”
“Pr, Professor.”
“When the game concludes, irrespective of the outcome, it’s customary to exchange greetings.”
Professor Sedgen gently tapped Chloe’s shoulder and gathered both teams in the center.
“Everyone performed admirably. Class 5 students, return to Hallind and discuss today’s game!”
Professor Sedgen then shifted his attention to the disheartened Class 1 students.
The students of Class 1 were tense.
Professor Sedgen was renowned for his high standards.
His students were all exceptionally talented, known for their remarkable achievements in various academy events.
And yet, they had been defeated by Class 5, the lowest-ranked class in the grade.
The Class 1 students anticipated Professor Sedgen’s anger.
“Elegance! Each one of you who participated in today’s game excelled! I’m genuinely pleased!”
Contrary to expectations, Professor Sedgen commended the students.
“Selia, you demonstrated a deep understanding of your strengths! Your overwhelming destructive power is a testament to your control over the fire aura! However, you should focus on improving your stamina.”
Starting with Selia, Professor Sedgen highlighted the strengths and areas for improvement for each student.
“Duran, your swift actions were as impressive as ever! You executed your moves without wasting any effort! However, you should explore ways to enhance your instantaneous destructive power. Lightning is a potent attribute, too.”
Finally, Professor Sedgen’s gaze settled on Chloe.
Chloe’s throat tightened.
Today’s loss had occurred because she couldn’t contain Leo.
“Chloe, your performance was flawless! You made no mistakes!”
“But I was the reason we lost the game, wasn’t I?”
“It wasn’t because of you, and you didn’t lose. Despite the outcome being a loss, I don’t believe that Class 1 lost to Class 5.”
Professor Sedgen offered a soft smile.
“We dominated the game, and it lasted only twenty minutes. Class 5 showcased remarkable teamwork, but given more time, we could have undoubtedly reversed the result!”
Professor Sedgen patted Chloe’s shoulder.
“And failing to stop Leo at the end was due to his perfect penetration of our defense. No first-year student could have halted Leo. I can assure you of that!”
Professor Sedgen then pointed his finger toward the sky.
“Lift your heads! Look up! The fact that our Class 1 embodies elegance remains unaltered!”
“Professor!”
“Wow! We admire you!”
The Class 1 students showered Professor Sedgen with praise, filled with awe.
They had been mistaken about Professor Sedgen’s reputation and achievements.
He wasn’t a professor solely interested in exceptional students.
The professor was renowned for cherishing the bonds with his students and never giving up on those he taught.
The reason he oversaw Class 1 wasn’t solely because of their high average scores but simply because he favored the number 1 in “Class 1.”
As a result, Class 1 had cultivated a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Professor Sedgen.”
“Student Leo, the strategy you displayed in today’s match was impressive. What brings you here?”
“Professor Hallind instructed me to purchase some drinks immediately. He also mentioned that you should start cleaning the bathrooms from today.”
Leo’s words caused the mood of Class 1 to dip once more, and Sedgen’s mouth twitched.
“Oh? Professor Sedgen! Professors Ain and Ren are in a showdown!”
At that moment, Class 1 was startled as they witnessed spells and auras clashing in the middle of the training ground.
“Student Howl.”
“Yes?”
“Would you please fetch some drinks at the café with your friends? Professors Ain and Ren, Hallind will handle them.”
As he spoke, Professor Hallind was already approaching the two professors.
Nervously nodding, Howl and his friends made their way to the campus café.
Leo spitefully added another request.
“The most expensive one.”
“Ugh!”
Sedgen felt a knot in the pit of his stomach.
“I’ll definitely emerge victorious next time! Class 5!”
***
A month had elapsed since the first-years had entered Lumeren.
It had been ample time for the students to acclimate to their new surroundings.
“Haah! Good morning.”
Karl yawned as he settled into his seat.
“Did you work late again last night?”
Chelsea inquired while enjoying her spaghetti in the school cafeteria. Karl scratched his head.
“Yes. The demand for fatigue recovery potions keeps increasing day by day.”
Despite having the lowest combat skills among the first-years, Karl excelled in alchemy and support magic, ranking as a mid-to-high-level student.
Homeroom Professor Hallind had particularly commended Karl, who had chosen to specialize in support magic from the outset.
Moreover, his business was thriving.
Ever since the entrance ceremony, he had been promoting his products, and they sold well, with upperclassmen frequently purchasing Karl’s fatigue recovery potions.
“Potions surprisingly require a lot of effort, so many students find it more convenient to buy them.”
Karl gazed forlornly at his other merchandise.
“But I secured a position faster than I anticipated, so there aren’t too many complaints.”
Chelsea twirled her spaghetti, and Leo chimed in between bites of steak.
“Have you heard the rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“Senior students who went on a dungeon raid are returning.”
At that, Karl’s eyes gleamed.
“I heard! Three teams are coming back!”
The Hero Dungeon raiders, who were frequently away from school, were returning. This time, in particular, three teams had been on missions, leaving vacant seats among the school’s most formidable students.
A sense of longing permeated the first-year students who hadn’t yet crossed paths with the renowned figures of Lumeren.
“I heard they’re using the pages from the Hero Records they recovered this time as teaching materials in the upcoming Hero Studies class.”
“Really? Already delving into the world of heroes? I thought practical exams wouldn’t come until at least midterms.”
Karl was visibly excited.
“No, I heard some of the recovered pages were damaged. The class will focus on deducing the identities of the heroes mentioned in those pages.”
“Ah, that’s a bit disappointing.”
“Why? Having access to even the lost Hero Records is a significant opportunity.”
Chelsea spoke with a gleam in her eye, her hobby being the study of hero lore.
“Speaking of which, the period for club recruitment activities will start soon, right?”
Karl stroked his chin.
The first-year students were gradually adjusting to school life, and the time to consider joining clubs was approaching.
“Do you guys have any clubs in mind? I’m thinking of joining a business club.”
“I’m contemplating the music club. I’ve been learning it since childhood as part of my upbringing.”
“Wow, such refined interests. What about you, Leo?”
“I’m thinking of starting a club.”
“What?”
“You’re planning to start a club?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing that their grade representative, Leo, had intentions of founding a club, Chelsea and Karl became intrigued.
“What kind of club are you thinking of?”
“A Heroes Study Group.”
“A Heroes Study Group? Sounds like an academic pursuit.”
Karl displayed a bit of skepticism.
“Typically, people join clubs to unwind from the demands of school life. Will students really be interested in an academically oriented club?”
Chelsea also expressed reservations.
“It’s not really academic. We’ll be researching forgotten heroes.”
When Leo offered a soft smile, Karl inquired,
“Like whom, for instance?”
“The Hero of the Beginning, Kyle.”
It was a subtle way for Leo to tout his own heroic exploits at Lumeren.
“Kyle? He’s not forgotten; he’s a fictional character. If it’s too trivial, it might not attract members.”
“It still sounds intriguing! Kyle may not be officially registered in the hero records and might be considered a fictional character, but he’s actually quite a famous hero. How could someone who’s not even a historical hero gain such popularity? Perhaps Kyle’s hero records have yet to be unearthed!”
Chelsea, a lover of hero tales, spoke with enthusiasm.
“Chelsea.”
“Yes?”
“You’re kind.”
For the first time, Leo encountered someone who held such a positive view of him, and he gently stroked Chelsea’s head.
Caught off guard by Leo’s sudden gesture, Chelsea was initially perplexed, but she soon leaned into his touch with a giggle.
Karl chuckled at the sight.
“Your ambition is quite grand. Kyle is undoubtedly a fictional hero. How about Dweno instead? A renowned blacksmith and advisor to the heroic party! He’s certainly more substantial than Kyle… Uh! Uh?! Cough?”
“Karl, you might choke if you eat only bread.”
“Uuuuuugh! Cough! (Who’s the one stuffing bread in my mouth?)”
“Huh? You want more?”
“Muuuuuuuuuuuu! (Noooooo!)”
Leo kindly inserted another piece of bread into his friend’s mouth.
***
Morning classes concluded, and it was time for lunch.
Students streamed out of the classrooms.
As Leo was tidying up his textbooks and preparing to leave,
“Leo.”
“Yes?”
Selia entered Class 5 and positioned herself in front of Leo.
“What’s up, Selia? Why are you visiting someone else’s class?”
Chelsea furrowed her brow and asked, and Selia responded matter-of-factly,
“I just need to speak with Leo. You don’t have lunch plans, do you?”
“Not really.”
“Then let’s have lunch together.”
“Why?”
“The student council president wants to meet with you.”
Cliche Novel 