The next morning.
The faces of the students gathered in the dining hall for breakfast were varied and diverse.
“It seems like there was quite a commotion yesterday.”
Eugene chuckled inwardly as he observed them.
Some had bruises on their faces, and others had swollen faces that hadn’t subsided yet.
However, there were groups whose members all had clean faces.
The 3rd group, which included Sophia Dikantel, was among those with unmarked faces.
This meant that the 3rd group didn’t engage in any fights.
‘That means Sophia Dikantel must be the leader of the 3rd group,’ Eugene thought, as he turned his attention to the other groups.
The day before, when group leaders were decided, the supervising instructors had given yellow name tags to the group leaders as they left their dormitories in the morning.
All the group leaders wore their yellow name tags on their chests.
“All the groups have their leaders decided.”
The male student leaders were:
– Group 1 Leader: Albert Kantea
– Group 2 Leader: Bambi Galeron
– Group 3 Leader: Antonio Bedia
– Group 4 Leader: Khan Delburn
– Group 5 Leader: Eugene Bedia
‘I ended up being the leader unintentionally.’
Originally, Eugene had no intention of becoming a group leader, but somehow he found himself wearing the leader’s name tag.
After defeating Aaron the previous day, all the members of Group 5 acknowledged Eugene as the leader, and no one complained.
Considering how easily Eugene defeated Aaron, it was unlikely anyone would object.
“Albert Kantea became the leader of Group 1, as expected.”
Albert Kantea, the illegitimate son of the Kantea Kingdom.
Looking at Albert Kantea, Eugene had two questions.
First, according to rumors, Albert Kantea, despite being an illegitimate son, inherited the Kantea surname.
Typically, illegitimate children do not inherit the royal surname.
To be precise, if the king acknowledges the illegitimate child as his own, they can inherit the surname.
Otherwise, they cannot inherit it.
However, rumors said that Albert Kantea was not acknowledged by the king.
Yet, Albert had inherited the Kantea surname.
And second, royalty usually had academies within the palace and didn’t attend separate academies.
For example, among the current academy students, Albert was the only royal member.
Despite this, Albert, a royal, enrolled in Landbard Academy.
‘There must be something unknown to the public.’
Moreover, the leader of Group 4 was unexpected.
He was the only non-noble leader.
Except for Group 4, all leaders from Groups 1 to 5 were nobles or royals.
Although Eugene became a leader unintentionally, Group 4’s case was truly surprising.
Especially because the formidable Morivan Rudd from the Rudd family was in Group 4.
Despite this, a member from an unknown family became the leader, which was refreshing.
‘Morivan Rudd is known to be strong, so this Khan Delburn must be even stronger.’
After understanding the male student leaders, Eugene turned his attention to the female student leaders.
The female student leaders were:
– Group 1 Leader: Sylvia Pekelodi
– Group 2 Leader: Cathy Balkeion
– Group 3 Leader: Sophia Dikantel
– Group 4 Leader: Benika Tiblman
– Group 5 Leader: Lucy Leintbil
‘The female leaders are all from noble families, as expected.’
It was an obvious result.
Most academy students received education and trained in strength within their families before enrolling.
Thus, it was natural for children from commoner families to be outmatched by those from noble families.
‘The male leader of Group 4 is unique.’
Eugene quickly finished his meal and stood up.
“Scrrr.”
“S-sir… Where are you going without finishing your meal?”
Aaron, who was harshly defeated by Eugene the previous day, and other group members looked at Eugene nervously as he stood up.
It hadn’t been 10 minutes since they sat down to eat.
“I’m done, so you all can eat slowly and then get up.”
“Where are you going?”
Rohen, who sat opposite Eugene, tilted his head and looked at him curiously.
Only Ken Pelven and Rohen among the group members weren’t afraid of Eugene and spoke to him casually.
“I’m going to see the headmaster.”
“Wh-what??”
Aaron was startled by Eugene’s words.
Why would he meet the headmaster right after breakfast?
“It’s something like that.”
Eugene briefly informed his group members of his destination and immediately left the dining hall.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in.”
* * *
Terron Riod and Hobin Jessup, who were in the headmaster’s office, invited the knocker to enter.
On the left side of the vast room was Terron Riod’s seat, and on the right was Hobin Jessup’s seat.
Creak.
“Hmm? What brings you here at this hour?” Hobin Jessup tilted his head as Education Director Deiker entered the office with a troubled expression.
Normally, at this time, Deiker would be having his meal, or if he had finished, he would be moving to the training grounds.
“Um… Headmaster.”
“Speak.”
“Ah… it’s just…”
As Archmage Hobin Jessup looked at Terron Riod, Teren shrugged, indicating he had no idea either.
Deiker had never shown such behavior before, even when Terron Riod was the Education Director and Deiker was his student.
“It’s fine, go ahead.”
“Among the new students this year, do you know Eugene Bedia?”
“Yes, I’m aware. Aren’t there two children from the Bedia family enrolled this term?”
“Yes, of the two, Eugene Bedia, the youngest…”
Deiker bit his lower lip again, hesitating.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, what is it?” Terron Riod finally snapped, exasperated.
“The student… has come to discuss his future career path.”
“Career path? Are you saying the child from the Bedia family wants to quit being a mage?” The headmasters’ eyes widened at Teren’s words.
Usually, students who enrolled as knights might switch to becoming mages, or those who enrolled as mages might switch to becoming knights and would seek counseling regarding their career paths. This was typically because they found their aptitude better suited to the other path.
But for a child from the prestigious Bedia family to discuss career paths? It essentially meant a child from a long-standing mage family wanted to become a knight.
“Ah… it’s not that he wants to become a knight…”
“Then what is it?”
“He wants to become a…?”
“A what?”
“A magic swordsman.”
“?!” “?!!”
Terron Riod and Hobin Jessup were simultaneously shocked.
It was already surprising enough to discuss career paths, but to want to become a magic swordsman?
It would be less surprising if he wanted to become a knight.
Magic swordsmen were often regarded as neither proper mages nor knights.
In Seifran, a few magic swordsmen existed, but they were not well-regarded because they were considered neither true knights nor mages, and their skills were often lacking.
Given that mastering even one ability required a lifetime of dedicated training, trying to excel in both inevitably led to slower progress.
“Is this… really true?” Archmage Hobin Jessup stammered, seeking confirmation.
The son of his friend and rival, Alan Bedia, wanting to become a magic swordsman? It was an incomprehensible story.
“Yes… it’s true. He’s currently waiting outside the headmaster’s office.”
“Let him in.”
In the end, the headmasters decided to hear directly from Eugene, who was standing outside the office.
“Come in,” they said.
Swish.
“Is your name Eugene?”
“Yes.”
As Eugene stood before the headmasters, Hobin Jessup spoke.
“Did you really say you want to pursue becoming a magic swordsman?”
“Yes, I want to become a magic swordsman.”
“Huh… why on earth?”
It was a genuine question born out of curiosity.
Studying and training in just one ability might not be enough to reach a higher circle, so why choose to be a magic swordsman?
“I understand that the academy offers career paths for magic swordsmen.”
“Yes, you’re right. The academy does provide education for magic swordsmen… but…”
Throughout history, no one at Landbard Academy had ever chosen to become a magic swordsman.
“Sigh… Think it over again. Aren’t you a member of the Bedia family?”
“I don’t understand what being from the Bedia family has to do with becoming a magic swordsman.”
“The Bedia family is a historic mage family. For a child from such a family to become a magic swordsman would disgrace the family’s reputation.”
Hobin Jessup sincerely tried to persuade Eugene.
He had grown up witnessing the power of the Bedia family since his student days.
At times, he had felt intimidated by the Bedia family, and it was because of them that he had set a goal and reached his current position as a 9th-circle Archmage.
Therefore, Hobin Jessup spoke earnestly for Eugene’s sake.
“Originally, the Bedia family is known for producing magic swordsmen.”
“I know that. Because of this, many have tried to follow in the Bedia family’s footsteps as magic swordsmen. And what was the result? They all walked the path of failure. Look at the current magic swordsmen in the world. Is there even one who is well-regarded?”
“Calm down, Hobin.”
Terron Riod tried to calm the increasingly agitated Hobin Jessup.
“Although Headmaster Hobin spoke rather strongly, I feel the same way. I also respect and admire Sir Alan Bedia of the Bedia family, and I want to dissuade you from the path of a magic swordsman.”
Teren shook his head in a calm voice.
While he appreciated Eugene’s ambition to learn swordsmanship, practically speaking, the path of a magic swordsman was not one to take.
“I have already decided to become a magic swordsman.”
“Sigh…”
Seeing Eugene’s firm resolve, Hobin finally sighed.
Judging by Eugene’s expression, it seemed he had truly made up his mind.
“So… what exactly do you want?”
“I want to receive training to become a magic swordsman.”
“Sigh… Very well. We will prepare training for you starting tomorrow.”
Eugene respectfully bowed to the exhausted Hobin Jessup and left the headmaster’s office.
“Sigh… Headmaster, are you really going to provide training for Eugene to become a magic swordsman?”
After Eugene left the headmaster’s office, Deiker looked at Hobin.
Deiker had expected Hobin Jessup to persuade Eugene to the end, but he had too easily agreed to provide magic swordsman training.
“You will handle the swordsmanship classes, and Lina Sephaniel will handle the magic classes. And…”
“If he can’t keep up with the classes, he will be expelled from the academy immediately. Even if he manages to keep up but fails my tests, he will still be expelled.”
Teren and Deiker were speechless at Hobin’s decision.
While attending classes was one thing, failing a test set by Archmage Hobin Jessup would lead to expulsion.
No student from the Bedia family had ever been expelled from the academy before, but it seemed Eugene might become the first Bedia family member to be expelled.
Moreover, assigning Lina Sephaniel to Eugene’s magic classes was problematic in itself.
The Sephaniel family did not get along well with the Bedia family.
The Sephaniel family had never been able to achieve the top position because of the Bedia family and were often compared to them, which naturally led to a dislike for the Bedia family.
Lina Sephaniel, from the Sephaniel family, was assigned to teach Eugene’s magic classes.
‘Originally, Lina was supposed to teach students in their third year, but now she is assigned to Eugene…?’
Although Lina Sephaniel, despite her dislike for the Bedia family, wouldn’t act unfairly or conduct improper classes due to her position as an instructor, it was obvious she would make things extremely difficult for Eugene within the bounds of legality.
Cliche Novel 