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– Greetings, everyone! It’s that time of year again! The most significant event of the first semester for freshmen! I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the Familiar Race! My name is Runba Tes, a junior in the Summoning Department!

Wowwwww!

The students gathered on the Summoning Practice Field erupted in cheers.

Selia appeared anxious.

“Is this a test?”

During the Knight Department’s duel test, there were spectators, but the Summoning Department’s practical test had a different scale.

There was even live commentary, and proper seating for the audience had been arranged.

Video magic was set up in a location easily visible from the audience seats.

Sitting beside Selia, Lis burst into laughter.

“The Familiar Race is a traditional part of the summoning examination and is quite popular. It’s also a featured event during exchange competitions with other hero training academies, so there’s a lot of interest.”

“Mr. Student Council President! We’re from the Newspaper Club! Is the freshman sitting next to you Selia Zerdingher?”

A male student wearing a magical device for recording video approached with notebook and pen in hand.

“Yes.”

“Oh! Can we interview both of you?”

The Newspaper Club student requested.

“We have popcorn! Cold drinks available!”

“Come on! Choose! Choose! Who wants to go first! The odds are like this!”

In addition, students from the merchant clubs were selling merchandise and even facilitating gambling.

‘What kind of test is this!’

The first-year students internally lamented the bustling marketplace atmosphere, which was entirely different from the solemn test environment they were accustomed to.

Meanwhile, the first-year Summoning students suffered the most mental stress during all this.

“Why are they crowding around us and making it impossible to concentrate!”

When Tade grabbed his head and exclaimed, the surrounding first-year students nodded in agreement.

The perpetually nervous freshmen didn’t know how to handle the festive atmosphere created by the entire school gathering.

In fact, they felt even more pressured due to this atmosphere.

Of course, some students remained relaxed.

Representatives included Eliza and Warden of the Summoning Department.

“I find it distasteful that they treat me, a noble of the Hergin family, as a mere spectacle.”

Eliza’s followers nodded in agreement as she scowled.

As for Warden, he stood with his usual expressionless face.

Eliza glanced at Warden before noticing Leo stretching nearby.

“Didn’t you display exceptional skills during the Knight Department’s practical exam? Are you equally prepared for the Summoning practical test?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re as confident as ever.”

Eliza narrowed her eyes.

“But you were nowhere to be seen during the Summoning practical test practice… Are you taking the practical exam lightly?”

In the Familiar Race, participants typically rode familiars they had contracted.

However, many first-year students had not yet contracted a flying familiar.

That’s why Lumern provided flying familiars.

The key to this test was how quickly one could tame these flying familiars.

However, Leo had never participated in any of these practice sessions.

“Hey, Eliza. Why are you saying that?”

Tade frowned at her cutting remarks.

But the glances from those around Leo were far from friendly.

“Let’s be honest, that guy’s always slacking.”

“He might be well-known in the Knight and Magic Departments, but he only possesses magical abilities in the Summoning Department. We’ve never witnessed him forming contracts with spirits or familiars.”

“Is he not taking Summoning seriously?”

“Why doesn’t he just withdraw?”

Summoning students are a small group, so their loyalty to the department runs deep.

In such an environment, it was inevitable that Leo, who had consistently skipped test practice, would attract negative attention.

The Familiar Race required the use of summoning magic to navigate obstacles and reach the finish line swiftly.

The obstacles were challenging, and it was permissible to obstruct other participants.

Numerous injuries occurred during the race.

Considering the perilous nature of the race and Leo’s absence from practice, he wasn’t held in high regard by his fellow Summoning students.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Leo, who had extensive experience in aerial battles with familiars in his previous life, was entirely capable.

“Those are harsh words.”

“Ha! Are you taking his side because he’s your class leader?”

An individual from Class 5 grew agitated, while another from a different class chuckled.

“The atmosphere isn’t pleasant.”

Chen Shia intervened.

“I understand that everyone is tense due to the upcoming exam, but let’s avoid making derogatory remarks…”

“Chen Shia, you’re excelling in your knight studies, so you don’t really need to worry about your summoning studies, do you?”

A female student sneered.

As she became the focal point of attention, students from Class 10 were the next to become upset.

Tensions escalated as Summoning department students exchanged hostile glances.

Observing this, Leo clicked his tongue.

“So noisy.”

A deep, resonant voice reverberated.

All eyes turned toward one direction.

Warden, who had appeared disinterested and had his eyes closed, suddenly opened his amber eyes.

“If you’re going to take sides over who has summoned a bit more, do it somewhere else, not in front of me.”

“What did you say? What did you say, Warden!”

“I said it’s irritating to hear you boast about having summoned slightly more,” Warden stated with emotionlessness.

Upon hearing this, Sen Liu, a male student from the Eastern Continent representing the Summoning department, displayed an angered expression.

“Is that so? You rarely attended taming training yourself.”

Warden smirked at the Summoning department student who was sneering.

“What’s with that grin?”

“Do you want to know why I didn’t attend taming training?”

“Why?”

“Because it wasn’t worth my time. I’m not like you, incapable of properly handling even a griffin.”

Sparks flew from Liu’s eyes and those of the other students in response to this remark.

“You little!”

A male student aimed a punch at Warden.

Thump!

But just before the blow could land, Leo caught Liu’s fist.

“Fighting before the exam won’t lead to anything good.”

“Shut up! I don’t want to hear that from you!”

Liu shrugged off Leo’s hand and walked back to where the Summoning department students were.

Watching him walk away, Leo let out a sigh and remarked, “Maybe you should be more careful with your words.”

“Is telling the truth a problem?”

“I don’t know how skilled you are, but that doesn’t give you the right to ridicule the efforts of others, Warden Tyden.”

Ignoring Leo, who was looking up at him, Warden walked away with a cold smile.

“The atmosphere is worse than I anticipated.”

“I haven’t taken all the other major courses, so I can’t say for sure, but the Summoning department has been rather tense lately.”

“Why is that?”

“The top students in our class are you, Chen Shia, Warden, and Eliza, right?”

“True.”

“Our senior Summoning students have gathered us because you and Chen Shia are at the top. They’re acting like they’re wise elders.”

“You’re right about that! And in the midst of it all, Warden openly defied the seniors.”

As a result, the seniors became even more furious and started giving the first-year students a hard time.

“Anyway, the atmosphere has deteriorated because you and Warden have been mostly absent from training while preparing for the exams.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Exactly. So, please try to understand our perspective.”

“Okay.”

Having said that, Leo glanced around at the students preparing for the competition.

Amidst the prevailing tense atmosphere, a strange sense of hostility hung in the air.

‘Such issues arise as well.’

To others, he might have appeared indifferent.

‘But I have no intention of approaching this half-heartedly.’

As long as he was competing, his goal was to be the number one.

***

“Ladies and gentlemen! Finally, the moment has arrived! All the competitors are at the starting line!”

First-year students lined up along the starting line.

In front of them, they could see the fence with the griffins behind it.

As soon as the race began, the students were to tame those griffins at the fence and take off.

Summoning Department students prepared to start with tense expressions.

“Kids! Just perform as you’ve practiced! Don’t get nervous and underperform; I’ll give you a hard time later!”

Referee Yura raised the signal gun and shouted at her students.

Laughter broke out among the Summoning Department students, thanks to Yura’s words.

“Alright, then!”

Yura raised the signal gun.

“Three, two, one!”

Bang!

Crack!

As soon as it began, spells were cast around Leo and Warden.

Caught off guard, Leo hesitated.

– Ah! What’s going on! The students from the Summoning Department are restraining the grade representative Leo and the Southern Chief, Warden!

This unprecedented event caused a commotion among the spectators.

Even the students from Class 5 of the Summoning Department looked puzzled.

“Ah! What’s that!”

“How unsportsmanlike! Those Summoning students!”

“Hey! Have some dignity!”

“Play fair!”

-Haha! Boos are coming from the first-year Class 5!

The students in the stands were in an uproar.

“Class leader!”

“Hey, Leo! Wait up! I’ll help you out!”

“Don’t worry about me, go ahead!”

Leo urgently shouted to his classmates who were hesitant to undo the interfering spells.

“This is a test! I’ll handle it myself, so don’t fall behind! Keep going!”

“Ugh!”

“Leo! Sorry!”

Class 5 students started late, looking frustrated.

The ground, turned into mud by the water, clung to Leo’s feet.

Fire and wind blocked Leo’s path ahead.

Warden, who faced the same restraint as Leo, activated his spiritual power.

“How trivial.”

Whoosh!

Even though the spells from the Summoning Department were intentionally strong, Warden effortlessly dispelled them.

Such a feat would have been impossible without overwhelming skill.

“Seems like you’re having a tough time. Shall I lend a hand?”

When Warden asked, a hint of a smile on his face, Leo chuckled.

“No, I can handle it on my own.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll proceed.”

Warden strolled leisurely toward the fence where the griffins were.

Meanwhile, other students had finished taming the griffins and were already airborne.

From the starting line, Leo activated his spiritual power.

“I knew I wasn’t the most popular, but I didn’t expect them to obstruct me as a group.”

Watching Leo chuckle, Yura, who was observing, clicked her tongue.

‘This is going to be a challenge.’

If this weren’t an exam, he could easily overcome such interference.

However, the rules of this competition allowed only ‘summoning spells’ to be used.

Furthermore, from Yura’s observations, Leo’s primary summoning spell wasn’t elemental magic but rather illusionary summoning.

In this situation, he was subjected to elemental interference on a departmental level.

Leo, who was considered inexperienced in practical scenarios, seemed to struggle with this obstacle.

‘The divide among the first-year students is deeper than I thought, to engage in mass obstruction like this.’

While it wasn’t cheating, it wasn’t a good look.

As a professor, Yura believed she had been taking care of the students, but it seemed she had fallen short.

Just as Yura contemplated how to calm the departmental students—

“—!”

Hearing Leo’s voice, Yura’s hair stood on end.

The language with a flowing melody wasn’t a human language.

“—! —!”

As the melody continued, the elemental powers weakened.

Wurrr—!

Eventually, the force obstructing Leo vanished.

The elementals, previously following the commands of their contractors, joyfully danced around Leo before fading away.

The ability to influence elementals contracted by others.

‘Did that daring guy just use the language of elementals? That’s something you typically learn in the second-year elemental magic course.’

Yura couldn’t help but burst into cynical laughter as she watched Leo, who had a late start.

‘He’s something else, that’s for sure! Leo definitely needs to be in the Summoning department!’

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Swoosh-!

The flames converged at the tip of the sword.

Leo’s fire burned even more intensely.

Leo, surrounded by flames, charged forward.

‘Now is the moment!’

Howl thrust his spear as he entered striking range.

Ssssh-!

A thick green aura erupted from the spear’s tip.

The aura extended like a living anaconda, targeting Leo’s neck.

Leo attempted to deflect Howl’s attack with his fiery aura.

Roar-!

In an instant, Howl’s aura changed direction like a live snake.

‘I anticipated this.’

Unfazed, Leo charged at the vulnerable Howl.

Howl’s technique was challenging to handle from a distance but left him exposed up close.

“You’ve fallen into my trap!”

Howl exclaimed with enthusiasm.

Ssssh-!

“…!”

Howl’s aura continued to extend.

“Snake Prison!”

Snap-!

The aura coiled around like a snake capturing its prey, constricting Leo tightly in an instant.

Cheers erupted at the incredibly precise aura control.

Ain, who had been observing, curled the corner of his mouth.

“Fire aura has the disadvantage of being weak in defense but strong in attack, just like a double-edged sword.”

The same held true for poison aura.

So it was naturally subdued by the fire aura.

‘Howl has certainly acquired a skill to compensate for this weakness by focusing intensely on aura control training.’

Ain looked at the silent Leo.

‘But there’s no way Leo Plov would charge in without thinking.’

“How about that, Leo! I’ll take you down with this! And then…”

Howl clenched his fist and turned his gaze to Selia, who looked surprised.

‘Selia! I’ll prove that I am your equal…’

“It’s an impressive technique. But the finish is lacking.”

“What!”

Boom! Swoosh!

Howl’s aura surrounding Leo expanded and exploded, scattering in all directions.

Roar! Swoosh!

The flames enveloping Leo flared up fiercely.

Leo, in a sword-swinging stance, stared at the frozen Howl.

“Fire is not to be underestimated until it’s extinguished.”

“Kuh!”

Howl readjusted his grip on his spear.

Boom! Bang!

In an instant, flames erupted from Leo’s toes.

Aura Step.

Roar! Swoosh!

The tip of Leo’s sword, transformed into a flaming projectile, had already reached Howl’s throat.

“The winner is Leo Plov.”

Ain declared flatly.

Cheers erupted.

“Wow! Wow! Leo won!”

“…Did he really have that much skill in actual combat?”

Chelsea joyfully jumped from her seat, while Tade mumbled in disbelief.

Karl, who was serving popcorn to a guest, also whistled in celebration.

“Who was it that said first-years would be weak in real combat?”

“Howl was great too, but the elemental disadvantage was too much.”

“Indeed, there’s a reason why this year’s first-years are getting attention.”

The upperclassmen assessed the duel between the two and exclaimed in amazement.

As Leo sheathed his sword, Howl dropped his head and knelt.

“I was completely defeated. There was an overwhelming difference in skill. I underestimated someone like you… it’s completely humiliating.”

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t expect you to have such a level of technique either.”

A level of aura control achieved through tremendous effort had surprised even Leo.

“If your aura had been a bit stronger, I might have suffocated and fainted. I underestimated you as well, so we’re even.”

Leo smiled and extended his hand.

“It was an impressive technique.”

With a bewildered expression, Howl grabbed Leo’s hand and stood up.

Leo, who helped Howl up, patted him on the shoulder and left the arena.

‘Leo Plov… indeed, he isn’t standing next to Selia for nothing.’

Howl muttered as he exited the arena.

The Class 1 Knight department students stood in front of him.

“Howl! That was close!”

“Argh! It was the perfect opportunity for revenge for cleaning the bathroom!”

“What kind of monster is that? He doesn’t have any weaknesses in real combat either!”

The Class 1 students consoled Howl.

“Elegance! Howl, it was a magnificent match! If it weren’t for the elemental disadvantage, you could’ve easily defeated Leo Plov! So don’t be discouraged!”

“Professor Sedgen, please refrain from making biased comments, even if he’s your student.”

As he watched Professor Sedgen shouting loudly, Professor Ain pressed his temples and said, “Quite the display.”

Seeing the unexpected hospitality, Howl awkwardly scratched his head.

Then, he tensed up when he noticed Selia approaching him.

Selia smiled warmly at Howl.

“You did quite well. You looked impressive.”

“What? Oh! Uh! Um! Yeah!”

Howl answered awkwardly, his face turning red.

‘Howl is surprisingly innocent despite his looks.’

‘Selia seems rather oblivious when it comes to this sort of thing.’

‘But shouldn’t she realize by now?’

It was then that the first-year students showed a subtle smile.

“Leo, well done. When did you train your aura like that?”

As Selia approached Leo, Howl clenched his fist.

‘Leo Plov! You are my new goal!’

The tenacious boy resolved to catch up with Leo.

Watching Howl steel his resolve, the first-year students snickered and ate popcorn.

Leo, having won his first duel decisively, sat on one side and watched the remaining matches.

“5th class Iliana Raden, step forward.”

“Yah~ha! Who’s my opponent?”

“10th class Chen Shia, step forward.”

“Ah!”

Iliana, who had walked forward confidently, was startled when she found out she’d be fighting Chen Shia.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you.”

Chen Shia and Iliana exchanged greetings.

‘I’ve grown a lot too! I could even be the top of the class!’

Aura shimmered from Iliana’s body as she tightly gripped her rapier.

Swish-!

Chen Shia, a martial artist, had no weapons.

Instead, a blue aura flickered at her fingertips, and droplets began to form.

Her aura trait was water.

The droplets that formed on her fingertips wove together like silk, creating a wave-like pattern.

As Chen Shia’s hand moved gracefully, as if dancing, the wave elegantly solidified at her fingertips.

“Huff!”

Iliana took a deep breath and pointed her rapier at Chen Shia.

“Charge!”

Her body was propelled forward as if her aura exploded.

Watching the furious charge, Leo sighed.

“That fool.”

Boom-!

“Woah!”

Thud, thud, thud!

Iliana’s fierce charge not only was easily blocked by Chen Shia but was also reflected back at her.

Iliana tumbled miserably, her eyes rolling.

“Chen Shia, wins.”

It was a match where overwhelming power was clearly evident.

But nobody had high expectations for Iliana, a mage knight, as the match was highly unfavorable for her.

Chen Shia politely bowed and left the dueling field.

Iliana weakly raised her clenched fist and shouted, “I still put up a good fight against Chen Shia! I didn’t lose my spirit!”

“Could you keep it down? It’s embarrassing.”

“Yeah, just pretend you fainted. Please.”

When the students of the Class 5 Knight department spoke coldly, Iliana’s face fell.

“Class leader! They say I’m embarrassing!”

While watching Iliana complain, Leo spoke.

“Your hasty temperament is the problem. You know Chen Shia’s skill level.”

“I know! That’s why I charged so fiercely! My swordsmanship alone couldn’t break through, so I had to show some spirit!”

“It’s quite the boast.”

Watching Iliana assert herself proudly, Leo shook his head.

Iliana was also one of the top students in the grade, so it wasn’t an exaggeration.

‘Her opponent was just too good. This is a knight exam, so if she could use magic, it might be different. If she had been more cautious, she wouldn’t have lost so embarrassingly.’

While shaking his head, Leo’s eyes met with Chen Shia, who was sitting with the 10th class.

Waving with a smile, Chen Shia received a wave back from Leo.

‘I thought it before, but Chen Shia really has the best balance among first-year knight students.’

Selia and Duran had aura traits specialized for attack.

In contrast, Chen Shia’s aura trait, water, was well-balanced for both offense and defense.

Leo thought about Chen Shia’s skill level while watching the other students’ duels.

It was evident that even students who were at the lower end until the admission had improved noticeably.

Among them, there were cases where a student, who was far superior in skills to themselves, was defeated.

Amid the intermingling of highs and lows, those who ranked at the top in the entrance exam proved that they were in a different class.

Selia, who had swiftly overpowered her opponent, elegantly brushed her hair aside and approached Leo.

“How was it?”

“You’ve grown.”

“Of course.”

Selia narrowed her eyes.

“Leo, I’m going to take the position of grade representative in this exam.”

Confidently declaring, Leo smirked.

“Take it if you can.”

At those words, Selia chuckled and returned to Class 1.

Watching from the side, Iliana said,

“He’s popular.”

“Jealous?”

“No, like I told Nella, I’ll pass on that kind of popularity.”

***

Midterm exam season had arrived.

After the final written test in linguistics, the students of Class 5 crowded around Chelsea.

“Hey! Hey! Chelsea! Show us the answer sheet!”

“I want to see it first!”

“Karl, your grades are probably going to be low anyway, right? So look later!”

“That’s not true!”

The competition to be the first to glimpse Chelsea’s answer sheet, who had achieved the highest score in the written exam among Class 5, was more intense than expected.

Chelsea, observing her classmates surrounding her, playfully waved the test paper.

“Who should I show it to first?”

“Sister Chelsea! Show me first!”

“Big sister! Me first!”

“You look beautiful today, Sister!”

Class 5 was clinging to Chelsea, the youngest member of the class.

“Ho ho ho.”

Seeing her classmates, Chelsea covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

“It’s not like the scores are going to change just because you act this way now that the exam is over.”

Sitting by the window at the back of the class, Leo rested his chin on his hand and commented, prompting a relaxed smile from Nella.

“Nevertheless, people naturally want to know their test scores a bit sooner, don’t they?”

In response to those words, Leo nodded and stashed his writing tools in his bag.

“All that’s left for me is the joint practical exam in Heroics and Combat. But you still have Magic and Summoning left, right?”

Leo had passed the Knight Department duel exam with a 5-win streak.

Among the five duels, his most formidable opponent had been Howl, whom he faced on the first day.

Not only Leo but also Selia, Chen Shia, and Duran had all achieved a 5-win streak.

In Nella’s case, there was one loss.

“If you hadn’t run into that unfortunate Duran, you could have had a perfect record too, Nella!”

Chelsea, who had handed out the test papers to her classmates, embraced Nella and remarked.

Nella, who had been one of the top contenders for a flawless winning streak, had encountered Duran in the third duel and ended up with one loss.

“I’m content because I performed well against Duran.”

Gently patting Chelsea’s head, Nella smiled.

“By the way, Leo, how’s your preparation for the Summoning practical going?”

“It’s progressing well.”

“You hardly ever attend practice, do you?”

Tade, a Summoning major, inquired with a puzzled expression.

The Summoning practical exam was one of the major events of the first semester for the first-year students at Lumeren.

In response to Tade’s question, Leo grinned.

“I’m putting in the effort in places you can’t see.”

“Typical of you, Leo. So confident, aren’t you? So, what’s your goal?”

Chelsea asked with gleaming eyes, to which Leo responded as if it were a matter of fact.

“First place.”

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“Lucky for me, being the first,” Leo remarked with a smirk.

The practical exam at the knight department was straightforward: achieve five wins through dueling. Success was guaranteed upon reaching five victories. However, grades also factored in the opponent’s skill and the duel’s specifics, so winning alone didn’t determine one’s grade. Nonetheless, winning quickly was essential.

Leo’s goal, naturally, was to remain undefeated.

“Feeling fortunate for being first? I guess I’m not on your radar!” Howl, Leo’s first opponent, quipped with a grin.

Howl Naif hailed from the heroic Naif family of the Tul Kingdom in the southern region of the continent. While not as renowned as Zerdingher, he still held the title of a heroic family member. He was particularly famed for his unpredictable spear technique, known as the Naif Spear. In fact, he ranked third among the Class 1 students in the knight department, trailing behind Selia and Duran.

Howl flicked his tongue and retrieved a spear from his spatial bracelet—a long spear, one and a half times the length of a regular one. Seeing this, Leo unsheathed his sword from his waist.

“As we discussed earlier, the one who incapacitates the opponent wins. Consider this a real battle,” Ain concluded the brief explanation and stepped back. There were no out-of-bounds judgments; the entire training ground served as the dueling arena.

Both combatants locked eyes, and Howl flicked his tongue.

“I’ve been meaning to settle the score since I lost to your Class 5 in combat class at the beginning of the semester.”

“Are you still holding onto that?” Leo retorted with a smirk.

“People of the Naif family never forget humiliation.”

“Was cleaning the bathroom that bad?”

“Damn it! Do you know how much the other classes made fun of us?” Howl clenched his fist. “I’ll make you pay for that humiliation, Leo Plov!”

Swoosh-! 

Howl gripped his spear and assumed a preparatory stance reminiscent of a snake’s attack.

Observing Howl, Leo extended his sword.

“Leo, I’ve heard about your impressive performance during the entrance exam.” Howl grinned smugly. “But it seems you’re falling behind compared to other students right from the starting line! I heard you even failed to awaken your aura during the entrance exam! Let’s see if you can stop this attack!”

Whoosh-! Zing-!

Howl’s spear thrust directly towards Leo’s chest, displaying incredible speed. A typical spear thrust would be straightforward and predictable, making it easy to dodge with anticipation. However, the Naif Spear’s technique resembled that of a living snake at its tip, making it perilous to evade carelessly.

‘Once you dodge, you’ll be cornered!’ 

Most students would naturally falter after the first strike. But Leo was far from an ordinary student.

Thump-!

Howl’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Leo managed to grasp the spear shaft just before it made contact with him.

“Didn’t you hear about me from Selia, who’s in the same class?” Leo’s smile held a cold edge.

Whoosh-!

“Huh?”

Leo effortlessly lifted Howl into the air, along with his spear. Howl, who had prepared for an aura-based offense, was taken aback by Leo’s sheer physical strength.

Whoosh-! Bang-!

Leo forcefully brought Howl crashing down to the ground. However, Howl had the presence of mind to mitigate the impact using his aura armor just before landing.

With a grin, Howl steadied himself. “Of course, I’ve heard. I’m just a bit surprised that you’re stronger than I expected.”

Woong-!

The spear shaft emitted a green glow.

“But just because your power is strong doesn’t mean it solves your fundamental weakness!” Howl’s green eyes gleamed.

Leo promptly withdrew his hand from the encounter.

Chik-!

A small puff of smoke wafted from the ground where Howl stood.

‘Poison Aura? An intriguing ability,’ Leo mused with an amused expression. It was an aura trait that held a significant advantage in prolonged battles, explaining Howl’s self-assuredness. ‘But you’re not there yet.’

“I hear you talking about my weaknesses,” Leo chuckled. “Weaknesses exist to be overcome, don’t they?”

Whosh-!

Flames erupted from Leo’s body, pushing back Howl’s Poison Aura. Observing this, Howl snickered.

‘Sure, an aura with fire characteristics is a weakness for me! But unless you’re on Selia’s level, I can easily turn the tables!’

Whack-!

An even more potent poison surged from Howl’s body. In response, Leo amplified his firepower.

‘It’s useless! Unless you’re on Selia’s level!’

Roar-!

Flames and poison seemed to wage a fierce battle, growing more intense with each passing moment. As time elapsed, Howl’s expression grew increasingly strained.

‘Selia… not… on that level?’

At some point, Howl’s face turned pale, locking eyes with Leo’s fiery red gaze.

‘Impossible! Firepower on Selia’s level?’

Leo had already made a name for himself at the start of the semester, and he had never fully showcased his skills in any comprehensive battle evaluation. As a result, most had placed their bets on Howl’s victory in this test match, where overall abilities had significantly improved.

Yet, defying all expectations, Leo exerted immense pressure on Howl with his formidable Flame Aura.

Meanwhile, outside the duel, Selia, who had been observing with her arms crossed, looked genuinely surprised.

‘When did he…?’

Selia was one of the few who predicted Leo’s victory, but she had not anticipated that he could elevate his Flame Aura to this extent.

Duran, who was also spectating, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Howl seems to be outmatched.”

“Aren’t you jumping to conclusions? Howl hasn’t lost yet,” countered a student from Class 1 of the Knight Department, to which Duran scoffed.

“Are your eyes just for show? Howl’s already losing in both compatibility and strength. You think he stands a chance?”

“What about Howl’s Snake Spear? Aura compatibility doesn’t always determine the outcome.”

“Hmph! You believe Howl can outmatch Leo Plov with a technique?”

“He’s ranked fourth in our class.”

“Being fourth in our class doesn’t guarantee victory.”

Sparks erupted from Duran’s body.

“I’ll be the one to defeat him.”

“You? Doubtful.”

Selia smirked beside him.

“Taking sides with your friend, Selia Zerdingher.”

“I’m not taking sides. I’ll be the one to defeat Leo. You can’t even beat me.”

“Nonsense. Let me show you who’s superior right now.”

“Sure, I’ll take you on.”

Sparks flew as Duran and Selia, both fueled by their competitive spirit, displayed their strained relationship.

“Hey, hey, hey! What’s the point of fighting amongst ourselves? Shouldn’t we be cheering for Howl? Hey! Stop activating your auras!”

A Class 1 student attempted to calm them down, but they showed no intention of stopping.

“Both of you, if you fight now, a reflection paper won’t be sufficient.”

Chen Shia, wearing a smile, intervened at this point. Duran scoffed and moved away, while Selia gracefully brushed her hair back.

“Class 1 seems to be full of fighters.”

“It’s not about being combative. I just want to wipe the floor with that unfortunate kid.”

“Isn’t that combative?”

Professor Sedgen had prohibited duels among classmates, preventing Selia and Duran from settling their differences in combat.

“Speaking of which, Shia, you say that, but you also want to take on Leo.”

“Indeed, I do wish to face Leo. However, he’s not my sole target.”

“Then?”

“I also aim to challenge Selia and Duran. My goal is to defeat all three.”

“In the end, you’re the most competitive.”

Selia sighed while gazing at Chen Shia’s sparkling black eyes.

The surrounding students, who had been watching the psychological warfare among the top students of the knight department with tense expressions, breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that nothing was about to escalate.

“Leo is quite popular.”

Nella spoke in her uniquely languid voice, to which Iliana, sitting next to her, shook her head.

“I’d rather not have that kind of popularity.”

***

“Downward strike!”

Leo unleashed a surge of fire, prompting Howl to quickly activate his aura step.

He needed to create distance between them at all costs.

However, Leo was relentless in closing the gap and denied Howl any respite.

‘I must hold my ground!’

Howl swung his spear, infused with poison aura, towards the advancing Leo.

Whoosh-!

However, Leo’s aura incinerated all of Howl’s poisonous elements.

He not only fell short in elemental compatibility but also in sheer power.

It was a clear disadvantage.

“Damn!”

The overwhelming sense of misjudgment against his opponent weighed heavily on Howl.

But he quickly composed himself and assumed a lower stance.

‘I can’t just keep getting beaten, whether it’s unexpected or not!’

Howl’s eyes transformed, resembling those of a snake fixated on its prey.

‘I’ve already prepared a countermeasure!’

Despite being hailed as a genius from a young age, Howl had failed to top the entrance examination. However, he held no grudges, only regret.

‘It’s because of Warden Tyden! That monster!’

Warden was a name known to everyone in the southern region, renowned for his terrifying power that bordered on monstrosity.

Howl believed himself to be among the best at the knight department this year, but he couldn’t claim to be the strongest.

“Selia Zerdingher! Chen Shia! Duran Moria!”

The three were considered the cream of the crop among his classmates.

From the moment he encountered them, he sensed they were a step ahead.

For Howl, who had always excelled in martial arts, this was a humbling experience.

Selia, in particular, stood out with her despairingly high level of skill. Her prowess surpassed his by a wide margin, even in elemental affinity.

‘I could have formulated strategies against Chen or Duran, but facing Selia left me feeling utterly powerless!’

She had appeared as an insurmountable obstacle at the beginning of the semester, but after months of relentless effort, Howl had devised countermeasures against her.

‘I had been reserving this for a duel with Selia, but this will do!’

Howl’s eyes gleamed with determination.

‘He’s a perfect test subject for my new technique! And Leo Plov, I can’t afford to lose to you!’

He spun his spear dramatically.

‘To you who is close to Selia!’

He had abandoned the notion that his opponent was weaker than him. He now regarded the person he was targeting as his equal.

‘I thought he was just a gloomy guy, but he got quite the resolve.’

He was carefully and surely gathering his strength to defeat him.

‘He must have worked incredibly hard to overcome the disadvantageous elemental compatibility.’

Though Howl’s gaze was fixed on Leo, it also seemed to pierce through him, as if looking at something beyond.

‘Is it Selia?’

Leo, quick to discern the situation, grinned.

The young man before him exuded a spirit of challenge.

‘I’ll gladly accept that challenge.’

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After the class concluded, Leo made his way towards the Tower of Heroes, situated at the heart of the academy, where the student council resides. Upon reaching the entrance of the Tower of Heroes, Leo gazed up at the towering structure.

“It’s impressively tall,” Leo remarked.

“He’s a freshman.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“Oh, how cute,” whispered some passing upperclassmen, clearly taken aback by Leo’s presence.

The Tower of Heroes was a frequent haunt of upperclassmen, and as is often the case, freshmen tend to have an instinctual apprehension about encountering their more experienced peers. Consequently, they usually steer clear of areas frequented by upperclassmen.

“Huh? Leo?” Someone called out his name, prompting him to turn his head. Standing before him was Torua, a fifth-year student from the Magic Department.

“What brings you here?” Torua inquired.

“I have some matters to discuss with the student council president,” Leo replied.

“With Lis?” Torua asked, her head tilted in curiosity.

“Yes,” Leo confirmed.

“Would you like to join me?” Torua offered, gesturing for Leo to follow as she led the way into the Tower of Heroes.

“So, Leo, when do you intend to drop your other majors?” Torua asked.

“I have no intention of dropping any of my other majors,” Leo responded firmly.

“Leo, as I’ve mentioned before, time is limited. I acknowledge your proficiency in other areas, but your true specialization lies in magic,” Torua remarked, though she refrained from further comment.

Torua had faced similar admonishments from professors in the past.

Inside the Tower of Heroes, Leo couldn’t contain his amazement. The entrance was adorned with portraits of numerous heroes, all of whom were alumni of Lumeren. The facilities here were undeniably superior to those available to first-year students. While the first-year building was by no means lacking, the Tower of Heroes exuded an overwhelming sense of grandeur.

As they stood on the levitation-powered floating elevator, they swiftly ascended to the upper floors. Their destination was the floor used by the student council.

“Hello, Vice-President. Who’s this freshman?” one of the third-year student council members inquired.

“This is Leo.”

“Leo? The renowned first-year representative?” The third-year student council member’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Yes, he has some business with the president,” Torua explained.

“It’s intriguing to see a freshman taking an interest in the student council,” the third-year student council member commented with a smile before going off to attend to some paperwork.

The atmosphere in the student council room was bustling with activity.

“So, I heard that the midterm project for first-year students involves the development of unique magic?” 

“Yes.” 

“Do you have any ideas?”

“I’m considering a magical formula based on attribute-less mana.”

“Attribute-less mana-based? That’s a novel concept. Can you elaborate?” 

“Wizards typically have a primary magical attribute, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It’s why opposing attributes exist. You can’t simultaneously employ them, even if you’re well-versed in all attributes.”

“Yes, I want to utilize attribute-less mana to manipulate various forms of magic freely, enhancing its versatility.”

“That’s an intriguing concept, but it’s rather audacious,” Torua remarked, chuckling.

“There’s a reason why people seldom attempt it.”

“I’m aware,” Leo acknowledged with a smile, “but isn’t something unique always more appealing?”

Torua, arms crossed, chuckled again.

The underclassman before her wasn’t merely skilled in magical formulas.

‘Novel experiments are always significant for wizards. What a missed opportunity,’ Torua thought, observing this young student, who embodied a wizard’s spirit more than anyone else.

‘Such talents should have a clear path from the beginning. I should discuss this seriously with Professor Ren,’ Torua resolved as she stood before the student council president’s office, determined to contribute to the Magic Department’s improvement.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Creak.

“Hi, Lis. Leo wanted to see you, so I brought him along.”

“Leo?”

Sitting at his desk and moving his quill, Lis stood up with a warm expression.

“So, Leo, what brings you here?”

“Student Council President.”

“When we’re off the record, you can call me ‘Brother’.”

Lis grinned, and Leo nodded.

“Then, Brother Lis, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I’d like access to the Golden Library.”

“I’m not sure why you want to go there, but students can’t enter the Golden Library freely,” Torua commented, reaching for a snack.

“Can the Student Council President enter freely?”

“Unfortunately, that’s beyond my authority as well,” Lis replied, chin resting on his hands with a smile.

“Of course, there is a way for a student to gain entry.”

“What is it?”

“It involves conquering the Hero Dungeon.”

“The Hero Dungeon?”

“Yes. It’s customary for the conqueror to return the recovered pages to the Hero Record themselves.”

“Even then, you won’t be able to read the books in the Golden Library freely. You should reconsider,” Torua grumbled.

In summary, there was no apparent reason for first-year students to enter, and even if they did, obtaining the desired information would be challenging.

‘Well, in that case, I’ll have to find another way in,’ Leo concluded, unaware that Lis and Torua exchanged enigmatic smiles.

“How’s your exam preparation? It’s your first exam; are you feeling nervous?” Lis inquired.

“I’m making satisfactory progress,” Leo replied calmly.

“Will that be enough? Remember that at Lumeren, the grade representative changes after every exam,” Lis noted.

“Yes.”

“Many students will be competing for your position,” Torua added, munching on a cookie.

Even though it was early in the semester and not much had been emphasized yet, the role of grade representative at Lumeren came with various privileges and put one in line to potentially become the next Student Council President.

“Did you know your grade’s performance is highly anticipated by Lumeren’s upper echelons? Can you maintain your position as grade representative among such competitive students?”

“I don’t have a particular interest in the grade representative position. However,” Leo grinned, “I have no intention of relinquishing the top spot either.”

“Your confidence is admirable. I look forward to it,” Lis remarked, sporting a contented smile.

***

After gaining admission, the first-year exam left students feeling quite nervous. Yet, at the same time, all first-year students were eagerly anticipating this exam.

Seated in the spectator stands of the first-year classroom building’s arena, Chelsea swung her legs as she spoke.

“Professor Hallind was right; you’ve changed so much in just a few months,” she murmured softly while twirling her wand in the air. The magical rune expanded into the air, and a spell was instantly completed.

“You’re as fast as ever,” Tade, her classmate, commented.

“High-speed casting is my specialty. Naturally, I’ve gotten even faster.”

As Hallind had predicted, the skills of the first-year students had rapidly improved. Even Chelsea, who had received exceptional education since childhood as a Hero, had visibly progressed. Now, the freshmen were feeling a peculiar sense of confidence and excitement.

“But I’m concerned about Leo,” Chelsea remarked, her gaze fixed on the arena.

“Yeah, quite a few guys are eyeing Leo,” Tade sighed.

Since it was early in their enrollment, most major courses emphasized theory over practical aspects. Leo, who consistently outshone his peers in class, was recognized as a top student by all the professors. However, even Leo had areas where he could be considered weak.

“Will he do well in the Lumeren exam, which carries significant weight in practical skills? Aura, mana, spirit energy—Leo is weaker in the foundational aspects of these abilities,” Chelsea pondered aloud.

Especially considering that Leo was studying all three major subjects simultaneously, there was a substantial gap between him and other students who typically specialized in just one area. Consequently, many students regarded Leo as strong in theory but weak in practice.

“While mid-tier students won’t pose a challenge to Leo, I believe the top-tier students will give him a run for his money.”

“This might be a good opportunity for him to choose one major.” 

As Tade voiced his thoughts, Professor Ain, positioned at the center of the practice field, began to speak.

“We will now commence the practical examination for first-year knight studies.”

His resounding voice filled with aura echoed across the vast practice field, prompting whistles and applause from various directions.

Although the examination period was still two weeks away, the practical exams for knight studies were commencing today. The first-year classroom and practice field were teeming with students who had gathered to witness the knight studies practical exam. Among the spectators were not only first-year students but also upperclassmen.

“Is Karl really considering going into business?”

“Where people gather, money accumulates. Isn’t that his thesis?” Chelsea responded disapprovingly, while Tade chuckled.

Indeed, as she mentioned, Karl had set up shop to sell snacks.

“Professor Sedgen.”

With levitation magic, Karl floated snack stands around him as he approached Sedgen, the homeroom teacher for Class 1.

“What can I help you with, student Karl?”

Professor Sedgen regarded Karl with a sour expression. His response was far from welcoming, likely due to Karl being a student from his rival, Hallind.

“How about some popcorn and drinks?”

“Hmph, do you think I would buy that? Sell it to your homeroom teacher, Hallind, and your classmates,” Sedgen scoffed, showing no interest.

Karl’s face fell, and he wore a disgruntled expression. “I thought Professor Sedgen possessed leadership skills to boost class morale. My apologies, it seems I was mistaken.”

“Hmph. If you believe such an obvious tactic would work on me, student Karl, you are sorely mistaken.”

Just then, the students of Class 1 cheered. “Professor! Are you buying popcorn for us?” “Wow! That sounds delicious!” Their excitement filled the air.

Sedgen perked up at their reaction. “See, I told you! Professor Sedgen does have the leadership skills to boost class morale!”

All the students from Class 1 had come out to cheer under Sedgen’s guidance. Hearing their cheers, Sedgen couldn’t help but smile broadly. “If the students want it, I have no choice. Go ahead.”

“Okay!”

“One with caramel, please.”

“Thank you!”

With the transaction complete, Karl distributed popcorn and drinks to the Class 1 students with a friendly smile. To a few particularly enthusiastic students, he discreetly slipped some candy.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s cheer with style! Class 1, fighting!”

“Class 1, fighting!”

The energized students of Class 1 cheered loudly, their spirits high.

Meanwhile, Karl sighed as he noticed Chloe, who sat alone in a corner, absorbed in reading a black magic book.

“Chloe.”

“…”

“Hey, Chloe!”

“Huh?”

Chloe looked up, her face showing signs of fatigue.

Karl sighed, concerned for his friend’s well-being. “You need to take breaks; otherwise, you’ll exhaust yourself. You should know how to enjoy yourself at times like this.”

“I don’t have time for that,” Chloe replied, a frown on her face.

Scratching his head, Karl retrieved a fatigue recovery potion from his bag and handed it to her.

“I don’t have any money,” Chloe protested.

“It’s fine. I’m giving it to you because I’m worried as a friend.”

“Here! Popcorn and drinks!”

“Okay! Okay! I’m going! Hey, take it easy, you hear?”

After waving his hand to Chloe, Karl swiftly ran toward a senior who had placed an order.

Watching Karl’s retreating figure, Chloe managed a slight smile and quickly downed the potion.

Just then, an announcement was made. “The first duel is about to begin. Howl Naif from Class 1 and Leo Plov from Class 5, please step forward.”

Chloe’s gaze locked onto Leo, and she clenched her fist.

“I absolutely won’t lose.”

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“Did you encounter the King of Wisdom?”

“That’s incredible! It’s a significant event! Is it related to Lord Risinas’s Hero Record?”

The entire grade descended into chaos due to the incident at the Hero Academy.

All the professors at the academy were summoned, and regular classes were replaced with self-directed study.

This incident was a grave matter.

There are not many remaining records of the great heroes who were initially recorded in the Hero Record.

In such a situation, a new fragment of the page featuring Risinas in the Hero Record was unearthed.

It was no surprise that there was an uproar in Lumeren.

While other students were expressing noisy reactions, Leo found himself lost in contemplation.

‘Why is my Hero Record particularly disorganized?’

The world of heroes was presumably created because Leo, who could be considered the world’s creator, touched the Hero Record.

However, it differed significantly from the entrance exam.

“Normally, a message appears indicating whose world it is upon entering the world of heroes. But in this instance…”

[Hero Record Open. World of ■■. Chapter: ■■-■■■]

It was impossible to determine whose world it belonged to.

‘Even when Risinas called my name, I couldn’t hear it.’

It was as though someone intentionally erased Kyle’s name.

‘There must be a specific reason for the absence of my Hero Record.’

Leo narrowed his eyes.

‘Didn’t they mention that the Hero Record was originally one?’

The Hero Record, now divided into five parts, had originally been a single, complete record.

However, long ago, due to some incident, it was divided into five parts.

During the process, multiple pages were lost and scattered across the world.

‘What if someone intentionally destroyed the Hero Record?’

The Hero Record is an artifact that carries the power of heroes.

It quite literally possesses the ability to nurture heroes.

‘If someone doesn’t want a new hero to emerge…’

Upon arriving at this thought, Leo felt a shiver run down his spine.

‘Erebos.’

“Leo?”

Chelsea’s voice brought Leo back to reality.

“Why do you appear so frightened?”

“It’s nothing.”

‘I must investigate why the Hero Record was divided.’

***

A month had passed since the incident at the Hero Academy.

The initial buzz surrounding the incident had subsided.

The Hero Record involving Risinas had undeniably stirred up quite a commotion.

However, there was little the first-year students could do in this regard.

Many students had sought answers from the professors regarding Risinas, but they received no response.

Moreover, with midterm exams on the horizon, the Hero Academy incident naturally began to fade from the minds of the first-year students.

Professor Ren’s Magic Theory class.

“As you are all aware, midterm exams are approaching rapidly.”

The students appeared tense.

This was the first mention of midterms by Professor Ren.

They could sense it intuitively.

“He’s referring to the practical exam.”

Lumeren’s exams included both written and practical assessments.

Particularly, the practical skills held significant weightage in all the major subjects.

Naturally, the students were eager for the practical exams.

Professor Ren stood before the blackboard, holding a piece of chalk.

The sound of the chalk echoed throughout the classroom.

Subsequently, the students began to murmur.

“Original magic, or in simpler terms, unique magic. This will be your assignment for the midterm practical exam.”

Professor Ren placed the chalk back in the holder and walked to the center of the stage.

“Original magic is a direct reflection of the mage’s personality. In today’s age, where standardized activation formulas have become the norm, mages often shy away from pursuing originality due to its perceived inefficiency.”

Glancing at the students, Professor Ren gave a sly smile.

“However, I believe that unique magic is indispensable for mages. Spells that deviate from standardized formulas can be difficult to counter. They might even serve as secret weapons in emergency situations.”

At his words, the students’ eyes gleamed.

A secret weapon.

This phrase alone was enough to ignite the enthusiasm of these young mages.

“Shall we discuss historically famous instances of unique magic? Is there any student who would like to share knowledge of a unique magic they are aware of?”

In response to the question, several students raised their hands.

“Student Chelsea.”

“Roubert Lewalin’s magic.”

“Correct. Indeed, the founder of the Lewalin family possessed remarkably powerful unique magic.”

Chelsea sat down with a proud smile.

One by one, students began to present their findings.

Usually, Professor Ren would entertain only a few responses and then move on, but today he seemed to be listening to an unusually high number of answers.

It was almost as if he was waiting for a specific response.

The students sensed this and began to actively participate.

Then, Leo raised his hand.

“Student Leo! Let’s hear your answer!”

Ren’s tone carried a slight hint of excitement.

While Ren had shown a keen interest in Leo before, Leo rarely answered the professor’s questions.

Leo stood up and declared,

“Star Magic.”

Upon hearing this, the students wore puzzled expressions.

Star Magic.

This referred to a unique magical system used by elves.

Undoubtedly, it was potent magic.

However, any elf could learn Star Magic.

It was challenging to label such magic as truly unique.

Yet Chloe, Abad, and Chelsea hesitated upon hearing Leo’s response.

Ren let out a hearty snort.

“That’s the correct answer! That’s precisely the response I was seeking!”

He applauded enthusiastically as he explained further.

“Star Magic is a magical system that any elf can master! However, it has been adapted for all elves to learn!”

Ren raised his voice.

“You are all familiar with the power of Star Magic!”

Star Magic.

This magical system was specifically tailored for elves based on their mana tendencies.

That’s why it proved challenging for other races to wield Star Magic.

It belonged to the realm of sensitivity and innate talent.

Leo, wielding elf magic, had completely shaken up the Magic Department.

“However,” Ren declared solemnly, clenching his fist, “the Star Magic that elves currently use is but a pale imitation of the original magic crafted by Luna, the Celestial Ancestor. Throughout history, only one individual ever truly harnessed genuine Star Magic!”

‘Actually, it’s two people,’ Leo thought with a faint grin.

“It’s Luna, the creator of Star Magic.”

The magic department students tightened their fists in response.

“Now, do you grasp why the pursuit of original magic is crucial?”

For aspiring hero mages, Luna was an icon of admiration.

The revelation that Luna’s foundational magic was an original concept paradoxically underscored the importance of original magic to the students.

Ding dong dang—

The bell chimed, marking the end of the class.

‘Let’s conclude today’s lecture here.’

Students began to gather their belongings.

Engrossed in conversations about unique magic with their peers, they left the classroom.

“Original magic, huh? It’s truly a daunting endeavor.”

Karl scratched his head.

Unique magic dwelled in the realm of creation.

Crafting new magic was challenging enough, let alone making it entirely unique.

“Leo, you have three practical exams in each department, right? Preparing for all of them must be quite taxing.”

Karl spoke empathetically while regarding Leo.

Leo responded with a smile.

“I’ll give it my all.”

‘In my previous life, I developed numerous unique magics.’

Leo had created many unique magics in his past existence.

This exam was a highly appreciated practical challenge for Leo.

As Leo was about to exit the classroom with Karl, a voice called out to him from behind.

Turning around, he saw Chloe, holding a magic book.

Initially, Leo, Karl, and Chloe had attended magic class together.

However, for the past month, Chloe had been sitting separately from the two.

It wasn’t because they had a falling out or were on bad terms.

They still chatted and hung out after class.

But during class, they chose separate seats.

“Would you like to have lunch together?”

Leo inquired with a smile, and Chloe took a deep breath before approaching him.

For a moment, Leo was captivated by the black grimoire Chloe held.

‘This isn’t a textbook, is it? Could it be a personal grimoire she’s reading?’

“Leo, I am determined to surpass you in this practical exam.”

Kyle was taken aback by Chloe’s resolute statement.

“Hey, hey! Aren’t friends beyond winning and losing? Besides, you’re the class’s top wizard…”

“No.”

Chloe gripped her grimoire tightly.

“Leo outshines me in magical formulas. That’s an undeniable fact.”

She spoke with a clouded expression in her eyes.

“I have to excel in magical formulas. So I cannot afford to lose.”

Chloe gazed directly at Leo, her teeth clenched.

“Therefore, I will defeat Leo in this exam. Promise me that you’ll give your all as a wizard. I won’t tolerate neglecting magic to focus on other subjects.”

“Of course, I will.”

“Hey, Leo!”

“Don’t worry, Kyle. We’re not at odds.”

Leo wore a determined expression.

“It would be disrespectful to Chloe if I avoid this after she’s gone to such lengths.”

“Thanks, Leo. I’ll head out first.”

Chloe left with a smile.

Karl licked his lips, watching her departure.

“Youth, it’s all about youth.”

***

As the midterm exams drew near, the details of the first-year practical exams were gradually revealed.

The Knight department featured a duel test.

Duels would take place within the Knight department during the midterm period.

Naturally, rankings would be determined by the points earned.

Hence, this subject had the earliest practical exam date.

On the day of the midterm exam, the top eight students would be selected to participate in a tournament-style duel.

In the Summoning class, there were two practical exams.

One involved a race on flying familiars, and the other tested the ability to manipulate spirits skillfully.

For the Magic department, there would be presentations with external judges evaluating original magic development.

Cramming was discouraged.

This exam aimed to assess how diligently students had worked throughout the semester.

Lastly, there were combined exams for Combat Studies and Hero Studies.

“As expected,” Karl remarked with a somewhat anticipated expression.

“The objective of the practical exams for Hero Studies and Combat Studies is to conquer the world of heroes.”

Karl pointed at the notice board in front of the classroom.

“The exam will randomly assign teams for conquering the world of heroes. It’s quite tricky!”

Effective teamwork was crucial when facing the challenges of the world of heroes.

If team members were predetermined, efficiency naturally improved.

But in cases where team composition was unknown, one had to prepare for various scenarios.

This exam assessed the overall capabilities of a hero cadet.

“I guess Karl can’t afford to slack off~”

“Hey! Who said I was going to slack off!”

“That’s right. Karl won’t slack off, he’ll just be a burden!”

“Chelsea, Youuu!”

As Iliana and Chelsea laughed and scampered away, Karl grabbed his head.

“Karl, this test might actually play to your advantage.”

“What do you mean?”

“You aspire to be a supporter, right?”

Karl’s eyes widened.

“In whichever team you find yourself, your role is likely well-defined, correct?”

“Yeah, I can thoroughly prepare to support any team!”

The difference in combat effectiveness with or without a supporter was significant.

Instead of pretending to be a mage, Karl could create greater synergy by thoroughly training as a supporter.

“Thank you, Leo! I can see a clear path because of you!”

“I really hope I don’t end up with Karl’s support.”

“I share the concern.”

“Tade! Nella! You too?”

Karl yelled, clutching his head, as his friends playfully expressed their doubts.

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The entire first-year class gathered in the auditorium.

The sound of chatter filled the auditorium, emanating from students in their mid-teens.

Amidst this, associate professors and teaching assistants came forward to prepare for the lecture.

Once the preparations were complete, one of the associate professors addressed the assembly.

“Everyone, please maintain silence. The lecture will commence shortly.”

“Understood.”

The students complied with the teaching assistants’ request.

Although the chatter diminished somewhat, it did not entirely subside.

Teenagers who were enjoying themselves with friends were not easily subdued by the words of adults alone.

The associate professors were aware of this fact but chose not to press the issue further.

The individual responsible for today’s lecture was none other than Professor Artian Nier.

“My apologies for my tardiness, everyone!”

Professor Artian entered the auditorium and offered her apologies as she took the stage.

Thud!

“Ah!”

She accidentally tripped and fell.

At that instant, all the students straightened up and fell silent.

With a slightly embarrassed expression, Professor Artian rubbed her knee and proceeded to the center of the stage.

Artian Nier.

Currently, the most formidable professor among the first-year students.

The reason was simple.

In her class, physical reprimands were swift if anyone made noise.

However, it was important to note that this was not her choice; rather, it was the work of the impatient spirits bound to Professor Artian.

Consequently, students were on edge the moment Professor Artian made her appearance.

Merely by being present, Artian had a grip on the students. She clapped her hands and smiled warmly.

“Indeed, our students are exemplary! So well-behaved in the presence of your professor!”

Optimistic Artian believed that her students were simply well-mannered.

“Last time, we delved into the tales of heroic families, correct? Shall we revisit some of that material before we dive into today’s lesson?”

Artian commenced her lecture.

“Would anyone like to discuss why heroic families could be established following the emergence of the Hero Records?”

Hands were raised here and there.

Regardless of her strict reputation, she was an excellent professor.

Her lectures were easily comprehensible, and she was lenient with grading.

Considering that there were stringent professors who deducted points, actively participating in Artian’s class was a prudent choice.

Even Karl eagerly raised his hand.

“Karl from Class 5?”

“Yes!”

Karl, who cheered softly, stood up.

“To enter the realm of a hero in Hero Records, one needs an object deeply connected to the hero or a story involving them. Descendants of heroes inherit these relics, which facilitates access to the world of heroes.”

“You are absolutely correct, Karl. You’ve earned 5 points,” Artian acknowledged.

Karl’s face lit up with a smile as he settled back into his seat.

“While it may have political undertones, the profound bond between Lumeren Academy, the custodian of Hero Records, and the heroic families exists for this very purpose.”

The key to unlocking the world of heroes might lie with them, but the records themselves are housed in Lumeren’s Hero Records.

“Heroes whose artifacts did not survive prior to the revelation of the world of heroes can obtain related items through archaeological investigation and excavation.”

The Hero Records predate the world of heroes’ revelation, dating back to the Age of Calamity, with countless pages dedicated to heroes who cannot access their own world.

“Since a single relic cannot unlock all the pages of a hero, excavation becomes the next vital pursuit after raiding hero dungeons. Furthermore, power inheritance tends to be unstable in dungeons created during rampages. Now, onto another question.”

Artian turned her gaze back to the eager students.

“Can anyone elaborate on the significance of Hero Studies beyond what I’ve explained?”

Once again, hands shot up in response.

“Duran from Class 1.”

“The world of heroes can serve as a guide for conquering it.”

“Correct, Duran. You’ve earned 5 points,” Artian commended as Duran resumed his seat, maintaining a composed demeanor.

“The world of heroes represents the challenges past heroes encountered. Even with knowledge of the hero’s story, these challenges can be so monumental that they appear insurmountable. Many have lost their lives in these trials. Hence, even minor clues or stories become invaluable keys to conquering them.”

This is why students held Hero Studies in such high regard.

“As you progress to higher grades, you will select a hero to inherit their power and tackle their pages. By that time, you should also identify which hero aligns best with your disposition.”

Iliana offered a light applause.

“Alright, shall we proceed to the presentation of homework?”

The previous week, Artian had assigned homework to all first-year students.

Although the homework was not particularly challenging, its purpose was significant. The task was to contemplate one’s aspirations as a hero and present them in the next hero studies class.

While it might seem trivial, for those aspiring to be heroes, establishing an image of a hero was essential. As all the students had enrolled at Lumeren with a strong sense of purpose, the first-year students dedicated their weekends to pondering this task earnestly.

“Alright, let’s begin with Class 1.”

The students of Class 1 exchanged nervous glances.

Discussing their hero aspirations in front of a large audience was a daunting task.

“Class 1, there’s no need to feel embarrassed! Your aspirations are your guiding stars! Speaking confidently about them in front of others is something to be proud of… Ahem!”

“Now is not the time to speak; this is Artian’s class.”

“Professor Sedgen! Please! Professor Artian is already feeling timid!”

Professor Sedgen, who had been enthusiastically cheering for the hesitant Class 1 students, was gently restrained by the other homeroom teachers.

It was at this moment that Selia stood up.

With her posture erect, she pushed her hair back and spoke with unwavering confidence.

“I aspire to become a knight who surpasses the achievements of my family’s ancestors.”

Surpassing the illustrious lineage of the Zerdinghers, there could be no greater ambition.

“Wow! That’s an admirable goal!” Artian applauded.

Next in line was Chloe.

“I aim to create a grimoire containing only my original spells.”

“A lofty objective for a mage,” Artian remarked.

Starting with Selia, the students took turns sharing their aspirations.

Initially hesitant, once they began speaking, there was no stopping them.

The homeroom teachers, observing from the back, listened intently to their students’ presentations, recognizing that these brief speeches symbolized the paths their students wished to tread.

Eventually, it was Class 5’s turn.

“I aspire to provide support to heroes.”

As Karl spoke, Artian wore a look of surprise that quickly transformed into a smile.

She understood Karl’s intentions.

“It appears that Karl envisions a role in supporting our heroes.”

“Yes.”

Most students couldn’t quite grasp Karl’s choice to become a supporter, but the professors generally viewed his path positively.

Then it was Leo’s turn.

He stood up and calmly declared, “My goal is the complete eradication of Erebos.”

A hushed silence settled over the auditorium.

Both Artian and the students gazed at Leo with puzzled expressions.

The complete eradication of Erebos wasn’t just an individual aspiration; it was a wish the world had held since the age of calamity. Even the mightiest heroes had failed in this endeavor. Uttering it aloud was considered foolish and subject to ridicule.

“It’s an ambitious goal!” Artian managed to compose herself and offer a smile.

“Isn’t that dream a bit too far-fetched?”

Leo smirked as he stroked his chin. “Once, there was a foolish person who dared to voice such a far-fetched dream. At some point, I found that foolish statement deeply moving. So, I decided to inherit that dream.”

Karl regarded Leo, who was making cryptic remarks, with a perplexed expression. Then he smiled. “Someone with such a grand ambition would need an excellent supporter, wouldn’t they?”

“I’ll be counting on you, Karl.”

***

“The first year representative certainly has a unique ambition,” one of the homeroom professors mumbled as they observed the freshmen’s presentations.

“Didn’t he respond in a rather playful manner?” another professor questioned.

“The supervising professor is Professor Hallind, isn’t it? Do you think he’d tolerate a joke in this setting?”

“Nevertheless, aren’t those ambitions overly unrealistic?”

Opinions among the professors were divided.

Just then, Sedgen turned to Hallind, who was seated next to him, and asked, “Do you think he was joking?”

“No, he’s not the type to spout nonsense,” Hallind replied, his brow furrowing.

“That’s what makes it somewhat unsettling.”

It had been thousands of years since Erebos had been defeated by the great heroes and sealed into multiple fragments. There had been several resurrections during that time. Yet, the revival of even a single fragment could plunge the world into a catastrophic crisis.

And here was a student with a dream of completely eradicating Erebos.

‘Is he merely a fool? Or does he possess an extraordinary capacity?’ Hallind pondered.

Even after a month, Hallind couldn’t fully gauge Leo.

While Hallind was intently observing Leo, the principal’s secretary, Elena, approached the professors, carrying a box.

“This will be the Hero Record page we’ll use as a textbook this time.”

“Well done, Secretary Elena,” Professor Sedgen acknowledged, accepting the box and rising from his seat.

The other homeroom professors followed suit.

This joint class also involved the professors, specifically to prepare for any emergencies. In the past, there had been several instances where a retrieved page from the Hero Dungeon went berserk. It wasn’t a common occurrence, but it wasn’t unheard of either, so professors always kept a watchful eye when Hero Records were used as textbooks to safeguard the students.

By the time the professors were making their way to the podium, the rest of the class had concluded their presentations.

“Ladies and gentlemen, moving forward, our Hero Studies will involve utilizing Hero Records retrieved by the dungeon raiders.”

Professor Artian received the sealed box from Sedgen and began to address the class. 

“At last!” 

“This is my first time coming into contact with a Hero Record!” 

“I’m feeling quite nervous!”

The students expressed their excitement.

“For today’s lesson, we will read the page from the Hero Record, deduce whose hero’s page it belongs to, and formulate a strategy for conquering that hero’s world.”

Technically, this lesson didn’t necessitate the use of Hero Records, but it was a skill they would eventually need in real combat situations. Therefore, Hero Records with undisclosed content were employed to emphasize the gravity of the lesson. 

“Class representatives, please step forward.”

“I envy you, Leo. You get to touch the Hero Record firsthand!”

Nella chuckled at Iliana’s comment.

“We’ll all have a chance to touch it after class, so what’s the big fuss?”

“But having the first touch is a privilege!”

Iliana couldn’t help but envy the special privilege granted to the class representative.

Thus, ten class representatives approached the podium.

“Oh, it’s Leo, the 5th class representative, huh?”

Chen Shia, the 10th class representative, greeted Leo warmly.

“It was a spontaneous decision today.”

“Spontaneous?”

Chen Shia tilted her head in confusion.

As all the competitive first-year students gathered, a unique atmosphere enveloped the room.

Artian unsealed the box.

“This time, we have retrieved two Hero Records. Naturally, only one will be utilized as a teaching tool. The other is a page fragment… I brought it to demonstrate that such fragments exist.”

Artian raised the page fragment and handed it to Leo, who was closest to her.

Leo extended his hand without hesitation.

In that instant, the page fragment emitted a faint glow.

And the moment the page made contact with Leo’s hand…

[Hero Record Open. World of ■■. Chapter: ■■-■■■]

A message appeared before Leo, one he had seen before.

Artian, along with the class leaders and even the professors who had been preparing for contingencies, were taken aback.

Wooong-!

Light surged from the stage floor.

A language of God unknown to the inhabitants of the underworld.

“Rampage?”

Accompanied by Professor Sedgen’s bewildered voice, the radiant light engulfed the stage.

Shortly after the light dissipated, Leo, the professors, and the class leaders found themselves in an unfamiliar space.

They stood in the midst of a battlefield.

The ground was littered with the lifeless corpses of grotesque monsters.

“Stay vigilant, everyone! This is a Hero Dungeon!”

The class leaders turned pale at Hallind’s exclamation.

“Hallind! I see a wall over there!”

Sedgen pointed to the wall that Leo had been gazing at.

Leo regarded the wall with a blank expression.

It was a wall he recognized well.

A place that no longer existed in this era.

The last bastion and the ultimate city during the Age of Calamity.

The walls of Guardsron.

The scent of burning monsters, demonic creatures, and devils assaulted Leo’s senses.

For Leo, this sight was indelible, a memory he couldn’t forget.

If it were that time… if his memory served him right, he would have heard these words:

‘Yes, Kyle. My wish is indeed foolish.’

“Yes, ■■. My wish is indeed foolish.”

At the sound of the voice from behind them, the professors and team leaders turned their heads, taken aback.

And they involuntarily gasped.

The person before them was a highly renowned figure.

Leo mechanically turned his head towards the source of the voice.

The woman spoke with the same unwavering conviction as before.

“But ■■, we will save the world.”

In this era, she was known as the King of Wisdom, the Black Dragon.

A formidable and noble hero who had brought a glimmer of hope to an era steeped in despair and heading towards destruction.

Back then, she had been a close friend, one who had been ridiculed as a fool.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Leo called out a name.

“Risinas.”

At Leo’s call, Risinas offered a faint smile.

Whaaak-!

Simultaneously, the world crumbled around them.

In the blink of an eye, they found themselves back in the auditorium.

“What…!”

“Professor, what just happened?”

Students questioned in shaky, panicked voices.

Hallind made a calm decision.

“Class is temporarily dismissed. Everyone, please remain calm and exit the auditorium.”

In response, the associate professors guided the students out.

Leo stood there, his gaze fixed on the fragment of the Hero Record page in his hand.

He knew whose page it belonged to.

‘Kyle’s page. This is my record.’

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“Hello.”

“Good morning, Leo!”

“Did you have a good weekend?”

The morning after the weekend.

As Leo entered the classroom, his fellow classmates extended their greetings.

“Leo, I heard you met with the student council president over the weekend!”

Tade, approaching Leo, asked with excitement as he settled into his seat.

“You’re getting along with Selia Zerdingher from Class 1, and you even met the student council president?”

Iliana, who had come over with her arms crossed, appeared surprised.

In the class, only Karl and Chelsea were privy to the fact that Leo and Selia were cousins.

“You seem quite interested in the student council president.”

“Of course! He’s the top-ranked and strongest individual at Lumeren!”

Tade exclaimed with enthusiasm.

“From a prominent family, highly skilled, and quite handsome. Leo, were you invited to join the student council?”

Iliana inquired with a voice full of curiosity.

Leo was a rising star, attracting attention in Lumeren. Initially, many had questioned why Leo, who was not the top student, had been chosen as the freshman representative, but circumstances had changed.

Professors from all departments were keenly interested in him due to his unprecedented All-Class Talent

In response to Iliana’s question, Leo shook his head.

“I didn’t receive any such invitation. Even if I did, I’m not interested in the student council.”

Upon hearing this, both Tade and Iliana were intrigued.

“Leo, would you like to join the Summoning Materials Research Club with me?”

Tade actively encouraged him to join the club.

“Your practical summoning skills are still weak, right? It will definitely help!”

“Move aside! Did you forget that Leo is All-class? Leo! Let’s join the Dark Wizard Club! You’re more than welcome!”

Tade and Iliana were at a loss. Both had already temporarily joined the clubs they wanted to before the allowed period for first-year club activities.

Karl, who had been observing their exchange, interjected with a disapproving tone.

“Both of you are late to the game. Leo has already decided on his club activities.”

“What? Where?”

“He’s going to create his own club.”

“Create a club?”

“As a first-year?”

Tade and Iliana blinked in surprise.

“What kind of club are you going to create?”

Nella, who had been sitting farther away, displayed interest in her unique languid voice.

“A Hero Research Club.”

“Aren’t we already studying that in Hero Studies?”

Iliana looked as though she had tasted something bitter.

“He said he will research forgotten heroes. For example, like Kyle.”

Hearing this, Tade and Iliana looked puzzled, wondering why that choice.

But Nella nodded.

“Even if he’s a fictional hero, the only All-Class hero is Kyle, so it’s interesting.”

Nella nodded.

‘I should quickly find my hero record page.’

Without a hero record, there was no way to prove his existence.

Then, a male student, Elig Tunaga from Class 8, entered Class 5.

He approached Leo and asked,

“Hey, Class 5. Who’s the class leader here?”

“We don’t have one yet, but for now, I’m taking on the role.”

“We haven’t decided yet, but you can talk to me.”

“Huh? What’s going on?”

Not only Tade and Iliana but also Chelsea, who had been engrossed in a magic book, raised her head and reacted.

“Um… so who’s the class leader?”

Elig looked back and forth between the three of them, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

“Obviously, it’s me. I’ve been assisting Professor Hallind so far,” Tade asserted, crossing his arms.

“What are you talking about? I’ve also assisted Professor Hallind a lot. And shouldn’t I, from the prestigious Raden family, be the one?” Iliana puffed out her chest.

“Are you discussing family names in front of Lewalin? Hilarious. Of course, we don’t need the aura of a prestigious family. The class leader should be the most outstanding person in the class, right? Who’s the most outstanding in our class?” Chelsea stood up from her seat with a smile.

As the three began to argue over who should be the class leader, Elig approached Leo.

“Leo Plov. Here, take this.”

He handed Leo a document.

“What’s this?”

“Today there’s an adjustment to the Hero Studies class. After the regulations are over, everyone should gather in the auditorium. Professor Artian has decided to conduct a joint class for the ten classes.”

In cases like Battle Studies, individual class professors were responsible because they had to understand and bring out the characteristics of the students in their classes. However, Hero Studies had a dedicated professor for it. The professor for the first-year Hero Studies course was Professor Artian, who also served as the homeroom teacher for Class 8 and had made a strong impression on the first day of school.

“You can give it to the homeroom teacher during the morning assembly. I’m off, then.”

Elig left the classroom.

“Where, where?”

Karl received the documents from Leo.

“Ah! So this is it! It’s the Hero Record page that was recently recovered for research.”

“Really?”

Nella also checked the contents of the documents.

“Which hero could it be? Leo, didn’t you hear anything from the student council president yesterday?”

At Karl’s question, Leo clenched his jaw.

“They said there was a page that was so damaged that realizing the world of the hero was impossible, so I suspect it might be that.”

“Ugh! Deduction class is the toughest!”

Karl grabbed his head.

“I am the class president!”

“No, it’s me!”

“This isn’t working! Let’s settle this with skills! Come at me, both of you!”

“Do you think we will back down?”

“I’ll show the results of a month!”

Up until then, the three who claimed to be the class president were making noises at each other.

Watching this, Nella wore a troubled expression.

“What if Professor Hallind comes in…”

“We’re doomed then.”

Karl lowered his head.

***

“A joint class, you say? Understood.”

During the morning assembly.

Hallind nodded his head at Leo’s report.

“This time, not only Professor Artian but all the first-year homeroom teachers will be observing the joint class.”

He spoke indifferently, tossing the documents onto the podium.

“Make sure to present yourselves well, as it’s the first joint class.”

“Yes.”

“If you make fools of yourselves in front of other classes, it won’t end well.”

The gaze of the students turned to three people who were kneeling on their desks holding chairs.

Chelsea, Tade, and Iliana lowered their heads in shame.

“Professor! Why haven’t we elected a class president yet?” Karl raised his hand and inquired.

Class 5 was the only one that hadn’t elected a class president a month into the academic schedule.

“I expected you all to choose one among yourselves. It would be inefficient for me to intervene.”

In other cases, entire Combat Studies classes were used to select class presidents. Class 1 took twice as long since they had three top students. Hallind thought it was a waste of time and left it to the students’ autonomy.

However, the students of Class 5 were waiting for Hallind to bring it up.

“If you want me to intervene, I will. Leo, Nella.”

Hallind called Leo, who was in the back corner, and Nella, who was at the front.

“Leo will be the class president, and Nella will be the vice president.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

“Wait a minute, Professor! What about voting or something? It’s unfair to choose like this!”

“I agree!”

Iliana objected, and Tade joined in.

At this, Hallind showed a lukewarm reaction.

“Is there any student more suitable than Leo Plov to demonstrate leadership in this class?”

At his words, Iliana and Tade closed their mouths.

Indeed, no one in Class 5 could match Leo’s leadership in Combat Studies.

“And Nella has the calmest temperament in our class. I think she is perfect for the role of vice president, don’t you?”

No one could argue with that either.

Both had no particular ambition for the roles of class president or vice president.

Since Hallind had chosen them, there was nothing more to say.

“Any objections?”

“None.”

“Good. Then everyone prepare for class and move to the auditorium.”

The mass migration of first-year students began.

Since the students don’t have any classes together other than their major courses, the atmosphere was quite lively.

“Hello, Leo?”

“Leo! Want to have lunch together after class?”

A few female students giggled and approached Leo.

Given that Leo was enrolled in all major courses, there were quite a few students who were familiar with him.

“Ha! Leo, you’re quite popular, huh? Well, you are good-looking.”

Karl playfully poked Leo’s side as he stood next to him.

Leo, being a well-known figure in the school and also handsome, was undoubtedly popular.

“Do you know anyone you’re close to who you could introduce me to?”

“Why are you asking me when you also have a lot of female friends?”

“In my case, they are all customers.”

Karl put his hands behind his head and grumbled.

“Karl.”

“Huh?”

Someone called Karl from behind.

Turning his head, Karl made a strange expression.

“Chloe, you look quite tired?”

At Karl’s question, Chloe glanced at Leo and shook her head.

“Not really. If you have any spare fatigue recovery potions, sell them all to me.”

Karl took out fatigue recovery potions from his pocket.

After receiving them, Chloe opened a few bottles and gulped them down.

“It’s the beginning of the semester, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?” Leo asked Chloe.

At Leo’s question, Chloe shook her head.

“I’m fine,” she replied and then walked ahead.

“Wow, she’s intense. So intense. To go that far while being the top in theory exams.”

Currently, in the magic department’s theory exam, Chloe was undisputedly the top. Second place was Abad, third was Chelsea, and Leo was fourth.

Just then, Chelsea interjected in the conversation.

“Chloe has no choice but to be anxious.”

“Huh? Why.”

“Karl, sometimes I doubt whether you really belong to the magic department.”

“I’m studying just enough to not get expelled!” Karl gave a thumbs-up as he spoke confidently.

“Anyway, the reason Chloe is anxious is that if Leo gets familiar with the latest magic trends, he could catch up in the theory scores.”

Chelsea was right. Leo was more unfamiliar with the latest magic trends than any other wizard in Lumeren. And the focus of all classes is on the latest magic trends. However, there were no students who could catch up to Leo in magical interpretation skills, which is what the professors at Lumeren emphasized.

“Sigh. Is being the top in theory that important?”

“As a wizard of Magic Tower, pride in that area is unavoidable.” Chelsea shrugged her shoulders.

If wizards from prestigious bloodlines tend to focus on ‘combat’ magic, then wizards from Magic Tower focus on ‘exploration and research.’ Wizards from heroic families like Chelsea might be strong in combat but don’t lead in the latest magic trends. Conversely, all new discoveries and spells often originated from Magic Tower. From Chloe’s perspective, she felt threatened by Leo in a field she thought she could never lose.

‘Well, working hard is good.’ Leo scratched his cheek as he watched Chloe walk ahead.

‘If you push too hard, you’ll face repercussions.’

A great hero who had once saved the world and a budding young sprout. Given their different starting points, it was inevitable.

‘I should catch her and have a chat sometime.’

***

“Yes, Lis.”

Lis was in the principal’s office, reporting to Galian about the results of this mission.

“Is it true that the hero page reacted?”

Galian carefully picked up a small piece of the Hero Record page.

“Yes.”

“Interesting. Normally, there should be no power contained in a page of this sort.”

It was normal for a damaged fragment that could hardly be called a ‘page’ to contain no power.

“Was there any reaction afterward?”

“None.”

“Hmm… Is this a reaction from getting closer to the Hero Record?”

Galian set down the fragment of the page.

“Anyway, good work on the mission, Lis.”

“Yes.”

After bidding farewell to Lis, Galian, now alone, spoke to his secretary Elena.

“Take this to the Hall of Beginnings.”

“Yes, Principal.”

At Galian’s words, Elena stared intently at the Hero Record fragment he handed over.

“Elena?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll take it right away.”

As Elena left the principal’s office, Galian, now alone, stroked his chin.

Having conquered the worlds of numerous heroes, he knew more about the Hero Record than anyone else.

‘Come to think of it, there have been times when such a small fragment reacted.’

Thinking it impossible, Galian shook his head.

‘If the person recorded in the Hero Record comes, the fragment would react.’

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