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In the midst of the expansive Lumeren Academy, there lay a substantial training ground known as Ereka. This venue saw regular use during major school events, most notably the entrance and graduation ceremonies.

Within Ereka, all the students of Lumeren would congregate.

“Everyone’s here?”

“They’re completely soaked, huh?”

“Ha ha ha! See! I told you there wouldn’t be many in good condition, didn’t I?”

A few ill-mannered senior students taunted.

Some proud freshmen quivered with embarrassment, but none displayed anger.

In the midst of this, Artian, who was leading the freshmen to the center of the Ereka training ground, addressed them.

“Arrange yourselves by region. Top students, step forward as representatives.”

Upon hearing this, the students formed five rows and organized themselves. Predictably, the number of students from the western region was notably low.

The professors observing from the stage clicked their tongues.

“What is this, Professor Albi? The number of students from the western region is too low.”

One teacher reproached Albi, who remained impassive.

But Albi didn’t even flinch.

Leo stood at the very back.

“Oh, Leo! Hey there!”

Chelsea Lewalin, Leo’s teammate during the entrance exam, approached him with a cheerful smile.

“I’ve been so caught up that I just noticed you!”

Seeing the friendly Chelsea approach with shining eyes, Leo chuckled.

“Get in line first.”

“Sure!”

Standing beside Leo, Chelsea continued talking.

“After witnessing your fight back then, I was so inspired that I’m thinking of taking Knight Studies as a minor.”

“Hmm? Didn’t you mention that your goal was to become a battle mage?”

“Yes!”

In response to her immediate answer, Leo glanced at Chelsea for a moment and then said,

“In that case, you should focus more on magic training.”

“Huh? I’m already proficient in magic. Why should I concentrate more on magic training?”

As Chelsea asked with a slightly puzzled expression, Leo was about to explain when—

“We will now commence the entrance ceremony. First, we have a few words from the principal.”

At the professor’s announcement from the stage, Chelsea fell silent.

Simultaneously, an elderly man appeared at the center of the stage.

All the freshmen tensed up.

There was no one in this place who did not recognize this elderly man.

The most prominent among contemporary human heroes.

Sword Saint, Galian Beydan.

“You’ve come a long way, young heroes.”

Galian spoke with an unusual energy for his age.

“I won’t be long-winded. I’ll impart to you the path you must tread!”

Bang!

Galian struck the stage with his fist.

“If you aspire to be heroes, always bet on yourselves! Push past your limits! Those who don’t—”

The freshmen swallowed hard at the stern admonition from the Sword Saint.

“—are not wanted in Lumeren.”

He concluded and promptly stepped down from the stage.

A brief hush fell over the crowd.

And then…

“Wowwwwwww!”

A resounding cheer erupted from the freshmen.

The concise words, hardly a speech, possessed the ability to ignite the passion of the freshmen.

The Sword Saint turned around, cast a stern glance at the professors, and formed a V with his fingers.

Observing this, several professors facepalmed.

“Principal, if you had maintained your stern demeanor, you would have appeared quite impressive!”

“Sigh, the longer I work at Lumeren, the more my idealized image of the Sword Saint shatters.”

The professors, albeit reluctantly, understood.

The hero everyone admired, the Sword Saint, was, in reality, an incredibly jovial old man.

The presiding professor also shook his head and stated,

“Now, we will hear from the freshman representative.”

Upon hearing this, the entire Ereka training ground focused on the professor’s words.

The freshman representative.

Being chosen among the geniuses of Lumeren signified the absolute best. Literally, the most promising hero candidate among hundreds of aspiring heroes!

The top students at the forefront also wore tense expressions.

As everyone’s attention remained fixed, the presiding professor began to speak.

“Freshman representative, Leo Plov.”

“Leo Plov?”

“Who’s that?”

“Isn’t the freshman representative typically the top scorer?”

The freshmen exchanged glances, abuzz with murmurs.

Even the six valedictorians seated at the front appeared perplexed.

The professors, who were unfamiliar with the freshman representative, also displayed surprised reactions.

Then the presiding professor announced,

“Student Leo Plov, please come up to the stage.”

Upon hearing these words, Leo rose from his seat.

Chelsea’s eyes widened as she gazed up at him.

Karl, seated in a different row, gaped in astonishment.

It was highly unusual for a regular student, rather than the top scorer, to be the representative.

The upperclassmen also reacted with amazement.

All eyes were on Leo.

‘Me, the freshman representative?’

Leo too felt bewildered.

While he had undoubtedly made a significant impact during the entrance exam, he believed that Selia and Abad would have scored higher.

In fact, those two had been the most active during the exam and had tied for the top scores.

As Leo ascended the stage, leaving his perplexity aside, he made eye contact with Albi, who had overseen the western exam.

The typically expressionless Albi displayed a faint smile.

It seemed to be a recommendation from the supervisor.

Setting aside his confusion, Leo took his place on the stage.

There was a prepared speech on the podium.

“Respected professors and senior students, thank you for welcoming us freshmen in this manner. We freshmen, as proud members of Lumeren, from now on…”

Leo delivered the speech without a trace of nervousness.

Various emotions filled the gazes fixed on him.

Questions and curiosity about how a regular student had outshone the top scorers to become the representative.

Envy and jealousy at having achieved such an honorable position.

“…Freshman representative, Leo Plov.”

Applause broke out.

“Well done, student Leo. Now, as the freshman representative, please share your aspirations.”

The presiding professor spoke with a sly grin on his face.

The ambitions of the freshman representative were evident.

This had been a long-standing tradition of the Lumeren entrance ceremony.

Having triumphed in fierce competition to secure the role of freshman representative, one was granted the opportunity to address the entire school.

Nevertheless, there was an underlying motive to inspire other first-year students.

‘Is this a challenge to those who could have claimed this position?’ Leo thought to himself with a smirk.

Certainly, many students who had consistently excelled desired this prestigious role.

Turning around, Leo peered down at all the incoming freshmen.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our freshman representative, Leo Plov.”

As Leo politely greeted the audience, the presiding professor couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“This year’s freshman representative appears to be a well-mannered student. Ambitions befitting a top student, I suppose.”

Truthfully, even students with assertive personalities would rarely overstep in this role.

“This year’s entrance ceremony seems to be proceeding smoothly…”

“If you covet this position, step forward and claim it,” Leo boldly declared.

The presiding professor’s eyes widened in surprise.

The other freshmen gasped in astonishment.

Leo offered a confident smile and gracefully exited the stage.

Leo had astutely grasped and played along with the school’s intentions.

‘Even so, that was rather audacious!’ the presiding professor inwardly exclaimed.

Amidst the upperclassmen, chuckles of amusement could be heard.

“This entrance ceremony will be memorable, won’t it?”

“It seems we have a rather cheeky junior.”

All eyes remained fixed on Leo.

Nonetheless, Leo, undaunted, stepped down from the platform.

As he returned to his seat, his gaze met Selia’s.

Selia, her eyes fixed on Leo, let out a small chuckle and lifted her chin in approval.

Abad, seated next to her, warmly smiled at Leo.

“Wow! Leo was chosen as the representative?”

Upon returning to his seat, Chelsea excitedly whispered,

“Aren’t you disappointed that Abad wasn’t selected?”

“While it’s regrettable that Abad wasn’t chosen, both Abad and I witnessed Leo’s determination firsthand, right?”

Chelsea nodded with her arms crossed.

“Even if he didn’t say it, I’m sure Abad recognizes Leo’s capabilities.”

“Is that so?” Leo glanced at Abad, who was seated in the front row.

After some time, the entrance ceremony concluded.

***

Following the entrance ceremony, the freshmen were promptly led to their respective dormitories.

Naturally, the dormitories were segregated by gender.

Each dormitory resembled an opulent mansion, lined up side by side.

A garden adorned the central area, with training grounds situated throughout the premises.

At the gathering point for freshmen, one of the dormitory managers addressed the group.

“Each of you will have a private room, and there’s a curfew in place. In exceptional circumstances, overnight stays elsewhere are permitted. However,”

The dormitory manager paused briefly.

“Entry into the dormitory assigned to the opposite gender is strictly forbidden.”

The dormitory manager’s expression turned stern.

“We understand that, at your age, you may be curious about the opposite sex. Nonetheless, please maintain appropriate boundaries.”

“Yes,” the freshmen responded cheerfully.

The dormitory manager couldn’t help but smirk at their enthusiasm.

Although they responded positively, there were always a few students who broke this rule at least once a year.

‘Of course, they never repeat the mistake.’

“Now, collect your belongings, settle into your designated rooms, and assemble back here in one hour.”

The dormitory manager pointed out the luggage that had been delivered during the entrance ceremony.

The freshmen chatted energetically with their friends as they searched for their bags and checked their assigned dorm rooms.

“Oh, Leo! It seems our rooms are right next to each other?”

“Really? That’s awesome.”

When Karl spoke with enthusiasm, Leo smiled in response.

“But I must say, I was quite surprised to see you become the student representative!”

“Yeah, it caught me off guard too.”

“Did you perform exceptionally well on the exam?”

“It appears the examiner was impressed with me.”

Leo and Karl carried their luggage up to the second floor, drawing the attention of their fellow freshmen.

“Is he the freshman representative?”

“Why did he get picked as the representative over the top scorers? Does he have connections?”

“Do you think having connections could land you the position of freshman representative?”

‘Seems like I’m getting noticed from day one.’ Leo thought to himself.

After changing into their room, they regrouped and had a busy schedule ahead.

First on the agenda was class assignments.

While Lumeren primarily offered major-based classes, there were also general courses where students attended with their peers.

For the freshmen, there were ten classes, ranging from class 1 to class 10.

Leo, accompanied by Chelsea and Karl, found themselves assigned to class 5.

Subsequently, they were given a comprehensive tour of Lumeren Academy’s facilities.

As one of the world’s only four hero academies, Lumeren Academy boasted an expansive campus.

Just touring the essential facilities took up half a day.

Upon returning to the dormitory, the dormitory supervisor awaited them.

“Welcome. I’m Obelio, the supervisor for the freshman dormitory. You’ve had a long day today. Starting tomorrow, you’ll have a week of temporary classes.”

During the temporary class period, students had the freedom to choose any class they desired.

Even if a student intended to study knighthood, they could opt for magic or summoning courses.

In the process, students sometimes unearthed hidden talents they hadn’t been aware of.

“Classes commence tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late with excitement. Get a good night’s rest.”

After Professor Obelio’s dismissal, the students made their way to their respective dorm rooms.

“Phew~ What a busy day it’s been!”

Karl yawned and stretched.

“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow! Anyway, Leo, have a restful night!”

“Yeah, you too.”

After bidding each other goodnight, they entered their respective rooms.

Once inside, Leo changed into his pajamas and settled into bed.

Feeling the comfort of the bed, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

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“What do you believe yourselves to be?”

“Huh?”

“You are students of Lumeren, which means you have the potential to be heroes! Shouldn’t your priority be to face challenges independently when confronted with a crisis?”

Ain’s stern words left the students in shock.

At that moment, Ain noticed Leo’s swift and decisive action.

“At least there’s someone competent.”

The rising tentacle of the Kraken lunged forward with great speed.

Swish!

Leo unsheathed his sword and severed the tentacle.

Thud!

With a kick, he sent the wriggling tentacle that had fallen to the ground into the lake, shouting,

“Don’t be intimidated by its size! You are more than capable of handling it!”

Leo’s gaze was firmly fixed on Selia and Chloe.

“Hmph! Who claimed we were frightened?”

Annoyed, Chloe smirked, and Selia, determined not to be outdone, drew her sword.

“What do you take me for, Leo?”

Whoosh!

A fiery aura, the emblem of Zerdingher, erupted from her sword.

“As if I would be afraid of a squid like this…!”

Splash!

“Aaaaah!”

A water cannon shot from the tip of the Kraken’s tentacle, drenching Selia.

Although she used her aura armor to defend herself, Selia quickly became soaked.

“It’s the Kraken’s nature. It reacts to heat and shoots water cannons.”

Leo chuckled while lightly tapping Selia’s forehead.

“You appear to be lacking in experience, don’t you?”

“Ugh! We’re the same age, you know! Quit talking about experience!”

Rubbing her flushed face and forehead, Selia retorted sharply.

Meanwhile, the Kraken launched another attack.

Selia’s eyes narrowed menacingly.

“This cursed squid! I’ll turn you into calamari!”

Whoosh!

Selia’s sword traced a brilliant arc.

Slice-slice-slice!

The Kraken’s tentacles were finely chopped and scattered.

Leo smiled at Selia, who looked back with triumph, and swung his sword.

Whoosh!

With a tremendous swoosh, the Kraken’s tentacles were cut even finer than Selia had managed.

“Heh! It seems like you’re falling behind!”

Provoked by this, sparks flew from Selia’s eyes.

“Your swordsmanship is quite impressive.”

Meanwhile, Chloe raised her magic wand and began chanting a rune.

Jingle-jangle!

“Icicle.”

Ice particles gathered in midair, forming a large icicle.

Upon Chloe’s command, the icicle was launched.

Crack-crack-shatter!

Frozen by the magic, the Kraken’s tentacles shattered into pieces.

“Hehehe! Why break a sweat like knights when you can be clever from a distance… Ahhh??!”

Just as Chloe was getting overconfident, she became the target of the Kraken.

Caught off guard by the unexpectedly rapid attack of the Kraken, Leo grabbed Chloe by the scruff of her neck and pulled her back.

“Wizards shouldn’t be at the front.”

Swish!

Leo swung his sword, cutting off the Kraken’s tentacle.

“Krakens react to mana, so be cautious with your magic.”

“Ah, understood.”

The freshmen, who had initially been in a state of panic, regained their composure and launched a counterattack.

Although the Kraken was a high-level monster, the students of Lumeren were not easily overwhelmed.

Watching from the rear, Ain curled his lips into a grin.

“This year’s freshmen are quite exceptional,” he thought.

Ain, who had been reprimanding the freshmen earlier, now felt very satisfied.

This lake was renowned for being the habitat of various aquatic monsters, and as a result, attacks from these creatures had become almost an annual event.

All Lumeren freshmen were exceptionally talented, and by gaining admission to Lumeren, the most prestigious institution, they had already demonstrated their skills.

Skills, background, education—none of these were lacking in the freshmen. Naturally, they were filled with pride and confidence.

‘With such a mindset, they can’t fully grasp Lumeren’s teachings.’

The freshmen were unaware that they had merely met the minimum standards to study at Lumeren. This was precisely why a sense of vigilance needed to be instilled, and why Lumeren allowed attacks from aquatic monsters.

Of course, they were not left entirely defenseless against these creatures. As evidence, when attacked by the Kraken, the most significant concern—the destruction of the hull—did not occur.

However, the freshmen remained preoccupied with fending off the Kraken in front of them, unaware of this fact.

‘The top students’ performances are truly outstanding.’

While evaluating the freshmen’s abilities, Ain’s gaze settled on Leo.

“Impressive,” Ain thought, a glint appearing in his eyes.

Leo’s swordsmanship was sleek, devoid of unnecessary movements. Furthermore, he seemed to anticipate the Kraken’s movements, effortlessly dodging and severing its tentacles.

“I should remember this,” Ain concluded.

Judging from his sword skills, it was evident that Leo aspired to join the Knight Department. Believing he had discovered an exceptional student, Ain smiled with satisfaction.

***

Although the freshmen had barely repelled the Kraken, the onslaught of aquatic monsters did not relent.

The lively onboard party from earlier felt like a distant dream, replaced by a procession of monsters.

After approximately an hour, the freshmen were utterly drained. Their uniforms were soaked, their bodies covered in sweat, and their faces displayed clear signs of exhaustion.

They had been engaged in a relentless battle against the relentless monsters.

“I can’t fight any longer! I’ve run out of mana!” Chloe exclaimed, sprawled on the floor.

“Uh… Does anyone have any mana potions left?” Karl inquired, scanning the group, but no one responded.

Selia, panting heavily, stole a quick glance at Leo.

‘This stamina monster!’

Leo, seemingly impervious to fatigue, remained vigilant at the water’s edge. How could someone of the same age possess such inexhaustible stamina?

“Hoo!”

Gritting her teeth and taking deep breaths, Selia stood beside Leo.

Then, a cry rang out.

“I see the dock!”

“The end of this exhausting battle is in sight!”

“Waaaahhhhh!”

Cheers erupted from the deck. After the prolonged fight, this was the best news the weary students could hope for.

A short while later, they docked, and the students disembarked from the ship, looking thoroughly drained.

Awaiting them on the dock was a petite woman in a suit, wearing glasses.

“Thank goodness! It appears nothing major has occurred!” she exclaimed.

Hearing this, the students experienced a surge of emotion internally.

“Nothing major? We were attacked by monsters!” they thought, though none voiced their complaints openly.

If she had come to greet the freshmen, there was a high chance she was a professor at Lumeren.

“Professor Ain, thank you for guiding the freshmen. I’ll take it from here.”

“Understood.”

Nodding, Ain turned to the freshmen.

“I’ll be teaching the first-year Knight Department course this year.”

The Knight Department students looked somewhat surprised.

“Some of you in the Knight Department will be in my class.”

Including Leo, Ain smiled mischievously at several students.

“For those of you who aspire to reach greater heights, make sure to join my class!”

“Yes!”

“Understood, Professor Ain!”

The Knight Department students responded loudly.

Satisfied with their response, Professor Ain wore a meaningful expression.

“And be sure to pay close attention to your orientation teacher.”

With that, he left.

“My name is Artian Niere, and I’ll be in charge of the first-year Summoning Department course.”

The woman, adjusting her glasses, introduced herself with a friendly smile.

“Artian Niere? I’ve never heard that name before.”

Selia tilted her head in confusion.

Typically, if someone is a professor at Lumeren, they are quite renowned in their respective fields.

However, the name Artian Niere was unfamiliar.

“Artian Niere is pretty well-known in the central region,” Karl chimed in.

“Who is she?”

“She’s known as a Spirit Summoner.”

“Spirit Summoner?”

Selia looked surprised.

Summoning magic is broadly divided into three fields:

Contracting with elementals – Elemental Magic.

Summoning animals – Beast Summoning.

Calling upon spirits – Spirit Summoning.

Among these, Spirit Summoning, which invokes the aid of entities known as spirits, is a very rare ability.

‘It was one of Risinas’ specialties.’

Spirit summoning is a natural-born special ability, so even elite students couldn’t acquire it.

“Shall we head to the entrance ceremony then?”

Artian said with a gentle smile.

However, the students protested.

“Professor! Isn’t there a place where we can change our clothes?”

“Exactly! We can’t attend the entrance ceremony like this!”

The students, who had been respectful during Professor Ain’s time, now voiced their concerns loudly.

All of them hailed from noble backgrounds.

Under Professor Ain, they had been intimidated by the title ‘Ice Knight’.

However, in front of the seemingly delicate and lesser-known Artian, they immediately expressed their grievances.

“No, no! We need to adhere to the schedule…”

“We can’t possibly appear at such an important event in this condition! Our families would never allow it!”

“That’s right! We proudly entered Lumeren! This treatment is unacceptable!”

“Absolutely! We’ll lodge a formal complaint through our families!”

“Everyone, please?!”

Truly gentle in nature, Artian couldn’t handle the students’ complaints and appeared to shrink back.

The more confident students raised their voices even higher.

“We might need to step in.”

Selia furrowed her brow, while Leo softly chuckled.

“I think it’ll resolve itself.”

“What do you mean?”

Artian lowered her head in dismay.

And then…

“You darn kids! Despite all the care I’ve given you, do I look like a pushover to you?! How dare mere freshmen act so arrogantly towards a professor!”

Suddenly, Artian’s head shot up, and a barrage of curses spilled from her lips.

In stark contrast to her previous demeanor, her eyes now blazed with intense fury.

The rowdy students were taken aback.

One male student, still in shock, quickly protested.

“Even if you’re a professor, using such language is not acceptable…”

“Look at this guy. Still clueless?”

Smack!

“What… what?”

With a sinister grin, Artian grabbed the male student by the collar, and despite his larger size, there was no sign of resistance.

Instead, a golden aura radiated from her body.

“Gasp? An aura?”

“Dual class?”

The students were astonished.

The male student in Artian’s grip turned pale with fear.

Artian forcefully flung him toward the lakeshore.

“Aaah!”

Splash! Splash!

The student who landed in the lake spluttered and struggled.

Artian issued a stern warning.

“If anyone else dares to defy me like this, they won’t get off lightly…!”

Before Artian could finish her sentence, her demeanor shifted again.

“This is troublesome.”

Her aura changed to a colder one as she sighed and made a casual hand gesture.

This time, golden mana surged forth.

Artian used her magic to rescue the student from the water.

The students’ eyes widened in shock.

She was introduced as a professor of summoning, but she was using aura and magic!

“I suspected as much.”

“Do you know about her ability?”

A surprised Selia overheard Leo’s murmur and asked eagerly.

“She has bonded with spirits, and her change in demeanor is due to the spirits she has contracted with.”

“Necromancy? I’ve only heard of that ability!”

Selia expressed her admiration for such a rare ability among spirit summoners.

Indeed, Professor Ain’s advice to listen well had its reasons.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. The spirits I’ve bonded with can be a bit impulsive!”

Artian, back to her original self, apologized profusely. However, the students remained cautious.

They quickly realized that the professor in front of them might not be widely known but was undoubtedly a formidable figure.

In the midst of it all, Artian smiled broadly and said,

“Anyway, everyone! Let’s proceed to the entrance ceremony!”

“Yes…”

The students, treading carefully, responded meekly.

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Two days later, in the morning.

Leo and Selia strolled toward the pier of Lake Lumeria.

All eyes turned to them, clad in the unmistakable uniforms of Lumeren students.

“Look, they’re newbies from Lumeren.”

“Aren’t they fresh-faced?”

Cheerful smiles and words of encouragement greeted them from the passersby.

Then, a fruit vendor generously threw two apples their way.

Leo deftly caught them and expressed his gratitude with a smile.

“Thank you!”

“Absolutely! Work hard and excel in your studies!”

Crunch! 

Leo took a bite of one apple and offered the other to Selia, who politely declined.

“People here seem to have a favorable opinion of Lumeren.”

“We represent the future.”

Heroes enjoyed immense popularity among the public, and the students of Lumeren were prospective heroes themselves. They followed in the footsteps of former heroes, preparing for potential threats to the world.

The crowd cheered for these hero hopefuls.

“While Tarataros has been quiet lately, we can’t predict when they might pose a threat again. Moreover…”

Selia paused in her steps, raising her chin.

“We shouldn’t remain subservient to Seirun forever!”

Humans and elves had a strained relationship. To foster racial harmony, the elf hero academy, Seirun, and Lumeren frequently engaged in friendly competitions, from quiz battles to sports and even simulated combat. These contests, known as Lusejeon, had a centuries-old history and helped reduce tension between the two races. However, due to the students’ strong sense of pride, these exchanges had become fiercely competitive.

In recent years, Lumeren had been losing to Seirun.

“Just wait and watch. We’ll humble Seirun!”

“Absolutely, give it your all.”

Selia’s eyes blazed with determination as Leo, nonchalant, continued to enjoy his apple.

As they approached the pier, they spotted other freshmen.

Some were riding broomsticks, others were mounted on summoned creatures, and a few were armed to the teeth with various weapons.

“People are certainly excited.”

Selia shook her head at the spectacle.

Then, a boy with light orange hair intercepted their path.

“Hey, you two! You make a great pair! Can we chat?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Karl Thomas, hailing from the Kingdom of Moira.”

“And?”

“It’s not much, but…”

Karl flashed a smile and skillfully handed both Leo and Selia a business card from his pocket.

“For all your needs, from weaponry to potions! Visit Karl’s Shop for anything you require during your school days!”

He winked, laughed heartily, and hurried off to approach another student.

“What a diverse bunch of people.”

Selia, looking somewhat perplexed, tucked the business card into her pocket.

“I’m going to meet some fellow countrymen.”

The Lodren Empire, a formidable nation in the western continent, had a significant presence among the newcomers from the west.

“I’ll explore a bit. We’ll rendezvous later at the pier.”

“Sure thing. I’ll see you at the pier.”

After Selia departed, Leo leisurely roamed the area, observing both the fresh-faced freshmen and the families gathered at the pier to celebrate their enrollment.

The array of cultures on display stirred a sense of nostalgia within Leo.

“It’s just like Guardsron,” he thought.

Guardsron, a city known as the last bastion during the era of disasters, where Risinas and Kyle had ignited the first sparks of resistance against Erebos.

As he dwelled on these memories, Leo came to a sudden halt.

Thud-!

“Eh?”

He had been bumped from behind by a blonde-haired female student who was engrossed in her book and hadn’t noticed him.

“Ah, sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“No worries.”

After offering her apologies, she continued on her way, her attention back on her book.

“If she keeps that up, she’ll run into someone else… Hmm.”

Leo noticed an ID card on the ground. It bore a photo of the girl who had bumped into him, and the name “Chloe Muller” was written on it.

He glanced around, but Chloe had vanished into the crowd.

“I’ll return it when we cross paths again,” he resolved. As fellow freshmen, they were bound to meet.

“Karl’s Shop! Take my business card!”

Karl, the person Leo had seen earlier, was distributing business cards to other newcomers.

Their eyes locked, and Karl approached with a friendly grin.

“We meet again?”

“How’s the marketing going?”

“Eh, so-so. These high-and-mighty nobles barely give me a second glance.”

“Well, considering most Lumeren students come from noble families, that’s hardly a surprise.”

“Exactly. Heh heh.”

Karl shrugged, his laughter easy and infectious.

“Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Karl Thomas, fifteen years old!”

“I’m Leo Plov, from the Kingdom of Delrad, and I’m the same age as you.”

“You’re a noble?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, and you’re not bothered by the fact that I’m a commoner?”

Leo chuckled at Karl’s astonished expression.

“By the way, Delard Kingdom means the western exams, right? I heard those tests aren’t a joke. You passed?”

“It was no walk in the park.”

Leo and Karl continued their conversation.

Thanks to Karl’s friendly demeanor, they quickly became friends.

“What’s your major plan? My family has a long lineage of alchemists, so I’m aiming for the Magic department.”

“I’m also considering the Magic department.”

“Really? Then let’s be close pals from here on out, Leo!”

Karl beamed, clearly delighted.

Of course, Leo intended to study not only magic but also knightly studies and summoning.

As they chatted, a massive ship emerged from the mist on Lake Lumeria.

It was a vessel shuttling between Lumeren and Lumeria.

“Wow, that’s enormous!”

Karl exclaimed.

Shortly afterward, a silver-haired man in uniform disembarked from the anchored ship.

“All new students, gather ’round!”

The freshers, who had said their farewells to their families, assembled in front of the man.

“Time for attendance.”

The people standing behind the man used magical scanners to confirm the students’ identities.

While retrieving his student ID, Leo noticed a female student searching frantically for something.

“Just a moment.”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

Karl followed him.

Chloe, looking bewildered, was taken aback when Leo approached her.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

“You dropped this earlier.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Chloe, receiving her student ID from Leo, radiated a bright smile.

“You saved me! I’m Chloe Mueller!”

“Chloe Mueller?”

Karl looked astonished.

“The top student, Chloe Mueller, from the northern exams?”

“Yes. And who are you two?”

“I’m Leo Plov, and this fellow is…”

“Karl Thomas! Whether it’s weapons or potions, I’ve got everything you’ll need for your studies! Here’s my business card!”

Karl promptly handed Chloe his business card.

Chloe, as she received the card, appeared intrigued.

“A store? So, you plan to primarily work as a supporter?”

“Haha, the valedictorian really catches on quickly, huh?”

“I’ve learned from the upperclassmen.”

All students at Lumeren were considered hero candidates and possessed remarkable talents. However, distinctions still existed among them. Some grappled with feelings of inadequacy about their talents as they navigated their school life. These individuals often transitioned into the role of supporters, assisting the heroes in various capacities, from combat support to supplying materials, and more. While these supporters were indispensable to the heroes, most students remained singularly focused on achieving hero status.

It was evident that Karl had already chosen the path of a supporter.

“Well, considering my entrance grade was just barely passing.”

“If your offerings are good, I might become a regular customer.”

“Oh, wow! I’m already making friends with one of the valedictorians. Lucky me!”

Karl chuckled heartily.

“Let’s all become close friends! We’re all part of the Magic department!”

“Magic department?”

Chloe tilted her head.

“I mean, you’re in the Magic department?”

“Yes.”

“Not Knight department?”

Chloe, a top performer, immediately sensed Leo’s aura.

“I plan to dual-major.”

“What? A magic knight? That’s amazing!”

Karl was visibly excited.

Although rare, there were individuals with dual-class abilities, and Lumeren had a significant number of dual-class students.

Chloe simply nodded in response to Leo’s words.

At that moment, a faculty member approached and checked the IDs of the three students.

With the attendance check complete, the faculty members stepped back.

The silver-haired man in uniform stepped forward.

“I am Professor Ain Elrand of Lumeren.”

“Ain Elrand? The Ice Knight?”

“That Ain Elrand?”

“I want his autograph!”

“Shh!”

Ain silenced the enthusiastic students.

“We are now heading to Lumeren. Everyone, board the ship.”

“Yes!”

***

Before the entrance ceremony, the new students busied themselves admiring the view from the deck.

The ship operated by Lumeren Academy boasted a deck of luxurious proportions.

The atmosphere on the deck resembled a grand social gathering.

Renowned chefs had prepared a variety of traditional dishes from around the world, delighting the students’ palates and senses.

Even Professor Ain was leisurely sipping wine on the deck.

Impeccably dressed staff members scurried about, attending to the students’ needs. The aristocratic students reveled in the lavish treatment, sharing laughter and camaraderie.

“As expected, Lumeren Academy is unlike any other.”

“I’m eagerly anticipating our school life. Aren’t you?”

The new students dreamed of their upcoming academic journeys.

Yet, Leo furrowed his brow.

“Something doesn’t feel quite right.”

“What’s wrong?”

Karl, balancing a plate full of food, inquired with a puzzled expression.

“This is supposed to be a hero academy, but it feels more like a social gathering.”

“We’re still in the entrance ceremony phase, you know. Anyway, Leo, I’ve gathered some information.”

“Information?”

“Yes! Look over there!”

Karl grinned and pointed to a large male student with light brown skin quietly dining on one side of the deck.

“That’s Warden Tyden! He was the top scorer in the southern exam and majors in summoning!”

“A spirit summoner, huh?”

“Yeah, you’ve also looked into it, haven’t you?”

Although Leo had recognized it at first glance, he didn’t bother to correct Karl.

“And that one is Chen Shia, the top scorer in the eastern exam!”

A petite female student with black hair and black eyes, possessing an exotic appearance, was sampling dishes from various countries with curiosity.

“She majors in knighthood and apparently knocked out all her competitors in the exam.”

Karl then pointed to the opposite side.

“And that one is the top scorer from the central exam. He’s our kingdom’s third prince, Duran Moira, majoring in knighthood.”

A young man with light blonde hair was gently swirling his wine glass. He was surrounded by students who appeared to be on good terms with him.

Karl gestured next to Leo with a dissatisfied expression.

“And the top scorer from the north.”

Chloe was savoring cake while engrossed in her book.

“The top scorers from the west are two: the renowned Selia Zerdingher and Abad Lewalin.”

“Leo, were you aware of this?”

Just then, Selia approached them.

“Welcome, Selia.”

“Selia? Could it be Selia Zerdingher?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re close friends with Selia Zerdingher? That’s amazing!”

Karl grinned and extended his hand to Selia.

“As I introduced earlier, I’m Karl Thomas!”

“Hmm? You’ve become fast friends, I see? I’m Selia Zerdingher.”

Selia shook Karl’s hand and then turned her attention to Chloe.

“And who is this?”

“I’m Chloe Muller.”

“The top scorer from the north?”

“Exactly.”

Chloe smiled confidently.

Selia, who had been observing with interest, then turned to Leo.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Just that the academy’s image is different from what I expected.”

Lumeren was renowned for its rigorous selection of top talents and its training of heroes. Consequently, life at the academy was known to be incredibly demanding, with a high dropout rate. It was surprising, then, that they were offering such a luxurious cruise.

“Are they really going to subject us to rigorous training even before the entrance ceremony?”

“You might be overthinking it,” Karl agreed with Selia just as—

Boom!

The ship’s hull violently shook.

“What was that?”

Just as Leo mumbled, something emerged from the lake.

Splash!

“Ahhh! What’s happening?”

“Could it be a Kraken?”

“A Kraken out of nowhere? What’s going on!”

Giant octopus tentacles suddenly engulfed the deck, throwing the students into chaos.

“Professor Ain! Help us!”

A female student rushed toward Professor Ain, desperately seeking assistance.

Professor Ain furrowed his brows.

“Help you? Why should I?”

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Lumeria City

Situated at the heart of the continent, this bustling metropolis earns its reputation as the world’s epicenter, not only due to its geographic centrality but also for its profound symbolic significance.

Within Lumeria City, one of the warp gates emitted a radiant light.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at Lumeria City. Kindly ensure you have all your belongings and proceed to disembark through the gate.”

Accompanied by this announcement, Leo stepped out through the gate.

The warp gate had been strategically placed on the outskirts of Lumeria City, atop a highland terrain.

The moment he emerged from the gate, the magnificent cityscape of Lumeria City unfolded before his eyes.

Whoosh!

Leo’s snowy-white hair billowed in the breeze.

The awe-inspiring panorama of the sprawling, advanced metropolis stretched out before him. In the distance, a lakeside area, resembling an expansive ocean, came into view.

Normally concealed by a dense mist, the lake was unusually clear that day, allowing Leo to discern the imposing edifice of Lumeren Academy, the grand castle situated at the lake’s far end.

“I’ll be heading there in two days.”

A month had passed since he had undertaken the entrance examination.

As was customary, the entrance exams had generated significant buzz, with the western regional exam, which Leo had participated in, being the most talked-about due to the record-low 40 students passing.

‘It’s not my concern.’

Leo had been preoccupied with his preparations for school.

Today marked the culmination of a month-long endeavor, as he arrived in Lumeria. No members of the Plov family had accompanied him since Lumeren’s entrance ceremony did not permit outsiders to attend.

“Go and learn as much as you can before returning.”

Recalling the faces of his parents, Dade and Reina, who had bid him farewell, Leo wore a contented smile.

Despite being nobles, his parents had simple tastes, believing in allocating resources for the welfare of their territory rather than squandering them on the warp gate.

Naturally, Leo shared his parents’ viewpoint.

After exiting the warp gate, Leo made his way to what could be deemed the heart of Lumeria City, Kuraju Street.

“Where should I wait as she instructed?”

“Leo! Over here, Leo!”

Approaching with her lustrous black hair tied in a waist-length ponytail and donning practical yet elegant outdoor attire, Selia caught the attention of onlookers as she waved and approached Leo.

She greeted him with a radiant smile. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. Congratulations on becoming the valedictorian, by the way.”

“I share the title with Butter Boy, so I can’t say I’m entirely thrilled. Still, being a valedictorian is quite an achievement.”

She remarked, gracefully sweeping her hair aside.

“Now, give me a bit more respect, won’t you?”

“It’s hard to respect someone I’ve seen throwing a tantrum.”

“Hey!”

Selia exclaimed, her face turning crimson.

“Ugh! Seriously, you never let me win!”

Selia, who had been glaring at Leo, let out a deep sigh.

“Where’s Uncle Zis?”

“He mentioned he’d arrive in the evening. I planned to do some shopping on Kuraju Street in the meantime.”

Kuraju Street offered an array of goods essential for life in Lumeren, from uniforms and textbooks to department-specific items like weaponry, staffs, and summoning catalysts.

“Have you already purchased your uniform and textbooks?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let’s take care of that today. Come along; I’ll personally guide you.”

***

The first stop on Selia’s agenda for Leo was a spacious clothing emporium situated along the main thoroughfare.

Within the glass-fronted display cases, the uniforms of Lumeren were elegantly showcased.

Prominently etched on one of the labels was the brand name, “Blessriger.”

“It appears quite upscale.”

“Indeed. This establishment has been crafting Lumeren uniforms for a millennium.”

In Lumeren, there were three distinct categories of attire deemed essential:

Formal attire for special occasions.

School uniforms for daily classes.

Practical outfits for hands-on tasks.

All these garments were required to meet specific standards. 

To meet these standards, they employed a magical fabric called “Mana Cloth,” which was infused with mana. The quality of the uniforms hinged on the type of Mana Cloth used, as Selia explained.

“Furthermore, Blessriger is considered a top-tier brand. I procured my uniform from here as well.”

After her elucidation, Selia led the way into the store.

Ding-ding.

“Welcome to Blessriger.”

The attendant stationed near the entrance greeted them warmly and held the door open.

As they stepped inside, a few customers were visible, including youngsters who seemed to be new Lumeren students.

While perusing the various displays, a middle-aged woman made her entrance.

“Hello, Miss Selia. It’s truly an honor to have you grace our establishment once again.”

The woman who extended her courteous greetings was elegantly attired.

“However, may I inquire… were you not satisfied with the uniform we tailored for you?”

“Oh no, I’m here to arrange for a men’s uniform today.”

Selia flashed a smile and gestured toward Leo.

“He’ll be joining me in school this year.”

“Ah, I see. I had thought you were the sole representative from Zerdingher this year. So there’s another young master.”

The tailor, filled with admiration, greeted Leo with utmost politeness.

“Allow me to introduce myself; I’m Nera, one of the tailors here at Blessriger.”

Leo soon surmised that she was a mage.

‘Well, one needs to possess magical abilities to handle mana-infused fabric. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to see a mage serving as a tailor… times have certainly changed.’

“Sir, if you don’t mind, I’ll take your measurements.”

Nera produced a tape measure from her pocket and proceeded to measure Leo’s dimensions.

“Your intended department is the Knight Department, correct?”

“Yes.”

“What is the attribute of your Aura?”

The attribute of Aura was contingent on the individual’s Aura technique, and the composition of the Mana Cloth varied in accordance with this attribute. It could either bolster resistance to opposing attributes or enhance the potency of the same attribute. While Mana Cloth didn’t produce dramatic effects, even a modest enhancement could prove advantageous in the fiercely competitive environment of Lumeren.

“Please fashion it using non-attribute Mana Cloth.”

“Pardon me?”

Nera appeared slightly perplexed, and Selia, who observed the proceedings with a bright smile, furrowed her brow.

Leo couldn’t help but grin as he clarified.

“I’d like it made with non-attribute cloth, please.”

Non-attribute Mana Cloth, in essence, referred to fabric devoid of any specific attribute. Naturally, no customer typically desired this.

“Understood.”

However, when the customer requested it, the request had to be accommodated.

After gathering the necessary measurements and information, Nera disappeared into the tailoring room.

“Why the sudden change to non-attribute? Wouldn’t it be more fitting to use Fire attribute Mana Cloth to match our family’s Aura?”

Leo contemplated for a moment before responding, “Well, I’ve been giving it some thought.”

‘Non-attribute means it can adapt to anything.’

Of course, he planned to master Zerdingher’s Aura technique, but that wouldn’t be his sole focus.

“By the way, I don’t have any money.”

“Do you think I’d ask you to pay? My father has decided to cover all your school expenses from the Zerdingher family’s funds.”

Leo remembered the assurance Reina had given him.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. My brother may be a bit tight with his purse, but he’s wealthy. And if he ever acts too frugal, I won’t just stand by.”

Those were Reina’s words when Dade expressed concern about Leo’s enrollment fees, uniform costs, and textbooks.

According to his mother, all the personal assets she had when she was part of the Zerdingher family were left behind. Even though she had left the family, she retained the right to her separate accumulated property.

‘Knowing Mom’s personality, she’d probably storm into Zerdingher and turn everything upside down.’

The family head must have been aware of this, which explained the support.

A short while later, Nera, displaying her exceptional tailoring skills, swiftly produced the perfectly tailored uniform.

After a fitting and some minor adjustments, they were done.

About an hour later, Nera, the accomplished tailor, gave a courteous bow.

“We’ll have the uniform delivered to your dormitory.”

Following the staff’s guidance, they settled the payment and exited Blessriger.

“So, shall we proceed to purchase textbooks?”

Selia led Leo to a spacious bookstore.

Their shopping list included essential textbooks mandatory for all students, as well as subject-specific texts relevant to their majors.

Leo perused not only volumes on chivalry but also those pertaining to magic and summoning studies.

“Are you getting ready for the duel already? Quite thorough, aren’t you?”

Selia observed Leo, nodding in admiration. She chuckled as he muttered to himself.

“I have a lot to learn, after all.”

Of course, he didn’t voice this aloud, as it would likely earn him a bewildered look from Selia.

Finally, they secured all the required textbooks.

Afterward, they embarked on a tour of Lumeria.

Lumeria was a sprawling city with plenty to see and explore. Sightseeing proved enjoyable, and indulging in street food added to the fun.

Watching Selia savor her ice cream with unbridled delight, Leo couldn’t help but smile.

‘She’s still a kid at heart.’

While Selia had always been mindful of her image as a Zerdingher family member, she exhibited a more carefree and girlish side when in Leo’s company, her peer.

As the day drew to a close and dinner time approached, Leo and Selia returned to their lodging.

“You’re back?”

“Uncle!”

Zis was patiently awaiting their return.

“What’s going on?”

With a worried expression, Selia approached, and Zis affectionately tousled her hair before turning his attention to Leo.

“Leo, have you been doing well these past few weeks?”

“Yes.”

“The results of the family council have been announced.”

Following the entrance exam, Zis had proposed to the family that Leo should be allowed to learn [Phoenix Breath].

It was a delicate matter whether an outsider like Leo could acquire the arcane technique reserved for recognized family members only.

The ensuing discussions had stretched over a month, and today, the results had finally been disclosed.

“You’ve been granted permission to inherit [Phoenix Breath].”

Upon hearing those words, Selia’s face lit up as she exclaimed to Leo,

“Congratulations, Leo!”

Selia, who had trained and undergone the testing alongside Leo, believed that he was a natural fit for the Zerdingher family. However, the sentiments of the family’s higher-ups might have diverged from her own.

She had been anxious throughout this period, but now the authorization had been granted.

“Even though my sister left the family, you’re still my sister’s son, and besides…”

Zis grinned.

“The elders held your success in the Western Exam in high regard.”

The notoriously challenging Western Exam, which only 40 individuals had managed to pass, had already gained international recognition.

Zis handed Leo a crimson key.

It was a spatial key.

“Go ahead and unlock it.”

At Zis’s instructions, Leo inserted the key into thin air and gave it a twist. A rift in space opened, and a book materialized.

He opened the book, only to find its pages blank.

“It’s sealed.”

The sealing mechanism was easy for him to discern.

“Prick your finger and let a drop of blood touch the pages.”

Leo bit his finger, drew blood, and then allowed it to fall onto the book’s surface. As he did so, text materialized on the once-empty pages.

“From now on, this book can only be accessed by you.”

“Understood.”

“Although you haven’t officially been admitted yet… how about acquainting yourself with it in advance?”

“Is that permissible?”

“Absolutely. If you can awaken your aura before admission, it’s to your advantage.”

Zis offered a knowing smile.

“However, it won’t be a walk in the park.”

***

Having been granted access to [Phoenix Breath], Leo retreated to his room.

“Why are you here?”

“Starting now, you’ll be practicing with your aura, right? If you encounter any difficulties, I’ll assist you.”

“Willingly?”

“Of course, but you’ll have to say, ‘Please help me, miss.'”

“The one who lost to me and called me ‘sir.'”

“Hey!”

Selia playfully hurled a cushion at her cousin, who had brought up her embarrassing past. Naturally, Leo skillfully dodged it, eliciting an annoyed expression from Selia.

Observing Leo seated on the bed and engrossed in the book, Selia’s irritation grew.

“Goodness! I won’t assist you until you ask politely!”

Leo cast a brief glance at Selia, who had turned her head away, and let out a chuckle before returning to peruse the book’s contents.

‘Just as I expected.’

The book contained the aura technique of a renowned family, a method known for its complexity and power.

As Leo delved into the intricacies of the mana manipulation for [Phoenix Breath], Selia couldn’t help but grin.

‘This won’t be a walk in the park.’

With Leo’s current proficiency, he might easily master the fundamental aura techniques.

‘Aunt mentioned that Leo has reached the mana resonance stage.’

Achieving mana resonance was a significant milestone, and it meant that mastering the aura technique was more than halfway accomplished.

However, [Phoenix Breath] was no ordinary method. It demanded not only mana resonance but also proficient mana manipulation. Through this manipulation, one needed to create ‘flames’ to surmount the initial hurdle.

Even Selia, often hailed as a genius, had taken a full week to manifest those flames when she first attempted it.

Before long, Leo would encounter the intricate challenges of mana manipulation.

Selia couldn’t help but grin inwardly.

‘I’ll settle the score for making me play the servant. For the next two days, you’ll have to address me as ‘miss’~’

It was time to return the favor for the humiliation she had endured previously.

Whoosh-

Flames erupted from Leo’s form, swiftly enveloping him. They took on a wing-like appearance behind his back but soon dissipated.

“It’s certainly no cakewalk.”

The initial step in mastering [Phoenix Breath] involved employing one’s aura to forge wings of flames, a feat Selia had taken a full week to achieve.

‘But this guy…’

“Miss, I’m stuck here. Is there an easier method?”

Leo inquired, pointing to a passage in the book with a complete lack of politeness, prompting Selia to…

“Hey, you lunatic! There are limits to what’s reasonable! Who on earth expects to grasp it with just one glance!”

…respond with an exasperated outburst.

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Leo extended his polearm and approached Talatunia.

“Can that guy handle such a weapon while fighting?” Chelsea, who was preparing to support Leo with magic from a distance, wore a worried expression.

Even in Chelsea’s view, Leo’s swordsmanship was exceptional. But if the weapon changed, it would be a different story.

“It would be better to borrow someone else’s sword…” While Chelsea was worried,

Whoosh- Whoosh- Whoosh-

As he approached Talatunia, Leo twirled his fingers to rotate the polearm. A significant weight was felt. A challenging object to handle at Leo’s age without the help of Aura. However, for Leo, who had been training beyond physical limitations since a young age, it was no hindrance. Rather, this weight became a weapon for him.

Whoosh-! Whoosh-! Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh-!

The polearm, which had been spinning lightly, began to spin at a terrifying speed. Talatunia lunged with its mouth wide open.

Thwack-!

Gathering centrifugal force, Leo slid the polearm down to the handle and gripped it. Then he swung it with one hand.

Whack-! Clang!

Screaaam!

The polearm, swung full force, embedded its ax into Talatunia’s head. The weight and rotational force of the polearm became a destructive physical force, obliterating Talatunia’s head in an instant. As everyone watched in horror,

Leo retrieved his polearm and leapt into the air. Then, he slammed the ax into its back with both hands.

Crack-!

Screeeee.

Talatunia jabbed its long front leg into its back.

Roar-!

Leo, who had leapt and dodged the attack, lightly touched down.

“I can’t use it for long.” He quickly checked the condition of his weapon. Though he had landed a successful blow, just one attack had damaged his weapon. Aura enhances the weapon’s attack power but also preserves its durability.

“Chelsea!”

“Uh, yes?”

“Use wind magic to send me weapons from the other examinees!” As he dodged Talatunia’s attacks, Leo shouted.

“It’s impossible to have precise control in such a fast-moving situation! You could get hurt!”

“I’ll catch it, so send it quickly!”

“Uh, which weapon?”

“Any! Just send it!”

Upon Leo’s urging, Chelsea collected weapons from the examinees using wind magic and sent them over.

Whistle-!

A sharp scimitar and a hefty bastard sword flew towards Leo.

“Use whichever you’re comfortable with!”

Crack-! Snap!

The ax blade of the polearm, which had struck Talatunia’s head, broke. Leo threw away the handle and reached out his hands as he stepped back.

‘Based on the sound, a scimitar and a bastard sword?’ He accurately determined the types of weapons coming his way just by their sounds.

Screaaaam!

Talatunia tried to stab Leo with its front legs.

Leo gracefully evaded the attack with a mid-air jump and a swift spin.

Thud! Thud!

With pinpoint accuracy, he snagged both weapons simultaneously: a scimitar in his left hand and a bastard sword in his right.

Using the flat of the bastard sword, Leo deftly blocked Talatunia’s front legs that were lunging at him.

Zing-!

A powerful shockwave rippled through his body.

“Ugh!”

Suppressing a groan, Leo swung his left hand as he was pushed back.

Slice-!

Screeeech!

In that brief moment, Leo managed to sever one of Talatunia’s front legs and swiftly regained his footing.

Without hesitation, he charged forward.

Talatunia’s defense wasn’t particularly strong; any sufficiently forceful weapon could cut through it, Aura or not.

Yet the attacks from other examinees proved ineffective for a simple reason: Talatunia healed faster than it could be wounded.

‘Is the Ring of Life really this troublesome?’ Leo chuckled as he pressed himself to his limits while charging.

Throughout his life, Leo had consistently pushed past his limits, and now his body responded effortlessly to his will.

Even without using Aura, his movements were nothing short of miraculous.

Witnessing this, the other examinees watched in awe, their mouths agape.

Polearm.

Scimitar and bastard sword.

Claymore.

Dagger.

Longsword.

Spear.

Battle ax.

With each weapon that broke, Leo seamlessly transitioned to another contestant’s weapon, displaying ghostly expertise regardless of the type.

The spectacle was electrifying.

He exhibited almost miraculous proficiency, adapting effortlessly to any weapon as if he could wield every one in the world.

Without hesitation, he confronted Talatunia.

His presence resembled that of a war god.

“Can someone our age really possess such a diverse array of weapons and engage in combat like this?”

“Who is this guy?”

The aspiring knight contestants couldn’t believe their eyes, their admiration growing.

Even Chelsea, initially poised to assist Leo with magic, found herself in awe.

Leo’s movements were so rapid that using magic recklessly in the melee chaos was impractical.

So, she watched with a mix of worry and wonder as Leo confronted the fearsome monster alone.

He was a true hero, a man whose past victories alongside [Hero] Arion in impossible battles had left an indelible mark.

Even in a life-or-death battle where one misstep could prove fatal, Leo remained unflinching.

His heart was at peace.

‘I was worried after 15 years, but this feeling hasn’t disappeared,’ he thought as he gasped for breath.

But he kept smiling.

He relentlessly pushed Talatunia back.

At one point, an attack grazed him, tearing his flesh.

But he didn’t falter.

‘Forward! Forward!’

Was this a trial? Nothing compared to the countless trials he’d faced in the past.

‘If I can’t handle a pest like this, those folks in the afterlife will have a good laugh!’

This wasn’t even worthy of being called a trial.

Snap-

“Damn!”

A cracking sound echoed from the longsword Leo clutched.

The weapon had reached its limit.

In just a short span of 5 minutes, dozens of weapons had already shattered.

Just as Leo was about to request the next weapon from Chelsea,

“Leo! I’m ready!”

Selia’s shout in his ear made Leo grin.

“Inhale!”

With that command, he vaulted as far away from Talatunia as he could.

Whoosh-! Roarrrrrrrrr-!

As if on cue,

Selia leaped into action, wielding the Flame Storm ablaze with frenzied heat.

A strong wind accompanied the searing heat, tempering its intensity.

“Enough! Die, you insect!”

Crrraaaaaaaaack!

With a mighty swing, she unleashed a scorching heat-infused storm.

The powerful tempest tore Talatunia to shreds.

The suffocating heat mercilessly consumed Talatunia.

Talatunia writhed in agony.

The Ring of Life had granted the spider infinite life, but the power of destruction soon overwhelmed its healing abilities.

Fizzle-!

The flames subsided, leaving nothing but ashes where Talatunia once stood.

Thud-!

A golden ring fell to the ground.

[Albi’s World: Chapter – The Forest of Monsters has been conquered.]

Text appeared before their eyes.

Selia collapsed to the ground.

“It’s… it’s over.”

With a nod and a deep sigh, Selia turned to Leo.

Leo, covered in wounds, stood there panting.

‘He held off that monster for 5 minutes,’ Selia marveled.

It was astonishing.

Despite being the most exhausted, he still stood tall.

Struggling to her feet, Selia approached Leo with a smile.

“Leo! Great jo—”

“Amazing! Truly amazing! You were like a hero out of epic tales!”

Chelsea exclaimed, jumping in front of Leo with her hands raised and bouncing up and down.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m aiming to be a battle mage, so I need to practice close combat as well. Will you teach me if you enroll in Lumeren?”

Chelsea’s previous reservations had disappeared after witnessing Leo’s combat skills, and she couldn’t contain her excitement.

Selia, who had approached, chimed in,

“He doesn’t have techniques to teach a Lewalin woman. Hoohee- Hoohee-“

“Why is Zerdingher butting in?”

Selia and Chelsea had a minor quarrel.

Ignoring that, Leo moved.

His entire body screamed in pain, but he ignored it and picked up the ring that Talatunia had dropped.

A small burst of golden light emanated from the ring, accompanied by the appearance of a fairy.

Leo’s eyes trembled.

A familiar fairy.

It was Silrod, the heir to the Fairy King.

He silently gazed up at Leo.

“Hey… Silrod. Do you remember me?”

With a slightly trembling voice, Leo asked.

It was their first encounter since Luna had passed away.

But Silrod simply smiled once, offering no verbal response, and then vanished.

“……”

Leo let out a bitter laugh.

This was the world of heroes.

The Silrod he had just encountered was an imitation.

‘It seems he safely became the Fairy King.’

Albi had acquired the devil’s eye from Silrod as a reward for defeating Talatunia and recovering the Fairy King’s treasure.

Leo glanced around.

Cracks had started to appear in the world.

The world they had conquered as heroes was fading away.

‘In any case, this is the end.’

Leo took a deep breath.

Then, with a brilliant burst of light, the world crumbled.

In that fleeting moment.

[Reward: The Fairy King’s Oath]

“What?”

A reward that should not have been bestowed was granted.

***

Central continent.

The central hub of the world, Lumeria City.

A historic city that had endured for 3000 years alongside Lumeren.

An elderly man stroked his beard atop the city.

“Hoho, it appears the western region assessment has concluded.”

“Is it truly finished already, Lord Albi?”

“That young lad certainly works with swiftness.”

The elderly man chuckled.

Despite being well over a century old, no one in this world could disregard him.

Sword Star Galian Beydan.

A hero among heroes who had reached the zenith of swordsmanship.

“Let’s see. Hoho? We’ve got quite a number!”

“Really? That’s so characteristic of Lord Albi! How many?”

“Forty.”

“……”

Galian stated calmly.

At his words, the woman’s eyes quivered.

“Is that… a lot?”

“Indeed, it is. I had anticipated around ten.”

Elena gripped her head.

Forty newcomers in the western region.

In other regions, a hundred students were admitted, but only forty in the western region.

It was glaringly obvious that numerous families in the western region would soon voice their grievances.

“Don’t be too disheartened. Isn’t it preferable to have forty rather than just ten?”

“True. It’s certainly better than ten. Hahaha.”

Elena, the secretary to the principal of Lumeren, clenched her teeth and chuckled.

“Who claimed the valedictorian spot, Selia or Abad?”

“It’s a valedictorian tie.”

“A tie?”

“Yes, a tie between Selia and Abad. They declared it impossible to determine superiority.”

“I see.”

Elena’s eyes gleamed.

“And there’s another matter.”

“Is there?”

“There’s a recommended representative among the new students.”

“Lord Albi?”

It was surprising to Elena that Albi, who was usually overlooked by others, would suggest a representative among the new students.

“Is it a choice between Selia Zerdingher and Abad Lewalin?”

Usually, the recommended new student representative came from the valedictorians.

In response to Elena’s intrigued expression, Galian replied,

“It’s someone named Leo Plov.”

“So, it’s neither Selia nor Abad but someone else?”

While observing Elena’s perplexed look, Galian grinned and glanced at the report.

<New Student Representative Recommendation>

Name: Leo Plov (15)

Subject: Knight Studies

Reason: Heroic Qualities

‘Ah, Albi specifically highlighted ‘Heroic Qualities.’ I wonder what sort of student he is.’

Galian stroked his beard and chuckled.

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Gulliver felt confident that he would succeed in the test.

His confidence stemmed from the fact that he had managed to endure without being eliminated thus far.

Furthermore, he had a dependable group of companions by his side.

The reason for his continued success was straightforward.

The initial group of candidates he encountered had cooperated effectively in defeating monsters.

Since that moment, he had stuck with this party.

The skills of his companions were outstanding.

They even handled trolls with ease.

In a previous battle, Gulliver’s Fireball had claimed the life of a troll.

‘I truly have some skills,’ he thought, giving himself a well-deserved pat on the back.

But his good fortune came to an abrupt end.

“Aaaaaaaaah!”

Gulliver let out a blood-curdling scream.

The student who led their party, in a desperate attempt to escape, broke the bead and vanished from the world of heroes as his arm got bitten.

Keeeek!

A massive, spine-chilling monster emitted an ear-piercing shriek.

It was a creature Gulliver had never encountered before.

A monstrous spider, with ten legs, all but the front ones grotesquely contorted.

Its body, which spewed out silk, appeared grotesquely withered, and half of its head was torn away.

Despite looking half-dead, this horrifying creature was very much alive.

Keeek! Keeeek!

“Fi, Fireball!”

Gulliver quickly cast a spell.

Whoooosh! Bang!

The Fireball struck the spider’s face directly.

“Hahaha! How about that! How does my Fireball taste!”

Gulliver clenched his fist triumphantly.

However, as the smoke from the Fireball cleared,

Gulliver’s complexion turned ashen as the spider appeared completely unscathed.

Keeeeeeek!

“Ah, Aaaaaaah!”

As the enraged spider charged at him, Gulliver screamed and made a run for it.

The knight students brandished their weapons to fend off the spider.

Pew! Bang!

“Ugh!”

But they were tossed around by the spider’s formidable strength.

For them, the spider was a formidable adversary.

“How in the world are we supposed to defeat this thing!”

One student let out a scream that resembled a roar.

Nervously, Gulliver pulled a blue bead from his pocket.

‘I must escape! But if someone manages to take this thing down, maybe I can still pass the test!’

Gulliver was indecisive, not really intending to take on the spider himself but secretly hoping someone else would.

And then, it happened.

[Wind Fang.]

Pshhh!

Keeeaaak!

A fang made of wind descended from the sky, piercing the spider’s back, and dark purple blood splattered.

Chiiiik-!

The wound healed instantaneously.

“…It’s a monster.”

Abad, who hovered in the air using Fly magic, grimaced.

Whoooosh!

This time, flames descended from the sky.

The flames soon converged into a single point.

Selia, who had concentrated the fiery aura onto her rapier, narrowed her eyes and thrust it forward.

Crack!

Keeaaak!

The spider, its head pierced, let out a shriek and wildly swung its front legs.

Selia swiftly moved out of the attack range and landed on the ground.

“Damn! It healed again?”

Upon hearing the scream, Selia and Abad immediately launched another assault on the spider.

Yet, despite taking direct hits of magic and aura, the spider healed completely.

“It’s a new type of creature.”

“It could be a demon from Tartarus.”

Selia responded to Abad’s murmuring, holding Flame Storm.

“And it appears to be the task for this test.”

“Hm? Really. Was that the key to conquering this world?”

Abad’s mouth curled into a sly smile.

Holding his staff, he began to chant in the Rune language.

Wind magic swirled around him.

Seeing this, Selia, taken aback, heightened her aura.

‘I can’t let him get ahead.’

If defeating the giant spider was the task of the test, then to become the top student, she needed to vanquish it before Abad.

Up until now, it had been cooperation; now, it was a competition.

Whooosh!

Selia’s red eyes gleamed.

Simultaneously, the aura of Flame Storm gathered at the tip of her rapier.

With her left arm holding the sword pulled back, Selia assumed a thrusting stance.

Crack!

Both her feet dug into the ground.

[Prominence!]

Selia’s ultimate attack.

A thrust that concentrated the aura into a single point!

Psssh!

The blade of crimson flames shot forward.

Keeaaak?

The flames that pierced the spider’s half-torn head went straight through, puncturing its backside as well.

“Good! No matter how formidable its regenerative abilities, this should…”

Thump! Thump!

Keeeeeeeeek!

“Impossible!”

The giant spider, now upright, emitted a piercing scream.

“An impressive attack, but…”

Abad, floating in the air, wore a sly grin.

“The destructive power of a knight and a wizard is clearly distinct.”

Abad extended both arms to complete his spell.

“Lafal.”

A wind magic of the Lewalin family.

A vortex enveloped the spider.

“Aaaaaaaah?”

“Is this a spell from a wizard our age?”

The candidates within the whirlwind expressed astonishment.

‘Is it over?’

Abad bore a meaningful expression.

However,

“No?”

The spell dissipated, revealing the giant spider.

Its body had been torn to shreds by the whirlwind.

Yet the giant spider’s body rapidly regenerated.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Abad possessed the most potent offensive power among this year’s examinees, yet his attack had no effect.

A look of defeat crossed Selia’s face.

‘How in the world are we supposed to defeat this thing?’

***

“Truly impressive talents as Zerdingher and Lewalin have boasted! To possess such potent attacks at their age!”

The adjutant couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

They have chosen competition over collaboration.’

Albi, observing the two, curled the corners of his lips.

Aspiring to be the best was not a bad thing, and both Selia and Abad had the skills to back it up.

‘But can they really take down that monster on their own?’

A creature that kept regenerating couldn’t be defeated without a decisive blow.

Among the examinees, only Selia and Abad were capable of landing effective attacks on the monster.

Yet even their skills were currently insufficient.

‘If you truly possess the qualities of a hero, then overcome this trial.’

***

‘Just as I suspected.’

A spark of insight lit up Leo’s eyes as he followed Selia and Abad.

‘The Spider Princess, Talatunia.’

He had harbored suspicions upon seeing the troll corpses.

Their method of consumption was too similar.

Talatunia, a monster who ruled the cursed forest as the daughter of the demon queen Sylatuna. Originally, she alone could bring about a devastating catastrophe capable of toppling a kingdom.

But she was not in her original state at the moment.

Her body had weakened, barely holding onto its original form.

Her once-intimidating magical aura was now only half as powerful.

Compared to her prime, she had fallen to the status of a mere worthless monster.

‘So it was the magic of the Fairy King within Albi’s left eye.’

Fairies.

High-level spirits that had existed alongside elves since ancient times.

These fairies, palm-sized with transparent wings, were potent magical entities.

Fairies formed contracts exclusively with elves, making them exceedingly rare in the human world.

Talatunia had devoured the Fairy King’s right hand 5,000 years ago.

Luna had not forgiven Talatunia for devastating her homeland and devouring the Fairy King’s right hand.

The Spider Princess, who had once single-handedly razed kingdoms, had been slain by the [Celestial Ancestor].

But thousands of years have passed since then.

Talatunia was still alive.

The reason was straightforward.

‘It’s inside her stomach.’

The Ring of Life, a symbol of the Fairy King.

The ring that bestowed endless life force had been swallowed along with the Fairy King’s hand by Talatunia.

Leo gripped his sword firmly.

He took a throwing stance and flung it.

Screeeeeee!

Talatunia screeched as Leo’s sword pierced its head.

And Leo stood beside Selia, saying,

“You seem to be struggling.”

“Step back, Leo. This is beyond your capabilities since you can’t use aura.”

Blades of wind poured from the sky, enveloping Talatunia.

In agony, Talatunia leaped into the air with an astounding jump.

“Wind Break!”

Chelsea, who had hastily followed, activated her previously cast magic.

Swoosh!

The wind blades surrounded Talatunia.

Thwarted from attacking Abad by Chelsea’s intervention, Talatunia crashed to the ground.

Thud!

The earth trembled as Talatunia made impact.

“Are you okay, big brother?”

“Thanks, Chelsea.”

Abad landed on the ground, offering a smile to his sister.

He had deemed it risky to remain in the air.

The other examinees who followed gathered around Talatunia.

“How do we defeat that monster?”

As Abad spoke with a serious expression, Leo inquired,

“Is it continuously regenerating?”

“Yes. Even my most potent magic had no effect.”

“The same goes for my attack,” Selia sighed.

“Then it’s straightforward.”

“What?”

“If we can’t bring it down individually, we must unite our forces. It’s a simple concept.”

“Leo, butter boy and I are competitors.”

“Why is my big brother a butter!”

Chelsea flared up beside them.

“I agree with Selia this time. The one who manages to take down that monster first will likely become the top examinee, right?”

After hearing Selia and Abad’s statements, Leo wore a disdainful expression.

“What if we can’t defeat it?”

“What?”

“What if that monster keeps regenerating endlessly? What if your aura and mana run out before it does?”

Leo calmly spoke as he observed Talatunia beginning to reveal its power.

“If the task of the test is to conquer the world of heroes, then we’re all disqualified as soon as we can’t defeat it.”

“That’s absurd! If my big brother and Selia Zerdingher can’t take it down, then no one in our age group can defeat that monster. That means the test is flawed.”

Chelsea pursed her lips and countered.

However, Selia and Abad couldn’t dispute Leo’s words.

It was certainly unfair to be disqualified simply for failing to defeat that monster.

But the world was inherently unfair.

“Even if we join our forces, it will take time to muster an attack powerful enough to finish off that monster in one shot.”

Despite facing a concentrated assault from thirty candidates, Talatunia remained entirely unharmed.

In fact, the candidates were being pushed back.

It was evident that they would collapse before long.

Observing this, Selia spoke with a serious tone.

“Who will keep that monster at bay during that time?”

Abad cast a glance at his younger sister Chelsea.

‘Chelsea is also not fully prepared.’

One wrong move could lead to casualties.

The world of heroes was a virtual realm.

However, death here directly translated to real-life death.

Leo chuckled in response to the earnest expressions of the two.

“I’ll hold it off.”

“What did you say?”

“I can manage it for about 5 minutes.”

“That’s suicidal! You can’t even wield aura!”

“That’s precisely why 5 minutes is my limit.”

Leo turned his body.

“So, gather all your strength during those 5 minutes.”

“What if the attack we assemble in 5 minutes proves ineffective?”

Abad inquired coldly.

Upon hearing this, Leo let out a chuckle.

“Then we all fail together. But I don’t think we’ll fail.”

“Why’s that?”

“Fire and wind have been allies for a very long time. They’re compatible.”

Leo strolled leisurely toward Talatunia.

Witnessing this, Selia remarked, “Prepare yourself, Abad.”

“Phew – I never thought we’d collaborate like this.”

Abad smirked as he summoned his mana.

Thump-thump-

“Uuuuu.”

“Are you alright?”

“Just barely! But how are we going to deal with that monster…”

“I’m going to attempt to hold it off for around 5 minutes.”

“What?”

The fallen knight student gazed up at Leo with astonishment.

“I’m going to borrow this for a moment.”

Leo picked up the polearm the student had been using.

It felt substantially weightier than a sword.

***

Thump-thump!

Screeeech-!

Talatunia, now reduced to primal aggression, emitted a low shriek in Leo’s direction.

“Brings back old memories.”

Leo grinned icily.

“It’s been a while, let’s shatter that ugly twin hammer, you pest.”

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“Conquering the world? That’s preposterous!”

Chelsea, following Leo’s lead, shook her head.

“Even the students at Lumeren struggle to conquer the realm of heroes, and you want to assign this daunting task to prospective students?”

This statement held true.

Even for the prospective heroes who had received the finest education at Lumeren, conquering the world of heroes proved to be a formidable endeavor.

Nevertheless, they intended to burden the examinees with such a formidable challenge. It was truly absurd.

However, Leo had a different perspective.

“We’re being evaluated for our qualifications as heroes, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then shouldn’t we naturally be capable of accomplishing what heroes are supposed to do? Besides, if it’s a test, the challenges should be within our ability to overcome.”

Upon hearing this, Chelsea paused.

‘He’s not wrong.’

“So, what would be the conditions for conquering it? If the examinees are meant to face a challenge, it’s likely to involve Albi’s early achievements. There’s little information available about the activities of the wizard of Maan.”

With her arms crossed, deep in thought, Chelsea met Leo’s gaze.

‘She’s quite talented.’

She was a gifted and proud young woman from a prestigious family.

Typically, such children do not pay much heed to their peers’ words.

But Chelsea found Leo’s words to be valid and immediately began considering strategies for conquering the world.

‘Her adaptability in thinking is commendable. It’s a valuable trait for a wizard.’

Although she was still inexperienced, Leo thought she was a young woman well-suited to become a prospective hero.

“The likelihood is high that it involves subjugation.”

“Indeed.”

Chelsea nodded.

The probability of needing to defeat something was significant, especially if monsters were involved.

And Leo had a suspicion about who the target might be.

‘It could be someone else, considering the circumstances.’

Leo, who had been clenching and unclenching his fists after encountering the corpses of monsters earlier, suddenly grabbed Chelsea’s wrist.

“What are you doing?”

Just as Chelsea was about to display a cranky expression due to Leo’s sudden action—

Whoosh!

Leo pulled Chelsea towards him.

Thump, thump, thump!

Two arrows landed precisely where Chelsea had been standing moments ago.

Witnessing this, Chelsea’s eyes widened.

And then…

“Huh? What?”

Wobble-! Thud!

“Ouch!”

She lost her balance and landed on her buttocks.

Rubbing her sore behind, Chelsea looked indignant.

“If you’re going to pull me, you should catch me so I don’t fall!”

“Sorry, I thought you’d get angry if I did that.”

“I’m angrier that you made me fall!”

“So, no thank you?”

“Hmph! Those arrows wouldn’t have harmed me!”

“They had aura in them.”

At Leo’s statement, Chelsea paused.

“My pre-cast shield magic would have blocked them!”

Despite her assertion, her tone turned somewhat sheepish.

“Anyway, thank you.”

In response to her words, Leo burst into laughter.

“Tsk!”

“We could have taken down Chelsea Lewalin!”

Emerging from the bushes, other examinees glared at Leo and Chelsea.

“You.”

Stepping forward, Chelsea saw the group of five examinees tense up.

“Let’s cooperate instead of fighting.”

“What?”

Caught off guard by Chelsea’s unexpected proposal, they appeared bewildered.

“Your party consists solely of knights, right? Having a wizard like me in the party can’t be a bad thing, can it? So, isn’t cooperation appropriate?”

Even though they had just launched an attack on her, Chelsea offered cooperation without any ill feelings.

After all, it was a test where bringing others down was expected.

‘If the exam were about eliminating others, I would’ve attacked mercilessly. But now, we have to conquer the world of heroes.’

Chelsea looked to Leo for his opinion, and he nodded.

“By cooperating—”

“We may be only knights, but we have long-range attacks to balance the party.”

“Huh?”

Then, a student who appeared to be the leader sneered.

“There are only two of you. If we fight now, we have the upper hand.”

“True, you’re our age despite coming from a prestigious family of heroes!”

“We know you’re scared; that’s why you’re offering to cooperate!”

Believing that Chelsea had backed down, they gained momentum.

“Why should we cooperate with you when taking you down would eliminate a strong contender?!”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

As they assumed combat stances, Chelsea tried to say something.

“Forget it; they won’t listen anymore.”

“But.”

Chelsea wore a frustrated expression.

This exceptional girl felt stifled by the other examinees, who wouldn’t even listen to her.

Drawing his sword, Leo spoke.

“If they want a fight, then we shall give them one.”

“No choice.”

Chelsea sighed and raised her staff.

Seeing her, Leo said,

“You provide support from the rear.”

“What?”

“It’s a waste of your mana to face these youngsters.”

“Are you serious? They can use aura.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Hmph. It’s on you if something happens.”

While speaking coldly, Chelsea was contemplating how to assist Leo if he were in danger.

‘I have to repay the debt I owe him.’

Chelsea fiddled with her wand.

On the other hand, the other test-takers scowled when they saw Leo.

“Who are you?”

“You’re going to face us alone?”

“Yeah, please take care.”

“You little—!”

The test-taker, thinking that Leo was ignoring him, drew his bowstring.

Whoosh!

An aura-less arrow flew towards Leo.

He had decided to conserve his aura arrows in anticipation of his battle with Chelsea.

“If he dodges, he’ll leave an opening! Then we can surround and finish him off…”

Thunk!

“…!”

“This isn’t the time to hold back.”

Leo caught the arrow and broke it as he spoke.

“What, how? Catching my arrow with bare hands!”

Whoosh!

Before the test-taker could finish speaking, Leo charged at him.

“Stop him!”

“Surround him!”

Quickly assessing the swords flying in from all directions, Leo’s eyes darted around.

However, the test-takers couldn’t fully concentrate on Leo.

‘Just by being here, she’s a deterrent even if she’s not actively involved in the fight.’

Unlike the unfamiliar Leo, Chelsea was a named-grade test-taker, and they couldn’t help but focus on her.

‘I should be thankful.’

Clang! Thump!

“What?”

Leo parried the sword and immediately punched the guy in the solar plexus.

“You didn’t seem to use any aura!”

“Of course, I’m unarmed.”

Leo spoke calmly as he looked at his bewildered opponent.

The guy who had aimed at Leo’s back was flustered to see Leo evade as if he had eyes on the back of his head.

Thump!

“Ugh!”

A side kick from Leo targeted the only two remaining test-takers.

“Use your aura!”

“Darn it!”

Leo single-handedly overwhelmed five people.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, who had been watching from behind, widened her eyes.

‘Wow, how can he move like that without using any aura?’

Chelsea, aspiring to be a battle mage, had also trained diligently in martial arts.

So she had a vague understanding of how extraordinary Leo’s movements were.

‘Impressive!’

Feeling her heart race, Chelsea was surprised.

‘No! Focus, Chelsea! He was hanging out with Selia Zerdingher!’

She shook her head but couldn’t take her eyes off Leo.

***

Test-takers were quickly eliminated.

They had been overly aggressive in their attempts to eliminate competitors.

‘I guess they thought they were being proactive.’

Albi was observing some students.

Some were boasting about how many they had eliminated.

Of course, it had nothing to do with the exam.

About an hour into the exam, out of 569 test-takers, only about 50 remained.

“Albi, those test-takers are all…”

“Eliminated.”

Albi spoke coldly, causing the assistant from Lumeren to show a startled expression.

“But Albi, they’re all exceptional talents. Moreover, on average, about a hundred students are selected in one exam…”

Albi’s icy gaze met the assistant’s eyes.

The assistant gasped.

“When the principal appointed me as the examiner, I warned that by my standards, those who don’t measure up would be eliminated. Even so, the principal entrusted me with this duty.”

“Uh-huh!”

“As an examiner, it’s my right to pass whichever students I see fit. Let’s not discuss this any further.”

Albi cut him off and turned his gaze to the magic mirror.

In his sight was none other than Leo.

‘It seems he’s noticed the anomaly in the forest.’

Albi touched his left eye.

‘I wonder if he can conquer that world?’

***

“Chelsea, you’re safe.”

“Of course, Big Brother.”

It had been about two hours since the test had started.

Leo had managed to reunite with Selia and the Abad party safely.

“So, you made it out alright. But you were with Chelsea Lewalin?”

“We crossed paths early in the test and decided to collaborate.”

“Huh? She’s quite proud and stubborn. Did she willingly cooperate with you?”

“I convinced her convincingly.”

Watching Leo smile enigmatically, Selia muttered to herself,

“What have you done?”

After a week of living together, Selia had gained a good understanding of her cousin’s cunning ways.

“You’re not all that different, criticizing and still hanging out together.”

“We can’t afford to fight recklessly without knowing the criteria for passing the test.”

Selia responded, flipping her hair.

“Anyway, you’ve assembled quite a large group.”

“Abad and I can move quickly. So we gathered people to collaborate with while wandering through the forest. Most of them are from the Lordren Empire, though.”

No one in the Lordren Empire would turn down an invitation to cooperate from the two great families, Zerdingher and Lewalin.

“Well done.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I think I’ve figured out how to pass this test.”

“Oh? You’ve figured it out?”

Selia’s eyes lit up.

“World Conquest.”

“World Conquest?”

Selia tilted her head.

Then nodded.

“True, this test is too unusual. It wouldn’t be strange if it’s related to world conquest.”

“Exactly.”

“Then there’s one problem. What are the conditions for the conquest?”

In the world of heroes, there were specific conquest conditions.

That’s why the study of Heroics was crucial.

Investigating and researching a hero’s deeds directly related to how to conquer a hero’s world.

However, if there were heroes without legends, the conditions became more enigmatic.

Especially, the worlds of living heroes were rarely conquered.

Even if they were, there were no rewards, and only the hero themselves could open their world.

Others could only access the worlds of past heroes when they met certain conditions.

“Albi is a high-profile hero, but there’s little known about his past deeds. There’s nothing to use as a clue for the conquest.”

“I have a theory about that too.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Leo sighed.

“Right now, the Forest of Monsters is experiencing an anomaly.”

“Anomaly?”

“Yes. Don’t you think the monsters are appearing too infrequently?”

“Certainly…”

Normally, there should have been relentless monster attacks.

However, in Albi’s world, the rate of monster appearances was unusually low.

‘As if they’re afraid of something?’

As Selia pondered this, her expression grew serious.

“Perhaps a higher-ranking monster appeared that frightened all the other monsters in the forest.”

“And Albi earned his reputation by subduing it?”

“Yes.”

“What could terrify the entire Forest of Monsters? I’ve never heard of such an anomaly.”

“That’s the mystery.”

Just as Leo was about to answer Selia’s question,

“Aaaaaaaaaaaah-!”

A scream echoed from a distance.

“It seems like it’s made its appearance.”

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“It’s been quite some time, Lord Zis Zerdingher.”

“Have you been in good health, Royal Wizard Rozes Lewalin?”

Zis extended his greetings to Rozes Lewalin.

Rozes Lewalin, currently serving as the Royal Wizard, happened to be a cousin of the present Lord of the Lewalin family.

“Abad, Chelsea, and Selia all entering Lumeren in the same year, huh! It’s a source of pride for all of us as members of the same empire!”

The Lord’s son, Abad, is seventeen years old, while Chelsea is sixteen. 

From the empire’s perspective, it’s excellent news that three promising talents are starting their journey in the same year.

However, viewed from the standpoint of the two families vying for the top position within the empire, it marked the commencement of a fierce competition.

“Abad is highly likely to secure the first position in the Western entrance examination.”

“Do you have a reason to be so certain?”

“Indeed, both Abad and Selia are formidable contenders for the top spot.”

Rozes glanced towards the examiner, Albi, standing at the podium.

“This examination is unique. It presents numerous variables. Plus, Abad has Chelsea.”

Implying that the siblings will collaborate to outshine Selia.

Chelsea happens to be one of the top five candidates.

If she lends her support to Abad, Selia stands little chance.

‘We may be at a disadvantage, but that doesn’t mean we should be pessimistic.’

Zis grinned with a meaningful expression, his thoughts drifting to Leo.

A massive, square magical mirror materialized in mid-air.

The audience gasped in astonishment.

A form of magic that grants access to the hero’s world.

The test parameters were transmitted here.

As the magic mirror illuminated, the screen materialized.

The moment they laid eyes on the screen,

“Haha!”

Zis burst into laughter, while Rozes widened her eyes.

They couldn’t hear it, but a young girl with light blue hair was screaming.

Her hands and feet were bound, suspended in the air with a bonfire blazing below her.

And a white-haired boy wore an ominous grin as he manipulated the ropes.

***

When Chelsea regained consciousness, she found herself suspended with her hands and feet bound.

“What… What’s going on here?”

“Awake, are we? So, are you willing to cooperate?”

“I’ll make you regret tying me up like this.”

Chelsea attempted to unleash her magic.

‘Why isn’t my magic responding?’

She sensed something suppressing her mana.

“A magic seal?”

“Yes, I drew it.”

“Are you a mage?”

“No, I currently possess no mana, so the seal isn’t particularly potent.”

“Ew! I never expected you to know magic! But I can break a powerless seal!”

“Of course, but only if you can concentrate effectively.”

“What? Eeeek!”

Chelsea was startled by the sudden surge of heat beneath her.

As Leo lowered the rope, she felt the intense warmth from the bonfire.

“Stop! Stop! Don’t lower it!”

“So, will you cooperate?”

“As a member of the Lewalin family, I will not cooperate with someone from Zerdingher!”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like you mind getting a bit scorched.”

“Ahhhhh! Stop! Stop!”

Chelsea struggled against her restraints.

The heat continued to intensify.

She attempted to break the magic seal, but it proved to be no easy feat.

Magic seals demanded considerable skill to dismantle, even when they were powerless.

If Chelsea had possessed more experience as a wizard, Leo’s plan wouldn’t have succeeded. However, her lack of experience played right into his hands.

Leo had seen through her inexperience with perfect clarity.

Chelsea’s face turned as pale as a ghost.

‘People can witness this entrance exam! What if they catch me in this predicament?’

The shame was immeasurable!

To make matters worse, her robe caught fire!

“Ah! It’s burning! Stop! Stop!”

“Swear on your family’s name. Will you cooperate?”

“I will! I will! I swear on the name of Lewalin, just please stop!”

Tears welled up in Chelsea’s eyes as she pleaded.

‘Easy.’

Leo chuckled and lowered the rope.

Chelsea swiftly extinguished the flames, sobbing.

‘No one saw me like this, right? Right. They couldn’t have. The test just started. They must have been focused on someone else.’

Unfortunately for her, Leo and Chelsea were the first ones to be broadcasted.

***

“Hmm.”

Albi let out an uninspired sigh.

The world of heroes unfolding before him held special significance.

It was the first page of his own heroic story.

He had become a hero for this very reason.

Watching the candidates struggle, Albi couldn’t help but think,

‘They’re all below par.’

Albi clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Heroes were revered by gods, and most people held the notion that heroes were noble and formidable individuals.

While such heroes certainly existed, Albi was far from fitting that typical image.

He was a neurotic who prioritized efficiency and despised inefficiency and bothersome matters.

This was precisely why he had designed this test.

Survival in the Devil’s Battlefield.

Those who survived were truly strong.

It was a straightforward yet highly effective test to separate the wheat from the chaff.

And the results spoke for themselves.

Eliminating rival candidates.

Surviving by battling monsters.

In this test, two choices were given.

The majority of candidates chose to eliminate their rivals.

‘They’re being quite foolish.’

They likely believed they were being clever, taking the fastest route to climb the ranks.

And then there were the monsters residing in the Demon’s Forest.

Orcs, trolls, and goblins didn’t pose much of a threat to test-takers.

Of course, trolls were dangerous but rare.

Two major errors had been made by the test-takers.

First, they had misunderstood the information provided.

Albi had explained the nature of the test but had never specified the passing criteria.

Meaning, they had to realize that eliminating competitors wasn’t the primary objective and proceed with caution.

Secondly, they had misjudged the Demon’s Forest.

Even some of the most powerful nations have failed in their attempts to conquer it with their armies.

Even when facing low-level monsters, prolonged combat can lead to exhaustion.

To make matters worse, these monsters are often at odds with each other, rather than cooperating in such a dire situation.

In a real-life scenario, they would have likely been wiped out.

‘Of course, if you possess exceptional skills, you can achieve both monster subjugation and the elimination of competitors.’

Albi grinned while peering into the magic mirror.

With black hair and red eyes, a girl enveloped in a fiery aura wielded her sword.

“Selia Zerdingher. Just as the rumors say.”

Selia was locked in combat with three trolls.

And behind her, a young man with light blue hair was casting incantations.

‘Abad Lewalin is no different. The empire has a promising future.’

These two rivals coincidentally crossed paths as soon as they entered the hero’s world.

Both possessed exceptional abilities, yet they chose cooperation over competition, understanding the true nature of this test.

‘There shouldn’t be any issues with those two. It’s challenging to decide who’s superior.’

Albi wore a satisfied expression.

He believed that the top two positions would undoubtedly go to them.

The screen shifted once more.

The candidate displayed in the magic mirror was locked in combat with an orc.

‘Was his name Leo Plov?’

This candidate had been the first one captured on the magic mirror’s screen and had displayed the most unconventional behavior throughout the test.

While many considered Leo insane for attempting to burn the daughter of the Lewalin family at the stake, Albi had a different perspective.

‘Regardless of the method, gaining Chelsea Lewalin’s cooperation is a point in his favor.’

He eagerly anticipated what Leo would demonstrate in this test.

And what he was witnessing now exceeded his expectations.

In fact, even the hero was taken aback.

‘While he may not possess the same strength and brilliance as Selia Zerdingher…’

Leo’s movements, effortlessly cutting through the orc with minimal effort, carried an uncanny sense of cunning.

‘An unexpected dark horse, indeed.’

***

Wham-!

“Chweeak-!”

Rotating his body behind the orc, whose heart he had pierced, Leo unsheathed his sword.

With centrifugal force, he cleanly severed the neck of the orc that had been targeting him from behind.

The moment he encountered ten orcs, Leo swiftly sprang into action.

Orcs were intelligent creatures, and if given the chance, they would form a formation and launch a coordinated attack.

Leo moved with speed to prevent that from happening.

As he dispatched the leading orcs, Chelsea began to chant a spell.

“Wind Arrow.”

She released the completed spell.

“Kuaaaaak!”

“Chweeak!”

The orcs howled in agony as the magic penetrated them.

Seven orcs fell to the magic’s deadly power.

Leo wiped the blood from his sword after cleanly severing the last orc’s neck.

Without uttering a word, he continued forward.

Chelsea, following closely behind, murmured to herself.

“Combat is more manageable.”

Even if she aspired to become a battle mage, a mage was still a mage.

The most effective tactic was to let a skilled warrior take the frontline while she focused on providing ranged support from the rear.

Chelsea couldn’t help but feel that she and Leo were working together seamlessly.

Initially intimidated when forming a party with Leo, she now believed it was a wise decision after experiencing three battles together.

Their teamwork wasn’t solely about battling monsters; they efficiently herded the creatures into one location to maximize the effectiveness of her area-of-effect magic attacks.

Naturally, the more enemies clustered together, the greater the impact of their attacks.

“Quite impressive, taking down an orc so effortlessly without utilizing aura.”

“I don’t know how to use aura.”

“What did you say?”

“I haven’t learned it yet.”

‘Is it even possible to move like that without employing aura?’

She harbored doubts but also comprehended why she had lost earlier.

‘Because he didn’t use aura, I couldn’t detect his mana.’

Chelsea placed her hands on her hips, looking rather smug.

“You’ve recklessly revealed your secret!”

“With your current level of skill, you can’t overpower me, so don’t worry.”

“Ho ho ho! What boasting.”

“I’m merely stating the facts.”

Leo’s voice held a deeper tone.

“To be honest, you possess impressive skills.”

“Huh?”

“You wield potent mana and likely possess knowledge of various spells.”

“Just because you’re complimenting me doesn’t mean I’ll take it easy on you.”

She spoke coyly but secretly relished the unexpected praise.

“But that’s the issue.”

“Huh?”

“Your skill is so formidable that you’re not fully harnessing the essence of wind magic.”

Chelsea’s combat approach involved overpowering her adversaries with potent magic, which did not align with the true essence of wind magic.

“Discussing wind magic in front of a Lewalin? How amusing.”

Chelsea sneered.

Leo’s current statements didn’t sit well with her.

She recited a spell in rune language and extended her staff.

“Wind Break.”

“Grrrrrr!”

Razor-sharp winds shot into the underbrush, tearing the lurking troll into shreds.

The fallen troll twitched briefly before collapsing.

Chelsea showcased her proficiency with a high-level spell she had pre-cast.

‘Think you know a little about magic and start showing off! You must be shocked seeing this, right?’

Chelsea wore a triumphant expression.

Observing her, Leo bore a cynical look.

“That’s not how you wield wind magic.”

The greatest strength of wind magic lay in its versatility.

Overwhelming with sheer power was the least effective way to employ wind magic.

Upon hearing Leo’s words, Chelsea’s expression darkened, and she averted her gaze.

‘After all, it would be absurd for me to assert this when I can’t even use magic right now.’

In his previous life, perhaps, but presently, he hadn’t yet learned magic.

Leo, who had been chuckling, suddenly halted in his tracks.

Chelsea’s eyes widened in response.

Around them lay scattered troll corpses.

However, the state of the corpses was peculiar.

They appeared shriveled, as if their life force had been drained.

“What could have caused this? There shouldn’t be any monsters in the Forest of Demons that possess life-draining abilities.”

Chelsea examined the corpses with a perplexed expression.

Leo, who touched one of the corpses, narrowed his eyes.

‘Could this be?’

“For now, it seems like our top priority should be reuniting with Selia and your brother. I think I have a rough idea of what the criteria for passing this test entail.”

“Huh? What is it?”

Looking at the bewildered Chelsea, Leo offered a meaningful smile.

“It’s about conquering this world.”

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