Chapter 146

Chapter 146. New Semester (1)

After the summer vacation ended.

The first class signaling the start of the second semester at Reynaldo Hero School.

The ‘Combat Training’ class, which was the most crucial course last semester, has now evolved into ‘Combat Training 2,’ increasing its importance and weight even further.

Excluding minor duel classes and basic physical training, ‘Combat Training 2’ now occupies over 90% of the course load, with classes packed from Monday to Friday.

Thus, the first class of ‘Combat Training 2,’ which could be said to determine everything for the second semester’s grades.

The door to Class C’s classroom opened, filled with candidates, not a single one absent or slacking off.

*Creak.*

Entering through the door was a large, burly man reminiscent of a wild beast.

Professor Lucas, in charge of the Warrior Department and responsible for Combat Training Class C.

“Let’s see… Surely no one’s missing, right?”

Professor Lucas scanned the classroom with his fierce eyes.

Well, it goes without saying.

There wasn’t a single candidate foolish enough to skip Professor Lucas’s class on the first day.

After looking around the classroom, Professor Lucas turned to me and asked,

“Candidate Dale. Did you have a good vacation?”

“Yes, it was a very fulfilling vacation.”

It wasn’t an empty answer.

Considering the achievements made during this vacation, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I stumbled upon several significant opportunities.

Yurina grew at a terrifying speed, fitting the term ‘genius’ perfectly.

Berald not only improved his own skills but also inherited the legacy of the Iron Fist, achieving explosive growth. Camila steadied her wavering heart and found her path forward.

Iris also greatly improved her ability to handle the ‘Seven Eyes’ by using a large-scale divine magic with a sacrifice, and even Juliet, who joined the training after the summer break, achieved significant results.

‘I’m no exception.’

After nearly burning down a dormitory before the summer break due to failing to control ‘Blaze,’ I’ve now raised my proficiency to a level where I can use it in actual combat.

‘It was a vacation with results beyond expectations.’

As I smiled contentedly, feeling satisfied,

“Yes, yes. You even went to a heavenly resort, so it must have been so fulfilling it could burst.”

“Huh? How do you know about that, Professor?”

“Professor Elisha bragged about it so much that even if I had no interest, I couldn’t help but know.”

“Ah.”

So, she went and bragged to Professor Lucas again.

“Hahaha! Some of us had to stay cooped up at school all summer for supplementary classes… while others were so busy enjoying their youth they lost track of time!”

Professor Lucas glared at me with bloodshot eyes (scary) and gritted his teeth.

“So jealous… utterly pathetic! What kind of hero candidate are you? Huh? Only thinking about going out and having fun during vacation!”

“I wanted to go too… A hero should always prioritize self-cultivation, no matter when or where!”

“I wish this damn world would just go to hell… Don’t forget your duty as a hero, Dale!”

“……”

It feels like his inner thoughts are leaking out.

‘Next time, I should invite Professor Lucas along.’

Seeing him give a passionate speech with bloodshot eyes made me feel a bit sorry for him.

“Phew. Anyway. I trust you all enjoyed your summer vacation to the fullest.”

Professor Lucas scanned the candidates and raised the corner of his mouth fiercely.

“But that ends today. This second semester is packed with classes much tougher than last semester, so you’d better be prepared.”

“……”

The candidates’ faces stiffened at Professor Lucas’s ominous warning.

“Hehe. Well, I don’t plan to push you too hard on the first day, so don’t worry.”

Professor Lucas smiled as he looked at the frightened candidates.

“Let’s see… Since it’s the start of the new semester, let’s have our Class C representative candidate come forward and share their aspirations for this semester.”

The classroom buzzed at the mention of the Class C representative candidate.

Among the six classes from A to F, with about 80 candidates in each, who could be called the ‘representative’ of a class?

If it were Class A, it would undoubtedly be Yuren Helios, but Class C had many uniquely strong candidates.

Camila Bediche, a candidate for the Holy Kingdom’s sword.

Iris, revered as the Holy Kingdom’s saint.

And Dale Han, the ‘Last Seat Hero,’ whose recognition has been rapidly rising since last semester.

Among such formidable candidates, the one chosen as the representative was,

“Alright, then.”

Professor Lucas gestured towards a candidate with a freckled, naive face.

“Candidate Albert. Come forward.”

“Nooooo! Why! Why me again?!”

Albert, who had been sitting comfortably with an ‘As if they’d call me’ expression, jumped up from his seat.

This time, Albert wasn’t going to take it lying down, slamming his desk and shouting.

“Usually, the representative candidate is the one with the best grades from the previous semester, right?”

“You got a diamond badge in the final evaluation.”

“That, that was honestly just riding on my party members’ coattails!”

“Hoh. Excellent grades and humility… Truly, you are worthy of being the representative candidate.”

“Gaaaaah!”

Albert clutched his head and writhed in agony.

Biting his lip and looking around, Albert’s gaze fell on Iris and Camila.

“Someone like me… wouldn’t Iris or Camila be more suitable as the representative candidate?”

“Hoh. Are you trying to push the Holy Kingdom’s saint and future sword aside?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

As Albert sulked, he seemed to have a good idea and turned to me.

“Ah, right! Dale! You got the top score in the final evaluation, didn’t you?”

“Candidate Albert. Common sense dictates we wouldn’t entrust the representative role to a fool who’s been suspended three times.”

“Why! Why are you being logical only now!”

Eventually, dragged out by Professor Lucas, Albert stood at the podium.

The candidates’ eyes focused on him.

“Uh… so, um…”

Suddenly chosen as the representative, Albert opened his mouth with a pale face.

“E-everyone, this semester will have even tougher classes. Maybe… someone here might get seriously hurt, or even lose their life.”

“Some might think, why should we take such risks just because we were given the Holy Mark? Why are we deprived of the right to live normally like others and forced to live as ‘heroes’?”

“Maybe some here think we no longer need ‘heroes.’ It’s been 500 years since the Five Great Heroes sealed the Devil God.”

But.

“Last year, 2,551 people were sacrificed to demons and monsters within the empire alone. That’s the official count, and the actual number is much higher.”

“In places we don’t see… or choose not to see, countless people are still being sacrificed.”

“Professor Lucas said he doesn’t expect us to protect humanity or the world, but I think differently.”

“I believe special power comes with responsibility.”

Albert touched the Holy Mark on his left chest and continued.

“Since we were born with the gods’ blessings on our chests, we cannot turn our backs on those who need us.”

“Someone once told me, no matter how insignificant you feel, we all have a role.”

Albert looked at me and smiled faintly.

“Even if it’s scary, hard, and painful.”

Even if your legs tremble in fear.

Even if it’s so hard and painful you want to run away.

“Let’s not forget.”

That we are ‘heroes.’

“……”

“……”

After Albert’s speech.

Silence fell over the classroom.

*Clap, clap, clap, clap.*

Breaking the silence, applause began to echo.

The growing applause filled the classroom.

“Wow! Albert, you’re better at speaking than I thought!”

“Albert, showing off like that.”

“Ah! My hands and feet are cramping! Take responsibility, Albert!”

The candidates cheered and whistled.

“Hehehe.”

Professor Lucas, who had been standing near my seat watching Albert’s speech, chuckled softly with his arms crossed.

He looked at Albert on the podium with a satisfied smile.

“My judgment was right after all.”

“No, you just wanted to mess with him.”

Now you’re saying your judgment was right, what nonsense.

“An excellent speech, Candidate Albert!”

Ignoring my remark, Professor Lucas walked down to the podium.

With a bright smile, he put his arm around Albert’s shoulder.

Albert, under the immense pressure, smiled awkwardly and sighed in relief.

“Phew. Well, at least it’s over.”

His heart was pounding when he first stood at the podium, but he managed to finish well.

“More than just over. It was a very impressive speech.”

“Haha. Thank you, Professor.”

“Hehe. Then I’ll count on you next time too.”

“Yes. Next time too… huh? Next time?”

Albert’s eyes widened as he looked at Professor Lucas.

Ignoring Albert’s gaze, Professor Lucas turned to the classroom and shouted.

“Hahaha! Our Class C representative candidate is Albert Hoover! Any objections?”

“Yes!”

“Of course not!”

The candidates clapped and cheered.

“Congratulations, Albert!”

“You’re truly worthy of being the representative!”

“I believed in you, Albert!”

Amid the cheers filling the classroom.

Albert looked at Professor Lucas with a pale face.

“W-wait! What do you mean, Professor?! Wasn’t this just a one-time thing?”

“I was planning that, but after hearing such a great speech, I can’t help it! You’ll be the representative candidate from now on, Albert!”

“Nooooooo!!!”

As Albert screamed, Professor Lucas quickly ran out of the classroom.

“Then I’ll go to the faculty meeting to officially propose it!”

The blazing summer sun began to wane in September.

The start of a new semester.