Chapter 19

【19】18

“Your name is Chen Sia, right?”

“That’s correct. Nice to meet you, Leo Flove. Feel free to call me Sia.”

“You can call me casually as well.”

“In that case, I’ll call you Lord Leo.”

Chen Sia smiled brightly with a gentle gaze.

“I didn’t know you had expertise in summoning. What discipline does Lord Leo specialize in?”

“For now, I’m aspiring to study Spirit Magic.”

“In that case, we’ll likely see each other often.”

Chen Sia revealed a faint smile as she stretched out her palm.

SWISH!

A small droplet coalesced, and the inferior water spirit, Undine, appeared.

“Which spirit has Lord Leo contracted with?”

“I haven’t contracted with any yet.”

Chen Sia nodded understandingly.

Perhaps he might not be aware, but among the students who choose summoning as a minor subject, there are those who haven’t formed a contract but possess spiritual affinity and mana.

Chen Sia assumed Leo fell under that category.

“If you ever need any advice in summoning spirits later, feel free to ask me. I’ll help you.”

She seems like someone who enjoys helping others.

“Thank you.”

“Hmm… And how old is Lord Leo?”

“15 years.”

“In that case, I’m your senior then. I’m 17.”

’17?’

Leo glanced at her curiously.

Since the acceptable age range for admission to Lumeran is from 14 to 17, there was nothing unusual.

Still, Chen Sia was petite and looked incredibly youthful.

‘Even if she was the same age as Chelsea, I’d believe her. Two years older?’

“Lord Leo, were you just having disrespectful thoughts about me?”

As Chen Sia half-opened her eyes, Leo responded craftily.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

While Chen Sia maintained her suspicious gaze, the class began.

Compared to the earlier knight-training class, the students for the summoning class were far fewer in number.

Despite the class already being underway for a while, there was still no sign of the professor.

“Looks like it’s about time for the professor to show up… but no one’s coming.”

As Chen Sia said this with a perplexed expression, Leo looked towards the sky.

“He’s here.”

On hearing this, Chen Sia too lifted her gaze skyward.

An enormous Black Wyvern was descending, its wings flapping mightily.

WHOOSH!

As it touched the ground, the Black Wyvern flapped its wings and landed with a powerful thud.

“Wow! A Black Wyvern!”

“A top-tier familiar! Incredible!”

Students were in awe, some even shouting in excitement, at the rare familiar one would rarely see in a lifetime.

From atop the Black Wyvern descended an individual.

The female professor, standing around 170 centimeters, had her long gray hair tied up into a casual ponytail that reached her back, giving her a wild look.

Her form-fitting leather outfit accentuated her voluptuous figure, and at her waist hung a leather whip.

“Nice to meet you, freshmen chickens! I’m Yura Marneen! I’ll be your professor for summoning over the next year!”

“Honored to meet you, Professor Yura!”

The students greeted her in unison.

Upon hearing their response, Yura crossed her arms and nodded her head.

Her ample bosom swayed slightly, causing a few male students to turn red in the face.

“Where are all the associate professors and assistants?”

In response to her call, an assistant hurried toward her.

“Professor. Preparations are complete.”

“Why are you late? You’re an associate professor!”

“Because the professor suddenly changed the class schedule!”

“I don’t want to hear your complaints! Isn’t it obvious that my schedule is always unpredictable? You should always be prepared, shouldn’t you?”

“Gyah! What unreasonable demands!”

Professor Carlo hung his head as if he had lost the argument.

‘Completely unreasonable.’

Such was the thought shared by Leo and the other students.

Could they even properly learn anything under such a professor?

Of course, some of the male students were too preoccupied ogling Professor Yura to care.

“Anyway, are the preparations complete?”

“Yes.”

“Good then, brats. Everyone here has the talent to be a summoner, correct?”

Professor Yura’s countenance turned serious.

“And to the students who casually consider themselves talented in summoning and chose it as a minor… Allow me to offer a word of advice.”

Her gaze grew dangerous and intense.

“Leave now.”

Despite her warning, no student moved.

It wasn’t a surprise; the freshmen who had passed the entrance exams weren’t mere cowards.

“There’s no one? If so, I’ll assume that everyone here is ready. Let’s move.”

Chen Sia raised her hand.

“Where are we going?”

“Where else?”

Professor Yura smiled mischievously as she pointed in a specific direction.

Over there, assistants were leading a herd of griffins.

“That’s the practice site.”

*

The students screamed with excitement as they mounted the griffins in pairs.

Flight-capable familiars were rare.

Therefore, most freshmen, aspiring summoners, had never ridden a griffon before since they were notoriously difficult to summon.

“I’m glad I came to Lumeran!”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I get to form a contract with a familiar like this one?”

The students spoke with excitement in their voices, imagining the possibilities.

“Hey! Switch now! It’s my turn to steer!”

“Just a little longer!”

Ten minutes into the flight, the freshmen were already bickering over who would hold the reins of the griffons.

“Surprisingly enjoyable.”

Even Chen Sia, gripping the reins tightly, spoke excitedly.

“Be careful though.”

“Excuse me?”

“Griffins can be challenging for someone riding them for the first time.”

“But they’re so calm and obedient, aren’t they?”

“Yes, for now, they’re just being cautious with the professor watching.”

Leo glanced backward toward the leading Black Wyvern, ridden by Professor Yura.

“True, given this professor’s personality, I doubt they’ll remain docile for long.”

Suddenly,

SKREE!

“Eep!”

The griffon began roaring almost immediately after Leo finished speaking.

Not only the griffon carrying Leo and Chen Sia but all the previously cooperative griffons now started bucking around wildly.

Startled, Chen Sia pulled at the reins desperately, but there was no sign of regaining control.

“Aaaah! Not responding!”

“What’s gotten into it all of a sudden!”

“Professor! Help!”

Other students descended into panic.

Riding atop her Black Wyvern, Yura laughed in amusement.

“Can’t control a griffon properly and still claim to be Lumeran students? Show me your skills!”

“Wha- what? Eeek!”

Chen Sia, who was flustered, found her hands being pulled by the griffin’s strength, causing her to almost lose balance.

She had already begun to lift off the saddle.

However, thanks to her specialization in knight training, she promptly recovered.

Determined this time, Chen Sia tightened her hands to challenge the griffon’s power.

Leo used his right arm to pull her toward him, wrapping it around her waist.

“Wha-? Lord Leo, how dare you…?”

“Griffons have strong egos. They buck more when you attempt to overpower them.”

With his left hand, Leo gently pulled the reins.

The griffon, which had been struggling wildly against its reins, paused, seemingly recognizing the gentle and familiar touch.

It eventually began to calm down.

‘This griffon’s well-trained; it’s incredibly easy to handle.’

To a seasoned rider, there was no easier flying familiar.

Chen Sia observed this with visible fascination.

“Lord Leo, have you ever ridden a griffon before?”

“No, this is the first time in this life.”

At this, Chen Sia turned her head and peered intently at Leo’s face.

Leo, puzzled by her gaze, looked back.

“It seems to be true.”

Chen Sia directed her gaze forward again, slightly tilting her head in contemplation.

“But how do you handle this griffon so well? Do you have any special methods?”

“Just studied from the textbook.”

“Hmm! Indeed, one must be talented to make such bold statements at the entrance ceremony.”

Chen Sia chuckled, clearly impressed.

Leo, paying less attention to that, tightened his grip on her.

“I’m going to increase speed. Don’t fall and stay close.”

“Isn’t this a bit too casual with an elder lady?”

“Elder lady? Oh, sorry.”

“Not only casual, but you’re also rude.”

Chen Sia, with half-closed eyes, pinched the back of Leo’s hand, which was wrapped around her waist.

However, as she realized there was no ill intent in his actions, she leaned back comfortably against Leo’s chest.

As the preparations were concluded, Leo shouted,

“Let’s go!”

When Leo pulled the reins, the griffon, roaring loudly, soared higher into the sky.

“Wow!”

The griffon moved distinctly differently from when Chen Sia had held the reins, eliciting a gasp of admiration.

“Hmm, interesting?”

Professor Yura’s eyes gleamed.

“A student riding a griffon with such proficiency? Who’s that boy?”

“Let’s see, it’s Leo Flove.”

“Leo Flove? Isn’t he the student representative? I heard he’s aspiring to specialize in knighthood.”

“Yes, he defeated Duran Moira, the top student in the central examination, in the previous class.”

“Then how can someone like him handle a griffon like that? Does he have his own personal griffon?”

“No, considering his background as a noble from a small kingdom, his family doesn’t own one.”

While checking the student roster, Carlo offered an accurate reply.

“If so… It must simply be talent, right?”

Professor Yura smiled, her eyes twinkling, as she licked her lips.

“In that case, he’s skilled enough that he could easily choose summoning as his main subject instead of knighthood.”

“Professor, I understand your sentiment, but the professors of the knighthood department aren’t ones to let go easily.”

“What will they do? Talented students for knighthood are abundant, but not for summoning. Moreover, the students haven’t even selected their main subjects yet, right?”

Professor Yura grinned fiercely.

Upon seeing this, Carlo looked uneasy.

‘Ah, I hope nothing out of the ordinary happens.’

The griffons landed on an expansive island within Lumeria Lake.

Although technically considered a lake, Lumeria was so vast it could be mistaken for a sea. It housed several islands like these, often used as practice grounds.

“Phew.”

With a nimble jump, Chen Sia alighted from the griffon.

When Leo dismounted, the griffon rubbed its beak against his cheek.

As Leo reached for a tree fruit to feed it, something caught his attention—a large gray feather on the branch.

‘What’s this?’

“Lord Leo, is something amiss?”

“It’s nothing.”

Leo tucked the feather secretly into his vest.

In the meantime, the other students had arrived on the island.

“Aaah!”

“Too… Exhausting!”

“I’m going to vomit… Ugh!”

Most students were completely drained merely from riding the griffons.

Of course, some were unaffected, notably Warden Tyden, the top student from the southern examination, who seemed unfazed.

Another unaffected student was a girl with a slightly haughty expression. She glanced disdainfully at the others while meticulously manicuring her nails.

Both students handled griffons almost as proficiently as Leo.

“Warden, Eliza. These two are definitely going to be the aces of this year’s summoning majors!”

Seeing the two, Professor Yura gleamed with satisfaction.

“There are indeed a few students with remarkable taming skills. Enough lounging around! Everyone gather here!”

As the satisfied Professor Yura shouted, the students rushed to form a line.

Smiling wickedly at the assembled students, Yura announced,

“We will be conducting a practical test today!”