Chapter 195

195

After a one-night, two-day journey, Leo and Lil returned to Rumelia City.

Ignit immediately disappeared upon entering Rumelia.

“Where did Lord Ignit go?”

“As I said, even though you two convinced him, he’s not really a people person.”

Watching Lil’s perplexed expression, Jin pointed toward the bustling crowd and said:

“He probably hates this kind of busy street.”

“Ah.”

Lil nodded as if understanding.

“Still, thanks for enduring the hardship of the mission. It was a pretty tough task, but you handled it well.”

Jin grinned with folded arms, and Lil scratched her head.

“I didn’t really do anything special. Leo handled the entire mission.”

Lil slumped her shoulders.

Seeing this, Jin chuckled.

“Quit being modest. You’re pretty monstrous too, from what I’ve seen?”

Jin grinned and folded his arms.

“Having such outstanding juniors gives me confidence! I’ll be looking forward to this Ruse Tournament. Let’s all do our best!”

“Where are you headed, Senior Jin?”

“I’m here on a short errand in Rumelia City. You two go ahead.”

Jin waved and disappeared into the crowd.

Lil marveled as she watched his departing figure.

“Heroes really are amazing, aren’t they?”

“That’s right.”

“Anyway, Leo. Since you helped me with the mission, I’ll treat you to something delicious.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Not at all. Because of me, you lost a precious weekend, so I must properly repay you.”

Saying this firmly, Lil took Leo and began walking down the street.

A short while later, Leo arrived at a restaurant tucked away in an alley.

“Isn’t this a pub?”

“Yes, but they also have other menu options besides alcohol. Plus, their food is incredibly delicious! It’s a popular spot for students across all grades at Lumeran!”

Leo nodded his head and entered the pub with Lil.

As Lil had said, many Lumeran students were visible inside the pub.

They recognized Leo and Lil and waved at them.

Leo and Lil joined a corner seat, and Leo rested his chin, looking around the interior of the pub.

“I haven’t been to a place with this kind of vibe in a long time.”

“So, Leo, you’ve been here before?”

‘Yeah, about 5000 years ago.’

Leo smirked to himself.

“I thought someone from Zerdinger would have no connection to places like this.”

“My maternal side is from Zerdinger, but I didn’t know about it until I entered Lumeran.”

“Really?”

“Yes. My family background is pretty complicated.”

“Ah, I see. I’ve asked something unnecessary.”

Lil looked apologetic.

“Though it’s complicated, it’s not offensive or anything.”

As Leo shrugged, the door jingled open, and a group of students walked in.

“Kal, is it really okay to come to a place like this?”

“Yes, it’s fine! I came with the commercial club seniors before, and it was amazing here!”

“If there’s trouble, it’s all on you.”

Leading a group of ten students from the Department of Magic, Kal entered the shop.

“There won’t be any trouble, right? Besides, we’re from Lumeran, so we’ll have to visit places like this often during missions… Hey? Leo!”

Kal, who was trying to reassure Chelsea, noticed Leo and waved to him.

Clara and Chelsea turned their gazes sharply toward Leo.

Kal approached him with a cheerful smile.

“Small world. Ah! Senior Lil! Nice to see you!”

“Yes, nice to see you again, Kal.”

Lil smiled and greeted him.

As the other 1st-year Department of Magic students approached Lil, they bowed.

“Hello, Senior Lil.”

Being one of the most famous students at the school, all of them naturally knew who Lil was.

Lil smiled warmly at the juniors greeting her.

“Seeing the gathering of Department of Magic students, it seems like you’re preparing for the Ruse Tournament.”

“Yes.”

“There’s a lot to prepare, from selecting representatives and more.”

Kal licked his lips.

“Seirun is the strongest in magic among the four hero academies, so everyone is preparing fervently.”

“Huh. When I was in my first year, I was overwhelmed with preparations and didn’t relax until the day of the Ruse Tournament.”

‘Of course, once the day came, I was so nervous I had to take medicine.’

Lil refrained from mentioning the latter part of her story.

She always wanted to be a dignified senior to her juniors.

Just then,

“So, why did Senior Lil and Brother Leo spend an overnight on an outing?”

The first-year magic students exclaimed with surprise as Chelsea stared at Leo and Lil with her large eyes.

Chelsea was the type who couldn’t help but be curious, and she was also bothered that the two had spent a day outside together.

Smiling, Lil replied:

“I received a mission and had Leo’s help.”

“I see.”

Chelsea smiled and nodded.

The worried-looking Clara let out a sigh of relief.

Then her eyes met Kal’s.

“What?”

“Does this make you feel better?”

Kal grinned while teasing her, and Clara huffed sharply.

“Uh… My cheeks feel like they’re burning!”

Clara clutched her face and screamed.

Watching Kal roll on the floor, the magic students around him began talking.

“Isn’t Clara lately becoming more like the Ice Queen from fairy tales?”

“I hear the seniors call her the ‘Ice Princess’ now. Not because of her personality but because she’s literally an Ice Princess.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing!”

“No! Kal totally deserved it!”

As Clara smiled and inquired, her classmates quickly replied.

Seeing this, Lil spoke.

“Anyway, since Leo’s friends are here, would you like to join us? I owe Leo a treat since he helped me so much.”

“Wow, thank you! Senior!”

“Senior Lil is the best!”

“Big sis~”

The first-years cheered and acted affectionately, causing Lil to grin widely.

Once the table was set and the food and drinks were ordered, the conversation revolved around the Ruse Tournament.

“Among the first-year Department of Magic students at Seirun, who is causing the most concern?”

“Lunia El Rundah.”

Avad wiped his mouth with a napkin and spoke.

While Avad’s presence in the pub felt oddly stylish yet charming, Lil nodded.

“Indeed. Before even considering her formidable magic, Lunia El Rundah is the heir of the Rundah family, set to contract with the Phoenix.”

With her potential for summoning rather than magic, she was certainly not someone to be taken lightly.

Hence, she was considered a top threat.

“Leo, Chelsea, Kal. Have you met Lunia El Rundah? What’s she like?”

“Hmm… How should I put it…”

After pondering with folded arms, Chelsea tilted her head.

“A gangster?”

“Lunia is renowned not only for skill but also for her impeccable conduct as a top student, isn’t she?”

Avad glanced curiously back, and Chelsea nodded.

“Yes, Brother, but that always felt like an act to me.”

“Wow! That’s because she’s quite adept at putting on a show… Oof!”

Kal teasing her got elbowed in the side by Chelsea and tumbled to the floor.

Standing firmly on the fallen Kal, Chelsea calmly retorted:

“But I don’t put on shows, do I?”

Chelsea was tough on others, but in front of Leo and Avad, she became meek.

Of course, this doesn’t mean she’s not tough with others.

“Huh, I surrender! Surrender!”

Chelsea’s stomping victim, Kal, pitifully cried out.

“Eiran can’t be underestimated either.”

“Yeah, right, Senior Eiran is here too.”

Chelsea remembered Eiran, her close friend from the field trip.

Being the vice-chair of the first-year Seirun students and a magic-sword user, Eiran was also a significant threat.

Though Lunia drew a lot of attention, Eiran’s skill was enough to compete for the top spot.

“If she’s a magic-sword user, how does she compare to Illiana?”

One of the magic students, Turka from Class 10, tilted his head.

Of the first-year magic-sword users at Lumeran, Illiana was undoubtedly the most skilled.

“Comparing her is an insult to Senior Eiran.”

“Right, she can’t be compared to that attack-obsessed idiot.”

Witnessing Chelsea and Kal’s ruthless remarks, Turka looked bewildered.

“Isn’t that too harsh on Illiana? She’s a classmate, after all.”

“Turka, we must be objective especially with classmates.”

“Right! If she hears you compared her to Eiran, she’ll get too arrogant again.”

The magic students nodded at the firm stance of Chelsea and Kal.

Watching them discuss about the Ruse Tournament, Leo rested his chin.

“Seirun, huh.”

A hero academy carrying the will of Luna.

‘What kind of place is it?’

Although Leo had met students from other hero academies, he had never visited one, so he was also looking forward to the Ruse Tournament.

*

Once the midterms concluded, the Ruse Tournament representative selection commenced.

Many students competed fiercely to represent the school.

Yet, their goal remained singular.

Defeat Seirun.

Over the past few years, Lumeran had been consistently losing in the Ruse Tournament, which was why the determination was even stronger.

The newcomers among the heroes who gathered at Lumeran closely observed the Lumeran students.

Entering the hero academy to become heroes themselves, having admired their seniors, this time they were the ones being watched.

With that, the representative selection ended.

All grades had gathered at the warp gate, ready to head to Seirun.

“Finally, the day has come.”

Ris, representing the students, took the podium and looked down at them.

“For our 5th years, the last Ruse Tournament was a history of defeat. We tried our best but simply couldn’t surpass Seirun.”

A shadow fell over Ris’ eyes.

“A man who has always asserted we are the best, the Ruse Tournament is my greatest regret. And now, we’re participating in our final tournament.”

Shadows passed over the faces of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years.

For them, having always defeated other grades in inter-grade competitions, there was a sense of guilt towards the 5th years for consistently losing to Seirun.

“In my capacity as Student Council President, I won’t give you a gentlemanly speech about not focusing on winning or losing.”

Ris spoke firmly.

“To prevent passing on the history of failure to you, we 5th years will spare no effort. So let’s win this Ruse Tournament!”

“Hoo!”

All grades roared in unison, answering loudly.

Seeing this, Ris grinned and shouted:

“Alright! Let’s go! To Seirun!”

“Let’s go!”

“Yay-ah!”

With their morale soaring high, the Lumeran students cheered.

As they were in high spirits, the floor began to shine, and the warp gate activated.

In an instant, hundreds of students warped.

And then…

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!

“Too cold! Ahhh!”

“Ah! What is this?!”

The students cried out.

The harsh weather of the northernmost point of the Northern Continent hit the Lumeran students.

Everyone panicked as an unexpected snowstorm swept through.

Of course, they had anticipated the cold in Seirun and were dressed warmly.

But the freezing weather of Seirun exceeded all expectations.

“Hey, sorry, sorry. Bad luck that a snowstorm happened today.”

At that moment, a girl in Seirun’s uniform emerged through the storm.

“Rienia.”

Rienia, the Seirun Student Council President and a 5th year, smiled at Ris.

“Although we knew you were coming due to the sudden storm, we couldn’t handle it with magic. Please bear with it for a while as we take measures…”

“It’s unnecessary.”

Ris shook his head.

The snowstorm immediately subsided.

Rienia widened her eyes as she looked at Ris.

‘So you’ve gotten even stronger?’

Rienia realized Ris had manipulated the harsh climate using his aura.

As the snowstorm lessened, scenes that had been hidden by the storm began to appear.

The Lumeran students shivering and sniffling showed determination on their faces.

The Seirun students, waving their flags, were waiting for their arrival.

Rienia smirked with folded arms.

“Welcome, soldiers of Lumeran! Thank you for coming to Seirun!”

Boom-Boom!

“Welcome!”

The Seirun students hit the ground in unison and called out loudly.

Seeing this, Kal muttered.

“Is this a welcome? Feels more like a threat.”

Leo smiled at this.

“Means the Ruse Tournament has already begun, doesn’t it?”