Chapter 196

196

The imposing presence of the Seirun students gathered in front of the now-calm Seirun Warp Gate was significant.

Seirun’s Student Council President, Rienia, looked satisfied with the scene as she spoke.

“Let’s head to the Grand Training Ground. The teachers are waiting for our guests.”

At her words, Ris nodded.

“Everyone, let’s move out!”

The Lumeran students, with tense expressions, began to move in formation behind Ris.

Chock! Swish-!

In response, the Seirun students cleared the path like well-drilled soldiers.

“Ugh- feel discouraged~”

At their disciplined display, Kal shook his head and muttered with a smirk.

“Hmph! Hmph! Who would ever feel intimidated by something like this?”

Iliana muttered in defiance.

But her expression faltered as she noticed the intense stares of the Seirun students as they passed.

The Seirun students carefully examined each face of the Lumeran students, as if trying to etch their rivals into their memory.

Among them, the one attracting the most attention was undoubtedly Leo.

With every step Leo took, he was met with the intense gazes of the Seirun students.

Back during the first semester field trip, when Leo had decoded Seirun’s “flower blooming magic,” there was hardly anyone in Seirun who didn’t know about it.

Though it hadn’t been announced to the world yet, it was a well-known fact in Seirun.

Initially, most elves had reacted indifferently, assuming it was just one of the countless spells created by the Original Creator.

Seirun’s pride was hurt due to the fact that a human, not even an elf, had reconstructed a lost spell from thousands of years of Seirun’s history.

However, during the mid-term task practice, Luna herself mentioned the “flower blooming magic.”

After reports by Lunia and Hardin, the importance of the flower blooming magic skyrocketed.

Naturally, Leo became a hot topic again within Seirun.

Not long after, rumors spread that Leo had been elected as the Lumeran Student Council President.

From Seirun’s perspective, Leo was one of the top rivals to watch out for in this Ruse Tournament.

Despite all the Seirun students staring at him intensely, Leo walked along calmly.

“Hey, Leo. Seirun students are glaring at you menacingly. Are you okay with that?”

“What about it?”

“Isn’t it burdensome?”

“Not at all.”

“Sometimes, I envy your calmness.”

Kal sighed in admiration at Leo’s composed response.

As Kal watched Leo with a smile, Leo chuckled.

Just then, a familiar girl caught Leo’s eye among the Seirun students.

When Eiran noticed Leo, she smiled brightly and waved her hand.

Seeing her wave, Leo smiled and responded in kind. Eiran shyly blushed at the smile.

At this response, other students nearby hurriedly gathered around Leo.

“Hey, Leo, who was that just now?”

“Are you acquainted with her?”

“She’s a total beauty! Everyone around here glares at you, yet she smiled at you!”

Unlike the other Seirun students, Eiran greeted the Lumeran students with a kind smile.

Given her nature, it was almost impossible for her to threaten anyone, even if she tried.

Laughing with a “Hoh!”, Kal said to the other students:

“You know about Eiran, right?”

“Wow! You know her too, Kal?”

“Did you guys get close during the field trip?”

The other students crowded around Kal, agreeing enthusiastically.

“Curious?”

“Very much!”

“Calm down, it’s a good opportunity, but seniors are watching.”

As Leo noticed the students getting rowdy, he said. With a startled “Crack!”, the male students quickly dispersed.

Thus, the Lumeran students arrived at the grand Seirun training ground.

The Seirun students who had initially made way began to line up in their positions.

The Lumeran students also gathered by year, led by their representative.

In the midst of all this, an elf appeared on a podium in the center of the grand training ground.

He gazed at the Lumeran students with maturity, then began to speak.

– Welcome, sprouts who will lead the future of humanity. My name is Bennet. I humbly hold the position of principal at Seirun.

Upon his introduction, the Lumeran students gasped in admiration.

Bennet, known as the [First Star of the Original Creator], was a wizard hero who could wield all known spells of the Original Creator.

He was also the man who had conquered and inherited the power of Luna’s world.

While the students were aware of his position as principal of Seirun, seeing such a remarkable hero in person left the Lumeran students no choice but to let out spontaneous exclamations of surprise.

– I hope everyone achieves satisfactory results in this Ruse Tournament. The official start of the Ruse Tournament is the day after tomorrow. Until then, I hope you maintain your peak condition. That is all.

A rather bland welcome speech.

However, it was the best kind of speech to make rival school students feel welcomed.

Clap- Clap- Clap-

The Lumeran students applauded.

Bennet left the stage and returned to the school.

“Well, well, let’s guide you to your lodging.”

Rienia stood in front of the Lumeran students and smiled.

“As Principal mentioned, the actual start of the Ruse Tournament begins the day after tomorrow. So, rest well in the accommodations we’ve prepared. Oh, feel free to use all school amenities. Also, there’s a welcome party planned for you tonight. Feel free to attend if you’d like.”

With that, Rienia and other Seirun Student Council members led the way to the Lumeran students’ accommodations.

The lodgings provided by Seirun were coed and shared across grades.

Of course, sleeping and bathing areas were separated.

The shared areas included lounging spaces.

It seemed they could strategize for tomorrow’s competitions here.

The students unpacked in their assigned rooms and gathered in the lounge.

“Wow, our school was pretty impressive, but Seirun’s more amazing.”

Iliana gazed at the lounge and let out a sigh.

“The richest academy among hero academies.”

Nella grinned.

“Still, a welcome party—seems like there’ll be some fierce competition.”

“Yeah? Didn’t you see how the Seirun students kept glaring at us just now? Sheesh.”

As Taed muttered, Kal shook his head.

“They’ll try to assert their dominance through the welcome party. But we can’t not go.”

With her arms crossed, Chelsea said firmly.

“We must go to assert our dominance instead!”

At her declaration, the students from Class 5 nodded.

“Class Leader! You’re good at that stuff. Go assert our dominance once and for all. Starting from the first meeting, we’ve been on the losing end already~”

“Right! Leo, show them what you’re made of!”

At Chelsea and Iliana’s words, the calm Leo sitting nearby spoke.

“Assert dominance?”

As Leo smirked, Chelsea and Iliana nodded.

“Let’s do it properly once!”

“Yeah! That’s the Class Leader!”

“Go Leo! Fighting!”

The two girls enthusiastically cheered for Leo.

Watching this, Taed said with a worried expression.

“Is it going to be alright? Seems like he might pull off something big.”

“It is a little risky, but this situation demands Leo’s boldness.”

Taed’s concern was met with Nella’s usual lazy smile.

“I’m a bit uneasy though.”

Kal looked worriedly at Leo, who sat calmly as usual.

*

In response to Seirun’s initial assertiveness, all Lumeran students attended the welcome party.

The party wasn’t just for students—professors and teachers from Lumeran were present too.

Leo was enjoying the party leisurely near one corner of the hall.

His friends had all rushed to the buffet to try the traditional elven cuisine.

While Leo stood at the edge of the room observing the Seirun students, he heard a familiar voice.

“Leo, there you are!”

Turning around, he saw Herdium, the homeroom teacher of Seirun’s Grade 1 Advanced Class, whom he had met during the field trip, approaching him.

“It’s been a while, Professor Herdium.”

Leo greeted him.

Even after the field trip had ended, Herdium had continued to show interest in Leo.

From suggesting a transfer to Seirun to proposing an exchange student program, almost all these initiatives had been led by Herdium.

It was only natural that Herdium, who wanted Leo’s talent of decoding the Original Creator’s magic, would feel this way.

‘If only Leo had been an elf…’

Though Herdium wore a wistful expression, he didn’t show it outwardly.

Leo was only a first-year.

There would be more opportunities for exchange between Seirun and Lumeran in the future.

And there was no rule saying Leo wouldn’t want to study at Seirun later.

‘It would be wise at least to maintain a closer relationship with Leo student for such occasions.’

As Herdium thought this,

“Professor Herdium. Could you introduce me to that young man over there?”

A man approached, smiling.

He had fiery red hair and eyes but despite his striking appearance, had a calm aura in his eyes.

Recognizing his resemblance to Lunia, Leo nodded.

‘Ellen Lurda. Lunia’s father and a close friend of my mother.’

And also, Fiora’s mother Pilina’s Vow Keeper.

“Ah! Professor Ellen.”

Herdium greeted Ellen warmly with a bright smile.

Factually, most of Seirun’s teachers weren’t fond of Leo.

Teachers like Herdium, who met Leo in person, or Ellen who learned about Leo through his daughter were exceptions.

“This is Leo Fluve. Leo, this is Professor Ellen Lurda.”

“Leo Fluve.”

“I am Ellen Lurda.”

Ellen smiled gently and extended his hand.

Leo shook it.

Ellen, looking at this interaction with a pleased expression, turned to Herdium and said,

“Professor Herdium, would you mind if I spoke with Leo student for a while?”

“Of course, Leo. Enjoy your time.”

Herdium left with a smile, assuming the two Vow Keepers of Phoenix had something to discuss.

Once Herdium departed, Ellen spoke.

“Your daughter seems to owe you favors many times.”

“Not at all, I’ve also received much help.”

Leo smiled as he replied.

At his response, Ellen smiled.

“Though I’m unsure if your mother has told you, I am in your mother’s debt.”

“I learned this from Lady Pilina.”

“Indeed?”

Ellen smiled.

Then he patted Leo’s shoulder.

“I won’t say I’ll repay her debt on your behalf, as that’s something lifelong. But if you ever need something, feel free to reach out. I’ll do my best to assist you.”

“Thank you.”

The words of Ellen, the patriarch of one of the most prestigious families in the elf society, Lurda, carried great weight.

In human society terms, Ellen could be compared to the head of the Zerdinger family.

Moreover, his earlier offer of assistance was no idle talk.

‘Even though he must know this, he accepts it so calmly.’

Ellen admired Leo as he observed him.

He was aware that his daughter was striving hard to outperform this young man.

‘Having a lifelong pursuit isn’t necessarily a bad thing.’

As Ellen smiled, he heard a voice.

“Dad… I mean, Professor Ellen.”

Lunia rushed over, noticing the conversation between Leo and Ellen.

Smiling at his daughter, Ellen told Leo, “Talk later,” before leaving.

Glancing at the leaving Ellen, Lunia asked.

“What were you talking about with Dad?”

“Not much. What’s the matter?”

“The dance session is about to start soon and dancing with you was pretty fun last time. So I came to ask for a dance.”

Lunia smiled.

Paat-!

At that moment, the party lights went out.

As the students started to panic,

“Gentlemen and ladies! Are you enjoying the party?”

A Seirun student with a microphone climbed onto the stage to one side.

Grinning mischievously, he introduced himself.

“My name is Eidun, I’ll be your host for the party.”

Spotlights centered on him.

All eyes were on Eidun.

“Before we get into the full swing of the party, I thought it’d be nice to hear a word of determination from the students participating in the Ruse Tournament.”

Eidun beamed as he scanned the students.

Joining him on stage, the spirits carried a large trophy.

The Ruse Tournament championship trophy.

“This trophy has belonged to us Seirun students for several years! And it will undoubtedly remain ours.”

Eidun’s meaningful smile caused several Lumeran students to boo.

“Hey! If you’re not happy, take it by skill!”

Eidun grinned provocatively and turned to Rienia.

“Right? President.”

“That’s right! Absolutely!”

Rienia confidently nodded.

“Alright, let’s hear from the Student Council Presidents from Seirun and Lumeran as we approach the Ruse Tournament. Shall we start with Seirun’s President’s remarks?”

Eidun approached Rienia, thrusting the mic toward her.

“One word of determination, please, President.”

“At my usual level of best effort. And we’ll win to uphold the tradition of Seirun triumphing in the Ruse Tournament.”

Smirking Rienia caused Eidun to nod.

“Now, Lumeran’s Student Council President.”

“I’d like to defer to my successor.”

At Ris’s response, Eidun widened his eyes then laughed while approaching Leo.

“The successor Student Council President, hmm. Even as a Student Council President, can a first-year really represent the Lumeran students?”

Eidun’s teasing tone elicited laughter from various places in Seirun.

He reached Leo.

“So, Lumeran’s next Student Council President. A word of determination as we approach your first Ruse Tournament?”

As Eidun handed Leo the microphone,

Taking it, Leo felt the entire party’s gaze fixated on him.

Grasping the microphone calmly, Leo said,

“Seirun students, thank you for holding onto the trophy until now.”

Leo’s words made Eidun widen his eyes.

The Seirun students frowned.

“The trophy is something you should enjoy looking at now.”

“Is there a reason you would care to share?”

When Eidun asked after Leo’s statement, Leo replied as if to an obvious question.

“Because for the next five years, you won’t have a chance to see that trophy often.”