Chapter 198

197

The Ruse Tournament, where the pride and honor of Lumeran and Seirun are on the line.

It wasn’t just about the schools’ pride; as it was a battle representing their respective races, the Ruse Tournament was an event that captured the attention of many every year. Even Azonia and Demian, other Hero Academies, paid close attention to the Ruse Tournament.

Though not rivals like Lumeran and Seirun, they were institutions cultivating hero candidates alike, so competition was inevitable.

Given the attention from around the world, the scale of the event was massive. Many external guests were invited, whether from Lumeran or Seirun.

Not only were there world-power wielding elites present, but also renowned heroes.

External guests who received invitations started arriving one by one in Seirun.

In addition, a massive crowd gathered from all corners of the world to witness the Ruse Tournament, turning it into a grand festival.

At the very heart of the elves’ realm, the cold winter boasted its freezing temperatures, yet many races from around the world gathered in Seirun.

On the opening day of the Ruse Tournament, the first-year students of Lumeran gathered at the grand training grounds to face the packed audience.

“It’s… I’m shaking.”

“Huh… It’s more intense than I thought.”

The first-year students showed signs of tension, knowing they were being watched by tens of thousands.

At that moment,

[Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Seirun! My name is Edin Claypot! I am a student of Seirun and I’ll be one of the hosts of this Ruse Tournament!]

Edin, who hosted the welcoming party two days ago, grabbed the enchanted microphone and shouted.

[And beside me is Chaera Sikun from Lumeran, co-hosting with me!]

[Hello, everyone!]

Edin and Chaera introduced themselves from the stage.

[The first match today is none other than a first-year obstacle race! Oh~ Truly a delightful and fresh game, befitting of first-year students!]

Chaera smiled kindly while talking.

Laughter erupted here and there from the audience.

Even though they are students of the Hero Academy, hailed as the greatest talents and future heroes, they looked like regular teenagers to the n*ked eye. Without regal bearing, Chaera’s description of the event being delightful and fresh seemed oddly fitting.

Moreover, the obstacle race evoked a strange sense of humor. Such races are common in regular school sports days, making it familiar to the audience.

[Of course, it’s not your average obstacle race! Each school has three ‘flag carriers’ in the obstacle race! These flag carriers must cross the finish line to score points! The other students are tasked with either eliminating the opposing side’s flag carriers or protecting their own! Naturally, that alone wouldn’t be exciting enough, would it? Students who aren’t flag carriers can also earn points by eliminating others. Those points contribute to their final score too!]

Edin explained the mechanics of the obstacle race.

Simply put, it was a race where the team with the most flag carriers crossing the finish line won.

On the flip side, if your side’s flag carriers are eliminated too quickly, then rapidly eliminating the other team’s flag carriers or knocking down all non-flag carrier students for points and a comeback is also possible.

“Ho, this will be entertaining.”

“So they intend to engage in combat, huh? Indeed, not your average obstacle race.”

The audience erupted into exclamations of amazement.

Meanwhile, in the stands, commercial club students from Lumeran were selling food.

Lumeran’s Commercial Club was famous for never missing an opportunity where money could be made.

Of course, they were also one of the less kindly regarded extracurricular clubs in Seirun.

June Nia, the president of Lumeran’s Commercial Club, approached an elf while conducting ‘betting’ and asked,

“Ah, Mr. Elf. Aren’t you going to place a bet?”

“Are you suggesting we would engage in such vulgar acts?”

An elf male frowned and stared as a Lumeran student in uniform inquired about the betting.

The elf male’s words were echoed by his group, who looked at June with disdainful smiles.

June chuckled.

“I see. So you Elves don’t have confidence that Seirun will win then. I understand.”

“Excuse me. Why does refraining from joining such vulgar games imply a lack of confidence that Seirun will win?”

The elf male, now serious, asked as June was about to leave.

“Because to bet, one must have confidence they’ll win. Humans have all placed their bets on Lumeran’s victory. They believe in Lumeran.”

“Humph!”

Upon being provoked by June’s casual statement, the elf male stiffened his face and pulled out a money pouch.

“I’ll bet on Seirun winning.”

“You don’t have to overdo it.”

“It’s not overdoing it! Seirun has always won in the Ruse Tournament! Naturally, this bet should be won by us!”

Flaring, the elf male and his companions placed all their money on Seirun’s victory.

As they left, one member asked June,

“President, isn’t there a lot of bets on Seirun winning from humans as well?”

It was true that most humans had placed their bets on Lumeran due to the formidable reputation of this year’s first-year generation from Lumeran.

But as always, some people were gamblers willing to take risks for the underdog.

“Yeah, but then those guys wouldn’t bet at all.”

June calmly replied with a thin smile.

“Ho ho. I really love the Ruse Tournament. It’s perfect for a big score!”

“But didn’t our former president, Tett, get caught by Professor Halind doing this last year?”

“…”

Upon hearing this, June’s face hardened. Then, with a determined voice, said,

“It’s fine. We didn’t get caught two years ago. High risk, high return! The heart of a gambler is a virtue of merchants!”

‘If you take that as a virtue, you’re not a person with the heart of a gambler, you’re just a beast.’

A deep sigh was breathed silently by the junior.

Meanwhile, the students’ families and friends who had visited the venue were exchanging words, cheering them on.

“I’m proud of you.”

“To participate in the Ruse Tournament… You are the pride of our family!”

Emotional voices could be heard all around.

Just then, someone who drew everyone’s attention appeared.

Standing tall at around 180cm, broad shouldered, with a sturdy upper body, he exuded the sharp aura of a seasoned warrior.

Despite his sky-blue hair and eyes, he was dressed as a wizard.

A group of apparent bodyguards flanked him.

The crowd drew in their breaths at the sight.

It couldn’t be helped.

One of the two major powers of the western continent.

The head of Llewelyn, one of Rodren Empire’s twin powers.

Chaed Llewelyn.

With his appearance, marked in the Hero Record as one of the great wizards, the crowd grew tense.

“Abad, Chelsea.”

“Father?”

“Dad! You said you wouldn’t come!”

The Llewelyn siblings were shocked to see their father.

Even Celia and Chloe, who were conversing, were surprised.

‘This is Chaed Llewelyn. One of the heroes dividing Rodren’s power?’

Leo glanced at Chaed Llewelyn with sparkling eyes.

‘Strong.’

Without a doubt, he was among the top three most powerful wizards Leo had ever seen.

‘A battle mage?’

Leo mused internally upon sensing the sharp intent emanating from Chaed. Chelsea’s aspirations as a battle mage seemed to be influenced by her father.

While chatting with his son and daughter, Chaed noticed three other figures standing a few paces away.

“Celia. Lately, I’ve been hearing about your achievements often. It’s said that following after Ris, you too are showing extraordinary potential, which makes Selde quite proud. That’s admirable.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Celia bowed her head respectfully.

Chaед smiled faintly at her before turning to Chloe.

“You must be Chloe Mueller.”

“Salutes to the Master of West Wind.”

Chloe greeted him formally.

Master of West Wind.

An honorary title bestowed due to his control over the winds of the western continent.

Chaед was not just titled but truly possessed powerful magic and immense ability, truly one able to shake the heavens.

“There’s no need for such stiff formalities. I’ve heard quite a bit about you too.”

Chaед smiled gently at Chloe.

“Sometime, I hope you could visit Llewelyn House. It is a rare opportunity for our wizards in the tower to exchange ideas with your exceptional talents.”

“It would be an honor! I’d be delighted to visit.”

Watching Chloe’s cheerful smile, Chaed nodded and finally turned his gaze to Leo.

“You must be Leo Flove.”

“Hello.”

“I’ve heard a lot from Chelsea. It seems my daughter often finds herself indebted to you.”

“I enjoy school life thanks to Chelsea’s help.”

Upon hearing Leo’s words, Chelsea smiled sweetly.

“Leo, how is your mother?”

“Doing too well if anything.”

“Ho ho. It seems her nature hasn’t changed.”

As if recognizing Reina, Chaed let out a laugh and shook his head. Then, with a soft touch to Chelsea’s head, he spoke.

“Sometime, I hope you’ll visit Llewelyn.”

“Perhaps you’ll meet her desires too,” he added.

“Yeah, sure. Come play at our house during the break, Leo brother.”

“Huh?”

Chaed’s eyes shot wide open. Even a hero marked in the Hero Record, the head of the powerful Llewelyn house, could not help but lose composure upon seeing his daughter interact warmly with a boy of her age.

“Ho ho… Well… I’d like you to come, since I am curious about the extent of your wizardry,” Chaed forced a smile, maintaining his demeanor.

“I’ll visit over winter break.”

“I may align my schedule to visit as well.”

Watching Leo and Chloe exchanging warm words, Chaed regained his composure slightly.

“I look forward to your performance in the Ruse Tournament.”

With a smile, Chaed left, and Chelsea wore an excited expression.

“Since Dad’s come, let’s try hard! Let’s do our best!”

Seeing Chelsea’s bright smile, Abad smiled and nodded.

Watching this, Leo smirked.

“Take care of him.”

“Don’t worry, the Seirun kids won’t be able to touch even a strand of his hair.”

Leo was one of the flag carriers selected for the upcoming obstacle race.

*

[Alright! It won’t be long before it begins! First-year students, please take your positions at the starting line!]

Chaera, hosting the event, called out cheerfully.

With that, the students positioned themselves at the start.

Lumeran selected their three fastest students as the flag bearers.

Duran, who wielded lightning aura and was reputed as the fastest in the first-year class.

Eliza, who masterfully controlled her swift flying familiar, rivaling Duran in simple speed.

And Leo, who was slightly slower than the first two but was undoubtedly the third fastest in the first-year class.

An impeccable formation.

The headbands symbolizing their roles as flag carriers were tied around their heads, drawing the focused gazes of Seirun’s first-year students.

“Still, only one person from Seirun’s grade representatives came.”

Celia narrowed her eyes.

Seirun’s grade representatives were ranked first, second, and third.

Only Eiran, the second rank, was among the flag carriers, not the first and third.

“Probably not suited for speed tests.”

Abad casually commented.

“That’s odd. Eiran doesn’t seem particularly fast either.”

Chelsea tilted her head.

“There must be a reason.”

As Abad smiled faintly, Chaera spoke,

“It looks like everyone’s ready! Then, prepare!”

With that, she raised the starting flare.

At the sight, the first-years tensed their positions.

“Start!”

BOOM!

The flare erupted into the sky, followed immediately by a roar of flames.

“Leo! You were looking for trouble! d*e!”

KABOOM!

An enormous explosion erupted from the enraged cry.

“Huh?”

“What? What is this? Indiscriminate attacks, no distinction between enemy or ally?!”

The sudden assault shocked the Lumeran students into astonished expressions.

Whoosh!

But breaking through the flames, Leo landed calmly on the ground, taking the lead as he began to sprint.

“Stand still!”

Lunia with fiery eyes launched her next spell towards Leo’s back.

In an instant!

Whoosh! BOOM!

A fire extending from the side intercepted Lunia’s flames.

Startled, Lunia came to a halt.

“Targeting flag carriers out of nowhere is absurd.”

Celia with flames swirling around her smirked as she blocked Lunia’s path.

“You’ve been wanting to fight with me, haven’t you, Lunia El Rundah.”

“Celia Zerdinger?”

“Let us see… as fellow users of Phoenix flames.”

“Hey! Leo! Don’t run away! Sorry! I really want to fight you too, but first, I need to take down that girl… we’ll fight later!”

Lunia apologized briefly before passing Celia, then pursued Leo with a fierce expression.

WHOOSH!

Celia stood alone, with a blank face.

A breeze swept by, fluttering her black hair.

“Sel, Celia?”

Clara hesitantly called out to Celia, whose expression seemed somewhat awkward.

“Celia Zerdinger and Chloe Mueller!”

“Though not flag bearers, you are priority threats!”

“Quickly organize the counter-strategy!”

At this moment, Seirun’s first-year students encircled Celia.

Even non-flag bearers deemed dangerous needed to be eliminated promptly.

“…”

Celia’s head, bent low, emitted a chilling laugh.

Her crimson eyes suddenly gleamed.

“Huh?”

Instantly, the Seirun students showed frightened expressions.

That glare…

It was so familiar, the same intense look they had faced countless times before from Lunia herself.

“Get, get out of the way!”

“Flee!”

Sensing impending danger instinctively, the Seirun students scattered.

BOOM!

Celia’s flames of aura erupted, reducing everything around her to desolation.

Celia, her veins bulging prominently on her forehead, wore a ferocious smile while gazing at Lunia’s retreating figure.

Gracefully brushing her hair away, Celia took a deep breath.

‘Calming down, remember? As the daughter of the Zerdinger family, I cannot behave irresponsibly before everyone’s eyes…’

‘But taking her down is the priority right now! It’s the priority. Prioritizing this, it’s the priority!’

Her eyelids twitched.

Lunia’s words kept echoing in her mind.

‘Calming down, staying calm. Celia Zerdinger, you mustn’t get excited. Calming… Calm down…’

“…There’s no way! How dare you underestimate me! Lunia El Rundah! I’m going to crush you!”

Unable to maintain her composure, Celia fiercely pursued Lunia.

Watching her charge, Chloe let out a small sigh.

“If she runs like this, there’ll be no strategy or plan.”