Chapter 200

200

“A first-year, and not even a student from Seirun, wielding Ramphas? What is that disgusting thing even doing here?”

A shocked voice echoed from the audience stands.

At the very top of the stands, a silver-haired woman with golden eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Truly worthy of being chosen by the senior, aren’t you?”

“You too must have toyed with Leo Flove’s worth and intentions, Nersia.”

Riven let out a small sigh.

“Nersia.”

The vice-principal sent from Dragonia to Seirun.

To Riven, she was a junior who was generations younger.

“Doesn’t that sword you gave him belong to you?”

“Yes, but I’m amazed at how well he uses it.”

The longsword given to Leo was crafted by Nersia herself.

It was a magic sword, both a top-tier weapon and the highest-quality staff for a Mage of the Stars.

In monetary terms, it was beyond any price.

“Still, I wonder how the magic runes were structured that caused such an overload from a single spell?”

Magic wands produce various effects depending on the inscribed runes.

Representative effects include increased casting speed and power amplification.

The stronger the wand’s effects, the harder it is to wield, but if mastered, it can greatly enhance a mage’s power.

‘Using Ramphas isn’t surprising. Even Luria, the top student in the first year, could use it.’

Ramphas.

One of the fundamental magics of the Magic of the Stars.

Unlike other runes based on the magical patterns left by Lune, this magic was directly passed down from the original runes crafted by Lune herself.

Being crafted by the progenitor herself, its power was immense.

Hence, it’s a magic that anyone who enters Seirun wants to learn.

However, it comes with a significant cost.

It consumes an enormous amount of mana and its structure is exceedingly complex.

Thus, it is too difficult for first or second-year students to handle.

‘Judging from the current mana pool of Leo Flove, he doesn’t possess enough to wield Ramphas, right?’

It might be possible regarding his ability to structure magic runes.

But with his current mana levels, manifesting Ramphas would be difficult.

Yet, he managed to complete a powerful spell.

‘It’s not an ordinary spell then.’

That’s why his dragon bone-made sword momentarily experienced an overload.

“Senior Riven, if Leo Flove truly isn’t suitable, shouldn’t you send him somewhere else? Like Lumeran?”

“You can come to Lumeran if you want Leo Flove.”

“I can’t abandon the students of Seirun.”

Nersia was a dragon dedicated to mentoring students for the purpose of nurturing heroes.

“If so, then try and persuade him.”

‘Though, I doubt your words will reach him.’

*

After dispelling the Cyclops, Leo chased after the leading group.

Until now, it was difficult to gain speed due to the constant checks from Seirun students.

However, with the Cyclops’ appearance, those checks faltered, and Leo seized the opportunity to chase the leading group.

At that moment,

“That’s enough, Leo Flove.”

“We will not tolerate your further advancement.”

Two male and female Seirun students blocked Leo’s path.

“And who are you?”

“Hmph. My name is Garin Tuina.”

“And my name is Aris Tuina. Surely, you’ve heard of us?”

The elf siblings stood in Leo’s way.

“Nope, never heard of you.”

“What? You haven’t heard of the Tuina siblings?”

“How can you not recognize the names of those who ranked 4th and 5th in the upper class during the second semester?”

Garin and Aris looked taken aback.

“Yeah.”

Upon seeing Leo casually nodding, Garin clenched his fists.

“Kuh! Such arrogance! You haven’t even done any research on rival school students!”

“Prepare yourself! We’ll make you fail right here!”

As the twins flared up in irritation, Leo exhaled a light sigh.

“Leo-niisan, why are you still here?”

“They’re in the way.”

Approaching with a puzzled face, Chelsea swung her staff upon hearing Leo’s words.

Gwaagagajak!

A tremendous gust of wind engulfed Garin and Aris.

In an instant, Garin deflected Chelsea’s attack with a magical barrier.

Seeing this, Chelsea’s eyes narrowed.

“Not bad?”

Pansh! Gwaagagajak!

In that brief moment, Aris cast her spell, causing fragments of light to rain down on Leo and Chelsea from the high sky.

Hooaak!

However, the light fragments were blown away by yet another fierce wind.

Terubek- Terubek-

Abad approached Chelsea.

“Are you the LeWalyn siblings?”

“You haven’t heard of us either?”

“Nope, first time.”

As Abad smiled and replied, Aris jabbed her finger at Garin.

“It’s all your fault! Because of you, I’m stuck too! We shouldn’t have teamed up, obviously!”

“Shut up! It’s because of you that the Lumeran students don’t know about me! And you, why are you using that kind of slang with my brother?”

“Does it matter that I was born 30 seconds earlier?”

“Who asked you, mother?!”

Watching the Tuina siblings show such camaraderie, Chelsea seriously commented,

“Let them be like that, they might self-destruct.”

“It won’t happen. They are quite talented.”

Considering their current ranking as 4th and 5th among the first-year Seirun students, their abilities were not to be underestimated.

“Leo, let us handle these siblings. Go ahead.”

“Fight your best, Leo-niisan!”

“Count on us.”

Leo entrusted his back with a smile.

As predicted by Abad, Garin acted quickly, but his interference was blocked by Chelsea.

“Well, let’s see what you siblings got then?”

Abad smiled gently as he spoke, making Aris momentarily flinch and blush.

“U-uh… please do well.”

“Hmph.”

Aris shoved Garin aside.

Leo immediately chased the leaders.

Escaping the chaos and chasing the leaders wasn’t just Leo.

Pansh! Gwaagagajak!

In an instant, beams of light shot out from all directions, causing Leo to leap.

Leo tightened his gaze on the Half-Elf boy wielding a magical staff.

“Isn’t his name Luca Eneres?”

Ranked 3rd among the first-year students of Seirun, continuing after Luria and Eiran, and the class representative.

Despite the cold weather, Luca’s attire was incredibly light,

as if he didn’t feel the cold at all.

Tzetzerik-

Suddenly, the ground around Luca began to freeze.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go further. If I keep chasing, Eiran might get too tired.”

Tzetzering-!

In the blink of an eye, the ground from where Luca stood to where Leo was standing completely froze.

It was a momentary instance.

However, Leo didn’t miss that brief moment.

Jumping, Leo tightened his gaze on Luca, who was grinning awkwardly.

“It’s not magic. It’s the might of the spirits. Yet, there’s no sign of you using spirit-summoning. But ever since the field trip, I’ve had this feeling… Who exactly are you?”

[Could it be the blessing of the Great Spirit?]

“Great Spirit’s blessing?”

[Yes. I heard it from other spirits. Someone with the power of the Great Spirit. That person can use the power of the spirits.]

“Hmm… Now that I think about it, I read about it in a book from my previous life.”

Recalling the content of the book he read in his past life, Leo tightened his gaze.

“Then, has this person inherited the power of the Great Ice Spirit?”

“Highly likely, isn’t it?”

Leo clicked his tongue.

The bone-chilling cold weather.

If this person has inherited the ice-attribute Great Spirit’s power, then this place is almost like their home.

“Breaking through might be difficult.”

As Leo clicked his tongue, a lazy voice reached him.

“What are you doing here, Flove?”

A burly boy with a large physique stood there, turning his head.

A boy named Warden stood there.

“There’s some resistance.”

“Hmph.”

With a snort at Leo’s words, Warden summoned a fire spirit.

Hwarrlek-!

In an instant, the fire spirit was absorbed into Warden’s fist.

‘Spirit Armored.’

An advanced spirit magic that infuses the spirit’s power into the body.

Hooack-!

Without hesitation, Warden charged at Luca.

Shwoosh-! Gwaang-!

He swung his fist, much taller than Luca, without a moment’s hesitation.

With a massive explosion, flames swept through the surrounding area.

Warden’s specialty, known as Spirit Explosion, even made the upperclassmen of Lumeran marvel at his strikes.

Tzetzezeek-!

Despite the strike, Luca counteracted it and even froze Warden’s right arm that had swung the punch.

“Hmm.”

Warden exhaled as he stared at his frozen arm.

“Engaging in close combat with me was quite reckless.”

Luca smiled.

Hwarrlek-!

Then, Warden generated flames to melt the frozen arm.

“Perhaps indeed reckless.”

“As it seems you’re specialized in close combat spirit magic… We are incompatible…”

Pang-!

Instantly, Warden once again charged at Luca.

“!”

Ignoring Luca’s freezing powers completely, Warden swung his thick arm and struck Luca’s neck.

Pooahk! Whiiing! Thud-!

Tzetzejk-!

While melting the re-freezing arm with the fire spirit, Warden spoke.

“It’s simple. Is it me becoming incapacitated from your freezing attack first or is it you incapacitated by my attack first?”

Warden smirked.

“Stand up, Luca Eneres.”

“Cough. Cough. Indeed…”

Luca coughed up bl**d, wiped the bl**d dripping from the corner of his mouth, and wore an awkward expression.

“I think I made a mistake.”

“I’ll handle this one. Go ahead, Leo Flove.”

“Eh, okay. Don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t worry about me, worry about yourself.”

As Warren, who coldly sneered stood between them,

completely freed from all interference, Leo started running at an incredible speed towards the leading group.

There were quite a few students ahead of Leo, who had run quite smoothly without being caught up in the chaos earlier.

The Seirun students relentlessly interfered with Leo.

Also, there were continuous obstacles ahead.

“It’s taking too much time. Continuing like this, I might fall far behind the leading group.”

Breaking all the obstacles and chasing the leading group quickly, Leo recalled the trio that raced without any hindrance.

At this trio’s speed, it wouldn’t be strange if they were almost near the finish line.

“Did Duran and Eliza manage to overtake Eiran?”

He thought they might have easily overtaken Eiran considering their speed and might be competing among themselves now.

On the other hand, the other two flag bearers from Seirun seemed unable to break free from the relentless obstruction of Lumeran students.

As Leo was racing towards the finish line at incredible speed, he heard voices filled with rage from a distance.

“Don’t run away!”

“Fight back!”

Leo looked at Duran and Eliza, who were chasing Eiran fiercely with a face that said ‘What’s happening?’

Contrary to expectations, the three were not as far from them as expected.

At that moment, Eiran, who was being chased by Duran and Eliza, noticed Leo and ran crying.

“Lord Leo! Please save me!”

Eiran, who was extremely frightened, hid behind Leo.

“… What’s going on?”

“I, I don’t know! The Lumeran flag bearer said they wouldn’t leave me alone…”

Eiran, choking with sobs and unable to speak properly, patted her trembling head as Leo asked Duran and Eliza, who had approached.

“Why are you going crazy and can’t catch this kid?”

“Move aside, Leo Flove. I have a duel of honor against one who has clearly disrespected me.”

“It’s my turn first. Duran Moira.”

‘They’re talking about duels again.’

Leo clicked his tongue, looking at the two underclassmen known for their hot tempers.

“It seems there’s been some misunderstanding. This one definitely isn’t someone who would disrespect you.”

“If not, why did she ignore our presence?”

Eliza crossed her arms and frowned, prompting Leo to reply indifferently.

“You two must have misunderstood.”

At Leo’s words, Duran and Eliza looked at Eiran, who was shaking and hiccupping like crazy.

The elf, who looked fragile and weak, seemed like a victim that anyone would agree with.

There wasn’t even a trace of them being disrespected in her demeanor.

Duran and Eliza exchanged a look of awkwardness.

“I must have misunderstood.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry.”

Duran and Eliza apologized hastily.

Seeing this, Eiran, who had trembled in fear before, cautiously emerged from behind Leo.

“Uh, no. My attitude might have led to your misunderstanding.”

“Anyway, let’s have a fair fight from now on.”

Eliza forced a smile to lighten the mood.

At those words, Eiran nodded happily, her bright and pure expression pricking their conscience.

Seeing this, Leo nodded.

“Alright, if the misunderstanding’s cleared up.”

“Uh?”

Leo grabbed Eiran and snatched the flag ribbon symbolizing the flag bearer.

“Ah!”

Eiran gasped in shock.

“Disqualified.”

Leo patted Eiran’s shoulder with a smile.

“We’re enemies after all.”

“But, but… I trusted Lord Leo…”

Eiran’s lips quivered, threatening to cry.

“Leo Flove! Despicable!”

“How could you be so cruel to someone who trusted you and asked for help!”

Duran and Eliza condemned Leo.

“Where exactly is this despicable act in a competition?”

With a sardonic smile, Leo turned his body toward the finish line.

“I’m going ahead. It’ll be troublesome if I get caught by those who are just following behind.”

Without hesitation, Leo ran towards the finish line.

“Ugh… You’re too much, Lord Leo.”

“U, don’t cry.”

“Don’t cry. Right?”

Flustered, Duran and Eliza consoled Eiran, who had slumped to the ground and was sniffling.