Chapter 229

The winter had passed, and spring had begun to arrive.

It was still a bit chilly, but compared to winter, the weather had noticeably warmed up.

When spring began, the streets of Rumelia City were fuller of vitality than ever.

After a long winter break, tomorrow would finally be the start of the new term.

Hero candidates scattered all over the world were returning to Rumelia City to mark the start of the new semester.

Street vendors welcomed the students in Rumelarn uniforms enthusiastically.

The students who had returned to Rumelia City for the start of the term had only one topic of conversation on their minds.

“Who do you think will be the new principal?”

“Rumelarn hasn’t made any announcement yet, right?”

“Well, I’ve heard a lot about potential candidates.”

The entire student body was buzzing with talk about the new principal of Rumelarn.

The lack of even a mention of the principal was enough to spark curiosity among the students.

“Maybe this semester will start without a principal. The school can’t keep the position vacant forever, but whoever it is, they’ll inevitably be compared.”

“True, that’s definitely possible.”

Celia nodded in agreement with Leo’s statement.

It was no ordinary position; it was none other than the principalship of Rumelarn.

Certainly, someone mediocre would never be able to take on the job.

Let alone the previous principal, the famed Sword Saint Kalyan. It was no doubt clear that no one would want to take the position of principal without preparation.

“Well, anyway…”

Celia opened her eyes sleepily.

“What exactly did you talk about with the representative from Azonia?”

No one had witnessed the duel between Leo and Ar from before.

When Celia arrived, the fight was already over, and Ar was deep in thought.

‘The suggestion of transferring schools was a joke, but for that guy, it must’ve been a lot to think about.’

Ar must’ve believed that she had a good grasp of her Water Manipulation abilities.

However, Ar’s Water Manipulation was close to being out of control.

While she didn’t lose consciousness or let her power overwhelm her, she couldn’t fully keep it in check either.

It was clearly different from the Water Manipulation during the full moon.

‘Black Rabbit! You definitely need to come to Azonia!’

After reaching that conclusion, Ar once again suggested that Leo transfer schools, and as usual, Leo refused.

From Celia’s perspective, who had witnessed that situation, it was impossible not to be curious about what had happened between Leo and Ar.

“That’s a secret.”

Ar’s Water Manipulation ability was kept confidential even within Azonia, so Leo couldn’t just share it without permission.

“Cheesy.”

Though Celia grumbled, she didn’t press the issue further.

Swish—a breeze blew by.

Sitting on the railing of the deck, Celia glanced far off at the entrance to the Lumern Academy and murmured to herself.

“During the entrance ceremony, a Kraken suddenly attacked, and at the start of the second semester, there was also some chaos. But on the first day of the second year, nothing special is happening.”

Inside the regular ship traveling to Lumern, all the second-year students were heading to school without any incidents.

“Don’t let your guard down.”

“I know. What kind of school is ours?”

Relaxing can lead to dangerous situations that put the students in crisis — that’s Lumern Academy.

“Brother Leo! Brother Leo!”

Chelsea, who was chatting with friends on the deck, ran over.

“It would be great if we ended up in the same class again this year!”

Watching Chelsea smile broadly, Leo chuckled and patted her head.

“Hmm, I’ll do my best to get the information about class assignments as soon as possible.”

Kal approached with a “Hmm” and a grin.

Looking at Kal, Chelsea teased.

“What are you going to do now? If we end up in different classes, you won’t be getting homework help anymore, will you?”

“Are you saying that our friendship is some cheap thing that can change so easily because we’re in different classes?!”

“Yep.”

“That’s too mean, seriously.”

As Chelsea spoke, Kal grumbled but then grinned jokingly.

“But if you two end up in the same class, that would be entertaining in its own way, right?”

Chuckling while alternating his gaze between Selia and Chelsea, both kicked Kal simultaneously.

“Ha! You two laugh, and then-”

“So you knew this would happen, why keep teasing?”

“It’s fun, isn’t it? Ha ha ha—”

Kal laughed, shook his body, and stood up, saying.

“Anyway, Leo, did you know something?”

“Huh?”

“Chen Sia. She’s not on this ship.”

“You haven’t seen her? But everyone from the second year is supposed to be on this ship, right?”

“Thought so initially, but apparently not. I asked everyone who was close to Chen Sia, but no one’s seen her.”

Kal’s intel was solid.

Since the beginning of first year, his friendly demeanor had earned him many connections across different classes, making him the quickest to know about his classmates’ whereabouts.

“Considering she was absent for the entrance exam due to family reasons and is also absent for the start-of-term ceremony, isn’t that suspicious?”

Kal said seriously.

“Besides, there’s almost nothing known about Chen Sia’s family, right? Though it’s clear that she’s a young lady from a noble family.”

If one were to name the most mysterious student of the first year, it would undoubtedly be Chen Sia.

To be honest, Leo being overshadowed was the reason her fame was somewhat diminished, but Chen Sia herself was also a late bloomer.

All students who ranked first and second in the regional entrance exams were already well-known prodigies.

However, Chen Sia was an unknown like Leo.

Not only did she rank first in the eastern regional entrance exam, but during the entire first year, she consistently delivered impressive results.

If it weren’t for Leo, Chen Sia would undoubtedly have been the most talked-about figure.

“Leo, you don’t happen to know anything, do you? You and Chen Sia are close, right?”

“I know very little about Chen Sia’s family circumstances too.”

“Hmm.”

Kal scratched his head.

While discussing, the regular ship had already arrived at Lumern.

“Wow, in the end, absolutely nothing happened.”

Rubbing his chin as he disembarked, Kal remarked.

“This makes sense. We’ve experienced everything imaginable, so we wouldn’t easily be fooled by simple tricks. And in a week, we’ll also be seniors.”

People around agreed with Kal’s observations.

As everyone was chatting animatedly like this, suddenly,

“Congratulations everyone on becoming second-year students!”

A bright voice rang out, and the beautiful female professor Ar appeared.

Her presence immediately froze the lively atmosphere, turning it icy.

Click! Click!

The students, standing in neat rows, made her feel awkward.

“Why so quiet? It’s the start of a new term! You haven’t seen your friends in a while! You should be talking and having fun!”

“No! Professor Ar!”

“Sorry for disturbing!”

The second-year students answered in unison, neatly.

Ar’s face fell with their response.

Currently, Professor Ar was a terrifying figure to the second-year students.

Though she aspired to be an approachable teacher, the spirits she had contracted with as a spirit magician did not share her sentiment.

Without her even intending it, she had become a professor with charismatic authority who intimidated students simply by appearing.

As Professor Ar sighed and dropped her shoulders, another intimidating professor arrived.

Halind emerged, whose presence was incomparably more frightening than Ar.

The second-year students immediately grew tense at the sight of Halind.

Smiling faintly at them, Halind spoke in an unusually relaxed tone.

“There’s no need to be so tense.”

He continued,

“This year, both me and Professor Ar will still be responsible for the first-year students.”

“That’s so disappointing! We had just gotten close to all of you,” Ar said, visibly dejected.

“Seriously?”

“How sad! We wanted to take your classes…”

Sighs of regret echoed from different corners.

Yet, despite their words, their lips betrayed their relief at being freed from these terrifying professors.

‘No, I mustn’t smile now.’

‘If I show how much I like it, I’m dead.’

As every student clenched their lips to conceal their joy, Halind spoke.

“I find it somewhat regrettable too.”

“So we’ll concurrently take charge of the second-year students as well. No need to worry.”

“We see each other not too often, but at least we’ll still have a chance to meet, everyone.”

At these words, the second-year students looked like they were about to cry.

“Professor Halind, the students look sad.”

“Their tears are just joy that they’re trying to suppress,” Halind calmly responded to the innocent Ar.

“I see! So it’s like that!”

At Halind’s casual explanation, Ar believed him.

“All of you, let’s move,” Halind concluded.

At his command, the second-years moved with dejected expressions to attend the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was very brief.

The rumored new principal did not make an appearance.

After the short announcement concluded, they headed towards the second-year lecture hall.

“It feels completely unreal that we’ve become second-years. The ceremony was rather lackluster.”

Illyana muttered as she slouched in the second-year auditorium. Nearby, Nella responded with her signature lethargic smile.

“Maybe it’s because we haven’t seen the freshmen yet?”

“Is that it?”

“Yeah. Besides, the class assignments are still to be made.”

“Class assignments…”

Illyana frowned.

“Hopefully, as many students from Class 5 as possible will be in the same class as me.”

“That might be difficult, considering the assignments are random.”

Nella gave a wry smile just as the door banged open.

“Good to see all of you students!”

Professor Sedgen strode through the auditorium door, sharply clicking his heels together.

All students stared at him with wide eyes as Sedgen addressed them.

“I’m Sedgen, the newly appointed overall supervisor for the second-year students! Under my guidance, you’ll spend a graceful year!”

“Wow! Professor Sedgen!”

“Professor Sedgen as the year supervisor? Amazing!”

A cheer arose among the students who were in Sedgen’s first class during their first year. Other students also brightened up.

As a renowned distinguished professor, Sedgen was indeed very reliable.

“Alright, before we do the class allocations…”

Sedgen scanned the gathering.

This statement caused tension to ripple through all the students. It felt like the opening ceremony had been too uneventful compared to last year.

With complete self-assurance, the second-year students of Lumern Academy were ready for any sudden test that might start right then.

Every one of them swallowed hard and focused intently on Sedgen.

“Let me explain how I outperformed Halind and came to be your second-year supervisor!”

Puffing up his chest and spreading his arms wide, Sedgen shouted.

The second-year staff professors exchanged bemused glances at Sedgen’s outburst.

“The class allocation is important, but the students need to hear the story of how I triumphed over Halind in the competition!”

“Professor Sedgen! Let’s do the class allocations first,” Yura quickly intervened, but Sedgen ignored her.

“Pointless chatter again, is it?”

Suddenly, Halind appeared from the back of the auditorium.

Sedgen noticed Halind’s brief sigh and said,

“Ah! Who’s this now? Isn’t it my rival Halind, who lost to me in the competition? Ha ha ha. You couldn’t let go of the second year and decided to show up, huh?”

“Because the faculty vote decided I was more suitable to guide the first year.”

“Ho ho! No, it’s because they judged that I am the professor destined to lead Lumern’s golden generation. That’s why the result turned out this way…”

“Take him away.”

Seeing Sedgen getting carried away with his lengthy explanation, Halind bluntly ordered.

At this, Ain and Ren, who were the second year subject professors, grabbed each of Sedgen’s arms and began to drag him away.

“What’s this? I’m the second-year overall supervisor! Halind is the first-year overall supervisor, so why are you following his commands?! You were chosen as second-year teachers by me, and this betrayal is… Iek! Let go! You lackeys of Halind! Let me go!”

While being dragged away, Sedgen cried out desperately.

Watching this scene, Kal murmured.

“…Now I really feel like I’m back at Lumern.”

As Kal spoke, the surrounding students nodded.

Thud-thud.

Halind ascended onto the stage and said,

“Alright, let’s start the class allocation now.”

At this news, the students tense expressions deepened.

Halind snapped his fingers, and the assistant professors brought in a large bulletin board.

“First, I have something to say. The concept of ‘classes’ will change for second-year students.”

Hearing this, the students began murmuring amongst themselves.

“To be more precise, it might be more accurate to say dormitories instead of classes.”

At this, Chelsea raised her hand.

“What exactly does ‘dormitory’ mean in this context?”

“Exactly that. Originally, even in the second year, students would be assigned classes similar to the first year, and male and female students would live in dormitory settings.”

Halind shook his head and said,

“Initially, the plan was that starting from the second year, departmental classes would take precedence over class-based arrangements. However, with the arrival of a new principal this year, there have been slight adjustments.”

“Principal?”

“Is there a new principal?”

“Then why wasn’t there any mention during the opening ceremony earlier…?”

The students’ chatter was subdued by some of them, and as they calmed down again, Halind continued.

“In the future, boys and girls will live together in the same accommodation space.”

“Um? Really?”

“Together with the male students?”

“Of course, showering and sleeping areas will still be separate. And if any mischief is found, you all know what happens.”

At this, some students shivered involuntarily.

“Also, the competitions will be dormitory-based rather than department-based. While there will still be joint department classes, there will be many individual dormitory lessons.”

Hearing Halind’s explanation, Abad smiled faintly.

“The aim is to enhance cooperation within departments.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then, are the dormitory allocations finalized?”

“Only nine out of all of them.”

At Halind’s words, everyone displayed puzzled expressions.

Looking at the confused students, Halind approached the bulletin board and pulled off the cloth covering it.

Whoosh!

There were three large sections, and the names of three students were at the top of each section:

Dormitory 1 – Leo Flove, Chloe Mueller, Chen Sia.

Dormitory 2 – Celia Zerdinger, Chelsea LeWalyn, Warden Tyden.

Dormitory 3 – Abad LeWalyn, Duran Moira, Eliza Hergin.

“Before the new first-years arrive, I’ll assign one task to the second-years.”

Halind coolly announced to the frozen students,

“The names listed here are the dormitory leaders. The members of each dormitory will be decided by the leaders themselves. If you wish to join a particular dormitory, negotiate with the dormitory leaders. Professors have no involvement in how the students are selected. That’s all.”

With that, Halind left the auditorium with the professors, leaving the stunned students.

The students stared at the dormitory leaders.

Leo buried his face in his hands.

“The first day of school, and they’ve dropped a bomb.”

As he thought this,

“Aah?! Why do I have to be in the same dormitory as Celia Zerdinger?”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say!”

An immediate chemical reaction occurred between Celia and Chelsea.

“Duran Moira! To think that I would have to work together with you during the second year?! I can’t accept it! Frankly, it would be better to share a dormitory with Leo Flove!”

“How interesting. I was just about to think the same.”

With Eliza’s sarcastic words, Duran responded just as cynically.

Celia and Chelsea, known as rivals, and Duran and Eliza, the famous adversaries, had been grouped together.

In the first year, since they were in different departments and classes, they rarely crossed paths.

Even if they did cross paths, there were shock absorbers in the form of other students.

In the case of Celia and Chelsea, it was Leo, and for Duran and Eliza, it was Chen Sia.

Now, to imagine living in a dormitory without these buffer students was unsettling.

Just as Leo was scratching his head,

“Hey, Leo!”

“President!”

“Chloe! Please!”

The second-year classmates gathered around Leo and Chloe.

“Please let us in your dorm!”

The second-years had realized the truth: Dormitories 2 and 3 should be avoided at all costs.