Chapter 258

258

“We’re heading to Demian this week.”

“Come to think of it, the third years were also out of school around this time, right?”

“An exclusive Smith contract, it’s exciting!”

It was the weekend.

The second-year students on the regular ferry to Rumelia City were buzzing with talk about the announcement that had come down yesterday.

The official notice was that starting the following week, all second-year students would be spending two weeks in Demian.

As the long-awaited moment approached, the second-year students were bursting with excitement and could hardly contain their exhilaration.

The reason the second years were heading to Demian was simple:

Exclusive Smith contracts.

In other words, it was the period during their school days when they would form contracts with blacksmiths who would take responsibility for their weapons going forward.

Demian was somewhat different from the typical Hero Academy.

The dwarves of Demian were not only powerful Hero Candidates but also Great Heroes of their own.

Take Dwenno, for example — an exceptionally skilled blacksmith.

As a consequence, dwarf Heroes often took charge of the weapons of other heroes.

In light of building a foundation for future bonds, this was one of the largest events in the second-year curriculum.

Excited beyond measure, the second years prepared to go to Demian by heading to Rumelia City first.

*

Rustle — Rustle — Rustle —

The Rumelia City during the weekend was one of the most vibrant places in the world.

Rumelia City is at the center of the world.

However, what makes Rumelia City special isn’t just its geographical location.

Rumelia City is also adjacent to Lumeran.

Therefore, it was only natural that many people gathered there to see the future Hero Candidates.

This was also a distinctive feature of Lumeran.

Seirun is located at the core of the northernmost part of the continent.

A land where the cold seems to freeze everything to the core.

Additionally, in the Elven territories, no one other than elves can wander freely.

Moreover, the students of Seirun hardly ever leave the school unless on a mission.

As a result, Seirun was one of the hardest Hero Academies to see among the four Great Hero Academies, preserving an enigmatic image.

Likewise, Azonia had similar circumstances.

In the land of Beastmen, while other races weren’t necessarily banned, Azonia students were still rarely seen.

This was mainly due to the geographical location of Azonia Academy in the heart of the desert. Plus, Azonia was surrounded by dense populations of monsters.

Indeed, Azonia Academy deliberately refrained from exterminating these monsters to enhance students’ skills.

Finally, Demian Academy.

They were situated in the eastern massive mining zones.

And due to the nature of their race, most of them stayed locked up in their workshops, deeply focused on their craft, making them not easily seen.

In contrast, Rumelia City, where Lumeran was based, was geographically accessible.

Moreover, many students would come to Rumelia City for fun over the weekends, making them relatively easy to meet if someone wanted.

Consequently, external visitors frequently came to see the Hero Candidates, and the resulting tourist revenue was considerable.

Today, more students than usual had made their way to Rumelia City.

Most of them were first and second-year students.

The second years, in preparation for their trip to Demian, had deliberately brought their juniors to Rumelia City to further strengthen their relationships with their mentees.

“First, we need to get you a proper uniform.”

Celia, who had come to Rumelia City with Leo, said as she looked at Luke.

“Huh? A uniform?”

Luke appeared confused.

“Yeah. That one you’re wearing? It’s a hand-me-down from a graduate.”

Upon hearing Celia’s words, Luke scratched his head.

“It’s expensive to buy a new Lumeran uniform.”

“Yeah, I get it. That’s why we’re getting you a new one.”

“Why?”

“You’re Leo Flove’s mentee. Leo is my cousin and a direct heir of the Zerdinger Family. In short, you’re closely associated with the Zerdinger name.”

Celia pulled out a card with the Zerdinger crest from her pocket with a flick.

The card, held between her forefinger and middle finger, gleamed.

“We need an appearance befitting of the Zerdinger name.”

Celia’s words made Luke scratch his head with a smile.

“Though I appreciate the sentiment, I’m fine. I don’t think I have the right to accept financial assistance yet.”

At his polite response, Celia blinked.

“Alright then.”

Flick!

Celia slid the card back into her pocket and smiled.

“Having strong independence isn’t a bad thing. But, in the case of my mentees…”

She squinted her eyes,

“Your independence is so strong that it might be a bit dull to spoil you.”

Her gaze landed on two girls standing nearby.

None other than Aina and Martina.

Though not as distinguished as Leo, these girls were accepted as Celia’s mentees after passing a rather rigorous test.

‘Although it seems this girl might have another motive.’

Celia raised her sleepy-looking eyes and gazed at Aina, who was staring blankly but intently at her.

On the last day of selecting mentors,

Celia was quite surprised to see Aina, who unexpectedly appeared to ask to be accepted as a mentee.

‘While she does have the skill, I accepted her as a mentee.’

Celia was well aware that Aina had no intention of learning anything from her.

‘She seems to have an unhealthy fixation on Leo. How should I mentor her?’

While Celia was lost in thought,

Chelsea approached with chocolate-coated popsicles bought from a street vendor, munching loudly and spoke to Luke.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Celia Zerdinger bragging about her money. Isn’t it a little off-putting?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Hmm. Showing respect to your senior, very good. But sometimes, being honest is good too. I’ll take responsibility for this though.”

Chelsea grinned.

“A little off-putting?”

“Why are you picking a fight?”

As Celia frowned, Chelsea stuck out her tongue.

“Stop fussing over Leo’s mentee and take care of your own!”

“You should keep your nose out while you don’t even have a mentee of your own!”

Watching the old rivals bicker, Luke was flustered, while Martina, as usual, tried to mediate.

Aina, with her expression unchanged, watched the two seniors.

“Leo! Why did you bring this accursed woman of LeWalyn?”

“There was something I needed to ask her.”

“Ask? What kind of ask? I can take her place, so send her away!”

“It’s about magic.”

“Eh?!”

Celia’s face contorted.

With matters related to magic, there was nothing Celia could do.

Celia gave Chelsea a scornful look, then took Aina and Martina and left.

Chelsea smiled watching Celia’s retreating figure, but then wore an inquisitive expression.

“Wow, Leo actually needs my help with something related to magic? What a surprise.”

At the beginning of the first-year semester, Leo frequently sought help from Chelsea, his classmate, regarding issues with magic.

Given his lack of knowledge about the latest magic trends, Chelsea’s theoretical expertise as an excellent wizard was very beneficial.

However, while he was unfamiliar with the latest magic trends,

The depth of Leo’s knowledge about magic was on a different level entirely.

To the point where even the greatest wizards in the world would fall short in comparison.

Once Leo became somewhat familiar with the latest magic, he rarely asked for help, though he occasionally offered it.

“So now, he wants my help?”

Chelsea’s eyes sparkled.

In the process, she began humming a tune.

“I was thinking of purchasing some magic books and items.”

“Ah! Then let’s head to Kura’s Magic District!”

Kura, Rumelia City’s most bustling area, had a designated district known as the Magic District, where one could procure anything and everything related to magic.

Magic books, catalysts needed for magic research, and much more.

And Leo had practically never been to the Magic District.

‘Leo is a pure practical magic wizard after all.’

Though Leo is an extraordinary wizard, he is far removed from the essence of what wizards normally are.

At the core, being a wizard is about exploration and research.

And Leo’s magic was predominantly combat-oriented.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Just because a wizard specializes in combat doesn’t mean their magic lacks depth.

For instance, Leo’s own magic and the Star Magic he has mastered.

‘The magic theory that Leo uses is on a level where an average wizard can’t even comprehend, let alone replicate.’

If we consider tendencies, Chelsea herself was closer to Leo as a wizard.

However, while Chelsea showed interest in non-combat magic research, Leo hardly had any.

‘If Leo were to delve into magic research, he would surely demonstrate remarkable ability.’

Chelsea swallowed, almost hungrily.

Given this situation, Leo and the Magic District were bound to be distant.

All that Leo needs to learn magic is already available at Lumeran.

Additionally, during the first-year period, while Chelsea, Kal, or Chloe tried to take Leo to the Magic District, Celia always rushed in and interfered.

‘Hmph. She must have been afraid that Leo would become too engrossed in magic.’

Chelsea snorted thinking back to last year.

But not today.

‘Probably because he’s showing interest in non-combat magic research and asked me for help. Didn’t Leo once restore Lady Luna’s flower magic? He definitely had an interest in non-combat magic research. He might have found the time for it now that he’s a sophomore after being busy during his first year!’

Chelsea decided to think positively.

Of course, if he were genuinely interested in such fields, Chloe, who was a resident expert in the same dormitory, would be the one he would turn to, removing the need to ask Chelsea.

But Chelsea didn’t think that far.

She hummed a little tune, and the three of them arrived at the Magic District.

Luke was astonished by the magical world that unfolded before his eyes.

“Wow…”

Brooms swept the floors of their own accord, and various wizards used magic to move things around. Clearly, this street was brimming with magic.

Everything was resolved with the help of magic here.

At Lumeran, the school regulations discouraged the use of magic for daily life, so such views were rare.

Hence, landscapes like this one were hard to come by.

“Amazing.”

“Hmm? Isn’t this a common sight?”

Luke’s exclamation left Chelsea shrugging her shoulders.

For Chelsea, coming from the LeWalyn family – one of the most prominent magical houses, none of this was surprising.

“Hey, Chelsea!”

Just then, the owner of an ice cream shop at the entrance to the Magic District noticed Chelsea and waved happily at her.

“Hi, sir. How have you been?”

“Good! By the way, I’m testing out a new product. Care to give it a try?”

“Sure thing! Three please!”

Chelsea held up three fingers and shouted.

The shop owner laughed heartily and sent over a triple-decker ice cream cone using telekinetic magic.

“Ah… I…”

“Don’t worry about it. As your senior, it’s my treat. Enjoy it without any stress.”

Chelsea winked, and Luke thanked her before taking a bite of the ice cream.

“Mm! Mm! This is sure to be a hit!”

“Ho? Your evaluation is always on point, so I expect good sales?”

The shop owner chuckled.

Subsequently, Chelsea exchanged pleasantries with various shop owners as they strolled through the marketplace.

“Seems like you’re quite well-known.”

“Yeah, I’m somewhat of a local celeb.”

With a slight chuckle, Chelsea inquired,

“So, what did you need help with?”

“In recommending a magic beginner’s guide. I don’t know much about entry-level magic since I learned it all by myself.”

Even in his past life, Leo had studied magic on his own.

He learned theory by watching others use it.

Therefore, he knows almost nothing about teaching beginners magic.

“Even Austin got most of his learning via trial and error.”

Teaching someone to use necessary spells quickly was something he could manage,

But purely as a wizard, Austin’s foundation is far too lacking.

“I’m sure Iliana will handle that.”

“Beginner’s guide? Whom are you planning to teach?”

“Yeah.”

“Who? Is there someone else among Leo’s knights who has a knack for magic?”

Puzzled, Chelsea looked at Leo, who shook his head.

“Nope.”

“Then who?”

As Chelsea questioned, Leo pointed to the side with his finger.

Luke, who was eating the ice cream, widened his already large eyes further.

And hesitantly glanced to the side,

But found no one there.

“Uh… me?”

Luke tentatively asked again.

“Yup.”

“But I can’t use magic.”

“You haven’t been taught. However, you have talent as a wizard.”

“Me?”

Luke’s voice faltered in disbelief.

“That’s right. So, you will also start practicing magic from now on.”

Luke felt his heart thudding.

“Note: Keep the fact that you’re learning magic a secret until the end-of-term exam.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Of course.”

It was Chelsea who interjected,

“It’ll be your trump card.”

“Right.”

Leo chuckled,

“The more jokers, the better.”

Especially considering that Luke’s mana characteristics lean more towards magical power than aura.

The amplification of mana based on emotions.

This ability, which wizards agonize over to increase the potency of their spells, comes naturally to Luke.

“Indeed! Once you master magic, your chances of survival during the first semester will surely increase!”

“Exactly.”

Chelsea smiled beside them at that moment,

“Survival? What’s that about?”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Chelsea and Luke turned to Leo with bewildered looks.

“Your goal for your first semester of your first year is to rank at the top of the year.”

“Huh?”

“Leo, even if that’s the case, it’s impossible…”

“It’s possible.”

Leo smiled softly.

“I’ll make it possible.”

While Luke was still stunned and hadn’t fully processed the situation,

Thud!

Chelsea placed a hand on his shoulder, wearing a sorrowful expression.

“Best of luck surviving.”

At her words, Luke swallowed hard.

“What kind of school life am I getting myself into?”

To which Chelsea grinned.

“That’s anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure—your school life will be hell.”