Chapter 259

259

After the weekend.

All the second-year students gathered in front of the warp gate.

“Everyone seems excited.”

“Well, it’s bound to happen. We’ve been looking forward to this event.”

As Leo spoke, Chen Sia smiled faintly and replied.

Under normal circumstances, weapons are bound to be expendable.

No matter how carefully maintained, they will eventually break.

Even the longsword Leo received as a gift from the principal of Seirun last year became unusable during a battle with Silatuna.

Of course, the issue wasn’t the quality of the sword but the sheer strength of the opponent.

“Anyway, Lord Leo might not be particularly interested since he’s bound to receive one of Zerdinger’s heirlooms, but having an exclusive smith from Demian students, who are all exceptional craftsmen, would be a great help. The Demian students will likely have a great interest in Lord Leo as well.”

Students of Lumeran have grown somewhat accustomed to Leo, who is an all-class prodigy.

While they still find him remarkable, they’re no longer overly surprised.

That’s not the case for other Hero Academies, though.

In particular, Demian, where Hero Candidates are first and foremost artisans of weapons.

It’s inevitable that they would have a great interest in someone of all classes.

“Speaking of which, Lord Leo. Which weapon are you planning to receive from Zerdinger?”

“I’ve decided to take my time choosing.”

“Knights get excited when they see great weapons, right? Even if you aren’t a pure knight, I’d imagine you’d be overjoyed and rush to choose one. Don’t you have such excitement?”

The heirloom from Zerdinger was bound to be an extraordinary item.

While others might have been eager to choose one quickly due to excitement, Leo had no need to rush.

It wasn’t that Leo lacked desire for better weapons.

‘After all, I’ve grown accustomed to the weapons made by Dwenno.’

During past missions, Leo had naturally been using Dwenno’s weapons.

‘That crazy genius who boasted of being an artist, but none of us, me included, had any objections to his reputation as the greatest blacksmith in history.’

Due to that standard set by Dwenno’s weapons, Leo wouldn’t feel a strong desire for even the most extraordinary piece.

“You seem to be quite looking forward to it?”

At Leo’s question, Chloe nodded.

“Of course! The performance of a magic wand crafted by dwarven artisans is nothing short of extraordinary!”

Chloe’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Instead of her usual magic book, a bundle of papers was neatly arranged at her side.

‘Those must be the magic incantations to be engraved on the wand.’

Of course, not all of them could be incorporated since even magic wands have a ‘capacity.’

Given that the dwarves crafting the magic wands were likely knowledgeable about magic, discussions would be necessary to select the appropriate incantations.

Creating one’s own magic wand was a highly anticipated task for any wizard.

Seeing Chloe clasp her hands together and gleam with excitement, Chen Sia covered her mouth and laughed.

“Chloe, you know you’re being very cute right now, don’t you?”

As everyone eagerly anticipated in their own way, an announcement came.

“Hey everyone! What a stylish morning, isn’t it?”

“Good morning! It’s a great morning! Professor Sedgen!”

“Hm! Yes!”

When the students cheerfully greeted him, Professor Sedgen crossed his arms and nodded.

Behind Sedgen stood the professors in charge of this external mission.

They consisted of the deans responsible for each dormitory, along with the department heads responsible for the entire second-year curriculum.

The faces were all familiar to the second-year students—except one.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Is Professor Ren…?”

There was a burst of confused voices among the Magic Department students.

Students from other departments also looked at the professor standing between Ain and Yura with puzzled eyes.

It was no one other than Mel, who usually taught a special history class for the entire grade.

As everyone felt confused, a voice rang out.

“I cannot accept this!”

Ren’s voice echoed loudly.

“Principal! Please reconsider! How can I be absent from such an important department schedule?”

The sight unfolding before the students left them completely stunned.

Principal Rina was walking toward them, with Ren clinging to the hem of her pants, being dragged along.

This odd spectacle had turned Rina into a topic of gossip among the students. She massaged her temples as she spoke.

“Professor Ren, I apologize, but it’s a council decision and I can’t change it personally.”

“I understand that! But can’t you include me on the list using your authority as principal!”

“Then who will take charge of the first-year magic theory classes for two weeks?”

“Let’s assign it to Associate Professor Anna!”

Ren pointed at Anna, who had come with him.

“These are the students I’ve taught for a whole year! I know the second-year students better than anyone! I need to be there to offer my advice regarding the Smithing contracts!”

“Principal. Professor Ren truly knows the second-year magic students well.”

“Anna!”

Anna’s words made Ren beam with a hopeful expression.

“But since I also know the second-years well, any advice Professor Ren can offer, I can provide as well.”

“Anna! Are you betraying me!”

Anna, Ren’s associate professor, was going on the department mission despite Ren’s outburst.

Without a sign of hesitation from Anna, Principal Rina finally spoke.

“Alright, you! Stop gawking! Pull this clam out already!”

At her words, Ain and Yura grabbed Ren and dragged him away.

Ren’s desperate cries were heard but soon faded away.

“That’s annoying.”

As Anna muttered softly, Mel scratched her cheek.

“Professor Ren doesn’t deserve this, but—”

“Since it was the council’s decision, Professor Mel doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Indeed, no one understood why first-year magic professor Mel suddenly replaced Ren.

But since it was the council’s decision, they had no choice but to follow.

When this turmoil finally settled, Rina stood in front of the second-years.

“Did you all sleep well? You brats.”

At Rina’s words, the students tensed.

Since she had revealed that she came from the Shadow, the second-years found the new principal somewhat intimidating.

Seeing this, Duran raised his hand.

“What is it, Duran Moira?”

“Is the principal leading this trip as the main supervisor?”

“The chief supervisor is Professor Sedgen. There is going to be a Hero Academy Principals’ Meeting at Demian, so I’m just going for that.”

“So the Principals’ Meeting is happening at Demian?”

“Wow, all the Hero Academies’ principals are gathering together.”

The students chattered among themselves.

Looking at the students, Rina spoke.

“The gathering isn’t limited to just the principals.”

“Eh?”

“Demian sent an official request asking us not to disclose this until our departure.”

Rina crossed her arms.

“This time, it’s not just Lumeran that’s heading to Demian.”

The second-years looked at her with disbelief.

“Seirun and Azonia are also heading to Demian.”

“Why?”

“Usually, the exclusive Smith Contract periods between schools are adjusted so they don’t overlap, right?”

“Yes, that’s usually the case.”

Demian students had long been crafting weapons for students of Lumeran, Seirun, and Azonia.

In a way, it could be seen as a kind of service.

But from Demian’s perspective, it wasn’t a loss either.

For Dwarf craftsmen, the greatest honor is to have their weapons play a role in the pages of history.

To achieve that, they need their work in the hands of the highest potential heroes.

The reason why they form exclusive contracts with candidates from other Hero Academies is tied to this.

For this reason, from Demian’s perspective, forming such exclusive Smith contracts is anything but a losing proposition.

It’s an opportunity to connect with future heroes.

Thus, the contracts are established in an equal relationship.

As such, it has been customary to separate the schedules for Lumeran, Seirun, and Azonia students.

Given the equal relationship between Demian and the other Hero Academies, this setup was standard.

The craftsmen of Demian never meant to criticize the abilities of candidates from other schools.

But now, this tradition was broken.

The faces of the second-years tensed up.

It was clear they didn’t feel good about being compared openly against students from other Hero Academies.

“Well, the feelings may be bad, but it’s understandable from Demian’s perspective as well.”

Rina clicked her tongue.

“Why do you think it’s understandable?”

Emio from the Noble Dormitory openly displayed his displeasure.

“Our group has been evaluated as surpassing the second-year students of other Hero Academies. Surely, Principal, you are aware of that fact?”

‘Wow, outright rudeness.’

‘This is a direct insult to someone from the Shadow, huh?’

‘How does he dare speak to the principal like that?’

‘If Professor Halind were here, he wouldn’t have let it slide.’

The second-years inwardly marveled.

However, at the same time, they couldn’t help but agree with the sentiment.

“Of course, you have been evaluated as ahead of the second-years from other schools.”

At Emio’s words, Rina smirked.

“But you’re only ahead because of a certain out-of-spec monster.”

As Rina pointed at Leo, the expressions of the Lumeran students changed dramatically.

“Indeed, you are certainly regarded as the most distinguished ‘Golden Generation’ in Lumeran’s history.”

Taking a step forward, Sedgen spoke.

“But elegance isn’t exclusive to you. Oddly enough, the second-years in other schools are also referred to as a ‘Golden Generation.'”

“Even Seirun, didn’t they perform exceptionally during last year’s Ruse Tournament? Especially, the top student of the second year there is already being considered for the candidate of the student council president—someone who is the rival to said top student. The third-ranked student is also formidable.”

Rina said strongly,

“Regarding Azonia’s Ar Tune, along with four other warriors, they are absolutely not to be underestimated. And while Demian students tend to be secluded, they are not exaggerating their stance to evaluate the other schools. They’ve claimed openly that they intend to assess the three schools, implying confidence in their judgment.”

Rina concluded firmly.

“I’m certain that both Seirun and Azonia currently believe Lumeran holds the top second-year students in the Hero Academy. But that’s merely because Leo Flove exists. Without Leo Flove, they would think they surpass you.”

The faces of the second-years darkened.

“Of course, I…”

Rina smirked.

“…believe that you are the best.”

All eyes turned to Rina.

“Isn’t it brazen of them to think that they’re something, when they see Leo Flove and write us off as if we’re nothing?”

The veins on Rina’s forehead grew prominent.

“Take this opportunity to firmly stamp that superiority into the heads of the elves, the beastmen, and the dwarves! Are you all clear?”

“Yes, Principal!”

In unison, the second-years replied.

Seeing this, Yura muttered.

“Wow. Her way of commanding the students is no joke.”

“That’s because in the Shadow world, she’s considered a legend.”

Rina was evaluated as equal to the Emperor of the Shan Empire, known as the King of Shadows.

“It’s not surprising why Professors Halind and Sedgen recommended her for the post of principal.”

“Alright, then! Let’s head to Demian!”

“YES!”

Under the scorching desert sun,

A tiger beastman wagged his tail slightly.

“Leo Flove, right? Super famous, isn’t he? Okay, I get it. He’s unmatched—an unprecedented all-class prodigy and even served as the first-year student council president. He must be incredibly strong. However…”

Principal Zephia of Azonia gleamed with excitement.

“Have we ever lost to students from other schools in simple battle-sparring?”

“Never!”

“And yet, some people claim he beats us! Can the world accept this nonsense?”

“No, we cannot!”

“I don’t care what all-class means! In raw physical combat, beastmen are unmatched! Let’s prove it!”

“WOHOOOO!”

The Azonian second-years shouted enthusiastically.

While the original goal was to secure an outstanding smith contract, the straightforward Azonian students aimed for something different this time.

Their target was proving their martial superiority by defeating Leo Flove via combat exercises!

Ar, who usually would have cheered along, felt differently this time.

She well knew how monstrous Leo truly was.

Ar’s white tail swayed slightly.

‘Looks like several people will be heading to the infirmary this time around.’