Chapter 260

Five thousand years ago.

After the Era of Catastrophe came to an end, many races scattered across the land to establish new homes. The elves headed north, the beastmen went south, and humans settled in various parts of the world.

And lastly, the dwarves.

They established their home in the rugged Drakin Mountains to the east and founded the largest mineral kingdom in the world.

Through a warp gate, we arrive at the heart of the Drakin Mountains—Dweronia, the capital of the dwarves. This city, named after Dwenno, the legendary “God’s Blacksmith,” has a history spanning five thousand years, making it the oldest city in the world.

The Lumera students arriving through the warp gate were left wide-eyed.

The very sight of the warp gate was resplendent, with walls completely covered in gold, adorned with beautiful gemstones scattered throughout.

“Incredible.”

“This is the wealthiest city in the world…”

Murmurs of admiration spread everywhere. Even the children of noble families among Lumera’s students were struck by the dazzling extravagance of Dweronia’s warp gate, something they had never seen before.

“Wow, how much is all that worth?”

With his mouth agape, Kal muttered to himself.

“Look up at the ceiling.”

“Those are the Great Heroes.”

“Perfectly made artwork.”

On the ceiling, mosaics composed of glittering gemstones depicted the famed Great Heroes. However, only the four original heroes were depicted; no trace of the recently confirmed existence of Kyle.

Exiting the warp gate, they stepped into the main square. Sedgen addressed the students.

“We’ll only be able to enter Demian after evening arrives.”

Sedgen gestured toward the colossal mountain adjacent to Dweronia that towered nearby.

There, one could see a gigantic mine and within its gaping hole, a massive fortress. That fortress was none other than Demian, the hero academy of the dwarves.

“Until then, you’re free to explore the city as you please.”

“Wow!”

The students cheered with excitement. After a roll call and the passing of final instructions, the students were left on their own. Students began to gather in their usual groups.

“Why don’t we tour the city together?”

“Let’s do it. Let’s!”

“Chloe! It’s been a long time since the first-year girl students of Class 1 met up, so let’s group together now!”

Four girl students from Class 1 approached Chloe. Class 1, alongside Class 5, was one of the most tightly-knit classes, never having any student put on a probation list. Upon the invitation from her classmates during her first year, Chloe smiled and nodded.

“Sure. But let’s not get carried away. We’re not here to play. Set a rendezvous time…”

“Still the same old class president.”

“Naturally! That’s our president’s charm.”

The girls giggled.

“Should we invite Celia?”

“How about it? I’ll go fetch her.”

Just as one of the girls was about to go find Celia, a group of people blocked their way.

“You’re from Lumera, aren’t you?”

The girls from Class 1 widened their eyes.

“Azonians?”

Indeed, it was a group of ten Azonia students wearing their school uniforms. At the forefront stood a tall boy, well over 190cm, who looked like a bear beastman. His body was armed with strong muscles, complete with an untamed brown mane and eyes. He had a slightly belligerent aura that made the girls somewhat nervous.

Chloe stepped forward.

“What does Azonia want with us?”

In response to Chloe’s question, a wolf beastman spoke up.

“My name is Wern Damun.”

“Wern Damun?”

“Wasn’t he the eighth-ranked student in Azonia’s second year?”

The girls nodded in agreement.

Wern Damun, the eighth-ranked student in Azonia’s second year, was known to be the strongest physically among Azonia students.

The girls exchanged surprised glances, curious at his unexpected appearance.

“My name is Chloe Mueller.”

“Chloe Mueller? Never heard of her.”

At that, the girls bristled.

“What? How can you not know Chloe?!”

“Exactly! She’s one of the top students in our school’s Department of Magic, always competing for the top spot!”

Chloe was internationally known as a hero candidate. It was unbearable for the Azonia student to speak as if dismissing her, and thus the girls were unable to contain their irritation.

But despite their reactions, Wern just snickered.

“I have no interest in mages or summoners.”

“Excuse me? What kind of person talks this way?”

“Hmph! If you’re not interested in mages or summoners, why even approach us?”

“Exactly! Just leave! There are no students from the Department of Knights in our group anyway!”

At first intimidated by Wern’s size, the girls quickly turned fierce, having gained experience in all sorts of battles during their year at Lumera.

Moreover, the fact that their field of study was dismissed made their reactions sharp and quick.

But despite the sharp reactions, Wern didn’t flinch.

“Is anyone here close to Leo Flove?”

Chloe replied.

“Leo is my friend.”

“Perfect. Could you come with me?”

Wern reached out to grab Chloe’s wrist.

Tzzt!

A sudden wall of ice sprouted in front of Wern, making him take a step back. The other beastmen nearby began to look wary.

“What are you doing?”

Chloe’s voice turned as cold as ice.

At the sudden change in Chloe’s demeanor, Wern narrowed his eyes.

‘So these tales about her being one of the top students in the Department of Magic aren’t exaggerated.’

Beastmen valued physical strength above all else, which traditionally meant brute physical power. Five thousand years ago, Aron, the hero the entire beastman race revered, was known to achieve impressive feats solely through the might of his body. Thus, Azonia focused on nurturing students to become the strongest warriors. This approach was somewhat similar to Seirun. Just as students who didn’t study the Magic of the Stars couldn’t enter Seirun, students who weren’t physically strong were ineligible for Azonia. Given this, most Azonia students had become indifferent to the elite students of Lumera’s Department of Magic and Department of Summoning.

Chloe already knew of Azonia’s bias but wasn’t too offended when they said they didn’t recognize her.

However…

‘To try to drag me along like this…’

Wern’s action irked her considerably.

“In any case, why are dragging her along?”

“No bad intentions.”

“Uh.. just taking her somewhere?”

“You’re just supposed to be bait to lure Leo Flove.”

“Bait?”

Chloe narrowed her eyes.

“Yes.”

Wern smirked.

“I know well about Leo Flove’s reputation. I know he’s the strongest warrior at Lumera.”

“So?”

“But it’s intolerable that he surpasses even Azonia’s students!”

“So? Are you planning to set a trap for Leo?”

“Hmph! Do you think I’ll stoop to such despicable tactics?”

Wern snickered.

“I am merely planning to challenge him to the Rite of the Great Warrior!”

The Rite of the Great Warrior.

The other Lumera students may not have known what it meant, but Chloe, being well-read, understood perfectly.

‘The traditional Azonian duel where pure martial prowess is tested without the use of elemental forces.’

In these trials, the duelists relied solely on physical strength to crown the best warrior. The loser was bound to obey the victor’s command.

“Why even bother with this? Leo isn’t even an Azonia student.”

“Hmph. I simply want to prove that the strongest warriors in this world are from Azonia by defeating Leo Flove.”

As Wern finished speaking, Chloe crossed her arms, understanding his motives.

‘So, bait, huh?’

She got it now. And…

‘It’s annoying.’

Chloe’s expression turned as cold as ice.

‘So, I’m just a tool to lure Leo in, right?’

The approach annoyed her, but his intentions were far worse.

Even if she knew Azonia had a bias against mages and summoners, it still didn’t make her feel any better.

‘They really look down on me.’

Chloe let out a low chuckle.

If either Celia or Duran had witnessed it, they would have immediately recognized how unsettling Chloe’s smile was.

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

“C- Chloe!”

“He doesn’t seem to intend harm. If I don’t, there might be a commotion, which would be bad for the school’s reputation on the first day.”

“Huh, but…”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“That’s right. She’ll be treated with proper respect as bait.”

Chloe smirked slightly. Had the other girls seen her expression, they would have gone pale, trying to stop her.

Unfortunately, they only saw her turning away.

Rururur-!

The Azonian students surrounded Chloe.

“Let’s go. This way, I’ve secured the first chance to challenge Leo Flove. And the reward will be mine.”

Wern walked off with a satisfied expression, while Chloe trailed behind, thinking,

‘I’ll freeze them all and then run.’

Chloe was usually calm but when things crossed her line, she could become the most relentless second-year.

The other girls’ faces turned white seeing this but they rushed off to find help.

“Se-Seilia! It’s an emergency! It’s an emergency!”

They came across Celia and Duran and cried out,

“Chloe’s been kidnapped by Azonia students!”

“What?”

Celia’s face hardened.

“Who kidnapped her?”

From behind, a cold voice questioned.

The girls turned to see Duran and Howl, their fellow classmates from the first-year, first class. Howl’s face looked fierce, while Duran remained stoically expressionless, but his twitching eyebrows betrayed his unease.

“Explain the situation.”

After the story was explained, Celia tightened her expression and said,

“I’ll go inform the professors immediately.”

“Hmph. Too weak, Celia Zerdinger.”

“What?”

“The intent of the Azonians is clear.”

Duran cracked his knuckles.

“Using Chloe Mueller as bait to lure in Leo Flove? That’s a clear challenge to us.”

“So?”

“If we go to the professors, it’ll seem like we’re dodging the challenge.”

“Well? Are you suggesting a school feud?”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Chloe followed them quietly to prevent bigger trouble, we should avoid escalating the incident.”

“Disappointing, Celia Zerdinger.”

“What?”

“It’s not just about school pride. They insulted Chloe Mueller, a classmate we acknowledged as a leader.”

Duran fixed Celia with a stoic gaze.

“If we go to the professors, we won’t get to properly teach these Azonians a lesson.”

At Duran’s words, the girls whispered amongst themselves.

“Hmm, so… if we interpret this… ‘Friends don’t mess with friends! Unforgivable!’ Right?”

“That sounds about right.”

“Come to think of it, Duran pretends to be tough on the outside but he’s secretly protective, huh?”

“Shut up.”

To the girls’ whispers, Duran responded with his usual cold expression.

Meanwhile, Celia, who had been lost in thought from Duran’s speech, folded her arms and nodded.

“You’re right.”

“Finally, you understand.”

And just as Duran was satisfied,

“Can I join, too?”

A figure had jumped down from the rooftops. It was Chen Sia.

“This is a first-year Class 1 matter, Chen Sia.”

“But Chloe is also my friend. Moreover, she’s in charge of our dormitory! I’m definitely involved!”

“Hmph. Fine then.”

Duran shrugged his shoulders, while Howl asked,

“What’s the plan?”

“First, we find the Azonians.”

Duran answered.

“And?”

“Then we beat them up good and ask them where Wern is.”

Chen Sia grinned.

“What if they don’t know?”

“We’ll just repeat the process with the next Azonian student we find.”

Watching Celia run her fingers through her hair, Howl thought to himself,

‘How unlucky this Wern guy must be, getting on the bad side of all three of them at once.’