Chapter 280

280

Lunchtime.

Following yesterday, most of the Hero Academy students looked exhausted today as well.

” Seriously, aren’t these guys ever tired?”

Ar made a face as if she was fed up. Even the mighty students of Azonia, known for their incredible stamina, were worn out from the relentless dwarves.

Especially Ar, being the representative of Azonia’s first-year class, had been targeted by many dwarves.

“You’ve got it easy, Muscle-head. You’ve already chosen your exclusive Smith.”

Ar stuck out her lip and glanced to the side.

There stood her childhood friend and Azonia second-year ranking second, Dion.

Dion had already settled on his exclusive Smith.

Dion’s chosen Smith was none other than Digness, the second-year representative of Demian.

“Didn’t Digness offer to craft gear for you too?”

“He did.”

Ar crossed her arms.

Her white tail swayed gently.

“But I didn’t like the gear that guy makes.”

The weapons Digness crafted had a refined overall appearance.

The fact that his gear didn’t discriminate between weapon types and classes was also an advantage.

Ar’s forte was martial arts.

However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t use weapons. She had been trained from a young age to handle various weapons skillfully.

‘Because I respected Lord Ar!’

The hero Aron.

According to records, he was nearly a martial deity who could handle any weapon.

Ar had been striving since childhood to become like Aron.

The weapons Digness made were undeniably excellent, but to Ar, they lacked versatility.

“What if a piece of equipment could turn into a sword sometimes, then a spear, or even an axe, yet still be convenient to carry around?”

” Quite greedy, aren’t you?”

As Dion clicked his tongue, he stopped walking.

He then spotted Leo talking to someone from afar.

“There’s Leo Flove.”

“Black Rabbit?!”

Ar’s white tail stiffened in a sharp exclamation mark.

‘This is my chance to ask how Black Rabbit used Howling!’

Thinking it was the perfect opportunity to ask about something she’d been curious about for days, Ar approached Leo.

Dion followed closely behind Ar.

“Black Rabbit, I have something I want to… ”

“I wanted to talk to you, Leo Flove.”

Dion stepped forward, grabbing Ar’s head and pulling her to the side.

Ar glared and kicked Dion’s behind.

Dion ignored her as if it was nothing.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah. Is this the first time we’ve had a conversation since the pre-admission feast in Azrek?”

Last summer break.

When Ar went to Azrek for Azonia’s entrance exam, those memories came to Leo’s mind as he chuckled.

“I always heard about your exploits. It’s a shame that you didn’t come to Azonia.”

Dion clicked his tongue regretfully and smirked.

“Speaking of that, Leo Flove, I challenge you to a duel…”

Whack!

Ar slapped the back of Dion’s head.

In response, Dion grabbed the collar of Ar’s shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re the one who started picking a fight.”

Ar replied calmly.

“And Dad warned us not to fight while we’re in Demian.”

“That’s true. Uncle Berga did say that.”

‘Really? That battle-loving guy?’

Leo recalled Berga, a Beastman, who was Ar’s father, a close friend and comrade of her mother Reina, and a lecturer at Azonia.

As Leo was wearing an expression of surprise,

“Originally, fighting is something you should do secretly.”

“Oh my, if you duel, I’m sure you’ll be able to hide it well.”

Apparently, Dion had quite a flashy combat style.

Dion said, looking at Ar who chuckled.

“Ar, you would understand. That adrenaline rush when challenging a stronger opponent.”

Dion fixed his gaze on Leo, exuding a fighting spirit.

“I want to test how my power stands up against someone who’s acclaimed as the strongest in our generation, Leo Flove.”

‘I thought he was pretty calm, but turns out he’s tough by nature.’

Leo chuckled while looking at Dion.

“Everyone, gather! All students from each Hero Academy, gather immediately!”

Berga, an Azonia lecturer, shouted with a thunderous voice.

The sound was loud enough to reach all the second-years present.

Everyone hurriedly gathered in surprise.

From Luimeran’s Ain to Seirun’s Herdium, Azonia’s Berga, and even Rentana, the Demian second-year dedicated Smith, gathered students from each Hero Academy.

“Professor Ain, is there anything the matter?”

During the exclusive period for Smith contracts in Demian, students from Luimeran were granted autonomy.

The same applied to students from other Hero Academies.

To Duran’s question, Ain answered.

“The President and Second-Year Professor Sedgen are in a meeting right now, so I’ve come to brief you on the situation.”

The Luimeran students exchanged puzzled glances.

In the midst of this, Ain continued.

“Do you know about the city of Tarkam in the eastern continent?”

At the edge of the dwarf territory.

A large dwarven metropolis and a significant production site for many spirit stones and rare minerals, most knew about Tarkam.

“We’ve received a report that an unusual incident has occurred in Tarkam. There’s word of a giant monster, as big as half of Mount Erdien, appearing. This has thrown the Tarkam guards into a panic.”

Upon hearing this, the students began whispering amongst themselves.

“Mount Erdien? That’s the place we went for our freshman entrance exam, right?”

“A monster big enough to cover that mountain?”

“Is such a monster even possible?”

Most second-year students had seen Mount Erdien last year.

Having witnessed the towering height of the immense mountain, it was hard for the second-years to believe such a monster existed.

As Chloe tilted her head in confusion, she suddenly glanced beside her.

“Leo?”

Leo stood there with a stiff expression.

“Leo, is something wrong?”

Carefully, Chloe asked, but Leo simply shook his head.

“It’s nothing.”

With a smile, Leo softened his face.

‘A monster as big as half of Mount Erdien?’

Common sense says it’s impossible.

The existence of such a massive creature itself is an absurd notion.

However, Leo knows of such a colossal creature.

‘Giant King, Gias.’

Since the Era of Catastrophe.

The Legion Commander who had never revealed his face until now.

The monster so shrouded in mystery that it’s even forgotten in texts and amongst the populace.

‘The Giant King is of cautious nature. Even with the Demon Queen’s defeat, he’s not one to move rashly.’

Despite his massive size, the Giant King was actually a very secretive Legion Commander.

‘If he’s moved, there must be a reason.’

Leo’s expression became serious.

“Regarding this incident in Tarkam, Demian has been requested to conduct an investigation. And during the principal’s meeting, there was a proposal to assign this mission to you.”

“To us?”

“Yes. More specifically, they’ve suggested forming mixed parties from each academy for the investigation.”

Upon hearing this, the Luimeran students began to stir.

“You know, forming parties with students from other Hero Academies is part of the third-year curriculum. This is a chance for you to experience it a year early. The principal must have wished for it.”

“Will the other Hero Academies also agree?”

“Yes.”

With Ain’s answer, the Luimeran students looked excited.

“This sounds fun.”

“Though the Seirun students are a bit tricky…”

“Eh, but not all of them can be bad, right?”

“Professor! What’s the party size going to be?”

“Deciding the party size is up to the students.”

Ain crossed his arms.

“Though this is a sudden mission, the professors have decided to incorporate it into the assessment.”

At Ain’s words, disgruntled voices echoed here and there.

However, no one rebelled.

The Luimeran students were already well-versed in dealing with sudden situations.

“What about the Smith contract?”

“The practical test will last until next week. For the following week, the Smith contract will continue. It’s a good opportunity for Demian students to understand us better, so there’s nothing to lose.”

Ain scanned the second-years.

“First, form your parties. Since you’ll be heading to Mount Erdien, it’s wise to choose carefully. Also, you can work in cooperation with other teams. As the practice mission will occur in a monster-populated area, combat will be essential.”

Hearing this, the Luimeran students tightened their expressions.

They’d experienced a year of challenges, but ‘actual combat’ still brought enough tension.

“This mission is a time for you to apply everything you’ve learned so far. It’s also an opportunity to test your skills against Hero candidates from your generation. I expect good results.”

“Understood!”

*

“Leo, what are you going to do?”

Kal scratched his head anxiously as he asked.

Forming teams.

This was the biggest hurdle for Kal.

Aiming to be a support specialist.

But that was a path he had no choice but to take due to his lack of skills.

While the Luimeran Academy positively evaluated Kal’s choice, it was uncertain how students from other Hero Academies would perceive him.

Upon Kal’s query, Leo responded.

“Kal, you wouldn’t mind forming a team with me, would you?”

“Of course not, I’m fine with it.”

Kal grinned.

“So, how are we thinking about forming the team? Anyone in mind?”

Kal’s question caused Leo to nod.

“Yeah. I’ll gather them. You wait here.”

With those words, Leo headed towards Seirun.

Students from Luimeran, Azonia, and Demian were actively conversing with each other, forming teams.

However, none were rushing to approach the Seirun students.

The actions of this year’s Seirun students had made others cautious, preventing an immediate approach.

This mission involved hero candidates from various races gathered in one place.

Races, cultures, and values.

Since it required collaboration among people from entirely different backgrounds, teamwork was paramount.

And Seirun’s tendency towards racial prejudice made it highly likely to disrupt such teamwork.

Thus, the students from Luimeran, Azonia, and Demian planned to form teams amongst themselves first and then carefully included the Seirun students later.

Meanwhile, Leo, who was already heading to Seirun, had a specific list in mind.

“Lunia, Eiran.”

Leo smiled warmly at the two students leading the Seirun group.

“Will you join my team?”

Upon Leo’s invitation, Lunia, who had been observing Leo, smiled and nodded.

“I’ll accept your request.”

“Of course I will! Lord Leo!”

Eiran also beamed, nodding enthusiastically.

Afterward, Leo approached Azonia and recruited Ar.

“Black Rabbit, I think it would be fun to form a team with you!”

Ar readily joined in.

Lastly, the Demian student Leo chose was Driana.

“I don’t care to talk to you who wrecked my art!”

Driana, who had returned to her eccentric speech mannerisms, decisively refused Leo’s invitation.

She seemed to hold a grudge for destroying one of her sculptures earlier.

Watching this, Leo commented.

“I’ve gathered some models you might be interested in.”

At this, Driana flinched.

“Models? Are they pretty?”

“Yes, I guarantee their looks.”

“Intriguing…”

After pondering, Driana gladly accepted Leo’s proposal.

With Driana in tow, Leo made his way to the team’s area.

On the other hand, seeing Lunia, Eiran, and Ar standing in front of him, Kal looked up at the sky in exasperation.

“What’s the deal with this ultra-luxury lineup? What’s that guy up to?”

With the exception of Kal, who was practically a failing grade student, all the rest were top-performing first-year representatives.

Some nearby students looked enviously at Kal.

And a few whispered, probably criticizing him for freeloading.

“He’s probably doing it again to slack off.”

But Kal felt genuinely wronged this time.

“Kal, still slacking off?”

As Illiana teased him passing by,

“No, think about it! Do you really think I’m slacking?”

“Yep. You’re teaming up with your class leader, Seirun’s representative, and Azonia’s representative. If that’s not slacking, what is?”

“Think about Leo’s character! Why would he gather these people?”

Kal made a grimace.

“It’s going to be something really tough, it’s obvious!”

Illiana hesitated upon hearing Kal’s complaint.

Indeed, it was just as Kal said.

Leo wasn’t the kind of person to gather top-tier individuals just to make things easier.

Having thought that much, Illiana sympathetically patted Kal on the shoulder.

“Good luck.”

“Huh? Illiana, you should join my team too?”

She startled at the voice from behind, looking fearfully at Leo, then hastily ran off.

Kal held his head in despair.

Driana, who had come with Leo, observed him and commented,

“Hmm. The face is a bit lacking as a model.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nevertheless, your expression of despair is masterful. Would you consider posing for me?”

“Model?”

“Yes. A n*de model.”

Seeing the serious tone the cute dwarf girl used to propose a n*de model, Kal’s face showed bewilderment.

‘Ah, right. She’s from the Demian top tier too…’

Kal glanced at Lunia and Ar,

“What’s with those nasty looks?”

As Lunia gave a slightly annoyed reaction, Kal internally mumbled,

‘Gangsters, fools, perverts. Even the representatives from other Hero Academies are not normal.’

Looking at Leo, Kal sighed inwardly.

Leo gave him a soft, adult-like smile.

Kal knew well.

When Leo gave such a smile, it meant the task ahead was going to be tough.

Having learned this painfully from sitting next to him for the past year,

‘I’m doomed.’

Kal let out a bitter smile.