【30】29
“It’s supposed to be a simple welcome spell, but if Chloe Mueller couldn’t counter it, something must be wrong.”
“Simple? Did you just say simple? Senior Ain?”
“Is something wrong?”
“It is simple, in a way! The spell that Leo used isn’t overly difficult in terms of its incantation! But this isn’t human magic; it’s Elf magic!”
Rent clutched himself tightly and shouted.
“The magic systems of different races fundamentally differ from humans! Understanding the incantation structure doesn’t mean one can use it! This transcends effort; it’s a matter of innate talent and sense! Leo has this ability! It’s clear that the God intended Leo for the Department of Magic!”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Rent Horse. Leo Flove plans to join the Department of Knights, doesn’t he?”
“It seems your small brain, senior, couldn’t fully grasp it, so let me re-explain.”
“I got it. You’re saying you want to d*e.”
Ain chuckled coldly and grabbed Rent by the collar, but Rent paid no heed and began extolling Leo’s magical talent.
The students from Class 5, holding hands, were rejoicing.
Objectively, Class 1 had complete superiority and dominated the match.
However, the result was a victory for Class 5.
Celia was grinding her teeth, Duran was contorting his face in frustration, and Chloe, collapsed in her seat, could not bring herself to rise, her face expressionless and dazed.
“You need to get up, Chloe.”
“Professor…”
“The match is over. Regardless of the outcome, you must exchange pleasantries.”
Sedgen gently patted Chloe’s shoulder and gathered both teams to the center.
“Everyone has worked hard. The students in Class 5, head back with Halind and discuss today’s match.”
Sedgen’s gaze turned to the 1st-year students of Class 1, who had their heads bowed.
Class 1 was tense.
Professor Sedgen was renowned for his elitism.
All of his students were top-notch and the various Academy events always boasted excellent results under his guidance.
Yet, they were defeated by Class 5, the last-ranking class.
Class 1 anticipated Professor Sedgen would be furious.
“Elegance! All of you who participated in today’s match have worked hard! You’ve showcased truly exceptional performances, and it makes me immensely happy!”
Contrary to their expectations, Sedgen praised the students.
“Celia has displayed her strengths admirably again—overwhelming destructive power! This is indeed the advantage of one who wields the Flame Aura! However, you need to improve your stamina!”
Starting with Celia, Professor Sedgen highlighted the achievements and points of improvement for each student in Class 1.
“Duran also impressed with his fast movements! Your actions were smooth and efficient! However, you should explore ways to enhance your instantaneous destructive power—Lightning, after all, is an attribute of great destructive force!”
With sincerity, Sedgen gave each student advice, eventually directing his gaze lastly to Chloe.
Chloe’s throat tightened.
Their loss today was undoubtedly her failure to counter Leo.
“It was a perfect performance, Chloe! There’s nothing to criticize.”
“But, because of me, we lost the match!”
“That wasn’t your fault, Chloe. Besides, we didn’t lose. While it’s true that we lost according to the match results, I don’t consider Class 1 losing to Class 5 at all.”
Professor Sedgen smiled softly.
“In the match, Class 1 completely dominated. The match barely lasted twenty minutes. Class 5 exhibited impressive teamwork, but if we’d had more time, there’s no doubt we would have reversed the outcome!”
Professor Sedgen gently patted Chloe’s shoulder.
“And the fact Leo wasn’t stopped? That was because he completely blindsided everyone. There’s no one in the first year who could have countered it. I guarantee that!”
At this, Sedgen pointed his finger at the sky.
“Men! Raise your heads and look up. The fact that Class 1 remains the most elegant remains an unshakable truth!”
“Professor!”
“Waaaah! We respect you!”
The students of Class 1, touched, praised Sedgen.
It was a misconception among the students of Class 1 based on Sedgen’s reputation and achievements. He wasn’t a teacher interested only in top-tier students. On the contrary, he was well-known for valuing the teacher-student relationship and never abandoning any student he took under his wing. The reason he took Class 1 was not because it had the highest average score but simply because the number ‘1’ appealed to him.
As Class 1 fostered a warm atmosphere, a voice called out.
“Professor Sedgen.”
“Leo Student. Your strategy during today’s match was remarkable. Is there something?”
“Halind Professor instructed me to immediately fetch some drinks. He also mentioned that bathroom cleaning duties will begin today.”
Upon Leo’s words, the atmosphere of Class 1 plummeted again, and Sedgen’s lips trembled.
“Huh? Sedgen Professor! Professors Ain and Rent are squaring off!”
At that moment, while the students of Class 1 watched in shock as harsh magical auras and cold energy clashed at the center of the Training Ground.
“Haul Student.”
“Yes?”
“Could you and your friends go to the café and bring some drinks? Professors Ain and Rent are adults and Halind will handle the matter.”
As Halind approached the two professors, Haul nodded and hastily left with his friends for the school café.
Haul’s back received an unkind additional order from Leo.
“The most expensive ones.”
“Aaaargh!”
Sedgen felt a tightening in his neck.
“Next time, we will surely win! Class 5, wait for it!”
A month had passed since the first-year students had enrolled in Lumeran.
This period was enough for the students to adapt to Lumeran.
“Hoooom! Good morning.”
Kal yawned lazily and sat down.
“Did you work late yesterday too?”
“Yup. The demand for recovery potions keeps going up as the days pass.”
Although Kal was clearly among the lowest in combat-related abilities in the first year, he was ranked among the upper-middle students in alchemy and support magic.
Since the beginning, his homeroom professor, Halind, highly approved of Kal, who had chosen support as his career path right after entering school.
Moreover, his business was thriving.
Since promoting his products during the enrollment ceremony, with the top students often using his recovery potions, sales skyrocketed.
It turns out that many students find it easier and better to buy potions rather than make them, which significantly contributed to his success.
“Yup, it’d be good if you could buy some other items too.”
Kal looked through other potential business ideas with a slightly regretful expression but was generally satisfied with how things were going.
As Leo chewed on his morning steak, he said:
“By the way, I’ve heard a rumor.”
“What kind of rumor?”
“They say some seniors who went on an expedition to conquer the dungeon are returning.”
Kal’s eyes lit up at the words.
“I heard! Supposedly, three teams are returning, right?”
The students who venture into the Hero Dungeon to retrieve pages of the Hero Record often leave the school.
Especially this time, with three teams sent out, all the students deemed the strongest by the school had left their seats.
And since 1st-years hadn’t yet encountered any of the famous named students within the school, there was a palpable sense of regret among them.
Chelsea, twirling spaghetti with her fork before popping it into her mouth, said:
“They say that in the next Hero class lecture, they’ll use the pages from the Hero Record retrieved this time as teaching material?”
“Really? Will we enter Hero’s World already? I thought we had to pass the mid-term practical exams first?”
Kal got excited.
“Not quite. I’ve heard that among the retrieved pages, some are partially damaged. The lesson will consist of hypothesizing which heroes belong to those pages.”
“Eh, what?”
“Your reaction? It’s a huge deal to encounter a lost page from the Hero Record, you know?”
Chelsea, her eyes sparkling, replied.
She really loved tales of heroes and had a hobby of studying their stories.
“By the way, the club recruitment period is coming up, isn’t it?”
Kal stroked his chin thoughtfully.
With the first-year students now accustomed to life at school, club recruitment was set to begin.
“Do you have any clubs in mind? I’m considering the Commercial Club.”
“I’m thinking about joining the Music Club. I’ve been learning it as part of my family’s education since I was little.”
“Whoo! An appropriate hobby for a noble young lady, as expected! How about you, Leo?”
“I’m thinking of starting one.”
“What?”
“Starting a club?”
“Yep.”
As the head of their year suggested starting a club, Chelsea and Kal grew curious.
“What kind of club are you starting?”
“Hero Study Society.”
“Hero Study Society? Sounds like an academic club.”
Kal showed resistance.
“Typically, people join clubs to relieve the stress of school life. Would people want to join an academic one?”
Chelsea also shook her head negatively.
“It has nothing to do with academics. We’ll study forgotten heroes.”
Leo smiled gently, prompting Kal to ask:
“For example?”
“The Hero of Beginning, Kyle.”
There was a hidden motive; to publicize his achievements within Lumeran in this manner.
“Kyle? Isn’t he considered a mythical figure rather than a forgotten one? If it’s too far-fetched, fewer people may join.”
“But it’s so interesting! Kyle isn’t officially registered in the Hero Record, so he’s treated as a mythical figure, but isn’t he incredibly famous despite that? Could it be that his Hero Record hasn’t been discovered yet?”
Chelsea, who loved tales about heroes, got excited and started talking animatedly.
“Chelsea.”
“Uh-huh?”
“You’re a good person.”
Leo, who had never met someone so positively about him in his life, smiled warmly and patted Chelsea on the head.
Confused by the sudden gesture, Chelsea quickly relaxed and happily leaned into the touch with a laugh.
Seeing the scene, Kal laughed.
“You’re dreaming too big. Kyle is undoubtedly a fictional hero. How about Dwenno instead? A great blacksmith and the counselor of the Great Hero’s party! He’s much more real than Kyle…”
“Kal, bread might be too dry if you eat it alone.”
“Uuuuhh! Kh-hkh-hkk! (Who eats bread without anything else?!)”
“Huh? You want more?”
“Muuuhhhhhhhh!(I want to m*rder yooouuuuu!)”
Leo kindly fed his friend more bread from the table.
*
Morning classes ended, and it was lunchtime.
Students flooded out of the classrooms.
As Leo was putting away his textbook and getting ready to stand up, a voice called his name.
“Leo.”
“Hm?”
Celia walked into Class 5 and stood in front of Leo.
“What’s up? Why’s someone from another class here?”
Chelsea, frowning, asked, but Celia remained calm.
“I’m here to see if I have something with Leo. Do you have any separate plans for lunch today?”
“No, I don’t…”
“Then have lunch with me.”
“Why?”
“The Student Council President wants to see you.”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
