“An exchange student?”
Mel asked, her eyes wide open.
“Yeah.”
After the class ended, Leo, who had visited the principal’s office, told Mel about the exchange student.
“Seirun… Even if you go, I don’t think it will be much help to you, Lord Leo.”
Mel tilted her head while sipping tea.
“Moreover, if you go to Seirun now, the majority of the students there will undoubtedly be hostile towards you.”
The headmaster of each hero academy is appointed by Mel, the Dragon Lord.
Thus, Mel was well-informed about the trends in all hero academies.
After hearing Mel’s words, Leo smirked.
“I’ve wanted to visit ever since I heard about the exchange student program.”
“But… Surely, some elves will dare to be disrespectful to Lord Leo?”
The expression disappeared from Mel’s face.
Knowing that Leo was Kyle, the Hero of Beginning, Mel couldn’t tolerate the racialists among the elves being disrespectful to Leo.
The world hero who saved the world.
Without Leo, the current world wouldn’t exist.
“The thought of being insolent to Lord Leo… I absolutely cannot forgive it.”
A menacing aura flowed from Mel.
While Piora and Kiran, who were leisurely exploring Mel’s office, flinched and hid behind a bookshelf, Arti, who had her eyes closed, opened one and looked at Mel. Else shrugged in admiration.
Though Mel was usually gentle, she now exuded the dignity befitting the title of Dragon Lord, her eyes even transforming into those of a dragon.
Leon extended his hand as he gazed at Mel.
“Hoom!”
As Leo pinched her nose, Mel, startled, grabbed it with both her hands.
“Why are you so excited about something that hasn’t even happened yet?”
“But… still…”
Mel replied with a nasal voice.
“I can’t allow it.”
Hearing Mel’s answer, Leo rested his chin.
“Anyway, I’m used to the high-handed attitude of the elves.”
In the early days of the Era of Catastrophe, the elves’ sense of authority was still deeply ingrained.
Leo had met countless elves who couldn’t mingle with other races and caused discord.
“Besides, during my time, even the High Elves were still around, so it was worse then, if anything.”
“Sometimes when I talk to you, Lord Leo, I realize something.”
“What’s that?”
“The fact that Lord Leo is an incredibly old uncle…”
Before she could finish, Mel was pinched on the nose again, flailing her arms around.
Watching this, Arti muttered.
“I want to be scolded by the Dragon Lord. And then I want to be scolded by Master who can easily suppress such a Dragon Lord.”
Else sighed deeply.
-Please preserve the dignity of Pegasus.
Of course, Arti didn’t hear it.
After scolding Mel, Leo said,
“Going to Seirun isn’t just for Kiran’s wings.”
“Then what?”
“I’m there to see which hero candidates are in Seirun. I only know Lunia and Eiran among the hero candidates of Seirun.”
The meaning of a regular person going to see hero candidates and that of Leo doing so is totally different.
What Leo is referring to is someone who could truly shoulder the times – someone who could battle Tartarus, and even confront Erebus.
‘The real master of Hero Record and the Great Hero Lord Leo would have a different criteria for choosing heroes.’
Mel nodded.
“Moreover, if Seirun is as rotten inside as that, then there is a need to treat that rot, to a certain extent.”
Leo knows the process too well from the start of the Era of Catastrophe until the world reached the brink of destruction.
The world reached the brink of rapid destruction not only because of Erebus’ overwhelming power, which even the gods couldn’t handle, but also because many forces fell apart internally without a proper fight.
Especially the elves, despite their strong influence, crumbled far too easily.
Tina hoped that Leo might stir up some commotion in Seirun for her concern that Seirun might become obsolete. But,
Leo, who had seen the mighty elf forces of the distant past crumble, was concerned for the entire elf race.
Leo thought that Seirun needed to change to avoid repeating the same mistakes of the past.
Mel worried as she listened to Leo’s words.
“It would be good if that were the case… But the exchange student will only be there for about a month at most. Can much change be made in that period?”
“Already, Lunia and Eiran are there. I’ll just provide the catalyst.”
Leo smirked.
“If they’re truly destined to be heroes, the catalyst should be enough.”
As Mel nodded, there was a knock on the door.
Tap tap
Someone hurriedly knocked on the door of Mel’s office.
“It’s open.”
As Mel said this, the door opened, and Anna entered.
“Anna Associate Professor, why are you here…?”
“Leo student! Professor Ren just heard about the exchange student from Professor Tina…!”
Upon hearing this, Leo and Mel looked at each other and stood up from their seats.
“So, Professor Ren is saying kicking out visiting professor Tina immediately?”
Principal Rina sighed deeply as she asked.
“That’s right Principal! We must expel this wicked elf immediately… mmmph!”
Principal Rina covered the mouth of Professor Ren who was shouting furiously.
Despite Ren’s frenzied reaction, Professor Tina remained calm, sipping her tea.
As soon as the discussion of the exchange student began, Professor Ren went berserk and started causing a commotion.
With help called for by Anna, Leo and Mel managed to barely control Professor Ren, but his outburst continued.
Other professors rushed when they heard the news, culminating in their arrival at the principal’s office.
Principal Rina sighed again.
“I don’t know how President Kalyan managed to perform his duties as principal for so many decades. These professors create chaos every single day.”
“President Kalyan offloaded all such tasks to Professor Halind.”
“Hmm. That’s tempting.”
Ignoring Anna’s comment and Professor Ren’s fit, Rina asked,
“Professor Tina, I’m curious why you proposed Leo for the exchange student and what authority you have to send Leo as such?”
“In suggesting Leo as an exchange student, my intention was to let the Seirun students know that there are students like Leo. I also believe this would be an opportunity for Leo student to broaden his horizons.”
Professor Tina spoke very textually.
“As for the authority to apply for an exchange student, simply requesting the family should suffice.”
Even though Tina has to conceal her status as a direct descendant in the family, her knowledge of magic is top-tier even within Tingel, the highest elf family.
She was successful in interpreting a few of Seirun Tingel’s ancient magic that remained unsolved for several thousand years using her magic theory capabilities.
Through this, despite not being widely known, her influence was considerable within the family.
“Even though I wasn’t originally from Seirun and lived a life unrelated to heroes, I believe it would be beneficial for Leo to go and for Seirun itself.”
“Hmm.”
“Principal! You mustn’t fall for this… this wicked plan…!”
“Alright, alright, calm down Professor Ren.”
“Please be quiet.”
Mel smiled gently to calm Professor Ren down, and Anna covered his mouth.
“What does Leo think about this?”
Rina looked at Leo after pondering for a while.
“I would like to go once.”
“Good opportunity and if the person wants to go themselves…”
Rina replied calmly.
“In the meantime, if exchange students benefit both sides, then it doesn’t sound bad. I need to consult with Sedgen. Professor Tina, since you proposed exchange students, I expect you to handle Seirun-related procedures.”
“Understood.”
Rina had been interested in the exchange student proposal that started last year.
‘Currently, it’s the time to strengthen cooperation among hero academies. The Seirun people won’t like Leo much, but…’
Similarly, Rina predicted how Seirun would respond if Leo went as an exchange student.
Glancing at Leo, Rina spoke.
‘First, it’s best to progress on the surface as an educational exchange following the Ruse Tournament.’
It wouldn’t be bad for Lumeran if they received an exchange student in return.
Tina nodded and returned to her office. As the story did not unfold as she intended, Professor Ren seemed disappointed.
“Professor Ren.”
Leo addressed Ren.
“As I am also listed as co-author for Professor Anna’s [Introduction to the Magic of the Stars] to be presented at the upcoming magic conference, I will assist Professor Anna during the exchange period.”
“Good, if you’re going there anyway, help out Professor Anna.”
Rina nodded.
After Leo left, Rina sighed and tried to console Professor Ren.
“Professor Ren, calm down. It’s not like Leo will become a Seirun student just by going there as an exchange student…”
“Haha… hahaha.”
Professor Ren laughed lowly.
‘What’s this now?’
“I’ve got a good idea.”
“What is it now?”
Anna asked warily.
“If Leo is going to Seirun as an exchange student let’s irritate those pointy-eared bastards! Haha! They despise [Introduction to the Magic of the Stars].”
Ren clutched his face and grinned maniacally.
“Prepare some provocative content for the magic conference, and let’s present it together with Leo student! Professor Anna, I will attend this conference!”
“…”
Anna’s face turned cold.
“Did you not know? This conference was something I prepared!”
Preparing for the magic conference was a massive stressor for Anna.
Still, it was also an immense honor to present at a conference attended by renowned magicians worldwide.
It was prestigious for a magician to present a thesis at a magic conference.
Thus, despite being stressed and pressured, Anna worked hard on preparing for the conference.
But now, Professor Ren has suddenly decided to take over her conference.
Moreover, based on his statement, it was clear that he intended to change what Anna had prepared.
“Professor Anna, don’t worry! I’ll take over the lead of this conference!”
“Shut up!”
At the sight of Anna’s murderous reaction after her patience snapped, Principal Rina spoke.
“Professor Ren, sorry, but you cannot attend the conference in Seirun.”
“Why not!”
“You’re the only person who can handle the second-year Department of Magic schedule that you’ve complicated. You already obtained approval yesterday.”
Ren had made a schedule only he could execute, which was approved yesterday.
In his absence, the second-year Department of Magic schedule would become disarrayed.
“Principal, I’ll rework the schedule. Professor Anna can sufficiently handle the class.”
“Alright, if that’s what you wish…”
Rina responded coldly.
“Then hand in your resignation.”
“Wha- such…”
The face of Ren showed disappointment.
Tap – Tap tap
The sound of chalk scraping against the blackboard echoed hollowly in the classroom.
In the expansive classroom, there were two elves.
And in the middle of the classroom,
A lone female student from Seirun sat at a desk and looked at the words on the blackboard with her crimson eyes.
“Student Lunia, do you understand now? The purpose for which the Comet Wizard founded our Seirun.”
The strict-looking teacher from Seirun smiled faintly at Lunia’s response.
“Yes, I understand now.”
“Good to hear! It seems that the previous Lunia student is returning. It’s evidence that the correction classes are working!”
After smiling brightly, the Seirun teacher checked the watch.
“That concludes today’s supplementary class.”
Dinner time had long passed.
“Good work, Lunia student. Let’s meet here again tomorrow.”
“Yes, Professor Orlen.”
Orlen, satisfied with Lunia’s polite bow, left the classroom.
The moment she was left alone in the classroom, Lunia’s expression turned dark.
“Reeducation? Bullshit. What did I hear out of such nonsense?”
Instantly reverting to a delinquent, Lunia kicked the classroom walls.
“d*mn it! I’m starving and can’t focus on studying like this!”
After causing a scene in a fury, Lunia collapsed into the luxurious chair and crossed her legs.
She rested her chin on her hand while staring out the window at the snowfall.
“Should I really quit school?” she muttered.
![[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")
