Chapter 339

That afternoon.

In the lower-level class of Seirun, Leo was preparing for his next class. Seirun, just like Lumeran, doesn’t only consist of major-specific classes. There are also various general classes provided. Among these, arguably the most important was the Magic of the Stars Theory class, which was equivalent to the Battle Studies class in Lumeran.

The difference was that Seirun, which valued the Magic of the Stars, focused primarily on incorporating that magic into combat techniques.

Other lower-level students were also preparing with motivation for their class. Even students from the lower-level class, who had previously skipped nearly half of their classes, attended without fail when it came to magic-related classes. Everyone was fully invested.

‘If this is the kind of attitude they bring, they’re all top students really.’

Leo rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

‘Alright, so the question is how to reform Seirun?’

If Leo were officially part of Seirun, he could gradually implement changes over time. However, Leo was, after all, an outsider.

‘Mel might have her limits in helping too.’

While it’s true Dragon Lords can wield significant influence over each Hero Academy, their involvement in daily operations is limited.

‘The best method would be publicly exposing that Seirun’s current methods are flawed, but…’

As Leo was deep in thought with his chin in his hand, the classroom door creaked open, and Laura rushed in.

“Everyone! Prepare to leave!”

The lower-level students, startled by Laura’s sudden announcement, widened their eyes.

“Today, we will be having a Magic of the Stars practical lesson!”

“Really?”

“Is it finally possible to hold class in the Magic of the Stars practical training area?”

The students looked at her with wide eyes, asking questions.

“Yes! The authorization has finally come through!”

“Wow!”

“Finally, we can practice!”

Cheers erupted from all directions. Seeing this, Leo had an expression of bewilderment.

“Why is the reaction so extreme?”

“Leo, you wouldn’t know.”

Angr, who was sitting next to Leo, chuckled bitterly.

“Our lower-level class has never had a Magic of the Stars practical lesson.”

“Until now, we’ve only done theory?”

“Yes. That’s why everyone’s so excited! We finally get to test the star magic we’ve been studying! As you know, there are limits with just theory alone!”

In the study and research of magic, practical experience is essential. No matter how complex the magic formula one might master or the new attack methods devised, it’s impossible to determine whether they’re effective in real combat or if they’re suited to the caster without actual battlefield experience.

Furthermore, just like in Lumeran’s Department of Magic, while simple magic might be allowed elsewhere, conducting rigorous offensive magic experiments outside of the designated school areas is strictly prohibited due to the inherent dangers involved.

‘So much discrimination again.’

Sighing, Leo stood up from his seat.

The lower-level students, their faces brimming with excitement, headed towards the practical classroom.

Outside, cutting through the bitter cold, they arrived at the outdoor practical training ground.

The Magic of the Stars practical classroom was a veritable cornucopia of magic. Inside, the atmosphere was as warm as springtime. Additionally, there were magical scarecrows for testing attack power and golems to assist in battles — everything needed for practicing magical combat was located right there.

‘The system seems better here than in Lumeran.’

Leo stroked his chin. It wasn’t just the combat-ready magic system that was well-prepared; the system was beneficial for knights and summoners as well. Indeed, this was the proper image of the most magic-advanced hero school among the four academies.

The lower-level students also marveled at the Magic of the Stars practical classroom.

“You’re here, Lower Class.”

“Teacher Autren?”

Laura looked surprised upon seeing Autren, the instructor for the first-year upper-level 1st class at Seirun.

“When I inquired at the faculty office, they said our class had the clearance to use the place. Why is the upper-level 1st class here?”

Seeing Laura’s perplexed face, Autren laughed.

“Oh, it seems the faculty office failed to notify you. This Magic of the Stars practical classroom was originally scheduled for the entire afternoon to be used by our upper-level 1st class. However, because I felt sorry for the lower-level students, I’ve allowed a joint session. You should be grateful, everyone from the lower-level class.”

Laura’s expression stiffened.

“To bestow such great favor on our class… I don’t know how to respond. But our presence will certainly be a hindrance to the upper-level 1st class students. Hence, we should wait for the next opportunity…”

“Huh? Teacher Laura! This is such a rare chance!”

“Why can’t we do it together?”

Voices of distress echoed from among the lower-level students.

The students, thirsty for proper lessons, wanted a fully-fledged class. They didn’t want to miss this rare practical opportunity.

“Teacher Laura, though the students wish so, are you simply going back?”

Laura grit her teeth.

‘The intention is too obvious.’

The authoritarian couldn’t bear to extend recognition to the lower-level class. There was only one intention behind this arrangement — to show the gap between the upper and lower-level students.

“Lower-level students, let’s do it this way.”

Autren stood in front of the lower-level students with his arms spread wide.

“Today, during this class, you and the upper-level 1st class students shall partake in a duel session.”

At this announcement, the lower-level students widened their eyes.

“If you win! It will be proof of being an excellent student fit for the upper-level! We’ll immediately transfer you to the upper-level class!”

The lower-level students, astonished by the bold conditions, widened their eyes further before clenching their fists.

Though their success in the Magic of the Stars was insufficient and therefore relegated them to the lower-level, there were many who didn’t accept their current status. Some even believed they were superior in comprehensive abilities compared to their upper-level counterparts, except for their achievements in the Magic of the Stars.

Angr clenched his fists tightly.

“Upper-level…”

“Since this is a Magic of the Stars class, the only rule is a duel conducted solely using the Magic of the Stars!”

However, after Autren’s words, a look of confusion spread across the lower-level students’ faces.

“What? A duel restricted to the Magic of the Stars?”

“So, it’s a pure magical duel then?”

“Yeah?”

“Teacher Autren! My strength lies in summoning magic!”

Berus, a student specializing in summoning magic in the lower-level class, raised his hand to speak. He was the leading student in the lower-level summoning courses and was highly skilled.

At Berus’s words, Autren’s face turned cold.

“What’s the problem with that?”

“Uh?”

“If you’re proud to be a student of Seirun, doesn’t it make sense that ‘the Magic of the Stars’ is more important than summoning?”

“But, that…”

“If you value summoning more than the Magic of the Stars, do you even have a reason to be at Seirun?”

The extremely star-magic-centered argument left Berus speechless.

“And, if you’re so confident in summoning…”

Autren’s lips curled upward as he pointed to a student.

“You’ll get a chance to challenge the top student of the first year, Lea, to see your skills.”

Berus remained silent.

Lea Tinggel.

From the main line of the Tinggel family and the one who successfully communicated with the Fairy King yesterday — a student boasted the best skills both in magic and summoning.

As Berus remained quiet, Autren smirked, mocking him.

At that moment, Angr spoke up.

“Teacher Autren, if so, could you allow a full-force duel against Lea using more than just magic?”

Taking a sidelong glance at Angr, with a defiant glare, Autren frowned.

“Very disrespectful. As a mere student, are you challenging the teacher’s authority? Fine, I approve the duel. However, if you lose, challenging my authority will bear a heavy price. I’ll expel you immediately. Do you still wish to proceed?”

Angr flinched.

Lea appeared startled.

Clenching his fists and trembling with anticipation, Angr bowed his head deeply.

“I’m sorry, that was a thoughtless statement.”

“Hmph. Then before we assign the duel opponents…”

Autren smirked.

“Let me personally demonstrate what true practical Magic of the Stars is. You there, the student with white hair from the lower-level.”

Autren pointed with his finger at Leo.

“Is that me?”

As Leo pointed at himself, Autren’s lips curled upward.

“That’s right. You can serve as the lower-level representative and demonstrate. Come out here.”

Walking towards the center of the arena, Autren turned as Leo asked with a smirk.

“Is it truly a duel restricted solely to the Magic of the Stars?”

“Yeah.”

“Is using other types of magic completely prohibited?”

“Of course it is.”

‘You’ll come to regret that.’

*

‘What a chance to witness senior Flob’s Magic of the Stars!’

Lea clasped her hands tightly and beamed with excitement when she suddenly heard:

“Why is Teacher Autren dueling with a lower-level lackey? It’s a waste of time anyway.”

A student from the upper-level 1st class frowned in annoyance.

On hearing this, Lea widened her eyes.

‘What did that guy just call someone a lackey?’

“Stop calling a classmate a lackey.”

At that moment, Elric adjusted his horn-rimmed glasses and spoke.

Glancing at Elric, the male student who had mocked Leo earlier sneered.

“Why? Do you have sympathy for a lackey too since you’re from an insignificant family?”

Elric’s eyes turned cold.

“You think you’re something just because you’re the second in rank? We’ll see if you’re still second after the midterms… Gasp!”

Krrkk-!

The male student, who had been scoffing, doubled over as if his waist had been snapped in two.

Lea, having delivered a precise drop kick to that spot, said with apparent remorse.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just instinctively went for the bug.”

“Well, that could happen. Gasp!”

“I guess we’d better head to the clinic.”

Laura sighed as she escorted the groaning male student to the clinic.

The students of upper-level 1st class seemed to believe Lea’s comment about going after the bug judging by her usual innocent and guileless smile.

“But aren’t there bugs in the practical classroom?”

“They could be here, I guess.”

Amid the small disturbance,

Autren, standing in the center of the arena, snapped his fingers.

Huuuwaak-!

In an instant, over a hundred duplicates of Autren appeared.

The Magic of the Stars: Mirage.

One of the most basic yet renowned star magics, said to be a favorite of the ancestors of the Star Cloud.

Gasps of admiration erupted as the students witnessed Autren’s magic.

“As expected, even a basic magic performed by someone at Teacher’s level stands out.”

“Hundred clones?”

‘Flob, since last year, you’ve been challenging the authority of Seirun.’

Autren fixed Leo with a glare. He was already aware of Leo’s identity and knew there were reasons behind his motives of conducting this class to demonstrate the gap between the lower and upper levels. But also, more importantly, to directly confront and humiliate Leo.

‘Teach this brat who thinks they’ve mastered the Magic of the Stars, a reality lesson.’

As Leo observed Autren exhibiting outright hostility, he remained expressionless and muttered.

“Amateurish.”

Only Autren could hear this muttered remark.

‘How dare this brat utter such nonsense…!’

As Autren gnashed his teeth, he accidentally locked eyes with Leo for a moment and flinched.

‘Did this punk actually identify the true body?!’

Seeing Autren’s shocked expression, Leo raised his hand.

Huuuwa-!

A magic circle appeared.

In this “Magic of the Stars-only” duel, nobody could defeat Leo in the world.

‘Except for one person.’

Thinking of a friend, Leo smiled.

Even if the current power of Leo was incomparably weaker than in his time as a Great Hero, the fact remains unchanged.

Leo swiftly analyzed Autren’s magic.

‘Fakes can never surpass the original.’

Huuuwaak-!

Autren’s magic was instantly neutralized.

Autren’s face turned pale with shock.

“What did you just do?”

“Once you fully interpret the magic patterns, it’s simple to cancel it out.”

“There’s no way you could fully decipher someone else’s magic so quickly…!”

“It’s possible, which is why your magic was so easily canceled.”

As Leo approached Autren,

Huuuwa-!

Leo’s body multiplied into a hundred duplicates.

The same Mirage magic.

Everyone, including both teachers and students, looked at Leo with shocked expressions.

“How about my Magic of the Stars, teacher?”

Autren’s eyes caught sight of meticulously crafted magic patterns.

“Care to evaluate it with your great skills?”