Chapter 342

342

The freshmen lower class at Seirun Academy.

Without hesitation, they all agreed to study the Introduction to Star Magic.

Ordinarily, this dangerous class, treated as a banned book by the school, would have been something no one would attempt, risking expulsion.

However, the freshmen’s desperation to improve their abilities was so intense they were willing to resort to such perilous means.

Leo was somewhat surprised that everyone agreed to take on such a risk to learn Introduction to Star Magic.

“Hmph. Even in the normal state of Seirun, students used underhanded methods to rise.”

Leo sighed quietly, reminiscing about the field trip around this time last year.

Rauta Algra, last year’s second-year upper-class Class 2.

He had originally been from the lower class but rapidly advanced to the upper class by his growing skill.

However, the source of his strength was the power of a Demon Tool given by the Demon King, and ultimately he was suppressed by Lunia.

It was an event where the desire to become a hero had turned into a twisted ambition.

Though Leo had heard that there had been an internal investigation afterward at Seirun, he had no knowledge of the specifics.

The critical point was that students were taking the wrong path due to their greed for success.

This wasn’t a problem exclusive to Seirun.

Whether it be Lumeran or Azonia, or even Demian, this kind of situation could occur in any Hero Academy.

“Particularly since that Hel Kaiser guy knows how to exploit these weaknesses.”

Remembering the division captain who had maintained power for thousands of years, Leo clicked his tongue.

Stirring up decay from within was the Demon King’s specialty.

“Could the increase in power of the ethnic purists in Seirun this time be his doing?”

Thinking of the Demon King, Leo narrowed his eyes.

“At least, this start is going smoothly.”

Laura marveled nonstop as she read the “Introduction to Star Magic” that Leo handed her.

Her claim that it should be an essential part of study at Seirun wasn’t exaggerated.

“Surely the person who would have been most excited to read this thesis would have been Lunia.”

Lunia had wanted her Star Magic to be passed down and studied for generations.

“Isn’t it obvious? It means my magic continues to be learned and mastered by people, so it means I continue to be remembered. Heh, it’s the story of people celebrating me forever as Lady Luna.”

Recalling how Lunia had spent time reinterpreting her magic symbols so that others could learn them, Leo wore a wry smile.

“At the time, I thought she was just a kid with a strong sense of self, but… seeing it now, she never doubted or questioned that we would save the world.”

Lunia was steadily preparing the things she would leave for future generations.

“In reaching this era, she’s truly become a Great Hero that can’t be forgotten.”

But time was short for Lunia, and the re-interpretation of her star magic for others to master got delayed until future generations.

After two thousand years, Seirun accomplished this task, and after three thousand years, Ren and Anna completed it.

“Even if it’s just a pursuit of possibility created by Professor Ren and Associate Professor Anna…”

From Leo’s perspective, this was witnessing his friend’s wish come true.

The result of the class based on the thesis left the lower-class students astonished.

Initially hesitant, they quickly recognized the value of the thesis.

“Just getting into Seirun means they have extraordinary talent.”

It wasn’t that the Seirun standards made achievements in star magic low—it was possible for anyone.

Judging freshmen by early results in the semester was absurd.

“The so-called elf ethnic purists seem to think the ability to achieve in star magic is about talent… but star magic isn’t about talent. It’s merely a matter of whether or not your magical aptitude aligns with it.”

It was a misconception because star magic was seen as overly special.

“As expected, there were a few students who stood out the first day of class.”

Most notable was Angr.

An outstanding spear student who also excelled in aura skills, and he was shaping into an excellent magic knight.

“Granted, since spear mastery is his main skill, aura skills might not be his strength, but still…”

Angr demonstrated a dramatic improvement within a day, even surprising himself.

“Once these lower-class students show their abilities during the midterm exam, an investigation will naturally be initiated about what happened in the lower class.”

At that point, the story of the “Introduction to Star Magic,” which was classified as a forbidden text, would be revealed.

“There will certainly be a ripple effect in Seirun. If ethnic purists have strong control, there might be expulsions.”

Leo wore a disinterested expression.

“In that case, I’ll have Mel find them a transfer to Lumeran.”

Normally, that would be nearly impossible, but not for Leo.

“There’s no way Mel would have an objection if I asked.”

He would likely go to great lengths to transfer them, regardless of the means.

Mel had a track record of having broken into the treasure vault of Dwenno in Demian.

“Apparently, she’s somewhat of a rowdy one herself?”

As Leo smirked, a knocking sound came from the window.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Confused, Leo looked up, stood from his seat, and parted the curtains.

He then chuckled at the sight of three young women crouched outside the window.

“Hey! Open up! It’s freezing out here!”

Lunia, arms crossed, shivered as she spoke.

“Master Leo, could you please open the door? We’re very cold.”

Eiran asked pitifully, while Lea, upon seeing Leo’s nightwear, beamed, shouting “You’re in your pajamas!”

As Leo opened the door, the three girls rushed into his room.

“Ah! It’s freezing!”

Lunia shook the snow off her body.

Eiran trembled in the cold.

Lea raised her hand and spoke clearly, “Senior Flob! I’ve completed the homework you assigned!”

“Is that so? And what conclusion did you reach?”

“Seirun Academy is a defunct school! I should seriously consider transferring to Lumeran!”

“…”

Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Lunia and Eiran.

“What have you taught her? Have no shame, do you?”

“We were just being honest about Seirun, that’s all. She just jumped to these conclusions herself. Hey, you’re a direct descendant of the Tingel family, aren’t you?! How dare you critique the school founded by Seirun Lord like that!”

“Huh?!”

Lunia widened her eyes and grabbed Lea by the neck in a headlock.

“Alright, alright! I surrender!”

Watching this warm-hearted exchange between the top students of the first and second years, Leo nodded.

“Let’s warm up first.”

Upon pointing to his bed, Lunia and Eiran were clearly uneasy.

“What? In Master Leo’s bed?”

“Yes. Aren’t you cold?”

“Master Flob’s bed!”

Without hesitation, Lea dove into Leo’s bed.

Eiran hesitated momentarily before blushing and slipping under the covers, whispering quietly, “Master Leo’s scent.”

“I’m fine.”

“Why?”

“My father said it’s inappropriate to lie in a stranger’s bed.”

“For someone who seems the least restrained of the three, that’s pretty contradictory.”

“What did you say?”

“And considering where we were this time last year, hugging each other on the same bed…”

“Are you serious?! That was an uncontrollable situation! I warned you I’d k*ll you if you told anyone else about that!”

Lunia shouted, grabbing Leo by the collar with a red face.

Of course, Leo didn’t flinch.

“Senior Eiran.”

“Yes, Lea?”

“Is it normal for Senior Lunia to be so violent?”

“Yes.”

“Ugh! These two!”

Grrrr—!

“Alright, alright! I surrender!”

“Senior Lunia, you’re suffocating us!”

Leaping onto the bed, Lunia draped her arms around Lea’s and Eiran’s neck, squeezing them.

Lea writhed in discomfort, whereas Eiran, physically much stronger than Lunia, remained unfazed.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Hic— Hic—”

After another tumultuous scene, Lunia and Lea lay breathless on the bed, and Eiran, who had curled up snugly in the blankets, was looked upon by Leo, who silently murmured to himself.

“Watching you, it’s not going to be boring.”

“Lea.”

“Yes, Senior Flob?”

“You don’t seem to particularly have much affection for this school?”

Lea smiled at Leo’s question.

“I do respect our ancestors, and I truly admire them. But since last year, I’ve wanted to transfer to Lumeran, that’s all.”

“That’s quite unique.”

“Isn’t it?”

Although Lunia and Eiran had derided Seirun as a defunct and ruined school around this time last year, they deeply cherished it.

“Whether I’m at Seirun or Lumeran, I know who I am. I believe I can be the best anywhere. Why not become a junior to someone I personally admire? Trust yourself, the way our ancestor said. Believe in the road you choose.”

Lea revealed her firm conviction with a bright smile.

With that, Leo nodded.

“Anyway, why did you sneak over here so late at night? Do you have some scheme going on at Seirun?”

Leo asked with a gaze on Lunia.

“I see.”

“Indeed.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I plan to greatly improve the grades of the lower class students during the midterm exams.”

“What?”

“That’s the way to show that Seirun’s current approach is mistaken.”

Upon hearing this, Lunia thought it over, her ears twitching.

“True, if the lower class students’ scores vastly improve, the voices of the Pureblood Society will weaken somewhat. But is there a method?”

“Introduction to Star Magic.”

“Oh.”

Lunia gasped at the revelation.

Eiran clapped her hands in excitement.

“Ah, the Introduction to Star Magic written by a professor from Lumeran!”

It was the same thesis Lunia and Eiran had seen when learning magic from Leo during the exclusive blacksmith contract.

This thesis would be of no use to improve the skills of students like Lunia and Eiran who were already masters of star magic, but it would undoubtedly be effective for the lower class students.

“Alright, we’ll help you too. We can teach the lower class students, right?”

Lunia crossed her arms and smiled.

Seirun would have no grounds to prevent them from helping the younger students.

“No, your involvement might reduce the effectiveness.”

“What?”

“The worth lies in the lower class students improving through their own efforts, not yours.”

As Leo smiled at Lunia,

“Even if you’re labeled a bad student, aren’t you the top student in Seirun based on your grades?”

“Well, sure, but… it kind of hurts to be labeled as a troublemaker. In a different school, I would have been an excellent student.”

Leo said bluntly,

“Even in another school, you would have been a tough guy who studies well.”

Lunia, somewhat flustered, threw a punch at Leo, but he easily dodged it.

“Though sincere, your help isn’t needed this time. Let’s just watch the juniors strive.”

“Fine then.”

Lunia sighed but grinned.

Eiran clasped her hands tightly as a sign of support for Leo.

“Now, it’s time for us to leave.”

Checking the time, Lunia approached the window to leave.

Yet, Eiran and Lea hesitated, reluctant to leave.

As Lunia tried to grab the back of her friends’ collars to lead them out, Leo said,

“Lea, stay a bit longer.”

“Yes!”

“What are you two up to?”

Leo responded nonchalantly to Lunia’s concerned query.

“I’ve got something to take care of.”

“Understood.”

Lunia nodded and jumped out the window.

Eiran, upon leaving with Lunia, covered her flushed face and said,

“N-Not at night, in such a small dorm room… alone with a senior and junior… Huuuh…”

“Eiran, if you’re that way, it’s severe. Leo’s more of an uncle-type who wouldn’t care for kids.”

“Isn’t that even more dangerous because an uncle is an adult?”

“…”

Eiran made a surprisingly accurate point, causing Lunia to pause momentarily.

She glanced at Leo’s door and then said,

“Correction: he’s more like a grandfather.”

*

Lea looked at Leo with a somewhat tense expression.

“A late night in a dorm room. We shouldn’t be alone like this.”

Though nothing problematic seemed likely, it was still an unusual situation that warranted some tension.

Meanwhile, Leo pulled something out from his coat and crouched down.

“And why do you like Kyle?”

Leo asked casually, prompting Lea to reply.

“The Tingel family has a manuscript of Seirun.”

“The manuscript of Seirun?”

“Yes. Only the direct lineage of Tingel can view it… It’s forbidden to the general public, an unpublished work by Seirun Lord who explicitly requested it to remain unseen.”

“Should you even be telling me this?”

“I trust that you, Senior Flob, won’t disclose it, and the content is likely something people won’t believe anyway.”

Lea smiled.

“…Could it be something related to Erebus?”

Leo’s face stiffened slightly upon sensing the topic.

Knowing the last movements of the Cataclysm Heroes, Leo was curious about any content related to Erebus.

“What’s the content?”

“A love story.”

“…”

Leo’s expression suddenly became peculiar.

“Love?”

“Yes.”

Lea excitedly elaborated,

“The touching, heart-wrenching love story between the Hero of the Beginning and the Progenitor of the Star Cloud! It’s based on Seirun Lord’s firsthand experiences conquering the world of heroes, so it’s undoubtedly true.”

“Did Luna have feelings for Kyle?”

“No! Kyle deeply loved Luna!”

Leo felt his mind go blurry.

And something passed through his mind.

There were students in Lumeran who liked to write stories.

They would imagine tales about their beloved heroes, a type of fiction.

Ordinary people wouldn’t dare think the Heroes of the Cataclysm would write such stories.

But from Leo’s perspective, seeing all the antics and embarrassing moments of the Great Heroes firsthand, it was easy to imagine Seirun quietly writing such stories out of personal affection.

“You d*mn elf, what nonsense? You claiming I liked Luna? That I was liked by her?”

Leo clenched his teeth at the posthumous rumor spread by Seirun.

“Seirun didn’t quite finish writing, it seems… but on the last page, Kyle is described as an inexperienced oaf in love. It’s the only aggressive expression in the manuscript, suggesting Seirun Lord was frustrated with Kyle.”

“…”

Leo grimaced at the sharp critique from this distant junior, someone he’d never met.

“Would anyone believe it?”

Smiling brightly at Lea’s innocent question, Leo gave her a crooked smile before standing up.

“Anyway, why did you have me stay?”

Lea asked, slightly nervous.

“Didn’t you say you tried to summon and failed, merely hearing the voice of Fairy King Silrod?”

“Yes.”

Leo chuckled slightly at Lea’s response.

“Why not try the summoning again?”

What Leo had drawn on the floor was, of course, a summoning circle for the invocation ritual.