Chapter 350

350

The highest point in Seirun.

On the Star Square, where the entire view of Seirun can be seen, elves were talking worriedly.

“What on earth are we going to do about the responsibility for this incident?”

The icy gaze of Rebet, who was in charge of the overall responsibility of the second year students, turned towards the teachers responsible for the advanced first-year class.

Geras, the homeroom teacher of the top Advanced Class 1, stood at the forefront, bowing his head with a pale face.

“The entire Advanced Class being defeated by the Regular Class! What kind of teaching has led to this result?”

With an anger-filled shout, Geras spoke with great difficulty.

“Uhh, I only started teaching the Advanced Class 1 halfway through…”

“Now is not the time for excuses! Didn’t you take charge of Advanced Class 2 before that?”

Upon seeing Rebet’s neck veins pop out, Geras paled.

“At a time when already so many foolish people don’t understand or doubt our grand vision! To show such disgraceful behavior!”

“Teacher Rebet, please calm down.”

Orlen adjusted her glasses.

“Indeed, it’s true that we must clarify the responsibility for this matter. After all, our society’s prestige has been tarnished. However, before that…”

Orlen cast a cold gaze towards the teachers responsible for the first-year students and continued.

“First and foremost, we need to investigate what happened in the Regular Class.”

Everyone turned their gaze towards Orlen.

“Isn’t this strange? The students in the Regular Class, who lacked talent in the Magic of the Stars, suddenly showing such impressive skills. There’s definitely some illicit method involved. Remember, Leo Flove from Lumeran was in the 1st year Regular Class.”

Upon hearing this statement, Rebet stroked his chin.

“Indeed, that nefarious fellow might have used some despicable trick. But we can’t easily confront him, Teacher Orlen. After all, he is the Student Council President of Lumeran.”

Rebet’s unpleasant expression made Orlen smirk.

“Leo Flove may be untouchable, but Teacher Laura, who was in charge of the Regular Class, can definitely be questioned.”

“We need to prepare a hearing for Laura.”

At Rebet’s cold tone, Orlen smiled faintly when LeHagen, the Acting Principal, appeared on the Star Square.

The teachers, who had been seated, stood up.

“LeHagen-sama. We were discussing our future strategies regarding this issue. The agenda items include…”

“I’ve heard the report, now all of you may retreat.”

“Huh?”

Surprised by LeHagen’s sudden command, the teachers displayed confused expressions.

“Did you not hear me?”

Nevertheless, despite not fully understanding, everyone departed the Star Square upon hearing his icy tone.

LeHagen, who remained alone on the Star Square, let out a deep sigh.

He turned his head, gazing into the air, and asked,

“Could you explain what has happened?”

At these words, a dark crimson light flickered in the air.

The ominous light formed a square and quickly revealed the figure of a man.

[I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear LeHagen.]

“Don’t put on a show. Do you think I don’t know about your wicked schemes?”

LeHagen yelled with fury towards the man beyond the spell, Hel Kaiser.

“Isn’t this another of your attempts to bring darkness back to this Seirun!”

[I’m being misunderstood.]

Hel Kaiser burst into laughter.

[Dear LeHagen, it’s true that I lent you my power to highlight the young sprouts you hold dear. However, my power does not always remain under my control. The summoning of the Skeleton King was one such case—it was not my will.]

“I can’t believe you.”

[Whether you believe me or not is your choice, LeHagen. But surely, Seirun can’t be affected by just the Skeleton King, can it?]

“That’s true.”

LeHagen continued speaking, still troubled and restless.

Observing LeHagen, Hel Kaiser’s smile faded.

[Before anything else, I want to discuss our deal.]

“Excuse me.”

Hel Kaiser’s words caused LeHagen to cough awkwardly.

[Dear LeHagen, wasn’t it I who clearly gave you the clue to summon the Fairy King?]

Hel Kaiser’s eyes narrowed.

[The Comet Wizard was not only unknown to the public but also the Vow Keeper of the Fairy King. Additionally, the Comet Wizard’s heritage, Cometes, and his lineage are the keys to fulfill the Elves’ long-held wish for a pact with the Fairy King. This is something I also revealed to you.]

“So isn’t it because of Rea Tinggel that the Fairy King was summoned?”

[That cannot be called a true summoning, dear LeHagen.]

“Hah! It’s not my fault despite my support! What do you expect me to do with a summoner lacking proper qualities?”

Hel Kaiser, observing the enraged LeHagen, replied.

[Time is infinite for me. Dear LeHagen, your time is limited.]

With a smirk, Hel Kaiser continued.

“…”

[Five thousand years ago, the Fairy King who founded the Star Cloud alongside the Great Hero certainly knows the whereabouts of the pieces of Erebus. Discovering their whereabouts and exterminating them will be the price I demand. In return, I will hand over the relics of the Comet Wizard that I possess to you. Do not forget this deal.]

LeHagen glared at Hel Kaiser.

“Is it true that you hold the relics of the Hero of Beginning?”

[Yes, it was me who gathered the bodies of the Heroes of the Cataclysm after the battle with Erebus. Perhaps with your necromancy, you may even be able to call the Hero of the Beginning into this world.]

“If even a bit of the Hero of the Beginning’s relics are damaged, I will not forgive you, Demon King.”

[You have no need to worry about that, dear LeHagen.]

Hel Kaiser burst into laughter.

[Then, I look forward to better news.]

Before the conversation ended,

LeHagen mocked Hel Kaiser, saying,

“To betray and try to k*ll your master for true ownership of Tartarus. The loyalty of demons is laughable every time I see it.”

[I am a demon. You may be the successor of the founders of the Star Cloud and the Comet Wizard, leading the elves towards a glorious mission, but… following a lord who was eradicated long ago is foolishness in itself. Your mockery sounds like praise to me.]

With that, Hel Kaiser laughed and then vanished.

LeHagen, who had been watching Hel Kaiser disappear, let out a snigger.

‘I will definitely annihilate you when I become the Great Hero.’

The students in the Regular Class were glancing at each other.

Watching those students, Leo spoke.

“Why are you all so wary? It was the best exam, you should all be celebrating.”

A celebration party was currently happening in the Regular Class classroom.

Though usually such a party would have been lively, everyone was cautious of Leo.

“Uh… I mean, not Reil! The Student Council President of Lumeran; thank you for leading us. So… um…”

Angr, unsure of what to say, shrank back, prompting Leo to click his tongue.

“Being a student council president from another school, why are you all so cautious?”

“B-b-but, even if you’re from a different school, you’re still a senior and… you’re the student council president, after all.”

“Is there any concern that we might have been rude?”

At the Regular Class students’ words, Leo burst out laughing.

Crrrrk!

The door to the Regular Class classroom opened.

“Hi, everyone!”

Eclere, invited to the celebration party, greeted with a bright smile.

However, noticing the Regular Class students being cautious around Leo, she was quite taken aback.

“What’s going on? Aren’t you coming in?”

Following her, Lea entered.

“Lea Tinggel? What brings you here?”

“Hearing that there was a celebration party, I came to congratulate you.”

Lea grinned.

Watching Lea, Angr smiled.

“Thanks.”

“I’m not the only one here to congratulate you.”

“What?”

“What is it? Why is the atmosphere so gloomy? You all did well in today’s exam!”

“Aren’t you all enjoying yourselves?”

Twin siblings, Tuina, appeared behind Lea.

“Senior Tuina?”

The Regular Class students looked surprised.

It wasn’t just Tuina and her brother.

As other famous second-year seniors followed and entered the Regular Class, everyone’s eyes widened considerably.

“Lunia-sensei and Eiran-sensei!?”

The Regular Class students stared with bewildered expressions.

Finally, Herdium and Laura made an appearance.

“To all the first-year students, as a teacher of Seirun, I apologize.”

Herdium bowed his head.

“I was aware that you were being discriminated against but was unable to do anything. Achieving this remarkable feat despite such a difficult environment… your accomplishments will bring great change to Seirun. I’m truly… proud of each and every one of you.”

Seeing the famous Seirun teacher, Herdium, Angr hurriedly spoke.

“N-no, it was thanks to Laura-sensei and… the Student Council President from Lumeran.”

“Just call me ‘senpai’ if you insist on being so formal.”

When Leo sighed and spoke, Angr’s face reddened slightly as she continued.

“Then… I’ll call you ‘senpai’…”

Observing this interaction, Herdium spoke.

“Student Leo, I truly owe you a great debt. I’m at a loss as to how I can repay it…”

“What have I done? It’s all the students’ accomplishments.”

Leo smiled faintly.

“Come on! Let’s save the thank-you’s for later.”

“Right! Everyone, let’s enjoy ourselves!”

Garin and Aris cheered joyfully.

The situation of the first-year Regular Class had been known by Lunia and Eiran.

Having been in the Regular Class during their first semester as first-years, the twin siblings were proud of their juniors who achieved excellent results despite difficult conditions.

The stiffened atmosphere from the seniors’ congratulations relaxed.

Around Leo, second-year students from Seirun gathered.

“It’s a shame. Since you’ve come as an exchange student, it would’ve been great if we could’ve studied together.”

Garin licked his lips.

“Still, you’re human, so how do you manage to wield Stellar Magic so skillfully? Any secrets?”

“Because of studying really hard.”

As Leo sipped a drink while speaking, Aris clicked her tongue.

“There you go with the top student cliché: studying hard.”

“Still, you must have had a great teacher, right?”

‘Reuna isn’t a great teacher, though.’

Leo recalled when he was learning Stellar Magic.

‘Why can’t you do this?’

Recalling those times, Leo chuckled.

“For how long will you stay here in Seirun?”

Lunia asked curiously.

“I plan to stay until the conference presentation.”

*

In the basement of the Comet Hall, the recovered Seirun Hero Records were secretly stored.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, black flames flickered.

It was as if they were trying to escape.

The struggling black flames were eventually sucked in, disappearing into the Hero Records.