Chapter 404

404.

With the conclusion of the practical mission and the return of 1st and 2nd year students to Lumeran, the academy regained its usual buzz of activity.

Lumeran is a school where ceaseless competition and effort to survive are a part of daily life.

Each year, inevitably, students get dismissed from each grade.

Hence, the most populous group in Lumeran consists of 1st and 2nd year students.

Since almost all the 1st and 2nd year students were away on field missions, the academy did seem rather deserted.

“School is still the best, right? Outside the school is dangerous. You just end up putting in too much hardship—how nice to just study like this?”

Following the morning magic class, Kal stretched while saying this.

At his words, Chloe, who was putting her textbook away, smiled faintly.

“Is that so? Then how about we review today’s lesson while we have the chance?”

“Sorry, but just hearing the word ‘review’ gives me allergies.”

Kal responded with a cheeky grin.

With that response, Chloe widened her slightly tired eyes.

“Finals are coming soon. What’s your plan?”

Still looking sleepy, Chloe inquired.

To which, Kal burst into laughter, saying, “Tomorrow brings its own sunshine!”

At this, Chelsea, who was leaving the classroom with Abad, widened her eyes.

“Is there any sun in your life?”

“That’s a bit too harsh.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it? Kal, your school life is pretty dim, almost like Celia Zerdinger’s hair color.”

At Chelsea’s merciless comment, Kal gave a bittersweet smile.

In the midst of this, Abad said,

“To be honest, I hope you stick around, Kal.”

Kal sighed as he leaned back in his chair upon hearing Abad’s words.

“Do you think I don’t want that? That’s why I could use some help making cheat sheets.”

“Kal.”

When Chloe glared at him, Kal shrugged nonchalantly.

“Just kidding, kidding. Although, it’s not like Abad would help anyway.”

Abad LeWalyn, the top sophomore known for his ever-peaceful smile, is actually quite cold and decisive, unlike Chelsea who, despite her occasional sharp remarks, always looks after others.

“So, what will the final practical exam assignment be this time?”

“The midterm was about familiars.”

“Didn’t we have any special classes this time?”

Chloe, Chelsea, and Abad began discussing the upcoming assignment.

While listening to their conversation, Kal muttered.

“Sometimes, I feel like I don’t belong here.”

“Why?”

As Leo, who was collecting his books, asked the question, Kal shook his head.

“Clearly, it’s a gathering of top students from our year.”

At this, Leo smiled faintly and stood up.

“Shall we go for lunch?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me come with you.”

As Kal stood up, Leo added.

“I have a prior engagement today.”

“Prior engagement? Can I tag along?”

“It’s not that you can’t. We’re supposed to eat in the Student Council room.”

Kal’s face darkened at the mention of the Student Council.

Recalling the time he was taken to the council for drugs, Kal shivered in discomfort and responded,

“I’m not going.”

At this, Leo laughed heartily.

“What about you two?”

“We have prior plans. We’re going to have lunch with students from the Rodren Empire.”

Abad replied with a smile.

“I’m having lunch with Celia.”

Chloe mentioned her lunch date with her close friend, Celia.

“Then, see you later.”

With that, Leo nodded and left the classroom.

*

At the Student Council of Hero’s Tower,

“Ah, it’s the Student Council President!”

A fifth-year council student smiled brightly as Leo entered the council room.

“Hello, senior.”

“Since Harque and Eleonare are away on dungeon missions, it seems you’ve finally decided to get back to council work, Leo.”

The fifth-year male student, Toren, gave a look of surprise.

Currently, the two main members overseeing the student council, Harque and Eleonare, were on a mission to Allehem, leading their respective dungeon exploration parties.

Given their standing as the top students, it was expected that they would be sent to Allehem, the site of a large hero’s dungeon.

As a result, Leo, who had previously taken a break from council duties, was back in action.

“You may be the youngest student council president in Lumeran history, but before that, you’re probably the first ghost member president.”

“I’m still a sophomore, so I need to learn a lot from seniors before you all graduate.”

Leo smiled upon hearing this, causing Toren to have a peculiar look on his face.

“To me, you seem like someone who’ll ignore council duties even when you’re a fifth-year.”

“Surely not.”

Kal shrugged but Toren didn’t believe him.

After all, no matter the title of president, Leo was currently at the top rank among fifth-years.

Even Hark, unofficially the best in Lumeran, followed Leo without complaint.

Toren had studied alongside Hark for five years as a Knights Department student.

‘Without doubt, Hark is currently enduring the toughest school days of his life.’

Since his first year, Hark had been the top-ranked student of the year.

As the heir to the Reguard family, one of Lumeran’s three major families, no one, not even the seniors, had dared to cross him.

Regardless, every day without fail he performed admirably, excelling even in school grades.

Though Hark’s reputation clashed with Elena Zeruon from the year below him, the “Queen of Lumeran” and her faction never dared to treat him lightly.

Last year, however, a student emerged to challenge Hark.

That person was Leo.

Toren shook his head.

‘Once we graduate, Leo will surely hand over the Student Council duties to Elena Zeruon.’

And after Elena graduates?

‘He’ll probably pass it on to Lil.’

Lil Luche, the representative of the year above, is also an outstanding student.

And once Lil graduates, there’s no doubt Leo will delegate the work to some other exceptional juniors.

‘Well, it doesn’t concern me anyway.’

Toren shrugged and said,

“There’s a rather important matter today that requires your approval, so we called you in.”

“What’s that?”

“We’ll discuss it once the others arrive.”

Toren organized the documents while speaking.

At that moment, a fourth-year girl from the Knights Department entered.

“Ah, Young Master Leo. You’ve come early. I should’ve come to fetch you.”

Niel Loda, a member of the Roda family, a vassal family to the Zerdinger family, also serves as Celia’s knight.

Originally part of the art club, she joined the student council to assist after Leo became president.

This was in line with both her aspirations and her family’s intentions.

The Zerdinger family sought to ensure Leo’s position as president, especially considering his status as the youngest in the academy’s history after Ris.

Though it was not an easy process to join the student council, Niel’s excellent academic performance eliminated any issues.

“Hello, Senior Toren.”

Niel greeted with a bright smile.

A while later,

The student council’s door opened, and a fifth-year student from the Department of Magic walked in.

Upon seeing the man, Niel’s expression soured.

It was Marchel Luzia, whose family ties were with the LeWalyn family.

Of course, Niel and Marchel were not on good terms.

“Long time no see, Young Master Leo.”

Marchel greeted Leo respectfully.

While Leo has ties to the Zerdinger family, he remains dear friends with Chelsea and Abad, and even achieved considerable recognition in the magical world at a young age.

Even as a senior and elder, Marchel has his reasons to show deference to Leo.

“Chelsea mentioned she would be eating with the students from the Rodren Empire, but I see you haven’t joined them?”

“It’s because of the student council duties. Though it’s regrettable, I thought it would be better to eat quickly and handle the work.”

Most of the senior student council members had accompanied Harque and Eleonare to Allehem, leaving these three as the most senior to deliberate on the important topics.

“Alright then, let us begin the student council issues. First, there’s a matter related to the club budgets before the summer vacation,”

Toren, who was documenting the discussions, looked coldly at Marchel.

“Marchel, the Department of Magic Engineering has requested a budget increase, in preparation for the Ruse Tournament in the second semester.”

“It’s understandable. The Magic Engineering Department does incur significant costs.”

Upon Marchel’s response, Niel’s eyes narrowed.

“Still, it seems excessive, even if Harque did approve it with his Deputy President authority. It’s somewhat problematic.”

Although the two knight students protested, Marchel didn’t flinch.

“It’s already been discussed with Harque. Or should we bring Jamie Deckt over? He could explain the need for increased funding clearly.”

At Marchel’s words, Toren pressed his temples.

‘If we call him in, he might foam at the mouth and spout something incomprehensible.’

Jamie Deckt, a graduate of the Magic Department but close friends with Harque since their freshman year, owed his request to Harque’s favor.

Certainly, the Department of Magic Engineering had achieved outstanding results this year, yet the additional budget allocation seemed unsustainable.

At that moment, Leo, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, spoke up.

“Should I go and explain it instead, or would you prefer Senior Marchel to handle it?”

Upon hearing Leo’s suggestion, Marchel contemplated for a moment before nodding readily.

“I’ll explain it clearly to Jamie.”

“Then, we’ll not approve the additional budget.”

Watching Leo smoothly close the matter of the additional budget allocation for the Department of Magic Engineering, Toren spoke up.

“Jamie might foam at the mouth and rush over.”

“He won’t definitely. If not convinced, I’ll pay a visit. Although Senior Jamie might not wish to speak with me.”

Jamie Deckt, the head of the Department of Magic Engineering, would often have seizures and flee upon seeing Leo.

Last year, when Jamie, overconfident in his abilities, tried to manipulate the budget behind the then freshman Leo’s back, an attempt to increase the budget backfired and almost led to a reduction.

To a mage conducting research, the term ‘budget reduction’ is the most terrifying term in the world.

By that account, Jamie might fear Leo, the president of the student council, who wields absolute power to logically cut the Department of Magic Engineering’s budget, more than d*ath itself.

With the club budget issue resolved, the agenda proceeded amidst the student council discussions.

A little later,

Toren introduced the last issue.

“Just before the meeting, there was an item forwarded from the school council.”

Everyone looked puzzled upon hearing Toren’s statement.

After all, it was unusual for the Lumeran council to directly forward items.

“Don’t you all know that the field practice sessions of the freshmen and sophomores have been making a stir worldwide?”

Everyone nodded in agreement to Toren’s statement.

All first and second year students had wrapped up their schedules, returning to school and resuming their routine.

Nevertheless, the ripple effects of the Allehem incident were not yet over.

“Discussions on the Allehem matter, last year’s ‘Rebirth of the Star Cloud’s Ancestor,’ and the recent ‘Rebirth of the Comet Wizard,’ necessitate a deeper discussion among various hero academies.”

Toren handed the documents to Leo, the student council president.

Leo squinted after reading it.

“Global Summit?”

“Exactly.”

Toren nodded.

“Coordinated with the final exams schedule, the ‘Global Summit’ will take place here at Lumeran.”