Chapter 461

461.

Emio Luchan.

He was a well-known figure as one of the top five skilled individuals in the 2nd Year Department of Magic.

The shock was immense when Emio received expulsion notice while wrapping up his first semester as a 2nd Year.

Even students who normally didn’t get along with Emio were taken aback.

It was common knowledge that under the mentorship system, if a mentee is expelled, the mentor is expelled as well.

However, Emio’s 1st Year mentee, Lament, barely avoided expulsion by surviving the revival round in the finals.

Emio’s expulsion was purely due to his personal abilities.

Appearances aside, Emio was still considered one of the top five skilled students in the first semester of the 2nd Year Department of Magic.

For this reason, Emio felt unjust about his expulsion.

“Expulsion, you say?”

Emio’s eyes gleamed dangerously.

Kal flinched and took a step back upon seeing that.

“You, if you do something reckless…”

“Shut up!”

Emio shouted, pointing his staff at Kal.

Wooaaoo!

A strong gust of wind wrapped around Kal as the magic activated.

Kagagaga-!

The sudden activation of offensive magic shocked the nearby second-year students.

“What? What is it?”

“Isn’t that Emio Luchan?”

“Hey! Are you crazy!? What will using attack magic here lead to!?”

“So, you’re throwing a fit because you’ve been expelled? Know shame, will you!”

Kagagagaang-!

As soon as the protest mixed with cries of opposition ended, Emio’s magic soared toward them.

The second-year students jumped back in shock.

Emio shouted at them.

“Does it seem right to you?! These good-for-nothing guys remain through networking while someone with real talent like me gets expelled? Does that sound right to you!?”

With an inflamed voice, Emio roared.

“You guys are the same! I’ll obliterate all these incompetent pests and prove my worth in Lumeran!”

Emio’s eyes were bloodshot, clearly showing he wasn’t in his right mind.

The second-year students, initially startled due to the sudden attack magic, had started to exhibit killing intent in their eyes.

No matter what, they were students who had survived so far in Lumeran.

Even if Emio was among the elite in the magic department, standing against all students at once was sure to lead to a crushing defeat.

But Emio, having lost his mind, didn’t pay any attention to such concerns.

It was then.

“Understand your feelings, but why not settle down?”

“Huh?! Isn’t it our esteemed great hero arriving?”

Emio smirked at the sight of Leo forcing through the crowd.

“Would people support this great hero who cares for good-for-nothings due to close ties? Is it right to expel a student who should justly remain here in the school?”

“Students don’t have the authority to expel someone else. Kal never received any help, either. He remained in Lumeran by his sheer capability.”

“What nonsense are you speaking!”

“See for yourself.”

Leo pointed at the magic Emio had launched.

“Isn’t it ineffective against your magic?”

“Yeeeek! That was a close one!”

Emio’s wind subsided, revealing an unharmed Kal.

Seeing that, Emio stared in shock.

“How…?”

“Students! In a crisis, Kall Thomas’s shield bracelet will be of great help! We’ve considered aesthetics too, giving it a sleek design. It’s disposable but protects your safety while also taking care of your appearance!”

Kal introduced his product smugly, raising his thumb. Laughter erupted from various places.

“You little brat!”

As Emio contorted his face and aimed his staff at Kal again, it happened.

“Emio Luchan.”

“Gah?!”

Emio let out a m*an upon hearing Leo’s chilling voice.

Other students too flinched and stepped back.

“Let me give one piece of advice. Stop doing pointless things.”

Leo approached Emio and said.

“I don’t feel it’s right to genuinely beat up a kid, you see.”

“Quit talking nonsense!”

With a scream filled with rage, Emio wildly swung his staff.

Ziiing-!

A massive magical energy surged.

Kagagagaang-!

The powerful magical force struck leo partially, destroying a portion of the pier.

“What the hell! What did I lack to get expelled?! Weaker people are allowed to stay while I get expelled?!”

Seeing Emio raging, the second-year students narrowed their eyes and entered a state of battle readiness.

At that moment, a flash of light appeared, and a sharp sword approached Emio.

Siiik-! Kagagak-!

“Kuh?!”

Emio was covered in armor shields created by magic, but the sword cut through his shield, slashing him.

Tak-!

Boooong! Booong!

Iliana Landing smoothly on the floating debris of the lake smiled.

“Female swordsman Iliana Laden makes an appearance, yay!”

Amid the jeering at Iliana’s playful tone, taunts erupted from various places.

“How can you say something meaningless like that in this situation?!”

“Calling herself ‘female swordsman,’ has this girl no shame?”

“Eh, tss tss.”

Despite the jeering, Iliana didn’t bat an eye.

“I have no interest in you, so clear out and don’t interfere, Iliana Laden. I don’t want to d*e.”

“I can’t allow a non-student attacking fellow students of Lumeran!”

Highlighting the fact that he was no longer a student at Lumeran, Emio glared at Iliana with a distorted face.

“Moreover, I’ve wanted to beat you properly for a long time anyway. You’re just too annoying.”

Huh-! Iliana’s expression changed instantly while laughing.

Eliminating her usual carefree demeanor, Iliana stared sharply at Emio through narrowed eyes, sword pointed at him.

“Someone who knows neither swordplay nor magic!”

Emio swung his staff.

Whooshh-!

A massive column of fire formed in the air and was immediately wrapped in wind.

“Flame Tornado!”

Kaaaaaa-!

Added to the wind’s cutting force, the flames began burning everything it came into contact with.

The fire became more intense due to the wind.

This magic swept over Iliana.

Kagagagaang-!

The flames rose high, emitting a series of explosions.

As Emio smiled wickedly, something happened.

Flash-!

At the same moment with a flash of bright white light, a whirlwind parted and Iliana appeared.

Her school uniform was charred and torn in places.

Burns and cuts dotted various parts of her body with bl**d oozing from them.

Emio’s magic was powerful, and Iliana couldn’t fully defend against it. However, she sustained no fatal injuries.

“How… you…?”

“Nothing special! I just cut through it!”

Iliana grinned and landed on the lake.

Chap-!

The water splashed around her, but Iliana floated effortlessly on the water using her aurora step.

Whack-!

Then, she tightened her grip on the sword and charged at Emio.

“A frontal charge? Arrogant brat!”

Grinding his teeth, Emio launched a barrage of magic.

As befitting someone from a military family, the magic he unleashed was powerful and efficient.

Seeing the magic, Iliana extended her unarmed hand forward.

Flash-!

A transparent magic barrier resembling white glass formed.

Using this shield, Iliana batted away all the incoming magic and closed the distance with Emio.

“What!?”

Emio’s eyes widened.

Despite his high-powered magic, he was bested by Iliana.

‘What nonsense! I was supposed to be on par with this guy battle-wise!’

While Emio was stunned,

Iliana smiled coldly as she closed the distance instantly.

“Are you ready?”

“Eeek-!”

“Shutter!”

Kwaek-!

“Agh?”

Iliana swung her aura-enveloped sword with both hands.

The aura was manifested as a blunt force rather than cutting power.

However, the enormous shock left Emio dazed.

Kagagagaang-!

Like a skipping stone, Emio tumbled across the water several times before plunging into it.

“Hmph.”

Iliana swiped her hair back smugly.

Students stared in amazement.

“When did Iliana become this strong?”

“Completely one-sided!”

Smiling, Iliana gave a V sign to her classmates who were expressing admiration.

Kagang-!

At that moment, water splashed as Emio emerged.

“You little wretch…!”

Trembling, Emio glared at Iliana with bloodshot eyes.

Until the start of the 2nd Year 1st Semester, Iliana and Emio’s skills were on par.

“Don’t joke around! If I had also participated in the training session, I would have received a fair evaluation and wouldn’t be humiliated like this…”

“You and Iliana’s skill gap was already there a few months back.”

“Huh?!”

Iliana’s jaw dropped at Leo silently appearing behind her.

“Captain! You gave me a fright!”

While Iliana complained, Leo patted her head and walked toward Emio.

“Let me tell you the reason you got expelled.”

“What?”

“You are indeed among the top students in the 2nd Year Magic Department. The issue is that you’ve hardly grown since the start of the semester.”

“Nonsense!”

Emio’s face contorted.

“Couldn’t even follow the theory classes, right?”

While Emio’s practical exam scores are still among the best in the 2nd Year Magic Department, his written exams and theories have plummeted since 1st year.

Students who were previously weaker than Emio and who have adapted to new learnings, reflecting it in their practical exams, were distinctively different.

Emio didn’t adapt well when it came to learning new things in the theory section.

The reason he hasn’t failed is thanks to the points he’d accumulated from the past.

The study of magic requires continuous introduction and assimilation of new things.

Emio failed to do any of that.

Whereas other students who were clearly weaker than Emio in practical exams have significantly improved, Emio continued in the same way.

“Decisively, Emio, you’re unable to handle even slightly stronger opponents.”

Overcoming the impossible and challenges is what heroes do.

That’s why heroes are always prepared to fight someone stronger.

That Emio couldn’t do.

“You are indeed strong in the second year.”

Leo said expressionless.

“But conversely, you’re now at the second year. Professors judged that remaining stagnant there, you couldn’t survive in Lumeran.”

“Don’t joke around. I have more than enough qualifications for Lumeran.”

Seeing Emio losing his sanity, Iliana stuck out her lip.

“Prolonging the discussion won’t help, Captain.”

“Probably. So, let me say it straightforwardly.”

Leo cut straight to the point, gazing at Emio.

“Creating such a disturbance won’t change the fact that you’ve been expelled. So, you’d better sit back. Loser.”

“Caaaaaah! Leo Flove!”

The moment Emio’s eyes rolled back and he summoned magic,

Leo’s crimson eyes flashed.

Pa-ching!

The magical formation circling Emio broke.

The shock of which made Emio wobble.

“A student who graduates from Lumeran Magic Department wouldn’t find it difficult to break your magic formation.”

Leo approached Emio.

“Let’s stop it here. If you keep acting out, this won’t pass quietly.”

“Kaaaaaaah!”

Emio’s eyes rolled back as he charged at Leo.

Breathing out, Leo flicked his finger.

Whoosh! Kagaaang-!

The flames wrapping around Emio exploded.

Emio soared into the air and crashed to the ground.

Chum-splash-!

Seeing Emio faint with eyes rolled back, Leo turned to his classmates.

“Let’s hand over this guy to the professors.”

“Yeah!”

“Got it!”

The second-year students captured Emio and contained him with magic.

“Causing a stir on the first day of school.”

Leo sighed and shook his head lightly.

*

Tuk-tuk-tuk…

A vast plain.

In the center stood a massive grave.

A long time ago,

This place was one of the focal battlefields against Tartarus.

A land filled with despair and d*ath.

This land was saved by the sacrifice of a hero from Tartarus’s grasp.

This was the grave of the hero who saved this place.

A man cloaked in a hood stretched out his hand in front of the gravestone.

A spine-chilling bony hand emerged from between the hood.

Tuk-!

The man who gripped the gravestone murmured.

After a while.

Kwaek-! Kwadddekk-!

The earth was excavated, and a skeleton raised its body.

A skeleton that emerged from the grave twisted its neck in a peculiar way, staring at the man.

[You…Grand Duke of Laments…!]

Seeing the man filled with hostility, Grand Duke of Laments, Artkan, smirked.

“Uninterested in a second life? O hero who was unjustly sacrificed.”

The movement of the skeletal hand extended in hatred stopped sharply.

[Second…life?]