Chapter 52

### After the Exam

The day after the end of the test period, after school, the students of Class 5 were happily chatting and getting up from their seats.

“Yo! Let’s have a party to celebrate the end of our exams! Party!”

“Kal! You certainly know something. I am totally in favor too!”

As Kal and Iliana were planning the celebratory party,

Creak—!

The classroom door opened, and Halind entered.

“Everyone, sit down. You have five seconds.”

“Whoa!”

“Hey! Move! Move!”

At Halind’s declaration, the students of Class 5 who were about to leave the classroom hurriedly returned to their seats.

Zip—!

As soon as the students sat down, Halind nodded in satisfaction.

“The test grading results are out.”

The students’ faces tensed up.

“Ugh! I completely forgot about this.”

Kal clutched his head and leaned over his desk.

After observing this, Halind spoke.

“The students in our class who have been advised to withdraw from school… .”

Gulp—!

Everyone focused on Halind’s lips as the merciless announcement approached.

“None.”

“Whooohooooo!”

“Hooray! We’re saved!”

“With this, we can manage until the end of the first semester!”

The students erupted in cheers.

Students who had barely passed shed tears.

Not only in Class 5, but cheers could also be heard from other classrooms.

“As I was speaking, you dared to shout. You certainly have guts.”

At Halind’s comment, silence immediately set in.

“Don’t get too excited. Although there are no students who’ve been advised to withdraw, there are quite a few who’ve narrowly passed. For their sake, I’ve personally prepared a schedule for after-school supplementary lessons.”

After that, Halind called out the students who needed to attend supplementary lessons.

The faces of the students targeted for supplementary lessons went pale.

“It doesn’t look like you’re happy, does it?”

“I’m happy.”

“Happy to the point of tears! Haha. Hahahahaha.”

“There is one last notice.”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Sena.

“There will be a party tonight to celebrate the end of the midterms.”

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in Class 5 heated up.

“Afterward, we’ll finalize plans for the upcoming study trip, which is scheduled a week from the party.”

Class 5 momentarily looked confused, failing to understand her words.

Moments later,

Outbursts of joy erupted from everywhere.

“Whooohoo!”

In Lumern, students of each grade go on a study trip once a year.

Sometimes the trip is done by class and other times by department.

This time, according to Halind, it will be done by class.

“Our school certainly has its spontaneous sides.”

“Isn’t the study tour already marked on the first-year department schedule?”

“It was marked, but no specific date was set. Suddenly, it’s announced for a week later.”

Chelsea shook her head as Nella smiled lazily.

“Fwah. Finally, it’s time for this body to step forward.”

Kal placed his hand on his chin and wore an overly proud expression.

“What’s stepping forward?”

“I’ve been around, haven’t I? I’ve acquainted myself with plenty of seniors in the second and third years! I’ll find out what first-year study tours are all about!”

“Hoh. Then we leave it to you.”

Kal swiftly left the classroom.

‘Study trip.’

Leo rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window.

‘Now that I think about it, I haven’t wandered around places since after being reborn.’

The places Leo had been to were the Flove family’s estate, the family mansion in the capital of the Delrad Kingdom, and only Lumern Academy and Lumeria City.

This was quite a contrast to the previous life, where he was roaming the furthest corners of the world at this age.

Feeling a strange sense of anticipation about the trip, Leo smiled.

*

“Where are we going for the study trip?”

“It doesn’t matter where, as long as it’s a little relaxing.”

“Still, we’re going to have some fun, right?”

That evening,

A party was held in the dormitory hall.

It was a celebration for finishing the first midterm exam.

In addition to the excitement of a new department event revealed, the atmosphere was generally lively.

Of course, the mood wasn’t entirely positive.

It was also a farewell party for the students who had been advised to withdraw in this test.

“Our school has quite cruel aspects.”

Kal, dressed appropriately for the party in a tuxedo, grumbled.

“Indeed.”

Teid nodded in agreement.

At this party, first-year students were required to attend in full force.

In other words, it meant even students advised to withdraw had to participate.

“It’s not ‘eat or be eaten’, but the atmosphere relentlessly pushes us to always look upward.”

“Well, it’s a school for fostering great heroes, so what can you do?”

At Teid’s muttering, Kal let out a sigh and scratched his head.

As the two were conversing, students were entering the dormitory hall one after another.

Students from Class 5 also entered one or two at a time, approaching their designated seats.

Among them, there were instances when male and female students entered together.

In those moments, the students would jeer teasingly.

Taking advantage of this atmosphere, Kal spotted two female students entering through the auditorium door and exclaimed in admiration.

“Nella and Iliana.”

“Where? Where?”

Other male students from Class 5 around Kal exhibited intense interest.

“Whoa! Nella, as expected!”

“Iliana usually acts tough, but she’s actually a cute girl when dressed up!”

The male students exclaimed in awe at the arrival of the two representative girls of the class.

Then, they noticed other male students approaching, and quickly moved.

“Hey, bugs are swarming!”

“Go and get them!”

Male students from Class 5 rushed over.

“When is the class monitor coming?”

“I want to see the monitor in a tuxedo quickly!”

“Nella~ Iliana~ come over.”

The female students also warmly greeted the two with bright smiles.

When the hall was filled to a certain extent, a couple appeared.

This time, the scene was different from the earlier jeers.

The boy and girl with light blue hair and eyes.

None other than Abad and Chelsea LeWalyn.

It was impossible to jeer at siblings entering together.

And even if they had entered differently, the rivals were simply too prominent.

The LeWalyn siblings appeared, and some students from the Rodren Empire approached them.

“Looking at them again, they certainly come from a powerful family.”

Kal clicked his tongue.

Lumern has many students from hero families.

However, the LeWalyn family stands above the ordinary families of heroes, refusing direct comparison.

“There’s another big fish that’s not inferior to them.”

The moment Iliana finished her sentence, another couple appeared.

This time, there was also no jeering.

The contrasting appearances: a black hairstyle and white hair.

Leo and Celia.

“Class monitor!”

“Expectedly, he’s still cool!”

The girls from Class 5 cheered.

“Usually, how should I say it, he’s dependable, but when dressed like this, he’s definitely attractive.”

“Celia! She’s beautiful!”

The first-year group erupted in cheers, regardless of gender.

Although Celia was usually stalwart and dignified, she was a crowd-pleaser regardless of gender.

Since she beautifully adorned herself in a red dress, it was impossible for the mood to not heat up.

“But why is their deputy monitor of Class 1?”

“But why the monitor of Class 5?”

At the same time, the two classes complained about the same issue, glaring at each other.

Halind and Sedgen.

The rivalry relationship between these two famous professors at Lumern Academy was already well-known.

Of course, it was a one-sided declaration by Sedgen, but due to this, Class 5 and Class 1 unwittingly developed rival consciousness.

As students from the Rodren Empire flocked to Celia, Leo naturally broke away and came to where Class 5 was.

“Why are you here already? Chelsea is over there having a conversation.”

As Kal asked with a puzzled face, Leo shrugged.

“It’s not a place where I fit in.”

“You don’t fit in? Aren’t they mostly graduates from the Western entrance exam?”

Iliana asked with a fork in her mouth, and Leo chuckled.

“Western graduates are mostly from the Rodren Empire. My country’s different.”

“Ah!”

Most students from the Western entrance exam are indeed from the Rodren Empire.

Since the Rodren Empire itself spans the entire west, there was no helping it.

“Class monitor! You will dance with me during the dance time, right?”

“You should dance with me too~”

“d*mn you, Leo!”

“You’re good at academics and popular too?”

As 5th-grade female students laughed and spoke to Leo, the male students grabbed and shook him.

“Huahu. Everyone seems so lively.”

“Ah! Professor Sena!”

Sena, the deputy homeroom teacher, approached smilingly where Class 5 was.

“Our class has no one advised to withdraw, and I’m so happy. Let’s continue to study hard everyone!”

Seeing Sena’s wide smile, the students looked tenderly.

To the students of Class 5 who always received Halind’s fierce education, Sena was like an oasis in a desert.

At that lively atmosphere, the hall’s lights went out.

At the same time, a couple appeared on the podium.

“Hello everyone~!”

At the appearance of Halind and Artian, the homeroom teachers of Classes 5 and 8 known as first-graders’ terror, the previously bustling party area fell silent.

“Why, why are you being so quiet? Parties are supposed to be enjoyable, so you don’t have to be silent.”

Even with those words, students couldn’t easily start conversations.

As Artian looked sad, Halind addressed into the microphone.

“Enjoy it while you can. I’ve got some good news.”

“Whooohoo!”

“Too enjoyable.”

“Hahaha.”

As if nothing had happened, the students began to chatter again.

Seeing the revived commotion, Artian spoke.

“Please enjoy while listening. I’m about to announce the academic results.”

‘No way! He says enjoy, but why is he announcing scores in a public venue?’

“Why is he announcing the results here of all places!”

First, there will be an announcement of the top three students per department. Following that, the grade representative will be announced.”

Artian smiled.

“Moreover, overall rankings will be displayed in various places around the party area, so please check.”

We could see the teaching assistants carrying bulletin boards.

Lastly, Halind added.

“And this party is also a farewell event for the students leaving. Please remember that.”

The atmosphere of the party turned cold.

“Too cruel. This school certainly knows how to stimulate students well.”

Kal clicked his tongue.

It’s a farewell event for students advised to withdraw, yet they announce top students.

It’s a kind of message to the mid-tier students.

A message that they should work hard to climb higher and another that they could end up like that anytime.

“Then, I’ll announce the top students per department first. Let’s start with the Department of Knights. First place in the Department of Knights is…”

With the sound of drums, the spotlight began moving around the party hall.

“Student Celia Zerdinger from Class 1! Congratulations!”

The spotlight converged completely on Celia.

“Everyone, please applaud!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap—

A cascade of applause followed.

Celia brushed back her hair and smiled lightly, a self-confident expression befitting Celia herself.

“Next, second place is Duran Moira from Class 1!”

The spotlight fell on the arms-crossed Duran, but he looked dissatisfied and frowned.

“Grace! Grace! Celia student, Duran student! I am so proud of you! Truly, the difference between first and second place was just like one piece of paper!”

Below the podium, Professor Sedgen wiped away tears and clapped.

“Third place goes to Chen Sia from Class 10!”

Adorned in the traditional attire unique to the eastern regions, with its broad and elegant charm, Chen Sia stood with her hands inserted into the wide sleeves and smiled brightly under the spotlight.

“Wah! Leo-nii couldn’t make it to the top three!”

“There’s no helping it. They’re called the three monsters of the Department of Knights.”

Chelsea clenched her fists in frustration, while Iliana shook her head.

“Next is the Department of Magic. First place in the Department of Magic goes to… Abad LeWalyn from Class 8! Congratulations, Abad!”

Upon the announcement of the top student from her class, Artian waved happily with a bright smile.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Chelsea, looking smug with her nose turned up, crossed her arms.

“Second place is Chelsea LeWalyn from Class 5!”

She was caught a little off-guard when the spotlight shifted to herself.

“Uh, me?”

“Third place goes to Emio Luchan from Class 2!”

As the announcement for the Department of Magic ended, a strange atmosphere spread across the entire party.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on one student.

“Clara’s practical exam failing is certainly a big factor.”

Kal muttered unhappily.

“Guhuh! Clara student! Originally, originally, Clara student should have been first…! Guhuh! Absolutely no despair or losing heart!”

“Stop making noise, it’s interfering with the announcement. Take him away.”

Halind coldly nodded toward the sniveling Sedgen.

A few teaching assistants quickly helped Sedgen up and led him away.

The mood for the Class 1 students was not good.

As Chloe showed a bitter smile, Duran approached with a mocking laugh.

“Chloe Mueller. Disgrace to the entire class.”

“Sorry, Duran.”

“You beat me and became class president. So any further misconduct will not be tolerated. If you disappoint me again, I’ll take the class presidency.”

Saying that, Duran left abruptly.

Watching this, Kal muttered.

“At the moment he acted like that, the pass necklace Chloe has in her hand…”

Indeed, apart from Duran, all the Class 1 students consoled Chloe.

This was part of Chloe’s well-earned popularity as class president.

“Next, the Department of Summoning! First place goes to student Warden Tyden from Class 2!”

The spotlight fell, but Warden remained expressionless.

“Next, second place goes to Eliza Hergin from Class 6! As usual, it was a very close margin.”

Somewhere, Eliza, sitting on an elegant and plush chair, was filing her nails.

But contrary to her usual relaxed expression, she was glaring at Warden with slight irritation.

Third place was claimed by Jureden Rucen from Class 8.

“I was sure Leo would be in the top three in at least one of the three subjects.”

Iliana exclaimed in surprise, and Leo shrugged.

“It could happen.”

“Isn’t that being too nonchalant? If you don’t make it into the top three for the department courses, you’ve missed the chance for grade representative.”

“Next, the top scorer of the midterms. We’ll now announce the grade representative.”

At those words, a sense of tension spread.

With everyone’s eyes on the nine students, Artian spoke.

“Top scorer for the midterms! Leo Flove!”