Chapter 633

633.

The cold winter had passed, and the streets were now filled with the warm spring breeze.

The streets of Kurage, which were about to host the Lumeran Academy’s entrance ceremony, were bustling with energy.

“Look at this—my uniform’s from Blessrigger!”

“Huh? Really?”

Two female students who appeared to be from the west were chatting in front of Blessrigger.

Blessrigger was one of the tailors specializing in Lumeran uniforms.

It was also regarded as the top luxury brand among students at Lumeran.

“Wow! Lucky you!”

“My dad decided to spend big as an entrance gift!”

“Wow! I envy you! My parents said they’d buy me one when I enter the second semester!”

“Still, your uniform is pretty decent, isn’t it?”

“It’s not as good as Blessrigger’s.”

Just as the two girls were chatting away animatedly:

“Are you really planning to give away your uniform?”

“Yes. As you know, Lumeran uniforms are ridiculously expensive. They can break the bank for us commoners. Since I’m getting a new one anyway, I’ll pass it on to you. It’s not the best brand, but…”

“Not at all! This is more than good enough! Thank you so much, senior! Please take good care of me this year!”

The sharp ears of the two young girls, befitting incoming students of Lumeran, picked up the conversation happening nearby.

Hearing this, both girls slightly smirked.

“Who knows who it was, but it sounds like a senior…”

“Yeah, and they’re commoners. Passing down and wearing used uniforms… How embarrassing. And to boast about it loudly… Ugh. They’re really shaming the school, aren’t they?”

As the two girls whispered and giggled, a cold, mocking voice came from behind them.

“It seems they’ve lost their wits.”

The two first-year students froze stiff.

They turned around hesitantly to see a tall girl with wavy long silver hair standing there.

The two girls went pale.

“Eliza Hergin!”

“Third year!”

Even if the two girls were fellow Lumeran students, it was impossible for the newcomers to meet someone as intimidating as a third-year.

And worse, this was none other than Eliza Hergin.

Part of the “Golden Generation”—the globally renowned Hero Candidate!

A person who could make you shrink just by passing by on the street had caught them gossiping about seniors.

“Freshmen, do you find amusement in mocking your seniors?”

“Kyaa?!”

“And what’s more, you’re mocking the Acting Student Council President and the second-year representative?”

Eliza’s voice was icy, making the two girls’ faces go from white to bluish.

The two knew very well who the Acting Student Council President and the second-year representative were—Kal Thomas and Luke Eldar.

Kal Thomas, who had already attained the title of Hero, was a figure even a new student would not dare to look at lightly.

And the biggest problem wasn’t just Kal; it was that Kal was close friends with Leo, Chelsea, Abad, and Celia.

Luke was no different.

He was deeply acquainted with Princess Shasha, the crown princess of the Rodren Empire in the western continent.

A slight misstep could not only ruin their school life but threaten the future of their families.

“Um… please forgive us!”

“Why are you apologizing to me?”

“What? Hey! Why are you scaring the freshmen on the first day?”

Eliza turned sharply and shoved Kal, who had intruded into her space.

Kal chuckled and stepped back, tilting his head.

“So? Why are you terrifying the new students who just entered?”

“Hmph, who scared them? I was just about to educate them for disrespecting their seniors.”

“Huh?”

Kal’s face hardened.

“Are you out of your mind? You’re trying to start your school year with drama?”

“S-sorry…”

“Even with Eliza’s notorious reputation, you’re talking about criticizing Eliza behind her back?! And you! You dared to talk about Luke Elda behind his back! Plus, what nonsense about me having a bad reputation?!”

“C-c-cramps! Cramps!”

Eliza snapped at him ferociously, almost like she was strangling him with a whip.

Kal managed to step away and smirked.

“Oh, I get it now.”

“Beg pardon me! Beg pardon!”

The two first-year students bowed deeply, trembling.

Kal observed them for a moment before speaking:

“Alright. I’ll forgive you. But there’s a condition.”

“Condition?”

“That’s right.”

Kal pulled out two pieces of paper from his jacket.

“For the rest of the first semester, can you sell the stamina-potion I make in my place to your fellow students?”

“Huh?”

“Each of you will have to purchase a predetermined quantity with your own money first. And when selling them, you’ll have to give me a portion of the profits. However, if the sales go well, you’ll earn points…”

The two first-year students stared at Kal, puzzled.

“If you act as my sales representatives, I’ll pretend as though I never heard you gossiping. Furthermore, I won’t say a word to anyone. What do you say?”

“Really? Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. I’m a trustworthy person. Just sign here.”

Kal subtly pointed to the contract.

Without hesitation, the two signed.

“Be more careful next time. Rushing into things can get you into serious trouble at Lumeran. I hope you’ve learned something from this incident.”

“Yes! We’ll be more careful next time!”

“Thank you very much, Senior Kal Thomas!”

They bowed deeply and hurried off.

Eliza frowned as she watched them leave.

“Hmph. You’re trying to play the good senior?”

“Huh? What do you mean? Those girls’ lives at school are about to become a living hell anyway, so…”

“What?”

“What contract was that?”

When Luke, curious now, asked, Kal grinned.

“A pyramid scheme contract.”

Eliza raised an eyebrow.

“Does that mean hell?”

“Exactly, hell. Going to school at Lumeran is expensive unless you’re on an academic scholarship.”

Kal chuckled.

“I assume they’ll have to hustle hard just to clear the quotas I set. It’s an important life lesson—don’t criticize your seniors lightly and never sign something without reading it carefully. Decisively.”

With that, Kal tucked the contracts away and shrugged.

“While I’m willing to let it slide for me, I haven’t said anything about letting it slide when it comes to Luke.”

“Ah, I don’t mind…”

“Hold it! Not happening, Luke. While being too forgiving is good, sometimes people need to learn tough lessons. If we let them off the hook, they won’t take responsibility for their mistakes. Think of what you’re going to do as punishment if they step out of line.”

“Yes.”

Luke scratched his cheek thoughtfully.

“Anyway, Eliza, how was your vacation?”

“Hmph. You’re quick to ask.”

Eliza, looking rather aloof, started filing her nails.

“It was boring.”

“So peaceful, huh. I, on the other hand, got thoroughly annoyed by Duran.”

Kal muttered, recalling his holiday.

“Oh, by the way, didn’t you say you’d do anything I asked?”

“I did.”

“Alright, then. There’s something I want to discuss with you. Do you have time?”

“Hmph. I’m busy. I need to go shopping. If I have time later, I’ll talk to you.”

“Aw, don’t be like that. Spare me some time. I promise it’s not something unusual.”

“Are you aware of how much the time of the Hergin Family heir is worth?”

With that, Kal grinned slyly and bowed formally, offering his hand.

“Madam, would you be so kind as to spare me some of your precious time?”

“Hmph. Ten points.”

“Ten out of ten?”

“No. Out of a hundred.”

Eliza smirked, then took Kal’s hand.

“Alright. I’ll hear you out. What’s this about?”

Together, Kal and Eliza walked away down Kurage Street.

“Luke, see you later at school.”

“We’ll look forward to your uniform, Senior Kal! Have a great day!”

Luke, holding his new uniform with both arms, bowed deeply.

*

“Something’s off.”

At the Lumeria Lake pier, Celia squinted her eyes as she spoke.

“What’s odd?” Leo asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? Everyone’s gathered at the pier instead of being in the academy. Why is that?”

Celia was right. All students of Lumeran were present at the Lumeria pier.

From the highest-ranking seniors in the fifth year all the way to the freshmen joining this year.

Ordinarily, only the second, third, and fourth-year students would have already arrived at the academy, preparing for the opening ceremony, with the freshmen scheduled to arrive afterward.

However, this year, a circular letter was sent out stating that everyone would travel together from the Lumeria City pier to the academy.

Consequently, the rare scene of all students gathered at the Lumeria pier had unfolded.

For the freshmen, the sight of numerous upperclassmen they admired as gods made them shiver, and they lined up quietly, occasionally casting furtive glances at Leo with looks of longing.

As their eyes met Celia’s, they quickly looked away. However, some students admired Celia just as much as they did Leo.

The second-year students had gathered in one corner.

Though they appeared more relaxed, conversing with each other, they still tensed up every time they caught the gaze of a senior.

Third-year students were mingling freely with familiar seniors.

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

With a sleepy look, Celia turned to Leo, who shrugged.

“The Student Council President can’t be privy to all the professors’ schemes.”

“Fair enough.”

As Celia nodded, agreeing with him, an energetic voice interrupted.

“Hey, Leo! Celia! I heard you were amazing during the vacation? Where’s Chelsea and Abad?”

Turned around, Leo and Celia saw Kal approaching with his signature cheerful smile.

“Chelsea and Abad haven’t arrived yet. And why do you look beat up? What happened?”

Leo curiously asked. Kal’s eye was bruised blue.

“There was a little incident.”

Kal tried to brush it off.

“Another fight you lost, huh?”

Celia, unimpressed, teased him, to which Kal responded with a sly grin.

“Over here, Leo!”

Suddenly, Iliana dashed over, plopping down next to Leo and bombarding him with questions.

“Teacher! Why is everyone here at the pier? Is something going to happen? What’s up with the professors?”

Leo just smiled at her incessant chatter.

“The teacher doesn’t know anything either,” Iliana pouted, crossing her arms, before waving at Celia and Kal.

“Hi, both of you! Did you have a good vacation? Oh yeah, Teacher, isn’t it true you’re ascending to the throne as king of Tengkon?”

BOOM!

Suddenly, a giant rectangular magical image floated above the lake.

“Greetings! Everyone! It’s me! Your distinguished professor—Sedgen!”

Sedgen, one of Lumeran’s renowned professors, greeted them warmly.

“Did everyone have a great vacation, returning students? And to the new students—welcome! The returning students might be wondering about the unusual circumstances, but you guessed it! Emergencies are indeed our school’s spirit, are they not?”

The second to fifth year students exchanged knowing expressions.

The freshmen, however, looked flustered and confused.

“Starting now, we’ll conduct a practical evaluation of your combat skills by year groups! The rules are simple. Each grade must take the keys from a designated person! Through this evaluation, the professors will identify your weaknesses and plan a year-long curriculum accordingly!”

Chloe raised her hand.

“Professor, what if we can’t take the keys?”

“You cannot enter the school until you do.”

The students’ eyes widened upon hearing that.

“Alright, let’s announce the designated opponents for the fourth and fifth years!”

At Sedgen’s words, the older students tensed.

Their expressions turned to shock as they recognized the person revealed on the screen.

“The designated opponent for the fourth and fifth years: none other than Leo Flove! Your mission is to deflate that infuriatingly perfect Leo Flove’s oversized nose! You guys are on the job! Put your lives on the line! How long are you going to live in fear of your juniors?”

“Remove him.”

Sedgen was abruptly yanked away by Halind, aided by Ain and Ren.

“Let’s continue.”

Halind’s voice was cool and composed.

“The third year students’ keys are being held by these two.”

On the screen were Lil and El, the representatives of the fourth and fifth years.

“The second year students’ keys are guarded by…”

The designated guardian turned out to be…

“Uh?”

Chen Sia, noted for her calm demeanor, gave a gentle smile. The second years let out relieved sighs, confident they could overpower her if they worked together.

However, a few students stiffened—El Jane and Fritz among them, shadow candidate students.

“And finally…”

The screen revealed someone, and Kal’s mouth dropped open.

The first years’ gazes immediately shifted to Kal.

“Why is it me?! Are you out of your minds?! Lumeran!”

Kal grabbed his head and shrieked.

“Ah? Dissatisfied with my choice, Kal Thomas?”

“Absolutely not, Professor.”

At Halind’s words, Kal cringed.

WHOOSH!

A giant warp magic circle erupted across the entire pier.

“With all your effort.”

With Halind’s concise command, a bright light engulfed the scene.

Blinking and adjusting to the light, Leo realized he had been transported to one of the countless uninhabited islands in the Lumeria Lake.

“Hmm.”

Rubbing his chin, Leo smirked.

“Verifying deficiencies before moving on to lessons about the Legion’s world…?”

Considering who held the keys for each grade, Leo nodded to himself.

Walking to a rock at the center of the forest, Leo took a seat.

“Shall I await the seniors’ arrival?”