Chapter 65

【65】

“What is going on here? A fight, you say!”

Herdium interrogated the two people with a pale face.

Currently, the two had left the chaotic atmosphere of the party room.

Lunia was sharply turning her head away, while Leo calmly adjusted his disheveled clothing.

Watching this, Halind asked,

“What’s the reason? Who started it?”

The cold tone of Halind made Lunia flinch momentarily.

At Seirun, there was no teacher of Halind’s type.

Herdium frowned.

“Are you accusing our student now?”

“In order to solve a problem, we need to know what it is.”

“What! Very well! Lunia is the representative of our 1st year students. She’s not the one to make mistakes!”

Herdium confidently spoke and turned to Leo.

“Student Leo Flove, what was the cause of the fight?”

Seeing the undisguised accusation in Hertium’s tone, Leo calmly responded.

“It seems I made a small mistake.”

“Aha! I knew it! There’s no way Lunia would have—!”

“Teacher Hertium. Shouldn’t you find one-sided judgment unfair?”

“What nonsense! Right now, student Leo Flove isn’t admitting to—!”

“If student Lunia El Rundah is the representative of Seirun’s 1st year, Leo Flove is also the representative of Lumern’s 1st year.”

Herdium was surprised at Halind’s direct statement, never imagining Leo could be a 1st year representative.

In general, Seirun wasn’t particularly interested in other schools’ affairs.

“Decisively.”

Herdium trembled under Halind’s icy gaze.

“I trust my own student as much as you trust yours.”

Hearing this, Leo unconsciously smiled. Though students feared him, Halind’s affection for them was true.

‘Treating us harshly must also be for our good.’

After Halind’s words, Hertium cleared his throat.

“Well, very well! Student Lunia, what did you hear from Leo Flove?”

‘This story cannot be told to anyone else!’

It was humiliating for the heir of the Runia family to have had her phoenix stolen.

If this fact were revealed to Seirun, it would surely be mocked.

At a loss for words, Lunia wavered, and Leo spoke.

“I formed a contract…”

“Aha-ha-ha! It was just a misunderstanding.”

Lunia quickly interrupted Leo, clamping her hand over his mouth.

Her glare suggested, ‘Say a word, and I won’t let you off easily!’

Smirking, Leo nodded, and Lunia dropped her hand, bowing her head.

“I’m sorry, Teacher Herdium, Professor Halind. I caused a disturbance where harmony should have reigned, and… also….”

Lunia forced a smile and greeted Leo.

“I’m sorry, Leo Flove, for being rude to you.”

As Lunia’s lips trembled while apologizing, Leo’s expression turned amused.

Seeing this, Herdium clutched his head and said,

“Ah! Never would I have imagined…”

“Since the misunderstanding has been settled, let’s continue the party. From now on, we will not speak of this anymore.”

Halind’s words caused Herdium to nod hesitantly.

“Professor Halind and student Leo, please go ahead. I’ll have a separate talk with Lunia.”

With that, Halind and Leo left for the party.

Left alone outside, Lunia bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, teacher.”

“There’s no blame on you. If it already happened, it can’t be helped. The student who fought during the day with student Tiren—was it the same student?”

“Yes.”

“Leo Flove, I see. Remember him well. He was the representative of Lumern’s 1st year students.”

Nodding his head, Herdium folded his arms.

“Make absolutely sure you never repeat the same mistake. Lunia, you are Seirun’s representative, an outstanding talent who will lead our school.”

“Yes.”

“During the joint classes starting from tomorrow, absolutely do not fall behind that Leo Flove student! Seirun has long surpassed Lumern!”

Herdium clenched his fists and revealed his competitiveness.

“We must continue to prove that not only Seirun surpasses Lumern but that we are the most distinguished hero school among all the hero schools!”

“I’ll never lose to that guy! I’ll make him regret big time! No need to worry! I stake Seirun’s honor on this!”

“Student Lunia! How many times must I tell you to clean up your foul mouth?”

Herdium pleaded while grabbing his head, ignoring Lunia’s burning gaze.

‘Prepare yourself! Leo Flove!’

As Leo and Lunia exited the dorm, they made their way to a desolate and spacious clearing.

Trudging through the white snow, they positioned themselves far from each other.

“Let me warn you.”

“Hmm?”

“If it doesn’t look good, just surrender quickly. Don’t get hurt just stubbornly.”

Lunia’s words made Leo chuckle.

“You’re worried about me?”

“Worried? Don’t make me laugh.”

Lunia sniffed and crossed her arms.

“Because you are Lady Reina’s son and the benefactor of my father, I’m explaining the situation to you!”

Saying this, Lunia took out a coin.

“This duel starts the moment the coin falls.”

“Understood.”

“Then.”

Ting! WHOOSH!

The coin rose high into the air, reflecting moonlight before falling downward.

Clunk!

Flame-like auras and magical flames erupted simultaneously.

Seeing the flames around Leo, Lunia narrowed her eyes.

‘The Zerdinger Flames. Another family blessed by the phoenix, just like ours.’

Among the few families in the world with control over phoenix power, Lunia felt the same competitiveness rise in her.

‘Absolutely will not lose!’

“In the name of the vowkeeper.”

Around Lunia, five summoning circles appeared.

From them emerged five Salamanders, fire-attributed intermediate familiars.

The Salamanders, capable of walking on two legs, could wield fire freely, spewing flames from their mouths and freely using their hands.

“Intermediate familiars, five of them?”

Leo was impressed, but that wasn’t the end.

As Lunia chanted her spell, flames formed into spears and shields in the Salamanders’ hands.

Seeing Lunia quickly enhancing the Salamanders with magic, Leo smiled.

“Fitting of the leader of Seirun’s first year.”

“All this confidence… But I haven’t even started yet! Go take care of it, all of you!”

Having entrusted the front line to the Salamanders, Lunia quickly distanced herself and began chanting another spell.

While dealing with the five Salamanders pressing from all angles, Leo muttered,

“Leaving the fight to familiars while the user casts powerful spells… How clichéd.”

“It’s the traditional battle style of the Elves! Lady Luna fought in the same manner!”

By modern standards, Luna was regarded as a conventional magician who overturned battles with her powerful spells.

“Indeed, these days, Luna is considered a traditional magician.”

Leo chuckled.

“But you’re wrong.”

“What?”

“By today’s standards, Luna would be considered a combat magician.”

A magician who tirelessly cast spells without rest as she traversed the battlefield. For Kyle and his group, stopping movement often equaled d*ath.

Luna only paused her movement to cast spells when there was some degree of leeway in the battlefield.

However, the reason she was considered traditional in today’s era was straightforward.

‘Because every one of her spells could overturn the battlefield, no matter how she moved around without rest.’

The consummately perfect magician.

That was Luna, the progenitor of Star Cloud.

“Hmm~ Do humans really think that way? But regarding the progenitor, isn’t the Elven record closer to the truth?”

His eyes half-opened after the conversation.

During this time, Leo easily banished the five Salamanders.

If Lunia had supported them further, they wouldn’t have fallen so quickly.

But now, Lunia was entirely focused on her magic.

‘I just need to knock down Lunia now.’

Quickly closing the distance with Lunia, Leo suddenly widened the gap as their eyes met and Lunia smirked.

“Sharp senses.”

Grinning, Lunia raised her right hand wide.

A massive ball of fire, the size of a house, formed.

Huurrghh!

The intense heat melted all the snow surroundings.

“Scorching Heat. It’s our family’s ultimate magic.”

Like the phoenix breath of the Zerdinger family, it was a magic empowered by phoenix strength.

But no sane person would face something so powerful.

‘Of course, even the fragments of such an enormous spell would cause unimaginable damage…’

“Still good? The phoenix magic won’t be as effective on me given I use the phoenix’s strength, after all.”

That’s right.

Both Leo’s flames and Lunia’s were fundamentally the same elemental force.

As such, Lunia’s magic wouldn’t inflict full damage on Leo.

“Still, I’ll take you down with this.”

“Why?”

“It’s not just a simple duel. It’s a fight to prove that I’m more suited to be Fiora’s vowkeeper than you. So merely winning isn’t enough.”

Lunia wore a serious expression.

“This is pride for phoenix’s vowkeepers.”

“Alright? Then, I’ll accept your challenge.”

“What?”

Lunia hesitated, not comprehending Leo’s meaning immediately.

Ignoring further thoughts, she sent the spell towards Leo.

“Prepare yourself!”

A flame like a miniature sun engulfed Leo.

Huurrhh!

Flames erupted from Leo’s body.

Leaning into a deep breath, Leo swung his sword toward the Scorching Heat.

Dooong!

Lunia’s eyes widened in shock.

“Are you in your right mind? You could d*e if you misstep!”

“Do you want to prove you’re more suitable for Fiora? Then I’ll prove it too!”

Hastily, Lunia tried to cancel the spell but hesitated.

“Why would it choose you for Fiora?”

Lunia’s mouth gaped.

‘So that’s what you meant? You’re completely crazy!’

Hitting Leo now would easily bring victory.

But the duel was no longer just a contest of skill. It had become a matter of pride between summoners and users of phoenix powers.

Bang! Crash!

Blocking the Scorching Heat, Leo continued stepping back.

However, Leo’s flames relentlessly devoured more of Lunia’s magic flames.

‘Even stronger! Even fiercer!’

Huurrhh! Boom!

Leo’s flames greedily consumed the fragments of flame that erupted from Lunia’s magic.

‘He’s increasing his firepower even at the cost of self-harm?’

It was not a typical method.

It was unimaginable.

Exposing himself to wounds to unleash firepower beyond limits!

And yet, Leo kept on devouring Lunia’s flame.

Then finally…

Huurrhh!

Leo’s flames completely consumed the massive Scorching Heat.

Plop-

Lunia sat down unintentionally, too astonished.

Shuffling footsteps.

Tearing his damaged shirt carelessly, Leo approached Lunia.

Lunia looked up at him blankly.

“If you truly want a proper duel, I’ll face you on that field. Will you accept it?”

“Haha! Ahahahahaha!”

Lunia couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“It’s alright. I lost.”

How could she stay mad against someone who directly faced her anger like this?

Standing up awkwardly, Lunia forced a bitter smile.

“Apologies for being presumptuous. I sincerely apologize.”

“It’s fine. Anyone else in my position might have been angry.”

‘…Even as fellow 1st-year representatives, we differ so much. I’m embarrassed.’

Ashamed before such a broad-minded opponent.

“Even though I’ve accepted your abilities, I’m not giving up.”

Crossing her arms, Lunia spoke.

“I’ll also prove that I’m suitable for Fiora! I’ll prepare to have her choose me eventually!”

Fiora pointed to Leo Flove with her hand.

“That’s why, Leo Flove! From now on, you’re my rival!”

“Feel free to think so.”

“Tomorrow’s joint class, I’ll be waiting.”

Watching Lunia dramatically turning away with her flaming red hair swaying, Leo smirked.

“I’ll be sure to meet your expectations.”