【79】78.
The next day.
Class 5, who had fully enjoyed their given free time, reluctantly climbed aboard the teleportation gate as evening approached.
“It was still a fun field trip!”
“Yeah, it was fulfilling.”
Iliana stretched while speaking, and Nella agreed with her usual lazy smile.
“Probably none of the other classes had a field trip as packed as ours?”
“Right, right. Who would ever team up with Seirun students for joint classes?”
Teid’s comment made Kal chuckle in agreement.
“Was it fun, Brother Leo?”
With a giggle, Chelsea looked back at Leo, who simply nodded.
“Yeah.”
As the entire Class 5 boarded the teleportation gate, Seirun students also appeared through it. They too were planning to return to Seirun via the gate.
“Everyone from Lumeran, please go back safely. We look forward to seeing you again.”
Herdium smiled as he spoke, and Class 5 smiled brightly in return.
“See you next time, Teacher Herdium!”
“The class was fun!”
Other Seirun students with whom they had built rapport also greeted them.
Leo, looking like the top student once again, waved at Lunia, who was heading back, and at Eiran standing beside her.
Eiran smiled back and waved, while Lunia smirked and turned away, though she glanced back briefly before waving as well.
“Everyone, have you not forgotten anything? We’re about to depart now.”
” Yes!”
To Sena’s question, the students of Class 5 responded energetically.
Whoosh—!
As the teleportation gate activated, a bright light enveloped them.
By nightfall, the first-year dormitory of Lumeran was bustling with students.
“Hey, how was your trip?”
“Ours? Haha, don’t be surprised! We actually participated in monster extermination.”
“Wow, we just did some volunteer work.”
The students were busy recounting their field trip stories to students from other classes with whom they had become friends.
Kal headed toward the boys’ dormitory bath, chuckling as he went.
“Haha, there’s no class more packed than ours.”
In the communal bath, he rinsed his body and soaked in a large tub.
“Ah, I’ve missed this warm sensation.”
During the field trip, they could barely shower, so Kal was thoroughly enjoying the luxurious dormitory bathing facilities.
Leo was also soaking in the tub when it happened.
“Move, Warden Tyden. I’m going to use this tub.”
“You don’t seem to understand your place. Duran Moira.”
“What did you say?”
“I simply stated the facts. If my words offend you, prove me wrong with your skills.”
“Interesting. I was already planning on taking you down.”
The mood in a corner of the bathing area became chaotic.
“Eek. Finally, those guys are going to fight.”
Kal clicked his tongue.
The boys’ dormitory was spacious enough to accommodate a lot of people, with multiple baths spread out. Among them, a particularly ornate bath stood out, smaller in size than the rest, but big enough for four to five people to share — ideal for personal use by nobles.
However, students rarely used it since it was designated for certain individuals.
Namely, Duran Moira from Class 1 and Warden Tyden, the Class Leader from Class 7 — the strongest students in the first year, who treated it as their personal reserved area.
“Until now, they’ve avoided meeting because they bathed at different times,” Kal explained, but because of the crowd returning from the field trip, they had crossed paths this time.
As the two exuded hostile vibes, the other boys cautiously observed the situation.
Duran and Warden Tyden were known for being the top skilled students in the first year along with their rough personalities.
Just as an uneasy tension hung between the two, the atmosphere shifted.
Plop.
“Why not share the bath peacefully?”
All eyes turned to Leo, who was leisurely reclined in the bath, only his head visible as he looked up at them.
“What’s the fuss about a bath spot? You’re not kids.”
“Are you interfering as the Class Representative to mediate the disturbance, Leo Flove?”
In response to Duran’s question, Leo gave an indifferent expression.
“Does it seem like there’s some grand reason? I’m just saying don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”
“If you’re not comfortable with that situation, why don’t you join in too?”
Duran grinned with a war-like smile.
“Wow! As usual, our Prince interprets things his way!”
As Kal exclaimed, Duran directed a deadly glare at him.
“Eek.”
Kal smoothly turned away, his face filled with discomfort.
As the tense atmosphere escalated, someone entered.
Creak.
“Huh? What’s the matter with the mood here?”
The bathhouse door opened, and Abad LeWalyn walked in.
With all four of the top first-year male students gathered in one place, the other boys couldn’t help but swallow nervously.
Splash.
“… ”
“…”
Abad casually walked into the spot where Duran and Warden Tyden had been engaged in a staring contest.
Abad too considered this place as his private spot, but unlike Duran and Warden Tyden, he didn’t chase away other students. In fact, other students were somewhat reluctant to share the bath with Abad.
Since nobles generally prefer not to bathe with others, this was understandable.
Everyone watched Abad as if in a trance.
“What’s the issue?”
Abad’s usual cheerful smile twisted the faces of Duran and Warden Tyden.
“Grr…”
Leo chuckled softly.
As he did, their expressions grew even darker.
‘Hey! Stop laughing!’
Everyone mentally screamed as the tension mounted.
The bathroom incident, which resembled the calm before a storm, ended rather anticlimactically.
[ Wings! Wings! Yippee! I’ve got my wings back!]
Whoooosh—!
As Leo returned to his room after taking a bath, Kiran was flying around the room in circles.
Tiny, glittering particles flew around with each lap.
“Calm down. How long do you plan to keep doing that?”
[Leo! Look! My wings! They’re MY wings!]
Kiran flew in front of Leo, showing off by flapping his newly regained wings.
“I already saw them, and it’s only one pair out of three, right?”
Leo’s reaction was underwhelmed.
[The mighty Fairy Prince has regained his strength, and you should be more amazed!]
Fairies, being powerful familiars, are often treated respectfully by summoners.
But expecting Leo to be overly impressed was wishful thinking.
[Maybe you haven’t experienced my power yet! Alright, I’ll show you something special!]
“How are you going to show it?”
As Leo asked nonchalantly, Kiran performed a flashy spin in mid-air and then flew toward Fiora, who was sitting by a corner, seemingly disinterested as she ate chocolate.
Peep?
[Here’s a cheeky little red chick!]
As though performing a grand magician’s display, Kiran flamboyantly pointed toward Fiora.
Peep—
[Ah!]
Fiora retaliated by pecking Kiran right on the top of his head.
Then she grabbed his head and stomped on him as he rolled on the floor.
[Move your feet! I’ll show you something amazing!]
Peep?
Regaining his posture with difficulty, Kiran gathered his mana and sprinkled shimmering powder over Fiora’s head.
Fiora’s body then began to emit a soft silvery glow.
“Polymorph?”
Polymorph.
A magic that summons another side of an individual who possesses high spiritual dimensions.
Dragons are well-known users of this magic.
However, it is rarely practiced by fairies because high-tier familiars of fairy class can summon their other self using their innate powers without magic.
Although it was a bit much for Fiora since she’s still young, it was within her reach with Polymorph’s assistance.
“Why did you learn this spell?”
[For fun.]
‘Ah, that’s right. He was the troublemaker who got exiled by Silrod.’
While Leo clicked his tongue in thought, the light faded.
Who emerged was a little girl around five years old, clad in a cute red dress.
Her vivid crimson hair and eyes seemed like they could burst into flames at any moment.
With an appearance that resembled an intricate and adorable doll, Kiran bragged with glee,
[Hah! How does that feel! This body’s power!]
Ignoring the boastful Kiran, Leo rested his chin on his hand.
The changed eye level caught Fiora’s attention, and she curiously approached the mirror.
Apparently satisfied with her reflection, she even twirled in front of it.
Then she made her way toward Leo.
“This is my first time greeting someone like this.”
She attempted to look dignified and solemn, but it only contributed to making her cuter.
“You are my … vowkeeper…”
Flap Flap—
[Hah! How about that! My stunning power!]
As Fiora tried to greet, Kiran interrupted her by buzzing around frantically.
“Do not disturb me.”
[Hmph, such amateur moves.]
Reaching out to grab Kiran with her little hand was futile as he evaded her easily.
Fiora, who was upset, forgot about greeting Leo and chased after Kiran.
Realizing this, she quickly regained composure, walked back to Leo, held her dress elegantly, and curtseyed.
“I am your vowkeeper, Fiora.”
Seeing the child imitating an adult was so adorable that Leo burst out laughing.
“Polite.”
“My mother told me to be polite to vowkeepers.”
[Oh~ what a cute little one.]
Floating above Fiora’s head, Kiran patted her forehead with his small hand.
With wide eyes, Fiora tried to grab him.
But Kiran escaped gracefully.
“Over there!”
Furious, Fiora chased after him again, but tripped due to unfamiliarity with her human body.
[Ha ha ha haha! You think you can catch me with those clumsy legs!]
Hovering before Fiora’s eyes, Kiran teased her mercilessly.
Clutching her fists, Fiora filled her cheeks with air like an angry child.
Tears even slightly gathered at the edges of her big eyes, and her body trembled.
[Heheheheh! Go peck Moira some more… Ugh-!]
Kiran, who had been annoying her, got stepped on by Leo.
Fiora didn’t waste the opportunity and smacked Kiran’s head repeatedly.
With a look of contentment after her successful revenge, she spoke.
“Leo, I would also like to show this form to my mother. Please open the way for me.”
“Alright. Take this guy with you.”
Handing over Kiran, who was trembling on the floor, to Fiora, Leo decided it’d be safer to leave the fairy in Moira’s care.
‘At least I should let her stay within Miss Pirina’s domain.’
“Please also let her know that some etiquette training might be needed.”
“Yes.”
Nodding, Fiora passed through the portal Leo had opened.
‘Finally, some quiet.’
As the chatterbox fairy who had flown around restlessly disappeared, Leo dried his hair with a towel. He was finally able to gather his thoughts.
‘The Hero Record and dagger I found in Berkiya are now entrusted to Seirun.’
Leo gazed out the window.
In Lumeran, the Demon Queen Silatuna protects it.
In Seirun, Commander Hel Kaiser oversees it.
Yet, the unseen threat of Tartarus continues to loom.
‘Seirun had Rauta as a direct traitor.’
There is no law that says there isn’t such a traitor lurking within Lumeran either.
‘It will be best to first eliminate the Tartarus influence that has infiltrated Lumeran.’
——————==
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
