Chapter 95

【95】94.

As the start time of the Interdepartmental Competition approached, external guests began to take their seats one by one.

In the midst of this, a commotion broke out in one area.

“No way… Alby Zeruon, the wizard of Magan?”

“It’s surprising to see him participate in the department schedule.”

The external guests murmured as they noticed Alby sitting calmly in one corner of the audience seats.

However, no one dared to approach Alby.

As a renowned Hero, many feared him just as much as they respected his fame.

“Uncle attending such an event? How unexpected.”

A young female student approached calmly, carrying a load of snacks, and sat next to Alby with an unperturbed expression.

At the sight of this, the external guests began to murmur once more.

This was none other than Elena Zeruon, the acting head of the Zeruon household and acclaimed genius of magic.

‘Is this the arrogant genius, Elena?’

The external guests watched her with interest.

At that moment, a young nobleman approached Elena with confidence.

“Hello, Lady Elena.”

“Who might you be?”

“My name is Alrak Turka. The crown prince of the Turka Kingdom.”

The Turka Kingdom.

Located at the boundary between the western and central regions, it was a center of trade.

Alrak was the crown prince of that kingdom.

‘Indeed, the rumors are true. She’s breathtakingly beautiful.’

Alrak swallowed hard as he got a closer look at Elena.

Seeing her up close, her beauty was so dazzling that it made him catch his breath.

Even as a royal who had encountered countless beauties, Alrak had never seen a woman like this.

Moreover, Elena was not only a powerful hero candidate but also came from an exceptional background.

For Alrak, who was reaching marriageable age, she was a very tempting prospect.

‘First, I should establish a rapport. With my status, she cannot possibly ignore me.’

While giving sidelong glances at Elena’s uniform skirt, Alrak smiled gently.

“I am deeply honored to meet the renowned Lady Elena. Please allow me the opportunity to escort you.”

With a bow, he boldly reached out to grab Elena’s hand.

Elena smiled slyly.

Taking that smile as a positive response, Alrak inwardly rejoiced, when suddenly…

Pink mana rippled around Alrak’s body.

“Huh?”

Without even looking, Elena casually flicked her fingers.

Whish! CRACK!

“Kuh!”

Alrak was sent crashing into the audience seats.

“How dare you!”

Angry, Alrak rose abruptly.

“Do you know who I am!”

“Are you upset?”

Elena asked innocently, wide-eyed.

Alrak’s frenzied expression momentarily became dazed.

“No, not at all!”

“Right? You’re not upset, are you?”

“Of course not! How could I be this angry! Hahaha!”

“And so, since you’re unpleasant, will you kindly leave my sight?”

“Yes, sir!”

It was exceedingly rude to speak this way to a crown prince of a nation, but Alrak didn’t seem to care and disappeared like a dog from Elena’s view.

Elena took out a bottle of perfume from her pocket and sprayed it into the air.

The surrounding external guests looked at her with expressions of disgust.

‘Truly, Elena Zeruon!’

‘To cause an undiplomatic blunder…!”

“Lumeran’s Witch!”

Before being known as the queen, Elena was also called a witch by some.

“Didn’t I tell you not to use that power recklessly?”

When Alby spoke with a cold tone, Elena replied dismissively.

“Uncle, you saw it too, right? That person kept looking at me with disdain.”

Elena made a contemptuous laugh.

Having possessed a powerful background and a stunning beauty from a young age, Elena was accustomed to the hungry stares of others.

Even if they tried to hide their true intentions, she could easily sense such vibes.

“And anyway, it’s not like I used mana. Isn’t it incompetence to not resist against such a level of strength?”

Elena smiled brightly.

What she naturally possessed was the power to captivate people with her charisma and stunning looks.

When she was younger, this ability merely made surrounding people easily follow her wishes, but now, her talent had evolved to a point where her gaze alone could charm others into submission.

“So, Uncle, what brings you here today?”

“To watch a student of interest.”

“A student of interest?”

“A student who suits the role of Hero.”

Elena paused as she tore open a bag of snacks.

‘A student suitable to be a Hero? He’s never said anything like that to me.’

“Are you talking about Leo Flove?”

“That’s right.”

Elena smirked slightly.

As the heir of the Zeruon family, Elena had met countless Heroes and Hero candidates from a young age.

In her eyes, no one matched the name of Hero more than Alby.

‘Not even father would argue with that.’

Therefore, Elena had subtly been striving to gain Alby’s approval.

But Elena had never received Alby’s recognition no matter how hard she tried.

‘Uncle recognizes this student?’

Elena sent a cold glance toward Leo, who was far away.

‘This should be interesting.’

*

[Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Interdepartmental Competition. I am Sedgen, and it’s my pleasure to host the event.]

Sedgen’s voice resonated across Erek Training Ground.

The murmuring crowd ceased their chatter and focused on Sedgen.

[You students! As previously announced, this year’s Interdepartmental Competition will be a battle royale! You will showcase your skills, strategies, and survival abilities, and the last one standing will determine the end of the competition! The department of that last remaining individual will be declared the winner!]

“Battle royale, huh.”

“An entirely unfamiliar format.”

“It feels more like an individual match than an Interdepartmental Competition.”

The external guests lit up.

With its unique approach, the competition sparked interest.

‘Especially with so many promising students this year.’

‘We should support promising students to pull them towards our side in the future.’

Sedgen continued his explanation.

[You will each be equipped with an Artifact designed to monitor your physical condition. If any life-threatening danger is detected, this Artifact will teleport you back here instantly.]

Sedgen showed the magic bracelets to students.

[In other words… it’s possible to torment your opponent without putting them in mortal danger. As a precautionary note, don’t ab*se this feature.]

An unusually cold gaze from Sedgen was directed at the students.

The freshmen flinched.

[Furthermore, I’d like to inform our esteemed guests…]

Sedgen addressed the audience seriously.

With Sedgen’s reputation in Lumeran, everyone grew tense.

[One major highlight of this competition will be the elegant performance of the 1st Year, Class 1 students! So when Class 1 appears, please give them your full attention…]

“Drag him out.”

Hearing Halind’s abrupt remark, Ain and Ren, standing by, pulled Sedgen off the podium.

“Wha–what is this nonsense! How can you treat me this way?! After all I’ve done for you… Aieek! Let go! Let me go! You lackeys of Halind!”

The audience watched in shock as Sedgen was violently dragged away.

“Class 1! I expect an elegant performance!”

Kal joked, causing laughter among the freshmen scattered around.

Thud- Thud-

But the tension was restored when a single man ascended the podium—Professor Halind, who was most feared by students.

[One important announcement before the Interdepartmental Competition begins. This competition also doubles as your final practical exam.]

“Whaaaat?”

“Is this the final practical exam!”

[The goal of the Interdepartmental Competition is pure survival, but that’s not true for the exam. All of your actions will be fully recorded on the bracelets you are given. Even students who are eliminated early can score higher than those who survive longer. Thus, be cautious with every action you take. That’s all.]

Leo smirked after hearing Halind.

‘Smart.’

For the win of the Interdepartmental Competition, students of the same department could band together and take down opponents.

For the department, individuals could sacrifice themselves anytime.

However, since this is the final practical exam:

‘If they prioritize department goals and end up ruining the exam, it matters. It makes how the strategy is devised even more crucial.’

As Leo was deep in thought, Halind continued.

“In ten minutes, the Interdepartmental Competition will begin. Prepare yourself.”

The teaching assistants distributed bracelets.

“Wow! It’s nerve-wracking.”

Kal said with a serious face as Leo grinned.

“Kal, you’ll do great.”

“Of course! Watch out for yourself, Leo. There are a lot of people who are out to get you.”

“No worries.”

Leo and Kal exchanged a fist bump.

“Aye! Me too! Share some of that good energy, Class Leader!”

Iliana chimed in, doing the same.

One by one, the students of Class 5 approached Leo.

“Go, Leo Oppa.”

“You too, keep it up!”

Chealsea gave a final fist bump before Halind announced.

[Preparation time is over. The Interdepartmental Competition is about to begin.]

Uuuuung!

The announcement triggered the formation of a massive magic circle on the ground.

As the school had promised, everyone was scheduled to teleport to Nae Grand at once.

Whoaaak!

As the blinding light enveloped their sight…

Whiiiihh-!

And when they opened their eyes…

“Kyaahhhhh!”

“W, what is this? Aaaahh!”

“The magic won’t work!”

All the freshmen were screaming as they fell mid-air.

Before falling, Leo took in the entire view of the ruined Nae Grand city.

‘The city is plastered with all kinds of curses!’

Now, it made sense why this land had been abandoned.

‘The curses are activating and deactivating repeatedly.’

There was only one area where they could operate safely.

‘The only zone free of any curse is…’

Leo’s eyes landed on the massive fortress at the center.

‘The Castle Ruins!’

Whoaaak!

Leo adjusted his posture to minimize air resistance and descended smoothly.

‘First priority is the castle!’

At the moment of hitting the ground, the built-in floating magic in the artifact gently cushioned Leo.

Thud!

Leo regained his footing.

The desolate city, as its name implied, had thick vegetation everywhere.

Human civilization, left neglected, had been helplessly crushed by nature.

‘This region has not been cursed yet. So, I must head to the castle quickly…’

“Huh? Leo Flove!”

A male student from the Department of Magic landed awkwardly nearby and froze as he spotted Leo.

“Hm? You?”

“Wh-wha-? Are you challenging me now?”

The boy wore a tense expression that Leo recognized.

‘His name is Jebin, wasn’t it?’

He was the same Department of Magic student who clung to Chloe until just before the midterm exam.

“Not really thinking of fighting right now?”

When Leo ignored him, Jebin smirked nervously.

“Right? Anyway, how about this – I’m gonna catch you!”

“What?”

Jebin lifted his wand and fired a spell into the air.

Kiing! BOOM!

Leo furrowed his brow and turned his head.

“There are quite a few people from not just our department but also others who don’t like you.”

Jebin smiled slyly as he pointed his wand at Leo.

“So, we came up with an idea. When we come across you, we’ll team up and take you down right away.”

Approaching sounds came from all around.

“Don’t be too disappointed! Cooperation is part of the strategy, you know!”

“Oh, not really disappointed, but…”

Leo smirked.

“Do you think you’ll be able to handle the aftermath?”