The next day, when Leo arrived at the grand training ground where the final exam was to be held, he easily spotted Chloe.
As usual, five students were gathered around Chloe, who had a magic book tucked under her arm.
"Chloe! The unique magic you created! Can you explain it to us in detail?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Give us some tips for our magic!"
"Please, Chloe. Didn't you take good care of us?"
"What does it mean to be a good friend?"
They pleaded with Chloe, their eyes shining with anticipation.
'Are these the people who hang out with Chloe?'
"Did you understand all the magic incantations I taught you last time?"
"Of course!"
"You taught us well, didn't you?"
The girls smiled brightly.
But Chloe's reaction was cold.
"Even though you understood them, your written exam scores in the magic department are like that?"
"What?"
"Did you think I wouldn't know you were just trying to get close to me to use me?"
"W-What!"
"No! We just wanted to study with you...!"
"You only copied my homework. With such poor exam scores, you want to understand the magic incantations I created? You're dreaming."
"What did you say?"
"Have you finished talking?"
"Even so, that's too harsh!"
Though the group was indignant, Chloe didn't flinch, only sneering at them.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Huh? Leo?"
"Did you, by any chance, hear our conversation?"
They cautiously observed Leo.
It was true that they had been copying Chloe's homework.
If Leo were to tell Professor Ren about this, it would be a disaster.
Moreover, they had been spreading rumors about Leo behind his back, so they felt a bit guilty.
"I want to talk to Chloe for a moment."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Right! Talk here! Chloe is our friend!"
They insisted strongly.
Seeing this, Chloe laughed coldly.
"Friends, huh?"
"What?"
"Instead of using me to form cliques, you should focus more on your studies. You can't even complete a single assignment properly. I'd be too embarrassed to say I'm a student of the Lumern Magic Department."
Leo frowned and looked at Chloe.
Her tone was completely unlike her usual self.
"Ha! Fine! You top students can have your little chat!"
"We only included you out of pity for you being alone!"
"Just because you were born into a good family, you think everyone has to pay attention to you?!"
"What?"
Seeing Chloe's emotional outburst, Chelsea was taken aback.
"What happened with Chloe Muller? She's not usually like this?"
At Chelsea's question, Leo's expression turned serious.
"Nothing. What's up?"
"Professor Halind wants us to gather."
With that, Leo headed towards where the 5th class was gathering.
As he walked, he glanced at Chloe, who was moving away.
'There's something about that magic book. Could it be a curse?'
While walking with Chelsea towards the 5th class, Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked at the 1st class.
When he arrived at where the 5th class was gathered, Halind began to speak.
"Now that everyone is here, I will explain the rules of the exam."
Halind spoke with a blank expression.
"As previously announced, the joint exam for the Hero and Combat departments involves conquering a world in the Hero's realm. The world to be conquered is the [Chedmurders Incident]."
The students' faces tensed.
The Chedmurders Incident.
It was a major event that occurred in Lumern 30 years ago.
First-year students who went on a mission to the Chedmurders Forest in the central region were attacked by Tartarus.
At the time, Professor Albi, who was a second-year student, was dispatched as a rescue team and barely managed to prevent a total annihilation.
"The objective is to rescue the injured and exterminate the monsters, as well as assist Professor Albi. The teams will not be formed by class but will be randomly assigned across different classes. Since you won't know who you'll be teaming up with, this will also evaluate your ability to adapt."
Halind's face darkened.
"This is not just a midterm exam. It also serves to instill a sense of vigilance, so don't forget its significance."
"Yes."
"And any student deemed to have no potential will be immediately advised to withdraw. So be prepared."
The atmosphere became heavy at Halind's words.
In that frozen atmosphere, Halind spoke again.
"Trust yourselves. You have grown enough."
"......!"
"......!"
Halind's lips curled slightly upward.
At first glance, it seemed like a cold sneer.
But the 5th class, who had never seen Halind smile, was shocked.
'Is he encouraging us?'
'Is that really Professor Halind?'
'But, is he really encouraging us?'
While the students looked at their homeroom teacher with doubtful eyes, Karl clenched his fist.
"Right! Kids! We've worked hard! We can't be advised to withdraw like this!"
"Karl Thomas. I don't care about the others, but you are really in danger. If you get a recommendation to withdraw and tarnish the class's name, I won't let it go."
"Ah!"
Karl clutched his chest and fell over.
The 5th class students burst into laughter at the sight.
Meanwhile, Halind took out a watch from his pocket.
"The time has come. Sera, start the team assignments."
"Yes, Professor."
Sera held a box in her arms.
"Everyone, there are beads in this box. Please each take one."
The students' faces tensed as they took turns drawing beads from the box.
Leo checked his bead.
'Group 11.'
"I'm in Group 1."
Chelsea muttered, looking at her bead.
"The exam will begin. Group 1, please step forward."
"Chelsea Levalin is in Group 1, this should be interesting."
"Ah? Selia Gerdinger is also in Group 1?"
Group 1 included Selia and Chelsea.
In terms of strength, they were definitely in the top tier.
Once the Group 1 students were ready, the Hero's realm opened.
Albi opened the Hero Record.
As during the entrance exam, a video magic appeared in the air, showing the inside of the Hero's realm.
With the top first-year students Selia and Chelsea in Group 1, they progressed through the Hero's realm at an incredibly fast pace.
"Usually they bicker, but they work well together."
"Of course, they're from the same empire. How could they not coordinate well?"
Leo chuckled.
"Phew. They'll definitely be in the top tier. Speed is also important in this task."
Since the mission involved rescuing hostages, speed also affected the score.
As Albi, who was seated at the exam supervision desk, checked the Hero Record, a laugh was heard behind him.
"Group 1 has already achieved 100% mission completion. They truly live up to the expectations of the first-year stars."
The sudden appearance of the principal made the professors at the supervision desk jump to their feet.
"Sir! Principal."
"What brings you here?"
"I came to see how much the first-years have grown."
Kallian smiled and sat next to Albi.
"I'm sorry, Professor Albi. I bring up your bad memories every year."
"No, it's a good thing. I've vowed never to forget this incident."
Kallian smiled bitterly at the response.
Meanwhile, the exam continued.
"Kyaa! Duran! You're amazing!"
"Look at that! He's so fast!"
The first-year girls screamed as Duran, who was in Group 3, emitted a lightning aura and performed admirably.
Seeing this, Karl grumbled.
"Good looks, great skills, and royalty to boot. The world is so unfair."
"But his personality is terrible."
"If his personality was good too, it would be too much."
Karl nodded at Chelsea's words.
The professors also evaluated the students carefully.
"Nella from the 5th class is definitely special. She should support with healing auras."
The professors were impressed as Nella, from Group 4, used auras to heal the injured.
Nella's aura abilities were clearly shining in this kind of mission.
Iliana from Group 8 also received good evaluations.
Although she was mediocre in the Knight and Magic exams, her ability to use both skills simultaneously in this exam showcased her as a top-tier performer.
"Group 11, step forward."
When it was his turn, Leo stepped forward.
Leo paused when he saw his teammates.
Chloe was also in Group 11.
Their eyes met, and Chloe looked flustered.
"Please take care of me, Chloe."
Leo smiled, and Chloe hesitated before saying,
"Sorry about earlier. I was just being overly sensitive."
Chloe fiddled with her black magic book.
"It's okay. It happens."
Leo chuckled.
"Once you're ready, I will activate the Hero's realm."
Albi lifted the old book, the Hero Record, and spoke.
Albi's gaze briefly met Leo's before falling away.
[Hero Record Open.]
The message that appeared before their eyes made the first-year students tense.