Hearing Leo's report, Hallind and Rune wore serious expressions.
"I can't believe it."
However, an elf wearing glasses, who was sitting in Rune's office, raised a question.
"Indeed, tragically, monsters have started appearing in the Fairy Forest for a long time. But a Death Knight? There's no precedent for that, is there?"
Shaking his head, the elf asked Leo.
"Are you sure you really saw a Death Knight?"
"I have no reason to say I saw something I didn't, right?"
"I'm not saying you're lying, Lumern student. We received reports from our students about the appearance of skeletons. That's why I came to report to the Grand Councilor. But we didn't receive any reports about a Death Knight."
'This must be a professor from Seirun.'
The teacher from Seirun adjusted his glasses and asked.
"Lumern student, have you ever seen an undead before?"
"Not in this life."
"Then you might have mistaken a Skeleton Knight for a Death Knight. It's a relatively common mistake."
'With the number of Death Knights I've taken down in my past life, there's no way I could make such a mistake.'
Leo burst into laughter and said.
"Seirun students often make mistakes, it seems?"
At that, the Seirun teacher hesitated and cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Our students sometimes make mistakes."
After saying that, the Seirun teacher changed the subject.
"Regardless, Lumern student, if you really encountered a Death Knight, it would have been difficult to survive. Even our first-year students at Seirun find it hard to handle such creatures alone. Did you escape on your own?"
"Yes."
"You seem quite confident in your abilities."
Smirking, he turned to Hallind.
"What do you think, Professor Hallind?"
"I believe the words of our student, Teacher Herdium."
Seeing Hallind's firm response, Herdium furrowed his brow and then looked at Rune.
"What do you think, Grand Councilor?"
"He's not the type to lie."
Rune smiled, and Herdium wore an expression of resignation.
"Let's discuss the matter of the Death Knight later."
Rune's words were met with nods from Hallind and Herdium.
"Professor Hallind, Leo, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with Teacher Herdium."
"Understood."
Hallind bowed and left the office with Leo.
"Our schedule has changed."
As they left the office, Hallind muttered.
Leo looked puzzled.
"Changed?"
"Teacher Herdium is the homeroom teacher for Seirun's top first-year class. They're here for a mission training session."
Hallind chuckled.
"They know we're here on a school trip, so Teacher Herdium requested a joint class."
"Joint class?"
"We'll experience Seirun's teaching methods, and they'll experience ours."
"Sounds interesting."
"Of course, it will be. But it's not just for fun. It's a great opportunity to broaden our horizons. It's not something you can just ask for. In that sense, our class is lucky."
"That's true."
"The top first-year class at Seirun is made up of their best students. It will be very beneficial for us."
"Oh."
"Teacher Herdium has invited us to dinner. Go and inform the class."
"Understood."
***
"Wow! We get to meet Seirun students!"
"Hey! How do I look? My hair is set, right?"
"Does this necklace suit me?"
The students of Class 5 were generally excited as they prepared for the evening banquet.
"Kal, what are you doing?"
Leo looked puzzled as he saw Kal sitting on a chair, making a catalog.
"I'm making a catalog. The items I deal with might be useful for Seirun students, right?"
Chuckling, Kal said, while Chelsea crossed her arms, looking amused.
"You're planning to do business here?"
"Promotion, promotion. Not at the party, though. I'm preparing for the joint classes starting tomorrow."
Chelsea nodded.
"It's time. Let's go."
Checking the clock, Leo said, and the students of Class 5 stood up.
As soon as they stepped outside,
"It's so cold!"
"This ruins the point of setting my hair!"
They screamed as a snowstorm hit them.
Kal chuckled at their reactions.
"Are you guys idiots?"
Of course, he was promptly pelted with snowballs.
"At least it's close, so that's a relief."
Nella smiled.
The Seirun dormitory was a luxury hotel right in front of the Lumern dormitory.
"So Seirun rented the whole place. Hmph! They must be rich, indeed."
Kal snorted, and Chelsea shrugged.
"Seirun is known as the wealthiest hero academy among the hero academies."
The status of hero academies varies among different races.
Even Lumern, for example, has many factions dissatisfied with the current system.
Because of the Hero Record, they have to send their best talents to Lumern.
While many graduates secure good positions in their home countries, a significant number also join the hero guilds operated by Lumern.
This naturally leads to complaints about the outflow of talent.
However, Seirun is different.
Seirun itself is the central force of the Elven Union, a massive power encompassing all elves.
"Indeed, the conveniences provided by Lumern to students are like new blood compared to Seirun, right?"
"Right. Especially, elves place more importance on 'lineage' than we humans. So, it's safe to say that there are almost no commoners or lesser nobles in our school."
"The sense of authority must be intense."
While Kal was speaking, Class 5 arrived at the hotel.
A butler waiting at the entrance opened the door politely.
"Welcome, everyone."
"May I take your coats?"
"Please give them to me."
In the lobby, the butlers politely took the coats from the students. Some, like Chelsea, handed them over casually, while others, like Kal, fumbled.
"Please follow me this way."
Guided by the butler, the students entered the grand ballroom.
"What is all this?"
Kal muttered, dazed.
The ballroom was opulent.
"This is on par with a party hosted by His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of our empire."
Even Chelsea, a direct descendant of a noble family, found it excessively lavish.
While everyone was amazed, Herdium approached.
"Welcome. I am Herdium Wintel, a teacher at Seirun. Please call me Teacher Herdium."
"Thank you for inviting us to the party, Teacher Herdium."
The students of Class 5 greeted him politely.
"I hope this will be an opportunity for the first-year students of Seirun and Lumern, who will lead the future, to build a deep camaraderie."
After speaking, Herdium smiled and returned to his seat.
Hallind and Senna were already there, eating.
"Let's eat first; I'm hungry."
Rubbing his hands, Kal said, and Chelsea glared at him.
"Don't act rudely as usual. Seirun students are watching."
"I know. I don't want to embarrass the school."
While she was curious about Seirun Academy, Lumern and Seirun have long been rival hero academies.
Especially in recent years, Seirun has surpassed Lumern in various exchanges.
Lumern has been looking for opportunities to overtake Seirun, while Seirun has been trying to maintain its current advantage.
This gathering, from a broader perspective, was also a chance to meet the rivals from other schools they would face throughout their school years.
That's why they paid extra attention to their appearance, not wanting to show any weakness.
The party began.
Lumern and Seirun students explored each other with curiosity.
Initially, they were a bit awkward, but they quickly opened up due to their common age and shared goal of becoming heroes.
Some Seirun students approached Leo with curiosity.
"I study elemental magic at Seirun. What about you?"
"I'm studying summoning."
"Ah. How is the elemental magic class at Lumern?"
The first student introduced himself as an elemental mage.
"I practice spear techniques."
"I'm in the knight course."
"Ah. I'd like to broaden my horizons by learning about the knights of Lumern. May I request a sparring session tomorrow?"
"Sure."
The second student introduced himself as a knight.
Several students came and went.
Leo felt a bit puzzled.
'Why is there not a single student studying magic?'
Meanwhile, the music in the ballroom changed frequently.
Sometimes it was calm and conversational, and other times it was lively and upbeat.
The elves danced to the music.
Class 5 seemed unfamiliar with this atmosphere.
Human social gatherings usually had a separate dance time.
But this was not unfamiliar to Leo.
'Elves have always loved dancing, whether in the past or now.'
Elves have long been a race that loves dance and song.
It was common to court someone through dance and song.
Luna often sang and danced during camping trips.
The dance the Seirun students were performing was the same one Luna used to do long ago.
'Dweno praised it as a form of art.'
'How can someone with such a stubborn personality dance and sing so beautifully?'
'...We often fought over the same things, though.'