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Chapter 81




【81】80.
Three professors were walking down the corridor of the Tower of Heroes.
They were Ein, Ren, and Yura, the departmental advisors for the first-year students.
The three professors, known for their laid-back attitudes even in Lumern, were unusually tense.
They had gathered all the first-year students to announce the Inter-Departmental Competition.
If it had been any other year, they wouldn't have been so nervous.
But this year's first-year class was different.
There was someone who could tip the balance of power in any department, regardless of which one they chose.
‘Leo Flaubert,’
An unprecedented all-class student with top-tier abilities in each class, he was the biggest variable in the Inter-Departmental Competition.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the entire competition could be turned upside down depending on which department Leo chose.
However, the three professors were confident that Leo would choose their departments.
‘Leo Flaubert is closely associated with the Zerdingger family. He will naturally choose the Knight Department.’
Ein, who had long noticed the flame aura that Leo used, was certain.
‘Leo is a student with overwhelming magical talent. He even deciphered the magic left by the founder of the Celestial Cloud during the field trip. The only place for Leo is the Magic Department.’
Ren, who was well aware of Leo's magical prowess, had no doubt that he would choose the Magic Department.
‘He has a contract with the Phoenix. Where else would he go?’
Yura looked at the two professors with a derisive expression.
It was a rare moment of agreement among the three professors, who were known for their disagreements.
However, their faces twisted as soon as they arrived at the auditorium.
“Why is Leo sitting alone?”
“He’s isolating himself from the rest of the year.”
Torua answered Ren's question.
“Have you all heard the announcement? We’ve gathered you here today for the Inter-Departmental Competition.”
At his words, the first-year students' attention immediately heightened.
“Before that, I’ll explain why the seniors here are present. Let’s start with Zamua.”
At Ein’s words, Zamua stepped forward.
“Hello, juniors! I’m Zamua!”
Zamua shouted loudly and smiled.
“I know some of you might be dual-class, but the moment you sit here, you are...”
A sense of intimidation radiated from Zamua’s massive build.
“Knights! Even if you are dual-class, I believe you chose Knight as your main class, so you are here!”
A few students nodded.
“A Knight is someone who overcomes all hardships and crises with their own physical strength! Self-discipline is the foundation of a Knight! Those who are lazy in their training cannot be called Knights! That’s why I will train with you for the next month! I look forward to working with you!”
The Knight Department students murmured at his words.
“Training with Senior Zamua? That’s amazing!”
The Knight Department students showed excited reactions.
It was a joy to train with one of their respected seniors for a month.
After Zamua’s introduction, it was Torua’s turn.
“Hi, first-years. I’m Torua Yan. I don’t like lying, so I’ll be honest.”
Torua said with her usual expressionless face.
“I think you are terrible as mages.”
The students looked indignant at her sudden comment.
“I’ve read all the magic papers you submitted up to the midterm exams. Some were interesting, but most were clichĂ©.”
In response to Torua’s statement, a student raised their hand.
“You said you read all the papers we submitted. Do you remember the paper ‘An Efficient Method for Converting Flame Attribute Mana to Light Attribute’?”
“Yeah. It was a 17-page paper, right? It was a common idea to use thermal energy to increase output.”
“...”
The student was speechless at the immediate answer.
Despite a few more questions, Torua calmly and perfectly answered all of them.
The Magic Department students were astonished that she had such a grasp of so many papers.
“Magic is a field that requires investigative creativity. You need a clear sense of self to grow, but it’s difficult in today’s era. You just need to inherit the powerful magic built by the previous generation of mage heroes. But that has clear limits. You must completely reinterpret the heroes’ magic in your own way to truly make it your own.”
Torua smiled.
“I will expand your magical worldview as your mentor for the next month.”
“Can we learn magic from Senior Torua?”
“I don’t teach. I just change your perspective.”
The Magic Department students showed surprised reactions.
The atmosphere was high after seeing Torua’s abilities.
After Torua, it was Ulta’s turn.
“Juniors, what do you think is the most important ability for a summoner? Would you like the two in front to answer?”
At Ulta’s question, Eliza raised her chin.
“I think it’s charisma to control familiars.”
“Wrong.”
Eliza’s eyes twitched with pride.
“I think it’s overwhelming power.”
Walden said with a blank face.
“Wrong.”
Shaking his head, Ulta spread his arms.
“The most important ability for a summoner... is love.”
“...”
“...”
Eliza and Walden were stunned by the unexpected answer.
“A summoner must embrace spirits and familiars! Love is the emotion that maximizes this embrace! Ah! What a beautiful resonance!”
Torua, watching Ulta’s exaggerated speech about love, said,
“I always feel he’s too weird.”
“You’re the second weirdest in our year, so you look normal.”
“Muscle brain.”
“Magic idiot.”
While Zamua and Torua childishly insulted each other, Yura sighed and stepped forward.
“To interpret what he said, you need to accept the true nature of spirits and familiars.”
“Ah~”
The Summoning Department students finally understood.
“Yes! Juniors! I will teach you about love for the next month!”
As Ulta shouted, the Summoning Department students showed strange expressions.
“Now, a question.”
Professor Yura smiled and focused the students' attention.
“Why are your seniors helping you as mentors for a month? I’ll give points to the department that gives the correct answer.”
The students started raising their hands at the sudden Inter-Departmental Competition.
“You there, Magic Department student.”
“For the Inter-Departmental Competition!”
“Wrong. Next!”
“To improve the juniors’ abilities!”
“Wrong!”
Numerous answers were given, but none were correct.
When no more hands were raised, Leo raised his.
“Leo, answer.”
Most students showed reactions of not expecting much.
They thought Leo wouldn’t have much to add since most answers had already been given.
“Because of the world of heroes.”
The professors and fifth-year students’ expressions changed.
“Be more specific.”
“The training, creativity, and inclusiveness emphasized by the seniors are the fundamentals of each class.”
Leo began his explanation calmly.
“I understand that starting from the second semester, Lumern students inherit the power of the previous generation of heroes through the Hero Record.”
All the first-year students focused on Leo’s words.
“I believe the seniors are here to teach you the know-how to control that power without being overwhelmed by it.”
“Correct.”
Yura nodded with a satisfied smile.
Watching this, Ren asked,
“Senior Ein, have you ever seen a first-year give such a perfect answer?”
“No.”
Ein chuckled.
‘The answer of someone who understands the power of heroes well.’
“Leo Flaubert is right. These three are at the forefront of dungeon exploration. They have explored various worlds of heroes and have earned considerable rewards.”
The students’ eyes sparkled.
Inheriting power through the Hero Record!
It was something most students had long dreamed of.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Lumern freshmen entered the school for this very reason.
“The know-how to handle the power of heroes is essential for you. They will teach you various skills over the next month.”
The students’ eyes shone brightly at his words.
“Professor, how will the Inter-Departmental Competition proceed?”
The competition had different events each year.
It could be a sports meet evaluating how students used their abilities in various events, or it could involve sieges and defenses, or even exploring the world of heroes.
“It hasn’t been decided yet. To be precise, we haven’t heard anything yet.”
As Ein sighed, the students looked confused.
Not only the first-years but also the fifth-years were surprised.
“Still not decided?”
“Lacking in love.”
“Stop with the love talk, you pervert.”
At Zamua’s question, Ulta looked disappointed, and Torua mercilessly taunted him.
“The principal will announce it today. He’ll be here soon.”
As Ein finished speaking, the auditorium door opened, and Principal Kallian appeared.
The first-year students tensed at the sight of Kallian, who exuded a powerful aura despite his age.
“Hello, first-year brats.”
Standing on the podium, Kallian said in a stern voice.
The first-year students swallowed hard.
“The principal always makes me nervous.”
At Kall’s mutter, Chloe recalled her previous meeting with Kallian.
‘He seemed like a friendly old neighbor back then.’
“I’ve been quite troubled about selecting the event for your Inter-Departmental Competition.”
Kallian chuckled and scanned the first-year students.
His gaze finally landed on Leo, who was sitting alone.
Looking at Leo, Kallian’s expression became meaningful.
“To be honest, this year’s first-year Inter-Departmental Competition will proceed in a slightly different way from other years. In some sense, it might even be an individual