Leo, who had come to the magic class, clicked his tongue.
The lockdown announced in the morning was enough to turn the school upside down.
Despite a considerable amount of time having passed since breakfast, the students were still preoccupied with the lockdown.
"I understand that everyone is in a state of confusion due to the sudden situation. However, don't let that distract you; focus on thoroughly preparing for the inter-departmental competition."
Ren said in a lackluster voice.
"You all know that the inter-departmental competition is also attended by external guests."
The chaotic atmosphere changed instantly.
External guests.
This term referred to the actual power players from various countries.
Not everyone who attends Lumeren becomes a hero.
However, having attended the Hero Academy significantly increases the likelihood of achieving a high position in the future.
"Today, we will practice the Fly spell, just like the previous class."
At Ren's words, the students looked tense.
The Fly spell itself is not difficult, but its application is very challenging.
Especially for Lumeren's magic students, who are all accustomed to Wing magic, it was even more difficult.
"And the four students who passed the first class, please come forward."
At the call, Leo, Chelsea, Chloe, and Abad stepped forward.
Ren drew out his staff and swung it in the air.
Shhhrrr-!
An entrance appeared in the air.
"The four of you will receive guidance from Senior Albi."
The four, including Leo, immediately crossed the space to the next practice area where Albi was waiting.
All the students looked at the four with envy.
'What's the difference between me and those guys! Damn it!'
While Emio gritted his teeth, the four crossed over to where Albi was.
The four moved to a practice area that was too large for just four people and approached Albi, who was sitting in a chair in one corner of the practice area.
"Professor Albi. Professor Ren sent us here."
At Chloe's words, Albi, who had his eyes closed, opened them.
"Chloe Müller. What do you think your weakness is?"
"Me?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Chloe thought for a moment before answering.
"The power of my spells?"
"…But among the four of you, you have the strongest spell power, don't you?"
"Isn't it better to be strong?"
"Chelsea Levalin, what do you think your weakness is?"
"Close combat skills!"
"But you have excellent close combat skills for a battle mage, don't you?"
"It's not enough! I think I should be able to knock out a decent knight student!"
With a shout, Chelsea raised her fist into the air, and Albi sighed.
"Ren's educational philosophy is to maximize each student's strengths. You have honed your strengths at Lumeren according to this education."
At Albi's words, Chloe and Chelsea nodded.
"But focusing too much on one area is not good. Chelsea Levalin, your biggest weakness is the power of your spells."
"But Professor, I'm a battle mage!"
"Don't misunderstand, Chelsea Levalin. A battle mage is a mage who fights on the front lines of the battlefield. You are not a knight. The fact that you are a mage does not change, regardless of your position."
"Um!"
"What is the basic role of a mage?"
"To change the tide of battle!"
"Do you think you can change the tide of battle on the front lines with your current skills?"
"No, I don't."
Albi folded his arms.
"Set your training goals to achieve that."
"What specific training should I do?"
"You need to practice multiple incantations."
"Multiple incantations?"
Chelsea had a subtle expression.
She was already practicing multiple incantations.
In fact, incantation was her greatest specialty.
"I'm not talking about typical multiple incantations."
Albi raised both hands.
A Fireball formed in his right hand.
And in his left hand...
"Hell Fire?"
The strongest fire spell was created.
It was relatively easy to chant spells of similar power and different attributes simultaneously.
But it was difficult to chant a lower-level spell and a higher-level spell at the same time.
The basic structure of the spell formation was different due to the different outputs.
Naturally, the more significant the gap between the spells, the more difficult it was.
"If you aim to be a hero as a battle mage, you should be able to do this easily."
At Albi's words, Chelsea swallowed hard.
"Let's start the practice."
"Yes, sir!"
Chelsea, who answered briskly, immediately immersed herself in training.
Albi's gaze turned to Chloe.
"Chloe, I think you know your weakness, right?"
"I'm weak in melee combat."
"Yes. In fact, melee combat is a problem for all types of mages except battle mages. You use Wing magic to improve mobility to avoid melee combat. But the fundamental issue remains unsolved. Especially for you, Chloe. You are a typical mage."
"Ugh!"
At Albi's words, Chloe flinched.
A typical mage who focuses solely on magic studies.
Of course, as a Lumeren student, she had done basic physical training, but that was all.
"Study martial arts to prepare for melee combat to some extent."
"In a magic class!?"
"Today's class is a special session for the inter-departmental competition."
"R-really...!"
"Go and warm up."
At Albi's words, Chloe slumped her shoulders and started warming up in one corner.
"Abad Levalin."
"Yes."
"At this stage, you don't have any significant weaknesses."
At this, Abad smiled.
In close combat, he was outmatched by Chelsea, and in spell power, he was outmatched by Chloe.
But in terms of overall combat ability, Abad was the strongest among the first-year mages.
"Help Chelsea."
"Yes."
"Leo, you should do the same. Help Chloe with her practice."
"Understood."
After assigning tasks to the two, Albi closed his eyes.
Leo and Abad approached Chloe and Chelsea, who were preparing for their practice in the center of the practice area.
"By the way."
At Abad's words, Leo stopped in his tracks.
"Is this the first time we've talked alone?"
Abad smiled.
Half the semester had passed, but there had been no real interaction between Leo and Abad.
They were not in the same class, and they did not attend the same magic classes.
"That's true."
"I always rely on my younger sister. It seems I've received a lot of help from you."
"I'm also having a fun school life thanks to Chelsea."
At this answer, Abad smiled warmly and said,
"In this inter-departmental competition, I plan to defeat you."
At this calm and composed declaration, Leo looked slightly surprised.
"I've been thinking about you since the entrance exam."
During the entrance exam, Leo was far from matching Abad's skills.
"At first, I thought you were an excellent knight, but when the semester started, it turned out differently. You stood out in both magic and summoning."
Abad's gaze fixed on Leo.
"The fact that someone like you exists is very interesting. But when I came to my senses, you were already running ahead of me."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"It's not my evaluation. It's the public's evaluation. In fact, I'm grateful for your existence. Without you, my school life would have been boring because I wouldn't have had a goal to aim for."
Abad smiled like a gentle spring breeze.
"In this inter-departmental competition, I will aim to defeat you."
'Even I, a guy, think he's handsome. No wonder he's the most popular boy in the first year.'
Although Abad was often teased by Selia for being as smooth as butter, he was the most popular boy in the first year.
In any case, after this conversation, Leo did not dislike Abad.
At Leo's words, Abad greeted him like a dignified challenger and approached Chelsea.
Watching his back, Leo chuckled.
"This is a problem with being popular."
***
"What did you talk about with Abad?"
"He said he plans to defeat me in this inter-departmental competition."
"Selia and Durando are also very eager."
"They've been like that since the beginning of the semester."
Chloe added,
"From what I heard at the last class president meeting, Chen Xia and Eliza are also targeting you."
"..."
"Although Welden is usually quiet and indifferent, he doesn't seem like the type to do that."
"He said he would defeat me during last week's summoning class."
"Really?"
Chloe covered her mouth and chuckled.
"What's so funny? That laugh?"
"Well, it's nice to see the class representative is so popular!"
Chloe laughed while teasing him.
"Speaking of which, what about you? Aren't I your target in this inter-departmental competition?"
"Huh? Not really."
"That's strange. The kid who was obsessed with a strange book during the midterm exams and had dark circles under his eyes for the whole exam period."
"Hey! Why is that story coming up now!"
Chloe, with a red face, yelled and kicked, but Leo dodged with a smirk.
"Leo, I will definitely defeat you in this practical exam!"
"Don't say that!"
Seeing Leo imitating her tone, Chloe, enraged, swung her magic book wildly.
"Huff! Huff!"
Finally, Chloe, who was the first to tire, said while fixing her hair.
"Let me tell you in advance. My goal is still you."
"Huh?"
"First, I need to recover the grades that match the top student of the northern entrance."