As the start time of the inter-departmental competition approached, external guests began to take their seats one by one.
Amidst this, a commotion broke out in one area.
"Could it be... the wizard Albi Juron of the Magic Eye?"
"It's surprising to see him participate in the departmental schedule."
The external guests murmured as they saw Albi sitting in one of the seats.
However, no one approached Albi.
This was because as many people feared him as admired him for his heroic reputation.
"Uncle, to be watching such an event is unexpected."
A girl carrying a lot of snacks approached and sat next to Albi with a calm face.
The external guests murmured at this sight.
She was Elena Juron, the acting head of the Juron family and a renowned genius in magic.
'So this is... the arrogant genius Elena.'
Just as the external guests were looking at her with interest, a young man confidently approached Elena.
"Hello, Lady Elena."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Alar Turka. I am the prince of the Turka Kingdom."
The Turka Kingdom.
It was the center of trade located at the border between the western and central regions.
Alar was the crown prince of that kingdom.
'Indeed, she is as beautiful as rumored.'
Alar swallowed hard as he saw Elena up close.
Elena was so beautiful that it took his breath away.
Even Alar, who had seen countless beautiful women as a member of the royal family, had never seen a woman with such beauty.
Moreover, Elena was a strong candidate for hero and had an incredible background.
For Alar, who was of marriageable age, she was a desirable target.
'First, I should build a rapport. With my status, she can't ignore me.'
Alar glanced at Elena's skirt and smiled softly.
"It is a great honor to meet the renowned Lady Elena. Please give me the opportunity to escort you."
Bowing, he boldly tried to take Elena's hand.
Elena smiled faintly.
Just as Alar was inwardly celebrating, thinking her smile was positive, a pinkish magical power surged from his body.
"Ah?"
Elena didn't even look at him as she flicked her fingers.
Whoosh! Bang!
"Ugh!"
Alar was slammed into the audience seats.
"How dare you!"
An enraged Alar jumped up.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Are you angry?"
Elena asked, widening her eyes.
Alar's eyes, which had been flaring up, suddenly turned hazy.
"No, no! I'm not angry at all!"
"Right? You're not angry, are you?"
"Of course not! How could I be angry over something like this! Hahaha!"
"Then, since you're annoying, why don't you disappear from my sight?"
"I understand!"
It was a very rude thing to say to a crown prince of a country.
But Alar didn't care and disappeared from Elena's sight like a dog.
Elena took out a perfume from her pocket and sprayed it into the air.
The surrounding external guests looked at her with disgust.
'So this is Elena Juron...'
'Causing such a diplomatic faux pas!'
'The witch of Lumern!'
Elena was known as a witch even before she was called the queen.
"Didn't I tell you not to use your power recklessly?"
Albi said in a cold voice, to which Elena replied with a bored tone.
"Uncle, you saw it too, right? He was looking at me with a dirty look first."
Elena snorted.
Elena, who had a strong background and beautiful appearance from a young age, was familiar with people's desire-filled gazes.
No matter how well they hid their true intentions, she could easily detect such signs.
"Besides, isn't it incompetent to be unable to resist such a level of power even without using magic?"
Elena smiled brightly.
Her innate power was the ability to captivate people's hearts with her natural beauty and charisma.
When she was young, this ability made people easily follow her, but now it had evolved to the point where she could charm people with just a glance.
"By the way, why are you really here, Uncle?"
"I came to watch a student I'm interested in."
"A student you're interested in?"
"A student suitable to be a hero."
Elena, who was tearing open a bag of snacks, paused.
'A student suitable to be a hero? He never mentioned this to me before.'
"Are you talking about Leo Flaubert?"
"Yes."
Elena's lips curled up.
As the successor of the Juron family, Elena had met countless heroes and hero candidates from a young age.
In her eyes, no one was as worthy of the title of hero as Albi.
'Even Father.'
That's why Elena had always tried to gain Albi's recognition.
But Elena had never been recognized by Albi.
'Such an uncle recognizing a student?'
Elena's cold gaze turned towards Leo, who was far away.
'This will be interesting.'
***
[Welcome, distinguished guests. I am Sedgen, and I will be overseeing today's inter-departmental competition.]
Sedgen's voice echoed throughout the Erek training ground.
The murmuring audience stopped talking and began to focus on Sedgen.
[Students! As previously announced, this year's inter-departmental competition will be a battle royale! Your skills, strategies, and survival abilities will be tested, and the last person standing will be the winner! The department of the last person standing will be the champion!]
"Battle royale?"
"Quite an unusual method."
"It feels more like an individual competition than an inter-departmental one."
The external guests' eyes sparkled.
It was a rather unique method, which piqued their interest.
'Specially this year, they said there are many excellent students.'
'I need to sponsor promising students and pull them to our side in the future.'
Sedgen continued his explanation.
[Each of you will be given an artifact to monitor your physical condition! If this artifact detects a life-threatening situation, it will immediately teleport you back here!]
Sedgen showed the students a magical bracelet.
[In other words... it means you can torment your opponents without killing them. I say this out of caution, so don't abuse it.]
Sedgen's unusually cold gaze fell upon the students.
The freshmen flinched.
[Additionally, I have an announcement for the distinguished guests.]
Sedgen looked at the audience with a serious voice.
Everyone tensed at the words of the renowned Professor Sedgen from Lumern.
[The main highlight of this year's inter-departmental competition is the excellent performance of the first-year students of Class 1, who are known for their elegance! Please pay close attention when the students of Class 1 appear...]
"Pull him out."
Hearing Halind's ruthless command, Ain and Ren, who were waiting, went up to the podium and dragged Sedgen away.
"What, what is this! How can you do this to me! After all I did for you during our school days! Ah! Let go! Let go! You lackeys of Halind!"
The audience looked stunned as Professor Sedgen was dragged off the podium.
"Class 1! I expect an elegant performance from you!"
As Karl shouted playfully, laughter erupted from various freshmen.
Thud, thud.
But the relaxed atmosphere hardened again when a single man stepped onto the podium.
It was Professor Halind, the most feared teacher by the students.
[Before the inter-departmental competition, I have one announcement. This year's competition will also serve as the final practical exam.]
"Wh-what?"
"This is the final practical exam?"
[The goal of the inter-departmental competition is purely survival, but the final exam is different. All your actions will be recorded in the bracelets provided to you. A student who is eliminated early can still score higher than one who is eliminated later. Therefore, be cautious in every action. That's all.]
Leo smirked as he listened to Halind.
'Smart.'
For the victory of the inter-departmental competition, students from the same department could form alliances and take down opponents.
Additionally, for the sake of the department, personal sacrifices were acceptable.
But with the final practical exam, things were different.
'Acting only for the department could ruin the exam. In this case, how you strategize becomes even more important.'
While Leo's eyes sparkled, Halind continued.
"The inter-departmental competition will begin in ten minutes. Prepare yourselves."
The teaching assistants came and distributed the bracelets.
"Phew! I'm nervous."
Karl said with a tense face, and Leo smirked.
"You'll do well, Karl."
"Of course. Be careful, Leo. There are many who are after you."
"Don't worry."
Leo and Karl bumped fists.
"Ah! Me too! Share some of your good luck, class president!"
Ilana came and bumped fists with them.
Following her, the students of Class 5 approached Leo one by one.
"Leo, good luck."
"You too, do your best."
As Chelsea bumped fists with him last, Halind spoke.
[The preparation time is over. I will now begin the inter-departmental competition.]
Rumble!
As he spoke, a giant magic circle appeared on the floor.
As announced by the school, they were about to be teleported to Negrang all at once.
Flash!
Bright light enveloped their vision.
Whooosh!
And when they opened their eyes...
"Ahhhhh!"
"What, what is this!"
"I can't use magic!"
All the freshmen were screaming as they fell.
Leo took in the entire ruined city of Negrang before he fell.
'The whole city is covered in various curses!'
He understood why this place was abandoned.
'The curses are repeatedly activating and deactivating.'
There was only one area where the curses didn't activate.
'The only place without curses is... the castle ruins!'
Flash!
Leo adjusted his posture to minimize air resistance and fell towards the ground.
'First, I need to get to the castle!'
Just before he hit the ground, the levitation magic built into the artifact safely landed him.
Thud!
Leo regained his footing.
The ruined city was overgrown with thick vegetation.
Human civilization, left unmanaged, had been mercilessly destroyed by nature.
'The curses haven't activated in this area yet. I need to get to the castle quickly...'
"Ah! Leo Flaubert!"
A male student from the Magic Department, who had just landed, flinched upon seeing Leo.
"Huh? You?"
"What, what! Are you going to fight me now!"
Leo recognized the nervous-looking male student.
'His name is Jeb, right?'
He was a student from the Magic Department who had clung to Chloe until just before the midterm exams.
"I don't particularly want to fight right now."
Ignoring Leo, Jeb relaxed and grinned.
"Really? But what can you do? I'm going to catch you!"
"What?"
Jeb raised his staff and cast a spell at Leo.
Squeal! Bang!
Leo narrowed his eyes and turned his head.
"Quite a few students from our department and others don't really like you."
Jeb, with a sly smile, pointed his staff at Leo.
"So we came up with an idea. If we meet you, we'll team up and take you down first."
Leo could feel the presence of others quickly approaching from all directions.
"Don't feel too wronged! Cooperation is also a strategy!"