Chapter 104
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The day after final exams ended.
Lumerne immediately held its end-of-semester ceremony.
Of course, the entire student body didn't gather in one place.
Instead, the ceremonies were conducted by each class's respective supervising professor.
And the students of Class 5 stared with tense faces at Halind, who stood before them.
It was because grades were being announced during the ceremony.
Professor Halind looked at the students and spoke in his characteristically dry voice.
"Alright, I will now announce the grades you've all been waiting for."
At his words, the mood in the classroom turned somber.
The announcement of grades.
Everyone had survived the midterms, but there was no guarantee the same would happen with the finals.
"Before that, as for students in this class who will be advised to withdraw..."
Halind scanned the nervous students, the corner of his mouth curling up as he spoke.
"There are none."
"Yes!"
"Ooooooh!"
"We survived!"
The lower-ranking students, who had been anxiously awaiting the announcement, shot up from their seats and cheered.
Seeing this, Halind said.
"Those of you who just shouted. Get to the back of the room and put your heads down. Now."
The faces of the students who had shouted turned pale.
The students grunted as they went to the back and put their heads to the floor.
"Sera, hand out the report cards to the students."
"Yes."
Sera smiled brightly as she distributed the printouts to the students.
The students nervously checked their individual grades.
"My rank in the magic department dropped to third this time. Well, I guess that's to be expected."
Chelsea said, scratching her head.
Since the Departmental Competition, which had replaced the final practical exam, was canceled due to the incident, the written exams carried more weight in the final grades compared to the midterms.
As a result, Chloe and Abad had an absolute advantage on the written tests.
"Leo, what was your rank in the magic department?"
"Eighth."
"That's high."
Leo wasn't yet accustomed to modern magic theory, so his written exam scores weren't the best.
Of course, eighth place was still an incredible achievement.
In fact, Leo placed in the top ten on all his written exams.
His practical exam scores, of course, were first place.
"Overall score is first place. Looks like you're the year representative for the second semester too."
"Congratulations, Leo!"
"The class president is the year representative again? Well, considering his performance back then, it's only natural."
As the students of Class 5 were discussing their grades...
*Creeak!*
The classroom's front door slid open, and Professor Sedjen entered.
"Hahahaha! Halind! You saw the class rankings, I presume! My elegant Class 1 is first again! And Class 5 is second! Hahahahahaha! In the end, Class 1 has won the first semester! Hahahaha!"
Sedjen, who held a strong sense of rivalry with Halind, had rushed over after seeing the class rankings.
Of course, everyone in Class 5 just accepted it.
This wasn't the first or second time Professor Sedjen had acted this way.
Halind, as usual, simply ignored him and continued delivering announcements to the students.
'At first, it was irritating, but now he just looks pathetic.'
'Poor Professor Sedjen.'
Amid the pitying gazes of Class 5, Leo raised his hand.
"Professor Sedjen. In that case, you should treat us to something delicious."
At those words, Sedjen's face scrunched up.
"I was the one who won. Why should I be the one buying the meal?"
"Isn't it customary for the victor to be generous to the loser?"
"Hmm! That's not wrong! Very well! I shall bestow my generosity upon the students of Class 5 and buy you all some drinks..."
"I heard earlier that Class 1 is going to the finest restaurant in Lumeria City for their after-party. You should take our class too."
"Ooh! That's Professor Sedjen for you. So generous."
"Just what you'd expect from the supervising professor of the top first-year class!"
The students of Class 5 quickly caught on and began their operation to fleece Sedjen.
'Hmph, you pathetic fools. Do you really think I'd fall for such a paltry trick?'
Of course, Sedjen wore a disdainful expression.
Just then, Sera poked Halind in the side.
Halind looked annoyed, but seeing the desperate gazes of his students, he sighed and spoke.
"Sedjen. Your teaching skills seem to be quite remarkable."
"What was that? Halind?"
"I said your teaching skills are remarkable."
"Hahahahaha!"
His mood soaring, Sedjen laughed heartily.
He knew very well that his old colleague wasn't one to offer empty praise.
Of course, Halind's words were, in fact, empty praise.
"What's the big deal! Fine! I shall take Class 5 to the after-party as well!"
"Waaaaaah!"
Class 5 erupted in cheers.
In high spirits, Sedjen burst out laughing and returned to Class 1.
"When will that guy ever grow up?"
"Doesn't that just mean he acknowledges you, Professor Halind?"
As Sera spoke with a smile, Halind shot a cold glare at his students.
"You used me just to fill your own stomachs?"
At his words, all of Class 5 flinched.
Halind, who had been glaring intensely at the class, let out a smirk.
"Eat with the intention of bankrupting him."
"Yes, sir!"
"Don't you worry, Professor Halind!"
The atmosphere in the classroom heated up.
Looking at his students, Halind continued with the announcements.
"As you'll see on the notice for parents included with your report card, supervising professors will be making home visits during the break. The schedule is written on the notice, so be at home accordingly. If something comes up, inform the school in advance via communication magic."
"Yes, sir."
"Also, I trust there are no fools in this class who would cause trouble or tarnish the school's reputation during the break... but if anyone does cause trouble, they can look forward to the first day of the second semester. And finally."
Halind lightly snapped his fingers.
*Thud-!*
Several heavy books dropped onto every desk in Class 5.
The faces of all the students stiffened.
"This is your vacation homework."
"A-All of this?"
Iliana asked, her face aghast.
"You don't have to do it. Provided you're confident you can handle the consequences, that is."
The students looked crestfallen as they saw Halind's dry smile.
"This concludes the ceremony. You all worked hard this first semester."
Lumerne's brief end-of-semester ceremony was over.
***
By the time the enjoyable after-party ended, evening had fallen.
"It's almost time for the warp gate."
Karl stood before the warp gate with a look of regret.
The warp gates had different entrances for each region.
"Hah! This semester was really full of twists and turns!"
Dade said, stretching his arms wide.
"Still, we all made it through, right? I honestly thought Karl was in real danger this time."
Iliana chuckled.
"Anyway, everyone have a great break. And don't forget the homework."
Nella said with a smile.
"See you in the second semester! Write to me!"
Chelsea waved to Nella.
After seeing his friends off, Leo gazed at the view of Lake Lumeria at sunset through the warp gate.
"It was a hectic semester."
"Yeah. But it was fun!"
Chelsea, who was walking with Leo since they were from the same region, giggled and said.
"You'll be at home during the break, right, Leo?"
"Yes."
"Can I come visit?"
"I don't mind you visiting, but I'm not sure how my mother will react."
"Huh? Leo's mother... Ah!"
Chelsea exclaimed.
She had remembered that Leo's maternal family was the Jerdingers.
"Still, I'm sure she'll find me cute, right? I am cute, after all."
"Aren't you embarrassed saying that about yourself?"
"It's the truth!"
Leo let out a wry laugh at Chelsea's confident declaration and headed for the warp gate.
Celia and Abad were waiting there.
"There you are."
Celia swept her hair back.
"All the students from the Empire are waiting. You're the last one, Chelsea."
"Okay. Sorry."
Chelsea ran to Abad's side.
Celia looked at Leo and said.
"You could stop by our house before you go."
"I should probably go to my own house first."
"True."
Celia smiled brightly, though her expression was one of disappointment.
"Then I'll just come visit you in a few days."
"Alright."
As his cousin, Celia was free to visit the Flove estate whenever she wanted.
Abad smiled warmly at Leo.
"Have a good break."
"You too, Abad."
After exchanging goodbyes, the three of them headed for the Rodren Empire's warp gate.
Leo stepped into the warp gate bound for the Delard Kingdom alone.
'It's been a while since I've been home.'
Parting with his friends finally made the vacation feel real.
-This is an announcement for all passengers heading to the Delard Kingdom. Please board the warp gate immediately.
'Starting next semester, I should be able to access more Hero Records.'
As he looked forward to the second semester, the warp gate activated.
*Flash-!*
Arriving in Delan, the capital of the Delard Kingdom, Leo immediately exited the warp gate.
A huge crowd was waiting in front of the gate.
"Waaaaah!"
"It's Lord Leo Flove!"
"Lumerne's first-year representative!"
"The future of the Delard Kingdom!"
Leo wore a sour expression as he watched the cheering crowd in front of the warp gate.
'I mean, I expected this, but... isn't this a bit much?'
The Delard Kingdom was a small, provincial nation.
It was a country where just producing a talent capable of entering Lumerne was a great feat.
Yet Leo was not only an unprecedented All-Class, but he had also become Lumerne's year representative.
On top of that, he had gained fame from the Departmental Competition incident.
Considering that the Delard Kingdom had never produced a single hero in its entire history, this was an incredibly encouraging event for the nation.
Leo sighed, found the Flove family carriage, and headed toward it.
As he did, people from other noble families swarmed him, handing him party invitations.
"Young Master Leo! Marquis Jelma invites you to a dinner banquet...!"
"We're from the Ducal House of Dorven! The Duchess insists on inviting you, Young Master Leo!"
"I'm sorry. I'd like to go home and rest."
Leo declined the invitations and barely managed to get into the carriage.
'Should I be glad I haven't gotten an invitation from the royal family?'
An invitation from the royals would be difficult to refuse.
As Leo climbed into the carriage and sighed, he heard a soft chuckle.
"You're thinking it's a relief no one from the royal family came, aren't you?"
"It's good to see you, Mother."
"You little rascal! Is that any way to speak to your mother after so long!"
Reina, who was already in the carriage, lightly pinched Leo's nose.
Leo laughed and rubbed his nose.
"Anyway, I thought someone from the royal family would be here, but they aren't."
"This mother of yours asked Jis to send a letter to the king."
"I'll have to thank Uncle Jis, then."
"Yes. Make sure you do next time."
Reina smiled brightly and pulled Leo into a tight hug.
"In any case, welcome home, Leo."
Leo let out a soft laugh as he looked at Reina, who was hugging him with a blissful smile.
Come to think of it, this was the first time in this life he had been away from his parents for so long.
"I'm home, Mom."
The carriage set off for the Flove estate.
Leo's vacation had officially begun.