Chapter 129
Chapter Title: Hero Magic
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*‘Hero Magic already?’*
The students wore expressions of surprise.
Looking at them, Ren spoke.
“Is there a student who can explain Hero Magic?”
At his words, the students raised their hands.
Ren pointed to Chloe, who had raised her hand first.
“Student Chloe.”
“Yes. Hero Magic refers to the unique magic used by heroes. Normally, unique magic cannot be learned by others. While there are exceptions, such as inheritance through bloodline or secret traditions passed down in a school of magic, it is just as difficult to learn.”
Chloe was correct.
Unique magic is like a symbol, representing each individual mage.
As such, the magic's individuality was incredibly strong.
“However, it is possible to inherit unique magic through the [Hero Skill] reward from the Hero Record. Hero Magic is the reinterpretation of that inherited unique magic in a way that increases its versatility.”
“Correct. I'll give Student Chloe five presentation points.”
“Thank you.”
“Simply put, you could say Hero Magic is a 'mass-produced' version of the unique magic used by heroes. But just because it's been reinterpreted for anyone to learn doesn't mean it's easy.”
Ren grinned.
Even if it was a mass-produced version, it was still magic that symbolized a hero.
While not as powerful as the original, it was still potent, and the difficulty of understanding the formula was extremely high.
Moreover, if one's mana affinity didn't match, they couldn't cast it even if they perfectly understood the formula.
“Besides, not just anyone can learn it.”
The value of a grimoire containing Hero Magic was astronomical.
Ordinary mages would go their entire lives without ever seeing a [Hero Magic Grimoire].
This showed just how incredible a hero academy that taught Hero Magic to everyone truly was.
Hearing Ren's explanation, the magic department students grew excited.
Hero Magic was typically taught in theory at the end of the first year's second semester, with practical lessons beginning in the second year's first semester.
And they were learning it a full semester early.
This was a testament to how high the Lumerne Magic Department's expectations were for the current first-years.
As everyone wore proud expressions, Leo spoke with curiosity.
“By the way, so the second, third, and fourth-year seniors always lost to Seirun in the Luse Competition.”
The Luse Competition.
It was the annual school competition between Lumerne and Seirun.
It wasn't just a school event; it was a competition where the pride of their respective races was at stake, drawing public attention every year.
However, Lumerne had been at a disadvantage against Seirun for the past few years.
The magic department's inferiority seemed particularly pronounced.
At Leo's words, Chelsea made a frustrated face.
“Yeah. The fifth-years, led by senior Torua, were incredibly successful for five years, but the current second, third, and fourth-years are falling far behind Seirun's mages.”
“But senior Elena is in the third year, isn't she?”
*‘She was one of the top three most skilled students I've seen in Lumerne's Magic Department.’*
For the third-years to be losing to Seirun despite having a monster like her…
It was nothing short of surprising.
Karl laced his fingers behind his head and said.
“Senior Elena is the only one with exceptional skill among the third-year seniors. Simply put, the lineup supporting her is weak.”
“What about the second-years?”
“The second-year seniors have a high average skill level, but no standout students. It's a shame in many ways.”
Seeing Karl smack his lips, Chelsea smiled confidently.
“But the first-years losing to Seirun's mages ends this year! Because we're here!”
“That's right! We'll show them what Lumerne is made of!”
As Karl shouted enthusiastically, Chelsea gave him a pitying look.
“Karl, do you think you can even survive at Lumerne until then?”
“That's so mean!”
Karl's shoulders slumped.
Iliana, who had been listening, chimed in.
“But Seirun's first-year lineup is no joke either.”
Chelsea crossed her arms and fell into thought.
“Hmm! True.”
Hearing their conversation, magic students from other classes nearby asked.
“Hey, Class 5. You guys had classes with Seirun's first-year advanced Class 1 during the school trip, right? What were they like?”
At the other student's question, Karl clicked his tongue.
“They were tough. Especially Lunia El Lundua. That girl was a monster.”
“A monster?”
“Her mana capacity was immense, and the power of her spells was no joke. Her understanding of magic was on another level, too.”
“The Lundua family is famous for summoning, right?”
“I heard her magic is considerable, but isn't it lacking compared to her summoning?”
As the first-years showed their curiosity, Iliana shook her head.
“Her magic is overwhelming, too. She's at least on Abad's or Chloe's level.”
Hearing Iliana's words, the magic students' faces turned serious.
“Then Chloe would be at a disadvantage in terms of affinity, wouldn't she?”
Fire and ice.
Chloe was indeed at a disadvantage due to the affinity matchup.
“Then should we leave Lunia El Lundua to Abad?”
Thanks to the mention of the Luse Competition, the first-years' topic of conversation briefly shifted.
“Save the talk about the Luse Competition for later. Focus on the class for now.”
“Yes, sir!”
The students answered sharply.
“For your information, the reason you're learning Hero Magic as first-years is partly due to the influence of one of your seniors.”
“A senior?”
“Yes. Torua praised you all highly.”
*‘The current first-years will probably surpass our generation. They are all exceptionally talented juniors. So, they should be able to keep up even if they start Hero Magic a little early.’*
Despite his eccentricities, the words of Torua, known as a genius of magical theory, carried considerable weight among the professors.
Hearing Ren, the first-years looked touched.
“Senior Torua…”
“He wasn't just a mean-spirited senior!”
“We respect you, senior!”
“Torua! Torua!”
The first-years, who had been tormented by Torua during the department competition preparations, chanted his name.
Torua was the type to speak harshly to your face but look after his juniors diligently behind their backs.
“And so. Starting today, you will learn Hero Magic.”
“Whoa!”
“We'll do our best!”
Watching the students shout with motivation, Ren nodded.
“Now then, before we begin the lesson, I will check your magical dueling abilities.”
This was why Ren had held class in the training hall from the very first day.
Unlike mass-produced magic, it's impossible to learn numerous Hero Magic spells.
It wasn't simply because they were difficult to learn.
*‘The average number of Hero Magics a single mage can learn is three.’*
And that was the average at Lumerne.
Ordinary mages struggled to learn even one.
Whether one could use Hero Magic or not was determined by their innate aptitude.
Hero Magics passed down through bloodlines or schools of magic could be learned in greater numbers because they shared similar properties.
However, the body rejects learning multiple Hero Magics with completely different affinities.
The mage Ren knew who could wield the most Hero Magics was none other than Elena Jer-on.
*‘She can use a total of twelve Hero Magics.’*
It was a realm impossible to reach without, quite literally, overwhelming talent.
As such, one couldn't just learn any magic simply because it matched their affinity.
*‘First, it's crucial to clearly identify one's own strengths and weaknesses.’*
Learning a single Hero Magic could compensate for a weakness considered fatal.
That was how important Hero Magic was.
At the mention of magical duels, the students became excited.
“I guess I'll have to show off the results of my hard work over the break.”
“Huhu. I'll show you how much I've changed!”
All the students showed their confidence.
Amidst this, Ren spoke.
“Who wants to go first?”
“Me!”
“I'll do it, Professor!”
The students eagerly raised their hands.
Ren pointed to one of the female students waving her hand most enthusiastically, Iliana.
“Student Iliana, come forward.”
“Yes!”
As Iliana stepped forward, jeers erupted from all around.
“Booo! The traitor who practiced with the Knight Department during the department competition!”
“You turncoat!”
They were playful jeers.
Iliana was friendly and had many friends in the magic department.
“Ohohoho! Can't hear you, can't hear you! And no matter what you all say, I've got my classmates on my side!”
“Who are you?”
“Don't act like you know us.”
Of course, Class 5's reaction was cold.
“Class rep! They're teasing me again!”
“There, there.”
Leo said, consoling the pouting Iliana.
“Professor Ren is waiting, so hurry up and go.”
“Okay.”
Comforted, Iliana stepped onto the dueling platform.
“So! Who am I dueling?”
“Me.”
“Gasp!”
Iliana, who had turned her head toward the voice coming from the training hall entrance, was startled.
The other students also wore looks of shock.
The one who appeared was none other than Professor Albi.
“I called in the best guest instructor.”
Ren said, the corners of his mouth curling up.
Albi, standing in the center of the platform, looked at the tense Iliana and spoke.
“Don't be so nervous. Do you really think I'd go all out against first-years like you?”
“Ahaha! W-well! Right?”
Iliana laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.
Looking at her, Albi said.
“Come at me with everything you've got.”
“Yes, sir!”
Answering sharply, Iliana lowered her stance.
Watching her, the first-years wore tense expressions.
Among the Lumerne Magic Department professors, Albi was considered the strongest in magical duels.
Not a single student wanted to miss even a moment of his performance.
Iliana, uncharacteristically cautious…
“First strike wins! Shining Blade!”
*Fsh-fsh-fsh-fsh!*
Blades of light formed in the air.
Seeing this, the magic students made ‘I knew it’ faces.
There was no way the belligerent Iliana would approach a duel cautiously.
The light magic poured down on Albi.
Seeing it, Albi lightly chanted a spell.
*Flash—!*
A bright light spread around Albi, shattering all of Iliana's magic.
Fragments of light magic scattered in all directions.
“Hyaap!”
But Iliana didn't stop, continuing to pour out her magic.
Watching her, Chelsea shook her head.
“She hasn't changed a bit since the first semester.”
While her skills as a magic swordsman had grown significantly, as a pure mage, Iliana's overly aggressive nature prevented her from displaying a high level of dueling skill.
The same was true for her as a knight.
Everyone predicted how Iliana would lose.
Pouring out attacks like that until she tired herself out was Iliana's formula for defeat.
That's why the magic students usually adopted a defensive strategy when dueling her.
But Leo's eyes gleamed as he watched Iliana.
“I don't think it's that simple.”
“What?”
“Look around.”
The fragments of the destroyed spells were scattered everywhere.
Normally, they should have dissipated back into mana, but the magical formula was being maintained even in their shattered state.
"Oh?" Albi let out a sound of admiration.
“Prepare to be amazed! This is Iliana Laden's trump card!”
Grinning, Iliana released her mana.
“Shining Rain!”
*Fsh-fsh-fsh-fsh-fsh-fsh—*
The densely scattered fragments of light simultaneously rained down on Albi.
Ren exclaimed in admiration at the combination attack.
*‘Until the first semester, her extremely aggressive style in magical duels was a demerit, but she's compensated for that weakness with an even stronger offensive tendency.’*
Honestly, he was surprised.
This was the Iliana who used to lose constantly because of her excessive aggression.
But now, anyone at least on a similar skill level could no longer use a defensive strategy against her.
No, even a more skilled opponent could be defeated if they got swept up in Iliana's pace.
*‘Excellent. Still, demerits for her aggressive tendencies.’*
Just as Ren finished his evaluation of Iliana.
“Impressive.”
Along with Albi's dry compliment, his magic eye glowed.
*Flash—!*
A bright light obscured his figure.
And with it, Iliana's magic was blocked.
“Ugh!”
Her trump card blocked, Iliana prepared for an attack.
When the light faded, a girl was standing in front of Albi.
Iliana stared blankly.
“Uh… me?”
The magic department students were bewildered.
Among the students, only Leo accurately grasped the situation.
*‘To think he could use that magic with a human body.’*
Leo knew the identity of the magic Albi had used.
*‘Mirror Force.’*
It was none other than the magic of the Fairy King.