Chapter 153
Chapter Title: Joint Classes and a Tug-of-War
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153
Morning assembly had ended, and it was time to prepare for class.
The first class was a Knight Studies major course.
Leo headed to the training grounds with the other Knight Studies students from Class 5.
“A sudden joint class? This is so out of the blue.”
Amid the chatter, Iliana tilted her head in confusion.
Seeing her, Nella commented.
“They say joint classes with the three major class academies happen from time to time.”
“Right. But that's usually when Lumerne students go to their academies for classes.”
“True. This time, students from the three academies are coming to Lumerne, right?”
The three major class academies.
Though they were considered second choices, that was only because Lumerne was so exceptional. They were by no means to be underestimated.
Icot Knight Academy was run by the Knight Federation, Emeral Magic Academy by the Mage Tower, and Scaun Summoning Academy by the Summoners' Guild.
As academies established and operated by the representative bodies of each class, they offered the best education for humanity in their specific fields.
Like Lumerne, the three major class academies had also produced many heroes.
Nevertheless, they could never surpass Lumerne's reputation.
“Weren't the three major class academies founded in the first place to check Lumerne's dominance?”
Lumerne Academy and Lumeria City were neutral, belonging to no faction.
But despite their neutrality, Lumerne itself was a powerful force capable of influencing the entire continent.
With its monopoly on the Hero Record, every nation couldn't help but be dependent on Lumerne.
Naturally, talented individuals from every country flowed into Lumerne.
Of course, they returned to their home countries after graduation, but the sense of belonging to 'Lumerne' they developed didn't easily fade.
A considerable number of students either went to other countries through Lumerne or joined the 'Hero Federation' founded by it.
It was the powerful figures in various nations, dissatisfied with Lumerne's stronghold, who joined forces to establish the three major class academies as a challenge.
In the early days, they were effective in preventing the brain drain, just as intended.
“But over time, they naturally came to be seen as the second choice for Lumerne's students.”
Iliana muttered, lacing her fingers behind her head.
For the three major class academies, it was a humiliating reality, but an unavoidable one.
In every aspect, they simply couldn't overcome Lumerne's dominance.
However, Lumerne actively sought to engage with the three major class academies.
Lumerne's founding purpose was, after all, to nurture heroes.
But Lumerne couldn't turn every student into a hero.
Therefore, the existence of the three class academies, which shared the same goal, provided an excellent educational venue to nurture the students Lumerne couldn't accommodate.
That was why Lumerne actively pursued exchanges with the three class academies.
They often held joint classes and valued student exchanges.
However, they had never invited students from the three class academies to Lumerne on a large scale.
Outstanding students did come to Lumerne as exchange students in the second semester, but those were rare cases.
It couldn't be helped.
The level of Lumerne's classes was far higher than the average level of the three class academies.
It would be a great loss for Lumerne students to slow down their pace for them.
Crucially, due to security concerns involving the 'Hero Record,' it was extremely rare for Lumerne to admit outsiders in large numbers.
But now, in an unprecedented move, a large number of students from the three class academies were said to be visiting Lumerne.
The students found this perplexing.
Seeing the confused expressions on Nella and Iliana's faces, Leo spoke.
“It must be for political reasons.”
“Hmm. You might be right, Class Rep.”
During the first semester, Lumerne had experienced several incidents.
During the midterm exams, the Hero Record went berserk.
During the department competition, Tartaros launched a large-scale attack, targeting the lives of the entire first year.
Although they had overcome it all, it provided good ammunition for those who viewed Lumerne unfavorably.
That was likely why they were opening the academy to the three class academies.
The primary goal of this exchange was to demonstrate that Lumerne was still going strong.
When they arrived at the training grounds, students from other classes were also buzzing about the joint class.
Amid the chatter, when Leo arrived, all eyes turned to him.
The joint class was one thing, but Leo, the one who had conquered Luna's world, was still a hot topic.
Just as the students were sending curious glances his way.
“Leo.”
Celia approached.
Dressed neatly in her uniform as always, Celia swept her hair back and spoke.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Honestly. You're really something else. How do you go out to subjugate some bandits and end up conquering Lady Luna's world?”
Celia, who had been looking amazed, soon had a sparkle in her eyes.
“So? What was Lady Luna's world like? You met her in person, right?”
At Celia's question, the students stopped their conversations and focused on Leo.
Everyone was keenly interested in the world of a Great Hero.
Duran, who had visited their classroom earlier, was also staring intently at Leo.
“There you are, Leo.”
Suddenly, someone barged into the group of first-years.
When the first-years turned, they saw a well-known student standing there.
None other than the student council vice president and a fifth-year from the Magic Department.
It was Torua.
Seeing her suddenly appear at a first-year Knight Studies class, the first-years all looked bewildered.
Amid the confusion, Torua approached Leo.
And said.
“Leo. What are you doing here? You need to get to magic class.”
“It's not time for magic class right now.”
When Leo replied with a baffled expression, Torua nodded.
“Yep. But one just came up. Professor Ren told me to bring you.”
“Why me?”
“I heard from Elena. The magic the Founder wanted to create is the one you deciphered during the first-semester field trip, right? He's planning to hold a special lecture about it, and Professor Ren said the person who actually deciphered the magic needs to be there.”
She was telling the truth.
Just a moment ago.
Ren had been overcome with excitement after receiving Elena's conquest report.
The Progenitor of the Nebula was an object of admiration not just for elves, but for all mages.
And the magic Leo had just deciphered was related to that very Luna.
Ren couldn't help but be thrilled.
Unable to contain his joy, he had decided to hold a special lecture.
Hearing Torua's explanation, Celia looked incredulous.
“Wait a minute. That's a special lecture that was arranged without any prior notice. Why does Leo have to skip his Knight Studies class to attend it?”
“Because Leo is in the Magic Department.”
“No, he's not! Leo is in the Knight Department!”
Celia flared up, grabbing Leo's hand and pulling him toward her.
Seeing this, Torua grabbed Leo's other hand.
“Why are you being so difficult? It's not like missing one Knight Studies class is going to cause any problems.”
“It will affect his Knight Department grades!”
“It's fine. Leo is in the Magic Department.”
*'This person is impossible to reason with!'*
With that thought, Celia pulled on Leo as if in a tug-of-war.
Leo let out a deep sigh.
“She's strong.”
Even though one was a first-year and the other a fifth-year, there was no way Torua, a pure mage, could win a contest of strength against Celia from the Knight Department.
As she was being pulled along toward Celia while still holding onto Leo's arm, Torua pouted, then spotted something and abruptly let go of Leo's hand.
“Gah!”
Losing her balance from the sudden release of tension, Celia stumbled backward.
Celia, who nearly landed on her butt, deftly regained her balance.
Leo also recovered his balance without much difficulty.
“Torua Yan. What are you doing in a first-year Knight Studies class?”
A cold voice rang out.
Everyone swallowed nervously.
Standing there was none other than Ain.
Spotting Ain, Torua greeted him politely.
“Hello, Professor Ain. I'm here to pick up Leo for a special lecture in the Magic Department.”
“What are you talking about?”
In response to his question, Torua took a letter from Ren out of her pocket and gave it to Ain.
After receiving the letter, Ain spoke nonchalantly.
“Tell Ren to stop talking nonsense.”
Ain was a professor also known for being a stickler for the rules.
There was no way Ren's demand to send a student for a sudden special lecture would work on him.
At his words, Torua took another letter from her pocket and handed it to Ain.
Ain took it and unfolded it.
A moment later, a cold smile spread across his face.
“Assistant Professor Claria.”
“Yes.”
“Carry on with the class. I'm going to pay Ren a visit.”
“...Understood.”
“Torua Yan. You come with me.”
“Yup. Good luck, first-years.”
Torua waved cheerfully and left the training grounds.
From his murderous aura, anyone could tell he was going to pulverize Ren.
“Quiet down. I'll start with attendance.”
Claria proceeded to take over the class as if this were a common occurrence.
*'Anna will probably come complaining again today.'*
Claria gave a wry smile, thinking of Ren's assistant professor, Anna.
Watching the scene unfold, Nella said to Iliana.
“Iliana, you're a magic swordsman. How would you feel if the professors fought over you like that?”
“Like I said before, I'd rather not have that kind of popularity.”
Iliana shook her head.
***
Having returned to his daily routine, Leo quickly readjusted to academy life.
His classmates and upperclassmen still sent curious glances his way, but that attention gradually faded with time.
Meanwhile, Lumerne announced specific plans for the joint class.
“Hey! This is huge! They said 200 students are coming from each academy!”
It was about three days after Leo had been discharged from the hospital.
Karl, the class informant, came to Class 5 with news about the joint class.
At his words, the students of Class 5 looked astonished.
Two hundred students from each academy.
A total of 600 outsiders were coming to Lumerne.
It was, quite literally, an unprecedented event.
“How long will the joint classes last?”
“They're staying for a total of two weeks.”
“Will our regular classes be okay for those two weeks?”
“Midterms are coming up soon.”
Worried voices arose from the students of Class 5.
Holding joint classes for two weeks would affect their lesson progress.
Although all of Class 5 had survived so far, students who were struggling just to keep up with the pace were beginning to appear.
Amid the worried murmurs.
The classroom door opened, and Chelsea appeared.
“Leo.”
“What is it?”
“Professor Halind is looking for you.”
At her words, Leo stood up with a puzzled expression.
He then headed to the faculty office in the classroom building.
When he arrived at the faculty office, he saw other students in the hallway.
All the top three first-year students from each department, including Chelsea, were gathered there.
They, too, wore clueless expressions, likely having been summoned unexpectedly.
Leo stood with them, a look of confusion on his face.
Just then, Halind emerged from the faculty office.
*Creeak—*
*Clomp— Clomp—*
The students watched Halind with tense expressions.
Whatever the reason, the students were on edge from being summoned by Halind.
“You're all here.”
Halind said flatly.
“There's something you all need to do regarding the upcoming joint class.”
“What is it?”
Celia asked with a curious look, and Halind replied.
“I'm granting you authority over the students from the other academies.”
The students looked puzzled at his words.
“Authority?”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
At their questions, Halind's lips curled into a smirk.
“To put it simply, you'll be their instructors.”