Chapter 196
Chapter Title: A Fiery Welcome
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196
The blizzard had ceased, and the Seirun students gathered before the warp gate exuded an overwhelming presence.
Rienia, the Seirun student council president, watched them with a satisfied expression and said.
“Let’s head to the Grand Parade Ground. The teachers are waiting for our guests.”
At her words, Lis nodded.
“Everyone, move out!”
With tense expressions, the Lumerne students began to move in formation, following Lis.
*Shick! Shwaa—!*
The Seirun students parted to form a path, as synchronized as well-drilled soldiers.
“Ugh, talk about intimidating.”
Karl shook his head at their disciplined display, muttering with a dry laugh.
“Hmph! Hmph! As if anyone would be intimidated by this?”
Iliana muttered in defiance.
However, she couldn’t help but flinch at the sight of the Seirun students glaring intently as they passed.
The Seirun students carefully examined the face of each and every Lumerne student, as if to burn the images of their rivals into their memory.
Among them, the one receiving the most focused attention was, of course, Leo.
Every time Leo passed, the intense gazes of the Seirun students were fixed on him.
During the first semester’s field trip.
The fact that Leo had deciphered Luna's 'Flower-Blooming Magic' was already known by everyone at Seirun.
Though it hadn’t been announced to the world yet, it was a well-known fact within Seirun.
When news of the Flower-Blooming Magic first spread, most elves reacted as if it were just one of the countless spells created by the Founder.
This was because Seirun's pride had been wounded.
The fact that a lost magic of the Founder, missing for thousands of years in Seirun's history, had been restored and deciphered not by a Seirun student, or even an elf, but by a human.
However, during the semester's mission practical, the Flower-Blooming Magic was mentioned directly by Luna herself.
Thanks to reports from Lunia and Hardin, the importance of the Flower-Blooming Magic rose even higher.
Naturally, talk about Leo once again became a hot topic within Seirun.
Not long after, in the midst of this situation, rumors spread that Leo had been elected as Lumerne's student council president.
From Seirun's perspective, Leo was one of the top individuals to watch out for in the upcoming Lu-Se Games.
Even as all the Seirun students stared holes through him, Leo himself simply walked on, unfazed.
“Hey, Leo. The Seirun students are giving you some scary glares. You okay?”
“About what?”
“Don’t you feel the pressure?”
“Not at all.”
“Sometimes, I envy that boldness of yours.”
Karl said in admiration at Leo's calm reaction.
Just as Leo let out a small laugh at Karl.
He spotted a familiar girl among the Seirun students.
Eiran spotted Leo and, smiling brightly, waved at him.
When Leo smiled back and waved, Eiran smiled shyly.
At that reaction, students from other classes who were nearby rushed over to Leo.
“Hey! Leo, who was that just now?”
“Do you know her?”
“She was gorgeous! Everyone else is looking at us murderously, but she was the only one who smiled!”
Unlike the other Seirun students, Eiran gave the Lumerne students a kind smile.
Given her personality, it was impossible for her to be intimidating even if she were told to threaten students from another school.
Karl chuckled at the other students' reactions.
“Want to know about Eiran?”
“Oh! Karl, you know her too!”
“Did you guys get close during the field trip?”
The other students, thinking they’d struck gold, crowded around Karl.
“Curious?”
“So curious!”
“It's good to relax, but the upperclassmen are glaring at you.”
As Leo spoke to the increasingly rowdy male students, they let out a choked sound and scattered in all directions.
And so, the Lumerne students arrived at Seirun's Grand Parade Ground.
The Seirun students, who had parted the way and followed behind, now stood in formation in their designated spots.
The Lumerne students also lined up by year, with the grade representatives at the front.
Amidst this, an elf appeared on the platform standing at the front of the Grand Parade Ground.
An air of wisdom about him, he regarded the Lumerne students with solemn eyes and began to speak.
*Welcome, you buds who will lead the future of humanity. My name is Venit. Though I may be lacking, I hold the position of Seirun's headmaster.*
As Venit introduced himself, the Lumerne students let out gasps of admiration.
Venit.
A hero known as [The Founder's First Star], he was a powerful mage capable of wielding all known magic of the Founder.
He was also the man who had conquered Luna's world and inherited its power.
They knew he was the headmaster of Seirun, but seeing such a great hero in person, the Lumerne students couldn't help but be awestruck.
*I hope you all achieve satisfactory results in this Lu-Se Games. The games will officially begin the day after tomorrow. Until then, I hope you maintain peak condition. That is all.*
It was a dry welcome.
But it was also the best that could be said to students of a rival school.
*Clap— Clap— Clap—*
The Lumerne students applauded.
Venit descended from the platform and immediately returned to the school building.
“Alright, alright. We'll guide you to your dorms now.”
Rienia stood before the Lumerne students and smiled.
“As the headmaster said, the Lu-Se Games begin the day after tomorrow. So, get plenty of rest in the prepared accommodations. Oh, and feel free to use the school's amenities. There will also be a welcome party for you all this evening, so please attend if you wish.”
With Rienia leading the way, the Seirun student council officers guided the Lumerne students to their lodgings.
The accommodations provided by Seirun were co-ed and shared by all grades.
Of course, even though they were shared, the sleeping and bathing areas were separate.
What was shared was the common room.
It seemed to be a place where they could plan strategies for the next day's events.
After unpacking in their assigned rooms, the students gathered in the common room.
“Our school is pretty magnificent, but Seirun is on another level.”
Iliana remarked in awe, looking around the common room.
“It's the richest of all the hero academies.”
Nella said with a grin.
“Anyway, a welcome party, huh? I bet the psychological warfare is going to be intense.”
“You think? Didn't you see how those Seirun kids were glaring at us earlier? Ugh, seriously.”
Karl shook his head at Dade's muttering.
“They're probably planning to properly assert their dominance at the welcome party. But we can't just not go.”
Chelsea said firmly, crossing her arms.
“We have to go and turn the tables on them!”
The Class 5 students nodded in agreement with her assertion.
“Class Rep! You're good at that stuff. Go and put them in their place in one go! I feel like we've been losing since the moment we met~”
“That's right! Leo! Show them what you're made of!”
Chelsea and Iliana said to Leo, who was sitting leisurely beside them.
“Put them in their place?”
Seeing Leo's smirk, Chelsea and Iliana nodded.
“Alright, shall we give it a proper go?”
“Oh! That's our class rep!”
“Go, Leo!”
The two girls cheered for Leo enthusiastically.
Watching this, Dade spoke with an uneasy expression.
“Is this really okay? I have a feeling he's going to hit them with something huge.”
“That might be true, but in this situation, we need Leo's nerve.”
Nella replied to Dade's words with her characteristic languid smile.
“I'm a little worried.”
Karl watched Leo, who was sitting there as composed as ever, with a worried look in his eyes.
***
In response to Seirun's attempt to dominate them from the start, all the Lumerne students attended the welcome party.
Not only the students, but also Lumerne's professors and teachers were in attendance.
Leo was enjoying the party leisurely from one side of the hall.
His friends had all rushed to the buffet table, eager to try traditional elven cuisine.
Leo was standing on one side of the party hall, observing the Seirun students.
“Student Leo, there you are!”
A welcoming voice called out.
Turning his head, he saw Herdium, the homeroom teacher of Seirun's 1st year, Advanced Class 1, whom he had met during the field trip, approaching.
“It's been a while, Teacher Herdium.”
Leo greeted him.
Even after the field trip ended, Herdium had consistently shown interest in Leo.
Suggesting Leo transfer to Seirun, attempting a student exchange, and so on.
It was no exaggeration to say that all of this had been orchestrated under Herdium's lead.
Naturally, Herdium coveted the talent of Leo, who had deciphered the Founder's magic.
*‘If only Student Leo were an elf.’*
Though he felt it was a shame, Herdium didn't let it show on his face.
Leo was still a first-year.
There would be many more opportunities for interaction with Seirun in the future.
And as time went on, there was no telling that Leo wouldn't develop a desire to study at Seirun.
*‘In preparation for such a time, I'll need to maintain a closer relationship with Student Leo.’*
While Herdium was thinking this to himself.
“Teacher Herdium. Would you introduce me to the boy over there?”
A man approached with a smile.
He was a man with fiery red hair and eyes.
But contrary to his brilliant appearance, his eyes were filled with a calm demeanor.
Leo realized his appearance resembled Lunia's and nodded to himself.
*‘Ellen Lundua. Lunia's father and my mother's friend.’*
He was also the pact-holder of Piora's mother, Pirina.
“Ah! Teacher Ellen.”
Herdium greeted Ellen with a bright expression.
In truth, most of the teachers at Seirun disapproved of Leo.
The only teachers who viewed Leo positively were Herdium, who had met him in person, and Ellen, who had heard about him through his daughter and pact-holder.
“This is Leo Flove. Student Leo, this is Teacher Ellen Lundua.”
“I'm Leo Flove.”
“Ellen Lundua.”
Ellen smiled gently and extended his hand to Leo.
Leo took his hand and they shook.
Ellen, with a pleased look, spoke to Herdium, who was watching them.
“Teacher Herdium, may I speak with Student Leo for a moment?”
“Of course. Well then, Student Leo, I hope you have a pleasant time.”
Herdium left with a smile.
He figured there would be a connection between two Phoenix pact-holders.
Once Herdium had left, Ellen spoke.
“It seems my daughter has been in your debt several times.”
“Not at all. I've received a lot of help from her as well.”
Leo replied with a smile.
Ellen chuckled at Leo and said.
“I don't know if your mother told you about me, but I am indebted to her.”
“I heard about it from Lady Pirina.”
“Is that so?”
Ellen smiled.
Then he patted Leo's shoulder.
“I won't say I'll repay my debt to you instead. The debt I owe her is for life. However, if you ever need anything, contact me anytime. I will do my utmost to help you.”
“Thank you.”
In elven society, the words of the head of the Lundua family, the most prestigious of houses, were not to be taken lightly.
In human society, Ellen was a figure comparable to the head of the Jerdinger family.
And his earlier offer of help was by no means empty words.
*‘He can't be unaware of that fact, yet he accepts it so calmly.’*
Ellen looked at Leo in admiration.
He knew his daughter was training relentlessly, vowing to defeat this boy.
*‘It's not so bad to have a goal to pursue for a lifetime.’*
Just as Ellen let out a small smile.
“Dad… No, Teacher Ellen.”
Lunia, having spotted Leo and Ellen talking, hurried over.
Ellen chuckled at his daughter, said “I'll let you two talk,” to Leo, and left.
Glancing after Ellen, Lunia asked.
“What did you talk about with my dad?”
“Nothing much. Anyway, what's up?”
“The dance is about to start. I enjoyed dancing with you, so… I came to ask for a dance.”
Lunia said with a smile.
*Flick—!*
At that moment, the lights in the party hall went out.
Just as the students grew flustered.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Are you enjoying the welcome party?”
A male Seirun student holding a microphone stepped onto a stage at one side of the party hall.
He grinned playfully and said.
“My name is Idin, and I'll be your MC for tonight's party!”
A spotlight focused solely on him.
All eyes were fixed on Idin.
“Before the party truly begins, I thought we should hear a word from the students about their resolve for the Lu-Se Games.”
Idin scanned the students and grinned.
With him, spirits appeared on the stage, carrying a large trophy.
It was the Lu-Se Games championship trophy.
“This trophy has belonged to us, Seirun, for the past several years! And of course, it will continue to belong to Seirun.”
Seeing Idin's meaningful smile, a few Lumerne students booed.
“Oh! If you don't like it, then take it back with your skills.”
Idin said to Rienia with a provocative smile.
“Right, President?”
“Of course! Of course!”
Rienia nodded confidently.
“Alright! Then, ahead of the Lu-Se Games, I'd like to hear from the student council presidents of Seirun and Lumerne. First, shall we hear from the president of Seirun?”
Idin approached Rienia and held out the microphone.
“A word of resolve, please, President.”
“We'll do our best, as always. And we'll win, continuing the tradition that Seirun wins the Lu-Se Games.”
Seeing Rienia's grin, Idin nodded.
“Now, for the Lumerne student council president.”
“I'll yield the floor to my successor.”
At Lis's words, Idin's eyes widened, and then he walked over to Leo with a smile.
“Wow. A successor. I'm not sure if a first-year can speak for all of Lumerne, even if he is the next president.”
Laughter erupted from the Seirun side at the playful teasing.
Idin approached Leo.
“So then, Lumerne's next student council president. May we hear a word of resolve from you before your first Lu-Se Games?”
Idin said, handing the microphone to Leo.
Taking it, Leo felt the gazes of the entire, vast party hall fall upon him.
Leo held the microphone and spoke calmly.
“To the students of Seirun, thank you for looking after the trophy until now.”
Idin's eyes widened at Leo's words.
The Seirun students also scowled.
“Take a good look at the trophy now.”
“May I ask why?”
When Idin asked, Leo replied as if the answer were obvious.
“Because for the next five years, you're not going to see it again.”