Chapter 201
Chapter Title: The Vice Principal's Offer
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[Leo Flove! He finishes in first place!]
The commentator, Cheira, shouted excitedly as she watched Leo cross the finish line.
After him, Duran and Eliza also crossed, securing first, second, and third place for Lumerne’s flag bearers.
As for Seirun, their flag bearer Eiran was eliminated by Leo, while Chloe and Chen Xia took out the others.
Leading in overall elimination points as well, the first-year group competition was crowned with Lumerne's overwhelming victory.
This was their first win in the first-year group competition since the current fifth-years were freshmen.
Naturally, thunderous cheers erupted from the Lumerne spectator stands.
“Leo! Duran! Eliza!”
The first-years praised the three of them.
It was then, as the Lumerne side was in a festive mood.
“Gasp! It’s Lunia El Lundua!”
“Get back!”
As Lunia approached, the Lumerne first-years scattered in fright.
They had seen Lunia attacking Leo with a murderous intensity during the obstacle race.
As everyone swallowed nervously, Lunia gave the Lumerne first-years a gentle, sweet smile.
The Lumerne students, who had been terrified after seeing Lunia go all out against Leo, hesitated.
Thinking about it, it was a race with the pride of rival schools on the line, so a fierce attack was probably inevitable.
Seeing Lunia play the part of a perfect model student, the Lumerne first-years looked at each other and whispered.
“She’s not scary at all.”
“If anything, she’s really pretty.”
“How should I put it… she’s a perfect model student.”
The Lumerne first-years, who didn’t know the full story, were completely taken in.
In truth, even at Seirun, not many students knew Lunia’s true nature, aside from her classmates and a few upperclassmen.
Amidst this, Lunia arrived in front of Leo and spoke.
“Leo, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure.”
Leo, who had been sitting and resting, grunted as he stood up.
They moved to a place where they could talk privately, and he asked.
“What’s up?”
“Go console Eiran. She’s really down because of you.”
Lunia sighed and pointed toward Eiran, who was sitting with the Seirun students.
Having been chosen as the flag bearer to represent her year, she had been naively taken in by Leo and was now utterly dejected.
At her words, Leo scratched his cheek and approached Eiran.
Other students were trying to comfort the slumped-shouldered Eiran.
Although Eiran hadn't properly adjusted to the academy until the first semester, things were different now.
After meeting Leo, she had steeled her resolve and focused on her studies.
The students of the advanced class 1 had also changed considerably since then, and she had adapted well to the new environment.
As a result, she was now firmly recognized as the second-ranked first-year at Seirun.
As Leo approached, a few Seirun students shot him a sharp glare.
‘What? Why is this guy here?’
The gazes of some male students, in particular, were unfriendly.
Eiran, who was good at taking care of others due to her timid but kind personality, had become quite popular within Seirun.
“Eiran.”
“Leo?”
At Leo’s call, Eiran flinched and looked up, her ears drooping.
Seeing Eiran look even more dejected than before, the Seirun students’ hostility intensified.
“You’ve grown a lot, haven't you?”
“Huh?”
“I heard you dodged Duran and Eliza’s attacks. That’s really amazing.”
Leo smiled as he praised Eiran.
At his words, Eiran’s ears perked up.
Her eyes widened as she looked up at Leo, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“R-Really?”
“Yeah.”
Looking at Leo's gentle smile, Eiran smiled brightly.
“You were amazing too, Leo!”
Her spirits lifted, Eiran stood up and began to chatter away.
Watching this, the Seirun students wore complicated expressions.
The male students’ faces, in particular, were contorted.
Observing the scene, Lunia let out a small sigh.
‘Eiran is just too weak when it comes to Leo.’
Worrying about the future Lumerne-Seirun competitions, Lunia felt a sense of concern.
***
After the first-year group competition, which could be called the opening match of the Lumerne-Seirun Games, concluded.
Various other events unfolded.
The students of Lumerne and Seirun showcased their individual fields and talents, appealing to the public and making their presence known.
While it was an event centered on inter-species harmony and school pride, it was also a stage for hero cadets to display their excellence to the public.
After all, the hero cadets were the very symbol of future peace.
The first day’s schedule came to an end.
Later, on the evening of the third day.
Most students were asleep, exhausted from the games.
Leo, too, was about to lie down in bed to sleep.
*Tap, tap.*
A tapping sound came from the window.
Leo sat up and walked over to it.
He looked at the bird perched outside the window with a curious expression.
‘A Snow Bird?’
It was a low-class magical beast that lived in cold regions.
When Leo opened the window, the Snow Bird flew into the room, dropped a rolled-up letter it was holding in its talons, and then flew away with a flutter of its wings.
It was typical of a magical beast to be completely unaffected by the rather strong wind.
Leo opened the envelope with a puzzled look.
“An invitation?”
The sender of the letter was none other than the vice principal of Seirun.
‘To Seirun’s main campus, the Star Library?’
During the Lumerne-Seirun Games, Seirun opened its facilities to Lumerne students.
The Star Library was no exception, but it had restricted hours.
The Star Library.
A place akin to the very heart of Seirun, where all sorts of data on star magic accumulated by the elves over the past 5,000 years lay dormant.
Being invited to such a place outside of its operating hours, Leo couldn't help but feel curious.
‘I can’t just ignore this, can I?’
Scratching his head, Leo quickly changed his clothes and headed for the Star Library.
Normally, he would have been stopped by the staff, but it seemed arrangements had been made in advance, as he reached the library entrance without any trouble.
*Creeak—*
Leo pushed open the massive doors of the Star Library and stepped inside.
The interior was dim, faintly illuminated by magic lamps.
But Leo walked through the library without any difficulty.
“Welcome, Leo Flove.”
A moment later, a clear voice rang out.
*Flash—!*
The interior of the Star Library lit up brightly.
And there, sitting in the center of the library, he saw an elven woman with silver hair and golden eyes.
A tall elven man stood by her side.
Leo could easily tell that the one who spoke to him was a dragon.
“Hello.”
As Leo bowed his head slightly in greeting, the elven man’s eyes twitched.
“Show some more respect, Leo Flove. Do you know who this is?”
“She is Seirun’s Vice Principal Nerjia, is she not?”
“And you display such an irreverent attitude despite knowing that fact?”
“Virius. I don’t think you need to be so strict.”
As Nerjia narrowed her eyes, the man called Virius spoke, not hiding his displeasure.
“Lady Nerjia. I still do not understand. Why must we accept a human into Seirun?”
Virius looked at Leo.
“To accept him as a member of Seirun just because he got lucky and deciphered the Founder’s magic… he is merely a human.”
Virius Jerkin.
A graduate of Seirun from five years ago, he was an elf who was now at the forefront of conquering hero dungeons.
Leo narrowed his eyes as he met Virius’s gaze.
‘I’ve seen those eyes before.’
It was a similar gaze to what he’d seen from some Seirun students during the first semester.
It resembled the look of the Seirun students back then, who were convinced they were a cut above the Lumerne students.
‘No, it’s fundamentally different from them.’
Virius’s gaze was more blatant.
Leo knew this exact kind of look.
Eyes intoxicated with a sense of racial superiority.
‘He has the same eyes as the High Elves.’
“Virius, I believe I allowed you to accompany me on the condition that you wouldn't bring up such matters.”
Nerjia pressed her temples as if she had a headache.
“My apologies, Lady Nerjia.”
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. Get out.”
Bowing his head to the displeased Nerjia, Virius left the Star Library.
Even as he left, he didn't stop glaring at Leo.
‘To think an elf like that exists in this life too.’
The Seirun students with their overly strong school pride seemed cute by comparison.
“Ugh— The problem with him is that his head is too hard when it comes to things like that.”
Nerjia clutched her face and groaned, then took a deep breath and smiled brightly.
“Anyway, welcome, Leo Flove.”
“Why did you want to see me?”
“You’re not offended?”
Seeing Leo’s nonchalant demeanor, Nerjia asked with a slightly surprised look.
“I’m used to it. I just think of it as a dog barking.”
As Leo chuckled, Nerjia let out an impressed “Ohh.”
‘His character is indeed different.’
Resting her chin on her hand, Nerjia said.
“The reason I wanted to see you is simple. That longsword made from a dragon bone you received. I was the one who sent it.”
“I’ve been using it well.”
“Good. Then why do you think I sent you such a gift?”
Nerjia crossed her arms and gave him a meaningful look.
“It’s because I want you to come to Seirun!”
“Are you asking me to transfer?”
“Yes.”
Nerjia grinned.
“I’ll be honest. Leo Flove, I covet your talent. You will undoubtedly become the most prominent among the next generation of heroes who will lead the era.”
Nerjia stood up and walked over to Leo.
“I deeply respect the great King of Wisdom, Lisinas. Like him, I want to create a great hero who will vanquish the Flames of Calamity and Tartaros.”
Nerjia’s golden eyes shone.
“Why do you think Lumerne has been falling behind Seirun recently?”
“I suppose the students at Seirun study harder.”
“It’s because of me.”
Nerjia shrugged.
“As the vice principal of Seirun, I’ve actively supported our students. Right now, Seirun isn’t just ahead in the competition with Lumerne. We are far superior even when compared to Azonia and Demian. In other words, we are the best of the best!”
With a meaningful smile, Nerjia extended her hand.
“If you study here, you can climb to even greater heights, Leo Flove. To become the best, you must study at the best place. I, and Seirun, will make you a hero whose name will be etched in history.”
Looking at the confident Nerjia, Leo said.
“I like my school.”
“Hmph. I knew you’d say that. Then I’ll let you in on a special secret.”
Nerjia grinned.
“I’m a dragon.”
“……”
“Not just me, but the vice principals of all the hero academies are dragons. And Lumerne’s current vice principal, my senior Liven, has little interest in supporting students. That old man is an old dragon, about to retire. Of course, he’s experienced, but he’s different from me with my youthful vigor. You have been chosen by a dragon. What do you say? Doesn’t that make you want to come to Seirun even more?”
“Melina told me that the fact that the vice principals of each hero academy are dragons is top secret. Isn’t it a big deal if you just reveal it like that?”
“Ah, of course, if the Lord finds out, it’s a big… what did you just say?”
Nerjia’s eyes widened.
“You know the Lord?”
“Yes. I’ve met him a few times in person.”
As Nerjia’s mouth opened and closed silently, Leo spoke.
“If you’re done talking, may I go to sleep now?”
Having no intention of transferring, Leo saw no reason to prolong the conversation.
“Wait! Wait! Hold on!”
Nerjia urgently called out to Leo.
“Did you think I’d ask you to transfer to Seirun with nothing to offer?”
With a triumphant look, Nerjia took out a small case from her pocket.
She handed it to Leo.
Leo took it with a puzzled expression.
“Open it.”
When Leo opened the case, inside was a small, old piece of paper.
“It’s a fragment of the Nebula Founder’s Hero Record. A piece that can manifest a World of Heroes.”
At those words, Leo’s expression turned to one of surprise.
“Is it a relic left by Lady Luna?”
“Yes. Well, to be precise, it doesn’t remain in a physical form.”
Nerjia grinned.
“This is a very recent discovery. One who has learned a ‘specific’ star magic can manifest the World of Heroes from this Hero Record.”
With that, Nerjia came up beside Leo, slung an arm around his shoulder, and spoke in a suggestive tone.
“If you come to Seirun, I’ll give you the chance to conquer the world of a Great Hero.”
Taking the Hero Record fragment from the case, Nerjia placed it in Leo’s hand.
At that, Leo hastily backed away.
Based on past experiences, the World of Heroes could suddenly open.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so surprised?”
Nerjia looked bewildered by Leo’s reaction.
“It’s nothing.”
Leo wore a flustered expression.
He then regained his composure and asked.
“What is the star magic that serves as the activation condition?”
“That’s a secret.”
Nerjia smiled confidently.
“So? Aren’t you tempted?”
At her question, Leo looked indifferent.
“No.”
“W-Why not?”
“Because it seems like school life would be exhausting here. Just look at that elf from before.”
At Leo’s words, Nerjia looked flustered.
It was true that Seirun had quite a few students with a species-supremacist mindset.
“If you’re done, I’ll be on my way.”
Leo bowed his head.
Then, he left the Star Library.
‘I thought my hand touched it, so why didn’t Luna’s world activate? It’s a relief, but maybe it isn’t Luna’s world? But she definitely said it was Luna’s Hero Record…’
Leo was lost in thought as he walked out of the Star Library.
Watching him, Nerjia returned the Hero Record to the deepest part of the library with a look of disappointment.
‘The little guy is stubborn. Is his love for his school that special? Well! He needs to have at least that much integrity to make persuading him worthwhile!’
Her motivation reignited, Nerjia closed the door to the very center of the Star Library.
*Kreeee—! Thud—!*
Darkness fell over the central core of the Star Library where the Hero Record was stored.
*Crackle—*
For a moment, a gray spark flickered on Luna's Hero Record.