Chapter 231
Chapter Title: Declarations of War
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Seated by the window of the Third Dormitory’s common room, Abad was lost in thought.
‘What are the professors’ intentions?’
He glanced over at the classmates who would be leading the dormitory with him for the next year.
Duran Moira.
Eliza Hergin.
The top students from the Knight and Summoning Departments.
The problem was, they couldn’t stand each other.
‘The Second Dormitory is the same.’
Celia and Chelsea were its leaders.
‘Woreden doesn’t care about other people, so there won’t be trouble, but he also won’t mediate their fights.’
Abad narrowed his eyes.
It was happening right now.
Duran sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed and unmoving, while Eliza was tidying her nails as usual.
At first glance, they both seemed indifferent to one another, but a fierce war of nerves was raging between them.
“Shall we start by discussing the selection of dorm members?”
At his words, Duran opened one eye, and Eliza shot Abad a look.
“Before that,”
Duran said.
“Even with three dorm leaders, I believe we need to choose an actual leader.”
“Oh, you took the words right out of my mouth. You were about to ask me to take on that role, weren't you? Don’t worry. As the heir to the Hergin family, I will lead this dormitory splendidly.”
Eliza, her legs crossed, extended a hand to admire her well-manicured nails.
She nodded, satisfied.
Watching her, Duran’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Do you really think the position of leader suits someone as autocratic as you?”
“I could say the same to you.”As they glared murderously at each other, Abad burst out laughing.
‘How am I supposed to resolve this? I don’t even have a clue.’
Even so, Abad had no intention of yielding the leadership position either.
If the other two agreed, he was prepared to take the spot by force.
‘The three of us have nothing in common. At this rate, I wonder if we can lead the dormitory well…’
Abad’s thoughts came to a halt.
‘Common ground?’
Abad’s eyes lit up.
Just as the other two were about to reach for their sword and whip, he conjured a spell between them.
*Fwoosh-!*
The sudden gust of wind made them both scowl at Abad.
“What is it, Abad Llewellyn?”
“I see. So you have no intention of giving up the leadership position either?”
“That’s right, Eliza. I can’t just hand over the leadership. But before that, I’d like to talk about what’s to come.”
“What’s to come?”
“Yes.”
Abad sauntered over and sat on the sofa.
His expression turned serious.
“The three of us have one thing in common.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I agree with Duran Moira.”
Seeing the cynical smile on Duran’s face and Eliza’s prim expression, Abad grinned.
“Just between you two, you have the commonality of having bad personalities, don’t you?”
“Are you trying to pick a fight?”
Duran scowled, and Eliza shot daggers at Abad.
With a gentle smile, Abad said,
“Just kidding. Our common ground is this: we all want to defeat Leo Flove.”
Duran and Eliza’s eyes twitched.
“And yet, at the same time, we’ve all acknowledged that we can never beat him, haven’t we?”
A year ago, it had been absurd when some nameless, unheard-of student had become the class representative.
And indeed, Leo had seemed to lack the skills for the role.
But at some point, he had caught up to them, and then, in the blink of an eye, he had surpassed them and begun to pull ahead.
And now, he stood far in front of them.
“Who said anything about acknowledging that?”
Duran said in a displeased tone.
Eliza, however, listened in silence.
“Duran, let’s admit what we have to admit.”
All emotion drained from Abad’s eyes.
Duran clicked his tongue.
“But I have no intention of giving up either,”
Eliza stated flatly.
“Same here. That’s why I said we have something in common.”
Abad smiled.
“Our goal is the same. In that case, I don’t think cooperating would be a bad idea, do you?”
“Cooperating?”
“Yes. Competition between the dormitories is already a given. If that’s the case…”
Abad’s eyes narrowed.
“Let’s make winning the dormitory competition our goal.”
Duran and Eliza fell into thought before letting out deep sighs a moment later.
“I don’t like the feeling of being swayed by your words, but I’ll play along.”
“Then the first priority is our dorm members.”
With their interests aligned, the three of them quickly consolidated their opinions.
“Howl from the Knight Department is an excellent student. We definitely need him.”
“We also need Jureden from the Summoning Department.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to recruit students based solely on their grades. They have to fit the dorm’s atmosphere, right? Our goal is to take down Leo Flove. I think it’s best to accept students who can contribute to that goal.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
At Eliza’s question, Abad smirked and pulled out a stack of cards.
They were cards with the names and photos of the dormitory students.
“When did you prepare all this?”
“Since my first year. I made them to scout for talent worth recruiting into my family.”
Grinning, Abad drew a single card.
“The student we need to recruit as our top priority is this one.”
Eliza’s eyes twitched.
“Karl Thomas? He’s the lowest-ranked student in the Magic Department, isn’t he? Why is he our number one priority for recruitment?”
“You know how useful Karl is, don’t you?”
“Hmph. Usefulness and excellence are two different things. We have to win against Leo Flove’s dormitory. Don’t tell me you’re planning to use his friendship with Leo to make him a spy?”
“Of course not.”
Abad let out a chuckle.
“Although Karl’s grades are the lowest, he has the unique characteristic of aspiring to be a supporter. He’s a student with a clear strength that sets him apart from the others. He’s also excellent outside of academics. Crucially, he’s a student with a flexible mind, capable of fulfilling his role no matter which dorm he joins, without being swayed by its atmosphere.”
“Hmm!”
“Duran, your opinion?”
“He’s useful enough.”
Hearing their opinions, Eliza wore a sullen expression.
“Fine. Then let’s accept Karl Thomas into our dormitory. But do you think he’ll want to come?”
“We’ll have to go and see.”
***
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Aren’t you guys overestimating me?”
“No need to be intimidated. We brought you over because we need you.”
Abad said with a grin.
He then stood before Leo and Chloe and announced,
“Our dormitory’s goal is to defeat the First Dormitory. To that end, the dorm leaders have agreed to join forces.”
In front of the cafeteria, Abad spread his arms and addressed his peers.
“There will be no infighting among the dorm leaders, so you don’t have to worry.”
After his confident declaration, Abad returned to Duran and Eliza with a smile.
His words sent a murmur through the students.
“I’m worried about Duran and Eliza’s relationship, but…”
“If their goal is to beat Leo, I can see those two joining forces.”
“That would be reassuring.”
Students began to show interest in the Third Dormitory.
“Being in the same dorm as Eliza is actually a plus, isn’t it?”
“Are you in her fan club? What’s so great about that haughty queen?”
“Sh-shut up! That’s what makes her cool!”
“For one, Abad and Duran are in the same place, right?”
“That alone is a feast for the eyes.”
Some students expressed their personal biases.
“But it’s intimidating to talk to those three directly.”
“Should we ask Karl?”
“Ah, Karl’s in the Third Dormitory too.”
“Yeah. Let’s just ask Karl. It’s easier.”
Interest in the Third Dormitory surged.
Karl scratched his head as students started approaching him.
‘Did he plan for this effect too?’
Watching the scene, Leo let out a soft laugh.
“That was a nice shot they took at us.”
Not only had they lost Karl, but they had also been served a declaration of war and were now watching him be used as a recruitment tool.
“It was.”
Chloe tucked her grimoire under her arm.
She appeared calm, but a fighting spirit had ignited in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Woreden, who had been observing the situation, spoke up.
“Celia Jerdinger, Chelsea Llewellyn.”
“What is it, Woreden?”
“How long are you going to let your childish personal feelings take precedence?”
“What?”
“That side has chosen its path.”
Woreden, who had been watching as if uninterested until now, gestured toward the Third Dormitory with his chin, his face expressionless.
“If we stay like this, all the decent students will be snatched up, and we’ll be left to build a dormitory with the dregs. Do you really think you can beat them with a lineup like that?”
Celia swept her hair back.
“I understand what you’re saying, Woreden. The Third Dormitory has decided to build itself around the goal of taking down Leo. We need a goal too.”
At her words, Chelsea crossed her arms.
“I don’t particularly want to make beating Leo my goal.”
“Of course not. Chelsea Llewellyn, you haven’t aimed for the top even once during our first year.”
“Ugh.”
Chelsea glared at Woreden, her face flushed with anger.
But she couldn’t refute his words.
In the Magic Department, her own relative, Abad, stood in her way of reaching the top.
In her class, it was Leo.
While she felt a rivalry with Celia, it was closer to a rebellious streak born from their family ties.
“Celia Jerdinger. What kind of dormitory do you want to create?”
“I want to build a dorm centered around the Knight Department.”
“Yeah, no. I want to create a dorm centered around mages.”
“Is that so? Then the direction of our dormitory has been decided.”
“What?”
Celia swept her hair back again.
“The three of us have one thing in common, too.”
At Celia’s words, Woreden’s expression turned intrigued.
“And what is that?”
To his question, Celia replied,
“I believe swordsmanship is superior to magic and summoning.”
Celia pointed at Chelsea.
“She thinks magic is superior to swordsmanship and summoning, and you, Woreden, believe that summoning is the ultimate power. Am I wrong?”
Woreden was taking Knight and Magic classes as sub-majors, though not as his main course of study.
Of course, he had no talent for Aura or mana.
But he used those abilities to strengthen his own spirit arts.
In other words, to Woreden, martial arts and magic were tools to make his summoning stronger.
That implied a fundamental belief that summoning was superior to the other two powers.
Hearing Celia’s words, Woreden’s lips curled into a smirk.
“I see. Are you suggesting we determine the best department within our own dormitory?”
“Exactly. I’m sure there are students who will agree with us.”
Celia flashed a belligerent smile.
“I refuse to lose to that greasy guy or Leo.”
“Why are you calling my brother greasy!”
Chelsea bristled and was about to lunge, but Woreden grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his large hand.
Her feet dangling off the ground, Chelsea shouted at Woreden, her face red.
“What do you think you’re doing! Let go!”
“Save the fighting for when other students aren’t watching. For now, at least pretend to cooperate.”
“Grr—!”
Chelsea pouted but didn’t resist further.
Leo, watching them, let out a soft laugh.
‘That side figured out their direction faster than I thought.’
Leo’s eyes gleamed.
‘My second year is going to be fun.’
***
“Already? They’re called the Golden Generation, and they certainly are exceptional.”
In the headmaster’s office, Reina looked amused as she received the report.
“I thought they would struggle a bit more.”
“The current second-years are more exceptional than you think.”
“Halind, when you put it like that, my expectations are rising.”
Reina put down the documents.
“On another note, I am concerned. The number of new students this year is insufficient. Isn’t it only around 300?”
An inspector from the board of directors voiced his unease.
He was someone sent by the board, unconvinced by Lumerne’s new headmaster, who had no track record or reputation.
‘Are they planning to get rid of me if things go south? This doesn’t seem like the Chairman’s doing.’
Reina’s lips curled into an inward smirk.
“You need not worry about that. We have already conducted an additional exam.”
“Pardon?”
Just as the other board inspector looked bewildered, someone entered the headmaster’s office.
“Welcome, Albi. How was the exam?”
Under Reina’s orders, Albi had gathered the applicants who had narrowly missed the cutoff in the previous entrance exam and administered a supplementary test.
Reina had decided that unnecessary, showy events were not needed for a supplementary exam, so it had not become a global issue.
“An additional 100 students have passed.”
“Now, there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
“Ah, yes.”
The board inspector answered hesitantly.
After he left, Albi spoke.
“Lady Reina.”
“It’s Headmaster now. Professor Albi.”
“Headmaster.”
“Yes?”
“A few of the new students you recommended seemed strange.”
“You noticed?”
“Did Professor Halind and Professor Sedzen know as well?”
“We agreed to it.”
“I am aware that they are exceptional.”
Albi’s eyes narrowed.
“However, I believe the three of you know best that Shadow Candidates fundamentally cannot mix with ‘Hero Candidates,’ do you not?”
“Giving the Shadow Candidates a chance to become heroes.”
Reina said, propping her chin on her hand.
“That was my condition for accepting the headmaster position.”