Chapter 250
Chapter Title: The Mentorship Exam
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250
“I was hoping we could do some sightseeing since we're here.”
Leo muttered, walking through the exotic streetscape.
“But missing class for a long time at the start of the semester wouldn't be good.”
“How about visiting my country again during the summer break? I can show you the tourist spots.”
“If nothing comes up, a visit wouldn't be a bad idea.”
Leo said with a slight smile at Chen Xia's words.
Following behind them, Fritz adjusted his glasses.
“Indeed, this exotic scenery is worth appreciating. If I get the chance, I should come back again...”
“Don't ever come back. Shoo, shoo.”
Jane said, waving her hand dismissively at Fritz's mumble.
“Jane.”
“Ye-yes!”
“You should get along with your classmate.”
“This guy isn't a friend...!”
“Hm?”
“...I'll get along with him...”
Jane, who had been about to flare up, shrank back before Chen Xia's gentle smile.
Watching her, Fritz gave a smug smile.
Jane's eyes shot daggers at Fritz.
‘I'm going to beat him to a pulp when we get back!’
She clenched her fists, trembling with rage.
Meanwhile, people's gazes were fixed on Leo's group.
All four were wearing Lumerne uniforms, so they naturally stood out.
“By the way, what class was I assigned to?”
“Ah, you wouldn't know.”
Having been away from school, Chen Xia didn't know the current situation for the second years.
“The second years don't have a class system anymore.”
“What?”
“The second years are divided into three dormitories. It's a structure where the dorms compete against each other.”
Hearing Leo's explanation, Chen Xia's eyes lit up.
“That sounds fun.”
“You, me, and Chloe are the dorm leaders.”
“So I'm in the same dorm as you, Young Master Leo?”
Chen Xia, who had been laughing happily, paused.
The moment she heard that she, Chloe, and Leo were leaders of the same dorm, she had a feeling.
“What about the other dorm leaders?”
“Celia, Chelsea, and Woreden are leaders of another dorm, and Abad, Eliza, and Duran are together.”
“...Are those dorms okay?”
Even at a glance, the combinations seemed questionable.
Seeing Chen Xia ask with genuine concern, Leo chuckled.
“Surprisingly, they seem to be getting along and coordinating their opinions well.”
“I see.”
Chen Xia nodded.
Just then, it was their turn for the warp gate to Lumerne to activate.
As the four stepped onto the warp gate, it activated.
***
Lumerne's Principal's Office.
At her desk, Riina was handling her duties.
“Unexpected.”
Sedjen remarked with admiration, watching Riina.
“What is?”
“I recommended you for the principal position at Lumerne, but honestly, I never thought you'd be this diligent in your duties.”
“You bastard! You were thinking something like that?!”
Riina's eyes flashed as she grabbed a liquor bottle from the side of her desk and threw it at Sedjen.
Swoosh!
Sedjen caught the bottle with ease and placed it on the guest table.
“Anyway, I'm worried.”
“About Chen Xia?”
“Yes. Student Xia not only possesses top-tier skills among the second years, but she is also an elegant student with the leadership to care for her classmates.”
Sedjen sighed.
“If we're talking about natural leadership, the other kids have it too.”
“That's true, but they are still immature.”
“Hmm. So you grouped the dorm leaders that way to foster their leadership through competition?”
“Precisely.”
Sedjen had been the most influential in the selection of each dorm's leaders.
“If I had placed Student Chloe, Student Xia, and Leo Flove in separate dorms, it would have created an ideal structure. But that could also stifle the growth potential of the other students.”
Though it wasn't disclosed to the students or reflected in their evaluation scores, there was a metric that scored each class president when the second years were first years.
Leo took first place, while Chloe and Chen Xia tied for second.
Among the ten classes, Class 1 was considered the most difficult to lead.
By chance, the students with the highest scores were concentrated in Class 1.
Moreover, it included Celia and Duran, who hailed from renowned hero families and possessed both great skill and pride.
They were students who would have been class presidents no matter where they went.
Class 1 could have easily collapsed due to the rivalry between Celia and Duran.
But Chloe acted as a perfect mediator between them.
In doing so, she naturally gained recognition as the leader of Class 1.
Chen Xia was no less impressive.
If Class 1 was the most difficult, then Class 10 was the toughest.
Class 10 was full of students with rough, hot-headed personalities.
The kind of students who, so to speak, let their fists fly when they got angry.
It was a class with many so-called problem children.
Chen Xia had managed to bring the wild Class 10 under control in just one week.
And their class average ranked third.
Naturally, aside from Class 1 and Class 5, it had the highest promotion rate to the second year.
All of that was possible because of Chen Xia.
“The so-called 'big sister' leadership... something like that?”
“That's about right.”
Although she looked young, Chen Xia was the oldest among the first years, and her personality was mature and precocious.
Because of this, even students with foul tempers were often unable to act out in front of her.
In fact, some students in Class 10 even called Chen Xia 'Big Sis' or 'Big Sister'.
“She also mediated between Celia and Duran, and Woreden and Eliza, during Knighting and Summoning classes.”
Sedjen let out a small smile.
“I see. Even among first years, someone with that level of leadership would naturally guide the others.”
Celia, Chelsea, Woreden, Abad, Eliza, and Duran.
These six students were regarded as special even at Lumerne.
Sedjen wanted to create an environment where these six could also actively exercise their leadership.
“They are certainly rivals, but putting them together can also create a synergistic effect.”
“I suppose so. But you seem reluctant to mention Leo Flove?”
Riina tilted her head.
At that, Sedjen's expression turned grim.
“Leo Flove... Student Leo is on a different level.”
He had raised Class 5 from last place to a proud second place overall for the first year.
And not a single student from his class was forced to drop out.
Most believed it was due to Halind's strict teaching methods, but Leo's influence was greater.
“I know he's on a different level. But how, specifically?”
“Well. Student Leo drives the students around him.”
“Drives them?”
Sedjen narrowed his eyes.
“He's always ahead of the others. Always one step ahead. Just when you think you've caught up, he's another step ahead.”
He let out a deep sigh.
“For those chasing him, it wouldn't be strange to feel a despair that the gap will never close.”
“Indeed.”
“But Student Leo's overwhelming skill also makes other students look up to him with admiration.”
“Admiration?”
“Yes. His back, while driving them forward, also seems to comfort them. There are times when it feels like he's saying, 'You can do it too.'”
“Why is that?”
“It's likely because he's always challenging the impossible.”
“Oh.”
Riina sounded impressed.
“Student Leo always challenges his limits. And he surpasses them as if it were a matter of course.”
“I see.”
Riina nodded.
One couldn't help but admire someone like that.
To witness such a person in one's own generation was a tremendous blessing.
“Then why do you dislike Leo?”
“Do you know how infuriating he is in class? He's so elegant it's even more annoying!”
Just as Sedjen was venting his frustration.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The office door opened, and a professor entered.
“What is it?”
“Second-year student Leo and the first-year students Fritz and Jane, who were assisting him, have returned.”
“Already?”
Hearing they had finished the mission and returned in a single day, Riina's eyes widened.
“So? What about Chen Xia?”
“Student Chen Xia has also returned.”
“To think he actually convinced that stubborn old man.”
Riina let out a hollow laugh.
Hearing the news, Sedjen crossed his arms.
Then, with a sullen expression, he muttered.
“How elegant.”
***
“Xia! Welcome back! I was so worried!”
Chloe's face was bright as she tightly held the hand of Chen Xia, who had just returned to the dorm.
It wasn't just Chloe.
The entire student body was gathered in the dormitory lounge to welcome Chen Xia's return.
“I was so surprised when I heard you suddenly received a mission.”
“Ooh, ooh,” Iliana exclaimed in admiration.
“What kind of mission was it? You even took first years with you?”
“It was a private matter related to Chen Xia's family.”
“Agh! Don't be so stingy, just tell us!”
Despite Iliana's whining, Leo remained silent on the sofa.
Iliana, pouting at Leo, approached Chen Xia.
“Xia! Why on earth did you only come back so long after the break ended?”
Everyone looked at Iliana.
Since they knew it was a family matter, it was a question most would avoid asking.
At the same time, it was something everyone was curious about, so they focused on Chen Xia's response.
At Iliana's question, Chen Xia smiled sweetly.
“My family told me to drop out of Lumerne.”
“Whaaaat?”
“What kind of nonsense is that!”
Everyone wore expressions of shock at the unexpected words.
“That was the original condition. If I didn't become the top student in the first year, I had to drop out.”
At those words, everyone's gazes shifted back and forth between Leo and Chen Xia.
They all knew Chen Xia's skill.
If there was one student she couldn't beat in terms of skill, it was Leo.
“Even so! Lumerne is so hard to get into, and they tell you to drop out if you're not the best! What kind of family tells Big Sis to drop out!”
A large male student got angry.
He was a Spirit Knight student from Class 10.
“The imperial family of Shan.”
“Even if it's the imperial family of Shan, that kind of nonse... Ugh?”
“The, the imperial family of Shan?”
Everyone's face was a mask of shock.
Chen Xia smiled warmly and nodded.
Chloe asked urgently, surprised.
“Xia, you... you were part of the Shan imperial family?”
“Yes. For now, I'm the heir of Shan.”
Everyone's jaws dropped at the revelation of her unimaginable status.
They wondered if she was joking.
Everyone looked at Leo.
Meeting the gazes of his dorm mates, Leo gave a nonchalant nod.
“Wow... so you were a Shadow.”
“If you're a Lumerne student, you're a hero candidate.”
“Shh. Don't talk about Shadows or heroes.”
Confusion erupted among the students.
It was inevitable.
For thousands of years, the Shan royalty had been Shadows.
If she was the next emperor of Shan, it made sense that she would be pressured to drop out.
Everyone glanced at Chen Xia, knowing this must be a sensitive issue for her.
Just then, Chloe stepped forward.
“Everything with your family is resolved, right?”
“Yes.”
“That's a relief.”
Chloe smiled sweetly.
Looking at Chloe, Chen Xia's expression brightened.
“Thank you for worrying about me, Miss Chloe.”
Having said that, Chen Xia continued.
“As you all suspect, I was a Shadow. But I enrolled in Lumerne because I want to become a hero. So, I know it might be difficult, but I hope you can continue to treat me as Chen Xia, the Lumerne student you've always known.”
At her words, the students looked at each other and then spoke up.
“Yeah. Chen Xia is Chen Xia.”
“Who cares if you're a Shadow? You've helped us out so much.”
“More importantly, if you're not here, we'll fall behind the other dorms in the competition!”
“We don't care about your status!”
“Thank you.”
Chen Xia smiled brightly.
‘She decided to face it head-on.’
Watching her, Leo chuckled to himself.
It seemed she had already cast aside her worries about her identity.
Just then, Leo and Chen Xia's eyes met.
‘Right, that's all that matters.’
Leo nodded, and Chen Xia's smile grew even brighter.
“Oh, by the way, Miss Chloe. Is there a personal workshop in the dorm where I can use alchemy?”
“Huh? Of course, there is.”
“There's nothing this dorm doesn't have! It's in the basement! I'll show you the way!”
Iliana gave a thumbs-up.
Then she tilted her head.
“But Xia. You know how to use magic too?”
“No.”
“Then why do you need an alchemy workshop?”
“I'm planning to make some poison, and it's better to use equipment with proven safety features.”
“An alchemy workshop is definitely safer for making poi... wait, what did you say you're making?”
Iliana stared at Chen Xia with a horrified expression.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Xia smiled sweetly.
“I didn't use them while hiding my identity, but now that it's revealed... Aura skills that use poison, for instance.”
Everyone swallowed hard.
“And besides that, poison is used in various other Shadow techniques.”
Everyone slowly backed away from Chen Xia.
‘Let's never, ever get on Chen Xia's bad side.’
That was the thought on everyone's mind.
Leo covered his face with his hand.
‘Even so, isn't that a little *too* honest?’
***
“Hey, Jane. You already went on a mission practicum?”
“And you went with the student council president!”
“Fritz! Tell us! What was the mission?”
In the main lecture hall of the first-year building.
Among the gathered ten classes, two people were the center of attention.
Fritz and Jane.
The fact that they had gone on a mission practicum with the student council president, Leo, so soon after enrolling was enough to draw the attention of the entire first year.
“It wasn't that big of a deal.”
Jane smiled sweetly at her classmates.
“It was nothing special, so you should all focus on your studies.”
Fritz also replied with his characteristically expressionless face.
“Tch. You probably can't talk about it because it was nothing special.”
A few students sent jealous remarks their way.
It was the time of year when the first years' sense of rivalry was at its peak.
Just then, Fritz and Jane, who were sitting far apart, caught each other's eye.
The two of them simultaneously scoffed, Hmph!
“Wow... I'm so jealous.”
Luke muttered while watching Fritz and Jane from a distance, and Juen crossed her arms.
“I'm not jealous, not one bit!”
The entire lecture hall was abuzz with talk about Fritz and Jane when suddenly.
Thud.
Someone appeared on the stage.
Until that moment, the first years had been busy chattering.
“If you are not silent in ten seconds, I will have all of you expelled.”
The gloomy voice made the first years flinch.
They realized Halind was standing on the stage and their faces turned pale.
“Hey! Quiet down!”
“Professor Halind is here!”
“Shut up!”
The freshmen who hadn't yet grasped the atmosphere were forcibly silenced by the others.
“Last year's second years were perceptive enough to quiet down the moment I appeared.”
Halind muttered in a bored tone.
At his words, the first years trembled.
Seeing the first years' slumped shoulders, Halind clicked his tongue.
“Pathetic. Are you getting discouraged just because you were compared to them once?”
“B-but Professor Halind, the second-year seniors are the golden generation.”
“It seems you all have too much fear of the second years.”
It was understandable.
Having been unilaterally hunted during the entrance exam, it was only natural for them to feel intimidated.
“You may call them the golden generation, but in my eyes, they are just yellow-bellied chicks, same as you.”
‘Though there is one monster among them.’
Halind said, recalling Leo, whom he had been in charge of last year.
“This is perfect timing. In that case, I shall provide you with an opportunity to get to know the second years you admire so much.”
At Halind's words, the first years wore puzzled expressions.
“I will now announce the assignment for the first semester's final exam.”
Everyone was taken aback by the sudden announcement of the final exam assignment at the beginning of the semester.
“Of course, this is not your exam assignment, but the second years' exam assignment.”
“What?”
Why would a second-year exam assignment be announced here?
“Starting tomorrow, the second years will become your mentors.”
“Mentors?”
“What's that?”
“The second-year seniors are going to teach us?”
“Until the end of the first semester, none of you will be advised to drop out due to low test scores.”
Everyone's eyes widened.
“Instead.”
Halind smiled coldly.
“After the first semester's final exams, anyone below the cutoff in the overall evaluation will be failed. In addition to that...”
***
At the same time.
The second-year building.
“If the first-year student you are assigned to is forced to drop out, you will be dropping out with them.”
“WHAAAAAAAT?”
Sedjen's sudden bombshell threw the entire second year into a panic.