Chapter 266
Chapter Title: Dweno's Legacy
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266
“Seirun made a similar request, you know.”
Berga scoffed at Ain’s words.
“Isn’t he in the Knight Department? If so, it would be better to send him to our Azonia than to Seirun.”
“That’s true.”
>“Excuse me. I’m sorry, but Leo Flove is in the Summoning Department.”
Yura promptly interjected into their conversation.
If Ren had been there, it would have been chaotic, but fortunately, Mel had come in Ren’s place this time.
‘Did the principal anticipate this and exclude Ren from this department’s schedule?’
While Yura was lost in thought, the welcome party grew even more lively.
Before long, the awkward atmosphere between the schools had vanished.
Just then, Digness stepped into the center of the hall and cleared his throat.
“Ahem!”
At that, the party atmosphere subsided, and everyone turned their attention to Digness.
“I would have preferred to proceed with this conversation after Seirun had arrived, but we’ve heard nothing from them.”
Digness smiled brightly.
“During this exclusive contract period with the smiths, we sophomores of Demian wanted to meet the students from Lumerne, Azonia, and Seirun all in one place.”
Digness looked at the students from Lumerne and Azonia as he spoke.
“I’ll get straight to the point. We want to sign a contract with the best hero candidates. Of course, from your perspective, it might feel unpleasant, as if we’re evaluating you.”
At his words, annoyed murmurs rippled through the Lumerne and Azonia students.
“But I hope you’ll understand our position as well. Our sophomore class at Demian is considered to have the best collection of blacksmiths in recent decades.”
Digness’s expression turned serious.
“Before we are hero candidates, we are smiths. There is no greater honor for us than to see our creations wielded by the most skilled individuals.”
Digness clenched his fist tightly.
“Therefore, we decided we want to forge the best equipment for the best hero candidates. Lumerne, Azonia, and Seirun. Since you are all called the greatest generation, we wanted to meet everyone and talk as fellow blacksmiths.”
Upon hearing this, the students of Lumerne and Azonia looked at each other.
“Over the next two weeks, we will be together and choose our partners. But I will promise you this one thing! Just as we have chosen you, we will forge equipment you can trust and rely on in battle! Since we are choosing the best, we must repay you with the best creations!”
When Digness’s speech concluded, a storm of applause erupted from the Lumerne and Azonia students.
Watching the scene, Chen Xia narrowed her eyes.
“He’s a fox.”
“Huh? What is?”
Iliana asked, tilting her head.
“The sophomore representative of Demian just quelled the resentment from Lumerne and Azonia with that speech, while naturally stirring up competition between them.”
Emphasizing that they were smiths, not hero candidates, was also part of that reason.
“Hoh, his clever tricks are just like Karl’s.”
Iliana let out a sound of admiration.
Meanwhile, Digness spoke.
“Well then! How about a toast between the year representatives to wish us well for the next two weeks?”
At his words, Leo and Ar stood up.
They picked up their glasses and headed toward Digness.
As he walked, Ar was staring intently at Leo.
‘How did the black rabbit use Howling? Howling is a beastkin ability. No matter how versatile the black rabbit is, is it possible to transcend the barrier between species?’
His mind was a mess.
‘Or was I mistaken?’
Lost in thought, Ar’s eyes met Leo’s.
Leo looked at him and smirked.
That smirk, as if he understood everything, convinced Ar.
‘The black rabbit definitely used Howling.’
Ar’s eyes filled with curiosity.
‘But how?’
Just then, Digness raised his glass.
“Now, let’s…”
*CRASH-!*
The doors to the hall burst open.
And the students of Seirun appeared.
The Seirun teacher at the front scanned the hall before muttering under his breath.
“How vulgar.”
A very quiet mutter.
But there wasn't a single person here who couldn't hear it.
A few Seirun students flinched and looked at him.
In particular, Lunia, standing to his right, looked up at the man with a startled expression.
Eiran, standing behind Lunia, turned pale.
The Seirun teacher on his left, Herdium, looked up at the ceiling and let out a small sigh.
The man’s name was Revere. He was the head teacher for Seirun’s sophomores.
“Don’t make that face, Lunia El Lundua.”
Revere said, glancing at Lunia.
“As the year representative of Seirun, do not lose your elegant composure.”
“What exactly is an ‘elegant composure’? Is using such words to describe the welcome party Demian prepared for us considered elegant?”
“Professor Herdium.”
“Yes, Head Teacher Revere.”
“I believe student Lunia has been under your charge for the past year?”
“Yes.”
“It seems her education has been lacking. To think she would utter such insolent remarks to a head professor.”
“My apologies.”
“Hmph. And they called you a competent teacher. Utterly disappointing.”
Seeing Revere scoff, Lunia clenched her fists.
Veins popped on the back of her hands.
‘That damn parachute from the Council!’
Originally, Herdium was supposed to become the head teacher for the sophomores.
But when the former principal, Benit, stepped down and Rehagen took over as the interim principal, that plan was scrapped.
‘Should I just confront him?’
Ever since the semester began, Revere had been extolling the superiority of elves.
Lunia, too, was proud of being a high elf.
She also respected the great founder of the constellation.
But she despised excessive racial supremacists.
They even hated members of their own race who didn't agree with their opinions.
Their condescending attitude toward other races was even worse.
‘He doesn’t even know anything about Leo.’
Since the start of the semester, he had been openly disparaging Leo.
His attitude had been slowly chipping away at Lunia’s reason.
Just as Lunia’s red eyes flashed dangerously.
*Grab-!*
A small hand grabbed Lunia’s from behind.
Lunia turned her head, and her eyes met Eiran’s.
Eiran, with a frightened look on her face, slightly shook her head.
Seeing Eiran, Lunia gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“Ahem! It’s a shame corporal punishment was abolished at Seirun. Normally, I would have made an example of even the year representative to restore discipline.”
‘Crazy bastard. Why the hell is he talking about corporal punishment, which was abolished 500 years ago!’
Lunia took a deep breath, inwardly spewing thoughts that would have made Herdium or Eiran gasp.
“Teacher Revere. Our students have gone to the trouble of preparing this welcome party for the Seirun students. We would be grateful if you would attend.”
Defetto, who had guided the Seirun students, said with a smile.
But his eyes were as cold as ice.
“It would be unbecoming of Seirun to ignore such sincerity.”
Revere curled his lip and headed with the other Seirun teachers toward the faculty seats at the front.
As he walked, his eyes met Leo’s, who was standing at the front.
“Hmph, a fraud who tarnishes the name of our great ancestor.”
He muttered just loud enough to be heard as he passed Leo.
“What? What did that bastard say?”
Ar growled.
“Let it go.”
Leo said calmly.
‘These guys are even bigger nutjobs than I thought.’
They reminded him of the high elves he had met when conquering Luna’s world.
Digness, with his characteristic cheerfulness, approached Lunia.
“You’re Lunia El Lundua, right?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“We were about to have a toast to celebrate all four of our schools gathering. Would you mind joining us as the year representative?”
“Yes, I’d…”
“As the representative of Seirun, I cannot permit you to touch such a classless beverage.”
Once again, the entire hall turned ice-cold.
All eyes turned to Revere.
“Sorry, I want to ignore that jerk… but I think it’ll just ruin the mood even more.”
Lunia said with an apologetic look, but Digness shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. You have it tough.”
“I’m sorry for ruining the mood.”
Lunia’s expression was one of genuine apology.
An awkward atmosphere settled over the hall.
“Hmph!”
Ar downed the beer in his glass in one shot.
“Tastes just fine to me.”
Then he scoffed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Hey, how could you drink alone?”
“Oops!”
Ar clutched his head with a flustered look.
At his antics, laughter broke out from the Lumerne, Azonia, and Demian students.
Leo glanced at Revere, raised his glass for a toast, and then returned to his seat.
But the chilled atmosphere showed no signs of thawing.
A short while later, the Seirun teachers and students left the banquet hall.
Some students showed signs of apology, but others reacted like Revere, as if it was all beneath them.
“That was harsh. I’m worried about these next two weeks.”
Karl clicked his tongue.
Despite the awkwardness, the banquet continued.
But the boisterous atmosphere from before did not return.
It was then.
“Student Leo.”
Someone spoke to Leo.
It was Mel.
“Professor Mel.”
“Here.”
Mel took a letter from her coat and handed it to Leo.
Then she smiled with her eyes and left.
“Ooh? What’s that?”
Karl showed interest.
“It’s nothing. I asked for a favor before. This must be it.”
Leo lied calmly, tucking the letter into his coat.
“Heheheh- isn’t that just an excuse for a love letter?”
“Pfft!”
“Cough-! Cough-!”
As Karl nudged Leo’s side, Chelsea and Chloe, who were eating, began to cough as if they had choked.
“Ahh~ a romance with an older professor!”
“It’s not like that.”
Leo said with a calm smile, and Karl grumbled.
“No fun. You’re so popular, how come you’ve never dated anyone?”
“Where would a top student like Leo Oppa find the time to date?”
“That’s right. Don’t go putting strange ideas in his head.”
Chelsea and Chloe chided Karl.
At their reactions, Karl wore a sly expression.
‘They’re having fun.’
Watching them, Leo muttered to himself.
***
After the banquet, the Demian students guided the Lumerne and Azonia students to their respective dormitories.
“Ahh- two to a room.”
Karl said in admiration as he unpacked his things.
“Doesn’t it feel like dorm life? It’s exciting, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t what we have dorm life?”
“Yeah, but we have our own rooms.”
Karl chuckled.
“You gotta have a roommate for it to feel like a real dorm, right? I mean, our school has a lot of noble students, so many would find a double room uncomfortable, but. Ugh!”
Karl laughed and lay down on the bed.
Meanwhile, Leo took the letter out from his coat.
The letter was written in the draconic tongue.
“Hmm. Karl.”
“Yeah?”
“I think I have to go out.”
At those words, Karl shot up.
“Hey! Are you really having a secret meeting with Professor Mel?!”
“It’s not like that.”
“What else could it be but a date, breaking curfew in the middle of the night?!”
Demian had a curfew.
Therefore, you couldn’t go out late at night.
Leo opened the window.
“I don’t think I’ll be long, so cover for me, will you?”
“Okay!”
Karl gave a wink.
A moment after Leo left.
*Knock- knock-*
Someone knocked on the door.
*Creek-*
“Who is it?”
“Karl, is Leo in? I wanted to get his advice on the magic staff I’m commissioning.”
“I just came along for fun.”
At the door were Chloe and Chen Xia, who were sharing a room.
“Uhm. Well, come on in.”
Karl scratched his cheek and invited the two into the room.
When they saw that Leo wasn’t there, the two girls looked puzzled.
“Where is the Young Master?”
“Um.”
‘Should I make something up?’
Karl considered it, but if they said they’d wait, that would be a problem.
And if they found out he lied later, it would only be a headache for him.
‘Well, it’s not like Chloe and Xia are the types to spread rumors.’
If it had been anyone else, he would have made something up, but he figured it was fine to tell these two, who were tight-lipped.
‘And I’m curious to see their reactions.’
With a wicked smile, Karl said.
“He snuck out to meet Professor Mel.”
“At this hour?”
Chen Xia furrowed her brow.
“Yep. Think they’re gonna have a hot night?”
Karl said playfully, glancing at Chloe.
Chloe looked at Karl with her usual expression.
Just as Karl was feeling puzzled by her nonchalant reaction.
*Thud-!*
“Gah!”
Chloe dropped the book she was holding.
The thick book landed on Karl’s foot, and he hopped around before collapsing to the floor.
***
“What’s going on at this hour?”
Leo asked with a puzzled expression upon arriving at the meeting spot.
Mel, sitting on a bench, dangled her leg and smiled brightly.
“I was thinking of having a little late-night date with you, Lord Leo.”
“Didn’t you say I was like a grandfather?”
“Did I say that?”
Despite Leo’s words, Mel maintained a serene smile and stood up from her seat.
“Well, actually, there’s something I wanted to show you, Lord Leo.”
Mel walked up to Leo.
“To be honest, the place we’re going is strictly off-limits to outsiders.”
“Then how are we getting in?”
“Hehe. Let’s call it a privilege of being a Lord. I got the key from Demian’s vice principal.”
‘…Judging by her attitude, it seems more like she took it by force.’
Leo sighed.
Mel smiled cutely and pointed a hand toward the top of Demian Castle.
“What’s up there could be considered yours in a way, Lord Leo.”
With those words, Mel took a key from her pocket and inserted it into the empty air.
A door materialized.
‘A warp gate that can move anywhere within Demian?’
While Leo looked on with a puzzled expression, Mel opened the door and beckoned.
“Come on, Lord Leo.”
Leo stepped inside.
The space beyond the door was an armory, where a wide variety of weapons were enshrined.
And all the enshrined armaments were old and rusted.
Among them, Leo’s gaze fixed on one spot.
A weapon hanging on the wall.
More than half of the blade had rusted away.
The remains of a sword, which could barely be called a sword anymore.
But for Leo, it was a sword he could never forget.
“My sword…”
The sword Dweno had left for Kyle at the very end.
Besides that, everything else in this place was something Dweno had made.
“All the weapons here are Lord Dweno’s legacy, collected by the dwarves over the last 5,000 years.”