Chapter 280
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Mission
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280
Lunchtime.
Just like yesterday, most of the hero academy students wore exhausted expressions.
“Seriously, don’t these guys ever get tired?”
Ar looked completely fed up.
Even the students of Azonia, renowned for their immense stamina, were drained by the relentless dwarves.
Ar, in particular, was the year representative for Azonia, so many dwarves were singling her out.
“You’re lucky, you musclehead. You already picked a smith for your exclusive contract.”
Ar pouted, glancing to her side.
Standing there was Dion, Ar’s childhood friend and the second-ranked second-year at Azonia.
Dion had chosen his smith early on.
His personal smith was none other than Dignes, the second-year representative of Demian.
“Didn’t Dignes offer to make you a weapon too?”
“He did.”
Ar crossed her arms.
Her white tail swished gently.
“But the weapons he makes aren’t my style.”
The weapons Dignes crafted generally had a refined feel to them.
Another advantage was that he could work with any type of weapon or class.
Ar’s specialty was hand-to-hand combat.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t use weapons.
On the contrary, she had trained since childhood to handle all sorts of weapons with skill.
‘Because I looked up to Sir Ar-on!’
The Brave Hero, Ar-on.
According to historical records, he was a man akin to a god of war who could wield any weapon.
Ar had strived since she was young to be just like him.
Dignes’s creations were certainly excellent, but to Ar, they lacked flexibility.
“How do I put it? I wish there was a weapon that was easy to carry but could become a sword at one moment! A spear the next! And then an axe at another!”
“You’re a greedy one.”
Dion clicked his tongue and stopped walking.
He spotted Leo talking with someone off to the side.
“There’s Leo Flove.”
“The Black Rabbit?!”
Ar’s white tail stood straight up like an exclamation mark.
‘I have to ask the Black Rabbit how he used Howling!’
Thinking this was her chance to ask the question that had been bugging her for days, Ar approached Leo.
Dion followed behind her.
“Black Rabbit, I have something to ask you…”
“I’ve been wanting to have a word with you, Leo Flove.”
Dion grabbed Ar by the head, moved her aside as she blocked his path, and took a step forward.
Ar glared and kicked Dion in the rear.
Dion ignored her as if it were routine.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yeah. Is this the first time we’ve talked like this since the eve of the entrance exam in Azrek?”
Last summer vacation.
Leo smirked, recalling his trip to Azrek for Azonia’s entrance exam.
“I’ve been hearing all about your exploits. It’s a shame. It would have been great if you’d come to Azonia.”
Dion licked his lips in regret, then grinned.
“In that spirit, Leo Flove, I’d like to challenge you to a duel…”
*Smack—!*
Ar smacked Dion on the back of the head.
In response, Dion grabbed Ar by the collar.
“What was that for?”
“You’re the one who started it.”
Ar said nonchalantly.
“Besides, Dad warned us not to fight while we’re at Demian.”
“True, Uncle Berga did say that.”
‘That aggressive-looking man did?’
Leo recalled Ar’s father, Berga, an Azonia instructor, beastkin hero, and a friend and colleague of his mother, Reina.
He was wearing a look of surprise.
“Fights are meant to be had in secret.”
“Oh, really? And I’m sure you’d be able to fight secretly if you had a duel.”
It seemed Dion’s fighting style was quite flashy.
Looking at Ar, who was snorting in derision, Dion spoke.
“Ar, you know it too. The thrill of challenging the strong.”
Dion’s eyes, filled with fighting spirit, were fixed on Leo.
“I want to test how much of my strength works against Leo Flove, who’s considered the strongest of our generation.”
‘I thought he was pretty calm, but he has a tough personality.’
Leo was smirking as he looked at Dion.
“Everyone, assemble! Students of all hero academies, assemble!”
Azonia’s instructor, Berga, shouted in a booming voice.
His voice was loud enough for every second-year student present to hear.
Everyone was startled and hurried to line up.
Led by Lumerne’s Ain, Seirun’s Herdium, and Azonia’s Berga, along with Demian’s second-year smith instructor, Retana.
The students from each hero academy gathered together.
“Professor Ain, is something wrong?”
During the period for smith contracts, Lumerne had guaranteed its students free time at Demian.
The same was true for students from the other hero academies.
At Duran’s question, Ain answered.
“The principal and the second-year Professor Sedzen are currently in a meeting, so I’ve come to update you on the situation.”
The Lumerne students looked puzzled.
Amidst the confusion, Ain spoke.
“You all know about the city of Tarkam in the eastern part of the continent.”
It was on the fringes of the dwarven territory.
Most knew of Tarkam as it was a large dwarven metropolis and a source of numerous magic stones and rare ores.
“A report has just come in about an unusual situation in Tarkam. There was a sighting of a giant monster, half the size of Mt. Erdien. It’s said to have sent the Tarkam city guard into a panic.”
At his words, the students began to murmur.
“Mt. Erdien… that’s where we went for the first-year entrance exams.”
“A monster that could cover that mountain?”
“Does a monster like that even exist?”
Most of the second-years had seen Mt. Erdien for themselves last year.
Having witnessed the towering, massive mountain firsthand, the students found it hard to believe that a monster half its size could exist.
Chloe, who had been tilting her head at the news, suddenly glanced to her side.
“Leo?”
Leo was standing there with a hardened expression.
“Leo, is something wrong?”
Chloe asked cautiously, and Leo shook his head.
“It’s nothing.”
Answering with a smile, Leo relaxed his face.
‘A monster half the size of Mt. Erdien?’
Logically, it was impossible.
The very existence of such a colossal creature was absurd.
But Leo knew.
He knew of such a giant monster.
‘The Giant King, Gias.’
After the Age of Calamity.
A legion commander who had never once shown himself.
A monster so shrouded in mystery that it was now forgotten even in historical texts and among the people.
‘He’s a cautious one. No matter that the Monster Queen was subjugated, he’s not the type to make a reckless move.’
Despite his enormous size, the Giant King was an exceptionally secretive legion commander.
‘If he’s made a move, there must be a reason.’
Leo’s expression turned grim.
“Tarkam has requested Demian to investigate this matter. And during the principals’ meeting, a suggestion was made to entrust this mission to you.”
“To us?”
“Yes. To be precise, they proposed forming mixed parties from each academy for the investigation.”
Hearing this, the Lumerne students began to stir.
“As you know, forming parties with students from other hero academies is part of the third-year curriculum. You’re getting the opportunity to experience that a year early. I believe that’s what the principal wanted.”
“Did the other hero academies agree?”
“They did.”
At Ain’s answer, the Lumerne students’ faces lit up with excitement.
“This sounds fun.”
“The Seirun kids are a bit of a concern, but…”
“Come on. Not all of them can be rotten.”
“Professor! What will the party size be?”
“That has been left to the students’ discretion.”
Ain crossed his arms.
“Although this is a sudden practical mission, the professors have agreed to include it in your performance evaluations.”
Complaints erupted from here and there at Ain’s words.
But no one protested outright.
The students of Lumerne were already inured to dealing with unexpected situations.
“What happens to our smith contracts?”
“This practical mission will last until next week. The smith contracts will continue for the remaining week after that. It’s not a bad opportunity for the Demian students to get to know us better, either.”
Ain scanned the second-year students.
“First, form your parties. Since you’ll be heading to Mt. Erdien, it would be wise to form them carefully. Cooperating with other parties is also an option. This practical mission will take place in a monster-infested area, so combat will be unavoidable.”
At Ain’s words, the Lumerne students’ expressions grew tense.
They had been through thick and thin for a year, but the mention of real combat was still enough to create tension.
“This practical mission will be a time for you to utilize everything you’ve learned so far. And it’s a chance to measure your skills against hero candidates of your own generation. I expect good results.”
“Yes, sir!”
***
“Leo, what are you going to do?”
Karl asked, scratching his head vigorously.
Party formation.
For Karl, this was the biggest hurdle.
Karl was aiming to be a professional supporter.
But that was a path he had been forced to choose due to his lack of skill.
While Lumerne viewed his choice positively, it was uncertain how students from other hero academies would see it.
At Karl’s question, Leo said,
“Karl, want to party up with me this time?”
“I’d love that.”
Karl grinned.
“So, how are we going to form the party? Anyone in mind?”
Leo nodded at Karl’s question.
“Yeah. I’ll go gather them, so you wait here.”
With those words, Leo headed towards the Seirun students.
The students from Lumerne, Azonia, and Demian were actively talking amongst themselves to form parties.
But no one rashly approached the Seirun students.
The behavior shown by the Seirun students this time had made students from other academies hesitant to approach them.
This practical mission was a gathering of hero candidates from various races.
Race, culture, values.
Teamwork was paramount as people with different backgrounds had to join forces.
And Seirun’s race-centric tendencies had a high probability of shattering that teamwork.
Therefore, the plan was for the Lumerne, Azonia, and Demian students to discuss and form teams among themselves first, then carefully consider accepting any Seirun students.
Amidst all this, only Leo headed straight for Seirun to be the first to recruit their students for his party.
Of course, the students Leo intended to recruit were obvious.
“Lunia, Eiran.”
Leo smiled brightly at the two students standing at the front of the Seirun group.
“Want to join my party?”
Lunia, who had been staring blankly at Leo, smiled faintly and nodded.
“If you’re asking, I’ll grant your request.”
“Of course, Sir Leo!”
Eiran also nodded with a radiant smile.
Next, Leo went over to the Azonia group and recruited Ar.
“Black Rabbit. It sounds like fun to be in a party with you!”
Ar also readily joined the party.
Finally, the Demian student Leo chose was Driana.
“I have no desire to speak with you, the one who crushed my work of art!”
Driana, who had already reverted to her usual strange way of speaking, flatly rejected Leo’s offer.
It seemed she was still holding a grudge about him breaking her sculpture earlier.
Looking at Driana, Leo said,
“I’ve gathered some people who would make good models.”
At those words, Driana flinched.
“Models? Are they pretty?”
“Yes. I’ll guarantee their looks.”
“That is tempting.”
After a moment of consideration, Driana also readily accepted Leo’s offer.
He brought Driana over to where the party was gathered.
Meanwhile, seeing Lunia, Eiran, and Ar standing before him, Karl looked up at the sky and lamented.
‘What on earth is that guy planning, gathering an all-star lineup like this?’
Excluding himself, who was practically at the level of a failing student, everyone else was a top-tier student at the year representative level.
A few students nearby looked at Karl with envy.
And some of them pointed at Karl and whispered.
‘They’re probably saying I’m leeching again.’
But this time, Karl felt truly wronged.
“Karl’s getting a free ride again, huh?”
Iliana, who was passing by, said teasingly.
“No! Hey! Think about it! Do you really think I’m getting a free ride?”
“Yeah. You’ve partied up with the class president, the Seirun year representative, and the Azonia year representative. If that’s not getting a free ride, what is?”
“Think about Leo’s personality! Why would he gather these people!”
Karl’s face fell.
“It’s obvious we’re going to be doing something incredibly dangerous!”
At Karl’s lament, Iliana paused.
He was right.
Leo wasn’t the type to gather talented people simply to make things easier.
Thinking that far, Iliana patted Karl’s shoulder sympathetically.
“Good luck.”
“What? Iliana, you want to join my party too?”
Iliana flinched at the voice that came from behind.
She looked at Leo’s face with a terrified expression, then scurried away.
Karl clutched his head.
Driana, who had come with Leo, looked at Karl and said,
“Hmm. As a model, your face is slightly lacking.”
“What? Who are you?”
“But that despairing face is a masterpiece. You. Would you care to be my model?”
“A model?”
“Yes, a nude model.”
As the cute-looking dwarf girl proposed he become a nude model with a serious tone, Karl looked utterly bewildered.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t she a Demian year representative too?’
Karl glanced over at Lunia and Ar.
“What’s with that creepy stare?”
As Lunia reacted with a slight edge, Karl muttered to himself.
‘A gangster, an idiot, and a pervert. The representatives from the other hero academies aren’t normal either.’
Karl looked at Leo.
Leo offered him a gentle smile.
It was a mature smile.
Karl knew it well.
Whenever Leo smiled like that, things were about to get very difficult.
As his best friend who had sat next to him for a year, he had learned that in his bones.
‘I’m doomed.’
Karl smiled bitterly.