Chapter 461
Chapter Title: A Sore Loser
-----------------------------------------------------------------
461.
Emio Luchan.
He was a figure renowned for being one of the top five students in the second-year magic department.
For such a student to be notified of his expulsion at the end of the first semester of his second year was a shocking turn of events.
Even students who weren't on good terms with Emio were taken by surprise.
The mentor system certainly had a rule where if a mentee was expelled, the mentor would be as well.
However, the first-year mentee under Emio's charge had survived the repechage and narrowly avoided expulsion.
Emio's expulsion was purely due to his own abilities.
But on the surface, Emio was still one of the top five students in the second-year magic department for the first semester.
That was why Emio felt his expulsion was unjust.
“Expelled?”
A dangerous glint flashed in Emio's eyes.
Seeing this, Karl flinched and took a step back.
“You, if you try anything stupid...”
“Shut up!”
Emio shouted, aiming his staff at Karl.
*Fwoooosh!*
With that, magic activated, and a powerful gust of wind enveloped Karl.
*Craaaash—!*
The sudden activation of attack magic left the surrounding second-year students with expressions of shock.
“What? What's going on?”
“Isn't that Emio Luchan?”
“Hey! Are you crazy?! What do you think you're doing, using attack magic here!”
“Are you throwing a fit just because you got expelled? Have some shame!”
*Craaaash—!*
No sooner had their protesting shouts ended than Emio's magic flew toward them.
The second-years flinched in surprise and backed away.
Emio shouted at them.
“Does this make any sense?! This worthless piece of trash survives because of his connections, and I get expelled! How is that fair?!”
Emio roared, veins bulging in his neck.
“The same goes for all of you! I'll wipe out all you worthless insects and prove my value to Lumerne!”
With bloodshot eyes, Emio was clearly not in his right mind.
The second-years, initially flustered by the sudden attack magic, began to show killing intent in their eyes.
No matter what, these were students who had survived in Lumerne until now.
Even if Emio was a top-tier student in the magic department, turning the entire student body against him in this situation meant he would be taken down in an instant.
But having lost all reason, Emio paid no mind to such things.
It was then.
“I get how you feel, but don't you think you should tone it down?”
“Hah?! So the great hero himself has graced us with his presence?”
Seeing Leo emerge from the crowd, Emio curled his lip.
“I wonder how people would react if they knew the great hero was looking after a piece of trash just because they're friends? Feels good, doesn't it? Getting a student who rightfully deserved to stay expelled?”
“The student council president has no authority to expel anyone. And I've never once helped Karl. He earned his place at Lumerne with his own skills.”
“What kind of bullshit is that...!”
“Look at him now.”
Leo gestured with his chin toward the magic Emio had cast.
“He's unfazed by your magic, isn't he?”
“Whoa~ That was a close one!”
With those words, Emio's wind dissipated, and Karl appeared, completely unharmed.
Seeing this, Emio's eyes widened.
“H-How...!”
“Fellow students! In a crisis, a Karl Thomas brand shield bracelet is a great help! I paid special attention to its appearance, so it has a stylish design! It's single-use, but it can protect your safety while also enhancing your looks!”
Laughter erupted here and there at the sight of Karl giving a thumbs-up and slyly promoting his product.
“This fucking insect!”
Just as Emio's face crumpled in anger and he aimed his staff at Karl again.
“Emio Luchan.”
“Kuh?!”
Emio let out a groan at Leo's chilling voice.
The other students also flinched and stepped back.
“A piece of advice. Stop this useless nonsense.”
Leo said as he approached Emio.
“Because I'm not particularly fond of seriously beating up a child.”
“Don't give me that crap!”
With a scream filled with rage, Emio swung his staff violently.
*Zzzzing—!*
A massive amount of magical power swirled.
*Craaaash—!*
The immense magic power struck Leo, destroying part of the pier.
“What the hell am I lacking! Weaker people than me got to stay, so why the hell was I expelled!”
Watching the screaming Emio, the second-years narrowed their eyes and took combat stances.
Just then, a flash of light erupted, and a sharp sword descended upon Emio.
*Swish—! Craaack—!*
“Kuk?!”
Emio was clad in a magically created armor shield, but the sword strike sliced through his shield and cut him.
*Thud—!*
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Iliana, who had landed lightly on a piece of debris floating on the lake, grinned.
“The beautiful magic swordswoman, Iliana Raden, has arrived!”
Jeers erupted from all around at Iliana's flippant demeanor.
“You're spouting that nonsense in a situation like this?!”
“She called herself beautiful. Does she have no shame?”
“Tsk, tsk.”
Despite the pouring jeers, Iliana didn't even bat an eye.
“I have no business with you, so don't interfere and get lost, Iliana Raden. If you don't want to die.”
Emio growled fiercely.
“As a Lu.merne. stu.dent, I can't tolerate a non-student outsider attacking my classmates!”
Emio's face twisted as he looked at Iliana, emphasizing that he was no longer a Lumerne student.
“Besides, I've wanted to give you a proper beating for a while now. You're just so damn annoying.”
*Hmph—!* Iliana, who had been laughing, had her expression change in an instant.
Her usual, endlessly lighthearted atmosphere vanished. Iliana glared at Emio with sharp eyes and aimed her sword.
“You're a jack of all trades, master of neither with that sword and magic!”
Emio swung his staff.
*Fwoooosh—!*
A massive pillar of fire formed in the air, and soon, wind enveloped the flames.
“Flame Tornado!”
*Kwoaaaaaa—!*
Flames were layered onto a biting wind that tore apart everything it touched.
The wind further intensified the fire's power.
The magic descended upon Iliana.
*Craaaash—!*
Flames soared high, causing a chain of explosions.
Just as Emio was forming a wicked smile at the sight.
*Flash—!*
A pure white light flashed, and simultaneously, Iliana emerged, cutting through the whirlwind.
Her uniform was burned and torn in various places.
Scratches had formed on her body, from which blood oozed.
Emio's magic was powerful, so Iliana hadn't been able to completely defend against it.
But there were no fatal wounds.
“My magic, how did you...!”
“It was nothing special! I just cut it down!”
Iliana grinned and landed on the lake's surface.
*Splash—!*
Water splashed in all directions.
But Iliana easily floated on the lake's surface using Aura Step.
*Fwoosh—!*
Then she readjusted her grip on her sword and charged at Emio.
“A frontal assault! You arrogant brat!”
Emio ground his teeth and spammed his magic.
As expected from someone from a military family, a barrage of efficient and powerful magic poured out.
Seeing the magic, Iliana extended the hand not holding her sword.
*Flash—!*
A protective magic, like pure white, transparent glass, formed like a shield.
Iliana used that shield to deflect all the incoming magic, closing the distance to Emio.
“No!”
Emio's eyes flew open.
Despite it being high-powered magic, Iliana had blocked it.
‘Impossible! Her combat skills should have been similar to mine!’
While Emio was in shock.
Iliana, having closed the distance in an instant, gave a cold smile.
“Are you ready?”
“Eek—!”
“Hiyah!”
*Crack—!*
“Keok?”
Iliana swung her aura-clad sword with all her might, using both hands.
She manifested the aura like a blunt weapon, so it didn't cut him.
But the immense impact, enough to make his mind go blank, sent Emio flying.
*Craaaash—!*
Like a skipping stone, Emio bounced across the water several times before plunging into its depths.
“Hmph.”
Iliana shrugged and swept her hair back.
The students watched her with surprised expressions.
“When did Iliana get so strong?”
“That was completely one-sided, wasn't it?”
Iliana smiled at her admiring classmates and made a V-sign with her hand.
*Craaash—!*
Just then, the water erupted, and Emio appeared.
“This damn bitch...!”
Trembling, Emio glared at Iliana with eyes full of madness.
Until just the beginning of their second year's first semester, Iliana and Emio had been on a similar skill level.
“Don't make me laugh! If I had participated in the training retreat! If I had been evaluated fairly! I wouldn't be suffering this kind of humiliation...”
“The skill gap between you and Iliana has existed for months.”
“Gah?!”
Iliana was startled to see Leo appear silently behind her.
“Class Rep! You scared me!”
Patting the protesting Iliana's head, Leo walked toward Emio.
“Shall I tell you why you were expelled?”
“What?”
“It's true you're still one of the top students in the second-year magic department. The problem is, you've barely grown compared to the start of the first semester.”
“Nonsense!”
Emio's face twisted.
“Weren't you struggling just to keep up with the theory classes?”
Emio's practical assessments were still top-tier in the second-year magic department.
But unlike in his first year, his written and theory scores had plummeted.
He was clearly different from the lower-ranked students who absorbed new knowledge and applied it to their practical scores.
Emio failed to properly adapt to the new material in the theoretical field.
The only reason he didn't receive a failing grade was because of the points he had accumulated before.
The study of magic requires one to endlessly accept new things and apply them to oneself.
Emio failed to do that at all.
Even in practical skills like combat, students who were clearly weaker than Emio had shown significant growth, while Emio had stagnated.
“And crucially, Emio. Whenever you face an opponent even slightly stronger than you, you can't cope at all.”
A hero is one who challenges the impossible and overcomes trials.
That's why a hero is always prepared to fight an opponent stronger than themselves.
But Emio was not like that at all.
“It's true that you're strong for a second-year.”
Leo said with a blank expression.
“But to put it another way, you're *only* a second-year. The professors judged that if you're already stagnating, you won't be able to survive at Lumerne.”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
“When the second semester of the second year begins, there will be situations where you'll have to seriously risk your life. In your state, you could die.”
At Leo's words, Emio clenched his fists tightly.
“The professors must have thought that was a pity.”
“Stop bullshitting me! I'm more than qualified to be at Lumerne!”
Watching Emio scream, having lost all reason, Iliana pouted.
“It's no use talking to him, Class Rep.”
“I suppose so. Then I'll be blunt.”
Leo looked at Emio and said curtly.
“Causing a scene like this won't change the fact that you've been expelled. So just shut up and stay down. Loser.”
“Kraaaaaaaah! Leo Flove!”
The moment Emio, his eyes rolled back in fury, conjured his magic.
A red glint flashed in Leo's eyes.
*Pachang—!*
The magic formula surrounding Emio was destroyed.
Struck by the aftershock, Emio staggered.
“For any student who has graduated from Lumerne's magic department, destroying your magic formula is child's play.”
Leo walked toward Emio.
“Stop here. If you keep rampaging, I won't be able to let this go quietly.”
“Kraaaaaaaah!”
Emio's eyes rolled back as he charged at Leo.
Leo exhaled and snapped his fingers.
*Fwoosh! Kwoooong—!*
Flames that had wrapped around Emio exploded.
Emio was launched high into the air before crashing to the ground.
*Splash—!*
Looking at the unconscious Emio, his eyes rolled back, Leo spoke to his classmates.
“Let's grab him and hand him over to the professors.”
“Yeah!”
“Got it!”
The second-years seized Emio and restrained him with magic.
“What a mess on the first day back.”
Leo let out a light sigh and shook his head.
***
*Thud— Thud—*
A vast plain.
In its center stood a massive tomb.
In the distant past.
This place had been the heart of a battlefield against Tartaros.
A land filled with only despair and death.
This land was saved from the hands of Tartaros through the sacrifice of a single hero.
This tomb was the grave of the hero who had saved this place.
A man in a hood, standing before the gravestone, reached out his hand.
A gruesome, bony hand emerged from within the hood.
*Thump—!*
The one who had placed his hand on the gravestone muttered.
A moment later.
*Crack—! Craccck—!*
A skeleton dug its way out of the ground and rose.
The skeleton that had emerged from the grave twisted its neck at an odd angle to look at the man.
[You... Grand Duke of Funerals...!]
Seeing the man reveal killing intent in his eyes, the Grand Duke of Funerals, Atkan, curled his lip into a smile.
“Are you not interested in a second life? O hero, who was unjustly sacrificed.”
The skeleton, which had been reaching out with hateful eyes, froze.
[A sec... ond... life?]