Chapter 593
Chapter Title: The One Who Prepares the Beginning
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593.
“How coincidental. Just as Professor Halind requested a special exception, Karl Thomas, a second-year in the magic department, has made his way into the Hero Record.”
The chairman of Lumerne.
Altech Jer-on reviewed the documents Halind had submitted, his face expressionless.
Known as the Infinity Speller, he was one of the ten most powerful active mage heroes.
Though he was the chairman of Lumerne, he typically operated in the border region with Tartaros.
The activity of demons had dwindled in the area under his watch.
He was a hero whose name alone was a powerful deterrent, quite literally.
In other words, if he were to be absent for an extended period, it meant the region could face a concentrated assault from Tartaros.
In fact, the area he was in charge of was one of the most strategic locations in the fierce battle against Tartaros.
That was why he usually entrusted the acting chairman position to his daughter and was often absent.
Besides Elena, Albi, the Mage of the Evil Eye, was also a professor at Lumerne, and with the Jer-on family's talented individuals leading the board of directors.
His appearance at Lumerne was an exceedingly rare sight.
Altech had come to Lumerne this time for a single reason.
The Flame of Calamity that had appeared at the academy.
No matter how important the front lines were, he couldn't just stand guard there when the flame of Erebos, a disaster for the world, had shown itself in the rear.
Even though it was ultimately stopped without major damage, properly handling the aftermath required him, the chairman, to return to Lumerne.
It was in the midst of this that he heard Karl's story.
*Professor Halind's report is certainly interesting.*
A student who, based on talent alone, should have reached his limit in the first semester of his first year had somehow lasted until the second semester of his second year.
That alone was quite an anomaly.
*He's resourceful.*
Lumerne's curriculum was structured to select only the most talented students.
Just as there are things in the world that cannot be overcome by effort alone, those who lacked the talent Lumerne required were naturally weeded out by the competition.
*Even if he survived his first semester of second year with the mentor system…*
He also had the good fortune of his mentee, Juen, being the top student in the first-year magic department.
*Luck can be considered a skill, but this case is a bit different. The student named Juen showed incredible growth.*
The first-year student who showed the most dazzling growth this year was Luke, the current class representative.
However, Luke had started from nothing.
Of course, going from the bottom of the class to the top was still a phenomenal achievement.
*But it's not impossible if one has overwhelming talent, the time to let it bloom, and a helper to accelerate that growth.*
Starting from zero might have even served as a better springboard for rapid growth.
With a good mentor, one can avoid learning useless things and focus solely on what's necessary for growth.
But it's difficult for someone who is already highly skilled to grow so quickly.
*At the time of admission, she was considered a step below Aina Veydna.*
But by the end of the first semester, she had shown skills on par with Aina.
If not for the matchup disadvantage between a knight and a mage, the outcome would have been uncertain.
Her rate of growth stood out even more than that of Haviden from the knight department or Sasha from the summoning department, who were considered her equals.
And considering that Haviden's and Sasha's growth rates were by no means slow.
*It could be said that the student, Juen, had an excellent eye for choosing a mentor.*
Karl was faithful to his role.
He continued on, passing the midterm exams and making it to the present.
Just for the fact that he had become a hero, Altech wanted to hold Karl in high regard.
“A supporter.”
A type of student Lumerne had never seen before.
He barely passed the written exams.
But he would fail the practical exams, 100%.
In that case, he would fail the promotion exam.
It was a great shame.
He wanted to watch longer to see how Karl might grow within Lumerne.
But a special exception was another matter entirely.
Even for an interesting student.
Even at the request of Halind, who had served Lumerne for a long time, it was unacceptable to let a student with failing grades remain at Lumerne.
That in itself would be discrimination against the other students.
*But if his name is in the Hero Record, that's a different story.*
In Lumerne's history, it was extremely rare for a student to attain the rank of hero.
*Besides, the only one to become a hero in their second year was Leo Flove.*
And Leo was a monster beyond measure.
*No, Karl Thomas isn't a conventional hero, either.*
He wasn't a monster like Leo.
But he was different from the countless heroes who had been recorded in the Hero Record until now.
“If he has attained the rank of hero, I see no issue in granting a special exception. What are your thoughts, members of the board?”
“That is out of the question.”
“Indeed. No matter that he has become a hero, an exception cannot be made.”
Several members of the board cast their votes against it.
Watching this, Altech looked to his younger brother.
“Albi, what is your take on this?”
“Karl Thomas is certainly a peculiar student. I, too, personally hold his potential in high regard.”
Although he didn't have his own classes, it wasn't as if he didn't observe the students.
In special classes related to magical combat, Albi watched all of Lumerne's magic department students.
As befitting the Mage of the Evil Eye, he had a keen eye for the students' talents.
“However, as a matter of principle, I believe a special exception is impossible.”
“Hmm.”
“However.”
“However?”
Albi said, raising the report.
“Lumerne is a hero academy. This school's ultimate goal is to turn students into heroes, and for the past several thousand years, it has continuously revised its curriculum for that purpose.”
“That is correct.”
“In this situation, a new type of hero has been born. A hero who breaks the existing mold. The meaning of this is simple: a new possibility has opened up.”
Albi looked at the board members.
“In a sense, it would not be strange to say Karl Thomas has already met the graduation requirements. It's rather comical for a student who has already become a hero to learn something at a school for becoming heroes.”
“Ahem.”
“Mmm.”
A few of the board members showed their discomfort.
They were traditionalists.
Those who had defined the mold of a hero.
That was why they couldn't accept a hero of Karl Thomas's type.
“The world is changing. If we cannot move swiftly to adapt, we will only be left behind.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lumerne needs to understand what qualities were recognized for Karl Thomas to ascend to the rank of hero. The gods' acknowledgment of him means an era is coming that requires heroes just like him. If we expel Karl Thomas based on outdated standards at a time like this, Lumerne alone will suffer the loss.”
Albi spoke calmly.
“Besides, the moment Karl Thomas is expelled, another hero academy might just snatch him up.”
“Are you saying there's an academy that would accept this human child?”
As one of the board members narrowed his eyes, Albi let out a short laugh.
“There's no rule that any hero academy must only accept students of the same race as its founder. Surely you haven't forgotten the movements to recruit Leo Flove?”
No board member answered him.
“Whether it was intentional or not, he is a hero we nurtured. There's no need to do someone else a favor.”
Altech nodded.
“In that case, we shall proceed with a vote on Karl Thomas's special promotion.”
***
“Heheh!”
Ar puffed out her chest.
“Successor to the Brave Hero's Will.”
Ar wore a proud expression at Leo's murmur.
“Isn't it the perfect title for me?”
Watching Ar do a little turn in place as if showing off, Lunia crossed her arms.
“It's more than you deserve.”
“Your title is just as undeserved, you know!”
“What? I even received a staff from Lady Luna!”
“And I received a sword from Lord Ar-on!”
Driana spoke, looking at the elf and the beastkin growling with their foreheads pressed together.
“Stop fighting so childishly and be proud of the great deeds you've all accomplished.”
Driana said, forcibly separating the two.
“You're both amazing, you are.”
“Hmph.”
“Hehe.”
Lunia gave a light scoff as if embarrassed, but she didn't seem to dislike the praise.
Ar scratched her head and grinned sheepishly.
“In that spirit, take off your clothes. I shall convey your beauty to future generations.”
“Don't be ridiculous, you pervert.”
Lunia and Ar's faces scrunched up in disgust simultaneously.
“Anyway! Black Rabbit! I'm finally on your level!”
Ar declared, pointing a finger straight at Leo.
Looking at her, Leo nodded.
“Yes, yes. Well done.”
“Don't treat me like a kid!”
Watching Ar hiss, her tail and fur standing on end, Lunia sighed softly and muttered under her breath.
“On his level? Hardly.”
Of course, becoming a hero was an incredible achievement.
But compared to Leo, the Great Hero, she was a firefly beneath the moon.
*But I have to reach him someday.*
Lunia clenched her fists as she looked at Leo.
“Anyway. What are you spacing out for?”
Lunia gave Karl a pathetic look as he sat there, his expression as if his soul had left his body.
“Me, a hero… hahaha. The hero I only ever dreamed of being… Still the acting student council president of Lumerne next year… Whoo-hoo. So exciting… Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.”
Watching Karl mutter blankly like a broken doll, Driana slapped his back. Thwack! Thwack!
“If you've become a hero, you should be proud! Why are you so gloomy!”
“Gack! Kaff?!”
Karl fell flat on the floor from the force of Driana's small but solid palm.
The limp Karl dusted himself off and stood up.
“Right. This is something to be happy about.”
*Smack—*
Karl slapped both his cheeks with his hands and put on a serious expression.
“I need to get my head on straight starting now.”
“Oho. Now that's a proper look.”
Driana grinned.
Looking at her, Karl said.
“I'm definitely not going to be your nude model.”
“Tch.”
Leo clicked his tongue at Driana.
“It's Karl! Yo! Our dear hero!”
Illiana came running.
Chelsea, Nella, and Dade followed behind her.
“Where have you guys been?”
Karl looked puzzled.
His friends had disappeared as soon as they heard the news about him.
Looking at them, Illiana gave a thumbs-up.
“We were preparing a party!”
“A party?”
“Yep!”
Illiana grinned.
“We decided to throw a party to celebrate your promotion to the third year. Everyone's amazed, calling it a miracle.”
Chelsea added.
Looking at the two of them, Karl had a touched expression on his face.
“I must have done something right in my school life, to have such good friends.”
His touched expression turned into a puzzled one as he tilted his head.
“But why aren't you congratulating me for becoming a hero?”
At his words, Chelsea and Illiana looked at each other, then said.
“Because you getting promoted is a bigger miracle?”
“Right, right.”
Seeing the two of them getting along for once, Karl's face crumpled.
“I've wasted my life.”
“What are you talking about!”
“Yeah!”
“No! It's not just anything, I became a hero! A hero! Isn't that more worthy of celebration?! Ah! Is that it?”
Karl grinned obnoxiously.
“You're jealous because I became a hero, right? That's it, isn't it?”
At that, Illiana's shoulders flinched, and Chelsea scowled.
Seeing their reactions, Karl laughed triumphantly.
“Ah~ to be envied even by my friends. The burden of being a hero is heavy indeed.”
“You're so annoying!”
Illiana grimaced, then got behind Karl and held him.
“Chelsea, the solar plexus. Hit him in the solar plexus.”
“Okay, hold him tight.”
“H-Help me!”
Karl's face went pale as he watched Chelsea clench her fist, and he screamed.
“We're about to be third-years, yet no one's changed since first year.”
As Dade muttered with a sigh, Nella covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
“That's the charm of our Class 5, isn't it? Right, Leo?”
Leo let out a small laugh at the boisterous atmosphere and nodded.
“Ah, that reminds me.”
Leo said, as if he'd just remembered something.
“Karl, what's your title?”
Karl, who had barely escaped Illiana's grasp, answered Leo's question.
“Ah, that?”
Karl scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.
“The One Who Prepares the Beginning.”