Chapter 635
Chapter Title: The Gauntlet Begins
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635.
[Kuaaaaargh!]
[He's coming! Fall back! Fall back!]
[Waaaaah! Don't come this way! Go over there!]
[Hey! That's cheap!]
[Aaaaaargh!]
The vanguard of students who had stepped forward to stop Leo were in a miserable state.
Watching the gruesome scene of carnage unfold before them, the professors unconsciously covered their faces.
The expressions of the Knight Department professors, especially those in charge of the fourth and fifth-years, were particularly grim.
Leo, who relentlessly sapped the seniors' will to fight with his continuous howls, bore down on them like a typhoon.
The fourth and fifth-years, overwhelmed by Leo's fearsome presence, were being helplessly thrown around.
Even so, as befitting students who had made it to their fourth and fifth years at Lumerne, they were managing to hold Leo back.
Their unity, often cited as the upperclassmen's weakness, hadn't become a major issue yet.
‘Not yet, anyway.’
Halind watched Leo on the screen.
Leo's current fighting style was clearly different from his usual approach.
‘He never loses his composure, no matter the situation, always finding and exploiting his opponent's openings.’
But now, that same Leo was pressing his opponents with what could only be described as brutish force.
‘He's blatantly revealing a way to counter him.’
The method to deal with an enemy charging forward as if to pulverize everything in its path was surprisingly simple.
You just had to narrowly dodge the charging enemy and land a fatal blow to their exposed flank.
The fourth and fifth-years would surely devise a plan based on that.
But what if that plan failed?
‘From that point on, it will all be decided by how strong their unity is.’
When an attempt to defeat an enemy with a clear weakness fails, one of two things happens.
‘They either regroup and try again. Or they falter.’
With a clear leader, they could reformulate their strategy.
But what if there was no such leader?
‘The moment opinions clash, cracks will begin to form.’
That was precisely what Leo was aiming for.
‘The fourth and fifth-years all still have some breathing room.’
Aside from the initial surprise attack, no student had been rendered combat-ineffective and declared "dead," even while being thoroughly ravaged by Leo.
They were whining and telling him not to come their way, but if things were truly serious, they wouldn't even be able to make such sounds.
‘It won't be long now. Before they hit a real wall.’
With that thought, Halind turned his head.
On that screen, the first-years were shown searching for Karl.
***
“Wow~ I've really made it big, haven't I?”
Standing in the middle of one of the countless uninhabited islands within Lumeria Lake, Karl looked up at the blue sky and burst out laughing.
“Hundreds of Lumerne first-years are on a massive raid just to catch little old me. Hmph. That's me, alright. Worthy of being called a hero.”
Karl, who had been twirling the key in his hand like a pencil, suddenly dropped to his knees and placed a hand on the ground.
“Worthy of being a hero, my ass! This is just me getting ganged up on!”
Even if they were just first-years, his opponents were the freshmen of Lumerne, a place where no one lacked genius!
And not just one, but a staggering 500 of them!
During the entrance exam for the current second-years, who could be considered his direct juniors, Karl had faced off against them, but never in the hundreds like this.
‘Besides, strictly speaking, those kids back then were examinees, not enrolled students!’
The difference between a student who passed the Lumerne entrance exam and one who didn't was immense.
‘The professors said they wanted to make the students realize their shortcomings, but it's obvious what the freshmen's biggest flaw is.’
Karl, in his despair, let out a deep sigh.
‘Overconfidence in their skills. And absolute faith in their stats.’
No matter how prodigious their talent, they were ultimately inexperienced fledglings.
As such, all the first-years had a narrow view of the world.
‘Not Leo, though. Well, that guy's a complete cheat, an irregular, so he doesn't count.’
Slumping down cross-legged, Karl rested his chin on his hand and began to assess the situation.
‘The only reason Professor Halind chose me, of all people, is simple. From the first-years' perspective, I must look like an easy target.’
Although he had earned the title of a Hero, Karl's own combat power wasn't particularly high.
There were probably first-years who thought they could definitely take him on.
Karl looked around.
‘The terrain is to my advantage. The fact that it's not an open field means there's a lot I can prepare. Still…’
Karl let out a hollow laugh.
‘I might be able to handle about a hundred of them, but five hundred… Isn't that a bit too harsh?’
After grumbling to himself for a moment, Karl threw the key in his hand with all his might.
The key flew far into the distance, then flashed brightly and fell back into his palm.
“Hmm. So I can't hide the key or get rid of it.”
Nodding, Karl pushed himself up with a grunt.
“Well, technically, it's not about defeating 500 people, it's just a game of tag, right? I just have to avoid getting caught for as long as possible. Besides, this deserted island is Island Number 1.”
The islands in Lumeria Lake, excluding the Isle of Phantasmal Beasts, were referred to by number by the students.
Island Number 1 was the largest.
“That means I have plenty of time to prepare.”
Karl twirled the key with his fingers and grinned.
“Alright, then. Shall I teach my dear juniors what Lumerne is all about? Mwahahahaha!”
Laughing maniacally, Karl entered the forest.
***
“First, let's find Senior Xia.”
On a beautiful sandy beach, Luke, who had been admiring Lumeria Lake, turned to the other second-years and spoke.
Aina, who had been staring intently at the dense forest, nodded in agreement.
Currently, all the second-years were gathered on the island's beach.
Despite being a lake, this island had a sandy shore.
“Whoa~ The seniors were right. Island Number 6 is perfect for a day at the beach.”
Juen exclaimed, looking around in awe.
Watching Juen, Habiden narrowed his eyes.
“You sound awfully carefree. Our opponent is Senior Chen Xia.”
“I know, I know. I was just saying!”
Juen squinted his eyes.
Standing next to Juen, Sasha stared into the forest and said.
“By the way, it looks like total night in there.”
Even though the sun was high in the sky, the forest on the deserted island was as dark as night.
The dense canopy of trees blocked out the sunlight.
“This is troublesome.”
As El Jane muttered in a serious tone, Aina looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Is there a problem?”
It was Fritz, a Shadow from the Magic Department, who answered her question.
“There is a problem. A very big one.”
“Huh?”
“The problem is that our opponent is Senior Chen Xia.”
“Ah.”
Understanding Fritz's words, Aina's eyes widened.
Luke, who didn't understand, wore a confused expression.
“Aina, what does Fritz mean?”
“The darkness is a Shadow's battlefield.”
“Ah…”
At Aina's answer, Luke's face also turned grim.
Their reaction puzzled the other second-years.
“Senior Xia may be a princess of Shan, but… is it really that serious?”
“I thought it would be easier since it's Senior Xia and not Senior Celia or Senior Duran.”
Celia and Duran, despite being in the Knight Department, could unleash wide-range attacks that surpassed most in the Magic Department.
Compared to those two, Chen Xia certainly felt less intimidating.
It wasn't that Chen Xia was weaker than Celia and Duran, but a difference in their Aura tendencies.
After all, the Water Aura that Chen Xia wielded was fundamentally defensive in nature.
At his classmates' words, El Jane scoffed.
“You can only say that because you have no idea how terrifying a Shadow is in the dark.”
Having just become second-years, it was unlikely any of them had ever witnessed a Shadow in combat.
“I see. I know what the professors meant by the aspect we need to improve.”
Habiden narrowed his eyes.
At his words, Juen nodded.
“Combat against Hero Hunters.”
Ordinarily, Lumerne second-years would rarely have to face Hero Hunters.
For them to be given this kind of experience on the first day back meant one thing.
“Somehow, I have a feeling our second year is going to be rough as well.”
*Snap!* Sasha folded her fan and let out a small sigh.
Aina then said.
“Standing around here won't do us any good. Let's go find Senior Xia for now.”
The second-years nodded in agreement.
“Form up. Be ready to respond to an ambush from any direction!”
“El! Fritz! Form a scouting team!”
The second-years quickly began their preparations.
Amidst the activity, Luke stared into the dark forest and shivered.
“For some reason, I've got a chill.”
***
“My, my, our third-years are quite capable, aren't you? To find us so quickly.”
Elena clapped her hands with a smile.
Perched on her staff with her legs crossed, Elena looked down with a relaxed expression at the third-years who had surrounded them.
“This is unexpected.”
Celia stepped forward and spoke.
“I didn't think you'd be waiting so openly. I expected guerrilla warfare… Is this, perhaps, a trap?”
As Celia scanned the area with wary eyes, Elena, who had been clapping, widened her eyes.
Then, resting her elbows on her knees and cupping her chin, Elena put on a sulky expression.
“I was wondering what our seemingly perfect third-year juniors could possibly be lacking… So there was this side to you. Then again, your goal is just so very bright, after all.”
Elena grumbled as she scanned the third-years with a displeased look.
“So bright it could blind you.”
As the third-years wore puzzled expressions at her cryptic words.
“Now, this is what you juniors want, isn't it?”
Elena produced a key from her pocket.
“Why don't you try and take it?”
*Flash!*
“Oh, my?”
An intense bolt of lightning surged forth.
“Aren't you a bit too aggressive?”
Duran, who had appeared right in front of Elena in an instant, was reaching for the key.
Just as Duran scoffed and was about to snatch the key from Elena's hand.
*Whoosh-!*
‘So fast!’
Duran's face hardened slightly as a massive chunk of metal filled his vision.
*CR-CR-CR-CRASH-!* *CRACK!* *CRUNCH!* *SNAP!* *BOOM!*
A battle hammer, swung with terrifying force, slammed into Duran's face.
Sent flying, Duran crashed through several trees before barely managing to stop.
*Crackle- crackle-*
Duran, who had protected himself with his Aura Armor, pushed himself to his feet.
But his legs soon gave out, and he staggered.
*Thud!*
Everyone's gaze turned to the person who had just slammed a battle hammer onto the ground.
“You will not touch Senior Elena or the key without my permission.”
At the emotionless voice of Lil, who was usually kind and friendly, the third-years found themselves gulping down dry saliva.
Her charisma was, in a word, overwhelming.
Just as Lil was dominating the third-years with her presence alone.
“Our Lil is just so reliable, isn't she?”
*Grab-!*
“N-hugh?!”
Elena, hugging Lil from behind, had placed both her hands on Lil's chest.
“Uhm… Senior Elena. Right now, I'm having an important moment showing my authority as a senior to the juniors… Eek?!”
“Oh? But I find a flustered Lil far cuter than an authoritative one.”
Lil winced at Elena's touch.
The male third-year students cleared their throats and averted their gazes.
Elena, who was giggling with her chin resting on Lil's shoulder, saw their reactions and her eyes widened. She then glanced down and muttered.
“I just found a safe place to store the key.”
“A safe place?”
As Lil tilted her head, Elena gave the third-years a wicked smile.
“Did you know? Lil is the type who looks slim when dressed. But in reality, she's quite amazing.”
With a witch-like smile, Elena suddenly shoved the hand holding the key right into Lil's school uniform blouse.
“Ugh?! S-Senior!”
When Elena pulled her hand out, Lil let out a startled cry, clutching her chest as she backed away.
Watching her, Elena smiled brightly.
“With this, the male students can no longer touch the key.”
“Huh? You think a method like this will work?”
Lil tilted her head in confusion.
The male students’ mouths hung open.
“Of course it will.”
Chuckling, Elena hopped onto her staff.
“Alright then, Lil. May I leave the front line to you?”
“I'm not confident, but I will do my best.”
“How reliable.”
Elena rode her staff and soared high into the sky.
*Woooooosh-!*
Spiritual power began to swirl around Lil's body.
“Third-years.”
*Thud!*
Lil, gripping the battle hammer with both hands, spoke in a low voice.
“I will show you the terror of a senior.”