Chapter 658
Chapter: 658
Chapter Title: The Symbol of Absolute Victory
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“What? So you guys are going to Demian tomorrow too?”
Early in the morning.
Karl, eating breakfast with hollow eyes, asked with wide eyes.
“You guys too? You’re also going to Demian?”
Chelsea, dipping her bread in soup, asked with a look of surprise.
Karl scratched his head vigorously and replied.
“Yeah. I’m leaving tomorrow too.”
“What are you going to Demian for?”
“Chaperoning the second-years.”
“Huh? Chaperoning the second-years? What for?”
Iliana, eating beside Chelsea, wore a puzzled expression.
“All the second-years are heading to Demian tomorrow.”
“So suddenly? The second-years didn’t seem to know anything about it.”
“Of course they don’t. It was just decided yesterday.”
“Ah, that explains why you came back late from the student council room yesterday.”
Chelsea nodded.
“Anyway, why are the second-years going to Demian? Class Rep, do you know anything?”
“It’s for the exclusive smith contracts.”
“Ah!”
Iliana nodded at Leo’s answer.
“It was a huge event for us, right? Even the principal went. But Karl is chaperoning them all by himself?”
“You think I’d be chaperoning them alone? Professor Artian is going as the supervising instructor.”
“Still, that’s a small group.”
“That’s because all the second-year students from every hero academy gathered for our year. That’s not usually the case.”
“Oh. So this time, only our academy is going?”
“Right. Seirun and Azonia will come after coordinating their schedules.”
In that case, having one supervising instructor and one student assistant made sense.
“Still, it’s a position for the face of the academy, right? For Karl to be going… you’ve really made it.”
“Elena was supposed to go originally!”
“You really are a slave.”
Iliana gave him a pitying look.
***
The next day.
The second-years were gathered in front of the warp gate to Demian, chatting amongst themselves.
They had been flustered by the sudden news yesterday that they would be departing for Demian today for their exclusive smith contracts, but the confusion didn’t last long.
If anything, it was the first-years who were taken aback.
“What? The entire grade is going to Demian?”
“Isn’t this too sudden?”
Originally, the hierarchy between grades at Lumerne was extremely strict.
Especially in the first year, students barely dared to look at someone even one grade above them.
However, starting with the mentor system last year and now with the entire student body living in the same space this year, the first and second-years had grown familiar with each other in just a few days.
The first-years found it difficult to approach students from the third year and above, so they naturally asked the second-years many questions. The second-years, having experienced being mentees themselves, responsibly looked after the first-years who approached them, calling them seniors.
The second-years smirked at the first-years' reactions.
“This is just how Lumerne is.”
The second-years were scattered about, talking to the Demian students.
“Juen. Who do you want to sign a contract with?”
“Hmph. That’s a secret.”
Juen wore a meaningful expression in response to a question from a fellow magic department student.
‘I got a list from Senior Karl of the second-year students who specialize in making magic staves.’
As Karl’s mentee, Juen was always a step ahead of the other students when it came to important information.
“Luke. Who do you hope to get a contract with?”
Aina asked with a curious face where the knight department students were gathered.
“I don’t know. I think I’d be happy with any Dwarven-made equipment.”
Luke said, scratching his cheek.
For Luke, who came from a rural village, the mere thought of Dwarven equipment was enough to make his hands tremble.
The second-years were thus engrossed in conversations about the Demian students with whom they would sign exclusive contracts.
The exclusive smith contract was the most important event in the second-year curriculum, so everyone had thoroughly researched the Demian students during the winter break.
“Alright. Is everyone here?”
Just then, Karl, who had entered the warp gate entrance, spoke into a megaphone.
“We’ll be leaving soon, so could you all please stop talking and line up by department?”
“Yes~”
The second-years answered in lighthearted voices and began to form lines.
“Really?”
“Awesome!”
“Hahaha!”
However, the atmosphere was extremely excited, and the sounds of laughter and chatter continued.
And the speed at which they formed lines was a bit slow.
The second-years knew that Karl had reached the rank of Hero and was an incredible person.
But since he had been friendly and approachable to them from the moment they enrolled, he was also a very familiar senior.
‘Well, I’m not the type to control kids with charisma.’
To put it simply, he wasn’t a scary senior.
Because of that, the disorderly atmosphere didn’t dissipate.
Karl had no intention of changing his style, so he didn’t mind.
‘Besides, there’s someone else to handle them.’
“Professor Artian. The kids won’t stop talking.”
“What?!”
Artian, who was behind Karl, her eyes flashing, put on a terrifying expression.
Possessed by the spirit of a knight hero, Artian snatched the megaphone from Karl’s hand and shouted into it.
“What, you think a senior’s words are a joke?! What is this?!”
At Artian’s appearance, the second-years were startled and quickly formed lines.
Once the second-years had finished lining up, Karl and Artian moved to the front.
“Everyone. As you all know, today is the day you go to sign exclusive contracts with the smiths who will be in charge of your equipment from now on!”
Artian said with a bright smile like a spring breeze.
“This could be a bond that lasts a lifetime, so I hope you all carefully choose a smith who is a good match for you!”
“Yes, ma’am! We understand!”
The second-years answered in unison.
“Professor. Are we leaving right away then?”
“No. There are some third-year students who have business in Demian, so they’ll be going with us. Ah, they’re here now.”
At Artian’s words, the second-years’ gazes turned to the entrance of the warp gate building.
Gasps of admiration erupted from the second-years at the appearance of the five figures.
They were all wearing their school uniforms as a base, but each was equipped with gear necessary for combat.
“Wow, look at the amulet Senior Eliza is wearing.”
“I think I’ve seen it somewhere before.”
“Ah! I saw it in a book!”
“Ah! That’s right! The Mark of Lightning! It’s an artifact passed down in the Hergin Family. They say only those who are worthy can use it!”
The amulet Eliza was wearing was a treasure of the Hergin Family, usable only with the permission of the family head.
It was an amulet imbued with the power of a Pegasus, containing the essence of the spiritual power of the Hergin Family summoners who had contracted with Pegasi for generations.
Only those with Hergin blood could use it, and it held the power to amplify the strength of mystical beasts that wielded the power of lightning.
Similar sentiments were being expressed among the knight department students.
“The greatsword Senior Duran is carrying. You can tell it’s no ordinary weapon just by looking at it.”
“Isn’t that the sword used by the founding king of Moira?”
“Ah! Lightning Storm?”
“That’s it!”
Duran, armed with a longsword and a greatsword, a departure from his usual, was certainly eye-catching.
And it wasn’t just Duran.
Iliana also had her main weapon, a longsword, at her hip, and she held a spear in her hand.
“Senior Iliana’s longsword is different from the one she usually carries, too. It looks like an extraordinary item.”
“The Raden Family is also a renowned family, right? Maybe it’s a family heirloom?”
“Senior Chelsea has a long staff?”
“Wait. That staff. Isn’t that Wind Memory?!”
“Wow!”
Chelsea also drew attention, appearing with the Llewellyn family heirloom that had been entrusted to her.
Finally, Leo was wearing a black cloak.
Compared to the other party members, he looked plain, but Leo’s presence in the cloak was, for some reason, overwhelming.
The sight of the third-years in full combat gear, so different from their usual appearance, was enough to make the second-years think one thing.
‘They look strong.’
They knew their seniors were strong.
But seeing them fully armed like this gave off a completely different impression than before.
“Professor, we’re sorry for being late.”
“Not at all. You’re right on time. By the way, everyone. You look amazing!”
Artian clapped her hands in admiration.
Karl also had a surprised look on his face.
“Wow. You guys really came dressed to the nines. Whose idea was this? Iliana’s?”
“What about me!”
“Who else here would like something this flashy?”
“It wasn’t me! It was the class rep’s idea!”
At Iliana’s words, Karl looked at Leo with a slightly surprised expression.
Receiving the admiring gazes of the second-years, Eliza spoke.
“I did it because I was told to, but is there any meaning to this?”
“There is.”
“What meaning is there?”
Duran asked with his arms crossed, and Leo shrugged.
“It makes us look impressive to others.”
“What?”
Duran looked dumbfounded at the completely unexpected answer.
Chelsea also had a slightly bewildered expression.
“Is that really the reason? That doesn’t sound like you, Leo.”
“Why not! It’s a good reason, isn’t it?”
Iliana’s eyes sparkled as she gave a thumbs-up.
Karl, who had been pondering Leo’s words for a moment, tilted his head.
“Is it some kind of symbol?”
“Huh? A symbol?”
Chelsea asked with a puzzled expression.
“Leo obviously wouldn’t do this just to look cool.”
“Yeah, yeah. Of course.”
Chelsea nodded in agreement with Karl.
“In that case, aren’t you trying to become some kind of symbol?”
“That’s right.”
Leo nodded.
“The world is in turmoil right now. This peaceful era might end soon. If that happens, people will become anxious.”
Leo looked down at his hands.
“Anxiety is highly contagious. When people are anxious, they are easily swayed. And swayed people easily begin to suspect others.”
Distrust shatters unity from within.
“So there’s something I want people to know.”
“What is that?”
“That when the party I lead decides to fight, we will always win.”
Duran’s eyes twitched at Leo’s words.
“Always win?”
“Yes.”
Leo smiled faintly.
“The battlefield where I appear will never know defeat. I will give them that belief.”
“How arrogant. Do you think it’s possible to win every fight?”
“It’s impossible. That would be a lie. But.”
Leo grinned at Duran.
“But the moment we achieve an impossible feat, the lie will become the truth.”
In the moment of a miraculous victory, people forget the despair that came before.
“To make a strong impression on people’s minds, it’s best to advertise that we’re going to fight, looking different from our usual selves.”
“Is that your idea?”
“No, some pervert taught me a long time ago.”
Leo shrugged.
‘Lisinas. Isn’t everything you say a lie anyway? Everyone here knows it. They know you’re telling people absurd lies!’
*If we fight hard, the world can be saved.*
At the time Arhi was formed, that statement was a blatant lie.
‘So if you’re going to act like a con man, you should at least look the part! That’s the basics of a con, isn’t it! The basics!’
After hearing Dweno’s advice, Lisinas began to wear flashy gear for show whenever he went into battle.
“The symbol of absolute victory.”
Duran murmured softly.
“I like it.”
Eliza’s lips curved into a smile.
“So that was the reason. That’s our Leo.”
Chelsea also nodded in admiration.
“Hehehe.”
“Why are you laughing so smugly?”
“I knew the class rep’s grand intentions. To realize it so late… I’m a little disappointed in you all.”
“You just like flashy things, you idiot.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Iliana Raden.”
“Class Rep! They’re ignoring me! I really knew that was his intention for dressing like this!”
At Chelsea and Duran’s sharp remarks, Iliana whined to Leo with a tearful face.
“Alright, alright.”
Leo sighed and patted Iliana’s head.
“Now, everyone. Enough chatting. It’s time to go.”
At Artian’s words, Leo’s party also lined up in front of the warp gate.
When the warp gate opened, Leo’s group stepped through first.
Leo glanced back at his friends following him and smiled.
‘They probably don’t know.’
That this first step was the beginning of a legend that would one day adorn a page of history.
Of course, the future couldn’t be certain.
But.
‘I will make it so.’
Just like Lisinas, who turned the lie that the world could be saved into the truth.
He would tell the same lie to the new comrades who would follow him.
‘You will become a new legend.’