The Dean's Office Has Good Soundproofing
The new students' eyes were heavy with exhaustion. When they slowly lifted their eyelids, a familiar ceiling came into view. A pale gray stone ceiling, bundles of dried herbs hanging from it, and the sharp scent of medicine that stung the nose.
"Did I pass out again?" The muttered words slipped out unintentionally.
The sound of someone dragging a chair came from the side. "Are you awake now, Dean Logan?" A priest dressed in white was sitting in the chair. Beneath his tired eyes, a clear look of relief shone through.
"How long was I out?"
"If you remember waking up in the middle, then it's been three days since then."
Three whole days. I really slept a lot. The moment Logan tried to sit up, the door opened again.
"Oh, you're finally awake."
Logan turned his head. Ethan was standing in the doorway. He wasn't carrying the Holy Sword, but a decorative blade instead, and rather than armor, he wore formal attire that suited him far too well. It genuinely annoyed Logan.
"Is that really how you greet someone who nearly died? 'Finally awake'?"
Ethan walked in and plopped down on the chair beside the bed. "What's the big deal? You look perfectly fine."
"Why the hell are you perfectly fine? You're the one who fought the longest."
Logan grumbled. "Must be because I'm the Hero. A bit sturdier, you know." Ethan let out a small chuckle before speaking in a calm tone. "Do you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"The end." Ethan looked directly at Logan. "I was preparing the final strike, and the Demon King threw his spear at me first."
"Yeah. I remember." Logan continued. "I tried to block it and thought I was going to die. My vision was going black, and then I suddenly remembered that old conversation we had around the campfire."
Ethan let out a short breath. "If you hadn't blocked that spear, we wouldn't have beaten the Demon King."
"Well, that's true." Logan looked at Ethan. "So that's why you came? To say thanks?"
"That too." The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted. "I already told His Majesty the King that it was all thanks to you, so when you meet him soon, make sure you ask for whatever you want."
"You bastard... You really do know that I was the one who let you catch the Demon King." Logan burst into laughter.
"What about the others?"
"Liana went to the Magic Tower, Arien said she wanted to see the World Tree right away and headed to the forest, and Braga went back home because he missed his native land." Ethan folded his fingers one by one, but left the last one unfolded. "Everything's been settled. The only one left who needs to have an audience with His Majesty is you."
Logan sighed inwardly. "That's such a hassle. Can't you go in my place?"
"Even I find it difficult now that he's my father-in-law." Ethan stood up from his seat. "Anyway, I've said what I needed to say."
The royal palace was in an uproar. After the Demon King had been subjugated and the war ended, countless people were working hard to restore the kingdom.
"These clothes are so damn stuffy." Logan fiddled with his collar. Instead of the leather armor he usually wore, he was dressed in formal court attire prepared according to palace etiquette. There were far too many buttons. Every time he breathed, they dug in uncomfortably. "Ugh~ I just want to undo one button."
The attendant guiding him cleared his throat. "Since you will be before His Majesty the King, I must ask you to endure it a little longer."
"Understood."
A knight standing before the audience chamber looked at them and opened the door. "Please enter."
A vast hall. A red carpet. And the king seated at the far end. Ministers stood in rows beside him. Logan walked forward slowly. He stopped at the designated spot, bowed according to proper etiquette, and greeted the king.
"So the last member of the Hero's party has finally arrived." The king's voice was firm and heavy. Even his light words echoed throughout the hall. "You may raise your head."
Logan lifted his head. The king looked older than when they had last met. His eyes were still intense, and his presence carried the same pressure, but the fatigue accumulated from the long war had settled thinly across his face.
"Logan, I have heard many reports of your achievements." The king spoke. "The one who always filled the gaps at the Hero's side. The one who, in the final moment, blocked the Demon King's attack so that the Hero's sword would not falter."
The king rose from his throne and approached. "As the king of this nation, it is only right that I reward you."
One of the ministers stepped forward. "How about granting him the title of Count?"
A count. It was a high position for a commoner adventurer to receive.
"We can also grant him a territory."
"I must decline both the count title and the territory." Logan cut in immediately.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted slightly. He could feel the ministers whispering among themselves. The king narrowed his eyes. "May I ask why?"
"I'm decent enough at fighting." Logan chose his words carefully. "But I don't want the stress of managing a territory."
He shrugged and continued, "I'd rather manage a pack of orcs. That would be more relaxing."
Someone in the hall coughed, clearly trying to hold back laughter. Even the king lifted the corner of his mouth ever so slightly. "I see."
"Instead, may I ask for something else?"
"Speak."
"Please grant me the land and the funds necessary to build an academy."
The king tilted his head. "An academy?"
"Yes. I wish to pass on my experience to the next generation in preparation for the Demon King's possible return."
The king smiled pleasantly. "Very well. I grant it."
Logan answered immediately. "In that case, since you have already granted permission, it would be good if the kingdom could assist me in recruiting instructors I can trust."
"What kind of people do you need?"
"Those with abundant experience on the front lines. Those who actually survived battles against the Demon King's army. Those willing to openly share their skills and experience for the sake of the future."
The king tapped his fingers on the armrest. It was a gesture of brief contemplation. "Have you decided on the name of the academy?"
It was an unexpected question. Logan paused for a moment. A single word rose in his mind. "...It will be called Lumen Academy."
"Lumen." The king repeated the word quietly. "Light, is it?" He smiled. "I take it to mean that you will send children out to the dark battlefield after dyeing them with light. Is that correct?"
"If you would interpret it so favorably, it would be an honor."
"Good." The king leaned slightly forward in his seat. "If the title of count is burdensome, then at least do not refuse the title of viscount. I will make both the academy grounds and the academy itself yours."
The surrounding ministers showed slight signs of surprise.
"If you think of anything else you need, do not hesitate to ask."
Logan bowed his head. "Thank you."
The king nodded. "Very well. You may withdraw, Logan."
"I will send someone once the name is decided."
Logan bowed his head according to the proper procedure and stepped back. As he left the hall, he could feel the ministers' gazes piercing into his back.
The corridor outside the audience chamber was relatively quiet. Once the door closed, his breathing eased a little.
"All done?" Someone spoke from beside a pillar. It was Ethan. He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
"Yeah, it's done. His Majesty was quite generous." Logan undid the button at his collar. His breathing finally felt easier. "He agreed to everything."
He glanced at the window at the end of the corridor. The city could be seen in the distance. "He'll give me the land, the funds, and even a list of trustworthy people."
A brief silence fell between them. Ethan spoke first. "If you need any help, just say the word."
"I already talked to the king about everything. What more could I ask from you now?"
"Well, if I have time, I could even serve as an instructor." Ethan grinned. "Or should I have a statue of you erected in the academy?"
"That would be too embarrassing, so please spare me." Ethan lightly patted Logan's shoulder. "Anyway, congratulations, Dean."
"Thank you, son-in-law~"
The two of them shared a short laugh.
Lumen Academy was built much faster than expected. The king stamped his seal, handed over the land, and poured in the money. With Ethan and the princess coming to help, Logan interviewing the instructors, and everything else falling into place, the academy soon took on a proper shape.
The recruitment for the first class heavily relied on Ethan's fame.
"Let's learn from someone who served under the Hero."
"I want to see the Hero's face just once."
"Someone like me is guaranteed to pass."
More people applied than expected, allowing them to select excellent talent. The first class eventually graduated and scattered—some to the front lines, others as adventurers. Not a single one died. There were injuries, of course, but those who nearly died and survived always made sure to send letters to their instructors.
Somewhere along the way, a ridiculous rumor began to spread: "Lumen Academy graduates are personally watched over by the Hero."
When the second class was deployed to the front lines and time passed, the military was the first to act quickly.
When even the third class, who had gone out for practical training, all survived extremely dangerous situations, Lumen Academy's reputation skyrocketed.
The reports that came to Logan contained a single short sentence, but it brought him relief every time he read it.
That was when it started. Lumen Academy was no longer just a newly established school. It had become an institution with the atmosphere of "Get our kids accepted no matter what!!!"
And then the Demon King, with his usual terrible timing, made his return.
The same terrible timing applied to Lumen Academy. The moment news of the Demon King's return spread, everyone rushed to send their children to Lumen Academy. Thanks to that, the number of applicants was overwhelming. Control was nearly impossible, and the instructors were shouting at the chaotic crowd of students.
"Stand in a straight line, you brats!!!"
Logan stood on the platform, looking down as he spoke. The children stood in rows. Thirteen to fifteen years old. Some were big for their age, others small. There were those with sharp, lively eyes, those with dull, vacant ones, those who lined up with calm familiarity, and those who fumbled and couldn't even form a proper line.
Damn, there are way too many.
Some had come to learn. Some had been pushed here by their parents. Some had come just to catch a glimpse of the Hero. It was obvious at a glance.
The swordsmanship instructor beside him muttered quietly. "There are quite a few with good eyes this time as well."
"It's a good sign." Logan replied curtly.
He raised his hand. The noisy training grounds gradually fell silent.
"Lumen Academy sixth class selection test." His voice spread across the field. "The condition for passing is to catch my eye."
He folded and unfolded his fingers one by one as he spoke. "Talent, persistence, judgment—I will judge them all."
A few children straightened their backs in tension.
"We will begin the first test immediately." Logan pointed downward. "You will face the instructors in one-on-one combat using wooden weapons."
Several of the children's expressions hardened instantly.
"After that is the physical fitness test. Running, lifting, enduring." Logan's voice grew louder. "If you run out of breath on the front lines, your neck will be next. Show me your will to survive."
The physical instructor nodded beside him.
"Those who pass the first test will wait inside the academy." Logan continued. "The second test will be a character assessment and interview."
A small murmur rose among the children.
"There's no need to be scared." He snorted. "It's a process of investigating your parents and those around you. Criminal records, crazy demon worshippers, and other inappropriate individuals will be handled by those above us."
He waved his hand. "Don't worry. Most of you will fail in the first round anyway—more than half."
At Logan's signal, the instructors moved into position. "Begin the test."
On one side of the training grounds, several makeshift sparring rings had been set up. Circles were drawn on the sandy floor, and within them, instructors faced the applicants.
"Next." The swordsmanship instructor gestured.
A thin boy stepped forward. His hand holding the wooden sword trembled, perhaps from nerves.
"Relax." The instructor said. "You're not going to die. If you shake like this over something like this, you'll really die on the front lines."
The boy took a shaky breath. The sound of wooden swords clashing rang out. From the start, the boy only retreated. The swordsmanship instructor deliberately held back his strength and pressed him slowly.
"Don't just keep backing up."
With what seemed like a light tap, the boy flew backward and fell face-first into the sand.
"Next." The instructor said.
That one's no good. From atop the platform, Logan watched the test scenes below.
The next child stepped in. This one had a good build. He held the wooden sword and glared at the instructor.
"Ready."
"Begin."
Thud. Thud. Thud. He pushed forward with raw power suited to his size. No footwork, no guard—just swinging wildly forward. Even from above, Logan could see the instructor sigh.
"Don't swing so recklessly."
With a light parry to the side, the boy's balance collapsed in an instant. His legs wobbled, his body spun, and he slammed into the ground.
"Monsters are stronger than you." The swordsmanship instructor gave advice to the boy as he got up. "Next."
Good body, but no technique. Logan wrote a single line in his notes.
There were occasionally children who stood out. It happened when a small, skinny girl stepped forward. Just by her physique, one would think she'd be overpowered, but every time the sword came into range, her feet moved first.
Tap. Tap. Every time the instructor's wooden sword came down, she dodged with a hair's breadth using perfect footwork.
"Whoa." The physical instructor beside Logan let out a sound of admiration.
The instructor lightly increased his speed. From then on, she couldn't block properly and started getting hit. Still, her eyes didn't lose their spark. Even while being hit, she kept looking forward.
"That's enough." The swordsmanship instructor lowered his sword. "Pass."
From the platform, Logan nodded inwardly.
Another child had terrible technique but immediately corrected himself whenever the instructor gave instructions.
"Use your waist." The moment the words were spoken, his posture was fixed. "Don't pull your feet back—hold your ground." Immediately, his feet stepped back into the circle.
That one's reaction to instructions is excellent.
Those with quick learning ability could pull their own weight anywhere. By the time the practical test was nearing its end, the training grounds were filled with the smell of sweat.
"Move on to the physical fitness test!" At the physical instructor's shout, the collapsed children stood up and formed lines again. Running, long-distance running, lifting sandbags. The content was simple.
"Don't smile while running!! Keep the line!!" The physical instructor shouted. "On the front lines, you'll have to run all the way to that wall over there and then fight."
He jerked his chin toward the distant castle wall. "If you waste all your breath getting there, do you want to die without even being able to swing a spear?"
A whistle blew. The children all dashed forward at once. At first, they were all roughly equal. But halfway through, true differences in stamina emerged. Some children kept going with flushed faces until the end, while others stopped midway and vomited.
With the physical test, the first day came to an end.