Chapter 105
The day after the final exams.
Lumene immediately began the end-of-term assembly.
Of course, the entire student body didn’t gather together.
Each class held their own assembly under the guidance of their supervising professor.
And every student of Class 5 watched Professor Harrid at the front with nervous faces.
Because report cards would be handed out at the end-of-term assembly.
Professor Harrid regarded the students with his usual dry voice.
“Alright, I’ll announce the results you’ve all been waiting for.”
The mood in the room darkened.
Report cards.
Everyone had survived midterms, but there was no guarantee they’d make it through finals too.
“Before that, as for those recommended to withdraw from our class…”
Harrid glanced over the nervous students, then curled his lips in a faint smile.
“There are none.”
“Yes!”
“Ooooooh!”
“We survived!”
The lower-ranked students who’d been anxiously waiting leapt up from their seats with cheers of joy.
Harrid said,
“All of you who just yelled. Get to the back and put your heads down.”
The cheering students instantly went pale.
They did as told, grumbling as they pressed their heads to the ground.
“Sena, hand out the report cards to the students.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sena smiled as she distributed the printouts to each student.
Nervously, the students checked their grades.
“This time, our class dropped to third in the Magic Department. Well, it makes sense.”
Chelsea scratched her head.
Since the Department Competition, which was meant to replace the finals’ practical exam, was interrupted by the incident, this term’s finals were weighted heavily toward written exams.
That made it almost inevitable that Chloe and Abad would dominate the written tests.
“Leo oppa, what was your Magic Department rank?”
“Eighth.”
“That’s pretty high.”
Leo still wasn’t used to modern magic theory, so his written test scores weren’t outstanding.
Of course, even eighth place was an impressive feat.
Leo also finished in the top ten for every written exam.
Naturally, his practical exam scores were number one.
“Overall, you ranked first. Looks like you’re the class representative again next semester.”
“Congratulations, Leo oppa!”
“The class president is the grade representative again? Well, with everything you did, that’s hardly surprising.”
As Class 5 chatted about their scores—
Clatter!
The front door opened and Professor Sedgen entered.
“Hahahaha! Harrid! You saw the class rankings, didn’t you? Our elegant Class 1 is first again! Class 5 is in second! Hahahahaha! So, first semester goes to us! Hahahaha!”
With his intense rivalry, Sedgen had come running after seeing the rankings.
Of course, everyone in Class 5 was used to it by now.
Professor Sedgen was always like this.
Harrid, as usual, completely ignored him and simply went on with the announcements.
‘At first, it was annoying, but now it just seems sad.’
‘Poor Professor Sedgen.’
As the entire class gave him pitying looks, Leo raised his hand.
“Professor Sedgen, then you should treat us to something delicious.”
Sedgen frowned at that.
“Why should I buy food when I’m the winner?”
“The winner is supposed to treat the losers, right?”
“Hm! That’s not entirely wrong! Fine, I’ll be generous and buy you all drinks—”
“I heard Class 1 is going to the top restaurant in Lumeria City for their afterparty. Can you take us there too?”
“Ooh! As expected of Professor Sedgen—so generous.”
“Truly worthy of the top first-year class’s advisor!”
Class 5 quickly seized the opportunity, working together to squeeze more out of Sedgen.
‘Hmph, you pathetic kids. Did you really think I’d fall for such a cheap trick?’
Of course, Sedgen wore a scornful expression.
Just then, Sena nudged Harrid in the ribs.
Though he looked annoyed, Harrid let out a sigh, unable to ignore his students’ hopeful gazes.
“Sedgen. I have to admit, your guidance is impressive.”
“What was that, Harrid?”
“I said your guidance is impressive.”
“Hahahahaha!”
Sedgen laughed exuberantly, his mood soaring.
He knew full well his old colleague wouldn’t say something like that unless he meant it.
Of course, Harrid’s words were just for show.
“All right, fine! Class 5 can join us for the afterparty!”
“Waaaaah!”
Class 5 erupted in cheers.
Pleased, Sedgen laughed as he headed back to Class 1.
“When will he ever grow up?”
“It just means he respects you, Professor Harrid.”
Sena laughed, and Harrid shot a cold look at the class.
“So, you’re using me to get more food?”
The entire class flinched at that.
Staring them down, Harrid let out a small chuckle.
“Eat as much as you can and bankrupt him.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Don’t worry, Professor Harrid!”
The mood grew even more lively.
As the students celebrated, Harrid continued with the announcements.
“As you’ll see from the note attached to your report cards, professors will be making home visits this semester. The schedule is on the notice—make sure you’re home as assigned. If you have to miss it, contact the academy in advance using [Communication Magic].”
“Yes, sir.”
“And while I don’t think anyone in our class would do something foolish during break and damage the school’s reputation… anyone who does, be ready for the first day of the second semester. Finally—”
Harrid snapped his fingers.
Thud—!
Several heavy books dropped onto every desk.
The students’ faces froze.
“Your summer homework.”
“A-All of this?!”
Eliana asked in dismay.
“You don’t have to do it. Unless you can handle the consequences.”
Seeing Harrid’s dry smile, the students grimaced.
“That’s all for the assembly. Good work this semester.”
Lumene’s brief end-of-term assembly was over.
—
After a fun afterparty, evening came.
“It’s about time for the Warp Gate.”
Carr looked regretful as they stood in front of the Warp Gate.
Each region had its own gate entrance.
“Man! What a wild semester!” Tide said, stretching.
“Still, at least we all made it through. I really thought Carr wouldn’t survive this time,” Eliana giggled.
“Anyway, have a good break, everyone. Don’t forget your homework,” Nella reminded them with a smile.
“See you in the second semester! Write to me!” Chelsea waved to Nella.
As he watched his friends leave, Leo looked out across Lumeria Lake as the sun set between the Warp Gates.
“What a hectic semester.”
“Yeah. But it was fun!” Chelsea, walking beside Leo since they were from the same region, giggled.
“Are you staying home over break, Leo oppa?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come visit?”
“You’re welcome to, but I don’t know how my mother will react.”
“Huh? Your mother… Ah!”
Chelsea let out a gasp, remembering Leo’s maternal side was the Zerdinger family.
“Still, she’ll like me, won’t she? I mean, I’m cute.”
“Aren’t you embarrassed to say that yourself?”
“But it’s true!”
Leo chuckled at Chelsea’s confident words as they headed for the Warp Gate.
Ahead, Celia and Abad were waiting.
“There you are,” Celia said, brushing her hair aside.
“All the Imperial students are waiting. Chelsea, you’re the last.”
“Sorry,” Chelsea said, running to Abad’s side.
Celia turned to Leo.
“You could stop by my place, you know.”
“I have to go home first.”
“I guess so.”
Celia smiled wistfully.
“I’ll visit you in a few days, then.”
“All right.”
As his cousin, Celia was free to visit the Plov family anytime.
Abad smiled at Leo.
“Have a good break.”
“You too, Abad.”
The three headed for the Lordren Empire’s Warp Gate.
Leo boarded the Warp Gate for the Delard Kingdom by himself.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve gone home.’
Once his friends left, it finally felt like vacation had begun.
—Attention, all passengers bound for the Delard Kingdom. Please proceed to the Warp Gate now.
‘I should be able to see the [Hero Record] more in the second semester.’
While looking forward to the new term, Leo activated the Warp Gate.
Flash—!
Arriving in Delan, the capital of the Delard Kingdom, Leo immediately exited the Warp Gate.
In front of the gate, a huge crowd was waiting.
“Waaaah!”
“It’s Leo Plov!”
“First-year representative of Lumene!”
“The future of the Delard Kingdom!”
Leo made a sour face at the cheers erupting in front of the Warp Gate.
‘Well, I expected a welcome, but… isn’t this a bit much?’
The Delard Kingdom was a small, remote nation.
For such a place, having someone admitted to Lumene was an accomplishment.
But Leo was not only an All-Class for the first time in history, but also the first-year representative.
And thanks to the Department Competition incident, he was now famous as well.
Given that there had never been a hero in Delard’s history, the kingdom had every reason to celebrate.
Sighing, Leo looked for the Plov family carriage and headed over.
Members of other noble families rushed over with party invitations.
“Master Leo! The Marquis Zelma invites you to dinner…!”
“We’re from the Dorben Duchy! The Duchess herself wants to invite Master Leo!”
“I’m sorry. I just want to go home and rest.”
Declining the invitations, Leo finally managed to board the carriage.
‘Maybe it’s a relief the royal family didn’t send an invitation.’
Refusing the royal family’s invitation would have been difficult.
As Leo climbed in with a sigh, he heard a soft laugh.
“You’re thinking it’s lucky no one from the royal family came, aren’t you?”
“It’s been a while, Mother.”
“Honestly! Is that any way to greet your mom after so long?”
Reina, already in the carriage, pinched Leo’s nose.
He laughed, rubbing his nose.
“I thought someone from the royal family would come, but they didn’t?”
“I asked Gis to send a letter to the king for me.”
“I should thank Uncle Gis.”
“Yes, make sure you do next time.”
With a gentle smile, Reina pulled Leo into a tight hug.
“Anyway, welcome home, Leo.”
Looking at his mother’s happy smile, Leo chuckled awkwardly.
Come to think of it, this was the first time in this life he’d ever been away from his parents.
“I’m home, Mom.”
The carriage set off for the Plov family home.
Leo’s vacation had truly begun.