Chapter 129

‘We’re learning [Hero Magic] already?’

The students were visibly shocked.

Len looked at the students and spoke.

“Is there anyone who can explain what [Hero Magic] is?”

At his words, several students raised their hands.

Len pointed to Chloe, who was the first to raise her hand.

“Chloe.”

“Yes. [Hero Magic] refers to the unique magic used by heroes. Normally, unique magic can’t be learned by others. There are exceptions, like inheritance through bloodlines or passing down secret techniques within a school, but it’s still difficult to learn.”

Chloe was correct.

Unique magic was like a symbol representing each mage.

Because of that, the individuality of each magic was extremely strong.

“But through [Hero Skills], which are rewards from the [Hero Record], it’s possible to inherit unique magic. [Hero Magic] is a reinterpretation of that inherited unique magic in a way that makes it more universal.”

“That’s correct. Five points to Chloe for her answer.”

“Thank you.”

“In short, [Hero Magic] is the ‘standardized’ version of the unique magic used by heroes. But just because it’s been reinterpreted for anyone to learn, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

Len smiled.

Even if it was standardized, this was still the magic that symbolized a hero.

It might not be as powerful as the original, but it was still strong, and the difficulty in understanding its formulas was extremely high.

And if your magical affinity didn’t match, you couldn’t use it even if you completely understood the formulas.

“On top of that, not just anyone can learn it.”

A magic tome containing [Hero Magic] was of astronomical value.

Ordinary mages could go their entire lives without ever seeing a [Hero Magic Tome].

It showed just how extraordinary a place the hero academy was, where [Hero Magic] was taught to everyone.

The Magic Department students were excited by Len’s explanation.

[Hero Magic] was usually taught as theory near the end of the first-year second semester, and only really learned in earnest from the second year.

But now they were learning it a whole semester early.

It showed just how high the expectations were for this year’s first-years in Lumene’s Magic Department.

As everyone wore proud expressions, Leo commented in amazement.

“So, even among the second, third, and fourth-year seniors, Lumene always lost to Seiren in the Lumeiren?”

The Lumeiren.

It was the annual interschool competition between Lumene and Seiren.

It wasn’t just a school rivalry—it was a matter of racial pride and always drew public attention.

But Lumene had been on the losing side to Seiren in recent years.

Apparently, the Magic Department’s losses were especially pronounced.

Chelsea looked frustrated at Leo’s comment.

“Yeah. In the fifth year, Senior Torua was the core of the team and did great for five years, but right now, the second, third, and fourth years are all seriously lagging behind Seiren’s mages.”

“But Elena is a third-year, right?”

‘Of the Lumene Magic Department students I’ve seen, she’s one of the top three.’

Even with such a monster, it was surprising that the third years were still losing to Seiren.

Carr, with his hands laced behind his head, spoke.

“In the third year, the only standout is Elena. Basically, the lineup supporting her is weak.”

“What about the second years?”

“Their average is high, but they don’t have any standouts. So they fall short in a lot of ways.”

As Chelsea watched Carr smack his lips, she grinned confidently.

“But this is the last year first-years will lose to Seiren’s mages! Because we’ve got us!”

“That’s right! We’ll show them Lumene’s true strength!”

As Carr shouted enthusiastically, Chelsea looked at him pitifully.

“Carr, do you think you’ll even survive at Lumene until then?”

“That’s harsh!”

Carr slumped his shoulders.

Eliana jumped into the conversation.

“But the first-year lineup at Seiren is pretty tough too.”

Chelsea crossed her arms and fell into thought.

“Hmm, true.”

Some Magic Department students from other classes who were listening in called out.

“Hey, Class 5. Didn’t you guys have class with Seiren’s first-year advanced class during your school trip? How were they?”

Carr clicked his tongue in response.

“They weren’t easy. Especially Lunia El Lunda. That girl was a monster.”

“A monster?”

“She had an insane amount of mana, her spells were ridiculously powerful, and her understanding of magic was extraordinary.”

“The Lunda family is famous for summoning magic, right?”

“I heard their magic is impressive too, but isn’t it lacking compared to their summoning?”

As the first-years showed curiosity, Eliana shook her head.

“Her magic is overwhelming, too. At the very least, she’s at the level of Abad or Chloe.”

After hearing Eliana, the Magic Department students looked grave.

“So by attribute, Chloe is at a disadvantage, right?”

Fire and ice.

By attribute, Chloe was certainly at a disadvantage.

“Then should Lunia El Lunda be left to Abad?”

Thanks to the Lumeiren discussion, the first-years’ topic drifted in that direction for a while.

“Let’s talk about the Lumeiren later. Focus on class for now.”

“Yes!”

The students responded crisply.

“For the record, the reason you get to learn [Hero Magic] from your first year is partly thanks to your senior.”

“Our senior?”

“Yes. Torua spoke very highly of all of you.”

‘The current first-years will probably surpass our generation. They’re all incredibly outstanding juniors. So even if they start learning [Hero Magic] a little early, they’ll be able to keep up just fine.’

Torua might be eccentric, but when it came to magical theory, she was known as a genius among professors, and her opinion carried a lot of weight.

The first-years looked deeply moved at Len’s words.

“Senior Torua…”

“So she wasn’t just a mean senior!”

“I respect you, senior!”

“Torua! Torua!”

The first-years who had been put through the wringer by Torua during the Department Competition preparation chanted her name.

Torua might have been harsh to their faces, but she was the type to look out for her juniors behind their backs.

“So, starting today, you will all be learning [Hero Magic].”

“Wow!”

“We’ll do our best!”

As the students responded energetically, Len nodded.

“Now, before we start class, I’ll check your magic dueling skills.”

This was the reason Len held the first lesson in the training hall.

[Hero Magic], unlike other widespread spells, could not be learned in bulk.

Not just because it was hard to learn.

‘The average number of [Hero Magic] spells a mage can learn at Lumene is three.’

That’s the average at Lumene.

Ordinary mages struggled to learn even one.

Whether or not you could use [Hero Magic] was decided by innate talent.

If [Hero Magic] was passed down through bloodlines or a school, you could learn several because they were similar in nature.

But learning multiple [Hero Magic] spells with completely different attributes—the body would reject it.

Among the mages Len knew, the one who could wield the most [Hero Magic] was none other than Elena Zeron.

‘She can wield a total of twelve [Hero Magic] spells.’

It was an area only possible with overwhelming talent.

So even if a spell fit your attribute, you couldn’t just learn it blindly.

‘First, you have to know your own strengths and weaknesses clearly.’

Learning just one [Hero Magic] could cover what was considered a fatal flaw.

That’s how important [Hero Magic] was.

The students got excited at the mention of magic duels.

“I’ll have to show off what I accomplished over the break.”

“Heh. I’ll show you how much I’ve changed!”

All the students looked confident.

Len asked, “Who wants to go first?”

“Me!”

“I’ll do it, professor!”

The students raised their hands eagerly.

Len pointed to Eliana, who was waving her hand most passionately.

“Eliana, step forward.”

“Yes!”

As Eliana stepped up, a wave of jeers came from all around.

“Boo~ The turncoat who practiced with the Knights Department during the Department Competition!”

“Bat-girl!”

They were teasing her playfully.

Eliana was well-liked and had many friends in the Magic Department.

“Ohohoho! I can’t hear you! Can’t hear you! No matter what you say, I have my class with me!”

“Who are you?”

“Don’t act like you know me.”

Of course, Class 5’s response was cold.

“Class rep! They’re teasing me again!”

“There, there.”

Leo comforted the pouting Eliana.

“Professor Len is waiting, hurry up and go.”

“Okay.”

Encouraged, Eliana stepped up onto the dueling platform.

“So! Who am I dueling?”

“Me.”

“Gasp!”

Eliana turned her head, startled by the voice at the entrance of the training hall.

The other students were just as shocked.

The one who appeared was none other than Professor Albi.

“I brought in the best guest instructor,” Len said, curling his lips into a smile.

Standing in the center of the dueling platform, Albi looked at the nervous Eliana.

“Don’t get so tense. Do you really think I’d go all out against first-years?”

“Ha ha! Y-yes, of course!”

Eliana laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.

Albi said,

“Still, do your best to come at me.”

“Yes!”

Eliana responded crisply and took her stance.

The first-years looked nervous as they watched.

Among the Magic Department professors at Lumene, Albi was known as the strongest in magic dueling.

No one wanted to miss a moment of this.

Eliana, who was usually carefree, was unusually serious this time…

“Attack first, win first! [Shining Blade]!”

Whirrr!

Blades of light formed in the air.

The Magic Department students had a ‘knew it’ look.

Eliana was too aggressive to approach a duel cautiously.

Light magic rained down on Albi.

Albi chanted a spell lightly.

Flash—!

Bright light spread around Albi and shattered all of Eliana’s spells.

Shards of light magic scattered everywhere.

“Hyaa!”

But Eliana didn’t stop and kept pouring out spells.

Chelsea shook her head.

“She hasn’t changed at all since last semester.”

She’d grown a lot as a magic swordswoman, but as a pure mage, Eliana’s aggressive nature kept her from showing top dueling skills.

The same was true when she acted as a knight.

Everyone expected how Eliana would lose.

She always lost by tiring herself out with relentless attacks.

So the other Magic Department students always used defensive strategies against her.

But Leo watched Eliana with shining eyes.

“I don’t think it’s just that.”

“Huh?”

“Look around.”

Fragments of destroyed magic were scattered everywhere.

Normally, those would have disappeared as mana, but even after being shattered, the formulas remained.

Albi exclaimed in admiration.

“Prepare to be surprised! Eliana Laden’s secret move!”

Eliana grinned and unleashed her mana.

“[Shining Rain]!”

Whooosh—!

All the scattered shards of light instantly poured down on Albi.

Len was impressed by the follow-up attack.

‘Up to last semester, her overly aggressive style was a drawback in duels, but she’s covered that flaw by pushing her offense even harder.’

Honestly, it was surprising.

Eliana always lost because she was too aggressive.

But now, at least against anyone at her own level, you couldn’t just play defense.

Even those more skilled than her could lose if they fell into Eliana’s pace.

‘Excellent. Though her aggression is still a minus.’

Just as Len finished his evaluation—

“Impressive.”

Albi gave a dry compliment, and his evil eye gleamed.

Flash—!

Bright light engulfed him.

With it, Eliana’s magic was blocked.

“Ugh!”

With her secret move blocked, Eliana readied herself for a counterattack.

As the light faded, a girl stood before Albi.

Eliana looked dazed.

“Uh… me?”

The Magic Department students were bewildered.

Among the students, only Leo understood the situation exactly.

‘To think he could use that magic in a human body.’

Leo recognized the spell Albi had used.

‘[Mirror Force].’

It was none other than the magic of the Fairy King.