Chapter 17
The next morning.
After finishing breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria, Leo immediately headed to the first-year classroom building, the Hall of Beginnings.
The first major class of the day was Knight Studies.
As it was a provisional class, not only Knight Studies students but also many from other departments participated.
Because there were so many people, the class was divided into groups.
In the group Leo entered, Chelsea and Carl were present.
Carl actively used the provisional classes to get acquainted with the Knight Studies students.
Chelsea, aiming to become a Battle Mage, planned to take Knight Studies as her minor.
The students gathered at the training grounds and waited.
Soon, Professor Ain appeared.
“I’ve already introduced myself, so I won’t do it again. This is my assistant professor, Clariana Ribache.”
Clariana gave a slight nod.
Only those chosen by a professor from among Lumeln graduates could become assistant professors.
They assist with teaching and, when necessary, can lead classes in place of the professor.
Of course, as graduates of Lumeln, they were guaranteed to be elite in skill.
Professor Ain looked around at the students.
‘Leo Flove, Celia Gerdinger, Duran Moira.’
A satisfied look appeared on Ain’s face.
With both the student representative and two top students attending, he couldn’t help but be pleased.
“Students from the Magic and Summoner Departments, raise your hands.”
More than half the students raised their hands.
Nodding, Professor Ain gestured toward Clariana.
“You go to the assistant professor. She’ll teach you how to apply [Mana] and [Spirit Power] to martial arts.”
Ain then gathered the Knight Studies students separately and spoke.
“Today is the first class, so I’ll talk about the most basic thing in Knight Studies: [Aura].”
The students’ eyes shone at Ain’s words.
“The three powers derived from [Mana]—[Aura], [Magic Power], and [Spirit Power]. Of these, [Aura] is the hardest to handle. Does anyone know why?”
From the very first question, the first-years were left speechless.
The properties of [Aura]?
Few had ever thought about such a thing.
Usually, what troubled knights was how to sense [Mana] better and how to unleash more powerful [Aura].
Of course, not all the students were clueless.
Celia raised her hand.
“Celia Gerdinger.”
“Yes, Celia. Please answer.”
“[Aura] loses the properties of [Mana] during the conversion process.”
“Correct.”
[Magic Power] is a force created by amplifying [Mana], and [Spirit Power] is formed by resonating the user’s will with [Mana].
As such, they do not lose the properties of natural [Mana].
But [Aura] is created by absorbing [Mana] and refining it to suit the body.
In the process, it loses its natural fluidity and becomes fixed.
That’s why it’s harder to handle.
“Then, can anyone explain how we use the [Aura] accumulated in our bodies?”
This time, even Celia was caught off guard.
How do you explain the form in which it’s used?
‘How do you explain how it’s used?’
‘You just… use strength and it works, right?’
They simply used it as they were taught, following the flow of the [Gerdinger Aura Technique], relying on instinct.
There was no way to explain how it was actually used.
Of course, Ain wasn’t expecting an answer.
What Ain was talking about was the basic theory of Auratics, a subject that hadn’t existed at Lumeln until last year.
It was content only taught at the Beastkin Hero Academy, Azonia, which Ain was introducing at Lumeln this year.
So it was natural that first-years wouldn’t know.
Just as Ain was about to explain, someone raised their hand.
Seeing the student step up bravely, Professor Ain looked pleased.
Most professors don’t dislike students who speak up confidently, even if they’re wrong.
“Leo Flove.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“We use the power of [Aura] by combusting [Mana].”
Ain looked surprised.
“Correct. Then do you also know what’s most important when combusting [Aura]?”
“Physical strength.”
“Amazing, Leo. Have you studied Auratics?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know this?”
“It’s just the most basic essence of [Aura].”
Sometimes people neglect the essence of the power they use.
Of course, even if you don’t know the principle, it’s not a problem to use [Aura].
But there’s a big difference between knowing and not knowing the traits of your own power.
Especially since [Aura] is more influenced by the user’s will than [Magic Power] or [Spirit Power], and nothing is better than imagery for drawing out the mind’s strength.
“Excellent. Five bonus points for Celia. Ten bonus points for Leo.”
The envious gazes of their peers fell on the two.
“As Leo said, we use the power generated when [Mana] is combusted.”
Professor Ain spoke seriously.
“From this year on, I plan to incorporate Auratics into my classes for you first-years.”
“Professor! What is Auratics?”
“It’s the study of [Aura]. At the Azonia Academy, it’s one of the required courses.”
Hearing about this new field, the first-years’ eyes sparkled.
“Since today is the first class, we’ll learn about the application of [Aura]. Today’s lesson is [Aura Step].”
[Aura Step] is a technique that focuses the power of [Aura] into the legs to maximize jumping ability.
‘Aura Step, huh.’
Leo’s eyes shone.
It was a technique that didn’t exist in the era Kyle had lived in.
“Anyone who possesses [Aura] can learn [Aura Step]. However, its effectiveness varies greatly with proficiency.”
Professor Ain raised his foot.
A silver [Aura] seemed to flicker at his toes, and he stood in midair.
The students gasped in admiration.
Professor Ain walked lightly through the air as he spoke.
“Now, I’ll explain the principles behind [Aura Step].”
Ain’s lecture on [Aura Step] began.
‘The principle of using [Aura] isn’t much different.’
When the body is strengthened with [Aura], leg strength naturally increases.
[Aura Step] was simply a technique that concentrated this physical enhancement on the legs.
While Ain was instructing the students, someone who appeared to be a messenger entered the training grounds.
“Professor Ain, Professor Betes is looking for you and Assistant Professor Clariana.”
“Professor Betes? Understood.”
Nodding, Ain spoke to the students.
“The assistant professor and I will step out for a bit. Practice [Aura Step] while we’re gone.”
With that, Professor Ain left the area.
“Leo. Want me to teach you [Aura Step]?”
Celia approached with a sly grin.
Leo replied with a flat expression.
“Were you going to make me call you ‘miss’?”
“Would I stoop that low?”
Celia folded her arms and smiled.
“My birthday’s earlier than yours, right? So if you call me ‘big sister’ just once, I’ll help you out.”
“That’s too cheap and dirty, I’ll never learn from you.”
“What? The freshman representative doesn’t even know how to use [Aura Step]? Pathetic.”
At that moment, someone else cut into their conversation.
When they turned, there stood Duran Moira, the top student from the central region’s exam.
Duran clicked his tongue as he looked at Leo.
“To think someone like this is the class representative… I just can’t understand Lumeln’s standards.”
“Are you dissatisfied that I’m the representative?”
As Leo stepped forward and asked, Duran curled his lips.
“It’s not dissatisfaction. I’m just lamenting the fact that someone who can’t even use [Aura Step] is the class representative.”
Looking at the other students, Duran spoke irritably.
“It’s not just you. There’s more than one person here who doesn’t know [Aura Step]. I’m worried the whole grade’s dignity is at stake.”
A few students bristled at his words.
But no one jumped in carelessly.
He was, after all, the top student—easily among the best out of nearly 500 first-years.
In response, Leo said,
“If you’re aiming to be a hero, shouldn’t you be a bit more dignified?”
“Dignity? Are you talking about dignity to someone of heroic blood like me?”
The Knightly Principality of Moira, which Duran belonged to, was founded fifty years ago by the knight hero Dior Moira, known as the Golden Sword.
Having pursued the path of a hero since childhood, Duran was confident in his heroic qualities more than anyone else.
“What does bloodline have to do with being a hero?”
“It matters. A hero is someone who’s chosen.”
“That’s not how I see it. I think a hero is someone who never gives up.”
“A freshman representative spouting such naïve nonsense—how pathetic.”
“Aren’t you the one acting arrogant just because of your bloodline?”
“For me, bloodline is just a bonus. What I really trust is something else.”
“And what’s that?”
“Skill, Leo Flove.”
Fwoosh—!
In the blink of an eye, Duran closed the distance between them.
Other students gasped at the sheer speed.
A speed no ordinary student could even attempt.
But Leo just laughed.
“Not that fast, really.”
“Seems I need to show you the difference in class.”
Duran grinned fiercely.
“If you’re so confident, want to have a race and see who’s faster?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Duran Moira. You really think it makes sense to race someone who hasn’t even learned [Aura Step]?”
Celia interjected with a frown, and Duran seemed almost glad.
“Celia Gerdinger. There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Why did Leo Flove become the class representative?”
“How would I know?”
“Isn’t it because the top students from the west were so mediocre that he stood out?”
At that, Chelsea, standing among the students from other departments, stepped forward.
“Are you saying my brother is mediocre?”
“I’m just stating the facts, Chelsea Rewallin. I expected better from one of the Rodren Empire’s two great hero houses, but to think you’d give up the representative spot to a guy like this. Honestly, I’m disappointed.”
Celia gave a chilly smile.
“Seems you’re pretty bitter about not being the representative, huh? But did you ever consider that you weren’t chosen simply because you weren’t good enough?”
“If I’d been in that position, there’s no way he would have become the representative.”
Duran replied with absolute confidence, wearing a haughty expression.
“He only became the representative because he got lucky.”
“Let’s go, Leo. There’s no need to listen to nonsense like that.”
“She’s right.”
Agreeing with his rival Celia, Chelsea tugged down the skin under her left eye and stuck out her tongue, “Beh—!”
“Getting protected by girls, are you?”
Duran’s faction of central students jeered.
Leo let out a laugh.
“I accept your challenge.”
“Leo!”
Celia scolded him.
“He’s gone this far—it’d be awkward to just ignore him, right? Besides…”
Leo grinned, showing his teeth.
“There are times when you need to show guys like this the difference in class.”
