Chapter 184
“No way!”
“Is that even possible?!”
Gasps of disbelief echoed through the third- and fourth-year students.
For most of the first- and second-years, even understanding the exchange between Leo and Rhys was impossible—it all happened in an instant. They couldn’t grasp just how extraordinary the two’s movements were.
But the top students of the first-year Knights Department clenched their fists in awe.
Meanwhile, in the fifth-year seating area, Jamua munched on popcorn and mumbled,
“Was he always like this? That’s not just impressive—it’s downright creepy.”
Torua, scribbling something beside him, glanced at the arena and responded.
“That’s probably why Rhys recommended him for student council president.”
“Fair enough. But seriously, Torua—what have you been writing nonstop for days?”
“Graduation delay request.”
“…”
Jamua stared at him in disbelief.
“I’ve already been rejected ten times.”
Torua had already finished her thesis, but when she submitted a completely unprecedented graduation delay request, the professors in the Magic Department practically collapsed.
The reason? Magic research.
“Let’s see.”
Torua handed over the form without resistance.
“Graduation Delay Request: I wish to study at Lumene for one more year. Reason: magic research. Detailed research plan: Analysis of Leo Plov’s ‘Bible’ magic formula and focused observation of Leo Plov?”
Jamua stared at the form and spoke.
“Do you actually think this will be approved?”
“Hmm… maybe I should take out the ‘focused observation’ part. It might be considered an invasion of privacy?”
Jamua sighed as he looked at Torua, dead serious.
Torua was known as the smartest person at school, but when it came to magic, she became a complete fool.
Giving up on his friend, Jamua turned back to the arena.
‘So what are you going to do, Leo?’
Leo had come out on top in their clash of technique.
But combat prowess isn’t determined by skill alone.
And Leo’s opponent was none other than Rhys Zerdinger—the strongest student in the academy.
‘That alone won’t be enough to withstand Rhys.’
—
As a vortex of fire surged toward him, Leo gripped his sword tightly.
‘That’s not Zerdinger’s Flame.’
Zerdinger’s Flame was the Phoenix Flame.
Its power and aura were fundamentally different from ordinary fire.
‘A technique using a [Hero Skill].’
Quickly analyzing the attack, Leo smirked.
‘Is he testing me?’
Leo awakened the flames dormant within his body.
Woooosh—FWOOM—!
Crimson flames flared up, surrounding the spear in Leo’s hand.
Shhhk—
He shifted his grip, assuming a throwing stance.
CRACKLE—!
The flames surged and funneled into the spear.
As the last of the flames were absorbed, Leo grit his teeth.
“Hup—!”
WHOOSH—!
With a burst of energy, Leo hurled the spear straight at Rhys’s vortex of fire.
FWOOM!
The spear shot forward with incredible velocity.
BOOM—!
The moment Leo’s spear collided with Rhys’s vortex, an explosion erupted.
WOOOOOH—!
From the tip of Leo’s spear, Phoenix Flame exploded outward, devouring Rhys’s flames.
Even when both used fire, there was a difference in class.
The Phoenix Flame—hailed as the mightiest fire—swallowed everything in its path.
There was a reason why the houses of Zerdinger and Lunda, known for their fire-based prowess, were called the strongest among Heroic Houses.
‘Still, I didn’t think he’d block it that easily.’
Rhys was impressed.
The fire he had just used was the flame of Ittarun, the Great Fire Spirit that had vanished a thousand years ago.
He had received it as a reward from the Hero’s World—a powerful fire, though not a full version of the spirit’s flame.
‘And he devoured it.’
Rhys smiled as he watched Leo’s spear soar toward him.
‘His ability to control fire is incredible.’
THUMP—!
BOOM! FWOOSH—!
As Rhys caught the spear mid-air, a massive wave of flame exploded across the arena.
Gasps spread throughout the crowd.
The arena was shielded with protective magic to keep the audience safe.
But even through that barrier, the heat scorched the skin—it felt as if their flesh would cook.
Leo’s flame had that much power.
But his assault didn’t stop there.
He released all the spells he had prepared.
FLASH! CRACK-BOOM—!
Like an aerial bombardment—
Fierce flame spells rained down where Rhys stood.
It was, quite literally, the strongest attack Leo could muster using [Aura] and magic combined.
The upperclassmen stared in disbelief.
Of course, Rhys had allowed Leo to prepare all this.
But even so, this was far beyond what anyone expected.
Even bearing the Zerdinger flame, Leo’s sheer offensive power was astonishing.
Oddly enough, the first-years were the calmest.
Everyone held their breath as they focused on the blazing flames engulfing Rhys’s last known location.
And then—
From within the fire, Rhys calmly stepped out.
“Of course it’s Rhys-senior.”
“He blocked all that like it was nothing?!”
Exclamations of admiration spread through the students.
Meanwhile, the professors weren’t surprised at all.
“Not even a singed hem. Remarkable.”
Assistant Professor Anna shook her head, and Len crossed his arms.
“Indeed. Leo’s attacks using [Magic] and [Aura] are extraordinary. But he’s up against Rhys Zerdinger.”
Len narrowed his eyes.
“The so-called Phoenix Knight. The strongest student in all of Lumene—and the top hero candidate across Seiren, Azonia, and Damienne. When it comes to flame control, there are few in the world who can rival Rhys Zerdinger.”
As the heir of the Heroic House Zerdinger, Rhys was a top-tier flame user recognized even on the global stage.
“At Leo’s current level, trying to fight Rhys with fire is basically suicide.”
“Did Leo not realize that?”
“I’m sure he did.”
Len smirked.
“He’s testing it.”
“Testing?”
“Yes. He’s testing how well his flame can hold up against Rhys’s.”
“Isn’t that reckless?”
“Hahaha! That’s why Leo is amazing, Assistant Professor Anna!”
Len grinned ear to ear.
“Leo is testing the strongest fifth-year! That kind of guts! That’s exactly why he belongs in the Magic Department!”
“…Sure.”
Anna responded flatly.
Lately, Len had been trying to tie anything Leo did back to the Magic Department.
When news came that Leo had successfully implemented the Bible, Anna had to knock Len out cold with a thick grimoire to get him to stop ranting.
‘I really need to quit this job…’
As her superior’s obsession worsened by the day, Anna let out a deep sigh.
‘Incredible.’
Leo watched Rhys, who had withstood his full attack without injury, and was genuinely impressed.
‘Even during the Age of Calamity, no one had this level of skill at his age.’
Even with 5,000 years of refined technique and the Hero’s World system, Rhys’s level was nothing short of astonishing.
‘His flame mastery surpasses both my past and present self.’
Leo tightened his grip on his sword.
Of course, he could produce flames equal in power to Rhys’s even now.
But that would require enduring severe burns.
And even if the strength of their fire matched, Rhys’s fire control would render Leo’s effort useless.
“You won’t be able to hurt me with your current strength, Leo.”
“Of course.”
Leo nodded at Rhys’s words.
“My [Aura] and [Magic] alone can’t compete with your flame.”
Rhys smiled at Leo’s candid admission.
“So, what will you do?”
“Simple.”
Leo smiled back.
“Overpowering fire… requires more fire.”
“More fire?”
Rhys tilted his head.
Leo had just admitted he couldn’t counter Rhys’s flame.
‘Even switching to another attribute wouldn’t work. Then what’s his plan?’
Leo’s alternate [Aura], the gray aura from Kyle, wouldn’t suffice either.
It was like fighting a heavyweight with bare fists.
And yet he said he would face fire with fire?
‘What’s he thinking?’
Rhys narrowed his eyes.
Leo, watching him closely, curled his lips into a grin.
—
“It’s over.”
Among the upperclassmen, murmurs of “of course” began spreading.
Leo landing a few early hits was surprising—but that was it.
Rhys was serious now, and there was no way Leo could stand a chance.
“It was impressive, but he’s still a first-year.”
“Hmph! ‘Impressive for a first-year.’ That’s not good enough for a student council president!”
Jeers and discontent echoed throughout the crowd.
Even the first-years reacted similarly.
“That was fun while it lasted. But this is the end.”
Eliza muttered, casually dusting her fingertips.
“He should’ve fought me instead of going up against the student council president.”
“Eliza, you know sometimes the way you talk makes it sound like you’ve got a crush on Class 5’s rep?”
“Really?”
“Ugh—ugh!”
“Did you say something with this mouth?”
“Th-the mouth! Ah! It was the mouth that spoke—ack—why the neck—!”
With her signature whip, Eliza lassoed her classmate’s neck and smiled sweetly.
As the girl escaped and rubbed her neck, she coughed and grumbled,
“Anyway, the duel’s over. A first-year student council president? Ridiculous.”
“Exactly. A first-year president is just… impossible.”
Just then—
Whoosh—
Leo raised his hand.
Bzzzzzt—!
“Summoning?”
Eliza’s expression turned curious.
‘Now that I think about it, Leo Plov has never once used summoning in a major fight. He’s an All-Class, sure, but his summoning skills have always seemed weaker than his magic and aura.’
Not that his summoning skills were lacking.
He simply lacked a powerful summon. But his control over [Summoned Beasts] and spirits had even Eliza speechless.
‘Still, summoning can’t turn this around.’
Eliza rested her chin on her hand.
‘What you lack right now is raw power. No technique will help you when the difference is this wide.’
Others shared the same thoughts.
Still, there was curiosity—what summon would Leo use?
Fwoosh—!
A flame appeared on Leo’s palm.
Pop—!
Cheep!
And then—out came a tiny red chick.
Everyone collectively froze in disbelief.
The little red chick looked around in confusion, clearly overwhelmed by all the attention.
But soon, it elegantly flapped its wings, puffed out its chest, and lifted its chin like a grand beast.
“So cute!”
“What is that?! I want one!”
Excited cries rang out at the unexpected cuteness.
Meanwhile, the first-year Summoning Department students stared in shock.
“Wait, that’s the chick Leo contracted with during our first class, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Why the heck would he bring that thing out now?”
As the summoners gossiped, Eliza’s cheeks flushed slightly.
‘A-as I thought, it’s absolutely adorable! But what’s he planning to do with that little thing?’
Even in the fifth-year seats, people were baffled.
“What is he planning with that?”
“Maybe he’s trying to melt Rhys’s heart with cuteness?”
As Jamua and Torua reacted with disbelief—
“You’d better keep your eyes on this.”
Ulta, silently watching the match, curled her lips into a smile.
Jamua and Torua looked at her in surprise.
“The real sparring starts now.”
—
Cheep—!
Rhys scratched his cheek as the tiny summon flapped its wings at him fiercely.
“Leo, look… I mean, when you summon something that cute, it’s kinda hard to hit it.”
“Don’t worry.”
Leo smiled, raising his [Spirit Power].
“…?”
Fwoosh—
Fiora’s feathers began to burn, one by one.
“In a few seconds, she won’t look cute anymore.”
FWOOM—!
Around Leo, a strange flame began to surge.
Rhys’s expression hardened.
WOOOOOOH—!
The flame gathered around Fiora at the center.
Her body transformed into a single mass of blazing fire.
WHOOSH—!
In an instant, the flame paused—
And then—
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
CRACKBOOM—!
With Fiora’s deafening cry, searing heat exploded in all directions.
“Ugh!”
Rhys staggered, his head throbbing from the blast.
‘A chick?’
Rhys was stunned that he had just been overwhelmed by a chick.
He steadied his stance—
And gawked.
On Leo’s arm now sat a majestic firebird.
Rhys instantly recognized her.
A presence that inspired awe just by existing.
The very origin of the fire he wielded.
“…Phoenix?”