Chapter 197
“How arrogant!”
“Does he think he’s something just because he analyzed Lady Luna’s magic that no one could interpret until now?”
The Seiren students glared at Leo with scowls.
The Lumene students wore looks of satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Eden grinned slyly.
“Impressive confidence, Leo Plov. But Seiren has long been a wall for Lumene. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“It’ll be very different starting this year.”
“So confident, future Student Council President of Lumene.”
Rienia clicked her heels and approached Leo.
“So you mean Lumene is different this year because of you?”
“Yes.”
Rienia licked her upper lip.
“It’s much more rewarding to defeat such a confident opponent.”
With a smirk, Rienia sent a shiver through the Lumene third and fourth years.
Rienia.
The Student Council President of Seiren, evaluated as the top hero candidate for the past five years.
Her skills and accomplishments were on par with Lumene’s Rhys.
But it wasn’t just that which made the third and fourth years tremble at the sight of her.
Her nickname was the Hunter.
She possessed relentless determination, never letting a chosen target escape.
And behind her pure appearance was a sadistic streak that took pleasure in utterly crushing her opponents.
The third and fourth years, having experienced this side of her in past Lumeirens, saw Rienia as nothing short of terrifying.
And she didn’t just have this effect on Lumene students.
Even Seiren students flinched.
She held a charisma that could bring even the proudest Seiren students to heel.
More than a few had been thoroughly humbled after foolishly defying her since she became Student Council President.
Standing before Leo, Rienia’s golden eyes sparkled as she reached out and gently took his chin.
“Restoring the Founder’s magic and conquering the Founder’s world… You’re worth defeating. Heh, don’t cry when this big sister puts you in your place. Oh, you could even come study at Seiren. If you managed to restore the Founder’s magic, you’ve got what it takes to get in. How about it? If you join Seiren, you could finally get your hands on that trophy you want so badly.”
“That woman… I can’t just leave her alone.”
From one side of the hall, Elena, twirling her hair with a disinterested look, muttered in a chilling voice.
“Eh, Elena?”
Elena’s pink eyes flashed with a cold light.
“How dare she try such cheap tricks on Leo.”
“Calm down! Elena! If you butt in, things will get crazy!”
“She’s just joking around. She’s the Seiren Student Council President.”
The third years tried desperately to calm Elena—known as the Queen of Lumene—but few could stop her.
Ignoring her classmates, Elena wore a deep scowl as she moved toward the pair.
Just then, someone slung an arm around her shoulder.
“What’s got our underclassman all riled up?”
“Torua.”
“Just watch how Leo handles it. He’s the Student Council President you chose, isn’t he?”
At Torua’s words, Elena shot a glance at Leo.
Meanwhile, a similar scene was playing out among the teachers.
“Mmff! Mmff!”
“You maniac! Why are you butting into student business?!”
Yura tried her best to restrain the rampaging Len, whose eyes were blazing.
Ain sighed and locked Len in a chokehold from behind, covering his mouth with his other hand.
Then Harrid approached.
“More commotion?”
“P-Professor Harrid!”
Yura stood at attention.
Normally, Len would calm down at Professor Harrid’s appearance, but not this time.
Harrid looked at Len and jerked his chin at Ain.
“Handle it.”
Crack—
Ain applied pressure without hesitation, knocking Len out.
Watching, the Lumene professors wore exhausted expressions.
“What should we do?”
Yura asked nonchalantly, and Harrid replied in a flat voice, “Toss him outside. A bit of cold and snow might clear his head.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ain and Yura dragged Len outside.
As the three professors displayed the touching bond of senior and junior, Leo brushed aside Rienia’s hand from his chin and smiled.
“I appreciate the offer, but I find it much more fun to take things than to be given them.”
“Oh my. We have similar tastes.”
Rienia smiled.
“In that case, you’ll never get your hands on the Lumeiren trophy.”
“I’ll just bring it back and put it on display somewhere. No need to touch it.”
Seeing how nonchalant Leo was, Rienia pouted a little.
She had worked all her school life to keep the Lumeiren trophy safe, but this first-year from Lumene treated it like a pebble on the side of the road.
And no matter what provocation she threw, he never gave an inch—making him quite annoying.
‘He’s got a lot of composure.’
A little annoyed, Rienia walked to the trophy, picked it up, and shook it tauntingly.
“Hmph. You’ll never bring this trophy back to Lumene for the rest of your life!”
‘President!’
‘Why are you being so childish!’
The Seiren students covered their faces in embarrassment at Rienia’s childish taunt.
Leo, watching Rienia, infused mana into the Polium on his left wrist and restored it to its original form.
He shook it and asked, “Seiren doesn’t have one of these, does it?” (T/N: HAHAHAHAHAHA. Petty as always. Never change my man, never change.)
Seeing Leo respond just as childishly, Rienia flinched.
“Ahem! Well then, now that we’ve heard from both Student Council Presidents, let’s move on to the next event!”
Not wanting both sides to devolve into childishness, Eden quickly changed the subject.
Lunia shook her head as she watched Leo calmly turn the Polium back into a bracelet.
“Our President’s childish, but you’re just as bad. Why act like little kids?”
“We’re still kids, aren’t we?”
“I’m not! Did you think I’d get riled up over such childish taunting about something we don’t have?”
Leo looked at Lunia, who scoffed, and spread his palm.
Pop—!
Fiora appeared, summoned onto his palm.
Leo lightly shook Fiora and spoke, “You don’t have one of these, do you?”
Lunia’s shoulders trembled.
If they weren’t at the party, she might have grabbed Leo by the collar right then and there.
Leo watched as Lunia clenched her fists and ground her teeth.
“That’s quite effective.”
“You! Just wait until the Lumeiren! I’ll make sure you’re completely crushed!”
Fuming, Lunia stormed off.
She grabbed Eiran by the wrist as she passed and took her with her.
“L-Lunia?!”
“Eiran! That guy’s the enemy! The enemy! Stay away from him!”
“No way…! Leo!”
Eiran called out to Leo with teary eyes.
Leo waved to the two as they left.
“Oh! Leo! That was a perfect provocation!”
“Yeah! You totally won the psychological battle!”
Carr and Tide approached with laughter.
“For the first-year matches, it’s probably best if you don’t stick near me.”
“Huh?”
“Why?”
“Lunia might charge at me without a second thought.”
At that, Carr and Tide trembled as they recalled Lunia grabbing Leo by the collar and going wild during the school trip.
—
“Kalian. This year’s Lumene first-years seem remarkable. Impressive.”
Late at night.
At the highest point of Seiren.
Principal Benit of Seiren spoke quietly at the Star Plaza.
Kalian chuckled.
“What’s so impressive about me? The students and professors just worked hard.”
Sword Star Kalian.
Benit, the First Star of the Founder.
Both were heroes of the same era.
Both were counted among the greatest heroes of the present day.
And they were comrades who had survived battlefields together.
“So, what did you think, seeing them in person?”
Kalian sipped his tea and looked up at the sky.
At Seiren’s highest point.
This place, floating above Seiren thanks to magic, was built solely for pure stargazing.
Of course, it wasn’t open to just anyone.
Since Seiren’s early days, it was mostly used for major meetings.
And on clear nights, you could see an endless expanse of stars.
Kalian always marveled whenever he came here.
At Kalian’s question, Benit replied calmly.
“I see why you and Sir Lieven chose him.”
Benit recalled the brief glimpse he had caught of Leo earlier.
“He’s someone fit to shoulder this era. No wonder Nergia is so interested in him.”
Nergia.
The vice principal of Seiren, dispatched from Dragonia.
He was more invested in hero training than anyone else.
A dragon with ambitions to raise a great hero with his own hands.
“Nergia, interested, huh.”
Kalian smiled.
But he wasn’t worried.
‘Whether it’s Lumene or Seiren, as long as Leo Plov has a place to grow, it doesn’t matter.’
It might not be the proper attitude for a principal, but Kalian and Benit had lived too long to care about something as petty as school rivalry.
They just hoped a worthy talent would become a true hero for this era.
“So, why did you ask to meet before the Lumeiren?”
“Recently, there’s been strange movement from the [Hero Hunters] in the northern region.”
Kalian’s eyes narrowed.
[Hero Hunters].
Those who betrayed the surface and sided with Tartarus.
Among them were even those who inherited the power of the [Hero Record].
They were an organization formed in Tartarus for the sole purpose of killing heroes.
“They wouldn’t dare invade elven territory, but they’re definitely a threat.”
“That wasn’t in your letter, was it?”
Kalian frowned, and Benit sighed deeply.
“I wanted to tell you in person, just in case. Letters and magical communication between Seiren and Lumene can be easily intercepted.”
“I see. So that’s why you asked Lumene to assemble heroes and bring our people.”
Of course, Seiren also had elven heroes.
But they’d still requested Lumene send heroes too.
Officially, it was to guard against any moves from Tartarus, but bringing in even Lumene’s heroes seemed excessive.
But now it made sense.
“Let the professors and heroes of Lumene know. Nothing will likely happen, but just in case.”
The Lumeiren couldn’t be cancelled.
Stopping the annual event for fear of Tartarus or the Hero Hunters would only cause greater chaos and anxiety.
That’s why Benit believed gathering overwhelming strength was the answer.
Kalian nodded and looked up at the night sky.
Staring at the sea of stars, he let out a long sigh.
‘Let’s hope nothing happens.’