Chapter 229
Winter passed, and spring began to arrive.
It was still chilly, but noticeably warmer than winter.
As spring began, the streets of Lumeria City brimmed with life more than ever.
The long winter break was finally over, and the Hero Candidates who had dispersed across the world were now returning to Lumeria City.
Street vendors greeted the students in Lumene uniforms with delight.
The returning Lumene students were abuzz with one particular topic.
“So who’s going to be the new principal?”
“Lumene hasn’t made an announcement yet, right?”
“I’ve heard plenty of rumored candidates, though.”
All the students were talking about Lumene’s new principal.
The lack of any official word sparked even more curiosity.
“Maybe there won’t even be a principal this semester? I mean, the school can’t keep the seat vacant forever, but still… no matter who takes it, they’ll end up being compared.”
“That’s true.”
Leo nodded at Celia’s comment.
It wasn’t just any position—they were talking about the principal of Lumene.
There was no way the school would appoint someone unqualified.
Especially considering the previous principal was Sword Star Kalian.
No one would want to take the job without serious preparation.
“By the way…”
Celia narrowed her eyes.
“What did you and the Azonia rep talk about that day?”
No one had witnessed the duel between Leo and Ar.
By the time Celia arrived, the fight was already over, and Ar had sunk into deep contemplation.
‘Transferring schools was a joke, but it must’ve made her think.’
Ar probably believed she had full control of her transformation ability.
But her state was closer to a berserk state.
She didn’t lose consciousness or become completely overwhelmed, but she also couldn’t fully control the power.
It was clearly different from her transformation under a full moon.
‘Black Rabbit! You really need to come to Azonia!’
Having reached that conclusion, Ar once again urged Leo to transfer—and Leo, of course, declined.
From Celia’s perspective, it was only natural to be curious about what had happened between them.
“That’s a secret.”
Ar’s transformation ability was kept confidential even in Azonia.
Leo couldn’t just reveal it without permission.
“So stingy.”
Celia grumbled but didn’t press the issue.
Swoooosh—
A breeze blew past.
Sitting on the deck railing, Celia murmured as she looked at the entrance to Lumene Academy in the distance.
“A kraken attacked during the entrance ceremony, and the second semester opening was chaotic too… But today, the first day of the second year, nothing’s happening.”
Aboard the regular transport heading to Lumene.
The entire second year was headed back to school without incident.
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“I know. This is Lumene, after all.”
Lumene was known for thrusting students into danger when they least expected it.
“Leo! Leo!”
Chelsea ran over from the deck where she’d been chatting with friends.
“I hope we’re in the same class again this year!”
Smiling brightly, Chelsea beamed, and Leo chuckled, patting her head.
“Hmph, I’ll try to sneak a peek at the class rosters ahead of time.”
Carr grinned and walked over.
Chelsea teased him,
“What’ll you do if we’re not in the same class? I won’t let you copy my homework anymore.”
“What? Are you saying our friendship’s that shallow?!”
“Yup.”
“That’s too much, seriously.”
Grumbling, Carr scratched his head and grinned.
“But honestly, if you two end up in the same class, that’d be entertaining in its own way.”
As Carr looked between Celia and Chelsea and snickered, both girls simultaneously kicked him.
Snorting, they walked off in opposite directions.
“You knew that’d happen. Why do you keep provoking them?”
“’Cause it’s fun? Hup—”
Shaking off the kick with a laugh, Carr turned to Leo.
“Hey, did you know?”
“What?”
“Chen Xia isn’t on this ship.”
“You sure you just didn’t see her? I mean, every second-year student should be aboard.”
“That’s what I thought, but no. I asked everyone who was close to her. No one’s seen her.”
Carr’s intel was reliable.
Since the start of first year, he’d built friendships with students from various classes, making him the most up-to-date on student news.
“She missed the entrance exam due to family matters, and now she’s missing the opening too… Doesn’t that seem odd?”
Carr spoke seriously.
“We don’t even know much about her family. She’s clearly from a noble house, but that’s all.”
If anyone in first year was considered mysterious, it was Chen Xia.
Though often overshadowed by Leo, Chen Xia had also appeared suddenly as a formidable talent.
The top and runner-up scorers in the regional exams were well-known prodigies.
But Chen Xia, like Leo, had come from obscurity.
Not only did she top the Eastern entrance exam, she also delivered impressive results throughout the year.
If not for Leo, Chen Xia would’ve been the talk of the school.
“Leo, you don’t know anything? You’re close with her.”
“I don’t know much about her family either.”
“Fair enough.”
Carr scratched his head.
While they were chatting, the ship finally arrived at Lumene.
“Wow, so nothing really happened after all.”
Carr stroked his chin as they disembarked.
“Well, I guess we’ve seen it all by now. No lame surprise would rattle us. And we’ll be upperclassmen in a week too.”
Many nearby students nodded in agreement.
As everyone chatted excitedly—
“Congratulations on making it to second year!”
With a bright voice, the beautiful professor Artianne appeared.
The lively mood froze instantly at her arrival.
Step— Step.
Seeing the students neatly line up in formation, Artianne looked startled.
“What’s this? It’s the start of school! You’re reunited with friends! Shouldn’t you be chatting happily?”
“No, Professor Artianne!”
“Apologies for being noisy!”
The second years responded in perfect unison.
Artianne looked heartbroken at their disciplined reaction.
She had hoped to be seen as a friendly professor, but the spirits she contracted as a [Spirit Arts] professor had other ideas.
Against her will, she’d gained a reputation as a terrifying professor just from her presence alone.
As Artianne slumped her shoulders—
“Seems you’ve matured a bit in second year.”
A far scarier professor appeared.
With Harrid’s arrival, the second years tensed up.
Harrid chuckled at their reaction.
“No need to be so nervous.”
He spoke in an unusually relaxed tone.
“Professor Artianne and I will be teaching first years again this year.”
“That’s a shame. I really felt like I was getting closer to all of you.”
At Harrid’s words, Artianne looked dejected.
“Really?”
“That’s so sad!”
“Ahh! I wanted to attend your classes again!”
Cries of regret echoed across the students.
But behind those words, their mouths twitched with barely concealed joy.
‘No, don’t smile now.’
‘If I show I’m happy, I’ll die.’
Everyone kept their lips tight to hide their glee.
“I’m disappointed too,” Harrid said.
“That’s why I’ve decided to teach some second-year classes as well. So don’t worry.”
“Yes! You’ll still see us from time to time.”
The second years looked like they were about to cry.
“Professor Harrid, the students look sad.”
“They’re holding back tears of joy.”
“I see!”
Harrid replied flatly, and then said,
“Everyone, move out.”
With those words, the second years marched off gloomily to the opening ceremony.
The ceremony was short and to the point.
The rumored principal didn’t appear.
After a few quick announcements, they headed toward the second-year classroom building.
“Feels weird being in second year already. The ceremony ended so flatly.”
Lying limply in the auditorium, Eliana muttered.
Nella gave her usual drowsy smile.
“Maybe it’s because we haven’t seen the first years yet?”
“Maybe.”
“And we haven’t gotten our class assignments either.”
“Class assignments, huh…”
Eliana looked gloomy.
“I hope I’m in a class with as many of the 5th class kids as possible.”
“That might be hard. It’s randomized.”
Nella gave a wry smile.
Bang—!
“Nice to see you all!”
Professor Sedgen burst in through the auditorium doors with other professors marching behind him.
As all the students widened their eyes, Sedgen announced,
“I’m Sedgen, your new second-year supervisor! Under my guidance, you’ll enjoy a truly elegant year!”
“Wow! Professor Sedgen!”
“He’s our year supervisor?!”
Cheers erupted from the students who had been in Class 1 last year.
The rest of the students smiled as well.
Sedgen was a famous and reliable professor.
“Now then, before we begin assigning classes…”
Sedgen scanned the room.
The students all tensed.
Compared to last year, the opening ceremony had been uneventful.
But the second years of Lumene were ready for any surprises.
Even if an exam started right now, they wouldn’t flinch.
Everyone held their breath and focused on Sedgen.
“Let me explain how I beat out Harrid to become your second-year supervisor!”
Throwing his head back and spreading his arms wide, Sedgen shouted.
The professors nearby looked flustered by his outburst.
“Professor Sedgen, we should do the class assignments first—”
Yura tried to intervene, but Sedgen wasn’t listening.
“Class assignments are important, but the tale of how I defeated Harrid is one all students must hear!”
“Still rambling nonsense.”
Harrid appeared at the back of the auditorium.
Sighing briefly, he said,
“Well, well. If it isn’t my rival who lost to me in the faculty vote. You just can’t let go of second year, can you?”
“The vote merely said I was more suited to first years.”
“Ha! No way! They chose me because I’m the one to lead Lumene’s golden generation—”
“Drag him out.”
Harrid said coldly as Sedgen began rambling again.
Professors Ain and Len grabbed Sedgen by the arms and began dragging him off.
“What are you doing?! I’m the second-year supervisor! Harrid’s in charge of first years—why are you listening to him?! I chose you to be second-year professors, and this is how you betray me—ugh! Let go! You traitors! I said let go!”
As Sedgen screamed and was dragged away, Carr muttered,
“…Now it really feels like we’re back at Lumene.”
The students around him nodded.
Step— step—
Taking the stage, Harrid said,
“We’ll now begin assigning dorms.”
The students tensed again.
With a snap of his fingers, assistant professors brought out a large board.
“First, a few announcements. Starting this year, the concept of ‘classes’ will change.”
The students began murmuring.
“It’s more accurate to call them dormitories now.”
Chelsea raised her hand.
“What exactly does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Originally, second years were divided into classes and assigned separate dorms for boys and girls.”
Harrid shook his head.
“From second year on, classes are supposed to focus more on academic departments. But starting this year, the new principal has changed that plan slightly.”
“Principal?”
“We have a new principal?”
“But they weren’t at the ceremony…”
Some students began settling the room.
Once it was quiet again, Harrid continued.
“From now on, boys and girls will live together in shared dormitories.”
“Gasp?! Really?”
“In the same dorm?!”
“Sleeping and bathing will be separate, of course. And you remember what happens if anyone gets caught doing anything inappropriate, don’t you?”
A few students shuddered.
“Competitions will be held between dormitories, not departments. While some classes will be joint, many will be organized by dormitory.”
Hearing that, Abad smiled.
“A way to encourage inter-departmental teamwork.”
“Exactly.”
“So the dorm assignments are complete?”
“Only for nine students.”
Everyone looked puzzled.
Then Harrid approached the board and pulled down the cloth.
Whoosh—
The board had three columns, each with three names at the top.
**Dorm 1 – Leo Plov, Chloe Mueller, Chen Xia**
**Dorm 2 – Celia Zerdinger, Chelsea Lewellin, Walden Thaiden**
**Dorm 3 – Abad Lewellin, Duran Moira, Eliza Hergin**
“Before the first years arrive, I have one task for the second years.”
Harrid announced indifferently.
“These students listed are your dormitory leaders. They will choose their own dorm members. If you want to be in a specific dorm, negotiate with them. The professors won’t get involved in the selection. That is all.”
With that, Harrid and the other professors left the auditorium.
The students stared at the dorm leaders.
Leo buried his face in his hands.
‘What a bomb to drop on the first day back.’
And at that moment—
“Ahh?! Why do I have to share a dorm with Celia Zerdinger?!”
“That’s *my* line!”
An immediate reaction exploded between Celia and Chelsea.
“Duran Moira?! I’m supposed to work with *you* all year?! No way! I’d rather room with Leo Plov!”
“Funny. I was thinking the exact same thing.”
Eliza scowled, and Duran responded with matching sarcasm.
Celia and Chelsea were infamous rivals.
So were Duran and Eliza.
In their first year, being in different departments and classes kept conflict to a minimum.
Even when tensions did rise, students like Leo or Chen Xia served as buffers.
But now they were stuck in dorms—without those buffers.
As Leo scratched his head—
“Hey, Leo.”
“President!”
“Chloe! Please!”
Second-year students began crowding around Leo and Chloe.
“Let us in your dorm!”
The second years had realized—
Dorms 2 and 3 were war zones best avoided.