Chapter 273
After the commotion had died down, Leo and Lunia returned to the auditorium.
As Lunia rejoined the Seiren students, Carr came over and poked Leo in the side.
“Hey, Leo. What were you and Lunia talking about?”
“About the conquest reward I got back then.”
“Oho, must’ve been a high-level conversation.”
‘It really wasn’t that high-level.’
Leo shook his head, recalling Lunia screaming and demanding an apology for insulting Luna—practically grabbing him by the collar.
“Well, you’re the only one among us who’s actually conquered a Great Hero’s world.”
It was during last year’s field mission that he conquered Luna’s world, revealing that the Hero of Begginings, Kyle, had actually existed.
“When I think about it, you’ve always been ahead of the curve.”
“Do I come across that way?”
“Yeah.”
“Anyway, it was satisfying to shut up that stuck-up elf teacher.”
Carr snickered.
It went without saying that aside from Seiren students, no one from the other schools had a favorable view of Reber.
Meanwhile, the Hero Academy students began entering the auditorium.
Depeto heaved a deep sigh, having clearly heard about Reber’s incident.
‘I’ll have to issue a warning to Seiren. That was way out of line.’
Depeto was well aware of Seiren’s internal situation. There had been numerous personnel changes, and those who had taken key posts weren’t exactly reputable.
In particular, the elf who’d been temporarily appointed as acting principal—Luhagen—was notorious even among other races.
When Depeto, Damienne’s second-year head instructor, heard the news, he had even suggested canceling Seiren’s invitation.
But it was Principal Gerwin of Damienne who persuaded him otherwise.
‘We are blacksmiths who forge weapons for heroes. Therefore, we must treat all hero candidates equally, without prejudice.’
With a bitter smile, Gerwin had stroked his beard.
‘Now that the Monster Queen has been defeated and the Sword Saint is gone, the world may soon be swept up in chaos. Unity among the Hero Academies is more vital than ever.’
Respecting Gerwin’s will, Depeto ignored Reber and coordinated everything with Herdeum, who was effectively managing the second-years.
‘If only someone like Herdeum had been appointed Seiren’s second-year head…’
Depeto sighed again.
Lumene had Sedgen, a veteran with years of experience.
Azonia had the young but capable instructor, Verga.
Every academy had someone fit to guide their golden generation—except Seiren.
‘At this rate, Seiren’s students might be ruined.’
Sighing, Depeto stepped up to the podium.
“To the students of Lumene, Seiren, and Azonia. If our Damienne students evaluated you this morning, it’s now your turn to evaluate them.”
The three academies’ students scanned the auditorium, where weapons were laid out like an arms exhibition.
Weapons forged by dwarves—every knight, mage, and summoner’s dream.
These were top-tier artifacts.
Now it was time to judge them.
A privilege reserved for hero candidates alone.
“Whoa… this is kind of nerve-wracking.”
“Yeah.”
Carr nodded at Eliana’s murmur.
Though she came from a prestigious house, even her family couldn’t afford dwarf-made weapons freely.
And most of the Lumene students shared the same excitement.
It was no different for Seiren and Azonia.
Of course, there were some who didn’t care much.
“Hmph. I’ll make sure they pay dearly for evaluating the heir of House Hergin.”
Eliza, seated in a chair her follower had brought, polished her nails with a smug grin.
“Hopefully at least one of these is better than my home collection.”
“Maybe I’ll pick up a new magic staff while I’m here.”
Duran and Abad also showed interest.
Watching them, Carr clenched his fists.
“Damn bourgeois brats.”
“Don’t mind them. They live in a different world,” Eliana said, shaking her head.
“Well then,”
Depeto addressed the students.
“Begin.”
Just as the students from Lumene, Seiren, and Azonia were about to move toward the displayed weapons—
“Hey! You there! Hey, skinny!”
Rumble—!
A Damienne student came charging in, shouting.
“Skinny? Who’s he talking to?”
Eliana tilted her head.
“No idea,” Carr shrugged.
But that was only the beginning.
More Damienne students came rushing in.
“You! Yeah, you! What was your name again?”
“Anyway, the one with the unique presentation!”
“Wow, I guess the honors students are popular even with Damienne kids.”
“Well, that’s only natural.”
The students around them nodded in admiration.
Carr and Eliana did the same.
“Of course it is.”
“Wait, aren’t they heading this way?”
Carr tilted his head.
“Hmph. As expected of master craftsmen—they’ve got an eye for quality.”
Then a sneer came from behind them.
Eliana made a face, and Carr stepped aside to avoid getting involved.
Arms folded, Emio walked forward.
Coincidentally, five dwarves were charging in from the direction where Emio was standing.
And of all the students nearby, Emio had the highest grades.
He trudged forward and addressed the leading dwarf.
“You got business with—”
RUMBLE—!
“…!”
Emio’s face froze as the dwarves rushed past him.
“Hah! Serves you right!”
Eliana giggled and proudly raised her chin.
“Looks like the dwarves are more interested in me, a top-tier magic swordswoman.”
She stepped forward and cleared her throat.
“Alright! Let’s talk, then—”
“You! Come with me! We need to talk!”
“Forget this idiot. Come have a real conversation with me!”
The five Damienne students completely ignored Eliana and gathered around Carr.
“Me?”
Carr pointed at himself in confusion.
“Yeah, you!”
A Damienne girl grabbed his hand.
“During lunch, I sketched out a rough design for that magic staff for mana bullets. I want your input.”
“Don’t listen to him! Look at my design instead!”
“Did you just call me an idiot?”
“No! Not yet!”
Another Damienne boy pulled Carr’s other hand.
Carr smirked at Eliana.
“Looks like they came for me.”
“Carr, you…! You…!”
“Looks like the dwarves are more interested in me, a top-tier magic swordsman~”
Carr mocked her tone and voice.
Eliana’s face turned bright red from frustration.
Carr chuckled.
But his laughter didn’t last long.
“He’s coming with me!”
“No, with me!”
“Ow! OW! My arms are gonna pop off!”
Dwarves may be small, but their natural strength was immense.
With two of them tugging on his arms from both sides, Carr couldn’t help but scream.
Meanwhile, Eliana crouched beside the dwarves who hesitated to join the tug-of-war.
“I guarantee you, Carr Thomas is a brilliant alchemist. His items are super popular among our school’s students.”
“I see. So that’s how he came up with that idea.”
“I don’t want to lose him.”
“Hmm…”
The remaining three dwarves twitched with desire to join in.
But both of Carr’s arms were already claimed.
“You’re really just going to let him get taken? He’s still got legs and a head.”
At that, the dwarves charged forward.
“GYAAAAAAAH!”
Carr screamed in agony.
Watching the chaos, Eliana walked over with a sweet smile.
“Carr, have you ever heard of the five-point sacrifice?”
“YOU MONSTER! ELIANA!”
Carr shrieked, and Eliana burst out laughing.
This sort of chaos unfolded all over the auditorium.
Damienne students began fierce bidding wars over students they liked.
“Eeeeeek?!”
Eiran screamed and ran.
“Don’t let her get away!”
“Catch her! Catch that elf!”
“W-Why are you chasing me?!”
“Show us that absolute-defense [Animus Armor]!”
Targets weren’t limited to those who had made impressive presentations.
Students with unique skills were also pursued.
Terrified, Eiran fled and found herself cornered.
“Show us the ancestral magic passed down in the Ersar family!”
“Do that, and there won’t be any bloodshed!”
“O-Okay! Just stop looking so scary, please!”
Shivering, Eiran asked,
“Should I show you here?”
Ten dwarves chasing her lit up.
The ancestral magic of the Ersar family.
They wanted to see the [Animus Armor] to gain inspiration.
In Damienne, students were intense rivals.
Unlike the Hero Academies, what mattered most was creativity and originality.
Which is why the Damienne students chasing Eiran all thought the same thing:
‘I’m going to monopolize this!’
And then they started throwing punches at each other.
“You’re not even an armor specialist!”
“Doesn’t matter! Why can’t a mage get inspired by armor?! Clearly, you’ve got no imagination!”
“What did you just say?!”
As they suddenly started a full-on brawl, Eiran trembled even more.
“What’s going on here?”
Depeto approached, puzzled.
“S-Smith Depeto! Something terrible is—”
“Hm.”
Depeto glanced at his students with a serious look… then smiled.
“Excellent passion.”
“…Excuse me?”
And with that, Depeto walked off.
Eiran stood frozen, watching the Damienne students slug it out with deadly seriousness.
For the school’s instructor to call that passion and walk away…
‘Terrifying! The Damienne students are terrifying!’
In the end, Eiran was too scared to even think of running.
—
“Get her!”
“Catch that gnat!”
“That staff you’re carrying! It’s [Legendary] grade, right?! Show us the heirloom of Lewellin!”
“Gnat?! At least say butterfly!”
Flying through the air to evade the Damienne students, Chelsea shouted down toward Leo who was walking calmly below.
“Leo! You look so relaxed! Jealous!”
Leo smiled.
“Seems like I’ve earned a lot of resentment.”
“Hmph! No taste, the lot of them!”
Chelsea pouted, but then—
“Stop right there!”
One of the dwarves chasing her had crafted a butterfly net.
“Seriously persistent… Leo! Catch you later!”
Rolling her eyes, Chelsea waved and flew off.
Leo waved back… then spotted a crowd of Azonia students gathered nearby.
“Oh! Black Rabbit!”
Ar Tune greeted him cheerfully.
“What’s with all these Azonia students here?”
“There’s a Damienne student here who specializes in ultra-heavy weapon crafting!”
“But you don’t use heavy weapons?”
Leo raised a brow.
“True! But that dwarf said something interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“Yeah. That only those who win his approval in arm wrestling can try his weapons.”
Ar explained that strength-confident Azonia students all swarmed here.
“You too?”
“Of course!”
Ar snorted proudly.
“Did you pass?”
“Obviously!”
She crossed her arms and raised her chin.
Then a dwarf with an enormous frame approached.
“Ar Tune. Still not considering having me make your weapon?”
Ar nodded.
“I could use weight-based combat, but my specialty’s speed, after all.”
“Hm. Shame. With your grip strength, if you built some muscle, you’d be unstoppable.”
“Hmph! If I bulked up here, I’d ruin my gorgeous body. No thanks.”
“Gorgeous? You mean scrawny?”
“Don’t call me scrawnyyyyy!”
Clawing at him, Ar was about to leap when Leo grabbed her hands with a bored look.
“Hmph. So you’re Leo Plov.”
The dwarf sneered at Leo.
“I heard you claim you can wield any weapon. Why don’t you try one of mine?”
Leo smirked.
“Sure.”
“But first…”
The dwarf shoved aside the Azonia students and sat at a steel arm-wrestling table.
“You’ll need to earn my recognition by beating me in pure arm strength.”
He grinned challengingly.
“So far, only five have succeeded.”
Among all races, beastkin had the best physical ability.
But in pure strength, dwarves were king.
This one in particular was at least 1.5 times larger than the average dwarf, with thick, muscular arms.
A true powerhouse.
Leo looked at him and nodded, stepping up to the table.
“Ooh.”
“Isn’t that the Lumene Student Council President?”
“How strong is he, really?”
The Azonia students looked on with interest.
“Hmph. You’d better go all out, or I might break your arm.”
The dwarf pointed to a few Azonia students with bandaged arms.
Clasp!
They locked hands.
Thump!
They tensed and stared each other down.
‘Mastering all weapons is impossible. Especially ultra-heavy ones like mine.’
The Damienne student, Eget, narrowed his eyes.
‘Even if you use Aura to boost your strength, what matters most is pure, raw power. Without it, you’ll never handle my weapons.’
“Ready.”
Eget braced his arm.
‘You may be amazing, Leo Plov… but you’re too arrogant!’
“S—”
‘I’ll teach you a lesson!’
“—tart!”
BANG!
Eget blinked.
He was suddenly staring at the ceiling.
The Azonia students gaped at Leo, who had ended the match in an instant.
“W-Wait, he didn’t use Aura, right?”
“I didn’t sense any.”
Leo smiled down at the floored Eget.
“I’ll be borrowing one of your weapons.”