Chapter 280
Lunch time.
Just like the day before, most of the Hero Academy students wore exhausted expressions.
“Seriously, don’t these guys ever get tired?”
Ar looked utterly fed up.
Even the physically dominant students of Azonia were worn out from dealing with the relentless Dwarves.
Especially Ar—being Azonia’s second-year representative made her a prime target for many of the Dwarven smiths.
“Must be nice for you, muscle-head. You’ve already picked your exclusive smith.”
Ar pouted and glanced sideways.
Standing there was her childhood friend and Azonia’s second-year rank #2, Dion.
Dion had already chosen his smith long ago.
His exclusive smith was none other than Damienne’s second-year representative, Digness.
“Didn’t Digness offer to make you a weapon too?”
“He did.”
Ar crossed her arms.
Her white tail swayed lazily.
“But the stuff he made didn’t suit my taste.”
The weapons Digness made were undeniably refined.
He didn’t stick to just one weapon type or class, which was a big advantage.
Ar’s specialty was unarmed combat.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t use weapons.
In fact, she had been trained from a young age to master every type of weapon.
‘Because I admired Lord Aron!’
The Hero Aron.
According to the records, he was a godlike warrior who couldn’t be stopped by any weapon—or rather, who could use any weapon with mastery.
Ar had worked hard since childhood to become like Aron.
Digness’s weapons were excellent, but to Ar, they lacked flexibility.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a weapon that could become a sword when needed, a spear when needed, even an axe—and still be easy to carry around?!”
“You’re so greedy.”
Dion clicked his tongue and then stopped walking.
He spotted Leo talking to someone off to the side.
“There’s Leo Plov.”
“The Black Rabbit?!”
Ar’s white tail shot straight up like an exclamation point.
‘I need to ask how he used Howling!’
Thinking it was a good chance to ask what had been on her mind for days, Ar marched toward Leo.
Dion followed behind.
“Hey, Black Rabbit, I wanted to ask you—”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you, Leo Plov.”
Dion stepped in front of Ar, grabbing her by the head and nudging her aside.
Ar glared at him and immediately kicked his butt.
Dion, unfazed, ignored it like he was used to it.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yeah. The last time we talked was before the entrance exam festival in Azrek, right?”
Leo chuckled, recalling the summer visit to Azrek for Azonia’s entrance exams.
“I’ve heard a lot about your accomplishments. It’s a shame—you would’ve been a good fit for Azonia.”
Dion clicked his tongue with genuine regret and gave Leo a sharp grin.
“In that sense, Leo Plov, I challenge you to a spar—”
Smack—!
Ar slammed her palm into the back of Dion’s head.
Dion grabbed her by the collar.
“What the hell was that?”
“You started it.”
Ar replied casually.
“And remember what Dad said? No fighting while we’re in Damienne.”
“Right, Uncle Verga did say that.”
‘That hot-headed guy said *that*?’
Leo recalled Verga, Ar’s father and Reina’s old comrade—a Beastkin hero and instructor from Azonia.
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Real fights are supposed to be done secretly anyway.”
“Sure, like *you* could fight secretly. Your combat style is basically fireworks.”
Ar scoffed.
Dion said calmly,
“Ar, you know what it feels like—the thrill of challenging someone stronger.”
Dion unleashed his fighting spirit and looked Leo in the eye.
“I want to test how well my strength measures up against the one they say is the strongest of our generation—Leo Plov.”
‘So he’s got a bolder side than I thought.’
Leo smirked as he looked at Dion.
“Everyone gather up! Students of each Hero Academy, gather now!”
A thunderous voice rang out.
It was Verga, the instructor from Azonia.
His voice was loud enough to reach every second-year student in the area.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed over.
Leading Lumene’s students was Professor Ain, followed by Herdeum from Seiren, Verga from Azonia, and Damienne’s second-year smith, Retana.
The students from each Hero Academy gathered together.
“Professor Ain, what’s going on?”
During the smith contract period, Lumene students were granted full autonomy in Damienne.
The same applied to the other Hero Academies.
In response to Duran’s question, Ain said,
“Principal Gerwin and Professor Sedgen from the second-year staff are currently in a meeting, so I’m here to relay the situation to you.”
The Lumene students looked puzzled.
Then Ain said,
“You all know about Tarkam, in the eastern part of the continent.”
The edge of Dwarven territory.
A massive Dwarven city known for producing rare ores and magic stones—most had at least heard of it.
“We’ve received reports of an abnormal situation in Tarkam. A monster as big as half of Mount Erdean has appeared. The guards of Tarkam are reportedly in a state of panic.”
The students began murmuring in shock.
“Mount Erdean? Isn’t that the place we went to during the first-year entrance exams?”
“A monster *that* big?”
“There’s no way…”
Most of the second-years had seen Mount Erdean in person last year.
It was a colossal mountain, towering beyond belief.
The idea that a monster half that size existed was simply absurd.
Chloe, tilting her head in confusion, turned toward Leo.
“Leo?”
Leo stood frozen, his expression hardened.
“Leo, is something wrong?”
Chloe asked gently, and Leo shook his head.
“It’s nothing.”
He smiled faintly and relaxed his face.
‘A monster as big as half of Mount Erdean?’
It defied logic.
Nothing that massive could possibly exist.
But Leo knew better.
He *had* seen such a monster.
‘Giant King, Gias.’
A Legion Commander who hadn’t shown himself since the Age of Calamity.
So shrouded in secrecy that people now considered him a forgotten myth.
‘He’s careful. Even with the Monster Queen defeated, he wouldn’t move without reason.’
Despite his colossal size, the Giant King was the most discreet of the Legion Commanders.
‘If he’s moved… there has to be a reason.’
Leo’s expression turned grim.
“Tarkam requested that Damienne investigate the matter. And during the principal meeting, a proposal was raised to entrust this mission to you all.”
“To us?”
“Yes. More precisely, the suggestion is to form mixed parties from each school to handle the investigation.”
The Lumene students began murmuring again.
“As you know, forming mixed parties with students from other Hero Academies is part of the third-year curriculum. You’re being given the chance to experience it a year early. I believe that’s what the principals intended.”
“Have the other academies agreed?”
“They have.”
The students’ expressions lit up with excitement.
“This might be fun!”
“Seiren’s the only issue…”
“Come on. Not *every* student from Seiren is a jerk.”
“Professor! What’s the party size?”
“That’s up to the students.”
Ain crossed his arms.
“Though this was a sudden mission, the professors agreed it will count toward your evaluations.”
That caused a few grumbles.
But no one objected outright.
Lumene’s students were already used to sudden changes in plans.
“What about the smith contracts?”
“This mission will last until next week. After that, the smith contracts will resume for the final week. It’s actually a good chance for the Damienne students to get to know us better.”
Ain scanned the second-years.
“Start forming your parties. You’re headed for Mount Erdean, so be careful with your team setup. You’re allowed to cooperate with other parties too. This is a monster outbreak zone—you *will* have to fight.”
The tension in the Lumene group rose.
They had faced all sorts of trials over the past year, but the word “real combat” still sent a chill down their spines.
“This mission will be your first chance to apply everything you’ve learned. It’s also a rare opportunity to test yourselves against other hero candidates from your generation. I expect great results.”
“Yes, sir!”
—
“Leo, what are you gonna do?”
Carr scratched his head as he asked.
Forming a party.
For Carr, this was the biggest challenge.
He was aiming to become a professional support-type.
But it wasn’t because he was skilled—it was because he had no choice.
While Lumene viewed that decision positively, he wasn’t sure how students from the other academies would see it.
In response to Carr’s question, Leo said,
“Carr, want to team up with me this time?”
“That’d be awesome.”
Carr grinned.
“So who else are you thinking?”
Leo nodded.
“I’ll gather them. Wait here.”
With that, Leo headed toward the Seiren students.
Students from Lumene, Azonia, and Damienne were already chatting and forming parties.
But no one was brave enough to approach the Seiren group.
Their behavior had made it difficult for others to approach them casually.
This mission brought together hero candidates from various races.
With differences in race, culture, and values, teamwork was more important than anything.
And Seiren’s racial attitudes could severely threaten that.
So most students decided to form solid parties first, then cautiously consider bringing in Seiren students.
Only Leo went to Seiren *first*.
And of course, the students he intended to recruit were obvious.
“Lunia. Eiran.”
He smiled at the two girls standing at the front of the Seiren group.
“Want to join my party?”
Lunia smiled back and nodded.
“If it’s you asking, then sure.”
“Of course, Leo!”
Eiran beamed and nodded as well.
Leo then headed for Azonia and brought in Ar.
“Black Rabbit. This sounds fun! I’m in!”
Ar joined without hesitation.
Finally, Leo approached Damienne’s group and invited Driana.
“I’ve no interest in speaking with the man who crushed my masterpiece!”
Driana, back to her theatrical tone, flatly rejected Leo’s offer.
Clearly, she was still holding a grudge over her broken sculpture.
Leo replied,
“I gathered some people who’d make good models.”
Driana flinched.
“Models? Are they pretty?”
“Yeah. I guarantee their looks.”
“You’ve piqued my interest.”
After some thought, Driana agreed to join Leo’s party.
Together, they walked back to where the other parties were gathering.
Seeing Lunia, Eiran, and Ar standing in front of him, Carr looked up at the sky in despair.
‘What the hell is he planning with this all-star team?’
Except for himself—who was practically failing—everyone else was a top-tier, representative-level student.
Some students nearby stared at Carr with envy.
Others pointed and whispered.
‘They’re probably saying I’m freeloading again.’
But this time, Carr truly felt wronged.
“Carr’s freeloading again?”
Eliana passed by with a teasing tone.
“Come on! Do I *look* like I’m freeloading?”
“Sure. You’re with the class rep, Seiren’s rep, and Azonia’s rep. If that’s not freeloading, what is?”
“Think about Leo’s personality! Why do you think he picked *them*?”
Carr looked ready to cry.
“You *know* he’s planning something insane!”
Eliana paused.
She had to admit—Carr had a point.
Leo wasn’t the type to gather strong people just to make things easy.
She patted Carr’s shoulder with pity.
“Good luck.”
“What? Eliana, are you joining our party?”
Hearing Leo’s voice, Eliana flinched.
One look at Leo’s face and she bolted.
Carr held his head in his hands.
Driana, walking beside Leo, commented,
“Hmm. His face is a bit lacking for a model.”
“What’s your problem?”
“But the face of despair… now *that’s* a masterpiece. Would you consider being my model?”
“Model?”
“Yes. A nude model.”
The cute Dwarven girl offered the idea in a solemn tone, and Carr looked absolutely horrified.
‘Now that I think about it… she *is* the Damienne rep, isn’t she?’
Carr glanced at Lunia and Ar.
“What’s with that creepy look?”
Lunia narrowed her eyes, visibly annoyed.
Carr muttered to himself,
‘A delinquent, a muscle-brain, a pervert… even the top students from the other academies are weirdos.’
He looked over at Leo.
Leo gave him a gentle, mature smile.
Carr knew that smile well.
When Leo smiled like that, it meant *hell* was coming.
After a year of sitting next to him, Carr knew it too well.
‘We’re doomed.’
Carr gave a bitter smile.