Chapter 306
The first-year dormitory’s large bathhouse.
Among the various baths, the grand one at its center was the most popular.
But at this moment, only two people were inside.
The student council president and the vice president—holders of the highest authority in Lumene.
For first-year students, it was pure torment.
The Lumene Student Council.
At ordinary schools, that might just be another student organization.
But at a Hero Academy, its power was overwhelming.
They were, quite literally, the leaders among those destined to become heroes who would shape the future of the world.
For newly admitted first-years, there was no way not to feel intimidated.
“Is it true?”
“I’m telling you! The professor said to me—huh? What’s with the atmosphere here? Is something—ugh?!”
“W-What’s wrong? What the—urk?!”
The students entering the bath froze when they spotted Leo and Hark Riguard.
“Don’t mind us. Just wash up.”
Leo said with a gentle smile, and the boys, shrinking their necks, timidly went to the corners to wash while watching their surroundings.
Seeing that, Leo spoke.
“Do you really have to make the first-years so nervous?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
Hark shot Leo a sidelong glance.
“They’re just scared on their own.”
With a snort, Hark leaned back, yawning lazily.
“I heard something interesting happened over at Damienne?”
The story that Leo’s group had conquered Dweno’s [Hero Record] had already spread throughout Lumene.
At Hark’s words, the first-years perked up and focused on Leo.
“How was it? The Great Heroes?”
“Just as you imagine, Hark.”
“Just as I imagine, huh.”
As one who had conquered many [Hero Dungeons] in Lumene, Hark had seen countless worlds of heroes.
But even he had never experienced the world of the Great Heroes.
“Jealous.”
Hark muttered sincerely as he stood up.
Splash—!
“I’ll head out. Not a fan of having first-years trembling under my gaze.”
He gave a crooked grin, glaring at Leo.
“You’re the president. At least show up at the council sometimes. Stop dumping all your responsibilities on me.”
With that, Hark left, leaving behind Leo’s quiet smile.
‘Looks like I’ll have to start paying a bit more attention to academy affairs while preparing for midterms.’
“Sir!”
“Congratulations on conquering Dweno’s [Hero Record]!”
“As expected of you, Sir Leo!”
While no first-year dared approach Leo, three students stepped forward.
They were Austin Mare, Valerie Tom, and Julian Carven—members of Leo’s Slayer Knight Order.
Having trained under him since the Zerdinger household days, they could approach him without hesitation.
“Ooooh! Leo senior!”
Another voice chimed in as someone hurried over.
“Congratulations, Leo senior! Of course! Who else but you could possibly conquer Master Dweno’s [Hero Record]!”
It was Fritz Edgon, a first-year from the Magic Department—one of those fanatically devoted to Leo.
Soon after came Haviden Birsen, who greeted him politely.
As Leo accepted their greetings with a puzzled look, he asked,
“Where’s Luke?”
At that, Fritz replied,
“If you mean Luke Elda, he’s probably training at the arena right now.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes, he’s been at it nonstop.”
—
After finishing his bath, Leo headed to the training grounds behind the first-year male dormitory.
At this late hour, only one person was there—Luke Elda, running silently.
Sweat poured down his entire body, his arms and legs trembling.
Thud—!
“Ugh!”
Luke collapsed, clutching his stomach and dry-heaving.
“Haah! Huff! Haaah!”
Completely exhausted, he panted heavily as Leo approached.
“You’re working hard.”
Startled, Luke raised his head.
“Leo senior! You’re back!”
As he tried to stand, his legs gave out beneath him, trembling uncontrollably.
Around his wrists and ankles were bracelets made of magic—artifacts crafted by Leo himself.
‘Well, technically designed by Luna.’
They were items Kyle had requested from Luna Lubinence to aid in Velkia Ersar and Vihar’s training.
Since entering Lumene, Leo had used them to train himself, Celia, Chelsea, and his knights.
Their effect was simple—a [Sealing Orb] that suppressed the wearer’s physical and mana abilities, forcing them to confront their limits repeatedly and expand their potential.
‘Luna and Arron were hopeless when it came to developing their disciples’ potential.’
Both were born with overwhelming magic and physical power.
They excelled at teaching spells and martial techniques—but were terrible at nurturing growth.
“Have you ever released the seal?”
“No. You said I could if I wanted to, but once I do, the effect would diminish.”
When wearing Luna’s [Sealing Orb], the body felt as though sunk deep underwater, heavy and sluggish, mana flow dulled.
Life under constant strain—perfect training for growth.
And for Luke, it was the most effective method possible.
Luke had learned everything on his own.
Because of that, he didn’t fully understand his own abilities.
While other students came to Lumene to refine an already filled vessel,
Luke was here to fill an empty one.
‘That’s why he doesn’t know himself.’
His vessel was empty—he couldn’t tell how much had been filled or how strong he had become.
If he ever removed the seal, he would immediately realize how far he had grown—and where his limits lay.
Once that awareness set in, resealing would only hinder growth.
The moment the seal felt like a restriction rather than a tool, its effect would be halved.
‘Because he’d start seeing it as a limitation.’
“Isn’t it hard?”
“I expected it.”
“Feels like you’re the only one not moving forward, huh?”
The early semester was when first-years grew the fastest.
Ranks often flipped during this time.
Failures rose to the top; top students fell behind.
But Luke remained at the bottom—showing no visible progress.
To others, it looked like stagnation.
And being Leo Plov’s mentee only made him more visible.
Leo—the unprecedented student in Lumene’s history.
That made Luke’s situation even crueler.
He was also called unprecedented—but as a joke.
The dullest student in Lumene’s history.
Barely avoiding expulsion by sheer luck.
Those were the whispers that followed him.
Luke clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
“It’s painful,” he said quietly.
“Everyone else is moving ahead… while I’m stuck here.”
The dropout at the bottom couldn’t move forward.
With midterms approaching, the gap would only widen.
Of course, he could release the seal—but…
“Leo senior told me once,” Luke said, his voice firm,
“My goal is to become class representative.”
A goal that felt impossible, a peak far out of reach.
He wasn’t confident—
but—
“Leo senior said I could do it. So I’ll do it.”
It was a vow made on Leo Plov’s faith.
Leo nodded.
“Good. Then come to the second-year classroom after class tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
“I told you after Damienne, I’d teach you magic.”
Luke’s eyes widened.
“You’ll really teach me magic?”
“Not me. Someone else will.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah. But—”
Leo grinned.
“Keep the fact that you’re learning magic a secret.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Because nothing hits harder than a hidden trump card.”
—
The next day.
As soon as class ended, Luke hurried to pack his bag.
“He’s off to train alone again.”
“How did that guy even become the student council president’s mentee? Or get into Lumene at all?”
“Poor Leo senior. He’ll probably get dragged down too.”
Their whispers filled the classroom.
Luke sighed.
He’d heard the same things for two weeks straight—and never got used to it.
‘Guess I’ll be hearing it for another six months…’
As his shoulders drooped, a firm voice cut through the noise.
“You do know,” it said coldly,
“that gossiping behind someone’s back is the lowest thing you can do? And did you just mock Leo senior?”
“Ugh—Sasha?”
“N-no, that’s not what we meant!”
It was Sasha Sienne Lordren, class representative of Class 1.
Her icy glare silenced the room.
The top student of the first-year class—and a princess of the Lordren Empire.
The air itself froze under her sharp presence.
“Hmph.”
Sasha snorted and turned to Luke.
“Luke. Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“To meet Leo senior.”
“Leo senior? May I come along?”
Sasha asked gracefully, spreading her fan.
Though young, she had charisma fitting of a future empress.
Luke, who often received her help, nearly agreed—but—
‘Keep learning magic a secret.’
Remembering Leo’s words, he scratched his head.
“Sorry. I have to go alone.”
“What a shame. I wanted to hear about the [World of Heroes] from him.”
Sasha sighed and gathered her things as Luke hurried out.
—
At the second-year classroom building, Luke took a deep breath.
Soon, class ended, and a crowd of second-years spilled out.
“Let’s go eat!”
“There’s a new menu at the Hero’s Tower restaurant!”
“Hurry before it’s packed!”
A group of second-year girls bustled out—then paused when they saw him.
“What’s a first-year doing here?”
“Bold. But kinda cute.”
“Isn’t that Leo’s mentee?”
As their attention turned toward him, Luke shrank back further.
“You’re Luke Elda?”
“Y-Yes! That’s me!”
The cold voice made him tense up. When he turned, he nearly jumped.
‘D-Duran Moira!’
With his usual arrogant expression, Duran looked down at him coolly.
Luke, visibly nervous, flinched as Duran smirked.
“Hmph. Haviden’s better.”
Looking oddly satisfied, Duran added,
“You admit it too? Good eye.”
At that moment—
“How ridiculous,” came a sharp voice.
“Bragging about being someone’s second choice. Impressive.”
‘E-Eliza Hergin!’
Among first-years, Duran and Eliza were known as the most terrifying duo.
Luke froze as Duran scoffed.
“Bold words for someone not chosen by any mentee.”
“Hmph. Mentorships are a nuisance anyway. I wouldn’t have accepted one.”
As Eliza sneered, Carr Thomas passed by and muttered,
“Funny words from someone who threw a tantrum after being rejected by Sasha—urk?”
“Why bring that up now?”
Eliza wrapped her whip around Carr’s neck, tightening it mercilessly.
Seeing the chilling scene, Luke trembled even harder—until Leo called out,
“What are you doing there? Come here.”
“Yes, sir! Excuse me, seniors!”
After bowing politely, Luke hurried over.
Duran smirked.
“I suppose I’ll go check on Haviden today.”
“Same. Juen’s been asking me for advice too.”
Carr rubbed his neck, muttering, as other second-years dispersed to meet their mentees.
Left alone, Eliza scoffed and walked toward the dorms.
“Want to walk together?” Carr asked.
“Why would I go with a Magic Department student?”
Carr smiled faintly.
“Because Juen wants to hear about the Phoenix King.”
“…Hmph. That might be worth listening to.”
Crossing her arms, Eliza followed beside him.
—
“Are you really going to teach me magic, Leo senior?”
“My own fundamentals are a bit outdated. I’m bringing you to someone who’s up to date—and might take interest in you.”
Leo answered calmly as they entered the Second-Year Magic Department building.
He headed for Len Hors’ office.
Knock, knock—
“Professor Len, this is Leo Plov. May I come in?”
Normally, Len would’ve greeted him warmly. But today, there was silence.
As Leo frowned and prepared to knock again—
“Leo, you’re here.”
A weary voice greeted him. It was Anna, Len’s assistant professor.
“Professor Anna. Is Professor Len not here?”
Anna looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
Her face was pale, dark circles under her eyes.
“See for yourself.”
When she opened the door, Leo’s expression stiffened.
Len’s usually tidy desk was buried under empty bottles.
And Len himself was slumped over, half-conscious.
“Again?”
“Listen to his drunken rant.”
Anna crossed her arms, glaring daggers at him.
Leo approached.
“I’m finished… I lost my students to a first-year professor… sob…”
“……”
“Ever since Professor Melina took the second-years to Damienne, he’s been like this,” Anna muttered.
Leo sighed deeply.
‘Sometimes, Professor Len’s mental strength is absurdly tough… but other times, he’s fragile as glass.’