Chapter 34
“What?! You saw the Wise King!”
“Unbelievable! Is that Lysinas’s [Hero Record]?”
The entire grade was in an uproar over the hero studies incident.
All academy professors were summoned, and classes were replaced with self-study.
That was how serious this incident was.
There aren’t many records left of the first great heroes recorded in the [Hero Record].
In such circumstances, a new fragment of the [Hero Record] featuring Lysinas had been discovered.
No wonder there was chaos at Lumene.
While the other students were reacting noisily—
Leo was deep in thought.
‘Why is my [Hero Record] the only one that’s so messed up?’
The reason a hero’s world was created was probably because Leo, as the true owner of the world, touched the [Hero Record].
But this was completely different from the entrance exam.
‘When entering a hero’s world, a message telling the challenger whose world it is appears. But this time…’
[Hero Record Open. ■■’s World. Chapter: ■■-■■■]
He couldn’t tell whose world it was.
‘Even when Lysinas called my name, I couldn’t hear it.’
It was as if someone had deliberately erased Kyle’s name.
‘There must be a definite reason my [Hero Record] is missing.’
Leo narrowed his eyes.
‘Originally, there was only one [Hero Record], right?’
Now split into five, the [Hero Record] was once a single, complete record.
But long ago, due to some event, it was divided into five.
In that process, many pages were lost and scattered around the world.
‘If someone deliberately destroyed the [Hero Record]…’
The [Hero Record] is an artifact that allows one to inherit a hero’s power.
It is literally the force that raises heroes.
‘If someone didn’t want new heroes to be born…’
That thought sent a chill down Leo’s spine.
‘Erebos.’
“Leo?”
At Chelsea Lewellin’s call, Leo snapped out of it.
“Why do you look so scared?”
“It’s nothing.”
‘I need to investigate why the [Hero Record] was split.’
—
A month passed since the hero studies incident.
At first, the commotion faded away.
The [Hero Record] related to Lysinas was a huge topic.
But there was nothing first-years could actually do about it.
Many students asked the professors about Lysinas, but received no answers.
On top of that, with midterms approaching, the incident naturally faded from the first-years’ attention.
Professor Len’s magic theory class.
“As you all know, midterms are coming up soon.”
The students looked nervous.
This was the first time Professor Len mentioned midterms.
Everyone knew what that meant.
‘He’s talking about the practical exam.’
At Lumene, exams were split into written and practical tests.
For all major subjects, the practical component counted for more.
Naturally, students had been waiting for mention of the practical.
Professor Len picked up a piece of chalk and stood in front of the blackboard.
The sound of chalk echoed through the lecture hall.
Students started murmuring.
“Original. In other words, unique magic. This will be your midterm practical exam assignment.”
He tossed the chalk into the tray and walked to the center of the podium.
“Original magic is the type that clearly shows a mage’s individuality. In today’s era, where incantations are the norm, mages tend to avoid original spells. They’re inefficient.”
Looking at the students, Professor Len grinned.
“But I believe original magic is essential for mages. Spells that deviate from the standard formula are hard to break. They can become your trump card in an emergency.”
At those words, the students’ eyes lit up.
A trump card.
That alone was enough to fire up young mages.
“Then, let’s talk about some famous unique spells from history. Who can name one?”
The students raised their hands.
“Chelsea Lewellin.”
“Rubert Lewellin’s magic.”
“Right. The founder of the Lewellin family did indeed possess powerful unique magic.”
Chelsea Lewellin sat down, proud.
After that, more students started giving answers.
Normally, Professor Len would accept a few responses and move on, but today he seemed to be waiting for a particular answer.
The students picked up on it and became even more active.
Then Leo raised his hand.
“Leo! Please answer.”
Professor Len’s tone rose.
He had always shown special interest in Leo, but unlike Professor Len, Leo rarely answered questions.
Leo stood and replied.
“Star Magic.”
The students looked puzzled.
Star Magic.
That referred to the elves’ unique magical system.
It was certainly powerful magic.
But any elf could use Star Magic.
That didn’t seem unique enough.
But at Leo’s answer, Chloe Mueller, Abad Lewellin, and Chelsea Lewellin froze.
Len snorted forcefully.
“That’s right! That’s exactly what I was looking for!”
He clapped passionately and explained.
“Star Magic, which became a standard magic system for elves! But that’s a modified version so any elven mage could use it!”
Len raised his voice.
“You all know how powerful Star Magic is!”
Star Magic.
It’s magic unique to elves, shaped to suit elven mana.
That’s why it’s hard for other races to use.
It’s all about sense and talent.
That’s why the entire magic department was in an uproar when Leo used elven magic.
“But!”
Len clenched his fist and spoke seriously.
“The Star Magic used by elves today is just a minor copy of the original spell created by Luna, the [Founder of the Nebula]. In all of history, only one person ever used the true Star Magic!”
‘There were actually two.’
Leo gave a small laugh, propping up his chin.
“The one and only is [Founder of the Nebula] Luna, the creator of Star Magic.”
The magic students clenched their fists.
“Now do you understand why you should pursue original magic?”
For mages aspiring to be heroes, Luna was an object of reverence.
The fact that Luna’s foundation of magic was an original spell was more than enough to convince the students of the need for original magic.
Ding-dong-dang-dong—
The bell signaling the end of class rang.
“That’s all for today.”
The students packed up their things and got up.
Everyone was busy discussing original magic with their friends.
“Original magic… this is nuts,” Carr Thomas scratched his head.
Original magic was essentially the realm of creativity.
Inventing a new spell wasn’t just hard—it was extraordinarily difficult.
“Leo, you have three practical exams in your majors, right? Must be tough preparing for all of them,” Carr said sympathetically.
Leo smiled.
“I have to work hard.”
‘I have plenty of unique spells from my previous life.’
Leo had created many original spells in his previous life.
This exam was a very welcome one for Leo.
As Leo and Carr left the classroom together—
“Leo.”
He turned at the voice behind him.
Chloe Mueller stood there, clutching a spellbook.
Originally, Leo, Carr, and Chloe always attended magic classes together.
But for the past month, Chloe had started sitting apart from them.
It wasn’t because of a fight or bad blood.
After class, they still chatted and hung out as usual.
But during lessons, she sat alone.
‘She said she felt a strong sense of rivalry with me.’
“Want to have lunch together?”
Leo smiled and asked, and Chloe took a deep breath and stepped closer.
At that moment, the black spellbook she was holding caught Leo’s eye.
‘That’s not the textbook. Is that a personal grimoire?’
“Leo. I’m definitely going to beat you in the practical exam.”
Carr was startled by Chloe’s determined declaration.
“Hey, what’s this about friends needing to beat each other? And Leo’s better than you? As a mage, you’re still the top—”
“No.”
Chloe gripped the spellbook tightly.
“Leo is better than me when it comes to spell formulas. That’s an undeniable fact.”
Her eyes suddenly grew cloudy.
“When it comes to spell formulas, I always have to be the best. That’s why I absolutely can’t lose.”
Gritting her teeth, Chloe stared straight at Leo.
“So I’ll beat you in this exam. Promise me you’ll also do your best as a mage. I won’t accept you slacking off on magic because of other majors.”
“Alright. I promise.”
“Hey, Leo!”
“Don’t worry, Carr. We’re not fighting.”
Leo put on a serious expression.
“If she says it like that and I run away, it’d be rude to Chloe.”
“Thanks, Leo. I’ll go ahead.”
Chloe smiled and left.
Watching her, Carr clicked his tongue.
“Ah, youth. It’s youth, alright.”
—
As midterms approached, the contents of the first-year practical exams were revealed one by one.
Knight studies had a sparring exam.
During midterms, duels would be held within the knight department.
Naturally, rankings were determined by the number of victories.
It was the subject with the earliest start for practicals.
On the actual exam day, the top eight students would be picked for a tournament-style duel.
For summoning studies, there were two practical exams.
One was a race riding flying beasts, and the other was a test of how freely you could control spirits.
For magic studies, students had to develop an original spell and present it before outside judges invited by Lumene.
Cramming wasn’t allowed.
It was an exam to assess how hard you’d worked all along.
And as for the all-important combat studies and hero studies, those exams were combined.
“Of course,” said Carr with an I-knew-it face.
“The goal for the combat and hero studies practicals is conquering a hero’s world.”
Carr pointed to the bulletin board at the front of the classroom.
“On exam day, teams will be formed randomly and you’ll have to conquer a hero’s world as the test. Absolutely crazy!”
Conquering a hero’s world required real teamwork.
If your team was decided in advance, you could strategize and boost efficiency.
But if you didn’t know your teammates, you’d have to be ready for anything.
It was an exam that assessed an aspiring hero cadet’s all-around abilities.
“So much for riding along~”
“Hey! Who said anyone’s riding along!”
“Yeah. Carr, you can’t even ride along, you’re just dead weight!”
“Chelsea Lewellin, you—!”
Ohohoho! Kyaaahaha! As Eliana Laden and Chelsea Lewellin ran off laughing, Carr grabbed his head in frustration.
“Carr, isn’t this exam actually good for you?”
“What?”
“You’re aiming to be a supporter, right?”
Carr’s eyes lit up.
“Whatever team you end up in, your role is already set, don’t you think?”
“Yeah! I just need to prepare thoroughly so I can support any team!”
The difference a supporter made in battle was huge.
Trying to imitate a mage was pointless—Carr could create far more synergy by preparing thoroughly as a supporter.
“Thanks, Leo! You’ve shown me the way!”
“I don’t really want Carr’s support though.”
“I’m a bit worried, too.”
“Tide! Nella! You too?!”
With his friends doubting him, Carr clutched his head and wailed.
