Chapter 45
The next day, when Leo arrived at the main training ground for the final exam, he easily spotted Chloe.
As always, Chloe had a magic tome tucked under her arm, and five students were gathered around her.
“Chloe! Your original magic! Can you explain it to us in detail?”
“Yeah! Yeah! We want to reference it for our magic!”
“Please, Chloe. You always look out for us, right?”
“That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?”
They pressed Chloe with eager, shining eyes.
‘Are those the ones who hang around Chloe these days?’
“Did you really understand all the spell formulas I taught you last time?”
“Of course!”
“You taught us so well!”
The girls smiled brightly.
But Chloe’s response was cold.
“You say you understand, but then your Magic Department written exam scores end up like that?”
“What?”
“You think I don’t know you approached me just to use me?”
“W-What?!”
“No! We just wanted to study together with you…!”
“You just copied my homework. With scores like those, you really think you understand the spells I made? Keep dreaming.”
“What did you say?”
“Did you really just say that?”
“That’s too harsh!”
The group bristled, but Chloe didn’t even blink—she just sneered at them.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“Huh? Leo?”
“W-Were you listening to our conversation?”
They glanced nervously at Leo.
It was true they’d copied Chloe’s homework.
If Leo told Professor Harrid Edmond about it, they’d be in serious trouble.
And they’d talked behind Leo’s back as well, so they felt even more uneasy.
“I’d like to talk with Chloe for a moment.”
“What are you going to talk about?”
“Yeah! Say it here! Chloe’s our friend!”
They spoke up firmly.
Chloe laughed coldly at the sight.
“Friend? Give me a break.”
“What?”
“Instead of wasting time trying to form cliques by using me, why don’t you study more? You can’t even handle the assignments. If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to call myself a Lumene Magic Department student.”
Leo frowned at Chloe.
That was nothing like the Chloe he knew.
“Hah! Fine! Enjoy your chat, you stuck-up overachievers!”
“We only hung out with you because you looked so lonely!”
“Always acting like you work the hardest! I thought you were annoying from the start.”
“Go hang out with your country bumpkin friends!”
They jeered as they walked away, and Chloe just scoffed.
“That’s not like you.”
“What isn’t?”
“You’re always kind to people around you.”
“I’ve decided to change. I’m done being an idiot, helping others just because I feel like it.”
Chloe folded her arms, speaking coldly.
“I heard from Celia. She said you were looking for me yesterday evening because you had something to discuss. Was it about my magic?”
“Yeah, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Perfect. I wanted to ask you something, too.”
Chloe smiled slightly.
“If you compare your original magic system to mine, which do you think is superior?”
“My Bible lets me use all existing magic. If we’re talking about something impressive, yours is definitely more impressive.”
“I knew you’d think so!”
Chloe beamed.
“I’m glad I worked so hard to surpass you. If I can’t be the best in magic theory, I’m worthless.”
“Worthless? Why would you say that?”
“Yeah. Now, the Mueller family won’t be looked down on in the Magic Tower anymore. No one will treat me like I’m less just because of my family…”
“Chloe? Is something wrong?”
Chloe looked a little startled as she noticed Leo’s hand on her shoulder.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, what did you want to ask about my magic?”
Looking a bit flustered, Chloe brushed Leo’s hand from her shoulder.
“Your magic… Did you really make it yourself?”
“Huh?”
“Were you influenced by something? Or is there anything like that?”
“Why are you asking? Are you jealous because my magic is more impressive?”
“What?”
“I thought you weren’t that kind of person, but I’m disappointed. I surpassed you in this practical exam. Just accept it.”
‘Definitely strange.’
Chloe was certainly competitive and proud of her magic.
But she was never the type to boast excessively or humiliate others.
While Leo was lost in thought, he noticed the black magic tome in Chloe’s hands.
‘When did it start? Chloe always has that magic book with her.’
Chloe was always reading magic books, and once she finished one, she’d get a new one.
But she’d been carrying that black tome for an unusually long time.
“Chloe, where did you get that magic book?”
“I bought it in Lumeria City.”
“Can I take a look at it?”
“Don’t touch my magic book!”
“Calm down—why are you so on edge?”
“You’re the one acting weird!”
Chloe glared at Leo, gritting her teeth.
“If you’re done, I’m leaving!”
Chloe stormed off.
Thunk—!
“Huh?”
She bumped into Chelsea, who was approaching.
“Watch it.”
“You watch it! Just because you’re from a good family, you think everyone has to care about you?!”
“What?”
Chelsea looked stunned at Chloe’s emotional outburst.
“Did something happen with Chloe? She’s never acted like that.”
At Chelsea’s question, Leo put on a serious expression.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, what’s up?”
“Professor Harrid Edmond called everyone together.”
At those words, Leo headed to where Class 5 was gathering.
As he did, he glanced back toward where Chloe had gone.
‘There’s something about that magic book. Could it be some kind of curse?’
As Leo and Chelsea went to join Class 5, Leo narrowed his eyes in the direction of Class 1.
When they arrived where Class 5 was waiting, Professor Harrid spoke.
“Now that everyone’s here, I’ll explain the rules for the exam.”
With a blank expression, Professor Harrid began.
“As previously announced, the joint exam for the Hero Studies and Combat Studies departments will be a challenge of the Heroic World. The world you’ll be tackling is the [Chedmothers Incident].”
A look of tension appeared on the students’ faces.
The Chedmothers Incident.
It was a major event at Lumene thirty years ago.
First-year students who had gone on a mission to the central Chedmothers Forest were attacked by Tartarus.
At the time, Professor Albi Zeron, then a second-year known as the [Mage of the Evil Eye], was dispatched as part of the rescue team and managed to narrowly avoid complete annihilation.
“The objectives are to rescue the wounded, subjugate the [demonic beast], and assist Professor Albi. Teams will not be grouped by class, but randomly mixed with students from different classes. This also evaluates your ability to respond when you don’t know who you’ll be working with.”
Professor Harrid Edmond’s face turned stern.
“This exam isn’t just another midterm assignment. It’s also meant to remind you to always stay vigilant, so don’t forget the meaning behind it.”
“Yes.”
“Also, anyone deemed to have no potential after this exam will be recommended to withdraw immediately. So be mentally prepared.”
The mood dropped at Professor Harrid’s words.
In that heavy silence, Professor Harrid spoke again.
“Believe in yourselves. You’ve grown enough.”
“…!”
“…!”
Professor Harrid’s lips curled into a slight smile.
At first glance, it looked like a cold smirk.
But for all of Class 5, who had never seen Professor Harrid smile, it was a shock.
‘Did he just encourage us?’
‘Professor Harrid Edmond?’
‘Wait, did he really just encourage us?’
They stared at their homeroom teacher in disbelief for various reasons, when Carr pumped his fist.
“Yeah! Guys! We’ve worked hard! We can’t just get expelled like this!”
“Carr Thomas. Even if I let the others go, you’re actually in danger. If you tarnish the class’s name by getting recommended to withdraw, I won’t let it slide.”
“Ugh!”
Carr clutched his chest and collapsed.
His classmates burst out laughing at the sight.
Amidst the laughter, Professor Harrid pulled out his watch.
“It’s time. Sera, start organizing the teams.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Sera hugged a box to her chest.
“Everyone, there are marbles in here. Please each draw one.”
Tension grew on the students’ faces.
One by one, they reached into the box to draw their teams.
Leo checked his marble.
‘Group 11.’
“I got Group 1.”
Chelsea mumbled as she looked at her marble.
“We’ll begin the exam. Group 1, please come forward.”
“Chelsea Lewellin is in Group 1? This should be interesting.”
“What? Celia Zerdinger is in Group 1 too?”
Group 1 included Celia and Chelsea.
In terms of ability, it was undoubtedly one of the strongest.
Once Group 1 finished their preparations, the Heroic World was opened.
Albi Zeron activated the Hero Record.
A magic projection appeared in the air, letting everyone see inside the Heroic World just like during the entrance exam.
With the top first-years Celia and Chelsea in Group 1, their team made rapid progress through the Heroic World.
“They’re always at each other’s throats, but they work well together.”
“They’re from the same empire—of course they’re in sync.”
Leo chuckled.
“Yeah, they’ll definitely rank high. Speed counts for a lot, too.”
Because the mission involved rescuing hostages, speed was a significant part of the score.
As Professor Albi Zeron watched the Hero Record from the supervisors’ table, laughter sounded behind him.
“First team already has 100% completion? As expected of the best first-years.”
The unexpected appearance of Principal Kalian surprised the professors, who hurriedly stood up.
“Principal Kalian, welcome!”
“What brings you here?”
“I just wanted to see how much the first-years have grown.”
Kalian smiled and sat next to Albi.
“Sorry, Professor Albi. I know this brings up bad memories for you every year.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful for it. It reminds me never to forget what happened.”
Kalian gave a bittersweet smile at that answer.
Meanwhile, the exam continued.
“Kyaa! Duran! So cool!”
“Look at that! He’s so fast!”
Duran, in Group 3, drew screams from the first-year girls as he unleashed [Aura] of lightning.
Watching this, Carr grumbled.
“He’s handsome, skilled, and even royalty? Life’s just unfair.”
“His personality’s bad, though.”
“If he had a good personality too, that’d just be cheating.”
Carr nodded at Chelsea’s words.
The professors evaluated the students carefully.
“Nella in Group 5 is definitely special. With her healing [Aura], we should support her.”
Watching Nella of Group 4 heal the wounded with [Aura], the professors were impressed.
Her abilities truly shone in a mission like this.
Eliana in Group 8 also received high marks.
Though as a magic swordsman she was average in the knight and magic exams, this test that required both skills showed her as a top-tier student.
“Group 11, step forward.”
When it was their turn, Leo stepped forward.
He paused when he saw the team roster.
Chloe was also in Group 11.
Their eyes met, and Chloe looked flustered.
“Let’s do our best, Chloe.”
Leo smiled, and Chloe hesitated before replying.
“Sorry about earlier. I think I was just being too sensitive.”
Chloe fidgeted with her black magic tome.
“It’s fine. That happens.”
Leo gave a small smile.
“If you’re ready, I’ll activate the Heroic World.”
Albi Zeron lifted the old book, the Hero Record.
For a moment, Albi’s gaze landed on Leo, then moved away.
[Hero Record Open.]
The message appeared before the first-years, who all looked tense.
[Albi’s World. Prologue: The Chedmothers Incident]
‘Wait. Something’s off.’
Vmmm—!
A burst of light blinded their sight.
When their vision returned, Leo looked around.
What spread out before him was a dense forest.
Leo found himself standing with only one other person—Chloe.
Something was clearly wrong.
Normally, a group of ten would enter the Heroic World.
But now, only Leo and Chloe had entered.
Seeing each other’s faces, the two exchanged confused expressions.
“What’s going on?”
“I—I don’t know.”
—
“What’s this?”
“Professor, why can’t we get in?”
The other members of Group 11 asked in panic.
“What’s happening?”
“Did only Chloe and Leo enter the Heroic World?”
“The video feed from inside the Heroic World just cut off!”
“Professor Albi Zeron, what’s going on?!”
The professors, realizing something was wrong, rushed to question Albi.
With a grim face, Albi spoke to Kalian.
“Principal, we may need to halt the exam.”
“What do you mean?”
Albi showed Kalian his Hero Record.
The page for the Chedmothers Incident was slowly being stained black.
It was a phenomenon Kalian recognized all too well.
‘No way… Hero Dungeonization?’
