Chapter 52
The day after exam week ended, the Class 5 students cheerfully stood up after school.
“Hey! Let’s have a party to celebrate the end of exams! Party!”
“Carr! You know what’s up? I’m all for it!”
As Carr and Eliana planned a celebration party—
Creak—!
The classroom door opened and Professor Harrid walked in.
“Everyone, take your seats. You have five seconds.”
“Gasp!”
“Hey! Move! Move!”
At Professor Harrid’s command, the Class 5 students who were about to leave hurried back to their seats.
Snap—!
Professor Harrid nodded in satisfaction as he watched the students instantly take their seats.
“The results of the exam grading are out.”
Tension appeared on the students’ faces.
“Ugh! I forgot about that.”
Carr grabbed his head and slumped over his desk.
Seeing this, Professor Harrid spoke.
“The student in our class who received a withdrawal recommendation is…”
Gulp—
At the merciless announcement, everyone swallowed dryly and focused on Professor Harrid’s lips.
“None.”
“Ooooooh!”
“Hurray! We survived!”
“That means I can make it through at least the first semester!”
The students cheered.
Those whose grades were borderline shed tears.
Cheers rang out not just from Class 5, but from other classes as well.
“Shouting while I’m speaking… That takes some nerve.”
At Professor Harrid’s words, silence immediately fell.
“Don’t get too carried away. There are no withdrawal recommendations, but plenty of you were on the edge. For those students, I personally prepared after-school supplementary lessons.”
Afterward, Professor Harrid called out the names of students who needed supplementary lessons.
The faces of those selected for supplementary lessons turned pale.
“Doesn’t seem like you’re happy.”
“We’re happy.”
“So happy we could cry! Haha. Hahahahaha.”
“One last announcement.”
Everyone turned their gaze to Sena.
“There will be a party tonight to celebrate the end of midterms.”
At those words, the mood in Class 5 heated up.
“And at the party, we’ll decide the schedule for the school trip that will take place in a week.”
Class 5 didn’t understand for a moment and wore blank expressions.
A moment later.
Cheers erupted from all over.
“Ooooh!”
At Lumene, each grade goes on a school trip once a year.
Sometimes they go by class, sometimes by department.
This time, Professor Harrid explained, it would be by class.
“Our school is unexpectedly spontaneous sometimes.”
“The school trip was on the first-year schedule, right?”
“It was, but there wasn’t a set date, was there? And now it’s suddenly in a week.”
Chelsea shook her head, and Nella gave her signature languid smile.
“Hmph. It’s finally my time to shine.”
Carr struck a proud pose, hand to his chin.
“What do you mean, your time to shine?”
“I have a lot of connections, you know? I’m already on good terms with the second- and third-year seniors. I’ll go find out what first-year school trips are usually like!”
“Then I’m counting on you.”
Carr hurried out of the classroom.
‘A school trip, huh.’
Leo rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window.
‘Come to think of it, since I was reborn, I haven’t really looked around anywhere.’
All Leo had seen so far was the Plov family estate, the family mansion in the Delard Kingdom’s capital, Lumene Academy, and Lumeria City.
It was the complete opposite of his previous life, when he wandered the world at this age.
Feeling a strange anticipation for the trip, Leo smiled.
—
“Where should we go for the school trip?”
“As long as it’s a bit relaxing, I’m good.”
“We’ll be able to have some fun, right?”
That evening.
A party was held in the dorm auditorium.
It was a celebration for finishing their first midterms.
And with a new department event announced, the overall mood was lively.
Of course, not everyone could be happy.
This test also served as a farewell party for the students who received withdrawal recommendations.
“Our school really has a cruel side.”
Dressed in a tuxedo befitting the party, Carr grumbled.
“Yeah.”
Tide nodded in agreement.
This party was mandatory for all first-years.
In other words, even students who had received withdrawal recommendations had to attend.
“It’s not quite survival of the fittest, but the atmosphere keeps pushing you to keep looking up.”
“Well, it is a school for raising great heroes, after all.”
Tide muttered, and Carr sighed, scratching his head.
As the two chatted, students continued to file into the dorm auditorium.
Class 5 students came in one by one and headed to their seats.
Among them, there were times when a boy and girl entered together.
When that happened, the students would jokingly boo.
Riding that atmosphere, Carr spotted two girls entering through the auditorium doors and let out an exclamation.
“Nella and Eliana.”
“Where! Where!”
Other Class 5 boys nearby showed intense interest.
“Wow! As expected of Nella!”
“Eliana might be rough usually, but when she’s dressed up, she’s a real beauty!”
With the arrival of the two girls representing the class, the boys voiced their admiration.
Then, noticing boys from other classes approaching, they hurriedly moved.
“Hey, hey! The pests are gathering!”
“Go bring them over!”
The Class 5 boys rushed over.
“When will the class president come?”
“I want to see the class president in a tuxedo already!”
“Nella~ Eliana~ Hurry over.”
The girls also greeted the two with bright smiles.
When the auditorium was mostly filled, a boy and girl entered together.
Of course, the mood was different from earlier.
Two with light blue hair and eyes—a boy and a girl.
It was none other than Abad and Chelsea.
Since they entered as siblings, there was no booing.
And even if they hadn’t, their presence was too overwhelming.
When the Lewellin siblings appeared, some Lordren Empire students gathered around them.
“Seeing them now, their family really is in a league of its own.”
Carr clicked his tongue.
Lumene has many students from heroic families.
But the Lewellin family possessed an authority that flatly refused any comparison to other famous heroic families.
“There’s another big name over there that’s just as impressive.”
As soon as Eliana finished speaking, another pair entered.
Again, there were no jeers.
Their appearances were strikingly contrasting—black hair and white hair.
It was Leo and Celia.
“It’s the class president!”
“Just as expected, so cool!”
The Class 5 girls cheered.
“She always seemed dignified before, but dressed up like that, she’s truly beautiful.”
“Celia! You look gorgeous!”
From Class 1, cheers erupted regardless of gender.
Normally dignified and confident, Celia was popular with both boys and girls.
With her beautifully adorned in a red dress tonight, the atmosphere was bound to be electric.
“But why does it have to be the vice president from Class 1!”
“And why does it have to be the president from Class 5!”
At the same time, both classes voiced the same complaint and glared at each other.
Professor Harrid and Sedgen.
The rival relationship between these two renowned professors at Lumene was already well known.
Of course, it was mostly Sedgen declaring the rivalry one-sidedly, but thanks to that, Class 5 and Class 1 had unwittingly developed a sense of rivalry.
As Celia appeared, the Lordren Empire students rushed over in a group.
When the Lordren Empire students gathered, Leo naturally slipped away and headed for the Class 5 area.
“Why are you here so soon? Chelsea’s still over there talking.”
Carr asked with a puzzled look, and Leo shrugged.
“I don’t really fit in over there.”
“You don’t fit in? Aren’t all of them from the Western entrance exam?”
Eliana asked, a fork in her mouth, and Leo gave a small laugh.
“Even if they’re from the west, they’re all Lordren Empire. I’m from a different country.”
“Ah!”
Most students from the Western entrance exam are from the Lordren Empire.
Since the Lordren Empire encompasses the entire west, it was only natural.
“Class president! You’ll dance with me later during dance time, right?”
“You have to dance with me too~”
“Leo, you bastard!”
“Top grades and now popular too?”
The Class 5 girls laughed as they spoke to Leo, while the boys grabbed him and shook him around.
‘Hmph. Everyone’s in high spirits.’
“Oh! Professor Sena!”
Sena, the assistant homeroom professor, approached Class 5 with a smile.
“I’m so happy no one in our class got a withdrawal recommendation. Let’s keep studying hard together!”
Looking at the beaming Sena, the students felt a pang of emotion.
For Class 5 students, who were always subjected to Professor Harrid’s relentless teaching, Sena was like an oasis in the desert.
As the lively mood continued, the auditorium lights went out.
At the same time, a boy and girl appeared on the stage.
“Hello, everyone~!”
With the appearance of the infamous homeroom teachers of Class 5 and Class 8, Professor Harrid and Artianne, the boisterous party hall fell silent in an instant.
“Why, why are you all so quiet? Parties are meant to be fun, you don’t need to be silent.”
Even at those words, the students couldn’t easily start talking again.
When Artianne looked as if she might cry—
Professor Professor Harrid spoke into the microphone.
“Enjoy yourselves. While I’m being nice.”
“Waaaaah.”
“This is so much fun.”
“Hahaha.”
As if nothing had happened, the students started making noise again.
Watching the rowdy students, Artianne spoke.
“Enjoy yourselves as you listen. We’ll now be announcing the grades.”
‘Wait! You told us to have fun!’
‘Why are they announcing grades in public!’
“First, we’ll announce the top three students in each department. After that, we’ll announce the year representatives.”
Assistant Professor Artianne smiled.
“And, the rankings for all students will be posted around the party hall, so please check them.”
The assistant professors could be seen bringing covered boards.
Lastly, Professor Harrid added,
“And this party is also meant to comfort the students who are leaving. Keep that in mind.”
The mood in the party hall turned cold.
“So cruel. So cruel. This school really knows how to push the students.”
Carr clicked his tongue.
Announcing top students while supposedly comforting those recommended for withdrawal.
It was a message to the middle-ranked students.
Work harder and move up, and also, you too could end up like them at any time.
“Then, we’ll start with the top students in each department. First, the knight department. First place goes to—”
With a drumroll, spotlights started moving around the hall.
“Celia Zerdinger of Class 1! Congratulations!”
The spotlights all shone on Celia.
“Come on, everyone, applause!”
Clap clap clap clap clap—
Thunderous applause broke out.
Celia brushed her hair back and smiled brightly.
Confident as always, this was the Celia everyone knew.
“Second place is Duran Moira of Class 1!”
The spotlight fell on Duran, who stood with his arms crossed, but he wore a dissatisfied expression.
“Elegant! How elegant! Celia! Duran! I’m so proud of you! It was truly just a paper-thin difference between first and second place!”
Professor Sedgen was wiping away tears and clapping under the stage.
“Third place goes to Chen Xia of Class 10!”
Chen Xia, dressed in the traditional, dignified attire characteristic of the eastern region, smiled as the spotlight landed on her, both hands in her sleeves.
“Wow! Leo didn’t make the top three?”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Those three are called the knight department’s monster trio.”
Chelsea clenched her fist in frustration, and Eliana shook her head.
“Next is the magic department. First place goes to… Abad Lewellin of Class 8! Congratulations, Abad!”
As the student in charge of the department took first, Artianne beamed and waved.
“Of course!”
Chelsea snorted, crossing her arms with a smug expression.
“Second place goes to Chelsea Lewellin of Class 5!”
When the spotlight shone on her, Chelsea looked a bit flustered.
“Huh, me?”
“Third place goes to Emio Luchan of Class 2. Congratulations.”
After the magic department announcement, a strange atmosphere filled the party hall.
Everyone’s attention was focused on one student.
“It really hit Chloe hard to get a zero on the practical.”
Carr muttered bitterly.
“Ugh! Chloe! If it weren’t for this! If it weren’t for this, Chloe would have been first…! Ugh! Don’t ever give up or lose heart!”
“You’re being noisy, you’re interrupting the announcement. Take him away.”
At the sight of Sedgen sobbing loudly, Professor Harrid coolly motioned with his chin.
A few assistants quickly helped support Sedgen and led him away.
The mood among the Class 1 students wasn’t good either.
As Chloe gave a wry smile, Duran sneered and approached.
“Chloe Mueller. You’ve brought shame to the entire class.”
“Sorry, Duran.”
“You beat me and became class president. So I won’t tolerate any more disgrace. If you disappoint me again, I’ll take the class president position back.”
With that, Duran turned and left.
Watching this, Carr muttered,
“The moment that jerk said that, Chloe just got a pass to stay in the class…”
Not only Duran, but all the Class 1 students offered comfort to Chloe.
It showed how respected Chloe was as class president.
“Next is the summoning department! First place goes to Walden Thaiden of Class 2!”
The spotlight shone, but Walden just kept a blank face.
“And in second place, Eliza Hergin of Class 6! It was also a very close match.”
Eliza, sitting in an elegant and fluffy chair from who knows where, was filing her nails.
But unlike her usual relaxed face, she was glaring at Walden with a hint of annoyance.
Third place went to Jureden Rsen of Class 8.
“I thought for sure Leo would make the top three in at least one subject.”
Eliana said in surprise, and Leo shrugged.
“It happens.”
“Aren’t you a little too relaxed? If you don’t make the top three in a department subject, you’re out of the running for year representative!”
“Then next, we’ll announce the midterm valedictorian. The year representative.”
Tension filled the air at those words.
As everyone watched the nine students, Artianne began to speak.
“First place in the midterms! Leo Plov!”