Chapter 95
As the start time for the [Department Competition] approached, outside guests began to take their seats one by one.
In one corner, a commotion broke out.
“No way… Is that Albi Zeron, the Mage of the Evil Eye?”
“I can’t believe he’s attending a student event.”
The crowd of visiting dignitaries buzzed as they watched Albi sitting in the audience.
But no one dared approach him.
For as much as he was famous as a hero, just as many people feared him.
“It’s a surprise to see you at an event like this, Uncle.”
A girl with her arms full of snacks sat next to Albi with a calm face.
This drew even more whispers from the outsiders.
It was Elena Zeron, acting head of the Zeron family and a prodigy known across the world of magic.
‘So that’s the arrogant genius, Elena.’
The crowd’s interest grew.
A handsome young man confidently approached Elena.
“Hello, Lady Elena.”
“And you are?”
“My name is Alak Turka. I am the prince of the Turka Kingdom.”
The Turka Kingdom.
Located at the border between the western and central regions, it was a hub for trade.
Alak was the crown prince of that kingdom.
‘She really is as beautiful as the rumors say.’
Up close, Alak swallowed nervously.
Elena’s beauty was enough to leave him breathless.
Even as royalty, Alak had never seen anyone so stunning.
And on top of that, Elena was a powerful hero candidate with a formidable background.
For Alak, who was at the age to marry, she was an ideal match.
‘I should start by building rapport. With my status, I won’t be ignored.’
Stealing glances at Elena’s uniform skirt, Alak smiled smoothly.
“It’s an honor to meet the renowned Lady Elena. Please, grant me the chance to escort you.”
Bowing politely, he knelt and confidently reached for Elena’s hand.
Elena smiled serenely.
Taking the smile as a good sign, Alak rejoiced inwardly.
Pink magic shimmered around his body.
“Huh?”
Without even looking at him, Elena flicked her finger.
Whoosh! Crash!
“Gah!”
Alak was flung into the stands.
“How dare you!”
Furious, Alak sprang to his feet.
“Do you know who I am?!”
“Are you angry?”
Elena looked at him with wide eyes.
Alak, who’d been about to explode, suddenly went glassy-eyed.
“N-No, not at all!”
“Right? You’re not angry, are you?”
“Of course not! I could never be angry over something like this! Hahaha!”
“In that case, you’re bothering me, so could you disappear from my sight?”
“Certainly!”
It was incredibly rude to speak to a crown prince that way.
But Alak didn’t mind at all and scurried out of Elena’s view like a dog.
Elena pulled a bottle of perfume from her pocket and sprayed it into the air.
The surrounding dignitaries looked at Elena in shock.
‘So that’s Elena Zeron…!’
‘She breaks all diplomatic etiquette without a care!’
‘The witch of Lumene!’
Before she was called the Queen, Elena was known as a witch.
“I told you not to use that power so carelessly.”
Albi spoke coldly, but Elena just sounded bored.
“You saw him, didn’t you, Uncle? He kept staring at me with filthy eyes.”
Elena scoffed.
With her powerful background and beauty, Elena was used to being looked at with greedy eyes.
No matter how people tried to hide it, she could always tell.
“And it’s not like I even used much magic. If he can’t resist even that, isn’t he just weak?”
Elena smiled brightly.
The power she was born with drew people in with her charisma and looks.
As a child, it just made others follow her easily—but now, even her gaze could bewitch people.
“So, what brings you here, Uncle?”
“There’s a student I’m interested in watching.”
“A student?”
“A student worthy of being called a hero.”
Elena paused, hand in her snack bag.
‘A student worthy of being called a hero? He’s never said that to me before.’
“You mean Leo Plov?”
“Yes.”
Elena’s lips curled up.
As heir to the Zeron family, she’d met countless heroes and hero candidates from a young age.
To her, only Albi truly deserved the title of hero.
‘Even my father couldn’t compare.’
That’s why Elena unconsciously strove for Albi’s recognition.
But he had never once acknowledged her.
‘A student even Uncle recognizes?’
Elena’s icy gaze drifted to where Leo stood in the distance.
‘This should be interesting.’
* * *
[Honored guests, welcome! I am Sedgen, your host for today’s Department Competition.]
Sedgen’s voice echoed through the entire Erek training ground.
The buzzing crowd quieted and turned their attention to Sedgen.
[As previously announced, this Department Competition is a battle royale! You will be tested on your skills, tactics, and survival abilities. The last one standing will win glory for their department! The winning student’s department will be crowned champion!]
“A battle royale, huh?”
“That’s a first.”
“So it’s more of an individual match than a department competition.”
The visitors’ eyes shone with excitement.
The unusual format piqued their curiosity.
‘Especially since there are so many outstanding students this year.’
‘We need to recruit promising talent for our own causes.’
Sedgen continued explaining.
[You will each be given an artifact that monitors your condition! If the artifact detects a life-threatening situation, you will be teleported back here immediately!]
Sedgen held up a magical bracelet for everyone to see.
[In other words… It is possible to gang up on someone up to the point where they won’t die. Just don’t abuse it.]
Sedgen shot a cold look at the students—unusual for him.
The first-years flinched.
[Also, for our guests—]
Sedgen looked at the stands, his tone serious.
Everyone’s faces grew tense at the words of Sedgen, one of Lumene’s most famous professors.
[The main highlight of this competition will be the spectacular performance of the first-year, class one students! So, everyone, please pay special attenti—]
“Get him off.”
Without hesitation, Professor Harrid cut in.
At his order, Ain and Len rushed the stage and dragged Sedgen away.
“H-Hey! What are you doing? How could you treat me like this? After all I did for you in school! Hey! Let go! You lapdogs of Harrid!”
The students stared as Sedgen was dragged off in humiliation.
“Class one! I’m looking forward to your elegance!”
With that, Carr playfully shouted, and laughter spread among the first-years.
Step, step—
But the cheerful mood disappeared as soon as one man stepped onto the stage.
It was Professor Harrid—the teacher all the students feared most.
[Before the competition begins, one announcement. This Department Competition will also count as your final practical exam.]
“What?!”
“This is the final practical?!”
[Surviving the competition is the only goal for the event itself—but the final exam is different. Everything you do will be recorded by your bracelet. A student eliminated early could still get a higher score than someone eliminated late. So be mindful of every action. That’s all.]
Leo chuckled at Harrid’s words.
‘Smart move.’
You could join forces with your department to take out rivals and win for your team.
But if it’s also your final, things change.
‘If you just focus on helping your department, you could mess up your grade. It all comes down to strategy now.’
While Leo’s eyes gleamed, Harrid spoke again.
“In ten minutes, the competition will begin. Prepare yourselves.”
Assistants handed out bracelets.
“Whew! I’m nervous,” Carr said, his face stiff.
“You’ll do fine, Carr,” Leo replied with a small smile.
“Of course. But be careful, Leo. Lots of people are after you.”
“Don’t worry.”
Leo and Carr bumped fists.
“Me too! Class president, give me some of that good luck!”
Eliana came over and bumped her fist with Leo as well.
Soon, the rest of class five students gathered around Leo.
“Go get ‘em, Leo!”
“You too.”
Finally, Chelsea bumped fists with Leo, and then Harrid announced,
[Preparation time is over. The Department Competition begins now.]
Wuuuuung—!
A massive magic circle appeared on the ground.
Just as the academy had warned, they were to be teleported instantly to Neigrang.
Fwoosh—!
A blinding light filled their vision.
Whoooosh—!
And when they opened their eyes…
“Kyaaaaaaa!”
“What the hell is this?!”
“We can’t use magic?!”
The entire first-year class was screaming as they fell from the sky.
Before Leo hit the ground, he took in the ruins of Neigrang spread out below.
‘The whole city is covered in curses!’
Now he understood why this was called the forsaken land.
‘The curses are activating and deactivating in cycles.’
There was only one place where it was safe to move freely.
‘The only place without curses is…’
Leo spotted the massive castle in the center.
‘The castle ruins!’
Fwoosh—!
Leo braced himself, minimizing air resistance as he fell.
‘Getting to the castle is top priority!’
As he neared the ground, the artifact’s built-in levitation spell landed him safely.
Tap—!
Leo landed in a ready stance.
The ruined city was completely overgrown.
Abandoned human civilization had crumbled under nature’s advance.
‘This area’s curse isn’t active yet. I need to hurry to the castle…’
“Gasp! Leo Plov!”
A male student from the [Magic Department], who landed just after Leo, spotted him and froze.
“Huh? You?”
“W-What! Are you going to fight me right now?!”
The tense-faced student was someone Leo recognized.
‘Wasn’t his name Jebin?’
He was the one who’d always hung around Chloe before midterms.
“I don’t plan on fighting you right now.”
Leo’s indifference made Jebin relax and then grin slyly.
“Really? Well, too bad for you—I’m still going to catch you!”
“What?”
Jebin raised his staff and fired a spell into the air.
Ziiing! Boom—!
Leo frowned and turned.
“There are plenty of students—outside our department, too—who don’t like you.”
Jebin pointed his staff at Leo, smirking.
“So a few of us decided: If we meet you, we’ll gang up and take you down first.”
Leo sensed presences quickly closing in from all directions.
“Don’t take it personally! Teamwork is a strategy too!”
“I’m not bothered,” Leo said with a small smile.
“Are you ready for the consequences?”