Editor : Amethyst00



The day after final exams.

Lumene immediately went into the vacation ceremony.

Of course, not all the students gathered.

The ceremony was held under the supervision of each class’s professor.

And Class 5 students were all staring nervously at Professor Harrid standing in front of the class.

Because the vacation ceremony included grade announcements.

Professor Harrid spoke in his characteristically dry voice as he looked over the students.

“Now then, I’ll announce the grades you’ve been waiting for.”

At those words, the classroom atmosphere sank.

Grade announcements.

Everyone had survived midterms, but there was no guarantee they’d all survive finals.

“Before that, as for any students in our class being recommended for expulsion…”

Harrid’s lips curled as he looked over the nervous students.

“There are none.”

“Yes!”

“Woooooah!”

“We survived!”

The lower-ranking students who had been waiting in dread jumped to their feet and shouted in joy.

Seeing that, Harrid said,

“Those of you who just shouted. Go to the back and plant your heads on the floor.”

The faces of the shouting students went pale.

They groaned as they bowed their heads to the floor.

“Sena, hand out the report cards.”

“Yes.”

Sena smiled as she handed out the printed sheets.

The students checked their grades nervously.

“This time we dropped to 3rd in the Magic Department rankings. Well, guess that’s only natural.”

Chelsea scratched her head as she spoke.

Since the inter-department tournament, which had been serving as the practical exam, was suspended due to the incident, the finals ended up placing much greater weight on the written exams.

Naturally, Chloe and Abad had the overwhelming advantage there.

“Leo oppa, what rank are you in the Magic Department?”

“8th.”

“That’s pretty high.”

Leo still wasn’t used to modern magical theory, so his written scores weren’t stellar.

Even so, 8th was an impressive result.

On top of that, Leo placed in the top 10 for every written exam.

And of course, in the practical exam he was ranked 1st.

“Overall score, 1st place. You’re the year representative again for 2nd semester.”

“Congratulations, Leo oppa!”

“So the class rep is the grade representative again? Well, after what he pulled off, it’s only natural.”

As Class 5 chatted about grades—

Clatter!

The classroom door opened and Professor Sedgen walked in.

“Hahahaha! Harrid! You’ve seen the class rankings, haven’t you! Our elegant Class 1 has taken 1st again! Class 5 is 2nd! Hahahahaha! In the end, 1st semester belongs to my Class 1! Hahahaha!”

Sedgen, who had a fierce rivalry with Harrid, had rushed over after seeing the rankings.

Of course, Class 5 wasn’t surprised.

It wasn’t the first time Professor Sedgen acted like this.

Harrid, as usual, ignored him cleanly and continued giving announcements to his students.

‘At first it was infuriating, but now it just feels pitiful.’

‘Poor Professor Sedgen…’

While Sedgen received the pitying looks of Class 5, Leo raised his hand.

“Professor Sedgen. Then treat us to something good.”

Sedgen frowned.

“I’m the one who won, so why should I treat you?”

“A true victor knows how to show generosity to the defeated, doesn’t he?”

“Hmph! Not wrong. Very well! Out of my magnanimity, I’ll treat Class 5 to drinks…”

“I overheard Class 1 is having their afterparty at the top restaurant in Lumeria City. Please take our class too.”

“Oooh! That’s our Professor Sedgen. So generous.”

“Truly befitting the homeroom professor of the top class of Year 1!”

Class 5 quickly caught on and started working Sedgen for favors.

‘Heh. Pathetic little brats. As if I’d fall for such a cheap trick.’

Sedgen smirked arrogantly.

At that moment, Sena poked Harrid in the side.

Harrid gave an annoyed look, but when he saw the desperate eyes of his students, he sighed and spoke.

“Sedgen. Your guidance must be truly outstanding.”

“What was that, Harrid?”

“I said your guidance is excellent.”

“Hahahaha!”

Sedgen laughed heartily, elated.

He knew his old colleague would never say such things as empty flattery.

Of course, in this case, Harrid’s words were empty flattery.

“Fine! Very well! I’ll take Class 5 along to the afterparty!”

“Wooooooo!”

Class 5 erupted in cheers.

In high spirits, Sedgen left with a broad grin to return to Class 1.

“When will that fool ever grow up…”

“Doesn’t it just show how much he values your acknowledgment, Professor Harrid?”

When Sena said this with a smile, Harrid shot a cold glare at his students.

“So you used me just to fill your bellies?”

The entire class flinched.

Harrid stared them down, then gave a faint smirk.

“Eat as if you mean to bankrupt him.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Don’t worry, Professor Harrid!”

The class atmosphere lit up with excitement.

Watching them, Harrid continued his announcements.

“As you’ll see from the notice attached to your report cards, during vacation the professors will be visiting your homes. The schedules are written there. Be at home accordingly. If something comes up, inform the school ahead of time via communication magic.”

“Yes.”

“And while I don’t believe anyone in this class would disgrace the school or cause trouble during vacation… anyone who does will regret the first day of 2nd semester. Lastly.”

Harrid flicked his fingers lightly.

Thud!

A few heavy books dropped onto every desk in Class 5.

The students’ faces stiffened.

“Vacation homework.”

“A-all of this?”

Eliana asked, looking horrified.

“You don’t have to do it. That is, if you’re confident you can handle the consequences.”

Harrid gave a dry smile as the students groaned.

“That’s the end of the vacation ceremony. Good work this semester.”

And so, Lumene’s brief vacation ceremony ended.

bl

After enjoying the afterparty, evening came.

“It’s about time for the warp gate.”

At the gate, Carl looked regretful.

The warp gates had different exits depending on the region.

“Man! What a crazy semester!”

Tade stretched with a groan.

“Still, we all made it out alive. Honestly, I was sure Carl wouldn’t.”

Eliana giggled.

“Anyway, enjoy your vacation, everyone. Don’t forget your homework.”

Nella reminded them with a smile.

“See you in 2nd semester! Write letters!”

Chelsea waved to Nella.

After sending off his friends, Leo gazed at the sunset over Lake Lumeria beyond the warp gate.

“It really was a chaotic semester.”

“Yeah. But it was fun!”

Chelsea, walking with him since they were from the same region, giggled.

“Leo-oppa, you’ll be home during vacation, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I come visit?”

“You can, but I don’t know how my mother will react.”

“Huh? Your mother… ah!”

Chelsea exclaimed as she remembered.

Leo’s maternal family was the Zerdinger.

“Still, won’t she dote on me? I’m cute, after all.”

“You’re not embarrassed saying that yourself?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?”

Leo chuckled and headed toward the warp gate.

Ahead, Celia and Abad were waiting.

“You’re finally here.”

Celia brushed back her hair.

“All the Imperial students are waiting. Chelsea, you’re the last.”

“Sorry.”

Chelsea ran over to Abad’s side.

Celia turned to Leo.

“You could stop by our house first.”

“But I should go home before that.”

“True.”

Celia smiled wistfully.

“Then I’ll come by in a few days.”

“Alright.”

As his cousin, Celia could visit the Plov household freely.

Abad smiled at Leo.

“Have a good vacation.”

“You too, Abad.”

After exchanging farewells, the three headed to the Lordren Empire’s warp gate.

Leo boarded the gate bound for the Kingdom of Delad alone.

‘It’s been a while since I went home.’

Parting with his friends, the feeling of vacation finally hit him.

[Attention please. Passengers heading to the Kingdom of Delad, board the warp gate immediately.]

‘From 2nd semester, I should be able to see more Hero Records.’

As he looked forward to the next semester, the warp gate activated.

Flash—!

Arriving in Delan, capital of the Kingdom of Delad, Leo immediately stepped out.

And there, before the warp gate, a huge crowd was waiting.

“Waaaaaah!”

“It’s Leo Plov-nim!”

“Lumene’s Year 1 grade representative!”

“The future of the Kingdom of Delad!”

Hearing the cheers, Leo made a sour face.

‘I expected this, but… this is too much.’

The Kingdom of Delad was a small, remote kingdom.

Producing a student worthy of entering Lumene was already astonishing.

But Leo was not only an unprecedented All-Class, he was also Year 1’s grade representative.

On top of that, the inter-department tournament incident had made him famous.

Considering Delad had never produced a single Hero in its history, it was only natural the kingdom was thrilled.

Sighing, Leo spotted the Plov family’s carriage and made his way there.

Other noble houses swarmed him, handing out party invitations.

“Young master Leo! Marquis Zelma invites you to dinner…!”

“From the Duchy of Dorven! The duchess herself insists you attend…!”

“Sorry, I just want to go home and rest.”

Leo refused the invitations and barely managed to board the carriage.

‘Should I be glad at least the royal family didn’t send one?’

Because a royal invitation would’ve been hard to refuse.

As Leo sank into the carriage with a sigh, he heard soft chuckling.

“You’re thinking it’s a relief the royal family didn’t send anyone, aren’t you?”

“Been well, Mother?”

“You brat! That’s how you greet your mother after so long?”

Reina, already inside the carriage, pinched Leo’s nose lightly.

Leo laughed and rubbed his nose.

“Still, I thought the royal family would have sent someone.”

“I asked Zeiss to send a letter to the king ahead of time.”

“I’ll have to thank Uncle Zeiss, then.”

“Yes. Make sure you do.”

Reina smiled warmly and pulled Leo into a tight hug.

“Anyway, welcome home, Leo.”

Seeing his mother’s happy smile as she held him, Leo chuckled awkwardly.

Come to think of it, this was the first time in this life he’d been away from his parents so long.

“I’m home, Mom.”

The carriage departed for the Plov household.

And so began Leo’s vacation in earnest.