Editor : Amethyst00



The day of the first-year students’ field training had finally arrived.

For the week that the training took place, regular classes were suspended. Because of that, students who finished their assignments early could return to the academy and enjoy free time. Others, who were paired with upperclassmen, sometimes departed later.

In front of the warp gate, groups of first-years chatted as they prepared to leave.

“Looks like you’re the only one heading to the Garan region.”

“Seems that way.”

“I know you’ll handle yourself fine, but still… I don’t get why you picked a mission that doesn’t even give many points.”

Celia frowned in confusion. When it was her turn, she waved.

“Anyway, see you after it’s over.”

“Take care. Be careful.”

“Who do you think I am? Don’t worry.”

Flashing her usual confident smile, Celia brushed her hair back and stepped onto the warp gate.

One by one, the students disappeared into the shimmering light. Leo was the last to step on.

Flash—!

A brilliant light filled his vision, and then the scenery changed.

Arriving at the Garan region’s warp gate, Leo found the area empty and quiet.

Warp gates were usually impressive no matter where they were, but since Garan itself was a run-down region, even the gate seemed to have fallen into disrepair.

“What brings someone to use this gate, of all places?”

An old mage gave him a puzzled look—then his eyes widened in surprise.

“Good heavens! You’re from Lumene Academy, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“My, my! What’s a great hero candidate doing in this backwater region?”

Amused by the old man’s curiosity, Leo smiled.

“I came to take care of a local request.”

“A request? Ah, you mean those bandits!”

The old mage’s face brightened immediately.

“Excellent! Those scoundrels have been tormenting the townsfolk for ages!”

The Garan region lay between the western and southern continents—neutral territory ruled by a local lord unaffiliated with any kingdom. The lord called it a kingdom, but in truth, it wasn’t even close to one.

Because of that, when large bandit groups appeared, there was no national force to suppress them.

Leo clicked his tongue at the old mage’s words.

'Looks like the bandits are even worse than I thought.'

Though his real goal in coming to Garan was to investigate the ruins of the old Godthrone, that didn’t mean he intended to slack off on the request.

'I’ll wipe them out completely.'

Leo despised bandits deeply.

In his previous life, when the world was on the brink of collapse, there had been those who risked their lives to save others—and those who shamelessly trampled others for their own gain.

To Leo, bandits were the embodiment of that latter kind.

The old mage kindly explained how to get to the lord’s castle, and after being warmly thanked, Leo left the warp gate.

Outside, the town stretched before him—a shabby, weathered place befitting its reputation.

“This whole area used to be Godthrone territory…” Leo murmured as he looked around.

Once, it had been known as the last line of defense on the continent—a massive city beyond imagination.

As Leo walked toward the lord’s castle, people turned to stare. Strangers were rare here, and every pair of eyes followed him with curiosity.

At the castle gates, the guards eyed him suspiciously.

“Who’re you? Don’t think I’ve seen your face before.”

“You’re not from around here. What business do you have with the lord?”

“I came to see the Lord.”

The guards exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

“You? See the lord? You think just anyone can meet him?”

At their reaction, Leo calmly took out a parchment.

“I’m here on the bandit extermination request.”

“Bandit extermination? Ha! What kind of rookie thinks he can take on bandits?”

“What’s this scrap of paper supposed to—”

As they read the document Leo handed them, their smirks froze.

The words on the parchment made their hands tremble.

“Lu–Lumene Academy?”

“A hero candidate?”

Eyes wide, the guards looked from the document to Leo and back again.

“Would you please inform the lord I’m here?”

“P–please wait a moment!”

One of the guards hurried inside, while the other bowed repeatedly.

“My deepest apologies! I didn’t realize you were from Lumene!”

“No need to apologize that much. It happens. Just… don’t judge people by appearances next time.”

Leo’s calm tone made the man swallow hard and nod repeatedly.

Soon, a servant rushed out, bowing so deeply his head nearly hit the floor.

“An honor to meet a great hero candidate!”

Leo sighed inwardly.

“So the Lumene name really does carry weight.”

Until now, he hadn’t truly felt it—everyone around him at the academy was exceptional. But alone, it became obvious.

Guided respectfully, Leo entered the lord’s office.

“My, my! A Lumene hero candidate, here of all places! Such an honor!”

The scrawny lord rubbed his hands together, bowing constantly.

“Please, please! Sit here!”

He gestured eagerly to a sofa by the window.

Once Leo sat, the lord perched across from him, still smiling.

“You must be tired from your long journey! Shall I arrange rest immediately—”

“No need. Just tell me where the bandits are.”

The lord froze, then motioned to a servant, who hurriedly brought a map and spread it on the table.

The terrain was instantly familiar. The once-grand city was gone, but the land itself hadn’t changed.

“The bandits have taken over some ancient ruins.”

“Ancient ruins?”

“Yes. We don’t know from what era, but at the eastern end of the Garan region, there are remains of a fortress. Well, it’s mostly in ruins now.”

The lord pointed to the map’s corner.

Leo’s eyes gleamed.

“So this is where the Godthrone defense line stood.”

It was the very fortress built to stop Tartaros’s army—the same place where Kyle had spent much of his time, and where Kyle and Lysinas had once met beyond the walls.

As Leo studied the map—

Crash!

“L–Lord! Bad news!”

“What is it? I’m meeting an important guest!”

“A v–visitor has arrived!”

“A visitor? Who—”

‘Who could be more important than a Lumene student?!’ the lord thought irritably.

“Students from… from Seiren Academy wish to see you!”

The lord blinked, dumbfounded.

“Seiren students? The Elven Hero Academy? No, that can’t be… Why would Seiren be here, of all places?”

But no other “Seiren” came to mind.

Leo rose and looked out the window.

“It really is Seiren.”

“Eh?”

The lord leaned out and gasped at the sight of five elves standing at the mansion’s entrance.

“W–why on earth are Seiren students here!?”

“Who knows? But you’d better greet them, my lord.”

Leo chuckled, folding the map and slipping it into his coat.

“I’ve got the bandits’ location. I’ll head out.”

There was no reason to linger. His goal was to explore the Godthrone ruins—the former stronghold he and Lysinas had once called home. Maybe something of that era still remained.

Since the assignment had to be completed within a week, he wanted to finish it quickly and move on.

The lord blinked, flustered. He had hoped to befriend the hero candidate, but Leo seemed uninterested in small talk.

‘He’s leaving already! Hmph!’

The lord’s eyes shifted.

‘Maybe I should curry favor with the Seiren students instead!’

Different race or not, they were still hero candidates—connections worth having.

“Understood! I leave the bandits in your capable hands!”

‘That man changes sides fast,’ Leo thought with a faint laugh.

‘Well, better that than getting dragged into useless pleasantries.’

He stepped out of the office.

“Prepare to welcome the Seiren guests—quickly!”

As the mansion bustled behind him, Leo headed for the front entrance.

The guards, still shaken from earlier, were now completely panicked at the sight of the elves.

After all, in a remote place like this, even an ordinary elf was rare, let alone Seiren students.

The townsfolk gathered in awe as the elves arrived.

At that moment, Leo stepped through the mansion doors.

“Oh?”

A surprised voice came from the Seiren group.

Leo turned—and froze when he recognized the face.

“Leo?”

“Lunia?”

The two first-year grade representatives of Lumene and Seiren stared at each other in equal surprise.

The other elves followed Lunia’s gaze.

“A Lumene student?”

“Miss Lunia, did you just say ‘Leo’?”

Leo Plov.

Though not yet publicly announced, word had spread through Seiren that Leo was the one who deciphered the Poet of the Star’s magic—the magic of blooming flowers.

Hardin’s cold eyes fixed on him.

‘So this is Leo Plov, huh?’

“What brings you here?” Lunia asked brightly, smiling.

Leo gave her a knowing look, then glanced at her companions. Not a single first-year among them.

‘Guess I’ll have to play along.’

He smiled faintly. “Just act normal.”

“I don’t know what you mean, Leo.”

“If you keep pretending, you’ll get stress wrinkles.”

Twitch—!

A vein popped on Lunia’s forehead.

“Hohoho~ Leo, you’re just as mischievous as ever.”

‘Ugh! If only I could grab him by the collar and shake him right now!’

“So, Leo, what brings you here?”

“I’m here for field training. Got a mission to wipe out some bandits.”

At that, Lunia’s eyes lit up.

This is it!

“Oh my! Bandits? How dreadful.”

She covered her mouth with elegant grace, making Leo click his tongue.

Her expression stiffened, but she forced herself to stay composed. Then, with a concerned sigh:

“The poor townspeople must be suffering terribly.”

Playing the part of the gentle, noble Seiren student, she looked every bit the image of a delicate yet strong-hearted flower. The townspeople actually gasped in admiration.

“Leo, I’ll help you.”

“Miss Lunia, what are you saying?” one of the older elves protested.

“But, sunbae, the people here are suffering because of the bandits! As Seiren students, we can’t just stand by!”

Lunia’s tone grew firm. She locked eyes with Leo.

“Leo! Let me assist you!”

'Take me with you! Take me! Please just take me along!'

Her desperate eyes made Leo laugh under his breath.

“If you’re that eager, I won’t stop you.”

'Yes!'

Lunia cheered inwardly, glancing back at her seniors.

'Goodbye, you uptight bores!'