Editor : Amethyst00



At the word “instructor,” the students looked puzzled.

“We’re supposed to teach students from another academy?”

Celia tilted her head with arms folded.

Her black hair swished.

“That’s right.”

At that reply, Eliza, who had been trimming her nails, spoke.

“Instructor. Not a bad title. But even if there’s a difference in level between Lumene and the Three-Class Academies, we’re still all students… Will they accept being taught by us?”

Eliza’s half-lidded eyes carried a very reasonable point.

They too would have their pride.

No matter how prestigious Lumene was, being put under the control of fellow students would hardly be pleasing.

As the others nodded at Eliza’s words—

“It’s fine. The ones you’ll be teaching are Lumene entrance candidates.”

The students froze at that.

Lumene entrance candidates.

In other words, students who would be taking next year’s entrance exam.

The Three-Class Academies also taught students who were preparing for Lumene’s entrance.

In fact, quite a few current Lumene students had studied at those academies before coming here.

“Of course, if you don’t want to do it, you can refuse. During the joint class period you’ll be busy running around anyway. You may not even have time for personal study or training. There aren’t any extra credits or anything like that.”

At Harrid’s words, Chloe smiled faintly.

“Even so, the reason you told us must be because it’s something we’re supposed to do, isn’t it?”

The “face representatives” of each year weren’t just class representatives—they also held considerable influence as top-ranking students.

For that reason, they were often sent to external events.

Harrid had called them here for that very reason.

And with their notoriety still sky-high after the Gigantes incident, the role of the top three students from each department was crucial.

“That’s right. As number one of the Knight Department, I can’t possibly miss a role like this.”

Celia swept back her hair and puffed out her chest.

Clap clap clap clap!

“Elegant! Elegant! As expected of Chloe and Celia! Truly worthy of being my proud disciples! The dignity of Lumene students overflows from you!”

Sedgen appeared, applauding loudly.

Then—thunk!—he stood beside Harrid.

“Well then. Is there any student here who refuses the instructor position?”

No one shook their head.

This was essentially representing the academy itself.

There was no material gain, but simply taking part in such a role was an immense honor.

Since no one stepped back, Sedgen nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent! I, Sedgen, shall be the professor in charge of the entrance candidates!”

“Not Professor Harrid?”

Leo tilted his head in puzzlement.

At Leo’s question, Sedgen’s eyes twitched.

“Why would you think Harrid would be given such an important duty, Leo?”

Sedgen, who had a constant rivalry with Harrid, could never rest unless he outdid him in everything.

And now, Harrid’s own student, Leo, was questioning why Sedgen instead of Harrid had been put in charge of the entrance candidates.

To Sedgen, that was more than enough to feel provoked.

‘Well, it’s admirable that you think so highly of your advisor…’

“Leo. Do you think Harrid is better suited than me to oversee the entrance candidates?”

“Both professors are excellent, so there’s no way to say one is better.”

“Then why question why Harrid isn’t doing it?”

“Because Professor Harrid is the most famous professor in our academy.”

Just eye contact with him was enough to send any Lumene student trembling.

He was just as well-known outside.

“If it were Professor Harrid, I thought it would serve as strong intimidation.”

Among the candidates, there would no doubt be those already acting arrogant, convinced they were full-fledged Lumene students.

And to prevent such troublemakers, there was no one more optimized than Harrid.

“That’s true.”

“Anyone who sees Professor Harrid would probably freeze up shaking.”

“But Professor Sedgen is the one who can actually embrace and guide the students, right?”

“Oh? Are you saying I can’t embrace them?”

“Eh? N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

Celia’s face went pale at her slip of the tongue.

“I too…”

Sedgen clenched his fist with force.

“I too can be as terrifying as Harrid! Very well! I’ll show you the Tiger Professor Sedgen! From now on, the scariest professor at Lumene will be me, Sed—”

“Silence.”

Harrid, shutting the mouth of his rampaging old friend once again, let out a deep sigh.

“I must work with the instructors of the Three-Class Academies. And as Celia Zerdinger said, Sedgen is more suited than me to handle entrance candidates. He can nurture them well.”

At those words, Sedgen froze mid-outburst, then his face softened into one of emotion.

“Harrid… You mean, you acknowledge me that much?”

“Of course. You are my comrade and rival, are you not?”

“Indeed! Harrid! You are truly the greatest rival of my life! Hahaha!”

Sedgen put a hand on his face and burst into laughter.

The ten students stared at him with baffled expressions.

‘Wait. When does Professor Harrid ever hand out flattery like that?’

As everyone thought the same, Harrid turned to Leo.

“From now on, be careful of what you say in front of Sedgen, Leo Plov. If he starts imitating me in a half-baked way, nothing good will come of it.”

“Something happened before?”

Leo tilted his head, and Harrid replied with his usual expressionless face.

“You’ll see hell.”

Flat, devoid of emotion.

But those words alone made all the students shiver.

‘Wait, if Professor Harrid is saying that much, just how bad was it?!’

“I’m kind of curious, though.”

‘Don’t be curious!’

Everyone glared at Leo muttering so nonchalantly.

“At any rate, I’ll take it that all of you accept the instructor duty. Expect to be called on often by Sedgen. Now then, dismissed.”

At Harrid’s words, the ten students exited the staff corridor.

“Instructor for entrance candidates, huh. First time doing something like this.”

“Sounds like it could be fun.”

“Brother, you think so too? Me too, me too!”

Chelsea’s eyes sparkled as she agreed with Abad.

Watching, Celia brushed back her hair and spoke.

“I’d been curious about the level of students at Icott Academy. This is perfect. I can broaden my swordsmanship by observing them.”

“Celia, you’re always so fired up about everything.”

“It’s our family motto: give your best in everything.”

At Chloe’s words, Celia smiled brightly.

Chloe then turned to Duran.

“Duran, I thought you’d refuse, saying you don’t care about juniors.”

Duran chuckled.

“I’m curious how skilled the entrance candidates really are.”

With his usual arrogant look, Eliza sneered.

“Are you really in any position to evaluate others?”

“Are you picking a fight, Eliza Hergin?”

“Yes.”

“Heh. Then I won’t wait until next week’s sparring evaluation. I’ll show you right now the difference in class.”

“Perfect. I’ve been itching since the opening ceremony when we couldn’t settle things.”

On the first day, the two had clashed while aiming for Leo, but hadn’t settled the score.

Notorious for their nasty tempers, the two glared daggers at each other.

Just then, Chen Xia smiled and slipped between them.

“Now, now. Stop that. At this rate, you’ll end up falling for each other. Hmm… or maybe that’s a good thing? You’d get along then.”

“What nonsense, Chen Xia.”

“Yeah. Do you think I could ever get along with this person?”

Duran and Eliza flared up in unison.

Chen Xia just laughed.

Amidst it all, Leo spoke.

“We’ve got magic class soon. Let’s go.”

“Okay! Leo-oppa!”

“Today’s a special lecture on Star Sorcery, right? I’m looking forward to it, Leo.”

Chelsea and Chloe followed behind him.

Abad, about to follow too, paused and glanced at Walden.

“What are you doing? You’ve been staring this whole time, Walden.”

Walden had been fixed on Leo’s back for a while now.

“I’m measuring.”

“Measuring?”

“The gap between me and Leo Plov.”

At that, Abad narrowed his eyes.

“Hmph? Is this about next week’s sparring evaluation?”

“Yeah. I’m confident I could beat anyone here.”

Walden smirked.

At that, the atmosphere around the others shifted.

“Hey, Walden. That’s a bit too provocative.”

Jurgen, third in Summoning Department, made an awkward face.

Though he was ranked third, compared to the others who had taken part in the Gigantes raid, there was still a gap.

Of course, Jurgen knew this himself, so he wasn’t provoked by Walden’s words.

But the others were different.

Pride ran strong in every one of them.

So Jurgen could only sweat nervously.

“Hmph. Doesn’t matter. I just said what all of you are already thinking.”

Walden sneered coldly.

Jurgen clutched his head.

‘No matter what, if you provoke like that, they’ll all snap!’

Regardless, Walden continued in a flat tone.

“But Leo Plov is the one I can’t guarantee against.”

Jurgen’s eyes widened.

To him, Walden was already a monster.

‘Honestly, I can’t even imagine him losing to anyone.’

Not because they were both from Summoning.

Objectively speaking, Walden was monstrous.

Even those from the southern regions said the same.

And yet, Walden had admitted Leo was different.

“That’s why my goal is to defeat him.”

As Walden grinned coldly, Duran folded his arms.

“You talk like I don’t even register in your eyes.”

Walden looked at him indifferently.

“Isn’t that the same for you, Duran Moira?”

Walden swept his gaze over the group.

“And the same for all of you. None of us even consider each other. Because we’ve all seen it.”

His eyes turned back to Leo’s distant figure.

“That back, arrogantly ahead of us, as if it’s natural for him to be above.”

Walden crossed his arms and spoke flatly.

“The one who led us, as if he were our leader.”

Hostility glinted across his face.

“And we realized we’d accepted that fact.”

Step—step—Walden walked off.

“We’ve all lived refusing to acknowledge anyone above us. So our goals are inevitably the same.”

Defeat Leo Plov.

That would be their goal in academy life.

Perhaps even their life’s goal.

“Of course, I’ll be the one to bring him down.”

“Sorry, but that’ll be me first, Walden.”

Abad grinned.

“Don’t make me laugh. I’ll be first.”

As the three boys argued competitively, Eliza filed her nails with a look of disdain.

“Boys are so childish. What does it matter who does it first? As long as he’s defeated, isn’t that enough?”

“Don’t you think it’s kind of cute?”

Chen Xia smiled at the squabbling trio.

“Celia, don’t you think it’s cute too?”

“Hmph. Cute? Disgusting. And you three!”

Celia snorted, arms crossed.

“The one who’s going to defeat Leo is me!”

Declaring boldly, she bickered alongside the boys.

Watching, Eliza sighed.

“Celia really does have a tomboyish streak.”

At her words, Chen Xia chuckled behind a hand.

bl

The day the joint class exchange was announced,

Lumene bustled in preparation for guests.

Hosting such a large group of students meant creating an environment where study could continue without inconvenience.

The clerks scurried busily.

Students too prepared welcome events ahead of classes.

Since outside guests were arriving, the entire mood was uplifted.

Meanwhile—

Some students headed into Lumeria City.

“Coming into Lumeria City on a weekday like this feels weird.”

On the boat, Chelsea spoke in an excited voice.

“Don’t get too carried away. We’re not here to play.”

Celia shot her a look.

“Hmph! I know! Bleh!”

“You little—!”

Watching the two bicker as always, Leo chuckled softly.

The students chosen as instructors were on their way to Lumeria City to greet the Three-Class Academy students.

‘Junior candidates, huh… I’m actually kind of looking forward to seeing what they’re like.’

As his eyes gleamed, the boat reached the dock.

Leo stepped off first.

“Well, it’s not quite time to meet yet. Until then, we’ve got free time—want to look around a bit?”

“Shall we?”

As Celia nodded, Leo agreed—

“Leo Plov.”

Someone called him from the pier.

Leo looked ahead.

And when he saw who was standing there, his face turned puzzled.

Celia quickly bowed her head.

“Hello, Vice-Principal.”

Standing there was none other than Lumene’s Vice-Principal, Rivein.

It was his first appearance since the opening ceremony.

As everyone stared in shock, Rivein spoke.

“Leo Plov. May I have a word with you?”