Editor : Amethyst00



The next morning.

After finishing breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria, Leo immediately headed to the first-year classroom building, the Hall of Beginnings.

The first major class of the day was Knight Studies.

As it was a provisional class, not only Knight Studies students but also many from other departments participated.

Because there were so many people, the class was divided into groups.

In the group Leo entered, Chelsea and Carl were present.

Carl actively used the provisional classes to get acquainted with the Knight Studies students.

Chelsea, aiming to become a Battle Mage, planned to take Knight Studies as her minor.

The students gathered at the training grounds and waited.

Soon, Professor Ain appeared.

“I’ve already introduced myself, so I won’t do it again. This is my Associate Professor, Claria Rivache.”

Claria gave a slight nod.

Only those chosen by a professor from among Lumene graduates could become Associate Professors.

They assist with teaching and, when necessary, can lead classes in place of the professor.

Of course, as graduates of Lumene, they were guaranteed to be elite in skill.

Professor Ain looked around at the students.

‘Leo Plov, Celia Zerdinger, Duran Moira.’

A satisfied look appeared on Ain’s face.

With both the student representative and two honor students attending, he couldn’t help but be pleased.

“Students from the Magic and Summoning Departments, raise your hands.”

More than half the students raised their hands.

Nodding, Professor Ain gestured toward Claria.

“You go to the Associate Professor. She’ll teach you how to apply [Mana] and [Spirit Power] to martial arts.”

Ain then gathered the Knight Studies students separately and spoke.

“Today is the first class, so I’ll talk about the most basic thing in Knight Studies: [Aura].”

The students’ eyes shone at Ain’s words.

“The three powers derived from [Mana]—[Aura], [Magic Power], and [Spirit Power]. Of these, [Aura] is the hardest to handle. Does anyone know why?”

From the very first question, the first-years were left speechless.

The properties of Aura?

Few had ever thought about such a thing.

Usually, what troubled knights was how to sense Mana better and how to unleash more powerful Aura.

Of course, not all the students were clueless.

Celia raised her hand.

“Celia Zerdinger.”

“Yes, Celia. Please answer.”

“Aura loses the properties of Mana during the conversion process.”

“Correct.”

[Magical Power] is a force created by amplifying Mana, and [Spiritual Power] is formed by resonating the user’s will with Mana.

As such, they do not lose the properties of natural Mana.

But Aura is created by absorbing Mana and refining it to suit the body.

In the process, it loses its natural fluidity and becomes fixed.

That’s why it’s harder to handle.

“Then, can anyone explain how we use the Aura accumulated in our bodies?”

This time, even Celia was taken aback.

How do you explain the form in which it’s used?

‘How do you explain how it’s used?’

‘You just… use strength and it works, right?’

They simply used it as they were taught, following the flow of the [Zerdinger Aura Technique], relying on instinct.

There was no way to explain how it was actually used.

Of course, Ain wasn’t expecting an answer.

What Ain was talking about was the basic theory of Auratics, a subject that hadn’t existed at Lumene until last year.

It was content only taught at the Beastkin Hero Academy, Azonia, which Ain was introducing at Lumene this year.

So it was natural that 1st-years wouldn’t know.

Just as Ain was about to explain, someone raised their hand.

Seeing the student step up bravely, Professor Ain looked pleased.

Most professors don’t dislike students who speak up confidently, even if they’re wrong.

“Leo Plov.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“We use the power of Aura by combusting Mana.”

Ain looked surprised.

“Correct. Then do you also know what’s most important when combusting Aura?”

“Stamina.”

“Amazing, Leo. Have you studied Auratics before?”

“No.”

“Then how did you know this?”

“It’s just the most basic essence of Aura.”

Sometimes people neglect the essence of the power they use.

Of course, even if you don’t know the principle, it’s not a problem to use Aura.

But there’s a big difference between knowing and not knowing the traits of your own power.

Especially since Aura is more influenced by the user’s will than Magical Power or Spiritual Power, and nothing is better than imagery for drawing out the mind’s strength.

“Excellent. Five bonus points for Celia. Ten bonus points for Leo.”

The envious gazes of their peers fell on the two.

“As Leo said, we use the power generated when Mana is combusted.”

Professor Ain spoke seriously.

“From this year on, I plan to incorporate Auratics into my classes for you 1st-years.”

“Professor! What is Auratics?”

“It’s the study of Aura. At the Azonia Academy, it’s one of the mandatory courses.”

Hearing about this new field, the first-years’ eyes sparkled.

“Since today is the first class, we’ll learn about the application of Aura. Today’s lesson is Aura Step.”

Aura Step is a technique that focuses the power of Aura into the legs to maximize jumping ability.

‘Aura Step, huh.’

Leo’s eyes shone.

It was a technique that didn’t exist in the era Kyle had lived in.

“Anyone who possesses Aura can learn Aura Step. However, its effectiveness varies greatly with proficiency.”

Professor Ain raised his foot.

A silver Aura seemed to flicker at his toes, and he stood in midair.

The students gasped in admiration.

Professor Ain walked lightly through the air as he spoke.

“Now, I’ll explain the principles behind Aura Step.”

Ain’s lecture on Aura Step began.

‘The principle of using Aura isn’t much different.’

When the body is strengthened with Aura, leg strength naturally increases.

Aura Step was simply a technique that concentrated this physical enhancement on the legs.

While Ain was instructing the students, someone who appeared to be a messenger entered the training grounds.

“Professor Ain, Professor Betes is looking for you and Associate Professor Clariana.”

“Professor Betes? Understood.”

Nodding, Ain spoke to the students.

“The Associate Professor and I will step out for a bit. Practice Aura Step while we’re gone.”

With that, Professor Ain left the area.

“Leo. Want me to teach you Aura Step?”

Celia approached with a sly grin.

Leo replied with a flat expression.

“Were you going to make me call you ‘Young Lady’ or something?”

“Would I stoop that low?”

Celia folded her arms and smiled.

“My birthday’s earlier than yours, right? So if you call me ‘big sister’ just once, I’ll help you out.”

“That’s too cheap and dirty, I’ll never learn from you.”

“What? The freshman representative doesn’t even know how to use Aura Step? Pathetic.”

At that moment, someone else cut into their conversation.

When they turned, there stood Duran Moira, the honor student from the central region’s exam.

Duran clicked his tongue as he looked at Leo.

“To think someone like this is the class representative… I just can’t understand Lumene’s standards.”

“Are you dissatisfied that I’m the representative?”

As Leo stepped forward and asked, Duran curled his lips.

“It’s not dissatisfaction. I’m just lamenting the fact that someone who can’t even use Aura Step is the class representative.”

Looking at the other students, Duran spoke irritably.

“It’s not just you. There’s more than one person here who doesn’t know Aura Step. I’m worried the whole grade’s dignity is at stake.”

A few students bristled at his remarks.

But no one jumped in carelessly.

He was, after all, the honor student—easily among the best out of nearly 500 first-years.

In response to Duran's remarks, Leo said,

“If you’re aiming to be a hero, shouldn’t you be a bit more dignified?”

“Dignity? Are you talking about dignity to someone of heroic blood like me?”

The Knightly Principality of Moira, which Duran belonged to, was founded fifty years ago by the knight hero Dior Moira, known as the Golden Sword.

Having pursued the path of a hero since childhood, Duran was confident in his heroic qualities more than anyone else.

“What does bloodline have to do with being a hero?”

“It matters. A hero is someone who’s chosen.”

“That’s not how I see it. I think a hero is someone who never gives up.”

“A freshman representative spouting such naïve nonsense—how pathetic.”

“Aren’t you the one acting arrogant just because of your bloodline?”

“For me, bloodline is just a bonus. What I really trust is something else.”

“And what’s that?”

“Skill, Leo Plov.”

Fwoosh—!

In the blink of an eye, Duran closed the distance between them.

Other students gasped at the sheer speed.

A speed no ordinary student could even attempt.

But Leo just laughed.

“Not that fast, really.”

“Seems I need to show you the difference in class.”

Duran grinned fiercely.

“If you’re so confident, want to have a race and see who’s faster?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Duran Moira. You really think it makes sense to race someone who hasn’t even learned Aura Step?”

Celia interjected with a frown, and Duran seemed almost glad.

“Celia Zerdinger. There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Why did Leo Plov become the class representative?”

“How would I know?”

“Isn’t it because the honor students from the west were so mediocre that he stood out?”

At that, Chelsea, standing among the students from other departments, stepped forward.

“Are you saying my brother is mediocre?”

“I’m just stating the facts, Chelsea Lewellin. I expected better from one of the Lordren Empire’s two great hero houses, but to think you’d give up the representative spot to a guy like this. Honestly, I’m disappointed.”

Celia gave a chilly smile.

“Seems you’re pretty bitter about not being the representative, huh? But did you ever consider that you weren’t chosen simply because you weren’t good enough?”

“If I’d been in that position, there’s no way he would have become the representative.”

Duran replied with absolute confidence, wearing a haughty expression.

“He only became the representative because he got lucky.”

“Let’s go, Leo. There’s no need to listen to nonsense like that.”

“She’s right.”

Agreeing with his rival Celia, Chelsea tugged down the skin under her left eye and stuck out her tongue, “Beh—!”

“Getting protected by girls, are you?”

Duran’s faction of central students jeered.

Leo let out a laugh.

“I accept your challenge.”

“Leo!”

Celia scolded him.

“He’s gone this far—it’d be awkward to just ignore him, right? Besides…”

Leo grinned, showing his teeth.

“For someone like him, you have to show the difference in class.”