Editor : Amethyst00



The news about the unprecedented event, the birth of a 1st-year student council president spread across the world in an instant.

Leo had always drawn unusual attention.

The fact that he was an unprecedented All Class, and that his performance was far beyond what anyone would expect from a 1st-year student.

And moreover, in this so-called Golden Generation of 1st-years at Lumene, he firmly held the position of grade representative.

In every sense, he was an overflowing collection of noteworthy traits, a young hero candidate who drew eyes from all directions.

But now, by ascending to the seat of student council president, he had become something more than just a rookie.

Especially the fact that he was the contractor of the Phoenix drew even more attention.

On top of that, he had now reached parity with the current strongest student, Rhys.

This 1st-year duel evaluation had literally become a subject of global interest.

In Lumeria City, the so-called center of the world and already a bustling metropolis, people gathered in crowds just to hear news from Lumene.

The birth of a new hero always made hearts flutter.

Especially tales of valor from a boy like Leo, those were enough to stir anyone into excitement.

In these turbulent times, when the world was unsettled by various recent incidents, Leo’s emergence was like sunlight breaking through the clouds.

People’s reactions were nothing short of fervent — as if a new hero had already been born.

Along with him, the entire 1st-year generation, lauded as the “Golden Generation,” was receiving joint attention.

Already, since the 1st semester’s Gigantes subjugation, expectations for Lumene’s 1st-years had reached their peak.

And now, with the student council president emerging from their ranks, even the gaze directed toward their year was completely different.

While the outside world was focusing on Leo and the entire 1st-year class—

Inside Lumene…

“Ha, I burned out completely…!”

Carl, slumped over half his desk, spoke in a trembling, pleading voice.

“What kind of test doesn’t have any multiple-choice questions and is all written answers?!”

Eliana clutched her head and groaned.

“What kind of exam is this, so brutal…”

Even Chelsea, one of the top honor students among all 1st-years, let out a weak moan.

Whatever the world’s reaction might be, teenagers could barely handle the immediate crisis before their eyes — exams.

The difficulty of the written tests couldn’t even be compared to the midterms or finals of the 1st semester.

No matter how the outside viewed them, they were literally being tormented by the exam schedule.

Even though it should have been the joyful last day of exams, the entire 1st-year class was utterly exhausted.

Everyone lay sprawled out, their spirits drained — when suddenly—

Click–!

The door opened, and Harrid and Sena entered the classroom.

Students, startled by reflex, straightened up instantly.

Step– step–

Harrid, walking indifferently to the lectern and placing down the attendance sheet, curled his lips slightly.

“Seems everyone found the test… fun.”

‘How could it be fun!’

‘It was seriously impossible!’

The students screamed silently inside, protesting in spirit — but no one dared voice it aloud.

Without even glancing toward the class, Harrid spoke.

“Everyone worked hard on the exams. I hope all of you survive this time as well.”

At those words, the students’ faces showed faint emotion.

“If anyone receives a withdrawal recommendation, I’ll show them hell before they leave. So, you’d better not.”

Of course, his next words sent their moods plummeting again.

As the classroom atmosphere sank, Harrid continued.

“Anyway, since exams are over, there’s an announcement.”

“A–announcement?”

“What is it this time?”

All of Class 5 tensed up.

They couldn’t help it — they were now well accustomed to life at Lumene.

They knew all too well that the school never allowed its students to relax, even after exams.

‘A–a new field practice?’

‘Or maybe some ridiculously hard project?’

Everyone held their breath, focused on Harrid’s words.

“One month from now — there will be the [Lumeiren Competition].”

“……”

“……”

At those words, everyone’s eyes widened like rabbits’.

A moment later—

“Wooooahhh!”

“Lumeiren Competition!”

“It’s finally the Lumeiren Competitionrrrr!”

Cheers erupted not only in Class 5 but also from other classes.

They couldn’t help it.

The Lumeiren Competition was, quite literally, the biggest annual school event.

It wasn’t just about testing academic skill and performance, it was the stage to showcase everything accumulated throughout student life.

Students in clubs held presentations or exhibitions during the Lumeiren Competition.

The school also opened its doors widely to numerous external guests.

It was, in every sense, a festival.

Watching the students’ excited reactions, Harrid smirked again.

“Of course, that’s only something you can enjoy if you don’t get a withdrawal notice.”

Once again, the classroom mood plummeted into despair.

Harrid continued.

“This year’s Lumeiren Competition will be held not at Lumene, but at Seiren.”

The Lumeiren Competition alternated yearly between Lumene and Seiren.

And this year, it was Seiren’s turn to host.

“As you know, our school has been losing to Seiren in the Lumeiren Competition for the past several years.”

At that, the students’ faces twisted with frustration.

“It’s a shame at the school level.”

A rare trace of irritation crossed Harrid’s normally emotionless face, it's proof of how displeased he was.

“Rest well over the weekend. Starting next week, the representative selection matches for each event will begin. Be prepared.”

The Lumeiren Competition was an event involving all students.

But among those, some specific competitions required representatives.

Being chosen as a Lumeiren Competition representative was a great honor.

And some categories weren’t even tied to academics.

“That’s all.”

With that, Harrid left the classroom.

Immediately, Class 5 students began chatting in small groups.

“Chelsea, you’re in the music club, right? Are you performing as club rep?”

“Yeah. I’m the soprano.”

“A 1st-year overtaking her seniors?”

“Impressive.”

“You haven’t heard her sing, have you? She’s incredible.”

Chelsea was said to be the ace of the music club.

Even as a 1st-year, her pure and beautiful voice had earned her the spot as club representative.

“Carl, what’s your club doing?”

At Tade’s question, Carl grinned and made an “O” with his fingers.

“My seniors said the profits during the Lumeiren Competition are really good. So I’m brainstorming several business ideas.”

“Well, no matter the club, events like that need a lot of budget, right?”

“Yeah. The music club says the stage setup and performance prep alone are eating a ton of funds.”

“The business clubs also need their project reports approved before they can participate.”

“Usually that’s handled by the student council, right?”

At that, everyone’s gaze turned toward one side of the classroom.

Leo, who wasn’t in any club and was listening absently while reading a book, lifted his head.

“What.”

Before them sat the highest authority among students.

Even if he’d left practical matters to Vice President Hark and wouldn’t begin full duties until next year —

That didn’t mean Leo lacked power.

“Class rep! Hey, class rep!”

Eliana dashed up to Leo, squatted before him, and looked up with sparkling eyes.

“If the Magic Swordsman Club just gets a little bit more budget, we can forge a really cool magic sword to present!”

The Magic Swordsman Club’s exhibition focused on magic sword crafting.

Magic swordsmen, who wielded both sword and sorcery, specialized in creating magic swords.

Some even made blades superior to those of alchemists.

Starting with Eliana, the whole class began gathering around Leo.

“Leo! The wyvern fang shipment just arrived in Lumeria City — I want to study summoning with it, but I don’t have the funds!”

“Class rep! Me too!”

As the crowd of classmates sparkled with hopeful eyes, Leo nodded slightly, pulling a notepad from his pocket.

“Go ahead, speak.”

“Oooh!”

“Big spender! Class rep!”

“Having the student council president in our class really pays off!”

A few cheered.

Watching, Chelsea and Carl clicked their tongues.

The ever-languidly smiling beauty, Nella, asked the two,

“You two aren’t going to ask Leo for anything?”

“No.”

“You guys have been in the same class for half a year — you still don’t know his personality?”

After jotting down all the requests, Leo stood and headed for the classroom door, muttering:

“My 1st duty as student council president is to punish classmates’ bribery attempts? How disheartening. Should I investigate all your clubs too?”

“Hey! Grab him!”

“Catch him!”

“Ahhh! Class reeep!”

“We were wrong!”

Class 5 students clung to Leo’s legs in panic.

bl

After exams ended, Leo headed to the student council president’s office in the Tower of Heroes.

Even if Hark was handling the transition, Leo, as the new president, still needed to show his face.

When Leo entered the office, the student council members were bustling about.

“It’s Leo.”

“Welcome, Leo!”

The 5th-year students greeted him with bright smiles.

To the soon-to-graduate seniors, Leo was an adorable junior.

“Looks like you’re busy.”

“Yeah. Because of the Lumeiren Competition.”

“Take it easy. Here, have some snacks.”

“Huh? You’re giving these to us?”

“As expected of the next student council president — even bringing treats to us!”

“My sugar levels were low, perfect timing.”

“You’re already at the age to worry about that? Then again, five years here would age anyone.”

“Wanna die?”

The 5th-years glared and bickered playfully.

The truth was, those expensive snacks were hush gifts Class 5 had pushed onto Leo.

Since Leo didn’t like sweets, the council members got to enjoy them.

Leaving the seniors behind, Leo entered the president’s room.

Inside, Hark — his face lifeless — was receiving the handover briefing from Rhys.

“As expected of the successor to Rigard. I don’t really have anything to teach you.”

Rhys smiled and patted Hark’s shoulder.

Hark, rubbing his dark-circled eyes, muttered wearily:

“Couldn’t I have taken over from Torua-sunbae instead, and let that person take your job, Rhys-sunbae?”

He pointed to Elena, who was receiving the vice president’s duties from Torua nearby.

At that, Elena smiled sweetly.

“How could a third-year like me possibly become vice president ahead of you, Hark-sunbae?”

“Hey, this girl was screaming all semester that she’d be the next president!”

“Elena doesn’t remember that~ Hark-oppa~”

“Don’t call me that childhood name. It’s gross.”

Hark’s face twisted up.

Though the two were famously at odds, this time it was entirely one-sided.

Hark was hysterical, and Elena was amused.

In fact, she found Hark’s suffering deeply satisfying.

Then Rhys noticed Leo.

“You’re here?”

“Yes.”

Nodding, Leo walked to the window and looked out.

“It’s an honor that the successor of two of Lumene’s Three Great Heroic Houses, Zeron and Rigard are assisting the inadequate me with student council work.”

“You… once you’re in second year, I’m going to duel you and dump all this work on you!”

“Please do.”

At Leo’s calm reply, Hark grabbed his neck in agony, while Elena stifled laughter.

“I heard you’re busy preparing for the Lumeiren Competition. Is there anything I can help with?”

At Leo’s question, Rhys said,

“Then could you go inspect the clubs?”

“Club inspection?”

“Yeah. Around this time, everyone’s busy preparing for the Lumeiren Competition, submitting budgets, requests, that sort of thing. Could you handle some of that? That’s part of the president’s duty too.”

“Understood.”

Leo nodded.

“It’ll be hard alone, so I’ll assign you a secretary.”

At that, a familiar black-haired 1st-year girl entered the room.

“Please take care of me, Leo-doryeong.”

It was none other than Chen Xia.

Leo tilted his head slightly, recognizing her smile.

“Come to think of it, you said you were in the student council.”

“Yes.”

“Then, take care.”

Rhys sent the two 1st-years off for the inspection.

Watching them leave, Torua tilted her head.

“Is it okay to send just the two 1st-years?”

Rhys, resting his chin on his hand, gestured toward Hark.

“Looking at him, don’t you think it’ll be fine?”

Leo, who’d managed to put the infamously lazy Hark to work as soon as becoming president, was certainly no ordinary 1st-year.

Torua nodded at Rhys’s words.

“True.”