Editor : Amethyst00



The pressure from the Seiren students gathered in front of the Seiren Warp Gate after the blizzard stopped was overwhelming.

The Seiren student council president, Raynia, spoke with a satisfied expression as she looked at the scene.

“Let’s go to the grand training ground. The teachers are waiting for our guests.”

At those words, Rhys nodded.

“Everyone, move out!”

The Lumene students, faces tense, began to move in formation following Rhys.

Step! Shaa–!

Then, like well-trained soldiers, the Seiren students opened up a path.

“Ugh– how intimidating~”

Seeing their disciplined movements, Carl shook his head and muttered.

“Hmph! Hmph! Who’d get intimidated by that?”

Eliana muttered rebelliously, but as she passed by and saw the Seiren students glaring at them with wide eyes, her expression faltered.

The Seiren students watched each Lumene student closely, as if they were engraving their rivals’ faces into their minds.

Among them, the one drawing the most attention was, of course, Leo.

Each time Leo passed by, the intense gazes of the Seiren students locked onto him.

During the first semester field trip, Leo’s deciphering of Luna’s “flower-blooming magic” had already become common knowledge in Seiren.

Though it had not yet been officially announced to the world, it was a well-known fact in Seiren.

When news of the flower-blooming magic first spread, most elves dismissed it as just one of countless spells created by the Poet.

It was a matter of pride for Seiren.

Because the long-lost spell of the Poet, forgotten throughout Seiren’s thousands of years of history, had been restored and deciphered by a student of Seiren, who wasn’t even an elf, but a human.

However, during the semester’s practical mission, Luna herself directly mentioned the flower-blooming magic.

With Lunia and Hardin’s report, the importance of the spell rose even further.

Naturally, talk of Leo became a hot topic again within Seiren.

Not long after, news spread that Leo had been elected as the Lumene student council president.

From Seiren’s perspective, Leo was one of the top cautionary targets in this year’s Lumeiren Competition.

Even as all of Seiren’s students stared daggers at him, Leo simply walked calmly forward.

“Hey, Leo. The Seiren students are glaring at you like they want to eat you alive. You okay?”

“What about it?”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Not at all.”

“Sometimes, I really envy that boldness of yours.”

Carl spoke admiringly at Leo’s calm response.

As Leo chuckled lightly at Carl, he noticed a familiar girl among the Seiren students.

Eiran had spotted Leo and waved brightly at him with a smile.

When Leo smiled back and waved, Eiran blushed slightly and smiled shyly.

That reaction made the surrounding Lumene students rush toward Leo in a panic.

“Hey! Leo, who was that just now?”

“You two know each other?”

“She was super pretty! Everyone else looked like they wanted to kill us, but she smiled just for you!”

Unlike the other Seiren students, Eiran gave the Lumene students a kind smile.

Given her personality, even if she were told to intimidate the opposing school’s students, it wouldn’t have worked.

As the other boys pressed closer, Carl smirked.

“You guys wanna know about Eiran?”

“Oh! You know her too, Carl?”

“You got close during the field trip, huh?”

The boys crowded around Carl eagerly.

“Curious?”

“Curious!”

“It's fine to relax, but the seniors are still watching.”

At Leo’s words, the boys froze—“Kuh!”—and quickly dispersed.

Soon, the Lumene students arrived at the Seiren grand training ground.

The Seiren students, who had opened the path and followed behind, lined up in their assigned spots.

The Lumene students also formed ranks by grade, led by their grade representatives.

Then, from the platform at the front of the training ground, an elf appeared.

He looked upon the Lumene students with eyes filled with seriousness and spoke.

[Welcome, young sprouts who will lead the future of humankind. My name is Benneth. Though lacking, I serve as the principal of Seiren.]

As Benneth introduced himself, the Lumene students let out sounds of admiration.

Benneth.

Known as [The First Star of the Poet], he was a mage hero capable of wielding every spell known to have been created by the Poet.

He was also the one who conquered Luna’s world and inherited her power.

While they had known he was Seiren’s principal, seeing such a legendary hero in person left the Lumene students awestruck.

[I hope you all achieve results that satisfy you in this year’s Lumeiren Competition[^1]. The official start will be the day after tomorrow. Until then, I wish for you to maintain your best condition. That is all.]

It was a dry, emotionless welcome.

But it was also the best possible welcome one could offer a rival school.

Clap—clap—clap—

The Lumene students applauded.

After descending from the platform, Benneth immediately returned to the school.

“Well then, everyone, I’ll guide you to your accommodations,” Raynia said with a bright smile, standing before the Lumene students.

“As the principal said, the Lumeiren Competition officially begins the day after tomorrow. So rest well in your assigned quarters. Ah, you may freely use the school’s facilities. Also, there’ll be a welcome party tonight. Anyone who wish to attend, please do so.”

With that, Raynia and the Seiren student council officers guided the Lumene students to their dormitory.

The Seiren provided dorms were mixed-use across gender and year levels, though the sleeping and bathing areas were separated.

The shared space was the lounge, seemingly intended as a place to discuss strategies for the upcoming matches.

After unpacking in their rooms, the students gathered in the lounge.

“Our school’s already amazing, but Seiren’s on another level.”

Eliana marveled as she looked around the lounge.

“It’s the richest among all the hero academies,” Nella said with a small smile.

“Anyway, that welcome party. I bet it’s gonna be a massive power play.”

“Obviously. Didn’t you see how they glared earlier? Ugh, seriously.”

At Tade’s muttering, Carl shook his head.

“They’re probably planning to establish dominance through the party. But we can’t just not go.”

Crossing her arms, Chelsea said firmly,

“We’ll go—and show them what real presence looks like!”

Her assertion made Class 5 nod in agreement.

“Class rep! You’re good at this kinda stuff! Go and put them in their place! We already feel like we’re starting off behind!”

“Yeah! Leo-oppa, show those guys what you’re made of!”

Chelsea and Eliana turned to Leo, who was sitting calmly.

“Establish dominance?”

At Leo’s faint chuckle, the two girls nodded.

“Then shall we do it?”

“Oh! That’s our class rep!”

“Leo-oppa, go! go!”

The two cheered enthusiastically.

Watching them, Tade muttered with a worried face,

“You think this’ll be okay? I’ve got a bad feeling that he might overdo it.”

“Maybe, but right now, we need Leo’s boldness,” Nella replied with her usual lazy smile.

“I’m still kinda nervous.”

Carl looked anxiously at Leo, who sat there as calm as ever.

bl

In response to Seiren’s early attempt to assert dominance, all Lumene students attended the welcome party.

Not only students but also Lumene’s professors and teachers were present.

Leo was quietly enjoying the party from one side of the hall.

The others had rushed to the buffet, eager to try traditional elven dishes.

As Leo stood observing the Seiren students, a familiar voice called out cheerfully.

“Leo, so you were here!”

Turning his head, Leo saw Herdium, the homeroom teacher of Seiren’s 1st-year Advanced Class 1 from the field trip, approaching.

“It’s been a while, Teacher Herdium,” Leo greeted.

Even after the trip, Herdium had maintained steady interest in Leo. He keep pushing for his transfer to Seiren, suggesting exchange programs, and so on.

All of it had been led by Herdium.

Naturally, Herdium coveted Leo’s talent, the boy who had deciphered the Poet’s magic.

'If only Leo were an elf.'

Though he felt regret, Herdium didn’t show it.

Leo was only a first-year.

He would have more chances to interact with Seiren over time, and one day he might even wish to study there himself.

'When that time comes, it’ll help to already have a good relationship.'

While Herdium was thinking that—

“Teacher Herdium, would you introduce that young man to me?”

A man with blazing red hair and eyes approached, smiling.

Despite his fiery appearance, his gaze was calm.

Leo immediately realized he resembled Lunia and nodded inwardly.

'Ellen Lunda. Lunia’s father and a friend of my mother’s.'

He was also the contractual partner of Fiora’s mother, Fyrina.

“Ah! Teacher Ellen,” Herdium greeted brightly.

In truth, most Seiren teachers disliked Leo.

Only Herdium, who had met him personally, and Ellen, who had heard about him from his daughter and his contractual partner, viewed him positively.

“This is Leo Plov. Leo, this is Teacher Ellen Lunda.”

“I’m Leo Plov.”

“I’m Ellen Lunda,” Ellen said gently, extending his hand.

Leo took it and shook.

With a pleased smile, Ellen turned to Herdium.

“Teacher Herdium, may I have a word alone with Leo?”

“Of course. Then, Leo, enjoy the party.”

Herdium smiled and left, assuming that two Phoenix contractors would have much to discuss.

Once he left, Ellen spoke.

“It seems my daughter’s been quite indebted to you.”

“Oh, not at all. I’ve received plenty of help from her too.”

Leo replied with a soft smile.

Ellen chuckled.

“I don’t know if your mother ever mentioned me, but I owe her a debt.”

“I heard from Lady Fyrina.”

“Is that so?” Ellen smiled faintly.

He patted Leo on the shoulder.

“I won’t say I’ll repay that debt through you. It’s one I’ll carry all my life. But if you ever need anything, contact me. I’ll help however I can.”

“Thank you.”

In elven society, the words of the Lunda family head carried great weight.

In human terms, Ellen was equivalent to the head of the Zerdinger family.

And his promise to “help however I can” was no empty phrase.

'He accepts that without surprise?'

Ellen looked at Leo with quiet admiration.

He already knew his daughter had been striving desperately to surpass this boy.

'Having someone to chase your whole life isn’t a bad thing.'

Ellen smiled faintly—

“Dad… no, Teacher Ellen.”

Lunia hurried over, having seen her father talking with Leo.

Ellen smiled and told Leo, “Go ahead and talk,” before leaving.

As she glanced at her father walking away, Lunia asked,

“What were you talking about with Dad?”

“Nothing much. Anyway, what is it?”

“The dance time’s starting soon. I had fun dancing with you before, so I came to ask again.”

Lunia said with a smile.

Flash—!

Just then, the lights in the hall went out.

Students gasped in confusion.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Are you enjoying the welcome party?”

A male Seiren student holding a microphone appeared on the stage.

He grinned mischievously.

“I’m Ideen, the host for tonight’s party.”

A spotlight focused solely on him.

All eyes turned toward Ideen.

“Before we get into the main party, I thought we should hear a few words of resolve from our participants for this year’s Lumeiren Competition.”

He scanned the crowd with a smile.

Then, elementals appeared onstage carrying a massive trophy.

The Lumeiren Competition championship trophy.

“This trophy has belonged to us Seiren for the past several years! And, of course, it’ll continue to be ours!”

At his smug grin, some Lumene students booed.

“Oh, if you don’t like that, feel free to take it back with your strength.”

Ideen smirked provocatively and turned to Raynia.

“Right, President?”

“Of course!” Raynia nodded confidently.

“Then, let’s hear from the student council presidents of Seiren and Lumene before the Lumeiren Competition begins. First, President Raynia of Seiren!”

Ideen handed the mic to Raynia.

“Your resolve, please, President.”

“As always, we’ll give it our all. And we’ll win to uphold Seiren’s long tradition of victory.”

Raynia grinned, and Ideen nodded.

“Now then, President of Lumene.”

“I’ll yield the floor to my successor,” Rhys said.

Ideen blinked in surprise, then smiled and approached Leo.

“Well now, the successor president, huh? I’m not sure a first-year can speak for all of Lumene, even as the next president.”

At his teasing, laughter rippled through the Seiren students.

Ideen held out the mic to Leo.

“So then, the next Lumene student council president—may we hear your resolve before your first Lumeiren Competition?”

As Leo took the microphone, he could feel every gaze in the vast hall focused on him.

Leo spoke calmly.

“Seiren students, thank you for keeping the trophy safe until now.”

Ideen’s eyes widened.

The Seiren students frowned.

“Take a good look at the trophy while you can.”

“May I ask why?” Ideen said.

Leo replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Because for the next five years, you won’t be seeing it again.”

[^1] : E/D note : Lumeiren Competition has two way to say it. One is LuSe War from Lumene and SeLu War from Seiren. Technically, the translation should be Lumeiren or Seimene Competition.