Editor : Amethyst00



"Hi."

"Good morning, Leo!"

"Did you have a good weekend?"

The morning after the weekend ended.

When Leo entered the classroom, his classmates greeted him.

"Leo, I heard you met the student council president over the weekend!"

By the time he sat down, his classmate Tade came up excitedly and asked.

"You were already close with Celia Zerdinger from Class 1, but now you’ve even met the student council president?"

Eliana, who approached with her arms crossed, also looked surprised.

Only Carl and Chelsea in the class knew that Leo and Celia were cousins.

"You all seem very interested in the student council president?"

"Of course! He’s the strongest, ranked number one in Lumene!"

Tade said, getting worked up.

"Great family, great skills, great grades. And he’s handsome too. Leo, did you maybe get invited into the student council?"

Eliana asked in a curious voice.

Leo was one of the talents everyone in Lumene paid attention to.

At first, many had doubted why Leo, who wasn’t even the top scorer, had been chosen as freshman representative, but things were different now.

As the unprecedented All-Class, every professor from every major department was eager to have him.

Leo shook his head at Eliana’s question.

"I wasn’t invited to anything like that. Even if I was, I’m not interested in the student council."

At those words, Tade and Eliana’s eyes lit up.

"Leo, why don’t you join the Summoning Materials Research Club with me?"

Tade eagerly tried to recruit him.

"You’re still weak in the practical side of summoning, right? It’ll definitely help you!"

"Step aside! Did you forget Leo’s an All-Class? Leo! Join the Magic Swordsman Club with me! You’ll be welcomed for sure!"

Tade and Eliana started bickering.

Even before the official club joining period for first-years, both had already temporarily joined the clubs they wanted.

As the two argued noisily, Carl appeared, clicking his tongue.

"You two are behind on information. Leo already decided on his club activity."

"What? Which one?"

"He said he’s going to make his own club."

"Make a club?"

"A first-year?"

Tade and Eliana blinked in disbelief.

"What kind of club will you make?"

Nella, sitting far away, showed interest in her usual languid tone.

"He said it’ll be a Hero Research Club."

"But Hero Studies already researches that plenty."

Eliana made a face as if she had bitten something sour.

"He said he’ll research forgotten heroes. Like Kyle, for example."

At those words, Tade and Eliana made faces as if saying, "Why would you do that?"

But Nella nodded.

"Even if he’s only a fictional hero, the only All-Class hero is Kyle. So that’s what draws his interest."

Nella nodded again.

‘I need to hurry and find my Hero Record page.’

Unless the Hero Record was discovered, there was no way to prove his existence.

Just then, a Class 8 boy named Elrig Tuna entered class 5.

He walked up toward Leo and asked:

"Hey, Class 5. Who’s your class president?"

"We don’t have one yet, but for now I’m acting as president."

"We haven’t officially decided, but if you need to, you can talk to me."

"Hm? What’s going on?"

Tade, Eliana, and even Chelsea, who had been reading a magic book beside them, all looked up in response.

"So… who’s the president then?"

Elrig looked between the three of them.

Their gazes tangled in midair.

"Obviously me. I’ve been assisting Professor Harrid until now."

Tade said with his arms crossed.

"What are you talking about? I’ve also assisted Professor Harrid plenty! And besides, shouldn’t someone from the prestigious Raden family like me be the one?"

Eliana snorted proudly, puffing out her chest.

"You dare talk about family in front of a Lewellin? Ridiculous. Not that family prestige is even necessary. A president is the face of the class, so shouldn’t it be the most outstanding person? Who’s the most outstanding in our class?"

Chelsea laughed and stood up from her seat.

As the three started bickering about who should be class president, Elrig walked closer to Leo.

"Leo Plov. Here, take this."

He handed Leo a document.

"What’s this?"

"Today’s Hero Studies class adjustment. After morning assembly, everyone has to gather in the main auditorium. Professor Artienne decided to hold a joint class for ten sections this time."

For required courses like Combat Studies, the homeroom professors usually handled it.

That was because they needed to teach in ways suited to the unique traits of each class.

But Hero Studies had a specialized professor in charge.

And the first-years’ Hero Studies professor was none other than Professor Artienne, the homeroom teacher of Class 8, who had left a strong impression on the very first day.

"Just give it to your homeroom professor after morning assembly. Alright, I’m off."

Elrig left the classroom.

"Let’s see, let’s see."

Carl took the document from Leo.

"Oh! This is it! They’re going to research the Hero Record page recovered recently."

"Really?"

Nella also checked the contents.

"Which hero could it be? Leo, didn’t the student council president tell you anything yesterday?"

At Carl’s question, Leo rested his chin on his hand.

"He said there was a page so damaged it couldn’t even reproduce a Hero's World. I think it might be that one."

"Ugh! Deduction class is the hardest!"

Carl grabbed his head in despair.

"I said I’m the class president!"

"No! It’s me!"

"You’re not making any sense! Let’s settle it with skills! Both of you, come at me!"

"You think we’ll back down?"

"I’ll prove myself in a month!"

Even up until then, the three were loudly arguing over who should be president.

Seeing that, Nella made a troubled face.

"If Professor Harrid comes and sees this…"

"Then they’re dead, obviously."

Carl shook his head.

"A joint class, you say? Very well."

During morning assembly.

Harrid accepted the document from Leo and nodded.

"It seems not only Professor Artienne but all the first-year homeroom professors will be observing."

He casually tossed the document onto the lectern.

"Since it’s the first joint class, show a good impression."

"Yes, sir."

"If you embarrass yourselves in front of other classes like these idiots just did, it won’t end as lightly."

The class’s eyes turned toward the three students kneeling on their desks while holding up chairs—Chelsea, Tade, and Eliana, who lowered their heads in shame.

"Professor! Why don’t we have a class president yet?"

Carl raised his hand to ask.

Class 5 was the only one that hadn’t chosen a president, even though it had already been a month since the semester started.

"I expected you would choose one yourselves without me interfering. For me to step in and waste time would be inefficient."

Other classes had wasted entire Combat Studies lessons just to elect a president.

In Class 1’s case, since there were three top scorers, it had taken them twice as long as others.

Harrid thought that was a waste of time and left it to the students’ autonomy.

But the students of Class 5 had been waiting for Harrid to bring it up.

"If you want me to intervene, then I’ll do it my way. Leo, Nella."

Harrid called on Leo, sitting in the very back, and Nella, in the very front.

"Leo is president, Nella is vice president."

"Yes."

"Understood."

"Wa–wait, professor! Shouldn’t we do a vote or something? Isn’t this unfair?"

"I agree!"

Eliana protested, and Tade chimed in.

But Harrid only looked bored.

"Is there anyone more suited than Leo Plov to show leadership in this class?"

At that, Eliana and Tade fell silent.

Indeed, no one in Class 5 could compare to Leo’s leadership shown during Combat Studies.

"And Nella has the calmest personality in our class. She’s perfect as a vice president to support the president, don’t you think?"

Again, there was no room for objection.

Neither had even wanted the president or vice president role in the first place.

If Harrid designated them, there was nothing more to say.

"Anyone object?"

"No, sir."

"Good. Then prepare for class and move to the auditorium."

The mass movement of the first-years began.

Since they rarely had classes together outside their own departments, the students were buzzing with excitement.

"Hey, Leo!"

"Leo! Want to have lunch together after class?"

A few girls giggled and called out to him.

Since Leo took all the major courses, he was already acquainted with quite a few students.

"Keh! Leo, you’re really popular, huh? Well, no wonder—you’ve got the looks too."

Carl nudged Leo’s side playfully.

As both a school celebrity and a handsome boy, Leo was undeniably popular.

"Hey, do you have any girls you’re close to that you could introduce me to?"

"You already have plenty of girl friends. Why are you asking me?"

"In my case, they’re all just customers."

Carl grumbled, resting his clasped hands behind his head.

"Carl."

"Hm?"

Someone called him from behind.

Turning his head, Carl made a strange face.

"Chloe, you look really tired."

At his words, Chloe glanced briefly at Leo, then shook her head.

"Not really. Do you have any leftover fatigue recovery potions? Sell them all to me."

Carl pulled out some potions from his subspace.

Chloe took several, uncorked them, and downed them all on the spot.

"It’s still the start of the semester. Aren’t you overworking yourself?"

Leo asked, but Chloe shook her head.

"I’m fine."

With that, she walked on ahead.

"Wow, she’s tough. Ruthless. She’s already ranked first in theory exams, and she’s still pushing herself that hard."

Currently, the top scorer in the Magic Department’s theory exams was unquestionably Chloe.

Second was Abad, third Chelsea, and Leo was fourth.

At that moment, Chelsea suddenly joined the conversation.

"It’s only natural Chloe feels pressured."

"Huh? Why?"

"Carl. Sometimes I wonder if you even belong in the Magic Department."

"I’m studying just enough not to get expelled!"

Carl proudly gave a thumbs-up.

"Sigh. Anyway, the reason Chloe feels pressured is because if Leo-oppa just gets used to the latest magic trends, he could immediately catch up to her in theory scores."

Just as Chelsea said.

Leo was more unfamiliar with the latest magic trends than any mage in Lumene.

And the classes were all centered on those latest trends.

But in the area of magical interpretation, which Lumene professors emphasized the most, no one could compare to Leo.

"Tch. Is being first in theory exams that important?"

"As a Tower mage, it’s a matter of pride. She can’t back down on that."

Chelsea shrugged.

Mages from noble bloodlines tended to focus their magic on "combat," while the Tower mages emphasized "research and inquiry."

Mages from hero bloodlines like Chelsea might be strong in combat, but they didn’t usually lead the latest magic trends.

On the other hand, all new discoveries and spells typically came out of the Tower.

So Chloe naturally felt threatened by Leo in a field she absolutely didn’t want to lose in.

‘Well, working hard is fine and all…’

Leo scratched his cheek as he watched Chloe walking ahead.

‘But if she pushes too hard, it’ll backfire.’

The Great Hero who once saved the world and the budding sprouts just beginning to grow.

With starting points so different, it was inevitable.

‘I’ll have to sit down and talk with her sometime.’

bl

"Yes, Rhys."

In the principal’s office, Rhys was reporting his latest mission results to Kalian.

"Is it true that this Hero Page reacted?"

Kalian carefully picked up the small fragment of the Hero Record page.

"Yes."

"Interesting. A fragment like this should hold no power whatsoever."

The piece was so ruined it was barely even a "page" anymore—normally, it should contain no power at all.

"Has it reacted again afterward?"

"No, sir."

"Hmm… did it react because it was close to the Hero Record itself?"

Kalian set the fragment down.

"In any case, Rhys, good work on the mission."

"Thank you."

After giving his farewell, Rhys left, and Kalian, who returned inside, spoke to his secretary, Erena.

"Take this to the Grand Auditorium of the Hall of Beginnings."

"Yes, Principal."

As she received the fragment, Elena stared at it fixedly.

"Erena?"

"Ah, yes. I’ll take it right away."

Once Erena left the office, Kalian was alone. He stroked his chin.

Having conquered countless Hero's Worlds, he knew the Hero Record better than anyone.

‘Come to think of it, there are rare times when a fragment like this does react.’

Kalian shook his head, dismissing the thought.

‘It reacts when the very one recorded in the Hero Record appears.’