Editor : Amethyst00



The next day, when Leo arrived at the grand training grounds where the final exam was to be held, he easily spotted Chloe.

As always, Chloe had a grimoire tucked under her arm, and five students had gathered around her.

“Chloe! Your original magic! Could you explain it to us in detail?”

“Yeah, yeah! So we can use it as a reference for our own magic!”

“Please, Chloe. You’ve always looked out for us, haven’t you?”

“What are friends for?”

Their eyes gleamed as they pressed Chloe for help.

‘So those are the ones who’ve been hanging around with Chloe?’

“Did you at least understand the formulas I taught you last time before coming to ask me this?”

“Of course!”

“You explained it so well, after all!”

The girls smiled brightly.

But Chloe’s reaction was cold.

“You say you understand, but your written exam scores in the Magical Theory are that pathetic?”

“What?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice that you only approached me to use me?”

“W-what!”

“No! We just wanted to study together…!”

“You only copied my homework. And with exam scores that lousy, you really think you can understand my formulas? What a ridiculous dream.”

“What did you say?”

“Have you said everything you wanted to?”

“Still, you’re going too far with your words!”

The group flared up, but Chloe didn’t so much as bat an eye—she only sneered at them.

“Sorry to interrupt your little chat.”

“Gah? Leo?”

“Y-you didn’t hear our conversation, did you?”

They sneaked nervous glances at him.

It was true—they had copied Chloe’s assignments.

If Leo even so much as whispered that fact to Professor Ren, they’d be in serious trouble.

On top of that, they’d been gossiping behind Leo’s back, so they felt guilty as well.

“I just wanted to talk with Chloe for a bit.”

“What do you need to talk about?”

“Yeah! Do it here! Chloe’s our friend!”

They spoke firmly.

Chloe gave a cold laugh as she watched them.

“Friend? Don’t make me laugh.”

“What?”

“Instead of wasting time trying to build little cliques by using me, why don’t you study more? You can’t even finish a single assignment properly. If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to even claim I was a Lumene Magic Department student.”

Leo furrowed his brow as he looked at Chloe.

Her tone was unlike her usual self at all.

“Hah! Fine! You ‘elite’ students can have your little chat!”

“We only hung out with you because you seemed so pitiful being alone!”

“Always acting like you’re the only one working hard! You’ve been annoying since the very first time we met!”

“Go hang out with your fellow country bumpkin!”

Jeering, they walked away, and Chloe let out a derisive snort.

“That’s not like you.”

“What isn’t?”

“You’ve always been kind to those around you.”

“I’ve decided to change. From now on, I’m not going to stupidly meddle in other people’s business and help them like some idiot.”

Chloe crossed her arms, her voice cold.

“I heard from Celia. You came looking for me last night because you had something to say? Was it about my magic?”

“Yeah, I had something to ask.”

“Perfect. I had something I wanted to ask you too.”

Chloe smiled sweetly.

“Between your original magic formula system and mine, which do you think has the upper hand?”

“My Bible lets me use every existing magic. If we’re talking about impressive feats, yours is definitely greater.”

“As I thought, you see it that way!”

Chloe beamed.

“It looks like my hard work to surpass you has paid off. If I can’t be the very best in magical theory, then I’m completely worthless.”

“Worthless? Why would you say something like that?”

“Yes. With this, the Müeller family won’t be ignored by the Mage Tower anymore. I won’t be dismissed because of my family again…”

“Chloe? Did something happen?”

Chloe flinched when she saw Leo’s hand resting on her shoulder.

“N-no, it’s nothing. Anyway, what did you want to know about my magic?”

Flustered, Chloe brushed his hand off her shoulder.

“Your magic… did you really create it yourself?”

“Hm?”

“Were you influenced by something else? It wasn’t like that?”

“Why are you asking? Is it because my magic turned out more amazing and you’re jealous?”

“What?”

“I didn’t think you were that kind of person. I’m disappointed. I surpassed you in this practical exam. Just admit it.”

‘As I thought, something’s definitely wrong.’

Leo knew Chloe had a strong competitive spirit and pride in her magic.

But she had never been the type to excessively praise herself or humiliate others.

As Leo hesitated, his eyes caught the black grimoire in Chloe’s arms.

‘Since when? Since when has Chloe been carrying only that book around?’

Chloe was the model student who always carried a grimoire wherever she went.

Whenever she finished reading one, she would always bring another.

But this particular grimoire—she had been carrying it for an unusually long time.

“Chloe, where did you get that grimoire?”

“I bought it in Lumeria City.”

“Could I take a look?”

“Don’t touch my grimoire!”

“Calm down, why are you reacting so sharply?”

“Because you’ve been acting strange this whole time!”

Chloe glared at Leo with all her might, teeth clenched.

“If you’re done, I’m leaving!”

She turned sharply on her heel.

Thud—!

“Huh?”

In doing so, she bumped shoulders with Chelsea, who had been approaching.

“Watch it.”

“You watch it! Do you think just because you were born into a good family, everyone has to take care of you?!”

“What?”

Chelsea blinked in surprise at Chloe’s emotional outburst.

“Did something happen with Chloe Müeller? That’s not like her at all.”

At her question, Leo’s expression grew grave.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, what’s up?”

“Professor Harrid is calling for assembly.”

At that, Leo headed toward where Class 5 was gathered.

But even as he walked, he glanced back toward the direction Chloe had gone.

‘That grimoire… there’s something about it. Could it be cursed?’

Heading with Chelsea to where Class 5 was, Leo narrowed his eyes toward Class 1’s area.

When they arrived, Harrid spoke.

“Since everyone is here, I’ll explain the rules of the exam.”

His face was expressionless as he spoke.

“As announced beforehand, the joint exam of the Hero Studies and the Combat Studies is to conquer a Hero’s World. The world you will be challenging is the [Chadmuthers Incident].”

Tension spread across the students’ faces.

The Chadmuthers Incident.

It was a major event that had occurred in Lumene thirty years ago.

During a mission in the central Chadmuthers Forest, first-years had been attacked by Tartaros.

At the time, Professor Albi—then a second-year known as the ‘Sorcerer of the Mystic Eye’—had been dispatched with a rescue team and had narrowly prevented total annihilation.

“The objectives are to rescue the injured, subjugate the beasts, and assist Professor Albi. The groups will not be formed by class, but randomly mixed with students from different classes. This also evaluates your adaptability to unexpected teammates.”

Harrid’s expression darkened.

“This exam is not just a simple midterm assignment. It also carries the meaning of instilling vigilance, so do not forget that.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And this time, any student judged to have no potential will be immediately recommended for withdrawal. So prepare yourselves.”

The atmosphere sank at his words.

Amid the frozen mood, Harrid spoke again.

“Believe in yourselves. You have grown enough.”

“…!”

“…!”

He slightly curled his lips.

At first glance, it looked like a cold, mocking smile.

But since none of Class 5 had ever seen Harrid smile before, they were all shocked.

‘Was that… encouragement?’

‘From him?’

‘Wait, was it even meant as encouragement?’

While they stared at their homeroom professor with doubtful eyes, Carl clenched his fist.

“Yeah! Guys! We worked so hard! We can’t let it end with us being expelled like this!”

“Carl Thomas. Others may or may not make it, but you are truly in danger. If you alone get recommended for withdrawal and stain the class’s name, I won’t forgive you.”

“Ugh!”

Carl clutched his chest and collapsed dramatically.

Class 5 burst into laughter at the sight.

Meanwhile, Harrid pulled a watch from his pocket.

“It’s time. Sena, start the grouping.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Sena held up a box in her arms.

“Inside here are orbs. Everyone, draw one.”

Tension showed on the students’ faces.

One by one, they reached into the box and drew their group assignments.

Leo checked his orb.

‘Group 11.’

“I got Group 1.”

Chelsea muttered as she looked at her orb.

“The exam will begin. Group 1, please step forward.”

“Chelsea Lewellin is in Group 1? This should be interesting.”

“Huh? Celia Zerdinger too?”

Group 1 included both Celia and Chelsea.

In terms of strength, it was unquestionably top-tier.

Once Group 1 was ready, the Hero’s World was opened.

Albi activated the Hero Record.

In the air, a projection appeared, just like during the entrance exam, allowing them to see inside the Hero’s World.

Since Group 1 contained the top first-years Celia and Chelsea, they cleared the Hero’s World with remarkable speed.

“They usually growl at each other, but they work well together now.”

“Well, they’re both from the same empire. Of course they’d be able to coordinate.”

Leo chuckled.

“With this speed, they’ll definitely be top scorers. Speed is important too, since it’s a rescue mission.”

Because the mission was related to hostage rescue, completion time also affected scoring.

From the overseers’ seats, where he monitored the Hero Record, Albi suddenly heard laughter behind him.

“For the very first group to achieve 100% mission completion… they truly are promising first-years.”

The sudden appearance of the principal startled the professors, who all stood up quickly.

“Principal! You’re here.”

“What brings you here?”

“I wanted to see how much the first-years have grown.”

Smiling warmly, Kalian sat down beside Albi.

“My apologies, Professor Albi, for forcing you to relive your bad memories every year.”

“Not at all. For me, it’s something to be grateful for. I vowed never to forget this incident.”

Kalian gave a bitter smile at that response.

Meanwhile, the exam continued.

“Kyaaah! Duran! You’re amazing!”

“Look at that! He’s so fast!”

Group 3’s Duran, cloaked in lightning aura, dazzled the crowd, drawing screams from the first-year girls.

Watching, Carl grumbled.

“A handsome face, great skills, and he’s royalty? The world is so unfair.”

“Still, his personality is awful.”

“If it were good too, that would be cheating.”

At Chelsea’s words, Carl nodded.

The professors also evaluated the students carefully.

“Class 5’s Nella is truly special. We should make sure to support her in relation to healing aura.”

Watching Nella use aura to treat the injured, the professors murmured in admiration.

In a mission like this, her aura’s traits shone brightly.

Group 8’s Eliana also earned praise.

As a magic knight, she had been mediocre in the exams for both the Department of Knights and the Department of Magic.

But in this exam, where she could use both abilities together, she proved herself a top-tier student.

“Group 11, step forward.”

When their turn came, Leo walked forward.

He froze when he saw his group members.

Chloe was included in Group 11.

When their eyes met, Chloe looked flustered.

“Let’s do our best, Chloe.”

Leo smiled, and Chloe hesitated before replying.

“Sorry about earlier. I think I was just being overly sensitive.”

She fiddled with the black grimoire in her hands.

“It’s fine. It happens.”

Leo gave a small laugh.

“If you’re ready, we’ll activate the Hero’s World.”

Albi lifted the old Hero Record book and spoke.

For a moment, his gaze fell on Leo before moving away.

[Hero Record Open.]

At the message that appeared, the first-years’ faces grew tense.

[Albi’s World. Chapter: Prologue – The Chadmuthers Incident]

‘Wait. Something’s wrong.’

Voooom—!

A burst of light blinded their vision.

When their sight returned, Leo quickly surveyed his surroundings.

Before him stretched a dense forest.

But Leo, left standing there, noticed something strange.

Unlike the other groups before them—

Only two people had entered the Hero’s World: Leo and Chloe.

Both of them looked at each other in shock.

“What’s going on?”

“I-I don’t know either.”

bl

“What is this?”

“Professor, why aren’t they going in?”

Group 11’s other members asked in confusion.

“What’s happening?”

“Did only Chloe and Leo enter the Hero’s World?”

“The projection inside the Hero’s World has been cut off!”

“Professor Albi, what’s going on?!”

Realizing something was wrong, the professors hurriedly questioned Albi.

With a grim face, Albi turned to Kalian.

“Headmaster, we must suspend the exam.”

“What do you mean?”

Albi held up his Hero Record to show Kalian.

The page of the Chadmuthers Incident was slowly staining black.

It was identical to a phenomenon Kalian knew all too well.

‘No way… Hero Dungeonization?’