Editor : Amethyst00



The day after exams ended, the students of Class 5 cheerfully got up from their seats after school.

“Hey! Let’s throw a party to celebrate the end of exams! A party!”

“Carl! You know what’s up, huh? I’m all in!”

Carl and Eliana were in the middle of planning a celebration party when—

Clatter—!

The classroom door opened, and Harrid walked in.

“Everyone, sit down. You have five seconds.”

“Gasp!”

“Move! Out of the way!”

The students who had been heading out scrambled back to their seats at Harrid’s declaration.

Snap—!

Watching the students sit down in an instant, Harrid nodded in satisfaction.

“The exam results are out.”

Tension rose on the students’ faces.

“Ugh! I totally forgot about that.”

Carl clutched his head and collapsed onto his desk.

Looking at him, Harrid spoke.

“In our class, the students recommended for withdrawal are…”

Gulp—

Everyone swallowed hard at the merciless words, focusing entirely on Harrid’s mouth.

“…none.”

“Oooooooh!”

“Hurrah! We’re alive!”

“This means I can at least last until the end of the first semester!”

Cheers erupted from the students.

Those who had been teetering on the edge of failing even shed tears of relief.

The sounds of celebration could be heard from other classes too.

“To think you’d shout while I’m still talking. You’ve got some nerve.”

At Harrid’s single remark, silence fell again.

“Don’t get too excited. No one was recommended for withdrawal, but plenty of you were on the edge. For those students, I’ve personally prepared an after-school supplementary class schedule.”

He then began calling out the names of those required to attend.

The faces of the remedial students turned pale.

“You don’t look too happy.”

“We’re happy.”

“We’re so happy it brings us to tears! Ha… hahaha.”

“I have one last announcement.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Sena.

“There will be a party tonight to celebrate the end of midterms.”

The atmosphere in Class 5 heated up immediately at her words.

“And at that party, we’ll be deciding the schedule for the school trip happening a week from now.”

The class blinked in confusion at first, not fully processing it.

A few seconds later—

“Ooooooh!”

Lumene Academy held school trips once a year, divided by grade level.

Sometimes students went by class, sometimes by department.

This time, Harrid explained, it would be by class.

“Our school really has this spontaneous streak.”

“But wasn’t the school trip originally scheduled with the first-year department timetable?”

“It was, but the exact date wasn’t set, right? And now, all of a sudden, it’s in a week.”

Chelsea shook her head, and Nella gave her usual languid smile.

“Heh. Finally, my time has come.”

Carl put a hand on his chin with a smug look.

“What time are you talking about?”

“Well, I’ve got wide connections, right? I’m already on familiar terms with the second- and third-year seniors. I’ll go ask them what the first-year trips are usually like!”

“Hehe. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Carl darted out of the classroom.

‘A school trip, huh.’

Leo rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window.

‘Now that I think about it, since being reborn, I haven’t really traveled anywhere.’

The only places he’d been were the Plov estate, the family mansion in the Delad Kingdom’s capital, Lumene Academy, and Lumeria City.

It was a sharp contrast to his previous life, where at this age he had already been wandering all over the world.

Feeling a strange anticipation toward the trip, Leo smiled.

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“Where do you think we’ll go for the trip?”

“Wherever it is, it would be nice if it’s somewhere we can relax a little.”

“I bet we’ll still get to have fun though.”

That evening.

A party was being held in the dormitory hall.

It was a celebration for finishing their first midterms.

On top of that, the announcement of a new department event had the overall mood buzzing with excitement.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely a cheerful occasion.

This party was also meant as a farewell for those recommended to withdraw.

“Our school has a cruel streak too.”

Carl, dressed in a tuxedo fit for the party, grumbled.

“No kidding.”

Tade nodded in agreement.

All first-years were required to attend this party.

In other words, even those recommended for withdrawal had to be there.

“It’s not survival of the fittest, but it’s like they keep prodding us endlessly to always look upward.”

“Well, it is a school for nurturing great heroes. What can you do.”

At Tade’s muttering, Carl sighed and scratched his head.

Meanwhile, students continued pouring into the hall.

Class 5 students arrived one after another, gathering at their section.

Some entered in pairs of boys and girls, and whenever that happened, the others would boo playfully.

Joining in on the mood, Carl spotted two girls walking through the hall entrance and let out a cry.

“Nella and Eliana!”

“Where! Where!”

Other Class 5 boys perked up with intense interest.

“Oooh! As expected, Nella!”

“And Eliana, sure, she’s loud usually, but when she’s dressed up she’s totally a beauty!”

The appearance of two of the class’s most popular girls drew loud admiration from the boys.

But when they noticed boys from other classes approaching them, they quickly rushed over.

“Hey, hey! Flies are gathering!”

“Go bring them over here!”

The Class 5 boys swarmed forward.

“When’s the class rep coming?”

“I wanna see him in a tux already!”

“Nella~ Eliana~ welcome!”

The Class 5 girls greeted the two with bright smiles as well.

By the time the hall was mostly filled, another pair walked in together.

This time, there were no jeers.

A boy and a girl, both with light-blue hair and eyes.

None other than Abad and Chelsea.

Since they were siblings, no one could really boo.

And even if they weren’t, the two were simply too prominent for anyone to dare.

The moment the Lewellin siblings appeared, several students from the Lordren Empire crowded around them.

“Seeing them together like this really reminds you what a powerhouse family they are.”

Carl clicked his tongue.

Lumene had plenty of students from heroic families, but the Lewellin stood on another level entirely, incomparable to most.

“There’s another powerhouse who doesn’t lose out to them though.”

Eliana’s words had barely left her lips when another pair entered.

Again, no jeers this time.

Black hair and silver hair—a striking contrast.

Leo and Celia.

“It’s the class rep!”

“Just as I expected, he looks amazing!”

Class 5 girls cheered loudly.

“Normally she’s… I dunno, imposing. But dressed up like that, she’s definitely beautiful.”

“Celia! You’re gorgeous!”

From Class 1, both boys and girls alike erupted into cheers.

Celia, usually dignified and commanding, was popular with everyone.

Now that she was beautifully dressed in a red gown, the excitement was only natural.

“But why’s it gotta be Class 1’s vice-rep!”

“And why’s it gotta be Class 5’s rep bastard!”

At the same time, both classes voiced their complaints, glaring at each other.

Harrid and Sedgen.

The rivalry between the two professors—both highly renowned in Lumene—was already famous.

Granted, it was Sedgen who had declared Harrid his rival unilaterally, but still, it made Classes 5 and 1 rivals by extension.

As soon as Celia appeared, Lordren Empire students swarmed to her side as well.

Naturally, Leo slipped away from the crowd and joined Class 5.

“Why are you here already? Chelsea’s still chatting with them.”

Carl looked at him curiously, and Leo shrugged.

“It’s not really my place.”

“Not your place? Aren’t they all from the West Entrance Exam too?”

Eliana asked with a fork still in her mouth, and Leo smirked.

“Even if they are from the West, they’re all Lordren Empire. Different country from me.”

“Ahh!”

The West Entrance Exam was mostly dominated by Lordren Empire students.

That was inevitable, since the empire practically spanned the entire western region.

“Class rep! You’ll dance with me during dance time later, right?”

“You’ve gotta dance with me too~”

“Leo, you bastard!”

“Good grades and popular with the girls?”

As Class 5 girls teased Leo, the boys grabbed him and shook him furiously.

“Heheh. Everyone’s really lively tonight.”

“Oh! Associate Professor Sena!”

Smiling, their homeroom assistant Sena walked over to Class 5.

“I’m so happy that not a single one of you was recommended for withdrawal. Let’s keep studying hard together!”

The students made touched expressions at her radiant smile.

To Class 5, who always had to endure Harrid’s icy training, Sena was like an oasis in the desert.

The noisy, cheerful atmosphere continued until suddenly, the hall’s lights went out.

At the same time, two teachers appeared on stage.

“Hello, everyone~!”

It was Harrid and Artienne, the feared homeroom teachers of Classes 5 and 8. The once-bustling party instantly went quiet.

“W-why so serious, everyone? A party’s supposed to be fun, you don’t have to stay quiet.”

Even with Artienne’s words, no one dared to speak up.

He looked dismayed, until Harrid leaned into the mic.

“Enjoy yourselves. While I’m still speaking nicely.”

“Yaaaaay.”

“This is so fun.”

“Hahaha.”

As if nothing had happened, the students grew noisy again.

Watching them liven back up, Artienne spoke.

“Enjoy yourselves as you listen. We’ll now be announcing the exam results.”

‘Wait! You said enjoy ourselves!’

‘Why announce grades in front of everyone!’

“First, we’ll reveal the top three students per department. After that, we’ll announce the grade representative.”

Artienne smiled brightly.

“And around the hall, the full rankings will be posted for everyone to check.”

Associate Professors appeared carrying covered bulletin boards.

Finally, Harrid added—

“And remember, this party is also a send-off for the students who are leaving. Don’t forget that.”

The mood in the hall turned cold.

“Cruel. This school’s so cruel. They really know how to push students to the limit.”

Carl clicked his tongue.

Announcing the best students while claiming it was to console those forced to withdraw—this was a double-edged message.

To the middle ranks: Work hard and climb up.

But also: At any time, you could end up like them.

“Now then, let’s start with the department rankings. First, the Knight Department. First place goes to—”

Drums resounded as spotlights began sweeping across the hall.

“Class 1’s Celia Zerdinger! Congratulations!”

All the lights focused on Celia.

“Everyone, applaud!”

Clap clap clap clap—

Applause thundered.

Celia brushed back her hair with a confident smile.

It was a very “Celia-like” display of poise.

“Second place is Class 1’s Duran Moira!”

Spotlights hit Duran, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression sour as if displeased.

“Elegant! So elegant! Celia! Duran! I’m so proud of you both! First and second were separated by just a sheet of paper’s thickness!”

Professor Sedgen, beneath the stage, clapped with tears in his eyes.

“Third place is Class 10’s Chen Xia!”

Wearing traditional attire that exuded the graceful dignity of the Eastern provinces, Chen Xia smiled softly with both hands tucked into his sleeves as the spotlight shone on him.

“Wow—! Leo oppa didn’t make top three!”

“Well, it can’t be helped. Those three are called the ‘Monster Trio’ of the Knight Department.”

Chelsea clenched her fists in frustration, while Eliana shook her head.

“Next, the Magic Department. First place goes to… Class 8’s Abad Lewellin! Congratulations!”

Artienne waved broadly, delighted that his own student had taken the top spot.

“As expected!”

Chelsea puffed herself up proudly, arms crossed.

“Second place is Class 5’s Chelsea Lewellin!”

The spotlight hit her suddenly, and she blinked in surprise.

“Eh? Me?”

“Third place is Class 2’s Emio Luchan. Congratulations.”

When the Magic Department announcement ended, the entire hall fell into an odd atmosphere.

Everyone was glancing toward a single student.

“Chloe… yeah, having her practical exam voided hit her hard.”

Carl muttered bitterly.

“Sniff! Chloe! If not for that, you would have been first! Don’t you ever despair or give up!”

“You’re too noisy. You’re disrupting the announcements. Take him away.”

Harrid coldly jerked his chin at the weeping Sedgen.

A few assistants quickly carried him out.

Even Class 1’s mood soured.

As Chloe gave a wry smile, Duran sneered and walked up.

“Chloe Müeller. You’re the shame of our entire class.”

“Sorry, Duran.”

“You beat me to become class rep. I won’t tolerate any more disgrace from you. If you disappoint me again, I’ll take that position back.”

With that, Duran turned on his heel and left.

Watching, Carl muttered under his breath.

“The moment that bastard said that, he basically hung the victory medallion around Chloe’s neck…”

In reality, other Class 1 students were quick to console Chloe as well.

It showed how much respect she commanded as their rep.

“Next is the Summoning Department! First place goes to Class 2’s Walden Thaiden!”

Spotlights lit him, but Walden’s face remained utterly blank.

“Second place is Class 6’s Eliza Hergin! It was an extremely close margin.”

Sitting in an elegant, cushioned chair she had somehow produced, Eliza filed her nails.

But unlike her usual calm demeanor, her eyes glared sharply toward Walden in irritation.

Third place went to Class 8’s Jurden Loussen.

“I was sure Leo would make top three in at least one department.”

Eliana spoke in surprise, and Leo only shrugged.

“Well, it happens.”

“Aren’t you being a little too laid-back? If you don’t place in any department’s top three, the grade rep is out of the question!”

“And now, the overall midterm first place—our grade representative!”

At those words, tension spread.

All eyes turned toward the nine top-ranked students.

Artienne announced, his voice bright:

“First place in the midterms! Leo Plov!”