Editor : Amethyst00



A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the school trip finally arrived.

In front of the Lumene Teleport Gate, the 1st-years were gathered by class.

“It’s pretty hot today.”

“To think we’re going to a cold region in this heat… isn’t this basically a summer getaway?”

As of today, the summer uniform season had begun, so all the students were dressed in their summer uniforms.

Even though they had switched out their mid-season uniforms for lighter summer ones, the unusually hot weather had Nella fanning herself with her hand as she muttered. Eliana, ever cheerful, responded.

While Class 5 was chatting noisily, Celia from Class 1 walked over.

“Leo. Why is your class going to El-Salvekia? It’s the coldest country.”

She wore a neat white short-sleeved blouse, a red ribbon tie, a red-and-black checkered skirt as part of her uniform, and socks that reached below her knees. Despite the hot weather, her appearance was immaculate without a trace of disorder.

At Lumene, as long as students followed the required elements of the uniform, they had free rein in how to wear it.

Teenagers loved expressing themselves, so they often customized their uniforms with flair.

Some boys had jewels hanging off their jackets, others modified their uniforms to store weapons, and a few even altered them to look like military dress uniforms or magician’s robes.

Because of that, it was actually rare to see someone like Celia, who wore her uniform so primly.

As a young lady of a prestigious Heroic House, neat appearance was her motto.

“Your class is going to the warmest place possible, right?”

“Of course. I hate the cold with a passion.” Celia replied firmly to Leo’s question.

“Well, it would’ve been different if we’d been allowed to go to Seiren.”

As Celia laughed brightly, Carl asked,

“But Celia, why do you look so pleased?”

“Because Duran wanted to go somewhere cold. So we made it into a contest to decide where we’d go.”

With a smug face, Celia swept her hair back.

“And as you can see, the result was my victory.”

“A duel between the first and second place in the Knight Department… that’s huge! Why didn’t I hear about this? What kind of match was it?”

“Rock-paper-scissors.”

“……”

“The look on his face when he threw rock! Ohohohohoho!”

“Celia, deciding the class’s trip by rock-paper-scissors isn’t something to brag about, you know? Could you keep it down?” Chloe said with a embarrassed face, trying to hush her.

“The warmer it is, the more likely you are to run into humans. Be careful.”

“I actually want to meet those guys.” Celia smirked at Leo’s warning.

Humans weren’t allowed into elf territory.

Any human found there had usually crossed the border illegally. And most humans who trespassed into elf territory turned out to be bandits.

“For the scum who bring shame to their race with crime, they deserve a lesson.”

“Monsters and humans are different.”

“I know. Do I look like the type to let my guard down?”

When Celia smiled, Leo shook his head.

“That’s not what I meant. I’m telling you not to underestimate human malice.”

Celia widened her eyes.

“You’re saying this because you’re worried about me.”

“I don’t need you worrying about me! And why are you calling yourself my oppa! I’m your noona!” Celia pouted, flustered.

“Well, you be careful too! Fairy Forest is a monster spawning zone!”

Nodding at her words, Leo turned to Chloe.

“Chloe, you be careful as well.”

“Mm. See you in ten days, Leo, Carl.” Chloe waved her hand.

After parting ways with them, Chen Xia came to say goodbye.

“Leo-doryeong. See you in ten days.”

“You too. Take care.”

“Yes.”

After some brief words, the homeroom teachers arrived.

“Leo, Nella. Take attendance.”

“Everyone, line up.”

At Harrid’s order, Leo organized Class 5.

Since Harrid was their homeroom teacher, Class 5 quickly snapped into formation.

“All students present.”

“Good.”

Standing before Class 5, Harrid spoke in his characteristic cool voice.

“The school trip is also part of your education. I expect none of you to treat this lightly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Satisfied with their disciplined reply, Harrid nodded.

Classes boarded the warp gate in order, starting with Class 1.

“Gate to El-Salvekia connected.”

“Magic will activate in five seconds.”

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Teleport.”

Whoooosh—!

In a flash of bright light, their view shifted.

Whoooosh—!

And what greeted them immediately was a blizzard.

“Gyaaahhh!”

“What is this?!”

“It’s so freaking coooold!”

Class 5 shrieked, hurriedly pulling on their winter coats.

“I thought at least we’d arrive inside a building!” Carl shouted in dismay.

But the teleport gate they arrived at was outdoors.

“Why are you all making such a fuss?”

“Leo-oppa, aren’t you cold?”

Chelsea sniffled, looking at Leo, who stood calmly against the blizzard.

“I am.”

“Then why are you standing there like nothing’s wrong?”

“Because making a scene would be embarrassing.”

“Wow, so manly.” Chelsea was impressed.

“Sometimes I really feel it—our class rep looks like a pretty-boy type, but he’s got this manly side.”

“Yeah! Especially when his eyes sharpen—he’s honestly scary.”

“But isn’t that also when he looks the coolest, in that dangerous way?”

The girls whispered among themselves.

“Should we try acting dignified like Leo?”

“Even if we do, the response will be the same.”

“Yeah, they’d just say we’re putting on airs.”

The boys sulked.

“If you’re done chattering, line up.”

At Harrid’s command, Class 5 lined up again. Leo slowly slipped into his winter coat.

“As you were told, we’re in El-Salvekia’s capital, Velkia. Now, who can tell me about Velkia’s history?”

At the question, several hands shot up. Harrid gestured at Chelsea, who raised hers first.

“Velkia is named after The Fairy Knight, Velkia Ersar, one of Luna’s disciples, the Poet of Star! And The Ersar family, Velkia's descendants, lead the El-Salvekian Council today!”

“Well done. Five points.”

Chelsea clenched her fist in triumph.

“As Chelsea Lewellin explained, unlike our nation, the elves have no monarch. They are a republic. And the families who form that republic are all noble lineages.”

Listening to the brief lecture, Leo thought to himself.

‘That arrogant, two-faced brat is now remembered under the grand name of Fairy Knight.’

Before the Age of Calamity, the elves had been ruled by a single king.

The Fairy Knights were the king’s closest guardians.

Now, they had vanished into history.

And the last Fairy Knight was Velkia herself.

Velkia.

After the Great Heroes ended the Age of Calamity, she was one of the figures who led the elves’ revival.

The world knew her only as Luna’s disciple. But in truth, she had been a disciple of Luna, Aaron, and Kyle together.

‘She fawned endlessly over Luna and Aaron, but with me he was always insolent.’

Leo recalled the disciple who was anything but endearing.

Step, step—

Footsteps approached through the blizzard.

“We’ve been expecting you, Professor Harrid.”

An elf with pale silver hair appeared.

“Who is that? He’s insanely handsome.” Eliana whispered girlishly.

Next to her, Tade mimed gagging—only to get punched in the ribs by Eliana and roll on the ground.

Leo muttered as he watched.

“Doesn’t age matter to you? He looks at least 70.”

Eliana giggled.

“Oh my, is our class rep jealous? How could that face be 70?”

The other students agreed with her.

“Why would I be jealous? And you all know elves live long and hardly age.”

Elves had childhoods similar to humans, but their youth and middle age lasted far longer.

Their overall lifespan was at least 50 years, at most over 100 years longer than human’s average lifespan, and no matter how much they aged, they usually kept a middle-aged appearance.

So it wasn’t strange that the man might be over 70.

Still, humans usually found it hard to guess elves’ ages from appearance.

“Mind your tongues! Do you even know who this is?” The elves accompanying him shouted angrily toward Leo’s group.

The silver-haired elf only smiled kindly.

“Lively students indeed. The ones Professor Harrid used to bring were always so disciplined.”

“They’re only first-years, so they're a bit immature.”

“Hahaha. First-years are always lively. It’s good to see. You all too, don’t be rude to our guests.”

“We apologize!” The other elves bowed in unison.

Harrid stepped forward, introducing him to the students.

“This is Rune Ersar, Chairperson of the El-Salvekian Council.”

“Gasp!”

“Th- the Chairperson?!”

The appearance of El-Salvekia’s highest authority shocked Class 5.

“Attention!”

At Nella’s command, the students quickly stood at attention.

“Greetings to the Chairperson.”

“Greetings, Chairperson!”

“Polite children. I’m glad to see candidates for future heroes like you. So then, do you have any questions?”

As Rune laughed heartily, Eliana hesitantly raised her hand.

“Yes, you there.”

“Um… if I may… your age…?”

“This year, I’m 97.”

Crackle—!

“That face at 97? You’ve taken care of yourself well.” Leo exclaimed in admiration.

But Eliana just stared in shock, culture-shocked and blank-faced.

Harrid’s chilly gaze fell on her.

Leo tapped her foot with his own until she snapped out of it and straightened up sharply.

Watching with amusement, Rune said,

“From today I’ll guide you to the lodging you’ll stay in. Everyone follow me.”

Rune led the way.

After a short walk, the blizzard ceased, and the cityscape came into view.

Class 5 gasped in wonder seeing it.

Elves passing by also stared curiously at the human students.

“Professor Harrid, what’s the first day’s schedule?”

“I intend to give them free time.”

“Oh? Free time? You?” Rune looked surprised.

“Since they’re cute first-year disciples, it seems you’re loosening up a bit.”

Looking like he understood, Rune spoke, but Harrid shook his head.

“Not exactly. The schedule was arranged by that student.” He glanced at Leo.

Following his gaze, Rune gave Leo a curious look.

“Hmm. Well, you were always respectful of your students’ wishes. I suppose for them it’s fortunate he planned the schedule.”

“I wonder.” Harrid’s expression was wry.

“In fact, I think they might have been happier if I’d done it myself.”

Looking over the plan Leo had prepared over the past week, Harrid could only shake his head.