Editor : Amethyst00



The main gate of Lumene Academy.

The tightly closed door opened with a bang— and the 2nd years poured in.

"Ha, we made it into the school, right? That counts, right?"

"I-it's over! It's finally over!"

The 2nd years began to cheer in joy.

"It's over."

"Eeeeeek!"

The 2nd years, hugging each other in celebration, suddenly screamed in horror as they realized Chen Xia was among them.

Chen Xia, who smiled sweetly at the terrified 2nd years, held her neatly arranged shoes and socks in one hand and walked lightly toward where the 3rd years were gathered.

Seeing her approach, Eliana asked with a disgusted expression,

"What on earth did you do to make the 2nd-years tremble at the sight of you?"

"I just showed them how big the world is."

After the 1st battle—

Chen Xia used every means and method at her disposal to corner the 2nd years.

Hiding in the darkness, she relentlessly exploited their weaknesses. The 2nd years had no choice but to be continually outmanoeuvred by her.

They learned just how terrifying the strategic advantage of darkness could be for Shadow.

And in that darkness, a figure waited to strike— They came to understand the fear of hero hunters.

Though the 2nd years finally managed to snatch the key from Chen Xia after three battles, they made one final mistake.

Unlike the 4th and 5th years, whose passing criteria was simply to take the key, the 2nd years had to enter Lumene with the key in hand.

The professors judged that the 4th and 5th years wouldn't let Leo reclaim the key, so the exam ended for them. But the same didn't apply to the 2nd years.

They made the mistake of heading to Lake Lumeria too soon—only to be taken down by Chen Xia once again.

For Chen Xia, who wielded water aura, the lake was a favourable battlefield.

Eventually, the 2nd years were dragged into the water and lost the key again. Only on their 5th try did they finally manage to open the gate.

After being completely worn down by Chen Xia, it was no wonder they were now terrified at the very sight of her.

Watching Chen Xia grin innocently, Eliana shook her head.

"I can already imagine what they went through."

"How did it go for you guys?" Chen Xia asked.

Eliana's expression darkened.

Noticing her reaction, Chen Xia's gaze naturally moved to the rest of her classmates.

Their faces held expressions of frustration and bitterness.

'Doesn't looks like it go well.'

"We succeeded on the 3rd try," Eliana admitted, her shoulders slumping.

"It was a full-frontal battle, and we lost twice."

At those words, Chen Xia glanced toward someone.

Lyl was sitting at a table, jotting things down in a notebook with a serious expression.

'What about Elena-sunbae?'

"Hello?"

Elena appeared behind Chen Xia with a cheerful smile, then whispered quietly in her ear,

"Now, now. Final bosses should sit together."

"I wanted to comfort our friends, though."

"A noble thought but best leave them be for now. If you had been with them, the outcome would've been different. They might feel even worse getting comforted by someone who wasn't there."

"Would the result really have been different just because I was there and not Carl?"

"Of course it would've. You've got different experience."

Even before entering Lumene, Chen Xia had been active on the front lines as a Shadow.

Though her fellow 3rd-years weren't inexperienced, none of them matched her in sheer battlefield experience.

Thinking about why her classmates struggled, Chen Xia gave a small nod and calmly took a seat at the table. Lyl looked up.

"Chen Xia! I heard you were amazing out there!"

"Who told you that?"

"The elementals of darkness and water told me! Ahh! I'm so proud to have such incredible juniors but also burdened. You might surpass me entirely next year. I must maintain the dignity of a senior!"

Watching Lyl clutch her head in anguish; Chen Xia gave her a curious look.

"What are you doing right now?"

"I'm writing down the mistakes and shortcomings I made this time."

Lyl showed her the notebook as she spoke with utmost seriousness.

"I've learned a lot from the 3rd years! I think today's experience will help me grow even more!"

Chen Xia glanced at her.

Her uniform was a mess.

Not just her clothes—her hair was frazzled, and her face and body were covered in small cuts and bruises.

She looked like someone who had just come back from a battlefield.

In contrast, Elena was pristine and composed, just like always.

That alone was enough to tell the difference.

'Elena-sunbae focused purely on magic.'

All the attempts to stop her from casting spells were blocked by Lyl.

It was Elena who ultimately wiped out the 3rd years, but if someone asked who made the most terrifying impact, the answer would be Lyl, without a doubt.

And still, she wasn't satisfied—she was searching for ways to improve.

A word naturally came to Chen Xia's mind.

"Monster girl…"

"…!"

Lyl's eyes widened, and she shook Chen Xia with a tearful face.

"You can't call your senior something like that!"

"Oh, sorry."

"Yeah. Don't say stuff like that. Even if it's true."

"Elena-sunbae!"

Lyl glared at her with betrayed eyes, but Elena just smiled playfully.

"By the way, where's Leo-doryeong?"

If the 4th and 5th years had passed 1st, Leo should already be here.

"Were you looking for me?"

"Welcome, Leo."

"Hyung-nim!"

Elena and Lyl greeted him cheerfully.

"You're late," Chen Xia said.

Leo replied indifferently, "I had something to take care of. What about the 1st years?"

Everyone was gathered at the gate for one reason:

It was the day of the entrance ceremony.

The main stars of the event were the 1st years, so the entire school was waiting for them to arrive.

"Hyung-nim! Hyung-nim! Thanks to you, I was able to hold on during the exam!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Lyl eagerly stepped up, eyes sparkling.

Though she was Leo's disciple, she publicly referred to him by the strange title of "Hyung-nim."

At his question, Lyl answered, "I completed all the training assignments you gave me before winter break, and my elemental arts improved beyond belief!"

"You finished all of it?"

"Yes!"

The assignments Leo had given her were the introductory techniques of elemental arts used by Lysinas.

It was never meant to be completed over the break.

"…You really are a monster girl, huh?"

"You too, Hyung-nim?!"

"Wow! Lyl's now officially recognized as a monster by Leo himself!"

"Congratulations," Elena and Chen Xia said in admiration.

"Please don't tease me!"

"We're not teasing. It's a compliment," Elena smiled.

"You may not realize it, but it's seriously impressive."

Even the legendary Hero of Beginnings, Kyle, had been astonished—so it had to be something great.

"Ugh, My mouth really itching to spill Leo's secret."

"His… secret?"

Lyl perked up, and Elena asked in a suggestive tone, "Curios?"

Lyl looked tempted for a moment but locked eyes with Leo and immediately shook her head.

"N-no. As his disciple… I must not dig into my master's past!"

Elena made a disappointed face.

Then she approached Leo and her eyes sparkled.

"Leo is… No."

She stood on tiptoes, whispered into his ear.

"What does Lord Kyle think about all this?"

Then she stepped back with a mischievous glint in her eye and looked up at Kyle as if she had found a new toy.

"Should I say it? Should I not? This could get really interesting."

Seeing that impish attitude, Chen Xia's expression turned troubled.

'Leo-doryeong doesn't seem ready to reveal his identity yet.'

And Elena knew that too.

But this unruly young lady wouldn't hesitate to spill it all just for her own amusement.

She already looked gleeful, as if she had caught him red-handed.

"Go ahead, if you want," Leo said coolly.

Elena tilted her head.

"Oh my, coming out strong. Then should I really spill it?"

She puckered her lips like she was about to say something for real.

But Leo replied, "Say it. But what next?"

"What next?"

"Can you handle what comes next?"

Elena stared at the suddenly serious Leo. Then she turned away sharply.

"An adult should know when to back down. You never give an inch. Damn old man."

Muttering under her breath, Elena stomped off. Leo chuckled quietly.

Half a day passed like that.

As the sun set, Eliana suddenly jumped up.

"Seriously! When are the 1st years getting here?!"

The entrance ceremony was still waiting—but there was no sign of the 1st years.

"I never imagined Carl would last this long," murmured Tade, Carl's best friend since their 1st year.

Creeeeaaaak—

The tightly closed gates opened.

The 1st years trudged into Lumene.

The entire student body fell silent as they watched.

On the day of the entrance ceremony, it was tradition for the freshmen to be put through the wringer.

Everyone here had experienced it.

And seeing the new students in shambles was also part of the yearly ritual.

But not a single person laughed this time.

The state the 1st years were in… was beyond pitiful.

They looked like defeated soldiers returning from a lost war.

Thud, thud—

Not a trace of pride at becoming Lumene students could be seen.

Everyone stared silently, especially at the last student to enter.

Carl scratched his cheek and muttered,

"Maybe… I went a little too far?"