Editor : Amethyst00



“What is the meaning of this! A fight, you say!”

Herdium’s face had gone pale as he scolded the two.

Right now, the two of them had already stepped out of the chaotic banquet hall.

Lunia had snapped her head away, while Leo calmly straightened his clothes with an indifferent expression.

Watching them, Harrid asked,

“What’s the cause? Who started it?”

At Harrid’s cold voice, Lunia flinched slightly.

There was no professor in Seiren quite like Harrid.

Herdium frowned.

“Are you interrogating our student right now?”

“We need to know the cause of a problem if we’re going to resolve it.”

“What! Fine then! Lunia is our first-grade representative! She’s not the sort of student to commit wrongdoing!”

Speaking with conviction, Herdium turned to Leo.

“Leo Plov. What was the cause of this fight?”

Seeing the way Herdium was pointedly assuming fault lay with him, Leo replied evenly,

“It seems I may have made a small mistake.”

“Aha! I knew it! There’s no way Lunia could’ve been at fault—”

“Professor Herdium. Don’t you think it’s unfair to jump to conclusions like that?”

“What are you implying! Didn’t Leo Plov just admit he was wrong—”

“If Lunia El Lunda is Seiren’s first-grade representative, then Leo Plov is likewise our Lumene first-grade representative.”

Harrid’s curt statement left Herdium stunned.

He hadn’t imagined Leo would be a grade representative.

Seiren, by nature, had little interest in the affairs of other schools.

“And most importantly…”

Harrid’s icy gaze fell upon him, making Herdium flinch.

“Just as you trust the student under your care, I too trust the student under mine.”

Hearing that, Leo couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Though feared by his students, Harrid’s affection for them was sincere.

‘He acts so stern for the sake of his students.’

Herdium cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Very well! Lunia, what exactly did Leo Plov say to you?”

‘I can’t tell anyone about this!’

As successor to the Lunda family, admitting that her phoenix had been stolen would be unbearably shameful.

If this became known in Seiren, she would be ridiculed without end.

Flustered, unable to decide what to say, Lunia hesitated—until Leo spoke.

“I formed a contra—”

“Hahaha! It was just a silly misunderstanding!”

Lunia hastily clapped a hand over Leo’s mouth. Then she glared daggers at him, eyes shouting, 'Say one more word and you’re dead!'

When Leo shrugged and nodded, she let go, bowing her head.

“I apologize, Professor Herdium, Professor Harrid, for causing a scene at what should have been a gathering of harmony… and also…”

Forcing a strained smile, Lunia turned to Leo.

“I’m sorry, Leo Plov. I apologize for my rudeness.”

Her lips trembled as she said it, and Leo, amused, gave her a look.

Herdium clutched his head.

“Ahh! Impossible!”

“Since the misunderstanding is resolved, let’s continue the banquet. Let us speak no further of this matter,” Harrid said.

Glancing at him, Herdium reluctantly nodded.

“Professor Harrid, Leo, please return inside. I will have a separate word with Lunia.”

With that, Harrid and Leo returned to the banquet hall.

Once only the two remained outside, Lunia bowed.

“I’m sorry, professor.”

“It’s fine. What’s done is done. By the way, the student who fought with Tiren earlier today—was that also this boy?”

“Yes.”

“Leo Plov. I remember now. He was the one recognized as Lumene’s first-grade representative at the entrance ceremony.”

Nodding, Herdium crossed his arms.

“Do not make the same mistake again, Lunia. You are Seiren’s first-grade representative, an excellent talent who will one day lead our academy.”

“I understand.”

“And in tomorrow’s joint classes, you must never fall behind Leo Plov! Seiren has always outshone Lumene!”

Clenching his fist, Herdium’s voice was sharp with rivalry.

“We must continue to prove it! That Seiren is greater than Lumene! No—greater than any hero academy in existence!”

“I’ll never lose to that bastard! I’ll utterly crush him, you have my word! On Seiren’s honor!”

“Luniaaaa! How many times have I told you to fix that foul tongue of yours!”

Herdium clutched his head in despair, but Lunia ignored him, eyes blazing as she glared back at the banquet hall.

'Prepare yourself, Leo Plov!'

bl

The party ended.

But between the two schools, the mood was unbearably awkward.

Of course it was—there had been a clash between none other than the grade representatives of each academy.

An unfamiliar tension now hung between them.

Back at the dormitory, Leo changed into more comfortable clothes and sat at the table, arms crossed, waiting for someone.

Swoosh—!

A shadow flitted past the window.

The snowstorm outside had already subsided.

Looking out, Leo saw Lunia.

Meeting his eyes, she murmured a spell.

Click—!

The window unlocked and opened. Lunia stepped inside.

“You were waiting for me?”

“Judging by your personality, I figured you’d come under the moonlight.”

“Then explain yourself. How did you end up stealing my contracted beast?”

“‘Stealing’ isn’t the right word. I only contracted with Fiora at Lady Fyrina’s suggestion.”

“Nonsense! Lady Fyrina chose me as Fiora’s contractor when I was only five years old! Do you know how much I’ve cherished her since childhood? She was with me whenever I played! I even bathed her every day, dressed her!”

“Fiora only hatched three months ago.”

“I can take care of her even as an egg!”

“Find another familiar. Lady Fyrina feels guilty toward you, so she’s already searching hard for another phoenix.”

To most, a phoenix was a mythical rarity one might never encounter in a lifetime. But with the Lunda family’s influence, securing another was hardly impossible.

“If it’s not that child, it won’t do!”

Tears welled as Lunia shouted, and Leo sighed.

‘…I do feel sorry, actually.’

Stealing away a beast already promised to another was a deep offense—one that could even cost lives.

Fyrina had arranged the contract between him and Fiora only because she thought it impossible.

And who could blame her?

How could someone without summoning arts possibly contract with a phoenix?

But Leo had succeeded, and here they were.

No one was really at fault, yet Lunia had undeniably lost her promised companion.

‘Besides, a phoenix only ever acknowledges one contractor.’

Fyrina had only suggested the contract to Leo because he was the son of a benefactor—an exception.

Phoenixes were renowned for their lofty pride, never accepting more than one bond.

“I cared for her so dearly! Sob! We were always together! Waaaah! And now you’re saying she’s not mine anymore! Fioraaa!”

Lunia collapsed to the floor, bawling. Watching her, Leo asked,

“So what do you want me to do?”

Lunia instantly stopped crying, then glanced up at him.

“In that case, will you grant me one request?”

“If it’s something I can do.”

“Duel me.”

“…What?”

“I’ll prove it! That I’m the one who deserves to be Fiora’s contractor more than you!”

Her red eyes blazed fiercely, and Leo smirked.

“Shall we go outside then?”

bl

The two left the dorm and made their way to a wide, empty clearing.

Their footsteps pressed into the snow as they took their positions at a distance.

“Let me warn you.”

“Hm?”

“If it looks bad, surrender quickly. Don’t cling stubbornly and get yourself hurt.”

Leo chuckled.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Worried, my ass.”

Lunia snorted.

“I’m only saying it because you’re Lady Reina’s son, child of my father’s benefactor’s!”

With that, Lunia pulled out a coin.

“The moment this coin lands, the duel begins.”

“Fine.”

“Here we go.”

Clink—! Spin—spin—!

The gold coin glittered in the moonlight as it fell.

Thud—!

Whoosh—!

Flames roared to life, aura and mana both igniting at once.

Lunia narrowed her eyes at the fire that flared from Leo.

'Zerdinger’s flame… a bloodline blessed by the phoenix, just like my family.'

Few in the world wielded such power. It only stoked her fighting spirit.

'I won’t lose. No matter what!'

“In the name of my contract—arise!”

Five summoning circles flared around Lunia, from which appeared salamanders, mid-level fire phantom beasts.

Walking on two legs, breathing fire, wielding nimble hands—five of them surrounded Leo.

“Five mid-rank phantom beasts?”

Leo was impressed. But that wasn’t all—at her spell, flaming spears and shields formed in their hands.

Seeing her reinforced them with magic, Leo smiled.

“Truly worthy of being Seiren’s representative.”

“Still relaxed? I haven’t even started yet. Go, everyone!”

The salamanders pressed forward as Lunia withdrew, chanting a larger spell.

Dodging, Leo muttered,

“So she leaves the familiars to fight while she prepares heavy magic… how classic.”

“It’s the Elves’ traditional battle style! Even Lady Luna fought the same way!”

By today’s standards, Luna was considered a traditional mage, one who toppled battlefields with overwhelming spells.

“True, she’s remembered that way now.” Leo smirked.

“But you’re mistaken.”

“What?”

“In today's standard, Luna was a battle-mage.”

A mage who never stopped moving, endlessly firing spells on the march.

On the battlefields where Kyle and his companions fought, stopping meant death.

Luna only ever stood still to chant when she had breathing room.

And yet, she was remembered as a traditional caster for a simple reason—

‘Even in that relentless movement, every single spell she cast was powerful enough to turn the tide of war.’

The flawless magician.

That was Luna, the Poet of the Star.

“Hmph~ maybe humans think so. But when it comes to her, the Elves’ records are closer to the truth than humans’, don’t you think?”

While they spoke, Leo had already dispelled the five salamanders.

If Lunia had supported them more, it wouldn’t have been so quick. But she was wholly focused on her spell.

‘Now, I just need to deal with her—’

Leo rushed in, only to stop short as Lunia met his gaze with a sly smile.

“Good instincts.”

She raised her right hand.

Whoooosh—!

A massive ball of fire the size of a house took shape.

The heat melted the snow around them.

“[Incandescence]. My family’s ultimate magic.”

Like the Phoenix Breath of the Zerdingers, it was a spell fueled by phoenix power.

But only a fool would take it head-on.

Even fragments of it would be devastating.

“It won’t work well on me. Phoenix flames deal half their force to me.”

Indeed—their flames shared the same root.

Lunia’s magic couldn’t fully harm him.

“Perhaps. But I’ll defeat you with this spell.”

“Why?”

“Because this isn’t just a duel. It’s proof—that I, not you, am the one suited to be Fiora’s contractor. Winning alone isn’t enough.”

Her expression hardened.

“This is my pride as a Phoenix’s contractor.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll accept your challenge.”

“…What?”

Confused, Lunia hesitated. Then she hurled the blazing sphere at him.

“Prepare yourself!”

The firestorm surged forward, like a miniature sun.

Leo’s body flared with flames of his own.

Drawing a deep breath, he swung his blade into it.

Rumble—!

Lunia’s eyes widened in horror.

“Are you insane! You could die!”

“You wanted proof, didn’t you? Then I’ll show you—”

She froze mid-chant.

“—why Fiora chose me!”

Lunia gaped.

So that’s what he meant by accepting my challenge? This guy’s insane!

If she pressed the attack, she could win easily.

But this was no longer a simple duel.

It had become a battle of pride—summoner to summoner, phoenix-bearer to phoenix-bearer.

Crash—! Crash—!

Leo’s flames clashed with the Incandescence, and yet his fire devoured hers bit by bit.

Stronger… fiercer…!

Whoooosh—!

His flames consumed even the shards of hers, greedily swallowing them.

He’s injuring himself to burn even brighter?!

It was unthinkable. Unimaginable.

Pushing his power beyond limits at the cost of his own body!

And yet, Leo’s flames kept devouring hers—until finally—

Whoosh—!

The mighty Incandescence vanished, completely swallowed.

Thud—

Lunia collapsed, legs giving way beneath her in shock.

Step, step—

Tearing away his scorched clothes, Leo strode toward her.

She gazed up at him blankly.

“If you want a proper duel, I’ll oblige you that way. So? What’ll it be?”

“Haha! Ahahaha!”

Lunia burst into laughter.

“No. I lost.”

How could she keep raging against someone who had faced her fury head-on like that?

Struggling to her feet, she gave a wry smile.

“I was arrogant. Sorry. I sincerely apologize.”

“It’s fine. I’d have been angry too.”

'…To think there’s such a gap between us, both first-year reps. How humiliating.'

Ashamed, she folded her arms.

“But I’m not giving up. I’ll prove I’m worthy of Fiora too, so that one day she chooses me.”

Pointing at him, she declared,

“From now on, Leo Plov—you’re my rival!”

“Think what you like.”

“I’ll be looking forward to the joint class tomorrow.”

Her red hair whipped as she turned and strode off.

Watching her, Leo smirked.

“I’ll be sure not to disappoint.”