Editor : Amethyst00



"What? Then you guys are going to Damien tomorrow too?"

Early in the morning.

Carl, who had been eating breakfast with hollow eyes, widened them in surprise.

"You guys too? You're going to Damien as well?"

Chelsea, who had been dipping her bread into soup, looked puzzled as she asked.

Carl scratched his head and replied.

"Yeah. I'm leaving tomorrow too."

"What are you going to Damien for?"

"To supervise the 2nd years."

"Huh? Supervise the 2nd years? Supervision for what?"

Eliana, who had been eating next to Chelsea, looked confused.

"All the 2nd years are going to Damien tomorrow."

“All of a sudden? The 2nd years looked like they didn’t know anything about it?”

"Of course not. It was decided just yesterday."

"Ah, no wonder you came back late from the student council room yesterday."

Chelsea nodded in understanding.

"By the way, why are the 2nd years going to Damien? Class rep, do you know anything?"

"It's because of the Smith exclusive contract."

"Ah!"

Eliana nodded at Leo's answer.

"Back in our time, it was a huge event, wasn't it? Even the principal went. But this time, Carl's supervising all by himself?"

"Come on, you think I'm going alone? Professor Artienne will be going as the supervising teacher."

"It still seems small, doesn't it?"

“Well, back then all the 2nd-year students from every hero academy gathered together. Normally it’s not like that.”

"Ohh. Then it's just our school going this time?"

"Yeah. Seiren and Azonia will come later after adjusting their schedules."

Then it make sense if it's just one teacher and one assisting student.

"Still, it's a public-facing role, right? I can't believe Carl's the one going. You've made it."

"It was originally supposed to be Elena-sunbae!"

"You really are a slave."

Eliana looked at him with pity.

bl

The next day.

In front of the warp gate heading to Damien, the 2nd years gathered and chatted among themselves.

The announcement that they would depart for Damien today for the exclusive smith contract had come suddenly yesterday, surprising the 2nd years, but the confusion didn't last long.

It was actually the 1st years who were more flustered.

"Huh? The whole grade is going to Damien?"

"Isn't that too sudden?"

Originally, seniority between school years at Lumene was very strict.

Especially in 1st year, even just one year of difference made it impossible to look upperclassmen in the eye.

But since last year's mentor system and with everyone living together this year, 1st and 2nd years had grown close within days.

1st-years, hesitant to approach 3rd-years or older students, naturally turned to 2nd years with questions, and 2nd years, with experience as mentors, took responsibility for the 1st years who called them "sunbae."

The 2nd years chuckled at the 1st years' reactions.

"Lumene has always been like this."

And so the 2nd years talked here and there with the Damien students.

"Juen, who do you want to contract with?"

"Heh. Secret."

At the question from another second-year magic student, Juen made a meaningful expression.

'I got a list of 2nd-year students in Damien who specialize in crafting magic staffs from Carl-sunbae.'

As Carl's mentee, Juen was always one step ahead when it came to key information.

"Luke, who would you want to make a contract with?"

Aina asked curiously among the knight department students.

"I don't know. I'd be happy with any dwarf-made equipment."

Luke scratched his cheek as he spoke.

Coming from a rural village, just the idea of dwarven gear made Luke's hands tremble.

The 2nd years continued talking about which Damien students they hoped to sign contracts with.

The exclusive smith contract was the most important item in the 2nd-year academic schedule, so everyone had thoroughly researched Damien students over winter break.

"Alright, is everyone here?"

Carl approached the gate entrance and spoke into a loudspeaker.

"We're leaving soon, so stop chatting and line up by department."

"Okay~"

The 2nd years replied lightly and began lining up.

"Really?"

"Awesome!"

"Hahaha!"

But the mood was lively, and the sound of laughter and chatter didn't stop.

They were also a bit slow in lining up.

The 2nd years knew Carl was someone who had risen to the status of a hero.

But ever since enrollment, he had always approached the 2nd years warmly, so he felt like a friendly upperclassman.

'Well, I'm not the charismatic type who intimidates others.'

In short, he wasn't a scary senior.

So the disorderly atmosphere didn't subside.

And Carl, never planning to change his style, didn't mind.

'Besides, there's someone else to keep them in line.'

"Professor Artienne. The kids keep chattering."

"Huh?!"

Professor Artienne's eyes, behind Carl, suddenly flashed with a fierce expression.

Possessed by the spirit of a knightly hero, Artienne snatched the loudspeaker from Carl's hands and shouted

"You think what your senior says doesn't matter, huh!? What's with you!?"

At Artienne's appearance, the 2nd years freaked out and quickly lined up.

Once everyone was in place, Carl and Artienne stepped to the front.

"Everyone. As you know, today is the day you go to sign exclusive contracts with the smiths who'll be in charge of your gear from now on!"

Artienne smiled brightly like a spring breeze.

"Since these may become lifelong partners, be careful and choose the smith who suits you best!"

"Yes! Got it!"

The 2nd years replied crisply.

"Professor, are we departing now?"

"No. There are some 3rd-year students with business in Damien, so they'll come with us. Ah, here they are."

At Artienne's words, the 2nd years turned to the warp gate building entrance.

When five people appeared, gasps arose among the 2nd years.

They wore school uniforms as a base with combat gear over them.

"Wow, look at the amulet Eliza-sunbae is wearing."

"That looks familiar?"

"Ah! I saw it in a book!"

"Oh! Right! The Mark of Thunder! An artifact passed down the Hergin family, only usable by those deemed worthy!"

Eliza's amulet was a Hergin family treasure, only usable with the family head's permission.

An amulet imbued with the power of Pegasus, it contained the spiritual essence of summoners from the Hergin family, known for contracting with Pegasi.

Only those with Hergin blood could use it, and it amplified the power of thunder-type phantom beasts.

Similar reactions echoed among the knight department students.

"The greatsword Duran-sunbae is carrying… just looking at it, it's not ordinary."

"Isn't that the sword of Moira's founding king?"

"Ah! Lightning Storm?"

"Yeah!"

Armed unusually with a longsword and greatsword, Duran stood out sharply.

Not only Duran.

Eliana also wore a longsword on her waist and carried a spear in hand.

"Eliana-sunbae's longsword isn't her usual one either. Looks special."

"The Raden family is famous too. Maybe it's a family heirloom?"

"Is Chelsea-sunbae holding a long staff?"

"Wait. Isn't that the Wind Memory?!"

"Wow!"

Chelsea, too, attracted attention by bringing out a Lewellin family heirloom.

Finally, Leo wore a black cloak.

Compared to the others, it seemed plain, but somehow his presence was overwhelming.

Seeing the 3rd years in full gear gave the 2nd years a single impression

'They look strong.'

They had always known their seniors were strong.

But seeing them fully armed gave a completely different feeling.

"Sorry for being late, professor."

"No, you arrived just in time. And wow, you all look amazing!"

Artienne clapped her hands in awe.

Carl also looked surprised.

"Wow. You really went all out. Whose idea was this? Eliana's?"

"What!?"

"Who else here would like something so flashy?"

"It wasn't me! It was the class rep's idea!"

Carl looked at Leo with a slightly surprised expression at Eliana's claim.

While the 2nd years stared in admiration, Eliza spoke.

"We're dressed up like this, but… does it even mean anything?"

"It does."

"What does it mean?"

Duran asked with arms crossed. Leo shrugged.

"It looks impressive to others."

"…What?"

Duran looked dumbfounded at the unexpected answer.

Chelsea also looked slightly taken aback.

"Seriously? That's your reason? That's not like you, Leo-oppa."

"Why? It's a good reason, isn't it?"

Eliana gave a thumbs-up with sparkling eyes.

Carl tilted his head in thought.

"Is it a symbol of something?"

"Huh? A symbol?"

Chelsea looked confused.

"There's no way Leo would do this just to look cool."

"Exactly."

Chelsea nodded in agreement.

"Then maybe he's trying to become a symbol of something?"

"That's right."

Leo nodded.

“The world right now is in chaos. This seemingly peaceful era might soon end. When that happens, people will feel anxiety.”

Leo looked down at his hands.

“Anxiety spreads easily. When people are anxious, they waver. And when they waver, they start doubting others.”

Distrust breaks unity from within.

"So I want to send a message."

"What message?"

"That when my party fights seriously, we always win."

Duran's eyes twitched.

"Always win?"

"Yeah."

Leo smiled.

"Whenever I appear on the battlefield, there is never defeat. That's the belief I'll give people."

"How arrogant. You really think winning every battle is possible?"

"It's not. That's a lie. But—"

Leo grinned at Duran.

"But in the moment we achieve the impossible, that lie will become the truth."

Miraculous victories erase all memory of previous despair.

“To leave a lasting impression, you have to show the world— look like someone who’s ready for battle.”

"That your idea?"

"No, some pervert told me long ago."

Leo shrugged.

'Lysinas. Everything you say is a lie anyway. Everyone here knows you're scamming people with ridiculous nonsense!'

Back when Arhi was founded, saying "if we fight hard, we can save the world" was clearly a lie.

'So if you're going to lie, at least dress the part! That's the basics of scamming! Basics!'

Taking Dweno's advice, Lysinas always went into battle with flashy gear for show.

"A symbol of absolute victory, huh."

Duran murmured.

"I like it."

Eliza smiled slightly.

"So that's why. As expected of Leo-oppa."

Chelsea nodded in admiration.

"Hehehe."

"Why are you laughing so smugly?"

“Because I knew the class rep’s grand intention all along. You realizing it so late— I’m a little disappointed in you guys.”

"You just like looking flashy, fool."

"Enough with the nonsense, Eliana Raden."

"Class reeep! They're mocking me! I really knew it was for that reason!"

Eliana pouted, whining to Leo after Chelsea and Duran's snark.

"Yeah, yeah."

Leo sighed and patted her head.

"Alright, everyone. Enough chatting, time to go."

At Artienne's words, Leo's group lined up at the warp gate.

As the gate opened, they passed through 1st.

Leo glanced back at the friends following him and smiled.

'They probably don't realize it yet.'

That this 1st step would become the beginning of a legendary page in history.

Of course, the future isn't guaranteed.

But—

'But I'll make it so.'

Just like how Lysinas turned the lie that the world could be saved into truth,

Leo would tell the same lie to the new companions following him.

'You'll become the next legend.'