Editor : Amethyst00



The morning after Leo ushered in the historic first departmental war.

The Clocktower Dormitory, which would normally be brimming with liveliness, was filled with an awkward air.

Leo fell into thought as he looked at the dorm students who were now completely split into three.

'Indeed, cooperation between different classes is necessary.'

Even Leo, an All-Class who could do anything, needed comrades to fight alongside him.

'One can't do everything alone.'

He needed teammates who could cover the things he couldn't handle himself.

That was why Lumene placed such importance on joint classes.

But yesterday, Leo had broken that harmony.

He had deepened the competition among them.

'Well, you learn things through fighting too.'

Those with the same abilities would group together to defeat those with different ones.

Through that process, they could more clearly understand what they lacked and what weaknesses their opponents had.

Making them feel many things and ultimately pushing them one step forward—

'That's why even Lumene encourages competition between departments while emphasizing unity.'

But starting today, they would be completely focused on destroying the opposing departments.

Just as Leo was about to head to the dorm cafeteria—

Tap-!

"Leo."

Carl draped an arm around Leo's shoulder.

"Cut me some slack, at least give a heads-up next time. I'm exhausted, seriously."

Carl was whining from the morning, and Leo gave him an apologetic look.

"If I gave a heads-up, it wouldn't have meant anything."

"Tsk."

Carl scratched his head.

Now that full-blown interdepartmental competition had begun, the student council had a lot of work to do.

First up was the creation of new school rules regarding shared facilities.

Student battles were only allowed at night.

But that didn't mean fights couldn't break out during the day.

Emotions could flare, and fights could happen even in the daylight.

Especially in shared convenience facilities used by all students.

That's why the student council needed to quickly establish order.

Carl, in particular, was in the same department as Elena.

"Well, thanks to you setting up a rough guide, creating the rules wasn't as hard as I thought."

The general framework of the rules to be applied during the department war had already been established.

Leo had sent it to the student council.

"By the way, Leo. You made quite a bet, huh?"

"A big one?"

"You said you'd grant a wish to the MVP, didn't you? I bet a lot of people are aiming for it."

Carl gave a sly smile and tapped Leo's shoulder.

"Only within the limits of what I can do."

Leo's answer made Carl chuckle.

"Sir Leo, Carl."

At that moment, Chen Xia's voice came from behind.

"Good morning."

As Chen Xia greeted them with a smile, Leo greeted her back.

"Good morning."

Behind Chen Xia, Eliana also appeared.

Eliana looked between Leo and Carl before stepping between them and separating the two.

"What are you doing?"

Carl asked with a puzzled face, and Eliana wiggled her finger.

"In this department war, the class president is supposed to act as a judge. You shouldn't be getting close with students from specific departments."

With that, Eliana gave Leo a push on the back.

"Class president. Let's go eat with the Knight Department."

"Didn't you just say I shouldn't get close with specific departments?"

To Leo's question, Eliana widened her eyes.

"Yeah, I did. But Celia said she wanted to talk to you for a bit. Celia's your cousin, right?"

"That's right. Miss Celia said she has something to say too."

Chen Xia also moved close beside Leo and pulled him by the hand.

And so, the three of them headed toward the Knight Department.

While they walked, Eliana looked around to make sure no one was there and then slipped her hand into Leo's inner uniform pocket.

"What are you doing?"

"A gift."

At those words, Leo pulled out what she had placed inside.

It was a snack that was extremely popular among the female students.

Very hard to get.

"Isn't this a bribe?"

"Hey! Bribe? It's just a small token of affection because I like you."

"I'm fine."

"Oh come on! Take it! Are we not even close enough to give each other something like this?"

Eliana pushed the snack Leo tried to return back into his pocket, glanced around, and whispered quietly.

"But class president. You said you hid problems all over the dorm, right? Just a little hint maybe……."

"Achoo."

At that moment, a sneeze was heard.

Eliana quickly turned toward the sound.

Behind a building pillar.

There was someone there.

Narrowing her eyes, Eliana dashed behind the pillar at incredible speed.

"Oh? Betty?"

"Ah, hello, senior Eliana."

"So you saw, huh?"

Eliana gave a cold look to Betty, the second-year runner-up in the Magic Department.

"Ah, I didn't see anything! Nothing at all!"

"Hmmm? You look like you saw something though?"

"Uuuu!"

"If you tell anyone what you saw today, you know what'll happen, right? Your school life won't be—ow!"

Chen Xia gave Eliana a chop to the back of the head.

Eliana grabbed her head and rolled on the ground.

"You shouldn't threaten your juniors."

"I wasn't threatening!"

Eliana wore an indignant expression.

Leo approached her and stamped a deduction mark on her.

"Bullying juniors is against the rules."

"Aaaagh!"

Eliana screamed.

"I can't believe it. Are you dumb? You got a penalty for trying to bribe Leo?"

Celia crossed her arms with an exasperated look.

Kneeling before her, Eliana spoke in a crawling voice.

"I got the penalty mark not for the bribe, but for threatening Betty……"

"Like that makes it better!"

As Celia growled, Eliana shrank her neck.

Watching this, Leo asked Celia,

"You said you called me because you had something to say?"

Celia, who had been glaring at Eliana, pulled out an envelope from her bosom and handed it to Leo.

"A letter from aunt."

Originally, it should have gone straight to Leo, but ever since he became a third-year, his room had become inaccessible to outsiders.

So Celia had been receiving his letters instead.

"Thanks."

Leo opened the envelope and read the contents.

A moment later, after folding the letter neatly and putting it back, Celia asked with curiosity,

"What did aunt say?"

"She said she was added to the Hero Record this time."

"Really? That's great…… What?!"

Celia had nodded casually to Leo's calm answer before her eyes flew wide open.

"My aunt got added to the Hero Record?!"

"Yes."

Other students also stared at Leo in shock.

"Congratulations, Leo!"

"Wow! That's awesome!"

"Congrats, Leo!"

Amidst the flood of congratulatory voices, Leo gave a slight smile.

"Thanks, but it's not really something I should be congratulated for."

At Leo's reaction, the surrounding students faltered.

Being added to the Hero Record—

In other words, becoming a Hero—was an honor for the entire family.

Even among so-called Heroic Noble Families, producing a hero in every generation was not guaranteed.

It was a truly celebratory matter.

Yet Leo's reaction was extremely dry.

Because of that, for a moment, the students misunderstood.

'Were we making too big a deal out of it?'

But no matter how they thought about it, it was definitely something to celebrate.

Still, with the recipient reacting like that, the Knight Department students were left unsure.

"You're so dry. You don't look happy at all."

Celia grumbled with crossed arms, and Leo looked down at the envelope and smiled faintly.

"I'm happy. Just—"

"Just?"

"I've always thought my mother was more than qualified to be a hero. So I'm not making a big deal out of it, that's all."

With that, Leo stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"To write a reply."

"Wow, going to write a reply right away. Even though you act indifferent, you're really happy, aren't you?"

Leo gave a flick to Chen Xia's forehead and left.

Seeing that, Celia also stood up.

"Miss Celia, where are you going?"

"To write a letter to my aunt too. I respect her. Leo! Wait for me!"

Eliana, who had been kneeling, also stood up.

"Where are you going?"

Nella asked, and Eliana gave a thumbs-up.

"I'm going to make up for the penalty stamp I got."

The Knight Department students around her looked anxious.

"What are you trying to do now?"

"Leo's in a good mood now, right? I'll ask him to cancel the penalty."

"You idiot!"

"Hey! Catch her!"

"Don't mess with Leo!"

The third-years all rushed at Eliana.

Watching the chaos, Nella sighed.

"We really need to keep Eliana away from Leo. Isn't there a good way?"

"Hmm."

At Nella's words, Chen Xia tilted her head.

"Shall I break her neck if she tries to approach Sir Leo?"

"……"

Normally Nella would've scolded her for being too harsh, but not today.

A moment later.

Nella sighed again.

"That's still too much."

The kindest student in the Knight Department.

Chen Xia nodded at Nella's words.

bl

Magic Department class.

"Gentlemen! Did you have a good weekend?"

Len walked up onto the podium.

Seeing that, the students began putting away their textbooks.

Today was the day of the pop quiz Len had mentioned.

He had said the test would begin immediately as class started, so everyone packed up everything except their writing tools.

Some students were still slowly closing their textbooks, trying to cram in a few last pieces of information.

Soon after.

With the desks in the round lecture hall now clean—

A tense atmosphere spread among the students.

Professor Len, wearing a solemn expression, snapped his fingers.

A golem created by magic entered the room carrying a pile of papers.

"Why is the test paper so thick?"

"It's thicker than the midterms or finals."

"Ughhh."

Groans spread among the students.

At Len's signal, the test papers floated toward each student.

Step—step—

Professor Len walked to the blackboard at the front of the classroom.

He picked up a piece of chalk and began writing something.

Tap tap tap tap—! Tap!

The students who saw the sentence Len had written with his dazzling hand movements wore confused expressions.

They had expected information about the test time or format, but what was written had nothing to do with the test.

Bang—!

"Who is our true enemy?!"

"……"

At Len's sudden outburst, the students were left speechless.

At that moment, top student Chloe raised her hand without hesitation.

"Student Chloe!"

"Tartaros."

"Wrong!"

Len's sharp reply left Chloe stunned.

After her, students began raising their hands and giving their answers.

"Demons!"

"Nope!"

"Hero Hunters?"

"The Lich King!"

"Wrong!"

"The Legion Commanders……?"

"Incorrect!"

With wrong answers flooding in—

Leo raised his hand.

"Erebos."

For a moment, the entire classroom fell silent.

Erebos.

The world's enemy who must be defeated, yet even uttering his name weighed heavily.

The very mention of it made the mood sink.

"Regrettably, that's also incorrect!"

Everyone was taken aback.

Even top student Chloe and student council president Leo got it wrong?

Then Carl raised his hand playfully and answered.

"The Knight Department!"

"Carl."

Chloe gave him a sharp look.

Carl grinned mischievously as if saying "what?"

Clap clap clap clap—!

"Bravo! Correct! Student Carl! As expected from an honors student who rose early to the hero's seat!"

"Huh?"

Len clapped enthusiastically alone.

It was the first time since enrollment that Carl had been called an honors student by Len, and he was left stunned.

Len pulled out a stamp, slammed it on a palm-sized slip, and sent it flying toward Carl.

Carl, who received the [Well Done] stamp, looked dazed.

Len then slammed his fist on the podium.

"As student Carl just said! Our true enemy is none other than the Knight Department!"

At his fervent proclamation, Anna at the back of the classroom looked up at the ceiling in despair.

This guy's spouting nonsense again.

'He'll probably finish after one speech…….'

But then—

Len spoke.

"Now! Begin the test I've handed out!"

At that, the students flipped over their thick test papers.

And then—

All their faces turned strange.

"Um… Professor Len?"

Chelsea cautiously raised her hand.

"Yes? Student Chelsea!"

"The test contents are a bit odd? I mean, beyond odd, why do we even have to do this?"

Anna flinched and checked the test paper.

Her shoulders began trembling.

"You ask why this test is necessary?"

Len's eyes flared.

"Because we need ideological verification!"

"You crazy bastard!"

Anna leapt at Len and grabbed him by the collar.

Even while being held by the collar, Len spoke firmly.

"Starting today, we'll be conducting research classes on how to most efficiently defeat those knightly buffoons! How to infiltrate their dormitory! How to destroy the Knight Department!"

"Leo! Abad! Carl! Drag this guy out of the classroom now!"

At Anna's command, the three stood up and climbed onto the platform.

"What, what are you doing?! To your teacher, of all people!"

"Professor. Let's step outside and cool off a bit."

Carl grabbed one of Len's arms with a smile.

Abad took the other, while Leo grabbed Len's legs, and together they carried him out.

"Deputy Professor Anna! This is rebellion against your teacher! How could you do this to me!"

Len's desperate cries echoed through the classroom as he was dragged out like he often did to Sedgen.

Anna rubbed her temples, exhausted.

Meanwhile, one student was solving the test seriously.

"Eliana, what are you doing?"

Chloe asked.

Eliana scribbled quickly with her pen.

"I got a penalty stamp today. I have to make up for it, so I need to ace this test."

Chloe replied.

"You're in the Knight Department."

Though she took Magic Department classes as a magic swordswoman, she was technically in the Knight Department.

"So what?"

"…Forget it. Keep going."

Chloe sighed.

'Is our department going to be okay?'

She was worried if they'd be able to hold a proper class at all.

But similar things to what happened in Len's class were happening all over Lumene.