Chapter 84
Editor : Amethyst00
“Does that even make sense?”
“Calling it aura amplification… this isn’t anywhere near that level.”
All the students stared at Leo with expressions of dread.
'Leo Plov…!'
Duran ground his teeth, while Celia felt goosebumps break out all over her body.
'That’s supposed to be Leo’s flame?'
Everyone was shocked, but the one most surprised was Leo himself.
'This effect is… way too good!'
Though Leo had been freely using Aaron’s breathing technique, it was still originally a beastkin technique, so some parts of it didn’t quite fit with him as a human. Because of that, the actual amplification effect of his aura had always fallen short compared to Aaron’s.
But then, after adapting the breathing method Ain had taught to suit himself—this was the result.
Ssshhhhh—!
As if cooling down, smoke began to rise from his hand.
Even before, whenever he pushed his firepower beyond its limit, he had sustained burns.
'This time it’s practically like my whole arm’s been scorched.'
Holding back the pain, Leo sheathed his sword.
“That’s insane!”
“Hey! Leo, how’d you do that? Got a trick or something?”
“Teach me too!”
Excited, the students of the Knight Department crowded in with questions.
Step, step—
Ain rushed over, checked Leo’s arm, and frowned deeply.
“Nella. Come here and treat Leo’s hand.”
“Huh? Ah—yes!”
Nella, who wielded healing aura, hurriedly ran up.
“I’ll take him to the infirmary. You all continue practicing on your own.”
“The effect is way better than I thought.”
“And you’re laughing when your arm’s in that state?”
In the infirmary, Leo gave a small laugh, making Nella roll her eyes.
She was treating his burns using healing aura.
“Thanks, Nella. You’ve improved.”
“It’s not completely healed. I only did first aid, so you’ll need proper treatment from the infirmary staff.”
“You did well, Nella.”
“No, it’s just my job.”
Nella shook her head with her usual languid smile.
“Leo.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“You already knew about [Brave’s Breath], didn’t you?”
At that sharp question, Nella was startled, while Leo only smiled inwardly with meaning.
'He saw through it after just one look?'
“Yes.”
“Where did you learn it?”
“I once saw it in a book when I was young.”
“You managed to master it on your own?”
“Yes.”
“And today, using what I taught, you modified the technique to suit yourself?”
“That’s right.”
As Leo spoke so casually, Ain felt cold sweat trickle down his back.
'Unfathomable, this one. It’s shocking enough that he independently mastered Brave’s Breath—something humans aren’t even supposed to use—but then he went and altered it to fit himself…'
“Was the rebound from aura amplification something you’d already had?”
“Yes. Though never to this degree.”
The new breathing method was so effective that the backlash had also grown stronger.
“With the method I taught, you couldn’t manifest aura at all, could you?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then your aura manipulation must resemble beastkin more than human. That’s why the version adjusted for humans didn’t suit you.”
Ain was right—back in his days as Kyle, the first person who had taught him aura was a beastkin mercenary. Normally he wouldn’t have been able to learn it properly, but Kyle’s talent and instincts had let him master it with ease.
'As expected of a Lumene professor—quick to grasp the problem.'
“Leo.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, you’d better not use [Hero’s Breath].”
“Because of the side effects?”
“Yes. Using power to the point of harming yourself isn’t good for you.”
Ain let out a heavy sigh.
“I once knew someone who lost everything from pushing himself too far.”
Hearing his bitter murmur, Leo said:
“I’ll restrain myself, but I can’t promise.”
He gave a wry grin.
“Push past your limits—that’s the academy’s motto, isn’t it?”
Ain met his eyes.
'This isn’t reckless arrogance.'
Leo’s gaze was that of someone who had already overcome countless trials.
Unable to help himself, Ain chuckled.
“If you’re that confident, then prove it through results.”
After Knight Department classes ended, Leo headed straight to the Magic Department. Today was a practical training day, so instead of the lecture building, he made his way toward the practice grounds.
As he left the training ground, he ran into a girl.
“Chloe? What brings you to the lecture halls at this hour?”
“I left something in the classroom and came to fetch it.”
As always, Chloe carried two thick grimoires in her arms as she approached.
“Your Knight Department class just ended?”
“Yeah. Perfect timing. Let’s go together.”
“Sh-should we?”
‘Ah! Finally walking alone with Leo after so long!’
Chloe felt a nervous flutter in her chest and took a deep breath.
'Chloe, calm down! It’s just walking with Leo, nothing to get so worked up over!'
As she tried to steady herself, Leo asked:
“Isn’t it heavy carrying two at once? Here, let me take one.”
“It is heavy… are you sure you can manage?”
“It’s not that heavy.”
“Then… I won’t refuse.”
She smiled and passed one book over—but as she did, their hands brushed.
'Ahhh! Our hands touched!'
Chloe’s face turned bright red, and she whipped her head away.
'Ugh, why am I acting like such an idiot? The more I notice it, the more nervous I get!'
Groaning inwardly, she clenched her fist.
'Okay! Just make casual conversation to break this awkwardness!'
“The weather’s really nice today, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s sweltering hot.”
“……”
As Leo squinted up at the blazing sun, Chloe smacked her forehead with her book.
'Why did I bring up the weather?!'
The atmosphere only grew more awkward as she fumbled—
“What a nice scene, my juniors.”
A voice came from behind, making Chloe jump and turn.
There was Torua, lounging on a flying carpet.
“T-Torua-sunbae?”
“Hello, Chloe.”
“You know me?”
“Of course, Chloe Müller! This senior remembers the names of outstanding juniors.”
“I’m honored!”
“Mmhm. Just as I thought, you’re a fine junior.”
Torua smiled, reaching out to pat Chloe’s head.
“But compared to this cute Chloe, you, Leo…”
Torua looked at him with deep disapproval.
'What’s this? Does she dislike Leo?'
Sensing something unusual, Chloe grew tense.
“When will you finally join the Magic Department? You keep straddling both sides, and that’s why you’re treated like an outcast.”
“I told you, I’m the one outcasting the whole year.”
“You don’t have any friends, do you?”
“No, I have plenty. Chloe here’s my friend too.”
Watching the two bicker, Chloe gave an awkward smile.
“Torua-sunbae, are you close with Leo?”
“Of course. He’s a fellow junior in the Magic Department.”
“And who said I was in the Magic Department?”
“You.”
“Isn’t forcing someone into a department against school rules? Our homeroom professor happens to be Professor Harrid.”
“Tch. Crafty brat.”
Torua clicked her tongue. Even she, so bold in most things, was just another meek student in front of Harrid.
“Anyway, I heard you decoded the Poet of the Star’s magic? How’d you manage that? I tried once, but gave up halfway.”
“I’d like to hear about that too. It’s a famous formula that even the Magic Tower’s been studying for ages.”
“You’re from the Northern Tower, right Chloe? I read their interpretation—it was different from the Southern version. Really fascinating. Care to discuss it with me?”
“I’d love to!”
“Yes, yes! That’s the spirit of a true mage. Here, hop on.”
Torua gladly shared her carpet, and the two dove excitedly into magical discussion. With their insatiable hunger for knowledge, the conversation flowed effortlessly.
'Mages never change, past or present.'
As their chatter went on, they found themselves already nearing the training grounds.
“Hm. We’re here already, before I even heard Leo’s explanation. So what was the spell? The Seiren Academy hasn’t released their announcement yet, and this senior is dying of curiosity, my junior.”
Poking Leo in the side with her staff, Torua grinned.
Chloe too looked at him with shining, expectant eyes.
In response, Leo summoned mana into his hand—where a single flower bloomed.
Torua and Chloe blinked in blank astonishment.
“It was a spell for blooming flowers.”
Leo smiled, handed Chloe both the flower and her book, then walked into the practice grounds.
“…Unexpectedly, he knows how to make an impact.”
Torua chuckled, winking at Chloe, whose face was now scarlet.
“Good luck, my cute junior.”
Inside the practice hall, the Magic Department students all wore tense expressions.
The reason was none other than Torua, their formidable senior.
“Leo-oppa, did Jamua-sunbae visit your Knight Department class today?”
“No. Not today.”
Chelsea looked puzzled when—
“It’s really hot today. Like southern weather.”
Torua muttered atop her carpet.
At once, Carl darted forward.
“Here’s a parasol, sunbae!”
“Hm?”
“And some orange juice too.”
Holding the parasol up for shade, Carl produced a bottle of juice from his pocket and handed it over.
“You’re very well prepared.”
Torua looked pleased as she sipped through the straw.
Then Carl rubbed his hands together.
“That’ll be five silvers.”
“Here.”
Torua, as if expecting it, smirked and paid without complaint.
“Sometimes I envy Carl’s shamelessness.”
Chelsea folded her arms with a sigh, while Leo smirked. Torua tilted her head.
“Hmm. Still, something’s missing. Chelsea, come here a moment.”
“Me?”
Chelsea walked over.
“Make me a cool breeze, will you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Here, five silvers.”
Clink~
Chelsea reluctantly caught the coin that floated into her hand.
“Payment for the errand. Now hurry and make me a breeze.”
Resigned, Chelsea conjured a refreshing wind.
From then on, Torua began throwing around silver freely, ordering juniors about left and right—
“Normally I’d feel guilty bossing freshmen around, but paying them makes it guilt-free!”
Smiling with satisfaction, Torua leaned back. Everyone else glared daggers at Carl.
'This is all your fault!'
To burn mana under the sweltering sun doing chores was unbearable for a mage.
Carl shrank guiltily.
Torua’s requests grew increasingly bizarre—sketching incomprehensible magic circles on the ground, sculpting strange statues, and more.
Just as her antics reached their peak—
“What is this nonsense, Torua Yan?”
Everyone froze and turned toward the voice—
And their eyes went wide.
The professor who had entered the training grounds wasn’t Len.
Even Torua’s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected figure.
The one who had come to oversee the class—
Was none other than Professor Albi.