Editor : Amethyst00



Chelsea lunged at Eliana.

But Eliana calmly pushed her away.

"Heheh! Even if you're a battle mage, when it comes to pure physical strength, you're no match for me, a magic swordsman! My arms are longer, too!"

Eliana wore a smug grin—until.

"Oh my. Eliana."

"Hiiik?!"

From behind Eliana, Chen Xia emerged.

She, too, had been playing in the water when Eliana's dive sent waves crashing her way.

Grab—

Chen Xia seized Eliana from behind in a lock, while Chelsea spun her fists in the air.

"Hold her tight. I'm about to punch her in the gut."

"S-Save me! Carl! Help! Heeelp!"

Eliana, her face pale, flailed as she called out to Carl, who was passing by on a float ring.

Without hesitation, Carl raised his toy water gun and aimed it at Eliana.

Shoosh—!

"Okay! Direct hit!"

With the stream of water hitting Eliana square in the face, Carl cheered.

"You're dead later for this!"

Eliana glared fiercely.

Celia, watching from the edge of the water, clicked her tongue.

"When are they going to grow up? Do they still think they're first or second years? Pathetic."

"Seriously."

Next to her, Chloe replied lazily while reading a book.

Having heard that, Chen Xia whispered something into Chelsea's ear.

A moment later, both girls submerged, silently making their way toward the rock where Celia and Chloe were sunbathing.

And then—they grabbed the girls' ankles and yanked them into the water.

"Chelsea!"

"Chen Xia! You—!"

Celia and Chloe widened their eyes and gave chase, diving after the two who vanished into the depths.

"Hmph. Pathetic."

Eliza snorted coldly, watching the scene unfold.

Then, she glanced at Eliana and Carl, who were laughing heartily.

Her bottom twitched slightly several times, before she suddenly whipped her head around.

"If you want to play, then just go and play."

Abad, who had been reading nearby, said with a smile.

"Who said I wanted to play like that?"

"Looks like you do."

"Right. Eliza Hergin. Everyone knows you enjoy childish things. No need to put on airs."

"Who says I'm putting on airs? Duran Moira. You go play childish games yourself."

Eliza smiled coldly, and Abad chuckled.

"Still getting along well, I see."

"And your eyesight's still terrible, Abad Lewellin."

"What's that supposed to mean, Abad?"

Eliza and Duran both turned to glare at Abad at once.

Their reaction made Abad burst into laughter.

Thunk—!

"Hmm?"

Like a water ghost, Celia rose from the water and dragged Abad under.

"Hey! Celia Zerdinger! Why are you taking it out on my brother?!"

"Ahahahaha!"

Abad's laughter echoed.

"Abad's surprisingly good at being childish too."

As Eliza crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand—

"Hey, Eliza. Not joining in?"

Carl, floating on a tube, asked from just in front of her. Eliza replied while trimming her nails.

"It's too childish. I hate it."

"Aw, come on."

Carl pointed to the back of his float.

"It's pretty fun."

"Hmph."

Eliza narrowed her eyes, then reluctantly climbed aboard behind him.

"Nice balance."

"Hmph. Did you forget I'm a summoner of magical beasts?"

As Duran crossed his arms alone—

Swoosh—!

Walden surfaced from the water.

"You're playing quite cheerfully. Doesn't suit you."

"Even times like this are necessary."

Duran spoke plainly, and Walden calmly responded.

Then his eyes shifted toward the middle of the valley.

There, Leo lay on a tube, eyes closed, sleeping peacefully.

—On the day of the coronation.

Leo had hunted down the demons and Hero Hunters hidden throughout Letin.

And after that day, all Hero Hunters who had infiltrated the royal palace of Letin were eliminated as well.

It happened in an instant—while they were off guard.

"But why did he tell us all that so freely?"

Duran narrowed his eyes.

It was something that could be considered a stain on the Arhi Kingdom's name.

Yet he asked for help without hesitation and even explained the circumstances.

"While you question that, why did you accept Leo Plov's request without hesitation?"

At Walden's words, Duran fell silent.

Seeing him, Walden smiled faintly.

"Because he's a comrade. And a friend."

"I've never thought of it that way. Leo Plov and I… No, has there ever been a moment where that kind of trust and bond existed between us?"

Duran had disliked Leo since enrollment.

He couldn't accept that Leo was the grade representative.

At some point, he began to resent seeing Leo walk ahead of him.

The first person to ever make him feel the humiliation of someone standing above him.

To Duran, Leo was an obstacle to overcome—never a friend or comrade.

"You were the same, weren't you? Walden."

"I was."

That feeling hadn't changed even now.

"Duran Moira. Do you still hate Leo Plov?"

"……"

At Walden's question, Duran remained silent.

"Whatever the reason was, once he became your goal… that feeling of hatred must've disappeared."

"Hmph."

"It's not like we became his subordinates. But he is an ideal opponent to pursue."

If it were purely about strength—Leo was a fitting rival.

"Duran. Why do you want to become a hero?"

"Well…"

"Because I can. Because being a hero is proof of strength. That's what I always believed."

Duran wasn't too different in that regard.

"But watching Leo Plov… all of that started to feel pointless."

"……"

"To be precise, being a hero was never that grand of a goal. It was just a passing milestone."

Walden stood up.

"In whatever form, Leo Plov is trying to change the world—for a better one."

"……"

"You and I… unconsciously acknowledged the path Leo's taking. That's why we helped him without hesitation—as comrades."

Duran glanced sideways at Walden.

"Because that much trust and bond exist between us, Leo asked us for help. And we answered."

"You've changed quite a lot, Walden Thaiden."

"So have you, Duran Moira."

Duran closed his eyes and scoffed.

'Comrade, huh.'

Maybe… everyone here was someone walking the same path.

'…Not bad, I suppose…'

Splash—!

Just then, a huge wave crashed over both Duran and Walden.

Drip— Drip—

Water dripped from Duran's soaked hair.

"Hoo."

Duran stood up.

"Who did that?"

"Carl did."

"Hey! Chloe! You—!"

"Come here, Carl Thomas."

"Eliza! Save me!"

Watching Duran dive fiercely into the valley, Walden shook his head.

"That guy's still a kid too."

"You too, Walden."

Chen Xia, crawling out from the water, pointed out flatly.

Leo, now awake, clicked his tongue as he watched them.

"You're all kids."

Just then, a wind elemental fluttered down onto Leo's shoulder.

A tiny wind elemental sent by Melina whispered something into Leo's ear.

"What?"

Leo looked at the elemental with a slightly puzzled face.

bl

"Somehow… it really was a summer break full of events."

The next day.

Standing at the dock of Lumeria City, Chelsea smiled softly.

All the students from every grade had gathered in Lumeria City, exchanging cheerful stories about what they did during summer vacation.

At that moment—

"Ahem. Aah. Mic test, mic test. Everyone, please gather around."

At the head of the dock, 4th-year representative Lyl held a loudspeaker, calling the students together.

The students who saw this wore puzzled expressions.

"From now on, we'll begin a headcount by grade."

"Huh? I thought the student council president was supposed to lead us?"

"That's what it said in the school notice…"

Seeing that Lyl, not Leo, was taking charge, the students exchanged confused glances.

Currently, all students had gathered except the 5th-year graduates.

And since Lyl held the most respect and influence here, the students followed her lead without much resistance.

"Now that the headcount is finished, let's begin boarding—"

"Oh my? What are you doing, my cute little Lyl?"

Just then, a chillingly sweet voice rang out.

Elena had silently approached and rested her chin on Lyl's shoulder, poking her cheek with a playful smile.

Everyone instinctively stiffened at the cold energy in her tone.

But Lyl didn't even blink as she replied calmly.

"I heard the president had something urgent and would be arriving at school late today. I'm guiding the students in his place."

"Mhm, I see. That's why I, the vice president, came."

"I couldn't trouble the vice president, so I thought I'd handle it instead."

"And with what authority?"

"As the candidate for vice president."

Lil brushed Elena off and turned to face her squarely, puffing out her chest with pride.

Elena's smile widened as she poked Lil's chest repeatedly.

"Leo never said he was making you vice president, though? And even if you're a candidate, that doesn't mean you're the vice president yet, right?"

"Which is why I'm appealing for it now. You're graduating soon, aren't you, Senior Elena? Please leave this to me and enjoy your twilight semester in peace."

Hearing the exchange, Eliana stuck out her tongue.

"Whoa… That's some intense tension right there."

Carl, beside her, made a face close to tears.

"I hope Senior Lyl doesn't become vice president…"

"Why?"

"Senior Lyl's the type who leads from the front lines like a general, not someone who handles paperwork. If she turns into the civil servant type, my school life next year is doomed!"

"Then drop out."

"If I do, Professor Harrid will kill me!"

Carl groaned, clutching his head at Eliana's joking reply.

"Still, Senior Lyl's gotten really strong-willed, huh."

Eliza commented from beside Carl, filing her nails.

"Right? Just last year, she was like a mouse in front of a cat."

Carl recalled how Lyl always shrunk away in front of Elena.

Elena poked Lyl's chest again.

"Our little Lyl's grown up a lot, huh?"

"I've always been taller than you. Also, please stop poking my chest. How long are you going to treat me like a toy?"

"Hm? But it feels so nice to poke."

"…."

Elena poked Lyl's chest again, teasingly.

Lyl silently stared at Elena's smirking face—then smiled sweetly in return.

"Well, I suppose it must feel unusual to you, Senior Elena. Since you're lacking in that area."

That comment didn't go through the loudspeaker.

But Elena definitely heard it.

In that moment, all expression vanished from Elena's face.

"Lyl. Are your eyes broken? Where, exactly, do you think I'm lacking?"

"Compared to me, you're a little lacking, aren't you?"

Lyl folded her arms boldly as if to show off, and Elena's eye twitched.

Watching from a distance, Carl muttered:

"I don't know what they're talking about… but."

Everyone turned toward Carl.

"Leo needs to get here. Otherwise, we're all going to die."

bl

Whoooooosh—

A wind blew.

Leo stood before a thick forest, speaking to Melina beside him.

"Just like you said. The road to Fairyland is sealed."

"Yes…"

Worry shadowed Melina's eyes.

Leo closed his eyes.

It wasn't hard to understand.

Something grave had happened—to an old friend, once a comrade.

"Lord Leo… you can open the gate, can't you?"

"……"

"Lord Leo?"

Melina looked up at him.

Leo silently narrowed his eyes at the entrance to Fairyland.

"Fairies are all brilliant mages."

"Yes."

"Which means Sylord… is a mage who's lived for 5,000 years."

"…!"

"Even for me, this won't be easy. Opening the path to Fairyland right now…"