The professors in charge of this year’s first-year classes gathered in the faculty lounge of the Hall of Beginnings.
It was an informal meeting to build camaraderie before the official start of the semester.
“The first-year students this year seem quite exceptional overall.”
“Ah, yes. Speaking of which, the Knight Department has three top students, doesn’t it?”
At Professor Ain’s remark, Professor Ren smiled faintly.
“I’m envious. The Magic Department only has two top students.”
“Are you mocking the Summoning Department, Ren?”
Professor Yura frowned.
“Haha, not at all!”
“Which department excels will only become clear once the semester starts. Being a top student at admission doesn’t guarantee they’ll remain the best. Besides…”
Professor Ain trailed off, swirling his wine glass.
“None of the top students this year are the class representative, are they?”
The professors nodded in agreement as Ain sipped his wine.
“Well, the class representative is aiming for the Knight Department anyway.”
‘This year, the Knight Department will undoubtedly be the best.’
Professor Ain glanced smugly at the other two professors.
“Confident, aren’t you, Professor Ain?”
‘You’re mistaken, Professor Ain. That student, Leo Plov, will come to the Magic Department.’
Professor Ren laughed outwardly but smiled meaningfully inside.
“Indeed, your confidence is inspiring,” Yura said with a smirk.
‘You’re joking. Leo Plov belongs to the Summoning Department. I can’t wait to see your reaction after checking the application forms.’
Yura scoffed outwardly but sneered internally.
At that moment, the assistants arrived with the department application forms.
“Professors, we’ve brought the application forms. Over the weekend, we’ll sort them by department.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Let me help you with this.”
The professors offered food and drinks to the assistants.
Meanwhile, Professors Ain, Yura, and Ren approached the pile of forms from Class 5.
‘Why are they all gathering here?’
‘Do they have an interest in a particular student?’
‘What’s going on with them?’
Each professor glanced at the others curiously. They then spotted Leo Plov’s photo at the top of the Class 5 forms.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Name: Leo Plov.
Class: 5.
Applied Majors: Knight Studies, Magic Studies, Summoning.
All three professors thought the same thing:
‘What in the world is this?’
***
“This is crazy! Absolutely crazy!”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
“Why are you hitting me?”
In the park near the dormitory, Celia grabbed Leo and smacked his back.
“Do you realize the girls’ dorm is buzzing with rumors about you? ‘All-Class’? Seriously? Who says such ridiculous things?”
“Why is that ridiculous? I’ve bought all the textbooks, and I attended all the temporary major classes.”
“Wait, you didn’t buy those as references but as actual textbooks?”
“Of course.”
“Aah! You’re insane! You planned this all along, didn’t you?”
Celia clutched her head and stomped her feet in frustration.
“Do you think applying for all the majors is a joke? What professor would take you seriously?”
At Lumerne, professors wield considerable authority.
Even falling out of favor with just one department professor could jeopardize a student’s academic life.
If a department professor disapproved of a student, expulsion was practically inevitable.
Moreover, professors took immense pride in their fields.
Messing around during the sacred process of major selection? That was asking for trouble.
Having entered Lumerne and become the class representative, Leo had already caused a major scandal within a week. Celia was at her wit’s end.
And yet, Leo acted as if it wasn’t a big deal, further infuriating her.
“You! Go to the faculty office and apologize to the professors right now!”
“No. I’m going to take all the majors.”
“What’s wrong with you? Does ‘All-Class’ even make sense?”
As Celia grew more agitated, Leo extended his left palm.
Aura began to flow from his hand, followed by a burst of mana like flames.
Celia’s eyes widened in shock.
But it didn’t stop there.
Finally, spiritual energy enveloped Leo’s hand.
“You… you… you?”
“Even my parents don’t know about this yet.”
Leo shrugged as he withdrew his power.
Celia stared at him, speechless and incredulous.
“The professors have all seen my abilities. They’ll know I’m not joking.”
“Who are you, really?”
“Who am I?”
Leo grinned.
“I’m your cousin.”
***
“Unprecedented. Not just in Lumerne’s history but in any other hero academy’s history.”
All-Class.
There were rare heroes in history who took on all disciplines.
But in the modern era, with the Hero Record, such heroes were considered fictional.
‘The Fifth Great Hero, Kyle.’
Yet, an All-Class student had now appeared, breaking the confines of fiction.
Professors Ain, Yura, and Ren had already met with Headmaster Kalian to discuss the matter.
Their collective stance was that Leo needed to choose a primary major.
All three passionately explained Leo’s extraordinary talents.
“What should we do, Headmaster?”
At Elena’s question, Kalian smiled faintly.
“We should respect the student’s wishes. It’s the school’s duty to provide the education they desire.”
***
Weekends at Lumerne were generally relaxed.
After the rigorous weekday schedules, weekends were reserved for rest.
During this free time, students could visit Lumeria or even apply for overnight leave.
“Who comes to the training ground on such a beautiful weekend?”
Karl grumbled, prompting Chelsea to respond.
“I’m here to get swordsmanship lessons from Leo.”
Chelsea was dressed in practical athletic gear.
Battle Mage.
As the name implied, it referred to a mage capable of fighting on the frontlines.
It was distinct from the dual-class Magic Swordsman.
Magic Swordsmen use both aura and mana, while Battle Mages rely solely on mana.
They enhance physical abilities with support magic, focus on high-speed casting and multi-casting, and specialize in close-combat magic.
While regular mages provide firepower from the rear, Battle Mages infiltrate enemy lines during emergencies, disrupting formations.
Skilled Battle Mages boldly dive into chaos, creating countless variables in combat.
Chelsea was deeply impressed by Leo during the entrance exam when he stopped Talatunia without even using aura.
Furthermore, she had high expectations for Leo’s teachings.
‘Leo is also a mage.’
Since Magic Swordsmen and Battle Mages share similarities, she believed learning from a Magic Swordsman would be more beneficial than from a pure knight.
Celia, who had come along when she heard Chelsea would train with Leo, looked indifferent.
“If you came with a light heart, I’d recommend giving up.”
“I’m serious.”
“Oh? Fine then. Just so you know, Leo’s training won’t be easy.”
Chelsea and Celia had been rivals since childhood. Celia found joy in the thought of Chelsea struggling.
“By the way, Celia, what’s your relationship with Leo that you’re so close?”
Karl asked curiously.
Chelsea, who didn’t yet know their relationship, perked up her ears.
“Don’t spread this around. Leo and I are cousins.”
“What?”
“What? Leo is from the Zerdinger family?”
“Not exactly Zerdinger. It’s complicated, so don’t ask.”
Celia smiled as she spoke.
Chelsea and Karl, aware of the complexities of noble families, decided not to press further.
Leo turned to Karl.
“Karl, do you want to join in?”
“I’m interested, but I can’t! I need to head to Lumeria soon!”
“For fun?”
“No! To buy potion ingredients! The fatigue recovery potions are selling better than I expected! Hahaha!”
Celia tilted her head at his words.
“I thought you were from an alchemy family, but you’re more of a merchant.”
“Alchemy requires a lot of money!”
Karl made a circle with his fingers and grinned.
“What do you think? I could make you a fantastic magic sword or staff.”
“Better than our family’s heirlooms?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”
Talking about swords and staves in front of a prestigious hero family was a colossal mistake.
Celia chuckled softly.
“Leo, where do we start?”
“Are you comfortable moving your body?”
“Of course! I’m fit! Look how flexible I am!”
Chelsea raised her leg straight up like a ballerina.
It was a move requiring both flexibility and balance.
She then hopped lightly, showing off her nimble movements to Leo.
Her solid basics suggested that, once she mastered being a Battle Mage, few Knight Department students would be able to match her in close combat.
‘She certainly has a reason for aspiring to be a Battle Mage.’
“I know someone who’s a Battle Mage.”
“Really?”
Chelsea’s eyes sparkled.
‘Technically, not exactly a Battle Mage. That concept didn’t exist back then.’
Luna, who cast multiple spells at high speed while moving rapidly in battle, could be considered the origin of the Battle Mage.
‘Well, not just Battle Mages. She’s the foundation of all modern mages.’
Leo crossed his arms.
“Chelsea, what do you think is the most important thing for a Battle Mage?”
“Hmm… let me see… High-speed casting, multi-casting, and martial skills?”
Leo spoke as he listened to Chelsea list traits that distinguished Battle Mages from regular mages.
“No. The most important thing for a Battle Mage is…”
“Is?”
“Stamina.”
From the bench, Celia quietly stood up.
“Karl, let’s go.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Weren’t you going to Lumeria?”
“There’s still time. And weren’t you staying behind?”
“I suddenly have an errand there…”
“Celia, you’ll be training with me every weekend from now on.”
“No way!”
“I already wrote to Uncle Gis about it. He insisted you do it.”
“Why would you do something so unnecessary?!”
Celia grabbed Leo by the collar and shook him furiously.
“Listen, Chelsea.”
“Yes?”
“A Battle Mage needs endless stamina to keep moving. You need iron-like endurance that doesn’t falter. Buff magic has its limits, so it won’t cut it.”
‘He sounds just like the Battle Mages in our family.’
The Lewallin family’s Battle Mages also incorporated stamina training into their routines.
“Celia is destined to train with me.”
“I hate that kind of destiny!”
Celia wailed, but Leo didn’t even flinch.
“Since you agreed to train with me, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you a hero.”
“Yes, Leo! Let’s work hard to become heroes together!”
Misunderstanding Leo’s words as encouragement, Chelsea clenched her fist and answered eagerly.
“So, you’ll be training with me from now on?”
“Yes!”
Later, Chelsea would reflect and think, “I should have run away back then.”
End Of Chapter
