Chapter 572

Swarm after swarm of people milled about through the grounds of Lumern. Observing the chaotic movement, Chelsea folded her arms and murmured under her breath, “I never imagined I would see the day when this many individuals would congregate here in Lumern.”

To the second-year pupils, who considered themselves well-acquainted with Lumern’s usual environment, the spectacular gathering was entirely alien. While Lumern occasionally opened its gates to external guests for particular festivities, the sheer volume of visitors filling every square inch of the expansive academy grounds was unprecedented in their memory.

“An influx of external visitors on this scale is undoubtedly an anomaly in the historical records of Lumern.”

Because it operated as an academy dedicated to nurturing future champions, the institution naturally accumulated numerous adversaries. Chief among these antagonistic factions were the demonic hordes of Tartaros. Beyond them, however, countless other organizations perpetually sought to undermine and erode the prominent standing of Lumern. Furthermore, many perils specifically targeted individual pupils. Political adversaries frequently attempted to assassinate promising figures before their personal authority could expand too greatly.

Consequently, Lumern had strictly enforced an impenetrable security protocol for generations. Apart from international dignitaries and the immediate relatives of the student body, admissions invitations were distributed via a balanced and random system. As a result, the individuals touring the campus represented a vast spectrum of social standings and generations.

“For an arrangement of this magnitude to actually succeed, it really underscores the unparalleled reach of Lumern, don’t you think?”

It was at that moment that Chelsea felt a renewed sense of awe regarding the academy’s massive prestige.

“Are you perhaps Miss Chloe Muller?”

Right then, a young man navigating the dense throng called out to Chloe, gesturing as though they shared a prior acquaintance. Clad in a refined vestment and gripping a spell-casting staff embedded with glittering gemstones, he stepped directly in front of Chloe and spoke.

“It is an immense privilege to cross paths with you, Miss Chloe Muller.”

“May I ask who you are?”

“Regrettably, I have neglected to introduce myself properly. My name is Vito Ingteum, the designated successor of the Ingteum family, a lineage associated with the Eastern Continent’s Magic Tower.”

“Ah, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

The reputation of the Ingteum family was well-established, even stretching into the northern territories.

“I meticulously study every magical discourse you publish, Miss Chloe. The academic principles you formulate never fail to captivate my mind.”

Chloe had already secured a formidable status within the intellectual circles of sorcery as a prodigy, effectively taking up the mantle of Torua Yan, who had completed their studies the previous term. In contrast to Avad or Chelsea, whose primary training was oriented around active warfare, Chloe demonstrated exceptional capability in the realm of theoretical research.

“I appreciate your high regard for my work.”

Chloe offered a subtle, polite smile.

“Ahhh. Exquisite.”

In that instant, Vito Ingteum let out a sharp breath, pressing his hands to his temples as if overwhelmed.

Chelsea knit her brows together in disapproval upon witnessing his behavior.

‘What on earth? Who is this overly dramatic fellow?’

“Your excellence extends far beyond mere intellectual brilliance; your physical grace is equally magnificent. Please allow Vito Ingteum the distinct privilege of kissing your hand!”

Vito Ingteum, continuing his theatrical display, dropped to one knee, seized Chloe’s hand, and leaned in to plant a kiss upon it.

Just as Chloe knit her brows and attempted to wrench her hand free from his abrupt advance, a sudden impact broke the tension.

Thwack-!

“Ugh!”

Betty Marste, who had been Chloe’s junior disciple during the initial term, materialized out of nowhere and drove her elbow directly into Vito Ingteum’s face.

“What an insolent display, Vito Ingteum!”

“I should be demanding answers from you, Betty Marste! What do you think you are doing?!”

“You behaved with utter disrespect toward Senior Chloe!”

“Disrespect? I was merely offering a tribute to her striking appearance!”

Hearing Vito’s justification, Betty’s expression turned frigid as she lifted her chin dismissively.

“Handle him.”

Immediately, several first-year sorcery students stepped forward from behind Betty.

“Huh? Wait, what?! Who does this guy think he is!”

“Where did this random nobody crawl out from!”

“How dare you attempt to hit on our Ice Queen?”

“Wh-what… Aaaargh?!”

Without any regard for gender, the first-year magical pupils formed a tight circle around Vito Ingteum and proceeded to strike him repeatedly with their wooden staffs.

Observing the spectacle, Chelsea retrieved a small paper container from her attire, bit into a biscuit, and remarked, “Chloe, it appears your band of admirers is increasingly resembling a group of common ruffians.”

At Chelsea’s comment, Chloe rubbed her temples in exasperation.

Because Chloe took genuine pleasure in mentoring others, she provided exceptional guidance to the incoming pupils. Consequently, she reigned as the most widely respected upperclassman among the first-year sorcery students.

Betty, acting as Chloe’s most zealous supporter, quickly hurried over to her side.

“Senior Chloe! That degenerate didn’t subject you to anything inappropriate, did he?”

“Please ease your mind, he merely grasped my hand.”

“He dared touch your hand with his contaminated palms?! I will sever his wrist this very instant!”

“That is going a bit too far.”

When Chelsea chimed in from the side to moderate, Betty paused briefly before turning around to bellow at the group behind her.

“That absolute deviant! Thrash him until he is barely breathing! His conduct is entirely unacceptable!”

As noble houses of sorcery originating from the same eastern province, the Marste family and the Ingteum family maintained constant social ties. Because of this, the prospective heirs, Betty and Vito, had been acquainted since their early childhood. Thus, Betty was fully aware that Vito was a habitual flirt who targeted practically anyone.

Following Betty’s fierce command, the hostility radiating from the first-year sorcery students intensified significantly.

“What a display of utter barbarism! Sorcerers bludgeoning someone with blunt instruments! You ought to feel deep shame as practitioners of magic! I never anticipated that the upperclassmen of the institution I intend to join would behave so crudely!” Vito bellowed out in pure rage.

Upon hearing his words, the first-year pupils traded glances and gave understanding nods.

“Oh, so you are an incoming prospect scheduled for the enrollment assessments next term?”

Their expressions grew even more predatory and threatening.

“This happens to be a physical reinforcement technique I acquired from an upperclassman in our department. Magic Swing!”

“Aargh!”

“Take a Magical Fist! You overbearing prospective junior!”

“Cough?!”

“Magic Kick! You absolute child!”

“Kehek!”

Chelsea grimaced as she watched the first-years intensify their assault.

“Who exactly instructed them in such ridiculous tactics?”

“Senior Iliana.”

“They have absorbed some truly terrible habits.”

Chelsea clicked her tongue in disapproval.

“Everyone, cease this at once.”

Chloe, unable to endure the chaotic scene any longer, stepped in to pacify the younger students.

“His behavior was indeed inappropriate, but this reaction is excessive.”

“Oh, Miss Chloe Muller… Your kindness matches your vast intellect and stunning visage! I beg of you, grant me the privilege of kissing your cheek…”

Seeing Vito push himself up and attempt to rest his hands on her shoulders, Chloe pushed him back without a second thought.

“On second thought, perhaps a thorough scolding is precisely what he requires.”

The infuriated first-years immediately resumed raining down staff strikes upon Vito.

“With such a massive influx of people, it seems an equal number of eccentric characters are arriving as well.”

“That is certainly true.”

Chelsea crunched another piece of her biscuit, shaking her head from side to side.

In truth, the most unusual individuals present were the regular students of Lumern themselves. While nearby external visitors observed the unfolding commotion with wide, bewildered eyes, the local students, thoroughly accustomed to the school’s unique environment, did not find the event odd in the slightest.

Chelsea glanced toward the timepiece mounted on the distant street tower and noted, “First-years, the schedule dictates that we must prepare for the inaugural presentation. Let us head over.”

“Understood!”

An endless stream of spectators continued to flood into the boundaries of Lumern.

In conjunction with this arrival, the vessels navigating to and from Lumeria City were entirely packed with passengers. Furthermore, immense architectural columns protruded throughout Lumeria City. These structures functioned as sophisticated magical apparatuses, resembling grand projection displays designed to broadcast the occurrences of the Hero’s Festival live, ensuring they were visible from any vantage point within Lumeria City.

At that moment, the projection arrays were displaying various sectors of Lumern.

Suddenly, every single display simultaneously shifted its feed to focus on the expansive Erec parade ground situated within the academy.

The student body of Lumern began marching onto the colossal Erec parade ground in structured formations. Seeing the pupils emerge, the audiences seated within the surrounding galleries erupted into loud cheers. Organized meticulously according to their respective departments, the vanguard was led by Leo, a youth distinguished by his white hair, who held aloft the primary banner of Lumern.

“Leo Flobe!”

“The youngest individual to ever hold the position of student council president at Lumern!”

“A champion whose achievements are already immortalized on the Hero Record!”

The moment Leo came into view, the enthusiasm of the crowd surged exponentially.

While the spectators were cheering with intense fervor, a massive shadow suddenly enveloped the center of the Erec parade ground. Startled by the sudden dimming of the sky, the audience cast their gazes upward.

“…Is that a vessel?” someone murmured, completely stunned.

Cruising through the upper atmosphere was a colossal ship structurally reminiscent of a naval dreadnought. It represented the absolute pinnacle of contemporary thaumaturgical engineering and advanced alchemy. The entire assembly of onlookers watched in absolute awe as a floating dreadnought, a vehicle previously confined to theoretical concepts, drifted before their eyes.

“Damian! That belongs to the fleet of Damian!”

“Is it possible that vessel was engineered by the hands of Damian?!”

Shouts of amazement echoed from every corner of the viewing stands.

Boom-!

The massive vessel executed a landing on a designated section of the Erec parade ground.

Clank- Clank- Clank-

In perfect synchronization, the representatives from Damian began exiting the ship in uniform files. Though small in stature, the sheer presence they projected completely dominated the surrounding arena.

Sizzle-!

Simultaneously, electrical discharges began to manifest in an adjacent area of the Erec parade ground.

Sizzzzzle! Flash-!

Accompanied by a blinding radiance, the student contingent from Seirun suddenly materialized.

“Relocating hundreds of individuals simultaneously without utilizing a spatial anchor gate?!”

“Is such an astronomical feat even feasible?”

“As one would expect from Seirun… entirely fitting for an academy that cultivates the premier sorcerers of the world!”

While the crowd stared with wide eyes at the display of highly advanced magical capability, a sharp cry tore through the air.

Piiiii-!

The deafening shriek of a legendary creature reverberated across the heavens. As the audience redirected their attention upward once more, they witnessed hundreds of wyverns cruising through the clouds.

“Not a mere handful, but hundreds of premium-grade mythical beasts, actual wyverns…”

“Breathtaking… This must signify the arrival of Azonia, correct?”

As the spectators gasped in collective shock, a sudden shift occurred.

Whoosh-!

The students of Azonia, who had been mounted upon the wyverns, abruptly hurled themselves off the creatures’ backs.

“They threw themselves off?!”

“They must be planning to regulate their descent via incantations, right?!”

The onlookers shouted in alarm, watching the Azonia pupils plunge rapidly from the upper atmosphere. Yet, the descending Azonia representatives accelerated toward the earth without invoking a single spell.

Thud!

Gasps of pure disbelief rippled through the spectators as they witnessed the Azonia students make impact with the ground and stand perfectly erect, relying solely upon their immense physical durability.

Every single visiting institution had generated a profound impact merely by making an entrance. The gathered audience could scarcely contain their exhilaration at these unprecedented arrival methods that defied all conventional logic.

In the midst of this atmosphere, Leo, having transferred the banner of Lumern into the custody of Elena, strode toward the exact center of the Erec parade ground.

-I hereby declare the official commencement of the Hero’s Festival.

“Waaahhhhhh!”

The entire assembly responded with thunderous applause to Leo’s composed proclamation.

-Let the one hundred first-year pupils designated as the formal representatives from each academy step forward.

Following Leo’s directive, all students excluding the one hundred chosen first-year representatives began vacating the Erec parade ground. The immense vessel belonging to Damian ascended once more into the sky, charting a course toward Lumeria Lake.

“Carl, is the inaugural presentation reserved strictly for the first-year pupils?” Iliana inquired with a touch of curiosity.

Carl nodded in confirmation. “According to the official protocol, yes.”

“What? Are you implying you lack the comprehensive details as well?”

“The integrity of the Hero’s Festival demands absolute impartiality for all participants. Because of this, aside from Leo, only the presiding faculty members possess knowledge of the complete itinerary.”

Iliana offered a nod of understanding at Carl’s explanation.

Meanwhile, the first-year representatives organized themselves in front of Leo, their expressions taut with anxiety.

“Representative first-years, please ascend the platform.”

Upon receiving Leo’s instruction, four specific students made their way onto the raised dais where Leo stood. Representing Lumern, Luke stepped onto the platform, his expression visibly pale with apprehension.

The champion representing Azonia, a bear beastman named Medvez, clenched his fist tightly while focusing his gaze entirely on Leo.

‘This individual is Leo Flobe. The premier figure acknowledged even by Senior Ar!’

Medvez observed Leo with intense focus before shifting his gaze to Luke, who was visibly trembling right beside him and whose physical stature scarcely reached his shoulder. Medvez frowned.

‘His resolve seems incredibly fragile. To exhibit such immense dread in a setting like this. I encountered various reports claiming he possessed remarkable talent, but were those accounts merely groundless fabrications? There is no rationale for me to remain cautious around him. My primary concern should undoubtedly be directed toward Rea Tingel from Seirun… Wait, what?’

Medvez noticed that Rea was staring intently at Luke with widened, unblinking eyes, causing him to look on in utter confusion.

In reality, Luke was expending every ounce of his concentration attempting to evade Rea’s intense gaze.

‘Wh-why has this individual been targeting me with such intensity since the very beginning?’

‘I refuse to overlook this. I absolutely cannot tolerate it. To monopolize the distinct privilege of serving as Senior Flobe’s personal disciple all by himself. What an insufferable, enviable child! I will not allow it.’

‘…Rea Tingel… To harbor such an intense competitive fire toward Luke Elda… I erred profoundly by evaluating him solely based on his outward timidity!’ Medvez’s eyes widened significantly as he reevaluated the situation. ‘Luke Elda! As a gesture of my respect and rectification, I shall confront you with the absolute maximum of my capabilities!’

‘EEK! Why is this giant staring at me like that now?’ Luke felt his anxiety skyrocket as the massive bear beastman directed a fierce glare right at him.

Observing the dynamic from his position, the first-year representative from Damian, Rixen, quietly muttered to himself, ‘It would probably be in my best interest to keep my distance from those three for the time being.’

Leo addresses the assembled youths positioned before him.

-Representatives of the first-year class, please recite your institutional oaths.

-As a representative of Lumern, I shall perpetually test the boundaries of my capabilities!

-As a representative of Seirun, I shall remain unyielding in my personal convictions.

-As a representative of Azonia, I shall advance forward without a single moment of hesitation.

-As a representative of Damian, I shall never harbor skepticism toward potentiality.

Having declared their respective academy doctrines, the first-year representatives proclaimed in perfect unison:

-In the name of the illustrious pioneers who preceded us, we solemnly swear to engage in the Hero’s Festival with absolute honor!

Upon hearing their declaration, Leo offered a single nod.

-With these words, I bring the opening ceremony to its conclusion.

Waaahhhhhh-!

The brief yet incredibly impactful introductory ceremony drew to a close.

Right at that moment, Leo snapped his fingers sharply.

Simultaneously, a massive digital scoreboard manifested high above the Erec parade ground.

[Lumern : 100]

[Seirun : 100]

[Azonia : 100]

[Damian : 100]

“…?”

The entire audience wore thoroughly bewildered expressions at the sudden development. Not only the spectators in the stands, but even the first-year participants stationed within the arena looked on with vacant, confused faces.

Flash-!

Crrraaaccckkkkkkk-!

Descending from the upper heavens amidst a brilliant cascade of light, a multitude of armaments, incantation staffs, and conjuring vessels plummeted directly into the earth.

“What exactly is going on…” Luke whispered, completely dazed.

“Why are you all standing idle? I explicitly stated that the inaugural presentation had concluded, did I not?” Leo remarked in a perfectly tranquil tone.

“Yes… it has ended. But what is the meaning of all this?” Medvez inquired, his mind entirely blank.

Leo offered a subtle, faint smile.

“Now that the introductory presentation is officially over, it is time to commence the premier exhibition match. The initial contest is a battle of survival. Whichever academy manages to endure until the very end and claims the sole remaining competitor will be declared the victor. The parameters are straightforward enough to comprehend, correct?”

Leo’s smile deepened slightly as he delivered the final instruction.

“From this moment onward, eliminate one another.”