Chapter 593

Book 1 Chapter 593

“Just as Professor Hallind submitted a petition for extraordinary leniency, by some twist of fate, Karl Thomas—a sophomore within the Department of Magic—gained entry into the Hero Record.”

The headmaster of Lumern, Altech Zerron, examined the paperwork provided by Hallind with a completely neutral expression.

Revered as the Infinity Speller, he ranked among the ten most formidable sorcerer champions currently in active service.

Despite holding the title of Lumern’s chairman, his duties typically kept him stationed along the perimeter bordering Tartarus.

The territories under his watch routinely experienced a drop in fiendish aggression.

He was, in the most literal sense, a champion whose mere reputation functioned as a potent shield.

On the flip side, this meant his prolonged departure could leave the frontier vulnerable to focused incursions from Tartarus.

In truth, the zone under his jurisdiction was one of the most vital strategic flashpoints in the ongoing war against Tartarus.

Because of this pressure, he regularly delegated administrative oversight to his daughter as acting headmaster, rendering his own presence at the academy quite sparse.

Considering that Elana, alongside Albi—the renowned Wizard of the Demon Eye—held instructional posts at Lumern, and that Zerron’s highly competent associates managed the institutional board,

It was incredibly uncommon for him to physically walk the halls of Lumern.

Altech’s return to the academy on this occasion was prompted by a solitary emergency.

It was due to the emergence of the Calamity’s Flame right within the heart of Lumern.

No matter how critical the front lines remained, the manifestation of Erebus’s Flame—an event tantamount to a global disaster—in the secure interior meant he could not simply stay on the battlefield.

Though the crisis had ultimately been resolved with minimal casualties, the headmaster still needed to return personally to oversee the cleanup and political fallout.

It was in the middle of these chaotic circumstances that Karl’s situation crossed his desk.

‘The documentation provided by Professor Hallind is certainly fascinating.’

A pupil whose innate capability should have seen them hit a wall by the conclusion of their freshman year’s opening term had somehow persisted into the latter half of their sophomore year.

This achievement alone was remarkably unusual.

‘His quick-witted adaptability is commendable.’

The academic framework at Lumern is deliberately designed to weed out all but the most gifted individuals.

Just as certain barriers in life cannot be breached through sheer labor, an individual who lacks the raw aptitude demanded by Lumern will inevitably find themselves cast aside in the academic rankings.

‘Even if he managed to endure the opening half of his second year utilizing the underclassman guidance framework…’

It was certainly a stroke of fortune that Juen, the freshman Karl had selected as his charge, happened to be the top-ranked scholar within the first-year magic division.

‘Good fortune can be categorized as a form of talent, though this scenario deviates slightly. The advancement displayed by the underclassman named Juen was truly astonishing.’

Among the current batch of freshmen, the most breathtaking trajectory belonged to Luke, who currently served as the first-year class delegate.

Yet, in Luke’s circumstances, he had initiated his journey from an absolute baseline of zero.

Naturally, ascending from the absolute bottom of the rankings to the pinnacle remains a stunning feat.

‘However, if an individual possesses boundless latent capacity, sufficient time to nurture that power, and an instructor capable of hastening that evolution, such an outcome is entirely feasible.’

In fact, commencing from a completely blank slate might offer a cleaner, more rapid pathway to development.

Under the guidance of an expert mentor, a student absorbs only the essential principles of advancement, bypassing superfluous distractions.

Conversely, it is far more challenging for someone who already possesses a high baseline of mastery to register a sudden, explosive spike in capability.

‘When first enrolling, his standing was universally perceived as a tier beneath both Aina and Baidan.’

Yet, by the conclusion of that initial term, his demonstrated prowess stood on equal footing with Aina.

Had it not been for the fundamental elemental mismatch between a martial combatant and a spellcaster, the final outcome might have been entirely different.

His rate of advancement outstripped even Habiden from the Knight Department and Sasha from the Summoning Department, both of whom had been evaluated as possessing potential equal to hers.

This was especially noteworthy given that neither Habiden nor Sasha could ever be accused of slacking in their development.

‘If anything, it indicates that the student Juen displayed exceptional foresight when electing to become his apprentice.’

Karl had executed his duties flawlessly.

Following those events, he successfully navigated the mid-term evaluations to reach his current position.

Solely on the merits of earning a place among the champions, Altech felt inclined to view Karl in a favorable light.

“A foundational assistant.”

He represented a category of pupil that Lumern had never previously encountered.

His academic marks barely cleared the threshold on the theoretical evaluations.

Furthermore, he was guaranteed to utterly bomb the practical assessments.

Consequently, he would inevitably fail the advancement examinations.

It felt like a genuine waste.

The headmaster had genuinely wished to observe how far such an anomalous student could progress within the structure of Lumern.

Yet, extending a unique dispensation was an entirely separate dilemma.

No matter how intriguing the young man might be.

Even if the plea originated from Hallind, who had dedicated a lifetime of service to Lumern, it was fundamentally impermissible to retain an underperforming scholar whose marks fell below institutional baselines.

Doing so would constitute blatant favoritism against the rest of the student body.

‘Yet, now that his identity is etched into the Hero Record, the entire paradigm shifts.’

Throughout the long annals of Lumern, it was an incredibly rare phenomenon for an active student to achieve the status of a recognized champion prior to graduation.

‘Moreover, the solitary individual to claim a spot on that register during their sophomore year was Leo Flobe.’

And Leo was an absolute anomaly beyond standard metrics.

‘No, Karl Thomas is similarly detached from the conventional mold of a champion.’

He did not possess the monstrous, innate power of Leo.

Instead, he carved out a completely unprecedented trajectory, separate from the standard path walked by the myriad warriors who had historically earned their places upon the Hero Record.

“I believe it stands to reason that we grant an exceptional academic exemption given that he has successfully attained the rank of an official champion. What is the consensus among the leadership?”

“That is out of the question.”

“Precisely. Regardless of his status as a newly minted champion, institutional regulations cannot be bent to offer special dispensations.”

A substantial portion of the governing board immediately voiced their opposition.

Altech observed their reactions silently before shifting his gaze toward his sibling.

“Albi, what is your assessment?”

“Karl Thomas is undeniably an anomalous case. Speaking for myself, I hold his latent capabilities in very high regard.”

In his capacity as a faculty member within Lumern’s Department of Magic, he wasn’t tethered to a traditional lecture schedule, but that did not mean he remained blind to the student body’s progress.

During specialized seminars focused on practical arcane warfare, Albi maintained a watchful eye over every single pupil enrolled in the magic division.

True to his moniker as the Wizard of the Demon Eye, his vision was unmatched when it came to dissecting the raw potential of young mages.

“Even so, if we are adhering strictly to established protocols, I must agree that a unique academic exemption cannot be justified.”

“I see.”

“Nonetheless.”

“Nonetheless?”

Albi raised a document folder to emphasize his point.

“Lumern exists fundamentally as an academy for champions. The ultimate objective of this institution is to forge students into living legends, and for millennia, our academic structures have been continuously overhauled precisely to meet that end.”

“That is undeniable.”

“Under these very parameters, an entirely unprecedented variant of champion has emerged. A warrior who defies our established frameworks. The implication of this event is straightforward: entirely new horizons have manifested before us.”

Albi scanned the assembled directors.

“Looking at it from a certain perspective, one could easily argue that Karl Thomas has already fulfilled his basic graduation benchmarks. It would be rather absurd for a student who has already attained the status of a recognized champion to continue taking basic preparatory courses at an institution meant to produce them.”

“Hmph.”

“Well…”

A few of the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

These individuals were staunch traditionalists.

They were the very architects who had spent generations defining the precise boundaries of what a champion ought to be.

Consequently, they found themselves fundamentally unable to stomach a non-traditional champion of Karl Thomas’s variety.

“Our reality is shifting. If we fail to pivot dynamically to match these transformations, we risk obsolescence.”

“What exactly are you implying by that?”

“Lumern must dissect and understand the specific attributes the divine powers recognized when they elevated Karl Thomas to the rank of a champion. The mere fact that the heavens have acknowledged him proves that an era demanding his specific archetype is upon us. If we choose to expel Karl Thomas using outdated metrics at such a critical juncture, Lumern will be the sole party bearing the loss.”

Albi delivered his words with absolute composure.

“Furthermore, the moment Karl Thomas is cast out from our halls, rival institutions will undoubtedly move to recruit him.”

“Are you suggesting another academy would willingly take in this ordinary human youth?”

One of the directors knitted his brows in disapproval, prompting a quiet, mocking laugh from Albi.

“No academy for champions possesses a charter restricting its student body to the exact lineage of its patriarch. Surely you haven’t overlooked the ongoing diplomatic efforts by rival schools to secure the transfer of Leo Flobe?”

Not a single member of the directorate offered a counterargument to that point.

“Regardless of whether it occurred by design or by chance, he is a champion produced under our roof. There is no logical basis for handing a free asset to our competitors.”

Altech signaled his agreement with Albi’s assessment by nodding slowly.

“Very well, we shall resolve this matter by conducting a formal vote regarding Karl Thomas’s extraordinary academic promotion.”

“Heh!”

Ar pushed his chest out with immense pride.

“The successor who inherits the champion’s purpose.”

Hearing Leo’s quiet observation, Ar’s face lit up with absolute satisfaction.

“Doesn’t that title capture my essence flawlessly?”

Lunia stood with her arms tightly crossed, watching Ar spin around on his heel as if parading a new outfit.

“A completely unearned title.”

“As if your own moniker is any more deserved!”

“What did you say? I was personally bestowed a mystical staff by Lady Luna herself!”

“And I was granted a legendary blade by Lord Arion directly!”

Driana intervened, watching the elven girl and the beastman youth snarl at one another, their faces mere inches apart.

“Stop bickering like toddlers; every single one of you ought to take pride in the monumental feats you’ve pulled off.”

Driana asserted, physical stepping in to push the squabbling pair away from each other.

“Both of you performed spectacularly, without a doubt.”

“Hmph.”

“Hehe.”

Lunia let out a tiny, dismissive sound to mask her self-consciousness, though she clearly relished the validation.

Ar rubbed the back of his neck, sporting a massive, foolish grin.

“With that established, my dear companion, I shall ensure your grace is sung across the ages.”

“Keep dreaming, you absolute degenerate.”

Lunia and Ar instantly twisted their faces in mutual disgust.

“In any case! Black Rabbit! I have finally ascended to stand alongside you as a peer!”

Ar pointed a sharp finger directly at Leo, declaring his newfound status.

Leo gave a calm nod, matching Ar’s gaze.

“Right, right. You did an excellent job.”

“Quit patronizing me like a child!”

Lunia exhaled a quiet breath, watching Ar fume as his tail whipped back and forth and his hair stood on end.

“A peer? Keep dreaming.”

Attaining the status of a recognized champion was undeniably a massive milestone.

Yet, when measured against a legendary powerhouse like Leo, Ar resembled nothing more than a tiny spark flickering beneath a radiant moon.

‘Even so, I will close the gap between us eventually.’

Lunia tightened her hand into a firm fist, her eyes fixed on Leo.

“Setting that aside, why do you look completely hollowed out?”

Lunia cast a deeply critical look toward Karl, who was slumped in his seat looking as though his spirit had entirely departed his physical form.

“I’m a champion… Ha… Haha. A legendary figure I only ever saw in daydreams… And I have to keep running Lumern’s student council next year too… Fantastic. Truly thrilling… Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.”

Driana delivered a sharp slap to Karl’s shoulder blades—thwack! thwack!—as he continued to babble disjointedly like an automated toy losing battery power.

“You’ve officially joined the ranks of the champions, so hold your head high! What’s with the miserable attitude?!”

“Cough! Gag!”

Karl was sent sprawling onto the floorboards by the deceptive force of Driana’s compact but incredibly solid strike.

After a moment of misery, Karl pushed himself up and brushed the debris from his uniform.

“You’re right. This is fundamentally a joyous occasion.”

Smack!

Karl brought both palms crashing against his own cheeks, instantly composing his features into an expression of utmost gravity.

“From this exact moment onward, I must remain completely locked in.”

“Oh? Now that is a surprisingly dignified look for you.”

Driana gave a wide smile.

Fixing his eyes on Driana, Karl stated flatly.

“Under no circumstances will I agree to serve as an artist’s model without clothes.”

“Tsk.”

Hearing that, Leo clicked his tongue in mild disappointment while casting a glance toward Driana.

“Karl! Hey there! Look at our grand Lord Hero!”

Illiana came sprinting over to their position.

Chelsea, Nella, and Teide were keeping pace right behind her.

“Where on earth did you all vanish to?”

Karl looked thoroughly bewildered.

The confusion stemmed from the fact that the very moment news of Karl’s monumental achievement broke, his entire inner circle had vanished without a trace.

Illiana flashed a proud thumbs-up as she reached them.

“We were busy setting up a celebration!”

“A celebration party?”

“Exactly!”

Illiana beamed.

“We reached a consensus to throw a massive bash honoring your advancement to the junior year curriculum. Honestly, everyone across the academy is stunned, calling your survival a flat-out anomaly.”

Chelsea chipped in to support the explanation.

Karl felt a wave of genuine emotion washing over him as he looked at the pair.

“I suppose my academic life hasn’t been a total waste, seeing as I’ve managed to surround myself with such wonderful companions.”

Karl, whose expression was melting with profound gratitude, suddenly paused and tilted his head in confusion.

“Wait a minute, why isn’t anyone offering congratulations for me actually becoming a literal champion?”

Hearing his question, Chelsea and Illiana exchanged a brief look before replying in unison,

“Because you somehow managing to pass your classes is an infinitely more miraculous phenomenon.”

“True, completely true.”

Karl’s face contorted into a grimace as he looked at the two girls, who were displaying a rare, eerie level of synchronization.

“I’ve clearly squandered my entire existence.”

“What are you whining about?!”

“Exactly!”

“No, listen to me! This isn’t just some minor academic milestone—I became a champion! A living HERO! Shouldn’t that be the absolute centerpiece of the celebration?! Wait! Could it be exactly what I think it is?”

Karl adopted a thoroughly irritating, smug smirk.

“You’re all green with envy because I bypassed the line to become a champion, aren’t you? That’s the real reason, right?”

At those words, Illiana’s shoulder gave an involuntary twitch while Chelsea’s face darkened into a fierce scowl.

Karl beamed with absolute smugness, noting their physical tells.

“Ah~ To think I’d be drawing jealousy even from my closest inner circle. The sheer weight of holding the title of champion is truly a heavy cross to bear.”

“You are profoundly irritating!”

Illiana bared her teeth in annoyance, stepping swiftly behind Karl to pin his arms behind his back.

“Chelsea, the solar plexus. Target the solar plexus right now.”

“Understood, make sure he doesn’t wiggle free.”

“W-wait, mercy! Save me!”

Karl let out a panicked shriek, his complexion turning ghostly pale as he watched Chelsea deliberately ball her hand into a tight fist.

“How is it that despite the fact that we are all on the verge of becoming third-year upperclassmen, absolutely no one has matured a single bit since our freshman orientation?”

Teide offered a heavy sigh, muttering quietly to himself, while Nella pressed a hand against her lips to stifle her amusement.

“But that’s precisely what makes Class 5 so wonderful, isn’t it? Don’t you agree, Leo?”

Leo offered a soft laugh, nodding along happily in the midst of the chaotic, noisy camaraderie.

“Oh, that reminds me.”

Leo spoke up as a sudden thought struck him.

“Karl, what specific moniker were you assigned?”

Karl, having just barely managed to twist out of Illiana’s restrictive hold, turned to address Leo’s inquiry.

“Oh, you mean that?”

Karl reached up to rub the back of his neck, a slightly self-conscious smile forming on his face.

“The one who prepares for the beginning.”