Chapter 594

The ultimate triumph in the intensely fought Festival of Heroes belonged to none other than Lumerne.

A crowd of Lumerne students swarmed the platform where the grand championship trophy sat waiting.

Hark, standing as the clear figurehead for the student body of Lumerne, stepped up onto the stage and raised the prize high into the air.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

A deafening roar erupted from his peers at the sight.

The celebration wasn’t limited to the school’s youth. The human spectators who had traveled to Lumerne specifically to witness the tournament rose to their feet, shouting joyfully and clapping their hands with intense fervor.

Because this was a clash between premier hero institutions symbolizing their distinct races, the entire human populace watching the triumph was naturally overcome with immense pride and delight.

On the other hand, pupils from rival academies who had just barely lost out on the crown after such grueling battles displayed bitter and envious countenances.

Observing the surrounding crowd, Leo spoke softly.

“Senior Hark appears absolutely ecstatic.”

“And with good reason. Senior Hark put more effort into the Festival of Heroes than anyone else. Still, I wonder what drove him to exert himself to such a degree?”

Celia questioned, cocking her head to the side.

Exactly as she noted, it was quite unexpected how Hark had fought like a man possessed throughout the tournament. Leading up to the grand event, he had been completely lethargic, grumbling that he would merely be used as cheap labor until his graduation day. Yet, the moment the competition commenced, a burning intensity flared in his gaze, and he plunged headfirst into the fray.

“He was determinedly clenching his jaw, declaring that since he had already suffered through all that preparation, he absolutely had to bring home the winner’s cup.”

“I see.”

Celia gave an understanding nod.

Meanwhile, journalists from various newspapers were incessantly operating their enchanted apparatuses to capture images of Hark.

“Still, shouldn’t you be the one hoisting the prize, considering your position as the student council president?”

As Celia spoke with a faintly disappointed pout, Leo let out a soft laugh.

“I didn’t actually compete in the Festival of Heroes this time.”

For this specific event, Leo had focused his energies entirely on managing the logistical side of things.

“Regardless of that.”

Even taking that into account, since Leo served as the official face of the academy, Celia could not suppress her lingering disappointment.

“It would have been a perfect chance to significantly boost the prestige of your lineage.”

“Don’t you think being known as both the youngest student council president of Lumerne and the youngest hero is plenty?”

“Isn’t it always wiser to gather every bit of glory available when the opportunity arises?”

Celia offered a gentle grin while brushing her strands of hair behind her shoulder.

“That aside, is the closing ceremony scheduled for next week? Our second year has officially concluded.”

“We still have to get through the final examinations.”

Once the massive spectacle of the Festival of Heroes wrapped up, Lumerne transitioned straight into testing week. The academic timeline was notoriously brutal, yet the student body, thoroughly broken in by Lumerne’s demanding standards, took the pressure in stride.

“My studying is already complete, so I have no worries,” Celia remarked with a self-assured smile.

“Oh, that reminds me. I caught wind from some relatives who visited the tournament that they will soon finalize the land allotment you are meant to inherit.”

As an immediate blood relative of the Zerdinger lineage, Leo was destined to claim a segment of the expansive Zerdinger domain.

“Consequently, you are expected to present yourself to the Zerdinger family over the winter holidays.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

The final examinations drew to a close.

As was traditional, a mixture of celebration and despair washed over the student population. While a portion of the scholars stayed on campus, others packed their bags and left.

Following the conclusion of the formal closing ceremony, the second-year pupils gathered in their respective residential blocks to throw end-of-term celebrations.

“Ohhh! Sia! Chloe! Promise me you won’t just walk past me in the future, alright?”

“Why on earth would we act like strangers? We shared the exact same living quarters. Even if our classes diverge next term, our bond remains.”

“Unniiiiii!”

Chen Sia offered a sympathetic, slightly strained smile as she gently stroked the backs of the weeping girls.

“Wipe away those tears. This doesn’t mean it’s over.”

“Chloe Unniiiiii!”

“I am literally a year your junior.”

Chloe responded with a mildly exasperated grimace. Rising from her spot, Chloe addressed the room, trying to ease the sorrow.

“Let us banish this depressing mood. It is true that some will remain while others move on. However, the truly vital thing is that every single one of us made it through this academic year unharmed.”

The past months had brought numerous perilous crises. Despite that, not a single individual met with a tragic fate, allowing everyone to gather here tonight in good health.

“We pooled our strengths and conquered every obstacle together. I am convinced we achieved this because our dormitory stood united as one. Therefore, our companionship will endure long into the future.”

The weeping female students who had failed to progress to the next level and the despondent young men managed to cast aside their melancholy.

“Sia, since you are the head of our dorm, you ought to share some thoughts as well.”

Spurred by Chloe’s suggestion, Chen Sia addressed the crowd.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone for being so cooperative this past year. In the beginning, I harbored doubts about my ability to lead, but your support allowed me to fulfill my role as dorm leader wonderfully. My heartfelt thanks to each of you.”

Chen Sia offered a charming smile before shifting her gaze over to Leo.

“Next up is Young Master Leo.”

“You all put in tremendous effort this year.”

Hearing Leo’s typically brief and serene remark, the residents of Glory Dorm burst into quiet chuckles.

“Our representative’s addresses never last more than a moment,” Illiana remarked, shaking her head.

“Regardless!”

Illiana proclaimed, hoisting her juice-filled goblet high.

“Tonight is for celebration!”

The remaining somberness dissipated completely as everyone immersed themselves in the festivities.

“Look! It’s Professor Sena!”

“What took you so long! You promised you would arrive promptly!”

“My deepest apologies, everyone. The staff briefing dragged on much longer than anticipated.”

Professor Sena, who oversaw the residents of Glory Dorm, arrived well after the party had commenced. Illiana turned to the instructor.

“Professor Sena! Seeing as the holidays have officially commenced, surely we won’t face any disciplinary points for stretching the regulations a tiny bit?”

Noticing the mischievous gleam in Illiana’s gaze, Sena looked somewhat uneasy.

“While the term is technically over… exactly which regulation are you intending to violate?”

“Oh, it isn’t about violating anything major, just enjoying a bit of freedom.”

Illiana reached down beneath the tabletop and produced a glass flask.

“If we do not indulge tonight, we will never get the chance to taste liquor within academy grounds!”

“How in the world did you smuggle that inside these quarters?”

“Yikes!”

As Chloe’s glare intensified, Illiana shrank back in fear, hastily using Chen Sia as a shield.

“I—I only brought it inside because Sia gave me the green light!”

“Sia!”

“Is it truly such a terrible thing? It remains unopened, after all,” Chen Sia reasoned.

“Good grief,” Chloe muttered, releasing a heavy breath.

In contrast to Chloe’s rigid enforcement of residential codes, Chen Sia was inclined to grant the scholars some leeway from time to time. Observing this dynamic, Sena chimed in.

“Under ordinary circumstances, this is strictly forbidden. However, given the extraordinary nature of tonight, I shall turn a blind eye just this once. Just promise me you will exercise moderation, understood?”

“Wow!”

As Sena offered a playful wink, a cheer swept through the room.

“Why are you all so desperate to consume that stuff?”

“Lady Chloe, are you planning to abstain?”

“…I am having some,” Chloe grumbled, her lips puckering slightly.

With the liquor flowing freely, the festive mood grew increasingly boisterous.

“Lord Kyle was nothing short of spectacular! That settles it! I shall found the Kyle Cult!”

“Lady Illiana, the spirits have clearly gone to your head. Do try to collect yourself.”

Chen Sia attempted to soothe Illiana, whose cheeks were crimson as she bellowed at the top of her lungs.

“Leo, join in and have a glass.”

Chloe approached Leo’s side, carrying a container of liquor.

“Are you feeling tipsy already?”

“Whatever do you mean? I am perfectly sober.”

Chloe’s gaze widened in denial as she shook her head firmly. Monitoring her behavior, Leo cast a look down at her grasp. He noted the substantial goblet brimming with spirits that she held.

It possesses a remarkably high alcohol content, yet she is tossing it back as though it were water.

Accepting the beverage Chloe poured out for him, Leo could only manage a dry chuckle.

“Leo! You must accept a toast from me as well!”

“Count me in! Me too!”

A crowd of residents quickly congregated around Leo.

“My plan is to knock out all my assignments early in the vacation so I can embark on a journey for martial training.”

“We’ve made arrangements to visit their ancestral estate together.”

“What about your itinerary for the holidays, representative?”

“I suppose I will be traveling to inspect the domain being passed down to me by my mother’s side of the family,” Leo answered casually.

“Good heavens! An inheritance?”

“Oh, that’s right, Leo belongs to the primary line of the Zerdinger clan.”

“Receiving an estate while still so young… I am incredibly jealous.”

Gasps of astonishment echoed across the room.

“Our class president is a full-blown member of the elite!”

“The Raden lineage is hardly minor; it is an esteemed household. You are also in line to inherit your house, so what reason do you have to be covetous?”

“How could I not be?! My old man swore he would not bestow a single coin upon me until I officially take over the headship! Until that day arrives, I am stuck surviving on a meager allowance!”

“Just how massive is the portion you are receiving?”

“Given that it belongs to the Zerdinger name, it must be vast, right?”

“I can only look on with envy. My household fractured during my father’s era, and because I must split the assets with my sibling, the region allotted to me has shrunk significantly.”

“To begin with, possessing land equates to regular tax revenue. Leo will never have to stress over finances for the remainder of his academic career.”

Pursuing an education at Lumerne demanded a fortune in numerous aspects. Witnessing her peers murmur in jealousy, Chen Sia canted her head curiously.

“Is the acquisition of real estate truly such a monumental matter?”

“Absolutely!”

“Among the aristocracy, internal blood feuds are triggered solely over such matters.”

“Is that so? Unless the territory matches the scale of a minor principality, does it really warrant a dispute?”

As Chen Sia questioned this, an abrupt quiet settled over the gathered students.

Ah, that’s right. She is the crown princess of the Shan Empire.

There existed only two massive human domains. To Chen Sia, who was destined to govern the Shan Empire—which held dominion over the eastern continent alongside its rival, the Lodren Empire—the small parcels of land squabbled over by ordinary nobles probably appeared trivial.

“My goodness~ Long live our future Sovereign~”

Illiana joked, rubbing her palms together in mock sycophancy as she slid into the seat beside Chen Sia.

“Do grant me your favor once you ascend the throne! Perhaps you could gift your humble servant a tiny plot of earth?”

Facing Illiana’s teasing demeanor, Chen Sia looked slightly perplexed.

“Even upon ascending the throne, I am not permitted to hand out territories arbitrarily.”

“How so? When you take the crown, the entire realm becomes your personal property.”

“No, it will belong to Young Master Leo.”

“…”

“…”

Observing the serene grin plastered on Chen Sia’s face as she uttered those words, the surrounding youth whispered among themselves.

“Sia has definitely had one too many.”

“Does that mean Leo is going to inherit the whole of the Shan Empire down the line?”

“That is incredibly unfair!”

“Leader! Wait, no, Exalted Representative, please grant me a province of my own!”

“Leo! You better keep me in mind when you are ruler!”

Believing the entire exchange to be a humorous jest, the students roared with amusement, “Wahahaha!”

I am fairly certain she is being completely serious.

Leo pinched his gaze, staring intently at Chen Sia. Catching his stare, Chen Sia offered an endearing smile and gave a little wave of her hand.

In this manner, the delightful night slipped away. As the first light of dawn began to creep into the sky, the sole individuals remaining conscious were Leo and Chloe. The rest of the intoxicated youngsters were strewn across the common room, fast asleep.

“Man… celebrating like this makes it truly sink in that an era has drawn to a close.”

Witnessing Chloe elongate her arms in a wide stretch as she spoke, Leo let out a soft exclamation.

“You possess a surprisingly high tolerance for alcohol, don’t you?”

“Do I?” Chloe inquired, tilting her head. Her cheeks were deeply crimson, yet she maintained an adorable grin.

“In any case, Leo, you did an exceptional job throughout this term. I eagerly anticipate our cooperation in the coming year.”

Looking at her, Leo gave a soft chuckle.

“Agreed, I am looking forward to it as well.”

Emerging from the teleportation portal into Delan, the bustling capital city of the Delrad Kingdom, Leo immediately made a beeline toward his family’s estate.

Sneaking back into my own household under the cover of secrecy… what a bizarre situation.

He was, after all, the premier hero ever produced by the Delrad Kingdom. Furthermore, since achieving the legendary status of an All-Class and walking the path blazed by Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, Leo’s renown within the borders of the Delrad Kingdom had eclipsed even that of the reigning monarchs.

It was not as though Leo had performed any direct deeds on behalf of the Delrad Kingdom itself. Merely by bringing unprecedented glory to the nation’s reputation, he had been elevated to the status of an esteemed savior in the eyes of the populace.

Leo, promise me! You absolutely must slip back into the city undetected, understand?

Remembering Reina’s frantic pleadings, Leo adjusted the brim of his hood and let out a sigh.

Throughout the duration of the recent Festival of Heroes, not a single member of the Plov clan had been able to attend. Every single matter connected to his name boundlessly drew public scrutiny.

If I recall correctly, the crown of the Delrad Kingdom intervened to suppress certain movements, didn’t they?

Ever since the truth regarding Leo’s maternal lineage belonging to the Zerdinger family became public knowledge, the authorities of the Delrad Kingdom grew deeply anxious that the Plov family might leave the country. They feared that their newly manifested vanguard, the ultimate pride of the Delrad Kingdom, might be poached by a foreign superpower. The Lodren Empire, after all, possessed resources and privileges that the smaller Delrad Kingdom could never hope to match.

Father must be dealing with an immense amount of stress right now.

Picturing his sire’s predicament, Leo approached the threshold of his residence with a bitter grin.

“Father, Mother, I have retur—”

“Ah, Leo! You’ve arrived.”

“…Is everyone preparing to depart somewhere?”

Leo inquired with a stunned expression, watching the household servants and relatives bustling frantically throughout the corridors.

“Indeed. At first light tomorrow, the entire household intends to journey to your mother’s ancestral roots.”

“Mother’s ancestral roots? You mean the Zerdinger estate?”

“That is correct.”

“For what purpose?”

Prompted by her son’s query, Reina offered an affectionate smile.

“You are scheduled to receive your official land grant during this period, are you not?”

“I am.”

“The deliberations regarding that allocation are bound to stretch out for an extended duration.”

Given the numerous conflicting factions residing within the Zerdinger clan, severe internal friction routinely arises whenever a direct descendant is endowed with an estate.

“It is a certainty that those stubborn old fools in the clan will attempt to meddle.”

Leo recognized instantly that her mention of those “stubborn old fools” pointed directly to the influential Elder Council.

“Your mother holds a legitimate status as an immediate scion of the Zerdinger bloodline, after all. I possess a perfect understanding of which regions hold the true wealth.”

“I am sure they would have allocated a reasonable piece of land to me regardless.”

“My boy.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“When an entity offers a bounty, it is your duty to squeeze every single drop of value from them.”

Leo could only wag his head in amusement as Reina let out a boisterous, cheerful laugh.