KakaoPage Originals
The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student
[Original — Yerona]
[TL — MiT7]
[PR — Spades]
[QC — Lumi]
Chapter 16 — The Freshman's Challenge
——————
At the heart of Lumern Academy's sprawling campus lay Erechra, a massive parade ground.
This was where major school events, like entrance and graduation ceremonies, took place.
Today, all of Lumern's students gathered in Erechra.
"You made it?"
"Wow, soaked to the bone, huh?"
"Pfft, told ya! Hardly any freshmen come out unscathed!"
Snarky upperclassmen jeered.
Prideful freshmen trembled with humiliation, but none dared retort.
Amid this, Artian, leading the freshmen, spoke from the center of Erechra.
"Line up by region. Top rankers, step forward as representatives."
The students formed five rows, neatly aligned.
The western region's line was noticeably sparse.
Professors on the platform clicked their tongues.
"As expected of Professor Albi. The western region's numbers are absurdly low," one teacher remarked, chiding Albi, who sat expressionless.
Albi didn't flinch.
Leo stood at the back.
"Hey! Leo oppa! Hi!" Chelsea Lewallin, his exam teammate, bounded over, beaming.
"Been so busy, I'm only seeing you now!"
Her sparkling, friendly chatter made Leo smirk.
"Get in line."
"Okay!"
Standing beside him, Chelsea prattled on.
"Seeing you fight back then blew my mind! I'm thinking of taking Knight Studies as a minor."
"Hm? Didn't you say you're aiming for Battle Mage?"
"Yup!"
Her instant reply made Leo glance at her.
"Then focus on magic training first."
"Huh? My magic's solid. Why more magic training?"
Puzzled, she tilted her head. As Leo opened his mouth to explain—
"We will now begin the entrance ceremony. First, a word from the headmaster."
The officiating professor's voice silenced Chelsea.
An old man stepped to the platform's center.
The freshmen tensed.
Everyone knew him.
The greatest living human hero.
Sword Saint, Kalian Beidan.
"You've worked hard to get here, fledgling heroes," Kalian said, his vigor belying his age.
"I'll keep this short. I'll tell you the path you must tread!"
Bam—!
He slammed his fist on the podium.
"If you dream of being a hero, always stake everything! Surpass your limits! Those who don't…"
The Sword Saint's roar made the freshmen swallow hard.
"…have no place in Lumern."
With that, he left the platform without lingering.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Woooo!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the freshmen.
His short speech, barely a speech, ignited their passion.
Turning back, Kalian flashed a solemn look at the professors, then made a V-sign with his fingers.
Some professors clutched their heads.
'Headmaster!'
'If you'd stayed dignified, it would've been perfect!'
'Ugh, the longer I work at Lumern, the more my idolization of the Sword Saint crumbles.'
The professors knew, reluctantly, that the revered hero was, in truth, a carefree old man.
The officiating professor, also clutching his head, announced, "Now, the freshman representative's speech."
All eyes in Erechra focused on him.
The freshman representative.
The pinnacle among Lumern's genius freshmen.
The strongest hero candidate among hundreds.
Even the top rankers at the front looked tense.
As everyone watched, the professor spoke.
"Freshman representative, Leo Flove."
"Leo Flove?"
"Who's that?"
"The representative's not a top ranker?"
Freshmen murmured, looking around.
The six top rankers upfront wore stunned expressions.
Even professors, unaware of the choice, showed surprise.
The officiating professor called, "Leo Flove, please come to the platform."
Leo rose from his seat.
Chelsea gaped, eyes wide.
Carl, in another row, jaw dropped.
A non-top ranker as representative was unprecedented.
Upperclassmen, too, reacted with shock.
Every gaze fixed on Leo.
'Me, the freshman representative?'
Leo felt puzzled.
He'd shone in the exam, sure, but Celia and Abad had outscored him.
They'd dominated the exam, earning their joint top rank.
Mounting the platform with questions, Leo met Albi's eyes—the western exam proctor.
Albi, usually stoic, flashed a smile.
It seemed the proctor had recommended him.
Pushing doubts aside, Leo stood at the podium.
A prepared speech awaited.
"Respected professors and seniors, thank you for welcoming us freshmen. We, as proud members of Lumern, will…"
Leo read calmly, unfazed.
His composure drew varied gazes.
Curiosity and doubt over a non-top ranker taking the role.
Envy and jealousy for claiming such an honor.
"…Freshman representative, Leo Flove."
Clap-clap-clap—!
Applause followed his speech.
"Well done, Leo. Now, as freshman representative, share your aspirations," the officiating professor said with a mischievous grin.
Aspirations as the representative.
A Lumern entrance ceremony tradition.
The representative, having bested fierce competition, got to address the school.
But it also aimed to provoke other first-years.
'A challenge to those who could've claimed this spot?'
Leo smirked.
Many, used to being the best, surely coveted this role.
Turning, he faced the freshmen.
"I'm Leo Flove, freshman representative."
His polite greeting made the professor look disappointed.
'This year's representative is a tame one. Well, a model student's ambition isn't bad.'
Even fiery students often softened in this spotlight.
'A smooth ceremony this year—'
"If you want this spot, come take it."
The professor's eyes bulged.
Freshmen's jaws dropped.
Leo smiled once and left the platform.
He'd perfectly played into the school's intent.
'But that's a bit much!'
The professor screamed internally.
Chuckles broke out among upperclassmen.
"This ceremony's one for the books!"
"What a brazen junior!"
All eyes locked on Leo.
Yet he descended the platform unfazed.
Returning to his seat, he met Celia's gaze.
She snorted softly, chin raised.
Abad, beside her, smiled faintly at Leo.
"Wow! Leo oppa was the representative?" Chelsea whispered excitedly as he sat.
"Not bummed Abad didn't get it?"
"It's a shame for big brother, but we saw you fight up close, right?"
Nodding smugly, arms crossed, Chelsea added, "He didn't say it, but big brother respects you too."
"Really?"
Leo glanced at Abad's back, seated ahead.
Time passed, and the ceremony ended.
***
After the ceremony, freshmen were guided to the dorms.
Dorms were separated by gender.
Each, resembling a grand mansion, stood side by side.
A central garden lay between them, with training grounds nearby.
A dorm supervisor addressed the gathered freshmen.
"Rooms are single occupancy. There's a curfew, but overnight absences are allowed with valid reasons. However…"
The supervisor sighed briefly.
"Entering the opposite gender's dorm is strictly forbidden."
Her face hardened.
"I know you're at an age where you're curious about romance. But keep boundaries."
"Yes~"
The freshmen replied cheerily.
The supervisor gave a wry smile.
Despite their response, hormone-driven teens broke this rule at least once a year.
'Though they never do it again after.'
"Now, grab your luggage, settle into your assigned rooms, and gather here in one hour."
She pointed to the luggage delivered during the ceremony.
Freshmen chatted with friends, retrieving their bags and checking room assignments.
"Whoa! Leo! We're next-door neighbors!"
"Nice coincidence."
Carl's bright voice made Leo smile.
"Man, I was shocked you were the representative!"
"Same. I had no clue."
"Your exam must've been epic."
"Guess the proctor liked me."
Carrying their bags, Leo and Carl headed to their second-floor rooms.
Other freshmen's eyes followed.
"That's the representative?"
"Why'd he get it over the top rankers? Some kind of pull?"
"Pull gets you that?"
'Drawing attention on day one.'
After changing in his room, Leo regrouped with the others, diving into a hectic schedule.
First, class assignments.
Lumern's curriculum focused on majors, but general classes existed.
Those were taken with classmates.
First-years had ten classes, from Class 1 to Class 10.
Leo was assigned to Class 5 with Chelsea and Carl.
Next, a tour of Lumern's facilities.
As one of only four hero academies worldwide, Lumern's campus was vast.
Touring key facilities took half a day.
Returning to the dorms, the dorm supervisor awaited.
"Greetings. I'm Oberio, first-year dorm supervisor. You've had a tough day. Starting tomorrow, a week of trial classes begins."
During trial week, students could freely attend any class.
Even Knight Studies majors could try Magic or Summoning Studies.
Some discovered hidden talents this way.
"Classes start tomorrow, so don't get too excited. Rest early tonight."
Professor Oberio dismissed them, and students headed to their rooms.
"Phew! What a crazy day!"
Carl stretched, exhausted.
"I'm hyped for tomorrow! Anyway, Leo, good night!"
"You too."
Exchanging goodnights, they entered their rooms.
Inside, Leo changed into pajamas and slipped into bed.
Feeling the bed's comfort, he drifted into sleep.