Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 422

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

422.

 

-Students! And distinguished guests who have come to visit Lumern! Welcome! I’m Runba Tes, your commentator for this tournament!

 

Runba greeted everyone with a cheerful voice.

 

-And today we have a special guest with us. The professor in charge of 2nd Year Department of Magic! Professor Ren!

 

-Nice to meet you, I’m Ren Horses.

 

Ren introduced himself with a neat appearance.

 

-Professor. What do you think about this tournament?

 

-I’m watching with great interest. This year’s incoming students have followed a different academic schedule than before. Everyone took their first semester final exams, and thanks to the mentor system, they’re also receiving help from their 2nd year seniors… I’m extremely pleased that everyone has grown well under this different schedule from the past. I really like the system that Professor Riina introduced when she took the position of principal.

 

-Yes. That’s why many people are paying attention to Lumern’s new academic system. But Professor Ren, what do you think about the fact that there isn’t a single Department of Magic student in the semifinal tournament?

 

Runba mentioned an extremely sensitive issue for Ren, determined to provide entertaining commentary in his own way.

 

And as soon as Runba finished speaking, screams erupted from the Department of Magic side.

 

Hallind’s eyes twitched.

 

-And it was a bit unexpected that you, a Department of Magic professor, volunteered to commentate on matches between 1st year Knight Academy students…

 

-Who says there’s not a single Department of Magic student in the semifinals?

 

-Excuse me?

 

-And what do you mean by matches between Knight Academy students?

 

-Well, I mean…

 

Ren asked Runba in an ominous voice.

 

Meeting Ren’s eyes, Runba realized he had touched something he shouldn’t have.

 

-Luke Elda is dual class! He’ll transfer to the Department of Magic starting next semester! Moreover, Luke has been receiving personal tutoring from me about magic throughout the first semester… Beep-!

 

-We apologize for the broadcasting accident that just occurred.

 

Yura hurriedly spoke into the microphone with amplification magic.

 

It was fine for Lumern faculty to give personal lessons to specific students.

 

But making a fuss about it in a public place could potentially cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

 

Therefore, Ren’s outburst was quickly stopped by other professors who rushed in.

 

Ain covered Ren’s mouth and dragged him away.

 

Mmph! Watching Ren struggle, Hallind gestured with his chin, and Ain mercilessly twisted his neck, causing Ren to go limp immediately.

 

The one who took the microphone in place of Ren was Mel, the 1st year Department of Magic professor.

 

-I’m Mel! Please treat me well.

 

Seeing Mel speak with a bright smile, cheers poured out from among the students.

 

Hearing Mel’s voice, Arga’s cat ears perked up.

 

“Huh, that Lumern professor’s voice. Doesn’t it sound kind of similar to Dragon Lord’s?”

 

“Now that you mention it.”

 

“Hmm. It is similar.”

 

At Ar’s sharp observation, Runia and Driana also tilted their heads.

 

“It must be a coincidence, right?”

 

“Right. It would be strange for Dragon Lord to be working as a professor at Lumern.”

 

But they soon lost interest.

 

Logically thinking, it wasn’t something that would happen.

 

Meanwhile, Runba continued with the commentary.

 

-Now let me introduce! The protagonist of a great turnaround who maintained last place in his grade throughout the first semester but achieved the feat of advancing to the semifinals in the final practical exam! Luke Elda!

 

Waaaaaaah!

 

Enthusiastic cheers poured out.

 

While the 1st and 2nd years looked at Luke with complicated gazes, for students in 3rd year and above, Luke, who was creating a great turnaround, was an object of attention.

 

Moreover, since Lumern was filled with Hero Candidates with strong pride, Luke with his gentle impression was popular among the upperclassmen.

 

Thus, Luke’s face turned slightly red at the seniors’ cheers as he showed an awkward smile.

 

At his somewhat clumsy appearance, the upperclassmen who liked Luke let out even more joyful screams.

 

-Oh! Luke! Your popularity is amazing! Now then! The next student! The most notable sword genius among this year’s incoming students! Aina Beidna!

 

As Aina stepped onto the arena, cheers no less than Luke’s poured out.

 

Last year, the Sword Saint’s performance in leading his aged body to hold off the Monster Queen until the Hero of the Beginning and Progenitor of the Starry Skies appeared.

 

If not for him, most of the students here might have lost their lives.

 

Remembering the Sword Saint’s noble sacrifice, Aina, as his great-granddaughter, had received much attention since admission.

 

Amid the pouring cheers.

 

Luke and Aina faced each other in the center of the arena.

 

“We made it this far.”

 

“Yes. Miss Aina.”

 

Luke took a deep breath.

 

“I’ll do my best today so as not to be ashamed in front of you, Miss Aina.”

 

“Luke Elda.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Since it was the first time Aina had called his name, Luke showed a slightly surprised expression.

 

“Why did you enroll in Lumern?”

 

At the sudden question, Luke momentarily showed a puzzled expression.

 

But he soon answered.

 

“I’ve admired heroes since I was young.”

 

Luke smiled as he said that.

 

“Heroes are amazing people, aren’t they? I thought I wanted to become like those amazing people.”

 

She looked at Luke speaking shyly.

 

He didn’t have any grand aspirations.

 

Just because he had dreamed of it since childhood.

 

There wasn’t a big reason for helping others.

 

Just because it was the right thing to do.

 

Luke had helped others without hesitation.

 

Aina recalled Luke who had helped her during the entrance exam.

 

After the match with Juwen.

 

For the first time since admission, Aina began to look around her.

 

And she realized.

 

That all her classmates had goals for themselves.

 

‘They’re fundamentally different from me.’

 

Aina’s eyes darkened.

 

‘Everyone holds ideals and aims to be heroes.’

 

Heroes weren’t even on her mind.

 

She had simply honed her sword and enrolled in Lumern to take revenge on Tartaros.

 

Opposite to how all her classmates admired Leo Flobe and wanted to become like him.

 

She had merely regarded him as a necessary target.

 

‘Luke Elda and I are… No. It’s not just Luke Elda. I’m different from the other kids. That’s why I couldn’t challenge my limits.’

 

Throughout the first semester, Aina had never once challenged her limits.

 

Even during admission and mentor selection, when she thought there was no hope, she had simply given up.

 

Even in the match with Juwen a few days ago, she gave up as soon as she met her limits.

 

Unlike herself, Juwen had tried to surpass his limits to defeat her.

 

‘Luke Elda is the same.’

 

Aina knew Luke from before admission.

 

His skills were so poor they couldn’t even be compared to hers.

 

She had thought he was a student who didn’t suit Lumern.

 

But…

 

‘This kid is more suited to Lumern than anyone else.’

 

After endlessly surpassing his limits, he now stood before her in this short time.

 

‘In a way, it was natural for Senior Leo to acknowledge this kid.’

 

Aina had been unable to accept that Luke, not herself, had become Leo’s mentee until now.

 

But now she understood.

 

‘I… don’t have the qualifications to be a Hero Candidate.’

 

At the judging professor’s words, the two students returned to their respective positions.

 

Drawing his sword, Luke looked at Aina with tense eyes.

 

Aina only stared at the ground in silence.

 

Ting-!

 

The coin signaling the start of the match flew through the air.

 

Clang!

 

The coin hit the ground.

 

In that moment, Luke became a silver flash and charged at Aina.

 

***

 

“She looks dejected.”

 

Leo muttered while watching Aina’s appearance, then looked at Selia.

 

“Why is she like that?”

 

“How would I know.”

 

Selia answered in a somewhat blunt voice.

 

“I guess Aina didn’t come to you for help.”

 

“She was never the type who needed my help in the first place.”

 

Selia let out a short sigh.

 

“Aina is someone who’ll get stronger on her own.”

 

“Even so, given your personality of liking to take care of others, I think you would have helped her a lot.”

 

“Right. She was somehow unstable. As a mentor, I wanted to fix that.”

 

Selia made a bitter expression.

 

“But maybe because I was a terrible mentor, I couldn’t help her in the end.”

 

“Having too much sense of responsibility is also a problem.”

 

“What?”

 

“You were a perfectly good mentor. Aina was in a more unstable state than you think.”

 

Leo didn’t know why Aina wanted his recognition.

 

But whatever it was, Leo knew that for Aina, everything was merely a means to an end.

 

Leo had seen countless people like Aina who burned with revenge against Tartaros.

 

‘It’s not that it’s wrong. In some ways, it can even be a driving force.’

 

But simple hatred eventually devours oneself.

 

That’s why Leo didn’t choose Aina, despite being able to give her everything she wanted.

 

If Leo had chosen Aina as his mentee, Aina would have used that as fuel for her hatred.

 

‘That would have been uncontrollable. That kid didn’t need an adult who would understand and comfort everything, but a peer sister or brother who would try to understand while constantly clashing with her.’

 

“You might not have known it… but you held onto Aina from the side so she wouldn’t go astray or collapse.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Selia tilted her head while crossing her arms.

 

“After this match ends, if she comes to you, scold her sincerely then.”

 

“I was planning to do that anyway. I won’t be satisfied unless I give her a piece of my mind.”

 

Selia snorted and swept back her hair.

 

“By the way, Leo. How do you see this match?”

 

“In terms of pure strength, Aina has the advantage.”

 

“Right. But in that mental state, it’ll be hard for her to maintain an advantage against the current Luke.”

 

“That won’t be the case.”

 

“What?”

 

“Someone like Aina can display 100% of her abilities anytime, anywhere. Even if her mental state is completely shattered.”

 

“Then it’ll be hard for Luke to win.”

 

“Right.”

 

Leo smiled.

 

Seeing such a Leo, Selia tilted her head.

 

“You seem relaxed. Are you satisfied just with making it this far?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

Leo shook his head.

 

“Luke will be good stimulation for Aina. Maybe Aina will also surpass her limits.”

 

“Then wouldn’t that make it even harder to win?”

 

“That’s right. But he’s not someone who’ll break easily. Just as Luke will be stimulation for Aina, Aina will also be stimulation for Luke.”

 

***

 

Clang-!

 

Luke’s sword wrapped in silver aura crossed with Aina’s sword wrapped in golden aura.

 

Scrape-!

 

They engaged in a contest of strength with their swords clashing.

 

After a moment.

 

A golden flash flickered.

 

Golden lines embroidered the air.

 

Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-!

 

But all the golden lines were blocked by the silver sword.

 

‘Amazing.’

 

Luke’s eyes widened.

 

This was his first time fighting against Aina.

 

At the Knight Academy, they endlessly held mock battles by grade level.

 

But for Luke, who was at the bottom of his grade, Aina was too much of an opponent.

 

So he never had a chance to cross swords with Aina even once.

 

Luke could only watch Aina’s swordsmanship from a distance.

 

He knew that technically, her precise swordsmanship was beyond his level.

 

But blocking it directly was on a completely different level from just watching.

 

‘I can’t feel any emotion.’

 

A sword that simply cut people emotionlessly.

 

Therefore, merciless and sharp swordsmanship.

 

Because no emotion could be felt, it was unpredictable.

 

‘As expected, Aina is amazing! How can she be like this?’

 

Luke struggled to block Aina’s sword and retreated.

 

Watching such a Luke, Aina thought.

 

‘A sword where emotion can be clearly felt.’

 

Luke’s emotions could be clearly felt through his sword.

 

When Aina learned swordsmanship, she was taught not to reveal emotions.

 

That would be the same for any knight.

 

Intense emotions cloud judgment.

 

And skilled knights can quickly grasp their opponent’s emotions to predict the flow of attacks.

 

In that sense, Luke’s swordsmanship made his attacks completely visible.

 

Literally full of openings.

 

But…

 

‘Too many emotions can be felt.’

 

Rather, because the attacks were too clearly visible, they were hard to predict.

 

‘How can this be possible?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————