Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 554

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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554.

 

Before the match began.

 

Woreden, who had assigned Iliana the provocation mission, spoke.

 

“The opposing team’s main striking force will definitely be these three: Chelsea Rwallin, Chen Xia, and Eiran Ersarr.”

 

He looked at Chelsea, Chen Xia, and Eiran.

 

“It won’t be easy to retrieve the ball from those three.”

 

Speed aside.

 

In evasive maneuvers, Chelsea held the advantage over Duran.

 

Also, while Selia and Duran overwhelmed enemies with sheer force, Chen Xia was the type to defeat enemies based on flexible movements.

 

As for Eiran, she was literally the guardian of her allies.

 

That’s why once the ball went to them, it would be hard to steal back.

 

“Initially, we’ll need to focus on blocking their offensive. But if we see an opening…”

 

“We can pass the ball to Selia and aim for the first goal.”

 

Howl nodded as he spoke.

 

When everyone agreed with those words, Woreden shook his head.

 

“No, our first objective is to eliminate Cal Thomas.”

 

At those words, everyone looked at Woreden with surprised eyes.

 

“Why are you all making those expressions?”

 

“Well, we can’t help but be surprised. You said excluding Cal takes priority over scoring the first goal.”

 

Julliden spoke in a bewildered voice.

 

In Bastera, assuming equal strength, the longer time dragged on, the more advantageous it was for the defensive team over the offensive team.

 

Defense in Bastera included the ability to possess the ball, and the ball was the only means of attack in Bastera.

 

Holding the ball for a long time meant having more attack opportunities.

 

Like clothes getting soaked in drizzle, the defensive team became more advantageous as time passed.

 

“We won’t have that many attack opportunities. Isn’t using one of those attack chances to take down Cal a waste?”

 

At Julliden’s words, the other students except Woreden nodded as if they agreed.

 

“When an extreme offensive team meets an extreme defensive team in Bastera, the defensive team has the advantage. That’s why most students think Professor Ripen included Cal Thomas on the defensive team to balance that out. Even you guys.”

 

Woreden glanced toward Cal Thomas.

 

“But Duran Moira, Avad Rwallin. Didn’t you two pick Cal Thomas as the most troublesome opponent just moments ago?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Selia Jerdinger. You’re also wary of Cal Thomas, aren’t you?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“But you only perceive him as an annoying existence, not particularly thinking of him as a threatening one.”

 

“Well… it’s Cal, right? The weakest in 2nd Year.”

 

Turka shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I’m not dismissing Cal. Certainly, Cal surviving this far is due to his skill. Plus his strategy is excellent. But this isn’t even real combat, is it? I think it’s wasteful to exclude Cal while throwing away an opportunity where we can gain the upper hand.”

 

“That’s exactly Cal Thomas’s most irritating point. He doesn’t make observers perceive him as a threatening existence. Even Cal Thomas himself.”

 

Woreden curled up the corners of his mouth.

 

“But remember this fact. He’s always overcome the same trials as us… no, in some ways, even more trials than us to be in this position. And each time, the party members who were with him always drew out power beyond their limits. You were all there, so you know this well.”

 

At Woreden’s words, Selia, Avad, and Duran’s faces hardened.

 

“It was certainly us who surpassed our limits. But can you guarantee that you could have surpassed your limits if Cal Thomas hadn’t been there?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Selia trailed off.

 

Looking at such Selia, Woreden spoke.

 

“That’s exactly what’s scary about him. He helps draw out his comrades’ power to the maximum and beyond. The longer he stays on the battlefield, the more he’ll not only find our weaknesses but also strengthen the opposing team. I think eliminating him early is the key to this match.”

 

Woreden’s gaze turned toward Cal.

 

“Whether to target him from the beginning or not, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

 

***

 

Crackle—!

 

Lightning aura swirled violently.

 

Nella blocked the path in front of the ball flying toward their goal.

 

“Aaaaah! Nella, get away!”

 

“That’s too reckless!”

 

Male students screamed from outside the arena.

 

Seeing Nella, considered one of the greatest beauties among 2nd Year students, facing off against Duran, who boasted the strongest offensive power in the Knight Academy, naturally made them worry.

 

Crash! Crackcrackcrackcrack!

 

As Nella caught the ball, she was pushed back with a whoosh!

 

Seeing such Nella, Chelsea urgently used magic.

 

Whoooosh!

 

The incoming wind wrapped around Nella’s back.

 

Nella, who barely managed to stop, took a light deep breath and smiled brightly toward Chelsea.

 

“Thanks, Chelsea.”

 

Nella, who smiled brightly, bounced the ball and walked toward the opposing goal.

 

Seeing such Nella, the male students’ jaws dropped.

 

“Are, are you okay?”

 

“How?”

 

It was when the male students were surprised.

 

“You guys seem to have been thinking of Nella Caven as just a simple healer.”

 

Professor Ripen, who was keeping score, spoke indifferently.

 

“Of course, she was born with the excellent trait of healing attribute aura, but Nella Caven is strictly a student who ranks among the top in the Knight Academy. She uses defensive swordsmanship because she herself isn’t aggressive, but in terms of toughness, she’s among the best even among Knight Academy students.”

 

“Nella is tough?”

 

“But she’s a delicate beauty?”

 

As the male students muttered blankly, Ripen clicked his tongue.

 

Nella specialized not in defeating opponents at the front lines, but in blocking attacks.

 

The foundation of this was her healing ability.

 

She was the ultimate shield who could fight enemies while healing her own body, buying time for the mages in the rear to cast powerful spells.

 

‘It’s good that she’s making the most of her abilities, but I should advise her to be a bit more careful with her body.’

 

Despite the pain, she wore her characteristic smile probably to ease her teammates’ worries.

 

Then Howl tried to steal the ball from Nella using aura.

 

But Taide quickly blocked such an attack from Howl using his summon.

 

“As long as I’m here, you can’t lay a finger on Nella.”

 

As Taide grinned and spoke, Iliana jeered.

 

“Boo~ Don’t act cool when you’re just Taide!”

 

“Nella, pass it to Eiran.”

 

As the ball went to Eiran, Iliana quickly ran away.

 

The current score was 2:2.

 

Though it seemed like an evenly matched situation, the defensive team was gradually being pushed back due to insufficient numbers.

 

‘It’s unfortunate that Cal Thomas was eliminated from the beginning.’

 

Ripen didn’t put Cal Thomas on the defensive team to give them a handicap.

 

He strictly judged Cal as a fighting force and put him on the defensive team.

 

‘His own underestimation of himself became his downfall.’

 

While clicking his tongue, the tide turned toward the offensive team.

 

Eventually, it ended with the offensive team’s victory at a final score of 3:2.

 

***

 

Cal opened his eyes.

 

“Huh?”

 

Cal, who got up from his position, scratched his head vigorously.

 

“I got had. We lost, didn’t we?”

 

“You know well.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

Cal’s shoulders shrank at the voice that came from beside him.

 

There sat Eliza with her legs crossed, trimming her nails.

 

“Eliza? Why are you here?”

 

“Because I’m the one who brought you to the infirmary.”

 

“You? Not Chloe or Chelsea?”

 

When Cal asked in disbelief, Eliza rolled her eyes.

 

“Why are you reacting as if it’s natural for other dormitory heads to take care of you?”

 

“Well, that’s because. You’d say ‘Hmph, why should I care about someone like Cal Thomas? I’d rather spend that time trimming my nails’ and not even glance at me… Gack!”

 

“You’re asking for a beating, Cal Thomas.”

 

“P-please forgive me…!”

 

Cal, who had been ridiculously mimicking Eliza only to have his neck wrapped by a whip, spoke with difficulty.

 

Eliza loosened her grip and snorted.

 

“I just thought I should take care of you since we’re on the same team and you’re a head from the same dormitory. Moreover…”

 

“Moreover?”

 

“I had a vague feeling that Woreden Taiden might target you first. Yet ignoring you despite that was clearly my mistake.”

 

Eliza bit her lips tightly.

 

“So Woreden was thinking of targeting me first. But why exactly?”

 

“…Are you asking because you really don’t know?”

 

Eliza looked at Cal with incredulous eyes.

 

Seeing such Eliza, Cal scratched his head.

 

“Summoners have to choose summons with stronger characteristics even among summons of the same rank. That’s why I think they have better judgment of people than knights or mages.”

 

“Mm, the Summoning Department kids definitely have that aspect.”

 

When Cal nodded, Eliza said.

 

“I never thought I’d say this to you. Cal Thomas. You’re a much more amazing person than you think you are.”

 

Eliza glared at Cal irritably with a face that said she had to explain even this.

 

“You’re helping me a lot. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat yourself cheaply. It makes me feel cheap too, since I’m receiving help from you.”

 

At those words, Cal looked at Eliza with a moved expression.

 

“Wh-what is it?”

 

Seeing Cal continuously staring at her face, Eliza blushed slightly in confusion.

 

Cal wrapped Eliza’s hands with both of his.

 

“What, what are you doing?”

 

Eliza became even more flustered and her face reddened.

 

“Eliza, you know you’re receiving help from me?”

 

“…”

 

“I thought you’d never realize it.”

 

“What do you think of me?”

 

“But knowing you. I thought you’d be thinking ‘Hmph. A mere commoner. It’s natural for him to help me. Consider it an honor.’…”

 

Whirlick! Crack! Crack! Crack!

 

“Aaaaah! It’s a joke! A joke!”

 

Eliza’s face turned cold as she wildly swung her whip at Cal.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Slam-!

 

“Cal! Are you feeling alright… Oh my?”

 

Slam! Iliana, who had energetically opened the infirmary door, discovered the scene inside and her eyes widened.

 

“You were having a good time. Sorry for interrupting.”

 

And she closed the door.

 

“You can’t go in. They’re in the middle of whip play inside.”

 

Iliana’s mischievous voice could be heard from outside.

 

“Cal Thomas.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I can eliminate her, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Eliza smiled coldly and went outside the room.

 

Iliana’s desperate screams echoed throughout the entire infirmary.

 

“Sigh. Can’t even rest comfortably.”

 

Cal sighed deeply, propped his chin, and looked outside the window.

 

‘Don’t treat myself cheaply, huh…’

 

***

 

“The weather’s so nice today, it puts me in a good mood.”

 

Elena, sitting on the cafe terrace, said as she put her lips to the straw in her fruit juice.

 

Leo sipped his coffee in front of her and said.

 

“You look like you’re in a good mood.”

 

“It’s been a while since I played hooky.”

 

Elena’s appearance as she answered with a bright smile was beautiful.

 

Befitting Lumern’s greatest beauty, just her smile was enough to make everyone in the cafe stare in fascination.

 

Seeing that, Leo chuckled.

 

“You’re so calm.”

 

“Do I seem that way?”

 

“Yeah. Even though we called it a date, all we’re doing is just sitting here looking at the street. Aren’t you bored?”

 

Leo and Elena, who had left Lumern, had been sitting at this cafe for several hours.

 

Just eating snacks and looking at the scenery of the street outside with hardly any conversation.

 

“I like it. Spending time doing nothing like this.”

 

Leo looked outside the window.

 

Since he was always living busily, spending time leisurely like this also made him feel much more relaxed.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Elena, who had been propping her chin and looking at Leo, said.

 

“Leo.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Would you like to stay over at my house tonight?”

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