The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 146. New Semester (1)
After summer break ended.
The first class announcing the second semester at Hero Academy.
The “Practical Combat Training” course, which had been the most crucial for grades last semester, transformed into “Practical Combat Training 2,” its importance and weight increasing significantly.
Excluding minor sparring sessions and basic physical conditioning, “Practical Combat Training 2” occupied over 90 percent of the curriculum, with classes scheduled solidly from Monday through Friday every week.
The first class of “Practical Combat Training 2″—a course upon which essentially all second semester grades depended.
The classroom door to Class C opened, packed with candidates, not a single one absent or shirking on the first day.
Click.
Through the opening stepped a massive man who evoked the image of a ferocious beast.
It was Lucas Kane, the professor overseeing the Warrior Department and responsible for Practical Combat Training Class C.
“Let’s see… surely no one’s missing?”
Lucas Kane swept his gaze across the classroom with his characteristically fierce eyes.
Well, it was only natural.
Not a single candidate would be foolish enough to skip Lucas Kane’s class on the first day.
After surveying all the candidates seated in the classroom, Lucas Kane turned to me and asked.
“Dale, how was your break?”
“It was very productive, Professor.”
It wasn’t an empty answer.
Considering the achievements I’d made during this break alone, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’d stumbled upon several significant opportunities in succession.
Yurina had grown at a terrifyingly rapid pace, the word “genius” fitting her perfectly.
Berald achieved explosive growth, inheriting the Legacy of Iron Fist while honing his own abilities, and Camilla Bediche steadied her wavering heart and found her path forward.
Iris had expanded her ability to handle the “Seven Eyes” considerably through large-scale sacred magic using sacrifices, and even Juliet Kang, who joined our training after summer vacation, achieved remarkable progress.
‘I’m no exception either.’
Before summer break, I’d made a painful mistake—failing to properly control “Inferno” and burning down an entire dormitory building. Now I’d elevated my proficiency with “Inferno” to a level where I could actually use it in real combat.
‘It was a break that exceeded my expectations.’
As I smiled contentedly at the rising satisfaction.
“Right, right. You even went to the Celestial Resort—you must be so fulfilled you’re about to burst.”
“Huh? How did you know that, Professor?”
“Elisha wouldn’t stop bragging about it, so I learned despite having absolutely no interest.”
“Ah.”
So she’d already complained to Lucas Kane about it.
“Hahahaha! While someone had to be stuck at school all summer handling supplementary classes… someone else was living their youth to the fullest, completely losing track of time!”
Lucas Kane glared at me with bloodshot eyes (terrifying) while grinding his teeth.
“So damn jealous… it’s pathetic! You call yourself a hero candidate? Huh? Getting distracted playing around on break!”
“I wanted to go too… but heroes must always prioritize self-cultivation above all else!”
“I wish this damn world would just end… don’t forget that your duty is to be a hero, Dale!”
“…”
It seemed like his inner thoughts kept leaking out.
‘Next time, I should invite Professor Lucas along too.’
Watching him deliver such an impassioned speech with those bloodshot eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.
“Phew. Well, in any case, I trust you all made the most of this summer break.”
Professor Lucas Kane swept his gaze across the candidates, his lips curling into a fierce smile.
“But that ends today. This second semester is packed with coursework far more demanding than last term, so I’d advise you all to steel yourselves.”
“….”
The candidates’ expressions hardened at Professor Lucas Kane’s ominous warning.
“Heh. Though I don’t intend to overwhelm you from day one, so don’t worry.”
Professor Lucas Kane turned to face the terrified candidates and chuckled darkly.
“Let’s see… Since the new semester has begun, why don’t we have the representative candidate of our Class C come forward and share their aspirations for this term?”
The classroom stirred at the mention of Class C’s representative candidate.
Six divisions in total, labeled A through F.
Among the roughly eighty candidates comprising one division, who could truly be called the “representative”?
In Class A, it would undoubtedly be Yuren Helios, but Class C was unusually brimming with distinctive candidates.
Camilla Bediche, touted as the next Sword of Holy Nation.
Iris, revered as the Saint of the Holy Kingdom.
And Dale Han, whose prominence had skyrocketed since last semester—the “last-ranked hero.”
Yet among these formidable candidates, the one confidently selected as representative was,
“Well then.”
Professor Lucas Kane gestured with a beckoning motion toward the freckle-faced candidate with an awkward demeanor.
“Albert. Come to the front.”
“No! Why! Why me again?!”
Albert, who had been sitting comfortably with an expression suggesting “surely they won’t call on me,” shot to his feet.
This time, determined not to let it slide, Albert slammed his desk and cried out.
“Isn’t the representative candidate usually the one with the best grades from the previous semester?”
“You obtained a Diamond Badge during the final evaluation.”
“That was honestly just riding my party members’ coattails!”
“Ah. Excellent grades coupled with such humility… truly, you deserve to be selected as the representative candidate.”
“Argh!”
Albert writhed, tearing at his hair.
His gaze, which had been darting about while he bit his lip, turned toward Iris and Camilla.
“Wouldn’t Iris or Camilla be more suited as the representative candidate than someone like me?”
“Hmm. Are you now trying to challenge the Saint of the Holy Kingdom and the next Sword of Holy Nation?”
“No, that’s not what I meant….”
Albert’s sorrowful expression brightened as a good idea struck him, and he turned toward me.
“Ah, yes! Dale! Didn’t Dale receive the highest score during the final evaluation?”
“Albert. Logically speaking, how could I entrust the representative position to someone who’s been suspended three times?”
“Why! Why are you being logical only at times like this?!”
In the end, Albert was dragged by Professor Lucas Kane’s hand and placed on the podium.
All the candidates’ eyes focused on him.
“Um… well, that is….”
Albert, suddenly appointed as the representative candidate, opened his mouth with a deathly pale face.
“L-listen up, everyone. The second semester will bring far more treacherous classes. Some of you… might suffer grave injuries, or even lose your lives.”
“Some might wonder why we must bear such risks simply because we’ve been marked with stigmata. Why we’re denied the right to live ordinary lives like everyone else, forced instead to exist as ‘heroes.'”
“Perhaps some of you believe heroes are no longer necessary. After all, five hundred years have passed since the Five Great Heroes sealed away the Demon God.”
But.
“Consider this: last year alone, within the Empire, 2,551 people fell victim to Demons and Demon Beasts. That’s the official count—the actual number is far higher.”
“In places we cannot see… or refuse to look, countless people continue to perish.”
“Professor Lucas once told us he doesn’t expect us to protect humanity or safeguard the world. But I believe differently.”
“I believe that special power carries responsibility.”
Albert touched the left side of his chest where the stigma was inscribed, continuing his words.
“Having been born with divine blessing etched upon our hearts, we cannot turn away from those who need us.”
“Someone once told me this: no matter how insignificant we feel, each of us has a role to play.”
Albert turned to look at me, offering a faint smile.
“Even if we’re terrified, exhausted, and suffering.”
Even if fear makes our legs tremble uncontrollably.
Even if the pain becomes unbearable and we want to flee.
“Let us not forget.”
That we are ‘heroes.’
“….”
“….”
After Albert’s speech ended.
Silence descended upon the classroom.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Breaking the quiet, applause began to ring out, one person at a time.
The applause grew louder, filling the entire classroom.
“Whoa! I didn’t know Albert had it in him to speak like that!”
“Look at Albert trying to be cool.”
“Ugh! My hands are cramping! You owe me, Albert!”
The Candidates erupted in cheers and whistles.
“Hehehehe.”
Professor Lucas, who had been standing near my seat watching Albert’s speech, let out a low chuckle with his arms crossed.
He gazed at Albert standing on the platform, a satisfied smile playing at his lips.
“My judgment was flawless, as always.”
“Please. You were only planning to mock him.”
Now he claims his judgment was flawless? Give me a break.
“That was a truly excellent speech, Candidate Albert!”
Professor Lucas brushed aside my remark and descended toward the platform.
With a broad smile, Professor Lucas draped his arm across Albert’s shoulder.
Albert offered an awkward smile under the crude force pressing down on his shoulder, exhaling a relieved sigh.
“Phew. I… I’m just glad I managed to pull through somehow.”
When I first stepped onto that platform, my heart was pounding wildly, yet somehow I managed to bring it to a successful close.
“More than just getting through it. That was a truly impressive speech.”
“Haha. Thank you, Professor.”
“Hehe. Then I’ll ask for your help next time too.”
“Yes, next time… Wait? Next time, you say?”
Albert turned to look at Lucas Kane, his eyes widening in shock.
Lucas Kane ignored Albert’s gaze and turned to address the candidates in the classroom.
“Hahaha! Our Class C representative candidate is decided—Albert Huber! Does anyone have objections?”
“Yes!”
“Of course not!”
The candidates erupted in cheers, clapping their hands together.
“Congratulations, Albert!”
“You’re the perfect candidate for the role!”
“We knew you could do it, Albert!”
Cheers filled the entire classroom.
Albert stared at Lucas Kane with a sickly pale expression.
“Wait, wait! What do you mean, Professor?! Wasn’t this supposed to be just this one time?”
“I was planning on that, but after hearing such a magnificent speech, I can’t help myself! You’re going to be the representative candidate from now on, Albert!”
“Nooooooo!!!”
Lucas Kane dashed out of the classroom, leaving Albert’s anguished cry behind.
“Now I’m off to bring this matter before the faculty council!”
September arrived as the scorching summer sun began to wane.
A new semester had begun.

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