The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student-Chapter 25: The Forge of Heroes

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The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student

[Original — Yerona]

[TL — Yerona]

[TL — MiT7]

[PR — Spades]

[QC — Lumi]

Chapter 25 — The Forge of Heroes

——————

In the faculty lounge of the Hall of Beginnings, professors teaching first-years gathered.

It was a bonding session before the semester began.

"This year's freshmen seem exceptional overall," Professor Ain said.

"Oh, right. Knight Studies has three top rankers, doesn't it?"

At Ain's words, Ren smiled. "I'm jealous. Magic Studies only has two."

"You mocking Summoning Studies, Ren?" Yura frowned.

"Haha, no way!"

"No department's dominance is clear until the semester starts. Being a top ranker doesn't guarantee staying the best," Ain said, swirling his wine glass. "And... the freshman representative isn't among this year's top rankers, is he?"

The professors nodded in agreement.

Ain downed his wine. "Well, the representative's a Knight Studies aspirant, though."

'This year, Knight Studies will dominate.'

Ain smirked at the other two.

"My, my. You say it's uncertain, yet you're awfully confident, Senior," Ren said.

'Deluded, Ain. Leo's coming to Magic Studies.'

Ren chuckled outwardly, smirking inwardly.

"Exactly," Yura scoffed. "Getting cocky, huh?"

'Laughable. Leo Flove's mine for Summoning Studies. Their faces when they see his form will be priceless.'

Yura sneered outwardly, mocking inwardly.

Just then, TAs brought the major forms.

"Professors, here are the major forms. We'll sort them over the weekend."

"Good work. Have some food and drink," the professors offered.

Amid this, Ain, Yura, and Ren headed for Class 5's forms.

'Why are they following to Class 5's pile?'

'Got a student they're eyeing?'

'What's with them?'

Exchanging puzzled glances, the three spotted Leo's photo atop Class 5's forms.

They froze, doubting their eyes.

Name: Leo Flove

Class: 5

Selected Majors: Knight Studies, Magic Studies, Summoning Studies

All three thought, 'What in the world is this?'

---

"Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Why are you hitting me?"

In the park by the dorms, Celia grabbed Leo, smacking his back.

"The girls' dorm is buzzing! All-class? Nonsense like that?"

"Why's it nonsense? I bought all the major textbooks and took all the trial classes."

"You didn't buy those as references—you meant to use them?"

"Obviously."

"Agh! You calculated lunatic!"

Celia tore at her hair, jumping in frustration.

"All-class? That's insane! Picking majors like a joke—what professor will take you seriously?"

At Lumern, professors held immense power.

Crossing even one from another department could ruin your school life.

Being targeted by your major professor practically guaranteed expulsion.

Plus, major professors took fierce pride in their fields.

When you should be impressing them, joking with major selection?

You'd have no defense if every professor marked you.

Celia was livid—Leo, the freshman representative, caused a massive scandal in a week.

Yet the culprit acted like it was no big deal, fueling her rage.

"Go to the faculty office and apologize to the professors!"

"No way. I'm taking all the majors."

"What's wrong with you? All-class makes no sense!"

As Celia fumed, Leo held out his left palm.

Aura flickered, then mana flared like fire.

Celia's eyes widened.

It didn't stop there—spiritual power enveloped his hand.

"Y-you...?"

"Mom and Dad don't even know yet."

Leo shrugged, retracting his power.

Celia gaped, speechless, her expression one of disbelief.

"The professors saw my skills. They'll know I'm not joking."

"What even are you?"

"What else?"

Leo grinned. "Your cousin."

---

"Unprecedented. In Lumern's history—no, in any hero academy's history, this is a first."

All-class.

In the world's long history, such heroes weren't unheard of.

But in today's era, with the Hero Record, they were deemed fictional.

'The fifth Great Hero, Kyle.'

Yet a real all-class hero, like those in myths, had appeared.

Professors Ain, Yura, and Ren had already met with Kalian.

Their argument: Leo needed a primary major.

They passionately detailed his extraordinary talent.

"What should we do, Headmaster?" Secretary Elena asked.

"Let the student decide," Kalian said, smiling. "Isn't a school's job to provide the education students want?"

---

Lumern's weekends were relaxed.

With grueling weekday schedules, weekends ensured rest.

During free time, students could visit Lumeria or request overnight leave.

"On a sunny weekend, we're at the training grounds?" Carl grumbled.

"Leo's giving me swordsmanship lessons today," Chelsea said.

Chelsea wore comfortable athletic gear.

Battle Mage.

A mage who could fight on the front lines.

Unlike dual-class Sword Mages, who used both aura and mana, Battle Mages relied solely on mana.

They boosted physical abilities with support magic, mastering high-speed and multi-casting for close-combat spells.

While typical mages provided rear firepower, Battle Mages infiltrated enemy lines in emergencies, disrupting formations.

Skilled Battle Mages thrived in chaos, creating countless variables.

Chelsea was deeply impressed by Leo, who'd stopped Talatunia without aura during the entrance exam.

She was even more excited for his guidance.

'Leo's a mage too.'

Since Sword Mages and Battle Mages shared similarities, Chelsea thought training with a Sword Mage would help more than a pure knight.

Celia, tagging along to watch Chelsea train, looked bored.

"If you came here casually, I'd suggest quitting," Celia said.

"I'm serious," Chelsea replied.

"Oh? Leo's training isn't easy."

Imagining Chelsea, her childhood rival, struggling brought Celia joy.

"By the way, Celia, how are you and Leo so close?" Carl asked, curious.

Chelsea perked up, unaware of their connection.

"Don't spread this around. Leo's my cousin."

"What?"

"Huh? Leo's a Zerdinger?" Chelsea exclaimed.

"Not exactly. It's complicated family stuff, so don't ask," Celia said, smiling.

Knowing noble families' tangled affairs, Chelsea and Carl dropped it.

Leo turned to Carl. "Want to join, Carl?"

"Tempting, but I'm heading to Lumeria soon."

"For fun?"

"Nah, to buy potion ingredients! Fatigue Recovery Potions are selling like crazy! Hahaha!"

Celia tilted her head. "Alchemist family, huh? Total merchant."

"Alchemy needs cash!" Carl said, making a money sign with his fingers, grinning.

"How about I craft you a cool magic sword or staff?"

"Cooler than my family's heirlooms?"

"Sorry, my bad."

Talking weapons in front of a hero lineage?

He'd picked the wrong target.

Celia snickered.

"What first, Leo?" Chelsea asked.

"Used to physical activity?"

"Of course. I've got stamina! And I'm super flexible!"

Chelsea raised her leg straight up like a ballerina.

It required flexibility and balance.

She hopped around, showing Leo her agile movements.

With solid basics, once mastered as a Battle Mage, few Knight Studies students could match her in close combat.

'She's got a real reason for aiming to be a Battle Mage.'

"I know a Battle Mage," Leo said.

"Really?" Chelsea's eyes sparkled.

'Not exactly a Battle Mage. The concept didn't exist back then.'

Luna, who moved swiftly in chaos, multi-casting spells, could be considered a Battle Mage pioneer.

'Well, not just Battle Mages—she's the root of all modern mages.'

Leo crossed his arms. "Chelsea, what's the most important thing for a Battle Mage?"

"Hm... let's see... high-speed casting, multi-casting, and martial skills?"

Naming what set Battle Mages apart, Chelsea looked at Leo.

"No. The most important thing is..."

"What?"

"Stamina."

Celia, watching from a bench, quietly stood.

"Carl, let's go."

"Huh? Where?"

"You're going to Lumeria, right?"

"I've got time. Weren't you staying?"

"Something urgent came up..."

"Celia, you're training with me every weekend from now on," Leo said.

"No way!"

"I already wrote to Uncle Jis. He said to make sure you do."

"Why'd you do something so pointless!"

Celia lunged, grabbing Leo's collar, shaking him.

"Listen, Chelsea."

"Yeah?"

"Battle Mages need to move endlessly. That requires iron stamina. Buff magic has limits, so it won't cut it."

'Sounds like our family's Battle Mages.'

Lewallin Battle Mages made stamina training a daily ritual.

"Anyway, Celia's fated to train with me," Leo said.

"No such fate!" Celia wailed.

Leo ignored her.

"The moment you agreed to train with me, I decided to make you a hero, no matter what."

"Yeah, Leo! Let's aim to be heroes together!"

Taking his words as encouragement, Chelsea clenched her fist.

"So, you're training with me from now on, right?"

"Yup!" freewebnoveℓ.com

Later, Chelsea would think, 'I should've run then.'