Chapter 45 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Chedmurder Incident
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[45]44
The next day, upon arriving at the grand training ground where the final exam was to be held, Leo had no trouble spotting Chloe.
As always, Chloe had a grimoire tucked under her arm, and five other students were gathered around her.
"Chloe! That unique magic you created! Can you explain it to us in detail?"
"Yeah! Yeah! We want to use it as a reference for our own magic!"
"Please, Chloe. You've always taken such good care of us, right?"
"What are friends for?"
They pleaded with her, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
'Are those the kids Chloe's been hanging out with?'
"Are you asking after you've fully understood all the magic formulas I taught you last time?"
"Of course!"
"You were a great teacher, after all."
The female students smiled brightly.
But Chloe's reaction was ice-cold.
"If you understood it so well, why were your scores on the magical theory written exam so pathetic?"
"What?"
"Did you think I wouldn't know you approached me just to use me?"
"W-What are you talking about!"
"No! We just wanted to study with you…!"
"You did nothing but copy my homework. And with exam scores like that, you think you can understand the magic formula I created? In your dreams."
"What did you say?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"That's going too far!"
The group bristled, but Chloe didn't even blink, only offering a sneer.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Gah? Leo?"
"D-Did you hear our conversation?"
They began to nervously watch Leo's every move.
It was true that they had been copying Chloe's homework.
If Leo were to so much as mention this to Professor Ren, they would be in serious trouble.
Besides, they felt a pang of guilt, having secretly badmouthed Leo behind his back.
"I'd like to talk to Chloe for a moment."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"That's right! Say it here! Chloe is our friend!"
they insisted forcefully.
Watching them, Chloe let out a cold laugh.
"Friends? Don't make me laugh."
"What?"
"Instead of trying to use me to form some kind of clique, you should spend that time studying. The way you struggle with a single assignment is pathetic. If I were you, I'd be too embarrassed to call myself a student of Lumerne's magic department."
Leo narrowed his eyes, looking at Chloe.
Her tone was nothing like the Chloe he knew.
"Ha! Fine! You two brilliant prodigies can have a nice chat!"
"We only hung out with you because we felt sorry for you being all alone!"
"Acting like you're the only one who works hard! I knew you were annoying from the moment I saw you."
"You two country bumpkins suit each other!"
Chloe scoffed as they walked away, hurling insults.
"That's not like you."
"What isn't?"
"You're always kind to everyone."
"I've decided to change. From now on, I won't do stupid things like meddling in other people's business to help them."
Chloe said coldly, crossing her arms.
"I heard from Celia. You came looking for me last night because you had something to discuss? Was it about my magic?"
"That's right. I had something to ask."
"Perfect timing. I had something I wanted to ask you, too."
Chloe smiled sweetly.
"If you compare the system of your unique magic formula to mine, who do you think is superior?"
"My Bible is a magic that allows me to use all existing forms of magic. In terms of creating something amazing, you're the more impressive one."
"I knew you'd think so!"
Chloe beamed.
"It feels like all my hard work to surpass you paid off. If I can't be the best in magical theory, then I'm completely useless, aren't I?"
"Completely useless? Why would you say something like that?"
"Yes. With this, the Müller family will no longer be looked down on at the Mage Tower. I won't be ignored because of my family name anymore…"
"Chloe? Is something wrong?"
Chloe flinched slightly when she saw Leo's hand on her shoulder.
"Ah, it's nothing. Anyway, what were you curious about regarding my magic?"
Looking a little flustered, Chloe brushed Leo's hand off her shoulder.
"Your magic… did you really create it yourself?"
"Huh?"
"Were you influenced by something? Is that not it?"
"Why are you asking that? Are you perhaps jealous because my magic is more impressive?"
"What?"
"I thought you weren't that kind of person. I'm disappointed. I surpassed you in this practical exam. Admit it."
'Something is definitely strange.'
It was true that Chloe was competitive and took great pride in her magic.
But she was never the type to excessively praise herself or humiliate others by putting them down.
As Leo stood there, bewildered, his eyes fell on the black grimoire Chloe was holding.
'When did it start? When did Chloe start carrying only that grimoire?'
Chloe was a model student who was always reading a grimoire, no matter where she was.
Once she finished one, she would always start carrying a new one.
But she had been carrying that particular grimoire for a very long time.
"Chloe, where did you get that grimoire?"
"I bought it in Lumeria City."
"Can I take a look at it?"
"Don't touch my grimoire!"
"Calm down. Why are you reacting so sharply?"
"Because you're the one acting strange!"
Chloe glared at Leo with all her might and clenched her teeth.
"If you're done, I'm leaving!"
Chloe spun around and stormed off.
Thump-!
"Oh?"
She bumped shoulders with Chelsea, who was approaching.
"Watch it."
"You watch it! Do you think just because you were born into a good family, everyone has to look out for you?!"
"What?"
Chelsea was taken aback by Chloe's emotional outburst.
"What happened with Chloe Müller? She wasn't like that before, was she?"
Leo wore a serious expression at Chelsea's question.
"It's nothing. Anyway, what's up?"
"Professor Halind told us to gather."
At her words, Leo headed toward the area where Class 5 was assembled.
He glanced back in the direction Chloe had gone.
'There's something about that grimoire. Could it be some kind of curse?'
As he walked with Chelsea toward the Class 5 gathering spot, Leo's eyes narrowed as he looked toward Class 1.
Once they arrived, Halind spoke.
"Now that everyone is here, I will explain the rules of the exam."
Halind said with a blank expression.
"As previously announced, the joint exam for the Heroics and Combat departments will be to conquer a World of Heroes. The world you will conquer is [The Chedmurder Incident]."
A sense of tension appeared on the students' faces.
The Chedmurder Incident.
It was a major event that had taken place in Lumerne 30 years ago.
First-year students on a mission in the central Chedmurder Forest were attacked by Tartaros.
At the time, Professor Albi, the [Mage of the Evil Eye], who was a second-year student, was dispatched as part of the rescue team, narrowly preventing a total wipeout.
"The objectives are to rescue the injured, subjugate the magical beasts, and assist Professor Albi. Teams will not be formed within classes but will be randomly assigned with students from other classes. You won't know who you'll be partnered with, so this will also serve as an evaluation of your adaptability."
Professor Halind's expression darkened.
"This exam is not just a simple midterm assignment. It is also meant to instill a sense of vigilance, so do not forget its meaning."
"Yes, sir."
"Furthermore, anyone deemed to have no potential through this exam will immediately receive a recommendation for withdrawal. So, prepare yourselves."
Halind's words cast a pall over the atmosphere.
Into the frozen silence, Halind spoke again.
"Trust in yourselves. You've all grown enough."
"…!"
"…!"
Halind slightly curled the corner of his lip.
At a glance, it looked like a cold sneer.
But the students of Class 5, who had never seen Halind smile before, were all shocked.
'Did he just encourage us?'
'Professor Halind did?'
'Wait, was that even encouragement in the first place?'
As they stared at their homeroom professor with eyes full of disbelief for various reasons, Karl clenched his fists.
"Yeah! Guys! We've worked hard! We can't let ourselves get expelled like this!"
"Karl Thomas. The others might be fine, but you are in real danger. If you alone receive a recommendation and tarnish the class's name, I will not let it slide."
"Ugh!"
Karl clutched his chest and collapsed.
The sight made the Class 5 students burst into laughter.
Amidst the commotion, Halind pulled a watch from his pocket.
"It's time. Sera, begin the team assignments."
"Yes, Professor."
Sera held a box in her arms.
"Everyone, there are beads in here. Please draw one each."
Tension filled the students' faces.
One by one, they reached into the box and drew their team assignments.
Leo checked his bead.
'Team 11.'
"I'm Team 1."
Chelsea muttered, looking down at her bead.
"We will now begin the exam. Team 1, please step forward."
"Chelsea Llewellyn is in Team 1. This should be interesting."
"Huh? Celia Jerdinger is in Team 1, too?"
Team 1 included both Celia and Chelsea.
In terms of sheer power, they were guaranteed to be a top-tier group.
Once the students of Team 1 were ready, the World of Heroes opened.
Albi opened the Hero Record.
Just like during the entrance exam, a magical projection appeared in the air, allowing everyone to see inside the World of Heroes.
As the team with the top first-year students, Celia and Chelsea, Team 1 conquered the World of Heroes at an incredible pace.
"They usually growl at each other, but they work well together."
"They're from the same empire, after all. It'd be strange if they weren't in sync,"
Leo said with a small smile.
"Hah. They'll definitely rank high. The clear speed is important too."
Since the mission involved rescuing hostages, speed also affected their score.
As Albi sat at the proctor's desk checking the Hero Record, a laugh sounded from behind him.
"To have the first team achieve a 100% mission completion rate… just as expected from the rising stars of the first year."
The sudden appearance of the principal startled the professors at the proctor's desk, who shot up from their seats.
"Welcome, Principal!"
"What brings you here?"
"I came to see how much the first-years have grown."
Kalian smiled gently and sat down next to Albi.
"My apologies, Professor Albi. It seems we dredge up your unpleasant memories every year."
"Not at all. In fact, I'm grateful. I vowed never to forget this incident."
Kalian gave a bitter smile at his response.
Meanwhile, the exam continued.
"Kyaaa! Duran! You're so cool!"
"Look at that! He's so fast!"
The first-year female students screamed as Duran from Team 3 unleashed his lightning aura, putting on a spectacular show.
Watching this, Karl grumbled.
"He's handsome, skilled, and a royal on top of that. The world is so unfair."
"At least his personality sucks."
"It'd be cheating if his personality was good too."
Karl nodded in agreement with Chelsea's words.
The professors also evaluated the students carefully.
"Nella from Class 5 is certainly special. We should provide her with support related to her healing aura."
Murmurs of admiration rippled through the professors as they watched Nella from Team 4 use her aura to heal the injured.
In a mission like this, Nella's unique aura truly shone.
Iliana from Team 8 also received high praise.
As a magic swordswoman, her performance had been somewhat mediocre in the separate Knight and Magic department exams, but in this test where she could use both abilities simultaneously, she showed the prowess of a top-tier combatant.
"Team 11, step forward."
When his turn came, Leo stepped up.
He paused as he checked his teammates.
Chloe was also in Team 11.
Their eyes met, and Chloe looked flustered.
"Let's do our best, Chloe."
When Leo spoke with a smile, Chloe hesitated for a moment before replying.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I think I was just being overly sensitive."
Chloe fidgeted with the black grimoire.
"It's okay. It happens."
Leo chuckled.
"If you are ready, I will activate the World of Heroes."
Albi said, holding up the old book, the Hero Record.
For a brief moment, Albi's gaze met Leo's before shifting away.
[Hero Record Open.]
The first-years tensed at the message that appeared before them.
[Albi's World. Chapter: Prologue - The Chedmurder Incident]
'Wait. Something's wrong.'
Vwoom-!
A blinding light erupted, obscuring their vision.
When his sight returned, Leo looked around.
Before him stretched a dense forest.
Finding himself alone with one other person, Leo scanned his surroundings.
Something was wrong.
This was clearly different from the previous teams.
Normally, a team of 10 would conquer the World of Heroes.
But only two people had entered this world: Leo and Chloe.
They looked at each other, their faces etched with confusion.
"What's going on?"
"I-I don't know."
***
"What?"
"Professor, why aren't we going in?"
The other members of Team 11 asked with bewildered faces.
"What's happening?"
"Did only student Chloe and student Leo enter the World of Heroes?"
"The video feed from inside the World of Heroes has been cut!"
"Professor Albi, what is the meaning of this?!"
Realizing the abnormal situation, the professors urgently questioned Albi.
Albi, with a grim face, turned to Kalian.
"Principal, I believe we must suspend the exam."
"What do you mean?"
Albi showed his Hero Record to Kalian.
The page detailing the Chedmurder Incident was slowly turning black.
It was a phenomenon Kalian knew all too well.
'Could it be… Hero Dungeonization?'
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