Chapter 226 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: A Piece of the Brave
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226
Jis, who was in charge of all the Jerdinger trainees, received some truly good news for the first time in a long while.
"Excellent. To think all five of them passed the Lumerne entrance exam."
As one of the most prominent families, Jerdinger had many trainees apply to Lumerne.
But even for Jerdinger trainees, not everyone could get into a hero academy.
They trained diligently every day to become outstanding knights, but the bar for Lumerne was high.
In that sense, having five successful applicants from the Jerdinger trainees this year was incredibly encouraging.
"It's all thanks to Young Master Leo."
Jis chuckled at Martina's words.
"You are the ones who endured that training. This is your achievement, so be proud."
"Yes, sir."
"You are Leo's knights and now belong to Lumerne. But you must not forget that you are also knight trainees of Jerdinger."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Jerdinger will handle the preparations for your enrollment, so you focus on your training."
"Understood!"
Watching the Slayer Knights answer with crisp discipline, Jis nodded in satisfaction.
After leaving the training hall, the five of them looked at each other and let out a cheer.
"Hooray!"
"We got into Lumerne!"
"We're students at a hero academy!"
Martina and Carin held hands and spun around, while Austin, Julan, and Valerie jumped with their arms around each other's shoulders.
It felt like a dream.
"Haaah…! I'm so glad I became one of Young Master Leo's knights! It's like a dream!"
Carin said with a relaxed expression, and Julan burst out laughing.
"Who would have thought? That we'd become Lumerne students!"
Just as the five of them were buzzing with excitement.
"You got into Lumerne?"
Startled by the voice from behind, they snapped to attention.
"Lady Celia. Good morning!"
Martina greeted her on behalf of the group.
"Congratulations. I guess that makes you my juniors now, huh?"
Seeing Celia's bright smile, the five of them flushed with excitement.
Although they were now Leo's knights, they had trained alongside Celia since they were young and held a great deal of admiration for her.
Celia, too, felt a proud smile spread across her face hearing that the five she had practiced swordsmanship with had become Lumerne students.
"That's great. Come with me somewhere for a bit."
"Yes. Where are we going?"
To Martina's question, Celia swept her hair back and answered curtly.
"The Imperial Magic Archives."
***
The Imperial Magic Archives of Rodren.
It was like the very heart of Rodren's magical engineering.
The collection of grimoires and magical research materials held in the Imperial Magic Archives rivaled that of the Magic Tower's library, making it the ultimate destination for any mage.
As such, its innermost core was off-limits to anyone but the Imperial mages, but the areas where major documents weren't stored were always open to Rodren's mages and outside guests.
And there, a certain group was drawing everyone's attention.
"That's Abad and Chelsea. Are they doing their vacation homework? But who's that boy with them? A school friend?"
"Hah, you should at least recognize the major figures of the Empire! That's Leo Flove! Leo Flove."
"What? Leo Flove?"
The mages looked surprised to see Leo with the Llewellyn siblings.
In the Rodren Empire, Leo Flove was already famous.
But seeing him in the Imperial Magic Archives was something the mages of Rodren couldn't quite get used to.
It was only natural, as Leo's maternal family was Jerdinger.
Leo was a mage as well as a knight, but for a member of the Jerdinger family—renowned as a prestigious house of knightly heroes—to be studying in the Imperial Magic Archives was still a peculiar sight.
*Scritch, scritch.*
Chelsea, who had been working on her homework, put down her pen and stretched with a groan, "Ughhh—!"
"All done!"
Having finished her homework, Chelsea beamed with a refreshing smile.
Abad, too, closed his book with his characteristic gentle smile.
"We finished faster than I thought."
"It's more efficient when the three of us work together."
Smiling brightly, Chelsea looked at Leo.
'Besides, Leo must have homework not just for the magic department, but for the knight and summoning departments too.'
She was once again marveling at his abilities.
"Lord Abad!"
A group of girls who looked to be their age approached cautiously, holding grimoires.
They were wearing what appeared to be uniforms.
'Apprentice mages of the Imperial Magic Archives.'
The Rodren family was in charge of the Imperial Magic Archives.
And the archives also served as an institution for nurturing the Empire's promising mages.
Abad and Chelsea had also studied here before entering Lumerne.
The apprentice mages of the Imperial Magic Archives were in a similar position to the Jerdinger trainees.
The girls gathered around Abad, blushing as they presented him with magic formulas.
"I don't understand this, could you please teach me?"
As if they had been waiting for Abad to finish his homework, many apprentice mages flocked to him.
'Though they probably have other intentions besides magic.'
Chelsea rested her chin on her hand.
Having been attached to Abad's hip since childhood, Chelsea knew very well that he was always surrounded by girls.
It couldn't be helped.
Even she, his younger sister, had to admit he was handsome, with a kind personality and the status of the Llewellyn heir.
'My brother really is the number one bachelor!'
Humph! Humph! Chelsea crossed her arms and stood up.
"Brother, Leo. Want something to drink?"
The archives were always stocked with drinks and teas that enhanced concentration for the mages studying or conducting research there.
"Lady Chelsea. I'll get them."
One of the apprentice mages questioning Abad said in a fluster, but Chelsea just smiled brightly.
"It's fine. You all just ask my brother what you want to ask."
Chelsea hummed nonchalantly and went to get the drinks.
'Since we're done with homework, should we go hang out in the capital? I was indebted to the Flove family during summer break, so it would be nice for me to be the guide this time.'
As far as Chelsea could tell, Leo had finished all his busy work within Jerdinger and the entrance exams.
All that was left was to enjoy the rest of the break.
'Because starting next year, things won't be so simple.'
Chelsea let out a small sigh.
No matter how young they were, as hero candidates, they were well-versed in the continent's affairs.
She could also predict that their second year of academy life, starting next year, would be tough.
'Come to think of it, the Azonia year representative finished her entrance exam, so why is she still in Rodren?'
Just as Chelsea was thinking of Ar and pouting.
"You're Leo Flove, aren't you?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Um, I heard you have an exceptional understanding of magical theory. I was hoping to discuss it with you."
A girl who appeared to be an apprentice mage from the archives was speaking to Leo with an innocent smile.
'Isn't that the girl who was hitting on my brother until last year? She was so blatant about it she got a bad reputation, and now she's going to hit on Leo?'
Chelsea's eyes narrowed dangerously.
*Crrrack—!*
Just as an ominous sound came from the tray Chelsea was holding.
"My, why is my dear niece so angry again?"
*Beaming—* At the voice, as gentle as a spring breeze, Chelsea's eyes widened and she looked behind her.
"Aunt."
Chelsea's eyes widened as she turned around.
Standing there was the director of the Imperial Magic Archives.
Cherna Llewellyn.
Cherna smiled brightly, placing her hands on Chelsea's shoulders.
"Is that boy Leo Flove?"
"Yes."
"Hmm?"
Humming, Cherna stared at Leo for a moment before breaking into a brilliant smile.
"He certainly takes after Reina a lot."
"You knew Lady Reina too, Aunt?"
"Of course, I do. Reina was famous."
Shrugging, Cherna walked toward Leo, her heels clicking on the floor.
At her appearance, the apprentice mages startled and backed away, bowing their heads.
"Aunt."
"Yes. Abad. It's been a while."
Cherna smiled brightly and waved at her nephew.
Then, she stood before Leo.
"Welcome to the Imperial Magic Archives, Leo Flove. My name is Cherna Llewellyn. I'm the director here."
"Leo Flove."
Seeing Leo bow politely, Cherna rested her cheek on her hand and gave him a smile as bright as a spring breeze.
"My, how polite. Child. I'm truly delighted to meet you. I sent word to your uncle, the vice-head of Jerdinger, several times saying I wanted to meet you, but do you know how many times that sly fox hatefully refused? Hahaha."
As expected of the Llewellyn bloodline, Cherna was openly dissing Jis, the vice-head of Jerdinger.
'Leo. Listen carefully. If you see that vicious witch in the Imperial Palace, do not even speak to her.'
Of course, before coming to the palace, Jis had shown a similar reaction toward Cherna.
Before being the director of the archives, she was also the current vice-head of the Llewellyn family.
Cherna's beaming smile vanished as her eyes narrowed.
"But seeing you now, I realize I should have met you sooner. I should have sent a formal invitation without worrying about the relationship between Llewellyn and Jerdinger."
"I'm honored that you think so highly of me."
Leo smiled warmly.
"Alright. Since we're here, shall we have a little chat?"
At those words, Chelsea stood next to Leo.
Seeing her, Cherna laughed.
"Chelsea. This time, I'd like to speak with Leo alone."
"Huh?"
Chelsea's eyes widened, darting back and forth before she nodded.
"Alright."
'Why would Aunt want to see Leo alone?'
Feeling puzzled, she watched Leo's back as he left with Cherna.
Walking behind Cherna, Leo narrowed his eyes.
'Is she one of the people from the shadows?'
Cherna Llewellyn.
The vice-head of the Llewellyn family and the director of the Imperial Magic Archives.
At a glance, she seemed like a woman who lived a glamorous life in the spotlight.
But Leo could sense it.
The thick scent of blood emanating from Cherna.
She was not someone who operated in the light.
Back in his time as the Great Hero.
She was similar to Kyle, who had executed and buried traitors.
"This is just a precaution, but."
Cherna said in a gentle tone.
"I would prefer if you didn't mention anything related to me to Chelsea. She'll find out someday, but… not now."
"About what?"
"Don't play innocent."
Cherna said, her beaming smile never faltering.
"In return, I won't tell anyone either. About how you seem to be the same type of person as me."
Cherna stopped in the shadow-draped hallway and turned around.
Her light blue eyes, the same as Abad's and Chelsea's, were emitting a chilling glint.
"Even though you're only fifteen."
An expert hunter, Cherna saw a darkness in Leo similar to her own.
Something only those who have dipped their toes into this world could recognize.
'Though his seems even deeper than mine.'
Feeling a chill from Leo, Cherna smiled.
"The reason I wanted to see you alone is because the guest who recently came to the Empire is also related to you."
At that, Leo looked puzzled.
Arriving at her office, Cherna opened the door and went inside.
And seeing the people sitting there, he wore a puzzled expression.
"Welcome, Black Rabbit."
Ar snorted a "Hmph!" and welcomed Leo.
Next to her, a large beastman stood with his arms crossed.
He, too, appeared to be a student from Azonia.
He had his eyes closed, but now he opened them and looked at Leo.
A wolf beastman, he spoke in a solemn voice.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lumerne's student council president."
*Swoosh—*
He rose to his feet.
He was two heads taller than Leo, so much so that Leo had to tilt his head back to look up at him.
"My name is Dorbeman Kalles. I've recently become the student council president of Azonia. We'll be seeing each other often."
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Leo Flove."
"Hmph."
Dorbeman looked down at Leo and let out a dissatisfied breath.
"Such a scrawny body. Just like Hark, why are Lumerne's warriors all so frail?"
Dorbeman lamented, looking up at the ceiling.
"Leo. If you had come to Azonia, you could have built a much stronger body..."
"Yes, yes. Let's save the poaching of another school's student for another time."
Cherna smiled brightly.
"Shall we get to the main point?"
*Thump, thump.*
Cherna placed a magically sealed box on the desk.
"Rodren recently had a battle with the Hero Hunters. And we obtained one spoil of war from it."
*Creeak—*
The magic seal was released.
Inside was a broken piece of metal.
Leo's eyes widened.
"The Rodren Empire invited us for just this?"
Dorbeman looked puzzled.
"We heard this was related to Lord Ar-on... What on earth is this piece of metal?"
"Brave."
"...!"
Dorbeman and Ar turned their heads to look at Leo.
Cherna narrowed her eyes.
"You recognized it at a glance? Even though it's just a fragment of a sword."
Cherna nodded.
"Just as you said, Leo. This is a fragment of the Brave Hero's sword, Brave."
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