Chapter 258 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 258
Chapter Title: The Magic Street and a New Joker
-----------------------------------------------------------------
258
"We're going to Demian for two weeks."
"Come to think of it, didn't the third-years also leave campus around this time?"
"A personal smith contract. I can't wait!"
The weekend.
The second-year students, riding the regular ferry to Lumeria City, were buzzing with talk about yesterday's announcement.
The notice had stated that starting next week, after the weekend, the entire second-year class would be leaving for Demian for two weeks.
With the long-awaited moment finally here, the second-years were all brimming with excitement they couldn't hide.
The reason for their trip was simple.
A personal smith contract.
It was the period when they would form a contract with a blacksmith who would be responsible for their equipment for the rest of their school life.
Demian was a bit different from a typical hero academy.
The dwarves of Demian were not only powerful hero candidates but also, like their Great Hero, Dweno, exceptional blacksmiths.
As a result, dwarf heroes often took responsibility for the equipment of other heroes.
This was considered one of the biggest events in the second-year curriculum, as it laid the foundation for future relationships.
Unable to contain their excitement, the second-years headed to Lumeria City to prepare before their departure for Demian.
***
The weekend crowds of Lumeria City made it one of the most vibrant places in the world.
Lumeria City was the center of the world.
But its specialty wasn't just due to its geographical location.
Lumeria City was also adjacent to Lumerne.
Naturally, many people gathered there to catch a glimpse of the future hero candidates.
This was a unique characteristic of Lumerne.
Seirun was located in the northernmost heart of the continent.
A land of such bitter cold it felt like it could freeze one to the bone.
Furthermore, non-elven races were not permitted to wander freely in elven territory.
On top of that, Seirun students rarely left the academy unless on a mission.
This made them the most elusive and mysterious students among the four great hero academies.
The situation at Azonia was similar.
While other races weren't barred from the beastkin lands, and the free-spirited Azonia students often ventured outside the school, they were still hard to spot.
This was because Azonia Academy was geographically located in the center of a desert. Moreover, the area around Azonia was teeming with monsters.
Azonia deliberately refrained from large-scale monster subjugations to help improve their students' skills.
Finally, there was Demian Academy.
They were situated in the vast mining region of the east.
And, perhaps due to their racial traits, most of them were holed up in their workshops, engrossed in creating something, making them difficult to see.
Unlike those three academies, Lumeria City, where Lumerne was located, was geographically accessible.
And since many students came out to Lumeria City on weekends, they were relatively easy to meet.
Thanks to this, people from outside frequently visited to see the hero candidates, generating significant tourism revenue.
Today, more students than usual had come to Lumeria City.
Most of them were first and second-years.
The second-years had deliberately brought their juniors to Lumeria City to build a better rapport with their mentees before heading to Demian.
"First, we need to get you a proper uniform."
Celia, who had come to Lumeria City with Leo, said as she looked at Luke.
"Huh? A uniform?"
Luke looked bewildered.
"Yes. That one's a hand-me-down from a graduate, isn't it?"
At Celia's words, Luke scratched his head.
"Lumerne uniforms are expensive."
"Yes, I know. That's why we're getting you a new one."
"Why?"
"You are Leo Flove's mentee. Leo is my cousin and a direct descendant of the Jerdinger family. In other words, it's no exaggeration to say you are connected to the Jerdingers."
With a flick, Celia produced a card emblazoned with the Jerdinger crest.
The card, held between her index and middle fingers, glinted.
"You need to look the part of a Jerdinger associate."
At Celia's words, Luke smiled and scratched his head.
"I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine. I'd be grateful for financial support, but I don't think I've earned that right yet."
Celia blinked at his polite demeanor.
"If you say so."
*Swish-!*
Putting the card away, Celia smiled.
"A strong sense of independence isn't bad. Though, in the case of my mentees…"
Celia's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I think they're so overly independent that there's no fun in taking care of them."
Her gaze fell upon two girls standing nearby.
They were none other than Aina and Martina.
They were the girls who had become Celia's mentees after a rather rigorous test, though not as demanding as Leo's.
'Though in this one's case, she seems to have other intentions.'
Celia narrowed her eyes at Aina, who was staring intently at Luke with a blank expression.
On the last day of choosing mentors, Celia had been quite surprised when Aina had shown up out of the blue, asking to be her mentee.
'I accepted her since she has the skills, but…'
Celia was well aware that Aina had no intention of learning anything from her.
'She seems quite obsessed with Leo. How should I guide this one?'
While Celia was lost in thought, Chelsea, who had just bought a chocolate-coated snack stick from a street vendor, approached Luke, crunching on it.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Don't you think Celia Jerdinger showing off her wealth is a little tacky?"
"No, not at all."
"Right. Respecting your senior. That's a very good attitude. But sometimes, you need to be honest. I'll take responsibility."
Chelsea grinned.
"It's a little tacky, right?"
"Why are you always picking a fight?"
As Celia scowled, Chelsea stuck out her tongue.
"Stop bothering Leo's mentee and go take care of your own!"
"You're the one who should get lost! You don't even have a mentee, so stop hanging around!"
Luke was flustered watching the two rivals bicker, while Martina, seemingly used to it, tried to mediate between them.
Aina just watched the two seniors with an impassive face.
"Leo! Why did you bring this blasted Llewellyn woman along!"
"I needed to ask her for a favor."
"A favor? What kind of favor? I'll do it for you, so just get rid of her!"
"It's about magic."
"Ugh?!"
Celia's face twisted.
If it was related to magic, there was nothing Celia could do.
She shot a resentful glare at Chelsea before taking Aina and Martina and leaving.
Chelsea smiled at Celia's retreating back, then turned with a curious expression.
"Anyway, it's strange that you have a favor to ask of me regarding magic, Leo."
At the beginning of their first year, Leo had often received help from Chelsea, his classmate, with magic.
As he was unfamiliar with the latest magic trends and formulas, the theoretical knowledge of the brilliant mage Chelsea was a great help.
But he was only unfamiliar with the *latest* magic.
The depth of Leo's magical knowledge was on another level entirely.
It was a level that even the world's greatest mages would find lacking.
Once Leo became somewhat accustomed to modern magic, he rarely needed help; if anything, he was the one providing it.
'But he has a favor to ask of me?'
Chelsea's eyes sparkled.
Though she was curious, she couldn't help but hum a little tune.
"I'm thinking of buying some grimoires and magic items."
"Oh! Then let's go to the Magic Street in Kuraju!"
Kuraju was the most bustling district in Lumeria City.
The section specializing in magical goods there was called the Magic Street.
It was a place where you could buy everything needed for magic.
Not only grimoires but also catalysts for magic research and so on.
And Leo had rarely ever been to the Magic Street.
'Leo is a purely practical combat mage.'
Leo was a great mage, but he was far from being a mage in the truest sense of the word.
The essence of a mage was inquiry and research.
Leo's magic, however, was focused on 'combat'.
Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.
Being a combat-specialized mage didn't mean one's magic lacked depth.
Just look at Leo's unique magic or the stellar magic he had mastered.
'The magical theories Leo uses are on a level most mages can't even begin to imitate, let alone understand.'
In terms of disposition, Chelsea was also a mage closer to Leo's type.
But while Chelsea had an interest in non-combat magic research, Leo had almost none.
'Leo would be amazing at magic research too.'
Chelsea licked her lips.
Because of this, he had little connection to the Magic Street.
Everything Leo needed to learn magic was available at Lumerne.
And during their first year, whenever Chelsea, Karl, or Chloe tried to take Leo to the Magic Street, Celia would rush over to interfere.
'Hmph. She was probably scared Leo would get completely absorbed in magic.'
Chelsea scoffed as she recalled last year's events.
But now was different.
'Maybe his asking for my help is because he's finally interested in non-combat magic research. He even restored Lady Luna's flower-blooming magic, didn't he? He must have had an interest in non-combat magic research all along! He was just too busy in the first year, but now that he has more time as a second-year, he might be trying to get into it!'
Chelsea decided to think positively.
Of course, if he were interested in that field, he could just ask Chloe, an expert in that area who lived in the same dormitory, so there was no need to ask Chelsea.
But Chelsea didn't think that far.
Humming a tune, the three of them arrived at the Magic Street.
Luke's eyes widened at the magical world unfolding before him.
"Wow…"
Brooms swept the floors on their own.
Various mages used magic to move objects. It was clear to anyone that this street was filled with magic.
Everything was handled by magic.
At Lumerne, school rules restricted the use of magic in daily life on campus, so such sights were surprisingly rare.
As such, a scene like this was not easily found there.
"This is amazing."
"Hmm? It's a common sight."
Chelsea shrugged at Luke's awe.
To Chelsea, a member of the Llewellyn family, arguably the most prestigious magic family, this scenery was nothing special.
"Oh! Chelsea!"
Just then, the owner of an ice cream shop near the entrance of the Magic Street spotted Chelsea and waved with a bright smile.
"Hello, sir. Have you been well?"
"I have! I'm just testing a new product. Care to try?"
"Three, please!"
Chelsea shouted, holding up three fingers.
The shop owner laughed heartily and created a triple-scoop ice cream cone, sending it flying over with telekinesis.
"Ah, I…"
"As your senior, I can at least buy you this much, so don't worry about it and eat up."
Chelsea winked, and Luke said, "Thank you," before taking a bite of the ice cream.
"Mmm! Mmm! This is going to sell well!"
"Hoh, your reviews are always accurate, so I have high hopes for the sales."
The shop owner chuckled.
After that, Chelsea continued to greet various shopkeepers as she walked down the street.
"You're well-known."
"I'm kind of a big deal."
Chelsea chuckled smugly before asking.
"So, what can I help you with?"
"I'd like you to recommend some introductory magic books. I taught myself magic, so I know almost nothing about the beginner's side of things."
Even in his past life, Leo had taught himself magic.
He learned by observing the magic theories others used.
Therefore, he knew next to nothing about how to introduce someone to magic.
'I taught Austin in a pretty roughshod way, too.'
He had taught him the magic he needed to use immediately.
But from a pure mage's perspective, Austin's fundamentals were severely lacking.
'Iliana will probably take care of that part.'
"Introductory magic books? Are you teaching someone?"
"Yes."
"Who? Is there another person with magic talent in your knight order, Leo?"
Chelsea asked with a curious look, but Leo shook his head.
"No."
"Then who?"
At Chelsea's question, Leo pointed to his side.
Luke, who was eating his ice cream, widened his already large eyes even more.
He looked to his side, just in case.
But there was no one there.
"Uh… me?"
Luke asked again cautiously.
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to use magic."
"Because you haven't learned. But you have a talent for being a mage."
"What? I do?"
Luke asked in a dazed voice.
"You do. So from now on, you'll be training in magic as well."
Luke felt his heart pound.
"By the way, keep the fact that you've learned magic a secret until the final exams."
"Huh? Why?"
"That's obvious."
It was Chelsea who interjected.
"It'll be your trump card."
"That's right."
Leo smiled.
"The more jokers you have, the better."
Especially since Luke's mana trait was better suited for magic than Aura.
Amplification of mana through emotions.
While mages agonized over how to increase the power of their spells, Luke was born with that ability.
"I see! If I learn magic too… my chances of survival in the first semester will go up!"
"Of course they will."
Chelsea was smiling beside them when Leo spoke again.
"Survival? What are you talking about?"
"Huh?"
"Hm?"
Chelsea and Luke looked at Leo with confused expressions.
"Your goal for the first semester of your first year is to be the top of your grade."
"What?"
"Leo, there's no way that's possible, even for him…"
"It's possible."
Leo smiled gently.
"Because I'm going to make it possible."
While Luke was still too shocked to grasp the situation, Chelsea placed a hand on his shoulder with a sorrowful look.
"I hope you survive."
At those words, Luke gulped.
"What kind of school life am I in for?"
At his question, Chelsea grinned.
"Who knows? But one thing's for sure. It's definitely going to be hell."
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Read 879 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/legendary-hero-is-an-academy-honors-student
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━