The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student-Chapter 35: Towers and Trials

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The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student

[Original — Yerona]

[TL — MiT7]

[PR — Spades]

[QC — Lumi]

Chapter 35 — Towers and Trials

——————

After classes ended, Leo headed to the Hero's Tower, the academy's central hub for the student council.

Arriving, he gazed up at the towering structure. "Crazy tall," he marveled.

"First-year, huh?"

"What's he doing here?"

"Aw, he's cute."

Passing upperclassmen spotted Leo, murmuring in surprise.

The Hero's Tower was a frequent haunt for seniors.

First-years, wary of seasoned upperclassmen, typically avoided such areas.

"Oh? Leo?" a voice called.

Turning, Leo saw Torua, a fifth-year Magic Studies student.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

"I need to see the student council president," Leo said.

"Lis?" Torua tilted her head, then nodded. "Follow me."

She led Leo into the Hero's Tower.

"So, Leo, when are you dropping those other majors?" Torua asked.

"I'm not planning to," Leo replied.

"Leo, I've said it before—time's limited. I know you excel in other fields, but I think you're most suited for magic," Torua grumbled, though she dropped it.

She'd been scolded by professors for pushing him before.

Leo marveled at the tower's interior.

Portraits of countless heroes—Lumern graduates—adorned the entrance.

The facilities dwarfed the first-year building's, which wasn't lacking but paled beside the tower's grandeur.

Riding a levitation spell-powered elevator with Torua, they swiftly reached the student council's floor.

"Hello, Vice President. Who's the first-year?" a third-year council member asked.

"This is Leo," Torua said.

"Leo? The famous freshman rep?" the member said, eyes gleaming.

"Yeah. He's here to see the president," Torua replied.

"Interested in the council as a first-year? Impressive," the member said, smiling, and left with documents.

The council buzzed with activity.

"Come to think of it, your midterm project is unique magic, right?" Torua asked.

"Yes," Leo said.

"Got any ideas?"

"A spell system based on attributeless mana," Leo said.

"Attributeless mana? Never heard of it. Explain," Torua said.

"Mages have a primary magic attribute, right?" Leo began.

"Yeah. That's why counters exist. Even if you use all attributes, you can't wield opposing ones together," Torua said.

"Right. I want to use attributeless mana to freely wield all attributes, boosting versatility," Leo said.

"Interesting, but absurd," Torua said, chuckling. "There's a reason people don't try it."

"I know," Leo said, smiling and nodding. "But if I'm doing it, might as well go big."

Torua, arms crossed, smirked.

This junior wasn't just skilled in spellcraft.

'New attempts are vital for mages. Such a shame,' she thought.

An all-class student with such mage-like promise.

'Talented kids need clear paths from the start. I should talk to Professor Ren,' she resolved, determined to steer Leo toward Magic Studies.

She stopped at the president's office and knocked.

"Come in," a voice said.

Torua flung the door open. "Hey, Lis. Leo wanted to see you, so I brought him."

"Leo?" Lis, writing with a quill, stood with a warm smile. "What's up, Leo?"

"President," Leo said.

"In private, you can call me big brother," Lis said, smiling.

Leo nodded. "Alright, Brother Lis. I have a request."

"What is it?"

"I want to enter the restricted library," Leo said.

"I don't know why, but students can't just waltz into the restricted library," Torua said, reaching for snacks in the office.

"Not even the president?" Leo asked.

"Sadly, it's beyond my authority," Lis said, resting his chin on clasped hands with a smile. "But it's not impossible for students."

"How?" Leo asked.

"Conquer a hero dungeon," Lis said.

"A hero dungeon?" Leo echoed.

"Yeah. It's customary for conquerors to return retrieved pages to the Hero Record themselves," Lis said.

"But even then, you can't freely read the library's books. Give it up," Torua huffed.

In short, first-years had no chance, and even if they entered, accessing desired information was tough.

'Then I'll sneak in,' Leo thought.

Tell a human not to do something, and they'll want to do it.

Unaware of Leo's conclusion, Lis and Torua exchanged knowing smiles.

"How's exam prep? First exams can be nerve-wracking," Lis asked.

"Doing alright," Leo said calmly.

"That's it? You know Lumern's year rep changes every exam, right?" Torua said, munching cookies.

"Yes," Leo said.

"Plenty of kids are gunning for your spot," Torua added.

The year rep role, less prominent early on, carried major perks.

It marked the best among Lumern's elite.

Reps attended internal and external events, reaping significant benefits.

They were the face of their class.

Crucially, the year rep was closest to becoming the next student council president.

"Your class is highly anticipated by Lumern's higher-ups. Can you hold the rep spot against those prodigies?" Torua asked.

"I'm not attached to the rep role," Leo said, then grinned. "But I'm not handing over the top spot either."

"Bold confidence. I'm looking forward to it," Lis said, smiling approvingly.

***

The first midterm exams after enrollment had students on edge.

Yet, first-years were also thrilled for the challenge.

At the first-year training ground's bleachers, Chelsea sat, swinging her legs. "Professor Halind was right. We've changed so much in just a few months," she murmured, twirling her staff in the air.

Runes imbued with mana unfurled, forming a spell in seconds.

Tade, from her class, gaped. "Always so fast."

"High-speed casting's my thing. Though I've gotten way quicker," Chelsea said.

As Halind predicted, first-years' skills had soared.

Even Chelsea, trained rigorously as a hero family heir, had grown noticeably.

Curious about their new standing, freshmen felt a mix of confidence and excitement.

"Still, I'm worried about Leo oppa," Chelsea said, eyeing the training ground.

Tade sighed. "Yeah, he's got a lot of eyes on him."

Early on, most major classes focused on theory over practice.

Leo shone brightest in them.

A top student, acknowledged by all professors.

But he had a perceived weakness.

"Lumern exams prioritize practicals. Will he be okay?" Tade asked.

Aura, mana, spirit power.

Leo's core energies were weak.

Taking three majors simultaneously, he inevitably lagged behind peers who focused on one.

Many students pegged him as theory-savvy but practical-weak.

"Mid-tier kids can't touch Leo oppa, but top-rankers might be tough," Chelsea said.

"Maybe he should pick one major," Tade muttered.

In the training ground's center, Professor Ain spoke. "We'll now begin the first-year Knight Studies practical exam."

His aura-amplified voice echoed across the vast field.

Whistles and cheers erupted.

Two weeks remained until the exam period, but Knight Studies' practicals started today.

The training ground teemed with students, including upperclassmen, watching the Knight Studies exam.

"Is Carl seriously doing business?" Chelsea asked, incredulous.

"Where crowds gather, money follows. His motto," Tade said, chuckling.

Carl was indeed selling snacks.

"Professor Sedjen," Carl said, approaching Class 1's homeroom professor, his snack stalls floating via levitation magic.

"What is it, Carl?" Sedjen asked, unimpressed.

A student from rival Halind's class didn't spark enthusiasm.

"Popcorn and drinks?" Carl offered.

"Think I'd buy that? Sell to your professor or classmates," Sedjen scoffed.

Carl looked dejected. "I thought you, with your leadership and knack for boosting morale, would buy. My mistake."

"You think I'd fall for such obvious flattery? Big mistake, Carl," Sedjen said, smirking.

"Professor! You're buying us popcorn?" a Class 1 student shouted.

"Sweet!" another cheered.

Class 1 students roared.

Sedjen's ears perked up.

"See? You're a leader who lifts spirits!" Carl said.

Under Sedjen's lead, all of Class 1 had shown up to cheer.

Their cheers widened Sedjen's grin. "If the students want it, I've no choice. Bring it."

"Yes, sir!" Carl said.

"Caramel-coated," Sedjen added.

"Thank you!" Carl said, handing out popcorn and drinks to Class 1, slipping jerky to the loudest cheerers.

"Now, everyone! Shout with elegance! Class 1, fighting!" Sedjen called.

"Class 1, fighting!" they roared.

Amid the fervor, Carl sighed, spotting Chloe alone in a corner, engrossed in a black grimoire.

"Chloe," he called.

No response.

"Hey, Chloe!" he shouted.

"Huh?" Chloe looked up.

Seeing her exhausted face, Carl sighed. "Take it easy. You'll collapse. Have some fun."

"No time," Chloe said, frowning.

Scratching his head, Carl handed her a fatigue potion. "Here."

"I didn't bring money," Chloe said.

"It's fine. I'm worried about you," Carl said.

"Popcorn and drinks over here!" a voice called.

"Coming! Hey, pace yourself, okay?" Carl said, waving before darting to a senior's order.

Chloe, smiling faintly, sipped the potion.

"First duel: Howl Naif, Class 1, versus Leo Flove, Class 5. Step forward!" Ain announced.

'Leo,' Chloe thought, clenching her fist, staring at him. 'I won't lose.'