The next morning.
After finishing breakfast in the dormitory dining hall, Leo headed straight to the first-year academic building, the Hall of Beginnings.
The first major class of the day was a Knight Studies class.
Since these were trial classes, not only Knight Department students but also students from other departments participated.
Due to the large number of students, the class was divided into groups.
In the group Leo entered, Chelsea and Carl were present.
Carl was actively using the trial classes to get to know Knight Department students.
Chelsea, aspiring to be a Battle Mage, planned to take Knight Studies as a minor.
The students gathered at the training ground and waited.
Before long, Professor Ain Elrandu appeared.
“Since I’ve already introduced myself, I won’t do it again. This is my assistant professor, Claria Rivace.”
Claria bowed lightly.
Assistant professors at Lumerne are selected from among the academy’s graduates.
They assist professors with classes and, in some cases, conduct classes in place of professors.
As graduates of Lumerne, their skills were guaranteed to be elite.
Professor Ain scanned the students.
‘Leo Plov, Celia Zerdinger, Duran Moira.’
Ain’s face showed satisfaction.
Having the student representative and two top scorers attending his class was certainly gratifying.
“Students from the Magic Department and Summoning Department, raise your hands.”
More than half the students raised their hands.
Professor Ain nodded and gestured to Claria.
“You will go with the assistant professor. She will lecture on how to apply mana and spiritual power to martial arts.”
After separating the Knight Department students, Ain began to speak.
“Today is the first class. So, we’ll discuss the most fundamental concept in Knight Studies—Aura.”
The students’ eyes lit up at Ain’s words.
“Aura, mana, and spiritual power are three forces derived from mana. Aura is the most difficult to handle. Does anyone know why?”
The first question left the first-years speechless.
The characteristics of aura?
Few students took an interest in such topics.
Typically, knights focused on sensing mana better and manifesting stronger aura.
Of course, not all students were clueless.
Celia raised her hand.
“Celia Zerdinger.”
“Yes, Celia. Please answer.”
“Aura loses mana’s natural properties during the transformation process.”
“Correct.”
Mana is amplified to create magical power, and spiritual power resonates with the user’s will, retaining its natural state.
However, aura is created by absorbing and refining mana to suit the body.
In the process, it loses its natural fluidity and becomes rigid.
This is what makes it challenging to control.
“Now, can anyone explain how we use the aura accumulated in our bodies?”
This time, even Celia was flustered.
How is aura used?
‘How do you even explain that?’
‘You just… use it by focusing your strength, right?’
Students simply followed the flow of aura techniques instinctively without thinking much about its form.
Ain didn’t expect anyone to answer. He was introducing foundational theory from Aura Studies, a subject not previously taught at Lumerne.
This material had been part of the curriculum at the Beast Hero Academy Azonia and was newly implemented at Lumerne this year by Ain.
As Ain prepared to explain, a hand went up.
Seeing the brave student, Ain looked pleased.
Professors rarely dislike students who confidently attempt to answer, even if they’re wrong.
“Leo Plov.”
“Go ahead, Leo.”
“We use aura in a combustion form.”
Ain looked surprised.
“That’s correct. Do you also know what’s most important when combusting aura?”
“Stamina.”
“Impressive, Leo. Have you studied Aura Studies before?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know this?”
“It’s the most fundamental essence of aura.”
People often neglect to consider the essence of the power they use.
Of course, not knowing the essence or principles doesn’t prevent one from using aura.
However, understanding its characteristics makes a significant difference.
Especially since aura, compared to magical power and spiritual power, is heavily influenced by the user’s will. Imagery is crucial for harnessing the mind’s strength.
“Excellent. I’ll award Celia Zerdinger five extra points and Leo Plov ten extra points.”
Envious gazes from their peers turned toward the two students.
“As Leo said, we use the energy generated by combusting mana as aura.”
Ain spoke seriously.
“Starting this year, I will incorporate Aura Studies into my classes for you first-years.”
“Professor, what is Aura Studies?”
“It’s the study of aura. At Azonia Academy, it’s a required subject.”
The first-years’ eyes sparkled with interest at the mention of this unfamiliar subject.
“Since this is the first class, we’ll learn the application of aura. Today’s topic is Aura Step.”
Aura Step is a technique that maximizes jumping power by focusing aura on the legs.
‘Aura Step, huh.’
Leo’s eyes gleamed.
It was a concept that didn’t exist in Kyle’s time.
“Anyone with aura can learn Aura Step. However, its effectiveness depends on proficiency.”
Ain lifted his foot.
Silver aura flickered at his toes as he stepped into the air and stood on it.
The students gasped in awe.
Walking lightly in the air, Professor Ain spoke.
“I’ll now explain the principles of Aura Step.”
Ain’s lecture on Aura Step had begun.
‘The principle of using aura isn’t all that different.’
Enhancing the body with aura naturally increases leg strength as well.
Aura Step is simply focusing that bodily enhancement on the legs.
While Ain was busy instructing the students, a messenger entered the training ground.
“Professor Ain, Professor Bethes is requesting both you and Assistant Professor Claria.”
“Professor Bethes? Understood.”
Nodding, Ain turned to the students and said.
“The assistant professor and I will be stepping out for a while. Practice Aura Step in the meantime.”
With those words, Professor Ain left.
“Leo, want me to teach you Aura Step?”
Celia approached with a sly grin.
Leo asked with a disinterested expression.
“So you can make me call you ‘Miss’?”
“Would I really stoop that low?”
Celia crossed her arms and smiled playfully.
“I’m older than you, so if you call me ‘big sister’ just once, I’ll help you.”
“No thanks. That’s disgusting and petty, so I’ll pass.”
“What? Are you saying the student representative can’t even use Aura Step? How pathetic.”
At that moment, someone interrupted their conversation.
When they turned their heads, they saw Duran Moira, the top scorer from the central region, standing there.
Duran clicked his tongue as he looked at Leo.
“I can’t believe someone like you is the representative of this year’s students. I really don’t understand Lumerne’s standards.”
“Do you have a problem with me being the representative?”
Leo stepped forward and asked, but Duran smirked.
“Not a problem, really. I just find it laughable that someone who can’t even use Aura Step is our representative.”
Duran glanced at the other students, visibly annoyed.
“It’s not just you. The fact that so many students here can’t even use Aura Step makes me worry about the reputation of our entire year.”
A few students bristled at his words, but no one dared to confront him outright.
After all, he was a top scorer.
Among nearly 500 first-years, he was undoubtedly one of the strongest.
Leo replied to Duran’s words.
“If you’re aiming to be a hero, maybe you should show a bit more dignity yourself.”
“Dignity? Are you really lecturing me, someone born into a hero’s bloodline, about heroism?”
Duran came from the Duchy of Moira, a nation founded 50 years ago by Dior Moira, a knight hero once known as the Golden Sword.
Having pursued the path of a hero since childhood, Duran prided himself on being uniquely suited to heroism.
“What does bloodline have to do with being a hero?”
“It matters. Being a hero means being chosen.”
“I disagree. To me, a hero is someone who doesn’t give up.”
“It’s pathetic that a so-called student representative would spout such dreamy nonsense.”
“Aren’t you the one relying too much on your bloodline?”
“Bloodline is just a bonus. What I truly rely on is something else.”
“And what’s that?”
“Skill, Leo Plov.”
Fwoosh-!
In the blink of an eye, Duran closed the distance between himself and Leo.
The other students gasped at his incredible speed.
It was a speed most students wouldn’t even dare to attempt.
However, Leo chuckled softly.
“Not that fast.”
“Looks like I need to show you what true skill looks like.”
Duran grinned fiercely.
“If you’re so confident, how about a race to see who’s faster?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Duran Moira. Do you seriously think it’s fair to race someone who hasn’t even learned Aura Step?”
Celia interrupted with a scowl, and Duran seized the opportunity to ask her something.
“Celia Zerdinger, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Why is Leo Plov the student representative?”
“How should I know?”
“Isn’t it because the western top scorers were so mediocre that this guy stood out?”
Among the minor students who had gathered to watch, Chelsea Lewallin stepped forward.
“Are you calling my brother mediocre?”
“I’m just stating facts, Chelsea Lewallin. I had high expectations for the Lewallin family, one of the Rodren Empire’s two great hero families. But to lose the representative position to someone like him? Frankly, I’m disappointed.”
Celia gave a cold smile.
“Sounds like you’re really bitter about not being the representative. Have you ever considered that maybe the reason you didn’t get chosen is that you’re the one who’s mediocre?”
“If I had been a candidate, this guy wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
Duran spoke confidently, wearing a smug expression.
“The only reason he became the representative is pure luck.”
“Let’s go, Leo. There’s no need to listen to this nonsense.”
“Agreed.”
Chelsea, who usually didn’t get along with Celia, nodded and stuck out her tongue at Duran, mocking him.
“Protected by girls, huh?”
Duran’s faction, made up of students from the central region, jeered at Leo.
Leo smirked.
“I accept your challenge.”
“Leo!”
Celia scolded him.
“How can I ignore someone who’s talking this much? Besides.”
Leo grinned, baring his teeth.
“Sometimes, people like him need to be shown what real class looks like.”
End Of Chapter
