The next day, Leo arrived at the training grounds for the final exam and easily spotted Chloe.
As usual, she was carrying a magic tome under her arm, surrounded by five students.
"Chloe! Can you explain your unique magic to us in detail?"
"Yeah! Yeah! We want to use it as a reference for our magic!"
"Please, Chloe. You’ve always helped us out, right?"
"That’s what friends are for!"
They eagerly pressed her, their eyes shining.
'Are these the ones who’ve been hanging around Chloe?'
"Do you even understand the magic formulas I taught you last time?"
"Of course we do!"
"You explained them so well!"
The female students smiled brightly.
But Chloe’s response was cold.
"If you understood them so well, why were your written exam scores so bad?"
"What?"
"Did you think I wouldn’t notice that you only approached me to use me?"
"W-What?!
"No! We just wanted to study together…!"
"You just copied my homework. And now, with those awful test scores, you think you can understand the magic formulas I created? Keep dreaming."
"What did you say?"
"Did you just call us stupid?"
"That was too harsh!"
Though they flared up in anger, Chloe remained unfazed, simply smirking in amusement.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Ugh? Leo?"
"W-Wait… Did you hear our conversation?"
They began glancing nervously at Leo.
It was true that they had copied Chloe’s homework.
If Leo casually mentioned it to Professor Ren, they would be in serious trouble.
Not to mention, they had badmouthed Leo behind his back, which made them even more uneasy.
"I just need to talk to Chloe for a moment."
"About what?"
"Yeah! Say it here! Chloe is our friend!"
They insisted stubbornly.
Chloe simply scoffed coldly.
"Friend? As if."
"What?"
"Instead of trying to use me to form some faction, you should spend that time studying. You can't even complete a basic assignment properly, and yet you dare call yourselves Lumerne’s Magic Department students? I'd be too embarrassed to say that."
Leo furrowed his brows as he looked at Chloe.
That didn’t sound like her at all.
"Ha! Fine! Go talk with your fellow elites!"
"We only hung out with you because we felt bad for you!"
"Acting like you're the only hardworking one! You've been annoying since the first time I met you!"
"Go hang out with your country bumpkin friends!"
They jeered as they walked away.
Chloe snorted.
"That’s not like you."
"What isn’t?"
"You’ve always been kind to people around you."
"I’ve decided to change. From now on, I won’t waste my time helping others like a fool."
Chloe crossed her arms coldly.
"I heard from Celia. She told me you were looking for me last night. Was it about my magic?"
"Yeah, I had something to ask."
"Perfect timing. I wanted to ask you something too."
Chloe smiled.
"Between your unique magic formula system and my unique magic, who do you think has the upper hand?"
"My Bible magic allows me to use all existing spells. If we're talking about something groundbreaking, yours is more impressive."
"I thought you’d say that!"
Chloe grinned widely.
"All my efforts to surpass you paid off. If I can’t be the best in magic theory, I’m completely worthless."
"Worthless? Why would you say something like that?"
"Yeah. Thanks to this, the Muller Family won’t be ignored by the Magic Tower anymore. No more being looked down on because of my family…"
"Chloe? Is something going on?"
Leo noticed Chloe flinch as she saw his hand on her shoulder.
"A-Ah, it's nothing. Anyway, what did you want to ask about my magic?"
Looking slightly flustered, Chloe brushed Leo’s hand off her shoulder.
"Your magic… Did you really create it yourself?"
"Huh?"
"Were you influenced by something? Even a little?"
"Why are you asking that? Are you jealous because my magic is superior?"
"What?"
"I thought you weren’t that kind of person, but I’m disappointed. I surpassed you in this practical exam. Just admit it."
'This isn't right.'
Chloe was competitive and proud of her magic, but she wasn’t the type to put others down or act overly arrogant.
As Leo struggled to make sense of her behavior, his gaze landed on the black magic tome she was holding.
'Since when has Chloe only carried that tome around?'
Chloe was always seen reading magic books.
Whenever she finished one, she’d pick up another.
But this particular tome—she had been carrying it for a long time.
"Chloe, where did you get that magic tome?"
"I bought it in Lumeria City."
"Can I take a look?"
"Don't touch my magic tome!"
"Relax. Why are you so defensive?"
"Because you’re the one acting strange!"
Chloe glared at Leo and clenched her teeth.
"If you're done, I’m leaving!"
She turned sharply to leave.
Thud—!
"Oh?"
She bumped into Chelsea, who was approaching.
"Watch where you’re going."
"Why don’t you watch yourself?! Do you think just because you were born into a prestigious family, everyone has to cater to you?!"
"What?"
Chelsea was startled by Chloe’s outburst.
"What happened with Chloe Muller? She was never like this."
As Chelsea asked, Leo’s expression grew serious.
"It’s nothing. Anyway, what’s up?"
"Professor Halind is calling for an assembly."
With that, Leo headed toward the gathering spot for Class 5.
But as he walked, he glanced back at the direction Chloe had gone.
'That magic tome… Something is off. Could it be cursed?'
As he and Chelsea arrived at the meeting point, Leo narrowed his eyes toward Class 1.
Once everyone gathered, Halind spoke.
"Since everyone is here, I will now explain the rules of the exam."
His expression remained stoic.
"As previously announced, the joint exam between the Hero Department and Combat Studies is to clear a scenario from the Hero’s World. The scenario is the [Chedmurders Incident]."
Tension spread across the students' faces.
The Chedmurders Incident.
A major event that took place in Lumerne 30 years ago.
First-year students had been sent on a mission to the Chedmurders Forest in the Central Region and were ambushed by Tartarus.
Back then, Professor Albi, the Mage of the Evil Eye, had been dispatched as a rescue team and barely prevented total annihilation.
"The objectives are rescuing the wounded, subjugating the demonic beasts, and assisting Professor Albi. The team assignments will not be by class but will be randomized. This is to also evaluate your adaptability in forming parties on the spot."
Professor Halind’s face darkened.
"This exam is not just a simple midterm assignment. It is also meant to instill a sense of caution. Do not forget that."
"Yes, sir!"
"And for those deemed to have no potential through this exam, an immediate recommendation for withdrawal will be given. Be prepared."
At Halind’s words, the atmosphere turned heavy.
In that frozen silence, Halind spoke again.
"Believe in yourselves. You have grown enough."
"……!"
"……!"
Halind's lips curled up slightly.
At first glance, it looked like a cold smirk.
But since Class 5 had never seen Halind smile before, they were all in shock.
'Did he just encourage us?'
'That was encouragement… right?'
'Wait, are we sure about this?'
As they stared at their homeroom professor with disbelief, Karl clenched his fist.
"Yeah! Guys! We've worked so hard! We can't just drop out like this!"
"Karl Thomas. Even if the others make it, you're the one at the most risk. If you disgrace our class by being the only one expelled, I won’t let it slide."
"Ugh!"
Karl clutched his chest and collapsed dramatically.
The sight made Class 5 students burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Halind took out a pocket watch from his coat.
"It’s time. Sera, begin the team assignments."
"Yes, Professor."
Sera carried a box in her arms.
"Everyone, inside this box are orbs. Please take one each."
A tense expression spread across the students' faces.
One by one, they reached into the box to draw their teams.
Leo checked his orb.
'Team 11.'
"I'm in Team 1."
Chelsea murmured as she looked at her orb.
"The exam will now begin. Team 1, please step forward."
"Chelsea Lewallin in Team 1? This will be interesting."
"Wait, Celia Zerdinger is also in Team 1?"
Team 1 included Celia and Chelsea.
In terms of power, it was an overwhelming team.
Once Team 1 was ready, the Hero’s World was activated.
Albi opened the Hero Record.
Floating magic screens appeared in the air, allowing everyone to see inside the Hero’s World, just like during the entrance exam.
Since Team 1 included Celia and Chelsea, the strongest first-years, they cleared the Hero’s World at an extremely fast pace.
"They always argue, but they work well together."
"They’re from the same empire, after all. Of course, they’d coordinate well."
Leo smirked.
"Ahh, they're guaranteed to be top-ranked. Speed matters in this mission too."
Since the mission involved hostage rescue, speed was a major factor in their score.
From the supervisor's seat, Albi watched the Hero Record, while behind him, a chuckle rang out.
"A 100% mission completion rate from the very first team. As expected of our most promising first-years."
The unexpected arrival of the Headmaster startled the supervising professors, who quickly stood up.
"Headmaster! What brings you here?"
"I wanted to see how much the first-years have grown."
Smiling, Kalian sat down beside Albi.
"I apologize, Professor Albi, for bringing up painful memories every year."
"No need. I’m grateful for this. It serves as a reminder of the promise I made to never forget."
Kalian gave a bittersweet smile at Albi's response.
Meanwhile, the exam continued.
"Kyaaa! Duran, you're amazing!"
"Look at that! He's so fast!"
Female students screamed in admiration as Duran, part of Team 3, unleashed his Lightning Aura in battle.
Watching this, Karl grumbled.
"Handsome, talented, and a prince? Life is unfair."
"Well, at least his personality sucks."
"If his personality was good too, that would be cheating."
Chelsea nodded in agreement.
The professors carefully evaluated the students.
"Class 5’s Nella is remarkable. Her healing aura makes her a valuable asset."
Professors murmured in admiration as Nella, part of Team 4, used her aura to heal the wounded.
In a mission like this, her aura abilities shone the brightest.
Team 8's Iliana also received high praise.
As a Magic Swordsman, she had been somewhat lacking in both the Knight and Magic Departments.
However, in this exam, where both skills were needed simultaneously, she showcased her abilities as a top-tier student.
"Team 11, step forward."
Leo walked forward as his turn arrived.
He paused upon checking his teammates.
Chloe was also in Team 11.
When their eyes met, Chloe hesitated.
"Let's do our best, Chloe."
Leo smiled, and after a brief hesitation, Chloe spoke.
"I’m sorry about earlier. I was too sensitive."
She fidgeted with her black magic tome.
"It's fine. It happens."
Leo smirked.
"If you're ready, I will now activate the Hero’s World."
Albi lifted the ancient tome—the Hero Record.
For a brief moment, his gaze flickered toward Leo before returning to the book.
[Hero Record Open.]
A glowing message appeared before the first-years, and tension filled their expressions.
[Albi’s World. Chapter: Prologue - The Chedmurders Incident]
'Wait. Something’s wrong.'
Vwooom—!
Blinding light engulfed their vision.
As his sight returned, Leo glanced around.
Before him lay a dense forest.
Leo looked around, confused.
Something was definitely off.
Normally, a team of ten would enter the Hero’s World together.
But this time, only two people had entered—Leo and Chloe.
They stared at each other in shock.
"What’s going on?"
"I-I don't know either."
***
"What’s happening?"
"Professor, why aren’t we being transported?"
Team 11’s students asked in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"Did only Chloe and Leo enter the Hero’s World?"
"The video feed from inside the Hero’s World just cut off!"
"Professor Albi! What is happening?!"
Realizing the anomaly, the professors urgently questioned Albi.
Albi's face hardened as he turned to Kalian.
"Headmaster, we may need to stop the exam."
"What do you mean?"
Albi handed the Hero Record to Kalian.
The page displaying the Chedmurders Incident was slowly turning black.
Kalian’s face darkened.
He knew this phenomenon all too well.
'No way… Has the Hero Dungeon appeared?'
End Of Chapter
