CH 37

"Greetings everyone! Once again, it's that time of the year! The highly-anticipated event for first-year students in the first semester - The Summoner Race! My name is Runba Tess, a third-year student majoring in Summoning, and I'll be your commentator for today's race."

"Waaaah!"

The summoning practice ground was filled with excited students, erupting into cheers upon the introduction. 

Celia's expression turned serious as she wondered, "Is this a test?"

While there were spectators present during the Knight department exam, the Summoning department's audience was on another level. 

Not only was there a commentator, but the spectator seats were fully equipped with video magic to make it easier for viewers to follow the exam.

Celia's companion, Riss, erupted into laughter beside her. "The Summoning Race is a beloved tradition of our Academy and is even adopted in exchange matches with other hero academies, which only adds to its popularity," he explained.

"Excuse me, Student Council President, I'm from the newspaper club. Is the first-year student next to you, Celia Gerdinger, your younger sister?” he asked, brandishing a notebook and pen.

"Yes, she is."

"Awesome! I would like to interview you two. Is it possible?” the newspaper club student requested.

"We have popcorn! We have cold drinks!"

"Alright, guys, it's time to bet on who's gonna win first place! Let's see those dividends!"

Meanwhile, students from the merchant club were also present, offering popcorn and cold drinks, as well as arranging gambling opportunities.

"Seriously, what kinda exam is this?"

The first-years were taken aback by the festive atmosphere, which contrasted sharply with the solemnity of the exams they had experienced thus far.

The Summoning department students were hit the hardest by the distractions. "These guys are so loud, it's hard to concentrate!!" exclaimed Tade, gripping his head in frustration. His fellow first-year students nodded in agreement.

The first-year students, who were already nervous, were completely bewildered by the festive atmosphere that had taken over the entire school. Rather than easing their tension, it only increased their anxiety. 

However, there were a few individuals who remained unfazed, such as Eliza and Wald, who were the top performers in the Summoning Department.

"Ugh, it sucks that they're just treating the daughter of the Hergin family like some kinda sideshow."

Eliza's followers nodded in agreement as she expressed her displeasure.

Meanwhile, Wald remained stoic, his expression unreadable.

Eliza cast a glance at Wald and noticed Leo warming up nearby. She approached him and chuckled, watching as he stretched and flexed his knees.

"You crushed it in the Knight Department exam! Are you as prepared for the Summoning exam?" she inquired.

Leo replied confidently, "Absolutely."

"As expected, our freshman representative is brimming with confidence!"

Eliza raised her eyebrows, "But I never saw you at our training sessions," she noted. "Is the Summoning exam some kind of joke to you?"

Many of the first-year students had yet to contract with a flying phantom beast, which they were required to ride during the race. 

As a result, Lumeln provided them with phantom beasts for the race. 

The key to success in the exam was to quickly tame one's flying phantom beast, and the Summoning Department had provided special training to help students prepare.

However, Leo had not participated in any of these training sessions.

"Eliza, what are you talking about?" said Tade, frowning in response to her sincere words. 

However, the gazes of those around him looking at Leo were not kind.

"It's true that he doesn’t care about our department," 

"He's a star in the Knight and Magic department, but I've never seen him try to contract with any spirits or phantom beasts in Summoning. Isn’t he just messing around?"

"Hey, don't underestimate Summoning,"

"If you're not gonna take it seriously, drop out."

The Summoning department students had a strong attachment to their department, as their numbers were few. 

In this context, Leo's confidence, despite never attending practice sessions, only made them express their dislike more.

During the summoning race, students used summoning spells on their spirits to pass through challenging obstacles and cross the finish line quickly. 

Racers were allowed to interfere with each other, and it was common for them to suffer significant injuries during the race.

In the eyes of the summoning students, Leo was a bad guy because he had never practiced for such a dangerous race before. 

However, they were unaware that Leo had gone through all sorts of phantom beasts and aerial battles in his previous life.

"Damn, that's harsh,"

"Ha! Are you defending him just because he's your class rep?"

As one Class 5 student got angry, another student from a different class sneered.

"This is getting tense," Chen Xia stepped in to mediate the escalating tension. "Let's chill, guys. We're all nervous before the exam. No need to trash-talk each other."

"Chen Xia, with your grades in the Knight department, you should be fine in Summoning, right?" a female student grumbled.

When she became the target, Class 10 students were not happy with the comment and got furious. The Summoning Department students glared at each other, creating a threatening atmosphere.

Leo clicked his tongue, while Wald, who had been arm-in-arm with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his amber eyes and spoke in a low, heavy voice. 

"Hey, can you take it somewhere else if you're gonna fight? It's too noisy,"

"What'd you say, Wald?" One student challenged him.

"I said it's annoying how you guys act like hotshots just because you rode phantom beasts in a practice class."

Sean Rio, a male student from the Eastern Continent in the Summoning department, looked at Wald and spoke up with an expressionless face, "What? Are you feeling salty? You barely showed up to taming training, didn't you, Wald?"

Watching the boy roll up the corners of his mouth, Wald smiled.

"What's that smirk for?"

"Want me to tell you why I skipped taming class?"

"What?"

"It was a waste of my time. Unlike the rest of you fools, I know how to handle a griffon."

Hearing Wald's words, other students, including Rio, glared at him.

"You jerk!" Rio exclaimed, attempting to punch Wald.

Tup-!

However, before he could reach him, Rio's fist was caught by Leo.

“Hey, if you start a fight before the test, it won’t end with just you being scolded,” Leo advised.

"Ugh! Who asked for your opinion?" Rio retorted, pulling his hand away and walking towards the other Summoning students.

Observing Rio's departure, Leo sighed and then turned to face Wald.

"Why don't you watch what you say?"

"What's wrong with speaking the truth?" Wald responded coldly, looking up at Leo, who was a head taller than him.

"I don't know how good you are, but you can't go around belittling other people's efforts, Wald Tiden, no matter how talented you are."

Wald smirked at Leo before going in the opposite direction.

"The atmosphere is even worse than I thought."

Although he just listened diligently, the atmosphere among the students in the department was not as good as he expected.

Tade sighed at Leo's words.

"I’m not familiar with other majors, but the Summoning Department's atmosphere is quite disappointing."

"Why is that?"

"The top students in the Summoning major are You, Xia, Walden, and Eliza, right?"

"Yes."

"Summoning is a department where there's usually a big gap between the major and minor students. But since you and Chen Xia are leading the pack in first-year, the second-year seniors in Summoning called a meeting."

"They called a meeting over that? That's ridiculous."

"I know, right? And in the meantime, Wald even faked being sick to avoid it."

He said that thanks to this, the 2nd years got even angrier and began to direct their anger at the first years.

"Anyway, they're already upset about that... With you and Wald barely participating in training for this test, the atmosphere has gotten even worse."

“Everyone must be in a bad mood.”

"Right. So please understand."

"Yeah, I understand."

Leo surveyed the students preparing for the competition and sensed a strange hostility among them, despite their tense expressions.

'This kind of problem also arises.'

While others might have overlooked it, Leo was keenly aware of the negative atmosphere.

'Of course, I don't intend to cut corners.'

He remained focused on his goal of coming out on top in the competition.

⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ 

"Ladies and Gentlemen! The moment we've all been waiting for is here! All the players are lined up at the starting point!"

The first-year students stood shoulder to shoulder, facing a fence with griffons on the other side. As soon as the race began, they were to tame the griffons and start racing.

The Summoning Department students wore nervous expressions as they prepared for the race.

"Don't let your nerves get the best of you, and just perform as you've trained! And if anyone fails due to nervousness, I'll personally give them a kick in the butt after the race!" Yura, the referee, shouted to her students, trying to ease their anxiety.

Her words elicited laughter from the Summoning Department students, and they felt the tension dissipate. 

"Alright, let's begin!" Yura raised her signal flare. 

"Three, two, one!"

Bang!

Clang clang!

As soon as the race began, spirit energy poured around Leo and Wald.

Leo paused at the sudden situation.

"What's happening? The Summoning Department students seem to be working together and targeting Leo, the freshman representative, and Wald, the chief of the southern region!"

The audience roared at the unprecedented situation.

The Summoning Department students of Class 5 also looked confused.

"What the hell is that?!"

"That's not fair! Summoning Department, have some dignity!"

"Hey! Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?!"

"Fight fair and square!"

"Ha! The freshmen of Class 5 are booing!"

The students watching from the stands went crazy.

"Class rep!"

"Leo, hold on! I'll help you now!"

"Don't worry about me. Focus on your own performance and don't fall behind for no reason! Hurry and go!"

Leo urgently yelled to his classmates as they attempted to dispel the spirit magic that was obstructing his path.

"Ugh!"

"Leo! Sorry!"

With a look of regret, the Class 5 students eventually set off, trailing behind their competitors.

Leo’s feet sank into the muddy ground, hampering his movement. 

Meanwhile, Fire and wind blocked Leo's path.

Wald, who was also caught in the same trap, raised his spirit energy.

"Pathetic," Wald bellowed as he shattered the Summoning Department students' magic with his overwhelming power.

Without his formidable strength, breaking the spell would have been impossible.

"Do you need a hand?" Wald inquired Leo, raising his eyebrow.

Leo responded with a smirk, "I can handle it myself."

"Is that so? Then, I'll take the lead," Wald said as he strode towards the griffon pen with ease.

Meanwhile, other students had already finished taming the griffons and were ready to take off.

Leo, who was observing from the starting line, channeled his spirit energy.

Observing Leo, Yura frowned and thought, ‘I knew they weren't fond of Leo, but I didn't expect them to team up against him like this. This is going to be a challenge.’

Although Leo could easily surpass this level of restriction in a non-test situation, the competition only allowed for the use of "Spirit" magic, not Elemental magic, which was Leo's primary strength. 

Yura believed Leo's lack of experience in practical battles would make it difficult for him to solve the problem.

‘The first-year students' emotional scars run deeper than I thought. Even if they're working together, this isn't a pleasant sight.’

It wasn't against the rules, but it wasn't a pleasant sight.

As a professor, she realized that she was lacking in taking care of her students.

She decided that she needed to console her department's students and felt guilty for not doing enough.

“—!”

Suddenly, Leo's voice caused Yura to shiver, and his soft and melodious language, unlike any human language, echoed.

"──! ─!"

As the melody continued, the spirits weakened, and eventually, the power that hindered Leo disappeared.

The spirits following the contractor's orders smiled and danced around Leo, then disappeared.

The power to influence spirits contracted with others.

"Did that insane guy just use Spirit Language? That's something you only learn in second-year class, isn't it?"

Yura couldn't help but laugh at Leo's belated start and exclaimed, "He's the real deal, the real deal! I have to convince Leo to join the Summoning department!"