KakaoPage Originals
The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student
[Original — Yerona]
[TL — MiT7]
[PR — Spades]
[QC — Lumi]
Chapter 7 — Rivals and Resolve
——————
"Ugh!"
In one corner of the training grounds, Celia groaned in agony.
Leo, unfazed, wiped sweat in the shade and rehydrated.
'What kind of freak is he?'
Celia shot him a look of exasperation.
Despite moving far more intensely, he was fine.
Dragging her trembling limbs, she slumped beside him.
She had no energy left for bravado.
Rest time was for recovering as much stamina as possible.
'Otherwise, I can't keep up.'
As grueling as it was, her pride wouldn't let her fall behind.
'She's got grit.'
Remarkable talent.
And an unyielding spirit.
Leo was curious what kind of hero she'd become.
As they rested, Zis entered the training grounds.
Seeing Celia's trembling state, he stroked his chin.
'This'll be good for her.'
Celia had never been outdone by her peers.
Having overseen her training since childhood, Zis worried about this.
She wasn't arrogant, but her pride was sky-high.
Pride and hubris.
Celia teetered on that line.
'Experiencing this before Lumern isn't bad.'
Being the best in Zerdinger didn't guarantee the same at Lumern.
The world had many heroic families besides Zerdinger.
In the Rodren Empire alone, there was the magical heroic family, Lewallin.
'You can't always be the best.'
Before confidence turned to arrogance, hitting a wall wasn't a bad thing.
Leo and Celia.
Objectively, their strengths differed.
'Leo hasn't learned an Aura Art, so Celia outmatches him in aura. But physically, Leo's far superior.'
Celia's weakness, in Zis's view, was her physical ability.
Not that she was lacking.
Physical training was fundamental for sword-wielders.
By normal standards, Celia was immensely strong.
'But she hasn't pushed past her limits. And her swordsmanship.'
Swordsmanship was why Celia burned with rivalry toward Leo.
She'd never met a peer who matched her skill.
'But according to Sister, Leo's ahead in swordsmanship too.'
To Zis, Leo was the first wall Celia had ever faced.
"Uncle, what brings you here?" Celia asked, struggling to stand.
"You look exhausted. Stay seated."
Zis turned to Leo.
"Leo."
"Yes, Uncle."
"I plan to ask the patriarch to let you inherit Phoenix Breath."
Celia's eyes widened at the sudden declaration.
"Phoenix Breath?"
The Aura Art reserved for the family's most recognized blood kin.
'So he'll officially be my cousin?'
Celia gave Leo a curious look.
"I doubt the Zerdinger patriarch will agree easily," Leo said.
"That's why there's a condition."
"What is it?"
"Passing this year's Lumern entrance exam."
"Uncle, the Lumern exam is real combat. For someone like him—er, Young Master Leo—who hasn't mastered aura, it's too dangerous!"
"Are you worried about me?" Leo smirked.
"Hmph, just stating facts," Celia retorted sharply.
Spars and real combat were different.
"Besides, Young Master Leo has no real combat experience, right?"
Most Lumern aspirants had battle experience.
Celia herself had fought monsters in subjugation missions.
The presence or absence of real combat experience made a huge difference.
Leo chuckled at her words.
He was far more at home on a life-or-death battlefield than in peaceful daily life.
"Leo, what do you think?" Zis asked.
"Have you asked my parents?"
"They said they'd follow your decision."
"Then I'll take it."
He'd already planned to convince his parents for this year's exam.
Zis grinned at Leo's unflinching response.
"As expected, you were aiming for this year's exam?"
Satisfied, he turned to leave.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
***
Until the exam, Delran Royal Academy was on break.
Leo used the time to train.
Celia followed his regimen with desperate determination.
"Haha! See? I did it, you damn white-haired jerk! How's tha—urgh?!"
On the final day.
Celia, using her wooden sword as a crutch, dragged her trembling limbs back to the estate.
She gagged on the way.
Her tortured body was in tatters.
Staggering, she reached Leo's room.
Knock, knock—
"Come in."
Opening the door, she saw Leo with a basin of something.
"What's that?"
"Potion."
"Don't tell me you banned potions for me but used them secretly?"
Recovery potions would've made training less grueling.
But Leo had refused them, saying they hindered training.
Spurred by pride, Celia followed suit.
"Conditioning the day before the exam is basic, isn't it?"
Celia's body was at its limit.
She'd only endured the week by pacing herself.
Without her willpower, she'd have collapsed long ago.
Initially, Leo meant to mess with her, but he was impressed by her tenacity.
"I guess."
"Roll up your sleeves and pants, lie face-down on the bed. I'll apply the potion."
"I've got plenty of potions."
"The ones your family uses aren't as good as this."
"Hmph, doubtful, but I'll accept your kindness, Young Master."
Celia rolled up her training clothes and lay down.
Her slender, pale limbs were revealed.
Leo soaked a cloth in the potion and placed it on her arm.
A cool sensation eased her pain.
A gentle fragrance made Celia's eyes widen.
"Wait! Is this an elven potion?"
"Probably."
"How'd you get it?"
Elven potions!
The highest-grade potions, exclusive to elves.
No other race could replicate their recipe.
She never dreamed a marquess's son from a backwater kingdom would have one.
"Bought it at a hole-in-the-wall shop."
"Where's that?"
"Closed down. I bought their stock."
"Ugh. Still… how can you use something this rare for muscle aches?"
"My potion, my choice."
In truth, Leo had made it himself.
The recipe came from [The Nebula's Progenitor], Luna.
"You're kind of a big spender, Young Master."
Grumbling but compliant, Celia let Leo tend to her.
Cloths soaked in potion were applied to her arms and legs.
Her excruciating muscle pain vanished like a lie.
"Young Master."
"What?"
"I won't lose tomorrow."
Celia's competitive spirit flared.
A week of training together showed her Leo wasn't to be underestimated.
'He might even pass the exam.'
"No careless mistakes like last time."
Celia smirked.
"So if you face me and fail, don't hold a grudge."
"Getting cocky."
As Leo placed a cloth on her thigh, he gripped it hard.
Squeeze—!
"Ow! Hey! That hurts!"
"What's that? 'Hey'? You're still my maid. Act like one."
"Don't be ridiculous! Just wait! I'll pay you back tomorrow! If we meet, I'll crush you—"
Squeeze—!
"Agh! Ow! Stop! I won't mouth off! I swear! Young Master!"
Celia's screams echoed through the estate.
***
The next morning.
A large crowd gathered at Delran Royal Academy's central training grounds.
Spectators for the entrance exam.
Among them was Delrad's king.
Celia, free of her maid outfit, tossed her hair.
"Hmph! Those annoying Lewallin jerks haven't shown up yet."
"Pretty harsh words for a fellow heroic family from your empire."
"You'll get why I say this once you meet them, Young Master."
"Really? You should fix your speech, though."
"Oops!"
Celia clapped a hand over her mouth.
A week's habit had stuck.
Meanwhile, other examinees glanced at her from a distance.
"That's Celia Zerdinger?"
"They say she's a top candidate from the western region. So confident."
"Wanna bet? Lewallin or Zerdinger for top rank?"
Leo chuckled at the murmurs.
"Famous, huh?"
"Hmph, obviously."
"Your speech."
"Ugh!"
'It's a total habit now!'
Blushing, she covered her mouth.
"Celia!"
Someone called her.
"Hm? Leo Flove. Why are you here?"
Galivan approached, frowning.
"Taking the Lumern entrance exam."
"What? You? The exam? Pfft, hahaha!"
Galivan burst into laughter.
"You must be suicidal. You, who can't even use aura, taking Lumern's exam? Don't embarrass our kingdom."
Ignoring Leo, he stepped toward Celia.
"Celia, let's do our best."
Celia furrowed her brow.
"Sorry, do I know you?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm bad with faces."
"We met a week ago at Delran Royal Academy! I'm Galivan Tradun, the school's representative."
"Oh, right. Let's do our best."
Celia flashed a polite, public smile.
Galivan melted into a goofy grin.
Then, a commotion erupted on one side of the grounds.
Celia glanced over.
"Young—er, Leo. Come on."
"Why me?"
"Just come when I say!"
Celia grabbed Leo's wrist and dragged him toward the noise.
'Tch! Acting all chummy with Celia!'
Sparks flew from Galivan's eyes.
It was well-known that Zerdinger had stayed at the Flove estate.
That Leo and Celia were cousins was a secret.
So Galivan couldn't fathom why.
'Just wait. I'll show my strength in the exam!'
Following Celia, Leo met two figures with pale blue hair and eyes.
"Been a while, Celia."
"Hey, Abad Lewallin."
Abad Lewallin smiled smoothly.
Leo muttered inwardly, 'Kinda sleazy smile.'
"Celia, ready for the exam?"
"Of course! Top rank's mine."
"Heh, really? Too bad, I think it's mine."
"Oh? Delusions are free. Hoho!"
Befitting families vying for the empire's top title for centuries, their banter was sharp.
"Let's go, Chelsea."
"Yes, Brother."
Abad left with Chelsea.
Celia glared.
"Annoying, right?"
"Sleazy, but not sure about annoying."
"No, trust me. He's a total jerk."
Celia clenched her fist.
"Heh, I'll melt that greasy butter bastard like he's on a hot pan."
With a menacing smile, she shot Leo a fierce look.
"Don't you dare lose to them! I won't forgive Zerdinger losing to Lewallin!"
"I'm not a Zerdinger yet."
"Get ready, Lewallin! Leo and I will crush you!"
Leo replied half-heartedly, but Celia wasn't listening.