The Aura of Defiance

KakaoPage Originals

The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student

[Original — Yerona]

[TL — MiT7]

[PR — Spades]

[QC — Lumi]

Chapter 17 — The Aura of Defiance

——————

The next morning.

After breakfast in the dorm cafeteria, Leo headed to the Hall of Beginnings, the first-year classroom building.

The day's first major class was Knight Studies.

As a trial class, it drew not only Knight Studies majors but also students from other departments.

With the large turnout, the class was split into groups.

Leo's group included Chelsea and Carl.

Carl used the trial class to network with Knight Studies students.

Chelsea, aiming for Battle Mage, planned to minor in Knight Studies.

Students gathered in the training yard.

Professor Ain appeared.

"I've already introduced myself, so I'll skip that. This is my assistant professor, Claria Rivache."

Claria bowed lightly.

Assistant professors were Lumern graduates handpicked by professors.

They aided in teaching and could lead classes in the professor's absence.

As Lumern alumni, their elite skills were guaranteed.

Ain scanned the students.

'Leo Flove, Celia Zerdinger, Duran Moira.'

He nodded, pleased.

Having the freshman representative and two top rankers in his class was more than satisfactory.

"Magic and Summoning Studies students, raise your hands."

Over half the students did.

Ain pointed to Claria.

"You'll go with the assistant professor. She'll teach you how to apply mana and spirit power to martial arts."

Gathering the Knight Studies students, Ain continued.

"Today's our first class, so we'll discuss the foundation of Knight Studies: aura."

The students' eyes gleamed.

"Three forces derive from mana: aura, mana, and spirit power. Aura is the hardest to control. Anyone know why?"

The first-years froze at the question.

Aura's properties?

Few pondered such things.

Knights typically focused on sensing mana and manifesting stronger aura.

But not everyone was clueless.

Celia raised her hand.

"Celia Zerdinger."

"Go ahead, Celia."

"Because aura loses mana's natural properties during conversion."

"Correct."

Mana amplified into magical power retained its fluidity.

Spirit power resonated with the user's will, preserving mana's nature.

But aura was processed by absorbing mana into the body, tailored to physical use.

This process caused it to solidify, losing fluidity and making it harder to control.

"Then, can anyone explain how we use the aura stored in our bodies?"

Even Celia faltered.

How it's used?

'How do you explain that?'

'It's just… you exert force, right?'

They used it instinctively, following aura techniques' flow.

Describing its form was beyond them.

Ain hadn't expected an answer.

He was introducing Aura Studies, a new subject at Lumern, previously taught only at Ajonia, the beastman hero academy.

First-years wouldn't know this.

As Ain began to explain, a hand went up.

Pleased by the bold student, Ain smiled.

Few professors disliked confident attempts, even if wrong.

"Leo Flove."

"Go ahead."

"We use aura's power by combusting mana."

Ain's eyes widened.

"Correct. Do you also know what's most critical when combusting aura?"

"Stamina."

"Remarkable, Leo. Have you studied Aura Studies?"

"No."

"Then how do you know this?"

"It's aura's fundamental essence."

People often overlooked the essence of their powers.

Not understanding it didn't hinder aura use.

But knowing its nature made a significant difference.

Aura, more than mana or spirit power, was heavily influenced by the user's will, and nothing aided mental focus like clear imagery.

"Excellent. Five bonus points for Celia, ten for Leo."

Envious gazes turned to them.

"As Leo said, we harness the power generated by combusting mana," Ain said gravely.

"Starting this year, I'll integrate Aura Studies into my first-year classes."

"Professor! What's Aura Studies?" a student asked.

"The study of aura. It's a core subject at Ajonia Academy."

The novel subject sparked excitement among the first-years.

"For our first class, we'll learn aura application. Today's focus: Aura Step."

Aura Step concentrated aura in the legs to maximize leaping power.

'Aura Step, huh.'

Leo's eyes glinted.

It was a technique unknown in Kyle's era.

"Anyone with aura can learn Aura Step, but its effectiveness varies with mastery."

Ain lifted his foot.

Silver aura shimmered at his toes, and he stepped into the air.

The students gasped in awe.

Walking lightly through the air, Ain said, "Now, I'll explain Aura Step's principles."

His lecture began.

'The aura manipulation isn't that different.'

Enhancing the body with aura naturally boosted leg strength.

Aura Step simply focused that enhancement on the legs.

As Ain guided the students, a messenger entered the yard.

"Professor Ain, Professor Vetes is looking for you and Assistant Professor Claria."

"Vetes? Got it."

Nodding, Ain addressed the students.

"I and the assistant professor will step out. Practice Aura Step."

With that, he left.

"Leo, want me to teach you Aura Step?"

Celia approached, smirking slyly.

Leo replied dryly, "Gonna make me call you 'my lady'?"

"Would I be that petty?"

Crossing her arms, Celia grinned.

"My birthday's earlier, so call me 'big sis,' and I'll help."

"Too petty. I'll pass."

"What? The freshman representative can't even use Aura Step? Pathetic."

Someone interrupted their banter.

Turning, they saw Duran Moira, central exam top ranker.

Duran clicked his tongue at Leo.

"Such a guy is the freshman representative? I can't fathom Lumern's standards."

"Got a problem with me being representative?" Leo asked, stepping forward.

Duran's lips curled.

"Not a problem. Just lamentable that someone who can't use Aura Step holds the title."

Addressing the other students, Duran said irritably, "Not just you. So many here can't use Aura Step. I'm worried for our year's dignity."

Some students bristled but hesitated.

Top ranker or not, Duran was among the year's top ten out of nearly 500.

Leo responded, "If you aim to be a hero, maybe show some dignity yourself."

"Dignity? You're lecturing *me*, of Moira's heroic lineage, on heroic dignity?"

Moira, Duran's knightly duchy, was founded fifty years ago by Dior Moira, the Golden Sword hero.

Raised to pursue heroism, Duran prided himself on his heroic qualities.

"What's lineage got to do with being a hero?"

"Everything. Heroes are chosen."

"We see it differently. I think heroes are those who never give up."

"The freshman representative spouting dreamy nonsense? Pathetic."

"And you're not overplaying your lineage card?"

"My lineage is secondary. I trust something else."

"What's that?"

"Skill, Leo Flove."

Whoosh—!

Duran closed the gap to Leo in a blink.

The students marveled at his speed.

It was beyond most students' reach.

Leo smirked.

"Not that fast."

"Looks like you need a lesson in class."

Duran grinned fiercely.

"If you're so confident, how about a race to see who's faster?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Duran Moira. Racing someone who hasn't learned Aura Step? Does that even make sense?" Celia snapped, frowning.

Duran seized the chance. "Celia Zerdinger, I've got a question for you."

"What?"

"Why is Leo Flove the freshman representative?"

"How should I know?"

"Isn't it because the western top rankers were lackluster, making him stand out?"

Chelsea, among the minor students drawn by the commotion, stepped forward.

"Did you just call my brother lackluster?"

"Just stating facts, Chelsea Lewallin. I expected more from Rodren Empire's twin heroic families, but to lose the representative spot to *him*? Honestly, disappointing."

Celia gave a cold smile.

"Pretty sore about missing the representative spot, huh? Ever consider it's because *you* weren't good enough?"

"If I'd been in that exam, he wouldn't be representative."

Duran spoke with smug certainty.

"He got it through sheer luck."

"Let's go, Leo. No need to entertain this nonsense," Celia said.

"Exactly."

Chelsea, agreeing with her rival, pulled her eyelid and stuck out her tongue at Duran.

"Protected by girls, huh?"

Duran's central region clique jeered.

Leo smirked.

"I'll take that challenge."

"Leo!" Celia scolded.

"When someone talks like that, ignoring them's no fun. Besides…"

Leo bared his teeth in a grin.

"Guys like this need to be shown their place."