Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 212: Hero

Chapter 212 Hero

Sunlight streamed through the window, breaking into hexagonal patterns. In this perfectly cool weather, Dean Conette of the Magic Faculty silently gazed at the scenery outside.

Her calendar was filled with a tight schedule.

However, the date marked today was particularly emphasized. Three circles had been drawn around it. It was indeed an exceptionally important day, incomparable to any other.

‘The time has finally come.’

The fierce battle to ascend to the position of hero and the preliminary meeting for it. Finally, it was time for the representatives of the Magic Faculty to set out for the event.

Conette, who always had an interest in adornment, paid extra attention to her appearance today. She inspected herself in the mirror over and over again.

“Hoo….”

It was only natural.

Although the representatives would be the ones competing, she was the face of the Magic Faculty. Therefore, not a single part of her appearance could be left untidy.

After a long while.

And another long while.

Only after donning elegant and formal attire did Conette step outside. At the entrance of her lodging, her secretary was already waiting.

The secretary bowed her head slightly.

“Dean, are you all prepared?”

“Yes.”

As expected, the tension was evident on the secretary’s face as well. She adjusted her properly worn glasses several times before continuing.

“All the representatives have already gathered.”

“Ah, I hope they’re in good condition.”

“They’ve definitely trained rigorously. But I’m worried about their condition. I haven’t seen them sleep recently.”

“Oh dear, nothing is more important than sleep….”

As the secretary started to lead the way, Conette quietly followed behind. The weather was still exceptionally pleasant.

They walked and walked.

Although it seemed there wouldn’t be much conversation between them as they walked across the campus, the secretary surprisingly spoke up.

“Dean.”

“Yes.”

“I tried to keep it to myself, but I’m so restless. I feel like I need to talk to someone to feel at ease.”

“Speak freely, whatever it may be.”

With a serious expression, the secretary asked,

“…What do you think will happen?”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Conette replied,

“Don’t think too hard about it. Just participating is something to celebrate, and regardless of the outcome, it will be a valuable experience for the representatives.”

“Is that so? I should be content with that….”

“But that’s just what I say as the dean.”

Conette cut off the secretary’s words.

“As a mage, I believe we can win.”

“…Win?”

“‘Can win’ might not be the right way to put it. I believe we will win. That’s my honest feeling.”

The secretary turned her head quickly, about to ask something, but seeing the dean’s earnest face, she said nothing. Only pure sincerity could be seen.

While they were having this conversation, they reached the training ground. When the door opened, they finally saw the much-anticipated representatives.

“…!”

Determined not to show any sign of disarray, Conette and the secretary couldn’t help but widen their eyes upon seeing the representatives. It was almost like an irresistible force.

“Uh…?”

It was the secretary who first voiced her confusion.

No matter how many times she blinked, the scene before her did not change. What she saw seemed not to be an illusion but reality.

‘This is so different from what I expected.’

I imagined them with dark circles under their eyes, looking intimidated… but there was none of that.

Instead, what I felt was deeply settled mana. A tranquility like a vast, calm lake. They looked serene and not at all tired.

“Aha.”

Conette expressed admiration in her own way.

Now, ‘mage’ seemed to be a more fitting title than ‘student’. It was subtle, yet she was pleased with their growth.

The representatives, who had been focused on their training, began to gather one by one in front of Conette. They were waiting for her to say something, knowing it was an important day.

“Well then….”

Conette spoke with a slight smile.

“I understand well that all of you have done your best. However, you yourselves surely know this even better than I do.”

It was time to repeat the words she had said to her secretary. These students had endured incredibly tough training with Flan. Therefore, she shouldn’t put too much pressure on them.

With that thought, she spoke calmly.

“Just participating in this event holds great significance. Even if no hero emerges from this group, it wouldn’t be strange at all.”

But Conette had to stop herself after saying that much. The representatives, instead of looking disappointed, began to smile brightly.

While her heterochromatic eyes briefly observed the situation, Louis spoke first.

“Dean. Our only goal is to win. Truly.”

“….”

“And we also believe that we can win. Now.”

Conette’s heterochromatic eyes scanned the surroundings once more. This time, it wasn’t to understand the situation but to confirm if the other representatives felt the same way.

None of them looked conflicted. Rather, they all wore smiles as if they were about to do something enjoyable.

Only then did Conette allow herself to smile as well.

“Very well. Then, I hope you achieve your goal.”

After that, Conette’s gaze moved over Louis’s shoulder. Far in the training ground, there was a man.

Flan.

Everyone’s eyes turned to him. As usual, he was lost in his own thoughts.

Feeling everyone’s gaze, Flan finished his meditation. He looked back at them as if to ask what they were staring at.

Becky spoke with a slight smile.

“We’re having some discussions before we officially set off. Flan, do you have anything to say?”

The man merely ran his hand through his hair, looking annoyed.

“Let’s get going.”

◈

The gathering was to be held at the royal palace.

This place, where all four seasons coexisted simultaneously, was a blend of contradiction and artistry, as it should be. However, the atmosphere within the garden was hotter than any summer.

‘Finally, the hero will be decided.’

It was this very fact.

How long had the continent been without a designated hero? After a long period, the hero was finally being chosen, so it was inevitable that it garnered a lot of attention.

The garden was bustling with people preparing to welcome those attending the preliminary meeting, their bodies and mouths equally busy.

Among the officials, there was an unusually young boy.

His name was Shata. Thanks to his parents, he quickly found his place within the royal court. A so-called parachute hire.

Beside him stood the secretary of the tax officer, and Shata quietly muttered.

“It’s hard to grasp the concept of a Sword Saint. I’ve heard adults talk about it when I was really young.”

“You’re still young now. And that’s normal. There weren’t any Sword Saints even when I was really young.”

“Aren’t they just really strong people?”

“Hey, it’s a bit harsh to think of it that way.”

The tax officer’s secretary clicked her tongue.

“When humans interact with other races, they put the Sword Saint at the forefront. Do you get what I mean?”

“Um… no.”

“Which race acknowledges our hero, and which race treats us warmly—these little things can change the balance of power on the continent.”

“I don’t understand, even with that explanation.”

As Shata scratched his head, the tax officer’s secretary finally shouted.

“If we get the wrong hero, you’ll be kicked out too. Everything will fall apart!”

“What? It’s really that important?”

Shata, who had been answering nonchalantly until now, suddenly focused his gaze, his face becoming serious as he asked again.

“Are the current hero candidates all good people? Who do you think will win?”

“That question is a bit difficult….”

The tax officer’s secretary rubbed her chin.

“Difficult? There’s something that’s difficult for you?”

“It’s a bit hard right now. Because… I’m very hungry and thirsty at the moment….”

Shata immediately turned around. He stealthily brought over some desserts and drinks meant for guests.

The tax officer’s secretary accepted them.

“If we get caught eating… you know what happens, right?”

“I’ll take the blame. Just continue the story.”

“Sure, sure.”

The tax officer’s secretary took a big bite of the dessert and chewed. It was an exquisite egg tart.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Shata muttered again.

“Wasn’t Lady Viola the strongest candidate?”

“That’s true, but also not true. Wait a second. I want a croissant too. That one. Before it’s gone.”

Shata quickly brought over a croissant topped with strawberries and fresh cream. The tax officer’s secretary, munching on it, continued.

“There are restrictions on place, time, and weapons. It’s hard to guarantee any specific match.”

“Does that apply to mages too?”

“Mages?”

“Yes. The Magic Faculty is participating this time. According to you, it means we can’t guarantee the outcome of the match between the Magic Faculty and the Capital Knights, right?”

“Sigh.”

The tax officer’s secretary tapped Shata on the forehead.

“Ow!”

“You idiot.”

“Why did you hit me?”

“The opponent is the Capital Knights….”

“But Flan is incredibly famous. I know Flan.”

The tax officer’s secretary sighed.

“Who doesn’t know Flan is great these days? The problem is that only Flan is great. The other representatives don’t measure up.”

“Oh, really….”

“Moreover, Flan doesn’t have a family. Knights from prestigious swordsmanship families that have been around for hundreds of years are impressive, but Flan doesn’t have that.”

“A family….”

Shata shook his head at the complexities of adult affairs.

At that moment, a group entered the garden.

Though it was a group, only one person caught Shata’s eye. A ridiculously tall person with sharp, beast-like eyes.

“…”

Shata forgot all the conversations he had just had.

He instinctively thought.

That person who just appeared seemed like they would become the hero.