The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 66

The Hero Party Archmage’s Rebirth – Episode 66

Episode 66

The assembly time for the midterm preliminary exam was precisely 10 AM. The reason for granting such a long grace period was simple.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Bernard. Where should I go?”

Due to the nature of the midterm exams, which were run similarly to a festival, relatives of the students gathered from all over the Empire.

You could say they were given time to greet their families.

Thanks to this, the site was bustling with so many people from 6 AM, when the city gates opened, that there was barely any room to step.

“Bernard, Bernard… Group C, so you should go over there.”

The only reason I’ve been holding the student list and answering this annoying question for over 30 times is this.

[In Progress]

It’s because of this purple silk armband I’m wearing on my school uniform. Apparently, students belonging to the student council have to act as organizing committee members at such festivals, but I really don’t understand why people are so eager to belong to such an organization.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have just aimed to be the runner-up in all the first semester exams in my freshman year.

“You seem to have more talent for dealing with people than you let on, Rain Ludwig.”

And what makes this situation even more unpleasant is the student council president, Valencidi, who sneers at me as if mocking me.

“I’m also a student taking the exam today, do I really have to be doing this? I heard the third years take it next week.”

“Originally, an excellent person should also know how to help others. That is the first virtue required of those born with excellence.”

For a dark magician, he speaks like a sage. When I narrowed my eyes, the president pointed to various places on campus with his chin.

“My teacher told me to observe people well. This time is very good for that.”

It wasn’t like there weren’t interesting sights to see. Influential figures from the Eight Great Houses and Sixteen Families were appearing one by one, perhaps to observe the exam.

“The Vice-Dean is entering, all students stand at attention.”

The Vice-Dean of the Chaihark School was an old man in his seventies, but his whole body was as muscular as Professor Owen. Logan was seen standing at attention in front of him, looking nervous.

“…….”

On the other hand, Lilian Karain of the Rivendell School simply clicked her tongue as if she didn’t like the visit from her school’s people, and didn’t even show any sign of welcoming them.

“Why?”

“Because you can grasp the weaknesses and strengths of the target by looking at people. That can definitely be used as a means.”

“Isn’t that more of a teaching method suitable for assassins than magicians?”

I’m really curious about what kind of person his teacher is. Valencidi gave a bitter smile at my honest reaction.

“It can’t be helped. That’s how I was raised.”

Whether the words Valencidi suddenly uttered were sincere or a joke, there was no time to be surprised or react.

Because at that very moment, a strange man came into view from the flowing crowd, and my whole body froze.

The features under the unremarkable, earthy brown curly hair were plain. The only distinguishing feature was the freckles scattered around his nose.

“No…….”

Even if he were anywhere, he was an ordinary face that wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention, but Rain couldn’t take his eyes off him for even a short moment.

He couldn’t help it.

That was ‘Lin’s’ face.

There’s no time to be confused, so I judge quickly. The dark magicians are looking for me; maybe they already know everything about me…

Just then, the guy turned his head to look around. I immediately avoided his gaze, but that refuge was another huge problem.

Valencidi.

His cavernous, dark eyes were staring at me as if to suck me in, as if time had stopped, continuously.

‘Maybe they’ve been waiting until now, to get rid of me for sure?’

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and the magic power in my body, sensing the crisis to its caster, switched to battle mode.

‘The first one to deal with is this guy. And if I get help from the surroundings, I can somehow manage.’

Today is the day when the bigwigs of the magic world gather. I can’t believe it’s Valencidi’s plan, but he’s made a very foolish move.

“Hey, rat.”

At that moment, the strange man shouted like that in this direction.

Are they going to tighten the pincer attack right away?

I was about to build a 3-star magic defense formation immediately, but Valencidi’s reaction was so strange that I hesitated.

“?”

The moment Valencidi turned to look at the source of the sound, his expression changed so coldly that my back instantly stiffened.

His eyes were saying:

Why are you here?

Valencidi pushed the student list to Rain as if throwing it away, and then suddenly walked towards him without saying a word.

“Haa, haa…….”

Only after the two guys disappeared into the crowd did a rough breath burst out of my throat.

‘What was that just now?’

They weren’t working together? But there was one thing I could be sure of in that instant.

Valencidi knows him.

That means the worst-case scenario, that Valencidi was in league with the dark magicians in the incident, has been proven…

‘Damn it…….’

My injuries from the dark poison haven’t completely healed yet; can I fight those two? But what if they didn’t come to find me?

‘What if they just came to meet each other in the crowd?’

I wish that were the case, but I’ve learned painfully from living as Lin that it’s better for my well-being not to make optimistic observations.

“It’s the midterm exams; I was about to die of boredom, but this is good, this is good.”

“You’re not here to play.”

Still, one thing that’s comforting is the presence of the special task force magicians who were around Doran Slade when I talked to him before.

Even now, they’re pretending not to be interested in this side, but they’re definitely watching my movements. But with their skills, can they really stand up to Valencidi or that strange man…

If an emergency happens, it’s better to just fight alone. If someone dies nearby, I’ll just have restless dreams.

“What! What are you thinking so hard about! How many times have I called you!”

At that moment, a voice so loud that it hurt my eardrums was heard. I’m used to that voice now. Kasena Page.

“Can’t you see this?”

I show her the armband on my shoulder. And the student list I’m holding in my hand too.

I wish she would understand that I don’t have time to deal with her…

But unfortunately, Kasena wasn’t the only unwelcome guest.

“Rain, big brother!”

A black creature suddenly soared up from the bottom of my vision. Ebony black hair and red eyes; it was my younger sister, whom I hadn’t seen in almost half a year.

“Seri.”

Of course, Rain’s hand was faster than her jumping into his arms. He grabbed her head and prevented her from getting any closer.

“Eek, let go of me!”

“I can’t; you’re going to do annoying things.”

“Hee, hyung… !” [Hyung is a Korean term used by younger males to address older brothers or close male friends.]

Meanwhile, a black-haired, red-eyed boy the size of a peanut was crawling from the opposite side, tripped over a stone, and fell.

Of course, Rain’s instantaneous telekinesis suspended his body in the air just before it collided with the ground…

With a deep sigh, Rain picked up this young brother in his arms. Bran Ludwig smiled brightly, sucking on his fingers.

Then Seri opened her mouth wide as if she was dying of envy, and suddenly started to whine.

“Seri, Seri wants a hug too!”

“You’re heavy.”

“I’m not heavy!”

Dealing with Seri, who was tugging at my clothes and babbling, and Bran, who was groping Rain’s face with his saliva-covered fingers, made me sigh again.

‘Why are siblings such a pain in the ass?’

Maybe there’s a good thing about being an orphan. I don’t have to deal with these siblings.

“Rain.”

A benevolent voice caressed my ear. When Rain turned to look, he felt the emotions internally embedded in his body and Lin’s nature clashing.

“Mother.”

Is this how happy people are when they meet their parents after a long time? Lin’s personality suppressed the smile that was about to form on my face.

Brim Ludwig is not a beauty.

But she had the power to warmly captivate people’s hearts with her neat demeanor and beautiful smile.

“Haaahm…….”

And Elin Ludwig, who was walking in from the yawn in which she was stretching next to her, was also seen.

Both were wearing the Ludwig family’s robe, but the aunt, who had arbitrarily altered her clothes, was delinquent, while the mother exuded a quiet dignity.

‘Rain’s family…….’

Kasena, who had suddenly become an outsider in the midst of the commotion, felt her thoughts stop for a moment.

It’s impossible to leave quickly because I’m using crutches. If I did, I’d only attract more attention.

Then I have to say hello, but what should I say? What kind of language should I use in the first place? Ah, I don’t know!

“Huh?”

At that moment, Elin noticed Kasena standing blankly next to Rain, not knowing what to do. Immediately, a sinister smile bloomed.

“Wow, like father, like son, already chasing after girls… Ah, ouch! Sister! Why are you pinching me! I didn’t say anything wrong!”

Brim, who pinched Elin’s arm once more, stepped forward and bowed politely.

“I greet Miss Kasena. My name is Brim Ludwig. My son is in your care.”

“Ah, no! It’s not like that!”

It was quite a sight to see the headstrong young lady flustered and waving her hands.

“Oh my, there’s a difference in status, but you’re using honorifics… You’re really a wonderful person, as I’ve heard. By the way, you guys should say hello too.”

Seri stared intently at Kasena, not knowing what she didn’t like, and then bowed for now.

“I’m Seri Ludwig. May I ask what your relationship is with our brother?”

Of course, Brim pinched her cheek and dragged her back as soon as she said that… Bran, who was in Rain’s arms, also made a clumsy bow.

“Bran Ludwigimnida.” [A slightly childish or overly formal way of saying “I am Bran Ludwig” in Korean.]

Kasena still had to use crutches, so she couldn’t perform a noble bow. Still, she tried to show some courtesy, but the clock tower in the courtyard began to ring.

“It’s already 9:50.”

Elin Ludwig said lightly, but it was not a sound that students could easily dismiss. It was time to go to the assembly point.

“I have to go.”

As I was about to put Bran down and leave, Brim suddenly hugged Rain softly and whispered.

“I heard everything from Archmage Madelia’s letter about what happened with Miss Kasena.”

I don’t know why she told her that when she had issued a gag order to me. Then Brim gave a quiet smile.

“Your father was really proud of Rain. So much so that he couldn’t sleep all day that day. I really wanted to tell you that in person.”

Family love was still an unfamiliar sensation and warmth. It was an area of emotion that could not be solved by any mathematical formula.

That’s why I didn’t know what to say, so I just scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

“It was just a deal. It wasn’t that grand.”

“Yes, I’m sure it was.”

Brim smiled as if she knew even the hidden meaning behind such trivial actions, and pushed my back forward as if encouraging me.