The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy-Chapter 166: Silverleaf Academy (14)

"So, this is Silverleaf Academy..." Lucas muttered, stepping out of the carriage.

Right now, after spending the night in a hotel arranged by the Silverleaf Academy's headmistress, they stood once again in front of the gates.

Previously, they couldn't get a clear view because the carriage was designed for protection, with windows made of a soft metal.

"This is where Aestrea studies, huh..." Violet murmured, her eyes scanning the entrance.

Her arms were crossed, posture straight, as usual.

"It does seem... quite small. Compared to ours," she added.

"Hah! 'Small' is a generous word," Maya said with a grin, bouncing slightly on her heels.

"Our academy's a literal city. This feels more like a noble's countryside mansion."

"Well..." Iris chimed in.

"Each academy has a very different approach to magical education. More traditional. Less... showy."

"Still, it's hard to believe Aestrea's here of all places," Violet murmured.

"Maybe he just wanted peace and quiet," Ethan shrugged, slinging his travel bag over his shoulder.

"I mean, if I could pick a school without daily explosions, I'd go too."

"You say that like we don't have explosion drills," Maya teased.

"That's because we do," Ethan's face twitched, replying to Maya.

"Which is the problem."

"Hey, wait..." Prince Leon glanced around, brushing his blond hair from his eyes. "Who's supposed to meet us again?"

"The headmistress. She said to wait here. She'll give us a tour and explain the temporary accommodations." Ella answered smoothly, ever poised in her royal-blue travel coat.

"And probably assess us," Violet added.

There was a pause.

Everyone knew what she meant.

They were a special group—the Hero's party, a royal princess and prince, nobles, and rising stars from the Empire's Royal Academy.

Even if they were here just because of a dungeon, things shouldn't be taken lightly, especially when there are other races involved.

"...She's late," Telmo muttered, adjusting his sleeves.

He stood just behind Ella, like always, silently carrying an extra bag she could very well have held herself.

"She's probably busy," Ella said calmly, not even sparing him a glance.

"She shouldn't be," Telmo huffed. "We're guests of honor. At least someone should've been here already. A student rep, or a senior... not just make us stand around like—"

Maya poked his side.

"Relax, Duke-to-be. You'll wrinkle your tie."

"It's not a tie. It's a cravat. And it symbolizes—"

"We know."

Half the group said at once.

Lucas exhaled, a small smirk appearing at his lips.

For a moment, the tension eased.

But he looked up at the academy walls again, this time more thoughtfully.

"Doesn't matter how small it looks," he murmured. "If Aestrea's here, then this place must hold something special."

The others quieted.

Then, Iris gave him a smile.

"Or maybe... he just found something worth staying for."

Lucas didn't respond right away.

Instead, he looked past the gate again.

His hand brushed the Excalibur at his waist, just lightly.

"...We'll find out soon enough."

The group's chatter was just starting to fade when the main gate gave a slow, mechanical groan.

CLANK.

The iron doors parted.

From the soft morning mist that rolled down the cobbled path, a figure stepped into view.

Black uniform.

Silver accents.

The crisp jacket was half-unbuttoned, flapping slightly in the breeze. His silver, layered hair framed a calm face, eyes a glowing crimson that looked sharp as a sword.

"...You've got to be kidding me," Telmo muttered under his breath.

Aestrea walked with one hand in his pocket, the other holding a student badge, spinning it idly on his finger.

"Welcome to Silverleaf," he said plainly, his tone dry but somehow... magnetic.

The group fell quiet.

Ella's breath caught for half a second—but she quickly hid it, folding her arms and averting her gaze.

Violet blinked, posture stiffening.

She said nothing, but her gaze lingered on Aestrea's jawline longer than necessary.

"Whoa…" Maya whispered under her breath.

"He got more handsome, right? Like, am I crazy?"

"...Perhaps," Iris murmured.

"He does look better... in a more... dangerous way. How did he change in such a short time?" Iris couldn't help but wonder.

Rose, who had been trailing behind the others like a ghost, tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, cheeks flushed.

She tried to meet Aestrea's gaze—but the moment their eyes brushed, she panicked and looked away, pretending to study a crack in the ground.

Only Ethan stepped forward with a grin.

"Took you long enough, bro!"

Aestrea gave him a small smirk.

"Blame the headmistress. She dumped the tour duty on me last minute."

"Wait, you're giving us the tour?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, stepping up. "I thought we'd at least get a faculty member."

"Change of plans." Aestrea flipped the badge once more before stuffing it into his pocket.

"Guess they figured you'd want a familiar face."

"Tch!"

Leon made a soft sound of disapproval and looked away.

Telmo didn't even try to hide his scowl.

"Hmph. Should've known they'd send a student. Guess this academy really is as underfunded as it looks."

Aestrea barely glanced at him.

"You're free to leave, Little Duke's Heir."

That simple sentence nearly knocked the air from Telmo's lungs.

Ella, to her credit, showed no reaction—but her eyes sparkled faintly.

"So," Aestrea continued, turning smoothly to lead the group, "this way."

He didn't wait for confirmation.

The Hero's party followed.

Aestrea walked a few steps ahead, hands in his pockets, his tone clipped and casual as he explained the grounds.

"This is the main courtyard. Upperclassmen usually hang around here between lectures."

"North wing is for magic courses. The south wing is physical combat training, which, of course, includes weaponship."

"There's a small forest behind the dorms—don't go there at night unless you want to wake up in a mana drain trap."

As he spoke, Lucas kept pace beside him.

"...You've changed in quite a short time."

Aestrea didn't look at him.

"Things happened."

"You think we'll fight again?" Lucas cracked a smile.

"Mayhaps."

Behind them, Ella walked just off to the side, her expression calm—but her eyes turned toward Aestrea more times than she'd admit.

When Maya bumped into her by accident and nearly brushed against Aestrea, Ella clicked her tongue, stepped forward, and deliberately inserted herself between them.

"Oops," Maya blinked. "Did I...?"

"You're in my way," Ella replied coolly, not even turning.

"…Right."

Meanwhile, Rose kept a healthy three steps behind everyone, occasionally scribbling into a small leather notebook.

She wasn't writing much.

Just pretending as her eyes kept darting to Aestrea's back.

She liked his voice when he explained things.

Even when he sounded tired.

Especially when he sounded tired.

"He sounds like he doesn't want to be doing this," Iris whispered beside her.

"…I like that about him." Rose nodded faintly.

"Huh?"

"Nothing!"

At the back of the group, Violet continued with her arms crossed. She watched Aestrea carefully—studying his pace, his tone, his body language.

He didn't look nervous.

He wasn't trying to impress anyone.

He was just... being himself.

Which made her cheeks heat up for no reason she could explain.

And that annoyed her.

Very much.

As Aestrea led the group deeper into the campus, the Hero's party began to see what made Silverleaf unique.

It wasn't grandeur like their own sprawling royal academy, no.

Silverleaf was very practical, and most importantly... it was alive.

Very much alive.

The buildings were sleek with reinforced mana stone, the walkways clean and clearly warded.

Magic-enhanced foliage swayed in the breeze. Students practiced freely in open courtyards and hovered above training circles.

But more than anything else…

It was Aestrea they kept noticing.

"Junior Aestrea!"

A fourth-year girl in a battle skirt waved enthusiastically as she passed.

Aestrea gave her a small nod and a polite smile.

"Train hard, Delta."

"Senior Aestrea, good morning!" Two first-years squeaked as they jogged by, holding magic theory books to their chests.

"Morning. Don't be late for Ms. Lenne's class. She's a nightmare when pissed."

He even gave them a wink.

The girls giggled all the way down the path.

"...He's popular," Maya muttered, raising her eyebrows.

Violet remained the same as she saw this.

But it wasn't the same for the other two girls.

Ella's fingers constantly twitched as a girl talked with Aestrea and Rose's face had turned quite blank, and she had stopped pretending to write.

"Why are they all blushing?" Iris whispered under her breath, arms crossed.

"Because that guy's got the 'I'll destroy kingdoms for you' energy," Maya replied.

"Or the 'accidentally breaks your heart while saving your life' vibe," Rose mumbled, eyes locked on Aestrea again.

Lucas frowned.

Telmo scowled harder.

Ethan just grinned.

"He's always been like that, even in our academy, the girls kinda melted around him, and some even approached him."

"And you never mentioned this why?" Lucas glared at him.

"It was quite obvious, no?"

As they passed through a wide archway, the ambient hum of magic pulsed beneath their feet—runes etched into the stone activating gently as they stepped through.

Aestrea stopped.

He turned, pointing at the large coliseum ahead.

"Main Arena," he announced.

"We hold official duels, exams, and public matches here. It's also where clubs compete for points and rankings."

The gates were open.

And inside… the clash of steel echoed.

CLANG!

A figure leapt across the field, blade glowing with aether.

The crowd of students seated in the upper stands roared.

"Huh?" Ethan leaned forward.

"There's a match going on?"

Aestrea squinted.

"Looks like a duel."

Lucas stepped up beside him.

"Can we watch?"

Aestrea glanced back at them, then shrugged.

"Sure. You wanted to see what Silverleaf students were made of, right?"

"Absolutely," Violet answered almost immediately.

"I also want to see what kind of magic they use," Iris added, half-curious.

Ella nodded once.

"Let's see the strength of this school."

"Ohhh! I love a good brawl!" Maya grinned widely.

"I'm already bored," Telmo groaned.

"They must be weaklings to attend this shitty academy."

"Then feel free to go sit outside," Aestrea replied flatly.

Telmo didn't move.

They climbed the inner stairs, heading to the viewing seats overlooking the arena.

Inside the dueling ring, two students were already mid-battle.

A boy with flame-kissed boots dashed across the platform, kicking off a mana wall mid-air. His opponent, a girl covered in green mana, twirled her axe-staff.

"They're fast," Lucas muttered.

"Look again," Aestrea said calmly. "That girl's controlling the arena's wind flow. Subtle. See how his movements shift every time he leaps?"

Lucas blinked.

"...He's losing balance."

"She's manipulating his rhythm," Violet observed, her interest sharpening.

"Impressive."

"It's rare for a student to fight midair using field enchantments like that," Iris added, brows raised.

Meanwhile, Aestrea's crimson eyes turned to the girl's footwork.

"...That's Maria from Class 3-C. Wind-type user. Currently ranked ninth in the school."

Maya whistled.

"Ninth? The ninth can do that? What about the top five?"

Aestrea gave a small smile, hearing them praise Maria, before shaking his head.

"I'm not exactly sure, after all, there are now a couple of new students that completely threw the balance in our academy."

Then, he took a step forward, turning towards them.

"So... since you're all here, does anyone want to have a small spar?"

His red eyes glowed dangerously.