Book 1 Chapter 104

【104】103.

Leo took out a map from his embrace.

As a recoil from the Breath of the Brave, the area around Leo's left arm had turned to ash.

Thanks to that, the map too was burnt and difficult to recognize.

'The power is immense, but it seems I'll need to adjust it quickly.'

Leo lightly sighed and walked through the castle ruins that had become a wasteland long ago.

By the time his classmates' cheers faded until they were barely audible.

Leo arrived at the lakeside in the corner of the castle ruins.

And he dipped his fingertip into the lake.

Toong-!

Ripples spread across the entire lake.

“……”

Leo stood up and walked to the center of the lake using an Aura Step.

Kkaduk-!

And then, after biting and bursting his right thumb, he dropped a drop of blood into the lake.

A drop of blood containing Leo's spiritual energy fell into the lake.

But the blood drop didn't spread, instead forming a small circle.

And a complex pattern was engraved above it.

It was a pattern symbolizing Luminus, the Spirit of Radiance.

Woong-!

With a small light, a small orb of light appeared before Leo.

Hwaak-!

A moment later, the orb of light burst, and a palm-sized, white-haired spirit appeared.

The spirit's eyes, holding a light that seemed about to extinguish any moment, trembled and then opened.

"It's been a long time. Luminus."

Luminus, whose eyes met Leo's, made a perplexed expression.

[Who… are you? How did you awaken me?]

"It's me. Kyle."

[Kyle? You?]

Luminus stared intently at Leo.

[Indeed, this spiritual energy wavelength is certainly yours, Kyle.]

Even if he had lost his power and was dying, a Great Spirit was still a Great Spirit.

Luminus, acknowledging that Leo was Kyle, asked.

[I don't know why you're in such a state, but where is Lisinas?]

"Lisinas… died."

At those words, Luminus looked up at the sky.

The blue sky.

Looking at the incredibly beautiful sky, which was unimaginable during the Age of Calamity, tears welled up in Luminus's eyes.

A sky that was nothing special in the current era.

But for those who had to live through the Age of Calamity, it was the blue sky they yearned to see more than anything else.

[That child kept her promise to me.]

Luminus said, recalling the image of the sworn ally who had promised to restore light to the world.

[Can you tell me what happened after I fell asleep?]

The story of meeting comrades, forming an expedition, and defeating Erebus after many sacrifices.

He couldn't tell her in detail, but he recounted the tales of the great heroes to Luminus.

Luminus, having heard all the stories, opened her mouth.

[It's a relief that I didn't awaken from my sleep for 5000 years.]

"Why?"

[Because I can say these words to you.]

The Spirit of Radiance, who was called the greatest spirit, respectfully bowed her head.

[For restoring light to this world. For fulfilling that child's wish. For saving this world. Thank you so much. Kyle.]

Luminus, raising her head, said.

[Even if the world has forgotten you, the fact that you accomplished a great feat will never change. Truly… thank you.]

A gratitude that only those who lived through that era could convey.

Leo burst into laughter.

"It's the first time I've ever received thanks from someone."

At those words, Luminus smiled brightly.

And Luminus's body began to glow faintly.

This was Luminus, who had been sealed to prevent her extinction.

The moment the seal was broken, the allotted time was short.

"Leo! Where are you!"

Just then, a voice calling Leo was heard from afar.

[Who are those children?]

"They are the sprouts of new heroes who will carry on the next generation."

[I see.]

Luminus gave a wry smile.

As long as Erebus hadn't completely vanished.

The embers of calamity still remained on this land.

[Will you fight again this time?]

"Of course. Because I can't lose this peace again."

At those words, Luminus spread her hand.

A necklace adorned with a jewel containing white light appeared in her hand.

[This is the Jewel of Light that the Great Spirits of Light have possessed for generations. Originally, I should have passed it down to my successor, the Great Spirit of Light… but I couldn't. Please take it.]

"Am I allowed to receive something like this?"

[Yes. It's not an item with special powers, but its symbolic value is great. If you show this, you'll be treated like a Great Spirit by the spirits of light.]

If so, it was an amazing item.

[It's time to say goodbye now.]

"Indeed."

[May the blessing of light be upon you.]

"May you rest in peace."

At Kyle's polite farewell, Luminus disappeared with a bright smile.

Leo put the necklace away in his embrace.

Along with him, Celia appeared by the lakeside.

"Leo, what are you doing here?"

"I had something to take care of for a moment."

"Hurry and go to Nella to get your wounds treated first!"

"Got it."

***

Not long after the first-year students defeated Gigantes, Lumerne's rescue team broke the Curse of Isolation and entered Naigrang.

During that time, there were several attacks by magic beasts, but fortunately, there was no great danger, so the first-year students were safely rescued.

Afterward, the incident of the inter-department competition caused enormous ripples.

The two biggest issues were:

Lumerne was put on the chopping block.

To anyone, it was clear that this inter-department competition was an an attack orchestrated by Tartaros, targeting Lumerne.

Pressure from external forces was applied due to Lumerne's inadequate response.

There was an even hotter topic: the first-year students who defeated Gigantes.

The raid on Gigantes was, quite literally, an incredible feat, worthy of being called a great achievement.

As all attention was focused on Lumerne.

"Sob, sob. I completely messed up the exam."

Karl, face down, was weeping mournfully.

All first-year students were suffering through written exams.

As the inter-department competition schedule overlapped with the exam period, this exam was particularly difficult.

Of course, there were also students who weren't.

"Karl, it was fun all first semester."

Chelsea, smiling kindly unlike usual, patted Karl's shoulder.

"You said that during midterms too, didn't you?"

"Yeah. But I don't think there'll be a miracle like last time."

"Sob. That's too much."

Honor students were relaxed, regardless of the department's schedule.

Seeing that, Leo said.

"You worked hard, so you'll do well. You were outstanding in the inter-department competition, weren't you?"

"As expected, there's no one like you, Leo!"

It was when the magic exam was over and the three of them were chatting as usual.

"Student Leo."

"Associate Professor Anna. What's the matter?"

"Professor Len is looking for you, Student Leo."

At those words, Leo made a puzzled expression.

"I'll be back."

"Okay, big brother Leo, we'll go to the classroom first."

"Go well."

Chelsea and Karl stood up from their seats and headed to the Class 5 classroom.

"What does the professor need me for?"

"You can hear that directly from the professor."

Anna smiled gently and answered Leo's question.

A moment later, Anna, who arrived in front of Len's office, knocked and then opened the door for him.

Beolkkeok-

When the door opened, Professor Len was there, looking at a blackboard that covered an entire wall of his office.

All sorts of complex magic spell formulas were drawn on the wall.

"Hmm. You've arrived, Student Leo."

Len spotted Leo and offered him a seat.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Then."

Len sat in front of Leo, holding a coffee cup with a rich aroma.

And then, using magic to heat up the cooled coffee, he spoke seriously.

"I'll be direct, Student Leo."

"Yes."

"Starting from the second semester, choose magic as your major."

"Isn't it against school rules to force a student into a department?"

"Of course it is."

Dalkkak-!

Len set down his coffee cup.

"But Student Leo! Your talent is too precious! To use star magic and decipher the magic spell formulas left by the progenitor of the nebula at your age! You possess a talent that might appear only once in a millennium!"

"I still want to take knight studies and summoning studies classes. Thank you for thinking highly of me, but I plan to take all three classes in the second semester as well."

Having said that, Leo bowed his head respectfully.

"Then, Professor. Thank you for your hard work during the first semester."

Leaving those words, Leo exited Len's office.

After Leo left, Anna entered the office and sighed.

"See? I told you it wouldn't go well, didn't I?"

"It seems I'll have to prepare various events starting from the second semester so that Student Leo can walk the path of magic."

"Events?"

"I need to create a lecture that no mage could resist. Even Student Leo, if he's a mage, won't be able to resist!"

Anna smiled, watching Len burn with passion.

'He sometimes goes wild and causes trouble for those around him, but he's truly at his coolest when he's burning with passion for magic.'

"I'll be cheering you on, Professor Len."

"Good, then Associate Professor Anna. Let's prepare for next semester together during vacation."

Anna's eyes twitched.

"With… me?"

"As my most reliable associate professor, you will stay at the academy with me during the vacation period and prepare for the next semester!"

"I submitted a vacation request to the school to go back to my hometown this time."

"If it's about the application, I've already canceled it!"

"Hey! You human! At the beginning of the first semester, you told me to go back to my hometown after a long time!"

Enraged Anna rushed at Len and grabbed him by the collar.

It was an insubordinate act for an associate professor to dare to grab a professor by the collar, but Len merely laughed merrily.

Once again, Anna was the target of Len's rampaging nuisance.

***

As Kallian looked down at the school from the principal's office, the door opened and two professors entered.

They were none other than Harlind and Sedjen.

The two professors, the most senior professors at Lumerne, were professors with considerable influence within Lumerne.

The position of a Lumerne professor could not be maintained simply by wishing for it.

Only those who passed the rigorous qualification exam held annually could be Lumerne professors.

As such, the two people who had served Lumerne for a long time could be said to be the ones the principal trusted the most.

"I apologize for asking during the first-year students' exam period."

Kallian entrusted the two professors with handling the aftermath of the inter-department competition incident.

"Not at all. We have more leeway now than when we were in charge of the 4th and 5th-year students, so it's fine."

Being in charge of 4th and 5th-year students nearing graduation certainly demanded an enormous amount of work.

Having been in charge of such 4th and 5th-year students and now being in charge of 1st-year students this year, it was natural for them to have free time.

"So, have you culled the suspects?"

In response to the principal's question, Sedjen placed a sheet of paper on the principal's table.

Kallian clicked his tongue upon seeing it.

"We have culled all those with suspicious circumstances."

"There are quite a few recommended individuals from the board of directors."

Kallian looked down at the paper with a serious expression.

"I will speak with them regarding this matter in the future."

"Understood."

"Harlind. How about your side?"

"First of all, all countries are taking quite a firm stance."

Lumerne, possessing the Hero Record, cultivates numerous talents.

The debate over whether their nation's talents could be entrusted to Lumerne had currently emerged as a global issue.

Of course, the fundamental reason was an excuse to undermine Lumerne's influence.

For a long time, many countries were dissatisfied with Lumerne monopolizing the Hero Record.

"So?"

"Their demand is to accept the individuals they recommend as professors."

"It seems they intend to increase their influence in Lumerne by increasing the number of professors from their own faction."

"That's right."

"Given the recent shortage of personnel due to various incidents, temporary professors don't seem like a bad idea. Harlind, you handle that matter."

"Understood."

"And."

Kallian made a serious expression.

"Starting from the second semester, I'll need to reinstate the vice-principal."