Book 1 Chapter 104

Leo pulled a map from his breast.

The backlash from the hero's breath had turned the area around Leo's left arm into ashes.

Because of that, the map had also burned and was difficult to read.

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

Leo sighed lightly and walked through the ruins of a long-collapsed castle.

By the time the cheers of his classmates faded to an almost inaudible murmur.

Leo arrived at the lake's edge in a corner of the castle ruins.

Then, he dipped his fingertips into the lake.

Thoong-!

Ripples spread across the entire lake.

"……"

Leo straightened up and walked towards the center of the lake using an aura step.

Kkadeuk-!

Then he bit his right thumb, popped it, and dropped a drop of blood into the lake.

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

But instead of spreading, the drop of blood formed a small circle.

And a complex pattern was engraved on top of it.

It was a pattern symbolizing Luminous, the spirit of radiance.

Woong-!

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

Hwahak-!

After a moment, the orb of light burst, and a white-haired spirit the size of a palm appeared.

The spirit, holding a light that seemed about to extinguish at any moment, trembled and its eyes opened.

"It's been a while. Luminous."

As their eyes met, Luminous wore a bewildered expression.

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

"It's me. Kyle."

[Kyle? You?]

Luminous stared intently at Leo.

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

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

Luminous, having recognized Leo as Kyle, asked.

[I don't know why you look like that, but where is Lisinas?]

"Lisinas… is dead."

At those words, Luminous looked up at the sky.

The blue sky.

Luminous's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the sky, so beautiful that it was unimaginable during the Age of Calamity.

A sky that was nothing special in this era.

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

[That child kept her promise with me.]

Luminous spoke, recalling the image of the sworn one who promised to restore light to the world.

[Can you tell me what happened while I was asleep?]

Leo told her about meeting his companions, forming the subjugation party, and defeating Erebus after many sacrifices.

Though he couldn't explain in detail, he told Luminous the stories of the great heroes.

After hearing all the stories, Luminous opened her mouth.

[It's fortunate that I didn't wake up for 5,000 years.]

"Why?"

[Because I can tell you this.]

The spirit of radiance, once called the greatest spirit, bowed her head respectfully.

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

Luminous raised her head and said.

[Even if the world has forgotten you, the fact that you accomplished great deeds never changes. Thank you… truly.]

Gratitude that only those who lived in that era could convey.

Leo burst into laughter.

"It's the first time someone's thanked me."

At those words, Luminous smiled brightly.

Then, Luminous's body began to glow faintly.

Luminous had been sealed to prevent her extinction.

Once the seal was broken, there was little time left.

"Leo! Where are you!"

Just then, a voice calling Leo's name could be heard from afar.

[Who are those children?]

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

[I see.]

Luminous gave a wry smile.

As long as Erebus had not completely disappeared.

The embers of disaster still remained on this land.

[Are you going to fight again this time?]

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

At those words, Luminous spread her hands.

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

[This is the Orb of Light, possessed by the Great Spirits of Light for generations. I was supposed to pass it on to my successor, but… I couldn't. Please take it.]

"Is it okay for me to accept something like this?"

[Yes. It's not an item with special power, but its symbolic meaning is great. If you show this, you will receive the same treatment as a Great Spirit from the spirits of light.]

If so, it was an amazing item.

[It's time for farewell.]

"Yes."

[May the blessings of light be upon you.]

"May you rest in peace."

With Kyle's respectful farewell, Luminous disappeared with a bright smile.

Leo tucked the necklace into his breast.

Along with him, Celia appeared at the lake's edge.

"Leo, what are you doing here?"

"I had a brief errand."

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

"Understood."

***

Shortly after the first-year students defeated Gigantes, a rescue team from Rumern broke the curse of severance and entered Naygran.

During this time, there were several beast attacks, but fortunately, there were no major dangers, and the first-year students were safely rescued.

Following that, the incident during the department competition caused a huge uproar.

There were two main topics of discussion.

Rumern was put under scrutiny.

Anyone could see that this department competition was an attack by Tartarus targeting Rumern.

Pressure was applied from external forces due to Rumern's insufficient response.

However, there was an even hotter topic: the first-year students who defeated Gigantes.

The Gigantes raid was a heroic feat that could be called nothing less than a great achievement.

As all attention was focused on Rumern.

"Sob. I totally messed up the exam."

Kal, who was lying on the floor, wept mournfully.

All the first-year students were struggling with the written exams.

Since the department competition schedule overlapped with the exam period, this exam was particularly difficult.

Of course, there were students who were not struggling.

"Kal, this first semester has been enjoyable."

Chelsea, unlike her usual self, smiled kindly and patted Kal's shoulder.

"You said the same thing during the midterm exam, didn't you?"

"Yes. But I don't think the same miracle will happen this time."

"Sob. That's too mean."

The top students were at ease regardless of the department schedule.

Seeing them, Leo said.

"You worked hard, so it will turn out well. I heard you did exceptionally well in the department competition."

"Leo, you're the only one!"

After the magic exam ended, while the three of them were chatting as usual.

"Student Leo."

"Vice-Professor Anna. What is it?"

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

At that, Leo wore a puzzled expression.

"I'll be right back."

"Yes, Leo-oppa, we'll head to the classroom first."

"Have a good trip."

Chelsea and Kal got up and headed towards classroom 5.

"Why is the professor looking for me?"

"You'll find out directly from the professor."

Anna smiled and replied to Leo's question.

A moment later, Anna, who arrived in front of Ren's professor's office, knocked and opened the door.

Kwak-!

As the door opened, Professor Ren was gazing at a blackboard that occupied the entire wall of the professor's office.

Complex magic formulas and equations were drawn all over the wall.

"Hmm. You're here, Student Leo."

Ren, spotting Leo, offered him a seat.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Then."

Ren sat in front of Leo with a cup of coffee emitting a strong aroma.

He then heated the lukewarm coffee with magic and said seriously.

"I'll be direct, Student Leo."

"Yes."

"From the second semester, you will choose Magic as your major."

"Isn't forcing a major on a student against school rules?"

"Of course not."

Dalk-!

Ren put down his coffee cup.

"But Student Leo! Your talent is too precious! At your age, to use star magic and decipher the magic formulas left by the progenitor of constellations! You have a talent that appears once in a thousand years!"

"I still want to take Knight Studies and Summoning Studies classes. I appreciate your kind words, but I plan to take all three classes in the second semester as well."

Having said that, Leo bowed his head.

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

With those words, Leo left Ren's professor's office.

After Leo left, Anna entered the professor's office and sighed.

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

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

"Events?"

"I need to create lectures that a magician can't resist. Student Leo will also be unable to resist them!"

Watching Ren burn with passion, Anna smiled.

'He sometimes goes overboard and causes trouble for those around him, but he's truly the most magnificent when he's burning with passion for magic.'

"I will be rooting for Professor Ren."

"Yes, so Vice-Professor Anna, let's prepare for the next semester together during the vacation!"

Anna's eyes twitched.

"Together… with you?"

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

"I submitted a leave request to go back to my hometown this time."

"I've already canceled your request!"

"Hey, you jerk! You told me to go back to my hometown for the first time in a while at the beginning of the first semester!"

Enraged, Anna lunged at Ren and grabbed him by the collar.

It was a gross insubordination for a vice-professor to grab a professor by the collar, but Ren just laughed joyfully.

This time too, Anna became the target of Ren's uncontrolled rampage.

***

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

They were Halind and Sedjen.

As the most senior professors at Rumern, both held considerable influence within the academy.

The position of professor at Rumern could not be maintained simply by wanting it.

Only those who passed the strict qualification exam held annually could become professors at Rumern.

Therefore, the two, who had served at Rumern for a long time, were the most trusted individuals by the principal.

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

Kalian had entrusted the follow-up to the department competition incident to the two professors.

"Not at all. We have more leeway than when we were in charge of the 4th and 5th years."

Being in charge of the 4th and 5th years, who were on the verge of graduation, certainly demanded an immense amount of work.

It was natural that their hands were free this year, having been in charge of the 1st years.

"So, have you narrowed down the suspects?"

Sedjen placed a piece of paper on the principal's table in response to the principal's question.

Upon seeing it, Kalian clicked his tongue.

"We have identified everyone with suspicious circumstances."

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

Looking down at the paper, Kalian wore a serious expression.

"I will speak with these individuals later."

"Understood."

"Halind. How about your end?"

"Currently, all countries are taking a rather strong stance."

Rumern, which possesses the Hero Records, cultivates numerous talents.

The debate over whether the nation's talents could be trusted and entrusted has become a global issue.

Of course, the fundamental reason was a pretext to diminish Rumern's influence.

Many countries have long been dissatisfied with Rumern's monopoly on the Hero Records.

"So?"

"Their demand is to accept professors recommended by them."

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

"That is correct."

"Given the recent shortage of personnel due to various incidents, temporary professors might not be a bad idea. Halind, you will be in charge of that matter."

"Understood."

"And."

Kalian's expression turned serious.

"I need to reinstate the vice-principal from the second semester."

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