Book 1 Chapter 150
150.
Luna’s eyes widened at Leo’s magic.
“It’s beautiful.”
The pure white magic, so dazzlingly white, was beautiful enough to naturally elicit exclamations of awe.
The moment Erebus, who had been spewing black flames, saw Leo’s magic, it emitted a fierce murderous intent.
A clear hostility was felt.
‘As expected, this guy is aiming for me.’
Leo, with a cold expression, sent Innocent flying towards Erebus.
Flash-!
A bullet of pure white magic flew.
Blaze-!
Black flames, burning everything, blazed fiercely.
Like a ferocious beast, the flames, jaws agape, devoured Innocent.
Groooowl-!
The black flames raged wildly.
At that moment.
Flash-!
Erebus’s flames, swollen like a balloon, soon exploded.
Boom-!
Flames scattered in all directions.
However, the black flames scattered in the air could no longer burn and died down.
Not only that.
Erebus’s main body, affected by the explosion, also staggered.
Thump-!
Groooar!
Erebus let out a furious roar.
“Attack!”
Leo shouted.
Along with that, Luna deployed her magic power.
Flash-!
Numerous magic circles adorned the air.
The young Archmage, who was even wondrous, swung her staff.
Flash! Crash-!
A colossal storm of magic, incomparable to just moments before, raged.
But despite being hit directly by numerous spells, Erebus was unharmed.
“This doesn’t work either?”
Luna made a shocked expression.
Seeing that, Leo frowned.
‘Why isn’t Luna’s attack working?’
Leo brandished his gray aura.
Wham-!
Woaaaaar!
Erebus’s furious roar was heard.
It worked.
Leo’s attack, weak beyond comparison to Luna’s, worked.
‘Could it be that Luna’s attacks don’t work because she’s a being from the hero’s world?’
There’s every possibility of that.
Leo made an anxious expression.
In this current party, Luna was both the vanguard defending the front and a mage with the strongest offensive power in the party.
‘If Luna’s attacks don’t work, it’ll be a big blow.’
While Leo was feeling anxious.
Flames erupted from Lunia’s body in the rear.
Blaze-!
Lunia grasped a small flame burning above her hand.
Whoosh-!
Instantly, wings of flame unfurled.
The symbol of the Rundoa family.
Flames passed down through generations as contractors of the Phoenix for a long time.
“Sacred Flame.”
The forbidden flame, burning even itself, blazed fiercely.
Maintaining the flames was none other than Lunia.
As long as that will doesn’t extinguish, Lunia’s body will burn like firewood.
Seeing that, Elena smiled.
“So this is the Rundoa family’s flame.”
Elena approached Lunia, who was making a pained expression.
“Wait! Danger…”
Lunia, with a flustered face, tried to back away.
But before that, Elena hugged Lunia.
The wildly raging flames threatened Elena.
But Elena didn’t care, putting more strength into her arms embracing Lunia and resting her chin on Lunia’s shoulder.
“The scent of wild flames. Yes. You’re a bit of a dangerous child, aren’t you?”
She fearlessly rushes towards her goal.
Even if she were to burn herself out and disappear, this elf girl wouldn’t hesitate.
Elena, gently pulling Lunia away, smiled faintly.
Pink magic power flowed from Elena’s body.
Blaze-!
Elena’s body caught fire.
Seeing that, Lunia’s eyes widened.
“This magic is…”
“Sacrifice. It’s a hero’s magic left behind by Menamel, the Elf Saintess.”
“Wait! Sacrifice is definitely…!”
“Yes. It’s the strongest healing magic. They say Menamel even revived the dead with it, didn’t she?”
“Yes! But this magic…!”
The caster takes on the wounds of the subject.
It is literally the magic of equivalent exchange.
“Among us right now, the one with the strongest offensive power is you.”
Elena smiled faintly.
The Phoenix’s flame grows endlessly stronger as long as it burns.
Rundoa’s flame also grows stronger the more it burns.
But unlike the Phoenix, there was a limit.
A mighty power for the Phoenix with infinite vitality, but a double-edged sword for an elf who lacks it.
In other words, the moment the body could no longer endure was the limit of Rundoa’s flame.
Elena removed the constraints of that limit for Lunia.
“But Elena-ssi…!”
“Oh my. A third-year isn’t so weak that a first-year kid has to worry.”
Elena shrugged as if unconcerned.
“So burn even brighter.”
Elena, with the expression of a noble queen, said.
“Show your worth, Lunia el Rundoa.”
“…Even if you regret it, I won’t know.”
Blazzzzzze-!
The wings of flame grew even larger.
Accordingly, Elena’s pain grew even greater.
But Elena smiled nobly.
‘Honestly… I can’t let my guard down around Seirune either.’
Thump- Rumble-!
The fallen Erebus rose to its feet.
And seeing Lunia’s fiercely burning flames, it roared.
Woaaaaar!
A spear of flame generated at Erebus’s fingertips.
It accurately hurled the spear towards Lunia and Elena.
To block that attack, Hardin flew towards Erebus’s spear.
Hummm-!
The surrounding atmosphere responded to Hardin’s call.
Hardin, who had gained control over the wind, concentrated aura at the tip of his sword.
Along with that, he thrust his sword with both hands.
Flash! Crash-!
A surging blade of wind struck Erebus’s flame spear.
At the instantly conveyed chilling heat, Hardin made a stern expression and tensed his entire body.
Boom-!
The spear of flame scattered.
‘This is the legendary great calamity…!’
Just blocking a single strike felt as if all the energy was drained from his body.
In Hardin’s eyes, he saw Leo’s back, working in tandem with Luna at the very front to stop Erebus.
‘…Leo Flobe.’
The first-year class representative of Lumerun.
For now, he might have the upper hand in power.
‘But the place he stands is different.’
He felt that the boy was already in an unreachable place.
First-year and third-year… he was convinced that the gap between grades would be overcome in an instant.
He felt no inferiority complex or jealousy.
Only admiration came out.
It was different again from Elena, whom he had targeted.
‘Right.’
Hardin, realizing the true nature of his feelings, burst into laughter.
‘It’s awe.’
Hardin felt awe towards a human boy younger than himself.
In a place where he himself could not stand.
He felt awe towards Leo, standing in the same place as a great hero.
At that moment.
Boom-!
A pillar of red flame surged from behind.
Hardin turned his head.
There stood Lunia, who had created flames spewing astonishing firepower.
“Here I go!”
Lunia sent the giant flame, raised high with both hands, flying towards Erebus.
Seeing that, Leo remembered something.
“Luna.”
“Why?”
“That magic, can you strengthen it further?”
Leo gestured with his chin towards Lunia’s ‘Sacred Flame’.
Seeing that, Luna made an expression of disbelief.
“Control such high-level magic and make it stronger? Dispel would be much easier!”
“You can’t?”
“Talk about what’s possible! What’s possible! You’re a mage too, aren’t you? Talk sense!”
To seize control of magic used by another, an overwhelming difference in skill is required.
Even if there’s a skill difference, if the opponent’s magic is high-level magic composed of complex magical formulas, gaining control is impossible.
Even if control is somehow seized, the power would be reduced to a pathetic level.
And to strengthen it further?
It’s an absurd idea.
Seeing Luna making a bewildered expression, Leo said.
“You can do it.”
“What?”
“You’re a genius, aren’t you?”
At those words, Luna’s ears perked up.
Luna, who easily got conceited, became conceited again at Leo’s words.
“Well. This body *is* a genius.”
Luna cleared her throat, “Ahem!”
“Come to think of it, theoretically, it’s not impossible, is it?”
Luna, grinning, gripped her polyum firmly.
“Alright! What the heck! I’ll give it a try.”
“So simple-minded.”
“What was that?”
“I’m counting on you.”
At Leo’s murmur, Luna sharply turned around, saw Leo giving a thumbs-up, and let out a “Hmph!” and chuckled.
Then she closed her eyes and activated her magic power.
Whooom-!
Luna’s magic power enveloped Lunia’s Sacred Flame.
Instantly, Luna’s consciousness fell into a state of ecstasy.
‘Oh? This magic formula… it’s familiar.’
Luna felt a sense of wonder.
Leo’s magic earlier too.
And this magic too.
It was similar to the magic she was researching.
Luna, who grasped and understood the structure of the spell, was amazed.
‘The person who created this spell is definitely a genius. A genius like me!’
It was exactly the same as the ideal she pursued.
Luna explored and re-explored the spell her future self had created.
For a fleeting moment, Luna fell into ecstasy.
And then she realized something.
Groooooo-!
Suddenly, Erebus lunged towards Luna.
But Luna, engrossed in her magic, couldn’t react.
Slash-!
Instantly, a gray sword energy severed Erebus’s wrist.
“Not a second time.”
Leo said in a cold voice.
“I won’t let you take it away a second time.”
The fragment of the great calamity flinched at the voice imbued with murderous intent.
Leo, who overwhelmed the fragment of Erebus with just a glance, gripped his sword.
Grooooooooooar!
Enraged, Erebus swung its arm at Leo, who had blocked its path to protect Luna.
Leo did not dodge.
Because the moment he dodged, Luna would be exposed to danger.
Crunch-!
Erebus’s gigantic hand seized Leo.
Crackle-
Black flames erupted from Erebus’s hand.
Hardin, Lunia, and Elena’s eyes widened at the sight.
At that moment.
[Conquest Objective: Help Luna, the Ancestor of the Nebula, complete the Star Magic.]
[Luna, the Ancestor of the Nebula, has completed the Star Magic.]
A message appeared before the eyes of the conquerors.
Amidst everyone’s surprise.
“You’re not going to die from just that, are you?”
Luna asked with a bright smile.
Flash! Slash-!
As the gray aura flashed, Leo, who had cut through Erebus’s hand that held him and escaped, grinned.
“Of course not.”
His body was burned in many places.
Black flames had seeped into his skin.
His face was contorted in pain, but his lips were smiling.
“Well then.”
Luna smiled faintly, looking at the magic she had successfully controlled.
“It’s over, you damned black bastard.”
Flash-!
A sphere of flames, shining radiantly like a sun, flew towards Erebus.
Woaaaaar-!
Thump!
Erebus blocked the magic as if holding it up.
Bang-!
But soon, its knees buckled.
Grooooan-!
Erebus, which had been letting out a pained roar, soon succumbed to the force and was crushed by the magic.
Thump! Crash-!
A colossal pillar of flame shot into the sky.
Kwoaaaaaaak!
Erebus’s scream soared high into the sky.
But soon, it burned beyond recognition and disappeared into ashes.
***
The ominous sky returned to its original state.
All that remained was the half-destroyed Barhalrun Castle.
Amidst it, Lunia mumbled.
“It’s, it’s over.”
Her body trembled with joy.
“We defeated Erebus… *Hiiieek*?”
“Hmm. I thought I’d smell smoke, but usually, you have quite a fresh scent.”
Lunia gasped and pushed away Elena, who was burying her face in her neck.
“What are you doing!”
Seeing Lunia, whose ears had turned red, Elena chuckled.
“Your reaction is cute. I like it. Should I kidnap you and take you to Lumerun?”
“Absolutely not! I am the proud class representative of Seirune!”
Seeing Elena, who had found a toy she liked, Lunia shook her head with a flushed face.
“Oh dear, what a shame.”
It was when she was licking her lips.
“We did it! We defeated that monster! And I completed the magic I’ve been researching for so long!”
Hahahahaha! Luna burst into hearty laughter.
“You guys! You were pretty good! I thought all elves were stuffy people, but there are people like you too!”
“It’s an honor to be evaluated like that… *Hup*?”
Hardin, who had been answering politely, was shocked by Luna’s action of putting her arm around his shoulder as if in a headlock.
Luna, placing her remaining arm around Lunia’s neck, smiled cheerfully.
“L-Luna-nim and an arm-around-the-shoulder…!”
“T-This must be a dream! No! It shouldn’t be a dream!”
Seeing the two bewildered elves, Elena chuckled.
“The silly looks of Seirune’s class representatives. It would be worth seeing if we kept a photo.”
“For a Great Hero, isn’t that not strange at all?”
Leo approached Elena.
And tried to help her up.
Elena, smiling faintly, slapped away Leo’s hand.
“You shouldn’t carelessly touch a lady.”
At those words, Leo made a jaded expression.
“Didn’t you lean on Lunia quite well?”
Though he had brushed it off as a good-natured prank earlier, Elena’s current state was so bad that she could barely lift her head.
“Hmm. You have keen observation.”
Elena half-closed her eyes.
She was pretending to be calm, but Elena’s current condition was the worst.
Despite using such powerful magic, Lunia was unharmed because Elena had taken on all the flames that Lunia should have endured.
“But I don’t need such consideration.”
Elena smiled brightly.
“A queen should be left as a noble flower, Leo-kun.”
“Isn’t she still too young to be called a queen? Maybe a princess, but not a queen.”
“Hmm. You’re right. When I was little, in fairy tales, I preferred the rescued princess to the hero. I ended up admiring that side more.”
Elena chuckled.
“Well, I’m the type who escapes on my own before a prince or hero can rescue me, though.”
Elena, having said that much, narrowed her eyes.
“Anyway, before considering me, I think you should worry about yourself first?”
Among the current party members, the one with the most severe injuries was none other than Leo.
“I’m used to it.”
But Leo smiled calmly and shrugged.
The two of them then approached Luna.
“With this, I’ve taken one step closer to my ultimate magic!”
Luna, full of excitement, exclaimed.
At those words, Elena asked with shining eyes.
“What exactly is the ultimate magic Luna-nim aims for?”
“Listen and be amazed! It’s the magic of making flowers bloom!”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Lunia, Elena, and Hardin made blank expressions.
It wasn’t because Luna’s goal was too absurd.
The three’s gazes naturally turned to Leo.
The magic of making flowers bloom that Luna mentioned.
Because it was the forgotten magic of the Ancestor that Leo had successfully restored during the school field trip.
“Anyway! I’m going to follow you guys!”
Luna grinned.
“You guys are going out, aren’t you? To the outside world? Take me with you!”
“No.”
Leo said firmly.
At that, Luna pouted her lips.
“Oh, don’t be so petty, just take me.”
“No. I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“We have our path. And you have yours.”
Leo drew a line.
How great would it be if they could go together?
‘…There would be no happier event than that.’
But that was impossible.
It was different from Elsie’s time.
Elsie was, after all, a type of ‘ability’ within the scope of Leo’s contract.
Unlike her, Luna was the master of this world.
No matter how great the world of heroes was, it wouldn’t be able to save even a Great Hero.
Luna’s face, which had been full of annoyance, was suddenly tinged with bewilderment.
“You…?”
Lunia, Elena, and Hardin couldn’t see it, but.
Leo was biting his lip tightly.
Leo’s hand tensed.
And at that moment.
To a sudden encounter.
As if announcing a sudden farewell.
[Luna’s World: Prologue - Barhalrun has been conquered.]
The world announced its end.
Whoosh-!
And at the same time, all conquerors except Leo disappeared.
They had returned to their original world.
This was reality.
Luna, who had to live in the past, and Leo, who had to live in the future.
The difference was too vast.
Leo, forcing his distorted face straight, said.
“You will surely meet… great companions who will do amazing things with you.”
“…”
“Your adventure awaits you.”
“…Are you leaving now too?”
“I think I have to.”
Luna instinctively realized.
That she could not be with the boy in front of her.
She let her shoulders slump.
Her drooping ears, uncharacteristic of Luna, were visible.
At that moment, cracks began to appear in the world.
The end was approaching.
At that moment, Leo extended his hand.
“Luna Rubinens.”
“Huh?”
Whoosh-!
A flower bloomed from Leo’s hand.
Seeing that, Luna made a surprised expression.
“You will become a greater mage than anyone else. You’ll save the world… be respected by all elves and be called the Ancestor of the Nebula.”
Leo squeezed out the last remaining magic power.
The desolate ruins were instantly colored with flowers.
“Your future… will be more brilliant than anyone else’s.”
Luna’s eyes, surprised beyond measure, turned round.
“So don’t be disheartened. You.”
Leo reached out and ruffled Luna’s hair.
“Being confident suits you.”
“…Mm!”
Luna smiled brightly.
Seeing that bright smile, Leo took a step back.
Leo returned her smile with his own.
His vision was engulfed in bright light.