Book 1 Chapter 227
227
‘A genuine article… that can't be right.'
Leo clenched his hand tightly, staring at the fragment of Brave.
Brave.
It was Hero Arion's beloved sword and the most famous weapon he ever used.
“Is this Brave?”
Dorberman narrowed his eyes.
“Brave is known as the hero's sword that never breaks, but this sword is broken.”
‘A sword that never breaks…'
Hearing Dorberman’s words, Leo closed his eyes.
And he sighed deeply to himself.
“That’s right! I heard it's a sword that never breaks as long as you don't lose courage!”
“Hmm! Ar! As expected of a descendant of the hero, what a magnificent mindset!”
Dorberman folded his arms, nodded in satisfaction, and then said,
“If only those scrawny limbs were strengthened a bit more, you’d gain an even more impressive air of experience.”
“I don’t need such uselessly bulky muscles.”
“A strong body is a symbol of strength and beauty.”
“My body is strong and beautiful enough!!”
Ar said proudly.
‘A conversation between muscle-brains.’
Leo sighed inwardly, watching the encouraging wolf and the resolutely answering cat.
“There’s no sword that never breaks. Any sword will break when it reaches its limit.”
Leo sighed deeply.
“Besides, if Brave truly never broke, the genuine article would still be intact.”
“Hmm. That makes sense, but it’s hard to imagine that the sword symbolizing Hero Arion-nim broke.”
Dorberman stroked his chin.
“After all, the final expedition of the great heroes is mostly unknown.”
The actions of the great heroes are relatively well-documented.
Kyle's story was largely buried by Tartaros on the other side of history.
But only Kyle's name was excluded.
Records of the major battles Kyle fought in remain.
However, the final expedition was an unknown territory.
‘Even the Hero Record that documented that time barely has anything left.'
That's why the stories of how the great heroes defeated Erebus differed among races.
“Ar. And Leo. Didn't you both actually speak with Arion-nim for a long time?”
‘We didn't just talk for a long time; we fought together for a long time.'
Leo smiled bitterly to himself, and Ar nodded vigorously.
“The Arion-nim I met was before he had Brave, though.”
“Yes. You said it was Arion-nim before he joined the subjugation force. What was he like then?”
The Arion that Ar saw was a timid boy who screamed in fright and told him to stay away when he saw Ar covered in blood.
To Dorberman’s question, Ar took a deep breath.
And he clenched his fist—! and shouted.
“Arion-nim was a man full of spirit, dignified, and proudly unyielding to evil!”
“Hmm! Indeed! He's just like he is in the stories! He was extraordinary even when he was young!”
Leo felt a headache coming on.
It seemed this idiot was remembering Arion in a very distorted way.
‘Anyway, beastmen, whether in the past or now, are incredibly simple.'
Leo pressed his temples, looking at the Azonia students, and said.
“Anyway, where did this fragment of Brave come from? Was a new Hero Record of the hero, unknown to the world, discovered?”
At Leo’s question, Ar perked up his ears.
Dorberman’s eyes also widened.
He still hadn't acknowledged that this sword fragment was Brave.
But if this fragment was a piece of Brave and deeply related to a Hero Record, then the Rodren Empire inviting two students representing Azonia here made sense.
“A new Hero Record hasn’t been discovered. But questions related to Brave arose, so we invited two people from Azonia to seek advice.”
At Cherna’s words, Dorberman folded his arms.
“If it’s a story related to Azonia, why is Leo Flobe here?”
“Black rabbit! Are you transferring to our school?”
“No.”
“I called you because I judged that you would be helpful in this matter.”
Cherna said, looking alternately at Leo and Ar.
“Leo Flobe, Ar Tune. You both conquered the Hero's World last summer. As a reward for that, Ar Tune. You gained the power to transform at any time. Is that right?”
At Cherna’s words, Ar straightened his tail.
Dorberman looked at Cherna with surprised eyes.
That fact was information treated as top secret even within Azonia.
Among the students, the only ones who knew this information were the former student council president who had already graduated and Dorberman, who had just taken office.
This information was so strictly hidden that only a very few instructors knew it.
Since constant transformation was known to be exclusive to Hero Arion, the Azonia side temporarily concealed the fact, as its external disclosure could cause confusion.
Cherna, an outsider, knowing it was naturally astonishing.
“Don’t be surprised. It’s information Azonia shared.”
Cherna put on a serious expression.
“This Brave was a trophy obtained by defeating a ‘Hero Hunter’.”
At the mention of Hero Hunter, a murderous intent flashed across Dorberman’s face.
Hero Hunter.
A faction that forms one pillar of Tartaros’s forces.
Those who hunt heroes.
They are not demons.
A group of traitors tainted by darkness.
They once aimed to be heroes but fell and turned their blades against heroes.
‘Well, there were such guys in the past, too.’
Leo narrowed his eyes, arms folded.
“This is Brave, but it’s not the genuine article. It’s a counterfeit obtained from a reward for conquering the Hero’s World.”
At Cherna’s words, Dorberman’s face hardened.
Ar flinched—shivering her shoulders, and asked.
“Does that mean… the Hero Hunters conquered Arion-nim's world, which was unknown to the public?”
The appearance of Brave is already famous.
It is one of the world's most renowned swords, and its power is well-known through the Hero Record.
Brave, shining brilliantly golden in Arion's hand, was a symbol of the hero and the courage of heroes.
However, there had never been a conquest reward that was Brave until now.
“Yes, the important part starts now.”
Cherna took a deep breath.
“The Hero Hunter who used the sword was a beastman. And he transformed on a night without a full moon.”
“…!”
At those words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“Ar Tune. It means there’s a beastman in this world, besides you, who can transform whenever they want.”
At Cherna’s words, Leo narrowed his eyes.
‘Constant transformation.’
A skill that any beastman who mastered Arion’s breathing could use.
But 5,000 years ago, there was no such beastman.
The same was true thousands of years after Arion's death.
Even Ar gained the ability to transform with the help of the Hero Record.
Leo carefully examined the fragment of Brave.
Faintly, he could feel Arion's aura.
“Was that Hero Hunter able to transform… because of Brave’s power?”
“Exactly.”
At Leo’s question, Cherna narrowed her eyes.
“He went berserk using transformation. But as soon as Brave broke, the transformation wore off.”
Cherna tapped the Brave fragment.
“Ar Tune. I hear your transformation awakens the beastman’s blood through a special flow of aura. I'd like you to investigate whether this Brave fragment has such power. And Leo.”
Cherna looked at Leo.
“I heard that you also received the same conquest reward as Ar Tune. Although you are not a beastman and cannot transform, I thought you might be able to help uncover the secret regarding the effectiveness of this sword, so I arranged this meeting.”
“Can I touch it?”
“Of course.”
As soon as Cherna gave permission, Leo reached out and grasped the Brave fragment.
Arion’s faint dormant aura in the sword reacted.
‘If a mere fragment possesses this much power… it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that in its complete state, it contained Arion’s aura itself.'
Leo knew Brave well.
One of the strongest swords created by Dweno.
Although it broke in Arion's final battle, its power and durability.
And its effects were well-known.
‘Brave didn't have the ability to make beastmen transform. Was a new ability added when it became a Hero Record conquest reward?’
Sometimes that happened.
The three rewards obtainable by conquering a Hero Record.
Hero Skill, Hero Ability, Hero Weapon.
Among them, when a Hero Weapon is obtained as a conquest reward, an ability that was not originally inherent in the weapon can be imbued.
“Black rabbit, let me touch it too.”
Ar, who had come next to Leo, reached out and touched the Brave fragment.
At that moment.
Fwoosh—!
“Unyak?”
Ar screamed as a golden light flashed.
Everyone looked at Ar with surprised eyes.
Sharp claws had appeared on Ar's hand.
Her eyes had turned into cat eyes.
Overall, a fiercer impression.
‘Transformation?’
Ar hurriedly pulled his hand away from the Brave fragment.
His transformation broken, Ar looked back and forth between his hand and the Brave fragment, startled.
Dorberman cautiously picked up the Brave fragment that had fallen to the floor.
There was no particular reaction.
“Why did it only react to Ar?”
Leo narrowed his eyes, watching Dorberman’s puzzled expression.
For the next few hours, the investigation into the Brave fragment continued.
Ultimately, only one conclusion was reached.
The Brave fragment reacted to Ar.
“The available data is limited.”
Cherna narrowed her eyes.
“Could you stay in the Empire for a few more days?”
“If it’s a matter related to Arion-nim, as a student of Azonia, I will cooperate as much as possible.”
Cherna smiled gratefully, looking at Dorberman, who bowed his head.
“Ar, let’s go back to the dorm.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ar snapped—! a salute and was about to follow Dorberman.
“Wooniaaaaaak?”
He shrieked and leaped up.
“I need to see you for a moment.”
Leo was holding Ar's tail and pulling it.
“Pulling a lady’s tail!”
Ar hissed and pounced on Leo.
Leo grabbed Ar’s face, stopping him, and said to Dorberman.
“Can I talk to Ar for a moment?”
“You can consult with me about transferring, if you wish?”
“It’s not about that.”
“Hmm.”
Dorberman, whose massive muscles twitched, looked back and forth between Leo and Ar, then showed a sly smile unbefitting his size.
By then, the sun had already set.
“Good timing.”
Dorberman waved his hand and left.
Ar’s eyes were wide, and his tail wagged.
When only the two of them were left in the hallway, Ar asked.
“What is it? Black rabbit. What are you planning to do, just the two of us at this hour?”
“You.”
Leo clicked his tongue.
“You still can’t properly control your transformation ability, can you?”
“Huh?”
“Let’s check. How well you've become able to control your transformation.”
***
“This must be the place.”
Late at night.
Sedjen clicked his tongue softly, looking at the cabin in front of him.
A professor from Lumern said to Sedjen.
“Professor Sedjen. Outsiders will never understand.”
Sedjen said, looking at his junior professor, who asked worriedly.
“Outside opinions don't matter. Only the Chairman’s permission is important.”
Sedjen spoke nonchalantly and approached the cabin.
Knock— Knock—
“Riina. It’s Sedjen. Open the door.”
There was no answer to Sedjen’s words.
Light was seeping out of the cabin window.
She wasn't absent.
Professor Lumern looked puzzled, and Sedjen clicked his tongue and opened the door.
Bang—! Clang— Roll—
As soon as the door opened, an empty liquor bottle rolled out.
A terrible smell of alcohol stung his nose.
Sedjen sighed deeply, and there was a woman lying face down on the log table in the middle of the living room, gripping a liquor bottle.
“Riina. Wake up.”
“Sedjen?”
The woman called Riina was a young woman of beautiful appearance.
Silver hair and golden eyes.
But she was a contemporary of Sedjen.
“What do you want with me?”
Sedjen took out an appointment letter from his pocket, watching Riina, who reeked of alcohol and yawned languidly.
“Read it.”
Riina, still groggy from drink, read the appointment letter.
“Headmaster? Me?”
She chuckled, neatly folded the appointment letter, and put it in an envelope.
“Hey, Sedjen. I'm not a famous professor like you or Harland. Nor have I made a name in the Hero Record, and certainly not a well-known person to the public.”
Riina, with an unenthusiastic smile, popped open a liquor bottle and gulped—gulped it down.
“All I can do is cut off traitors’ heads.”
Riina Flix.
She was a woman who graduated from Lumern in the same year as Sedjen and Harland.
But she chose darkness, not the bright light given to hero candidates.
She was a hunter who hunted traitors, Hero Hunters, who threatened the world from the shadows.
“That’s why I need someone like you even more.”
Sedjen smiled faintly.
“Lumern currently needs a strong headmaster to protect its students.”
At that, Riina sighed and scratched her head.
“Alright. But I’ll do things my way. The fact that you were willing to recommend me as headmaster means that's acceptable, right?”
“As you wish.”
Riina narrowed her eyes, looking at the smiling Sedjen.
‘I’ve felt it since olden days, but sometimes this guy seems to have more problems than Harland.’