Book 1 Chapter 255

255

"Everyone, take out your Heroics textbooks."

At Mel's words, the students took out two books.

The books were titled <Lectures on Heroics> and <The Lives and Deaths of Heroes>.

Normally, the second-year Heroics textbook is only <Lectures on Heroics>.

However, this year's preparatory materials also included the book <The Lives and Deaths of Heroes>.

'Was <The Lives and Deaths of Heroes> a common purchase for all grades?'

When purchasing textbooks in Rumeria City, Leo had simply placed the books the bookstore clerk gave him into his subspace.

So, this was the first time he was actually looking at the books.

Leo paused when he saw the book about the lives and deaths of heroes.

Author: Melina

Leo looked up at Mel.

Mel, meeting Leo's gaze, smiled brightly and waved.

"This book, you mean?"

Chloe, who was thorough in her studies like the best student in the school, said as she placed a book she had already read several times on her desk.

"It's strange that the author has the same name as the Dragon Lord."

At that, Leo looked at Mel and said,

"Isn't it written by the Dragon Lord?"

"That's impossible. This book was published this year! It must be someone with the same name."

'But I actually wrote it myself.'

However, no one could have even imagined that the Dragon Lord had directly taken a job as a professor at this school, was teaching classes, and had published a book for it.

'Because it's an unreasonable thing.'

Leo glanced at Mel and muttered to himself as he flipped through the book.

"Although this book was published this year, the content is very good. Especially the parts about the Heroes of Genesis, they are of an amazing caliber."

Chloe, being the diligent top student she was, her eyes sparkled as she had already read the book several times.

'Heroes of Genesis.'

Leo opened the page about the Heroes of Genesis and rested his chin on his hand.

The heroes who pioneered the world of heroes for the first time and ushered in a new era.

'Many people see them as our successors.'

They not only discovered the world of heroes for the first time but also conquered the Hero Records of the Great Heroes and inherited their power.

'They defeated the Seven Legion Commanders of Tartarus and sealed the fragments of Erebus, thus preventing the recurrence of the catastrophe.'

The recurrence of the catastrophe.

Based on the records, it was almost similar to the early days of the Age of Catastrophe.

A time when countless nations were destroyed and the legion commanders of Tartarus rampaged.

However, thanks to the Five Heroes, another Age of Catastrophe was averted.

As Mel wiggled her fingers, chalk on the blackboard floated into the air on its own.

Then, it drew a person's likeness on the blackboard as if dancing.

[Knight of Twilight, Lumern.]

He was praised as the strongest knight who single-handedly defeated the legion commanders and armies of Tartarus.

"There are many records and anecdotes about the Heroes of Genesis," Mel said, looking at the second-year students.

"However, in the last 3000 years, there have been almost no attempts to conquer the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis. Does any student know why?"

As soon as the question was asked, several students raised their hands simultaneously.

"Student Iliana Raden."

"Alright!!"

Iliana, who clenched her fists and stood up, replied.

"The Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis are all managed by Dragonia, and dragons only allow chosen heroes to conquer them!"

"That's correct."

Mel smiled brightly and clapped her hands once.

"As a reward for student Iliana…"

"You're going to give me presentation points, right!?"

"I'll give you cookies."

"Yeeek?"

Iliana's expression turned bewildered.

"Are you expecting presentation points for answering such an easy question?"

"Don't try to get away with it!"

Boos erupted from all around.

"Be quiet!"

Iliana, with a flushed face, shouted and hesitantly walked towards Mel.

In fact, she was so embarrassed to have answered a question that wasn't difficult and boldly demanded presentation points that she wanted to run away.

'Ah, whatever! The cookies look delicious anyway.'

However, it was difficult to refuse the professor's kindness on the first day of class, so she decided to go forward with a thick skin.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

Iliana smiled, accepted the cookie, returned to her seat, and took a bite.

"Mmm~!"

Iliana's eyes widened, and she shivered.

Then, she held her cheeks and made a happy expression.

"Delicious~"

Humming a tune and munching on the cookie, Iliana paused and put her finger in her mouth.

"What is this?"

[Good job. Score 5 points]

On the small paper with a cute rabbit drawing, there were presentation points.

"How many points?"

"5 points," Iliana replied to Mel's question.

"Student Iliana, you get an additional 5 points."

"Oh!"

Iliana beamed.

Mel smiled and looked at the students.

"I will give cookies to students who have good class attitudes. And the cookies will have random attitude points inside."

"Random?"

"Yes. Eat cookies, get points. Let's all study happily together."

The entire class was dumbfounded by this unprecedented method of awarding attitude points through a lottery.

However, no one raised any objections.

The professor sets the rules for Lumern's classes.

Objecting to it would be akin to challenging the professor's authority.

And so, the class continued.

Starting with stories about the Twilight Knight's childhood, the class delved deep into his values, psychology, and the goals he pursued.

Mel's class felt less like a Heroics class and more like an in-depth academic study of the Twilight Knight.

The second-year students began to understand the Twilight Knight, whom they had only known through records and anecdotes.

*Ding-dong-ding-dong!*

The bell signaling the end of class rang.

"Class is over," Mel said, closing her textbook with a smile.

"I have one homework assignment. The very first achievement of Lumern was defeating the Orc King who ruled the area at the age of 13. If you were Lumern, please submit a report on what Lumern's state of mind was before going to defeat the Orc King. Any questions?"

Mel tidied up the cookie jar.

Seeing Mel, Chelsea raised her hand.

"Yes, student Chelsea Lewallin."

"Professor Mel, the class was very interesting. It was a time to gain a deeper understanding of the first headmaster. However, there's a part I don't quite understand. Up until now, in the first year, we've studied and researched how to conquer various hero worlds. But Professor Mel's class…"

"You're asking why the focus is on understanding the 'hero' rather than the method of conquest?"

"Yes."

"That's a good question."

Mel smiled wryly.

"As student Iliana Raden announced earlier, the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis are managed by Dragonia. Does anyone know why?"

At this, the second-year students fell silent.

No student knew the reason.

Mel's smile disappeared from her face.

"It is because it is dangerous."

"Isn't it obvious that conquering a hero's world is dangerous?"

"Yes. However, the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis are currently in a state that cannot be conquered. Despite numerous attempts over the past 3000 years, no one has succeeded. Those who attempted were praised as the greatest heroes of their time, but most of them lost their lives in vain."

Mel said as she erased the blackboard with chalk, moving it with mana.

"The class method for conquering hero worlds, like in the first year, will be taught by other professors. The reason for this special class is simple."

Mel looked around at the students.

"It's not just you. Seyrun, Azonia, and Demian are also conducting the same class."

The students' eyes widened.

This was certainly surprising.

"The way you have learned to conquer hero worlds until now is a method for conquering unspecified hero worlds."

Analyzing and researching hero worlds.

Or quickly identifying missions and objectives.

This was the Heroics class that Rumerian students had learned so far.

"However, the method I will teach you will be a class focused on completely understanding the Heroes of Genesis. And this is also one way to conquer a hero's world. Is there anyone who can present their thoughts on why this is a method of conquest?"

As the students looked at each other, someone raised their hand.

"Student Leo Flov."

All eyes turned to Leo.

"It's to achieve what even that hero could not accomplish."

Mel smiled brightly.

"That's correct."

Mel did not give Leo a cookie.

Leo also sat down without receiving one.

"The method I will teach you is the foundation for achieving '[Exceeding Expectations]' in the hero's world."

The students began to murmur.

"Why is understanding that hero the foundation for '[Exceeding Expectations]'?"

This time, Celia raised her hand and asked.

"Conquering a hero's world is about following the achievements of past heroes. Therefore, most people who conquer hero worlds know what their goal should be and what they need to do to achieve it."

The students nodded.

"However, exceeding expectations is an unknown territory. To achieve feats that even that hero couldn't accomplish, you can't just follow existing methods. You have to do what that hero missed, what that hero couldn't do. To do that, you first need to perfectly understand what kind of person that hero is."

At this, the students nodded.

"And the reason for choosing the Heroes of Genesis as the subjects is simple."

Mel's expression became serious.

"Dragonia has delivered a request to each hero academy."

"D-Dragonia?"

"Suddenly?"

"My goodness. Isn't this something that happens once every thousand years?"

As the students were surprised, Warden folded his arms.

"What's the content?"

At that question, Mel smiled wryly.

"It was a request to conquer the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis in your generation."

The students' eyes widened.

* * *

"Aren't you going to give me extra points?"

After class.

Leo visited Mel's professor's office during the break.

At Leo's grumbling, Mel sighed deeply.

"How could I dare offer you cookies and talk about extra points, Lord Leo? And it wasn't a difficult question for you, was it?"

"That's discrimination."

Leo grumbled but sat down in front of Mel.

"So. Why do we have to conquer the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis in this generation?"

"The biggest reason is that this generation has immense potential."

"It's because of me, isn't it."

"Yes."

Mel nodded.

It wasn't wrong.

"However, the biggest reason is probably that they can't hold on for much longer than about 100 years."

"They?"

Leo looked puzzled.

"There's something I didn't tell you when you visited Dragonia."

Mel's expression stiffened.

"The reason Dragonia hasn't revealed the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis is not simply because they are 'unconquerable'."

"Is there another reason?"

"Yes. In the process of sealing Erebus within their Hero Records, most of the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis were burned, but significant records remain. For example, records related to the subjugation of the legion commanders."

"Hero Records containing the records of the legion commanders shouldn't be impossible to conquer."

"Yes. The problem is that even if you conquer the worlds of the Heroes of Genesis, you won't receive any rewards."

"Why?"

"Because the Hero Records do not yet recognize them as dead heroes."

Although there are countless records of the Heroes of Genesis, little is known about their final deeds.

There are theories that they established academies, retired, and lived out their golden years, or that they went into seclusion and disappeared from public view.

What is clear is that nothing is known about their end.

"Don't tell me…"

Leo's expression hardened.

"Yes."

Mel's expression was grim.

"The Five Heroes are still fighting the fragments of Erebus that they sealed within their own hero worlds."