Book 1 Chapter 288

288

Everyone wore a bewildered expression as they looked at Katariu, who was engulfed in rippling white flames.

'Why was this guy summoned?'

But it was Leo, who had summoned Katariu, who was the most bewildered.

He had only used his spiritual power to further draw out Fiora's strength.

Yet, Katariu had been summoned.

And in a contracted form, no less.

Leo had never made a contract with Katariu.

That was true even in Kyle's time.

A contract had been made without him knowing.

'Is this… possible?'

Leo looked at Katariu with astonished eyes.

[I will ask again, human. Why do you possess the markings of my contract?]

At Katariu's words, Leo replied,

"I don't know either. I only used my spiritual power to draw out the power of my contractor."

[Contractor?]

Katariu glanced at Leo's sword.

*Whoosh-*

The flames that had been rippling from the sword soon took the form of a small bird.

"Peep."

[…….]

Katariu wore an expression of disbelief as he looked at the round chick, the size of an adult man's fist.

[Little Phoenix, huh? But why is he so fat?]

"How would I know."

Leo felt unashamed, though it was a consequence of indiscriminately accepting snacks from other students.

'It's not my fault.'

After looking at Fiora for a moment, Katariu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Leo.

[Are you an All-Class?]

Katariu's body, having instantly discerned Leo's ability, was enveloped in flames.

*Thud-!*

A woman with pure white hair and red eyes landed on the floor.

"To think there was an All-Class ability user besides that rude Kyle. Astonishing."

After looking at Leo for a moment, Katariu narrowed his eyes.

"I will ask. Is your family perhaps deeply connected with the Phoenix?"

Katariu saw through the Zerdiger family blood flowing within Leo.

"Yes."

"Hmm. Indeed. It's not common, but is it a hereditary succession of contract? It seems the contract made by the former Phoenix King has been passed down through your family and awakened in you."

Katariu was deducing the reason why Leo, who had not made a contract, had summoned him.

Leo was also thinking about why he could summon Katariu.

'I see… Is it because I obtained Lissina's Dragon Heart?'

Just before the final battle with Erebus.

Leo received Lissina's dying Dragon Heart and inherited her power.

It was a succession by Lissina's will, not one forcefully obtained.

In that process, he also inherited the contracts Lissina had with spirits and mythical beasts.

Lissina's magic disappeared along with Kyle's body being consumed.

However, the mark of succession was engraved not on the body but on the soul.

'Mel said. The Lissina's magic inherited from the world of heroes follows my control.'

The contract is the same.

The contracts Lissina made in this era clearly recognize Leo as 'Lissina'.

Leo looked down at his own hands.

"By the way, at your age, to contract with a Phoenix, even if you are young."

Katariu had an amused expression.

"And to think there was even a Phoenix that looked newly hatched, whom I didn't know. How peculiar."

*Peep- Peep-*

Fiora flapped its wings as if curious and circled around Katariu.

A hint of warmth appeared in Katariu's eyes, which had been emanating arrogance.

Although Katariu was fundamentally rude, he was a gentle Phoenix to his covenantor and kin.

"I love those with talent."

The last Phoenix King extended his foot to Leo with an elegant face.

"I will grant you the honor of kissing the back of my foot and showing respect. Covenantor of the little Phoenix. Of course, don't forget to break the contract after it's over."

Katariu tilted his head slightly.

"Even if you have talent, I have no intention of maintaining a contract with mere humans. Especially if it's a contract I didn't make."

*Peep- Peep!*

Fiora, who had walked up to Leo, peeped as if urging him on.

Although it didn't exist in Fiora's era, it instinctively understood that Katariu was the Phoenix King and sided with her.

"Who on earth are you on the side of?"

Leo sighed and knelt down.

Katariu looked at Leo with a triumphant expression.

*Peep?*

Leo then grabbed Fiora on the floor and rubbed it against Katariu's face.

"Pfft?"

*Screeeech!*

Katariu thrashed, and Fiora shrieked.

"You insolent wretch! Do you know who I am! Do you want to turn to ashes!"

"Lissina told you not to harm people, didn't she?"

"You! How do you know the conditions of my contract with Lissina!"

*Peep-peep-peep-peep!*

Even so, it was the first time he had ever encountered such a mad Phoenix contractor who dared to rub the Phoenix King's face against his covenantor.

It was then, as Leo and the two Phoenixes were causing a commotion.

"Ah! Master Aron! What brings you here?"

"You're unharmed, Berkkia."

"Of course, I'm unharmed. That aside…"

Berkkia, who had returned, frowned as he looked towards Leo.

"Why is that annoying Phoenix here, and why is he fighting with him?"

"…It seems there's a complicated reason."

Aron smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

Then, seeing Leo even grabbing Katariu by the scruff of his neck, he muttered,

"He's really like Kyle."

Aron smiled gently at the boy he met for the first time today, who reminded him of his friend in many ways.

***

*BOOM-!*

"Gasp?!"

The beastkin, hit in the stomach by Aron's powerful kick, lost consciousness with his eyes rolling back.

*Thud-!*

Aron, landing on the floor, bent his left knee and extended his right leg.

Then, with his left foot as the pivot, he spun rapidly like a top.

*Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh-*

"Ugh?"

"Gah?!"

The soldiers who had surrounded Aron, caught off guard by the lightning-fast low attacks, lost their balance and fell to the floor.

Aron's white ears perked up.

*BOOM-!*

A massive battle axe was embedded in the spot where Aron had been.

"Impressive martial arts."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"And Master Aron's transformation ability too. What is your identity?"

The massive bear beastkin retrieved his battle axe and his eyes gleamed.

Aron, looking at the bear beastkin, bared his claws.

"Beautiful women have many secrets."

"Hmph. I would have liked to spar a bit longer, but I can't let any more suspicious individuals run wild."

*Grrrrrrr-*

An unusual aura and fighting spirit poured out from the bear beastkin's body.

'This beastkin is strong.'

Aron's expression tensed as he saw this.

He was different from the mediocre opponents he had faced until now.

Aron, who had been rushing to rescue Eiran, relentlessly blowing away those in his path, couldn't help but feel tense.

Just as he reached the front of the charging bear beastkin.

"Flame Explosion."

With an incantation, a crimson spark flew out right in front of Aron.

Upon seeing that, Aron recoiled and threw himself to the side.

*KABOOOMMMMM!*

"Kuaaaaaaaak!"

The bear beastkin, hit directly by Lunia's magic right in front of him, was sent flying and crashed.

"What is this!"

As Aron protested, sticking his face right up to her, Lunia said calmly,

"It's okay, he won't die from that."

*Sssss-*

Lunia said calmly, pointing at the scorched bear beastkin lying on the ground, and Aron snarled, revealing his fangs.

"That's not it! You almost got me too!"

"Surprise attacks should be made when the opponent is off guard. When I reached right in front of you, you weren't paying attention, so the magical attack was effective. I thought your reflexes would be enough to avoid it."

"If that was your calculation."

"Even if you had been hit, you would have been fine due to the reinforcement of your transformation."

"So in the end, you used it thinking it didn't matter if I got caught!"

Aron was agitated.

"We're short on time! And now, if we just climb these stairs, we're on the first floor!"

It was literally instantaneous for the two to break through the underground prison after releasing their mana seals.

If Aron had to fight the bear beastkin, who was an immensely skilled individual moments ago, he would have struggled, but with Lunia's magic, they quickly broke through the final gatekeeper.

'Eiran! Just hold on a little longer!'

As Lunia gritted her teeth and stepped onto the stairs to the first floor.

"You're making quite a racket."

"……!"

Lunia's face was filled with despair as she saw the dwarf who appeared before her.

Aron also realized that the dwarf was Dwenno and his tail stiffened.

The area around the entrance to the underground prison was a large open space.

There was no one else there except Dwenno.

But Lunia felt a great sense of despair.

The person before her was none other than the legendary great hero.

No matter how much Lunia and Aron struggled, they were no match for him.

'First, escape…!'

As Lunia quickly scanned her eyes, thinking of an escape route.

*Whoosh! Boom-!*

A massive axe flew and embedded itself in the spot Lunia thought was a weak point.

"You'd best not think of running away."

Dwenno, having accurately sensed Lunia's intentions, blocked the path.

As Lunia gritted her teeth.

"Representative of Seilun. Go first."

Aron stepped forward.

"I'll try to stop Lord Dwenno!"

"You can't do it alone!"

Lunia cried out urgently, and Aron grinned.

"It's impossible even with two people. He's Lord Dwenno."

"……!"

"But I can create an escape route for you."

Aron stepped forward.

Dwenno tilted his head, looking at Aron.

"What a reckless little cat."

"Master Aron wouldn't… "

"He would have run away immediately."

"……."

Aron, who had been about to talk about the Aron he knew, was silenced when he was refuted before he could even finish.

"Master Aron isn't such a cowardly man…!"

"He's the most cowardly man."

"Don't insult Master Aron!"

Aron, agitated, puffed up his fur and hissed.

"That fool…!"

Lunia covered her face, watching Aron.

"What an amusing young lady!"

While laughing heartily, Dwenno's eyes turned sharp.

'He's using transformation even though it's not a full moon?'

Dwenno glanced up at the sky and looked at Aron, who was charging at him.

Although Aron appeared to be charging recklessly at Dwenno, he was actually moving along a meticulously planned path.

'He's trying to distract me so I can't interfere with that elf girl.'

Seeing Aron's sharp eyes observing his movements, Dwenno smirked.

'That elf girl was amazing, but this beastkin girl is also amazing.'

They were truly worthy of being called hope.

*Poof-!*

Aron's movements changed rapidly.

He moved with unpredictable changes, confusing Dwenno's eyes.

'I have to create even a small opening!'

Aron broke into a cold sweat.

He knew, without needing to be told, the gap between himself and Dwenno.

He wasn't a great hero just because he had created a divine weapon.

As a true warrior, he was one of the strongest legends who stood on the front lines with Aron and the expeditionary force.

*CRACK-!*

Aron's fist aimed for Dwenno's face.

And as he braced himself for Dwenno's counterattack, tensing his body.

*KA-BOOMMMMM!*

*WHOOSH!*

With a great sound, a powerful gust of wind blew away all the surrounding dust.

Aron's eyes widened.

Surprisingly, Aron's powerful fist was precisely embedded in Dwenno's cheek.

However, Dwenno didn't budge, like a rock.

Seeing Dwenno, who didn't even blink at an attack filled with his all, Aron felt goosebumps all over his body.

And another epithet of the divine blacksmith Dwenno flashed through his mind.

If the hero Aron was a warrior who slaughtered enemies on the front lines,

Then the divine blacksmith Dwenno was…

'The absolute shield… who blocked any attack…!'

The pillar of great heroes who took on the toughest jobs in battle.

Dwenno didn't even flinch at Aron's all-out attack.

"Magnificent."

Dwenno praised Aron's attack and then grabbed Aron's wrist.

*BOOM-!*

"Gasp?!"

And he slammed Aron into the floor.

As Aron writhed in pain.

*Fwoosh-*

The flames of a sacred fire flickered.

'This magic formula?'

Dwenno, sensing familiarity in the magic formula, wore an astonished expression.

*KABOOOOOMMMMM!*

The Phoenix's flames enveloped Dwenno.

*Fwoosh-fwoosh-*

However, golden flames emanating from Dwenno's hand swallowed Lunia's magic.

"Welcome. A born fire user."

Dwenno smiled warmly and looked at Lunia, gritting his teeth.

"Elves have strong kinship. Weren't you going to rescue your captured friend?"

"I will rescue her. Taking her with me."

Lunia shouted, gritting her teeth.

"That's impossible. You are indeed formidable. But by my standards, you are merely chicks. You could have succeeded if one of you had given up."

Dwenno said coldly.

Dwenno tapped Aron, who was at his feet, with his toe and said,

"Either way, you'll be caught by me. If you have to give up, isn't it better to give up on this friend?"

"Don't make me laugh…!"

*Flash-*

Shards of light appeared around Lunia.

'My flames won't work on Lord Dwenno! Then…!'

She had to fight with the magic of stars.

Dwenno's expression changed as he saw the shards of light, reminiscent of starlight in the night sky.

'As expected, this magic…'

The shards of starlight flew towards Dwenno.

"Hoo."

Dwenno took a breath.

"WAAAH!"

With a scream that tore at the ears, Lunia's magic formula was destroyed.

"Crude."

Lunia's face was filled with terror as she watched Dwenno destroy the magic formula with a shout.

'This… is the power of a great hero… one who saved the world.'

It was a strength that far surpassed common sense.

"It would be best for your well-being to give up and be captured obediently."

Dwenno said coldly.

***

As the commotion outside subsided, Karl and Driana cautiously headed outside.

Emerging onto the first floor, Karl was stunned by the scene before him.

Aron was dangling, his scruff held by a dwarf.

Lunia, with her back stepped on by the dwarf, was breathing heavily.

The dwarf, who had subdued the strongest second-year students of Seilun and Azonia as if they were children, had not a single scratch on him.

"Did you two also escape?"

Dwenno's emotionless gaze fell upon Karl and Driana.

Their eyes were filled with terror.

Dwenno's single word carried a powerful pressure.

A power that robbed them of their will to fight.

Their mana was suppressed, and they faced absolute fear without being able to resist.

But Karl, having escaped the prison, held onto the crossbow he had acquired.

Driana was terrified and didn't know what to do.

'Normally, that girl's reaction would be correct.'

When faced with overwhelming despair.

People crumble.

That's normal.

Dwenno's eyes narrowed.

And he looked at the utterly pathetic human mage boy.

'But how can he still think of fighting in this situation?'

*Thump-!*

At that moment, Aron, who had completely lost his strength, grabbed Dwenno's wrist.

Aron's blue eyes flashed.

*Grrrrrrr-*

Lunia, stepped on by Dwenno, also squeezed out her mana.

'Is this recklessness born of ignorance?'

Do these children not know how strong I am?

He thought, but then shook his head.

'No, these children seem to know my strength better than anyone.'

When they were in the spirit realm, Lunia and Driana surrendered immediately without the slightest resistance.

It was the same during the escape.

The moment they encountered him, the two girls felt deep despair.

These boys and girls knew their strength far better than Dwenno thought.

Yet, they didn't give up and resolved to fight.

"It would be easier if you gave up. Foolish stubbornness."

Dwenno said with a look of pity.

"I know someone who absolutely… never gives up."

Lunia, who was being stepped on by Dwenno, said with difficulty.

Her eyes sparkled with determination.

"I don't want to be ashamed in front of that person."

Dwenno gazed down at Lunia.

And looked at Aron, who was holding his wrist.

'Girls who remind me of Aron and Luna… But…'

Dwenno's eyes narrowed.

'Their eyes resemble Kyle's. And that mage boy too.'

Dwenno smirked as he was about to speak.

"That's enough."

A crooked voice was heard.

Lunia, Aron, Karl, and Driana's eyes widened, and they turned their heads.

Dwenno realized that the human boy who appeared had the same clothes as Karl.

"Are you part of the escapees? You seem to have come to rescue your friend."

Leo stood in front of Dwenno.

"Berkkia returned to Guardsron with Aron."

Even with Dwenno's murderous voice, Leo didn't flinch.

"And you, who likes beautiful things, wouldn't find it pleasant to make them look like this, would you?"

"You speak as if you know me well."

Dwenno tilted his head and activated his mana.

*Fwoosh-fwoosh-*

Golden flames blazed, intending to turn Leo into ashes.

"Leo!"

Karl cried out urgently.

But Dwenno's flames did not burn Leo.

"Is this test enough?"

"…Aren't you afraid?"

Dwenno asked with a hollow laugh, and Leo shook his head.

"Not particularly."

Leo said from within Dwenno's flames.

"The essence of fire is not destruction, is it?"

At those words, Dwenno's eyes narrowed.

"You… Who are you?"

"I'm Leo Flob," Leo replied calmly to Dwenno's question.

Dwenno, staring intently at Leo, pointed at the other party members.

"Then what are these children?"

Leo smiled broadly at Dwenno's question.

"Hope."