Book 1 Chapter 352

352

"Pffft?!"

Associate Professor Anna, who was drinking warm tea to warm herself up in her accommodation, unconsciously spat out her tea.

She had felt immense anger when she heard about how Leo was treated in Seirun.

How dare they treat the student council president of Lumerne like that!

But at the words that followed, Anna couldn't help but doubt her own ears.

"To Seirun students… what did you teach?"

"I taught them [Introduction to Star Magic]."

[Introduction to Star Magic] at the conference.

Even just presenting it at Seirun, which can be called the core of Elf magic, was enough for the old-fashioned Elf mages to cause a fuss.

In such a situation, what?

'He taught [Introduction to Star Magic] to Seirun students?'

The annoying voice of Len echoed in Associate Professor Anna's ears like a hallucination.

'Bravo! Bravo! Student Leo! You truly are a real mage! Such bold decisions! Drive! Experimental spirit! Aren't these precisely the virtues a mage should possess! Bravo! Bravo! Student Leo's magnanimity makes my heart swell with pride!'

Tendons bulged on Anna's forehead at Len's hallucination.

'Calm down. Calm down.'

Associate Professor Anna took a deep breath.

In fact, looking at it purely as a co-author of the thesis, this situation was very interesting.

The introduction to Star Magic through [Introduction to Star Magic] had already been proven through Lumerne's second-year students.

What if it were taught to other races?

Especially to Elves, who use Star Magic as their unique magic, what kind of effect would that have?

Associate Professor Anna, being a mage to her bones, was also very curious about what results would come out.

But now it was the Magic Conference.

Moreover, the old-fashioned Elf mages were preparing to somehow tear apart Anna's presentation.

In such a situation, if it became known that Leo had taught [Introduction to Star Magic], which Seirun had designated as forbidden…

'An enormous incident is sure to occur.'

Anna's eyes trembled nervously.

Diplomatic repercussions beyond imagination would be unavoidable.

"……How many did you teach?"

At Anna's words, Leo spread out ten fingers.

Seeing that, Anna sighed.

"Ten people. Fortunately, it's not a large number. It won't be exposed immediately."

First, this matter must not be known before the conference.

As an associate professor of Lumerne, it's an incident she absolutely cannot handle.

"First, we need to successfully finish the conference, return to Lumerne, and discuss countermeasures…"

"No."

Leo smiled.

"It's a hundred people."

Anna's face trembled.

"……When do you think it will be revealed?"

"It will definitely be known during the conference."

"I should have told Professor Len to go instead."

Associate Professor Anna covered her face with both hands and could only sob.

Leo patted Associate Professor Anna's back and said,

"It's okay. I'll figure something out."

Seeing Associate Professor Anna, who showed a sense of responsibility even while sobbing, Leo said,

"Associate Professor Anna, this is an analysis of the magical achievement levels of Seirun's first-year students. I think it would be good for you to refer to it."

Associate Professor Anna, who had been sobbing, suddenly stopped.

'Oops.'

Leo, whose eyes met Associate Professor Anna's as she lowered her hands, pretended to be innocent and stepped back.

It was natural for Anna, who already had a headache, to react harshly when more work was thrown at her.

For example, if the person in front of Anna now had been Len instead of Leo,

she might have tried to strangle him without hesitation.

Leo gave Associate Professor Anna a cute smile, then clenched his fist and said,

"Associate Professor, fighting!"

And then he quickly exited Associate Professor Anna's room.

Seeing that, Associate Professor Anna let out a hollow laugh.

'No matter how much he's the best honors student in Lumerne's history, a child is still a child. Though his actions are like a sly old fox.'

Shaking her head, Anna reached for the data Leo had left behind.

Flap-

Anna's eyes, reading through the data, suddenly sparkled.

'This… the results are tremendous, beyond imagination!'

***

Thump- Thump-

Leo, who was returning to his accommodation, muttered to himself.

'They're following me.'

The darkness of the quiet corridor.

Something secretive was chasing Leo.

'An Elf.'

Feeling the presence, it was clearly an Elf.

Leo returned to his room, unconcerned by the tail.

Clack-!

After Leo entered the room.

Creak-

The moment the person wearing a black hood in front of Leo's room reached out and turned the doorknob.

"I don't think I've incurred enough resentment to be chased by someone, have I?"

At the voice from behind, the black figure instantly reached out its hand backwards.

Clack-!

Instantly, Leo snatched the opponent's wrist and twisted their arm.

Then, covering the opponent's mouth with his free hand, he entered the room and closed the door with his back.

Thump.

It happened literally in the blink of an eye.

Leo, who had subdued the opponent in an instant, leaned against the door and said,

"If you don't make a fuss, I'll let you go."

At Leo's words, the opponent nodded slightly.

When Leo released his hand, the black figure walked a few steps forward and slowly turned around.

And faced Leo.

Blue eyes sparkled from within the hood.

The opponent, taking off their hood, willingly revealed their face.

Blue hair swayed.

Beautiful Elf-like features.

But the atmosphere they exuded was subtly different from an Elf.

'A Half-Elf.'

The beautiful woman with a pure and elegant aura adjusted her attire, then knelt before Leo.

And bowing respectfully to Leo, she said,

"It is an honor to meet you, Sir Leo Plove. Anias Beggs, daughter of the Northern Magic Tower Lord, offers her greetings."

"The daughter of the Northern Magic Tower Lord?"

Leo made a puzzled expression at the opponent's identity.

"Why is the daughter of the Northern Magic Tower Lord following me? And why are you so overwhelmingly polite?"

The reason Leo readily released Anias was simple.

While it was true she had secretly followed Leo, he didn't feel any murderous intent from her.

Though suspicious, he didn't think she would cause him harm.

The fact that she was the daughter of the Northern Magic Tower Lord was certainly unexpected, but her attitude raised even more questions.

Magic Towers.

They are groups of mages representing various continental regions.

The Lord of a Magic Tower is the strongest mage of their era, and most of them achieve great feats, becoming heroes whose names are recorded in the Hero Records.

Naturally, as they are called the masters of the Magic Towers, their power and status are comparable to that of a king of a nation.

Even though Leo is the student council president of Lumerne and recognized as a direct descendant of Zerdlinger, if she is the daughter of a Magic Tower Lord, her authority is no less than Leo's.

Moreover, although she is a Half-Elf, Elf blood flows in her veins.

Leo felt doubtful about the fact that a woman of such high status was being excessively polite.

In response to Leo's question, Anias said,

"It is natural to show respect to you, the master of Shan."

As Anias spoke respectfully, Leo made a dumbfounded expression.

"Why am I the master of Shan? It's the Emperor of Shan."

"You seem offended by my rudeness. But you don't have to hide it. Emperor Chau recently summoned the Shadow Lords and informed them of the existence of [The Book of Shadows] and the truth about its master, Sir Leo Plove."

Shadow Lords.

Chen Xia had told him about it before.

Shan, as the land of shadows, had supported shadows across the world for a long time.

However, Shan's influence didn't extend to all shadows worldwide.

Traitors are bound to emerge from all races.

The shadows of Elves, Beast-folk, and Dwarves each have their own leaders.

'And they were called Shadow Lords, weren't they?'

"The great deeds and achievements of the Great Hero Kyle, recorded in [The Book of Shadows], have been shared with all Shadow Lords."

"Then are you a Shadow Lord?"

"My father, Algren Beggs, is a Shadow Lord. Though I am lacking, I am his successor."

"It's true that I found The Book of Shadows in Shan, and it's also true that I'm an All-Class like Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings. But is that a reason to treat me so respectfully?"

At Leo's question, Anias, who had been bowing until then, raised her head.

"Because you saved all the shadows of the world."

Where there is light, there are shadows.

For the past 5000 years, it was the shadows who resolved the darkness that heroes could not.

They, too, were the great pillars who built and maintained an era of peace.

However, they had been scorned solely because they couldn't be recorded in the Hero Records.

It was [The Book of Shadows] that saved all such shadows.

"Of course, there are some among the Shadow Lords who doubt your abilities. I also did, but… I just realized something."

Anias looked up at Leo's face.

"That you are a hero, and at the same time, a shadow."

Darkness is the stage of shadows.

In that darkness, Leo easily subdued Anias.

If Leo had been so inclined, Anias would probably have lost her life right then and there.

"That you are the successor of the great Hero of Beginnings!"

'Her eyes are completely messed up, aren't they?'

Her face was calm, but her eyes were swirling with ecstasy and fervent desire.

It was a look Leo knew well.

It was the same look as the Elves who excessively praised Luna.

'No, I've felt this before, but is it a racial trait for Elves to excessively praise everything?'

Leo clicked his tongue and organized his thoughts.

'So Emperor Chau told the Shadow Lords about [The Book of Shadows] and me, and that he offered the Shan Empire to me.'

Emperor Chau was not a person to speak idly.

Leo, who had abruptly become the master of a vast empire, made a wry expression.

'At this point, I could even try waging war against the world, couldn't I?'

Leo, letting out a hollow laugh, said,

"Was following me to test my capabilities?"

"Yes, I committed a discourtesy."

Seeing Anias bow deeply to him once again, Leo sighed.

"Alright. I understand, so why don't you sit up straight here now?"

Anias stood up and sat in the spot Leo indicated.

Seeing Anias, who sat with her back straight and looked at him, Leo said,

"I'll ask just one thing: Is the Northern Magic Tower connected to shadows?"

"No, it is not."

"Then did you attend the Magic Council as a person from the Magic Tower? Or as a shadow?"

"Both."

"The Pureblood Council, then."

At Anias's words, Leo sighed, and Anias marveled.

"You are sharp."

Anias, who had been marveling, suddenly became serious.

"Sir Leo, there's no need for you to dirty your hands. If we just secure the evidence, my father and I will…"

"I've never really thought of it as dirtying my hands."

"Pardon?"

Leo looked at Anias with an expressionless face.

"If those who sold out the name of the Progenitor of the Nebula committed betrayal, I absolutely cannot tolerate that."

Leo said in an emotionless voice,

"If there's anyone who sells out the name of the Progenitor of the Nebula yet goes against Luna's will, I will tear them to death."

Anias instinctively flinched her neck.

"Because that is also my duty."

"Ah… to call walking the path of blood in darkness a duty… how could such a noble thought…"

Watching Anias, who was covering her face and whose eyes were unfocused in a hazy stupor, Leo thought,

'…Now even her face has gone crazy.'