Book 1 Chapter 415

The sudden appearance of Shan caused a stir in the atmosphere.

Not just the students of Lumine.

The heads of state and heroes from various countries attending the summit were no different.

Amidst this, all eyes were fixed on the middle-aged man standing at the very front of the Shan Empire.

A man in traditional Eastern attire, with an air of inexplicable boredom.

The aura he exuded was unusual.

As if he would cut you if you approached.

He was a man who held such sharpness within him.

Though no one knew his face, they could instantly tell who he was.

Everyone swallowed dryly.

The Emperor of Shadows, who had never revealed himself in the light.

Those who had been called the strongest shadows for generations.

'The Emperor of Shan.'

He overwhelmed the audience, even though numerous heroes and hero candidates were gathered.

*Thump- Thump-*

Shau, who led the empire's subordinates, stood before Riina, the principal of Lumine.

"It's been a while."

At Riina's words, Shau smiled faintly.

"It has been a while, Lady Riina. Or rather, I should call you Principal Riina of Lumine now."

Wherever light shines, there are shadows.

Naturally, Lumine also has shadows.

As the head of Lumine's shadows, Riina had reason to meet with Shau.

"I didn't expect you to attend."

"The world is undergoing great change, isn't it?"

Shau said calmly, stroking his beard.

"It seems Shan will have to start moving in earnest as well."

"Welcome, Shan's participation in the summit would be of great help."

It was, quite literally, a historic moment.

While walking to Shan's designated area, leaving all eyes behind, Shau's eyes met Leo's.

Shau smiled and exchanged a nod of greeting, and Leo also nodded his head.

***

Even as the arena buzzed with the appearance of the Shan Empire, heads of state continued to arrive through the warp gate.

Eventually, starting with Demian, then Azonia, and then Seirun, external figures from other hero academies appeared one after another.

*Flash-!*

Seirun, always making a grand entrance, attracted a lot of attention.

From last year to the beginning of this year.

Seirun was in a state of internal turmoil due to a series of major incidents.

The reincarnation of Luna, the progenitor of the constellations, and Seirun, the magician of the comet, seemed like a good event for Seirun at first glance, but it was not.

The invasion of the monster queen Silathuna, which could have been resolved by the actions of the Hero of Beginning and the Progenitor of Constellations.

And the scheme of the Necromancer King, orchestrated by Rhagen, the leader of the Pureblood Society.

While the physical damage from the monster queen's invasion was significant, the biggest shock was the fact that the Pureblood Society had colluded with Tartarus.

Elves are a more reclusive race compared to other races.

They rarely ventured outside their territory unless it was for a special reason, and other races could not arbitrarily enter the elves' domain.

The fact that such collusion occurred among the reclusive elves was enough to surprise other races.

Therefore, despite the major issue of Luna and Seirun's reincarnation in the mortal realm, elven society was busy handling internal matters.

The one who took over as acting principal of Seirun to manage this chaos was none other than Rune Ersar.

As an elder of elven society and having distanced himself from the problematic Pureblood Society, he was chosen by the elven council as the most suitable candidate.

Rune led the Seirun students to their seats after greeting Riina.

As they walked, Leo's eyes met familiar faces.

It was Lunea and Eiran from the second year.

Seeing Leo's face, Lunea gave a slightly haughty nod and greeting, while Eiran smiled brightly and waved.

Leo chuckled and waved back in response.

Thus, the heads of state from all countries and all hero academies gathered.

However, the Lumine officials in charge of hosting the meeting were contemplating whether to conclude the welcoming ceremony as it was.

"Draconia hasn't arrived yet."

"Is it going to be like this summit again, where they only send representatives during the meeting?"

"The Dragon Lord doesn't seem to be planning to move."

The Lumine students began to murmur.

The holding of the summit required the Dragon Lord's permission.

As such, Draconia also attended the summit, but the Dragon Lord did not always attend.

Especially the current Dragon Lord, Melina the Silent Dragon, was an even more secretive being.

While many in the world paid attention to the participation of the Silent Dragon, it was predicted that they would send another representative this time as well.

Still, some had expectations, hoping for the best, but Draconia showed no signs of appearing.

Just as the host was about to speak.

*Flash-!*

The warp gate glowed once more.

As everyone's eyes widened and looked at the warp gate.

Five people appeared.

In the very center was a girl wearing a veil that obscured her face.

She had long silver hair, mixed with sporadic black strands, that seemed to touch the floor.

Though her face was hidden by the veil, she exuded an incredibly noble aura.

As if to escort her.

Four people surrounded her, forming a protective circle.

The girl moved slowly.

Everyone watched them with wide eyes.

Meanwhile, Melina, who had arrived before Riina, the principal of Lumine, smiled faintly, tapped her left chest three times, bowed her head, and slightly bent her knees.

Surprised by the unfamiliar greeting, Riina awkwardly mimicked the gesture.

"It's nice to meet you, Principal of Lumine. I am Melina, the Dragon Lord."

"It is an honor to meet you. I am Riina Flix, Principal of Lumine."

Melina smiled at Riina, who responded politely, and said.

"If the opening speech of the summit hasn't concluded, may I do it?"

"If you would grant us that honor, it would be our infinite pleasure."

Riina said with a gentle smile, and Melina headed towards the highest podium.

Meanwhile, from beneath her veil, Melina looked at Leo.

A faint smile curved her lips, visible through the sparse veil.

In fact, the dragon ritual performed moments ago was not directed at Riina, but at Leo, who was next to Riina.

For Melina, it was the first time in a very long time that she had officially appeared in a public setting as the Dragon Lord.

Furthermore, though others were unaware, it was a summit attended by the Hero of Beginning.

Melina deemed it necessary to show respect and courtesy to Leo in such a setting, and thus performed the ancient, forgotten etiquette.

"Leo, didn't it seem like the Dragon Lord smiled at you?"

"Did she?"

Leo feigned ignorance.

The smile's meaning was probably 'I did well, right?'

'You did the etiquette wrong.'

Of course, Leo was thinking something entirely different.

'Just like Rhodia.'

You're supposed to tap your right chest, not your left.

While Leo was contemplating whether to correct Melina's etiquette.

Melina ascended the podium.

As everyone held their breath and focused on Melina.

The Silent Dragon opened her mouth.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Heroes and Shadows, and the aspiring hero candidates who follow you."

Everyone focused on Melina.

"The era is undergoing transformation. Perhaps, in this era we live in, we can finally bring an end to a long-standing conflict."

At these words, the audience began to murmur.

The words of the Dragon Lord, of all people, were not to be taken lightly.

"Therefore, I believe this summit is of great importance. I hope it will be a meaningful time to discuss all matters concerning the anomalies and miracles occurring in each region, and what lies ahead. That is all."

As Melina's words ended, applause erupted from various places.

Thus, the World Summit began.

***

It was, quite literally, a realm of death.

A realm that the living could never approach.

The residence of Hell Kaiser, the commander of Tartarus, the Necromancer King.

"The Silent Dragon has moved?"

The Necromancer King, seated on the throne of death, narrowed his eyes at the report.

Artkan, the Archduke of Dirge, bowed his head.

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

At his subordinate's reply, the Necromancer King's 검붉은 eyes flickered.

The king of the undead, clad in a massive bone armor over a skeleton, felt deeply uneasy about the current situation.

Seeing the Necromancer King's unease, a woman spoke.

"What worries you so?"

The Necromancer King's gaze turned to the woman.

"Are you perhaps afraid of an old dragon that lost its vitality long ago, Witch?"

The Necromancer King raised his bone-thin hand, watching the woman smirk.

"Gasp? Gakgakkak?"

"The Queen was belligerent and simple, but she possessed thought. Witch."

Annoyance flickered in the Necromancer King's eyes.

The so-called witch, whose neck was being strangled by the Necromancer King's power, began to struggle madly.

"If you usurped the position of corps commander merely because it was vacant, without qualification, shouldn't you at least be able to use your brain?"

"P-pardon… pardon! If I am gone, who will lead the monsters as corps commander…!"

"There are many replacements."

The Necromancer King said with a cold smile and averted his gaze.

*Thump-!*

And with that, the witch's body slumped.

*Thud*

The new corps commander, the witch, who lay sprawled on the floor, was sucked into the bone.

The other corps commanders fell silent upon witnessing this.

They knew she was not suited to be a corps commander.

But even so, she was a high-ranking demon who held the title of corps commander.

To kill such a high-ranking demon as if swatting a fly.

It was, quite literally, a difference in strength.

"The Monster Queen was vanquished, the Giant King fell into slumber. And the Silent Dragon, who had been inactive for a long time, has moved."

The Necromancer King looked at the other corps commanders.

"Do you know what this means?"

"It means something that is orchestrating this situation has appeared."

"At least you are somewhat competent. King of Blood."

The Necromancer King curled his lips.

King of Blood.

He was the corps commander with the most immense power, excluding the Necromancer King and the Giant King.

"The center of everything is this individual."

As the Necromancer King conjured dark magic, a figure appeared in the air.

A boy with white hair and red eyes.

"Leo Flow. At first, we paid attention to his All-Class status."

The Necromancer King narrowed his eyes.

"But now, he has gone beyond the category of simply possessing characteristics similar to the Hero of Beginning."

The achievements he has made in just one year since revealing his talent are truly astonishing.

"The death of the Monster Queen, the defeat of the Giant King, he was present in all those situations."

"Does this mean Leo Flow is as threatening as the Hero of Beginning?"

"I wish he were merely as threatening as that hateful Hero of Beginning. But he might be more than that."

"What do you mean…"

The corps commanders wore expressions of confusion.

Meanwhile, Hell Kaiser merely glared at Leo.

'This kid has always been at the center of impossible miracles.'

It cannot be explained by simply having an All-Class characteristic.

Even so, he is still a youngster in his mid-teens.

'But, but what if.'

Hatred flickered in Hell Kaiser's eyes.

'If it's that hateful Hero of Beginning, it's not impossible.'