Book 1 Chapter 418
418.
Divine Power.
It was a power also known as Divinity, literally used by the gods.
As such, it was not a power that earthly beings like humans, elves, beastfolk, or dragons could wield.
‘A power that disappeared when the gods vanished from the earth.’
Of course, divine power hadn't completely vanished.
Because the Hero Record itself was made of divine power.
It was literally the last remnant of a god remaining in the mortal realm.
‘If divine power were to manifest in this world later on.’
The god of the past, Pivva, whom Leo had met within the Hero Record.
Although he was but a fragment of the past, he was a god close to omnipotence, and he had bestowed his blessing upon Leo, lending him his power.
‘But I’ve already used all the divine power I gained back then.’
Through the divine power Pivva transferred, Leo was able to perform two miracles.
‘The first was to manifest the power of a previous life.’
For a brief moment, he transcended space-time and gained the power of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.
‘The second was…’
Leo clenched his fist.
To summon Luna, a being from the past, to the present timeline, even if only for a short while.
It was different from Seirun.
Seirun has been infinitely repeating his battle with Erebus in the world of genesis for 3000 years, but he is clearly alive.
Bringing a living 'strategist' out of the Hero's World is within the authority of Leo, the owner of the Hero Record.
But Luna, a deceased figure from the past, was not.
‘It was an act that surpassed the limits of miracles that the Hero Record could achieve.’
By momentarily bringing Luna out of the Hero's World, Pivva's divine power was completely depleted.
The Folium, the vessel that held Pivva's divine power, was also handed over to Seirun.
‘But… what in the world is this divine power?’
“Divine power… are you referring to the power of the gods?”
Melina, surprised by Leo’s words, asked cautiously.
“That’s right.”
“Oh my. Then, with this power, can Lord Leo manifest the strength he had when he was Lord Kyle… or bring other great heroes to the present era?”
“I wish that were possible.”
Leo narrowed his eyes at the excited Melina’s question and concentrated.
He tried to exert his will to unleash divine power, but there was no reaction.
Seeing this, Leo muttered.
“It seems impossible to control this right now. It’s too faint a power, to the point I wouldn't have even noticed it if I hadn’t been told.”
Melina wore a regretful expression at Leo’s words.
“Why do you think Lord Leo obtained divine power?”
Melina pondered for a moment, then spoke.
“Among the shadows, they call Lord Leo the God of Shadows. Could it be related to that?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Leo shook his head.
“I’m not well-versed in theology. But as someone who lived in an era when gods existed, there’s one fact I know for sure.”
“What is that?”
“Humans cannot become gods. The same goes for other races.”
The era before the Age of Calamity was called the Age of Gods, and as such, much research was conducted on gods.
Gods are fundamentally transcendent beings, different from earthly existences.
“Gods don’t care whether the inhabitants of the earth worship them or not. As such, no matter how much people regard and worship me as a god, I can’t exactly acquire divinity.”
“I see.”
Melina nodded as if she understood.
‘Whatever it is, it’s true that divinity has accumulated in my body. If I can figure out why and learn to use the power.’
Leo’s crimson eyes gleamed.
‘Divine power will definitely be a great help in future battles.’
***
The attendance of the Shan Empire, and the appearance of the Silent Dragon.
An unexpected event and a 'just in case' incident had occurred.
External interest in the summit heated up even further.
The entire world focused its attention on Lumeria City.
However, even as the world’s attention was concentrated, there were those busy with their own affairs.
And the most representative of these were the first and second-year students of Lumerne, right in the heart of that summit.
Whether they would remain at Lumerne next semester or not.
Everything depended on the first-year students’ tournament evaluation matches.
“Professor Ren, who do you think will win this first-year tournament?”
All regular classes had already ended.
For second-year students, all exams were also completed.
Ren, a professor capable enough to be counted among Lumerne's best, despite the frequent occurrences of his rampages, had already finished grading all the second-year students.
As such, Ren and his associate professor, Anna, were leisurely passing the time in the classroom where they had taught all semester, awaiting the end of the term.
The reason they spent time in the classroom was simple.
Because Lumerne students were so academically enthusiastic, there were always students coming to ask questions, even in the current situation right before vacation.
They didn’t wait in their private offices because it was much more convenient for students to find them in the classroom.
‘Looking at him like this, he certainly is a passionate professor.’
Ren elegantly raised his teacup and said,
“The most likely candidates would be Aina or Badeyna.”
Ren took a sip of the black tea in his teacup, nodded with satisfaction, and turned his gaze to a book.
Ren was a very handsome man, and judging by his current appearance, he was a very intellectual magic professor.
Anna smiled faintly.
‘It would be really great if he wasn't reading that absurd book.’
Watching Ren reading a book titled ‘Why Mages Are Superior to Knights and Summoners,’ Anna felt a headache coming on.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Ren and Anna’s gazes turned to the door.
And Ren’s eyes narrowed as he saw the unexpected students who had come to the classroom.
“Seirun?”
At Ren’s reaction, Anna gulped dryly.
Seirun Academy.
That was one of the reasons Ren had suffered the most fits this semester.
In such a situation, with Seirun students visiting the classroom, Anna couldn't help but be nervous.
‘He mustn’t go berserk again.’
Anna, with a worried expression, realized that the Seirun students looked familiar.
‘Their name was… Angre Bijan, right?’
They were the lower-class students who had been unfairly treated at Seirun due to their low achievement in star magic.
Of course, now, thanks to Seirun’s policy changes and Ren’s ‘Introduction to Star Magic,’ their lives had changed, and they were no longer in the lower class.
“Angre, isn’t it?”
“Ah! Associate Professor Anna!”
Angre and the other former lower-class students flocked around Anna.
“Nice to see you all! How have you been?”
“Yes!”
“It’s all thanks to Associate Professor Anna and Senior Leo!”
The first-year students chatted cheerfully with bright smiles.
“Senior Leo? Different schools, yet Senior Leo? Do you even know what you're babbling about right now?”
Then — Thud! He slammed his book shut and sprang to his feet.
His eyes were so fierce, it seemed as if rays of light were shooting out of them.
The Seirun first-year students were terrified by Ren’s chilling aura.
“Why are you here?!”
“Wh-who are you?”
Angre, mustering courage, carefully asked as their representative.
“My name is Ren Horuss! I am the professor whom Leo Plob, whom you dared to call 'Senior,' respects the most!”
“…Don’t lie.”
Anna said, narrowing her eyes, but Ren paid no attention.
Upon hearing Ren’s name, Angre and the other first-year students’ eyes widened.
Then Angre spoke as their representative.
“You are Professor Ren! It’s an honor to meet you! My name is Angre Bijan!”
The students who had been terrified just moments before greeted him with sparkling eyes, and Ren’s intimidating aura somewhat receded.
“My life changed because of Professor Ren’s ‘Introduction to Star Magic’! Thank you!”
“I sincerely respect you, Professor!”
“It’s truly an honor to meet you!”
Seeing the Seirun first-year students express their sincere gratitude and respect, Ren exclaimed, “Oho!”
“You are that Angre Bijan. I received your letter well. Indeed! Just as I thought, you are an excellent honors student!”
Anna sighed deeply, watching Ren, who had been openly hostile just moments before, instantly switch his attitude.
Afterward, Ren discussed magic with the Seirun first-year students.
“Currently, Professor Ren’s reputation at Seirun is very high.”
“Many are amazed at how you can understand star magic so deeply, even though you’re not an elf.”
“There are many evaluations that say they can now look at star magic from a new perspective!”
“Rumor has it that you might be invited as a visiting professor during the summer vacation.”
“Hahaha! To receive such praise from Seirun, a place renowned for magic. I hardly know what to do with myself.”
‘If they have brains and those brains aren’t just for show, then it’s only natural for those damned pointy-ears to recognize the greatness of my thesis, Associate Professor Anna!’
‘…Even after saying that.’
Anna sighed.
Later, other Seirun first-year honors students, Eclair and Yoinia, also sought out Ren.
Angre asked them, seeing them.
“Where did Leah go?”
“She was coming with us just a moment ago, but she suddenly disappeared.”
“I really wanted her to meet Professor Ren.”
Angre made a regretful expression at Eclair’s answer.
Meanwhile, Anna approached Ren and whispered quietly.
“…You were badmouthing Seirun Academy just an hour ago, yet you’ve completely changed your attitude.”
As Anna narrowed her eyes and spoke, Ren gave a 'Hmph-' laugh.
“Associate Professor Anna, a person must know how to hide their true feelings according to time and place. A person who is different on the inside and out is called a person of character.”
“Who calls that a person of character?”
Anna pointed out, but Ren didn't bat an eyelid.
***
Shhh-! Shhh-!
Lumerne first-year classroom building hallway.
The gazes of the first-year students passing by subtly turned towards someone moving stealthily.
‘…It’s a Seirun student.’
‘Why are they moving so secretly?’
‘Do they think they won’t be noticed like that?’
A Seirun first-year student, Leah Tingel, overtly infiltrated the classroom building filled with Lumerne first-year students, wearing a Seirun uniform.
Leah was currently diligently chasing someone.
As her target passed a corner of the hallway, Leah quickly approached the corner and peeked her head out.
And glared at the back of her opponent.
‘That’s Luke Elda.’
She pulled out a photo of Luke from her pocket.
The source of the photo was none other than Carl.
She had spotted Luke while moving with the Seirun students and had chased him all the way here.
‘Senior Plob’s mentee. To enjoy such an enviable privilege all by himself, I cannot forgive it.’
She ignited a sense of rivalry towards an opponent who had done nothing wrong.
“…Who are you? Why is a Seirun first-year here?”
Just then, a voice came from behind.
Turning her head, she saw Habidan.
Leah turned to face Habidan, stood up straight, and lifted her chin.
“My name is Leah Tingel.”
“Leah Tingel?”
“Wait a minute! Isn’t she the top first-year at Seirun?”
Astonished voices came from various directions.
“What brings the Seirun first-year representative here?”
Leah crossed her arms in response to Habidan’s question, who also had his arms crossed.
“I’ve come to defeat my rival.”
“What? What? A declaration of war?”
“Is it in preparation for the Lumerne-Seirun match?”
“Awesome!”
“Rival? Who? Aina, of course?”
The first-year students showed excited reactions.
“So, you’ve come here alone. Quite brave, aren't you?”
Habidan curled the corner of his mouth.
As the commotion grew, students flocked into the hallway.
Amidst the increased noise from the gathered students, Aina also appeared, and the students parted, creating a space between Leah and Aina.
It was a situation where the first-year representatives of Lumerne and Seirun faced each other.
Aina wore an expression that showed she had no idea what was going on.
It was a moment when everyone wore tense expressions.
Just then, Leah raised her hand.
And pointed a finger at someone.
“Luke Elda.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Luke.
Luke, who had come to see what was happening, wore a bewildered expression.
“Fight me.”
“Huh?”
Luke, failing to understand the situation, asked again.
Other students were also confused.
“I said, fight me right now!”
“Why me?”
Luke wore an aggrieved expression, looking at Leah, who had narrowed her eyes.
“Because you are my prey.”
“Seirun first-year representative.”
Habidan chuckled.
“Luke Elda is my prey. I cannot permit anyone to lay a hand on him first.”
“If you interfere, I’ll take you down first.”
“You’re saying what I was going to say.”
Zing-
It was when Habidan and Leah were glaring at each other.
It was when the students tensed up again, seeing the two suddenly become so hostile.
“It’s Professor Harlind!”
At someone’s urgent voice, the first-year students flinched and quickly headed to their respective classrooms.
Leah, flustered by their disciplined movement, shouted,
“Ah! Luke Elda! Stop right there! Fight me right now!”
Leah’s voice, failing to grasp the situation, echoed loudly throughout the hallway.
And just as she narrowed her eyes and was about to chase Luke at full speed.
“Who said you could fight in the hallway?”
A chillingly cold voice was heard.
Leah involuntarily froze.
“And who said you could shout in the hallway?”
Leah turned around with stiff movements.
There stood Harlind, the Wall of Weeping of Lumerne.
“EEK?”
Leah instinctively took a step back, intimidated by Harlind’s fierce aura.
“It seems you’re not afraid of punishment?”
Leah was terrified.
But even so, she bravely protested.
“I-I’m not a Lumerne student.”
Her instincts screamed.
Not to follow the human in front of her.
But it didn't work on Harlind at all.
“I don’t care what school you’re from.”
Harlind grabbed Leah by the nape of her neck.
“If you’ve come to Lumerne, follow Lumerne’s rules.”