Book 1 Chapter 418

418.

Divine Power.

It was a power also called divinity, literally the power used by gods.

As such, it was not a power that terrestrial beings like humans, elves, beastmen, or dragons could wield.

'A power that vanished as gods disappeared from the earth.'

Of course, divine power had not completely disappeared.

The Hero Record was made of divine power.

It was literally the last remnant of divinity left in the mortal realm.

'If there was divine power that appeared in this world after that.'

The ancient god, Fivoa, whom I met in the Hero Record.

He was a god close to omnipotent, even if he was just a fragment of the past, and he bestowed his blessing upon Leo and lent him his power.

'But all the divine power I gained then has already been used up.'

Through the divine power Fivoa bestowed, Leo was able to perform two miracles.

'The first was to manifest the power of reincarnation.'

For a while, I gained the power of Kyle, the hero of the beginning, transcending space and time.

'The second was….'

Leo clenched his fist tightly.

To bring Luna, a past existence, into the present time for a brief moment.

It was different from when it was with Seirun.

Seirun, though endlessly repeating battles with Erebus in the world of creation for 3000 years, is strictly alive.

To bring a living conqueror out of the hero's world is the authority of Leo, the owner of the Hero Record.

But not Luna, who was a past figure who had already died.

'It's an event that has surpassed the limits of the miracles the Hero Record can achieve.'

By bringing Luna out of the hero's world for a short time, Fivoa's divine power was completely exhausted.

The vessel that contained Fivoa's divine power, Folium, was also handed over to Seirun.

'But… what is this divine power?'

"Divine power… do you mean the power of the gods?"

Melina, surprised by Leo's words, asked cautiously.

"Yes."

"My goodness. Then, with this power, is it possible for you, Leo, to bring back the power from when you were Kyle… or other great heroes to the present era?"

"I wish I could."

Leo squinted at Melina's excited question and focused his mind.

He tried to exert his will and release the divine power, but there was no reaction.

Seeing that, Leo muttered.

"It seems impossible to control this right now. It's such a weak power that I wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't told me."

Melina looked regretful at Leo's words.

"Why do you think you gained divine power, Leo?"

Melina pondered for a moment and then said.

"In the shadows, they call you the God of Shadows, is it related to that?"

"No, it's not."

Leo shook his head.

"I don't have much knowledge of theology. But as someone who lived in the era when gods existed, there's one thing I know for sure."

"What is it?"

"Humans cannot become gods. That's true for other races as well."

The era before the Age of Calamity was also called the Age of Gods, and much research on gods was conducted.

Gods are transcendent beings fundamentally different from terrestrial beings.

"Gods do not care whether terrestrial inhabitants worship them or not. So, no matter how much they consider me a god and worship me, I cannot acquire divinity."

"I see."

Melina nodded as if she understood.

'Whatever it is, it's a fact that divinity has accumulated in my body. If I can figure out why and use the power.'

Leo's red eyes sparkled.

'Divine power will surely be a great help in future battles.'

***

The participation of the Shan Empire and the appearance of the Silent Dragon.

Unexpected events and potential incidents occurred.

External interest in the summit grew even hotter.

The whole world was watching Lumellia City.

But even as the world's attention focused, there were those busy with their own affairs.

And the most prominent among them were the first and second-year students of Lumern, who were at the center of the summit.

Whether they would stay at Lumern next semester or not.

Everything depended on the tournament evaluation matches for the first-year students.

"Professor Ren, who do you think will win the first-year tournament this time?"

All regular classes had already ended.

For the second-year students, all exams were also finished.

Despite the frequent outbursts, Ren, a professor ranked among the most capable at Lumern, had already finished grading all the second-year students.

As such, Ren and his assistant professor Anna were spending a leisurely time in the classroom where they had been teaching for the semester, waiting for the end of the term.

The reason for spending time in the classroom was simple.

As Lumern students were passionate about learning, there were students who came to ask questions even with vacation approaching.

The reason they didn't wait in their private offices was that classrooms were much more convenient for students to visit.

'Seeing this, he's certainly a passionate professor.'

Ren raised his teacup elegantly and said.

"The most likely candidate is Aina Bayduna."

Sipping the black tea in his cup, Ren nodded with satisfaction and returned his gaze to his book.

Ren was a great beauty, and judging by his current appearance, he looked like a highly intellectual magic professor.

Anna smiled subtly.

'It would be great if he wasn't reading that ridiculous book.'

Looking at Ren reading a book titled 'Why Mages are Superior to Knights and Summoners,' Anna felt a headache coming on.

At that moment, the classroom door opened.

Ren and Anna's gazes turned to the door.

And seeing the unexpected students who had come to the classroom, Ren's eyes narrowed.

"Seirun?"

At Ren's reaction, Anna swallowed dryly.

Seirun Academy.

It was one of the main reasons Ren had the most seizures this semester.

In that situation, with Seirun students coming to the classroom, Anna couldn't help but be nervous.

'I hope he doesn't go into a frenzy again.'

Anna, with a worried expression, realized that the Seirun students were familiar.

'Their name was Angre Bizan, wasn't it?'

They were lower-grade students who had been treated unfairly at Seirun due to their low achievement in star magic.

Of course, now their lives had changed due to Seirun's policy change and Ren's book, 'Introduction to Star Magic,' and they had moved out of the lower grades.

"You are student Angre, right?"

"Ah! Assistant Professor Anna!"

The lower-grade students, including Angre, rushed towards Anna.

"Hello, everyone! How have you all been?"

"Yes!"

"It's all thanks to Assistant Professor Anna and Senior Leo!"

The first-year students smiled brightly and chattered.

"Senior Leo? Even though you go to a different school, Senior Leo? Do you know what you're talking about right now?"

At that moment, with a *tak* sound, he closed his book and sprang up from his seat.

His eyes were so fierce that they seemed to be emitting lasers.

At Ren's terrifying aura, the Seirun first-year students were terrified.

"Why are you here!"

"Who, who are you?"

Angre bravely asked cautiously as a representative.

"My name is Ren Horse! I am the professor that Leo Flob, whom you dare to call senior, respects the most!"

"…Don't lie."

Anna said, squinting her eyes, but Ren didn't pay her any mind.

Hearing Ren's name, Angre and the first-year students' eyes widened.

Then Angre said as a representative.

"You are Professor Ren! Greetings! My name is Angre Bizan!"

The students who were terrified just moments ago greeted him with sparkling eyes, and Ren's momentum subsided.

"My life changed because of your book, '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 offering their genuine gratitude and respect, Ren exclaimed, "Ho!"

"So you are that Angre Bizan. I received your letter well. Indeed! You are an excellent top student, just as I thought!"

Anna sighed deeply, watching Ren instantly change his attitude after showing so much hostility just moments before.

Afterward, Ren discussed magic with the Seirun first-year students.

"Professor Ren's reputation is very high at Seirun right now."

"Many are impressed by how deeply an elf-like person can understand star magic."

"It is said that you have been able to view star magic from a new perspective!"

"Rumor has it that you might be invited as a visiting professor during the summer vacation."

"Hehehe! To receive such an evaluation from Seirun, a place renowned for its magic. I am overwhelmed."

'If they have brains and those brains aren't just for decoration, then those damn pointy-eared people should recognize the greatness of my thesis, Assistant Professor Anna!'

'……Even though you said that.'

Anna sighed.

Later, other excellent Seirun first-year students, Eclair and Yoinia, also visited Ren.

Angre looked at them and asked.

"Where did Rhea go?"

"She was coming with us a little while ago, but she suddenly disappeared."

"I really wanted her to meet Professor Ren."

Angre said with a disappointed expression at Eclair's answer.

Meanwhile, Anna approached Ren and said softly.

"…You changed your attitude completely, even though you were cursing Seirun Academy just an hour ago."

Anna said, squinting her eyes, and Ren chuckled.

"Assistant Professor Anna, a person must know how to hide their true feelings according to the time and place. We call someone who is different on the outside and inside a person of integrity."

"Who calls that kind of person a person of integrity?"

Anna pointed out, but Ren didn't even blink.

***

*Shak! Shak!*

The corridor of the Lumern first-year classroom building.

The eyes of the first-year students passing by were drawn to someone moving stealthily.

'……It's a Seirun student.'

'Why are they moving so secretly?'

'Do they think this won't be noticed?'

A Seirun first-year student in Seirun uniform has openly infiltrated the classroom building, where many Lumern first-year students are gathered.

Rhea Tingell was currently diligently chasing someone.

As the person she was chasing passed the corner of the hallway, Rhea quickly approached the corner and peeked her face out.

And she glared at the back of the opponent.

'That's Luke Elda.'

She took out a photo of Luke from her pocket.

The source of the photo was none other than Kale.

She had followed Luke here after spotting him while traveling with Seirun students.

'Senior Flob's mentee. To enjoy such enviable favor all alone, unforgivable.'

She burned with competitive spirit towards someone who had done nothing wrong.

"…Who are you? Why is a Seirun first-year student here?"

At that moment, a voice came from behind.

Turning her head back, she saw Habiden there.

Rhea turned her body and stood in front of Habiden, straightening her back and lifting her chin.

"My name is Rhea Tingell."

"Rhea Tingell?"

"Wait a minute! She's the top student of the Seirun first-years!"

Sounds of shock were heard from various places.

"Why is the representative of Seirun's first-year students here?"

Habiden asked, crossing his arms, and Rhea replied, crossing her arms in return.

"I came to defeat my archenemy."

"What? What? A declaration of war?"

"Is it in preparation for the Lu-Se battle?"

"Awesome!"

"Who is your archenemy? Is it Aina, of course?"

The first-year students reacted with excitement.

"You came alone, I see. How brave."

Habiden's lips curled up.

As the commotion grew, students gathered in the hallway.

As more students gathered, making the situation even more chaotic, Aina also appeared, and the students parted like the Red Sea.

A space was created between Rhea and Aina.

The representatives of Lumern and Seirun's first-year students faced each other.

Aina looked confused.

As everyone's expression was tense in that situation.

At that moment, Rhea raised her hand.

And she pointed at someone with her finger.

"Luke Elda."

Everyone's gaze turned to Luke.

Luke, who had come to see what was happening, looked confused.

"Come at me."

"What?"

Luke, not understanding the situation, asked again.

The other students were the same.

"I said, come at me."

"Why me?"

Looking at Rhea, who was glaring at him, Luke showed an expression of injustice.

"Because you are my prey."

"Seirun's first-year representative."

Habiden smirked.

"Luke Elda is my prey. I will not tolerate anyone touching him first."

"If you interfere, I'll take you down first."

"That's what I was going to say."

*Zzzzzt*

It was when Habiden and Rhea were glaring at each other.

As the students became tense again, seeing the two people suddenly turn fierce.

"It's Professor Halind!"

Startled by someone's urgent voice, the first-year students instantly headed to their respective classrooms.

Rhea, bewildered by their orderly retreat, shouted.

"Ah! Luke Elda! Over there! Fight me right now!"

Rhea's voice, unable to grasp the situation, echoed loudly throughout the hallway.

And as she glared and tried to chase Luke at full speed.

"Who said you could fight in the hallway?"

A chillingly cold voice was heard.

Rhea's body froze without her realizing it.

"And who said you could be loud in the hallway?"

Rhea turned around with stiff movements.

There stood Halind, the Weeping Wall of Lumern.

"Hiiik?"

At Halind's menacing aura, Rhea involuntarily stepped back.

"You don't seem to fear punishment?"

Rhea was terrified.

But she bravely retorted.

"I, I'm not a Lumern student."

Her instincts screamed.

Don't follow the person in front of her.

But it didn't matter to Halind.

"I don't care what school you're from."

Halind grabbed Rhea by the scruff of her neck.

"If you've come to Lumern, follow Lumern's laws."