Book 1 Chapter 488

488.

Chloe, who was considered the top honor student in the Department of Magic, and Karl, whose ideas and creativity regarding alchemy were brilliant.

And Chen Xia, who, as a shadow, had consistently received education on how to handle poisons since childhood.

The combination of the three was optimized for the request made by the Northern Magic Tower.

Thanks to this, they were able to complete the request earlier than other students.

After completing the request, Chloe and Karl, from the Department of Magic, decided to stay a few more days at the Northern Magic Tower.

In any case, no classes were held in Lumerne during the remaining request period.

For students who finished their requests early, it meant they were given free time.

Therefore, Chloe and Karl remained at the Northern Magic Tower to conduct various magic experiments.

Unlike those two, Chen Xia returned directly to Lumerne.

Although she was in the Department of Knights and had nothing to do at the Magic Tower, hearing the stories about Leo from the shadows was decisive.

‘Such a big thing happened, and I couldn't be of help to young master Leo.’

Blaming herself, Chen Xia thought she should help Leo, who would be alone in the dormitory, rest beside him.

Of course, there was also a somewhat calculating thought.

‘It’s also a chance to be alone with him.’

Since Lumerne itself was a communal living environment, time to be alone with Leo was rare.

Of course, it wasn't a complaint.

On the contrary, school life was very enjoyable.

‘Everything is thanks to young master Leo.’

Until her first year, Chen Xia couldn't fully enjoy her life at Lumerne.

At that time, Chen Xia wanted to become a hero, but because it was a period when she believed she wasn't qualified to be a hero, in a way, it was natural for her heart to feel heavy.

Having been affirmed by Leo and having shed that burden, now simply spending time with friends itself was enjoyable.

It was as if she was having a good time with peers for the first time in her life.

But on the other hand, her desire to spend more intimate time with Leo was also great.

Chen Xia, who arrived in Lumerne in the early morning, straightened her uniform in front of the dormitory and went inside.

Thinking Leo would be asleep, she naturally suppressed her presence.

‘Huh?’

Then, she sensed a presence from the common room and headed there.

And the moment she opened the door.

Seeing an elf girl hugging Leo, who was lying on the sofa, she froze.

"What is this?"

"S-Sorry! Ugh?!"

The elf girl, Eiran, who was flustered and trying to get up, ended up slumping down onto Leo, who was lying there.

Seeing that sight, Chen Xia fell into thought to understand the situation.

‘Why is Miss Eiran in Lumerne?’

The fact that Eiran, the second-ranked student of Seirun's second year, was in Lumerne's second-year dormitory was a question in itself.

Chen Xia subtly turned her head and looked at the common room table.

An empty liquor bottle and the stimulating smell of alcohol.

In addition to that, Eiran was on top of Leo.

‘Yeah, I have no idea what's going on.’

Ultimately, Chen Xia failed to grasp the situation.

"I'm sorry! Lord Leo! I'm sorry!"

Seeing Eiran apologizing in a panic, Leo raised his upper body.

"Gasp?!"

To the point where she could feel their breaths touching, as their faces drew closer, Eiran gasped.

Leo put his hands under both of Eiran's armpits, who was on top of him.

And he lightly lifted Eiran and placed her on the floor.

Leo, having gotten up, asked Chen Xia.

"You came early? Where are Chloe and Karl?"

"They decided to stay a bit longer at the Northern Magic Tower. By the way, why is Miss Eiran here? And… what exactly were you two doing?"

As Chen Xia spoke with a slightly suspicious tone, Eiran hastily made excuses.

"Ah, I've decided to study at Lumerne as an exchange student for the time being."

"An exchange student?"

"Yes."

"Then what about the situation just now?"

"Ah! That was because I bothered Lord Leo all night and kept him from sleeping, so I was trying to cover him with a blanket."

"What? What were you doing all night?"

Chen Xia's eyes wavered for a moment.

Seeing Eiran, who had splendidly complicated the situation further, Leo sighed and said.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I was just telling her a few stories about ancient heroes all night."

"Ah."

"What on earth were you imagining?"

"Your positions were so suggestive, I just wondered if something was going on."

At Chen Xia's words, Eiran, whose ears turned red, bowed her head deeply.

Seeing Eiran like that, Chen Xia covered her mouth and laughed, then said.

"Welcome to Lumerne, Miss Eiran."

***

"Did Miss Lunia not come as an exchange student?"

That morning.

In front of the restaurant area in the center of the Hero's Tower, the three people who had decided to have breakfast arrived at the cafe.

While waiting for the ordered food, Chen Xia asked with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, Miss Lunia became the student council president this time. She's very busy with the handover."

"Miss Lunia is diligent. Young master Leo, on the other hand, passed all the practical duties to his seniors."

"It would be strange for me, a second-year student, to run the school when there are capable seniors, wouldn't it?"

Leo said calmly.

"By the way, I think I'm lucky. I was able to come to Lumerne as an exchange student just in time for the Twilight Festival."

Eiran said with a bright smile.

"Come to think of it, the Twilight Festival is soon, isn't it?"

Leo, resting his chin in his hand, said indifferently.

The Twilight Festival.

It was a festival held once every five years in Lumeria City to commemorate Lumerne, the Knight of Twilight.

The reason the festival cycle was five years was that it took five years to complete Lumeria City and Lumerne Academy.

During this festival period, the rule that students could only go out on weekends unless there was a special circumstance was lifted, allowing students to freely travel to and from Lumeria City.

Therefore, it was also one of the festivals that Lumerne students eagerly awaited.

There were even students who, intending to fully enjoy themselves, booked accommodation in Lumeria City and commuted to school from there.

After all, classes were still held during the festival period.

"Many students cause trouble, right? Because of that, professors also say they get headaches during the festival period. Many students actually get caught and disciplined."

It was when Chen Xia and Eiran were talking about the Twilight Festival.

"Oh my, student Leo, student Chen Xia. And… student Eiran, right?"

Someone smiled gently and spoke to the three.

When Leo turned his head, Mel was standing there.

"Hello, Professor Mel."

"Ah, hello!"

As Chen Xia stood up and bowed to greet her, Eiran also stood up with her and hastily bowed her head.

Seeing the two of them, Mel, who gave a light wave, looked at Leo and said.

"Student Leo, before your meal. Could we talk for a moment?"

"Yes."

Leo nodded and rose from his seat.

"I'll be back in a moment."

With that, Leo followed Mel and moved to a secluded place.

***

Eiran and Chen Xia.

As the two were left alone, an awkward silence hung in the air.

The two had met before, but their acquaintance wasn't particularly deep.

Chen Xia rested her chin in her hand and waited for the food and Leo.

Eiran kept glancing sideways at Chen Xia.

Chen Xia, noticing it, asked with a puzzled look.

"Is there something on my face?"

"What?! Ah, no! T-That's not it…"

Eiran got flustered, then shyly smiled and said.

"It's because Miss Chen Xia is as pretty as a doll. You're like a princess doll I received as a gift when I was little. Of course, Miss Chen Xia is a real princess, though."

"Thank you. But isn't Miss Eiran more doll-like than me?"

Chen Xia burst out laughing and replied.

At that, Eiran carefully said.

"Miss Chen Xia. Would you be my friend?"

"I'd love to."

"Wow!"

Eiran smiled brightly and was overjoyed.

At her innocent appearance, Chen Xia unconsciously smiled.

"By the way, Miss Eiran seems to follow young master Leo quite a lot, doesn't she?"

"Yes. From the moment I first saw him, I was captivated. Lord Leo was like a hero from a fairy tale."

Remembering when she first met Leo, Eiran smiled.

"Just like me."

"So Miss Chen Xia also likes Lord Leo a lot, don't you?"

"Yes, I like him a lot."

"Miss Chen Xia really resembles me a lot."

Eiran was genuinely delighted.

"Resemble?"

Chen Xia, who had thought that she and the other person were quite different types of people, felt puzzled by Eiran's words.

"Yes, in liking Lord Leo, and also because all our ancestors were disciples of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings."

"…The fact that my ancestor was a disciple of Lord Kyle is something I've never mentioned, have I?"

Chen Xia tilted her head.

Then, Eiran became a little flustered and hastily said.

"L-Lord Leo told me. He said he saw a story about Lord Vihar recorded in the Book of Shadows! That Lord Vihar, like Lord Berkia, was also a disciple of Lord Kyle!"

"Ah, I see."

Chen Xia smiled and nodded.

‘Indeed, Miss Eiran and I have a deep connection.’

Chen Xia nodded.

It wasn't an ordinary connection.

After 5000 years.

Because they were descendants of those connected to the only great heroes remaining in this world.

But…

‘Young master Leo isn't someone who would carelessly share private matters with others.’

The Leo Chen Xia knew was not one to carelessly share personal matters with others, and he wouldn't even inquire about Chen Xia's private affairs for any reason.

Even if there was a special connection and their relationship was deep.

Chen Xia, who was pondering, soon reached one conclusion.

‘Miss Eiran knows young master Leo more deeply than I do.’

Chen Xia could sharply deduce the relationship between Leo and Eiran.

‘It seems she knows some important secret of young master Leo that I don't know.’

***

"Why? Did something happen?"

"No, nothing serious has happened. However."

Mel hesitated for a moment, then carefully said.

"Something a little strange is happening in the eastern part of the continent."

"Strange things?"

Leo made a puzzled expression.

"Yes. Sudden weather anomalies have occurred. Despite it still being late autumn, some places have experienced severe cold and heavy snowfall."

At those words, Leo furrowed his brows.

"Also, reports are coming in that all the trees and grass in entire forests have withered."

"The Lich King?"

"They say it's not that. The unique aura of death emitted by the Lich King and his subordinates has not been detected at all, they say. They just withered as if suddenly losing their vitality."

Mel said with a serious expression.

"Lastly… they say there's a place where the entire forest has bloomed with flowers as if it were spring."

"Flowers?"

At the word 'flowers', Leo made an incredulous expression.

‘Flowers? Did someone use a magic that makes flowers bloom?’

The magic spell for blooming flowers that Luna created was restored by Leo.

‘But there shouldn't be anyone who can properly use that magic now, right?’

Leo, who was making a puzzled expression, suddenly asked.

"The east?"

"Yes."

"Do you happen to have a world map now?"

At Leo's question, Mel took out a world map from a subspace and unfurled it.

"Which area is that forest where the flowers are said to have bloomed?"

"It's here."

Mel pointed her finger to the center of the eastern continent.

That place was one of the territories of the Shan Empire.

A perfect remote area with no cities nearby.

Leo gazed intently at that region.

‘…This should be roughly the place.’

5000 years ago.

Before the Great Heroes departed on their final expedition to subjugate Erebus.

A map was not needed.

In the world on the verge of destruction, a black pillar of fire, seemingly piercing the sky, had erupted.

The pillar of fire, which began to be seen from any region of the world, was literally a symbol of destruction.

The Great Heroes headed towards that pillar of fire and set off on their final journey.

Therefore, Leo couldn't know where his companions' graves were.

He only knew the approximate location by estimating the travel path and time.

‘Now, 5000 years later, there's no way their graves would still be remaining.’

Even if it was Leo, it was impossible to find a 5000-year-old grave with only an approximate location.

But the location where the strange phenomenon occurred, and the fact that one of them was 'flowers', bothered him.

The place in the east where strange phenomena are currently happening.

‘In this vicinity, Luna drew her last breath.’