Book 1 Chapter 497

497.

Two days had passed since the period of the commissioned mission ended.

The returning students were gathered in groups of two or three in the lounge, chatting.

"Are you going to book accommodation for this Twilight Festival?"

"Of course! I've already booked it!"

"How did you do that? The booking competition must be fierce?"

The students' main topic of conversation was the upcoming Twilight Festival.

A grand festival held once every five years.

It is famous as a global festival, as it honors Lumern, the Knight of Twilight, one of the heroes of the Age of Revelation and the founder of Lumern Academy.

During this period, it's a grand festival sought after by many races, not to mention outsiders.

"Twilight Festival!"

Just then, a door on one side of the lounge burst open.

It was the door connected to the study room.

And the student who burst out of the door was a student who didn't quite fit the study room, Iliana.

"Me too! Me too! Let's plan the schedule together!"

Iliana enthusiastically tried to join the group of students.

But someone was faster, grabbing Iliana by the scruff of her neck.

"No."

It was none other than Cheon Sia.

"Young Master Leo's special tutoring isn't over yet, where are you trying to go?"

"B-but!"

"Young Master Leo is specially making time for Miss Iliana, are you saying you'll ignore his sincerity?"

"Hiek?!"

Iliana flinched at Cheon Sia's cold words.

Normally the gentle eldest sister of the second-years, but when she gets angry, she's the scariest among them.

"That's the price for being lazy all the time."

"Study a little more."

Jeers came from the dormitory lounge.

"Hey! You're all dead later!"

Iliana glared and swung her fist.

Cheon Sia dragged Iliana into the study room.

Inside the study room, there were six students, including Iliana.

Leo stood at the front, and in front of him sat Chloe, Eyran, and Iliana.

Cheon Sia stood by the door, and Luna sat beside her, arms crossed and legs crossed.

Leo spoke.

"Then, shall we start again?"

Leo pointed at the portable whiteboard and said.

"As you can see, Iliana, your magic is focused on destructive power."

"As I said before, overwhelming power for a crushing victory from the start! That's the motto of the Laden family!"

"Wow, that's cool!"

"Hmph!"

As Eyran admired and clapped, Chloe said coldly.

"Don't think it's cool. She's a charge idiot."

"Class president! Chloe called me a charge idiot!"

Iliana complained with a tearful face.

"Well, I agree with Chloe's opinion."

At Leo's words, Iliana's shoulders slumped.

Iliana is one of the top skilled students among the second-years.

The absolute, unwavering strongest.

Eight students are mentioned when discussing the strongest second-year, excluding Leo.

Celia, Cheon Sia, Duran from the Knight Department.

Chloe, Avad, Chelsea from the Magic Department.

Eliza, Wareden from the Summoning Department.

Of course, there are differences in superiority even among them, but considering their respective specialties and growth potential, they are evaluated as neck and neck.

Even excluding the anomaly that is Leo, this is a golden generation unprecedented in Lumern's history.

Their growth potential was literally boundless.

And right behind this strongest line, one of the people singled out was Iliana.

However, she was also underestimated compared to her skill.

Iliana's personality was the biggest reason for that.

"You're impatient, aren't you?"

"Kuhok?!"

"Simple and ignorant, aren't you?"

"Keck!"

"So no matter who the opponent is, you just charge in and get your head bashed first, right?"

"Ugh!"

At Leo's words, Iliana tumbled off her chair.

Eyran, surprised, took care of Iliana, who was twitching as if she had taken a big hit.

But Chloe sighed deeply.

Certainly, if she fixed those aspects, Iliana could develop much further than now.

"The professors, and I too, have put a lot of effort into trying to fix those points. Because you can definitely become much greater."

"Class president!"

Iliana's eyes welled up with tears, her face filled with emotion.

"But someone once told me. You can't fix people and use them."

"Puhok!"

At Leo's subsequent words, Iliana completely sank.

"Huhu, I'm abandoned by the class president."

"Stop saying strange things and listen."

"Hmm?"

"I've changed my mind."

"If I can't fix that tendency, I thought I could enhance the benefits that can be gained from that charge."

"Hmm?"

Leo glanced at Luna.

Luna, whose eyes met Leo's, smiled faintly.

***

"Did you two train with Arion?"

After returning to Fairy Land.

Luna asked, watching Eyran and Cheon Sia spar in the training ground.

At that question, Eyran and Cheon Sia, who were sparring, opened their eyes wide.

"Did Lord Leo tell you?"

"I only heard from Kyle that Arion had crossed over to this world. And that he, along with Leo, had vanquished a piece of Erebus."

Luna closed her eyes, her arms crossed.

She had heard Arion's story that Leo had told her.

Her heart ached when she heard what Arion was thinking when he sacrificed himself.

On the other hand, her heart swelled with pride hearing Arion's story of finally overcoming everything and growing.

'That's Arion for you.'

Recalling his back, which always gave her courage, Luna subtly smiled.

Eyran and Cheon Sia thought that smile somehow resembled Leo's.

"Anyway."

Luna opened her eyes and said.

"I knew you trained with Arion from your movements. I briefly saw Arion's movements in you."

"Wow, you can notice that?"

"Hmph, what do you take me for? I am Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula."

Luna proudly brushed her hair back.

Indeed, Luna's specialty, no matter what anyone says, is magic.

Of course, as a summoner, her talent was exceptional enough to form a pact with Silrod, the successor to the Fairy King.

In addition, Luna's close-combat ability is also overwhelming, to the point where she could operate on the front lines if necessary.

Although she cannot manipulate aura, her combat ability is top-notch.

That's why she could catch a glimpse of Arion's shadow in the two of them.

"Crucially, Arion is a genius-type idiot."

"A genius-type idiot?"

Seeing Eyran make a bewildered expression, Luna looked sullen.

"He's terribly bad at teaching others. He just does everything as if it's obvious, so he can't explain anything at all."

"Ah…"

"I understand what you mean."

Eyran and Cheon Sia smiled brightly and recalled Arion, who used to ask, "How is it? Isn't it easy?"

"So he teaches through practical experience. That's why you naturally learn Arion's movements."

"That's certainly true."

"It was incredibly tough, but we felt like he was adjusting to us."

Cheon Sia and Eyran nodded at Luna's words.

At that, Luna let out a mournful laugh.

"That's all thanks to this unnie's sacrifice."

"Yes?"

"What do you mean?"

Cheon Sia and Eyran looked bewildered by Luna's sudden reaction, but Luna gazed at the distant mountains.

In the past, she had once sparred 1:1 with Arion for close combat practice as if it were a real battle.

And at that time, she suffered terribly at the hands of Arion, who didn't know how to control his strength.

'Don't hold back, come at me!'

At Luna's always confident shout, Arion hesitated, then quickly made a mess of Luna.

'If Lysinass had been a little late, I would have developed trauma.'

She remembered the damned human and dwarf laughing, holding their bellies, behind Lysinass, who was advising Arion to control his strength.

'Yeah. I'll hit him one more time later.'

"Arion must have helped the children who wield aura grow, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I can't be outdone."

Luna chuckled, "Huhuhut-!"

"Therefore! I, Luna, will teach you magic! That's what I mean!"

"It's such an honor!"

Eyran said with a bright smile.

"But Lord Luna. I'm a knight?"

"Yes. But you can also use summoning magic, right?"

Luna smiled with her eyes.

"I'm also excellent at summoning magic. Unlike that idiot, I can provide clear and systematic help! So, what kind of phantom beast do you control?"

"Ah, my specialty is water spirits."

Cheon Sia said with a bright smile.

Learning from the great hero Luna is welcome, no matter what it is.

Moreover, to be taught spirit magic by an elf, the race most skilled in spirit magic.

Although Luna is famous for magic, it is a well-known story that she is also a powerful summoner.

At Cheon Sia's words, Luna stared intently at Cheon Sia, then nodded.

"Hmm. From today, you're transitioning from a spirit user to a phantom beast user."

"Huh?"

Cheon Sia looked bewildered.

Of course, Cheon Sia also has contracts with lower-level phantom beasts.

But for Cheon Sia, who had always believed she had more talent in spirit magic throughout her life, the sudden recommendation to change her specialty was disconcerting.

"You have more talent as a phantom beast user than as a spirit user."

"R-really?"

"Yes. You didn't know at all, it seems. Don't worry. This unnie…"

"Who's trying to scam them here?"

Leo frowned and appeared.

"She can't teach spirit magic, so she's trying to convert a spirit user into a phantom beast user?"

"Tch!"

Luna clicked her tongue at Leo's words.

At that reaction, Cheon Sia looked curious.

"Can't Lord Luna use spirit magic?"

"No, she can't. She has no affinity for spirits."

"Usually, elves who use summoning magic are good at spirit magic… That's surprising."

Leo chuckled, seeing Cheon Sia's bewildered expression.

"This one has a nature-destroying personality, so spirits absolutely refuse to approach her."

"Who has a nature-destroying personality? Who has a nature-destroying personality?!"

Luna, with wide eyes, grabbed Leo by the collar and shook him wildly.

Ignoring Luna, Leo said.

"So? You want to teach the kids magic?"

Luna nodded at the question.

"Arion also left various things behind while staying in this world."

Luna crossed her arms.

"I want to be of some help, even if just a little."

Luna had a serious expression.

"Do you have any kids picked out?"

"The one who caught my eye the most is a girl named Chloe."

Luna recalled Chloe.

From the perspective of a senior mage far superior, Chloe was commendable.

Moreover…

"It seems that child has an untapped talent."

"Untapped talent?"

"Yes."

Luna smiled faintly.

"I got an inspiration when I saw that child."

"An inspiration, you say."

Regarding magic, Leo and Luna have different perspectives.

If so, Chloe must have a talent that even Leo, let alone herself, hasn't realized yet.

"And then there's a kid named Iliana. A magic swordsman, right? She also doesn't properly understand her mana characteristics."

"I would have thought Iliana was making full use of her talents."

"Certainly, light attribute magic is flashy and powerful. But I think she needs to develop her magic in a different direction."

"What direction?"

Luna smiled faintly at Leo's question.

"Speed."

***

"I'm fast enough, though?"

Iliana looked bewildered at the suggestion to enhance speed.

"Your light mana characteristic seems more suited to speed than destructive power."

"Hmm?"

"If you do it well, your instantaneous speed might even become faster than Duran's, don't you think?"

"What?!"

Iliana's eyes widened.

The Leo she knew was not someone to speak empty words.

"The Lightning-Fast Swordswoman, Lady Iliana!"

Cheon Sia muttered, watching Iliana's eyes sparkle and her nostrils flare.

"Miss Iliana is quite simple."

"Huh? I think she's childlike and cute?"

Luna laughed.

Leo taught Iliana the magic spell system Luna had created.

'Luna is different from Arion.'

Magic is a field of research and exploration.

It is a discipline that requires 100% understanding of what one uses.

In that sense, Luna's genius not only demonstrated individual strength but also excelled in teaching others.

In particular, her ability to penetrate others' magical talents and create magic was exceptionally outstanding.

"How did you come up with this?"

It was then that Chloe was admiring.

"Chloe."

"Hmm?"

"Luna wants to talk to you."

At those words, Chloe's eyes widened, and she turned to look at Luna.

Luna waved at Chloe.

'I wanted to have a magical discussion with that child, so this works out perfectly.'

Chloe also approached Luna, her eyes shining.

Leo stared intently at the scene.

"Lord Luna looks happy."

"She would. For Luna, having such an enthusiastic discussion about magic is one of her greatest joys."

Leo muttered, gazing intently at Luna.

"Lord Leo?"

'…What exactly is Luna's lingering regret?'

Watching Luna happily laugh and converse with Chloe, Leo looked down at his hand.

Luna is not staying in this world by divine power.

She is staying with the magical power of Luna remaining in Cometes.

The magical power of Luna contained in Cometes is considerable.

In addition, the amount of magical power used to manifest Luna is extremely small.

'The very act of existing as a spiritual entity with a physical body is remarkable.'

Perhaps Luna's very existence will advance the magic of this era.

But…

'Is it right to keep Luna in this world?'

Leo's eyes clouded.

Spiritual entity.

A manifestation of the remnants of mana left by a powerful soul with lingering regrets, realized through the spiritual power of a spiritual entity user.

But it is by no means a natural state.

5000 years ago.

Lysinass also allowed the spiritual entities to pass on, instead of holding them captive, for that very reason.

'The lingering scent remaining in a spiritual entity fades over time. Because it's ultimately a lingering regret for this world. The regrets of ancient spiritual entities soon become obsessions. And they begin to forget themselves.'

Lysinass smiled wryly.

'A spiritual entity has such a strong ego that it remains in the world with lingering regrets. As such, spiritual entities have strong self-love. There is nothing more miserable than losing oneself. That is why spiritual entity users honor the spirits of spiritual entities and soothe their souls. Spiritual entities can never be truly happy.'

Recalling Lysinass's words, Leo opened his eyes.

Their eyes met for a moment.

Luna looked at Leo and smiled brightly, as if pleased.

Seeing that smile, Leo smiled back.

'For now, being together must be enjoyable for Luna too.'