Book 1 Chapter 501

"How did Luna get here?"

Chen Xia smiled as she looked at Kal, who had a surprised expression.

"I'm more surprised that Kal recognized Luna right away?"

Kal was surprised that Luna recognized him, but as Chen Xia, who was the quickest to recover from emotions among the second-year students, had already returned to her usual smiling face.

"What?"

Kal, flustered by Chen Xia's words, quickly made a "Oops!" expression.

"Hoo?"

Luna exclaimed in admiration.

"It seems like you figured out my identity? Did you know?"

Looking at Luna playfully poking his side, Leo shook his head.

"I didn't know."

Leo was also quite surprised to see his best friend in this life covering his face as if embarrassed.

***

"When did you figure it out?"

On the way to the club room.

Leo asked, sitting on a bench placed throughout the campus.

"The first time I felt something was strange was in Deweno's world."

Kal, who was sitting next to Leo, wore an awkward expression.

"You were too familiar with that world. And you were close with Berkia, Arion, and Deweno."

Acting is essential in the hero's world.

To be as much like the people of that era as possible.

You have to act naturally, the way others treated them.

But even considering that, Leo's attitude was a little strange.

A subtle feeling that only the observant Kal could sense.

As if he were treating his friends, including himself, at school.

Or as if he were treating friends he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Then, during the summer vacation, I vaguely figured it out after seeing you and Arion."

He put together the puzzle pieces he learned while becoming close with Leo.

Unusual growth rate.

Continuous connection with great heroes.

And an all-class, like the hero of the beginning.

The moment the word "no way" flashed in his mind, the thought that Leo might be Kyle became stronger.

Leo let out a hollow laugh at Kal's words.

"I was complacent."

"Rather, wouldn't you say I'm just observant?"

"Why didn't you tell me you realized I was Kyle?"

"My mouth was itching to tell you. But the you I know is Leo Flob."

Kal smiled at Leo.

"Not Kyle, the hero of the beginning, but Leo, my friend."

From the moment of the entrance ceremony, Leo was equal to everyone.

He naturally became friends with those who approached him.

Despite the hierarchy, he treated everyone without reservation.

When he first noticed Leo's existence, he wondered why he acted that way.

Was it the composure and generosity of someone who saved the world?

But as far as Kal remembered, Leo was always sincere in everything he did.

When facing trials.

When dealing with those who confronted him head-on.

And when he rushed to the most dangerous place, comforting those who followed him.

So Kal decided to treat Leo as a friend.

No matter his identity, he was his best friend.

"You're saying quite adult things?"

"Ugh?!"

At that moment, Luna poked her face between Leo and Kal.

Kal, seeing Luna appear out of nowhere, clutched his heart and rolled off the bench.

Seeing Kal like that, Luna clutched her stomach and burst into laughter.

Then she approached Kal and extended her hand.

"You said your name was Kal Thomas, right?"

"Yes."

Kal took Luna's hand and stood up.

Kal brushed the dust off his backside as Luna spoke.

"My name is Luna Rubinence. You can call me Lu."

"Yes, Lu-nim."

"No, no. Just call me Lu."

Luna smiled and pointed at Leo.

"You consider this guy a friend?"

"Yes."

"I'm his friend too."

Saying that, she casually put her arm around Leo and clung to him.

Leo pushed Luna's face away with his hand as if annoyed.

"Then, doesn't that make you and me friends too?"

Kal scratched his cheek, looking at Luna, who was smiling brightly.

"Does it work like that?"

"It does. I want to have another friend besides this arrogant guy."

Luna pouted, pinching Leo's hand that was pushing her face away.

"My adorable ones treat me too formally."

Luna, escaping Leo's grip, approached Chen Xia and Eiran and hugged them with both arms.

Eiran had a very flattered expression, and Chen Xia had a troubled smile.

"Is it okay to be friends with someone like me?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"I don't have much magical talent, and I have no hope of becoming a hero."

"Does that matter?"

Luna chuckled.

Luna, having taken her arm off Leo, stood next to him with a "Hoo-rah!"

"Do you think we, and the heroes who lived in the same era, saved the world with just our power?"

"Don't we?"

Eiran looked puzzled.

"Wrong!"

Luna said with a cheerful laugh, and Eiran's ears drooped.

"It was possible because everyone who lived in that era joined forces. Me, Leo, Arion, Deweno, and even Lisinas don't think we saved the world with our power alone."

There are certainly people who have the power to do greater things than others.

Those who light the way in darkness and guide them.

People who can go one step further in the darkness are called heroes.

But…

"It's up to the people to follow that path."

Luna said, gently twirling her hair with her fingertips.

"Ultimately, it was the many people who supported us."

Being burdened by an era is never a burden.

Rather, it lifts you up when you're about to fall.

You receive help as much as you give it.

In that sense, Luna believed that people living in the same era were in an equal relationship.

"The important thing is that you and I share the same time. In that sense."

Luna extended her hand to Kal again.

"My name is Luna Rubinence. What's yours?"

At Luna's words, Kal took her hand.

"My name is Kal Thomas."

Knowing what Luna wanted, Kal decided to let go of various circumstances.

'Whatever it is, if the customer wants it, a merchant adjusts, and if a hero fighting on the battlefield wants it, a supporter adjusts accordingly.'

"In that sense."

Kal took out an spatial storage from his pocket and took something out.

*Chwararak-!*

"Huk?!"

"Wow."

Eiran cried out in shock, and Chen Xia exclaimed in admiration.

What Kal took out was none other than a collection book.

It was an album containing cards with pictures of famous heroes, popular among humans.

"This must be very expensive!"

Chen Xia asked, looking at the completed collection book, and Kal smiled.

"It is expensive."

Eiran swallowed hard.

"Oh, it's pretty."

Luna smiled brightly, looking at the card with her picture on it.

Kal took a pen from his pocket.

"As a friend, I'm asking for your autograph."

"Autograph?"

Luna looked bewildered.

"Yes. You don't stop respecting me just because we're friends, do you? As a magician, I greatly admire Luna Rubinence, the progenitor of the constellations."

Kal said calmly.

Luna nodded and carefully signed each card.

"But is there any good to signing?"

Luna, ignorant of such culture, asked with a naive face.

Kal burst into laughter at the question.

"Of course. This will make me rich."

At those words, Chen Xia narrowed her eyes.

"Kal."

"Yes."

"You'll be punished by heavenly retribution."

"It's okay. It's a request from a friend."

Kal said shamelessly.

After getting all the autographs, Kal shouted happily.

"Great! Then I'll treat you all to dinner!"

"Ooh! Is that okay?"

Luna asked, clapping her hands, and Kal smiled.

"Yes. I've become rich."

Luna and Kal walked away, exuding a friendly atmosphere.

Chen Xia and Eiran hurried after them.

Watching their retreating backs, Leo smiled.

***

*Fwooooosh-!*

In the northern part of the continent, the frozen land that is now the domain of the elves, there are numerous countries.

However, there are no kings in the elf kingdoms like there are in human kingdoms.

During the Age of Calamity.

The elves, who were considered the most powerful race and held immense power on the continent, were easily defeated by Tartarus's onslaught because of their pride in their bloodline.

They had a strong centralized government centered around the Elf King, but when that central power became corrupt, it crumbled so easily.

And after the Age of Calamity ended.

Fairie Knight Berkia Ersar, who led the reconstruction of the world, abolished social classes among the elves.

There were those who advocated for tradition, but the Elf King and the High Elves had already fallen.

The elven society was rebuilt under the ideology that all elves are equal.

But as time passes, intentions fade.

After thousands of years, elves once again became intoxicated with their specialness.

Their beautiful appearance, superior magical abilities, and affinity with spirits were enough to make elves perceive themselves as special compared to other races.

Later, when Seirun appeared and elves became the masters of magic, elves became even more convinced of their specialness.

From that, the 'Pure Blood Association' was born.

However, even that Pure Blood Association lost its power recently.

It was by the very existence of 'Seirun,' the cause of their birth.

Seirun's words denied the very existence of the Pure Blood Association.

The foundation of the Pure Blood Association was shaken, and as betrayals by some key elves were revealed, the Pure Blood Association's status further plummeted.

However, it was close to impossible for them, who had been rooted in elven society for thousands of years, to disappear overnight.

"Unacceptable! That humans possess the treasure of the elves!"

An elf showed an expression of indignation.

"Even though Seirun-nim has acknowledged Leo Flob as his successor… Cometes is the treasure of the elves."

"Some fools say it's Seirun's staff and should follow Seirun's will… but Cometes originally belonged to Luna-nim. It's absurd to hand it over to humans solely based on Seirun's will."

"We have sent an envoy to Leo Flob to coincide with the upcoming Twilight Festival. With the intention of formally requesting the return of Cometes."

A heated debate was underway at the Pure Blood Association meeting.

An elf listening to the story furrowed his brow.

"Then why was I summoned here?"

Run Ersar.

He was currently the acting principal of Seirun and one of the elder elves.

He was an elf with immense power.

However, he had lived a life far removed from the Pure Blood Association his entire life.

Rather, he was an elf that the Pure Blood Association found unwelcome.

His way of thinking was quite progressive even among elves.

Therefore, Run was currently very displeased.

'I was reading Eiran's letter!'

He had to endure a headache being summoned for such trivial talk while reading the letter from his granddaughter.

'I thought it was a constructive meeting about disbanding the Pure Blood Association.'

To Run, who was expressing his displeasure, an elf from the Pure Blood Association said,

"Run-nim, aren't you a descendant of the great elven figure, Berkia?"

"Shouldn't you follow the will of that person, who was Luna-nim's disciple?"

Run let out a hollow laugh internally at the Pure Blood Association's words.

'They denied themselves with Seirun, so now they plan to put Berkia in the forefront?'

In the first place, Berkia, who is evaluated as one of the three great figures of the elves, had a relatively narrow standing due to the Pure Blood Association.

Berkia, who rebuilt the world, was an elf who emphasized ties with other races.

Naturally, the teachings of their ancestors would be unacceptable to the Pure Blood Association.

That's why, despite having the title of Luna's disciple, Berkia was slowly being forgotten among the elves.

The Ersar family was still a prestigious family, but considering Berkia's achievements and status, their position was narrow.

Of course, the Ersar family never cared about such things.

They simply displayed a progressive tendency in accordance with their ancestors' will.

However, now that Seirun has denied the Pure Blood Association.

The Pure Blood Association intends to change the elven hero they revere to Berkia.

It would be easier to alter the teachings of Berkia, a figure from 5000 years ago, to their liking than Seirun, who denied them.

As Run smiled coldly at the Pure Blood Association, who were about to desecrate their ancestors.

*Screeeech-!*

The meeting room door suddenly opened.

"We are discussing a matter of great importance to our race! How dare you open the door so carelessly!"

The elf in the highest seat shouted with an angry expression.

*Thump- thump-*

The sound of something wet could be heard.

And with it appeared an elf woman covered in blood, holding a sword dripping with blood.

"Wh-what!"

"Who are you!"

Voices filled with shock and anger erupted from various places in the Pure Blood Association.

And with it, powerful magic surged.

They were all powerful star mages.

Even if their ideology was twisted or problematic, their skills were not.

*Puhwak-!*

But before the magic could be completed.

In a flash, the necks of the elven Pure Blood Association were severed.

From that moment on, it was a massacre.

The elven woman's sword, which had slaughtered the Pure Blood Association with terrifying speed, finally turned towards Run.

*Kagagang-!*

However, Run blocked her sword.

And the moment the swords met.

Run's eyes widened in shock.

*Puhwak-!*

Blood splattered on Run's chest.

*Chalpak-*

The elf woman wiped her chest.

If Run had intended to swing his sword, he would have been wounded, if not fatally.

That's how skilled Run was.

But he couldn't bring himself to swing his sword fully.

Of course, she was the same.

"…Thank goodness… You resemble Myid more than me."

With a voice filled with relief and bitterness, the elf woman took a step forward.

*Cheolbeok-*

Watching the elf woman, Run got up.

"You are not a traitor, so would you please move aside?"

The elf woman, speaking with a benevolent voice, said to Run, who coughed up blood.

"Why…?"

"Someone had to do it, didn't they?"

Looking at her with a bitter smile, Run shook his head.

"Great ancestor… this… this is not right. You are not the person I knew."

Run said to Berkia in a desperate voice.

"You say the same thing as Bihar."

He remembered a friend who had the same teacher… a friend who lived in darkness his whole life.

"Was this how Bihar felt when he looked at me before?"

She knew.

That the descendant before her was a noble hero.

She would have lived as a hero who enveloped the world with brilliant light.

To not tarnish her name.

To follow her will.

But…

"I'm sorry, but this is who I am."

Berkia's form disappeared.

*Screeeech-*

*Thud-!*

Run collapsed.

Berkia escaped the Pure Blood Association.

She wouldn't die.

But…

'I disappointed him.'

Berkia smiled bitterly, recalling Run, who couldn't bring himself to wield his sword in the end.

Under the night sky, Berkia looked down at her hands.

*Sabak- sabak-*

Snow was falling.

The snow that touched her body did not melt.

*Sabak-*

A snowflake fell onto her palm.

How strange it was when she first saw white snow.

"Unacceptable."

A dark emotion flickered in Berkia's eyes.

"Insulting their sacrifice… and those who live… I cannot accept it."