Book 1 Chapter 515

515.

The Necromancer King's invasion of Lumerin.

The world trembled at the news that Tartarus had launched a large-scale invasion of Lumerin, following Seirun last year.

It was, literally, an era of upheaval.

The world had not been this chaotic since the return of the Calamity 2000 years ago, after the Age of Calamity ended.

"In a sense, the current era might be even more chaotic than during the return of the Calamity."

Mel said as she lectured.

"During the return of the Calamity, the awakened fragments of Erebus ran wild alongside the commanders of Tartarus."

*Clack-!*

Mel snapped her fingers, and a map from one side of the large lecture hall flew and stuck to the blackboard, then unfurled.

"This is the direction of Tartarus's advance at that time. As you all know, the 'Hero Record' abilities had not yet awakened, so our forces were extremely lacking. What changed that unfavorable war situation were the heroes of the new era."

*Clip-clop- Mel walked to the center of the lecture hall.

"Our forces have become incomparably stronger than they were then. However, Tartarus's offensive is also fiercer than it was then."

Mel spoke with a solemn voice.

"The appearance of the commanders in the past, the revival of Erebus's fragments. And…"

Mel took a deep breath.

"Those who made a name for themselves in the Hero Record of the past are becoming our enemies, turned into the undead by the Necromancer King's demonic grasp."

At those words, the sound of people swallowing dryly could be heard here and there.

Currently, all the students, as well as all the professors in Lumerin, were gathered in the large lecture hall listening to Mel's lecture.

"Now, here's a question. Although the situation is chaotic, we still have hope. What is it?"

Mel smiled broadly and asked, trying to lighten the mood.

However, the inside of the lecture hall was silent.

Mel's eyes widened at the reaction.

"Are there no students who wish to answer?"

At her words, the students remained silent.

Seeing the students' reaction, Mel, who was showing a 'hmm-' troubled expression, asked the professors.

"What about among the professors?"

Mel was a newly appointed professor at Lumerin this year.

Although she, a new professor, treated the seasoned professors of Lumerin like students, no one said anything about it.

It was already widely known that Mel's true identity was that of a Dragon Lord.

No matter how esteemed a Lumerin professor might be, they couldn't act recklessly in front of the strongest existing Dragon.

*Flash-!*

Just then, someone vigorously raised their hand.

"Yes, Professor Ren."

It was Ren, who was undoubtedly the top priority among the many eccentric professors at Lumerin.

"It's that a new possibility for the Hero Record has been discovered."

"Yes, that's correct."

Mel said with a bright smile.

"Naturally so. As the professor representing the Department of Magic, Lumerin's best department."

Seeing Ren's smug expression, Associate Professor Anna, who was next to him, covered her face with both hands and bowed her head, while Alby let out a deep sigh.

Ren was treating Mel as he usually did.

The reason was simple.

'Lo-Lord, I apologize for not recognizing you until now…'

'Who is Lord?'

'Huh?'

'Who is Lord?'

'Th-that is… Mel-nim is Dragon Lord Melina-nim…'

'I'm Mel, a professor in the Lumerin Department of Magic, though?'

This was because when the Lumerin professors went to greet Mel as the situation was being brought under control, Mel had smiled brightly and denied it.

Moreover, she had even said this:

'If anyone calls me Dragon Lord in the future, I'll punish them.'

Mel's definition of punishment was merely a light tap on the head, but the words of the strongest existing Dragon, a threat veiled as not a threat, left everyone in Lumerin feeling an immense burden.

"We are currently at a crossroads in time. It is true that this is a chaotic period."

Mel said solemnly.

"But if we overcome this crisis, we will surely achieve true peace."

As the chaos was being brought under control.

Mel felt the necessity to firmly guide the hero candidates who would be responsible for the future.

That was why she had prepared this special lecture.

"Believe in yourselves. Now is the time to move forward."

"Yes!"

***

A week had passed since the Necromancer King's air raid.

The Twilight Festival had to be cut short due to unavoidable circumstances.

Miraculously, no one died, but the damage to Lumeria City was severe.

Lumerin students voluntarily went out of school every day for volunteer work to help rebuild Lumeria City.

"Well, it feels like I've become a construction worker," Chelsea grumbled as she floated a huge rock with wind magic, to which Celia replied.

"Helping people is also something a hero candidate should do. Don't grumble discontentedly."

"I never grumbled! It's just that you, being narrow-minded, felt that way. Bleah!"

"You!"

Chelsea impishly stuck out her tongue at Celia, her rival.

As Celia, agitated, was about to pounce, Avad, who was next to them, spoke.

"Chelsea. Celia is right, your attitude wasn't good."

"Ugh! Yes, brother. I was wrong."

"You should apologize to Celia, not me."

"Ugh - I'm sorry."

Chelsea apologized at Avad's words.

Celia looked at Chelsea, swept her hair back, and said.

"How long are you going to be unable to move when Avad tells you to?"

As Celia spoke with a bewildered tone, Iliana, who was passing by, interjected with a curious expression.

"Something's weird?"

"What is?"

"Since when did Celia start calling Avad by his name instead of 'Butter'?"

"Is it weird?"

"It is weird! You two! Are you perhaps… you know?"

Iliana made a fuss.

Celia casually ignored her.

"Kya~ guys! Avad and Celia are, you know! Love blooming between rival families! Isn't it exciting… *Cough!*"

As Iliana tried to inflate the rumor with her typical boisterousness, Celia immediately punished her.

Chloe sighed, watching Iliana collapse to the floor, clutching her side.

"Why do you do things that get you hit?"

"Because love stories are fun."

Iliana, who had answered with a trembling voice, suddenly sprang to her feet.

"In that sense, Lady Luna is the best!"

Iliana clenched her fists, her excitement level seemingly reaching its peak.

"She confessed her love to Sir Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, in front of countless people! It was truly a historical moment!"

At Iliana's words, Chelsea made a flustered expression.

Then she hurriedly turned her head towards Leo, who was standing silently on the ruins, staring intently at where Luna had disappeared.

Although there was quite a distance, Iliana's voice was so loud that it was more than enough for Leo to hear.

Karl, who was clearing debris next to Leo, also looked flustered and silently waved at Chelsea, signaling her to cover Iliana's mouth.

"She not only wrote a new legend but also confessed so wonderfully! It's such a pity Sir Kyle couldn't hear that confession!"

Iliana said regretfully.

"M-Miss Iliana. Right now, it's better to do volunteer work than chat…!"

"Huh? Eiran. You were just excitedly talking about this topic with me until a moment ago, weren't you?"

"I-I wasn't excitedly talking; I only said it was very sad!"

"That's the same thing. Anyway, it's clearly a moment that will go down in history…! Huh? Wh-what's this? Why are you grabbing my arms?!"

Before she knew it, Chelsea and Chen Sia had grabbed both of Iliana's arms, making her unable to move.

Iliana, flustered by the sudden situation, struggled.

"Miss Eiran, please cover Miss Iliana's mouth."

"Yeah. Chattering during sacred volunteer work. She needs to be punished."

Chelsea agreed with Chen Sia's words.

"No! No matter what, that's not right! And Chelsea! You were just full of complaints a moment ago…!"

"M-Miss Iliana! I'm sorry!"

*Thwack-!*

"Huk?!"

Eiran swiftly punched Iliana in the solar plexus with a straight punch.

Iliana, whose eyes had popped out wide, trembled and then foamed at the mouth and slumped down.

Chelsea was flustered, looking at Eiran who had made a more dangerous attack than expected.

"Eiran unnie. We just meant lightly cover her mouth."

"Y-Yes, heh?!"

"Miss Iliana? Try to breathe. Breathe, breathe."

"Miss Iliana!"

"Nella unnie, please heal Iliana!"

Chen Sia lightly tapped the unconscious Iliana's cheek, and Eiran shrieked.

People nearby gathered, murmuring, wondering what was happening.

Karl looked at the scene with a bewildered expression.

'What are those guys doing?'

To others, it might just be a new legend of a great hero.

But from Leo's perspective, as the person involved, it might have been more heartbreaking than anyone else could imagine.

Those who knew Leo's true identity, including Karl, couldn't even guess how immense Leo's pain must be, having had to let Luna go.

That's why they were trying their best to prevent any talk of Luna from reaching Leo's ears.

"They're having fun."

"Huh?"

As Karl wore a bewildered expression, Leo's voice was heard next to him.

When Karl turned his head, Leo was smiling.

Karl carefully asked Leo, seeing him.

"Are you alright?"

At that question, Leo said.

"I'm alright, I'm used to it. Thanks for worrying."

Karl clicked his tongue at the word "used to it."

'That must mean he's had experiences we can't even imagine.'

Karl couldn't imagine Leo's feelings, having had to leave someone precious behind and move forward.

"My head just hurts thinking about all the stories that will come out because of the trouble that idiot left behind."

Karl burst out laughing as Leo grumbled.

Leo looked at Karl and said.

"Karl, when we go back to school, could you, Chloe, Avad, Chelsea, and Iliana come to Professor Ren's office?"

"Huh? That's easy. But why?"

"Because I think I need to give them the gift Luna left behind."

Karl's eyes widened at Leo's words.

***

That evening.

Leo was lost in thought as he headed to Professor Ren's office.

'How did Berkia become undead?'

The words Luna left before she departed remained a lump in Leo's chest.

It wasn't just a matter of feeling bitter or unwell.

It was, literally, a shock.

*Thump- thump-*

Walking down the corridor, Leo pulled a dagger from his pocket.

Bihard's dagger, which had been placed in front of his tomb when Luna first appeared as a spirit.

'I thought Bihard had left it there.'

In Bihard's case, there was darkness in his heart from the beginning.

'But now it seems Berkia was the one who left this?'

His mind was complex.

'Bihard definitely left Erquint as a keepsake.'

Erquint.

The magic sword Dwenno had made for Luna.

And Luna gifted Erquint to her disciple, the magic swordsman.

But during the last battle against Tartarus before the great heroes embarked on their final journey.

Berkia lost Erquint in the Battle of Tarmeita.

And Bihard promised Berkia that he would find the sword for him.

'I simply thought that after the Age of Calamity ended, the two of them might not have met.'

After the Age of Calamity ended.

Berkia must have spent busy days rebuilding the era.

The same would be true for Bihard.

Even if they were comrades who fought together under the same master.

They might have had almost no opportunity to meet.

He thought that by the time Bihard recovered Erquint, a long time might have passed, making it difficult for them to meet.

Perhaps Berkia had passed away first.

Or perhaps Bihard, who had to live in darkness, couldn't meet Berkia due to personal circumstances.

He was sure there had been something between the two disciples.

'But the fact that Berkia had this… means they definitely met.'

They might have exchanged items received from their master as a token of friendship.

But…

'Berkia became undead. And he even specifically left this at my tomb.'

Leo gripped the dagger tightly.

'What on earth happened 5000 years ago?'