Book 1 Chapter 562

562.

"All I can say is it's amazing."

Driana exclaimed in admiration, sketching the landscape of Dragonia's main territory spread before her eyes.

Currently, the representatives of the Hero Academy were gathered at a tall tower in the very center of Dragonia's main territory.

This place, known as the Tower of Wisdom, overlooked the entire scenery of Dragonia.

Watching Driana engrossed in sketching, captivated by the beautiful scenery, Lunia murmured,

"Will that have any meaning?"

"What do you mean?"

When Leo asked with a puzzled expression, Lunia said,

"I know Driana is amazing as a smith. All the equipment I received from Driana after signing an exclusive smith contract was great."

Equipment is inevitably expendable.

No matter how excellent the weapons made by a smith are.

Even the legendary artifacts used by heroes quickly lose their function if not maintained.

Moreover, no matter how meticulous the care, they will eventually break with use.

That's why family heirlooms of heroic noble families with long histories are often stored without being used.

Although they are powerful artifacts imbued with immense power, using them carelessly would mean the heirlooms wouldn't last.

Dwenno, known as the Blacksmith of the Gods and the creator of the divine artifacts that exist today, was extraordinary precisely because he transcended that common sense.

Dwenno's artifacts, if properly maintained, quickly returned to a like-new state.

As long as they weren't completely broken, even if they were chipped and tattered, they would quickly regain their original form.

Of course, that doesn't mean they are absolutely immortal.

Blacksmiths capable of maintaining divine artifacts were extremely rare, and replicas obtained as conquest rewards in Hero's Record did not possess the same restorative power as the genuine articles.

That's why Lunia, Eiran, and Arr, despite obtaining Dwenno's divine artifacts as conquest rewards in Dwenno's world, could not use them carelessly.

They were, quite literally, decisive weapons to be used in important battles.

The same went for others.

'If it weren't for the Indomitable Damian, Dwenno's surviving artifacts would be much rarer than they are now.'

Damian restored many of Dwenno's artifacts to their new state and passed them on to future generations.

Thanks to him, many divine artifacts still remained.

Even the users of divine artifacts were in this situation.

That's why the students of the Hero Academy made contracts with Damian's smiths and maintained relationships.

The lives of hero candidates sometimes depended on whether they met a great smith here.

In that sense, Driana was a grateful presence.

She was supplying necessary equipment with excellent performance.

If nothing else, as a smith, Driana was a genius.

However.

"She's completely hopeless as an artist."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I have to. Don't call that guy an artist. That's an insult to art."

Dwenno might have gone berserk if he heard that.

'Art? Did you just call that kind of thing art? Come here. Come over here and put your head on the anvil. I'll personally smash it with a hammer until it breaks. And then I'll fix the contents inside.'

His image, eyes wide, wildly swinging a hammer, was vivid in their minds.

The party's reliable shield and eldest member.

And as an advisor, Dwenno was always calm, but when it came to art, there was no answer.

He himself claimed to be the greatest artist and a worshiper of beauty.

'Well, he certainly was great as an artist.'

Leo didn't know much about art.

In his past life, he lived a life far removed from such things, and after reincarnation, he was born into nobility, but he didn't pay much attention to it either.

However, he could tell that Dwenno was great as an artist.

Although they teased him as a pervert, when Leo and Arion saw Dwenno's works, they were definitely beautiful.

The same was true for Lishinas and Luna.

Even in this era of developed and prosperous culture, they had never seen anything as beautiful as the works Dwenno created back then.

'It's certainly a shame.'

What Dwenno truly wanted to leave to posterity were beautiful works of art, not weapons that took lives.

'In this era, weapons are more important than anything else. We have to fight against enemies. It's also true that we need powerful weapons to protect ourselves.'

The image of Dwenno carving stone, tapping it with a hammer and chisel, came to mind.

'But if we reclaim the world, the weapons I leave behind will soon become dangerous tools that harm us. I don't intend to lament that. That is the fate of weapons. So, even in this desperate era, I want to let future generations know that beauty existed. Isn't it too bleak to only leave behind weapons, scrambling to survive in a dark age? It's more valuable to convey to future generations that beauty existed.'

Among the great heroes, Dwenno was probably the one who felt the most regret about the current era.

Lishinas, who guided the world to salvation.

Luna, who transformed countless desperate situations into hope with magic.

Arion, who performed countless miracles with immense courage.

Kyle, who now, as the last remaining one, announced the opening of a new era.

And.

Dwenno was merely known as the creator of the divine artifacts that made all this possible.

The current world was beautiful enough.

But there was no one who knew Dwenno as the artist who devoted himself to that beauty…

It was when Leo gave a slight bitter smile.

Arr, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly stood up from his seat.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm curious what kind of terrible picture she's drawing."

Arr gave a playful smile and crept up to Driana like a cat.

"Driana, can I see your drawing?"

"Oh, Arr. Are you interested in art?"

Driana flashed a cheerful smile.

"Well, it's just a sketch, so there's nothing special. But it's good to be interested in beautiful things."

Mm-hm!

Nodding, Driana showed her sketchbook.

Seeing it, Arr's mouth fell open.

"What is this!"

At her words, Lunia and Chelsea approached Arr with curious expressions.

How terrible could it be to make her so surprised?

"Where, where? Huh?"

"What? Why did you draw it so well?"

Lunia and Chelsea were also surprised.

Driana's sketch magnificently captured Dragonia's grand landscape.

Driana clicked her tongue, watching the three people gasp in astonishment.

"It's a pathetic drawing with not an ounce of originality. If I were to reconstruct it based on that drawing, adding my aesthetic sense… Hehehe. A magnificent work of art would be completed!"

The three girls thought seriously.

'Should this guy really just quit art?'

It was when the three were surprised by Driana's drawing skills.

"I think it's about time we discussed why we were invited here."

Hadin adjusted his glasses.

Hadin, the vice-president of Seirun's student council, glanced at Leo, then looked at Dorbeman and Marigold.

"While the exact reason for our sudden invitation to Dragonia is still unclear. Everyone must be expecting it, right?"

If it were Leo, it would be different.

Dorbeman and Marigold were definitely one year above Hadin, even if they were from different schools.

On top of that, they were also student council presidents.

That's why his tone was very polite.

At Hadin's words, Dorbeman let out a scoff.

"It must be because of the inter-school competition."

It was an event of unprecedented scale in the history of Hero Academy.

Even the Luse Tournament alone was an event watched by the world.

But four Hero Academies competing against each other?

It was literally a competition to see which was the best Hero Academy.

A matter of pride for the four races.

Of course, among all Hero Academies, the one called the best was Leo.

He became student council president in his first year and a hero in his second.

He was a strong individual who transcended the level of a student.

However, in an inter-academy competition involving the national-scale power of Hero Academies, an individual's impact was limited.

Having the best student and being the best school were separate matters.

Therefore, the inter-academy competition proposed by Lumerne was a matter of unprecedented interest.

"Azonia will participate. There's no reason for our school, where struggle is a virtue, not to participate."

Dorbeman crossed his arms.

From the moment the discussion began, a clamor had erupted within Azonia, insisting on unconditional participation.

"I thought Azonia would say that."

"Seirun will naturally participate too, right?"

At Dorbeman's words, Hadin adjusted his glasses.

"Unfortunately, if it were the Luse Tournament, it would be different, but if it's a competition involving four schools, Seirun intends to withdraw."

"What?"

Dorbeman showed a surprised expression at the unexpected words.

"To be honest, Seirun currently lacks the capacity to host large-scale external events."

Among the four Hero Academies, Seirun had undoubtedly experienced the most turmoil recently.

Last winter.

A massive invasion by the Monster Queen.

On top of that, the Pureblood Council's takeover of Seirun early this year.

Although historical events such as the reappearance of the Progenitor of the Nebula and the Comet Mage occurred, the factors that brought them forth were major misfortunes that caused chaos within Seirun.

Furthermore, due to Seirun's insistence on not admitting students who had only learned star magic, they were undergoing a drastic change, altering the school's operational guidelines itself.

Internally, the situation was not good.

The Luse Tournament was an annual event, and since it was held in Lumerne this year, they were able to participate somehow.

But a large-scale event exceeding the Luse Tournament, like an inter-Hero Academy competition, was a different story.

"Seirun is not in optimal condition, so participation is difficult."

"Tsk, so you won't fight at a disadvantage?"

"Please consider it a rational judgment."

Hadin said calmly, watching Dorbeman click his tongue with a displeased expression.

But Dorbeman didn't open his mouth further.

As student council president, if Azonia had been in the same situation as Seirun, he would have made the same choice.

'It's just lamentable that such an opportunity arose only when I became a fifth-year student.'

"Our Damian will also withdraw. We also have academic schedules. I know it's a fun and beneficial event, but it's too sudden."

Marigold smiled regretfully.

Chelsea sighed softly at that.

'It wasn't unexpected, but.'

Hero Academies are forces representing their respective races.

No matter how much they are educational institutions, they are groups that require national-scale administration, so sudden participation in large-scale events was difficult.

Even if not as much as Lumerne, who suddenly held the competition, considerable confusion would surely arise.

That's why there were many skeptical views even within Lumerne.

If they were told to do it, they could.

The problem was that the process was difficult.

'Actually, if it doesn't happen, it's a welcome relief for us too.'

Chelsea let out a deep sigh.

'But the one who suggested this competition was Leo oppa.'

Chelsea knew.

That Leo was the kind of person who made things happen even if they seemed impossible.

Slightly—Chelsea looked at Leo and found him smiling, then looked up at the ceiling.

Lunia also checked Leo's face and shook her head.

'He'll push it through no matter what.'

Swoosh—

The door opened softly, and someone appeared.

The one who entered the room was a small girl.

Beautiful silver hair, mixed with black, stretched long enough to touch the floor like a cloak.

Despite dragging on the floor, the girl's hair was as clean as a high-purity gem.

A face beautiful like a sculpture.

And her eyes were closed.

Behind her stood dragons on either side.

Everyone in the room knew very well who the dragon in the form of a small girl was.

'Dragon Lord, Melina.'

A face they had seen before at the summit meeting.

But meeting her directly in the same room like this, the pressure she exuded was extraordinary.

Lunia, Arr, and Driana, who had been personally designated by her as heroes to lead the era, couldn't hide their tense expressions.

"Thank you all for accepting the invitation during your busy schedules."

Melina clapped her hands together and smiled brightly.

Then she went and sat at the head of the table.

"You may go attend to your duties."

"Yes, Lord."

The dragons accompanying Melina bowed their heads and left the room.

At their departure, the students tensed up.

"Now, then, to begin in earnest."

Melina said seriously, still with her eyes closed.

It was when the students swallowed hard, watching Melina.

"Shall we have a tea time?"

"Huh?"

For a moment, Hadin uncharacteristically asked back in a dazed voice.

Melina asked him, seeing him unable to even think of adjusting his sliding glasses.

"Hadin, do you prefer black tea? Or coffee? Or herbal tea? Can you tell me your favorite tea?"

***

"This is nice. Having a tea time like this."

Melina smiled gently, sipping black tea.

"I invited you all because I wanted to arrange a meeting to coordinate the timing for the Hero Academy Inter-School Competition. So? Is the coordination finished?"

Marigold answered Melina's question.

"I have something to tell you about that."

"What is it?"

"It's certainly a meaningful and significant event. However, it's a very sudden proposal, so Seirun and Damian will find it difficult to participate."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Only Lumerne and Azonia attending would be meaningless. So, we intend to discuss coordinating the schedule for a future year, not this year."

"I see."

Melina nodded, then smiled gently.

"Let's hold it this year."

"Huh?"

Marigold's expression turned flustered at Melina's words.

"The world is currently in chaos. The revival of the Erebus fragments and the unusual movements of Tartaros continue. And a god even appeared to show us the path we should take."

Melina set down her teacup.

"The truth about the World of Genesis has been a secret hidden by the Dragon Lords for thousands of years."

Melina's eyes slowly—opened.

"For a long time, the Dragon Lords secretly gathered heroes to challenge the World of Genesis to prevent global chaos. And they failed."

The students focused on Melina's words.

"They created the Hero Academy because they hoped that we, their descendants, would carry on their legacy. The inter-school competition proposed by Lumerne is not merely about determining the superiority of schools. It's a venue for assessing each other's skills and engaging in friendly competition. I believe it will be a forum for unity that will build the foundation for conquering the World of Genesis by carrying on the legacy of each school's founders. I hope this becomes an opportunity for more active exchange between the four schools and a world festival."

Unbeknownst to them, the world had built walls between races.

No one here was unaware of that fact.

"Still, I know it's difficult due to various reasons. So, let me tell you."

Melina smiled brightly.

"If any school doesn't participate, I will personally punish them."

It was the tone of a teacher admonishing a young student.

But coming from the pinnacle of world power and officially the strongest being, it could only be terrifying.

At Melina's words, Leo sipped his coffee and said,

"It seems the discussion is over, so let's start coordinating the schedule now."

Leo smiled brazenly.

"So? What date shall we set?"