Book 1 Chapter 562

"Nothing but 'amazing' comes to mind."

Dryana exclaimed, sketching the scenery of Dragonia's main castle spread before her.

The current gathering place for representatives of the Hero Academy was a tall tower in the very center of Dragonia's main castle.

Called the Tower of Wisdom, this place overlooked the entire panorama of Dragonia.

Lunia, watching Dryana engrossed in her sketch, lost in the beautiful scenery, muttered.

"Does that even mean anything?"

"What do you mean?"

Leo asked with a puzzled look, and Lunia replied.

"As a smith, I know Dryana is amazing. All the equipment I've received from Dryana since signing an exclusive smith contract has been incredible."

Equipment is inevitably a consumable item.

No matter how excellent the smith who forged it.

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

Moreover, no matter how carefully maintained, they will eventually break with use.

For this reason, heirlooms of heroic noble families with long histories are often kept without being used.

This is because even though they remain powerful weapons imbued with immense power, using them recklessly would mean the heirlooms wouldn't last.

The greatness of Dwenno, known as the divine blacksmith and the creator of modern divine artifacts, lies in transcending this common sense.

Dwenno's artifacts, with proper maintenance, return to a state like new in no time.

As long as they are not completely broken, even if chipped or tattered, they quickly regain their original form.

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

Blacksmiths who can maintain divine artifacts are extremely rare, and replicas obtained as conquest rewards from Hero Records do not possess the same restorative power as the originals.

Therefore, even though Lunia, Eiran, and Ar obtained Dwenno's divine artifacts as conquest rewards in Dwenno's world, they couldn't use them carelessly.

They were, quite literally, ultimate weapons used in crucial battles.

The same applied to others.

'If not for the indomitable Damian, Dwenno's remaining artifacts would be far rarer than they are now.'

Damian restored many of Dwenno's artifacts to like-new condition and passed them down to future generations.

The fact that a significant number of divine artifacts remain today was thanks to him.

Even with the users of divine artifacts in such a situation.

This is why students of the Hero Academy contract with and maintain relationships with Damian's smiths.

The lives of aspiring heroes are sometimes determined by whether they meet a great smith here or not.

In that sense, Dryana was a grateful presence.

She was supplying necessary equipment with excellent performance.

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

However.

"She's hopeless as an artist."

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

Perhaps Dwenno would have gone berserk if he heard that.

'Art? You call that thing art now? Come here. Come and put your head on the anvil. I'll personally smash it down with my hammer. And then I'll fix whatever's inside.'

The image of him glaring with wide eyes and swinging his hammer wildly was vivid.

The party's steadfast shield, the eldest,

And as a mentor, Dwenno was always calm, but when it came to art, he was hopeless.

He, who proclaimed himself the greatest artist and a worshiper of beauty.

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

Leo doesn't know much about art.

He lived a life far removed from such things in his past life, and although he was born into nobility after reincarnation, he still didn't pay much attention.

However, he knew that Dwenno was great as an artist.

Though he teased him as a pervert, Leo and Arion saw Dwenno's works as undeniably beautiful.

The same was true for Lisinas and Luna.

Even in this current 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 genuinely wanted to leave behind for future generations 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 striking stone with a hammer and chisel flashed in his mind.

'But if we regain the world, the weapons I left behind will soon become weapons that harm us. I don't regret that. That is the destiny of weapons. That's why I want to let future generations know that beauty existed even in this desperate era. Isn't it too bleak to leave only weapons, just trying to survive in a dark age? It's more valuable to pass down the fact that beauty existed.'

Among the great heroes, the one who likely regrets the current era the most is probably Dwenno.

Lisinas, who led the world to salvation.

Luna, who turned countless desperate situations into hope through magic.

Arion, who performed countless miracles with great courage.

And then, Kyle, who announced the opening of a new era as the last one standing.

And.

Dwenno is known only as the creator of the divine artifacts that made all of this possible.

The current world is beautiful enough.

But no one knew Dwenno as an artist who sacrificed himself for that beauty.

It was at that moment Leo offered a slightly bitter smile.

Ar, who had been listening to their conversation, abruptly stood up.

"Where are you going?"

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

Ar offered a playful smile and crept towards Dryana like a cat.

"Dryana, can you show me your drawing?"

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

Dryana gave a cheerful smile.

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

Mm-hmm!

Nodding, Dryana showed him her sketchbook.

Upon seeing it, Ar's jaw dropped.

"What is this!"

At his words, Lunia and Chelsea approached Ar with curious looks.

How terrible could it be to make him so shocked?

"Where, where? Huh?"

"What? Why is it drawn so well?"

Lunia and Chelsea were also surprised.

Dryana's sketch beautifully captured the magnificent scenery of Dragonia.

Seeing the three people in shock, Dryana clicked her tongue.

"It's a pathetic drawing with not an ounce of originality. If I re-interpret it with my aesthetic sense… Heh heh heh. A masterpiece will be completed!"

The three girls thought seriously.

'Shouldn't this guy really quit art?'

While the three were surprised by Dryana's drawing skills.

"Don't you think it's time we talked about why we were invited here?"

Haddin adjusted his glasses.

Haddin, the vice-president of Seirun, glanced at Leo and then looked at Dorberman and Marigold.

"Although we don't know the exact reason why we were suddenly invited to Dragonia, everyone probably has an idea, right?"

Leo might not, but Dorberman and Marigold were definitely one year above Haddin, even if they were from different schools.

Furthermore, they were student council presidents.

Therefore, his tone was very polite.

Dorberman chuckled at Haddin's words.

"It's because of the school competition."

An event of unprecedented scale in the history of Hero Academies.

Even the Ruse Battle is an event that the world watches.

And now, four Hero Academies competing against each other?

It was quite literally a contest to determine the best Hero Academy.

It was a matter of pride for four races.

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

He became student council president in his first year and achieved the rank of hero in his second year.

A powerful being who transcends being a student.

However, in a competition between Hero Academies with national-level strength, the impact of an individual is limited.

Having the best student and having the best school are separate matters.

Therefore, the inter-school competition proposed by Rumeln is a matter of utmost interest.

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

Dorberman crossed his arms.

From the moment the discussion began, there were shouts within Azonya that they must participate.

"I knew Azonya would say that."

"Seirun will also participate, of course?"

At Dorberman's words, Haddin adjusted his glasses.

"Regrettably, while we might participate in the Ruse Battle, Seirun intends to withdraw from a competition involving four schools."

"What?"

Dorberman looked surprised by the unexpected remark.

"To be honest, Seirun currently lacks the capacity for major external events."

If there was one place among the four Hero Academies that had experienced the most turmoil recently, it was undoubtedly Seirun.

Last winter.

A large-scale invasion by the Monster Queen.

And then, at the beginning of this year, the control of Seirun by the Pure Blood Council.

Although historic events like the revival of the Progenitor of the Nebula and the Cometary Mage occurred, what brought them about were major misfortunes that would destabilize Seirun internally.

In addition, Seirun is undergoing a drastic change in its school operating guidelines, with the decree that only students who master the magic of stars will not be accepted.

With internal situations not favorable.

The Ruse Battle is held annually, and this year it was held in Rumeln, so they could participate.

However, an event of this magnitude, surpassing the Ruse Battle, the inter-Hero Academy competition, is a different story.

"Seirun is not in a full state, so participation is difficult."

"Tsk, you mean you won't fight an unfavorable battle?"

"Please consider it a rational judgment."

Haddin said calmly, looking at Dorberman, who was clicking his tongue with displeasure.

However, Dorberman did not say anything further.

As student council president, if Azonya were in the same situation as Seirun, he would have made the same choice.

'It's just a shame that such an opportunity only arises in my fifth year.'

"Our Demian will also withdraw. We have our academic schedules, too. I know it's an interesting and beneficial event, but it's too sudden."

Marigold said with a regretful smile.

At that, Chelsea let out a small sigh.

'It's not unexpected.'

Hero Academies are forces that represent their races.

Even as educational institutions, they are collectives that require national-level administration, making sudden participation in large-scale events difficult.

Rumeln, which suddenly proposed the inter-school competition, would undoubtedly face immense chaos.

Therefore, there were many skeptical views within Rumeln as well.

They could do it if they were told to.

The problem is that the process would be difficult.

'Actually, we would welcome it if it wasn't held.'

Chelsea let out a sigh.

'But the person who wanted to hold this competition was Leo oppa.'

Chelsea knew.

Leo was someone who made the impossible happen.

Chelsea glanced at Leo and, upon seeing him smiling, looked up at the ceiling.

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

'He's going to push it through no matter what.'

Swish-

The door opened softly, and someone appeared.

It was a small girl who entered the room.

She had beautiful silver hair that trailed to the floor like a cape, mixed with black hair.

Even though it dragged on the floor, the girl's hair was as clean as a pure gem.

A face as beautiful as a sculpture.

And her eyes were closed.

Behind her, dragons stood on either side.

Everyone present knew very well who this small, girl-shaped dragon was.

'Dragon Lord, Melina.'

A face seen before at the summit.

But meeting her directly in the same room, the overwhelming presence was different.

Lunia, Ar, and Dryana, who had been personally designated as heroes to lead this era by her, couldn't hide their tense expressions.

"Thank you for accepting the invitation despite your busy schedules."

Melina clasped her hands together and smiled brightly.

Then she went to the highest seat and sat down.

"You may go about your duties."

"Yes, Lord."

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

At that sight, the students tensed.

"Now, let's get down to business."

Melina said seriously, still with her eyes closed.

As the students swallowed nervously, watching Melina.

"Shall we have a tea time?"

"What?"

For a moment, Haddin, uncharacteristically, asked back in a bewildered voice.

Watching him, who didn't even think to adjust his sliding glasses, Melina asked.

"Do you prefer black tea, Haddin-gun? Or coffee? Or herbal tea? Tell me your favorite tea."

***

"That's nice. Having tea time like this."

Melina smiled faintly, holding black tea in her mouth.

"The reason I invited you all was to arrange a time to coordinate the Hero Academy competition. So? Is the coordination complete?"

In response to Melina's question, Marigold replied.

"I have something to tell you about that."

"What is it?"

"It is undoubtedly a meaningful and significant event. However, it was so sudden that Seirun and Demian will have difficulty participating."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. It's meaningless if only Rumeln and Azonya participate. So, we intend to discuss adjusting the schedule to a later date, not this year."

"I see."

Melina nodded and smiled faintly.

"Let's hold it this year."

"What?"

At Melina's words, Marigold's expression turned flustered.

"The world is currently in chaos. The resurrection of Erebus's fragments and Tartarus's ominous movements continue. Furthermore, a god has appeared and shown us the path we must take."

Melina put down her teacup.

"The truth about the world of creation has also been a secret kept by the Dragon Lords for the past several thousand years."

Melina's eyes slowly opened.

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

The students focused on Melina's words.

"The reason they created the Hero Academies was their hope that we, their successors, would carry on their will. The inter-school competition proposed by Rumeln is not simply about determining the superiority between schools. It is a place for them to gauge each other's strength and compete in good faith. I believe it will be a place of harmony that will build the foundation for conquering the world of creation, carrying on the will of the founders of each school. I hope this will lead to more active exchange between the four schools and become a festival for the world."

Unbeknownst to them, walls had been erected between races.

No one here was unaware of that fact.

"However, I know it's difficult due to each school's reasons. So, I will tell you."

Melina smiled brightly.

"If there are any schools that do not participate, I will personally reprimand them."

Her tone was like a teacher gently scolding a young student.

But when the speaker is the pinnacle of world power and the officially strongest being, it could only be terrifying.

At Melina's words, Leo said, sipping his coffee.

"Since the talk seems to be over, let's start coordinating the schedule."

Leo said with a brazen smile.

"So? When should we set the date?"