Book 1 Chapter 568
568.
Liden looked at Chelsea, who was confidently facing Licinas in front of him, as if he couldn't believe it.
‘What is this? Chelsea Rwalyn… does she have no fear?’
Chelsea's action of blocking Licinas seemed extremely reckless.
Even if he was fake, the opponent was a great hero.
Even if she was praised as the Golden Generation in Lumerun, compared to Licinas, she was no more than a firefly under the moonlight.
‘How… how can she stand against him?’
Liden clenched his fist.
Although his mind was filled with questions, Liden quickly moved his friends to a distance where the aftermath of the fight wouldn't reach them.
“Aren't you stopping her?”
“She won’t be able to escape anyway.”
Licinas smiled deeply.
“Because it’s more valuable to fight an enthusiastic opponent than one who is paralyzed by fear and can't fight properly.”
Licinas’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.
“And there’s a reason to scold her.”
‘Perhaps I shouldn't have called him ugly after all?’
Chelsea's face blurred.
Seeing Chelsea like that, Licinas raised his hand.
Flash-!
Countless particles of light were generated in the air.
Upon seeing that, wind scattered from Chelsea's body as if swelling up.
Pabababababat-!
The particles of light became a rain of light, pouring down on Chelsea.
Chelsea flinched upon seeing it and manipulated the wind.
‘It’s incomparable to Illiana’s magic!’
Recalling her school friend whose specialty was light magic, Chelsea screamed.
‘The attack itself is simple! A straight line!’
Chelsea's eyes moved rapidly.
Chelsea, whose mobility had increased by deploying her unique magic, the Heat Wave, quickly dodged Licinas's attack magic.
Flash-!
As a flash narrowly brushed past her face, cold sweat beaded on Chelsea's forehead.
‘Even a touch would be a fatal wound.’
At first glance, it didn't seem to differ much in appearance from Magic Missile, the most basic offensive magic.
However, the power contained within it far surpassed that of most high-level magic.
Hwaak-!
Chelsea's body shot upwards into the sky.
“Hukk!”
And what Chelsea faced in the sky was a white, beautiful finger thrust right in front of her nose.
The owner of the sculptural hand was none other than Licinas.
A flash of light sparked from Licinas's fingertips.
Chelsea hurriedly tilted her head back.
Flash-! Kwagagagang-!
An enormous flash and a roar echoed from behind her.
Simultaneously, the shockwave that struck blew Chelsea away.
Hwaak-!
“Kuugh!”
“It seems you're confident in your speed, little one.”
Chelsea, who barely regained her balance just before crashing to the ground, flinched her shoulders at the voice from behind her.
When she turned her head, Licinas was there.
“But if you rely too much on speed, you’ll quickly expose your limits when facing someone faster than you.”
Thwack-!
Thump-!
“Keok?!”
“Like now.”
Licinas, grabbing Chelsea's hair, mercilessly struck Chelsea's solar plexus with his knee.
Chelsea's body floated up then was slammed into the ground.
At that moment.
Hwaak-!
“…!”
Chelsea's body turned into wind and scattered.
“A clone?”
Licinas’s eyes widened slightly.
“Windbreaker!”
Kwagagagagagak-!
Chelsea's blades of wind swept through Licinas.
“That’s right. There are plenty of opponents faster than me. But my advantage isn't speed!”
Chelsea's greatest advantage was her freedom, unconstrained by anything, like the wind.
Based on that freedom, fighting opponents with unpredictable movements was her greatest specialty.
Seeing Licinas walk out unscathed from the thick dust that had risen, Chelsea gritted her teeth.
‘I need to hold out a little longer!’
There was no chance of winning.
Even if the opponent was fake, he was an illusion manifested by Leo.
An illusion created by the one who knows Licinas, the King of Wisdom, best in the world.
‘It’s no exaggeration to say he is Lord Licinas himself!’
The reason she deliberately called Licinas ugly was to steel herself.
A desperate struggle to deny he was fake and somehow squeeze out courage.
But nothing changes.
She could barely move with her squeezed-out courage, but the fact that the opponent was a powerful individual who could end her anytime he wished remained unchanged.
Even so, Chelsea had to stand against him.
‘I don't know what Brother Leo wants to see from me.’
But it was clear that he had sent her here to show those dragons something.
‘If so, I must do as I’ve learned.’
Things she had learned while admiring and following Leo.
Things she had learned by meeting Arion and Luna.
It was time to put into practice the countless things Chelsea had seen and accepted.
There was no time for despair over the opponent's overwhelming power.
Chelsea took a deep breath.
And…
A beautiful voice flowed from Chelsea's lips.
The surrounding wind resonated with Chelsea.
Wheeoooh-!
Licinas exhaled with a hum, aware of the wind being drawn in around Chelsea.
‘My voice no longer reaches the wind spirits well.’
The wind grew even fiercer.
Yet, around Chelsea, it was surprisingly quiet.
Watching Chelsea consume the wind, Licinas murmured.
“It's like Luna's magic.”
The figure of a girl, too young to be called a hero, captivated his eyes.
“Excellent.”
Licinas’s lips curved into a soft line.
“Shall we see if you can avoid this too?”
Licinas's shadow shot up like a blade.
Kwagagagagagak-!
Cutting through the wind, blades of shadow poured down on Chelsea.
Hwaak-!
Chelsea manipulated the wind to avoid the blades of shadow.
Her movements resembled the wind.
Chelsea calmly dodged the attacks and closed the distance with Licinas.
As Chelsea swung her staff, a giant blade of wind was swung towards Licinas.
“That’s too reckless. Is that hubris?”
Licinas asked Chelsea.
But Chelsea had no time to answer the question.
Licinas met Chelsea's eyes, who was gritting her teeth and squeezing out courage.
And he saw the deep fear dwelling in those eyes.
‘Arion…’
Licinas’s smile deepened at the face of his friend that naturally crossed his mind.
Kwagagagang-!
The shadow slashed the surroundings.
Kwagagagang-!
The surrounding ground was destroyed and crumbled.
“Ugh…”
Chelsea lay on the ground, groaning.
Her body, slashed by Licinas’s magic, wouldn't obey.
Her staff had long since slipped from her hand.
Gritting her teeth, Chelsea tried to stand up.
“It’s no use, I cut most of your tendons.”
Thump- thump-
Licinas walked towards Chelsea and spoke.
To confront Licinas, Chelsea forced her unresponsive body to try and stand.
In that sight, another person's image came to mind.
‘…Kyle.’
“Ugh…”
Licinas reached out his hand towards Chelsea, who was groaning and struggling to stand.
Woong- Flash-!
A bright light burst from Licinas's hand.
The moment Chelsea saw it and squeezed her eyes shut.
Licinas, who had crouched down, gently placed his hand on Chelsea's head.
“Excellent.”
“Huh?”
Chelsea opened her eyes and lifted her head.
There she saw Licinas, wearing a smile so beautiful it could make one lose their mind.
Woong-!
A soft, warm light flowing from Licinas's hand enveloped Chelsea's body.
Chelsea's wounds were instantly healed.
Licinas carefully helped Chelsea stand up.
“It hurt a lot, didn't it? I’m sorry. I thought you wouldn't be fooled if I didn't get serious.”
The overwhelming charisma that had been felt just moments before was gone.
Now, only a warmth that naturally put the viewer at ease could be felt.
Seeing that, Chelsea let out a hollow laugh.
“Indeed… it's absurd that I could even avoid Lord Licinas's attacks. It was all an act, wasn't it?”
“That’s right. Of course.”
Squeeze-
“But I can’t forgive you for calling me ugly.”
“Ouch! It hurts! It hurts! Lord Licinas!”
“I’m pinching you to make it hurt, you impudent little lady.”
Licinas smiled politely, covering his mouth, but his hands were merciless.
As if his anger hadn't subsided, a moment later he pinched both of Chelsea's cheeks with both hands.
Chelsea, who had been flailing in the air, barely broke free and then covered her crimson cheeks, making a tearful face.
At that moment, the students from Wisdom approached.
“Lord Licinas…”
Liden, who was at the front, didn’t know what to do.
Seeing Liden like that, Licinas said.
“Are you the children who will follow in my footsteps?”
The Wisdom students couldn't answer that question.
Chelsea, whom they had secretly looked down upon, had faced Licinas confidently and even gained his recognition.
But they were in a panic and couldn't do anything.
Even in that situation, it was Chelsea who led Liden.
Licinas smiled softly, looking at the silent Wisdom students.
“It seems you have something to be ashamed of?”
“…Yes.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
“Huh?”
Liden, who had replied in a voice so small he sounded like he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole, opened his eyes wide and looked at Licinas.
“Because being ashamed means you know what you need to reflect on. From next time, why not reflect so you won't be ashamed?”
“Ah…”
“Lord Licinas.”
The Wisdom students were moved.
They knew this place was an illusion.
But the Licinas before them was close to the ideal Licinas the Wisdom students envisioned.
The moment Licinas offered a benevolent smile.
Space distorted.
It seemed the illusion had ended.
“It's time to part ways now.”
Licinas patted Chelsea's head.
“Just keep doing as you are. Chelsea Rwalyn.”
“Ah, yes!”
As Chelsea replied with an excited expression, all space was simultaneously sucked into darkness.
‘Am I waking up from the illusion now?’
Liden felt a sense of regret.
‘Even though it’s an illusion, I wanted to talk more with Lord Licinas…’
Thwack-!
“…?”
Something struck his head, and Liden, with a dazed expression, looked around.
Thwack-! Thwack! Thwack!
“Keok? Kkeok?!”
The intensity of the blows to his head grew stronger and stronger.
“St-stop! Pl-please st…op…!”
It was around the time Liden's mind started to fade as he was beaten without being able to properly resist.
“Who do you think you are, talking nonsense about leading someone or not, so impertinently?”
A beautiful voice, subtly full of ill will, was heard.
“He’s the hero I chose. If you ever try to covet him again, know that it won’t end with just this.”
Liden lost consciousness, hearing incomprehensible sounds as his mind faded.
***
Thump-!
“Keok?”
“Wake up.”
Driana's small hand mercilessly struck Liden's head.
It was a small and cute hand, but like a dwarf's hand, it felt like being hit on the head with a hammer.
Liden, jolted awake, sprang to his feet.
“Are you awake?”
Leo approached the Wisdom students.
“How was the test?”
At that question, the Wisdom students bowed their heads deeply.
“We were foolish, Leo Flobe. We were too narrow-minded and arrogant.”
“Don’t blame yourselves too much; everyone makes mistakes.”
Leo let out a chuckle.
“Even that King of Wisdom was once called a fool, wasn't he? The important thing is to learn.”
“…”
Liden let out a wry laugh.
‘On the contrary, I am being guided. To think I tried to guide someone like this.’
Liden, feeling ashamed of his earlier self, spoke.
“I’m learning a lot from you.”
“There will be more opportunities to learn.”
“What?”
Leo gestured to Driana.
Driana took out a few sheets of paper from her pocket and distributed them to the Wisdom students.
Upon seeing it, Siren wore a puzzled expression.
“What is this?”
“Contracts. This time, a 'Festival of Heroes,' a competition between hero academies, will be held in Lumerun. You can meet many hero candidates there.”
At Leo's words, the Wisdom students' eyes widened.
“See the wider world and broaden your horizons. That's what you need right now.”
“You're giving us such an opportunity?”
To the surprised Liden, Driana personally unfolded the back page and said.
“You just need to sign here.”
At those words, Liden closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
‘My position has completely reversed.’
If this happens, they will be in a position where they are completely guided.
It was a disgraceful thing for Wisdom students who aimed to be guides.
However.
‘This will definitely be a stepping stone for my growth.’
Thinking that, Liden signed without hesitation.
The Wisdom students also signed with not much different feelings.
Simultaneously, Driana took the contracts from the Wisdom students' hands as if snatching them away.
Clap, clap, clap-
At that moment, the sound of clapping came from behind.
The Wisdom students turned their heads, their eyes wide, then knelt and bowed their heads.
“Greetings, Lord!”
As the Wisdom students greeted in unison, Melina burst into laughter.
“You don't have to be so stiff, everyone.”
Melina walked towards the students and said.
“I believe that many of the things you learned today will be a great strength to you in the future.”
At her words, the Wisdom students felt ashamed and could not lift their heads.
Melina looked at Leo.
-Are you satisfied now?
-Yes! Thank you so much! Lord Leo!
Leo and Melina conversed telepathically using magic.
‘This person… is indeed Lord Licinas’s companion.’
Leo’s appearance, teaching the Wisdom students, reminded her of Licinas.
It couldn't be helped.
Because they were bound to resemble each other.
‘Indeed, Lord Leo’s only guide must be Lord Licinas.’
Melina, who had been faintly smiling, suddenly felt a question arise.
-But Lord Leo.
-Why?
-You're inviting the Wisdom students to the Festival of Heroes, so why did you make them sign contracts?
-Ah. I just tried that damned lizard's specialty.
-…
Melina, upon hearing Leo’s answer, felt an inexplicable unease.
“Driana, please show me the contracts.”
And she took the contracts from Driana as if snatching them away.
Melina, after checking the contents of the contract, wore a blank expression.
-Lord Leo.
-Why?
-Isn't this just a slave contract?
-That’s right. It's a busy time, and I've acquired excellent labor.
-Isn't this fraud?
-Impressing the opponent and then backstabbing them. That’s Licinas’s specialty. From now on, make sure to include education on contract writing in the Wisdom curriculum.
-…What about this nude model clause?
-Driana, that fellow, I thought it was strange how she insisted on writing the contract herself.
Leo clicked his tongue.
“Give them to me, please give them back.”
Meanwhile, Driana took the contracts back from Melina and hugged them tightly to her chest.
That sight was as if she were embracing a precious treasure.
Melina looked at the Wisdom students, who wore expressions of emotion, and murmured inwardly.
-This… this can't be Lord Licinas’s way.
-Have you ever seen Licinas commit fraud?
-…
-I’ve seen it many times.
At Leo’s answer, Melina looked up at the sky in silence.
‘I'm already old, past being an adult. Why do I feel like I'm becoming an adult now?’
Melina felt as if she had lost something precious today.