Book 1 Chapter 643

643.

"Everyone is amazing."

Artian clasped his hands together and let out a cry of admiration.

A cry of admiration naturally came out at the overwhelming sight.

"The sword was a bit shaky, but the result is excellent. Looking at that, it seems the title of hero wasn't obtained for nothing."

He won a seemingly impossible battle with thorough preparation and strategy alone.

His foresight in reading moves was on a level that first-year students couldn't even compare to.

The expression "played with them" literally fits.

Even if the opponents were from different grades, Elena, Lil, and Chen Xia hadn't been able to dominate to that extent.

"Indeed, the one who prepares for the beginning."

As Yura let out a cry of admiration, Ren chuckled, "Hmph."

"Hmph, isn't that obvious? He's a student I mentored."

"You weren't very interested in Kal, were you?"

"What are you talking about? Where do you think Kal's outstanding alchemy skills came from?"

"Dweno-nim's alchemy book."

"Ah, if you just summon a summon and push everything off onto it, communication with the summoner is impossible."

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"Hmph, so violence because you can't win with words? You're starting to resemble Senior Ain more and more, aren't you?"

"Do you want to find out what real violence is?"

Harline, who didn't even glance at the two growling professors, spoke.

"Professor Ain, Professor Artian."

"Yes."

"Yes, y-yes!"

"Make them be quiet."

"Uhm… how…"

Artian was at a loss.

But Ain didn't hesitate, went behind Ren, and snapped his neck.

*Crack*

Ren, who was taken by surprise, slumped.

"Serves you right!"

Yura shouted gleefully, watching the scene.

Seeing that, Artian, who had been hesitant, made eye contact with Harline.

And, startled, he approached Yura.

"Professor Yura, I'm sorry! It's Professor Harline's order!"

"Huh?"

*Snap*

"Gurgle?"

Yura's neck was twisted at an even greater angle than Ren's.

Everyone's gaze turned to Artian.

"I looked at it as meaning there was no need to subdue them once they quieted down, but?"

"Huh?"

Artian was visibly flustered by Harline's words.

"More importantly, Professor Artian. That sound just now wasn't normal, was it?"

"Yes?!"

Artian's eyes, usually closed unless he was possessed, opened wide.

And looking down, he saw Yura convulsing and foaming at the mouth.

"Professor Yura! Are you alright!"

"Healer! Call a healer!"

"Hey! Yura! Snap out of it!"

Harline let out a small sigh, watching the professors become incomparably louder than before.

"Hahahaha! The downfall of a dictator who solves everything with power!"

Professor Sedjen wore a triumphant expression.

Next to Sedjen stood the principal, Riina.

"Aren't you worried about Professor Yura?"

"Hmph, Riina. Professor Yura isn't weak enough to die from just that."

"How do you know?"

"Call it faith in an old student?"

"I see."

Riina nodded, brought a bottle of liquor to her lips, and guzzled it down.

Ain spoke, watching Riina.

"Principal. You should refrain from drinking."

"Ugh- Professor Ain. Sorry. But I've been under a lot of stress lately."

Wiping her mouth, Riina took out another bottle of liquor.

Ain sighed deeply inwardly, watching her.

Harline, Sedjen, Riina.

He understood why these three had been friends since their school days.

'Indeed, the principal must be under a lot of stress.'

Riina, who became the principal of Rumerin after the Sword Saint.

There was a lot of talk when she first took office last year.

Since a Shadow became the principal of the Hero Academy, there was bound to be controversy.

However, as if to prove the reason for her recommendation by Harline and Sedjen, who were called Rumerin's best distinguished professors, Riina carried out her duties as principal perfectly.

The reason for her low public profile was also because she managed the school perfectly.

Moreover, true to her Shadow origins, she had an independent information network, giving her a clear grasp of new hero dungeons and the movements of Tartarus and Hero Hunters.

Thanks to such immense and demanding work, she often drinks in front of the professors these days.

Still, no professor rebelled against Riina.

Since Rumerin's professors are such eccentrics, they just let her drinking slide.

Another reason is that Riina has never interfered with her work because of alcohol.

"Which grade do you expect will solve this assignment first?"

At Harline's question, Riina exhaled, "Hmm," then let out a small laugh.

"It'll be the 4th and 5th years."

"Hoo? Why do you think so?"

Sedjen asked with interest, and Riina said, looking at the screen.

"In the case of the 1st years, they haven't properly grasped what kind of person Kal is yet. The battleground for the 2nd years is too bad. Besides, their opponent is Chen Xia, right? She was very famous on our side. The next master of Shan."

Riina's gaze lingered on Chen Xia.

'She's completely free from conflict.'

It was obvious what Chen Xia's state of mind was when she attended school in her first year.

Because it's common for Shadows to want to live in the light, not the darkness.

After becoming a second-year, she probably didn't deny her own world.

Above all, the world acknowledged Shadows.

All the Shadows in this world were saved.

'Now her face looks better than when she was a second-year.'

A much more relaxed face.

The path she should take.

She has completely chosen what she needs to do.

Even in her second year, she didn't deny being a Shadow and showed her Shadow form.

But she had never shown her true self before.

Now, she has fully revealed that self.

'It's hard for the second-years to handle immediately.'

"The third-years would have come to their senses. And they'll seriously fight their seniors. In the next battle, they'll be able to overcome them somehow."

Indeed, the third-years' eyes had changed.

They acknowledged that they had been arrogant.

'That's the scariest thing about the third-years.'

They quickly pinpoint their mistakes.

And they use that as a stepping stone to progress at an incredible speed.

'Leo's influence is significant.'

Finally, Riina's gaze turned to the 4th and 5th years.

They were clearly wavering.

Just looking at them now, it's hard to believe they'll be the first to clear the assignment as Riina boldly claimed.

But…

'Even those children are ultimately hero candidates.'

The experience of overcoming limitations for a long time at Rumerin doesn't disappear.

Even if their leader disappears and they fall into disarray.

Even if they set their own limits and can't cross them.

What the 4th and 5th years have done doesn't disappear.

'Besides…'

"I, I too! I think the 4th and 5th year students will be able to solve this assignment quickly!"

Artian clasped his hands tightly.

Artian had been in charge of the 1st years ever since he became a Rumerin professor.

However, he had taken on classes for upper-level students a few times.

"The 4th and 5th years have Runba, don't they!"

"Runba?"

"Runba is there, but… his leadership is lacking to break through this situation."

It was when the professors were looking troubled.

"Certainly, with Runba, the 4th and 5th years might awaken."

Yura rubbed her neck and stood up from her seat.

"A-Are you alright?"

Artian asked with a worried face, and Yura nodded.

"Yes. I'm fine."

Yura looked at Runba on the screen.

"That guy, he does everything just okay, but when it comes to studying and training, he's absolutely insane."

"Runba is?"

Ain showed a surprised expression.

Students who dedicate their lives to studying and training usually show fighting spirit.

But except for his first year, Runba had never shown such a demeanor.

"Yes. Do you think he'd maintain his position as second in his grade for no reason? However, despite doing so, he has no intention of striving for the top. That bastard. It's really funny. He even plans to just come in as an associate professor at Rumerin after graduation, just adequately?"

Yura looked dumbfounded.

Becoming a Rumerin professor isn't bad.

In fact, most Rumerin professors are experts with power comparable to, or even greater than, heroes.

But even so, those who are more interested in nurturing future generations than becoming heroes become Rumerin professors.

That's why Runba, who wants to become a professor right after graduation, is certainly a unique case.

He is fully capable of becoming a hero and is at a vigorous age, yet he tries to pull back from the front lines.

"He says he can never surpass Elena Zerion. He was so frustrated by that that he gave up on becoming a hero, he says? Isn't he a guy whose fighting spirit is truly rotten? But the funny thing is, looking at how he acts, he hasn't completely given up."

He tries like crazy because he still has lingering regrets.

"Do you think such a Runba could suddenly awaken and influence other students?"

At Ain's question, Yura let out a small laugh.

"That's Leo's specialty, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Setting fire to other people's hearts."

At Yura's words, Ain let out a hollow laugh.

"That's certainly true."

***

Runba, who had slumped to the floor, had his eyes closed.

It was certainly painful to have a monster in the same grade that he couldn't even dare to catch up to.

'There's even one a year below.'

What's more, this one is in the same department.

'No, are there more below?'

Runba let out a hollow laugh.

He wasn't talking about Leo Flobe.

'That guy truly lives in a completely different world.'

Coincidentally, the monster in the 3rd year is also in the same department.

'Warreden Tyden.'

It wasn't just Warreden.

The 3rd year was teeming with monsters.

Had there ever been a period in Rumerin's history when so many monsters flocked together?

'It's not even a monster war.'

Runba could feel the 4th and 5th years splitting up in his ears.

The 5th years, who should have been the center, were divided into factions.

The 4th years revealed their long-hidden rebellious feelings.

Normally, he would have tried to mediate with a good-natured smile.

But now, they were so completely broken that it wouldn't work.

'In times like these, it's right to fight it out.'

He decided to stop caring and focus on himself.

'I'm originally a very ambitious guy. I want to be the best in the group I belong to.'

He might not be able to catch up to his seniors, but he wants to be the best among his classmates or juniors, at least.

But that ambition was shattered from his first year.

So he cleanly gave up the path of a hero.

Instead, he tried to become the best in a place that taught future generations.

It was like running away ignobly.

'But… even so, that Leo guy. He keeps prodding me too much.'

He knew Leo was quick-witted.

That's why Leo overtly provoked him.

Saying he'd fix his rotten fighting spirit, or prove that he was a hero of a new era.

'Ah. He's really something.'

Runba brushed himself off and stood up.

"So Niel should take command…"

"We'll take command instead!"

"How arrogant, you juniors!"

"Is this the time to argue about that? Want to take off our rank badges and fight?"

"What? Are you crazy!"

"Ah~ mic test. Mic test."

"Runba, is this the time for commentary!"

One of the 5th years said, looking at Runba who took out a microphone with an amplification spell from his pocket.

Runba smiled faintly, looking at him.

"Shut up and listen. I'm not doing commentary."

"…"

The 5th years flinched at the sudden harsh words, and the 4th years' eyes widened.

The 4th years were surprised by Runba's rough demeanor, which they had never seen before, and the 5th years remembered old times.

"Command and staff will remain as they are."

Runba said coolly.

"No matter how I look at it, that's the right way."

"Senior Runba! You failed! Changing command would be…"

"Ah, you guys, when a senior speaks, just shut up and listen. I know you have big heads, but don't try to climb over me. Leo isn't the only one who can smash your heads. I can smash your heads too."

The 4th years fell silent, watching Runba spew harsh words with his usual sly expression.

They were completely overwhelmed by this never-before-seen side of their senior, who had taken such good care of them since their first year.

"And you guys. I told you not to play power games with your seniors just because you trusted Elena, didn't I? You didn't listen then. How does it feel now that you've experienced it? Feels like crap, right? Don't feel unfairly treated. The 4th years are doing this because of what you did. It's karma. Karma."

Still smiling, he poked at his classmates' sore spots this time.

Runba said, looking at them biting their lips tightly.

"Prepare to utterly crush Leo."

"…He'll be attacking soon, will we have time?"

At Eden's words, Runba clicked his tongue.

"Not even a little. He's here now."

Runba turned his head and looked at Leo, who was walking with a relaxed expression.

The 4th and 5th years flinched.

"That expression. Isn't it arrogant?"

"What?"

"No matter how great he is, we're his seniors. Those eyes that look down as if from a great height! Ah, yes. He has every right to look down. He's fully qualified for that. Still."

Runba let go of the microphone and gritted his teeth.

"Let's at least earn some respect as seniors. Even if it's prostrating to receive a bow. Let's struggle as much as we can to be acknowledged as his seniors."

"Can we do it?"

"I said we need time, didn't I?"

Runba took a step.

"I'll buy as much time as I can."

*Gooooooo-*

Niel, seeing the spiritual power rising from Runba's body, spoke.

"Let's get out of here first."

At his words, the 4th and 5th years quickly retreated.

"Senior Niel, Senior Runba… what happened?"

Niel glanced back at the question from his junior in the Knight Department.

"…That's just his true nature, I guess."

***

Runba stood before Leo.

And he muttered inwardly.

'Excuse me? Beautiful, great, and noble one?'

Despite stepping forward confidently, inwardly he was begging someone so ugly it was pathetic.

'You know that one time you said you'd help? Can you help me this time? Are you listening to me? Greatest Grand Spirit in the world? Huh? Huh?'

-You're quite noisy.

A bored voice was heard.

At that reaction, Runba's face brightened.

Leo, who had stopped, curled up the corners of his mouth.

"Hoo?"

Leo said with an amused expression.

"You were hiding a trump card? This looks like it'll be an interesting matchup."

Leo raised his palm, looking at the water swirling around Runba like a waterspout.

*Hwa-reuk-*

-Hmph, what is it, Oath-taker?

-Oath-taker, my foot. Slave.

Lariel scoffed coldly as the Spirit of Purity, Ista, struck a pose.

Ista ignored Lariel's sneer.

"Your rival seems like he's about to be summoned."

-Rival?

"Yes."

Leo said, looking at the water that had begun to swirl around Runba like a waterspout.

"The Spirit of the Deep Sea, Undine."