Book 1 Chapter 643

"Everyone is amazing."

Artian clasped his hands together and exclaimed.

He couldn't help but admire the overwhelming spectacle.

"The sword was a little shaky, but the result is excellent. Looking at that, it's clear the title of hero wasn't just given for free."

A seemingly impossible fight was won through thorough preparation and strategy.

His foresight was on a level far beyond the first-years.

The term "toyed with" would be fitting.

Even if the opponents were of a different year, Elena, Lil, and Chen Xia couldn't achieve such overwhelming dominance.

"As expected, one who prepares for the beginning."

As Jura exclaimed in admiration, Ren let out a scoff.

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

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

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

"Lord Dweino's alchemy book."

"Ah, so if you just summon familiars and pass everything off, you don't communicate with the summoner?"

"What? What did you just say?"

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

"Do you want to see what real violence is like?"

Halind spoke without even looking at the two growling professors.

"Professor Ain, Professor Artian."

"Yes."

"Yes, yes!"

"Silence them."

"Um… how…"

Artian was at a loss.

But Ain didn't hesitate, going behind Ren and twisting his neck.

*Crack-*

Caught by surprise, Ren went limp.

"Serves you right!"

Jura cheered as she watched him.

Watching her, the hesitant Artian's eyes met Halind's.

Then, startled, he approached Jura.

"Professor Jura, I'm sorry! It was Professor Halind's order!"

"Huh?"

*Crack-*

"Gurgle?"

Jura's neck was twisted at a more extreme angle than Ren's.

All eyes turned to Artian.

"I thought you meant that since they're quiet, there's no need to subdue them?"

"What?"

Halind's words made Artian visibly flustered.

"More importantly, Professor Artian. That sound just now was not good."

"Wh-what?!"

Artian's eyes, normally closed unless he was possessed, widened.

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

"Professor Jura! Are you alright!"

"Healer! Call a healer!"

"Hey! Jura! Snap out of it!"

Halind sighed softly, watching the professors become more chaotic than before.

"Hahaha! This is the fate 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 Jura?"

"Hmph, Riina. Professor Jura isn't so weak as to die from that."

"How do you know?"

"Faith in a former student, perhaps?"

"I see."

Riina nodded and brought a bottle of alcohol to her lips, drinking it down.

Ain spoke as he watched Riina.

"Principal. Please moderate your drinking."

"Guh- Professor Ain. I'm sorry. But I've been very stressed lately."

Wiping her mouth, Riina took out another bottle.

Ain inwardly sighed deeply as he watched her.

Halind, Sedjen, Riina.

He understood why these three were friends since their school days.

'Well, the principal must be stressed too.'

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

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

It was inevitable to cause controversy when a shadow became the principal of the Hero Academy.

However, Riina fulfilled her role as principal perfectly, as if to prove the reason for her recommendation by Halind and Sedjen, who were called the best professors in Lumern.

The reason for her lack of public presence was also due to her perfect management of the school.

Furthermore, as someone from the shadows, she had her own information network, giving her a clear understanding of new hero dungeons and the movements of Tartarus and Hero Hunters.

Because of this immense workload, she often drank alcohol in front of the professors these days.

Still, no professor rebelled against Riina like that.

Given the many eccentrics among Lumern professors, drinking was something they could overlook.

It was also because Riina never let her drinking interfere with her work.

"Which year do you think will solve this assignment first?"

In response to Halind's question, Riina inhaled deeply and chuckled.

"The 4th and 5th years, I'd say."

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

Sedjen asked with interest, and Riina looked at the screen and spoke.

"The first-years haven't properly grasped what kind of person Sword is yet. The second-years have a terrible battlefield. And their opponent is Chen Xia? She was very famous on our side. The next master of Shan."

Riina's gaze lingered on Chen Xia.

'She's completely escaped the conflict.'

It was obvious what kind of heart Chen Xia had when she attended school in her first year.

Wanting to live in the light, not the darkness, was common to all shadows.

In her second year, she probably wouldn't have denied her own world.

Above all, the world accepted shadows.

All the shadows in this world were saved.

'Her face is even better now than in her second year.'

A face that had become much more relaxed.

The path she had to take.

She had completely chosen what she needed to do.

She hadn't denied being a shadow in her second year, and she had shown her shadowy side.

However, she had never shown her true self.

Now, she had completely revealed that self.

'It will be difficult for the second-years to handle it right away.'

"The third-years will have come to their senses. And they'll seriously fight their seniors. They might be able to overcome them in the next battle."

Indeed, the third-years' eyes had changed.

They had admitted their arrogance.

'That's the most frightening thing about the third-years.'

They quickly identified their mistakes.

And using them as a stepping stone, they advanced at an incredible pace.

'Leo's influence is significant.'

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

They were clearly wavering.

Judging by their current state, it didn't seem like they would be able to clear the assignment first, as Riina had confidently predicted.

However…

'Those kids are also hero candidates, after all.'

The experience of overcoming limits for a long time in Lumern doesn't disappear.

Losing their leader, they fall into a disorganized mob.

Even if they draw a line for themselves and can't cross it.

What the 4th and 5th years have done so far isn't disappearing.

'Besides…'

"Me too! I think the 4th and 5th-year students will quickly solve this assignment!"

Artian clenched his fists.

Artian, who had been in charge of the first-years since becoming a professor at Lumern.

However, he had taught upper-level classes a few times.

"There's student Runba for the 4th and 5th years!"

"Runba?"

"Runba is there, but… he lacks the leadership to break through this situation."

It was when the professors were looking troubled.

"Indeed, with Runba there, it might awaken the 4th and 5th years."

Jura stood up, rubbing her neck.

"Are… are you alright?"

Artian asked with a worried expression, and Jura nodded.

"Yes. I'm fine."

Jura looked at Runba on the screen.

"That guy, he does everything halfway, but he studies and trains like a madman."

"Runba?"

Ain looked surprised.

Students who pour their lives into study and training usually show fighting spirit.

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

"Yes. Do you think I maintain the second-highest rank in my year for nothing? However, despite doing that, he has no intention of climbing higher. That guy, it's funny. He's even thinking of just becoming an assistant professor at Lumern after graduation."

Jura looked exasperated.

Becoming a professor at Lumern isn't bad.

In fact, most Lumern professors are powerful individuals, comparable to or even exceeding heroes.

However, those who become professors at Lumern are generally more interested in nurturing future generations than becoming heroes themselves.

Therefore, Runba, who aims to become a professor immediately after graduation, is certainly an unusual case.

He has the potential to become a hero, and despite his youthful vigor, he is trying to withdraw from the front lines.

"He believes he can never surpass Elena Zerone. He gave up on becoming a hero out of resentment. Isn't he a truly rotten coward? But it's funny. Looking at him, he hasn't completely given up."

It is because he has lingering feelings that he tries so hard.

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

In response to Ain's question, Jura chuckled.

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

"What is?"

"Lighting a fire in other people's hearts."

Jura's words made Ain let out a wry laugh.

"Indeed, that's true."

***

Runba, who had collapsed on the floor, closed his eyes.

It was certainly agonizing to have a monster in the same year who was beyond comparison.

'And there's one even a year below.'

And this one is in the same department.

'No, are there more below?'

Runba let out a wry laugh.

He wasn't talking about Leo Flov.

'That guy is from a completely different world.'

Coincidentally, the monster in the third year is also in the same department.

'Woreden Tiden.'

It's not just Woreden.

There are monsters teeming in the third year.

Has there ever been a time in Lumern's history when so many monsters gathered?

'It's not like a monster war.'

Runba could feel the 4th and 5th years dividing.

The 5th years, who should be holding the center, were divided into factions.

The 4th years were revealing their long-suppressed resentment.

Normally, he would have smiled broadly and tried to mediate.

But now, he had completely collapsed to the point where that wouldn't work.

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

He decided to ignore it and focus on himself.

'I'm naturally a greedy person. I want to be the best in the group I belong to.'

He couldn't catch up to his seniors, but he wanted to be the best among his peers and juniors, at least.

But that was shattered from his first year.

So, he cleanly gave up on the path of a hero.

Instead, he decided to be the best in nurturing future generations.

It was a cowardly escape.

'But you know… even so, Leo, he really pokes at me.'

He knew Leo was quick-witted.

That's why Leo openly provoked him.

Saying he would fix his rotten disposition, that he would prove himself as a hero of the new era.

'Ah, he's so smug.'

Runba shook off the dust from his clothes and stood up.

"So Niel should take command…"

"We'll command instead!"

"How dare you, a junior!"

"Is this the time to argue about that? Shall we fight without ranks?"

"What? Are you crazy!"

"Ah- Mic test. Mic test."

"Runba, is this the time for commentary!"

One of the 5th years spoke as he looked at Runba, who had taken out a microphone with amplification magic from his pocket.

Runba smiled faintly as he looked at him.

"Shut up and listen. I'm not here to comment."

"…"

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 were reminded of the past.

"The command and staff remain the same."

Runba said coldly.

"It just seems right, no matter how I look at it."

"Senior Runba! You failed! Why not change the command…"

"Ah, when your senior speaks, you 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 break your heads. I can break your heads too."

Seeing Runba speak harshly with his usual cunning expression, the 4th years shut their mouths.

They were overwhelmed by the sight of their senior, who had taken good care of them since their first year, showing such a side for the first time.

"And you guys. I told you not to try to pick fights with your seniors relying on Elena, didn't I? You didn't listen then, but how does it feel to be on the receiving end? Feels like crap, doesn't it? Don't be resentful. It's because of what you've done that the 4th years are like this. It's karma. Karma."

Still smiling, he now touched the sore spots of his peers.

As he saw them clenching their lips, Runba said,

"Prepare yourselves thoroughly to crush Leo."

"…They're going to invade soon, will there be enough time?"

In response to Eden's words, Runba clicked his tongue.

"Not at all. They're already here."

Runba turned his head and looked at Leo, who was walking towards him 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. That gaze that looks down on us from afar! Ah, yes. He has the right to look down. He has enough qualifications. Still."

Runba dropped the microphone and ground his teeth.

"At least let's get respect as seniors. Even if it's grudgingly given. Let's struggle as much as possible to be recognized as his seniors."

"Can we do it?"

"I said we need time, right?"

Runba took a step.

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

*Rumble-*

Seeing the spiritual energy emanating from Runba's body, Niel said,

"Let's get out of this spot first."

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

"Senior Niel, Senior Runba… what happened?"

In response to the junior from the Knight department's question, Niel glanced back.

"…That's his true nature, I suppose."

***

Runba stood in front of Leo.

And he muttered to himself.

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

Despite his confident stance, inwardly, he was begging someone desperately, almost shamelessly.

'You know that one time you helped me before? Can you help me this time? Are you listening to me? The most magnificent Great Spirit in the world? Huh? Huh?'

-This is quite noisy.

A bored voice was heard.

At that reaction, Runba's face lit up.

Leo, who had stopped walking, curled his lips upward.

"Ho?"

Leo said with an amused expression.

"You had a trump card hidden? This seems like an interesting matchup."

Seeing the power of the spirits raging around Runba, Leo raised his palm.

*Whoosh-*

-Hmph, what is it? Covenant partner?

-Covenant partner, what. A slave.

The spirit of purification, Ista, scoffed coldly as she struck a pose.

Ista ignored Laruel's scoff.

"Your rival seems to be summoned."

-Rival?

"Yes."

Leo said, looking at the water that began to swirl around Runba like a tornado.

"The spirit of the deep sea, Undine."