Book 1 Chapter 654
654.
*Sreung-!*
Leo drew his sword.
*Pababbt-!*
At that moment, Chen Xia disappeared from his sight.
*Chaeng-!*
Leo narrowed his eyes as he saw Chen Xia appear right beside him.
‘Was Chen Xia this fast?’
Before Leo could even fully draw his sword, Chen Xia was already swinging a dagger at Leo’s neck.
Blocking Chen Xia’s attack with his sword still in its sheath, Leo saw the murderous intent flash in Chen Xia’s eyes and poured all his strength into his sword.
*Kwack-!*
With their swords locked, Leo pressed Chen Xia with his strength.
*Kigigigig-!*
Chen Xia crossed his daggers to block Leo’s attack.
But even so, he couldn’t stop Leo’s sword.
From a stance aiming for Leo’s neck, Chen Xia was now being crushed by Leo’s strength.
*Jjeojeok-!*
The ground Chen Xia was standing on began to crack.
*Hooang! Kwagagagagang!*
Suddenly, Leo’s sword slammed into the ground.
“Whoa!”
“Chen Xia?!”
Screams erupted from the third-year students who thought Chen Xia had been defeated by Leo’s power.
Leo squinted as he looked into the thick dust that had risen.
Chen Xia, who had deflected Leo’s strength, was pressed close to the ground.
Leo’s diagonally swung sword had narrowly grazed Chen Xia’s head.
*Shweeeek-!*
Chen Xia, who had been clinging to the ground looking up at Leo, bounced and closed the distance between them.
*Seugak-!*
He threw the dagger in his hand towards Leo.
*Hwiririric-!*
The dagger spun, aiming for Leo’s vital point.
Leo dodged the dagger with minimal movement.
Chen Xia instantly surged into Leo’s embrace and placed his hand on Leo’s chest.
*Poong-!*
Water aura exploded at point-blank range.
A terrifying water pressure washed over Leo.
But Leo, seemingly unfazed, reached out towards Chen Xia.
“You endured it!? Senior Xia’s attack!?”
Habiden shouted, his eyes wide, and Duran narrowed his.
“No. He countered with the same water aura.”
Leo had also unleashed his water aura in response to Chen Xia’s attack.
As Leo attempted to grab Chen Xia’s neck, Chen Xia kicked off the ground, creating distance.
At the same time, the water flowing around Chen Xia transformed into blades and aimed for Leo’s vital points.
*Chwack-!*
Leo grabbed the water aura as if snatching a curtain.
The water aura, sharp enough to tear through rock, was caught in Leo’s hand.
*Bogeul bogeul bogeul-!*
But the water blades were neutralized by the water aura created by Leo.
Chen Xia tried to increase the distance from Leo with his light footwork.
At that moment, as he tried to break free from the water aura held by Leo.
*Hook-!*
“……?!”
As Leo pulled the water aura, Chen Xia was dragged towards Leo.
And it didn’t stop there.
Chen Xia’s water aura was being eroded by Leo’s aura.
‘The control of the water has been taken over.’
The aura that had obeyed his will now resisted him.
The water aura bound Chen Xia like a rope.
Chen Xia found himself in a state as if tied by ropes.
Leo, having subdued Chen Xia using his opponent’s aura, pulled the water aura and swung it, slamming Chen Xia into the ground.
*Kwaang-!*
Watching Chen Xia being slammed into the training ground floor, the first and second-year students involuntarily squeezed their eyes shut.
“Even if you came at me with the intent to kill, I suppose I have to match you accordingly?”
Leo said with a blank expression.
It meant he wouldn’t hold back.
Chen Xia must have also prepared for this when he requested the spar.
‘No, this isn’t a spar anymore.’
Leo pulled Chen Xia again and slammed him into the opposite side of the ground, muttering to himself.
‘This is already a slaughter.’
Since Chen Xia was fighting him with all his might, Leo had to do the same.
Only then could Chen Xia show what he wanted to show to others.
‘That’s the courtesy for an opponent who clashes with me with all their heart.’
The moment Leo pulled Chen Xia again.
*Paat-!*
Chen Xia immediately broke free from the water ropes that had bound him.
The water fragments scattering in all directions instantly turned into needles and rained down on Leo.
*Pababaababa-!*
Leo threw himself to the side to dodge the attack.
*Hweeeek-!*
In an instant, something was thrown from Chen Xia’s hand.
Leo dodged it by tilting his head back.
*Tak-!*
Chen Xia landed on the ground.
Leo also lifted his head back.
*Jureuk-!*
A thin trail of blood appeared on Leo’s cheek.
“Hmm.”
Leo tapped his cheek.
“Hidden weapon. This is serious.”
Leo’s red eyes gleamed dangerously.
Chen Xia smiled and pulled his right shoulder upwards with his left hand.
*Odeuk-!*
With a chilling sound, his dislocated left shoulder was put back into place.
Then, he grasped his left forearm with his right hand.
*Wadeuk-!*
The sound of bones being set echoed.
He stimulated the muscles of his broken left forearm with aura to fix it.
Of course, immense pain surged through him, but he didn’t care.
Chen Xia was not so weak, nor had he lived such an easy life, that pain would dull his movements.
“I don’t like rough play.”
“You made me get rough, didn’t you?”
Leo smirked.
Seeing Leo, Chen Xia gripped his dagger again.
He had no intention of stopping.
Seeing this, Celia’s face hardened.
‘Leo is serious.’
Celia clenched her fists.
Watching the two fight, she understood.
They were engaged in a dangerous, extreme battle.
A fight at the edge of limits, experienced only by those who have faced death countless times.
A precarious battle where a small mistake leads directly to death.
‘Can I endure against Leo, fighting so seriously, like Sia?’
She lacked the confidence.
She instantly understood what Chen Xia was trying to convey to them.
‘This is a real fight.’
Whether it was Chen Xia or Leo, the enemies they would face in the future would undoubtedly stand at that level.
Though it appeared to be a paper-thin difference, that difference was immense.
Duran also felt it, his expression grave.
Not just Duran.
Chloe, Chelsea, Abad, as well as Warden and Ellie, too.
While others were focused on Leo, they were watching Chen Xia.
‘I’ve never seen Chen Xia fight seriously in the past two years.’
Even Chen Xia, whom he considered a rival, was hiding his true strength in real combat.
Someone they thought was beside them was actually a step ahead.
‘This isn’t just a lesson.’
Celia bit her lip tightly.
‘ I will be the first to stand behind Lord Leo.’
This fight was a provocation to the competitors.
The declaration of war from someone they thought was on the same level for the past two years jolted them awake.
While Chen Xia’s fight shocked the third-year students.
Chen Xia, holding his sword, took a step forward.
Leo narrowed his eyes as he watched him.
‘It’s time to finish this.’
The reason Chen Xia could emanate murderous intent towards him was due to the vast difference in their skill.
Even at the threshold of death, Chen Xia’s best was only to inflict a small scratch on Leo’s cheek.
That was Chen Xia’s best.
If the fight continued any longer, Chen Xia would be in real danger.
‘I have to end it with the next blow.’
Chen Xia’s movements were already within Leo’s prediction.
The fight was as good as over.
At that moment.
*Hwaak-!*
Chen Xia’s body disappeared like a mirage.
What caught Leo’s eye was a black shimmer.
It was as if he had vanished from this world.
‘This…!’
It far exceeded Leo’s expectations.
He had completely lost track of Chen Xia’s presence.
If this was a technique Leo didn’t know, he might have been unable to respond.
Leo swung his palm backward.
He should have swung his fist.
But if he had, Chen Xia’s life would have been truly in danger.
Leo, who had been facing Chen Xia with a certain degree of composure throughout, reacted genuinely to Chen Xia’s movement at this moment.
*Poong-!*
Leo’s palm struck Chen Xia’s chest.
Chen Xia was sent flying out of the training ground, just before colliding with the stadium wall.
*Hwaak-!*
Ain’s Vice-Professor Claria gently caught Chen Xia and landed on the ground.
*Sappun-!*
“According to the Knight Academy regulations, life-or-death battles are forbidden.”
Ain appeared in the middle of the training ground.
“Being Student Council President doesn’t excuse everything. Besides, just now. You were really serious, weren’t you?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hoo… For now, you and Chen Xia will be punished with a week of toilet cleaning. Of course, penalty points will also be assigned.”
“Yes.”
Seeing Leo nod calmly, Ain said,
“First, go to the infirmary with Chen Xia.”
Cleria, who had approached Leo, handed Chen Xia over.
Leo, holding the unconscious Chen Xia in his arms, headed for the infirmary.
“Isn’t it a bit lenient?”
Cleria asked, and Ain chuckled.
“Neither Leo nor Xia are fools who would cause trouble due to youthful passion.”
If they had caused trouble solely out of personal grudges or competitive spirit, they would have been taken to the reflection room, not just toilet cleaning.
But their fight served as a stimulus to others.
“I think it was a necessary fight.”
Ain glanced at Leo as he looked at the lost in thought third-year tops.
“For Leo, too.”
“For student Leo as well?”
“Yes.”
Cleria looked puzzled.
“His burden must have lightened a bit.”
***
Upon arriving at the infirmary, Leo laid Chen Xia on the bed.
Chen Xia, regaining consciousness, opened his eyes.
“How was it? Lord Leo?”
“……How did you use it?”
“A while ago, an ancestor possessed my body, remember? I remembered the ancestor’s movements then and kept practicing.”
The footwork Chen Xia had shown earlier was Bihars’ footwork.
Bihars’ aura skill, moving without color or scent.
A secret technique of Bihars that even Kyle couldn’t use.
“……I guess I can’t treat you like a child anymore.”
“Of course, I’m 19 this year. I’m a proper adult now, aren’t I? Please treat me as an adult from now on.”
“Still, wasn’t that too much? The stabbing was really too much.”
Leo pointed to his back.
In the moment Leo lost track of Chen Xia’s movement, Bihars’ dagger, held by Chen Xia, had slightly pierced Leo’s back.
It wasn’t a major wound, but a little blood was inevitable.
“Please leave that wound forever.”
“Why? I’m not at an age where I develop by engraving scars on my body anymore.”
“It’s a token.”
“A token?”
“Yes, a token that I will stand behind Lord Leo for the rest of my life. Proof that I’ve claimed that spot.”
Chen Xia said with a delighted expression.
“From now on, the spot behind Lord Leo is a place only I can stand. I won’t yield it to anyone.”
Leo let out a wry laugh at Chen Xia, who spoke as if claiming ownership of her possessions.
“Since I was the one who first put a 칼자국 (scar) on Lord Leo’s back, don’t I have enough qualification for that?”
“Yes, do as you please.”
Chen Xia smiled brightly at Leo’s words.
Leo smirked, watching Chen Xia.
“Then, I should give you a reward, shouldn’t I?”
“A reward?”
“Yes. Will you close your eyes?”
Chen Xia closed his eyes.
As she felt a strange flutter.
Something was stamped on her forehead.
“What?”
Chen Xia rubbed her forehead with a flustered expression, then used water aura to create a mirror.
And she frowned, seeing the “[Very Good.]” stamp on her forehead.
“Is the reward this childish stamp?”
“What else did you expect? A ‘Very Good’ stamp is enough for a child.”
“I told you I’m an adult now?”
“The very act of calling yourself an adult is proof that you are still a child.”
Leo patted Chen Xia’s forehead and shrugged.
“Then get your treatment. I’m going to class.”
Watching Leo’s back as he calmly left the infirmary, Chen Xia sighed deeply.
‘Will he stop treating me like a child if I look more adult?’
***
Deep night.
The northeastern edge of the continent.
That was the homeland of the dwarves, taken after their invasion by Tartaros long ago.
“Everyone, run! Quickly!”
*Gweoreoreoreore-!*
The roar of a demonic beast echoed.
The face of the dwarf hero leading the investigation team turned pale.
Recently, signs of a hero dungeon appearing in this region had been detected, so despite it being Tartaros’s territory, the dwarves dispatched an investigation team.
If a rampaging hero dungeon occurred, it had to be dealt with before it consumed the world.
Even if it was within Tartaros’s territory.
And the investigation team was on the verge of annihilation.
They had encountered a large-scale Gigantes unit that did not exist in the surrounding area.
Just that alone confirmed that a rampaging hero dungeon had occurred here.
His mission was to relay this fact to the outside world at the cost of his life.
“We’re almost at the fortress used by our ancestors! We’ll make our last stand there!”
The dwarf hero rallied his party members.
But despair flickered on the dwarf hero’s face.
That fortress had long since been in ruins.
Its functionality had long been lost.
‘I have to buy some time! I have to somehow get this information to Demian!’
The dwarf hero and his party members, gritting their teeth, knew their lives were forfeit.
If so, they had to at least convey the situation here.
But the Gigantes unit didn’t even allow that.
As they approached the fortress, the number of Gigantes increased exponentially.
The rampaging Gigantes in the darkness mercilessly tore apart the dwarves.
“Captain! Captain, you go!”
“Felorrn!”
Noren, the dwarf hero, screamed at the death of his adjutant.
It was a scene of slaughter.
“Noble Demian! Great Dweon! Please help us complete our mission!”
Noren prayed to the great past heroes.
The sun would rise soon.
When the sun rose, the demonic beast Gigantes’ strength would weaken, and they would be able to reach the fortress.
‘Then, at least I can fulfill my mission….’
Checking the time, Noren eagerly awaited the dawn.
And as dawn broke.
“……”
*Thump-!*
Noren sank to his knees without realizing it.
A 검붉은 (blood-red) sun was driving away the starry night sky, brilliantly shining.
A gray morning was approaching.
Noren knew all too well what that was.
Long before he became a hero.
The sky in the hero tales he had read since he was very, very young.
“The age of… disaster?”
He couldn’t even comprehend the situation.
The important thing was that the sun was a symbol of despair.
Thus, with the appearance of the blood-red sun, the dwarves lost their will to fight and despaired.
They forgot that they had barely reached the vicinity of the fortress.
*Kwagagagagang-!*
The sound of artillery echoed.
*Pabberbberk!*
*Gweoreoreoreore!*
*Kaak-!*
The Gigantes, hit by magical cannons, let out screams of pain.
The startled dwarves turned their gaze to where the artillery fire had come from.
And they saw.
A giant fortress, standing strong, not in ruins.
Seeing that, Noren’s mouth fell open.
“What in the world… is happening?”
Into Noren’s astonished gaze, he saw a dwarf standing atop the fortress walls.
His dignified figure, enveloped in golden flames, widened Noren’s eyes.
“A divine… blacksmith?”