Book 1 Chapter 783

783.

Leo looked at his friend's puzzled expression and wondered what to say.

A Lumern student should be in Lumern, not Lumelia City.

Unless there was a special reason, ordinary students couldn't go out to Lumelia City at this hour.

'He doesn't look like he's on a special mission.'

If that were the case, he wouldn't be working at an inn like this.

'Could it be…'

A scenario he didn't want to consider crossed his mind.

"You're a Lumern student… aren't you?"

"Oh! You recognize me! Were you a fan of mine back in school?"

Cal grinned with his usual easygoing smile and puffed out his chest.

Then, he shrugged.

"I only went for a year. Ahh~ the most shining period of my life~"

"…"

"No, wait. Now is even more shining! Not just anywhere, but right here in Lumelia City, I've opened an inn! It's a successful life!"

Cal, chuckling, said,

"So, customer. How may I help you?"

"I need a room."

"Yes. How long do you plan to stay?"

"A long time."

Leo took out his money pouch and placed it on the counter.

Cal's eyes widened when he saw it.

"Whoa, customer. You don't need to go this far."

"I might need more than just lodging. Settle the rest when I leave."

"Still, just handing over your money pouch like that…"

"Your reputation is your life, isn't it? Cal Thomas."

"Customer. Do you really know me? I can't think of anyone like you in my memory."

Cal, taking out a key and placing it on the table, looked confused.

Leo, watching Cal, said indifferently,

"I'm your fan."

Leaving those words behind, Leo took the key and went upstairs, the jingle of the keys echoing.

Watching Leo go, Cal tilted his head.

"Who could it be? They're definitely someone unusual…"

The room Cal lent Leo was a top-class room, spacious inside.

Leo sank into a chair, lost in thought.

'Cal didn't make it to his second year?'

In Leo's timeline, Cal's promotion to second year was also a matter of luck.

At the end of the second semester of freshman year.

The large-scale invasion by the monster queen Silathuna during the Ruse War.

Although Leo succeeded in bringing Luna out of the hero's world and defeating her, Lumern and Seirun fell into great chaos.

Naturally, the academic schedule concluded early.

In the process, the experiences of the Lumern students at that time were highly valued, and all students were promoted.

While it might seem like pure luck that Cal was promoted to second year, it wasn't.

'Even if he had taken the normal exams, Cal had the ability to become a second-year student.'

Cal himself said that first year was his limit, but Leo saw Cal differently.

He had constantly hit his limits and overcome them throughout his school life.

Of course, he was weaker than anyone else in his grade.

But he possessed the strategy and adaptability to overcome it.

Cal was a person with countless strengths that couldn't be defined by mere 'strength.'

Yet, in this world, Cal didn't become a second-year student.

'This is strange.'

Leo furrowed his brow.

Lumern has Lissinas, and no one else.

And Lissinas is a selector of heroes.

'There's no way Lissinas wouldn't have recognized Cal's potential.'

Cal was the ideal hero Lissinas spoke of.

Leo's view of heroes was most influenced by Lissinas, and no one else.

'It's not only the strong who become heroes that save the world. Anyone who has the will to move forward… anyone who doesn't give up on moving forward can become a hero.'

Leo recalled Lissinas's frequent words from his past life.

Especially now, with Hero Records in existence.

The fact that Lissinas gave up on Cal, when there were means to foster one's potential, was enough to bewilder Leo.

'What in the world happened?'

Leo sighed.

Regardless, he knew that Lumern's situation was very different from what he knew.

'I'll have to stay here and gather information through Cal.'

***

Tension hung over the entrance of Demian.

The first-year students swallowed dryly and stared at the school's main gate.

A moment later.

Creeeeak-

The massive entrance of Demian opened, and someone appeared.

A girl with black hair, carrying a travel bag in one hand, entered Demian.

"Wow… she's beautiful."

"Is that the Lumern Student Council President… Lea Philly?"

"I'm seeing her for the first time!"

Gasps erupted among the first-year students.

Lea Philly, the Student Council President of Lumern.

Her beauty, which could leave viewers spellbound, was said to be comparable only to Rune Orweny of Seirun.

Her appearance surpassed that of Elena Zerion, who was previously called the Queen of Lumern.

And her impeccable scholarship and overwhelming strength.

She was an unprecedented hero who had already achieved both the position of Student Council President and the title of Hero during her first year.

Crucially, her charisma in leading people was enough to be envied by many.

She was evaluated as one of the 'Four Heroes' who would lead the future era, along with the student council presidents of Seirun, Azonia, and Demian, and was considered the most outstanding among them.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, students of Demian."

Lea smiled gently and greeted the students of Demian.

Many students, both male and female, blushed at her smile.

A beauty so stunning it was hard to look at.

Valhar, watching her with his arms crossed, sighed lightly.

When Lea reached him, Valhar said,

"Welcome, Lea."

"What's the reason for the urgent summons?"

"I'll tell you when Rune and Kar arrive."

"Rune can't come. The monster queen's army is showing unusual activity in the northern region."

"Didn't Rune carry out a large-scale subjugation?"

"Even so, the movements haven't stopped."

"Tsk."

Valhar clicked his tongue.

Just then, a black wolf beastman appeared in the doorway.

"Valhar! Lea!"

Kar ran towards the two with a bright smile.

And then, he hugged Valhar.

"Valhar! How have you been?"

"You're unusually energetic today. Let go, Kar."

At his words, Kar released Valhar.

"Nice to see you, Lea! How long has it been?"

"Hello, Kar. You seem very happy? How long has it been? We saw each other last winter break…"

*Thump- Squeeze-*

"…!"

Kar hugged Lea, wagging his tail.

Lea flinched for a moment from the immense strength.

"Kar, if you hug with all your might, Lea will feel like her back is breaking."

"Ah! Right. Lea is human."

Kar released Lea.

Lea, with a slightly pale face, rubbed her back.

"Did you drink something?"

"No, I didn't? I just had something good happen."

Kar gave his usual gentle smile.

From his past life, Kar had a habit of hugging people he was close to when drunk.

Of course, Lissinas, who was a dragon then, had a strong constitution, so it was fine, but now it was different.

Recalling the memories of Kyle and Luna being horrified back then, Lea smiled.

"I'm glad something good happened."

"Yeah! But where's Rune? Isn't he here yet?"

As Kar looked around, Valhar said,

"Rune can't come. Let's talk among the three of us first. You all may disperse now."

The Demian students had gathered not for an official welcoming ceremony.

They had come to see the faces of the student council presidents of the Hero Academy, who were evaluated as heroes who would lead the world in the future.

Kar, who became the king of the Colosseum after defeating all the champion beastmen in the official Colosseum in his second year.

Valhar, who succeeded in restoring the divine artifacts left by the divine blacksmith Dweno in his second year.

And Lea, who leads heroes with overwhelming skill and leadership.

The influence of the student council presidents of the Hero Academy was so immense that it was said the world would follow the path they forged.

"It's a shame Rune isn't here."

"Will I be able to get an autograph?"

The students dispersed with regret.

Valhar guided the two.

"What's the reason you called us?"

When Lea brought up the main topic, Valhar sighed softly.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Can't we catch up after meeting after so long?"

Lea paused at his words.

"Yes. Then I'll go first. I've finished my investigation into the Hero Dungeon."

At Kar's words, Lea and Valhar turned their heads.

"The conclusion is… it wasn't a Hero Dungeon."

"…Monsters from Erebus, the ones we encountered on our last journey, appeared in the surrounding area. And it still wasn't a Hero Dungeon?"

Lea asked sharply, and Kar flinched.

"Uh, yeah…"

"It's not Kar's fault that it wasn't a Hero Dungeon, so why are you reacting so sharply?"

"Ah, sorry… Kar. I didn't mean to startle you. Sorry for scaring you."

Lea, flustered, soothed Kar.

She thought Kar was scared, but he had simply flinched because he felt guilty.

"Then what was it?"

"…I have some ideas. I'll tell you shortly."

Valhar, who had led them to a place that looked like a conference room, opened the door for the two.

"Lea, what about you?"

"I'm the same as always. I'm guiding the students to become stronger."

At Lissinas's words, Valhar sighed softly.

Kar, who had sat down, looked at Valhar.

"By the way, Dweno."

"What is it?"

"Why haven't you ever asked Lissinas and Luna to be your models since you reincarnated?"

Once they were in a space with only the three of them, Kar called his friends by their old names.

"Kar."

Lea glared at him, and Kar stopped.

At Kar's words, Valhar, pouring tea, said indifferently,

"People who are caught up in the past are not very beautiful."

"Huh?"

"Names aren't that important. They are, in fact, the largest part of us that we can never escape. Yet, desperately trying to forget a past name… is proof that you are bound to that past."

"Hmm… that's difficult."

Kar put his arms together, lost in thought.

Then, he suddenly lifted his head.

"Speaking of which, Lea."

"Yes."

Lea, answering sharply, sipped her tea.

"Did you like Kyle?"

"Pffft!"

Lea spat out the tea she had in her mouth.

Valhar, who was suddenly covered in tea, glared.

"What do you think you're doing, you damn lizard!"

"I'm not a dragon anymore! No! It's because of Kar in the first place!"

Lea looked at Kar with a flustered expression.

Wiping his face with a handkerchief, Valhar said,

"Yes, Kar. When did you realize that fact?"

"Was it real?"

"Huh? That's strange. Does this mean you've escaped the 'idiot' label?"

"Huh? Idiot?"

"Yes. Kyle, Luna, and Aron. The three of you were idiots."

Kar, looking surprised, sipped the tea Valhar poured him.

"Kar, don't tell Rune. If you tell him, he'll go on a rampage."

Lea pleaded, and Kar nodded.

"So? What's the reason you called us? Valhar."

To Lea's question, Valhar sat down and said,

"I went to develop a mine around Mount Erdiene."

"Yes. You told me already."

"I encountered the flames of disaster there."

At his words, the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

"Was it a fragment of Erebus?"

"It wasn't a fragment. At most, it seemed like a remnant of consciousness."

"Why did a remnant of consciousness suddenly appear?"

"There's no way to know. However, that was the site of the final battle, so it might be related. Crucially…"

"Crucially?"

"The remnant of Erebus took on Kyle's form."

***

"Senior Rune."

A girl with red hair, Lunia, opened the door to Rune's laboratory.

Rune, who was staring at the blackboard with haggard eyes inside the laboratory, turned his head.

"Yes, Lunia. What is it?"

As Rune slowly got up from his seat, Lunia saw the magic formulas written on the blackboard.

"Um… what is this?"

"A necromancy formula."

"What?"

"I'm trying to research magic that brings the dead back to life, but it's not working well."

Rune scratched his head and clicked his tongue.

Lunia looked at Rune, flustered.

"Senior Rune. Researching dark magic is a violation of school rules."

"Yes. You'll keep quiet, won't you, my dear junior?"

Rune, with a slightly playful smile, looked confused.

"So, what's the matter?"

"It's about the Pure Blood Society."

"I'm tired of it. What kind of trouble have they caused again?"

Rune had an annoyed expression.

The Pure Blood Society.

It was a group that had been in opposition to Rune since his admission and had immense influence in elven society.

Although they lost legitimacy as Rune displayed perfect star magic, being called the reincarnation of Luna, they had not been eliminated and persistently propagated elven purity in elven society.

"It seems they've smuggled a fragment of Seirun-sama's Hero Record into Seirun."

"What? The Tingel family revealed the letter left by the comet mage! They said to destroy all the Hero Records of the Heroes of Genesis."

The story of the Heroes of Genesis being alive and fighting fragments of Erebus in the hero's world was already known worldwide.

Even the fact that fragments of the Heroes of Genesis were used as a passage for Erebus to escape.

"And yet, they secretly brought it into Seirun?"

Rune's face hardened.

*BOOOOOOOOM-!*

At that moment, the entire Seirun shook.

And feeling a colossal power from afar, Rune looked up at the sky.

It was a familiar power.

'The problem is that I really, really didn't want to face it again.'

Grinding his teeth, Rune said,

"Lunia, do you know this?"

"What, what?"

"I really, really hate elves."

With a cold smile, Rune raised his staff.

"It looks like we'll be meeting again after a long time, you damned fiery bastard."