Book 1 Chapter 82
【82】81.
“This is incomprehensible. It’s an unprecedented event.”
The professors objected to the mention of “Battle Royale.”
They worried that an inter-departmental competition, literally combining departments, could easily turn into an individual competition if something went wrong.
Watching the three protesting professors, Kallian leaned back in his chair.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings. This year’s first-years have an unusually high number of outstanding students.”
This year’s first-years have a very high chance of winning, no matter which department they belong to.
That’s why all three professors are opposing the Battle Royale, which involves many variables.
“But as you all know, this year we have a slightly special student, don’t we?”
“Are you referring to Leo Flob?”
“Yes. At first, everyone was just surprised by the fact that he was an All-Class. Didn’t most people think he would reach his limit quickly?”
The three professors agreed.
They were convinced that he would eventually come to their department.
“However, student Leo still maintains scores close to the top of every department in all fields.”
Kallian propped his chin up.
“Thanks to that, the board of directors has become even more interested in student Leo.”
The board of directors.
They were the de facto masters of Rumerne, composed of the three great noble families known as the Founding Families: Zelron, Liguard, and Turcia.
“Are you saying they want student Leo to be listed in the Hero Record as an All-Class?”
“Yes.”
If that happened, it wouldn’t be impossible for another All-Class, inheriting Leo’s abilities, to emerge in future generations.
Literally, one person, Leo, had an enormous impact.
“Of course, he will choose a department someday, but the board's will is that now is not the time. You may have worked hard preparing for the inter-departmental competition until now, but… please understand this time.”
Listening to Kallian’s words, the three professors sighed deeply.
Since it was the principal, whom they respected immensely, they couldn't continue to object.
‘From now on, individual capabilities will be more important than cooperation.’
The professors fell into thought.
‘As things stand. We'll have no choice but to prepare for the competition in a way that enhances the students’ individual capabilities.’
***
The next day.
All the students in the Knightology major class felt a strange excitement.
This was because the full-fledged classes preparing for the inter-departmental competition would begin today.
Moreover, Ain had announced that this class content would be a great help in conquering the World of Heroes, so the first-years' atmosphere was even more boisterous.
“Hey, who are you going to choose?”
“Knight of the Moon. And you?”
“I’m the Lancer of Hermillan!”
Entering the World of Heroes was still a distant story, but just the preparation for it was enough to make their hearts flutter.
Watching his excited classmates, Leo murmured.
“Everyone’s going wild.”
“They can’t help it.”
“You don’t look very happy?”
“The World of Heroes isn’t very special to me, a person from the Zerdinger family. But you don’t look happy, either?”
“I’m extremely excited, though?”
It was true that he was excited to see the true nature of the Hero Record, which he had been so curious about.
Of course, he had already received rewards for conquering the World of Heroes twice, but those weren’t ordinary rewards.
‘What kind of rewards will the regular route give?’
Kyle, the Great Hero, is, in a sense, not an exaggeration to say he is the senior of all existing heroes.
For the Great Heroes are those who are listed on the very first page of the Hero Record and have achieved the greatest feats.
But even Leo felt excited by the fact of inheriting the power of another hero.
‘Perhaps it can compensate for the abilities I lack.’
In history, Great Heroes are depicted as perfect heroes.
But Leo knew well that they themselves were not perfect.
‘If they were, no one would have been lost in the fight against Erebus.’
Leo clenched his fist tightly.
‘Moreover, I am weaker now compared to my previous life.’
It’s not just that he is weak because he hasn’t fully regained his former strength yet.
Kyle’s strongest period was precisely just before confronting Erebus.
But even if he regained all the power of his previous life, he couldn't become as strong as he was then.
‘At that time, I didn't just have my own strength.’
Before achieving the subjugation of Erebus.
The grand ambition to save the world.
The foolish dream of filling the world with flower gardens.
The absurd goal of restoring the beauty of the lost world.
The small hope that people could smile again.
It was because of the power of his comrades, who entrusted their ideals to Kyle, that he was able to achieve the subjugation.
Leo, who was reminiscing about old memories, realized something.
‘Now that I think about it, the form of inheriting power in the Hero Record resembles my past self.’
While Leo felt doubt.
Ain appeared on the parade ground.
The students, who had been gathered and chatting cheerfully, immediately lined up and stood at attention.
“As announced, starting today, I will teach you aura skills in preparation for the inter-departmental competition and the conquest of the World of Heroes.”
At that, a cheer erupted on the parade ground.
Ain, watching them, added.
“And any student who fails to conquer the World of Heroes in the second semester will be expelled, regardless of their grades.”
At that, a chilling silence fell among the students.
“Alright, let’s begin the class. Who would like to present on the powers given as rewards for conquering the World of Heroes?”
Normally, students would quickly raise their hands, but intimidated by Ain’s cold voice, they couldn’t easily raise their hands.
Amidst them, one student calmly raised his hand.
“Duran Moira.”
“Hero Weapon, Hero Ability. Lastly, Hero Skill.”
“Correct.”
Ain nodded.
“[Hero Weapon] is, as the name suggests, the power to summon the armaments used by that hero. It is a formidable power that can bring powerful armaments, which now only exist as legends or in history, into the present world.”
At that, Leo crossed his arms.
‘Could it also summon the weapons I or those guys used?’
Weapons destroyed during the Age of Calamity flashed through his mind.
“[Hero Ability] refers to the unique abilities that a hero possessed. Lastly, [Hero Skill] is the technique used by a hero.”
Ain crossed his arms.
“The first power you will inherit is [Hero Skill]. Is there anyone who can explain the biggest characteristic of this Hero Skill?”
This time, Chen Xia raised her head.
“Chen Xia.”
“Its power changes depending on the user’s capability. It can be a technique worse than the original, or conversely, a technique that surpasses the original.”
“Correct.”
Ain walked to the front of the parade ground.
“Before inheriting the power of a hero. I have a technique to teach you. Celia Zerdinger, step forward.”
At Ain’s call, Celia stepped forward.
“Draw your sword.”
Celia drew her sword.
“Do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? That I would teach you the Aura Studies taught at Azonia, the beast-kin hero academy.”
“Yes.”
“During the past classes, whenever I taught you aura techniques, I incorporated Aura Studies.”
Celia nodded.
The aura techniques Ain taught her were all things she had learned from the Zerdinger family.
‘The content was completely different.’
She learned techniques to use aura more subtly.
For a simple example, the method of maximizing defensive power when using Aura Armor was different.
What Celia had previously learned was simply making the Aura Armor stronger.
But it wasn't just about becoming stronger.
‘Not just deflecting attacks, but also absorbing or flowing away attacks. Defensive power has various forms.’
If Aura Armor is deployed based on the Aura Studies Ain taught, one can change their defensive characteristics according to the opponent's attack characteristics.
It would be difficult to see a significant effect immediately, but it was a technique that could exert tremendous advantages if mastered.
“Until now, what I taught you were merely applications of techniques from Aura Studies that we could use immediately. But the technique you will learn from now on goes beyond simple application and is what Azonia students learn.”
The students held their breath, concentrating on Ain’s words.
“Learning this will be a great help in using [Hero Skill]. Of course, not only that, but your overall aura skill abilities will increase.”
Celia’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of technique is it?”
“It’s faster to show you directly, Celia. Use your aura.”
Celia unleashed her aura.
Ain pointed to the empty parade ground.
“Unleash a sword strike there with maximum power.”
Celia swung her sword with all her might, maximizing her firepower.
Whoosh-! Bang-!
The sword strike soared high as if a giant wall of fire had been created.
The students made disgusted expressions at the powerful firepower.
“As expected, the three main representatives of the Knightology department!”
“Flame Beast!”
“Hey! Who was it just now! Who said ‘Beast’!”
Celia glared at them.
“Excellent. As expected of a Zerdinger.”
Ain chuckled.
“Alright, then.”
Whoosh-!
Flames erupted from Ain’s sword.
The students’ eyes widened.
This was because Ain, known by the epithet "Ice Sea Swordsman," was a knight who controlled frost aura.
Duran snorted at the surprised students.
“Professor Ain was also a dungeon conqueror. He’s someone who, if he just achieves enough feats, it wouldn’t be strange for him to join the ranks of heroes at any time. It’s not strange if one of the hero powers he inherited is one that controls flames.”
“Duran is right. This flame aura is the [Ability] of an ancient hero I conquered long ago.”
Ain imbued his sword with an aura similar in level to the one Celia had just emitted.
Then he held his sword and took a breath.
A strange breathing sound, different from normal breathing, echoed.
Along with that, a faint aura flickered around Ain’s body.
Leo’s eyes widened at the sight.
‘That’s…!’
Whoosh-! Bang-!
The flame sword strike soared high.
It was even more intense than Celia’s sword strike a moment ago.
“…!”
Celia’s eyes were filled with shock.
Even though they used aura of similar power, Ain’s flames were stronger than Celia’s.
Moreover, the flames Ain used were not the flames of the Phoenix, and furthermore, Ain himself was a user of frost aura, so the power itself had to be halved.
Leo’s eyes widened at the sight.
“H-How did you do that?”
Celia asked in surprise, and Professor Ain sheathed his sword and said.
“This is [Hero’s Breath].”
“…!”
“It’s the technique you will learn from now on.”
‘That’s Arion’s technique, isn’t it?’