Book 1 Chapter 82
“I cannot comprehend it. It is an unprecedented event.”
The professors protested at the mention of Battle Royale.
This was because the departmental competition, which merged departments, could easily turn into an individual competition if handled incorrectly.
Watching the three protesting professors, Callian leaned back in his chair.
“I do not doubt your feelings. This year’s first-year students have an unusually high number of outstanding individuals.”
This year’s first-year students had a very high chance of winning, regardless of their department.
That was why all three professors opposed the battle royale, which had many variables.
“But as you know, aren't there some rather special students this year?”
“Do you mean Leo Flob?”
“Yes. At first, we were all surprised by the fact that he was an ‘all-class.’ Did most of you not think he would reach his limit in a short period?”
The three professors agreed.
They were confident that he would eventually join their respective departments.
“However, student Leo still maintains near top-tier grades in all fields.”
Callian rested his chin on his hand.
“Thanks to that, the board of directors has become even more interested in student Leo.”
The board of directors.
They were the de facto rulers of Lumern, comprised of the three great families known as the families of the beginning: Zerun, Rigard, and Tursia.
“Are you saying that the board wants student Leo to be recorded in the Hero Record as an ‘all-class’?”
“Yes.”
If that were to happen, it would not be impossible for another ‘all-class’ to emerge in the future, inheriting Leo’s abilities.
In essence, Leo alone had an immense impact.
“Of course, he will eventually have to choose a department, but the board’s decision is that now is not the time. You have all been preparing diligently for the departmental competition… but for this one time, please understand.”
Upon hearing Callian's words, the three professors let out deep sighs.
As it was the words of the principal they deeply respected, they could not continue to protest.
‘From now on, individual capabilities will be more important than cooperation.’
The professors fell into thought.
‘Since it has come to this. We have no choice but to prepare for the competition by focusing on enhancing the students' abilities.’
***
The next day.
In the Knight Department’s major class, all students felt a strange sense of excitement.
This was because, starting today, the official classes to prepare for the departmental competition would begin.
Furthermore, Ain had announced that this class content would be of great help in conquering the world of heroes, making the atmosphere among the first-year students even more boisterous.
“Hey, who are you going to choose?”
“Knight of Moonlight. You?”
“I’m Hermilan’s Spear Knight!”
Entering the world of heroes was still a distant dream, but the mere thought of preparing for it was enough to make their hearts flutter.
Watching his excited peers, Leo muttered.
“Everyone’s going wild.”
“It’s unavoidable.”
“You don't seem very happy?”
“As a member of the Zerdinger family, the world of heroes isn’t particularly special to me. But you don’t seem happy either?”
“I’m really looking forward to it!”
It was true that he was looking forward to seeing the true nature of the Hero Record, which he had been so curious about.
Of course, he had already obtained rewards from conquering the world of heroes twice, but those were not regular rewards.
‘What kind of rewards will be given through the regular route?’
In a sense, the Great Hero Kyle was a senior to all existing heroes.
Great heroes were those who were listed on the very first page of the Hero Record and had achieved the greatest feats.
However, even Leo felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of inheriting the power of another hero.
‘I might be able to compensate for the abilities I lack.’
In history, great heroes were depicted as perfect beings.
But Leo knew very well that they were not perfect.
‘If they were, we wouldn’t have lost anyone in the fight against Erebus.’
Leo clenched his fist tightly.
‘Moreover, I am weaker now compared to my previous life.’
It wasn't simply that he was weak because he hadn't fully regained his previous strength yet.
Kyle’s strongest period was right before he clashed with Erebus.
However, even if he regained all his past strength, he wouldn't be able to become as strong as he was then.
‘At that time, I didn’t have only my own power.’
Before the subjugation of Erebus.
The grand ambition to save the world.
The foolish dream of turning the world into a field of flowers.
The absurd goal of reclaiming the lost beauty of the world.
The small hope that the people of the world could smile again.
It was thanks to the power of his companions, who entrusted their ideals to Kyle, that the subjugation was possible.
As Leo recalled old memories, he realized something.
‘Come to think of it, the way power is inherited from the Hero Record is similar to my past life.’
While Leo was feeling skeptical, Ain appeared on the training ground.
The students, who had been chatting happily, immediately straightened up and assumed a at-ease stance.
“As promised, starting today, I will teach you Aura Skills to prepare for the departmental competition and conquering the world of heroes.”
As he spoke, a roar of cheers erupted from the training ground.
Watching the scene, Ain added.
“Furthermore, any student who fails to conquer the world of heroes in the second semester will be expelled, regardless of their grades.”
At those words, a chilling silence fell among the students.
“Now, let's begin the class. Who can announce the power granted as a reward for conquering the world of heroes?”
Normally, students would have quickly raised their hands, but intimidated by Ain's cold voice, they hesitated.
Amidst this, one student calmly raised their hand.
“Duran Moira.”
“Hero Weapon, Hero Ability, and finally, Hero Skill.”
“Correct.”
Ain nodded.
“[Hero Weapon] is, quite literally, the power to summon the armament used by that hero. It is a formidable power that can summon armaments with immense power, which have disappeared and only exist in legends or history, into the present world.”
At those words, Leo crossed his arms.
‘Can I summon the weapons used by me or them as well?’
Weapons destroyed during the Age of Calamity flashed through his mind.
“[Hero Ability] refers to the unique abilities possessed by a hero. Lastly, [Hero Skill] is the technique used by a hero.”
Ain crossed his arms.
“The first power you will inherit is [Hero Skill]. Can anyone explain the most significant characteristic of this Hero Skill?”
This time, Chen Xia raised her head.
“Chen Xia.”
“Its power varies depending on the user's capability. It could become an inferior technique compared to the original, or it could even surpass the original.”
“Correct.”
Ain walked to the front of the training ground.
“Before inheriting the power of heroes, there is a technique I will teach you. Celia Zerdinger, step forward.”
Upon Ain's summons, Celia stepped forward.
“Draw your sword.”
Celia drew her sword.
“Do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? I said I would teach you Auraology, which is taught at Azonia, a beastman hero academy.”
“Yes.”
“During the past classes, I have incorporated Auraology every time I taught you Aura techniques.”
Celia nodded.
The Aura techniques Ain taught were all things she had learned from the Zerdinger family.
‘The content was completely different.’
She learned techniques that utilized Aura more delicately.
As a simple example, the way to maximize defense when using Aura Armor was different.
What Celia had learned before was simply to make the Aura Armor harder.
But simply hardening it wasn't the whole story.
‘It’s not just about deflecting attacks, but also absorbing or deflecting them. There are various forms of defense.’
When deploying Aura Armor based on the Auraology taught by Ain, one could change their defensive characteristics according to the opponent’s attack characteristics.
While the effects might not be significant immediately, it was a technique that could provide immense advantages if mastered.
“Until now, what I have taught you have only been applications of Auraology that we could use immediately. However, the techniques you will learn from now on go beyond simple application and are what Azonia students learn.”
The students held their breath, focusing on Ain’s words.
“Learning this will be of great help in using [Hero Skill]. Of course, it will also generally increase your Aura Skill abilities.”
Celia’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of technique is it?”
“It would be faster to show you directly, Celia. Use your Aura.”
Celia generated Aura.
Ain pointed to the empty training ground.
“Send a sword strike there with your maximum power.”
Celia swung her sword with all her might, raising her power to its maximum.
*Fwoosh!* *Boom!*
The sword strike soared upwards, creating a massive wall of flame.
The students looked astonished by the powerful flame.
“As expected, the top three from the Knight Department!”
“Flame monster!”
“Hey! Who called it a monster just now!”
Celia glared with narrowed eyes.
“Excellent. As expected of Zerdinger.”
Ain chuckled.
“Well then.”
*Fwoosh!*
Flames erupted from Ain’s sword.
The students’ eyes widened.
Ain, known as the Swordmaster of the Frozen Sea, was a knight who wielded cold Aura.
Seeing the surprised students, Duran scoffed.
“Professor Ain was also a dungeon conqueror. He is someone who could be elevated to the ranks of heroes at any time if he achieves enough feats. It wouldn't be strange if he inherited the power of a flame-wielding hero.”
“Duran is correct. This flame Aura is the [Ability] of a predecessor hero I conquered a long time ago.”
Ain imbued his sword with an Aura of similar level to what Celia had emitted moments before.
Then, he raised his sword and took a breath.
A strange breathing sound echoed, different from normal breathing.
Along with it, Aura faintly flickered from Ain’s body.
Leo’s eyes widened upon seeing it.
‘Is that…!’
*Whoosh!* *Boom!*
A fiery sword strike soared upwards.
It was even more intense than the sword strike with Celia moments before.
“……!”
Celia’s eyes were filled with shock.
Even though they used Aura of similar power, Ain’s flame was stronger than Celia’s.
Furthermore, the flame Ain used was not the flame of a phoenix, and it was natural for the power to be halved since Ain himself was a wielder of cold Aura.
Seeing that, Leo’s eyes widened.
“How did you do that?”
As Celia asked in surprise, Professor Ain retracted his sword and said.
“This is the [Breath of the Hero].”
“……!”
“This is the technique you will learn from now on.”
‘That’s Aron’s technique.’