Book 1 Chapter 904

904.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Carl and… Eliza?!"

All the students at the party reacted with surprise upon seeing Carl and Eliza enter together.

Carl was escorting her with an awkward expression, and Eliza was following him with her characteristic haughty look.

"What? What? Wasn't Eliza supposed to come with the student council president?"

"No. More importantly, why Carl?"

"They're close."

"No, even so, weren't they just close as friends?"

"Carl isn't really Eliza's type, is he?"

The party hall began to buzz.

"Wow… Is this okay?"

Carl muttered with a nervous expression.

The reaction was bigger than he had expected.

Eliza looked at Carl and said, "Enjoy."

"What?"

"At a social party, you enjoy this kind of attention too."

"You might be used to it, but I'm not."

Carl looked tense.

He had gotten used to people's attention after becoming a hero.

But still, being in the spotlight at such an event felt very awkward.

It was natural, as he hadn't been close to high society since he was young.

"Shouldn't I avoid making a mistake in something like this?"

"It's fine."

"Still."

"You look great today."

"…!"

Carl's eyes widened as he stared at Eliza.

Eliza looked at Carl, gave a beautiful smile, and said, "You look great, so have confidence."

At her words, Carl looked dumbfounded, then asked seriously, "You're not Eliza, are you?"

Eliza secretly stepped on Carl's instep with her shoe.

Carl let out a short, silent scream, "Ugh-!"

"You two. How did you end up coming together?"

At that moment, Nella approached, covering her mouth with wide eyes.

Behind Nella was Duran, who looked somewhat displeased.

"Eliza Helgen. Weren't you supposed to come with Leo Flobe?"

"I changed partners."

Just as Duran was about to say something more, seeing Eliza reply indifferently.

"But why Carl?"

Nella asked with sparkling eyes.

"Are you two… perhaps in a relationship?"

It was at that moment Carl was wondering how to answer that question.

"We're a couple."

Eliza answered calmly.

Carl's eyes widened as he stared at Eliza.

Nella, who had asked the question, as well as Duran, looked at Eliza with shocked expressions.

It wasn't just Nella and Duran.

Every student in the party hall questioned their ears for a moment.

Music was playing in the party hall, but no one there failed to hear Eliza's words.

As everyone looked dazed, Eliza hooked her arm through Carl's and declared, "Carl Thomas is my boyfriend."

Then, she curled the corners of her lips upwards.

"Anyone who tries to flirt with him from now on better be prepared."

"Whaaaaaat!"

"No! What in the world is going on?!"

"How did you do it, Carl!"

The entire party hall erupted.

Even students who already knew about their relationship were surprised by her bold declaration.

Amidst everyone's attention, Leo, who had entered the party alone, chuckled.

"Good. I'm not getting any attention."

***

"Carl! You rascal! How on earth did you do it!"

"How did you charm Eliza?"

"Tell me your secret!"

Male students who had been close with Carl since freshman year, led by Tayde, gathered around him, excitedly chattering.

Around Eliza, female students were also gathered, talking.

"What? What? When did you two start dating?"

Eliza answered Iliana, who asked with sparkling eyes, "Since summer break."

"That was just recently!"

Iliana exclaimed with admiration.

"Congratulations, Eliza."

Nella said with a bright smile.

"But why did you reveal it? I thought you'd keep it hidden for a while."

When Chen Xia tilted her head, Eliza glared at her.

"Because I don't like being blackmailed by you, Xia."

"Oh my~ When did I ever blackmail you?"

"Hmph."

Eliza snorted, and Chen Xia smiled sweetly.

Seeing that, the other students muttered inwardly, 'She did blackmail her.'

Ding-dong-ding-dong-!

Just then, a clear, refreshing sound echoed through the party hall.

It was Sedgen tapping a water glass with a spoon.

As everyone's attention focused on Sedgen, he spoke with an elegant gesture.

"Now, let us begin the party."

With that, Sedgen stepped aside, and Principal Riina stepped forward.

"This party is held to congratulate the students who achieved the great feat of subduing the fragment of Erebus in this mission. The students whose names I call, please step forward. Leo Flobe."

At the principal's words, Leo stepped forward.

"Lil Luce, Chen Xia, Eliza Helgen, Carl Thomas, Chelsea Lewellyn."

One by one, the students who participated in this mission stood before Riina.

"These six students, as students of Lumen, played a significant role in subduing Erebus, which can be called the world's aspiration."

Although fragments of Erebus had been subdued before, this time carried an unusual weight.

In previous subduals of Erebus fragments, great heroes were involved.

That was also a monumental feat, but it wasn't an accomplishment spearheaded by future heroes.

However, this time it was different.

Literally, Erebus was subdued solely by the power of future heroes.

Of course, Leo was included, but externally, Leo's identity was not known, so the specialness was not diminished.

"Of course, this subjugation was possible due to special circumstances rather than your current strength, but…"

A feat made possible by a situation where future possibilities bloomed.

But…

"Even so, the gods acknowledged your great achievement."

At those words, everyone except Leo and Carl widened their eyes.

"Principal. Are you saying…?"

When Lil asked cautiously, Riina nodded.

"Yes. All of your names have been added to the Hero Record."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"Chelsea Lewellyn."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [Wind Bird]."

"Wow! Wow!"

Chelsea, covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling, looked very excited.

"Eliza Helgen."

"Yes."

"The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [White Lightning]."

"It is an honor for my family."

"Chen Xia."

"Yes."

"The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [Water Fairy]."

Chen Xia smiled faintly and bowed her head in silent gratitude.

Riina smiled slightly, looking at Chen Xia.

As someone from the shadows herself, she was deeply moved by the fact that Chen Xia, who had lived as a shadow, had her name recorded in the Hero Record.

"Lil Luce."

"Yes! Principal!"

"The gods have recognized you as a hero. Congratulations."

"Thank you!"

"Yes."

"…?"

"Now. Students of Lumen. Let us raise a toast to the birth of new heroes. But never think you have fallen behind them."

"Um… Principal?"

"Sooner or later. I have no doubt that all the hero candidates present here will reach the status of a hero!"

"Principal? My epithet is…?"

"Always be prepared for trials! And be the one to overcome those trials and achieve great deeds!"

"Yes, I understand!"

"Wishing for the complete subjugation of Erebus and the arrival of an era of complete peace in the world! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Those who were adults held wine glasses.

Those who were not held soft drink glasses.

It wasn't just Leo and Carl.

Other students also reached the status of heroes.

An era of upheaval.

A moment in history.

It was no longer strange for a student to achieve hero status.

They held aspirations.

To have their names recorded in the hero status they aimed for.

To become proud individuals who contribute to world peace.

And on the other hand, they felt a question.

"Principal. So what is my epithet?"

Why was Lil the only one whose epithet was not announced?

***

"Kids, congratulations!"

Nella genuinely rejoiced and congratulated her friends.

"Ahem!"

Chelsea puffed out her chest and looked triumphant.

"You guys are really getting ahead now."

Eliza snorted at Chloe's words.

"I don't think we've gotten ahead. This time, we were just lucky."

Eliza clenched and unclenched her hand.

"Because it's not a feat achieved by my own power."

"You've become even more mature, Miss Eliza, now that you have a boyfriend."

Eliza glanced at Chen Xia at her words.

"Hmph."

Just as Duran snorted and sharply turned his head, Chelsea stood in front of Duran as if teasing him.

"Let's have a fight after the party ends."

"Aang?! Who do you think would be scared? I'll get revenge for my brother!"

Chelsea said aggressively, her eyes burning.

"Now, now. Don't fight, both of you."

Nella was mediating between the two with a sweet smile.

"Chelsea, congratulations."

"Brother!"

Chelsea's eyes, which had been smiling brightly at Avard's words, suddenly narrowed.

"What are you looking at?"

Because she had spotted Celia behind Avard.

"Get away."

Chelsea pushed Celia away from Avard.

While Celia sighed, looking at Chelsea, the dance time began.

Chelsea quickly approached Avard, took his hand, and headed to the dance floor.

Duran also followed with Nella.

Carl approached Eliza and awkwardly held out his hand.

Eliza smiled sweetly and took his hand.

Exclamations erupted from everywhere.

"They're really dating."

Celia looked bewildered, and Chen Xia chuckled and whispered, "Why don't you get a boyfriend soon too, Miss Celia?"

At that, Celia glared at Chen Xia.

Meanwhile, Leo approached Elena, who wore a bored expression.

"Care for a dance?"

"…"

Elena glanced up at Leo and said, "That's a very impolite dance invitation, isn't it?"

Leo chuckled at her words, then took a polite stance and said, "Shall we dance, young lady?"

"…"

At that, Elena put down her wine glass and took Leo's hand.

"Are you feeling better?"

"A little."

Elena, answering primly, asked Leo, "Am I your partner today?"

"No. I don't have a partner. I'll dance with others too."

"You're a playboy."

Elena glared, and Leo burst out laughing.

Still, Elena, whose mood had improved, was about to nod willingly.

"Brother! Brother!"

Lil approached, her face about to cry, and complained to Leo.

"The principal said my epithet is [Monster Lady], but that must be wrong, right?"

"Monster Lady?"

"Yes! There must be a mistake, right?"

Elena sighed, looking at Lil's hurt face.

Having one's name recorded in the Hero Record is a great thing.

It is a very important matter, and there can be no mistake.

More than anything, an epithet related to 'monster' is incredibly surprising.

Because it literally means the gods recognized her as a 'monster.'

In the history of the Heroic Age, officially, heroes with epithets related to 'monster' are so few that they can be counted on one's fingers, including Lil.

However, Lil intensely dislikes being called a monster.

Elena often called Lil a monster when teasing her, but…

For Lil, it was bound to be hurtful for that to become her epithet as a hero.

Elena reached out and took Lil's hand.

And she guided Lil's hand, which had a puzzled expression, to Leo's hand, which she held in her other hand.

And placing Leo's hand in Lil's, she said, "I'll let you have him for today."

Elena spoke with a truly regretful expression.

"Let this old man comfort you."

"…!"

Tears welled up in Lil's eyes.

Leo, looking troubled at Lil, said, "Lil."

"Yes! Brother!"

"Don't dislike it too much. It suits you."

"…"

Lil's eyes widened.

Then, large teardrops began to fall.

Seeing that, Elena clicked her tongue.

"He's really terrible at comforting people."