Book 1 Chapter 904
“Huh? What is it?”
“Carl and… Eliza?!”
All the students at the party gasped in surprise as they saw Carl and Eliza enter together.
Carl escorted her with an awkward expression, and Eliza followed him with her characteristic haughty look.
“What? What is it? Wasn’t Eliza coming with the student council president?”
“No. More importantly, why Carl?”
“They’re close, aren’t they?”
“No, even so, weren’t they just close as friends?”
“Carl isn’t exactly Eliza’s type, is he?”
The party hall began to buzz.
“Wow… is this okay?”
Carl muttered with a tense expression.
The reaction was bigger than he had expected.
Seeing Carl like that, Eliza said,
“Enjoy it.”
“What?”
“In a social party, you should enjoy this kind of attention.”
“You might be used to it, but I’m not.”
Carl’s expression grew tense.
He had become accustomed to people’s attention as he rose to the position of a hero.
But still, being the center of attention at an event like this felt awkward.
It was only natural, as he hadn’t been close to high society since he was young.
“What if I make a mistake doing this?”
“It’s okay.”
“Still…”
“You look handsome today.”
“……!”
Carl’s eyes widened as he looked at Eliza.
Seeing Carl like that, Eliza gave him a sweet, beautiful smile and said,
“You look handsome, so have confidence.”
At her words, Carl looked dumbfounded and then asked seriously,
“You’re not Eliza, are you?”
Eliza secretly stomped on Carl’s instep with her heel.
Carl let out a short, muffled cry of pain.
“You two, how did you end up coming together?”
At that moment, Nella, with wide eyes, covered her mouth and approached them.
Behind Nella stood Duran, looking somewhat displeased.
“Eliza Hergin, weren’t you supposed to come with Leo Flove?”
“I changed partners.”
As Eliza replied nonchalantly, Duran was about to say something more when…
“But why Carl?”
Nella asked with sparkling eyes.
“Do you two have some kind of relationship?”
It was then that Carl was contemplating how to answer.
“We’re a couple.”
Eliza answered calmly.
Carl’s eyes widened as he looked at Eliza.
Not only Nella, who had asked the question, but also Duran looked at Eliza with expressions of shock.
It wasn’t just Nella and Duran.
All the students in the party hall momentarily doubted their ears.
Although music was playing in the party hall, there was no one there who hadn’t heard Eliza’s words.
As everyone stood there stunned.
Eliza linked her arm with Carl’s, as if making a declaration, and said,
“Carl Thomas is my boyfriend.”
Then, she smirked.
“Anyone who makes a move on him from now on will have to face the consequences.”
“Whaaaaaaat!”
“No! What is even happening!”
“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.
As all eyes were on them.
Leo, who had entered the party hall alone, chuckled.
“Good. I’m not getting any attention.”
***
“Carl! You rascal! How did you do it!”
“How did you charm Eliza?”
“Tell me your secret!”
The male students, who had been friends with Carl since their first year, led by Tayde, gathered around Carl and chattered excitedly.
Female students also gathered around Eliza, chatting.
“What? What is it? When did you two start dating?”
Seeing Iliana asking with sparkling eyes, Eliza replied,
“Since the summer vacation.”
“That was recent!”
Iliana exclaimed in admiration.
“Congratulations, Eliza.”
Nella said with a bright smile.
“But why did you reveal it? I thought you would keep it hidden longer.”
As Chen Xia tilted her head, Eliza shot her a glance.
“Because I don’t want to be threatened by you, Xia.”
“Oh my~ When did I ever threaten you?”
“Hmph.”
As Eliza scoffed, Chen Xia smiled sweetly.
Seeing them, the other students muttered to themselves.
‘She threatened her.’
*Ding ding ding ding!*
At that moment, a clear and bright sound echoed through the party hall.
It was the sound of Sedgen tapping a glass of water with a spoon.
As everyone’s attention turned to Sedgen, he said with an elegant gesture,
“Now, let us begin the party.”
As Sedgen stepped aside, Principal Riina stepped forward.
“This party is to celebrate the students who achieved the great feat of vanquishing the fragments of Erebus in the recent mission. Students who are called, please step forward. Leo Flove.”
At the principal’s words, Leo stepped forward.
“Lil Luce, Chen Xia, Eliza Hergin, Carl Thomas, Chelsea Lewalin.”
One by one, the students who participated in the mission stood before Riina.
“These six students, as students of Lumern, played a significant role in the subjugation of Erebus, which can be considered the world’s desire.”
While fragments of Erebus had been vanquished before, this time the weight was different.
Great heroes were involved in the subjugation of previous Erebus fragments.
While that was also a great feat, it was not something achieved primarily by the heroes of later generations.
But this time, it was different.
They had vanquished Erebus purely through the strength of the heroes of later generations.
Of course, Leo was included, but since Leo’s identity was not publicly known, the specialness was not diminished.
“Of course, this subjugation, while achieved under special circumstances not solely dependent on your current strength…”
A feat made possible by a situation where the future’s potential was fully blooming.
But…
“Even so, the gods have acknowledged your great achievement.”
At those words, everyone except Leo and Carl widened their eyes.
“Principal, what do you mean by that…?”
Lil asked cautiously, and Riina nodded.
“Yes. Your names have all been added to the Hero Record.”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
“Chelsea Lewalin.”
“Yes, yes!”
“The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [Swift Wind].”
“Wow! Wow!”
Chelsea, covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling, looked extremely excited.
“Eliza Hergin.”
“Yes.”
“The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [White Lightning].”
“It is an honor to my family.”
“Chen Xia.”
“Yes.”
“The gods have bestowed upon you the epithet [Water Sprite].”
Chen Xia smiled faintly and bowed her head in silent gratitude.
Seeing Chen Xia like that, Riina smiled faintly.
As someone from the shadows, the fact that Chen Xia, who had lived her life in the shadows, had her name inscribed in the Hero Record was deeply moving.
“Lil Luce.”
“Yes! Principal!”
“The gods have recognized you as a hero. Congratulations.”
“Thank you!”
“Indeed.”
“……?”
“Now, students of Lumern, let us toast to the birth of new heroes. But never think that you have fallen behind them.”
“Um… Principal?”
“Whether fast or slow, I have no doubt that all the hero candidates present here will rise to the position of heroes!”
“Principal? My epithet…?”
“Always be prepared for trials! And become someone who overcomes those trials and achieves great deeds!”
“Yes, I understand!”
“May we wish for the complete subjugation of Erebus and an era of complete peace for the world! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses.
Those of legal age, their wine glasses.
Those who were not, their drink glasses.
It wasn’t just Leo and Carl.
Other students had also risen to the position of heroes.
An era of great change.
A moment in history.
It was no longer strange for students to rise to the position of heroes.
They yearned.
To have their names inscribed in the position of heroes they aimed for.
To become proud individuals contributing to world peace.
And on the other hand, questions arose.
“Principal, so what is my epithet?”
Why Lil’s epithet was not revealed.
***
“Congratulations, everyone!”
Nella genuinely rejoiced and congratulated her friends.
“Ahem!”
Chelsea puffed out her chest with a triumphant expression.
“You guys are ahead now.”
Chloe’s remark was met with a scoff from Eliza.
“I don’t think we’re ahead. This time, we were just lucky.”
Eliza clenched and unclenched her fists.
“It wasn’t a feat achieved by my own power.”
“You’ve become more mature since you got a boyfriend, Eliza.”
Chen Xia’s words made Eliza glance at her.
“Hmph.”
Duran scoffed and turned his head away.
“Jealous!”
Chelsea stood in front of Duran, taunting him.
“After the party, let’s have a match.”
“Huh?! Do you think I’m scared? I’ll avenge my brother!”
Chelsea said aggressively, her eyes narrowed.
“Now, now, both of you, don’t fight.”
Nella said with a sweet smile, trying to mediate.
“Chelsea, congratulations.”
“Brother!”
Chelsea, who had been smiling brightly at Abad’s words, her eyes suddenly turned sharp.
“What are you looking at?”
Because she spotted Celia behind Abad.
“Get away.”
Chelsea pushed Celia away from Abad.
As Chelsea did so, Celia sighed.
The dance time began.
Chelsea quickly approached Abad, took his hand, and headed to the dance floor.
Duran followed them, with Nella behind him.
Carl awkwardly extended his hand to Eliza.
Eliza smiled and took his hand.
Gasps erupted from all around.
“They’re really dating.”
Celia looked bewildered, and Chen Xia giggled and whispered,
“Why don’t you get a boyfriend soon too, Celia?”
At those words, Celia shot Chen Xia a glare.
Meanwhile.
Leo approached Elena, who had a bored expression.
“Want to dance a song?”
“…….”
Elena glanced up at Leo and said,
“That’s a very rude dance request.”
Leo chuckled at her words and took a polite stance, saying,
“Shall we dance a song, my lady?”
“…….”
At his words, Elena put down her wine glass and took Leo’s hand.
“Are you feeling better?”
“A little.”
Elena replied primly and asked Leo,
“Am I your partner today?”
“No. I don’t have a partner. I’ll dance with others too.”
“You’re a flirt.”
Elena glared, and Leo burst into laughter.
Still, Elena, feeling better, nodded obediently.
“Brother! Brother!”
Lil approached Leo with a tearful face, complaining.
“The principal said my epithet is [Monster Lady], but surely that’s a mistake, right?”
“Monster Lady?”
“Yes! Surely there’s a mistake, right?”
Seeing Lil with a hurt expression, Elena sighed.
Being inscribed in the Hero Record is a great thing.
It is a very important matter, and there can be no mistake.
Above all, an epithet related to ‘monster’ is quite astonishing.
It literally means the gods have recognized them as ‘monsters’.
In the history of the hero era, there have been very few heroes officially possessing epithets related to monsters, even including Lil.
However, Lil intensely dislikes being called a monster.
Elena sometimes called Lil a monster when teasing her…
But for Lil, having it as a hero epithet was bound to be hurtful.
Elena reached out and took Lil’s hand.
Then, she led Lil’s hand, which was holding Leo’s hand on the other side, to Leo, who looked confused.
And handing Leo’s hand to Lil, she said,
“I’ll yield to you for today.”
Elena said with a truly sympathetic expression.
“Receive comfort from this gentleman.”
“……!”
Lil’s eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing Lil like that, Leo, with a troubled expression, said,
“Lil.”
“Yes! Brother!”
“Don’t hate 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 bad at comforting people.”