Book 1 Chapter 911

911.

Splash-!

As a drop of water formed on the ceiling falls, ripples spread across the water.

Elena, who had been lying in the large bathtub with her eyes closed, slowly opened them.

Her captivating, pinkish eyes surveyed the bathroom.

“As expected of Seirun. Even the private bathrooms are amazing.”

Splash-

As she moved, the water in the bathtub rippled.

Elena, who had been rubbing her white, jade-like skin, stretched.

She wasn't one to enjoy morning baths, but having come to such a cold place, she couldn't resist the urge to soak in warm water.

Elf architectural style isn't flashy, but it's not shabby either.

Rather, it emphasized an antique charm, giving it a luxurious feel.

'Should I get a villa in the northern continent?'

The snowy scenery outside the window quite pleased her.

Having finished her bath, Elena got up.

She snapped her fingers, and a towel flew over, gently wrapping around her body.

Elena, after magically drying her hair, put on her underwear and school uniform, then stood in front of the mirror.

And she began to carefully comb her hair.

She could do it with magic, but she preferred to meticulously comb it by hand.

She had been putting effort into her appearance recently, so her already radiant beauty was even more dazzling.

Before, pesky flies who didn't know their place often swarmed around.

Recently, Elena's beauty shone so brightly that such individuals dared not approach her.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Elena smiled sweetly.

After making several other types of smiles, Elena soon massaged her cheeks and jaw muscles, grumbling.

"It's hard to smile prettily."

Since she was Zeon's heir from a young age, her status was never inferior anywhere she went.

In addition, Elena herself had been revered as the greatest magical talent in the history of the Zeon family.

Because of this, looking down on others was extremely natural for her.

Most of her smiles were twisted, scornful, and mocking, rather than trying to win people over.

Of course, even that, due to her exceptionally outstanding natural beauty, was enough to charm people.

"Alright, then."

Elena stood up.

"It's about time to finish morning training and get all washed up, isn't it?"

Elena, knowing Leo's morning routine, left the room.

And headed towards Leo's room.

At the door, Elena straightened her clothes one last time and knocked.

Knock-knock-

She waited for Leo to come out from inside.

But as time passed, there was no reaction.

Elena, with a puzzled expression, knocked again, but there was still no response.

Elena took out her pocket watch to check it, tilting her head.

'What is it? Hasn't he returned yet?'

Leo's routine was consistent unless there was something unusual, whether at school or outside.

Now was the time to wash up and prepare to start the day.

She heard that Leo was going to lecture on star magic today, so she came to find him this morning on that pretext, but there was no response.

'If he hasn't arrived yet, I'll just wait inside.'

Elena casually grabbed the doorknob to Leo's room.

There might have been an option to go back to her own room, but for Elena's personality, such an option didn't exist.

Click-!

"Nyaaaaaaaaaaack!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

As soon as she opened the door and entered, she felt the commotion.

Ar, with his claws digging into the floor, was struggling to crawl towards the door, and Leo was pulling Ar's tail.

"…"

A cold smile formed on Elena's lips.

"What brings you here this morning?"

To Leo's question, Elena closed the door and replied.

"I came to ask about what kind of lecture Leo-kun would give… but I'm witnessing quite a sight this morning, aren't I?"

Elena curled the corners of her lips.

"Leo-kun. You keep bringing female students into your room, do you know that's against school rules? If you keep this up, no matter how much you're the student council president, you'll be dragged to detention."

Elena, speaking in a thorny voice, walked between Leo and Ar.

And then, smack-! She hit the back of Leo's hand, which was holding Ar's tail.

When Leo let go, Ar scampered-! And hid behind Elena.

"The black rabbit is bullying me!"

"Bullying? Anyone would think I was waterboarding you!"

"You waterboarded me last time!"

Ar stood his tail up straight and spoke fiercely.

Looking at such an Ar, Leo said.

"I just made you meditate a bit, do you hate it that much?"

"If I move, you electrocute me! And don't let me move my tail!"

"Bear with it. Are you an animal? Can't you stay still?"

"Who are you calling an animal!"

Ar bared his claws, trying to scratch Leo.

Of course, he grunted- while being held by Leo by both wrists.

"Why are you making him meditate? To make him more well-behaved?"

Seeing that, Elena asked with an incredulous look on her face.

Then Leo released Ar's wrists.

Ar quickly approached Elena again.

It seemed he judged Elena's side to be a safe zone.

Ar blinked his blue eyes, wary of Leo.

'He's really like a cat.'

Elena thought so and stroked Ar's head.

"It's training."

"Training?"

"Yes. Training to approach the origin."

"Origin? That's a new concept? Can you explain it a bit?"

Elena showed her curiosity and sat on the sofa.

And then she tapped the spot next to her, looking at Ar who was wary of Leo.

Ar, who had been looking at Elena for a moment, slowly- came and sat next to her.

Looking at Ar, Elena smiled and said.

"You're incredibly cute. And pretty too."

"Hmph. My figure is indeed exceptionally outstanding."

"Yes. And you're strong too, aren't you?"

"Hehehe. I am strong."

"Having a warrior like you take the vanguard would be reassuring."

"Hahahaha. No one would ever dare touch the wizard behind my back. Just like Lord Arion."

"Arion got breached several times, you silly cat."

At the mood-breaking remark, Ar glared at Leo with wide eyes.

"Let's ignore that old man."

As Elena said that and stroked Ar's head, Ar's expression softened.

A moment later, Elena seemed to like Ar so much that she even gave him a lap pillow.

Ar, too, lay down with his head on Elena's thigh without much wariness.

"Was Leo-kun's training very difficult?"

"It wasn't physically difficult, but it was mentally incredibly tough. He kept telling me to empty my mind earlier, but then he'd scold me even when I did."

"That's because you weren't thinking at all."

"You told me to empty my mind!"

"You just have to understand. Old men always speak in difficult ways, don't they?"

Elena smiled brightly and stroked Ar's head.

Then Ar slumped his body.

'He's treating him completely like a cat.'

With an exasperated expression, Leo asked.

"You're quite familiar with him, aren't you?"

Ar shows a relaxed side in front of Leo, but tries to appear dignified in front of others.

To Leo's question, Ar stretched his body and replied.

"Vice Student Council President Lumen smells nice."

'Is it because of Elena's characteristics?'

Leo tilted his head.

Elena's eyes, looking down at Ar, sparkled.

'Cute.'

Ar's unreserved attitude appealed to Elena.

Suddenly, Elena's hand moved towards Ar's tail.

It looked fluffy at first glance.

She was overcome with the desire to touch it.

However, beast-folk hated having their tails grabbed.

Elena's hand, which had been stroking Ar's head, soon moved to the nape of Ar's neck.

The hand that had been stroking his neck soon moved down his back.

Ar's body trembled slightly for a moment.

His tail began to wag gently.

Just as Elena's hand, moving down his back, was about to touch his tail.

Ar wrapped his tail around Elena's wrist, preventing her from touching it.

Elena looked at the white tail gripping her wrist.

Ar also stared up at Elena intently, then slowly got up.

And slowly- he retracted the tail wrapped around Elena's wrist.

Elena impulsively tried to grab the tail, but the tail naturally avoided Elena's touch.

"Black rabbit. Can I go now?"

"Where are you going when it's not over?"

"Don't grab my tail! I'll come back for more training later, so let go!"

The tail that had captured Elena's attention was caught in Leo's hand.

Ar whined, pulling at the tail caught in Leo's hand.

Seeing Ar so easily allow Leo to grab his tail, Elena pouted slightly.

Ar, free from Leo's grasp, hid his tail and smiled sweetly at Elena.

"See you later."

Leaving those words, Ar left the room.

"Cute."

Elena said, looking at the room Ar had left.

"You seem quite fond of him?"

"Yes. To the point where I want to take him to Lumen."

Elena smiled sweetly and asked.

"So? What does it mean to approach the origin?"

In response to that question, Leo explained about the awakening of mana.

"Awakening, huh…"

Elena, having heard the explanation, looked surprised.

"Why was only Lord Arion able to reach the origin? Were the other great heroes unable to?"

"There wasn't enough time."

"Time?"

"Yes. Even I only awakened pure mana after a long time since my reincarnation."

The great heroes were individuals who had reached the pinnacle in their respective fields.

As a wizard, as a warrior, as a summoner, as a blacksmith.

Having reached the ultimate state, they simply lacked the time to reach beyond that level.

"Perhaps if they had survived the struggle with Erebus, they all might have been able to reach it."

"Hmm."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"Then why didn't you tell me such things?"

"Not just you. Ar is the only one I've told about the origin."

"Why?"

"It's a state I've only recently reached myself, and…"

Leo looked down at his hand.

"As such, I hadn't fully organized my understanding of this domain. Moreover, magic power and divine power haven't yet reached the origin."

In truth, the current successors of the great heroes are already overwhelmed just trying to assimilate the powers and knowledge of the original great heroes.

Telling them about a domain even the great heroes couldn't reach would surely make them feel even more anxious.

'Only a simple fellow like Ar can train without much thought.'

Crucially, Arion's power, unlike other great heroes, could be experienced through physical exertion.

Listening to Leo's explanation, Elena tilted her head.

"Is reaching the origin with aura comparatively less difficult?"

"Rather than that, it's because there's a pioneer like Arion. I'm good at imitating, if nothing else."

"Hmm."

"Also."

"Is there another reason?"

"Ar is on the simpler side. I thought meditation would be more effective than expected, so I had him do it. It's necessary even if it's not for the origin."

For a martial artist, physical strength is important, but mental strength is also crucial.

Ar has a strong mind and great courage, but his thinking itself is not profound.

'If he overcomes that part, he'll achieve great growth.'

Having finished his explanation, Leo asked Elena.

"So? What brings you here this morning?"

"I told you. I came because I was curious about the lecture content."

"How commendable? Now that you're about to graduate, you're taking an interest in studying."

"Hmm? Since things have come to this, should I repeat a year?"

At Elena's words, Leo sighed.

"Stop with the useless talk and just graduate."