Book 1 Chapter 911

911.

Drip-!

As a drop of water hanging from the ceiling fell, ripples formed on the surface of the water.

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

Her seductive, rosy eyes scanned the bathroom.

"As expected of Seirun. The private bathroom is amazing too."

Swish-

As she moved, the water in the bathtub rippled.

Elena, who was rubbing her skin as white as jade, stretched.

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

Elven architecture wasn't flamboyant, but it wasn't shabby either.

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

'Maybe I should get a villa in the northern part of the continent?'

She quite liked the snowy landscape visible through the window.

After finishing her bath, Elena sat up.

With a snap of her fingers, a towel flew over and gently wrapped around her body.

Elena, having magically dried her hair, put on her underwear and school uniform, and stood in front of the mirror.

Then, she began to meticulously brush her hair.

She could have done it with magic, but she preferred brushing it carefully by hand.

She had been putting a lot of effort into her appearance lately, so her already radiant beauty was even more dazzling.

In the past, she sometimes attracted bothersome flies who didn't know their place.

Lately, however, Elena's beauty shone so brightly that such people dared not approach.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Elena gave a faint smile.

After making various expressions, Elena massaged her cheeks and chin and grumbled.

"It's hard to smile prettily."

Ever since she was young, she had been the heir to the Zerone family, so her status was never inferior.

Furthermore, Elena had been revered as the Zerone family's greatest magical talent in history.

Because of this, looking down on others was only natural.

She usually had a twisted smile, mocking and scoffing at others rather than trying to win them over.

Of course, even that was so outstanding due to her innate beauty that it was enough to captivate people.

"Well then."

Elena stood up.

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

Elena, who knew Leo's morning routine, left the room.

She headed for Leo's room.

Elena, smoothing her clothes one last time in front of the door, knocked.

Knock, knock-

She waited for Leo to come out.

But no reaction came even after some time.

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

Elena took out her pocket watch and checked it, tilting her head.

'What is it? Has he not returned yet?'

Whether at school or elsewhere, Leo's routine was consistent unless there was a special event.

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

She had heard that Leo was giving a lecture on star magic today, and she had come to ask about it, but there was no response.

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

Elena casually grabbed the doorknob to Leo's room.

Although she could have chosen to return to her own room, such an option was nonexistent for Elena.

Clatter-!

"Nyaaaaaaak!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

As soon as she opened the door, she heard a commotion.

Ar, with his claws dug into the floor, was trying to crawl towards the door, while Leo was pulling Ar's tail.

"……"

A cold smile formed on Elena's lips.

"What's going on this morning?"

In response to Leo's question, Elena closed the door and replied.

"I came to ask because I was curious about what kind of lecture Leo-kun would give… but I'm witnessing quite a spectacle this morning?"

Elena curled her lips upward.

"Leo-kun. You keep dragging female students into your room; do you know that's a violation of school rules? If this continues, even as student council president, you'll be taken to the disciplinary room?"

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

Then, she slapped Leo's hand, which was holding Ar's tail.

As Leo let go, Ar scurried behind Elena.

"The black rabbit is bullying me!"

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

"You waterboarded me last time!"

Ar said fiercely, his tail standing straight up.

Looking at Ar like that, Leo said,

"I was just making you meditate; do you dislike it that much?"

"You give electric shocks if I move! And you won't even let me move my tail!"

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

"Who are you calling an animal!"

Ar, extending his claws, tried to scratch Leo.

Of course, he struggled as Leo held both his wrists.

"Why are you making him meditate? Trying to make him more refined?"

Seeing that, Elena asked with a look of disbelief.

Then Leo let go of Ar's wrists.

Ar quickly approached Elena again.

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

Ar blinked his blue eyes, warily watching 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? I've never heard of that concept before. Can you explain it?"

Elena showed her curiosity and sat on the sofa.

Then she patted the spot next to her, looking at Ar, who was wary of Leo.

Ar, after looking at Elena for a moment, slid over and sat down next to her.

Looking at Ar like that, Elena said with a smile,

"You're so cute. And beautiful too."

"Hmph. My appearance is indeed exceedingly outstanding."

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

"Heh. I am strong."

"It would be reassuring if a warrior like you were on the front lines."

"Heheheh. No one would dare touch the wizard behind me. Just like Lord Arion."

"That guy Arion was breached multiple times, you silly cat."

Ar glared at Leo with widened eyes at the word that broke the mood.

"Let's ignore that old man."

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

A little later, Elena seemed to like Ar so much that she even let him rest his head on her lap.

Ar also lay down with his head on Elena's thigh without much resistance.

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

"It wasn't physically difficult. It was mentally very hard. He keeps telling me to empty my mind, but he gets upset even when I do that."

"That's because you're not thinking anything."

"You told me to empty my mind!"

"You should understand. Old men tend to speak cryptically, don't they?"

Elena stroked Ar's head with a bright smile.

Ar then slumped down.

'He's treating me like a cat.'

Leo asked with a look of disbelief.

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

While Ar showed a relaxed demeanor in front of Leo, he tried to appear dignified in front of others.

In response to Leo's question, Ar stretched out and replied,

"Vice President Lumern gives off a pleasant scent."

'Is it because of Elena's characteristics?'

Leo tilted his head.

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

'Cute.'

Elena found Ar's unreserved behavior endearing.

Suddenly, Elena's hand reached for Ar's tail.

It looked fluffy.

She was overcome with the desire to grab it.

However, beastkin disliked having their tails grabbed.

Elena's hand, which had been stroking Ar's head, then moved to Ar's neck.

Her hand stroking his neck soon traveled down his back.

Ar's body flinched for a moment.

His tail began to sway gently.

As Elena's hand traveling down his back was about to reach his tail.

Ar, with his tail, wrapped around Elena's wrist and stopped her from touching it.

Elena looked at Ar's white tail wrapped around her wrist.

Ar looked up at Elena intently and then sat up.

Then, he smoothly retracted his tail wrapped around Elena's wrist.

Elena impulsively tried to grab the tail, but it naturally avoided her 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 training later, so let go!"

Ar's tail, which had caught Elena's eye, was grabbed by Leo's hand.

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

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

Ar, escaping Leo's touch, hid his tail and smiled brightly at Elena.

"See you later."

With those words, Ar left the room.

"Cute."

Elena said, looking at the room Ar had left.

"You seem to like him quite a bit?"

"Yes. I even feel like taking him to Lumern."

Elena smiled brightly and asked,

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

In response, Leo explained about the awakening of mana.

"Awakening…"

Elena showed a surprised expression after hearing the explanation.

"Why was only Lord Arion able to reach the origin? Was it impossible for other great heroes?"

"There wasn't enough time."

"Time?"

"Yes. Even for me, it took a long time after reincarnation to awaken pure mana."

The great heroes were those who had reached the ultimate in their respective fields.

As mages, warriors, summoners, blacksmiths.

Having reached the ultimate realm, they absolutely lacked the time to reach beyond it.

"Perhaps after surviving the battle with Erebus, they all could have reached it."

"Hmm."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"Then why didn't you tell me about it?"

"It's not just you. Ar is the only one I've told about the origin."

"Why?"

"It's a realm I only recently reached myself…"

Leo looked down at his hand.

"As such, I hadn't organized my thoughts on this realm. Besides, mana and divine power have not yet reached the origin."

In fact, the successors of the current great heroes were already struggling to digest the power and knowledge of the previous great heroes.

If they were told about realms that even the great heroes couldn't reach, they would surely feel even more rushed.

'It's because he's a simple fellow like Ar that he can train without overthinking it.'

Crucially, Arion's power was different from other great heroes in that it could be achieved through brute force.

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

"Is reaching the origin relatively less difficult for aurors?"

"Rather than that, there's a pioneer named Arion. I'm good at imitating things, even if I don't know anything else."

"Hmm."

"And."

"Is there another reason?"

"Ar is simple, so I made him meditate because I thought it would have a good effect. It's necessary even if it's not for the origin."

For a warrior, physical strength is important, but so is mental fortitude.

Ar has strong spirit and great courage, but his thoughts are not profound.

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

After finishing his explanation, Leo asked Elena,

"So? What brings you here so early in the morning?"

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

"That's commendable? You're finally showing interest in your studies as you're about to graduate."

"Hmm? Since it's come to this, should I repeat the year?"

At Elena's words, Leo sighed.

"Don't say useless things and just graduate."