Book 1 Chapter 951
951.
“You, the fox student over there.”
“Yes, yes?”
At Ajonia's call, third-year Rwen made a flustered expression.
Rwen’s usual personality was a bit annoying.
Unlike other Ajonia students who preferred fair and square physical contests, Rwen enjoyed using her head and setting traps.
She didn't particularly like head-on power struggles.
Firstly, she was a mage.
She was a very unusual type within Ajonia.
Nevertheless, she was the third strongest student among Ajonia's formidable third-years.
In Ajonia, the strong are favored.
Survival of the fittest.
As such, it was a school where the atmosphere varied wildly depending on the leader, or student council president’s, disposition.
But even in such circumstances, strength was law.
However, due to Rwen's personality, there were many who denied her.
Living school life in such circumstances made her develop a strong personality.
But now, she was utterly intimidated.
Her tail and ears drooped, and she furtively watched.
However, other Ajonia students were no different.
Before their eyes stood the Hero, Aruon's successor, and the Great Warrior, the school's founder.
Any beastman would be intimidated.
“I was thinking of taking command here, in place of the timid Aruon.”
“Lord Aruon is not timid! He’s a brave person!”
“Ever since a moment ago, when it comes to Lord Aruon, you’ve been subtly dropping honorifics with me, haven’t you? Huh?!”
Ajonia, with fire in her eyes, grabbed Ar’s cheek.
Ar struggled to escape from Ajonia.
The Ajonia students watched Ar and were once again amazed.
‘Our boss is indeed an idiot.’
They never dreamt that anyone would dare talk back to Ajonia like that.
If there was consistency, it was truly a consistent sight, and in a way, it was even respectable.
Of course, Ajonia didn't dislike Ar acting like a wildcat.
Rather, she liked it.
‘Well, usually the other kids’ reactions are the normal ones.’
Watching the intimidated beastmen before her, Ajonia glanced at Ar, who was rubbing her cheek and muttering.
Originally, beastman society had a strict hierarchy.
They obeyed the strong.
It was one of the fundamental instincts of beastmen.
However, beastmen surprisingly also possessed a tendency not to readily acknowledge an opponent.
‘If they had only ever obeyed the strong, they would have long since been annihilated or become slaves to other races.’
Constantly challenging the strong and having a fighting spirit is also one of the instincts of beastmen.
Beastmen's obedience to the strong is an instinct that manifests when an unbeatable strong individual and a leader capable of guiding them appear.
Beastmen are excellent at recognizing and following a leader.
The problem is that a beastman with the capacity to unite all beastmen has rarely appeared in history.
‘Lord Aruon also didn’t possess such qualities.’
Ajonia glanced at Aruon, who was darting his eyes around.
Aruon was not a beastman with leadership qualities.
‘He’s more like a lone wolf fighting by himself. It sounds funny when I put it that way.’
Whatever the case, Aruon could give courage to people, but he wasn’t suited to lead a group.
An absolute powerhouse, single-handedly creating a huge current, not as part of a group but with his own strength.
That was the man Aruon.
In contrast to Aruon, Ajonia was a born leader.
A Great Warrior who achieved the difficult unification of beastmen with outstanding leadership.
It is no exaggeration to say that the current beastman culture and power were created and passed down by Ajonia.
Because he possessed such qualities, the beastmen were intimidated in front of him.
Not because of his achievements, but because of the imposing aura he exuded.
But Ar was not.
She seemed obedient yet often flared up.
Ajonia poked Ar’s reddened cheek and muttered to herself.
‘This child must also have been born with leadership qualities.’
Yet, she also possessed qualities similar to Aruon.
‘She’s a peculiar cat in many ways.’
Ajonia, who had stroked Ar’s head, looked towards Rwen.
“Assist me as a strategist.”
“Strategist?”
“Yes.”
At first glance, she seemed to be the most intelligent among the Ajonia students.
Of course, Ajonia didn't just lead Ajonia hero candidates.
‘Overall, she’s a perfect fit for a strategist.’
Ajonia’s instinct as a leader told him.
That the fox beastman was ideal as a strategist.
And so, the students gathered around Ajonia.
“Ar.”
“Yes.”
“You and Lord Aruon go find Master Agon.”
“Yes, sir! Lord Aruon! Let’s go!”
“Huh? Oh, alright.”
Aruon was pushed by Ar and disappeared.
Once Aruon was gone, Ajonia pointed at Demian.
“Alright, the students chosen by this pretty dwarf uncle here should listen to this dwarf uncle.”
*Wham!*
“Gurgle?!”
“Who are you calling a pretty uncle, you damned beast.”
Demian unhesitatingly twisted Ajonia’s jaw.
Then he stepped forward in front of the students.
The students stared at the sight dumbfounded.
A dwarf twisting the jaw of none other than Ajonia, the Hero of Creation?
They never imagined that Demian might also be a Hero of Creation.
“…”
Demian looked at the students.
Concealing his true identity in history was intentional.
He was originally a shadow.
The real Demian, who should have been the hero, gave everything to him.
His status, his name… and even his life.
He remembered his friend, whom he could call a benefactor.
‘You said you wanted to follow in Lord Dweno’s footsteps.’
However, the real Demian lacked the qualities.
But even with a lack of qualities, Demian never stopped trying.
Because he was literally a person who fit the description of indomitable.
But when the world fell into crisis.
He unhesitatingly gave everything to his shadow.
‘You, you can follow in Lord Dweno’s footsteps.’
And in a crisis, a friend who died as a shadow, though not actually a shadow.
For such a friend, Demian did not leave his true form in history.
Demian looked at his descendants.
The seeds left behind by the Heroes of Creation to save the world.
The students of the Hero Academy.
If he revealed his identity to them, the real Demian might disappear into the annals of history.
However…
‘As the founder of the school, I have a duty to protect the students.’
He had to protect these immature ones and send them into the future.
‘I’m sorry, Demian.’
He apologized to the real Demian.
Of course, he would have gotten angry if he had heard him apologize for something like this.
“My name is Demian.”
Demian revealed his identity.
The students gasped.
Ajonia, too, widened his eyes, seemingly not having expected Demian to reveal his identity.
“In this era, Reisar is in the hands of traitors.”
Demian calmly stated the situation.
“To save the city, the traitors must be hunted.”
That’s why he spoke to the first-year shadow candidates gathered here.
“Those who wish to be heroes, remain. That is by no means the wrong choice. However.”
Power filled Demian’s beautiful voice.
“Being a shadow is also not the wrong path. There are things only shadows can do. Saving the heroes who save the world, that is the essence of a shadow.”
And so, countless heroes were born.
Some of the first-years, who had been listening to Demian in silence, stepped forward to Demian.
“Oh? Jereb?”
“Why are you going to that side…?”
“Sorry. I was a shadow candidate.”
Jereb, a first-year from Lumerun, stood before Demian after giving a wry smile and apologizing.
Exclamations of bewilderment erupted not only from Lumerun but also among the first-years of Seirun, Ajonia, and Demian.
Demian, who had surveyed the first-years, nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
Following Demian, the first-year shadow candidates also vanished into the darkness.
Ajonia clapped his hands, looking at the remaining students who stared blankly at the sight.
“Alright. Let’s leave the traitors to the experts. We need to secure Reisar’s city walls.”
It wasn't just the summoned Erebus that was assailing Reisar.
There were also countless monsters Erebus had brought along.
To deal with them, defending the city walls was essential.
Ajonia grinned.
“It’s going to be a fierce battle unlike anything you’ve experienced. Be prepared.”
At his words, the students swallowed dryly.
***
As time passed, Hero Academy students and shadows appeared in Guardsron.
“Considering there are kids who got caught up together but aren't visible, they all seem to have landed in Reisar.”
Elena said with a cheerful smile.
“Hmm. I see. But you.”
“Yes, Lord Dweno.”
“Have you ever thought about becoming a nude model?”
“If you draw me with this one!”
Elena clung to Leo’s arm and smiled brightly.
“You’ve been acting like an idiot so much, I guess you were a man after all.”
“We’re not a couple, so don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m not interested in your love life. Just get naked before we leave tomorrow.”
“Get lost, you damn pervert.”
“Don’t be petty, strip like a man.”
“I said get lost.”
“Boo~ Don’t be petty, strip like a man~”
Elena went behind Dweno and booed.
Then, under Leo’s slanted gaze, she squatted behind Dweno and hid.
“By the way, when do you plan to reveal your identity to Rishinas and Luna? Especially if you’re going to annihilate the units invading Luna and Guardsron, shouldn’t you tell them your identity?”
“I’ve thought of something for that.”
“It seems you’re thinking something absurd.”
Dweno clicked his tongue.
Leo merely shrugged his shoulders.
***
That night.
Leo visited Luna’s house.
“You shouldn’t visit an older sister’s house recklessly at this late hour.”
Luna gently pressed Leo’s nose.
Then she looked at Elena next to him, smiled, and asked,
“Girlfriend?”
Leo shook his head.
Luna tilted her head and asked,
“So? What do you want from this older sister?”
“Lady Luna.”
“Yes.”
“I am your descendant, Lady Luna.”
“…”
For a moment, agitation stirred in Luna’s eyes.
Elena looked down at Leo with a speechless expression.
“Elven blood flows through my body.”
“Wait. Suddenly, out of nowhere, what…?”
Seeing Luna’s flustered expression, Leo simultaneously unleashed aura, magic, and spiritual power.
Luna’s mouth dropped open at the sight.
“All-Class?”
“Yes. I am your descendant, Lady Luna, and also a descendant of Lord Kyle.”
Luna’s mouth gaped open.
A moment later, Luna’s expression became serious.
“Yes… I knew it felt familiar… But a descendant of me and Kyle…”
Luna blushed, delighted.
It seemed Leo’s absurd lie had worked.
Watching her, Elena muttered to herself,
‘Is this human selling drugs now too?’