Book 1 Chapter 951

"You, the fox girl."

"Yes, yes?"

At Azonia's call, the third-year student, Lewen, made a flustered expression.

Lewen's personality was a bit on the annoying side.

Unlike other Azonia students who liked fair physical combat, Lewen enjoyed using her head and setting traps.

She didn't particularly like head-on confrontations.

After all, she was a mage.

She was a very unusual type within Azonia.

Even so, she was the third strongest student among the formidable third-year students of Azonia.

In Azonia, the strong were favored.

Survival of the fittest.

Because of this, it was a school where the atmosphere could swing wildly depending on the inclinations of the leader, the student council president.

However, even in such situations, strength was law.

But due to her personality, many people denied her.

She developed a tough personality by living in school under those circumstances.

But now, she was thoroughly intimidated.

Her tail and ears were drooping, and she was cautiously observing her surroundings.

However, the other Azonia students were the same.

Before them stood the hero, the successor to Arion and the founder of the school, the Great Warrior.

No matter what kind of beastkin, they would inevitably be intimidated.

"Shall I take command here in place of the timid Lord Arion?"

"Lord Arion is not timid! He's brave!"

"Since when did you start speaking so casually to me whenever Lord Arion is involved? Huh?!"

Azonia, with her eyes blazing, grabbed Ar's cheek.

Ar struggled to break free from Azonia.

The Azonia student marveled at Ar's behavior.

'Our boss is truly an idiot.'

She had never dreamed that he would dare to defy Azonia like that.

If consistency was a virtue, then in a way, it was even respectable.

Of course, Azonia didn't dislike Ar acting like a wildcat.

In fact, she liked it.

'Well, usually, the reactions of others are the normal ones.'

Looking at the intimidated beastkin before her, Azonia rubbed her cheek and glanced at Ar, who was grumbling.

In beastkin society, hierarchy is strictly enforced.

They obey the strong.

That is one of the basic instincts of a beastkin.

However, beastkin also have a tendency to not easily acknowledge their opponent.

'If they only obeyed the strong, they would have perished long ago or become slaves to other races.'

Constantly challenging the strong and having a fighting spirit is also one of the instincts of a beastkin.

The obedience of beastkin to the strong is an instinct that manifests when an insurmountable strong individual, a leader who can guide them, appears.

Beastkin have an excellent ability to recognize and follow their leaders.

The problem is that there have been very few beastkin in history who possessed the capacity to encompass all beastkin.

'Lord Arion also lacked these qualities.'

Azonia cast a fleeting glance at Arion, who was darting his eyes around.

Arion is not a beastkin with leadership qualities.

'He's the type of lone wolf who fights alone. It sounds funny when I put it like that.'

Regardless, Arion is someone who can give courage to people but is not suited to leading a group.

An absolute powerhouse who creates a huge current through his own strength alone, not as a group.

That was the man named Arion.

In contrast to Arion, Azonia was a born leader.

A Great Warrior who achieved the difficult feat of uniting the beastkin with his outstanding leadership.

It is no exaggeration to say that the current beastkin culture and power were created and left behind by Azonia.

It is because he possesses such qualities that the beastkin are intimidated in his presence.

Not because of his achievements, but because of the aura he emanates.

But Ar is different.

He seems obedient, but he often gets upset.

Azonia poked Ar's reddened cheek and muttered to herself.

'This child also must have been born with leadership qualities.'

And yet, he possesses the same qualities as Arion.

'He's a peculiar cat in many ways.'

Azonia stroked Ar's head and looked towards Lewen.

"Assist me as my strategist."

"Strategist?"

"Yes."

At first glance, she looked like the smartest student among the Azonia students.

Of course, Azonia wasn't only leading the Azonia hero candidates.

'Overall, she's perfect as a strategist.'

Azonia's instincts as a leader told her.

That this fox beastkin was perfect as a strategist.

And so, the students gathered around Azonia.

"Ar."

"Yes."

"You go find Master Argon with Lord Arion."

"Yes! Lord Arion! Let's go!"

"Huh? Oh, okay."

Arion disappeared, pushed by Ar.

After Arion disappeared, Azonia pointed at Demian.

"Now, the students selected by this pretty dwarf uncle should listen to this dwarf uncle."

*Thwack*!

"Gurgle?!"

"Who are you calling a pretty uncle, you damn beast."

Demian unhesitatingly twisted Azonia's jaw.

Then he stepped forward before the students.

The students watched his actions in bewilderment.

A dwarf who twists the jaw of Azonia, a hero of the Great Opening?

They never imagined that Demian was also a hero of the Great Opening.

"……"

Demian looked at the students.

Hiding his true identity in history was intentional.

He was originally a shadow.

The real Demian, who should have been the hero, gave him everything.

His status, his name… and even his life.

He recalled a friend he could call a benefactor.

'You said you wanted to succeed Dweno.'

However, the real Demian lacked talent.

But even though he lacked talent, Demian never stopped trying.

He was truly fitting of the word indomitable.

But when the world fell into crisis.

He unhesitatingly gave everything to his shadow.

'You will be able to succeed Dweno.'

And a friend who died as a shadow, even though he wasn't a shadow in a crisis.

For such a friend, Demian did not leave his true form in history.

Demian looked at his descendants.

The seeds left by the heroes of the Great Opening to save the world.

The students of the Hero Academy.

If he reveals his identity to them, the real Demian might disappear into the annals of history.

But…

'As the founder of the school, I have a duty to protect the students.'

He must protect the immature and send them to the future.

'I'm sorry, Demian.'

He apologized to the real Demian.

Of course, he would have gotten angry if he was apologized to for something like this.

"My name is Demian."

Demian revealed his identity.

The students' jaws dropped.

Azonia, too, was surprised, not expecting Demian to reveal his identity, and her eyes widened.

"The Raysarth of this era has fallen into 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 become heroes, remain. That is by no means the wrong choice. But."

Strength infused Demian's beautiful voice.

"Being a shadow is also not the wrong path. There are things that can only be done as a shadow. Protecting the heroes who save the world, that is the essence of a shadow."

Thus, countless heroes were born.

Some of the first-year students, who had been silent after hearing Demian's words, stepped forward.

"Huh? Jerev?"

"Why are you going over there…?"

"Sorry. I was a shadow candidate."

Jerev, a first-year from Rumern, apologized with a wry smile and stood before Demian.

Bewildered exclamations echoed not only from Rumern but also from Seirun, Azonia, and Demian's first-year students.

Demian looked around at the first-year students and nodded, then disappeared into the darkness.

The first-year shadow candidates followed Demian and also disappeared into the darkness.

Seeing the remaining students staring blankly at them, Azonia clapped her hands.

"Well, let's leave the traitor business to the experts. We need to secure the walls of Raysarth."

It's not just the summoned Erebus that will pour into Raysarth.

There are also countless monsters that Erebus brings.

To deal with them, defending the walls is essential.

Azonia grinned.

"This will be a fierce battle unlike any we've experienced before. Be prepared."

At his words, the students swallowed dryly.

***

As time passed, Hero Academy students and shadows began to appear in Guardsron.

"Seeing as there are some who got caught up in it but aren't visible, it seems they all landed on the Raysarth side."

Elena said with a bright smile.

"Hmm, I see. By the way, you."

"Yes, Lord Dweno."

"Have you ever thought about being a nude model?"

"If you draw me along with this one!"

Elena clung to Leo's arm and smiled brightly.

"After all that foolishness, it seems you are a man after all."

"We're not together, so don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not interested in your love life. Just get undressed before we leave tomorrow."

"Get lost, you damn pervert."

"Don't be so stingy and get undressed like a man."

"I told you to get lost."

"Oooh~ Don't be stingy and get undressed like a man~"

Elena went behind Dweno and taunted him.

Then, under Leo's scrutinizing gaze, she crouched behind Dweno and hid.

"By the way, when do you plan to reveal your identity to Lisina and Luna? Especially Luna, and to annihilate the troops invading Guardsron, don't you have to reveal your identity?"

"I have something in mind for that."

"You seem to be thinking of something absurd."

Dweno clicked his tongue.

Leo just shrugged in response.

***

That night.

Leo visited Luna's house.

"You shouldn't barge into an older sister's house this late at night."

Luna pinched Leo's nose.

Then, seeing Elena next to him, she smiled and asked,

"Girlfriend?"

Leo shook his head.

Luna tilted her head and asked,

"So? What business do you have with this sister?"

"Lady Luna."

"Yes."

"I am your descendant."

"……"

For a moment, Luna's eyes showed agitation.

Elena looked down at Leo with a speechless expression.

"The blood of elves flows within me."

"Wait, what are you suddenly talking about…"

Seeing Luna's bewildered expression, Leo simultaneously emitted aura, mana, and spiritual power.

Luna's mouth dropped open when she saw it.

"All-class?"

"Yes. I am your descendant, and also Lord Kyle's descendant."

Luna's mouth moved.

A moment later, Luna's expression turned serious.

"Yes… I thought I recognized you… But a descendant of me and Kyle…"

Luna blushed and rejoiced.

It seemed Leo's unbelievable lie had worked.

Watching her, Elena muttered inwardly.

'This human is now even resorting to drugs?'