Book 1 Chapter 968

968.

The exam, led by the students, was suspended.

However, there weren't any major problems.

On the contrary, they gained something greater than the results of the exam they had prepared for.

"After all, the biggest purpose of this exam was to bridge the gap between hero trainees and shadow trainees," Cal said, reading the reports submitted by the first-year students.

"Don't you think we got some pretty good data? At this rate, we might even see a new party lineup."

Chloe nodded at Cal's question.

"Yes. It was impressive how the first-year shadow-born students improved the party's stability."

The mission of shadows is broadly twofold.

The first is to execute traitors.

The second is to protect heroes from traitors.

The mission of executing traitors is so impactful that the hero protection mission is relatively overlooked, but protecting heroes is also a specialty for shadows.

And the presence of the first-year shadow-born students shone brightly this time.

Miraculously, no one died in this mission.

Even with Grand Heroes and Heroes of Genesis in the allied camp, it was still a miracle.

One of the reasons this was possible was the presence of the first-year shadow-born students.

Of course, if the first-year shadow-born students had been pure shadows, such a noticeable effect would not have occurred.

"It seems to have been more effective because they studied heroes as hero trainees, right?"

"Perhaps so."

Chen Xia nodded at Chloe's question.

Shadows had always protected the backs of heroes.

However, there had never been a case where they enhanced each other's abilities like this.

This was a result possible because they understood heroes by studying as hero trainees before being shadows.

"I'm in third year, and there are a few shadows among the second years, but I didn't expect such noticeable efficiency," Chen Xia murmured in surprise, and Chloe replied.

"The situation was limited back then. But this time, there were many shadow trainees, and their races were diverse."

Chloe smiled broadly.

"This is a possibility we could only discover now that the era of dividing heroes and shadows has ended."

"That's true."

What heroes can do and what shadows can do are ultimately divided.

That means the path one should choose is also divided according to one's aptitude.

However, among those who walk the path of shadows, there are some who dream of becoming heroes.

Like Chen Xia, who possesses both the qualities of a shadow and a hero.

But…

'Perhaps there was no need to divide them in the first place.'

As the hidden history of shadows was revealed, there was confusion among them.

Those who tried to move into the light, saying they were no different from heroes.

Those who still chose to remain in the darkness according to their beliefs.

Among them, some quietly decided their own path, while others passionately argued that their path was correct.

"In the end, there was no single right answer."

The path each person chooses is ultimately the right answer.

The same goes for Chen Xia.

She achieved her dream of having her name on the Hero Record and earned the title of hero.

That was something Chen Xia had admired and dreamed of since childhood.

A hero who lives in brilliant light and gives hope to many people.

However, Chen Xia had no intention of living in the light right now, even if she might in the future.

'Because Young Master Leo is there.'

The person who brought light to her.

Until the moment that person lays down their burden.

No, perhaps she might have to live in that person's shadow for the rest of her life.

If such a moment came, would she regret it?

'No. It's the path I chose.'

What she believed was right.

She just needed to move forward with that conviction.

It's utterly obvious but surprisingly hard to realize.

Chen Xia wore a relieved expression.

This incident would be a great transformation for both heroes and shadows.

And this transformation would undoubtedly bring about positive change.

'No. I must make it so.'

As the new Emperor of Shan.

As the king of the next generation of shadows.

'I have something to do.'

Chen Xia lightly wiggled her feet and hummed a tune.

It wasn't easy, but for some reason, the fact that she had something to do made her happy.

Just then.

Noisy sounds came from outside.

The excited first-year students were talking about what had happened.

"Ugh… I'm jealous. It's mostly done now, can't we do it later?"

Chloe smiled broadly at Cal's question.

"No."

"No! I came in halfway! Why do I have to finish it?!"

"That's because Cal is the student council's official slave, until the day you graduate."

The tent door opened, and Elena entered.

Plates of food floated around Elena.

"Eat while you work."

Cal said, looking at Elena who smiled as she set down the food.

"Senior Elena. Don't you have to work?"

"I'm graduating soon, aren't I? It's about time to hand things over. Especially since there's an excellent candidate for vice president right here."

Elena went behind Chloe and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's very reassuring to have such a capable junior."

"So, you're not handing it over to Senior Lil after all?"

"Well, I'd be fine even if Lil became vice president."

Elena shrugged at Cal's words.

Just as Cal made a surprised expression.

"Of course, if Lil became vice president, Cal would suffer more."

"I've supported Chloe from the beginning."

Cal said firmly.

Chloe, who had been listening to the conversation, asked.

"By the way, Senior Elena. Why is Xia helping us with our work here?"

Currently, Chen Xia, Chloe, and Cal were drafting reports to submit to the professors after clearing the Hero's World.

Since it was based on reports written by Lumeren's first-year students after their clear, the workload was substantial.

Normally, it would be the work of both the student council president and vice president.

Cal was acting president.

Chloe was filling in for Elena as the next vice president candidate.

But Chen Xia was not.

"Could it be that Xia is also a vice president candidate?"

Elena smiled broadly at Chloe's question.

"Xia is the student council president's secretary."

"What?"

"Originally, the vice president also serves as the student council president's secretary. But our student council president is so busy with external affairs, even now."

Referring to the currently absent Leo, Elena went behind Chen Xia.

"So, we decided to make Xia the student council president's secretary. The two of you, please assist Leo well."

"Is it also because you don't want to entrust fish to just one cat?"

"Yes. So, keep each other in check."

***

"Sorry, Eiran. You must want to rest."

"No! Of course, I must help Lord Leo!"

Currently, Leo and Eiran were walking through the desert.

Lunia, Ar, and Driana couldn't come along due to their duties as student council presidents of their respective schools.

Behind the two were Azonia and Damian.

"Did you two fight again?"

Leo asked, looking at their hostile atmosphere, and Azonia snorted.

"Because of this jerk, I couldn't even say goodbye to Ar."

"You were just going to bother her pretending to say goodbye anyway."

"Then you. You smacked Driana on the head."

"That's because that kid talked nonsense about me becoming her nude model before I left."

"Why are you playing so hard to get? Just strip once."

"Do you want to die?"

Leo clicked his tongue, watching the two speak fiercely to each other.

Eiran hesitated, looking at them, then turned to Leo.

"Um. Lord Leo. Your ear, please…"

"Why?"

As Leo lowered his head, Eiran whispered softly into his ear.

Leo gave Azonia a strange look.

"Azonia."

"Yes."

"Is it a lie that you like men?"

"Gasp! L-Lord Leo!"

Eiran was startled.

Azonia looked at Eiran with a sullen face, then strode towards her.

"This! I told you not to tell!"

"I, I just wished that Lord Azonia and you two would get along well…"

Eiran quickly said, hiding behind Leo.

"Why did you tell such a strange lie?"

Leo asked with a bewildered expression, and Azonia looked sullen.

"I just wanted to make him a little jealous."

"He doesn't seem to feel that kind of thing much."

"Exactly. Later, I got stubborn and did it even more."

Azonia glared at Damian.

"You lie about such trivial things."

Damian looked dumbfounded.

Leo said, looking at Damian.

"So? What do you think of Azonia? It doesn't seem like a lie."

"I have no intention of forming a relationship right now."

Azonia clicked his tongue.

"However, if Erebus completely disappears, then I'll have to consider the future."

"Oh? Does that mean you'll think positively of me?"

Azonia's tail wagged gently.

"Yes. It would be better for the world to keep you with me than to let you loose. I've been dealing with Erebus for thousands of years; do you think I can't keep you contained?"

"This bastard?"

Azonia grabbed Damian by the collar and shook him violently.

Leo chuckled at the sight.

"So, are you two planning to get married if you defeat Erebus?"

"If this fellow agrees. That future might not be bad."

Damian said calmly.

"I'm going to quietly… try a little art. I've been thinking that it's also a way to continue Lord Dweno's legacy."

Leo chuckled at the sight.

"It's good that you've changed a little."

Azonia no longer dwells on the past and moves forward.

Damian pursues his other possibilities.

Leo, too, once had a time when he was trapped in the past, unable to move forward, and didn't believe in his own potential.

Recalling those days, Leo murmured.

"We've arrived."

Melina, guarding the Hero Dungeon in the distance, was visible.

"Just a little more effort."

At Leo's words, Azonia pounded his chest.

"Don't worry. We cleared Ar-on's world and got rewards, after all."

When the Hero's World is cleared, not everyone who participated receives a reward.

Clear rewards are given primarily to those with high rankings based on their contribution.

This time, three people received clear rewards.

Leo, Azonia, and Damian.

The clear reward Leo received was largely meaningless.

He was already using Ar-on's power.

'That power from back then is redundant for me.'

What Damian obtained was one of the swords Ar-on used, which he had already handed over to Azonia.

And Azonia received Ar-on's aura.

Practically, Azonia was the biggest beneficiary of this clear.

Leo's group headed closer to the Hero Dungeon.

"Welcome."

Melina bowed politely.

"Are there any unusual incidents?"

"No. There are no signs of Erebus trying to emerge."

At her words, Leo furrowed his brows.

"Melina and Eiran, wait outside for now."

The two nodded at his words.

Leo entered the Hero Dungeon with Azonia and Damian.

A moment later.

As soon as he entered the Hero Dungeon, what Leo saw was a massive hole.

A hole incomparably larger than the worlds of Seirun and Lumeren.

Seeing it, Azonia made a bewildered expression.

"It's big enough for something to come through, so why is it so quiet?"

"Let's clear it first."

The three quickly cleared the World of Genesis.

With Azonia and Damian, the masters of the world, present, the clear was completed in an instant.

As soon as the clear was complete, the world began to collapse.

Even then, there were no particular signs from the passage.

"Lord Leo. It was an honor to fight alongside you."

Damian said politely, and Azonia added.

"We'll meet and fight again anyway, won't we? See you next time."

Leo nodded at his words.

After the two disappeared.

Leo frowned, looking at the passage that still existed even in the collapsing world.

'Did they not discover the passage?'

Just as Leo felt this doubt.

Flash-

A giant, crimson eye beyond the passage discovered Leo.

'Erebus…!'

Seeing it, Leo gripped his sword.

But Erebus, sealed in the World of Genesis, took no other action.

It just stared silently at Leo, then disappeared.

Seeing that, Leo's face hardened.

'That bastard… Could it be that he intentionally didn't come out?'