Book 1 Chapter 984

A strange atmosphere began to flow through the party hall.

Abad glanced at the whispering scions of noble families.

'Should I consider myself lucky?'

Among those gossiping about Kal and Eliza, there were no scions of noble families from the western region.

More precisely, there were no scions of noble families from the Rodren Empire.

This was natural, as all noble families from the western continent were from Rodren.

Abad secretly let out a deep sigh.

'I expected it to some extent, but… Even so, to talk about it so openly.'

It wasn't a new thing for scions of noble families to be arrogant.

With their history and tradition, it was enough to feel pride just by being born into their bloodline.

'The problem is that this pride has grown excessively large.'

Even ordinary nobles, who were not from noble families, considered themselves noble. How much more so for those born with the blood of heroes?

It was an undeniable fact that the probability of heroes being born among the scions of noble families was high, as they could conquer the Hero Record through the countless legacies built by their ancestors.

But that was all.

In the end, those who were not qualified could not even enter the Hero Academy, let alone become a hero.

'No. They are at a level where they can't even enter Ikote, Emerald, or Scawn, the three major academies.'

Despite this, most scions of noble families believed themselves to be seeds of heroes.

Even without possessing the qualities of a hero.

Simply because their ancestors were heroes.

If you put it nicely, it was a conservative and exclusive tendency.

If you put it badly…

"Idiots."

Abad let out a small sigh at Chelsea's reaction, who muttered fiercely.

Eliza wasn't the only one who was angry.

Everyone who had entered Lumen felt displeasure.

Kal was a person who had reached the position of hero faster than anyone else present.

'Although his combat ability might be lacking… No. This statement is also inaccurate.'

Although the terrain was advantageous for Kal, he possessed combat abilities that had toyed with hundreds of Lumen freshmen.

There were still first-years who trembled in fear at the mention of Kal.

He was not someone who could be ignored by those who were nothing but bloodlines.

'No, the moment they brought up Hergin, they were brainless.'

Just as there was a difference in class between hero families and noble families.

There was also a class difference among hero families.

And Hergin was the top-tier family among those hero families.

Hergin, located in the northern continent, had a neutral stance.

It played the role of a third force, balancing the continental powers without belonging to any particular faction.

This was possible because Hergin was a family with immense latent power.

Throughout the entire continent, only three families, excluding Hergin, enjoyed the same status as Hergin.

Those who mocked and ridiculed freely seemed to rely on their respective countries and factions.

'There's no good in offending Hergin.'

Abad was not just angry but utterly bewildered that they were acting so carelessly, offending a family that even the Rodren Empire did not treat lightly.

But regardless, Abad was the host of the social party.

He had to prevent the party itself from collapsing.

'First, I need to calm Eliza down…'

Thinking so, Abad looked at Eliza.

*Fzzzzt-*

At that moment, pure white sparks flew from Eliza's body.

Kal's and Abad's eyes met in mid-air.

'We can't stop this, can we?'

'Yeah. We can't.'

They communicated with just their eyes.

Having been in the same dormitory in their second year, the three knew each other well.

Eliza, when genuinely angry, could not be stopped.

Kal wore a look of resignation.

Abad was also contemplating the aftermath.

Suddenly, silence fell upon the entire social party hall.

*Click-*

And like a drop of water falling on a calm surface, ripples spread.

The sound of clear high heels echoed.

"Oh my?"

And a sweet and beautiful voice captured everyone's ears.

"The party hall is a bit noisy?"

*Click-* *Click-*

Golden hair that was more brilliant than pure gold.

Pink eyes that captivated people's gaze.

A form-fitting pure white dress that showcased the beautiful curves of her body.

A beautiful woman, who could be called an incarnation of beauty, appeared in the party hall.

Crystals adorned on the dress shimmered, dispersing the gaze.

Everyone's mouths fell open at Elena's appearance.

Even the Lumen students who were familiar with her appearance were mesmerized.

'Why did she put in so much effort?'

Kal wondered inwardly.

Elena was not interested in grooming herself.

More precisely, she felt no need to.

She was a possessor of transcendent beauty, so there was no need to adorn herself.

Yet today, Elena had truly gone all out.

As everyone's gaze shifted to Elena, her pink eyes began to glow.

"Ah. I'm thirsty."

As Elena muttered as if to be heard.

The moment she finished speaking, the scions of noble families who had been whispering about Kal rushed towards Elena.

"Here is water!"

"I have a cool drink…"

"It's the finest wine!"

Elena received the wine glass in front of her.

He was the young man who had been enthusiastically disparaging Hergin until a moment ago.

*Gulp, gulp-*

Elena poured the wine onto the young man's head.

Then, with a smile, she said.

"Who asked you to bring it?"

Despite being drenched in wine, the young man still looked at Elena with a silly grin.

"Brother! What a disgrace for the heir of the Weyland family!"

Seeing the young man, a girl let out a shrill scream.

But the young man, as well as the other scions of noble families, grinned at Elena.

Thus, Elena began to humiliate those who had been belittling Kal using her charisma.

Watching this, even Eliza showed a momentarily bewildered expression.

"It's good to see that rascal's tendencies again after a long time."

"Hark senior?"

Kal's eyes widened at the voice from behind.

There stood Hark, as always… no, with an even sleepier look than usual.

"Don't you have to stop her?"

Kal asked, and Hark chuckled.

"Why?"

Hark, who always stopped Elena's outbursts, had a smirk on his face.

"What?"

"Kal, those who couldn't even enter the three major academies, let alone Lumen, have insulted you, one of the greatest masterpieces in our school's history. That's also an act of disrespecting the three families that support Lumen."

Hark seemed quite angry.

"Still, won't it cause problems?"

"Problems? What can the noble families do besides protest? No. Can they even protest?"

Elena, who was displaying her tyrannical tendencies without reservation, could not be stopped, except by one person.

"And it would be better to end with being humiliated like this rather than provoking the Hergin family."

Hark glanced at Elena, who had a cold expression.

Meanwhile, Elena approached Eliza.

"Eliza."

"Yes."

"Wouldn't you bring this senior a cool drink?"

"Why should I?"

Eliza retorted with her characteristic rebellious voice, and Elena smiled.

"Because this senior took revenge for her cute junior."

"I'll go."

"No. I'll go."

Kal said, but Eliza shook her head and went to get a drink.

Meanwhile, those enchanted by her charisma continued to act shamelessly.

Watching them, Chelsea wore an expression of disbelief.

"Seriously, even people from genuine noble families are like this. It's more shocking than I thought."

At her words, Elena chuckled.

"It's the fate of those who are out of touch with the world and have become obsolete. Those who have only their ancestors' hollow reputations."

Those who don't know the real world and think that what they see is all there is.

"Well, you're different from them in the first place."

Kal said, and Chelsea tilted her head.

"Different how?"

"Did you forget? Who chose you?"

The seeds of heroes to lead the next generation, chosen by Leo, the Hero of the Beginning.

Not to divide ranks, but they were bound to be different.

Leo didn't look at bloodline or background.

He only looked at the person's qualities.

At Kal's words, Chelsea crossed her arms.

"By the way, why did Elena senior dress up like that?"

"Oh my? Can't I dress up?"

"That's not it, but…"

Kal, who felt a sense of bewilderment, suddenly realized something.

"Ah!"

As Kal let out a blank exclamation, Elena whispered to him.

"Our Kal is sometimes too observant for his own good."

With a somewhat displeased voice, Kal thought inwardly.

'That Leo bastard. Is he by any chance at this party?'

It was simple if you thought about it.

Leo was the only one Elena would want to impress.

At that moment, Eliza brought drinks and handed them to Elena.

After that, the party resumed.

The scions of noble families, released from Elena's charisma, blushed, but no one dared to say anything to Elena.

No, most of them were once again grinning at Elena's face.

Some continued to act shamelessly to somehow impress Elena.

Of course, Elena simply moved around the party hall, ignoring them.

"Seriously. Where is this person hiding? Did they perhaps not come to the party?"

Elena revealed her displeasure.

Kal shook his head, watching her.

"Where is this damn brat?"

"Hark senior, are you looking for Leo too?"

"Oh? You noticed?"

"Well… seeing Elena senior. But why are you looking for Leo, Hark senior?"

"That guy is making me lose sleep lately! I need to protest and ask him to reduce my workload!"

A sense of resentment could be seen in Hark's eyes.

"Young lady. Shall I clear your finished glass?"

At that moment, someone who appeared to be a servant spoke to Elena.

Elena handed over her glass with a nonchalant expression.

"Hey. Get me something to drink."

"Here you go."

At Hark's words, the servant handed him a glass of alcohol on a silver tray.

"Where is this person really? I dressed up for nothing."

"Did they not come to the party?"

Elena grumbled, and Hark muttered irritably.

"…"

Kal looked at the gray-haired servant who was running errands around the two.

'…No way?'

The servant, whose eyes met Kal's for a moment, smiled.

'It was you!'

Kal, who had seen through his friend's identity, shouted inwardly.

***

"So, I just need to get rid of this commoner?"

The man looked at the man in front of him with an uncomfortable expression.

*Clink-* *Clink-*

He tapped the stone in his hand restlessly.

"That is correct."

"Ahem. Isn't this person someone who has attained the position of hero? And there are rumors that they are deeply connected with the Hergin family."

"Weren't you planning a political marriage with the Hergin family?"

"That is true, but…"

"Then Kal Thomas will be an obstacle."

The tall, lean man curled the corners of his mouth.

"I will help you discreetly."

"…"

"Don't you need to regain the status of a hero family by forming a political marriage with Hergin?"

"Indeed. Our family is more suited to Hergin than some commoner."

He chuckled and stood up.

*Clink-* *Clink-*

Fiddling with the stone in his hand, Sigas, the King of Desire, muttered.

"If all humans were like this, destroying the world would be quite easy."