Chapter 416

Book 1 Chapter 416

416.

Central Lumern.

Hero’s Tower.

In the immense courtyard stretching out before the structure, a grand celebration was underway.

Since it was an official gathering to honor external dignitaries visiting Lumern, attendance was mandatory for all students.

Naturally, given that prominent champions and influential figures who shaped the global landscape were present, the majority of the student body participated without much grievance.

Powerful individuals from various territories displayed a keen interest in the gifted pupils within Lumern.

Unsurprisingly, the individuals drawing the most attention were the second-year pupils, widely celebrated as Lumern’s Golden Generation.

“Ah, you must be Miss Chloe Müller. Your latest research paper is currently generating significant buzz in academic magic circles.”

“Prince Duran. The central nations of the continent place great expectations upon your shoulders!”

“Are you Wareden? Truly, your reputation for binding yourself to a Great Spirit is well deserved.”

Chelsea offered a gentle smile as she observed the scene.

“Everyone is certainly in high demand~”

“Are you two not also in high demand?”

Chelsea countered when Kyle, who had loaded his plate with delicacies from the buffet and was thoroughly enjoying the feast, questioned her in a playful tone.

“That is because we belong to the Rodlen Empire.”

“Fair point. No matter how much potential someone possesses, outsiders wouldn’t dare attempt to scout anyone tied to the Rodlen Empire. Still, seniors, you aren’t fighting today.”

Kyle tilted his head slightly, shifting his gaze toward Niel and Marcel.

The fierce competitiveness between Celia and Chelsea was common knowledge among the second-year pupils.

Yet, there existed a far more volatile dynamic than theirs: Niel and Marcel, the descendants of the two principal vassal houses.

Despite being separated by a school year, their interactions invariably resulted in massive explosive friction whenever they crossed paths.

Stratedly enough, the two of them were completely silent today.

“Chelsea and Celia are being remarkably quiet today as well.”

Hearing Kyle’s observation, Celia tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“Do you honestly believe I lose my composure and snap at Chelsea regardless of the setting or occasion?”

“Yes.”

Faced with Kyle’s instant, unblinking response, all warmth vanished from Celia’s countenance.

“In any case, is there a particular reason?”

Sensing imminent danger, Kyle swiftly redirected the conversation, prompting Chelsea to supply the answer.

“To keep the pesky insects from gathering.”

“Insects? Ah.”

Kyle, who had been puzzled by Chelsea’s phrasing, nodded his head in sudden realization.

His attention then shifted to Leo, who was lounging off to the side with a perfectly tranquil demeanor.

“Leo isn’t a citizen of the Rodlen Empire, correct?”

Leo’s primary household was the Flobe family, and his formal citizenship belonged to the Kingdom of Dellard.

While he was acknowledged as a direct blood relative of Zerdinger, that lineage came from his maternal side.

Consequently, there were countless factions hoping to claim Leo for themselves.

He was the youngest student council president in the entire history of Lumern Academy.

Furthermore, he was an All-Class individual, much like the legendary Hero of Beginnings.

He had already accomplished monumental exploits despite his tender age.

To any person of influence, an individual of Leo’s caliber was bound to be an incredibly tempting prize.

Even at this very moment, numerous guests were casting frequent looks in Leo’s direction, searching for an opening to approach.

However, because Celia and Chelsea were keeping a vigilant, piercing watch, no one dared to make a reckless move.

Regardless of their status as mere students, no one was foolish enough to provoke Leo while the direct heirs of Zerdinger and Rwalin stood sentinel.

‘They’re acting as a personal security detail, I see.’

Accepting the situation, Kyle returned to enjoying his meal.

‘It is pleasant to have some peace.’

Leo let out a soft chuckle, content to let the two women handle the crowd.

He had anticipated that this social gathering would be utterly exhausting, but that particular anxiety had been entirely neutralized.

‘My standing in this current era is undeniably substantial now.’

Spending his days within Lumern had made him somewhat numb to the regard of outsiders.

Yet, an event like this drove the reality home.

Leo’s presence was now profoundly woven into the fabric of the world.

Everyone recognized his name and sung praises of the victories he had secured.

As his thoughts drifted down that path, Leo was reminded of a specific figure.

‘The Necromancer King Hel Kaiser.’

The ultimate authority commanding the forces of Tartarus.

A Great Demon possessing both the immense might and the absolute leadership required to hold such a title.

‘His most perilous attribute is his profound perception.’

During the dawn of the Age of Calamity.

The only reason Tartarus succeeded in crushing numerous mighty kingdoms and champions of that era, while aggressively broadening its borders, was due to the direct tactical guidance of the Necromancer King.

‘Even after our group attained sufficient strength to eliminate a Legion Commander, he still managed to push us into lethal predicaments on multiple occasions.’

To such an extent, the Necromancer King Hel Kaiser remained an incredibly formidable adversary.

Even after the curtain fell on the Age of Calamity.

As civilization reconstructed society from the ashes and ushered in the Age of Heroes, Tartarus had managed to survive.

That survival was entirely credited to the tactical brilliance of the Necromancer King.

‘What view does the reigning Necromancer King hold regarding my existence?’

Ever since Leo had commenced his studies at Lumern, a string of shocking events had unfolded.

Every single incident had left the world completely stunned.

The Necromancer King was bound to find it deeply suspicious.

A young human youth had materialized out of nowhere, accomplishing impossible tasks as though they were trivial matters.

The Necromancer King had witnessed an identical pattern transpire 5000 years prior.

‘The emergence of Lisina and myself, alongside Luna, Arion, and Dweno.’

The legendary champions who halted the world’s impending ruin—which had been deemed an absolute certainty—and ultimately delivered salvation to the realm.

From the world’s vantage point, it was a miraculous beacon of hope, but from the perspective of the Necromancer King, it was nothing short of a disaster.

‘Given his uncanny perception.’

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘He might very well have deduced my true nature by now.’

Leo tightly balled his hand into a fist before releasing it.

‘Moving forward, it is wisest to operate under the premise that he is fully aware of who I am.’

His gaze grew sharper.

‘A bitter rivalry spanning five millennia. It is finally time to bring this narrative to a close.’

“Senior Flobe!”

Rea, squeezing her hands together in excitement and letting out an ecstatic squeal, attempted to sprint toward Leo.

Runia firmly grabbed the collar of Rea’s outfit, massaging her own temples in sheer exasperation.

“Rea, you are the top-ranking student among the Sayrun first-years, are you not? You represent our institution. This venue is filled with legendary figures and authorities from across the globe. Can you not refrain from behaving so embarrassingly and tarnishing our school’s reputation?”

Hearing Runia’s lecture, Rea narrowed her eyes skeptically.

“Senior Runia, do you honestly feel no shame preaching to me about the reputation of Sayrun?”

Runia had long since discarded whatever refined facade she once possessed.

That did not mean she completely lost her composure at every given moment, however.

“I am still fully capable of discerning the appropriate time and location for my actions.”

“Is that truly the case?”

Faced with her underclassman’s absolute skepticism, Runia effortlessly locked Rea in a chokehold.

Squeeze-!

“Indeed, I shall happily disregard both time and location, precisely as you suggested.”

“Ack! H-Help! I yield!”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“P-Please, mercy!”

Rea thrashed around wildly, tapping her hand frantically against Runia’s arm.

“Aha! She managed to get an underclassman who acts exactly like her!”

Right at that moment, a slightly arrogant voice drifted over.

Ar stood there, dressed smartly in the uniform of Azonia, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Oh! Runia! Ar! It has been quite a while!”

Dryana, clad in the attire of Demian, also spotted the group and offered a cheerful greeting.

Rea’s eyes widened significantly as she observed the newcomers.

Earlier that same year.

The three individuals who were heralded as the ultimate hero prospects destined to spearhead the coming generation after conquering Dweno’s world were now gathered in one spot.

‘Their sheer presence is absolutely terrifying.’

Dropping her playful demeanor, Rea regarded the trio with an intense, focused gaze.

In the meantime, Dryana spoke up.

“That bizarre cadence of speech remains completely unaltered, I see.”

Runia remarked, crossing her arms, which caused Dryana to break into a hearty laugh.

“I am constantly striving to emulate the great Dweno, whom I hold in such high esteem.”

“You bear absolutely no resemblance to him.”

Ar interjected flatly, though Dryana completely disregarded the criticism.

“In any case, since fate has brought us together like this, it is a momentous occasion, so I must ask a small favor of you.”

Observing Dryana’s suddenly solemn expression, Rea felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.

A request from a prime hero prospect of the next generation?

‘What could it be? Does she require rare components to forge an incredible piece of weaponry? Or has some catastrophic crisis hit Demian?’

As Rea’s mind raced with anxious possibilities, Ar delivered a sharp response.

“If your request involves me posing without clothes for you again, the answer is no. You degenerate dwarf.”

Ar spoke with biting coldness.

Upon hearing those words, Rea could scarcely process what she was hearing.

“It is done in the name of fine art.”

“Lord Dweno explicitly commanded you to abandon your artistic endeavors.”

This time, Runia provided the chilly reminder.

“The core value is an indomitable will. Lord Dweno most certainly expressed that sentiment.”

“Even Lord Dweno would implore you to please abandon art.”

“If Lord Dweno were present, he would assure you that quitting is perfectly acceptable.”

Despite the brutal remarks from Ar and Runia, Dryana remained completely unfazed.

She then shifted her attention to Rea and spoke.

“My word, what a striking young maiden. Miss. Have you ever contemplated serving as a nude model?”

“Absolutely not.”

Rea, answering with a thoroughly disgusted tone, turned to Runia with a deadpan question.

“Is this dialogue simply too sophisticated for my comprehension?”

“Her vocabulary is merely too degenerate for any decent person to process.”

Runia let out a heavy sigh.

It was precisely at that moment, while the three pupils viewed as the future pillars of their respective nations were engaged in such an absurd debate, that a new voice intervened.

“Greetings, everyone.”

The individual spoke softly.

The four students turned their heads, their expressions instantly freezing in shock.

Standing before them was none other than the Dragon Lord, Melina.

“I-It is an immense privilege to meet you, Great Ruler.”

As Runia hurriedly bowed her head, Melina let out a gentle laugh, lifting a hand beneath her face covering.

“There is no need for such rigid formalities.”

Melina offered a soft smile before addressing Rea.

“Miss Rea Tingel.”

“Yes, yes ma’am!”

“Why not go converse with the first-year pupils of Lumern? It will undoubtedly prove to be an enriching experience for you.”

“Understood!”

Rea replied with perfect discipline and took a few steps back.

She desperately wished to stay and listen, but she lacked the audacity to question the Dragon Lord.

‘Even so, there shouldn’t be any harm in trying to overhear their conversation from a distance, right?’

Driven by intense curiosity, Rea kept her eyes locked on the group of four.

And then, “Wait, what?” she murmured in sheer bewilderment.

The four individuals who had been occupying that exact space a mere second ago had vanished entirely.

‘What just happened?’

She scanned her surroundings, completely disoriented.

Despite being a highly distinct and conspicuous group, they were nowhere to be found.

‘Come to think of it, even when the Dragon Lord made her appearance, the crowd remained entirely oblivious.’

Under normal circumstances, the simple presence of the Dragon Lord in the middle of a social gathering should have triggered a massive uproar.

Yet, the ambient mood of the celebration had not shifted in the slightest.

‘Could it be a perception-veiling enchantment? Incredible. To execute it so flawlessly that I couldn’t detect a single trace of its activation.’

Rea could not help but marvel internally at the magic, which was woven with such flawless, imperceptible precision.

The trio standing in Melina’s presence maintained a rigid, disciplined posture, their expressions tight with anxiety.

Melina smiled warmly as she observed their tense demeanors.

“Relax yourselves. I merely approached because I wished to share a few words with you all.”

“T-The honor is entirely ours.”

Runia managed to reply, her voice trembling slightly.

“But may we ask why you wish to speak with us…?”

When Ar voiced his confusion with a puzzled look, Melina’s smile deepened slightly.

“Because you are the prospective champions selected by this current era.”

Upon hearing those words, Dryana’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Has the Great Lord personally selected us?”

Throughout history, dragons had chosen specific champions to shoulder the destiny of an epoch.

Among those, the individuals selected by the Dragon Lord herself held an extraordinarily unique status.

Thus, Melina’s declaration regarding them being “champions selected by the era” was more than enough to leave the three completely stunned.

Melina maintained her gentle smile as she observed their stunned expressions.

“It is not so much that I have selected you… rather, it was that person who chose you.”

“That person?”

Hearing Melina employ such respectful terminology, the trio looked thoroughly bewildered.

The Dragon Lord.

The absolute ruler of Dragonia and the monarch of the entire dragon race.

In practical terms, she was arguably the most powerful and exalted entity in existence.

For someone of her stature to utilize honorifics for another individual…

‘Who on earth could it possibly be?’

While the group reeled from the revelation, Melina, in reference to ‘that person,’ cast a brief glance toward Leo.

And then, she suddenly froze.

‘What is the meaning of this?’

Melina detected a strange, unfamiliar resonance flowing outward from Leo.

An incredibly faint trace of energy.

‘This is a sensation I have definitely encountered at some point in the past.’

Melina tilted her head slightly in thought, and it did not take long for her to decipher the true nature of the aura Leo was projecting.

‘It bears a striking resemblance to the essence of the Hero Record.’