Chapter 421

421.

“The Shadow’s Scripture?!”

“Something like that actually existed?”

The opening day of the grand conference.

Once the initial session wrapped up and the primary details were compiled and made public, the student body reacted with absolute astonishment.

Nothing captured their intense curiosity quite like the revelation of the Shadow’s Scripture.

Inside the residence hall’s dining area, surrounded by a chorus of gasps, Chloe turned to inquire of Chen Xia, who was seated beside her.

“Xia, were you already aware of this?”

“I was.”

When Chen Xia answered with her gentle, characteristic grin, Iliana couldn’t contain her agitation.

“Why on earth did you keep it to yourself! That is a monumental revelation! Furthermore, if it had been common knowledge that Shadows could have their legacies inscribed upon the Hero Record, those thoughtless individuals wouldn’t have treated you with such disregard or condescension!”

Iliana burst out with passionate indignation.

The peers from Glory Dormitory and those who shared a classroom with Chen Xia during their initial term had treated her with unwavering respect even after learning her true nature as a Shadow.

With the guidance of Leo, Chen Xia had navigated through her inner turmoil regarding her heritage and resolved to forge her own destiny, no longer burdened by the rigid distinctions of being a hero or a Shadow.

Even so, given her status as the royal princess of Shan, it was inevitable that certain pupils would view her through a prejudiced lens.

True heroes were individuals who had accomplished legendary deeds worthy of celestial commemoration.

Yet, regardless of their monumental triumphs, heroes remained mortal and fundamentally imperfect.

Certain individuals among them had committed terrible blunders, and others, despite their grand successes, lacked a commendable moral compass.

There were even acclaimed champions whose deeds deserved severe condemnation.

However, because they held divine validation, society routinely dismissed those flaws.

In contrast, Shadows were denied such celestial recognition, leaving them subject to far more unforgiving scrutiny than their heroic counterparts.

Despite this bias, no sophomore student dared to insult Chen Xia to her face.

Celia, representing the Knights Department where Chen Xia trained, alongside Duran, whose intense self-worth eclipsed almost everyone else’s, viewed her as a true peer and competitor.

Chloe, Chelsea, and Abad, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Magic Department, maintained a close companionship with her.

Within the Summoning Department, Eliza viewed Chen Xia as one of the mere handful of rivals she genuinely respected.

Wareden, by his very nature, paid no mind to such superficial social status anyway.

Most importantly, she was a trusted companion of Leo, the reigning president of the student council.

No one in Lumerne was foolish enough to sabotage their own academic future by antagonizing the highest-ranking scholars of the academy.

Even so, they couldn’t entirely mask the reflexive, judgmental glances they cast her way.

It was merely because Chen Xia chose to overlook those subtle stares that no overt confrontations arose.

As her close housemates, Chloe and Iliana understood that reality perfectly.

Observing Iliana squeezing her fists in sheer annoyance, Chloe let out a gentle murmur.

“As a state secret of Shan, Xia wasn’t in a position to speak of it casually. Furthermore, even with the knowledge of the Shadow’s Scripture spreading, society isn’t going to transform overnight.”

“Lady Chloe speaks the truth. It falls upon the Shadows themselves, including me, to reshape the world’s perspective.”

“Ugh. Even so, the Dragon Lord went as far as to announce that he would not tolerate anyone practicing discrimination! From this moment on, if any scoundrel dares look at you with disdain, I will personally thrash them.”

“My sincere thanks, Lady Iliana.”

Just as Chen Xia offered a soft expression of gratitude.

“Excuse me. Princess Chen Xia.”

Eiran stepped forward with a degree of hesitation.

She was the runner-up scholar among the sophomore class of Seirun.

“Greetings, Lady Eiran.”

“Given your position as the Princess of Shan, have you ever had the opportunity to view the Shadow’s Scripture with your own eyes?”

“Indeed, I have.”

“In that case, did you happen to see the accounts concerning the Starting Hero?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Oh, I am incredibly jealous!”

Eiran, who possessed an immense passion for legendary chronicles, grew instantly animated.

“What sort of tales were documented there?”

Eiran’s gaze gleamed with enthusiasm.

Drawn by her excitement, Chloe and Iliana similarly shifted their attention toward Chen Xia with intense curiosity.

The legendary figure known as the Starting Hero, Kyle.

Merely a year prior, society dismissed him as nothing more than a myth, but since definitive proof of his historical existence came to light, scholars had been systematically re-evaluating his legacy.

Yet, because surviving documentation was incredibly scarce, academic progress regarding his achievements moved at a agonizingly slow pace.

Under these circumstances, learning that Kyle’s written legacy had been uncovered naturally captivated the attention of every aspiring champion.

“What is the nature of this fascinating discussion?”

Chelsea, who was strolling past while balancing her food tray, tilted her head to inquire, prompting Chloe to clarify.

“We are discussing the Shadow’s Scripture and the Starting Hero.”

“I absolutely want to hear about that!”

Chelsea’s expression lit up instantly as she pulled up a chair, calling out to Abad, who followed beside her.

“Brother, take a seat right here!”

Amused by her eagerness, Abad let out a chuckle and claimed the spot next to her.

“I am also incredibly intrigued by the nature of the sorcery the Starting Hero utilized. Was it true that he mastered every single attribute?”

“That is correct.”

Lunia, dining a short distance away, leaned her chin against her palm as she observed the lively gathering.

“Lumerne truly never experiences a moment of peace.”

Lunia gave a subtle shake of her head.

Right then, Cal, Ar, and Driana, who were sharing a table nearby, rose to their feet.

“Where do you three think you’re going?”

“They are discussing the Starting Hero! You can’t tell me you aren’t intrigued?”

As Ar’s gaze sparkled with anticipation, Lunia dismissed the idea.

“Not in the slightest.”

“Just disregard the long-eared elf. She’s far too proud to admit she wants to listen, even when she’s dying of curiosity.”

“Exactly. If we simply walk away, she will end up joining us on her own eventually, won’t she?”

Driana and Cal exchanged knowing smirks as they accompanied Ar over to Chen Xia’s table.

“I truly harbor no interest in the matter.”

Lunia maintained an indifferent expression.

Yet, with every burst of laughter and exciting detail shared by the crowd, her ears twitched involuntarily.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!”

Moments later, unable to restrain herself any longer, she marched directly over to join the animated circle.

“Utilizing the platform of this international summit, our goal is to dissolve the barriers separating heroes and Shadows while fostering deep collaboration.”

Within the privacy of Mel’s personal office.

Melina delivered her thoughts with a solemn demeanor.

“Furthermore, we aim to cultivate greater solidarity among the various heritages.”

The global landscape was currently fractured by suspicion among nations, driven by competing political motives.

Similarly, deep-seated friction between separate races had persisted for generations.

Melina was determined to heal these historical divisions during her tenure, consolidating their collective power to the absolute maximum.

This was especially urgent given that the degradation of the Genesis Hero Record was rapidly approaching its breaking point.

It was no overstatement to claim that the devastating malice of Erebus loomed just over the horizon.

“Providentially, owing to Master Leo’s intervention, Master Rodia has unlocked a novel capability, thereby granting us a temporary reprieve, though…”

“Even that serves merely as a temporary delay.”

Leo remarked, raising the porcelain cup that Melina had served him.

“What is your assessment of the champions of our present era?”

Melina inquired.

The contemporary figures whose legacies had successfully been immortalized within the Hero Record.

They would unquestionably serve as the foundational strength required to contest Erebus and Tartarus when the ultimate conflict arrived.

“They possess exceptional talent, every single one.”

“Do you have any words of guidance to offer them?”

“Well now.”

Leo’s ruby-colored gaze softened with a slight curve.

“Regardless of individual opinions, they are the figures who have achieved triumphs significant enough to earn celestial recognition and secure their names within the Hero Record.”

Leo took a slow draught of his beverage before setting the vessel aside.

“It would be rather arrogant to offer unprompted criticism to individuals who are already standing upon the grand stage and performing their duties admirably.”

“In that case…”

“My focus remains squarely on the aspiring champions who are destined to spearhead the coming age. To that end, I have formulated a specific itinerary for the upcoming summer break.”

“An itinerary?”

Melina tilted her head in curiosity.

Reaching into his vest, Leo produced a folded document and presented it to Melina.

Accepting the parchment and scanning its contents, Melina noted.

“I see… This appears to be an intensive regimen. Is it your intention to oversee this personally?”

“Precisely. You could view it as a specialized training retreat. We intend to utilize the private lands of the Flob household.”

Hearing Leo’s confirmation, Melina offered a look of quiet pity.

‘Those poor youths are going to endure absolute torment over their summer holiday.’

“I intend to recruit the specific figures detailed on that register to act as our training masters. Would you be able to handle the formal invitations?”

“Understood. I shall oversee the necessary arrangements.”

Melina gave an affirmative nod, tucking the training roster securely into her robes before posing another query.

“There remains a particular matter I wish to clarify with you, Master Leo.”

“Speak freely.”

“For how much longer do you intend to conceal the reality that you are the living rebirth of the Starting Hero?”

Faced with that inquiry, Leo folded his arms and cast his gaze toward the rafters in contemplation.

“Is it your desire to keep it hidden indefinitely?”

“I doubt that will be possible. The moment will inevitably arrive when necessity dictates that I unveil my true identity.”

Lost in reflection, Leo shook his head.

“However, the timing is not yet right. It would be most appropriate to disclose the truth once I have attained a level of might that can legitimately rival my previous incarnation, at the bare minimum.”

Though Leo was swiftly reclaiming his historical techniques and gathering immense power through the completion rewards of the hero’s realm, he had yet to fully return to the absolute zenith of his historical capabilities.

“Understood.”

The international conference commenced within Lumerne.

Consequently, the global community found itself rocked by the revelations that emerged from it.

During the inaugural day alone, hidden truths regarding the Hero Record, the unveiling of the Shadow’s Scripture, and the unrecorded final paths of legendary champions came to light.

By the second day, Melina further astounded society by broadcasting the historical logs of the champions who participated in the historic routing of Yormungand—information she had obtained directly from Leo.

Even as these earth-shattering announcements continued to captivate the public, the final competitive tournament for the first-year class proceeded without interruption.

Before long, the brackets had narrowed down to the final four.

“Goodness, the student council leader’s pupil… that is simply mind-blowing, isn’t it?”

Iliana breathed out, clicking her tongue in disbelief.

“The person ranked dead last in the entire class managed to fight his way into the semifinals? And his next challenger is the top-ranked student of the entire year!”

Cal rested his jaw against his hand, observing the vivid excitement dancing in Iliana’s eyes.

“You appear remarkably cheerful.”

“Naturally! Austin has secured his place!”

Austin, who served as Iliana’s direct pupil and bound knight to Leo, had successfully achieved a score well beyond the danger zone.

With any lingering anxiety over academic dismissal completely resolved, Iliana was now able to thoroughly appreciate the first-year duels without any underlying stress.

“Furthermore, because I placed a wager on the student council leader’s pupil, the longshot return yielded a massive windfall!”

Iliana’s eyes gleamed with delight as she rattled her leather coin purse.

“I completely botched my academic assessments and was on the verge of having my spending money restricted! Thanks to this victory, my financial anxieties for the upcoming term have completely vanished!”

Eiran, observing Iliana’s display from nearby, expressed genuine admiration.

“That is truly remarkable.”

“Hehe! From this day forward, you may address me as Lady Iliana, the Bold Predator.”

“That title carries quite a fierce ring to it!”

“Do not encourage her, Sister Eiran. That isn’t the mark of a predator’s boldness; it’s just reckless gambling.”

Chelsea interjected dryly, watching Eiran offer supportive applause to the display.

“Hehe. In any case, shall I attempt to multiply this fortune further? Cal. Provide me with another wagering ticket!”

“On which competitor? Luke?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? On Aina, obviously!”

“Have you not backed Luke exclusively up to this point?”

“Hmph! A true master of the craft doesn’t rely on blind luck! A seasoned expert guarantees their profit by backing the definitive victor, even if the returns are modest!”

Such pragmatic reasoning hardly matched the grand persona of a bold predator she had claimed moments before.

“What is the amount you wish to wager, then?”

“My entire capital.”

Detecting the unbridled greed reflecting in Iliana’s expression, Cal issued the wagering voucher without the slightest hesitation.

“Ensure this senior companion achieves great wealth! My precious underclassman.”

Just as Iliana was reveling in her financial dreams.

“I would like to participate as well.”

A figure stepped up to Cal’s station.

It was none other than Leah.

Leah, whose emotional state had been completely shattered following her confinement by Halind, had only recently managed to steady herself after several days of recuperation.

“Placing a wager on whom?”

“This entire sum dedicated to Aina Beidna.”

Leah slid a thick bundle of currency across to Cal.

Discerning a fierce resolve burning within Leah’s gaze that was entirely distinct from simple greed, Cal silently issued the requested voucher.

‘It is no loss of mine.’

Cal swept the stack of funds directly into his spatial storage.

“I suppose it is time for me to finalize my own arrangements for the day.”

“Hoo.”

Luke expelled a prolonged breath before stepping into the combat colosseum.

Leo was nowhere to be found.

As a matter of fact, Leo had not come to see Luke even a single time since the opening round of the tournament.

While a sense of loneliness touched him, a deeper realization simultaneously crystallized in his mind.

‘This is Senior’s method of signaling that I possess the capability to stand on my own two feet now.’

With that liberating thought, he delivered a sharp slap to his own cheek.

He successfully mastered his fluttering nerves.

Throughout the entirety of his opening semester.

The individual he had strictly observed from a distance, whom he could only look up to with profound awe, was currently awaiting him.

‘How far can my abilities take me?’

The opposing scholars he had bested up to this point were undeniably exceptional combatants.

Yet the adversary before him now occupied an entirely different echelon.

She was, by all accounts, the unchallenged titan among the first-year class.

A wave of apprehension threatened to overwhelm him, causing his pulse to race.

Nevertheless, he drew a steadying breath and marched resolutely forward.

‘Step out. Luke.’

He cast aside his remaining doubts.

‘The moment has arrived to measure the fruits of my grueling discipline against the undisputed champion of the first-years.’