Chapter 462

Book 1 Chapter 462

462

Once the opening ceremony for the second term wrapped up, the scholars headed back to their residential quarters after finishing their respective department orientations.

“Ah, it feels so good to be back!”

Illiana burst into the Glory dorms ahead of the others and immediately flung herself onto the main couch, sinking deeply into its cushions.

“I can’t even tell you how much I yearned for this couch~”

She rolled from side to side on the cushions as though she were lounging in her private quarters.

The remaining pupils, clearly familiar with her antics, simply took up positions throughout the common area.

“So, tell us, how did the training camp turn out?”

“What was it like standing right before the Hero? Did he seem terrifying?”

“I am incredibly envious! If only I could have joined you all!”

A crowd quickly formed around the attendees of the summer excursion. The students pressed closer, eager for details about the retreat that they hadn’t been able to ask about earlier due to the dense schedule of the opening ceremony.

Naturally, the primary subject of their intense curiosity was Arion.

Observing her peers swarming around, Illiana sat upright on the couch, squaring her shoulders with an air of grand importance.

“If you want the inside story, you had better present me with tea and biscuits first.”

The moment those words left her mouth, the crowd around Illiana collectively turned their backs on her, shifting their focus directly toward Chen Sia and Chloe.

“Sharing some refreshments while we converse sounds like an excellent idea,” Chloe remarked with a gentle smile.

The gathering erupted into cheers and immediately made a move toward the pantry.

“How is it that they jump to fulfill every request Chloe makes?!” Illiana complained.

“You were demanding that they serve you personally,” one student pointed out.

“Precisely. You aren’t some gluttonous creature.”

“Who are you calling a glutton?! Is that any way to speak to a proper lady?!” Illiana shouted, aggressively swinging a sofa pillow at the mocking male students.

“You all certainly know how to make a racket,” Leo remarked with a faint smirk as he stepped into the common room.

“Leo, we are just about to recount the events of the training camp. Pull up a chair,” Chloe suggested, lightly tapping the cushion beside her.

At his entrance, the lively chatter in the room instantly died down. Both Chloe and Illiana glanced around, clearly bewildered by the sudden shift in atmosphere.

“I think I will head upstairs to turn in early tonight.”

“You are retiring exceptionally early,” Chen Sia noted, tilting her head in curiosity from where she stood.

Leo offered an explanation: “The opening ceremony was quite demanding, so I am feeling rather fatigued.”

“That makes sense. Managing everything as the student council president must be exhausting. Do you require anything? I can bring a tray up to your quarters.”

“No, thank you. It is quite fine.”

As Leo departed for his room, the underlying tension in the air dissipated slightly.

Chen Sia moved into the room and took a seat in a corner rocking chair, prompting Chloe to ask with a look of confusion, “What has come over everyone?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone seems so reserved and distant around Leo.”

The Glory scholars rubbed the backs of their necks, avoiding direct eye contact with Chloe, who still looked genuinely perplexed.

“It might not be as apparent to you girls, considering you spent the training camp and the rest of the break at Leo’s residence,” a male Glory student explained while rubbing his cheek. “Things are completely chaotic out there right now.”

Chloe and Illiana exchanged a meaningful look.

“In the beginning, people were solely captivated by the tale of the ancient malice returning and Lord Arion striking it down,” Chen Sia chimed in. “However, as time wore on and the premier hero syndicates of the world began competing for Young Master Leo, public scrutiny shifted entirely toward him, didn’t it?”

She spoke the truth. The populace, initially spellbound by the grand narrative of the ultimate savior rewriting history, had begun focusing entirely on Leo’s presence.

“Furthermore, now that his name has been inscribed within the Hero Record, an immense wave of citizens has started to fervently champion Young Master Leo.”

The populace is perpetually eager for the emergence of a fresh savior—especially one who accomplishes feats that rival the grand myths of old.

Up until this point, Leo had been viewed merely as a prospective candidate. In this realm, true reverence is reserved only for those who obtain divine endorsement and see their names etched into the Hero Record. Consequently, regardless of how profoundly he navigated the legacy of the supreme champion or what great marvels he performed, people still categorized Leo as nothing more than a highly talented novice.

But the situation had shifted. He was now a permanent fixture in the Hero Record. The manner in which society perceived him was bound to undergo a massive transformation. Before, he was just another peer in the classroom; now, he stood apart.

“Leo has already ascended to a pinnacle that the rest of us will spend our entire lifetimes trying to reach,” the male student admitted, scratching his head. “It’s difficult to articulate, but while we always recognized his brilliance, he now feels entirely out of reach.”

A female student let out a soft sigh.

‘It is undeniable. Young Master Leo has climbed to a height where ordinary academy students can scarcely dare to look,’ Chen Sia thought. Even as the top-ranking individual in the sophomore knight division, she couldn’t properly gauge the true depths of Leo’s capabilities. It was only natural that the others felt he resided at an unapproachable altitude.

“Leo’s experience at the academy is going to be radically different going forward,” Chloe murmured, lost in contemplation. “Because the factions that desire his allegiance will undoubtedly become far more aggressive.”

Hearing this, Illiana’s expression soured slightly. “Indeed. Even the groups that were merely observing from the sidelines will now act without restraint.”

At Illiana’s quiet remark, Chen Sia tilted her head. “Does that prospect displease you, Lady Illiana?”

“It does. Starting tomorrow, I should probably avoid getting too close to Chen Sia’s social circle.”

Faced with this cryptic statement, Chen Sia displayed a look of mild bewilderment.

“But tell me,” Chloe intervened, her blue eyes blinking as she addressed the gathered classmates. “What is the precise title that Leo received?”

Upon entering his private chambers, Leo was received by two women. They were Mel and Enkinias, whom Mel had selected to serve as her successor.

“I understand Mel being here, but what brings En?”

“I have been instructed by the Lord to remain by your side and offer my assistance, Lord Leo,” En replied.

Leo turned his gaze toward Mel, seeking clarification.

“En is exceptionally skilled, so she will undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable asset to you, Lord Leo,” Mel assured him.

“You may look upon me as your personal aide, Lord Leo,” En added.

Leo let out a quiet chuckle. “An aide? What exactly fall within your capabilities?”

“To be precise: attending lectures in your stead, completing your written tasks by proxy, handling your assignments, and things of that nature…”

“Every single one of those examples is a direct breach of academy regulations.”

“I was under the impression that those were the exact burdens students wished to avoid most.”

“Even so, uttering such things so boldly right in front of a professor takes quite a bit of nerve.”

“The Lord instructed me that an action is only a transgression if one is apprehended.”

“He certainly provided you with a thorough education.”

“My thanks.”

“I wasn’t offering a compliment, you know,” Leo remarked, clicking his tongue as he observed Mel’s flustered demeanor.

‘How is it that they are so adept at adopting his subtle methods of misdirection? Could it perhaps be an inherent trait of the dragon race?’ Leo wondered.

Lysinas, widely celebrated as the Sovereign of Insight and the Beacon of Optimism, had always maintained the reputation of an upright and honorable commander. In reality, however, he was an absolute genius when it came to stratagems and misdirection.

‘Granted, many of his deceptions were constructed out of absolute truths, but regardless of the method, these two have certainly inherited his penchant for mischief.’

Suppressing a sigh, Leo focused his attention back on En.

‘There is no denying her competence, though.’

She had played an instrumental role in their recent clash against the remnant of Erebus.

‘Given that Mel handpicked her as a successor, her talents are guaranteed. Most importantly, her distinct magical trait will be incredibly advantageous.’

En’s particular magical attribute was Mirror—a form of sorcery capable of flawlessly replicating the exact likeness of any target.

“Very well. If your intention is to assist, I have no reason to decline. I look forward to your support.”

En offered a respectful bow. “On another note, Mel, did you happen to inspect the Hero Record where my name was entered?” Leo asked, as he had not yet viewed the tome himself since the inscription occurred.

“I did.”

“What was the exact wording?”

“Only your name, Lord Leo, was set down.”

Leo fell into deep thought at her reply. He had been quite astonished when he first learned that his name had manifested within the artifact. He had harbored a brief concern that his hidden identity might be exposed to the world, but it appeared those fears were groundless.

“Why would only my name manifest? Are there any precedents in historical accounts where a savior was registered without any accompanying details?”

“There are absolutely no records of such an occurrence until now. You are the absolute first in history, Lord Leo.”

Hearing Mel’s confirmation, Leo pondered the matter further.

‘My name is already etched into the Hero Record,’ he thought. He was the very first figure to be documented in such a minimalist fashion. ‘Furthermore, I am the rightful master of the Hero Record itself.’

Under these conditions, his name stood entirely alone, devoid of any grand titles or chronicles of his triumphs. ‘And it was reportedly inscribed upon the final leaf.’

“Lord Leo, if I may offer my own perspective…” Mel began.

“Go ahead.”

“Is it not possible that your name appeared simply because it aligned with your own inner desire?”

Mel was well aware that Leo commanded the artifact. Moreover, Leo had altered and updated the contents of the Hero Record on numerous occasions. He had personally transcribed the accounts of champions from the ancient era during the Epoch of Ruin, as well as the Chronicles of Phantoms. He had even restored the obliterated legacy of Seyrun, the Blazing Arcanist, whose very existence had been turned to ash.

Those were not divine manifestations; they were chronicles penned by Leo Flobe, the true master of the artifact.

“Hm. That is certainly a reasonable theory,” Leo murmured, rubbing his jaw with a smile. “A champion without a title—that possesses a certain charm.”

“Do you truly have no desire for an illustrious epithet?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“You truly are unchanged, Lord Leo. Anyone else would desperately crave the grand titles bestowed by the artifact.”

“I am already in possession of an entirely sufficient title: the ‘Champion of Genesis.’ It would be utterly childish to suddenly yearn for names handed down by external deities.”

En, who had remained quiet during the exchange, finally spoke up. “I believe that placing any elaborate phrasing before your name would be entirely redundant to begin with,” she stated with an unreadable expression. “Because your very existence, Lord Leo, is inherently noble. You stand above all other entities in this realm.”

“En certainly understands the way of things!” Mel beamed. En had already been informed of Leo’s true background by Mel.

“Is that so?” Leo chuckled, amused by her assertion. “Tell me then, between myself and that fellow Lysinas, who holds the greater status?”

“That would undoubtedly be the Sovereign of Insight.”

Thud!

“What was that for?!” Mel cried out, clutching her head and frowning after receiving a sharp rap.

“Because you have done a poor job training your successor. She just declared me the greatest existence, only to immediately shift her stance.”

“But that is because Lord Lysinas passed away a long time ago,” En clarified, her expression remaining entirely steady.

Leo clicked his tongue at En’s logic before turning back to Mel. “What about you? Do you believe I am greater, or does that fellow Lysinas hold the crown?”

“Naturally, it is Lord Lysinas.”

Even though she knew another blow was coming, Mel stood firmly by her conviction, and Leo promptly delivered another swift knock to her head.

With the discussion regarding the artifact concluded, Leo’s tone turned serious. “Mel.”

“Yes, Lord Leo?”

“Deploy the dragon kin across the territories under the authority of the Sovereign.”

“Is this to prepare for a potential onslaught from Tartarus?” Mel inquired, causing Leo to narrow his eyes.

“The massive, straightforward invasion from Tartarus that you are envisioning will likely not take place.”

“Pardon?” Mel looked thoroughly perplexed.

“The Sovereign of Undeath is a far more calculating and underhanded individual than you credit him for,” Leo explained, clicking his tongue. “Five millennia ago, even when the might of Tartarus was incomparably greater than it is today, the fiendish hosts failed to breach Guardstron, the final bastion of civilization. And in those days, our numbers were fewer and our resources far more depleted than what is available now.”

“But that was during an era when you, Lord Lysinas, and the legendary champions were all alive and at the height of your power, was it not?”

“We did not possess the strength to completely alter the balance of the world from the very beginning either.”

They had forged their power by enduring countless conflicts and constantly pushing forward.

“As I have maintained before, our strength alone was insufficient to preserve the world. We were far from the only ones who refused to yield and placed their lives on the line for this realm.”

Leo envisioned the old comrades who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him on those bloodied fields.

“The Sovereign of Undeath understands the true capability of champions. Therefore, given the current circumstances where their resources are severely limited, he will never choose to engage in an open, all-out war. However, he will not remain passive either. Now that a portion of Erebus has been sealed away, he is the one who has suffered the most devastating setback.”

“If that is the case…”

“He will retreat further into the dark recesses of the world. After all, conspiracies and covert manipulations are his primary expertise.”

The historical reality that Tartarus managed to despoil the territories of numerous formidable lineages was entirely the doing of the Sovereign of Undeath. He had offered those conquered lands as sustenance to fuel Erebus.

“Even now, though his personal influence has been constrained due to the binding of Erebus, his command over his domain remains an extreme hazard.”

The Sovereign of Undeath’s absolute authority over the deceased.

“There is no telling how much he may have augmented his necromantic powers over the course of five thousand years. Furthermore,” Leo added, clicking his tongue, “the reemergence of this recent shard of Erebus indicates that it would not be unexpected for other fragments to awaken at any moment.”

It had required two millennia for the initial shard to manifest, and another three thousand years rolled by before the next one broke free. The awakening of the subsequent piece could theoretically take another several thousand years.

However…

“The interval might be significantly shorter this time. Should that occur, we must hunt it down and suppress it before Tartarus can capitalize on it, just as we did on this occasion.”

“Understood, I shall see to it.”

“There is one additional matter.” Leo looked down at his open palm. “I must locate their respective leaves.”

Mel instantly comprehended what Leo meant by “leaves.”

“We are already conducting a search for them. However, I want you to intensify our efforts. Focus primarily on locating the leaves belonging to the concluding chapter.”

“If the forces of Tartarus catch wind of this, will they not act even more aggressively?”

“That would actually be a welcome development,” Leo stated, closing his fingers into a tight fist. “If they mobilize on a grand scale, they will inevitably leave a trail. We can simply consolidate our strength wherever they attempt to stir up trouble. If they want to stop us, they will be forced to commit to an open conflict.”

For the denizens of Tartarus, the revelation that the ultimate savior who vanished five millennia ago is active in the modern world represents an absolute nightmare.

“Now that my presence has been recognized and our position is out in the open, there is no longer any reason to hold back.” Leo’s crimson eyes flashed with an intense light. “From this moment forward, the campaign to eliminate the Sovereign of Undeath is officially underway.”