Chapter 488

Chloe, renowned as the premier scholar within the Department of Magic, possessed an academic reputation matched only by Karl, whose innovative concepts and inventive flair in alchemy were nothing short of brilliant.

Alongside them stood Chen Xia, a stealth expert who had undergone rigorous training in the administration and compounding of lethal toxins since her earliest childhood.

This specific trio formed a unit perfectly suited to fulfill the particular mission commissioned by the Northern Magic Tower.

Because their skills aligned so seamlessly with the task, they managed to conclude the assignment well ahead of the other competing academies.

With their duties wrapped up ahead of schedule, Chloe and Karl chose to extend their visit by a few days, remaining behind at the Northern Magic Tower.

Their decision was made easier by the fact that the academy at Lumerne suspended all standard lectures for the duration of the designated mission window.

For any students efficient enough to finish their responsibilities prior to the deadline, this interval effectively transformed into an authorized vacation.

Consequently, Chloe and Karl utilized this bonus time at the Northern Magic Tower to dive into a series of complex arcane research projects.

Chen Xia, however, opted out of an extended stay and caught the first transport back to Lumerne.

As a student enrolled in the Department of Knights, she had little reason to linger around an institute of sorcery, but the primary catalyst for her swift return was the recent intelligence concerning Leo that had reached her through covert channels.

‘A crisis of that magnitude unfolded, and I was entirely absent when young master Leo needed assistance.’

Deeply vexed by her own perceived uselessness, Chen Xia felt a strong urge to return to the academy dormitories, where Leo was likely recuperating in solitude, so she could tend to his needs and offer quiet companionship.

Naturally, a small, calculating part of her mind harbored a secondary motive.

‘This presents a rare window to have him all to myself.’

Given that Lumerne operated on a system of communal dorms and shared spaces, finding an occasion to converse with Leo without a crowd present was an exceedingly rare luxury.

Still, she harbored no true resentment about their lack of privacy.

On the contrary, her day-to-day experiences at the academy brought her immense happiness.

‘Every bit of this joy is a gift from young master Leo.’

Throughout her inaugural year, Chen Xia had found it impossible to genuinely participate in the life offered at Lumerne.

During that initial period, her highest aspiration was to walk the path of a hero, yet she spent those months trapped in the conviction that she lacked the moral and physical worthiness to ever claim such a title. It was only natural that her spirit felt constantly weighed down by unexpressed grief.

However, after receiving Leo’s explicit validation and freeing herself from that psychological torment, merely participating in ordinary social interactions with her classmates had become a source of genuine delight.

For the first time in her memory, she was experiencing the unburdened pleasure of bonding with peers her own age.

Yet, parallel to that newfound social satisfaction, her yearning to cultivate a deeper, more exclusive bond with Leo remained incredibly potent.

Reaching the grounds of Lumerne as the sky began to pale with early morning light, Chen Xia paused briefly outside the dormitory entrance to smooth down the fabric of her uniform before stepping inside.

Assuming that Leo would still be fast asleep at such an hour, she instinctively masked her footsteps and suppressed her physical aura out of courtesy.

‘Wait…’

Suddenly, her senses picked up a faint trace of movement originating from the central living area, prompting her to redirect her steps toward the lounge.

The precise instant she pushed the door ajar, she froze mid-stride.

Sprawled across the sofa was Leo, and draped directly over him in a tight embrace was an elven maiden.

“What exactly is going on here?”

“I-I can explain! Oh goodness—?!”

Caught completely off guard, the elven girl, Eiran, scrambled to pull herself away in a panic, but her frantic movements caused her to trip, sending her tumbling right back down against Leo’s chest.

Witnessing this clumsy display, Chen Xia’s analytical mind immediately began racing to deduce the sequence of events that could lead to such a bizarre tableau.

‘Why on earth is Miss Eiran present inside Lumerne?’

Eiran held the prestigious rank of the second-highest scoring student within the sophomore tier at Seirun, making her unannounced presence inside a Lumerne second-year dormitory a massive conundrum in its own right.

Chen Xia let her gaze wander across the room, tracking over toward the lounge table.

Sitting prominently on the surface was a drained liquor decanter, accompanied by the sharp, undeniable fragrance of fermented spirits hanging in the air.

Then there was the undeniable physical reality of Eiran pinned flush against Leo.

‘No matter how I look at this, the logic entirely escapes me.’

Ultimately, Chen Xia found herself entirely unable to piece the clues together.

“Please forgive me! Lord Leo! I am incredibly sorry!”

As Eiran babbled out frantic apologies, Leo calmly pushed himself into a sitting position.

“Ah?!”

With their faces suddenly brought into such close proximity that they could feel the warmth of each other’s breath, Eiran let out a soft, startled gasp.

Without a hint of awkwardness, Leo reached out, sliding his hands beneath Eiran’s arms as she hovered over him.

With a effortless lift, he hoisted her up and set her firmly down on her own two feet upon the floorboards.

Once he was standing, Leo turned his attention to Chen Xia.

“You arrived much earlier than anticipated. Did Chloe and Karl not return with you?”

“They chose to prolong their research trip at the Northern Magic Tower for a few more days. Setting that aside, what brings Miss Eiran to our campus? And… what sort of activity were the two of you engaging in just now?”

Detecting the sharp note of interrogation laced within Chen Xia’s query, Eiran hurriedly stammered out a justification.

“Ah, the truth is, I have formally transferred to Lumerne to participate as an international exchange student for the foreseeable future.”

“A visiting student?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Then how do you explain the compromising posture I walked in on?”

“Oh! That was simply because I ended up keeping Lord Leo awake until dawn with my endless chatter. I noticed he had drifted off, and I was merely attempting to drape a protective quilt over him!”

“Pardon? You kept him company throughout the entire night?”

For a split second, a flicker of profound uncertainty crossed Chen Xia’s features.

Observing how Eiran’s clumsy phrasing had only succeeded in making an innocent situation sound infinitely more scandalous, Leo let out a weary breath and intervened.

“Control your imagination. I spent the night reciting historical accounts regarding the ancient heroes at her request.”

“Oh.”

“What sort of scenario did you think you were walking into?”

“Given how closely intertwined your bodies were, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume a romantic entanglement was taking place.”

Hearing Chen Xia lay out the blunt truth of the matter, Eiran’s ears flushed a deep crimson, and she ducked her chin against her chest in profound embarrassment.

Amused by the elf’s extreme bashfulness, Chen Xia pressed a hand to her lips to stifle a chuckle before offering a warm greeting.

“A formal welcome to Lumerne, Miss Eiran.”

“Did Miss Lunia decline the opportunity to join the exchange program alongside you?”

Later that identical morning.

Gathered outside the dining pavilion situated at the heart of the Hero’s Tower, the trio of companions made their way into a local tea house to partake in their morning meal.

While they bided their time waiting for their breakfast order to be prepared, Chen Xia voiced her lingering curiosity.

“Yes, that’s correct. Miss Lunia recently accepted the mantle of student council president back home. Her schedule is entirely consumed by the administrative transition.”

“Miss Lunia possesses an admirable work ethic. Young master Leo, conversely, systematically delegated every single bit of his bureaucratic obligations onto the shoulders of his upperclassmen.”

“It would be highly inappropriate for a second-year student like myself to dictate the operations of the academy when there are perfectly competent seniors available to handle the burden,” Leo countered with absolute serenity.

“Regardless of the politics, I consider myself exceptionally fortunate. The timing of my exchange placement aligned perfectly with the upcoming Twilight Festival,” Eiran interjected, her face lighting up with a radiant grin.

“Now that you mention it, the dates for the Twilight Festival are fast approaching,” Leo remarked, propping his jaw against his palm with a look of casual detachment.

The Twilight Festival.

This particular celebration was observed precisely once every half-decade within Lumeria City, serving as a grand tribute to the legendary figure known as Lumerne, the Knight of Twilight.

The reason the carnival operated on a strict five-year interval traced back to the historical timeline required to fully construct both Lumeria City and the prestigious Lumerne Academy centuries ago.

While the festivities were actively underway, the academy suspended its rigid security policy—which normally restricted students to campus grounds except during sanctioned weekend leaves—granting the student body total autonomy to wander back and forth into Lumeria City at will.

Because of this unique freedom, it remained the single most anticipated event on the academic calendar for the enrollment of Lumerne.

Certain individuals were so intent on extracting every ounce of enjoyment from the occasion that they went so far as to secure temporary lodgings within Lumeria City proper, choosing to travel back to campus solely for mandatory commitments.

After all, standard academic instruction did not grind to a halt merely because the city was celebrating.

“The influx of freedom usually leads to a surge in behavioral infractions, doesn’t it? The faculty members always complain about the immense stress they endure throughout the festival week. A significant number of reckless students invariably end up caught by patrols and hit with severe disciplinary black marks.”

Right as Chen Xia and Eiran were deep in conversation regarding the logistics of the Twilight Festival, a smooth, melodious voice cut through their chatter.

“Well, look who it is. Good morning, student Leo, student Chen Xia. And… you must be student Eiran, if I am not mistaken?”

The group looked up to see a polite, pleasant smile framing the face of the woman who had approached their table.

Turning his head toward the source, Leo recognized the newcomer instantly. It was Mel.

“Good morning, Professor Mel.”

“Ah, greetings, ma’am!”

As Chen Xia rose from her chair to deliver a formal curtsy, Eiran mirrored her movements, quickly scrambling to her feet to offer a respectful bow of her own.

Acknowledging their courtesy with a gentle wave of her hand, Mel fixed her gaze directly on Leo.

“Student Leo, I apologize for interrupting before your breakfast arrives. Might I borrow you for a brief, private consultation?”

“Certainly.”

Offering a concise nod, Leo pushed back his chair and stood up.

“I shall return shortly.”

Leaving his companions behind, Leo walked alongside Mel, steering their path toward a quiet, unpopulated corner of the establishment.

Eiran and Chen Xia.

With the departure of their mutual anchor, an uncomfortable, heavy quiet settled over the remaining pair.

While it was true that they had crossed paths during past events, their personal rapport remained largely surface-level and undeveloped.

Chen Xia leaned her weight onto her hand, quietly awaiting the arrival of their food platters and Leo’s return.

Eiran, meanwhile, kept casting nervous, fleeting looks across the table toward her companion.

Catching her in the act, Chen Xia inquired with mild amusement, “Is there a blemish of some sort on my face?”

“What?! Oh, goodness, absolutely not! That wasn’t my intention at all…”

Eiran’s cheeks flushed as she stumbled over her words, though she managed to recover her composure and offered a gentle, timid smile.

“I was simply admiring how striking you are—you look precisely like an exquisite porcelain doll. You remind me of a beautiful royal plaything I was gifted during my childhood. Though, in your case, Miss Chen Xia, you happen to be a genuine aristocratic lady.”

“You are too kind. Though if we are making comparisons to porcelain figures, I believe Miss Eiran fits that description far better than I do,” Chen Xia countered, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

Encouraged by the warm response, Eiran leaned forward slightly, her voice laced with hope.

“Miss Chen Xia… would you be open to becoming my friend?”

“It would be my absolute pleasure.”

“Oh, wonderful!”

Eiran’s expression blossomed into a look of pure, unadulterated happiness.

Witnessing such an earnest, childlike display of joy, Chen Xia found herself smiling in return, her affection genuinely sparked.

“Changing the subject slightly, it appears to me that you hold young master Leo in exceptionally high regard, Miss Eiran.”

“Yes, without question. From the very first moment our paths crossed, I found myself utterly mesmerized by him. Lord Leo possesses the aura of a legendary savior stepping straight out of an old folklore tapestry.”

A fond look washed over Eiran’s face as she recalled their initial introduction.

“That sounds remarkably identical to my own experience.”

“So I am correct in assuming that Miss Chen Xia also harbors deep feelings of affection for Lord Leo?”

“Indeed, I care for him immensely.”

“My goodness, Miss Chen Xia, the parallels between the two of us are quite extraordinary.”

Eiran seemed fundamentally thrilled by the revelation.

“Parallels?”

Chen Xia, who had operating under the assumption that her temperament and the elf’s were polar opposites, felt a wave of confusion wash over her at the assertion.

“Yes! Not only do we share the exact same devotion toward Lord Leo, but our respective family lineages both trace back to ancestors who served directly as pupils under Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.”

“…I was under the impression that my family’s ancestral tie to Lord Kyle was a closely guarded secret. I am certain I have never spoken of it to anyone here,” Chen Xia noted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tilted her head in inquiry.

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Eiran panicked slightly, her words tumbling out in a hurried rush to correct herself.

“L-Lord Leo was the one who confided in me! He mentioned that while reviewing the historical records preserved within the Book of Shadows, he discovered accounts detailing the exploits of Lord Vihar! He explained to me that just like Lord Berkia, Lord Vihar had also trained as a formal disciple under Lord Kyle!”

“Ah, that clarifies things.”

Chen Xia’s features softened, and she offered a reassuring nod.

‘It appears Miss Eiran and I share a bond that runs far deeper than simple academic acquaintance.’

Chen Xia ruminated on the fact.

This was no superficial coincidence.

An epoch spanning five millennia had marched onward.

Yet here they sat, the living lineages of the individuals who held personal ties to the legendary champions whose names still echoed in the current era.

And yet…

‘Young master Leo is fundamentally a man of discretion; he does not casually broadcast confidential information regarding others.’

The Leo that Chen Xia had come to understand over their time together was intensely private. He was not the type to gossip about personal histories, nor would he pry into her own family background without a grave and pressing reason.

Even taking into account a unique historical lineage or a profound mutual understanding.

As Chen Xia systematically dissected the situation, her keen intuition guided her toward a singular, unavoidable deduction.

‘Miss Eiran’s comprehension of young master Leo operates on a level of intimacy that surpasses my own.’

Chen Xia’s analytical mind pinpointed the true nature of the dynamic between the two.

‘She is clearly privy to a monumental truth regarding young master Leo—a secret that remains entirely concealed from me.’

“What is the matter? Has some sort of emergency arisen?”

“No, there is no need to alarm yourself with thoughts of an immediate catastrophe. However…”

Mel paused, a look of hesitation clouding her expression before she spoke with measured caution.

“A series of highly anomalous occurrences have begun to manifest across the eastern territories of the continent.”

“Anomalous occurrences?” Leo echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Indeed. Massive, unseasonable meteorological disruptions have gripped the region. Despite the calendar indicating we are only in the twilight of autumn, multiple provinces are suddenly enduring sub-zero temperatures and massive blizzards.”

Hearing this, Leo’s expression darkened into a deep frown.

“Furthermore, we are receiving consistent intelligence reports indicating that vast swathes of woodland are spontaneously perishing; every single tree and blade of grass across entire forestry zones has instantly withered away.”

“Could this be the handiwork of the Lich King?”

“The specialized investigative units have ruled out that possibility. The unmistakable residual energy of decay and death that invariably trails the Lich King and his unholy legion is completely missing from the sites. The flora appears to have simply expired instantly, as though every drop of its fundamental life force was vacuumed out overnight.”

Mel’s tone grew increasingly solemn as she continued.

“And to add to the bizarre nature of these reports… there is an isolated region where an entire woodland has simultaneously erupted into full, vibrant bloom, presenting an environment that looks like the peak of spring.”

“A forest in full bloom?”

The mention of sudden floral manifestation caused Leo’s eyes to widen in genuine disbelief.

‘Blossoms? Could an individual have cast a high-tier green-magic spell capable of forcing a mass awakening of plant life?’

The specific spell matrix required to trigger such an instantaneous floral bloom was a historical creation of Luna, an incantation that Leo himself had meticulously reconstructed from ancient texts.

‘But in this current age, there shouldn’t be a single living soul capable of correctly channeling the precise mana frequencies required to execute that specific magic.’

Sinking deeper into his own thoughts as he tried to reconcile the paradox, Leo suddenly looked up and demanded clarification.

“You mentioned these events are concentrated in the east?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Do you happen to have an updated chart of the world on your person?”

In response to his urgent inquiry, Mel reached into her spatial storage ring, pulling out a detailed topographical map of the world and spreading it flat across the surface between them.

“Indicate the exact coordinates of this forest where the unseasonable blooming was witnessed.”

“The phenomenon is centered precisely here.”

Mel extended a finger, tapping a location situated squarely within the heart of the eastern landmass.

The coordinate sat within the sovereign borders of the Shan Empire.

It was a completely isolated, frontier territory, devoid of any major metropolitan centers or urban settlements for leagues around.

Leo fixed an intense, unblinking stare upon that specific patch of parchment.

‘…The coordinates align almost perfectly.’

Five thousand years in the past.

Right before the gathered assembly of Great Heroes commenced their final, fateful march to bring about the downfall of Erebus.

Back then, geographical charts were entirely redundant.

In a world standing on the literal precipice of total annihilation, a titanic column of obsidian flame had violently ruptured the earth, piercing straight through the stratosphere.

That terrifying pillar of fire, visible from every far-flung corner of the civilized world, served as the ultimate harbinger of global ruin.

The Great Heroes had oriented themselves toward that terrifying beacon, setting off on the expedition from which they would never return.

Because of the chaotic nature of that final battlefield, Leo lacked any definitive records marking the final resting places of his ancient comrades.

He could only formulate an educated guess by calculating their marching speed, transit routes, and the timeline of their final days.

‘After the passage of five millennia, it is statistically impossible for their physical burial mounds to have survived the elements.’

Even with his vast reservoir of ancient knowledge, pin-pointing a five-thousand-year-old gravesite using nothing but a broad geographical estimate was an exercise in futility.

Yet, the nature of these spontaneous anomalies—specifically the sudden, impossible eruption of living blossoms—gnawed at his consciousness.

The eastern frontier, currently acting as the theater for these inexplicable natural deviations.

‘It was within this exact territory that Luna drew her very last breath.’