Chapter 498

As the Twilight Festival drew near, the whole of Lumerne vibrated with anticipation. The celebration honors Lumerne itself, prompting the academy’s pupils to engage in countless tasks to ensure everything is ready. Several campus groups had gone so far as to coordinate distinct showcases specifically tailored for the event.

“Campus organizations? This academy certainly possesses quite a bit of vitality,” Luna remarked with a subtle grin, observing the students of Lumerne completely engrossed in their group preparations. “The atmosphere is entirely unlike the institution I once went to.”

“You actually went to an academy yourself, Lady Luna?” Chen Xia inquired, her eyelids fluttering open wide with fascination.

“Indeed. My education took place at an establishment meant to instruct elves, known as Barharun.”

“Barharun! Miss Lunia mentioned that very place before!”

“Lunia? Ah, you mean the individual with the crimson hair?” Hearing Eiran bring up the name, Luna recalled the fierce warrior and gave a slight nod. The experiences gained during her time in the champion’s domain had already been integrated into her awareness, meaning she possessed clear recollections of Lunia, who had stood against the remnants of Erebus from her historical vantage point.

“What sort of academy was Barharun, exactly?” Chen Xia pressed, her curiosity fully piqued.

Shifting her gaze toward the inquisitive girl, Luna explained, “Its purpose was to separate and choose the High Elves. To be precise, it was an institution established by a divine entity to designate the true Elf King.”

“A… a divinity?” Eiran’s jaw dropped in disbelief, while Chen Xia voiced her amazement. An educational center set up directly by a deity was something utterly beyond comprehension in the modern day.

“Did you truly encounter a divine being face-to-face, Lady Luna?”

“Naturally, I did.”

“Incredible. To actually speak with a deity in the flesh…”

“I wasn’t the only one. That person walking right behind us surely encountered them as well, didn’t he?” Luna gestured toward Leo, who trailed behind the group with an indifferent demeanor. “Back when figures were making a name for themselves during the Age of Calamity, finding someone who hadn’t cross paths with a deity would have been impossible.”

Luna spoke of divine entities as though they were nothing more than ordinary rocks scattered along a pathway. Looking at her utterly unfazed expression, Eiran and Chen Xia turned their gazes toward Leo with newfound reverence.

“But surely, deities are entities of ultimate wisdom, correct?”

“Are they truly possessing all knowledge and absolute authority over everything?”

Luna offered a faint, knowing smirk in response to their rapid questions. “Those entities people call deities are actually foolish, twisted, and profoundly useless individuals.”

Faced with such an outrageous declaration, both Eiran and Chen Xia stood entirely paralyzed.

“Well, perhaps not every single deity fits that description,” Leo interjected softly. “True, you might find a respectable one on rare occasions, but the vast majority are simply counterproductive.”

As someone devoid of religious reverence, Luna delivered her harsh assessment without hesitation, and Leo found himself agreeing with her perspective. The majority of these eternal entities, having existed for countless eras, sought nothing but their own entertainment. You could easily deduce their true character just by observing the individuals who suddenly had their titles etched onto the Hero Record. They would elevate figures completely unworthy of being deemed a champion, doing so purely for their own amusement, completely unbothered by whatever devastation might plague the mortal domain as a consequence. Because they execute such whims simply because it diverts them, anyone who uncovers the authentic reality of these higher beings quickly realizes they cannot be relied upon.

Hearing the firsthand accounts of two legendary figures who had dealt with deities directly, Eiran looked as though she might cry. “This is completely different from what the children’s fables and folklore claim.”

“Of course it is. Actual life is uncompromising. Most legends handed down through generations are fabricated. True maturity happens as you gradually face these harsh realities one after another.” Luna reached out to gently stroke Eiran’s hair.

Watching this interaction, Leo spoke up, “Indeed, much like your own situation.”

“Like mine? What are you implying by that statement?” Luna’s eyes narrowed instantly.

In response, Leo reached into his attire and pulled out a volume dedicated to legendary champions. It was a publication immensely familiar to practically everyone except Luna herself—a classic fairy tale compilation titled [Heroes of the Beginning]. It served as the introductory chronicle of legends that nearly every inhabitant of this land reads in their youth. Leo flipped the pages of the storybook until he reached the section detailing the various figures. There, an illustration depicted Luna, displaying a radiant grin that seemed to welcome the warmth of springtime.

“The Merciful Elf, Matriarch of the Nebula Luna? What on earth is this supposed to be?”

“You happen to be an elf who possesses absolutely zero connection to mercy,” Leo pointed out.

“I am incredibly merciful,” Luna retorted without an ounce of shame. She snatched the folklore volume right out of Leo’s grip and swung it aggressively toward him.

While Leo effortlessly shifted his posture to evade her strike, Chen Xia took the opportunity to ask, “So, Lady Luna, does that mean you were once a competitor to become the Elf King?”

“Hardly. The elven society of that era suffered from deep corruption in numerous aspects,” Luna stated with complete detachment. “They had no intention of crowning someone of common lineage like myself as their sovereign.”

“There was actually a comparable scandal within the elven hierarchy not too long ago, wasn’t there?” Chen Xia mused aloud.

“It seems the elven population remains a thoroughly degraded people,” Luna muttered, clicking her tongue in disapproval.

Observing Luna’s harsh judgment, Eiran showed a visibly awkward expression, while Leo simply let out a sigh and shook his head. “That is a highly inappropriate remark coming from an elf yourself.”

Members of her lineage typically carry immense cultural satisfaction, but Luna, having witnessed underhanded schemes since her earliest days, remained completely detached from such sentiments.

“It is simply the unvarnished reality.” Luna playfully tugged at the pointed tips of her own ears, flashing a mischievous grin. “Though I certainly don’t harbor resentment toward every single elf!”

With a sudden movement, Luna pulled Eiran into a tight embrace, affectionately pressing her facial features against the young girl’s head. “Oh, our incredibly adorable Eiran.”

Leo couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath, watching Luna shower affection on Eiran much like she used to do with Berkia. Eiran didn’t seem to object to the treatment either, offering a timid, joyful expression.

“In any case, regardless of how it operated at its inception, Barharun was an utterly dreadful academy. Because of that experience, I hold a much deeper appreciation for Lumerne.”

Chen Xia nodded understandingly at Luna’s observation. Meanwhile, the group of four successfully arrived at the designated section of campus reserved for student organizations. Their motivation for visiting this particular sector was straightforward: Luna simply desired to inspect the area, and that served as their primary directive.

The moment the four companions stepped into the organizational zone, startled voices rang out.

“Yikes?!”

“L-Leo Flobe is here!”

“It’s the head of the student council!”

Pupils who had been rushing about executing tasks immediately cried out in alarm upon spotting Leo and Chen Xia, promptly scattering in every direction to avoid any form of direct eye contact.

Witnessing this chaotic reaction, Luna looked utterly mystified. “What is going on here? Why does everyone flee as though an infectious disease has arrived the moment you walk into view?”

“Young Master Leo essentially functions as a terrifying specter among the student organizations,” Chen Xia explained with a soft laugh.

“A terrifying specter?”

“Precisely.” Chen Xia went on to clarify the situation, sharing a widely known tale from when Leo initially assumed his position as the student council leader. During his first inspection of the campus groups, he completely dismantled the funding allocation for numerous departments. It wasn’t an arbitrary decision either; it was the result of an incredibly meticulous financial investigation. Ever since that event, organizational leaders would practically beg for leniency whenever Leo crossed their path.

“Which specific group do you wish to examine first?” Leo inquired.

“A department centered around sorcery seems appropriate, don’t you think?”

“In that case, let us proceed to the Magic Engineering Department.” With that decided, Leo guided the path toward their destination.

“EEEEEK?!”

A fifth-year pupil specializing in sorcery, who happened to be the former director of the Magic Engineering Department and was nearing graduation, James Dect, let out a piercing shriek the instant he observed Leo crossing the threshold. He quickly dove behind a fabric partition, trembling uncontrollably.

Luna watched his panicked behavior with genuine amusement, as if the student were facing an absolute monster. She then took hold of Leo’s arm, positioned him directly in front of James’s hiding spot, and yanked the partition open.

“EEEEEK, NO!”

Luna closed the fabric once more, watching James thrash about frantically while shielding his vision as though he were a creature of the dark suddenly struck by solar rays. The moment James managed to calm down, she pulled the fabric open yet again.

“EEEEE—AUGH!”

Swoosh!

“This is honestly quite entertaining, isn’t it?” Luna remarked, her expression glowing with a playful smirk and her eyes dancing with excitement.

Leo gently directed Luna toward Eiran, stepping in to intervene. “We didn’t come here today to handle financial inspections, so please compose yourself.”

“Is… is that the truth?” James warily extended his head from around the fabric barrier, his gaze still filled with intense anxiety.

“Yes. Furthermore, as an upperclassman about to graduate, changes to the funding shouldn’t deeply impact you anyway, correct?”

“That is incorrect! Even after my departure, the scientific pursuits of the Magic Engineering Department must go forward!” James asserted with conviction.

“Very well. Consequently, we shall leave your funding untouched.”

Hearing those reassuring words, a massively relieved James finally stepped out completely from behind his cover. “Then what brings your group here?”

Noticing James’s bewildered look, Leo indicated Luna and Eiran with a nod. “This individual simply wished to observe your work.”

“Are these two visiting students originating from Seirun?” James asked, adjusting the position of his eyewear.

Luna offered a gentle smile as she looked at him, posing a question of her own, “What specific branch of sorcery is your department currently investigating?”

“If you are referring to our most recent scholarly undertaking, it is the [Magic of Blooming Flowers].”

“Pardon?” Luna’s eyes expanded with sudden surprise.

Noticing her startled reaction, James remarked, “As a student from Seirun, you should be well aware that Leo here successfully reconstructed the magical blueprint for the blossoming flowers, restoring the knowledge to the elven community.” James moved a slate board over from the far corner of the room to display his point. Fixed upon it was the intricate magical blueprint for the blossoming flowers. “Furthermore, documentation confirmed that this specific spellcraft was the precise magic sought after by the Matriarch of the Nebula, Lady Luna herself.”

During the previous summer intermission, this reality had been unveiled to the public during the exploration of Luna’s domain.

“Naturally, despite the blueprint being successfully recovered, its complete mechanisms haven’t been entirely decoded yet. As a result, Leo stands as the sole practitioner capable of wielding the [Magic of Blooming Flowers] at this time.” James cast a highly admiring glance toward his fellow student.

The specific sorcery a practitioner pursues serves as a reflection of their innermost identity. To utilize the exact magic another individual desired implies a profound comprehension of that person’s spirit. From that perspective, Leo was unique in this world as the solitary mage who truly grasped the intentions of the Matriarch of the Nebula.

“Our objective is to likewise comprehend the spirit of the Matriarch of the Nebula. Therefore, we are examining methods to execute the [Magic of Blooming Flowers] utilizing the principles found within the [Introduction to Star Magic].”

‘Introduction to Star Magic?’ Luna thought, momentarily bewildered before she asked aloud, “For what reason do you seek to comprehend the spirit of the Matriarch of the Nebula?”

“You are an elf yourself, yet you pose such an unusual query,” James noted, looking at her with genuine confusion before flashing a warm grin. “It is because Lady Luna represents the very essence of magic.”

“……!”

“Every single spellcaster across this world holds her in the highest esteem.”

The inheritance Luna provided to the realm of sorcery extends far beyond the boundaries of stellar magic. She systematized the entire body of magical knowledge existing prior to the Age of Calamity, creating an enduring groundwork for subsequent generations so that the craft could firmly establish itself and thrive following the resolution of the disaster.

“The elven population believes they are the exclusive group that truly honors Lady Luna. However, every practitioner of magic views her as a guiding beacon.” James smiled broadly. “That is precisely why we desire to grasp her inner heart. Does the explanation satisfy your curiosity now?” James offered a pleasant look to Luna, who remained completely motionless as though struck by a sudden realization.

“Former Director! We require your assistance over here immediately!”

“I have repeatedly requested that you address me as the Honorary Director!” James snapped back, turning on his heel to attend to his peers.

Luna watched the group walk away. These were young practitioners—from her historical perspective, incredibly distant successors. Coming to this modern era had forced her to realize something: she was an entity of profound adoration. While she had frequently spoken proudly of her standing, it was only in this precise instance that she truly grasped the specific meaning of her identity to these spellcasters.

Her chest tightened with emotion. This reality was precisely what she had always desired. She had maintained absolute certainty throughout her life that she would achieve such a status. Yet, now that she stood directly in front of this truth, she felt an overwhelming wave of self-consciousness and vulnerability.

“What are your thoughts?” Leo suddenly inquired, a warm smile gracing his features. “What does it feel like to exist as a brilliant beacon set against the darkness of the night sky?”

“What do you mean?”

“Every individual practicing sorcery in this current era is effectively a spiritual successor to Luna Rubyne, the Matriarch of the Nebula.” Leo shifted his gaze toward the busy students within the department. “You have quite literally transformed into an ultimate guide and the pinnacle objective for all spellcasters. You have become a fixed point of navigation, illuminating the path forward like a radiant celestial body in the darkness.”

Luna could only stare back with an entirely blank, overwhelmed expression.

“It is precisely because of who you are that this outcome was possible, Luna.” Leo fixed his eyes directly on her. “I feel immense joy knowing you are here to witness this reality yourself.”

Beholding his gentle, smiling countenance, Luna’s entire face instantly flushed an intense crimson color, as if it might burn up. Shielding her features, which had grown so warm it felt as though vapor might emerge from her head, she lowered her face completely.

“Experiencing bashfulness doesn’t particularly align with your character,” Leo teased with a quiet laugh.

Luna found herself screaming inwardly at his amusement, thinking, ‘The only reason I am experiencing this state is entirely because of you! You absolute simpleton!’