Chapter 515

Book 1 Chapter 515

The Necromancer King’s invasion of Lumerin.

The entire world shook at the intelligence that Tartarus had initiated a massive assault on Lumerin, following their strike on Seirun the previous year.

It was, without exaggeration, a period of total chaos.

The globe had not witnessed this level of instability since the return of the Calamity two millennia ago, following the conclusion of the Age of Calamity.

“In some respects, our present time might be even more fractured than the period during the return of the Calamity.”

Mel remarked while delivering her lecture.

“Back during the return of the Calamity, the awakened fragments of Erebus rampaged across the lands alongside the commanders of Tartarus.”

Clack-!

Mel snapped her fingers, causing a map from the side of the grand lecture hall to fly through the air, stick to the blackboard, and unroll completely.

“This indicates the path of Tartarus’s advance during that era. As you are all aware, the ‘Hero Record’ abilities had not yet manifested back then, leaving our forces desperately lacking. The entities that altered that desperate theater of war were the heroes of the new era.”

Clip-clop- Mel paced toward the center of the lecture hall.

“Our military strength has grown incomparably more potent than it was in those days. Nevertheless, the onslaught from Tartarus is also far more aggressive than what we faced back then.”

Mel spoke in a deeply serious tone.

“The reappearance of the historical commanders, the resurrection of Erebus’s fragments. And…”

Mel inhaled deeply.

“The very individuals who earned renown in the Hero Record of the past are now rising against us as adversaries, reanimated as undead by the Necromancer King’s corruptive power.”

Upon hearing those words, the sound of tense swallowing echoed across the room.

At this moment, every single student and all the faculty members of Lumerin were assembled within the grand lecture hall, listening intently to Mel’s address.

“Now, let me pose a question. Even though our circumstances are dire, we are not without hope. What is that hope?”

Mel smiled broadly as she inquired, attempting to ease the heavy atmosphere.

Yet, the interior of the lecture hall remained entirely mute.

Mel’s eyes widened slightly at the lack of response.

“Are there no students who wish to offer an answer?”

In response to her query, the student body maintained their silence.

Observing the reaction of the crowd, Mel, expressing a ‘hmm-‘ troubled countenance, directed her gaze toward the faculty.

“What about among the professors?”

Mel was a newly appointed instructor at Lumerin this year.

Even though she, a novice professor, addressed the veteran educators of Lumerin as if they were pupils, no one raised an objection.

It was already common knowledge throughout the institution that Mel’s true identity was that of a Dragon Lord.

Regardless of how prominent a Lumerin professor might be, they dared not behave thoughtlessly in the presence of the mightiest living Dragon.

Flash-!

Right at that moment, someone resolutely hoisted their hand into the air.

“Yes, Professor Ren.”

It was Ren, who indisputably held the top position among the numerous eccentric instructors at Lumerin.

“It is the fact that a fresh potential within the Hero Record has been uncovered.”

“Yes, that is absolutely accurate.”

Mel stated with a radiant smile.

“As expected of the professor representing the Department of Magic, which stands as Lumerin’s premier department.”

Witnessing Ren’s self-satisfied display, Associate Professor Anna, who sat beside him, buried her face in both hands and dropped her head, while Alby let out a lengthy sigh.

Ren was interacting with Mel just as he normally would.

The explanation for this was straightforward.

‘Lo-Lord, I deeply apologize for failing to recognize your presence until this moment…’

‘Who is Lord?’

‘Huh?’

‘Who is Lord?’

‘Th-that is… Mel-nim is Dragon Lord Melina-nim…’

‘I am Mel, an instructor in the Lumerin Department of Magic, though?’

This transpired because when the Lumerin faculty went to pay their respects to Mel as the crisis was being contained, Mel had simply smiled brightly and dismissed the claim.

Furthermore, she had explicitly issued this warning:

‘If anyone addresses me as Dragon Lord moving forward, they will be punished.’

Mel’s definition of a penalty was nothing more than a gentle tap on the cranium, but the pronouncement of the strongest existing Dragon, a menace disguised as a casual remark, left everyone at Lumerin bearing an incredible mental weight.

“We stand currently at a pivotal junction in history. It cannot be denied that this is a turbulent era.”

Mel articulated solemnly.

“However, if we prevail over this tribulation, we will undoubtedly secure a state of genuine peace.”

As the chaotic aftermath was being brought under control.

Mel recognized the vital need to resolutely direct the potential heroes who would carry the weight of the future.

That was the precise reason she had organized this extraordinary presentation.

“Maintain faith in yourselves. This is the moment to press forward.”

“Understood!”

A full week had rolled by since the aerial raid executed by the Necromancer King.

The Twilight Festival had been prematurely terminated due to unavoidable crises.

By some miracle, no fatalities occurred, though the structural devastation inflicted upon Lumeria City was immense.

Lumerin students routinely departed the campus every day on a voluntary basis to assist in the reconstruction efforts for Lumeria City.

“Honestly, it feels like I’ve been transformed into a laborer,” Chelsea muttered as she levitated a massive boulder utilizing wind magic, prompting Celia to counter.

“Assisting citizens is likewise a responsibility of a hero candidate. Refrain from whining so ungratefully.”

“I wasn’t whining! It’s merely your own petty mindset making you perceive it that way. Bleah!”

“Why you!”

Chelsea mischievously flashed her tongue at Celia, her eternal rival.

Just as an irritated Celia prepared to strike back, Avad, standing alongside them, intervened.

“Chelsea. Celia speaks the truth, your conduct was inappropriate.”

“Ugh! Fine, brother. I was in the wrong.”

“Your apology belongs to Celia, not to me.”

“Ugh—I’m sorry.”

Chelsea offered her regrets at Avad’s command.

Celia observed Chelsea, brushing her tresses backward, and remarked.

“How much longer are you going to freeze up every single time Avad commands you?”

As Celia spoke in a thoroughly exasperated manner, Iliana, who happened to be strolling past, broke in with an inquisitive look.

“Isn’t something rather strange here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since when did Celia begin addressing Avad by his actual name instead of calling him ‘Butter’?”

“Is that unusual?”

“It is incredibly unusual! You two! Could it be that you’re… you know?”

Iliana began fabricating a scene.

Celia entirely chose to disregard her remarks.

“Wow~ everyone! Avad and Celia are doing the, you know! Romance blossoming across adversarial bloodlines! Isn’t it thrilling… Cough!“

As Iliana attempted to escalate the speculation with her customary boisterous behavior, Celia promptly delivered a physical correction.

Chloe let out a sigh, observing Iliana collapse onto the ground while gripping her midsection.

“Why must you constantly act in ways that guarantee you get struck?”

“Because romantic tales are highly entertaining.”

Iliana, answering with a trembling voice, suddenly bounced back onto her feet.

“Speaking of which, Lady Luna is truly the greatest!”

Iliana balled her fists, her level of fervor seemingly reaching its absolute zenith.

“She openly declared her affection for Sir Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, right before a massive crowd of people! It was genuinely an epoch-making event!”

Upon hearing Iliana’s declarations, Chelsea adopted a highly panicked expression.

She then rapidly shifted her gaze toward Leo, who was standing quietly atop the debris, gazing fixedly at the location where Luna had vanished from sight.

Though a substantial distance separated them, Iliana’s vocal output was so booming that it was more than sufficient to reach Leo’s ears.

Karl, who was busy clearing wreckage beside Leo, similarly appeared agitated and gestured silently to Chelsea, indicating she should obstruct Iliana’s mouth.

“She managed not only to forge a fresh myth but also delivered such an exquisite confession! It is an immense shame that Sir Kyle was unable to perceive that declaration!”

Iliana remarked with a sorrowful air.

“M-Miss Iliana. At this moment, it would be wiser to focus on relief labor rather than gossiping…!”

“Eh? Eiran. Weren’t you enthusiastically debating this exact topic with me just a brief moment ago?”

“I-I wasn’t enthusiastically discussing it; I merely commented that it was incredibly tragic!”

“It amounts to the exact same thing. Regardless, this is undeniably an occurrence that will be etched into history…! Wait? Wh-what is happening? Why are you seizing my limbs?!”

Before she could process it, Chelsea and Chen Sia had immobilized both of Iliana’s arms, rendering her incapable of shifting away.

Iliana, startled by the abrupt development, fought against their grip.

“Miss Eiran, kindly obstruct Miss Iliana’s speech.”

“Correct. Chattering during solemn community labor. She requires discipline.”

Chelsea concurred with Chen Sia’s assessment.

“No! Regardless of the situation, this isn’t proper! And Chelsea! You were literally overflowing with complaints just a second ago…!”

“M-Miss Iliana! Forgive me!”

Thwack-!

“Guh?!”

Eiran rapidly drove a straight strike directly into Iliana’s midsection.

Iliana, her eyes bulging wide from the impact, shuddered briefly before foaming slightly at the lips and collapsing forward.

Chelsea looked on in a panic, staring at Eiran who had delivered a far more perilous strike than anticipated.

“Eiran unnie. We intended for you to simply hold her mouth shut gently.”

“Y-Yes, wait?!”

“Miss Iliana? Attempt to inhale. Inhale, exhale.”

“Miss Iliana!”

“Nella unnie, please administer restoration to Iliana!”

Chen Sia softly tapped the face of the unconscious Iliana, and Eiran let out a sharp cry.

The surrounding laborers began to assemble, whispering among themselves, wondering what the commotion was about.

Karl observed the spectacle with a thoroughly perplexed expression.

‘What on earth are those individuals doing?’

To ordinary onlookers, this might simply represent a fresh chronicle of a legendary champion.

However, from the standpoint of Leo, as the individual directly involved, it was likely more agonizing than anyone else could possibly conceive.

The select few who understood Leo’s genuine identity, Karl included, could not even begin to estimate the magnitude of Leo’s suffering, having been forced to bid farewell to Luna.

For that reason, they were expending every effort to ensure that any mention of Luna was kept far from Leo’s awareness.

“They certainly have a lot of energy.”

“Huh?”

As Karl maintained his bewildered expression, Leo’s voice drifted over from his side.

When Karl turned his gaze, Leo was offering a faint smile.

Karl cautiously queried Leo upon witnessing this.

“Are you doing alright?”

In response to that inquiry, Leo answered.

“I am fine, I have grown accustomed to it. I appreciate your concern.”

Karl clicked his tongue upon hearing the phrase “accustomed to it.”

‘That implies he has endured trials that we cannot even begin to comprehend.’

Karl was incapable of visualizing Leo’s internal state, having had to leave a cherished person behind while continuing his journey forward.

“My skull simply aches when I contemplate the sheer volume of rumors that will circulate due to the mess that blockhead left behind.”

Karl burst into laughter as Leo voiced his complaints.

Leo fixed his gaze on Karl and spoke.

“Karl, once we return to the academy grounds, could you gather Chloe, Avad, Chelsea, and Iliana and bring them to Professor Ren’s workspace?”

“Eh? That is simple enough. But for what purpose?”

“Because I believe it is time to distribute the token that Luna left in our care.”

Karl’s eyes widened considerably upon hearing Leo’s statement.

That same dusk.

Leo found himself immersed in deep reflection as he walked toward the workspace of Professor Ren.

‘In what manner did Berkia end up as an undead?’

The final statements Luna uttered prior to her departure remained lodged like a heavy weight within Leo’s chest.

It was not merely a sensation of resentment or discomfort.

It was, quite literally, a profound shock.

Thump- thump-

Strolling down the passage, Leo extracted a small blade from his coat.

The dagger of Bihard, which had been positioned at the entrance of his resting place back when Luna initially materialized as a spectral presence.

‘I had assumed Bihard was the one who deposited it there.’

Regarding Bihard, a shadow had resided within his spirit from the very beginning.

‘Yet now it appears Berkia was the individual who deposited this?’

His thoughts were heavily entangled.

‘Bihard undeniably left Erquint behind as a memento.’

Erquint.

The enchanted blade that Dwenno had crafted explicitly for Luna.

And Luna had subsequently bestowed Erquint upon her pupil, the magic swordsman.

However, during the concluding conflict against Tartarus before the legendary champions set out on their ultimate expedition.

Berkia suffered the loss of Erquint during the Battle of Tarmeita.

And Bihard pledged to Berkia that he would locate the weapon on his behalf.

‘I merely assumed that following the conclusion of the Age of Calamity, the two of them never managed to cross paths again.’

After the Age of Calamity drew to a close.

Berkia must have occupied his days with the heavy task of rebuilding civilization.

The identical reality would apply to Bihard.

Even if they were brothers-in-arms who engaged in combat under the exact same mentor.

They likely possessed virtually zero windows of opportunity to reunite.

He had reasoned that by the period Bihard managed to reclaim Erquint, an extensive duration might have transpired, rendering a meeting highly improbable.

Perhaps Berkia had departed from life prior to that.

Or perhaps Bihard, who was forced to exist in the shadows, was unable to approach Berkia due to his specific situation.

He was certain that some event had transpired between the two disciples.

‘Yet the reality that Berkia possessed this item… implies they absolutely encountered one another.’

They might have traded items gifted by their master as a pledge of mutual allegiance.

However…

‘Berkia was transformed into an undead creature. And he went so far as to deliberately leave this at my final resting place.’

Leo clenched his fingers tightly around the hilt of the blade.

‘What in the world occurred five millennia ago?’