Chapter 533

Book 1 Chapter 533

533.

The upper region of the continent serves as the homeland for the elves.

Naturally, the entire northern lands do not belong exclusively to them, yet one cannot deny that the elven race holds dominion over the vast majority of this expansive northern territory.

As a result, countless elven kingdoms could be found scattered across the northern reaches.

“To speak of it kindly, Eldun stands out as a unique nation among them,” Lunia remarked as they made their way toward Eldun.

“To describe it more harshly, it is simply a bizarre destination.”

Leo looked at her with a look of confusion upon hearing Lunia’s description.

“What do you mean by that?”

“How can I best put this? Ah, yes. It is quite comparable to a place like Varharun.”

“In other words, a community populated entirely by insufferable people.”

“Precisely.”

Leo let out a sharp click of his tongue, prompting Lunia to release a gentle sigh.

Listening to their conversation, Eiran spoke up with interest.

“How were Luna’s days as a student?”

“Based on what Luna told me, her academic years were far from pleasant. Just mentioning Varharun makes me want to grit my teeth.”

“What kind of place was it?”

“That settlement was essentially a breeding ground dedicated to cultivating High Elves. And those High Elves were the sort of people who looked down on regular elves as if they were a lesser species.”

“I see…”

Hearing this description, Lunia and Eiran immediately thought of a specific organization.

‘The Pureblood Society.’

“In modern times, they operate much like a royal or aristocratic class.”

“Very much so. Furthermore, Luna was an orphan who managed to gain admission into Varharun entirely because of her raw, unparalleled aptitude for magic.”

Within the walls of Varharun, where the student body consisted almost entirely of offspring from elite lineages boasting numerous High Elves, Luna was a completely irregular presence.

‘She was practically an invasive species upsetting their ecosystem.’

When it came to sorcery, her concepts and practical execution defied all conventional logic.

The sheer volume of mana that fueled her abilities was equally astounding.

Truly, throughout the entire chronicle of magic, no spellcaster has ever reached the heights attained by Luna.

To witness the development of such an extraordinary mage firsthand is nothing short of an immense blessing.

Because of the fundamental properties of magic, merely being in proximity to such a figure allows an individual to absorb their influence and construct a personal path toward greater strength.

Yet, the residents of Varharun chose only to suppress and hinder Luna.

The primary purpose of Varharun’s establishment was to breed the future Elf King.

The elite could never accept even the slightest chance that a parentless child of low status like Luna might ascend to become the Elf King.

Chen Xia gave an understanding nod.

Having experienced a different variation of prejudice regarding the disparity between heroes and shadows, she deeply resonated with the emotions Luna must have felt.

“It makes sense that she loathes that city, considering how arduous her time at school must have been.”

“Not quite. She didn’t despise Varharun because she was mistreated by her peers during her school days.”

“What?”

“If simple bullying could discourage her, she wouldn’t be the Luna we know. Instead, she allegedly picked fights right back with anyone who dared provoke her.”

“Well…”

Chen Xia found herself momentarily speechless and disoriented by this revelation.

“She took immense pride in being the most notorious rebel on campus, you see.”

Following Leo’s remark, a quiet hush fell over the three female companions.

Without a doubt, knowing Luna’s true character, she was the type to strike back with overwhelming force rather than take abuse lying down.

“Though, there were decent individuals there as well.”

Akint, for instance.

In the past, the person whose body Leo had occupied had extended great kindness and protection to the solitary Luna.

To Luna, he had apparently filled the role of a paternal figure.

“Luna’s true hatred for Varharun stemmed from their failure to uphold their responsibilities.”

At the time Erebus manifested and Tartarus emerged, Varharun, despite being the dominant military powerhouse, crumbled far too effortlessly.

To make matters worse, they betrayed the very elves who put their lives on the line for the safety of the world, all for the sake of material wealth and status.

The endless treachery committed by the High Elves in order to cling to their authority was more than enough to incite widespread fury.

Even as civilization spiraled downward following the destruction of the elven armies, they continued to foment domestic conflicts, proving to be a massive hindrance to the unification of different species—such was the nature of the High Elves.

“Even though we share the same blood, I cannot in good faith claim that the members of the Pureblood Society are incapable of such atrocities.”

Lunia’s expression twisted into a fierce scowl as she grated her teeth together.

As a matter of fact, the Pureblood Society possessed a record of secret dealings with the Necromancer King.

‘They vehemently denied any involvement, yet their loud objections only raised more suspicion.’

The proof against them was absolute.

Given the immense sway the Pureblood Society held over the elven population, searching for the culprits proved tedious, though the net was gradually tightening around them.

“Their primary base of operations is Eldun, which is coming into view just ahead,” Lunia stated, her brow furrowing slightly as she gestured forward with a tilt of her head.

Far off in the horizon, a massive spire pierced the sky.

“Is that an observatory?”

“Correct, the grand observatory of Eldun is widely renowned as the tallest structure on the continent, second only to the one in Seirun,” Eiran confirmed with a nod as Leo murmured his observation.

Observing the landmark, Lunia folded her arms across her chest and grumbled under her breath.

“This is where our real complications begin.”

“What kind of complication?”

As Chen Xia canted her head to the side, Lunia made a sharp sound with her tongue.

“Eldun may function as a mere city-state, but its global reach is tremendous. It holds significance as the central hub for the Pureblood Society. It isn’t just notorious for being packed with unpleasant people.”

“What is it, then?”

“Eldun is a nation exclusively populated by practitioners of Star Magic.”

This implied that every single inhabitant was a sorcerer, specifically specializing in Star Magic.

Because the Pureblood Society viewed even their elven brethren who lacked the capacity for Star Magic as lesser beings, this extreme societal structure had taken shape.

“On top of that, there is an additional hurdle. Non-elven races are strictly prohibited from crossing into Eldun.”

“They subject any foreign travelers to a terrifyingly rigorous screening process.”

“Would it not be feasible for young master Leo and myself to infiltrate the perimeter undetected?”

“It is within the realm of possibility, but executing it would pose a significant challenge.”

Eiran agreed with Leo’s assessment, bobbing her head.

“Indeed. A massive barrier of magic blankets the entire municipality, making any covert entry nearly impossible.”

The reality that every resident possessed arcane capabilities also meant their mystical arts had evolved to an extraordinary degree.

“Come to think of it, I recall hearing people refer to it as the Elven Magic Tower.”

When Leo brought this up nonchalantly, Lunia gave an affirmative nod.

“That is accurate, as much as I detest acknowledging it. In any case, the sophistication of Star Magic within Eldun is undeniably remarkable. In fact, that nation produced the individual who currently serves as the principal of Seirun.”

“What is our next move then? Even if we alter our appearances, it sounds like a daunting task.”

Even someone like Berkhia, despite not having fully mastered Star Magic, would likely have managed to cross the threshold.

Although his true expertise lay in the way of the blade, his innate mystical potential had been explicitly remarked upon by Luna.

Furthermore, did he not wield a colossal level of strength that completely eclipsed their own?

Lunia closed the distance to Leo and questioned him.

“Leo, given the extent of your abilities, is there no solution you can devise?”

“Well, if our goal is a stealthy intrusion, it isn’t something that can be achieved in a short timeframe.”

If the magic protecting all of Eldun is Star Magic, then neutralizing the spell altogether would be a straightforward matter.

On the other hand, bypassing it entirely without raising an alarm was a completely separate challenge.

‘Wards of this nature are typically incredibly delicate.’

Regardless of Leo’s deep understanding of Star Magic, he still fell short of Luna’s mastery.

‘If my internal pool of mana matched the scale of Seirun’s, it would be doable, but my current reserves have not reached that threshold yet.’

Leo cast his gaze down toward his palm.

“If we cannot do it swiftly, how long would it take?”

“I cannot give an absolute timeline without inspecting the defensive barrier firsthand, but given the massive perimeter of the city, it would likely require roughly seven days.”

Unraveling an enchantment that spans an entire metropolitan area requires an immense amount of time due to its sheer scale.

“So we require at least a week, is that it?”

While Lunia sank into deep thought, Chen Xia spoke up.

“Are the two of you able to cross into Eldun without delay?”

“Yes, we can do that.”

Shrugging off her outer coat, Lunia revealed the Seirun academy uniform she wore beneath it and explained.

“Attendees of Seirun are exempted from needing standard clearance documents to pass into Eldun… Wait!”

Lunia suddenly struck her fingers together.

“Leo! Utilizing your sorcery, you can weave an illusion to make yourselves look like elves, correct?”

“Oh? That is certainly a viable option.”

As Leo stroked his chin thoughtfully, Eiran looked puzzled.

“But wouldn’t an illusionary disguise run a massive risk of being detected by the security checkpoints?”

“Look who you are dealing with! When it comes to manipulating Star Magic, Leo is second only to Luna-nim!”

Lunia offered an assured expression.

“The detection apparatuses stationed at the gates can be bypassed without much trouble, you see.”

“What about my situation?”

Chen Xia pointed a finger at herself as she inquired, to which Lunia responded.

“With an illusion provided by Leo, you can slip past them effortlessly. The lingering trace of Star Magic on your person will trigger the detection devices to identify you as an authorized wielder of Star Magic. Naturally, a total transformation of your anatomy would fall through, but merely reshaping your features to resemble an elf will easily suffice to deceive the mechanisms!”

No matter how sophisticated a magical item may be, it remains nothing more than an instrument operating on preset enchantments.

Consequently, a more meticulously crafted spell can override and deceive it with ease.

Following Lunia’s explanation, Chen Xia absentmindedly touched her ear.

Lunia’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“By donning our academy attire, we will look exactly like authentic Seirun students, ensuring they won’t scrutinize us too heavily! What do you say?”

“That sounds like an excellent strategy!”

Eiran offered a bright, cheerful expression.

“Wonderful! Leo! You still possess the academy attire provided during your previous stint as an exchange student, right?”

“I handed it back when I left.”

“Ah! It was such a flawless concept!”

Lunia clasped her head in frustration.

“Could we not simply manufacture counterfeit attire?”

Hearing Chen Xia’s suggestion, Leo shook his head in disagreement.

“A forgery would be detected instantly. There is a reason the Seirun uniform itself functions as an official pass. The fabric is imbued with various layers of complex magic.”

“Ah, that makes sense; even the attire at Lumern is crafted through extraordinary methods.”

“Exactly. Furthermore, the Seirun garments are not produced by regular tailors from the start; the academy manufactures and distributes them directly.”

“That complicates things.”

Chen Xia wore a crestfallen expression upon hearing this.

“Over here! Excuse me, I have something to say.”

At that moment, Eiran lifted her arm into the air.

She wavered for a split second before gathering her resolve to speak up.

“I… I might have a potential solution.”

Taking a nervous breath as she addressed them, Eiran drew bewildered glances from the rest of the group.

Before the gates of the Eldun border post.

A queue of travelers was being subjected to rigorous screening to gain entry into Eldun.

When their turn arrived, two young women stepped up toward the guard, who was examining applicants with an intense glare.

“State your business here… What?!”

The guard, who had been repeating the same questions mechanically, suddenly gasped.

“A-Academy students from Seirun?”

“Thank you for your dedicated service.”

The girl with silver hair, Eiran, offered a warm, polite greeting.

Standing beside her, the dark-haired girl, Chen Xia, mimicked her companion’s gesture and offered an equally charming smile.

“We have journeyed to Eldun for the purpose of advancing our magical studies.”

The guard glanced down at the crystalline orb resting on his desk.

Triggered by the latent mana woven into the garments the two girls wore, a brilliant amber glow radiated from the device, confirming their status as students of Seirun.

“Ah, of course! May I have your designations…?”

“My name is Eiran Ersar. And my companion is Sirin Rell.”

“Gasp! L-Lady Eiran!”

Recognizing the individual who held the prestigious position of runner-up among the second-year pupils, the guard’s focus immediately locked onto Eiran.

“It is an honor to welcome you to Eldun!”

Leaping to his feet instantly, he offered a deep bow and triggered the mechanism to open the primary gates.

Addressing the flustered guard, Eiran maintained a gentle demeanor.

“Kindly look after our companions who will be arriving shortly behind us. Shall we proceed, Miss Sirin?”

“Understood.”

Eiran crossed the threshold into Eldun alongside Chen Xia, who was operating under a false name.

‘To think that one of Seirun’s premier elite pupils would arrive at a moment like this! Surely, a momentous event is about to unfold in Eldun!’

The guard could hardly contain his visible thrill.

“The divine… wrath… shall… strike… them… down.”

Whispering a bizarre, barely audible chant, a young woman with crimson hair approached the desk.

Upon taking in her features, the guard’s breath caught in his throat.

‘N-No way! The head of Seirun’s student council, Lunia El Lundua!’

Achieving the rank of student council president at Seirun at such a tender age, while simultaneously ascending to the revered status of a hero!

Widely regarded as the spiritual heir to Luna, the legendary founder of the Nebula, Lunia’s sheer presence left the gatekeeper visibly shaking.

“Do you not intend to verify our credentials?”

From just behind Lunia, a student with snow-white hair leaned forward, inquiring with a bewildered look.

“Ah! M-My apologies! Fellow students! W-What are your names?”

“I am called Leona. And this beside me is Lunia.”

“L-Lady Lunia and Lady Leona! Your identities are verified! I extend the warmest welcome for your stay in Eldun!”

“Move along.”

“Divine retribution will find you. Retribution will find you. Reducing a legendary hero to such a state. The heavens will undoubtedly unleash their fury.”

“Let us pick up the pace.”

Leo nudged Lunia forward from behind.

Once they had cleared the security perimeter, Lunia turned around, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“How can you remain completely unbothered?!”

“Is there an issue? This approach allowed us to clear entry without a hitch. It proved to be highly practical and effective.”

Leo, fully clad in Lunia’s academy attire, gave a nonchalant shrug.

Witnessing Leo’s utter lack of shame caused Lunia to shudder.

“L-Lord Leo… You look absolutely stunning… pant… pant… A photograph! I absolutely must capture a photograph of this!”

“Given how breathtaking Lady Reina is, it is only natural that when Young Master Leo is attired similarly, the result is equally exquisite. Perhaps we ought to address you as Young Miss Leo from now on?”

Eiran whispered while shielding her blushing face, and Chen Xia offered a playful smirk to mock him, earning herself a sharp tap on the skull from Leo in response.

“I knew it, those people are completely out of their minds. Completely unhinged!”

Lunia alone could only tug frantically at her own hair, her face completely crimson.

“Let us secure an inn as soon as possible. I want to get out of these garments immediately.”

Leo, who had been strolling forward at a relaxed pace, abruptly froze.

Bzz—!

A faint tremor resonated against his hip.

In that exact instance, recognizing a deeply familiar presence drifting through the air, Leo’s expression grew noticeably tense.

‘Could it be Bihar?’