Chapter 570

## Chapter 570

The day following the finalization of the schedule for the Hero’s Festival had arrived.

The pupils of the Hero Academy made their way toward the Warp Gate, accompanied by the parting cheers of the dragons lining the grand avenue of Dragonia.

“It’s the Chaser of the Nebula!”

“Goodness… she is absolutely striking…”

Naturally, the individual drawing the most gazes from the crowd was Runia.

The dragon children let out collective gasps of awe whenever Runia strolled past them.

Her vibrant scarlet locks and striking features stood out remarkably.

She wore the crisp, immaculate uniform of Seirun.

To any observer, she epitomized the model top-tier student from Seirun.

Furthermore, because her name had been inscribed upon the Hero Record alongside Leo’s during their time as students, it was quite natural that some people regarded her as a true ‘Hero Candidate.’

“Is it just my imagination, or am I attracting an unusual amount of attention?”

Runia offered a slight, perplexed smile while waving her hand to the crowd.

Leo’s name was likewise etched upon the Hero Record.

On top of that, he had performed a vital role alongside Arion during the crisis when the third fragment of Erebus had been reawakened.

He was also an absolute anomaly—an unprecedented All-Class.

Yet, despite those monumental feats, the local dragons directed far more of their curiosity toward Runia.

“Naturally,” Hardin remarked at that moment, nudging his spectacles higher on his nose. “Leo Flob undoubtedly surpasses you in practically every metric. However, the general populace rarely concerns itself with internal achievements as much as you might think.”

“Pardon?”

“This trip to Dragonia made me realize something. In the grand scheme of things, dragons are not all that distinct from ordinary mortals.”

Aside from the scholars of Wisdom or the dragons who guided heroes for the sake of the realm, the vast majority of the inhabitants of Dragonia led perfectly normal, everyday lives.

“What captures the public imagination is highly visible, external prestige. In that regard, Runia, you are currently the most discussed hero of this entire era.”

“That is merely because of the title I hold.”

“Precisely.”

Runia El Rundia, the Chaser of the Nebula.

She was the very first hero to be acknowledged as the true successor to a Great Hero.

While the Heroes of Genesis are broadly viewed as part of the lineage of Great Hero successors, Runia held the unique distinction of being directly inscribed as one within the Hero Record itself.

Because of this, the gaze of the public could not help but view her with profound reverence.

“It is an honor that feels far too heavy for me to bear,” Runia whispered, staring down at her open hand.

Hardin offered a soft chuckle. “Then you simply must grow into someone who is worthy of carrying it.”

“…I understand.”

“The dragons are still chanting for you, are they not? Why don’t you go stand beside Leo Flob?”

“…”

Prompted by Hardin’s words, Runia turned her gaze toward Leo, her expression unreadable.

He was the Great Hero who had delivered the world from ruin—the man adored by Luna, the foundational ancestor of the nebula, and equally cherished by Licinus, the King of Wisdom.

‘Please ensure this narrative remains strictly between us for the time being.’

Melina had previously cautioned everyone present while overseeing the binding oath.

In the current era, the world believed Kyle and Luna to have been lovers.

But if the reality of a love triangle—one that included Licinus—were ever to leak out, the entire world would undoubtedly fall into chaos.

Such a massive misunderstanding would easily damage the legacies of all three legendary figures.

‘Furthermore, what he shared with Licinus-nim wasn’t even a standard romance…’

Runia’s cheeks burned with a sudden flush, and a slight tremor ran through her shoulders.

‘Could it be infidelity? Did he toy with Luna-nim’s affections?’

She had been far too overwhelmed earlier to properly untangle the knot of misunderstandings.

Just as a torrent of conflicting thoughts raced through her mind, another memory surfaced.

‘Well? Isn’t this much better than what you had with Licinus?’

An image flashed in her mind of Luna boldly grabbing Leo by his collar to plant an unexpected kiss on his lips.

‘Kyle, I truly love you.’

Luna had laid her heart bare.

‘Therefore, let us wed.’

‘I…’

‘There is no need to reply.’

She recalled the vivid image of Luna declaring her intentions to the heavens without ever waiting for Leo to give an answer.

‘Goodness. Luna-nim was only capable of sharing her true feelings after her eyes had closed forever…’

She had harbored deep affection, yet she could never bring herself to come between Kyle and Licinus during her life.

Consequently, she could only voice her love after passing away.

Runia’s expression filled with deep sorrow as she ruminated on this tragic, unrequited romance.

As these colossal misconceptions multiplied and twisted into grand new theories, the students of the Hero Academy finally arrived at the threshold of the gateway.

—

“Why have you been throwing those odd glances at me since we left?”

“Huh? Oh, well…”

When Leo clicked his tongue and questioned her directly in front of the portal, Chelsea looked entirely caught off guard.

She began nervously twirling her fingers before speaking in a hesitant, cautious tone.

“It’s just… it feels incredibly bizarre to think that you, Leo Oppa, were actually a married man.”

Hearing those words, Leo felt a sharp throbbing sensation hit the back of his skull.

‘What on earth am I supposed to do with that absolute fraud of a lizard?’

Just as Leo opened his mouth, realizing he desperately needed to clarify the situation before any more wild rumors took root, Runia intervened.

“Leo, why did you choose to leave Luna-nim’s proposal unanswered all those years ago?” Runia inquired, having drifted over with a profoundly melancholic expression.

“What do you mean by that? Tell me everything!” Chelsea demanded, her eyes widening to the size of saucers.

Runia pressed her lips into a thin line and proceeded to recount the events of that past era.

“Oh my goodness… I had no idea such a heartbreaking history existed,” Chelsea gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth in sheer disbelief.

Watching this play out, Leo raised a hand to clamp the back of his own neck.

‘I am going absolutely losing my mind here.’

In the span of a few moments, he had been transformed into a tragic figure who had suppressed his own feelings throughout his life, only to cruelly ignore a confession that had been desperately delivered from beyond the grave.

“You two, step over here for a second.”

Leo beckoned both girls closer.

As they approached, he extended his arms, catching them by their shoulders and pulling them into a tight huddle.

Both Runia and Chelsea gasped softly at the sudden proximity.

“Listen to me very carefully. The relationship between Licinus and me was absolutely nothing like what you are imagining.”

“What? But Melina-nim stated in no uncertain terms that it was a matrimonial covenant, did she not?” Runia countered in a hushed whisper.

Leo let out an exasperated click of his tongue.

“Yes, technically that might be accurate. However, I signed my name on that document without having the slightest clue that it was a marriage contract.”

“Is that the truth?”

“Yes. That miserable excuse for a lizard completely hoodwinked me.”

Leo ground his teeth together in lingering irritation.

Chelsea tilted her head to the side, processing his words. “Then what about Luna-nim?”

“There was absolutely nothing romantic between Luna and me either.”

“So… what you’re saying is that Leo Oppa was entirely oblivious to the affections of both women during your previous lifetime?”

Leo paused, contemplating Chelsea’s inquiry.

How was he supposed to phrase the truth?

Luna had been entirely transparent, but he had failed to comprehend her due to the foreign nuances of Elven traditions. Meanwhile, Licinus had never spoken a word aloud but had dropped endless hints that went completely over his head.

‘He really is a total blockhead.’

The mocking tone of that insufferable, pointy-eared scoundrel who used to kick his backside echoed clearly in his mind.

‘They are literally going out of their way to instruct you in dragon courting customs that you have absolutely no practical reason to learn. If you fail to perceive the meaning behind that, you are an absolute dunce.’

‘Do not insult my intelligence with such a preposterous falsehood.’

The exasperated voice of that stubborn lizard who had once slammed a forehead against his own echoed right alongside it.

Remembering Seirun and Rodia—both of whom had been incredibly stubborn and never hesitated to speak flippantly to their elders—Leo ground his teeth once more.

‘Those fools… the very next time I cross paths with them, I am going to shave every last bit of hair from their heads.’

“It was simply a different era altogether. We merely maintained a mutual, unspoken understanding within our hearts.”

“Ah, I see…”

Chelsea gave an innocent nod, fully accepting Leo’s fabricated explanation.

Runia, however, narrowed her eyes in deep skepticism. “Is that truly how it was?”

Leo promptly reached out, gripping the back of Runia’s neck to pull her slightly closer, staring directly into her eyes to challenge her suspicion.

“Do these eyes look like they belong to a liar?”

Their foreheads came incredibly close to touching.

Leo’s intense crimson gaze locked directly onto hers.

In that exact instant, Runia’s frozen expression dissolved as a deep crimson flush crept rapidly across her face.

“What sort of secret conspiracy are you three whispering about over here?”

“Eek!”

Ar suddenly shoved his way right between them, breaking the tension.

“I understand the situation perfectly, so please step away from each other now,” Chelsea ordered in an irritated tone, prying the two apart.

Runia swiftly averted her gaze, clearing her throat repeatedly in embarrassment.

In the meantime, the Warp Gates assigned to each respective academy began to hum with vibrant magical energy.

Observing the activation, Leo spoke up.

“As we agreed upon yesterday, I expect full and active participation from every academy as we prepare for the upcoming Hero’s Festival.”

“Since we are committed to hosting it anyway, ensuring it is a magnificent spectacle is the only logical course of action,” Marigold agreed with a firm nod.

“You need not harbor any anxieties regarding that matter,” Hardin stated, readjusting his spectacles.

Dorveman let out a confident chuckle as he observed the interaction. “Azonia shall be the one claiming the ultimate victory.”

Upon hearing his declaration, both Marigold and Hardin turned their sharp gazes toward Dorveman.

“We shall utilize this Hero’s Festival to broadcast a message to the entire world. A message that proclaims our grand arrival.”

Hardin’s lips curled into a subtle, confident smirk. “A commendable aspiration. However, it is a pity for you that the championship title already belongs to Seirun.”

“What utter nonsense are you spouting? The crown belongs entirely to Demian.”

As the chosen figureheads of the premier Hero Academies representing their respective heritages, the competitive pride of the three institutions instantly caught fire, prompting a round of intense glares and challenges.

Amused by the display, Chelsea chimed in. “The ultimate victory will belong to us at Rumerun! Isn’t that right, Leo Oppa?”

“Does it truly matter who walks away with the victory?”

“Huh?”

Chelsea looked completely taken aback by Leo’s indifferent response.

“Let us simply ensure everyone puts forth their absolute best effort.”

A sense of deep foreboding washed over Chelsea as she studied the serene smile resting on Leo’s face.

‘What sort of scheme is Leo Oppa brewing in that head of his?’

—

Leo and Chelsea made a direct return to Rumerun by stepping through the shimmering portal of the Warp Gate.

“Leo! Tell us, how did the assembly conclude?”

“The timeline wasn’t finalized, right? The other institutions couldn’t agree on a matching date, could they?”

The moment they crossed the threshold into the student council chambers, a flock of utterly exhausted council members swarmed around them, their voices frantic.

Their weary faces clung desperately to a fragile glimmer of hope.

“We successfully finalized the date.”

“No way!”

“How could that even be possible!”

Wails of utter despair echoed across the room at Leo’s confirmation.

“Oh? It seems you all still possess enough energy to wail like that? In that case, perhaps we ought to increase the daily workload quota for this evening…”

“Please, no!”

“We are already pushed to our absolute limits!”

“We deeply apologize for the outburst!”

Following the stern intervention from Elena—who had recently earned herself the fearsome moniker of the council tyrant—the terrified members shrieked in panic and scrambled back to their respective desks to resume working.

Leo lost no time walking straight into the private office of the student council president, accompanied by Elena.

Resting on the floor of the inner office was Kal, completely buried and snoring inside a thick sleeping bag.

Chelsea marched over to the bundle and gave Kal a firm nudge with the toe of her boot.

“What do you think you’re doing? Why are you sleeping on the floor here? Go back to the dormitory if you’re tired.”

“Ugh… I promise to work twice as hard the moment I open my eyes. Please, just let me close them for a few more minutes…”

Kal twisted around inside the bag, letting out a pitiful groan of pure exhaustion.

Chelsea turned her gaze toward Elena, who merely offered a pleasant, serene smile.

“The moment I gave him his directives, he threw himself into the tasks without a single pause, so I may have pushed his boundaries just a fraction. Kal-kun demonstrated a much higher level of competence than I had initially anticipated.”

‘This is precisely why one should never reveal too much capability.’

Chelsea shook her head in a mixture of pity and amusement, watching Kal get systematically drained of every ounce of labor.

‘Chelsea, regarding Kal. What are your thoughts on extending an invitation for him to join our household noble family once we graduate?’

‘Kal? That slippery fellow?’

‘Indeed. This recent stint has solidified my judgment. He would undoubtedly serve as an invaluable asset to the Rwalin family.’

Attending Rumerun served as an excellent stepping stone toward a prestigious career path.

It was entirely commonplace for prominent heroic noble lineages to actively scout and secure exceptional talents through the social networks established within Rumerun.

‘If you were to personally ask Kal to join, he would likely jump at the opportunity without a single moment of hesitation, wouldn’t he?’

‘I doubt the process will be quite that straightforward. Lately, Duran has been observing Kal with an incredibly intense gaze. Then again, Kal is your closest companion, after all.’

Recalling how Avard had been absolutely thrilled by the immense likelihood of Kal aligning with Rwalin—given how comfortably close the two had remained since their first year without any social barriers—Chelsea cast a slightly sympathetic look at the snoring boy.

Meanwhile, Leo proceeded to brief Elena on the details regarding the scholars from Wisdom.

“That is wonderful news. We were already in dire need of additional hands to shoulder the burden.”

Elena radiated genuine delight upon receiving the full report from the events in Dragonia.

To someone like Elena, the scholarly dragons of Wisdom represented a massive, highly efficient influx of workforce.

They were that, and absolutely nothing more.

“So, that concludes all the administrative hurdles, correct?”

“Yes. From this point forward, our sole focus is to dedicate ourselves entirely to the preparations.”

—

The golden hues of autumn gradually faded away, making room for the crisp approach of the winter season.

*Whiz—! Boom—! Crackle—!*

A relentless barrage of brilliant fireworks painted the night sky directly above the sprawling expanse of Rumeria City.

“Whoaaah!”

At long last, the thunderous, colorful explosions signaling the official commencement of the grand Hero’s Festival began to illuminate the world below.