Chapter 581

Book 1 Chapter 581

581.

Eliza spent the entire night alongside Khal, absorbing as much knowledge as they could uncover regarding the realm of Lumerne that she had recently arrived in.

Although the midnight hour confined her to the quarters, she managed to collect an unexpectedly vast amount of data.

‘First of all, it was incredibly lucky that Clerie Jessian, the body Khal Thomas currently occupied, held the position of student council president.’

Clerie’s office space was packed with various administrative records essential for his role.

By examining these papers, she could deduce a general picture of the circumstances currently gripping Lumerne.

‘Everyone from Rodia, the Dragon of Creation, to Seirune, the Comet Mage, Azonia, the Great Warrior, and Demian, the Indomitable…’

Renowned individuals, viewed as the heirs to the legendary protectors, had all assembled inside Lumerne.

“If an event as massive as the reunion of the Heroes of Creation truly occurred, I certainly should have remembered it. Yet, according to my recollection, those mythical figures never once gathered simultaneously within Lumerne.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Honestly, shouldn’t you at least know the fundamental history of the academy you go to?”

“It feels rather odd hearing such a scholarly, high-achieving comment coming from you.”

“Hmph. This is just fundamental knowledge. You seem to memorize all kinds of pointless trivia, yet you’re completely clueless about this?”

“I suppose you have a point there.”

Khal simply shrugged his shoulders in response.

“Regardless, once the recurring cataclysm came to an end, it became exceptionally uncommon for the Heroes of Creation to congregate at a single location.”

Eliza drifted into deep contemplation.

“The reality that an event of this magnitude transpired right here at Lumerne Academy without being recorded in the annals of history… suggests that uncovering the explanation for this discrepancy is the ultimate key to conquering this hero’s world.”

“Spot on.”

A look of contentment washed over Eliza’s face.

Shifting her position to sit cross-legged atop the mattress, she continued speaking.

“To begin with, we must ascertain the exact number of strategists present here.”

Doing so was absolutely vital whenever one found themselves trapped inside a hero dungeon.

“At the moment, every single sophomore contestant from Lumerne should have been transported into this realm.”

Eliza cast her mind back to the moments preceding their arrival. The perimeter where the Lumerne academy participants had been gathered was undeniably inside the zone of activation.

“Furthermore, it’s not just our group; all the second-year pupils from the rival institutions who were preparing for the competition must have been dragged into this as well.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“I took a look just a moment before it happened.”

“You actually managed to observe that during such a crisis?”

“Correct.”

“Wow…”

Eliza narrowed her gaze slightly.

“You truly possess a knack for adjusting to unexpected circumstances.”

“Ah, is that praise I hear?”

“Did you honestly interpret it that way?”

Khal let out a soft laugh.

“In any case, we should try to catch some rest, even if it’s only a brief nap.”

Khal glanced toward the timepiece. A small window of time remained before morning.

Eliza gave a slight nod of agreement before questioning him.

“And where exactly do you plan on resting?”

“Right there on the mattress, obviously. After all, this belongs to the individual whose body I took over.”

“Quit joking around. This mattress belongs to me.”

“Well, why don’t we just share it?”

“Are you actively seeking death by uttering such a vulgar jest?”

As Eliza spoke in an icy tone, Khal simply grinned and stretched himself out across the floorboards.

Eliza let out a sharp breath, staring down at Khal for a brief second before settling onto the mattress and pulling the covers over herself.

Shifting her position to face away from Khal in an attempt to drift off, she heard him speak up again.

“Hey, Eliza. How has your practice been coming along lately?”

“You never showed any interest before, so why bring it up now?”

Eliza scoffed, keeping her back to him.

“My regimen doesn’t suffer simply due to your absence. Things are progressing smoothly. In fact, I’ve managed to grow reasonably accustomed to that wretched agony.”

“Hadn’t you already grown numb to pain ages ago? Didn’t you use to chuckle like a lunatic sometimes?”

“Did I not explicitly order you never to speak of that incident again?”

Eliza rolled over, glaring down at Khal with a deeply irritated expression.

Khal merely smiled as he observed her reaction.

“I apologize for failing to check in on you. Senior Elena caught me and essentially used me as free labor the entire time. Though I genuinely wished to offer assistance, I simply couldn’t find the opportunity.”

Khal settled back, interlacing his fingers behind his skull while crossing his ankles.

Staring upward at the plaster ceiling, Khal murmured softly.

“Then again, you always manage perfectly fine on your own.”

“If that fact is so obvious to you, why did you arrogantly try to intervene in the first place?” Eliza grumbled with evident annoyance.

“You ought to focus on your own well-being rather than fretting over me. Had you done so, perhaps your capabilities would have advanced enough to secure your safety from being kicked out.”

“Hmm. Technically speaking, that isn’t entirely accurate.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

“…Weren’t you a bit too fast to agree with that?”

Letting out a faint, dry chuckle, Khal added, “I honestly just desired to be of use to you.”

“And for what reason?”

“Because you weren’t acting like your usual self during that period.”

“What?”

Eliza’s gaze flickered with subtle surprise.

“The Eliza Hergen that I am familiar with is far from an individual who questions her own innate capabilities.”

Khal offered a warm, soft smile.

“To an outsider, she might appear haughty and dismissive, but in truth, she possesses a deep sense of duty and looks after the people in her circle.”

Eliza stood as the prominent figurehead for the second-year Summoning Department. Furthermore, the entirety of the sophomore Summoning Department respected and followed her lead devotedly. Had she truly been nothing more than a detached and cold individual, earning such fierce loyalty would have been an impossible feat. Ever since her enrollment, she had consistently guided her peers, pledging to elevate the Summoning Department to the absolute peak.

“Whenever you encounter a wall, you always find a path to shatter it through sheer determination. That is the version of you that shines brightest. And that is precisely why I wished to assist.”

Eliza stared down at Khal, her expression temporarily blank.

Following a brief silence, she squeezed her hand into a tight fist and spoke.

“Khal Thomas.”

“Hmm?”

“I wish to apologize for the cruel remarks I made to you back then.”

“Ah, that? Forget about it. It didn’t bother me at all. Besides, your words weren’t entirely wrong, were they?”

“That is incorrect.”

Eliza tilted her head slightly sideways.

“There isn’t a single person in our circle who underestimates your value. In truth, I am the one who benefited immensely from your presence. Despite what I muttered a moment ago… I likely wouldn’t have survived that arduous regimen without your backing.”

Eliza fixed her gaze intently onto Khal’s.

Her directness left Khal feeling noticeably self-conscious. “Whoa, hold on, where is this sudden shift in attitude coming from?”

“Therefore, do not dare throw in the towel.”

“What?”

“Your worth remains immensely high.”

“…”

Khal lightly rubbed his cheek with a finger before letting out a soft laugh.

“I have zero intentions of throwing in the towel. I plan to fight and claw my way through as best as I can. Though, whether my efforts will yield results remains to be seen.”

“Oh?”

“In the event that I am thrown out, just promise you won’t pretend you don’t know me. Networking is absolutely vital out in the real world beyond these academy walls.”

Hearing his concern, a low chuckle escaped Eliza’s lips.

“If that is what truly troubles your mind, why don’t we simply become companions?”

“Wait, what?”

Khal’s jaw slackened in astonishment.

“View it as a profound privilege. I, the rightful heir to the illustrious Hergen family, am officially acknowledging a commonborn individual like yourself as my peer.”

Khal ran a hand through his hair and broke into a broad grin.

“Such an immense privilege truly leaves me at a loss for words.”

“Precisely. I am glad you recognize your fortune.”

Eliza giggled softly under her breath.

Khal observed her, his expression filled with genuine wonder.

‘It certainly feels rather strange interacting with her on such casual, informal terms.’

“Given this development, you are absolutely required to make it to the third year.”

“I’ve repeated this multiple times, but that isn’t an outcome achieved through mere willpower alone.”

Eliza cast a side-glance at him, resting her chin upon her palm as she raised her gaze. “For an individual claiming not to have thrown in the towel, your drive is miserably lacking.”

“Well, if there happened to be some sort of bonus prize waiting for me, my drive might suddenly skyrocket.”

“Miserable.”

Eliza made a clicking sound with her tongue.

Khal offered a mischievous smirk as he eyed her.

“If you truly feel indebted for the guidance I provided during your conditioning, how about promising to fulfill a single request of mine once I successfully reach the third year? Think of it as a way to settle the score. Who can say? It just might provide the spark I need.”

Upon hearing this proposition, Eliza abruptly straightened her posture.

Anticipating an instantaneous scolding, Khal squeaked and instinctively pulled back his shoulders.

However, the harsh verbal assault he braced for never materialized.

“Very well.”

“Wait, seriously?”

Khal lifted his gaze.

There sat Eliza in a cross-legged position, propping her elbows on her knees and cradling her jaw, a distinct smirk playing on her lips.

“I shall fulfill a single request of your choosing. In return, I expect you to display a great deal more drive.”

“Are you being serious?”

Khal’s face went completely blank with shock.

“A member bearing the name of the Hergen family never defaults on a promise.”

“For real? You’ll actually do whatever I request?”

In his excitement, Khal swiftly took hold of Eliza’s hand, seeking confirmation.

“Just what kind of ridiculous task are you plotting to force upon me?”

Eliza questioned him with a skeptical glare, but Khal ignored the look and bounded to his feet.

“Excellent! I will absolutely secure my spot in the third year, whatever it takes!”

Eliza, left thoroughly bewildered by his sudden burst of energy, stared down at the hand he had just clasped before letting out a soft chuckle.

“Naturally, resolving the crisis of this hero’s world takes precedence over everything else.”

Khal, transitioning instantly from his passionate outburst to a serious demeanor, nodded. “Agreed. I am well-acquainted with the core methodology required to survive inside a possession-style environment.”

“Naturally.”

Khal offered an assured smile.

“The fundamental rule is to mimic the behavior of the host body you inhabit. Now, Eliza, given your lack of context, you might struggle to comprehend the identity of the person you’ve taken over, but I’ve already managed to piece the entire puzzle together.”

“Oh, really? Do enlighten me.”

Eliza’s curiosity was piqued.

“Consider the way the dormitory monitor behaved toward us previously, coupled with the reality that Megin Shell—the identity you are currently occupying—is present here deep in the night, directly violating academy regulations. But the ultimate piece of evidence…”

Khal slid open a drawer within the desk, retrieving a modest wooden container and unlatching its lid. He had come across it during his brief investigation of the furniture moments prior.

Snap—

As the lid swung open, it revealed an assortment of high-end feminine hair ornaments.

“Judging by the sheer variety of items gathered here, they clearly originate from a multitude of different ladies.”

Khal shook his head, making a clicking sound.

“The original owner of this body was an absolute playboy.”

“Impressive analytical reasoning. In that case, are you capable of mimicking such a character?”

“Naturally, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

‘Well, he certainly seems to be adapting perfectly.’

Eliza wore a chilling smile.

‘The moment a lady appears, his immediate instinct is to initiate a flirtation. It seems he has found his true vocation.’

Clerie Jessian held the title of the second prince within Jessian, a prominent magical realm situated at the heart of the continent. Furthermore, his personal prowess was immense, rendering him exceptional enough to claim the title of Lumerne’s inaugural student council leader.

With a prestigious lineage and unmatched magical capability, blended with his natural demeanor, he was a notorious philanderer whose exploits were widely discussed.

Khal exerted every ounce of effort to replicate Clerie’s behavior. Yet, with every flirtatious gesture he made, the underlying hostility radiating from Eliza’s gaze grew increasingly lethal.

‘If we end up isolated together afterward, she might actually end my life.’

At that precise second, Khal felt an overwhelming urge to weep.

“The tales whispered about him were true, but this is ridiculous—he behaves like an absolute, undisciplined beast!”

A voice dripping with irritation rang out from down the path.

An elf was walking toward them, her arms locked securely across her chest.

Observing the elven woman draw near with her posture held arrogantly upright, the nearby female pupils from Lumerne began whispering among themselves.

“That’s the head of the student council from Seirune.”

“What’s her angle? Is she trying to stir up trouble right before the joint exchange begins?”

Khal narrowed his vision, fixing his eyes on Seira Tingel, the student council leader of Seirune.

‘Seira Tingel. Known as the Comet Mage, and the younger sibling of Seirune.’

She was likewise the literal architect of the heirless Tingel household.

“Look at this fool! The expression on his visage is utterly moronic!”

The gathered pupils continued to whisper as they observed Seira, who kept her arms bound tightly while yelling with utter disdain.

“Does it not seem like the behavior of Seirune’s council leader is somewhat altered?”

“Completely. Her vocabulary is remarkably coarse now. I was under the impression that she was an incredibly refined and graceful noblewoman.”

‘This person… is it possible…?’

As Khal observed Seira, sensing an oddly recognizable aura radiating from her, skepticism began to cloud his mind.

“Wouldn’t you agree with my assessment, Azonia-nim?”

“The literary works belonging to the beastfolk are… far more… en-engaging than I previously anticipated.”

“Eeeek! Stop making those bizarre expressions while wearing that visage!”

“Yeeek?!”

Seira suddenly charged directly toward Azonia.

Azonia appeared utterly terrified, watching Seira advance toward her in a furious, crimson-faced frenzy.

Witnessing this display, Eliza instantly deduced the reality of the circumstances and buried her face in her palms.

Khal could only whisper in utter astonishment.

‘Seira is actually Argo, and Azonia-nim is Eiran.’