Editor : Amethyst00



Tap-tak, tap-tak—

That night.

“A 1st-year student camping comfortably with a 2nd-year senior. You’re really enjoying school life, huh? I’m jealous.”

Jean grumbled.

At those words, Lyl tilted her head.

“Is this considered enjoying school life?”

“Of course. Back in my day, it was all training.”

Jean shuddered as he recalled his school days.

Seeing that, Lyl admired him.

“That’s why your name is in the Hero Record! Amazing! I want to follow your example!”

“Fame and achievements are good, but you should also enjoy your school days. That’s advice from your senior. Try dressing up a bit. You’re already pretty, but you’d be even prettier if you dressed up.”

At Jean’s words, Lyl blinked.

“Is that so? Do you think so too, Leo?”

“Well, teenagers should enjoy themselves.”

“A junior who gets it.”

Hearing Leo’s words, Jean smirked.

“So then, what brings a hero recorded in the Hero Record to a place like this? If you’re an active hero, shouldn’t you be at the front lines against Tartaros or clearing dungeons?”

At Leo’s question, Jean nodded.

“Right. I was originally at the southern front of Tartaros.”

The southern front of Tartaros, where the hero guild belonging to Lumene was active.

The commander-in-chief there was none other than Lumene’s director and head of the Zeron family, Altec Zeron. He also known as the Infinity Speller.

“But recently, Lumene issued a Hero Summon.”

At those words, Leo and Lyl showed surprised expressions.

“Those on critical secret missions or dungeon expeditions didn’t respond, but most with a bit of free time probably did.”

‘Hero Summon. So the “guests” the principal mentioned were heroes.’

One of the reasons why hero academies like Lumene had such massive global influence was precisely because of this Hero Summon.

An absolute authority to summon heroes who had their names in the Hero Record.

Just possessing the right to call heroes, who could change the world and control world affairs, was an immense power.

“It’s because of the Lumeiren Competition, isn't it?”

“Right.”

At Leo’s words, Jean crossed his arms.

“This Lumeiren Competition is being held in Seiren, right? So, the students participating in it and the teachers leading them. Of course, the school would worry about being left nearly empty.”

Not long ago, Tartaros had attacked.

Lumene naturally didn’t want to leave its defenses lax.

So they chose Hero Summon, to have active heroes protect the school.

“Well, some will also be going along to Seiren.”

“To Seiren?”

“Yes. I don’t know the reason, but that’s what the principal said. I’m sure there’s a reason.”

Even as he said that, Jean smiled meaningfully.

Leo knew what that smile meant.

‘Because Seiren isn’t so different from Lumene.’

Leo recalled last semester’s midterm.

Seiren’s 2nd-year student, Rauta.

He was a traitor who obeyed the commands of the Lich King.

It was unlikely Rauta was the only one.

Seiren, for the sake of its honor, hadn’t revealed that fact publicly.

Instead, they were secretly weeding out traitors.

‘But it won’t be easy.’

Even Lumene couldn’t catch Tartaros’s tail until it had already begun moving in earnest.

Not even Leo, who had become skilled at killing Tartaros monsters.

It was uncertain how well Seiren was tracking its internal spies.

‘So they’re preparing for any possible incident during the Lumeiren Competition.’

Of course, it would still be reckless for Tartaros to attack a place where both schools’ forces were concentrated.

‘But who knows what that creature is plotting.’

Leo furrowed his brow, recalling the Lich King, Hell Kaiser.

A terrifying calamity.

With Erebos sealed away, he was the most dangerous monster in the world.

“By the way, you’re still planning to go to Zerodia Ruins?”

“Yes. It seems the mission target is the Elemental of the Abyss.”

At Jean’s question, Lyl nodded.

The mission was to escort a VIP from Zerodia Ruins to Lumene.

If the being currently in the ruins was indeed the Elemental of the Abyss, then the VIP Lumene mentioned must be that elemental.

‘If it’s Lumene, they could very well invite even an Elemental Lord as a guest.’

The problem was that this Elemental of the Abyss hated humans.

Even if it had accepted the invitation, no one knew when it might change its mind.

That’s why they sent Lyl.

Elementals are instinctively drawn to outstanding elementalists.

There was no better elementalist than Lyl for inviting a human-hating Elemental of the Abyss.

Lyl herself realized that and intended to carry out her mission.

“In any case, we’ll have to meet the Elemental of the Abyss first.”

At Lyl’s words, Jean rested his chin on his hand.

“In that case, I’ll help you.”

Lyl’s eyes widened at Jean’s words.

“It’ll be too much for you two alone to deal with an Elemental Lord. You might fail the mission without even meeting it.”

“I’d be honored if you joined us, Jean-nim, but… I worry we’ll be a burden.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m also curious how skilled my juniors in the Summoning Department are these days.”

With a meaningful smile, Jean glanced at Leo.

“And the rumored All-Class student’s ability too.”

At that, Leo chuckled softly.

“I’ll try to live up to your expectations.”

“I’ll be expecting it.”

bl

The next day.

With Jean joining them, Leo and Lyl’s party headed again to Zerodia Ruins.

As the eldest and an active hero, Jean took on a somewhat observer-like stance behind them.

Though he said he’d help, that didn’t mean he’d lead the party himself.

“I’m nervous. It feels like I’m being tested by a hero.”

“Don’t be too nervous.”

“You’re not nervous, Leo?”

“No.”

“Amazing. You’re a 1st-year, yet you seem so experienced.”

Lyl looked at Leo with admiration.

“I’ll go ahead.”

Leo took the lead.

As he walked in front, Leo fell into thought.

‘An elemental that hates humans… what do you think, Elsie?’

[I’m not sure. I’ve never hated humans before.]

Elsie shook her head.

Seeing that, Leo smiled bitterly inside.

Sensing his reaction, Elsie asked carefully.

[You said the me you remember hated humans, right?]

‘Yeah.’

[Because all the children at the orphanage died, right?]

She couldn’t imagine it, she herself hating the world and resenting people.

Elsie fell into thought.

She had liked humans since birth.

She was drawn to elementalists and thought their efforts shone brightly.

During the Age of Calamity, she had admired Agon, who gave the struggling orphans hope.

Elsie had always longed for light.

Perhaps because she was an elemental of darkness.

People always long for what they do not have.

So she dreamed of stars in the night sky, something she’d never seen.

Even in days of despair, the orphans who never lost hope were like stars in the night to her.

‘Though it ended in tragedy.’

In the Hero's World, things had changed…

But the unchanged truth in history still saddened her.

However…

‘Kyle saved the world. He found its light and showed me the shining night sky.’

Now, Elsie loved people even more.

Many of those she’d seen with Leo shone like stars.

Other elementals probably weren’t much different.

Elementals originally liked humans.

Being drawn to them and wanting to watch them was in their nature.

For such an elemental to hate humans—

[That means the Elemental of the Abyss must have gone through something terrible.]

‘Probably.’

[…]

Even the version of herself that once hated the world had ultimately made a pact with Kyle to protect it.

‘I must have been searching for an answer too.’

In the end, she could never truly hate humans.

[Leo, I want to talk to that elemental.]

At that, Leo paused.

It had been months since Elsie left the Hero's World.

This was the 1st time that she had wanted something.

Unlike the eccentric trio; Fiora, always whining for chocolate; Kiran, demanding to be treated better; and Alty, who even bought a riding whip asking to be treated more harshly—

Elsie never showed such desires.

She only quietly gazed at the night sky, saying she hoped to be of help to Leo’s path.

But now, for the 1st time, she showed “will.”

Facing an Elemental Lord hostile to humans was dangerous.

However—

s‘Alright.’

Leo nodded.

Knowing her past, he couldn’t refuse her request.

‘Fine, I’ll arrange something.’

[Thank you!]

bl

An hour after entering Zerodia Ruins.

The presence of the aggressive elementals from the previous night was completely gone.

Anyone else might have thought the Elemental Lord had left.

But Leo, Lyl, and Jean were all skilled elementalists.

Especially Leo, a former Great Hero of the All-Class, and Jean, a hero known for his elemental arts.

They could tell the Elemental of the Abyss’s influence still lingered in the ruins.

“It’s almost more unsettling because it’s so quiet.”

As Jean muttered, standing at the ruins’ center—

Fwoosh—!

Darkness suddenly spread across the ground.

Jean quickly raised his spiritual power, reaching toward Leo and Lyl ahead of him.

But before his hand could reach them, the two were swallowed by the darkness.

“Tch.”

Clicking his tongue, Jean tried to follow them—

But countless elementals appeared before him.

“So you’re only interested in the young students?”

Jean frowned.

“Not interested in an old man, huh? That’s harsh.”

Rooooar—!

Facing the numerous high-rank elementals blocking his path, Jean drew his curved blade, unleashing aura and spiritual power.

“If you so much as touch a hair on those students, I won’t forgive you, Elemental of the Abyss!”

All traces of levity vanished from Jean as he charged at the elementals, eyes blazing.

Meanwhile, swallowed by darkness, Leo and Lyl fell underground.

Whish—thud—thud—!

Landing smoothly, both looked up at the ceiling.

[Welcome, hero candidates.]

A voice echoed ahead, and the two turned their gaze forward.

There stood a young man with jet-black hair and eyes.

Shadows veiled his face; he wore a dark hood and cloak.

Lyl tensed up as the elemental looked like the Grim Reaper from a story.

“Are you the Elemental of the Abyss?”

[Yes.]

His emotionless, flat voice made Lyl nervously take out the mission document.

“I received an order from Lumene to escort a VIP to the school. I believe that you, the Elemental of the Abyss, are the VIP invited by the school. Am I correct?”

[Lumene did invite me.]

At his words, Lyl brightened.

“Greetings! Elemental of the Abyss, my name is Lyl Luce. I came to—”

[Not interested.]

“Yes.”

[Lumene invited me to arrange a contractor.]

The Elemental of the Abyss stared straight at the flustered Lyl.

[But the more I thought about it, the more I doubted whether any human was worth contracting with. Especially you, the girl holding the mission letter. You must be Lumene’s chosen candidate.]

“M-me?”

Lyl looked stunned, pointing at Leo.

“Um… there’s a summoner far more talented than me. He’s even the 1st-year student council president! Me, a candidate for the Elemental of the Abyss’s contract? That’s absurd.”

The Elemental of the Abyss turned his gaze to Leo.

[No matter how I look, that one lacks the qualities of an elementalist.]

At that, Leo smirked.

It was true.

As an elementalist, Leo’s aptitude was pitiful compared to Lyl’s.

[Lyl Luce. The fact that you came to me means you’re here to undergo a test, to see whether you can become my contractor.]

“My goodness… me, a candidate for an Elemental Lord’s contract? You must be mistaken!”

[Mistake or not, it doesn’t matter. I have no intention of forming a contract anyway. I only accepted the invitation out of respect for my connection with Kalian and Rivein. If I stayed here, I knew they’d send a candidate.]

At that, Leo thought to himself—

s‘As expected of Lumene. They’re even trying to arrange a contract between a student and an Elemental Lord.’

In the rapidly shifting world situation, they must have wanted to cultivate an Elemental Lord’s contractor.

‘But he’s far more twisted than expected.’

Leo stayed wary of the Elemental of the Abyss.

[So I prepared my own test for when a candidate arrived. But I didn’t expect them to send the Knight of Undine along.]

At those words, Leo’s eyes twitched slightly.

[They must have guessed my test would be dangerous.]

Swoosh—

The ground beneath Leo and Lyl suddenly sank like a swamp.

Darkness began swallowing their bodies.

“W-what—!”

[I told you. I prepared my own test. I am an elemental of darkness. I only contract with those who can accept my darkness.]

The Elemental of the Abyss curved his lips upward.

[Try to withstand my darkness.]

“T-then I’ll take it alone! Leo wasn’t sent by the school; he only came at my request!”

Lyl shouted desperately.

The Elemental of the Abyss looked indifferent.

[That’s none of my concern.]

“Ugh! Leo! Run! This is dangerous!”

Struggling against the darkness, Lyl tried to reach Leo to pull him free.

But the more she struggled, the faster she sank.

“Ah—”

The darkness reached her neck. She looked at Leo with worried eyes.

“Leo, I’m sor—hrrk—!”

Lyl was swallowed whole.

Watching that, Leo glanced at the Elemental of the Abyss.

He sat with his eyes closed, as if uninterested.

And then—deep darkness enveloped everything.

As though submerged in a lightless sea.

Leo’s hand reached to the Light Jewel on his neck.

Flash—!

A burst of light flared around him.

The Elemental of the Abyss, Ignis, opened his eyes.

“You’re quite the nasty elemental.”

[How did you escape my darkness?]

Leo spoke casually.

“I devoured it.”

[That's impossible.]

To consume an elemental of the same element required at least equal power.

But Ignis was an Elemental Lord, the highest ranked of darkness. Consuming his power should be impossible.

“Normally, yes.”

Leo smirked and looked at Ignis.

“But if one’s contracted with a darkness elemental of your caliber, it’s not impossible.”

[That's absurd.]

[Hello.]

From within Leo’s white hair, a palm-sized Elsie peeked out.

Seeing her, Ignis frowned.

[What are you?]

[My name is Elsie, the Shadow Elemental.]

Elsie smiled softly.

[I’d like to talk with you.]