Editor : Amethyst00



Ain stood with his arms crossed, staring at the screen in front of him.

On the screen were five students who had become gatekeepers.

Yura, seeing Leo sitting calmly in place and waiting for the 4th and 5th years, clicked her tongue.

"That guy… sometimes I seriously think he's not just fearless, but totally out of his mind,you know?"

At Yura's mutter, Ain sighed.

"Well, it is a necessary quality for a hero."

When a great trial strikes—

There are situations you can't overcome unless you're a little unhinged.

Charging into a crisis without hesitation, even when a single mistake could cost your life.

'Well. To be fair, there are people who are out of their minds even in daily life. Just look at these two.'

Ain's gaze briefly shifted to his two juniors, Yura and Len, both of whom were embarrassing no matter where they were.

"Indeed. That kind of attitude is certainly needed."

Yura nodded.

"But, Yura-sunbae, aren't there people who are out of their minds even in daily life?"

"Oh, that's true."

Yura nodded at Len's words.

Both professors shot a glance toward Ain.

Meeting their eyes, Ain grabbed both of them by the neck without hesitation.

"You brats, talking that way to your senior!"

"Why! Why! You were thinking it first, weren't you?!"

"Haaa— Resorting to violence right away. As expected of Ain-sunbae, whose brain is made of pure muscle."

Yura resisted while Len gave a cold glare.

Artienne watched the three bickering professors and gently covered her mouth with a soft laugh.

"I bet there wasn't a single quiet day when you three were in school. How was it, Professor Harrid?"

"They were an embarrassment, no matter where they went."

Harrid didn't hold back.

"But anyway, I wonder if Student Leo will be okay just sitting there unprepared like that."

Leo was currently waiting for the 4th and 5th years in a completely unguarded state.

Moreover, the 4th and 5th years were already using magic and summoning arts to spy on him.

"If it's Student Leo, he should easily be able to block those attempts."

"He probably plans to just crush them with sheer force."

"That's not like him."

It was well known that Leo's strength far exceeded that of an ordinary student. In fact, he could even rival seasoned heroes.

The Hero Slayer incident that became a hot topic just this past winter break was proof of that.

Rhys, Ulta, and Jamua were all powerful enough to be considered full-fledged heroes.

'It's true that those who've accomplished great feats and obtained the title of hero are strong. But the title itself isn't the only measure of power.'

In truth, there are many who, while not officially heroes, possess strength equal to or beyond them.

What those people lack is not power, but a "feat" worthy of recognition.

'Even if Rhys, Ulta, and Jamua teamed up, they couldn't have taken down the Hero Slayer.'

That monster was simply outside of standard classification.

'Even with Celia, Abad, and Chelsea joining forces, it would've been the same. Besides, they weren't facing the Hero Slayer in first place, but the Hero Hunters who had gained power through the Legion World.'

Recalling the Hero Slayer report, Harrid looked at Leo.

'It said Reina may have borrowed the power of the Elemental Lord of Purification to confront it, but… that wouldn't have been enough.'

From what they could tell, it was clear Leo had taken the Hero Slayer down alone.

'Judging Leo's current power… he might be comparable to Kalian at his prime.'

Harrid estimated Leo's pure strength.

Of course, that was just in terms of strength.

The sheer capacity of mana.

Leo's experience and technique.

And his ability to apply all those in All-Classes. Factoring in all those, it was hard to know how strong he truly was.

'He might even possessed power rival to the Giant King or the Lich King.'

In the official history of the Age of Heroes, only five individuals ever single-handedly faced the Legion Commanders, beings that had existed since the Age of Calamity.

They were the Five Heroes of Dawn.

Unofficially, there were also figures like Velkia and Bihar, but even Harrid couldn't claim to know of unrecorded heroes.

'Leo was already a complete hero—mentally, technically, and experientially—from the beginning.'

Harrid shook his head, remembering Leo's first year.

Never in his life had he encountered a student he had nothing left to teach.

Leo was, in that sense, an absurd anomaly.

Still, that didn't mean the 4th and 5th years would be swept away without a fight.

No, rather, if he exposed himself defenseless like this, even Leo could be in danger.

A single unguarded person versus a thoroughly prepared group.

Even with his overwhelming power, Leo's approach right now was reckless.

But Leo was waiting for his opponents to be thoroughly prepared.

Harrid, who had been silently watching, spoke.

"He's trying to make it absolutely clear. Just what it is that the 4th and 5th years are lacking."

bl

From the moment he arrived on the deserted island, Leo had been holding a palm-sized key. He tossing it in the air, balancing it on a finger and passed the time.

Yawning, he caught the key again with an expression of boredom and muttered to himself.

'The weakness of the 4th and 5th years… It's that they lack a central pillar.'

Leo didn't think the 4th and 5th years were lacking in skill.

They had survived countless trials at Lumene until now.

But compared to the graduates, they were missing just a little something about 2%.

'Their unity is like a sandcastle—fragile.'

He clicked his tongue.

Lumene, like all hero academies, trained students in "giant killing"—how to fight someone vastly stronger than themselves.

That kind of training was essential.

Heroes were meant to overcome trials, and those trials often involved enemies beyond their own strength.

The most fundamental method of fighting someone stronger: teamwork.

Thus, heroes grow stronger the more they unite.

Building bonds with those around them is a virtue of a hero.

But right now, the 4th and 5th years lacked that bond.

'That's because in both grades, they each had someone they could just follow without thinking too deeply.'

For the 4th years, that was Lyl. For the 5th years, it was Elena.

Elena, in particular, held overwhelming charisma among the 5th years.

From the moment she enrolled, she took control of her entire grade and even overwhelmed the older students.

Lyl did not display charisma as overwhelming as Elena’s.

But her grade was known for being weaker compared to other grades.

In fact, during the Lumeiren Competition, aside from Lyl, Seiren didn't consider any of the 4th years a serious threat.

Lyl had looked after her classmates and helped them every step of the way.

'Sometimes it feels like they show her absolute loyalty. Maybe it's because Lyl comes from a military family?'

Though not absolute obedience, to the 4th years, Lyl was a commander they had to follow.

'When Lyl or Elena leads, their unity surpasses other years. But without them, they fall apart.'

It was similar to Leo's own grades in that they had a dominant leader—but with one crucial difference.

'I made sure mine could walk on their own.'

Unlike the dictator-like Elena or the gentle, supportive Lyl, Leo had taken a different approach.

Of course, it wasn't their fault.

Leo was a seasoned Great Hero, while they were talented but they're still young.

'Anyway, the professors want to show the 4th and 5th years just how much they've been depending on Elena and Lyl without realizing it.'

That's why they were up against Leo.

'When faced with overwhelming strength, with no Elena or Lyl around, they'll realize how poorly they work together.'

Leo, having perfectly understood the professors' intent, smirked.

'If that's what the professors want, I'll play along.'

Leo extended his hand forward.

Boom—!

A massive fireball flew straight at him and exploded upon contact with his palm.

Whoosh! Crackle—crackle—

The area around him was scorched and burning.

But the spot Leo sat remained untouched.

He looked at the 5th-year girl from the magic department who had attacked him and smiled.

"Tch."

Clicking her tongue, the girl disappeared.

"A warp, huh. They came up with a fun strategy."

Leo, still seated, drew his sword with his free hand and deflected an aura arrow flying at his back.

Ting—! Fwip fwip fwip—!

The arrow split into hundreds of shards and soared into the sky.

But that wasn't all.

A storm of aura, magic, and summons rained down on Leo from all directions.

"They came well-prepared, not letting their guard down."

Leo stood up.

His red eyes gleamed.

"Well then, dear seniors—let me carve into your bones exactly what you're lacking."

Had the professors been present, they might have said a simple explanation would suffice—but unfortunately, none were here to stop him.

In fact, even the professors didn't know:

That no one at Lumene could train students more harshly than Leo.

'Hyper senses.'

Leo's senses sharpened like blade.

As he readied himself, the long-range attackers all warped away.

'A large-scale warp gate magic circle. Their plan is to hit and run, draining my stamina? It's a solid tactic. I am sure weak in prolonged battles. Not bad.'

Leo crouched low.

'But that's only if they can really drag it out.'

Crack—BOOM—!

Using aura step, he shot forward like a bullet.

He raced in a straight line toward the warp gate's location.

"He found the gate!"

"How?! We didn't detect any scanning magic!"

"How should I know?!"

"Damn! Vanguards, hold Leo off! Mages, prepare to move!"

The 4th and 5th-year knights blocked Leo's path.

Whoosh—! ka-ka-ka-BOOM!

Five swords barely managed to block Leo's single swing.

The force of the blow turned their faces pale.

Especially the 5th-year boy directly in front—he met Leo's eyes.

'Huh? Wait. He's actually trying to kill me, isn't he?!'

Leo had never openly clashed with his seniors.

Even as student council president or when he became a hero, he had always shown proper respect.

Some seniors disliked him, sure, but most acknowledged him.

Because Leo had always given his seniors their due respect.

Now, with Leo suddenly radiating feral killing intent from his eyes, this senior couldn’t help but be shocked.

And this 5th-year had even shared jokes with Leo in the student council room before.

But the Leo before him was not the Leo he knew.

An overwhelming aura as if he would destroy everything before him.

Like a beast.

"H-Hey! Leo! It's me! Balgus! Your senior, remem—"

Crack!

Leo grabbed Balgus by the face and slammed him into the ground.

BOOM!

A huge explosion of flame burst from Leo's hand.

Trembling, Balgus was instantly eliminated and warped away.

"Senior, huh?"

At Leo’s chilling voice, the 4th and 5th years realized the nickname the 2nd and 3rd years had for Leo.

'Demon King.'

"Come at me like you're ready to die."

Leo said coldly, exuding with menace.

"Don't expect mercy just because you're seniors. I'll tear you apart."

"L-Let's fall back and regroup!"

"Why are his eyes like that?!"

"Y-You must've done something to him! Right? I treated him so well since his first year!"

"Is now the time for that?! Just run! Run!"

The knights assigned to stop Leo were completely overwhelmed by his unfamiliar presence.

ROAAAARRR!

Leo howled like a beast.

The howling of beastkin—

It encourages allies and strikes terror into enemies.

The knight students exposed to the howl faltered.

Leo had no strategy today.

He would simply hunt his seniors with overwhelming force.

His eyes glowed red, and his continuous howling spread through the battlefield.

Seeing this, one girl muttered in terror.

"Th-This isn't the Demon King… It's a boss monster…"