Editor : Amethyst00



"Everyone's amazing."

Artienne clasped both hands together and exclaimed in admiration.

Faced with a scene that could only be described as overwhelming, a gasp of awe escaped her naturally.

"Carl was a bit shaky, but the result is excellent. Looking at that, it's clear the title of Hero wasn't handed out for nothing."

A battle that seemed impossible was won through a thorough preparation and strategy.

The foresight in reading moves was on a level the first-years couldn't even come close to compare to.

It was apt to say they were simply being toyed with.

Even Elena, Lyl, and Chen Xia had not been able to dominate to that extent, despite being in a different year.

"As expected of The Herald of the Beginning."

As Yura let out a gasp of admiration, Len chuckled with a "Heh, of course. He's a student I taught."

"You weren't that interested in Carl though."

"What are you talking about? Where do you think Carl's exceptional alchemy skills came from?"

"From Master Dweno's alchemy book."

"Ah, I see. Summoners who only summon familiars and dump everything on them are hard to communicate with."

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"Heh, resorting to violence because you can't win with words? You're starting to resemble Ain-sunbae more and more."

"You want to get a taste of real violence?"

As the two professors growled at each other, Harrid, who hadn't even glanced in their direction, spoke.

"Professor Ain. Professor Artienne."

"Yes."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"Quiet them down."

"Uh… how…"

Artienne was at a loss for what to do.

But Ain didn't hesitate as he walked behind Len and snapped his neck.

Crack—

Caught off guard, Len slumped down.

"Serves you right!"

Yura cheered in delight at the sight.

Seeing that, Artienne, who had been hesitating, met Harrid's eyes.

She jumped in shock and rushed toward Yura.

"Professor Yura, I'm sorry! It's Professor Harrid's orders!"

"Huh?"

Crack—

"G-guh?"

Yura's neck twisted at an even greater angle than Len's.

Everyone's eyes turned to Artienne.

"I thought there'd be no need to subdue them since it was quiet again?"

"Pardon?"

At Harrid's words, Artienne visibly panicked.

"More importantly, Professor Artienne. That sound just now didn't sound good."

"Whaaat?!"

Artienne's eyes, usually closed unless she was possessed, opened wide.

When she looked down, she saw Yura convulsing and foaming at the mouth.

"Professor Yura! Are you okay?!"

"Healer! Call a healer!"

"Hey! Yura! Snap out of it!"

Seeing the professors now in a much bigger commotion than before, Harrid let out a quiet sigh.

"Fuhahaha! This is the end of a dictator who tried to solve everything with power!"

Professor Sedgen wore a triumphant expression.

Standing next to him was Principal Rina.

"Aren't you worried about Professor Yura?"

"Heh, Rina. Professor Yura isn't weak enough to die from something like that."

"How do you know?"

"Call it faith in a former student?"

"I see."

Nodding, Rina brought a bottle of liquor to her lips and gulped it down.

Seeing this, Ain spoke.

"Principal, perhaps you should refrain from drinking…"

"Ughh— Professor Ain. Sorry. But I've been really stressed lately."

Wiping her lips, Rina pulled out another bottle.

Watching this, Ain sighed deeply inside.

Harrid, Sedgen, Rina.

Now it made sense why these three had been friends since school days.

'Well, the Principal must be under a lot of stress too.'

Rina, who succeeded the Sword Saint and became Lumene's principal.

There had been a lot of talk when she first took the post last year.

There was bound to be controversy when someone from the shadows became the head of a Hero Academy.

But Rina perfectly fulfilled her role as principal, proving why she had been recommended by Harrid and Sedgen, who were considered Lumene's top professors.

The reason her public presence was low was also because she managed the school perfectly.

And true to her origins as one of the shadows, she had her own intelligence network, keeping close track of new hero dungeons and the movements of Tartaros and the Hero Hunters.

Thanks to this immense workload, she often drank in front of the professors lately.

Even so, no professor opposed her.

Since Lumene's faculty was full of eccentrics, drinking wasn't seen as a big deal.

Plus, Rina had never let her drinking affect her work.

"Which grade do you think will be the first to complete this assignment?"

At Harrid's question, Rina exhaled and chuckled.

"4th or 5th years, probably."

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

Sedgen asked with interest. Rina, watching the screen, replied.

"The 1st years still don't have a full grasp on who Carl really is. The 2nd years aren't in a good state. And their opponent is Chen Xia right? She was quite famous on our side. The next successor of Xian."

Rina's gaze settled on Chen Xia.

'She's completely free of conflict now.'

During her 1st year, it was easy to guess how Chen Xia must have felt attending the school.

Wanting to live in the light, not the shadows—that's a common desire among shadows.

After entering 2nd year, she must've stopped denying her world.

Most importantly, the world acknowledged the shadows.

All the shadows in this world had been saved.

'Her face looks even better now than it did in second year.'

Her expression had relaxed.

She had clearly chosen the path she must walk.

Even in her 2nd year, she didn't deny she was a shadow and showed that side.

But she never once showed her true self.

Now, she was showing it completely.

'The 2nd years won't be able to handle this right away.'

"The 3rd years should have come to their senses. They'll fight their seniors seriously now. In the next battle, they'll somehow pull through."

Indeed, the 3rd years' eyes had changed.

They admitted they'd been arrogant.

'That's what makes the 3rd years so frightening.'

They quickly realize their mistakes.

Then use them as a stepping stone to progress rapidly.

'Leo had a big influence.'

Lastly, Rina's gaze turned to the 4th and 5th years.

They were clearly shaken.

Just from their current appearance, it didn't seem like they'd be the first to clear the task, contrary to Rina's confident claim.

However…

'They're still hero candidates, after all.'

The experience of breaking through their limits in Lumene wouldn't just vanish.

Even if their leader was gone and they fell into disarray.

Even if they drew a line at their own limits and couldn't cross it.

What the 4th and 5th years had built so far didn't disappear.

'And…'

"I-I also think the 4th and 5th years will be able to complete the assignment quickly!"

Artienne clenched both fists.

Since becoming a professor at Lumene, she had consistently been in charge of the 1st-years.

But she had occasionally taught upper-year students too.

"There's Runeba among the 4th and 5th years!"

"Runeba?"

"He's there, but… he lacks the leadership to break through this situation."

The professors frowned.

"But with Runeba there, maybe he could awaken the fourth and fifth years."

Yura stood up, rubbing her neck.

"A-Are you okay?"

Artienne asked with a worried face. Yura nodded.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

She looked at Runeba on the screen.

"That guy, he half-asses everything else, but when it comes to studying and training, he goes absolutely crazy."

"Runeba?" Ain looked surprised.

Students who put their life into studying and training usually showed clear ambition.

But ever since his first year, Runeba never showed such side.

"Yes. Why else do you think he's held onto second place in the year? But even though he's like that, he never tries to move up. The guy's seriously funny. He's planning to just casually join Lumene as an assistant professor after graduation."

Yura looked exasperated.

Becoming a professor at Lumene wasn't a bad thing.

Most Lumene professors had power on par with, or greater than, heroes.

But even so, those who become professors usually have more interest in teaching than becoming heroes.

So Runeba, who aimed to become a professor right after graduation, was clearly a rare case.

Despite being young and capable of becoming a hero, he wanted to step away from the frontlines.

"He says he can never surpass Elena Zeron. That it frustrates him so much he gave up on being a hero. Isn't that such a rotten mindset? But the funny thing is—he hasn't fully given up, judging from how he acts."

It's because of lingering regrets that he continues to push himself so hard.

"You think a guy like that, Runeba, could suddenly awaken and influence the other students?"

At Ain's question, Yura smirked.

"That's Leo's specialty."

"What is?"

"Setting fire to people's hearts."

At Yura's words, Ain let out a dry chuckle.

"I can't deny that."

bl

Runeba sat down on the floor and closed his eyes.

It was truly painful having a monster in your same year you couldn't even dream of catching up to.

'There's even one a year below me.'

And that one was even in the same department.

'No, are there more below?'

Runeba chuckled bitterly.

He wasn't talking about Leo Plov.

'That guy lives in a completely different world.'

Coincidentally, the 3rd-year monster was also in the same department.

'Walden Thaiden.'

And not just Walden.

3rd year was crawling with monsters.

Had there ever been a time in Lumene's history when such monsters were gathered together?

'Feels like some kind of monster war.'

Runeba could sense the 4th and 5th years splitting apart around him.

The 5th-years, who should be the anchors, were divided into factions.

The 4th-years were revealing their long-held resentment.

Normally, he would've smoothed things over with his usual grin.

But now things had broken down too far for that to work.

'At times like this, it's better to just let them fight it out.'

He decided to stop caring and focus on himself.

'I've always been a greedy guy. I want to be the best in whatever group I belong to.'

Sure, he might not catch up to his seniors, but at least among his peers and juniors, he wanted to be the best.

That dream had crumbled since his 1st year.

So, he cleanly gave up on the hero path.

Instead, he decided to become the best in a place where he could teach the next generation.

In a way, it was a disgraceful retreat.

'But you know… still, Leo really knows how to push my buttons.'

He knew Leo was perceptive.

That's why Leo had provoked him openly.

Saying he'd fix Runeba's rotten will, telling him to prove he could be a hero in the new age.

'Ugh. He's so damn righteous.'

Runeba stood up, brushing off the dust.

"So Niel should be in charge of command—"

"Better we take command!"

"Arrogant little juniors!"

"Is this really the time to argue that? Let's fight without ranks!"

"What? Are you insane?!"

"Aaaah~ Mic test. Mic test."

"Runeba, this is no time for commentary!"

One of the 5th-years shouted as Runeba pulled out a mic enchanted with amplification magic from his robes.

Runeba smiled.

"Shut up and listen. I'm not gonna commentate."

"…"

His sudden coarse tone made the 5th-years flinch, and the 4th-years opened their eyes wide.

The 4th-years were shocked by the side of Runeba they had never seen.

The 5th-years were reminded of the past.

"Command and staff remain unchanged."

Runeba said coolly.

"Because that's clearly the right choice."

"But Runeba-sunbae! We failed! If we just changed command—"

"Hey, when your senior talks, shut it and listen. I know your heads are big, but don't climb up like that. Leo's not the only one who can bash your heads in. I can too."

The 4th-years fell silent at Runeba's unusually blunt words.

They were overwhelmed by the unfamiliar side of the senior who had always looked after them.

"And you guys. I told you back then not to get into a power struggle with the seniors because of Elena, right? You ignored it. Now how does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine? Sucks, doesn't it? Don't feel wronged. You brought this on yourselves. It's karma. Karma."

Still smiling, Runeba now jabbed at the pain of his peers.

Seeing them biting their lips, he said,

"Get ready to crush Leo."

"But…he'll probably come charging soon. Do we have enough time?"

At Eden's words, Runeba clicked his tongue.

"Not soon. He's already here."

Runeba turned his head and looked at Leo, who was walking over with a relaxed expression.

The 4th and 5th years stiffened.

"That face. Isn't it cocky?"

"What?"

"No matter how great he is, we're still his seniors. Look at those eyes that act like we're insects. Ah, well, I guess he's earned the right to look down on us. But still."

Runeba clenched his teeth as he put down the mic.

"At the very least, let's demand respect as his seniors. Even if we have to force it out of him. Let's make him acknowledge us."

"Can we do it?"

"You said we needed time, right?"

Runeba started walking.

"I'll buy as much as I can."

Woooosh—

Seeing the energy flaring up around Runeba, Niel spoke.

"Let's move away from here."

With that, the 4th and 5th years quickly retreated.

"Niel-sunbae, Runeba-sunbae… what's going on?"

A junior from the knight department asked. Niel glanced back.

"…That's his true nature."

bl

Runeba stood in front of Leo.

And muttered inwardly.

'Excuse me? Oh beautiful, great, and noble one?'

Despite his confident front, he was desperately begging inside to someone.

'Remember how you said you'd help me that one time? Can you help me now? Are you listening? O most exalted elemental of this world? Hello? Hello?'

["Sheesh, what a noisy guy."]

A bored voice answered.

Runeba's face lit up with joy.

Leo, who had stopped walking, curled his lips upward.

"Oh?"

Looking amused, Leo said.

"So you were hiding a trump card? This should be an interesting match."

Seeing the surge of spiritual power from Runeba's body, Leo raised his palm.

Fwoosh—

["Hmph, what is it, O sworn one?"]

["Sworn one, my ass. You're a slave."]

As the Elemental Lord of Purification, Ishtar, posed proudly, Laruel sneered coldly.

Ishtar ignored the sneer.

"Your rival is about to be summoned."

["Rival?"]

"Yes."

Leo looked at the water swirling around Runeba like a waterspout.

"It's the Elemental Lord of Deep Sea—Undine."