Chapter 783
Editor : Amethyst00
Leo looked at his friend, who wore a puzzled expression, and hesitated, unsure of what to say.
A Lumene student shouldn't be in Lumeria City. Unless it's for a special mission, regular students aren't allowed outside at this hour.
'Doesn't seem like he's on some special assignment.' If he were, he wouldn't be working at an inn like this.
'Don't tell me…'
A possibility he'd rather not consider flickered through his mind.
"You're… a Lumene student, right?"
"Oh! You recognized me? Were you a fan of mine during my school days?"
Carl grinned with his usual carefree charm, puffing himself up proudly.
Then he gave a shrug.
"I dropped out after my first year. Man, that was the brightest time of my life~"
"……"
"No—wait, I'm shining even more now! I mean, come on! I've got my own inn here in Lumeria City! That's success, isn't it?"
Carl chuckled to himself.
"So, what can I help you with, sir?"
"I need a room."
"Yessir! How long will you be staying?"
"For a while."
Leo pulled a coin pouch from his robes and placed it on the counter.
Carl's eyes widened.
"Whoa, sir. That's way too much."
"I have a feeling I'll need more than just a bed. Sort it out when I leave."
"Still, just handing over your coin pouch like that is…"
"Your credit is your life, isn't it? Carl Thomas."
"…Sir, do you really know me? I swear, I don't remember seeing anyone like you before."
Carl placed the room key on the table, wearing a perplexed expression.
Leo replied in an even tone.
"I'm a fan."
With that, he picked up the key and headed upstairs, the sound of jingling metal trailing behind him.
Carl tilted his head as he watched him go.
"Who was that? He definitely not your average guy…"
The room Carl had given him was clearly the inn's finest—spacious and well-furnished. Leo dropped into a chair and fell deep into thought.
'Carl… never made it to second year?'
Even in Leo's worldline, Carl had only just barely advanced to the second year. At the end of the first year's second semester—during the Lumeiren Competition—there had been a massive invasion led by the demon queen, Sillatna. Leo had succeeded in defeating her by summoning Luna from the world of heroes, but both Lumene and Seiren fell into chaos.
The school year was cut short. Given the severity of what the students experienced, every enrolled student at the time was promoted to the next year—an exceptional case.
On the surface, it looked like Carl had simply gotten lucky. But that wasn't true.
'Even if they'd held regular exams, Carl had enough in him to make it.'
Carl often said first year was his limit, but Leo had seen the truth. Carl was different from the other students.
He constantly hit his limits—and constantly broke through them.
Sure, he was weaker than anyone else in his class in terms of raw strength. But he made up for that with keen wits and adaptive instincts.
Carl had too many strengths to be judged solely by "power."
Yet here, in this worldline, Carl hadn't made it to second year.
'Something's wrong.'
Leo frowned.
Lumene has Lysinas. And Lysinas is a Selector of Heroes.
'There's no way Lysinas failed to see Carl's potential.'
Carl was, in fact, the very ideal hero that Lysinas always spoke of.
Leo's own beliefs about what makes a hero were shaped most profoundly by none other than Lysinas.
"Only those with strength can save the world—that's not what makes a hero. Anyone with the will to move forward… Anyone who doesn't give up—that's a hero."
Leo recalled those words from his past life—words Lysinas had repeated often.
And in this age, with the Hero Record in existence—something that allows one's potential to blossom—for Lysinas to have given up on Carl made no sense at all.
'What happened?'
Leo let out a long sigh.
Whatever it was, this much was clear—Lumene's situation was vastly different from what he remembered.
'Looks like I'll need to stay here for a while… and gather information through Carl.'
A tense air hung over the entrance of Damien.
The first-years swallowed dryly, eyes fixed on the academy gates.
And then—
Grgrgrgrgr—
With a low rumble, the massive gates of Damien opened, revealing a lone figure.
A girl with black hair, carrying a travel bag in one hand, stepped into the academy.
"Wow… she's beautiful."
"That's the student council president from Lumene… Leah Phily."
"It's my first time seeing her in person!"
Gasps of awe erupted among the first-years.
Leah Phily, president of the Lumene student council.
It was said that only Rune Orweny of Seiren could rival her breathtaking beauty.
She had even surpassed Elena Zeron, the former "Queen of Lumene," in appearance.
An impeccable honor student with overwhelming strength— She had achieved the unprecedented feat of earning both the title of student council president and Hero during her first year.
And her undeniable charisma made her the object of admiration for many.
Together with the student council presidents of Seiren, Azonia, and Damien, she was referred to as one of the "Four Heroes," who would lead the new era. Among them, Leah Phily was regarded as the most outstanding.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, students of Damien."
Leah smiled softly and greeted the students.
That single smile made many—boys and girls alike—flush red.
Her beauty was enough to make it difficult to even meet her eyes.
Watching from the side with folded arms, Valhar sighed lightly.
Leah walked over and stopped before him.
"Welcome, Leah."
"Why did you summon me so urgently?"
"I'll explain once Rune and Kar arrive."
"Rune can't make it. There's suspicious movement from the demon queen's forces in the northern regions."
"Didn't Rune lead a major subjugation not long ago?"
"Yes, but their movements haven't stopped."
"Tch."
Valhar clicked his tongue.
Just then, a shadow appeared through the open doors— A black wolf beastkin.
"Valhar! Leah!"
Kar ran up to them with a bright smile.
Without warning, he pulled Valhar into a hug.
"Valhar! How've you been?"
"You're unusually energetic today. Let go, Kar."
Only then did Kar release him.
"Leah! It's so good to see you! How long has it been?"
"Hello, Kar. You look like you're in a great mood. How long…? Since last winter break, I suppose."
Grab—Squeeze—
"……!"
Kar's tail wagged wildly as he pulled Leah into a tight hug.
The sudden pressure made Leah flinch.
"Kar, if you hug her like that, you'll snap her spine in half."
"Ah! Right. Leah's human."
Kar let go, and Leah patted her waist with a slightly pale expression.
"Did you drink?"
"Nope. I'm just in a really good mood."
Kar gave a sheepish smile.
From his past life, Kar had a habit of hugging close friends when drunk. Back then, Lysinas had been a dragon—durable enough to take it. But now was different.
Leah chuckled, recalling how even Kyle and Luna used to recoil in horror.
"Glad something made you happy."
"Yup! So, where's Rune? Not here yet?"
As Kar glanced around, Valhar answered, "Rune won't be joining us. For now, the three of us will talk. The rest of you, you may go."
The students hadn't gathered for an official welcoming event. They were merely here to catch a glimpse of the famed student council presidents—the ones considered future heroes of the world.
Kar, who had defeated all the beastkin champions in the public coliseum during second year and was crowned its king.
Valhar, who had successfully restored divine relics left behind by the divine blacksmith Dweno. And Leah, whose leadership and overwhelming strength united future heroes.
It was said the world would follow the paths they carved. Such was the influence of these student council heads.
"Too bad Rune's not here."
"Think I can get her autograph someday?"
Regretfully murmuring, the students dispersed.
Valhar led the two inside.
"So? Why'd you call us here?"
When Leah pressed for the real reason, Valhar sighed lightly.
"Why so impatient? Can't old friends catch up first?"
Leah paused for a moment at his words.
"Alright then. I'll go first. I've finished investigating the Hero Dungeon."
Kar's statement made both Leah and Valhar turn toward him.
"To put it simply… it wasn't a Hero Dungeon."
"…But there were monsters from Erebos' army lurking around there. We encountered them on our final journey. And you're saying it wasn't a Hero Dungeon?"
Leah's voice sharpened. Kar instinctively shrank back.
"Y-Yeah…"
"It's not your fault it wasn't, Kar. Why are you reacting like you're guilty?"
"Ah, sorry… I wasn't trying to scare you. I just got a bit surprised."
Leah quickly apologized, mistaking his reaction for fear.
"So then, what was it?"
"…I have some ideas. I'll explain in a bit."
By then, they had arrived at what looked like a meeting room. Valhar opened the door for them.
"Leah, how have you been?"
"Same as always. Guiding the students to become stronger."
At her answer, Valhar let out another sigh.
Kar took his seat and looked at Valhar.
"Hey, Dweno."
"What is it?"
"Why haven't you ever asked Lysinas or Luna to model for you since reincarnating?"
Now that they were alone, Kar referred to them by their old names.
"Kar."
Leah gave him a sharp look. Kar flinched.
Valhar calmly sipped his tea before replying.
"People clinging to the past… aren't very beautiful."
"Huh?"
"Names don't really matter. But they're still an inescapable part of who we are. And trying desperately to forget a name… shows how much you're still shackled to it."
"Mm… that's deep."
Kar folded his arms and fell into thought. Then he suddenly looked up.
"Hey, Leah."
"What."
Leah answered sharply, sipping her tea.
"Did you like Kyle?"
"Pffft!"
Leah spat out her tea. Valhar, now soaked, glared at her.
"What in the world are you doing, damn lizard?"
"I'm not a dragon anymore! And hey! It's Kar's fault!"
Leah shouted, completely flustered.
Wiping his face with a handkerchief, Valhar asked calmly, "So, Kar. When did you realize it?"
"Wait, it was true?"
"Huh? How strange. Looks like you're not a fool anymore."
"Huh? Fool?"
"Yeah. Kyle, Luna, Aaron. All three of you were fools."
Kar sipped the tea Valhar poured him, still wearing a curious expression.
"Kar, don't tell Rune. If she finds out, she'll throw a tantrum."
Leah warned sternly, and Kar nodded obediently.
"So? Why did you call us here, Valhar?"
Leah asked again as Valhar took his seat.
"I'd gone to develop a mine near the Erdean Mountains."
"Yeah. You mentioned that."
"There… I encountered the Flame of Calamity."
The air instantly turned cold.
"A fragment of Erebos?"
"No. It wasn't a fragment. At most… a remnant thought."
"Why would a remnant thought suddenly appear?"
"Who knows? But it was where our final battle took place. That might be a clue. And the real problem…"
"The real problem?"
"Erebos' lingering thought… took the form of Kyle."
"Senior Rune."
A girl with red hair, Lunia, opened the door to Rune's research lab.
Inside, Rune, her face looking haggard, turned her head from where she'd been staring blankly at the chalkboard.
"Ah, Lunia. What is it?"
As Rune groaned and rose from her seat, Lunia's eyes shifted to the magical formula scribbled across the board.
"Um… what's this?"
"A necromancy spell."
"Huh?"
"I'm trying to research magic that can revive the dead, but it's not going well."
Rune scratched her head and clicked her tongue.
Watching her, Lunia grew flustered.
"Senior Rune, studying black magic is a violation of school rules…"
"Mm. But my cute little junior will keep her mouth shut, right?"
Rune gave a slightly mischievous smile and tilted her head.
"So? What brings you here?"
"It's about the Pureblood Society…"
"Ugh. I'm sick of them. What did those idiots do this time?"
Rune's expression twisted in annoyance.
The Pureblood Society— A faction Rune had clashed with since enrollment, and one with deep roots of influence within elven society.
Though their legitimacy had been shattered ever since Rune, called the reincarnation of Luna, had demonstrated perfect command of Star Sorcery— They had yet to disappear completely continuing to stubbornly promote elven purity ideals in various corners of society.
"It seems they've smuggled a fragment of Lady Seiren's Hero Record into Seiren."
"What? But didn't the Tingel family release the letter left behind by the Comet Mage? The one that clearly said all fragments of the Heroes of Dawn must be destroyed."
The world already knew— The Heroes of Dawn were still alive, fighting a fragment of Erebos in the Hero's World.
It was also widely known that those Hero Record fragments served as potential gateways for Erebos to return.
"And they smuggled one into Seiren in secret?"
Rune's expression darkened.
Then—
Kwaaaang—!
All of Seiren shook violently.
Feeling a massive energy from afar, Rune lifted her gaze to the sky.
A power far too familiar.
'The problem is… it's the one I wished never to face again—not in a million years.'
Clenching her teeth, Rune spoke.
"Lunia. You know what?"
"W-What?"
"I really, really hate elves."
With a cold smile, Rune raised her staff.
"Looks like I'll be seeing him again. That damned, flaming bastard."