Editor : Amethyst00



After completing the search of their assigned zones, the group gathered at the center of Fairyland.

Melina listened to the combat reports from each group and wore a serious expression.

"A lot of new legion commanders have been born."

"Well, our abilities have also improved to future standards, so we were able to handle them just fine."

Carl said optimistically.

"The key?"

Chen Xia asked with a puzzled look, and Melina shook her head.

"It seems there's no key in Fairyland."

At Melina's answer, Chen Xia let out a small sigh.

"Then it's highly likely to be in Godthrone."

"Shouldn't we also consider the possibility that it doesn't exist at all?"

Carl interjected with a serious tone.

Meanwhile—

A little distance away, Eliza stood with her arms crossed, staring intently at Leo.

"I'm curious about something."

"What is it?"

"Why are you smaller than before?"

Leo replied indifferently, watching Eliza with half-lidded eyes.

"I got hit by a legion commander."

"That's not like you. Letting your guard down."

"He was a pretty tricky guy."

Leo's answer made Eliza's expression grow more serious.

"Leo-oppa! You're so cute! And cool!"

"As Chelsea says, even though you look younger, you still radiate majesty, Hyung-nim!"

Watching Chelsea squeal and Lyl's eyes sparkle beside Leo, Eliza clicked her tongue softly.

'He just looks like a brat with a cocky glare. Love really is blind.'

Muttering to herself internally, Eliza spoke in a slightly sharper tone.

"Aren't you all being too laid-back? If someone managed to do this to Leo Plov, then they must be a serious threat."

"That may be, but right now we're strong enough to fight legion commanders, aren't we? And Xia beat the one who did that to Leo-oppa."

Just as Eliza was about to retort—

"Don't underestimate a legion commanders."

Leo's cold voice startled Chelsea, who then shrank her shoulders.

"Playing around to ease the tension isn't a bad thing. But if you underestimate your opponent too much, it could lead to irreversible consequences. Chelsea, you're not mistaking your current power as your own, are you?"

Even Leo never let his guard down when fighting legion commanders.

He mocked and toyed with them, yes, but always remained vigilant and prepared for the worst.

A single mistake could cost your life.

That's how dangerous a legion commanders was.

And though the new generation was still inexperienced, they were reminiscent of the legion commanders from the Age of Calamity.

At Leo's chilling words, Chelsea replied in a small voice, still shrinking.

"Y-You're right… I was wrong…"

"And Lyl."

"Y-Yes, Hyung-nim!"

As Leo's gaze shifted to her, Lyl instinctively stood at attention.

"Aren't you the party leader? Why is Professor Melina the one receiving reports and assessing the situation?"

"W-Well… she is Professor Melina…"

"Professor Melina didn't assume leadership of this party. While she may advise, the party is supposed to move according to your decisions. Or what—do you want me to be the leader instead?"

Startled by Leo's cold tone, Lyl stiffened.

Lyl wasn't so oblivious that she didn't understand what Leo meant.

Him letting her remain leader meant he trusted her.

If he took that role away, it would mean he was withdrawing that trust.

"I'm sorry! I'll correct it immediately!"

She bowed deeply and quickly ran to Melina.

Chelsea also began to reflect once the mood shifted.

"I'm relieved. Even if his appearance has gotten younger, he's still Leo Plov on the inside."

Eliza curled her lips into a smirk—

"Yeah~ That's the Leo I know. Cracking the whip just right!"

Carl approached with a lighter tone.

"Maybe I should've said more."

To Leo's comment, Carl shook his head.

"No. I think that was plenty. Too much would've been overkill."

Leo nodded at that.

"By the way, I heard your performance was incredible?"

"I just got lucky."

The Succubus Queen who pulled Carl into a dream had to retreat after losing control to him.

"You don't pull that kind of maneuver against a legion commanders with just luck."

"I'm aspiring to be the world's greatest supporter, after all."

Carl grinned.

In that moment, Eliza found herself speechless.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Wow, Carl. That was seriously cool just now."

"Hmph. I know how to be cool every now and then."

Carl puffed up a bit at Chen Xia's compliment.

Watching this, Eliza clicked her tongue.

"Everyone, gather up."

At that moment, Lyl—having finished reporting to Melina—called everyone together.

"As you all know, we found nothing in Fairyland. Therefore, we will now move on to Godthrone."

Everyone nodded at Lyl's words.

"Before we move, I want to talk about the demons that invaded through illusions. Carl. What do you think Tartaros's objective is?"

"Hm. Summing up the situation—each of the legion commanders we fought were newly born, right?"

"That's correct."

"And a few of them seemed to have awakened their own divine authorities."

For example, the King of Desire, who fought Chen Xia, used their authority to shrink Leo even more.

"They didn't seem surprised to receive those powers… So I'd say their target is the Erebos fragment sealed by the Fairy King. The fact that they came to the old Fairyland means they probably had the same thought we did. We'll be fighting them in Godthrone too."

At that, Chelsea grew serious.

"They might've already gone ahead and set traps."

To that, Lyl shook her head.

"I doubt that."

"Why not?"

Eliza asked, looking at Lyl. Lyl responded calmly.

"I believe the force Tartaros sent consisted solely of the legion commanders we fought. I don't think they brought their legions. If four legion commanders had arrived with their armies, the balance would've been broken."

After the Age of Calamity ended—

The Age of Heroes was recorded as an era of peace, aside from the calamity's return with the Heroes of Reformation.

But in the areas bordering Tartaros, the war never truly ceased.

Skirmishes big and small continued on the frontlines with Tartaros.

And the world held the upper hand in those fights.

Still, it had never dared to invade Tartaros's core territory.

Just as Tartaros constantly schemed to destroy the world, the world was equally prepared to destroy Tartaros.

That meant one simple thing—

The moment Tartaros showed any sign of weakening, the world would be ready to launch a full-scale invasion of their territory.

Having grown up in a military family, Lyl knew that better than the noble houses of heroes.

"Given the current situation, our forces are likely stronger than Tartaros's."

Everyone nodded at her statement.

"Though whether that advantage will last is another question."

Carl looked puzzled at Lyl's remark.

"Are you saying they might get reinforcements?"

"No. Hmm… It might be hard for you all to understand, since you lack real combat experience against demons."

It was just a one-year gap, but the difference in battle experience between third and fourth-years was immense.

Lumene students started real missions in their third year.

Even considering that, Lyl—once the academy's top student—had far more mission experience than her peers.

Moreover, despite an overwhelming number of assignments, she maintained a 100% success rate.

Given how notoriously difficult Lumene's missions were, that was an incredible feat.

"Demons grow, too."

At that, the third-years made puzzled expressions.

After all, they had learned in combat theory that a demon's power is fixed at birth.

There had been exceptions, like the Legion's record, but the idea that the legion commanders could rapidly strengthen their abilities through world conquest made no sense.

Seeing their reactions, Lyl added:

"More precisely, once they accumulate battle experience, they begin to maximize their abilities."

Lyl's expression turned serious.

"They're newly born legion commanders. Calamity-tier beings, yes, but essentially students by our standards."

Such beings had just gained firsthand experience battling hero-level opponents equal to or stronger than themselves.

"Next time we face them, they might display entirely different power."

"Lyl is right."

Melina chimed in, and the students' expressions grew grim.

"That's why in Godthrone, we won't be splitting up to search. We'll move together. Agreed?"

Everyone nodded in response to Lyl's question.

Leo, watching silently from the back, gave a faint smile.

"Lyl is amazing."

Melina said in a whisper only Leo could hear.

"She was just intimidated by weird seniors… but she always had leadership in her."

"At this rate, maybe she should be vice president."

"Vice president? More like student council president."

With that, Leo turned silently to look at the party members preparing to move.

Standing beside him, Melina asked cautiously,

"Are you feeling… down?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Leo looked up at her, eyes wide.

Melina's face showed concern.

Seeing this, Leo replied,

"Down? No way. I've been waiting for this moment for so long."

"Waiting?"

"Yeah."

Leo looked at his teammates.

"I can finally entrust my back to them. Even if it's just in this illusion."

He smiled softly.

"It's finally real now. That they're my comrades."

The friends who'd awakened their future potential were no longer ones he had to lead.

They were comrades—true allies he could rely on.

Just like those who once stood by his side.

"So this is what the new Arhi looks like… It makes me happy."

"Really? You looked a little lonely to me."

"Lonely?"

"Yes. But maybe I was mistaken."

Melina shook her head.

At that moment—

"Professor Mel! We're ready!"

At Lyl's call, Melina walked to the party members.

Leo stood still, watching.

"Leo-oppa, what are you doing?"

"Hurry up, Leo-doryeong!"

Chelsea and Chen Xia called to him.

At their call, Leo instinctively turned back to look.

The old Fairyland.

A ruin untouched since the Age of Calamity, preserving the past.

"Lonely, huh…"

Leo murmured Melina's words and slowly—

Somewhat hesitantly—walked toward his friends.

"Maybe she's right."

Leo's eyes dimmed.

"It's been a while… since I felt this way."

He had new, reliable comrades now.

For most people, that would be a purely joyful thing.

But for Leo, it meant something else.

"Having new comrades… means I survived alone again."