Editor : Amethyst00



The dock of the regular ferry that travels between Lumene and Lumeria City.

As the ferry docked, Leo disembarked with light steps.

Following behind him, Elena walked out with an expressionless face.

Leo glanced back at such an Elena, burst into laughter, and headed toward Lumeria City Hall.

Elena followed him silently.

As they walked through the streets, many people recognized them and struck up conversations.

A shop owner who was displaying fruit at his stall smiled brightly and handed Leo two apples, saying,

"Your Majesty. The apples are really good this year. Please try one."

"Thank you."

By now, Leo was no longer just a student of Lumene.

Having been recognized for his great achievements, he had risen to the ranks of heroes and ascended to the throne of a nation.

Accordingly, the attitude of the Lumerian people toward Leo had become noticeably more cautious compared to before.

Of course, that didn't mean they found him difficult to approach.

Leo always wore a friendly smile when dealing with people.

Entering the main street, Leo ate one of the apples the fruit seller had given him and handed the other to Elena.

As she received it, Elena said,

"I've felt it before, but you're really kind to people, aren't you?"

"Because they treat me kindly first."

"With your personality, I thought you'd act prickly no matter how people treated you."

"There was a time like that."

Even Elena could easily guess that he was referring to his previous life.

After a moment's thought, Elena asked,

"Then why don't you act like that anymore? Because you're carrying the weight of the world alone?"

"That's not exactly the reason."

Leo answered calmly.

"I don't even think I'm carrying the world alone."

Compared to Lysinas from 5,000 years ago, the burden Leo bore was not that heavy.

Back then, there wasn't even hope.

Besides, there were many who worked to maintain the order of the world, so to say he carried it alone wasn't accurate.

Of course, the burden of being the only one capable of achieving the complete subjugation of Erebos remained.

'Though that does make my shoulders feel a bit stiff.'

Remembering that, Leo gave a dry chuckle and tapped his shoulder lightly with his fist.

Watching that, Elena muttered bluntly,

"You look like an old man."

"Because I am one."

"Hmph."

Even at Elena's curt attitude, Leo didn't mind and said,

"At first, I was just imitating those guys."

"The Great Heroes?"

Leo nodded.

"Unlike me, they were always kind to people."

Leo smiled softly.

"After being revived, I started to regret it a little. I wondered why I had treated those who tried to approach me so coldly back then."

Of course, there had been a reason.

He had seen off so many people that he was called the hero who survived.

Naturally, that had made him reluctant to grow close to anyone.

He hadn't cared how others evaluated him.

But now, he had come to realize that all those countless small moments of daily life in his past life were incredibly precious.

'That's probably why I longed for the past in Sylord's illusion.'

"So I decided to treat those who are kind to me kindly in return."

Leo took a crisp bite of the apple.

Just as Elena was about to say something, someone called out to them.

"Well, look who it is? Those damn juniors who worked me to death in my final years!"

The one who spoke was someone both Leo and Elena knew well.

Hark Rigard.

A graduate of Lumene last year, and the former vice student council president who had been worked to the bone by Leo up until the day he graduated.

"Long time no see, Hark-sunbae."

Leo smiled as he greeted him.

"I was disappointed I didn't see you at the coronation."

"I've been busy since graduation."

Seeing Leo greet him warmly, Hark sighed and replied,

"I heard your achievements on the frontlines against Tartaros have been incredible?"

"Compared to you, it's nothing. I also heard you subdued another fragment of Erebos?"

"Just happened that way."

"'Just happened,' huh? Sounds like you're planning to save the world while you're at it."

Leo burst out laughing at Hark's words.

"Anyway, why is she looking so grumpy?"

Hark frowned as he looked at Elena staring at him.

Since they were both from one of the three great houses of Lumene, they had known each other since childhood.

However, they had gotten along terribly when they were both attending Lumene.

But thanks to suffering under Leo, they had become such close frenemies that the term "bad friends" seemed appropriate.

"What brings you here, Hark-sunbae?"

"This is my house. Did you forget?"

Hark pointed behind him with his finger.

Lumeria's City Hall.

A historic building with 3,000 years of history.

And for the past 3,000 years, the Rigard family had inherited the mayor's seat of Lumeria City.

Naturally, City Hall was also Hark's home.

"Yes. I know very well, so please leave now."

"Don't be so cold. I just want to chat with Leo since it's been a while."

Hark shrugged his shoulders.

"Leo, kick him out."

Elena said irritably, and Leo shrugged in return.

"It'd be too heartless, considering how much I worked him before he graduated."

"You do have a conscience, huh? I thought you didn't."

Leo gave a hollow laugh as Hark looked at him in amazement.

Wedging himself into the middle of the two, Hark began chatting with Leo.

"I read the report you filed during your recent mission… There were new legion commanders, weren't there?"

"Yes."

"What are they like? It's top secret, so I couldn't get much detail."

Hark was earnestly trying to grasp the current military strength of Tartaros.

As the heir to the Rigard family, Hark had practically lived on the battlefield, leading the family's knight order.

Though his personality was laid-back and lazy, he wasn't the type to neglect his duties.

In fact, even during his fifth year when Leo was working him to death and he was suffering from sleep deprivation, he still completed all his responsibilities perfectly.

After graduation, his sense of duty to protect allies as a knight had grown even stronger.

Elena watched Leo and Hark talk with a sullen face from slightly behind.

'The mood was good just a moment ago.'

It had been a perfect time to bring up the dance party.

But at that moment, Hark had shown up.

Just then—

"You've come at the right time."

A man walked toward them from a distance.

A professor of Lumene and a member of the Zeron family, Albi.

"Elena, the family head is looking for you."

"My father?"

Elena had no choice but to follow Albi.

Watching her go, Hark snickered.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I just got the feeling she was about to say something to you. Probably ask you to the dance party or something."

"You know everything, huh?"

"Due to our family's nature, we hear most things."

Hark shrugged.

"Anyway, I tried to interrupt on purpose, and the timing was perfect."

"You should use your heart more kindly."

"After all the hell I went through during school because of that girl, this is nothing."

'He's got a lot of enemies.'

Leo shook his head inwardly.

'Well, I suppose it's only natural, considering how wild she used to be.'

Recalling the Elena of the past, Leo said,

"By the way, Hark-sunbae."

"What?"

"You're unemployed right now, aren't you?"

"Didn't you hear anything I said? I told you I was on the Tartaros frontlines for the past six months."

"That's just helping out your family. Not actual work."

"Hey, I'm still the heir of my house."

"Are you substituting or helping out with the Rigard family head's duties?"

"No."

"Then knowing your personality, aren't you just out there to sleep as much as you want? You can sleep legally on the frontlines, after all."

Hark's mana trait was "Accumulation."

A power that accumulates mana through sleep and releases it all at once.

But mana accumulation wasn't limitless.

Once the vessel was full, sleeping more had no effect.

In the end, Hark just liked to sleep.

"Someone who finishes housework quickly and then sleeps all day — that's what people usually call unemployed, right?"

Hark pressed his temples with his fingers.

It was borderline sophistry, but not entirely wrong.

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"Would you like to come to our kingdom? I'll treat you well."

Hark gave a completely serious look and answered,

"Absolutely not."

He had no desire to be worked to death by Leo again.

"Besides, do you think my father would let the heir go off somewhere else?"

"If Hark-sunbae said you'd go, wouldn't he let you?"

"Why would I do that in the first place?"

Hark smiled coldly.

"I'm never going to work under you again, so stop dreaming."

bl

The student council president of Lumene isn't just the top student.

They have the authority to move all of Lumene.

They schedule school events and set budgets, which the board of directors then approves.

Naturally, meetings between the student council president and the board were held regularly.

But today's meeting was a bit special.

Because the director himself would be attending.

Until now, Elena had led the meetings as the Director's proxy.

Entering the conference room, the Infinity Speller, Altec Zeron, sat at the head of the table.

On either side of him sat Elena and Albi.

Direct descendants of the Zeron family.

These were the three who currently led the Zeron family in practice.

"It's been a while, Student Leo."

"It has, Director. You look well."

Leo replied as Altec greeted him first, prompting Elena to burst out laughing.

"Pfft! He looks worse, actually."

Altec shot a cold glare at Elena.

Elena, as if nothing had happened, straightened her back with a blank face.

Clicking his tongue, Altec said,

"First, let me thank you. Thanks to your subjugation of a fragment of Erebos, Tartaros's movements have slowed. I was able to return to Lumeria City for a bit because of that."

"I didn't do it alone."

"You're humble. Some people could learn from you."

As Altec muttered, glancing at Elena, she smiled sweetly.

"Let's begin the meeting."

Since the meetings were regular, if there were no unusual matters, they didn't take long.

After the meeting ended—

The door opened and a middle-aged man walked in.

With a solid build, he was the ruler of Lumeria, Dajian Rigard.

"It's been a while since the last meeting, and it ended so soon."

"There was nothing special."

"Indeed."

Dajian nodded and sat next to Altec.

"Lord Zeron, there's something I want to discuss seriously."

"What is it?"

"Elena. Has she decided to help with family duties after graduation?"

Dajian asked with a serious face.

Altec looked puzzled at the question.

Elena was the Zeron heiress.

The common assumption was that she would help with family duties after graduation.

But Elena wasn't ordinary.

As an heiress, she was already fully formed.

She had been acting family head since she was young — it wouldn't be odd if she became the family head immediately.

The only problem was her awful personality.

But even regarding that, Altec had faith.

"Seems she's already chosen her place of employment."

"Really?"

Dajian's eyes widened.

Looking at Elena, he said,

"You've finally matured after always giving the Zeron head such grief. You're better than my damn son."

Elena gave a charming smile at those words.

"Could I ask where she'll be working?"

Dajian asked cautiously.

Altec looked at Leo.

"Student Leo."

"Yes."

"No returns or refunds."

At Altec's serious remark, Leo burst into laughter without meaning to.

Hearing this, Dajian looked at Leo with wide eyes and asked,

"Is Elena going to work in the Kingdom of Arhi?"

"Yes."

"Ooh…"

Dajian looked at Altec with an envious face.

He knew well how Leo worked the student council to the bone.

And he also knew Leo was building power to eventually subjugate Erebos completely.

His own useless son just wanted to slack off, while the Zeron heiress, from one of Lumene's three great houses, was willing to do hard work.

After the talk, Dajian fell into deep thought.

And when the meeting ended, and it was time for Leo and Elena to return to Lumene, Dajian requested a private meeting with Leo.

"What is it?"

When Leo arrived at the mayor's office and asked, Dajian said,

"Student Leo, I've always thought highly of you."

Saying that, he took an envelope from his pocket and tried to slip it into Leo's.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, come on. Just take it. It's like pocket money. Buy something tasty with Elena on your way, or treat your hardworking student council friends."

As Leo refused, Dajian forcefully shoved the envelope into his pocket and lowered his voice.

"Actually, I have a small favour to ask."

"What is it?"

"My son, you know, he just likes to sleep, but he's got great ability, right? You know that well, don't you?"

"Yes."

"So, you see, I was wondering if our Student Leo — no, His Majesty of Arhi — could give him some work in your kingdom."

Dajian smiled kindly.

"I didn't say it in front of Lord Zeron, but after meeting you, Elena — that child turned from a brat into a decent student, right?"

He put on a serious face.

"Couldn't you turn my son into a decent person too? You can work him to the bone, unpaid."

"He's the heir — is that okay?"

"I'm embarrassed to admit, but that boy needs some hardship. Your kingdom was just founded and must be short on manpower. The King of Arhi gets a valuable worker. I get a reformed son. Please take good care of him. Hmm? Hmm?"

Hearing Dajian's persuasive tone, Leo replied,

"But what if he doesn't want to?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"I already offered Hark-sunbae a position, but he flat-out refused."

"…"

At those words, Dajian smiled.

Then, walking over to the wall, he grabbed a sword that was hanging there and said,

"I'll persuade him by tomorrow and send him to the Kingdom of Arhi. Please speak to Sir Sith about it."

"Understood."

"Excellent. Take good care of my worthless son."

Dajian personally opened the door for Leo.

Then he left the office with Leo and ran off somewhere.

Elena, who had been waiting in the first-floor lobby, gave him a puzzled look.

"What did you talk about with Uncle Dajian?"

"Career counseling."

"Career counseling?"

No sooner had those words left his mouth than a desperate scream echoed in the distance.

Hearing that, Leo said with a smile,

"He wants me to turn his son into a proper person like I did with you."

At those words, Elena stomped on Leo's foot.