Editor : Amethyst00



"Hmm? What the—?"

"Carl and… Eliza?!"

All the students in the banquet hall were visibly startled as they watched Carl and Eliza enter together.

Carl was escorting her with a slightly awkward expression, while Eliza followed with her signature proud and elegant demeanor.

"What's going on? Wasn't Eliza supposed to come with the student council president?"

"Forget that—why Carl?"

"Aren't they close?"

"Yeah, but just as friends, right?"

"Besides, Carl doesn't really seem like Eliza's type."

The banquet hall began to buzz with murmurs.

"Whoa… is this okay?"

Carl mumbled nervously to himself.

The reaction was stronger than he had anticipated.

Watching Carl, Eliza spoke up.

"Enjoy it."

"What?"

"At social parties like this, attention is meant to be enjoyed."

"Maybe you're used to it, but I'm not."

Carl's face remained stiff with tension.

He had grown somewhat accustomed to public attention since becoming a hero.

Still, being in the spotlight in this kind of setting was clearly uncomfortable.

It was only natural—he had never been close to high society.

"What if I mess something up?"

"You'll be fine."

"Still…"

"You look good today."

"…!"

Carl widened his eyes and looked at Eliza.

Seeing his reaction, Eliza smiled beautifully and said,

"You look good—have some confidence."

Carl blinked in disbelief and asked seriously,

"You're not actually Eliza, are you?"

Without a word, Eliza subtly stomped on Carl's foot with her heel.

"Gah—!" he let out a stifled yelp.

"You two! What happened? How'd you end up coming together?"

Nella approached, covering her mouth in surprise, eyes wide.

Behind her was Duran, whose expression clearly showed disapproval.

"Eliza Hergin. Weren't you supposed to come with Leo Plov?"

"I changed partners," Eliza replied flatly.

Duran seemed about to press her further when—

"Why Carl, though?" Nella asked brightly.

"Are you two… involved or something?"

Carl hesitated, unsure of how to answer.

"We're dating," Eliza replied matter-of-factly.

Carl looked at her in disbelief.

Nella, who had asked, and even Duran looked utterly stunned.

It wasn't just them.

Everyone in the hall doubted their ears for a moment.

Though music played in the background, not a single person missed what Eliza had said.

As the crowd stood frozen in shock, Eliza linked arms with Carl and declared. "Carl Thomas is my boyfriend."

Then, she smirked. "So anyone thinking of flirting with him better be ready."

"WHAAAAAT?!"

"Wait—what is going on?!"

"Carl, how did you pull this off?!"

The banquet hall erupted in chaos.

Even students who already knew about their relationship were stunned by such a bold announcement.

As all eyes turned to the pair,

Leo, who had entered alone, chuckled.

"Nice. Less attention for me."

bl

"Carl! You bastard! How did you do it?!"

"How did you score Eliza?!"

"Teach us your ways!"

A bunch of Carl's longtime guy friends, led by Tade, gathered around him, chattering excitedly.

Meanwhile, a group of girls had formed around Eliza as well.

"What?! Since when have you two been together?"

Eliana asked, eyes sparkling.

"Since summer break," Eliza replied.

"That's not long ago!"

Eliana gasped.

"Congratulations, Eliza," Nella said with a warm smile.

"But why go public? I thought you'd keep it secret longer."

Chen Xia tilted her head curiously, prompting a sharp look from Eliza.

"Because I didn't want you blackmailing me."

"Oh come on~ when did I ever blackmail you?" Xia replied with a sweet smile.

Eliza scoffed.

Others watching silently thought the same thing:

'She definitely did.'

DING DING DING DING—!

A clear, melodious sound echoed through the hall.

It was Sedgen tapping his glass with a spoon.

As attention turned toward him, Sedgen spoke with elegant poise.

"Let the party officially begin."

He stepped aside, and Principal Rina took the stage.

"This banquet was prepared to honor the students who accomplished the great feat of subjugating a fragment of Erebos during their latest mission. When your name is called, please come forward. Leo Plov."

Leo stepped up.

"Lyl Luce, Chen Xia, Eliza Hergin, Carl Thomas, Chelsea Lewellin."

One by one, the students involved in the mission came forward.

"These six students, as students of Lumene, played a major role in what could be called a global aspiration—the subjugation of a fragment of Erebos."

Though fragments of Erebos had been defeated in the past, this time was different.

Previously, legendary heroes had taken part in those missions.

While those were great accomplishments, they hadn't been led by the next generation of heroes.

But this time, it was.

This was a feat achieved solely through the strength of the younger generation.

Though Leo was among them, his true identity wasn't publicly known, so the significance remained intact.

"Of course, this accomplishment came under special circumstances, not solely due to your current strength…"

The opportunity had come due to exceptional conditions that maximized future potential.

Still—

"Nevertheless, the gods have acknowledged your achievement."

Everyone except Carl and Leo widened their eyes.

"Principal… does that mean…?" Lyl asked cautiously.

Rina nodded.

"Yes. All of your names have been inscribed into the Hero Record."

Everyone's eyes went wide with astonishment.

"Chelsea Lewellin."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"The gods have granted you the title [Wind Bird]."

"Wow! Wow!"

Chelsea clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling with joy.

"Eliza Hergin."

"Yes."

"The gods have granted you the title [White Lightning]."

"It is an honor to my family."

"Chen Xia."

"Yes."

"The gods have granted you the title [Water Fairy]."

Chen Xia bowed gracefully in silent thanks.

Rina gave a faint smile, deeply moved.

Given Xia's shadowy origins, the fact she had earned a place in the Hero Record was touching.

"Lyl Luce."

"Yes, Principal!"

"The gods recognize you as a hero. Congratulations."

"Thank you so much!"

"Good."

"……?"

"Now, students of Lumene! Let us raise a toast to the birth of new heroes! But do not think you have fallen behind."

"Um… Principal?"

"Whether early or late, I have no doubt every candidate here will someday become a true hero!"

"Principal? My title…?"

"Always be ready for trials! And rise through them to achieve great feats!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"In hopes that Erebos may be completely vanquished and a true era of peace will dawn upon the world—cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Adults with wine, students with sparkling juice.

Not only Leo and Carl.

Other students, too, had stepped into the role of hero.

In this turbulent age—

At this historic moment—

It was no longer strange for students to become heroes.

They held aspirations—

To one day have their name inscribed among heroes.

To become proud contributors to the world's peace.

And yet, one question lingered.

"Principal… so what is my title?"

Why was Lyl the only one whose title wasn't announced?

bl

"Guys, congratulations!"

Nella beamed and congratulated her friends from the heart.

"Ahem!"

Chelsea puffed her chest proudly, full of confidence.

"You've all moved ahead of us now."

At Chloe's comment, Eliza snorted.

"I don't think we've gotten ahead. We were just lucky this time."

She opened and closed her hand.

"It wasn't a feat achieved by my own strength."

"Getting a boyfriend has made you more mature, Eliza," Chen Xia teased.

Eliza shot her a side glance.

"Hmph."

Just as Duran was turning his head with a scoff—

"Jealous?" Chelsea teased, stepping in front of him.

"Wanna go after the party?"

"Huh?! You think I'm scared? I'll avenge my brother!"

Chelsea's eyes flared with fire.

"Now, now, don't fight, you two," Nella said sweetly, trying to calm them down—

"Chelsea, congratulations."

"Brother!"

Chelsea beamed at Abad's words—but her expression quickly soured.

"What are you looking at?"

She had spotted Celia standing behind Abad.

"Back off."

She shoved Celia away from her brother.

Celia sighed, watching her sulk.

Meanwhile, the dance time began.

Chelsea quickly grabbed Abad's hand and pulled him to the dance floor.

Duran followed soon after with Nella.

Carl awkwardly offered his hand to Eliza, who smiled and accepted it.

Gasps erupted from around the room.

"They're really dating."

Celia looked dazed, while Chen Xia giggled and whispered,

"You should hurry up and get a boyfriend too, Celia."

Celia gave her a sharp look.

Meanwhile…

Leo approached the bored-looking Elena.

"Care for a dance?"

"…"

Elena looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

"That's a pretty rude way to ask someone to dance."

Leo grinned and offered a formal bow.

"Would you honor me with a dance, my lady?"

"…"

She set down her wineglass and took his hand.

"You feeling better?"

"A bit."

She pouted slightly.

"So I'm your partner for the night?"

"Nope. I don't have a partner. I'll dance with others too."

"Playboy."

Elena glared. Leo laughed.

Still, Elena's mood had improved as she nodded.

Just then—

"Hyung! Hyung!"

Lyl ran toward Leo, almost in tears.

"The Principal said my title is [Monster Lady]! That has to be a mistake, right?"

"Monster Lady?"

"Yes! It has to be a mix-up, right?"

Elena sighed.

Being recorded in the Hero Record was a tremendous honor.

A mistake was impossible.

More than that—being associated with 'monster' was shocking.

It meant the gods had acknowledged her as one.

In the entire history of heroes, fewer than three had ever received such a title.

But Lyl absolutely hated being called a monster.

Elena had teased her with it before—but now it was official.

It was clearly painful for Lyl.

Elena reached out and took her hand.

Then, without a word, placed it into Leo's.

She said with genuine sympathy,

"I'll let you have him for the night."

"Let this old man comfort you."

"…!"

Lyl's eyes filled with tears.

Leo looked awkward as he said,

"Lyl."

"Yes, hyung!"

"Don't hate it too much. It suits you."

"…!"

Lyl's eyes widened—

And soon, tears started to fall in big drops.

Watching her, Elena clicked her tongue.

"Ugh, you're so bad at comforting people."