Editor : Amethyst00



"Class rep! Class rep! Hear me out!"

Eliana ran up to Leo and said excitedly.

"Five thousand years ago, Raysar was completely devoured by bad guys, right? So let's just take out the boss! Then we take Raysar! Don't you think it's doable with all these people?"

"I already said that idea is rejected."

When Celia came over and said that, Eliana pouted.

"Why? Isn't it simple and good?"

"If it could be solved that simply, the Great Heroes would have done it. It's not a matter that can be fixed just by hitting the head. Eliana Raden."

Duran chimed in as well, and Eliana turned to Leo.

"What do you think, class rep?"

"As Celia and Duran said, it's not going to be resolved that easily."

"Hmmm…"

At Leo's response, Eliana fell into thought.

Celia looked exasperated as she watched.

"Why don't you listen to us but agree right away with what Leo says?"

"Because you and Duran aren't the class rep."

As Celia shook her head at that, Leo asked seriously.

"Are you seriously thinking of going for an overachievement?"

"Why are you asking the obvious, Leo Plov?"

Duran looked at Leo with his arms crossed.

Eliana also widened her eyes.

"Are you against challenging an overachievement, class rep?"

"Yeah."

"Ah, so that's what you were talking about with Drianna earlier."

Eliana crossed her arms and nodded firmly.

Celia, too, looked at Leo with a slightly surprised expression.

"That's not like you, Leo Plov."

When Duran said that with a frown, Leo chuckled softly.

"Whatever you think of me, this is actually very much like me."

Duran's eyes twitched at that comment.

"You've always overcome ridiculous trials with ease. And you've always led us. That's the Leo I know. But now, you're saying backing down is like you?"

Leo replied as he looked at the confused Duran.

"Because until now, I had no other choices."

He was right.

In every trial so far, there had been no other options.

But this time was different.

There was a clearly safe path.

And so, there was no reason to choose the dangerous one.

"Duran, like you said, I've led you all as your leader."

"…"

"And I'll continue to lead you in the future."

Looking straight into Duran's golden eyes, Leo spoke.

"In other words, your lives are my responsibility."

To take responsibility for their lives—

It wasn't just because they were people he had to protect.

To Leo, they were already comrades.

And in his past life, Leo had lost all of his comrades.

"I don't want to lose anyone."

It wasn't a childish sentiment.

It was a desperate vow made because he had lost everything once before.

"Then are you going to stop us from going for the clear?"

"No. I'm going to watch."

"What?"

"I'm curious what kind of brilliant strategy you'll come up with."

Duran frowned.

Waving lightly, Leo walked off to check on the other students.

"You're really not going to stop them?"

Elena came up to Leo then.

"They wouldn't stop even if I tried."

"That's true."

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to save Raysar?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because I have to stand on the same stage as you."

"…"

Leo stopped and looked at Elena.

Elena smiled brightly as she looked back at him.

Then—

Chloe approached.

"Leo. I want to ask your opinion."

If Carl was an excellent commander in immediate battles, Chloe was a brilliant strategist who handled the big picture.

That's why at Lumene, students would give input, and Chloe would weave it all together.

Elena smiled as she watched Chloe approach.

"Chloe. Leo's against this overachievement attempt. Even if you ask, he probably won't give you a proper answer."

"Really?"

Chloe's eyes widened.

"Well, I guess. Leo, you do seem like the type to pick the safe route."

Even as she made an understanding face, Chloe gave a bitter smile.

"But still, it's a shame."

"Chloe, do you really think there's meaning in seeing another ending?"

As a strategist, Chloe had similarities to Leo.

Which is why Leo found it a bit surprising that even safety-seeking Chloe was aiming for a risky overachievement.

Chloe nodded at Leo's question.

"Yeah. I think there is."

"Why?"

"Remember when we cleared the Chadmurders incident?"

"Yeah."

"After we saved Senior Aliah and her comrades, when Professor Albi thanked us… I realized something."

Chloe recalled that time as she spoke.

"Overachieving was something that the people in the Heroes' world had truly, desperately wanted."

Changing history by overachieving in the Heroes' world wasn't possible.

The past was already written, and no matter what was done, it couldn't be altered.

But for the heroes, just the act itself brought them comfort.

"Of course, Lord Aaron is already dead, and no one from that era is still around."

"…"

"But as people who live in this world thanks to their grace, I believe we have a duty to fulfill what the Great Heroes desperately wished for."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. So tell me your thoughts."

After hearing Chloe's strategy, Leo shared his opinions without reservation.

"I knew asking you was the right call."

With a bright smile, Chloe returned to the group.

"See?"

Elena poked Leo playfully in the ribs and grinned.

"You should go to Chloe, too."

"Yeah, got it."

Elena smiled as she walked over to Chloe.

Leo left the group of students behind.

Meanwhile, more students were being pulled into the Hero Dungeon.

But no one panicked.

Calmly, they reviewed the situation to pass on to those already inside.

A little later, three shadows appeared behind Leo as he walked away.

"Leo."

Anya called out carefully.

Seeing them, Leo spoke.

"You're aiming for an overachievement too, I see."

"…Forgive us."

"What's there to be sorry for?"

Leo let out a short laugh.

"But why are you aiming for it?"

Just yesterday, the Shadows had disagreed and clashed.

But now, they were united.

United in the goal of an overachievement.

"Your goal is to protect the heroes. So why take on this risk?"

To that, the Dwarf Shadow Lord, Purson, replied.

"We heard that the cause of what happened in Lord Aaron's world was betrayal."

Person spoke seriously.

"Five thousand years ago, only the First Shadow King and the First Shadow could punish those traitors. But now it's different."

Hundreds of Shadows were present here.

"We can never forgive those who betrayed the world and led so many to death. Even if they belong to the past."

Person's eyes gleamed coldly.

"We believe it is our duty to execute them."

The Beastman Shadow Lord, Kirin, smiled.

"We've lived for that purpose, and we always will."

Some sought to uphold their identity as Shadows.

Others wanted a world where Heroes and Shadows were equal.

But none denied that their duty was to execute the traitors.

Leo watched them silently before speaking.

"Damien."

With those words, Damien emerged from the darkness.

The Shadows were stunned.

As lords and successors, they were the closest to darkness, save for the Emperor of Xian.

And yet, they hadn't noticed the beautiful Dwarf in front of them until he revealed himself.

'No, did he say Damien?'

"He's the Hero of Dawn, the Unyielding Damien."

"Gasp!"

The Dwarf Purson reacted most strongly.

"If you enter Aaron's world, follow Damien's orders."

"Y-Yes, understood."

The three Shadows bowed their heads.

Leo left them and walked on.

"Lord Kyle."

"What?"

"Do you still think overachievement is a bad idea?"

"Yeah. You?"

"…I'm not sure."

Damien answered honestly.

"Logically, not going for overachievement is the right call. But…"

Damien recalled Drianna speaking with hope about possibility.

That was the image Damien had longed for more than anyone.

He wasn't even jealous—it was that fitting.

"Maybe 'Unyielding' is a title that suits that kid more."

Leo gave a faint laugh at Damien's words.

"Drianna's just someone who doesn't listen to others and does what she wants."

It was true.

Even when Dweno told her to give up on art, she insisted she was an artist.

"Damien. Why did you want to save the world?"

"…Because that's what Damien originally wished for."

Damien replied calmly.

"My life's goal was just something passed down to me."

"To repay a debt?"

"Yes. He gave me everything."

"You're like Dweno."

"Pardon?"

"Dweno tried to save the world for someone else."

He wanted to pass beauty on to future generations for the elf he loved—Enniha.

"The difference is Dweno turned someone else's goal into his own."

"…"

"Your desire to save the world hasn't changed, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you deserve the title Unyielding."

Even when the final moment comes, Damien will not break.

'Just like Dweno didn't.'

Leo walked on.

As he walked alone through the streets, he sank into thought.

'I need to be ready to evacuate them at any time.'

There were many people.

If it came to it, he might have to abandon the people of Raysar he barely managed to bring back from the brink of destruction.

He felt guilty, but Leo had no intention of hesitating.

It was hesitation that had cost him too much.

He didn't want to lose the present for the sake of those already gone.

'As long as Erebos is summoned, there's no way to save Raysar.'

[Hero Record Open. World of Aaron. Chapter: Mid-Phase – Fall of Raysar]

At the message that vividly appeared before his eyes, Leo clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, this time it's me?"

As white light engulfed his vision, Leo closed his eyes.

When sensation returned, he opened them again.

'…? Godthrone?'

Leo instantly knew where he was.

An alley in Godthrone.

'The alley that leads to Lysinas's house. This is the Fall of Raysar, so why am I in Godthrone?'

As Leo frowned in confusion—

"Who's there?"

A familiar voice rang out from behind.

Leo turned his head.

A beautiful dragon was staring at him.

'Lysinas.'

Leo looked at Lysinas with a puzzled expression.

'Why does she look so downcast? No, more than that…'

As he looked into her eyes, Leo frowned.

'Was she crying?'

Lysinas, eyes wide as she stared at Leo, asked:

"Do you know someone named Carl Thomas?"

"What?"

At Leo's reaction, Lysinas nodded.

"I knew it. You're from the future too."