Editor : Amethyst00



A strange atmosphere began to flow through the party hall.

Abad glanced at the noble scions whispering among themselves.

'Should I say it's a relief?'

Among those gossiping about Carl and Eliza, there were no noble lineages from the western region.

To be precise, there were no noble lineages from the Lordren Empire.

Since all the noble houses from the western continent were Lordren, it was only natural.

Abad let out a deep, silent sigh.

'I had somewhat expected this… but still. To speak so openly like that…'

It wasn't the first time the noble heirs were arrogant.

Given their history and tradition, they had every reason to take pride in their bloodline.

'The problem is that pride has grown grotesquely inflated.'

Even common nobles, those without heroic lineage, believe themselves noble. Then how much more so for those born with the blood of heroes?

Given the numerous legacies passed down from their ancestors, they have an advantage in conquering the Hero Records, and it's an unavoidable fact that this increases the chances of heroes being born among noble families.

But that's all it is.

In the end, those without qualifications can't even dream of being heroes, let alone enrolling in a hero academy.

'No, they aren't even at the level to be accepted into any of the three prestigious academies— Icott, Emerald, and Skarn.'

Still, most noble heirs consider themselves seeds of heroism.

Even when they possess none of the qualities of a hero.

Simply because their ancestors were once heroes.

If put nicely, it's a conservative and exclusive mindset.

Put bluntly…

"Empty-headed fools."

At Chelsea's harsh whisper, Abad sighed softly.

It wasn't only Eliza who was angry.

Everyone who had entered Lumene felt discomfort.

Carl had reached the position of a hero faster than anyone else here.

'His combat abilities may be lacking… no, even saying that isn't quite right.'

Though the terrain had been in Carl's favour, he still held the power to toy with hundreds of Lumene freshmen.

There were still first-years who trembled at the mention of his name.

He wasn't someone that people with nothing but lineage could afford to mock.

'No, from the moment they dragged Hergin into this, they showed they weren't thinking.'

Just as there are different levels between noble houses and hero noble houses,

There are also tiers among hero noble houses.

And Hergin stands at the pinnacle of those.

Based in the northern continent, the Hergin family maintains a neutral stance.

They don't belong to any one power and serve as a balancing third force among the continent's factions.

That's only possible because Hergin is a family with immense latent strength.

Across the continent, only three families—aside from Hergin— enjoy a similar status.

Those who mocked and sneered probably believed in the strength of their nation or faction.

'But nothing good can come from making an enemy of Hergin.'

Even the Lordren Empire doesn't dare act recklessly toward them. Seeing others brazenly provoke such a house left Abad more dumbfounded than angry.

Still, Abad was the host of the party.

He couldn't let the gathering fall into chaos.

'I need to calm Eliza down first…'

With that thought, Abad turned to Eliza.

Crackle—

At that moment, pure white sparks erupted from Eliza's body.

Carl and Abad's eyes met in mid-air.

'She's beyond stopping now, isn't she?'

'Yeah. No stopping her.'

Their eyes conveyed all that needed to be said.

The three of them had lived in the same dorm during their second year and knew each other well.

Once Eliza was truly enraged, there was no stopping her.

Carl looked resigned.

While Abad was weighing the consequences,

A sudden silence fell over the entire party hall.

Click—

Like a drop of water falling onto a still pond, a ripple began to spread.

The clear sound of heels echoed.

"Oh my?"

A sweet and captivating voice seized everyone's attention.

"The party's a bit noisy, isn't it?"

Click—click—

Hair more radiant than gold itself, shining like the sun.

Pink eyes that instantly captivated any who met them.

A skin-tight pure white dress that showcased every graceful curve.

She was the embodiment of beauty itself—a woman who could be called the incarnation of allure without exaggeration.

The crystals decorating her dress sparkled, scattering the gaze of onlookers.

Everyone's jaws dropped at Elena's appearance.

Even the students of Lumene, already familiar with her beauty, were stunned into silence.

'Why did she go all out like that?'

Carl wondered inwardly.

Elena usually had no interest in adorning herself.

To be precise, she never felt the need to.

Her beauty was so overwhelming that it required no enhancement.

Yet today, she had clearly made an effort.

As all eyes turned to Elena, her pink eyes gleamed.

"Ah. I'm feeling thirsty."

As she murmured clearly enough for all to hear,

The noble scions who had been gossiping about Carl earlier hurriedly flocked around her.

"Here's some water!"

"I brought a refreshing drink—!"

"This is top-quality wine!"

Elena accepted the wine glass offered by the young man directly in front of her.

He was the same one who had fervently insulted Hergin just moments ago.

Splash—

Elena poured the wine onto the young man's head.

Then smiled sweetly.

"Did I ask you to bring it?"

Soaked and dishevelled, the young man still gazed at Elena with a foolish grin.

"Brother! What kind of disgraceful behaviour is that for the next head of House Weiran?!"

A girl shrieked, horrified by his state.

But not only that young man—other noble scions also beamed at Elena like bewitched fools.

Thus, Elena began humiliating those who had insulted Carl using her mesmerizing charm.

Even Eliza, watching the scene, looked momentarily flustered.

"I haven't seen her let loose like this in a while."

"Hark-sunbae?"

Carl's eyes widened at the voice behind him.

Hark stood there with his usual, or perhaps even sleepier than usual, eyes.

"Shouldn't we stop her?"

Carl asked, and Hark chuckled.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Carl. Nobodies who couldn't even enter the three major academies dared insult you—one of Lumene's greatest prodigies. That's the same as insulting the three families who support Lumene."

Hark seemed genuinely angry.

"But won't this cause problems?"

"Problems? What could they possibly do? Complain? Can they even manage that?"

Once Elena was in full tyrant mode, few could rein her in.

"And better to be humiliated like this than to make enemies of the Hergin family."

Hark glanced at Eliza, who still wore a cold expression.

Meanwhile, Elena approached Eliza.

"Eliza."

"Yes."

"Won't you fetch a cool drink for your senior?"

"Why should I?"

Eliza asked in her usual defiant tone, and Elena smiled.

"Because your dear senior got revenge for her cute junior."

"I'll get it."

"No, I will."

As Carl offered, Eliza shook her head and went to fetch the drink.

Even then, the mesmerized noble scions continued making fools of themselves.

Chelsea, watching the scene, looked incredulous.

"I can't believe noble scions are really like this. This is worse than I thought."

At that, Elena chuckled.

"This is the fate of those ignorant of the world. People whose only merit is the mask their ancestors created."

People who don't know the real world, thinking what they see is all there is.

"Well, you're different from them."

Chelsea tilted her head at Carl's words.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you forget who chose you?"

Seeds of heroes chosen by Leo, the Hero of Beginnings.

Not to draw lines, but they were different.

Leo didn't care about blood or background.

He looked only at potential.

Chelsea folded her arms.

"Still, why did Elena-sunbae dress up so much today?"

"Oh my? Am I not allowed to dress up?"

"That's not what I meant…"

As Carl pondered in confusion, realization suddenly hit him.

"Ah!"

He let out a dumbfounded exclamation, and Elena whispered to him softly.

"Our dear Carl is sometimes unnecessarily sharp."

Carl thought to himself, slightly annoyed by her tone.

'Leo, you're here at the party, aren't you?'

It was obvious in hindsight.

The only person Elena would dress to impress was Leo.

At that moment, Eliza returned with a drink and handed it to Elena.

The party resumed afterward.

Though the noble scions, once released from Elena's spell, turned red with embarrassment,

None dared say a word against her.

In fact, most simply stared at her again, dazed.

A few continued to act foolishly, trying to get on her good side.

But Elena ignored them entirely, leisurely roaming the party.

"Seriously. Where's that guy hiding? Did he not come to the party?"

Elena grumbled.

Carl shook his head at her frustration.

"Where is that damn guy?"

"Hark, are you looking for Leo too?"

"Oh? You noticed?"

"Well… watching Elena. But why are you looking for Leo?"

"That bastard's got me working day and night! I need to complain!"

Hark's eyes burned with resentment.

"Miss, shall I clear your empty glass?"

A servant asked Elena.

With a bored expression, Elena handed over the glass.

"Hey. Get me something to drink."

"Here you go."

The servant handed a silver tray with a new glass.

"Seriously, where is he? I went through all this trouble to dress up."

"Maybe he didn't come to the party?"

Elena grumbled again, and Hark muttered irritably.

"…"

Carl stared at the silver-haired servant bustling near them.

'…No way?'

The moment their eyes met, the servant smiled.

'It was you!'

Carl inwardly shouted, recognizing his friend's disguise.

bl

"So, you're saying all I need to do is get rid of this commoner?"

The man looked uncomfortable as he faced the person before him.

Clack—clack—

He nervously clacked the stone in his hand together.

"That's right."

"Hmm. Isn't he already recognized as a hero? And there are rumours he's closely tied to the Hergin family."

"Weren't you the one who sought a political marriage with Hergin?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"Then Carl Thomas is in your way."

The tall, gaunt man curved his lips into a smile.

"I'll support you… discreetly."

"…"

"You must re-establish your family's glory through an alliance with Hergin."

"Well, our family is more fitting for Hergin than some lowly commoner."

He chuckled and rose from his seat.

Clack—clack—

Fondling the stone in his hand, the King of Desire, Ziguas, murmured:

"If all humans were like this, destroying the world would be far too easy."