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Chapter 82




【82】81.
“I can’t understand. This is an unprecedented event.”
The professors objected to the term “Battle Royale.”
It was because, in a literal sense, a competition where departments merge could easily turn into an individual battle if not handled properly.
Seeing the three protesting professors, Kalian leaned back in his chair.
“I understand your feelings. After all, this year’s freshmen are particularly outstanding.”
This year’s freshmen have a very high probability of winning, regardless of the department.
That’s why all three professors oppose the highly variable Battle Royale.
“But as you know, there’s a special student this year, isn’t there?”
“Leo Frob?”
“Yes. At first, everyone was surprised that he was in all classes. Most thought he would reach his limits soon, didn’t they?”
The three professors agreed.
They were confident that he would eventually join their departments.
“But Leo has maintained near-top grades in all fields.”
Kalian rested his chin on his hand.
“Because of this, the board has become even more interested in Leo.”
The board.
The actual rulers of Lumer, the three great families known as the Houses of Origin: Jerron, Liguard, and Tursia.
“Do you mean the board wants Leo to enter the Hero Record as an all-class student?”
“Yes.”
If that were to happen, it wouldn’t be impossible for another all-class student to emerge, inheriting Leo’s abilities in the future.
After all, Leo alone had a tremendous impact.
“Of course, he will eventually have to choose a department, but the board believes now is not the time. I understand you’ve been preparing for the departmental competition, but please understand this time.”
Hearing Kalian’s words, the three professors sighed deeply.
They couldn’t continue to object given the respected principal’s words.
‘From now on, individual capabilities will be more important than cooperation.’
The professors fell into deep thought.
‘Given this, we have no choice but to prepare for the competition by focusing on enhancing the students’ individual capabilities.’
***
The next day.
In the Knighthood major class, all the students felt a strange excitement.
This was because the formal classes to prepare for the departmental competition were starting today.
Moreover, Ein had announced that the content of this class would be of great help in conquering the Hero World, making the freshmen even more enthusiastic.
“Hey, who are you going to choose?”
“Knight of the Moon. What about you?”
“I’m going to be a Spear Knight of Hermillion!”
Although entering the Hero World was still a distant dream, the mere preparation for it was enough to make their hearts race.
Seeing the excited classmates, Leo muttered to himself.
“Everyone’s in a frenzy.”
“There’s no other way.”
“You don’t seem very happy?”
“To me, a member of the Zerdingger family, the Hero World isn’t particularly special. But you don’t seem happy either?”
“I’m actually really looking forward to it.”
It was true that he was excited to see the true nature of the Hero Record, which he had been curious about.
Of course, he had already obtained the rewards for conquering the Hero World twice, but those were not typical rewards.
‘I wonder what kind of rewards are given through the regular route.’
Kail, the Great Hero, could be considered the senior of all existing heroes.
The Great Heroes are the ones who have their names on the first page of the Hero Record and have achieved the greatest feats.
But even Leo felt excited about the prospect of inheriting the power of another hero.
‘It might help me compensate for the abilities I lack.’
In history, the Great Heroes are depicted as perfect heroes.
But Leo knew very well that they were not perfect.
‘If they were, no one would have been lost in the battle against Erebus.’
Leo clenched his fist.
‘Moreover, I am weaker now compared to my previous life.’
It’s not just because he hasn’t fully regained his former strength.
Kail was at his strongest just before facing Erebus.
But even if he regained all his former strength, he wouldn’t be as strong as he was then.
‘Back then, I didn’t just have my own power.’
Before the eradication of Erebus.
The grand ambition to save the world.
The foolish dream to fill the world with flowers.
The absurd goal to restore the lost beauty of the world.
The simple hope that people could smile again.
It was the combined strength of his comrades, each with their own ideals, that allowed him to achieve the eradication.
While lost in these thoughts, Leo realized something.
‘Now that I think about it, the form of inheriting power from the Hero Record is similar to my previous life.’
While Leo was feeling doubtful, Ein appeared in the training ground.
The students, who had been chatting happily in their groups, immediately lined up and stood at attention.
“Just as I announced, I will start teaching you Aura Skills to prepare for the departmental competition and the conquest of the Hero World today.”
As soon as he said this, cheers erupted in the training ground.
Ein added, looking at the scene.
“Also, students who fail to conquer the Hero World in the second semester will be expelled, regardless of their grades.”
This statement sent a chill of silence through the students.
“Alright, let’s start the class. Who can tell me about the power given as a reward for conquering the Hero World?”
Usually, students would quickly raise their hands, but intimidated by Ein’s cold tone, no one dared to do so.
However, one student raised his hand calmly.
“Duran Moira.”
“Hero Weapon, Hero Ability. Lastly, Hero Skill.”
“Correct.”
Ein nodded.
“[Hero Weapon] is the power to summon the weapons and armor used by the hero. It’s a formidable ability that can bring powerful weapons from legends and history, which no longer exist, into the present world.”
Hearing this, Leo crossed his arms.
‘Can they summon the weapons that I and the others used?’
Images of weapons destroyed during the Age of Catastrophe flashed through his mind.
“[Hero Ability] refers to the unique abilities possessed by the hero. Lastly, [Hero Skill] is the techniques used by the hero.”
Ein crossed his arms.
“The first power you will inherit is [Hero Skill]. Is there anyone who can explain the most significant feature of this Hero Skill?”
This time, Chen Xia raised her head.
“Chen Xia.”
“The power varies depending on the user’s capabilities. It can be a poor imitation of the original or, conversely, surpass the original.”
“Correct.”
Ein walked to the front of the training ground.
“Before inheriting the hero’s power, I will teach you a technique. Celia Zerdingger, step forward.”
Celia stepped forward at Ein’s call.
“Draw your sword.”
Celia drew her sword.
“Do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? I said I would teach you the Aura techniques taught at Azonia, the elite Hero Academy.”
“Yes.”
“During the past classes, I have been integrating Aura studies into the techniques I taught you.”
Celia nodded.
The Aura techniques Ein taught were all from the Zerdingger family.
‘The content was completely different.’
She learned techniques to use Aura more delicately.
For example, the method to maximize the defensive power of Aura Armor was different.
Previously, Celia had only learned to make the Aura Armor solid.
But it wasn’t just about making it solid.
‘There are various forms of defense, such as absorbing or deflecting attacks, not just deflecting them.’
Based on the Aura studies Ein taught, Celia could adapt her Aura Armor to the characteristics of the opponent’s attack.
While the immediate effects might not be significant, it would become a powerful technique with enough practice.
“So far, I’ve only taught you techniques that can be applied immediately from Aura studies. But from now on, you will learn techniques that go beyond simple application, just like the students at Azonia.”
The students held their breath and focused on Ein’s words.
“Learning this will greatly help you use [Hero Skill]. Of course, it will also improve your overall Aura skill abilities.”
Celia’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of technique is it?”
“I’ll show you, Celia. Use your Aura.”
Celia summoned her Aura.
Ein pointed to the empty training ground.
“Strike with your full power at that spot.”
Celia swung her sword with all her might, increasing the power to the maximum.
Whoosh! Bang!
A massive wall of flames seemed to rise as the sword strike soared high.
The students looked impressed by the powerful flames.
“Indeed, the representatives of the Knighthood major!”
“Flame Beast!”
“Hey! Who did you call a beast just now!”
Celia glared.
“Excellent. Just as expected of a Zerdingger.”
Ein chuckled.
“Alright, then.”
Whoosh!
Flames erupted from Ein’s sword.
The students’ eyes widened.
Ein, known as the Sword of the Ice Sea, was a knight who specialized in cold Aura.
Seeing the surprised students, Duran snickered.
“Professor Ein was also a dungeon conqueror. He could easily be a hero if he achieved a great feat. It’s not strange that he might have inherited the power of a hero who could handle flames.”
“Duran is right. This Flame Aura is from the [Ability] of an ancient hero I conquered long ago.”
Ein loaded his sword with Aura at a similar level to what Celia had just emitted.
He then raised his sword and took a breath.
A different, alien sound of breathing echoed.
At the same time, a faint Aura rippled from Ein’s body.
Seeing this, Leo’s eyes widened.
‘That’s...!’
Whoosh! Bang!
The flame sword strike soared high.
It was even more intense than Celia’s strike a moment ago.
“...!”
Celia’s eyes widened in shock.
Despite using Aura of similar strength, Ein’s flames were stronger than Celia’s.
Moreover, the flames Ein used were not Phoenix flames, and he himself was a user of cold Aura, which would naturally reduce the power.
Seeing this, Leo’s eyes widened even more.
“How... how did you do that?”
Celia asked in surprise, and Professor Ein replied, lowering his sword.
“This is [Breath of the Hero].”
“...!”
“This is the technique you will learn from now on.”
‘That’s Aron’s technique, isn’t it?’
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