【104】103.
Leo took out a map from his bosom.
The recoil from the breath of the hero had turned the area around Leo’s left arm into ashes.
Because of that, the map was also burned and barely legible.
‘The power is immense, but I’ll need to adjust quickly.’
Leo let out a light sigh as he walked through the ancient ruins that had been desolate for so long.
When the cheers of his classmates had faded, and were barely audible anymore,
Leo arrived at the lakeside in a secluded corner of the ruins.
He dipped his fingertips into the lake.
Toong-!
Ripples spread across the entire lake.
“……”
Having stood up, Leo used the Aura Step to walk towards the center of the lake.
Krak-!
He bit and burst his right thumb, then dropped a droplet of bl**d into the lake.
A bl**d droplet imbued with Leo’s power fell into the lake.
However, the droplet did not spread but formed a small circle instead.
And a complex symbol was inscribed on top of it.
It was the symbol of the great spirit of light, Luminus.
Wooong-!
A small light appeared with Leo, forming a luminous orb in front of him.
Hwaak-!
A moment later, the light burst open, revealing a white-haired spirit smaller than a palm, its light flickering as if it were about to go out.
The trembling eyes of the spirit, holding onto that light, gradually opened.
“It’s been a while. Luminus.”
At Leo’s gaze, Luminus wore a perplexed expression.
[You… who are you? How did you awaken me?]
“It’s me. Kyle.”
[Kyle? Is it really you?]
Luminus stared at Leo closely.
[Indeed, this surge of power undoubtedly belongs to you, Kyle.]
Even if Luminus had lost all her strength and was on the verge of d*ath, she was still a Great Spirit.
Acknowledging that Leo was Kyle, Luminus asked,
[Though I do not know why you appear as you do, where is Lissinas?]
“Lissinas… is dead.”
At these words, Luminus looked up towards the sky.
The clear blue sky.
During the Era of Catastrophe, a sky so beautiful would have been unimaginable. As she gazed at it, tears welled up in Luminus’s eyes.
The sky they longed to see once more in this era.
For those who had to live through the Era of Catastrophe, it was the most desired view of the blue sky.
[That child fulfilled the promise made with me.]
Recalling the Vow Keeper who once vowed to bring the light back into the world, Luminus asked,
[Can you tell me what happened after I fell asleep?]
The story of meeting comrades, forming an extermination force, and the many sacrifices made until Erebus was defeated.
Though the details were not fully conveyed, Leo shared the tale of the Great Heroes with Luminus.
Having heard the entire story, Luminus spoke,
[It’s fortunate that I haven’t awakened in 5000 years.]
“Why?”
[Because I can tell you this.]
The great spirit of light, known as the greatest spirit, bowed her head respectfully.
[To restore the light to this world, to fulfill that child’s wish, and for saving this world… Thank you very much, Kyle.]
Lifting her head, Luminus said,
[Even if the world forgets about you, the fact that you accomplished such a great feat will never change. Truly… thank you.]
A gratitude only those who had lived through that era could convey.
Leo couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“It’s the first time someone has thanked me.”
At this, Luminus smiled brightly.
As Luminus’s body began to shine faintly,
She had been sealed to prevent her disappearance, but now with the seal broken, her time was limited.
“Leo! Where are you?”
A voice calling out to Leo could be heard from afar.
[Who are these children?]
“They are the new seeds of heroes who will carry the next generation forward.”
[Is that so.]
Luminus wore a bitter smile.
As long as Erebus hadn’t been completely eradicated,
The spark of catastrophe still remained in this land.
[Will you fight again this time?]
“Of course. We can’t lose this peace again.”
At this, Luminus extended her hand.
Appearing in her hand was a necklace adorned with a jewel containing white light, the light’s precious gem traditionally possessed by generations of Great Spirits of Light. It should have been transferred to the subsequent Great Spirit of Light, but that could not be done.
“Should I really accept something like this?”
[Yes. Though it holds no special power, its symbolic value is immense. Showing this will allow you to be treated like a Great Spirit by the spirits of light.]
In that case, it is a tremendous item.
[Now it is time to part.]
“That’s right.”
[May the blessing of the light be with you.]
“Rest in peace.”
With Kyle’s respectful farewell, Luminus disappeared with a bright smile.
Leo stored the necklace in his bosom.
Just then, Celia appeared at the lakeside.
“Leo, what are you doing here?”
“Just had something to check.”
“Go get Neila to treat your wounds quickly!”
“Alright.”
Not much time had passed after the 1st-year students defeated the Gigantes when the rescue team from Lumeran broke through the Severing Curse and entered Neigrang.
Though there were a few attacks by monsters in the meantime, fortunately, there were no major dangers, and all the 1st-year students were safely rescued.
After that incident of the Interdepartmental Competition, there was a massive uproar.
Two things were the most controversial.
The first was about Lumeran being put under scrutiny.
Anyone could see this Interdepartmental Competition was an attack orchestrated by Tartarus targeting Lumeran.
Due to Lumeran’s insufficient response, pressure from external forces was applied.
An even hotter topic was the 1st-year students who had defeated the Gigantes.
The raid on the Gigantes was truly a remarkable feat worthy of the term “feat.”
With all attention on Lumeran,
“Hiccup. I completely failed the exam.”
Kal, lying down, was sorrowfully crying.
All the 1st-year students were suffering through the written exams.
Since the schedule for the Interdepartmental Competition overlapped with the exam period, this exam was especially tough.
Of course, there were exceptions.
“Kal, I had a great time this semester.”
Chelsea smiled kindly, which was unusual, and patted Kal’s shoulder.
“You said that during the midterm too, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think a miracle like that will happen again.”
“Hiccup. That’s so mean.”
The top students remained at ease regardless of the department’s schedule.
Seeing that, Leo commented,
“You’ve worked hard, so it will be fine. You did great during the Interdepartmental Competition, didn’t you?”
“Leo, you’re the only one who understands me!”
As the magic exam ended, the three were chatting casually as usual when,
“Leo student.”
“Professor Anna, what is it?”
“Professor Ren is looking for you.”
At these words, Leo wore a puzzled expression.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Yeah, Leo, we’ll go to the classroom first.”
“Safe trip.”
As Chelsea and Kal stood up to head towards Classroom 5,
“What is it that the professor wants to see me about?”
“That’s something you’ll have to hear directly from the professor.”
With a bright smile, Anna answered Leo’s question.
A moment later, upon arriving at Ren’s office, after knocking and receiving permission, Anna opened the door.
Swoosh!
Inside, Professor Ren was gazing at a blackboard that covered an entire wall of his office, filled with various complex magical formulas.
“Hmm. You’re here, Leo student.”
Professor Ren noticed Leo and offered him a seat.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you. It’s fine.”
“Then.”
Ren took a steaming cup of coffee, sat in front of Leo, heated the cold coffee with magic, and spoke seriously.
“I’ll get straight to the point, Leo student.”
“Yes.”
“Starting next semester, choose the Department of Magic as your major.”
“Isn’t forcing students to choose a department against school rules?”
“Certainly, it is.”
Clack!
Ren placed the coffee cup down.
“But Leo student! Your talents are far too precious! To use star magic at your age and decipher the magic formula left by the ancestor of the star clouds! You are someone gifted to appear maybe once in a thousand years!”
“I still want to attend knight training and summoning classes. While I appreciate the kind words, I plan to take all three classes again next semester.”
After saying this, Leo gave a slight bow.
“Then, Professor. Thank you for your hard work this semester.”
With that, Leo left Ren’s office.
After Leo left, Anna entered the office and sighed.
“You see that? I told you it wouldn’t work.”
“Looks like we need to prepare some events to guide Leo down the path of magic by next semester.”
“Events?”
“We need to create lectures that no wizard could resist. Even Leo would find it hard to resist if he were a true wizard!”
Watching Ren burn with passion, Anna smiled.
‘As annoying as he sometimes gets when he goes off the rails, this guy is at his best when he’s burning with passion for magic.’
“I’m rooting for you, Professor Ren.”
“Thank you. So Anna, let’s prepare for the next semester together during the vacation.”
Anna’s eyes twitched.
“Together… with you?”
“My most reliable associate, you’ll remain here with me throughout this break to prepare for next semester!”
“I already submitted my vacation request to visit my hometown this time!”
Ren replied with a grin, “I’ve already canceled your submission!”
“Hey! You b*stard! You told me to visit my hometown after it had been so long at the beginning of the first semester!”
An enraged Anna lunged at Ren, grabbing his collar.
Although a bold move for a junior professor, Ren merely grinned happily.
Once again, Anna was caught up in Ren’s overenthusiastic antics.
As Kalyan was overlooking the school from the Principal’s Office, the door opened, and two professors walked in.
They were Halind and Sedgen.
As the longest-serving professors at Lumeran, they wielded significant influence within the academy.
Not anyone could maintain the position of a professor at Lumeran just by wanting to. Only those who passed the rigorous yearly qualification exam could serve as professors here.
Thus, these two were among the most reliable individuals the principal could trust.
“I apologize for calling you during the first-year students’ exam period.”
“Not at all. We’re actually more at ease this semester than when we handled the fourth and fifth years.”
Graduating fifth and fourth years required an immense amount of work.
Since both had handled the first years this semester after dealing with older students for several years, it was natural that their workload had lightened.
“So, have you identified the individuals under suspicion?”
In response to the principal’s question, Sedgen placed a sheet of paper on the principal’s desk.
Seeing this, Kalyan clicked his tongue.
“All those with suspicious circumstances have been identified.”
“Quite a few are from the council’s recommendations.”
As Kalyan skimmed through the list with a serious expression, he spoke.
“I’ll handle communicating with the board on this matter.”
“Understood.”
“Professor Halind, how about your side?”
“Each nation seems to be adopting a rather strict stance.”
Lumeran, possessing the Hero Record, nurtures countless talents.
The ongoing global controversy over whether these talents can be entrusted solely to their own nations had risen to the forefront.
This, of course, was fundamentally aimed at diminishing Lumeran’s influence.
Many countries have long expressed dissatisfaction with Lumeran’s monopoly on the Hero Record.
“So?”
“They’re asking us to accept professors recommended by them.”
“Looks like they’re planning to increase their influence at Lumeran by expanding their faction of professors.”
“Yes.”
“As we have a recent shortage of staff due to various incidents, hiring contract professors doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Handle that matter, Professor Halind.”
“Understood.”
“Also, ”
Kalyan turned serious.
“We should bring back the vice-principal for the second semester.”
—
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