Chapter 192

192

Appearing before their eyes was a giant knight, towering at a height of 3 meters.

The silver-gray armored Spirit of Wind was wielding an axe and shield matching its massive build.

It had an appearance that seemed incredibly bulky.

Yet, both Leo and Lil knew that appearances could be deceiving.

The spirit before them was capable of moving at astonishing speeds, contrary to its outward form.

Whoosh—

As if on cue, the spirit rushed toward Lil at incredible velocity.

Kaak-!

Leo’s sword blocked the swinging axe.

Hooom-!

The strong winds stirred up so much dust from the surrounding area it scattered in every direction.

Leo felt his body as if it were about to be blown away by the sheer force of the wind pressure after deflecting the attack.

Kschaak-!

Leo’s foot dug into the ground.

Using aura, Leo braced against the wind and curled his lips upward before exerting pressure on his sword.

Whirrrk-!

Flames of aura erupted from Leo’s sword.

Kwwaaaa—!

In an instant, the flames spread wildly under the swirling winds, intensifying their power.

Leo manipulated the aura, allowing the flames to engulf the great Wind Spirit.

Kuguguuungh—!

The flames swelled and expanded rapidly.

Seeing this, Leo swung his sword.

The Wind Spirit soared like a rope-bound entity before smashing onto the ground.

“Excellent, Leo.”

Lil marveled at the scene, summoning a spirit of her own.

Whirrrk—

What she summoned this time was a Spirit of Fire.

Though Lil was known for her mastery of Wind Spirits, she was by no means limited to wind alone.

In the Era of Catastrophe, multi-element Spirit Masters were incredibly rare.

But in the present age, where the Hero Record allows individuals to inherit the powers of ancient heroes, multi-element Spirit Masters are far more common.

Take Wardan, for example, one of the strongest Spirit Masters in the first year, who skillfully wielded the four classical elements with ease.

Kugugugugug—!

The earth on the ground began to shift and rise, forming a dome around the Wind Spirit.

A small hole was carved into the center of this earthen dome.

Through this hole, Lil inserted the summoned Spirit of Fire.

Kiiiing—

In an instant, Lil channeled her spirit power.

‘Trait Imbuing.’

Spirit Magic that bestows traits upon spirits that do not innately possess them.

Of course, there were limits; it wasn’t possible to imbue something drastically out-of-place, such as giving fire-like traits to a Water Spirit. However, even among spirits of the same element, each had its unique derived abilities.

Trait Imbuing was a Spirit Magic that temporarily bestowed such abilities.

‘The ability I’ve imbued now… it’s an explosion, right?’

At this thought,

Kwaang—!

A tremendous explosion occurred, and clumps of earth scattered in all directions.

Tutududuk—

In the midst of the earthen rain, the formidable Wind Spirit had vanished without a trace.

‘Even though she didn’t use a spirit of such overwhelming power.’

Leo was amazed.

The Fire and Earth Spirits that Lil used were merely mid-tier at best.

Even if their combined synergistic effects were considered, it was still astonishing how easily the Wind Spirit, which was upper-tier, was defeated.

“Amazing.”

“Fire needs air to burn,” Lil replied nonchalantly.

“Since Leo’s flames were blazing, I simply sealed the space, causing it to explode.”

In an instant, without any sustaining air, the Wind Spirit was dispelled.

‘Her acute judgment, combat sense, and mastery over spirits… Now I understand why Elena values her so much.’

As Leo was reflecting on this,

Lil crossed her arms.

“Nevertheless, it’s aggravating! Attacking us from the shadows like this!”

With a somewhat angry look on her face, Lil scanned the surroundings.

“Furthermore, the opponent hasn’t retracted their killing intent.”

Voicing her firm stance, Lil did not withdraw her spirit power either.

She was ready to summon a hero at any moment.

‘Elshi.’

[Did you call, Leo?]

‘Is there a Great Spirit governing this area?’

[So that’s what it is…]

‘Do you know how much power a Great Spirit holds over its own domain?’

[Hmm… I’ve never created a dominion of my own.]

There is one common ability among the Great Spirits:

Dominion.

The ability to command and control lower spirits as their subordinates.

Elshi also possesses this dominion ability.

However, she has never taken any subordinates under her wing.

Being a young spirit born during the Era of Catastrophe, she never had the chance to build a following or establish her domain.

‘You don’t know how much power the Great Spirit holds here. So why are they hostile to us?’

Kuguguguunng—!

At that moment, the ground began to tremble.

This time, Earth Spirits were being summoned.

“Eh? Spirit Masters capable of continuously summoning spirits with this level of power?”

Lil was surprised.

“It’s probably best if we retreat for now.”

Nodding at her words,

“It can’t be helped.”

Leo and Lil, who quickly made their decision, immediately withdrew from the ruins of Zerodia.

Moments later,

When they set up a post farther away from the castle, all signs of spirits chasing after them had disappeared.

“We were given the mission to guide a guest but have been obstructed. It’s a bit bewildering.”

As Lil spoke, Leo was lost in thought.

‘Is that guest a Great Spirit?’

If so, there was nothing peculiar.

Considering Lumeran’s level of influence, inviting a Great Spirit into the school premises was not out of the question.

‘But why are they attacking us?’

The reason for this was unknown.

Judging by the displayed killing intent, their hostility seemed genuine.

‘However, the attacks so far have been weak for a Great Spirit.’

It was as if the Great Spirit was testing how strong Leo and Lil were.

‘I can’t discern their intentions.’

Staring intently at the castle walls of Zerodia from a distance, Leo tightened his grip on his sword.

Whishh— Chak!

A sharp metallic sound rang out.

Leo narrowed his eyes as a man wielding a saber appeared in a surprise attack, only to be deflected by Leo.

“Hoh.”

While the man exclaimed in admiration,

Kwaak-!

An enormous battle hammer descended upon the man’s torso.

Hwiirik-!

With a quick jump, the man deftly dodged.

Hooom-!

Leo stared in astonishment as the battle hammer narrowly grazed his nose.

Even though he recognized it wouldn’t strike based on the distance and trajectory, the control exhibited was incredible.

Not being from the Department of Knights yet skillfully wielding such a heavy hammer purely through physical strength like Lil was nothing short of astonishing.

“Lil-sempai, you’re not a Spirit Knight, are you?”

“That’s correct. I can’t manipulate aura.”

“Still, handling a battle hammer like that is no small feat.”

“That’s because I come from a military family. Ever since I was young, I didn’t slack on my combat training.”

Seeing this, Leo understood why Elena and Hark referred to Lil as “Monster Nun.”

If her battle hammer combined with her Spirit Magic, Lil could excel even in the frontline.

‘An all-rounder.’

Vanguard, rearguard, or supporter.

She was a Spirit Master capable of handling every party position.

Kuung-!

Lil planted her hammer head on the ground, glaring at the man who had ambushed them.

“Who are you? Are you the Spirit Master who attacked us?”

“Kua~ Intimidating. So intimidating. These days, the younger generation is impressive.”

The man shook his head while putting away his saber.

He removed his cap while grinning.

“Who am I, you ask? Seeing my face should answer that.”

Confusedly staring at the man confidently smiling,

“Who are you?”

At this question, the man swayed slightly and shouted,

“Hey! Why don’t you recognize this face! I’m often featured in the news!”

“I only look at the world news section.”

“You! Class 1 representative in the second year! Don’t you recognize my face?!”

At this question, Lil, who had widened her eyes, then sheepishly shook her head.

“Sorry, I only look at the world news section as well.”

“You guys! You’re Hero Candidates! If you’re Hero Candidates, shouldn’t you at least keep track of the active seniors? Or is it that, being class representatives, you think you have no need to know? Is that what you call youth? Youth’s belief that it can surpass those who came before? Even so, it’s arrogant! You should at least grasp the targets you wish to surpass!”

Chest thumping in frustration, the man shouted,

“My name is Jin Karoon!”

“Whaa! The Knight of Undine?!”

Lil’s face showed shock.

Undine.

The name of the current Great Spirit of Water, the Spirit of the Deep Sea.

She is considered the most powerful spirit among the existing Great Spirits, with the vast ocean as her dominion.

Born a thousand years ago,

Yet throughout this time, she never formed a contract with anyone.

However, there was a hero who had been blessed by her, Jin Karoon.

As he was chosen by the noble Great Spirit, people around the world called him “Knight of Undine.”

Furthermore, he was an alumnus of Lumeran who had his name inscribed in the Hero Record.

“Meeting a great hero named in the Hero Record is an honor.”

Upon the arrival of this individual, who could be considered an academic senior, Lil promptly bowed with proper decorum.

“Hmm! That’s right. That’s right!”

Jin crossly folded his arms, nodding his head.

“So, since you were appointed student council president in your first year, the unprecedented “all-classes.” Haven’t you at least heard of my reputation as a graduated senior?”

“Can I be honest?”

“Of course. Speak honestly and show respect like this child.”

“Sorry, but this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Scratching his cheek, Leo watched as Jin’s face hardened.

“Even now? Surely Ain has talked about me? He’s the only one in our batch who made the Hero Record!”

“He’s never mentioned you.”

Leo had never seen Ain talk about his peers.

Upon hearing this, Jin’s face distorted but soon he nodded.

“To be fair. Ain was the one predicted to become a hero first out of our batch. Maybe he’s jealous because I became a hero before him.”

Chuckling, Jin made Leo think of Ain.

‘Rather, based on Ain’s personality, it’s more likely he doesn’t care one way or another.’

It was clear this man in front of them was a very skilled individual,

But his carefree nature didn’t leave much room for seriousness.

‘Did we judge that there’s nothing we could learn from this person?’

Leo couldn’t help but glance at Jin somewhat sympathetically.

Still feeling self-important, Jin folded his arms.

“Anyway, you two. Why were you heading over there?”

“We received a mission.”

“First and second year students on a mission… that’s impressive. What kind of mission?”

“That’s confidential.”

Lil replied without lowering her guard.

Even though he had revealed his identity, that didn’t ensure his legitimacy.

From Lil’s standpoint, Jin was still a suspicious individual.

‘Indeed. These juniors are very cautious.’

Jin muttered internally before continuing.

“Looks like your mission is related to the ruins of Zerodia? I’ll advise you to abandon it.”

“Why is that?”

“Because a Great Spirit currently resides there.”

At this, Lil’s expression showed surprise.

Jin glanced sharply at Leo.

‘Aha? So he’d already noticed?’

Jin wore a meaningful expression.

‘After all, it’s not for nothing that he became Student Council President in his first year. He’s also the contractor of the Phoenix.’

Looking sharply at Leo, Jin said,

“The spirit residing there is the Spirit of the Abyss.”

At this, Lil involuntarily shuddered.

The Spirit of the Abyss.

The current Great Spirit of Darkness in this era.

Also, along with Undine, it is one of the Great Spirits that has never formed a contract with anyone.

“You both know that Undine has complicated ‘preferences.’ Hence, she remains without a contractor, but the Spirit of the Abyss is different.”

Jin clicked his tongue.

“It doesn’t like humans.”