Chapter 304

304

“Woah, it’s really chaos. Chaos.”

In the ward of Damian, Kal, wearing a patient’s gown, clicked his tongue while reading a newspaper.

“It’s an obvious reaction. Since a giant king who hasn’t appeared for thousands of years has now appeared. Yam-”

Lunia, while eating an apple cut into a cute rabbit shape on the table, spoke.

“You have unexpectedly skilled hands.”

Driana, also speaking while spearing an apple with her fork, caused Arga to glare.

“What do you mean by ‘unexpected’? Unexpected?”

“But it truly is beautiful.”

Eiran looked at the rabbit-shaped apple with a sense of awe, as if it would be a shame to eat it.

Creeak-

The door opened, and Leo entered.

“Did you receive proper treatment?”

“They said I need to rest for a few more days.”

Leo calmly answered Kal’s question and grabbed an apple, which made Arga mutter under her breath.

“A tragedy of kin-slaying, perhaps.”

“What are you talking about?”

Looking at Arga with a strange expression, Leo sat down beside Kal.

Kal folded the newspaper and muttered.

“Still… that was incredible.”

“True.”

They already knew how amazing the Great Heroes were.

In fact, aside from Driana, many had witnessed the Great Hero’s prowess firsthand.

But this was the first time they had shared such a long time together, learning and hearing much from the Great Hero.

“Among all the conquerors who have overcome the Realm of the Great Heroes, there would be no one like us who learned something from Them.”

Arga nodded with her arms crossed.

“On a side note, Leo, you didn’t see Lord Kyle, did you?”

“Kyle? What’s that about?”

“We saw Lord Kyle just before completing our conquest of the Hero’s World.”

“Phew! Cough! Gasp? Cough!”

Upon Driana’s words, Leo, almost chocking, began to cough.

Startled, Eiran hurriedly patted Leo’s back.

Hardly calming down, Leo asked.

“You saw Kyle?”

“Yeah, Lord Kyle was amazing. Handling Erebus’ flames so easily. Wow… When I saw it up close, there was nothing but admiration.”

As Kal recalled the moment, he muttered.

“Summoning Pegasus as a familiar was astonishing.”

“Indeed,” murmured Lunia, prompting Arga to cross her arms.

“His swordsmanship was perfect without any unnecessary motions.”

Driana nodded affirmatively—hm.

“The final blow delivered at the end was beautiful too.”

Kal clicked his tongue.

“I truly thought, if there’s a perfect all-class, it’s something like this.”

Eiran beamed.

“Yes! He was just like Lord Leo!”

‘Of course. It’s me, after all.’

“Leo has a long way to go to follow in Lord Kyle’s footsteps.”

“Even if Black Rabbit is amazing, Lord Kyle is the Great Hero, right?”

“It’s a pity you didn’t see Him to have a great role model.”

As Lunia, Ar, and Driana spoke, Leo silently chuckled inside.

‘That’s me, you guys.’

“By the way, are you going to be staying in the ward during the exclusive Smith contract period?”

Kal rested his interlocked hands behind his head while sinking deep into the couch.

“After all, I have to undergo detailed tests and write a report about what happened in the Hero Record.”

Lunia sighed softly as well.

“Just thinking about seeing those troublesome professors makes me irritable.”

“You’ve firmly chosen the path of a delinquent student.”

“Huh? Dissatisfied?”

“Of course not, Sister.”

Lunia smiled faintly as she asked, to which Kal quickly shook his head.

It was because he might get a punch for just teasing her.

“Speaking of which, I thought I’d mention it while the topic of the exclusive Smith contract came up.”

Driana took on a serious expression.

“This incident has made me think about many things. I talked about respecting Lord Dwenno, but what have I done? Nothing. So, I’ve reflected on many things.”

“Did you also repent for making weird junk and insisting it’s art?”

“Shut up, you foolish cat.”

Driana gave Ar a sidelong glance before clearing her throat.

“Through this, I’ve learned much from Lord Dwenno and felt much.”

Driana looked down at her small palm.

“I’ve realized clearly what I can do with these hands, and what I must do.”

Clenching her fists, Driana said.

“If you allow me, I’d like to become your exclusive Smith.”

“Miss Driana, it would be an honor for me to have someone as remarkable as you!”

“Though she’s a pervert, her skills are solid.”

“Most importantly, it’s acclaimed skills recognized by Lord Dwenno.”

Eiran, Ar, and Lunia all nodded.

Looking at the three of them, Driana smiled.

“Thank you. Then, let’s prepare the exclusive contract.”

Driana took out a contract and a pen from her bosom and distributed them to the five people.

“Okay, just sign the last signature spot.”

As Driana pointed to the signature section on the last page, Lunia, Ar, and Eiran were about to sign without hesitation.

Seeing that, Kal gasped aloud.

“Hey! Hey! What are you doing!”

“Huh? We’re about to sign the contract for the exclusive Smith.”

“Are you going to blindly sign without reading properly? What if there’s some strange clause?”

“Excuse me? Miss Driana would never deceive us, right?”

“Girls, you’re too trusting.”

Kal shook his head.

Meanwhile, Lunia and Ar narrowed their eyes and started flipping through the contract—shhh—shhh.

And upon reading the last clause, they glared at Driana.

“What is this?”

“It’s a clause regarding a modeling contract for my artistic pursuits.”

“But why a n*de model?”

“n*ked at birth! Pureness is the most beautiful form, isn’t it? Especially Lunia! Since you were personally selected as a n*de model by Lord Dwenno, I have the duty to express your nudity artistically and inform the world…”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

Lunia turned fiery red and ripped the contract into shreds—tear-tear-tear-tear.

Arga also tore the contract apart—shriek.

Eiran’s face had turned a bright red.

“Thank you.”

Kal tore the contract in half and remarked.

Watching this, Leo sighed deeply.

‘Are they all really grown?’

…

Leo and Kal finally left the ward on the last day of the exclusive Smith contract period.

On the way back to the dormitory, Kal sighed deeply.

“In the end, we’ve missed the entire curriculum of the department. It’s miraculous we can attend the farewell banquet on the last day. I thought I’d need to be in Damian for a few more days!”

Kal made a face of displeasure.

“It’s because this Hero’s World conquest had so much to talk about.”

Literally unprecedented.

During the Era of Catastrophe.

Experiencing firsthand one of the largest battles ever, the Siege of Guardstron, was truly extraordinary.

Even more remarkable was encountering not only the main character of the Hero Record, Dwenno, but also other Great Heroes like Aron and Kyle.

Even Berkiya, one of the most prestigious figures among the Elves, made an appearance in the Hero’s World.

Never before had a Hero Record seen such a gathering of great figures from various races, making Leo and his companions’ experience of great academic value.

Hearing this, Sedgen spoke.

“You’ve both worked hard. Especially Kal, you’ve put in the most effort.”

“Though I didn’t do much, Professor Sedgen supported us.”

In this investigation, Kal attracted the most attention without a doubt.

There was no other way about it.

Kal’s conquest reward: an alchemy treatise written by Dwenno.

In other words, the very knowledge of Dwenno himself.

Considering the other companions who received artifacts made by Dwenno as rewards, and Leo’s decision to avoid trouble by not announcing his own reward, Kal’s reward was shareable.

This led to numerous individuals from various races coveting Kal’s reward.

It was then that Sedgen stepped in.

“The rewards achieved within the Hero’s World belong to the conquerors themselves. The conquerors hold the rights to determine how to handle them. How can anyone, of all people, pressure a young student to share a reward he himself has yet to even confirm the contents of? That is not elegant. Be ashamed!”

Incensed Sedgen’s outburst made one of Seirun’s inspectors respond.

“Knowledge is only truly valuable when shared. Moreover, isn’t this student one with substandard grades? Shouldn’t such a reward be considered excessive for them?”

“Student Kal has shown the most remarkable alchemical skills among second-year students at Lumeran. During the Hero’s World conquest, he received direct alchemy training from Dwenno himself. The rewards were appropriately evaluated. Your statements disparage Dwenno’s choice and the will of the Hero Record.”

With a grim expression, Sedgen shut down further arguments, consistently protecting Kal from the pressures.

“To be honest, I was deeply moved.”

“As a professor, it was only my duty. Those rewards are fully yours. If you don’t decide to share that knowledge with anyone, Lumeran will stand on your side to protect you.”

“Professor Sedgen!”

“Student Kal!”

Recalling the professor who just moments ago complained about being robbed by Halind’s sinister schemes and the student scheming on how to rob more, Leo shook his head.

“Anyway, it was fortunate I wasn’t there, nor Halind or Rina.”

“What would have happened if they were there?”

“Halind would have cursed the ones who were talking nonsense, and Rina would have thrown punches.”

Sedgen shook his head.

“One should act more maturely with age. How can you still be so immature?”

‘Among the three of you, Professor Sedgen, you’re the least mature.’

Though Kal silently thought this, he didn’t say it out loud.

There was no need to ruin the warm atmosphere.

Thus, the two followed Sedgen to their allotted dormitory.

The door opened, and students gathering there for the banquet reception immediately turned their gazes onto the two of them.

“Leo and Kal are here!”

“What?”

“Leo-bro! Kal!”

“Class! Class! Kal!”

Led by Chelsea, students who were once in the same first-year class rushed over.

Others who had formed friendships also joined in.

“Did you hear you were badly injured? Are you healed?”

“Leo Young Lord, how’s your body now?”

Worried Chloe and Chen Sia asked, causing Leo to chuckle.

“I’m almost fully healed.”

“Leo-bro! You’re amazing! To conquer Dwenno’s world at your student age? There must be no one else who’s taken on the Realms of Great Heroes multiple times like you?”

Chelsea hopped around excitedly as if celebrating her own success.

“How was it? What about Dwenno and Aron?”

Celia asked eagerly with shining eyes.

Everyone was restless with excitement to hear stories about the Great Heroes.

Aron, known for possessing unmatched strength, and Dwenno, who was not just a great blacksmith but a protector to his companions — their tales were enough to thrill any Department of Knights student.

On the other side, Abad welcomed Kal, who had returned to the dormitory, with a smile.

“Welcome back, Kal.”

“You’re the only one, Abad, who greets me properly. I thought others would come out with wild welcomes.”

Kal said, sounding moved.

“Hmph. Did you expect we’d treat you specially just because you conquered Dwenno’s world?”

Eliza sat in her usual fancy chair, filing her nails while scoffing.

“Excessive self-confidence, Kal Thomas. What do all of you think?”

“Um… That’s…”

“I’m just extremely interested but…”

“Shhh, shhh. Or they’ll blacklist you?”

Noble students whispered amongst themselves.

Seeing this, Abad smirked.

“How was it? What about Dwenno and Aron?”

“Should I begin somewhere?”

Kal, with his arms crossed, glanced around at the students in the same dormitory and smiled.

“Want to hear it? Gather around. I’ll tell you what I’ve seen.”

At this, Eiran and Duran visibly shivered their shoulders.

“Not really needed.”

“We already know as much as one can from the documents about those two.”

Eliza and Duran stuck their chins out.

But other students thought otherwise.

They subtly peeked at each other.

“Listen if you want. I really don’t care.”

“Hmph. It’s natural to be curious about the stories of the Great Heroes. Not me though.”

As these two spoke, noble students gathered around Kal.

“Alright!”

“Hey! Kal! Tell us a story!”

“Um~ Where should I start? How about the story of Lord Aron blocking the Giant King’s attack with a single swing of his sword?”

Duran’s body flinched.

Seeing this, Eliza sneered.

“Oh? Pretending not to be interested but dying to hear it, aren’t you?”

“Who would listen to a commoner’s talk like…”

“Or how about the story of Lord Phoenix, the contractor of Lissinas? Hey! Have you ever seen a white phoenix?”

“Th, That! Is the Emperor’s feather actually pure white?! Huh?!”

Eliza, unknowingly countering, quickly covered her mouth.

Seeing this, Abad said,

“Stop unnecessary pride and just listen to the story together.”

“Right~ Duran! Why wouldn’t a Department of Knights student listen to the stories of Aron and Dwenno?”

“Eliza! Hurry up!”

The noble students called out to them.

Eliza stood in front of Kal with a haughty expression and Duran stood beside Abad.

Seeing the lively scene among Lumeran’s second-year students, Sedgen smiled.

“Our students must have gained a lot this time.”

“Let’s hear the details at the banquet venue. As for students Leo and Kal, go upstairs and prepare for the banquet. We must show the students from other schools the elegance of Lumeran students right until the last day.”

Hearing Sedgen’s words, students, though reluctant, let Leo and Kal go.

The last schedule at Damian has come to an end.