354
Whoosh-!
Black flames erupted from the Hero Record, engulfing the entire hall.
“What… What’s going on?”
LeHagen’s voice trembled with shock.
Whoosh-!
The erratic black flames quickly spread to the audience seats.
Flash-!
But none of the people here were ones to easily fall prey to the black flames.
Crackling-!
A wall of ice surged upward.
An icy chill emanated from an elven wizard sitting in the front row of the audience.
Those around him looked on in amazement.
“Chief of the Northern Mage Tower!”
All eyes turned toward Algren, the Chief of the Northern Mage Tower.
Hoooo-!
Ice-like mana flowed from Algren’s body.
Cracking-!
The wall of ice began to move freely, like a living slime.
Whoosh-!
In an instant, Algren’s ice wrapped around the black flames at incredible speed.
Seeing this, LeHagen shouted.
“Chief Algren! What is the meaning of this?”
Looking at LeHagen, whose eyes were bloodshot, Algren replied coldly.
“Can’t you see? Black flames are erupting from the Hero Record. The culprit behind this situation is clearly the Hero Record itself. It’s only natural that it should be destroyed.”
“Would you dare to defile the great record of Lady Seirun?”
“Black flames leave no room for doubt. Eliminating the source is only natural.”
Algren’s words caused everyone to catch their breath.
Though the situation was sudden and bewildering, upon hearing Algren’s explanation, they realized the gravity of it.
Black flames – the symbol of an almost unspeakable calamity.
“The presence of black flames does not necessarily mean it is primordial evil!”
LeHagen shouted in frustration.
“This is the Hero Record of the great Comet Wizard Seirun! A record of the hero that has never been found outside those preserved by the dragons! To destroy this record of limitless possibilities is an act of pure rudeness and should never be forgiven!”
LeHagen’s voice was filled with rage.
At that moment…
Crackling-!
A crack appeared in Algren’s magic.
Seeing this, Algren’s expression changed dramatically.
“So soon?”
As Algren was surprised…
BOOM-!
The black flames pierced through the ice, burning everything around it.
Everyone in the hall unleashed their magic, trying desperately to extinguish the black flames.
But the black flames mocked their efforts, absorbing mana and burning even more fiercely.
“This can’t be! How could this happen with the Comet Wizard’s Hero Record? What is this nonsense!”
LeHagen screamed with bloodshot eyes.
But no magic seemed to affect the black flames.
As they helplessly watched the flames burn, suddenly…
Hoooooo-!
Blinding white flames blocked the black flames.
The unstoppable momentum of the black flames was halted.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the figure emitting the white flames.
Thud… Thud…
The sight of the girl wreathed in white flames walking forward was almost sacred.
“Lunia El Rundah.”
Someone muttered the girl’s name.
From the distant past, five thousand years ago, she was the one who inherited the flames of the vanished Phoenix King.
Lunia glared at Seirun’s Hero Record and said:
“This is definitely Erebus’ flame.”
Lunia had faced Erebus twice in the Hero’s World.
Of course, she had only faced a tiny fragment of Erebus, but even that had required her utmost strength to barely defeat.
‘But this… This is different from the black flames from before!’
She could feel an even deeper darkness.
Lunia, who inherited the flames of purification, felt endless fear from Erebus’ flames.
‘I have to stop it!’
Clenching her teeth, Lunia unleashed even more intense flames.
Her originally fiery red hair turned pure white.
Everyone was spellbound by the sight.
The wild black flames seemed to recognize her and flew toward her.
Kraaaaa-! Whoosh-!
In front of Lunia, Eiran stood with a shield glowing with the light of life, a gift from Dwenno, glowing in her hand.
As the black flames were blocked, Eiran frowned her delicate features.
At that moment, powerful gusts of wind magic surged forward, pushing back the black flames.
It was Hardin, the Student Council President of Seirun Academy.
“Seirun students, listen! This is Erebus’ flame!”
Having faced Erebus in the world of Luna, Hardin immediately recognized the true nature of the flames.
Upon Hardin’s warning, the students of Seirun looked shocked.
“Now we will eliminate the source of these flames.”
“Hardin student council president!”
LeHagen reacted hysterically.
“Would the student council president of Seirun dare to destroy Lady Seirun’s records?”
“Even if it is Lady Seirun’s record, ignoring the source of this situation would go against the intentions of both Lady Seirun and Lady Luna, would it not?”
“Yeah, yeah, our student council president is speaking sense.”
“What are you fools doing? If you follow in the footsteps of the progenitors of Star Cloud and Comet Wizard, standing against Erebus is your duty.”
Following the words of Marven, the top student of fifth year, and Evertoon, the second, the students moved in unison.
Seeing the students of Seirun quickly prepare for battle, the wizards who attended the assembly also prepared to cast spells.
Watching this, Leo glared at the black flames and said:
“Anyas.”
“Yes, Lord Leo.”
Anyas, the daughter of the Chief of Northern Mage Tower, appeared behind Leo as if she had been waiting.
“Can the abilities of the Northern Mage Tower forcibly teleport everyone here outside the Comet Hall?”
“Impossible from the outside to the inside, but from inside to outside should be possible.”
Leo, still glaring at Seirun’s Hero Record, said:
“Pass the message to immediately do so.”
“As you wish.”
Anyas bowed and quickly went to the Chief of the Northern Mage Tower to deliver the message.
Hearing this, Algren looked at Leo momentarily before calling forth his mana.
Worthy of being the master of the Northern Mage Tower, Algren teleported everyone in the hall outside.
Whoosh-!
Caught off guard by the sudden situation, those preparing for battle looked bewildered.
“What is the meaning of this…?”
“Chief of the Northern Mage Tower! What is the meaning of this…!”
KRAAAAAAAANG! Whoosh-!
At that moment, the black flames erupted, engulfing the Comet Hall.
RUMBLE-!
The grand Comet Hall, standing tall for ages, collapsed.
The records of Seirun, preserved for so long, burned away into nothingness.
Witnessing the Comet Hall, the symbol of Seirun, turning into ruins made everyone go pale.
At that moment…
From the Star Plaza, the highest point of Seirun, a deathly aura was detected.
As the gate opened, undead poured out.
“What… What is this?”
“The Demon King…?”
“How much time has passed since the Demon Queen invaded Seirun that the Demon King’s power would reach here?”
“Acting Vice Principal LeHagen! Explain this situation! Is not the Star Plaza under your supervision?”
The teachers of Seirun Academy reacted with agitation.
Their anger turned to those affiliated with the Pureblood Society.
“Our faces… We know nothing about this!”
“That’s right!”
Though they hastily defended themselves, it was useless.
During the midterm exams for first years that the Pureblood Society had managed before, undead had already appeared.
In that situation, with another strange incident occurring, the only possible culprit seemed to be the Pureblood Society.
That was when…
HOOOOOOOO-!
The black flames that turned the Comet Hall into ashes began to coalesce.
Taking the form of a giant fiery figure, Erebus made everyone’s faces freeze in horror.
[ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!]
A deafening roar echoed.
Hearing that roar, everyone’s faces drained of color in fear.
The roar of primordial evil, capable of destroying the world, was more than enough to eliminate the will to fight from the living.
Everyone took a step back, trembling with fear, sensing d*ath.
At that moment…
“Snap out of it!”
A mighty shout echoed through Seirun.
“Ho… Howling?”
Everyone looked in surprise at the one who shouted.
There stood Leo, wrapped in golden aura.
Stomp… Stomp…
“Now is not the time to argue right or wrong. Even more, now is not the time to be cowering in fear.”
Leo stood in front of Erebus.
“If you respect the progenitors of Star Cloud…”
Leo looked directly at Erebus, speaking clearly.
“If you follow the will of the Comet Wizard…”
WHOOSH-!
Gray mana surged around Leo.
“Believe in yourself and stand against him. That is your duty for being students of this school.”
The overwhelming fear dissipated.
Leo’s determination to fight ignited.
‘Is the Hero Record of Seirun truly serving as a gateway?’
With the exception of the Hero Record kept in Dragonia, none of the Hero Records of the heroes of the Cataclysm remain in this world.
Even the Hero Records of the Great Heroes destroyed in Tartarus remain.
But much fewer remain of the Hero Records of the heroes of the Cataclysm.
Leo knows the reason through Mel.
Before entering the Hero’s World to stop Erebus, the heroes of the Cataclysm self-destroyed their own Hero Records to prevent them being used as gateways, and instructed future generations to destroy any remaining Records that had escaped their grasp.
WHOOSH-!
At that moment, white flames surged.
Leo turned his head toward Lunia.
There she stood, creating a sphere of flames in her hand, channeling mana.
The magic left behind by Luna to counter Erebus.
The Flame Emperor.
WHOOSH!
The purifying white flames engulfed the black flames.
[ROOAAAAAARRRRRR!]
An enraged roar from Erebus echoed.
In response, Leo drew his sword.
WHOOSH-!
The crimson flames of the Phoenix surged high into the sky.
Taking advantage of the opening Lunia had created, Leo launched a fiery blade strike toward Erebus.
KRAAAAAAACK!
[UUUUUUUUUUURGH!]
A roar filled with hatred from Erebus echoed.
‘This… He hasn’t fully awakened yet.’
Leo narrowed his eyes.
Clearly formidable.
But it was weaker than the fragment of Erebus the heroes of the Cataclysm had faced.
That moment…
Wobbly… Crash!
Erebus staggered and fell to his knees.
“Was it effective?”
A mage urgently asked.
‘…No. Neither my or Lunia’s attack caused that much damage.’
Leo, narrowing his eyes, felt something warping at the core of Erebus.
As if being sucked in…
Seeing this, Leo realized.
‘He’s fighting from within.’
*
WHOOSH!
The surroundings were filled with black flames.
Nothing remained but ash.
Seirun, holding the Cometes staff, channeled mana throughout his body.
Magical runes floated in the air.
“The End.”
Upon completing the incantation, beams of destruction surged forth.
KRAAAAAANG!
The black flames dissipated into nothingness.
Seirun, covered in burns, struck the resurrecting black flames with his staff.
CRASH!
“You! You can never leave here!”
Seirun shouted as he saw the coalescing black flames.
WHOOSH!
A giant figure of calamity appeared, covered in black flames.
“Foolish.”
The black flames regarded Seirun with indifference.
“Your comrades cannot come to this world.”
There was nothing in that voice.
It showed no mockery at Seirun’s struggle, no anger at the obstacle, not even irritation at the interruption.
It merely regarded Seirun as a fleeting life form.
As if unable to understand his struggle, Erebus said:
“What can you possibly achieve alone?”
“I…”
Clutching the Cometes staff, Seirun gritted his teeth.
“I promised!”
bl**d dripped from his bitten lips.
“I promised Lady Luna! I pledged to protect the world she left us!”
Seirun’s hands trembled.
d*ath is not frightening.
Since seeing the great sacrifices of the legendary heroes, Seirun had already accepted d*ath.
What was terrifying was the possibility of failing to protect the world they had left behind.
And his own powerlessness to keep that promise.
“To Lady Luna… I asked to believe… only in me…”
Seirun’s trembling voice steadied himself while Erebus spoke disdainfully:
“What value exists in making a pact with a dead dream?”
“…”
“And even if you did make a pact, what use is it?”
Erebus’ voice carried disdain for the first time.
“You are nothing more than a foolish mortal, overestimating yourself.”
Seirun’s hands trembled.
“Lady Luna Rubiness was a remarkable being. She was a treasure of the lower realms, who had the qualifications to challenge me, the immortal. But you are not Lady Luna Rubiness. You’re not even close.”
Seirun’s face contorted.
“Would even Lady Luna Rubiness have trusted someone like you?”
Speechless.
“A pact that cannot be fulfilled should never be made, mortal.”
Anyone knows this better than himself.
That what he is doing right now is just futile flailing around.
He lost faith in himself long ago.
His spirit was wearing thin.
The willpower he had barely held on to was fading.
Yet…
‘I can’t give up.’
Seirun’s face became tearful.
‘Because I made a promise to those guys.’
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
