418.
Divine Power.
Also known as sanctity, this power was literally used by gods.
As such, it was not a force that could be wielded by humans, elves, beastmen, dragons, or any other beings of the earth.
‘The power that disappeared when the gods concealed and vanished from the earth.’
Certainly, divine power did not entirely vanish.
The Hero Record itself was composed of divine power.
It was, indeed, the last remnant of the divine left in the lower world.
‘If any divine power has appeared in this world since then…’
Pibua, the god of the past, whom Leo encountered within the Hero Record.
Even though he was merely a fragment of the past, he was a god nearly omniscient, and he bestowed Leo with his favor, lending him his power.
‘But all the divine power Pibua gave me has been used up already.’
Through that divine power given by Pibua, Leo was able to invoke two miracles.
‘The first was the manifestation of the power of reincarnation.’
For a while, he obtained the strength of Kyle, the Hero of Beginning, transcending the boundaries of time and space.
‘And the second…’
Leo clenched his fists tightly.
It was the ability to temporarily bring Luna, an existence from the past, into the present time.
It was different from Seirun’s case.
Seirun, having lived for three thousand years, infinitely repeats battles with Erebus within the world of change, yet he is distinctly alive.
Bringing an alive strategist out of the world of heroes is within the authority of the Hero Record’s master, Leo.
But Luna, who was from the past and already deceased, is not the same.
‘It surpassed the limitations of what the Hero Record could accomplish.’
By temporarily pulling Luna out of the world of heroes, Leo depleted all the divine power provided by Pibua.
Even the vessel that contained Pibua’s divine power, the Pollium, was handed over to Seirun.
‘And yet… what is this divine power?’
“By divine power, does that mean the strength of the gods?”
Hearing Leo’s words, an astonished Melina carefully asked.
“Yes.”
“Goodness! So, could this power possibly bring back the strength of the time when you were Lord Kyle… or summon other great heroes to the present era?”
“It would be nice if it were possible, but…”
Melina’s question, posed with excitement, was met by Leo narrowing his eyes and concentrating.
Leo tried to channel the divine power through an act of will but failed to evoke any reaction.
Upon seeing this, Leo muttered under his breath.
“Right now, controlling this power seems impossible. Before I realized it, it was too weak for me to even notice.”
Melina looked disappointed at Leo’s words.
“What could be the reason Lord Leo obtained divine power?”
Melina pondered for a moment and then asked.
“Among the shadows, they call you the God of Shadows. Could it be related to that?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Leo shook his head.
“I’m not very knowledgeable about the sacred study, but as someone who lived in the era when the gods existed, there is one fact I know with certainty.”
“What is it?”
“Humans can’t become gods. That goes for other races as well.”
Before the Era of Catastrophe, the Age of the Gods, was a time when extensive research on the gods was conducted.
Gods are fundamentally different from beings of this world—they are transcendent entities.
“Residents of the world may worship or ignore the gods as they please, but the gods don’t care. Thus, even if I’m regarded and revered like a god, there’s no way I can acquire divine power.”
“I see.”
Melina nodded as if she understood.
‘No matter what, divine power has accumulated within my body, that’s a fact. If I discover the reason and learn how to wield this power, then…’
Leo’s red eyes gleamed.
‘Divine power is assuredly going to be greatly helpful in future battles.’
The participation of the Shan Empire, as well as the appearance of the Silent Dragon.
Unexpected events and anticipated incidents unfolded.
The interest from outside towards the summit grew even hotter.
The entire world focused its attention on Rumelia City.
However, amidst the focus of the world, some individuals remained busy with their own affairs.
And the most representative among them were the first-year and second-year students of Lumeran right at the heart of the summit.
Whether they would stay at Lumeran next semester or not depended on everything riding on the first-year students’ Ruse Tournament evaluations.
“Professor Ren, who do you think will win in this year’s first-year tournament?”
All the regular classes had already ended for the semester.
The second-year students had also finished all their exams.
Despite causing trouble frequently, Ren, a professor counted among the most competent in Lumeran, had already finished grading the second-year students.
Hence, Ren and his associate professor, Anna, were spending a leisurely time in the lecture hall where they taught for the semester, awaiting the end of the term.
The reason for spending time in the lecture hall was simple.
Because the students, full of academic passion, would often visit even in the present situation at the cusp of vacation to ask questions.
They didn’t wait in Ren’s private office because it was much more convenient for students to come to the lecture hall.
“Indeed, Professor Ren does seem to be a truly passionate educator.”
Ren raised his teacup elegantly as he responded.
“The strongest contenders in this tournament would be either Aina or Beid, I suspect.”
Ren, taking a sip of the tea in his teacup, nodded with satisfaction and glanced at the book in front of him.
Ren was an exceptional handsome man, and if judged merely by his appearance, he looked like a highly intellectual magic professor.
Anna couldn’t help but smile faintly.
‘He’d be perfect if only he didn’t keep reading that annoying book.’
As Ren was reading the book titled “Why Wizards Are Superior to Knights and Summoners,” Anna felt a headache coming on.
Just then, the lecture hall door opened.
Ren and Anna’s gazes turned towards the door.
Seeing an unexpected group of students visiting the lecture hall, Ren’s eyes narrowed.
“Seirun?”
Surprisingly reacting, Anna gulped.
Seirun Academy.
It was one of the causes that had made Ren lose his temper quite frequently this semester.
In such a situation, Anna couldn’t help but be tense upon the arrival of Seirun students.
‘He shouldn’t lose control again.’
Anna wore a worried expression but then noticed that the arrival of the Seirun students seemed familiar.
‘That name was… Anger Bizan, wasn’t it?’
They were lower-class students who had been unfairly treated in Seirun due to their lower achievement in star magic.
Of course, their lives had changed now thanks to the change in Seirun’s policies and Ren’s book, [Introduction to the Magic of the Stars], allowing them to graduate from the lower class.
“Wasn’t it you, Student Anger?”
“Ah! Associate Professor Anna!”
Lower-class students including Anger gathered around Anna.
“Hello, everyone! How have you been?”
“Yes!”
“Thanks to Associate Professor Anna and Senior Leo!”
The first-year students grinned happily as they began chattering.
“Senior Leo? A different school—Senior Leo? Do you even know what you’re talking about?”
At that moment, Ren slammed the book shut and jumped up from his seat.
His eyes seemed almost like they were emitting lasers, looking extremely intimidating.
“Why have you come here!”
“Who, who are you?”
Anger mustered the courage to ask cautiously on behalf of everyone.
“My name is Ren Horse. I’m the professor that your so-called senior Leo Flove respects the most!”
“…That’s a lie.”
Though Anna mumbled with half-closed eyes, Ren ignored her completely.
The first-year students’ eyes widened upon hearing Ren’s name.
Then Anger stepped forward and said,
“Professor Ren! My name is Anger Bizan, pleased to meet you.”
The previously terrified students now gleamed their eyes with respect as they greeted Ren.
“Professor Ren’s book [Introduction to the Magic of the Stars] completely changed our lives. Thank you!”
“I deeply respect you, Professor!”
“It’s a true honor to meet you!”
The sincere gratitude and respect from the Seirun first-year students earned Ren’s admiration with an “Oho!” exclamation.
“So, you’re Anger Bizan. Yes, I received your letter. Indeed! You’re the excellent top student I thought you’d be!”
While only moments before he was brimming with hostility, Ren instantly switched his attitude, prompting Anna to sigh deeply.
Subsequently, Ren engaged the Seirun first-year students in a conversation about magic.
“Currently, Professor Ren’s reputation within Seirun is quite high.”
“There are many who marvel at how someone who isn’t an elf understands star magic so deeply.”
“Many say that his new perspective allows them to view star magic in a completely different way.”
“It’s rumored that he might be invited as a visiting professor during the summer break.”
“Ho ho ho! To be so highly regarded in the renowned Seirun, I don’t know where to put myself…”
‘If only those blasted elves would realize the greatness of my theses—it’s only natural with a brain and not just for decoration, isn’t it Anna Associate Professor?’
‘…When you said that earlier…’
Anna sighed.
Then, other top students from Seirun’s first year, Eclere and Yoinia, also visited Ren.
Seeing them, Anger asked,
“Where’s Lea?”
“She was coming along until a moment ago, but then she suddenly disappeared.”
“I really wanted her to meet Professor Ren.”
To Eclere’s answer, Anger wore a regretful expression.
Meanwhile, Anna approached Ren and whispered.
“Until just an hour ago, you were cursing Seirun Academy, yet you’ve changed your stance completely.”
Anna, with slightly sleepy eyes, remarked as Ren laughed lightly.
“Associate Professor Anna, one must know how to hide one’s inner feelings depending on the occasion and setting. One might call a person with different appearances inside and out as having integrity.”
“Whoever calls such a person ‘integrity’?”
Though Anna pointed this out, Ren didn’t flinch.
CHHAK! CHAK!
In the hallway where the first-year classrooms of Lumeran were located.
The eyes of the passing first-year students were covertly drawn to someone stealthily moving around.
‘…That’s a student from Seirun.’
‘Why is he sneaking around like that?’
‘Does he really think he won’t be noticed doing that?’
In a classroom heavily populated with Lumeran’s first-year students, a first-year student dressed in Seirun’s uniform was brazenly infiltrating.
Lea Tinggel was currently zealously chasing someone.
As her target turned the corner of the hallway, Lea swiftly followed, poking her head around the corner.
She glared at the target’s back.
‘That’s Luke Eldar.’
She pulled out a picture from her bosom.
The source of the photo was none other than Kal.
After spotting Luke while moving around with Seirun students, she had chased him all the way here.
‘A junior of Senior Flove. How could he enjoy such an enviable privilege alone? Unforgivable!’
Her competitive spirit burned against someone who hadn’t done anything wrong.
“…Who are you? Why is a first-year from Seirun here?”
At that moment, a voice came from behind.
When Lea turned her head, Habidden was there.
Lea turned to stand in front of Habidden, straightening her back and tilting her chin up.
“My name is Lea Tinggel.”
“Lea Tinggel?”
“Wait! She’s the top of the first-year class at Seirun!”
“Really? What brings the representative of the first-year class of Seirun here?”
With his arms crossed, Habidden asked, to which Lea crossed her arms in return and responded,
“I’ve come to knock down my nemesis.”
“What? What? Are you declaring war?”
“Is it in preparation for the Ruse Tournament?”
“Big deal!”
“Whose nemesis? Is it Aina by any chance?”
The students reacted with excitement.
“A surprise attack, huh? That’s gutsy!”
Habidden smirked.
As chaos erupted, students quickly gathered in the hallway.
When Aina appeared amidst the gathered students, they moved aside, creating space between Aina and Lea.
A situation where the first-year representatives of Lumeran and Seirun faced each other.
Aina wore an expression of confusion.
While everyone was tense in the situation,
Lea then raised her hand,
and pointed at someone with her finger.
“Luke Eldar.”
All eyes turned to Luke.
Surprisingly showing up, Luke wore an expression of bewilderment as he tried to understand the situation.
“Let’s go!”
“Huh?”
Confused, Luke asked her to repeat it.
“Fight now.”
“Why me?”
Lea, glaring her eyes, caused Luke to look puzzled and exasperated.
“You are my prey.”
“Representative of the first-year class of Seirun.”
Habidden chuckled.
“Luke Eldar is my prey. I will not tolerate you touching him first.”
“Then you’ll be the first I’ll knock out.”
“You’re saying what I was going to.”
At that moment, just as two students started glaring at each other fiercely,
“Halind Professor!”
Someone’s urgent voice startled the first-years, who immediately headed back to their respective classrooms in perfect order.
Surprised by the scene, Lea shouted,
“Ah! Luke Eldar! Right there! Fight me now!”
Lea’s voice reverberated through the entire hallway, as she failed to grasp the situation.
And as she prepared to chase Luke with all her might,
“Who gave you permission to fight in the hallway?”
A chilling voice echoed.
Lea froze in response.
“And who said it was okay to shout loudly in the hallway?”
Lea stiffly turned around.
There stood Halind, known as “The Wall of Wailing” of Lumeran.
“Heek?”
Intimidated by Halind’s terrifying presence, Lea involuntarily took a step back.
“Do you not fear punishment?”
Lea was intimidated,
but bravely argued,
“I’m not a student here, you know.”
Her instincts were screaming.
Don’t follow this person.
But Halind wasn’t phased at all.
“I don’t care which school you’re from.”
Halind grabbed the back of Lea’s collar.
“If you’re in Lumeran, follow Lumeran’s rules.”
![[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")
