Chapter 561

561

“Whoa….”

“Amazing!”

Chelsea and Arga were walking down the street, their eyes shining.

They followed the main road that stretched straight past the entrance to Dragonia.

Along this road were temples.

These were the buildings that had once honored the gods 5000 years ago but were now empty, and no dragons lived there.

The place where dragons resided was the far-off stronghold visible in the distance.

And the stronghold of Dragonia, the city of the dragons, gave off a mysterious aura compared to any other race’s architectural work.

The world had undergone countless revolutions over the span of 5000 years.

During this process, various cultures had bloomed and evolved, reaching their current state.

Each race has a different inclination.

Humans who seek change.

Elves who favor harmony.

Beastmen who pursue tradition.

Dwarves who seek efficiency.

Because of this, the cultures of the four races have developed in different directions.

However, even though the cultures developed differently, many similarities could still be found in their differences.

The reason why diverse commonalities could be found in the cultures of the four races, which have different inclinations and characteristics, was simple.

‘Guardstron.’

All the cultures of the four races were rooted in Guardstron.

The current world is one that was rebuilt from the ashes after the Era of Catastrophe.

That’s why most of the cultural heritage of each race from the past has been destroyed.

In the end, many races gathered in the last city, and their cultures blended together.

When the Era of Catastrophe ended, the distinctiveness of each race had faded, and the mixed cultures continued to evolve in their own ways.

However, there was one race that remained outside of this cultural blending: the dragons.

“Apparently, dragons have maintained their culture from the age of the gods. Seeing this, it certainly makes sense.”

Chelsea exclaimed in admiration.

Because the very foundation of the culture was different, the architectural styles were also entirely different.

That was when it happened.

Whoosh!

Three dragons flew across the street.

A strong wind blew, whipping their hair.

“Big brother Leo! Look at that! It’s a dragon!”

“Ohhh! Black Rabbit! Isn’t that awesome?!”

Chelsea and Arga shook Leo from either side.

The two girls were in a state of great excitement, watching the dragons fly in formation.

“Hmm?”

It also seemed intriguing to Dorveman, a 5th-year student from Azonia, as his eyes sparkled.

“They look powerful.”

And perhaps his competitive spirit was aroused, so he asked Leo.

“Leo. I know you’ve had various experiences. Have you ever fought a dragon?”

‘I’ve fought several times, including the strongest dragon in history.’

He had fought for training and a few times when the dragon got angry.

But he couldn’t say all that directly.

Besides, fights with dragons are rare in the current era.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Hmm.”

Dorveman clenched and stretched his fists, then muttered while looking up at the sky.

“Dragons truly must be powerful adversaries. They’re definitely worth a fight.”

At those words, Chelsea and Arga, who had been exclaiming in awe, hesitated.

“Dorveman-senpai. Um, I’m just asking, but… could you possibly be thinking of fighting a dragon since we’re in Dragonia? You’re not thinking about that, right?”

“I am, though?”

“That’s a ridiculous idea! You crazy bulldog who only thinks about fighting aaah!”

Arga grabbed Dorveman by the collar and shook him.

It wasn’t the kind of behavior a lowerclassman would show to an upperclassman, but Dorveman didn’t seem to care.

“Hmm. Your wrists are still scrawny and weak, aren’t they?”

Rather than that, he looked at Arga’s arms with obvious disdain.

“Arga. You’re the one who will become the next proud Student Council President of Azonia. As I’ve told you many times, you can’t lead the rough beastmen of Azonia with such a weak body.”

“Muscles aren’t everything, as I’ve already shown by completely embarrassing simple muscle-heads like you.”

Hearing this, Chelsea tilted her head in confusion.

“Arga. Are you the next Student Council President of Azonia?”

“Hmph, that’s right, brat.”

Arga’s response made Chelsea feel irritated.

Unaware of whether she was provoking Chelsea, the cocky Arga continued to flaunt herself.

“Size alone doesn’t create authority! Look at this tall, elegant figure of mine! On the surface, it might seem delicate, but a fierce wildness slumbers within! I am by no means weak, understand?”

With hands on her hips, Arga proudly puffed out her chest.

Chelsea stared at her in wonder.

“You? What are you looking at?”

When Arga narrowed her eyes and asked, Chelsea grinned mischievously.

“You’re completely puny like a little kid.”

“You cheeky brat!”

“To whom are you calling a brat? You’re more puny than the brat you’re calling out.”

Arga tried to grab Chelsea, but Chelsea stuck out her tongue and quickly ran away.

As Chelsea ran, Arga glared and lunged toward her.

Squawk!

“Yahoo?!?!”

Leo grabbed Arga’s tail.

“Therefore! Don’t! Pull! My tail! Ack!”

Arca’s face turned bright red as she pulled her tail, which was caught in Leo’s hand.

“You should start showing some maturity since you’re going to be the Student Council President, right?”

“Um.”

At Leo’s words, Arca hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head.

“Alright, Black Rabbit.”

“Indeed, quite impressive. Seeing Arca listen so obediently speaks volumes.”

Dorveman took something out of his pocket and popped it into his mouth.

Seeing this, Chelsea asked,

“What are you eating?”

“It’s meat that helps build muscle. Do you want some?”

Chelsea sniffed the meat that Dorveman handed her and shook her head.

“I’ll pass, thank you.”

“Hmph. If you’re a picky eater, you won’t grow.”

‘Do people from Azonia really enjoy teasing others so innocently?’

As Chelsea pondered seriously,

“Anyways, when did you become the next Student Council President of Azonia?”

“A while ago, I won at the Festival of Strife!”

Arga proudly blew her nose.

The Festival of Strife.

An annual ceremony held in Azonia to determine the strongest student.

A survival battle that selects the last person standing, a tradition of Azonia.

The student who triumphs in this Festival of Strife ascends to the next Azonia Student Council President.

“The Festival of Strife is open to anyone! The chance to become the strongest at school is available to everyone! Of course, it’s extremely rare for anyone other than 5th-year students to become the Student Council President!”

“That’s impressive?”

When Leo exclaims, Arca’s ears perk up and her tail wags.

But then she shakes her head.

“No! There’s still a long way to go!”

Arca said fiercely.

“It’s not enough to be satisfied with just this! I have to stand on the same stage Lady Aron stood on! I have to keep trying so that Lady Aron can feel at ease.”

When Leo looked at the sword hanging from Arca’s waist, he was reminded of that.

During the last time Lady Aron descended into this world, she left this sword called Braver behind with Arca.

‘Not exactly a reward for defeating her.’

Arca didn’t conquer the world of Lady Aron.

But at that time, Lady Aron thought she wanted to pass this sword to Arca.

A sword given by Dwenno, it had always given her courage.

Although it’s now just a piece of scrap metal, its symbolic value is priceless.

‘That sword is a symbol of the courage Lady Aron possessed.’

Though they hadn’t met in a few months, Arca had gotten stronger.

“Lady Aron would certainly be pleased if she saw you now.”

“Not good enough yet.”

Though Arca turned her head with a smirk, the corners of her mouth continued to twitch.

“It’s true! I gained the Student Council President position by my own strength! Unlike the parachute gangsters of Seirun!”

Arca, looking satisfied, crossed her arms and raised her head.

“Black Rabbit probably thinks the same…”

Thud!

“Who are you calling parachute gangsters now, you dumb cat?”

A leg extended from the back and mercilessly pushed Arca’s back.

Lunia glared at Arca with an askew expression.

“Here?”

“Yeah.”

When Leo spoke, Lunia nodded and brushed her hair back.

“Lunia, this place is filled with countless dragons. As the Student Council President of Seirun, please act properly.”

Hardin, the vice-president of the Seirun Student Council, straightened his glasses and spoke while standing behind Lunia.

“Mmm.”

Though Lunia gave a half-hearted response, she straightened her back and smiled gently.

In an instant, Lunia transformed into a diligent top student elf, which made Chelsea marvel.

“The Student Council President of Seirun seems to be getting better and better at acting.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Lunia smiled brightly and tilted her head.

“Once Demian arrives, we’re all set, right?”

At that, Leo looked down.

“If it’s Demian, they’re already here.”

“Huh?”

Just then, the ground began to shake, and a face emerged.

The person who had suddenly emerged from beneath the ground, wearing goggles, turned out to be a dwarf woman.

“Uhh… Dorveman, Hardin… and Leo, right? And the Student Council President of Seirun, Lunia. Nice to see everyone after such a long time.”

Clap clap…

The dwarf woman, who had completely dug her way out, placed her pickaxe on her shoulder.

“Uhh.”

“Student Council President of Demian! What were you doing?”

Once Arca calmed her startled heart and asked incredulously, Marygold, the Student Council President of Demian, responded seriously.

“Analyzing the geological characteristics of a new place is a miner’s basic duty, isn’t it?”

“Seems you haven’t broken that habit yet, Marygold.”

At Dorveman’s words, Marygold proudly pulled out a fist-sized gemstone from her pocket.

“But look. Isn’t it true that you can find rare ores?”

“Hey, I heard the Student Council President of Demian is a bit of an oddball, but I didn’t know they were this person.”

At Chelsea’s muttering, Lunia sighed.

“The real oddballs of Demian are different. By any chance, didn’t Driana come?”

“Driana? She’s over there. I brought her because she’s the next Student Council President candidate.”

Marygold pointed a finger towards the distance.

In the far distance, a dwarf girl was drawing the architectural style of dragons.

Leo approached Driana.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah! Leo! It’s been a while!”

Driana stood up from her seat with a bright smile.

“In fact, I arrived at dawn. But when I saw the architectural style of the dragons, I got a great idea, so I’ve been sketching!”

This place is the road connecting the entrance to Dragonia with the stronghold.

There are temples scattered everywhere, but they are unused areas.

To actually see the dragons, you need to go to the stronghold, and this place is right in the middle of the road to the stronghold.

The two students who came as representatives of Demian didn’t even think about going to the stronghold after arriving at dawn, instead digging tunnels and drawing pictures.

“Still, she is unusual.”

“Exactly.”

Lunia and Arca shook their heads.

“I don’t want to hear it from the elf gangster and the dumb cat.”

“Ahh? Did you just call me a gangster?”

“I’m called stupid? You perverted dwarf!”

Lunia and Arca growled at each other.

As they watched the three of them bicker immediately upon meeting, Chelsea turned to the older students from other schools with wide eyes.

“Isn’t it dangerous to leave the student council in the hands of those three?”

The three student council presidents had no choice but to remain silent at that question.

It was definite that they were the brightest talents in the history of the Hero Academy.

And that made them embarrassing representatives no matter where they were.