Chapter 584

584.

Whirr-

“What’s that?!”

Lunia’s eyes widened at the sight of the black flames outside the window of Hero’s Tower.

At the same time, Eiran’s bewildered voice was heard.

“Lunia! Your appearance…?!”

“Huh? You too?”

“Excuse me?”

Lunia and Eiran, who were in the forms of Seirun and Azonia, had reverted to their original appearances.

They were not the only ones.

Driana had also returned to her original form.

Lunia, with a perplexed expression, shuddered.

“It’s just like back then…”

“Back then? When?”

“When we fought the fragments of Erebus in Lady Luna’s world! It’s exactly the same!”

It was the same when they had invaded Luna’s world during their first year.

As Erebus rampaged, the possession was released, and they returned to their original forms.

“Those manifested within the Hero’s World are unaware of the existence of that monster!”

Lunia placed her foot on the window ledge.

“We need to stop that! If we don’t, this world will collapse!”

Whoosh-!

Without hesitation, Lunia leaped from the window, and flames that shaped wings spread from her back.

It was magic that manifested the wings of a phoenix.

Seeing this, Driana took flight and landed behind Lunia.

“Are you not going to get out of the way?!”

“Seriously? Let me ride you!”

“What do you think I am?!”

“A model equipped with a riding function.”

“Are you trying to get us killed?!”

“Lunia! Right now, stopping those flames is our priority!”

Eiran flew over to Lunia and spoke urgently.

Lunia, grinding her teeth, flapped her wings.

Whoosh-!

The magically generated wings of flame formed a trajectory and flew towards the Catastrophe Flame.

As she arrived near Erebus, Lunia let go of Driana who was behind her.

Driana also willingly descended from Lunia’s back.

Lunia, now alone, felt her hair turn pure white.

Gooouuuuu-!

Crimson flames transformed into pure white.

The flame of the Phoenix King that purifies the world.

Whoosh-!

From Lunia’s outstretched hand, magnificent crimson flames blazed forth.

The taboo magic of the Rundar family.

The holy flame burned the unclean using herself as kindling, merging with the white flame.

‘Holy Flame.’

As Lunia raised her hand, a massive flame surged intensely.

The flame of Lunia had now become as immense as the Catastrophe Flame.

The holy flame engulfed the black flames.

Whoosh-!

The pure white flame that swallowed the black flames flickered for a moment.

The black flame vanished without a trace.

In that moment.

The pure white flame rapidly constricted.

Lunia, startled by this, wrapped her entire body with the wings of the phoenix.

Boom, boom, boom, boom-!

In the blink of an eye, the flame, which had shrunk to the size of a fist, erupted violently.

At the same time, the black flames tore through Lunia’s flames.

“Tsk!”

Lunia clicked her tongue and quickly distanced herself from the black flames.

Gooouuuuu-!

The black flames pursued Lunia relentlessly.

To shake off the chase from the black flames, Lunia quickly ascended into the sky.

Gooouuuuuuu-!

The black flames persistently closed the gap between them and Lunia.

‘There’s no way to avoid it now!’

Just as Lunia gritted her teeth and prepared for Erebus’ attack.

Whoosh-!

Someone snagged Lunia, pulling her away.

“Chelsea LeWalyn!”

“Hold on tight!”

Chelsea, cloaked in wind, manipulated the currents around her.

Chelsea’s body accelerated rapidly.

The distance from the black flames widened.

Suddenly, a wall of black flames rose up in front of Chelsea.

Chelsea slowed down and flew in a different direction.

As the gap closed again, the black flames split into several branches and pressed in on Chelsea and Lunia.

Tracking the trajectories of the black flames that were tightening around them, Chelsea maximized her agility.

Whoosh-!

“Ugh?!”

Unknowingly, Lunia hugged Chelsea tightly.

Chelsea avoided all of Erebus’ complex attacks as she headed toward the ground.

Swish-!

Just before they collided with the ground, Chelsea moved rapidly.

The black flames pursued closely behind Chelsea.

“Stupid cat!”

Chelsea shouted urgently.

Where Chelsea was headed stood Arga.

Arga’s blue eyes locked onto the flames of Erebus with a focused gaze.

In Arga’s hand was a broken sword.

Braver.

The sword left by Aron to Arga.

A golden aura glimmered at the tip of the sword.

A soft golden aura emanated from Arga’s body as well.

Thud-!

Arga grasped the sword with both hands.

“Haah!”

Arga shouted a battle cry.

Flash-! Boom, boom, boom, boom-!

As she swung the sword, a massive golden sword strike was unleashed.

‘Aron’s sword?!’

The strike resembled something that reminded Lunia of Aron, causing her eyes to widen.

Chelsea swiftly dodged the strike, and the pursuing black flames were swept away by the destructive force.

Boom, boom, boom-!

The strike left scars on the ground and sent the pillars of black flames flying as well.

‘When did Ar get this strong…?’

Lunia was astonished.

Not only Lunia.

All the intruders were equally astounded by the overwhelming sight, casting their eyes upon Arga.

“When did Ar get so strong?”

As a student from Azonia exclaimed in disbelief, Ruwen spoke stoically.

“It’s not surprising. Considering how that stupid cat trains regularly.”

After receiving Braver from Aron, Ar had pushed herself harder and harder.

Originally, Ar had admired Aron and wished to become like him.

But after meeting Aron directly and being recognized as his successor, her goals became clearer.

It wasn’t just about wanting to be like Aron.

She had to become like Aron.

To assure the worried hero.

That was the goal Ar had taken upon herself, which she pursued fervently.

Whoosh-!

The wind that blew caused Ar’s white hair to flutter.

Seeing this, Chelsea murmured in awe.

“It looks like Aron…”

Those words were true.

Right now, Ar’s appearance undoubtedly reminded one of Aron.

It seemed Chelsea was not the only one feeling this way, as no one refuted her words.

It was then.

Ar’s ears perked up.

Then, with arms folded and chin held high, she wore a triumphant expression.

“Hehe!”

“Sorry, Aron. I thought that stupid cat resembled you.”

Chelsea sincerely apologized to Aron.

Whoosh-!

The black flames surged once more.

Seeing this, Driana muttered.

“I don’t think it’s as strong as the Piece of Erebus we encountered during summer break.”

“Of course not. The last time we fought, it was one of the six fragments that the Hero of Beginning manifested. But that’s only a piece that broke off from the fragment. It doesn’t make sense for it to be that strong.”

Lunia clenched her fist.

“Even so, it’s a monster.”

“C-can we really handle it on our own?”

Eiran’s expression turned anxious.

At that moment, Lunia bit her lip.

“We have no choice.”

Ar glared at the black flames.

“We can’t rely on someone who isn’t here right now. We have to do this ourselves.”

Thud- Thud-

With a resolute answer, Ar approached the black flames.

“If you hope for help, you’ll just remain where you are.”

Clenching her fists-

“I can’t keep being treated like a child. To become equal. To follow in the footsteps of that person.”

Many gazes fell upon Ar’s back.

“We need to overcome this with our strength.”

What Ar was looking at were the figures of the two people walking far away.

One was the figure of the admired hero.

And the other was.

‘Black Rabbit.’

Ar’s figure gave those watching the courage to move forward.

Chelsea murmured at the sight.

“Right now, it truly felt like Aron.”

“Ahem!”

“Still just a stupid cat.”

It was at that moment Chelsea clicked her tongue.

“Kal? Where’s Kal?”

Eliza asked Eiran.

At those words, Eiran’s eyes widened.

“Th-that guy said he’d talk separately with Rodia… he’ll be here shortly.”

“It’s definitely going to be problematic without him.”

Lunia furrowed her brow.

“When he’s in charge, we feel a bit at ease.”

“Kal Thomas in charge?”

At Lunia’s words, not only Seirun but also students from Azonia and Demian began to murmur.

“Indeed, Kal has an outstanding ability to gauge the flow of battle and make commands.”

Abad nodded as if it made sense.

“No doubt. Last time, when we fought against the fragment of Erebus in Lord Dwenno’s world, we relied heavily on Kal’s help. He needs to get here soon.”

Meanwhile, at that moment, Kal was.

Whoosh-!

“Gahhh!”

Kal, startled, hid behind Rodia.

“Don’t run away!”

“Rodia, you can say that because you can’t see the black flames! It’s terrifying!”

“So you need to properly observe! Ugh! I’ve got a burn! Hurry up and tell me where this d*mn flame is!”

“If I go out now, I’ll d*e!”

“Am I your shield now?!”

“You said you’d be my shield!”

Kal and Rodia were on their way to find Lumeran, completely unaware of the invisible black flames.

*

Flash-!

A flash of light burst forth.

“Kyahhh!”

“Hey, can you keep it down? My ears are sensitive.”

When Iliana screamed, Elena, who was cradled like a princess in Iliana’s arms, spoke nonchalantly.

“How can you not scream? The flames of Erebus are blazing right in front of us… Kyahhh!”

“It seems Erebus is terrifying, but you’re not afraid of it.”

“Yikes!”

Iliana was taken aback by Elena’s threat.

The reason Iliana was approaching Erebus while holding Elena was simple.

It was to assist Kyle, who was single-handedly holding back Erebus.

“Why me of all people?!”

“Because you’re the fastest.”

Elena smiled brightly.

Seeing Elena like this, Iliana felt a dislike for her earlier self.

‘Right now, I’m the fastest here. Hands down.’

‘Heh. Iliana Laden is actually faster than the well-known second-years like Chelsea, Duran, and Eliza. How may I assist you, senior?’

‘Oh, how reliable. I appoint you as my mount.’

‘Huh?’

‘Will you please take me closer to Erebus?’

What Elena needed were two things.

Time to concentrate fully on casting magic.

And a knight with mobility to protect her while quickly moving during that time.

Iliana happened to fit that description perfectly.

Elena took out her staff from the folds of her robe.

As she began casting, a massive storm of magical power swirled around them.

Iliana, holding Elena, shuddered with anticipation.

‘I knew she was strong, but…’

Being a magic swordswoman, even Iliana understood just how monstrous a magician Elena Zeruon was.

But this was…

‘In terms of raw magical energy, she surpasses even an ordinary class hero, right?’

Just as Iliana swallowed nervously.

Whoosh-!

The black flames, reacting to Elena’s magic, surged towards them.

Seeing this, Iliana drew her sword.

Flash-!

The light aura split the black flames apart.

Iliana, evading Erebus’ attacks at incredible speed, trembled.

‘At this rate, it’ll be hard to dodge!’

Iliana clenched her lips tightly.

In that instant, the target of the black flames shifted from Kyle to Elena.

There was no time to escape now.

Iliana’s body moved with cold precision.

Whoosh-!

With all her might, she threw Elena out of her arms, pushing her out of the attack range.

Having successfully distanced Elena from the black flames, Elena unleashed her magic.

‘What do I do now?’

Iliana let out a bitter smile.

She had safely sent Elena, the one she needed to protect, away, but now she was the problem.

‘Please just don’t let me d*e…!’

At the moment Iliana squeezed her eyes shut.

Flash-!

Whoosh-!

A gray aura cleaved the black flames.

Swish-!

A black cloak enveloped Iliana’s body.

“Huh?”

Iliana gasped in amazement as she opened her eyes and looked up.

At the moment the black flames targeted Elena, a gap formed, which Kyle had rushed through.

Glancing down at Iliana, Kyle poked her forehead with his finger.

“Who told you to give up so easily?”

At his words, Iliana’s face turned bright red, forgetting the situation.

After gently placing Iliana down, Kyle lunged toward the black flames that were hit directly by Elena’s magic.

Elena approached Iliana.

“Are you okay?”

“You were… so cool… it’s not good for my heart… I think I’ll become a fan of Kyle from today. Huff… huff…”

As Iliana sat down, lost in thought, she mumbled.

“Stay focused. That guy has an owner, you know.”

“B-but I still like him…!”

“What a sinful human. That man too.”

Elena clicked her tongue.