643.
“Everyone is incredible.”
Artian clasped her hands together and exclaimed in admiration.
It was an overwhelming sight that left her with nothing but admiration.
“Kal was a bit unstable, but the result is excellent. Watching this, it’s clear the title of Hero isn’t given out freely.”
An impossible battle was won through thorough preparation and strategy alone.
It was obvious that the foresight of the first-year students was on an entirely different level, to the point of making it look like child’s play.
Their opponents, despite being from a different grade, couldn’t hope to match Elena, Lil, and Chen Sia in this regard.
“Truly, those who prepare for the beginning.”
Yura exclaimed in amazement, and Ren chuckled lightly.
“Haha, isn’t it obvious? They’re my students.”
“You didn’t seem too interested in Kal, though.”
“What do you mean? Where do you think Kal’s excellent alchemy skills came from?”
“Dwenno’s alchemy book.”
“Ah, leaving everything to summoned familiars and blaming the summoner – that’s not right.”
“Aang? What did you just say?”
“Hoh, when words don’t win, violence comes next? You’re starting to resemble senior Ain more and more.”
“Come on, show me how violence really feels.”
Hurling threats, the two professors barely caught Halind’s attention.
“Ain professor, Artian professor.”
“Yes.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
“Calm them down.”
“How… how do we…?”
Artian was at a loss, but Ain didn’t hesitate. He quickly moved behind Ren, twisting his neck.
Crrreak-
Ren collapsed in an instant.
“How satisfying!”
Yura cheered at the sight.
Still hesitating, Artian met eyes with Halind, and suddenly alarmed, moved towards Yura.
“Professor Yura, I’m sorry! It’s because of Professor Halind’s order!”
“Huh?”
Crrrack-
“Thwraagh?”
Yura’s neck was twisted even further than Ren’s.
Everyone’s gaze turned towards Artian.
“I mean, since it’s quiet now, there’s no particular need to restrain them?”
“What?”
Halind’s comment visibly flustered Artian.
“More importantly, Artian. Did that sound just now seem normal?”
“Eh?!”
Normally closed unless possessed, Artian’s eyes shot wide open.
Looking down, he noticed Yura convulsing and foaming at the mouth.
“Professor Yura! Are you alright?”
“Healer! Bring a healer over!”
“Hey! Yura! Get a grip!”
Compared to just moments ago, the professors were now in utter chaos, to which Halind sighed deeply.
“Hohoho! Truly the words of a dictator who resolves everything with power.”
Professor Sedgen beamed triumphantly.
Standing beside him was Principal Rina.
“Are you not worried about Professor Yura?”
“Hoh, Rina. Professor Yura isn’t as weak as that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Perhaps it’s my trust in a former student?”
“Indeed.”
Rina nodded, raising a bottle to her lips and taking a large swig.
Seeing this, Ain commented.
“Principal, perhaps moderation with the alcohol would be wise.”
“Cchh- Sorry, Professor Ain. But I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.”
Wiping her mouth and grabbing another bottle, Rina sighed deeply inwardly.
Halind, Sedgen, and Rina. It now made sense why they had been friends since their school days.
‘To be honest, Principal can’t help but be stressed.’
Following the late Great Swordsman’s legacy, Rina had become the principal of Lumeran.
Controversy surrounded her appointment last year when people wondered how a Shadow could lead the Hero Academy.
However, as if to justify her recommendation by the prestigious Professors Halind and Sedgen, Rina had proven herself an exemplary principal.
Her relatively low visibility in public affairs was a testament to her competence in running the school.
Besides, as someone who hailed from the Shadows, Rina had developed a unique intelligence network, staying fully informed about the movements of new Hero Dungeons, Tartarus, and the Hero Hunters.
As a result, she was under immense work pressure, and lately, she took to drinking alcohol openly in front of the professors.
Still, no one rebelled against her. The quirky bunch of professors at Lumeran just accepted it.
And drinking hadn’t interfered with her responsibilities.
“Which grade do you expect to solve this task first?”
At Halind’s question, Rina exhaled and chuckled.
“Fourth or fifth years probably.”
“Hm? Why do you think so?”
Sedgen looked interested. Rina responded while watching the screen.
“In the case of first-years, they haven’t yet fully grasped who Kal really is. For second-years, the battleground wasn’t ideal either. Besides, they’re up against Chen Sia, who is well-known on our side as the next ruler of Shan.”
Rina’s gaze lingered on Chen Sia.
‘She has completely moved beyond the conflict.’
During her first year, it was fairly predictable how Chen Sia must have felt coming to school. For someone wanting to live in light rather than darkness, it was a common struggle among Shadows.
Ever since her second year, Chen Sia would no longer reject her world.
More importantly, it seemed like the world had acknowledged Shadows.
All Shadows had been redeemed in this world.
‘She looks even better now than when she was in second year.’
Her calmer face, her determined way forward—she seemed to have completely chosen her path.
Though in the second year, she hadn’t denied being a Shadow, nor had she hidden her dark side.
But she had never shown her true self.
Now, she was revealing it entirely.
‘It might be a bit too much for the second-years to handle immediately.’
“The third years have probably gathered themselves and are serious about fighting their seniors. In the next battle, they’ll manage to overcome somehow.”
Indeed, the third-year students seemed to have regained their composure. They accepted their arrogance and were ready to act on it.
‘That’s the scarier side of third-years.’
They quickly identified their mistakes and used them as a foundation to move forward at an astonishing speed.
‘Such is Leo’s influence.’
Finally, Rina’s eyes moved to the fourth and fifth years.
They were undoubtedly shaken. Based solely on their current state, there was no way they would achieve what Rina so confidently declared.
Still…
“They are Hero Candidates after all.”
In Lumeran, the experience of transcending limits over time doesn’t just vanish.
Even if the leaders had fallen, turning them into disconnected individuals, even if they had drawn lines at their limits and couldn’t cross them…
The groundwork the fourth and fifth years had laid wasn’t going to fade away.
‘What’s more…’
“Also, I think the fourth and fifth years might quickly resolve this task!”
Artian clenched her hands tightly.
Having taught first-years ever since becoming a professor at Lumeran, Artian did occasionally teach the upper grades.
“There’s Runba in the fourth and fifth years!”
“Runba?”
“Yes, although Runba’s present, leadership seems insufficient to tackle this situation.”
As the professors hesitated, Yura adjusted her neck and rose from her seat.
“Hmm, indeed, with Runba around, the fourth and fifth years might get the wake-up call they need.”
“Are you alright?”
Artian asked with concern. Yura nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Yura fixed her gaze on Runba on the screen.
“That kid seems laid-back about everything, but when it comes to studying or training, he’s insanely dedicated.”
“Runba?”
Ain looked surprised. Students who threw themselves into studies and training generally wore their determination on their sleeves.
However, except for his freshman year, Runba had never shown such a side.
“Yes. He didn’t get to second place in his class by accident, but he has no ambition to rise higher. That kid really cracks me up because, after graduation, he plans to return as an assistant professor of Lumeran!”
Yura expressed disbelief.
It isn’t bad to become a Lumeran professor. In fact, most Lumeran professors wield powers that equal or surpass those of heroes.
But still, most professors at Lumeran are more interested in mentoring the next generation than becoming heroes themselves. Hence, Runba’s decision to become a professor immediately after graduation stood out.
Runba was certainly capable of becoming a hero, yet at such a youthful age, he already intended to step back from the frontlines.
“He’s convinced he’ll never surpass Elena Zeruon, so his frustration made him give up on being a hero, right? The guy’s perseverance is completely gone. But what’s funny is, he hasn’t truly given up!”
It’s because the desire lingers that he still works so hard.
“Could someone like that awaken suddenly and inspire others in the fourth and fifth year?”
At Ain’s question, Yura smirked.
“It’s Leo’s specialty.”
“What’s that?”
“Setting someone’s heart on fire.”
Yura’s comment made Ain chuckle.
“Indeed, that seems to be the case.”
Runba slumped to the ground, eyes closed.
It’s undoubtedly painful having a monster you can’t catch up to in your own year.
“Especially, there’s one in the year below me too.”
Actually, this monster belongs to the same department.
“Or maybe there’s someone else too?”
Runba chuckled sardonically.
He wasn’t talking about Leo Flove.
“That guy lives in a totally different world.”
Strangely enough, the monster in the third year is also from the same department.
“Warden Tyden.”
It’s not just Tyden; the third year is filled with monsters.
Has there ever been such a time in the history of Lumeran when so many monsters have all gathered together?
“It’s not like it’s a gathering of monster champions.”
In the background, Runba could hear chaos in the fourth and fifth years. The fifth years, who were supposed to provide leadership, were divided into factions. The fourth years were revealing long-suppressed defiance.
In normal circumstances, Runba would’ve probably tried to mediate with a bright smile. But now, it was too late for that. They had completely crumbled.
‘At times like this, a good fight is what they need.’
Deciding to turn off interference and focus on himself, Runba thought:
“I’ve always been greedy, right? In any group I belong to, I want to be the best.”
He knew he could never catch up with his seniors, but among his peers or juniors, he aspired to be the best.
But that ambition shattered during his first year.
Because of that, he cleanly gave up on the path of a hero.
Instead, he aimed to be the best at teaching younger generations. In a way, it was a cowardly retreat.
“But still… Leo, you’re really messing with me too much.”
Runba knew the kid was sharp. That’s why he’d openly teased him, challenging his rusty perseverance and provoking him to prove the hero of a new era.
“Wow, he’s impressive.”
Runba shook himself and stood up.
“So, Nielsen will handle the command…”
“Better if we take charge!” exclaimed a fourth-year angrily.
“How dare you, being such a junior to act arrogant!” snapped a fifth-year.
“This is a time to fight, not bicker over ranks. Take off the badges and let’s settle it on the battleground.”
“Huh? Are you crazy?”
“Aah~ This is just a microphone test. Microphone test.”
“Runba, is now a good time for commentary?”
Pulling out a magical microphone from his pocket, Runba grinned wickedly as a fifth-year voiced their concern.
Seeing that, Runba smirked.
“Shut up and listen. I’m not doing commentary anyway.”
The fifth-year flinched at this sudden rudeness, and the fourth-year students widened their eyes.
The fourth-year students had never seen such a rough side of Runba, and the fifth-years had flashbacks to earlier times.
“Command and strategy positions stand as they are.”
Runba continued coldly, “It’s still the best option.”
“Runba senior! We’ve failed! Maybe changing the command…”
“Aah, shut up when an elder speaks. Your big heads are known to me, but stop trying to outdo everyone else. Leo isn’t the only one who can crush those oversized heads – I can do the same.”
The fourth-year students closed their mouths at his familiar but coarse words, witnessing this new side of a senior who had always been attentive to them since their first year.
“And you lot, remember what I said about trusting Elena and fighting amongst the seniors? You didn’t listen then, did you? How does it feel now? Stop feeling resentful. It’s karma. Karma.”
Continuing his sharp words with a smile, Runba targeted his peers’ sore spots. Watching as they tightened their lips, Runba spoke,
“Prepare to demolish Leo.”
“…We don’t have much time, do we? He’ll attack soon.”
At Eden’s question, Runba clicked his tongue.
“Not much, but here’s what we’ll do.”
Turning his head, Runba watched Leo approach with a casual smirk.
The fourth and fifth years tensed.
“Look at his expression. Isn’t that arrogant?”
“What?”
“Even if he’s great, we’re still his seniors. That look in his eyes feels like he looks down on everyone! Yes, he has every right to do that, but… anyway.”
Pouting as Runba set the microphone down, he clenched his teeth:
“Let’s at least demand respect as seniors. Make him bow down, acknowledge our position as seniors even if only symbolically.”
“Can we really pull that off?”
“Did you ask for time?”
Runba stepped forward.
“I’ll buy as much as I can.”
A deep rumbling emanated from Runba’s body, catching Nielsen’s attention.
“Let’s retreat from this spot first.”
At Nielsen’s words, the fourth and fifth years quickly stepped back.
“Nielsen senior, Runba senior… What’s going on?”
In response to a junior from the Department of Knights, Nielsen glanced back.
“That’s just him – his true nature.”
Runba stood before Leo.
Muttering inside, he felt anything but dignified.
“Hey there? Beautiful, great, and noble one?”
Despite his brave exterior, Runba was inwardly pleading with desperation.
“Remember that one time you said you’d help me? Could you help out again today? Are you hearing me? The greatest of all spirits, the Great Spirit? Hello? Hello?”
-That’s awfully noisy.
A casual voice broke the silence.
At the response, Runba’s face lit up with joy.
Stopping in his tracks, Leo arched an eyebrow.
“Hmm?”
With a hint of amusement, Leo commented.
“You’ve been hiding a trump card. This match might get interesting.”
Seeing the immense elven energy radiating from Runba, Leo raised his palm.
Whishh—
-Hmm, what is it, my vow keeper?
-Vow keeper, my foot. I’m your slave.
The Purifying Spirit Ista, having dramatically postured, met with a cold smirk from Rael.
Ista ignored Rael’s mockery.
“A rival of yours might be about to appear.”
-Rival?
“Yes.”
Leo observed the water swirling around Runba like rising currents.
“A deep-sea spirit—Undine.”
![[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")
