Chapter 8

【8】7

While the candidates were busy sizing each other up and forming tentative bonds, something occurred.

[Everyone seems to be here.]

A voice echoed around the room.

Standing on the platform in the blink of an eye was a man.

With silver hair and golden eyes, his uniform loosely arranged.

[Call me Alby.]

The candidates gasped in unison.

“No way, isn’t that Alby, the wizard from Maan?”

Celia also revealed a shocked expression.

He was a wizard hero whose name was etched into the Hero Record.

‘So this is what they call a hero in today’s world?’

Leo observed Alby carefully.

More specifically, he looked at his left eye.

The power latent within that eye.

‘This mana…’

As Leo’s surprise lingered, Alby pulled out a piece of paper.

[There are a total of 569 candidates for the western region entrance exam this year.]

He adjusted his glasses as he continued speaking.

[The test consists of personal combat and monster extermination. Ideally, we would test each candidate one by one… but frankly, speaking from the heart, I…]

Alby casually burnt the paper with magic.

[…find it bothersome.]

Murmurs buzzed through the crowd.

Without hesitation, he announced.

[It takes too much time and is inefficient. So I thought, why not combine everything into one?]

“What?”

Celia was flabbergasted.

The other candidates shared her reaction.

[Actions speak louder than words. Let’s start the exam now.]

Alby lifted an old book from his coat.

[Hero Record Open. Alby’s World. Chapter: Prologue – Forest of Monsters.]

Woong!

A massive mark emerged on the floor.

A divine language, which only gods could decipher, appeared from the seal.

Whoosh!

A bright light encompassed the surroundings.

Once the light faded, the landscape had transformed.

A lush forest unfolded before their eyes.

It was as if they had entered another world.

‘But it is another world, indeed.’

[This forest is called the Forest of Monsters. The test is simple: survive. There’s complete freedom otherwise. You may collaborate with others to defeat monsters or even eliminate your competition. If you wish to forfeit the exam, shatter the gemstone in your pocket.]

The Forest of Monsters.

A real forest located in the southern continent.

However, Leo did not physically arrive here but rather the realm of a hero’s memory – more specifically, the memory of the examiner, Alby – brought to life.

‘Still, this isn’t an illusion.’

This virtual world was, in fact, all too real.

A miracle gifted by the gods to the lower realms: the true value of the Hero Record.

The ability to replicate the trials of heroes.

‘The World of Heroes.’

This power was discovered 3000 years ago, during the day they called the Rebirth of the Catastrophe.

Before that, the Hero Record was merely a record.

Yet, the revelation of its ability to manifest the world of heroes led to the world’s transformation.

Some say this was the true start of the Hero Age, from 3000 years ago.

Through the Hero Record, they could master the trials faced by past heroes, earning a reward: the inheritance of power.

Whether it was an item, a skill, or even the unique abilities a hero once possessed.

By succeeding, one could inherit the power of the world’s protagonist.

‘Unbelievable ability.’

That also described the reason the gods gifted the Hero Record to the lower realms.

‘A system designed to cultivate heroes.’

A force to prevent the destruction of the world, like 5000 years ago.

This was also why the four hero academies, including Lumeran, were special.

The Human Hero Academy Lumeran.

The Elf Hero Academy Seirun.

The Beastman Hero Academy Azonia.

The Dwarf Hero Academy Demian.

Each academy housed the Hero Records of their respective races, and Leo’s goal was to see the Hero Records of the four great hero academies.

A divine miracle that could perfectly reproduce the events of the past.

‘The Hero Record would surely detail what happened to the sealed Erebus or the state of Tartarus after all these years.’

Leo clenched his fists anxiously.

‘First things first, the exam.’

Leo narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings.

Celia, who had been beside him, was nowhere in sight.

It appeared they had been scattered upon entering the World of Heroes.

‘Well, the Forest of Monsters then.’

Although this terrain was real and well-known, it was far from trivial.

The southern continent was dominated by vast deserts.

In the middle of this desert lay the immense Forest of Monsters.

Naturally, neighboring nations coveted this resource. However, the Forest of Monsters remained untapped.

The majority of the creatures residing here were low-tier monsters like imp, goblins, or orcs, with the strongest possibly being a troll.

These monsters were easy enough to conquer if an army was dispatched.

But due to the infinite waves of these monsters, people had abandoned the idea of conquest.

‘The curse of this forest still hasn’t been lifted after all these years, it seems.’

Leo had visited this forest in the past.

It used to be the homeland forest of Luna, a companion of Kyle.

Until 5000 years ago, this was the home of the elves.

But under Silatuna, the Demon Queen of Tartarus, the forest fell under a curse, becoming corrupt.

5000 years ago.

Although Silatuna and her horde were driven away, she was never killed.

The queen’s curse endured for millennia.

Thinking of Luna who had once hoped her descendants would k*ll Silatuna and reclaim their home, Leo gave a bitter laugh.

‘Though the curse’s strength seems to have waned somewhat these days.’

5000 years ago, this forest had been one of the greatest threats on the surface.

An endless parade of abyssal monsters.

An entire army of monstrous creatures originated here.

Compared to those days, this forest now might as well be heaven.

‘Let’s focus on the exam for now. The examiner did say something about freedom, didn’t he?’

Whether one defeats opponents or slay monsters,

everything was left to the discretion of the examinee.

‘But there aren’t many people who’d choose to fight and risk their lives in such a forest, even if it harbored low-level monsters.’

It was unpredictable where and when monsters might appear, and one could easily get caught up in danger within such a situation.

‘Of course, there probably are some brash individuals who don’t care about that.’

Celia was a prime example.

She possessed skills that far exceeded the average among the candidates.

A week ago, Leo had knocked her out with just two strikes.

But that was due to her underestimating him.

If she truly fought to her full potential, she’d be an opponent even the current Leo would find difficult to handle.

‘Even less of a chance against her in a real battle.’

Shrugging his shoulders, Leo drew his sword.

‘Anyway, how about I find Celia right now?’

Collaboration is permissible.

So it would be better to move together.

Deciding that course of action, Leo leaped forward.

BAM!

An arrow of wind struck where Leo had stood a moment ago.

Glancing to the side, there was a familiar-looking girl holding a staff.

It was Chelsea LeWalyn, the younger sister of Abad, with whom Celia had a tense exchange earlier.

“Long time no see.”

“Yeah, but why the sudden attack?”

“We’re competitors, aren’t we? I didn’t expect you’d dodge it though.”

Chelsea shrugged unconcernedly.

“Isn’t it dangerous to reveal yourself in front of a swordsman?”

“I’m good. I’ve taken all precautions.”

Chelsea let out a relaxed smile.

Indeed, she had prepared herself well.

Ranged sickles of wind swirled around her.

Anyone who approached heedlessly would be cut down.

‘This magic didn’t exist in the old days.’

Leo stroked his chin.

If there was one area that had changed drastically compared to the old days, it was magic.

The frameworks of Aura and Summoning spells remained relatively unchanged.

But magic was different.

Magic was as much a discipline of science as it was a display of power.

Every spell had been endlessly researched and refined.

Consequently, the current magic system bore little resemblance to the magical system of the past that Leo was familiar with.

Most of the spells he remembered were now considered ancient magic.

‘Still, the fundamentals haven’t changed though.’

Chelsea eyed the relaxed Leo suspiciously.

“You’re calm even in front of me?”

Chelsea was well beyond the average skill level of the mages taking the Lumeran entrance exam.

She was the type Leo described before, someone who could act recklessly without concern for the situation.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal?”

“The exam values how long one survives, doesn’t it? How about we work together? Don’t you think it would be advantageous for you, the mage, to have a vanguard?”

At those words, Chelsea flashed a smile.

“The suggestion is appreciated, but I’m fine. I’m a Battle Mage, see. I don’t need a vanguard.”

Battle Mage.

Mages who participate in the frontline, not reciting spells from the back.

“Wind Sickle.”

With a short incantation, Chelsea’s eyes gleamed dangerously.

“And I have no desire to cooperate with someone from the Zerdinger family.”

“I’m not really from Zerdinger.”

“Still, you seemed pretty cozy with Celia Zerdinger, didn’t you? So there’s no reason to partner with you. Slice!”

Chelsea stuck her tongue out.

As expected from a family in rivalry, cooperation seemed unlikely.

“Refusing cooperation?”

“Of course.”

Chelsea pointed at Leo with her staff, answering firmly.

That was the signal, as the spell activates.

The sickles of wind shot forward at an incredible speed.

Leo thrust his sword forward.

ZIIIIIIING! BOOM!

The sound of metal grinding together and sparks flying.

‘He blocked it? But there was no use of aura!’

Chelsea readied herself defensively.

‘He seems to have some kind of aura that’s hard to detect! I need to be careful.’

Chelsea assumed Leo had used an aura to block her spell.

But she had no way of knowing the truth: Leo hadn’t blocked her Wind Sickle.

‘Though powerful and visually impressive, it’s a little too predictable.’

Reading the trajectory of the spell, he simply deflected the attack with his sword.

As long as the magic had a physical component and wasn’t overwhelming in power, such counterplay was possible.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as it sounded.

One would need to perfectly read the path of the magical energies.

But for a Great Hero, it wasn’t as challenging.

“Wind Sickle! Wind Arrow!”

WHOOOOOSH!

Gusts of wind surrounded Chelsea.

Her hair billowed as she spoke.

“How about surrendering before it’s too late? Blocking this would be difficult.”

“Your magic has a decent amount of power.”

Leo shrugged nonchalantly.

“But, for a wind magic user, your attacks are a little too predictable.”

Chelsea’s expression soured.

“Are you lecturing me about magic now? To someone from the LeWalyn main family?”

An annoyed Chelsea gave a derisive laugh.

“Hmph. I don’t have time for this anymore. I’ll just eliminate you!”

Swinging her staff, the magic surrounding her was unleashed.

Hurrying wind scythes and arrows charged forward.

Wind magic was one of the most subtle forms of elemental magic visually.

Most people can hardly see the magic.

That was why it was regarded as one of the strongest attack magic types when paired with fire.

However, from Leo’s perspective, the magical winds were as clear as day.

Leo smirked as he tensed his legs.

“Too predictable.”

PSSSSHHH!

Leo disappeared in an instant.

The spells faltered, momentarily losing their targets.

‘He’s fast! Where is he?’

Chelsea quickly cast a mana detection spell.

True to her nature as a Battle Mage, her response was swift.

There was, however, one thing Chelsea hadn’t considered.

Leo didn’t use aura.

Thus, the residual mana from aura that normally lingers around wasn’t present around Leo.

Because of this, Chelsea unconsciously let him get too close.

“Huh?”

Seeing Leo appear right before her, Chelsea rushed to counterattack.

POW!

“Krk?”

Unfortunately, Leo’s punch caught her in the stomach first.

As Chelsea fell unconscious, Leo muttered to himself.

“Well then, let’s persuade her.”

Orcs and such monsters were of no concern.

But Leo lacked the firepower necessary to handle large monsters like trolls.

‘Since a powerful magic user appeared, it would be beneficial to collaborate.’

Leo cut some vines nearby.

CRACK! He tested the strength of the vine,

“Hmm, quite sturdy.”

Satisfied with the resilience of the vine, Leo smiled wickedly as he glanced at the unconscious Chelsea.

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