Chapter 104

Leo pulled a map from his pocket.

After using [The Hero’s Breath], the area around Leo’s left arm was reduced to ashes.

Because of that, the map was also so badly burned it was barely legible.

‘The power is incredible, but I’ll need to control it better, and fast.’

Leo let out a quiet sigh as he walked through the ruins that had long since become a wasteland.

By the time the cheers of his fellow students faded into the distance—

Leo arrived at the lakeshore, tucked away in a corner of the ruins.

He dipped his fingertip into the lake.

Tooonk—!

Ripples spread across the entire lake.

“……”

Rising, Leo used [Aura Step] to walk out to the lake’s center.

Crunch—!

He bit his right thumb and let a drop of blood fall into the water.

A drop of blood infused with Leo’s [Spirit Power] fell into the lake.

But instead of spreading, the drop formed a small circle.

And over that, a complex symbol appeared.

It was the crest of [The Great Spirit of Light, Luminus].

Vmmm—!

With a faint glow, a small orb of light appeared in front of Leo.

Fwoosh—!

Moments later, the orb burst, and a palm-sized, white-haired spirit appeared.

With eyes shimmering like fading light, the spirit blinked, then opened its eyes.

“Long time no see, Luminus.”

When Leo and Luminus locked eyes, Luminus looked troubled.

[Who… are you? How did you wake me?]

“It’s me. Kyle.”

[Kyle? You?]

Luminus stared at Leo.

[This [Spirit Power] really is yours, Kyle.]

Even drained of power and dying, a [Great Spirit] is still a [Great Spirit].

Acknowledging that Leo was Kyle, Luminus asked,

[I don’t know why you look like that, but… Where is Lysinas?]

“Lysinas… is dead.”

At those words, Luminus looked up at the sky.

A blue sky.

To Luminus, who had lived through the Age of Calamity, this was a sky too beautiful to even imagine.

In this era, the sky’s beauty was unremarkable.

But to those who had endured the Age of Calamity, there was nothing more precious.

[That child kept their promise to me.]

Recalling the image of the Oathbound who vowed to restore the world’s light, Luminus spoke.

[Can you tell me what happened while I was asleep?]

How he met his companions, formed a strike force, and finally defeated Erebos after many sacrifices.

Though he couldn’t share every detail, Leo recounted the stories of the great heroes to Luminus.

When Leo finished, Luminus spoke.

[I’m glad I didn’t awaken for 5,000 years.]

“Why?”

[Because I could say this to you.]

The [Great Spirit of Light], once called the most noble spirit, bowed respectfully.

[Thank you for bringing back the world’s light. For fulfilling that child’s wish. For saving the world. Thank you, Kyle.]

Luminus looked up and continued.

[Even if the world forgets you, the fact that you accomplished a great feat will never change. Truly… thank you.]

A gratitude only one who lived through that age could give.

Leo burst out laughing.

“This is the first time anyone’s ever thanked me.”

Luminus smiled radiantly at that.

Then Luminus’s body began to glow faintly.

Having been sealed to prevent her destruction, Luminus now had little time left once the seal was broken.

“Leo! Where are you?”

At that moment, a voice called out for Leo from far away.

[Who are those children?]

“They’re the new seeds of heroes who’ll inherit the next era.”

[I see.]

Luminus gave a gentle smile.

As long as Erebos hadn’t vanished completely—

The seeds of disaster still lingered on this land.

[Will you fight again this time?]

“Of course. I can’t let this peace slip away again.”

At that, Luminus opened her hand.

A necklace adorned with a gem of white light appeared in her palm.

[This is the Light Jewel, passed down by the [Great Spirits of Light]. It was meant for the next [Great Spirit of Light]… but I couldn’t do that. Please, take it.]

“Am I really allowed to have this?”

[Yes. It may not have any special power, but its symbolism is immense. Show this, and you’ll be treated as a [Great Spirit] among the spirits of light.]

In that case, it was an extraordinary item.

[Now, it’s farewell.]

“Yeah.”

[May you have the blessing of light.]

“May you rest in peace.”

At Kyle’s formal farewell, Luminus vanished with a radiant smile.

Leo tucked the necklace away.

Just then, Celia appeared at the lakeshore.

“Leo, what are you doing out here?”

“I had something to take care of.”

“Hurry up and go see Nella—get those wounds treated!”

“Alright.”

—

Not long after the first-years defeated Gigantes, the Lumene rescue team broke the Curse of Severance and entered Neigrang.

There were several more attacks from [Demonic Beasts] during the wait, but fortunately, there were no major dangers, and the first-years were rescued safely.

Afterward, the incident at the Department Competition caused a huge uproar.

Two things became the focus.

Lumene was now under intense scrutiny.

It was clear to everyone that this attack during the Department Competition was orchestrated by Tartarus against Lumene.

Because Lumene’s response was lacking, there was pressure from outside forces.

But what was an even hotter topic was the first-years who defeated Gigantes.

The Gigantes raid was such a feat that it was being called a true accomplishment.

With all eyes now on Lumene—

“Sob, I totally bombed the exam…”

Carr lay sprawled out, crying miserably.

All the first-years were suffering through written exams.

With the Department Competition and exams overlapping, this round was especially difficult.

Of course, not every student felt that way.

“Carr, I had a great time all semester.”

Chelsea smiled warmly and patted Carr’s shoulder.

“You said the same thing during midterms, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. But I don’t think there’ll be a miracle like last time.”

“Ugh, that’s too much…”

For the top students, it didn’t matter what else was happening—they were relaxed.

Watching them, Leo said,

“You worked hard. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Besides, you did great in the Department Competition.”

“Knew I could count on you, Leo!”

After the magic exam, the three of them were chatting as usual when—

“Leo.”

“Assistant Professor Anna. Is something up?”

“Professor Len is looking for you.”

Leo looked puzzled.

“I’ll go, then.”

“Alright, Leo oppa, we’ll go to class first.”

“See you later.”

Chelsea and Carr stood and headed for Class 5’s classroom.

“What does the professor want with me?”

“You can ask him yourself.”

Anna answered with a gentle smile.

Soon after, they reached Professor Len’s office, and Anna knocked before opening the door.

Clack—

Inside, Professor Len was facing a blackboard that covered an entire wall of the office.

The wall was filled with all sorts of complicated magical formulas.

“Oh, you’re here, Leo.”

Len saw Leo and gestured for him to sit.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Alright, then.”

Len sat across from Leo with a mug of richly aromatic coffee.

He used magic to heat his coffee, then spoke earnestly.

“I’ll get right to the point, Leo.”

“Yes.”

“From the second semester, you’ll need to choose your major in the Magic Department.”

“Isn’t it against the rules to force a student to pick a department?”

“Of course.”

Clink—!

Len set down his coffee cup.

“But, Leo! Your talent is just too precious! To use Star Magic and unravel the spells left by the [Founder of the Nebula] at your age! You’re a once-in-a-millennium talent!”

“I still want to attend the Knights and Summoning Department classes. I appreciate the praise, but I’m planning to keep taking all three next semester.”

With that, Leo bowed his head.

“Thank you for your guidance this semester.”

Leaving those words behind, Leo exited Len’s office.

After Leo left, Anna entered with a sigh.

“Told you it wouldn’t work.”

“I suppose I’ll have to prepare all sorts of events to nudge Leo toward magic next semester.”

“Events?”

“I’ll just have to make lectures that no magician could resist. If Leo’s a true magician, he’ll be hooked!”

Anna smiled at Len, burning with enthusiasm.

‘He can be a pain when he goes overboard, but honestly, he’s at his best when he’s fired up about magic.’

“I’m rooting for you, Professor Len.”

“Good, then, Assistant Professor Anna. You’ll stay at the academy with me over the break to prepare for next semester.”

Anna’s eyelid twitched.

“Stay… with you?”

“My most reliable assistant, you’ll stay here at the academy with me during the break to get ready!”

“But I filed for vacation so I could visit my hometown…”

“I already canceled your application!”

“What?! At the start of the semester, you told me to go home for the first time in ages!”

Furious, Anna lunged at Len and grabbed him by the collar.

It was outright insubordination, but Len just laughed heartily.

Once again, Anna had become the victim of Len’s reckless passion.

—

As Kalian looked down at the school from the principal’s office, two professors entered.

It was none other than Professor Harrid and Sedgen.

As Lumene’s senior-most professors, they wielded considerable influence within the academy.

You couldn’t simply remain a Lumene professor because you wanted to.

Only those who passed rigorous annual certification exams could become professors at Lumene.

So, the two who had served so long were the principal’s most trusted.

“Sorry to ask this of you during first-year exam week.”

Kalian entrusted the aftermath of the Department Competition to the two professors.

“It’s fine. There’s less to do than when handling the fourth and fifth years.”

Overseeing the graduating classes of fourth and fifth years certainly required a huge workload.

Compared to that, this year’s assignment to first years left them with plenty of time.

“So, have you narrowed down the list of suspects?”

At the principal’s question, Sedgen placed a sheet of paper on his desk.

Kalian clicked his tongue as he looked it over.

“We’ve identified everyone who was even remotely suspicious.”

“A lot of them are recommended by the board, I see.”

Kalian’s expression grew serious as he glanced at the paper.

“I’ll handle things with them from here.”

“Understood.”

“Harrid, how about your side?”

“All the countries have taken a pretty tough stance.”

As the holder of the [Hero Record], Lumene produces countless heroes.

Right now, there’s a global debate over whether their nations can really trust Lumene with their talents.

Of course, the real reason is a pretext to undermine Lumene’s influence.

Many countries have long resented Lumene’s monopoly on the [Hero Record].

“So?”

“They want us to appoint professors they recommend.”

“They’re hoping to expand their factions’ influence in Lumene by increasing their own professors, I see.”

“Exactly.”

“With all the incidents lately, we’re short on staff anyway, so having some visiting professors might not be a bad idea. Harrid, you handle that.”

“Understood.”

“And one more thing.”

Kalian’s expression turned serious.

“From the second semester, we’ll have to reinstate the vice principal.”