Chapter 122
[Five thousand years have passed? And reincarnation?]
“That’s right.”
Leo nodded as he watched Elci’s confused expression.
[W-wait a moment. Let me organize my thoughts. So, it’s five thousand years after my era, Erebos has been defeated, and you’re the reincarnation of ‘the Surviving Hero’ Kyle?]
“That’s right.”
[Then how did I cross five thousand years to arrive here?]
“In this era, there’s something called the Hero Record.”
[Hero Record?]
“It’s an artifact that records the deeds of those who have accomplished feats acknowledged by the gods.”
Leo explained the Hero Record to Elci.
[Then does that mean the present world is full of spirits and phantom beasts from the past?]
“Not really. As far as I know, there’s never been another spirit in the Hero Record who crossed over into reality like you did.”
After hearing the explanation, Elci looked out the window again.
There was no ominous red moon anywhere in sight.
Only the white moon she’d heard of in stories, and a sky full of beautiful starlight.
It was truly the night sky she had always dreamed of.
[After seeing this, I can’t help but believe you.]
With eyes full of the night’s starlight, Elci turned to Leo.
[Then this must be an era of peace.]
“Yes. But it can’t be called an age of complete peace.”
[Why not?]
“I did defeat Erebos, but he hasn’t vanished entirely. And Tartarus is still intact.”
[I see.]
“That’s why I intend to defeat them.”
[Then I’ll help you too.]
Elci declared resolutely.
[If this is real, then it must be my fate to be with you.]
Elci also understood that she was now bound to Leo.
[I can’t allow such a dreadful era to return. I’ll do everything I can to help you.]
“Alright.”
[Then, I’ll be counting on you again, Kyle. No, Leo Plov.]
“Yeah. I’ll be counting on you too, Elci.”
—
After returning from Azonia, Leo enjoyed a leisurely break.
Chelsea got along not only with Leo, but also with Reina.
Having grown closer to Reina, Chelsea listened with great interest to stories from Reina’s school days.
“So, you were the Empress of Basthera, Reina?”
It was a sport still commonly played in combat classes.
Hearing the stories of Reina’s exploits in Basthera, Chelsea was amazed.
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
At breakfast, Deid smiled as he watched the two enjoy their conversation.
“Your mother gets along well with your friend.”
“She sure does.”
Recently, Chelsea had become the sole recipient of Reina’s affection.
“By the way, Leo. Isn’t today the day your homeroom professor visits?”
“Yes.”
“Is it alright if we don’t prepare a welcoming party or anything?”
Deid asked with a worried face.
A professor from Lumene was highly respected in any country.
Not to mention, Professor Harrid was a famous professor known to all.
With someone like that visiting, Deid couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous with nothing prepared.
“Professor Harrid actually dislikes when things are prepared for him.”
“That’s right, Deid. Professor Harrid doesn’t like that kind of formality.”
“When he visited our home, we only served him tea.”
Reina agreed with Leo, and Chelsea chimed in as well.
At their words, Deid looked a bit relieved.
So the morning ended, and Leo, Deid, and Reina waited for Harrid’s visit.
When the attendant announced Harrid’s arrival, Deid looked slightly tense.
A moment later, the door of the Plov mansion opened and Professor Harrid and Assistant Professor Sena entered.
Deid stepped forward.
“Welcome, Professor Harrid. We’re honored to have you visit our home.”
“Thank you for having me, Marquis Plov.”
Harrid greeted politely.
As a parent and a teacher meeting, both were very formal.
“This is my wife.”
At Deid’s introduction, Harrid turned his head.
Upon seeing Reina waving cheerfully, he made a strange face.
“It’s been a while, Professor Harrid. You’ve gotten a lot more wrinkles, haven’t you?”
“What are you doing here, Reina Zerdinger?”
“I’m Reina Plov now, actually.”
Seeing Reina’s bright smile, Harrid let out a deep sigh.
He had a strong feeling this was going to be a tiring visit.
“Why is Chelsea Lewellin here as well?”
“Yes! I came to visit Leo during summer vacation.”
Chelsea answered crisply.
Chelsea was one of the few students in class who got scolded less by Harrid, but she was still afraid of him.
In fact, Leo was the only first-year student who could act nonchalant in front of Harrid.
Actually, Leo was probably the only one in the entire grade.
Thus began the home visit in the living room.
Harrid, seated before Leo, Reina, and Deid, spoke to Sena, who stood beside him.
“The documents.”
“Here they are.”
Harrid handed documents about Leo to Deid and Reina.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Your son is extremely talented.”
Harrid continued in his usual emotionless voice.
“In the Knights Department, Magic Department, and Summoning Department, he maintains top grades in all three. He gets along well with those around him. In fact, his leadership skills are outstanding.”
“Oh my.”
Reina admired him and gently patted her son’s head, while attentively reading Harrid’s assessment of Leo.
“There are no clear weaknesses. However, as a teacher, there are three things I’m concerned about. First, the amount of Aura, Magic Power, and Spirit Power he possesses. While he can unleash explosive power and has grown compared to the start of the semester, Leo is still relatively weak in prolonged battles.”
“Hmm.”
Deid nodded.
“Second, his field of study. While he is currently excelling in every area, it’s uncertain how long that can last. Of course, it would be best if he continues to excel in all areas, but if not, I recommend he choose a primary class to focus on.”
Harrid glanced at Reina.
“I’m sure Reina, as his mother, will handle that part well.”
Reina smiled softly.
“Third, this is just my personal opinion.”
Harrid let out a slight sigh.
“Leo faces danger far too willingly.”
“What do you mean by that?”
To Deid’s question, Harrid answered seriously.
“I mean exactly that. The feats Leo Plov accomplished during the first semester are astounding. It’s not just that he’s an All-Class student. Even throughout Lumene’s history, there have been few first-years who displayed such overwhelming talent. A fifteen-year-old boy has achieved deeds comparable to those of heroes.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
Deid looked puzzled.
Reina answered in his stead.
“It’s not entirely good, Deid.”
Reina looked at Leo with serious eyes.
“To accomplish great deeds means to risk your life.”
The Chubarn subjugation.
The Skeleton King subjugation.
The Gigantes subjugation.
Astonishing feats no one would believe a first-year had accomplished.
They were glamorous on the surface, but it meant Leo risked his life every time.
“I never said anything, but… I worry a lot.”
Deid looked grave, and Reina looked at Leo with strict eyes.
“There’s a saying at Lumene: ‘Don’t face trials recklessly.’”
In order to become a hero, one must go through trials.
But trials always come with death.
The Hero Academy is meant to raise heroes, but it doesn’t recklessly throw students into danger.
Having graduated from Lumene, Reina knew all too well how dangerous the path Leo had taken was.
“Leo. Can I ask why you’re pushing yourself so hard?”
“I’m sorry for making you worry. But I didn’t push myself on purpose. I just couldn’t avoid it.”
Leo spoke calmly.
“It’s true you shouldn’t face trials recklessly… but if you aim to be a hero, facing trials is inevitable.”
At that, Reina let out a deep sigh and covered her face.
She, too, once dreamed of becoming a hero.
So she couldn’t refute Leo’s words.
Harrid also let out a deep sigh as he looked at Leo.
In truth, Leo had hardly ever acted recklessly.
Except for the school trip, he had usually only faced trials because there was no other choice.
‘Leo really is different from the other students.’
All Lumene students aspired to become heroes.
That’s why they enrolled in the Hero Academy.
But from Harrid’s perspective, Leo wasn’t driven by admiration for heroes.
‘He just has something he wants to accomplish.’
He recalled Leo’s words from the start of the semester.
‘My goal is the complete destruction of Erebos.’
At the time, he thought it was just a lofty ambition.
But…
‘Maybe he really does mean to achieve it.’
With chills running down his spine, Harrid spoke.
“At Lumene, we’ll do everything we can to help students achieve what they desire. Even though there are some concerns, Leo is without a doubt the best student I’ve ever taught. So, in the second semester, I’ll do my utmost so you two have less to worry about.”
Harrid bowed his head sincerely.
Sena beside him also bowed.
If a student dreams of becoming a hero, you can’t stop them.
That would go against the Hero Academy’s purpose.
But they spared no effort to support students so they wouldn’t lose their lives.
“Thank you very much.”
“Me too, Professor Harrid.”
Deid and Reina also bowed respectfully.
They had prepared themselves for the possibility that their son might face danger as a Lumene student.
There was no stopping it now.
After the home visit ended, Reina spoke.
“By the way, Assistant Professor Sena, is it alright working under Professor Harrid?”
“Yes. He’s scary, but he treats me well.”
“Fufufu. Shall I tell you a weakness of Professor Harrid?”
“Huh?”
“When Professor Harrid first became my homeroom teacher…”
“Reina Zerdinger. If you don’t want to stand in the hallway, I suggest you stay quiet.”
“I’m not a student anymore, you know? And do you know how old I am to get that kind of punishment!”
Harrid gave her a cold look as Reina protested.
Watching this, Leo shook his head and Sena’s mouth dropped open.
It was the first time anyone had ever argued with Harrid like that.
Chelsea, watching from outside the living room, was impressed.
‘Wow. No one will believe this story if I tell the others.’
Chelsea was delighted by the amusing scene.
—
After the home visit, vacation passed by.
Leo opened a letter from the northern region.
It was a letter from Lunia and Eiran, students from Seiren.
‘Hey, you heartless guy! Not even a single letter? Anyway! How are you? You’re not slacking off, are you?’
‘Leo, are you doing well? I’m studying hard every day so I can become an exchange student at Lumene.’
“They seem to be doing well.”
Leo smiled as he wrote replies to both of them and looked out the window.
Only a week of vacation remained.
‘I’ll be heading back to Lumeria City the day after tomorrow.’
Looking forward to the second semester, Leo smiled.