Chapter 138
“Jera. Did you just yell at me? Are you out of your mind?”
Hirkian asked in disbelief.
The small, sharp-eyed male student—likely the one possessed by Haddin—replied coldly.
“Are you the one who’s out of your mind? Who do you think you are, to insult Lady Luna?”
“Hah, unbelievable. Some nobody dares get angry with me? All because I insulted that low-born girl? Are you insane?”
The students around them looked bewildered.
“What’s wrong with that guy?”
“Is he out of his mind or something?”
The Bethron family was the dominant house in Barharloon.
As its heir, Jera usually couldn’t even meet Hirkian’s eyes and lived in fear of him.
That same Jera suddenly shouting in rage at Hirkian left the other students speechless.
Moreover, Hirkian was one of the top students in the class, while Jera was the worst by far.
“This is ridiculous. I’d beat you up right now, but school rules say students can’t duel without the teacher’s permission. You should be grateful Akint is today’s teacher—”
“I permit the duel.”
“…What?”
Hirkian stared at Leo in surprise.
“He clearly wants to duel you, so I see no reason not to allow it.”
“You’re not acting like yourself today, Akint. To allow a duel so easily.”
Satisfied, Hirkian strode confidently to the center of the training ground.
“Come stand before me, Jera. I’ll show you what true status is.”
Jera moved in front of Hirkian.
“He’s got a death wish today.”
“Hirkian! Kick him out of school for good this time!”
Hirkian’s supporters jeered and laughed.
The class’s top student versus the worst. Anyone could guess the outcome.
“How should I deal with you?”
Hirkian sneered coldly as he summoned his magic.
Fwoooom—
A bright, greenish magic flared visibly even to others.
Jera’s face tensed as he saw it.
‘Such overwhelming magic power.’
But Leo wore a bored expression.
‘What a waste of magic.’
For Jera—actually Haddin—Hirkian was an unknown opponent, but to Leo, he wasn’t very threatening.
Though Hirkian would become infamous in the future, right now he was just a rookie.
‘Let’s see what a Seiren third-year representative is capable of.’
Haddin, as Seiren’s third-year representative, had been through countless trials.
‘Someone that experienced isn’t going to lose to a greenhouse flower.’
Students from the Hero Academy often surpassed the heroes of this era.
There was a reason they were called geniuses in every field.
‘Not to mention, this is before the Age of Calamity.’
The High Elves’ downfall came from being lulled by too much peace for too long.
‘Stagnation leads to decay.’
Even though the Age of Heroes that followed was also called an era of peace, it was far from perfect.
Tartarus remained powerful, and war against them had lasted for 5,000 years.
There was always the fear that calamity might return at any time.
Compared to the Age of Heroes, the Age of Gods was like an era of perfect peace.
‘At worst, only wars between races or countries.’
Even those were huge events, but to Leo, who had experienced calamity, they weren’t so threatening.
As Leo mulled this over, Hirkian began chanting.
Jera—Haddin—twitched as he heard the spell.
‘That’s a spell I’ve never heard before. What’s he going to do with all that power?’
Just as Leo guessed, Haddin knew nothing about this era’s magic.
That unfamiliar incantation made him wary.
While Haddin was on guard—
Whoosh!
The spell finished, and a powerful wind whipped up.
Haddin tensed.
Crack-crack-crack-crack!
As he saw the powerful wind magic, Haddin took a deep breath and summoned Aura.
Vmmm—!
The surrounding students’ eyes widened.
“A-Aura?”
“When did Jera learn to use Aura?!”
Cries of shock erupted everywhere.
Leo stroked his chin as he watched.
‘So Jera originally didn’t use Aura. Judging by his clothes, he’s a mage.’
Seiren students, as Luna’s successors, all had to master Star Magic.
‘Actually, all elves strive to learn Star Magic.’
Star Magic was a matter of pride to the elves.
That’s why they were called the race of magic.
But elves only became known as the magic race after Luna, the Founder of the Nebula.
Back in this era, magic wasn’t essential for elves.
They weren’t yet known as the magic race.
‘Dual classes were extremely rare.’
Crack-crack-crack!
A storm burst forth from Haddin’s sword.
Crash!
“Haaa!”
Haddin’s storm blade sliced right through Hirkian’s magic.
Hirkian and the surrounding students stared wide-eyed.
“W-what…!”
Frowning, Haddin looked at the stunned Hirkian.
“You’ve got power, but that’s all.”
Hirkian’s face turned red with rage.
“Wh-what did you say!”
“To think you’d dare mock the Founder with such pathetic skill. Are you even worthy of calling yourself an elf? Ridiculous.”
“What the hell are you saying? Luna, that girl, a Founder? Did you eat something weird today?”
“It looks like you need to be punished.”
Haddin pointed his sword at Hirkian.
“Brace yourself.”
“Wa-wait… kuh!”
Haddin began to pummel him mercilessly.
Haddin unleashed a cold fury on the one who had insulted Luna, the pride of their race.
Just as Haddin had almost beaten Hirkian unconscious—
Whoosh!
Leo quickly stepped between them.
He grabbed Haddin’s wrist.
Grab!
Haddin’s icy gaze turned to Leo.
“Don’t stop me.”
“I’d like to let you hit him more, but…”
Leo whispered just loud enough for Haddin to hear.
“If you go any further, it could interfere with conquering the Hero’s World.”
Haddin’s eyes shot wide open.
“Leo Plov?”
“Yes. I’ll explain what I’ve learned so far, so please listen to me for now.”
Haddin nodded.
Leo let go of his wrist.
“I gave you permission to duel, but you went too far, Jera.”
“I’m sorry.”
At Leo’s angry voice, Jera hung his head.
The surrounding students thought,
‘That guy’s getting expelled for sure.’
Even if it was a proper duel, to put a Bethron to that state—expulsion was inevitable.
“Class is over. Take Hirkian to the infirmary.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Jera. Come with me.”
Leo played the strict teacher, ordering Haddin as if giving a command, and Haddin obeyed.
Class dismissed.
Leo called to the elf who seemed to be the assistant who had fetched him earlier.
“You there.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
“Take me to my room.”
“Your room… do you mean your private study?”
‘A private study? That’s perfect.’
Leo quickly grasped the situation and nodded.
“Yes.”
The male assistant stood at Leo’s side.
“You lead the way.”
“Pardon?”
“I need to discipline Jera.”
“Ah, understood.”
The conversation was a little odd, but the assistant didn’t question it.
After what Jera had just done, any teacher would want a word with him.
The assistant shivered at Leo’s cold voice from behind.
Meanwhile, the other students carried Hirkian away.
Amidst them, a female student stared at Haddin’s back.
Then she stuck out her tongue.
‘Looks like a rat has slipped in.’
She smirked and melted into the crowd.
—
Guided by the assistant, Leo and Haddin reached Akint’s study and were finally able to breathe easy.
Inside, the two exchanged glances, then thoroughly searched the room to make sure they wouldn’t be overheard.
Once certain, they sat comfortably.
Haddin’s murderous intent immediately showed.
“I can’t believe it! Who does that guy think he is, to insult Lady Luna like that? He’s a disgrace to elves!”
Haddin, usually so composed, was now uncharacteristically emotional.
He had been deeply enraged by the insult to Luna, the Founder of the Nebula.
For elves, Luna was a truly special figure.
Besides, he didn’t even know exactly what era they were in.
Leo said,
“Try to understand. It’s just the times.”
“What do you mean?”
“Listen closely. The world we’re in is from before the Age of Calamity.”
Haddin looked at him in disbelief.
“What are you saying? Before the Age of Calamity? There aren’t any records of pre-calamity heroes in the Hero Record.”
Kyle, Lysinas, Luna, Dweno, Arron.
Those five are called the first heroes not just because they ushered in a new age.
They’re the first heroes recorded in the Hero Record—hence the name.
But before the Age of Calamity?
Haddin couldn’t understand.
Leo spoke seriously.
“Yes. But among the heroes recorded in the Hero Record, aren’t there some who lived even before the Age of Calamity?”
Haddin’s face hardened.
“Wait, so you’re saying… this is the world of a Great Hero?”
“Yes.”
“No way…”
“Yes. This is Luna’s world.”
Haddin trembled.
“P-proof that this is the Founder’s world—”
“I just met her, not long ago.”
“What? You met the Founder herself?!”
Haddin’s eyes widened and he rushed up to Leo.
“What did the Founder look like? Was she as beautiful as described in the texts, like a single perfect blossom? She must have been incredibly kind! Did she radiate an aura so beautiful even the stars bowed to her? Ah! To think I could meet Lady Luna myself! What an honor!”
Haddin’s usual cool-headed image was gone, replaced by overwhelming emotion.
Leo thought to himself,
‘He’d probably burst into tears if he saw the real her.’
And not tears of joy, but tears of shattered illusions.
“She wasn’t so much beautiful as… cute?”
“What?”
“I met Luna as a child.”
“…!”
Haddin froze.
“A child…? How young?”
“About Lunia’s age. Maybe even younger.”
“To witness the Founder as a girl…!”
Haddin shuddered with joy.
Leo thought,
‘This elf is a real weirdo.’
If Luna saw this, she’d probably kick him and call him a creep.
Leo shook his head.
“So that’s why the conversation went so sideways.”
Haddin recalled his earlier argument with Hirkian.
“But who is that guy, to insult Luna as a child?”
“I’m sure he has his reasons.”
Leo knew what those reasons were.
All the elves at Barharloon came from good families.
But as far as Leo knew, Luna was an orphan.
And yet, through pure talent, she was admitted to Barharloon and given the chance to become a High Elf.
From her school days, her talent overwhelmed the other elves.
‘Which is why she became a target.’
“Anyway, here’s what I know. First: This is Luna’s world. Second: This is before the Age of Calamity, so Tartarus isn’t around yet.”
Haddin thought this over.
“Then what’s our goal here? It can’t be an ordinary feat, since it’s the Founder’s achievement.”
Leo considered.
‘Luna’s achievement…’
“There are too many to guess.”
“Well, the Founder was an achievement in and of herself.”
Nodding, Haddin said,
“We’ll have to figure out the objective slowly. For now, reuniting with Lunia and Elena is important. And if this is the Age of Calamity…”
He looked down at his palm.
“I’d better avoid using Star Magic. It doesn’t exist in this era, so it would cause chaos.”
With five thousand years between eras, the magic of this age and the present were very different.
But they were still connected, and similarities remained.
You could explain away a slightly unusual spell, but not Star Magic.
‘Star Magic was a system Luna created out of nothing. If people here saw it, all hell would break loose.’
To today’s elves, it’s commonplace, but back then, when Luna first used it, everyone was shocked.
Using Star Magic recklessly could have serious consequences.
Haddin’s experience as a Seiren dungeon raider was obvious here.
‘Wait. Star Magic?’
As he considered it, Leo remembered something.
‘Luna started researching Star Magic when she was still a student.’
He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
Just then—
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the study door.
Leo opened it.
Standing outside were knights with cold expressions.
“Professor Akint. The principal has summoned you.”
“Why is the principal calling me?”
“It’s regarding the incident in your class.”
The elven knights glanced at Haddin.
“The upper management of Barharloon has also ordered the detention of Jera.”
Leo glanced at Haddin.
Haddin sighed deeply and gave a look that said, ‘I’ll go along for now.’
“Take him away.”
Haddin was taken away by the knights.
‘Things are getting complicated.’
Clicking his tongue, Leo followed the knights to meet the principal.
‘Who was Barharloon’s principal again?’
Leo tried to recall old memories.
But even as Kyle, it had been so long ago he could barely remember.
He left the campus, escorted by the knights, and headed for the outskirts of Barharloon.
There, he stopped in front of a certain tower.
Leo had never visited Barharloon even as Kyle.
But the architecture of this tower was familiar.
A tall tower that seemed to reach for the sky.
A design meant to praise great beings.
‘The Tower of the Gods.’
“Please, go in.”
The knights waited at the entrance, not daring to enter.
As Leo approached, the door slid open.
Thunk!
Once inside, the door closed with a heavy sound.
Leo looked around the tower’s interior.
Portraits of various elves lined the walls.
At the center, a staff was on display.
Leo approached it.
A smooth, wood-shaped staff, at the end of which hung a large, pale green gem shaped like a leaf.
‘Polium.’
Luna’s symbol.
No—the symbol of the elves before the Age of Calamity.
And the treasure of the elves, crafted from the original World Tree that shattered with Luna’s death.
A magic staff containing immense power, usable only by the chosen.
As Leo stood before it—
Vmmm—
The staff resonated.
Just then, a voice came from above.
“How curious.”
Leo looked up.
“For so long, even the Elf Kings ignored Polium, but it’s reacting to you.”
A gentle voice.
Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked into the man’s gaze.
The man’s eyes were different from those of a human.
Ring-shaped pupils.
Wise eyes that saw through everything.
‘Right… this is before the Age of Calamity.’
No matter how many times he met those transcendent eyes, Leo could never get used to them.
‘It’s no wonder there are gods here.’