Chapter 238
A Shadow’s duty is something that someone, somewhere, must carry out.
They are the ones who root out traitors from the darkness and protect heroes.
They are one of the pillars upholding the peaceful era the Great Heroes created.
However, ever since the creation of the [Hero Record], Shadows have never been acknowledged by the gods.
“No one really knows what the gods want,”
Leena said flatly.
“But it’s true that many Shadows come to resent their fate in their later years.”
“Are you one of them, Principal?”
“Me?”
She chuckled, sipping her drink.
“I became a Shadow out of personal vengeance. I’ve never cared about having my name recorded in the [Hero Record].”
She shrugged.
“But I do wish that the next generation could be acknowledged by the gods.”
Leena spread her hand.
“I hope that Shadows, too, can live in the light rather than the dark.”
That was why she had enrolled Shadow candidates into the hero program.
Watching her, Leo sighed inwardly.
‘I can more or less guess why Shadows aren’t listed in the [Hero Record].’
As Leena said, it was probably because the gods didn’t recognize their accomplishments.
‘The gods have always done whatever they want.’
During the Age of Calamity, the gods disappeared from the mortal realm.
Banished by Erebos, they never returned to the world, even after the Age of Heroes began.
But they left behind the [Hero Record] for the people of the world, and thanks to the great legacies of the gods, the people praised them.
‘Somewhere along the line, they ended up excessively deified.’
The idea of deifying the gods was laughable to Leo, who had lived through the Age of Gods.
They were transcendent beings, yes, and did wield absolute power.
But they weren’t the wise and noble figures people imagined.
Leo recalled something Dweno had once said.
– ‘Never go near the gods. If one tries to speak to you, your best option is to run as fast as you can.’
Arron had been baffled by that.
– ‘They’re gods. Why treat them like some plague?’
– ‘Because that’s what they are.’
Dweno had clicked his tongue.
– ‘Do you know how many lives were ruined just because they got involved with the gods?’
Then Luna had said,
– ‘But gods are beautiful. Shouldn’t you revere them?’
Dweno had gone dead serious at that.
– ‘Never associate the word “beautiful” with gods. That’s an insult to beauty itself.’
Even Dweno, who called himself an aesthete and worshipped beauty, was repulsed by them.
That was what gods were.
‘Though there are exceptions, like Fibua.’
Leo thought of the elven guardian deity he met in the [Hero Record].
He shook his head.
‘But that’s a very rare case.’
As someone who knew the gods well, Leo figured the real reason Shadows weren’t recognized was simply a matter of divine preference.
But in this era, where people didn’t know the truth about the gods, they assigned sacred meaning to everything the gods did.
‘Maybe that’s why such resentment has built up.’
For the Shadows, it must be infuriating.
Just as Leo let out a silent sigh—
“If the principal’s goal is to get Shadow candidates into the [Hero Record], then I don’t get it even more. Why is Chen Xia withdrawing?”
“Because she’s a princess of the Shan Empire.”
“A princess of Shan?”
Leo blinked in shock. He hadn’t expected her to be royalty.
Leena explained.
“They are the oldest and most traditional of all Shadows. And so, they live their lives entirely in the shadows.”
“What does that have to do with withdrawing?”
“The Shan Empire wants to have their name recorded in the [Hero Record] purely as Shadows.”
Leena scowled.
“Their goal is to be acknowledged by the gods not as heroes, but as Shadows. That’s why they don’t want Chen Xia staying in a hero academy.”
Even if Chen Xia earned a place in the [Hero Record] as a hero candidate, it would be meaningless from Shan’s perspective.
Leo’s eyes narrowed.
Kyle had buried countless traitors in the dark.
He had taken many lives in the process.
He didn’t regret it.
Because if Leo hadn’t done it, his friends would have had to.
Someone had to do it, and he believed he was the most suited.
It was the path he chose.
‘But… is that what Chen Xia wants?’
If she chose the path of a Shadow herself, then Leo wouldn’t interfere.
If she chose to remain in the darkness, that was her decision.
But for the past year, Chen Xia had been one of the most outstanding hero candidates.
A girl who dreamed of becoming a hero.
And now she was suddenly dropping out of Lumene.
‘Is that really her will?’
“I understand you’re worried about your friend. But this is a family matter. You’d do best not to get too involved with the Shan Empire.”
Leena spoke with genuine concern.
To her, Leo was the hope of the world.
‘The hero candidate destined to succeed the Sword Star.’
A raw gem that needed to be polished and shine brightly.
She didn’t want him to be dragged into the darkness of the Shadows before he had a chance to truly shine.
‘This kind of burden should be carried only after you’ve grown more.’
Before being a Shadow, she was the principal of a hero academy—and an adult.
She couldn’t let a hero candidate take on a weight they couldn’t handle by getting involved in Shadow matters.
The world of Shadows was deeper and darker than anyone imagined.
There was nothing good to be gained from knowing it.
But when she saw Leo’s smile, she froze.
A chill ran down Leena’s spine.
In that moment, she saw in Leo’s red eyes a darkness that mirrored her own.
As someone hailed as the greatest of the Shadows, Leena realized Leo was the same kind of person as her.
“…What are you?”
Still smiling, Leo replied,
“I’m the Student Council President of Lumene.”
“…”
“I don’t know what Chen Xia is thinking. But if she’s doing something she doesn’t want to do, I want to stop her.”
“Why?”
“Because Chen Xia is an excellent hero candidate who can lead the future.”
Leo answered calmly.
“Hero or Shadow, it doesn’t matter. I don’t think the [Hero Record] is that important.”
He looked down at his hands.
“Anyone who fights for the world is a hero in my eyes.”
“Even if the gods don’t recognize them?”
“Screw what the gods think. They can shove it. It’s not like they can even come down here anymore.”
Leena’s mouth hung open at the blasphemy.
But Leo and the people of this era had fundamentally different values.
“Why should it matter whether the gods recognize it or not? I say it does. That’s all.”
It was a meaningful statement.
Words from a Great Hero who once saved the world.
But since Leena didn’t know Leo’s true identity, she couldn’t grasp its full meaning.
However, there was one thing she now understood clearly.
‘This boy really doesn’t differentiate between heroes and Shadows.’
Watching a boy who affirmed even those who saw themselves as forsaken by the gods, Leena found herself smiling.
‘Yeah, who cares what the gods think?’
Wasn’t this the path they had chosen to fight Tartarus?
‘I say I don’t care about divine recognition… but clearly, I’m the one most obsessed with it.’
“What do you want to do?”
“I’m going to bring Chen Xia back.”
Leena nodded.
“Alright. Then by the authority of the Principal, I’ll assign you a mission.”
She scribbled on a sheet of paper atop her desk.
“Go to the Shan Empire and meet with the Emperor. Bring Chen Xia back to Lumene. If it’s you speaking, I’m sure she’ll listen.”
She flicked the paper toward Leo.
“Take this letter too. You won’t be able to meet the Emperor just by showing up. Even someone as stubborn as the Shan Emperor won’t ignore a letter from Lumene’s Principal.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll also assign you two students to assist with the mission.”
Leena moved her pen again.
She wrote down two names on the student roster and handed it to Leo.
Then, seeing the names, his eyes widened in surprise.
[Fritz Edgon]
[El Jane]
Familiar names.
They were the first-years he’d met earlier in the Magic Building.
“Edgon and El Jane. They’re Shadow candidates. They haven’t shown their full skills, but they’re among the top ten first-years. And in terms of combat experience, they’re just as seasoned as second-years.”
“Shadow candidates.”
“That’s right.”
Leena smiled faintly.
“They’ll be a big help to you. And I also hope they’ll be influenced by you a little.”
“Influenced?”
“I called them here hoping they’d consider becoming heroes. But all they want is to walk the path of a Shadow.”
She grumbled.
“Maybe seeing you will change their minds a bit. You don’t have to do anything special. Just be yourself.”
Leo nodded.
“Understood.”
“Then I leave it to you, Leo Plov.”
—
That evening.
Leo left the dorm for his mission.
‘One week, huh? Not much time.’
It was a sudden mission, so they likely couldn’t allot a longer period.
‘Still, a week should be enough if it’s just persuading her.’
He waited for his two juniors.
Soon after—
The two students appeared in front of the warp gate.
Fritz, with a stoic face, and Jane, looking slightly grumpy, stood before Leo.
“I’m Fritz Edgon. I’ll be assisting you on this mission, Leo.”
“We already introduced ourselves earlier.”
“I’m aware.”
Fritz replied firmly.
“I’ll gladly give my life for you, Leo.”
“Aghhh~ To think I have to work with a brainless Shadow who grovels at a hero’s feet without a second thought.”
Watching from behind, Jane clutched her head.
Fritz replied,
“As a Shadow, it’s only natural to give one’s life for a hero.”
“Hmph. I’m a Shadow candidate from Shan, okay? Don’t lecture me on how a Shadow should behave.”
Jane scoffed.
Then glared sharply at Leo.
“You’re going to persuade Chen Xia, right? Why do something like that?”
Leo responded,
“Do you also think Chen Xia should live as a Shadow?”
Jane trembled.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Chen Xia is more suited to be a hero than anyone! She’s more noble than anyone! I want her to live as a hero—and I’d die for her too! But… but…”
Jane clenched her lips.
“She gave up on being a hero because of you!”