Chapter 277
That evening.
Leo, having arrived early at the designated meeting place, was pondering what magic to teach Lunia.
‘I can’t just return Erquint to Eiran—I should also teach her [Star Magic].’
Of course, he had no intention of teaching her [Endbringer]. (T/N: I’m gonna use Endbringer instead of the previously translated [Termination]. Sounds cooler lol)
‘Eiran isn’t suited for Endbringer.’
He was planning to teach Lunia another type of [Star Magic] as well.
[Star Magic: Endbringer].
As befitting the magic publicly known to symbolize Luna, it boasted the greatest destructive power among all the spells she used.
‘But the magic that truly symbolized Luna was something else.’
[Star Magic: Stella Radius].
Though it belonged to the [Star Magic] system, it was a spell Luna created solely for herself.
In terms of raw power, [Endbringer] was the strongest. But in versatility, [Stella Radius] far surpassed it.
Because it was optimized to Luna’s own Mana attributes, it could be considered the most “star-like” among all [Star Magic].
What made [Stella Radius] special was this—
It was an [Original Magic] created from another [Original Magic] that was [Star Magic] itself.
It wasn’t merely applying an existing [Original Magic] to create another spell.
‘If an [Original Magic] symbolizes a mage’s magical nature… then [Stella Radius] is a spell that symbolizes the mage themselves.’
Luna wanted to become a great mage who shone like the stars.
[Stella Radius] was born from that wish—imbued with the brilliance of starlight.
And there was another spell like [Stella Radius].
A [Star Magic] spell, yet the only one Luna couldn’t use herself.
‘[Innocent].’
A spell Luna created as Kyle’s [Original Magic].
A spell that symbolized Kyle himself.
Luna redefined this class of spells, like [Stella Radius] and [Innocent], and gave them a new name.
‘[Origin].’
Magic that embodies what one wishes to become—
Or the magic that represents the very essence of a person.
‘And she created several [Origin] spells besides [Stella Radius] and [Innocent].’
None were ever completed.
Luna only constructed their foundational frameworks.
There were no users to inherit them, so they never reached completion.
‘Among them was one created for Velkia.’
Velkia, the shared disciple of Luna, Arron, and Kyle.
She learned magic from Luna.
Martial arts from Arron.
And the techniques of a magic swordsman from Kyle.
Through their teachings, Velkia perfected her own [Original Magic]: [Armor of Animus], which was passed down for thousands of years.
A spell that fused [Mana] and [Aura].
What Leo planned to teach Eiran was the [Origin] magic Luna created for Velkia.
Even Leo could only understand it theoretically and through its formulas—he couldn’t use it himself.
‘Because it was made solely for Velkia.’
The activation requirements were [Stellar Mana], [Fairy Mana], and [Aura].
‘Eiran, as Velkia’s descendant, has the right conditions to learn it.’
Luna’s intention was to pass it on to a student who admired her and wished to follow in her footsteps.
That inheritance failed when all the Great Heroes perished on the final expedition.
But now, Leo was here in this era.
The moment he saw Eiran, he had already decided to pass the spell on to her.
He had a duty to preserve this magic.
Even though the one who made it—Luna—and the one it was meant for—Velkia—were both long gone.
Their descendant, who inherited Velkia’s will, remained.
‘Perhaps passing on that intention, even if belatedly, is part of my role in this second life.’
As Leo recalled Luna and Velkia, a faint smile spread across his lips.
Creak—
The sound of the auditorium door opening echoed.
Turning his head curiously, Leo spotted Eiran peeking through the half-open door with a timid expression.
“Eiran?”
“L-Leo? Y-you’re already here?”
There was still some time left until midnight.
“Yeah. Wanted to get some prep done. What are you doing here so early?”
“I-I also… wanted to… mentally prepare…!”
“Whoa, were you really looking forward to it?”
“N-not looking forward! I-I mean not like that! It’s just, um! That is…!”
Eiran’s ears turned red as she flailed her hands and bowed her head deeply.
“I-I was looking forward to it.”
Seeing her shy to the point it looked like steam might rise from her head, Leo clicked his tongue internally.
‘If Velkia had even half of Eiran’s demeanor, I would’ve doted on her more.’
He shook his head at the memory of the defiant, always-rebellious student who constantly glared at him.
‘She’s not even half as decent as her descendant.’
Still reminiscing about Velkia, Leo beckoned.
“Then let’s begin. Come here.”
At his words, Eiran hesitantly stepped forward.
Watching her, Leo smirked slightly and said,
“Try closing your eyes.”
“M-my eyes…?”
‘I-I’ve seen this in novels. While her eyes are closed, the male lead leans in and k-k-kisses her…!’
The former shut-in recalled a novel and smoothly walked deeper into her misunderstanding.
Flustered, Eiran soon found herself gazing at Leo under the moonlight.
‘L-Leo… he’s become even more dignified… and so manly now.’
Though still youthful in appearance, his aura was solemn.
White hair framing mature red eyes.
Refined and handsome features beneath them.
‘And his lips…’
Feeling oddly stirred, Eiran stared up at him and slowly closed her eyes.
Thump thump—her heart pounded like it was about to explode.
It felt like her senses sharpened—hearing and smell especially.
Rustle—rustle—
She heard something being taken out from fabric.
The sound made Leo’s scent seem even more vivid.
Step—
She could feel him approaching.
Grab.
“……!”
When Leo took her wrist, Eiran felt a shock like lightning surged through her entire body.
He brought her hand forward and placed something in it.
Erquint.
“Alright. Open your eyes now.”
Eiran opened her eyes in a daze.
“It’s a gift.”
When she saw the sword in her hand, her wide eyes blinked in astonishment.
“From now on, I’m going to teach you [Star Magic].”
Eiran trembled silently at Leo’s words.
She had just realized how ridiculous her delusions had been.
Leo’s “tutoring” wasn’t anything secretive or romantic—it was truly, actually tutoring.
Overcome with embarrassment, she crouched down and buried her face in her knees.
Leo looked down at her and murmured,
‘Looks like she imagined something strange again.’
Knowing how dangerous it would be to say anything to this innocent yet overly imaginative elf girl, Leo decided to let it go.
* * *
Having just barely recovered, Eiran forced on the brightest smile she could.
“T-to learn [Star Magic] from you, Leo… it’s truly an honor!”
Leo watched her overly excited reaction for a moment before speaking.
“Look closely at the sword I gave you.”
Eiran examined the oddly shaped sword once more.
“T-this is… Erquint?”
Seeing the blade that looked identical to the one used by her family’s founder, Eiran was astonished.
The Ersars had their own version of Erquint passed down through generations.
But it was only a replica—an ancient relic acquired as a reward after conquering the [Hero’s World].
When a [Hero Weapon]’s user dies, the weapon loses its power, rendering it a mere shell.
“That one’s the real thing.”
Leo’s words shocked her even more.
“B-but… I heard Lady Velkia lost Erquint during the Age of Calamity?”
“Yeah. But it turns out the Imperial Family of the Shan Empire was keeping it.”
Leo pulled a nearby chair and sat down.
“And apparently, the founder of Shan was also a disciple of the Great Heroes—just like Velkia.”
“What?!”
Eiran’s eyes widened.
It was a little-known truth, but Leo decided to share it with her.
‘Eiran knows how to keep a secret.’
He’d already told Chen Xia that he intended to give Erquint to Eiran and explain its origin.
Chen Xia hadn’t responded emotionally to the news.
‘Yes. Do as you see fit, Young Master Leo.’
‘You’re okay giving away something the Shan Empire safeguarded for thousands of years… to a different family—and even another race?’
‘Young Master Leo, you’re a benefactor to Shan and to me. I’ve already sworn to dedicate my life to you. Please use Shan and me however you see fit.’
“Looks like the founder of Shan found the sword Velkia lost.”
“I-I see…”
Eiran looked down at the Erquint in her hands, her eyes trembling.
An immense magical power radiated from it.
As Velkia’s descendant, she felt it instinctively.
That this sword was the real thing.
“This is… our founder’s blade…”
Watching her gaze at Erquint in awe, Leo said,
“Alright, you should probably learn how to use that sword first.”
“How to use it?”
“Yeah. Let me see it for a sec.”
Eiran handed Erquint back to Leo.
Taking the blade, Leo infused it with Mana.
Vmmm—!
The sword began to emit a humming sound.
Zzzing—!
A silvery blade of light extended from Erquint, forming a longsword-sized weapon.
Eiran stared in awe.
‘It’s exactly like what the records described!’
Seeing the true form of the [Hero Weapon] her revered ancestor had once wielded, Eiran was deeply moved.
Leo handed the sword back to her.
“Alright, try it.”
Holding Erquint in both hands, Eiran recalled how Leo had used his Mana.
She did exactly as he did and infused it with Mana.
Zzzing—!
A silver blade of light extended again.
“Leo! I did it!”
Beaming, Eiran looked to Leo, who smiled faintly in return.
“Good job. Now let’s move on to magic.”
“Yes!”
Leo opened his hand.
“This spell might be something only your family can learn.”
“Only our family?”
Eiran blinked her big eyes and tilted her head.
“Yeah.”
A magical formula rose above Leo’s palm.
Eiran’s eyes widened.
She instinctively understood.
This was…
‘A spell related to the Ersar family.’
But not just any spell.
‘It’s just like [Armor of Animus].’
“D-did you create this spell, Leo?”
Leo shook his head.
“No. This was probably created by Luna—the Founder of the Nebula.”
“W-what?”
“I found it in an old ancient document from the Shan Empire.”
Eiran’s mouth fell open.
A spell Luna, the Founder of the Nebula, had left behind for her disciple Velkia.
It was created during the final expedition, to support the hopes of a little girl who longed to follow in the heroes’ footsteps.
Luna’s final masterpiece.
“[Sword of Animus].”
Leo looked directly at Eiran.
“It’s the last spell the Founder of the Nebula left behind… for your founder.”