Chapter 350

               

At the highest point of Seiren.

In the Star Plaza overlooking the entire academy, elves were conversing in troubled voices.

“How do you intend to take responsibility for this?”

Reber, the supervisor of the second years, cast a cold glare toward the teachers in charge of the first-year advanced classes.

At the very front, Geras, the homeroom teacher of Advanced Class 1, stood pale-faced with his head bowed.

“All of the advanced students lost to the lower class! How did your teaching result in something like this?!”

At Reber’s furious outburst, Geras spoke in a trembling voice.

“I-I only began teaching Advanced Class 1 midway through the term, so…”

“You call that an excuse? Weren’t you teaching Advanced Class 2 before this?”

Reber’s neck tightened as his veins bulged, and Geras went completely pale.

“At a time when so many fools still question our noble cause, you dare show such disgrace!”

“Reber, please calm down.”

Orlen adjusted his glasses.

“It’s true we must determine who’s responsible. The reputation of the Pureblood Council has been damaged. But before that.”

Orlen turned his cold eyes toward the first-year teachers.

“Shouldn’t we first investigate what happened within the lower class?”

Everyone turned their gaze toward Orlen.

“Isn’t it strange? Those students who supposedly lacked talent for Star Magic suddenly displayed that level of power. There must have been foul play involved. After all, among the first-year lower class was Lumene’s Leo Plov.”

At those words, Reber stroked his chin.

“It’s true. That cunning boy could very well have pulled some underhanded trick. But we can’t simply interrogate him, Orlen. After all, he’s Lumene’s student council president.”

Orlen smirked at Reber’s displeased expression.

“We can’t interrogate Leo Plov, that’s true. But we can question the one who oversaw the lower class—Professor Laura.”

“We’ll have to prepare a hearing for Professor Laura.”

At Reber’s cold voice, Orlen smiled faintly.

Step, step—

Acting Principal Luhagen appeared in the Star Plaza.

The teachers who were seated rose from their chairs.

“Luhagen, we were discussing measures regarding this incident. On the agenda—”

“I’ve already received the report. You may all leave.”

“…Pardon?”

The sudden statement left the teachers bewildered.

“Did you not hear me?”

At the icy tone, they hesitated, then quietly left the plaza.

Left alone, Luhagen let out a deep sigh.

He turned his head toward the empty air and spoke.

“Would you care to explain what happened?”

A crimson glow flickered in the air.

The ominous light formed a square, and within it appeared the image of a man.

[What are you talking about, my dear Luhagen?]

“Don’t feign ignorance. You think I wouldn’t know your vile tricks?”

Luhagen glared with fury at the man beyond the magic circle—Hell Kaiser. (T/N: SEEEEE!! I told you!!)

“You intended to summon darkness into Seiren once again, didn’t you?!”

[You misunderstand.]

Hell Kaiser let out a laugh.

[It’s true that I lent you my power to help your precious seedlings of Seiren shine brighter, Luhagen. But my power sometimes acts beyond my control. The summoning of the Skeleton King was one such instance—it was not my will.]

“I find that hard to believe.”

[Whether you believe it or not is up to you. But surely you don’t think a mere Skeleton King could threaten Seiren?]

“That’s true enough,” Luhagen muttered, though his irritation didn’t fade.

Hell Kaiser’s expression shifted from amusement to seriousness.

[Before that, we need to discuss our arrangement.]

“Hrmm.”

At his words, Luhagen cleared his throat.

[Luhagen, I did indeed give you the key to summoning the Fairy King.]

Hell Kaiser’s narrowed eyes gleamed.

[The Comet Mage was, though not publicly known, a contract-bearer of the Fairy King. I told you that the key to rekindling the elves’ long-cherished covenant with the Fairy King lies in the Comet Mage’s legacy, Cometes, and his bloodline.]

“And didn’t Lea Tingel successfully summon the Fairy King?”

[That wasn’t a summoning, my dear Luhagen.]

“Hah! Even with my support, she failed. What am I supposed to do if the summoner lacks aptitude?”

Hell Kaiser chuckled at Luhagen’s frustration.

[Time is infinite for me, Luhagen. You’re the one running out of it.]

“Kh.”

[Five thousand years ago, the Fairy King fought beside the Founder of the Nebula to vanquish Erebos. If the Fairy King still exists, he must know the whereabouts of Erebos’s fragments. Find them and destroy them. In return, I’ll give you the remains of the Comet Mage. Don’t forget our deal.]

Luhagen glared sharply.

“You truly have the remains of Lady Seiren, don’t you?”

[Indeed. I was the one who collected the bodies of the great heroes who perished in the battle against Erebos. With your necromancy, you may well be able to summon Seiren back to the present world.]

“If her remains are even slightly damaged, I’ll tear you apart where you stand, Death King.”

[There’s no need for concern, my dear Luhagen.]

Hell Kaiser laughed.

[Then I’ll be waiting for good news.]

Before the transmission ended, Luhagen sneered.

“So, the self-proclaimed ruler of Tartarus now seeks to betray and kill his own master. Demons truly have no sense of loyalty.”

[I am a demon, after all. You elves may see inheriting the will of the Founder of the Nebula and the Comet Mage as a sacred duty, but to a demon, following a master who was defeated long ago is nothing but foolishness. Your insult sounds more like a compliment to me.]

Hell Kaiser laughed loudly before fading away.

Luhagen scoffed at the dissipating light.

‘When I become a great hero, I’ll be sure to destroy you myself.’

—

“Even in an age without gods, fanaticism blinds men’s eyes.”

At the words of Archduke of Mourning, Artkan, Hell Kaiser leaned back upon his throne of corpses.

“That’s not fanaticism,” Hell Kaiser replied flatly.

“How could those who know nothing of gods understand devotion? It’s nothing more than obsession and greed.”

“Either way, it benefits us, doesn’t it?”

At his subordinate’s words, Hell Kaiser rested his chin on one hand, lost in thought.

“What troubles you, my lord?”

“There are those who drag the world toward ruin with greed, and others who defy the will of the divine out of foolishness.”

Annoyance tinged his voice, and Artkan stiffened.

“Those eyes.”

Hell Kaiser’s brow furrowed as he recalled Leo.

“They resemble theirs.”

The ones who had slain the gods.

And Leo Plov was an All-Class, just like the Hero of the Beginning.
He possessed abnormal power for his age.

“It’s best to cut down a seed before it grows.”

Hell Kaiser’s lips curled upward.
Artkan bowed deeply.

“Your will shall be done.”

—

The lower-class students glanced at one another nervously.

Leo looked around at them and said,

“Why the long faces? That was the best exam you’ve ever had—you should be enjoying yourselves.”

They were holding a celebration party in the lower-class classroom.

Normally it would have been noisy and cheerful, but everyone seemed hesitant under Leo’s gaze.

“Um… not Lyle—Sir. Leo Plov, the student council president of Lumene. Thank you for guiding us. It’s just… um…”

Anri trailed off awkwardly, shrinking back.
Leo clicked his tongue.

“You’re acting like I’m someone important. I’m just a student council president from another school.”

“Still… even if you’re from another school, you’re technically our senior… and a student council president.”

“We didn’t offend you or anything, did we?”

As the lower-class students nervously asked, Leo let out a short laugh.

Clack—!

The classroom door opened.

“Hey, everyone!”

Eclere entered with a bright smile.

But when she saw the nervous lower-class students watching Leo, she blinked in confusion.

“What are you doing out here? Go inside!”

Lea followed her in.

“Lea Tingel? What brings you here?”

“I heard there was a celebration party. I came to congratulate you.”

Lea smiled warmly.

Anri smiled back.
“Thanks.”

“I’m not the only one who came to celebrate.”

“What?”

“What’s with this gloomy mood? You’re today’s stars!”

“Why isn’t anyone having fun?”

Aris and her brother appeared behind her.

“Taina twins-seniors?”

The lower-class students widened their eyes in surprise.

And not just them—soon, several famous second-year seniors entered behind them.

“Lunia and Eiran too?!”

The first-years looked stunned.

Finally, Herdeum and Laura appeared.

“First-years, as a teacher of Seiren, I owe you an apology.”

Herdeum bowed his head.

“We knew you were being discriminated against, yet we couldn’t do anything. And despite that, you achieved something incredible. Your success will bring great change to Seiren. Truly… I’m proud of all of you.”

Anri waved his hands awkwardly.

“N-No, it’s all thanks to Professor Laura and… the student council president from Lumene.”

“If you’re going to keep calling me that so stiffly, just call me senior.”

Leo sighed, and Anri’s face reddened slightly.

“T-Then… senior it is.”

Herdeum smiled.

“Leo, we truly owe you. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay this debt.”

“I didn’t do anything. The kids earned it themselves.”

Leo smiled.

“Alright, enough with the thanks. Let’s celebrate!”

“That’s right! Everyone, enjoy yourselves!”

Garin and Aris beamed as they spoke.

Lunia and Eiran had already heard about the lower-class situation.
Having both once been lower-class students themselves in their first semester, they were proud of their juniors’ success despite the odds.

Thanks to their seniors’ congratulations, the heavy atmosphere began to lift.

Soon, the second-year Seiren students gathered around Leo.

“What a shame. Since you’re here as an exchange student, it would’ve been nice if we could study together.”

Garin clicked his tongue.

“By the way, you’re human—how do you handle Star Magic so well? Is there some secret?”

“I just studied hard.”

Leo took a sip of his drink.
Aris rolled her eyes.

“There it is, his classic honor-student answer—‘I studied hard.’”

“But you must’ve had an amazing teacher, right?”

‘Luna wasn’t exactly what I’d call an amazing teacher.’

Leo recalled his days learning Star Magic.

‘No, why can’t you do it right?’

He let out a faint laugh at the memory.

“How long are you staying at Seiren?”

Lunia asked curiously.

“Until the academic symposium.”

—

In the underground chamber beneath the Hall of the Comet,
the retrieved Hero Record of Seiren was stored under heavy secrecy.

Fwoosh—

A black flame flickered for a brief moment.

It struggled as if trying to break free.

Then, as if drawn back in, the black flame vanished into the Hero Record once more.

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