Chapter 352
“Pfft?!”
Assistant Professor Anna, who had been drinking warm tea to heat herself after arriving at the lodging, suddenly spit it out.
Just hearing how Leo had been treated in Seiren had already filled her with intense fury.
How dare they treat Lumene’s Student Council President like that?
But the words that followed made Anna question her own ears.
“You taught… Seiren students something?”
“I taught them [Introduction to Star Magic].”
– [Introduction to Star Magic], at the conference.
And not just anywhere—at Seiren, the very heart of Elven magic. Even the mere announcement of it had already riled up every stubborn Elf magician.
And now what?
‘He taught [Introduction to Star Magic] to Seiren students?’
In Anna’s ears, she almost heard Len’s irritating voice like a hallucination.
‘Bravo! Bravo, Leo! You truly are a real magician! Such boldness! Such drive! Such experimental spirit! Those are the true virtues of a magician! Bravo! Bravo! My chest swells with pride at your greatness!’
A vein throbbed on Anna’s forehead.
‘Calm down. Calm down.’
She took a deep breath.
As his co-author, this situation was admittedly very intriguing.
Lumene’s 2nd-year class had already proven that [Introduction to Star Magic] worked as an entryway to Star Magic.
If it were taught to a different race…
Even more so, to Elves—whose innate magic was Star Magic—what kind of effects would appear?
As a magician to her bones, Anna was undeniably curious.
But this was the Magic Conference.
And the stubborn Elf magicians were eagerly waiting for any excuse to tear her presentation apart.
If word got out that Leo had taught Seiren students the forbidden text [Introduction to Star Magic]…
‘…A disaster is guaranteed.’
Anna’s eyelid twitched.
The diplomatic fallout alone would be unimaginable.
“…How many did you teach?”
Leo held up both hands, showing his ten fingers.
Anna let out a sigh of relief.
“Ten. Thankfully that’s not too many. At least it won’t be discovered immediately.”
This absolutely could not be exposed before the conference ended.
As a Lumene Assistant Professor, she could not withstand the consequences.
“We need to finish the conference safely and return to Lumene to discuss how to respond…”
“Nope.”
Leo smiled.
“It’s a hundred.”
Anna’s face trembled.
“…When do you think it’ll be discovered?”
“Definitely during the conference.”
“I should have told Professor Len to come instead.”
Anna covered her face with both hands and sobbed.
Leo patted her back.
“It’s okay. I’ll handle it somehow.”
Even while crying, Anna maintained her sense of responsibility, and Leo said:
“Assistant Professor Anna, here’s an analysis of the Seiren 1st-year students’ magic progress. It should help you.”
Anna instantly stopped crying.
‘Oops.’
When she lowered her hands, Leo stepped back with an innocent expression.
She already had a headache, and he had the nerve to add more work. It was natural for her expression to darken.
If the one standing before her had been Len instead of Leo…
She might have tried to strangle him without a second thought.
Leo gave her a cute smile and pumped his fist.
“Good luck, Professor.”
Then he quickly fled from the room.
Anna let out a hollow laugh.
‘Even if he’s the greatest honor student in Lumene’s history, he’s still a kid. His behavior is sly, though.’
She shook her head and reached for the documents Leo left behind.
Flip—
Anna’s eyes widened.
‘This… is far more impressive than I imagined.’
—
Step, step—
Returning to the lodging, Leo murmured to himself.
‘Someone’s following.’
In the silent corridor, something hidden in the darkness pursued him.
‘An Elf.’
Judging from the presence, it was definitely an Elf.
Leo ignored the tail and returned to his room.
Tap—!
Once he went inside—
Creak—
A hooded figure reached for his doorknob.
“I don’t think I’ve offended anyone enough to be chased like this.”
At the sudden voice behind them, the hooded figure lunged instantly.
Tak—!
Leo snatched the wrist midair and twisted the arm.
With his other hand, he covered the intruder’s mouth, dragged them inside, and shut the door with his back.
Clack.
It had all happened in a fraction of a second.
With the intruder subdued, Leo leaned against the door.
“If you stay quiet, I’ll let you go.”
The intruder nodded.
When Leo released her, she stepped forward, turned around—
And revealed herself.
Blue eyes glimmered beneath the hood.
Her blue hair fell like flowing water.
Her features were the signature beauty of an Elf.
But her aura was distinctly different.
‘A half-elf.’
The graceful young woman straightened her clothing, then knelt before Leo.
She bowed deeply.
“It is an honor to meet you, Leo Plov. I am Anyas Vegs, daughter of the Northern Tower Master.”
“The daughter of the Northern Tower Master?”
Leo blinked.
“Why were you following me? And why are you being so extremely formal?”
He had released her so easily for one reason:
Even though she’d silently tailed him, she didn’t emit any killing intent.
Suspicious, yes—but threatening, no.
Her identity was unexpected, but her behavior was even stranger.
A Tower Master.
The Tower Masters were the greatest magicians of each region.
They were among the strongest of the age, with many recorded in the Hero Record as Heroes.
Their authority rivaled that of kings.
Even if Leo was Lumene’s Student Council President and recognized as a direct Zerdinger descendant, the daughter of a Tower Master was no less prestigious.
Moreover, she had Elven blood.
Her excessively respectful behavior was puzzling.
Anyas answered.
“It is only natural to show respect to the Master of Shan.”
Leo’s expression turned blank.
“Why would I be the Master of Shan? That’s the Emperor of Shan.”
“I must have offended you. But there’s no need to hide it. Emperor Shau recently summoned the Shadow Lords and revealed the existence of [The Shadow Codex] and its master, Leo Plov.”
The Shadow Lords.
Chen Xia had mentioned them once.
Shan, as the nation of shadows, had supported the shadows worldwide for countless years.
But Shan did not control all shadows.
There were traitors in every race.
Elves, Beastkin, and Dwarves each had their own leaders of shadows.
‘And they called them Shadow Lords, if I remember.’
“The heroic feats of the Great Hero Kyle, recorded in [The Shadow Codex], have been shared with all Shadow Lords.”
“So you’re a Shadow Lord?”
“My father, Algren Vegs, is the Shadow Lord. I am his successor.”
“It’s true I found the Shadow Codex in Shan and that I’m an All-Class just like the Hero of Beginnings Kyle. But why does that make you treat me like this?”
Anyas lifted her head.
“Because you saved all the world’s shadows.”
Where there is light, there are shadows.
For five thousand years, shadows resolved the darkness that Heroes could not.
They were pillars that built and maintained the peaceful era.
And yet, because they could not enter the Hero Record, they were despised.
[The Shadow Codex] had saved those shadows.
“Of course, some Shadow Lords doubted your ability. I was one of them… until just moments ago.”
Anyas gazed up at Leo.
“You are both a Hero and a Shadow.”
Darkness was the domain of shadows.
In that darkness, Leo subdued Anyas with ease.
Had he wished, she would have died immediately.
“You are the successor of the Great Hero of Beginnings!”
‘Her eyes are crazy.’
Her voice was calm, but her eyes gleamed with ecstasy and longing.
Leo knew those eyes well.
They were the same eyes as Elves who worshipped Luna too much.
‘Seriously, is obsessive worship some kind of Elf racial trait?’
Leo clicked his tongue.
‘So Emperor Shau revealed the Shadow Codex, my identity, and the fact that he offered the Shan Empire to me to the Shadow Lords.’
Emperor Shau wasn’t the type to joke.
Leo grimaced.
‘I basically became the master of a massive empire overnight.’
Letting out a hollow laugh, Leo asked:
“You followed me to test my abilities?”
“Yes. I committed grave discourtesy.”
As she bowed again, Leo sighed.
“Alright, I get it. But can you sit normally now?”
Anyas rose and sat where Leo indicated.
Her back was straight as she faced him.
Leo asked:
“Just one thing: is the Northern Tower connected to the shadows?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then are you attending the Magic Conference as a Tower member? Or as a shadow?”
“Both.”
“The Pureblood Society, then.”
Leo sighed, and Anyas admired him.
“Your insight is incredible.”
She then grew solemn.
“You need not dirty your hands. If you provide the proof, my father and I—”
“I’ve never once thought of it as dirtying my hands.”
“…What?”
Leo stared at her expressionlessly.
“If anyone is using the Founder of the Nebula’s name to commit treason, I will never forgive it.”
His voice was cold.
“If someone dares to claim Luna’s name yet acts against her will, I’ll tear them apart.”
Anyas involuntarily flinched.
“It’s my duty.”
“Aah… to call walking a path of blood in darkness a duty… how noble…”
Her eyes glazed over, face flushed with strange awe.
Leo thought:
‘…Yep. She’s completely gone now.’
I don’t believe this is related to the translation so feel free to ignore.
The black ring was wayyyy too clear of a red flag. Having the reader be ahead of the protagonist makes him look weak/stupid when the flag is this glaringly obvious.
I’m not sure how much the translater can alter, but hiding the flag with something like: “He dressed in standard school uniform with hints of personality in the form of gaudy jewellery that ranged in colour from black to rainbow.” Because at the moment it reads like: “there was only 1 noticeable thing about this entire elf. He had a black ring on his hand, so it must be from demons.”
But like I said. It’s probably written this way, so of no fault of the translation.