Chapter 353

The Hall of the Comet.

A building at the heart of Seiren.

But its significance went far beyond its physical centrality.

It was where countless magical legacies left behind by the Comet Mage were kept.

And it was where the long history Seiren had built lay asleep.

Ordinarily, it wasn’t a place easily opened to outsiders—or even students.

But today.

For the conference held in Seiren, the Hall was opened.

Magicians who had come to attend the conference could not hide their excitement.

“The Hall of the Comet…”

“I never imagined I’d see with my own eyes the magical legacies left behind by the Comet Mage.”

Five thousand years ago.

The Comet Mage was considered the greatest magician after Luna, the Founder of the Nebula.

She was not merely a symbol to Elves.

Just as Luna was revered by all magicians…

Seiren—praised as Luna’s successor and the academy that reinterpreted her legacy—was deeply respected by magicians across the world.

“Opening the Hall of the Comet during the conference is thanks to the consideration of Acting Principal Luhagen.”

Orlen addressed the conference participants calmly.

“The students of Seiren will guide you. We hope this will be a meaningful time to appreciate the value of the Comet Mage’s magical legacy.”

The magicians looked shocked.

Everyone knew Acting Principal Luhagen as an extreme Elf supremacist.

The fact that he opened Seiren’s sacred legacy to outsiders was very unexpected.

Seiren students were assigned to each participant.

Of course, the students weren’t just guides—they were also observers, making sure no one did anything suspicious.

“Hello, I’m Eiran Ersar, and I’ll be guiding you.”

Eiran politely greeted Leo and Assistant Professor Anna.

‘Eiran Ersar.’

Anna glanced at her thoughtfully.

‘I heard she’s an overwhelmingly skilled magic swordsman.’

As the second-ranked 2nd-year student of a rival academy, Anna had researched Eiran quite thoroughly.

‘She stood out during last year’s Lumeiren as well. According to Professor Harrid, she has a rather deep… connection with Leo…’

“L-Leo. It’s an honor to be your guide today.”

Seeing Eiran bowing shyly with her face red, Anna covered her mouth.

‘Oh my.’

It was obvious at a glance that Eiran liked Leo.

Leo spoke to her calmly.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“Yes!”

Eiran brightened and asked:

“Where would you like to start?”

“I want to see the original grimoires written by the Comet Mage.”

“Yes! I’ll take you to the library!”

She began leading the way.

Following behind, Anna lightly tapped Leo’s arm.

“You must be enjoying your innocent school days, Leo.”

Leo looked at her, puzzled.

“Eiran seems to be quite fond of you, doesn’t she?”

Anna said with a slightly mischievous smile.

“Isn’t it every boy’s dream? A beautiful, blossoming young girl having feelings for him. Ah, youth.”

“You speak like you’re not young anymore, Professor.”

Leo chuckled.

Anna smirked.

“Come on. You’re popular among the girls in Lumene too, aren’t you? Among the 2nd-year boys, only Abad and Duran receive as many love letters as you do.”

‘L-Love letters?’

Eiran’s ears perked up.

“You’re popular with your juniors too. Even seniors seem interested in you, Leo.”

Anna nudged him teasingly.

“You’ve dated at least once, haven’t you?”

‘D-Dated?!’

Eiran’s face turned bright red, practically steaming.

Anna laughed under her breath.

“Elven girls are so pure. Flustered at just the mention of dating.”

‘…What’s going on in her head is definitely not just dating.’

Leo sighed.

“When would I have time for that? I’m busy with schoolwork.”

“You really talk like a boring honor student.”

Anna looked disappointed.

Eiran sighed in relief.

“There are so many pretty girls around. Isn’t someone your age supposed to be interested in romance?”

“If I dated a student, I’d feel like I was committing a crime.”

“Crime?”

Anna looked confused, but Leo only smiled.

While listening nervously, Eiran nonetheless led them steadily through the library.

“This is the library that holds the grimoires left behind by Seiren.”

“As expected of Seiren…”

Anna let out a gasp.

As a magician—

To see the magical writings of one of the great Heroes who saved the world was an incredible honor.

“Professor Anna, is there something you’re curious about?”

Eiran asked with a gentle smile.

Anna shook her head.

“I’m fine. Go attend to Leo instead.”

“Eh?”

Anna pushed Eiran’s back lightly.

Flustered, Eiran approached Leo, who was browsing between the shelves.

“Ah… youth. I used to be like that too.”

Anna chuckled.

“Now I’m nothing but a slave to that damned professor…”

Thinking of Len, she sighed.

“Um… you’re Assistant Professor Anna of Lumene, right?”

Someone approached her carefully.

‘Seiren’s 1st-year students?’

Anna raised an eyebrow.

Permission to tour the Hall of the Comet wasn’t given only to outsiders—Seiren students were allowed too.

Groups of students were touring under supervision.

The lower-class students among the 1st years were no exception.

“I’m Anri Bizan.”

Anri bowed politely as the representative.

“When Senior Leo said we’d meet you, he told us to make sure we thanked you.”

Seeing Anri’s bright smile, Anna felt warmth rise in her chest.

‘Ah, these must be the students Leo taught this time.’

The lower-class students who drastically improved their magic through [Introduction to Star Magic].

She recalled the names from the documents Leo had given her and smiled.

“There’s no need to thank me. I merely showed you the path. You were the ones who walked it and achieved results.”

“But we only had despair before. That’s why we wanted to thank you. So we brought this…”

Anri handed her a paper box.

Inside were letters—heartfelt letters addressed to Anna and Len, thanking them.

They didn’t know their faces, but they wrote with genuine gratitude toward the Lumene faculty who gave them a chance.

Anna felt her chest tighten.

“Of course, there’s no guarantee we’ll be allowed to stay in Seiren if they find out… but we don’t regret it.”

Seeing Anri’s bright smile, Anna gently patted her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen to you. And even if something does, once Professor Len sees these letters, he’ll definitely step in to help you.”

To Len, they were an invaluable asset—students who proved new possibilities for his research.

‘He might even fight to bring them into Lumene.’

Anna took a deep breath.

‘So much is riding on this conference.’

Whether [Introduction to Star Magic] was heresy to Elves—

Or a new possibility—

Would determine the future of the magic world.

‘Focus.’

Step—

Leo stopped walking.

He reached out and pulled a grimoire from the shelf.

Eiran spoke.

“Most of these records were written when Seiren was first learning magic, so no one looks at them much. I’m surprised you’re interested, Leo.”

Leo replied:

“Modern magicians usually look at later writings to understand a magician’s disposition.”

Records written after one’s magical philosophy was formed were indeed good references.

“But I’m old-fashioned.”

Leo smirked.

“Just like how the beginning is important, I believe a magician’s earliest steps form the foundation of their values.”

“Leo, you really are mature. Which era are we talking about?”

Eiran asked like a girl listening to an old legend.

‘Five thousand years ago.’

Leo answered inwardly with a faint smile, flipping through the pages written by Seiren in her early teens.

In truth, Seiren’s adolescent writings weren’t valued even in the Elven magic world.

Elves focused solely on her reinterpretation of Star Magic—her greatest achievement—so they studied that instead.

Even after three thousand years, her Star Magic knowledge hadn’t been fully deciphered.

But Leo wasn’t very interested in Seiren, the Comet Mage.

He was much more curious about Seiren before Luna influenced her—Seiren as she truly was.

He clicked his tongue while reading.

‘She really left some arrogant things in her personal notes.’

He thought of how Luna once called him an idiot.

If she hadn’t left behind the warning that only her direct descendants were allowed to read her personal notes…

He would’ve been recorded as someone hopelessly obsessed with Luna.

‘I’d have strangled her the moment I met her.’

Grumbling at the apprentice he’d never met, Leo refocused on the grimoire.

All-Class or not, he was still a magician.

And records left behind by magicians always offered insight.

‘She was a reckless brat, huh.’

Seiren’s character in the writings brimmed with confidence in her magical philosophy.

No personal notes remained, but from what had been deciphered, he could tell what kind of person she was.

‘She and Luna are like two peas in a pod.’

Her adolescent writings were immature yet overflowing with self-belief.

‘If she and Luna met in person, they would’ve fought like crazy.’

Leo smirked.

‘Then become inseparable friends.’

He returned the book to the shelf.

‘She really meant it when she said “believe in yourself.”’

He felt like he understood Seiren just a little bit.

‘But why would she write such blatant lies in her personal notes? Even fiction should be grounded in reality.’

Seiren was the conqueror of Luna’s world.

She should’ve understood Luna’s emotions at least a little.

“Eiran.”

“Yes?”

“What would you think if the Founder of the Nebula liked the Hero of Beginnings?”

“…I can’t imagine it.”

Eiran shook her head fervently.

“It’s hard to even picture the noble Lady Luna liking someone…”

“Then what if the Hero of Beginnings liked the Founder of the Nebula?”

“A tragic romance? Amazing!”

‘…These damned pointy-ears always interpret things in whatever way suits them. She wasn’t noble! She really wasn’t!’

Leo grit his teeth internally.

In the end, Seiren wrote a self-serving fantasy for future generations.

‘I’ll kick her in the butt when I meet her.’

—

The tour of the Hall of the Comet ended.

Now, right before the conference presentation—

Acting Principal Luhagen stepped forward.

“We thank all honored guests for gracing us with your presence.”

He spoke from the platform of the Hall.

On the stand beside him was Cometes, the staff symbolizing the Comet Mage.

Magicians gasped upon seeing the real artifact.

“We trust this visit has reaffirmed the greatness of Seiren.”

At his comment, the magicians wore the same expression—they had expected him to say that.

But no one objected.

Opposing him openly would be more trouble than it was worth, and the Comet Mage’s greatness was undeniable.

All magicians already knew it—he didn’t need to boast.

“In that spirit, before the conference begins, we would like to share a discovery that marks a new great leap.”

Everyone looked puzzled.

“We hereby officially announce that the Hero Record of the great Hero of Genesis, Seiren, has been discovered.”

Murmurs erupted—

Not only the magicians but also the Seiren students on tour looked shocked.

Step, step—

At that moment, Orlen approached the platform carrying an ornate wooden box.

Luhagen’s lips curled.

‘If I’m credited with discovering and announcing Seiren’s Hero Record, I’ll easily rise to the position of Principal.’

He was only Acting Principal now.

But once the Pureblood Society gained enough power, he would officially take the seat.

Click—

The box opened, revealing a fragment of a Hero Record.

“This is the Hero Record of the Comet Mage—”

Vwooom—!

In an instant, the Hero Record shone.

Luhagen halted.

‘This reaction… is the Heroic World opening?’

As he froze—

Leo’s face hardened.

‘This is…?’

He stood abruptly.

“Leo?”

Anna cried out—

Fwoooooosh—!

Black flames erupted from Seiren’s Hero Record.