Chapter 378

“Whew—”

Exhaling cigarette smoke, Kirin, the Master of Shadow establishment in Aleham, muttered as she watched the battle unfold through a magical projection.

“Interesting.”

‘Did Leena Flix train him separately?’

Leena Flix.

A figure who rose from the Shadows to become the principal of Lumene, making her a global topic of discussion.

And the controversy surrounding her was still ongoing.

The Shadows did not have a positive image among the people.

The mission of the Shadows was to protect the world from the darkness.

Among them were those who guarded the heroes destined to lead the world, and those who tracked down and eliminated traitors.

Most of the Shadows’ work took place in the dark, but some of them revealed their deeds.

Shadows who pursued and brutally eliminated traitors to make an example of them.

The public image of the Shadows was shaped by such figures.

That was why many people held deep misunderstandings and fear regarding the Shadows.

For such a Shadow to become the principal of Lumene, there were constant external calls for her replacement.

Of course, Altech Zeron, the chairman of Lumene who had personally appointed Leena, was ignoring those opinions.

The reason Leena became the principal of Lumene was extremely simple.

Because she was strong.

As the principal of Lumene, she had to lead the students and be a role model.

But an even more important duty was the martial power to act as a guardian capable of protecting the school.

Altech Zeron, along with Harrid and Sedgen, who had the longest teaching careers at Lumene, judged that although she was a Shadow, there was no one more perfect than Leena as a guardian, and so they offered her the position of principal.

And the legendary tales of such a Leena were even better known among her fellow Shadows.

She was a legend among the Shadows.

Kirin, the Shadow Lord of the South, had also heard her stories.

‘Knowing Leena Flix’s personality, I don’t think she would have trained him separately.’

Kirin’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Leo.

‘That kind of aura isn’t built in a day or two.’

As a fellow Shadow, Kirin could tell.

That Leo was a natural-born arbiter.

‘So he’s worthy of the princess’s complete devotion, is he?’

Heehee—letting out a laugh, Kirin rose from her seat.

‘It would be rude to keep the master of Shan waiting any longer.’

Kirin vanished into the darkness.

***

“Haaap!”

With a thunderous roar, Borman’s massive fist flew toward Leo’s face.

A ferocious attack, as if to crush Leo’s face.

In response, Leo clenched his fist.

Kooong—!

A heavy sound echoed as Leo’s fist met Borman’s.

A pure contest of strength, without using Aura.

To any observer, the smaller-framed Leo seemed to be at a disadvantage.

But Leo didn’t move an inch from his punching stance.

Seeing this, Borman snorted.

“My blood is boiling! The spirit to stand your ground and face me head-on! Truly befitting of the man called Lumene’s strongest!”

An excited Borman began to unleash a flurry of punches at Leo.

Pababababababak—!

Leo blocked all of Borman’s attacks and closed the distance.

Koong—!

“Hup?!”

Borman’s body staggered from the greater-than-expected impact.

Wh-ak—!

Leo spun and slammed his heel into Borman’s temple.

Puk—! Kwang—!

Struck by Leo’s kick, Borman’s body was slammed into the floor.

As Borman’s massive body fell, everyone’s eyes widened.

Teob—!

“Huhuhu.”

Borman pushed himself up from the floor.

“Incredible…! Incredible!”

‘I thought he was knocked out. What an incredible tolerance for pain.’

“Shouldn’t you take it easy? Any more and you’ll be seeing blood.”

“Take it easy?”

Borman’s lips curled up.

“I am a great hero! A Great Warrior like Arron! One who walks the path of valor like Azonia!”

Kwang, kwang—!

Beating his chest, Borman shouted.

“Lord Arron said! Scars will only make me stronger!”

‘I’m the one who said that.’

Leo wore a sour expression.

It was something Kyle had said to warriors who were injured and dejected after a great battle.

It seemed that in later generations, it had been misattributed to Arron.

“This fight with you will surely make me stronger! Haaap!”

Borman charged toward Leo.

Leo bent his knees.

Hwaak—!

In an instant, Leo’s body vanished.

At the same time, the charging Borman came to a dead stop.

Tak—!

Leo, who had already landed behind Borman, pushed the back of the motionless man.

Koong—!

With a heavy thud, the unconscious Borman collapsed.

“Excellent.”

Leo said calmly.

Despite being a second-year, Borman was incredibly skilled.

It was just that his opponent was far, far too much for him.

Leo looked down at Borman being carried away on a stretcher and flexed his fingers.

Then he looked toward Ar, who was walking out from the entrance with her arms crossed.

“Hmph, get ready. Black Rabbit. From now on, I, the champion of this arena, will be your opponent.”

The corners of Ar’s mouth curled up as she snorted, hmph—!

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never had a proper hand-to-hand fight with Black Rabbit, have I? This should be fun.’

As a student of Azonia, Ar also enjoyed fighting the strong.

[Yes! The most beautiful champion in the history of the Shadow Arena has appeared!]

The commentator shouted, excited by Ar’s entrance.

The crowd, which had been overwhelmed by Leo, began to cheer wildly.

“Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!”

The male customers, in particular, were showing a fervent reaction.

“What kind of rabbit is that? She’s a cat.”

Eliana had a look of disbelief on her face.

“Why is the class rep of Azonia wearing clothes like that and acting as an arena champion here?”

“Maybe there’s some story behind it? Like she made a deal with this casino.”

“What story! That girl is definitely here because of gambling debts.”

As Chelsea and Chloe looked on, unable to understand, Carr chuckled and said.

Carr, who had conquered the world of Dweno with them, could easily deduce why Ar was here in such a state.

Just as Ar was getting into a fighting stance.

[We have an emergency announcement.]

The commentator’s urgent voice was heard.

[By order of the Master, the arena event will conclude here! We ask for our customers’ understanding.]

At the sudden announcement of the arena’s suspension, annoyed boos erupted from all over.

“What the?”

“All of a sudden?”

The group was also wearing bewildered expressions.

“Students of Lumene.”

A beastman appeared.

Seeing him appear without any presence, the entire group flinched.

The beastman spoke politely to the group.

“It is the Master’s command to escort you.”

***

In the room, Ar sat with a slightly sulky face.

Having changed into her Azonia uniform, Ar swished her tail, glanced at Leo, and said.

“Black Rabbit.”

“What.”

“Fight me when we get out.”

“Why fight a battle with an obvious outcome?”

Ar clenched her fists tightly.

“I can’t accept you being the only one having fun!”

“If you’re that unhappy, I’ll play with you.”

“Play? How?”

Leo reached for a tissue on the table, rolled it up, and made it look like a feather.

Seeing it, Ar’s ears perked up for a moment.

Pak—!

Without realizing it, Ar reached out to grab the tissue.

As Leo lifted the tissue, deftly avoiding Ar’s hand, she clapped her hands together to catch it.

Her eyes sparkling, Ar suddenly made a ‘Hah—!’ expression.

Blushing at having instinctively engaged in a hunting game, Ar shouted.

“Don’t treat me like a cat!”

“If you’re not a cat, then what are you.”

“I’m a beastman! A cat beastman! Not your pet cat!”

“Then don’t fall for things like this.”

“It’s instinct! If you keep teasing me, I’ll bite you!”

Just as Leo let out a chuckle at Ar, who was hissing with her fur on end.

“You two seem to be getting along well.”

Someone entered the room.

Recognizing the person, Ar’s eyes went wide.

“Chen Xia from Lumene’s Knight Department?”

“Nice to meet you, Ar Tune.”

Chen Xia smiled brightly and performed an eastern-style greeting, placing her left fist on her right palm.

“Nice to meet you too.”

Ar also smiled brightly.

But then, seeing Kirin appear behind Chen Xia, her fur stood on end.

It wasn’t that Ar was particularly wary of Kirin.

It was just her beastman instincts reacting to the thick scent of blood on her body.

“Ar Tune. Your debt and the debts of the Azonia students are cleared as of today.”

“Why is that?”

“This kind-hearted young lady here has paid them all off.”

Kirin placed her hands on Chen Xia’s shoulders and smiled brightly.

“Ooh! Thank you!”

Ar smiled brightly, walked up to Chen Xia, and shook her hands tightly.

“I’ll be sure to repay this debt later.”

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

Chen Xia replied in her characteristically soft voice.

“Let the other students know their debts have been cleared.”

“What about Black Rabbit?”

“I have something to discuss separately with the student council president of Lumene.”

At those words, Ar nodded and left the room.

Once only the three of them remained, Chen Xia spoke.

“You’re quite close with the class rep of Azonia.”

“Because we are close.”

“Hmph.”

Chen Xia put on a slightly sulky expression.

“You seemed to be doting on her quite a bit.”

“She’s actually cute. Just like you.”

“Excuse me?”

At the sudden remark, Chen Xia showed a flustered reaction.

Blushing, Chen Xia eventually retorted with a huff.

“Sir Leo. You keep teasing me, but as I’ve said time and again, I’m older than you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Seeing Leo’s indifferent reaction, Chen Xia pouted her lips slightly.

But she soon let out a small sigh and stood behind Leo.

And she said.

“Kirin Neila.”

“Yes, Princess.”

All expression had vanished from Chen Xia’s face.

A dry, emotionless mask.

Revealing her persona as a Shadow, Chen Xia spoke.

“What was your reason for being rude to Sir Leo?”

Kirin spoke deferentially to Chen Xia.

The Shadow Lords.

The leaders of the elven, beastman, and dwarven Shadows were certainly independent powers, separate from the Shadow nation of Shan.

But that didn’t mean they were unrelated.

The first Shadow, Kyle.

Shan was founded by the descendants of Bihar, who carried on Kyle’s will.

It was no exaggeration to say that all Shadows originated from Shan.

Therefore, while the Shadow Lords were separate from the Shan Empire, they couldn’t be seen as completely independent forces.

It was also the Emperor of Shan who bestowed the title of Shadow Lord.

That was why the Shadow Lords respected the master of Shan.

If it had been Chen Xia, she would have been able to meet Kirin as soon as she arrived at Shadow.

Because Chen Xia was the next Emperor of Shan.

But Leo could not.

Kirin had tested Leo, and Chen Xia was angry about it.

The Shadows had been saved by Leo.

The Shadow Codex was created because of Leo, and it was finally proven that they had not been abandoned by their god.

Chen Xia could not tolerate the fact that someone had dared to test such a Leo.

Looking at the furious Chen Xia, Kirin said.

“Please quell your anger and be generous in your understanding. Princess, I am a Shadow Lord.”

Kirin looked at Leo.

“The lives of thousands of Shadows depend on my decisions. That is why I needed to gauge him. Whether or not Lord Leo was a vessel capable of embracing the Shadows.”

“So.”

Leo rested his chin on his hand.

“Are you satisfied?”

“Yes, I had no choice but to admit it.”

Kirin smiled.

“That the image you showed as an arbiter is more befitting of the God of Shadows than anyone else.”