Chapter 418

Divine Power.

Also known as divinity, it was, quite literally, the power used by the gods.

As such, it was not a power that terrestrial beings like humans, elves, beastmen, or dragons could wield.

‘A power that vanished when the gods disappeared from the mortal world.’

Of course, Divine Power hadn’t vanished completely.

The Hero Record, after all, was made of Divine Power.

It was, in the truest sense, the last remnant of the gods left in the lower world.

‘If there’s any other Divine Power that has appeared in this world since then…’

There was Pibua, the god of the past he had met within the Hero Record.

Although he was but a fragment of the past, he was a god who was nigh-omnipotent, and he had granted Leo his blessing, lending him his power.

‘But I’ve already used up all the Divine Power I gained back then.’

Through the Divine Power Pibua had passed on, Leo had been able to perform two miracles.

‘The first was manifesting the power of my past life.’

For a brief moment, he had transcended time and space to obtain the power of the Hero of Beggining, Kyle.

‘The second was…’

Leo clenched his fist.

Bringing Luna, a being of the past, into the present timeline, if only for a moment.

It was different from when he had brought Seiren.

Seiren was still very much alive, even though she was endlessly repeating her fight against Erebos in the World of Genesis for 3,000 years.

Summoning a living challenger out of the Hero Record was within Leo’s authority as its master.

But Luna, a figure from the past who was already dead, was a different story.

‘It was something that surpassed the limits of the miracles the Hero Record could perform.’

By bringing Luna out of the Hero Record for that short time, Pibua’s Divine Power had been completely exhausted.

The vessel that had contained Pibua’s Divine Power, the Polium, had also been given to Seiren.

‘But… what in the world is this Divine Power?’

“Divine Power… Are you talking about the power of the gods?”

Melina, startled by Leo’s words, asked cautiously.

“That’s right.”

“My goodness. In that case, with this power, is it possible for you to use the power you had as Kyle… or bring another great hero to the present time?”

“I wish I could.”

His eyes narrowing at Melina’s excited question, Leo focused his mind.

He tried to exert his will and draw out the Divine Power, but there was no response.

Seeing this, Leo muttered.

“It seems impossible to control it right now. It’s so faint that I wouldn’t have even noticed it if you hadn’t told me.”

At Leo’s words, Melina looked regretful.

“I wonder what the reason is for you obtaining Divine Power, Leo?”

Melina pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Among the shadows, they call you the God of Shadows. Could it be related to that?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Leo shook his head.

“I have no deep knowledge of theology. But as someone who lived in the era when gods existed, there is one thing I know for certain.”

“What is that?”

“Humans cannot become gods. The same goes for other races.”

The time before the Era of Calamity was called the Age of Gods, an era where much research on the gods had been conducted.

Gods were transcendent beings, fundamentally different from the inhabitants of the mortal world.

“Gods don’t care whether the inhabitants of the world worship them or not. As such, no matter how much they treat me like a god and worship me, it’s not like I can just obtain divinity.”

“I see.”

Melina nodded as if she understood.

‘Whatever the case, it’s a fact that divinity has accumulated in my body. If I can figure out the reason and learn to use this power…’

Leo’s red eyes sparkled.

‘Divine Power will surely be a great help in future battles.’

—

The participation of the Shan Empire and the appearance of the Silent Dragon.

An unexpected event and a hoped-for incident had both occurred.

External interest in the summit grew even more intense.

The entire world was watching Lumeria City.

But even as the world’s attention was focused on them, there were those who were busy with their own affairs.

And the most prominent among them were none other than the first and second-year students of Lumene, right at the heart of that very summit.

Whether they would remain at Lumene next semester or not.

Everything was on the line with the first-years’ tournament evaluation.

“Professor Len, who do you think will win this year’s first-year tournament?”

All regular classes had already ended.

For the second-years, all exams were also finished.

Despite his frequent rampages, Len Hors was one of the most competent professors at Lumene, and he had already finished grading all the second-years’ work.

As such, Len Hors and his Assistant Professor Anna were spending a leisurely moment in the lecture hall where they had taught all semester, waiting for the term to end.

The reason they were spending time in the lecture hall was simple.

The students of Lumene were so passionate about learning that even now, with vacation just around the corner, some would still come to ask questions.

They didn’t wait in their private offices because it was much more convenient for students to find them in the lecture hall.

‘Seeing this, he really is a passionate professor.’

Len Hors elegantly lifted his teacup and said.

“The most likely candidate would be Aina Beidna.”

After sipping the black tea, Len Hors nodded in satisfaction and returned his gaze to his book.

With his striking looks, just looking at him now, he seemed like a brilliant magic professor.

Assistant Professor Anna smiled slyly.

‘It would be perfect if he weren’t reading that ridiculous book.’

Seeing Len Hors reading a book titled “Why Mages are Superior to Knights and Summoners,” Assistant Professor Anna felt a headache coming on.

Just then, the lecture hall door opened.

Len Hors and Assistant Professor Anna turned toward it.

And seeing the unexpected students who had come to the lecture hall, Len Hors narrowed his eyes.

“Seiren?”

At Len Hors’s reaction, Assistant Professor Anna swallowed dryly.

Seiren Academy.

It was one of the things that had triggered Len Hors the most this semester.

With Seiren students visiting the lecture hall, Assistant Professor Anna couldn’t help but be nervous.

‘He can’t go berserk again.’

As worry filled her expression, Assistant Professor Anna realized the Seiren students looked familiar.

‘Her name was… Anri Bizan, wasn’t it?’

They were students from the lower class who had been treated unfairly at Seiren for their low achievement in Star Magic.

Of course, their lives had now changed thanks to Seiren’s policy change and the [Introduction to Star Magic] book written by Len Hors, and they had since left the lower class.

“You’re student Anri, right?”

“Ah! Assistant Professor Anna!”

Anri and the other students who had been in the lower class swarmed around Assistant Professor Anna.

“It’s good to see you all! Have you been well?”

“Yes!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Assistant Professor Anna, and Leo sunbae!”

The first-years chattered away, smiling brightly.

“Leo sunbae? You go to a different school, and you call him Leo sunbae? Do you have any idea what you’re spouting right now?”

Just then, thwack! Len Hors slammed his book shut and shot up from his seat.

His eyes were so menacing, it looked as if they might shoot beams of light.

The Seiren first-years froze under Len Hors’s murderous aura.

“Why are you here!”

“Wh-who are you?”

Anri mustered her courage and asked cautiously on behalf of the group.

“My name is Len Hors! The professor most respected by Leo Plov, whom you so brazenly dare to call sunbae!”

“…Don’t lie.”

Assistant Professor Anna said with narrowed eyes, but Len Hors didn’t pay her any mind.

Hearing Len Hors’s name, Anri and the other first-years’ eyes widened.

Then Anri spoke for the group.

“So you’re Professor Len! It’s an honor to meet you! My name is Anri Bizan!”

The students, who had been terrified just moments ago, now greeted him with sparkling eyes, and Len Hors’s momentum faltered.

“The [Introduction to Star Magic] you wrote changed my life. Thank you!”

“I sincerely respect you, Professor!”

“It’s truly an honor to meet you!”

Seeing the Seiren first-years offering sincere gratitude and respect, Len Hors let out an impressed, “Hoh!”

“So you’re that Anri Bizan. I received your letter. Indeed! You are every bit the excellent top student I thought you’d be!”

Watching Len Hors, who had been radiating hostility just moments before, completely change his tune, Assistant Professor Anna let out a deep sigh.

Afterward, Len Hors discussed magic with the Seiren first-years.

“Professor Len’s reputation at Seiren is currently very high.”

“Many are amazed at how someone who isn’t an elf can have such a deep understanding of Star Magic.”

“The consensus is that you’ve allowed people to see Star Magic from a new perspective!”

“There are rumors that you might be invited as a visiting professor during the summer vacation.”

“Hahaha! To receive such praise from Seiren, renowned for its magic. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

‘If they have a brain and it’s not just for decoration, it’s only natural that those damn pointy-ears would recognize the greatness of my thesis, Assistant Professor Anna!’

‘…And yet that’s what you said.’

Assistant Professor Anna sighed.

Later, two other top first-year students from Seiren, Eclere and Yoinia, also came to see Len Hors.

Anri saw them and asked.

“Where’s Lea?”

“She was coming with us just a moment ago, but she suddenly disappeared.”

“I really wanted her to meet Professor Len.”

At Eclere’s answer, Anri looked disappointed.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Anna approached Len Hors and spoke quietly.

“…Just an hour ago, you were cursing Seiren Academy, and now you’ve completely changed your attitude.”

As Assistant Professor Anna spoke with narrowed eyes, Len Hors chuckled.

“Assistant Professor Anna, one must know how to hide one’s true feelings according to the time and place. A person who is different on the inside and outside is called a person of character.”

“Who calls that a person of character?”

Assistant Professor Anna pointed out, but Len Hors didn’t bat an eye.

—

Tap-! Tap-!

In the hallway of Lumene’s first-year classroom building, passing students glanced toward someone moving stealthily.

‘…It’s a Seiren student.’

‘Why are they sneaking around like that?’

‘Do they think no one will notice?’

A first-year from Seiren, blatantly infiltrating a classroom building packed with Lumene first-years while wearing a Seiren uniform.

Lea Tingel was currently busy tailing someone.

When her target slipped past a corner, Lea hurried up and peeked around it.

She glared at the person’s back.

‘That’s Luke Elda.’

She pulled a photo of Luke from her pocket.

The source of the photo was none other than Carr.

She had spotted Luke while moving with the other Seiren students and had followed him all the way here.

‘President Leo’s mentee. I can’t forgive him for enjoying such an enviable luxury all by himself.’

She was burning with rivalry toward someone who had done absolutely nothing wrong.

“…What are you? Why is a Seiren first-year here?”

A voice came from behind her.

When she turned, Haviden was there.

Lea faced him, straightened up, and lifted her chin.

“My name is Lea Tingel.”

“Lea Tingel?”

“Wait a minute! Isn’t that the top first-year at Seiren?”

Gasps of astonishment rose from all around.

“What brings the representative of Seiren’s first-years all the way here?”

To Haviden’s question, asked with his arms crossed, Lea crossed her arms in return and answered.

“I came to defeat my rival.”

“What? What? A declaration of war?”

“Is this in preparation for the Lumeiren?”

“Awesome!”

“Who’s your rival? Aina, I bet?”

The first-years reacted with excitement.

“You came here alone, is that it? You’ve got some nerve.”

Haviden’s lips curled into a smirk.

As the commotion grew, students poured into the hallway.

As the crowd made it even noisier, Aina appeared as well, and the students parted like the sea.

A space formed between Lea and Aina.

The first-year representatives of Lumene and Seiren faced each other.

Aina looked completely confused.

In this situation, everyone tensed.

Just then, Lea raised her hand.

And pointed at someone.

“Luke Elda.”

Everyone’s gaze snapped to Luke.

Luke, who had come to see what was going on, looked utterly bewildered.

“Come at me.”

“Huh?”

Luke asked back, unable to understand the situation.

The other students were just as confused.

“I said, come at me right now.”

“Why me?”

Luke looked aggrieved as he faced Lea’s glare.

“Because you are my prey.”

“The Seiren first-year representative.”

Haviden let out a snort.

“Luke Elda is my prey. I won’t tolerate you laying a hand on him first.”

“If you interfere, I’ll take you down first.”

“You’re saying what I was about to say.”

Zzap—

As Haviden and Lea glared at each other, the students tensed again at the sudden hostility in the air.

“It’s Professor Harrid!”

At someone’s urgent whisper, the startled first-years instantly scattered to their respective classrooms.

Seeing their perfectly synchronized retreat, Lea looked flustered and shouted.

“Hey! Luke Elda! Stop right there! Fight me right now!”

Lea’s voice, oblivious to the situation, echoed loudly through the hallway.

And just as she glared and was about to chase after Luke at full speed—

“Who said you could fight in the hallway?”

A chillingly cold voice rang out.

Lea’s body froze against her will.

“Furthermore, who said you could shout in the hallway?”

Lea turned with stiff movements.

There stood Lumene’s Wailing Wall, Professor Harrid.

“Eek?”

Faced with Professor Harrid’s menacing aura, Lea unknowingly took a step back.

“You don’t seem to fear punishment, do you?”

Lea was terrified.

But even so, she forced herself to argue back.

“I-I’m not a Lumene student.”

Her instincts were screaming at her.

That she shouldn’t follow the man in front of her.

But it had no effect on Professor Harrid.

“I don’t care what school you’re from.”

Professor Harrid grabbed the scruff of Lea’s neck.

“If you’ve come to Lumene, you will follow Lumene’s laws.”