Chapter 418
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Rivalry
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Divine Power.
Also known as divinity, it was, quite literally, the power of the gods.
As such, it was not a power that terrestrial beings like humans, elves, beastmen, and dragons could wield.
‘A power that vanished when the gods disappeared from the mortal realm.’
Of course, divine power hadn't completely disappeared.
The Hero Record itself was made of divine power.
It was, quite literally, the last remnant of the gods in the lower world.
‘As for any divine power that has appeared in this world since then…’
There was Pibua, the god of the past I met within the Hero Record.
Although he was but a fragment of the past, he was a near-omnipotent god, and he granted Leo a blessing, lending him his power.
‘But I've already used all the divine power I gained back then.’
Through the divine power Pibua gave him, Leo was able to perform two miracles.
‘The first was manifesting the power of my past life.’
For a brief time, he transcended time and space to wield the power of Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.
‘The second was…’
Leo clenched his fist.
Summoning Luna, a being of the past, to the present timeline, if only for a moment.
It was different from Seirun's case.
Seirun, while trapped in an endless loop of fighting Erebos in the world of genesis for 3,000 years, is still very much alive.
Bringing a living conqueror out of the World of Heroes is within Leo’s authority as the master of the Hero Record.
But Luna, a figure from the past who was already dead, was not.
‘It was something that surpassed the limits of the miracles the Hero Record could perform.’
By bringing Luna out of the World of Heroes for that short time, all of Pibua's divine power was exhausted.
The vessel that held Pibua's divine power, the Folium, was also given to Seirun.
‘So… what is this divine power?’
“Divine power… are you talking about the power of the gods?”
Melina, surprised by Leo's words, asked cautiously.
“That's right.”
“My goodness. Then, with this power, is it possible for you to use the strength you had as Kyle… or perhaps bring another Great Hero to the present era?”
“I wish I could.”
In response to Melina's excited question, Leo narrowed his eyes and focused his mind.
He tried to exert his will and release the divine power, but there was no response.
Seeing this, Leo muttered.
“It seems impossible to control it right now. It's so faint I wouldn't have even noticed it if you hadn't told me.”
At Leo's words, Melina's expression turned to one of regret.
“Why do you think you've obtained 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 expertise in theology. But as someone who lived in the age when gods existed, there's one thing I know for certain.”
“What is it?”
“Humans cannot become gods. The same goes for other races.”
The era before the Age of Calamity was called the Age of Gods, a time when much research was conducted on them.
Gods are transcendental beings, fundamentally different from the inhabitants of the mortal world.
“Gods don't care whether the inhabitants of the world worship them or not. So, no matter how much people revere and worship me like a god, it doesn't mean I can acquire divinity.”
“I see.”
Melina nodded in understanding.
‘Whatever the case, it's a fact that divinity is accumulating in my body. If I can figure out why and learn to use this power…’
Leo's red eyes gleamed.
‘This divine power will surely be a great help in future battles.’
***
The participation of the Shan Empire and the appearance of the Dragon of Silence.
An unexpected development and a startling incident had both occurred.
External interest in the summit grew even more intense.
The entire world turned its eyes to Lumeria City.
But even as the world's attention was focused there, some were busy with their own affairs.
And prime examples of this were the first and second-year students of Lumerne, right in the middle of that summit.
Whether they would remain at Lumerne next semester or not.
Everything was on the line in the first-years' tournament evaluation.
“Professor Ren, who do you think will win this year's first-year tournament?”
All regular classes had already ended.
For the second-years, exams were also all finished.
Though he was prone to frequent outbursts, Ren was one of Lumerne's most competent professors and had already finished grading all the second-years' work.
As such, Ren and his associate professor, Anna, were spending a leisurely time in the lecture hall where they had taught all semester, waiting for it to end.
The reason they were spending time in the lecture hall was simple.
Even with the vacation just around the corner, Lumerne's students were so studious that some still came to ask questions.
They didn't wait in their private offices because it was much easier for students to approach them in the lecture hall.
‘When you see him like this, he really is a passionate professor.’
Ren elegantly lifted his teacup and spoke.
“The most likely candidate is Aina Veydean.”
Ren took a sip of the black tea in his cup, nodded in satisfaction, and turned his gaze to his book.
Ren was remarkably handsome, and judging by his current appearance, he looked like a very intellectual magic professor.
Anna smiled faintly.
‘If only he weren't reading that infuriating book, he'd be perfect.’
Watching Ren read a book titled *Why Mages Are Superior to Knights and Summoners*, Anna felt a headache coming on.
Just then, the lecture hall door opened.
Ren and Anna's gazes turned to the door.
And seeing the unexpected students who had come to the lecture hall, Ren's eyes narrowed.
“Seirun?”
At Ren's reaction, Anna swallowed nervously.
Seirun Academy.
It was one of the things that had caused Ren to have the most fits this semester.
So, with Seirun students now visiting their lecture hall, Anna couldn't help but be tense.
‘He'd better not go into a frenzy again.’
As her expression filled with worry, Anna realized the Seirun students looked familiar.
‘His name was… Anre Bizan, right?’
They were the students from the lower class who had been treated unfairly at Seirun because of their low aptitude for Star Magic.
Of course, their lives had now changed thanks to Seirun's policy change and Ren's book, *An Introduction to Star Magic*, and they had since left the lower class.
“You're student Anre, aren't you?”
“Ah! Associate Professor Anna!”
Anre and the other students from the former lower class swarmed around Anna.
“It's good to see you all! Have you been well?”
“Yes!”
“It's all thanks to you, Associate Professor Anna, and senior Leo!”
The first-years chattered away with bright smiles.
“Senior Leo? You're from a different school, and you call him senior Leo? Do you have any idea what you're saying?”
Just then, *thud*—! He 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 Seirun first-years were terrified by Ren's murderous aura.
“Why are you here!”
“Wh-who are you?”
Anre mustered his courage and cautiously asked on behalf of the group.
“My name is Ren Horus! The professor most respected by the Leo Flove you dare to call 'senior'!”
“…Don't lie.”
Anna said with narrowed eyes, but Ren paid her no mind.
Hearing Ren's name, Anre and the other first-years' eyes widened.
Then, Anre spoke for the group.
“So you're Professor Ren! It's an honor to meet you! My name is Anre Bizan!”
As the students, who had been terrified just moments ago, greeted him with sparkling eyes, Ren's aggressive demeanor softened.
“Our lives changed because of *An Introduction to Star Magic* that you wrote. Thank you!”
“We sincerely respect you, Professor!”
“It's truly an honor to meet you!”
Seeing the Seirun first-years express their sincere gratitude and respect, Ren let out an impressed "Hoh!"
“So you're that Anre Bizan. I received your letter. Indeed! You're an excellent honors student, just as I thought!”
Watching Ren, who had just been radiating hostility, instantly change his tune, Anna let out a deep sigh.
Afterwards, Ren discussed magic with the Seirun first-years.
“Right now, your reputation at Seirun is incredibly high, Professor Ren.”
“Many are amazed at how someone who isn't even an elf can have such a deep understanding of Star Magic.”
“The consensus is that you've allowed us to view Star Magic from a new perspective!”
“Rumor has it you might be invited as a guest professor during the summer vacation.”
“Hahaha! To receive such praise from Seirun, renowned for its magic. I don't know where to put myself.”
‘If those damn pointy-ears have brains in their heads and they aren't just for decoration, then it's only natural they'd recognize the greatness of my thesis, Associate Professor Anna!’
‘…And yet that's what he said.’
Anna sighed.
Later, other Seirun first-year honors students, Eclair and Yoinia, also came to see Ren.
Anre saw them and asked.
“Where did Leah go?”
“She was with us just a moment ago, but she suddenly disappeared.”
“I really wanted her to meet Professor Ren.”
At Eclair's answer, Anre looked disappointed.
Meanwhile, Anna approached Ren and spoke quietly.
“…Just an hour ago, you were cursing Seirun Academy, and now you've completely changed your attitude.”
As Anna spoke with narrowed eyes, Ren chuckled, "Hmph."
“Associate Professor Anna, one must know how to hide one's true feelings according to the time and place. A person whose outside and inside are different is called a person of character.”
“Who calls someone like that a person of character?”
Anna pointed out, but Ren didn't bat an eye.
***
*Shhk-! Shhk-!*
The hallway of the Lumerne first-year classroom building.
The gazes of the first-year students passing by were drawn to someone moving stealthily.
‘…It's a Seirun student.’
‘Why is she moving so sneakily?’
‘Does she think she won't stand out like that?’
A first-year from Seirun, blatantly infiltrating the classroom building packed with Lumerne first-years, all while wearing a Seirun uniform.
Leah Tingel was currently tailing someone intently.
When her target passed a corner in the hallway, Leah quickly moved to the corner and peeked her head out.
She glared at the person's back.
‘That's Luke Elda.’
She took out a photo of Luke from her pocket.
The source of the photo was none other than Karl.
She had been moving with the other Seirun students when she spotted Luke and followed him here.
‘Senior Flove's mentee. I can't forgive him for enjoying such an enviable luxury all to himself.’
She burned with a competitive spirit toward someone who had done absolutely nothing wrong.
“…Who are you? Why is a Seirun first-year here?”
Just then, a voice came from behind her.
Turning her head, she saw Habiden.
Leah turned to face Habiden, stood up straight, and lifted her chin.
“My name is Leah Tingel.”
“Leah Tingel?”
“Wait! Isn't that the top student of Seirun's first-years?”
Shocked voices came from all around.
“What brings the representative of Seirun's first-years all the way here?”
In response to Habiden's question, who had his arms crossed, Leah crossed her own arms and replied.
“I came to defeat my rival.”
“What? What? A declaration of war?”
“Is this in preparation for the Lu-Se Games?”
“Awesome!”
“Your rival? Who? It must be Aina, right?”
The first-years reacted with excitement.
“So you came here all by yourself, huh? You've got some nerve.”
Habiden's lips curled into a smirk.
As the commotion grew, students poured into the hallway.
Amidst the growing noise from the gathered students, Aina also appeared, and the crowd parted for her.
A space opened up between Leah and Aina.
The representatives of Lumerne and Seirun's first-years were now face to face.
Aina wore a look of complete confusion.
As everyone watched with tense expressions…
Leah raised her hand.
And pointed her finger at someone.
“Luke Elda.”
Everyone's gaze turned to Luke.
Luke, who had come to see what was going on, looked utterly bewildered.
“Come at me.”
“Huh?”
Luke asked back, not understanding the situation.
The other students were just as confused.
“I said, come at me right now.”
“Why me?”
Luke looked aggrieved as he faced Leah, who was glaring at him.
“Because you're my prey.”
“Seirun's first-year representative.”
Habiden let out a short laugh.
“Luke Elda is my prey. I won't allow you to lay a hand on him first.”
“If you interfere, I'll take you down first.”
“You're speaking my lines.”
*Zzzap-*
Just as Habiden and Leah were glaring at each other…
The students tensed up again, watching the two who had suddenly turned hostile.
“It's Professor Halind!”
Startled by someone's urgent shout, the first-years instantly scattered back to their classrooms.
Leah, flustered by their perfectly coordinated retreat, shouted.
“Hey! Luke Elda! Stop right there! Fight me right now!”
Leah's voice, oblivious to the situation, echoed loudly throughout the hallway.
And just as she glared and prepared to chase after Luke at full speed…
“Who said you could fight in the hallways?”
A chillingly cold voice rang out.
Leah's body froze involuntarily.
“And who said you could shout in the hallways?”
Leah turned around with stiff movements.
There stood Halind, Lumerne's Wailing Wall.
“Eek?”
Intimidated by Halind's menacing aura, Leah involuntarily took a step back.
“It seems you're not afraid of punishment?”
Leah was terrified.
But she still bravely argued back.
“B-but I'm not a Lumerne student.”
Her instincts were screaming.
Do not follow the man before you.
But it had absolutely no effect on Halind.
“I don't care what school you're from.”
Halind grabbed the scruff of Leah's neck.
“If you've come to Lumerne, you follow Lumerne's laws.”