Chapter 421
Chapter Title: The Book of Shadows and the Semi-Finals
-----------------------------------------------------------------
421.
“The Book of Shadows?!”
“Something like that existed?”
The first day of the summit.
As the meeting concluded and its contents were organized and announced, the students wore expressions of surprise.
The topic that drew the most fervent interest was the one concerning the Book of Shadows.
In the dormitory cafeteria, amidst everyone's astonishment, Chloe asked Chen Xia, who was beside her.
“Xia, did you know about this?”
“Yes.”
When Chen Xia replied with her characteristic smile, Iliana exclaimed dramatically.
“Why didn't you say anything! It's an incredible discovery! Besides, if they knew Shadows could also have their names recorded in the Hero Record, those clueless jerks wouldn't have ignored or looked down on you!”
Iliana reacted with excitement.
The students from Glory Dorm or those who were in the same class as Chen Xia during their first year treated her without prejudice even after it was revealed she was a Shadow.
Chen Xia herself, after shaking off her identity crisis with Leo's help, had decided to walk her own path without dwelling on being a Hero or a Shadow.
However, as long as she was the princess of Shan, there were bound to be students who viewed her through a biased lens.
Heroes are those who have accomplished great deeds worthy of the gods' recognition.
But no matter how great a Hero, being human, they could not be perfect beings.
Some made grave mistakes, and others, despite their achievements, were not of noble character.
There were even Heroes who committed acts deserving of condemnation.
But because they had received the gods' acknowledgment, people quickly forgot such facts.
However, Shadows, not having received the gods' acknowledgment, were held to a stricter standard than Heroes.
Even so, there were no second-year students who openly despised Chen Xia.
Right off the bat, Celia from the Knight Department she belonged to, and even Duran, who was prouder than anyone, considered Chen Xia a rival.
In the case of the top students in the Magic Department, like Chloe, Chelsea, and Abad, they were close friends with Chen Xia.
In the Summoning Department, Chen Xia was one of the few people Eliza would willingly concede to.
Woreden wasn't the type to care about such things in the first place.
Crucially, she was close friends with the student council president, Leo.
There were no fools in Lumerne who would willingly get on the bad side of the year's top students and complicate their own school life.
That said, it couldn't change the subtle glances.
It was only because Chen Xia let those glances be that no one stepped in.
As fellow dormitory students, Chloe and Iliana knew this well.
Watching Iliana clench her fists in frustration, Chloe let out a small sigh.
“It's a state secret of Shan, so Xia couldn't just talk about it freely. Besides, even if the existence of the Book of Shadows becomes known, things won't change drastically right away.”
“Miss Chloe is right. It's up to the Shadows, including myself, to change people's perspectives.”
“Hmph. Still, the Dragon Lord declared he wouldn't stand for any discrimination! From now on, if anyone looks at you that way, I'll beat them to a pulp.”
“Thank you, Miss Iliana.”
Just as Chen Xia smiled brightly.
“Um. Miss Chen Xia.”
Just then, Eiran approached hesitantly.
The second-ranked student of Seirun's second year, from the same generation.
“Yes, Miss Eiran.”
“Miss Chen Xia, as the princess of Shan, have you seen the Book of Shadows in person?”
“Of course.”
“Then, have you seen the records of the Hero of the Beginning?”
“Yes.”
“Ahh, I'm so jealous!”
Eiran, who loved tales of heroes, gushed.
“What kind of stories were there?”
Eiran's eyes sparkled.
Following her lead, Chloe and Iliana also looked at Chen Xia with curious eyes.
The Hero of the Beginning, Kyle.
Just a year ago, he was a Great Hero considered nothing more than a fantasy, but after evidence of his existence came to light, he was continuously being re-evaluated.
However, since there were almost no records left, research into his deeds had been sluggish.
In such a situation, it was only natural for hero cadets to be interested in the news that Kyle's records had been discovered.
“What are you all talking about so excitedly?”
Chelsea, passing by with her tray, tilted her head and asked. Chloe replied.
“About the Book of Shadows and the Hero of the Beginning.”
“If it's that story, I'm interested too!”
Chelsea's eyes sparkled as she quickly sat down and spoke to Abad, who was with her.
“Brother, sit here!”
Abad burst into laughter at her words and sat next to Chelsea.
“I'm also curious about what kind of magic the Hero of the Beginning used. Was he really an all-class?”
“Yes.”
Watching the lively atmosphere from a distance, Lunia, who had been eating, rested her chin on her hand.
“Lumerne really never has a quiet day.”
Lunia shook her head slightly.
Just then, Karl, Ar, and Driana, who were sitting with her, stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“They're talking about the Hero of the Beginning! Aren't you curious?”
Ar's eyes sparkled as she spoke, but Lunia shook her head.
“Not really.”
“Just leave this pointy-ear. She's the type to act stubborn because of her useless pride, even if she wants to listen.”
“That's right. If we leave her be, she'll come on her own, right?”
Driana and Karl snickered and went with Ar toward where Chen Xia was.
“I'm really not that curious.”
Lunia wore an indifferent expression.
But every time the boisterous conversation reached her, her ears twitched again and again.
“Ah, seriously!”
A moment later, as if she couldn't stand it anymore, she ran toward the noisy group.
***
“Through this summit, we plan to break down the boundary between Heroes and Shadows to strengthen cooperation.”
Mel's office.
Melina said with a serious face.
“And we also intend to strengthen harmony between the races.”
The world, amidst various interests, has seen distrust between nations.
And distrust between races has continued.
As for Melina, she wanted to mend all such discord during her time and unite their strengths as much as possible.
As the collapse of the Genesis Hero Record was not far off.
It was no exaggeration to say that the threat of Erebos was right around the corner.
“Fortunately, thanks to you, Leo, Lordia has gained new strength, buying us more time, but…”
“That too is merely stalling for time.”
Leo said, lifting the teacup Melina had brought out.
“What do you think of the Heroes of this era?”
Melina asked.
The Heroes who had their names recorded in the Hero Record in this era.
They would surely become the strength to fight against Erebos and Tartaros in the distant future.
“They were all excellent.”
“Do you have any advice for them?”
“Hmm.”
Leo's red eyes curved into a smile.
“No matter what anyone says, they are the ones who accomplished deeds worthy of the gods' recognition and had their names recorded in the Hero Record.”
Leo took a sip of tea before setting the cup down.
“It's a bit funny to give advice to those who are already on stage, properly doing their part.”
“In that case…”
“I'm still more interested in the hero cadets who will lead the next generation. That's why I've made some plans for this summer break.”
“Plans?”
Melina tilted her head.
Leo took a paper from his coat and handed it to Melina.
After receiving and reading it, Melina spoke.
“Hmm… a training schedule. Is this what you're planning to do?”
“That's right. A training camp of sorts, you could say? I'm planning to hold it in the Flove family's territory.”
At Leo's words, Melina gave a sympathetic smile.
‘These kids are going to experience hell during their summer break.’
“I'd like to invite the people listed there as instructors. Could I ask you to handle it?”
“Yes. I will handle the preparations.”
Nodding, Melina tucked the schedule away and asked.
“There's something I'd like to ask you, Leo.”
“What is it?”
“How long do you plan to hide the fact that you're the reincarnation of the Hero of the Beginning?”
At that question, Leo crossed his arms and looked at the ceiling in thought.
“Do you plan to hide it forever?”
“Not likely. The day will come when I have to reveal my identity myself.”
Lost in thought, Leo shook his head.
“But not now. It would be best to reveal it when I've gained enough power that I won't be outshined by my past self.”
Although Leo was rapidly regaining his past strength and accumulating power through the rewards from conquering the World of Heroes, he had not yet fully recovered the power of his prime.
“I see.”
***
The summit held in Lumerne.
And the news that followed shook the world.
On the first day alone, stories emerged about the Hero Record, the appearance of the Book of Shadows, and the previously unknown final journeys of the Great Heroes.
On the next day, Melina continued to astonish the world by revealing the Hero Records of the heroes who were active during the Jormungandr subjugation, which she had received from Leo.
While these surprising events continued to unfold, the first-years' final exam tournament proceeded.
And before long, it was the semi-finals.
“Wow, the class president's mentee… he's amazing, isn't he?”
Iliana clicked her tongue in amazement.
“The last-ranked student in the year made it to the top four? And his opponent is the year representative, no less!”
Watching Iliana's sparkling eyes, Karl rested his chin on his hand.
“You look like you're having fun.”
“Of course! Austin made it into the safe zone!”
Austin, Iliana's mentee and a member of Leo's knight order, had achieved a safe score.
With no worries about expulsion, Iliana began to fully enjoy the first-years' duels.
“Plus, thanks to betting on the class president's mentee, I've hit the jackpot on some upsets several times!”
Iliana's eyes sparkled as she shook her coin purse.
“I bombed the written exam and was about to have my allowance cut off! But thanks to this, I don't have to worry about my allowance for the second semester!”
Watching her, Eiran, who was nearby, exclaimed in admiration.
“That's amazing.”
“Huhu-! Call me Iliana of the Beast's Heart.”
“That sounds so cool!”
“Don't think it's cool, Sister Eiran. That's not a beast's heart, that's an animal's brain.”
Chelsea, who was watching Eiran clap her hands in admiration, said coolly.
“Huhu. Anyway, shall I try to grow this money even more? Karl. I want to buy a betting slip!”
“Yes, yes. On Luke?”
“What are you talking about? On Aina, of course!”
“Weren't you 'Luke only' until now?”
“Hmph! A true gambler doesn't gamble! A real pro secures their money on a sure win, even if the payout is low!”
Not something the person who was just talking about having a "beast's heart" should say.
“So how much are you betting.”
“Everything.”
Seeing Iliana's eyes glitter with greed, Karl sold her the betting slip without hesitation.
“Make this big sister rich! My cute junior.”
Just as Iliana's eyes were sparkling.
“I'll try that once, too.”
Someone approached Karl.
It was none other than Leah.
Leah, whose spirit had been ground to dust after being captured by Halind, had barely recovered over the past few days.
“On whom?”
“On Aina Veydean, this much.”
Leah handed a wad of cash to Karl.
Seeing Leah's eyes burning with an emotion different from greed, Karl sold her the betting slip without another word.
‘It's not my money.’
Karl placed the wad of cash into his subspace.
“I should get ready to do business.”
***
“Hoo.”
Before entering the arena, Luke took a deep breath.
Leo wasn't there.
In fact, Leo hadn't come to see Luke even once after his first match.
That was disappointing, but on the other hand, he also had a thought.
‘This must be Senior's way of saying I can do it on my own now.’
Thinking that, he lightly slapped his cheeks.
He calmed his trembling heart.
All first semester.
The person he could only think of as amazing, whom he had only watched from afar, was waiting.
‘How well can I do?’
The other students he had faced so far were amazing enough, but.
His current opponent was on a different level.
Literally the strongest first-year.
A sense of anxiety washed over him, and his heart trembled.
But he soon took a deep breath and started walking.
‘Let's go, Luke.’
He shook off his own anxiety.
‘I'm going to test the results of my training against the strongest first-year.’