Chapter 521
Chapter Title: An Unworthy Hero
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“So you're Leo Flove?”
Kaodin looked at Leo, the corner of his mouth curling up.
“Do you know that your mother and I were classmates? Is that why you're spouting such nonsense?”
“So what if you were classmates? Does that excuse you for acting like a complete scoundrel?”
“Reina really failed to raise you right. If she was going to retire without any notable achievements, she should have at least taught her son some manners. Looks like you need a lesson.”
“I agree. I'd love to give you a lesson, but you're far too beneath me to teach.”
Leo countered Kaodin's provocation with a scoff.
Seeing Leo's reaction, Kaodin's expression completely changed.
He looked as if he was about to lunge at Leo at any moment.
It was then.
“Alright, then.”
Chen Xia, who had been knocked down by Kaodin's attack, lightly pushed herself up.
“My new uniform, which I just got a little while ago, is a mess.”
At her nonchalant demeanor, Kaodin's eye twitched.
‘She's barely even hurt?’
Kaodin was a graduate of the Knight Department, but he was an Archer class.
Compared to other Knight classes proficient in close-quarters combat, the power of his melee attacks was significantly weaker.
But that was only by a hero's standards.
His attack was powerful enough that a student should have struggled to withstand it.
And yet, Chen Xia walked over calmly.
“I'll take care of this person. It has nothing to do with you two, right?”
“Why wouldn't it? This man insulted my cousin and my aunt. I can't forgive him. Duran, this has nothing to do with you, so stay out of it.”
“Don't order me around.”
“You brats don't know your place. Has being called the Golden Generation made you lose your minds?!”
*Crackle-!*
Crimson lightning crackled around Kaodin's body.
Aura Emission.
*Kwagagagagagak-!*
Chen Xia and Celia quickly moved out of Kaodin's attack range.
“Looks like one of you couldn't get away. That's why you should watch who you're picking a fight with…”
*Crackle-!*
“Is this all the aura a so-called hero can muster?”
The longsword, crackling with golden lightning, flashed.
*Kwaaaaa-!*
Weaving a trail of golden light, Duran's sword aimed for Kaodin's neck.
Seeing this, a shocked Kaodin hastily used an Aura Step to dodge Duran's sword.
In that instant.
“Payback time.”
*Kwaaaang-!*
“Keuk!”
Chen Xia, having closed the distance in a flash, smiled as she kicked Kaodin in the stomach.
Contrary to her gentle tone, the force of the blow was utterly brutal.
As his body bent into an L-shape and his head plunged toward the ground.
The sheathed rapier stabbed straight into the face of the falling Kaodin.
*Crack-!*
“Guk?!”
He had protected his body as much as possible with his Aura Armor.
However, Celia's thrust pierced through the Aura Armor.
Its power was reduced, sparing him a fatal wound, but his nose was crushed as he was sent flying back.
“You bastards!”
*Kwagagagagagagagak-!*
Kaodin, his eyes wide with fury, released his aura once more.
A powerful storm of aura, incomparable to the one before.
But before the storm of aura could engulf them, the three had already created distance.
“You sons of bitches!”
Clutching his shattered, bleeding nose, Kaodin radiated a terrifying killing intent.
Iliana gaped at the scene.
“Even if it's those three, is it really possible for them to overwhelm a Knight-class hero like that?”
“It is.”
Claria replied calmly.
“The skills of those three are not to be underestimated, even by someone who has reached the realm of heroes. Against knights like them, that scoundrel… no, Sir Kaodin, was careless. It's not surprising that he's been pushed onto the defensive like this.”
The three moved sharply, continuously cornering Kaodin.
“When facing multiple opponents, it's hard to regain the upper hand once you start getting pushed around. On top of that…”
“Not all Knight classes are the same.”
Leo said, watching the trio's movements.
“Just by looking at those women he has with him, you can easily guess how he fights on the battlefield.”
Leo glanced at Kaodin's knights, who wore flustered expressions.
“That's his private order of knights, right?”
“That's right, Student Leo. They're called the Valkyries. They're a knightly order specializing in defense, blocking enemies. You recognized them right away.”
“It's obvious just by looking.”
“What? What? Class Rep. What do you mean?”
As Iliana asked with a clueless expression, Leo sighed.
“Iliana. You'd get stronger much faster if you just carefully observed your opponents and thought about how to counter them.”
“Ugh.”
“What do you think would happen if a mage hero, who relies on powerful attacks while being protected by a vanguard, was attacked at close range by skilled knights?”
“They'd get beaten, of course.”
“It's the same principle. That guy is a Knight class, but he's always fought like a pure mage. That's why his ability to handle a chaotic melee is pathetic.”
“Aha!”
Iliana nodded as if she understood.
“How did a guy like that ever get the title of hero?”
‘Because there are plenty of gods with terrible taste.’
Leo furrowed his brow.
“Valkyries! What are you doing?! Protect me!”
Just then, Kaodin's roar was heard.
At that, the Valkyries hastily moved to guard Kaodin.
“You little shits…! I won't let you get away with this!”
*Fwip-!*
Kaodin opened a subspace and gripped a bow imbued with powerful magic.
Duran narrowed his eyes at Kaodin.
“Seeing that even someone like this can become a hero… it really makes you wonder if the gods have any judgment at all.”
“For once, we agree. It makes me question the whole idea of a hero.”
Celia sighed softly.
“You insolent brats! Don't you know who I am? How dare you insult me! Your families won't get away unscathed…”
“I'd rather not bring family into this, but the Jerdinger family is a little too big for you to handle. And you?”
After Celia shot back with an indifferent face, she looked at Duran, who also sneered.
“This should be interesting. Are you trying to declare war on the Moira Kingdom?”
“I don't want to blow a school matter out of proportion, but if you insist, I'd be happy to show you just how powerful the Shan Empire is.”
Faced with the backgrounds of the three, Kaodin fell silent.
“That was some great teamwork. Even if you bicker every day, friends are friends, after all.”
Just then, Leo appeared behind the three.
“Who said we're friends, Leo Flove?”
“I've never been friends with someone with such a messy personality, Leo.”
“Now, now, friends should get along.”
As Duran and Celia bristled, Chen Xia mediated with a smile.
“Yeah, right.”
Leo let out a small laugh, and Duran, after a snort, sheathed his sword and crossed his arms.
Celia and Chen Xia also retracted their auras.
*Step-*
“Getting beaten up by your juniors was quite a sight.”
“You arrogant bastard!”
His anger reignited by Leo's taunt, Kaodin drew his bowstring.
*Crackle-!*
“Die!”
With a roar, he released the bowstring, and a bolt of crimson lightning shot toward Leo.
*Snatch-!*
Leo snatched the incoming arrow out of the air.
*Crackle-!*
“...!”
Kaodin's eyes widened as he saw his attack blocked so easily.
*Crack-!*
When Leo tightened his grip, the arrow of aura dissipated as if it were never there.
Everyone present stared, their eyes wide.
Leo slowly approached Kaodin.
“Stop him! Stop that guy!”
Seeing this, Kaodin yelled at the Valkyries.
Seeing that, Leo raised his hand.
*Shwaaaak! Kwagang-!*
“Keuk?”
“Th-This is…!”
The Valkyries' shadows began to rise, binding them in place.
It was Lisinas's magic.
“Y-You're cheating, using magic…!”
“That's not something the guy hiding in a safe spot and shooting arrows should be saying.”
Leo sneered as he approached.
Watching Leo, Kaodin desperately drew his bowstring once more.
*Goooooooooo-!*
A wave of killing intent erupted from Leo's body.
*Thud-!*
Kaodin, hit head-on by that killing intent, dropped his bow.
*Clack clack clack-*
Pale as a sheet, Kaodin's jaw chattered.
Seeing this, Leo looked up at the sky and narrowed his eyes.
“In your eyes, is something like this also a hero?”
“Don't be ridiculous! I am a hero rightfully chosen by the gods! You have no right to question my qualifications as a…!”
“Kneel.”
*Crack-!*
“Gyaaaah!”
Leo kicked Kaodin's shin.
His shinbone shattered, Kaodin collapsed.
“You're right, I have no right to question a hero's qualifications.”
Leo said, stepping on Kaodin's head.
“But whatever a hero is, it's not you.”
*Squeeze-!*
“Gyaaaaaah!”
Kaodin screamed under the crushing pressure on his head.
Seeing this, a few of the second-year students gasped.
“I was just going to watch, if possible. Because if I got involved, things would get complicated.”
He knew he had the authority to revoke a hero's status, but he had no intention of abusing it.
“But it occurred to me that if scum like you are called heroes, it makes a mockery of those who truly dedicated themselves to the world.”
“Guhk- guhk-”
As Leo's killing intent intensified, Kaodin couldn't even breathe properly.
His body trembling as if having a seizure, he gasped out.
‘I'm going to die! I'm really going to die!’
Kaodin was terrified.
“Forgive me, forgive… forgive me…!”
“If you want forgiveness, ask Chen Xia. She's not someone that trash like you should be insulting.”
“Fo-forgive… Gurgle-!”
Kaodin's eyes rolled back in his head, and his body went limp.
Leo said to the Valkyries with a blank expression.
“Get him out of here.”
At his words, the Valkyries hastily took Kaodin and left.
Leo spoke to Chen Xia as she approached him.
“I was going to make him apologize to you.”
“It's alright. An apology from someone like him wouldn't have made me feel any better.”
Chen Xia smiled brightly.
Just then, Duran, who had been watching the situation quietly, spoke up.
“Leo Flove. I have a question for you.”
“You have a question for me? That's a surprise.”
“What is your ideal hero?”
“...?”
Leo looked puzzled by Duran's question.
“Why do you ask?”
“Everyone has their own reason for wanting to become a hero. As such, the ideal hero they wish to become is also different.”
Duran wanted to become a hero because he admired strength.
In Celia's case, it was to elevate her family's honor.
For Chen Xia, she dreamed of becoming a hero to help many people.
Each had their own reason and a different path they wanted to walk.
“But you were never interested in the position of a hero from the start.”
“Did I seem that way?”
“Yes, but you were more heroic than anyone.”
Everyone, including Leo, was surprised by Duran's words.
It was the first time the prideful Duran had acknowledged Leo so purely.
“You had the power to make the impossible possible. You were honorable as a hero and never hesitated to help people. It was as if you were born to be a hero.”
Duran looked Leo straight in the eye.
“And today, upon seeing a hero who was anything but, you were more furious than anyone. That's why I want to ask. What is your ideal hero?”
“I've never really thought about it, so that's a tough one.”
After pondering seriously, Leo spoke.
“Someone who can be brave for others. Someone who is willing to become a shield for another. Someone who can shine in any situation.”
Leo said slowly, thinking of Ar-on, Dweno, and Luna.
“Someone who can turn despair into hope. That's my ideal hero.”
“Wow, that's exactly you, Young Master Leo.”
“Not at all.”
“Why not? It's a perfect description of you.”
“I just didn't give up because of people like that.”
“And that's what's so amazing.”
Chen Xia pouted.
“So? Why did you ask?”
“I only asked because I want to pursue a different path to heroism than yours.”
Duran had not given up on chasing after Leo.
He knew that perhaps, no, even if he chased him his entire life, he might never reach him.
Still, he had no intention of giving up.
‘Still, I have no desire to become the ideal hero he pursues.’
It was a strange sense of defiance, born from his unwillingness to simply follow in another's footsteps.
‘I believe a hero is someone who never gives up.’
He recalled the first time he had a real conversation with Leo.
‘Yes, never giving up. That wouldn't be a bad goal to aim for.’
Duran looked down at his hand, then back at Leo and said.
“I will never give up on surpassing you, Leo Flove.”
At those words, Leo's eyes widened slightly.
“What is it?”
“No, it's just that you remind me of someone.”
“Who?”
‘If I say he's like me, he'll throw another fit.’
“Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.”
At his words, Chen Xia's eyes went wide as she looked back and forth between Leo and Duran.
Whether he noticed her reaction or not, Duran just snorted.
“You speak as if you know Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.”
“I heard about him from Lady Luna.”
At that, Duran frowned slightly.
“Alright, alright, let's get back to class.”
Claria brought the situation under control.
Meanwhile, Duran approached Chen Xia.
“You weren't hurt by an attack of that level, were you?”
It was an arrogant way of putting it, but it was Duran's way of showing concern.
Chen Xia looked up at Duran with a somewhat sullen expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Must be nice, huh? Hearing from Young Master Leo that you're like the Hero of the Beginning.”
“Are you jealous right now? I don't see what there is to be jealous about.”
“Hmph!”
Chen Xia gave a prim reaction and turned away sharply.
Watching her go, Duran could only wear a clueless expression.