Chapter 562
Chapter Title: The Dragon Lord's Tea Party
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“Incredible is the only word for it.”
Driana murmured in admiration as she sketched the landscape of Dragonia’s capital spread out before her.
The representatives of the hero academies were currently gathered in a high tower at the very center of Dragonia’s capital.
This place, called the Tower of Wisdom, offered a panoramic view of the entire Dragonian landscape.
Watching Driana, who was engrossed in her sketching, captivated by the beautiful scenery, Lunia muttered.
“Is there any point to that?”
“What do you mean?”
When Leo asked with a puzzled expression, Lunia explained.
“I know Driana is amazing as a smith. All the equipment I’ve received from her since signing an exclusive smith contract has been incredible.”
Equipment was, by its very nature, consumable.
Even weapons crafted by the most skilled smiths.
Even the legendary weapons used by heroes of old would quickly lose their function without proper maintenance.
Moreover, no matter how meticulous the care, they would eventually break with use.
That was why the heirlooms of renowned hero families with long histories were often kept in storage rather than used.
While they remained powerful artifacts containing immense power, using them recklessly would mean the heirlooms wouldn't last.
The remarkable thing about Dweno, called the Divine Blacksmith and the creator of the divine artifacts that exist in the modern era, was that he transcended this common sense.
Dweno's creations, with proper maintenance, would quickly return to a like-new state.
As long as they weren't completely destroyed, they would soon regain their original form, even if they were chipped and battered.
Of course, that didn't mean they were absolutely indestructible.
Blacksmiths capable of maintaining divine artifacts were extremely rare, and the replicas obtained as rewards from the Hero Record didn't possess the same restorative power as the originals.
That was why Lunia, Eiran, and Ar couldn't use the divine artifacts of Dweno they had obtained as rewards from his world without careful consideration.
They were, in essence, decisive weapons reserved for critical battles.
The same was true for others.
‘If not for Demian the Indomitable, the artifacts left by Dweno would be far rarer than they are now.’
Demian had restored many of Dweno’s creations to a like-new condition and passed them down to future generations.
It was thanks to him that so many divine artifacts still remained.
Even the users of these divine artifacts faced such circumstances.
That was why the students of the hero academies formed contracts and maintained relationships with Demian’s smiths.
For hero cadets, whether or not they met a good smith could determine the course of their lives.
In that sense, Driana was a blessing.
She supplied them with necessary equipment of excellent quality.
If nothing else, as a smith, Driana was a genius.
However.
“She’s a lost cause as an artist, though.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I have to. Don’t call her an artist. That’s an insult to art itself.”
Had Dweno heard that, he might have flown into a rage.
‘Art? Did you just call that thing art? Come here. Come and put your head on the anvil. I’ll personally smash it with my hammer. And then I’ll fix what's inside.’
I could just picture him, eyes wide, swinging his hammer wildly.
The party's reliable shield and its eldest member.
And as an advisor, Dweno was always composed, but when it came to art, all bets were off.
He was a man who called himself the greatest artist and a worshipper of beauty.
‘Well, he was certainly amazing as an artist, too.’
Leo didn't know much about art.
In his past life, he had lived a life far removed from such things, and though he was born a noble in his new life, he still didn't pay it much mind.
But he could tell that Dweno was a great artist.
Though they teased him for being a pervert, Leo and Ar-on found Dweno’s works to be truly beautiful.
The same was true for Lisinas and Luna.
Even in this current era, where culture had advanced and flourished, they had never seen anything as beautiful as the works Dweno had created back then.
‘It’s certainly a shame.’
What Dweno truly wanted to leave for posterity were not weapons that took lives, but beautiful works of art.
‘In this era, weapons are paramount. We must fight our enemies. It's true that we need powerful weapons to protect ourselves.’
The image of Dweno carving stone with a hammer and chisel surfaced in his mind.
‘But when we reclaim the world, the weapons I leave behind will become instruments of harm against our own kind. I don't intend to lament that fact. That is the fate of a weapon. That is why I want to let future generations know that beauty existed even in this desperate age. Isn't it too bleak to leave behind only weapons, having been so desperate to survive in a dark era? It is more valuable to convey to posterity that beauty once existed.’
Among the Great Heroes, the one who would probably find the current era most regrettable was Dweno.
Lisinas, who led the world to salvation.
Luna, who turned countless desperate situations into hope with her magic.
Ar-on, who brought about countless miracles with his immense courage.
And Kyle, who, as the last one standing, announced the opening of a new era.
And then there was Dweno.
Dweno was known only as the creator of the divine artifacts that made all of this possible.
The world today was beautiful enough.
But there was no one who knew of Dweno the artist… who had dedicated himself for the sake of that beauty.
Just as Leo wore a slightly bitter smile.
Ar, who had been listening to their conversation, shot up from her seat.
“Where are you going?”
“I'm curious to see what kind of terrible drawing she's making.”
Ar flashed a mischievous smile and crept over to Driana like a cat.
“Driana, can I see your drawing?”
“Oh, Ar. Taking an interest in art, are we?”
Driana beamed cheerfully.
“Well, it’s just a sketch, so it’s nothing special. But it’s a good thing to take an interest in beautiful things.”
Mhm!
Nodding, Driana showed her the sketchbook.
Seeing it, Ar’s jaw dropped.
“What is this!”
At her exclamation, Lunia and Chelsea approached Ar with curious faces.
Just how terrible could it be to elicit such a reaction?
“Let’s see, let’s see… Huh?”
“What? Why is it so well-drawn?”
Lunia and Chelsea were also taken aback.
Driana’s sketch had wonderfully captured the majestic scenery of Dragonia.
Seeing the three of them in shock, Driana clicked her tongue.
“It’s a pathetic drawing, with not an ounce of originality. But if I reconstruct it with my own aesthetic sense… Fufufu. A magnificent work of art will be born!”
The three girls thought seriously.
‘Maybe she really should just give up on art.’
While the three were marveling at Driana’s drawing skills.
“Perhaps it is time we discussed the reason we were invited here.”
Hardin adjusted his glasses.
The vice president of Seirun’s student council, Hardin glanced at Leo before turning his gaze to Dorveman and Marigold.
“We still don’t know the precise reason for our sudden invitation to Dragonia, but I’m sure we all have our suspicions, don’t we?”
If it were Leo, it might be different.
But Dorveman and Marigold, though from different academies, were clearly a year ahead of Hardin.
On top of that, they were student council presidents.
Thus, his tone was extremely polite.
At Hardin's words, Dorveman let out a smirk.
“It's about the inter-academy competition, isn't it?”
It was an event of a scale unprecedented in the history of the hero academies.
The Lumerne-Seirun Match alone was an event that drew the world’s attention.
But a competition between all four hero academies?
It was literally a contest to determine which hero academy was the best.
The pride of the four races was on the line.
Of course, the one hailed as the best among all hero academies was Leo.
He became a student council president in his first year and a Hero in his second.
A powerhouse who had transcended the level of a student.
But in a competition between hero academies, which possessed the power of entire nations, there was a limit to what one individual could accomplish.
Having the best student and being the best academy were two separate matters.
That was why the inter-academy competition proposed by Lumerne was a matter of unprecedented interest.
“Azonia will participate. For our academy, where struggle is a virtue, there's no reason not to.”
Dorveman crossed his arms.
From the moment the topic was raised, a clamor had erupted within Azonia, insisting they must participate.
“I expected as much from Azonia.”
“Seirun will participate as well, of course?”
At Dorveman’s question, Hardin adjusted his glasses.
“Regrettably, while we would for the Lumerne-Seirun Match, Seirun intends to abstain from a competition involving all four academies.”
“What?”
The unexpected response made Dorveman’s expression turn to one of surprise.
“To be frank, Seirun currently lacks the capacity to hold a large-scale external event.”
Among the four hero academies, Seirun had undoubtedly weathered the most storms recently.
Last winter.
The massive invasion of the Monster Queen.
On top of that, the Pureblood Society’s takeover of Seirun at the beginning of this year.
Though the historic events of the return of the Progenitor of Nebula and the Comet Sorceress had occurred, they were preceded by major crises that had thrown Seirun into chaos.
Furthermore, because Seirun had declared it would no longer only accept students who had learned star magic, the academy was undergoing a massive upheaval, changing its operational policies.
Internally, the situation was not good.
The Lumerne-Seirun Match was an annual event, and since it was being held at Lumerne this year, they could somehow manage to participate.
But an inter-academy competition, a massive event surpassing even the Lumerne-Seirun Match, was a different story.
“As Seirun is not in a position to participate fully, our attendance will be difficult.”
“Tsk, so you won’t fight a battle you can’t win?”
“Please consider it a rational decision.”
Hardin replied calmly to Dorveman, who clicked his tongue with a displeased look.
But Dorveman didn't press the matter further.
As a student council president himself, he knew he would have made the same choice if Azonia were in Seirun’s position.
‘It’s just infuriating that an opportunity like this only comes when I’m in my fifth year.’
“We at Demian will also be abstaining. We have our own academic schedule, you see. I know it’s an interesting and worthwhile event, but it’s just too sudden.”
Marigold said with a regretful smile.
Chelsea let out a small sigh.
‘It’s not unexpected.’
The hero academies were powers that represented their respective races.
Even though they were educational institutions, they were groups that required national-level administration, making it difficult to suddenly participate in a large-scale event.
Even if not to the same extent as Lumerne, which was hosting the sudden competition, it was clear that immense chaos would ensue.
That was why there was a lot of skepticism even within Lumerne.
They could do it if they had to.
The problem was that the process would be difficult.
‘Honestly, if it doesn’t happen, it’s a welcome development for us.’
Chelsea sighed deeply.
‘But the one who proposed this competition was my brother, Leo.’
Chelsea knew.
Leo was the type to make the impossible possible.
Glancing at Leo, Chelsea saw him smiling and looked up at the ceiling.
Lunia also saw Leo’s expression and shook her head.
‘He’s definitely going to push it through.’
*Swoosh-*
The door opened smoothly, and someone appeared.
A small girl entered the room.
Her beautiful silver hair, mixed with strands of black, flowed down like a cape, long enough to touch the floor.
Despite trailing on the ground, the girl’s hair was as pristine as a high-purity gem.
Her face was as beautiful as a sculpture.
And her eyes were closed.
Behind her stood dragons on either side.
Everyone present knew all too well who this small, girlish dragon was.
‘The Dragon Lord, Melina.’
They had seen her before at the summit.
But meeting her directly in the same room like this, the pressure she exuded was on another level.
Even Lunia, Ar, and Driana, whom she had personally designated as the heroes who would lead the era, couldn't hide their tense expressions.
“Thank you all for accepting my invitation despite your busy schedules.”
Melina clapped her hands together and smiled brightly.
She then went and sat at the head of the table.
“You may all go attend to your duties.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
The dragons accompanying Melina bowed their heads and left the room.
Their departure made the students tense up.
“Now then, let's get down to business.”
Melina spoke seriously, her eyes still closed.
As the students watched her, swallowing nervously.
“Shall we have a tea party?”
“Excuse me?”
For a moment, Hardin asked back in an uncharacteristically dazed voice.
Watching him, not even thinking to adjust his slipping glasses, Melina asked.
“Hardin, do you prefer black tea? Or coffee? Or perhaps herbal tea? Would you tell me your favorite?”
***
“This is nice. Having a tea party like this.”
Melina smiled gently as she sipped her black tea.
“I invited you all here because I wanted to arrange a time to coordinate the schedule for the inter-academy competition. So? Is the coordination complete?”
At Melina's question, Marigold answered.
“There is something I must tell you regarding that.”
“What is it?”
“It is certainly a meaningful and significant event. However, the proposal was too sudden, so it will be difficult for Seirun and Demian to participate.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. A competition with only Lumerne and Azonia attending would be meaningless. So, we were planning to discuss coordinating a future schedule rather than holding it this year.”
“I see.”
Melina nodded and then smiled sweetly.
“Let’s hold it this year.”
“Pardon?”
Marigold looked bewildered at Melina's words.
“The world is currently in turmoil. The revival of Erebos's fragments and the unusual movements of Tartaros continue. On top of that, a god has appeared and shown us the path we must take.”
Melina set down her teacup.
“The truth about the World of Genesis is a secret that the Dragon Lords have hidden for thousands of years.”
Melina’s eyes slowly opened.
“For a long time, to prevent chaos in the world, the Dragon Lords secretly gathered heroes and challenged the World of Genesis. And they failed.”
The students focused on Melina's words.
“They established the hero academies in the hope that we, the future generation, would carry on their will. The inter-academy competition proposed by Lumerne is not simply a contest to determine superiority between academies. It is a place to gauge each other's skills and engage in friendly competition. I believe it will become a platform for harmony, a foundation to conquer the World of Genesis by carrying on the will of each academy's founders. I hope this becomes an opportunity for the four academies to interact more actively and become a festival for the world.”
Unbeknownst to many, the world had erected walls between the races.
There was no one here who was unaware of that fact.
“Still, I understand that it is difficult for each of you for your own reasons. So, let me tell you this.”
Melina smiled brightly.
“If any academy chooses not to participate, I will personally discipline them.”
Her tone was like that of a teacher chiding a young student.
But coming from the one at the pinnacle of world power, the officially recognized strongest being, it could only be a terrifying threat.
At Melina’s words, Leo sipped his coffee and said.
“Looks like that settles things. Let's start coordinating the schedule.”
Leo smiled brazenly.
“So? What date should we set?”