Chapter 643
Chapter Title: Undine, the Spirit of the Deep Sea
-----------------------------------------------------------------
643.
“They’re all so incredible.”
Artian clasped her hands together and let out a gasp of admiration.
The sight was so overwhelming that she couldn't help but be impressed.
“Karl was a bit of a concern, but the result was brilliant. Looking at that, it’s clear the Hero title wasn't earned for nothing.”
They had won a seemingly impossible battle through sheer preparation and strategy.
Their ability to read so far ahead was on a level the first-years couldn't even begin to comprehend.
It was, quite literally, as if they were being toyed with.
Even though they were facing students from a different year, Elena, Lil, and Chen Xia hadn't been able to dominate them to this extent.
“As expected of the one who prepares for the beginning.”
As Yura voiced her admiration, Ren chuckled.
“Hmph, of course. He is my student, after all.”
“Weren’t you completely uninterested in Karl?”
“What are you talking about? Where do you think student Karl’s exceptional alchemy skills came from?”
“Dweno’s grimoire.”
“Ah, I see it's impossible to reason with a summoner who just summons her creatures and leaves all the work to them.”
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Hmph, resorting to violence when you can’t win with words? You’re becoming more and more like Senior Ain, aren’t you?”
“Want to find out what real violence feels like?”
Halind spoke without even glancing at the two bickering professors.
“Professor Ain, Professor Artian.”
“Yes.”
“Ye-Yes!”
“Silence them.”
“Um… how…”
Artian didn't know what to do.
Ain, however, didn't hesitate. He moved behind Ren and snapped his neck.
*Crack-*
Caught by surprise, Ren went limp.
“Serves you right!”
Yura cheered at the sight.
Watching her, the hesitant Artian met Halind’s gaze.
Startled, she approached Yura.
“Professor Yura, I’m sorry! It’s an order from Professor Halind!”
“Huh?”
*CRACK-*
“Gurgle?”
Yura’s neck twisted at an even greater angle than Ren’s.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Artian.
“I was just looking at you to mean that since it's quiet now, there's no need to subdue her.”
“What?”
At Halind’s words, Artian became visibly flustered.
“Besides, Professor Artian. That sound just now was rather unusual, wasn’t it?”
“Whaaat?!”
Artian’s eyes, usually closed unless she was possessed, flew wide open.
Looking down, she saw Yura convulsing and foaming at the mouth.
“Professor Yura! Are you okay!”
“A healer! Get a healer!”
“Hey! Yura! Snap out of it!”
Watching the faculty become incomparably more chaotic than before, Halind let out a small sigh.
“Hahaha! The fate of a dictator who solves everything with power!”
Professor Sedjen wore a triumphant expression.
Standing next to him was the principal, Liina.
“Aren’t you worried about Professor Yura?”
“Hmph, Liina. Professor Yura isn't weak enough to die from something like that.”
“How do you know?”
“Let’s call it faith in a former student.”
“I see.”
Liina nodded, brought a bottle to her lips, and began chugging it down.
Watching her, Ain spoke.
“Principal. You should refrain from drinking.”
“*Gulp*—Professor Ain. I’m sorry. But I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.”
Wiping her mouth, Liina pulled out another bottle.
Ain sighed deeply to himself.
Halind, Sedjen, Liina.
He now understood why these three had been friends since their school days.
*‘Then again, the principal must be under a lot of stress.’*
Liina, who had succeeded the Sword Saint as the principal of Lumerne.
When she first took the position last year, there was a lot of talk.
A shadow becoming the principal of a hero academy was bound to cause controversy.
But as if to prove why she had been recommended by Halind and Sedjen, Lumerne’s most renowned professors, Liina carried out her duties perfectly.
The reason her public presence was minimal was because she ran the school so flawlessly.
Moreover, true to her shadow origins, she had her own information network, giving her a clear view of new hero dungeons and the movements of Tartaros and the Hero Hunters.
Thanks to the immense workload that came with it, she would often drink in front of the professors these days.
Still, none of them objected.
The Lumerne faculty was full of eccentrics, so they tended to let things like drinking slide.
Another reason was that Liina’s drinking never interfered with her work.
“Which year do you predict will be the first to solve this assignment?”
At Halind’s question, Liina let out a breath and smirked.
“The fourth and fifth-years, of course.”
“Oh? Why do you think so?”
Sedjen asked with interest, and Liina replied while looking at the screen.
“The first-years still haven't properly grasped what kind of person Karl is. The second-years have a terrible battlefield. Plus, their opponent is Chen Xia, right? She was quite famous on our side. The next master of Shan.”
Liina’s gaze lingered on Chen Xia.
*‘She’s completely moved past her internal conflict.’*
It was obvious what kind of mindset Chen Xia had during her first year.
Wanting to live in the light instead of the darkness was a common trait among shadows.
After becoming a second-year, she likely stopped denying her world.
Most importantly, the world had acknowledged the shadows.
All the shadows in this world had been saved.
*‘Her expression is even better now than it was in her second year.’*
A much more relaxed face.
The path she must walk.
She looked as if she had completely chosen what she had to do.
Even in her second year, she hadn’t denied being a shadow and had shown her shadow form.
But she had never once revealed her true self.
Now, she was showing it completely.
*‘It’s too much for the second-years to handle right now.’*
“The third-years have probably come to their senses. They’ll fight their seniors seriously. They should be able to overcome them in the next fight.”
Indeed, the look in the third-years’ eyes had changed.
They acknowledged their own arrogance.
*‘That’s the most frightening thing about the third-years.’*
They quickly identify their mistakes.
And they use that as a stepping stone to advance at an incredible speed.
*‘Leo’s influence is significant.’*
Finally, Liina’s gaze shifted to the fourth and fifth-years.
They were clearly shaken.
Looking at them now, one wouldn't think they could be the first to clear the assignment as Liina had confidently stated.
But…
*‘Those kids are hero candidates, after all.’*
The experience of constantly surpassing their limits at Lumerne doesn't just disappear.
Even if they’ve fallen into disarray without a leader.
Even if they’ve drawn a line for themselves and refuse to cross it.
What the fourth and fifth-years have accomplished up to this point doesn’t just vanish.
*‘Besides…’*
“I-I also think the fourth and fifth-year students will be able to solve this assignment quickly!”
Artian clenched her fists.
Since becoming a professor at Lumerne, Artian had always been in charge of the first-years.
But she had taught upperclassmen a few times.
“The fourth and fifth-years have student Runba, don’t they!”
“Runba?”
“Runba is there, but… he lacks the leadership to overcome this situation.”
Just as the professors were expressing their doubts.
“Indeed, with Runba there, he might just awaken the fourth and fifth-years.”
Yura stood up, rubbing her neck.
“Are-Are you okay?”
Artian asked with a worried expression, and Yura nodded.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Yura looked at Runba on the screen.
“That guy, he does everything in moderation, but when it comes to studying or training, he’s a complete maniac.”
“Runba is?”
Ain looked surprised.
Students who risked their lives for studying and training usually showed a fighting spirit.
But except for his first year, Runba had never shown such a side.
“Yes. Do you think he maintains the second-highest rank in his year for nothing? But despite all that, he has no intention of climbing higher. That kid, it’s hilarious. He’s actually thinking of just becoming an assistant professor at Lumerne after graduation.”
Yura looked dumbfounded.
Becoming a professor at Lumerne wasn’t a bad thing.
In fact, most Lumerne professors were skilled individuals with power rivaling, or even surpassing, that of heroes.
But even so, it was those more interested in nurturing the next generation than becoming heroes themselves who became professors at Lumerne.
That made Runba, who wanted to become a professor right after graduation, a truly peculiar case.
Despite being more than capable of becoming a hero and at an age full of vigor, he was trying to step away from the front lines.
“He thinks he can never surpass Elena Jer-on. He gave up on becoming a hero out of frustration. Isn't he just rotten to the core? But the funny thing is, looking at him, he hasn't completely given up.”
It was because of that lingering attachment that he trained like a madman.
“Do you think a guy like that could suddenly have an awakening and influence the other students?”
At Ain’s question, Yura smirked.
“It’s Leo’s specialty, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“Lighting a fire in other people’s hearts.”
Ain let out a dry laugh at Yura’s words.
“That’s certainly true.”
***
Runba, who had slumped to the ground, had his eyes closed.
It was truly agonizing to have a monster in the same year whom you couldn't even dream of catching up to.
*‘There’s even one in the year below.’*
And that one was in the same department.
*‘No, are there more below that?’*
Runba let out a hollow laugh.
He wasn’t talking about Leo Flove.
*‘That guy lives in a completely different world.’*
Coincidentally, the monster of the third year was also in the same department.
*‘Woreden Tiden.’*
It wasn’t just Woreden.
The third year was swarming with monsters.
Had there ever been a time in Lumerne’s history when so many monsters were gathered at once?
*‘This isn’t the Great Monster War, for crying out loud.’*
Runba could feel the fourth and fifth-years splintering.
The fifth-years, who should have been the anchor, were divided into factions.
The fourth-years were revealing their long-suppressed resentment.
Normally, he would have tried to mediate with a good-natured smile.
But they were so completely broken now that it wouldn't work.
*‘In times like these, it’s best to let them fight it out.’*
He decided to ignore it and focus on himself.
*‘I’ve always been a greedy guy. I want to be the best in whatever group I’m in.’*
He could accept not being able to catch up to his seniors, but he wanted to be the best among his peers and juniors at the very least.
But that dream was shattered in his first year.
So he cleanly gave up on the path of a hero.
Instead, he decided to become the best in the field of teaching the next generation.
He had run away pathetically.
*‘But still… no matter how you look at it, that Leo kid. He really gets under my skin.’*
He knew the kid was sharp.
That was why he had provoked him so openly.
Saying things like he’d fix his rotten attitude, or prove he was a hero of the new era.
*‘Ah, he’s so full of himself.’*
Runba dusted himself off and stood up.
“So Niel should take command…”
“We’d rather take command ourselves!”
“How dare you, you juniors!”
“Is this really the time to argue about that? Let’s take off our ranks and have a go!”
“What? Are you crazy!”
“Ahem~ Mic test. Mic test.”
“Runba, is this really the time for commentary!”
One of the fifth-years shouted at Runba, who had pulled out a microphone enchanted with amplification magic.
Runba just grinned at him.
“Shut up and listen. I’m not doing commentary.”
“…”
The sudden harsh words made the fifth-years flinch, while the fourth-years’ eyes widened.
The fourth-years were surprised by this rough side of Runba they had never seen, while the fifth-years were reminded of old times.
“The commander and strategist positions will remain the same.”
Runba said coolly.
“No matter how you look at it, that’s the right call.”
“Senior Runba! We failed! It would be better to change the command…”
“Hey, when a senior is talking, you shut up and listen. I get that you’ve all gotten full of yourselves, but don’t you dare get cocky. Leo isn’t the only one who can smash your skulls in. I can crush them just fine myself.”
The fourth-years fell silent as Runba spewed harsh words with his usual playful expression.
They were completely overwhelmed by this new side of the senior who had taken such good care of them since their first year.
“And you guys. I told you not to get into a pissing contest with your seniors just because you have Elena’s backing, didn’t I? You didn’t listen then. How does it feel now that it’s happened to you? Sucks, doesn’t it? Don’t feel sorry for yourselves. The fourth-years are acting like this because of what you’ve done. It’s karma. Karma.”
Still smiling, he now poked at his classmates’ sore spots.
As they bit their lips, Runba spoke.
“Prepare thoroughly to crush Leo.”
“…He’ll be attacking soon. Do we have time?”
At Eden’s words, Runba clicked his tongue.
“It’s not ‘soon.’ He’s already here.”
Runba turned his head to see Leo approaching with a relaxed expression.
The fourth and fifth-years flinched.
“That look on his face. Isn’t it arrogant?”
“What?”
“No matter how great he is, we’re still his seniors. But that look in his eyes, like he’s looking down on us from a great height! Ah, right. I guess he has the right to. He’s certainly earned it. Still.”
Runba dropped the microphone and gritted his teeth.
“Let’s at least earn his respect as seniors. Even if we have to force it out of him. Let’s struggle as hard as we can to make him acknowledge that we’re his seniors.”
“Can we do it?”
“You said you needed time, right?”
Runba started walking.
“I’ll buy as much as I can.”
*Whoooosh—*
Seeing the spiritual power rising from Runba’s body, Niel spoke.
“Let’s get out of here for now.”
At his words, the fourth and fifth-years quickly retreated.
“Senior Niel, Senior Runba… what’s gotten into him?”
At the question from a junior in the Knight Department, Niel glanced back.
“…I guess that’s his true nature.”
***
Runba stood before Leo.
And he muttered inwardly.
*‘Excuse me? Oh beautiful, great, and noble one?’*
Despite his confident exterior, he was inwardly begging someone, looking pathetic.
*‘You know how you said you’d help me just that one time before? Could you possibly help me now? Are you listening to me? The greatest great spirit in the world? Huh? Please?’*
—*You’re certainly noisy.*
A listless voice replied.
Runba’s face lit up at the response.
Leo, who had stopped walking, curled his lips into a smile.
“Hoh?”
With an amused expression, Leo spoke.
“So you were hiding a trump card? This should be an interesting matchup.”
Seeing the spiritual power raging around Runba, Leo raised his palm.
*Fwoosh—*
—*Hmph, what is it, my contractor?*
—*Contractor, my foot. More like a slave.*
As Ista, the Spirit of Purification, struck a dramatic pose, Lariel sneered coldly.
Ista ignored Lariel’s scorn.
“It looks like your rival is about to be summoned.”
—*Rival?*
“Yes.”
Leo said, looking at the water that had begun to swirl like a waterspout around Runba.
“Undine, the Spirit of the Deep Sea.”