Chapter 081
Chapter Title: The Brave Hero's Breath
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“I don’t understand. An event like this is unprecedented.”
The professors protested at the mention of a battle royale.
An interdepartmental competition, which was meant to be a clash between departments, could easily devolve into an individual free-for-all.
Watching the three protesting professors, Kalian leaned back in his chair.
“It’s not that I don’t understand how you feel. This year’s first-years are particularly exceptional, after all.”
This year, no matter the department, the chances of winning were very high.
That was why all three professors were against a battle royale, an event with so many variables.
“But as you all know, we have a rather special student this year, don’t we?”
“You mean Leo Flove?”
“Yes. At first, everyone was just surprised by the fact that he was an All-Class. Didn’t most of you think he would reach his limit sooner rather than later?”
The three professors agreed.
They had been certain he would eventually come to their respective departments.
“But student Leo continues to maintain grades near the top of every department in all fields.”
Kalian rested his chin on his hand.
“Thanks to that, the board of directors has taken an even deeper interest in student Leo.”
The board of directors.
They were the true masters of Lumerne, composed of the so-called Founding Families—the three great houses of Jer-on, Liguard, and Turcia.
“Are you saying they want student Leo to register his name in the Hero Record as an All-Class?”
“Precisely.”
If that happened, it wouldn't be impossible for another All-Class to inherit Leo's abilities in the future.
In other words, Leo alone wielded an immense influence.
“Of course, he will have to choose a department eventually, but the board's sentiment is that now is not the time. I know you have all been preparing diligently for the interdepartmental competition, but… please try to understand, just this once.”
Hearing Kalian’s words, the three professors let out deep sighs.
They couldn’t continue to object to the words of the headmaster they so deeply respected.
‘From now on, individual skill will be more important than teamwork.’
The professors were lost in thought.
‘Since it's come to this, we have no choice but to prepare for the competition by focusing on improving the students' individual capabilities.’
***
The next day.
During the Knightsmanship major class, all the students were buzzing with a strange excitement.
Today was the day that full-scale classes in preparation for the interdepartmental competition would begin.
Furthermore, Ain had announced that the content of this class would be a great help in conquering the World of Heroes, making the first-years’ atmosphere even more boisterous.
“Hey, who are you going to choose?”
“The Knight of the Moonlight. You?”
“I’m going with the Lancer of Hermilan!”
Entering the World of Heroes was still a distant prospect, but just preparing for it was enough to make their hearts flutter.
Watching his excited classmates, Leo muttered.
“Everyone’s in an uproar.”
“It’s to be expected.”
“You don’t seem very happy about it.”
“As a member of the Jerdinger Family, the World of Heroes isn't anything special to me. But you don’t look too happy yourself.”
“I’m actually really looking forward to it.”
It was true that he was excited to finally see the true nature of the Hero Record he had been so curious about.
Of course, he had already obtained rewards from conquering the World of Heroes twice, but those hadn't been ordinary rewards.
‘What kind of rewards does the standard route offer?’
In a sense, it was no exaggeration to say that the Great Hero Kyle was the predecessor to all existing heroes.
After all, the Great Heroes were the ones whose names were inscribed on the very first page of the Hero Record, having achieved the greatest of feats.
But even Leo felt a thrill at the idea of inheriting the power of other heroes.
‘I might be able to compensate for the abilities I lack.’
History depicted the Great Heroes as perfect beings.
But Leo knew very well that they themselves were not perfect.
‘If we had been, we wouldn't have lost anyone in the fight against Erebos.’
Leo clenched his fist.
‘Besides, I'm weaker now compared to my past life.’
It wasn’t simply that he was weak because he hadn't yet recovered his former strength.
The time when Kyle had been at his strongest was right before the clash with Erebos.
But even if he regained all the power from his past life, he couldn’t become as strong as he was back then.
‘Back then, I didn't rely on my strength alone.’
Before the subjugation of Erebos was achieved.
The grand ambition to save the world.
The foolish dream of filling the world with flower fields.
The absurd goal of restoring the lost beauty of the world.
The simple hope that people could smile again.
He had been able to achieve the subjugation because he carried the strength of his comrades, who had entrusted their ideals to Kyle.
As he recalled the old days, Leo realized something.
‘Come to think of it, the way power is inherited from the Hero Record is similar to how it was for me in my past life.’
While Leo was lost in his doubts, Ain appeared on the training grounds.
The students, who had been gathered in groups and chatting happily, immediately lined up and stood at attention.
“As I announced, starting today, I will be teaching you Aura skills in preparation for the interdepartmental competition and the conquest of the World of Heroes.”
At his words, a cheer erupted across the training grounds.
Watching the scene, Ain added.
“Furthermore, any student who fails to conquer the World of Heroes by the second semester will be expelled, regardless of their grades.”
A chilling silence fell over the students.
“Now, let’s begin class. Who can tell me about the powers granted as rewards for conquering the World of Heroes?”
Normally, students would have quickly raised their hands, but intimidated by Ain’s cold voice, none dared to do so.
Amidst the silence, one student calmly raised his hand.
“Duran Moira.”
“Hero Weapons, Hero Abilities, and finally, Hero Skills.”
“Correct.”
Ain nodded.
“[Hero Weapons] is the power to summon the very arms used by that hero. It is a formidable power that can bring forth legendary weapons that have long since vanished or only exist in history, weapons that hold immense power, into the present world.”
At those words, Leo crossed his arms.
‘Could it summon the weapons I or the others used?’
Memories of the weapons destroyed during the Age of Calamity flashed through his mind.
“[Hero Ability] refers to the unique abilities a hero possessed. Finally, [Hero Skill] is a technique used by a hero.”
Ain crossed his arms.
“The very first power you will inherit is a [Hero Skill]. Can anyone explain the most significant feature of this Hero Skill?”
This time, Chen Xia raised her head.
“Chen Xia.”
“Its power varies depending on the user's capabilities. It can be a pathetic imitation of the original, or it can surpass the original.”
“Correct.”
Ain walked to the front of the training grounds.
“Before you inherit a hero's power, there is a technique I will teach you. Celia Jerdinger, step forward.”
At Ain’s call, Celia stepped forward.
“Draw your sword.”
Celia drew her sword.
“Do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? That I would teach you the Aura Studies taught at Azonia, the beastkin hero military academy.”
“Yes.”
“Throughout the past lessons, I have incorporated Aura Studies whenever I taught you Aura techniques.”
Celia nodded.
The Aura techniques Ain had taught were all things she had learned from the Jerdinger Family.
‘But the content was completely different.’
She had learned techniques to utilize Aura with more finesse.
For a simple example, the method for maximizing the defensive power of Aura Armor was different.
What Celia had previously learned was simply to make the Aura Armor harder.
But it wasn't just about becoming harder.
‘It's not just about simply deflecting attacks, but also absorbing or redirecting them. There are many forms of defense.’
By deploying Aura Armor based on the Aura Studies Ain taught, one could change their defensive properties according to the opponent’s attack characteristics.
It might not show a huge effect immediately, but with mastery, it was a technique that could provide a tremendous advantage.
“Until now, what I have taught you were merely applications of techniques from Aura Studies that we could use right away. But the technique you will learn from now on goes beyond simple application; it is what the students of Azonia learn.”
The students held their breath, focusing on Ain’s words.
“Learning this will be a great help in using [Hero Skills]. And of course, your overall Aura skill proficiency will increase as well.”
Celia’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of technique is it?”
“It would be faster to show you, Celia. Use your Aura.”
Celia ignited her Aura.
Ain pointed to the empty training ground.
“Unleash a sword strike at that spot with your maximum power.”
Celia swung her sword with all her might, raising her firepower to its peak.
*Fwoosh—! Craaash—!*
The sword strike soared high, creating what looked like a massive wall of fire.
The students wore expressions of awe at the immense firepower.
“As expected of one of the top three of the Knightsmanship Department!”
“The flame monster!”
“Hey! Who just said monster!”
Celia glared.
“Excellent. Truly a Jerdinger.”
Ain smirked.
“Now then.”
*Fwoosh—!*
Flames erupted from Ain’s sword.
The students’ eyes widened.
Ain, who held the title ‘Swordsman of the Frozen Sea,’ was a knight who wielded the Aura of ice.
Watching the surprised students, Duran scoffed.
“Professor Ain was also a dungeon conqueror. It wouldn't be strange for him to be elevated to the rank of hero at any time, as long as he achieves the necessary feats. It's not strange for one of the heroes he inherited power from to be a flame wielder.”
“Duran is correct. This flame aura is an [Ability] from a past hero record i conquered long ago.”
Ain imbued his sword with an amount of Aura similar to what Celia had just unleashed.
Then, he raised his sword and took a breath.
An unusual sound of breathing, different from a normal breath, echoed.
Simultaneously, a faint Aura flickered from Ain’s body.
Seeing it, Leo’s eyes widened.
‘That’s…!’
*Fwoooosh—! Craaash—!*
The fiery sword strike soared high.
It was even more intense than Celia’s strike from a moment ago.
“...!”
Celia’s eyes filled with shock.
Despite using a similar amount of Aura, Ain’s flame was stronger than hers.
Moreover, the flame Ain used wasn't the Phoenix's flame, and furthermore, Ain himself was a user of ice Aura, so its power should have been inherently halved.
Seeing it, Leo’s eyes widened.
“H-How did you do that?”
Celia asked in surprise, and Professor Ain sheathed his sword and said.
“This is the [Brave Hero's Breath].”
“...!”
“This is the technique you will now learn.”
‘Isn't that Ar-on’s technique?’