[Translator – Aine ]
[Proofreader – Ash ]
Chapter 103
Leo withdrew a map from his cloak.
The Dragon’s Breath had scorched the area around Leo’s left arm to ash.
Along with it, his map had been rendered unreadable.
‘The power of this technique is immense, but it must be harnessed swiftly.’
Leo sighed softly as he tread among the ancient ruins of the castle.
The cheers of his classmates faded, barely audible now.
Leo reached the lakeside at the castle’s edge.
He dipped his fingers into the water.
Boom—!
Ripples spread across the lake.
“…”
Leo rose and walked to the lake’s center using Aura steps.
Chomp-!
He bit his right thumb, drawing blood, and let it drip into the lake.
A drop of his blood, infused with spiritual power, fell into the water, forming a small circle suspended in the water rather than dispersing.
It bore a complex pattern—a symbol of Luminus, the Spirit of Brilliance.
Glow-!
A tiny orb of light materialized before Leo, accompanied by a gentle glow.
Whoosh-!
Moments later, the orb burst, revealing a palm-sized, white-haired spirit.
The spirit’s eyes, holding a fragile light, blinked open.
“Long time no see, Luminus.”
Luminus met Leo’s gaze, looking perplexed.
[Who are you? How did you awaken me?]
“It’s me, Kyle.”
[Kyle? You?]
Luminus scrutinized Leo.
[Your spiritual resonance is unmistakable. You must be Kyle.]
Even weakened and near death, a Great Spirit remained a Great Spirit.
Acknowledging Leo as Kyle, Luminus inquired.
[I don’t recognize this appearance. Where is Lysinas?]
“Lysinas…is gone.”
Luminus gazed up at the sky upon hearing this.
Into the blue sky.
Tears welled in Luminus’ eyes as he beheld the beauty—something unimaginable during the Age of Disaster.
Today, such skies were commonplace, but they had been longed for desperately in those dark times.
[That child kept his promise to me.]
Recalling the pledge to restore light to the world, Luminus spoke.
[Can you tell me what happened while I slumbered?]
Leo recounted the tale: meeting their comrades, assembling a punitive force, and ultimately vanquishing Erebos, though at great cost.
Though brief, Leo conveyed the epic saga of the Great Heroes.
After hearing it all, Luminus spoke again.
[I am grateful that I slept for 5,000 years.]
“Why is that?”
[Because now, I can tell you this.]
The Spirit of Brilliance, revered as one of the greatest spirits, bowed respectfully.
[Thank you, Kyle, for bringing light back to this world. For fulfilling that child’s wish. For saving our world.]
Luminus raised his head and concluded.
[Even if the world has forgotten you, it will never change the fact that you accomplished a great feat. Really…thank you.]
Only those who lived in that era could convey such gratitude.
Leo chuckled heartily.
“It’s the first time someone’s thanked me like that.”
Luminus smiled warmly in response.
Luminus’ body began to glow faintly, released from its ancient seal.
The moment the seal broke, time was limited.
“Leo! Where are you!”
A distant voice called out for Leo.
[What about those kids?]
“They’re the seeds of the next generation of heroes.”
[Okay.]
Luminus smiled sadly.
Until Erebos was completely vanquished, the remnants of disaster lingered in this land.
[Will you fight again?]
“Of course. I won’t let this peace slip away.”
Luminus extended his hands, revealing a necklace adorned with white jewels.
[This is the Jewel of Light, passed down through generations of Great Spirits of Light. Originally meant for my successor, the next Great Spirit of Light, but… I couldn’t fulfill that. Please take it.]
“Are you sure I should have something like this?”
[Yes. It holds great symbolic value, if not special power. It will mark you as worthy in the eyes of the Spirits of Light, just as a Great Spirit would.]
With that, it became a precious artifact.
[Goodbye now.]
“Yes, goodbye.”
[May the blessings of light be with you.]
“And rest in peace.”
With a gentle farewell, Luminus vanished, leaving Leo clutching the necklace.
Celia found Leo by the lakeside.
“Leo, what are you doing here?”
“I needed a moment.”
“Get your wounds tended at Nella’s, hurry!”
“Okay.”
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Aine]
[Proofreader – Ash]
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* * *
Shortly after the first-years defeated the Gigantes, Lumene’s rescue team broke past the curse and entered Neigrange.
During this time, they faced several attacks from demonic beasts, but thankfully, no major threats, ensuring the first-years’ safe rescue.
The aftermath of the Majors Competition stirred great controversy.
Two issues stood out prominently.
Lumene faced severe scrutiny.
Many viewed the Majors Competition as an attack by Tartaros on Lumene.
Lumene’s perceived lack of response invited pressure from outsiders.
But an even hotter topic emerged—the first-years’ triumph over a Gigantes.
Their defeat of the Gigantes was an astounding achievement.
While Lumene’s administration remained the focus, emotions ran high among the students.
“Sniffle… I failed the exam miserably.”
Carr lay face down, lamenting his test performance.
At this point, all the first-years struggled with the demanding written exams.
This matter was only compounded by the overlapping schedules of the Majors Competition with these intense exams.
Of course, there were students who did not struggle quite as much.
“Carr, we had some good times throughout the first semester, didn’t we?”
Chelsea smiled kindly, unlike her usual self, and patted Carr on the shoulder.
“You said that during the midterm exam, too, right?”
“Huh. But I don’t think there will be a miracle again like that one.”
“Ah, too bad.”
Honor students remained relaxed, regardless of their hectic academic schedule.
Leo remarked as he observed them, “It’ll be fine. You did well. I heard you performed outstandingly in the Majors Competition.”
“Leo, I think you are the only one who can say that!”
After the sorcery test, the three chatted as usual.
“Leo.”
“Assistant Professor Anna. What’s going on?”
“Professor Len is looking for you, Leo.”
Leo looked puzzled at those words.
“I’ll go find out.”
“OK, Leo, we’ll go to class without you.”
“Take care.”
Chelsea and Carr left for Class 5.
“What does the professor want with me?”
“You’ll find out from him.”
Anna smiled and answered Leo’s question.
Anna led Leo to Professor Len’s office, knocked, and opened the door.
Click–
Professor Len stood by a blackboard covered in complex sorcery formulas.
“Hmm, you’re here, Leo.”
Len motioned for Leo to take a seat.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Professor Len sat down with a cup of strong-smelling coffee.
Using a little sorcery trick, he reheated the cold coffee and then spoke seriously.
“I’ll be direct, Leo.”
“Yes?”
“Starting next semester, you should choose sorcery as your major.”
“Isn’t that against school rules to force a student into a major?”
“Indeed it is.”
Swish—
Len set down his coffee cup.
“But Leo, your talent is exceptional! Mastering Sorcery of the Stars and deciphering techniques from the Poet at your age! Such talent is rare!”
“I still want to take Knight Studies and Summoning classes. Thank you for your praise, but I plan to continue all three classes next semester.”
Leo bowed respectfully.
“Then, Professor, let me thank you for your guidance this semester.”
With those words, Leo left Len’s office.
Anna sighed as she entered the professor’s office after Leo left.
“See? Didn’t I say it wouldn’t work out?”
“Well, from next semester, we’ll need to organize some events to steer Leo towards the path of sorcery.”
“Events?”
“I have to create lectures that every sorcerer will find irresistible. Once Leo commits to sorcery, there’ll be no turning back!”
Anna smiled at Len’s passion.
‘He can be troublesome at times, but he shines brightest when he’s passionate about sorcery.’
“I’m rooting for you, Professor.”
“I’m counting on you, too, Assistant Professor Anna. You can use your vacation time to prepare these events for next semester with me!”
Anna’s eyes trembled.
“Prepare… together…?”
“As my most trusted assistant professor, you and I will stay at the Academy during the vacation period to prepare for the next semester!”
“Hold on! I already applied for leave to visit my hometown!”
“If you did, I’ve already canceled it!”
“Hey! You promised I could go at the beginning of the semester! I haven’t been home in ages!”
Anna grabbed Len by the collar in frustration, an unusual sight for an assistant professor, but Len only chuckled in return.
Now it was Anna on the receiving end of Len’s impulsive nature.
Kalian watched over the school grounds from his window in the Principal’s office when two professors entered.
It was Harrid and Sedgen.
Lumene’s most senior faculty members with considerable influence.
Maintaining Lumene professorship was no easy feat.
Only those who passed a rigorous yearly exam could keep the position.
As such, having served Lumene for years, they were among the principal’s most trusted.
“I apologize for involving you during the first-year exams.”
Kalian had entrusted them with handling the aftermath of the Majors Competition incident.
“No need to apologize. Handling this is easier than managing the 4th and 5th years.”
Being in charge of 4th and 5th year students, right about to graduate, certainly demanded a lot of effort.
This year, however, handling only first-years left them with little to do in comparison.
“So, have you identified any suspicious individuals?”
Sedgen placed a paper on the principal’s desk in response.
Kalian clicked his tongue upon seeing it.
“We’ve ruled out everyone with questionable backgrounds.”
“There are several recommendations from the board.”
Kalian grew solemn as he set the paper down.
“We’ll discuss this later.”
“Understood.”
“Harrid, how about your end?”
“Countries are taking a tough stance.”
Lumene’s ownership and use of their collection of Hero Records bred many talents.
In recent years, global debate had arisen over trust in national possession of Hero Records.
In essence, however, it had all been a pretext to diminish Lumene’s influence.
Many countries long resented Lumene’s monopoly on Hero Records.
“And?”
“They’re demanding their recommended candidates be accepted as professors.”
“It seems they aim to bolster their influence by increasing their faction’s professorial presence at Lumene.”
“Exactly.”
“With recent manpower shortages, hiring part-time or assistant professors isn’t a bad idea. Harrid, handle it.”
“Got it.”
“Also.”
Kalian’s expression turned serious.
“We need to reinstate the vice principal starting next semester.”
