The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student

Roar! Crackle! Snap! Rumble!

A mansion in flames.

The surroundings were, quite literally, a sea of fire.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

In the middle of it, Velkia wailed at the top of her lungs, clutching the person she loved more than anyone else and the child born between them in her arms.

Leo approached Velkia and knelt on one knee.

He reached out, trying to place his hand on her shoulder.

However, Leo’s hand passed fruitlessly through Velkia.

As a mere observer in this world, there was nothing Leo could do.

“I’m sorry.”

With trembling shoulders, he offered an apology that would never reach her.

It was not Velkia’s fault. She had worked so hard to create a bright world.

It certainly was not Leo’s fault, either.

But…

If only he had told her beforehand.

That the world she saved would not be entirely bright.

That a world where darkness had vanished would not be purely beautiful.

If he had, could this have been prevented?

If only he had not indulged in the naive thought that ‘a bright child doesn’t need to know the filth of the world.’

Could this tragedy have been avoided?

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Leo lowered his head and wept in silence.

===

The attack of Monster Queen Silatuna.

Fairy Knight Velkia lost her family because of it.

Everyone was enraged.

They were furious at Tartarus’s actions in harming the family of a Great Hero.

But Silatuna fled the moment she faced Velkia.

It was not that Velkia could not defeat her. Silatuna simply escaped before Velkia could fight.

The Monster Queen had simply wanted to vent her frustration.

Countless funeral processions followed.

Because of this incident, Velkia retired.

Many lamented as the hero who had led this world, and the disciple of a Great Hero, stepped down from the front lines.

They clung to her, begging her not to leave and to continue leading them.

However, Velkia was far too exhausted.

“I don’t think I can find the strength to work for the world anymore.”

With a weary smile, Velkia vanished from the public eye.

Some grieved.

Others rejoiced.

===

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah, a long time.”

Ten years had passed since that horrific incident.

Vihar visited her friend’s house for the first time in a while.

In a room of the mansion.

Velkia poked the cheek of her second child, who was asleep in a small bed.

Velkia’s sleeping daughter tossed and turned.

Looking down at her, Velkia wore a gentle smile.

“That child has grown so much.”

“Yeah. She summoned a Spirit not long ago, you know? I have no talent for Summoning, so I’m at a loss as to how to teach her.”

Velkia smiled happily.

Watching her, Vihar spoke up.

“Can we talk?”

Rustle—

At those words, Velkia stood up.

She nodded.

The two moved to the mansion’s library.

The moonlight, hanging high in the sky, illuminated the library.

Looking at it, Velkia spoke.

“Things have changed a lot.”

“Hmm?”

“Before, your eyes were dark, Vihar… but now they’re shining.”

“Ah…”

“It’s good to see.”

Velkia spoke with genuine sincerity.

“It seems you’ve found something in this world.”

To that, Vihar said,

“Are you… okay?”

Velkia’s gaze turned downward.

“Wars haven’t ceased for the past ten years. Since you retired, power struggles have broken out all over the world.”

They pointed weapons at each other and fought.

“But recently, the wars have noticeably quieted down.”

The masterminds behind the wars had all been slaughtered by someone.

As if someone were handing down judgment.

“Velkia, after that incident ten years ago, you told me not to look for the culprit.”

“Yes.”

Ten years ago.

The attack of Monster Queen Silatuna.

At that time, Velkia lost her beloved partner and child.

It was the Monster Queen who killed the two.

However, under normal circumstances, the Monster Queen would never have dared to trespass into Velkia’s territory.

Velkia’s power already surpassed that of a Legion Commander.

Even a vicious Monster Queen who had been destroying the world since the Era of Calamity was nothing more than prey before Velkia’s sword.

Not just the Monster Queen, but no existence from Tartarus would have dared invade Velkia’s domain.

Even if they had, they could not have escaped Velkia’s senses.

“It would have been impossible unless there was a traitor within.”

Vihar spoke in a heavy voice.

Looking at Vihar, Velkia said,

“I needed to wait until Beni grew up.”

Velkia closed her eyes, thinking of the daughter who had been in her womb at the time.

“Because I thought that if I crossed the line, I surely wouldn’t be able to return.”

“You didn’t need to cross the line. That’s something I…!”

“No, Vihar.”

Velkia opened her eyes and looked at Vihar.

“That was my job.”

“……”

“They didn’t betray the world. They just wanted to remove me because they wanted to lead the world as they pleased.”

Velkia gave a faint smile.

“So it was my job.”

“Right, I understand. But… even if your anger hasn’t subsided… haven’t you already executed everyone who committed the crime?”

Vihar’s voice trembled.

“Then why have you executed even people who had nothing to do with it?”

The wars that had not ceased for ten years.

Those wars had stopped overnight.

Many who had been groaning under the weight of war were able to catch their breath.

But in contrast, screams poured out from other places.

The powerful who led the wars.

Those who thought nothing of other people’s lives for the sake of their own greed.

At first, executions were carried out on those who deserved to die.

But gradually, the blade lost its mercy.

Judgment was handed down to anyone who committed a sin.

And Vihar knew all too well that the one delivering that judgment was the friend standing before her.

It was right to judge sins.

'But this method is wrong.'

At Vihar’s words, Velkia turned around and said,

“I’ve thought about it for ten years. About what went wrong. I clearly did my best. I was more diligent than anyone else in trying to properly nurture the world that my masters… the Great Heroes left to us.”

Velkia’s eyes grew hollow.

“I wondered why it turned out like this.”

Velkia’s voice turned grim.

“And then I realized. It isn’t only those who betray the world in the darkness who eat away at it. It isn’t only the traitors who deserve to die.”

Velkia’s eyes flashed eerily.

“There are those who shouldn’t be alive even in the light.”

Vihar gasped at the murderous intent embedded in that voice.

“Countless people sacrificed themselves for the current era.”

“Vel… kia.”

“So in this era, only the righteous should live. All those without value should…”

“Velkia!”

Vihar grabbed Velkia by both shoulders and shouted.

“I understand how you feel! There are certainly people who corrode this world! But… but…!”

Velkia’s current thoughts had gone too far.

It was not like her at all, and she would eventually spiral out of control.

“You have to accept this as well. Master… the Great Heroes must have saved the world while taking all of this into account. So… let’s stop. You shouldn’t do this. Especially not you…”

Looking at Vihar as she spoke through tears, Velkia hung her head low.

Her thin shoulders trembled, and soon she began to gasp for breath.

“Why…? Why? Why?! Why! Why can’t I!? Lysinas! Dweno! Master Arron! Master Luna! Master Kyle! The people who should have enjoyed this peace more than anyone died without being able to enjoy anything! So why does that trash get to live while eating away at the world they left behind? Who do they think they are to enjoy all of it? Why do I have to watch that happen!? Why?! Why!”

Burning with hatred, Velkia shook off Vihar’s hands.

It was not simple anger.

Velkia simply could not tolerate it.

The fact that those who lived under the sacrifice of the Great Heroes, of Kyle and Luna who were like her parents, and the others who were like family, could act so shamelessly.

The fact that the injustice of mocking and trampling those who worked hard every day was still happening.

That was an insult to the Great Heroes.

It was an act of trampling on their sacrifices.

'Ah.'

Vihar’s face contorted as if she were about to cry.

She, who had lived only in the darkness even after the world was saved, had found light within that darkness.

Conversely, Velkia had found darkness within the light.

And that darkness was far too deep.

The hatred that had risen in her heart because of the incident ten years ago had only grown larger, feeding on itself.

Vihar gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

'I have to stop her.'

If left like this, Velkia would run wild.

She would never be able to return to how she had been.

“I… will stop you.”

“You know best! The ugliness of this world! You understand! So why are you stopping me!”

The hatred and anger that poured out like a burst dam were directed at Vihar.

As if she could not understand the friend who stood in her way.

There was a clash between the two.

The fight ended in Velkia’s victory.

And…

Vihar passed away from the aftereffects of that battle.

===

“……”

The memory shown by the Akasha Record ended, and Leo opened his eyes.

Rian was sitting sprawled on the floor, silently carving a gem.

“……It was a disease.”

“You noticed.”

Click—

Setting down the statue of Vihar on the floor, Rian looked up at Leo.

“Vihar was already a mess because of the disease. Even if she hadn’t fought Velkia, she would have passed away before long.”

“I see.”

Leo wore a complicated expression.

Rian placed the statue of Velkia next to the statue of Vihar.

“Velkia didn’t live much longer either. Her lifespan was almost at its end as well.”

“……”

“Still, she carried out countless judgments. In the end, she was right. Her judgment led the world in the right direction.”

“But Velkia herself died miserably.”

“Yes, she died submerged in darkness. Unfortunately.”

Rian flicked Velkia’s statue with their finger, knocking it over.

Thud!

“She was a magnificent Hero. But the world broke her.”

Rian looked up at Leo.

“Lord Leo. I’m not asking this because you are Velkia’s master. I’m asking as someone who has watched over the life of a Great Hero who carried the world on her shoulders.”

Standing up, Rian bowed their head deeply.

“Please grant her peace.”

As the administrator of the Hero Record, Rian was also aware that Velkia had become an Undead and was running rampant.

At Rian’s words, Leo approached their side and knelt.

He then reached out to the fallen statue of Velkia.

“Who am I to ‘grant her peace’? Whether I smack her on the head or kick her in the butt, I have to make her snap out of it.”

“Not even your words will reach her, Lord Leo.”

Rian spoke in a flustered voice.

Velkia knew her choice was wrong.

But she could not help it.

The anger directed at those who had led the ones she loved to their deaths.

The hatred directed at those who trampled on the sacrifices of the Great Heroes.

The guilt of causing the death of a close friend who had studied under the same master.

These things held onto Velkia, who had already crossed an uncrossable line.

She was submerged in darkness so deep that she could not be saved.

“It doesn’t matter if my words don’t reach her. I told you.”

Leo set Velkia’s statue upright.

“It’s the master’s job to correct a disciple’s mistakes.”

“……Aren’t you disappointed in Velkia?”

“I already had my fill of disappointment back when I was teaching her.”

Leo chuckled.

“And.”

Standing up, Leo smiled gently.

“Even if I were disappointed, she’s my disciple and like a daughter to me. Isn’t it only natural to take the hand of a fallen child and help her up?”

At that sight, Rian’s mouth hung open blankly.

'Ah, as expected, this person…'

“I’ve saved the world, so why wouldn’t I be able to save one cocky Elf?”

'He is definitely greater than the Creator.'

(T/N: This chapter is shit heavy. Dang. RIP Vihar and Velkia.)

***

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!