The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Step-Step-Step-
In the long, winding corridors of the palace of Xian, Leo walked.
The guide was the captain of the palace guard who had greeted Leo earlier.
“I am a Guardian.”
A shadow who operated unseen to defend against Tartaros’ invasion.
Though as the captain of the palace guard, he was more visible, and his skills surpassed what one would expect from such a role.
‘He’s as formidable as the professors at Lumene.’
Most professors at Lumene possessed the strength to achieve feats worthy of the Hero Records.
Seeing someone of his caliber serve as the palace guard captain without revealing his true identity felt in line with the nature of the Land of Shadows.
Thump-!
The captain of the guard stopped at the end of the hallway before a massive door.
The door was an inky black, almost resembling a void.
“This is it.”
As the captain spoke, the door slid open, revealing a vast darkness.
A darkness so profound it unsettled the living.
Fritz frowned, uneasy as the darkness swallowed the corridor, untouched by moonlight.
Yet Leo stepped forward without a hint of hesitation.
“Mr. Leo… Sorry, Senior Leo.”
Fritz’s face showed confusion.
Jane, too, looked at Leo in surprise.
The all-encompassing darkness was a deep and unsettling void, even to the shadow candidates.
The captain of the guard watched Leo with admiration.
Fritz moved to follow Leo but was stopped by the captain’s hand.
“Only Leo Plov can meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
Leo glanced back and said, “I’ll be back.”
Step-Step-Step-
Leo vanished into the darkness.
Slide–thud!
The door shut with a resonant thud.
Undeterred, Leo advanced into the impenetrable blackness, his senses alert and heightened.
While darkness instinctively evoked fear, it held no terror for Leo, who had endured the Age of Disaster.
‘Rather, it’s familiar.’
Thump-thump-
Footsteps echoed loudly in the profound darkness.
Fwoosh-!
A flame suddenly ignited beside Leo.
A candle had caught fire.
Leo’s red eyes glowed in the dim light.
Fwish-fwish-fwish-!
One by one, the candles in the room began to light up.
As the darkness lifted, the room’s lavish contents were revealed.
Luxurious furniture adorned with gold and jewels filled the space.
Art pieces were scattered throughout the room.
Somehow, it was a chaotic scene.
The room lacked cohesion.
Countless heaps of weapons were lined up along one wall.
And in the center of the room…
A middle-aged man with a robust build lay on a grand bed, propped up on one elbow.
He scratched his calf with one foot and idly shook a flag in his other hand.
The man, dressed in red Xian attire, looked at Leo with dark eyes.
“Are you Leo Plov?”
“Are you the Emperor of Xian?”
“The 74th Emperor of Xian, I am Xiau.”
Xiau’s emotionless black eyes bore into Leo, exuding an overwhelming presence.
His mere presence seemed to press down on the air, though he wasn’t a hero, he was stronger than any hero except for the Swordmaster.
“Would you like to come closer?”
Leo moved closer at Xiau’s invitation.
The distance between them was about three meters.
Xiau stroked his impressive beard and spoke.
“You have a pretty face and are the student council president of Lumene at such a young age… You must be popular. Are you making a lot of girls cry already?”
Leo answered calmly, despite the unexpected question, “Lumene prohibits unhealthy relationships between students.”
Xiau’s eyes widened at this revelation.
“Where’s the fun in that! With so many energetic young people in one place, nothing’s going on? You all must be messing around secretly!”
Leo stared blankly at Xiau’s outburst.
If it had been anyone else, their expression would have been one of disbelief.
The Emperor of Xian, known as the Land of Shadows, was also called the Shadow King.
Although he was not listed in the Hero Records, his skill matched that of the greatest heroes of his era.
A formidable Shadow who rarely appeared in public despite being the Emperor.
A dark, enigmatic hero whose presence inspired both awe and fear.
Yet here he was, asking a boy he had just met about teen romance.
Leo remained unfazed by the Emperor’s sudden inquiry.
“You really haven’t dated anyone?”
“I’ve just focused on my studies.”
“You’re a boring honor student. But I suppose that’s enough to get by.”
‘What does he mean by “get by”?’
Xiau shook his head with a meaningful smile.
“I apologize for asking such a personal question. The Xian Empire is a dull place,” he said with a calm demeanor. “Guests are rare, most are too intimidated by me.”
Xiau stroked his chin, a smirk playing at his lips.
“That’s why it’s such a pleasure to have a friend of my daughter visit.”
Xiau fixed his gaze on Leo.
“So you’re here to fetch Chen Xia?”
“Yes.”
“Chen Xia chose to become a Shadow of her own free will. Are you trying to persuade her to change her mind?”
“If Chen Xia’s decision is truly her own, then it’s none of my concern.”
Leo met Xiau’s dark eyes with unwavering resolve.
“If she chooses this path despite the burdens she bears, then I will support her.”
“Why are you so determined? You and she are merely school friends, aren’t you?”
“Chen Xia will become one of the heroes who will be pivotal in the fight against Tartaros.”
“There are many hero candidates in the world, and even the greatest heroes in history have failed to achieve the destruction of Tartaros.”
Xiau sneered.
“But you speak of Tartaros’ destruction with such certainty. Isn’t that a bit arrogant?”
“Not at all.”
Xiau narrowed his eyes as Leo responded with a nonchalant smile.
“Didn’t you also claim you would completely destroy Erebos?”
Xiau recalled Leo’s ambitious declaration made in front of his classmates.
“In just a year, you’ve risen to become Lumene’s student council president and a hero candidate poised to succeed the Swordmaster and lead the next generation.”
Xiau closed his eyes.
“They say youthful recklessness is a privilege of the young… but this doesn’t seem like mere recklessness. Are you trying to pull a child born as a Shadow into the light of the outside world?”
“Yes. So, will you allow me to meet Chen Xia? Your Highness, if you refuse after my attempts of persuasion, I will abandon the effort.”
“Then, I cannot allow you to meet with Chen Xia.”
Leo’s eyes twitched at the refusal.
“If she listens to you now, she will undoubtedly choose the path of a hero.”
Xiau sighed and reopened his eyes.
“That child has admired heroes since she was young.”
Xiau sat up.
“Leo Plov, I have seen many heroes emerge from the shadows. Heroes are indeed special, as their name suggests. They are noble beings who will sacrifice everything for the world.”
Thump-
Xiau rose from the bed and approached Leo.
Leo looked up at Xiau, who towered over him by a head and a half.
Swoop-
Xiau’s massive fingers pointed at Leo.
“But I see now. Among them, you are exceptionally unique.”
Xiau’s dark eyes assessed Leo closely.
“People say you are the hero who will succeed Kalian… but I don’t believe that.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed.
“You might be on par with the founders of the Hero Academy from 3,000 years ago… or even surpass them. You could become a Great Hero of unmatched caliber.”
Leo met Xiau’s gaze in silence.
“That’s why I cannot let you meet Chen Xia. Your brilliance would be too overwhelming for her, someone who has lived in the shadows her entire life. She might become blinded by your light.”
Thud-
Xiau returned to the bed and resumed his previous position.
“A hero is a hero, and a Shadow is a Shadow. Don’t blur those lines.”
“Are you suggesting that our worlds are fundamentally different?”
“Indeed.”
Xiau chuckled.
“Chen Xia is destined to fulfill Xian’s long-cherished wish.”
“To be recorded as a Shadow hero?”
“So you know. Did Leena mention it?”
“Is that so important?”
“It is important.”
Xiau chuckled.
“For our clan, not being recognized by the gods is a curse akin to a stigma.”
Shadows were indispensable in any era.
And the Xian Empire’s royal family had existed as Shadows for thousands of years.
Of course, they did not serve as Shadows to gain recognition.
They maintained the clan’s legitimacy through their own duty.
Perhaps the neglect from the gods fueled Xiau’s desire for their approval even more.
“Is there no way to escape the duty of being a Shadow?”
“As a proud descendant of the Shadow King, Bihar, I cannot.”
“Bihar?”
Leo paused at the familiar name.
“Yes. She has worked since the Age of Disaster… a great Shadow whose name is not recorded in history.”
‘That Bihar?’
Leo was astonished by the origins of the Xian Empire.
“Besides, keeping Chen Xia as a Shadow could benefit you in the future.”
“What do you mean?”
“Chen Xia will be the one to carry the legacy in the future.” Xiau regarded Leo with a knowing look. “And your goal aligns with another of Xian’s wishes. If Chen Xia follows you as a Shadow, the vast Xian Empire itself could become yours.”
“What does Chen Xia following me have to do with the Xian Empire?”
“… Are you truly unaware?”
Xiau looked at Leo in disbelief.
“You didn’t know that Chen Xia has feelings for you?”
“Oh, she does?”
Leo responded with unexpected calm.
Xiau’s face twisted in frustration as he observed Leo’s indifferent reaction.
“Why are you so aloof even after learning this? Are you implying my daughter is unattractive?”
“How could I view a child as a love interest?”
“Chen Xia is older than you.”
Leo shrugged at Xiau’s astonished expression.
So what if she appeared older?
‘I’m an old soul inside.’
Xiau, exasperated, grabbed the back of Leo’s neck.
‘What kind of person is this?’
He couldn’t support his daughter’s dreams because she bore the clan’s wishes.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t love her.
She was the daughter he cherished deeply.
But how could she provoke this reaction?
“Anyway, I still request to meet Chen Xia.”
“I refuse.”
Xiau looked at Leo and said, “You’re a guest of honor while you’re in Xian. I’ll show you the utmost respect, but you cannot meet with Chen Xia.”
“What if I insist once more?”
Xiau’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Well, let’s see, then. A person who dwells in the light can never truly find someone who lives in the darkness.”