The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 244

Chapter 244

‘Who is this guy?’

Leo narrowed his eyes.

‘Chen Xyan? Are you related to Chen Xia?’

Similar names.

Black hair and black eyes.

The same aura and same appearance.

The man before him was a mirror image of Chen Xia.

“What’s your relationship with Chen Xia?”

Chen Xyan burst into laughter at Leo’s question.

“I’m her twin.”

‘Twin?’

Leo nodded after scanning Chen Xian from head to toe.

‘Really…’

“Why did you attack me?”

“I thought you were a Xian Shadow.”

Chen Xyan chuckled as he lowered his sword.

“Your movements in the dark are just like a Shadow’s.”

‘So he didn’t attack to stop me from meeting Chen Xia?’

Leo rested his hand on his sword.

‘Didn’t this guy say he was going to be one of the Great Heroes?’

This was the age of heroes, where many dreamt of greatness.

But it was rare to find someone who openly aimed to stand alongside the five Great Heroes who once saved the world.

Three thousand years ago, the founders of the Hero Academies sealed fragments of Erebos when they were resurrected.

Even those hailed as the greatest heroes since the legendary ones could barely contain a single fragment.

Their Hero Records, revered for millennia, remained unconquered.

Yet now there was someone who spoke of becoming a Great Hero?

It was almost laughable.

“You attacked because you thought I was a Shadow? If you’re Chen Xia’s twin, you’re of Xian’s royal blood. Why would you attack one of Xian’s Shadows?”

“You even know Chen Xia’s identity? I thought you were just a school friend, but you seem well informed.”

Xyan smiled with a hint of curiosity.

“It’s simple. Shadows shouldn’t exist.”

Leo’s eyes twitched.

“Don’t you think so too?”

Xyan’s smile widened.

“They lurk in the dark, doing all manner of dirty work. Then they justify it by saying it’s for the greater good.”

His voice was soft and gentle, but his words were sharp.

His appearance was a reflection of Chen Xia, yet his heart harbored something entirely different.

“Why do we need such people?”

Xyan shook his head, as if resigned.

“Shadows are worthless beings. That’s why they must disappear.”

“You’ve lived as a Shadow too, haven’t you?”

“Yes. That’s why I can say with certainty that Shadows are useless. Thus, I intend to erase them from this world.”

Leo nodded, understanding as he looked at Xyan’s soft smile.

Countless experiences spoke for themselves.

It was enough to tell him that the guy standing before him was…

“A traitor.”

“My heart aches to hear such words from the greatest hero candidate.”

Xian said with a bitter smile, raising his sword.

“No matter what you say, I will become a Great Hero.”

“Even though the gods won’t acknowledge you?”

“I just need to accomplish a feat that even the gods will acknowledge. If not that, I’ll make everyone in this world acknowledge me.”

‘You’re crazy.’

Schwing—!

Leo drew his sword.

The human before him was dangerous.

‘I should deal with him here.’

“But there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

Xyan’s eyes narrowed.

“Leo Plov, the greatest hero candidate… How can you act like a Shadow? Are you a Shadow, too?”

“Well, something like that.”

“The people of the world have been fooled by you, then.”

Xyan shook his head.

“They’re mistaken, thinking you’re the best hero candidate.”

Whiiiiing—

He rolled his sword in his palm.

Clink—!

Xyan, now gripping his sword, burst into laughter.

“You’re a disgrace to heroes, Leo Plov.”

He believed he was the rightful hero and denied Leo’s existence because he was a Shadow.

Xyan genuinely thought so.

He saw himself as righteous.

“You must be a Shadow too, right?”

“How rude of you. I abandoned the path of the Shadow long ago.”

“You’re not in your right mind.”

Talking to this person was a waste of time.

A strong murderous aura emanated from Leo’s body.

Traitors were to be punished.

That was one of Leo’s unwavering values, from past to present.

Xyan laughed, looking at Leo’s intensity.

“Let’s see what kind of skills an all-class really has.”

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Aine]

[Proofreader – Ash / Valirius]

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* * *

Chen Xia, fleeing from Leo, felt something strange.

‘What is this?’

She sensed an alien presence within the darkness she was so familiar with.

‘It’s not just because I’m being chased by Leo.’

Chen Xia, attuned to the darkness, could sense it.

‘Something’s different.’

The moment she thought that and passed through the hallway…

The pungent smell of blood filled the air.

Chen Xia’s expression hardened.

The entire hallway was littered with corpses.

They were all Shadows.

Chen Xia approached one of the nearby bodies.

She reached out and removed their mask.

Chen Xia gritted her teeth.

These were Shadow Cadets she had trained with since childhood.

The others were the same.

‘They were the kids sent in to trap Leo in the darkness.’

They were dead.

And there were clear signs that someone had deliberately swung their sword to end their lives.

A Shadow’s way, literally.

‘Who…?’

It wasn’t Leo.

As his classmate from the same department, she had trained extensively with Leo over the past year.

She could tell this wasn’t Leo’s swordsmanship.

Chen Xia’s expression hardened as she studied the technique.

As a Shadow, she had seen countless corpses in her pursuit of traitors, trained to glean information from the dead.

The weapons they used, their skills, their gender or height, even their habits.

And now, the marks of the swordsmanship on the Shadow Cadets’ corpses were all too familiar.

‘His technique has changed, but… I’m certain.’

Chen Xia’s hands trembled slightly.

‘He’s alive.’

The twin once thought to practically be her clone.

Xyan, who fled after betraying Xian.

Chen Xia rose to her feet.

He had returned to the palace, hidden in the darkness.

‘Why would he come back?’

There was no reason for him to have returned.

No, it was dangerous that Xyan was even alive.

If Xian discovered his survival, they would unleash their full might to eliminate him.

Yet, Xyan had boldly entered the heart of the palace of Xian.

Chen Xia gritted her teeth.

“Princess?”

A startled voice broke the silence.

Chen Xia turned her head.

“El Jane, and…”

“I’m Fritz Edgon, a first-year student at Lumene, Senior Chen Xia.”

“I dropped out of Lumene. I’m no longer a hero cadet. So I’m not your senior…”

“No, Senior Chen Xia.”

Fritz puffed out his chest.

“You’re still a hero cadet and a student at Lumene.”

“Don’t be so arrogant while speaking to the princess!”

Jane tried to punch Fritz in the side, but Fritz skillfully dodged the attack.

“You’ve made a good friend, Jane.”

“This guy is not my friend!”

Jane, fuming, asked urgently.

“What’s going on, anyway?”

Jane’s face paled as she saw the fallen Shadow Cadets.

“Hey, guys…”

The Shadow Cadets who had trained together since childhood were now cold corpses.

“Chen Xyan is back.”

“Huh?”

Jane’s face turned ashen.

Chen Xyan.

At one time, Jane and many other Shadow Cadets of Xian believed he was a strong candidate to become the next emperor of Xian.

He had a personality as gentle as his twin and his talent was even said to have surpassed hers.

The only issue was his desire to become a hero.

However, most Shadow Cadets dismissed it as a childish dream.

They believed he couldn’t escape his destiny as a member of the Xian royal family.

Then one day, Xyan killed all the Shadow Cadets who followed him, as well as the Shadows who were his instructors, and escaped from Xian.

And Chen Xia had supposedly killed Xyan.

But now, Chen Xyan, who everyone thought was dead, was alive and had returned to the palace.

“Jane, you need to inform Father.”

“What about you, Princess?”

“I’ll go deal with him.”

“Wait, it’s dangerous! He wouldn’t have invaded alone! I’m sure…!”

“Yes, he must have taken refuge in Tartaros.”

If someone as strong a candidate as the next emperor of Xian had betrayed Xian and sought refuge, Tartaros would have accepted him without hesitation.

“That’s why now, more than ever, I have to kill him.”

Grip—!

Chen Xia’s hands tightened into fists.

“This happened because I couldn’t finish him. I have to end it with my own hands.”

Jane bowed her head as she looked at Chen Xia.

Then she knelt down.

“I will obey your orders.”

Jane, with her usual politeness, disappeared into the shadows.

Chen Xia turned to Fritz.

“You should avoid this as well. It’s not your concern.”

Fritz replied respectfully.

“As your junior, I have a duty to assist you.”

“I told you, I dropped out.”

“No. You’re still a student of Lumene and a hero candidate.”

Chen Xia gave a bitter smile, studying Fritz closely.

‘This person is also a Shadow Cadet.’

Then he must have known.

Shadows could not become heroes.

So why was he treating her as a hero candidate?

“Why do you call me a hero candidate?”

“Because Leo said so. If Leo says it, then it must be true.”

Chen Xia’s eyes wavered at Fritz’s words.

‘Leo still thinks of me as a hero candidate.’

She had run away from Leo because her resolve was faltering.

But her heart raced just hearing those words.

How could she not be affected when the most heroic person she knew called her a hero candidate?

“I suppose I should tell Leo myself.”

Chen Xia took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“But right now, killing that man is the priority.”

Step—step—

Chen Xia began to walk, Fritz following as if it were only natural.

Chen Xia didn’t try to stop Fritz any longer.

And the moment she turned the corner…

Whoosh!

The smell of death wafted through the air.

Clack—clack—

Skeletons wielding swords radiated a sticky murderous intent.

‘As I expected, he borrowed the power of Tartaros.’

Chen Xia let out a small sigh.

The palace was now filled with monsters from Tartaros that Chen Xyan had brought in.

Monsters that should never have been able to invade had overrun the palace thanks to Xyan’s intervention.

‘Even so, they can be easily subdued.’

Chen Xia narrowed her eyes.

‘What is he after?’

He wouldn’t have returned if he didn’t have a purpose.

But whatever it was, he’d be dealt with before he could achieve it.

As Chen Xia resolved to take a step forward…

Thump—Thump—Thump—Thump—

Fritz stepped ahead.

“Senior, conserve your stamina.”

Fritz smiled as he cracked his knuckles.

“I’ll handle these lowly creatures.”

Sorcery surged through Fritz’s body.

‘He’s a versatile sorcerer.’

Chen Xia observed intently.

Fritz raised his hand and bit into his palm.

Puk!

Blood flowed freely from the wound.

Swish!

In an instant, the blood spurted from his palm and began to coagulate through his sorcery.

‘He has a blood-related mana trait.’

A trait that would be scorned for a hero candidate due to its brutal nature.

But for a Shadow, it was ideal.

To Fritz, blood was a formidable weapon.

“Vanish, lowly dead.”

Crash!

A red blade slashed through the darkness.

Chen Xia followed, her eyes focused beyond the shadows.

‘Chen Xyan.’

This time, she would kill her twin.

Chen Xia vowed.