The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Crack—!
Fritz’s hand blasted the skeleton’s head off.
Whish—Whish—Whish—!
Red threads fluttered from Fritz’s body as he spun like a top in the air.
Clack—Clack—Clack—!
Fritz, having decimated the skeleton troops, adjusted his glasses.
“There are quite a lot.”
The endless horde of undead surging through the hallway could daunt anyone.
However, Fritz’s expression remained unchanged.
“If you’re struggling, should I assist you?”
Chen Xia, trailing behind Fritz, inquired.
“Senior, you don’t need to intervene.”
Fritz smiled faintly.
Whish—Whish—Whish—!
The red threads scattered everywhere became taut.
A unique spell, weaving Fritz’s blood into his sorcery.
“Blood Flame.”
Fwooooooosh!
Crash—Crash—Crash—!
The entire hallway was engulfed in red flames.
Fritz used the red threads as a fuse to incinerate all the undead instantly, wearing a satisfied smile on his face.
Chen Xia, with a trembling expression, asked.
“Are you okay?”
“How was that, Senior?”
Fritz, instead of answering, adjusted his glasses and replied with a question.
“Didn’t you notice a resemblance to Senior Leo?”
“Where are you going? Or is it something else?”
“Isn’t Senior Leo’s main attribute fire? So I tried to mimic it with sorcery. Of course, my skills are still developing, so I can’t quite match Senior Leo’s, but I’m a bit like him… Just a bit.”
“…When Leo uses sorcery, he doesn’t focus solely on attributes. Are you really alright?”
“Really! I was similar to Senior Leo!”
Fritz, completely disregarding Chen Xia’s concerns, took out a notebook and jotted down new observations about Leo.
‘He seems fine.’
Despite blood dripping from his hand, Fritz appeared unconcerned.
The blood wasn’t from an injury.
It was the result of the sorcery’s intense backlash, as it manipulated blood and caused substantial blood loss.
‘A double-edged sword mana characteristic.’
Although it provided overwhelming attack power through blood consumption, it also inflicted significant damage on the caster.
‘What a peculiar first-year.’
Chen Xia smiled softly, thinking so.
‘What other kinds of first-year students have arrived?’
That thought naturally came to mind when she saw Fritz.
But she soon shook it off.
‘I won’t be returning to Lumene.’
Chen Xia walked away with a bitter smile.
Fritz, having tended to his wound, took out a red potion and drank it.
It was an elixir, crafted through alchemy, that replenished blood.
“You said your name is Fritz? You seem to hold Leo in high regard.”
“It wasn’t always like this. I initially thought he was someone worth protecting as a Shadow… but I realized otherwise after meeting him in person.”
Fritz followed Chen Xia and placed his hand on his chest.
“He is truly someone deserving of respect.”
“…That’s true. Leo is an extraordinary person.”
“If you meet Leo and speak with him, you will surely change your mind.”
“Yes. That’s why I can’t meet Leo right now.”
‘If I meet him now, I’ll break my promise.’
“Someday, when Leo becomes the greatest hero… I want to see him again then.”
“No, I will be the one to become the greatest hero.”
Chen Xia and Fritz stopped walking at the voice that emerged from the darkness.
Fritz assumed a defensive stance, and Chen Xia took a deep breath.
Step—Step—
A man in blood-stained white clothes emerged from the shadows. It was Xyan.
He smiled at his twin.
“It’s been a while, Chen Xia.”
“…It has. Xyan.”
“You don’t seem happy to see me?”
Xyan smiled and spread his arms.
“We’ve never been apart this long. Your indifference disappoints me.”
“I never wanted to see you again.”
Fritz glanced at Chen Xia in shock.
‘Is this the same person?’
The gentle demeanor she had shown moments before was gone.
With a face as cold as ice, Chen Xia approached Xyan.
“I vowed… If we ever meet again, I’ll have to kill you once more.”
They were called traitors, yet they were blood relatives who had been together all their lives.
Killing him once had been painful enough.
Chen Xia didn’t want to endure that pain again.
But Xyan was too monstrous to ignore.
“I wanted to see you again. I had many questions.”
Xyan smiled gently.
“You… You went into Lumene as a hero candidate? Why did you do that?”
Xyan asked with genuine curiosity.
“You know best, don’t you? Unlike me, you’re not suited to be a hero.”
Fritz’s eyes twitched at Xyan’s words.
“That’s why if you go back to Lumene, you’ll only end up even more hurt.”
Xyan smiled as he watched Chen Xia speak with sincere concern.
He could tell because they had always been together since childhood.
It wasn’t a remark meant to hurt; it was a genuine concern for her well-being.
‘This is the kind of person you are.’
“You’re talking nonsense. Senior Chen Xia is the most suitable person to become a hero.”
“Huh?”
Xyan exclaimed in admiration at Fritz’s words, then snickered.
“Surely not. Who can’t see clearly that she is most suited for the darkness?”
He shrugged and dismissed Fritz’s words.
Chen Xia did not refute this either.
‘There’s a difference between who you want to be and who you can be.’
She had tried to ignore this reality and stubbornly entered Lumene.
But after seeing the other hero candidates, she realized she couldn’t be a hero.
“Chen Xia, you can’t be a hero.”
Xyan said with a serious expression.
“So please avoid doing what will only bring you more misery.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Chen Xia raised her hand.
She wasn’t angry.
“But Xyan, you can’t be a hero either.”
Xyan sighed deeply.
“That’s unfortunate. I thought you might understand me.”
Xyan smiled sadly.
“You were the one who always understood me the best.”
Since childhood, Chen Xia had been the most disappointed by Xyan’s failure to become a hero.
After all, the one who had spoken most about heroism to Xyan was Chen Xia during their youth.
“I thought I understood you.”
Chen Xia’s expression grew grim.
“But I was wrong. You’re insane.”
“In the end, you’re no different from other criminals.”
Whoosh—
Chen Xia’s body vanished.
Swish—!
Chen Xia’s Water Aura enveloped Xyan.
Xyan swung his sword as he watched Chen Xia.
Swoosh—!
The wind howled.
Whioooooooooosh—!
The Water Aura dispersed in all directions.
“Chen Xia, you can’t defeat me.”
Xyan looked at Chen Xia with a smile.
Whioosh—!
A light wind swept through.
Chen Xia, seeing this, unleashed her Aura.
Crash—Crash—Crash—Crash—!
A whirlwind erupted from Xyan, creating a blizzard that obliterated everything.
Fritz retreated hastily.
Whoosh—!
But Chen Xia did not retreat; instead, she dove into Xyan’s embrace.
Xyan’s eyes fluttered as he observed Chen Xia.
Like flowing water.
Xyan instinctively avoided the icy wind of the battlefield, but Chen Xia surged forward, piercing through his defenses.
Thud!
Chen Xia’s palms slammed against Xyan’s chest.
Flash—!
Chen Xia’s eyes burned with an intense blue glow.
Boom!
Xyan was thrown backward as though struck by an explosion.
Water erupted in all directions, swirling violently like a burst water cannon.
Her compressed Water Aura unleashed a tidal wave of force.
Crash!
Xyan’s body smashed through the wall, leaving a gaping hole in its wake.
Chen Xia clutched her side.
She winced at the sharp pain from Xyan’s counterattack.
“You’ve gotten stronger.”
Xyan muttered, stepping out of the rubble with a smirk that was both impressed and mocking.
Soon after, though, he laughed softly.
“Still, you’re not as sharp as you used to be.”
“…”
Chen Xia met his gaze, her eyes cold.
“Your former self was far more dangerous. Has life in Lumene dulled your edge?”
Xyan clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
“Look at you. You’re not even fully yourself anymore.”
Swoosh—
Chen Xia vanished into the darkness.
Xyan’s eyes narrowed, with a predatory gleam.
“I’m disappointed. I hoped to remember you as a proper Shadow in the end.”
Flutter—!
Rumble!!
‘Hero Ability?’
Flames roared to life around Xyan, engulfing him in a searing Aura.
Chen Xia’s eyes widened from her hiding place in the dark.
“But you’re not even worth remembering.”
Xyan replied, his flames surging forward like an unstoppable explosion.
Crash—Crash—Crash—Crash—Crash—!
The fiery Aura struck Chen Xia directly, sending her sprawling across the ground, her body battered and smoking.
Hsssssssss—
Steam rose from her singed clothing as the smell of charred flesh hung heavy in the air.
Her body bore deep gashes where the flaming devastation had torn through her.
Xyan didn’t spare her another glance.
Instead, he turned toward Fritz, slumped nearby after being caught in the blast’s aftershock.
“You’re still alive?”
“Huek.”
“I’ve sworn to punish all the Shadows of the world.”
Fritz began to conjure up another spell.
Xyan raised his blade, its edge gleaming ominously as he laughed.
“I’ll end your suffering now.”
Clank—!
The sound of a hand slapping into a puddle cut through the tension.
Xyan froze, his gaze snapping back toward Chen Xia.
She was rising, head bowed, her movements slow but resolute.
“Still alive?”
Xyan’s voice wavered, disbelief creeping in.
Chen Xia lifted her head, her eyes blazing with renewed fury.
“You’re persistent.”
Xyan growled, stepping toward her.
“But you feel it too, don’t you? The insurmountable difference in our power.”
Swoosh—!
The Aura around Xyan’s blade swirled menacingly, crackling with energy.
“You’d be better off surrendering. Consider it my final act of mercy as your brother.”
“…”
Chen Xia’s expression hardened. She took a step forward, the ground beneath her feet cracking from the force.
She spoke in a cold tone.
“I don’t need your mercy.”
Crash!
Her fist drove forward.
A powerful shockwave rippled.
Crash—Crash—Crash—!
Xyan was hurled through yet another wall, gritting his teeth as he tumbled to the ground.
‘This is taking longer than expected.’
Crumble—
Xyan shook off a piece of stone fallen atop his body as he stood.
Step—Step—Step—
Xyan glanced at Chen Xia, who advanced relentlessly.
“How are you still standing?”
His most devastating blow should have ended her.
‘This isn’t good.’
Xyan felt a pang of unease.
He felt pressure, knowing that Chen Xia, who he thought he could easily kill, was keeping him occupied.
His thoughts suddenly strayed to the possibility of Leo’s arrival.
‘I need to get to the underground vault now.’
Without another word, Xyan turned and dashed away, ignoring Chen Xia’s pursuit.
‘Chen Xia will come after me, but that’s fine. As long as it’s not too late to get a hold of Kyle’s sword, I can dispose of her then.’
The underground chamber of Xian’s Imperial Palace.
It lay hidden in the heart of the fortress.
This sacred stone chamber was accessible only to members of the royal family and even then, only with the emperor’s blessing.
But Xyan reached the chamber effortlessly thanks to the chaos wrought by the invading legions.
The Shadows guarding the palace had already fallen.
‘Father and the others must still be tied up fighting Artkan.’
Of course, they would soon arrive.
Time was short, but he only needed a few moments to retrieve his prize.
Xyan approached the sealed door, pressing his bloodied hand against its surface.
Groooooan—
The massive stone door rumbled open, revealing a vast library within.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with records chronicling the Shadows’ hidden influence over history.
To the emperors of Xian, this archive was a treasure trove.
For Xyan, it was meaningless.
“None of this will ever see the light of day.”
Even if the world knew of these deeds, they would never acknowledge them.
Not unless they were etched into the Hero Records.
“Shadows are nothing but Shadows.”
Chen Xia stepped into the room, her presence silent but unyielding.
“Then why are you here?”
Xyan gestured toward a gleaming sword mounted on the wall.
He said simply.
“For that.”
Her eyes widened.
“The sword of the Hero of the Beginning…”
“Yes. Kyle’s sword. Tartaros told me that the founder of the empire might have been one of Kyle’s disciples.”
A twisted grin spread across his face as he pointed to himself.
“This is destiny, Chen Xia. You can’t stop it.”
“Now that the Hero of the Beginning is known to have existed in this world, I, as a descendant of Kyle’s disciple, will inherit the Hero Record of the first hero.”
Xyan declared, his voice firm with conviction.
Chen Xia looked at him, her expression flat and unimpressed.
“Do you actually believe what Tartaros says?”
“There’s no reason not to. So, Chen Xia…”
Step, step.
Xyan stepped closer to the wall, his boots echoing softly with each step.
He gripped the hilt of the ancient sword embedded in the stone.
“Relax and accept your fate. I will defeat Tartaros and claim the strength that Kyle passed down.”
Chen Xia’s eyes narrowed.
“Still spouting such nonsense…?”
Her voice trailed off as her gaze fell on the blade.
A flicker of recognition crossed her face.
‘That sword… I’ve seen it before.’
Xyan seemed oblivious to her realization as he unsheathed the weapon, its polished edge gleaming with a sinister light.
Xia’s mind raced.
‘This sword… I learned about it in class. It’s definitely a Hero-class relic…’
Crash—!
Before she could think further, the air erupted with violent energy.
Whoosh!
A raging storm of wind blasted forth as Xyan swung the blade.
Chen Xia hastily summoned her Aura to shield herself.
Crash!
“Huh?”
But the force was overwhelming.
She was flung across the chamber, slamming into the wall with a sickening thud.
The impact dislodged shelves, and records of the Shadows’ histories spilled to the floor, burying her.
Xyan stared at the sword in his hands, awe lighting up his features.
“Incredible.”
He murmured, his voice almost reverent.
“Even after five thousand years, its edge is still this sharp. And it channels Aura so perfectly.”
He examined the blade, trembling with excitement.
“Could this truly be the work of the Divine Blacksmith?”
Beneath the scattered records, Chen Xia stirred, pushing herself upright with trembling arms. Her body quaked from exhaustion, but she refused to fall.
“You’re already at your limit.”
Xyan observed, his tone casual as he approached her.
“Why keep struggling?”
Chen Xia managed a weak smile, her voice laced with defiance.
“Maybe… it’s because I’ve heard that word—’limit’—one too many times this year.”
“How so?” “Pushing beyond your limits…”
She replied, steadying herself as she rose to her feet.
Her stance shifted, readying for combat once more.
Xyan sighed, shaking his head.
“Lumene has clearly made you crazy.”
He gave her a pitiful look.
“You can’t be a hero, Chen Xia. You know that as well as I do.”
“I know.”
“Then why pretend?”
Xyan’s voice turned cold, his patience wearing thin.
She was bound by the darkness.
She had spilled too much blood.
She had already admitted to herself that she’ll never be a hero.
No god would ever acknowledge someone who doesn’t even believe in themselves.
But still…
Chen Xia’s gaze burned with quiet determination.
“Can’t I still dream?”
Xyan flinched.
For reasons he couldn’t name, the smile she gave him felt blinding, an echo of something he had long lost.
It made his stomach churn with unease.
“Dreams are meant to be woken up from.”
He growled, gripping the sword tighter.
He swung the blade toward her with practiced ease.
“You’ll never surpass me. The only reason you even managed to kill me before was because I was careless with my Shadow training.”
“And you think that is worth bragging about?”
A voice sneered from the shadows.
Chen Xia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Xyan froze mid-swing, his expression twisting with fury as he turned toward the entrance.
The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Step—Step—Step—
“Leo… Plov.”
Xyan hissed, his tone venomous as he turned towards the entrance.
Leo spoke, unbothered by the tension thick in the air.
“I once knew someone who clung to a pretty stupid dream. He said…”
Leo smiled at Chen Xia.
“Dreams are meant to come true.”