『The Hero』 is no more.
The last of the Three Great Quests for adventurers—the mission to eliminate the 『Black Dragon』—ended in failure.
Those heroes who once inspired fear, admiration, and hope were mercilessly defeated, devoured by that pitch-black end.
I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to accept it.
Just like the world, sunk in despair, my mind went blank, overwhelmed by the shock.
If even that brilliance wasn't enough… If even those champions couldn't reach it…
Then who could possibly stand against the end?
There exists no light brighter than theirs. No path to triumph more perfected than the one they walked.
I know this—because I was shaped, guided, and defeated by them countless times.
The lower world is doomed.
Even the gods, silent and lost in thought, seemed to declare it with their demeanor.
—And yet…
—"Now it's our era."
A young hero of the small Pallum race declared it.
—"I don't need an ending. I haven't seen all this world has to offer yet."
The bold high elf princess proclaimed it.
—"My blood is burning. Bring on the next great battle."
The ever-reliable dwarf, child of the earth, laughed.
—"We'll devour its flames."
The boar, more familiar than anyone with the filth of the battlefield, roared fiercely.
—"Come, fledglings."
The once-invincible warrior, now a broken figure with only one arm, said it.
Having fallen to the Black Dragon and with life nearly drained from him, he burned what little remained, entrusting everything to the battle with the "next generation."
—"Give me your life, Hero Maxim. For us. For the next era."
I too, amid blood and screams, drove in my sword and bid farewell to those ancient heroes.
—"The Hero" is no more.
And yet, a new "Hero" has let out their first cry of life.
That is precisely what a heroic legend means.
When one hero falls, another rises in their place.
The will does not break. The flame is passed on.
It is an unending journey—one begun by heroes of ancient times.
The roar of thunder echoed beyond the distant sky, as if signaling that the next to act had arrived.
Now, it's our turn.
With the blood-stained lessons left behind by countless heroes, we will face the end.
"The Hero" may have vanished, but the "Legend of Heroes" shall not fade away.
As long as there are those who inherit their legacy,
As long as their teachings are not lost,
Those who follow in their footsteps will keep moving forward.
—"I will become a 'master'."
After the former "Sea Fortress" was transformed into something like a "school",
guided by my main god, I stopped being a mere rebel and found my purpose.
— "I want the prowess of those heroes, their radiance… that 'lingering light,' to be passed on to as many people as possible."
The brilliance once unleashed by both warriors and witches.
That unforgettable glow from the battle at sea had now come to be known as the "lingering light."
— "I can only fight for my goddess."
When I confessed that to the Boar, during a moment we shared alone,
his rust-colored eyes gave me a clumsy reply.
— "I'll leave the teaching to you, Leon."
— "Hah. What a selfish guy."
A man deeply influenced by warriors, and a seeker of the path himself.
That level of devotion was exactly what someone like the Boar needed—
a man who could only keep advancing down the road of mastery.
I laughed and promised him another bout.
— "That brat's gonna be a teacher? What a strange world this is!"
— "I'm impressed by the guidance of the god Baldr."
— "As expected of the god of light, huh? Quite different from our main deity."
The day the school—entrusted with a mission known as the "Hundred-Year Project"—set out to recruit talent across the world,
even the Pallum, who rarely showed up for farewells, came to see it off.
They laughed, imagining how the coming days would bring new battles alongside their swords.
I journeyed through the lower world and found many students.
While never neglecting my own training, I continued learning and striving as an instructor.
I respected the path each of them chose, guiding only those who wished it toward the labyrinth city.
In this way, many promising adventurers were born, and powerful mages joined the ranks of legendary heroes.
However, no one was able to master the "lingering light."
It seemed impossible to recreate those absurdly powerful heroes.
In my battle against the end, I feared that their legacy might vanish in my hands.
And then—
The world found you.
He saw you, climbing the stairs of heroism with a speed unmatched even by the gods Zeus and Hera.
"After the hero vanished, at the end of the legend, it was you that I found."
"Ooooh! At long last, after so much anticipation, the connection has finally been made!"
At the height of excitement, as cheers seemed to reach the heavens, the voice of the commentator Ibri rang out even louder.
Everyone in Orario and in the school district looked up.
In the sky appeared the massive "Mirror of the Gods."
There, reflected in its surface, was a knight facing off against a young man.
"There it iiiiiis!"
"It's the White Rabbit and the Knight of Knights! Just as we expected!"
"If it weren't them, none of this would make sense."
"But that brat… why is he wearing a school district uniform…?"
"Bah, who cares! It's just a disguise! Hey, old man, pass the god's liquor!"
"I don't get it either, but if it's just a costume, then it's fine."
"Hey, more importantly… that place…"
"Ah, right. That's the 'Northern Edge,' isn't it?"
"No way! Is that the legendary 'Dragon Valley'? Incredible, I've never seen it before!"
Even though the battle hadn't yet begun, the Amphitheater Colosseum was already pulsing with overwhelming excitement.
Some spectators smiled and cheered at the sight of Bell and Leon's profiles, while others frowned, puzzled by their outfits or positions. The reactions were as varied as the audience itself.
—"Finally, Asfi's coordinate crystal is working. Now we can project it on the 'Mirror' without any worries."
—"When they're too far away, our divine power, Arkanum, gets boosted a bit too! But once we know the coordinates, the output's minimal and efficient! We absolutely don't want to provoke the dragon in the Valley!"
—"Thanks for the explanation, Ganesha. But there's no need to break it down for the kids, and please lower your voice a little."
—"Oops, sorry, Ganesha!"
Inside the broadcasting booth, Hermes and Ganesha engaged in their usual bit of comedic banter.
While the boisterous elephant god gestured wildly, Hermes plugged one ear with a finger, his mischievous smile unhidden. Then, rising to his feet, he planted one foot on the table, seized the magic microphone, and amplified his voice for all to hear.
—"Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen! We've arrived at the fifth and final match! The stage chosen by the Divine Denatus is, as you can see, the very end of the world! The outskirts of the 'Dragon Valley'!"
The name echoed through the crowd, and for a moment, the coliseum fell into absolute silence.
Yet, as if on cue, the god pressed on.
—"Here, first-tier adventurers can unleash their full power without restraint! No rules to hold them back! Let us witness the final confrontation together—a battle without limits, a pure clash of strength: the Ultimate Match!"
The Amphitheater shook once again, quivering under the thunderous roar of the audience.
The cheers, nearly as fierce as those heard during the great faction wars, resounded throughout the entire city.
—"Bell-sama is the final representative? No one told us anything about this!"
—"Well, to be honest, I kinda figured… He hadn't shown up yet, after all…"
—"Will Bell-sama be all right…?"
—"So the weapons Hestia-sama prepared were for this…"
From the middle rows of the stands, Lili, Mikoto, Haruhime, and Welf shared their thoughts—surprised and concerned.
Welf, however, smiled as he looked at the group.
—"Well then," he said, raising his voice, "let's cheer him on. I don't care about the outcome of this festival—but he's our captain."
The group exchanged glances and nodded together. With voices loud enough to cut through the noise, they called out to the "mirror."
—"Bell-samaaa! You're getting a scolding after this, so win quick and come back!"
—"Stay calm! Your opponent doesn't show any openings!"
—"D-do your best! Bell-samaaa!"
—"Don't lose, Bell!"
The cheers from the Hestia Familia joined the fiery atmosphere, as adventurers, gods, and citizens alike kept their eyes fixed on the scene, not missing a single moment.
Amid the electric excitement, Ibri, the commentator, took the floor.
—"Ladies and gentlemen, the final showdown of the Orario-piad, kept secret even from us until now, is none other than this! The academy's strongest instructor, Leon Vardenburg, versus Orario's greatest troublemaker, Bell Cranel!"
There was no room for doubt or pessimism.
The city of heroes roared with excitement, its spirit reaching toward the distant North in search of new adventure.
—"A fight? Leon-sensei and Bell-senpai, here…?" Nina asked, visibly confused, still trying to process the situation.
Standing across from Leon, Bell shared her uncertainty.
Why did they have to fight?
What purpose did this serve?
And yet, despite the questions, something deep inside him accepted it.
—"I want to venture with you, Bell."
—"Let me see the size of your spirit."
Leon's words had hinted at this very moment.
The desire to face him, to understand his strength, had always been there.
Perhaps Leon had been waiting all along—for this moment, when he could set aside the role of "teacher" and, if only briefly—— "To a simple 'knight.'"
— "As you imagine, I also have a duty. But under these circumstances, both the students and the gods will allow me to draw my sword."
— "...!"
— "I repeat, Bell. This is a 'duel.'"
The echoes of cheers resonated in Bell's mind.
He couldn't refuse. He understood.
"(Yet, a part of me wants to face Leon-sensei.)"
He had felt his strength for a long time—just as unreachable as Ottar's.
Even as a top-tier adventurer, he was still out of his grasp.
But that desire to challenge him had grown with every adventure they shared.
— "I can't run away, can I?"
— "No."
— "I can't refuse, right?"
—"Correct."
—"May I challenge you, then?"
—"By all means."
A brief exchange of words, followed by barely perceptible smiles. Bell decided to stop searching for reasons behind his desire to fight. It was time to follow his feelings: to reach his aspirations, protect Wiene, and surpass his rival.
He drew the God's Dagger. Leon silently took his stance. With one last apologetic glance toward Niina, Bell charged forward with determination.
—"Haaa!"
The clash of sword and dagger echoed, marking the start of an epic battle.
"'I lost on the first strike. The physical strength of the dwarf race, which had already been revealed, shook me along with the blade. My eyes widened in shock. Instantly, my sweat glands activated. I already knew the difference in our abilities. But this was expected from the beginning. This is a trial stone for the future. Otherwise, I wouldn't have considered facing a level 7 head-on and fighting.'"
Unable to withstand the strength of the great two-handed sword, I was thrown—or rather, I slipped over Master Leon's head at an oblique angle.
There was nowhere to escape, and my movements were restricted in midair.
On that scaffoldless gallows, I stretched out my hand without showing any haste.
—"[Fire Bolt]!"
A rapid cannon of flames and lightning.
A burst of ten shots, fired without concern for the toll on my mental strength.
However, Professor Leon's face didn't show the slightest hesitation in the face of the scarlet rain of lightning charged with enormous magical power.
The sound of a "cutting impact" rang out loudly.
And with that, all the bolts were shattered into a thousand pieces.
—"...!"
—"A frontal attack to distract, then a rain of magic from a blind spot. Good surprise tactic. Who taught you that?"
—"My master, a ruthless elf, cruel but as beautiful as a woman... the same one who left me scorched with that strategy."
—"Hedin. Understood."
I used the scattered sparks to hide my silhouette as I landed.
I put distance between us again, adopting a low stance like a stalking beast. Facing my cautious position, Leon slowly turned toward me and gave a faint smile.
In a single exchange, with a knife strike and magic use, I understood the overwhelming power gap between us. Still, I returned his smile—forced though it was—with sweat sliding down my cheek.
I know this feeling.
No doubt, a Level 7. The same unreachable summit as Mr. Ottar.
Even facing the insurmountable wall of the irrational and absurd, I didn't let my smile fade. If I did, all that would be left was pathetic trembling with fear.
Leaving a paralyzed Nina behind, Professor Leon and I clashed again.
—"What is that 'magic'? It's a cheap trick!" —shouted Alisa, the supervisor and student representative, toward the Divine Mirror.
On the battlefield reflected by the mirror, flashes of swordplay intertwined with bolts of lightning and flames.
What seemed destined to end quickly under Leon's relentless sword skills was prolonged thanks to the instantaneous magic without any chanting.
The ability to perform magic without chants—something that would enrage any mage—was being fully exploited by Bell. The students, including Alisa, couldn't help but grow furious at the sight.
—"But Leon-sensei is so much stronger!"
—"Leon-sensei is our best teacher!"
—"Come on, Leon-senseiiiii!"
In the campus arena, different from the Orario coliseum, the cheers were endless.
The fervor of the students, mixed with shouts of admiration, reflected their absolute confidence in Leon Vardenburg, the strongest professor in the school.
A no-rules, no-restrictions fight.
Without the usual limits that bind knights, Leon's victory seemed certain.
No one on campus believed he could lose.
—"But Bell Cranel is really persistent. He's barely Level 5, yet he keeps fighting!"
—"He's traded multiple blows with Leon-sensei! Maybe the record of the fastest rabbit in the world isn't a lie, though he's still an intruder."
At first, they looked down on him, but the students began to recognize Bell's effort and skill for lasting more than three seconds against Leon — something unimaginable.
While Leon defended himself using only his sword, Bell sparingly used magic and sword attacks, grudgingly earning some respect.
—"Hmmm… hmmm…"
—"What's wrong, Misa? You're usually daydreaming, so why the serious face?"
—"Maybe it's because he's in uniform, but… that figure… I think I've seen it before. Maybe when Nina and I went to buy potato balls…"
(Iglin, act natural!)
(What do you want me to say? I have no idea!)
—"Leave it to me! Misa, that Bell Cranel looks like Rapi, our comrade from the Third Squad, but actually he's totally..."
—"Shut up, shut up, shuuuuut uuuup!"
Iglin, drenched in cold sweat, interrupted Chris's disastrous comment before it ruined everything.
The dwarf's outburst drew cold stares from the students, while Legi, a dark elf from the same squad, remained completely indifferent to the situation.
—"Damn it! Who should I support?"
Iglin scratched his head with both hands and looked back at the mirror.
In the arena stood Leon, whom he deeply respected, and Bell… or rather, Rapi, whose true identity they now knew.
—"No, it has to be Leon-sensei! I must support him! But..."
Legi, with a calm expression, kept adjusting his mask, while Chris nervously glanced around.
Iglin's internal conflict perfectly reflected the confusion in the hearts of the Third Squad.
And then…
—"Nina?"
The name of their comrade echoed through the air, causing surprise among the students.
They looked at the mirror and, with astonished eyes, discovered what was happening:
—"Why is Nina using healing magic on Bell Cranel?!"
The best student on campus had cast a healing spell on an Orario adventurer.
—"Sorry! I'm really sorry, Leon-sensei!"
Her apology reached my ears as I staggered, about to fall to my knees.
That apology was accompanied by a warm white light that wrapped around my body, restoring my energy.
Although it was only for a short time, the healing technique in motion, rigorously trained under the guidance of Lili and Ryuu, pleasantly surprised me.
—"But even so, I couldn't bear to see Bell Senpai suffer!"
My thoughts were interrupted by the uncomfortable feeling of being pitied by a younger girl.
Leon-sensei, without a single scratch, momentarily lowered his greatsword and looked at Nina with golden eyes, without a trace of reproach.
—"I know this is a one-on-one fight, but… I just can't help it!"
—"It's fine. In fact, Nina, I asked you to accompany me for this exact reason."
—"Eh?!"
—"To be honest, this is a disadvantage for me. Without your help, it would be absurd for a Lv. 7 to ask for a one-on-one fight against a Lv. 5."
With a slight smile, Leon nodded toward Nina, acknowledging her decision to act on her own will.
—"Bell, this may be humiliating for you, but…"
—"No, it's fine. Accepting help may be unbecoming, but I'm used to it."
"Understood? Then come at it with everything. Together with Nina."
—"Yes!"
Physically exhausted, I felt a surge of overwhelming momentum and launched into the attack.
Nina, freed from her guilt, seemed to make a decision. She placed her feet shoulder-width apart and focused entirely on controlling her magic and chanting her spell.
"[Holy halo that sways, the white breath. Flowers sing, the pure hill] — [Magic Chris]."
Nina applied healing magic at the points where I moved, making sure not to hinder my actions.
Thanks to that, my endurance improved enough to push my limits. Now it was only a matter of seeing how much mental energy I could preserve to use [Firebolt].
Just as I was planning that, my mental energy, which was already at its limit, suddenly began to recover.
Surprised, I turned to look at Nina. She was forcing a smile, sweat streaming down her forehead.
"Nina's healing magic can also transfer a portion of her mental energy to the target," explained Leon as he passed by me, our swords clashing with sparks.
That act of devotion from Nina sent a jolt through my heart.
At the same time, I realized the breadth of her talents.
Nina wasn't just an exceptional healer—she was also a valuable support.
Without a doubt, working alongside Haruhime, the greatest spirit magic-user, Nina would bring immense benefits to the Hestia Familia.
Dreaming of that future gave me even greater strength.
If we win the Orario Competition Games, Nina can join us without issue.
Now, I had one more reason to win. I charged at Leon with everything I had.
Trusting in Nina's healing, I adopted a relentless combat style of rapid attacks and swift retreats.
One moment I was in front of him, the next at his flank, behind him, or even above his head.
Each strike seemed to tear into the ground beneath us as I created a fast, deadly ring of attacks from every direction.
Even weaving magic into my assaults, I finally managed to make Leon's eyes widen slightly for the first time.
"Tsk!"
Even when I brushed against his defenses from a sharp rear angle, he deflected me effortlessly.
My entire body trembled from the impact as I landed behind him—where Nina's healing light was already waiting for me.
The knight who had been watching me so intently relaxed his stance, drew his longsword, and sheathed it across his back.
"Bell, you're far stronger when you fight alongside someone than when you're alone."
—"Huh?"
"Your courage becomes light and inspires those around you. That quality… it's invaluable when facing the 'end.' I'm not exaggerating—I consider it noble."
As I struggled to process his words, Professor Leon drove the sheath of his sword into the ground and continued:
"That's why I want to draw out even more of your potential."
Confused as I watched him disarm himself, I braced for what was coming.
Calmly, he began to chant:
"[Resound, resounding lightning. Rise, lion of the twelve thrones]──"
Before my disbelieving eyes, a radiance began to gather in his hand.
"[Blaze of Round]."
With a dazzling flash, a torrent of magical energy surged into his left hand, forming a golden sword of light.
(Enchantment magic…? No, this is weapon-type magic, capable of forming weapons from pure magical energy.)
As my senses sharpened, I noticed something odd:
The sword of light in Professor Leon's hand was formidable—but it didn't radiate the same "finishing blow" pressure usually associated with magic.
In fact, the long sword he had used earlier had greater reach and exerted more oppressive force.
Recalling my recent training with Aiz, I realized something:
—He's stronger when he's attacking.
I decided to move before I lost the initiative. Ignoring Niina's desperate voice in the distance:
"No, Bell-senpai! Professor Leon's magic is—!"
A flash of a one-handed sword—more manageable than the two-handed greatsword. But in terms of maneuverability, my weapon had the edge.
I quickly drew the long knife, Hakugen, which I had been saving, and struck the side of the glowing blade, slightly deflecting its powerful arc.
The lightness of his weapon threw me off—but I used that moment to close the gap and unleash the energy I had stored for two full seconds.
A white flash enveloped my knife, driven by my Argonaut ability, and I brought it down against his sword of light.
"Haaaaah!"
A devastating strike, wrapped in white particles of light. Though it was only a brief burst of power, the "Goddess Knife" took on extraordinary strength—and for the first time, broke through Master Leon's defense.
The glowing blade shattered like glass exploding.
───
In the face of a sudden release of power that even the physical strength of a Level 7 couldn't withstand, Master Leon calmly spoke.
"Incredible. Now, on to the second trial."
"...Eh?"
I was about to celebrate, but the scattered particles of light rapidly reformed in his hands—this time becoming twin swords of radiance.
"What!?"
Leon, now faster than before, closed the distance in an instant, launching an unrelenting assault before I could even react.
"Guuuuhhh!?"
'You've passed the first trial, Percil. Next comes the second—Gavel.'
After forcing my body to arch dramatically from the blow, came an unrelenting follow-up assault. I dodged the relentless storm of strikes and immediately countered. From a two-handed greatsword to a one-handed sword, and now—dual-wielding twin blades?
Three distinct fighting styles in one short battle! Unbelievable!
With a skill set reminiscent of the versatile adventurer Mikoto, what was truly terrifying was that even after switching to twin swords, the pressure and ferocity of his attacks hadn't diminished at all.
He had mastered all three forms of combat!
"Aaaahhhh!"
I maxed out my speed to brace against the storm that was about to hit me.
Hiding the furious pounding of my heart, I feigned bravery, as if claiming to be the true master of dual wielding.
As though mirrored, our blades clashed in a storm of slashes—a fierce dance spinning and spiraling like a top.
(What exactly is Leon's "magic"? It's not just simple weapon conjuration magic, is it? Does it have a dual effect that lets him create separate weapons? But… his speed has clearly increased since before!)
I couldn't grasp the true nature of Leon's magic.
It was unnerving—frightening.
But in this blur of combat, there was no time to analyze or reflect.
All I could do was focus everything I had on not getting defeated.
A golden light traced the arc of his slashes.
The magical weapons, the "Hestia Knife" and "Hakugen," roared.
The overwhelming weight of his presence made my breath freeze, as pressure surrounded me. A moment later, his right dagger aimed straight at my chest. Just a second before defeat was declared, I refused to give in.
Ignoring the risk of hurting myself, I unleashed a bolt of flames from the tip of the "Hestia Knife," aiming it at the ground.
—"Fire Bolt!"—
The explosion sent us both flying through the air. Although I ended up burned and temporarily deafened, I managed to avoid a fatal wound, reducing it to a superficial cut on my side. Unlike me, Professor Leon landed effortlessly, completely unharmed.
Desiring a moment to recover, I began firing magic in all directions.
—"Aaaaaaaaah!!!"—
Twenty consecutive shots, all easily dodged. I knew it, but I did it to buy time. However, instead of avoiding them, Professor Leon chose to face them head-on. With his "Twin Blades of Light," he destroyed every one of my attacks.
With my stance recovered, I unleashed more flames and lightning. I had no other choice. I needed to confront Professor Leon; I needed answers. After seventy-seven consecutive attacks, finally his swords reached their limit and shattered.
—"You have passed the 'Second Sword Trial, Gavel.' I will now proceed to release the 'Third Sword Trial, Dalbazaar.'"—
—"…!"—
The scene repeated itself like before. The fragments of light floating in the air were absorbed by Professor Leon, and this time, from the light was born a colossal war axe, glowing with a golden shine like that of a lion.
My eyes widened, unable to contain my astonishment.
—"Bell Senpai! Professor Leon's magic is not 'weapon magic,' but 'enhancement magic!' Each time one of his eleven light weapons is destroyed, his stats increase."—
—"What?!"—
Nina's voice finally reached my ears, and I couldn't believe it. I had felt that increase in speed since I destroyed his first sword, but now I knew it wasn't just an illusion—it was a feature of his magic.
—"He gets stronger… while he fights?"—
It was like a fairy tale, a story of heroes overcoming adversity and achieving victory no matter the obstacles.
Professor Leon, like an indomitable knight, advanced facing the challenge head-on.
—"My magic, the 'Cycle of the Twelve Swords,' is notoriously inefficient. To reach my maximum power, I must allow all eleven of my weapons to be destroyed."—
—"…!"—
—"Each trial increases one ability: speed, skill, strength, endurance, magic, and more. Unlike Ottar's 'Bestialization,' which boosts all his abilities at once, my magic does it gradually."—
Cold sweat ran down my forehead. His words were true; his magic was inefficient, but also completely risk-free. As he advanced, he grew stronger at no cost.
Even more terrifying was imagining the power he would unleash once all twelve weapons were fully released. His magic could surpass even the limits of a standard rank, reaching forbidden levels.
—"Each weapon has its own characteristics. This 'Third Trial Axe, Dalbazaar' isn't as manageable as the others, but its strike is devastating."—
Professor Leon twisted his waist and raised the gigantic axe, gathering energy in his shoulders. Despite being a magical weapon, its weight seemed crushing even from a distance.
—"Can you stop this, Bell?"—
With those words, he brought the axe down in a diagonal arc. At that instant, a gigantic blade of light was born, filling the air with its brilliance.
A feeling of déjà vu washed over me, recalling the "Great Familia War."
An unstoppable attack was approaching. I abandoned my stored magic and focused fully on dodging. I leapt to the right and fired a bolt to the left, using the explosion to propel myself forward.
The impact was devastating. The ground shook, and a shockwave threw me to the earth, causing me to roll several times.
When I finally stopped, I looked up. Nina was sitting on the ground, terrified. The reason was obvious:
"I soon understood why. Half of the hill we were on had completely vanished. It had transformed into a deep chasm, utterly destroyed.
—…Ottar's magic has never been this destructive…—
It can't do it as well as Leon. When we fought Ryu and the other three, I finally understood the meaning behind the words that person had murmured. This 'Zankō' is the origin and the beginning. In front of Ottar, who has 'absolute defense,' Master Leon has 'absolute attack.'"
Now I understood the words someone had whispered in the past.
Professor Leon didn't just possess "the ultimate attack"… he was the ultimate attack.
「Uwaaahhhhhhhhhhh! It's startedoooooooooooooooooo! The true essence of Leon Vardenburg! His insane and colossal slashing technique, [Castle Slayer]!」
Bell Cranel's face instantly drained of all color. 「I'm in absolute shock too!」
The crowd's cheers in the Amphitheater Coliseum are drowned out by the piercing screams of Ibri.
What began as an ovation for the young man has turned into chills and fear toward the knight. It's like reliving a scene from the War of Familias, showcasing the brutal fighting style of this true warrior.
「The technique of the knight of knights, known as the one who 'cut down a castle.' The attack that symbolizes the strongest knight!」
Asfi, who just arrived running to the coliseum alongside two companions after the representatives' battle, murmurs upon witnessing this surreal scene.
The glory of this knight, now recognized as one of the modern heroes after saving the world along with the School District, is deeply intertwined with the tales of his devastating Luminous Slash.
Neither Ryuu nor Aisha, who aren't as familiar with outside information as Asfi, can find words in the face of the overwhelming scene.
"Except for the gods Zeus and Hera, the only one who has pierced straight through Ottar's Absolute Defense has been Leon's attack…"
"Damn it…! That crazy chivalry fanatic has gotten even stronger!"
Even Hedin and Allen, top-tier adventurers who calmly analyze the situation, cannot deny the overwhelming power of this knight.
In terms of worldwide recognition, Leon is the hero candidate closest to earning the title of the Last Hero.
"…Don't make that stupid face, you dumb rabbit! You're being tested right now."
Hedin, visibly frustrated, scolds his foolish disciple who stands frozen before the magic mirror.
"I call this technique 'Afterglow.'"
A cold sweat runs down my cheek.
At the edge of my vision, I see a massive scar of light engraved into the very earth.
As the sound of my own pulse echoes in my head, Leon, wielding his light axe, calmly walks toward me.
"Normally, strengthening spells like mine or Ottar's only increase the power of the body and weapons. They shouldn't be able to launch cuts like they were shots."
Without even looking at me, the knight calmly lets his words fall as he heads toward Nina, who still can't get up.
"However, by combining it with this technique, distance is eliminated and the target is cut."
"Wh-what!?"
"It's a skill that we, subjected to the injustice of the gods Zeus and Hera, stole as if we were mere thieves."
The skill of Zeus and Hera?
The technique of the two great factions that ruled Orario for a thousand years!?
Realizing it wasn't a lie sent a chill down my spine.
The Leonine Radiant Slash that Leon just executed is incredibly similar to Ottar's Golden Cut. If this technique was developed by both during the faction wars fifteen years ago, before they were defeated by the Black Dragon, it all makes sense!
(Though even using the same technique... Leon is scarier than Ottar!).
Comparing the recent attack to the Faction War, I notice something clear:
Ottar uses his overwhelming strength to complement the technique, but Leon, in terms of pure skill, far surpasses his mastery.
This is the path of the knight who chose to specialize completely in offense and cutting.
A technique capable of rivaling the shots of the best first-rate mage adventurers.
This is the Knight of Knights, the reason why he's called the Modern Hero!
"For perfecting this technique, I believe two conditions are needed. The first is, obviously, to be an expert with cutting weapons like swords or axes."
Leon stops in front of Nina and, after gallantly helping her up, walks toward a backpack on the ground.
"And the second is to possess some kind of skill or magic related to strengthening.
From the backpack, Leon pulls out a greatsword wrapped in white cloth.
"In other words, Bell... you also possess what it takes to master 'Afterglow'."
"What!?"
Not fully understanding his words, I look at him incredulously as he tosses the sword in front of me with a simple motion.
The greatsword lands, sticking into the ground right before my eyes.
"This is not a suggestion, but an order. Take that sword."
"Huh...!?"
Leon's eyes, full of determination, stare fixedly at me while my mind is still in chaos.
"Before the Orario Competition Festival was announced, I negotiated with a mage dressed in black to watch recordings of the Faction War on a magical crystal."
"...What!?"
"I even spoke with Ottar about his impressions. After all that, I'm convinced: the sound of the bell you emit… your Hero Skill can take you to the same realm as the Persistent Light."
In that instant, Leon vanished.
And before I could react, he was right in front of me.
My instincts screamed, and I drew the sword just in time to block the descending light axe.
I barely withstood the first strike. Then came the second. On the third, my stance broke, and I was sent flying backward.
I landed roughly, rolling on the ground. When I looked up, Nina was staring at me in astonishment.
"Use your skill. I'll give you time to charge it."
"What!?"
"Have Nina heal you and ring your bell to the limit. We're going to fight!"
That declaration stole the breath from my lungs.
Fight him!? Fight 'Afterglow'!? Fight Leon!?
"What does he want me to do...?"
Is it even possible to replicate a technique I don't know if I can use? Did Goddess Hestia —the one who prepared these weapons for me— foresee this would happen? What does she truly want now?
Doubts rise and fade, amplifying my confusion. In the end, I could only voice a single thought.
—"I'll speak from my ugliest desire... I want to master this Afterglow," I said, my voice echoing from deep within.
His eyes, as straight and unwavering as a blade, pierced me with unshakable resolve.
—"I've cut down hills… even a castle. I must defeat the 'dragon' with this technique."
—"What!?" I cried out in shock.
—"And if I am to follow the teachings of the god Zeus and goddess Hera… I must confront the one who has inherited this Afterglow, push each other beyond our limits, and consume him—so that my blade may reach the next level."
There was no lie in his words. I knew it. I could feel it. Leon-sensei was speaking with complete sincerity. If he weren't, it would be impossible for Nina—who had known him far longer than I had—to be trembling behind me like that.
In that moment, I caught a glimpse of the "terrible child" who didn't quite match the image of a noble knight—the one they had spoken of last night in tales of the past.
—"Bell, prepare yourself."
—…
—"I have no intention of settling this any other way."
As if he had already said everything that needed to be said, Leon-sensei gripped his radiant battle axe with both hands, taking a natural stance—ready to swing at any moment.
Indeed, he bore the presence of an absolute victor, patiently waiting for me to charge my power.
—"There's no other choice?"
—"There's no other choice."
After emerging from the forest of confusion, I hesitated only once.
In this exam, disguised as the city's competitive festival—the Orariopiad—the examiner, Leon-sensei, had already laid out both the methods and the conditions for success.
What I had to do was not get up and question him, nor tear up the answer sheet in frustration. My task was to take the sword—my pen—and face this complex problem until the final bell rang.
I had to understand the examiner's intentions and find the correct answer.
I recalled the spirit of a student I had embraced back in the "School District." While adjusting my still-worn battle uniform, I lowered my center of gravity, preparing for combat.
The sound of the bell marked the beginning, and I began charging power into my greatsword.
—"Bell-senpai…!?"
—"Sorry, Nina… Lend me your strength."
Without taking my eyes off the knight before me, I apologized to the girl behind me and asked for her help.
—"I want to meet Leon-sensei's expectations."
And, if possible, surpass them.
My message seemed to reach her. Nina, who had been left speechless, nodded after a brief moment. She stepped back to avoid getting in the way, and the sound of her staff preparing a spell echoed behind me.
—"…"
As white light particles gathered into Welf's greatsword, countless formulas—doubts—raced through my mind.
No matter how much energy I charge, my strike won't be projected. I'm certain of it. It didn't work against the Goliath, nor against that rival, not even against the mighty Ottar.
Every time I used the charged power of my greatsword, I always had to close the distance and land the decisive blow myself.
So, am I supposed to imitate the technique of Leon-sensei and Ottar, trying to replicate it on the fly?
It's impossible. Bell Cranel isn't skilled enough. Failure is inevitable from the start.
Wouldn't it be possible to close the distance with magic? Couldn't I use a charged Firebolt to compensate?
No. Leon-sensei expects me to use his technique, the "Afterglow." He wants to perfect his skill with me as a witness. He himself has declared that he doesn't master magic.
A master of cuts seeks, above all, a sword capable of "cutting the dragon."
Besides, with the base power of a quick spell like Firebolt, I could never replicate the impact of Afterglow.
If anything could do it, it would be a cut based on physical skill and the sharp edge of Welf's sword.
—"Then, if failure is inevitable, how much longer must I charge my sword before I'm ready?"
With heavy sweat running down my cheek, I didn't seek advice from Leon-sensei.
(One more minute. One more minute.)
I'm not going to betray my determination. I will find the answer with my own hands.
Leon-sensei surely walked this same path. In his struggle alongside the god Zeus and the goddess Hera, he must have forged his way forward until he reached the power to cut through a castle.
If I've heard his stories, I have no right to back down.
As long as my lips keep proclaiming that I want to be a hero, I cannot abandon my resolve.
—"Is that going to be your first answer?" — he asked, with a gaze that read my stance, my energy charge, and my intention.
I felt as if an invisible hand squeezed my heart and throat, making it hard to breathe. But I tightened my grip on the greatsword's hilt, showing my will.
I must avoid relying solely on the energy charge. First, I need to understand the essence of the technique.
What principles govern the flight of a cut like the Afterglow?
Drawing on my experience facing the unknown in the dungeon, I used all my knowledge and wisdom as I slowly raised the greatsword.
As if mirroring my movement, Leon-sensei charged his shining battle axe on his shoulder.
—"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
Then I swung it hard from the shoulder. One minute of energy charge. A diagonal slash made with all my strength, finding the common ground between our stances.
"That..."
"Weak."
With a single strike, the knight knocked it down.
Despite acting at a disadvantage, with pure strength and mastery, he defied the natural order of time and unleashed a fearsome cutting flash before I could.
"──────!?"
Just like before.
A dazzling brilliance completely covered my vision.
The leonine flash broke the sound barrier, rushing toward me.
However, my cut did not launch!
"Ugh!"
Right in front of me, a devastating charged blow collided with the cutting flash, striking the ground.
The result of the impact was clear.
The knight's technique was on another level, and the outcome was undeniable.
Despite mitigating part of the impact, I was thrown backward along with my greatsword, which I did not let go of out of pure stubbornness.
And I ended up right in front of Nina!
"Bell-senpai!?"
"Guh... Aaah..."
Nina, the healer, rushed to my side and immediately activated her healing magic.
Beneath my torn battle uniform, my wounded skin began to heal rapidly.
Just one blow—and it wasn't even direct—had caused so much damage.
Still… I was holding back!
The first flash I saw had leveled half a hill.
This one only left a deep crack in the ground. It hadn't destroyed me!
"Bell, stop worrying about me."
"...!!"
"As long as you hold onto that worry, you'll never be able to cut through my cutting flash."
My first attempt was a mistake.
Even the slightest thought of concern for Master Leon had triggered an internal brake in my mind—a sign of disrespect to the knight.
This pain and my situation showed me just how wrong I was.
"Nina, get back!"
I stood up and pushed my companion, who had just healed my body, aside to start charging my energy once more.
Nina, with a worried expression, stepped back, though it seemed she wanted to say something.
I gripped my greatsword, which resonated like a bell as I prepared myself.
The knight raised his glowing axe.
From that moment on, just as Leon-sensei had predicted, a brutal battle of exchanges began.
A storm of cutting flashes where I was the only one being torn apart.
"Gahhhh!"
My two-minute energy charge was interrupted.
"One more time."
Three minutes.
"Again."
Four minutes.
"Again."
Five minutes.
"Once more."
The result was always the same.
No matter how hard I tried to grasp the essence of the "Afterglow" technique, I couldn't even come close to its limits.
Meanwhile, my skill [Heroic Desire] increased its power, only to be shattered every time.
Fragments of my battle uniform flew off. Blood splattered. My bones began to crack.
If it weren't for Nina's dedication as a healer, constantly restoring my body and mind, I would have already fallen.
At one point, I managed to ring the Great Bell.
A pure, white flash after a three-minute charge succeeded in blocking and deflecting the knight's flash.
At least, that's what I thought.
The knight swung his axe once again.
────────────
A consecutive attack.
Nothing was out of place.
A pure technique, without chant or charge, worthy of a second, third, and even fourth strike.
I tried to withstand the first flash, endured the second, and the third.
But when the fourth strike hit, my Great Bell was overwhelmed.
I was thrown back.
My body couldn't withstand the torrent of light and I crashed to the ground pitifully.
Once again, I was sent flying backwards, unable to stop. This time, with even greater force.
Nina, bravely, stepped in to stop me.
She threw her staff and caught me face to face.
Though the impact was brutal, she didn't let go. We tumbled together on the ground, wrapped in the remnants of the flash, until the energy finally dissipated.
The terrain, already devastated, was even more destroyed. Rocks vaporized, and the scorched landscape smoked around us.
From Nina's protective arms, forcing my eyes open, I saw the knight standing tall and imposing in the distance.
"Wait, isn't this...!? Isn't this a blatant lynching?"
Even Ibri, the commentator, was left speechless by the scene.
The Black Desert, known as the end of the world, had been completely transformed.
Over and over, the knight unleashed the power of his cutting flash,
comparable to a finishing attack, while the terrified crowd remained in complete silence.
Even in the distant school district, the students watched in shock as Master Leon stood with a ruthless posture they had never seen before.
"Please, someone tell us what Bell Cranel did to deserve this!"
Ibri, trying to break the deafening silence, shouted desperately on his broadcast.
The trembling in the area didn't fade. Only his piercing voice echoed, absorbed uselessly by the vast sky.
"He's taken the first step up the ladder to heroism."
"Just that."
The Gulliver brothers, Alfrig and company, responded indifferently to the man's resounding cry.
"That damned rabbit always ends up in pieces, doesn't he?"
Allen, as always, said it arrogantly, showing disdain for the situation.
The sturdy einherjar warriors, strengthened by the abnormal conditions of the Folkvangr battlefield, were the only ones there whose expressions remained unchanged.
Only Hedin, watching the boy trapped behind the mirror, showed a mix of irritation and helplessness.
"Even though it has mithril mixed in, that sword was forged with adamantite, an ultra-hard metal… and it's already cracking!?"
While Lili, Mikoto, and Haruhime grew pale, Welf, with the keen eye of a blacksmith, evaluated the wear on the great sword in the young man's hands.
That sword was specially made for Bell as a reward for victory in the clan war. Forged patiently by the god blacksmith Hephaestus using adamantite, it was meant to be an exceptional piece.
Seeing the signs of destruction on that masterpiece through the mirror, Welf couldn't help but grimace, impressed by the knight's power and his "Final Afterglow."
"Did Lady Hestia know this and still give Bell my sword?"
His shout, tinged with reproach, didn't reach the ears of the goddess.
However, far from them, in a hallway away from the stands, Hestia tightly gripped the railing with both hands.
"Bell-kun…"
"Are you sure you did the right thing putting Bell through something so extreme?"
Her grayish hair fluttered in the air.
Next to her, dressed in a light green uniform, appeared Syr.
"I didn't know it would be this intense either! Baldr's letter just said they needed help in the 'Valley' and to 'defeat something.' Oh, and also some way to reconcile Orario with the academy!"
"Ah, yes, excuses. Poor Bell-san…"
"You're the last person who should be talking, Syr! You were the one who sent him to the Folkvangr battlefield!"
"Don't remind me, Hestia-sama. Mia's going to scold me later…"
"I knew you were slacking off!"
The lively exchange between the two goddesses started to draw annoyed glances from nearby spectators.
After a deep sigh, Hestia raised her gaze once more toward the mirror high above.
"…Sooner or later, he had to go to the 'Valley.'"
"..."
"Even Hermes said it: Bell-kun will inevitably be called to face the 'Black Dragon.'"
"He's already a 'hero candidate,' after all."
"Then now is the time to prepare. To know what awaits him, and to get ready as soon as possible. I believe that's the right thing to do…"
The trials imposed by Leon were part of that preparation. But Hestia didn't say it out loud.
"Although I wish the good times would last forever… if we don't do what must be done now, Bell-kun and I… will surely regret it."
Syr, understanding the true feeling behind those words, nodded silently. Both, with different roles and natures, shared the same worry for the young man facing such a harsh trial before their eyes.
"Please, stop, Master Leon!"
Nina, hugging me from behind to protect me, cried out in a voice on the verge of tears.
Despite her desperate plea, Leon remained unmoved. With a cold expression—more knight than teacher—he simply watched me, his fingers trembling.
—"This isn't a class! It's not even a fight! This is…"
—"You're right, Nina. It's neither a lesson nor a battle. This is a 'baptism.'"
—"…?!"
—"The same trial the gods Zeus and Hera put us through fifteen years ago. What he, sooner or later, will have to face. I'm just bringing it forward."
—"…"
—"If you don't overcome this trial, then you don't deserve to be called a hero.
You don't deserve for the world to place its hopes on you."
His words cut through the air and embed themselves in me like shattered glass.
During my journeys with Nina and the others, or my exploits on the 29th floor, maybe I deceived myself into thinking I was already a first-level adventurer.
But now I understand. From someone like Leon's point of view, I'm far from worthy. I'm just a kid.
—"Aren't you going to get up, Bell? I haven't completely defeated you yet.
I cut through hills, cut through castles, defeated dragons.
I've never seen anyone like you."
It's a cruel demand. It might even be considered unreasonable.
I never wanted something like this. Taking up a sword, cutting through hills, castles, and dragons. He's saying something absurd.
Surely, the 'heroes' of Zeus and Hera, whom I never met, were people just as absurd.
Master Leon is trying to make me endure something terrible.
—"…I still haven't found a hero like you, one who can transform
'afterglow' into a 'light of hope.'"
But I understand.
The meaning behind that cruelty. The true intention hidden in that 'baptism.'
Because I have already heard his old stories and his hidden feelings.
—"I have always wished, both in the past and now, that more
'heroes' would rise."
That was what the knight said across the blazing campfire.
(Still waiting…)
He's still waiting.
Since the god Zeus and the goddess Hera left, he has been waiting for over fifteen years.
He is waiting for me. He's waiting for us—the eggs of heroes.
He's waiting for as many heroes as possible to rise up and chase after it.
That's why I placed my trembling hands on the ground and stood up.
—"Bell-senpai!"
—"Nina! Please… use your healing magic!"
I spoke with difficulty, blood dripping as I did.
—"This will be the last…!"
I filled my body with all the willpower and the little strength I had left.
Not wanting to betray the knight's wishes, I returned my gaze to his lion-like eyes, and even the blood flowing inside me warmed.
—"I want to be a 'hero'…!"
My lips repeated those words, proclaiming them to the black, desolate earth:
—That person is also waiting for one of the heroes!
I swear I will save this world threatened by the end.
I swear I will become someone beyond the limits of my own gaze.
A promise I can no longer set aside—I offer it with unwavering determination.
The knight standing in the distance, his hair swaying in the wind, showed a calm smile beneath his bangs.
—"[Sacred Oscillating Halo, white breath. The flowers sing on the pure hill]──[Crystalline Magic]!"
My own determination, one that no one had forced upon me, was also understood by Nina.
Suppressing her sobs, her voice rang out strong, delivering a pure and white healing.
Though my physical and mental energy was far from fully restored, my wounded body and heart found comfort.
That was enough.
I apologized silently to my greatsword, now cracked, pleading for it to lend me its strength one last time. Then I summoned the thunder of flames.
—"[Firebolt]!"
—"?!?"
To Nina and the others' surprise, I cast the spell upon the greatsword I held with both hands.
The sound of a great bell echoed immediately.
『Dual Charge』.
Adamantite, an ultra-hard metal mixed with refined mithril, reacted against the flames, blocking the magical conduction.
But even so, I forced it through sheer willpower, cloaking the greatsword in a "flame armor."
*(I still can't unleash the "Afterglow" like Master Leon. It's not a technique I can use yet.
But if I take advantage of long-range spell properties and push them to the limit, then──!)
If all I need is to close the distance, magic will suffice.
The quick-fire spell Firebolt can't replicate the overwhelming power of the "Afterglow".
I knew that all too well.
So, I decided to combine the traits of both techniques through 『Dual Charge』—
to compensate for my limitations, turning the greatsword into a pseudo "Light that Rends"—
a "Flame Slash" launched through the air.
A reckless idea. An improvised experiment.
A gamble, all or nothing.
Even so, it was the option with the highest chance of success.
My instincts—sharpened by overcoming countless unknown trials—
roared in affirmation.
So be it. I'll trust in this hunch.
Unlike Master Leon and the others, I lack technique, creativity…
and perhaps even determination.
That's why I'll use everything I have.
My skills, my magic, every experience I've accumulated until now—
even a childish, naive spark of creativity.
—"So you plan to sacrifice the perfection of technique just to extend your range with magic, Bell?"
He saw through it with just a glance.
Was it a mark against me? A disappointment?
But the knight, with a fierce, wild smile, answered:
—"It's not a baseless gamble. It's a pursuit of victory, supplemented with wisdom, and unleashing everything you've got in a final burst. That... that's who you are."
That's right.
This is who I am now!
What I learned from Ais-san and so many others—
what I gained by stepping into the unknown...
Now, I am Bell Cranel, a first-class adventurer.
I screamed it from deep within as I rang the great bell once more.
Within the growing white light, crimson flames roared wildly.
And as I held the greatsword, I saw Master Leon narrow his eyes.
As if delighted to have finally found someone worthy of a heroic tale—
like an adult with the heart of a child.
—"I would've liked to face you in a true duel, giving it my all."
He murmured, with a tinge of regret.
—"But... it's already too late."
Then the knight turned his gaze upward, looking to the sky.
And the sky, shrouded in dark clouds, let out a deep rumble.
『OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHH!!!』
—"?!"
A colossal roar thundered from something far beyond us.
Nina and I froze, stunned, as we turned toward the "valley."
What we saw was a rain of light, flickering like lightning—
flashing from a rift in the dark clouds split by the tornado.
From that chasm emerged something gigantic, far too long to comprehend at first glance.
—"What... is that?"
—"A giant centipede?"
Nina, still frozen behind me, whispered in disbelief.
But with the keen eyes of a first-class adventurer, I simply put into words what I was seeing:
Its skin was a deep dark purple.
A body over fifty meters long, segmented like a grotesque chain of flesh.
It didn't look like a serpent—not exactly.
Dozens of thin, claw-like legs jutted from each side, twitching with a hideous clicking noise that sent shivers down my spine.
Its twisted head bore a distorted jaw and a long, stinger-like protrusion, like that of a mosquito.
From the sides of its head, strange wing-like organs extended, twitching erratically.
The creature's entire body was covered in dragon-like scales, gleaming with otherworldly resilience.
—"No way..."
The words that crossed my mind were spoken aloud by Master Leon:
—"It's a dragon."
And before that revelation could even settle—
The dragon's eye, gliding along the edge of the storm-churned sky, locked onto us.
With the disdain of a god swatting at insects, it fired a beam of searing light straight from the pointed tip on its head.
—Chuuuiin...!!
The spot where Master Leon had stood was engulfed by an explosion.
—"Master Leon!"
—"That is… the Skyborne Venom Centidragon."
Before Nina's scream could even fade, the knight burst through the pillar of smoke, landing unharmed in front of us.
Nina, still stunned, stared at the scene, while I held my breath at the sight of the massive crater formed in an instant.
The distance between us and that creature was approximately five kilometers.
A blast powerful enough to strike from that far away?!
While we stood frozen in shock, Master Leon, eyes still locked on the monster, continued:
—"If my memory is correct, that's a creature from Floor 67. It was discovered by the gods Zeus and Hera."
—"Floor 67?!"
The information hit like a thunderclap.
The dragons that inhabit the Valley of Dragons are ancient species that once escaped from the Dungeon into the surface world. With that in mind, it wasn't impossible for such a monster to exist.
Not impossible…
But utterly absurd.
—"Why is a monster like that here?"
—"The Dragon's Roar was confirmed more than ten days ago. It's likely that it escaped through a distortion in the Spirit's Wind Seal."
—"What…?"
While Nina grew visibly agitated, Professor Leon calmly explained the situation.
I looked at his profile.
(He confirmed it over ten days ago...? Could it be that Professor Leon...)
Before that suspicion could solidify into certainty, the knight in silver armor began to analyze the situation with sharp precision.
—"It seems the barrier of the school district has also been breached. Though it's still entangled in the 'Lightning Web', once it's free, the dragon will charge at us without hesitation."
—"…!"
As Professor Leon said, the Centipede Dragon battling in the dark clouds continued to emit bursts of light like thunderbolts. Looking closely, I could see its wings caught in an extremely fine web of light.
When I first arrived, those flashes were the first thing I saw…
The dragon was struggling to break free from the barrier!
That must be the one set up by the school district, covering the Valley of Dragons. As the name suggests, the Lightning Web had entangled the dragon, preventing its advance. The more it struggled, the tighter it became. And if it broke free, it would be caught in a secondary magic trap, delaying it just long enough for extermination units like Professor Leon to arrive...
An impressive defense mechanism.
—"W-what are we going to do?"
With the dragon's imminent arrival, Nina struggled to keep her trembling voice in check.
Our eyes turned to the seasoned knight—someone who more than anyone had history in battles against dragons.
"The Orario Urban Competency Tournament is hereby suspended. We will immediately commence extermination of the dragon."
He spoke with authority, as if addressing both the city of Orario and the school district through the mirror.
Then, Professor Leon calmly turned around, glanced at the flaming greatsword I held charged in my hands… and looked directly at me.
—"Bell. You're going to defeat it."
—"W-What?!"
—"Use that Afterglow on it. Right now—you can do it."
His leonine eyes bore into mine with unwavering confidence.
I froze for a moment—but then he turned away and stepped forward.
—"If the gods Zeus and Hera aren't just jokers, the Centipede Dragon has an estimated potential level of 7."
—"W-what?!"
—"But don't worry. From what I can see... it's weaker than the Depths Master, Udaeus."
—"B-but I've never fought a Depths Master, Udaeus!?"
Desperately, as if a bomb of words had just exploded in my face, I noticed the back of Professor Leon advancing ahead. Somehow, it looked like he smiled slyly, just like many times before.
I realized that somehow the tension in my body eased.
—"I'll buy us some time."
With those few confident words, the knight surged forward with great force.
Almost at the same time, the Centipede Dragon completely shattered the barrier of light and dove straight at us.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo─!!"
The monstrous dragon moved like a serpent, sliding through the air like a terrifying shadow.
Beside it, it fired beams of violet light like laser rays.
Professor Leon, wielding his light axe, effortlessly dodged the first two shots.
Suddenly, a third shot, unexpected, flew toward us...
And it was as if time froze.
—"Professor Leon!?"
The explosive sound of violet light chilled Nina and me to the bone.
But...
—"'Sword Trial Three, Dalbazaar' cleared. 'Sword Trial Four, Filon' unlocked!"
The knight's cloak billowed proudly as a new armor of light appeared.
The light axe, which had clashed with the beams, transformed into a massive shield of light—like a giant's sword.
Professor Leon smiled calmly, as if to give us confidence.
"The dwarven warrior's farce—my dignity is restored! Leave the frontline wall to me!"
With a surge in his status, he advanced without hesitation, dazzling and fierce, engaging the dragon in a brutal battle.
The level 7 beast didn't make him step back even once.
Fearlessly, he blocked every laser beam of light with his shield, and from behind, drew a light dagger, tearing through parts of the dragon like ripping flesh.
The dragon twisted, trying to dodge the strikes.
With an annoyed gesture, it glared furiously at Professor Leon, who was fully focused on it.
The perfect tactic of a vanguard wall — Wall — drawing the enemy's full attention!
"Tsk─!!"
No time to admire it!
I gripped my sword and began charging it once more.
The great bells echoed through the air, and at the same time, the dragon started inflating every part of its body like a balloon.
Without taking his eyes off Professor Leon, the dragon unleashed a massive wave of black miasma from its body.
"Nina, fight with the purifying Chrisheim magic!"
"Huh!?"
"Dragons level 5 and above in the Valley release 'contaminated miasma'! This poison seeps into wounds and drastically lowers the effectiveness of healing magic! Protect Bell!"
"...!! 'Lullaby of the Wind, Cradle of Flowers'!"
At Professor Leon's command and the black miasma rolling toward us like a dark wave, Nina immediately began chanting her spell.
Standing in front of me, her wand shone brightly, and though her magical energy was nearly depleted, she pushed on with the incantation.
A zone of light appeared to shield me just as the darkness started to recede.
"'Ragriel Chrisheim'!"
It was the third time I saw the 'Zone of White Flowers.'
The black miasma slammed into the radiant white zone, sparking an impressive collision.
Despite the miasma enveloping everything, it couldn't penetrate the fairy's sacred zone. Instead, I saw Nina's knees slowly buckle.
"Ugh...!?"
"Nina!"
"I'm fine! I'm fine, Rapi!"
Somehow she said my name wrong, but there was no time to correct her. All her strength was focused on keeping the barrier active.
"Purified by the domain of light, seeing through the dispersal of the miasma, Master Leon spots the Centipede Dragon..."
We were locked in a fierce battle against a dragon. In mere moments, the landscape was utterly destroyed; the rocks, soaked in the poisonous energy, crumbled like fragile glass. In the blink of an eye, the elevated ground collapsed, and everything not beneath our feet lost all meaning.
It was a terrifying sight — as if it were the end of the world.
Both I, in the rear, and Nina, in her support role, along with the imposing Leon-sensei on the front lines, knew that if we didn't give everything we had, our lives would be mercilessly devoured.
This is the end of the world, in the farthest north! This place isn't a dungeon, but the world here is completely different!
—"Dragons like that… there are many here…!"
—"And enemies like that… inside that tornado, there are countless…"
It was like an amphitheater or a battleground, or maybe even a city.
Someone whispered those words. In the "mirror," there wasn't a black ocean, and above us, the beautiful blue sky should have stretched wide—but it felt as if the world was silently being invaded.
The image of the three adventurers and knights facing the threat, without words, while everyone watched the horrifying battle against the dragon, left us all breathless.
—"Have you noticed? I hope you've noticed. The little time we have left."
Touching the brim of his hat, Hermes looked around the arena, utterly silent.
—"I hope you feel it. The end is approaching from the north. We don't even have time to fight among ourselves."
From the highest balcony of the Temple Tower, Baldr watched the trembling arena, his words falling upon us like a solemn decree.
—"And I hope we can unite, and that more than one of us will be born as a 'hero.'"
In the underground altar of the guild, Uranus sat on his throne, closing his eyes deeply and whispering:
—"This is the enemy we must face… Bell-kun, all of us."
Finally, Hestia, to make sure her message reached her followers, shared the future that awaited them.
All the gods watched the battle with their transparent eyes.
(That is… the enemy we must confront.)
While I protected myself in the field of white flowers, the great bell tower continued to resonate, and deep in my heart, Leon-sensei's words—the things he had told me throughout this journey—came rushing back.
I remembered why the world needs 'heroes,' and I understood it once more.
We need to gather more 'heroes.' We need more comrades.
If not, we won't be able to win this final battle.
I looked deep into my vision at the "whirlwind of spirits" still spinning in agony, gripping the hilt of my sword tight.
Once again—and whenever necessary—we would renew our resolve.
To stop this end, we will fight together, just like Leon-sensei and Nina did.
(So... let's cut through.)
With my hands gripping the sword, I remembered the 'heroes' who left their light behind, the 'knights' who trusted in it, hoping to turn that light into hope.
I understood what was expected of me.
I knew what I wanted.
To inherit the legend of heroes, from the very beginning to the last hero, we would prove our will until that moment comes.
—"Haaa!!"
The trigger for my "Heroic Desire" ability activated, and the figure I imagined was "Leon Vardenburg."
A modern hero who, despite being defeated time and again by the heroes, never stopped pursuing that ideal and protecting the world.
With my eyes fixed on that noble knight trying to fulfill his mission, I raised my sword wrapped in flames.
I visualized the form of an unbeatable knight and warrior.
I mimicked their stance with my still-weak body, but with determination.
I was aware of my lack of skill, but the strength of the flames filled that gap.
All I needed was power, magic, and an unbreakable will.
Cut through the hill, topple the castle, defeat the dragon.
(So… I can cut.)
I stared into the lion's eyes.
There was no doubt in them. The light had already been inherited.
The sound of the great bell echoed.
Five minutes. Maximum charge complete.
I looked at the distance — too far to reach with my sword.
Still, I unleashed an explosion of fire, a torrent of flames slicing through the air toward the dragon, which stared back in disbelief.
"Remaining light of the sacred flame—Argo Vesta!"
With a burst of fire beneath my feet, I launched myself back—then brought my blade down with everything I had.
The slash of fire shattered the dragon's focus. It blazed through the sky, becoming a radiant arc of crimson light, a beam of holy flame aimed straight at the dragon's stunned eyes.
Becoming a "new light" unlike the knight's own, it cut into the ominous dragon.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!...."
While I was still in midair, the Centipede Dragon—its enormous body cleaved in two—let out a heartbreaking roar. The roar was soon swallowed by the flames.
From the severed halves, the intense fire engulfed it completely, and when the chaotic blaze reached the "magic stone" at its core, an incredible crimson flower of fire blossomed.
Ashes fell through the air like snow. The blazing sword that had sliced the dragon continued its path, cutting through the black clouds that shrouded the northern lands.
The darkness was shattered.