Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 544

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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544.

 

From her most distant memories, the sky had been ash-colored.

 

And even darker and gloomier than that was the surrounding environment.

 

Death had always accompanied Bihar’s surroundings.

 

She desperately struggled to survive each day.

 

But the more she continued living, the more she couldn’t shake the feeling of sinking deeper into a quagmire.

 

One day, while living in such a deep and dark world.

 

A man with hair and eyes the same color as the sky and a beautiful woman with deep, dark hair and eyes appeared before Bihar.

 

The man, Kail, looked down at Bihar who was sitting on the ground looking up at him and said.

 

“Surviving by any means necessary is similar to me.”

 

At those words, Risinass let out a small sigh and knelt down in front of Bihar.

 

“What do you want to do from now on?”

 

“I hope people like me won’t be created anymore.”

 

Bihar didn’t know about the outside world, but she knew well enough that what she had been doing was wrong.

 

To survive, she had to trample on those who struggled alongside her.

 

To survive, she had to kill with her own hands those who had laughed with her.

 

The only warmth and kindness she could show others was taking her own life.

 

‘That’s definitely wrong.’

 

“I cannot tolerate those who do such things.”

 

Bihar calmly conveyed her intentions.

 

Watching such Bihar, Risinass’s eyes wavered.

 

The girl who had grown up in a terrible environment revealed her hatred for the things that had made her this way.

 

But more than that, she wished that victims like herself would never appear again.

 

Seeing a girl who cared for others at such an immature age, Risinass instinctively realized.

 

‘This child will live in darkness.’

 

She was just like the Black Dragon.

 

The Black Dragon had lived for generations with the mission of protecting the world from within darkness.

 

If the world hadn’t been like this, Risinass would have lived such a life too.

 

‘It’s the mission of the Black Dragon passed down through generations. But the one taking on that work now is.’

 

Swoosh—

 

Risinass looked at the hand extended beside her face and turned her head.

 

There, Kail was extending his hand to Bihar.

 

Bihar took that hand.

 

Kail, who had helped Bihar to her feet, walked away alone without saying anything.

 

When Bihar tried to follow behind him, Risinass spoke.

 

“Little one.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Don’t spend your whole life living in darkness.”

 

Speaking with a worried voice, Risinass carefully gave young Bihar a gentle push on the back.

 

Bihar stared blankly at Risinass walking alongside her.

 

That was the first light Bihar had ever seen.

 

“Who is this?”

 

“My disciple.”

 

“But I’m Teacher’s disciple.”

 

The elf girl Berkia, who was somehow filled with rebellious spirit toward Kail, stood in front of Bihar after the introduction ended and spoke solemnly.

 

“I’m your senior. Serve me well from now on.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Then since this senior is thirsty, go fetch some water first.”

 

She gave orders as if it were natural, then got thoroughly beaten by Kail.

 

At that sight, laughter burst out without her knowing.

 

Bihar didn’t dislike Berkia like that.

 

She was fundamentally different from herself.

 

It wasn’t simply because they were different races.

 

The eyes of those born in the Age of Calamity all had darkness dwelling within them.

 

Even Hero Arron.

 

But Bihar felt nothing like that from Berkia at all.

 

‘She’s just like Lady Risinass.’

 

She gives those who see her a sense of relief.

 

A person like bright light.

 

Someone so bright and beautiful that one couldn’t even feel jealous.

 

That was Bihar’s first impression of Berkia.

 

‘We’re walking different paths. But someday… just as Teacher supports Lady Risinass, I might have to support this child too.’

 

If the day comes when they replace the Great Heroes.

 

Making that resolution.

 

Bihar became Kail’s disciple.

 

Days of training together with Berkia continued.

 

After growing to some extent, Bihar began taking on missions with Kail to eliminate traitors.

 

She had no complaints about that.

 

No, rather, it was work Bihar wanted more than anyone else.

 

Work that was absolutely necessary but not everyone could do.

 

‘This is dirty work after all.’

 

While thinking such thoughts and keeping her head down, someone placed a teacup in front of Bihar.

 

Bihar, awakened from her reverie, raised her head and looked at the person sitting in front of her.

 

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

“Shall I guess?”

 

Bringing the mug in her hand to her lips, Risinass said.

 

“You’re thinking that the work you do is dirty, aren’t you?”

 

“…”

 

Seeing Risinass pierce through her heart, Bihar shrank her shoulders.

 

The place where Bihar stayed was Risinass’ home.

 

On the first day Bihar came to Gardstron, Risinass had taken Bihar in.

 

Though they didn’t meet like this often at home due to her busy days as the lord of Gardstron, they occasionally had conversations like this.

 

“The work you do is never dirty work.”

 

Risinass said while drinking tea.

 

“Of course, since it’s work eliminating traitors in darkness, you probably don’t choose your means and methods.”

 

Traitors are more vicious to the hunters who come to judge them than even demons.

 

Since it’s work eliminating such people, the hunters also become increasingly cruel, not choosing their means and methods.

 

They must deliver absolute terror to traitors.

 

Risinass knew this fact better than anyone.

 

If it weren’t for times like these, she would have been the one doing this work.

 

Bihar knew this fact too.

 

However…

 

‘It doesn’t suit her at all.’

 

The Risinass reflected in Bihar’s eyes was too dazzling a person.

 

She couldn’t possibly imagine such a Risinass eliminating traitors in darkness like herself, staining her hands with blood.

 

‘I think I understand why Teacher took Lady Risinass’s place.’

 

Watching Bihar sip her tea while thinking such thoughts, Risinass said.

 

“But Bihar, the work you do is also clearly for this world. I hope you can recognize that yourself.”

 

“Do you think the work I do is something to be proud of, Lady Risinass?”

 

“Then.”

 

Risinass smiled brightly.

 

Bihar was also a little surprised by that unhesitating answer.

 

“I think someone who can stain themselves with darkness for the sake of the world is noble.”

 

Bihar had spent as much time with Risinass as Kail had.

 

As if she would heal Bihar’s darkness.

 

Risinass took care of Bihar even in the midst of her busy schedule.

 

And time flowed again.

 

The Great Heroes began preparing to depart on their final expedition.

 

“I probably won’t be able to return. So”

 

One morning, Kail, who had stopped by Risinass’ house, said.

 

And at those words, Bihar’s eyes widened.

 

Risinass frowned.

 

“What nonsense.”

 

“I thought I should have that level of resolve.”

 

“We will all return alive.”

 

Kail didn’t respond to Risinass’ words spoken with a snort.

 

He simply placed the dish he had made in the kitchen on the dining table.

 

“Does Risinass ever cook?”

 

“Sometimes.”

 

“It must have been hard each time.”

 

Watching Kail mock her with all his heart, Risinass’ hands trembled with anger.

 

Seeing that, Bihar laughed.

 

“I ask her to make it for me. It brings back memories.”

 

“You ask her to make it when you want to punish yourself? I don’t think you’d commit such a serious wrong?”

 

“Die!”

 

Risinass swung the knife in her hand.

 

Of course, Kail dodged without batting an eye.

 

Usually, meals were Bihar’s responsibility.

 

But really occasionally, when Bihar seemed to be struggling, Risinass would somehow do her best to cook.

 

It couldn’t be called particularly delicious, but it certainly gave strength.

 

Bihar, who had been watching Kail and Risinass bicker, burst into laughter.

 

“Somehow, being like this feels like family.”

 

At those words, Risinass paused and smiled gently.

 

It was the first time Bihar had said something like this.

 

Thus, in the final expedition, the two saved the world and never returned.

 

***

 

After the world was saved.

 

Bihar spent hectic days.

 

The first thing she did was tear up Kail’s records of his activities as a shadow in the Hero Record.

 

Bihar was proud of her teacher who had stained his hands with blood while executing traitors.

 

But on the other hand, she knew.

 

‘The world will never accept that image in only a positive light.’

 

Kail wouldn’t care.

 

But Bihar didn’t like that.

 

That’s why she tore up those records and stored them separately.

 

Afterward, Bihar lived in darkness.

 

As Bihar had thought, Berkia took Risinass’ place.

 

The more Berkia led the world with bright light, the longer and darker the shadow that was cast.

 

And that shadow was exactly the world Bihar lived in.

 

She had never considered this work shameful.

 

But Bihar never once revealed herself.

 

The more she did so, the more exhausted she became.

 

Then one day.

 

Bihar saw children in the darkness who were in the same situation as her past.

 

And just as Kail and Risinass had done in the past, she reached out to those children.

 

That was the light Bihar found in the darkness.

 

Bihar took in many children.

 

And those children brought normalcy to her life, which she had thought could never be ordinary.

 

She found someone to love and had children.

 

After such a long time, when she had found peace, news of Berkia reached her.

 

***

 

“Mother!”

 

Seeing Bihar return covered in blood, her son’s face turned pale.

 

Looking at such a son, Bihar said.

 

“Shan.”

 

“Mother, quickly get treatment…”

 

“Don’t resent her.”

 

“…!”

 

Seeing Bihar speak with a faint smile, Shan trembled.

 

“My lifespan wasn’t long anyway because of my illness. So don’t resent her.”

 

“Mother…”

 

“To me, she’s like a sister who shared the same father.”

 

Shan knows.

 

That his mother had worked unseen all her life to support Berkia.

 

“Lord Risinass told me. That shadows are the most noble beings. So even if others don’t acknowledge it, it’s okay. If you’re going to walk this path too. I hope you’ll understand that not being recognized by someone is never an unfortunate thing.”

 

Bihar smiled.

 

“Though you said no, I hope you live like my teacher who always devoted himself to the world.”

 

“Yes… Mother.”

 

“Yes, my son. Please take care of your younger siblings.”

 

“Yes…”

 

Seeing her son grit his teeth and resolutely accept her death, Bihar smiled brightly.

 

It was the same smile as Risinass, who had been a light to her.

 

It was a life without regrets.

 

If there was one thing that weighed on her mind, it was not being able to stop Berkia.

 

***

 

-I never thought my last words would torment you all for thousands of years.

 

Chen Xia, who had seen the past, remained silent.

 

It had been a very long story.

 

But in reality, it was just a brief moment.

 

During that time, Chen Xia had seen the past through Bihar’s spirit.

 

Bihar had awakened in the present world because of her worry about Berkia.

 

But just as Chen Xia had seen Bihar’s past.

 

Bihar had also seen Chen Xia’s past.

 

And she learned how her descendants had lived.

 

That her last words had become shackles that tormented her descendants for thousands of years.

 

That countless shadows had despaired of themselves.

 

-You must resent me too, don’t you?

 

‘Yes, I resented you a lot.’

 

Though she had dreamed of being a hero since childhood, her mission as a shadow had bound Chen Xia.

 

Chen Xia had resented her ancestor who was the culprit that made her clan live only in darkness for their entire lives.

 

But….

 

‘Are you ashamed of us, Lady Bihar?’

 

-No. I’m proud, very much so.

 

Bihar’s descendants never forgot their mission even in the midst of suffering.

 

How could she not be proud of descendants who had carried on her will for so long?

 

Chen Xia smiled brightly at Bihar’s words.

 

Bihar had certainly trapped her descendants in darkness.

 

Even if it was unintentional.

 

Countless people had suffered.

 

But one thing was certain.

 

‘I resented Lady Bihar, but I was equally proud of her.’

 

No one acknowledged them.

 

Countless people had pointed fingers at the Shan Empire.

 

They had been discriminated against despite their dedication to the world, simply because they couldn’t get their names on the Hero Record.

 

Yet the reason the Shan Empire had silently pursued their path for so many years.

 

Was because they were proud of Bihar, who had devoted her entire life to the world.

 

‘I think the previous generations were the same. Because they were proud of Lady Bihar, even if they resented you, no one went astray and they lived in darkness for thousands of years.’

 

Chen Xia said.

 

‘So Lady Bihar is fully qualified to be called our ancestor.’

 

Bihar couldn’t give any answer.

 

-Thank you, for saying that.

 

She could only express gratitude for Chen Xia’s comforting words with a trembling voice.

 

‘It’s strange. I have no talent as a spiritualist, yet I can talk with our ancestor like this.’

 

-It was Teacher’s spirit magic that awakened me. But it was your spiritual power that completed the contract.

 

The contract Leo made through Bihar’s dagger responded to Chen Xia’s spiritual power.

 

Hearing Bihar’s words, Chen Xia said.

 

‘Then you could possess my body too, right?’

 

Chen Xia looked toward Leo.

 

‘I need power.’

 

-Yes. Rather, that’s what I wanted to ask of you.

 

***

 

“Bihar, you….”

 

“We’ll talk later.”

 

Bihar smiled faintly.

 

“I’ll stop Berkia from now on.”

 

Bihar gripped her dagger properly.

 

“Teacher, please deal with that elf.”

 

“Right.”

 

Leo walked toward Ulein.

 

Leaving that sight behind, Bihar stood before Berkia who was clutching her head.

 

“Berkia.”

 

“Ugh….”

 

Berkia, clutching her head, shook it frantically like a madwoman.

 

Watching such Berkia, Bihar said.

 

“I don’t resent you. But if you collapse like this.”

 

“Aaaaaaaah!”

 

“I’ll never forgive you.”

 

Flash-! Crash-!

 

The sword Berkia swung swept over Bihar.

 

Berkia’s gaze quickly turned backward.

 

Though she moved at invisible speed, Berkia’s senses instantly tracked Bihar.

 

Step-

 

For a moment, confusion arose in Berkia’s eyes that had lost reason.

 

Suddenly Bihar had become two people.

 

Step- Step-

 

Two people became four people.

 

Four people became eight people.

 

Eventually countless Bihars stood before Berkia.

 

“We were like sisters. We fought so much because of that. Do you remember what we fought about?”

 

There was one thing they could never yield to each other.

 

Bihar said calmly.

 

“5,000 years ago, I closed my eyes first due to illness, so we couldn’t settle it.”

 

Bihar’s gaze shone sharply.

 

“Let’s settle that now.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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