Legendary Hero is an Academy Honors Student - Chapter 601

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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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601.

 

“Ability theft?”

 

“Yes. It’s the Hero Slayer’s innate unique power and the reason he was able to kill countless heroes.”

 

The power to steal others’ abilities.

 

It was certainly an amazing ability.

 

‘This kind of mana characteristic didn’t exist even during the Age of Calamity.’

 

“You’re saying he could steal abilities regardless of class?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“Then does that mean he was all-class like me?”

 

“That’s not the case.”

 

Anyas shook her head.

 

“According to the records, he never used stolen abilities simultaneously.”

 

“So he switched abilities according to the situation? Well, there should be that much of a penalty.”

 

Leo rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

 

If that was the case, it was certainly an ability with limitations.

 

‘Still, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a powerful ability.’

 

There were basically compatibility relationships between classes.

 

Just being able to ignore those compatibilities could be called tremendous.

 

Moreover, it was an ability that allowed for countless irregular applications.

 

“Why didn’t such an amazing ability leave its name in history?”

 

“The Hero Slayer was originally someone who had obtained the status of a hero. But after he disappeared from the continent, the Shan Empire and the Shadow Lords burned his Hero Record.”

 

“Were all related records also destroyed in that process?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The emperor of Shan 500 years ago certainly did his job thoroughly.”

 

“The Hero Slayer’s ability is certainly a dangerous power, but if the right person used it for good deeds, it could also become a great force. Was preventing the inheritance of that power the right choice?”

 

“It certainly could be that way if it met the right master, but.”

 

Leo’s eyes narrowed.

 

“At first glance, it seems like an ability that could become endlessly stronger, but the limitations are clear. Moreover, the reason this power is strong is because it steals others’ powers.”

 

In the end, the ability holder would inevitably come to covet others’ abilities to become even stronger.

 

“Whether he was corrupted or was originally that kind of person is unknown. But if he rose to the position of a hero, it means the Hero Slayer was initially someone who plausibly acted like a hero.”

 

No matter how terrible the gods’ tastes were, they wouldn’t place a fundamentally evil person in the position of a hero.

 

That’s why there were heroes who became corrupted and turned evil, but there were no heroes who were evil from their essence.

 

“He must have had quite a high reputation as a powerful hero. Right?”

 

“Yes. The Shadows’ records also state that they couldn’t understand the reason for the sudden change of a hero with high reputation.”

 

“That’s what craving for power is like.”

 

Leo lifted his teacup.

 

“That ability is certainly one that allows you to become stronger easily and quickly. How many people in the world would choose the difficult path when there’s an easy one available?”

 

“…”

 

“At first, it would have been the power of comrades dying on the battlefield. Next, it would have been the power of those who retired from active duty due to old age. And at some point, he would have started thinking.”

 

‘If only I could have that person’s power.’

 

Leo’s red eyes gleamed coldly.

 

“Wasn’t this the process?”

 

Thud-

 

After taking a sip of tea, Leo set down his teacup.

 

“We can’t sacrifice others for the sake of one person with this ability. There’s no one in this world who can accomplish great deeds alone. That’s impossible even for Great Heroes and Heroes of Cataclysm.”

 

An ability that could quickly make someone stronger by requiring others’ sacrifices was ultimately one that would inevitably intoxicate the user with power.

 

“A power that’s easy to fall to temptation and become corrupted. Yet it’s not powerful enough to change the tide of war against Tartaros. In the end, inheriting it would only create a second Hero Slayer. Then it’s right to eliminate it.”

 

Anyas’s body trembled.

 

Anyas clasped her hands together and showed an expression of ecstasy.

 

“Ah, as expected of Leo. To reach such a conclusion with just a few clues. You’re right. The previous Shadows thought the losses outweighed the gains, so they erased this power to the back of history! Ah, magnificent.”

 

‘Well, it’s an extremely Shadow-like, no, my own way of thinking.’

 

Among the other Great Heroes, not a single one would have thought the same as Leo.

 

‘Those guys would have seen potential in this ability.’

 

“So? Have you found anything about the Hero Slayer’s whereabouts?”

 

“I’ve found out that he’s somewhere in the Rodren Empire.”

 

“The Rodren Empire?”

 

Leo furrowed his brow.

 

“Then shall I help you?”

 

“No! I can’t let such matters waste Leo’s precious vacation! Please leave this to me!”

 

“You seem more enthusiastic than before?”

 

“Thanks to Leo, not only I but all Shadows are changing.”

 

“Because of me? Why?”

 

“Until now, I… no. Most Shadows had no one who took pride in their work.”

 

If heroes were those who protected the world against external enemies.

 

Shadows were those who hunted internal enemies.

 

Sometimes internal enemies were more frightening than external ones.

 

If you don’t cut out the rotten flesh, the rotten parts will inevitably grow larger.

 

For that purpose, Shadows had no choice but to move secretly.

 

Because traitors would try to hide their actions by any means.

 

Uncovering those secrets and pursuing them was the Shadows’ work.

 

But naturally, that work didn’t always look good in others’ eyes.

 

Work that someone had to do.

 

But those whom no one acknowledged and who were instead feared or despised.

 

Even Bihar hid Kail’s activities as a Shadow, worried about her master’s evaluation.

 

“Whether out of someone’s necessity, or for revenge, or due to duties carried from birth, no one wanted to become a Shadow otherwise. What sustained us was one belief.”

 

The belief that it was necessary work for the world.

 

“But belief was just a small lantern that could be seen in the darkness. Such were we.”

 

Anyas opened her eyes.

 

“You proved that we are beings equal to heroes.”

 

The discovery of the Book of Shadows.

 

That was light for the Shadows.

 

Not a small lantern like belief, but a great light like brilliance.

 

Something that brilliantly illuminated the dark world of Shadows.

 

“It was salvation. That’s not all.”

 

The Shadows’ mission wasn’t only the execution of traitors.

 

They were beings who protected heroes’ backs in the darkness.

 

That’s why Shadows had the eye to select heroes.

 

In Anyas’s view.

 

No, not just Anyas.

 

Leo, as seen through the Shadows’ eyes, was truly an ideal hero.

 

“You possess brilliant light.”

 

All Shadows would want to follow Leo.

 

Because Shadows are only complete when there’s a hero whose back they can protect.

 

The more brilliant the light, the deeper the shadow becomes.

 

“But at the same time, you also embrace deep darkness that even Shadows cannot fathom.”

 

A hero more noble than anyone else, and simultaneously a Shadow more noble than anyone else.

 

“Such a person told us that you wanted to create a world where we could be called heroes.”

 

That became a goal for Shadows to pursue, beyond salvation.

 

“I didn’t say it with such grand intentions.”

 

“Yes. But I’ve come to really want to see such a world.”

Anyas smiled brightly.

 

“That’s why I swore to stake my life on you. Though it may be a worthless life, it would have value if I lived it for you.”

 

At those words, Leo stood up from his seat.

 

“Don’t stake things like your life or existence on me.”

 

Leo said indifferently.

 

“Live doing what you want to do.”

 

“Ah. As expected, the God of Shadows is so benevolent.”

 

Anyas clasped her hands together and twisted her body back and forth.

 

“If you find the Hero Slayer, let me know. I’m also interested in his abilities.”

 

“Understood.”

 

In any case, for Leo too, this was the first time he’d seen someone other than himself who could use abilities from multiple classes.

 

Even though it was incomplete unlike his own, it piqued his interest.

 

‘Perhaps it might be related to the power of purity.’

 

***

 

Bang-!

 

“The Resenting Region! How could Regas hide that fact from me! I’m trembling with betrayal!”

 

Ekgerson wore an expression of rage.

 

Exgerson Jerdinger.

 

The one with the highest status in the Elder Council was Regas, the Supreme Elder.

 

But in reality, the one who held actual power in the Elder Council was Ekgerson.

 

Being Regas’s cousin, he was also the branch bloodline of Jerdinger closest to the direct line.

 

“If we had absorbed the Resenting Region into Jerdinger territory, we could have proven long ago that we Jerdingers are superior to those detestable mages!”

 

Sparks flew from Ekgerson’s eyes.

 

“How can someone who calls himself the former family head! Someone who calls himself the Supreme Elder not work for Jerdinger! Do you think this makes sense! Rid!”

 

At Ekgerson’s shout, his son Rid shook his head.

 

“It doesn’t make sense. A family head should naturally devote his entire life to making the family prosper more, but the Supreme Elder seems uninterested in such things. The current family head Seld is the same.”

 

At Rid’s words, Ekgerson snorted.

 

“Right. Our Jerdinger can become stronger. For that to happen, the current system won’t do.”

 

Ekgerson spoke in a low voice.

 

“Long ago, the choice of my grandfather Ateus Jerdinger was wrong. My father Exian Jerdinger should have become the family head!”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Wooong-!

 

The crystal orb on Ekgerson’s table vibrated.

 

Seeing this, Ekgerson activated his aura.

 

Looking at the crystal orb tinged with red light, Ekgerson opened his mouth.

 

“What happened to Ris Jerdinger?”

 

-He’s still alive.

 

At those words, Ekgerson’s eyes twitched.

 

“Didn’t you say you would eliminate Ris if I created an opportunity?”

 

-Yes. I certainly said that. But I saw a quite interesting mage. I coveted that magical power.

 

Ekgerson gritted his teeth.

 

“Then you exposed your existence? Didn’t I warn you countless times not to mess things up!”

 

-As if. I withdrew before being exposed, so don’t worry. That mage won’t wake from his comatose state for a while either. Well, I didn’t gain much either.

 

Ekgerson felt killing intent surge at the grumbling voice saying ‘To think it was magical ability achieved through effort. What a waste of time.’

 

‘This bastard!’

 

“Ris will have a hard time for a while.”

 

At Rid’s muttering, Ekgerson took a deep breath.

 

“Soon Leo Flobe and Selia Jerdinger will head to the Resenting Region.”

 

-Leo Flobe?

 

In an instant, the other party’s atmosphere changed completely.

 

At the opponent’s eerie presence felt even through the crystal orb, Ekgerson and Rid flinched and trembled.

 

Along with the sound of lips smacking, the Hero Slayer spoke.

 

-I’ll get to taste the main course first, I see.

 

“Don’t fail this time.”

 

-Who do you think I am?

 

The communication cut off with an eerie laugh.

 

***

 

Under the night sky, a man clenched and unclenched his fists.

 

“Leo Flobe.”

 

Ecstasy appeared on his face.

 

“After so long, a hunter’s blood boils.”

 

Swoosh-

 

The Hero Slayer who stood up from his seat curled up the corners of his mouth.

 

“Shall we begin the hunt?”

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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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