The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 29

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 29. Professors in Both Hands (1)
“What do you think a hero is?”
The practical combat training lecture that occurred every Monday.
Lucas Kane had barely stepped into the classroom before hurling this unexpected question at the candidates.
“…Pardon?”
“A hero, sir?”
The candidates wore bewildered expressions at the sudden inquiry.
“Isn’t a hero someone blessed by the Seven Gods who can wield stigmata?”
“If we’re talking about wielding stigmata, then Demon Humans can wield stigmata too.”
“That’s….”
“What I’m asking is why we ever started calling humans who bear stigmata ‘heroes’ in the first place.”
Lucas Kane scrawled the word “hero” across the blackboard in large letters and waited for an answer.
An awkward silence descended upon the classroom.
The ticking of the clock thundered through the room like a drumbeat.
“Why can’t you answer such a simple question?”
“….”
Despite Lucas Kane’s urging, no candidate stepped forward to offer a response.
Those attending the ‘practical combat training’ lecture were third-year candidates, now classified as upper-level students.
They had learned through experience that catching the professor’s attention—especially that of the ‘blood-hungry hunting dog’—was never a good thing.
“I suppose I have no choice.”
Lucas Kane swept his gaze across all the candidates before pointing to one of them.
“Candidate Albert.”
“No, why is it always me? Why? Why do you always pick me!”
The moment his name was called, Albert sprang from his seat as though seized by a fit.
This time, he shook his head with a firm resolve, unwilling to let it pass.
“I don’t know, sir!”
“You don’t?”
“No, I don’t! And even if I did, I absolutely would not answer!”
“Ho. Is that so.”
Lucas Kane nodded with interest before producing a large bottle of juice from his pocket.
It was Lucas Kane’s signature ‘health juice’ that he had demonstrated once during a mental training lecture.
“Do you know, Candidate Albert? This health juice also has the effect of clearing the mind….”
“The reason humans bearing stigmata came to be called ‘heroes’ is connected to the Five Great Heroes from five hundred years ago who sealed the Demon God. To honor those heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect humanity, we began calling all beings who bear stigmata ‘heroes’ in their honor.”
“Yes, yes. I knew it would be you.”
Lucas Kane grinned widely and patted Albert on the shoulder.
Albert stared at the juice bottle on the podium with eyes full of dread.
“However, what I want to hear is not such trivial historical background.”
“…Pardon?”
Lucas Kane returned to the podium and gazed at the candidates with deeply sunken eyes before speaking.
“In two years, when you graduate from here and receive your official credentials, people will call you heroes.”
But.
“Just because people call you heroes doesn’t mean you’ve actually become ‘heroes.'”
You’re called heroes simply because, for the past five hundred years, those bearing the stigmata have been called heroes.
In a true sense, you cannot claim to have become ‘heroes.’
“I ask once more. What do you think a ‘hero’ truly is?”
“….”
“Is there still no one willing to answer?”
As Lucas Kane surveyed the candidates before him.
Thud.
One candidate rose from his seat.
With his back straight, he answered in a resolute voice.
“A hero is one who protects the weak who have not received the stigmata and safeguards humanity from the hands of Demon Humans and demonic beasts.”
“One who protects the weak and safeguards humanity, I see.”
A bitter sneer formed at the corners of Lucas Kane’s lips.
“Do you truly believe that?”
“Sir?”
“Can you willingly lay down your life to safeguard humanity and protect the world against the abominable remnants of the Demon God?”
“Of course!”
The candidate nodded with a confident expression.
“Ha.”
Lucas Kane shook his head slowly, a bitter smile playing on his face.
And then.
Boom!
Lucas Kane’s body vanished in an instant, reappearing before the candidate in a blur.
A fist swung with such destructive force it could shatter steel itself aimed straight at the candidate.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Screaming, the candidate tumbled backward.
Lucas Kane looked down at the fallen candidate and clicked his tongue.
“And here I thought you’d sacrifice your life for humanity—you can’t even handle this much.”
“Ugh… I, I was just startled….”
“No need to make excuses. The rest of you are all the same anyway.”
Lucas Kane let out a deep sigh and walked back up to the podium.
“Anyone can speak carelessly about protecting humanity or safeguarding the world.”
But.
Only a handful of heroes could actually lay down their lives for it.
“I don’t expect you to protect humanity or safeguard the world. In fact, I don’t hold such expectations for the fools running around outside calling themselves heroes either.”
Among the countless who are called heroes.
Scarcely a handful could truly be called ‘heroes.’
“But.”
Even so.
“If you wish to be called ‘heroes,’ remember this one thing above all.”
Lucas Kane spoke with a gravity I had never seen from him before.
“Even if you cannot protect everyone, you must protect those who stand beside you.”
Whether that person is family, a lover, or a friend matters not.
What matters is not who you protect, but that you protect them.
“Draw your blade for yourself, not for others.”
I’m not asking you to sacrifice your life for some stranger.
I’m not asking you to suffer for a world devoid of meaning.
‘Others,’ no—’yourself.’
Even if you cannot save the entire world, surely you can protect those precious to you.
“That is what it means to be a hero.”
As Lucas Kane finished his lengthy discourse, a profound silence descended upon the Classroom.
“Ahem.”
Though I experienced this every year, I never quite grew accustomed to such awkward silence.
Lucas Kane cleared his throat unnecessarily and continued.
“Well, enough of my rambling. Today we have an outdoor lesson! Since next week we’ll be off for the Sealing Festival, I’ll make sure to work you all to the bone today!”
Leaving behind the exclamations of excitement from various corners, Lucas Kane briskly exited the Classroom.
* * *
After the unusually grueling “practical combat training” session concluded.
“Your speech today was impressive, Professor.”
“…Why are you here again?”
“The Cafeteria was packed when I went for dinner, so I came here to eat instead.”
I set down the sandwich and coffee I’d purchased from the Convenience Store onto the table with a shrug.
Originally, I’d promised to eat with Iris every Monday, but today’s lesson had been so intense that she’d nearly collapsed, so we postponed our meal to tomorrow.
“I bought some for you too, Professor. Would you like to join me?”
“You really are… sigh. No, never mind.”
Lucas Kane exhaled deeply and shook his head with a wry smile.
“What kind of sandwich did you get?”
“Ham and egg sandwich.”
“You know your roots well.”
The Professor grinned and sat across from me, reaching for the sandwich on the table.
Though it was an ordinary-sized sandwich, Lucas Kane’s massive frame made it look like a child’s toy.
“Your skills have grown remarkably these days.”
“Didn’t you say that the last time we sparred, Professor?”
“No, you’ve improved even since then.”
The Professor continued after devouring the sandwich in one bite.
“Before, your technique was solid, but your basic physical strength and mana reserves were pathetic. Yet today I saw considerable progress in that short span—especially your mana capacity.”
“That’s thanks to you, Professor.”
“Thanks to me, my foot.”
Lucas Kane scoffed and shook his head.
“For the past two years, I’ve tried everything to make something of you, and yet nothing’s changed.”
“….”
He was right.
Lucas Kane was the one person who had taught me most diligently during my first and second years, even when everyone else had given up on me as a lost cause.
‘He said he couldn’t accept that a Candidate under his supervision was such an idiot.’
Though his words were harsh, Lucas Kane had simply wanted to pull me forward in whatever way he could.
If even my own advisor abandoned me—
He knew better than anyone that no one in this Academy would protect me.
‘Draw your blade for yourself, not for others,’ was it?
I let out a soft laugh and opened my mouth.
In that sense, Lucas Kane was more than worthy of being called a ‘hero.’
“No, sir. It’s all thanks to you, Professor.”
“You….”
Lucas Kane seemed about to say something, but instead he sighed and shook his head slowly.
“So, why are you here?”
“Didn’t I just say? The Cafeteria was too crowded, so I came….”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Lucas Kane clicked his tongue and fixed me with a fierce glare.
“Classes are over for the day, and you barge into my office—what do you want?”
“Well… it’s not like I came here for anything urgent.”
Just as he had guided me without giving up in my past life,
I should guide him a little in this one.
“Isn’t the Seal Festival next week?”
“So?”
“I heard from a friend in the Magic Department that Professor Bianca won’t be able to participate in the festival that day because she has other business.”
“What?”
Lucas Kane’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.
‘Of course he wouldn’t know.’
The reason Professor Bianca couldn’t participate in the Seal Festival was because a Candidate from the Magic Department had caused a serious accident during research.
Concerned about the disadvantages it would bring to the Candidate if it became public knowledge, Professor Bianca was handling the aftermath quietly on her own.
“Oh, is that so? Well… it’s not really my concern anyway.”
Lucas Kane’s shoulders slumped as disappointment crossed his face.
‘Not your concern, my ass.’
He was probably excited about asking Professor Bianca out during the Seal Festival next week.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be good if you stepped up to keep Professor Bianca from having to enjoy the festival alone and lonely?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I step up, I know nothing about magic….”
“Who asked you to help Professor Bianca with her work? She probably doesn’t want to be cooped up in her laboratory on festival day either, so just go and keep her company.”
“That’s….”
Lucas Kane trailed off, his gaze drifting away with deliberate evasion.
“Still, you must be busy with work, and if I were to visit…”
“A man who looks like he could devour someone alive without batting an eye—why are you being so bashful?”
“What the hell is this bastard saying?”
“Here, take this with you, and Professor Bianca won’t turn you away at the door, I assure you.”
I extended a paper bag I’d prepared in advance toward Lucas Kane.
“What is this…?”
“It’s wine that Professor Bianca enjoys.”
I’d picked it up during a brief stop when Iris and I visited Valhalla City this past weekend.
“Since drinking during work hours might be inappropriate, perhaps visit her around evening.”
“You, you…”
“Oh, and I heard she enjoys salad made with Empire salmon as an appetizer… surely you can prepare something to that extent, Professor?”
“You little bastard!”
Lucas Kane shot to his feet, his eyes burning as he seized my hand firmly.
Seeing tears glistening at the corners of his eyes, he was clearly moved far more than I’d anticipated.
‘Well, I suppose this settles my debt to some degree.’
With that thought, I rose from my seat.
“Then I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I made my way back to the Dormitory, accompanied by Lucas Kane’s farewell.
* * *
Alone in the Professor’s Office after Dale’s departure, Lucas held the wine bottle from the paper bag as though it were a precious treasure, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“That damned brat.”
Lucas Kane’s lips curled upward as he thought of Dale.
Though he’d been the Candidate Program member who’d caused him the most headaches over the past two years, recently his past troubles seemed almost forgotten in light of how impressive the young man had become.
“I don’t know where he learned it, but his swordsmanship is exceptional… and his hand-to-hand combat is top-tier.”
His mana reserves, which lagged considerably behind his peers, had been a concern, but even that had been growing noticeably of late.
“He’s a bit cocky, I’ll admit… but the fact that he thinks to do things like this shows he’s got real depth beneath that arrogant exterior.”
Lucas Kane’s lips curved upward as he examined Dale’s Candidate Program file.
“Let’s see… orphanage background, Republic scholarship funding, no other sponsors… hmm.”
The hunting dog’s eyes sharpened as he reviewed the record.
“Should I recommend this brat as my research assistant?”
“Should I recommend this guy as my teaching assistant?”

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