REAPER SCANS

[The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student]

[Translator – Aine ]

[Proofreader – Ash ]

Chapter 7

Sometimes, there were situations in which you simultaneously needed to keep each other in check and strengthen your connections.

One of such times included the strange atmosphere between the test takers.

A voice rang out.

[Everyone seems to be here.]

Before Leo knew it, there was a man in rough attire standing on the podium.

He had light blonde hair and golden eyes.

[I am Albi.]

All of the test takers took a breath.

"The sorcerer of Magic Eye, Albi?"

A renowned sorcerer-hero, mentioned in the Hero Record.

‘So this is someone regarded as a hero in modern times?’

Leo looked carefully at Albi.

To be precise, he looked at Albi's left eye.

The power stored in that one eye.

‘I wonder how strong he is…’

Albi produced a sheet of paper.

[A total of 569 students participated in the entrance exam in the western part of the country…]

He went on, adjusting his glasses.

[There are two parts of the exam: the first assesses interpersonal combat and the second, monster subjugation. Each portion of the test is to be taken separately, and in order. However, let me be honest. I think that this is...]

The paper burst into flames.

[Annoying]

His voice echoed.

Everyone was left startled by his sudden declaration.

[It's too time-consuming and inefficient. So, I was thinking, how about we just combine it all together?] 

"What?"

Celia was taken aback.

As were all the other test takers.

[We'll start the test right away]

Albi produced an old book.

[Open Hero Record. Albi’s World. Chapter: Boss - The Last Forest]

Whoooosh

With a flick of his wrist, a huge pattern emerged on the floor.

The symbols on the pattern seemed incomprehensible.

Whoooooosh

A bright light emanating from the pattern pulsed, enveloping the surroundings.

After the light faded, the landscape had transformed.

They were in a dense forest. 

It felt like they’d been transported to another world.

‘This has to be a different world.’

[You’re now in an evil forest. Your task is to survive. Anything you do to achieve that end is fair game. Feel free to cooperate with each other to defeat monsters, or other competitors. Those who wish to give up may shatter the beads you’ve been given.]

The forest was desolate.

It must’ve been located in the southern part of the continent.

But Leo knew that they hadn’t really arrived there.

Rather, they existed within a memory.

To be more precise, the world they now inhabited was the embodiment of Albi’s memories.

'But it's not just a fantasy.'

In this virtual realm, anything that happened had real consequences.

Truly a divine intervention.

This was the true value of the Hero Record.

The power to recreate a hero’s experiences.

The “Hero’s World."

This ancient power's roots reached back 3,000 years.

On a day known as the “Resurrection of Disaster”.

Prior to that, the Hero Record really were merely records.

But the revelation that Hero’s World could be accessed via the Hero Record changed the world.

Or, so some say.

The dawn of the true era of heroes dawned 3,000 years ago.

Via Hero’s World, rewards could be doled out for the trials and tribulations that heroes of the past endured.

Additionally, it was a means to pass down power.

Be it weapon, skill, or unique ability, any aspect of a hero’s power could be inherited by living through the same ordeals as the heroes who generated those Hero’s Worlds.

'It's a ridiculous ability.'

It was also the reason why the heavens had given the Hero Record to the world.

'A system designed to churn out heroes.'

A means of preventing the world's demise, as it almost occurred 5,000 years ago.

Additionally, the four hero academies, including Lumene, added to the value of the Hero Record.

Lumene, among the four academies, bore a special role.

Lumene, the Human Hero Academy, led the charge.

Seiren, the Elf Hero Military Academy, stood sentinel.

Azonia, the Beastman Hero Military Academy, stood firm.

And Damienne, the Dwarf Hero Military Academy, upheld tradition.

Each academy safeguarded their race's own Hero Record.

And Leo’s goal was to see all four academies’ Hero Records.

A divine miracle, echoing the past's trials.

‘The Hero Record will reveal Erebos' sealed fate. Tartaros would reveal to me exactly what happened."

Leo's fist tightened with resolve.

‘This exam comes first.’

Casting a glance around, he noticed Celia's absence.

Their group had dispersed upon entering this new setting.

‘Anyway, this is just a forest.’

A land of existential importance, nestled amid desolation.

It was a location well-known to him.

The Wild Forest thrived amidst the sprawling desert located on the southern portion of the continent.

Because of its host of valuable resources, neighboring countries certainly coveted it.

Yet it remained untouched.

Lower-level monsters roamed freely, from knolls and goblins to orcs.

The strongest among them, certainly, were the trolls.

They could be beaten by a group of elite troops.

Yet, few dared to challenge them, since their numbers were so great that no matter their persistence, their number never seemed to diminish.

‘The forest's curse has yet to be lifted.’

He had walked these woods before.

It was once the home of Luna, one of Kyle’s colleagues.

Five millennia ago, it was an elven paradise.

But under the curse of Sillatna, the witch queen of Tartaros, the forest had been corrupted.

5,000 years ago, their uprising had defeated Sillatna, but ultimately failed to kill her in the end.

Since then, the queen’s curse has persisted for thousands of years.

Leo chuckled bitterly, recalling Luna's belief that someday her descendants would vanquish Sillatna and recover their hometown.

'Her influence seems to have weakened, though.'

Five millennia ago, the forest stood as a dire threat.

In the abyss, a banquet of endless monsters awaited.

The monstrous army roamed there, born in the depths of the forest.

Compared to back then, it now nearly resembled paradise.

‘Let's tackle the exam first. The examiner said that anything is fair game, right?’

Whether it was knocking down other competitors or monsters, the proctor had left every option open for Leo.

'No one in their right mind would want to start a conflict in this forest.'

Even seasoned fighters treaded cautiously amid monster-infested grounds.

'Well, some may not care about that.'

Celia was a prime example.

An exceptionally skilled contender and independent, she scorned comparison.

Though, only one week prior, Leo had defeated her twice.

But that was just due to her carelessness.

But if she were to unleash her full prowess, then it would be a different story.

‘I wouldn’t be able to win in a real fight.’

Leo readied his sword.

‘Anyway, should I search for Celia now?’

Cooperation was also an option.

Leo reasoned that it would be better to move in a group.

Shwoom!

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Aine]

[Proofreader – Ash]

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics

* * *

An arrow composed of condensed wind shot through the air, barely missing Leo, and striking the spot where he’d just stood.

A familiar figure wielding a cane emerged.

Chelsea Lewellin, Abad's sister.

"We're acquaintances, aren’t we?"

"Sure, but then, why the ambush?"

"Competitors, remember? Though, I didn't expect you to dodge that attack just now." Chelsea shrugged.

"Facing an opponent so casually, are you?"

"It’s alright. I'm prepared," Chelsea assured him, remaining composed. 

The wind sickle swirling around her, supported her confidence.

'This is a kind of magic I've not witnessed before.'

Leo pondered magic's evolution for a moment.

While the fundamental principles remained, the spells themselves had undergone numerous refinements.

Most of the spells Leo knew were considered ancient by contemporary standards.

'Well, the basics probably haven't changed.'

Observing Leo's calmness, Chelsea narrowed her gaze.

"Well, you're quite relaxed."

Chelsea was well above the average level of the sorcerers taking the Lumene entrance exam.

She was a formidable contender who could hold her own in any situation.

"Let me make a suggestion."

"A suggestion?"

"Those who survive pass the test, right? So why don't we work together? I think you and I would make a good team; I’m great with combat.”

Chelsea smiled at his proposition.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine on my own. I'm more of a 'battle mage'. I don't need a partner."

A battle mage.

A sorcerer who could engage in direct combat, rather than from afar.

"Wind Sickle."

Magic surged, Chelsea's eyes gleaming.

"Plus, I have no intention of making an ally with a Zerdinger affiliate."

"I’m not strictly Zerdinger-aligned."

"But you’re close to Celia, right? Cooperation's off. Ptht--!"

Chelsea stuck out her tongue, signaling an end to the discussion.

Given their families' rivalry, cooperation seemed out of the question.

"You're really not interested?"

"Absolutely not."

Chelsea stood firm, cane aimed at Leo.

Thus, signaling the beginning of their clash.

The fury of her sickle and arrows bore down upon Leo.

Sword drawn, he prepared for battle.

Shwoom! Clack!

Her arrows met his steel, sparks igniting.

‘Did he just block me? I didn’t sense him using Aura?"

Chelsea was cautious.

'He must've masked his Aura well. I need to be careful.'

Unfazed by the onslaught, Leo countered.

‘It's powerful and flashy, but predictable.’

Reading the magical trajectories, he deflected with precision and ease.

Unless it was an attack with a truly overwhelming force, he could counter any physical manifestation of magic.

Of course, it required precise timing and skill to read the trajectory accurately.

But for a hero of Leo's caliber, it was a relatively straightforward feat.

"Wind Sickle! Wind Arrow!"

The gusts of wind enveloped Chelsea.

With her hair billowing in the wind, Chelsea maintained her composure.

"Why not surrender before you're seriously injured? It'll be tough to defend against this."

"I respect your power."

Leo shrugged, remaining nonchalant.

"But for wind magic, your attacks are rather predictable."

Chelsea's face shifted.

"Are you lecturing a Lewellin on magic?"

Mocking, Chelsea sneered.

"Now you’ve done it! I'll show no mercy!"

As she swung her cane, her pent-up magic unleashed.

The wind's sickles and arrows surged forth.

Wind magic was renowned for its visual subtlety.

To the untrained eye, it was practically invisible.

This made it a formidable attack magic, nearly the same caliber as fire.

But Leo saw through its guise.

Leo's lips curled into a smirk as he gazed down at Chelsea, who lay unconscious.

"Shall I try to persuade her?"

On his own, ogres were manageable, but trolls still posed a threat.

'Just in time, I encounter a sorcerer with powerful attack magic. Cooperation would be beneficial for the both of us, wouldn't it?'

Leo cut through the vines that bound him.

"How convenient."

Satisfied with the toughness of the vines, Leo glanced at the unconscious Chelsea with a wicked grin.

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