REAPER SCANS

 

[The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student]

[Translator – Aine ]

[Proofreader – Ash ]

 

Chapter 4

Leo made his way back to the manor, leaving Celia, who had fainted, alone.

In the living room, Reina and Zeis were engaged in conversation.

Zerdinger knights formed a line around the area.

Reina's laughter filled the room when she spotted her son.

"Did you finish your training for today?"

"Yes, mother," Leo replied.

Leo, while responding to Reina, cast a brief glance towards Zeis.

‘So this is a Zerdinger, huh? He’s quite impressive.’

Even in his past life, encountering a man like Zeis was a rarity.

‘It seems the title of hero lineage suits this family well.’

"Leo, meet Zeis Zerdinger. He's a guest of the family," Reina introduced.

"I'm Leo Plov," Leo greeted.

"Zeis Zerdinger. Although you already know, I’m your uncle. Please be comfortable around me."

"What exactly do you mean, be comfortable?" Leo inquired.

"What do you mean?" Zeis returned the question.

"I carry the Zerdinger family's blood, but I'm not a Zerdinger."

Zeis' gaze sharpened as Leo drew a clear boundary.

Reina shook her head.

‘My son really is terrible with words.’

Zeis Zerdinger.

The current patriarch of the Zerdinger family and second in the official power hierarchy.

Typically, a child Leo's age would be thrilled to be able to address him as his uncle in a “comfortable” way.

However, despite the blood ties, he knew it was more a formality than genuine family connection due to the strict family laws of the Zerdinger lineage.

That's why Reina didn't present Zeis as Leo's uncle.

Leo was right to ask.

"I can't publicly address you as my nephew," Zeis clarified.

"I understand," Leo acknowledged.

Zeis let out a hearty laugh at Leo's straightforward response.

"You're definitely not your mother's son."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Reina inquired with a smile, stepping on Zeis' foot.

Reina changed the subject. "Leo, did you happen to see a girl on the training grounds?" 

"Huh?" 

Leo turned to glance at the manor's entrance.

There, Celia was being carried in on a stretcher.

"Oh! Miss!" exclaimed someone.

"What on earth happened?" 

Zeis jumped to his feet.

‘Did he defeat Celia without even using Aura?’

"Sir Whitten, what's going on?" Zeis prompted for an explanation.

Whitten proceeded to recount the events at the training ground.

Zeis shook his head upon hearing the details.

The reason for Celia's defeat was clear.

"Celia underestimated you just because you couldn't use Aura. Logically, it's understandable, but she was caught off guard," Zeis remarked.

‘And that's not how the Zerdingers operate.’

Zeis positioned himself in front of Leo.

"Defeating Celia was quite the feat," he complimented.

"She underestimated me," Leo replied simply.

"Indeed. Was there an arrangement made between you and Celia?"

"Yes. We made a wager. The loser will act as a servant to the winner." 

"What?!" 

One of Zerdinger's knights, clearly unhappy, said, "How could you think that's appropriate?" 

A member of the Zerdinger family becoming a servant?

The knights stared at Leo in shock, but he remained unfazed.

"Celia Zerdinger will serve me as my maid for the week she stays here." 

Reina grinned.

Her son was the type to go all in when he did something.

Even so, she hadn't expected him to face confrontation from the knights of the Zerdinger family so calmly.

‘Who would dare to stop him?’

Zeis interjected, smiling softly, "Celia is a Zerdinger. It's not fitting for her to take on a maid's duties." He continued. "Though I can’t suggest you renege. However, I could offer you a different reward, such as..." 

Zeis trailed off, stroking his chin.

"What about being granted permission to learn our family’s Aura techniques?”

"I decline." 

"What?" 

"This wager was between Celia Zerdinger and me," Leo reiterated, glancing at Celia.

"She is acknowledged as a Zerdinger. If she bears the name of a hero's lineage, she should uphold her promises." 

Leo returned his gaze to his uncle, making eye contact with the patriarch of that very lineage.

"It's between her and me to decide, with your consultation considered, as well. And..." 

Leo paused for emphasis.

"I don't think the Aura technique is worth accepting if it's just given an excuse to shield my cousin from humiliation," Leo concluded.

The knights were incensed.

* * *

 

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Aine]

[Proofreader – Ash]

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

* * *

"We cannot accept this disrespect!" 

"How dare you insult the honor of Zerdinger!" they shouted angrily.

Whitten, displeased by the scene unfolding, rebuked them.

"What's with the commotion?"

"B-but sir!"

"Why are you just standing there after hearing that?"

Observing the scene, Reina shook her head, her expression blank.

"Oh dear. It seems the family’s standards have declined significantly since my departure."

"Regardless of your former Zerdinger status, you’ve crossed the line!" one knight warned sternly.

Whitten's eyes flashed with intensity.

"How dare you!"

As Whitten nearly unleashed his fury, Reina intervened, raising her hand to signal Whitten to calm himself down.

Then, she stepped forward to address the knights.

"Crossed the line? Let me ask you this: who are you to recklessly intrude upon a conversation regarding family matters?"

Her pointed question left the knights feeling embarrassed.

"Well, uh..."

"Even though I am no longer part of the family, I am still proud of the honor of the Zerdinger name. Therefore, I believe it's only my duty to speak up."

Reina's demeanor exuded a blue-blooded authority.

“Knights like you are interfering with the affairs of the family you serve? Are you really knights? Or are you animals barking at anything interesting you see?”

The knights fell silent, their dignity overshadowed by Reina's presence.

The atmosphere she cultivated bore a striking resemblance to that of the family they served.

Observing the situation, Zeis intervened with a gentle tone.

"Sir Whitten."

"Yes, My Lord."

"It seems this bunch still lacks the qualifications to serve as Zerdinger knights."

"I understand."

The knights' faces turned pale as they processed the rebuke.

Whitten departed with the knights, wearing a stern expression.

"But isn't disqualifying them of their knight title too harsh?" Reina, aware of the challenges of being a Zerdinger knight, criticized.

Zeis replied with a soft smile, "Your points are valid; being a knight shouldn't allow one to behave like an animal." 

He was the kind of leader who showed leniency to his subordinates’ mistakes, but could be ruthless if errors persisted.

But the knights had no choice but to back down after Reina’s warning.

After her storm. 

Zeis approached Leo once more.

"Leo Plov. You've stated that you'd treat one from the direct line of the Zerdingers lineage as a maid and deemed the Zerdinger Aura techniques as worthless. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you not think such statements are rash?" Zeis inquired gently.

Reina watched him intently.

As the overseer of the education of the Zerdinger's children, Zeis possessed insight into the children's characters.

'I'm sure he's still trying to get a gauge on Leo's character.'

Perhaps Leo had already met Zeis' standards.

But Zeis continued to push Leo.

Maybe because Leo hadn't fully grasped the extent of his potential.

Leo also understood Zeis' intentions. 

He laughed inwardly.

"I apologize if it came across as an insult to the Zerdinger name, but I don’t at all dismiss the Zerdinger name entirely."

"How is it not an insult to suggest that a member of the family's direct line would become a maid and that the family's Aura technique is worthless?" 

"The matter with Celia Zerdinger is, as I mentioned before, that our deal was made between her and me. I believed that if she were a true Zerdinger, she would stand by her word."

"What?"

Zeis nodded.

"And saying it's not worthwhile to learn it under undue circumstances doesn't quite imply that the Zerdingers’ approach to errors lacks value."

"Then?"

"I would've been content if instead, you had granted me access to the Aura technique in exchange for defeating Celia."

A small smile tugged at Zeis' lips.

"But you mentioned offering me an opportunity to cover up Celia's blunder, correct?"

"Yes. You believe that Celia wouldn't have lost to me if she hadn't let her guard down." Leo raised his chin confidently. "But even in a serious bout, I would've won."

'In essence... he refused because he didn’t like my attitude? Haha, what an intriguing child.'

Zeis broke out into a bout of laughter.

Glancing at Reina, Zeis noticed her smiling as she observed.

'I understand what you were saying now.'

Zeis chuckled as he looked down at Leo, who met his gaze boldly.

'What potential he holds. If only he were a Zerdinger!'

Another hero for the Zerdinger lineage.

"Escort Celia to the maid's quarters."

"M-my Lord!"

The servants who were taking care of Celia on the stretcher looked perplexed.

"I understand your intent, and I shall abide by your wishes."

"It's an order."

The servants shuffled Celia into the maid's room.

"Yes, Mr. Zeis."

"Leo. When I said I wouldn't address you as my nephew in public earlier, I also implied that I will treat you as a nephew in private."

Zeis' smile was gentle.

Whatever Leo's potential, he meant to nurture it.

Acknowledging this, Leo complied meekly.

"Yes, uncle."

"Yes. You must be weary from your training. Go and rest."

"Have a pleasant evening."

Leo bowed respectfully.

"Mother, goodnight."

"Alright. Sleep well, Leo."

With Leo's departure, only two remained.

"Sister."

"Yes?"

"I will try to persuade my brother to let Leo learn 'Phoenix Breath'."

"Phoenix Breath?"

The symbol of the Zerdinger family was a blazing flame.

In keeping with this symbol, Zerdinger's Aura manifested itself as fire.

Among the Aura techniques, Phoenix Breath held particular significance.

The first of the Zerdinger bloodline attained this state by drinking the blood of a phoenix.

All of the family's Aura ultimately stemmed from Phoenix Breath. 

Learning the technique imbued one with considerable power, enough that the family was able to achieve the hero lineage status.

Thus, only select blood relatives were permitted to learn it.

Reina, caught off guard by the mention of Phoenix Breath, couldn't help but be surprised.

"Yes. Though, I cannot guarantee our brother's approval." Zeis spoke earnestly. "But Leo exhibits more Zerdinger traits than anyone else I’ve ever seen."

His talent with the sword, evident in his victory over Celia, was extraordinary.

He possessed a potential beyond imagination.

"So I need to give an excuse to persuade my brother."

"You have one?"

"Yes." Zeis nodded.

"That he’s enrolling in Lumene."

"That's risky."

Lumene was the dream destination for any aspiring hero.

However, entry into Lumene demanded thorough preparation.

It was said that all of Lumene's students were prodigies.

Yet, very few managed to graduate.

Of course, the school refused to expel unsatisfactory students.

Rather, they offered no support for students to continue with their curriculum.

Students who failed to keep up with the rigorous curriculum were given two options. 

Withdrawal, or death.

That was the harsh reality of life at Lumene.

And the entrance exam was equally perilous.

Many lost their lives during the practical entrance exams alone.

Hence, Reina wished for Leo to undergo more training before attempting the entrance exam.

"Leo may not have much experience with the formal dueling style, but he’s had a bit of practical experience."

"There's potential there; it's the only way to sway our brother."

Zeis clenched his fist determinedly.

"What do you envision for Leo?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want him to become a hero?"

"If that's his wish, then it’s mine as well.”

"Then he can't take the easy route. Perhaps facing this challenge isn't a bad idea."

"...."

"What do you think?"

Reina sighed deeply, closing her eyes.

"I'll support Leo's decision."

'Of course she'll support him.'

Zeis was confident.

'That child had eyes that didn’t know how to hesitate.'

Zeis laughed as he recalled the energy in Leo's eyes.

'I’m excited to see how this goes.'

____

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

____