Chapter 561

“Wow....”

“Amazing!”

Chelsea and Ar walked down the street with sparkling eyes.

After passing through Dragonia’s entrance, they followed the broad avenue stretching straight ahead.

Temples lined both sides of the road.

They were buildings that had enshrined the gods 5,000 years ago. Now they stood empty, with no dragons living in them.

The dragons lived within the central citadel visible far in the distance.

Dragonia’s central citadel, the heart of the city of dragons, possessed a more mysterious air than the architecture of any other race.

The world had undergone countless transformations over the past 5,000 years.

During that time, numerous cultures had flourished and continued to develop until reaching their present forms.

Every race had its own disposition.

Humans pursued change.

Elves valued harmony.

Beastkin upheld tradition.

Dwarves pursued efficiency.

As a result, the cultures of the four races had developed in different directions.

Yet despite their differences, they also shared many similarities.

The reason cultures with such distinct traits had so much in common was simple.

'Guardslone.'

All four cultures had their roots in Guardslone.

The present world had been rebuilt after the Age of Calamity reduced it to ashes.

Most of the cultures that had once belonged to the individual races had been destroyed.

Eventually, the surviving races gathered in the last city, where their cultures blended together.

By the time the Age of Calamity ended, each race’s traditions had faded. They had since developed that blended culture in their own unique ways.

However, one race stood apart from that cultural legacy.

The dragons.

“I heard the dragons preserved their culture from the Age of Gods. Seeing this, I finally understand what that means.”

Chelsea let out one awed exclamation after another.

Since the very foundations of their culture were different, their architectural style was completely unlike that of the other races.

Just then—

Whoosh—!

Three dragons flew over the street.

A fierce gust swept past, sending everyone’s hair whipping through the air.

“Leo Oppa! Look! Dragons!”

“Oooh! Black Rabbit! Look at that! Isn’t it awesome?!”

Chelsea and Ar shook Leo wildly from either side.

The two girls were beside themselves with excitement after seeing the dragons fly in formation.

“Hmm?”

The sight seemed to interest Doberman, a fifth-year student from Azonia, as well. His eyes gleamed.

“They look strong.”

His fighting spirit apparently stirred, and he turned to Leo.

“Leo. I understand that you have had many different experiences. Have you ever fought a dragon?”

'Have I ever? I’ve fought one several times. And it was the strongest dragon in history.'

They had fought for training, and several more fights had broken out after his opponent lost her temper.

But Leo could not exactly admit that.

After all, it was rare for anyone in the present age to fight a dragon.

“No.”

“I see.”

Doberman repeatedly clenched and relaxed his fists as he looked up at the sky and murmured,

“Dragons must be strong. They would surely be worthy opponents.”

Ar, who had been exclaiming in wonder alongside Chelsea, froze at his muttering.

“Doberman Sunbae. I’m only asking to make sure, but you aren’t thinking of fighting a dragon now that we’re in Dragonia, are you?”

“I am.”

“Forget it! You fight-crazed dog!”

Ar grabbed Doberman by the collar and shook him violently.

It was hardly appropriate behavior for an underclassman toward a senior, but Doberman did not care in the slightest.

“Hmm. Your wrists are as thin and delicate as ever.”

Instead, he looked at Ar’s arms with considerable displeasure.

“Ar. You are destined to succeed me as the proud Student Council President of Azonia. As I have told you time and again, you cannot lead Azonia’s fierce beastkin with such a frail body.”

“I think I’ve already taught plenty of muscle-brained idiots who believe muscles solve everything a lesson.”

Chelsea tilted her head as she listened to their conversation.

“Ar, you’re going to be Azonia’s next Student Council President?”

“Heh, that’s right, kid.”

Chelsea bristled at Ar’s words.

Whether or not she realized she had provoked Chelsea, the smug Ar continued boasting.

“Size alone doesn’t give you dignity! Look at this slender, elegant figure! I may appear delicate at first glance, but a fierce wildness sleeps within me! I am most certainly not frail!”

Ar planted her hands on her hips and proudly thrust out her chest.

Chelsea stared intently at her.

“You.... Where are you looking?”

Ar narrowed her eyes, and Chelsea snickered.

“You’re completely flat, like a little kid.”

“You insolent brat!”

“Who are you calling a brat? You’re flatter than a brat.”

Ar tried to grab Chelsea, but Chelsea stuck out her tongue and darted away.

Ar glared after her and was about to give chase when—

Yank—!

“Gyaaa?!”

Leo grabbed Ar’s tail and pulled.

“I! Told! You! Not! To! Pull! My! Tail!”

Her face turning bright red, Ar tugged desperately at her tail to free it from Leo’s grasp.

“If you’re going to become Student Council President, shouldn’t you act a little more mature?”

“Urk.”

Ar flinched at Leo’s words before nodding.

“Fine, Black Rabbit.”

“Impressive. You possess considerable authority if Ar obeys you so readily.”

Doberman pulled something from his coat and tossed it into his mouth.

Chelsea watched him and asked,

“What are you eating?”

“Meat that helps build muscle. Would you like some?”

Chelsea sniffed the chunk of meat Doberman offered her, then shook her head.

“No, thanks.”

“Sigh. Picky eaters don’t grow tall.”

'Are people from Azonia gifted at teasing others without the slightest ill intent?'

As Chelsea seriously contemplated that question, Leo asked,

“By the way, when did you become Azonia’s next Student Council President?”

“I won the Festival of Strife held not long ago!”

Ar snorted triumphantly.

The Festival of Strife.

It was a ritual held once a year to determine the strongest student in Azonia.

A traditional survival free-for-all continued until only one contestant remained.

The winner of the Festival of Strife became Azonia’s next Student Council President.

“Anyone can enter the Festival of Strife! Everyone has the opportunity to become the strongest in the academy! Of course, it’s extremely rare for anyone other than a fifth-year to become Student Council President!”

“That’s impressive.”

At Leo’s admiration, Ar’s ears perked up and her tail began swaying.

But she soon shook her head vigorously.

“No! I still have a long way to go!”

Ar spoke with a resolute expression.

“I can’t be satisfied with only this! I have to stand on the same stage Arron-nim once did! I need to keep working so Arron-nim can rest easy.”

At those words, Leo looked at the sword hanging from Ar’s waist.

It was Brave, the broken sword Arron had left to Ar when he descended into the present world.

'It remained behind as a [Conquest Reward].'

It was not as though they had conquered Arron’s World.

But at the time, Arron had wanted to pass this sword on to Ar.

It was the sword Dweno had given him, the one that had always granted him courage.

Though it was now little more than scrap metal, its symbolic value surpassed that of any treasure.

'That sword is the symbol of Arron’s courage.'

Although it had only been a few months since Leo last saw her, Ar had grown stronger.

“Arron would certainly be happy to see how far you’ve come.”

“I told you, it’s not enough.”

Ar snorted and sharply turned her head away, but the corners of her mouth kept twitching.

She was easily carried away, so Leo’s praise had put her in an excellent mood.

“Well, of course! I won the Student Council presidency with my own strength! Unlike that Seiren thug who had the position handed to her!”

Ar folded her arms and lifted her chin triumphantly.

“Don’t you agree, Black Rabbit—”

Thud—!

A foot shot out from behind and mercilessly shoved Ar in the back.

Lunia glared at her with a crooked scowl.

“Who did you say had her position handed to her, stupid cat?”

“You’re here?”

“Yeah.”

Lunia nodded at Leo and brushed back her hair.

“Lunia, we are in a place filled with countless dragons. As Seiren’s Student Council President, conduct yourself properly.”

Haddin, Seiren’s Vice President, adjusted his glasses as he spoke from behind her.

“Yes, yes.”

Lunia’s reply was halfhearted, but she immediately straightened her back and put on a gentle smile.

Chelsea marveled at how quickly Lunia transformed into a diligent honors student.

“It looks like Seiren’s Student Council President is getting better and better at acting.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Lunia smiled before tilting her head.

“Does that mean we’re only waiting for Damienne now?”

Leo looked down at the ground.

“Damienne is already here.”

“Hmm?”

The ground stirred, and something poked its face out.

When someone suddenly emerged from beneath the ground, Lunia, Ar, and Chelsea recoiled in horror.

The newcomer was a dwarf woman wearing goggles.

“Heave-ho. Doberman, Haddin... and Leo, was it? Lunia, Seiren’s Student Council President, is here too. It has been a while, everyone.”

Scrape, scrape—!

After digging herself completely free, the dwarf woman rested the pickaxe in her hand on her shoulder.

“Heave-ho.”

“Damienne’s Student Council President! What were you doing down there?”

After calming her startled heart, Ar asked with an incredulous expression.

Marigold, Damienne’s Student Council President, answered with a solemn expression.

“As a miner, it is only natural to examine the geological characteristics of any place one visits for the first time.”

“It appears you still haven’t broken that habit, Marigold.”

At Doberman’s words, Marigold proudly pulled a fist-sized piece of unrefined ore from her coat.

“Still, look at this. I managed to find a rare ore, didn’t I?”

“I heard Damienne’s Student Council President was a little eccentric, but I didn’t know she was like this.”

Lunia sighed at Chelsea’s muttering.

“Damienne’s real eccentric is someone else. Is Driana not here?”

“Driana is over there. She’s also a candidate to become the next Student Council President, so I brought her with me.”

Marigold pointed down the road.

In the distance, a dwarf girl was sketching the dragons’ architectural style.

Leo approached Driana.

“What are you doing?”

“Ooh! Leo! It has been a long time!”

Driana smiled brightly and rose to her feet.

“We arrived here at dawn, actually. But seeing the dragons’ architecture in person gave me such wonderful inspiration! So I was making some sketches!”

They were currently on the road connecting Dragonia’s entrance to its central citadel.

Temples stood throughout the area, but none were in use.

To actually meet the dragons, one had to enter the central citadel. This place was merely partway along the road leading there.

Yet the two students representing Damienne had arrived at dawn and, rather than heading for the citadel, spent their time digging holes and drawing pictures.

“She really is strange.”

“She sure is.”

Lunia and Ar shook their heads.

“That is not something I care to hear from an elf thug and a stupid cat.”

“Ah? Did you just call me a thug?”

“You called me stupid? You perverted dwarf!”

Lunia and Ar growled at her.

Chelsea stared at the three girls tearing into one another the moment they met, then turned to the upperclassmen from the other academies.

“Aren’t you worried about entrusting your Student Councils to those three?”

At that question, the three senior Student Council officers could only remain silent.

There was no denying that the three girls were among the greatest talents in Hero Academy history.

And yet, they were also three people their schools would be embarrassed to send anywhere.