After Sertia’s death was officially announced, Albert became the new head of the Academy.
Although Albert himself did not seem very pleased about it, there was no other suitable candidate.
Unlike Sertia, who pursued protection and peace, Albert was proactive. This was not his original personality but because he had lost his mentor long ago.
Immediately after taking the position of the head, Albert made a plan to finally destroy the Demon King’s army.
“Forming a new Hero Party.”
The three legendary superhumans who had beheaded the Demon King in the past.
Albert’s goal was to create that in this generation as well. To be exact, it was what Sertia had pursued before dying.
Albert recalled what Sertia had said in the past.
“I don’t think I was extraordinarily superior or talented compared to others. I also don’t think the next generation has less talent than me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The new Hero Party will also have the right people. Talents even greater than me.”
At that time, it seemed like nonsense.
Objectively, Sertia was superior to others. No, it was something that couldn’t be expressed simply as being exceptional.
Excluding the previous generation’s Heroes, she was the strongest human in history. Albert thought it was the result of combining her unmatched talent with countless experiences and efforts.
Therefore, not everyone can become like Sertia. He thought that humans more talented than her simply didn’t exist.
To be more honest, he might still think that way to some extent even now. The majesty of the mentor Albert had seen was at a level that couldn’t even be seen by looking up.
But still.
“I believe in them.”
Sertia said she believes in the talents of this generation.
If so, he who should inherit her will must not doubt those words.
If she believes, Albert will believe too.
Therefore, he fully supported the formation of a new Hero Party.
It was also his authority to ask Reina to be Sera’s mentor and to contact the Central Church to bring the Saint Clana to the Academy.
Albert was preparing to quickly nurture them and deploy them to the field.
And,
“Ariel.”
“Yes.”
Now that Albert thought the preparations were sufficient, he summoned Ariel to the principal’s office.
“Do you remember what I told you last time?”
“If you’re talking about the formation of the Hero Party and the field mission, I remember.”
“Then I think it’s about time to decide. You probably already know what I’m trying to say.”
“……”
“Select those who will accompany you on the journey with your discernment. We will surely destroy the remaining Demon King’s army and end the war this time.”
If the stars had bloomed, the gaze of the stars would have also manifested.
Then, in terms of discerning people, Ariel’s eye would be much more accurate than his own.
In fact, it seemed as if the people who would stand by his side were already decided.
First, Sera.
She looks ordinary, but her instantaneous offensive power is comparable to that of the Academy’s professors.
Above all, the boldness she showed on the battlefield, where she could have died, was an amazing talent that could be put into practice immediately.
She was a girl who could run out alone when everyone else was scared. Albert highly valued that aspect.
She could play her role properly even if sent to the frontlines immediately.
And Clana.
No explanation is needed.
She, the Saint, stood ahead of others from the starting line.
Even if she lacks experience, her divine power will shine when dealing with demons.
Clana showed strengths in defensive and support abilities but was also outstanding in offensive power against demons.
He didn’t say it separately, but Ariel would know, too. If he were to look for comrades within the Academy, there would only be those two.
But Ariel,
“No. I won’t select them.”
He directly denied Albert’s words.
Albert adjusted his glasses. His sharp eyes turned towards Ariel.
“The most important thing is one’s own will. It’s not something I can arbitrarily decide. I will accept as comrades those who stand by my side of their own will.”
“If no one volunteers……”
“Then I will stand on the battlefield alone. There shouldn’t be a Hero Party that forces someone.”
“Is that so?”
Traveling with the Hero may seem like a romance to some, but the reality is not so beautiful.
It is a blood-stained battlefield. Even if it’s the best educational institution on the continent, they are still students in the end. No one in their right mind would volunteer to go on a path to die.
Ariel knew that fact.
He knew it too well, so he was rather reluctant to take those around him to such a cruel place.
Because it was a road to hell.
He was born as a Hero, so he steps forward with a sense of mission and responsibility, but others are not like that. They were born as ordinary humans with no duty or obligation to save the world.
“…I will stand on the battlefield alone.”
Ariel was saying that this was a duty he had to bear.
Albert solemnly nodded to that.
“If that is your will.”
After that, a heavy silence lingered. Both Albert and Ariel did not speak.
“If you have nothing more to say, I will leave.”
Just before Ariel, who couldn’t stand the silence, was about to leave.
Albert held him for a moment.
“I have something to give you.”
A treasure found in Sertia’s room after she died.
Albert handed Ariel a sword imbued with a golden light. At first glance, it looked like no ordinary item.
Sertia, a traditional mage, wouldn’t have used it, so its original owner was probably the previous generation’s Hero, Elion.
“That’s……”
“Sertia told me to give that sword to you if she dies.”
It was quite old but would be usable. It was a sword with the Hero’s star.
Ariel held the sword with a complex expression. He felt like he had inherited the responsibility as the next-generation Hero.
***
Ariel, who had awakened the power of the stars, was no longer someone who should be at the Academy.
His strength was already above the current professors. The Academy had nothing more to teach him.
So, as the Hero, he decided to stand on the battlefield at a young age. The news spread quickly and reached the point where all the students at the Academy knew.
However, even after considerable time had passed, no one came forward to stand by his side first.
It was natural.
For most people, their life was more precious than the glory they could gain as part of the Hero Party. In the first place, there weren’t many who had the qualifications to stand by his side.
The Academy students are forced to prove their abilities with objective numbers even if they don’t want to.
In the name of grades, they inevitably find out what rank and grade they are in during their school year.
If someone ahead of you is scared, the fear spreads accordingly.
Having your will broken before even trying, it was such a cruel thing.
While Ariel was preparing to go to the battlefield alone, the people at the Academy knew what kind of person he was.
If no one comes, he will fulfill his responsibility alone, bear it alone rather than show it to those around him no matter what.
“……”
A day passed.
“I’m here.”
Sera came to him.
“I, I’m here too.”
A little later, Clana came too.
Sera came because she couldn’t let Ariel go alone. For her, who grew up in an orphanage without a family, Ariel was like family.
It was just that she was late to hear the news because she was in seclusion training, but even so, she came as soon as she heard.
Clana was late because she was pondering alone, but in fact, even if she didn’t belong to the Hero Party, she had to go to the battlefield someday.
Just as Ariel shouldered the duty as a Hero, Clana had something similar.
So, after much thought, she decided to go with him to the place she would eventually have to go anyway. Just as the head nun had said.
That’s how the three members were formed.
Ultimately, the new Hero Party was formed with the three members that many had expected, not by Ariel’s choosing but by giving them the right to choose.
And,
“May I join too?”
There was one more person who wanted to join the Hero Party.
Long, fluttering silver hair and red eyes.
“……”
It was Iria.