"Hero? That means being a conqueror."
"Cutting through the hill? What are you talking about?"
Before their incredulous eyes, a warrior clad in black armor declared:
"Whether it's a castle or a giant, you cut it down. If you can't do that, don't dare call yourself a swordsman, kid."
Deep within the labyrinth, on the remote 36th floor, the warrior cleaved the floor's boss — known as the "Black King of the Remnants" — in a single strike.
Staring at the body split in two, the man scoffed:
"Did the Grey Witch Alfia persuade you to come here? I always thought you were an idiot, but it turns out you're a fool who can't even value his own life."
Frustrated by his own failure to overcome the hill, he followed the warrior deeper into the labyrinth.
He knew this swordsman was one of the finest among Zeus and Hera's followers. Though reckless, he pursued him in order to learn his technique. He wanted to experience that "devastating impact" with all his senses, so he forced himself to follow — embarking on a near-suicidal journey that barely qualified as a joint expedition.
In the end, while I lay at death's door, the warrior reached the majestic white palace unscathed and with a single strike cut the lone giant in two. It was an extraordinary feat, a blow so devastating that every previous attack felt like mere scratches.
He couldn't help but ask, his lips trembling:
"What's the point of becoming that strong?"
The reply came with a sigh heavy with disappointment. Through the slit of his helmet, the warrior cast a look filled with contempt:
"How stupid are you?"
"We are adventurers, and this place is the 'City of Heroes.'"
It was obvious what needed to be done, as if it were completely natural:
"You cut down hills, tear down castles, and in the end, hunt the great beasts. That's all there is to it."
To him, everything was training. Even the days spent in the labyrinth were just fragments of a greater mission. He declared that these techniques existed solely as tools to defeat the three great beasts.
It was then that he realized just how imposing this figure was — one who carried the hopes and desires of the underworld. His own fights, driven by personal emotions, suddenly felt insignificant by comparison.
"I've shown you everything. Absorb it completely," the man said, as if offering a trivial payment.
"You and that boar have talent. The dwarf, the elf, and the pallum each have their roles: piercing, erasing, or crushing. But the true act of cutting lies in your hands."
Then, without holding back, he declared:
"Steal it from me. If you manage to master my technique, I will devour you. And what I devour will become the strength needed to cut down those beasts."
The warrior was insatiable. His hunger pushed him beyond any limit, viewing even those who mastered his technique as mere food to reach new heights.
A hero is a conqueror.
One who chooses to walk the ruthless path of conquest, willing to use everything and everyone to destroy the great beasts.
Zeus and Hera raised heroes who were nothing more than conquerors.
In the end, that warrior was able to cut down one of the three great beasts. Yet, I never witnessed that legendary blow that ended the "King of the Earth." I only heard it from the boar himself, who spoke briefly:
"It was a strike worthy of a conqueror. A supreme technique, but so voracious it sealed his fate. It was clear he would never wield a sword again."
The spectacle of the heroes destroying the "King of the Sea" was etched into their eyes not long after.
A hero is a conqueror, and at the end of that path of conquest lies ruin.
But the legacy must be carried on.
Even so, the legacy must be passed down.
Hills, castles—everything must be cut down, to finally face the remaining dragon.
The brilliance of that supreme technique must never be extinguished.
Because those damned heroes, those conquerors, would undoubtedly say:
"Dare to surpass even ruin, you small ones!"
That is the cruel legacy left by the heroes—a lesson born from their very way of life.
Field Research: An Essential Component of Learning
"Field research? It's one of the key elements of the district's educational system."
Field research consists of visiting the actual location of the subject under study and conducting hands-on investigations, rather than relying on secondary sources like books or documents. Firsthand information is gathered and brought back to the district for thorough discussion and analysis.
As Mikoto would say, "Seeing with your own eyes is better than hearing a hundred times."
Right now, we're doing exactly that—carrying out fieldwork across the plains far from Orario and the academic district.
"Why do field research at this time of year?"
"All I know is that it's part of the classes, according to Professor Leon…"
I walked alongside Nina, who carried a backpack that bounced with every step. Despite offering to help carry it, she kindly refused, reminding me that I had already helped with a previous dungeon practice and that it was now her turn to carry the equipment.
The winter sky feels vast and painfully clear. Though the occasional breeze bites cold, the blue sky and green fields are so peaceful it almost makes me relax.
(For Nina, who doesn't know the full situation, it must feel strange and unsettling that we're doing field research during the Orario City Competition Festival…)
Well, even I don't quite understand these circumstances myself…
Could this fieldwork be the "adventure" that Master Leon mentioned?
"I have a research subject I must investigate no matter what. Right now, it takes top priority. Don't worry—I'll be back in time for the Orario City Competition Festival."
Leon-sensei, who walked a step ahead of us, seemed to easily pick up on the glances we kept sneaking in his direction. Nina let out a small sigh of relief at his reply.
As a member of the School District, she couldn't remain indifferent to the upcoming Orariopiad—the city-wide competition festival.
"Leon-sensei, where are we headed now?" I asked, taking the opportunity to keep the conversation going.
The tall instructor, whose upright posture radiated discipline even from behind, continued facing forward as he motioned with his gaze.
"To the north," he replied.
North…?
Sure enough, we had left Orario behind and were steadily moving northward. To our left, in the northwest, loomed the towering Beor Mountains. And off to the right, northeast of us, we could just make out a vast mountain range—the Arv Mountains, known as the sacred peaks of the elves.
That majestic range stretched endlessly into the northern horizon.
Just what could be waiting for us in that direction…?
"Well then, while it's nice to get away from the noise and enjoy nature, let me pose a question for you as we walk," said Leon-sensei, his voice carrying a calm ease that seemed second nature for someone in his profession.
I noticed Nina, walking beside him, straightened her back smoothly—neither stiff nor anxious.
"What would you consider an irreplaceable treasure? It doesn't matter if it's an object or an idea," he continued.
"A… treasure? Hmm…" I murmured, a bit taken aback.
"This question doesn't have a single correct answer," Leon-sensei clarified, as though anticipating our confusion. "Just answer based on your own experiences and beliefs."
A faint smile appeared on his face, and there was a genuine warmth in his expression. During my time at the School District, I had come to realize that Leon-sensei truly enjoyed engaging with students through thoughtful questions and discussions.
So, even though I wasn't sure of myself, I gave the question serious thought. After a long moment of reflection, Nina and I answered at the same time:
"An encounter with someone…" I said hesitantly.
"A connection with someone worthy of my devotion!" Nina declared, raising her hand with conviction.
Leon-sensei smiled and nodded deeply.
"Excellent. You both value the existence of others—something fundamental to us as social beings. If I had a grading sheet with me, I'd give you top marks."
Relieved by his positive response, I smiled, but Nina didn't stop there. As if it were just part of a daily discussion, she turned the question back on him.
"And what would your answer be, Leon-sensei?"
"It's a simple answer—almost trivial—but for me, it's time."
At that moment, Leon-sensei came to a stop, and we followed suit, standing beside him. Before us, the landscape spread out like a vast green waterfall.
We were atop a hill; below our feet stretched a steep, dangerous, and yet breathtaking slope. A wild, untouched plain rolled gently with the wind, dotted with flowers blooming even in the dead of winter. In the far distance, small shadows moved—likely monsters native to the region.
"To plant something, to cultivate anything, you need the soil of time. Even the relationships you mentioned require it," Leon-sensei explained as he gazed out over the landscape.
He was right. Whether it was the seeds of the encounters I had spoken of, or the budding bonds Nina treasured, all of them needed time to bloom.
Time was perhaps the one universal treasure—shared equally by all, intrinsically tied to everything.
"And more than we realize, time is scarce. Every moment we live cannot be retrieved… Yet, even knowing that, we tend to waste it, which often leads to consequences that cannot be undone."
Leon-sensei's tone had grown more serious. Don't squander the treasure that is time. Perhaps this was one of the core principles behind his beliefs.
As I reflected on his words, Leon-sensei suddenly turned to us with a playful smile.
"In short, what I mean is… we don't have much time."
"—Huh?"
"If we don't hurry, the Urban Competition Festival—the Orariopiad—will be over before we know it. So, from here on, let's pick up the pace."
Before either of us could react, Leon-sensei casually took Nina's backpack and slung it over one shoulder with practiced ease.
"Nina, who would you rather cling to? Me, or Rapi?"
"...!?"
I struggled to grasp the meaning behind the question, but Nina seemed to understand instantly. Her cheeks flushed bright pink, blooming like a flower in full bloom.
She glanced at the teacher to her left, then at me on her right. After a few back-and-forth looks, she lowered her head and shyly pinched the sleeve of my uniform.
"Eh? Wha—what is this…?"
"Ah, youth!" Leon-sensei declared, exclaiming with the air of a certain goddess—Idunn herself would've been proud.
Before we could even process what was happening, Leon-sensei, carrying the backpack, began sprinting down the hillside as if he were flying.
"—What?!"
The slope was as steep as a cliff, yet he tore down it like a winged lion, leaving behind a pace that would be impossible to match unless we ran with everything we had.
"Nina!"
"Y-yes! N-nice to meet you…!"
Blushing furiously, Nina reached out and grabbed my hand. I pulled her close and scooped her into my arms.
With her cradled horizontally, I charged downhill.
Planting my feet firmly, leaping forward, we chased after the rapidly disappearing figure of the knight, moving like the wind.
"Ah, ah! Good morning, everyone! Once again, I'll be your host for this spectacular broadcast—none other than me, Ibri Achaa! That's right, your favorite narrator, Ibri Achaa! But just in case you forgot, I'm a proud member of the Ganesha Familia, also known by the alias 'Fire Inferno Flame...'"
"An explosion of fire blazing like a hellish inferno of flame!] —That's how this fire magic roars as it burns in its full glory! I'm so fired up to continue broadcasting the Grand Familia War!"
"I am Ganesha, your commentator, here to break it all down for you!"
With those two powerful and boisterous voices echoing beneath the clear sky, Orario was swept up in a wave of euphoria—though, in truth, it felt somewhat forced.
The stage: the circular arena known as the "Amphiteatrum."
"Turn your will into blades! Turn your knowledge into staves! Crown your failures with glory! With the chalice and the fount of wisdom at your side—give it your all, School District!"
Located in the eastern sector of the city, this coliseum has the capacity to seat 50,000 spectators. However, not everyone present at this moment was a resident of the Labyrinth City. In one section of the stands, a group dressed in elegant white uniforms with wine-red ties stood out prominently, despite comprising less than ten percent of the overall crowd.
From the surrounding seats, adventurers hurled jeers without restraint:
"Got some nerve showing up here, you brats from the School District!"
"We're gonna crush you and send you crying back to your classrooms!"
To which the students responded defiantly:
"How rude and uncivilized you adventurers are!"
"We'll defeat you—but according to the rules and right on the stage!"
The shouts and exchanges between the two groups charged the atmosphere with tension, as the students—like a dedicated cheering section—readied themselves to support their own in the competition that was about to begin.
『The atmosphere in the arena is so intense, it's practically dangerous!』
『But please, adventurers, behave yourselves! Every time something like this happens, public opinion about us takes a nosedive!』
"Why is it always us, Ganesha, who sweat and struggle to fix things?!"
『Well then, let's set aside our concerns and officially kick off the long-awaited city-wide competition festival—the Orariopiad!!』
With that announcement, a deafening roar erupted through the amphitheater, sweeping across all of Orario. Those who couldn't enter the arena had gathered in taverns, public squares, and along the main roads, watching the events unfold through "Divine Mirrors" installed throughout the city. Even in the School District located in the port city of Melen, students who couldn't attend in person gathered before floating mirrors to cheer from their campus facilities.