CHAPTER 79: TROUBLE

Q.41: When did the Great Hero hunt his first Night Howl? Write any three significant points about the event that tell us more about the legendary warrior.

There was no doubt about whom this question referred to.

There was only one Legendary Hero.

Many warriors had risen through the ages—some fell in battle, others achieved awe-inspiring feats—but none of them bore that title.

It belonged to one man alone.

The one who slaughtered the Demon Lord.

The one who brought peace to humanity.

And the killer of humanity’s greatest shame.

Eric Dawnhec.

Reading the question, Eric closed his eyes and searched his memory. The answer came to him quickly.

He had read about the incident in one of the many books on the Hero.

Seventeen volumes in total. Each chronicled a different phase of the Hero’s life—and none repeated the same events.

This particular account was from the time the Hero had freshly joined the army. Back when he was still earning his name. Back when he hunted a creature that existed like any other creatures at that time, but it they are extinct...or maybe hibernating.

The Night Howl.

A beast of dreadful renown, with a massive body, fur dark as void, and eyes that burned an eerie white. It could meld into shadows, vanish in the blink of an eye, and rip its prey apart without ever being seen.

It never stepped out during daylight.

Light was its weakness, and it only hunted at night—when it was faster, stronger, and more terrifying.

Despite this, the young Light Hero took it upon himself to hunt the beast during its prime.

Eric remembered the three most important details from that event.

However, once he started writing... his mind drifted away—into memories. Not his own, or at least, that’s what he thought. Yet they felt oddly familiar as if he was flipping through the pages of a life he had already lived.

He didn’t know why, but he began seeing things—images that didn’t belong to him, yet somehow did.

He saw himself holding a sword, running into a forest... then being carried out on someone’s shoulder.

Without realizing it, Eric had written an entire page. He hadn’t even thought about the answer—his hand had just moved on its own. And just as he finished the last word, his paper was snatched away.

"Time’s up," the teacher said as he walked around collecting the rest.

Eric’s lips parted, ready to mention that four questions were still left—but he stopped himself. It didn’t matter. The time was gone.

He had been so lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed he’d wasted his last ten minutes.

’Guess I won’t be seeing myself in the top ten,’ he thought. He knew how tough the competition was here.

Many students couldn’t do well in the practicals, so they were counting on the written test to make up for it. After all, a person’s strength could be limited by their blessing—but not their mind. Knowledge was the one thing they could still rely on.

Soon, the second shift of the exams was over, and the students were told to come tomorrow to check their results.

****

Eric stepped out just like the rest of the students.

Tomorrow morning was the practical assessment, and everyone had been told to return to their lodgings and get as much rest as possible—to be at their best when it mattered.

Naturally, Eric planned to do the same. He knew he was better than most when it came to combat—thanks to the time he spent hunting in the forest—but even then, he wasn’t about to get careless.

He never relied on his title, but somewhere deep in his mind, he knew it wouldn’t matter here anyway. Being a prince wouldn’t earn him a passing score. If he failed, he’d have to wait an entire year before getting another shot at admission.

He couldn’t let that happen.

He wanted this. To study at the most prestigious academy. To learn from real Professionals. To grow stronger.

And maybe—just maybe—he’d get to stand on the same battlefield as someone like Arthur.

That thought alone was enough to light a fire in his chest.

"Ah," Eric paused as his eyes landed on a familiar blond boy standing before the scoreboard, his expression sharp and focused.

Even though it had been years, Eric recognized him right away.

Without a second thought, he walked over and offered a greeting. "Nice to see you again, Kevin."

Kevin turned toward him, clearly surprised to be recognized by the Prince himself. But his reaction was short-lived, and he quickly composed himself. "Good evening, Your Highness."

Eric gave a faint smile. "You can drop the formalities."

Kevin’s lips tugged into a smirk. "I will—once you officially become a student of the academy."

Ah, right. He still wasn’t one yet.

Eric glanced at the scoreboard and then looked around. "Did Arthur not come to see his result?"

Kevin shook his head. "Our father’s sick. Arthur stayed home and asked me to check the board for him."

A flicker of worry passed over Eric’s face. "Oh... is it something serious?"

There was genuine concern in his voice. He had brought two healers with him—if the situation was bad, he could always send them to help the Baron.

"No, he just over-exerted himself and got sick. He’ll be fine by tomorrow. Thank you for worrying," Kevin assured him with a small nod.

Eric gave a soft nod in return, his worry easing slightly. "That’s good to hear."

A moment later, he asked, "So... how did Arthur perform?"

Kevin glanced back at the scoreboard, a faint crease forming between his brows. "He’s ranked seventh."

Eric raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Seventh? For someone with so much combat experience... he’s that good in studies too?" He let out a soft chuckle. "He really is a tough competition."

But then, he noticed the look on Kevin’s face—something quiet, almost thoughtful. It didn’t seem like pride or disappointment. Curious, Eric asked, "You don’t look happy. Are you not satisfied with his score?"

He remembered Kevin as someone easygoing when they first met years ago, but perhaps things had changed. Maybe he was expecting more from Arthur now.

Kevin shook his head, brushing off the thought. "No, it’s not that. I’m not upset... it’s just—I know Arthur could’ve ranked higher. But he didn’t want to."

Eric blinked, confused. "Wait... you mean he held back? On purpose?"

Kevin chuckled softly, a trace of both amusement and frustration in his tone. "When he was thirteen, he made notes that helped me ace my own assessment. He spends more than half his day buried in books—every day. Trust me... if Arthur wanted, he could’ve easily been in the top three."

Eric fell quiet, staring back at the board, this time with a much deeper look in his eyes.

After a brief pause, Eric asked quietly, "Will I be allowed to watch his assessment tomorrow?"

Kevin tilted his head slightly at the question, then caught on to what Eric was really asking.

"Yes," he replied, "the academy lets students watch each other’s practical assessments. Even Arthur can come to watch yours... but—"

"He won’t come," Eric finished calmly, sparing Kevin the need to say it.

There was no bitterness in his voice. Just a quiet certainty. A knowing smile rested on his lips.

It was odd—he had only met Arthur once, but something about him lingered. As if they had known each other far longer.

Arthur wasn’t just another student. He didn’t blend into the crowd. He stood apart... like a lone figure atop a distant peak, gazing down while the rest could only look up—never quite able to reach.

Kevin didn’t know how to answer that, so he just shrugged.

"I think you should go and rest now," Kevin suggested and the blond Prince gave a soft bow before making his way out.

Kevin sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he muttered, "The Protagonist has taken a liking to my brother...and that is good."

Eric would be surrounded by dangers once he started an academy. And if he becomes friends with Arthur...then surely, Arthur would be wrapped in chaos as well.

Just in the first year, Eric could remember there were like ten arcs, big and small that would endanger Eric and those who are close to him.

Many situation would arrive when they would be isolated from the world without any reinforcement and have to rely on luck and strength to cross the obstacle.

And seeing how Eric is curious about Arthur...he knew that the Prince would approach him time after time.

Kevin didn’t want it to happen...so should he warn Arthur? But what will he say? That he is the Protagonist? Hell, no. Then what?

’I should go and check on father first.’ He first went to inform the teachers and then left the school.

******

A/N:- Can I request you to leave a review if you enjoyed the story so far? Thank you.