The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student-Chapter 21: The Ember of Legend

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The Legendary Hero is an Academy Honor Student

[Original — Yerona]

[TL — MiT7]

[PR — Spades]

[QC — Lumi]

Chapter 21 — The Ember of Legend

——————

"A contract with you, Firina?"

"Yes. When Elrun and I offered to repay Reina's kindness, she refused, saying saving a friend was only natural. But it's always weighed on me."

Firina smiled softly.

"The Zerdinger flame stems from the Phoenix's fire. With your summoning potential, you're more than qualified to be a Phoenix's pact-bearer."

'Even so, I never expected a Phoenix to propose a contract.'

Proud Phoenixes never initiated contracts.

"Of course, I'm not suggesting we contract right now. You need to grow as a summoner..."

"Is it possible now?"

"Huh?"

Even with Firina's willingness, Leo's current strength made a contract impossible. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

But Leo was confident he could succeed.

After all, he'd ended the Age of Calamity in his past life and tamed mighty magical beasts.

'I never contracted a Phoenix, even back then.'

As Kyle, he'd longed to bond with one.

Contracting powerful beasts expanded a summoner's potential.

But Firina hesitated.

"I understand your resolve, but you can't handle a contract with me now. Trying recklessly could cost your life."

Contracting a Phoenix was an ordeal.

Even Firina couldn't change that.

"I know. But I'm confident."

'His fearless challenge mirrors Reina. But I can't let her son face such danger.'

Pondering, Firina had an idea.

"If you're that determined, I'll allow a contract—on one condition. You won't contract with me."

"What?"

Whoosh!

Crimson flames flickered before Leo.

As they cleared, a fist-sized golden egg appeared, making Leo's eyes widen.

'A Phoenix egg?'

"This egg holds my soon-to-hatch child. Tame it."

Taming an unborn Phoenix egg would naturally form a contract.

Since it was still an egg, the attempt posed no danger.

But the taming difficulty rivaled that of top-tier magical beasts.

'A Phoenix egg. Quite the impossible test.'

Taking the golden egg, Leo grinned.

'For ordinary people.'

Whoosh!

As Leo summoned his spiritual power, the egg responded, emitting crimson flames.

Gritting his teeth against the intense heat, Leo pressed on.

'Even if it's faint, a Phoenix's flame is too much for a young human boy.'

Firina expected Leo to give up soon.

But Leo didn't falter, closing his eyes and focusing.

His consciousness faded.

When he opened his eyes, he stood in pitch-black darkness.

The ritual space of a top-tier magical beast's trial.

A world to judge a pact-bearer's worth.

The unborn Phoenix's world was empty, save for raging crimson flames.

Leo reached out without hesitation.

The flames enveloped him, burning fiercely.

Phoenixes burned their own bodies to unleash immense power.

This process caused endless pain.

That pain was the price for their title as the mightiest magical beast.

A pact with a beast relied on a bond.

To bond with a Phoenix, one had to understand its pain.

This was why Phoenix contracts were so grueling.

"Urgh!"

Leo's face contorted as searing pain engulfed him.

Only sheer mental strength could overcome the trial.

Firina's eyes widened.

'No way...?'

Whoosh!

The blazing flames were drawn into the golden egg.

Crack!

A fissure appeared on the egg's surface.

Firina's expression turned to disbelief.

"He succeeded?"

Whoosh!

As the egg absorbed all the flames, Leo opened his eyes.

For a moment, his red eyes flashed crimson.

Thud.

Exhausted, Leo collapsed, breathing heavily.

Sweat drenched his body.

But his face bore a clear smile.

"I succeeded in the contract."

"Hahaha!"

Firina burst into laughter.

"Incredible! Amazing, Leo Flove! You're a genius!"

"Less genius, more... effort, I guess."

"If a boy your age taming a Phoenix egg isn't genius, what is? You were born with the potential to be the greatest summoner ever!"

Seeing Firina's genuine joy, Leo struggled to his feet.

'What does a young Phoenix look like?'

Even as Kyle, he'd never seen one.

Crack!

"It's hatching, my child."

Cracks spread across the egg's surface.

Pop!

Golden shards scattered like broken glass.

Seeing the Phoenix that emerged, Leo's expression shifted subtly.

'A chick?'

The newborn Phoenix looked like a chick.

Whoosh!

Transforming into a human form amid flames, Firina gently took her child from Leo's hands.

"This is Fiora. You've contracted, Leo, but she's still a baby. I'll care for her for now."

"Got it. But I need to show my contracted beast to the professor for the exam."

"Then I'll entrust her to you for that."

Smiling, Firina placed Fiora on Leo's head.

Though newly born, Fiora brimmed with Phoenix vitality, pecking Leo's head a few times before settling comfortably.

'Is this really a Phoenix? It looks like a chick no matter how I see it.'

But seeing Firina's adoring gaze, Leo kept his thoughts to himself, unable to call Fiora a chick to her face.

Peep!

'Definitely a chick.'

---

Yura pulled a pocket watch from her coat.

The three-hour limit was nearly up.

Most students had already presented their tamed beasts for evaluation.

Some had even succeeded in contracts.

'Let's see... four left?'

The remaining students were the ones Yura had the highest hopes for.

Thud! Thud!

The ground shook.

As students' eyes widened, a massive blue bear emerged from the brush.

"Argh!"

"Eek!"

Students screamed, scattering.

Some recognized the bear and gasped.

The blue bear lowered its stance before Yura.

Chen Xia hopped off its back.

"Professor, time's not up yet, right?"

"Nope."

'Her uniform's torn all over. Looks like she had a fight.'

"You said you only knew taming in theory, yet you tamed a young Aqua Bear, a mid-tier beast."

"Not sure if it's taming... or if it just followed me."

Xia scratched her cheek, smiling awkwardly.

It wasn't a perfect taming.

"If it follows this well, a bit more study, and you'll complete the taming."

'I should snag her for Summoning Studies.'

A young Aqua Bear wasn't quite a full mid-tier beast in taming difficulty, but it was impressive.

Such talent, and she's a Knight Studies top ranker?

As a Summoning Studies professor, Yura couldn't help but lament.

As Yura licked her lips, Xia sent the Aqua Bear back to the forest.

Soon after, Warrenden emerged from the brush.

A small crow perched on his shoulder.

"What beast is that?"

"Pretty plain for a top ranker."

Students looked puzzled.

But Assistant Professor Carlo and the TAs were stunned.

"Well, well? Taming a Shadow Crow? Your main focus is spirit summoning, yet this is remarkable."

Yura exclaimed, looking at Warrenden.

A Shadow Crow was a mid-tier beast like the Aqua Bear, but unlike Xia's young one, this was an adult.

Its tricky nature made its taming difficulty near high-tier.

'His beast summoning talent is top-notch too.'

"I didn't contract it."

"That's enough."

Taming a mid-tier beast already placed him among the top first-years across all departments.

'Eliza will likely top beast summoning, though.'

As if meeting that expectation, Eliza returned.

Unlike the disheveled students, she looked pristine, her hair flowing as she approached Yura.

"Where's your beast?"

Yura's question drew a smirk from Eliza, who opened her hand.

A summoning circle appeared, revealing a massive snake.

Hiss! Hiss!

"Eek!"

"A snake!"

The giant white snake, capable of swallowing a person whole, flicked its tongue, sending female students scattering in panic.

"Goodness... Contracting a Gorgon Snake?"

"My family doesn't have one, so I took the chance."

Gorgon Snake.

A rare mid-tier beast.

'Truly a Hergin heir.'

"Outstanding, Eliza!"

"Thank you."

Eliza curtsied gracefully, lifting her uniform skirt slightly.

'Heh heh. This year's a bumper crop.'

Yura, chuckling inwardly, tilted her head.

'Where's Leo Flove?'

Time was almost up.

Any beast brought after the deadline would be disqualified.

Feeling parched, Yura said, "Water."

"Here, Professor."

Yura opened the bottle Carlo handed her, checking the time.

Just then, Leo emerged from the brush.

"Young Master Leo, welcome back."

Xia waved, smiling, then tilted her head.

Taming often involved physical struggle.

Except for Eliza, every student's uniform was torn or dirtied.

But Leo's state was beyond comparison.

His uniform was scorched and tattered.

His appearance suggested he'd tamed something extraordinary, yet all they saw was...

'A chick?'

A small red bird chirped proudly—peep peep—on Leo's white hair.

"Pfft! He tamed a chick?"

"No way! The freshman representative got a chick?"

"Hey, don't laugh, he'll hear! Heh heh!"

Students stifled their laughter.

"Leo was impressive with the griffon, but this is disappointing."

Carlo chuckled, turning to Yura.

"Pfft?! Urk! Cough! Cough! Hack!"

Yura choked, spraying water over Carlo.

As Carlo grimaced, Yura, regaining composure, stared at Leo in shock.

'That lunatic tamed a Phoenix?!'