Chapter 43: A Hero's Back

For Abel, his days at the Aslan Magic Academy were very happy. 

Of course, living with his mentor, Eruka, was also invaluable to him. 

However, living in the dormitory with friends and rivals, and spending days honing their skills, slowly melted away the loneliness that Abel had kept inside him. 

To put it succinctly, it was enjoyable.

Therefore, he had forgotten, for better or for worse, the nightmare of "that day" and the painful memory of losing everything. 

The sound of the flute that suddenly echoed from somewhere awakened the "darkness" within Abel.

──"Monsters take everything away. That's why I have to kill them. So I won't lose anything anymore."

"That flute's sound. Do you know something about it?"

"…Huh?"

Luke's sudden question pulled Abel back from the sea of his thoughts to reality.

"Uh, yeah…I've heard it before—"

"Gurgaaaaaaaahhh!!"

As a deafening roar erupted, interrupting Abel's words, Luke gazed quietly at the Ice Dragon. 

Its appearance was very rough, but it seemed to be resisting something.

"Hey, what are we going to do? It doesn't seem like it's going to attack…"

Lily asked fearfully.

Most of those present were stunned by the Ice Dragon's tremendous pressure. Everyone listened to Luke's answer to Lily's question, watching his movements warily.

"Hmm, there is a possibility that it is being controlled."

"…What! Is that true, Luke!? No, that's possible… Why didn't we notice it until now…?"

"Eh!? Is that dragon being controlled!?"

Many voices of surprise were raised involuntarily. Abel thought a little while looking down, considering the words casually murmured by Luke. If it were true, the way he saw the tragedy of "that day" would change significantly.

Abel had unconsciously covered up those unpleasant memories. Or maybe he had consciously avoided thinking about them. That was why he didn't realize this fact.

"… There's no way a dragon can play a flute. Besides, that melody was infused with magic. Well, whatever, let's try it."

As far as Luke could see, the ice dragons did not seem to be in full control, as it hadn't attacked them yet.

"──'Arrow of Darkness'"

It was a beginner-level magic that made everyone present question its effectiveness. Even though it was imbued with the power of darkness, no one thought it could inflict significant damage on a dragon. 

However, Luke had a different goal in mind.

"…"

The small arrow imbued with darkness was absorbed by the giant body of the ice dragon and then exploded. 

In an instant, the movement of the ice dragon stopped in midair. Its violent behavior from earlier was gone, and it elegantly flapped its wings. 

Luke's 'Arrow of Darkness' had absorbed the magic that was controlling the ice dragon.

"What!? The control has been released!? Quickly, play another song— Guaah!"

Suddenly, a panicked man's voice was heard. 

In the midst of the rapidly changing situation, no one could hide their confusion, and the ice dragon suddenly shook its head. 

Then, something flew up into the air. —It was the man suspected to be the cause, wearing a robe.

"N-nooo!! I don't want toooooo!!"

Chomp. In one bite, the man was unceremoniously devoured by the ice dragon. 

Everyone was stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. 

A moment of silence prevailed, and then—

"──As expected, humans are not tasty."

The ice dragon spoke. 

It glared down at the humans swarming beneath it. With just that, the atmosphere was enough to make most of those present feel as though they were facing death.

No one spoke a word. Despite this, he could hear screams as if souls were being crushed somewhere.

"What a blunder I have made… To allow such a lowly species as man to rule over me… is the most abhorrent thing I have ever done."

It said, its tone was not that of a killer, but one of simple irritation.

However, the dense aura of death it exuded forcefully made them understand that no matter how much they trained their bodies or honed their skills, humans were still just humans.

This was the difficulty level S monster designated as a disaster, the "ice dragon."

The sound of metal armor ringing loudly with trembling was heard.

(T-this is a different level… beyond the living being…)

Zach strengthened his grip on his sword, trying to raise his nearly broken spirit. 

Once he fell, he wouldn't be able to get back up again. That was something he knew all too well.

"…However, it is also a fact that humans freed me from being controlled," the ice dragon said.

At that time, many people found hope in the fact that the anger of the Ice Dragon had dissipated just a little. 

Based on its words, it seemed very rational. 

Perhaps it would just fly away somewhere and never return. Maybe it would even show gratitude.

Such a faint and fleeting hope, befitting of weak humans.

"However, humans are still unpleasant. I cannot let these people who know my shame live."

An unjust and arrogant anger directed towards those who had helped it, beings that it considered worthless.

"…!!"

Then, for the first time, a clear killing intent was directed at them. 

The morale that had been boosted by Luke was instantly lost, leaving only hearts trembling in fear. 

Only the A-rank adventurers who had gone through the crucible, and some of the knights, managed to avoid losing their will to fight. 

Some realized they were going to die, while others made up their minds to face it head on.

In the midst of such silence…

"Kuku… ahahaha!!

A resounding laugh echoed out. Luke stepped forward in front of everyone.

Everyone was captivated and began to doubt his sanity.

Zach was already considering a retreat. How could they let Luke escape and how many people could they save in the process? He had already determined that this was that kind of battle and was searching for a way out in his mind.

Everyone present, including Zach, knew how strong Luke was. However, that was only within the framework of 'humans.'

"Luke-sama!!!"

Hence, Zach shouted.

"Listen up, all of you."

But Luke spoke to everyone without turning back. His back seemed too large.

"No one is allowed to lay a hand on this dragon. I'll take care of it alone. "

"…!!!"

Luke thought to himself that he was just a kid.

An enemy who could never use magic techniques against humans. An enemy so strong that he might be able to use all of his abilities. It was sweet honey for Luke, who was always forced to control his strength because he was too powerful.

An unrestricted, blood-boiling battle at full power.

That was all Luke wanted.

"Don't worry. It's highly unlikely, but even if I fall, Abel will be here to take care of it somehow. So don't get in the way."

"Luke…"

Yes – Luke just wanted to fight with all his might. After all, Abel, the protagonist, would probably use his power to defeat this ice dragon. Therefore, even if he defeated it himself, there should be no problem.

Luke's thinking was very simple.

However, the sight of standing alone against a powerful monster that everyone was prepared to die facing was that of a "hero," just as the stories told by bards.

"Damn… you're really something…"

Zach muttered, voicing everyone's feelings. 

They had only been thinking about their own life, but in this situation, it couldn't be helped. 

Everyone understood that a person who could sacrifice themselves for others in such dire straits was called a "hero."

However, Luke did not possess such noble spirit at all…

Abel hated monsters. 

Even if they were being controlled, their cruelty was genuine. 

Moreover, monsters were the root cause of everything that Abel had lost. It was impossible for him not to resent them. 

Therefore, his only thoughts were on how to kill this ice dragon. He had only harbored such dark feelings.

Until he saw Luke standing up to the ice dragon for the sake of others…

(Luke… you're amazing. I'm proud to be your friend. But if things really get dangerous, I'll help you. I know you'll be angry, but…)

"Help me if things go south, okay?"

"Yeah…"

Lily, who sensed Abel's feelings even without words, gently asked him.

"What's wrong with him? Trying to be all cool by himself. It would be okay to let us fight together, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, you're right… but that's just like Luke."

Unaware of his rapidly rising reputation, Luke activated his magic.

"──Armor of Darkness, Wings of Darkness, and Granted: Darkness."

"Hou, dark attribute. That's unusual. I like your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others. How about it? If you want, I can spare only your life…"

"Shut your mouth. You feathered Lizard look-alike."

"What did you say just now?"

The atmosphere of the ice dragon changed drastically.

The magic released with anger literally froze the surroundings.

"Kuku… didn't you hear me? What's with this lizard-like creature with wings talking down to me? ──Know your place."

"Youuuu!!! …Don't you dare think you can die easily!!"

Luke vs The Ice Dragon.

Without either of them realizing, the battle had begun…