Chapter 19

**Chapter 19: Living as a Hero's Brother**

**Chapter 19: Mezaja Great Forest (1)**

Klein was looking at his older brother with a very pleased expression.

"So, you want to join my team?"

"Um, can't I?"

After all, it was rare for someone to want to be a team member of his brother, who was often referred to as a 'loner' among the students at the academy.

On the other hand, Shane was also flustered in his own way.

Because the person in front of him was none other than Dilara.

"…Why?"

It was the second day since Shane had saved Dilara.

Although he had saved Dilara out of necessity, he thought it was too early to make contact with her so soon.

Given Dilara's cautious nature, it was necessary to build a relationship slowly.

However, Dilara approaching Shane first was a situation he hadn't anticipated.

"Well, as you know, I recently had a pretty scary experience."

Although it was regrettable that a young girl would use the word 'scary,' it was Klein, not Shane, who responded to this.

"Ah… Yes, that's right. Count Salieri. I never thought he would do such things. Because of that, one of the Judgment Knights was also a victim, right?"

"Um, um. That's right. Yes."

In reality, it was entirely different, but that was how it was known to the public.

The morning after Dilara was rescued, a major exclusive story broke out.

It turned out that Count Salieri was one of the key figures in the rumored underground city.

A Judgment Knight, who had sensed something amiss, was on a solo mission when a battle ensued.

Count Salieri and one of his guardian knights were killed on the spot, and the Judgment Knight died from poisoning during the process.

The article also revealed that a non-human student from the academy had been kidnapped.

'How did this become known so quickly?'

Of course, Dilara was taken aback by the sudden attention from all sides, but she could only nod, saying it was as the article described.

She had been kidnapped and imprisoned by Count Salieri and had fainted as a result.

Since a Judgment Knight had been sacrificed, a royal investigator naturally appeared, and Dilara had to cooperate with their investigation, albeit reluctantly.

There was even a suggestion to use magic to read Dilara's memories, but this was vetoed by the academy's chancellor due to the high risk of side effects from such magic.

Of course, all of this was orchestrated by Shane.

He had released a somewhat fabricated story to a well-known newspaper in the Federation.

By making the information public, the royal side would be less likely to harm Dilara.

Moreover, the academy viewed this incident as a significant scandal.

How dare a non-human student, protected by the Federation Academy, be kidnapped!

The academy's protection of Dilara from the royal investigator was in the same vein.

"Anyway, because of that incident… it's hard to trust just anyone."

"I understand. It must have been very difficult. But not all humans are like those despicable ones, Miss Dilara."

As he said this, Klein gently patted Dilara's shoulder with a sympathetic look.

This earned him glares from all around.

"Ah!"

At that moment, Dilara's danger level among the female students of the academy increased.

"But what does that have to do with you coming to me?"

"Well, I heard you're pretty indifferent to people… and I think that applies to both non-humans and humans. And I heard you're very skilled."

Indeed, Shane's image had improved significantly recently.

While people's gazes weren't entirely friendly due to past jealousy, his achievement of ranking first in the elite Command Studies department at the world's top academy, the Federation Academy, had earned him recognition for his abilities.

"You're quite good at saying such things in front of people."

"Heh, but it's not entirely false, right?"

While he said this, for Shane, this was actually a welcome development.

Dilara was someone who would play an important role for Shane in the future, so it was better for her to be close.

"Okay, so you'll be going to the dungeon with me from now on?"

After pretending to think for a moment, Shane finally accepted Dilara, and she visibly brightened.

For Dilara, Shane's backing was reliable.

The Clayton family, to which Shane and Klein belonged, was a massive noble family that all merchants in the Federation had to go through.

Although she had already been targeted by Count Salieri and had seen the shocking true identity of the Judgment Knight, Daia, she couldn't fully trust them yet.

'But if I keep looking at everyone with suspicion, I won't be able to trust anyone.'

While her distrust of humans hadn't completely disappeared, she didn't show it.

"By the way, the sacrifice of a Judgment Knight. That's probably why you haven't been seen for a few days, right, brother?"

"Um, probably."

Shane nodded lightly in response to Klein's question.

"Not being seen? Who are you talking about?"

With her joining Shane's team now confirmed, Dilara naturally joined their conversation.

"Miss Aneis. Lintberg J Aneis."

"Oh."

Aneis.

The daughter of the former leader of the Judgment Knights.

A few days ago, she had heard that one of the Judgment Knights had died and was likely still at the funeral.

Shane, who was listening to this, remained expressionless.

"She'll handle it. It's not something we need to worry about."

"Um, I guess you're right. Ha ha."

Klein chuckled bitterly, and Dilara had a complicated look on her face.

Aneis wasn't someone Dilara didn't know.

They had even had some conversations before.

Until then, Aneis had been someone Dilara considered decent.

At least, she hadn't looked at Dilara with suspicion.

If the recent incident hadn't happened, Dilara might have tried to join Aneis's team.

But now, Dilara didn't know how to view her.

'Oh, we weren't that close to begin with, right?'

Yes, no need to overthink it.

Dilara concluded this and looked out the rain-soaked window.

* * *

The drizzling rain made Aneis's body cold, but she kept her gaze on the grave below her feet.

This was her second farewell.

Yet, Aneis found no sign of getting used to this feeling.

"The cause of death was poisoning…"

Aurora from the White Lion should have been able to block most poisons, but Daia's body, affected by an unknown poison, was like a mummified corpse, drained of all moisture.

Aneis recalled her memories with Daia.

From a young age, Aneis had a close relationship with the Judgment Knights.

When she trained with her father, the knights would often join in as her sparring partners.

Sometimes, they would be her friends.

Though not all were blood-related, some were like uncles, older brothers, and family to her.

Among them, Daia was like an older uncle.

With a carefree demeanor, his sword always carried a sense of ease.

He died fighting for justice.

"Justice, he died for."

Aneis recalled the words she had heard throughout the funeral.

While their faces showed deep sorrow and belief in Daia's death for justice, Aneis couldn't shake a lingering doubt.

"Was it really for justice?"

A question she couldn't ask others, she could only ask the now buried Daia.

* * *

"What is mana? Is there anyone who can answer this?"

In response to Professor Zahad's question, one of the students raised their hand.

"Mana is a fundamental element that constitutes this world."

"And?"

"Mana can be anything. In its primary form, it can be water, fire, wind, and earth."

"Anything else?"

"Um… and such mana forms the mysterious environment of dungeons."

"Good."

With Zahad's approval, the student who had stood up breathed a sigh of relief and sat down.

"As the student just said, mana is a fundamental element of this world. Therefore, all of us commanders must be proficient in it."

Commanders who aim for war and those who explore dungeons have different focuses.

While both must deal with enemies, dungeons add environmental factors.

"Now, using the student's answer… which area with a mysterious environment comes to mind?"

"Mezaja Great Forest!"

When one student answered, most of the others looked at someone.

"Yes, Mezaja Great Forest. One of the cradles that humanity has yet to solve."

As he said this, Zahad used a magical tool to project several images on the board.

"As you can see, the Mezaja Great Forest suffers from heavy rains, making it difficult to subdue. However, that's not the only problem."

Modern humans have used mana to enhance their bodies and gain abilities beyond human limits.

Thus, a simple environmental factor like 'rain' alone wouldn't completely hinder dungeon exploration.

However, the reason dungeons are challenging is that the rain is not ordinary.

"In the Mezaja Great Forest, acidic rain falls, or rain that makes the body heavy just by touching it, or rain with sub-zero temperatures."

These are situations that defy human understanding.

Why would rain fall instead of hail at sub-zero temperatures?

However, these mysterious phenomena can be understood through the word 'mana.'

"Therefore, commanders need the knowledge to quickly respond to such sudden environmental changes."

At this point, a student raised their hand and asked.

"Then, wouldn't it be enough to have someone with extensive knowledge of such environments?"

"Good question. Humans can do many things, but not alone. However, a commander's judgment can turn the tide of battle in an instant. Therefore, we must be able to perceive, understand, and draw conclusions on the spot."

This is why a commander of explorers doesn't just give orders.

"Therefore, from now on, you will need a basic understanding of the mana and structure of dungeons."

Of course, most of the students here already have a certain level of understanding of mana.

If they didn't, they wouldn't be in this Command Studies department.

Zahad turned his gaze to a student quietly sitting in a corner.

"For example, in this exam, students like Austen and Shane, who have extensive knowledge of dungeons, can attract higher-level teammates and, most importantly, receive recruitment or collaboration offers from other adventuring parties."

As he said this, Zahad looked at Shane.

…After the class ended.

Professor Zahad, who teaches 'Reflections on Mana and Dungeons,' called Shane aside.

"Did you call for me, Professor?"

"Ah, Student Shane. Please come in. First, I must congratulate you."

"Congratulate me?"

"Yes. Please read this first."

Upon arriving at Zahad's private study, Shane read the document he handed over.

"Hmm."

It was something he had somewhat expected.

A collaboration offer.

As mentioned in class, occasionally, students who show exceptional talent at the academy receive collaboration offers from external parties.

Shane's recent short paper was about the rainy season in the Mezaja Great Forest, and it seems one of the adventuring parties had taken an interest in him.

"Faster than I thought."

"Seems the other party is quite eager. How about it, would you like to meet them?"

Shahad asked, and Shane nodded.

Mezaja Great Forest.

One of the five cradles, there was a reason Shane needed to go there soon.

O