"Hero Xia Lun was born in the year 1795 of the Chaos Era."
"His parents remain unknown to history—even Xia Lun himself never knew them, for he was an abandoned child."
"Left in the territory of the elves, Xia Lun was raised by a kind-hearted elven couple."
"Among his earliest companions was an elven archer, his childhood sweetheart..."
"Though as everyone knows, the one who ultimately became his life partner was the mage in his party. Truly, childhood friends are no match for fate's arrivals..."
Professor Enlaisi adjusted his glasses, watching the students burst into laughter below with a gentle smile. He adored such lively atmospheres.
Xia Lun sat in a corner at the back, Aina pressed close to his left while Liyana occupied his right.
Olifein Academy operated with strict efficiency—after passing the entrance test yesterday, they were assigned dormitories, settled in, and classes began today without delay.
Courses were entirely self-selected based on each student's aspirations. Whether one attended lectures or slept the day away in their dorm was of no concern.
Naturally, Xia Lun had no intention of sitting through basic magic theory, so Aina chose a history class for him.
"Hey, the professor mentioned me!" Liyana excitedly poked Xia Lun's arm. "All thanks to you."
Truthfully, Xia Lun hadn’t wanted to attend. Listening to someone recount his own life story was... an indescribable feeling. But Aina insisted—how else could he experience campus life?
At first, the old professor's lecture was fairly accurate, but as it progressed, Xia Lun sensed the narrative twisting.
Years of overseeing city constructions, organizing merchant caravans...
He was just an adventurer who occasionally crossed paths with mayors or guild leaders. Yet in Professor Enlaisi's words, it became "Hero Xia Lun's mere guidance propelled them to glory..."
"Hero Xia Lun was born with the Goddess's blessing, gifted with strength and talent far beyond ordinary men.
Yet despite this, he never neglected rigorous training.
It is said that at the first crow of the rooster each dawn, the Hero would rise to practice his sword..."
Liyana nodded.
No "it is said" about it—this was fact.
She’d even told Xia Lun to train farther away; the whooshing of his sword disturbed her sleep.
On the podium, the professor gestured animatedly, as if he’d personally witnessed every feat.
"Hero Xia Lun once dueled a dragon to pluck a Dragonblood Bloom. Does anyone know why?"
Enlaisi scanned the class roster for interaction.
"Hmm... Xia Lun, since you share the Hero's name, why don’t you answer?"
Xia Lun sighed and stood.
That incident had indeed happened.
What puzzled him was how so many details of his life had survived a millennium—some he barely recalled himself.
Had someone been spying on him back then?
"Dragonblood Blooms symbolize unwavering devotion... I—ahem—believe the Hero sought one to pledge his love," Xia Lun replied.
He remembered clearly: it was the day after Aina became his partner.
Overwhelmed by emotion, he’d recklessly challenged a dragon... Looking back, it was embarrassingly romantic.
Beside him, Aina covered her mouth, smiling softly as if reliving the memory.
"Xia Lun."
"Yes, Professor Enlaisi."
"Take your seat. And I suggest you avoid unreliable folktales." Enlaisi waved dismissively. "The Hero was no such shallow man."
The class erupted in laughter, Liyana loudest of all.
A front-row student even turned to tease, "Mate, did you just make that up on the spot?"
Xia Lun: "..."
Enlaisi continued, "At the time, Olie City suffered a devastating plague. Though toxic, properly diluted Dragonblood Blooms could counteract it. The Hero harvested them to save the city. Olie’s mayor’s daughter, Ankula, fell for him afterward, though he declined her affections."
Xia Lun frowned.
Olie City? Had such a place existed?
Who was Ankula?
"Still, among adventurers then, gifting Dragonblood Blooms was indeed a courtship custom. Your theory isn’t baseless, Xia Lun," Enlaisi conceded. "Your historical knowledge is commendable."
Liyana elbowed him, barely suppressing giggles. "'Commendable historical knowledge,' eh?"
"Any further questions?" Enlaisi gathered his books—titles like The Hero’s Chronicles, Analyzing Xia Lun’s Exploits, and A Study of His Power gleamed briefly.
Xia Lun marveled at his own legend.
Yet it all felt surreal—these events were a thousand years past.
Aina’s hand slipped into his, fingers playfully tracing his palm, anchoring him to the present.
The Q&A continued.
"Professor, why wasn’t the Hero’s surname recorded?"
Enlaisi answered calmly, "As a foundling, he had no family name. To protect his elven foster parents, he never revealed theirs. His given name alone became legend."
Ahem. Aina coughed pointedly, visibly smug.
Xia Lun ruffled her hair.
He did have a surname—Xia Lun Morian.
Aina had bestowed it.
Morian was a vampiric name, traditionally reserved for the highest bloodline males (females took "Kislilian"). Though Xia Lun couldn’t become her thrall, Aina—now surpassing the Progenitor—had rewritten the rules.
Does this count as marrying into her family? Xia Lun mused.
Between resurrection and now, Aina had provided everything—he hadn’t earned a single copper.
Wryly, he smiled. Surely no man had ever been this thorough a freeloader.