The Shocking Volland

"Oh? Is that so?" A dangerous glint flashed in Aina's eyes.

Xia Lun was slightly taken aback.

The evil god Wolund mentioned couldn’t possibly be him… He had only been resurrected a few days ago and hadn’t even left the wooden cabin yet. Besides, Xia Lun hadn’t felt any summons either.

After a moment of contemplation, Xia Lun asked, "Could it be another Champion? After all, I’m not the only one blessed by the goddess."

In this world, a very small fraction of people received the goddess’s blessing, granting them extraordinary power.

But not all who gained such power could be called Champions. Only those with upright character, formidable strength, beloved by the people, and who had accomplished great deeds for the Human Race were bestowed the title of Champion.

There were those who proclaimed themselves Champions, but without public recognition or praiseworthy achievements, they were quickly forgotten in the river of history.

"You’re underestimating your influence, Xia Lun," Aina chuckled lightly. "You’re universally acknowledged as the strongest Champion in the history of the Human Race. If anyone mentions a Champion… the first person everyone thinks of would undoubtedly be you."

"R-really?"

Hearing that he had earned such high praise, Xia Lun couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

"Of course… After all, I was the one who ended the Chaos Era and unified the Human and Demon Races as the strongest Demon King, and you were the only one who could stand against me," Aina said with a hint of pride. "Afterward, it became widely believed among the Human Race that it was your strength that earned my respect, which is why I didn’t wipe them out completely."

So that’s how it was… So he had actually basked in Aina’s glory.

"However, after the Chaos Era, the title of Champion disappeared, while the title of Demon King remained," Wolund began explaining the current state of affairs. "Now, the term ‘Demon King’ generally refers to powerful rulers outside the Human Race. Currently, there are five beings who bear the name of Demon King.

The Sky Sovereign, the Azure Demon King, Olides, who commands the Winged Race and rules over the floating sky islands.

The Wild Sovereign, the Berserk Demon King, Helug, who protects the Beastkin Race and resides in the untamed wilderness.

The Nether Sovereign, the Undying Demon King, Hardwick, who governs the undead and is rooted in the Yellow Spring Hell.

The Ocean Sovereign, the Abyssal Demon King, Nakaen, who rules the Sea Race and dwells in the endless depths.

And lastly… the Frost Sovereign, the Frozen Demon King, Mida, who awakened the Snow Spirits and reigns over the frigid snowfields."

Wolund glanced at Mida, who was curled up on the carpet. The latter lazily yawned after her meal.

"Though Mida doesn’t like being called a Demon King. In the snowfields, everyone reveres her as the Snow Goddess," Aina said, beckoning to Mida, who obediently lifted her chin, letting Aina scratch it.

Xia Lun found it hard to imagine that this adorable girl, who acted like a kitten, could be a Demon King who struck fear into people’s hearts.

Still, the aura she exuded was undeniably powerful. Xia Lun, still unfamiliar with his resurrected body, wasn’t entirely confident he could defeat her.

"Anyway… if those cultists are now daring to refer to their evil god as a ‘Champion,’ they’re most likely targeting you," Aina said, wrapping her arm around Xia Lun’s. She hadn’t let go of him since they reunited, as if something terrible would happen if they lost physical contact. "Or… they’re just a bunch of sewer rats trying to use your name for their own nefarious schemes."

"Then I can’t just sit back and do nothing," Xia Lun said, slowly standing up. "Aina, come with me. Let’s go out for a while."

"Anything you say," Aina replied softly. "A thousand years have passed, and the outside world has changed drastically… Though, it might not be convenient to go out like this. You can’t just announce that you’re the legendary Champion—it’d cause quite a stir."

"So… do I need to change my name?" Xia Lun looked somewhat troubled.

"No need. There are plenty of parents who named their children ‘Xia Lun’ out of admiration for you," Aina said, waving her hand dismissively. "We just need to prepare a new identity for you."

Aina then turned to Wolund. "Make the arrangements. We’ll be enrolling in the Olifandor Magic Academy."

Wolund’s facial expression management failed once again, and he hastily bowed. "Yes, Aina. From this moment onward, the two of you shall be students of Olifandor."

"Olifandor?" Xia Lun repeated the unfamiliar name.

"Olifandor is currently the most prestigious magic academy in the Human Race, located in the Yalan Empire," Aina explained to Xia Lun. "Wolund… is the headmaster of Olifandor."

"Is that so? That’s quite an impressive achievement," Xia Lun praised without hesitation.

Praise from the ancestor himself.

A faint sense of pride welled up in Wolund’s heart—something he had never felt in Aina’s presence before.

A silver light flickered in Wolund’s hand as he retrieved two exquisite pieces of parchment from his spatial ring. The parchment unfurled in midair, as if placed on an invisible desk.

Wolund took out a pen and swiftly wrote on them before signing his name.

"Here are your admission letters. My apologies, but we still have to follow the proper procedures… Ah, I’ll have a manor cleared out immediately upon my return to serve as your dormitory."

Xia Lun took the parchment, looking visibly excited.

"I remember, Xia Lun, your dream back then was to enroll in a magic academy," Aina said, covering her mouth as she giggled. "Such a simple wish… You should’ve been greedier, Champion."

"My family couldn’t afford the tuition fees of a magic academy," Xia Lun shook his head lightly. "Besides, there weren’t many peaceful days back then…"

"Things are different now. Even commoners can attend magic academies if their children show potential. And if they excel, they can even receive substantial subsidies," Wolund explained. "Will the two of you be heading to Olifandor now?"

"Not yet, Wolund. You go ahead. Xia Lun and I will take our time getting there," Aina said, shaking her head gently. "I want to show him what the land he fought so hard to protect looks like now."

Wolund bowed slightly once more before leaving the cabin.

After flying nearly a thousand kilometers, well beyond the borders of the snowfields, Wolund’s figure suddenly wavered midair, nearly causing him to plummet.

His expression turned incredulous.

Aina… had actually smiled?

It was the first time he had ever seen any expression other than cold indifference on her face. He had even wondered if she had cast some kind of muscle-freezing spell on herself.

And today, her tone had been so unnaturally gentle.

Normally, she would respond to his questions with curt phrases or monosyllables, as if she couldn’t be bothered to converse with him.

Wolund muttered to himself, "I suppose… this is the power of the Champion."