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Gilbert went to see the history professor, a special figure even among the famous gathered at the Demia Empire Academy, renowned across the continent.

If Lucas, the Academy Head, and Professor Alexander were the pillars responsible for the previous generation, the history professor was a figure from an even older generation, known as the living history of the continent.

His name was unknown, his origins a mystery, and no one could even guess how many years he had lived—a person of unknown identity.

It was only known that he had lived for a long time and that the scope of his knowledge surpassed human limits.

A seeker of truth beyond the horizon of knowledge.

The Great Sage living in this era.

People called him Horizon.

The author of the biography of the Lion King that Gilbert borrowed from the library was none other than Professor Horizon. Since Terodamas, the Lion King, was a figure from so long ago, not much material remained about him. Being the last king of a fallen kingdom, his story had been erased from history, passed down only by word of mouth.

The only person who could compile all these stories and materials into a biography of the Lion King was Professor Horizon, who had lived for so long. The clues to the Lion King’s Mana Meditation Technique could only be obtained from him, and the first trigger needed for this was the book “Chronicles of the Lion King.”

Gilbert steadied his heart in front of Professor Horizon’s research lab, where he had visited countless times in the game. In the game, selecting specific items and text would unlock a sub-quest, but now that it was reality, he wasn’t sure what would happen. Determined to obtain the Lion Heart, Gilbert knocked on the lab door, slightly nervous.

*Knock knock!*

“Come in.”

The voice was clear and strong, belying the professor’s indeterminate age. It had a dignified tone, as if belonging to someone who had just entered middle age.

Carefully opening the door and entering, Gilbert saw countless ancient books stacked on shelves. The smell of old parchment filled the air, and it felt like he was stepping back through time.

Spotting Professor Horizon sitting at his desk, Gilbert bowed his head respectfully. Even the troublemaker Gilbert within him didn’t dare act up in front of the sage, famous across the continent.

Horizon, with his long, white hair flowing freely, greeted Gilbert with a face full of the marks of time. His eyes, however, sparkled with the vigor of youth, showing interest as he hadn’t expected a cadet to visit.

“Hoho. I didn’t expect a cadet to come visit this old professor. So, what brings you here, young one?”

“I am Gilbert Lion Heart, Professor.”

Bowing again as he introduced himself, Gilbert noticed a glint of recognition in Horizon’s eyes.

Gilbert was sure now. This man knew who he was.

“So, it’s you. William’s child. That stiff man married and had a grown son. The world is truly interesting. Hohoho.”

“You know my father?”

“Of course. William left a deep impression during his long tenure as an academy professor.”

Horizon’s eyes, like his hair, turned white as he stroked his long beard, lost in memories. They say youth looks to the future, while the elderly look to the past.

Gilbert, seeing the conversation had started, steered it back on track. He hadn’t come here to hear about the Count of Lithuania’s past. The achievements of his father were enough to know what kind of man he was.

He wasn’t interested in dusty old academy stories.

“Professor.”

“Ah, my apologies. As one gets older, reminiscing about the past becomes a small pleasure. So, Gilbert, what brings you to this old man?”

“While reading this book you wrote, some questions arose.”

Professor Horizon cast an interested glance at the book in Gilbert’s hand, “Chronicles of the Lion King.” He had compiled many books, but it was rare for an academy student to seek him out directly.

“Ah, yes. The Chronicles of the Lion King. So, what questions do you have, Gilbert?”

This was the beginning. The start of the choices to accept the sub-quest.

Gilbert took a deep breath before speaking.

“Your account of the Lion King’s chronicles was fascinating. It felt like seeing the life of a conqueror who struck the continent with a single sword at a glance.”

“Such praise is too much for an old man who has already accepted his death. I’m delighted as the author that you found it interesting.”

“That’s good to hear. It made me curious about the Lion King. It’s written that his end came due to betrayal by trusted officials, but the reason isn’t explained.”

“Are you asking from a historical perspective or about the unofficial history?”

“Both, if possible.”

“You’re quite an eager student.”

Horizon smiled pleasantly and delved into his memories. Compiling the Lion King’s life had been a whim. It would have been better to leave it alone, but he couldn’t resist. Few sought to know about the king of a fallen kingdom, and many thought his tales too fantastical.

“From a historical perspective, it was due to his actions. King Terodamas had a cousin, and that cousin was power-hungry. But with Terodamas as the rightful heir, there was no way for him to ascend the throne. Terodamas was praised by the people as a great ruler, a conqueror who had personally claimed many territories. His officials held him in high regard. However, it was known that he had no heir. So, what could his cousin do?”

A king without an heir.

A kingdom on the brink of unifying the continent.

Terodamas’s cousin must have been impatient. There was no way to push aside a king who had achieved continental unification. Even without an heir, achieving the kingdom’s long-cherished goal of unification would have been enough.

Thus, Terodamas’s cousin plotted a rebellion, and his skill in persuasion led to the success of the conspiracy.

This was the official account of the Lion King’s records.

“So, it was due to the rebellion of a power-hungry cousin?”

“Yes, that’s it. Now that we’ve covered the official history, let’s talk about the hidden tales. The overall story is the same. King Terodamas was an outstanding ruler, on the verge of the great achievement of unifying the continent. As in the official history, he was highly regarded by the people and his officials. But that was the problem.”

“Being too outstanding was the problem?”

“You’re quite perceptive. Just like William. Yes, as you said, Terodamas was too outstanding. Think about it—a man who could split the earth and rivers with a single sword was king. Moreover, he had the character to match. Wouldn’t that make people fear him? They didn’t see him as human.”

A king nearly perfect, without flaws.

Politically or militarily, he was evaluated as beyond human.

People fear and avoid the unknown.

At that time, Terodamas was such a figure to his officials, and their fear led them to betray him, according to the unofficial history.

Gilbert was inwardly pleased as familiar content flowed out, waiting for Professor Horizon to finish. The professor mixed various opinions into the unofficial history, and Gilbert nodded along, waiting for the story to end.

“Human ambition is fascinating, isn’t it? Hoho.”

“It certainly is an interesting story. It makes me think that unofficial histories use stimulating material.”

“Calling it stimulating material… It seems you don’t acknowledge unofficial histories, Gilbert.”

Gilbert immediately recognized this as a branching point.

“There are a few reasons.”

“Reasons, you say? What are they?”

“The first reason is the Lion King’s abilities.”

“Abilities?”

“Yes. Whether in official or unofficial history, the Lion King stands as an ideal human. Martial prowess, political skill, character—he had all three, making him nearly perfect. It’s hard to believe such a person wouldn’t notice signs of rebellion. That leaves two possibilities: he knew but was arrogant enough to let it happen, or he was too dull to notice.”

As Gilbert poured out his prepared words and ended with a slight smirk, Professor Horizon’s gaze changed. Just a hint of the troublemaker Gilbert’s personality had a good effect.

Confident that the conversation had hit the right notes, Gilbert continued without giving Horizon a chance to interrupt.

“Additionally, I personally think the account of the Lion King’s end doesn’t add up.”

“Why is that?”

“Terodamas spent his life on the battlefield. That’s why people called him the Lion King. Yet, it’s written that he selflessly gave his life for a general who took an arrow for him. Combining this with the two reasons I mentioned earlier, he wouldn’t be the Lion King. Maybe the Foolish King, but not the Lion King.”

Gilbert spoke calmly and watched Horizon’s reaction.

Sub-quests like this were only available when choosing such contentious options. The funny thing was, this dialogue was a one-time opportunity. If you didn’t accept the quest here, you could never get it again.

As Gilbert anxiously watched Horizon, who was silently observing him, the professor suddenly burst into laughter.

Gilbert inwardly cheered but maintained a calm facade.

“So, Gilbert, are you saying this old professor’s ‘Chronicles of the Lion King’ is nonsense?”

“That’s not what I meant. I just think that the Lion King, having spent half his life on the battlefield, wouldn’t react so mildly.”

“That’s what you’re saying! Hoho. I never thought someone would challenge my academic perspective head-on. Even the continent’s top scholars accept the official history.”

Horizon’s eyes, filled with anger, bore into Gilbert. There was also a hint of curiosity about this bold academy cadet.

“Fine, Gilbert. If you think that way, convince me. If you do, I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Is that necessary? I have academy duties to attend to. I don’t need to prove anything to you, Professor Horizon. I just shared my subjective perspective.”

By this point, the quest was as good as accepted, but Gilbert didn’t rush to take it. In the game, you’d immediately leave the academy to complete the sub-quest, but now, that wasn’t possible.

Completing the quest would take days, and leaving the academy without permission would lead to obvious problems.

“That’s true. Fine, I’ll handle that. But we should set a deadline.”

“I didn’t say I’d do it.”

“Cheeky brat. Do you still think this old man is joking? You’ve just thrown down a challenge to me!”

An invisible aura began to press down on Gilbert. Though he was startled by something he hadn’t experienced in the game, he tried not to show it.

Horizon was called the Great Sage not just for his knowledge and long life, but also for his formidable martial prowess. Though age had diminished his skills, his mana control was still formidable, weighing heavily on Gilbert.

An ordinary academy cadet would have knelt immediately. Even a protagonist character with lower mana stats would have been forced down.

But Gilbert barely managed to stay standing. His meager mana stats and his physical stats, which had begun to surpass human limits at 90, barely balanced the scales.

Biting his lip hard enough to draw blood, Gilbert endured Horizon’s gaze. Seeing Gilbert unyielding, Horizon quietly withdrew his mana.

“Hoh. You’re just like William. A life fit for a tragic end.”

“That’s none of your concern, Professor.”

“Your mouth is as sharp as ever. Fine, Gilbert, so you won’t accept my proposal?”

“It’s not worth the effort, so I must refuse.”

“Can’t stand losing, huh? No matter. I’ll inform Lucas in advance. Bring me evidence to convince me within a week. If you do, I’ll grant whatever you desire within my power. But if you fail…”

Gilbert wiped the blood from his mouth. Though he felt like he was dying inside, he had to accept the quest.

“I’ll expel you from the Demia Academy. There are plenty of reasons. You’ve challenged me head-on with your meager knowledge, so you must pay the corresponding price. You know well how nobles who fail to prove their blue blood are treated, so I won’t say more. Now, go ahead and show me what you’ve got.”

[Sub-Quest – The Lion King’s Mana Meditation Technique has been forcibly accepted.]

[Linked Quest information has been updated.]

With Professor Horizon’s dismissal, a translucent notification window appeared before Gilbert’s eyes. He had accepted the sub-quest as planned, but things had taken an unexpected turn.

 

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