[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy":3,"chapter-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-171":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1027224,1339,"Chapter 171: Silverleaf Academy (XIX)","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>The sunlight spilled like molten gold through the vast arched windows of the Imperial Palace, painting the white marble floors with soft fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crystal chandeliers swayed gently above, their chains silent despite the distant tremors in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast hall, cold and majestic, stood still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the far end, seated on a black-and-gold throne, was Emperor Francis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood now, tall and still, one gloved hand resting lightly on the hilt of a greatsword sheathed at his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was pale—paler than usual, and beneath his striking blond hair, a thin scar cut across his temple, just above the eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scar that hadn't been there a week ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also, a remnant from his fight against the unknown attacker who had promised to come and take his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared into the empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That boy's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll find you... fucker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His whisper evaporated into the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack—Clack—Clack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soldier in polished armor rushed down the crimson carpet, dropping to one knee the moment he reached the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes barely flicked toward the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier lowered his head even further, voice tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Holy Father has arrived. He is… awaiting your presence in the Divine Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tense and heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's eyes flickered once—just once, and then slowly, he turned his gaze toward the west-facing stained glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window showed an ancient tale—the Divine Hero, piercing a dragon with a spear of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Tsh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped the hilt of his greatsword. After Aestrea dealt a great amount of damage to him, Francis started hanging around with a greatsword for protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…He has finally arrived,\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped down from the throne platform. The soldier instinctively flinched at his presence, not out of fear, but reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor's voice rang calm and cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare the Divine Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And summon the Inquisitors. All of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier's eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Even the Red Fang…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a cruel smile tugged at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall trembled as the emperor walked past, heading towards the so-called Divine Hall. A part of the imperial palace which... wasn't exactly his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was built in reverence to the Celestials, its walls were carved entirely of moonstone, etched with sacred prayers in an ancient language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceilings were impossibly high, lost in clouds of incense smoke. And at the end of the aisle… was a throne of white ivory and gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not the Emperor's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It belonged to the Pope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And today, it was filled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step... step...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy footsteps echoed as Emperor Francis entered. His imperial cloak, black and deep crimson, trailed behind him like a war banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he stopped exactly seven steps from the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man seated on the throne wore simple white robes with no excessive ornaments—only a single golden key around his neck, resting over his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was veiled in silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet... his presence was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope of the Holy Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pontifex Regulus IX.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one whispered to be the closest man to the Celestials. The one who blessed heroes and burned heretics without an ounce of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also the one who could be considered equal to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope raised a hand, lazily, as if brushing away dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look pale, Your Majesty,\" he spoke, voice neither young nor old. \"Are the nights in the palace growing colder?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's lip twitched faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn't come all this way to speak about the weather, did you, Your Holiness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Emperor's words, the Pope slowly stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even though his body looked frail beneath the robes, the room tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly turned, facing the massive stained-glass mural depicting the Celestial War—the fall of demons, and the rise of kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The stars have spoken,\" Regulus whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the Pope continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the twilight of the Third Age, when the moon bleeds and the sun weeps, a child of the cursed line shall awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither beast nor man, neither saint nor demon. With blood not written in fate, and a heart devoured by two hungers: Power, and Freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shall walk where the divine may not tread. Break where no blade should cut. Live where no soul may remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left eye shall see beyond death. His right shall weep with ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in his hands…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword stolen from the stars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus slowly looked toward Francis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He will not kneel. Not to you. Not to me. Not to heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…and what name does this heretic bear?\" he asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope's voice dropped to a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Luntheris.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name seemed to ripple through the room like an invisible quake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That name does not exist in any of the nation's archives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus chuckled beneath the veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because it is not a name. It is a title. Given to the one who should never have been born.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand lifted slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time… Francis felt cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from something older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if some eye in the sky had turned, watching this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He bears many masks,\" Regulus said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But beneath all of them, one truth remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will end the era of the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will erase kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will break the world to build a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…And in that new world, there will be no Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No Pope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the winter's ice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's hand moved to the hilt of his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But didn't draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And if this 'Luntheris' stands in our way?\" he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled like a wolf seeing a broken lamb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I shall anoint the flames myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor remained still upon hearing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hand on the hilt of his greatsword, the other clenched behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus raised his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The prophecy of Luntheris is not mere scripture, you can't take it lightly.\" The Pope advised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis took a slow step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what would the Holy Church have me do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope turned his head slowly, that golden key around his neck pulsing faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You misunderstand, Your Majesty,\" he said, almost gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We do not ask for your permission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he raised his hand again, and the golden key floated upward, shining like a second sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, dozens of black-robed clerics stepped out from the pillars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Masked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one radiated power that twisted the air around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cardinals of the Inquisition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agents of the High Synod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Executors of Divine Correction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, they knelt behind the Pope, their heads bowed in solemn reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Luntheris must be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the month bleeds dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he masters the blade that kills gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the final seal cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he cannot be saved—He must be broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His soul must be shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name is stricken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his body offered as a sacrifice to the Pyrelight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You're declaring a Holy Hunt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air answered for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACKLE!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning cracked across the windows, though no storm stirred outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Palace seemed to groan under the weight of prophecy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis finally turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the boy truly bears the Luntheris name…\" he muttered, \"then your Inquisition may not be enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope's veil fluttered for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—softly, like rain tapping on glass—he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is why we are sending someone else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis looked back, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus lowered his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are sending the Saint of Ashes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames in the sconces suddenly flickered as soon as the Pope uttered those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence deeper than death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Emperor, an iron-hearted sovereign, paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You would wake her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regulus's voice turned colder, a cruel smile settled on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was never asleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's eyes darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not speak for a few moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before he could actually do so, the Pope intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also received another prophecy... related to the Demon Kingdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francis's eyes narrowed as he looked at Regulus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They, who wait in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They, who whisper in dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their Lord shall be reborn in a sea of flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child they cast away shall return with a blade that remembers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to end them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For demons cannot survive in a world without hate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…And she shall take it all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The candles flickered, though no wind stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pope finally lowered his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We need to find her,\" Francis muttered, but unfortunately, the Pope didn't seem to agree with his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hood shifted slightly as a colder voice came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A sacrifice is needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor immediately understood his words, and then frowned slightly, thinking about what could be given as a sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, he smiled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The weakest academy… the Silverleaf Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile couldn't help but grow deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, ugly thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Destroy it to pieces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Emperor's words, the Pope matched his smile, grinning widely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let it be done. Silverleaf Academy will be offered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said it together, like priests at a funeral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the greater good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1559,"2026-06-03T09:18:17.304Z","2026-06-03T09:18:22.612Z",1,"novelbin.me","e6f516981c7440e167cfc90dfb0f69bad7f9668a2bbec1b5e216dc11cfe7f383","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-248","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-170",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-cover.jpg"]