[{"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-249":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},1027227,1339,"Chapter 249: Aestrea Against The World (XXVI)","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-249",249,"\u003Cp>Chapter 249: Aestrea Against The World (XXVI)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one light movement of her hand, Valieth sliced open a spatial ripple, inviting me in with a wide smile that almost looked… sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stepped through together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on the other side, I found myself standing in the middle of a dim, canyon-like space carved deep beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rocky ceiling was high above, cracked in places where faint purple mana leaked through like veins of eerie light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their “base.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly… it was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rough tents built from leather and bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooden tables stacked with scrolls and blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small fires lit the camp with a sickly yellow hue, casting shadows that danced like twitching fingers along the jagged walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What stood out most…Were the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe over a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark Elves stood scattered around the space, each of them radiating strong mana pressure. A few were A-rank… some were S-rank… even several S+ ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were warriors, clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no SS-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the army meant to challenge the Elven Empire?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let my eyes roam calmly, moving from figure to figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They watched me too, some with curiosity… others with veiled hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet… none approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not while I stood beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth suddenly raised her hand and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice rang out like a bell echoing through the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone—! Look who’s finally here!” she shouted with a bright expression, arms wide open\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>. “Our savior… the one we’ve been waiting for! Aestrea has arrived!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camp grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices buzzed in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some started clapping, others bowing respectfully. A few even knelt, pressing their fists to the ground in what seemed like a strange mix of reverence and… fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only stood there, calm as ever, my gaze sliding across them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mana was strong. But their intent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked at me like I was a weapon they could point at their enemies and forget about until the job was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, none of them realized…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already standing inside the barrel of a gun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand stayed relaxed by my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my fingers twitched slightly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…itching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head to the side as I spoke in a quiet voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This is your base?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth looked at me and smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mhm! Not what you expected, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No… not really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I expected worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that… was even more disappointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So,” I asked, still looking around, “where’s the one pulling the strings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth blinked, her expression still cheerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm~? You’ll meet him soon. He’s so excited to see you, Aestrea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t say anything, but my eyes narrowed just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could sense a very slight… ominous aura in the air, and I didn’t like it at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead the way,” I said softly, giving her a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mhm!” she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We passed tents where dark elves peeked through the folds, some smiling, some whispering to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None dared approach.Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My presence must’ve still been pressing into their bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, she led me toward the back of the cavern, where a deeper tunnel split off, natural rock smoothed unnaturally, like someone had carved it out with magic instead of tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We keep the council chamber down here,” she said lightly, tossing me a grin over her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only the highest-ranking members are allowed inside. So consider yourself… special~.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a slow blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She giggled nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mana trembled for just a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continued down the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper we walked, the colder it became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana crackled faintly along the wall with darkness and wind swirling together, like two lovers locked in a slow dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we reached the end, she stopped in front of a large obsidian door etched with ancient runes that pulsed softly with violet light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She placed a hand on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’ll just be a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeaaaak…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…The door opened inward with a heavy groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I saw inside was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a round chamber, not too big, with a glowing crystal in the center acting as a light source. Around it sat six cloaked figures on rough stone thrones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces were hidden, but I could already feel them analyzing me, measuring me like some animal brought in for slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth stepped forward with her chin high and her voice proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s here!” she announced, her eyes glittering. “The Vessel of the Moon! The one who will help us overthrow the Elven Emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excited murmurs broke out immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room wasn’t as quiet and ancient as I expected; no, this wasn’t some silent cult hidden in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Literal cheers erupted from all corners of the round chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others clapped their hands together, excited beyond belief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few dark elves even rushed forward instinctively before stopping themselves, remembering who I was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He really came!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Valieth wasn’t lying, he’s real!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Vessel… he’s younger than I imagined!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t matter! He’s here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the cloaked elders stirred from their rigid seats. One of them, voice hoarse but thrilled, leaned forward and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly, we are blessed… This is the beginning. The tides will finally turn. With your power, the throne will fall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman nearby wiped tears from her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Praise the Stars…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were looking at me with such raw hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like children seeing a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like I was some hero come to answer their prayers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was… pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward slowly, and then the heavy black door behind me slammed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The echo rolled across the room like a warning bell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, their excitement only grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth turned to me with a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, say something!” she laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve been waiting for this day forever!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked radiant, hopeful… even a little smug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting for me to play along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To raise a hand, smile softly, and whisper, “I’ll help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around slowly, meeting every pair of eyes with a calm, blank gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I said, voice low and even:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a switch had been flipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could hear breathing now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the heartbeat of the woman who had cried just moments before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?” she laughed weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-stop joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would I help you overthrow the Elven Emperor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We—because—!?” She flinched back a step. “You—You said you’d help the dark elves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Really?” I raised an eyebrow at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t recall that moment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spatial crack appeared next to me, and then, a familiar figure stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure… that made the Dark Elves fall in complete fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Elven Emperor stepped through the spatial tear, silence fell over the chamber like a suffocating blanket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light in the dark elves’ eyes dimmed instantly, and Valieth staggered back, her lips parting without sound as her mind struggled to register what she was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No…” she whispered, eyes trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-You brought him here?” one of the elder elves muttered, voice cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Aestrea didn’t even blink. He only stood there, calm and unbothered, while the Elven Emperor raised his hand, and the air twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 ✦ Divine Wood Series ✦: Thorn Forest Annihilation (✯ 9th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SHHHHKRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of thick, golden roots erupted from the stone floor beneath them, snaking up like living spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They tore through furniture, through bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark elf screamed as a root burst from the ground and pierced straight through his back, exploding out of his chest with a wet sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“AAARRGGHH—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A female caster tried to raise her staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shadow Net!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark strands of cursed energy coiled toward the Emperor, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden whip of bark lashed out, cutting her spell off mid-cast and wrapping tight around her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nggh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp pull, her body slammed against the wall with a sickening thud, bones cracking as she slid down, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valieth screamed, her voice sharp and loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Protect the Council!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two dark elves formed a barrier, swirling dark and wind mana between their palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Wind Series: Gale Fortress! (✯ 7th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Darkness Series: Shadow Dome! (✯ 7th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dome shimmered to life around them, but before it even stabilized…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 ✦ Divine Wood Series ✦: God Root’s Judgment! (✯ 9th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KRRRRRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single golden root, glowing with runes, smashed down from above and shattered the double-layered barrier like glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SHINGGG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghhk—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man was bisected instantly, clean through the waist. His upper body fell with a muffled thud, twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another elf tried to run, only to be skewered through the stomach by a jutting spike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed across the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some tried to escape through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One teleported, only to reappear directly in front of a waiting golden vine that twisted around his throat, crushing it with a snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others screamed and pushed against the doors, but the entire room was sealed by Aestrea’s earlier ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One last elf, a young girl no older than twenty, dropped to her knees, sobbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“P-Please—we didn’t—mean—! W-We just wanted… our place…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elven Emperor didn’t even glance at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vines curled up around her body like snakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sound of dripping blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door creaked open with a gentle touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elven Emperor stepped through it slowly, golden cloak brushing over the blood-streaked floor. His hands didn’t tremble, not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the council chamber, a group of sentries turned toward the noise, but their reactions were too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 ✦ Divine Wood Series ✦: Forest Sovereignty— Branch Execution! (✯ 8th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roots tore through the ceiling and slammed down like spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man let out a choking gurgle before being flattened beneath the weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another’s face twisted in terror as vines wrapped around his limbs and pulled him limb from limb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bones cracked, his body snapping apart like a broken puppet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screams echoed through the halls as more guards arrived, only to be butchered one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful mage stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Wind Series: Stormfall! (✯ 8th-Level Spell ✯) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted, sending a massive lightning bolt directly toward the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KRAKOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hit, and then disappeared into nothing, absorbed by the Emperor’s golden shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His roots moved again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, they didn’t pierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the grinding weight of living wood, his body was flattened like a sheet of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More dark elves were trying to flee through the canyon, throwing up every illusion, barrier, and trap they had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wall of wind, a spray of cursed daggers, clouds of toxic mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elven Emperor simply raised his hand, and from his hands, escaped a spell created by himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 ✦ Tree of Final Judgment ✦ 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single glowing tree grew from the center of the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bloomed once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KABOOOOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave wiped out the remaining survivors in an instant. Nothing was left but burning earth, severed limbs, and a sharp, bitter silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea stepped out slowly, his arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you satisfied now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elven Emperor asked, turning towards Aestrea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1908,"2026-06-03T09:18:17.304Z","2026-06-03T09:18:22.612Z",1,"novelbin.me","559248ed87d6d47c8000600c7f7bf8f1f8b71e2a98f5fd7e1956b71a071c0ca0","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-173","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-172",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-cover.jpg"]