The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1253

Mit Chyde, who had been staring blankly at the sky, gave a dazed expression. “This place is called Misty Lake after the fog that never disappears. But now, it's all gone.”

Josiah, who came up behind him, dusted the dirt off her clothes.

“You handled everything?” he asked.

“Yeah. I burned it all down without leaving any traces. They won’t be able to pick back up from where they left off, even if they want to.”

Most of the research data had been stored there. Losing the materials kept at the location meant that even if the Bosta Kingdom changed its mind, it’d be nearly impossible to restart the research.

“Honestly, even if the research data survived, it’d still be hard for the Bosta royal family to restart anything.”

Josiah wasn't sure what he meant. “Why?”

“Once the International Federation and the Holy Empire catch on, they’ll dedicate themselves entirely to tearing it all down with everything they’ve got. What could the Bosta Kingdom possibly manage to do after that?”

The Bosta royal family would likely deny everything, but their past actions and experiences would make them tread carefully regardless.

“Go back,” she suggested to Mit.

“Me? I already left House Chyde, you know.”

Josiah frowned. “Your father faced Teacher himself in order to save you and your sister. So go back, get on your knees, and beg.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m going to find my own path now.”

His tone made it clear that he was firm in his decision.

“Enough with the nonsense! If you do just leave like this, what are you going to do with that girl on your back?”

After she brought it up, he turned to Isera, who was slung across his back. Having lost all her siblings, all alone, she had nowhere left to go. She might manage to survive if she went back to the slums, but he couldn’t let her do that.

“If she’s left alone, she’ll take her own life before long,” a voice spoke from behind him.

His eyes widened as Davey and Rinne approached from the rear.

“What do you mean?”

“Her memories are a mess, and she’s got deep trauma. She’ll need someone to stay by her side and help her condition stabilize for a while.”

Mit didn't have a response.

“Since you started this, then you should be the one to finish it.”

Mit hesitated. “She might be afraid of me.”

“There's no way to know that.”

Josiah turned to Davey and asked, “Teacher, are you not going to go after the Bosta Kingdom's royal family? I thought you’d tear them apart right away, considering they were trying to use vampire research.”

“Let’s just leave them,” he nonchalantly responded.

“What?” She blinked in surprise at the unexpected answer. “Are you really my same teacher? The psychopath I know would’ve taken this chance to finish them off completely.”

“Anything unrelated to vampire research is for the International Federation to handle.”

“But this is about vampires.”

In response to her question, Davey slowly reached out and gave her a noogie.

“What are you doing?!”

“If we go that far, things will get harder for you later on.” With just that one line, Davey tore open space. “The deal’s done, and the Chyde family now has a reason to cut all ties with Prince Vasilion. My part here is over. Once things have finally settled, go back and get your reward from Count Chyde.”

He gently pushed Rinne’s back forward and disappeared into the void following behind her.

Josiah stared at the space where Davey had stood, visibly flustered.

Mit Chyde, startled by her dazed expression as she stared after Davey, called out to her, “Teacher?”

Her eyes were wide with surprise, clearly lost in thought, and her cheeks had turned a faint red. “Haaah. Seriously, he catches me off guard sometimes.”

When she broke into a soft smile, clearly pleased about something, Mit fell silent for a long time.

* * *

Upon returning to House Chyde, Mit stared blankly as his sister ran up and threw herself into his arms the moment she saw him.

“You idiot! What were you thinking, going to such a dangerous place?!”

He watched his sister cry her heart out, his expression then turning sour when Josiah took the unconscious Isera from him.

“What are you doing? Are you really going to ignore your sister who’s been worried sick?”

He fumbled awkwardly, not knowing where to place his hands, then carefully patted his sister on the back. “There, there... It’s okay now.”

Watching Berah Chyde sob uncontrollably, Mit gave a bitter smile.

Not long after, a man slowly walked up to him.

“Father...”

“You’ve returned.”

Chyde didn't have anything to say to him. When he remained silent, Count Chyde gave him a cold look, then quietly turned away. “I’ve told the maids to prepare a bath and a meal. You must be hungry. Eat and get some rest.”

“Father,” Mit began.

Just as his father turned to leave, the man paused for a moment to hear what he had to say.

Mit continued, “I heard you went to see Prince Davey... for Berah.”

Count Chyde let out a short sigh. After a moment of hesitation, he finally opened his mouth to say, “It wasn’t just for Berah. Judging by the fact that you came back unharmed, it seems I didn't make the wrong choice.”

No one had expected him to say such a thing.

Berah Chyde, who had been crying loudly, and Taph Chyde, the eldest son who had been silently watching from afar, both looked at Count Chyde in shock. Mit, the one he was speaking to, stared at his father with wide eyes, stunned.

* * *

Mit had already heard that Isera’s PTSD would be severe.

Despite Davey’s harsh words, Isera, now recovering at the estate, woke up the next day as if nothing had happened.

However, she had a significant gap in her memory. She’d lost not only the events at Misty Lake, but also a large portion of her memories from before then.

However, she didn’t forget Mit Chyde.

When he saw her scream, cry, and recoil in fear the moment she saw him, he realized just how deeply he had broken her in the past. There was nothing he could do for her, only wait until her memories came back fully.

However, he saw it as a chance. It was a chance to atone, not to the Isera who had already been ruined and scarred over, but to the one who was still wounded and hurting.

When he slowly approached and pulled her into his arms, Isera screamed, scratched, and bit him in a frenzy to get away. Despite her attacks leaving cuts and bruises on him, Mit held on, refusing to let go until she had exhausted herself and calmed down.

Staring blankly out over the estate garden with the unconscious Isera in his arms, Mit finally spoke up. “Teacher. Once Isera is stable, I’ll come see you right away.”

“Are you planning to come to Heins Academy?” Josiah asked.

“You’ve got your teaching certification exam soon, right? Once it’s official, I’m going to become your student.”

“That won’t work. However... there’s an open spot for becoming a grad student.”

“Grad student? What’s that?”

“It’s a good thing. Basically like a personal apprentice, so don’t worry.”

Though he saw Josiah grin in a strangely sly way, he simply nodded.

Josiah spoke again, “Ah, Teacher told me something else too. He said it'll take at least five years for Isera to fully recover. So, you better not waste time moping around. Train properly.”

“Yes, understood.” Mid lowered his head in a respectful bow.

After that, Josiah went to see Count Chyde. “Count.”

He spoke calmly as he pulled out a box he had prepared and handed it to her, “I’ve been expecting you.”

She asked, “You won’t regret this?”

“I might, someday. But certainly not today.” With those words, he opened the box to show her the contents. “Here’s the Sacred Grass, specially preserved with care. I added a bit more than the amount Prince Davey requested, as well.”

“It’s more than enough,” Josiah responded.

“I won’t ask where this will be used.”

“Don’t worry. Davey has no reason or intention to use it for anything bad.” 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

If he had been planning something shady, there would’ve been no need to go to the trouble of getting Sacred Grass. That was the kind of force Davey O’Rowane represented.

He handed the box to Josiah.

She remembered and questioned, “Oh, and Mit seems to have developed a bit of a special attachment to that maid, Isera. Will you allow it?”

“There’s no reason to oppose it,” he responded.

She couldn’t help but think that he was still a noble, yet Josiah asked no further. There was no reason to interfere with another family’s affairs.

“Well then, until next time.”

“Take care.”

Returning to Mit Chyde’s room, she handed him a simple assignment and began the reverse summoning ritual.

Within an instant, she was back in Heins Territory. As soon as she entered her empty room, she pressed both hands to her face. She let out a soft moan as she muttered to herself, “He really knows how to mess with people.”

Once someone like that got into her head, it wouldn’t be easy to shake him off. It was a strange feeling.

“Forget it. The business with the Bosta Kingdom isn’t over yet, anyways.”

Whummm!! Whummm!

At that moment, her personal communication crystal rang out with urgency.

“Professor Alice?”

- Josiah! You’re back, right?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

- In the next class, we’re going to cover how to treat a mana-contaminated elephant.[1]

She wondered why the professor would even need that for a holy power class. “Yes. But... okay?”

Archbishop Alice’s voice then came through with a hint of laughter.

- Good. Go get one before the next class, then. A diseased elephant, specifically.

Josiah clenched her fist. She was absolutely going to make Mit Chyde her graduate student.

* * *

Super Ribbon was in an especially great mood.

She glanced down at her neatly tailored two-piece outfit, then looked over at Evangeline. The girl was lounging on the couch wearing nothing but dolphin shorts and a thin hoodie that draped all the way down to her thighs.

No matter how much she changed her hair color or anything else, she knew the truth would come out eventually. As such, she never really tried to hide her identity.

However, even putting that aside, Super Ribbon was feeling especially great today.

While it was a bit of a shame to quit her part-time job, enrolling in college and learning about Earth's culture had always been one of her life goals.

Unlike Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon, who were innocent and unaware of the world, her will had a well-developed sense of self and agency. Naturally, her curiosity thus took a different direction from theirs.

She’d been waiting to finally attend college orientation for so long. It was a special event known simply as OT in Korea, presenting the opportunity to meet fellow students from her department and even some of her upperclassmen.

“But Dad said you absolutely shouldn’t drink,” Evangeline said as she glanced over.

He had been worried she might cause trouble at a drinking party. That may have been his warning, yet this time, Super Ribbon had no intention of listening to Davey.

“If not now, when else will I get to experience something like this?” she said.

“What if something goes wrong?”

“Hmm. I’ll be fine. I can control myself.” After tidying up her hair, a pretty blend of blue and red, she twirled around a bit in front of the mirror, checking her outfit. “Eva, how do I look?”

“Pretty.”

“Thanks.”

Super Ribbon beamed as she walked out of the room, and Evangeline slowly opened her drowsy eyes to watch her go. “She’s staying at that dorm for three days, eh? I wonder if she’ll be alright.”

She didn’t think Super Ribbon would cause any real trouble, though if she suddenly split into Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon midway through, she knew it could get messy fast.

* * *

Due to her stunning looks, Super Ribbon naturally drew attention wherever she went.

She had originally planned to commute like everyone else, taking the subway or bus. Of course, those around her wouldn’t hear of it.

“Isn’t this even more attention-grabbing?”

One of Hyun-Ah's secretaries from the Scared Group smiled and called out to Super Ribbon, who was seated in the back seat, “Young lady, we’ve arrived.”

“Ah, thank you, Mr. Kang.”

“No problem, I’m just glad I could be of assistance. When should I come to pick you up?”

“Hmm. The orientation ends in three days, so please come back then. Honestly, though, I would prefer to just take the bus back.”

“There’s too much risk of causing a scene.”

He wasn’t wrong, but considering the car they were in was a luxury vehicle easily worth over 500 million won, his statement didn’t exactly make sense. It also wasn’t even surprising anymore that Al Hajat had sent the car for her to use while attending school abroad.

“Honestly, just getting to drive this kind of car is such an honor. It’s been my dream car for years! Considering I’m allowed to use it even when I’m not chauffeuring you, I would serve you for life if I could.”

It sounded like banter, yet for some reason, it felt like Mr. Kang genuinely meant every word.

When he tried to open the door for her, Super Ribbon politely declined. “Please, let me handle something like this on my own.”

He smiled and told her, “If you ever need anything, I’ll zoom over with the car, no matter where you are. Have a wonderful time, young lady.”

“You too, Mr. Kang. Thank you.” Super Ribbon gave him a bright, graceful smile, and he sent her off with the grin of a father sending off his daughter.

It was no surprise that she had drawn the attention of everyone. A luxury car like theirs turning into the front entrance, a place already crowded with arriving students, was bound to stand out.

Super Ribbon blushed when everyone looked at her.

‘This is exactly why I didn’t want a ride...’

What she didn’t realize was that the stares weren’t just for the luxury car. It was the girl with multicolored hair who stepped out of it that drew the most attention.

At the same time, the internet was already starting to buzz with the news. Most people hadn’t known which university she had enrolled in. Suddenly, students were posting updates about her appearance at Korea University.

Even though she wasn’t a streamer like Evangeline or active in any public media, the amount of attention she was drawing felt like she was born with a natural talent for creating buzz.

“Let’s see... where’s my department building again?”

Just then, someone walked up to her and struck up a conversation.

1. There’s a joke in Korea that professors often make their graduate students do the impossible. The original meme is from a tv show where a professor was asked how to put an elephant in a refrigerator. The professor then simply tells his graduate student to put an elephant in a refrigerator by tomorrow. ☜