The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

Chapter 389

There were dozens of colorful and beautiful buildings, along with countless facilities and an integrated system incorporating amazing technologies inside the academy. It was much more than a simple academy. These buildings had been created with significant financial resources and could be considered the epitome of extravagance.

Considering the academy's simultaneous construction with the waterways and the water-powered mana plant in the territory, the financial situation was inevitably strained. However, Davey had no regrets about proceeding with the construction of these facilities. They were bound to be constructed sooner or later. Although the cost was substantial and strained the territory's coffers, it was not inherently a bad decision.

The sales of the moon grass they had sold quarterly were enough to cover the territory's financial losses, but the items created by the little girl in front of Davey contributed the most to the territory's revenue.

"Your contribution here is the greatest, Aeonitia."

"Well, I just did whatever came to mind. You're the one who shared the most knowledge with me, Brother."

This was why Davey loved slave contracts.

The little girl was not accustomed to praise and shyly twisted her body. At present, Aeonitia knew that Davey was not a threatening person. She understood that he wouldn't harm her even if she made mistakes. However, she couldn't easily let go of her cautious nature. Despite her overwhelming position, she never allowed herself to become complacent, and that was why she thrived in this environment.

"Alright, feel free to tell me if there's anything you want to create. I'll ensure you have the necessary knowledge and funds."

"..."

"However, you need to persuade me. You have the right to surprise and impress me. If I like it, I'll provide the funds."

Davey, accompanied by Aeonitia, walked around the academy and observed an empty lot.

"What's the matter?"

Aeonitia had made significant contributions to the academy's architecture. However, it wasn't solely because she was the Watch Princess and had generated a substantial amount of money from selling her watches.

She possessed such immense talent that even the dwarves of the Redstone Tribe were awestruck by her abilities. Her childlike naivety and purity allowed her to conceive unique, dreamy, and beautiful designs that deviated from the typical structures commonly seen in public. This distinctiveness was precisely what lent the academy's buildings their unfamiliar yet captivating beauty.

"It feels a bit empty here."

"Ah..."

"At the very least, this is a place where children will come to study. Even if we deem it an inefficient use of space, we can still adorn it with a sculpture that evokes emotions and instills a sense of calmness."

Aeonitia gazed at the vacant lot, contemplating Davey's words as if delving into their meaning.

"Now, think about it, Aeonitia. Let's create a pond here. It wouldn't be too difficult to divert the waterway system to this spot. By allowing the water to flow, we can prevent it from stagnating and becoming foul."

Listening attentively, the girl slowly closed her eyes, visualizing Davey's description in her mind.

"On one side, we can place a naturally formed stone and construct an artificial waterfall. It doesn't have to be overly tall; it can even take the form of a fountain with water cascading from above."

"Ah..."

"In the center of the pond, let's position a beautiful statue. Additionally, we can introduce some carp and fish into the water. We could even employ some elementalists to invite water spirits to reside here."

A flush appeared on Aeonitia's face as she absorbed Davey's words.

Although he was certain that his vision differed from hers, Davey knew that she had undoubtedly conceived her own stunning rendition of this composition.

"Oh my! How beautiful!" Aeonitia exclaimed, opening her eyes and looking up at Davey.

"Right? It will be magnificent, won't it? A serene space where students can find respite as they pass by."

"Yes! Just as my brother said! It will be a marvelous place, and it could also serve as a romantic rendezvous for couples to exchange sweet words."

Davey smiled softly at his sister's exuberant outburst. "Then let's make it happen."

"Yes?"

“What? You should make it.”

Just like that, the smile on the girl’s face disappeared.

***

Davey stared at the unassuming doll in front of him, tension evident on his face. They had already faced multiple failures, leaving no room for further mistakes.

"Good... Good," he muttered.

It wasn't only Davey who anxiously observed the situation. Elder Golgouda, the primary figure behind the Avengers Squadron, and Rinne, who had arrived with unwavering determination to witness the completion of her new successor, were both present. Annabelle, having undergone adjustments once before, sat on a rocking chair, playing with her elven ears while staring blankly at Davey.

"Well then... Let's begin."

Davey couldn't help but question why a seemingly ordinary-looking man had become so grotesque and unsettling. This was actually a fragment of the Abyss that Davey had salvaged when erasing the existence of the gigantic creature that had invaded the Tionis Continent.

When they initially attempted to utilize it, it started moving in search of Perserque, forcing Davey to neutralize it. However, Davey didn't stop there; he took it to the Holy Empire's sanctuary for further purification. At present, it appeared completely frozen.

Due to this process, the power of the Abyss had significantly weakened, yet its extraordinary abilities remained intact. Davey had then remodeled it using various reagents and magic circles, successfully transforming it into the heart of Dirro, the second golem of the Avengers Squadron.

As soon as Davey installed the heart into Dirro, the faceless construct began emitting a radiant light.

"Rinne holds her new successor in high regard!" Rinne exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

However, the others present in the underground laboratory watched the scene with apprehension. Another failure would mean the abandonment of the Dirro Project.

For Elder Golgouda, who regarded the golem as his second child and wished to prevent its destruction, and for Davey, who had invested considerable resources and effort into its creation, this experiment had to succeed.

Swoosh…

Finally, the light enveloping Dirro's body gradually receded. Simultaneously, the doll autonomously stood upright, its form trembling as though it were liquid before reverting to its original shape.

Creak…

Davey detected the approach of someone who seemed to have been awaiting this very moment. It turned out to be Annabelle, clutching a doll in her hands.

Expressionless as always, she drew closer to Dirro, her face nearly touching the new golem's radiant visage. While studying Dirro's features, her head slowly tilted at an unusual angle. Although her body remained still, her head had twisted completely to the side.

"..."

"Hey. Who designed that system?"

Davey's biting comment caused someone to flinch, but Annabelle paid no attention, pushing her neck to its limit. Before long, a juvenile and childlike voice emerged from Annabelle's mouth. "Annabelle has concluded that she doesn't like this."

Bzzzzzzzz!!!

Then, Dirro sprung into motion, his hands transforming into liquid that contorted and morphed into numerous tentacles. These appendages swiftly ensnared Annabelle's entire body, lifting her into the air.

Rinne's eyes gleamed even brighter at the sight, further affirming her high evaluation of her second successor's capabilities.

"Hey, you lunatics..." Davey muttered, his gaze shifting toward Elder Golgouda, wondering what other additions they had made without his knowledge.

"Cough..." Elder Golgouda quickly averted his eyes, avoiding Davey's questioning gaze.

While Davey had established the basic personality of the new golem, the design had been left to the others.

As Annabelle's eyes gradually turned black and her head shook within the grasp of the tentacles, her body became completely covered. Despite her skirt being flipped upside down and the sudden turn of events leaving her flustered, Annabelle, being a golem, had no sense of shame or discomfort in her peculiar posture.

"Searching. Search has been completed," Annabelle stated, her voice devoid of emotion.

After concluding her search, dark mana began to coalesce behind her. Simultaneously, her distinct dark magic intertwined with a pre-cast magic circle.

Then, a colossal black shadow materialized behind Annabelle. This towering entity forcibly tore apart the tentacles enveloping her, snatching Dirro, who stood motionless, and hoisting him into the air. The tables had turned in an instant.

"Let's... play," Dirro murmured as his body was drawn closer to Annabelle.

Annabelle, now ghostly and limp, gradually approached Dirro's location, as if she had transformed into a lifeless specter.

Clap!!!

"Shut down," Davey's voice commanded, abruptly ending their tense standoff.

Davey alone held the authority to deactivate these golems with a single word. No one else possessed that power. After shutting them down, Davey grabbed Rinne's remorseful head and turned to face Elder Golgouda, who was accompanied by several dwarves.

"Elder Golgouda."

"Ahem! I, I just wanted to see my children develop their own personalities! I never anticipated they would end up fighting each other."

Davey wasn't certain why they harbored animosity toward each other, but one thing became clear from witnessing their interaction. Despite being part of the same squadron, both Dirro and Annabelle, as biological golems, exhibited considerable hostility toward each other.

Unlike the Decepticon Fleet, which focused on firepower, the Avengers Squadron was designed for infiltration and communication. As a result, it was expected that conflicts would arise among team members due to their need for basic communication and judgment skills.

"We, we will rectify it swiftly, Wise Teacher!"

"No. Just let them be. It's already done. Besides, it's amusing to watch their shifting egos clash."

Ultimately, it didn't matter much. The success of their future endeavors would hinge on how effectively the Elder Brain, Rinne, could coordinate and manage their tasks. Currently, she seemed to be cheering for the two biological golems to fight and clash.

"Wait..." Davey's smile grew faint as he noticed his trembling pocket, prompting him to speak. "Perserque, do you wish to emerge?"

"I absolutely detest it! Don't even entertain the thought!"

As expected, Perserque would find it challenging to get along with Dirro.

***

And so, the second member of the Avengers Squadron was completed with the item obtained from the Holy Empire. Throughout the process, Davey had opened the gates to the other dimension each time the key was activated. Currently, he surveyed the stack of items the twin golems had amassed through their diligent efforts.

"Twenty-four stacks," he noted.

The quantity seemed relatively small for a three-month period. However, realizing that the dimensional key's cooldown time did not guarantee his ability to open it as desired, Davey ceased using it punctually.

Furthermore, the total duration he could spend within the dimension had only increased by thirty minutes since then. This meant that he could now utilize 120 minutes inside. Considering he had a mere thirty minutes during his initial attempt, the available time had already quadrupled.

"But it seems they haven't established connections to other dimensions yet, only linking it to the Yurgian Continent."

"Until when will you rely solely on those golems? You need to personally assess the situation from time to time."

"I should. But before that, I must ensure the territory can function properly even in my absence."

After the completion of the academy, Davey received various updates. The Pallan Empire, known as the Empire of Swords, had expressed their intention to send some of their top Imperial Knights to the academy in the Heins Territory.

It was highly likely that the astute Prince Sullivan had taken the initiative to reinforce his empire's forces. He must have anticipated that Davey would prioritize strengthening and developing the academy's faculty to provide a solid education to their students.

And that was precisely Davey's plan.

"The academy's purpose is to educate students. The war orphans we will accommodate have already faced immense hardships. Once we have gathered them, we will welcome them here. They have lost their parents, individuals who were distinguished and perished as heroes defending this land, leaving them with no other means of livelihood. Naturally, we will assume responsibility for their well-being."

These children had lost their parents while protecting the land. Although Davey couldn't save their parents, he was determined to treat their children well. It would be inappropriate if their welfare couldn't be ensured under such circumstances. Thus, war orphans from across the continent were being sought in the Heins Territory.

Presently, Davey surveyed the knights assembled before him. Among them, at least one or two were highly skilled experts and master-level knights.

“So, you’re from the Pallan Empire.”

The knights from the Pallan Empire bowed their heads respectfully in response to Davey's words.

"It is an honor to meet the renowned Prince Davey. I am Olman, the Chief Imperial Knight. Although my skills may pale in comparison to the prince's, I will give my utmost best in this place and strive not to disappoint the orders of His Highness, the Crown Prince," humbly said the knight, who held the rank of Sword Master.

"Well, it's the intention that counts. After all, both students and professors are human beings," Davey replied, placing a hand on Olman's shoulder and offering his assistance.

The man gazed down at Davey in silence.

‘He’s tall and he’s got a good build. This is the perfect body for swinging swords,’ Davey thought with a smile as he checked the man’s physique through his armor.

"Moving forward, all of you will instruct the students of this academy, irrespective of their class or social status. They may not all be aspiring warriors, but it suffices to impart them with basic swordsmanship skills. The rest, you can handle as you see fit. Any objections?" Davey inquired.

The knights responded by shaking their heads, indicating their agreement.

"They are the families left behind by the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of this continent. Even if they come from humble backgrounds, we must uphold the honor that their families rightly deserve, don't you agree?" Davey emphasized.

‘As expected of country-driven knights.’

It appeared that these were the sentiments of the citizens from an advanced nation. Well, Sullivan would never have dispatched knights who would cause trouble while teaching commoners. If he had done so, he would only suffer significant setbacks.

"However, if we simply settle for that, we won't be able to compete with the other academies. The mere presence of a Sword Master teaching at this academy would be sufficient to put us on par with them. But that's not good enough. I need something that will make the students want to stay here. Something that will make people insist on attending this academy instead of returning to their normal lives at home."

A wide smile spread across Davey's face as he retrieved a wooden sword.

"All of you, come at me. My priority is to turn the faculty into formidable warriors before allowing you to instruct the students."

‘Don’t worry. You won’t die easily. I believe I will be able to get satisfactory results after a week of hard work, no?’

Davey was skilled at tailoring his teachings to suit each individual's attributes, a talent he excelled in. However, he couldn't afford to solely focus on the knights, as mages from the Lyndis Empire and the Mage Towers would be arriving soon. He needed to address their training as well, requiring him to act swiftly.

As Davey uttered his next words, the knights' expressions turned grave. "Come at me with all your might."

In an instant, they unsheathed their swords, reacting swiftly to Davey's cold expression. Their movements were so rapid that they seemed to have witnessed a ghost.

From that moment onward, anguished cries echoed loudly from within the lecture hall where Davey was instructing the knights. As a result, tales of a ghost haunting the academy began circulating even before it officially opened its doors to the public.