Chapter 26: Banquet

Chapter 26: Banquet

Having finished the farewell, Ronan returned to the banquet hall with Cita. The main hall of Galerion Castle had transformed into a perfect venue for the party.

"It's so lively here."

"Wow~"

The atmosphere was completely different from when he had visited during the practical exams. As Ronan looked around the banquet hall, he muttered in amazement.

"I might as well give up being a swordsman and learn magic instead..."

Birds made of light flew around, chirping. The magically enchanted ceiling projected the blue sky beyond the roof.

About fifty meters of long tables, a total of ten, stretched across the hall. Dishes and drinks from various regions were laid out on the tables.

Ronan picked up a crab leg, buttered and cooked. It was the last leg left, and as soon as the plate emptied, a complete crab appeared on the plate again.

The taste was exquisite as well.

"It's like a ghost is pinching the nipples."

Students in uniform chatted as they moved between the tables, talking with people they had just met today.

Though the clinking of glasses wasn't audible as they were still students, they seemed as if they were intoxicated, laughing and excited.

"It feels like a dream to be accepted into the Philleon Academy."

"Absolutely. I thought this was my last chance, so I applied with the feeling that it was truly the end... Sob!"

There were even students suddenly bursting into tears.

Ronan thought it was understandable. The effort he put into preparing for the entrance exams was by no means a trivial task.

Then, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Hey, Ronan."

"Ugh... What is it today?"

Ronan sighed and turned his head. Sure enough, Shullifen, dressed in a uniform, stood with his head held high.

His gracefulness was still emanating from him, but his expression didn't seem very pleasant for some reason. With a bite of the crab in his mouth, Ronan spoke.

"Why the sour expression? Do you crave shit or something?"

"Did Iril go back home?"

"Hmm. I just dropped her off at home."

"Where do you live? How do you get there?"

Ronan frowned.

"What do you care, and why are you asking?"

"It can't be that you sent her off without any protection. If you did, then you're not human."

"Protection?"

Ronan chuckled. At that moment, Shullifen's expression stiffened. He seemed to be trying to maintain his composure, wiping his face with his right hand before continuing to speak.

"...I asked out of curiosity, but is it true? It's unimaginable in a noble family. Ronan, do you know why an accident is called an accident? It's because it's unexpected. Take action right now. How long has it been since the carriage left? The nearest mercenary guild is on West Avenue. No, just borrow my words. You need to act right away!"

Shullifen started listing the actions Ronan needed to take with rapid and precise pronunciation.

Ronan's eyes widened in interest, more entertaining than any circus. It was a complete contrast to when he had met Iril.

Of course, Ronan took all possible actions. He hired a carriage from the most reputable carriage guild and the driver was a retired sword expert of the Sword Expert rank. Naturally, there was no accident in their history.

"Come on, even a wyvern won't attack a carriage unless it's provoked. Isn't it fine?"

"When a wyvern comes, you're done for."

However, Shullifen was insisting on sending a considerable force to escort the upper echelon. Given the previous measures and the local security, it was clearly an excessive level of protection.

But Shullifen seemed as unyielding as if wax had been stuck in his ears. As Ronan listened, he lightly poked Cita and spoke.

"Cita, do you remember the scent?"

"Screech!"

"Follow me home and come back tomorrow."

Cita spread her wings as if waiting and flew off. In an instant, she turned into a black silhouette and disappeared through the window of the banquet hall.

Shullifen was still delivering a lengthy speech. Ronan interjected, "Shullifen, calm down now. I just sent guards."

"Guards? Wait, is it the bird that was on your shoulder earlier? Are you playing a prank now...?"

"It's not just a bird, it's a phantasmal creature. It's more reliable than most mercenary groups, so don't worry."

Ronan nodded with a serious expression. Shullifen's suspicious gaze turned into words.

"...You'd better hope that even a decent mercenary group is available. If necessary, make sure to ask me for help. Don't let your pride get in the way."

"But what's your intention in meddling with my sister's matters?"

"..."

Shullifen didn't answer that question and turned his back.

Annoying guy, anyway. As Ronan grumbled to himself, he was looking for some food when a boisterous voice echoed through the banquet hall.

"Hehe! Looks like today's hero has arrived! Over here! Junior!!"

"Hey, Ronan! We're here!!"

It was truly a cacophony. Ronan sighed. Everyone in the banquet hall probably heard their voices.

"Darn it, let's grab some food too."

When he turned his head, he saw Marya and Braum waving from a distance. Around them, a crowd of students numbering around twenty were gathered.

"So, Marya junior, is what they said true? Were you really acquainted with Ronan junior before joining the academy?"

"Yes, Senior Braum! Ever since our fateful meeting in Marvas, we've been together!"

"Wow! A fateful meeting, you say! What on earth happened?!"

Ronan lowered his head. Even if Braum was a cheerful person, he was getting too friendly already.

In any case, this girl has already reached the level of making friends. With such talent, she might become the continent's greatest prodigy someday.

Ronan exchanged greetings with the gathered people. Most of them were seniors who had participated in the competition earlier.

"Hello, handsome junior. You might not remember because it could have been over in a single blow, but I'm Irith who crossed swords with you."

"Why wouldn't I remember? You used two short spears, right? You held the left one in a reverse grip."

"Huh? Y-yeah, that's right."

"Oh my goodness! You remember all that?! What about me, do you remember me by any chance?"

"Of course. When you swing a mace, it's better to shift your weight a bit more towards the back."

Ronan remembered not only the faces of the seniors but also the weapons they used. He gave them advice based on his own experiences, and the second-year students were all ears.

"Seriously, we're all prodigies, but how can we be so different like this? If you're curious about something, just ask!"

"Do you know about the secret passage in the library? It's on the twenty-second shelf..."

"There's a phantasmal creature living at the bottom of the lake. If you get close to it, it'll fetch the rare herbs you need for alchemy."

The seniors generously shared the valuable information they knew. Some of the advice could really be helpful for Ronan's school life.

'I'm indebted to my sister again.'

Ronan smiled. It was fortunate that his simple act to reassure Iril had turned into such luck.

"Hey, over there! You were really cool earlier!"

"Ronan, right? Could I ask for your autograph?"

"Yeah, sure. We're classmates, so don't be awkward, just speak up."

Curious classmates who had been watching also started gathering one by one. The atmosphere was becoming lively as time passed.

"Um, Ronan?"

"Hmm?"

A husky voice that caught attention. Ronan turned his head.

A girl with reddish-purple hair was approaching, arm in arm with someone. Seeing her robe-style uniform, it was evident she was from the Magic Department.

Her slightly upturned eyes resembled a cat's, making her quite charming. Recognizing her face, Ronan raised an eyebrow.

"Elizabeth?"

"Oh my, you know me."

Instantly, the chatter of the students who had been chattering away focused on her. It wasn't just due to her beauty alone.

Elizabeth de Acalusia.

If Shullifen was top student in the Martial Arts Department, then Elizabeth was top student in the Magic Department. Known for mastering all three attributes on her own, her reputation extended not only to the Magic Department but even to the Martial Arts Department.

Braum burst into laughter.

"Oh ho! The top student of the Magic Department this time! Sorry, junior! To talk with junior Ronan, you have to get in line! Come on, step forward!"

It was a cheerful jest, but Elizabeth neither laughed nor retorted. She didn't even look at Braum and simply opened her mouth.

"I wasn't talking to you."

-Thump!

"Uh?!"

At that moment, a heavy pressure pressed down on Braum's shoulders. If he hadn't momentarily reinforced his legs with mana, he might have knelt right then and there.

"Oh, holding up, aren't you? It seems you didn't just grow your size carelessly."

"Uh, uuhhh..."

Braum clenched his teeth. Even with all his strength, he couldn't move his body. It felt as though a massive hand was gripping him.

"Well then, excuse me."

The atmosphere instantly grew frigid.

Thud!

As Elizabeth stepped forward, the crowd split left and right. Catching a brief glimpse of her as their eyes met, Aselle hid behind Ronan.

"Hi, hihihihi..."

Aselle could see the mana emanating from Elizabeth's body. The dark violet mana was not something found in nature. It was unique to her alone. An aura.

"She's already reached Aura's bloom...!"

He wanted to warn Ronan, but his voice wouldn't come out. Ronan frowned and asked:

"What's going on here?"

"This is because I was interrupted during a precious encounter, and it angered me."

"Release him immediately."

"Of course."

Elizabeth obediently followed Ronan's words. With a light gesture from her, the magic that had been gripping Braum was released.

"Ugh...! Ugh! Seriously... you totally ruined my form today..."

Braum collapsed onto the stairs as if his legs had given out. Other students rushed to his side. Seeing this, Elizabeth let out a small laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"The sight of a flock of sheep wandering around is always amusing, isn't it?"

Hearing those words, Ronan sighed. Sometimes, you could understand a person with just a single phrase.

What a tiring day. Anyway, why do all these geniuses seem to be like this?

'Well, at least I got to see if her underwear is purple.'

Ronan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. It was a gesture he was making to turn this unpredictable girl into something resembling a "Stripping Darian." Elizabeth continued speaking.

"I was deeply impressed by your match. The reason I've come is to make a proposal."

"A proposal?"

"Yes. I couldn't bear to see you in such a pitiful state, being reduced to a sheep. A lion should roam with other lions."

"Get to the point. Make it as concise as possible."

"You're impatient. Just wait a moment."

As Elizabeth rummaged through her belongings, she handed something to Ronan.

"Here, take this."

It was a brooch embedded with a large black sapphire. On the back was engraved the image of a hunter roaring toward the moon. It was the crest of the de Acalusia family, a major lineage rivaling the de Gracia family to which Shullifen belonged.

For a moment, Ronan's pupils dilated. Elizabeth, who noticed this subtle change, smiled lightly.

"This is..."

"Do you happen to understand the significance?"

"...Vaguely."

"In that case, there's no need for further explanation. If possible, this weekend will do. Join me on a visit to the Acalusia domain."

Ronan didn't reply. Elizabeth turned her body, leaving a charming smile.

"...Well, take your time to think it over. I'm leaving."

Finally, Ronan didn't draw his sword. He was simply staring at the brooch Elizabeth had given him. Elizabeth's footsteps echoed elegantly as she departed.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Thud!

"Ouch!"

Out of nowhere, Elizabeth screamed and fell with a loud crash. The surrounding gazes were fixed on her. Stretching both arms forward and face planting into the ground, it was a truly embarrassing and painful fall.

"Are... Are you okay?"

Braum spoke up, concerned about how much pain she seemed to be in. Elizabeth quickly got up and walked away as if nothing had happened, now moving at a pace almost twice as fast as before.

Thump!

Her short hair revealed pointed ears that were red like iron. Just as she turned the corner and disappeared, Marya roughly patted Aselle's head.

"Good job, cutie! Those kinds of rude girls need a good lesson."

"I...I didn't do anything..."

"Huh? Weren't you the one who used magic on her?"

Marya widened her eyes. There was nothing around that Elizabeth could have tripped over. Aselle replied, flustered.

"I-I didn't use any magic, she just tripped over her own legs..."

The two stared at each other, lost for words. Meanwhile, Ronan was still fixated on the brooch. Marya chuckled.

"Your glare is going to pierce through. What's the big deal?"

"An invitation."

"What?"

"No, it should be a compass."

The black sapphire emitted a dim light. It indicated that it was infused with mana. Ronan recalled the conversation he had with Adeshan before he died.

"I was originally a commoner. It was to prove my talent and become a member of the Acalusia family. The strange events that happened in that mysterious castle are still vivid in my memory."

"A castle? Tell me more."

"Well, since there's not much time left, I suppose I can share the story with you. So, when I was attending the Philleon Academy..."

Adeshan leaned against a rock and began to recount her journey to becoming Adeshan de Acalusia.

The fog surrounding the castle, the gatekeepers, the trials of the family, the treasures obtained after completing the test, and finally, being recognized as a member of the prestigious lineage.

"Without a doubt, as an inspector, you had to prove yourself and it took several years to receive such an opportunity."

The Acalusia family's values were different from other families that pursued pure bloodlines. They didn't discriminate based on race or status when recruiting talents, and they even accepted boys and girls with high potential from various backgrounds.

The brooch that Elizabeth gave him was a kind of invitation to enter the Acalusia domain. It indicated that he could take the family's trials and become a member.

"Are there any benefits to becoming a noble?"

"Well, your social status would certainly rise. Aside from the de Gracia family and the royal family, no one would dare oppose you. It's also an advantage to have the full support of the Acalusia family."

Ronan honestly had no intention of becoming a member of the Acalusia family. Even if his feelings changed later on, it would still be a decision he'd need to carefully consider.

However, the secrets held within the Acalusia Castle intrigued him. In addition to position and treasure, there were undoubtedly other things to gain within the castle of this ancient and prestigious lineage. Perhaps he could obtain information to face the giants.

Thinking about his future plans, Ronan stroked his chin.

"For now... I'll have to get a sword from that blacksmith's forge."