Chapter 33: Reunion (3)

Chapter 33: Reunion (3)

"What are you suddenly talking about? And did you just use informal speech?"

"Yeah. Screw you."

The rectangles illuminated brightly, signaling the start of the duel. Ronan dashed forward as if shot out, grasping the hilt of his sword.

"What, what is it?!"

Startled, Karudan swung his spear. Four crescent-shaped blades flew through the air towards Ronan. He deftly twisted his body, evading the blades.

"You didn't eat the school lunch through your asshole, right?."

It was clear just from looking at the blades. They were far superior to Braun's. Of course, Ronan didn't know that.

In an instant, the narrowing distance caught Karudan's attention. He gathered his remaining mana, summoning a blade several times larger than before. Karudan released the blade and shouted.

"You crazy bastard! Die!"

The blade was aimed directly at Ronan's waist. It was an inescapable trajectory unless he had wings.

But Ronan didn't evade. He merely held his sword vertically.

Clang!

The dual-edged blade struck Ronan's sides and exploded. Karudan's eyes widened.

"What?!"

The distance had completely closed. Before Ronan's eyes were already thousands of black blades. Most of them led to futures directly tied to turning Karudan into a pile of flesh. Ronan clicked his tongue.

"The academy is all fine, but this is the only thing I don't like."

He couldn't kill or mutilate him. Ronan sighed as he sent a sword strike towards Karudan's head and his chest.

Swoosh!

The razor-sharp blade slid back through the scalp. It was a moment after Karudan belatedly retracted his body. As the severed hair floated in the air, a wide path was opened on Karudan's head.

Seeing the falling hair, Karudan exclaimed in a bewildered, mixed voice.

"Huh? What...what is this?!"

"You don't have to cut your hair for a while."

At the same time, thin lines appeared on the spear. The spear, now divided into twelve fragments, exploded into pieces. Ronan's motion continued as he swiped at Karudan's chest.

"Ugh!"

Karudan, pinned from his back to the ground, gasped for breath. For a moment, his vision blurred before the ceiling unfolded before his eyes. It felt like his ribs were broken. Ronan twisted Karudan's collar and growled.

"Listen well, Karudan. This is a warning."

"You, you think you can get away with this even after doing this? You, you're not even in the same grade, and you're doing this to a senior···!"

Smack!

Ronan slapped Karudan's cheek. A dull sound echoed from the violently turned head. Ronan pulled Karudan's collar, bringing his face close.

"I've never had a senior like you, you bastard. And I don't care about that crap."

"What, what···!"

"Remember. If you act like that to her once more, I'll cut off your pathetic little thing and stick it to your forehead."

"Hee···hee hee···!"

"The most pathetic unicorn in the world. You'll probably even be shunned among the unicorns because your horn will be pathetically small."

Ronan let go of Karudan's collar. Karudan collapsed, rubbing his head. He was breathing heavily, as if he had just had the worst nightmare of his life.

The dueling arena had fallen into silence. Braun and Nasdo, who usually carried themselves with grace, were no different.

Their attitude was completely different from how they normally acted. Ronan, standing up, aimed the tip of his sword at a male student.

"Hey, you."

"Uh... yeah?"

When Karudan was tormenting Adeshan, it was a senior who locked eyes with him. The student, pressed by Ronan's momentum, shrank back.

"When did this shit start happening?"

"W-What are you talking about..."

"Do you want to die? You locked eyes with me earlier. Remember?"

With his sword drawn, Ronan approached him. The frightened male student took a step back. Only then did Adeshan, who had regained his senses, step in front of Ronan.

"T-There is no need... I'm really fine. Calm down, okay?"

"Step aside. I can't stand seeing people like you being cursed and those bastards who are just standing there watching are the same."

Ronan pointed at Karudan, who was lying on the ground. His face, completely drained of color, was filled with terror.

Indescribable emotions boiled in Ronan's chest. He couldn't tell if it was late loyalty to his former superior or the result of the division he had made at the last moment.

However, this wasn't the right way. The person who had given him a new chance shouldn't be treated like trash. It was the moment to repel Adeshan and move forward.

"Stop, Ronan."

The world Ronan was looking at was suddenly engulfed in darkness. The sound of metal clinking echoed from various places on the ground.

Ronan turned his gaze to where the voice came from. A gigantic serpent was glaring at him up close. Ronan clenched his teeth, taking a deep breath.

"...Is that your familiar?"

The snake's body coiled around the dueling arena, its end not visible. The serpent, as huge as Professor Varen, was enough to swallow him whole.

The eerie pupils that paralyzed any creature they met had a deep green color similar to Navirose's. The snake's mouth slowly opened.

"I won't ask about the responsibility for what happened during the duel with Karudan. A lot can happen during a duel. However, I cannot allow anything beyond that."

"...Did you actually see everything?"

"Yes."

"Damn, and you call yourself an educator? Your subordinate, no, a student, is being tormented."

Ronan spat on the ground. Swordmaster and all that bullshit didn't matter now. The snake revealed its venomous fangs as it fully opened its mouth.

"That's not your area to interfere. My assistant and I will handle it. Go back to your place with your sword."

An eerie feeling, as if licking the brain with his tongue, ran through him. He knew this illusion was created by Navirose.

But the trembling in his hand holding the sword didn't stop. Taking a deep breath, Ronan took a step forward.

"Fuck it."

The snake closed its mouth. A sharp impact was felt at the back of his head. Ronan's consciousness went blank.

****

He woke up to the sound of cicadas. The ceiling made of leaves came into view. Through the gaps between the fluttering leaves, he could see the cloud-filled sky whenever the damp wind blew.

'Where is this...?'

The air felt heavy. Ronan slowly raised his upper body. He was lying on a hammock made of netting. In a corner, the familiar voice was coming from.

" Even catching just one of them properly would be worth more than a mansion, like a dream eater or a sea nymph! The same goes for those bastards who just stand by and watch."

"Then why are you shoveling shit with a spade here, Valus? Where did you leave the mansion?"

"Maybe those brainless idiots don't understand it, but really? Hey, Ronan! Could you lend a hand with these idiots!"

Ronan got up from his spot. A very familiar landscape entered his view. A run-down shack built with debris, an Imperial campsite spread out below the mountain, and the guys sitting around a campfire chattering nonsense.

Ronan recited the names of his punishment unit soldiers like a drunk person.

"Luudan? Martin? Valus? Why are you all here?"

"Ah, how much did you drink yesterday to look like that? I said let's have some together if you

stole some alcohol."

"Forget it. You guys went crazy from being bored, huh? Uracil, how much longer do we have to wait here? Are you the General or what?"

Are you the General?

The moment Ronan heard those words, an eerie feeling passed through his mind. It was a

scene he clearly remembered. Immediately, he recalled what would follow and hastily got up.

"Damn it, now is not the time, you bastards. You can't be here."

"What are you suddenly talking about, Ronan?"

"Shut up and follow me. There's no time—"

Ronan was about to grab Valus' collar when suddenly a blaring sound, like a horn shaking the heavens and earth, echoed.

Boooom!

Boooom!

Boooom!

"Ah, my ears!"

"What the hell is this sound?"

His friends covered their ears. The cacophony from the campsite below the mountain began to reach their ears.

The moment Ronan's gaze reached the sky, a majestic voice resounded in everyone's minds.

[Ahayute answers the call. Everything is as per "His" will.]

A geometric magic circle appeared in the air along with the breaking of the clouds. The gigantic figure, with four wings outstretched, began to descend slowly as if shaking the earth.

"W-What is that?"

"M-Monster!"

The soldiers who were used to unreal scenes screamed in terror. Arrows and offensive spells, as if waiting for the giant, were shot towards it. Seeing light gathering in Ahayute's hand, Ronan turned his head.

"Listen well. You guys won't be any help, so take advantage of the chaos and run away. Two of those things are coming down, so head north—"

But Ronan froze in place. All three of his friends had turned into corpses. Their bodies were so twisted that it was impossible to recognize their original features.

Swoosh!

The sound of rain reached his ears. Ronan realized that the background had suddenly turned into a desolate wasteland. Ahayute's blue blood pooled beneath his feet. Someone whispered in his ear.

"Will you make me a judge?"

"Guh!"

Ronan jolted up as if propelled. The blanket covering him fell to the ground. White curtains were hung around, transforming his surroundings. The sound of urgent footsteps came with the curtain being pulled back.

"What's happening? Are you okay?"

"...Adeshan?... Navirose?"

Emerging from the wet curtain were Navirose and Adeshan in school uniform. Navirose, who was wiping Ronan up and down, turned around.

"You seem fine. I'll go first."

"Yes, sure!"

The sound of footsteps grew fainter. It was truly an absurd exit. Adeshan, who had hesitated for a moment, sat down on the makeshift chair beside the bed.

"You fainted, so I brought you to the infirmary. How's your body?"

"...I'm fine."

"Hey, did you get angry at me earlier?"

Ronan didn't respond. It was as if he had dreamed a nightmare. The image of the descending Ahayute, the scattered corpses, and the General's last words were lingering in his mind.

Adeshan, noticing Ronan's mood, spoke up.

"Don't hate the casual ones too much. Karadan was one of the top students in the third year. He was smart enough to know it was wrong, but he might have been too scared to say anything."

"...Speaking of which, what about that guy?"

"Well... I'm not sure, but he probably won't show up in class for a while. He couldn't even walk properly and had to be supported by his friends."

"That's fortunate."

Ronan nodded. He decided to trust that Karadan or whoever that guy was had some sense. After warning him like that, if he didn't understand, Ronan would have had no choice but to kill him or make him a fool.

"General... no, Adeshan. I have a question."

"Huh? What is it?"

"Why do you tolerate such treatment and stay quiet? Don't you get angry? Especially Navirose, the instructor, allowing her student to be treated that way."

Ronan's voice became intense. "Let me and my assistant handle it." That was making him angry again. The words that fueled his anger were building up once more. Adeshan, twisting his lips anxiously, began to speak.

"It's fine. I asked for it."

"You asked for it?"

"Yeah. Professor Navirose is a really good person, so I hope you don't misunderstand. I asked her. Even if someone who thinks like Karadan treats me lightly, don't intervene."

"Why did you make such a ridiculous... no, foolish request?"

Adeshan explained the situation. The former Sword Saint Navirose was Adeshan's idol. After miraculously passing the Philleon entrance exam after four years of preparation, Adeshan wanted to attend Navirose's classes no matter what. However, her classes were only available to students who had surpassed the level of Sword Expert.

"Because I enjoy privileges I don't deserve. I'm still at the level of a Sword User. Even if I become an assistant, that won't change."

Ronan's eyes widened. It wasn't particularly surprising given Adeshan's seemingly thoughtful nature.

"Even after years of training, you're still just a Sword User...? That General Adeshan?"

In the past, when he didn't know much about mana, he might have let it slide. But now, the story was different. It was nonsensical.

Ronan remembered Adeshan's aura. Of course, Adeshan's true strength came from her unique ability, not just her aura, but her aura also possessed a power befitting someone at the pinnacle of the Imperial Army.

He recalled something about shadow mana. Just as Ronan was about to say something, Adeshan continued.

"But thanks anyway. It's our first time meeting, yet you cared this much."

"...I was just annoyed."

"Well, you're really a good person. Oh, look at this."

Suddenly, Adeshan pulled something out. It was the jacket he had thrown away during their duel. Pointing at the elbow area, Adeshan grinned mischievously.

"It was slightly torn, so I sewed it up. Looks nice, huh?"

"Yes, indeed."

There was no sign of any blemishes on the elbow. Her sewing skills were exceptional. Adeshan,

who had opened up a bit, began to chatter away.

"You're the first student to resist Navirose's aura and move. How did you even do that? Everyone dropped their weapons except Shullifen."

"Just grip the hilt of the sword tightly."

"Ahaha, you're quite amusing."

Adeshan chuckled. She didn't seem to feel any discomfort at Ronan's rough way of speaking. The more he talked to her, the more he realized she was unusual. As Ronan was thinking about

something, he spoke up.

"So, inspired by you, I went to the library, and there was this 1st-year girl there, standing alone. She had beautiful purple hair, so..."

"Adeshan."

"Yeah?"

"Why are you working so hard?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want to know why you're so obsessed with becoming stronger. You know it yourself. If it were someone else, they would have given up long ago."

Adeshan's situation wasn't good at all. She lacked innate talent, her practical scores were low, and she was even taking odd jobs to earn money for tuition.

Yet, if her determination wasn't shaken, there must be something she can rely on. Ronan asked.

"Do you have any particular reason?"

Adeshan hesitated for a moment. Ronan stared at her with a knowing smile. Avoiding his gaze, she looked at her lap before speaking.

"W-well, I have a dream..."

"A dream?"

"Yes. I want to achieve it no matter what... If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you."

"I promise."

"Okay. I think we get along pretty well. Can I really believe you? I haven't told anyone yet."

Ronan nodded. Adeshan took a deep breath and began to speak.

"General."

Time seemed to stand still for Ronan. Adeshan, who had just washed her face, blushed and continued talking.

"I might look reckless, but I want to try challenging myself. Even though I'm saying this myself, I

have confidence in military strategy and tactics. I've never missed being in first place."

Hope was evident in her ashen eyes. Adeshan spoke rapidly, pouring out her feelings about her dream.

"And when a war breaks out, a lot of people die, right? I...?"

Suddenly, Adeshan trailed off. A shadow crossed her face for a moment, but Ronan, whose vision had already blurred, didn't notice the change. Adeshan brightened up and smiled again, raising her head.

"Well, no, not that. Later. Anyway, I don't think anyone would want to follow a General who hasn't awakened her aura."

As her words grew longer, realization dawned on him. The Commander Adeshan he knew, who wanted to become a Tailor, was no longer here. Ronan wiped his eyes with his sleeve and let out a bitter laugh.

"So... oh! You said you wouldn't laugh!"

"I'm not laughing."

"You really aren't?"

Adeshan looked at Ronan skeptically. He nodded, suppressing a bitter smile. Adeshan checked the time, then stood up from her seat.

"Well... I should be going now. I've rested enough."

"Okay."

"Oh, by the way, Navirose said to make sure you come to the next class. She added that she won't let you off the hook if you don't show up."

"Damn it, got it."

"Alright, see you later, Ronan. If you have anything to worry about or want to talk about, feel free to come to the First Training Ground or the Kratir dormitory anytime."

Thud!

The door closed. Even after Adeshan left, Ronan remained seated on the bed for a while. The message she left behind lingered in his mind.

'Tell me not to fool around and become a Tailor, okay?'

Fool around? Ronan twisted his lips. A reddish beam of light seeped through the curtains. The sun had set by now.

"How can I... say that?"

Ronan mumbled to himself. He remained there until the room grew dark, then finally returned to the dormitory.