Chapter 64: Evaluation Complete

Chapter 64: Evaluation Complete

A red line appeared on Shullifen's chest, and blood splattered. At the same time, a powerful strike aimed at Ronan's throat from a different trajectory.

In an instant, his vision darkened and then brightened again.

Thud!

The hard ground struck Ronan's back.

"Agh!"

Ronan exhaled the breath he had been holding. He couldn't immediately grasp what had just happened. His mind was still adrift in the storm created by Shullifen.

Ronan slowly regulated his breathing. His blurred vision gradually became clear. He saw a massive bell hanging in a distant ceiling, high above.

"Where is this...?"

It was the bell that Navirose used to draw students' attention. Even the sensation of the ground against his back felt familiar. Suddenly, enthusiastic cheers erupted from all around.

"Wow!! He's back!"

"Who's in first place? Did anyone see it properly?!"

"It looks like they were sent at about the same time?"

Cheers reverberated from all directions, filling the air. Ronan realized that he had returned to Philleon. Sudden pain, as if his body was engulfed in flames, coursed through him.

"Ugh... damn it..."

It was only now that Ronan realized he had sustained significant injuries. His arms were covered in numerous small and large wounds. Then, a familiar voice reached him from not too far away.

"Ronan!"

"Adeshan...?"

"Oh my God, look at the blood. Here!"

Adeshan rushed over and knelt before Ronan. She almost choked as she called for medical personnel. Despite his injuries, Ronan couldn't help but smirk at her incongruent concern.

"I'm fine."

"Don't move; your wounds might worsen. Let's stop the bleeding quickly!"

"I never thought I'd hear you say that."

It was a situation completely opposite to their previous life, where Ronan used to staunchly stop her bleeding on the battlefield. Adeshan gave him a quizzical look.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"It's nothing. By the way, who won?"

"You're curious about that now? You really..."

"I want to know."

"—I think it's a tie, but I can't tell, so the professor is double-checking."

"A tie?"

Ronan's eyes widened. He had been certain he had lost. Suddenly, the memory of the final clash came to his mind.

'It was definitely out of reach.'

His memory was jagged. The only thing he remembered clearly was that his sword had narrowly missed Shullifen..

Before long, three healing mages gathered around Ronan. Spells were cast, and a green luminescence enveloped him.

'Impressive. I wonder if Cita will be able to do this someday.'

The experts' recovery speed was astounding. Even the significant wounds that could have left scars healed in an instant.

Even while undergoing such a crazy exam, there was a reason why Navirose was so confident. One of the healers muttered in an admiring voice.

"Truly remarkable. To not receive a recall verdict until sustaining injuries like this."

"Yes?"

"I saw you fight. You managed to avoid and defend against fatal attacks that could have triggered the bracelet's magic, all while not sparing your own body. How is such movement possible?"

"I just did it, But how did you see me fighting?"

The older healing mage explained that the test had been broadcasted to the arena. Ronan's face scrunched up.

"You bastards... So you were all just looking at me like I'm some zoo monkey?"

"Consider it a gaze of admiration. I've been part of the medical team for Navirose's tests for quite a while, but this is the first time I've ever met someone like you and the Empire's Rising Star."

"Speaking of which, where is that brat? Did he die?"

"He's receiving treatment over there. He doesn't have as many wounds as you do, but each one is quite severe. It might take a bit longer for him to recover."

"Darn, he's in a tough spot."

Ronan chuckled. The treatment didn't take much time. Seeing all those injuries vanish without a trace, Ronan couldn't help but let out a sigh of amazement.

"Well, it's probably because they've been taught well. How about you, sunbae? Are you all better?"

As Ronan got up and showed his back to Adeshan, There was not a single scratch on his skin beneath the torn clothes. Adeshan, seeing the well-defined muscles like that of a wild beast, hesitated and said,

"Uh, uh-huh... You're all better now. I-I'll return this..."

Until then, Adeshan had been wearing Ronan's overcoat. He shook his head and stopped her from taking it off.

"Hey, you can return it later. You haven't changed clothes yet either, Sunbae."

"Still... given your current... condition..."

"What does it matter if a fellow soldier teases a bit? It's settled, so put it on."

"Well, then..."

Adeshan hesitated before straightening the collar of the overcoat. A faint redness in her cheeks seemed to indicate some discomfort. Just then, familiar figures emerged from the crowd.

"So, both of you were here."

"What's up?"

It was Ayun, the top student of the third year, and the bald lackeys who were close to him. Next to them stood the girl who had been bothering Adeshan, looking utterly defeated. Ronan furrowed his brows.

"Why did you guys dare to come here? Was that beating not enough?"

"J-just calm down. We're not here to fight."

"Why are you here then?"

"That's..."

Seeing Ronan clench his fist, Ayun clapped his hands. It was utterly demolished before, yet seeing it unscathed now indicated the impressive skills of the medical team. Ayun and the bald lackeys hesitated for a moment before bowing their heads.

"I'm sorry. I acted without thinking."

"Huh?"

"I was only listening to what others were saying and trying to judge you recklessly. Especially, I want to apologize to you, Adeshan."

"To me...?"

Ronan and Adeshan looked at the flustered bald lackeys with puzzled expressions. Their faces were visible through the gaps in their scalps, like shining gems. Behind them, the girl who had been harassing Adeshan earlier mumbled,

"I'm sorry too. Unintentionally, I think I was jealous of you. But it's true you're tall and pretty..."

"Hey, what's gotten into everyone all of a sudden? What did the Professor say?"

"Nothing. After being attacked by you, I thought a lot. You did the impossible, Adeshan."

Even while undergoing treatment, Ayun had been reminiscing about the time he fought with Adeshan. It made no sense whatsoever.

Adeshan, stuck at the sword user level and not particularly physically capable, had managed to dig into his weak spots and activate him to the point of releasing a furious assault. That was more shocking than being hit by Ronan without being able to resist. Ayun continued.

"No one will ignore you anymore. At least not among the third-year students."

"Is that so..."

"I just wanted to convey that message. Well then, we'll be going. Get some rest."

After apologizing, Ayun and the girl turned away. Adeshan had remained standing silently the whole time, not saying a word. Ronan, who had been standing with his arms crossed, nodded his head.

"Sunbae, You heard them right?. Be confident."

"I-I don't even know what's going on..."

"Why are you so humble? Didn't the Professor say anything? It was a really good attack."

"It wasn't that great..."

Adeshan blushed slightly, touching her wrist as if embarrassed. Ronan considered such a reaction to be natural. After all, what Adeshan had done would have been impossible for anyone else.

Anyway, it turned out well. Being a superior student had given off a somewhat aloof atmosphere, but with this incident, that atmosphere seemed like it would disappear.

"Oh, I can't really remember, but how did it end in the end? What happened at the very end?"

"Huh?"

"He was definitely out of my sword's reach but they said it ended in a tie."

Ronan murmured with a hint of unease in his voice. Adeshan was about to answer, but the crowd separated again, and Navirose walked over.

"Oh, Professor"

"Looks like your treatment is over. You've been through a lot."

"You certainly planned an insane test."

"That's one of the reasons my classes are unpopular."

"But it was fun. What's that?"

Ronan raised an eyebrow. Navirose held a sealed scroll in her hand.

"It's a reward given only to the winner."

"The winner? Did I come in first?"

"It's a tie. I've reviewed it dozens of times, and the timing of the transmission was exactly synchronized. Anyway, you guys are a bunch of oddballs."

Navirose chuckled lightly. Ronan clicked his tongue and murmured.

"Damn it, I was planning to fold that arrogant bastard's nose about three times this time."

"Winning and still not being satisfied, you're just the same."

"Well, still, it's nice that the sunbae came in second. Congratulations, Adeshan."

Ronan grinned broadly. Adeshan, who had been standing quietly, shrugged her shoulders. Navirose, who had been observing the two with interest, handed a scroll to Ronan.

"So, what's this scroll?"

"It's my recommendation letter."

Navirose explained that with that recommendation letter, they would be allowed to visit most organizations within the empire. From prestigious guilds to even the Imperial Knights, it seemed like the scope of permission was extensive. Ronan's mouth hung open wider than he expected. It was a bigger reward than he had hoped for.

'I've been thinking about how to get that.'

Ronan accepted the recommendation letter politely. He felt like it would come in handy soon. A strangely satisfied tone flowed from Navirose's voice.

"Anyway, I see you have learned how to use it now."

"What? What do you mean?"

"The Sword Qi. Didn't you end it with that?"

Ronan's eyes widened. The submerged memory floated to the surface of his mind. The thin waves that had shot out along Lamanca's trajectory.

'I wasn't wrong.'

'I thought I was hallucinating because I was in a daze. Could I finally use it?' Ronan drew his sword right away and swung a sword Qi strike into the air.

Shing!

While it was very fast, there was no wave-like projection.

"Darn, it's not working."

"Calm down and try again."

However, no matter how many times he attempted, the result was the same. The fine dust scattered in the wind from the sword wind, that was all. Navirose twisted her lips.

"...It was weak, but it was definitely Sword Qi. Did you not have any forewarning before manifesting the Sword Qi?"

"Forewarning?"

"Yeah. You should have sensed the mana."

Come to think of it, he remembered the shock that pierced his body as if struck by lightning. It had been a momentary occurrence, but it was an uncomfortable and eerie sensation.

'Was that mana?'

Suddenly, Ronan remembered his first day at the academy. Just before he saw mana, his eyes had itched, just like that time. He wondered if that was also a phenomenon that indicated a curse weakening or being lifted. His heart began to beat faster. Navirose spoke.

"It seems that since your senses suddenly opened, you can't grasp the feel of it."

"What?"

"Sometimes there are cases where people gradually advance a few steps in situations as urgent as yours. You'll need to regain that sense to learn Sword Qi, but it's troublesome."

Navirose looked at Ronan with an annoyed expression. Ronan shrugged his shoulders. Before his regression, he had crossed that threshold countless times.

He was about to say something when Navirose, who had been sulking, opened her mouth with a somewhat displeased tone.

"...I'll introduce you to someone. He might be a good-for-nothing most of the time, but when it comes to handling mana, he's somewhat skilled."