< 147. Intensive Training (1) >
#147
“Instead there is a condition. “You are prohibited from sparring among yourselves for the remainder of the month.”
“Huh? why?”
Ronan tilted his head at the unexpected remark. Schlieffen also paused as if he didn’t understand. Nabirose said.
“Because we have to clearly determine superiority and inferiority. You two have very similar skills. “It’s good to train with sparring like you normally do but try to approach it a little differently this time.”
“Differently?”
“okay. “For the remaining month I will try to find ways to grow so that I can clearly dominate my opponent.”
“aha.”
Only then did Ronan understand Nabirose’s words and shrugged his eyebrows. This was again a novel proposal. Clearing her voice she began to convey her meaning openly.
“Most people become frustrated because their abilities do not keep up with their ambitions. “It’s an unfamiliar concept to those who are blessed like you.”
“That goes for instructors as well.”
“It’s noisy. I hope you will use this opportunity to feel the desperation and persistence of ordinary people. “I will do anything to become stronger…”
With butterflies I raised the corners of her mouth. His smile was creepy just like a scholar observing an interesting experiment.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to scream and spit on the floor asking if he thought I was your monkey but I couldn’t do it. Even if I had to die soon I didn’t want to lose to Schlieffen. Ronan asked raising his hand.
“But what if we really ‘do whatever it takes’? “You can improve your strength by drinking the blood of a newborn baby.”
“If they were like that I wouldn’t have asked them to do it. I probably already killed him with my own hands. “Do not be ashamed of your good nature.”
“Ugh….”
Ronan’s face turned red. These were the words he had said to Erzé Bet just a few days ago. Butterfly Rose smiled as if she thought it was cute.
“You are strong. Both have sufficient skills. To be honest I’m confident that 70% of the people out there are no match for you.”
“Still it’s an official position but are there so many idiots?”
“okay. But it’s not just idiots who gather here. Because the world is large and there are many talented people. “Of the remaining 30% there might be a swordsman strong enough to take you down…”
With butterflies I caught the tail of his horse. She looked away and chewed her lip before looking at the two again.
“…Maybe there will be the next swordsman who can push that old cat away.”
There was a deep look on her beautiful face. As expected it seemed like he had not yet completely escaped the despair of not being able to defeat Jaifa.
‘Well it’s not a wound that heals that easily.’
Her shaking eyes seemed to be speaking to her. The Sword Master has to be one of the two. After a moment of silence I opened her mouth.
“Then disperse. “You don’t have to come to class for the rest of the month.”
The notice is over. Ronan and Schlieffen left the arena and went to the campus. The sunset filtered through the spires and streamed down the street. Schlieffen who had been walking in silence opened her mouth.
“I have no intention of losing to you.”
“Who says that?”
“I ask you to do your best Ronan. “I will too.”
Ronan who was walking in front of her turned his head towards her. Schlieffen was already staring at him.
He was a serious guy in everything but he looked even more serious today. It’s also burdensome. Ronan turned his gaze forward again.
“Why are you so obsessed? Are you trying to find the holy sword?”
“Finding the Holy Sword is one of Grancia’s long-cherished wishes.”
“It was real… What on earth is that holy sword? “No one has ever seen it so does it really exist?”
“I’m sure it exists. “I just don’t know what power it holds.”
Schlieffen firmly believed that the Holy Sword existed. At this point I started to wonder what the knife was for.
It would be nice if it was a sword that could rip apart the star’s protection no matter who held it. Then there will be no problem if this bastard plays instead of me. Schlieffen continued.
“But the reason I’m giving my all has nothing to do with that.”
“Then why are you doing that?”
“I don’t want to lose to you. “That’s it.”
“It’s nice that you’re honest.”
Ronan laughed. This was what I liked most about this kid. Even if you have already reached a high place you never settle down. The dark blue gaze is always directed upwards.
“But what if I end up sucking my fingers in Phileon?”
Ronan chuckled. Instead of answering Schlieffen smiled slightly. He was about to reach the halfway point. Suddenly Schlieffen changed direction.
“I have some business to run so I’ll take a different route. “I wish you good luck.”
“Try to struggle hard for a month.”
Schlieffen left. Ronan trudged down the path leading to the dormitory alone. A long shadow caught up with him and his feet.
“Fuck.”
She pretended to be calm but when she was alone all kinds of worries came to her. Nabirose’s suggestion certainly made sense.
I don’t know if it was because my body had become lighter due to Haeju or if the hatred had worn off over time but I couldn’t deny the fact that the venom had subsided compared to before.
‘Maybe that bastard is stronger than me now.’
Ronan twisted his lips. The current Schlieffen may have been stronger than himself. No he was much more likely to be strong. Even though I was able to get rid of a tumor and my body grew the gap of two years was not something that could be easily made up.
‘I’m not the type to hope for a fluke.’
It wasn’t that difficult to predict what kind of growth that unlucky genius had achieved in two years. I’m sure I’ll focus on training relentlessly this time too. Because that bastard is Schlieffen.
If you think about it Schlieffen had an overwhelming advantage in this match. Being the eldest son of the Grancia family meant that he could grab everything he wanted as long as he stretched out his hand. He would eat all kinds of good things receive all kinds of support and undergo intensive training.
‘You have to press it firmly.’
On the other hand Ronan’s situation was not so easy. He had to save time for eating and pooping in order to make progress to the point where he could beat Schlieffen within a period of one month. He was in the midst of carefully planning. Suddenly a voice came from above his head.
“Ronan.”
It was a familiar voice. Ronan raised his head. About ten steps away in the sky a handsome young man was looking down at him with his back to the setting sun.
“you….”
Ronan frowned. Huge red wings sprouted from the young man’s back and were flapping at regular intervals.
His platinum-blonde hair was blowing in the wind which happened from time to time. It seemed like an idiot but it was a wonderful sight. The attention of the students walking down the street was all focused on the young man.
“What is that? “Is it magic?”
“Was there a kid like that among the freshmen…?”
“He’s very handsome.”
The surroundings were becoming increasingly noisy but the young man remained calm. It seemed like more time would be needed to understand the dragon race. Ronan touched his forehead and sighed.
“…come down first.”
“Don’t talk to me in a commanding tone.”
“Fuck… will you come down?”
Nodding his head the young man landed in front of Ronan. Exclamations erupted from everywhere as the wings folded and disappeared into the body. He was just going to invite all the students.
“Itargand. Walk around the academy as much as possible. “Unless you’re going to write ‘Dragon’ on your forehead and wear it around.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Damn I told you that if you want to become strong you have to learn and work hard like a human. “I don’t mind the effort but if your identity is revealed your learning will be greatly hindered right?”
Itar Gand tilted his head. It was just overwhelming to have to tell them all these things one by one. You have to endure it. Ronan took a deep breath and continued.
“You are a dragon. Think of it the other way around. “How would you feel if I polymorphed into a dragon and went to your city but were discovered to be human?”
“I see. “I understand.”
Fortunately Ittar Gand had a good head. He immediately understood that if it was discovered that he was a dragon the students would be annoyed at him or run away screaming. Itargand said.
“I have completed the admission procedures as you said. “Can I really become stronger if I do this?”
“of course. There’s no way it wouldn’t work out.”
Ronan nodded confidently. He urged Itargand to enter Phileon Academy. It was to keep his promise to teach him how to become strong.
Although Kratyr was appalled he somehow accepted his admission. Ronan desperately tried to persuade him asking if there was any reason a dragon could not attend class when a lion walking on two feet was teaching students.
Thanks to this Itargand was able to attend Fileon Academy for a year. He was the first Dragon freshman since the school opened.
“Like you said the people here are of a fairly high standard. “It is different from other inferior things.”
“Because it’s a place where the best talent on the continent gathers.”
“I will follow your suggestion. “I don’t know what can be accomplished in such a short period of time…”
Itargand licked his lips as if he did not understand. In fact to him a year would be no different from a few days for a human being.
The method Ronan suggested was to learn and work hard. It was an answer that was so simple and clear that people would feel the urge to kill if they heard it.
However effort and learning were concepts that were quite rare among the basically complete dragon race. In a way it was similar to the ‘blessed type’ that Nabi Rose mentioned a moment ago.
Needless to say his physical talent was already excellent. Red Dragon. He was a direct descendant of Navardose so in a way it was natural. Ronan had no doubt that Itargand could go far ahead of other dragons if he had the right mindset.
“good night. “Then let’s see in a month.”
“A month? why?”
“A man named Kratir told me to take a break because he had to talk about various things with the professors. “I just happened to have to visit his mother so it was a good thing.”
Itargand said calmly. Ronan’s eyes widened. He seemed to have discovered the final piece of the training method that was being perfected step by step.
“So…you mean we have a month left?”
“okay.”
Itar Gand nodded his head. One corner of Ronan’s mouth rose. Dragon A fast-growing sparring partner who can replace Schlieffen.
After chatting a few words they walked side by side to the club training site. Itargand did not return to the dragon city of Adren that day.
****
A month passed like that. Ronan covered in wounds threw down his sword and shouted.
“Faster!”
“Kaaaaak!”
Wow! The tip of Ronan’s sword passed through Itargand’s chest with a shallow cut.
