11. The Lion and the Dreaming Bird (1)
#11
The boys arrived in Marbas late at night. A distant shadow rising from the ground was seen covering half of the eastern sky.
The gateway that must be passed in order to get to the islands was the Lomaira Mountain Range which separates the central and western parts of the continent.
They entered the Lomaira mountain road at dawn the next day. Since we didn’t bring horses or carriages there was almost no toll.
“It’s killing me.”
“huh.”
Every time I opened my mouth white breath came out. The summits of the surrounding rocky mountains like folding screens were not visible. The boys tilted their heads to admire the scenery that could only be called spectacular.
“Look at that Asher.”
Not far away a herd of mountain goats was climbing a sheer cliff. Asher seeing the mountain goat for the first time exclaimed in admiration. Ronan said pointing to the mountain goats with his index finger.
“Just nudge one. “With telekinesis.”
“I hate poetry.”
“That’s it Asher. I see that you have gained courage and that you are becoming a man. “Please bring up the one who is falling behind.”
“That’s…good.”
Asher followed Ronan’s instructions and extended his staff. The body of the mountain goat that was lagging behind rose into the air and quickly reached the top.
Ronan smiled contentedly. I also liked the sight of Asher’s further developed skills and the sight of the mountain goat being cheered on by the group that had just arrived.
“Marya has already arrived right?”
“You must be doing well. “Why do you want to see it?”
“What! It’s not like that! “I have to return the book…!”
“It’s okay Asher I understand. It’s definitely rare to see a breast like that. “I was surprised too.”
“I said no!”
The road was paved much better than Ronan expected. The road paved with round paving stones was wide enough for four carriages to pass at the same time and guards with swords patrolled day and night.
“Thank you for your hard work. “Traveler.”
“You’re having a hard time there too. When military life feels like crap I gain strength by thinking about the idiots in the punishment unit. “Those bastards don’t even get rid of corrosion properly.”
“Thank you.”
Rest areas erected at certain distances also provided great help to travelers crossing the mountain range. It was a welfare that was possible because the empire and the merchant union managed it together.
‘Of course I like money.’
However due to the nature of the mountain road if only a few important roads were blocked the empire’s trade routes would be completely paralyzed.
The Winter Witch who would appear in a few years was not called the worst criminal in the empire for nothing.
He thought of the people who died to eradicate the Witch of Winter and her splendid end.
“Maybe…I can meet those two too.”
It was the sword saint Schlieffen who killed the Winter Witch. And both of them were from Phileon. I thought that if I met them for just a moment I could change the future.
‘No way something like that will happen.’
But Ronan soon shook his head. It was a busy time for him to only focus on his own business.
They passed through Romaira in four days. As we left the mountains the season returned to spring.
After walking for a while a city stretching out to the distant horizon came into view.
Institutional discussion.
It was the capital of an empire that lasted for a thousand years.
****
The two were able to pass through Balon’s East Gate before noon. Thanks to the fact that I had obtained a citizenship card from Marbas in advance I could almost skip the inspection.
Today again as I passed the sentries sucking poop the panoramic view of the city organized like a chessboard caught my eye.
The first emperor. This thousand-year-old city designed by the greatest genius since creation was a work of art in itself.
“Waaaaa….”
“Ugh just write ‘country bastard’ on your forehead and go around.”
Asher was circling in place admiring the system like a slightly lacking child.
Ronan extended his finger and pointed towards the north of the city. Dozens of large and small spiers could be seen rising in the distance.
“That’s Phileon.”
“The small city of Hundred Towers…are you going right away?”
“no. “Is it possible to die from being crushed by someone?”
They walked to the market not to Phileon. There were still two days left until the practical exam began.
Since registration was done in advance by mail there was no need to stop by Phileon which was already crowded.
“What happened to that feather?”
“feathers…? Ah that strange bird. Come to think of it he said he lives in that noble system right?”
Ronan took off his backpack and opened the innermost pocket. The blue feathers which had still not lost their luster caught my eye.
I was shaking much more violently than usual and it seemed like it would have come right out of my backpack if I hadn’t been weighing it down with other luggage.
Ronan picked up his feather.
“Then shall we go now? “I still have a lot of time left.”
The abundant tail feathers were curved toward the north. The two people who were walking with a feeling of uncertainty eventually reached Phileon.
Ronan unable to move amidst the wave of humans muttered through gritted teeth.
“You make me suffer until the very end.”
***
-Sweet! Beep!
“Umm…why are you doing this Marfez?”
I opened my eyes to the loud sound of birds. Varen Panasir muttered in a sleepy voice.
His eyelids were heavy and his head was tired so he looked like he had fallen asleep.
In front of him a bright blue and fluffy bird was sitting. It was ‘Marfez’ a fantastic dream bird raised by Varen.
“Did you have any good dreams…?”
Varen yawning wide open got up from his chair. The pile of documents on the desk and the scenery outside the window caught my eye at the same time.
Varen held his forehead and sighed.
“Ugh…it won’t be easy this time either.”
His office was located at the top of Pyleon Tower 13. From the top of the spire one could overlook the northern part of the campus and system. The people who showed up to register for the test were crowded around like a swarm of ants.
-Sweet!
“Why even though I work as a professor I can’t get used to it… Should I go back to being an explorer?”
Three years had passed since I was invited by the imperial family to work at Phileon but dealing with humans was still tiring.
Before I knew it Marfez was on my shoulder and my head was touching his dark brown mane. It seemed like he was in a good mood for being so silly today.
“Yes you have to be strong. “Even if it’s just to meet your benefactor.”
Varen recalled an incident that happened a month ago. He almost lost Marfez who he thought had gone out for a walk forever. Even though quite a bit of time had passed whenever I thought about that time my heart felt like it was sinking.
The benefactor who saved Marfez has not yet been met. Every time he recalled the conversation he had with him a part of his heart felt faint.
Did he say that he had no intention of making a splash by saving just one animal? He had an incredibly kind heart.
“I wish you hadn’t lost your feather…”
It was the car where Varen looked out his window with thoughtful eyes. Suddenly two shadows emerged from below.
One of them tapped on the window.
“Hey.”
“Kuhuhuhhh!”
Varen flew backwards like a man hit by a carriage. He stumbled backwards hitting his butt and stopping only after hitting his head on the opposite wall.
Varen shouted the hair on his entire body standing on end.
“What are you all doing?”
A black-haired boy and a red-haired child were floating in the air. The child who saw Varen screamed.
“Kwaaagh! Let’s buy it!”
A neatly dressed lion was lying down in a corner of the room and roaring. As soon as the mana was disturbed the two people’s bodies fell down.
The boy quickly stretched out his hand and grabbed the window frame and the child’s hood at the same time.
“You idiot! magic!!”
Cheek! A strangling sound escaped the child’s mouth as she strangled him. He accidentally looked down and screamed again.
Far below a wave of humans was lapping. The boy climbed up with superhuman strength and kicked the window. Wow!
“Hey what on earth is this…!”
Varen looked at the humans who rushed into the office forgetting what to say. The boy who was carrying the child on his shoulder like a sack of rice looked around him and threw him down on the soft sofa.
“Kekkek! KEEEK! “Kek!”
The child began coughing violently clutching his neck. The boy walked up to him and hit his head.
“evil!”
“You almost fell! “Is this your first time seeing a lion?”
“I’m sorry….”
The child sobbed clutching the spot where he had been hit. After catching his breath the boy turned his head towards Varen.
“…huh is that Professor Varen?”
“That’s right but….”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Wear Lion… Damn I feel sorry for the window.”
The boy who approached held out his hand. Varen’s eyes widened. An all-too-familiar blue feather was sticking out from between the front pocket of his shirt.
****
“Professor are you really okay?”
“yes. Both of you are my invited guests. “Don’t worry.”
Phileon’s security was thorough. The guards who came in less than three minutes after the two made their grand appearance proved that fact.
The guards armed with heavy armor and polearms immediately surrounded Ronan and Asher. Professor Varen had a hard time explaining the whole story to them.
“If the professor says so…”
“Okay I’m sorry for causing an untimely commotion. “Thank you for always working hard.”
Varen bowed his waist almost in half and apologized. And he even took the pies he had made himself and sent them away one by one to the helpless janitors.
“her.”
Ronan who was sitting on the sofa laughed. It was a very contradictory attitude to his appearance as he looked like he slaughtered a cow with his bare hands.
This was even more surprising to him who had fought against a race called Were Lion.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. “You are the ones who saved our Marfez right?”
“…yes.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. “This is Professor Varen Panasir who is in charge of the lecture ‘Communication and Understanding with Phantom Species’ at Phileon Academy.”
Height is at least 3m. Atop his body which was as strong as a troll was the head of a majestic lion. The well-combed dark brown mane exuded both elegance and wildness.
He said “I heard that he had to make a choice because he couldn’t find the entrance. “I should have told you in advance the spell to open the door… I’m sorry.”
“Sorry sorry sorry. “Why are you so sorry to the people who broke the window and came in?”
Ronan bowed his head. At the same time he pressed the head of Asher who was sitting next to him.
“We are truly sorry. “This is the end of this lame skit.”
“I’m sorry….”
“Don’t do this! “There is no reason for you to apologize!”
“Yes that won’t happen anymore. “I said it was the end.”
Ronan crossed his legs. He made his intentions clear by putting a cigarette in his mouth that he had taken out of his arms. Marfez who had been sitting on Varen’s shoulder the whole time approached Ronan.
“How are you?”
-Beep!
Marfez rested his head on Ronan’s knee. His feathers became even more beautiful and he looked perfectly healthy.
He returned the feather he had removed from his front pocket to Marfez.
“Thank you so so much for saving Marfez.”
“I just did it because I could. By the way I never thought he was a professor at Phileon. “He was a great person.”
“It’s thanks to the Emperor recognizing my humble talent. “You two are taking the Phileon exam this time?”
“Yeah whatever.”
“I hope you pass. “I will teach you everything I know without leaving out a single sentence.”
The three people made a brief statement and then talked about various things. He urged students to attend his lectures if they entered Phileon.
Along with [Basic Elemental Science] it was the first class to fill up but they said they would somehow make room for the two.
“Anyway I think you need to do a better job with the new guard. “Those thieves were part of Caribolo’s noose.”
“Caribolo… was it?”
“Yeah you know those bastards are fucking persistent.”
Varen growled lowly after hearing the name Caribolo.
The mane that had been lying down rose up and the claws hidden under the bushy backs of the hands were revealed.
“How dare those ugly poachers…”
It seemed that the evil relationship was deeper than I thought. A deadly feeling that made my stomach tingle spread out from Varen’s whole body.
Asher who was pale sank into the sofa. Ronan exhaled cigarette smoke and snapped his fingers.
“Calm down.”
“yes…? “Oh sorry!”
The feeling of living calmed down in an instant. Varen hurriedly hid his hands behind his back.
He stood up bowed his waist at a right angle and apologized.
“I am truly truly sorry. “You’re showing your claws in front of guests…”
“No. “It was great.”
Ronan was sincere. The face of Varen that he had just seen was the true face of the Were Lion he knew.
It was amazing. Wear Lion who almost completely suppresses his true nature and the academy where he works as a professor.
I was even more excited about life at Phileon. Varen sat down again and opened his mouth.
“Well…can I ask you something? “There was something I was worried about earlier.”
“What is it?”
“What is in your right pocket…?”
“Pockets? …I was going to ask you this too.”
Ronan was rummaging through his pocket and took out a sphere. It was an unidentified substance produced by Marfez.
A month passed but no apparent changes were seen.
“He gave birth to this. Do you know what it is?”
Ronan pointed to Marfez who was dozing on his lap.
But no answer came back. Varen was staring at the sphere as if fascinated by something about him.
“What’s wrong?”
“This…this can’t be….”
Varen an awakened Auror immediately realized that it was Marfez’s egg. Because the dream bird’s unique mana was flowing from the surface.
But there was something else that really puzzled him. The mana I felt wasn’t just from a dream.
────────────────────────────────────
────────────────────────────────────
