< 135. Unseasonable Winter (5) >
#135
“…this crazy old man.”
It’s so wide. That was Ronan’s first impression. The appearance of her new club far exceeded her expectations.
A field made of stones stretched out. The ceiling and walls were also covered with flat stone without any curves. It looked more like a runway for takeoff and landing than a training ground.
It seemed like there were about five arenas adjacent to the first arena where Nabirose and I had been fighting swords just now. It’s not a joke it seemed like a small dragon could live there as long as the ceiling was high.
“I’m embarrassed.”
Ronan muttered and pulled Ymir from his waist. Kang! I tried to stamp the floor with mana but the blade bounced off with only a light scratch.
“under.”
Ronan laughed. He had no idea that his request for it to be spacious and strong would be accepted so honestly. While he was looking around him blankly a loud voice rang out.
“Haha I said I’d be surprised!!”
Ronan turned his head in the direction of the sound. In a corner of the training ground Marja was waving her hand vigorously. Behind her stood the wooden building that had originally served as her home.
“How the fuck did they move that?”
It was clear that Kratir had done this. In front of the building there was a long table used for banquets. The delicious smell was coming from the food prepared on top.
“Hehe this is one of the most dramatic scenes in his teaching career of over 70 years.”
“Are you back?”
“oh my god. Ronan.”
Her familiar faces were gathered around the table. All the club members and the people who were there to see Ronan off two years ago.
Ronan walked slowly towards her. Kratyr was the first to approach her and shook her hand.
“Ronan. “It’s been a while.”
“Principal.”
“It’s been a while since I came back but the Academy is in such a bad state. “You have no shame.”
Kratir smiled bitterly. The wrinkles on his face became deeper. Judging by the dark shade of her eyes it seemed like she couldn’t sleep well and was suffering from heavy work.
She was arguably the character who suffered the most during the Winter Witch Apocalypse. Kratyr trying to shake off her fatigue patted her Ronan on the shoulder.
“So do you like the new club?”
“…Is it okay to build something like this in the basement of the school?”
“Hehe it was a good thing she finished construction before winter hit. “Considering what Ronan has accomplished she might make two more.”
Kratir smiled stroking his beard. Although her fatigue was evident it was a benevolent laugh.
He fluidly explained the advantages and unique features of the new club. Durability well-equipped training facilities and secret passages everywhere. Ronan bowed her head.
“thank you. “I will use it well.”
“Okay okay. You just have to return to third grade right away. “The measures have already been taken.”
“I skipped a lot of things…I don’t have to take tests or anything like that?”
“The trick is. What does that mean to you now? However the remaining period will be very busy. “I need to pick up as much of the things I’ve skipped as possible.”
I was very fortunate that I didn’t have to call Asher or Marya my senior. I suddenly became a higher grader but considering my improved abilities it wasn’t a loss-making business.
No bird regrets the time it spent in the egg. Kratyr took a look at his pocket watch and quenched his appetite.
“Well now that I’ve seen your face I think this old man should go… I’m sorry we can’t hang out together.”
It seemed like there was something else going on. It was like breaking up as soon as we met but considering his position it was inevitable. Ronan who was shaking hands with him goodbye opened his mouth.
“I’ll make you comfortable in no time.”
“Huh…how ominous it sounds. Anyway have a good time.”
Ugh! The space flipped over and Kratir’s figure disappeared. Ronan who was looking at the spot where he had disappeared opened his mouth without turning his head.
“Professor Jarudin should I just say hello and leave?”
“There is at least time to eat. “You’ve grown a lot taller.”
“Right. “What else has changed?”
“Don’t be cocky just because you have a core. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the mana exercises I taught you right?”
Anyway I couldn’t handle it when it came to mana. Ronan grinned and turned his head. Jardin who had become a Were inchworm again was standing there.
“…Jarodin?”
The hollow cheek looked like it could be turned over and used as a drinking glass. The wrists exposed out of the sleeves were reminiscent of poker. Ronan asked in an anxious voice.
“Please tell me it didn’t happen because of my wife.”
“Sunya is doing very well. “I opened my eyes recently.”
Jarodin let out a low smile. Sunya was slowly but surely improving. The man who was excitedly explaining his wife’s condition sighed.
“It’s just that I have a lot of work to do.”
“thank god.”
“yes. “Compared to losing her wife again.”
He also explained that work has increased several times since winter arrived. If the Winter Witch was not dealt with quickly there were several people who would truly die from overwork.
“That monster…has Nabirose regained some energy?”
“Oh it seemed like that. “You saw potential in me.”
“Thank goodness. Now I don’t have to look at that price. Jaipa is also Jaipa but he worries about you so much.”
He said that Nabirose asked about Ronan’s well-being about once a day. Why doesn’t he wake up? Is it okay if I don’t feed him? What if he wakes up and becomes an idiot? etc.
He said that after losing to Zaipa he had to deal with double trouble as a drinking partner. Jarodin sighed and patted Ronan on the shoulder.
“I can guarantee that he is the person who cares about you the most. “Treat me well.”
“all right. Anyway he is a very affectionate person.”
“That’s not true Professor Jarudin. “There is a student council president.”
At that time a cute young lady suddenly intervened. The corner of her eye raised like a cat looked familiar. She spoke calmly tucking her sword purple hair behind her ear.
“Her sister Ade Shan wrote letters almost every day. “Even her family wouldn’t be able to do that?”
“It was an incredible amount of sincerity. “I’m glad I didn’t resemble that monster while I was a teaching assistant.”
“If she hadn’t been the Witch of Winter she could have written every single day….”
Zarodin nodded her head in agreement. She clenched her fists as if she was angry at the woman who listed Ade Shan’s achievements that were not her achievements. Ronan who was looking at her intently tilted his head.
“Erzebet?”
“Oh it’s been a while. Ronan.”
Only then did Hergé Bett turn her head. When I saw her for the first time in a long time she had completely become a young lady.
She was indeed the daughter of the Akal Lucia family and her every demeanor and manner of speech exuded charm. Ronan who was examining Ergé Bett’s face frowned at her.
“What is that wound?”
“Wow you recognized me right away….”
Hergé Bett widened her eyes. There was something like a red stain spreading around her neck.
Ronan who had seen her injured in many ways knew that those were scars from frostbite. Hergé Bett smiled bitterly and stroked her scar.
“It’s a scar left by a witch.”
“Are you not deleting it on purpose?”
“Hehe you are quick-witted as expected.”
She suffered a crushing defeat from the Winter Witch during her last year’s entrance ceremony. Even the fire magic taught directly from Aun Pillar ultimately failed to melt the witch’s ice.
“I watch it every time I feel relaxed. “It was quite effective.”
“You’re strong.”
“I don’t plan on treating it until after this winter. She would love a chance to get revenge but now she can’t even go near it….”
Erzhebet chewed her lip. As long as the Winter Witch was inside her shell she would not be given a chance to try again. Ronan who was thinking about something for a moment opened her mouth.
“Do you want to go with me this time?”
“yes? “You mean we’re going together?”
“Originally I was only going with Asher but I guess I could take at least one more person. therefore….”
Ronan explained briefly what she had planned. Erzsebet’s eyes widened. she said grabbing Ronan’s sleeve with both her hands.
“I want to go. Please take me with you. yes?”
“okay. Instead there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Join our club.”
Ronan who said that gave her a solemn expression as if telling her not to even dream of compromising. This was a talent she had been eyeing for a long time and she couldn’t miss this opportunity. Hergé Bett who was quietly blinking her eyes tilted her head.
“I’m already a member of Ronan’s club?”
“Huh? “When did you come in?”
“It was shortly after Ronan left. Ade Shan gives me personal guidance every day and I am so envious of her. So out of anger I just….”
Erzsebet scratched her cheek. That was a very honest reason for joining. She was no different from a bachelor who bought flowers he didn’t like every day to seduce the girl at the flower shop.
“Then what…”
“Hehe did you promise?”
The transaction ended abruptly. At that time a familiar woman walked out of the club building. In her hand was a turkey that looked like it had just come out of the oven.
“Eri. “Can you take this for me?”
“senior?”
“Ah you’re here Ronan.”
Ade Shan gave her a friendly smile. Erzébet who had carried her turkey to her table with her telekinetic powers clung to her snorting.
“Oh my god student council work is hard so what should I do when I lift something so heavy? “Did you actually cook it yourself?”
“Eri worries about me too much. “I do it because I enjoy it.”
Crew members were busily going to and from the building delivering food and drinks. I thought there were all the dishes on the table but it turns out that wasn’t the case. Ronan who suddenly sensed her emptiness shrugged her shoulders.
“Can’t you see Varen?”
She was strange. Even so Secret is not the kind of person who would fall into a situation like this. She clapped her hands as if Ade Shan had reminded her of something she had forgotten.
She said “Oh you already asked me to tell you I’m sorry. “He’s very busy these days developing new potions.”
“Potion development?”
“huh. “I should say it’s a popular version of the Perpetual Tale Pearl… You said you’re making a cold resistance potion that anyone can drink.”
Adeshan said that there is no one in the current islands who does not know the lion and dream bird battle. Varen who continued her research joined hands with Marya’s Caravel Merchant to distribute her special potions throughout her continent.
“okay. “I succeeded.”
It seems like it was just yesterday that I was so impressed by the details of the club’s activities that I was tearing my hair apart but I really didn’t know what the future held for people. Rolling up her sleeves Ronan entered her kitchen.
“I will help. “What can I do?”
“Oh I’m just resting. “You must be tired when you wake up today.”
“We played a lot in two years.”
Ronan laughed. Preparation didn’t take long. The welcome party celebrating his return ended only at dawn.
****
It was the next morning when I received a call from Lodolan. Sita the size of a large dog delivered her letter. Ronan entered Asher’s dormitory and woke him up.
“Wake up Asher. let’s go.”
“Uuuuuu…where?”
Asher who was buried in bed woke up and rubbed his eyes. His hair was tied on both sides and hanging limply.
Ronan ended up tying it last night but it seemed like he couldn’t untie it as it was stretched out as soon as he got back to the dormitory. Come to think of it didn’t he tell this bastard?
“Rhodolan.”
“…huh?”
Asher froze as if he were a statue. Ronan left the room with a threat that if she wasn’t ready within five minutes he would throw away her frilly dress as well.
“This is my first club activity in two years.”
Ronan inserted the pre-written club activity application into the gap in Varen’s office door. The extremely expensive Griffon airship served as their means of transportation.
I don’t know what Nabirose said but there was no particular need for a guide. After enduring the pain that felt like my butt would be split horizontally for several hours a huge shadow finally appeared on the horizon of the dawn sea. It was Rodolan the Fortress of Screams the largest reef in the world.
“What the fuck is that any different from a prisoner carriage?”
The landing went smoothly. Squeak – As soon as I got off the carriage the fierce sea wind blew and tousled my hair. Ronan who got off first took a deep breath and let it out.
“Yes it should be like this.”
The corners of Ronan’s mouth rose. The salty wind carried the warmth of spring. This was thanks to the fact that the Winter Witch’s curse did not last until dawn. A trembling voice came out of Asher’s mouth who followed him.
“Ro Ronan…is this really true? Even now…”
“Man I brought you here to do well but that won’t work. “She is a rare sorceress not least because of her reputation as a witch but she may be able to receive some magical inspiration.”
“That’s right Asher. “Please show me your magic and the dignity of a chief.”
Erzsebet who got off last gave a warning. Asher looking up at Rodolan looked as if he was going to jump into the sea at any moment. Ronan looked around and stuck out his tongue.
“There are so many people…”
All kinds of people were walking around on the reef that served as a dock. They were all probably people who had come to solve the problem of the Winter Witch.
At the bottom of the cliff the boats they were on were anchored side by side. There were very few small ships and most of them were huge cruise ships or warships and some of them had hulls tied together to form structures.
At this point it was hard to tell whether this was a prison or a tourist attraction. Ronan frowned as he saw the ship approaching from afar.
“Who is that boat that is so flashy?”
A sailboat with its entire hull dyed red was approaching breaking the waves. It was a very large ship with four masts and it seemed like it could carry all of Lodolan’s prisoners without exaggeration.
They were about to head towards the fortress. A familiar voice was heard through the sea breeze.
“The people from Phileon over there are this way.”
The three people turned their heads at the same time. An old man in a black uniform was standing with his back to me. A scary-looking bird-beaked mask was swinging hanging from his waist.
“I received a call from Butterfly Rose. She might be able to skin a witch.”
“yes. “I’ll have to try to know for sure.”
It was someone I knew. Ronan smiled at the face he hadn’t seen in a long time. The old man who made eye contact with him tilted his head.
“Hmm? Where have we seen this before?”
“I saw it two years ago. “Interrogator Karaka.”
“…iced coffee! “That’s the boy from back then!”
Karaka’s eyes widened. He smiled brightly and shook hands with Ronan. The attitude seemed to welcome even an old friend.
“He grew up so beautifully that I didn’t even recognize him. “The girls in the village won’t be able to sleep.”
“I hope so. How is Cirilla?”
“Haha of course I’m doing well. Because so many fellow fanatics have come in I don’t get as much attention as before…but I still receive constant love and attention. “I’ve had ears completely cut off and regenerated more than 20 times.”
More than two years had already passed since he was captured in Gran Cappadocia and he seemed to be still being tortured. Asher covered her mouth. Karaka said pointing to Lodolan Fortress.
“Come on let’s go in. “If you don’t have any outerwear we will prepare some for you inside.”
“Outerwear?”
“When you go near a witch it gets really cold. “Please follow me.”
The three people followed Karaka. Whoa! As soon as I opened the fortress door a biting cold wind came pouring out. Blood-curdling screams and sobs were evenly mixed in the wind.
“Ugh! Ha don’t do it!”
“It’s so cold…! “Now please take it out!”
“My legs my legs…!”
Aren’t you ecstatic? Karaka muttered and flipped over her mask that was hanging on her waist. Her cheerful mood completely changed. He looked back at the group and opened his mouth.
“Welcome to Lodolan.”
