189. Mother of Fire (5)
#189
It’s been a while since I cut down the fire. As soon as the line created by the sword strike widened a strong wind suddenly blew. Waves of flame were torn into hundreds of pieces and blown away by the wind. Ronan looked back at Tyber and growled.
“You stupid bastard you should know the topic and attack it.”
“Senior Seo…!”
Tyber’s eyes widened as if they were about to explode. His idol was in front of him. Schlieffen stood up from the audience and muttered quietly.
“…It’s faster.”
In his hand was a sword without a blade. Before long the wind that blew away the split flames came back in the form of a blade. Even though Itargand drew his sword as soon as he opened fire he was one step too late.
Aurors weren’t the only ones blooming. Schlieffen muttered and sat down again. I felt like I needed to increase my training. Tybur who had forgotten how to speak and was dumbfounded stuttered and opened his mouth.
“Senior Ronan. It’s truly an honor. “I really really really… throw myself like this to save myself!”
Tyber couldn’t believe what was happening. I couldn’t even think about the shameful incident of getting kicked out by a freshman. It was the moment when he couldn’t control his joy and raised the corners of his mouth. Sigh! Ronan’s fist flew in in an instant and struck the top of his head.
“Gagging!”
“Don’t worry about what you did well. “Do you want to be a bitch?”
The impact was strong enough to believe that his skull cracked. Ty Burr fell over holding his head in both hands.
He did something that deserved to be impaled alive on a spire but since it wasn’t intentional he decided to treat it as a blow. He’ll probably faint when he realizes what he’s done even in the distant future. Ronan swung his sword around and glared at Itar Gand.
“I understand how you feel but shouldn’t you do it in moderation?”
“…It was reckless.”
Itar Gand lowered his head as if he had no shame. In the meantime he glanced up at his mother just like a five-year-old child who had made a mistake.
Now that I think about it he actually couldn’t identify the most important person. Ronan took a deep breath and looked up at Navardose. She was looking down at herself with her dull expression.
‘what. ‘Why are you looking at me?’
Because of her burdensome stare Ronan unconsciously averted his gaze. Kratir who came to his senses belatedly declared himself the winner.
“The poetry competition is over. The winner is Ir student!”
“Wow!”
Cheers erupted from everywhere. It ended in an instant and a third party intervened but the victory was a victory anyway. Medical staff rushed over and carried Tyber onto a stretcher. Kratyr’s voice rang in my head.
[Thank you so much. Ronan.]
Everyone was chanting Itargand’s name. Ronan quietly returned to his original seat. The Emperor who had completely folded the newspaper before he knew it let out a low laugh.
“It was amazing. As expected I chose the right person.”
“It wasn’t a big deal. “Someone would have stopped it anyway.”
“I guess so. Still if it weren’t for you I would have singed at least a handful of that gutsy boy’s hair.”
The emperor also praised Ronan for his humility. Actually it wasn’t entirely wrong. Because it was a place where so many outstanding talents gathered someone might have tried to stop him but it was true that he was the one who acted the fastest. Suddenly the Emperor who had been looking back and forth between the arena and Ronan tilted his head.
“But did you do something wrong?”
“yes? “What is that all of a sudden…”
“Navardose is looking this way.”
said the emperor. In an instant the hair on his entire body stood up. As he hurriedly turned his head he caught sight of Navarre looking this way with his legs crossed just as he said.
Her eyes were still fixed on Ronan. Her eyes sparkling with the color of fire were glaring at her. Her vertically narrow pupils were those of a dragon not a human.
‘What the fuck is this really?’
Ronan moved his seat three spaces to the side just in case. Navardose’s gaze followed him like a magnet. An ominous feeling was creeping in.
‘Are you really saying that because I carelessly cut off the fire my son started?’
Ronan swallowed thickly. I couldn’t possibly have been angry for that reason but dragons are such unpredictable creatures that I couldn’t let down my guard. Since he couldn’t ask why right now Ronan decided to focus on watching the entrance ceremony.
The entrance ceremony went smoothly. The brief greeting ended with a score of 9:1 with everyone except Tybur defeating the freshmen. Because Tyber lost so badly all remaining second years gritted their teeth and engaged in sparring. Cheonggrang. Finally the knife fell from the hand of the defeated freshman.
“Ugh… I lost.”
“no. I see room for much improvement with just a little bit of refinement. “The level of these freshmen is definitely high.”
“Is that so?”
“then. In particular you are worthy of being called a seed of talent. So why don’t you join our jousting club?”
However the freshmen did not become depressed or upset. Because except for a few monsters losing was a natural outcome. The incredible skills and leadership attitude of the seniors who were only one year apart from us inflated their expectations and sense of belonging at Phileon. The entrance ceremony ended with a short speech by Navardose.
【It was fun. May the flame of the beginning brighten your future.】
Good luck! Flames rose from the air and engulfed her form. Where the fire had died down only the chair that Kratir had prepared remained.
Before long the loudest cheers since Phileon was built erupted. No one present could have imagined that they would not only see Navarre but also receive her blessing. After completing the entrance ceremony the freshmen moved to the banquet hall under the guidance of their seniors. Ronan turned to the Emperor and said goodbye.
“Then I’ll go Your Majesty. “See you again soon.”
“okay. Thank you for your hard work. “Anyway where did Navardose suddenly go?”
“I see. “I tried to ask her what I did wrong but she suddenly disappeared… I guess I should at least ask her.”
Navardo Je was staring at Ronan until the moment her entrance ceremony ended. I thought she was going to say something but I never thought she would leave like that. He was just about to get his butt off the chair.
【There is no need for that.】
“Huh…!”
A voice came from just to the left. Ronan took a deep breath and turned his head. Navarre who had disappeared was sitting next to her with her legs crossed.
Even though Ithar Gand still remained in her arena she was still staring at Ronan. Her red hair had a sweet scent she had never smelled before.
Ronan was so shocked that he was completely speechless. The emperor stood up and bowed his head respectfully.
“The Emperor of the Empire meets the Mother of Fire.”
【It’s been a while. You came in the end.】
“Because I just can’t get over it. Next time I will meet you at the imperial palace.”
【I was sorry at that time. I couldn’t even read the letter you sent. It turns out that the idiot wearing the crown cheated on my son.】
Navardose said with an expression of regret. It was a story about the time of the Winter Witch Crisis. Come to think of it the reason Itargand was dispatched to Rodolan was because the emperor requested support from Adren.
‘The idiot with the crown?’
It seemed like there was a similar boss in the dragon city of Adren. I don’t know if it’s stronger than Navardose. The Emperor shook his head left and right.
“no. Itargand was also a great help.”
【Thank you for saying that. But Itargand knows that he is still too young to be of much help. The person who truly brought spring back to you is the child next to me.】
“Without a doubt it was the biggest contribution.”
【Hehe I will visit again when I get the chance. I want to talk to this kid today.】
“All right. Please stay healthy.”
The emperor bowed again and stood up. Just seeing the head of the most powerful country on the continent do that was enough to know her status.
The Emperor having completely folded up his newspaper departed with his bodyguards. After seeing that his surroundings had quietened down Navarre looked back at Ronan again.
【Hey.】
“Oh yes.”
Ronan shrugged her shoulders at the sudden call. She was smoothing her chin and crossed her legs in the opposite direction.
【There is something I want to ask you. Please answer honestly.】
“yes?”
【About what happened last night. You glossed over the reason why you were not affected by my magic saying it was simply due to your constitution. Do you remember?】
“Ah that’s right… that’s right.”
Ronan nodded her head. She was still wearing a dress that showed off her curves so it was hard for her to look me in the eye and talk.
【It wasn’t completely wrong. But she knows that in reality it’s a little different.】
“yes? “What is that all of a sudden…”
【To be precise cutting down mana is probably your ability. Isn’t that right?】
The moment she heard those words Ronan’s face hardened. How does this charming lady know that?
“How did you know that?”
【As expected. Now it finally explains. Otherwise there is no way I would have felt déjà vu for a person who would not have lived until I was 20.】
It was an incomprehensible sound. Suddenly Navarre stretched out her hand and began to caress Ronan’s face. The red dragon’s hands were much warmer than those of humans. She did what she said.
【Hey. I know your father.】
“…Father?”
【okay. I never thought we would meet like this.】
For a split second her mind turned completely white. It felt like lightning was striking somewhere deep inside her skull. She smiled fondly as she gently brushed the bridge of Ronan’s nose.
【So the child that ■■ was talking about was you. Why didn’t I recognize it sooner? This is how they resembled each other.】
“huh?”
Ronan raised his eyebrows. It felt like I wasn’t hearing some important words.
“Could you please say it one more time?”
【huh? What do you mean?】
“The name of the man named Father.”
【Ah ■■ I see.】
“…what?
Ronan frowned at her. He couldn’t make out the only word that referred to his father’s name. It was like the language of shadows experienced in the past in the world of images. He soon came to a conclusion and cursed.
“This damn curse….”
It seemed like the information was being controlled by a curse. Navarro seeing her suddenly grim expression widened her eyes. Ronan said holding out her fountain pen from the front pocket of her coat.
“Could you please write the name of the person you just mentioned here on the palm of my hand?”
【Why?】
“I can’t hear that name right now. “There are some personal reasons.”
【What? Well I figured it out.】
Navardose began writing on Ronan’s palm. It felt strange to be tickled. Soon enough she removed her pen and Ronan flipped her hand over. There was no writing written on the rough palm. Ronan gritted his teeth as he saw a black stain that looked like ink had spilled.
“Fuck.”
【Could it be that you can’t even read the writing?】
“I think so.”
Ronan sighed. I was wondering what his name was and why he was campaigning like this. Navardose was trying to answer something. Suddenly her horn began to blink slowly.
【Ah here we go again.】
Navarro I clicked her tongue. It was the same ominous red as I had seen last night. Ronan tilted her head.
“What’s going on?”
【It looks like the offensive has begun again. If it was broken that much it would be easy to get tired of it but it is really tough.】
Her irritation and fatigue were thickly reflected in Navarre’s voice. It seemed like the same thing happened last night as the word offensive appeared again.
Mana was gathering around her. For some reason it seemed like he was going to leave suddenly this time too. Ronan now in a hurry raised her hand and asked a question.
“Can I go with you too?”
【Hmm?】
“I wanted to know since I had the chance. “About my father.”
Navardose raised his eyebrows. Her reaction was unexpected. She thought for a moment and then opened her mouth.
【It’s too much for a mortal to handle… No if it’s his blood it’ll be fine. Do you really want to come with me?】
“yes. “I don’t know what it is.”
Ronan nodded her head. She didn’t know when if not now she would meet Navarre. Just then a familiar voice was heard from under the stands.
“I will go too. mother.”
The two people lowered their heads. Before I knew it Itargand was approaching and looking up at the audience. He must have come to see her mother’s horns shining. Navarro shook her head.
【I’m grateful but I’m fine today. Spend time with your new friends.】
“Haona….”
【Someday even if you don’t like it it’s something you will take over. As I said yesterday enjoy the immaturity of childhood.】
Navardose said in a friendly voice. From what I heard her say it seemed like she had never even been to Itar Gand.
“…All right.”
He was chewing his lower lip and shook his head. Not long after Itargand turned his back and walked away dozens of students gathered around him.
“I told you to come early right? “The game just looked really cool!”
“Hey…do you have a girlfriend? No I just… her friend told me to ask.”
“Junior. “You used a lot of fire. Can you tell me if it was the effect of the sword or your own magic?”
It seemed like he was just waiting for the right moment to talk because he wanted to get to know me. Ronan smiled involuntarily as he remembered himself from three years ago. Navardose who was watching the scene behind him muttered in a faint voice.
【It would be nice to have more friends. It’s an unfamiliar concept to the self-absorbed race of dragons.】
“Well if things continue like that I think the number will increase easily. By the way aren’t you being too negative about your own race?”
【You don’t know how great what you have done for Ir is. Hey kid. I feel like kissing your cheek right now.】
Then you can do it. Ronan had to hold back his words as they rose up in his throat. If it weren’t for Adeshan who was looking at us with worried eyes from the other side of the audience he would have tried to show off his talent but it was just a shame.
【It’s a long story. Then let’s go together. It won’t take long.】
“If there is anything I can help you with I will be happy to help. “But where are we going?”
【Dreamour. It is the place where the sky becomes thin and the front line where I fight.】
With those words Navarre doge snapped his fingers. Flames bloomed in the air and engulfed the two people. When the people around them noticed the strange incident and turned their heads Ronan and Navardose had already disappeared.
