23. For my sister (2)
#23
Schlieffen continued talking with Iril for a long time afterwards. To be precise it was closer to Iril saying her words unilaterally.
“But you look similar in age to our Ronan. oh! “Are you also going to enroll in Phileon this year?”
“ah. Umm. “That’s right.”
“Wow! There are all these coincidences. “Please be friendly with my younger brother!”
“uh. Uh oh. hmm.”
Ronan looked at Schlieffen with her pitiful eyes. What was flowing from her Schlieffen mouth was now becoming more of a reaction than a word. “ouch.” “Ugh.” “Wow!” Same things.
‘Love is so scary.’
Ronan shook his head as he looked at the Empire’s morning star who had become a dementia patient. At first she was angry that she had dared to harbor affectionate feelings for her sister but now she felt sorry for her.
Then Iril pointed to her Schlieffen sword and said:
“wow! But the knife is really cool! Do you know much about knives? So can you recommend a good store? “My younger brother needs to buy a knife right now.”
“Sister please.”
Ronan touched his forehead and sighed. Iril was looking up at Schlieffen with a twinkle in her eye. Schlieffen who had been looking into her eyes without saying a word barely managed to open her mouth.
“knife.”
It was a word with many implications. Schlieffen rummaging through the pockets of her uniform took out something of hers. Hers was a platinum-colored shiny metal plaque.
Schlieffen held out her metal plaque to Iril.
“first of all. Take it. “It’s compensation for my mistake.”
“It was my fault but why are you giving compensation to my sister?”
“Wow! thank you! “But what is this?”
Iril looked curious and played with her metal paddle. The front of the plaque was engraved with the image of a knight stepping on a dragon. She was the crest of the House of Grancia one of the great houses that divided the empire.
Ronan’s eyes widened. He knew the identity of the metal plaque. It was a type of credit certificate often used by noble families. First it proves that the goods will be received and that the family will pay for them later.
Considering that the more prestigious a family is the greater its value and utility the Grancia family’s bill of exchange had truly enormous value. In fact it was no exaggeration to say that it was a one-time free exchange ticket that could be used throughout the entire imperial territory.
It was too much compensation for destroying the Black Iron Sword. Ronan said as if he was shocked.
“You crazy guy… do you know what this is?”
But Schlieffen continued her words without even looking at Ronan.
“The store. At the western end of Workshop Street…there is a blacksmith shop that has been making the Grandcia family’s treasured swords for over 500 years. “It’s usually difficult to get in but if you show it you’ll be able to get in.”
“wow! Really? “Can you tell me where that place is?”
“Well…the craftsmen are on vacation now so we’ll have to wait a few days to find them.”
“Are you really out of your mind?”
“It was all my fault that my younger brother’s sword was broken. Please…make a good sword. “I pray that you will be saved.”
Schlieffen was in the car trying to turn his body. Iril said holding his hand again.
“Thank you so much! Thanks to you I think I can get a good sword. thank you!”
“…!”
Ronan seemed like he could never forget the expression Schlieffen made at that time. He staggered away as if he had been hit on the head with a club.
Iril said with a bright smile.
“I was worried because he looked scary but he turned out to be a very nice person. thank god!”
Ronan couldn’t say anything. Iril handed the card he received from Schlieffen into Ronan’s hand.
“ruler! Ronan. “I don’t understand a single word of what’s being said but you can write it well right?”
“…maybe.”
Ronan put his card into his inner pocket. He wasn’t really interested in the equipment in the first place but he had no reason to turn down something for free.
Moreover he is the secret blacksmith who made the weapons of the Grancia family. Ronan stuck out his tongue.
“As expected love is scary….”
Since it was vacation time anyway I planned to visit the blacksmith shop only after I entered school. Ronan and Iril walked back to the downtown area.
****
This time the Ronan siblings moved to the largest hair salon in the islands. Ronan had no idea but it was a place so famous that even nobles had to make reservations and wait at least three months.
“Welcome. “The name of the person who made the reservation is…”
“huh? “Why are you doing this?”
“Woah Director!!”
But for some reason as soon as he saw Iril’s face the clerk ran somewhere. Before long an older gentleman with a pair of scissors in his front shirt pocket approached them. He was the director in charge of Salon.
“Huh…this is really….”
The director also froze the moment he saw Lee Lil. He looked at Iril’s face and hair for a long time then opened her mouth.
“Excuse me miss. Would you please give me the honor of crafting your beauty?”
“Crafting beauty…?”
Iril tilted her head. Ronan said glaring at the director.
“I’m asking if I can cut her hair. “The old man will say it so you can understand….”
“I’m so sorry. “Stop without even realizing it….”
“Aha sure! “Please make it pretty!”
Iril sat down in her chair. The director took a deep breath and picked up the scissors. He has been styling the hair of noble ladies and ladies for over 40 years but there has never been a moment as tense as this one.
Of course coming to this place for the first time in his life Iril could only feel anticipation. She said looking back at her Ronan.
“uh? “Why don’t you cut Ronan?”
“I’m done.”
“…You’re not trying to get into school with that head are you?”
“That’s right. “Isn’t it okay?”
Ronan stroked her bangs. His clumsily combed hair was shaking messyly. Iril’s face hardened for the first time since meeting his brother.
“Absolutely not! hey! “I’ll cut my little brother’s hair too!”
Iril shouted raising his hand. She tugged on Ronan’s sleeve and forced him into her chair. She refused several times but her sister did not break her stubbornness.
“Oh I’ll cut it. “Cut it.”
“Um… then customer? How would you like me to cut it for you?”
Ronan sighed at her.
“Just cut it yourself. neatly.”
“Oh you know….”
The hairdresser’s expression hardened for a moment. But he soon skillfully pulled out a commercial smile. Soon the scissors began.
‘Now that I think about it this is the first time I’ve had my hair cut by someone other than my sister.’
Click click click. Every time the sound of scissors was heard the strong hair was cut off. Ronan’s head began to shake back and forth.
Somehow I felt sleepy.
.
.
.
In my hazy consciousness I heard a mumbling sound.
“Oh this is really….”
“Hair definitely affects a person’s impression. “It’s at the level of transformation.”
“Are you awake sir?”
Ronan opened his eyes. It looks like he dozed off for a bit. He blinked his still heavy eyelids and looked around. Beside him Iril was looking at him with her hands clasped together.
“Wow….”
“What did you cut everything already?”
Her white and silver hair which was somewhat excessively voluminous was trimmed into a sophisticated shape reminiscent of a city woman. The volume has decreased by about two times but the beauty has increased by more than ten times.
“…It suits you. “But why is everyone looking at me?”
But something was strange. Despite Iril’s beauty which could be considered violent all eyes of those around her were focused on Ronan. Iril murmured in her voice filled with emotion.
“My younger brother was so handsome….”
“what?”
Ronan turned his head and looked straight ahead. In the long mirror above and below him an unlucky-looking guy was sitting in his chair blinking his eyes.
Ronan lifted his hand and touched his head. The hair which looked like a newly built house had become neatly bald. It gave off a neat yet wild look like Professor Varen’s mane.
“…is this me?”
The black hair that fell over his forehead was shiny and not as frizzy as usual. The exposed eyes were sparkling defiantly. The director who had scissors stuck in his front teeth approached me smiling.
“Today is the best day of my hairdresser life. Crafting not one but two gemstones. “These are the most sparkling gemstones.”
He said halfway through that he cut off Ronan’s head. Ronan was dumbfounded as he stared at himself in the mirror. No matter how he tried he couldn’t get used to it.
“Damn this is so awkward. how much is this?”
“I will not accept any money. I would like to thank you for giving me such a wonderful experience. ”
“yes?”
“Please come visit us next time. “Please be careful on your way back.”
The director politely sent Ronan and Iril off. As I came out I felt the attention that had been focused on Iril diverge. Originally both men and women were only looking at Iril but now the men were looking at Iril and the women were looking at Ronan.
Ronan frowned at her.
“It’s such a burden but how did you survive this?”
“yes? what?”
“…no.”
Well since Iril was beautiful to begin with she must have been used to the envious looks from her days as a snot. Ronan swept his bangs with a confused expression.
‘It’ll be a bother until I grow it again.’
From then on the two siblings had a great time. After touring the island’s famous sites we had dinner and returned to the accommodation around sunset.
Today’s lodging was the [Sunset Keeper] one of the best inns in the system where the entire tower was converted into an inn.
“Now where did this ball go? right? left?”
“Pyeol-ah!”
Sita returned to her lodgings first and she was playing with Asher. When Ronan who had cut her hair came in both eyes widened at the same time. Asher said in a trembling voice.
“Ro Ronan… right?”
“okay. Is it strange?”
“Oh no…! It suits you very well. “A lot.”
“Bwaaaa!”
Sheeta flew out and bumped her face into Ronan’s cheek. He seemed to really like the fact that his affection was much stronger than usual. At that time Iril walked to her window as if he was fascinated by something about her.
“wow.”
The sun was setting. From the special room of the Sunset Keeper which was made of glass one could see the western main street at a glance.
The street covered with pure white paving stones was burning with rose color. The shadows created by people wandering around in the sunset were billowing like foam. She opened her mouth with her gaze outside her window.
“It’s so so pretty. “There are so many beautiful things in the world.”
Ronan twisted her lips wordlessly. She felt like she had repaid in some small way the favor she had received from her sister.
The three talked unfinished business until late at night. Ronan fell asleep only after everyone including Sita had fallen asleep. The night before her entrance ceremony went by smoothly like that.
****
The day of the entrance ceremony dawned.
Ronan and Asher finished breakfast and changed into their school uniforms. The magic department wore black robes with a cape and the martial arts department wore a black-and-blue blazer with a white shirt and black slacks.
In the case of the martial arts department grades were distinguished by the color of the tie and Ronan a first-year student had to wear a red tie. Iril even applauded and let out a happy exclamation.
“Ouch! “You both fit so well together!”
“It’s frustrating.”
Ronan undid her top button. The group moved straight to Phileon.
At Phileon Academy where vacation was over access was strictly controlled unlike usual. The guards wearing armor confirmed the identity of each person without fail.
“hmm? you….”
“yes?”
The janitor recognized Ronan and spoke to her.
“I thought I’d seen this a lot before but he was the friend who crossed swords with Schlieffen back then. How have you been?”
“Well in its own way.”
“Looking at you you are the best in practical skills. I wonder how you defeated the Empire’s Morning Star. “I expect a light greeting.”
“A light greeting? What is that?”
It was an incomprehensible sound. Ronan shrugged her shoulders once and moved inside her premises. Unlike the entrance exam day the streets were noticeably quieter.
“Nice to meet you everyone. “I am Krava Kratir the current principal of Phileon Academy.”
The entrance ceremony was held in the main plaza where the admission results were announced. Observers including Iril watched the entrance ceremony while sitting in temporary seats erected on the edge of the square.
Behind Kratir who was on the podium giving a speech her familiar faces were lined up in a row.
These were the interviewers who were in charge of Ronan’s practical exam including Sentai Sword Saint Nabiroze a strange elf with a piercing in his ear and a werewolf named Gidokan.
“None of us have any doubt that you will become the talent that will lead the continent. Even if you live in mortality the achievements you have made will be passed down for eternity not even for a hundred or even a thousand years.”
‘I’m sorry but there are less than ten years left.’
A speech that was cliché but contained very good content followed. Eventually when Kratir finished his speech thunderous applause came from the audience.
“Welcome to your admission. “Everyone on the 787th.”
“Waaaaaa!!”
“thank you. So shall we move on to the next step? “Your seniors are waiting.”
“Seniors?”
Suddenly Kratir turned his back. He made a pulling gesture in the empty air. Ronan’s eyes widened.
“What the fuck?”
The scenery on the other side of the obviously empty plaza was torn apart like a curtain. A large square full of people appeared as if a painting covered with cloth was revealed.
“nice to meet you! Juniors!”
“If you’re a martial arts major please join the jousting club!”
“Hahaha! Who is Ronan? “I’m looking forward to this greeting too!”
Filling the other side of the plaza were all students wearing school uniforms. The students who came face to face with the new students cheered as if the sky was leaving.
Fileon 786. They were seniors at Phileon Academy who entered the school a year before them.
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