31. Reunion (1)
#31
Varen opened his mouth. The gaze was still fixed on Marfez and Sita.
“The one in the middle is a vampire of the Warsaw clan and the one on the right is Atia Fairy. Each has the ability to manipulate blood magic and heal wounds.”
“I recognize Orsay but I don’t know the rest. Are you saying these are all people who may have influenced Sita?”
“Yes. It looks like a black dragon but its abilities resemble the other two. Assuming that it was influenced by living things rather than the environment. But…something is strange.”
Varen finally looked at Ronan. The corners of her eyes were moist covered with her golden fur. Ronan asked while chewing a tray-sized cookie.
“What’s strange?”
“There is a contradiction throughout. First of all its appearance resembles a hatchling. The black dragon is not a dragon that enjoys polymorphing and if it had passed near Marfez in its true form there would be no way he would have known about it.”
Ronan nodded her head. That was definitely true. When she deduced the period and location of Marfez’s disappearance she concluded that it was highly unlikely that she had been influenced by a dragon. Varen followed her.
“Even if we assume that its appearance comes from a dragon its abilities are strange. As far as I know there is no dragon that can use blood magic and healing magic at the same time. Moreover vampires have almost died out within the imperial territory and fairies live in places that are even further away from civilization…”
“Well then there isn’t much progress.”
“I’m sorry but that’s right. However I came up with a hypothesis.”
“Hypothesis?”
Ronan blinked at her. Varen cleared her throat once and pointed at Sita.
“What the dreambird absorbs before laying its eggs…maybe it’s not mana.”
“What do you mean?”
“As I said before dream birds are very rare among fantasy species. “There is almost no known information.”
With those words Varen brought her a thick notebook. These were notes she kept while living with Marfez for 40 years. In this one volume she said she contains more than 80 percent of the information known to the world about dream birds.
“The phenomenon that Sita showed before hatching is very different from the information known so far. “Maybe starting from this incident new research results on dream birds will come out.”
Even in its egg form it absorbed mana. As if that wasn’t enough he also drank blood.
Her behavior after waking up was also extremely bizarre. High-speed silent flight magic that deals with blood healing wounds etc. There would be no animal so fundamentally different.
“If not mana what else can we absorb?”
“well. I think it may be a more abstract concept. “Emotions soul… things like that… um.”
Suddenly Varen let out a sigh.
“Huh… Actually it all sounds uncertain. As a professor he should be helpful but somehow he only shows more and more incompetence. “We plan to continue research so please wait a little longer…”
“Eh it doesn’t matter. “I already gave you a name so let’s have fun.”
Ronan waved his hand and whistled. Sita flew to Ronan holding Marfez. She almost missed several times because her arm strength was still weak but she eventually succeeded in placing Marfez on Ronan’s lap.
-Peeee~
“Babe!”
“Is it that good you furballs?”
Ronan petted the two dream birds. The black and blue feathers felt really nice. Ronan suddenly remembered something and said while looking at Varen.
“Really reports are coming in consistently?”
About a month ago. Ronan left a note in the office of Varen who was on a business trip. It was a note containing a rough description and sketch of Sita and a message stating that she had been in contact with the poaching organization Caribolo.
Varen nodded his head heavily.
“…yes.”
Ronan caught the moment when Varen’s eyes changed. He was doing his best not to accidentally expose his claws. Varen was rummaging through his jacket pocket and took out three or four speckled notes.
“It was written in great detail. “You have done a great job.”
“I mean the Ley Line…the incident with Penardo Spring has become unfortunate.”
“no. Thanks to you I was able to resolve it early. Now check it out.”
Ronan accepted the note and nodded. It was intelligence sent by Balus a member of the poaching organization Caribolo.
The address that Ronan told Balus to send intelligence to was Varen’s office. The note was densely written with the movements of each Karibolo branch list of major plans etc.
“That bastard Balus must have been quite scared of me and Sita.”
“It is said that the Imperial Forest Patrol is performing at an all-time high. If we continue like this we may really be able to eradicate Caribolo from the Imperial Territory.”
Varen relayed a report to the Island’s Forest Service based on Balus’ intelligence. Because the information was so accurate it could have raised suspicions but his status as a professor at Phileon Academy allayed those doubts.
He said that currently two branches have been wiped out and clues about the headquarters that serves as the heart of Caribolo are being revealed little by little. Suddenly Varen lowered his head.
“I really don’t know how to thank you. Ronan… I feel like my life has changed since I met you. This repayment must be…”
“Ah it’s okay. We’ll talk about that later. Remember what I said last time? “I’m talking about the club.”
-Suddenly!
Ronan was about to bring up what he had said last time. Suddenly the door to the office burst open and a familiar figure appeared.
Dark green uniform. The sight of Urusa a large sword with a large sword hanging at an angle on its back caught my eye. The woman who saw Ronan opened her mouth.
She said “Here you are. Ronan.”
“Am I Instructor Nabirose? “What’s going on here…”
Varen opened his eyes wide. Nabirose took a long stride and immediately grabbed Ronan’s ear. A scream like that of a monkey whose tail was stepped on came out of Ronan’s mouth.
“Gyaaaaa!!”
“Excuse me Professor Varen. “I’ll just go.”
The force was so strong that it felt like if I pulled even a little my ear would fall off. With butterflies I politely bowed my head.
“What on earth is this…”
Varen looked at the two people in turn not knowing what to do. Ronan struggled and shouted.
“For God’s sake let go of this! Varen help me!”
“It’s noisy. “Follow me.”
“You fucking WereLion! I mean pay a big price! Argh! “Don’t twist!”
Nabirose left the office while holding Ronan’s ear. thud! Even after the door closed Ronan’s painful screams continued to echo.
Even after Ronan and Nabirose left Varen and the two dream birds stared blankly at the closed door. Varen scratched his mane and muttered.
“That’s right.”
****
It was only when Nabirose reached the main building of Galerion that he let go of Ronan’s ears. Ronan who backed away as if he had been burned by her shouted holding his ears.
“What the hell is this! Damn is there any reason to make a student an asshole?”
“Why don’t you come visit me? “I would have told you to come to class as soon as you have weapons.”
Her voice was cold. Green eyes reminiscent of a jungle were burning. Ronan sensed with butterflies that I was suppressing her anger.
‘…If I fold this wrong it’ll really break right?’
He forgot for a moment. For some reason I don’t remember meeting him or hearing his name in my past life but Nabirose is a Sentai sword saint and sword master. He was a strong man who could never win at Ronan’s level now.
‘If you cut off my arms and legs and asked me to lick my toes… I would cry and lick them.’
His head went cold as he realized the gap in his power. Ronan calmed down her excited voice.
“Oh that’s because the weapon hasn’t been made yet… I won’t decide whether to bring it or not until it’s completed.”
“Is that thing you’re wearing on your belt a toothpick?”
“This is a temporary knife I received. “I was going to go find the right weapon the moment it was available.”
“Even if I went all the way to Rhodium the city of artisans to buy it it would take less time than this. “Did you entrust the production to Gran Cappadocia?”
Ronan opened his eyes wide.
“Huh? “How did you know?”
“Now you’re even lying. “You probably don’t even know what that is.”
Nabirose stretched out his hand. Ronan covered both his ears with his palms.
“No fucking ears! I really know. “Instructor’s sword was also made by an old man who knows either Doron or Oron!”
“…How did you do that?”
Nabirose paused. Ronan briefly explained what he experienced in Gran Cappadocia.
An old blacksmith shop and an elevator leading to the basement. Dwarves walking between stalactites. As the story progressed Nabirose’s eyes wavered.
‘It’s definitely not a place you can just enter. ‘
The conditions for entrusting personal requests to Gran Cappadocia were very strict.
Only those who had already distinguished themselves in a specific field or those who had been lucky enough to prove their potential could entrust requests to underground craftsmen. Besides isn’t Doron the best blacksmith among them?
‘Is there anyone other than me who has recognized my talent?’
The woman who was quietly looking at Ronan with butterflies turned her back.
“…I get it. Just follow me quietly.”
The will to resist was broken long ago. Ronan followed her calmly. The two walked along the grand hallway for a few minutes.
Soon a huge gate that I had never seen before appeared. It seemed that all races that walked on two feet could pass through. Nabirose said as he put his hand on the door.
“The 1st sparring hall. Remember. “My classes are always held here.”
When Nabirose applied a little force the gate opened as smoothly as water flowing. A space that was more reminiscent of an arena than a classroom unfolded before my eyes. The sound of metal echoing from all directions echoed in the enclosed space.
In a large arena with a stone floor dozens of students were sparring in groups. Most of them were strangers but there were some familiar faces.
“Hwaaaap!”
“You’re strong but you’re still slow Braum!”
Braum’s great sword was drawing a destructive arc. Rapiers clad in mana rushed in fiercely digging into the gap. Braum and Nasu were the valedictorian and second valedictorian of the second year.
“You worked hard today too… hm? “Is that child there too?”
Ronan raised his eyebrows. In a corner of the arena Schlieffen was sitting on his knees. Instead of sparring like his other classmates he just held his sword still. Ronan frowned.
“Everyone else is sparring so what is that guy doing alone?”
“I am practicing mana. “I don’t have any students to compete with so I’m the only one who looks after the sword every now and then.”
Nabirose said. She was confident that Schlieffen would one day surpass her.
The ability to become an Auror at the age of eleven was a talent but his obsession with strength went far beyond the normal range. I nodded at her with butterflies examining the core of her Schlieffen.
“That’s great. “If you end up using Mana in the future follow Schlieffen’s example Ronan.”
“I will try. “I don’t know what it is.”
“You have potential. “As an educator I will not let you waste your talents.”
Butterfly Rose’s expression was as serious as always. She thought of her two boys who would probably be her own successors and one girl who had not reached the level of Sword Expert for several years.
“There are so many people in the world who are sad because they don’t have what they have….”
It was so quiet that Ronan couldn’t hear it. Ronan was busy watching other people’s sparring. There was some interesting weapon technology going on that I had never seen before.
“Why don’t we just compete with swords?”
“Good. “Just put up a shield.”
Among them there were some who competed using only their swords. Ronan who saw that the colors of their ties were completely different could easily tell that they were seniors of the third year or higher. Nabirose said.
“Originally only students who had reached the level of sword expert or higher could take my classes.”
“Not now?”
“Yes…since last year.”
Slurp. With the butterfly that suddenly took her attitude I fired a sword energy towards her ceiling. The sword energy flew in the shape of a crescent moon and directly hit the huge bell attached to the ceiling.
Dang-!
The magnificent sound of the bell drowned out all the noise. The students naturally stopped what they were doing and turned their heads. Nabirose spoke in her usual voice.
“set.”
Students gathered together. There were students who took off their jackets and some who were completely topless but Butterfly Rose did not specifically point out their attire. She continued her words with her back to her.
“Starting today we will be taking classes together. Ronan come forward.”
Ronan stepped forward scratching her head. The students’ attention was focused on the red tie worn by the first grader. I could hear the upperclassmen except for the second year students whispering.
“Is that him? This freshman’s second place? “You look good.”
“I don’t like the look in your eyes. “You look cocky.”
“I don’t feel like there’s anything special… Don’t you think Instructor Butterfly Rose brought you the wrong person?”
It was loud enough to be heard even if you weren’t paying attention. Ronan glanced at Nabirose. He was talking with his eyes.
‘Can’t you just massage it once in a while?’
With butterflies I shook his head. she asked in her calm voice.
“Ronan. What subjects have you learned at Phileon so far? “Only combat subjects.”
“yes? Um…so. First of all imperial sword skills imperial spear skills and basic shield skills…”
“stop. Try them one by one here. “Weapons and shields are all provided.”
“I guess so.”
It’s an exercise in skill. Ronan understood what she meant and drew his sword. Slurp! The long sword given by Doron revealed its white sword body.
‘Looking at it again it was really well made. ‘I’m looking forward to the next few days.’
It was an incredibly good sword for something that was treated as a work of art. Ronan who had calmed down somewhat spoke harshly.
“Then what shall I do?”
Ronan began swinging the sword as he had learned. A total of nine types of swordsmanship and two types of sword fighting were performed in front of the seniors’ eyes. The grumpy reaction slowly turned into admiration and the admiration turned into silence born of overwhelm.
“Is this…talent?”
“…I’m speechless.”
“Damn you didn’t hear what I just said did you?”
Butterfly Rose was watching the scene expressionlessly. She knew that there was nothing better than exercising one’s skills to erase unnecessary territoriality. At that time the arena’s gate opened slightly and a tall girl jumped in.
“I’m sorry instructor! Because I stayed and took supplementary classes…!”
“It’s okay. Rather look at that student’s movements. How are you feeling?”
With a butterfly I pointed the tip of her chin at Ronan. He was now holding a spear and was about to perform a two-second imperial spear technique. the girl exclaimed covering her mouth with both her hands.
“Wow…! What is he? “Looking at the red tie I’m a freshman. How can I have that kind of attitude…”
“Want to know which part is great?”
“sure. First of all the distribution of power is perfect. There’s a common mistake you make when swinging a spear… balance… eh? “Aren’t you using mana right now?”
The girl explained exactly why Ronan’s martial arts were so great. It was a sharper analysis than most instructors. Nabirose twisted her lips bitterly.
‘It would be nice if my skills were half as good as my insight.’
Butterfly Rose then turned her gaze to the girl. The height difference between them was quite significant so she had to raise her head.
“You are one of the few lucky people in the world. Please take a close look. “It will go up to a place you can’t even see in an instant.”
Her black hair white skin and high nose bridge caught my eye like the night. Nabirose quietly whispered her name.
“Adeshan.”
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