44. Haeju (3)
#44
The worn-out black iron sword had suddenly turned into a smooth La Mancha. Ronan swung his sword at the shadow that was right in front of her. However not randomly but following a stream of water flowing in the air.
Suddenly.
The shadow split in half. Sigh! The darkness like blood poured down on my face.
“■■…!”
“what?!”
Ronan’s eyes widened. It was a result that even the person who fired the sword attack did not expect. Shadows split in two fell on either side of Ronan.
‘I just said that…’
It was a much faster and more powerful slash than what was previously possible. Geomshin riding on the strange current went forward like a sailing ship caught by a favorable wind.
He swung his sword in the empty air again but it didn’t feel the same as before. The unidentifiable flow was repeatedly disappearing and appearing throughout the field of vision.
I might need to check later. Ronan thought about that and lowered his gaze. A split shadow was writhing at my feet. Ronan asked trampling on the shadow.
“Why did you do that?”
No answer came back. The shadows slowly began to disperse like ashes blown by the wind. Ronan spat on the floor and muttered nervously.
“Well… I didn’t think it would be this easy to hear.”
The entire landscape as far as I could see was disintegrating. Ronan closed his eyes as his fingertips crumbled to powder. He must have lost so much blood that he felt dizzy.
In my fading consciousness I heard a shadow’s voice.
“■■ ■■ ■■■■. Ronan.”
“what?!”
Ronan opened his eyes. The blue sky disappeared everywhere and a dark interior unfolded before my eyes. The dry air was filled with the smell of old paper and ink.
“…Where?”
When I narrowed my eyes I saw letters written on the ceiling in the distance. It was Separazio the Secretariat’s office. However all the lights that illuminated the study were turned off.
‘Did you get robbed…?’
Ronan slowly stood up and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. His muscles were still tense after a fierce battle. At that time someone’s voice was heard from behind.
“Did you enjoy your trip?”
“Fuck it’s a surprise.”
Ronan quickly turned his head. Secret had gone somewhere and an old man with a rather strict look was sitting at the desk. The small candle next to him was turning the old man’s face scarlet.
An old man wearing round glasses was scribbling something on paper with a fountain pen. Ronan noticed that he was wearing the same clothes as Secret. Ronan let out a sigh of relief and took his hand off the hilt of his sword.
“Huh…I guess it’s night.”
“That’s right. “It’s been a long year.”
“Why did you turn off all the lights? What about Erzsebet? ”
“Shh…it’s over there.”
Secret placed his index finger in front of his mouth and winked back. When he turned his head he saw Ergé Bett sleeping curled up on the sofa. It seemed like some time had passed since he fell asleep as he was even covered in a blanket.
“Ugh…Uuuum….”
She was eagerly licking her hair which went into her mouth. Secrit got up from her seat and lifted the blanket up to her neck.
“You could go first but you insisted on waiting. If it weren’t for this kid she wouldn’t have gotten drunk right now. “Buy me something delicious later.”
“I guess so.”
Ronan nodded. She felt dizzy like the day after drinking too much. After washing his face he looked at Secret again.
“How long have I been lying down?”
“It’s just a little while before the sun rises.”
“Damn I slept for so long.”
Ronan cursed. It was like spending a whole day in a world of images. Secrit said pushing her glasses up to her forehead.
“I’m glad though. “Because Haeju was successful.”
“Really?”
“okay. “Do you want to see that?”
Secret pointed to the floor of the study. This was the spot where Ronan lay down with the magic circle.
The three magic circles drawn with chalk were all discolored black. Secret explained that the magic circle absorbed the curse that flowed out of the body.
“It must have been difficult but I’m thankful that I did it well. You screamed several times. I cried too. “It’s a common occurrence during a holiday but I was a bit worried.”
“…I cried?”
Ronan hastily rubbed the area around her eyes. There was still moisture under her swollen eyes. Could it be that every time I made a fuss in the world of imagination I also made a fuss in real life?
“It’s a shame… it’s embarrassing.”
Ronan sighed while looking at the ceiling and looked at Secret again. There was a lot I wanted to say right away but what I had to say first was decided. Ronan gathered his emotions and opened his mouth.
“Thank you Professor. “Really.”
“Thank you. “As always I just untied a tangled knot.”
“But what exactly was the ban lifted?”
“Hmm… I think you will feel it best yourself. “Is there anything different from usual?”
“What’s changed? …ah.”
Now that I think about it my eyes no longer feel itchy. Ronan told me about that fact and about the strange flow he saw in the world of images. Secret smiled kindly.
“Hehe it looks like you can now see mana.”
“That mushy thing was mana?”
“okay. It’s a long time ago so I don’t remember but I think I recognized mana in that form when I first succeeded in sensing it. Congratulations.”
Secret explained that as your sensitivity develops you will be able to see mana in a broader and more detailed way. Ronan nodded his head as he watched the currents rippling around the three creats.
‘Did that last blow unconsciously use mana?’
Ronan recalled the blow that cut down the shadow. Mana which would have been cut off originally was not cut off and instead gave strength.
The detailed principle was unknown. However Ronan hinted that it was similar to sawing along the grain to make the work easier.
‘That’s a good thing.’
Ronan laughed. Now that it was possible to see mana rather than magic or aura there would be many changes not only in combat.
Even though nine curses still remained in my body I was happy. Suddenly Secret asked a question.
“Anyway Ronan what did you see there?”
“yes?”
“In your mental world. “I don’t think the process leading up to Haeju was smooth.”
“That’s right. It’s a little long but…well I mean…”
Ronan told one by one what he had experienced in the world of images. The unforgettable willow tree and the quiet Nimburton. Until he encounters his sister from childhood and his mother whom he had no memory of.
“Hoo… Are you saying that the image of Geumje was his hometown in the past? “Interesting…”
Secret wrote down everything Ronan said without leaving out a single word. Ronan was talking about the time when he had just met his family.
“Wait you saw yourself as a newborn?”
“yes? By the way.”
“Huh…? Could it be that you have mistaken someone else? “It’s something you created out of your imagination.”
“no. That much is different. “It was definitely me.”
Secret’s eyebrows furrowed. He groaned like someone who had discovered a major flaw in his invention.
“What’s wrong?”
“They say it’s because it’s unprecedented. The world of images resulting from curses takes on different forms but they have one thing in common. “The main character who travels through that world is the person who is cursed.”
Secret said that it is common for all kinds of unrealistic and terrible things to happen around someone who is cursed. Because most curses come from malice.
But Ronan saw himself lying down and babbling. Rather than feeling malicious or unrealistic the scenery I witnessed was surprisingly realistic and calm. He was not the main character of the world he walked through.
“I felt it earlier… it feels more like someone else’s memory rather than a mental world. “Please continue.”
Secrit resumed his notes. Ronan thought for a moment and continued speaking in a heavier voice. Even if he hid it anyway it wouldn’t have been solved.
“And…I saw my father.”
“father?”
“yes. I didn’t see it in person but judging by the circumstances it was clearly my father. “The curse I had to cut was my father and it was my father who placed the curse on me.”
Ronan explained the strange shadow that he believed to be his father. As the story went on Secret’s face hardened.
“So to sum it up you couldn’t see your father or hear his voice but you were still able to feel his emotions? Moreover did you witness your father in the form of a shadow placing a curse on you an infant?”
“Exactly.”
“Uhm… you said you had no memory of your father before right?”
“yes. Not at all. “My mom was the same as me but this person is on a different level.”
My head hurt every time I tried to recall the shape or voice of the shadow. It felt as if only the part of my brain that was responsible for my memories of my father had been cut out with a knife.
Come to think of it he had never questioned the existence of his parents in his life. In the part where Ronan’s memories begin that is in the past that was recognized as ‘childhood’ the two of you no longer existed.
He might have asked Iril once or twice but he didn’t even remember that. Secret said.
“Hmm based on the information so far… it seems like your memories have been sealed.”
“Are the memories sealed?”
“okay. It matches your symptoms. If the person who placed the curse was the father then it would be a convincing enough story. “I sealed your memories to erase who I am and the fact that I placed a curse on you.”
So has Iril also had his memories sealed? Ronan asked again.
“Then the willow tree and the mother who saw me as a newborn…”
“It is highly likely that your sealed memories and your father’s memories were mixed and embodied in the curse. When you placed the curse and sealed his memories some of your father’s memories were transferred to you. “That’s often the case with magic that deals with memory.”
“…Why did you do that?”
“I don’t know about that either. “It is difficult to understand the thinking of someone who places ten curses on each child.”
Secrete put down the fountain pen and added.
“I don’t even want to understand.”
Ronan laughed bitterly. That’s how the first week ended. Secret explained that the two gold items revealed so far are probably related to mana.
“Perhaps if you lift just these two prohibitions you will be able to handle and feel mana just like everyone else… I will contact you as soon as the research is completed.”
“thank you. “I’ll go now.”
“Yes you had a hard time.”
Secrit snapped his fingers in the air. Then all the lights throughout the study turned on. Hergé Bett who had been fluttering her eyelids stretched and stood up.
“Ugh…are you done?”
“ok. “Thank you for waiting.”
“Hehe with this Ronan-sama owes me a debt…”
Erzsebet let out a low laugh. Her purpose seemed to be to make Ronan indebted to her heart. Then her hair which was in her mouth fell to her chest.
“uh…?”
Her dark purple hair was matted in clumps. Her face turned red when she saw her hair which had somehow become moist.
“Now wait a minute. “This is so…!”
“are you okay. “I drool when I sleep too.”
“It can’t be that liquid! “You really…”
“Erzebet. Do you know how to get back? “I can’t open the door because my mana is almost gone.”
“yes?”
Erzébet was trying to tell her what to say. Secret intervened with good timing. Erzébet who belatedly found her senses nodded her head somewhat arrogantly.
“Of course. “That’s why I waited in the first place.”
“Do you have enough mana left?”
“under.”
Erzsebet laughed and walked to the bookshelf without saying a word. She pulled out a total of ten books from the bookshelf on the wall. And she chanted her spell toward the empty seat.
“Delphirim. Runage. Kashipa.”
– Coo coo coo coo…
Then the bookshelf slowly began to move back. Ronan frowned at her as he saw the narrow hallway that soon appeared.
“It’s a really shitty place.”
“It’s not for nothing that students are reluctant to meet with me.”
There was only black darkness on the other side of the undecorated hallway. Erzsebet opened the door and said triumphantly.
“You saw it right?”
“As expected you are amazing Erzsebet. “It’s the skill of a senior.”
“It was nice to meet you Professor Secret. “I’ll see you in next class.”
Erzsebet grinned after hearing the compliment. Ronan somehow seemed to know how to handle her.
The two entered the hallway holding hands as they had when they arrived. Ronan turned around to greet her and her eyes widened.
“My body…”
“hmm? Ah it looks like the sun is rising.”
Secrit who saw his shrunk hands chuckled. His body was shrinking and being swallowed up by his clothes. Secret waved his flowing sleeves in greeting.
When Ronan who was walking down the hallway turned his head again Secret had returned to his childlike appearance. A childish voice came out of his mouth.
“See you again.”
He thought the darkness was getting even darker but suddenly his vision became brighter. Ronan and Erzsebet were standing in the middle of the Great Plaza of Phileon not in a cabin in the forest. Ronan let go of her hand and laughed as if he was amazed.
“He was self-indulgent until the end.”
“But at least this is a good save. “I heard that some students said it had spread to the lake.”
“her.”
As I took a breath the crisp morning air filled my lungs. The sun was rising between the jagged spiers.
In the warm glow that illuminated the plaza Ronan could see mana in its natural state rippling like waves.
“I owe you a lot Erzébet. thank you.”
“I’m glad it helped. By the way you have the brooch I gave you right?”
“Oh that.”
Now that I think about it I forgot. Ronan rummaged through his inner pocket and took out a brooch. It was my first time coming out to the world since I received it on the day of the entrance ceremony. Erzsebet smiled when she saw the sparkling brooch.
“Hehe I can’t believe you always carry it in your arms like that. “Even if you don’t pamper him so much Ronan the door to Acalusia is always open.”
“No I was just so busy that I forgot.”
“It’s okay if you don’t hide it. Because not everyone can receive the messenger’s invitation. “I look forward to your visit to the castle.”
The voice was so confident that it made me feel a little fevered. Erzebet firmly believed that Ronan wanted her to become a member of Akalusia.
Come to think of it quite some time had passed since he received that offer. While planning the future route Erzsebet turned around.
“Then I’ll just go. “Please say hello to Adeshan.”
“Are you coming?”
“Don’t forget that you owe me.”
Erzsebet left with those words and a smile in her eyes. My first impression wasn’t that good but I thought he might be a better guy than I thought.
Ronan returned to the dormitory across the still awkward Mana-strewn landscape.
Sita was sleeping curled up in her bed. Ronan muttered remembering the strange texts that were probably writhing inside his body at this very moment.
“Nine…”
His eyes kept closing. It was fortunate that the first class of the day hunting skills was in the afternoon.
Ronan fell asleep with his face buried in Sita’s feathers. I could see red and blue mana swirling in the darkness created by my eyelids…
****
-Many…many…many…many….
Just as Ronan was falling asleep a carriage pulled into the west gate of Phileon.
It was a gorgeous six-headed carriage pulled by six white horses. The back of the carriage was engraved with the symbol of a knight stepping on a dragon. The carriage slowly crossed the still half-asleep lot.
“stop.”
The driver arrived at the destination and pulled the reins. Next to the stopped carriage Ronan’s Navardose coffin was showing off its majestic appearance.
“We have arrived.”
Soon the driver who came running opened the door and a tall middle-aged man slowly walked out. The colorful clothes that covered his body in layers dark blue hair and neatly grown mustache were impressive.
The man who was scanning the dormitory building with sharp eyes muttered uncomfortably.
“…are you staying in a place like this?”
“You’ve been in high spirits for a while Duke. How have you been?”
At that moment the space in front of the man tore open and an old gentleman appeared. His beard flowing down to his neck was swaying in the wind. The man recognized the old gentleman’s face and nodded his head.
“I am well Kratir. “Your magic is getting higher and higher.”
“Would you like to be as dignified as the duke? Mr. Schlieffen is also doing well.”
“It must be awkward. However compared to Phileon’s stature the building looks shabby. “The Grancia family will provide funds so don’t you plan on expanding?”
Instead of answering Phileon’s principal Kratir stroked his beard and smiled. That was the meaning of the specifications.
The man called the Duke twitched her lips as if somewhat displeased but she did not express anything further. The purpose of today’s visit was not to improve student welfare.
“Thank you for granting my unreasonable request. “I just don’t have time on the weekends.”
“I understand. “Because you are sitting in such a heavy seat.”
“I do know that I did not allow it because of my position. “Then can we meet right now?”
“Well let’s send someone over. “I’m a very diligent student so it probably happened.”
“No there is no need for that. “I’ll go up there myself.”
With those words the duke took a step forward. A richly decorated longsword was hanging from his waist. One of Blacksmith Doron’s masterpieces. It was Pale Road a sword covered in bitter cold.
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