< 70. Blood Hook (2) >
#70
It was so scary that it made my shoulders shrink. Ronan hastily turned his head away from her. Red mana like that of Sita or Ophelia was seeping through the cracks in her door.
“What the fuck are you teaching?”
Ronan kicked down the door and left the building. His eyes widened when he saw what was happening outside. A crimson-colored fog covered the streets.
“What is this? cloud? “Where did it come from all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t there a strange smell coming from somewhere…?”
“Where has everyone gone?! “Guys!”
Nothing was visible in the thick fog. Only the students’ confused voices could be heard here and there. Ronan touched his forehead and cursed.
“These crazy things…!”
The culprit was obvious. He walked into his fog clutching the hilt of his sword. The red mana scattered everywhere was leading in the direction of the training ground.
Every time he took a breath the pungent smell of blood filled his nose. The whole time I was wandering around in the thick gas an ominous feeling tingled down my spine and made my hair stand on end. It was just about to reach the training ground.
-Shoot…
“Huh?”
Suddenly his fog began to clear. To be exact they were swirling and gathering in one direction. Soon the hidden training ground and the figures of Ophelia and Sita standing in the middle of it came into view.
“amazing. To pull off Blood Mist on such a scale all at once…!”
“Payat!”
“But don’t push yourself too hard. “It’s a good technique but it consumes a lot of blood so it’s better to do it only in situations where there is a sufficient blood supply.”
Sita was sitting on the head of her training scarecrow with its four wings spread. All of her mist was being absorbed by Sita. Her wet feathers were shining dark red.
Before long the fog completely disappeared. Clap clap clap. Ophelia clapped her hands and handed the fish made of blood to Sita. Sita having absorbed all her mist bit into the fish.
“Ppaengppwal.”
“I think we can move on to the next technique right away… This time it’s an attack technique so watch carefully.”
Ophelia extended her right index finger towards her scarecrow where Sita was sitting. A red sphere was created in front of her slender fingers. bang! A sphere fired from the tip of her fingernail hit the scarecrow’s head.
“Pyeol-ah! Bwaaah!”
“It’s cool because the swordsman’s feet are the same… It’s a technique I like too.”
Sita flapped her wings and rejoiced like a child. Her scarecrow had a hole the size of an acorn between its eyes.
“I’ll show you one more time.”
It was the moment when Ophelia smiling contentedly was about to show her demonstration again. A familiar voice came from behind her.
“What are you doing?”
Ophelia turned her head. Ronan had his arms crossed and was glaring at her.
“Ronan? how…?”
“how? Have you had any alcohol? “Why don’t you just write ‘vampire’ on your forehead and go around?”
“It’s not that…I’m clearly creating a veil of invisibility and awareness…”
Ophelia embarrassed looked around her. No measures were taken at the open training ground.
“uh?”
Ophelia’s face hardened. Ronan burst out laughing as if he was shocked. Students were gathering one by one at the training site.
“It’s a good thing. When I saw it I was so excited that I forgot about it. “You somehow didn’t get caught until now.”
“So…this was my mistake.”
“Damn it just hide it first. “It will prevent other guys from coming.”
“…no. “It can still be resolved.”
“what?”
Ophelia regaining her cool quickly chanted her spell. A magic circle was drawn on her floor and waves of mana spread throughout the Nest. The student in front tilted her head.
“uh? “Was there anyone there just now?”
“what? “I didn’t see it?”
“It certainly looks like the fog gathered this way….”
Ronan’s eyes widened. For only a few seconds the perception-impeding and silence-invisibility magic were cast simultaneously.
Ophelia extended her index finger again and pointed to her scarecrow which had a hole in its forehead. Kwasik! Her stretched shadow leapt up into the shape of her jaw and engulfed her scarecrow.
“huh. “It’s enough now.”
It was only when Ophelia saw that all traces of her were gone that she breathed a sigh of relief. They leisurely walked out among the confused students. Ronan opened her mouth looking at her own hand which was covered by her invisibility magic.
“They killed me… I guess that’s why I didn’t get caught until now.”
“It’s no big deal. “It’s a catching skill that I learned while living in hiding… What’s really amazing is that kid.”
“Sita?”
Ophelia nodded her head. As she looked around her she muttered in an admiring voice.
“All the fog that was spread over that wide area has been absorbed… There’s no need to clean it up.”
“Do you have any talent for teaching?”
“Do you have talent…? The Shadow Prince’s childhood probably wasn’t like this either. This kid is a genius… no he is something beyond such concepts….”
Ronan did not know who the Shadow Prince was. Still seeing Ophelia who was always so calm talk like that it seemed like she was amazing. Sita was sitting on Ronan’s shoulder looking around her.
It seemed like she was seeing waves of mana operating around her. Ronan said scratching Sita’s neck.
“Did you hear? You look like a genius. “Both dogs and cows are geniuses.”
“Pyeol~”
Sita purred like a cat. I couldn’t imagine that it was the being that created such a terrifying fog just a moment ago.
“I need to work hard too.”
I knew he was an unusual guy but I never thought it would be like this. If things continued like this not only Schlieffen but also Sita would be pushed out. Ronan who suddenly remembered Ofelia’s other magic opened his mouth.
“You mean can he learn magic other than blood magic?”
“Hmm…I’m not sure about that yet. However if you learn two different types of magic at the same time you may overload… I think it would be better to focus on blood magic for now.”
“I see. “I’m just saying this so don’t be in a hurry.”
There were a lot of things that seemed very convenient including the invisibility and perception inhibition that I was currently casting. I thought it would be good to learn it if possible but I had no intention of urging the sitta.
The two people and one horse soon returned to the club building. They unlocked the door and drew all the curtains before lifting the spell. Ronan said licking his lips.
“Anyway where are you training now?”
“I can polymorph with a bat… so I’ll just do it outside of Phileon.”
“Damn you can’t do that every time.”
The need for individual training centers was already felt. It wasn’t just because of Ophelia and Sita.
Schlieffen or Asher. We needed an environment in which monsters like Erzsebet who would soon be recruited could survive even if they put forth their best efforts. Ronan muttered putting his finger on the back of his head.
“I will try my best. “There must be at least one space left.”
“huh. Until then…I’ll do it outside.”
The grounds of Phileon Academy were large enough that it wouldn’t be surprising if there was a dragon’s nest somewhere. Professor Varen the club’s advisor was also one of the people who knew Ophelia’s identity so I wondered what would happen to him.
“Do you really think Sita can handle the essence of fresh blood? “Can you teach it in four days?”
“huh. “With this level of talent… it’s quite possible.”
“good. “Then let’s get started.”
The two started working immediately. Ophelia relayed a message to her bloody hook that she wanted to change the date and location of her rendezvous. She didn’t forget to write the letter in ink instead of blood and pretend it was written by Zarodin.
“Please tell me there are only two requirements here. Must not be more than one day away from the island. Must be a closed place. “Let them take care of everything else.”
“These are dangerous conditions… perfect for kids to do tricks.”
“That’s what I’m saying. “Teach me well Sitana.”
Ophelia nodded. Starting that night she went outside Phileon and educated Sita. Sita returned to her dormitory just before sunrise.
“Piyaaaaa….”
“What’s wrong with you? “Did Ophelia hit you?”
“Piyut.”
I didn’t know what I was learning but I was completely exhausted. Sita lying down on her bed fell asleep.
Ronan covered Sita with her blanket and then sat cross-legged on her again. She had not yet finished the mana exercises she had started at midnight yesterday.
“Fuuuuu….”
He put aside all other training and focused only on mana exercises. Perhaps because she wasn’t used to it yet she felt dizzy and had a headache every time she circulated mana in her body.
“Shit. “It’s not easy.”
Dealing with a power she had never experienced in her life was more difficult than expected. She wondered if she would feel the same way if she woke up with wings or a tail. It was only when Ronan was fully awake that she felt a significant change and went to sleep.
“A new person has arrived. “Don’t bully just be friendly.”
The next day at lunch I introduced Ophelia to her members. We agreed to hold off on revealing our identity as vampires for now. Ophelia who had been dozing off sleepily waved her hand somewhat.
“Hi…my name is Ophelia. “I’m a third-year student of magic… and I came in because I wanted to touch Sita.”
“Oh it’s Asher. “No it’s Asher.”
“Wow you’re as pretty as a doll… I’m Marja Karabel a first-year martial arts student.”
“Whahaha! This is Braum Biodan. “Only prominent figures come into this place!”
Her self-introduction was conducted in front of all members except Schlieffen. Mar Ya who was looking closely at Ophelia’s face suddenly put her arm around Ronan’s shoulder. Ronan frowned at her as her forearm tightened like a python.
“Hey I’m suffocating.”
“Ophelia. “When did you first get to know him?”
“huh…? “We met during the interview…?”
“I see. I thought she like me had known each other since before she even entered Phileon. Let’s get along.”
Marya said ostentatiously. Ophelia tilted her head with an expression that showed that she did not know the intention of her words.
Only after Ronan used both of her hands was she able to shake off Marja’s arms. For some reason it seemed like I was getting stronger as the days went by.
“Uuuh….”
Asher was looking at the two people with her anxious eyes. Lately her chest has been feeling numb as if a bird was pecking at her heart. At that time Ophelia who was sitting expressionless turned her gaze to Asher.
“You…are in my memory.”
“My me?”
“Yeah…the rumor spread to our grade…he got perfect scores in all written subjects of the midterm evaluation right?”
Asher’s eyes widened. He instinctively flinched at the sudden sexual talk. The poor boy was still being tormented by Erzsebet who asked him the secret to getting a perfect score.
“That’s true but…”
“Good…help me later.”
“Please help me…?”
“There’s something I’m researching…I need an assistant as smart as you.”
“Joseo Jo?”
Ophelia hesitated. Asher made no reply; she remained frozen in fear. The mana pulsating within her body was more than Erzsebet’s but never less. Ophelia unable to overcome her drowsiness woke up.
“Then… I’ll take it as your consent.”
“Now wait…!”
Ophelia went up to her second floor ignoring Asher. She was going to sleep in the most corner of the room. Ronan saw that and shook his head.
“Nucksal is good too. This is why the long-lived species…”
I was worried about what would happen if I didn’t fit in but it seemed like my worry was for nothing. Time passed quickly. It was midnight on Friday when a reply came from Blood Hook.
-Caw! Caw!
A skinny crow served as a messenger. The neatly folded note had a single blood stain on it just like before. Ronan cursed.
“You shameless mosquitoes. “Send it on the day of the appointment damn it.”
“…You’re here.”
Ronan was waiting in the club building with Sita Ophelia. He had made preparations so that he could leave immediately. Sita who had become close to her was dozing off on Ophelia’s lap.
When Ophelia infused the note with her mana the blood stains transformed back into the shape of her map. It definitely looked different from last time. Ophelia who was reading her note spoke with concern in her voice.
“…It’s not good.”
“what’s the matter?”
“The location proposed over there is unusual. “This means…an overt trick.”
“I guess it’s because Jaradin is the opponent. And it doesn’t matter because it’s an enclosed place.”
“… did you get her hair?”
“ok. “I took care of what was on my clothes last time.”
Ronan handed Ophelia her small paper bag. Inside her were a few strands of her auburn hair. Ophelia sighed softly and opened her mouth.
“…I cannot understand the adventures of humans. “Why is it that a species that can barely survive for even a hundred years is so anxious to die sooner…?”
“Because I might not die. By the way did you teach Sita how to handle the essence of blood or something?”
“That’s…perfect. “It’s a level you don’t have to worry about.”
“That’s a good thing. “I have to leave right away so please do it quickly.”
“…okay. Anyway don’t get hurt.”
Ronan nodded his head. Ophelia sighed again and placed her hand on Ronan’s cheek. Mana gathered in her palm and gave off a cool glow. Sita’s eyes widened.
“Pyeol-ah…?!”
