< 99. Second Heart (2) >
#99
“…ah?”
White mana wrapped around her blade. Twinkle. Ronan’s mind turned completely white as he saw an image that was completely identical to Nebula Clazie’s.
“…I guess it’s finally time for me to die.”
Ronan laughed. I thought I got enough sleep on the airship but I guess not. As I relaxed my concentration the sword spirit’s light faded.
‘That can’t be possible.’
Ronan closed his eyes. And he once again breathed mana into La Mancha. I could feel the mana from her tumor flowing down the hilt of her sword.
One second. This second. Ronan waited three seconds and carefully lifted his eyelids. Paaaat! A blinding flash pierced my retina.
“Fuck.”
The black sword body was flashing so brilliantly that it could be used as a light at a party or something. It was the same no matter how many times I tried. Ronan who had been standing still for a long time took a step back.
‘Fucked.’
It was none of my business to know what was going on right now. I had to find out why something like this happened.
After some trial and error Ronan headed to the Gallerion Hall the main building of the martial arts department. Jaradin was absent perhaps in class and he didn’t know how to get to Secret’s office.
Still Nabirose the Sentai Sword Saint must have known something. Sigh. When I opened the door to the first arena an unfamiliar scene unfolded.
“If everyone is here let’s get started… hmmm?”
The students who were supposed to be sparring were sitting together with their weapons down. Nabi Rose standing in front of the students was drawing something in chalk on a huge portable blackboard.
It looked like a monkey that had been pierced through the chest by a cannon ball but I couldn’t tell what exactly was being drawn. Ronan’s eyes met hers and she nodded her head.
“It’s been a while. Ronan. “Did you have a good time at the Dawn Magic Tower?”
“…I thought I had a good trip up until now.”
Ronan sighed with a confused expression. Judging from Butterfly Rose’s reaction it seemed like he still didn’t know what he had done at the Dawn Magic Tower.
Among the students gathered together was Adeshan. Spotting her Ronan she smiled and waved her hand.
“I was planning to teach you about the Core and Aurors but it turned out well. Come on sit down.”
“Core…the timing is killing me.”
Ronan trudged over and sat down next to Adeshan. Perhaps because he had awakened the mana of shadows his complexion looked much better than last time. she asked worriedly as she saw a shadow cast over Ronan’s face.
“long time no see. “You don’t look good. What’s wrong?”
“I’m finished Senpai.”
“Huh…?”
“I have become a fool no different from those bald worshipers…”
“Big bald head?”
Adeshan tilted his head at the inexplicable sound. Ronan sighed again. It was a deep sigh as if her lungs had been expelled and swallowed again. With butterflies I resumed his classes.
“good. Everyone already knows about the core but let’s go over it one more time. Ronan you answer. “What happens when you pour water into a bowl made of straw?”
“…It’s going to leak right?”
“okay. A heart that has not been cored is like that. A heart made of straw. “There is no problem in circulating mana but it is difficult to use it for more than that.”
Adeshan began writing down what she said. Ronan realized that she and he were the only students gathered here who did not form her core.
Nabirose diligently drew pictures and explained the core. I thought he would only be strong in practical skills but the theory classes were better than I thought.
“In the end creating a core means changing the material of the heart. Only when you reach at least the level of wood or pottery can you accumulate mana in your heart and use it as a power source. Now take a look at this article.”
“…article?”
Except for his terrible drawing skills. Ronan was shocked to realize that the monkey that had been shot in the chest by a cannon was actually a depiction of a knight operating the core. Nabirose pointed out various parts of the monkey knight’s body and explained how to operate the core.
“There are several ways to make a core. What I recommend is to continuously stimulate your heart with mana while training. “It’s the most basic and has no side effects.”
In short remodeling the ‘existing’ heart through consistent training was the basic principle of creating a core. Nabi Rose emphasized the importance of the core several times as it was an essential process to develop Aurors.
The only way to develop an individual’s unique mana Aura was to accumulate the absorbed external mana in the core or circle and wait for it to change. Before long Nabirose spoke.
“Nothing is given without effort. “Dedicate yourself to training thinking that you are turning straw into steel one by one.”
After quickly finishing her theory she started the practical class as always. Except for Ronan and Adeshan the rest were instructed to spar by actively utilizing their cores.
Only the two people who did not yet have a core had to swing their swords at the scarecrow from a remote corner. Nabirose said.
“Don’t be so offended. Because you two have a special case. “Think of it as investing time to make a big bowl.”
“i know. But instructor I have one question.”
“what?”
“Is there any possibility that two types of mana can emerge from one core?”
“does not exist.”
It was a sharp assertion that seemed like a cut. Ronan chewed his lip and asked again.
“Never? No matter what?”
“Nothing exactly has been known so far. “It’s impossible unless you have two hearts.”
Ronan closed her eyes and let her sleep fall. This was not a normal situation either.
“okay. Damn it…but what is this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I…I think I have a core.”
“What?”
Nabirose’s eyes widened. She didn’t seem all that surprised when her independent daughter told her she was pregnant. Instead of answering Ronan tugged on the hilt of her sword. The mana seeping from her tumor dyed the sword body pure white.
“This is…!”
“But then again it doesn’t come from the heart. Am I now being sold to the zoo?”
“The nature of mana has completely changed. “What on earth happened?”
“That’s right. Oh can you see anything sparkling?”
“It’s shiny?”
“It’s nothing.”
Ronan breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately the flash that could distinguish Nebula Clazier was only visible to his eyes. Nabirose placed her hand on Ronan’s chest and muttered in an interested voice.
“…Really. “Something that functions as a power source has taken up residence next to the heart.”
“Could it be the core? “It wasn’t created for a very good reason and honestly it’s a bit scary.”
“You’ll see. If there is any sign of something going wrong I will correct it so give it a try.”
With the butterfly I pointed the tip of his chin at his scarecrow. Ronan clicked his tongue once and grabbed the hilt of his sword.
‘Yeah shit. ‘I knew it.’
It may have sounded reckless but he knew that hitting it directly was the only answer. La Mancha disappeared from sight for a moment. Suddenly! The scarecrow cut into dozens of pieces collapsed.
“fast…!”
Adeshan exclaimed. It was a speed sword that had reached the pinnacle of excellence. Even with my visual acuity enhanced with the mana of the shadows it was difficult to chase after Geomro.
However Ronan and Nabirose maintained a calm expression. The speed was not much different from the existing sword strike that was cut using mana.
“Looking at it this way I’m not sure. “Try to unleash your sword energy.”
“I guess so.”
A strange breathing sound came out from between Ronan’s lips. This time it was sword energy. When he concentrated his mind and swung his sword a crescent-shaped sword energy was fired along the blade.
Quaaaang! The sword energy that flew in a straight line hit the scarecrow’s neck and exploded. Along with the stone dust flashes like butterfly dust flew out in all directions.
“shit.”
Ronan frowned. As expected there was no significant difference in terms of power or range. Ronan feeling something strange in his body opened his eyes wide.
“Huh…Huh…what is this?”
“You don’t look good. “Are you okay?”
“Wait a minute…heh something’s strange…”
I hadn’t even moved yet but I was out of breath. The stomach seemed to have used up more energy than when it normally fired sword energy. Ronan suddenly lost strength in his legs and sat down. Adeshan seeing his complexion suddenly worsening shouted in embarrassment.
“Ro Ronan…! Wait and see. “I’ll bring water.”
Adeshan ran to the office. The sword’s light went out. Ronan changed his power source back to his original heart just in case. His breathing slowly improved and strength began to return to his legs.
“Ha…what are you doing…?”
“Is it operated separately from the existing core? “Interesting.”
I touched her chin with butterflies as if I was interested. Ronan cursed under his breath. As of now no differences from the existing cursed heart could be found. No it was even worse.
It was fortunate that the mana tank was not shared with the existing heart but this only slightly increased the total amount of available mana. It’s also something flashy that can only be used at a banquet. Anger gradually began to rise.
‘Nimi is it just sparkling? ‘Is it just getting harder?’
“I will take care of the other students first and then come back. “Let’s try it without causing too much trouble.”
Nabirose who had been observing Ronan turned his back. Because it was strictly class time he couldn’t pay any attention to himself.
Ronan who was catching his breath stood up. He couldn’t understand what had happened to him.
‘There must be something more.’
The unknown power source was probably created under the influence of Vajra. This core originated from a being with tremendous power whether good or evil but this could not have been the end.
Ronan changed his power source again. As my body became heavier sparkling mana came up through my sword body.
Ronan moved in front of the senior scarecrow and took a stance. The advanced scarecrow made from discarded magic engineering articles was known to be ten times stronger than an ordinary scarecrow.
Most of the training was centered on sparring with Schlieffen and physical training so it was my first time trying this. Ronan looked up at the scarecrow and tilted his head.
“hmm?”
The armor the scarecrow was wearing had the emblem of the Grancia family engraved on it. It was probably received as a support item from Grancia.
I felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu. A knight wearing Grancia armor. Eventually Ronan who had recovered his memories nodded his head. It already happened several months ago.
‘You look like that kid. Was it Nolan?’
The high-ranking scarecrow in front of me looked exactly like Sir Dolan Concesto the guard knight of the Duke of Grancia. As a spy for Nebula Clage he sneaked into the dormitory in the middle of the night and attempted to kill Ronan. Ronan suddenly remembered the way Dolan fought and shrugged his eyebrows.
‘Now that I think about it the method of manifesting auras was unique.’
“Ronan are you okay now? Here’s the water…”
Ade Shan carrying her canteen approached from behind her but Ronan did not notice her presence. Without thinking about it Ronan lifted her leg and stamped her bottom with his right foot.
‘Did you do it like this?’
thud! A wave of sparkling mana spread out along with a dull sound. Ade Shan who was carrying her canteen lost her balance and stumbled.
“Aaaah!”
“senior?”
Ronan turned her head. The image of Adeshan falling caught her eye. In her haste Ronan caught her and her canteen flying in the air at the same time.
“Thank you so much….”
“What did you trip on?”
“Is that so? what?”
Ade Shan looked around her in confusion. She didn’t see anything on the flat stone floor that would cause her to trip.
Suddenly Ronan’s eyes which had been scanning the floor landed on Adeshan’s legs. Cheonggrang. La Mancha slipped out of his grasp. Her curses escaped Ronan’s mouth.
“What the fuck.”
“what’s the matter?”
Ronan didn’t answer. His gaze was still on Adeshan’s leg right around the ankle. Ronan suddenly squatted down and grabbed her calf.
“What are you doing?”
“This is…!”
An embarrassed Ade Shan blushed her face. She desperately tried to get Ronan off her but he stuck to her like a cicada and wouldn’t move.
Something like a thin tree root was wrapped around her ankle. The sparkling mana roots were very similar to Dolan’s aura.
‘What the fuck happened?’
Given the circumstances it seemed clear that she had manifested herself. Her mind was talking about the new year with growing doubts.
Sigh! Suddenly the space right next to the two people turned over. An old gentleman with a beard walked out gracefully.
“It’s been a while. Ronan-kun.”
“Lord Kratir?!”
“I was looking for you. If it’s okay let’s go together… um?”
Adeshan opened his eyes wide. It was Krava Kratir the principal of Phileon Academy.
Everyone’s attention was focused but Ronan was only focused on Ade Shan’s ankle. Kratir who belatedly saw the two people’s behavior narrowed his eyes.
“…Did this old man interrupt an important moment?”
