Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 174

174. Sword Festival (17)

#174

“…It’s as you said. The culprit is certain.”

Jaifa said. Nordrek’s halved body was convulsing at his feet. Seeing the cut on his chest, Ronan frowned.

“Did you really have to check it that way? Hurry up and treat yourself.”

“This is fine.”

Jaipa shook her head. It was an ignorant verification. Of course, there wouldn’t be a way to find out who the black marks belonged to, but it was a bit harsh. Red blood was oozing out over the black fur. After a moment of silence, he continued.

“…It was a blow.”

“ok?”

“I cut this worm in two with one blow. As for the time it took, it would be about a second. Do you think you know what this means?”

A thick sadness wavered on the other side of her red eyes. Zaifa, who had been rummaging through her inner pockets, took out something. Dozens of flat badges made of metal were threaded through a long, thin leather strap. Ronan and Nabi Rose’s eyes widened. It was a dog tag given to the imperial army.

“It is said that if I had been by my subordinates’ side for a second, none of that would have happened.”

The creaking sound was depressing. Ronan was about to say something, but then stopped. Even though he was able to block it enough, allowing the slash was his own memorial and atonement. Ronan, who was biting his lower lip, spat out a curse.

“…shit.”

“There was an accomplice. Were there two more?”

“okay. These bastards are better at using swords than this bastard.”

“I need to catch them all before summer comes. If you are willing to cooperate, come see me.”

Ronan nodded. Even if I didn’t say that anyway, I was going to catch it as soon as possible. Zaifa, who inserted the dog tag, turned her attention to Nabi Rose.

“It got sharper. It seems that the aura still hasn’t manifested.”

“How could you do that…!”

“You know that much when you pretend. Instead of paying my respects, let me give you a piece of advice.”

Nabi Rose put her hand on the hilt and did not answer. Zaifa said in a more serious voice.

“Life is walking through the storm. People naturally get countless wounds, and some of them do not disappear forever and remain as scars. I guess the fact that you were defeated by me one after another must have left you with such scars.”

“…what do you want to say?”

“You can’t get rid of scars. It’s literally a scar. But it is up to you to decide how to treat it.”

Suddenly, Zaifa pointed to her chest. A long scar was engraved over the tattered clothes. It was the knife mark left by Nabi Roze. Shaking off the blood by swinging the sword in the air, he shook hands with Butterfly Rose.

“I have never been ashamed of these scars.”

“…you.”

Raised her head, Nabi Roze glared at Zaifa. Maybe it was because the tiger said so many wonderful things, but she, who usually looked like an adult, looked like a granddaughter standing in front of her grandfather. After hesitating for a moment, Nabi Roze grabbed Zaifa’s hand. It was a historic moment. After a light handshake, Zaifa turned his back.

“Then I will be waiting for the third challenge. Sentai swordsman.”

Zaifa left those words and jumped up. As with landing, there was almost no sound. With just one leap, he reached the platform he was originally standing on. Ronan opened his mouth, keeping his eyes on Zaifa, who was talking to Alogin.

“It doesn’t look dangerous like the instructor said.”

“…The atmosphere has changed a lot. After all, all hatred fades in time.”

“Hate…what the hell happened to Zaifa?”

Ronan asked. It was a car I had been curious about. What on earth had happened to Zaifa in the past to warn her so much? Zaifa, whom he met in person, at least did not appear to be an example of a canine night. Butterfly Rose, who was staring at Ronan, calmly turned her head.

“Ask yourself. Aren’t the two of you close enough to drink? Come to think of it, I’ve never drank together.”

“Ah, why are grown-ups getting mad at me like that? childishly.”

“I didn’t pout.”

She strode out of the arena, leaving Ronan behind. Only then did the organizers, who were noticing, come and start clearing away the wreckage of the Nordrek. The symmetrical and beautifully divided bodies were not worth seeing for a long time. Ronan kept his hands in his pockets and watched as they swept his intestines with a broom. Alogin, the overseer, tilted his head.

“hmm…? Aren’t you going out?”

“It’s my turn anyway. I have the right to be nominated first.”

“That’s true, but…wouldn’t you like to take care of yourself too? I’ve been through a lot.”

“That’s Okay. It’s better to finish it quickly and take a break. I will nominate.”

Ronan looked back at the participants of Aran Farjan and extended his finger. Of course, rather than choosing, it was just pointing at someone. The man who happened to be in the path of his index finger and a straight line sighed. It was a knight who seemed strong in his own way wearing full body armor. Ronan wiggled his fingers in annoyance.

“Come down.”

“Mmm! How dare this rogue boat…!”

The knight snorted and went down to the arena. It took exactly 3 minutes and 12 seconds before he screamed like a child to surrender.

“Huh! I was wrong! Please have mercy!”

“I’m sorry for being so reckless. No matter how well you learn, the fundamentals don’t seem to change.”

The man threw down his long spear, his main weapon, and fled. Hearing Alogin’s declaration of victory, Ronan drew his sword. Even after that, the last test proceeded like flowing water. Half fell and half stuck. No one died except for Nordrek, who was cut in half. Schlieffen, who took exactly 44 seconds to win, laughed triumphantly.

“Whoa… it’s a waste, Ronan.”

“I’ll turn. Aren’t all good people really that childish?”

Ronan furrowed his eyebrows in disgust. It was strange to activate the storm blade as soon as it started, but it seemed to be for this purpose. I was very worried about the future of Grancia.

As a result of adding up the scores so far, Ronan and Schlieffen were tied for first place. Ronan transferred the right to be guided by Zaifa to Schlieffen. After all, it was because the person himself fought hard in the cave the other day. Zaifa, who competed with him for a few moves, touched his chin and said.

“Hmm, that’s the most outstanding Auror I’ve ever seen. I see potential to surpass me.”

“thank you. Sword Saint.”

“I don’t have any specific advice, so keep going. I wonder which of you two will be the next Sword Saint.”

Zayfa, who looked at Ronan and Schlieffen alternately, smiled contentedly. The exposed fangs glistened in pure white. Even when I was depressed, I was really happy to see him doing that.

“Then, this will end the final exam. Salute to winners and losers alike. Farzan will never forget the blood and iron you gave.”

The exam ended late at night. Allogin came down from the podium and shook hands with each one.

Those who passed went back to the base, and those who failed went down the mountain. After leaving the arena, I saw the Milky Way crossing the sky from end to end. Ronan moved on, realizing that this long journey was coming to an end.

****

Ronan returned to his lodgings after eating. Schlieffen, who returned first, was grooming the sword.

‘A wicked bastard. Look at how his expression has changed.’

The time I actually wielded the sword was short, but I was mentally exhausted, probably because a lot of things had happened. Immediately lying on the bed, Ronan sighed.

“Fuu… it’s finally tomorrow. Are all the guys in Phileon doing well?”

“It won’t be a big deal. I’m just worried about Miss Lee.”

“Even with an escort attached like that, Yunan. Just tell me honestly that you miss me, man.”

Schlieffen did not answer. The red-hot ears were very funny. In fact, Ronan wouldn’t have been so relieved if he hadn’t been promised an escort by the emperor.

He remembered the conversation he had with Alogin at the diner. After Nordrek’s autopsy was completed, it was established that he was indeed Stormblade Kroden. Ronan, whose thoughts were complicated, let out a drool.

‘The reason why everyone saved the dying guy is to use it. But what was the purpose of using the memory sealing technique? What happened to her hair and eyes again?’

The fire was quickly put out, but many things were still in doubt. Nordrek has a very different feel from the Nebula Klazier I’ve seen so far. It was the same as being a dick-like bastard, but I have to say that I feel badly like a dick. In essence, I felt a sense of heterogeneity.

‘It’s also similar. the feeling is.’

I thought that perhaps the heterogeneity had something to do with the color of my hair or eyes. It must have been entangled with the traitor, but it wasn’t clear what it was. Ronan, who raised his upper body, asked Schlieffen a question.

“The storm sword bastard. Why do you think you are here?”

“Wasn’t it to get revenge on Instructor Nabi Roze?”

“no. There was a strong feeling that it was a combination of both. These bastards are even more fucked up because they have a cause… Eight for God’s sake.”

Ronan wiped his face with the palm of his hand. I felt like I needed to get some sleep today because my head couldn’t turn. He rummaged under the bed and pulled out a bottle of alcohol. Recognizing the label on the bottle, Schlieffen shrugged his eyebrows.

“Lord Damgeum of the Thousand Years Tales. It’s a pretty precious item, but where did you get it?”

“I secretly brought one when I was drinking with Zaifa.”

“…what?”

Schlieffen narrowed his brow. Ronan wordlessly pulled the cork. There were no cups, so he drank from the bottle. The liquid that flowed down his throat was sweet. After taking a few sips, Ronan handed the bottle to Schlieffen.

“Do you want a drink?”

“It is. thanks.”

“okay. this sans. I knew it… Huh?”

Ronan widened his eyes. Of course, I thought he would decline, but the answer was unexpected. After accepting the bottle, Schlieffen boldly bent his head and drank the brew. Ronan, who saw the giggling neck, said in fright.

“Yumma, that’s pretty toxic.”

“Huh…it’s better.”

“Is there anything difficult? Did you say bullshit to your sister before you came here, such as proposing to her when you come back…”

“No. It’s to calm down the excitement from earlier… It’s not like it’s over just because I heard the praise from the swordsman.”

Ronan chuckled. So, it was said that he drank to calm his mind after receiving compliments from Zaifa. I’ve seen a lot of people who drink to forget painful things, but this was another novel reason. Snatching the bottle back, Ronan shook his head.

“Crazy. You must be the only one who lives and drinks for that reason.”

“You always have to do your best… and live. That way, you can protect the weak…”

“Okay, drink in moderation. How come this bastard’s hiccuping tone is similar to that of Elizabeth?”

Suddenly, she remembered Elizabeth, who was drinking alcohol on the airship on her way to the Dawn Mage Tower. What kind of trouble did he go through to stop her from using flame magic inside the wooden ship? It was the car Ronan was about to say. Schlieffen, who had been hiccuping quietly, opened his mouth.

“……Ronan.”

“ok?”

“I want to see Miss Irill.”

“Fuck.”

Ronan’s face contorted. Schlieffen bowed his head and began to praise Erill. It seemed that the rich vocabulary could be used for a book.

I can’t be with a drunkard like this. It was the car he was trying to drink at once to pass out. Suddenly the door opened with a knock. A woman dressed as a guide appeared.

“Hey…Participant No. 44? Oh you were there Fortunately, the.”

“ok? What happen?”

“Take it. I’m here to tell you this.”

The woman carefully held out an envelope. A fairly luxurious envelope was imprinted with a magic that would catch fire if someone other than the recipient tried to open it. Ronan tilted his head.

“Who sent you?”

“This is Mr. Russell, who was killed by a torrential sword this morning. I found it while cleaning out the dorm, but the recipient was named Ronan. “

…Russell?”

The woman nodded and left the room. He seemed quite busy, probably because of what the flood sword had done. Ronan, who was scratching his head, opened the envelope. Unlike the envelope, the inlay was plain parchment. Small letters were filling one side tightly.

“What did you write down that you put so much effort into?”

Ronan slowly began to read the letter. The intro and the middle part were quite predictable. I’m sorry for being rude. Thank you for your help nonetheless. I really believe in you, but I want to finish the job with certainty

. The plan ended in a miserable failure and everyone became dismembered corpses. Ronan, who was reading the letter, clicked his tongue.

“…Damn it.”

If they stayed still, they wouldn’t have to die. The taste of the drink has gone down. Even after reading that far, there was still about half of the contents left. Ronan’s eyes widened as he read the mid-to-late half. The location and internal structure of the ruins where he met the torrential sword were written down, along with the information he found while tracking the torrential sword.

“You stupid man…”

Ronan sighed heavily. Among them were the locations of places presumed to be Nebula Clazie’s bases. It was an invaluable piece of information. Deploying the Imperial Army here was probably the first mission as Dawn.

The moment of scaring him off the cliff flashed before his eyes. A female knight named Riley, who sat down with her and had a drink. Ronan, who had carefully folded the letter, muttered as he held up a bottle of wine.

“Get some rest.”

Ronan drank the soaked wine. Along with the sharp spirit of alcohol, the scent of the perpetual snow spreads in your mouth. The end of the journey was approaching right before our eyes. Tomorrow we will finally step on the sacred ground.