Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 175

175. Festival of Swords (18)

#175

The last day of the festival dawned. Participants started climbing the mountain in the afternoon after taking enough rest. The final stronghold and shrine are not too far away, Alogin explained, and can be reached in an hour or so.

There were 20 people left until the end, including Ronan and his party. Perhaps because they were warriors who overcame all kinds of adversity, their eyes were different. Ronan looked around at them and whistled.

“It seems to have been filtered as it should be. Some of them look older than us.”

“Because they are talented people from all over the continent.”

Schlieffen shook his head in agreement. Even without sparring, I could tell. They must have been the ones who were promoted as Sword Saints in their respective positions. Suddenly remembering what happened last night, Ronan stabbed his side with his elbow.

“right. Is your hair okay?”

“Suddenly, what are you talking about?”

“This is a funny guy. Did you drop that bowl yesterday and pretend?”

Ronan laughed in amazement. Drunk with just one sip, Schlieffen admired Irill even after he went to bed. It was a maniac who could not stop talking nonstop with his eyes closed. Thanks to that, I was able to relieve the discomfort caused by the deaths of Russell and Riley.

“You don’t even remember what you said? Well, that’s why he’s alive without hanging himself in the morning.”

“I remember everything. And I am not ashamed to list the facts.”

“Crazy.”

“It’s just a pity that you can only be honest with the help of alcohol. I lack courage.”

Ronan shook his head. The confident voice made me think that the real danger might be this bastard, not the torrential sword. They climbed the mountain, talking about this and that. Rin took Butterfly Rose’s hand and followed her for about 30 steps. She looked at Ronan and Schlieffen alternately, then said to herself worriedly.

“Ugh. I am worried.”

“What do you mean?”

“Which hip do you think is better? If you’re the teacher of those two, you wouldn’t know.”

“…hmm?”

Nabi Rose was sure that he had heard it wrong because of the sound of the wind. What does it mean to know what the students’ buttocks are like? But when I asked again, the answer was the same.

“I prefer a more ferocious face, but the back is boiling. If that side is hard as a stone, then the boy’s side is…”

Suddenly, Rin began to evaluate the buttocks of the two disciples. It seemed that the seriousness of the expression on the face of the world would not have such passion for the livestock farmers who choose the cows. It was a sound that had no nutritional value, but I was afraid that I would be interested in it. Nabi Roze, who had struggled to control his curiosity, shook his head.

“…I do not know. something like that.”

“I have to decide by today, but it’s a big deal. Should I just do it for you?”

Rin said that and raised her head. Staring at Nabi Rose’s chest, she began to salivate again. It was clear that he was very worried about something, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Of course, I didn’t really want to know.

“Yes. Butterfly rose.”

“Why but.”

“me. Can I really go to your academy?”

Nabi Rose shrugged her eyebrows. Come to think of it, I had a memory of boasting with a smile that I had been invited to enroll by Ronan a few days ago. She stroked Rin’s hair gently.

“of course. Phileon is always open to talented people.”

“thank you. Then I really should go.”

“But you should refrain from harassing Ronan there.”

Nabi Rosé giggled. Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen his face. He’s a kid who was bullied and then rose to become the student council president, so he must be doing well. Lin tilted her head.

“why?”

“I have a strong relationship. Although timidity is a flaw.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, it’s fine. Because I will be prettier.”

Rin brushed her thick gray hair behind her ear. Butterfly Rose let out a laugh. It was an imposing gesture that did not go well with his petty appearance. To the extent that I feel envious in some ways. At that time, Alogin, who was leading the procession at the head, stopped in place. He looked back at the people and said.

“It was hard. This is the peak of Parzan.”

Ronan and Schlieffen, who were immediately following, also stopped at the same time. There was nowhere else to go up. A landscape I had never seen before was unfolding before my eyes. Ronan, who had been looking around, muttered as if possessed by something.

“…crater?”

The indented terrain, as if scooped out with a spoon, suggested that Farzan had once vomited fire. The crater, which seemed to be a good 3 km in diameter, was covered with ice caps all over.

The spectacle of sunlight reflected by the waning sun on the ice cap gave an optical illusion as if the holy ground was emitting light on its own. Alogin affirmed with a benevolent smile.

“okay. A pool of light. The holy sword is sleeping somewhere here.”

“It’s a pool of light…”

Ronan nodded. I thought it was a very well-made nickname. On the outskirts of the crater, there was a building presumably where the elders lived. It was quite antique, and it felt like it was taken from one of Phileon’s annexes. Alogin led the party there. It was to take a short break along with putting down the burden.

The building was not as wide as expected. It was a structure reminiscent of a temple in many ways, with a high ceiling and several huge pillars.

Since most of the elders were old friends, I thought there would be a lot of people helping out, but it seemed that they were good at self-sufficiency.

Participants were given time to take a break and wash their bodies. The elders who were wandering around sent them a sword.

“Welcome. Swordsmen who have passed even the final ordeal. I was waiting for you.”

“Ah yes. hello.”

Ronan bowed his head and said hello. Apart from being old, the momentum flowing from the body was not normal. Perhaps because of the sacred ceremony, the elders were all wearing the same uniform. At that time, a large old woman stopped in front of Ronan.

“Aha, you are the 44th contestant. Rumors abound even among our elders.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Ahaha. I like you very much. Wouldn’t that be enough?”

The old woman evaded the answer with a grim laugh. He was an old man with a strong physique and a lively laugh, reminiscent of a northern warrior. Introducing herself as the owner of the silver sword, she patted Ronan on the shoulder and said.

“It would be nice if anyone among them could find the holy sword. It really is time to show up.”

“You say it like someone found it before. Wasn’t it just a legend?”

“The Holy Sword exists. In the world, it is dismissed as a legend or a fairy tale, but our elders know that it is history. And the owner of the first holy sword is someone you know well.”

“Are you someone I know?”

Ronan tilted his head at the incomprehensible sound. The old woman with a meaningful smile opened her mouth.

“Have you ever wondered how a mere human could have defeated the demon dragon Orsay?”

“Orse…Could it be that the emperor of the first empire?”

Ronan’s eyes widened. It was a story I had never heard of. It was thanks to the holy sword that the first emperor was able to defeat the black dragon Orsay. The old woman, who had been reciting the introduction to the story, stopped talking.

“Whoops. I will tell you more about the details after the ceremony. Aren’t you hungry anyway? I need to eat something.”

“are you okay. Come and eat already.”

“no. You can’t wield a sword properly if you’re so skinny. I wonder if kids these days are deliberately losing weight.”

The old woman clicked her tongue. it’s dry It was the first time anyone except Irill had heard it. Of course, it wasn’t really skinny, but it must have been her own personal standard. The arm thickness of the old woman, who seemed to be in her 70s, was not much different from that of Ronan. she cried.

“Hey! Different!”

“ok?”

Ronan raised his eyebrows at the familiar name. Before long, a boy came running from the other side of the building. I could see afterimages of how fast my feet were. He stopped in front of the old woman.

“Did you call Madame Olga?”

“okay. I would appreciate it if you could show this child to the restaurant. Other hungry contestants too.”

“I will. I think I will go down the mountain tomorrow, so please let me know if you need anything.”

“OK. not even nice I have to prepare for the ceremony, so let’s go.”

The old woman stroked the boy’s head once and turned away. Ronan was just staring at the familiar boy, dumbfounded. fragile impression. Brown eyes with gray hair. Also, the guy he knew was right. It was the sword delivery man who carried Zaifa’s sword.

“…is it different?”

“What?! Mr. Ronan?”

Darman’s eyes widened when he noticed Ronan’s presence belatedly. It was a reaction no different from the first time we met in the forest.

“Why are you here? What about the sword you’re giving to Zaifa?”

“Ahaha…that’s a bit complicated.”

Darman scratched his head as if embarrassed. A strange story began. He said that he somehow got to Parjan, but that he could not find Zaifa even after wandering around for several days. As a result, he ran out of food and money, so he applied for a job as a handyman traveling between the base and the Holy Land.

Originally, he planned to do it until he met Jaifa, but he did not find Jaifa until the day the festival was over. However, he explained that the job was unexpectedly suitable for him, and people liked him because he was smart, so he worked longer than expected. After finishing the story, Darman jumped in place.

“I am a bit fast. Everyone likes it because the goods they ordered come quickly.”

“okay. He said it was fucking fast. Something went wrong, but I’m glad it turned out somehow.”

“Hehe, thanks for saving me that day. Did Jaifa not come today?”

“Oh, I’ll be back soon. Because you said you would participate in the ceremony.”

Ronan told me that the tiger was not bothered by meeting people, so he stayed in a separate shelter. Darman’s face hardened in shock.

“Ah, there must be a reason you didn’t see it. Somehow…”

“Yeah. You can deliver it today.”

“Ugh… I’d like to. Do you want to go to the restaurant first?”

“Is that so? Because this is also a commemoration.”

Ronan followed Darman to the restaurant. All of the food that the old woman had cooked herself tasted like dog shit.

“Fuck. Why the hell is the fish head stuck in the pie? Doesn’t that hag have dementia?”

“Haha…Madame Olga’s cooking is a bit unusual.”

Ronan, who had been cursing all kinds of things, calmed down only after he ate Darman’s impromptu egg dish. While eating, he told Darman the story that had happened on the way here.

“Croden, the cannon blast sword? That person came?!”

“okay. Zaifa cut it in half at once.”

“It can’t be…”

Darman listened to Ronan’s story with various facial expressions. The reaction was generally intense and colorful, so it was delicious to talk about. About an hour later, a notice was delivered asking me to come out because the ceremony had to start. Darman waved his hand to see Ronan off.

“I hope you find the holy sword.”

“OK. I’m going to tell Zaifa to stop by here, so prepare yourself.”

Ronan also waved lightly. Everyone except Darman left the building. A cheerful hum echoed through the empty building.

****

The ceremony took place in the middle of the Holy Land. The inside of the crater was all considered sacred, and it was impossible to step on it except for elders and participants who passed the final sword test.

People lined up in a row in the center of the holy place where the starlight was stagnant. Seven elders surrounded them in a circle. All the elders were concentrating with their weapons pulled out, but their heads were dizzy from the swirling mana. Zaifa, who had recently returned from errands, stood with his arms crossed.

The red color of the setting sun was tinged little by little in the sky, which had come closer as if it could be caught by touching it. Ronan muttered in a slightly louder voice than he was talking to himself.

“What the hell is consciousness?”

“I won’t tell you even if you do.”

Nabi Roze said while looking straight ahead. She was still wearing Ronan’s coat. It must have smelled because it had been worn for quite some time, but it was strange that it was worn well. said Ronan.

“Ah, don’t be mean and let me know.”

“I can’t. Because the emotion is halved.”

“Are you even thrilled?”

“Those who experience it for the first time can do that enough. It must be a sight I have never seen before.”

Nabi Roze’s voice was firm. Seeing what he said, it seemed like there was definitely something going on. A cold wind was blowing, as if it had come straight from the sky. Suddenly, Alogin raised his sword.

“I will begin the ritual.”

A blue glow shimmered through the blade of the longsword. The other elders also raised their weapons together. They plunged their weapons into the ground before the contestants had time to react. Faaaah-! A strong halo of light spread out as if wrapping around the holy ground.

“What the fuck all of a sudden…!”

Ronan involuntarily closed his eyes. It was a light that had no choice but to be. Other participants also showed similar reactions. Rin’s voice came from within the haze of light penetrating even the palms covering her face.

“This…my…last…is.”

But the wind was so strong that I couldn’t hear exactly what he was saying. She barely opened her eyes and turned around to stand there, staring straight ahead. After about three minutes, the light finally faded. Confirming that the mana around him had calmed down, Ronan raised his head.

“This is…”

And then I was at a loss for words. It was a sight I had never seen in my life, as Nabi Rose said. The crater, where only pure white snow had accumulated, had turned into a flower bed in full bloom.

However, the flower was not a plant organ that people were familiar with. Weapons of all kinds stood upside down with their heads stuck in the ground. The blades that shone a cool light in the sun looked like flowers made of steel.