Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 21

21. Blood and Eggs (4)

#21

“Damn it! What the hell is that…!”

The boy in the leather cap sat down. I couldn’t stand up because my legs were weak. In front of his eyes, a strange creature he had never seen before was flapping its wings and looking down at him.

“Baby?”

“You monster…!”

There was no sound from the four long, black wings. Her red eyes glistened like blood-soaked rubies. Every time the long tail brushed the floor, the boy’s shoulders shrank.

It was a look reminiscent of a demon or dragon in a fairy tale. Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes as he slowly backed away.

‘You’ve been punished…! The devil came to see me because I did something bad…!’

No matter how much money you had, you shouldn’t be poaching.

The boy was a member of the Demire branch of the poaching organization Caribolo. His first mission was to deliver supplies to the members who went hunting with leylines the other day.

However, eight corpses were waiting for him. headless.

The corpses, completely drained of blood, took on a dull gray color like a frosty beanfield. The severed heads were nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s not enough hunting dogs, and even the captain is beaten…’

Wolf Beum was also a cold corpse. Having reached the level of Sword Expert, he was a veteran who had captured phantasmagoric species in double digits.

I had to hurry back to the branch and report the situation. It was the moment the boy just turned around.

– Kwaaang!

“Quaaaaagh!”

A monster creature flew in from somewhere and crashed into the tree where the boy was hiding. The twigs and leaves fell in the rain. Before long, the creature that had shaved its head approached the boy.

“Subtract.”

‘I have to do something!’

The boy hurriedly reached for the dagger at his waist. It was the moment my fingers touched the hilt. The monster’s eyes, which had been quietly striking in the air, began to glow red.

“Pyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…!”

“uh?”

Suddenly, the boy’s world turned red. The boy rubbed his eyes with his sleeve and inhaled. Red blood was smeared on the dirty cuffs.

“Hee-ik…!”

The overflowing blood ran down his cheeks. No matter how much I wiped my eyes, the blood wouldn’t stop. The boy soon noticed that blood was flowing not only from his eyes, but also from his nose, mouth and ears.

“Save me!!”

I could feel my body getting cold quickly. There was still no strength in the legs. The boy desperately flipped his posture and began to crawl away.

“I will never do anything like this again! Please save me!”

However, the second nightmare unfolded in spite of the boy’s screams. Suddenly, his body began to drag in the direction of the monster.

“Oh, no!! Help me!”

I grabbed the bush in a hurry, but to no avail. As the blades of grass were ripped away in vain, the boy’s body floated into the air.

Ha ha ha. It seemed that he could hear the monster laughing through his bloody ears. Just then, a black-haired boy came out through the bushes.

“Yumma! stop!”

Ronan swung his sword vertically. It was exactly halfway between the boy and Sheeta. dump! The mana that was dragging the boy was cut off and his body fell to the floor.

“Ugh!”

“Ppaaaaang?!”

Sheeta opened her eyes wide. To her surprise, her black pupils almost doubled in size. The boy was rolling on the floor, regurgitating clots of blood from his throat.

“Wow! Whoa!”

“Oh fuck. why is your face like this? Did you do it, Sita?”

The boy’s face was covered in blood from his features. Ronan, who looked at the boy with disgust, raised his eyebrows.

“Eh? wait for a sec.”

It was a familiar face somewhere. Ronan poked the wing of Sheeta, who was still bewildered.

“Your Sita, wipe your face.”

“Baby?”

Ronan pretended to wash his face. Sheeta, who blinked, used magic. Blood began to well out from the boy’s eyes again.

“Quaaaaaagh!”

“Yumma!”

Again the blade cut through the air. Ronan, who quickly cut off mana, blew a chestnut into Sheeta’s nose.

“Boom!”

“Will you do that while you know what you’re talking about? I just want you to wipe the blood off your face.”

“Ppwuuuu…”

Sita, who had lost her spirits, used her magic again. The blood that covered the boy’s face gathered in one place and came out in the form of drops. The boy who touched his face freaked out and stood up.

“This is…?!”

“That’s right too. His face has barely changed.”

“Is that the one who saved me?”

Ronan crossed his arms and nodded. He didn’t answer the boy’s question. The face of the boy whose blood was washed away resembled the person he knew.

Ronan took out his pipe and bit it. The boy bowed his head, folding his waist almost in half.

“Heo-euk…Thank you…! thank you! I really lived thanks to you!”

“With something like this. Is poaching worth it, Balus?”

“…yes?”

The balus froze. Ronan was watching him as if he was interested. I never imagined that we would meet in a place like this.

“Isn’t it pretty awesome? It’s a job to sweep money if there’s blood on your hands, but it’s not human blood, so I don’t feel guilty.”

“How can you name me…”

Balus was Ronan’s punishment soldier motive. It was Balus who boasted to Ronan of his beast-slaying arrows and made constant noise about Caribolo’s organizational system.

At the time, I thought he was a bad guy from the root, but somehow the boyish Balus had a very different atmosphere. His appearance, his attitude, and everywhere he looked, he smelled like a novice who had just started working.

The tattoos that almost covered her body hadn’t been engraved yet, and her tone wasn’t vulgar. Above all, guilt still lingered in his shaky eyes.

Maybe there is room for rehabilitation. Ronan lit the pipe.

“I don’t know that, kid. You have to choose.”

“select…?”

“Yes ma’am. Become a traitor to the organization or a stuffed animal that has dried up white. Just by looking at it, hasn’t it been a while since you started working?”

“Bar stuffed?! How can you do that more than that…”

Then, the monster Sheeta, who had been bouncing in the air, landed on Ronan’s shoulder. The way they rubbed their faces against each other’s cheeks made them look quite friendly.

Realizing that the two were one team, Balus hesitated and retreated.

“What the hell are you? What is that monster…? Hopefully those people too!”

“That’s right, Balus. I cut the hair, and I took these hairballs out of the blood.”

Ronan extended his index finger and pointed at Balus. Sheeta turned her head and stared at him. A thin stream of nosebleed ran down Balus’ philtrum.

“There is no need to explain how the blood was drawn, right?”

“Hey…!”

“Then let’s start talking.”

Ronan let out smoke. He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a piece of parchment. It was a map drawn with the blood of Caribolo’s hounds.

****

The boys left Penardo Sam after tidying up until the night. I had to make a much bigger raft than when I came because I had a lot of luggage. A red moon rose in the sky like fresh blood.

“Your income is much better than I thought.”

Ronan did not kill Balus. It wasn’t just because he hadn’t gotten his hands dirty yet. He was a talented person who would make a great contribution to eradicating Caribolo from the continent someday.

Having extracted enough information about Caribolo, Ronan obtained a blood oath from him.

– Ughhh! As long as this devil’s messenger drinks your blood, you can’t hide anywhere in the world!

– Huh uh uh…! I swear! I will keep my oath no matter what!

Inform the information or current status of the organization once every fifteen days. It was an oath not to reveal information about Ronan’s party until he betrayed everyone and left the organization.

blood oath. A forbidden sorcery in which the soul is eaten by the devil the moment it is violated.

Of course, it was just a lie, but judging from Balus’ expression at the time, there seemed to be no fear of breaking the oath.

Balus, who was badly beaten by Sheeta, believed Sheeta to be a messenger of demons and Ronan to be an evil warlock.

“You are quite useful.”

Ronan gently scratched Sheeta’s neck as she looked up at the moon. Sheeta made a purring sound as she rolled on the floor like a cat doing a charm.

“It’s cute…”

Asher was looking at him with both hands resting on his chin. I wanted to bury my face in that soft feather, but it was not easy to try because I had been hurt.

Asher, who suddenly remembered something, opened his mouth.

“By the way, why did you name Ronan Sheeta?”

“Why are you Asher?”

“Oh no, I don’t mean that…”

“Just. It’s the name of the bastard I used to hang out with.”

Ronan gave no further information. Asher did not ask any further questions. I just had my doubts. Has Ronan ever had a dog?

Ronan opened his mouth while slowly stroking Sheeta, who was asleep.

“I wasn’t going to raise anything like an animal again…”

It was more of a memory than a memory and a pleasant memory rather than a regret. After a chance encounter on a wandering road, the companion who had been together for a year died at the hands of a poacher.

“I don’t know.”

Ronan lay down. Sheeta’s feather tickling her cheek was surprisingly soft. The water mist slowly rising over the red moonlit water was closing the curtain on this adventure.

****

The two returned to the island over two full days. Ronan went straight to Professor Baren to show Sheeta, but he was on a business trip to the southern jungle.

“I have a lot to say, but it’s a pity.”

Hearing that it would take at least 15 days, Ronan turned his steps. They shoved a note under Varen’s office door and headed to the market.

Of course, I didn’t forget to collect the bounty. All that Caribolo’s poachers left behind turned into jingling gold coins that filled the boys’ pockets. Equipment accessories, even a head that was completely drained of blood.

“My God, water with such high mana purity…! Where the hell did you get this from?”

“secret. I might bring it again, so please hit me up.”

Even while measuring the purity of mana, Duon continued to exclaim. Ronan sold the water he drew from the spring to the Caravel Merchant and the Alchemy Workshop.

It was very pure mana, so he was able to earn much more money than expected.

“My daughter even sang songs by the names of the guests. This time he wanted to follow me too, but he whined so much that he couldn’t…” “

Come to think of it, I can’t see him. What about Marja?”

“Ah, I went down to my hometown for a while. They said they were going to say goodbye before entering school.”

Well, once I entered school, there was no reason to go back to my hometown unless it was during the vacation period. Because Phileon was a strict dormitory system.

Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen my sister. The notice of acceptance was sent by letter, but I felt that something was missing.

“It’s great.”

“Heh heh, that’s right. If it wasn’t for my top job, I would have stopped by, but it’s just a pity. Anyway, what the hell is that animal…?”

Duon’s gaze was not on Ronan from earlier, but on Sheeta, who was riding on his shoulder. Still, there was a pet business at one time, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Oh, this is the kid that came out of that egg last time. I don’t even know the identity.”

“egg…? Ah, you mean that incredibly hard lump from last time!”

Doon opened his mouth in admiration. An egg shell that is harder than Mithril. It was an unforgettable memory.

Sheeta tilted her head and looked at the people passing by and the products lined up at the stalls. Red eyes sparkling with curiosity and unusual appearance attracted people’s attention.

“Ho, can I touch it?”

“sure. But you probably hate it.”

“Whoops, it’s because everyone isn’t careful. Even so, I take care of animals quite well.”

Duon cautiously reached out his hand. The black and rich feathers looked so fluffy that I wondered if it could be like this. It was the moment his hand was about to reach Sheeta.

“Kyaa!”

“Oops!”

With a threatening sound, the four wings spread out. Dooon, who was almost knocked out, stood up on the stand. Ronan said, scratching Sheeta’s neck gently.

“I am right. I was more shy than I looked.”

“Ppa~!”

When Ronan scratched his neck, Sheeta relaxed her expression and purred as if she had never done that. Sheeta was wary of everyone except Ronan and Asher.

“This is so embarrassing…”

“It could be. Then I will go.”

“Be careful and go back. Congratulations on the second place and first place in writing. Both of you are really great.”

“thank you. See you again.”

Ronan waved his hand once and moved on. With every step he took, his backpack shook and the sound of coins rattled.

After earning some money, the two headed to a restaurant they had been eyeing before. It was a place where whole 2m long eels, caught only in Lake Lanier, were grilled. After taking a bite, Asher opened his eyes wide.

“It’s delicious…!”

“Bee!”

The eel’s unique chewy meat and exquisite salting were art. It seemed to be the most delicious restaurant I’ve been to in Jedo. Sheeta also eagerly devoured her portion of the meat, chirping with happy cries.

“Assel. What are you going to do with this money?”

“me? I…mmm…maybe most of it is used to buy magic books or experiment materials? Because it is a very expensive study.”

“Is that so? Be proud of yourself.”

“What about you, Ronan?”

Ronan groaned. Originally, I was saving money to pay for my tuition, but I had no place to spend the money because I was taking the next seat. The full scholarship was not enough, so I received a monthly subsidy in the name of maintaining dignity.

It was a blessing and a worry, but a worry was a worry anyway.

“Okay.”

Ronan took a bite of the grilled eel. It was delicious. For some reason, I suddenly remembered my sister in Nimburton.

While he enjoyed the delicacies from the mountain, Iril would have stayed at home today, eating potato stew.

‘Come to think of it, my sister has lived in that country all her life.’

Ronan has lived two lives, but this is the first time he has properly led a city life. It was so different from life in Nimburton that it would be safe to say that everything was different.

‘I raised it by changing my own poop diapers.’

Ronan twitched his lips. Come to think of it, I only tossed a few coins and came out, but I never did anything. Iril probably didn’t even know that a world like this existed.

Ronan, who was pondering something, opened his mouth.

“Assel. Were you able to observe on the day of our entrance ceremony?”

“huh? Ah…yes it will. I understand that it is possible only for guardians or family members.”

“That’s right.”

Ronan was silent again. Seeing the serious expression, Asher lowered the fork. Only the sound of Sheeta chewing and tearing flesh resounded.

Just then, a voice sounded like a shout from the kitchen.

“Tomorrow, the Pensia Revue will send some wagons!”

“How many are there?”

“Twenty-two! I asked to catch the carriage to go back two days later to Marvas.”

“Confirmed. The location of the twenty-two tomorrow is Marvas.”

It was a conversation between the staff at the restaurant. It seemed that they would send a wagon if the customer wanted it.

Realizing something, Ronan’s expression brightened. If you couldn’t go, you could just bring it. Standing up, Ronan tapped the employee on the shoulder.

“hey.”

“Ah, my guest. What’s going on?”

“Does a carriage go to Nimburton by any chance?”

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