Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 26

26. Banquet

#26

After seeing off, Ronan and Sheeta returned to the banquet hall. The main hall of Gallerion Castle has been transformed into a perfect place for a party.

“You’re making a lot of noise.”

“Baya~”

The atmosphere was completely different from when I visited during the practical exam. Ronan looked around the banquet hall and muttered as if he was amazed.

“Should I quit being a swordsman and learn magic…”

Birds made of light were flying and chirping. The enchanted ceiling reflected the blue sky beyond the roof.

Ten long tables, almost fifty meters across, ran across the hall. Food and drinks from each region were embroidered on the table.

Ronan picked up a buttered and grilled snow crab leg. It was the last remaining leg, but as soon as the plate was empty, an intact snow crab appeared on the plate.

Even the taste was awesome.

“It looks like a ghost is grabbing a nipple and twisting it.”

Students in school uniforms were walking between the tables, chatting with people they had just met today.

They were still students, so I didn’t hear the clinking of glasses, but they were excited as if they were drunk.

“Being part of Phileon Academy like this is like a dream.”

“It really is. Since this is my last chance, I applied with the feeling that it was the end… Hehe!”

Some students even burst into tears.

Ronan thought that was enough. The first effort I made while preparing for the entrance exam was never easy.

Then a familiar voice came from behind.

“Hey Ronan.”

“Ha…what are you doing today?”

Ronan sighed and turned his head. Sure enough, Schlieffen in school uniform was standing there with his head held high.

The elegance that exuded from her body was still there, but for some reason, her expression was not very good. Ronan said while taking a bite of the snow crab.

“What’s wrong with your expression? Do you want to poop?”

“Has Miss Irill gone home?”

“ok. I just came to see you.”

“Where do you live? What are you riding back?”

Ronan frowned.

“You know what to do with that, man.”

“I bet they didn’t send it without an escort. If so, you are not human.”

“escort?”

Ronan tilted his head. At that moment, Schlieffen’s expression hardened. He wiped his face once with his right hand, as if trying to keep his composure, then continued.

“…I asked the old lady, but it seems to be true. This is unimaginable in aristocratic families. Do you know why the Ronan accident is an accident? It’s an accident that happened in an unexpected situation. Take action right now. How long has it been since the carriage left? The nearest mercenary guild is on Western Highway. No, I’ll just lend you my words. You bastard right now…!”

Schlieffen began to lay out the steps Ronan needed to take, with very rapid and precise pronunciation.

Ronan’s eyes widened at a sight more interesting than any circus. It could be said to be the complete opposite of how he met Erill.

Of course, Ronan did everything he could. He hired a wagon from the most reliable wagon guild in the system, and the coachman who pulled it was a retired Sword Expert-level swordsman. Of course, there was no history of accident.

“Is it okay as long as a wyvern doesn’t come and snatch the wagon?”

“They say that if a wyvern comes, they will be killed.”

However, Schlieffen was insisting on beating the troops escorting the upper ranks. Considering the existing measures and public security in the neighborhood, it was obvious overprotection.

But Schlieffen didn’t listen, as if he had wax in his ears. Ronan, who hadn’t heard, touched Sheeta and said.

“Do you remember Sita-noona’s smell?”

“Damn it!”

“Follow me home and come back tomorrow.”

As if Sheeta had waited, she spread her wings. After leaving Ronan’s shoulder, Sheeta quickly turned into a black afterimage and escaped through the banquet hall window.

Schlieffen was still giving a long speech. said Ronan.

“Now calm down, man. I just sent an escort.”

“…bodyguard? Could it be that the bird that was sitting on your shoulder earlier? Just kidding…”

“It’s not just a bird, it’s a fantasy species. Don’t worry, it’s stronger than most mercenaries.”

Ronan nodded with a serious face. Schlieffen, who was glaring at Ronan with suspicious eyes, opened his mouth.

“…It would be better if there was a decent mercenary group. Be sure to tell me if necessary. Don’t be foolish with your pride.”

“By the way, are you trembling like this to become something of my sister?”

“……”

Schlieffen turned his back without answering the question. So, annoying guy. It was the car Ronan was looking for food after muttering so much. A booming voice echoed through the banquet hall.

“Hahaha! There you are today’s main character! It’s this way! Junior!!”

“Hey Ronan! It’s here!!”

It was a really loud double glazing. Ronan sighed. It seemed that everyone in the banquet hall heard their voices.

“Damn it, let me eat some too.”

I turned my head and saw Marja and Braum waving in the distance. Students who seemed to be well over 20 were gathered around them.

“So, junior Marya, is that true? You said you were acquainted with junior Ronan?”

“Yes, senior Braum! We’ve been together ever since our fateful meeting in Marvas!”

“Oh clothes! What a fateful meeting! What the hell happened?!”

Ronan shook his head. No matter how daring Braum is, he’s already friendly with him.

Anyway, one affinity is a girl who has reached the state. With talent like that, he’ll become the greatest colossus on the continent in the future.

Ronan exchanged greetings with the people gathered. Most of them were seniors who participated in the competition earlier.

“Hello, handsome junior. You may not remember it because it was destroyed in one hit, but it is Iris who competed with you.”

“Why can’t I remember? Did you use two spears? The left hand was held in reverse.”

“uh? M… that’s right.”

“oh my god! Remember all that?! Do you remember me too?”

“It’s okay. When wielding the mace, I like to put my center of gravity a little further back.”

Ronan remembered all the faces of his seniors as well as the weapons he used. He even gave advice based on his own experience, so the mouths of the sophomores caught on.

“The world is the same genius, but how can it be so different? Ask any questions you have!”

“Did you know there is a secret passage in the library? On the twenty-second shelf…”

“A phantom species lives at the bottom of the lake. When you get close to him, he will ask for the plants you need for alchemy, so take note.”

The seniors generously poured out the honey-like information they knew. Some of them were really helpful for school life.

‘I’m indebted to my sister again.’

Ronan smiled. I never thought what I did simply to reassure Ilil would come back with this kind of luck.

“There! It was so cool earlier…!”

“Ronan, right? May I ask for your autograph?”

“Yes, yes. It’s a motive, but don’t be awkward and talk to me.”

The motives that had been paying attention also gathered one by one. It was around the time when the friendly atmosphere was in full swing.

“Is it Ronan-sama?”

“ok?”

It was a husky high note that drew attention. Ronan turned his head.

A girl with dark purple hair was approaching with her arms crossed. Looking at the robe-style uniform, it was from the magic department.

The slightly raised eyebrows reminded me of a cat. Recognizing her face, Ronan shrugged his eyebrows.

“Ezebet?”

“Oh, you remembered.”

At that moment, the attention of the students who had been talking loudly was focused. It wasn’t just because of her beauty.

Elizabeth of Acalucia.

If there was Schlieffen in the martial arts department, there was Elizabeth in the magic department. The name of a genius who could handle the three attributes alone was known beyond magic and martial arts. Braum laughed loudly.

“Oh oh! You’re the head of the magic department this time! I’m sorry, junior! You have to stand in line to talk to junior Ronan! Come here!”

It was a pleasant joke, but Elizabeth did not laugh or reply. She opened her mouth without even looking at Braum.

“I didn’t tell you.”

-thud!

“What?!”

At that moment, heavy pressure pressed down on Braum’s shoulders. If he hadn’t momentarily strengthened his legs with mana, he would have fallen to his knees.

“How are you holding out? It’s not that I’ve grown in size.”

“Mmmmmmmm…!”

Braum gritted it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move my body. It felt like a huge hand was grasping him.

“Then excuse me.”

In an instant, the atmosphere froze. again. As Elizabeth stepped out, the crowd split left and right. Asher, who met her eyes for a moment, hid behind Ronan’s back.

“Hee hee hee…!”

Asher could see the mana flowing from Elizabeth’s body. Dark purple mana was not found in nature. The one and only mana in the world. It was an auror.

‘I’m already on the verge of blooming…!’

I tried to warn you, but no voice came out. Ronan asked with a straight face.

“What is this now?”

“sorry. Stop because you are angry that a precious meeting was interrupted.”

“Release it now.”

“I see.”

Elizabeth obediently followed Ronan’s words. With a light gesture from her, the magic holding Braum was lifted.

“Huh…! omg! Goddammit…you’re all crushing your form today…”

Braum sat down as if collapsing on the stairs. Other students ran to support him. Seeing this, Elizabeth chuckled.

“What is so funny?”

“It’s always funny to see a flock of sheep wandering around. Isn’t it?”

Upon hearing this, Ronan sighed. Sometimes you can understand a person with just one word.

What a tiring day. Anyway, why are all geniuses like this?

‘I wondered if the underwear was also purple, but that’s good.’

Ronan put his hand on the hilt. It was a car to make this naughty girl look like stripper Darien. Elizabeth continued.

“I was impressed with Dalian. The reason I came is because I wanted to make an offer.”

“proposal?”

“yes. I couldn’t wait to see you turn into a sheep. A lion has to walk in a pack of lions.”

“Tell me to understand. Be as concise as possible.”

“You are impatient. Wait a minute.”

Elizabeth, who was rummaging through her arms, held out something to Ronan.

“Come on, take it.”

It was a brooch with a large black crystal embedded in it. On the back side, the figure of a lion roaring at the moon was engraved. It was the coat of arms of Acalucia, a great family that is on par with the Grancia family where Schlieffen is located.

For an instant, Ronan’s eyes widened. Noticing the subtle change, Elizabeth smiled lightly.

“This…”

“Do you know the meaning?”

“…roughly.”

“Then I don’t even need to explain. Right now, even this weekend is fine. Please visit the Akalusia Mansion with me.”

Ronan didn’t answer. Elizabeth turned away with a coquettish eye smile.

“…Well, think about it slowly. I’m alone.”

In the end, Ronan did not pull the hilt. He was staring at the brooch Elizabeth had given him. The sound of Elizabeth’s shoes echoed gracefully.

again. again. Again…

Padangtang!

“Kick!”

Suddenly, Elizabeth fell down with a shriek. All eyes were on her. It was a really ugly and painful fall, with arms outstretched and falling face first.

“Are you okay?”

No matter how painful it looked, Braum said that. Elizabeth jumped up and moved as if nothing had happened. twice as fast as before.

Again, again, again, again, again!

The ears exposed through the bobbed hair were ripe like hot iron. As she turned the corner and disappeared, Marja patted Asher’s hair roughly.

“Good work sweetheart! Such a mean bitch should be scolded.”

“I didn’t do it…?”

“Eh? Didn’t you push it with magic?”

Marja widened her eyes. There was nothing around that could cause Elizabeth to stumble. Asher shook his head excitedly.

“He just tripped over his leg…”

The two looked at each other speechless. Ronan was still staring at the brooch. Marja tilted her head.

“I will break through. What is it?”

“invitation.”

“what?”

“No, it should be called a compass.”

The black crystal was emitting a dim light. It meant holding mana. Ronan recalled the conversation he had with Adeshan before he died.

[I was originally a commoner. Prove your talent and become a member of the Akalucia family. What happened in that strange castle is still unforgettable.”

[A castle?]

[Hmm, it’s not long anyway, so let’s talk about it. So, around the time I went to Phileon Academy…]

Adeshan leaned against a rock and told me the story of how he could become Adesan de Acalusia.

Fog and gatekeepers surrounding the castle. From the treasures received after the family head’s test to being listed as a member of the great family.

‘I thought I would be able to receive it only after several years after I stood out as a prosecutor without any doubt.’

The Akalusia family’s ideology was different from other families pursuing pure blood. They did not discriminate between race and status in recruiting talented people, and even adopted boys and girls with high potential.

The brooch that Elizabeth gave her was a kind of invitation to enter Akalucia’s territory. A promise to take the test of the family head and give him a chance to become a member of the family.

[Is there anything good about being an aristocrat?]

[First of all, your social status goes up. Except for Grancia and the imperial family, there was no one to oppose. Being able to receive the full support of the Akalucia family is also an advantage.]

Ronan honestly had no intention of becoming a member of the Akalucia family. Even if he changed his mind later, it was a matter that he would have to think about even more.

However, other secrets of Akalucia Castle were stimulating him. In the castle of a great family that boasts a long history, there must be something to gain besides status and treasure. Maybe you can get information to deal with the giants.

Ronan, who had estimated his future plans, touched his chin.

‘First of all… I’ll have to get a knife from that forge.’

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