Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Hundred Beasts Festival (1)
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Screams echoed from around the corner. The sounds of shattering and breaking grew closer. Asel, pale-faced, flailed his limbs as he shouted.
"Th-the manticore from the Hundred Beasts Festival got loose!"
"Manticore?"
Ronan furrowed his brow. Manticores were dangerous monsters that inhabited the harsh northwestern wilds. Famous for devouring humans, they were considered a cut above wyverns or ogres.
Common sense dictated there was no way such a beast could be in the middle of the academy. Just then, information about the Hundred Beasts Festival surfaced in his mind.
'Got it.'
He remembered seeing it on the academic schedule. Hundred Beasts Festival. True to its name, it was a festival where they displayed around a hundred types of fantastical creatures and monsters on campus.
Even so, a manticore? As Ronan muttered that it was absurd, thud! A streetlamp flew in an arc and crashed into the center of the intersection.
"What the?"
The brass streetlamp was bent almost to the breaking point. Another roar echoed, and a massive lion charged out from around the corner. Asel stumbled backward, falling flat on his butt.
"Gaaah! I-it's here!"
"Rooaaar!!"
The lion skidded to a halt in the middle of the intersection and roared skyward. Ronan raised an eyebrow at the resonant bellow.
"Well, damn. It's real?"
It was indeed a manticore. Even conservatively, its body length was at least 7 meters. Its muscular frame, covered in pumpkin-colored fur, swelled as if ready to burst. A thick, scorpion-like tail whipped mercilessly through the air.
But something felt off. As Ronan scrutinized the manticore, he frowned.
"Huh?"
Numerous restraints clung to the manticore's body. A leather muzzle covered its fangs. Its bat-like wings were bound with thick chains.
The venomous stinger at the end of its tail—which should have been dripping poison—was encased in an iron ball. Ronan chuckled dryly and smacked the back of Asel's head.
"You idiot, you ran from that?"
"Ow!"
He could understand it, though. It was a bit much for the current Asel to handle. Even with most of its weapons sealed, a manticore was still a manticore.
Its sheer size and agility made it threatening enough, and a single hit from its forepaw or tail would cripple anyone.
"Kyaaah!"
Bam! Bam! Each time its tail slammed the ground, shattered cobblestones flew up. A sudden question crossed Ronan's mind.
'Just how strong is it, exactly?'
It was random, but he wanted to test the performance of the aura he'd stolen from Dolan. It might surprisingly work on something this big. Resolved, Ronan patted Asel's shoulder.
"Hey, got any mana potions? The ones you carry for emergencies."
"Uh, yeah. I have one, but..."
"Hand it over."
Ronan snatched the potion as soon as Asel pulled it out and chugged it. His empty core filled with mana, washing away the fatigue.
"Ahh... good."
Glancing around, Ronan picked up a stone. Asel's face, predicting the future, turned sheet-white.
Ronan grabbed the back of Asel's neck with his left hand as the boy tried to flee, then swung his right arm. Thwack! The stone traced a low arc and struck the manticore's nape dead-on.
"...Grrow?"
"Over here, furball."
The manticore slowly turned its head. Ronan smirked as their glaring eyes met. He'd encountered them once or twice in his previous life, but seeing one up close brought fresh nostalgia.
"Rooaaar!"
The manticore roared fiercely and charged at Ronan. The distance closed rapidly. Incredible speed for something laden with restraints.
Ronan rested his hand on his sword hilt, staring calmly at the manticore. When the gap narrowed to about five steps...
'Now.'
Thud! Ronan stomped. A wave of mana shot forward. Simultaneously, glowing roots entangled the manticore's legs—then tore away instantly.
"Kyaaah!!"
"Yeah, fuck. Knew it."
Ronan sighed. The aura needed more training. He gripped his hilt, now powered by his heart as the energy source. A reddish blade emerged.
"Sorry about this."
"Rraaak!"
Shhh— An eerie breath escaped Ronan's lips. He didn't know the full story, but killing it before casualties arose was the right call.
As he moved to strike...
Boom! A massive shadow plummeted from the sky with a thunderous crash. Ronan skidded to a halt, cursing.
"Shit, what the hell?"
The suited giant was easily 4 meters tall. Ronan raised an eyebrow at the lush mane covering its nape.
"Baren?"
"This is troubling. How did this happen..."
Instead of answering, Baren raised his left arm. It collided with the manticore's forehead. Bam! The boys' eyes widened at the unexpected outcome.
"Grr... Rooaaar...!"
"Nanushi. Return to us."
Baren stood unmoving. In contrast, the manticore dug its claws into the ground, straining.
"Please. The people here won't harm you."
His calm tone conveyed leisure. Realizing it couldn't win the contest of strength, the manticore sprang back. It leaped toward a nearby spire.
"Rooar!"
Not fleeing. It scaled to the 7th floor in an instant, kicked off the outer wall, and lunged at Baren. Asel covered his face at the meteor-like sight.
"Aah! Professor!"
"Hoo..."
Baren sighed faintly. As the iron-club forepaw swung...
He twisted his shoulder lightly, dodging, then seized the mane and slammed it to the ground. Boom!! Headfirst into the pavement, the manticore flipped and collapsed.
"Grrruuuh..."
"Sorry, Nanushi. I didn't want to go this far."
The manticore went limp. Baren gave a light bow. Ronan spotted something odd.
'What's that?'
A golden afterimage cloaked Baren's right shoulder to fingertips. Glimpses of golden mana took a savage, paw-like form. Realizing its nature, Ronan raised his brow.
'That's Baren's aura.'
He'd already thought it strange that Baren stopped the manticore with one arm. Even as a were-lion, the size difference was huge. He'd suspected some power, and it seemed to be that.
'Intense. Body enhancement type...'
As Ronan observed the aura closely, Baren turned after confirming the manticore was out.
"Heavens! Ronan?!"
Recognizing Ronan and Asel, Baren's mouth gaped. The aura faded from his arm. His sharp gaze softened to the familiar dopey face.
"A-are you both alright?!"
"You nearly killed it. Good to see you again, Baren."
"N-not the time for jokes! Any injuries?"
Baren fussed over them. He'd seemed cool for a moment, but the lion couldn't escape his size's stereotype. Ronan nodded nonchalantly.
"We're fine. So, what happened?"
"Hoo... My deepest apologies. I should've brought it later if I knew..."
Baren explained. Nanushi, the manticore, was one he'd captured for the festival. It had been raised in nearby hills, moved to campus pens last night for acclimation, but broke out minutes ago.
"Thank goodness we restrained it for training. To think Nodland steel bars would break... We deserve cancellation."
"Eh? It's not that bad, right? I wanted to see the Hundred Beasts Festival anyway."
"I'd like that too. It depends on the student council and faculty. At such a crucial time..."
Baren trailed off. Armored guards soon swarmed in, chained the unconscious manticore, loaded it onto a huge cart, and hauled it away. Watching, Baren bowed again.
"Regardless, sorry you went through this. As professor and festival organizer, I sincerely apologize."
"It's fine. Shit happens. You okay, Asel?"
"Y-yeah... F-f-f-fine..."
Asel nodded weakly. Tear tracks stained his pale cheeks. Baren nodded gravely.
"Thank you for your generosity. I'll go handle the aftermath."
Pop! Baren leaped skyward, bounding over buildings effortlessly. Ronan hadn't noticed amid the cookie-baking and tea-sipping, but Baren was a monster too.
'Well, were-lion. Makes sense. But that aura...'
Ronan recalled Baren's aura. Body enhancement—looked damn useful.
Aura felt unfair. Some got absurd cheats like Storm Sword or All-Knowing, while he tripped legs with glowing roots.
'If I'd stolen something like that...'
Casually, Ronan mimicked Baren's stance—left arm extended to block. As he visualized the aura's form... Flash! Golden lightning raced along his arm, then faded.
"Fuck, what?!"
"Huh?"
Ronan recoiled in shock. Asel, glancing over, rubbed his eyes. It felt like the mana from Baren had sparked on his arm.
"Wh-what was that?"
"...Dunno."
Ronan shook his head. Brief, but he'd seen it. Same as Baren's aura.
'Can it copy others' too?'
Lightning struck his mind. He tried recreating it, but mana depleted from that flash alone—more than Dolan's aura.
'Not limited to those idiots' auras...!'
His expression wasn't dark. Key was manifesting someone else's—not Nebula Klazje's—aura.
If this tumor copied others' auras without limit, it was god-tier power.
'Still not enough.'
Too early for certainty. Needed more testing. Pondering, Ronan muttered.
"...Gotta grow the core first."
"Huh? Core?"
"Nothing. Let's head back."
No point dwelling. They parted ways. Students, regaining composure, buzzed following the manticore cart.
Ronan arrived at the club area Nest as dusk fell. Naviroje had held him after he explained his dual cores.
"Damn, brutal."
His limbs still trembled. Learning he could handle two cores, she'd said, 'Then double the training.' Pure her.
He'd run until both hearts emptied. Recalling the day, he smirked.
'Not yet.'
He'd shared most from Zarodin, but not the aura-copying. Better once clearer.
'Difficulty varies by aura rank?'
Training replay: Failed to mimic Baren's despite tries—mana drained without success.
Creeeak— At the club building, Ronan opened the door. Tavern-like interior. No Asel.
"Oh, Ronan. Long time."
Marya, drying her hair with a towel, smiled brightly. Water droplets flew from her lush blonde locks.
"Yeah. Asel?"
"Huh? Cutie not here. Appointment?"
"Eh... whatever. You look buffer."
Ronan eyed her up and down, whistling. Crop-top training wear.
Defined abs suggested fresh muscle session and shower. Arms solid enough to crush Asel's skull one-handed.
'Merchant or barbarian?'
Explained past male disguises despite the chest. Fat compressed to muscle. Praised, Marya slapped her abs.
"Hehe, right? Wanna feel?"
"Pass."
Marya pouted. Ronan perched on a table, swaying. Dual-heart drain hit different. She plopped beside him, worried.
"Face looks rough. Something happen?"
"Lots..."
"Haven't seen you lately. Where?"
"Dawn Magic Tower. Nothing while gone? Minus manticore."
"Nothing? Hmm... what was it."
Marya squinted, humming. Her shoulder pressed warmly. Damp hair tickled his neck.
'Why's she like this.'
Too hot to shove off, too tired. Thinking, she snapped fingers.
"Ah! Rakota returned this morning."
"Rakota?"
"Y'know, guy in Baren's class with us. Same age."
"Oh. That wimp."
Ronan nodded, recalling. Martial Arts classmate. Farm-raised pigs or goats back home? Low presence.
"He was missing?"
"Yeah. Vanished last night, big fuss. Late return: night-bloom herb hunt in forest, got lost. Ridiculous, right?"
"What a dimwit."
Ronan chuckled. Phileon was huge—not impossible. Snap!
"Oh, announcement: Festival's on."
"Good. Casualties?"
"None."
"Good."
Some damage, no injuries. Settled as commotion. Marya said council/faculty approved normal hold.
"Expected it. What festival. Can't cancel this year."
"Why? Strumming salamander?"
"...You really don't know?"
Ronan shrugged. Marya sighed incredulously.
"Unbelievable. Too busy for world news?"
"Quit yapping. Spill."
Ronan frowned. Dragon-level hype. Marya continued.
"Doppelganger debut. Alpha and Omega pair. Empire's buzzing. You serious?"
"Doppel... what?"