Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Remaining Days (2)
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"Follow me. Grab your weapons."
Ronan stepped out of the building. The club members tilted their heads in confusion but followed him anyway.
They took position in Nest's training grounds. After confirming everyone had their weapons, Ronan opened his mouth.
"I'll explain simply, so listen well. As you all know, I'm afflicted with a curse."
There was no reason to hide it now. Ronan briefly explained his current situation.
The curse blocked his potential to grow stronger, breaking through limits required a bloodbath, and thus he had to leave. Asel asked in a worried voice.
"Wh-what about doing the bloodbath after graduation?"
"Too late by then. No idea how long it'll take, and if you've got talent, you need to nurture it as young as possible."
"...Will it take a really long time?"
"Who knows. That's why I borrowed this high-end tool."
Ronan held up the bracelet. He'd thought she'd make him beg, but surprisingly, Naviroje had lent it willingly. The condition was doubling his training time after the bloodbath.
"Come at me with everything you've got. That way, you can grasp the direction of your training."
"...So that's why you called us today."
"Yeah. If I come back and there's no progress, we're all dead. Oh, and I brought an assistant coach to guide you perfectly."
"Assistant coach?"
"Yep. Right on time, here she comes."
Ronan nodded toward the back of the training grounds. The club members turned their heads.
A tall girl was striding toward them. Tucked into her slim waist were various documents and a small bell. Standing beside Ronan, she greeted them warmly.
"Hi. It's been a while, everyone."
"Ah. You're... Senior Adeshan from last time, right?"
"Yes. Nice to see you, Marya. How's the merchant group?"
Adeshan smiled gently. Marya's eyes widened. She'd only brushed past her once, yet she remembered even that.
Glancing over the club members, Adeshan tilted her head.
"No Empire's Rising Star? You left him out on purpose?"
"That guy's fine on his own. He's awakened his Aura, after all."
Ronan shook his head. Anyone else might worry him, but not Schlieffen. Honestly, even against all of Phileon's upperclassmen in a spar, that annoying bastard had the edge.
"Senior's got sharp eyes. She'll analyze your fights and set your training direction, so just keep coming at me until she gathers enough data."
"Indeed. No one's more suited for this than the assistant coach."
Braum nodded slowly. Taking Naviroje's classes, he knew Adeshan's skills well. She could oversee nearly thirty people at once and correct their forms.
Ronan said.
"Alright, let's start. Senior?"
"Ah, yes."
Ding... Adeshan shook the bell she held. The clear chime signaled the fight's start, but no one moved. As the stunned club members exchanged glances,
"It started, you know?"
Ronan drew his sword hilt. Slash! A wide horizontal cut sliced through four waists. Asel, Marya, and Braum vanished from sight. Seeing the one left, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"Only you held out. Age can't be ignored, huh."
"Ngh...!"
Ophelia, the only one to dodge successfully, bit her lip. Drip. Blood drops fell from her abdomen. The swing was too fast to fully evade.
"You're... serious..."
"Better do it right. No excuses about it being daytime disadvantage."
Ronan charged again. Ophelia whispered her incantation. Boom! A wolf's maw of blood erupted from the ground, swallowing Ronan.
"Won't... say that."
Ophelia clenched her fist. A massive magic circle formed above the wolf's head. Whoosh! Shadow blades poured from within like black rain.
"Ow... sleepy..."
Normally, it'd shred him beyond recognition. As Ophelia turned, certain of Ronan's elimination, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Get healed and come back out. Sita's waiting."
"Wha...?"
Splurt! The wolf's head split in two. A crescent sword beam flew straight, engulfing Ophelia.
No time to react. Hum! Hit by the beam, her form distorted and vanished. The shadow barrage scattered like smoke. Ronan spat on the ground and grumbled.
"These kids still can't get the feel. Gotta roll more."
-Crack!
Then, the club building door burst open amid splintering wood. The three eliminated members appeared.
"Hey! What's with the real slashes?!"
"Th-thought I was gonna die...!"
"Hmph. Still unpleasant even the second time."
Their eyes burned with newfound resolve, utterly different from before. Marya spun her greatsword and charged.
"No idea what you're thinking, but I won't take it lying down. Let's go!"
"Agreed!"
"W-wait! Ophelia's still...!"
Braum leaped forward with his greatshield. Asel shouted in panic, but they didn't stop.
Confirming them in range, Ronan swung indifferently. Boom! The broad sword beam exploded on impact.
"Hahaha! This is great!"
Braum's hearty laugh echoed from the smoke. His greatshield bore not a single scratch.
"Knew it was well-made."
Ronan muttered. Thud! Marya vaulted off Braum's shoulder, swinging her greatsword vertically.
"Haaap!"
"Not bad."
Ronan smirked. Intimidating pressure. Her mana-infused greatsword glowed fully azure.
No frontal win here. As Ronan twisted to dodge,
"Gr-gravity Bind!"
A terrified voice rang from afar. Four magic circles appeared midair. Snap! Transparent chains shot out, instantly binding Ronan's limbs.
"Well, now."
Ronan glanced back with a hollow laugh. Asel was aiming, legs visibly shaking even from there.
"S-sorry, Ronan...! But you told us to...!"
"Feels kinda emotional."
He'd clearly studied Bajura hard. Far superior to his usual Invisible Hand. Straining yielded nothing. Strangely proud, Ronan chuckled.
"You've been working hard."
"Good job! Cutie!"
Marya cheered. Her descending azure arc neared Ronan's collarbone.
"Guess I'll put in some effort too."
Ronan switched power sources. Golden energy surged up his right arm. Baren's Aura amplified strength.
Swinging cut the wrist chain effortlessly. Slash! Grasping Ramancha, he severed the rest.
"G-Gravity Bind!"
Asel's jaw dropped. He hadn't expected such easy nullification.
As Ronan twisted, Marya's greatsword smashed the ground. Boom! Massive cracks shattered the paving stones skyward.
"N-no...!"
Marya's face twisted in failure. Ronan wouldn't wait for her recovery. Slice. A light swing distorted and erased her form.
"Marya!!"
Excited Braum thundered forward. Immersion was this training's greatest boon. His off-hand gripped a sharp shortsword.
Sword and shield. Not bad. Murmuring, Ronan drew dagger Imir. Whoosh! As he swung, Braum halted and raised his shield.
"Hmph!"
"Idiot. Protect the mage first."
Braum's face hardened. Turning hastily, the dagger was already at Asel's brow. Before Braum could shout, Asel distorted and vanished. Thunk! Imir embedded in the club building's outer wall.
"No distractions. You're the frontliner."
Ronan's voice whispered close. Chills raced down Braum's spine. Looking down revealed Ronan scratching his head.
"Uwaaah!"
He was already inside the shield. Slice. The sword cut air, and Braum vanished. The members reappeared after about three minutes.
"Damn! Again!"
"Gotta go all together... Who knew he'd be this strong..."
Their eyes gleamed fiercer. Adeshan diligently noted their moves and habits. Sketching Marya's swordsmanship, she gasped in admiration.
"Amazing... All far exceed standard levels."
"Makes you wanna teach, right?"
"Yes. All four have potential beyond their roots. Though I'm hardly qualified to teach..."
"Have confidence. Haven't seen talent surpassing yours yet."
Ronan patted Adeshan's shoulder. She beamed and nodded. Ready Marya roared.
"Charge-!!"
"I'll bind his feet... with blood magic..."
This time, all four attacked. With Ophelia joining, assaults grew fiercer.
Ronan subdued them all with exactly four strikes. Clatter! Soon after tumbling down stairs echoed, the door opened.
"Again!"
Adeshan's data collection ended after their fifth "deaths." But the furious members kept coming until sunset. On her 27th elimination, Marya glared at Ronan, growling.
"Huff... enough... huff, die once...!"
"No."
"Sneaky... bastard..."
Thud. Marya collapsed, greatsword propping her no more. Last one out. Around her lay exhausted Asel, Braum, and Ophelia like corpses.
Ronan never died once. But he'd been startled repeatedly. Their skills exceeded his expectations several times over.
'A few times were really close.'
Twice or thrice, he'd nearly died. That alone showed their effort. Recalling close calls, he looked at them and muttered.
"Thanks. You idiots."
He could leave worry-free.
Hearing Secret's words that it might take long, Ronan pondered much. Variables during his absence worried him.
'Not easy.'
Biggest threat: Nebula Klazie. If branch leader-level foes invaded, no answer. Only Ronan could sever Star's Blessing now.
'But such bigshots won't storm the capital. Mana traces are wiped clean.'
Fortunately, low odds. No clues led the Order to his home.
Ronan recalled Teranil's words. He'd tracked via lingering mana. Meaning, erase evidence, tracking impossible.
'Good I killed them both despite the risk.'
Ronan sighed in relief. First after slaying Teranil and Yuria: scrub all traces. With Sita and keen Schlieffen's aid, it was thorough.
'Did everything possible.'
Pre-departure measures complete. Club direction set, sister's safety secured. Unless Descent hastened, all fine.
'Time for... the last supper.'
Ronan opened the door. Since last night, he'd been at the new capital house. Wanted one final meal with sis before the big deed.
In his left hand: Secret's letter that bloodbath prep was ready. Before stepping downstairs, delicious aroma wafted up. Iril's signature potato stew.
"Just like sis."
As he reached the first floor, he looked up. Kitchen packed with people. All turning to him, Ronan chuckled hollowly.
"...Why's everyone gathered here?"