Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Winter's Afterglow
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Evelin Droza opened her eyes early in the morning. The ceiling she looked up at felt unfamiliar. It seemed like she had slept for a very long time.
"Where... is this?"
She slowly raised her upper body. A cozy scent wafted from the blanket covering her. Morning light filtered through the curtains, crossing the room.
The room was neat. Thick beds were lined up in a row. It was a vaguely familiar sight. It was definitely the infirmary at Phileon Academy.
'Why... am I here? I was definitely...'
Evelin furrowed her brow. Her memories were fragmented. She remembered encountering a woman all in white amid the blizzard and embracing her, but nothing after that came clearly to mind. Just then, a familiar voice came from right beside her.
"Feeling a bit better?"
"...Erzsebet senior?"
Evelin turned her head and widened her eyes. A girl with dark purple hair stood there, arms crossed, looking down at her.
In the center of her snow-white neck was a vivid frostbite mark left by Evelin herself. Erzsebet spoke.
"Hmph, calling me senior so nicely. You don't even know what you did, do you?"
"Th-that... I'm sorry. What exactly happened...? Did I make some kind of mistake?"
"You did. A huge one at that. First, thank this person properly. They're your benefactor."
Erzsebet nodded toward someone with her eyes. Behind her stood a young man Evelin had never seen before, hands in his pockets. He was tall with jet-black hair and eyes tinged crimson like a sunset. He looked fierce but strikingly handsome. He tossed out casually,
"Hey, no pain anywhere?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes."
Evelin nodded quickly. Good, he muttered as he turned away. Remembering Erzsebet's words late, Evelin opened her mouth.
"Um, th-thank you...!"
But the young man had already left the room. She had no idea what was going on. Still, it seemed clear she had committed some grave error. Erzsebet let out a light sigh.
"Don't mind it. That's just how he is."
"Wh-what exactly happened...?"
"That's why I'm here—to explain. Here, take this."
Suddenly, she noticed a warmth in her perpetually cold hands and feet. And in the center of her heart as well. Erzsebet, seated in a simple chair, held out a mug.
"Y-you're explaining it yourself? No, you don't have to..."
"Quiet. You still need rest, so just listen. You taking it or not?"
"Ah! Y-yes, I'll take it. Sorry...!"
Evelin took the cup. Hot lemon tea steamed gently from inside the mug.
"So, you encountered the being known as the Winter Witch..."
Erzsebet cleared her throat once and began recounting the events of the past year. Watching from the doorway, Ronan spoke up.
"We don't need to go in, right? She'd probably lose focus if we did."
"Yeah. Eri's really kind."
Adeshan nodded in agreement. Instead of her long, thick leather coat, she wore the Martial Arts Department uniform for spring and fall.
She had rushed over the moment she heard Evelin had woken, without even brushing her hair, but Erzsebet had arrived first to tend to her. Ronan shook his head.
"The funny part is she denies it. She should just live honestly."
She had helped Schlieffen's sister before too—she was just a good person at heart. Why be ashamed of it? Adeshan glanced at Ronan and smiled with her eyes.
"Hehe, sounds like someone I know."
"Who?"
"Someone like that."
Ronan asked again, but she wouldn't say. At least Evelin was back to her senses, which was a relief. The two turned to leave, minds at ease. Adeshan asked,
"So, it's still morning—what's the plan for today?"
"For now... I want to rest a bit more. Been exhausted from days and nights of ordeal."
Ronan stuck out his tongue in fatigue. Since returning from Rodolan, he had been shuttled everywhere receiving commendations. Interrogator Karaka's detailed testimony had confirmed every one of his feats without omission, which ironically made things more bothersome.
Even after finishing the pilgrimage and returning to Phileon, it wasn't over. People from all walks came to express gratitude and showered him with gifts. He could still picture the merchants tearfully proposing a statue for the hero who ended winter. Ronan said,
"Still, it all worked out, so that's good."
"Yeah. Really."
Evelin and Asel had been acquitted. Thanks to none other than Archmage Rorhon defending them.
Makes sense, given his own responsibility—and a recruit for his disciple couldn't be a criminal. He figured clearing up all the messes would take much longer, so this was fortunate.
"Right. Heard you got an imperial invitation too. When are you going?"
"Ah, they said anytime, just give three days' notice."
"Got it. Tell me roughly when, and I'll adjust my schedule as much as possible."
"Adjust your schedule?"
"Yeah. Can't meet His Majesty dressed like usual."
Adeshan insisted on making his audience attire. Even if Ronan said it wasn't necessary, her resolve was firm.
Stepping out of Gallerion Hall, the courtyard welcoming late spring came into view. The air was still slightly chilly. Birds chirped faintly in the hazy morning light.
Fresh grasses, leaves, and spring flowers blooming everywhere over the past few days emitted a vibrant afterglow. As Ronan yawned widely, heading to the dorms, Adeshan grabbed his sleeve.
"Ronan. Can you spare me a little time?"
"Yaaawn... Huh? What's up?"
"Can't explain in detail... I'll tell you there. It snowed yesterday."
"Snow? Isn't it fully spring now?"
"Thought so too, but it fell briefly at dawn. We have to go before the sun rises."
Ronan followed her with a tired expression. She gripped his sleeve tightly without letting go—it seemed extremely important. What could it be this time?
Ronan let Adeshan lead him to the western grounds. Being early morning, few students wandered the courtyard.
Guess that's why the student council president can hang with a guy like me at this hour. Lost in such thoughts, they soon arrived. Looking up at the familiar hill, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"Four Seasons Hill?"
It was the hill he had climbed with Adeshan before sunset. Memories flooded back of leaning on each other's shoulders, gazing at the sunset for a long time. Four trees grew clustered together.
"Real snow, huh. Quite the sight."
"Yeah. Let's go up."
Adeshan was right. Perhaps due to less maintenance, the hill and surroundings were truly blanketed in white snow.
Adeshan even grabbed Ronan's hand and pulled him. As they neared the summit, a wildly blooming cherry tree came into view. Come to think of it, one tree bloomed each season.
They soon reached the top. Following Adeshan's pointing finger, Ronan turned and froze.
All stray thoughts vanished from his mind in an instant. Adeshan smiled proudly, as if to say what do you think?
"Remember what I said? That it'd be pretty in winter."
"...Technically, it's spring."
"It snowed. Today it's winter."
Ronan nodded slowly. Now he recalled promising to come back together in winter.
This was undeniable. It was a beautiful scene.
Cherry trees blooming late formed a grove on the courtyard's east side. On the plump pale pink petals, pure white snowflakes piled delicately. A pale blue sun slowly rose in the distance.
Whoooosh...! A sudden spring breeze raced through the trees. Countless petals lifted with the wind, scattering with the snow. Their eyes widened.
"Whoa...!"
It was like a million butterflies taking flight at once. As the wind shifted toward the hill, the petals flew straight at them.
As Ronan gazed blankly at the spectacle, Adeshan's laughter came from beside him.
"Hahaha, Ronan, look at this."
He turned. She stood with her chin tilted up, balancing to keep a cherry blossom on her nose from falling.
Several snow-dusted petals clung to her jet-black hair like the night sky. Ronan, gazing quietly at Adeshan, spoke.
"It is pretty."
"Hehe, right?"
He'd probably never forget this day. They didn't descend until the sun fully rose. As they went down the hill path, Ronan said,
"Oh, thanks for the eternal snow pearl. Saved my life. You're a world-saving hero, senior."
"Mm...? Hero?"
"Yeah. Without it, we might've gone to war with the dragons."
"Not sure what you mean... but glad it helped."
Adeshan smiled with her eyes. Their hands remained clasped. No particular reason—just because she wanted to.
"Hiiiiaaack!!"
The incident happened the next afternoon. A shrill scream echoed through Navaroje Hall's corridor. Realizing it was Asel, Ronan kicked open his door.
"Damn it, what happened?"
"Ro-Ronan...! What do I do? Am I turning into a monster too?"
Asel, in pajamas, stood panting before a full-length mirror. He clutched his bangs with both hands, as if he'd bumped his forehead somewhere. Ronan frowned.
"What nonsense is this all of a sudden?"
"L-look at this...!"
Asel slowly removed his hands. A section of his bangs had turned stark white, forming a bridge. Unsettlingly pure white, exactly matching the witch's hair. Ronan's brow furrowed deeply.
"What the hell. Creepy."
"I-I don't know. It was there when I woke up."
Asel sniffled. He said he'd gone to bed normally, woken up, looked in the mirror, and found this. Ronan began inspecting his hair.
"Side effect from the witch's possession? Let me see..."
"Eek!"
Ronan yanked a strand he'd been fiddling with. Pop! With a crisp sound, a clump of snow-white hair came out. Asel curled up, clutching the spot.
"Ow, it huuuurts...!"
"Well, look at this."
Fresh white hairs sprouted, filling the gap. Pop! Pop! Same result no matter how many times. Ronan chuckled in disbelief.
"Unbelievable. Looks valuable—want to pluck enough for a bundle to sell?"
"Eek...! N-no!"
Asel flailed his hand away. Something cold and sharp grazed Ronan's cheek. Thunk! A sound like stabbing wood with a knife rang out. Ronan slowly turned.
"This is..."
His eyes widened. Ice sharp as a dagger was embedded deep in the wood. Asel gasped and rushed over.
"Hieeek...! Ro-Ronan, you okay?!"
"You little..."
A drop of blood trickled from the graze, but that wasn't the point now. Frosty chill seeped from the ice.
The stone wall was slowly turning to ice. Much like the Winter Witch's. Ronan asked,
"You can use ice now too?"
"Th-that's..."
"Spit it out straight. This is straight-up attempted murder. You want the 'strip and chase down the hall' punishment?"
"Eek! N-no! Actually, it was right after we got back..."
Asel stammered on hesitantly. He'd discovered his new power the morning after returning from Rodolan. Testing if any lingered, ice had truly manifested.
"So the snow yesterday was you too?"
"Y-yeah... Right. I was scared... couldn't tell anyone."
Asel mumbled. He'd heard of mages awakening new affinities postnatally sometimes, but this felt different. More like how he'd accidentally absorbed Bajura's power to form a core.
Speaking of, that spectacle yesterday was thanks to this guy. Ronan smirked and flicked Asel's nose lightly.
"Ow!"
"Good. Forgiven."
"Ugh... Th-thanks... But why suddenly...?"
"Thanks to you, I had a great time."
Ronan grinned. The murder attempt was just a joke—he wasn't upset at all.
Quite the opposite; he felt like throwing a feast with expensive liquor. The guy already wielded cheat-level telekinesis; adding the Winter Witch's powers would make him absurdly powerful.
-Knock knock.
A knock came from behind. Ronan turned. Wondering who knocks on an open door, he saw a familiar face. Schlieffen, meeting Ronan's eyes, spoke.
"It was quite noisy. What's going on."
His serious expression suggested the sudden roar had irritated him. Ronan waved him off.
"Ah, no worries. Good news. Go do your thing."
No need to tell the club yet—this could wait. Schlieffen slowly shook his head.
"Not here about the noise, Ronan. I was looking for you and stopped by."
"Huh?"
"Come with me now."
His tone was grave. Always serious, but today felt different. Tense, maybe. Ronan tilted his head.
"What's it about?"
"Instructor Naviroje's summons. Something about the Sword Festival."