Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Candidate
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"Instructor Naviroje's summons. She has something to say regarding the Festival of Swords."
"Festival of Swords?"
Ronan shrugged. He had heard of it a few times before. It was a gathering and ritual where the continent's finest swordsmen convened. Somewhere in Parzan, where the ritual took place, a legendary holy sword was said to be hidden.
Come to think of it, when he had returned from Haiju, Naviroje had mentioned that the Festival of Swords was not far off. Ronan was just about to follow Schlieffen when Asel tugged at his sleeve.
"Uh... wait a second."
"Huh?"
Asel fidgeted, his lips twitching. He looked just like a pup desperate to pee. Ronan glanced back at Schlieffen and said,
"I'll be right there. Go on ahead."
"Don't take too long. Arena 1."
Schlieffen exited the room. Only after his footsteps had completely faded did Ronan speak.
"What's up?"
"I... I think you need to see this."
Asel rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a pitch-black book. It was the forbidden tome, Bajura of Destruction, penned by the Savior. He flipped through the pages one by one and opened the final one. Ronan's eyes widened.
"This is..."
"It changed like this after we got back from Rodolan. Well, more precisely, a new page was added."
Asel shrank back as if afraid. The newly appeared last page was entirely dyed white, like paper carved from ice. A chilling aura seeped from the distinctly different sheet. Upon closer inspection, tiny letters were engraved on it. Ronan tilted his head.
"What does this say? Frozen... Field?"
"It's spells and usage for frost magic. Super detailed. Once I feel like I've learned a section, it automatically changes to the next stage..."
"What?"
"I... I don't really know either. Why did this appear?"
Asel stammered on. He confessed that the new page felt like it was trying to teach him personally. The strange paper was imparting knowledge of frost magic step by step, like a true mentor.
Among it were spells and information not yet revealed to the academic world. In fact, it was thanks to this book that Asel had learned to handle frost so quickly, even if imperfectly. Ronan frowned.
"Creepy."
Setting aside its usefulness, an inanimate book acting human was unsettling. Now that he mentioned it, it did feel like there was a presence.
As Ronan leaned in close to examine the final page, a familiar voice echoed softly.
"Hiiiieeek!!"
"What the hell?!"
Asel jumped straight up. Ronan reflexively hurled the book away. Thud! Asel stumbled back, slamming the back of his head against the wall before stopping. After heaving for breath for a while, he spoke in a voice thick with tears.
"Wh-what was that just now?!"
"...No doubt about it. That bitch's voice."
It was unmistakable. The Winter Witch's voice. As Ronan scanned the surroundings with a hand on his sword hilt,
The witch's voice rang out again! Ronan whipped his head toward the source. Bajura lay sprawled open. He slowly opened his mouth.
"...You talking?"
"Fuck. What the hell is going on?"
The witch's voice emanated from Bajura, precisely from the newly whitened final page. She let out a low chuckle before continuing.
"You left your soul remnant?"
The witch explained that the ritual in Rodolan allowed her to persist. Beyond destroying Evelyn and Asel's souls, one goal had been splitting her own soul and embedding it in Bajura.
It was so brazen it was almost comical. The moment she finished, Ronan yanked his sword hilt.
"You damn bitch."
He snatched up Bajura and opened the final page, pointing his blade at the lone white sheet. As he raised his arm,
"Like hell I'll stop. How do I know you won't pull some shit again?"
The witch cried out in bewilderment. Ronan explained he would cut out the final page, seal it in an envelope, and send it to Rorhon's Twilight Tower. The originally white paper paled further.
"Then why the suspicious mentor act?"
"Explain."
Ronan sheathed his sword. The witch, barely spared, continued.
"Boastful."
The witch explained that Asel wielding ice was unprecedented. She had once lingered in one body for over a decade, but even then, her powers vanished the moment she left. Evelyn was proof: she handled ice, but it was her own as a frost mage, not the witch's.
"Using teaching as an excuse to build power? To find that man who resembles me."
The witch sighed. She compared herself to having everything but her pinky nail taken by Rorhon. As Ronan said, with her soul torn away, there was no room for growth.
In short, she lacked the power for mischief. The mana from the final page suggested no lies. After a silence, the witch spoke.
Her resigned tone rang true. Ronan's lips twisted. Assuming her words were true, it was a tempting offer.
Who in the world would turn down one-on-one lessons from a top-tier spirit rivaling Haira? Still, it wasn't a decision to push lightly. Ronan hummed and patted Asel's shoulder.
"Asel, you decide."
"Uh, me...?"
"Can you trust this monster? You've been possessed once; you should know."
"Th-that's..."
Asel stammered. Recalling that time still made his legs shake. Frozen time, the woman's embrace, his body wreaking havoc on its own. Staring at Bajura, he spoke.
"...She's weakened for sure. She doesn't have the power to affect me anymore. That's certain."
"Meaning?"
"......I want to learn."
Asel squeezed his eyes shut and nodded. To avoid such horrors again, he needed strength. Ronan chuckled and sheathed his sword. The witch's voice echoed.
Asel ultimately chose to become the witch's disciple. Ronan watched them perform a mana oath—a fiercer version of a blood pact—before leaving the room with peace of mind.
Ballsy now. For a wimp.
Ronan chuckled to himself down the hall. Asel's determined eyes chanting "I want to learn" lingered in his mind. The guy who cried over failing to kill a goblin had grown like this.
Lost in thought, Ronan arrived at Arena 1. Schlieffen and Naviroje were already there conversing. No other students in sight. Naviroje grinned as their eyes met.
"The hero who ended winter arrives. Thanks for gracing your humble instructor with your time."
"Damn, don't tease."
Naviroje chuckled. Fortunately, her complexion was much improved from last time. The emotional scars from her defeat to Zaifa seemed to have healed somewhat.
"Kidding. Some urgent matter?"
"Yeah, a friend facing a life-changing choice."
"Can't be helped then. Stand beside Schlieffen."
Ronan did. Naviroje's expression grew serious. She alternated glances between them before speaking.
"Word came from the holy land of Parzan yesterday. The Festival of Swords is mid-next month. As you're aware, it's an elite event; swordsmen below a certain level can't even participate."
Ronan shrugged. He could guess why she called just the two.
Schlieffen raised a hand. "It seems earlier than scheduled. Any reason?"
"No idea. The old fogeys of Parzan set the date. But yes, it's unusual. They usually stick to the timeline."
Naviroje shook her head. Her puzzled expression suggested even she found it odd.
"Across all grades, one of you two must represent us."
"...One?"
"Yes. Phileon Academy can send one instructor and one student. Only the stronger of you two goes with me to Parzan."
At that, Ronan and Schlieffen simultaneously eyed each other. Both seemed indifferent yet unwilling to yield.
"No yielding, I assume."
"Didn't know you joked."
Ronan smirked. The serene atmosphere turned tense in an instant. Schlieffen stared coldly and murmured,
"No helping it."
For a split second, chilling killing intent rose over Schlieffen's shoulders. It rivaled the seriousness of his oath to protect Iril nearly two years ago. He clearly felt significant pressure about the Festival of Swords.
That important?
Ronan shrugged. Frankly, he felt little about it. Never heard of it in his past life, and the holy sword—the event's centerpiece—was mythical nonsense.
But backing down? No. His interest lay in the swordsmen converging from everywhere.
Free duels promised skill growth, and perhaps sturdy allies. Naviroje spoke.
"We'll decide who goes three days before departure. Winner of your duel comes with me."
Ronan and Schlieffen nodded. Expected so far. Then came the unexpected from Naviroje.
"But with a condition. No duels between you two for the remaining month."