Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: To the North (1)
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"Introduce yourself. This is my wife."
"...Your wife?"
Ronan's eyes widened. The woman who had been hiding peeked out again. Her bronze skin and sharp features were striking. He belatedly realized the source of the strange familiarity he'd felt from her and gasped.
"My God."
It was none other than the woman he had actually seen before. The one sleeping inside the glass tube in Jarodin's dim laboratory in Zarodin. The wife Jarodin had devoted everything to revive.
Her name was Suya, right? Ronan asked in shock.
"Damn it, does that mean she's fully alive now?"
"Yes. Her memories and mind haven't fully returned yet, though. She fears people, so she only takes short walks at dawn when no one's around."
Jarodin's head nodded. This was truly an astonishing feat beyond words. He'd heard she'd opened her eyes, but to achieve this much in two years...
"By the way... you've changed a lot, Ronan. You're unrecognizable."
"I've grown a bit taller."
"No, I mean inwardly. To think you've formed your own core. I estimated it would take years more to reach this level."
Jarodin's brow furrowed. Ronan suddenly noticed his gaze fixed on his chest. He'd momentarily forgotten this man was the unparalleled authority in mana studies.
"Especially around your heart—major changes have occurred. You should now be able to handle mana as well as any normal student. Am I right?"
"Yeah. It's gotten a lot better."
"An astonishing pace... I'll devise a new mana cultivation method soon and teach it to you. Keep that in mind."
His tone remained as coldly analytical as ever. Skipping pleasantries like "how have you been?" and diving straight into the main topic was so very mage-like.
Then again, that kind of obsession must be what allowed him to achieve the impossible feat of resurrection. As Jarodin continued examining Ronan, his eyes narrowed.
"But... why do I sense Lady Navardoje's aura on you? Am I imagining it?"
A chill ran down Ronan's spine in an instant. He'd forgotten about the Primordial Ember transplanted into his heart. Telling the truth wouldn't be a problem, but judging by his curiosity, it would make his future extremely troublesome. Ronan averted his gaze and replied.
"Uh... maybe? I was just with her a little while ago."
"I heard about that. No, it couldn't be. The Primordial Ember inside a human body."
Ronan swallowed hard. He had pinpointed it exactly. Jarodin muttered softly.
"...I can't even imagine what will happen once the curses are fully lifted."
Ronan didn't know, but Jarodin felt not just admiration but a touch of fear. Ronan seemed to be utilizing only about 40% of his total potential. Their first meeting was just a greeting, but hearing of his exploits—and realizing they were accomplished with merely 40% power—was unbelievable.
The Empire's second rising star has appeared.
As Jarodin let out a low hum, Ronan snapped his fingers upon hearing the word "curse."
"Right! Where the hell is Professor Secret anyway?"
"Hm?"
It was a name he'd long forgotten. The first person he'd spoken to after ending his two-year hiatus, yet he hadn't seen her since.
Judging by Separachio's dust-covered state, she'd been gone quite a while, but with so much happening, he hadn't asked anyone. Jarodin shook his head.
"...Even I haven't heard from her in some time. She's always unpredictable, but this time it really seems to be taking long."
"Do you know where she went?"
"The North. She left saying she'd find a way to drive winter out of the capital."
The North again. Just like with Elsia—did some captivating force slumber in those northern lands?
"Thanks."
"She'll be fine. She's an incredibly powerful mage."
Jarodin's words were reassuring. Ronan had no plans to take action anyway, so he simply conveyed his thanks. If he was lucky, they'd cross paths in the North.
As the two finished the main topic and were about to catch up, Suya tugged at Jarodin's sleeve.
"Jarodin."
"Hm? What is it, dear?"
Jarodin's tone softened instantly, sending a shiver down Ronan's spine. Suya stared blankly at his face while gripping the sleeve. Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"What? Did I hear wrong? You just called her by name, didn't you?"
"It's one of the two words she can say. She seems to remember me, at least."
"What's the other one?"
"That's..."
It was at that moment. Suya, who had been gazing up at him quietly, suddenly scowled. Releasing the sleeve, she drove a fist into Jarodin's solar plexus and shouted.
"Bad!"
"Gahk!"
Thud! Suya's fist sank deep into Jarodin's abdomen—a precise strike that even impressed Ronan, far beyond what a mere wear grub could handle. Jarodin groaned briefly, clutching his stomach and doubling over.
"Urk... ughhh..."
"Bad!"
But Suya wasn't satisfied. She kicked Jarodin to the ground and mounted his chest, unleashing a barrage of punches. Each blow against his sturdy frame drew agonized groans from him.
"Guuk! Kek!"
The punches landed with ferocious speed. Each one carried her full body weight, like a trained fighter. Come to think of it, hadn't she once served as Jarodin's vanguard? Ronan hurriedly grabbed her arms from behind to restrain her.
"Shit, what the hell are you doing?"
"Bad! Jarodin, bad!"
Suya thrashed like a trapped leopard. Her strength was unbelievable for her size, but escaping Ronan's hold was impossible. The battered Jarodin spoke up.
"Let her go... urk, this is my karma..."
"You're taking a beating like that and still talking shit? You'll only snap out of it after shitting yourself?"
"What I... did to my wife... she remembers... urp!"
Vomiting briefly, Jarodin staggered to his feet. A memory flashed in Ronan's mind of conversing with him in the lab.
"...Ah."
Ronan recalled Jarodin's past sins. He'd married her but treated her like a non-person because she was a native and embarrassing.
His wife for sure.
Thinking it over, she could probably hit him a bit more. As Ronan loosened his grip, Suya leaped like a wild monkey and charged at Jarodin.
"Kyaaak!"
"Urgh...!"
Jarodin gritted his teeth. He could easily block with earth magic if he wanted, but even a knife to the throat wouldn't change his mind. Hurting his wife once was enough.
Still, the blows hurt, so he squeezed his eyes shut. Judging by the punch's trajectory, it was aimed at his right ribs this time.
But the gut-wrenching impact never came. Jarodin cracked his eyes open. His wife, back to her angelic serenity, lightly held his sleeve.
"...Dear?"
"Jarodin. Hungry."
Suya said. Jarodin's eyes bulged. If his ears weren't deceiving him, it was a new word, different from before. Ronan, watching beside them, was equally stunned.
"Di-did she just say she's hungry?"
"...Yes. Her third word."
Tears welled in Jarodin's eyes. Suya tilted her head. It seemed like a historic moment. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, he turned to Ronan.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're doing well, Ronan. Let's meet up sometimes."
"Uh... sure."
Ronan nodded blankly. He had questions, but now wasn't the time. Jarodin took his wife's hand.
"Shall we go, dear?"
"Bad!"
Suya punched his side again. Her mind still seemed unstable. A loud thud echoed, but Jarodin endured without falling. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"Yes... I'm bad. Hoo, what I did to you... was unforgivable."
"Jarodin?"
"So... hup, do as you wish... I won't hurt you again..."
Jarodin embraced his wife's shoulders. Suya blinked her large eyes, staring at him. Regaining composure, he took her hand and began walking. Whether her anger had subsided or not, she no longer resisted.
"Jeez."
Ronan watched their backs until they left the plaza. Love was truly fearsome to turn the steely Jarodin into soft tofu. He headed toward the dormitory.
Another reason the world can't end. What a hassle.
Lifting his head, a starry cluster scattered light like sown seeds. A tiny dawn moon twinkled on a spire.
It paled compared to Drimoor Fortress, but it was still a decent sight.
****
"Why the suspicion between us, Ronan? Please satisfy this old man's curiosity."
"I told you, nothing happened. Why do you keep asking?"
A week had passed since returning from Drimoor. Peaceful days continued. Kratir and the Emperor persistently grilled him about Navardoje, but Ronan stuck to his consistent denial.
"The Mother of Fire took a human aside—why would anything happen? I'm begging you...!"
"Jeez, I said the same to His Majesty. Really, nothing happened."
It took a full hour's persuasion to shake off Kratir. True to his mage nature, he'd persisted longer than the Emperor, who gave up after three days. Of course, he'd lied to both.
Too early for humanity to accept this info.
Ronan grimaced reading the report. The magically self-incinerating paper detailed three Nebula Klazie branches eradicated in the past five days. Two were taken out by Zaifa's unit.
Not even fully recovered yet. The old man's got spirit.
Ronan's plan to crush the cult was proceeding smoothly. Zaifa had leaped from his sickbed and was devouring Nebula Klazie branches.
The Imperial units under Ronan's Dawn authority also showed solid results. Locations compiled from Nemea and Russell's intel had high accuracy.
The big branches need me personally. Hope they don't overreach.
He worried about rashly hitting a major branch and screwing up. That's why he'd limited them to mid-to-small ones. If something like Dalman appeared mid-assault, massive casualties would follow again.
Still, they're doing well enough.
The concern was valid, but no alternatives existed beyond trusting manpower and luck. Moreover, he had other priorities.
A month? No, two? Hard to gauge.
Ronan had begun planning his immediate departure North upon returning from Drimoor. Preparations needed to be as thorough as for Dainhar. Ghost Sea, his final destination, and the preceding Heiran were no joke—both extreme environments.
Fortunately, summer was near. Even the North's eternal snows softened, revealing blue underbellies.
This was the only window to depart. As Adeshan finished sorting documents, she smiled at Ronan.
"It's great seeing you after so long. I've been too busy to make time."
"Yeah."
She sat at the platinum desk reserved for the student council president. Ronan downed his teacup in one go after a nod.
Whatever it was brewed from, it tasted better than expected. Looking up, the student council room's lavish interior struck him anew. He'd heard rumors but never visited.
Always looks loaded, no matter when.
He didn't know about other academies, but this could pass for a national assembly hall. After hours, only he and Adeshan remained.
"So, what's up?"
"Ah... nothing major, just a few things to pass on. What you've done is so impressive—requests are pouring in from everywhere."
Adeshan said proudly. She explained two-digit noble houses and knight orders, three-digit merchants wanted to meet Ronan.
Thus, despite after hours, he'd been summoned. With his own business for her, he sipped tea without complaint.
"Ah. All done."
Adeshan stood after finishing the papers. How did she move the chair silently? Her refined looks and demeanor suited the president role perfectly.
"I'll explain one by one. First, Mondrian Barony offers formal knighthood post-graduation. Even a summer visit gets this as expense money. But they're not alone..."
Sitting across from Ronan, Adeshan detailed the offers. Most targeted post-graduation, but many just wanted a summer visit.
"Wow, impressive. This much for a visit?"
Requests to grace banquets or review sons' swordplay came with unimaginable sums. He could squeeze in side gigs for days. Adeshan spoke with a hint of envy.
"Good for you, Ronan. No worries about the future. Everyone wants you."
"Eh..."
Ronan rubbed his chin. Solid offers, but none piqued interest. His goal wasn't the papers—it was the one holding them. Staring at Adeshan, he spoke.
"Sunbae."
"Yes?"
"Skip this stuff. Let's travel together on break."
"......Huh?"