Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: To the North (2)
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"Then I'll take that as a yes. See you later."
"Yeah. Take care."
Ronan left the student council room after finishing his business. Adeshan saw him off with her usual gentle smile. Thud. The sound of the closing door echoed through the silence. She gazed at the now-useless pile of documents and murmured softly.
"A trip..."
Adeshan remained seated for a long time even after Ronan had gone. She still couldn't quite believe what had happened. A trip. And not just a day trip, but a long one at that.
She quietly placed her hand over her left chest. She could feel her heart pounding twice as fast as usual. After taking a deep breath, Adeshan brushed her hair back, revealing ears flushed red like apples.
What do I do...
He must have noticed her agitation. Her expression hadn't changed, but he would have heard her racing heartbeat and quickened breath. They hadn't been that far apart to begin with, and Ronan was sharp as ever.
A whirlwind of emotions swirled in her mind. She felt embarrassed first and foremost, then frustrated with herself for not hiding it better. She worried that agreeing so readily made her seem too easy. If she were more experienced, she might have played hard to get once or twice.
"...Hee hee hee."
But regardless, the corners of her mouth turned up. She had been planning to cautiously suggest going somewhere together during summer break anyway, but she hadn't expected this. As she let out a slightly dopey laugh, the student council room door suddenly burst open and a girl rushed in.
"Adeshan unnie!"
"E-Eri?!"
"You knew I was coming today, so why the surprise? Hee hee, I missed you."
Adeshan flinched like she'd been caught committing a crime. Erzsebet, bounding over like a puppy, enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Haa... That's it. That's what I was missing."
Erzsebet mumbled as she nuzzled against Adeshan's chest. With her cat-like features, she looked more like an affectionate feline than a puppy. Adeshan chuckled and stroked her head.
"Eri, honestly..."
"I'm serious. I'm being totally sincere right now."
Erzsebet replied without lifting her face. What she'd craved most during her grueling mage tower training wasn't a servant to handle chores or praise from proud mages—it was Adeshan's embrace.
"Congrats on finishing your training. How was Dawn Tower?"
"It was great. I realized how vast the world is, I guess. Even the little Grancia girl has become quite ladylike... And Aoun Pila is a genius with fire magic, as expected."
Erzsebet lifted her head at Adeshan's question. She had mountains of stories to tell. She was just about to share the bombshell that the tower lord had offered to recruit her when she noticed Adeshan's unusual expression.
"...But why the weird face? Something happen?"
"Huh? Oh, no... Nothing like that."
"Liar. It's about Ronan again, isn't it?"
Adeshan gasped. Erzsebet smirked like she'd known it all along and poked her cheeks.
"Knew it."
"H-How... did you know?"
"Simple. You only get flustered around him."
Erzsebet replied with a look that said why would you even ask. There was only one person in all of Phileon who could unsettle the perfect student council president.
It suddenly irked her that it wasn't her. Narrowing her eyes, she asked.
"So spill it. What did that jerk do to mess with you this time?"
"H-Hey, jerk? It's not..."
"You care about him so much, and he doesn't even notice. Always showing up injured. You took care of him all day last time he got carried in, right?"
Erzsebet grumbled. Of course, she thought highly of Ronan, but her bond with Adeshan was another matter. It was like not wanting to see her worshipped idol disheveled. After hesitating, Adeshan finally spoke.
"W-Well..."
Adeshan relayed Ronan's proposal exactly as he'd told her. Erzsebet's eyes widened.
"No way. A trip?"
"Aha ha... I know, it's unbelievable."
"You said yes? Wait, of course you did. Why am I even asking."
Adeshan nodded stiffly. Color had bloomed in her pale cheeks like autumn leaves. It's real, Erzsebet thought in shock. Grabbing Adeshan's hands, she said.
"Unnie, this is a gift from the heavens. Lure him into confessing first. If he's too dense, just pin him down for indecency."
Her words came fast but earnest. Her violet eyes burned with an intensity Adeshan had never seen. Adeshan's face flushed even deeper at the bold suggestion.
"E-Eri! Pin him down?!"
"At least make him confess. Can't you use that ability on him?"
Erzsebet pointed at Adeshan's eyes. Her tone and expression had sharpened; she didn't seem like the Eri Adeshan knew. Adeshan's lips trembled in panic.
"I haven't tested it yet... D-Do I really need to go that far?"
"Sigh... Unnie, I hate to say this, but you need to feel some urgency."
"...Urgency?"
"Yeah. Just look at the women around Ronan right now."
Erzsebet nodded. It was baffling that she had to explain this, but she let it go. If Adeshan weren't this oblivious, they'd have been dating happily for two years already.
"W-Women... Like who, specifically?"
"Plenty of candidates, but the club members are the real threats. I'd swear Ronan recruits by looks if not for Braun senior. The only consolation is that Asel, the Magic Department's famed beauty, is a guy. Though I think you're the prettiest..."
Erzsebet trailed off. Adeshan easily guessed the rest and gasped. Thinking about it, every woman around Ronan was a fairy-tale beauty. Marya, the vampire princess Ophelia, and lately, the subtly flirtatious instructor Naviroje. Stroking her chin, she continued.
"In my opinion, Marya is the most dangerous. Pretty, great figure, and rich to boot... Plus, the way she looks at Ronan is anything but innocent."
"...Not innocent?"
"You know the vibe. Like a predator eyeing prey. Point is, she's bolder than you."
"Bolder" carried heavy implications. Erzsebet added that Marya held a childhood-friend-like position with Ronan, giving her strategic advantages.
"Their familiarity is the scariest part. You see it in club activities—they're so close. And Marya loves skinship; can't ignore that."
Erzsebet recalled club days. Whenever bored, Marya would hug her like a doll, and the impact was undeniable.
"That's how she infiltrates daily life. Using 'we're just friends' as a wedge. Holding hands? Friends do that. Hugs? Friends do that. Eventually, on a stormy night, she slips into his room saying 'friends sleep together' and..."
"S-Stop! I get it, I get it."
Adeshan waved her off frantically. Her flushed face had paled again. It was all too plausible. Her breathing quickened.
No.
A sudden headache hit. The sweet fantasies of trip planning had morphed into watching Ronan and Marya kiss from behind a tree, sobbing. Just imagining it made her limbs tremble. A whimper escaped her open lips.
"E-Eri... W-What should I do? I can't..."
"It's okay, unnie. It'll work out."
"Th-Thank you..."
"No problem."
Erzsebet patted her back. Seeing her so shaken by mere imagination showed how deep her feelings ran. Enviable, even. Muttering to herself, she smiled faintly.
"As long as you're happy, unnie."
It was a bittersweet smile. The evening glow seeping through the curtains illuminated them perfectly. Somehow, she had a feeling this summer would bring big changes.
Time flew by. Since the late entrance ceremony had been at spring's end, the greenery soon turned lush. The second summer break since arriving at Phileon had arrived.
"This verdant sight is what we've missed. Have a fun and fulfilling time, everyone."
The break began with Kratir's brief address. Cicadas screamed everywhere. After farewells with club members, Ronan walked back to the dorms alongside Schlieffen.
"What kind of summer comes this fast?"
"Because winter was that long. The entrance ceremony was late to begin with."
"Fair point. But aren't you hot? Not a drop of sweat."
"Controlling sweat glands with mana. Part of training."
"Crazy bastard."
Ronan shook his head. Even if useful, he didn't want to go that far. For him, fanning himself and sweating buckets suited better.
Being vacation eve, students looked cheerful overall. Freshest were the newbies, summer break just three months post-enrollment.
Despite the sweltering heat where cicadas grated, their faces beamed. Spotting freshmen playing ball under the blazing sun, Ronan stuck out his tongue in disgust.
"Are they insane? How?"
"First summer in nearly two years. Must've missed it bad."
Surprisingly, Itargand was among them. His platinum hair fluttered as he dodged incoming balls.
"Ita, catch!"
"Do not order me."
Yet Itargand caught it anyway. His haughty tone clashed hilariously with cooperative actions. Girls who seemed his followers cheered from the sidelines. Ronan chuckled dryly at how well he'd integrated.
"That guy's fitting in sneakily well."
"Heard rumors he's running for next student council president."
"Good for him. Navardoje will be pleased."
Ronan snickered. Chatting idly, they reached the dorm. Ronan bid farewell to Schlieffen, who had one more floor.
"Have a good break."
"You too. Heading north right away?"
"Yeah. Can't stand the heat."
"Safe travels. Don't go soft chasing skirts."
Schlieffen climbed the stairs after that jab. Skirts my ass. Ronan snorted in disbelief and entered his room. A massive bag, big enough for Asel, sat by the door.
Preparations are done.
It was the travel gear Ronan had prepped over two months. Bulky with winter equipment. Thinking of Adeshan, he nodded.
Glad senior agreed.
Traveling together would benefit them both. Truth be told, he'd wanted to take her out more, but student council duties made it tough lately.
He'd mentioned the forge tour hoping it'd appeal, and it worked out. North was her homeland, so she'd know spots he didn't. Her family's memorial was there too—could stop by en route.
"Time to go."
Gathering his thoughts, Ronan shouldered the pack. He'd ordered Citta to guard his sister, so no companion this time. With Nebula Klazje purges ongoing, retaliation was a risk.
Meeting spot: Phileon's west gate. He arrived early; no one yet.
"This should do."
Inhaling the warm air, Ronan nodded satisfied. The piercing sunlight suggested northern snow and ice had thawed considerably.
A cool breeze lifted his spirits as he stretched. Then a familiar voice from behind.
"Ronan."
"Yaaawn... Oh, you're here?"
Earlier than expected. Ronan turned. A tall lady stood demurely with her pack. His eyes widened.
"...Senior Adeshan?"
"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?"
She said. He wanted to say no, but words failed. Her waist-length black hair danced in the wind. Ronan's mind blanked briefly.
This is no joke.
Not the Adeshan from a month ago. No makeup, yet transformed. Her weary, overworked face regained bounce; hair gleamed like silk. Her prim lips shone coral-pink, lightly glossed perhaps.
Simply put, stunning. Ronan finally spoke.
"N-No, I just got here."
"Good. Shall we?"
She brushed hair behind her ear with a soft smile—adult charm practiced per Eri's advice. Her heart hammered like it would burst free. Ronan shook his head.
"Wait a sec. Someone else is coming."
"...Someone else?"
Adeshan tilted her head. Just us two? Unease crept in. Then something leaped from behind, hanging on Ronan's neck.
"Yah!"
"Gah!"
The ambush staggered him. Adeshan's eyes bulged. A blonde ponytail girl clung laughing.
Teal eyes sparkling, curves assertive. Marya ruffled Ronan's hair.
"Timed it perfect, and you're already here? Love a punctual guy."
Height gap left her feet dangling. Ronan patted her arms, frowning.
"Hey. Heavy, get down."
"Pfft, man up."
"Not factoring the pack? You're muscle now—actually heavy."
"Ahaha, music to my ears."
Ronan shook, but Marya held fast. Watching, Adeshan bit her lip. Her gray gaze fixed on Marya's chest pressed against Ronan's back. Unable to bear it, she spoke.
"Um, excuse me..."
"Ah, hi Adeshan unnie!"
Before Adeshan could finish, Marya met her eyes, released Ronan, and rushed over. Bowing politely opposite her.
"Thrilled to be traveling together. Take care of me!"
"...Y-Yeah. You too."
So earnest, Adeshan had no retort. She forced an awkward smile, lips twitching far from mature poise. Watching the two, Ronan grinned contentedly.
They get along. Great.