Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Banquet
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Having seen off his guest, Ronan returned to the banquet hall with Sita. The main hall of Gallerion Castle had transformed into the perfect venue for a party.
"What a racket."
"Pya~"
The atmosphere was completely different from when he had visited for the practical exam. Ronan looked around the banquet hall and muttered in amazement.
"Maybe I should quit being a swordsman and learn magic..."
Birds made of light flew around chirping. The enchanted ceiling projected the blue sky beyond the roof exactly as it was.
Ten long tables, each nearly fifty meters in length, stretched across the hall. The tables were laden with delicacies and drinks from various regions.
Ronan picked up a crab leg slathered in butter and grilled. It was the last one left, but the moment the plate emptied, a whole intact crab appeared on it again.
And the taste was out of this world.
"Feels like a ghost is pinching my nipple."
Students in uniforms wandered between the tables, chatting with people they had just met that day.
Still considered students, there was no clinking of glasses, but they were buzzing with excitement as if drunk.
"I still can't believe I made it into Phileon Academy. It feels like a dream."
"Tell me about it. I applied thinking this was my last shot... Sniff!"
Some students even burst into tears out of the blue.
Ronan thought it was understandable. The effort they had put into preparing for the entrance exam was no small feat.
At that moment, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Hey, Ronan."
"Ha... What now?"
Ronan sighed and turned around. Sure enough, Schlieffen stood there in his uniform, head held high.
His innate nobility was as evident as ever, but his expression somehow looked off. Ronan took a bite of the crab leg and said,
"What's with the face? Got the shits or something?"
"Has Lady Iril returned home?"
"Yeah. Just escorted her back."
"Where does she live? What did she take to get there?"
Ronan frowned.
"Why the hell do you need to know that?"
"You didn't send her off without an escort, did you? If so, you're no human."
"Escort?"
Ronan tilted his head. Schlieffen's face hardened. He swept his hand down his face as if to compose himself and continued.
"...I asked out of concern, and it seems it's true. Unimaginable for a noble house. Ronan, do you know why accidents are accidents? Because they happen unexpectedly. Take measures right now. How long ago did the carriage leave? The nearest mercenary guild is on the western boulevard. No, just borrow my horse. You head out immediately...!"
Schlieffen began listing the exact measures Ronan should take, his words rapid and precise.
Ronan watched with wide eyes, more entertaining than any circus. It was the complete opposite of how he acted around Iril.
Of course, Ronan had already taken every possible precaution. He had hired a carriage from the most reputable guild in the capital, driven by a retired Sword Expert swordsman with zero accident history.
"No, unless a wyvern swoops down and snatches the carriage, it's fine."
"So you're saying you'd be done for if a wyvern came."
But Schlieffen insisted on deploying forces fit for guarding a merchant caravan. Considering the existing measures and local security, it was blatant overprotection.
Schlieffen wouldn't listen, as if his ears were plugged with wax. Fed up, Ronan poked Sita and said,
"Sita, remember sister's scent?"
"Pya!"
"Follow her home and come back tomorrow."
Sita spread its wings as if waiting for the order. Leaving Ronan's shoulder, it became a black afterimage and shot out the banquet hall window in an instant.
Schlieffen was still in the middle of his speech. Ronan said,
"Calm down now. I just sent an escort."
"...Escort? You don't mean that bird on your shoulder earlier? You're joking..."
"It's not just any bird—it's a phantom beast. Tougher than most mercenary bands, so don't worry."
Ronan nodded seriously. Schlieffen glared suspiciously but finally spoke.
"...If it's on par with a decent mercenary band, that's even better. If you need it, just say so. Don't let stupid pride get in the way."
"But what gives you the right to butt into my sister's business like this?"
"......"
Schlieffen turned away without answering. What a pain in the ass, Ronan muttered to himself as he looked around for more food. A booming voice echoed through the hall.
"Hahaha! There's the star of the show! Over here! Junior!!"
"Hey, Ronan! Here!!"
It was a raucous duet. Ronan sighed. Probably everyone in the hall heard them.
"Damn it, can't I eat in peace?"
Turning, he saw Marya and Braum waving from afar. Around twenty students were gathered around them, chatting animatedly.
"So, Junior Marya, is it true? You knew Junior Ronan from before?"
"Yes, Senior Braum! We've been together ever since our fateful encounter in Marbas!"
"Oho! A fateful encounter? What happened?!"
Ronan shook his head. Even for the boisterous Braum, getting chummy this fast was something.
That girl's affinity is on another level. No wonder she'll become the continent's top merchant someday.
Ronan exchanged greetings with the group. Most were seniors who had competed in the earlier matches.
"Hi, handsome junior. You might not remember since I got wrecked in one hit, but I'm Iris. We dueled."
"How could I forget? You used two spears. Left one reverse grip."
"Huh? Y... yeah."
"My god! You remember that?! What about me, do you remember?"
"Of course. When swinging the mace, shift your center of gravity back a bit more."
Ronan remembered not just their faces but their weapons too. Giving advice based on his experience, the second-years were all smiles.
"Unbelievable. Same genius, but how are we so different? Ask me anything!"
"Know about the secret passage in the library? Twenty-second shelf..."
"There's a phantom beast at the lake bottom. Befriend it, and it'll fetch rare water herbs for alchemy."
The seniors spilled all their insider tips generously. Some were genuinely useful for academy life.
Owe sister again.
Ronan smiled. Who knew simply reassuring Iril would bring such luck.
"Um, excuse me! You were so cool earlier...!"
"You're Ronan, right? Could I get an autograph?"
"Sure, sure. We're classmates—drop the formalities."
The classmates, who had been hesitant, gathered one by one. The atmosphere was growing lively when...
"Excuse me, Lord Ronan?"
"Yeah?"
A husky alto drew his attention. Ronan turned.
A girl with deep purple hair approached, arms crossed. Her robe-style uniform marked her as Magic Department.
Her slightly upturned eyes evoked a cat. Recognizing her, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"Erzsebet?"
"Oh, you remember me."
The chattering students fell silent, eyes on her. It wasn't just her beauty.
Erzsebet de Acalusia.
If Schlieffen ruled Martial Arts, Erzsebet dominated Magic. Her genius with three affinities was known beyond Magic Department, even to Martial Arts. Braum laughed loudly and teased,
"Oho! Magic's top seat! Sorry, junior! To talk to Ronan, you gotta line up! Come on over!"
Good-natured joke, but Erzsebet neither smiled nor responded. Without glancing at Braum, she said,
"I wasn't talking to you."
-Thud!
"Ack?!"
A heavy pressure crushed Braum's shoulder. If he hadn't instantly reinforced his legs with mana, his knees would've buckled.
"Oh? You're holding up. Guess that bulk isn't for show."
"Urgh...!"
Braum gritted his teeth. No matter how hard he pushed, he couldn't move. It felt like a giant hand gripped him.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
The mood froze instantly. Click. As Erzsebet stepped forward, the crowd parted. Asel, catching her eye briefly, hid behind Ronan.
"Hiiik...!"
Asel could see the mana emanating from Erzsebet. Dark purple, unlike any natural mana. Unique to her alone. It was aura.
Al... already at aura manifestation...!
He tried to warn, but no voice came. Ronan asked sternly,
"What the hell was that?"
"Sorry. Got mad at the interruption."
"Release him. Now."
"Of course."
Erzsebet complied easily. With a flick of her wrist, the magic gripping Braum dissolved.
"Huff...! Damn... Ruining my vibe today..."
Braum slumped onto the stairs. Others rushed to help him. Seeing this, Erzsebet chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Sheep scampering about is always amusing, don't you think?"
Ronan sighed. Sometimes, one sentence reveals everything.
What a tiring day. Why are all these geniuses such a handful?
Good chance to check if her underwear's purple too.
Ronan rested his hand on his sword hilt, intent on stripping this brat like Striper Derian. Erzsebet continued,
"I watched your duel. Impressive. That's why I'm here—with a proposal."
"Proposal?"
"Yes. I can't stand watching you fall to sheep. Lions belong with lions."
"Speak plainly. Concisely."
"So impatient. Hold on."
Rummaging in her pocket, she handed him something.
"Here, take it."
A large black crystal brooch. The back bore an engraved lion roaring at the moon—the crest of House Acalusia, rivaling Grancia.
Ronan's eyes widened briefly. Noticing, Erzsebet smiled faintly.
"This is..."
"You know what it means?"
"...Roughly."
"No need to explain then. How about this weekend? Visit Acalusia territory with me."
Ronan didn't reply. Erzsebet turned with a coy smile.
"...Think it over. I'll go now."
Ronan never drew his sword. He just stared at the brooch she left. Her heels clicked elegantly.
Click. Click. Click...
Crash!
"Kyaa!"
Suddenly, Erzsebet tripped with a sharp yelp. All eyes turned to her. Arms flung forward, face-first—a truly ugly, painful fall.
"Y... you okay?"
Even Braum pitied her. She sprang up as if nothing happened and hurried off—twice as fast.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click!
Her ears peeked through her bob, red as hot iron. As she rounded the corner, Marya ruffled Asel's hair roughly.
"Good job, cutie! Bitches like that need a lesson."
"I... I didn't do it...?"
"Huh? Wasn't that your magic?"
Marya blinked wide-eyed. Nothing around for her to trip on. Asel shook his head vigorously.
"Sh... she just tripped over her own legs..."
They stared at each other, speechless. Ronan was still eyeing the brooch. Marya tilted her head.
"You'll bore a hole in it. What's that?"
"Invitation."
"Huh?"
"Or compass, maybe."
The black crystal glowed faintly—infused with mana. Ronan recalled his last conversation with Adeshan.
[I was originally a commoner. Proved my talent and became part of House Acalusia. The things in that strange castle... I still can't forget.]
[Castle?]
[Hm, since not much time left, shall I tell you? Back when I was at Phileon Academy...]
Leaning on a rock, Adeshan shared how she became Adeshan de Acalusia.
The fog around the castle, the gatekeeper. The trial of the family head, the treasure received, and inscription as a member.
Thought it'd take years of proving myself as a knight.
Unlike other houses' purebloodism, Acalusia scouted talent regardless of race or status, even adopting promising youths.
The brooch was an invitation to enter Acalusia territory—a chance to take the family head's trial and join the house.
[What's good about being noble?]
[Social standing rises. No one rivals us except Grancia and the imperial family. Full support from Acalusia is a big plus.]
Ronan had no intention of joining House Acalusia. Even if he changed his mind later, it'd need serious thought.
But the castle's other secrets tempted him. An ancient great house's stronghold held more than titles or treasures. Perhaps info on giants.
Roughly planning ahead, Ronan stroked his chin.
First... pick up the sword from that forge.