Chapter 436
Chapter 436
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 436
Chapter Title: 2-106. Acalusia (8)
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Rain was drizzling down. Seeing the clouds scrawled across the sky like muddy ash, it seemed hopeless to expect a glimpse of blue sky. The tributary of the Taimen River crossing the Acalusia garden was swollen as if about to overflow.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
House Head Adrian was waiting for us in the lobby. The body-fitting dress looked great on her. Sorry to Erzsebet, but no matter how I looked at it, the mother was more attractive.
Far from sleeping soundly, I hadn't even laid my head on the pillow, but I just grinned.
"Thanks to you, House Head. The mansion was fantastic."
"I-I slept well too...!"
"Hehe, glad to hear it. Then let's head straight to the exam grounds."
Adrian stepped out the door. Maid Liz followed like an attendant.
Neither of them held an umbrella, though. Just as I wondered if it was some form of harassment, Adrian flicked the fan that had been covering her lower face into the air.
Paaah...!
Mana from the surroundings gathered in, forming a ceiling and walls of telekinesis that covered the hill road.
"Shall we go? Even on rainy days, the Acalusia garden is truly beautiful."
"Ooh... As expected of a house of magic."
Adrian took the lead. We followed her, gawking around like primitives discovering fire for the first time. The avenue from the mansion to the garden had turned into a massive tunnel. Even as the downpour drenched the world, the transparent walls and ceiling allowed not a single drop to intrude.
'As expected of Eri's mom. Pulling off tricks like this without batting an eye.'
Raindrops shattering against the grass were beautiful. The rainwater sparkling atop the trees, polished like jewels, made the garden's greenery stand out even more.
Asel, who had been tense the whole time, finally showed a different reaction.
"...Amazing."
"Don't just stand there slack-jawed. You could do it too, man."
"R-Really? Me, casting magic like that?"
"Yeah. As long as you don't get torn to shreds by Erzsebet in today's exam."
"Gasp."
Asel's face paled. Liz, walking beside us, giggled. The air, scented with grass, was so refreshing it lifted our moods on the stroll.
"...Hmm."
But House Head Adrian's face bore a subtle worry.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah... Sorry to worry you. The guard captain's missing. It's not his day off, but they say he vanished last evening."
"Huh, weird things happen. Maybe he's just slacking off?"
"Who knows. I hope so... but he's not the type."
"Hic."
Asel hiccuped. He seemed to know something, but I didn't pry.
It was probably connected to what I'd uncovered last night, and every secret has its time and place to be revealed.
We walked like that for about fifteen minutes. The transparent tunnel stretched straight to our destination. The exam site was the Acalusia family's arena on the territory's outskirts.
"Damn, it's huge. This is why money's great."
A chuckle escaped me at the sight of the arena.
For a single family's facility, it was excessively vast and impressive. Just in terms of area, it felt like three of the Gallerion Hall's training grounds where Naviroje's classes were held, combined.
"You've arrived, House Head."
Armored guards were lined up before the massive dome-structured arena. One stepped forward and saluted; Adrian nodded.
"It's raining—tough job. Where's Erzsebet?"
"The young lady arrived thirty minutes ago. Might be my imagination, but she seemed in better spirits than usual."
"I see. Should I be glad she's shaking off her lethargy, even if only for an occasion like this...?"
Adrian gave a wry smile. We received excessively courteous escorts into the arena. In the center of the vast circular space stood a woman in Acalusia uniform.
"You're early, Erzsebet."
Erzsebet just bowed her head instead of replying. Her polite etiquette befitted a great house's lady. Her outfit was neat, her hair properly combed—it finally looked like the Erzsebet I knew.
Adrian eyed her up and down before cautiously asking,
"...How's the wound on your chest?"
Truly, Adrian was a good mother. She was referencing the telekinetic blast she'd unleashed at Erzsebet for her rudeness the morning before last. Erzsebet smiled brightly.
"I'm fine, House Head. As always."
"Haa... Glad to hear it. Fight honorably, please."
"Hehe, don't worry."
The adoption exam procedure was very simple.
Adrian positioned Asel and Erzsebet side by side, then ascended the podium for speeches. Thirty to forty apparent Acalusia adoptees sat in the stands.
"House Head Adrian speaking. First, thanks to all of you for serving as witnesses. Today, another spark dreaming of the Great Conflagration seeks to join Acalusia. The challenger's name is Asel—the sixth person to behold the shining path since Acalusia settled along the Taimen River."
"Wh-what?!"
As Adrian unfurled her fan, a spotlight fell over Asel's head. I sighed, facepalming at his girly yelp.
Should I really pump him up with some liver shots?
But the Acalusia adoptees paid no mind to his pathetic reaction.
"...He saw the path?"
"First since the young lady. This is shocking..."
"Heh, he'll make a fine mage. Go for it, kid."
They were all amazed that Asel had seen the shining path.
Having watched him develop since the original world, I felt little surprise, but it seemed far more impressive than I'd thought.
Adrian continued.
"As you know, Acalusia tailors trials to the challenger's ability. For one who saw the shining path, the fitting trial is naturally the harshest: a duel with an insider. That honorable role falls to Erzsebet de Acalusia."
"Ooh! The young lady herself!"
"A historic situation in many ways."
The stands grew noisy. Erzsebet stared straight ahead with a cool smile. I could almost hear Asel's heart pounding from here.
"Subdue your opponent to pass. However, even in defeat, showing a shining feat may lead to passing at our discretion."
"Good."
I chuckled at the second passing condition. Adrian had no intention of letting Asel slip away. As long as it wasn't an embarrassingly pathetic showing, she'd make him Acalusia somehow.
"Then let us begin. In this hallowed hall stained with Acalusia blood, do you both swear to an honorable duel?"
"Yes. I swear."
"I-I swear."
Asel and Erzsebet replied together. After the oath, they moved to opposite ends of the arena. Asel trembled so hard his teeth chattered.
I sidled up and patted his shoulder.
"Relax. You're gonna be the greatest mage."
"R-Ronan... Why won't you listen? This isn't the time. In the basement, the basement...!"
Asel sniffled. Poke his cheek, and he'd burst like a water balloon.
"Hah... What a pathetic little shit."
I sighed, pulled his head close by the nape,
and whispered in his ear.
"Adeshan's corpse is there, right? The body that should've been cremated. And a ton more."
"Wha...?"
Asel gasped. Gripping his red hair, I continued.
"I know. Didn't expect you'd kill the guard captain too. Digging up your own secrets without me prying—impressive, Asel."
I released his head. He stared up at me, dumbfounded.
"Anyway, we're this far—no backing out. I said this was your test. Got anything prepared?"
"Uh, well... I learned about counter-magic and practiced all night... but nothing else."
"Counter-magic, huh. Not bad."
I nodded. In the original world, I'd seen Asel and Erzsebet use it a few times. Counter-magic was one of the few ways to overturn a huge skill gap.
"That'll do. Land one hit and come back."
"I-I'm gonna die, Ronan. The vibe's off...! She's different from the Erzsebet I talked to last night!"
"Just nerves. Imagination."
"Ack! Ow!"
Prep time over. I slapped his back hard. Asel groaned like a whipped slave and advanced. Confirming them facing off, Adrian bellowed,
"Then, the adoption exam for challenger Asel begins!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the stands. The starting bell rang clear. A chilling smile curved Erzsebet's lips.
As Asel desperately breathed deep and opened his mouth to try something.
"In, Invi... Invisible Han..."
"Inferno Circle. Rage Storm. Silent."
⟨ Inferno Circle: Rage Storm ⟩
Mana swirled like a vortex as spells poured from Erzsebet's mouth in succession. The moment she lightly snapped her fingers, the entire arena floor was covered in geometric magic circles.
"What...!"
Adrian's eyes widened. The noisy stands fell silent in an instant. Before anyone could react to the magic's unprecedented scale.
Kwaaaaaah---!!!
Crimson-black flames erupted along the magic circle's edges. The raging fire, flooding like an angry river, encircled the sides and engulfed the ceiling. As the hemispherical blaze took perfect form, crackling lightning wrapped around it.
"I-Isn't that too much?"
"Eri, what are you thinking...! Stop the duel!"
Adrian thrust her fan desperately. A telekinetic shockwave slammed the hemisphere. But the flame-and-lightning barrier merely rippled without breaking.
Even Acalusia's house head would need a proper spell to breach it.
"...I trusted you."
Adrian bit her lower lip. As the situation worsened, she prepared a full spell. Intense mana, warping the air, gathered in her hand.
"Knew it."
"Lord Ronan?!"
Watching, I leaped from my spot.
Leaping ten meters effortlessly, I spun like a swallow and landed before Adrian.
"Don't interfere. He needs to overcome this."
"What?"
She startled, halting her destructive spell's chant.
"Don't interfere? What do you mean?! If we don't stop it, Asel will die!"
"Might, if unlucky. But he won't. Someone tipped him off—he learned something good."
"...Pardon?"
Adrian frowned. I gently took her hand; the gathering mana dissipated. The flame-lightning dome blazed mockingly brighter with time.
Whatever was happening inside, it had to be fun.
Calming Adrian, I plopped down on the podium floor.
"Relax. Let me tell you what I found out last night. About this great house's secrets."
"Secrets...?"
"Plenty... But the one you'd find most interesting is probably this."
I paused, then continued.
"First off, the one fighting Asel right now isn't Erzsebet."