Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Midterm Evaluation (1)
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"What are you doing here?"
"You've arrived. Ronan."
He still had that infuriating face. His unkempt hair at the back looked like it hadn't been managed at all. Schlieffen looked at Ronan with eyes that had grown even sharper and opened his mouth.
"Let's talk."
"Talk?"
"Yes. Wait."
Suddenly, Schlieffen pulled a finger-sized scroll from the front pocket of his uniform. Whoosh! As the scroll unfurled, a translucent cube enveloped the two of them.
It was a silence spell that blocked internal noise from escaping outside. Ronan let out a hollow laugh.
"You're really thorough."
"You should get in the habit of being cautious too. Rats are everywhere, just like the name implies."
Schlieffen pulled out three more of the same scrolls and handed them to Ronan. They must have cost a fortune—truly the spending habits of a rich young master. Ronan smirked as he took the scrolls.
"I'll put them to good use. But you look like you've been through hell lately? Your face is half gone."
"I can't deny it. There was a massive purge up until today."
His haggard appearance made him look like someone who hadn't slept for days. Fatigue dripped from his hoarse voice. Schlieffen explained what had happened in Grancia territory over the past month.
"There were nineteen traitors, and I dealt with five of them myself. The rest were imprisoned in the family dungeons or sent to Rodolan."
"Fewer than I thought. What about the Duke?"
"He's fine. He even asked me to pass on his thanks to you. He added that he'll reward you soon."
"Good to hear. When I heard four years, I really thought it was fucked."
Ronan let out a sigh of relief. He couldn't guarantee it, but the chances of the Duke being assassinated were probably lower than in the original history. Schlieffen continued.
"But there's a problem."
"What problem?"
"The detection method using the incantation doesn't seem to work anymore. For the past fortnight, not a single person failed to recite the phrase you told me. And that's out of more than half the personnel."
Ronan furrowed his brow. He had sent Schlieffen a letter with the detection method using the phrase, "The arrival of the star is the day starlight arrives."
"You didn't just round them all up, right?"
"If that were the case, twelve were caught with that method in the previous fortnight. I doubt there's no chance of traitors among half the personnel."
"Did you try it on that Ahayute bastard too?"
"Yes. No difference. It's just speculation, but it seems the incantation has been lifted or altered."
"...I'm not well-versed in this, but can seals be flipped like a pancake remotely?"
"Common sense says no. But thinking about it, it doesn't seem impossible. Four more traitors emerged from the escort knights alone..."
Schlieffen twisted his lips. Distrust and anger flickered beyond his indigo eyes. Ronan could vaguely imagine what Schlieffen had gone through in Grancia.
"Damn it."
Ronan pulled out his pipe. If Schlieffen was right, things were about to get seriously annoying.
'The church is making moves too? This is a headache...'
Aside from him sensing their characteristic "sparkling" mana, there were no special detection methods left. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Ronan exhaled smoke. No answers were coming right now anyway.
"Hoo... Guess we need to find another way. So what about the other half? Isn't it safer to cut everyone except the bare minimum?"
"No personnel reductions. Excluding those purged, everyone's on normal duty."
"Huh? Why?"
"Even if there are agents among those sent away, they'll stir trouble outside Grancia, not within. The shadow over Grancia will be handled by Grancia."
Schlieffen said matter-of-factly. One corner of Ronan's mouth lifted. He was still an obnoxious bastard, but cool nonetheless.
"You little shit, that's kinda badass."
"It's only natural. Anyway, that's the end of my business. Thanks for helping Grancia."
With that, the cube vanished. As Schlieffen turned to leave, he ran his index finger across the table. Frowning at the thick dust on his finger,
"By the way, you're living in a place like this? Even a pigsty would be cleaner."
"Can't compliment you on that. If it bothers you, grab a mop and rag and clean it yourself."
"No reason to. I'll be going now. Looking forward to five days from now."
"Looking forward to what?"
"Aren't you too disinterested in your studies? The midterm evaluation."
"Ah."
He'd forgotten amid the recent busyness. Ronan realized Phileon Academy was entering midterm evaluation period soon. Schlieffen was referring to the midterm for Naviroje's "Advanced Practical Swordsmanship" class.
"You don't plan on just beating up weaklings for wins, do you? I don't think you're that cowardly."
"A kid who hasn't even grown pubes is awfully cocky. Waiting while scrubbing your neck would be more productive than pointless training."
Of course, Ronan had no idea what the exam entailed. He could only guess it was some kind of sparring. Unaware of that, Schlieffen nodded in satisfaction.
His eyes, which had gleamed with anger and distrust moments ago, now sparkled with life. Perverted bastard. Well, among classmates, he probably only had Ronan to go all out against.
"Then I'll look forward to it. Ronan."
"Hey, wait."
Ronan stopped Schlieffen as he was leaving. He'd almost forgotten the most important thing.
"What?"
"Join our club."
Ronan said seriously. He'd planned to recruit him more gradually, but it seemed he'd have to speed things up.
Considering Nebula Klazier's long history and reach, and their method of eliminating risk factors, bringing in talent like Schlieffen as soon as possible was the right call. After a brief silence, the expected response came.
"I have no time to waste on such trifles."
Schlieffen turned away as if it wasn't worth hearing more. As he reached for the door,
Ronan cleared his throat and spoke in clear enunciation.
"My sister's probably moving to the capital soon."
Creeak. Slam. The door closed again. Activating another silence scroll, Schlieffen faced Ronan. His expression was as resolute as if he were off to slay a dragon.
"Tell me. In detail."
"Nah. Why would I tell someone who's not even a club member?"
"If I can adjust participation frequency, I'll consider joining."
"Alright. Want the application form now?"
"I'll pick it up later. Anyway, moving here—even if a bit late—is a fine decision. Staying in that rural area forever is dangerous in these turbulent times. Ronan, when choosing a residence, there are many factors to consider. For Miss Iril, safety is paramount no matter what. Conveniently, there's a map here. Look."
Schlieffen pointed to a detailed map of the capital on the corkboard and launched into a speech. Not content with suggesting house candidates, he proposed three "operations" to safely escort Iril and her belongings from Nimbutton.
"This time, you must hire mercenaries. Traveling with valuables makes you a target for bandits. The Wild Plains Wolves are a decent mercenary band. Composed of seasoned warriors who hunt wyverns with ease."
"Grancia's really in deep shit."
Ronan shook his head. Schlieffen continued his near-maniacal explanation without a care.
****
Time flew by. The day after meeting Schlieffen, Ronan submitted a separate report to Principal Krava Kratir.
Unlike what he'd shown Baren, it detailed most of what happened in Baidian—including the battle with Brigia and the matter of Sarante. Krava Kratir chuckled as he read it.
"Haha, you stirred up a storm on your first activity. No wonder Baren looked so pale."
"Eh, that crazy bitch showed up out of nowhere and complicated things. Won't be this bad next time."
"I hope so. I don't want to be the second principal impeached in Phileon history. Anyway, no casualties is a blessing."
"So you'll allow future activities?"
"What can I do? I already promised."
As Ronan sighed in relief, Krava Kratir suddenly turned serious.
"But be careful with that organization. Grancia's case shows they're no joke. Even His Majesty is treating it gravely."
Ronan nodded gravely. Leaving the principal's office, he began planning his trip to the Dawn Mage Tower. Due to the distance, he'd head out right after midterms.
'For my sake too, I need to hurry to Haju. Gotta make a schedule.'
The next day, Marya gathered the club members in the club building to distribute the profits from selling Baidian spoils. Thud! Marya placed an ornate wooden box on the table.
"Here, take it."
"Eek...! H-How much is all this?"
The box, emblazoned with the Karabel Merchant Group emblem, was filled with gleaming gold coins. Far more than expected, everyone's eyes widened. Braum let out a rare hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! Beyond imagination. We three split this?"
"What? This is your personal share. Here, for you and the cutie."
Thud! Thud! Two more boxes hit the table. The smile vanished from Braum's face. Ronan, fiddling with his share of gold, nodded slowly.
'A bit more and I can buy that nutjob's recommended house.'
He planned to ask Schlieffen for the shortfall. The houses he recommended were excellent but pricey. The group left trembling hands clutching money they'd never dreamed of holding. Ronan muttered while gazing at (former) Sarante on the bar table.
"Owe you again."
Faint mana seeped from the white rock. Ronan started his days by wiping the stone with a cloth each morning.
By the time he'd caught up on backlog, midterms were upon them. Braum and Marya took leave to pause club activities. Only Ronan and Asel, unconcerned about exams, chatted in the club building.
"Asel. How'd the exam go today? Good?"
"Uh, yeah... So-so."
"Then why the long face if you did well? Who beat you up?"
"N-No... Some girl keeps talking to me since yesterday..."
"What dumb bitch is chasing a runt like you? Unique taste."
"Er... Erzsebet..."
"What?"
Ronan frowned. Asel explained Erzsebet approached after he topped her in three written exams. Grasping the situation, Ronan chuckled.
"Figures that high-class bitch has killer competitive spirit. What'd she say?"
"K-Keeps asking how I study. Who I learned from. I just did what class said..."
"Lucky bastard."
"Ugh... Honestly scared to death. Don't get why someone so out of my league is bothering..."
"Hey, what do I keep telling you? Don't be a wimp. Think getting hit builds confidence?"
"Eek!"
Ronan raised one hand. Asel curled up, shielding his head. A flash of inspiration hit Ronan.
'Wait... If I play this right...'
He recalled Erzsebet ranting about sheep. Maybe he could recruit her after Schlieffen.
"Good job, Asel."
"Ack!"
Snap! Ronan flicked Asel's forehead and stood.
Asel clutched his forehead. "W-Where you going?"
"To the exam. It'll take long, so head back first."
Ronan twirled Ramancha as he left. Today's gathering was Phileon Grand Plaza, not Arena 1.
Indeed, Advanced Practical Swordsmanship students stood in perfect formation at the plaza's center. Wearing various armors instead of uniforms, the atmosphere was utterly different.
'What the fuck. Am I the only one in uniform?'
Even Schlieffen wore a top emblazoned with the Grancia crest. Then Adeshan spotted Ronan and waved with a grin.
"Ah, over here, Ronan. Stand by me."
"What, you taking the exam too, senpai?"
"Of course! I'm a proper student."
Adeshan's attire was different too. A fine longsword hung at her waist over greaves. Ronan raised a brow.
"Nice sword."
"Hehe, thanks. Saved up hard for it."
"Why gather here instead of the arena? Free-for-all or something?"
"Huh? You didn't know? Well... Hot, he's here!"
Suddenly, Adeshan grabbed Ronan's shoulders and turned him forward. Naviroje approached with dignified strides, Krava Kratir following. Ronan narrowed his eyes.
"Huh? Why's that guy here?"
"You... really didn't know. That's why the uniform... Oh no! Quick, wear mine...!"
Adeshan fumbled to unfasten her greaves. Ronan barely stopped her and was about to speak when Naviroje's voice rang out.
"Everyone's here. As you know, under the premise of no killing or severe injury, all means are allowed. Do not leave the exam area. The test continues until one remains."
"Yes!!"
"Details upon arrival. Prepare."
The students shouted again, voices laced with resolve. Only clueless Ronan frowned, looking around.
"Damn, what the hell are they making us do?"
He'd guessed designated duels, but apparently not. Then Krava Kratir, standing beside Naviroje and chuckling, spread his arms.
"Miss Naviroje, shall I transport them?"
"Yes. Please."
"Haha, looking forward to it again."
Clap! Krava Kratir clapped. Suddenly, Ronan's vision went dark.