Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Beyond Spring, Into Summer (3)
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"Long time no see. Naviroje."
Ronan and Naviroje turned their heads at the same time. A gaunt man stood there, bathed in the sunset. She frowned at the sight of her old acquaintance.
"Jarodin?"
"What happened to the wall? I could feel your mana."
"...Let's call it an accident during class."
Naviroje averted her gaze. Jarodin stared incredulously at the rubble where the wall had collapsed. Ronan, squinting as he examined the man's appearance, tilted his head.
'Jarodin... right?'
He'd almost failed to recognize him. It wasn't a drastic change. The only differences were his shaggy hair now neatly trimmed and his once-sunken cheeks slightly filled out.
But those subtle shifts had completely transformed Jarodin's impression. What used to be just a bookworm scholar now exuded a decadent midlife charm. Naviroje said coldly,
"So, what brings you here? Class is over, and you're wandering around instead of holed up in your tower."
"I have various errands. First, to tell you my research succeeded."
"What?"
Naviroje's eyes widened. Come to think of it, she was one of the few who knew Jarodin's secret. He continued,
"Come see for yourself. She hasn't regained consciousness yet, but she might hear you. Suni would love your adventure stories."
From his words, it seemed Suni—his wife—was also a friend of hers. Jarodin patted the stunned Naviroje's shoulder in thanks, then turned to Ronan.
"It's been a while. Ronan."
"Yeah. You finally look human. Good to see."
"Last time, I couldn't even thank you properly despite owing you so much."
"Forget it. I did it because I wanted to."
"True enough. But no matter what anyone says, I owe you my life."
Suddenly, Jarodin bowed his head. Naviroje frowned at the unimaginable sight. Even after having his limbs broken and reduced to a state where he couldn't control his bowels, the man had always held his head high. A muffled voice emerged from beneath his bowed head.
"Thank you. Truly."
"Damn, you're a professor—why act like this? Grovel to your revived wife later."
"That's a different matter."
Despite Ronan's protests, Jarodin kept his head down for a long while before lifting it. His clearer blue eyes stood out. Meeting Ronan's gaze, he continued,
"If you're ever in trouble, come find me anytime. I'll do everything I can to help."
"You won't charge money, right?"
"Free for you, your kids, and grandkids."
Jarodin smiled faintly. Seeing the spark of life in his eyes, Ronan let out a relieved sigh. He wouldn't fall for Nebula Klazige's temptations anytime soon.
'Misery breeds weakness. Good to know he's stable for now.'
Ronan truly believed helping him had been the right call. A earth mage versed in mana—an invaluable ally ahead. Finishing their talk, Jarodin suddenly looked around.
"By the way, where's your girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?"
"Yeah. Black hair, tall... Actually, I came today because of her."
Ronan furrowed his brow. He was about to argue based on his firm tastes when Naviroje cut in swiftly.
"If it's Adeshan, she didn't come today. Why are you looking for my assistant?"
"She's been on my mind ever since I saw her last time. Even amid my research frenzy. I doubted myself endlessly, but this morning, I was certain."
"What do you mean?"
Naviroje tilted her head. A solemn voice, like a war declaration, flowed from Jarodin's lips.
"Her power is dangerous. Extremely so."
The training ground fell silent in an instant. Naviroje demanded what nonsense that was, but Jarodin's expression was deadly serious.
'The time has come.'
Ronan silently brushed back his bangs. The sunset pouring from all sides cast long shadows. The journey to reinstate the Grand General had just begun.
"My power is dangerous...? Professor Jarodin said that?"
"Yeah. It caused quite a stir. Later, the instructor even grabbed him by the collar."
"I'm just a repeating student..."
Ronan and Adeshan met the next day at noon. Puddles dotted the streets from last night's rain. The greenery on the campus welcoming summer deepened.
"I told you, senpai. You just hadn't shown your talent yet. Jarodin and I merely discovered it."
"I'm nervous... but excited too. Anyway, thanks, Ronan. For this opportunity."
Adeshan smiled. It suited the muggy early summer perfectly. Hard to believe such a girl harbored monstrous power. Ronan looked ahead and said,
"I'll owe you more in the end anyway."
They headed not to Jarodin's tower but to the Magic Department's main building. Known as the Hall of Truth, it looked unremarkable from outside—like the Martial Arts Department's Gallerion fortress—but inside was another world. Ronan muttered, clicking his tongue,
"Perverted spell-slingers."
He couldn't fathom upside-down ceiling staircases, moving portraits, or mecha-knights playing violins. The layout was a maze; strangers easily got lost.
"Hey, Asel!"
"R-Ronan?! How did you... here?!"
Spotting Asel waddling by was a stroke of luck. Ronan dragged him over like a kidnapper, forcing guidance to the mysterious "Deep Layer Lab 6" and introductions to Adeshan.
"H-Hello. I'm Asel..."
"Adeshan, second-year Martial Arts. Nice to meet you."
"Sh-She's huge..."
Asel gawked at Adeshan with awe and despair. Head thrown back, eyes wide—like beholding a grand tower or mountain range.
"B-But why the deep lab...? We only go there for dangerous magic experiments..."
"This senpai needs to awaken a power that kills all life. Guide us quietly, and I'll spare you."
"Eek!"
Asel's face paled. Adeshan scolded Ronan to stop joking, but he hadn't lied or exaggerated.
The deep lab lay underground in the main building. Best not question how climbing stairs led underground.
Asel stopped before a door marked [6]. The massive iron gate—tall enough for a giant—bristled with layered defensive enchantments. Ronan frowned.
"They're not testing a new explosion spell on us, right?"
"...No idea."
"Th-Then I'll head out. If Erzsebet asks, say you haven't seen me...!"
Asel fled after guiding them. Still hounded by Erzsebet, it seemed. Moderation in brains is key, Ronan mused, pushing the unlocked door.
Contrary to expectations of cramped space, it was vast. Adeshan slowly scanned around, gasping in admiration.
"Wow..."
Probably where a third of the world's magic got tested. Neatly arranged experimental gear and devices of unknown purpose.
"Chirp. Chirp chirp."
"Mewk-! Meeeuk-!"
One wall was lined with cages for beasts. Hundreds, large and small, housed restless animals voicing discontent.
From tiny mice to foxes, deer, wolves... A gray bear meeting Ronan's eyes reared up, roaring fiercely.
"Groooar!"
"Ugh, shit. Scared me. Why keep these here?"
"Materials for necromancy or dark magic experiments. One of Phileon Academy's shadows."
Then, a familiar voice echoed from a corner. Ronan and Adeshan turned. Jarodin stood arms crossed amid massive hexagonal pillars.
"You're here."
"P-Professor Jarodin...?"
Adeshan's eyes widened. She too seemed shocked by his change. Ronan grumbled,
"Why drag us to a place like this?"
"Needed equipment not in my lab. Can't store these anywhere."
Jarodin gestured to three pillars before him, each over 10 meters tall, arranged in an equilateral triangle. Strange runes densely engraved on each face—not ordinary artifacts.
"And why are you here? I didn't call you."
"Uh... curious. Might help."
"Quite the roundabout way to say you're worried."
Jarodin chuckled. Adeshan flushed, turning away. It was true, so Ronan didn't argue. Jarodin pointed to his spot.
"Stand there."
Adeshan complied. As she centered in the triangle, Jarodin chanted. The pillars hummed violently.
"What's this...?"
"Stay still. Drawing out your innate mana."
Adeshan steadied her breathing. The vibration continued. Soon, pitch-black energy rippled up from her shoulders.
"Th-This is...?"
Adeshan's eyes widened. Visually similar to mana, but the aura was utterly alien—eerie, defying natural laws. Jarodin stroked his chin intrigued.
"Hmm. Clear now. It's shadow mana."
"Shadow mana? What's that? What's happening to me...?"
"You've always thought you lacked talent in handling mana. Slower than others, no matter what."
"H-How did you...?"
"Natural. Your power's nature is different. Never dreamed I'd see innate shadow mana in person."
Jarodin explained calmly. Among countless mana types, shadow mana was the rarest and most secretive—like aura, granting unique abilities.
Typically undetectable. In natives, it dormant for years to centuries before awakening.
"Known info on shadow mana is scarce. But those who manifested it caused century-spanning disasters. Yours unknown, but likely dangerous."
He described wielders rivaling grand mages or swordmasters without circles or cores. Most met grim ends—nine in ten rampaged, unable to control sudden power. Jarodin sighed in relief.
"Tragedy from late awakening. With steady training, yours won't be too late."
"How to train?"
"First, purge all accumulated regular mana from your body."
Jarodin chanted again. Pillars vibrated fiercely; the black aura thickened.
Soon, it faded, replaced by familiar blue mana rising. It coalesced into a blob matching Adeshan's size at Jarodin's gesture. He pointed to the floating mass.
"Destroy this entirely. To you, shadow mana handler, it's mere waste."
"A-All of it? How...?"
"Several methods. About five years to clear it all."
He detailed her daily tedious regimen. Adeshan stared at the blob like winter flab on her belly—despairing. Hearing five years, Ronan frowned.
"Can't you extract it now? Just dump it somewhere."
"Looks separate, but it's connected. Just temporarily pulled via this artifact."
Jarodin nodded at the pillars. Out but tethered. Ronan pondered, then asked,
"If it vanishes at once, any backlash on senpai?"
"What do you mean?"
"Quickly—death, disability, curse?"
"No. Just waste removal. Though..."
"Good enough. Step aside."
Ronan shoved Jarodin, drawing breath. Sssaaah— Odd sound from his lips. Seeing glowing La Mancha blade, Adeshan tilted her head.
"Ronan? Why the sword suddenly...?"
"Sorry, senpai. Can't wait that long."
"What do you—"
Adeshan started to speak. Ronan's arm vanished. Slashes far faster than dismembering Balzac poured onto the blob. Bang! Delayed whoosh echoed. Shredded into dozens, it dispersed formless.
"Kyaaah!"
Adeshan screamed, collapsing. Ronan caught and lifted her. Rumble! Two pillars crumbled.
"What...!"
Jarodin's eyes bulged. Phileon's priciest artifacts turned rubble. Fit to scream and jump, but not the priority.
"...The mana dissolved?"
Temporarily extracted mana gone for good. Only shadow mana rippled in Adeshan now.
Shock bigger than expected. Her lanky frame twitched like a startled deer. Then, tearing noise from the corner.
Crash!
"What?"
Ronan turned. A glass cage shattered on the floor—one for dark magic materials. Mice flailed amid shards. Crash! Another fell. Jarodin's face hardened.
"Didn't expect this level."
Beyond predictions. Krashing!! Cages with small animals rained down successively. Wall collapsing—Ronan's mouth parted slightly at the sight.
"Grand General."